AN: Hellooooo readers, I am very pleased with the story traffic stats, so many people looking at my stories, but people, please review! Pretty please with Cato on top? On to chapter 10, The Aftershock and The Date ;)

Katniss carefully cleans Johanna's wound quietly, Johanna occasionally wincing or offering a hiss of pain. Katniss very quietly tells Johanna she's sorry about what happened, over and over again. Everyone said that it was OK, and that she wasn't the only one with problems. Still, it didn't make Katniss feel any better about what she did. She was stillery pale, though not trembling, it was a good thing that she only had three periods left and that therewas still ten minutes left in recess.

By the time the five minute warning bell rings across the school, Jo's cut is perfectly bandaged, everyone is almost back to their normal selves and Katniss has more color in her face.

"You OK" Cato asks, concerned.

"Yeah," Katniss whispers, walking back to the building.

"What happened back there?" Cato whispers.

"Johanna prodded a very sensitive spot and I tried to control myself as best I could," Katniss whispers back.

"Yeah, I noticed, I mean we all have been there. I mean, wanting to kill Johanna, some of the other girls have slapped her or pulled her hair, once she got punched in the face for being too innappropriate, you were just a little too hard core but nothing out of the ordinar," Cato tells Katniss.

"If I had aimed to kill, I would have killed her, don't you understand that?" Katniss says, her voice void of any emotion.

"Kill?" Cato repeats.

"Kill," Katniss confirms.

"You mean that wasn't a lucky shot, you know out of adrenaline?" Cato asks.

"It wasn't a lucky shot, I had aimed to graze her cheek and it did," Katniss says.

"Where did you learn to do these things? It's so cool, a little frightening by your level of accuracy, but really awesome and cool," Cato says a little pumped to know how pretty, feminine-looking Katniss could do things like this.

"I don't want to talk about it," Katniss says quietly, walking towards her locker, a quick series of flashbacks flashing before her eyes.

"It's alright, but can you at least tell me what else you kick as at?" Cato inquires, a tad disappointed.

"Bow, fishing, plants, making fires, snares, climbing trees, swimming and spears," Katniss states distractedly, intorducing her locker combination on her lock.

"Wow," Cato says in awe.

"Wow? I don't absolutely terrify you with my skills or what I just did?" Katniss asks, very confused.

"No, on the contrary, I admire your skills, and what happened back there was just something that happens, weall get mad and throw punches or scream or yell, you just ahppen to be a very good knife thrower," Cato tells Katniss.

"That may be only you, I must have terrified your friends," Katniss says sadly, finally realizing that she screwed up ANY possibilities of having friends or finally being normal in a matter of seconds on her first day.

"What? Of course not, I mean everyone was very surprised bout what happened, but they aren't scared of you, or don't want to be your friends anymore. On the contrary, they really like you and they understand. Because if any of us judged you, we would be hypocrites," Cato says.

"Wait, the bell must be ringing like right now, what class do you hae right now? I have music," Katniss asks Cato hurriedly.

"Music," Cato tells Katniss, dragging her down the hall to the music classroom.

"Why would you be hypocrites?" Katniss asks.

"Everyone has a story, a past, something that makes them different, like you. Ifwe judged you, it would be as if we judged each other for our flaws and mistakes," Cato says, taking her hand and walking with her to the back of the classroomto an empty table.

"Really? Like what?" Katniss asks Cato as she sets her things on the floor and sits down.

"All in due time, Kat, everyone will reveal their secrets to you in their own ways and moments," Cato states dramatically, also sitting down.

"Cato being philosophical; Cato the poet, nice ring to it," Katniss teases.

"Oh shush, I am aweome and you know it," Cato smirks.

"Oh, I don't know," Katniss says indifferently, just to tease.

"I'll prove it to you. I'll prove my awesomeness during our date," Cato exclaims, wiggling his eyebrows.

"You're still taking me out on a date?" Katniss asks disbelievingly.

"Hell yeah! I like feisty Katniss, she's hot," Cato poorly tries to imitate Finn's purrs.

"Dude, you have no idea what shit you've just signed up for," Katniss scoffs with a smirk.

"And there's crass Katniss," Cato exclaims, throwing his hands up in the air for a dramatic effect.

"Crass? Nice word choice," Katniss says, with a small smile on her face.

"I'e only known you for like five days and I've already met feisty, sexy, sweet, charming, witty, funny, sarcastic and angry Katniss, and now I have been introduced to boyish, crass Katniss," Cato states proudly.

"Now that you've met some of my multiple sides, how are you still agreeing on taking me out on a date?" Katniss says with a sarcastic smirk.

