WARNING WARNING WARNING

Gale is a bad boy in this chapter, yet again. Don't worry, he doesn't touch Katniss, but…you'll just have to read and see. Enjoy.

The sunlight coming through the open windows of our bedroom pulls me out of my slumber. Opening my eyes, I realize I've turned around during the night. My arm is stretched out over Peeta's, my hand cupped in his. I can feel his body lightly pressed against my back, providing warmth and comfort. For just a fleeting moment, I forget what happened last night, and a smile comes to my face. Then it all comes rushing back. How Peeta came so close to dying. How close we came to maybe losing the baby. The fact that all of this was caused by someone I used to consider one of my closest friends and confidants. Before the Games, I trusted Gale more than anybody save Prim. No longer, though.

I decide to keep letting Peeta sleep, so I don't move an inch. With my index finger, I trace the lines in his open palm, needing to feel him. Reassuring myself that he's alive. That he'd never leave us. My other hand goes to my stomach and I rub slow circles, thinking about the baby. How much I already love it, and it's not even close to being here yet. How devastated I would have been if Gale had succeeded in his deadly kick, taking away one of the two reasons I have for living. I cringe at the thought of how close we really came. I silently thank Haymitch yet again. He repeatedly comes through for us in times of need.

"Good morning, beautiful," I hear a soft voice from behind me.

I carefully turn over and Peeta is gazing at me smiling.

"Good morning love," I say barely above a whisper.

I lean up and kiss him on the lips, momentarily slipping my tongue into his mouth. I settle back down into my previous spot.

"How are you feeling this morning?" I ask with concern.

"Sore. Sore all over," he groans.

I take a good look at him. Today he looks much worse, in the light of day. His face is even more swollen, if that's possible. The bruises on his face and chest have taken on a myriad of scary colors, in various stages of healing. The new scars on his cheek have barely healed. His hair still has dried blood in it. I immediately burst into tears at the sight of my husband. I can feel his pain. When he hurts, I hurt. It's unbearable.

"Shh, Katniss," he coos, stroking my hair softly with his hand. "I'm okay, we're okay, the baby's okay," he whispers.

"I know," I manage. "It's just – I'm so sorry, Peeta. So sorry. I wish you didn't have to go through this. It's killing me seeing you like this."

"I know, Kat. Thank you for staying with me. I know how repulsive I must look," he frowns.

"No Peeta!" I almost yell. "I'll always stay with you, no matter what. I vowed when I married you to be with you through sickness and in health, and I meant it as much as you did. I don't care if you gain two hundred pounds and go bald, I'll still love you as much as I do right now."

"You know I feel the same way about you, right?" He gently asks.

"I do," I tell him with a small grin.

"Good," he grins back. "Kat, can you do me a favor?"

"Of course, honey. What is it?"

"Can you bring your hand to my lips? I want to kiss your wedding ring…," he sheepishly asks. I'm momentarily taken back by the request. It's so simple, yet it tugs at my heart. Ever since we got married, and especially since we started wearing our rings, we've gotten in the habit of kissing each other's. It reassures us of our love, our commitment, our marriage.

I nod and slowly bring my hand up to his lips. He uses his right hand to gently grasp it, and lays the softest of kisses on my wedding band. I can feel his lips on my skin around it. It makes me tingle all over. I impulsively lean over him and lay an identical kiss on his wedding ring, careful of his hurt shoulder.

"I love you," I whisper, cradling his bruised and battered cheek with my left hand.

"I love you too," he whispers in the same tone, kissing my palm.

I settle back in and we sit in comfortable silence for a while. I inevitably play the events of the previous evening over in my head, and I come to a shocking realization.

"Peeta?" I ask.

"Hmm?" I hear him mumble.

"Why didn't you fight back against Gale? You just sat there and took it….you tried to block him, but you didn't try to fight back….why?"

He sighs. I can see the turmoil in his eyes.

"Kat, when he tackled me, I knew I couldn't. I needed his focus to stay on me. I need his rage and hate directed at me, not you or the baby. If I fought back, there was a chance he'd try and take it out on you, and I knew I couldn't let that happen at all costs. I didn't care what he did to me, as long as you and the baby were safe. But I failed you both. I blacked out and he almost kicked you. If it wasn't for Haymitch…."

We both shudder at the thought of what might have been.

"Peeta," I say, stunned. "That was very brave, but very stupid. Maybe if you'd fought back you wouldn't be so hurt now. Do you know what it felt like to be forced to watch you get beaten like that? But thank you, Peeta. You always have my safety and the baby's in your heart and mind, and I'm forever grateful. Last night you told me not to blame myself, and you shouldn't either. There was nothing you could have done once you passed out. We got lucky when Haymitch showed up. It wasn't your fault."

He nods slowly, agreeing after a moment.

After a few minutes, there's a soft knock at the door.

