Okay so Katniss didn't have the "Talk" with Peeta but she did speak to him. In fact, things are cozy between them, but you know there's always a dark cloud on the horizon...

Warning mentions of violence & violence

I Do Not Own the Hunger Games.

One week later on Sunday, Katniss woke up extra early. She wanted to catch something special for her boy with the bread. Also, she didn't want to run into Gale after what she observed at the reception. The Sunday before she'd been able to hunt in peace and thus far avoiding Gale had worked. Katniss was afraid, Gale would start something and it wouldn't end well.

Normally Mr. Mellark would be downstairs to greet her, a change she enacted. The bakery was silent thanks to her, it was closed to allow a thorough cleaning of the ovens and for inventory to be taken, and to allow the Mellark's to rest.

After a few days of marriage, she discovered the bakery was open from 4:00 in the morning to 7:00 at night, 7 days a week. The Mellark's never took a break, lunch was a quick piece of hard bread with a cup of tea. If the miners were allowed a 30-minute lunch then Peeta and his family deserved the same. Katniss spoke to Peeta, Lionel, and River about giving each one of them a break or even closing down for lunch. They agreed to shut down for half an hour to eat, so every day at 1 pm the bakery shut down and all four of them sat down to eat. Katniss took it upon herself to feed her boys.

The Mellark men ate a lot.

Katniss planned to sit down and plan lunches for the next week, easy sandwiches, or even a refreshing salad. She needed to make sure she had enough ingredients and some she could find in the forest. It would help them in the long run.

It was still dark when she stepped outside. It was beginning to get chillier. Fall will soon be upon them and Katniss's mind turned to save up for the winter. She could make jerky to help them during the long months. She could also ask her mother to help her can vegetables.

As she slipped underneath the fence, she thought about asking Peeta if she could share the food that she preserved with her family. Peeta was generous and by extension so was his father. River, however, was still a mystery to her. In the past, she'd seen him frequenting Ripper's white liquor booth at the Hob. Though Katniss had not smelled alcohol on him in the two weeks that she'd been at the bakery. He worked just as hard as his father and Peeta.

Katniss wanted River to feel important and valued. She often referred to him when working in the front. The Mellark's treated her well and it's why she wanted to show them her appreciation. Hunting and gathering food would show them how she felt.

She hummed as she came to the clearing where she'd cross over into her beloved woods. Katniss loved these lazy summer days, they were the last vestige of warmth before the cold snuck in and made everything lose its color and she would be frozen.

Grabbing her bow she made her way into the woods. By now the sun was rising and the forest became alive with the sounds of birds chirping. She went to the lake and after setting her nets she set out to hunt. As the sunlight became stronger, she shot a few geese, then she shot a couple of rabbits and squirrels.

Katniss then went to the mulberry tree and collected some of its berries, she found fresh strawberries and collected those as well. She collected dandelion leaves, and a few others things to make a great salad tomorrow for the lunch. It's when she came across the turkey.

Smiling to herself a turkey would be her biggest catch. They were easy prey as long as they weren't running. They were as fast as Mr. Henderson's old jalopy, a car leftover from the dark days.

Silently she nocked her arrow and waited momentarily before letting it fly. Katniss did a small dance as she got her prize.

With her turkey in hand, she sat down to check her nets. Greasy loved the fresh fish. Her customers liked the summer delicacy fried. Satisfied with the amount of fish, she decided to go back to the bakery. Normally she would head to her mother's, but it was still early. Her sister and mother would still be sleeping.

She was headed toward the tree where she hid her bow and arrows.

"I see you went hunting without me, Catnip."

Gale's voice made her flinch. She turned around looking for him. She couldn't spot him. A leaf dropped from the sky, he most likely was hiding in a tree.

"What do you want, Gale?" Katniss took a step back, his smell made her stomach turn.

"I wanted to have a talk with you." He squinted up at the sun. "Why didn't you want a Toasting with Mellark?"

"That's my private business with my husband," Katniss said, watching Gale carefully.

Gale chuckled, took a step forward, and waved his finger in her face. "You don't have a husband."

