A/N at the bottom. I do not own the Hunger Games.

Chapter 9

Katy POV

The past six weeks have been amazing. Having Finn here has been more than I had even hoped for. At first I was just simply over the moon at his arrival. Then reality set in and I was nervous that things would not go smoothly. I mean, I'm a woodsy kind of gal and Finn belongs in the ocean. I think that those two obstacles will be our biggest challenges since we get along just fine in everything else.

Today is like any other and we're sitting on opposite ends of the couch with our feet touching. I'm reading a book and Finn is just rubbing our toes together while he nods off. My mother is in the kitchen preparing dinner from today's hunting trip. He rolls over a bit and retrieves his cell phone from his pocket. A second later mine vibrates on the floor. I look up from my book with an arched eyebrow and he smiles. I pick up my pink phone, unlock it and search out his text message.

Finn: Wanna do something?

Katy: Like what?

F: I don't know, anything.

K: I am doing something. I'm reading.

F: Is your book that good? What's it about?

K: It's about a girl who falls in love with a fallen angel. She just doesn't know what he is yet.

F: Does he like her back?

K: Oh yeah, he's in love with her. Only he's not supposed to be with a mortal.

F: So what's he gonna do?

K: I think be with her anyway. Can't hold love back, ya know?

F: I know all about it. So again, wanna do something?

K: Do what?

Finn looks over the couch to be certain my mother is busy and then crawls his way on top of me. I feel my breath catch in my throat. Just being so close is exhilarating. Other than the time on the beach, we haven't really messed around. That whole night was an act of desperation. We had just been through something traumatic. Not that we didn't care or want each other, but it didn't happen under normal circumstances.

And once again my age always gets in the way. I've come to realize that it's not just my age. If I was ready, I would probably give myself to him. One day I think I'm ready and the next I'm a chicken which equals not ready in my book.

Finn captures my lips with his and I part my mouth to allow his tongue access. I could do this all day. Just stay in one spot and exercise my tongue with Finn's. Just then the door bursts open and in come Jade and Aunt Johanna, oblivious to our compromising position on the couch.

We hold our breaths waiting to be discovered and hear the women in the kitchen. "Katniss, I'm not pregnant! False alarm!" Jade yells and my mother sheds a tear of joy and embraces both Jade and Johanna.

Finn and I look at each other and release our breath. Holy shit.

Garrett POV

I wish he would leave. I'm trying not to be a dickhead because I have always liked Finn. He's like family. But I pray every single moment that he would just get on the damn train and leave.

I can't even hang out with him at all because every time I look at him, I see my competition for Katy. Yes, competition. I haven't given up yet. I don't think she's fully made up her mind. Katy and I have been attached at the hip, Gavin included, since birth. Now Gavin is running all over District 12 with Aliese. She came for the summer as well. Originally, Finn was going to stay a year but Finnick felt like Annie was a bit on edge not having her kids close to her. So Annie and Finnick will be traveling to District 12 next week for a two week visit and then taking their kids back with them. I hate to say it, but I am stoked.

Katy and I have spent little to no time together since Finn has been here. I'm honestly going through withdrawal. We still wave and are polite when we have family gatherings, but still, it's not the same. Today is no different. Gavin is at the lake with Aliese and I am put-sing around the house tidying up. I went and hunted this morning with Dad. Katy stayed behind, which is now her usual.

Dad didn't hesitate to bring up the subject as soon as we were deep enough into the woods. "So, what's on your mind kid? Your loud thoughts are scaring the game away" he says. I shake my head.

"You wouldn't understand" I reply. He laughs. "Try me, you'd be surprised."

"I'm in love with Katy who is in love with the sun god and I have no frigging idea how to persuade her to even give me a chance. I've spent my entire life with her and I think it's a pretty bum deal that he gets to just swoop in and get the girl when we're finally teenagers. It sucks. And to make matters worse, Payson and Jade got married and set up house, and Gavin is in love with Aliese. Everybody has someone but my 'special someone' is swapping spit with Finn. This fucking blows." There, I spit it all out in one shot.

Dad laughs. "Well, you have quite the issue there buddy. Sounds like history repeating itself to me. Ah, I think you're gonna have to wait this one out."

