A/N: Thanks to everyone who continues to support this story. I'm glad you are all eager to find out how Cato reacts to the news. I know a lot of people like the version of Cato and I don't plan on making him the bad guy. I hope you enjoy this chapter.

Thanks also to my Beta, Lavender Vanilla for all your advice and fixing my mistakes.

Chapter 6

Cato and I don't speak the entire journey back to my parents' house. He drops his arms from around me and clenches his fists,striding into my parents' house without looking at me. I quietly shut the door behind us, turning round to find him staring at me with anger in his eyes.

"Why didn't you tell me you were married?" he demands.

I let out an exasperated sigh as I fling my arms up in the air. I hate being challenged and my natural defence mechanisms come up.

"Because it was barely a marriage. We were eighteen, stupid and fought for an entire year. It hardly counts," I reply.

It is Cato's turn to let out an exasperated sigh.

"You still should have told me. That is a pretty big part of your life that you missed out," he says.

Peeta also told me to be honest with him only two days ago. It seems I can't stop lying to the men that I love. I look away from Cato ashamed. I continue to treat him badly.

"That's why you came to New York, isn't it? To run away from a broken marriage," Cato says, finally beginning to connect all the dots.

"I always wanted to get out of this town. I always wanted to see the world. Peeta was the only reason I didn't leave after graduation," I reply.

"Then what happened? You obviously loved him enough to stay. What changed?" Cato asks.

I can see he is struggling to wrap his head around it all. Everything he thought he knew about me has been put into doubt. Even the fact that I love him.

"Peeta and I got married for the wrong reasons. He proposed to keep me in Panem and I said yes because I spent my whole life growing up with him and didn't know a life without him," I say.

I try to keep my emotions in check. No one likes to admit their failings and it is made even harder because I hurt the men I love.

Cato looks at me sympathetically. He can tell he has hit a nerve. This is the first time I have actually said these words out loud. The first time I have admitted the reasons why my marriage failed. I have been in denial about it for so long but I realise now that Peeta and I should have never got married in the first place.

"Peeta is never going to leave this town. I needed to get out and see the world. Our marriage was doomed from the start," I state solemnly.

I look down at my shoes as I try to hide my face from Cato. I don't want to relive my past mistakes with him. I just want to forget about that part of my life. Cato lets out a weary sigh as he takes a step towards me.

"I just wish you had told me sooner. Give me some credit. I would have understood," he says.

I bite my bottom lip nervously as I gather up the courage to tell him the whole truth. He needs to know the real reason I came back to Panem. I look back up at him nervously.

"I know. I'm sorry," I say.

I take a deep breath to prepare myself for what comes next. I can see the hurt in his eyes that I kept this secret from him and know the next bit of information won't be easy for him to hear.

"There is more," I say.

Cato frowns as he gets even more confused.

"I'm technically still married to Peeta," I admit.

This last piece of information is enough to tip Cato over the edge. A fire brews in his eyes and he throws his hands in the air in despair.

"Jesus, Katniss! When were you going to tell me this? When we were standing together at the fucking altar?" he exclaims.

I flinch at the harsh tone of his voice. I deserve it for lying to him.

"I'm handling it. It's why I came back to Panem. To get the divorce," I reply.

Cato stands opposite me shaking his head.

"Why aren't you divorced already? You left nine years ago. You've had plenty of time to get one. Or do you still harbour feelings for this guy? Is that why you haven't asked for one yet?" he shouts.

"No," I reply. "Peeta has just been stubborn. He refused to sign the papers. It's punishment for leaving like I did."

I can see both of our tempers rising. I know I have fucked up but I don't like being accused. With Peeta giving me a hard time, I don't need Cato on my case as well.

"Well get it done. I love you but I'm not sharing you with anyone," Cato replies coldly.

I nod my head and Cato takes a deep breath. He won't even look in my direction.

"I need some time alone. I hope there is nothing else you have been keeping from me," he says bitterly.

I shake my head before he turns to stomp up the stairs.