"Some? Well I'm in for a wild ride am I not? You have just encouraged me to take you out on multiple dates, just to get to know you and your different sides," Cato says quietly now that class has started.

"Get ready to meet dark and twisty Katniss, Cato, because she might just like you enough to let you into a couple of her secrets along the way, as a reward of putting yourself up for the challenge," Katniss tells him, smiling widely.

"Get ready Kat, you're going to have the best date of your life this Friday night," Cato challenges, extending his hand.

"Bring it!" Katniss says with a devilish smirk, takes his hand

And they shake on it.

The first week of school passed without incidents, Johanna was more like Katniss than they would've thought possible and were getting along perfectly. Everyone complimented Katniss on her knife throwing skills and even asked for a lesson and a demonstration of other skills she had to offer.

Cato and Katniss paid attention during class, they shared five out of eight classes together and during recess they would joke around and be a little mushy and romantic.

Finally, Friday had arrived and both Katniss and Cato were beyond excited for seven to arrive.

Monday After School.

Katniss took out her phone and bbm'd Glimmer as soon as she was in her car in the school parking lot.

K- Her Glitter, guess what!

G- WHAT Princess?

K- I met Cato's friends in Homeroom this morning, then stumbled on Cato, sat with him during every class we had together, he met me outside my classroom, took mybag and carried it to my locker because it was heavy. Then we ate lunch with all of his friends (he's really popular and every girl sent glares my way), one of his friends, Johanna messed with that spot, I saw red, threw a knofe at her, grazed her cheek and then had a breakdown. Everyone was super nice to me and Johanna said it was OK, and so everything is now fine. Cato comforted me a bit and we talked and talked. We share five out of eight classes.

G- OMG! That Johanna girl is such a bitch, but since now it's all OK, it's fine, tell me more about it on Friday.

K- About that, I forgot to tell you, Cato asked me out on a date on Friday, so can you please come by my house on Friday to help me geet ready and we have our pajama party on Saturday?

G- OMG! WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL ME CATO ASKED YOU OUT ON A DATE?! This is so exciting, of course I'll go to your place on Friday, I'm goingto make you so hot that he'll need to live in Antartica the rest of his life to cool down. And of course, Pajama Part on Saturday cause then you can tell me all about your ate with Hottie Blond!

Present time

Katniss is in her room, all showered and fresh at five thirty pm, taking her phone from one of her nightstands to call Glimmer, she was suposed to arrive in 5 minutes.

As Katniss is speed dialing her phone, someone knocked on her door. It is Glimmer.

"Hey Princess!"Glimmer squeals, hugging Katniss.

"Hey Glit-" Katniss began.

"No time for pleasentries, greetings, chit chatting or anything of that sort, I've only got an hour and a half to make you look smokin' ," Glimmer says so quickly, that if Katniss hadn't known Glimmer for seven years, she would have never understood the sqeualing blond.

"Alrighty then," Katniss says.

After and hour and twenty minutes of waxing, plucking, curling, lotioning (i know that's not a word but who cares), putting make up on and trying on half her closet, Katniss had to admit that Glimmer was a miracle worker of sorts.

Katniss had texted Cato earlier that evening to ask what kind of place they were going to pick out something to wear and he simply texted back this; Something fancy but not too over the top.

Katniss was kind of lost at this but when she showed Glimmer the text, it was as if she knew EXACTLY what to dress Katniss like. Of course Glimmer would know because she had been asked on a million dates, and this was one of the few times whre Katniss appreciated Glimme's girlyness and knowledge in this kind of thing.

By the time Glimmer was finished, she stated that Katniss looked like a goddess and very Katniss-like.

She leaves just moments before Cato rings the doorbell.

"Kat, a handsome young man is looking for you!" Rose calls from the first floor.

"Coming," Katniss calls back, and with that, she grabs her clutch and decends the stairs.

Just as Katniss reaches the end of the long stairs, she looks at Cato, his back facing her, scanning his sorroundings curiously and Rose just standing off to the side akwardly. He is alerted when Rose gasps and exclaims "You look very pretty Katniss".

Katniss nearly let out a small giggle when she sees that Cato, cocky and very handsome Cato turns around and drops his jaw at the sight.

His icy blue eyes look at Katniss' silver orbs, then his sight descends and he looks at all of Katniss.

"Wow, you look stunning Katniss," Cato gasps.

Katniss blushes and mutters shyly, "Thanks, you look very handsome too".