I sigh. "I don't want to wait it out. I want to date her-now." Dad shakes his head.

"Garrett, listen to me. Finn's going to be leaving. You've got to just be who you are to Katy and take whatever happens with a grain of salt. You love her, right?"

I nod and he continues.

"Well then her happiness should be the most important thing in the world to you. It's not like she doesn't love you. She just hasn't shown a romantic interest in you, at least not yet. Trust me. Be patient. Are there any other cute girls in school that you like? I mean, you haven't even dated anyone else yet either. How do you know you won't fall for someone else?"

"Dad..."

"Don't Dad me Garrett. Listen, the next couple of years are gonna boom for you. You're going to grow up some more, fill out and all the girls are going to be chasing you. This is the time to have fun, not get strapped down in a teenage romance. Look at Payson and Jade. They better not get tired of each other because they're already hitched. Talk about not sowing your oats!" Dad pats my back.

"Start paying attention to other girls Garrett. Trust me. It's normal and not a bad thing. Now, lets go get something for dinner and get back."

We catch a couple of rabbits and a few squirrels and then make our way back home to the love fest. When we get to the house I can hear excitement coming from the bathroom. Mom and Jade are in there squealing together.

Mom sighs. "Oh baby, thank god you're not pregnant! I think your father would have a stroke!" Dad and I look at each other. Holy shit.

Payson POV

Having Jade tell me that she could possibly be pregnant really through me for a loop. I'm not saying that I don't want kids but I'm seventeen years old, married, but still seventeen. Still, when Jade got her period and she started dancing around with joy, I was a little heartbroken. I don't know if she was that ecstatic because we're both so young and not ready, or she just didn't want to have my child. My worst insecurities tell me it's the latter.

I'm kind of in a pissy mood when I get to the bakery. Dad notices immediately. I'm strapping on my worn white apron and he's waiting on a customer when he calls back to me. "Hey Payson! You okay back there?"

"Yeah I'll be out in a sec" I reply. Dad calls me out front and notices my deep scowl. "What's up son" Something on your mind?" Another customer comes in.

I walk to the back to frost cookies. "Forget about it Dad. No big deal."

Dad responds. "Come on Pay. I can't help if I don't know what's going on." I can hear him conversing with the customer. I'll teach him to bug me when I'm not in the mood. "I didn't knock my wife up after all!" I yell from the back.

I hear my father choke on his words and he shoos the customer out quickly. He approaches the back room with caution. "I put the sign in the window. We have time to talk now."

I look up at him mid frosting. "You mean yours and mom's 'fuck time' sign? I can't

even bring myself to touch that thing." I laugh and he blushes.

"Listen, one of these days I'm sure you're gonna use the 'fuck time' sign so just get over it. I'll have you know I disinfect this place thoroughly every time your mother pays me a visit." His blue eyes are serious but mine can't take it and I let out a shudder. "Too much info Dad." I frost another cookie and it looks like a vagina. My parents have fucked me up.

Dad goes first. "So she got her period? That's a good thing, isn't it? I don't think

you're both ready yet." I nod. "Yes, she did. It's the happy dance she also did that really bothers me. I was offended by it. She was just a little too excited to not be having my child. Ya know what I mean?" I explain.

Dad pulls up a worn wooden stool and crosses his arms after sitting. "I think you're reading to much into this Payson. She's seventeen. Give it a couple of years and she's going to start thinking differently. Most women are all about babies once they start having them. They're gorgeous when they're pregnant. Their hormones are all over the place. Trust me, it's a good and bad thing. But damn, they're amazing..."

I snap my fingers in front of his face to snap him out of his memory. "Focus Dad. I'm sure I'm making a big deal out of nothing. I just didn't like how it made me feel." He gets up and gives my shoulder a small squeeze.

"Listen, give it time and everything will be fine. You and Jade love each other and when the time is right, you'll know it or it'll just happen. I've got to get home. Can you handle the close up by yourself?" I nod and he removes his filthy apron, grabs a loaf of bread and out the door he goes.

