Second Chances

by Peetabreaddd

FULLY UPDATED! What happens when Katniss can't live without Peeta anymore after they won the war? Feeling lonely, Katniss does something tragic to make it all stop, but is given a second chance to make everything right. STORY HAS BEEN COMPLETELY REDONE

10. Chapter 10

She had only just left Peeta. She took her clothes off, got into the shower, talked a little with Prim who was falling asleep and went back to her own room. She looked out her window at Peeta's house. All his lights were off now. He was probably in bed. And where was she? Stuck in this house.

She pressed down on her watch. "What?" someone asked. She rolled her eyes. They never talked like to Haymitch!

"I just wanted to let you know that I'm going to Peeta's, so you might want to turn the mics off until tomorrow," she told them.

"Did Haymitch say you could do this?"

"I don't do what Haymitch wants. I'm going over so just do it," she snapped at them. They waited a moment.

"Fine, it's done," he snapped. She pulled on her slipper boots and tucked her pajama pants into them and pulled on a sweater. She walked quietly down the stairs, out her door and went to Peeta's door. It was opened and she snuck in.

"Peeta?" she called softly. She started walking up the stairs. "Peeta?" she called softly again and turned onto the floor to walk towards his room.

"Katniss?" Peeta yawned. Katniss came into his room and sat on his bed. Peeta sat up and rubbed his eyes. "What are you doing here?" Peeta asked.

"I wanted to finally spend at least one night with you that there weren't any mics or camera's," she whispered. He smiled at her and pulled the blankets down. She pulled off her slipper boots and took her sweater off. Then her and Peeta just looked at each other.

Peeta sat up swung his legs onto the floor and reached for her. He pulled her to stand between his legs. He lifted her shirt up a little and kissed her stomach, never breaking eye contact with her. She gasped when she felt his lips touch her stomach. Her stomach felt warm, and it spread throughout her whole body. His lips felt like Heaven on her stomach. He took her pajama pants string and untied them. He reached to the sides and slowly pulled them down her legs. He looked down to watch them fall, and then ran his hands up the back of her thighs and went around her butt to her hips. Katniss could barely breathe as she watched him.

He leaned back in bed and pulled Katniss with him to lay on her side of the bed. Peeta pulled his pajama pants off and then hovered above her, having his own difficulty in breathing.

"For 51 days all I wanted to do was be with you like this again," Peeta whispered. Katniss was the one who adjusted herself on her back and pulled Peeta closer to her body. She wrapped her leg around his hip. She wanted to be with him again. Her stomach was doing flip flops. He licked his lips.

"You wanna do this again?" he whispered. She nodded her head.

"I thought about it a lot on the train. I just wanted to be with you again. For real," she whispered. He smiled down at her. He had waited his whole life to hear her say things like this.

He swooped down and captured her lips. He was greedy with their kisses this time. Last time it was slow, and they built up a rhythm. This time, he wanted her. And he wanted her now. He didn't even know what possessed him. He had never been like this. But she wasn't complaining.

Their kisses were rough, and they were biting each other's lips.

"Peeta," she moaned. She wrapped her arm under his and was pulling on his back to pull him closer. He pulled her leg, so it was tighter on his hip.

Their movements were fast and rough. This time Katniss was moving with him. God what would she look like when they were actually making love?

It probably only lasted five minutes until they were both cumming. Panting so heavily. He rolled them to their sides, with Katniss' leg still around his hip. He moved his leg and could feel how wet she was. He buried his face in her hair. He wanted more. He hated being with her in secret like this. Just stealing moments to be together.

"That was amazing," she whispered. He chuckled and pulled his face back.

"I think that was just building up for 51 days," he joked. She nodded her head, agreeing with him, still blushing furiously talking like this with him.

"Maybe next time a little slower," she whispered. He tilted his head to look at her.

"Katniss Everdeen. Are you trying to seduce me into having another orgasm with you?" Peeta joked. She groaned and tried to lay on her back, but she just ended up pulling a laughing Peeta with her.

"Get off of me," Katniss grouched, trying to push him away, but Peeta rolled completely on top of her. It was a weird sensation having Peeta on top of her like this. It felt nice.

"Face it Katniss. You're stuck with me. Forever!" he told her.

"I guess I'll allow it," she whispered.

This felt right. It felt like this was where their relationship was supposed to be. They were supposed to be getting to know each other this way. But instead, they were just finding moments to steal away from each other.

Peeta got up to go to the bathroom to change and came back out a few minutes later. Katniss was laying there with her eyes closed. She didn't pull the covers back down from where Peeta had pulled them down. She was beautiful. And this beautiful woman that he had been in love with since he was 5, was his.

"Come back it's cold," Katniss told him. He chuckled and did as he was told. She snuggled up to him and tangled her feet with his. She was slowly starting to come out of her shell with him. He knew that when this was all over, and they didn't have to hide, then he would really start to see her. But for now, the little changes she had made with him were fine by him.

"We got through the 74th Hunger Games. We made it through five months of being separated. We made it through a two-month long Victory Tour. Now what?" she asked him. He hugged her tightly.

"We'll have to go over it with Haymitch. All the details. But I guess now our next move is when Thread gets here," Peeta said. Katniss picked her head up.

"When does that happen?" she asked. He thought about it.

"It's still snowing. So sometime soon," he guessed. She rested her head back down.

A few hours later Peeta woke up. Katniss had her back to him with his arm around her. She was moving around in her sleep. This was normal for her. But it wasn't a nightmare she was having, just a dream. But her moving was making him uncomfortable…down there.

He moved himself back a little, and then Katniss turned around and she yawned.

"Sorry, was I moving around too much?" she asked.

"No, it's ok," he told her.

"I can't sleep. I keep waking up," she said and got closer to him. Then she looked down and put her hand over her mouth.

"Oh. Nice. Now you start understanding these things," Peeta said and pushed her back. She was laughing in her hand. "You really think that's funny don't you," he said as he got on top of her and start tickling her. She yelled at him to stop. But he just dug into her sides mercilessly.

After a few minutes he let her breathe and crawled off her. He leaned his elbow on the bed and propped up his head.

"I love hearing you laugh. You don't do it often enough," Peeta told her.

"Yeah well, I haven't had too many opportunities," Katniss said. He leaned forward and kissed her.

"You'll get them. I promise,"

Katniss was sitting on the kitchen counter, while Peeta stood at the stove cooking, when Haymitch barged in, making them both jump.

"What the hell is your problem?" Katniss demanded.

"You. You are my problem. You can't do this every night. You can't just sneak over here whenever you feel like it. We have a plan to follow and- "

"I'm sick of it. I'm sick of this whole damn thing. This is my life. And I'm the one who has to go around pretending so everyone can be happy. I'm not an actress. I'm not some trained monkey. I can't just sit here and worry about a camera or a microphone every minute of every day. I can't keep doing this Haymitch. It was never this bad before. I can't take this anymore," Katniss started crying. She had hopped down from the counter while she was yelling at him. Peeta pulled her to him and hugged her.

"I get it Katniss. You keep on fighting me, but I'm on your side. I've always been on your side. Don't you think it kills me to see you like this? I know this is hard for you, and it kills me to know that I have to keep putting you through it. But we have this second chance, and we need to make it count," Haymitch told her.

"Just sit down ok. Let me finish breakfast," Peeta told her as Katniss sat down. Haymitch went and sat across from her. Peeta finished and set everything on the table. He placed Cinnamon rolls in front of Haymitch.

"These next few months won't be as bad Katniss. You don't have to go the whole time without seeing each other. You don't have to avoid each other. You can still steal moments to be together, even while the mics are listening in. This time before the Quell, you can be together more. We just still have some work to do. But it's going to be easier. I promise," Haymitch said, digging into his food and groaned.

"I can honestly say that these are better than the Capitol's. Makes me proud," Haymitch said. Peeta chuckled.

A few days later after Katniss had gone hunting with Rory, she came back and showered and was just laying on her bed, staring at the ceiling. "Katniss?" Prim called. Katniss sat up. "Can we go for a walk?" she asked. Katniss smiled at her.

"Sure," she said. They got on all their gear and started walking out of the Victor's Village.

"How was the Tour?" Prim asked. Katniss shrugged. "How was it?" she asked again.

"Pretty horrible. I hated sleeping at their houses. Seeing pictures of them on the walls. Looking at things they've drawn. It was horrible," Katniss said.

"At least they're really alive though. All those families will be reunited with their kids in a matter of months," Prim said. She let out a deep breath.

"Yeah, I know. Still doesn't make me feel any better. I did kill their children. They have a right to hate me,"

"Well, they won't get to still hate you once they see their kids again. Then they'll have to thank you," Prim said. Katniss snorted.

"Tell that to District 1 and 2. They'll never thank me," Katniss said.

"Did you have a hard time?" Prim asked as she looped her arm through Katniss'. Katniss looked down at her.

"I had a couple of moments. But they didn't get to far. I slept a lot," Katniss said. Prim smiled.

"I'm glad. Did Peeta stay with you at night?" Prim asked. Katniss blushed, but Prim just laughed. "I didn't mean it like that Katniss," Prim said. Katniss whipped her head around so fast to look at her.

"Primrose Everdeen!" Katniss hissed. Prim covered her mouth.

