A/N: Sorry guys for some reason this chapter is taking longer to write then usual.

Chapter Nine

His hot breath against my face was so warm and so nerve-racking it made me shiver against his body. His soft warm hands trailing up and down my back did not help either. His touch is always so gentile and always so wonderful I never want his hands to leave my body. Although I know that wish could never happen because it would be almost impossible. "Peeta," I said and pushed him back a little. "We shouldn't..."

"Katniss," he whispered in a husky voice and looked right into my eyes. "Just shut up already." he said and pulled me into his chest and leaned down and kissed me. His lips are so soft and delicious. I want more. I slowly kiss him back bringing my arms around his shoulders trying to bring myself closer to his body. He pushed me backwards against the wall taking me by surprise but never leaving my embrace. His body pressed up against mine. God I want more, so much more...

"Peeta..." I whispered breaking away from his kiss. "This is going just a little to..."

"Katniss...you really should just shut up." he said and smiled at me. He pressed his warm lips back up against mine and this time I didn't try to fight it. I moaned against his lips and his tongue found mine inside my mouth causing him to deepen the kiss. His hands wrapped around my waist holding me in place. This feels so good, so wonderful and so right. I can't believe this is actually happening. He pulled his lips away from mine and leaned his forehead on mine trying to catch his breath. "Why don't we make ourselves a little more comfortable? Alright?" he said so softly and so seriously my cheeks started to feel like they were on fire.

"I'm um...I'm okay here." I said trying to collect my words and he shrugged. If we stay here nothing to bad will happen and well it'd be a lot easier to say no to him. I'm not sure I'm ready for what he wants. Even though I keep dreaming about sex...I'm just not sure if that is what I really want...

"Well yeah for now." he smirked pulling me away from my thoughts, "But I think the bed would be so much easier and a lot more comfortable. Don't you think Katniss?"

Earlier that morning...

(PPOV)

"Gale we really need to talk." I half yelled as I approached him in front of his house. He looked like he just got back from the woods today.

"Alright," he said and set down his bag. "What is this about?"

"I think you know exactly what this is about." I said trying to keep my cool and stay calm. That would be one thing I wanted to avoid...a fight with Gale would push Katniss away. That I most certainly did not want.

"Uh no actually," he said confused and ran his hand through his hair. "I do not know what this is about." he seemed agitated. "So how about you tell me so we can move on?"

"Do not play dumb with me Gale," I said letting the anger come out in my voice. "Here I will give you a hint to jog your memory. It has to do with Katniss. Does that help?"

"No...not really." Gale hesitated. "What about Katniss? Did she finally kick your ass for trying to help kill her during the games?" he said with a smile. "Well because if it were me, I would have done it a lot sooner and durning the games for more of a...show." he paused. "I think you of all people should know what I am talking about. I mean after all you did it during the interviews, you know, lying about Katniss and how you felt for her."

"You seriously have no idea what you are talking about Gale." the anger was rising back in my voice.

"Oh I don't do I?" curiosity in his voice. "So let me get this straight. You have liked Katniss all this time and instead of helping her survive you what...chose not to?" he crossed his arms across his chest. "I bet you just throw away all that bread every night when you close up? If you really cared for her you would have helped feed her."

"I honestly think you have no idea on what you're talking about Gale, so let's just focus on what's more important here." I said in a civil tone trying to keep my cool. "Three nights ago where were you?"

"Where was I?" he half yelled. "Trying to get food to feed my family for dinner. Where were you?"

I stared at him blankly. "Why?"

"Oh just enlighten me would you," he said sarcastically. "While I was off trying to fend for myself what were you and your rich family doing?"

"Having dinner with the Everdeens." I said with a puzzled look on my face.

"So there I was, off in the woods starving for food, while you were with Katniss eating whatever you could stuff into your face. Does that seem very fair to you? Because it sure does not to me." he was pissed, face red with veins bulging from his neck.

Oh god I can't hold it back anymore. I need to yell at him, hit him, make him feel sorry and beg for forgiveness. "So because our life suddenly got easier for us you think it is okay to go around hurting people?" I shot back. "You realize you left bruises the size of your hands on Katniss's arms! Are you that stupid to think that she won't report you or that I won't report you?"

"Would you really do that now Peeta?" he questioned. "Because if you do that I think I just might do the same on you."

"What does that mean?" I shot back. "You have nothing on me Gale and you know it." he smirked and me and shook his head from side to side. "You have nothing." I repeated. He is bluffing Peeta just relax and stay cool do not let him see fear.

