We wanted to wait to begin this story until our open WIPs Miner's Wife and 7 Steps were finished. But OMG the TV spot with hijacked Peeta just killed us! So here it is, early, our hijakced Peeta fic.

Set in District 13 about a week after the choking "incident." We own nothing. This is a canon-divergent fic based on the wonderful characters created by Suzanne Collins.

Yes, there will be smut. Don't you know us at all?

Chelzie beta'd, Lauralulubee preread. Thank you, ladies!

I wake up in a cold sweat, still frozen in fear.

"It was just a dream," I try to tell myself. But it seemed so real and it lasted so long. I blink against the fluorescent light above me, the edges shimmering a golden hue and causing a chill to tingle down my spine... but then the gold fades away. Nothing in here is shiny.

I take in my surroundings, but they're not familiar. It's too cool to be my bedroom above the bakery. My brothers arranged our beds so that mine is the one above the faulty oven, and even in the worst winters I'd sweat uncomfortably. Heat might've seemed like a luxury to some, but being too hot is just as troublesome as being too cold. Dehydrated from sweating, disoriented from heat that feels like a fever. But not right now. There are goose bumps on my skin.

This isn't 12.

I inhale deeply, but there's no familiar scent. No rosy smell wafting through the air. No aroma of food being served in the distance. No... This isn't my room in the training center either.

I shut my eyes and will my breath to stay even. Is it possible that I'm still in my nightmare? In the single room cell I've dreamed about for weeks. It was bright in there, too. All white with shimmery golden accents. A single cot in the center, a toilet in the corner. It was a cell. It was my cell.

I open my eyes. The walls here are gray. This isn't my cell either.

Then where am I?

I hear the sound of running water in the distance as I turn my ear towards it. I see a door not ten feet away. It's ajar, and steam forms clouds as it exits the room. Wherever I am, there are at least two rooms. I push myself to a standing position, noting that the uncomfortable gray mattress I was sitting on has caused a stitch to form in my side. Looking down, my chest is bare. There are faded bruises over my ribs and on my abdomen. I shut my eyes again and try to remember how they got there. The men all dressed in white, their black batons, their grunts and growls as they beat me. It hurt at first, I remember. It hurt when they first cracked my ribs. As the days passed, the pain only got worse. It hurt to breathe, but I couldn't stop, not even when I wanted to. Not even when I heard screams from the cell next door.

It doesn't hurt to breathe now. I touch my fingertips to my side. This one didn't hurt. It looks worse than it feels. The men in white didn't do this.

It was the men in gray.

The sound of water still running forces me to stand. When I do, I find that my body is exhausted, but I have full control of my muscles. I'm not struggling against the effects of a sedative. For some reason, I find this surprising.

"Hello?" I ask, afraid of who or what might respond.

But there is no answer.

I step into what's obviously a bathroom. There's a toilet, a sink, and a shower that's currently running with water so hot, I can barely see 6 inches in front of my face.

"Is anyone in there?"

No answer.

I slowly reach for the shower curtain. It's white, and nearly glows against the gray tiles that line the room. I curl my fingers around it and quickly yank it back.

It's empty. The water is on, but it's empty. What a waste. I reach inside of the shower and burn the back of my hand as I turn the water off.

I look around the bathroom. There's a mirror in here, but it doesn't conceal a cabinet. There's a toothbrush, but it's shorter than the ones I've used before. There's a dispenser attached to the wall for toothpaste and shaving cream, but there's no razor. There's nothing sharp in here at all.

My bladder is full and so I stand in front of the toilet. As I relieve myself, the white contours of the toilet bowl glow a shimmery gold, but I'm somehow able to blink it away. I sigh in relief.

I step back into the room with the bed and survey the room. There's a wooden table with two wooden chairs. There's nothing on the walls, but I take notice of a large window on the far wall. It's glass, but it's cloudy, faded. There's no seeing through it. There's a door next to the window, but there no handle.

This is a cell, too.

It's not so much an attempt to escape as it is an effort to find out if it's real that I pick one of the chairs and smash it against the window. The wood splinters in my hands, the legs giving against the strong glass and clamoring to the floor. The glass doesn't even crack. I growl in frustration, but then I'm startled by a sound behind me. It sounds like a radio, and when I turn around, I'm met with a television screen. Black and white speckles are quickly replaced by the image of an older man.

"Hello, Peeta. How are you feeling today?"

I furrow my brow as I take a step closer. "Who are you?"

"My name is Dr. Aurelius. I'm here to help you."