"I wasn't meaning anything dirty. You know I should technically be almost 15 now, right?" Prim asked. That made Katniss stop. That was true. She may have just turned '13', but Prim was older.

"Yeah, but still," Katniss said. Prim laughed.

"I meant it innocently. You're the one who blushed. You have to not take things so seriously all the time," Prim smiled. Katniss just shook her head.

"Yeah, I know. Maybe one day," Katniss said sullenly.

"Can we go get some cupcakes?" Prim asked. Katniss smiled at her.

"Sure," Katniss said, and they headed for the Bakery.

"Is Peeta's mom mean to you?" Prim asked. Katniss looked at her.

"Why would you ask that?"

"Because I know she doesn't like anyone from the Seam. And I remember from the first Games, Peeta had mentioned that his dad used to be in love with mom. And everyone calls her the witch," Prim said. Katniss laughed.

"Yeah, she pretty much hates me. But the feeling is very mutual. If she doesn't leave me alone, I'm just going to deal with her the way Haymitch deals with her," Katniss said.

"What does he do?" Prim asked. Katniss was trying not to laugh until she said it.

"Haymitch will go into the bakery, grab a cake and throw it at her face," Katniss said. Prim pulled back and covered her mouth.

"No way," she said. But Katniss started laughing.

"Yes way. So, if she pisses me off again, I'm gonna throw a cake in her face," Katniss said. The two of them were still laughing when they walked into the Bakery. Peeta's father, Breeoshe was there and smiled at them.

"Well, hello there. It's nice to see the both of you," he said. Both walked over saying hello, when Ryee stood up in front of them, startling them. He popped up from the floor and behind the counter. Katniss put her hand over her heart and reminded herself to breathe.

"Hey ladies," Ryee said.

"You do know that if you pop out and scare a Victor, they're likely to stab you right?" Katniss asked. Prim giggled. His father pushed his shoulder.

"Stop scaring her and Peeta. And that isn't an invitation to do it more," his father warned him, making Ryee laugh.

"PEETA! You have some girls out here asking for you. They wanna see the Victor of the 74th HUNGER GAMES!" He yelled, imitating Caesar. His father shook his head.

"I'm sorry. I tried to raise him like Peeta. But he beats to a different drummer," Breeoshe said.

"Is the fence holding Lady in?" Ryee asked. Prim nodded.

"Yes, I love it. Thank you. It just makes me feel better knowing she's safe," Prim said. Peeta came out a moment later looking a tad bit annoyed, but once he saw that it was Katniss and Prim, his face lit up.

"Oh, it's you guys. I thought it was some more girls from school," Peeta said and walked over and kissed Katniss and hugged Prim. They heard a snort from the window to the kitchen. It was his mother.

"Hi mom. Need a hand?" Katniss asked in her happy, fake Capitol voice. She glared at Katniss.

"There's work to be done!" She snapped at the three Mellark's.

"Take your time son. Ryee come and help me take the garbage out. It was nice seeing you girls," Breeoshe said as him and Ryee went out back.

"What brings you this way today?" Peeta asked.

"Prim wanted a cupcake. I was just looking for a big chocolate cake," Katniss said, eyeing the cakes.

"Oh no you don't. I'll end up cleaning that up. No thank you," he chuckled. He looked back at Prim. "But I do have some cupcakes that just cooled, and I was going to start icing them. Come on back with me and I'll show you," Peeta said and had them follow him into the kitchen out back.

"It smells so good back here," Prim said.

"Yeah, my stomach's growling just being in here," Katniss said to her. They followed him to a table that had everything Peeta needed to decorate with. Prim was mesmerized.

"Katniss always used to take me to the window to look at the cakes. Are you the only one that decorated them?" Prim asked Peeta.

"Not when I was younger. But the older I got, the more my dad realized that I was the painter in the family, and he was just the baker," Peeta chuckled.

"How long have you been the only one decorating them?" she asked as Peeta pulled out a step ladder and a high back chair for them to sit on.

"Since maybe I was 8 or 9. It was my favorite thing to do," Peeta said.

"I always wanted one of these cakes for my birthday. Katniss was able to get me a decorated cupcake for my 10th birthday. It was the best thing I'd ever eaten," Prim said dreamily. Katniss smiled at the memory. So did Peeta.

"I was there that day that you got the cupcake," Peeta said to Katniss.

Peeta looked at the door and almost fell over when he saw Katniss Everdeen walk into the Bakery. He was too shocked to speak. Katniss saw him but looked through the window to the kitchen. He was old enough to know why. Everyone from the Seam waited till his mother wasn't there before they came in.

He cleared his throat. "How…how can I help you?" Peeta asked. Katniss fidgeted around nervously.

"Um…I wanted to get a cupcake. For my sister's birthday," Katniss said. She was looking down at her hand and counting the money. Just by looking at her hand, he knew she didn't have enough.

"They're on sale today. I'm just about to ice them. What's her favorite color?" Peeta asked. He was actually getting to talk to Katniss Everdeen.

"She really likes yellow and pink," Katniss said. Peeta nodded his head.

"Do you have about ten minutes? I can go make it really pretty for her," Peeta asked. Trying not to stare. Katniss looked through the kitchen window again.

"I have to go to the Hob. I can just come back. How much is it?" Katniss asked. He told her a lowball amount and she smiled at her hand and handed him the money and still had change left.

"I'll have it ready by the time you come back," Peeta said. Katniss left, and when she returned, he had the cupcake in the box. He opened it for her, and she smiled. The icing was a swirl of pink and a little yellow. Because on top was a yellow primrose. Katniss looked up.

"She'll love this. Thank you," she smiled and took the box.

"I forgot about that. That seems like a million lifetimes ago," Katniss said. Peeta smiled.

"That's because you forget everything," Prim joked, making Katniss roll her eyes, making Peeta laugh.

"Yeah, I never forgot about that day," Peeta said and went to work on another cupcake for her. In about ten minutes she had a beautiful blue frosted cupcake with a snowflake on top. "Thank you Peeta," Prim said and hugged him.

"You're welcome. Now, one for your sister," Peeta said and started doing something different. He had his back to them and wouldn't let them see. Prim sat back on the step ladder, enjoying her cupcake. Peeta turned hers around. Katniss laughed as he handed it to her. Green icing, and he made a little bow and arrow.

"Like it?" he asked. She nodded her head.

"Yeah. I do," she leaned forward and kissed him.

"Come on, let's head back home," Peeta said as he grabbed his jacket, and they left the Bakery. All of a sudden there was this commotion coming from the square.

"What the…" Katniss trailed off. "Oh God. Is that today?" Katniss asked as she started panicking.

"How did we not know this was happening today? Everything's off since we had such a long Tour," Peeta said and saw the fire in the distance. Katniss covered her mouth as a sob escaped.

"Everyone got their valuable stuff out the other day. No one lost anything that was really important to them," Prim said. Katniss jerked her head to look at her.

"How do you know that?" Katniss demanded.

"Because Gale was at our house the other day. They were waiting for this to happen," Prim said. Katniss covered her mouth again.

"We didn't talk to Haymitch about this. What are we supposed to do?" Katniss asked. And then they heard it. It was coming from the Square. Someone was getting whipped.

"GALE!" Katniss screamed. Peeta and Prim ran after her. Katniss ran through the crowd, but Peeta stopped Prim before they rounded the corner.

"I can't go in there yet. If he's getting whipped, then Haymitch has to get to Katniss first. Go get some morphling from Madge and then get back to your house," Peeta told her.

"But Peeta- "Prim tried to say, but Peeta already went running.

The crowd tried holding Katniss back, but they couldn't stop her. She got in front of Gale while the whip hit her, knocking her to the ground. It snapped against her back.

"It's ok Katniss. Just go home. Get out of here," Gale said. She looked up and saw the turkey. He did this on purpose? Katniss stood up between Gale and Thread. He looked back and laughed at her.

"Move," he said gruffly. But she didn't. "You want another?"

"Go ahead," she told him. He pulled out his gun when suddenly, Haymitch appeared.

"Hold it hold it," Haymitch said and looked at my eye. "You don't want to shoot her,"

"How about I shoot both of you?"

"Look trust me, Commander. You're new here. I'm trying to help you. I'm Haymitch. Haymitch Abernathy. Victor of the 50th Hunger Games. You recognize her? Katniss Everdeen. Darling of the Capitol," Haymitch told him. He still held his gun out.

"She interfered with a Peacekeeper. She interrupted the punishment of a confessed criminal,"

"I never said she was smart. But it doesn't matter if she blew up the Justice Building. This is Katniss Everdeen. You already marked up her face. How am I supposed to tell her stylist this a few days from now when he's here to do a photo shoot in all her wedding dresses. She's not going to be camera ready with her face like that,"

"That's not my problem,"

"Well, it's going to be when I get home and I have to call the Capitol and see who authorized you to mess up my pretty little Victor's face before her wedding gown photo shoot. You already got a few lashes in,"

"That's not good enough she's an agitator. And what business is it of hers about this criminal?" Thread asked, holding the gun up higher. That was when Peeta jumped in.

"Easy! That's her cousin. And she's my fiancé. So, if you wanna get some more lashings in, you'll have to go through the both of us," Peeta told him. Haymitch jerked him and threw him behind him to Katniss.

