A/N: WARNING: *explicit content in this chapter. There are some implied things in this chapter that I'd just like everybody to be aware of. Yes, it is still a T rating. If you are uncomfortable with this kind of thing, please do not read. Thank you! Now, on to the story:

"Goodbye Katniss." My mother says, embracing me once more.

"I wish I could have stayed longer."

"Please, convince her to sleep." My mother tells Peeta, turning to kiss my forehead as I sit in one of the plush chairs next to the open window in the upper room. I fake a smile at her, and wave farewell as she picks up her suitcase and exits our bedroom. I knew it was over with having any chance with her staying farther. After what I said about Prim, she suddenly had to run back to the Medical Department in the Capital. Just like that, she leaves me.

I stare blankly out the window, I can't bare to look Peeta in the face. I am ashamed and terribly embarrassed of what I've become. He must think I'm completely insane. Especially after what I said I had just witnessed.

Peeta crouches down before me.

"Katniss . . ." His hand brushes me chin. I shake my head, pulling away.

"Hey, don't do that. Don't hide from me. I don't think your crazy. I think you are just extremely confused and tired. It'll go away by tomorrow, but your mom's right. You have to rest." He says, reading the thoughts crossing my mind.

I clench my teeth, trying to force tears to dry that are now pooling in my eyes.

"I . . . I can't . . ." I stammer.

Peeta doesn't listen. Taking my hands, he pulls me up from the chair. Wrapping an arm around me, we walk back over to the bed. He lays me stiff upon it, and then crawls over on the other side.

Darkness soon takes over our room. The night comes at last. I find myself for the first time, able to close my eyes. No dreams come. Not even happy ones. It is not a deep sleep, in fact it is very light. Though, it's something. It doesn't last long though. Peeta awakens me when he happens to jerk up in his sleep. I am surprised he was actually able to drift off as well. My eyes slit open as I feel his harsh movements. The sheets are pulled away from me.

"Peeta?" I mumble, looking up at him with half-opened eyes.

"Shh . . . go back-to sleep." He whispers, though he is breathing heavy.

I sit up quickly.

"Did you have a nightmare?" I ask him, placing a hand on his sweaty shoulder.

"It's-nothing. I'm okay." He replies, running his hands through his blonde hair.

I furrow my eyebrows.

"What was it about-" My words are cut off when Peeta lounges over me and forces his mouth to mine.

My body weakened against his. I deepen the kiss. Peeta pulls himself on top of me, pushing my head back to hit the pillows. Our mouths move at feverish pace. My heartbeat quickens in my chest, and I feel suddenly desperate for him. Our bodies twist around each other. Before I can comprehend what's happening, my pajama shirt is being unbuttoned and Peeta's lips on kissing down farther than my neck. The covers slip off the bed and fall to the floor as we discover one another in the dark.

An hour later, I lay drowsed and exhausted under the covers. Everything happened so quickly. Before I understood what was going to come, or what we were even going to do; it was already over. Our chests heave up and down in unison. With tired eyes, I find myself drifting off again, my head resting against Peeta's bare arm.

The cool Autumn breeze blowing through the windows is what wakes me up in the morning. Peeta is always leaving the windows wide open. I struggle to sit up, finding the sound of rushing water coming from the bathroom.

He must be taking a shower. Wrapping the sheets around my bare and freezing body, I go to the windows. The leaves are just beginning to fall. I guess it would be the perfect day to venture outside. Biting my lip, I decide to get dressed and go out to the Meadow. I haven't been outside in three days. At this point, I don't care what Peeta or anyone else thinks. I'm going to hunt.

Wrapping extra tight bandages around my middle and thrusting on my hunting boots, I head out into the sun. The leaves crunch underneath me as I stride through the forest. The smell of the pine trees makes we want to sigh with happiness. At last, fresh air. I spot my usual tree and find my old bow and sheath of arrows. I press my face to the string of the bow. It smells good. Almost like my father. I hike along the pond and shoot a few ducks, then nab a couple of squirrels I spy scurrying along the branches. A couple of berries are still left on a few bushes, so I pop some into my mouth as well.