I furrow my brow. "Doctor?"

"Yes."

"What kind of doctor?"

"I'm a psychiatrist."

I roll my eyes. "I don't need a psychiatrist."

But the man only smiles and adjusts his glasses. I take the opportunity to look around for evidence of how they're monitoring me, whoever they are. There are small black cameras covered by rounded glass in each corner. I assume I won't be able to break the protective glass any more than I could break the window.

"Where am I?" I demand.

"You're safe."

"That's not an answer."

"I would be happy to answer your questions, Peeta. Honestly and in person, if you'll allow it."

I eye the screen suspiciously.

"I'll allow it." If it will get them to open the door, that is.

Dr. Aurelius sighs. "You do remember what happened last time?"

I shake my head slowly. "No."

"Peeta, the last time I came to visit you, you attacked myself and three other guards."

I look at him, confused. I don't remember that at all. I don't remember ever meeting him. But with his words, the memory begins to resurface, a blurry piecemeal dream. The men in gray, holding me down, injecting me with God knows what. I hate needles. "I... I won't attack anyone."

I'm not sure if it's a promise I can keep. But that door is the only way I see out of here.

Dr. Aurelius turns his head and mutters quietly to someone off screen. I don't catch it all, only a few words including coherence, reason... and calm. Was I not this calm the last time he tried to speak with me? He turns back to the screen.

"Peeta, I'm going to come in and we're going to talk for a little while. But if you do anything-"

"I won't."

Dr. Aurelius nods and then the screen shuts off. I hear movement behind me as the door with no knob slides open. Dr. Aurelius appears in the doorway, surrounded in bright light that's almost shiny. I try to look beyond him and see two figures. Dr. Aurelius holds his hand up. "I don't think your presence will be necessary, gentlemen." He narrows his eyes at me. "I think Peeta and I will be just fine talking on our own today."

"But Coin says-"

"Never mind what Coin says. I'm his physician. You'll wait outside."

The two men in gray share a look. "We'll be right outside this door."

The door slides shut behind Dr. Aurelius and he takes the remaining chair at the wooden table. He gestures for me to sit on the bed.

"I'm sorry I broke the chair," I begin. An apology seems like a good place to start.

Dr. Aurelius sighs. "Our resources are limited here, Peeta. I don't think that will be replaced."

"Why am I in this room? Why can't I get out? Am I a prisoner?"

"You're not a prisoner. But I can't let you out yet. You've been a danger to yourself and to others in the community."

"The community? Where are we?" I ask.

Dr. Aurelius eyes me suspiciously. "We're in District 13. You're currently in block-"

"There's no District 13," I say, but I don't know that for certain. She wanted to run away. She wanted me to run away with her. There were girls in the woods who told her about this place... Weren't there?

"Yes," Dr. Aurelius says. "There is."

I don't argue with him. I don't want to make him angry. "How long have I been here then?"

"A week, since you were rescued."

"Rescued?"

"From the Capitol."

"The Capitol..."

"Do you remember being rescued?"

I shake my head.

"What is the last thing you remember?"

"Her," I say too quickly. Dr. Aurelius studies my face as I clear my throat. "I remember her... Kissing her goodbye. She... I was supposed to see her at midnight."

"Who?"

I shake my head. I shut my eyes as I try to remember her, but I can't. There are only bits and pieces. The feel of her lips against mine. The sound of her voice as she sang to me. The way she smelled, like pine trees and a summer day. "I don't know."

Dr. Aurelius sighs. He removes a small plastic device from his pocket and points it at the television behind me.

"Is this the woman you remember?"

I turn my head and gasp as my eyes fall on a woman. No - a mutt. Surrounded by shiny golden light, she sneers at the camera. Her eyes are red and her are teeth pointed. I stand up and take a step back too quickly, falling backward over the bed.

"No! I'd never touch that filthy mutt!" I scramble to my feet and search for something, anything to throw at the screen. The splintered chair will do. I grab a piece of wood and raise my arm, ready to throw, but the screen suddenly goes black, giving me pause.

"Peeta, you need to calm down immediately, or the guards will come in here."

I didn't realize I was crying until I blink and feel tears streaming down my face. I nod my head and drop the wooden splinter. I sit back on the bed, facing away from the screen, and hold my head my hands.

"Peeta, can you tell me about the woman you just saw?"

I nod my head. "She... She wants to kill me."

"Why do you say that?"

"Because she's tried before."

"When?"

"When we were in the woods. She dropped a beehive on me..."