"Well there is Madge and her wanting to marry you." he said and kept smiling. What does Madge have to do with anything. He cannot report me for that girls stupid desires. "And well last time I thought...was the Capitol does not unfaithful cheaters who say they love one girl but are suddenly going to marry another." he paused for a minute and staired at me. "You see the Capitol thinks you and Katniss are in love and when they hear about you and Madge they might just question you about your motives and well you know eventually just decide to kill you and your whole family for defying them."

"What do you want you son of a bitch." I whispered and his face lit up.

"A years worth of food for my family for starters." he crossed his arms back across his chest. "and well Katniss would be amazing too."

"Katniss is with me." I shot back at him. "Anything you want but not her."

"Anything?" he questioned and looked a little to happy.

"Within reason Gale." I suggested, "Katniss has feelings for me so you know as well as myself that that wont change."

"Fine." he said and held his hand up in front of him. "If my name gets picked this year or anyone in my family you must volunteer to go in our place."

My eyes widened in horror. Go back! NO! Anything but that! NEVER! "Please tell me you are joking Gale." my voice was a bit shaky. "You know as well as yourself Victors do not go back."

"Unless they volunteer dumbass..."

"You know I would never ever go back there!" I yelled so loud people turned to see what was going on. "You and Madge should just have each other you are both back stabbing ass holes who only want what you cannot have! Just because she is the Mayors daughter means shit to me. She is just like you and me when it comes down to the reaping. No special treatment none what so ever and that is how it will be. I could care less if your name gets called and you get killed." Wow this is easier than I thought. Just keep it up and do not let him control you. "There is one thing I know for a fact though Gale, and that is you will never have Katniss again like the way I will or like the way you used to and that is because she does not trust you nor want you. So no...no deal. I wonder who the Capitol will really believe. Me or you."

"You really want to find out?" challenged Gale. "Bring it on Mallark and hey maybe Madge will side with me."

"Just give it up Gale," I sighed. "Once a nobody, always a nobody."

"Just let me ask you this one thing. Does Katniss know this side of you?" he questioned. "Because Katniss would and actually did put herself in danger to save her sister. It's sad to see how pathetic you actually are...and you call me a nobody. You are the nobody without Katniss. Just a worthless waist of space in my way." his tone darkened when he added, "And trust me, I will do everything in my power to make sure I get Katniss back. Even if that does mean killing you myself because unlike you, I actually know how to make it look like an accident."

(Meanwhile...)

(KPOV)

As soon as I pushed the bakery door open I took off as fast as I could, not caring who was coming at me or who I ran into, I just kept going and I didn't look back. He has to be at home still...I cannot remember which days he doesn't go to work because of our lack of talking but I know Gale only works four or five days out of seven. Only one way to really find out. Home first, Peeta would not be allowed in the mine since he's the baker and a rich victor. They could not afford to accidentally kill him because the Capitol would be all over their asses.

"Katniss wait!" A voice yelled from behind me. "Katniss!" he yelled again and his footsteps are louder and much closer now. "Hey!" he half yelled and grabbed my arm to pull me to a stop. "Katniss..."

"Let go of me Rye!" I yelled and tried to yank my arm away. "I have to find Peeta, he cant be alone with Gale right now...it's...it's just not safe!"

"Just hold up there for a minute little lady," he said not letting go of my arm. "Why would Peeta being with Gale be a problem?" confusion clear in his voice.

"It doesn't concern you Rye, just drop it please and let me go."

"What I don't understand is ever since you and Peeta got back you two have been acting weird, keeping secrets, and lying to people...to yourselves. What is going on between you and my brother?" he paused for a moment. "or does it have to do with you and Gale?"

"Rye, I am serious this does not concern you!" I half yelled.

"If it concerns my brother Katniss, then yes I very well think this concerns me." the rage in his voice sent chills down my spine making me shiver. "Stop with all of they lying and the deceiving because it will only make matters worse for yourself." he closed his eyes and inhaled deeply and then slowly exhaled letting go of my arms. "Now would the reason you are so worried about Peeta and Gale is because you cheated on my brother and Gale let it slip?"

"What are you talking about now Rye?" I rolled my eyes at him. "Gale and I are not together and either are Peeta and me, so I really have no idea what you are talking about."

"Madge never told you?" he questioned me with his right eyebrow raised.

"Well if it came from Madge, I highly doubt it is true. That little bitch is just full of lies lately so I wouldn't put it past her to make up something else. Can I go now?"

"After you then." he said with a smug smile. "I think I'll join you."

"Of course you will." I muttered dryly and started to walk towards Gale's house.

