A/N: We're at the Quarter Quell! Just a heads up, I'm going to summarize a few things in the Quell. I'm normally writing away from home and do not have my books with me. So just roll with it because you are about to read something with a whole other spin. Will be switching to Peeta's POV so you see other aspects of the Games.

Remember, this is Katniss POV, looking back, on the defining moments in her life. Some things she does find out after the fact. Enjoy!

Chapter 13

It's the day before the Quarter Quell. I've gone to spend the morning with Mother and Prim. I haven't heard from Gale since he left the wedding gift on my doorstep. It's hard to believe that nearly half a year has passed since I married Peeta and began what I thought was a new life. I probably should have sought out Gale, to at least thank him for the gift, but figured that giving him the space he needed would be a good thing. Unbeknownst to me at the time, Peeta and Haymitch have been slowly planning strategy for these games. I find out later, what transpired between them.

Peeta POV

Haymitch and I sit down at his table and he looks at me for a moment. Although it's been some time now, it's odd seeing him fully sober, especially with us leaving for the Quell tomorrow. He wants to talk strategy and mentoring technique, since I've never done it before. Haymitch takes a breath, leads me to the bathroom and turns all the water on. He leans into my ear and he says the one thing that I never expect. "This Quarter Quell is the catalyst for a Revolution. District Thirteen is alive, well and very powerful. Many Victors are aiding them, to stop these Hunger Games, and make the lives of the Districts better. I won't know the final plan until I'm in the arena, but when it happens, the world is going to blow, so to speak. You will be trapped in the Capitol and they will come after you. You are the spark that started all of this onto road of fruition."

I look at Haymitch, eyes wide and say the first thing that comes to it "What about Katniss?" Haymitch continues "Katniss IS the Rebellion Peeta. You lit the flame and she's it. She's the face of all that Panem holds to. Her strength, her beauty, her youth, her courage to fight for you and her absolute pure love for you- it's what every citizen in Panem is holding out hope for. When that gong strikes, two things are going to happen, friends will become enemies, except for the alliance I have put together, and the Districts are going to rally behind their Victors. During your Victory Tour, after they met you and we were able to discuss it, all swore an oath to protect Katniss and get her out of the Arena. Now I have a very important question for you Peeta. I need you to think hard. If you had to pick ONE person in all of District Twelve, who would protect Katniss and fight to the death for his people, whom would you pick?"

I don't even have to think before I say his name "Gale". Haymitch sighs in relief.

He continues, "Have you ever wondered why Gale hasn't been around since the wedding gift? Sure he was nursing a broken heart but isn't it odd? I saw Gale that night, remember? Had myself a nice conversation and walk with him. Then I sent him with a message to District Thirteen and he's been training there ever since. Eager to aid the Rebellion in any way. He's actually a very good soldier and has moved up the ranks rather quickly. Gale has been entrusted by District Thirteen to get you out of the Capitol when the arena falls. I'm telling you this because I need you to trust him and do whatever he says. Above all else, trust Gale Peeta."

My mind is spinning. I have to put my jealous feelings aside at once and focus on the more important part of this trio, Katniss. "Not matter what, Katniss will be safe? She'll make it out?" "Yes" Haymitch says. "We are all Victor's Peeta. Our alliance has sworn an oath. We are with District Three, Four, and Seven. The others just simply don't know about the rebellion. Some of us are closer than others. It happens. I'm not saying the other Districts are not there to win, they are. But our alliance will be just trying to survive until the right moment, until we can get out of there, with Katniss intact. Gale's mission is to have eyes on you at all times and to aid in your escape when the time comes. He will be alone, but he will be your only ally, other than Cinna and Portia. And they will be limited to you because they are Prep Team for Victors. You are a Mentor now."

I keep processing. This bathroom is frigging hot with the two of us in here, all the running water, all the information spilled and Haymitch so close, for fear of being overheard by some kind of device. I nod my head. "Just get her out Haymitch. I will trust Gale, and I will take care of myself. You have my word." Haymitch gives me an unexpected hug and we exit the bathroom. He stops "Oh and Peeta, Katniss can't know any of this. I'm sorry but you need to take it to your grave."

Haymitch and I return to the table and work out the final small details about the Quell and our plan to keep him by Katniss's side the entire time. There's not much else we can plan ahead because the killing will be random. It's all about getting away from the Cornucopia and surviving the remaining Victors. Haymitch gives me instruction on how to gather sponsors, when to send gifts and how to be strong if Katniss asks me for something, and I am unable to send it. Everything has to be timed perfectly. Above all, I am not to confess that Katniss and I are married and I need to keep my emotions in check. I knew I should have volunteered for Haymitch. It's going to be brutal watching her on the screen, not knowing what could happen.