I give Cato some time to cool down before I go up and do some serious grovelling. It is never my intention to hurt anyone when I keep things from them but it seems I am incapable of not doing so. Both Peeta and Cato have had very legitimate reasons to hate me these last two days.

I end up doing nothing productive for the rest of the afternoon. I browse the internet for ages, looking at travel blogs and trying to find an apology gift for Cato but I grow restless being stuck in the small house.

My parents get back later, frowning when they find me sulking in the living room but one look from me stops them from asking any questions. They know I won't want to talk about it with them. Mom instead busies herself in the kitchen making her famous pecan pie.

The sweet smell of syrup and nuts wafts through from the kitchen and begins gnawing at my stomach making it rumble. The smell is enough to move me off the couch and go sniffing around my mom's pots. I stand behind her as I stick my finger in the empty mixing bowl and lick the raw batter off my finger. Mom turns round to swot my hand away.

"Goodness, Katniss. You're not a child anymore. Y'all don't need to lick the bowl clean," she gently scolds.

However a smile appears on her lips and I can tell she is not mad at me for swiping the mixture but rather enjoys having me back in her kitchen. I smile back at her broadly as I take another swipe and saunter out of the kitchen with a cheeky smile.

"Still tastes good, Ma. Your pecan pie was the one recipe Peeta would never even attempt to replicate," I say.

I flop down on the sofa and Mom turns back to give me a smile.

"I couldn't leave the pie around if y'all were in. It was gone faster than a rabbit going down a hole," Mom replies affectionately.

I smile as I reminisce about the times Peeta and I used to sneak into the pantry to get a bite. We always said we'd just have one bite but we always crumbled quickly and gobble the whole thing.

Dad looks carefully at me out of the corner of his eye as he finishes reading yesterday's newspaper.

"Have you seen much of Peeta since you got back? I spoke with him at the barn dance on Friday," Dad says.

I can tell Dad is testing my reaction. He witnessed Peeta and me growing up together and falling in love. He saw how broken I was when things ended. I think part of him thinks I travel so much as a way to keep running from Peeta.

I suddenly find my nail beds very interesting and look at them instead. Dad has just reminded me that Cato is not the only person I have lied to. I have hurt two people in the last few days. And after Peeta's surprisingly calm and mature meeting with Cato I feel even worse for what I did to him. I really need to apologise to him as well as the sulking fiancé I have upstairs.

"Cato and I actually saw him today. He was very cordial," I reply.

"It was a long time ago now. And Peeta is never one to hold a grudge," Dad says.

I bob my head as I pick at my nails. I am glad that Dad didn't see our first two meetings with each other. I know he would have been disappointed in us.

The timer for the pie goes off, effectively ending the conversation, and I am glad. I don't want to sit here discussing Peeta and Cato with my parents. But as the timer goes I suddenly recognise an opportunity to make amends with at least one of the blond men in my life.

I need to apologise to Peeta. I need to apologise for leaving the way I did and for lying to him about the baby. And after meeting him with Cato today I need to thank him for not exposing me. If I want that divorce I need to make things better between us both.

With a plan forming in my head I get off the couch and make my way back to Mom. I look at her with pleading eyes.

"Can I have the pie please? As an offering to Peeta to say no hard feelings?" I ask.

Mom sighs but there is a smile on her face. She puts the pie in a box and hands it to me.

"Tell Peeta I said hello," she says.

I grin as I lean forward to place a kiss on her cheek. I take the box from her gratefully and shout a goodbye over my shoulder as I leave. If I can make things right with Peeta and get the divorce things will be a lot easier with Cato.

I stand on my old doorstep, clutching the pie in my hands and with nervous butterflies in my stomach. It seems I am always anxious around Peeta these days. I never know what he is going to say. It is such a contrast to the feeling of safety and peace I used to feel when I was a teenager.

At least this time I have a plan of action. And a peace offering. I am better prepared to face him and avoid an argument.

I knock on the door and chew on my bottom lip as I wait for him to answer. He answers the door moments later wearing a ratty grey t-shirt and loose fitting pants. He looks a little surprised to see me here but there is no coldness in his eyes tonight.

