She quickly crosses to the newsstand, stopping in front of the coolers. Her exhale is heavy. I can't believe he is going to London too. she steals a glance at him as she reaches for a bottle in the cooler.

Thump-thump-flip.

Her heart goes as she stares at him. Messy blond hair, that perfect brow that graces her dreams leads to a slightly crooked nose. Why didn't I ever ask him if he ever broke it? Oh yeah, then he would know that I was probably staring at him, that's why. She finally notices the orange soda that is too sweet for her in her hand. Get a grip, Katniss—she grunts as she replaces that drink with one she'll drink.

Her eyes find him again—her heart does that same thump-thump-flip it's been doing since she saw him again. Those perfect lips of his parted as if he's ready to confess his feelings. Yeah, right.

She quickly skims the paperbacks beside the counter, sees the couple she packed and pays for the food. Her eyes seek him out, and a scowl appears. Standing in front of him, her Peeta, is a couple of college-somethings. Of the giggling female type. Even from her place across the hall she can hear them asking about Duke, who much to her horror is happily wagging his tail at the cooing voices talking to him.

A mirror on the other side of the walkway tells her what she already knows; she dressed for comfort this morning because of the eight-hour flight ahead of her. Her long chocolate braid is thrown over her shoulder, and her yoga pants- well they have seen better days. She digs her hands into her hoodie, her favorite piece of clothing giving her comfort.

The girls are still there talking to Duke, but she can't miss the expression on Peeta's face. She's only seen it once before, and that prompts her to quickly get to his side. The red head shoots her a glare that would have killed her if that old saying would have proven true. The two blondes with her pay her no attention until she slides back into her seat—beside Peeta.

Duke wags his tail at her appearance, and when she touches Peeta's arm, she can see him visibly relax.

Thump-thump-flip.

"Sorry it took me so long, Honey. I had to look for the drink you wanted," she coos the best she can.

His hand covers hers and squeezes. She wants to smirk, but instead she keeps her eyes glued on his glasses like he can actually see her. "It's ok. Ladies," he says, "if you will excuse me, I need to talk to my," he pauses for a long moment, long enough to make her open her mouth to interject, when he continues, "girlfriend and find a place for Duke here to go relieve himself."

Thump- he just did that- thump- to get those girls- flip to leave.

Her blood is rushing, humming in her ears. Somehow, she croaks, "Anytime you're ready."

He slowly pushes forward to the edge of his seat. She remembers how he confessed one day how stiff his leg would get if he sat for too long so she jumps up, causing the girls around them to jump back. They mutter under their breaths, but she ignores them as he lifts his hand, accepting her help.

Her breath catches as their skin makes contact again. He clambers to his feet with Duke edging the young ladies back even more. Peeta grabs Duke's harness, and she grabs their bags. With a nod to the scowling girls, she slides her hand into the crook of his elbow and Duke leads them down the hall.

When they are a good distance away from the gate, Peeta slows enough to ask, "Are we away from them?"

"We are."

"Thank God," he whispers, stopping in his tracks. "I hate it when people do that, and even I could tell that they were all teenage girls. I'm just glad that you came back when you did."

"I apologize then for taking so long."

He slows down, and she guides him out of the way of the others. "Is there a place where we can walk Duke?"

"Yeah—" she looks around for someone. "Stay here? There's someone over there I can ask." He nods and she rushes over to the employee. She quickly gets directions and heads back. "Come on," she says sliding her hands into his. "I know where to go now."

She leads him to the end of the hall to a steel door marked "employees only". She pushes it open but stops before she goes outside. "Stay here," she murmurs, "it's supposed to stay unlocked, but you never know."

"Good idea. Just knock if you can't get back in?"

"Thanks, Peeta. Come on Duke," she coos, accepting the harness from him. The door opens easy enough, but she still holds her breath waiting for alarms to sound. When blessed airplane engines greets her instead, she lets go of the breath she was holding.

There is a click behind her, and instead of grabbing the moment to process what is happening, she turns and tries the door. It opens easy, and his voice says, "So it works?"

"It works." She opens the door wide, and says, "come on out." Duke leads him out, and lets the door swoosh shut behind him.

"Duke, do your business, please." The dog leads him over to a patch of brown grass, and she inhales a quick breath of fresh air. Well, as fresh as it could be in Atlanta. At the airport. "How much longer do we have until we board?"

"Let me look—" she flicks her wrist and her watch comes into view. "We should be boarding soon, so this is good timing."

"Katniss?"

"What is it Peeta?" She answers looking up at him. He still has his glasses on, so she can't see all of his expression, but what she can see, has her reaching for him. "What's wrong?"

His exhale is heavy, and he admits, "Just nervous about the flight. My doctor gave me some extra meds—"

Duke perks up at the way Peeta's voice wavers. Doing what he is trained to do, he begins to paw his leg until his hand touches the top of the dog's head. She can't help but to step closer and while she wants to hug him, she does touch his arm. "Breathe," she whispers. His breath is ragged as he exhales again. Not sure what else to do, she begins to sing,

"You're the lucky one

so, I've been told

as free as the wind,

blown' down the road

loved by many, hated by none

I'd say you're lucky 'cause I know what you've done

Not a care in the world

Not a worry in sight

Everything's gunna be alright

Cause you're the lucky one."

By the time she finishes, his features are more relaxed and his breathing is easier even though his smile hasn't returned. "You have an amazing voice."

"Do you feel better?"

"Yeah, I think with you and Duke, I'll be alright. Let's go back in?"

"Let's go to London?"

"Let's go to London."