Destiny - Heart of a Baker, Soul of a Hunter

by SalaciousNothings

Peeta Mellark, the baker's son saved Katniss Everdeen's life at the age of eleven when he threw the burnt bread one rainy day. She never thanked him let alone acknowledged his existence. She hated owing him but knew there would come a day when she would repay him. Little did she realize that her life was bound to his forever. It was inevitable. AU HG, OOC Everlark

38. Chapter 38 - Girl on Fire

Chapter 38 – Girl on Fire

AN: This chapter is rated M. If offended please turn back.

For those who criticize that Katniss as coming off sex crazed after Peeta, this is coming from a suppressed girl who didn't want to fall in love and is discovering the joys of physical aspects of love. There is nothing wrong with her behavior as if having sex with her only boyfriend is wrong and something to be ashamed about. You are entitled to your own opinion. I happen to like seeing Katniss post teenage years coming to age as she discovers herself as a woman who is in love with her man, especially if that man is Peeta Mellark.

Sorry for my rant. I make no claims to Hunger Games, the characters or storyline. Hunger Games belongs to Suzanne Collins. This chapter contains Prim, Haymitch and Katniss' POVs. If you find any typos or mistakes please forgive, it's been a long two weeks.

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Prim POV ––

My feet hurt a lot. We had been walking for days. I didn't know where we were or where we were heading. It was the same every morning; we'd wake up, eat and pack up for a long hike through the forest. There were moments when I wanted to stop and cry but I stopped myself. I didn't want them to see my acting like a baby, but through it all Shane had been sweet and patient. However, his interactions with me pissed Maddy off and I didn't know why. He was my friend or at least he treated me like one––unlike Maddy who was short and curt with me.

I'd catch her arguing with either Shane or Seamus. With the latter, it was a fight with heated words and gestures. As for Shane, he crossed him arms against his chest and listen as Maddy spoke to him. After she was done lecturing him, he'd say a few words then leave without giving her a chance to argue. Their exchange was a vast difference between the two.

"Hey, Prim. You okay?" Shane inquired as he sat next to me. I was rubbing my feet trying to get my circulation moving. My whole body ached from sleeping on the ground. I missed my bed; I miss my home and my family.

We were talking a 15-minute break that was enough to do any business necessary. My feet hurt too much for my bladder to complain.

"I'm fine, Shane," I returned. Maddy was a few feet away from us, her eyes set on Shane as usual. I don't know what was going on with her. She leaned against a tree, her rifle nestled in her arms.

"I know we've been walking non-stop," he started. "…another day or so, we'll be…" He stopped as he looked behind him, as if he knew Maddy was staring at us.

"Shane? If I ask you something will you tell me the truth?" I asked. He nodded his head as he wearily looked at Maddy then back to me.

"What, Prim?"

"What's going on between you and Maddy?" I inquired.

"Why do you ask?" he returned. He looked uncomfortable for a few seconds.

"I'm not blind or hard of hearing, you know?" I retorted. "She's okay one minute then really…cold the next with me. I don't know…what I'm doing that's pissing her off."

"I'm sorry…" He stopped and took a deep breath. "It's not you, okay?"

I shook my head. "Shane, if being your friend is causing problems––"

"Prim, this is not a good time to talk about Maddy and me." He sighed, a painful expression surfaced on his handsome face. I winced thinking about what I just thought of him. I can't help it. He was handsome, sweet and endearing. He reminded me of Peeta. Peeta was my sister boyfriend. So he was off limits, but if Shane who was growing on me was in a relationship with Maddy, I needed to back off. Especially if I intend to be in their company. 'Why do older people make their life so complicated? It's like they get stupid when it comes to love.'

"And Seamus," I added. He snorted, the look he had before evaporated replaced with annoyance and contempt.

"We'll discuss this later on tonight, okay?" he said with a painful smile on his face. "In the meantime, stay clear away from Seamus and ignore Maddy. She's my problem not yours. Just be yourself." It was easier said than done since throughout our conversation, Maddy was clearly angry. I didn't know at whom so I chalked it to the both of us.

We walked for another hour when suddenly Eisenman raised in hands into the air and made a fist. After being with them for I while, I just mimicked and copied Shane or Maddy. If they ducked I ducked as well. We didn't talk as we trampled through the forest hour after hour. A few soldiers held a devise in their hand, a gun-like apparatus with a radar built inside. It was used to detect hoverdrones flying within a certain range or around our vicinity. A couple passed as it surveyed the area from the air never touching the ground. It dawned on me that we were being hunted.

Eisenman's eyes were focused in the air. "I hear something," he said to a soldier next to him.

"I don't hear anything, sir," he replied back. "There's nothing on the radar." He gestured to the devise in his hand.

"Just listen then," Eisenman ordered.

I strained my ears to listen to our surrounding. All I heard was the gust of wind and a couple of birds chirping. However, if you listen carefully you can hear a humming sound. It was low and constant like an instrument striking a note that didn't end. Both Maddy and Shane appeared by my side. I didn't like the look on their faces, like they were worried and scared as their eyes were focused in the sky.

"Can you hear that?" Shane said to Maddy. She nodded her head. Seamus was assigned to scout ahead several feet away from us. Then out nowhere the ground exploded around us. "Take cover, take cover." I was so confused and stunned that I didn't move. Another explosion burst a few feet next to me. A soldier hit the ground face down. With my healer instinct I was about to head towards the injured man when Shane grabbed my arm and forced me to hide behind a large tree trunk. It was chaos as beams from the sky peppered us and soldiers shot back with their guns.

"How many are there?" someone shouted.

"Fire, just fire at them."

"Don't waste your rounds if you can't see whatever it is," Eisenman screamed. "That's an order." There was talk that we were low in supplies especially ammo rounds. Food was plenty as long as hunted what we needed––meats from rabbits, squirrels and even possum with eatable leaves, roots and berries which consisted of our meals. We were running out of water. "What is firing at us?"

"A drone, sir," someone answered back.

"Why didn't our scan detect it," Eisenman demanded.

"Must be new, sir. Something the Capitol made recently."

"No, shit," the rebel leader cursed back. "Roman," Eisenman called Shane by his last name. "Can you see it? Whatever it is." Shane shook his head.

"No, sir. But give me a few minutes." He turned to me. "You don't move this spot Prim. Promise me."

"Where are you going?" I asked, my heart pounded in my chest. This was war––the rebellion against Capitol and President Snow. I was in the thick of it.

"To do my job," he said as he crawled on the ground and traveled from one to tree to the next. Explosions continued to surround us, pinning us into our position without any reprieve from the assault. I prayed while I watched Shane stood up and leaned against the tree. From his vantage point he pointed his rifle into the air as he looked through his scope.

"His job?" I turned to Maddy. She looked pale.

"He's our sharp shooter," she explained. "If anyone can find and down the drone, it's Shane." Maddy had a look on her face. The same look Katniss had when Peeta was tormented and survived his ordeal and trauma. It was a look of love and pride.

Meanwhile, Shane was eerily calm and quiet pointing his gun upward. At seventeen, he was still a kid but with his demeanor and stance, he was very much a man––a soldier in MockingJay's army. Then suddenly he screamed, "Get down. I said get down." He leveled his gun beyond him, into the horizon. "Damnit, I said get down or get cover."

He fired several times. Beams of light shot back at him. Maddy screamed. Another figure appeared running past Shane. Shane fired as the drone fired back at him. The soldier hit the ground face down just as Shane shot at the drone direct hit into main body. It burst into a hundreds of pieces. Pieces of metal and debris scattered everywhere. The sound echoed in the forest so loud it was deafening that my ears rang inside my head. I palmed my hands on top my ears from the concussion.

A few minutes later, it was silent. Once the smoke cleared, everyone groaned and stood up to look around. The soldier who ran into the line of fire was Seamus. His face was covered with dirt from landing on the ground face down, his clothes smeared with earth, leaves and debris.

"Is everyone okay?" Eisenman addressed his team as everyone gathered to assess the damage. I looked around for any hurt or injured. A few people were in shock. One medic was already bandaging a soldier's leg.

I turned to Shane. He was leaning against the tree, recovering from our ordeal. "What the hell were you thinking, soldier?" Eisenman screamed at Seamus. "You led the drone straight at us."

"Sir, I was… it was firing at me?" he said as he looked around for support. "I didn't think––"

"That's your problem, Master. You don't think at all. You put our group in jeopardy." The tall bulky leader turned his head to Shane. "He said for you to get down. And take cover."

"But he just––" He looked to Maddy. She had a blank look on her face.

"But what, a kid?" Eisenman spat back. "He outranked you, soldier. And when he's shouting for you to take cover and get down, you better listen to his order."

"I panicked, sir," Seamus whined.

"That's no excuse. What you did was unbecoming for a soldier leading the drone to our position." Seamus' eyes grew wide. "You disobeyed an order from someone that outranked you and I don't care how old he is."

"Sir?" Shane spoke for the first time. He looked tired and pale. I didn't like the way he was leaning on the tree trunk.

"Shane, are you okay?" I said as I walked towards him.

"I'm…um…bleeding?" Shane had a hand cradling left side of his stomach. His knees buckled. Once I reached him I noticed that blood was seeping through his fingers.

"Oh my God, Shane. You've been hit," I yelled. Maddy screamed his name just as he was about to land on the ground, she caught him around his waist.

"Shane, Shane," she repeated his name. "I need a medic." Without any hesitation I ripped open his shirt to find his wound. I gasped when I found a medium size hole at the side of his stomach as blood seeped through his flesh. It was a mangled mess. Because he was hit by a laser beam, his wound was partially cauterized.

Shane groaned. "It kinda hurts," he said, his eyes rolled to the back of his head then closed.

"Shit," I cursed. Maddy was yelling at Shane to wake up.

"Shane, please don't leav…please wake up," she said, her eyes were brimmed with tears. "Shane, please?"

"Maddy, you need to stand back and let me help him," I said, my voice was calm but inside I was shaking. 'Can I do this?' Back in District 12, I assisted Mom when there was a mining injury nothing that I experienced that was fatal until Peeta's incident. Flu, cold and an occasional broken limb, I could handle. And I was never on my own. I was acquainted with the men from the mines, but Shane was my friend. He was…special and his life was in my hands. "Maddy, please move back so I can help him."

