Katniss returned to town, and dropped off some of her latest kills. The Hob had never been reopened, and things were getting tight without the trade, so she had to clean and dress the kills herself. It had taken her days to find a way past the Fence that the Capitol wouldn't find and plug. The easiest way was Peeta's back fence, but she wanted another option.

As she came back to the Seam, people were staring at her. She was used to the attention, for the most part. Peeta had made her a nationwide name; and those that knew about her 'relocating' to the woods were always aware when she came back.

But things had changed today, and it took her a while to find out why.

Gale was at the Mines, as usual, working a double shift to keep the kids fed. Peeta had made sure there was enough food for the Hawthornes, purely because Katniss cared about them; but Gale wouldn't accept charity, so they had to make an effort to keep him from finding out.

Hazelle took Katniss' offerings, as graciously as ever. But this time, Hazelle looked so… sad for her. "What? What is it?" Katniss demanded. "Everyone in town's been giving me that look all day."

Hazelle took her hand and led her over to the television. "Be strong, Mockingjay." She said gently.

Katniss looked, and saw a candid picture of Peeta kissing Johanna Mason's fingers tenderly, taken from a long distance. Ceaser Flickerman was smiling so wide it nearly bounced off his face.

"...never been done before, but apparently there's a first time for everything; and True Love can't be denied. Our sources say that several of the most influential families in the Capitol all asked for it; and President Snow, in his generosity, gave a special Presidential Order to make it happen. For commentary on this, we have one of the Capitol favorites, Finnick Odair. Finnick, what's going through your mind today? You were one of the people insisting that Peeta and Johanna were just friends."

"I was indeed, Ceaser. But you know how close Johanna plays her emotions. I've only spoken to Peeta once or twice, but that, and what I saw in his Games? Peeta strikes me as the type to win over the hardest of hearts. If Johanna Mason did fall in love, the last thing she'd do is let on to the public."

"I hope Mellark realizes how lucky he is. And the Capitol is certainly rejoicing to hear that the love story continues!"

"And for this story, it was either hold a State Function every week, or just let them be together. I hope it works out. If it does, it's the happiest ending they could ever have."

"And if it doesn't?"

"Then they're stuck with each other. But I know Johanna, and I know what it's like to be a Victor. We're alive because we take the big chances. Deep down, everyone's a Romantic, Ceaser. This I know. Even a President."

"A heartwarming thought, Finnick! Congratulations, District Twelve. You've got a female Victor after all!"

Stunned, Katniss looked to Hazelle to make sure. "She's coming here?"

"The Capitol's most influential people demanded it. By direct Presidential Order, Johanna Mason is now a Citizen of District Twelve." Hazelle nodded, looking at the girl carefully. "You okay?"

Katniss stared at the screen for thirty seconds, before she gave Hazelle a blank look. "Fine. Why wouldn't I be?"

She turned and walked out without a look back at the screen; as the whole country watched Peeta and Johanna board the train, arm in arm.

"Why didn't you tell me?!" Effie shrilled wildly. "Is she staying in your house? Does your family know? Are you two getting married? Have you told Katniss? Is she living at Victor's Village? Is she bringing her own Staff? Does she have her own Escort?" Effie clutched a hand to her heart, startled. "Am I fired?!"

"Effie, let them alone." Haymitch barked. "Let her at least get to Twelve before she realises she's made a horrible mistake."

"Haymitch! That's awful!" Effie squawked.

"Effie, I would never send you away." Johanna promised. "You're far too entertaining. Now if you'll excuse us, Peeta and I want to christen the train properly."

Effie sputtered out something about propriety, while Haymitch guffawed something about Peeta having a surprisingly happy birthday; and the Avoxes tried to wrangle Portia and the rest of the style team out of the way…

And with all the speed and reflexes that a Victor had, Johanna hauled Peeta into the bedroom section of the traincar and slammed the door shut; with everyone else on the other side. The room was dead silent suddenly, and Peeta locked the door deliberately; keeping the rest of the world out.

Pause.

Johanna pulled a small device from her pocket, and pushed a button. "This'll give us a few minutes to talk before they realize the real reason they can't hear us saying anything."

"You knew." Peeta said quietly. "The announcement this morning? You knew it was coming."

"I did. It wasn't easy to arrange. Tigris put it over the top." She nodded. "It was also to save my life. Snow had noticed me talking with the other victors a little too much. This is a strategic withdrawal."

"And you didn't tell me...?" Peeta asked, almost afraid of the answer.

Johanna bit her lip. "Because of last night. Because everything that happens now… It'll always be through the lens of 'how does this affect the Cover Story?' But last night was just because we wanted to, and nothing else. At least, I wanted to. I don't know what happens now, but-"

"You can't undo it." Peeta whispered. "And I don't mean last night. You can't undo this. I've seen Seven now. Twelve is… well, it's a dump. It's filthy, and poverty-stricken and starving; and covered in black flammable dust. Your people… your home, your friends? You can't go back to them."

"If Haymitch suddenly had to switch Districts tomorrow?" Johanna challenged. "Who would he miss? I told you that I very carefully, very deliberately, don't have anyone to say goodbye to. I don't know if you noticed, but we aren't making a stop in Seven for me to have a teary farewell with anyone. They're gonna mail me my clothes." She looked at him sideways. "Is it that, or is it that after last night, you're a lot more stuck with me than you expected; and that's a problem for you?"

