Hey guys I redid this chapter because I didn't like how I put it together so I wanted to give it a rewrite. I haven't changed what happens ultimately, but I did change the stepdad's reasoning and I added a lot more detail! I hope you like it!

I DO NOT OWN THE HUNGER GAMES

Peeta's POV

I hate fucking bus seats. They're uncomfortable, they're nearly always torn to shreds, and you're on them forever. I readjust myself in the seat once more as I watch the scenes of the highway pass me. I should explain what I'm doing on a damn bus. I've spent the last three years on a few different military bases, working wherever they sent me and not doing much else. It's hard to do anything but work when you can do nothing but regret one day. I never would have thought I could be miserable for three years because of a single day. Neither can anyone else.

FLASHBACK

I laid in my cot on the far side of my tent. My bunkmates were all around a small table playing card, smoking a bit, and talking about their girls back home. I smile sadly as Thresh talks about his high school sweetheart Molly, "She's at college right now, she's gonna be a kindergarten teacher by the time I get back." His voice was dreamy and he couldn't seem to wipe the grin off of his lips. I wish I still had my high school girlfriend...had things gone my way last year I would have about thirty letters a month, pictures of her with that stupid rock on her finger, and near constant wedding plans surging through my head. I missed my Kit Kat. For the millionth time that day I took her picture out from my breast pocket. She was pale in the moonlight of this picture. Her dark hair was loose around her face in place of her usual braid and her grin was so sweet. I could tell we'd been swimming in the lake by our favorite spot, our willow tree. I was about to slide the picture into my pocket once again when it was snatched from my fingers. I look to see Marvel grinning at me.

"Finally get to see Peet's picture boys!" He ran over to the table with me leaping from my bed to catch the bastard. I hadn't let anyone see what I was looking at for the last year and they'd finally grabbed it. He threw it in the middle of the card table and I swore at him.

"What are you embarrassed about? She's hot Peeta!" Marvel laughs as I shoot him a glare.

"I'm not embarrassed of her."

"Then what's wrong?" Thresh asks

"I lost her alright?! I lost her about two months before I enlisted. I lost the best woman on the planet because I was stupid alright?! Now I give me my damn picture back!" I was handed my photo and I left the tent. I was embarrassed of my outburst. I was pissed at Marvel. I was jealous of Thresh. And overall I missed Katniss.

"That was quite a show Mellark. You wanna explain?" I hear Hawthorne say from behind me.

"I lost her alright Gale? I was stupid...I was told that I needed to leave her or she'd be shipped off by her step dad. I was told that I wasn't good enough for her and that she would be happier in the long run...then the same night she said she wanted to give me her virginity and I took it. I broke up with her when Ibrought her home. It killed me, it killed me to hurt her. To be so callous about it. To just be without her kills me." I was spilling my guts, I hadn't even told my dad or my brothers about all of this.

"You let her stepdad dictate what you do? Did she feel the way he did. Because I guarantee that she wouldn't have had sex with you if she didn't love you. I don't think she'd be that kind of girl to have you like this after a year apart."

"I didn't want him to send her away. She would have ben devastated."

"More devastated than losing her boyfriend right after sleeping with him?"

"Point taken Hawethorn."

"Do you still love her?"

"I still carry her damn picture. What do you think?"

"Then you have to go back. Grow up a little and go back. If she's as good a woman as you say she may even let you take her back." Gale gives me a piercing look before retreating back into the tent. I couldn't help but let his words swim through my brain. I missed her...and what I did to her was horrible...I took her virginity and dumped her. How was I any better than those assholes we made fun of in high school? I decided there...right there on that spot; that I would stay in the army as long as I could. I would make myself worthy of her. Or as worthy as I could be.

END FLASHBACK

After another two years I finally decided I couldn't stay away any longer. I'd given my notice and finally when I was finished with my time left I hopped on a bus and headed for home. I'd been on the bus for hours when it finally past a crooked little sign that had faded so much you could almost not see the words "Snow County". I looked on as the dry grass on the edge of the road switched to dirt, beer cans, and fast food containers. The scenery also changed from wide open farm lands to the dimly lit streets of downtown Panem in Snow County. It's dirty, dingy, and looks incredibly scary in the dark. The bus screeches to a stop in front of the single streetlamp on one side of the street.