"Yes, Maddy, move back so––" Seamus spoke. He placed a hand on her shoulder. Maddy reacted as if she was stung pushing his hand away from her.

"This," she said with clenched teeth, her hands fisted on her sides. There was fury and sheer disgust on her usually stoic face. "…is your fault."

"What, no––" He didn't have time to finish as Maddy's fist connected to his face. Another solder grabbed her by the waist as she assaulted Seamus with her fury and fists. Her screams were loud and piercing my already sensitive eardrums.

"Shane is hurt because of you." Seamus looked around see if anyone would defend him. I didn't have time to care for their squabbles. Shane needed me.

At nightfall, I was so exhausted. It nearly took an hour before I finished my dinner. Not that it was much––watery soup with rubbery vegetables with some flat stale crackers. I missed Peeta's Cheese Buns. Just the thought of his creations made me miss home more than ever. We couldn't afford to light a fire so I was also cold, shaking from the chilly evening air.

The crisp evening air soothed and calmed my thoughts racing in my mind. Before heading to sleep, I decided to check on Shane. It nearly took me an hour to stop the bleeding and sew his skin back together. The other medic was busy tending to other soldiers who were injured during the attack.

Through it all Maddy cried as she sat next to Shane holding his lifeless hand. My heart hurt for her because despite whatever troubles between she cared for him, a lot. She never left his side not even when moved to another location.

"We need to move," Eisenman directed his team. "We can't stay in this location. They'll send another drone to find out what happened to it. They'll know our position." So for another three hours we continued our trek to the woods. At this point I didn't care where we were. Two soldiers carried Shane on a homemade stretcher. Maddy was at his side never veering off throughout the whole trek. Seamus was noticeably absent.

By nightfall, we stopped and set up camp. The mood around the camp was somber as everyone was still in shock. There wasn't anything I could do, no medication to administer or comforting words to express as the shock settled hours later.

So I wasn't surprised to find Maddy sitting next to Shane. She barely touched her food as it sat on ground before her.

"He's going to sleep for the rest of time, Maddy," I informed her. "You should get some rest." She turned her head to look at me. Her stormy green eyes met mine. I could tell that she was crying earlier, her eyes were bloodshot despite how dark it was around us.

"I…I don't want him to wake up alone," she admitted.

"He won't be," I said, as I sat down across her. "I'm going to stay for while to check up on him in case he develops a fever or get an infection."

"But he's okay, right?" she inquired, her voice was low but with a slight tremble in her tone. "You stopped the bleeding…he'll recover?"

"It's hard to tell," I confessed. "I won't know until the next 12 hours to be sure."

"This is all my fault," she said under breath. I think she hadn't meant for me to hear her, but because it was so quiet, I heard her clearly.

"What do you mean?"

"Nothing, forget I said anything." She winced then brushed me off. We sat there together for some time deep in our own thoughts. A few minutes later she spoke, "Prim, I want to thank you for saving Shane's life. If it wasn't for you…I can't imagine what would have happened if you weren't here to help him."

"I would have done the same for anyone who was hurt," I assured her. "Besides, Shane is my friend, too. He's so friendly and easy going." He reminded me so much of Peeta.

"He has that effect on people," she said as she smiled at me, her turn of emotions confused me. Her gesture surprised me considering how she had been treating me for the past couple of days. It was dark so I couldn't really gauge her demeanor whether she was still angry with Shane or me. So I played ignorance to her tumultuous attitude.

"Why are you mad at me?"

Maddy gasped in surprise. She didn't think I would put her in a spot. "Oh, I'm not mad at you––"

"You seem like it though," I interrupted her as she stumbled with her words. "These past few days you've been really mean and curt with me. What did I do wrong?" My questions stunned her. "You were nice to me in the beginning but lately you get upset or be short with me. Like I did something wrong and especially when Shane is being nice to me." There I said it out in the open. I wanted her to admit or deny it.

"Come on," she said as she stood up. But before we left she leaned down and kissed Shane on the lips. My brows raised upward from surprise. Then she whispered something in his ear. As if nothing happened or me witnessing her intimate interaction with Shane, she straightened her shoulders and walked passed me expecting me to follow her.

We passed a group of soldiers hunched together. Seamus was amongst them

"Maddy, where are you going?" he asked a touch of concern laced in his voice. His face was bruised and swollen, a cut on his lip caused it to swell.

"It isn't any of your business where I'm going," she returned. "I told you to stay away from me."

"Maddy? You really need to––"

"Shut the fuck up," she stated in a cold tone. "I don't know how many times I need to get this into your thick skull, we are done. You stay the fuck away from Shane and me."

A few yards away was a small lake. Eisenman debated whether we should camp near the lake but decided against it since it would be a spot for wild animals get water. We didn't need another altercation, as everyone was so exhausted from the drone encounter. Earlier that evening we filled our canteens to the brim, dropped a small pill to kill any bacteria and filtered it as it was drinkable after a couple of hours.

At the time, the women did their business but I was too exhausted to care. Thankfully, Maddy was taking me there because I wanted to wash up my eating utilities and prepare for bed. So we were basically alone. When we reached the lake, Maddy didn't open up the conversation, but we cleaned up after ourselves. She was humming to herself as she wiped grime and dirt from her face and hands with a small wash towel. For a few minutes we cleansed ourselves in silence appreciating the luxury of clean water and the quiet.

"You remind me of my sister, Katniss," I said out of the blue. Her humming made me miss her. I had never been apart from family especially my sister. When Mom took care of Dad, I looked up to her for my needs as mom neglected us and focused on Dad's recovery. Maddy looked surprised me at my comment. "Whenever she was busy doing something she always hummed. You just reminded me of her just now."

"You miss your family?" I nodded my head. "I know I miss mine too back home." She placed her eating utensil in her pack and sat down on the hard ground. "I'm sorry, Prim."

That was unexpected. I was prepared for her to be mad at me for…I'm not really sure why she was upset with me. "I'm not really mad at you."

I scoffed. "It sure feels like it." It was getting colder by the minute. The wind was picking up as it howled in the air.

"I was more…upset with myself really," she sighed. "It just that I'm jealous of you and Shane––" My eyes grew wide.

"Shane is my friend," I stuttered. Even though I thought of him more than I should I stopped from letting my feelings grow and it didn't help that Maddy was always so upset with me every time Shane was at my side. It was like she was…jealous at our friendship.

"I know that Prim but jealousy is not a rational feeling," she admitted. "I'm sorry for my behavior and not explaining myself clearly."

"Who is Shane to you?" I boldly inquired her. The question startled her.

"If someone asked me last year, I would have said he was just a friend," she began.

"And now?"

"Someone…I deeply care about," she professed. That was obvious with every look she sent him whenever he wasn't looking. "Someone I hurt, badly and unapologetically. To my guilt and shame." Now she had me intrigued.

"What did you do?"

"I…I used him to make Seamus jealous," she admitted. Maddy sighed. Her voice was firm and calm but I could tell she was close to tears. "At the time, Seamus and I was engaged and I used Shane to get back at him."

"Oh, wow." When I first suspected that there was something going on between them, I automatically thought of Katniss and Peeta. There relationship was parallel to theirs––Katniss was older than Peeta just like Maddy and Shane. It was obvious that Shane had a crush on her, or at least did have a crush on her because a few times I caught him staring at her when she wasn't looking. The same way I caught Peeta staring at Katniss at school. But their comparison ended there.

"To make a long story short, I had known Shane's family for most of our lives. I knew growing up that he had a crush on me but I was older than him––"

"How much older?" I interjected.

"Nearly four years," she answered back. "So I grew up thinking of him as a kid brother. And the social class between was something I knew I couldn't cross not that it mattered since he was still younger than me. And…"

"And?"

"I had a crush on Seamus for a long time when we growing up together." Shane had explained that his family came from a long line of fisherman's while Maddy's family owned the fish market and restaurant. She was the equivalent to a Merchant as Shane was Seam who worked for her family. "He's two years older, charming and a bad boy. Seamus was everything my parents hated even though we were in the same social class." She winced at that admission. "I wanted him so I was determined to have him despite my parent's objections. So when I passed my reaping age, we got engaged. I was so happy. I thought I had everything I ever wanted."

She sighed, a kind of sigh out of weariness and disappointment. "A year after our engagement my dad died, Seamus who I had put off setting date suddenly wanted to get married. I just couldn't set a date with my father just dying recently. I put it off. I just couldn't think about marriage…

We fought a lot after that. We even broke it off for a month but Seamus…we reconciled. But he kept on insisting to set a date and I couldn't. Our family business was in trouble after my father died, I ended up taking over. Seamus said…" She stopped and bitterly laughed. "That if we get married he could help even take over to 'relieve me of the stress and responsibility.' I ignored his offer of help."

She looked to the line of trees surrounding us. "In the meantime, Shane was around helping me, he was always there for me. I was in over my head working and grieving at the same time. Shane even covered for me when I didn't deliver an order for the Head Peacekeeper's weekly delivery."

"I haven't known him long, but that sounds like him," I agreed.

"Then to top it off, I found out that…that Seamus was cheating on me. I found out accidently of course, so instead of confronting him…I wanted to get back at him instead. So…so I…"

I held my breath because I knew what she was going to say. It was obvious. "So I seduced Shane and slept with him, twice." She closed her eyes, her tears brimming her eyes. "Seamus found out…he was so livid. I laughed at his face and told him 'tit for tat.' I told him we were over. And you know what he did? He sent two of his friends…to beat up Shane. Shane who was innocent in all this."

"Well that's not true, he did know you were still engaged to Seamus even though you found out he was cheating on you," I speculated. Maddy shook her head.

"No, you don't understand. I told Shane that Seamus and I were done, that our engagement was over. Shane was so sweet, wanted to go on dates, but I…I was bent on getting back at Seamus. So on after first 'date' I slept with him."

"Oh!" I didn't know what to say or how to react.

