A/N: This is another long chapter, and I hope it is worth the wait. Thanks again to everyone who has shown interest in this story! There are plot twists in store and reviews are always welcomed.

On her tenth birthday, he took her to a lake deep in the woods and taught her how to swim. It was exactly what she wanted: a full day of fun with her father, in their favorite place.

She didn't expect to receive an actual gift.

Katniss remembered James Everdeen's words on that May afternoon as he clasped the chain around her neck.

"This is an Everdeen family heirloom," he whispered furtively. "It's worth more than what money can buy." He made her promise not to part with it, unless she was giving it to her own daughter someday. When they returned home that afternoon, Katniss stood at the mirror, admiring it for hours.

Now, as she jogged the path leading to The Hob, she whispered a prayer of gratitude that all wasn't lost. If Peeta never spoke to her again and if Gale walked away, she would at least have one lasting comfort – a tangible reminder that she'd had a father who loved her.

Katniss reached The Hob in record time. Allister asked her to meet him at the busy eastern entrance. Seam residents mainly used this entrance. The occasional merchant and other infrequent visitors tended to use the main entrance, the northernmost doors at the front of the warehouse. The southern doors, where Katniss and Gale collapsed the night before, were exit only.

As usual, people were filing in and out of the eastern entrance doors. But Allister wasn't there. Katniss waited on a nearby concrete slab that doubled as a bench.

Her eyes lifted to the skies; in about 20 minutes there would be no trace of daylight. She didn't like walking the darker parts of the path to Victor's Village alone; Gale usually accompanied her to the village gates after nightfall. But given their fight earlier that evening – and because he'd worked 12 hours plus overtime on a hangover – getting Gale to walk her home that night was out of the question.

The wind was picking up, causing her ponytail to whip against the side of her face. But more intense than the wind were the stares and whispers of passersby. After last night's spectacle, she was the talk of District 12. Their whispers were infuriating, and she had half a mind to mount the concrete slab, announce that she was the drunk "victor girl" who'd made an ass of herself and her husband, and tell everyone to board the next train to hell. But her mother would surely hear about it when she traded at The Hob. And Katniss didn't need to get into any more trouble.

She stood as Allister approached several minutes later with an apologetic smile. He wasn't in his work clothes. Instead, he wore a dark blue thermal Henley shirt and black slacks. His hair was damp and neatly combed and his face looked freshly scrubbed of the soot that came from working in the mines.

Did he shower before coming here? Why bother?

"Hi Katniss," he said softly, a warm smile shaping his lips and eyes. "I hope you haven't been waiting long."

"It's fine," she shrugged, peeling her windblown ponytail from her face. He spoke again before she could ask for the necklace.

"I got my days mixed up." He spun on his heels and walked briskly down the side of the warehouse, away from the eastern entrance and toward the southern end of the building. Katniss's brow furrowed in confusion, but she followed behind.

"I'm meeting my future in-laws tonight," he said nervously. "So I'm in a bit of a hurry."

"Yeah, I'm in a hurry too." Katniss stopped walking before they reached the back of The Hob. "Where are you going, Allister?" she asked pointedly.

He turned and flashed a sheepish grin. "Sorry; I'm a bit frazzled. I guess I should explain. I found your necklace in the clearing as I was taking a shortcut to work this morning, so I hid it out there."

In the clearing? How the hell did it get out there? Did someone take it after I passed out?

Regardless of why the necklace was in the clearing, his story made no sense. "It's a necklace," she said matter-of-factly. "Why not slip it in your pocket?"

"We're not allowed to wear jewelry or have it on our person in the mines."

That's right, Katniss thought. Her father could only wear his wedding band on his day off.

"I could lose my job if I got caught with it, and I didn't have time to take it back to my house."

Katniss eyed Allister guardedly. He had an easy manner and a seemingly kind disposition. But she had a nagging feeling that something wasn't right.

"Well, couldn't you have gotten it before you called me out here?"

