Disclaimer: I do not own any material from the Hunger Games. All rights go to Suzanne Collins.

So I decided to start a new story. This is a Peeta and Katniss story. They're my favorite though it's going to start out as a Gale and Katniss. Don't be alarmed. This takes place after Mocking-Jay but Prim's alive. So Gale isn't really hated. President Snow made Katniss have a baby with Peeta, they have a son named Jase. But don't worry it's a Peeta and Katniss story. Oh and Coin was killed by Annie, she blames her for Finnick's death…

Chapter 1- Everyone changes

Peeta's POV

There is no question that my life has changed. That was inevitable when I was reaped. I had no choice or say in my potential death. Instead, I was forced to fight to the death, defy the Capitol, have a kid, and lose the only person that means anything to me. Gale gets her even though he doesn't deserve her. I can't stand to talk to him because he acts like he played in the games too. That's one of the reasons I don't talk to Katniss a lot anymore. Instead I spend my days making food.

I'm all alone now. Most of my family is dead, with the exception of my older brother Wayne. He was my favorite person until now. He left me, moved to District 4 to work on the boats. He calls but I don't answer them. The only one I do talk to anymore is Haymitch. I wouldn't even speak with him but I have to because he is my legal guardian to sign me off on all of the physiological appointments I have for the hijacking.

I'm making great progress. I haven't had an episode in almost a month. This is my longest streak yet. Dr. Lawson says that I should be friends with Katniss because it will be good for me to challenge myself. But I don't consider us friends because she's broken my heart far too much for me to deal with anymore. So I'm friendly to them all, aside Gale. And I surprisingly speak to Prim and Ms. Everdeen all the time. They stop by the Bakery a lot and Prim will need a job soon.

Today is so cold. It's December 15th and the snow is coming down hard. Everyone is trying to convince me to go to Haymitch's Christmas dinner tomorrow but I don't want to. The Bakery will be too busy and it's all I have left of my brother and Father. I couldn't care less about my mother. I don't like the fact the Jase spends so much time with Gale. He's only a few months old but it bugs me. I get him for a week and then Katniss does. She didn't want kids but she got him. And surprisingly she loves him.

I'm walking home, snow lands on my blonde hair and blows violently against my body. I check my phone and there are 3 missed calls. 2 from Wayne and 1 from Delly. She's in District 13 and refuses to come back here because of the ruble. But to me it looks beautiful. It's beginning to look like a mini Capitol what with all the rebuilding. I love it.

I start the fire and throw blankets around the floor. But the lights flicker followed by a power outage. I cannot see very much, but I can hear a knock on the door. It takes a few moments to find the door. It's Katniss with my son in the snow. I pull them in quickly not wanting them to get frost bite. "What are you doing here?" I ask a little aggravated.

"Our power went out. And there's a blizzard outside and I can't get any baby food at the market for him. Besides Gale, Haymitch and I are going to the Capitol tomorrow for a meeting with Paylor and you know Jase hates trains." I sigh in disbelief. This is the third time in two months she's just dumped him on me out of the blue. Not that I don't want to see him. It's just that I normally prepare for him. "Katniss, you really have to get it together," I say shaking my head. She lets out a scoff and shakes her head as well. "Please, I know you dump him on Ginger all the time!"

I don't like talking about this with her. Ginger is an old friend, though Katniss is convinced she's my girlfriend. She babysits Jase a lot but she offers. "I don't dump him on her. We don't all have a family to keep us busy. And I'm running a business by myself!" I reply. "You still do it…" she trails off. "I don't really feel like fighting. But I can't take him I have an appointment in the Capitol with Dr. Lawson," I explain.

Her face becomes pale. She knows that I go to a doctor and she's always trying to let me allow her to come with me. "Well since I'm going to be there so I'm coming to your appointment. I still don't believe you tell me everything about what happens there," she orders very factually. "Why is everything so difficult with you? I don't need a babysitter." "Well I know that you skipped your last appointment so I think you do."

She wasn't supposed to know that. Nobody was supposed to know that. In fact, I wasn't even sure if Haymitch knew. But he probably told Katniss that. Okay, so I'm in trouble now. "You can't skip appointments when you have a 4 month old son, Peeta. You have no idea how dangerous that is! You're going to end up losing custody rights." Hate. Anger. Rage. Furry. "You'd just love that wouldn't you. So you and Gale, who isn't even his father, can have a little happy family raising my son. Well I'm done with this; I'm done with it all."

I slam the door to my own house. I find myself moving, I don't even know to where. I'm just running. My feet are digging into the ground and carrying me farther. I end up in some ally way in the Hob. It's not exactly my smartest choice, but I'm sick of my life. I'm sick of it all. So I find the biggest guy in Jackal's bar, and hit him. And that was it. I let him beat me until I can't remember anything.

I feel cold hands. They wake me up. Their soft, gentle, but freezing like icicles. I let out a mild groan at the pain. My face is in agony, many bones are broke, and I'm almost positive I have head trauma. "Wake up, wake up," a soft angel voice calls to me. "Am I dead yet?" I ask avoiding opening my eyes. "Peeta, don't talk like that." It's Katniss' voice. Great! Just who I want to see.

I'm forced to open my eyes. I'm on Ms. Everdeen's table. I can see gashes on my bare chest. They have a weird goo on them. And Prim is hovering above me. Her soft eyes watch me as I sit up. "Be careful Peeta. You have sustained a lot of injuries. Katniss, keep an eye on him," she says and walks out of the bleak room. "I'll be going now," I say and try and sit up. But Katniss pushes me back down. "No, you're staying with me. Looks like I'm on suicide watch."

"I'm not suicidal. I'm just desperate to leave here," I say sarcastically. "And where exactly is here?" she asks raising her eye brows with that curious smile I love so much. "District 4. I'm going to work on the boats with my brother," I lie. Her face goes into utter shock. "But you can't. You can't leave Jase, or me. I miss you Peeta and I need you," her grey eyes are staring holes through me. I have to look away but she pulls my face back to her. And for a moment, her lips are moving in closer to mine. Until Gale walks in and announces his presence.

I don't like that my son is in his arms. In fact it sickens me to watch this. Katniss sees this and hands me him. He's in a soft orange sleeper and he's a small bundle of warmth radiating through my cold body. His grey eyes and blonde hair signify his parent's trademarks. Prepared to leave, his eyes bring me back to this confusing world. They are his mother's eyes.

"What day is it?" I ask randomly. "It's been 4 days…" says Ms. Everdeen walking into the room. So I've been out a really long time. I stand up tucking Jase under one of my arms and make for the door. "I've got to get back to my house. I'll watch him while you visit the Capitol," I say leaving. It's hard to get home. I'm limping and in pain. And the small bundle in my arms doesn't make it easier.

Hands pull him away from me and I turn prepared to fight to the death. That's all I ever do, usually, when I'm on guard. It's instinctual. But I ease up when it's Katniss. "I'm staying with you and Jase until you're better. No arguments." Before I can protest she's leaning me on her and helping me towards my house.

She puts me on the couch and starts a fire. "I'm fine Katniss. You can go to the Capitol. I'll cancel my appointment and watch Jase." I pray that she takes me up on my offer but no such luck. "Too late. I already spoke with Dr. Lawson and he's coming here in a few days. Gale's going to the Capitol by himself for 2 weeks so I'll stay here and take care of you. And there's one more thing…" I look at her fearful of what she was about to say. "Wayne is on his way back."