"If you were worried about that, you should have brought it up last night." He shot back.

"And if I had?" She was actually a little scared of the answer. "Would we still have…"

Peeta interrupted her with a kiss. It lasted several seconds before they broke apart. "Sorry, but I figured someone had to declare, one way or the other." He drawled. "Some guys join the Resistance and lose their families, some guys lose their jobs, some risk imprisonment and torture. My sacrifice is to have a sexy woman move in with me and convince anyone watching that we're mad for each other?" He smothered a wry smirk. "Woe is me."

"Mm." She kept a respectful distance. Around other people she was plastered to him. In private, she stepped back. "And Katniss Everdeen? Where does she fit into that?"

"Please don't ask me to answer that question yet. I've only had this news for half an hour."

I don't care. I don't care. Katniss told herself mentally, over and over on a loop. I don't care. I don't care. I don't care. I don't care.

"What is all this?"

Katniss jumped. Gale had snuck up on her, which should have been impossible. I must be more distracted than I thought. Distracted, but not caring. "Hey. Thought you were working."

"I was. Then I heard the joyful news." Gale nodded, sitting beside her on the log. "Where did all this come from?"

Katniss looked at the large sack full of food. "I… Well, to be honest, I cleaned out Peeta's kitchen. I don't imagine it'd be good for me to hang out there anymore, so…"

"He eats like this all the time?"

"Most of it goes to people in the District. People with kids of Reaping Age get more attention than most. I think Peeta's afraid of the kids at school now. He can't face them, so he gives their parents food."

Gale nodded. "Sounds like Peeta." He let out a breath. "So. You're mad."

"Nope." Katniss said instantly.

"Jealous?"

"Gale!"

"Well, I'm sorry. I don't know where any of us are right now. Johanna moving in makes it worse for you if you wanted a happy ending with Peeta."

"And better for you, I guess." Katniss didn't look at him. "Johanna moving in eliminates the competition?"

Gale's voice dropped. "Are we competing, Katniss? Peeta and Me? Am I even in the game? Because Madge tells me you're living on his Kitchen floor whenever you come into the District. Even the Avox get cots."

"I wasn't there for Peeta. In case you haven't noticed, nothing's happened with him since his name got pulled out of that damn bowl." Katniss sighed. "I was staying there... because Victor's Village is the only place in Twelve that doesn't make me think of Prim."

"Peeta doesn't make you think of Prim?"

Katniss started to cry. No sobs, no hitched breathing, no weeping. Just heavy tears rolling slowly over her hollow cheeks. "I couldn't even hold her, Gale. Peeta didn't let go of her, even after she… died. Peeta did for Prim what I should have been there to do. It felt like staying in range of him was the closest I'd ever get to being there for her as she closed her eyes."

"If you think that'll ever change-"

"Prim is gone." Katniss grated out. "And I have to stop killing myself for scraps of her memory."

"Not buyin' it." Gale said. "Your memories of her are perfect. You don't have to be with Peeta for that."

Katniss nodded. "I know."

"And you knew that yesterday, so that's not why you were at his house." Gale asked. "Now that Johanna's going to be there, on his arm; probably in his bed, part of his life; like he always wanted you to b-"

Katniss spun around and kissed Gale savagely. He yelped into her mouth and she moved with him as he reared back, until they both overbalanced, with her on top of him. She kept her mouth on his until oxygen deprivation made stars shine behind her eyelids. They broke, with her fingers bunching into his tunic so tightly the cloth was starting to tear.

"...wow! Ow." Gale gasped.

Katniss hadn't moved away, pretty much on top of him. "Gale, do me a favor." She gulped air. "Don't say Peeta's name again. Not him, not Johanna, not Prim. I don't want to talk about any of them. I need you to be here now. Just you. None of them."

"Okay." Gale promised. "I'll be here. Will you?"

"What do you mean?"

"Are you with me right now, or… somewhere else?"

Katniss wanted to scowl, knowing what he was asking. Instead, she kissed him again, soft and heated. "Here." She promised. "I'm here."

Johanna poked her head out of the bedroom car. No sign of Effie or their entourage. She padded out to the buffet table and started picking at it, only to find Haymitch was there, watching silently. She stared back at him for a long moment.

Haymitch looked her up and down, then looked back at the bedroom she'd left; before he raised a single eyebrow. He'd asked the question and given her warning. They'd had half the conversation in one look.

Johanna looked around. Nobody there. She pulled out her Jammer and pushed the button. "Three minutes."

Haymitch said nothing.

For a full minute, neither did she. Finally, she broke first. "Nobody has ever just been nice to me before." She admitted. "There's always been a reason, or an agenda."

Haymitch gave a single nod.

"And I can handle that. I am well defended." Johanna tapped her chest, right over her heart. "I can handle my 'clients'. I can handle the Capitol. I can handle the Press. I can handle The Peacekeepers. I can handle the Arena." She spread her hands wide. "I have no defence against kindness."

Haymitch nodded. "Neither do I." He admitted. "Twenty five years, and I've never needed to worry about 'nice'. It's a weak spot nobody has ever tried to exploit with me."

"Me neither." Johanna nodded. "But I hadn't realized how much I wanted someone to be nice to me."

Haymitch nodded and finally stood up. He went to the table, picked up a bottle, and stalked off to his room. "I don't want to talk about this again."

