Kingdom Come

A/N: Yea baby! Two chapters in one week! I feel accomplished. :) Well, I'm pretty sure this is my longest chapter yet. Originally this was going to be a chapter that lead right to the climax to the story. But then I thought, what's the fun in that? Pie, if you love your readers you'll keep them waiting a few updates until that happens. One thing does come out in this story, it's kinda hidden, but it's awful important to future parts of the story so make sure you look closely! So enjoy the chapter, guys.

Disclaimer: I do not own the Hunger Games.

Marvel: But I own Katniss! MUHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

Me: Shut the hell up, Marvel. No you don't. And neither to I.


Katniss Everdeen walked along the road, a seemingly endless road that stretched for miles upon miles. She didn't know what she was doing. It was almost like her mind wasn't even letting her think about where she was going. It could have been seconds, years, but soon she realized she was in the meadow.

Her and Peeta's meadow.

It appeared to be the same as it had been several days ago. Beautiful and peaceful. But there was something not right. Something about the scene was just... wrong. There was no breeze and the air was almost suffocating, waiting in anticipation for something unknown.

Katniss didn't get much time to think. The knife on her throat was there before she could even react. Her hands were forced behind her back, and even though she couldn't see her attacker, she had a good idea.

"Hello, sweetheart," a gravely voice growled in her ear. She struggled, but he held her firm, making it hard for her to go anywhere.

"Don't struggle. It will only make it worse." her attacker turned them around to face a different direction. They weren't alone in the meadow. There were two others. In the same position as she was in. Now she was struggling even more.

"Let him go!" she cried, tossing her shoulders, trying to throw him off. "He has nothing to do with this! Let him go!" tears pricked her eyes as she continued to fight against him with no luck.

"He has everything to do with it. Don't you see, Katniss?" the words confused her. "He's gotten in the way. With him still alive, this... plan just can't work, I'm afraid."

She looked into Peeta's terrified blue eyes from across the meadow. "No," she whispered.

He chuckled. "So you understand, then."

"No," she cried louder. "No! Don't do this, please!" her tears now flowed clearly and steadily, and she tried so desperately to get to him, to get to Peeta, ignoring the knife at her throat.

"So pretty, you are. Really, I wonder why you'd choose him. Hmm. I guess we'll have to eliminate any other choices."

She screamed as the other man pulls the knife violently across his neck and he fell.

The arms binding her released and she sprinted, full speed at the fallen boy. She dropped down, tearing off a piece of her shirt to stop the bleeding from his neck. But Peeta struggled, trying to get the girl away from him.

"Don't. Touch. Me," he gurgled, blood flowing from his cut. He batted her away with his hand, and she desperately tried to help him. His eyes glared at her, with hatred in his eyes. A silent message:

'I blame you.' The last thing that flickered in his blue eyes was that blame as his chest heaved one last time and he went still. Katniss screamed, trying desperately to revive him, but to no use. Finally, with choking sobs, she looked up at Peeta's killer. When she got a look at his face, she was shocked.

"You?" she hissed, her hands still on Peeta's chest. "If you were here, who was..." she turned, finally facing her attacker. In a moment, she recognized him.

"Oh my god," she whispered. Then everything went black.

Katniss heaved awake, a scream at her lips as her chest moved up and down from her heavy breathing. She looked around her and her sister's room, gripping the sheets. Prim was still sleeping, having mastered the art of sleeping through Katniss nightmares long ago.

Suddenly realization hit her like a tidal wave. "Peeta," she whispered. Scrambling to get the covers off, she fell to the floor with a thud. "Peeta!" she screamed this time, louder. Prim rolled over, grunting.

Katniss crawled towards the door, trying to shake the covers off, screaming Peeta's name again. When she finally managed to get free, she stood and flung the door open, sprinting out into the apartment.

With a thud, she banged into someone, causing both of them to fall to the floor. Katniss brushed the hair back from her face to see the other person. He was rubbing his head, wincing in pain at where their heads had collided.

Peeta.

"Peeta!" she cried, flinging herself at him, causing her to end up on top of him. He looked up at her, dazed and confused as she started to blubber like a toddler.

"They took you, I thought you were gone..." tears flowed freely, and she gripped Peeta's shoulders in a death grip. "They just took you! Right from me!" she collapsed onto his chest, soaking him in tears.

Peeta gently pushed both of them up, placing both arms around the crying girl, concern on his face. "Katniss," he said, in a comforting tone. "I'm right here, I'm not going anywhere, I swear. What's going on? What's wrong?"

She pushed herself far enough away to be able to look in his eyes. "Nightmare," she whispered, looking just a bit ashamed. "It's stupid, I know. I'm sorry."

Peeta wiped the tears from her face, smiling softly. "Oh no, sweetheart," he said. "It's not stupid. It's not your fault you have nightmares. I was just really scared, because I heard you screaming. That was why I was in here. I was running to find you." he brought her in and placed a kiss on the top of her head, wrapping his arms once more around her.

They sat there on the kitchen floor like that, her sniffling and him just rocking them back and forth. But something was bugging Katniss, that Peeta knew, but he didn't press her. He knew she would tell him, in due time.