"Can I come in, sweetheart?" Haymitch asks from the hall softly.

"Sure," I tell him.

Haymitch enters, and even though he doesn't say anything, I can see the anger and anguish in his eyes when he looks at Peeta. People have told us he thinks of us as his children, and I can only imagine what he's been going through. He seems to be sober. He stayed in the guest bedroom last night, and even though we didn't need him, I still felt safe knowing he was there.

"Haymitch," Peeta gets his attention. Haymitch sits in the seat I sat in last night and looks at Peeta.

"What is it kid?"

"I owe you a debt of gratitude I fear I'll never be able to repay. You saved Katniss and our baby. If it wasn't for you – I – I – I can't even think about it. Thank you. Thank you so much."

"You don't owe me anything, Peeta," he shakes his head. "You just get better and take care of your wife and your kid. That's all I want from you."

Peeta nods, and I see the determination in his eyes.

The three of us sit there for a few minutes, silently contemplating everything. Haymitch breaks the silence.

"Katniss," he says quietly.

"Yeah?"

"I know you probably don't want to hear this right now, or ever, but Gale's asking to see you. He's locked up in the Justice Building."

I shake my head vigorously.

"Kat," Peeta soothes. "Go see him. Maybe you can get some answers. I know you'll feel better."

"I can't Peeta. I hate him so much. I just want him dead."

"Please. Do it for me," he pleads.

"Why?"

"He used to be one of your closest friends," Peeta explains slowly. "You need some type of closure. I can see it in your eyes. Please. It'll help, even if you just end up yelling."

"Fine, Peeta," I huff, but I'm really not angry. "I'm only doing this because you asked me, though."

"That's okay," he reassures.

"I'll take you up there," Haymitch says. "Prim's coming up with something to eat for Peeta. She's literally been worried sick about you, kid."

I smile thinking of how much my little sister loves her brother-in-law, and vice versa. She and my mother took such good care of him last night, and I'm so grateful to them.

I lean over and kiss Peeta for a few seconds.

"I'll be back soon," I tell him.

"Please come back to me," he asks quietly.

"Always," is my immediate response.

Haymitch and I exit the room, and I look back at Peeta until I can't see him anymore. He's staring at me with love, and I try to give him the same look, but I'm sure he sees the fear and troubled look in my eyes.

Prim and my mom are in the kitchen, preparing soup for Peeta. I hug both of them tightly, thanking them again for taking care of us. They wave it off as no big deal, but I assure them it is. I tell them where I'm going, and they nod. I ask Prim to stay with Peeta until I get back, and she agrees instantly, vowing to not leave his side until I relieve her.

Haymitch and I make our way to the Justice Building. I'm so weak that Haymitch has to keep an arm around me helping to hold me up as we walk. As we get closer and closer, the rage inside me builds and builds until it's almost bubbling over. I try to suppress it, knowing it won't get me anywhere, not now at least.

We reach the door, and the Mayor is waiting for me.

"I'll wait out here, sweetheart," Haymitch says softly. He gives me swift kiss on the cheek, which takes me by surprise. I nod thankfully.

The Mayor silently leads me inside and down some stairs into the basement. I've never seen this part of the building before. He enters a code into a large steel door and it clicks open with the sound of an airlock. I assume this is where the holding cells are.

We enter, and turn a corner. That's when I see him.

Gale Hawthorne.

He's in a cell, behind a large, thick pane of glass. He's pacing back and forth quickly in the small cell. The floor and walls are cold, colorless concrete. The 'bed' is just a tiny slab of concrete, obviously not long enough to hold his long frame. The 'toilet' is a simple hole in the floor. There's a small opening in one of the walls that I assume is where they give him his food.

"I'll be upstairs," the Mayor tells me. "There's a guard right here if you need him," he points to a Peacekeeper, someone who I know and have sold game to, and he nods at me with a sympathizing look.

The Mayor exits and I turn to look at Gale. His shirt is drenched in sweat, as is his forehead. His eyes have a simply crazed look about them.

"Gale," I whisper.

"You came," he snaps.

"Peeta made me," I admit.

"So the bread boy's still alive, huh?" He teases.

"Yes," I nod.

"That's too bad," he smirks.

"What the hell Gale? You want him dead? What did he ever do to you?" I ask evenly, trying to not raise my voice and incite him.

"He stole you, probably raped you, and got you pregnant with a child that rightfully should be mine," he snarls, staring me down.

I can't believe that he would actually think that Peeta would rape me. Peeta is the nicest person I've ever met – and he was more than okay with waiting until I was completely ready before we even thought about having sex. Even now, after we've been married for more than two months, I'm still the one who usually instigates our encounters.

"Peeta would never do that," I say quietly.

"Sure," Gale mocks. "I know you, Everdeen, remember that. You never wanted kids. The only way you'd get pregnant is if he forced you to."