Slinging the new game over my shoulder, I head to the Merchants' Village. Greasy Sae appears behind the counter as usual inside the newly built Hob, which is almost unrecognizable without the grime and Peacekeepers hanging about it. She grins huge when I throw down the ducks.

"Katniss! Haven't see you about. I don't know what to say . . ." Greasy Sae places her fists on her hips, thinking hard. It's an awkward situation. Greasy Sae knows me well, may even be fond of me. Though, she still remembers what I did in the Capital. Even if it was almost half a year ago.

"Well, anyway, how are you and Peeta?" She concludes, pulling the ducks toward her and weighing them with her hand.

"We are fine." I answer blankly.

"He still baking?" She wonders, hanging up the ducks behind her.

"Yep."

She nods, wiping her hands on her gray apron.

"It's good to see you again." I say as she flips some coins to me. I wave goodbye and sling the squirrels over my shoulder once more. The comment about Peeta and I makes me shiver slightly. I haven't looked back on last night yet. There is no way to turn around what we did. Not that I'm necessarily worried that I'll . . . get pregnant. There's more to it. It is a huge step in our relationship, and I don't know how to face him now.

I trudge across the street back to the Victors' Village, deciding to keep the squirrels for Peeta and I; even though I know I could have shot better meat. When I reach the road beholding the tall, mansion-like homes, I spot Peeta race out the front door of the house. He runs across the pavement to me and grabs my elbows tight. His face is a mixture of feelings.

"I've been searching everywhere for you! Look, I know it was a mistake doing-what we did last night. I took advantage of you and I'm sorry." He explains, bringing me close to him.

I shake my head.

"No, you didn't take advantage of me. That was my choice . . . and I don't regret it. It wasn't a mistake." I say, my voice shaking slightly. It's weird talking about it afterwards.

Peeta frowns.

"So you aren't worried about-about something happening to you?" He asks uncomfortably, his eyes glancing quickly at my stomach. I feel my face redden.

I shake my head again.

"I-I don't know." I answer. Am I worried?

"It's going to be okay. Nothing is going to happen." Peeta assures me.

"But, besides all of that . . . I have something to ask you . . ." Peeta's hands take mine. I bite my lip, staring up at him.

"Katniss, will you marry me?" He whispers. My eyes widen. I open my mouth wide.

"But, we're already-"

"No, I want us to do it again. It wasn't real the first time. This way, it can be. It'll be our choice." Peeta explains, his eyes lighting up.

"Look, I know that we're a mess. I know that everything seems upside down, but we need to do this. I know that somehow we can make life better."

A smile starts to creep up my face and I can't stop. Soon, it becomes a wide grin.

I nod my head. A lot.

"Yes. Yes, I will!" I exclaim, hugging him close to me. It's not great timing, but I'll do it. For him and for myself.

As we are embracing, he whispers into my ear.

"I didn't tell you this, but the dream I had last night. It was about us. I dreamt that you and I were living in Twelve happy and settled. Our life was simple, but we had everything we could have ever wanted. It was so powerful that when I woke up, I felt like I was in shock. It was the first good dream I'd ever had in a long while. That's why I kissed you when we woke."

For once in a long time, a laugh. Not just a snicker or a giggle, but a laugh. Peeta's face lights up even more, and he starts to chuckle a bit too. I know that his favorite sound on Earth is hearing my laugh. And knowing that makes me laugh even harder.

"We're getting married!" Peeta yells to the world, hugging me so hard that I'm picked off of the ground.

"Yes, we are." I mumble, eloped in his embrace; feeling something that I've never felt before, and not wanting it to ever go away.

A/N: *tear rolls down cheek. And that concludes the story. Wait! There's more though! I am currently working on the Epilogue. Hope everyone liked this last chapter. I've really enjoyed writing this story and adding input into the Everlark ship. I think they are a great couple! Stay tuned for the future lives of Mr. and Mrs. Mellark ;).