"And you know what's worse, after Shane recovered. I…slept with him again because I felt guilty. Not because I cared for him the way he cared for me. I don't know why I did it, but after sleeping with him again…I went back to Seamus." I gasped in disgust. "The only reason I could think of was that I couldn't be with Shane, he was young and deserved someone better than me after the way I treated and used him." She was right but I was going to say since she was already punishing herself.

"After Shane lost his sister, he ran and joined the rebellion. I felt it was my fault," she added. "And me, being delusional thought I could bring him back from running away. When it was really me running away."

"I don't understand," I said because the more she explained, the more confused I got. Her relationship was so complicate. I thought Peeta and Katniss' relationship was bad.

"A few months after Shane ran off," she started. "I was so depressed and felt guilty for making a mess with Shane's life. I mean, I knew he had crush on me and…he even told me that he loved me. That he had loved me since he was 12." I snickered.

"Sounds like Peeta's crush with Katniss."

"Yes, but what I did to Shane was cruel…I didn't care or think about his feelings," she lamented with shame. "So I ran off after him. Convincing my self that I was trying to fix things between us."

"That didn't happen once you caught up to Shane?"

"I finally followed him to District 12. I apologized for hurting him telling that it was really over with Seamus and me. At least I apologized and I told him to come back home to 4 with me. And he forgave me even when I told him that we couldn't be together. "

"Why are you two at odds with each with other then? If he forgave you, why does Shane look like you hurt him again?"

"A couple of weeks later…Seamus came after me as well. To bring me home back to 4." she stated. "I was so confused because I thought Seamus cared enough to come after me. That he loved me and was sorry for cheating on me. We didn't get back together but decided to fix our friendship slowly."

"And what happened?"

"It was the anniversary of my dad's death that I ruined things, my friendship with Shane," she said.

"What did you do?"

"You got to understand, Seamus was my first love. My first everything," she explained. "I was so distraught…that I slept with Seamus again. Shane found out. He started accusing me of leading him on which I was actually because there is something so sweet and endearing about him…I can't help be drawn to him too. I told him he had no right to say anything, who I slept with since we were only friends."

"Like you told Seamus that you were friends as well and ended your engagement?" I reminded her. "And you slept with him anyway. I can understand why Shane is reluctant to trust you," I said. "You toyed with both guys, but got hurt Shane the most." To her shame Maddy nodded her head.

"The only thing is that…even though I messed up," she said, her voice hitched as she breathed through her mouth. "I know who I want now; I want Shane. Being out here outside society's influence or pressure, I know I want him in my life and not as a friend like I tried to tell him all those times. I've gotten to know him, better. I've been telling him for months that he is who I want, but he doesn't believe me." She laughed bitterly. "And, the one I don't want I can't convince him to leave me alone."

"Well there is only one thing you can do then," I said.

"And that is?" She wiped her nose with the back of her hand. I would have offered her a tissue but that was scarce in the woods and every piece was used for hygiene purposes only. Maddy looked a mess, her hair looked as though she hadn't combed it in days and her face was drawn from crying for hours.

"Convince Shane that he is who you want, who you…love." Maddy's eyebrow raised up to her forehead. "You did tell him that you're in love with him, right? I mean, anyone with eyes even Seamus knows that."

"But…I…"

"Maddy!" I blurted her name in frustration. "You're just as bad as my sister. She didn't even realize that she was in love with Peeta. Not until he got hurt."

"I don't even know if he would believe him if I said that to him now," she admitted. "He keeps running from me. He won't listen and talk to me."

"Well, I guess it's a good thing that he's not capable of doing that now, right?" I hinted. "Sometimes, guys like Shane need direct approach. It's not like he can run now, can he?"

Maddy laughed, the kind that was filled with relief. "I…want to tell him what he means to me. I made so many mistakes with Shane, hurting him over and over."

"So tell him, convince him," I said.

"He's hurt and stubborn." He sounded familiar, someone who loved my sister but was hurt by her.

"So was Peeta and Katniss won him in the end."

"You're sister was persistent then?"

"Oh she made mistakes that nearly broke them apart for good but if there is one thing about my sister…when she wants something or someone…she's relentless and doesn't give up." Maddy laughed, her laughter had a slight hitch to her tone. "So keep trying, you got nothing to lose…you will lose Shane if you don't try," I advised. "Can you live with that? Knowing that you didn't fight for him." Before she could answer me we were interrupted.

"Hey, Foster, Everdeen," Eisenmann approached us, his deep husky startled us both. "I need a report on Roman's condition. Can we move him tomorrow?"

"Well, he doesn't have a fever or an infection as of right now, but that can change overnight,"

"What's going on, sir?" Maddy inquired, her demeanor changed from woman in love to a soldier. It was fast making me admire more than ever. Maddy was so much like Katniss, headstrong, passionate, and very devoted to those she loved.

"We need to move out bright and early tomorrow morning," he said. "I can't afford to leave anyone behind. I need everyone, every man and woman to be ready."

"Sir?"

"I have orders from MockingJay," Eisenman said in a serious and deadly tone. "We have a date with President Snow."

---

Haymitch POV ––

"What?" I screamed, my heart beat on my chest so hard I felt like I was about to burst. I hoped that Peeta and Katniss had enjoyed their date last night. It was the least I could do, but when Cinna and Portia appeared at our doorstep bright and early, I knew something was up.

They both turned up with suitcases and arms full of clothes that were designed for my tributes.

"I thought you knew," Cinna spoke with patience. "Snow has reinstated the Tribute Parade for this morning."

"Good morning, lovelies," Effie appeared at the doorway. "It's a beautiful day is it not?"

"Effie, did you know about this?" I gestured to the onslaught of boxes and clothes being delivered into the suite. I slept over at Antoine and Desi's place to give Peeta and Katniss some privacy. Effie had her own home in District One.

"Well I heard rumors but wasn't sure it was going to happen," she said. "I mean I had hope he would but––"

"I'm sorry, Haymitch," Cinna said. "I knew about it but I wasn't certain when it was going to happen."

"But you knew it was inevitable," I stated. I had hoped that Snow would forego the parade but…

"Haymitch, he cancelled the event because of Prim," Cinna announced. "The Capitolites are dying to see the tributes especially the Star-Crossed Lovers of District 12."

I winced at Peeta and Katniss' title. They were not going to be happy about this event. "Are Peeta and Katniss awake yet? I want to see their faces when Cinna and Portia get them all prepared. This is so exiting. I could barely sleep last night." I smirked. Of course, Effie's lack of sleep was about the parading my tributes for all of Panem to see. While I barely slept wondering if Jay was making any plans to rescue and save Peeta and Katniss before entering the arena. I had hope that Antoine had heard some news but he hasn't.

I felt exhausted and heartsick. Both Peeta and Katniss meant a lot to me, like they were kids of my own, not my tributes. This is what I got for getting involved. 'Damn Peeta, for making me care again.' I wanted to hug and slap him at the same time for getting me involved in their lives.

"Effie, it's early if you looked at the damn clock," I scoffed at her exuberance.

"Haymitch, they need extra time to get ready," Effie demanded. "If you not going to wake them up I will."

"No," I shouted. "I'll get them."

"I want to go with you so I can tell them the good news."

"No, Effie. Just stay here," I ordered as I placed both hands on her shoulders.

"Really, Abernathy. There is no need to man handle me," she said as she stepped back. Effie was not comfortable with her personal space being invaded. Touching her was something I didn't do often, but chose moments likes this. She was too damn giddy and exuberant this morning.

"Why don't you make sure the chef has breakfast ready. I'm sure you and your designers have a lot to talk about before my kids…tributes arrive for breakfast."

"Oh, you're right for once." She turned and headed towards the kitchen while screaming to our guests. "Cinna and Portia, please make yourself at home. I need to talk to the chef first before we discuss our plans for today. I want to make sure that he prepares a meal that won't cause any gas or bloating issues. Those designs you created were designed to fit exactly to their proportions…"

"Poor Peeta, poor Katniss," I said to myself. "They're going to hate today." I was sure of it. Who would want to be paraded around like cattle before being slaughtered?

I tiptoed towards their bedroom. To my dismay, they were up already and…I couldn't help but hear someone's heavy breathy in Peeta's room. I cringed realizing that I was interrupting them.

"Peeta, Katniss," I called out to them. "I'm sorry to wake you but you need to ready in 30 minutes." Then I quickly left the corridor incase Katniss appeared at the door to yell at me.

"Well?" Effie inquired. "Were they up already?"

I snorted. "How the hell do I know?" I didn't want to tell Effie that they were 'busy' with each other. "I just knocked on their door and told them to be ready in half an hour."

I didn't want to argue with Effie. But I also wanted to give Katniss and Peeta whatever privacy they had left for today. Once we left the suite last night, I made sure to tell them that they had the suite to themselves.

I spoke to Peeta last night, before they headed to the Penthouse.

---

"Peeta," I started. "I want you to know that all the bugs are gone."

"Huh? What do you mean?"

"Effie found one in the dining room. She was livid and said that it was illegal. We don't know why or who was listening to us––like another mentor trying to listen to our strategy inside the arena. She was so mad she called the Head Gamemaker."

"I don't understand, I thought you said that Snow might be listening to us," Peeta asked in a confused tone.

"Yes, but Effie doesn't know that. She thinks one of the district's mentors are spying on us––like District 1 or 2. So by law, they were removed even though you and I know it was President Snow who bugged the suite."

"And you're telling me this because?"

"Hey, I'm just helping you out, Peeta," I snickered. "You don't have to go upstairs to the roof to fool around anymore." I wiggled my brows in a teasing manner. "I know that you and Katniss haven't been able to have sex since––"

"Stop," Peeta blushed. "You're a dirty old man. You talking about my sex life with Katniss is wigging me out."

"Hey, I was young once. You're in love and have urges. It's only normal that you want some alone time with Katniss. I doubt that she'd be in any mood with Effie and I across the hallway…and if you needs some condoms––"

"Good night Haymitch," Peeta said with finality and embarrassment. He had a big smile on his face despite being teased and embarrassed. I couldn't help but tease him. It was rare to see him happy and relaxed. The kid had so much happen to him that he deserved a bit of happiness…in whatever time he had left with Katniss.