"I brought you Mom's pecan pie. I hope it's still your favourite," I say.

With an awkward smile, I hold up the pie for him to see. Peeta softens a little and shakes his head with a smile before stepping aside to let me in.

"No one makes it better," he says.

I smile at him as I step inside and hand him the pie. My eyes scan the surroundings as I take my first proper look at my former home.

It has changed almost beyond recognition. We couldn't afford much when we bought the place as eighteen-year-olds. Back then it had been filled with a mishmash of random furniture we had managed to scavenge from our families' basements. Nothing of that remains now.

The walls have all been painted a soft yellow colour. The carpets have all been removed to reveal the polished wooden floors. The furniture all matches with leather chairs and strong dark wood tables. Any trace of my presence here has been removed.

"You've been busy here," I say as Peeta puts the pie away.

His eyes harden a little at the comment.

"I had to do something to distract myself after you left," he replies.

I winch having not meant to offend him. Peeta notices this though and immediately his features soften.

"Sorry. I promised myself I wouldn't be harsh with you anymore," he says.

"You have every right to be mad at me," I reply.

I want to take responsibility for my actions during our relationship. I can't blame Peeta for everything that went wrong in our marriage. I certainly didn't make things easy at the end. Peeta looks back at me remorsefully.

"I talked to Madge. She explained how messed up y'all were after the miscarriage and how you weren't thinking straight. She said you didn't want to hurt me. There is no point hating you when it can't change what happened," he says.

I give him a small smile. Peeta was always the more rational of the two of us. I don't think I would have been quite so forgiving if things had been reversed.

"You're a much better person than I am. I couldn't blame you if you did hate me," I say.

Peeta shrugs his shoulders.

"Life is too short to hold grudges. I've had my chance to say all the things I have been dreaming about for the last nine years. I guess that it's time that I move on," he says.

There is a short pause before a small smile appears on Peeta's face.

"Besides, I can't hate anyone that brings me your momma's pecan pie," he says.

The grin widens across his face and I relax for the first time since I stepped in here. He is not looking for a fight tonight.

"I'm still sorry though. I shouldn't have left with a note. You deserved a face to face explanation. And I am sorry I didn't tell you about the baby. I wasn't thinking straight at the time and I really did think I was protecting you from yet more grief," I reply.

Peeta smiles at me gratefully.

"Apology accepted. I can't pretend you were the only reason our marriage fell apart. I played my part too. I'm sorry I kept you in Panem for so long," he says.

We share a small smile and it feels like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders. I'm glad that we've made amends. I didn't come back to Panem to fight with him.

"And thank you for not saying anything to Cato this afternoon. It didn't do much good in the end as Delly ended up breaking the news just after you left, but I appreciate that it didn't come from you," I add.

Peeta laughs.

"Delly could never hold her tongue. The whole town will know the overdramatised story by tomorrow," he says.

I laugh and nod my head.

"It wasn't my place to tell. I'm sure y'all have your reasons for not telling him. I have to respect that," he adds.

I nod my head again and then there is a short pause. I almost can't believe how understanding he is about it all.

"How did Cato take the news anyway?" he asks.

I shrug my shoulders.

"He's mad, understandably, but it will be fine when he cools down. I've just got some sucking up to do," I reply.

It feels wrong to be discussing Cato with Peeta. I avert my eyes to the ground and fiddle with the end of my braid to try and avoid any further questions. Peeta senses my reluctance to speak more on the matter and sighs before turning to do something in the kitchen. It allows me enough time to recompose myself before he gets back.

Peeta returns from the kitchen with two beers, offering me one but I shake my head refusing. I don't want to stay here any longer than necessary.

"Cato seems like a nice guy. I'm glad y'all happy," he states.

I give him a small sad smile in return. He doesn't need to be this nice to me.

"Thanks. I am happy," I reply. "And I hope you're happy with Leevy too."