"Why are we walking?" he asked confused and I gave him a weird look. "Hey I'm just saying I figured you would be off running for Peeta not walking. Not that I mind walking or running for that matter I just assumed faster is always better." he smiled and winked. "You know?"

I sighed and scratched my neck awkwardly. "Rye...I know you are Peeta's brother but sometimes I find it really hard to believe that you two are even related." I said and he laughed. "No offense."

"Oh none taken." he shrugged. "I get that all the time sweetie."

Oh my god...this walk seems like it is taking longer than usual. Maybe I should just run...

"I mean Peeta is so sweet and nice and you..." I trailed of thinking of the right way to say this..."Well to be honest...you are a bit perverted and sexual and weird. It is just weird sometimes." He started to laugh which made me relax a little. He's not mad, thank god. "And well you do really know how to make a situation awkward."

"Sorry just kind of comes out that way." he smiled. "Makes life more fun and interesting though." he said and raised his eyebrows. "Just saying it's better to want to be yourself around people. Makes the other person nervous and well its fun."

"Yes you would other peoples nervousness amusing."

"Well it looks like we found him." Rye said anxiously and I stopped dead in my tracks. "Come on Katniss, man up." he said and grabbed my arm pulling me towards them. "Hey, hey, hey, what is up guys?" Rye said a little to friendly. "How goes it Gale?"

"What do you want RYE!" Gale half yelled at him his face red.

"What I can't come up and say hey without getting yelled at?" he said taken aback. "Looks like someone didn't get enough beauty sleep."

"Well no see your brother and I are actually in the middle of an important conversation." Gale said darkly. "So go away."

"NO," Rye said and smiled. "I mean I do have the right to stand here. It is after all public space." he shrugged. "Sorry you don't own the street Gale."

Oh no...there it was. Gales death look. Like I'm gonna kill you look. Oh Rye...why must you cause trouble, you and your silliness.

I took a deep breath and closed my eyes. "Peeta, your dad needs you back right away." I said slowly and when I opened my eyes everyone was looking at me like they knew that was a bunch of bullshit.

"Really Katniss?" Rye said and tilted his head to the side. "Man up!" he whispered.

"Shut up Rye." I said pissed off.

"Yeah Rye, shut up." Gale mocked back. "No one wants you here or you, Katniss, so why don't the two of you just leave!"

"Back off man." Peeta half yelled, fists clenched at his sides. "Leave my brother alone."

"Seriously why do you two have to fight?" I said with annoyance. "Make up and move on with your life if anything you two should just be thankful that you are even alive right now!"

"Seriously?" Gale yelled. "Just shut the fuck up Katniss. If anything this moron should be dead!"

"Well he's not so I guess you really need to get over that Gale." I walked up and grabbed Peeta's hand tightly. "I love him and there is nothing that I would not do to keep him alive. Get over it and move on with this hatred." I turned to walk away dragging Peeta with me but stopped and turn back to face Gale. "You know what Gale, if this does not stop you seriously will lose me forever." I turned to look at Peeta who looked extremely pale. "Let's get out of here and go somewhere where we can talk. Is that alright?" Without saying anything he nodded his head up and down and looked away. Somethings wrong that I know. It could be Gale, that would be a give away but for some reason it seems like it is something more than just him.

We both walk in silence back to the bakery listening to Rye go nonstop about how weird that was and how awesome I am for standing my ground and manning up.

"It's like you finally did it and found your balls Katniss that was just wicked awesome!" Rye said a little to cheerful. "Well I should go back in and help Wheat so have fun you to." he walked towards the door and said loudly, "Don't do anything I wouldn't do."

We walked upstairs in silence to his room and he shut the door behind us once we entered. Peeta walked over to his bed and sat down, the silence is killing me now. "So what do you want to talk about?" I asked and pressed my back to his door while I crossed my arms.

"Why don't you come and join me over here Katniss?" he said and patted the spot on the bed next to him. I didn't move or even budge for that matter and it seemed to upset him. "Please?" he pleaded.

I didn't say anything and I still didn't move. He sighed and got up and walked over to me. After everything that happened today I think I'm more mad at Peeta then I realized. This is a bad idea...

"Kiss me," he said softly and put his hands on my arms and turned me towards him. His face was nearly inches from mine. I could feel his breath on my face.

present time from beginning of chapter...

"Peeta please," I plead, "You wanted to talk remember?"

"No," he said in a husky voice, "Right now I just want to kiss you." his lips crashed against mine and he started pulling me towards the bed.

A/N: sorry again for the major delay. Next chapter will be better I promise. Hope you liked it. Let me know what you think.