"During your first Games?"

I look at him confused. "What?"

"During your first time as a tribute in the Hunger Games," he explains.

"The Hunger Games?"

Dr. Aurelius sighs. "Peeta, what's your last name?"

I don't answer. I don't have an answer for him.

Dr. Aurelius looks disappointed. "And where are you from?"

"District 12."

"Do you know why you were sent to the Capitol?"

I nod my head. "To train."

"To train for what?"

Again... I don't have an answer.

"I'm going to leave now."

His announcement catches me off guard. "But you said you'd answer my questions."

"I will. But there are some things I will need to show you first. Perhaps they will answer a few of your questions."

"So you'll be back?"

"Tomorrow. At this same time. Is that okay with you?"

I nod my head. It's not like I have much of a choice.

And then he's gone.

Xoxoxoxoxo

I pace back and forth in the room, kicking the wooden splinters and metal nails out of my way. No one has come to visit. According to the clock in the corner of the television screen, Dr. Aurelius left over 16 hours ago. I'm surprised no ones fed me yet. Or that no ones come to clean up the mess that used to be a chair. The remnants could potentially be used as weapons. Crude, yes, but likely effective weapons. Or I could hurt myself with them. It could be some kind of test. I know they're monitoring my every move. I have a feeling that nothing Dr. Aurelius does is by coincidence.

The television has been playing images that are probably meant to soothe: an ocean, a lush forest, a sandy shore. But each image only stirs more confusing feelings in me than the last. The ocean makes my skin burn, the water reminding me of poisonous open sores. The forest conceals the hateful eyes of large animals, the growls still echoing in my head. The sandy beach... my lips tingle and I lick them slowly. This image doesn't frighten me... but it makes me feel hopeful. I blink the thought away. The feeling is just as troublesome as the irrational fear the other images trigger.

"I wish you'd turn this shit off," I say on the off chance that someone is paying attention to me. A moment later, the screen goes black. I'm am being closely watched. "I'm going to take a shower," I announce, since I'm obviously not alone.

I step into the bathroom and lean into the shower, turning on the water. I make it hot, too hot to stand under. As the room fills with steam, I can hear the winding sound of a camera adjusting. I look in the corners of the bathroom. There aren't any cameras in here. But as I stand in front of the sink, I realize I can still see one of the cameras in the main room. I shuck off my pants and step into the shower, hearing the camera struggle to keep me in sight. But by the time I feel the hot water on my skin, I can't see the camera anymore, and I'm confident it can't see me.

I adjust the temperature of the water down to something bearable. The steam begins to clear, but that's okay since no one can see me. At least I don't think they can. The water hits my back and I press my hands against the tiles. I let it soak my hair, closing my eyes and moving my head back and forth slowly.

I was never tortured with water. The men in white saved that particular hell for Johanna.

My eyes fly open as my thoughts become clear. Torture. I was tortured. By the men in white. But why? And that name. Johanna. I... Can't remember anything else about her. I bring my finger to my lips. Is she the one I kissed?

No.

I scratch at the grout between the tiles of the shower as I try to make sense of the jumble of new memories as they become clear. Johanna's screams, the sound of running water, and the buzz of something electric in the background. My own screams, screams of protest, begging them to stop. The rumble of my stomach as they punished me, starved me, for trying to stop them.

The water doesn't go cold. It doesn't shut off. I could stay in here as long as I want. I feel alone. That was once a bad thing; I don't know why, but right now, I relish it.

"Peeta?" A tangible voice brings me out of my thoughts. I poke my head out of the shower, but no one's there. "Peeta, are you ready to speak with me?"

"Oh... uh... Yeah!" I shut off the water and step out of the shower. I wrap a towel around my waist as I walk back into the main room and find Dr. Aurelius's face on the television screen, as I suspected.

"I'm sorry to interrupt your shower."

"No, it's fine." According to the time displayed on the screen, I've been in there for over an hour. "Come on in."

He smiles and nods his head once. The screen goes black and a moment later, the door slides open.

"Sorry to waste so much water."

"Our water is purified and recycled here. It won't go to waste, though it is a drain on our electricity."

"Sorry," I repeat.

"It's quite alright, Peeta. If the long showers make you feel better, then we'll allow that for now."

Dr. Aurelius steps inside. He looks around the room, and his eyes fall on the splintered pile of wood and metal that yesterday was a chair. "I can have someone come clean that up for you."

"No," I shake my head. "I'll clean it up. I'm not really feeling up to visitors right now."