Allister nodded. "That was my plan. But then I was reminded that I had to meet my girlfriend's parents tonight, and I needed to shower and get dressed."

The skies were darkening and Katniss was growing impatient. "Look Allister," she said frankly, "I really appreciate you contacting me. I'll wait here while you get my necklace. I really need to get home."

The reassurance in his eyes was disarming. He lifted his hands in a placating gesturing.

"Katniss, I understand your concern. I know you don't know me very well." He placed a hand momentarily on his chest. "But I'm a friend of Gale's so I can't be half bad. I found your necklace this morning. I couldn't take it with me to work; I would risk losing my job. But I wanted you to have it back, which is why I called you, why I didn't just trade it." He lowered his head. "Goodness knows I could use the money," he mumbled wistfully.

Katniss's expression softened. All Hunger Games victors were wealthy for life due to their generous winnings. But she would never forget the immense poverty of the days following her father's death and the fear that she and her mother and her sister would slowly starve because they lacked resources.

"Plus," Allister continued, "It's been a really long day for me with my regular shift and overtime, and it would be so much easier if you would follow me out to where I stashed your necklace. From there, I can take a shorter path back to my girlfriend's parents' house and hopefully make a good first impression."

Katniss felt her doubts dissipating. He was Gale's friend. His reasons for not having the necklace with him made sense. He was already dressed to meet his girlfriend's parents. He had been honest enough to let her know he had the necklace instead of trading it. And she really wanted the necklace back.

So she ignored the voice at her core that told her something was wrong. Very wrong.

"Okay. Okay." Katniss pulled her cardigan tighter and folded her arms across her waist as the wind slapped her bare calves. "Just… walk ahead of me."

"Thank you," he said gratefully as he rushed toward the clearing, glancing over his shoulder when he spoke to her. "I know this is an inconvenience, Katniss. We should hurry. Gale wouldn't want you out too late by yourself."

She kept a safe distance. Katniss never had a reason to travel through the clearing so this was unfamiliar territory. The wide tract of land was littered with remnants of downed trees from stump to limb. Further ahead, the clearing diverged into multiple paths. She could see that the left most path led to a section of woods that was obviously sparse from overuse. She couldn't determine where the other paths led.

Allister chatted the entire time, mainly about meeting his girlfriend's parents. He said he planned to propose to her next year.

"Maybe I could get you or Gale to kill a wild turkey for the celebration," he said hopefully. "And we'll need to buy bread from your husband for the toasting."

"Uh, sure. No problem." Katniss was only half listening. She was starting to worry that someone could have found the necklace, that it might not be where Allister stashed it.

The gray shroud of nightfall was quickly blanketing District 12. Katniss and Allister were now approaching the point where the clearing diverged. The terrain had changed; the ground was rocky and harder to navigate.

She didn't realize where she was.

She grew impatient. "Are we getting close, Allister?"

Allister pointed ahead. "Right over here," he said. "Wait right there."

She stopped walking, and he rounded the right side of the path to an isolated area fortified by discarded coal waste. She shivered against the night air, a wave of relief washing over her when Allister gave a 'thumbs up' sign and jogged toward her with one hand cupped.

"Here it is!"

In that moment, she was relieved and distracted by the necklace that she thought was in his cupped hand. And she was completely vulnerable to the man who had lured her to a deserted area.

"Thank you, Allister," she said with extended hand. "I–"

Suddenly his body hurled against hers, knocking the air from her lungs as she collided with the ground. Dazed and alarmed, Katniss hoped he'd tripped and fallen into her.

But he hadn't.

It took a split second for him to shove her arms above her head and secure both of her wrists in one of his large hands. Her eyes widened in fear. Gone were the diffident smile and humble demeanor. Now, wicked amusement darkened his features. He'd tricked her. And no one knew where she was.

"You son of a bitch!" she growled as she struggled to free herself. He pressed his free hand roughly to her mouth, and she inhaled his coal dust mixed with perspiration. The crags of the rocky terrain pressed into her back and scraped painfully against her calves.