"Shut up the both of you. Look Commander, are you sure Snow wants three dead Victors here? Because that's what we're looking at. It's bad enough that you marked up her face with a big photo shoot in a few days. Let it go. And we will to," Haymitch said. Katniss gasped, and Peeta held her as she saw Darius. He was safe.

"Commander sir. I believe, for a first offense, the required number of lashes has been dispensed, sir." Darius says. He nods at Katniss, and she leans into Peeta in relief. Darius played his cards right this time. He played along. Snow couldn't take him now. Snow wouldn't turn him into an Avox, and Snow wouldn't murder him in front of Peeta.

"Is that the standard protocol here?" Thread asked.

"Yes sir," one of the other Peacekeepers said. Thread finally put his gun down.

"Alright. Ok," he said, and got right in Haymitch's face. "But next time, it's the firing squad,"

"Excellent idea,"

"I don't care who she is," he said. And then all hell broke loose when he was yelling at everyone that they were under curfew. They jumped and started getting Gale unhooked and onto a door for a stretcher.

"How could you? How- "Haymitch hit her shoulder.

"You stop that right now Katniss. This isn't the time or the place. Shut up!" Haymitch snapped at her. Katniss was stunned. Peeta stared at Haymitch. "Get your head back here right now Peeta," Haymitch said as they helped Gale on to the door and started to lift him. Prim appeared out of nowhere and wrapped her arms around Katniss.

"Come on I've got you," Prim said. Peeta turned his head.

"Prim I told you to go home!" Peeta said.

"You have to go get Hazelle," Katniss cried.

"She's already at the house," Prim said. Katniss stared at her, and then looked over at Peeta, in shock.

"Who has the kids?" Peeta asked her.

"They're at your house. I'm staying there with them. Why don't you know any of this?" Prim asked. Peeta looked over at Haymitch.

"Less talking and more walking. We'll deal with it at the house," Haymitch said. Emily and Hazelle were waiting for them. They put Gale on the counter and the miners left, nodding at Haymitch.

"You tell me right- "Katniss tried to say but Haymitch covered her mouth.

"Not. Now," Haymitch hissed as he pointed up. Katniss pushed him away.

"He needs morphling," Katniss yelled. Peeta looked around.

"Prim I told you to go to Madge's," he whispered. But Prim shook her head. Peeta and Katniss just stared at each other. They watched Gale as he crossed his arms under him and laid his head on his arms and looked up. Katniss and Peeta gasped. But Gale groaned again.

Emily placed some scissors on the counter and then her mom, Hazelle, Prim and Haymitch started getting to work. Katniss and Peeta watched as they started scratching the skin on Gale's sides, arms and backs. Haymitch was the first to get something up. It was a thick…film of some sort. Gale groaned loudly from that.

"Make a snow coat. Prim get some snow," Emily said. Prim went over to the door and opened it and waited at the door. Haymitch ripped some more up, making Gale groan louder. Emily grabbed something and rubbed it on the skin that Haymitch had peeled.

Prim took a bowl and put it back on the counter, making a noise. "We have to make a snow coat," Emily said. Haymitch tapped Katniss.

"Scream at her to give him more," Haymitch whispered. Katniss was too stunned. Haymitch pushed her.

"GIVE HIM THE MORPHLING!" Katniss yelled at her mom. Gale groaned and cried louder. But then he bit his arm as he tried not to laugh. Haymitch smacked him on the head.

"I'll combine this with sleep syrup- "

"YOU DON'T GET TO DECIDE HOW MUCH PAIN HE'S IN! GIVE HIM THE MORPHLING!" Katniss screamed.

"Get her out of this house!" Emily said.

"Come on!" Haymitch yelled. Katniss screamed and pretended to be pushed, but they shut the door and she spun on Haymitch.

"Why didn't you tell me? Why did he do this again? Why didn't any of you tell me?" She demanded.

"Get over here and I'll tell you. But stop shouting," he hissed at her. She spun on Peeta.

"Did you know about this?" Katniss demanded. But Peeta held up his hands.

"Oh, will you shut up. He didn't do anything. Get the hell over here right now!" Haymitch snapped and dragged her passed a few of the houses.

"Now. Shut up and listen. We had to do this again. Gale purposely stayed away from you, because he knew you'd catch on that this was happening again. We couldn't tell you it was happening because you'd try and stop it," Haymitch said.

"Prim knew it was happening though. She said everyone got their things out of the Hob. She didn't go to Madge's like I told her," Peeta said.

"You used my sister?" Katniss asked, rage filling her voice.

"No, I didn't. She just found out this morning. I was going to tell you to go get me some liquor. But then Prim took you to the Bakery. That wasn't a part of the plan,"

"How could you lie to me?"

"Because you were going to stop it from happening. You have no idea what happened when Snow watched us. Plutarch is the one who brought this to him, and this is where Snow decided he wanted to get rid of all the Victors, because he saw the three of us standing up to them. And this is where Plutarch helps steer him away from killing you, and just getting you into the arena. He's the one who stopped all the Victors being murdered from this very moment," Haymitch said.

"What's on his back?" Peeta asked. Haymitch smiled.

"Effie sent it to me. I told her I had a real bad STD and she sent me some cream to help. And a shot. Gale took the shot to numb his body for 24 hours. It's not strong. But the power of the whip does hurt. But we put this cream on him. It's some sort of anti-aging shit the Capitol has. Nothing penetrated it. And of course, Beetee messed around with it. One of the Peacekeepers switched out Thread's whip with a special one. The blood that you're seeing is coming from the whip. The whip is leaving all that on his back. And we're just peeling it off now. But it hurts and he needs another cream to put it on the new exposed skin. His back is gonna look ten years younger," Haymitch laughed.

"So, I'm the only one with a real cut?" Katniss demanded. Haymitch made a face.

"Ok. So, there was a flaw in that plan. I'm sorry. But look at it this way. Now we postponed you having to put on all those wedding dresses," he joked. But she wasn't laughing.

"What the hell is STD cream?" Katniss asked. Haymitch stopped laughing and looked at her.

"You're joking right?" Haymitch asked. Peeta groaned into his hands.

"I wouldn't have asked what it was if I knew," she snapped at him. Haymitch looked at her, then Peeta, then back to her.

"Your mother is a healer. How do you NOT know what STD cream is?" he demanded. Then he scoffed.

"Haymitch please don't- "he cut Peeta off.

"Sexually transmitted diseases," Haymitch said. Peeta shook his head. Katniss' eyes widened a little. "You two can go dry humping each other being so fucking loud, and you don't know what an STD is?"

"Haymitch shut up!" Peeta said. Katniss' face was bright red. "Just ignore him," Peeta said. Katniss spun around and stormed into the house.

"Why do you have to do that?" Peeta demanded.

"Why the hell doesn't she know what an STD is? Does she even know anything about sex?" Haymitch asked. Peeta rubbed his face. "Oh my God! How does someone go 18 years without knowing anything about sex?"

"Can you just drop it?" he tried to turn around, but Haymitch stopped him and pulled him back.

"Wait a minute. She knew when Cashmere told her what Snow does. She knew what she meant then. She knew about what happened to Finnick," Haymitch said. Peeta took a deep breath.

"Listen. You have to swear that you're never going to say anything. Because if you do Haymitch…" he trailed off.

"Out of curiosity what threat could you honestly make?" Haymitch asked.

"All I can think about is cinnamon rolls. I'm serious Haymitch," Peeta told him. Haymitch held up his hands. "Katniss knows-didn't know anything about sex. Nothing. She knows that sex gets you pregnant and you do it naked and behind closed doors. But that was far as it went. She knew no details. And I found that out the day her and I went into the woods for the day. That girl Letty, you know her, right?" Peeta asked. Haymitch snorted.

"She is such a whore. She's tried to sleep with me for money like Old Cray does. If I did that, I'd really be asking Effie for some STD cream," Haymitch said. Peeta nodded.

"Well, we heard her talking. Just going on and on about whoever she slept with…and Katniss didn't understand a word of it…so when we got back to my house, I explained it all to her," Peeta said. Haymitch laughed.

"Oh, I bet you explained it to her," Haymitch laughed. But Peeta punched him in the arm. They went back into the house, and Katniss and Hazelle were working getting the film off Gale's back.

Peeta went back and started helping next to Katniss, and Haymitch stood in front of her next to Hazelle. They were working in silence for a while before Katniss raised her hand and hit Gale in the back of the head. HARD! He groaned and turned around.

"Why'd you do that?" he whispered. She ignored him. But then she looked up and reached across him and hit Haymitch in the head just as hard.

"DAMNIT KATNISS!" Haymitch yelled.

"Sorry," Katniss told him.

It took a few hours to get it all off. He had it not just on his back, but his arms and part of his chest, and his face. Last time the whip had swung around him and hit other places. The only part they couldn't cover was his head. So, Emily tended to those cuts.

Katniss was rough with yanking the film off him. Making him bleed a couple of times.

"Alright you're done!" Haymitch told her, and yanked her hands away from Gale. She smiled and stomped outside.

"Hazelle you better take off before the storm," Emily said. Hazelle nodded and kissed Gale's forehead and left. A few minutes later Prim came back in and took Katniss' spot.

