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The characters of The Hunger Games Trilogy do not belong to me.

Tides

Chapter Twenty: Peeta

Slowly, Peeta awoke.

For a moment, he was confused by his surroundings until his eyes adjusted and he saw the Manhattan skyline in front of him.

What he also found was that Katniss' side of the bed was empty. His girlfriend was standing at the window; a dark silk robe wrapped around her slender body as she stared out. He could tell that she was deep in thought by the stillness of her stature.

Sitting up, Peeta went to her, wrapping his arms around her waist.

Katniss turned to him, a tired smile on her bare face. "Morning."

"Good morning," he replied and kissed her. Peeta could see the dark circles under her slate eyes. "Did you get any sleep?"

"I had a dream," she told him simply before turning to look out once more.

Peeta tightened his hold on her protectively. "A bad one?"

Her hand reached out to slight Peeta's rough cheek before her lips went to his. "No."

Her expression was mysterious and his curiosity was piqued. "Do you want to tell me about it?" She turned to him, her smile soft, and shook her head. "Is there any way for me to get it out of you?"

His hands went to unravel the ties on her robe and it opened easily revealing rich olive skin. He was aching to touch her and almost shakily he placed his hands along her waist. Katniss sucked in a breath at the contact.

"Do you really think that you can get me to tell you my secrets?" she teased quietly. Shrugging off her robe, it fell to the ground leaving her naked in front of him. The sun from the window hit her skin, making it glow, and immediately he felt himself hardened at the sight.

Katniss was radiant.

And every day, Peeta couldn't believe that he was waking up to her.

"Peeta?" His eyes met her concerned ones. "You've been staring at me for a full minute—are you alright?"

"I'm more than alright." Peeta reached to cup her face. "It's just sometimes I can't believe that you're standing in front of me—that I'm waking up to you."

Katniss chuckled and shook her head. "You're still not getting anything out of me."

Quickly, Peeta scooped her up and she screamed, her arms reaching around his neck to hold on. Walking over to the bed, he laid her down gently.

Peeta removed his boxers. "Just because I can't get anything out of you—doesn't mean that I can't try."

Central Park, Manhattan

"Prim, tilt your head down just a bit," Portia instructed as she held the camera to her face.

While she wasn't a professional, Portia's degree had been in Fashion Photography. Also, Peeta's sister was comfortable with the woman so Katniss felt that it was best for Portia to continue as Prim's sole photographer.

"Prim looks beautiful," Katniss said as they walked towards the two on the photo set. "And, she's a real trooper for wearing a coat in this heat."

Prim was wearing a fitted navy peacoat along with a black A-line skirt and cranberry stockings. Heeled ankle boots and light pretty make-up on her young face completed the look.

According to Katniss, the whole concept was simple, comfortable chic. Prim had a lot of say in the designing as part of her duties. The response had been good for 'Whimsy in the City'—this particular line being affordable for teenage girls while still being trendy, thanks to Prim's input.

"She can handle it," Peeta assured his girlfriend; their hands clasped together as they got past the barrier.

Johanna was standing aside from Portia and Prim. She turned and gave a smile when she heard Katniss' boots clicking towards her.

"Morning, lovebirds," she greeted. "Did you have a good rest?"

Katniss blushed but nodded. "It was…enlightening."

Johanna met Peeta's eyes and winked. "Enlightening, huh? Teach her something new?"

"She's teaching me," he retorted with a grin.

For example: that morning, Katniss had taught him that morning sex with her in control was by far the best way to start a day.

"PEETA!" His sister rushed towards him and hugged him. Pulling him away, she did a little twirl. "What do you think?"

"Beautiful," he replied. "You look so grown up."

"I'm dying for some ice cream," Prim told him with a pout.

And, his grown-up theory was thrown out in the breeze.

"Well, we started pretty early," Portia said as she joined them. "So, we'll be finished in an hour."

"Katniss—" They found Cinna rushing towards them from the small trailer parked at the end of the set, a black outfit in his hands. "We have a problem."

His girlfriend's brows furrowed. "What?"

"The black jumpsuit," he replied. "I'm not sure if I'm feeling the plunging neckline on Prim."

"I'll take a look." Katniss went to the table next to them and began rummaging through the pile of accessories.

Peeta looked over at Prim and Johanna. "I wanted to talk to you both about something."

Prim met his eyes. "Sounds serious."

"Is this a 'put a ring on it' kind of serious?" Johanna asked.

