I know I haven't updated in over a month - sorry about that! Hope the chapter is worth the wait.

Training week progresses much the same as any other year, oddly enough. The first morning Haymitch explains to Tommy and Sally how everything is going to work and that Peeta and I will be responsible for overseeing both their training during that time. The tributes spend a lot of time down in the training centre without the mentors present; it's not until the final day that we get to have hands-on time with them in the training area. Up until then our job is to give advice, find out their strengths and weaknesses and prepare them as best we can.

There is palpable tension in the room at all times when both tributes are present. Tommy doesn't need to be told that he and Sally get the same information at the same time because we are required to assist both tributes, that part he knew already. The problem is more with Sally, who seems to take everything we say to her as a slight. I constantly have to remind myself of the awful situation she's in to avoid wanting to give up on her entirely. Her attitude is not going to do her any favours.

The first two evenings Peeta and I spend with Tommy in his room. We don't talk about the Games even though it seems like a wasted opportunity to get some extra mentoring in. Peeta says Tommy needs some measure of normalcy, the chance to think about something else for a moment, so that is what we try to give him. I'm not at all convinced that focusing too much on what we've left behind back home is a good idea but I know from experience that the Mellarks think differently than I do in a lot of ways.

We talk about school, about his friends, about his closest family. The second evening Tommy asks if we think his younger siblings will get reaped too.

"There have been siblings reaped back-to-back years" he points out.

"Actually, no" I tell him. "Some career tributes have volunteered the year after their sibling did but it's never happened that the bad luck of the draw has selected siblings consecutive years."

"So that means they're safe?" says Tommy, a hint of hope in his voice for the first time. "That because I'm here they won't have to be?"

I feel a lump in my throat and I sit down next to him on the bed, running a hand through his blonde curls that are so similar to Peeta's. It makes me so proud and at the same time it hurts my heart a little to see him find meaning in the idea that his misfortune would save his siblings. It's a trait I recognize so strongly from his uncle.

"Yes I think so" I tell him.

He smiles in a way that reminds me even further of Peeta.

"Thanks, Aunt Katniss."

We stay until he begins to grow tired. He curls up on the bed and eventually falls asleep, flanked on either side by Peeta and me much like when he was little and would come spend the night at our house. Peeta's brothers often sent one of their children to us for a night, officially for the parents to get a bit of rest but actually because they knew we could fill their stomachs and provide them with a warm bed even in the coldest part of winter.

I share a look with Peeta once Tommy has drifted off to sleep. The boy is still fully dressed and on top of the covers but there doesn't seem to be much point to waking him up. Carefully we get off the bed and Peeta grabs a large, soft blanket which he covers Tommy with. I stand there for a moment wondering if this will be the last time I get to see him sleeping peacefully. I saw Peeta peacefully asleep a few times in the arena but that was when we were teamed up and one could sleep knowing the other kept guard. Tommy will not have that luxury.

"Come."

Peeta's hands are on my upper arms. He's standing behind me but I can see him nodding to the door. I nod slowly, knowing that it's time to go. It's not that late and we might actually be able to have some time for ourselves tonight. We haven't made love since a few days before the Reaping and I long for the comfort of feeling that bond between us.

We leave Tommy's room and come face to face with Sally Masters. She is on her way to her bedroom, which is across the hall from Tommy's, holding a mug of hot milk in her hands. The look on her face when she sees us takes away all my desire to have sex.

"Let's go" says Peeta in my ear, his hand on the small of my back.

My eyes are focused on Sally. She looks at us with disdain but also a sense of triumph, as if she's gotten proof that we're favouring Tommy over her. Not that she needed it proven. Everybody knows it already. I try hard to feel sympathetic to her plight but the attitude in her eyes makes it difficult. It should be a good thing that she doesn't just roll over and wait for death, that she has the gusto to be angry at the unfairness of it all and to want to fight as best as she can. Still it bothers me that she doesn't seem to have any respect for us, her mentors. She had already made up her mind that we would abandon her before we did anything to imply that it would be the case. The fact is we haven't abandoned her. We've coached her these few days just as we've coached Tommy and I'm going to do my best to get her sponsors when she's in the arena.

Sensing my discomfort Peeta urges me forward, pressing his hand into the small of my back. We walk down the corridor to the sitting room, from which we can reach the corridor where our own bedroom is located. I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding in once we are out in the open area of the sitting room.