And that was quickly. "Peeta," Katniss whispered. He stroked her hair absentmindedly.

"Hmm?"

She gulped, shuddering as she remembered the content of her dream. Hesitating for a moment, Peeta pulled back once more to look at her.

"Baby, if you don't want to tell me right now you don't have to. If you aren't comfortable you don't have to feel obligated or pressured to tell me." Katniss looked at him. She shook her head slowly.

"No, I have to tell you," she said the words slowly, contemplating her confession. "It wasn't a normal nightmare. It was them, Peeta. Them."

Peeta stayed silent, but the fury in his eyes showed the realization of what she meant. He hadn't wanted to talk more about this so soon, no matter how selfish it sounded. He couldn't stand to see her so broken. What right did they have, doing this to her? He resisted the urge to growl. He just stroked her hair, staring into her eyes.

"But it wasn't him," she continued, furrowing her brow. "I mean, he was there, but he wasn't the one who was threatening me. He was the one who killed you, and that was horrible, but he wasn't the ringleader. Someone else was. I saw his face... but I can't remember," she confessed.

"Whoever is was, they can't hurt you anymore. As long as I'm alive, I will use my last breath to make sure nothing will ever hurt you," he whispered softly into his ear, and Katniss hated the amount of truth in his eyes. It made her feel a twinge guilty.

"Oh no, Peeta," she said back, blinking. "You can't use your life to save mine. Who would help me through it?" she placed her hands firmly around his neck, eyes boring into him. He sighed, running his hands up and down her sides, slowly.

"It's just figurative, baby," he replied, leaning into her. "I will always be here." Katniss shivered as he spoke the words into her ear. He pulled back slowly, but she didn't give him much time before she crashed her lips to his, passionately telling him just how much it all meant to her.

Especially him.

However surprised he was at the sudden act, Peeta kissed her back with fervor and love. They moved in sync, like a well-choreographed dance or fireworks, bursting in the air. The kiss was deep and meaningful, but eventually Katniss had to pull back to give herself some air. She smiled shyly at Peeta, who just shot her back a big grin as they just looked at each other.

Finally, Peeta said: "Well, Katniss. I'm sorry to say but it's two A.M. I think we need to sleep a little, don'tcha think? Besides, I have work tommorrow." Katniss stared at him, and realized it was true. Sighing, she hauled herself to her feet and Peeta did as well. They looked at each other, unsure of what to say.

The blonde made the first move, as usual. "Good night, Katniss. Sleep tight." he put his hands on both sides of her face and kissed her forehead, and then brought her in for a hug.

"Good night," Katniss whispered when he was gone. She slowly retreated to her room, honestly terrified to be going back so soon. She caught one last glance of Peeta before she shut her door, and looked back at her sister. Fortunately, still sleeping.

Katniss crawled back into bed, feeling a sense of fear once again. For what seemed like hours, but was only 30 minutes, she tossed and turned, frustrated at the lack of sleep. Finally, she just sighed and went to her backup plan. To drink coffee and wait for morning.

When she got the coffee maker going, she leaned back against the counter and sighed. She hated how this overtook her life. How it was so bad she often couldn't sleep. This wasn't fair, and it wasn't right. Katniss rubbed her face with both hands, and when she put her hand back on the counter, she bumped a chair that had been sitting on the end and she held her breath as it clattered to the floor.

She rushed to silently pick it up, hoping and praying she hadn't awoken Peeta or Prim. The coffee maker beeped just as a sleepy former stumbled out of his room, rubbing his eyes. Katniss dropped to the floor, hoping he couldn't see her. Peeta wasn't that dumb.

"Katniss," he yawned, looking around. "Was that you?"

Slowly Katniss rose from behind the counter, a guilty look on her face. Peeta already knew, he didn't need an answer.

"Katniss, what are you doing up?" he sighed walking over to the other side of the counter and facing her. It was then she noticed he was shirtless. She forced her eyes to look up at his face but what she had seen wasn't a disappointment. Her face glowed red, and Peeta just took it as embarrasment she had been caught.

"I-I-I... I couldn't sleep. Again," she confessed, and he frowned.

"How often do you do this? Stay up all night?" he asked her, concern in his voice. She shrugged.

"Maybe four times a week. Max is five." she confessed, and his eyes widened.

"That's not healthy! How do you even function at all?" he cried.

She pointed to the coffee maker. "And energy drinks and stuff. Really Peeta, it's not that big of a deal."

He moved around to counter to face her. "Sleep is a huge deal," he said solemnly. He grabbed her hand, and gently started to pull her away from it.

"Where are we going?" she asked, and he looked back at her.

"Sleep," was all he replied. Katniss sighed.

"Peeta, this isn't going to work. I told you, if it didn't work once it won't work the second time, so don't even-"

They weren't in her room. They were in Peeta's. She was surprised, she had assumed that he was just going to dump her back in her room for the night, and this wasn't what she expected. She looked around the room. She hadn't been in here that much, and it was totally different now.