"My name is Mellark," I snap. I calm myself quickly. "Peeta didn't force me into anything. If you must know, he knew about how I felt about kids before we got married. I'm the one who decided that I would give them to him. I promised him in my wedding vows that I would. He had no idea, he was completely surprised," I explain.

"Sure, like I believe that load of bullshit," he sneers.

"Believe whatever the hell you want Gale. Like I give a shit anymore. You tried to murder my husband and my baby. You're dead to me," I tell him with rage.

"He doesn't deserve to live," he yells. "Neither does that mutt inside you!" He points to my belly, and I instinctually cover it with my hands, trembling slightly. He starts pounding on the glass, trying to get to me. I refuse to budge, staring him down.

After a few minutes of this, throughout which I remain stoically silent, he tires himself out and stand there glaring at me.

"What?" I ask, wondering about his look.

"You," he points at me with hate.

"What about me?"

"That girl Sarah was right. You're a whore."

"Excuse me Gale? What did you just call me?" I yell.

"A whore," he shrugs.

"Last night you claimed you love me, now you're telling me I'm a whore?"

"Yup. You can't even deny it, can you?"

"Of course I can! Peeta's my husband, Gale! He's the only man I've ever slept with!"

He scoffs.

"I'm going to change that when I get out of here," he threatens.

I shudder involuntarily at the insinuation that he's planning on raping me.

"Don't you dare come near me or my family," I threaten back. "I gave you enough chances, Gale, but I'm through with that. If you even think about coming close to me, I will kill you. And I won't give you a quick death with an arrow either. I'll make it slow and painful. Don't forget I won the Hunger Games. Out of the two of us, I'm the one who's taken human life before."

"I'd like to see you try," he sneers.

"Fuck you, Gale," I snap back. "Just leave us the hell alone. I never want to see or speak to you again, you hear me? What happened to you? You used to be such a good person. I trusted you. Every day when we went into the woods, I put my life in your hands. I put my family's safety in your hands when I went into arena. Then, because I don't love you like you do me, you try to destroy everything that I do love? Threaten to rape me? Peeta is right. I'm not to blame for this. You are. I gave you chances, and you're the one who squandered them. No more. I'm done. Any friendship we ever had is over, done with. Goodbye. Forever."

I don't wait around to hear his response. I turn and exit the room. I can hear him screaming behind me, calling me a whore and a slut and telling me he's going to get me. I decide there and then that damn the consequences, I'm going outside the fence and bringing back my bow. I have to protect my family at all costs.

"Mrs. Mellark," a Peacekeeper interrupts my thoughts as I go up the stairs to the first floor.

"Yes?"

"The Mayor wishes to speak with you. Please follow me."

I nod and follow him through the maze of hallways and to the Mayor's office, where just last night I demanded he change the banner at the banquet. Now I'm here for a much different reason in a much different mood.

The Mayor is somber as I sit down in a chair across his large wooden desk from him.

"Katniss," he nods.

"Mayor," I nod back. "What can I do for you?"

"I wanted to explain some things to you. Mr. Abernathy has explained everything that transpired last night, and despite what Mr. Hawthorne claims happened, I'm inclined to believe Haymitch and you and your husband. Mr. Hawthorne has been charged with assault and battery. I have filed a restraining order on your behalf for your entire family, including your mother and sister. He legally can not come within five hundred feet of you, or he risks immediate imprisonment."

"I want him charged with attempted murder," I tell him with no emotion.

"Why is that?" He asks.

"He tried to strangle Peeta to death. He was about to kick me in the stomach, attempting to murder our baby, when Haymitch intervened. I don't want him getting out anytime soon."

"So I'm assuming you wish to press charges, obviously?" He asks.

"Yes. We will press charges," I nod.

"You realize this may result in Mr. Hawthorne being sent to the Capitol for subsequent punishments, Katniss? I know how close the two of you were," he gently explains.

"I know that. I don't care. He's already dead to me. He tried to take away everything that I love."

"Very well," the Mayor reluctantly nods. "I'll have to take statements from you, your husband, and Mr. Abernathy for the official record. You may be asked to travel to the Capitol to testify. Do you agree?"

"Yes. I'll give you my statement right now," I say. I want to get it over with.

I sit there for twenty minutes, sobbing while I recount the attack, from when Gale showed up on my porch to when we finally fell asleep. It's difficult, but I know I have to do it. For Peeta and the baby, and for me.

When I'm finished, the Mayor reads over my account, asks a few specific questions, then dismisses me. He tells me he'll be by later in the day to take Haymitch and Peeta's statements. I thank him and walk out.

I find Haymitch sitting on the front steps. I sit down next to him, sigh, and lean my head on his shoulder.

"How'd it go sweetheart?" He softly asks.