The Train pulled into Twelve, and Peeta found Madge waiting. "This is getting to be a habit." Peeta commented, giving her a hug. "People will talk."

"Three rumored romances would be pushing it." Madge teased him, and turned to Johanna. "Not sure if you remember me. I was at your Victory Tour when you came through Twelve."

Johanna studied her. "The Mayor's Daughter. You gave me flowers."

"She remembers! You should call me Madge." She turned back to Peeta. "Well. I told you to bring me back a Souvenir." She smirked. "But this was not what I meant."

Peeta chuckled. "Things happen fast."

"Stuff happened while you were away, too." Madge's voice dropped. "We have a new Peacekeeper in charge now. His name is Thread. The first thing he did was 'relieve' Clay of his command. Nobody's seen Darius since. They also put up a Gallows; a stockade… They haven't been without customers since Thread got here."

"A little reminder from Snow that we're not out of reach." Johanna nodded. "This is how it is in all the Districts, Miss- Madge. Peeta tells me that they were more laid-back about it here. It's not because they're nicer. It's because nobody gives a crap about District Twelve."

"Well, they do now." Peeta said quietly, eyes on Johanna.

"They do now." Johanna nodded.

She asked nothing of him for the first night. She came to his house, until her house in Victor's Village could be 'restored to full working order'. Twelve was scrambling to get ready for a third Victor. Once they were alone, she dropped her bags in Peeta's guest room without asking. Peeta didn't comment on her choice.

She didn't flirt with him over dinner; though she could tell he was making a more 'romantic' effort with their food than he had with anyone. They ate by one of the many fireplaces, with candles instead of electric lights. She wasn't sure if it was an invitation, or 'part of the cover' for anyone walking past the house. There were a few people curious enough to find an excuse to wander through Victor's Village.

But he made no move beyond the meal; and part of her was relieved. The two of them moved to the library, and she scanned his helves, wondering if he was allowed anything she wasn't in Seven. They both picked a book and sat by the fireplace, neither of them really caring about the books in their hands, neither of them willing to speak first.

She knew she'd crossed a line by sleeping with him. She had known the announcement was coming, and he didn't. A line that Peeta wouldn't be ready for under any other circumstances. Nor would he be ready to have her move in after one night; but the Capitol had made her a fact of his life; and he wasn't even making a snide remark. He had immediately known that she couldn't leave Twelve, which meant they were together for the rest of their lives, or until the Capitol was no more.

Part of her felt like she'd trapped him. Part of her felt like she'd used her body to manipulate his loyalty to the Rebel cause. Given that the Capitol had rented them both out at one time or another, she hated herself for doing anything remotely similar.

So why did you do it? She asked herself.

She already knew the answer. She'd even confessed it to Peeta. Because you are starting to fall for him, and you wanted him to be with you, for one night, without the Revolution being there in your bed too. She shivered. But he'll never see it that way. He thinks you played him. And you did. The fact that you did it for yourself and not the Cause has nothing to do with it.

"I'm sorry." She said to him finally, voice barely above a whisper. "I should have told you, before we did anything. I'm sorry."

Peeta looked at her. "I'm not." He returned quietly. "You were right. Before the Announcement, it could be real. After, I don't know. But it was the best I've felt since my name came out of that bowl."

"We are still Allies, then?"

"Jo, you're District Twelve now. Nobody else ever allies with us."

"They allied with you." Johanna reminded him, remembering Thresh and Rue.

"I picked my team, the night of my first 'date' with Tigris."

Johanna gazed at him a moment, before finally feeling a smile tug at her lips. And just like that, she knew they'd be Allies for life. She set her book aside. "I'm going to take a shower." She said. "If you want to join me, you'd be welcome. But it's up to you, now that you know where I'll be tomorrow."

Peeta watched her go, the book in his hands forgotten. His eyes followed her as she left the room.

A few minutes later he put the book away and followed. As he came into the foyer, between the front door and the stairs, he could hear the water running up above. Whatever romance was brewing with Johanna, it was out of character for him to act like this. But he was still an eighteen year old guy, and couldn't think of a single reason why he should turn down the offer. Not a practical one, anyway.

As if to provide one, there was a knock at the door. And it was Katniss.

Did she read my mind? Peeta thought wildly for a moment. "Hey."

She looked more nervous than he'd ever seen her. "Hi. Can we talk? Just for a minute?"

Peeta's mind flicked back to Johanna. The water was still running upstairs. "Sure, come on in."

She shut the door behind her, but came no closer, leaning back against it. "I… have a problem. I can't afford the Doctor in town, and if I go to the Apothecary, then… Well, it means my mother would know."

"Are you okay?" Peeta asked instantly, his concern for her obvious. "Whatever you need, I can afford it now…"

Katniss winced hard, and put both hands up. "I'm not a cruel person, Peeta. I don't mean to be. Self absorbed, sure… Clueless about this sort of thing, always. But I never want to be cruel."

"I know." He said immediately.

"Just… remember that when I tell you this." Katniss took a shuddering breath. "I need… Madge called them 'Morning After Pills'."

Katniss could pinpoint the precise moment he got the implication, and could almost hear his heart crack. "Oh." He said finally. "Gale?" He shook his head. "No! I'm sorry. None of my business. Please forget I said that."