Katniss is wearing a short red dress that had a tight bodice and a flowy skirt that cut off three inches from her knees, silver high heels, a silver clutch and a small silver necklace with a small red colored diamond dangling. She had her hair styled like Glimmer at her mother's wedding, except for the diamond pin. She had smoky eyes and make up that made her cheekbone look more defined and higher, and a deep red shade of lipstick that complimented her luscious lips.

Katniss is also stunned at her view. Cato has his hair gelled into a perfect state of messy and combed hair with spikier in the front and gradually muted towards the back. He is wearing a jet-black colored suit a white button-up shirt and a black tie and black dress shoes.

"Ahem, are you going to introduce us Katniss?" Rose asks, breaking the stares from both teenagers.

"Oh, right, mom this is Cato, he goes to school with me," Katniss says akwardly.

"Hello Mrs. Crum, I presume?" Cato says politely, extending his hand.

"Yes, hello Cato," Rose says, firmly shaking Cato's hand.

"We should go, I made reservations at 7:30," Cato says, now looking at Katniss once again.

"Yeah, see you later mom," Katniss says.

"I'll bring her back at elen o'clock, sharp Mrs. Crum," Cato says, gently putting his left hand on Katniss' lower back.

"Alright then," Rose says, and with that, they leave the Crum residence.

"Sorry about my mom back there," Katniss apologizes, walking towards Cato's Mercedez (yes, he's filthy rich).

"Don't worry about it," Cato tells her with a stunning smile.

Katniss is about to open the door when Cato's hand reaches out and he opens the door for her and helps her in before walking to the other side of the car and getting in himself.

"What was that all about?" Katniss asks Cato with a small smile.

"Me being a gentleman, andtreating you like lady should be treated," Cato says nonchalantly, pulling out of the driveway and getting on the road to town.

"Sorry, this is my first date," Katniss admits, blushing a little at her naiveness.

"No way!" Cato exclaims.

"Yup,"

"No, that's not possible, you're definitely lying," Cato says, shakin his head disbelievingly.

"Yeah, I'm telling the truth, what makes you think I'm lying?" Katniss laughs.

"Are you kidding?! You're gorgeous!" Cato says, blushing a little.

"Yes, because I have all of this on, I never had any of this before," Katniss tells him.

"So? You are still very beautiful, even without the expensive clothes, shoes, make up and jewelry," Cato exclaims.

Katniss blushes furiously.

"To tellyou the truth, I thought I was going to pass out when I saw you, you looked-look, stunning tonight... Also it may have been that I have only had one girlfriend before and I've only been in like three dates in my entore life," Cato tells Katniss, muttering and blushing a lot by the end of the second sentence.

"Yeah they said you haven't had a girlfriend in three years, I just thought you would have dated in between those three years," Katniss says.

"Nope, only ever been out with the same girl before, Alexis, I mean," Cato explains.

"Oh," Katniss says, not knowing what else to say.

After the drive,of talking about nonesense, Cato and Katniss arive at a fancy restaurant called The Hob where all of the meals are absolutely delicious, according to Cato.

The hostess takes them to a table with a window that looks out to the lake, the place is dimly lit, with slow music playing and very romantic.

Katniss orders a lamb stew with plumbs and some berry drink named Nightlock, while Cato orders some chicken that is covered in a creamy orange sauce and some water, it is all very delicious. During the meal, they talk a little and laugh at things that happened that week and also talk andlaugh about Glimmer's prank on Cato.

Cato gives Katniss small bites of his chicken with his fork and Katniss does the same with her lamb ste served on rice. It is all very romantic and intimate.

They are so full, that they decide to share a dessert, some vanilla ice cream with milk chocolate sauce on top, they also give each other a couple of bites from their spoons and laugh about silly things.

The check comes by and it's 9 already, Katniss is about to pull out some money to pay for her things when Cato notices and pays quickly before she can even utter a word.

"Cato, I can pay for my own meals!" Katniss whines.

"No, I asked you out on a date, it's on me," Cato tells her, laughing at her small pout.

"Bu-" Katniss argues.

"No buts, and by the way you look very cute pouting," Cato adds with a smirk.

Katniss immediately stops pouting and they both burst into laughter.

"Come on, let's go, I want toshow you something," Cato tells her, drawing out her chair and helping her up.

"OK," Katniss says.

The car ride is silent, it is comfortable silence, just enjoying each other's company and being relaxed.

Cato parks about 10 meters away from a cliff. It has an amazing view of the lake, the town, all of District 12.

"Wow," Katniss whispers, astounded by the view.

"Yeah, I discovered this place with my brother Gloss, a few years back.

"Amazing," Katniss whispers.

"Do you know the constelations?" Cato asks Katniss.