"Yes I do Gale, I'm married."

Gale tisked and said, "That's a lie and you know it. Let's be honest Katniss, before the eyes of the district, Mellark isn't really considered your husband. Everyone knows you're not married, not until you have a Toasting."

Katniss hated the grin on his face, he made her mad. "In the eyes of the laws of Panem, I am married."

"This is District Twelve Katniss. Around these parts, folks consider what you and Peeta are doing a sin. They believe you're shacking up with the baker's son and that once he tires of you, he's going to toss you out into the streets."

"Shut up Gale," Katniss said, angry that Gale was questioning her relationship with Peeta.

"Catnip, can't you see he's using you. If he wanted, he would have made an honest woman out of you by having a Toasting with you the day you signed the paperwork at the Justice Building."

"I asked him not to Toast with me Gale and he agreed because he's a gentleman," Katniss said through clenched teeth, her marriage was none of his business!

Gale mercilessly laughed. "You're so freaking naive. He knows you don't want a real marriage, Catnip. He knows you don't want kids, that's why he agreed to only sign the papers. He doesn't care for you the way I do. He doesn't know you the way I do. Hell, he doesn't want you the way I do. I don't think he wants any woman."

"What are you saying?"

"You're so naïve. He's playing you for a fool."

"Gale, when are you going to get it into your head Peeta and I have an agreement."

"Please," he smirked. "I bet he hasn't even touched you."

Katniss took a step back.

Gale reached out to touch her and she took several steps backward. She was angered by his dogged persistence. She'd been telling him 'no' in various ways for the better part of three years. She'd hoped by going through the ceremony at the Justice Building with Peeta, signing the paperwork, and having the reception, Gale would understand that she was off-limits. Yet here she was, once again, having the same tired conversation.

"I'm not going to get into an argument with you Gale." Katniss evaded him and began walking away. She just wanted to get home to the bakery. Gale followed behind her.

"Katniss."

"I said no, Gale," Katniss said. She saw the clearing just ahead.

"We could be so good together, me and you, we are the same, don't you see Catnip can't you see…how much I want you."

"Anytime you talk to me all you say is how much you want me as if I'm something to be had." She yelled, "A possession for you to put in your house like a trophy."

"Is that what he's told you? That you'd be a trophy!" Gale growled. He reached out grabbed her by the forearm spinning her to stare at him.

His eyes looked feral and his grip hurt her arms, yet Katniss stood her ground. "Let me go, Gale!"

"Mellark won't ever give you a kid, or a chance at a real marriage. I can give you that." Gale moved in to kiss her. He murmured as he leaned down, "He's soft, and he's using you to get back at his mother."

Katniss kicked him in the shins. He fell like a tree being cut down by an expert lumberjack from District Seven. She quickly notched an arrow, aiming her bow at his chest.

"DON'T CALL HIM THAT!"

"He's soft!" Gale grunted as he stood.

"Peeta is a wonderful man. He's gentle and kind and he loves his family. And if you touch me or do anything to me, I'll go to Darius and he can have you locked up."

Gale put his hands up.

She walked backward until she was near the fence. Wanting to get away from Gale she went underneath the fence and ran toward the bakery.

Luckily it was still early enough, none of her neighbors saw her slip into the backyard. She was so unnerved by what Gale did that she didn't spot River, Peeta's brother outside.

"Hi Katniss," River greeted.

Katniss's nerves were still strung high and she aimed her loaded bow at River. For a minute she didn't see Peeta's brother she saw Gale approaching her. Katniss blinked several times not trusting her senses until the man before her morphed. Grey eyes morphed into slate blue, black straight hair morphed into blond wavy hair. The tall lanky frame turned to the patent stocky frame.

"Woah." River stood with his hand in the air.

"Sorry," she whispered.

"Hey…it's me River." He looked into her face gauging to see if she was engaged in the situation.

"I didn't mean to." Katniss lowered her bow.

"Katniss…don't worry."

"I…what are you?"

"I'm here to clean the ovens with Peeta, remember?" He said, his look was concerned.