I hadn't been here in years. It felt like eons to be honest. But the only I could think of presently was my last one of her...of Katniss.

FLASHBACK

The smell of the pasties in the basket behind my seat filled my truck with their sweet aroma. I had baked them special for my date with my girlfriend tonight. I'd spent my life savings on her present and I couldn't wait to give it to her...if she'd have me. I thought to the small box in my pocket, the platinum band with only a single cushion cut emerald on it. She'd love it, and hopefully she'd love the idea behind it. I pulled up to the large white farmhouse at the end of the road. In the distance I could see the cattle grazing and hear the clucking of the chickens around back. I cut the engine and practically jumped out of the truck to get to the door of the house. But before I can even knock on the door it opens to reveal Thread, Katniss's stepfather. "Hello sir...is Katniss ready?"

"That doesn't matter right now. Sit down kid." He pulls me inside roughly and points to an armchair in the sitting room. I sat down wondering what he could possibly want.

"You know anything about farming?"

"No sir." I mutter

"Know anything about farm animals?"

"No sir." I can't help but wonder where he's going with this.

"Then why are you dating my stepdaughter?"

"I am dating her because she's a beautiful person and I love her. Why do you care?"

You've seen how big my farm is. You've seen the amount of animals I have here. And I don't have any children of my own to pass it on to. But I refuse to let it go to my wife's daughter if she's with a no-account-city-boy like you. I need my farm to be left to someone who can actually run it. So you're going to break off this relationship with her so she has a chance with someone. Someone with an actual future beyond being a baker."

I couldn't believe my ears. He wanted me to leave Katniss? I shook my head as the anger rose in me. "And if I don't?! What then?"

"I'll send her back to the local psychiatric ward. You forget Mellark, that while you are 18 she is 17 and still a child under my roof. So do it or she goes back. It's your decision"

Now that had me floored. It had me speechless. Katniss had only been committed once, but her experience left her scarred and still gave her nightmares. I didn't want to have to send her back...I didn't want to be the one to cause her suffering. "Don't...just...give me time." I say

"And don't bother telling her either. You have till she gets back tonight to do it. In the long run she'll be better off without you. Happier."

I didn't have a chance to retort because then Katniss came down the steps across from us. She was wearing a white sundress and her hair was down around her face, she looked like an angel. My angel...except I was about to lose her.

"Ready to go?" I choked out and she nodded excitedly. A few minutes later we were in the car and driving back down the dirt road away from her house, she was playing with her hair and smiling contentedly. "Where are we going Peeta?"

"It's a surprise" I smile but the feeling in the pit of my stomach was killing me. I continued on to our place, the site of our first real date. A willow tree by a lake. The lake was clear and crystal blue while the tree was a lush green and hung like curtains around the trunk. Katniss grins at me as we get out and set up our picnic dinner at the base of the tree. We eat and talk for what feels like hours and as it became dark she snuggled into my side. "Kat?" I whisper as I stroke her long chocolate hair. "Yes Peeta?"

"What...what would you want to do if tonight was...was our last night?"

"Peeta is this about you going into the army?" She asks as she looks up from my shoulder. As her grey eyes bored into me I found that I couldn't speak, I only nodded to ease her mind. "Peeta, this isn't our last night. And...and if it was I would want you to make love to me...I would want to give you my virginity."

Katniss was sitting up in my lap now and her face was just inches from mine. Her eyes are turning a darker grey as she closes the gap between us, when her lips slid against mine and put all of my heartache and love into that kiss. No more words were spoken between us as we stripped off our clothes and made love in the moonlight. Finally when we were finished, our skin was covered in a light sheen of sweat that glistened in the soft starlight that drifted through the thick branches of the willow. "I love you KitKat. No matter what mistakes I make...I do love you." I whisper to her as she lies on my chest contentedly. But she didn't hear me. She was already asleep.

FLASHBACK OVER

The driver calls out my stop so I get off after grabbing my duffel bag. I step off the last stair and into a dingy puddle. I start walking to the nearest diner which I can see through the corner of my eye. When I open the door the smell of burgers, fries, and grease hits my nose. I nod to the waitress working the counter and I take the nearest booth.

