Author's Note: I am sure if Ari didn't stand up to Buck there would have been a fight…so glad she took initiative :)
thanks go to my reviewers: E-W-Dragon, Pandora, SeaOtter, Arrow and Hockeylover

Chapter 28

Apologies and Warnings

The night draws on and families with little kids head home.

Just like in district Five the ones that stay are the young adult, and teens.

Someone takes up a fiddle and starts playing softly. Katniss and Peeta take to the floor taking quietly together as they hold each other and sway.

Gale takes my hand and leads me to an area and begins to dance slowly with me.

"You were really brave standing up to Buck like that" he says, "I'm proud of you"

"Would you believe me if I said I was terrified? I had thought he would come with peacekeepers. Or with a bat or something" I reply

"If he did I don't think you would have let him strike you" he looks at me solidly.

We are dancing for a while, it's late but since music is still being played and we are comfortable we don't bother leaving. Peeta and Katniss retire, so does Haymitch.

It's at that time Gale starts. I look up at him worried when he turns and Buck is standing there behind him.

The exchange isn't with words merely glances.

Their eyes meet, Buck glances at me then him then back at me. Gale looks at me tilting his head.

I give a small nod.

Buck takes Gale's place.

We sway in place for a bit.

"You look very pretty in the dress Ariana" he says

I blush, "thank you Buck"

He nods, "I shouldn't have hurt you, I didn't understand until now what you were saying"

"You shouldn't have Buck" I reply, "I accept your apology though"

"If he hurts you though" he says and leaves it hanging

"Don't worry I have three brothers that will protect me" I tell him, "right?"

"Right and two of them are wrestling champs at school" he adds, "now I have to tell you something else"

I look confused, "what?"

"Before we came we stopped at the peacekeeper office, mother wanted me to rat on you all" he looks sheepish, "I didn't, though but I heard something upsetting"

I look worried, "what are they doing?"

We stop dancing right after. I am heartbroken, if what Buck is saying is true all three of the victors have to do something tonight.

Gale doesn't understand my urgency.

"What's wrong? We were having fun finally!" he looks stunned as I grab his wrist and steer us out of the backyard.

"Gale I need you to go to Katniss' if she's there tell her to say her goodbyes tomorrow morning, she won't understand but tell her its now or never, if Buck is right they are going to upset her and Peeta" I say

"Why? What are they doing?" Gale stops us, "Ari, what's going on?"

I sigh, "Buck overheard that after the reaping there won't be a time for farewells, they are being shipped onto the train straight away, it will jar them it's meant to intimidate them, scare them, and break them"

"What if Buck is lying?" Gale looks uncertain, "you can't believe him."

"And what if he isn't? What if Katniss doesn't get to say goodbye? What about Peeta? I think they deserve this, even if it's a fallacy" I retort, "please Gale!"

He still doesn't agree to it. Infuriating me. I know she won't listen to me, and Haymitch had gone off the wagon.

I can warn Peeta, maybe he will tell Katniss.

I burst into his home.

"Peeta!" I call from down the stairs, "Peeta!"

He comes down wraping a dressing gown around himself, "Ari what's wrong?"

"Get changed" I say upset, "we have to talk, and not here"

I wait outside pacing his porch and when he is out in tracksuit we head for the meadow.

Sitting in the dried grass, I look at him worried.

"You won't have time with your family after the reaping" I start, "Buck overheard from the peacekeepers; he was going to turn us in but decided against it"

Peeta looks at me, "when did he say this?"

"After you guys left, he apologized, then he told me what he heard, Gale doesn't believe him" I stress out, my hands wring worriedly. Peeta places a hand on mine.

"Okay, want me to tell Katniss?" he asks

I nod.