A/N:

Big, big thanks to my wonderful beta titania522 for her help in editing this chapter and for her patience helping me correct the whole story.

This is my first attempt at writing anything in my life and for future references and, surely, future mistakes, this isn't my language. I hope you like it.

Sadly, I own nothing.

ONE NIGHT STAND

Chapter 1: Confrontation

"Hello?" I reluctantly answer the phone "Brainless! Guess what?" it's my best friend Johanna Mason. Of course she had to be calling on my day off at 7am. Day off from work and day off from Prim.

"Hi Jo! How have you been? Nice talking to you at this time of day." answer him in the most sarcastic tone I find within me.

"I have no time for bullshit I need you to sit down now! And take a deep breath." She is talking so fast. What's going on? Sit down? I was pretty much lay down.

"Ok Jo what the hell is happening?"

"Katniss I found him!" she practically yelled

"You found? Like you found him? Him" I can't believe her. Is this really happening?

"Long story , the important thing is that I found him and most importantly is for you not running to tell Gale because he will not be very happy with what I had to do to make it happen.

"Jo, you found him?" I ask again because I still can't believe her

"Katniss you really need to stop asking me that and take note because I'm not a patient woman! Now paper and pen! His surname is Mellark and you will probably pass out with this but he is much closer than you think."

I can't breathe, talking will be a miracle

"he lives in District 12 brainless, or at least there is where you can find his family. He is not from the Seam though. He lives in the residential area, rich kid. Seems that his family owns a number of bakeries in the area 'Mellark 's'- sound familiar to you" she asks

"Jo, do I look like I'm someone who often goes to the residential area ?" I feel myself becoming sarcastic again.

"don't take it against the informant just wondering. Anyway, your closer to him now I hope that it's the solution, you know that I love little Primmy correct?"

"I know Jo, thanks"

"Be strong, baby" she says

"I will be"

"Bye Katniss"

"Bye"

Why am I so nervous? Fuck I'll see him! I will talk to him! Oh god he's gonna hate me! He probably has a girlfriend or even married! I want to throw up ... I can't think this way! Prim goes first ... if he is married I'm going to suck it up, it's not like I had a relationship with him or anything my baby girl life comes first. The palms of my hands are sweating no matter how many times I clean them in my pants. There is the bakery ... 'Mellark's' says the sign... hang on Katniss this is for Prim. I can't even move …

I pull out my phone and look at the picture of my little daughter smiling at me with the face full of chocolate ...yes that will give me all the courage I need ..

Mentally I count 1, 2, 3...and I start walking towards the bakery. When I cross the door a chime sounds and I hear someone saying "Be there in a minute"

As I look around, I cannot stop playing with my fingers. Everything looks delicious, maybe I should have brought some money to do as I am a customer if you do not have the balls to do this ...

I'm trying to think how I will handle the situation when someone leaves the back room.

"Good afternoon. What can I do for you miss?"

I can't move. I canot even find my own voice. the person in front of me seems so familiar. It must be his father because it resembles the boy, especially the eyes, which are the same blue eyes as Prim. Apparently I'm staring for a long time because he asks

"Miss?" he says "Miss, are you all right?"

Katniss come on suck it up!

"Um, yeah ah" ... Sorry. The man raises an eyebrow and stares at me like I've grow a second head and finally my voice finds its way.

"I'm sorry. I was told I can find Peeta Mellark here?"

"Yeah of course ... just a moment please...Peeta!" he laughs teasingly. "There's a lovely girl asking about you, son."

"Uh, okay dad be right there!" he answers.

This is when this started to get interesting . I bite my lower lip until I feel pain and try to control the trembling of my legs as much as I can. I see the door, and the man I know now is the grandfather of my daughter steps aside and I watch as a muscular blond man wearing an apron sets a pan of tn the counter and turns to me.

And, man- those eyes . I'm positive that my lip is bleeding now.

To his credit, the boy, seems to be reacting similarly; he has a deep frown and appears to move in slow motion. If I were not so nervous I probably would laugh.

After what feels like the most uncomfortable minute of my life, even more than when I told my mother I was pregnant, Peeta whispers in disbelief, "Katniss?"

I just can't find words...

"You're Katniss, right?"

He remembers me, which is more than I expected and I hope is a good sign... He is handsomer and stronger than I remembered.

His father, who was apparently watching the exchange, coughs softly and I silently thank him because that seems to help me out of my stupor.

"You remember me . That's good."

"Wow." He says, now appearing to enter into the stupor that I was in only a few seconds ago. This time, I am the one who coughs.

"Right," he answers in a very soft voice.

"Um well, I was hoping we could talk in private for a moment," I tell him.

"I can take my break now. If this okay with you, dad," Peeta says.

"Yeah sure , take your time son"

Peeta comes out from behind the counter and directs me to one of the tables in the bakery.

"Um listen Peeta I'd feel more comfortable somewhere else, something more private. But if there is a problem I can wait for you to finish your shift" ... I tell him because honestly with his dad around I don't think I talk freely.

"No, okay, there's a coffee shop around the corner from here. We can talk there."