"I know that asking you for this is twisting the knife, but I can't turn to anyone else." Katniss pleaded. "Nobody else in town has the kind of money, or access they'd need to get me medicine. Nobody who'll help me, anyway. One or two of the Peacekeepers will give a girl that particular treatment, but only if… Well…"

"I know." Peeta whispered.

"Most people in Twelve have to trust luck or timing. I can't do that." Katniss was wringing her hands. "Peeta, this is mortifying for us both, but I just can't risk it. Not for anything, no matter how painful, embarrassing, or awkward. I just won't risk it. Not even for-" She cut herself off.

Peeta was biting his lip so hard she could tell he'd drawn blood. The end of that sentence was clear: Not even for Gale.

Silence.

Looking at him, there were starving puppies in the Seam that Katniss felt less pity for. "Yes." She said finally. "You asked me weeks ago, and I couldn't give you an answer. Yes, I love Gale. He is mine, and… And I'm his." She squeezed her eyes shut. "But I won't give him children. Won't even risk it. If it happens… I don't know what I'll do to stop it, but it'll be bad."

"Okay." Peeta nodded. Nothing more than simple acceptance.

"Does that make me sound very selfish?" Katniss asked, a little awkward.

"I know that if she'd had the pills, mom never would have had me." Peeta held out a hand, rested it on her shoulder. "Katniss, my name was indeed called. I know what it's like to dread losing something so much that you won't let yourself feel a moment's love for it." He sighed. "And I know what it's like to be that something."

Katniss' face crumpled. "I'm sorry to lay this on you. I just... I'm terrified. Nothing at all, no threat of torture or starvation, scares me more than this."

"I know." Peeta sighed. "I would do anything to take that fear away."

She flushed bright pink. "But you won't help me?"

"I can't. Victors are allowed any medical care they want... except contraceptives."

"Really?" She was so surprised she forgot to be scared for a moment. "Why?"

"Because, little bird." A cool, sensual voice rang out from the top of the stairs. "They go through so many contestants, that when a Victor provides one, the commentators go wild."

They both turned to see Johanna coming down the staircase, wearing a towel. Her hair was still wet from the shower. Peeta hadn't even noticed the sound of the water turning off.

"Also, Victors are celebrities. Some girls are determined to get their hooks in, good and deep. A Victor's baby-mama will never go hungry." Johanna swayed up to Peeta and slapped his ass possessively. "And this one? Good enough to put out to stud already." She gave Peeta a saucy look. "Dont'cha think?"

Katniss looked at Johanna like a roach to be crushed, and then turned expectantly to Peeta; as if expecting him to snap Johanna back right away. Say something. Defend her. Peeta realized. Say something to support Katniss.

Except he couldn't think of anything. Nothing that wouldn't make it worse. With Katniss present, Johanna's 'vamp' was more full-on than she'd ever been in the Capitol.

Before he could continue, Johanna held out a necklace with a Mockingjay pendant on it to him, dangling it off one finger. "Would you help me with this?" She demurred.

Peeta cleared his throat and stepped closer to Johanna as he put the necklace on her, fingers brushing over the nape of her neck. Katniss' eyes were locked on the Mockingjay pendant. The golden bird was identical to Prim's token, if a little newer. Johanna smiled at her. "Your little 'moment' on the Victory Tour started quite a trend back in the Capitol, Katniss. Everyone's wearing them these days."

And then the towel dropped, seemingly by accident, leaving Johanna wearing nothing but the necklace. Katniss' face turned to stone, and Peeta choked on his own tongue, resolutely forcing himself to look at Johanna, and not Katniss' reaction. Johanna didn't even blink. "Thanks, babe." She smiled at Peeta. "It's the first thing you ever gave me. I feel so naked without it."

Katniss turned her deathglare to Peeta, which only served to confuse him more. But before Katniss could storm off, Johanna had hooked an arm around Katniss' shoulders and pulled her along toward the stairs. "Come along, Mockingjay; I can help you out."

Katniss tried to be as far away from Johanna's skin as she could get, which wasn't easy with the arm around her shoulders. But eventually, Johanna had swept her into the guest room, where her bags were. The minute the door closed behind them, she dropped the sensual tone; and went to her bags. She went through the luggage for a minute and pulled on a warm robe. In the pocket was a pillbox. "Here. Take two. If your tryst happened more than 36 hours ago, they won't help, but if you're still in that window, you have nothing to worry about."

Katniss stared. Johanna was suddenly talking straight and being helpful. The femme fatale of thirty seconds ago was gone. This was the Johanna that Katniss had shown her skill with the bow. She could turn it on and off like a switch.

Johanna smirked. "That wasn't for you. It was for Peeta. He's fun. I have a weakness for men who blush far too easily."

Katniss took the pills from her. "I thought the Capitol didn't hand out things like this to Victors."

"They don't. But for a price, you can get anything." Johanna actually looked understanding. "The one thing the Audience loves during the Games more than a wildcard? A Pedigree. You think you and Peeta's mom are the only ones terrified to love your own children? That's our life now. His and mine. It's supposed to be a random draw, but when they want someone badly enough... Ever wonder why so many siblings wind up on Victory Tours? Be grateful that they didn't let you volunteer. If you had won, it would have signed Prim's death sentence anyway."

Katniss' face hardened, as it always did when Prim came to mind, and she stormed out. She had swallowed two pills dry by the time she reached the stairs.

She made it to the front door, where Peeta waited for her, with a large basket full of food. "Take this too, please?"