---

Half an hour later my tributes has still yet to arrive for breakfast. I closed my eyes and tilted my head to the ceiling. 'Damn teenagers and their hormones, because if they are still in bed…' I cursed to myself.

"Breakfast is ready," Effie announced as she entered the room with a wave of her hand. Two Avoxes appeared pushing two carts with plates of food and beverages. My stomach grumbled as the scent of bacon and eggs permeated the room. I already had a cup of coffee to settle my rattled nerves. I was about to help myself when Effie disrupted my plans.

"What is taking Peeta and Katniss so long?" Effie inquired. "I'll go and get them and see––"

"No, " I said as I stood up so fast I startled her. "I'll go."

"Haymitch, you are already seated. I can go––"

"No, I'll...will get them." She was already half way through the room. Damn she moved fast with four-inch heels.

"Effie, please wait––" She headed towards the hallway but I circumvented her by blocking her path and knocked on Peeta's bedroom door. By the sounds coming from his room, it was obvious what they were doing.

"Hey you, two cut it out" I pounded on the door as my patience runneth over. "I said get ready. You can fuck each other's brain out later this evening."

"Haymitch, that language was not necessary," Effie's voice was heard behind me. "You leave them alone."

"We don't have any time for hanky-panky. They have all night later this evening. I thought you objected to them having sex."

"You didn't have to be so vile," Effie returned with a look of impatience. "I have no objections. It's just a matter of propriety––" She grabbed my arm and pulled away leading me back to the dining room. Cinna had a smirk on his face while Portia sported a tooth grin.

After breakfast, I made a quick call to Antoine. "Did you know that the Tribute Parade was happening today," I said without even greeting or announcing myself.

"Good morning, Haymitch," Antoine said in a calm voice.

"Sorry, I just…I haven't heard from Jay and we're a few days before Peeta and Katniss are heading into the arena. We're running out of time."

"Haymitch, I told you, be patient," he said back. "We still have a bit of time left. I'm sure that something is being planned. You need to do your job, train those kids and we'll handle the rest."

"I…I'm losing patience. I don't want Katniss or Peeta to go into the arena. Once they are in there we can't help them."

"Listen, just concentrate on their training and interviews," he reminded me. 'Shit, the interviews.' I almost forgot about that. "And don't forget they have to meet with the Gamemakers to show their talents."

I was getting a headache. The effects of worry, lack of sleep and anxiety was my constant companion. Something needed to be done and it needed to be done now. I took a deep cleansing breath to clear my mind. I could do this; I had to calm down. No sense in panicking just yet. Antoine was right I needed to focus on the tasks I still yet had to complete––get the Peeta and Katniss ready for the arena.

The ride to the palladium was uneventful. However, as we reached the area it was crowded with spectators waiting around to see a glimpse of the tributes, not just Peeta and Katniss but all of them.

Peeta walked next to Katniss at a fair distance. I had told him to not exhibit any affection towards each other as that kind of behavior only weakened as a couple. I wanted, no needed them to stand independently as their relations didn't target one more than the other. They met with Cinna after boarding the chariots that would enter the palladium. They stood on the chariot with firm resolve, but before leaving Cinna spoke to them for a few seconds. 'I wondered what he said to them?'

Then they were off. As I watched them disappear into the center of the palladium, I sent a prayer to someone I hadn't spoken to in a long time.

"Hey, Maysilee. I know I haven't spoken to you in a long time so…" I paused. "Please watch over them."

At the stands a few minutes later, Effie, Cinna, Portia and I waited as the ceremony began. Of course President Snow had to give a speech. It was a custom but I hardly heard a word he said, as my nerves were raw with anticipation. I was away from my tributes even though they were within the vicinity, I felt horrible being apart from them in such a public venue. Anything could happen to them.

Finally, the parade began with each district tributes introduced; as they were delivered by horse-driven chariots. Peeta and Katniss were last.

"Ladies and gentlemen, the tributes and the Star-Crossed Lovers of District 12, Peeta Mellark and Katniss Everdeen," Caesar Flickerman announced with flair of pomp and circumstance, his voice boomed and echoed in the palladium.

Upon their entry, the stadium was loud as roars and thunderous sounds of people yelling and clapping filled the air. The sound was deafening. Just as they approached the central area where Snow was seated, Peeta and Katniss' clothes lit on fire. They held hands and lifted them in the air. I have never seen or heard of such reception as people in stadium stood up and went wild. I swore the floor shook from the noise.

Effie and Cinna were regaled for their costume design and ingenuity––it seemed lighting my kids on fire was the best thing they have ever seen. I cared little for the dramatics and showmanship. I needed to get to Peeta and Katniss as the ceremony ended.

I ran down towards the area where all the tributes congregated. My heart beat so fast as I noticed that a group of people crowded the exit.

"Get him, Cato," I heard a female voice yell.

"Peeta," Katniss' voice permeated the air. 'Shit, shit.'

"What the hell is going on?" I screamed. To my surprise none of the peacekeepers were interceding as a fight broke out. Two girls held Katniss by her arms preventing her from helping Peeta.

"Peeta, Peeta!" she screamed. As I reached the crowd, a male tribute ran towards Peeta, he easily ducked as the boy tried to grab him. With his upper body strength, he leaned down low enough to grab him by the waist and flipped over his shoulder. The boy flew into the air and up ended a few feet behind him landing on his back hitting his head on the ground. He groaned from the impact.

"Come on, Cato," Peeta sneered at him. "You can't fight me on your own so you sent your boyfriend to gang up on me."

"Once I'm done with you," Cato sneered. "I'm going to show your girlfriend a really good time."

"Cato, don't," his tribute partner screamed. "You touch him they'll throw you out of the games." I heard that if Cato got into trouble again, he would be eliminated from the arena. Being thrown out was not a good thing, you were then either contracted into servitude at another district or turned into an Avox––both a death sentence for any tribute from District 1 or 2. It was a matter or pride to be reaped or chosen for them.

"Yeah, Cato," Peeta continued. "Send your boyfriend instead. You coward." Cato's hands were clenched on his sides, his face red from fury.

"Let go of me." Katniss' struggled as the two held onto her arms. "Peeta, stop." I was so focused on Peeta that I barely noticed that Katniss upper body suit was torn from neck to chest.

"That's enough," I yelled. "What the hell is going on?" Peeta didn't acknowledge my presence as he turned to the two girls. "Cato, where is your mentor?" He confronted me but I stood my ground.

"Let her go," Peeta snapped. Both girls didn't reacted at first. "Let go of Katniss right now or I will rip both your spines off." The venom in his voice and the look in his eyes scared me. I had never seen him so out of control.

"I'd listen to him if I were you," I added. Katniss ran straight into Peeta's arms.

"Are you okay?" they both addressed each other. Once I knew they were together and all right I addressed the Cato and the peacekeepers who stood by and let the disturbance happen.

"Cato, leave." I stood between him and my tributes. "Everyone leave right now. Move!"

"And you," I pointed to the soldiers. They shrank taking two steps backwards. "Names right now." They looked at each other. "You deaf?" They gave me their names. Then I turned to Katniss and Peeta.

"Peeta, I'm okay," she said, one of her hands was rubbing his back.

"But he touched you." His back was turned so I couldn't see his face. I could tell he was still angry. "And those girls ganged up on you tearing your clothes." His body shook. "They touched you."

"And you stopped him," she tried to comfort him. "He didn't hurt me."

"Yes he did and now…he said he's coming for you."

"I don't care. He can if he wants. I can take care of myself," she reminded her.

"I know you can." His arms around her waist tightened. "I just got you…you can't…this is all my fault."

"Shh, none of that," she returned. "This is my fault. I should have kept my mouth earlier."

"Hey," I interrupted them. "Peeta, Katniss. We need to move." The crowd dispersed, but a few hung about whispering to each other. The ride in the hover car was both jubilating and solemn as Effie gushed at Katniss and Peeta not realizing what has happened after the parade. I didn't want to burst her happy bubble and Cinna's moment. However, upon seeing Katniss' state Effie was livid.

"Did you report him?" she asked. "He's a disgrace."

"No I didn't," I informed her.

"Why not?" she said in an indignant manner. "He tore her clothes."

"I didn't see him. As a matter of fact from what I can tell the girls ganged up on Katniss," I observed. "It was probably the girls who tore her costume." Both Peeta and Katniss remained quiet, not commenting or verifying the facts.

"You still have to report the incident to the Head Gamemaker," Effie said. I sighed. The official Head Gamemaker was weasel named Seneca Crane. He created the games in the arena. Reporting to him was last thing I wanted to do. I remembered my last conversation with him.

---

"So far, you lost your first tribute." He flicked his finger, a gesture of counting. "Next your female tribute was in altercation." He flicked another finger. "I have reports of Snow's granddaughter trying to sneak out to go visit, Peeta Mellark."

"That isn't my problem," I asserted. 'Damn little groupie, she was Snow's granddaughter, the irony of it all didn't escape me.' She had a big crush on Peeta and adored Katniss. The fact must be eating Snow alive. I chuckled to myself. I heard she even dressed like Katniss, wearing her hair in a braid. They couldn't escape him.

"The fact that Snow's granddaughter is dressing like Everdeen wearing her hair in a braid does not sit well with him," he said as if he read my mind.

"Still no my problem," I repeated. "Maybe Snow should reprimand and have better control with his granddaughter is a better solution for him."

"I'm getting complaints from other mentors that we're giving you special treatments and favors," he continued and ignored me. I scoffed.

"Which is not true."

"As I see it, you need to control your tributes better," he reprimanded me.

"My tributes," I almost gagged from shock. He was accusing Peeta and Katniss as instigators. "Why don't you tell the other mentors to 'control' their tributes and leave mine the hell alone." I gritted my teeth.

"I cannot be seen giving special treatments and compensation. I must be above reproach," he stated like true politician. "I must do what needs to be done to run the arena without any show of favoritism."

"And I will do what I can to protect my…Peeta Mellark and Katniss Everdeen from any harm or accidents before the games," I swore. "Listen, Crane. This not a threat, this is a promise. Nothing better happen to them before the games. And you better do your job to make sure everyone abides by the rules."