"Finally, I've got you alone." He grinned darkly, rubbing his cheek against parts of her face not covered by his hand. "I've wanted to fuck you since the reaping. The way that dress hugged your body… I jerked off to visions of you in that dress every night."

She could feel the pounding of her heartbeat in her ears. She tried to calm herself so she could think, so she could recall every survival strategy she'd learned from her father or in preparation for the Games. First, get a sense of place. Then, determine the available resources. Finally craft an immediate strategy that moves you away from the point of danger.

But she couldn't think straight.

How far am I from The Hob? Did anyone see us come out here? I can't free myself. Oh God, what am I going to do? He'll rape me! He'll hurt me!

Allister moistened his lips with his tongue and lowered his mouth to her ear.

"I just want you to know that it's okay if you challenge me." His hot breath on her ear thickened the saliva in her throat. "I'll enjoy the struggle. But you should know that I always win."

He's done this before. This was a sick game for him. I can't be a pawn in someone else's sick game.

She screamed, but her voice was muffled underneath his palm. She fought as best as she could to break free, but she was only tiring herself. The huntress had become the hunted, and she was completely trapped in his snare.

His face was again inches from hers. "Now if you promise to be good, I'll move my hand away. Okay Katniss?"

She nodded. She would try bargaining. Something had to work.

He slowly uncovered her mouth and her pleas spilled forward.

"Allister, please let me go. If you want money, I'll give you money. Just let me go."

"Shh." He pressed a finger to her lips. "Look where we are, Katniss. Right over there," he nodded his head backward, "is one end of the slag heap. I called you and you came running to The Hob to meet me and then you willingly followed me out here. People at The Hob saw that. Now why would you have a necklace out here unless you've been here before? Huh?"

She was furious, with Allister and with herself. She struggled angrily to pull her hands free and he tightened his grip, his fingernails digging painfully into the sides of her wrist.

"Stop it," she seethed, ignoring the pain of his grip. "I barely know you. I'd never go to the slag heap with you and everyone in District 12 knows that."

His easy laughter was unnerving, but so was the instant darkness in is tone. "No, Katniss. What everyone knows is that you're capable of public drunkenness and being found in a compromising situation with someone who is not your husband." He shrugged. "An appearance at the slag heap won't phase anyone."

Her mind traced back to Gale's words that she didn't drink enough brew the night before to get drunk. Realization hit like a wave, causing her chin to quiver in anger. "You're behind this? All of this?"

His lips were again at her ear. "Guilty as charged," he said proudly, placing a wet kiss behind her earlobe.

"No!" she shuddered at his kiss. His hand again covered her mouth.

"All I had to do was slip something in your drink last night and wait for it to take effect. Gale was already getting drunk; I just had to keep him talking about all that stupid conspiracy shit he spews. That and talking about your husband. Either one sets him off. I gave Gale a little for good measure, but not nearly the dosage I gave you."

Tears spilled from the corners of her eyes.

"But my plan failed," Allister continued. "You left sooner than I thought you would, and I didn't have a chance to get you alone. Still, your public spectacle yesterday worked in my behalf. It makes my story more credible." He started to rock his pelvis into hers. She could feel his growing erection through his pants. Her breaths became shorter, more frantic.

"See Katniss," he grunted, "I followed Gale home tonight, and I overheard the argument you two were having about your fake husband, Mellark. And Gale's mom told me about your missing necklace. That's a shame that you lost a family heirloom. I have no idea where it is."

Her tears flowed faster, weaving paths to her ears. He licked each wet trail from her cheeks and quickly pressed his lips to hers when he removed his hand from her mouth. His tongue pushed for entrance and she violently twisted her head left and right, trying desperately to deny him access.

His lips trailed to devour her neck. The sounds of his moans as he continued to rock into her made her tremble with dread.