She had alreasy cleaned out his kitchen, and he surely knew that; but he was begging her to take more food. She did so... and paused before walking out. "Johanna's in your guest room."

Peeta nodded. "Yeah. Why?"

"Nothing, I just… I sort of assumed you'd be sharing." Katniss shook her head, and went to the door, before pausing again. "During the Games, you told Prim that you would have given anything to send her home to me."

Peeta nodded.

"If it had come down to you and Prim as the final two... would you have gone through with that promise?"

"Yes." Peeta said without hesitation.

Katniss didn't even look at him, flustered by that. "She..." Katniss started walking again. "She's waiting for you upstairs."

Katniss was halfway to the Everdeen house before she checked the packet Johanna had given her. There were multiple doses.

I could go to Gale right now. Without having to worry. She thought. Or I can go back to the cabin in my woods and never return, like I always wanted to… Peeta's got Johanna now. My hands are clean at last…

Johanna's voice came to her. "And wouldn't Snow love it that way? If everyone who could fight back just wanted to run away and leave the whole world to him?"

Katniss scowled. Johanna was right on the money. People like me are why the Games exist.

What's it going to be, Katniss?

Peeta came into the guest room. She hadn't shut the door. "You don't fool me, you know. Bare skin isn't to shock or even to tempt. Its battle armor. I'm still a Victor. I know a power play."

Johanna was dressed again, and she shrugged. "Sure. I won't deny it." She said easily. "You gonna go after her? Before she finds her boyfriend?"

"She arrived while you were waiting in my shower, Jo. I don't get to act jealous or clingy."

"How about 'heartbroken'?" She returned, carefully neutral. "For me, the hardest part about becoming a Victor was accepting that what I wanted in life was gone forever; and something new had started."

Peeta was silent a moment. "Why'd you give her the pills?" He asked suddenly. "It's risky, if she ever got caught. Worse, if she tells anyone she got them from you. And you gave her the whole box. Why, if one dose would be enough?"

Johanna gave him a wicked smirk. "Ohhhh, y'know. Just in case."

He just looked at her.

Johanna's smirk faded, and just for a moment, there was insecurity. It was wiped away instantly, and Johanna left the room without another word.

But Peeta had seen the moment of weakness, and realized the answer as she left. If Katniss stays with Gale, she won't come back here.

The next day, there was a knock at Peeta's door. It was Gale's mother.

Peeta hustled her into the house quickly. "Hi. I'm glad you came."

"I was surprised to get the invite." Hazelle gave him a look. "If you needed a chaperone, you could have asked your own mother."

"Who invites their mom to hang out with their girlfriend?"

"Is that what she is?" Hazelle asked cannily. The people who knew Peeta personally knew Johanna's arrival was more than what the television said; if only because it was out of character for Peeta. They also knew better than to gossip about such things openly.

"It's what the world thinks she is, and today that's enough." Peeta shook his head. "I want to hire you. You've done laundry for half the District. How'd you like to have better than a washboard and line in your backyard to do that?"

"You're starting a laundromat?"

"My house has a full washer/dryer laundry room, and very few people live here. I want to hire you and your kids as household staff."

"You could have an Avox. Or twenty." Hazelle countered. "You wouldn't have to pay them."

Peeta didn't seem to hear that. "You can still take on the laundry from the rest of the Seam on the side, and use my laundry for it-"

"Peeta." Hazelle interrupted. "I'm grateful, but… You can't feed the whole District. You know that, right?"

"I know." Peeta whispered.

"And if you do it for the Everdeens, and the Hawthornes, it's only a matter of time before you have to do it for the Burnells, and the Weavers, and the…"

"I know." Peeta groused. "Are you saying no?"

"Of course not." She said immediately. "You're right: I need this. For my kids. But that's for us. Right now, I'm talking about what it means for you." She looked around the house. "So. Where should I start?"

"You do know a power move when you see one." Johanna commented as Peeta came back upstairs. "What I can't figure is this: Are you giving Katniss a way to still talk to you without being here, or are you trying to keep an eye on her boyfriend without him knowing?"

"Neither. This is as far as I go with Katniss." Peeta sighed hard. "It breaks my heart into a million pieces, but I'm not an obsessed stalker. You were right. My life is different now. I have to let go of what's already gone."

Johanna carefully said nothing to that. It's not going to be that easy. It's the hardest thing in the world to stop chasing what you've wanted all your life.

"I know, it's unfair to you-"

"No, wait. You don't get to put it all on yourself." Taking pity, Johanna confessed. "Victors stand alone. The last one standing. That's the whole point of us. But back in Seven... Sometimes I can't stand sleeping alone, so I go out and find someone. What they want from me lasts five minutes, and I get to sleep for three or four hours."

Peeta blinked, a little surprised.

Johanna winced at his expression. "If I just ruined 'the romance'... Well, I'm not even sorry. You would never be able to go for a 'no strings' kind of relationship. But I am a vamp. And I am a killer. I'm only alive because I am. I'm more like Haymitch than you think. I cling to vice to handle the violence; and I cling to violence to know I can face the world and stay alive. You're the only one to come out of the Arena without blood."

Peeta was silent a moment. "That night I stayed in your room, during the Angel Light shoot. Did you sleep?"

She nodded.

"But we didn't do anything that night."

"I guess not, but-" Johanna floundered. "But I've never asked... Victors don't ask for someone to be gentle."