Katniss was shaking with anger, shock, and a myriad of other emotions she couldn't identify. Uncharacteristically of her, she burst into tears. Her knees gave way and she dropped to the ground.

River sat by her but didn't touch her. His silence was comforting. As she calmed down he gave her a handkerchief. "You want to tell me what happened out there in the woods?"

"How did you know I was in the woods?" Katniss blew her nose.

"Well besides all the dead carcasses you have in your game bag, and the turkey you dropped as you ran into the back yard, not to mention the twigs and leaves adorning your head, you're still carrying your bow and arrows."

Katniss was thankful he didn't mention the obvious; she had nocked an arrow and was ready to shoot it at him.

River was examining her weapon. "You're so tiny, how the heck do you pull that string back far enough to catch birds in mid-flight? And how in the hell do you get them right through the eye…"

River's comments made her chuckle. She wiped her face, "Sorry…"

"So what happened?" River was curious, but he was also very serious, his eyes did sparkle with warmth.

"I had an altercation with Gale in the woods."

"Did he hurt you?" Although his voice was calm his eyes were not, they were raging with fire. The Mellark men's eyes turned dark when they got angry.

"Don't tell Peeta he tried to kiss me."

"I don't think my brother needs to know about Gale. The last time Gale put his hands on you, Peeta put Gale in the type of headlock that can cause you to lose consciousness. I shudder to think what my baby brother would do if he found out Gale tried to kiss you."

Katniss didn't want Peeta to be incarcerated because he was defending her honor. She began shaking and she rubbed her arms.

"Katniss," River's voice sounded like Peeta's momentarily. "Did Gale hurt you?"

"He grabbed and squeeze my shoulders," she took a deep breath before continuing, "But I kicked him in the shins. He let go when he fell backward," Katniss admitted, "I kind of, notched an arrow and pointed my bow at him." When she lifted her arm to show him how easily she could notch her bow she grimaced in pain, her shoulders hurt. It was then she realized Gale had hurt her.

"Good for you." River got up and pulled a small glass jar with a Capitol label on it from his pocket. Go inside get washed up and put some of this medication on the bruises. This stuff is a cure-all, I used it today, burned myself making breakfast. The bruise should clear up by tomorrow." He took her bow and began walking toward the cellar.

"Where are you going?"

"I'm going to hide your weapon in the cellar. Then I am going to get Carlton. It's time we had a chat with Gale."

"No don't," katniss said. This was her fight.

"Gale has to understand, that even if you and Peeta don't have a Toasting, you're still my baby brother's wife. And no one should ever put a hand on you."

"You're right but I don't want you to get in trouble River." Katniss stood. "River you're doing good I see it…"

"I always what it would feel like to have someone in my corner."

Katniss frowned.

"My family sees me as lost, you don't see me like that. You see me."

"River," Katniss said.

"Don't worry, I won't break Gale's legs. I'm just going to tell Carlton so that we can keep on you and Gale."

Katniss was relieved.

"Oh, and Katniss, not everything you hear about my brother is true. He's not a weakling."

Katniss nodded. She went inside, luckily Peeta was still asleep. Katniss felt disgusting, Gale's scent was all over her and she hated it. She scrubbed her body from head to toe. Her shoulders were tender and the bruises on her arm looked violent a mixture of red and purple shades. The white gel-like content of the glass jar River gave her immediately took away her pain. By the time she dried her hair and dressed, the bruising was fading. Peeta was awake and was making breakfast.

The moment she saw him she bit her bottom lip to keep from telling him what had happened.

Peeta gave her a brilliant smile and opened his arms up to her. Katniss did not waste any time and when he wrapped his arms around her, she felt safe like when she was a kid with her father. She sniffled.

"Hey, you okay?" His voice was tender.

"I feel like I'm home." It was important for her to tell him how she felt.

Peeta gently rubbed her back and embraced her tighter.

"How about we stay in bed snuggle and relax."

Katniss turned to him. "Are you sure?"

"I can frankly do a day with just lounging about."

"I've never done that?"