"Please stop," she sobbed. "Please… There are women in the Seam who will sleep with you tonight. I'll give you all the money –"

"Shut up," he snapped with enough fury to make her cower. The smirk was back in an instant. "I've had enough Seam sluts. But you, you're a different level of whore."

Anger took the lead. "You son of a bitch," she sobbed, struggling against him. He seemed to enjoy it.

"Help! Please someone help me!" His free hand gripped her neck, roughly forcing her head back and locking her cries in her throat. "Now you can't keep doing that," he snarled. "Not when you came out here at night in your pretty dress to meet me by the slag heap for some rough sex. Your sweet baker husband doesn't do it for you, huh? Well, you've made sure everyone knows that he's too much of a punk to satisfy a whore like you."

Oh Peeta, I'm so sorry. You may never know this, but I'm so sorry.

Allister released his grip on her neck and she gasped for breath. His next movements were quick and practiced. He shoved his tongue into her mouth while his free hand squeezed her left breast. She screamed and sobbed against his lips. His fingers trailed up her outer thigh underneath her dress and momentarily hooked the side of her underwear. Then he reached into his pants pockets. There was suddenly a silver glint that she knew was a switchblade. Her eyes grew wide as she watched him place it on the ground beside them. He pulled his tongue from her mouth and she gagged.

"That's if you try anything," he winked. He used his free hand to unbutton his pants, wriggling them past his hips and managing to keep her pinned beneath him.

"No," she whimpered. "Please don't do this."

He grinned. "Maybe I will let you pay me... to keep quiet, to not tell everyone that you cheated on your sweet husband at the slag heap, you dirty whore." He laughed viciously. "And Gale will never want you after this. Dirty whore."

He reached for the switchblade, and held it to her pulse point as he maneuvered between her legs. She started to hyperventilate. He then used the knife to sever the left side of her underwear. With deft movements, the knife was between his teeth as he changed hands on her wrists and cut away the right side of her underwear. His fingers grazed her vagina as he reached between their bodies and pulled her underwear off. She wished he would just kill her.

"You'll enjoy this… eventually," he said gruffly.

She felt his fist rhythmically tapping her inner thigh and she realized in horror that he had his free hand in his underwear, priming his penis. Urgency brought clarity, and Katniss tried frantically to think of something. Anything.

Suddenly, she remembered a technique Haymitch taught her when they were training for the Games. It was all she had. It had to work.

She trained her eyes over his left shoulder. "Thank goodness you're here. Help me!" she shouted with all her might.

Allister spun his head in response, his hand releasing his member. In his efforts to look behind him, he shifted his weight to one side. It was enough for her to knee him in the crotch as hard as she could. And as he doubled over in pain, freeing her wrists, she head butted him, shoved the heel of her hand under his nose and swiped at his left cheek, leaving a nasty gash on his face. He was now on all fours, dizzy and bleeding from his nose and face.

Katniss sprang to her feet and sprinted toward The Hob. She didn't realize how far she'd traveled from the warehouse.

"Fucking whore," he winced in pain.

She glanced fearfully over her shoulder to see if he was behind her. He was still where she left him, stumbling to his feet. In that moment, she tripped over a small tree stump and went flying into discarded wood and debris. Her right boot flew off and she bruised her hands and knees as she crashed. But she was on her feet in an instant. She didn't go back for the boot, and she ignored the pain shooting from the bottom of her right foot that was bruised on the ground with each stride.

When she finally reached The Hob, she ran wildly to the path that led to Victor's Village. Her sobs grew were louder on the vacant road, and she was terrified that Allister would somehow jump out in front of her.

Soon, Victor's Village was in view. She continued to run as hard as she could, stumbling again but not falling.

Then Katniss saw him in the distance, running as fast as he could toward town.

He's looking for me. He knows. He's coming to find me.

And in that moment, Katniss only needed to get to him. He was safety.

"Peeta!" she shrieked.

He heard her, and her anguished cry made his heart ache. But he couldn't see her, he couldn't tell if she was in the darkened path up ahead or somewhere in the brush along the side of the road.