"I'm gonna go check on Katniss," Peeta said as he went outside. She was sitting on his front steps of his porch. He went and sat down next to her. "Are you ok?" he asked. She shook her head.

"I just keep thinking about last time. I don't understand how you could stand up for Gale the way you did. I chose him at that time," Katniss said. Peeta let out a long breath.

"I didn't hate him. I was just jealous of him. But I know that had I been the one being whipped, you would have done the exact same thing for me. But it killed me to see that happening to him. It was wrong. Even if you hadn't of stepped in, I would have done it. Even in spite of you picking him," Peeta said. Thinking back on that time was difficult. He wanted to be with her. He would be with her. But it wasn't real. He'd physically have her, but not emotionally.

"I'm sorry," she said. He shook his head.

"You were only 16. Even though you cared about me, being with me was choosing the Capitol. Choosing Gale was the rebellion. I get it," Peeta said. She wiped the tears that fell down her cheek.

"I'm sorry for thinking that. It was stupid. I think back on it…and I picked Gale because I was too afraid to choose you. Gale was the safer choice. Choosing you was the right choice. But they just kept forcing you on me and I hated it," Katniss said. Peeta took her hand.

"Get mad about it. Get angry about it. Because that's exactly what they did to you. And it was wrong. But don't apologize for it. Don't keep saying you're sorry for it. My opinion is the only one that matters here. And I'm not upset. It's in the past. And we grow from our past," Peeta said. Katniss looked up at him. She let out a deep breath and smiled.

"You really are amazing. I got lucky with you. And I just don't know how I did," Katniss said. He smiled at her and kissed her.

"I'm the lucky one,"

"Stay at my house during the blizzard," Katniss said. Peeta was taken back by that.

"What about your mother? Did you even ask her?" Peeta asked. She laughed and rolled her eyes. She stood up as she went back into the house with Peeta following her. She grabbed a little whiteboard that Prim bought so they could easily talk to each other without the mics hearing it. She picked it up and showed it to her mom.

Can Peeta stay here during the blizzard?

She smiled and nodded her head, then took the marker.

Of course. What about Haymitch?

Haymitch could see what they had written to each other. Katniss turned it around.

He can stay buried under the snow for three days.

She smiled as she showed it to them. Haymitch snorted and snatched it out of her hands.

Just to piss you off, I'd love to stay. Thank you, Emily.

He smiled back at her, and she glared at him. Peeta grabbed the whiteboard.

Go get some clothes. And only a little liquor. You're not getting that drunk while you're here. Not in front of her mother and sister.

Haymitch nodded, and he and Peeta left. Emily waved at Katniss to bring it back to her.

We're going to be bringing Gale back home tonight.

As if on que, a few of the miners came back with Haymitch and Peeta. He got back on the board, and Emily took a bag full of medicines to "give to Hazelle".

Katniss and Peeta went over to his house so he could grab some of his things.

"Are you ok?" Peeta asked her. She shrugged. He went over and pulled her to his chest. "I wish they had told us," He whispered in his ear. She nodded her head. She pulled back.

"Why didn't they tell you?" she asked.

"Because they knew I'd tell you, "he said and rubbed her arm up and down. "I can bring over stuff to make cheese buns," he said. Her eyes widened and she smiled and then nodded her head. He chuckled.

"Better make cinnamon rolls to make Haymitch shut up," she grouched. They packed up some things for him to make in the kitchen, and then he went up and packed a bag and went back over to the house with Katniss.

"Are you gonna be baking?" Prim asked excitedly. Peeta chuckled.

"Well since you guys are letting me crash here, the least I can do is keep the Everdeen women happy with plenty of baked goods…and keep Haymitch at bay," Peeta chuckled.

A couple of hours later, Peeta and Emily were cooking dinner while Katniss, Prim and Haymitch were sitting at the table playing a card game. Katniss looked up at Haymitch.

"What?" he asked. She pointed to his watch. "What?" he asked again. She rolled his eyes and leaned over and hit his watch.

"Everything ok Haymitch?" a voice asked. Katniss and Peeta's mouths fell open.

"They never answer us like that," Katniss snapped.

"That's because you guys call them to turn off the mics so you can go out on dates in the woods. Why do we need the mics off?" Haymitch asked.

"Where are the mics?" Katniss asked. Peeta walked over to the table.

"Yea, where are they? If we knew then we'd know where we can't go and talk to close to them," Peeta said.

"You know. I've never thought of that," Haymitch said.

"Could we cover them with something? Maybe muffle them so we could at least talk softly," Peeta said. Katniss nodded her head.

So, for the next hour they played around the mics. They knew where the mics were located but finding something to cover them was a little tricky. They ended up finding plastic cups that they wrapped in duct tape, and then used duct tape to tape to the walls or ceilings. And then tested it with them to see if they were working.

"I wouldn't block them all off. They need something clear to listen to. And we can turn the volume up for them, so you don't sound so quiet sometimes. But you'll be happy to know that the mics are gonna be down because of the blizzard. So, you guys are free for the next couple of days," they said. This put Katniss in a much better mood.

It was a nicer night then she anticipated. Haymitch was in a good mood, and not entirely drunk. "I stocked up on a lot of liquor when those assholes shut off my supply," Haymitch told Katniss and Peeta. They smiled at each other.

"I have a big stockpile to," she whispered. He smiled at her.

"So do I," he laughed.

"Katniss will you help me," Emily said. Katniss picked herself up off the floor and walked upstairs with her mother. Her mom was grabbing sheets out of the linen closet.

"That bed hasn't been slept in. I just want the sheets to smell fresh for Haymitch," Emily said as Katniss grabbed a blanket. Katniss snorted.

"He probably gonna throw up on them," she laughed as she followed her mom into one of the guest rooms and helped strip the bed and put on fresh sheets.

"I wanted to tell you…I know you're 16 years old. But to me…You're almost 19. You're an adult in my eyes," Emily said. Katniss had no idea why she was saying this. "I'm not going to give you rules you have to follow with Peeta. You're both adults to me. And you can make whatever decision you want. I know it's impossible right now but…" she trailed off.

"What are you trying to say?" Katniss asked.

"Katniss…You don't have to ask me permission for Peeta to stay here. Or where he can sleep," Emily said. Katniss didn't know what to say to that. "Katniss…he is so good to you. And he takes care of you. And he's the only one that can pull you from that dark place. You feel safe with him. And I never want to stand in the way of that. So, he doesn't need my permission to sleep here," Emily said. Katniss hugged her. It took her mom by surprise.

"Thank you," she told her. They went back downstairs. Peeta had made them hot chocolate. Emily and Haymitch ended up going to bed. Katniss was laying on her stomach on the couch while Prim tended to her face.

"There. It's the Capitol stuff. Effie sent that to for Gale. So, the lashes that he got won't hurt so bad. Just from what I put on earlier it's already looking better," Prim said.

"Yeah, no thanks to Haymitch," Katniss grumbled.

"I'm really sorry. I thought that you knew," Prim said sadly. Katniss put her hand under her chin.

"I'm not mad at you little duck," Katniss told her.

"Want me to make you some more hot chocolate Prim?" Peeta asked. She turned and smiled.

"No, I'm gonna go up to bed. Good night," she said and hugged both of them and went upstairs. Peeta sat against the couch, right where her shoulder was.

"Do you ever feel like you're going in slow motion around Prim?" he asked her and turned his head. She nodded.

"Every day," Katniss said. He turned and kissed her softly on the lips. They sat there for a little while, just staring at the fire. Peeta waved his hand in front of her a little while later. "What?" she asked. He chuckled.

"I asked you what has you so lost in thought?" Peeta asked. She turned herself on her back, so she was staring up at the ceiling.

"When you woke me up that morning. After Gale had been whipped. You looked so sad," Katniss said. Peeta let out a deep breath.

"Katniss why do you do this to yourself? I don't care about that anymore," Peeta said as he grabbed her hands. "I have you now. You figured out your feelings for me and Gale. I don't know how many times I can tell you that I forgive you, even though there's nothing to forgive. But that I understand you. That you don't have to feel guilty about what happened. We're together now and that's all that matters," he told her.

"I gave you so little back then. I just don't get it. You were so willing to save my life over and over again, when you thought I didn't love you. I just don't get it Peeta. Haymitch could have gone into the arena. I was so cruel. I just don't understand," she said as she started crying. Peeta sat up and moved her slightly so he could sit on the edge of the couch and held her hands tighter.

"I couldn't help myself. I didn't care what little you gave to me. My feelings never went away for you. I loved you from the moment I saw you, and I wasn't able to just make them go away. I just kept holding on. And I'm glad that I did. Because we're together now. I wish you'd listen to me. Believe me that it's all ok now," he wiped a tear off her cheek and leaned down and kissed her and sat back up.

"Let me walk you up to bed. Which room am I sleeping in?" he asked.

"In my room," she said. He raised his eyebrow and then snorted. "I'm serious,"

"I don't think your mom would like that," Peeta told her. Always the respectful one.

"She was the one who said I didn't have to ask permission for you to be in this house. Or sleep in my bed," Katniss said. His eyes widened in surprise. She supposed that was pretty hard to take.

"Really?" she chuckled and nodded her head and sat up.