Peeta gives me an amused smile and shakes his head as he takes a sip of beer.

"Things with Leevy aren't serious," he replies.

My heart does an unexpected jump at this bit of information. But I quash any notion that it could possibly be in relief.

Peeta smiles at me again and takes another sip of beer before averting his gaze to the ground. He seems to be contemplating something.

Slowly he pulls his head back up to look at me seriously.

"Bring the divorce papers round. I'll sign them," he says.

There is an initial surge of joy at his words. I have been waiting nine years for this. I can finally get what I want and leave this town once and for all. But as I catch the look of Peeta's rather sad and defeated look, a twinge of unexpected sadness appears in my chest.

Things will be over between us for good. I didn't expect that thought to make me feel so sad.

I go back to my parents' house and knock on the guest room door to let Cato know Peeta has agreed to sign the papers. Cato softens slightly once he hears the news but I can tell by his rather half-hearted kiss it is going to take more than an agreement with Peeta to put things back to normal with us.

I do manage to coax Cato out of his room but he sits with more space than usual between us. I don't think it is out of respect for my parents. Dad raises his eyebrows when he witnesses the slightly too formal interactions between us both but Mom seems perfectly oblivious. She picks off from where she left us earlier and continues to fuss over Cato and force feed him all the southern cuisine she believes Cato has been missing in New York. We share a slightly stiff hug as we say good night and I go to bed trying to come up with a way to make things better again.

I wake early the next morning after having a restless sleep. I kept thinking about Cato's cold behaviour and running through different ideas of what I could do with him today to make things better.

And then there was the fact that Peeta kept popping up unexpectedly in my thoughts as I tried to get to sleep. I worry that I have been neglecting Cato lately, my mind too full of thoughts about Peeta, and I feel a terrible fiancée for spending so much time thinking about another man.

Frustrated, I throw back my covers and jump out of bed determined to forget about Peeta and instead focusing on making things right with Cato. He is my future. I don't want to dwell on the past.

Finally an idea plants itself in my mind as I am brushing my teeth, remembering how good riding made me feel when I arrived back in Panem. Hadn't I promised myself then that I would teach Cato? I could take him out today and hopefully he will see how I am trying to share part of my life here with him.

Thirty minutes later I rap my knuckles on his door holding a riding helmet and my dad's old riding boots. I don't wait for a reply before I barge my way into the room and find Cato lying on the bed reading something on his ipad. He looks up, startled by my intrusion, as I look at him with a big smile on my face while holding the riding gear proudly in my hands.

"I'm teaching you how to ride today," I state.

Cato looks between the two items in my hands and slowly a smile appears on his face.

"When do we start?" he replies.

I smile triumphantly as he rolls off the bed to get a closer look at the riding gear. I knew all it would take was an offer to do something he has never done before. Cato is always wanting to experience new things. It was one of the things that drew me to him and makes him such a good travelling companion. He's desperate to understand where I come from and riding could be the link that helps him understand the past I've been so reluctant to share with him.

We both set off eagerly for the adventures ahead.

We walk to the Donners' stables hand in hand. Cato's mood is brighter since I suggested today's outing and he is a lot more talkative as a result. We chat amiably as we stroll along the country roads savouring the fresh scents of wildflowers and newly cut grass. I begin to feel content again.

Joel Donner greets us at the stables with a big smile and a clap on the back for Cato but he doesn't ask any prying questions. After yesterday's interrogation I can tell Cato is glad he can avoid any further questions and get on with today's lesson.

I immediately go over to Sampson and he ducks his head so I can stroke him. I didn't forget the sugar cubes today and I dig one out of my pocket. I stand with a smile on my face as Sampson takes the lump out of my hand while I continue to stroke his mane. The almost forgotten feeling of excitement when I am about to go riding flows through my body and I can't wait to get started.

Cato stands back, slightly wary of the handsome animals. I turn to him with an amused smile.

"You have been swimming with sharks in Mexico but a horse scares you," I tease.

Cato lets out a light laugh and takes a few tentative steps towards me and Sampson. I watch him with a smile.