---

This new incident involved two pairs of tributes both from District 1 and 2, not just Cato. To make matters worse, a dinner was scheduled for all the tributes to attend tomorrow evening after the talent sessions. I am so not looking forward to it.

"Cinna, thank you," Peeta said before we parted. "Katniss and I, we appreciate everything you're doing for us." Katniss nodded her, her head against his shoulder and an arm around his waist. They looked tired and angry.

"My creations have no affect without you. It was as if they were designed to be worn by you both," Cinna complimented. "You dazzled like the sun blinding everyone with your presence."

"We only just wore what you made. You made us shine," Peeta stated, humbly but said in earnest.

"They are merely cloth and accessories that anyone can wear. You both gave life to my designs, my creations are brought to life. Not the other way around, Peeta."

"Cinna is right," Effie interjected. "It was as if Cinna's designs were created solely for you." I have seen Cinna's creations. Somehow, Peeta and Katniss wearing his designs did seem to be more special when they wore them.

This conversation did nothing to Peeta and Katniss' spirit. The altercation only proved that they are targets. That kind of pressure made them tense and uneasy. They needed another 'date night.' However, they needed to work and train so for the couple hours, I made them watch other arena footage. We spoke strategies and scenarios.

"What if we get separated?" Katniss asked. "I don't want to admit it but it can happen."

"You head towards any body of water like a river and keep heading north," I suggested as if it was possibility. "You have an advantage; you're a hunter, you can track Peeta if you get separated. He could climb a tree and look for you that way." I threw ideas at them hoping that they were listening.

After lunch they returned to the training facility. I had decided to confront Crane once again. Both Katniss and Peeta were tense and anxious, but it was expected. "Hey, just keep your head down and nose clean," I told them. If I had to stay to watch Peeta and Katniss' back at their training sessions, so be it. Crane was not going to stop me.

"We're going to defend ourselves, Haymitch," Peeta said, his voice calm but there was an underlying hint of anger. I didn't blame him. I really had to talk to Crane. "If…Cato or anyone touches Katniss one more time, I will not pull back. I don't give a damn about the rules since they seem to be breaking it all the time. I will end it." I nodded my head because I'd do the same.

We entered the facility and I quickly noticed that both pairs from District 1 and 2 were absent in the training room.

Peeta and Katniss' demeanor changed from tense to relief. "Go do your thing," I said to them. Seneca's office was not far from the training rooms so I easily found my way to him. Without knocking on his door, I barged in.

"Crane, you and I need to talk," I started. To my surprise, another visitor was already in his office––Plutarch Heavensbee. He was second to Crane in operations for the games in the arena. Heavensbee was tall, bulky man with an affable face. In my opinion, he smiled too much. I couldn't trust a person who smiled too much and had a personality of a hover car sales person.

"Haymitch, you're manners need work. You don't barge into someone's office––" He sounded like Effie, a male version of her complete finely cut suit with eye makeup, manicured nails and trimmed hair.

"Listen, Crane. I told you, warned you actually to say something to the mentors of Districts 1 and 2," I began. Crane lifted his hand. 'Did he just waved me like some pet dog to obey hi?' "You got a lot of nerve––"

"Abernathy," Heavensbee spoke as he sat up and extended his hand. "I'm Plutarch Heavensbee––"

"I know who you are," I stated, ignoring his slimy hand.

"We, Seneca and I was just discussing about the tributes from 1 and 2."

"Oh? And what are two going to do about them?" I said straight to the point. "What are you two going to do since Cato and his flunkies can't seem to control themselves? Taunting and attacking my tributes every chance they get?"

"I do apologize, Abernathy," Heavensbee said. It was obvious that Plutarch was the true politician. He eased into his position with his charm and words. I admit he's an intelligent man, a kind a man that was deadly if you made him his enemy. Unlike Crane, a weasel––a 'yes, sir' individual who was easily influenced. I needed weak men like Crane not Heavensbee to run the arena. "As you know, there is only so much a mentor can do to control tributes like Cato and Clove."

"I don't care," I stated. "I want to know what you are going to do because I'll tell you right now, if you don't control those two instigators you will have two less around." I remembered Peeta's threats, he was serious.

"They have been removed from the training facility," Seneca added. "We are aware of the incident after the Tribute Parade." I was so focused on my agenda that I didn't notice the monitor behind Crane. On the screen was the footage of the altercation between my tributes and Cato and company. I had a big smile on my face as I watched Peeta throw the male tribute over his shoulder with ease. Jimmy would be so proud of him.

"For the rest of time, they will be training in an another facility away from Everdeen and Mellark," Heavensbee continued. "And they will not be attending the dinner tomorrow night as their punishment." Great, I didn't know whether I should be relieved since this 'punishment' will probably enrage Cato and his cohorts further. Another reason to be angry with Peeta and Katniss.

"I look forward to meeting your tributes, Abernathy." Plutarch had devilish smile on his face. It didn't like it. With my mission completed I felt safe to leave Peeta and Katniss at the training facility. I knew they could take care of themselves.

I returned to the penthouse feeling better but not at ease. Effie went back to Cinna's to further discuss and help design Katniss and Peeta's outfits for the interview and dinner party. I of course, was part of the fittings since I am their mentor. I didn't really worry about being dressed up like peacock since I trusted Cinna's judgment. I just hoped he didn't coordinate my clothing with Effie's. That I won't stand for.

During this time, I received a visit from Antoine and Dessie which I thought was odd considering that they couldn't appear having any favoritism. The stern and solemn look on their faces unsettled me. "Are you alone and the floor is secure?" Antoine asked me.

I nodded my head. "All clear, why?" I held my breath for a few seconds.

He held a devise in his hand. It looked like a datapad with a headphone attached. "Compliments from our source in the Capitol," Antoine said as he handed it to me. "You might want to take a seat while you listening."

I took a deep breath, placed the headphone on my ears and turned on the pad. The monitor lit up revealing a face I haven't seen but been hoped to communicate since arriving at the Capitol. As usual, his face was covered with a black hood concealing his identity though I knew who he was.

"Haymitch," Jay spoke, his voice calm but firm. I had always admired his poise. It's what made him an effective leader––never losing his nerve and calm as he made decisions without pause. A lot of his men looked up to him as did I, but not of late.

I tried to lead by his example as I tampered down my emotions. "Jay, any news?" I asked. I was jumping out of my skin with anxiety.

"How is my…how are your tributes doing?" he returned. I knew what he was asking but he was in his MockingJay role not as Katniss' father. I knew the distinction tore him in half as a leader and as a father.

"As well as to be expected," I said. Jay sighed then took a deep breath. "They are holding their own. You should be very proud of them both."

"You, I had no doubt would take care of them," Jay returned. "I wasn't worried for they are in good hands." I was humbled by his faith in me to keep them safe. It meant a lot.

"I want you to download the plans," he ordered without any explanation, he turned from concerned father to rebel leader without pause. "Read and memorize it, live and breath it until it's burned onto your skin then destroy this devise." I nodded my head in agreement. "There is no going back once we execute this plan, Haymitch. It's not just Peeta and Katniss' lives that are at stake."

With a push of a little button, I downloaded the mission plans. This was it. Jay was right there was no turning back, but what choice did we have if we wanted to rescue Katniss and Peeta from the arena. There was no choice.

---

Katniss POV ––

"Peeta, I need to take a break," I panted the words through my mouth. After the parade, he had us running and jumping through an obstacle course. My lungs burned from the excursion, we have been exercising nonstop. Peeta barely was affected. He had great stamina and endurance of which he was trying to strengthen mine as well.

I couldn't help but notice the sweat on his face and skin. It reminded me of our intimate interaction early this morning. Gone was my boyfriend, but my tribute and training partner. I needed my Peeta ––the boy who loved me. Where was the Boy with the Bread that saved my life that one fateful day?

"Okay but only for 5 minutes," he relented as he sat next to me and handed me a bottle of water. He kept his eyes at the other tributes. Even through Cato, Clove and two tributes were gone, he didn't trust the others that exercised and trained in the facility. Then he turned to me, looking down on my forearms. He winced as he noticed the bruises that Clove and her friend left on my arms as they held me hostage while Cato's friend ambushed Peeta after the Tribute Parade.

The look on his face went from calm, concern to anger. "Peeta, they didn't hurt me," I reminded me. "These bruises will fade." He turned his head.

"I didn't protect you," he started. "Cato…Cato touched you there." His voice cracked.

I cringed at the memory of Cato grabbing me from behind with one arm around my waist as the other squeezed a breast. It hurt, his large fingers palmed the mound. I didn't have much but he grabbed enough to cause some pain.

---

Peeta reacted quickly when I disappeared from his side. He turned around to find Cato behind me, his chest to my back. "Let her go, Cato," Peeta demanded.

"I just don't get what you see with this." He squeezed. I winced as his fingers dug into my breast. "She's not even pretty and she's flat-chested." The girls behind him giggled. "She's my first pick in the arena. Once you're dead, she is all mine." I felt humiliated. Cato was so focused on Peeta that I took my chance. With his attention focused on him, I grabbed his finger around my waist. He yelped in shock and pain as I pulled the finger downward causing to buckle on to his knees.

I had him where I wanted him when Clove and her friend grabbed me forcing me to let go of my grip on Cato's finger. Peeta meanwhile wrestled Clove off me but was pushed aside by another tribute––the male tribute from District 2, their partner in crime. We were two against four. Not even the peacekeepers were stationed at their post intervened. They were letting it happen.

---

"That wasn't your fault," I told him.

"Peeta?" He kept his eyes away from me, his shoulders slumped. He looked…defeated, weary. With his head still turned, I looked at his profile. His dark blond lashes were long that I wanted to reach out and touch them. "Look at me, honey."

He turned his head so fast, his brows raised to his forehead. "Honey?" he smirked. Mr. Taskmaster was gone and my sweet boyfriend reappeared.

"Darling?" Even I winced at the term of endearment. I sounded like my mom. Peeta's eyes were wide and he had a goofy smile on his face. I retracted. "No, not darling." I shook my head. "That sounds like a bad romance novel."

"You read a romance novel?" I ignored him. That was fact I was too embarrassed to admit to him not just yet.