"Katniss?" He called desperately. "Where are you?"

Just then he heard her approaching. He could sense the terror in the footsteps racing toward him, and when she barreled into the light, there was uncharacteristic terror in her widened gray eyes.

Neither Peeta nor Katniss relented until she was in his arms.

"Katniss," he gasped. "What happened? Did he hurt you?"

His frantic questions went unanswered. She was breathless and in shock; her entire body trembled and any verbal effort was incoherent and guttural. And for the second night in a row, Peeta gathered his wife in his arms and carried her to safety.

She sobbed through squeezed eyelids, her warm tears flowing against his neck. Peeta was unnerved by thoughts of what could have happened to her. But it wasn't about him right now. He needed to hold her together.

"It's okay, sweetheart. You're safe. I've got you now. You're safe." He buried kisses in her hair and hoped his words calmed them both.

Maura waited anxiously at the kitchen window, her arms tightly folded. The moment of dread when she realized that someone had lured her daughter to The Hob under false pretense was almost too much to bear.

Why didn't I insist on going with her? Why didn't I go looking for her when she didn't make it back when she said she would? Why do I keep failing her?

Maura buried her face in her hands as she choked back a sob. A creaky floorboard at the foot of the stairs announced Prim's presence. She'd been in her room, finishing her homework.

"Mom? What's wrong?"

Maura beckoned for Prim to come closer, and she held her younger daughter as she explained what she and Peeta discovered about the phone call Katniss received earlier that night.

Prim panicked. "We have to go find her mom! We have to go!"

Maura guided Prim to sit at the kitchen table and knelt in front of her. "Listen to me Primrose," she said calmingly. "Peeta has already gone to find her. He will find her. We need to stay here for when they get back."

Prim dissolved into tears. "But what if he doesn't find her? What if someone hurts her?"

Maura shook her head defiantly. She watched Katniss volunteer for the Hunger Games. She watched her fight to survive, fight to keep Peeta alive. She watched her win. Katniss was a fighter. She had to be okay. Maura couldn't lose her after all they'd already been through.

"She'll be okay, honey," Maura said, forcing herself to believe her own words. "She'll be okay."

It felt like hours, but it had been under 20 minutes when Maura saw Peeta approaching with Katniss in his arms. It was just like the night before. Only this time, it was clear that she wasn't drunk. She was hurt.

"They're here."

Maura clicked the latches to unlock the kitchen side door as Prim's chair squeaking against the hardwood floors. They raced into the night air, insufficiently dressed, but unable to feel anything but fear. What they found was their daughter and sister, trembling and sobbing in Peeta's arms.

Maura begged for answers while Prim was speechless, a familiar fear of losing her sister showing in her eyes.

"We don't know what happened yet, but she's safe now," Peeta soothed. "You're safe now, sweetheart."

Peeta sent Prim next door to get Haymitch, instructing her to bang on his living room window instead of entering his house. If Haymitch were drunk and passed out, he was liable to hurl a knife.

Maura followed Peeta to the living room where he attempted to lay Katniss on the couch. But just as he was releasing her from his arms, she emitted a disturbing cry and clamored for him, forcing him to sit and receive her. She scrambled onto his lap, trembling as she straddled him, whimpering and sobbing as she tucked her face into the crook of his neck.

She was completely traumatized. And as Maura and Peeta stared at each other, aghast, they knew they would have to be their absolute strongest for the sake of the girl they both loved.

Prim appeared with Haymitch, who – thankfully – was still sober. Maura sent Prim upstairs to fetch her medical bag, and Maura rushed to the downstairs bathroom to gather towels and to fill a basin with water.

"What the hell happened?" Haymitch asked in disbelief at the sight of Katniss on Peeta's lap.

Peeta stroked her back. "We don't know all the details yet, but we think someone lured her to The Hob and attacked her," he said quietly.

Haymitch moved closer.

