A/N: Now, we will see how Peeta reacts to the news. Also I don't own the characters, everything belongs to Suzanne Collins, and The Purge is not mine, all that good stuff.

2: Keep her Safe.

"Everyone must participate..." the words rung in Peeta's ears. Everyone must participate. Everyone. His mother, his brothers, the neighbor's next to him, the merchants, even the mayor.

Even the dark haired beauty from the Seam.

No! She can't participate in this, she can't die. She has to live!

I have to protect her.

Peeta knew that he couldn't abandon his family. He knew that he had to try to keep them safe.

But he also had to keep Katniss safe.

"Peeta?" his father called. "I'm right here dad." Peeta's father walked in the kitchen where Peeta was standing. His father had, what Peeta, calls the "lecture look" on his face. Peeta knew his father knew what he was thinking. "Peeta…'' "Look dad, I know what you are going to say. I shouldn't do it, but I have to. I have to keep her safe dad." Peeta said, with a look of sadness on his face. Peeta's father knew that. If it were up to him, both of them would leave the bakery in order to keep the females they love safe. Both of them would arm themselves with as many weapons as possible, to protect them. Of course, both of them knew that they weren't capable. They were strong, yes, but had too much kindness in them. They couldn't find it in their hearts to kill another human.

But Katniss's life is on the line, so Peeta could afford to think differently.

"Dad I have to do it, I have to go find her." Peeta looked at his father with desperation. He needs to do this. He needs to find Katniss.

"Peeta, listen Katniss is strong. She's a survivor. She can protect herself."

"Plus, she has that Hawthorne boy to look after her as well."

Of course she does. Peeta thought bitterly.

She and Gale are a team; they would never leave each others side, especially in a time like this.

Peeta knew that Gale wasn't going to leave Katniss alone to protect Prim, but Gale also had his family to look after. In total they have six people to protect, excluding themselves.

I don't care if Hawthorne's there or not. She needs more help. She needs me.

I have to make sure she's okay.

Peeta turns to look at his father, "Look dad, you have two other sons to help protect this shop. You have mom, who has….. a good arm." Peeta cringes at the memories that come to him, "You also have yourself. You can protect yourself easily. Katniss has six other people she needs to protect. I have no one. I need to get to her. I need to get to her before this starts, or else she will never trust me. She would probably shoot me on site. "

"Please dad just let me go. Let me go find her. Tell the rest of the family that I ran away, stormed off, I don't care just let me go please!" Peeta said. He wanted so much to go to Katniss, to try to convince her to let him join them. He needs to help them form a plan.

Peeta's father stayed silent for a few moments. He knew he couldn't let his son go, but he know that if the tables were turned, he would be the one begging to go keep Mrs. Everdeen safe.

"Dad… I can keep her safe too. I can help Katniss protect her. I can go. You can't. You have to stay here to protect the shop. You have to stay with mom. Please dad, just let me go!"

Peeta's father thought long and hard, but finally he knew. He knew he had to let Peeta go. If he didn't, Peeta would find a way to go during the Purge, which was far more dangerous.

And of course, he did want her safe as well.

"Okay Peeta, I'll let you go. You go to her. Keep her safe, but if anything happens, if anything feels wrong , you come straight back here. Understand?"

Peeta smiled, relieved that he didn't have to fight his way out. "Of course, dad of course. Don't worry I'll be with her. After all she is a survivor." His dad chuckled at that. "I'll be back alright? I'll see you then. "Peeta gave his dad a strong hug. "I love you son, be careful, I'll tell the others you ran away when I came to find you alright? I love you."

"I love you dad, don't worry I'll keep them safe. " Peeta gave his father one last hug, before heading out the door.

I'll find her. I'll find her and keep her safe. I'll get her to trust me, I have too!

Gale…. Let's not worry about him right now. It's all about Katniss. That's all that matters.

Of course, there was also the fact that Peeta, though strong, was kind. Would he really protect Katniss when it came down to it? Would he kill?

Snow hit the ground as he walked toward the Seam.