"Nope," Katniss shakes her head.

"Let me show you," Cato tells her with a small smile.

He gets out of the car, opens the trunk and grabs a blanket. He opens Katniss' door and spreads the blanket on the car and helps her up.

They lay down next to each other and look at the million stars that decided to come out that night, Katniss laughing, or nodding as Cato explains the constelations to her.

Cato suddenly becomes quiet and Katniss turns her head to look at him.

'He's so handsome, smart, funny and amazing'. Katniss thinks.

Cato also turns his head to look at Katniss.

Their fingers in between are grazing each other, delicately, sending electric shocks through them both as they grazed. Cato removes his hand and turns aroud so he's facing Katniss, propped on his elbow, the same arm that had been near Katniss' hand.

'Cato, look at her, she's funny,sweet, kind, and beautiful, don't mess this up man'. Cato thinks to himself.

Cato inches closer and Katniss does the same, with his free hand, his left hand, he gently cups her cheek and leans in. Katniss leans in too, and slowly they lean closer and closer, until their eye lashes are brushing each other and Cato closes the small gap between their lips.

Fire, it is all that they feel. Katniss' and Cato's lips mold perfectly. She unconciously wraps her arms around his neck and Cato removes his hand from her cheek and grabs hold of her waist, pulling her flush against him. The kiss ges more passionate and instinctively, Cato brushes his tounge on Katniss' lower lip. She gasps and does the same to him. Taking it as an invitation, he slowly puts his tounge in Katniss' mouth and they battle for dominance, but obviously, Cato wins the battle.

They can't breathe so the pull apart, panting, Cato takes the opportunity to peck Katniss' neck. She sighs and when Cato is nipping and sucking on her pulse point, a soft moan escapes Katniss' plump, swollen lips. This gets Cato's attention and before he can do anything more, Katniss uses her hands to push his face up and then he captures her lips in another mind blowing kiss.

Katniss moves and Cato is now on top of her, most of his weight on his right arm, they kiss and their tounge's dance together. Cato releases Katniss' hair from its bun and he threads his fingers into it. Katniss hands pull at his hair, they thread and pull, like a rythmic massage. After what seems like an eternity, they break appart.

"That...uh...wow," Cato says, gasping for breath.

"I peronally think that this was probably the most mind blowing kiss ever," Katniss pants, her chest heaving, trying to get oxygen in her lungs after that hot make out session left her breathless.

"Agreed,"

"Thanks for the date, I really enjoyed it," Katniss tells him.

"My pleasure, want to go out again?" Cato asks, staring into her silver eyes.

"Of course I want to go out with you again," Katniss exlcaims.

"Good, because I want to kiss you every minute of every day," Cato says.

"Me too," Katniss says, her eyes fleeting to sneak a glance of his lips.

He leans in again and weetlyplaces chaste kisses on her lips.

"So next saturday, movie at my place?" Cato asks.

"Perfect,"

They get off the car and Cato puts the blanket away after helping Katniss into the car. He notices hershivering and place his coat around her shoulders, she gives him a smile as a thank you. And he drives way from the cliff to Katniss' house.

When they get there, it's nearly eleven and Katniss' mother is waiting by the door.

"Thanks again for the date and the coat," Katniss says with a smile and gives him his coat back.

"No prolem, see you," Cato says with a grin.

"See you," Katniss says, getting out of the car.

Before she gets out, he gets out in a flash and opens the door for her. As she's about to say thank you, he pulls her close, by the waist and kisses her goodnight.

She blushes and smiles, he smiles and gets in the car.

"Call you later!" He calls out through the open window.

Rose looks at Katniss' messy hair and swollen lips, as well and Cato's ruffled hair and swollen lips, not to mention the state of their clothes are a bit wrinkled. She sees the sparkle in Katniss' eyes and the complete and utter happiness and joy in Cato's. She gives him a pointd look and a knowing smile that says, 'I know what you guys did' and he blushes and drive away.

AN: I will not be able to update until most likely, next weekend, I had a lot of free time since it was thanksgiving but then there's school so until next weekendmy fellow readers!

Phew, man that was a looong chapter, over 3,600 words! Here's the romance you've all been waiting for, and this is the first time I've ever written something like this, some pointers anyone? I'll need them since this story is rated M for the sweet goodness we all like ;). Those of you who know about writing lemons and smut, PM me so I can be better in the future. REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW! It will make me, Katniss, Cato and the crew happy.

As always,

Lots of Love,

Katoloveforever

Disclaimer: The Hunger Games do not belong to me, they belong to Suzanne Collins (dammit!)