Johanna was fucked, and she knew it. Ever since her last job, ever since meeting the gorgeous brunette with the beautifully piercing grey eyes she had been unable to think in a straight line. Her thoughts would continuously drift to smooth olive skin, a slim figure, the sweet smell of wood smoke and pine. She no longer had any interest in her job. Ever since the day she had joined the Peacekeepers she had never lost interest, she had never had any reason to leave. That was until now.
This girl had done something to her, she had changed her. And although Johanna would never admit it, it scared her. It scared her how much one person, a stranger at that could make her feel so strongly, even after so many years of hiding her emotions. Not only did it scare her but it elated her as well. For the first time in forever, she knew that she couldn't keep something secret (she was good at secrets, secrets were basically her life), more specifically, she couldn't keep her secret. She had to tell someone, and there was only one someone she could tell.
Finnick.
He was sat in a Starbucks surrounded by strangers and potential pick-pocket victims. He had a plethora of wallets surrounding him just waiting to be pulled gently from their owners pockets. He wasn't focusing on the wallets though, nor the people. All of his attention was focused on a single person. A redhead he had seen once before. She was sat there with a cup of coff… something between both of her hands. She hadn't moved since she had sat down about an hour ago, unresponsive to the world around her, lost in her own thoughts. He was intrigued by this woman, and still he didn't know where he recognised her from.
Before he was able to get up and attempt to talk to this mysterious woman the door to the coffee shop flew open and smashed against the wall before a short, raven haired woman he knew all too well came crashing into the shop, ignoring every face (all but one) that had turned to look at her. She ran straight over to Finnick grabbing his arm and dragging him out of the shop just as quickly as she had entered.
About ten minutes of walking later Johanna finally stopped let go of his arm.
"Jo, what the hell is going on? What the hell are we doing in the park?" Finnick asked, obviously confused and ever so slightly worried. "Is everything ok? I've never seen you like this."
"Finnick, I'm screwed, I'm completely fucked." She all but shouted at him. Before he could ask, she continued, "Ever since our last job, ever since I saw those beautiful, fucking grey eyes and that adorable… Grrrrr. I've never felt like this about anyone, Finnick. I was only with her for a few seconds and she's taken over my mind. She's all I've been able to think about recently. After years of hiding my fucking emotions and not letting anyone in she just waltzes in there as if there were no walls in the first place. I have to meet her again, Finnick. Heeeelp me."
Finnick just stood there in silence after Johanna's little speech. And then he began laughing.
"WHAT?!" Johanna yelled, almost on the verge of mentally snapping and strangling him.
His laughter died down to a light chuckle as he raised two hands to placate the obviously pissed Johanna in front of him. "I just never thought that I'd see the day that the infamous Johanna Mason would have her walls cave for someone and to be honest, I'm glad it happened. You deserve someone, Jo. You deserve to get out of the Peacekeepers, to find a real job, have a life worth living." He smiled at her, one of his infectious, cheesy, affectionate grins that she couldn't help but return. "And, I may be able to help you with your plead to meet her again, if you're nice to me."
"WHAT!? HOW?! TELL ME!" Johanna yelled, maybe slightly too loudly.
Finnick smirked, "It's simple. We go back to the shop." He said as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.
"We can't go back there, that's a stupid idea." Johanna replied, shocked at what her best friend had just suggested.
"Why not? She's the only one who knows what you look like and she obviously hasn't given your description to the police, which says something of its own if you ask me. There would've been something on the noticeboard back at base if she had've. Come on, it'll give you a chance to talk to her and return the money we stole."
Johanna stood there in awe as she listened to what Finnick was saying. She had a reason to leave the peacekeepers, she had thought of that earlier. But now, this amazing man in front of her was giving her the chance to put action behind that reason.
She surged forward and tackled him into a massive bear hug before whispering the most heartfelt "thank you" she could muster.
"Come on! I've got some money to return and a girl to talk to." she said before she ran off like a small child after an ice cream van.
It had been a week since the robbery and Katniss was back at work. Everything seemed to be back to normal, Cress was joking about as usual, customers come and go, Plutarch was pretending to be bossy, and gale was still being overprotective. The only things that were different were her thoughts. Ever since the robbery she hadn't been able to take her mind of the beautiful raven haired girl and her stunning brown eyes. Johanna (If that really was her name).
Katniss had called the police almost immediately after the door had closed. She told them what had happened and two cars had arrived in under five minutes. When asked to give a statement, Katniss told the police that there had been four assailants, three males and one female. She told them that it was the female that had asked for the money and the amount of money that had been taken. However when asked to give a description of 'Johanna' (She didn't tell them her name either), she lied. She told them that she didn't get a good look at the assailant's face, she told them that her face had been masked by a hood and she had been too scared to recall what her voice sounded like. She lied because there was something about this girl that had taken a hold of her, made her want to find out more about this girl, and (maybe going a little too far here) become more than just a victim in this girl's life.