"Katniss? It's me, Haymitch. You okay, sweetheart? Can you turn around and look at me?"

She managed to shake her head while trembling. At least she was responding.

"Who did this?"

"I don't have a name yet, but I will," Peeta said. He planted another kiss to the side of her head. "Maura said he's a friend of Gale's. They'd all been together at The Hob last night."

Earlier that afternoon, Greasy Sae told Haymitch what happened the night before. He was angry that Katniss had been so careless as to get drunk and pass out in public with Gale. He'd already told her – both of them – that Snow was always watching. But his lecture would have to wait. Figuring out what happened to her tonight was top priority.

Maura and Prim returned with items to treat Katniss. Katniss's only obvious injury at that moment was her bloodied right foot. But that was easily treatable. It was the unseen injuries that frightened them, those deep scars that turned an unusually courageous girl into a cowering mess on Peeta's lap.

"Katniss, honey?" Maura said. "I need you to turn and sit on Peeta's lap so I can get a better look at your foot. It's bleeding badly, honey."

Peeta encouraged her to do as Maura asked. Katniss formed actual words although they were muffled against Peeta's neck.

"I'm so ashamed," she whimpered.

"No, no, no," Peeta soothed. "None of this is your fault. We know that. And no one here will judge you. You can tell us what happened, Katniss. No matter what, you can tell us."

She drew a deep breath, as if she was considering his words. But she didn't budge.

Prim walked to the kitchen and returned with a glass of water.

"Katniss?" Prim's voice was small. "I brought you some water." The glass shook in Prim's hand. "Please talk to us and let mom take a look at you. Please? I'm really scared, and I need to know you're okay."

A sob welled in Katniss's throat. Prim was the only person on earth who could force her to action. A minute later, she loosened her grip on Peeta and twisted to sit crossways his lap, groaning in pain as she moved.

Other injures became apparent. Her knees and palms were badly bruised. There were gray bruises on either side of her neck. A knot was forming on her forehead. Maura pulled an empty compress from her medical bag and rushed to the kitchen to fill the compress with ice cubes. When she returned, Katniss was alternating between taking deep breaths and sips of water.

"Do you feel dizzy or nauseous, Katniss?" Maura asked.

"No... My head hurts a little." Maura retrieved pills from the medicine cabinet in the downstairs bathroom and gave them to Katniss.

After a few more deep breaths, she mustered the nerve to tell them what happened. His name was Allister Canty, and he'd joined her and Gale at The Hob the night before. He called to say he found her necklace; she'd spent all day searching for it. They agreed to meet at The Hob so she could get it back.

She thought it would be a quick exchange, and when he showed up showered and dressed, she was skeptical. But he told her he'd gotten his days confused and he was meeting his girlfriend's parents that night. He said he found her necklace in the clearing on his way to work that morning and he stashed it there because he couldn't have jewelry on his person in the mines.

Katniss took another sip of water and drew another deep breath. No one spoke, afraid of what an interruption might do to her train of thought.

She asked him to get the necklace, told him that she would wait at The Hob. But he said he could take a shortcut to his girlfriend's house from the clearing. He said he was a friend of Gale's and he didn't trade her necklace for money although he needed it because he was being honest.

"So like a fool, I decided to believe him," Katniss said, self-loathing in her voice. Peeta rubbed her back reassuringly.

She made him walk ahead of her, and he led her down the clearing. He kept talking about his wedding next year and needing her to kill a wild turkey, needing bread for a toasting. They walked to where the clearing diverged into paths.

Haymitch shut his eyes in realization. He knew every road in District 12. He knew exactly where this guy had lured her.

Katniss shook her head. "I didn't know where I was. I didn't know it was the slag heap."

It was getting dark, she said, and he ran ahead and said he had the necklace; she showed them how he approached her with his hand cupped, as if he were carrying the necklace.

"Then he lunged at me and pinned me to the ground." She drew a shaky breath. "I threatened him, I begged him, I tried to reason with him. I even offered to give him money for a Seam prostitute." Her lips trembled. "He said he'd been watching me since the reaping."