"Sweetheart?" I suggested. He scrunched his nose in disgust while he shook his head.

"No, you sound like Haymitch," he teased. I grabbed his hand which was a no-no. Peeta didn't want us to display any form of affection in public, but he needed it. I needed to touch him. Three words formed in my head but I was conscious of our surrounding so I mouthed them instead, making sure no one was watching us. 'I love you.' I waited for him to return the sentiment. Peeta smiled––his cheeks pinked and eyes twinkled.

He leaned over. I expected and anticipated for him to kiss me or say it back in return but whispered in my ear instead. "You are my love" he said, his voice husky. A chill ran up my spine, my skin goose-pimpled by his proximity. 'Oh, boy.'

His simple gesture or words had my stomach tingling. My body reacted as it always did whenever he was near me––my mind flashed to our encounter earlier that morning. I squeezed my legs together to ease the pressure building at my center.

A soft giggled disrupted our private conversation. I looked up at the rafters to see the little girl from 11 smiling at us. She winked.

"Okay, time's up, honey," Peeta said as he grabbed my hand and helped me to my feet. He was back to training mode as he took off and headed towards the obstacle course. I sighed and followed him.

When we excited the training facility Haymitch was not there to meet us like he usually did. "I hope nothing is wrong," Peeta said. He must have read my mind as we both settled into the car. "It isn't like him to not escort back to the penthouse."

"I know," I responded back.

We hurriedly exited the car as soon as we arrived back to our resident. Once inside the suite, I was surprised to find Haymitch with two guests. Peeta wasn't at all surprised to see them.

"Antoine, Dessie," he called out to them. They hugged him like old times friends. I guess people he met when he visited the Capitol weeks before. "It's good to see you."

"You look well, Peeta," the female commented as she looked him over. She reminded me of Effie with her purple wig and ensemble. Her lashes were so long I wondered how they stayed on her eyelids. They looked uncomfortable. Her companion wore dark blue suit that matched the color of his pompadour hair.

"I'm sorry, my manners," Peeta said as he turned to me. "Antoine, Dessie, this is Katniss Everdeen."

To my surprised they both hugged me. "I feel like I've known all your life," Dessie said. She placed both hands on my cheeks as she stared into my eyes. Antoine chuckled beside her.

"Dessie, don't overwhelm her. You are as beautiful as Peeta said you were. Meeting you in personal just only confirms how true his words are." He took my hand and kissed my fingers.

"You're such a charmer," Haymitch snorted. "Be careful, Peeta doesn't like people touching Katniss, even if it's you, Antoine."

"I don't blame him." Antoine winked at me. "She is as beautiful and he has described."

I blushed. I didn't realized Peeta talked to them about me. "I believe that it is time to leave, Haymitch," Dessie announced.

"You're leaving?" Peeta asked.

"You kids enjoy yourselves. Effie is with Cinna working and I have…business with Antoine."

"What business?" I inquired.

I looked at Haymitch in surprised. Last night I was grateful that he had allowed Peeta and I some time alone, but two nights in a row alone?

"You and Peeta have the suite to yourselves until the night before the games," Haymitch ignored my question. Peeta looked gobsmacked. That meant we had only one night of privacy––no Effie or Haymitch sleeping across us to do as we please. My heart raced at the opportunity, another 'date night' with Peeta all to my self.

While I'm fantasizing about my time with him, Peeta's mind was elsewhere. "Haymitch, what is going on?"

"Nothing, I have business with Antoine. Nothing to worry about." He pulled him aside. "Peeta, relax. Enjoy the time you have? You both deserve it."

The next thing we knew Haymitch, Antoine and Dessie left us all alone in the suite. Suddenly and for no reason, I felt shy and nervous as a bunch of butterflies fluttered in my stomach. The thought of a night, a whole night alone with Peeta was nerve-wracking and exciting.

"Katniss––"

"So what do you––" We both spoke at the same time. I giggled, a short laugh that ease the nervousness I felt inside. He had a hand on the back of his neck, a sign that he was nervous as well.

I never flirted or knew how to flirt with a boy because I had no interest. Peeta was my boyfriend––the only boyfriend I have ever wanted. Sometimes I felt that we skipped the flirting and the 'dating' that led to our relationship––that I had deny Peeta the opportunity to 'court' me like he wanted to.

"I'm going to take a shower," he suddenly announced as he headed towards his room. Oh no not again. This felt like déjà vu. I was about to follow him when he turned and said as he walked backward to face me. "Katniss, order dinner for us like you wanted last night." I nodded my head in dumb silence, my mouth was open and my throat dry. "Have it delivered later this evening around 7." It was four in afternoon. What did he want to do between that time?

"Seven?" my voice cracked. "What do you want to do in the meantime?" I dare asked. He was the guy in this relationship. I've been trying to seduce him all this time but I wanted to turn the tables on him. Flirt and play with him.

He smiled, my knees wobbled as he sent me a sultry look that caused my heart to pound on my chest. "You can always join me in the shower." I gasped. He turned and walk into the hallway while he removed his shirt off reveal the muscles on his back, his lean waist and well define ass. 'He's teasing me, right?' a voice in my head asked.

"Bastard," I muttered under my breath, a big smile on my face as I felt the heat rise from my neck to my cheeks. "Two can play that game." After a quick call to caterer, I took a deep breath and closed my eyes. "Okay, Katniss. You can do this," I muttered to myself.

The door to his room was wide open. A trail of Peeta's clothes was on the floor leading to his bathroom––the door wide open as well. Puffs of steams floated in the air from the shower. I tiptoed toward the room hoping to surprise him.

I imagined Peeta, in his naked glory, under the showerhead, his eyes closed and his hands rubbing his chest removing sweat from his skin from hours of exercising. I'd looked down to his waist, his cock half mast jutting in front of him.

Then my mind decided to intervene. Did I want our first time in the shower––naked and wet? The thought excited me but thought of the logistics. Damn my logical side for weighing on the possibilities. Yes, it was hot to think of Peeta taking me against the shower wall, but what if Peeta or I slipped and injured ourselves? This was not how I imagined I would lose my virginity to him, fucking me in the shower with the chances of slipping from the wet ground. We didn't have any experience to know what we were doing.

I quickly turned around and headed to my room. No, I will have a redo of last night, but instead of having dinner at 7 like Peeta suggested I rearranged to have dinner early––soon, as quick as possible. I took a long leisurely shower, shaving my legs and armpits. I dried and lathered my body with a lotion that had the scent of lavender. With my hair, I brushed and tried to dry it with the dryer that I struggled to operate. It had so many features––low, medium, high heat. There were features that I didn't understand its' function––ionic to regular, fast or slow and a button to straighten hair or to add volume. Ionic, volume? What the hell? I just wanted to dry my hair, damnit––not have to read an instruction manual all night. My usual routine was wash my hair, comb and let the air dry it naturally or if I'm not in a hurry I'd braid it.

Tonight, I didn't want any interruptions or mishaps. Drying my hair should not cause me any grief or problems.

Disgusted and frustrated with hair dryer, I went to my closet to dress myself. All I saw was my training uniforms, a few blouses and pants not suitable for a dinner date––the dress I wore last night which was supplied by Effie, was the only dress I had. I should have asked her for more help. Even the sexy panty and bra set I used last night was not put too good use as Peeta fell on asleep before he was able to enjoy it fully.

To my dismay, my only choice was to wear the dress I wore the night I had dinner with Jimmy and my parents––the night Snow had chosen me as Peeta's female tribute partner. It sadly hung in my closet looking out of place. I sighed, "It'll have to do."

I was disappointed because it wasn't as glamorous as the dress I wore the night before as I remembered the way Peeta looked at me from head to toe. I wanted to dazzle and impress him because there are much prettier girls than me. Why he chose and loved me I'll never know but I am grateful that I am the object of his affections, adoration and desire.

With minutes to spare, I didn't realize that I spent close to a full hour getting ready for our date. The food was sure to arrive any minute and I needed to prepare it. I rushed out my bedroom to find Peeta already in the living room, watching some program on the monitor. He wore a simple dark blue shirt and dark brown pants, something he would have worn back in District 12. We matched. Tonight we dressed as if we were back home about to have a date as plain Peeta and Katniss, not the Star-Crossed Lovers of District 12 or the tributes chosen for the 74th Hunger Games. For a few second I drank in the sight of him, he looked relaxed and content. No worry lines on his face or traces of purple underneath his eyes from lack of sleep, exhaustion and stress. He looked handsome and whole; the curls on his perfect head were in place without the help of gel or hair product.

Peeta turned his head, for some reason he always knew when I walked into a room like as if he could sense me. He stood up from the couch. "Peeta?" I called out his name as he stood there just staring at me for a few seconds without saying a word. Was he disappointed with my dress, should I have dried my hair? Negatives thoughts filled my mind. I really felt self-conscious as Peeta walked towards me, his face unreadable. I was ready to crack and fall to pieces when he suddenly grabbed my hands.

"Katniss, you look so beautiful," he complimented me as he touched the end of my hair. "You made my heart stop." His words were corny and so cliché; a large part of my low self-esteem and insecurity vanished. I wore a dress not made from the Capitol, not from Cinna or some expensive creation that was worth one month's food in District 12. I wasn't made up with layers of foundation, gobs of lipstick, eyeliner or shadow. As a matter of fact, I wore no makeup at all. Unlike last night as I painted my face mimicking the best I could from what I learned from Cinna and my stylist. If Peeta noticed my efforts he didn't say anything at all.

His honesty and look of complete adoration and desire on his face had me wet within seconds. I was so wet that I wanted to drag him to his bed and have him make love to me. I was a bubble ready to burst of lust, longing and suppressed desire.

Unfortunately, dinner arrived as I planned. "Um…I had our dinner delivered early," I said, my voice shook. This feeling I can't describe. I wanted to savor it. Once we experience making love for the first time, I needed to cherish it. My time with Peeta was limited. He was going home. He deserved to go home. I had to make our time together last so Peeta will remember that I loved him, he was my first and my one and only.

