Author's Note: Party Time! Just so you know….Ariana can get dressed without making a fool of herself :P

Thanks go to my reviewers: SeaOtter, HL, E-W-Dragon, Pandora and JB

Chapter 27

Ever Tightening Circles

The next morning I let Peeta, Haymitch and Katniss off the hook, I tell them to take this morning and hang out with their families or other loved ones or just sleep.

Even with the rally of supporters gone and getting ready, I still head out for my early morning run.

I'm not alone.

Gale is waiting for me at the meadow. He's in running gear. He gives me a pleased smile.

Last night he had picked me up at the back door, we had waved bye to Ryan and Harry and he had taken me hand in his and we walked to Haymitch's. The good news is everyone is game for the party today. The bad news at least in their eyes is they can't bring anything but their plates and their appetites. I had laughed at that, Gale even offered up a chuckle.

This morning, gone five am; Gale is ready willing and able to run with me. We don't race though we take a steady jog and end up at the bakery. Harry meets us outside; he has just fed their big and very old sow.

"I smell bacon" Gale chides, "do you Mr. Mellark?"

Harry just leans on the fence, "my wife loves this pig" he says

"Really? She can actually love? I thought she had a piece of petrified wood in her chest" I mutter, "everything is ready?"

Harry nods, "Ryen and I will come and help set up then I will get Buck to help me bring over the breads and pastries"

"How is he?" I ask

"You shouldn't worry about him" Gale says but my glance makes him realize I do care about him just not like I do him.

"He's….well he's been better" Harry sighs, "Peeta told him he will have to apologize to you but he refuses, he's a stubourn one. None to fret Ariana, you and Gale get the rest ready alright we'll be over later to help set up"

We head for Haymitch's, stopping at the grocer and buying him out, then the butcher and doing likewise. Thankfully the butcher gets a bag boy to help us with the groceries. If not I don't know how we'd manage!

Peeta shows up and helps Gale. We get everything set up even setting the two cured pigs on a table with apples in their mouths (I hope Katniss does not feel the need to shoot these out but even if she did it might be entertaining). Tables are brought out and set up outside.

Katniss hasn't shown up yet, but I think when I said the day was off she took full advantage of it.

I say bye to the boys after we get the food in warming dishes we found in Haymitch's house. Then put the last few chairs and tables from empty victor houses outside. Just have to light some torches and maybe string some lights later and it will almost be like being back home in Five. With setting up practically done we all split up to get washed and dressed.

I am not what you would call girly. And Haymitch is no high classmen, but we clean up pretty good for two fighters.

Of course the old man is faster at getting ready and he answers the door, to Gale.

"You're date is here!" he hollers

I roll my eyes as I put my necklace on, "it's not a date!" I holler down

"Ouch" I hear muttered by Abernathy but Gale's chuckle is what I am relieved to hear.

I head down the steps, I'm a little unsteady since heals and I don't mix. I go slow enough that I see Gale's eyes widen and his mouth gape open slightly.

I guess I clean up better than well. He's in dress pants long sleeve shirt and leather vest.

"Wow kid" Abernathy says, "not half bad, better than Effie by a long shot"

"Have Harry and Ryen shown up?" I ask not acknowledging that I probably look nice.

"Not yet" Gale says, "Ari you look beautiful"

I blush at the comment.

Harry arrives and smiles at me in a dress, Ryen looks a little stunned but when I march over finally managing the heels to take the basket from him he shakes his head bemused.

The party gets underway soon enough as the prospect of free food wins over the empty stomachs of the seam. Merchant families come soon enough with wares they are willing to share. Katniss finally shows up then Peeta and the party really kicks into gear.

I take a moment to get everyone's attention. Thanking them, welcoming them, reminding them that they can eat as much as they want and if they need to we can and are willing to make packages for them to take home.

Then I get into what's going to be happening tomorrow.

"Sadly, tomorrow there is as there is every year" I begin, "the reaping is going to take our victors away, and I know I am not a native to Twelve but I can see in each of you this spark at knowing these three mean a great deal. They give hope, they are kind, and generous. The loss of any of them will be felt not by their families but by the community at large. Their games showed me that being a team was stronger than being alone, and I hope we can show our victors that their lesson wasn't taken for granted. To me seeing these three means one thing: unity is strength." I raise my goblet ready to toast them.

"Yeah right!" comes from the back of the crowd.

My heart sinks.

Buck and his mother show up.

"Unity is strength until a peacekeeper shows up and everyone is out for themselves" He sneers. Gales means to go and fight this out but I stay him, a hand on his shoulder.

"It's fear that keep people from doing what is necessary Buck" I look at him solidly, "fear is a good thing sometimes, keeps you safe. Keeps you alert, but fear in too large a quantity can stun, even cripple people. Become shut ins, or just be antisocial"

He looks at me as I get to and stand toe to toe with him.

"Everyone is afraid, it takes a hero to get past their fears and do the right thing" I look into his eyes.

His mom looks at him and nudges him, I don't know what's going thru his head but he looks conflicted.

"You can strike me. Yell at me, call me what you will Buck" I say softly so only the closest can hear me, "bruises disappear and words are only noises to me, what you have to think is what you can live with yourself in doing. Blood bleeds red be it from the seam or a merchant. It's what we do that defines us"

His eyes finally fall. His mom looks venomous.

"You are welcomed to stay Mrs. Mellark and Buck there is plenty" I say which has Mrs. Mellark marching out.