Katniss started to hyperventilate. Maura guided the glass of water to her lips.

"It's okay, honey," Maura said. "You're doing just fine."

Katniss spoke through jerking breaths. "Prim… I don't… think… you… should hear… this part."

But Prim refused to leave. "I was reaped last fall, and I would have been the one fighting for my life if you hadn't taken my place. If I'm old enough for the Games, I'm old enough to hear this."

Katniss managed a weak smile at her sister's tenacity. Katniss continued. The glass of water shook violently in her hand when she mentioned the switchblade he used to cut off her underwear. Peeta covered her hand in his to stop the shaking.

"He was going to rape me," she sobbed. "He said I was a dirty whore. That I deserved it. He said no one would believe me because everyone thought I passed out drunk the night before. But..." Her voice trailed off.

Haymitch leaned closer. "But what Katniss? Tell us."

"He drugged me," she said angrily. "I barely drank anything at The Hob last night. He drugged me. That's why I passed out. And Gale did drink too much brew, but Allister drugged him too, to make sure he couldn't help me."

Stunned silence filled the room. She wasn't drunk last night; she was drugged. It was all orchestrated. Allister planned to assault her then. And Maura knew that depending on the type of drug, it could have the effects of a hangover.

Prim was now on her knees in front of her sister. "Katniss, you're not a drunk or a whore," Prim sniffed, wiping away angry tears. "You're beautiful, and smart, and caring, and good. Everyone knows that."

Katniss shook her head mournfully. "No, little duck," she said softly. "Everything thinks I'm a drunk who cheats on her husband. The way everyone stared and whispered when I got to The Hob tonight..." She laughed ruefully. "He said I would need to pay him to keep him from telling everyone that he had me behind the slag heap. I've never been to the slag heap with anyone. I've never been with anyone."

Peeta blinked slowly, his lips parted as he processed her words. He just assumed that Katniss and Gale had been intimate several times during the course of his marriage. But they hadn't? Why hadn't they? Peeta tried to silence a small voice that said he was the reason; maybe Katniss cared for him more than she admitted. He felt guilty for even harboring the thought at a time like this.

Then, her eyes were on him. "I'm so sorry for what all of this did to you, Peeta," she said tearfully. "I'm so sorry I embarrassed you as my husband."

He wiped tears from her face. "It's okay, Katniss. We're okay," he whispered. "I'm sorry I wasn't there to protect you tonight."

Katniss continued to share the details of her attack. She then told them how she got away at the last possible moment by using the technique Haymitch taught her.

"Good girl," Haymitch grinned in approval.

"And I didn't stop running until Peeta found me." She rested her head against Peeta's shoulder, finally relaxing in his embrace.

Maura planted a kiss on Katniss's cheek and told her how brave she was. Maura also kissed the top of Peeta's head and thanked him for going to find her daughter. He managed a small smile, but his mind was elsewhere.

"Haymitch. Will you call Darius and ask him to come out here, please," Peeta said quietly, staring intently at nothing in particular. "Tell him we need him, not Cray."

Haymitch headed for the phone. Maura and Prim worked together to clean and treat Katniss's foot; Katniss gripped Peeta's forearm a few times when the pain was intense.

Haymitch returned and announced that Darius was on his way. After bandaging Katniss's foot and treating her knees and palms, Maura sent Haymitch and Prim into the kitchen while she examined Katniss.

Maura said the gray bruises around her neck would heal over time. She reminded Katniss to hold the cold compress to her forehead; Maura checked again for signs of dizziness or nausea. She asked if Allister gave her anything to eat or drink.

Then the hard question.

"Honey, I've got to ask this question because I need to be absolutely sure. Did Allister force himself on you or penetrate you in any way?"

"No." Katniss swallowed hard. "I got away from him before he could rape me."

Maura performed a cursory examination nonetheless, and Katniss checked out fine. Maura emptied the basin of water and returned moments later.