He nodded almost imperceptibly and Prim clapped her hands over her mouth in excitement.

Johanna turned to Cinna and Katniss. "Well, she's busy right now. Here's our chance—WE'RE GOING TO GET PRIM SOME ICE CREAM!"

Quickly, they walked away from the set. Johanna and Prim stood on each side of him; their arms linked with his as they dragged him away.

He was almost regretting talking to them about this.

However, it had been on his mind for months; ever since Helena's birthday and their conversation about soul mates. He had never believed in theory. But, looking at Katniss that night as they discussed tree roots and dandelions; Peeta had suddenly realized that he didn't want to wait anymore.

He wanted Katniss to be his forever.

"I think there is an ice cream cart around here," Johanna offered as they made a turn. She looked at him almost anxiously. "So, how long have you been thinking about this?"

"Since Helena," he replied. "Maybe longer—maybe since I saw her sitting with Prim on her house porch." Peeta turned to his sister. "What do you think?"

"I think that we're ready," Prim told him, her blue eyes serious. "Katniss is pretty much my sister—and now I can't remember a time when she wasn't part of our lives." She put her head on his shoulder. "And…you've loved her since you were fourteen—I think you've waited long enough."

Then, Peeta turned to Johanna. "You're quiet."

"I guess I'm just scared for her," Johanna said. "It's nothing against you. Just Katniss being married—it brings back a lot of memories—of her first marriage. Back then, I was always afraid of getting a phone call that something had happened to her when she was married to Cato."

He looked at Johanna, concern in his eyes. "Was it that bad?"

They sat down at an empty bench and Johanna nodded—her eyes faraway.

"There was a point when it was. Cato was out a lot—with other women—and she was alone. When he was there, Cato was cruel to her. I heard them once during an argument. He would call her names, tell her how replaceable she was, and how cold she was; that no one really cared for her. Sometimes, I think she really believed him."

Johanna looked at Prim and Peeta, her eyes shining.

"But, Katniss is so quiet and brave. Back then, I never knew what was going on in her head or how she was handling it." Johanna took a deep breath. "After Helena, I wondered if one day I'd get a call telling me that she decided to take a dive onto the concrete or something."

"I understand that you're worried about her," Peeta said. "And maybe you won't believe that everything will be okay until five…ten…or fifteen years into our marriage. I still want to take the chance. I hope that you'll support her—whether she says yes or no."

After a moment, Johanna nodded and gave him a shaky smile. "I'm going to try, I really am." She took a deep breath before looking over at Prim. "Why don't you grab that ice cream?" Johanna nodded her head at the cart standing a few feet away.

Prim got up, squeezing Peeta's shoulder before making her way to the cart.

Johanna watched his sister walk over. "Do you know when you're going to ask?"

Peeta shook his head. "I just think that it's best to be prepared."

They went silent.

Peeta knew, in some way, that Johanna would be resistant. She had been there for Katniss in her darkest moments and would always worry that Katniss might find herself back in that place.

"She doesn't like diamonds."

Peeta turned to Johanna, hearing her sudden words.

"So, I would look into the other precious gems when you make your decision about her ring. She would look good in just about any ring finish—but, I think white gold would be best. Something vintage, one-of-a-kind would be nice—maybe with a story."

Peeta chuckled. "A story?"

"Tell her that the ring belonged to an empress or that whoever wears it will always be lucky—something like that," Johanna continued with a small smile. "You can always send me a picture if you see something."

Peeta sat back and smiled at her. "Or, you can be there when I find the perfect ring."

"I'd like that."

"You know that when I marry her, Katniss will have me and Prim when there are dark days," he told her. "And, so will you."

Johanna went silent. After a moment, she sucked in a choked breath and nodded. "Thanks."

Midtown, Manhattan

"What took you three so long this afternoon?" Katniss asked curiously.

Peeta helped her out of the Sedan that they were using for the evening. His girlfriend's dress was ruby colored, sleeveless, and with an abundant skirt. It took himself, Cinna, and Johanna to help her into the car.

They were at another event of Cor's for the foundation. Peeta had found his niche with the charitable crowd; it always helped for them to see a younger face to assure them that the contribution was in good hands. The charities that they were working with were ones that both he and Beetee felt passionate about.

This party was a thank you for the donors' support as well as a way for Cor to see that his foundation was in good hands.

"Prim had more than one ice cream," he replied as they finally closed the door to the car. "We didn't want to have a mess on her clothes; so we had her sit down in case." Katniss nodded in acceptance of his reason. "You did a great job with the jumpsuit—the fur in front of the opening was perfect."