"He threatened to rape me," I bluntly tell him. "He accused Peeta of raping me, called me a whore, and told me that Peeta and the 'mutt' inside me don't deserve to live."

"That son of a bitch," Haymitch angrily says. "I'll kill him."

"I already threatened him, trust me," I assure him. "The Mayor is charging him with assault, battery, and three counts of attempted murder. He needs to come by the house later to take yours and Peeta's statements."

Haymitch seethes with rage, and I try to calm him down.

"Take me home, Haymitch, I need Peeta."

"Okay, sweetheart," he says, standing up and giving me a hand, "let's go."

As we walk away from the Justice Building, I take one last fleeting look at it over my shoulder. I've finally let go of Gale. Any piece of my heart that still had hope for him has vanished. He has caused me so much pain, anguish, and hurt. I'll always try to remember the boy I met in the woods all those years ago, but I'm afraid what he's done recently and the things he's said to me have overshadowed anything he did for me in the past.

I realize Gale was never what I needed, even now as a friend. He's full of fire and hate. Peeta is my dandelion in the spring, just like I told him. He gives me hope, love, and a future. I know that I would be able to survive without Peeta, just barely, but I wouldn't be living. It wouldn't be a life, just a pitiful excuse for an existence.

Back at our house, I make my way back to our bedroom. I see Prim kneeling on the bed, helping to feed Peeta some soup. They're both laughing and smiling. I see the familiar spark in Peeta's eyes. I lightly knock on the door.

"Kat!" Peeta exclaims happily when he sees me. Then he sees my downtrodden face. "It didn't go well, did it?"

"No. Prim, I need to talk to Peeta please. Thank you for helping," I gently ask her.

"No problem, Katniss," she replies. She takes the soup and leaves quietly.

I sit down in the chair and take Peeta's hand in both of mine.

"Peeta, I'm going to tell you everything, but please don't interrupt and don't get mad until I'm done. Okay?"

"Okay," he agrees.

"Gale's locked up in the basement of the Justice Building. When I showed up, I tried talking to him calmly. He started accusing you of things. He claimed you raped me, and that's how I got pregnant. I denied, of course, but he refused to listen. He then proceeded to tell me that you and our baby, which he called a 'mutt', don't deserve to live, and that's why he tried to kill you." I'm sobbing again, and Peeta squeezes my hands. "Then he just lost it, Peeta. I've never seen him like that. There was nothing behind his eyes, no soul, just hate. Peeta, he threatened to rape me when he gets out. I'm going to get my bow out of the woods and keep it in the house. I'm not taking no for an answer, that's final. Finally, I told him off, told him I'd kill him if ever came near us, told him our friendship was over and done with and I never wanted to see him again, and left."

"Kat, I'm so sorry," Peeta whispers.

"You have nothing to be sorry for, Peeta. This is his fault. You were right. I gave him chances. He didn't want to listen to reason."

"I'll protect you, honey, no matter what. I'll keep you and the baby safe," Peeta assures me.

"I know, Peeta. I know," I reply quietly. "I spoke to the Mayor afterwards. He filed a restraining order for us against Gale. He's charging him with assault, battery, and three counts of attempted murder. He took my statement, and he needs to come by later and take yours. I told him we'd press charges, and even go to the Capitol to testify if we need to."

"Okay, Kat," Peeta nods. "I'm behind you, always."

I nod thankfully and lean over to kiss him, both of with tears streaming down our faces. I can taste the saltiness from them mixing while we kiss.

I curl up next to him and we drift off to sleep, wasting away the afternoon. We're woken up by Haymitch in the early evening to eat, then the Mayor shows up. He takes Haymitch's statement first, then Peeta's. Peeta struggles a bit to remember everything, and can only recount up to getting kicked in the ribcage. I sit with him holding his hand the whole time, caressing it softly, mouthing 'I love you' to him. He mouths it back between sentences.

We end up sleeping in the same position as the previous night, me on Peeta's right side gently pressed into him, the contact reassuring both of us. He strokes my hair softly as I sing him to sleep. He begged me to sing to him, and I finally gave in. He knows I can't deny him anything for too long.

My mother gives Peeta some painkillers and herbs to help with the pain and soreness, and when he finally passes out, he's out like a light. I spend a while just staring up at him, taking him in, thanking a higher power for keeping him with me.

Before I drift off to sleep, I crawl up, kiss him, and tell him I love him.

A/N: Whew, that was an emotional chapter. I had to get through that, and we'll get back to the plot and the lead up to the Quell in the next chapter. Katniss' pregnancy will also start taking center stage.

Again, this is not the last we'll see of Gale Hawthorne. I know some of you just want me to kill him off, but I have plans. You'll have to wait and see.

Thanks again for the reviews. I appreciate each and every one of them.

If enough people review this chapter today, I'll write another one tonight…..

Keep reading and enjoying!