"I have something for you." The heirloom necklace dangled from Maura's wrist. Katniss was so excited that she tried to stand, forgetting that her right foot was bandaged and sore.

"Whoa. Careful." Peeta grinned as he steadied her on his lap. Maura leaned in and clasped the necklace, explaining how Peeta found it when he came home from working late at the bakery. That's when they realized that she was in danger.

"Thank you for everything, Peeta." Katniss sighed wearily, fingering her necklace. "I'm so glad this day is over."

Peeta tucked her head to his shoulder.

No Katniss. This day is far from over.

Peacekeeper Darius's eyes grew sympathetic when he saw Katniss. She was curled on Peeta's lap, holding a cold compress to her head. Her eyes were red and puffy from crying, and the various bandages on her hands, knees, and foot indicated that she'd had a rough night. Maura, Prim, and Haymitch helped retell the ordeal so Katniss wouldn't have to repeat it again. Peeta remained strangely quiet.

Darius asked Maura to document Katniss's injuries on a separate page that would be included in his report. Maura knelt at the coffee table and began writing.

"How did you get away?" Darius asked.

Katniss told him about the technique Haymitch taught her.

"Hence the knot on your forehead," Darius said. Katniss nodded. He examined her fingers since she said she scratched Allister's face. Dried blood was under her nails.

"Did you get this, Maura?" Darius asked. Maura shook her head, and added it to the report.

When the report was complete, Darius explained that he would find Allister and question him about the attack. He said an arrest was likely.

"Darius, can I speak with you, please," Peeta said. He planted another kiss on Katniss's temple and told her he'd be right back when she was reluctant to move from his arms. Maura and Prim sat on either side of Katniss and enveloped her in their arms.

Peeta led Darius and Haymitch to the kitchen, out of earshot of Katniss, Maura, and Prim.

"I'm going with you to find Allister," Peeta said determinedly.

"Peeta…" Darius began, slowly shaking his head. "Let us handle this one."

But Peeta was adamant. "Katniss is my wife and a man tried to rape her tonight," he said tightly. "People can say whatever they want about me or about our relationship. But I made a vow to her. And I will defend her honor."

Haymitch studied Peeta; there was no way of changing his mind. "I'll come with you," Haymitch said.

"No. I need you to stay here. To make them feel safe."

Peeta locked eyes with the Peacekeeper. "Let me be clear, Darius. I will pay you any amount of money you ask to look the other way."

Haymitch ran his hand roughly over his face. He knew the level of combat training Peeta received as a Hunger Games tribute. Plus Peeta had natural strength and superior wrestling skills. People underestimated him, but Peeta was a weapon. And Katniss was his trigger.

Darius tilted his head to the ceiling, obviously struggling with his decision.

"Okay," he said finally, heaving a long sigh. "But I can't let you kill him."

"I don't plan to kill him." Peeta's chilling smile gave Darius pause. "I want him to live with it."

Peeta walked back to the living room with Darius and Haymitch in tow. He knelt in front of Katniss, who was still nestled between Maura and Prim.

"Katniss, I'm going to ride with Darius. I'll be back shortly."

Her eyes widened in alarm. She knew what he was going to do.

"No Peeta, no," she protested, sliding to the edge of the couch. "He has a knife. He could hurt you." Peeta had taken a knife for her once, and it cost him his leg. What would this cost him? His life?

Peeta stroked the side of her face. "I'll be fine. Haymitch will stay here with you and Maura and Prim, and I'll be back before you know it."

Tears rolled down her face; this was all too much. She gripped his wrist. "Don't go, Peeta. Please," she begged. "I'm okay now. Stay with me."

He stood and kissed the top of her head. Under any other circumstance, he would have stayed. But he had to go.

"Shh," he soothed. "I'll be right back. I promise."

But she wouldn't let go, so he gently loosened her grip on his wrist. And the front door shut behind him, locking her sobs in the house.