"And, it kept Prim from showing her lady parts," Katniss teased. "I know how you feel about that."

"It's bad enough that I have Rory coming around the house," he grumbled. "But, those skateboarders wolf-whistling at my sister…"

She laughed. "You didn't need to try to chase them!"

''I would've caught them," Peeta argued. "Stupid skateboards."

Katniss turned to him and wrapped her arms around his neck. "Oh, sweetheart—I'm sure that you would have." She tilted her head towards him closely and Peeta ached to taste her lips. She smiled at him teasingly. "You are such a protective man."

"I know Prim doesn't need it, nor do you, but I just can't deal sometimes," Peeta told her. "I can get protective over my family—because you two are the only family that I have."

She looked at him warmly. "One day, we won't be."

Peeta stared at her suddenly glowing eyes and bright cheeks. "What do you mean?"

"KATNISS! PEETA!"

They turned to see Beetee rushing towards them.

"You two look great!" The man kissed Katniss' cheek and shook Peeta's hand. "Everyone is already inside."

"We ran a little late with Prim's shoot," Katniss explained apologetically. "I had to add something onto an outfit. So, we're fashionably late."

Beetee led them into the lobby of the building. "Or, you're just late for fashion's sake."

They all walked further inside and Peeta looked up at the ornate ceiling and grand chandelier. Persian rugs ran under the dark upholstered furniture where some of the guests were sitting with drinks. Across the room was a large brick fireplace, roaring with fire, and above the mantelpiece was an old portrait—he suspected it might have been whomever owned the building.

"What is this place?" he asked Beetee.

They entered the main hall and were greeted by a crowd of people around them. Some guests were dancing while others remained on the side mingling. There was a bar at the far end of the room. Katniss gripped his hand and he reached over to pull her closer, entwining her arm under his own. She met his eyes and smiled softly.

"It's a mansion that belonged to one of the first millionaires in New York. Now, the place is used for events and such," Beetee explained. "Oh, there's Cor!" He led them over to the older man, who was talking to a stately looking woman with dark skin wearing a plum dress. "Look who I've found!"

Cor's face lit up at the sight of them.

"I was wondering if we were going to see you tonight," he told the two. "I know that photo shoots run a little longer when a certain fashionista-in-training is involved."

"When she's being groomed to take over Everdeen design, then it is nothing but the best," Peeta joked as he patted Cor's shoulder. "Also, with Katniss knee-deep in starting the Hattie Jean line, she might need Prim sooner."

"Yes, because nothing is scarier than a thirteen-year-old at the helm of an empire," Katniss retorted as she leaned forward to kiss Cor on the cheek.

They all turned to the woman in front of them, who was talking to Beetee. She had wide dark eyes and a bright smile. Her brown, almost-burgundy hair was cropped close to her head, emphasizing her long elegant neck which Beetee seemed to be admiring.

"I'm being rude," Cor abruptly said. "Katniss, Peeta—I'd like to introduce Grace Seeder—our latest donor to the Snow Foundation. She just finished a stint with Google in California and decided to move to Manhattan after receiving an employment offer from Trump, himself. Also, after some persuasion by Beetee." The woman let out a small chuckle as the words caused Beetee to bow his head in embarrassment. "Grace—this is Katniss Everdeen, my daughter and her fiancé Peeta Mellark."

Cor had long forgotten that they were not engaged at all. It looked good for business for them to come together as a unit; involvement with one another could not give potential clients or donors the assurance that an engagement could.

"Everdeen? As in Everdeen Design?" Grace asked as she shook hands with Katniss. "I just spent an obscene amount of money at your store during my last visit here. My niece is waiting for me to ship her some clothes from your newest line—the one with the pretty blonde girl on the ad."

"My sister, Primrose," Katniss said with a smile. She turned to look at Peeta. "Actually, soon-to-be my sister—Prim is Peeta's younger sister."

Grace looked to him with an impressed smile. "You must be proud."

"I'm proud of both of them, Miss Seeder," Peeta told her.

"Please, call me Seeder," the woman replied kindly. "I never felt like Grace suited me—or being a Miss."

"Peeta is one of my shareholders and works very closely with Beetee as well as our donors," Cor said.

He swore that there was a glint of pride in the older man's eyes.

Over the past few months, he and Cor had grown close.