"So you wear your battle armor to bed." He nodded. "I'm not used to thinking like that yet. Can… can you be patient with me?" Peeta asked her. "You wanted something real, even if for one night. I can't promise it'll be quick, and we do have a cover to maintain. But whatever happens in this house, it won't ever be for the Capitol."

"Is that the problem?" Johanna asked lightly. "Me over Katniss is the Capitol's preferred choice, so part of you just wants to fight it on principle?"

"Is that so hard to understand?"

"Not even a little bit." Johanna admitted. "If Snow ever said that he liked my hair, I would have to stop myself from shaving it off." Yes, I can be patient with you.

Later that afternoon there was a swift angry knock on the door. Peeta opened the door and found Gale, with his fists bunched. "You really are a sonofabitch."

"Y'know that's more of an insult to my mom than me, right?" Peeta blinked. "What did I do?"

"You put my mom on your payroll?!"

"Your younger siblings, too. What's the matter, Gale? With the Hob shut down, I would have thought you'd be glad to know your family won't starve. Your triple shifts in the mine can't keep the whole Hawthorne clan fed. Rory's old enough for Tesserae. Now he doesn't have to."

"And it's just a coincidence that you made the offer, the day after you found out about me and Katniss." Gale scorned.

"Not a coincidence at all, in fact it was the only way I could think of to help."

Gale froze. "Help?"

"You thought I was trying to put your family on a leash?" Peeta sighed. "Figure it out, Gale. If I wanted to force Katniss back to me, why would I start by making your situation less desperate, and your family less hungry? The less you have to work, the more time you have for her."

Gale stared at him. "Then why?"

"Maybe because the tighter things are, the more times you and Rory have your names in that damn bowl!" Peeta finally snapped.

"Oh." Gale froze, his brain realigning suddenly. "Oh my god."

"It's your last year in contention for Reaping. Rory is twelve. He's got a long time to roll the dice." Peeta hissed, like he was sucking air through a straw. "They can't even look at me, Gale. Nobody with kids!" Peeta was starting to gasp around his own words. "You and Katniss are together now. What happens to either of you if a Hawthorne gets pulled out of that bowl; and I come back from the Capitol alone? Again."

Gale stared at him, fists opening, shoulders sagging. "Oh, hell… Peeta…"

"What… what happens to anyone?" Peeta was quietly going to pieces. "Someone will be going with me! I don't know who!"

Gale was stricken. "And I came over here to attack you for it."

"I can't take your name out of that bowl, Gale. Dozens of slips with your name on it. One with Rory. Prim only had one slip in the bowl. The odds couldn't have been more in her favor…" He was pale as death, blood gone from his face; weaving on his feet. "You got the whip after Prim. What if it's Rory next?! I couldn't make her eat, Gale. I couldn't make her eat the food I was begging her to take!"

"Peeta-"

"Y'know the first place you Tour as a Victor? The school. My big Tour of the District as the Conquering Hero? The first thing they did was walk me past all the kids, whose names are still in the Reaping. First thing you see when they welcome you home." Peeta wasn't talking to Gale anymore. Not really. "I can't take any of those slips out of the bowl!"

He was falling apart completely. Having a breakdown right there on the front doorstep. Gale was torn, trying to reassure him, trying to back away, unable to do either. "Peeta… Peeta, breathe!"

Johanna was suddenly right there in the doorway. "I got this." She told Gale shortly. "Beat it. You saw nothing."

She slammed the door between them before Gale could say another word.

"I-(Gasp) Don't (gasp) know what's (gasp) happening!" Peeta hissed, leaning back against the closed door.

"You're having a panic attack, babe." Johanna said patiently. "We've all been there. Just focus on your breathing. There's a world full of air, ready for you to take in." She pulled him close to her; putting his face in her neck. "Just keep your eyes closed, focus on something. Something not Prim. Not the Games. Focus on me."

Her voice had turned hypnotic, certain. Peeta clung to it desperately. "I-I-Can't do this! It's too much! (Gasp) They're too big!"

"I've had to do this myself, Peeta." She kept going, voice still carefully measured. She took one of his hands and put it on her chest, right over her lungs. "Breathe with me. Don't go anywhere else, just focus on breathing like I do. The air's going in and out, in little sips. But little sips are all you need. Focus on me. Breathe with me."

Peeta was being held in the crook of her neck, and he suddenly became aware she had freckles. She had three of them, in a flat triangle, right above her collarbone. Focus on those. He told himself. Three freckles. One, two, three. One, two, three. One, two, three.

And little by little, Peeta came back to himself, settling; head spinning. "Jo?"

"I'm here." She promised.

Ten minutes later, they were in the kitchen. Peeta had a mug of spiced chocolate in his hands, still trembling a bit. Johanna was still holding him steady as he weaved a bit on his stool; but she was already back in 'vamp' mode. "So. That was the competition?" Johanna asked with a blatantly lecherous grin, gesturing the direction Gale had gone. "If you think he can be discreet about you and me, I am prepared to… throw myself on the grenade, keep him busy; maybe give you and Katniss a chance after all."

"You are so selfless." Peeta snorted.

"I know. I don't know why everyone doesn't see that." She was still resting her hands on his shoulders. They both seemed to be aware of it in the same moment, and she pulled back a bit.

"You all go through this, huh?" Peeta rubbed his eyes a moment. "I wonder if Cato would have reacted this way?"