"So, walk me up to bed. I put your bag up there a little while ago," she said. He smiled and took her hand and they walked upstairs. She took a shower first, and then waited for him to take one. She was already in bed by the time he walked in. He had pajama pants on, and she chuckled.

"What? "He asked. She took a deep breath and sat up with her feet on the floor. She wasn't wearing her pajama pants. Just her panties. She pulled him closer till he was between her legs. Peeta gulped as he looked down at her.

She stared up at him and pulled his shirt up a little and kissed his stomach. She played with the drawstring on his pants and untied them. She slipped her fingers inside the pants and looked down, watching them fall to the floor. She ran her hands up the back of his thighs, and then to the sides to stop at his hips. This was exactly what he just did to her.

She pulled his shirt towards her and started laying back in her bed, pulling her on top of him. This was a new sensation, having her take the lead. Their mouths met and a moan escaped her. God, he loved this girl. But why did she have to start this? It's not like they could go any further then kissing with her mom and sister down the hall.

But her hands had gotten under his shirt and scratched at his lower back, letting a groan from the back of his throat get lost with his mouth kissing hers.

They were in a new position this time. She had pulled him between her legs, and they had stayed that way when they laid down. He couldn't help it. He reached down and wrapped both of her legs around him. He started kissing down her jaw until he reached her neck. She arched her back and he sucked on her pulse point, letting out a soft moan. He licked every inch of her skin on her neck. Scraped his teeth and making her hiss. Sucking on different spots.

His hands were on the side of her rib cage, and he longed to touch her breasts. But Katniss was comfortable with doing this part. Hands weren't touching their most intimate places yet. They would work up to that. He was never going to do something different unless she wanted to and was ready for something more.

Oh, who the hell cared that her family was in the house. He couldn't stop it if he tried. He was so hard it was unbearable. He started slowly moving up and down, pushing himself into her.

"Peeta," she whispered and tightened her legs around him to bring herself up to meet him. He was insanely hard and wanted nothing more than to make love to her. He loved doing this with her, but he wished that they were at that point in their relationship.

"Does it feel good?" he whispered in her ear. She shook her head vigorously. He sucked on her ear and moved one of his hand under and squeezed her cheek, making her gasp.

"I want you so bad," he whispered and kissed her. She had his shirt all the way up to his shoulders, running them up and down, scraping him with her nails. Pulling him tight to her. Speeding up his movements.

He pulled himself up a little, resting on his hands to hover above her and look down at her. Pushing his hips into her core. She moaned softly and bit her lips. He leaned back down and kissed her, letting his tongue dance with hers. She pulled her head back.

"Peeta I'm close," she panted. He smiled. So, they were making progress. He nodded his head and ground himself into her. She nearly lost her breath. This was only the third time they've done this, but all three times he could figure out her body so well, and knew what she needed, when she needed it. He leaned back up again.

"I want to watch you when you orgasm," he told her. He felt her shiver by his words.

"Please don't stop," she panted. He ground down into her again and she shook and held her mouth closed as she exploded under him. God, he wanted to reach down and touch her. It took everything in his will power not to. He leaned down and kissed her as he also orgasmed.

They laid down panting, coming down from their high. "I wish we could do that every night," Peeta panted. She chuckled softly and rolled into him, laying her head on his chest. She hesitated, and then he felt her nod her head. You couldn't wipe the huge smile off his face if someone tried.

He loved that she was getting more comfortable around him. She was trying to be honest. Even if all she did was nod her head. It was ok. He didn't care what she said or did. He loved her. And he loved that she was trying. And it was all he needed.

They made idle chit chat about random things. They wondered how drunk Haymitch would get while they were stuck in the house for a few days. They talked about what he was going to bake while they were stuck in the house. Prim had gotten all the chickens to some of the residents in Seam. She cried when she let them go her mom told her, because she named them and loved them.

Peeta started getting up. "What are you doing?" she asked, as she didn't move on his chest. He chuckled.

"What do you think?" he joked. He had to change his shorts. She leaned her face over to him and pressed their foreheads together.

"Can we do it again?" she whispered. He pulled back and raised his eyebrows.

"Really?" he asked. She nodded her head. "Absolutely," he laughed. He rolled on top of her and kissed her.

"Just…go slower this time," she whispered. He nodded his head.

They went at a nice, slow, sensual pace. His hands traveled everywhere. They'd be on her cheeks, around her. Up and down her arms. Linking their hands together. He went up and down her sides. Making sure not to touch the side of her breasts. Gripping her hips. Running his hands up and down her legs. He couldn't stop touching her.

She was having the same problem of not touching him. The only difference was that Katniss kept having trouble with his shirt in the way. She would run her hands up and down his back, but then her hand got stuck with his shirt at the back of his neck. Getting caught when she took them out and trying to get to his shoulders. He pulled back from her but kept his slow pace of rubbing himself against her.

"Do you…do you want me to take my shirt off?" he asked and then gulped. "Don't say yes if you don't want me to," he whispered. Pressing a little harder into her. She moaned.

"Please. Take it off," she whispered. He leaned back a little so he could reach back and started pulling it over his head. He heard Katniss suck in a breath as she looked at him.

Katniss had only seen his bare chest a few times. When they were in the first Hunger Games. Then when they were in the first Hunger Games a second time. And then when he had his nightmare, she look his shirt off of him. So, she gazed at him. She was having difficulty breathing. She bit her lip as she locked eyes with him.

"Are you nervous?" he asked. She nodded her head. He started sitting up and pulled her with him, with her legs still wrapped around him. "You don't need to be," he whispered and took one of her hands and placed in on his chest, above his heart.

"That's where you lay your head, when you sleep on my chest," he whispered to her. He kept his hand over hers. "You don't have to do anything. But I'm yours. You can touch me anywhere," he said huskily. She started moving her hand. She moved her hand softly up and down his chest. She softly ran her hand over his pecks. Then both of her hands went up to his shoulders and squeezed them, moving them all around.

He was beautiful. He was masculine. This was the first time she had actually looked at him and realized how beautiful he was. She saw what others gawked at. She had never looked at anyone that way before. But she was finally letting herself look at another man. At Peeta.

She thought about what he had said. He was hers. He was all hers. He was the only one that would ever touch her. The only one that would ever experience anything sexual with her. He was hers.

She loved the feeling of him under her hands, and she couldn't stop touching him if she tried.

Her eyes were clouded over, and he leaned in to kiss her, slowly making her lay down again. He pulled himself back just a little to look down at her. She was running her hands up and down his muscles, and down his chest and then all the way up to his neck. Finally she went under his arms and pulled him down again to kiss her.

He tightened her legs around his waist and ground into her. She bit her lip from moaning and threw her head back. He started kissing her neck and kissed his way up to her ear.

"You feel so good in my arms," he whispered and bite her ear. "I never wanna let you go," he put his hand under her and squeezed her, pulling her into him. She picked her head up.

"Faster," she panted.

"I thought you wanted this slow,"

"Not anymore. Please Peeta," she begged him. He crashed his lips to her and pulled her legs higher around him. He rocked as hard against her as he could without making any noise. He felt her rocking with him, pushing into him. He was fighting himself to reach down and let his fingers bring her to orgasm. But he wouldn't. He couldn't do that right now.

He felt her start to shake. This was now their fourth time doing this. He knew she was right there, so he pushed into her center harder and covered her mouth, drowning out her moan as they both became to shake and explode.

He collapsed on top of her, panting. He rolled them over again until they caught their breath. She had tangled her legs around his and could feel on his thigh that her panties were soaked. He smiled pridefully with that.

After their breathing completely slowed down, he chuckled. She looked up at him.

"What's so funny?" she asked. He kissed her head.

"Now I really have to go change my shorts," he made her chuckled and hide her face. "And um…you might want to change your panties," he said, pushing his thigh into her core. Not sexually.

"I can feel how wet you are," he whispered. He saw her blush furiously, and he chuckled again. "It's ok. It actually gave me an idea. If you want to do it," he said. She picked her head back up and he cleared his throat.

"You could…you could leave some…some of your panties at my house," he rushed out. He cleared his throat, and her eyes were wide. "You know. For when we do this. You can change into a new pair. I could wash them with my stuff," he said and scratched his face.

"It's something just to think about," he whispered and kissed her head. He started sitting up again. "Do you think we'll wake anyone up if we use the bathroom?" Peeta asked. Katniss shook her head.

"Prim sleeps through everything. Haymitch is passed out, and my mom's room is on the other end of the hall. No one will hear us," she said as he moved aside and let her get up. She grabbed some pajamas pants and reached into her drawers. He pulled his on as well and hid a pair of shorts under his shirt and followed her down to the bathroom. She went first, and then a moment later she was done, and he went and changed.

When he came back into the room, he bent down to put his shorts in his bag, but she stopped him. Katniss grabbed his hand. He looked down and he saw that she was giving him a few pairs of her underwear. He looked up.

"Are you sure? You don't have to leave anything at my house," he said.

"No. I want to. I love being with you at your house," she said and took his shorts. She walked over to hamper and put it in between some of her clothes. She turned around and he let her walk into his arms.

"Now you have some at my house," she said. he smiled. Yep. He loved where their relationship was going.