The diner is deserted so when I hear the waitress I'd seen talk to someone I hear it extremely clearly. "Hey kid, I'm heading off. Haymitch said he needed you to close up for the night!" The waitress unties her blonde hair and pulls off the apron she's wearing. When she looks my way she says "She'll take care of you in a minute honey.'

I look back down to the greasy plastic menu before I hear the padding of a pair of converse on the linoleum I look at the floor and find myself staring at a slightly dirty pair of green converse and as my eyes continue to travel upwards. Up two shapely legs wrapped in skinny jeans, past a small waist wrapped in an apron, a flat stomach under a thin grey t-shirt and up past a (for lack of a more beautiful term) hot bust. Then my eyes fell on a pale slender neck and finally I find the thin face of Katniss Everdeen. Her grey eyes are wide with surprise and her lips are slightly parted. "Peeta?" she near whimpers

"Katniss...why are you here?" I can't help but let the question spill from my lips as I take her in. She's thinner than she used to be and she has dark rings under her eyes. She's exhausted. I wanted nothing more than to take her into my arms and never let go.

Her eyes widened even further if possible at my question. Her grey irises were turning into that stormy color that she gained when she was nothing short of furious. "Why am I Here?! Why am I here?! Fuck you! I was heartbroken when you left! I was devastated! Your timing wasn't any better you bastard! Were you planning to dump me the moment we had sex or did you feel too sentimental to do it then?!" She's breathing more heavily now, her chest rising as angry tears stained her cheeks.

"Katniss I want to talk about that-"

"Talk about it?! What about a damn phone call. Or a fucking letter. I sent you plenty of both after you ended it. Before you joined the army."

"I know I didn't-"

"Didn't what?!"

"I didn't want to make it hurt any more than it already did."

"Not knowing why was the worst. I thought you were different Peeta. I started dating you against my better judgement. I see now that I was stupid"

I could see that what I'd done had hurt her, damaged her more than I had thought possible. "I'm sorry Kat...could we talk? Just...please?" I knew I sounded pathetic but I didn't care. She's glaring at me but she sits in the booth across from me. "Talk. It had better be good."

This was the chance I'd been dreaming of for the past three years. "Katniss, I know you think I broke up with you because I finally got the sex I wanted. But that isn't it. I was planning the opposite. On that date I was planning on proposing...I still have the ring. But when your stepdad answered the door he told me that I had to leave you...or he'd send you back to Capital Hospital." Her angry face paled at the mention of that horrible place but she didn't say anything so I continued.

"He gave me until the end of the night to break it off with you. That's why I asked what you would want to do if it was our last night together...because I thought it was."

"Why the hell would he want us broken up? How do I know you aren't just making excuses?" She says accusingly

"He wanted you to marry a farmboy like he was. He wanted to leave you and whoever you ended up with his farm. He knew he just didn't want me to be that someone." I am now looking at my fingers on the table between us. I didn't want to see her eyes right now, looking at me with such hate.

"So he told you to dump me or he'd commit me." She says, it's not a question. But a statement, as though she needs to convince herself. "I believe it, that bastard was always a bitch." She's glaring out the window now and I felt the words tumble from my lips before I could stop myself.

"I'm sorry I left...I couldn't just let you be committed again. I knew how it effected you before." Her head snaps back to me and I feel the silver fire in her eyes burn into me.

"Why didn't you say ANYTHING?! You could have told me! I would have waited for you. I would have pretended we were done. Pretended that you'd left. I would have done anything for you, anything at all. But you still left me." She whispers more to herself than anyone else. And the hurt in her voice killed me, I'd done this to her.

"Katniss I didn't think...I didn't want to think of what I had to do. I wanted to just think about us."

The tears in her eyes are falling freely down her cheeks now as she gets up from the booth. She'd had enough of hearing me talk. "I think you should go. I need to close up." Her voice sounded so final in my ears. I was about to ask her something but she held up her hand.

"I don't know what I want to do right now. I need time to think Peeta. Things have changed."

