In the last chapter, Katniss had a problem named Gale, he was pursuing and pressuring her to marry him. Peeta had a problem - he needed to get married in order to inherit the bakery. Katniss's solution was simple, marry Peeta, pay off debt, and get Gale off her back. Or was it...Gale found out and I have a feeling he isn't too happy for Katniss. Will Gale be happy for his friend or will he be a cantankerous beast?

"Why are you meeting him at the Justice Building?" Gale looked between them both his face contorted.

"We are getting married," Peeta said his eyes shifted over Katniss's shoulder to Gale.

Katniss turned to face Gale the trance broken.

"No!" Gale shook his head. "You can't."

"Yes, I can Gale." She turned to look at Peeta.

"No, I forbid it," Gale said.

"I'm getting married to Peeta," Katniss said softly not removing her eyes from Peeta's face. She liked the way his face filled with color. He looked cute.

"What?" Gale sputtered. "This is nonsense."

"Tomorrow, I'll meet you at the Justice Building." Peeta grinned.

"Tomorrow it is," Katniss agreed. Tomorrow she was getting married to her boy with the bread. She couldn't believe that she had found a way to pay for his kindness. A rush of heat blossomed on her face.

"No," Gale sputtered. He jumped between them. "I thought you didn't want to get married."

"I didn't, but this is different," Katniss tried to explain.

"Listen, Gale," Peeta said.

"Shut up baker boy." Gale gestured wildly with his hands and arms.

"Don't talk to Peeta that way," Katniss growled. She stopped herself from getting upset. She knew how explosive Gale's temperament could become. She began walking away.

"It's Peeta now?" Gale shouted following her.

"Katniss," Peeta called.

"No," Gale said giving Peeta an angry glare, to shut him up.

Katniss stopped walking she saw Peeta approach them. This was not going well, and she needed to find a way to calm Gale. "Gale, please. I need you to calm down.

"You're supposed to marry ME!" He paced back and forth. "You told me you couldn't…you told me…you lied to me."

"Gale, I told you I didn't want to marry you. I told you I saw you like family. I've made my choice," Katniss tried to diffuse the situation, but it was no use. Gale threw down the contents he carried and lunged at Peeta.

"PEETA WATCH OUT!" Katniss shouted.

Peeta was skilled at defending himself. He was a champion wrestler in school and had two older brothers that picked on him as a kid. He easily deflected Gale's attempts to tackle him. "Gale I don't want to fight!"

"You stole my woman!" Gale lunged at Peeta once more.

"Gale, Katniss is her own woman." Peeta gave her a brief glance, right before he avoided Gale rushing at him. "She makes her own decisions, and she doesn't belong to anyone."

"Screw you, you ugly moron," Gale shouted rushing at him again.

Peeta avoided him. "Gale you need to calm down."

"You bastard!"

"Gale stop, this is useless," Katniss pleaded. Gale was a hothead and shouting profanities at Peeta didn't help his cause with Katniss. He was acting like an idiot. "Peeta and I are getting married in the morning." Katniss tried to get in the way but Gale pushed her to the ground.

"Katniss!" Peeta ran to her. "Are you okay?" He cupped her cheek, his eyes searched her face.

"I'm okay."

"You've got a scrape on your face." Peeta gently helped her get up.

As she stood Katniss saw Gale was heading for Peeta. "Peeta, behind you…"

The warmth left Peeta's eyes when he turned to face Gale. His jaw tensed, his amiability was replaced by a cold menacing look. Katniss was sure Peeta did not like seeing the way Gale carelessly shoved her. She had seen that same look once before during a wrestling match, which caused Peeta to snap.

Peeta haunched over his muscular arms bulging within the confines of his shirt. It was then the fight began in earnest.

Peeta tackled Gale to the ground, they rolled around punching the other. Both ended up in the street. Gale was a tall brute and often used his anger to win fights. Peeta wasn't as tall, but he had more mass and experience. By now half the district surrounded them. Mrs. Mellark watched from the bakery. Her face pressed up against the window.

Peeta had Gale in a headlock when Darius turned up. By then half the town was outside, each with the knowledge the fight started over the upcoming marriage.

"Okay you break it up," Darius said, pulling Peeta off Gale.

"It's not fair, that Merchant stole MY girl," Gale cried as he was pulled away.

Gale's declaration made Katniss mad, she'd never been his girl.

"This is over a girl," Darius said incredulously.

"Katniss and I are getting married in the morning. Gale overheard our conversation. Instead of being happy for his friend he attacked me. I tried not to fight but Gale pushed Katniss on the ground," Peeta said wiping his mouth.

All eyes turned to Katniss who touched her cheek to try to cover up the scar and bruising that was no doubt coloring her face.

"Hot stuff," Darius glanced at her face, "You want to press charges?"

"No, let him go home to his mother." Katniss sighed.

"Peeta stay out of trouble," Darius said. Turning to Gale, he added, "You let's go, your mother is going to bust a gasket when she learns you got into another fight." Darius led Gale away and Katniss was relieved.

"YOU'RE GETTING MARRIED!" Peeta's father's smile was wider than the man on the moon.

"Yes dad, Katniss and I are going to get married at the Justice Building in the morning."

"Eileen, did you hear Peeta's getting hitched in the morning!" Mr. Mellark shouted to his wife, who looked like she'd eaten something sour. His exuberance caused a few in the gathered crowd to chuckle.

Mr. Mellark boasted, "EVERYONE GET YOUR BREAD TODAY. IN HONOR OF MY SON'S WEDDING, THE BAKERY WILL BE CLOSED TOMORROW!"

Peeta pulled Katniss to the side, "You okay with this, everyone knowing."

Katniss glanced at the ground, lost for words. What should have been a private affair turned into a public spectacle, and all because of Gale. The only thing she could think of saying was, "I'm okay with it if you're okay with it."

"Okay, I'll have to go down to the Justice Building now and make the appointment, I'll try for 9 or 10 am is that okay? Will that give you enough time to get ready?"

"I guess so." Katniss thought for a second about what she would wear. Renting a dress was unnecessary since they weren't going to have a Toasting. Maybe she'll take a bath and wear the light blue dress she was supposed to wear at the 74th Hunger Games Reaping. It was so nice to know she would never have to dress up for another Reaping again.

"Okay, I'll send word, so that you know the time."

Katniss nodded and began to walk away.

"Oh, Katniss," Peeta called.

She turned around.

"Thank you."

Katniss couldn't help the smile that blossomed on her face.

Thank you for everyone's reaction to the first part. I've changed this part a little so that there would be a bigger confrontation. What did you think of Gale's behavior?

PS I do not own the Hunger Games!