"Don't let her get to you" mumbles Peeta in my ear. He then speaks in a normal tone of voice. "I think it's time though that we tell them what the plan is. She deserves to know that she's not alone. And Tommy needs to know how we're dividing our resources."

"You're right" I say but I have an uneasy feeling in the pit of my stomach. Now that we're getting closer to the Games and we're talking about actually telling Tommy that I will mentor Sally first and foremost I don't feel as good about it anymore.

Peeta opens the door to our bedroom and we both walk inside. I hear the door close behind me and then Peeta turns me around and kisses me. Meeting Sally in the hallway doesn't seem to have affected his mood the way it did mine and I'm a little bothered by that because it's a reminder that he gets to stay in Tommy's corner while I don't. At the same time that is very unfair of me since I chose to mentor Sally and Peeta would no doubt prefer it if I changed my mind.

All the same my heart isn't really in it as Peeta moves me back towards the bed. I don't want to deny him this comfort, especially if it's the only comfort I'm capable of giving him, but I'm not fully invested when we have sex and I think he can tell. Even afterward, when he lays slumbering in my arms, I am wide awake thinking about what I have to do these upcoming days.

The following evening we sit down to dinner like any other night. Sally is sulking her way through a large fish with a side of potatoes while Tommy and Peeta crack half-hearted jokes about their grilled chicken and some old story with Peeta's mother. I'm mostly just poking the food around on my plate, eating very little of the plated beef ragout I usually love. Emalda seems to be miles away in her head as she half-heartedly works on a blue cheese salad. Haymitch is the only one eating with a hearty appetite, already on his second serving of stuffed eggplants. He occasionally comments on something Peeta or Tommy says or tries to draw a word from Emalda. He leaves me and Sally alone, perhaps sensing that neither one of us is in the mood to talk.

Once the main courses have been taken away and dessert has been served he seems to decide that it's time to get down to business. It's an odd moment to choose since even Sally seems in bright spirits, once she's tasted the glace-au-four the avoxes brought out for us. Or maybe Haymitch thinks her improved mood make for the perfect timing.

"Well it's been a fun few days of anger, tension and general grouchiness" he says cheerfully, tossing his napkin on the table carelessly. It lands partially in Emalda's dessert and she makes a disgusted sound. "But it's time we talk seriously about what's going to happen these next few days."

The room goes silent as everybody pauses. After a second Emalda pushes her chair back and leaves with an offended snort. I feel a sudden urge to do the same but I know I have to stay here and be a part of this.

"Impeccable timing, Haymitch" comments Peeta. "God forbid any of us got to actually enjoy our ice-cream."

"You can gorge yourself on that stuff in a few minutes" says Haymitch. He points his fork at Tommy, then Sally. "Now listen up. Despite Sally's best efforts to play the martyr and Tommy's little bubble of thinking he's got it made we all know that there will be mentoring to be had for both of you. Peeta and I will stick with the boy and Katniss will mentor the girl. Let that be the end of all grumpy faces and dramatic outbursts."

"Wait" says Tommy with a frown. "You said you and Uncle Peeta will mentor me and that Aunt Katniss…"

I feel myself tense up, my eyes focused on Haymitch. What will he tell Tommy?

"Women mentor female tributes, men mentor male tributes" says Haymitch and I feel myself relax. "Every district that has victors of both sexes have that system. It's how the Games work."

"It doesn't have to be" argues Tommy. "I've seen women mentor their sons and men mentor their daughters." He looks over at me. "Why can't you just switch? Let Katniss be my mentor." He turns to Sally. "Does it really matter to you whether your mentor is Haymitch or Katniss?"

"I don't want her" says Sally, glaring at me from underneath her bangs. "What good will your aunt do me?"

"Then let's just switch."

"This is not up for voting" says Haymitch.

"Why not?" Tommy turns to me. "You'd be happy to switch and mentor me instead. Wouldn't you?"

The whole room falls silent enough for you to be able to hear a pin dropping. Peeta and Haymitch both keep their steady eyes on me, probably for support and encouragement. Tommy looks expectant but I can see some hint of interest beginning to awaken in Sally's face.

"I should mentor Sally" I finally say. "It would be better that way."

"Yeah but you can choose to be my mentor instead!"

I take a moment to gather my courage before answering. He deserves a straight answer, no matter how difficult it is to tell him.

"We talked about it but… but it seems wiser for me to be Sally's mentor."