Katniss had been working for most of the morning now, and was about to go on her break when the doorbell chimed, announcing the arrival of a new customer. When she looked up to greet the new arrival her breath caught in her throat. It couldn't be, nobody's that mad, nobody returns to the scene of a crime they committed only a week ago. Yet, impossibly here she was, approaching the counter almost cautiously. Now that Katniss could see her completely, she was even more mesmerized by this woman, the way her hips swayed when she walked, the bouncing of her shoulders, not to mention the slight bouncing of certain other features.
Whilst Katniss had been daydreaming the woman had reached the counter and was now standing there with the slightest of smirks on her face. She coughed slightly, startling Katniss and bringing her back to the world of the conscious.
"Oh, um. Hi. Can I take your order?" Katniss asked, still slightly startled by the woman in front of her.
"Of course." The woman purred. "I'll have a cappuccino… and you." She added with a wink.
This caught Katniss off guard. This was not the startled woman she had seen a week ago. This was a woman who knew exactly what she was doing. And she liked it. "Errrr. Sure, I'll just get your drink."
Three minutes later Johanna was sat alone (Finnick had been called in for another job) at a table in the corner sipping on her drink mentally kicking herself for not making conversation with the gorgeous barista. She was so absorbed in berating herself that she didn't notice a tall, slender figure walk up behind her holding another cup of coffee and two slices of chocolate cake.
"Do you mind if I sit here?" The figure asked in a smooth voice, visibly startling Johanna as she jumped, nearly spilling her coffee.
"Errrr, no, not at all." She replied with a slightly shaky voice. "May I ask why though?"
"Because you asked for me in your order. I can't let down a customer now can I?" Katniss replied, now wearing Johanna's smirk from earlier.
This again took Johanna off guard causing her to stammer her response. "Oh, um, er, no. No you can't."
Katniss sat down across from Johanna and slid a piece of cake across the table along with a fork which Johanna took with a goofy smile that Katniss couldn't help but think looked adorable on the face that was sat just across from her.
"So, um. Johanna, wasn't it?" Katniss asked.
"Yeah, Johanna Mason, and yours is…?" Johanna replied, having now regained her composure.
"Katniss, Katniss Everdeen." She really should've planned this conversation before coming over here.
"Hey, erm. About las…" Johanna began but was quickly cut off by Katniss.
"Shh. Not here. We don't want people finding out. Yes, and this may be a little forward of me, I want to know about you, why you do what you do, etc. But not here." Katniss wrote something down on a napkin and handed it to Johanna. "This is my address and apartment number and mobile number. I finish work at three. If you want to talk come then." Katniss stood up and began to walk back to the counter with their now empty plates.
About five minutes of staring at the piece of paper in her hand later, Johanna finally got up to leave. She left a small tip on the table and a slightly larger one below it (the exact amount of money she had taken from the shop). Before opening the door she turned towards where Katniss was working, throwing her a small smile and a slight wave. Just before the door closed behind her she heard Katniss shout "AND BRING PIZZA!".
Four hours later Katniss was sat in her apartment eagerly awaiting a knock at her door that would (hopefully) signify the arrival of the girl that had been occupying her thoughts as of late. She had tidied the place up, cleaning all of the dirty mugs and plates that she had left on her coffee table and shoving any laundry in the washer. She didn't want to scare Johanna off by letting her know just how messy she really was. Not yet anyway.
She was about to turn the TV on when she heard a knock at the door. She never knew such a simple sound could put your nerves on edge, and set your heart racing. She took a shaky breath before stepping towards the door and opening it. In front of her was Johanna just as expected.
"Hey." She greeted with a gentle smile.
"Hi." Katniss replied with the same gentle smile. "Please, come in."
"Thank you" Johanna said as she stepped over the premises and observed her surroundings. The apartment was simply furnished with a few pictures, a large and worn leather couch, a large flatscreen TV with PS4, and a small coffee table. It wasn't much but Johanna liked it, it seemed to suit its owner.
"I bought pizza" Johanna said, remembering the plastic bag she was holding.
"Is that what that is?" Katniss replied, obviously confused. "It doesn't look very 'pizzary'."
"That's because I haven't made it yet brainless." Was Johanna's sarcastic response. 'Wait, brainless? Where'd that come from? Hope she doesn't mind.' she thought.
Katniss was shocked by the response her heart gave her at the sound of the nickname 'brainless'. She would've been offended had anyone else have called her that, but from Johanna's mouth, it just sounded… well, right.
"You're going to make us pizza? Isn't that going to take a while?" Katniss asked trying to get Johanna to ignore the blush that was slowly working its way to her cheeks.
"Well yeah I'm gonna make us pizza brainless." There's that nickname again. "I need to have some way to impress you after scaring you half to death. And no, it won't take that long. I've already prepped the dough. All we need to do is shape it and choose the toppings, of which I have brought plenty." Johanna said whilst sending Katniss a playful grin.