First, by their mutual love and concern for Katniss. Then as time passed, their mutual interest in humanitarianism—they both believed in the greater good. He and Cor understood that any person, big or small, could have a gigantic effect on society as well as the rest of the world.

So their shared idea was to promote individualism, education, and empathy for those in need. That was what the foundation was about and that was why Peeta believed in what they were doing.

Peeta looked over at Katniss, who was watching the couples dancing on the elevated dance floor to the music of the live band. Her eyes were wistful and he watched her sway in tune to the music in her beautiful dress.

God, she was gorgeous.

Pressing himself closer, Peeta put his lips to her ear. "Did you want to dance?"

Katniss looked over at him. "Depends," she replied. "How well of a dancer are you?"

"We danced at Haymitch and Effie's wedding," he offered on his own behalf. "I thought I did alright."

Katniss smiled at his words. "We danced for a minute and then my parents called us over. Then, it was followed by the worst wedding night ever."

"Give me a chance." Peeta turned to the group next to them. "Would you all excuse us? I'm going to take Katniss out on the floor to prove that I'm a decent dancer."

Cor, Beetee, and Seeder chuckled before nodding in permission.

"You'll need practice," Seeder told them with a grin. "For your wedding!"

The group shooed them away and he walked with his girlfriend towards the dance floor.

"You must think you're clever," Katniss said as they stepped onto the floor; her smile was radiant and his heart raced at the sight of her.

Peeta twirled her around him before pulling her flat against his body; he wanted her to feel his heart beating as they danced.

"I just wanted to hold you." Peeta tightened his hold on her waist. "Is that so wrong?"

Katniss shook her head, her cheeks pink. "It's just that I'm a little embarrassed. I'm actually a shitty dancer."

Peeta snorted as she placed her cheek against his. "Here I was thinking that you were going to dance me around the floor! You were just bluffing."

"That's the tactic—you can never let them know that you're sweating." He sighed feeling her breath against his ear. "Conviction is one of the keys to convincing people about your cause."

"What's the other key?" He twirled her and closed his eyes, hearing the swish of her skirt as they continued their dance.

"Passion," Katniss replied simply. He pulled away to meet her eyes. "You have to love it more than anything else."

And suddenly, they were no longer talking business.

"I do," he promised her. Not caring if anyone was looking, his hand reached to her thick curls and Peeta pulled her close before closing the gap between them.

Peeta could taste the champagne in their kiss, feeling drunk at the brush of their tongues.

"I do," Katniss sighed into his mouth as they pulled away.

"To what?" he asked as their eyes met.

"To everything."

After their dance, Snow had asked for a turn with Katniss. He obliged, persuading Seeder to join him on the floor. The evening continued and after Beetee danced with Katniss, they all settled at their table for a light dinner.

Cor had made his welcome speech, looking magnanimous, as he spoke at the podium. He had thanked the attendees as well as the staff. Finally, he had offered Peeta a thanks for partnering up with Beetee and talked about his contribution while joking that his only form of salary was permission for Katniss' hand.

The crowd laughed and Katniss had eyed him bemusedly. She had no idea of his asking Snow for permission to marry her months ago.

"Did you want something to drink?" Peeta asked Katniss as they walked off the floor after their latest dance.

"Sure," she replied as they sat back at their table.

"Champagne?" he suggested.

Katniss shook her head, her face slightly paled. "Maybe water—or a ginger ale?"

Peeta looked at her in concern. "You feeling okay?"

She waved him off. "Of course! Just tired, that's all."

Kissing the top of her head, Peeta stood up. "I'll be back with both." Heading to the far side of the room, he called for the bartender. "A pinot, a ginger ale, and a bottled water, please."

The bartender nodded. "Right away, sir."

"That's a lot of drinks for one man." Peeta turned to see a petite dark-haired woman with pale skin and dark eyes in an ebony fitted dress. She sipped her cocktail demurely before giving him a smile. "You're Peeta Mellark, aren't you?"

Peeta nodded. "How did you know?"

"Well, Mr. Snow has been bragging on stage about his up-and-coming soon-to-be son-in-law," the woman replied. "Also, I caught him talking to a few folks about you. He says that you have the personality to be a great humanitarian. That's quite the compliment."

"It's flattering," he replied as he looked around for the bartender once more.

"I heard that you were a teacher, too," she continued. "I wanted to be a teacher once. Is it a difficult job?"

"Depends on the grade sometimes," Peeta informed her. She was getting too close for comfort. "Do you know where the bartender disappeared to?"

