The Past and Other Dangers
Disclaimer:I do not own The Hunger Games. This fanfiction is purely for entertainment purposes. I own the fictional story, but Suzanne Collins owns the characters. Aren't we jealous?
Plot Summary:This story is a continuation of the "The Arrangement." If you have not read that story then you need to check it out before you read this one.
Peeta and Katniss have the life they have always dreamed of. They have two beautiful children, best friends, and an incredible relationship. What happens when their daughter disappears? Who took her? Why? How does this connect to what happened in the past? What will Katniss and Peeta do to get her back?
Author's Note: Hello everyone! Thank you for all the reviews! You are so wonderful! As promised, here is the next chapter. I hope you enjoy it. Please review and let me know your thoughts!
Chapter Six – Peeta's POV
My perfect life is crumbling around me. Katniss won't even let Cam use the bathroom without her nearby. She is terrified and I live with the knowledge that I failed her daily.
She seems to look right through me, but can't focus on me long enough to speak. I watch her – waiting for the inevitable breakdown brewing inside of her – and worry for her and our baby.
When I go to work, Gale comes to stay with her and Cam. I don't want to go to work, but I need to all the same. After kissing Katniss and our son goodbye as Katniss holds him in our bed – always afraid for his safety, never at peace. She has a guilty look in her eye when she is a awake and I know she blames herself. Of course Katniss would never see the evil in me; she always takes the blame on herself. I know we need to talk about it, but we can't talk about it in front of Cam who lives in a constant state of confusion and sadness. She refuses to leave his side right now, so the conversation is going to have to wait- for now.
At the bakery, my heart is heavy. Amelia always loves to join me here. I remember the last time she had come with me that she had baked all by herself for the very first time. She had been so happy. I cling to that picture in my head now. I cling to the happiness I once had with my family and hold it so tight I fear I might smother it. I miss her so much.
Delly smiles at me as I enter the bakery. She has been tremendously helpful through all this. I know she misses my Amelia too. Amelia spent almost as much time here as she did and she was a paid employee. Delly didn't like to go home because she was all alone. Her mother had passed away five years ago and since her death, Delly has been working every day to avoid the emptiness of her house, her life.
Katniss invited her over to the house for dinner often and she always came. She was almost like part of the family, almost.
"Any news?" She asks hopefully. I shake my head.
"Not yet."
Delly walks up to me and puts a hand on my shoulder. "You'll see her again, Peeta. I know it."
I nod, but shake her hand off and move away. I don't like it when she is openly affectionate with me and touches me. It feels wrong to me somehow. I know she probably doesn't mean it that way, but it feels wrong. I wouldn't want Katniss to allow this type of behavior. I smile as I think about that. In that scenario, Katniss would probably break off the fingers of the idiot who touched her. My strong, beautiful wife. I smile briefly, before my reality comes back to me.
"Listen, Delly. I know you are trying to be supportive right now, but we've talked about this and I am not comfortable with that much affection from anyone other than my wife. Understood?"
Delly smiles at me. "I understand. We aren't doing anything wrong though." She says softly. "You need someone to be there for you."
I back away from her even more and my patience is running thin. "I have Katniss, my WIFE, to there for me." I say wife with emphasis, hoping she will take the hint and back off. I know Delly is lonely and doesn't have anything, but I can't condone this behavior. If I have to I will fire her even if it hurts me to treat a friend that way.
She says nothing in response and turns her back to continue kneeding the dough in front of her.
I head into my small office, needing to be away from her. I am grateful for the peace and quiet surrounding me. Once I am alone with my thoughts, I know what I have to do. I have to fire her. She's been forward in her advances. I haven't told Katniss because I don't want her to worry for no reason. However, she needs to know and I need to deal with the situation.
I have discussed Delly with the police though. They searched her home and came up with nothing. She had no violent history. She hadn't committed any crimes at all. She was a pillar of the community and I knew I was losing my mind to think she had something to do with Amelia's abduction. What could she profit from it? Nothing.
Katniss and Cam were going to come by the bakery today to get out of the house for a little while. Katniss was trying to keep Cam's mind busy. She didn't want him to worry or be afraid. I paid some bills and put together the order for the grocer before I felt warm hands slips around my neck and then rub my shoulders sensually.
I freeze instantly, enjoying the sensation of her touch, but when I allow my mind to comprehend this it feels –wrong. She nestles her face in my neck and kisses it tenderly and I jump up and away from her knowing before I even turn that its not Katniss, but Delly.
I spin around and see Delly by my chair. She has changed into something much more revealing, but I don't even notice because behind her I see something that makes the blood in my veins turn into ice. Katniss is standing in the doorway with Cam peeking behind her. The fog in her eyes clears and I see her eyes fill with tears as she takes in the scene before her.
Before I can say a word, Delly's whiny voice fills the air. "We didn't want you to find out about us this way, Katniss. I'm sorry."
I stare in shock as tears fall down Katniss's cheeks unable to believe what's happening.
"Katniss, love, it's not what you think." Is that all I can think to say right now? I am always so good with words, but now they fail me.
Katniss spins around without a word and runs out of the door pulling Cam behind her. My little boy looks at me with confusion before running out with his mother.
I make a move to follow them when Delly steps in front of me and closes the door, then leans against it.
"She knows. Now we can be together."
I take a deep breath before I speak, afraid I may murder her. "You're fired!" I yell in her startled face.
"What?" She stutters out – clearly this wasn't the reaction she was expecting.
"YOU ARE FIRED!" I say so slowly. "Now get the hell out of my way!"
I push her aside and wrench the door open before running all the way home to try and save my family.
Any thoughts on Delly? Do you think she took Amelia or not? Do you think Katniss believes Delly's lies? I would love to hear your thoughts. Please review!
Thanks again! You are all awesome!
Bookworm722