The day has passed on and Haymitch returns to his house. It's a time for reflection and coping. The next weeks will bring unrest and war to the country. And in the center of it all, will be my beautiful wife. The thought of not being by her side, sickens me. I barely make it to the bathroom before I hurl into the toilet. Katniss finds me when I'm washing my mouth out. She immediately puts her hand to my forehead and starts checking me for illness. I scoop her hands into mine and place them at my lips, kissing each one of them. I'm just trying to memorize her face, remember everything about her. Set us both at ease. This will be the first time since we married, that we won't be together. I think my lungs go on strike just at the thought.

I just can't be without her. I don't know how I'm ever going to be strong enough to do my part and get us all through this living nightmare. I tremble with fear. Fear of losing her. The world could fall down around us and I would still be okay if Katniss was by my side. I take her into my arms and kiss her. I move away from her lips, smell her hair, pull it out of her signature braid to feel it all through my fingers. I feel better already. This is where we belong, in moments like these. This is where we are safe and sound. I trail kisses down her neck to her collar bone and run my hand up under her shirt to her bra. I have it unclasped in a second and her breast is free in my hand. I tug my shirt over my head with my other hand and press up against her. She's already moaning in my ear, nibbling on my earlobe. I love it when she does that. I can just never get enough of her. Ever. And true to her marriage vow, she has made love to me at least twice a day. She has never refused me.

I gather her up and place her on the bed and take my pants off. She removes hers even quicker than I have mine off. I take in the beauty of her. She's like a goddess. I just can't believe that I got so lucky. I've been so in love with her, enamored with her, for so long that it's like I have no memories of my life prior to seeing Katniss for the first time. And seeing her now, in all of her naked glory, just makes me even more turned on than I was before. I position myself on top of her. The near proximity of her sends electricity through my body. I pull my manhood into my hand and just rub it against her opening. Katniss gasps and jerks upwards. She is so wet. My god I could come right then. It's one thing to know that I'm so obviously attracted to her and easily turned on by her. She could walk by me and I'd have an instant boner. Sex is always on my brain somewhere. But for Katniss, she can function without sexual thought. So I am always flattered, silently pleased and altogether amazed when I discover just how wet she is. It's just for me. I do this to her, solicit this reaction from her. She's responding to her feelings for me, to my body, my attractiveness to her. I would be lying if I said it didn't boost my ego.

Of course it did. It's empowering.

I just can't control myself any more and slip myself into her. We both gasp and sigh at the same time. This is where we both belong. Nobody can ever take these private moments away from us. I feel her arch her back to receive me as I thrust into her. She wraps her legs around my backside and pulls me down to her. Rubbing my back, my face, my arms. She grabs my left butt cheek in her hand and pulls me closer to her. I swear I just want to consume her. She's kissing me everywhere she can reach, sucking on my nipples, biting them and then licking them over, moaning my name. I pull her closer to me and put my hands under her back until they reach her shoulders. Then I use them to pull her even closer and tighter into me. She likes this and opens her legs just slightly wider. All the activity makes me hit that special spot. We both go wild. I could die right now and be the happiest man in the world. The feeling is so engrossing for the two of us. She comes so many times when I hit this spot. I lose count. She's so tight and I can feel her orgasm in these moments. It makes me so frigging horny to the point that I reach my own climax. I spend myself inside of her and don't move.

We both stare at each other, kissing each others faces. Neither of us move. We both still feel amazing. I don't want to be apart from her. I want to even sleep inside of her. I wish tomorrow would never come. Katniss breaks the silence. Breathlessly she admits "that was definitely one of my top ten favorite moments." I smile and reply "Top ten? It's pretty high on my list. What's your number one?" She blushes and speaks "All ten are memories of you, with you Peeta. But my first one is the most significant to me. The morning after you gave me the bread, I saw you standing in the school yard. I caught your gorgeous, exotic blue eyes and I had this epiphany if you will. It was like a small flash of warmth through my skinny bones and I got lost in my imagination for a split second. I saw us kissing, running through the meadow, our children with us, a boy and a girl. I saw us holding hands, foreheads pressed together with an orange sunset behind us. As quick as the moment came, it was gone. When I looked down from your eyes, I saw the first dandelion of Spring and it gave me hope. You gave me hope Peeta. From the moment you gave me the bread, to the daydream, to the dandelion. You have always represented "hope" to me. And I have hope that we will make it through this Quell and be together forever."

I stare into her eyes and know she means ever single beautiful word. I'm instantly hard again.