The woman looked around before shrugging. "Must've run out of something you needed." She took another sip from her glass. "What grade do you teach?"

Peeta suddenly felt wary. "Fourth."

"No kidding!" Her hand went to his arm. "I wanted to teach fourth grade, too! It's the perfect age because they're at the height of development."

He nodded in agreement. "That what I thought, too."

The woman's eyes went over his shoulder and her ruby lips moved up in a smirk. "Hello, Mrs. Snow."

Peeta turned to see Katniss staring at the woman. "Hello, Clove." She went to him. "You know as much as I do that I don't go by that name." Her eyes narrowed. "Though, I know that there were many who were eager for the title."

Clove fumed at her jab. Suddenly, her lips spread in a malicious smile as her hand went to move down his arm.

He cringed and stepped closer to Katniss.

"I can take a Mellark as easily as I can take a Snow," Clove told her in a soft, sharp voice.

"No, you can't," Peeta told her. "Because you don't measure up—" He looked down at Clove in disdain. "—in so many ways."

Clove faltered but recovered quickly. "Cato says that she as stiff as board in bed," she informed him. "He even let me watch a tape of them once." Peeta felt a wave of disgust from hearing the glee in her voice. "We spent an entire day analyzing all her moves—and then we recorded over that crap with our own session. Does she still moan if you run your hand down the small of her back?"

"ENOUGH!" Katniss yelled. "Do you think that I'm afraid of you? I'm not. Bring back this message to Cato: I'm not afraid anymore. If he wants it all out, then I can lay it bare—but can he?"

She stepped to face Clove, towering over her.

"Cato went to you because you promised him the moon—just for a chance to pretend to be his. He's known all along that he couldn't measure up to his own expectations, much less his father's. So you poisoned his mind—made him blame everyone else but himself for his shortcomings. Anything or anyone, including his wife that went above and beyond him—he needed to punish."

"I don't worry about Peeta—because he stronger and smarter than Cato. He can see a falsity in an instant," Katniss continued. "And even from across the room, I can see that he was as disgusted with you as I am."

"You fucking bitch—" Clove reached out with her hand swinging.

Katniss caught it easily. "Don't fuck with me, Clove. I'm not Cato's wife anymore." She yanked the woman's wrist so she could pull her closer. "Because Cato's wife would hesitate at kicking your ass—but I won't."

"You wouldn't risk the PR," Clove responded in shock as Katniss released her.

"I would—and follow it with another interview with Caesar—to tell him about Helena. How the shock of finding you with my husband and another woman, in our bed, caused her death," Katniss countered, heat in her eyes.

She was suddenly ten feet tall, strength and fire radiating around her.

"That's not true!" Clove seethed.

"Isn't it?" Katniss said with her hands on her hips. "Look at it from the public eye—a married man, his publicist, and some trampy socialite—caught in bed by his pregnant wife."

"You wouldn't risk being exposed again…" Clove replied weakly. She looked frazzled by Katniss' sudden tirade and her eyes looked nervously at the people around her for assistance.

Katniss, however, stood strong. "I will protect what family I have—and Helena would've appreciated that."

"My God," Peeta whispered as he unzipped her dress, later that night. "I have never been so turned on."

Katniss turned to him, letting her gown drop to the carpet in an undignified heap, and raised her brow at him. "What are you talking about?"

Peeta swooped her up into his arms and she let out a high-pitched scream at the sudden motion.

He chuckled as he lay her gently onto their bed. "Keep it down—wouldn't want to wake Prim up."

"You know that she is chocolate-wasted after her night with Cinna and Portia," Katniss replied with a smile on her pretty face.

They had found the three in Prim's room of the penthouse, the television turned on as 'The Devil Wears Prada' played, passed out with chocolate bars and popcorn littered around them. She and Peeta had placed blankets over them and dimmed the lights before going to their own room.

Peeta sat next to her, admiring her olive skin against the cream bra and panties that she wore. She was an angel personified and he loved that part about her.

But then, there was the fire that had come out earlier that night—and seeing the spark in her graphite eyes had caused fire to run through his veins. The need for her was overwhelming and that part spoke to him, too.

"I'm proud of you," he told her.

"I didn't do anything," she replied. "I just did what I should've done a long time ago." Her hand reached for his. "I only did it because you're mine. I'm done with Clove thinking that she has some sort of ownership over me—that she can take what she wants from me." Katniss grinned up at him. "I wasn't going to let her take you from me."