Dinner was a feast, consisted of a small salad, a large buttery steak with mashed potatoes and gravy and dessert. I debated whether I should break open a bottle of wine but decided against it. I wanted to be lucid and aware of the next few hours. My time with Peeta as short as it was, I wanted to remember every second, every moment.

"Dinner was delicious, Katniss," Peeta said as he stuffed his mouth with mashed potatoes. He gained a bit of his weight back making him solid and lean again not frail looking. "What's for dessert?" 'Me.' I wanted to answer back, all seductive and flirtatious, but my courage escaped me.

"I'm not sure," I said. I really wasn't certain or remember what I ordered.

"It's okay," Peeta muttered. "We can have it later. I feel stuffed anyway." He sat back, wiped his mouth with the cloth napkin and placed on the table. "Thank you, Katniss this was perfect." I smiled. He was always so polite and gracious. He was perfect for me––his light to my dark personality.

"Have I told you that you look beautiful," he stated as a matter of fact, his eye locked onto mine.

I blushed, I knew I did as the heat rose to my face again. "Yes, you did," I confirmed. My stomach was full from dinner but those damn butterflies fluttered in my belly. I'm such a girl.

"Well, it bears repeating, every day. Every chance I get. I'm sorry that I have been…remiss," he said.

"You're getting sappy," I chuckled.

"Sappy? Hm, I guess you would know since you've been reading those romance novel and all," he teased, his brows raised with smile on his face. I was about to protest. "Don't worry you're secret is safe with me."

"So."

"So?"

"What do you want to do now?" I dare asked. I wanted him to lead and determine how our night was going to go. I knew where I wanted it to end but… He stood up.

"I need to use the bathroom," he announced so nonchalantly. 'Huh?' Before I can say anything else he was gone. I sighed. With nothing to do I cleared at the table and placed everything in the kitchen. This took about ten to fifteen minutes. Peeta at this time was nowhere, he didn't come back until I was done.

"Hey, you should have waited for me to help you." He appeared at the kitchen entryway, leaning against wall with his arms crossed. I shrugged my shoulders.

"I didn't mind, Peeta." I didn't at all, the time away from him I used to calm my mind and body to relax. He extended his hand to me. Butterflies fluttered, knees wobbled, it didn't take much for them to reappear.

"Come on, there's something I want to share with you." He quietly led us to his bedroom. 'This was it.' Peeta's hand was soft but firm. I could feel the calluses in his skin from years of kneading bread with his bare hands. I imagined those hands on me, touching and exploring every inch of me.

I gasped in surprise, raising my free hand to my mouth. His room was lit with a dozen small light bulbs incased in square clear glass.

"I thought of candles but––" He pointed upward, water sprinklers system attached to the

ceiling.

"Peeta, this is beautiful," I complimented him as I looked around. "Peeta!" I hugged him, wrapping my arms around his neck. "Thank you." Then I kissed him, I could no longer hold back my desire for him as I pressed my breast to his chest.

"Katniss," he whispered my name between kisses, my tongue plunging into his mouth. I wanted to devour him. "Katniss, wait. Baby, wait." I didn't want to wait as I grabbed his shirt unbuttoning the first button. "Katniss, please."

I pulled back, my breath harsh as I panted through my mouth. "What?"

"I want you so bad right now, but we need to slow down," he said, his voice shook with desire. " If we don't slow down it'll be over before we get started. I want to take my time with you, okay?" I nodded my head, agreeing with him.

"Okay."

"Tonight I want to spend hours exploring you," he said in soft and gentle voice. "Will you allow it?"

"Yes." 'Was that my voice?' He led me to the bed as he held my hand. "You really are beautiful." He kissed my cheek, nose and lips so lightly. We stood at the edge of the bed facing each other, eyes locked as if we the only two people in the world. My body shook with anticipation.

"Are you cold? You're shivering," he said as he skimmed his hand up and down my arms. I shuddered at his touch. My mind was in a haze. Peeta slowly undressed me, taking his time as he removed my dress and unhooked my bra. Both pieces fell on the floor pooling on my feet. I wore a simple light blue underwear, nothing sexy like silk but plain cotton. He looked at me with lust and awe.

I held my breath and waited for him to make a move. "Katniss," he said, his voice wispy as he took a deep breath. Then suddenly, he leaned down and swallowed my breast, encasing it with his lips while his tongue swirled around my areola. The room spun as my eyes rolled to the back of my head.

"Ugh..." He continued to assault my breast for a few seconds. When he moaned, the vibration sent a tingle to my center. "Peeta, Peeta." One hand held me around the waist as the other grabbed my ass cheek grinding my front to his pants. "Peeta, I'm…I'm gonna fall down." I wasn't lying, my knees felt weak from standing.

He stopped with a loud pop as his lips released my soaking breast. "Get on the bed, and move back," he demanded. I did as he commanded. I lay back on the bed. He quickly divested himself of his shirt, pants and socks. His cock bulged inside his boxer shorts. I waited for him to remove it but he climbed the bed after me.

I gasped as he placed two hands on my knees and spread me open to him. My lips glistened with desire. "You're so wet." Too excited to respond, I nodded my head. My panties were soaked.

"I need to prepare you," he said while his eyes were transfixed on my pussy. "I've never done this before…Rye…he told me it will hurt the first time. So I have to make sure you get off first." He fingered my panties sliding his digit up and down, just one slight touch and I was aching for more. "I don't want to hurt you, ever."

I sent him a sad smile. "It's going to hurt, I know that, but…I'm glad it's you," I said, my voice shook. "It was going to be you or no at all." I was certain of that. No one, I didn't want anyone the way I wanted Peeta. The fact that he was not average, his cock was long and his girth wide made shiver but I was also scared. Not of him, never of him.

Crawling on his hands and knees he leaned down and kissed me. He propped his elbows beside my shoulders and pressed his lower half between my legs while he captured my hands above my head. I lost conscious thought and time as we kissed each other to distraction. Our tongues battled for dominance.

"Peeta, Peeta, please. I want more…I need…"

"Not yet," he gasped between breaths. "It'll be over for me too soon."

"But––"

"Shh…I know what you need," he returned. He let go of my hands. I was about to grab him by the neck when he suddenly disappeared from my view. He kissed and licked me from breastbone to stomach and down to the edge of my soaked panties. My eyes bulged in surprised as Peeta pulled my panties down, dragging the cloth down my legs and throwing it behind him.

Without ceremony or any warning, he leaned down and plunged his tongue between my wet folds causing me to arch my back from the bed. "Shit, shit," I panted like a mantra.

"Such a dirty mouth," he said between licks.

"Fuck," I responded back when he inserted his tongue inside me. My hands were everywhere, my chest, my hair, the blanket on my bed until I found purchase grabbing his hair on his head. "More, more." My hand landed on the top of his head while the other toyed with my breast, pinching my nipples hard.

I didn't know what I was asking for but I wanted it more of it. I screamed as he puckered his lips and sucked my clit, hard. The air was hot around me; my skin glistened with sweat. All sensation was centered between my legs, the only sounds I heard was Peeta licking me and my breath churning in my ears.

I thought I was floating. But in actuality Peeta had lifted my lower body as he grabbed both ass cheeks raising me off the bed while he feasted on me. I didn't realize I had that kind of flexibility with my feet planted on the bed and the rest of me placing all my weight on the top of my head. "Peeta, Peeta, Peeta," I called his name over and over. Then a searing pleasurable ache exploded between my legs, the world turned white blinding me. My body tingled from my center radiating to my arm and legs.

I didn't know how much time had passed. When I opened my eyes, I saw corn flower blue gazing back at me. My boyfriend's hair was askew, his face wet with white viscous liquid and a big smile on his face. "Wow," he said.

"Wow," I repeated. "You're really good at that." No sense in lying since it was the most pleasurable experience I ever had. How can he top that? My arms felt rubbery as I wrapped them around his neck, my legs followed suit as I placed them around his narrow hips.

"I am to please," he returned in a smug manner as he wiped his face with the back of his hand.

"You better aim to please no but me," I threatened him. His smile got wider. 'Holy fuck.' I gasped as he pressed his erect boxer-shorts covered cock on my quivering center. He sat up on his knee taking me with him. I tasted myself on his soft lips when I leaned forward and kissed him.

For a few a moments we lost ourselves with our kisses, relishing the feel of him nestled between my legs. He was still wearing his boxer shorts, the only barrier between us. With greedy hands and lust filled mind I reached and pulled his boxers shorts down to reveal himself to me. It was only fair since I was naked and he wasn't. I had to even the odds.

His thick cock jutted towards me, the tip of his penis coated. Peeta hissed as if he was in pain but I knew better. I needed to return the favor since he had given so much pleasure. "My turn," I announced as I reached down and clasped my fingers around the base of his cock. His cock was hard as steel but with a smooth silky shell. I couldn't wait to have it inside me.

"Fuck," he cursed not in anger. "Wait, wait."

"No, no more waiting," I demanded as I pumped him once, twice.

"Katniss," he said as he grabbed my upper arms. I couldn't help but winced when his fingers came in contact with the bruises on my skin.

"Ouch," I hissed.

Peeta winced when he noticed the light bruising on my skin, fingers marks that Clove and her friend left behind when they held me. "You're still hurt."

"No, Peeta, it's not that bad," I tried to soothe him. "I've had worse. These are nothing."

"But you're still in pain––"

"Peeta, these are nothing. I was more afraid of Cato and his friend hurting you," I admitted. The confrontation really scared me. Cato and friend were both 6' 0" tall with big muscles. I knew Peeta could take care of himself but there was two ganging up on him. I didn't know where the Peacekeepers were that were supposed to protect us. But I didn't have to worry, Peeta handled his friend without my help.

"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry," he said, his brows furrowed as he pressed his forehead against mine. I sighed in frustration but understood his remorse. He didn't need to explain. He felt guilty that I was in the Capitol with him. Even now, naked and desiring me with his hard length pressed between us, our breaths mingling, hot and harsh. My nipples were hard and taut, my center wet from longing. My body ached for him as no man has ever created this feelings of wanton abandonment. The desperate feeling for him to take me multiplied exponentially. What he had given early this morning was just a sample––the kind of desperation and lust my body yearned and begged to feel and experience. The secrets that lovers shared between them. I wanted it, craved it.

