Disclaimer: I don't own any names, places, etc. The only thing I own is the original content written by yours truly. In advance, this chapter is not betaed!

The melodic chime of the tell-tale clock rings through my tower oasis, its voice barely heard behind the deafening sound of the downpour outside these walls. The storm had been going on for hours and I still hadn't mustered up enough effort to remove myself from my perch and bother with the shutters.

My feet curl up against the ancient area rug that covered most of the stone floor. This place was comforting, so much more so than the bedchamber I had shared with Peeta. The ceiling was large, made of weathered wood that met at a point, its long panels discolored by the elements. My bed was propped against one wall of the circular room, covered in homey red bedding that somehow complimented the deep blue settee that sat against the window across from me. I loved everything about this place, from the eclectic decor to the almost foreign feel of the furnishings - for once, I felt at home in my surroundings.

And it did feel like home, even if I was without him, even if my nights were full of terrors and my days full of the fear that grasped me everytime I thought of my growing belly, the child that was my line of survival one day leaving me.

And I liked the rain, I liked the lack of silence that had settled through this place. The servants didn't speak to me, most of my meals were delivered through a slat and the girls who came to bathe me did nothing short of snicker in my direction. In some ways my body yearned for human connection, but I tried not to think about it. I tried not to think about how Peeta hated me, or how Gale was most likely dead. I tried not to think of those six words he spoke to me, every time he visited.

I had spent the first couple of days here crying and screaming against the door, begging the guards to allow me to see him, begging them to let him know that I was sorry. But after a while I realized that my parched mouth and tired face were doing nothing to get him up here, and I resolved myself to the bed under the fear that they would sedate me if I continued my tirade.

Eventually I tried to hurt myself, took the butter knife to my wrist and tried to end it all. That's when he came, five o'clock on a friday evening.

"They'll lock you up in a barren room if you try that one again," he said to me, our eyes meeting for one fleeting moment.

"Go to hell, Peeta."

"They're never going to give you a knife again, you know. And they're removing all of the tassels and ropes around this are. But I'll leave you here for now. I don't think padded rooms are healthy, for the baby, that is."

I snorted at him, "What do you care? Let me slit my throat, this way you can save money on the execution."

His jaw tightened, "Let me know when you want to talk. We can make a deal, Katniss."

And he returned every week after that—same time, same day. He didn't say much to me, I always curled into the bed before he came, not even daring to look at him. But he'd sit there for an hour or so, before leaving me with those same words as he turned the door handle.

"We can make a deal, Katniss."

And every week I avoided speaking to him, but this time, this time it would be different. I was resolved to speak to him, to ensure the safety of my sister and Gale's family. I had promised Gale that I would protect his family, and I needed to make sure that they were covered after the baby was born, after I was gone and buried. And so here I sit, it was fifteen minutes past five - he was late and I was pulled up on the red couch across from the door, anxiously awaiting his arrival.

Maybe he isn't coming, my mind simmers with doubt, maybe he gave up on you, Katniss.

I shake the doubt, my eyes wandering down to the window beside me. This room wasn't really that high up. There weren't even bars on the windows, and the wall itself was covered in little decorations that I could grip onto. If I wasn't with child, if there wasn't a patrol guarding the grass below - I probably could have made it.

It's another five, ten, fifteen minutes before I hear him climbing up the staircase, the heavy sound of his boots a patent trademark of his arrival.

He stops in the doorway when he sees me, "You're up?"

I turn toward him, my eyes meeting his for the first time in so long. He must be training, because his shoulders look broader and his body seems even more defined in the light of the room. But his face is tight, so unloving when he looks at me - I almost want to curl into the bed once more when I see it.

"I want to make a deal," I tell him, my voice raspy from disuse.

His eyes widen ever so slightly before his face returns to that same steely resolve, "What do you want, Katniss?"

Peeta props his hand against the doorway, not daring to even close the door. It's almost as if he is afraid of me, as if I might harm him if he leaves the two of us alone.

"I want protections."

"Protections?" he raises an eyebrow.

"Protections for my family," I say, "for my people, for Gale's family. I want to ensure that my sister lives a life of comfort, that she isn't ostracized from this place and has the option to marry when she grows older. I wanted her to be considered part of the noble class, and given rights to return back to Seam when she comes of age."

Peeta nods, his piercing blue eyes scanning across the room, "That's reasonable…"

"That's not it," I tell him, "Gale has two brothers, boys who will become heirs to the throne," my voice falters ever so slightly, "upon his death. They're just kids, Peeta. Rory, the older boy, he deserves to have a future… and Vick barely knows what is going on in his world. I need to know that they're safe, I made a promise."

"Fine," Peeta says, his tone tinged with a harshness I don't expect, "but I'm going to need a couple of names on a piece of paper by the time I arrive here next."

My heart flutters at that. I'd have to give somebody up, if I was going to protect my family… but who did I know that wouldn't give up Prim in turn?

I shrug, "If that's what I need to protect my sister and those boys, so be it."

"You'll give your co-conspirators up," he questions, "for the comfort of your cousins?"

"I promised Gale."

"You must really love him," his voice is softer this time, almost tired.

"I don't," I say, "not like you love me."

"I don't love you, Katniss," he says, his voice heavy with anger.

My heart pulls closer and I can feel myself withdrawing - can feel everything we made together dissolving in this moment.

He turns his head slightly towards the room as he grips the doorknob, "But I won't hurt them, don't worry about that. I'm not you, Katniss. I'll make sure that your sister is well taken care of, and that boy of yours doesn't have to worry about his family," he looks back at me, once last time, "And I'll let Johanna know that you're doing well...next time I share her bed."

Author's Note: I know it is an odd, short chapter but I didn't know how to include any part of the next bit without spoiling the story. It is almost done guys, and we're doing another flash forward in the next bit. Looking back, though, man this story is so different than what it was originally. Those old chapters were so simple and sweet!

Let me know what you think, and as always you can find me on tumblr at starveinsafety.