Peeta leaned down to kiss her gently. "You know that I wouldn't have fallen for that, right?"

"I know—but it was funny to watch her squirm."

They both chuckled and as the laughter faded, Katniss reached up to brush her fingers against his face.

Her eyes went heated and dark. "Now that you have me—what are you going to do with me?"

Slowly, Peeta stood up, removing his cufflinks and placing them on the dresser.

"I'm going to spend the entire night showing you my admiration for your prowess," he declared. His hands went to unbutton his shirt. "What do you think?"

Peeta turned to find Katniss fast asleep and he smiled to himself.

The tiredness of the argument must have taken its toll on her.

Smiling to himself, he continued undressing until he was only in his boxers and white t-shirt. Going to Katniss, he took off her heels before helping her under the plush comforter of their bed. Then going to his side, Peeta quickly slipped under the covers.

Immediately, Katniss moved closer to him and he pulled her against him.

"I love you, Katniss," he whispered against her hair. "Will you marry me?"

There was no response from the woman deeply asleep next to him.

So, he spent the rest of the night asking her the same question in several ways.

Two Days Later…

Tribeca, Manhattan

Peeta stepped out of the private car and looked up at the large brick building in front of him. The text message had been mysterious and his curiosity was piqued.

"Is this the right place?" Prim asked as she joined him on the sidewalk.

"Should be," he replied as he put an arm around her. "Do you know what's going on?"

His sister shook her head. "Are we on time?"

"You're right on time." They turned to see Johanna walking over to them. Next to her was a pretty, red-haired woman in a fur-collared navy peacoat. "Glad you found the place."

"Where are we?" Prim asked.

"My studio," the woman answered with a grin. She held out her hand to Peeta. "Lavinia Lewis."

He shook it and gave her a smile. "Peeta Mellark," he told her. "And, this is my sister, Primrose."

"I know her well," Lavinia replied. "Tell me Primrose, how do you like the chain necklaces that you wore during your last photo shoot?"

"I love them," his sister breathed. "I've been trying to convince Cinna to let me have one."

"I can make you another set," Lavinia told her, her dark eyes sparkling at Prim's excitement. "I'm a jewelry maker you see—"

"The best jewelry maker," Johanna suddenly interrupted and the women looked at one another. Johanna's cheeks went scarlet as Lavinia quickly squeezed her hand.

Lavinia turned to them once more. "Anyway, we're just waiting for one more—ah, here he comes!"

They looked to see Cor walking over to them with a cup of coffee in his hands.

"Sorry that took so long—I forget that some of these specialty coffee shops take a little longer," he told them with a grin. Cor was dressed warmly in a thick coat and red scarf that contrasted brightly against his bright-white beard. "Shall we head into your studio, Miss Lewis? Prim, I got you those chocolate cookies that you enjoy so much."

Prim rushed over to Cor, their arms entwining, as they entered the building with Lavinia leading the way.

Peeta looked over at Johanna and she gave him a small smile.

"I heard what happened at the party," she told him. "And, it made me realize that Katniss has changed. She would have never done that if Cato was still around. I've seen her cower to him and Clove many times. You did that for her—you lit that spark in her. So, I know that she will be fine and, as her husband, you're only going to continue to bring out the best in her."

"Thanks." He reached out and embraced her. Johanna fell into it easily. "You're a good friend to both of us."

"Hopefully, I'm not steering myself wrong and you'll actually design a ring worthy of our Katniss," she joked as she linked their arms. They walked towards the building. "Vin had a gem guide to help you out in case you're too brainless to figure it out yourself."

Peeta looked over at her, grinning slyly. "Vin, huh? So what's up with that?"

They began their walked towards the entrance and Johanna gave him a mock scowl.

"Don't make me sock you."

So, I detest the word 'filler'—and though some might perceive this chapter as a one of those—I like to see it as 'character development'.

After all, we see very little Peeta and Johanna interaction while they're two of the significant people in Katniss' life. Also, Johanna was there for Katniss' first marriage so it's pretty much like she's suffering just as Katniss has.

Clove is a little bitch, isn't she? She uses her PR skills well in the way that she approached Peeta—all of it is a staged way of getting him to trust her so she can use it to her advantage.

This next chapter will take place, three months later—right before their year anniversary.

So, yeah—you make up your own thoughts on what could happen…

As always, hellos, comments and feedback are welcome on Tumblr, FF, and AO3!

Next: Chapter Twenty-One, Katniss—the unexpected.

Until then, JLaLa