Katniss loved having Peeta around. It was freeing that the microphones 'weren't working' because of the storm. They all had a silent agreement that they weren't going to talk about anything bad. There was no talk about the Hunger Games. About the Quell. About the Capitol. Or Snow. District 13. The Rebellion. There was none of that.

There was some talk about their friends. Finnick, Johanna, Annie. There was a little talk of getting to be reunited with Rue and Thresh. They would talk about District 13 in a roundabout way. Only good things.

"I can't wait to meet Rue," Prim said. As she handed out cards.

"I wonder what Thresh is really like. Outside of the Games," Peeta said.

"I bet he's been training since he's been in 13," Katniss said.

"Rues probably started climbing from floor to floor," Haymitch chuckled.

"I can't wait to meet Annie and Finnick's son," Prim said as she threw down a card.

"He's really precious. He looks-well, looked just like Finnick," Emily said from her chair on the other side of the room. She was sewing up a hole for Haymitch.

"Well, I can't wait to swim in the ocean," Prim said excitedly. Katniss smiled at her. She reached over and touched Prim's cheek.

"You'll see the ocean little duck," Katniss told her.

Just like last time, it snowed for two days, then it took another day for paths to be shoveled out. They weren't complaining though. They had three nice days. It wasn't like last time. All in separate houses. Gale in physical pain. Peeta in emotional pain. And all by himself for three days, knowing that she was there with Gale. She knew that he knew, she chose Gale.

But that's not how it was this time. Gale wasn't hurt at all. He got to spend these three days just with his family. And they were well stocked up on food and firewood. Katniss had made sure of that right when they got home from the Tour. Because she couldn't remember when the blizzard was going to hit.

And her and Peeta got to be together. It was really, truly the first time that they got to be…normal. They got to know each other a little better. They didn't spend time apart. They pretty much went room to room together. Her, Peeta and Prim had fun just playing card games and board games.

Peeta and Prim baked. Peeta tried to get Katniss to help, but her skills were limited, and she had no patience. So, she'd sit at the table pretending to read a book. She watch the two of them together. They looked happy. She sometimes had to remember that she wasn't in the future. That Prim was still alive, and that Peeta wasn't hijacked. Watching them laugh and flick flour on each other…as stupid as it sounded, warmed her heart.

Peeta would catch her looking at him. He always seemed to know when she had her eyes on him. He'd turn and smile at her, and she'd blush and go back to her book. She hadn't read one word of it. She just wanted to live in this moment, like Peeta wanted to live in the moment the night before the Quell, on the rooftop.

"Earth to Katniss," Peeta said. She hadn't realized he was sitting right in front of her now. Prim was nowhere in sight. He chuckled.

"Where did you go?" he asked her. She cleared her throat and shut her book. She was trying to try a new thing. Being honest with her feelings. Being honest with her thoughts.

"It catches me off guard sometimes. That Prim is still here. And you aren't hijacked," she admitted. He smiled at her.

"It's a nice feeling?" he asked. She smiled and nodded her head.

Haymitch stayed relatively sober those three days, shockingly. It was nice. It was peaceful. And Katniss had never felt that peaceful before.

When they finally cleared pathways through the snow, the mics had started coming back on. Katniss, Peeta and Haymitch decided to walk back into town, just like they had last time.

"So how many people have 'died' from the virus? They started right before we left on tour," Peeta asked.

"About 3,500," Haymitch said. Peeta and Katniss were shocked. "It's the freezing cold that's taking everyone. And being stuck in the house for three days, freezing and starving didn't help," Haymitch said and smiled.

"I can't believe it," Peets said, in awe.

"That's more then who survived," Katniss said. She smiled. Haymitch squeezed her shoulder.

"Yeah, it is. And it's something to be damn proud of," Haymitch told her.

"Are the Capitol doctors here yet?" Peeta asked. Haymitch laughed.

"Capitol doctors my ass. They're rebels. We've had an insane amount of 'new Peacekeepers' as well. Rebels. All the rebels are being put in the best spots to cover everything up. And of course, the virus not only kills us…but it kills them as well. And even a few doctors," he laughed.

"How is that even possible?" Katniss asked him. Crossing her arms and bouncing a little from the could.

"All Peacekeepers have been given brand new trackers. And you both know what these trackers can do. Beetee added some more juice to them. Beetee, has it rigged up, so they collapse from pain,"

"Beetee thought of everything. How has he been able to do all of this just all of a sudden?" Peeta asked. That was when Haymitch' smile faltered a little. He shuffled around.

"Beetee took it really hard…the bomb," Haymitch said as he stared at Katniss. The bomb that killed Prim. She looked down at her feet and Peeta rubbed her back.

"You'd be surprised how many people took what happened to Prim hard. It wasn't just Gale and Beetee…but when he went home…he started thinking of ways that he could have changed things. What he could have done all along to save people. It was his way of coping. And thank God he did," Haymitch said. Katniss was still looking at her feet.

"A lot of us took it hard Katniss. Her name being called is what started all of this. If it wasn't for her, we wouldn't be here right now. She was precious to all of us. And so many of us thought by letting her die not only failed her…but we failed you," Haymitch said and cleared his throat. That's when Katniss looked up.

"The last thing anyone wanted was for you to suffer more. You deserved more than any of us to get the peaceful life. And we let you down," Haymitch said. Katniss couldn't hide it this time. She looked down and started crying.

Would she ever stop? She had never cried this much in her whole life. She was weak now. She was destroyed. She had three days of peace. But it was temporary. It wasn't real. It was just a mirage. And here she was again. Going back into hiding. Where she was weak. She was a shell of who she was. And she knew deep down in her heart, that just because Prim and all her friends were alive, and Peeta wasn't hijacked, and they had this second chance…she'd always be a shell. She'd never heal. She'll wind back up in that rocking chair, and she'll slice her wrists again.

She wiped the tears away from her face and cleared her throat. They were both staring at her, worried. These two men knew her so well.

"We should walk to the square. See all the bullshit that the Capitol has to offer," she said and started walking towards the square. Peeta and Haymitch just eyed each other.

The whipping post. Stockades and gallows were back. The three of them just stood there.

"I wish I could be the one to tear those damn things down before we get bombed," Katniss said.

"Gale said he'll do it. The night before when they capture all the Peacekeepers here. They'll tie them up and burn these things to the ground. We'll get that chance before Snow does. You may not do it…but they will. It's what they need to do," Haymitch said. They walked further into the square. They sadly looked at the blaze from the Hob.

"We should rebuild the Hob," Peeta said. Katniss and Peeta looked at him. "We won't need a black market. But it's a part of District 12. It's a part of us. We'll rebuild it," Peeta said.

"I'm gonna go see Ripper. She stashed away some liquor for me. I meant to get it last week…but I was drunk," Haymitch said. Katniss and Peeta genuinely laughed.

"I still stashed some away. How about you?" Peeta asked. Katniss laughed.

"So, did I. Just don't tell him. I'm surprised he didn't sniff it out when he was holed up in my house," Katniss grumbled.

"Wanna go check in on Gale?" Peeta asked. Katniss smiled.

"Yeah," she said. Peeta linked their fingers together and started walking towards Gale's house.

"All of this is going to be a memory," Katniss said suddenly. "Where were standing won't exist," she said sadly. Peeta wrapped his arm around her shoulders.

"We'll make new memories. District 12 won't look like a graveyard. And it won't look run down and mis treated. It's gonna bring all of District 12 hope. You'll see," Peeta said. Rory let them in the house when they got there.

"Gale, Katniss and Peeta are here," Hazelle yelled. "Can I make you some tea? It's freezing out there," Hazelle said.

"Oh no, that's ok. We're not going to stay long," Katniss said as Gale came in, with his shirt off. He looked miserable.

"He had an allergic reaction to that cream. And some of it we can't get off," Hazelle said. He turned around his back was bright red, and there were still huge chunks of the film with the fake gashes. Katniss gasped.

"I'm about to rip my skin off," Gale said. He was actually sweating.

"Oh my God," Katniss said as she got close to his back and examined it. Then she started laughing. Everyone stopped and stared at her.

"I'm so sorry. It's not funny," Katniss said, but couldn't stop laughing.

"Thank you. That's really sweet of you," Gale said sarcastically and went to the other side of the room.

"Everyone's still turning you down for washing right?" Katniss asked. She laundered a lot of the merchant's clothes. But once Gale got publicly whipped, no one wants her to work for them.

"Yeah. Sadly. Not so many people remember. And even the ones that do are just playing along," Hazelle said. Posy came over and sat in Gale's lap, being careful not to touch him where he was red. Last time, Posy was so sick. Her mom had told her that she stocked Hazelle up with vitamins and meds to prevent any of them from getting sick.

"But I start working for Haymitch tomorrow. So, we'll be ok," Hazelle said.

They walked next to the Bakery. "Hi guys. How'd you do with the blizzard?" his dad asked.

"We all just hunkered down at Katniss' house. Played a lot of cards games," Peeta said, making his dad chuckle. Wheet came into the kitchen then, looking miserable. Peeta tried to engage him in small talk, but he looked awful.

"Hey, you wanna come by my house in a couple of days?" Peeta asked. Wheet shrugged.