The room was filled with notebooks and sketchbooks, and there was even an easel in the corner. She didn't get time to look at any before Peeta led her to the bed and they both sat down.

"You sleep here," he said, giving her a smile. "That way I'll be here when- if, you wake up again. No coffee for you tonight," he sounded teasing, and Katniss couldn't help but smile. She nodded and pushed back the foreign covers and slid beneath them. She breathed in. She felt comforted when it smelled like Peeta. She laid her head down, and waited for Peeta to join her. When he didn't, she lifted her head off the pillow.

"Peeta?" she hissed into the darkness. There was a rustle, and his head popped up from the other side of the bed.

"Yea?" he replied.

She looked at him strange. Was he sleeping... on the floor?

"Why are you on the floor?" she asked him, raising her eyebrows. He looked confused.

"What do you mean?" he cocked his head to the right and she sighed.

"Get your ass up here, Peeta. You are not sleeping on the floor. Don't be so... chivalrous."

He chuckled. " Chivalrous? I'm not! I'm just respecting your boundries. If you don't want me up there, you don't have to just let me. If you aren't comfortable with me up there, I can just-" Katniss cut him off, almost glaring at him.

"Why would you think that? I think I'd prefer you up here. Now get up here before I have to lift you myself." he stared at her for a few moments, looking a bit conflicted, and then slowly lifted himself up next to her. She finally gave him a big smile as he settled in. Before he could turn over, she snuggled in next to him, placing her head on his chest. She had to admit, he smelled better than the pillow. She stretched one arm across his bare chest and one arm curled up behind her head. His arms curled around her, and she settled in as one of his hands played absentlmindedly with her hair. She took a deep breath and let it out, content in the moment. But just as she was starting to drift, she heard it.

Peeta was humming. A very familiar tune.

She propped her head up, staring at Peeta. He looked down at her, sheepishly.

"What was that?" she whispered, before he could apoligize. "What song was that?"

He shrugged. "Just a lullaby my mom used to sing to me when I was little. It doesn't really mean anything... it just helps me sleep sometimes. Thought maybe it would help you, as well."

She furrowed her brow. "Your mother sang you a lullaby?" she asked, a bit shocked at that relavation. His mother, the witch? She had gotten the message that Peeta's mother had hated him, as sad as it was. So what was this about a lullaby?

"I think when I was little she was still deciding if she loved me or not. So she was kind of like a mother. But still, it's all I have." he sounded sad, and Katniss leaned up and pressed her lips to his cheek.

"It's alright, Peeta," she whispered. "It's ok." he nodded slowly, if thinking. Then they both went back to their positions. Without looking at him, Katniss asked:

"What song were you humming, Peeta?" she said softly, and he sighed.

"Something about a kingdom, maybe? I only have the tune. I lost the words a long time ago," he says bitterly. "I wish I remembered, though. It's all I have left of my family."

She didn't stop to apoligize or anything. "Hum it," she ordered. He stared at her, a bit confused. "Hum the song, Peeta," she ordered once more, and she immediately recognized the tune. Her lullaby.

Her father's lullaby.

"Run, run, run away,
Buy yourself another day,"

She started, and Peeta looked shocked as soon as he recognized the words.

"A cold wind's whispering secrets in your ear
So low only you can hear
Run, run, run and hide
Somewhere no one else can find
Tall trees bend and lean pointing where to go
Where you will still be all alone"

That was when Peeta joined in. Actually not off-key like Katniss expected, he was actually decent. But she smiled to herself when she realized this was something else that connected them.

"Don't you fret, my dear
It'll all be over soon
I'll be waiting here for you.
Run fast as you can
No one has to understand
Fly high across the sky from here to kingdom come
Fall back down to where you're from
Don't you fret, my dear
It'll all be over soon
I'll be waiting here for you
For you, for you
Don't you fret, my dear
(Don't you fret, my dear)
It'll all be over soon
(It'll all be over soon)
I'll be waiting here
Don't you fret, my dear
It'll be over soon
I'll be waiting here for you
For you, For you

Run, Run, Run Away"

They finished softly, and Peeta pulled Katniss up to press his lips against her in a soft, gentle kiss and Katniss felt butterflies. When they broke apart, she leaned forward so their noses were touching.

"That was my lullaby," she confessed softly. "My dad's lullaby." he smiled at her.

"Thank you," he whispered, and after she leaned back down onto his chest, he kissed the top of her head.

It was several minutes before Katniss spoke. She was about to fall asleep, then remembered where she was. A slightly panicky feeling was overwhelming, and she whispered softly,

"Stay with me, Peeta?" she meant for just that night, but he had an answer that already made her feel better.

"Always," he replied, tightening his grip around her. That was when she dozed off. But not before she heard Peeta speak several words.

But she didn't hear them.


Love? Hate? Eh? Tell me in a review!

I'm not sure what I'm doing next. It could be a filler with an important message, or it could be a filler with a cliffhanger at the end. Eh, we'll see. I have plenty of time to write due to the fact I'll be driving all weekend, so who knows. :) Well, I luvs all ya'll, and I hope you enjoyed! Toodles!

~Pie