Okay so are we breathing? I know some of you had a visceral reaction to last portion i.e. Peeta looking like James Bond ;).

The true measure of any relationship is the weekend vacation. It tests your endurance toward another person. Think of it trapped in a room in the middle of nowhere with your supposed significant other...how many times do they pick their teeth, or sigh, or begin a sentence with the word 'so' only not to follow up with nothing at all. Will Katniss and Gale survive? Hmmmm...not if Peeta has anything to do with we Alliswell

A huge thanks to Alliswell21 for being a beta extraordinaire. I count her as not only a friend but someone I look up to. Also to Kleeklutch for her amazing hand drawn banner...I'm still in awe of your creative abilities.

Ps...I do not own the Hunger Games nor do I own Bridget Jones


"Dear Diary,

Newsflash! I, Katniss Everdeen, am no longer a candidate for Spinster of the Year Award. I scored a boyfriend! Though Gale may not be aware of that yet. After a month of dating, I've been wondering why I can't tell him I feel we should be in a relationship. Why do I get cold feet? Why do I feel as if at any moment the floor is going to swallow me whole? I do have to say: I look FABULOUS!

Working out while staring at Cato's rear is a great way to stay motivated!

Weight: Lowest I have ever been (drum roll please) 137 pounds! Drink and food: nothing living off of emotional high."


A few weeks later she closed her apartment door and a genuine smile appeared on her face when she saw Gale waiting for her in his roadster. "Hi."

"Hello, there gorgeous."

They'd been dating on and off during the first two weeks, but now they saw each other on a nightly basis. They liked to dress up and go to social events. She often ended up speaking about his book to editors and in the business. In one occasion, they even ran into Madge, and Katniss proudly introduced them to each other. Although the relationship wasn't exactly serious yet, she was happy to share her beau with her friends. Katniss thought, perhaps she was falling for Gale, it was only natural all the parts of her life would convene in a little happy existence. She considered him her boyfriend and wanted to tell him as much this weekend. After a month-and-a-half of dating, Katniss was finally ready to sleep with Gale.

This weekend her sister was celebrating her first year wedding anniversary. Prim wanted to have the party at a swanky bed and breakfast spa type place near their district.

Katniss shyly asked Gale to come with her. Her sister wanted a Playboy Bunny costume party. Katniss had a black bunny suit she wanted to show off to Gale.

Her family would be so impressed by Gale: An accomplished writer, plus he was easy on the eyes and so attentive.

She laughed at something he said. Then they settled into listening to the radio. The radio plaid 'Rumor' by Adele and Katniss opened her mouth to sing.

"Jeeeze Catnip, I didn't know you could sing like that?"

"I don't sing for everyone." Katniss gave him a promising look.

"Oh, well I'll consider myself fortunate then."


Dear Diary: I AM SEXY WOMAN HERE ME ROAR!"


She summed up her sultriest voice. "Yes." Katniss winked coyly. "You should!"

They arrived at the place, which looked like a grand house. She felt a little out of place as she stood in the foyer, but that didn't stop the quiet singing, after all, the song was stuck in her head now, and Gale seemed to like her voice.

"Katniss?"

She cringed, finding Peeta standing there with a tall, beautiful woman. She looked like she could easily be a vogue model. Katniss felt like a frump in her oversized sweater and jeans. If she hadn't been so self-conscious about her appearance, she would have noticed the way Peeta's eyes sparked while roaming over her unmade-up face, a fact that didn't escape Gale.

"Hello Peeta," she said before her companion's icy voice rang out beside her.

"Mellark," Gale practically snarled making Peeta's eyes hardened.

"Hawthorne," His voice flattened.

"Are you here for Prim's anniversary?" Katniss tried to dissipate the men's evident mutual dislike, plus she was curious. She wasn't aware that Peeta and her baby sister were so close. Their families had only recently become blended by marriage, and if she and Peeta being the same age never were friends as kids, she doubted Prim was any closer to him.

"Yes, I'm also here to source some local products. You know how it is in District Twelve. Half of everything in your store has to be locally produced if you want to run a successful shop."

"Oh," Katniss said.

"I'm sorry, where are my manners? Katniss, this is Jo, my accountant. Jo, this is Katniss Everdeen and her… friend, Hawthorne."

Jo grinned at them, then said. "Peeta, we've got to go."

"Sorry," Peeta apologized walking away, turning his head to look back at them as he went. Katniss did not catch it, but Gale did, and possessively placed his hand on the small of her back.

After checking in, Katniss excused herself for a trip to the little girl's room, but when she stepped back out, she saw Gale was on his phone, again. He had been glued to his phone on and off the whole way to the venue. She sighed and decided to distract him with some activity. She looked at the brochure which had a few pictures of couples, rowing on the lake.

"Hey, want to go rowing?"

"Hmmm?" Gale mumbled distractedly, looking up from his phone.

"Rowing?" Katniss pointed to the picture. "It's romantic and I've never done it."

"Sure, why not, we have time to kill." Gale put his phone down and Katniss smiled sweetly.

They were rowing in individual boats acting like goofballs waiting for the rest of the guests to arrive. She caught sight of Peeta and Jo sitting by the picturesque dock, tablets in hands. She was jarred, she looked up to see Gale ram into her boat. She laughed at his antics, "What are you doing?" she screamed laughing.

"There once was a man from Nantucket," Gale said standing up in his rowboat intending to get into hers. "Who boarded a raft in twelve."

Katniss laughed when he ended up in the river. He stood up, and she doubled over at his state. He pushed her boat to shore. She didn't want to be caught and ran, all under the watchful gaze of Peeta Mellark.