"Hard to tell. The Career Packs are so keyed up they're eager for killing. Theirs, other people's… They're Death Lovers. I think they get screwed up long before the Arena. For most of us, the thing that makes us shudder is not so much what we survived, it's…"

"It's that we have to put other people through it too." Peeta nodded. "I was telling it to Gale, and it's like it suddenly hit me, how long I'm going to be doing this. I'll never really leave the Arena. Every year, back again, with two more kids…"

She was touching him again. "I know. I know, babe."

"You were right. It's not just letting go of Katniss. I'll never have any part of the life I thought about."

"That's not automatically a bad thing. Just different. It's not a sin for things to change."

And she found he was holding her hand. "No. No, it isn't."

Johanna spoke gently. "And no matter how hard you try, you can't save them all."

Peeta bit his lip. "That one I'm not ready to give up on yet."

"You'll fail. More than that, you'll drive yourself insane."

"I know. But I can't say 'yes, I'll help this one' and then close up shop for the next one. It seems cruel to be so… random."

She actually smiled for him. "I know. But it's okay if you have to dedicate some of your days to saving yourself."

"So, did you punish him properly?" Katniss drawled quietly as Gale returned to their hunting spot.

"Peeta is too good for either of us." Gale said emotionally. "Why wouldn't you eat when he cooked for you?"

Katniss actually laughed. "Infuriating, isn't he?" She agreed.

Gale sat down heavily. "It would be so much easier if I could just hate him."

"I've had the same thought." Katniss rose and drew her bow in a motion so smooth that Gale barely noticed it. She nailed a rabbit so fast it never saw her coming.

From the guest room, Johanna could hear Peeta getting up around two in the morning. He padded down the hall past her room; and didn't come back.

Another half hour; and she gave up on sleep, and went looking for him.

She found him in his studio. Johanna hadn't commented on the paint under his fingernails every morning. He painted at night, cooked in the early morning; napped here and there. She'd never intruded. Officially, she didn't live here. Officially, the next house along was being restored for their first female Victor, and Peeta was putting her up until it was ready.

The door wasn't locked, but she came no further than the doorway. It wasn't a studio, so much as an upstairs dining room. Peeta had moved all the furniture out and laid down dropclothes over the hardwood.

Johanna noticed his latest work, still in progress, was of her. It was of their night together. But it wasn't indiscreet. It was only of her face. Johanna doubted that anyone who hadn't been in the room would recognize the image, beyond the fact that it was her. It was just her face, with the rain on the windows of that night behind her. He'd painted her without her makeup. Without jewellery or anything artificial. He'd painted her as a young woman. Just that. And she had to admit, she looked beautiful.

Is that what he sees when he looks at me?

And finally, he noticed her. "Did I wake you?"

"Wasn't asleep." She gestured. "What do you do with them?"

"Well, Cinna got a look at them. I'm told they were going to open a gallery, until someone decided having them all to themselves was more 'fun' for some rich guy in the Capitol. The bidding was fierce for these too." He looked down at his brushes. "But that's these ones. Some of them I don't show anyone."

She understood that before he'd said it. He was pouring his heart and soul out through his brushes. He couldn't give the Capitol everything.

"You haven't met the Morphlings." Johanna said softly. "They're the only Tributes who were as good at camoflague as you. Brother and Sister. They both just hid until everyone was dead. You see them now… They stay doped as long as possible, all day. Drug themselves into delirium and watch the clouds." She shivered. "I only spoke with one of them once. They were painting too. Their 'escort' wouldn't give them sharp implements, so they just played with paintbrushes, drawing flowers on their skin. They won their games at twelve and fourteen; haven't had a coherent thought since."

"You worried about me going that way?" Peeta gestured at the endless mixtures of paint that surrounded him.

"No." Johanna said honestly. "These paintings are amazing." She actually had a tear gathering in her eye. Peeta, I think you're stronger than me. "So, where's Katniss?"

Peeta froze, the brush going still.

"I'm not jealous." She promised. "You told me you were letting her go; but that wasn't more than a few days ago. I know you haven't tossed them already. If you're pouring your heart out, there's no way she's not in here. C'mon, you've got the Arena, you've got Prim; you've got Rue; you've even got Cato... Where is she?"

Peeta sighed hard, and went over to the stack of finished paintings, pulling the drop cloth away. He'd covered them up and put them away. Half a dozen paintings of Katniss Everdeen.

One or two were beauty shots. The rest were more allegorical. There was one of her holding a loaf of burned bread. There was one of her with a pair of huge blue wings. One had Katniss in a white wedding gown, only the train was morphing into a flock of mockingjays in flight.

The wedding gown image jarred her. Her own picture was less… imaginative, but no less flawless.

"I put them under the cloth when I started writing those letters to you."

Johanna didn't look away from the painting. "None of those letters were written to me, Peeta."

Peeta gave her a look anyway. "If I still thought me and Katniss could walk off into the sunset together… I don't think that night would have happened."

But it did happen. Johanna honestly wasn't sure whether to be pleased, or stung. So he'd made up his mind before that morning. It had been three days since her realization at how real her feelings for him were getting. Three days of watching him peel his heart away from his dream-Katniss and give it to her, one slice at a time. It was agony. It was ecstasy. It was thrilling. It was frustrating. All Johanna knew was that she wanted more.