"Okay"

Peeta directs me to the door and we walked side by side down the street, in an uncomfortable silence. Soon we arrive at the cafe and select a table.

I notice the wheels turning in his head. Obviously he has no idea what to say and I don't even know where to begin. he simply stares and stare, its unnerving.

"I can't believe you're here" he finally says

"in fact, neither can I", it comes out harsher than I intended. He frowns.

"What can I offer you guys?" asks the waitress.

"I would like a hot chocolate please, no coffee?" Peeta asks me

"No, it makes me shaky"

"A green tea for me without sugar. Please" he tells the waitress

I wait her to bring our order before I drop the bomb so we are not interrupted. This situation is very difficult and the way that he is watching me as if doubting my existence makes me even more nervous.

Finally the waitress brings our drinks and I think it's time now because I can't take it anymore.

I've never been good with words and I won't learn to now so the poor guy will receive the news in classic Katniss fashion. There is no point in prolonging this so here I come

"Peeta look there is no easy way to say this so I'll say as it is. I'm sorry ... the night we met ...well... I have no idea if the condom broke or what but I got pregnant. I paused to take my breath before going on. " You, well, you have a daughter."

g

Minutes pass. I begin to doubt if he is breathing I continue after a reasonable time to go on.

"I tried to find you when I discovered the pregnancy but it was very difficult. I had no intention of ruining your life , after all we didn't know each other I didn't even know your last name ... it was very difficult and had more important things to think about at the time... believe me I would not be disrupting your life now if it weren't a matter of life or death ."

I don't expect you to believe me just because I show up one day and tell you this, I will provide all the necessary evidence of what I say. In fact, the evidence is part of what I am about to ask.

My daughter... our ,well Prim , she's sick and I really need your help."

I begin to tear up, and I don't know if I can continue this explanation ...

"She is really sick. She has leukemia." Now the tears run down my cheeks freely and I don't know what else to do. "she needs a bone marrow transplant and we are not compatible, I have no other options than to appeal to you. I know you think I'm crazy and ..."

"Katniss" he interrupt me. "Katniss shh you're rambling. Please wait. It's too much information for me to process. I just need a moment" he says but he looks appearing calm.

"Yeah sure. You're right . I'm sorry" I pause to wipe my nose in The most unlady-like way, wiping my cheeks with the back of my hand.

Peeta has his hands on his forehead, trying to control his breathing.

I try to be hopeful but the anxiety is killing me.

" Please say something please..."

He runs his hand through his hair, first one then another takes a deep breath. "So you got pregnant?"

"Yes" He keeps blinking, slowly. I know he is processing it.

"How I mean I know how but ... how? We used a condom"

"Yeah... I know." I tell him, suddenly the tablecloth is very interesting to me.

"But what happened?" He sounds so shocked, well I was way more shocked than him when I first noticed I was pregnant but still I'm able to feel sorry for him. I wish I had a satisfactory explanation for him.

"I do not know. Really, I don't"

"I was hoping you could remember if the condom broke or anything." He rubbs his face with his hands, trying to understand.

"Oh god I don't think so."

"Katniss I don't mean to offended you but are you sure? Are you sure she is mine?"

Even if I wasn't sure, those eyes left no doubt so I decide to be more proactive ... I pull out my phone and look for a photo of Prim, I give him the phone

"Don't worry, I'm not offended. I understand we were only together once and we didn't know each other at the time but I'm really sure," he takes time to stare at the picture on the phone

"Either way I'm willing to submit to a paternity test because I understand the situation ..."

"Is she? Prim? She is really beautiful," he says in awe "she definitely looks like me but...

"I know this is very difficult for you, but unfortunately I do not have that much time for you to assimilate this, probably you are thinking I'm crazy and you only ever see me once in your life, I don't know what's gotten into me...well I know, obviously but it's not who I'm .I have not been with more than two men in my life and definitely was not with anyone but you at that time, I do not expect you to believe me but I'm telling you anyway.

"Think about it ,she is yours , I swear , and we will do the necessary tests but I'm in a fucking hurry now" and there are tears again in my eyes. I'm really not a crying person and this is getting annoying but I can't help it.

"That much I'm asking , think about it , I need you, she need for when you result compatible we'll have to wait at least for another month to make the transplants is the only thing I would ever ask you, I would never bother you again after this, get a compatibility test , that will solve all your doubts , I will always be indebted to you please Peeta .."

He puts his hand over mine to silence me.

"I'm so sorry "

"Don't be, I kind of understand you"

"Peeta look. This is much at once, now I know where to find you, if that's okay with you we will calm down a bit , try to assimilate all this, and again I'm sorry but I have little time , I'll come back for you tomorrow , and will answer all your doubts and"

"shh ok Katniss, a little time sounds good I think I'm in shock now.. What about tomorrow 600 same place?"

"Ok yeah see you tomorrow, I have to go get Prim"

"Where is she?"

"She is with my mom but she has to work .I have to go. I'll see you tomorrow right?" I beg

"I'll be here"

I turn to leave, but I'm so scared, what if he runs away?

"Katniss?"

"Yeah?"

"I'll be here I promise." he Tells me gently

I can see a look in his face I can't decipher awe? Fear? Maybe hope?