Katniss just rolled her eyes at Johanna. "If anything, I scared you. You couldn't even form a proper sentence." She retorted playfully, smiling when she heard Johanna grumble an acknowledgement before slinging an arm over her shoulder and leading her to the kitchen.
It was amazing, katniss thought, at how well she and Johanna seemed to get along despite their very short and checkered past. It was amazing how comfortable Johanna made her feel, how easy it was to talk to her, to joke about with her, and even after such a short time, how easy it was to let Johanna into her life.
Half an hour later the pair were sitting on Katniss's couch with a fresh pizza that was just begging to be eaten.
Katniss leant forward slightly and picked up a slice moving it towards her mouth to take a bite. She paused for a second, meeting Johanna's expectant gaze before continuing. Once the pizza touched her tongue she was speechless. It was honestly one of the best things she had ever tasted. It was absolutely perfect.
"Johanna… Wow, this is just… Wow. It's amazing." Katniss gushed to her company, who was now trying to hide a blush of her own.
"T-Thanks, I'm really glad you like it. I was scared that you wouldn't." Johanna replied shyly. 'Wait. Did I just admit that she was scared…? Damn, this girl was really something different.'
Katniss just smiled at her reassuringly, which was all Johanna needed for her to relax.
"So…" Johanna began. "I suppose I should get down to the real reason I came here. I'm sorry that we invaded your shop and stole from you. As you've probably guessed by now I'm a member of the Peacekeepers. It's possibly the worst job going. I used to enjoy it, it used to be fun. But that all changed." Johanna said as she remembered the fire and shuddered. "Because of my job I have a certain quota to fill. Your shop was supposed to be an easy job." Johanna took a deep breath. "And it would've been if it weren't for you. In a manner of thinking it was an easy job. Getting the money wasn't a problem. The problem was you. Ever since that day I haven't been able to stop thinking about you. You ignited something that I thought that I'd lost forever" Johanna finished and waited for Katniss's response.
Katniss just sat there for what seemed like forever. Just staring at Johanna as her apology and admission sank in. She was confused about what had happened to Johanna to cause her to hate her job so much, but that explanation would have to come at a later date. Right now Katniss was revelling in the fact that Johanna had just admitted that she had been thinking alot about her. However, Katniss had remained silent for far too long.
Johanna's once smiling face faltered and she got up to leave. "I guess it was just me then. Ugh. I'm so stupid. I'll just go. Sorry I bothered you. Keep the leftovers." She said sadly as she got up to leave.
Just as she was about to walk away from the couch she felt a gentle hand close around her wrist causing her to stop in her unstarted tracks and turn around. "Jo, you don't mind if I call you that?" Johanna shook her head slightly. "Did it ever occur to you that I lied to the police for a reason, that I might not give every thief that breaks into the shop and nearly gives my co-worker's girlfriend a heart attack when she finds out, my home address and mobile number." She smiled, earning a small laugh from Johanna as she pulled her back down onto the couch. "Jo, I felt it too. There is something between us. This connection, this heat. I felt it too." Katniss began to lean forward, inching closer to Johanna.
"I think I'm gonna kiss you now. Is that ok?" Katniss asked in a quiet and shy voice.
Johanna just nodded slowly before closing the gap between them allowing their lips to meet in a shy, tender kiss. This wasn't a first kiss for either party. But it was the first kiss that they had ever shared with someone they felt a real connection with.
The kiss was brief, no more than 5 seconds long. But for the two girls, it felt like all the time in the world. Once they pulled back they both sighed and grinned at each other.
"So, I guess we're cool for the whole robbery thing then." Johanna said, still grinning like an idiot.
"Yeah, we're cool you big idiot." Katniss responded, now swapping the content grin for an affectionate smile. "Wanna watch a movie?" She asked as she wrapped an arm around Johanna's shoulders pulling her into her side.
The normally butch Johanna sighed and snuggled into Katniss's side before replying. "Have you got Taken? Liam Neeson is my favorite actor of all time."
This caused Katniss to laugh. "I can't believe I found you. He's my favorite actor too." She said as she brought taken up on her playstation.
Johanna snuggled deeper into Katniss's side before replying "I do believe I found you".
"Jo?" Katniss mumbled about half way through the film, still holding the girl into her side.
"Yeah?" came Johanna's muffled reply.
"Why haven't you left the Peacekeepers? You don't have to answer I was just wondering."
Johanna shifted so she could look up into Katniss's eyes. "I guess I never really had a reason to leave. Not until recently." She smiled, placing a gentle kiss on Katniss's Jaw.
Hey guys. So, here's chapter 4 of Until her. Sorry for the wait, school has been draining and I've recently got an evening job leaving me with very little time to think and write. Not sure about this chapter, whether I moved it too quickly or not. Either way, here it is. And to the guest that commented on the last chapter, yes, I always planned on having Katniss lie to the police to protect Johanna.