I haven't even finished speaking before Tommy slams his knife and fork down on the table and pushes his chair back almost violently. He stands up, gives me a glare so full of anger and betrayal that I almost recoil, then he storms out of the room. I barely catch the surprised and somewhat pleased look on Sally's face before I'm on my feet as well. Peeta is only two steps behind Tommy and I stop to draw a breath before I follow them.

"That's enough entertainment for you tonight" I hear Haymitch tell Sally. "Off to your room. Right now."

I follow Tommy and Peeta to the sitting room, not quite sure what to say or do but knowing that I have to calm my nephew down.

"I can't believe this, I cannot believe this!" Tommy is pacing back and forth in the room, an almost wild expression on his face. I had known he might be upset but I never thought he would have this strong a reaction. "You're training her? You're betraying me for her?"

"Mentoring her" I say. "I will still train you both for what time is left. Tommy she needs a mentor too, and we are in fact required to provide her with one."

"But you're not required to make it be you!" yells Tommy and I recoil at the anger and hurt in his voice. "You're my auntie and you're, you're going to work for the survival of some girl we barely know, when her survival depends on my death?" His voice suddenly changes to a sad plead. "Aunt Niss…"

"You need Haymitch more than you need me" I try to explain to him. "Haymitch has connections far beyond anything Peeta and I have and he is by far your best hope for good sponsorship in the arena. It would be selfish of me to-"

"You're my aunt!" cries Tommy, tears of anger running down his face. "How can you abandon me?"

"Tommy that's not what's happening here" Peeta objects. "Katniss is right. You're better off with Haymitch in your corner."

"Don't defend her" snarls Tommy. He turns to me again. "Haymitch once mentored you both. Why the hell can't he do the same now?"

"I'd rather he focus all his energy on you" I say. "Tommy please, this is much more advantageous for you."

"Don't you get it?" asks Tommy. "It doesn't matter if Haymitch is better at this than you or Uncle Peeta. Neither one of you is all that good, obviously, since there's only been two victors since Haymitch began mentoring about a thousand years ago. What matters is that you're supposed to be in my corner."

"I am."

"Not if you're prioritizing her survival above mine. What will you do if you have to choose between her and me when we are in the arena?"

I hesitate only for half a second but that's enough, I can tell it by the look on his face when I speak.

"I would choose you."

"Then you're backstabbing both of us."

"Thomas, enough" says Peeta. "Believe me, she did not come to this decision easily. It wasn't even all her decision, Haymitch and I were part of it as well. All we want is to give you the best possible-"

"Why are you defending her, Uncle Peeta?" Tommy sounds calmer now but is still just as angry. "When are you going to stop being her doormat? She's not on our side, why should you be on hers? Do you really think she loves you? That this whole marriage thing is a reality? It's the worst kept secret in Twelve, hell in all of Panem probably, that the whole thing is a sham and that she never cared about you the way you care about her."

He glares at me and I want to reply, want to protest. I'm just too shocked by what he is saying to be able to utter a single word. I don't recognize the picture he's painting and I can't for the life of me comprehend where he would have gotten that idea. Peeta and I have been a close-knit team for so long, acting no less loving towards one another in public than Tommy's parents or any other couple I know of. It's painful to hear him make such accusations and I don't want to think about how Peeta might feel hearing it.

"Tommy…" Peeta tries.

"She doesn't deserve your loyalty over me" snarls Tommy bitterly. "I'm your blood."

"And she's your aunt."

"Not really, and certainly not by choice. I'm your family and she is not. Don't you dare defend her to me when she's chosen the person whose survival means my death."

He strides off towards his bedroom and Peeta and I stand there in silence for a moment, neither one of us seeming to know what to do or say. I'm finding it hard to think straight, feeling Tommy's words like physical stabs in my chest. I cannot believe he really meant everything he said. I always thought I had a good relationship with him and his siblings and cousins. It frightens me that he might think otherwise, just as it frightens me that he might believe what he said about Peeta and me. I have to talk to him and make him understand. I love him and I can't let him think otherwise.

"Don't!"

Peeta's voice stops me when I move to follow in Tommy's direction.

"I…" I begin, not sure what I want to say or do.

"Let him be. He needs a moment."

"Peeta is right."

I startle at the sound of Haymitch's voice. Has he been listening this entire time? He takes a few steps further into the room and leans against the counter to the bar.

"How long have you been standing there?" I ask.