"I have to go over to the Tailor's house. He's gonna start training me," Wheet said. Peeta looked at his dad when Wheet walked away.

"He doesn't have to marry her. Why does he still think he does?" Peeta asked. His father looked embarrassed.

"We're just trying to keep things settled down around here. It will only cause more problems. It was Wheet's idea. But it's really taking its toll on him," Breeoshe said sadly.

"Then why doesn't he just come stay with me? Get him out of here," Peeta asked.

"I know. I asked him. But Wheet and Ryee know that if he does that, she will go on a rampage. If Wheet leaves, then Ryee said he wouldn't be able to take it and he'll leave to. And they don't want to do that. So, we're all just keeping the peace until we're in District 13," he said and looked down and started wiping the counter.

They stayed for a little while longer and then headed out.

"What did your dad mean, until we're in 13?" Katniss asked.

"I'm not positive…but I think he's finally going to divorce her," Peeta said. He took her hand and they started walking back home.

"Are you ok with that?" she asked him. He looked up at her and let out a deep breath.

"My dad told me one time that he wanted to divorce her. But he knew that if he did, he'd lose all three of us. He did a lot to try and keep her from hitting us. You don't know how many times he stopped her. But one person can't be around every minute of every day. I think it'll be better this way," Peeta said.

"Does it make you sad though?" she asked him.

"I mean…I wish my mom wasn't like that. I never had a loving mother. So, it's kind of hard to be really sad. She'll never be sorry for what she did to us growing up. She'll never change her ways. It's hard to be sad for a person that hit you. The only thing I'm sad about is the fact that I didn't have a real mom," Peeta said. Katniss just stared at him.

She thought she had it hard with her own mom. When she checked out after her dad died. And then she didn't come home to take care of Katniss after Prim died. But what would she have done if her mom hit her? She wondered how she would be if her mom had hit her, her whole life.

"I don't understand why a mother would do that. Hit her own kids…I don't know how you grew up to be the amazing person that you are. It's just not right," she said. He wrapped his arm around her and kissed her cheek.

"Thank you for caring. That means a lot to me," he told her. She smiled and turned and hugged him tightly. They stayed like that for a moment and then started walking back to their houses. When they got back, they just stared at each other.

"It's not as bad as last time. At least now it's not that shocking if we're seen together. We can still hang out. We just have to be careful not to show that we're closer than we really are. We have to show them that…"

"That I chose Gale and not you," she said simply. He let out a deep breath and cupped her cheek.

"I wish so badly that I could convince you that it doesn't matter anymore," Peeta told her. Katniss shrugged. He leaned in and kissed her again. "I'll see you later. If you need me, I'm right here," she nodded her head and sadly went into the house.

A couple of nights later Peeta was having a nightmare. He was dreaming about being tortured in the Capitol. How they beat him and starved him. And then injected him with trackerjacker venom. He went after Katniss and killed her. He killed the mutt! Her blood was all over his hands. And Snow was there laughing. He won. The boy that Katniss loved, killed her.

"AAAaahhh!" Peeta yelled with a jerk. He frantically looked around for Katniss. Oh God did he kill her. "Katniss?" he panted. She wasn't here. She was at her house. Oh God was she alive. He looked down at his watch and pushed it.

"Are you ok?" a woman asked.

"Is…I…did I…" he couldn't even get the words out.

"Peeta calm down. You're having a nightmare," she said.

"Katniss? What did I do to her?"

Katniss was dozing on and off, not really able to sleep. "Katniss," she heard a man's voice. She screamed as she sat up. "Katniss it's just us," she looked down at her watch.

"Why are you calling me?" she snapped. She put her hand over her heart. She thought Snow was in her room.

"Peeta called us. We think he had a really bad nightmare. He's looking for you," the man said. She got up and started throwing on her slipper boots and a sweater. She didn't care if she made noise as she ran down the stairs, practically slammed the door and ran to Peeta's house through the snow, not caring that her slippers were wet. She stormed into the house and ran up the stairs.

"Peeta?" she called as she was tripping while she was taking her boots off. She ran into Peeta's room and he was sitting up against the wall rocking himself. His knees curled up to his chin. "Peeta," she called again as she sat on the edge of the bed and grabbed his arms.

"Katniss?" he whispered and looked up. "Oh God I thought I hurt you," he said and practically yanked her into his arms.

"I'm ok. I'm ok. It was just a nightmare. I'm fine. You're ok. Shhh," she said, soothing him.

"I killed you," he whispered. She pulled back and made him look at he.

"You wouldn't do that. Not while you're awake. You never will," she said. She took his hand and placed it over her heart. "See. It's still beating," she said. He was trying to get his breathing under control. His face was literally dripping sweat. His bed was soaked, just like on the train.

"Come into the bathroom," she said as she led him in to sit on the toilet. And just like last time, she stripped off his shirt and ran a cold washcloth all over his body. She felt more comfortable this time and pushed his boxer shorts higher this time on his thighs. And this time she pulled his shorts out a little to get the washcloth a little down under his shorts.

"Are you cooling down?" she asked him. He nodded his head. She was on her knees between his legs while he was sitting. It broke her heart to see him have nightmares like this now. She wrapped her arms around his waist and pressed her face to his chest, so she could listen to his heart. He wrapped his arms around her and rested his head on hers. She had no idea what to say.

"I'm right here Peeta," she whispered. They stayed like that for a few minutes until she got up and brought him some shorts. "I'll change the sheets," she told him and changed his bed, waiting for him to come back out. She tucked him into bed, and he fell asleep on her chest. She would never get used to him having a nightmare.

She stayed with Peeta until after breakfast and went back home. Her mother and Prim were washing dishes, having just finished breakfast themselves. "Katniss is everything ok?" her mom asked softly so the mics would pick it up. Katniss scrubbed her face.

"Yeah. I'm sorry if I woke you guys up last night," Katniss said and yawned.

"Prim go get ready for school," her mom told her. Prim hugged Katniss and went upstairs. A few minutes later she was out the door. "I heard someone call you last night," her mom said. Katniss nodded her head.

"Yeah. They woke me up," Katniss said.

"I was in the hallway. I was just coming up the stairs from the kitchen and I heard them call you and say that Peeta had a nightmare. I think you were so caught up in leaving that you didn't even see me standing there," she chuckled.

"No…no I didn't see you," Katniss said. Her mom sat down at the table, on the corner next to her, and she took her hands.

"Katniss…Peeta is welcome here anytime. I've already told you that. And if he has a nightmare…he doesn't need to get someone to call you. He can come in here himself and go to you. Even when it's in the middle of the night," she said. Katniss eyes widened. She ran her hand down Katniss' cheek.

"Katniss…I know how you are with nightmares. And I see that Peeta is the only one that can reach you. That can truly calm you," her mom said and wiped a tear. "I love that boy, like he was my own son. And I don't want to see him in that kind of pain. So, if Peeta needs you, then tell him it doesn't matter what time of day it is. He can treat this home, as his home," she told her. Katniss swiftly leaned over and hugged her.

"Thank you," she whispered.

"You're not a little girl. You're a woman. And you shouldn't be kept away from the man that you love,"

"Alright then. Tomorrow, we have a job to do," Haymitch said to them. Katniss groaned.

"Oh, shut up. Tomorrow is the day that you go to the woods, and they turn the fence back on," Haymitch said. Oh God, was it really that day already? She needed to go see Bonnie and Twill at the cabin. No, she didn't. She left them their supplies. She left them a note that 13 would come and get them.

"So, you're gonna leave, and the camera will catch you. But-the camera won't catch you when you come back. You're gonna go right to the Bakery and hang out there. Then go to whatever shops and get your stuff, and come back later that evening," Haymitch said and smiled. Yeah, it was just that easy.

So, the next day she went into the woods, and then walked to the other part of the fence near the Bakery.

"Alright you're clear to go," her watch said. She snuck through the fence and went running as fast as she could down to the Bakery where Ryee was waiting with the door opened for her.

"Did anyone see you?" Ryee asked. Katniss shook her head.

"Nope. They were watching the cameras and made sure no one was around. The Butcher and the Mayor may have seen me. But they're on our side," Katniss panted.

"Want a drink of water?" Wheet asked as he handed her a glass. She nodded gratefully and drank the whole glass.

"Thank you," she said. The three of them just stood there for a moment. She had never been alone with Peeta's brothers.

"So, how's your day?" Ryee joked. She chuckled.

"Oh, you know, pretending I'm hunting, hiding from the Capitol. Then I'm gonna go hang out with some Peacekeepers and antagonize them," she said and smiled. She heard a noise upstairs. "Your moms not gonna come down here, is she?" Katniss asked.

"She might. But we'll just hide you in the closet. Or we can just let her yell and scream like a banshee," Ryee joked. Wheet rubbed his head.

"Please don't," Wheet said.

"So, what's District 13 like? I'm dying to see it," Ryee said. Did he really have to say die?

"Don't be excited. You're underground the entire time. It's like a tomb. Everyone's wearing the same gray uniform. You have a strict schedule to follow and only given the exact amount of food your body needs, and you can't share. You'll hate it," Katniss said.

"Yeah, but you make it sound so appealing," Ryee said and hopped up on the counter. Wheet did the same thing, and then so did Katniss.