I reluctantly turn the sign back to open and keep busy the next hour waiting on customers and cleaning up in anticipation of closing. Only two more hours to go. I'm in the back arranging a tray of newly iced sugar cookies when I hear the door ding. "I'll be right out!" I call to the customer. I enter the front of the store to find the shades drawn and Jade standing there with a smile on her face.

The sight of her always takes my breath away. Her brown hair is down, her gray eyes clouded over with lust and she's already removed her summer dress and undergarments. My gorgeous wife is standing in front of me naked in the bakery. I rush over to the door and flip the 'fuck time sign' to indicate we're on a break.

Jade laughs as I pick her up and put her on the counter. I undo my pants and then spread her legs. I slip two fingers inside her and then realize that there is no way I can open after I am about to do what I want to her. I rush over to the door to change the sign. Fuck this, we're closed.

Peeta POV

When I get home, I find Gale and Johanna at the house sans kids. "Where is everyone?" I ask. I head over to Katniss and give her a kiss and a hug. I open the redrigerator and take out two beers and hand one to Gale. "Jo, can I get you anything?" I ask. She holds up her glass of wine. "Your wife beat you too it Peeta." I nod and crack mine open.

Gales smiles and waves me to the porch to enjoy our beer while Katniss and Johanna prepare dinner. Gale laughs. "Dude, I had the 'unrequited love' talk with Garrett today. He's in love with Katy." I look at him. "Bet I can trump you. I had the 'why doesn't my wife want to be pregnant' talk with Payson today." Gale shudders. "Okay you win Peeta. How did it go?" he asks.

"Fine. I think he was slighted because she was so enthusiastic about not being pregnant. He'll be fine. How about you?" Gale shakes his head.

"I feel for Garrett, I really do. I'm not saying Katy is gonna stay with Finn but I told him to wait it out and date other girls. If it's meant to be, it'll happen, ya know? He's got a front row ticket to their romance and I don't want it to sting so much. Once Finn and Aliese leave I'm sure things will go back to normal. What happens from there happens" Gale says.

I nod. "I agree. These kids have always been so focused on their core little group that they haven't let anyone else in. I think it's time they made more friends and we should encourage that. How strange that they're all linked by Victors as parents? That that's whom they feel most comfortable with?"

Gale smiles. "I'll be happy once school starts and the Odairs go home. Don't get me wrong. I can't wait to see Finnick and Annie. We're gonna have a blast. But Garrett will be starting to apprentice in the Butcher Shop so he can hopefully buy it when he gets out of school and they'll be playing sports. Gavin said he might want to apprentice there as well. Do a family business and back each other up. I feel bad for the butcher, no kids to pass down to."

I run my hands through my hair. "Yeah, I hear ya. I'm glad I have Payson and Jade to run the bakery. Not like I'm not gonna be there until I die, but you know what I mean. What do you think Finn is gonna do?" I ask.

Gales shrugs. "Beats me. He hasn't said anything. I wouldn't be shocked if Finnick made him join the military. The Odairs don't have any shops in District 4 and he doesn't seem to be overly fond of medicine. I guess it depends."

I sigh. "Here's to our buddy coming to visit us and having a good time while he's here. And lets hope our kids work out all their teenager bullshit while we know as little as possible thus preventing anymore gray hairs." I suggest and we clink our beer bottles.

"I hear you dude." Gales says.

Katniss calls from the kitchen. "Come on boys! Dinner!"

We get up and make our way to our women.

A/N: THANK YOU for being patient. I'm gonna stick to smaller chapters to crank this out. I was away on vacation and still couldn't get it done.

Please check out my SEVEN stories including my new one 'SPIN'. Be patient for more AU stories. They're eventually coming. All will be posted on tumblr too.

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For those of you that were reading

'Strung Up In The Air" by DeathCabForBritney

There is a message on silvercistern dot tumblr dot com in regard to the story. I did reblog onto my tumblr as well. It was NOT taken down by FFN for content. Please read the notice and then check out the link she posted to a book called 'Wake" by Abria Mattina. I purchased the book for $2.99 on my Kindle Fire and it's my new favorite book. Finished it and I'm about to reread.

If you were also reading "Two Wrongs" by Jlala, which was removed for content, you can find her on tumblr at JlaLafics dot tumblr dot com and on

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