"About ten seconds. The boy is right. Let your nephew have a chance to cool off and digest all of this."

Without saying a word Peeta walks out of the room in the direction of our bedroom. I move to follow but Haymitch holds up a hand to stop me. Apparently he doesn't think I should have access to either one of them at the moment.

"Leave me alone, Haymitch" I sigh.

"We need a moment to talk."

"About what? My nephew hates me and thinks I betrayed him. What else do you think makes a difference to me right now?"

"Ever heard of melodramatic teenagers? A little bit of under-aged angst? Ever noticed he has the same dramatic flair as his mother?" Haymitch reaches for a pitcher of water and fills up a glass. "He'll be fine."

"And what if he isn't?"

"Then he isn't." He takes a few large gulps from the glass and sets it down on the bar with a bang. "While the three of you have been engrossed in your family feud I've been speaking to the gamemakers. It's now official that you are mentoring Sally Masters and that Peeta and I mentor Tommy."

"Perfect" I mutter.

"You can still change your mind, you know. I could call them back."

I think it over for a moment. It's tempting, oh so very tempting. But the thought of Tommy being at a disadvantage because Peeta and I couldn't get him sponsorship where Haymitch would have been able to makes it impossible to choose differently.

"Thank you" I say. "But I still believe I made the right decision. I just… need for Tommy to understand that."

My eyes go in the direction Peeta left. It makes me deeply unhappy to think about him having to hear the things Tommy said, even if he knew none of it was true. Haymitch might be right in that Tommy needs a bit of space right now but when it comes to Peeta I don't want there to be any space at all. I have to talk to him, have to have reassurance that at least between him and me things are alright.

I push the door open slightly, as always finding it a little eerie how none of the doors here ever creak. I step inside the bedroom and find Peeta on the bed, wearing only his shirt and a pair of boxers, rubbing ointment on the stump of his leg. The prosthetic lays next to him on the bed together with the wrinkled pants he wore earlier. He glances up at me for a second and then returns his focus to the task at hand. Carefully I close the door behind me and walk up to him.

"Don't worry about what he said" I say carefully. "Tommy's... He's afraid. He doesn't mean all the things he says right now. He's lashing out."

"I know all that" replies Peeta shortly, picking up the bottle of ointment. He squirts another dab of the liquid into his palm and begins to rub it on the stump. He then looks up at me with an expression that's hard to read. "It's not like he told me anything I didn't already know."

I feel a jolt of pain and worry go through me at those words. He returns his eyes to his leg, brushing it all off as no big deal, but it's actually a huge deal. It's been an unspoken pact between us all these years to never talk about our feelings for one another and I always thought that there was no real need to. I know Peeta loves me and I thought he knew that I have really strong feelings for him as well. I can't have him doubting my affections. He's going through enough as it is right now. He shouldn't have to feel like his wife doesn't love him.

I sit down on the edge of the bed and open my mouth to say his name but a firm knock on the door interrupts me.

"Katniss?" comes Emalda's voice from the other side of the door.

"Oh, what does she want?" I grumble.

"Katniss I have two bankers waiting for you downstairs. They want to discuss possible sponsorship for Sally!"

I turn my face from the door to Peeta, exasperation probably written on my features. Sponsors very rarely set up meetings with us before the Games have even begun so I should milk this opportunity for all that it's worth. I just don't want to have to do it right now. I want to stay here and make sure Peeta knows that Tommy was wrong in what he said. I don't even feel any conflict in the matter, even though that makes me a horrible mentor. Staying with my husband and making sure he feels okay and that he doesn't doubt what he means to me is more important to me than securing early sponsors. Especially when those sponsors would be helping a tribute other than our nephew.

"You should go" says Peeta gently, no trace of negativity in his voice, only encouragement. His hands are still working on the stump in slow, steady motions and I find myself wanting to stay here and rub his leg for him, anything to remind him of my affection for him. "Hurry. Before they decide they don't want an early sponsorship talk after all and leave."

"Peeta…" I begin but he lifts a hand and stops me.

"Go. Really, you should."

I can't shake the feeling that he's dismissing me, wanting time alone without having to talk about this with me. Emalda knocks again, more insistently this time, and I know I have to go. I look at Peeta again and want so badly to kiss him before I go but I don't think he wants me to do that right now. Instead I hold back a sigh and leave the room, trying to muster any form of interest in procuring sponsors for Sally Masters.