But Peeta's feelings of guilt overweighed his desire. I knew that his need to keep me live hit him like a ton of bricks. He didn't even have to tell me––if his plan was to keep Prim safe, I knew he'd do the same for me, sacrificing his life for my own.

But that was not what I wanted to concentrate on tonight. These stolen moments together were all we had. I knew him well enough to know what prompted this emotion at this moment. I love him; it made me love even more than I thought I could love anyone.

"Listen," I said as I kissed his wet eyes brimmed with tears. "I never wanted this, I never wanted to want to someone like the way my mom wanted my dad. How her whole focus was him, forgetting Prim and me. She abandoned us, emotionally and physically. It was selfish prioritizing her feelings for him over her children who needed her the most. She loved my father that much, the way I love you that much. I never knew I needed this, I never knew I wanted this, this thing between us. This unknown overwhelming, breath-stealing and heart stopping feeling when I'm with you." I stopped for a second to catch my breath, as an ache threatened to burst through my chest. Peeta was patient, always so patient with me as I gathered my thoughts.

I guess I am my mother's daughter in the end.

"You scared and blindsided me. I never knew I could feel this or want it. And I don't regret it. I want you so bad that I feel I'm going to die if you don't…don't fill this hole gnawing in my belly."

Peeta smiled. "And you tell me that you don't know what to say. That you are not good with words," he teased me, guilt replaced by awe and adoration. It was painted on his face. I wanted to kiss him or he kiss me, but I continued.

"I don't. I don't make pretty speeches or have time for flowery words. But I do know that I want you so bad," I said, my voice shook from desire and need. "And also…because I love you so much."

"I love you, I love you," he repeated. "I never ever wanted anyone but you." He placed a hand on my cheek, his thumbing rubbing my skin. "I've dreamt and fantasized of this moment for so long, years. And now you're here, naked and wanting me the way I wanted you." He paused as his eyes looked over my face, hair and dipped down to my breast. I waited because I knew he wasn't finished. I wanted to him to say what he needed to say because once he was done, there would be no interruptions or excuses. He was going to make love to me tonight and every night until…

"You…you are more than any of my fantasies or dreams that I had." He cupped his hand on my breast. I gasped in need for him. "I never thought I'd ever get to you to notice me let alone love me." 'Oh, Peeta, how could I not?' a voice in my head uttered. "But ––" And here he goes. "You have to admit you would not be here with me if I wasn't anyway associated with you. Prim would be home safe and sound. You wouldn't have been reaped." 'What argument could I give him to put this feeling of guilt to bed, finally put it to rest? So he can take ME to bed?'

"Do you regret loving me?" I asked. "Do you regret us being together?"

"What? No, Katniss," he blustered in shock and surprise. "Never, never. These last few weeks have been the best days of my life."

"Do you blame my dad, MockingJay for putting your life in danger?" I inquired. "Because if it wasn't for him you…you would not be here. If anyone is to blame it's him. It's his fault. My dad did this to you and your family." I paused and took a deep breath. "If anyone has the right to be angry it's you. You should hate me––"

"Never, I could never hate you. What your dad did to me…" He bowed his head avoiding my eyes. "I understood why he did it. It…this was just an unfortunate circumstance. I don't blame him at all."

"You should because…because I blame him," I admitted. This was not the direction I wanted this conversation to lead to. I was trying to make a point.

"Don't," he said so soft I almost didn't hear it. "What you're dad is doing is brave. He wants a better world for you and Prim. He wants what any parent wants for their child––a free world to live in without the games. You and I are just small part of this…revolution, but we are…important. We need to do what we can to help him."

"How can you say that?" I gasped in horror and bit of anger. "He's using us. He used us. Even I can see and admit that." I hated what my Dad did to Peeta. I didn't want to take part in the rebellion, but having Prim reaped, how could I not participate especially now knowing the truth about the MockingJay. He was my father. But the secrets and the betrayal it hurt knowing that my own father subjected Peeta to such trauma and events that led to all of us being in the Capitol.

"I'm sorry," Peeta interjected. "I…this was not how I wanted to spend our evening." He rubbed my shoulders trailing his hands down my back. His touch sent shivers all over me. I forgot for a moment what we were talking about. "Forget I said anything. Just for tonight. I know I ruined it ––"

I kissed him hard pushing my tongue into his mouth. He tasted savory and sweet. I wanted more as the feeling between my legs tripled in an ache I have never felt before. I felt warm and cold, weak and vulnerable. Is this love magnified with desire and lust? How did I not want this? "Please Peeta," I begged. "No more…" Talking about my dad, the rebellion or guilt was what I wanted to say but I lost my train of thought as he lowered his head and wrapped his soft lips around my nipple. "I need….I need."

"Tell me what you want?" 'He had got to be kidding me.' I was never good with words. I was more of an action girl. My vocabulary was stunted nor was I eloquent like whenever Peeta spoke. And now he wanted me to verbalize what I wanted…at this moment? While his slick tongue swirled around my hard areola to hard buds again? My lungs burned, my throat felt dry. I was gasping for breath. Words were not my friend.

"Gah, um..I wan…want…um…" He slightly bit my nipple. "Fuuuuck…shit…I...I," I babbled some more.

"Tell me or I'll stop." 'What? No, don't you fucking dare.' I placed my arms around his head and held on as he continued to lavish his warm mouth on my other breast.

"I want you inside me," I said. It was time. No more interruptions or excuses. Before I could say another word he pushed me not to gently, making my body bounced on the mattress. I giggled. He pounced laying his body over mine, trapping me underneath him. He used both hands to wrap my legs around his lean waist.

"Do we need…" he started. "Are you on anything? Should I get a condom?" He lifted himself off me but I wasn't letting him go.

"No," I blurted. "The Capitol, they injected me with a contraceptive when I got here." Well, a Capitol medic injected the first day of training, but I didn't want to tell Peeta that. "So we don't need a condom, please?" My first time with him, I wanted nothing between us.

"Okay," he returned. Anxiety build in my chest. I was nervous but impatient. Peeta tested my opening with his fingers. "You're still wet." It was a statement or observation I couldn't tell.

"I'm ready." I've been ready. Peeta grabbed his cock, rubbed it up and down my slit. It was erotic and sensual as he played with me for a few seconds. I was more drenched than ever which was he wanted. "Peeta, please now."

"Yes," he said as he placed the tip of penis to my opening. Then he leaned down and kissed me hard. "Tell me to stop if I'm hurting you."

It was going to hurt no matter what he did. I knew it. With his size and girth it was going to hurt regardless.

"Peeta," I was speechless. He slowly inched his way inside me. With each pass, he was splitting me open. Peeta had tears in eyes. "Hey, I'm okay."

"I want you so much but…" he sighed and took a deep breath. I wanted this, I've dreamt and fantasized this moment too.

"Just do it," I said as I clenched my teeth. I grabbed the side of his face, cupping his cheeks. "Do it, I'm ready." He leaned down kissed hard as the plunged deep, his balls nestled between my sore lips. I winced, tears fell from my eyes. The first push felt like pinch but as he broke the final barrier, stinging pain radiated from my center. I couldn't breath.

"Fuck, fuck." I looked up at his face. His eyes were closed and his mouth wide opened. "You're so tight, oh my God." Having him inside me was pain and pleasure.

"Don't move. It hurts." Once I said those word, Peeta opened his eyes, pleasure replaced by fear and concern. "I'm okay, honey. I just need to adjust. Don't move yet."

"Okay," Peeta croaked. To ease my discomfort, Peeta placed soft tiny kisses all over my face––he started on my eyes, nose and cheeks then he slipped his tongue in side my mouth. I groaned. I love the way he kissed me, sweet but demanding.

"Okay. I'm okay," I said, not needing anymore words.

While he kissed me, he slid inside my body in and out slowly, creating a sensation that started to escalate as my body got used to his girth. "Yes, yes like that," I encouraged him, my greedy hands clawing his backside. Oh dear God, this was what I would have missed had I denied myself, not letting Peeta into my life and my heart.

I recalled numerous times of my classmates bragging about sex and how wonderful it was to experience it. To them it was sex. I chalked it up to regret, not wanting to miss the experience they needed to have incase they were reaped. Deep inside me I knew that if I wanted to have sex with anyone, it would be someone that I loved, then my head argued with my heart and reminded that I didn't want to fall in love. It was easy for me to deny my desires because there was no one I desired.

Peeta moaned, deep and long. His eyes were fixed on breasts as they bounced in rhythm to his thrusts. Every few thrust he'd leaned down and kiss my lips, each kiss stealing my breath and train of thought. I lost myself to the feeling he instilled in me. His cock pushing inside me, creating a pleasure I want to experience again and again. Seconds or minutes later, the delicious feeling between my legs exploded, sending me to nirvana as my eyes rolled over in side my head. This feeling was better than the last orgasm as sharp tingles radiated from pussy to arms, legs, tightening my stomach, sending sparks all over my skin that even my toes and fingers tingled. The shockwave from my orgasm left me speechless, boneless and wanting more as it subsided, making me very satiated and pliant. I could deny him nothing had he asked me anything.

As for Peeta, he thrust a few more times, his hips undulated erratically as he lost rhyme and reason, pounding inside me in wild abandon. "Fuck, Katniss. You're so tight. Fuck," he voiced through clenched teeth. Seconds later his body was ramrod stiff while he spilled hot cum inside me. He landed on my chest, making sure not to crush from his weight. We were both hot, sweaty and breathing hard through our mouth. His hot breath tickled my nipple while my hand ran up and down his sweaty back. For the first time in my life I felt complete, loved and at peace. In two days time we were entering the arena to die. Tonight and tomorrow night was all we have. I wasn't about to waste it.

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AN: Thank you for reading this chapter and for your patience. This was a tad long but I hope it was worth the wait. My eternal thanks for those who alerted, favored and left a review. A special thanks to Cassie Sharpie, jroseley, mar071, pistonsfan75, DramionEverlarkPeetatoLover27, LACR, Nai1987, Aqua Rules, J, Mspriss523, and guests. I always look forward to your comments and reviews.

I hope you are all having a great weekend. :)