"Kat could we please talk for longer?" I practically beg

"No I need to talk to Ben-...to someone to get some perspective on this." She's turning a soft shade of pink in her embarrassment, but I couldn't focus on her sweet face while she did this. I was stuck on what she'd said someone named Ben...was she with someone now? Is that why this was even more painful? I was dredging up old news when she was finally happy with someone else. I was still stuck on this as she ushered me out of the diner. I was still stuck on it as I walked down the street, duffel bag weighing down my right side. It was still consuming me as I rounded the corner to see a better kept street. One with less trash in the gutters and more street lamps along the sidewalks. I see my father's bakery still lit up despite the late hour. I go in with Katniss's words still ringing around in my head. When I smell the fresh bread in the air I feel a small amount of the weight leave my shoulders. "Peeta! There you are, I thought you'd be here hours ago!" My father emerged from the kitchen with flour on his hands and more grey in his hair than I remembered. "Hey dad" I smile tiredly

"Where have you been? I was starting to worry." he asks as we hug one another tightly.

"I was...trying to track down Katniss."

His smile falters a bit, "I never did understand why you two broke it off...did you manage to find her?" He asks looking trepidatious

"No..." I lie quickly and I am relieved to see that he buys it.

"Well I have seen her a few streets down quite a few times. At that little fresh market on the corner. You could try there in the morning I suppose. But for now you and I need to talk turkey." He chuckles

"What about?"

"About this place, you always did love this place didn't you?" He smiles as he starts to wipe down the counter to free it of the crumbs.

"Of course dad, I only grew up upstairs and spent my entire high school days behind the counter." I grin at these nice memories that are taking the place of Katniss temporarily.

"Well we both know that I'm getting on in years and with a second bakery opening I don't think I'd do well with running both. Maybe you could keep this one for me, run it, take care of it. Make it your own Peeta. I want this place to grow, and I know you've always had some beautiful ideas for the bakery. The apartment upstairs would be yours too if you want." This is something I've been hoping for since I was a little kid, this was the best gift my father could have ever given me. But one thing was bothering me.

"What does mom think about this?" and dad's face falls the tiniest bit before he smiles again. "It's been my business and it's not like we'll go broke in a day without this one. She'll live with it."

After a while my dad decides to head home and hit the hay. "I've left some things upstairs for you including the transfer of ownership papers. I've already signed them all and all that's left is for you to sign them. When they're done I'll pick them up and send them off to the notary. Alright? Night Peeta and remember to come over for Sunday dinner. Everyone is so excited to see you." He gives me one final hug and hair ruffle before departing. I head up to the apartment and find not only the pile of papers but a big basket of cheese buns and apple tarts. I look around the old place and find all of my old things in the master bedroom. Every sketch and comic book, every wrestling jersey and every paintbrush. I had everything...except Katniss. I sighed and sat don on the bed and stared at the hardwood floor. She always used to talk about being a writer one day. All she had to do as go to college just to get a few classes. But it seems she never got the chance. What all had changed? I couldn't stand the not knowing. So I resigned myself to a sleepless night...or I would have. Had my phone not rung. I answered it hopelessly and heard the voice of my old wrestling buddy who knew I was back in town.

"Peeta you've gotta come out with us tonight! We need to catch up!" He laughs through the receiver.

"Henry I don't know"

"Come on we'll go to a bar and we'll talk about all the stuff you've missed man!"

"It's 10:00" I groan hoping he'll have mercy. But no such luck he talks me into go to the bar with him and I guess it would be fun to see him again. Even if I am miserable. An hour later I'm in a bar with him and he's on his third beer of the night. "So Peeta, you get any when you were out in the world." He grins but I shake my head.

"You can't mean you're still hung up on that Katniss chick."

"Hey, she's an amazing woman. Leave her be"

"Amazing woman huh? Well she works at the Seam, she looks pretty good."

"No, she works at that diner around the corner." I say not looking up. I didn't know what the seam was but from what I could tell I wouldn't want her working there.

"Yeah she does, I was there last night." He says before knocking back another gulp of his beer.

"Fine, what is the Seam?" I ask exasperatedly

"Oh yeah you left before it opened. It's a strip joint." he doesn't have a chance to say any more because instantly I'm out of my seat throwing my drink money on the counter. "Where is it?" I demanded

"Why does it matter man, didn't you see her naked already?"

"That doesn't matter. She shouldn't work there. She deserves so much better." I say in a slight panic. I could take Katniss being with someone else if she loved him but being a stripper...I couldn't take that. Not that.