"Oh, I see. Would you prefer I go?"

"No," I say. I'm not entirely sure he would leave if I said yes anyway. "You're fine. I just... No one else yet, okay?"

"Okay." Dr. Aurelius is carrying a large book in his hands. "Peeta, may I show you some pictures?"

"First tell me where Johanna is."

He stills. "Johanna?"

"She's here, isn't she?"

"Yes. She's been assigned a compartment on the third level. You remember Johanna?" I nod my head. I kind of do. "What do you remember about her?"

The sound of her screaming. "Not much. Just I know she was with me when I was... Wherever I was."

"You're right." Dr. Aurelius sits on the remaining wooden chair and I stand on the other side of the table. "You'll be happy to know she's doing well right now. I speak with her daily, too. Would you like to see her?"

"No!" I clear my throat. "I mean, not yet. But maybe soon."

"Alright." He opens the book and flips a few pages. "I'd like to show you some images. Is that okay with you?"

I nod my head and press my palms flat on the table.

"Do you know what this is?" He tips the book, allowing me to see a picture of a jagged rock. I step closer and recognize it as a map of Panem.

"That's Panem."

"Yes. Here you have the Capitol, surrounded on all sides by districts, each with a specific task. District 1 makes luxury items, District 2-"

"I know about the districts." I furrow my brow. "They all have different bread."

"Do they?"

I nod my head. "District 1-"

"That's very interesting, Peeta. Where did you learn that?"

"I'm not sure," I admit. "What kind of bread do you have here in District 13?"

"We make loaves out of wheat and then slice them. And then freeze the slices."

I grimace at that. Frozen bread. What the hell?

"I take it you don't like that?"

"I like fresh bread."

"That doesn't surprise me." Dr. Aurelius chuckles. "You are a baker, right?"

"I am. So is my father." My eyes widen. "Where is my father?" Dr. Aurelius's smile fades and I feel the blood drain from my face. "What happened?"

"Peeta, right now Panem is at war. The districts have risen up against the Capitol. You yourself have played a big role in the rebellion." I furrow my brow as he speaks.

"Is that why I was tortured?"

"Yes. You and um, others have been important to the cause. A cause which we here in 13 support."

"Why me?"

"Because you gave the people hope."

"How did I do that?"

Dr, Aurelius sighs. "I'm worried we may be discussing too much here. I think we should keep these sessions brief for now, don't you?"

"No. Tell me what I did." Dr. Aurelius shakes his head. "Please. I promise I won't freak out or anything."

Dr. Aurelius holds my gaze as he thinks it over. I guess he's deciding how much he thinks I can handle. "You were sent into an arena to kill or be killed, with 23 other children."

"I killed people?"

"Yes, you and your fian- your ally."

"Ally?"

"Yes. You triumphed, but in doing so you upset the balance of power in the Capitol."

"By killing people," I repeat. "Killing children?"

"Yes." Dr. Aurelius folds his hands. "I know it's a lot to take in, and it may not make much sense right now. But you and your ally caused quite a stir. You got into trouble again, also not your fault, but you did. We attempted to recuse you both, but-"

"Was Johanna my ally?"

"She was, but she's not who I'm referring to."

"Who are you referring to?"

Dr. Aurelius purses his lips before he answers. "Her name is Katniss Everdeen."

I sigh. I don't... I don't recognize the name.

"Do you remember Katniss?" I shake my head. "Interesting..."

"She's the girl I kissed. Isn't she?"

"Yes."

"Where is she?"

"She's here. Would you like to see her?"

"No! Not yet anyway. I don't really remember her."

"That's not a problem. When you're ready though, I'm sure she'd like to see you." He smiles, but it doesn't reach his eyes. There's something he's not telling me. "There are quite a few people who would like to see you."

"My parents?" I ask, though somehow I already know the answer is no. Dr. Aurelius shakes his head. He doesn't sugar coat anything. "My brothers?"

"Your family members are casualties of the war. I'm sorry, Peeta."

I step back and sit on the bed, my eyes fixed on the smooth gray wall.

Dr. Aurelius shuts the book in front of him. "That's definitely enough for today. I'll be back tomorrow, and we can discuss further." I don't answer. He stands and makes his way towards the door and I don't watch him leave.

A moment later a small panel in the door slides open and gray fabric is pushed inside the room, followed by a tray of sludge, which is probably what these people call food. The television screen flickers on. This time it looks like a window, showing me outside. It's raining, and water droplets condense on the glass. Uninterested, I fall backwards onto the bed.

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