"It's not just your heart involved." Johanna said finally. "Moving here was tactical, as much as anything else. You're saving my life by keeping me with you. You're risking Katniss' life if she made you the same offer."

"I know." Peeta admitted, and kissed her softly. There was no heat to it. It was… pure. It was a promise of goodness, without a trace of lust. "Warriors and Victors are cowards. The only thing we ever risk is our lives. You learn a lot about someone by what they keep hidden. You've kept your heart hidden well. I don't take it lightly, what you said that night. You put your heart in the firing line. I've only ever done that once. When I did, it was the bravest thing I've ever done, so I think it must have been the same for you."

And that's two Victors talking. "Real?"

"Real."

Johanna felt her heart slow, become totally at peace suddenly. Yes. This was a war. And Peeta's honesty and kindness, combined with her experience and growing affection, would form a sword and shield to keep them both safe.

Safe from Snow, or from the shadow of Katniss Everdeen? A traitorous voice said in her mind; but she pushed that thought away.

Instead, she threaded her fingers through his, and took the brush out of his hand. "Come to bed." She told him softly.

He gave his latest painting one last look; and turned out the lights as she led the way to her room.

They woke up with the dawn, curled in each other. They'd done nothing but talk for a while. Sleep had come so easily; a first for either of them; but apparently the cold night had made them draw closer to each others warmth, even while they slept. When the sky outside started to lighten, and Peeta saw her room properly, the first thing he saw was the axe beside her bed. There was another, the handle sticking out from under her pillow. She could sleep with a deadly weapon in her hand all night if she wanted. This time, her hand was holding his.

Haymitch sleeps with a bottle in one hand, and a knife in the other. Peeta thought distantly.

"No nightmares." Johanna murmured.

"Me neither." Peeta murmured back.

And all we did was talk for a few minutes. She hummed happily. "Let's stay here all day."

"Can't. I have bread to bake."

Johanna pulled his arm around her and turned over in the bed, spooning him around her pointedly. "You can try and feed the whole District, Peeta. But you know what you can't do? Take their place. Sooner or later, someone has to go into that Arena instead of you. They did for seventy three years before you."

Peeta sighed and pressed his face into her hair. "Maybe we can stay here a little longer."

Johanna smiled a bit. Perfect hiding place.

Peeta suddenly noticed the window, and the world outside becoming visible as the sun rose. "It's snowing."

"Unlike you, I sleep with the window closed." Safe under the quilts, Johanna watched the snow. The winter was weeks old, but Johanna knew what he meant. She was from District Seven. But outside Victor's village, there was little lumber or firewood for the people. District Eleven was Agriculture, but they weren't allowed food. District Twelve was Coal. But they'd never be given enough coal to heat their homes all winter unless they paid.

It was going to be a long, brutal winter.

AN: Okay. Before I do anything else, I want to give special thanks to the Everlark shippers who have decided to stick with this fic. At least a few of you have made special mention of liking the way Masonlark is turning out here. It is very much appreciated.

The reasoning for this chapter: Katniss was always at her most drawn to Gale whenever she was either ticked off about being forced into her relationship with Peeta; or when she was ready to leave it all behind and die. Examples: After the Victory Tour, when she decided they had to run. After Gale was whipped and she had to care for him. When she was planning to Kill Snow after Peeta was Jacked. All of these moments involved her throwing herself at Gale, specifically to not think about anything else.

I always wondered what kind of future Gale and Katniss would have had if the war had never started, or if Peeta had not been involved. And I believe there's a real chance they would have made it, as long as the war never happened. Not because of Prim, but because Katniss wasn't looking for more than revenge. Gale was looking to serve. In this fic, Prim happened before Gale and Katniss ever started, so their relationship will play out differently. Remember, the war hasn't started yet either; and it's going to involve our Mockingjay in a very different way.

Secondly, I wanted to cement Masonlark as an actual relationship getting started, and not a one night stand. In the last chapter, I made special effort to explain that Johanna wasn't forcing anything when she seduced him. Now you know why. Peeta didn't know about her plans to relocate to Twelve. And before you ask, she didn't tell him because she was under orders. Johanna knows about D13. Peeta doesn't. In a cell group, you let others in very carefully, and Peeta is still an unknown quantity to D13. Johanna vowed to be honest with him; and she didn't lie. She made no secret of the fact that something was going to happen the next morning. But the fact that she didn't tell him what it was is almost as bad, in her mind.

In the Canon, an Everlark relationship was cover for the Capitol's Agenda. In this fic, Masonlark is a cover for the Rebellion. To make such a relationship work, I either needed a reason for Peeta to go to the Capitol in several more chapters, or I needed a way to keep Johanna in Twelve. Making it a strategic withdrawal met both criteria. An 'arranged marriage' between Katniss and Peeta was the major plot arc for the entire second book. Having a similar path with very different people has made for some interesting storytelling.

Also, I mentioned that I wanted to keep the 'elevator scene' from CF. But it needed Katniss present to really work. How did it turn out?

A long-form story is always a balance between plot-driven and character-driven. Hunger Games especially. The relationships involved are at the heart of what all our main characters do, and thus the way the story turns out. This chapter and the last one were character-driven, because I needed all the players in their places for Act Three. In the next chapter, character and plot will overlap. Having established where they are in this AU, it's time to get them busy. After all, Johanna moving to Twelve is something 'new' and Snow isn't going to let such things pass unnoticed.