So, it's been a long time and I am sorry for the long delay!

Happy Christmas everyone,

Enjoy

"You're back?" Peeta gasped jumping up from the table before standing there awkwardly as if wondering whether to join me at the door or invite me in. "How was it?"

"Let's just say that you are lucky that there are no wealthy women living in District 12" I sighed pulling at the red robe. I couldn't wait to take it off. Snow allowed us to keep the robes after each encounter which led to a ritual between Peeta and I. The ritualistic burning of the robe was what I looked forward to from the moment it landed on my lap. I could see that Peeta already had the kerosene and matches on the table.

"I would have done it, if I could" Peeta said gently

"I don't think you're old Cray's type" I scoffed, as I fell into his arms. Only he had the magic touch that could make me forget it all.

"Come on" he whispered into my ear, "change your clothes and we will make this road disappear"

A determined ant was carrying a leaf at least ten times its size along the ground. Such a little creature battling against the odds, he was almost inspirational. I bet there was no president ant back at the colony calling the shots and telling this poor little ant what to do with the leaf. Only two hours until I had to standing in front of the children of the district. I was using my time well I was out in the forest with Gale, hiding from the world and my responsibilities and our esteemed President. Almost inspirational.

"Katniss?" Gale's voice cut across the glorious silence. "Where were you the other night?"

"I-uh-"

"I went to your house but your mother said you were with Peeta. But when I went over to his house, to make sure you were ok after what happened with us and nobody answered. And…where were you?" his eyes bore into me. A mixture of concern and jealousy coloured his face. I felt his hand slip into mine as we lay side by side on the cool forest floor. Gazing into those eyes, eyes that were deeper than the artificial lakes in the Capital, I became tongue tied. I wanted to tell him the truth but I couldn't even begin to explain it.

"Well, I…Effie needed to brief us on the reaping" I stumbled, maybe a little too quickly "And when Haymitch was there she decided to feed us all."

"Effie Trinket cooks?!" This was clearly the most pertinent part of the story for Gale.

"Well she has a lot of ready prepared food from the Capital."

"There are plenty around the Seam who she could give that to" Gale grumbled angrily. "You four are hardly the hungriest people in the District. But I suppose that you are a special elite party with your lamb stew while we choke on our stale bread." The bitterness in his voice caught me off guard. I never considered myself separate from him or the general population of the District.

"It's not like that" I murmured.

"Isn't it? Well tell me Katniss, while my brothers and sisters are standing in line for the reaping, when your little sister is standing in for the reaping where will you be? Will you be with us at the back, or up on the podium, looking down on us?"

"You know I have no choice in that."

"I just hope that you don't forget about us when you're living the highlife Katniss," Gale sighed turning away from me.

"The highlife?" I repeated, my fingers unconsciously reaching up to my neck where the bruises that Cray had left were still visible. Without the ointments that were available on hand in the Capital, I was left wearing a scarf wound around my neck to hide the evidence.

"What else would you call it?" came the tart reply.

I glanced over at him. Gale was staring decidedly at the sky. Without seeing his face I knew that his eyes were hard and angry, but sad. I had to do something; I couldn't leave him in the District, thinking I was loving life in the Capital. I technically shouldn't tell him but I couldn't leave it like this.

"It's not the highlife Gale, I'm still me."

"I've seen your "The Capital Needs You" promos" he mocked.

"Because they aren't staged at all" I hissed, hoping the sarcasm was evident. "Because I get to decide what I do in the Capital and what I say and everything."

His face was still hard. Words weren't working.

Taking a deep breath to steady myself, I unwound my scarf. I couldn't meet my friend's eyes as he saw the bruises and deep welts. For a moment I wondered whether I was making there right decision but it was too late now.

Gale stared, as if there were no words.

"Not the highlife" I laughed bitterly.

"How…"

"How did this happen?" I finished, "didn't you know?! I can be bought for a highly unreasonable price and I am at the mercy of the purchaser. Most like to rough me up a bit before they sleep with me. They don't have to show the same restraint with me as they do their wives. I'm a real hit in the Capital. So they feed me and look after me so that I can continue bringing them money."

Gale sprang from the ground and made to run back to the District but I grabbed his wrist to restrain him.

"Effie knows nothing about this. Haymitch has been through this himself and can't help any more than he does, and Peeta is being purchased as much as I am so there is no-one you can take your anger out on. Gale, Gale look at me. You have to promise me that you will wont tell anyone about this. Please Gale"

He was still angry. It wasn't working. I sprang up so I was next to him, desperation spreading to every pore of my body. He was going to do something that would get him killed. Gale couldn't die because of me. I clasped his cheeks in my hands and pressed my lips to his. I brushed away the terror that was creeping up on me, I had to get him listening to me.

His hands went to my waist and I subtly clenched my fist. I could deal with this if it was going to save Gale's life.

"Oh"

A voice I was never expecting to hear in the forest reached my ears.

"Peeta? What's wrong?" I demanded.

Poor Peeta was panting slightly, his knees were muddy as if he had fallen and a sheen of sweat matted his brow. Peeta was not meant to be taken out of civilisation.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt" he whispered staring at the ground. "Katniss, Cinna is waiting up at the house. Effie is ready to throttle you with her clip board."

Gale led the way out of the forest, my hand clasped awkwardly in his. Peeta couldn't take his eyes off our hands. I wanted to separate them, but Gale didn't let go until we got to Victor's Village.

"I will ring the house once we get to the Capital" I whispered to Gale, as Peeta stood awkwardly to the side. "Don't do anything and we will talk about this then."

Gale nodded silently. He watched as Peeta walked me to the front door and into the arms of my waiting prep team.

Thanks for reading

xxx