"It's ten blocks away, let's stay and have a-" I didn't let him finish as I left the bar in search of this stupid club. I found it twenty minutes later. It was small, ugly neon pink and blue lights covered it as well as the outline of a naked woman drawn on the blacked out windows. I walk in, show my ID to the bouncer and look over the dark room for her but I don't see her. Then again she's not looking the way I'd think she would so I head to the bar. A girl there is wearing a skimpy bunny teddy set complete with white ears in her curly blonde hair. "Hey sweetie, can I get you a drink?" She giggles flirtatiously

"No. Is Katniss Everdeen here?" I ask over the loud thumping music.

"Oh. She's in the back. She'll be back with more liquor in a minute." She turns to another man at the bar as Katniss comes through the dark curtains to my right. She's wearing a black lacy teddy with a long black cat tail and black Kat ears in her dark hair. "Oh KitKat" Whisper and she somehow hears me and turns in my direction.

"What are you doing here?!"

"Henry Stewart told me you worked here...why do you work here" She sets the drink bottles down and drags me into a VIP room. After locking the door she shoots me a glare. "I work here because I have to Peeta. This place pays for my groceries and for electricity. That is why I work here Peeta."

"Well quit. I know you hate me but please. I can't stand to let you work here. My dad just gave me the bakery...I'll hire you. I need a cashier...please?" I am desperate. I knew it was a long shot but I knew she must hate it here.

"Peeta you can't just uproot my life-"

"Do you like working here?"

"Of course not-"

"Then why not work for me? I won't bother you about anything, I'll give you space, and I'll pay you twice what you make here."

"Peeta-"

"Kat please, I know you don't trust me but I want a chance to earn your trust again. Even if we can't be together like we once were. I'll even be nice to this Ben whoever."

"You know about him?" her face is once again white in fear

"I kind of guessed you'd move on Katniss. And you did mention him at the diner"

She lets loose a breath before asking "Are you positive this is alright? You won't fire me because I won't sleep with you or anything?" That question hurt. But I let it roll off my shoulders "I would never Kat...never do that to anyone. Especially not you. Please just...please?"

"Fine...but I need to finish my shift..."

"Why?"

"I need to give my two weeks-"

"Just quit! If you need a reference for some future job call me!" I can't believe she's still trying to be so utterly responsible when I'm offering to take some of it.

"Peeta I couldn't-" Katniss starts but after I give her a look she sighs "Fine I'll quit after my shift. I'll come to the bakery in the morning..."

"Why do you need to finish your shift?"

"God Peeta I need the damn tips for some groceries tomorrow! GOD!" She finally shouts. Her fire is showing again and I can't help but see how close she is to me in that outfit. I blush and before I can say anything she gives me a look. "Peeta I know I am in this outfit but we are not dating. And you of all people should know that I am not into anything casual."

"Kat I know that...we...should talk about this when...when you don't have a cat tail...but you do look cute-"

"PEETA!" She's now blushing and covering her chest with her arms, I blush a little more too and say "Could I at least walk you home? I don't want you walking home alone this late at night..."

"Alright...but you don't need to-" she is cut off by a loud banging on the door "Everdeen! You're on drinks for another hour! You'd better have a damn good excuse for using this VIP room!"

She bites her lip and opens the door "Hello Mr. Crane...um this gentleman insisted that he was more interested in my costume than Glimmer's. I was just trying to help sir." She is looking at the floor and obviously trying to look innocent. This Crane guy turns his gaze towards me, "So you asked her? She didn't invite you?"

"Yep. I have a thing for brunettes and cat costumes."

"Ah, well for future reference the girls at the bar need to be on drink duties before turning to extracurricular activities. And these rooms are 50 bucks an hour...I'll let you finish out the hour with her but then she needs to get back to the bar. Got it Everdeen?" He turns back to Katniss before I do something that would piss her off something royal...

"Actually, she's not going back to the bar." I wrap my arm around her waist and smirk at him. "She's quitting and coming home a bit early tonight." I can feel Katniss glaring at me when Crane speaks again. "So the first time you use a room and you hook up with some random guy? I knew you were a sl-"

I didn't really let him finish the sentence as I grab him by the collar. "You really wanna finish that sentence?"

