Chapter Seven: Breakfast with a View

"Where are we going?" Katniss asks. She's driving her Jeep with Peeta in the passenger seat.

"There will be a left up ahead, take it." The weather is on their side today. It's sunny and warm for an early December day. There's only a slight dusting of snow. "Pull into that trail head. We go the rest of the way on foot." He sees the scowl on Katniss' face.

"Don't worry it's an easy, short hike. I won't let the defending National Champion trip."

"Finnick will kill you and Gale will kill you again, if I do."

"Maybe I should carry you then. Gale does it. I'm stronger than him." Peeta bends to pick her up.

"Stop! It's OK. I'll walk. Just don't tell anyone."

He was right; the walk was easy, just up a small hill then a short walk along a ridge. There's a small shelter with a picnic table and a fire pit. Peeta sets to work making a fire while Katniss marvels at the view. The ridge overlooks a valley with gently rolling hills that go down to a small stream. The morning sun is behind them bathing the valley in a golden light with the larger mountains rising up in the distance.

"It's beautiful Peeta. How did you find it?"

"I thought you'd like it. I found it last year when I first came to Colorado. I was looking for places to paint. I painted it in spring. It was filled with wild flowers and dandelions." He stands next to her, handing her a mug. "Hot chocolate." She smiles at him and he sighs. Her eyes are sparkling in this light.

"I have news." He says looking down at his feet.

"Korea? You're going?" Peeta nods before looking up.

"Peeta, that's amazing! Congratulations." Without thinking Katniss goes to hug him but the mugs of chocolate get in the way forcing an awkward stutter that becomes an odd wrong hand, handshake. Whew, that was close Katniss thinks. Hugging him here, alone overlooking this beautiful vista would be dangerous, the hugging would have turned into something more. And we can't have more. Not when they're so close to the finish.

"I can't believe I'm going to get to represent my country in a sport. When I lost my leg, I never imagined I could do anything like this."

"You never told me how you got involved in sled hockey. Did you play hockey before?"

"No, I was a wrestler, my brothers too. They were good. Both wrestled in college."

"When I went to college in Chicago I discovered, GLASA."

"What's that?"

"Great Lakes Adaptive Sports Association, it's this amazing organization dedicated to finding a way to get everyone into a sport, kids, adults, Vets. Through them, I found sled hockey. I took to it right away. I had the upper body strength needed."

"Mmm" Katniss says while sipping her drink, thinking of his chest - a chest she so much wants to be pressed against, and the arms she wants wrapped around her.

"Of course not everyone is going to go to the Paralympics, but just participating they have improved health, socialization. Kids especially can suffer with socialization issues when they have something that sets them apart. I had it easy, not everyone noticed my leg right away."

"I didn't." Peeta gives her a questioning look. "What? I didn't notice, not until I saw you on the ice."

"Katniss, were you checking me out before I changed your tire? Because as I recall, I showed you my leg right away."

"Maybe. Maybe that's the only reason I let you change my tire. Go on, what were you saying.' She's blushing and she hopes the crisp air will disguise it.

"The kids in wheelchairs or on crutches, you just see the confidence grow. And the Vets, like some of the guys on my team, they're heroes." He says shaking his head "I lost my leg at 14, I've had 12 years to adjust. A lot of them have only been disabled for a year or two and some are dealing with PTSD. That's real bravery, fighting back against so much. That's why the Paralympics are so important.

Katniss slips her hand into his. He closes his own tightly around it. He lifts them up together to show her. "Is this OK?"

"Friends hold hands right?"

"Right." Friends do hold hands but, do friends hold hands for two hours as the fire fades? Do friends trace circles on the back of each other's hands fighting the urge to bring them to their lips?

"We should go, you have practice." Katniss nods and they walk back down the hill still holding tight. When they get to her car, she gives Peeta the keys.

"Really?" He asks, honored she would trust him with her car. Katniss nods.

On the drive back to the Center, their hands find each other over the center console. Peeta pulls into her parking space and jumps out of the car to open her door. Their hands touch again as he passes her the keys and she can't help but hold on. Peeta leans in, gently pressing her back into the car. His hand finds a place on her waist. Katniss feels a warmth and thrill that is overwhelming. She looks up and just as he begins to lower his head…

"Catnip, let's go, we're late." Gale approaches, having pulled in the parking lot. "Peeta."

"Gale." Peeta nods.

"Let me know what your dad says about Korea." He smiles wide. "I will." He calls as he watches walk with Gale into the Center.

A/N: GLASA is a real organization that does amazing work. Check them out