"I didn't realise how tall they would be," he says.

I roll my eyes at him before stuffing my hand back in my pocket to pull out another sugar cube. I gently place the sugar cube in his hand.

"Sampson is a softy. Just keep your palm flat and he'ill gobble up the sugar cube with no harm done," I explain.

Cato doesn't look entirely convinced. He is clearly convinced Sampson is going to bite his hand off but he is never a person to show fear and he relaxes his hand so he can offer the sugar cube to the horse. Sampson nudges his nose forward into Cato's hand and readily accepts the sugary treat.

A smile appears on Cato's face as he realises the horse is not going to eat him and laughs.

"It's like a wet kiss on you hand," he says as he reaches a hand out to stroke Sampson's head.

I laugh and shake my head as I reach out to pat Sampson's neck.

"You're going to end up cheating on me with the horse aren't you?" I tease.

"At least the horse won't scowl at me so much," Cato says with a cheeky smile.

Proving his point I turn to face him with a scowl which just makes Cato laugh louder. He then pulls me into his side and squeezes my waist.

"Come on. Show me how to ride this thing," he says placing a kiss on the side of my head.

I turn to smile back at him and drag him off into the stables to prepare the horses.

Rock climbing. Kayaking. Sky diving.

These are all things that Cato finds massively easier than riding a horse. It is almost comical seeing my hulking fiancé in a riding helmet and leather boots. He doesn't exactly have the natural rider's physique.

We find him a sturdy and calm chocolate mountain horse called Hunter and Cato wobbles as I show him how to put his foot in the stirrup while holding on to the reigns.

"Bounce up on your foot and swing your right leg round," I say as I put a hand on the reigns to steady the horse.

Cato nods his head and licks his lips in concentration as he tries to mount the horse. However as he tries to swing his leg round he loses his balance and topples backwards on to me.

"Whoa! Steady yourself!" I exclaim as I stick my hands out to catch him.

"Sorry. It's a lot harder than it looks," he replies.

I allow myself a small smile as I put my hands on his back and try to help him up into the stirrup again. So little ever seems to challenge him. Who would have thought a horse would end up being his nemesis?

After several failed attempts, one which Cato almost knocks both me and the horse out as he tries to swing his foot round, he finally mounts the horse. He is breathing heavily and the sweat has begun to gather on his temples but he is on the horse.

"I will never say horse riding is an easy sport again. I'm winded from just getting on the damn thing," he replies.

I smile as I stroke Hunter's neck to soothe him. It was quite an ordeal getting Cato onto his back.

Cato wobbles a bit on top of the horse and has to lean forward to grab the horse's mane to steady himself.

"Okay. Sit up straight. Heels pointing down and hands gripping the reigns. Gently squeeze your calves and I'll lead you around," I say as I take the lead reign.

Cato nods his head and does as I say but falls forward again when he tries to move. I bite back a laugh as he straightens and tries again.

Cato really struggles to find his balance on the horse. He can't quite get the natural rocking motion that is required for riding. On several occasions I have to stop as he shouts a loud "Whoa!" and almost topples off the horse. He complains about crushing his balls throughout the short ride around the fenced training area. He is definitely not a natural rider.

"We might not be able to have a kid after this," Cato says as he rather unattractively rubs his balls.

"Stop your whining. If you are good I might massage them for you later," I say.

Cato raises his eyebrows.

"Is that a promise?" he asks.

I just turn to give him a suggestive smirk. His grin grows wider and he sits up straighter in the saddle. I know he is already imagining what I am going to do to him when we get back to my parents' house.

"How about you try riding by yourself and I might give you a reward," I suggest.

Cato grins again as he grips the reigns tighter.

"If I fall and injure myself will I get a bigger reward?" he asks cheekily.

I just give him a coy smile in return before dropping the lead reign and stepping away.

"Let's just see your skills," I say.

Cato laughs and grips the reigns a little nervously. He squeezes his thighs to get the horse moving and begins a slow walk round the area.