He glares at me then at Katniss. "I guess not, but get out. NOW" He growls in his humiliation of being out bullied. His glare pushes Katniss to the dressing rooms to grab her clothes and other things. I wait for her at the door and the second we're out of the club she slaps me in the face.

I didn't yell or even ask her why. I knew she'd be pissed. I was still happy that I'd gotten her out of there despite her obvious anger. "Peeta you had no right to do that! I would have quit two hours from now and I'd be at least 100 dollars richer. Thanks now I get to go hungry for a day or two. You're such a great hero!" She shouts as she begins to stomp down the sidewalk. I trot after her with my cheek stinging.

"I can walk home by myself. I don't even want to look at you right now!" I continue to follow her as she yells at me. I chuckle to myself as she starts to talk about a few things from our dating days. Like the time I picked her up and charged into the cold water of the lake. Or when some guy was asking her out and I started to make out with her in the middle of a store just to stake a claim. She's still yelling at me as she stops in front of a grungy looking apartment building. She takes a deep breath "Thank you for the job and for walking me home but I think I can take it from here." "Are you sure? Those guys in the lobby don't look very...nice could I please please walk you to your door?" I ask as I eye the men on the inside of the dirty glass doors, she looks through and rolls her eyes "Are you going to actually let me walk up alone or are you going to follow me anyway like the way you just followed me home?"

I chuckle and give her a wink and she sighs. "Come on." she goes inside and the men eye her up as I stick close behind her. We enter the rickety and smelly elevator. When the doors close I let out a nervous breath. "Katniss I know you aren't looking forward to working with me, but I want to make up for my massive mistake. I want you to know how monumentally sorry I am for all of this."

She's looking at her shoes now and I can tell she's thinking by the way her fingers are now fiddling with her keys. "I know you're sorry Peeta...and if things weren't the way they are...I could almost understand. But you leaving me was the worst thing that could have happened. I loved you Peeta. Despite all the bad things I've gone through for love...I still loved you. You were the best thing in my life. After my dad...after Prim...my mom shut me out. She married a jerk who treated me like a nuisance. My mother cut out my uncle Haymitch because of his connection to dad...I had nobody when I was 16. Not one person. I was so alone..then you changed that. After a fucking month you were my reason to get up in the mornings. After a year you're my whole world. I couldn't imagine a world without you." Her voice sounds so raw and close to the edge as she speaks. I can't help but tear up. I meant so much to her. It hurt her to be away from me too.

During her whole speech the elevator is climbing higher and higher until we finally get to her floor. The doors open in front of us and she walks out to a small door to our right. Its paint is peeling, the carpet beneath our feet smells, and I can hear a kids show somewhere on the floor. I thought it was coming from her apartment, but there wouldn't be any kids in there so I dismissed that thought. She looks scared again like she's hiding something. "Kat...I know you've moved on...but that doesn't mean-" I start with my heart breaking with every word only for her to hold her hand up to silence me.

"Don't Peeta, you don't understand what's going on. I do have another man in my life now. But he isn't my boyfriend."

"What do you mean?" More than anything, I'm confused. What does that mean? Did she have a roommate? Did she live with that uncle she used to talk about? A dog? No clue.

"Peeta I want you to meet him tomorrow morning. Ok? He's hopefully in bed at the moment. He's...his...his name is Bentley. He is a beautiful little boy, blonde hair, blue eyes, a love for art and animals. He's my son." She is looking at me as though she thinks I'm about to destroy something...and I wanted to.

"You have a son...with blonde hair and blue eyes. Who loves art...so he's mine?" I whisper. I couldn't believe it. I thought I would be lucky if Katniss even forgave me...but I have a baby with her. A little boy.

"He's 2 years and 3 months old. I had him a little early." She looks at the door.

"And why didn't you ever tell me?!" I'm upset now

"I didn't tell you because I thought you only wanted me for sex and wouldn't want anything to do with him. What else was I supposed to think?"

"I...I know Kat but I still had a right to know that he existed!" I'm so confused and I just don't know what to say other than that. "Peeta I'm sorry I didn't tell you...but I've told you now. I want you to be a father to him now...I think you'd be good at it. We'll see about the rest."

She smiles weakly and opens her door only to disappear behind it. I had a son...a son with the woman I loved.

WOOOO rewrite accomplished! I hope you guys like it!