"Well, Mrs. M, if I may?" Peeta swept her off her feet. Carried her to the bedroom. He laid her on the bed and then plopped himself next to her.

"Peeta the stove - the breakfast will burn."

"Stay here, you went hunting this morning."

"How can you tell?"

"The turkey feathers." He said before winking. "I'll be back."

Katniss snuggled into the comforter. Peeta's scent was welcoming. She really did feel at home. She sighed and thought about River. She was glad he wouldn't get in trouble. He'd been doing so well in his sobriety.

"Here we go," Peeta said coming back a few moments later with a tray.

They tucked into the eggs, bacon, and toast. Peeta drank his tea without sugar. Katniss didn't understand how he did that.

"Okay, are you going to tell me what really had you going this morning?"

"Peeta," Katniss said. She shyly played with the fringes of the blanket.

"Katniss," Peeta said quirking an eyebrow.

River had told her not to say anything to Peeta. But she didn't think that was the right thing to do. As her husband, he was her partner in life, well for at least the next twenty-some-odd days.

"I can tell when you're lying or hiding something." Peeta said, "Your nostril flares."

"What?"

"It does."

Katniss didn't know what to make of his declaration. But she blurted out, "Gale tried to kiss me in the forest, I kicked him in the shin and ran here. River knows, but I convinced him not to kick Gale's ass. But he said he was going to speak to Carlton to keep an eye on me just in case Gale tries something else..."

Peeta was quiet.

"Don't get angry."

"I'm not angry," Peeta said after a long silence. "I hoped Gale would've respected our relationship."

"Gale's an idiot. He can't seem to get it through his thick skull that I chose you." Katniss daringly placed her hands on his face and sat in front of him. "I chose you." She searched his eyes for that same hard look when he was angry and she didn't find a trace of it in his eyes. "What I said earlier is true. I haven't felt this safe since my daddy was alive."

"Thank you."

Katniss let go of his face and took his hand in hers. "Do you think River is really going to speak to Carlton to protect me?"

"To be honest, I've never heard River willing want to speak to Carlton."

Katniss frowned.

"Katniss my family is different because you became part of us."

"What do you mean?"

"Before you, Carlton and River wouldn't be caught dead together. The fact that River said he was going to speak to Carlton is a big deal."

"I can't imagine not talking to Prim."

"Well not only is River sober but he hasn't missed a day of work and he's been early. He also told me the other day that he liked and respected you. The same thing with Carlton, at our wedding he said he respected you. He liked that you stood on your own two feet, fed your family, and made your own choice as to who you wanted to marry."

"Carlton didn't say a thing to me?" Katniss remembered the man with the stoic look.

"Well he's been here to check the books for me and he was impressed. Productivity at the bakery has increased. Nothing gets by my older brother. He's also very protective of the family and that includes you."

"I've never had someone look after me," She shrugged. "Unless you count in the woods. Gale's my backup in the woods, but he can be temperamental."

"My brothers have a temperament too."

"At least your brothers are civil. Gale's so obstinate, I'm afraid he's going to pick a fight with your brothers. If I'm running around town."

"We don't know that but believe me my brothers can handle themselves." Peeta then said. "If ever you need to tell me something Katniss, I want you to know you can. You can come to me with anything, don't hide anything from me."

"Okay." Katniss then looked at him, "Tomorrow in the morning I want to talk to Gale and make him understand that he cannot do this anymore."

"Do you want to go alone?"

Katniss considered this momentarily. Peeta trusted her to be able to take care of herself and she appreciated this. He didn't coddle her even though it was clear he was worried about her. "Yes, if that's alright with you. I'll go to his house before he leaves for the mines. This way his mother will be there. He won't act out in front of his mother."

"Okay."

"Thank you."

"For what?"

"For trusting me, for not getting upset about Gale."

"He has no right to touch you if you do not want to be touched. No man does. Not even me. You have rights Katniss and no man or woman should try to take advantage of you."

Katniss leaned into him and when his arms slowly wrapped her up she sighed. Peeta was correct, she did have rights and Gale had violated them.