I am impressed at first as he moves the horse round at a slow and steady pace. I shout my encouragements and a grin spreads across his face.

"See. I'm a total pro!" he shouts back cockily.

However his arrogance gets the better of him as he pulls the reigns too tightly and squeezes his thighs a little too much. Hunter lets out a loud whine in protest before darting off to the other side of the training area. Joel and I share a slightly worried look before I race after both of them.

Cato tries to hang on but his body is wobbling like jelly and I know it is only his strength that is keeping him on. I eventually manage to catch up with them as Hunter gets stuck at the fence and just before Cato is about to topple off. I reach for the reigns to try and calm the horse down.

"Whoa there, boy! Cato didn't mean to scare you," I say stroking his neck.

Hunter stops jolting about, snorting a little before I reach out to stroke his nose. I whisper soothing words into the horse's ear to calm him.

"Sure. Make sure the horse is okay ahead of your fiancé," Cato says as he manages to straighten up.

I turn to look up at him with a grin.

"Well you didn't have an idiot on your back trying to ride you," I reply.

Cato smiles and shakes his head. I move round to the side of the horse to help Cato get off. My fiancé basically falls off and lands in my arms with a loud huff. I laugh as I steady him. For as appalling as Cato has been at riding today the experience has been rather enjoyable. My cheeks hurt from laughing so much at Cato's misfortune.

"I am never doing that again. I'll leave the riding up to you," he says as he straightens in my arms.

My heart drop at his words. I had hoped that this could be one aspect of my life from Panem we could share back in New York. I didn't realise I missed riding so much until I got here.

Cato ducks his head down to look me in the eyes.

"Do I get my reward now?" he asks.

I smile up at him and let him lower his face to place a kiss on my lips. I open my mouth eagerly to let him in and enjoy the feeling of his arms wrapped around me.

But we are interrupted by the sound of approaching footsteps. I break away sharply from Cato and step back. This town is quite conservative and doesn't appreciate public displays of affection.

But the situation is made even worse when I turn round to find Peeta staring at us. There is a slightly sad look in his eyes and he looks away quickly, embarrassed to be intruding on our private moment. I try to move away from Cato, not wanting to flaunt my relationship in front of Peeta, but Cato tightens his grip on my waist and keeps me close to his side.

"Nice to see you again, Peeta. Katniss has been teaching me how to ride today," Cato asks.

Peeta smiles good naturedly back at Cato.

"Y'all got a good teacher," he replies. "I'm just off for a short ride to the water tower. Blow the cobwebs away after baking since five this morning."

The water tower. That was our place. Ever since I dared him to climb it when we were eight. It ended up being the place we escaped to whenever our parents nagged us too much or if we just wanted to be alone together. It is the place Peeta proposed.

I shake my head to try and rid myself of these memories.

Does Peeta still go there to think about his troubles? I don't even want to contemplate why he might want to go there today.

"Well, have a good one. Katniss and I are just off to have lunch together. Then I'll be taking her to show me all of Panem's hidden delights," Cato says.

Cato keeps his eyes on Peeta and keeps me in his firm grip. I know what he is doing. He's marking his territory. Proving to Peeta that he is the man I am with now.

Cato's never had to meet an ex of mine before. I don't have many. Just Peeta, a couple of one nights stands I had in college that I used to prove to myself that I was over Peeta and one rather disappointing six month relationship with a guy in grad school. But Cato doesn't like to feel threatened and it is clear that he feels so by Peeta. I feel embarrassed as Cato looks at Peeta challengingly. It is not an attractive side of him.

But Peeta doesn't react to it. He just smiles back at Cato and leaves things be. He has always been able to read people well and knows not to get into a pissing contest with Cato.

"Y'all have a good day then," Peeta replies.

For some reason I can't look at him any longer. I feel guilty about standing in front of him with Cato.

Cato gives Peeta a less than sincere smile back before he grabs my hand and pulls me out of the stables.

I turn back round to see Peeta one last time before we leave. I find him staring back at me with a sad smile that makes my heart clench.