"Which one is your favorite District?" Wheet asked. No one had ever truly asked her that that wanted real answer.

"It's a toss-up between 4, 7 and 11. District 4 is beautiful. And there's something so freeing about having your feet in sand and being in the ocean. And then I love the woods, so it's a no brainer for 7. But District 11 has our kind of people. It feels like it could be your home," Katniss said. Wheet smiled.

"Wow. Haymitch said you really suck at speaking. But that sounded really nice," Ryee said. Katniss laughed. Wheet shook his head.

"Well, Haymitch is an ass," Katniss joked.

"I'd love to see District 7. I can chop down trees and build whatever I want! All the free wood," Ryee joked.

"So is the food really that good in the Capitol?" Wheet asked. She nodded her head.

"It's amazing. And it's terrible. All that food that gets wasted. They eat until their stuffed, and then they'll drink something that makes them throw up so they can go on eating. And we're just left here to starve," Katniss said sadly.

"That's disgusting," Wheet said, shaking his head.

"Well after the war's over and everyone gets to move to whatever District they want; the food will start going to all the different Districts right?" Ryee asked. Katniss nodded her head. They looked over as they heard footsteps coming down. It was Peeta's mother. She glared at Katniss.

"What is she doing here?" his mother demanded. Peeta's father came down at that same time.

"Katniss is just talking with the boys. Let's just go back upstairs," Breeoshe said.

"I want that Seam trash out of my house!" she snapped. Ryee hopped off the table and crossed his arms.

"No. She's staying here with us. There's no reason why she has to leave. And Peeta told you to stop calling her Seam trash. It's Victor's Village trash. Which is way above town families," Ryee said. Wheet smacked his head. He was trying to defend her, but it just came out all wrong.

His mother went to grab a rolling pin, but Breeoshe grabbed it. "He is 18 years old for God sakes. You leave him alone," Breeoshe said and pushed her up the stairs. Ryee and Wheet stared at each other.

"Holy shit. That was amazing. I can't wait to tell Peeta. He stood up to the bitch," Ryee said, amazed. Wheet looked up at Katniss.

"Our dad never raised us to think that way about anyone from the Seam you know. And you've always been one of the stronger ones," Wheet told her. Katniss smiled and nodded.

"Thank you for sticking up for me," she whispered. She felt weak. She didn't have the energy to defend herself. She was saving that energy for the Peacekeepers.

She enjoyed spending the afternoon. Just laughing and talking.

They sat there for a couple of hours until her watch beeped. She hopped off the counter and grabbed her bag.

"Well, I'm off to have a party with some Peacekeepers. Wish me luck," Katniss said as they walked to the front of the store.

"We'll remember you fondly," Ryee said. She smiled and walked out the door. She had a nice afternoon with Peeta's brothers. She wanted to do that more often.

She went to a few different stores like she was supposed to. And then she was walking through the square down the steps and wasn't paying attention, and she slipped on a patch of ice, landing on her tailbone. Pain shot up through her foot, and her elbow.

"Oh my God, you gotta be kidding me," she cried.

"Hey Katniss, are you ok?" someone asked. It was one of the miners. Markley.

"I fell," she grimaced.

"Here let me help you home," Markley said. He helped her stand up while she yelped. "Just lean on me Katniss. I'm sorry I can't carry you," Markley said. He was in his mind 20's. She knew exactly why he couldn't carry her. He was weak. He probably hadn't eaten in a few weeks.

"It's ok," she hissed. They were about 15 minutes from the Victor's Village when someone was calling Markley's name. They turned around and they saw that it was his little brother.

"Markley. Cranda's having the baby," his little brother said. That was Markley's wife. He looked over at me, in the middle of a dilemma. It was their first baby.

"You go. I'll be ok. I'll send my mother your way," Katniss said.

"I'm sorry Katniss," Markley said, but she pushed him.

"Go!" she said as they ran off. Last time she never ran into Markley because she didn't go home that way.

She cried in pain as she hobbled home. What would have been 15 minutes took over 30 minutes. She nearly cried out as she made it up the stairs. She opened the front door and almost passed out when she shut the door. She was in much more pain than last time. She almost wished that she had hid out in the woods and fell down again. She looked at the Peacekeepers. The man and woman, and the man was surprised to see her.

"Hello," I sneer through my teeth, and leaning against the wall for support.

"There she is. Just in time for- Katniss what happened?" her mom asked and ran over to her. She felt like she was going to pass out. Prim, Peeta and Haymitch all ran out of the living room to see her.

"Katniss are you ok?" Peeta asked as she nearly fell into him.

"I slipped on the ice in the square," she said, falling into Peeta's chest. She was starting to see dots in front of her eyes.

"Take her to the couch," her mom said. Peeta and Haymitch each took a side and picked her up to put her on the couch, with Katniss groaning from the pain in her elbow from being picked up. They picked her foot up to rest on the coffee table and laying her game bag next to her foot and put a pillow in her lap to rest her arm on.

"How did you make it home like this?" Peeta asked.

"Markley saw me fall and helped me. But his brother came and got him because his wife Cranda just went into labor. Which I told them you'd go and help her," she told her mother. The Peacekeepers said something, but Katniss was only hearing ringing. She was going to pass out for sure.

"What?" Katniss snapped at them.

"Head Peacekeeper Thread sent us with a message for you," her mom tried to touch her foot.

"Wait! Not yet," she said. She knew for sure she was gonna pass out if she took the shoe off now. She stared at the Peacekeepers.

"They've been waiting for a few hours," her mother said.

"Must be some real important message," Katniss said as she tried to move but couldn't without pain shooting up her spine and into her head.

"May we ask where you've been Mrs. Everdeen?" the woman asks. She gulps and takes a deep breath. Focus on the conversation.

"It would be a lot easier to ask me where I haven't been?"

"Ok. So where haven't you been?" Haymitch asked, bored, and not impressed with this at all the second time around.

"Well, I haven't been to the Goat Man about getting Prim's goat pregnant, because someone gave me complete inaccurate information as to where he lives," I tell Prim.

"No, I didn't. I told you exactly where he lives," Prim said, playing along. Just like last time.

"You told me he lives beside the west entrance to the mine,"

"The east entrance," she corrected me. My eyes widened at her.

"You distinctly said west, because then I said, 'Next to the slag heap?' and you said, 'Yeah,'"

"The slag heap next to the east entrance," she said patiently. She's a beautiful little actress.

"NO! When did you say that?" she demanded. Haymitch snorted.

"Last night," Haymitch chimes in, rolling his eyes.

"It was definitely the east," Peeta says. He looked over at Haymitch and they both start laughing. I glare at him. "Honey, I'm sorry, but it's what I've been saying. You don't listen when people talk to you," he chuckled.

"I bet people told you he didn't live there today, and you didn't listen to them either," Haymitch said.

"SHUT UP HAYMITCH," Katniss yelled, and then hissed in pain. Haymitch and Peeta laughed.

"Fine. Someone else can arrange to get the stupid goat knocked up," she snapped. This just made the three of them laugh more. She looked back at the Peacekeepers. The dumb man is smiling, easily being fooled. But the woman is smart and isn't fooled…yet.

"What's in the bag?" she asks sharply. Smugly. Katniss leaned forward and grabbed the bottom of the bag and yanked it up, letting everything fall all over the place and not caring.

"Oh, thank you for grabbing the bandages for me," her mother said as she picked them up. Peeta leans forward and takes the bag of peppermints.

"Ooh, peppermints," he says and pops one in his mouth.

"They're mine!" I go to swipe the bag, but he tosses the bag to Haymitch, who then grabs a handful and stuffs them in his mouth. He hands them over to a giggling Prim.

"None of you deserve any of my candy!" she told them.

"Selfish little wench bag isn't she," Haymitch said.

"What, because we're right?" Peeta asked as he wraps his arm around her shoulder. She wouldn't look at him. "Okay, okay, Prim said west. I distinctly heard west. And we're all idiots who stole your candy. How's that?" he asked.

"Better," she said, and he leaned in and sweetly kissed her. Then she looked back to the Peacekeepers.

"I forgot. You said you had a message for me," Katniss says, and smiled at them.

"Head Peacekeeper Thread wanted you to know that the fence surrounding District 12 will now have electricity twenty-four hours a day," the woman said. Smiling smugly again. Katniss smiled back.

"Didn't it already?" she asked.

"He thought you might be interested in passing this information on to your cousin," said the woman.

"Thank you so much. I'll be sure to tell him. Please tell Thread that I'm sure we'll all sleep a little more soundly now that the security has addressed the lapse," she said and smiled again. She didn't even acknowledge his title. She looked back over at her mother.

"Don't worry about me. Just go and deliver Cranda's baby. Prim can take care of me," Katniss said.

"Are you sure?" she asked. Katniss nodded her head. Her mother got all of her things together, and the woman stopped her from leaving.

"We can walk you to Markley and Cranda's house," she said. What an idiot. Still trying to catch her in a lie. The joke was really on her. She looked so foolish, and Katniss didn't hide the fact that she rolled her eyes.

"Oh, Good God," she muttered and let her head fall back against the couch.

"I'll walk you to," Haymitch said. She picked up her head. Thank you. She mouthed to him. He nodded and walked over to the Peacekeepers, raising his hands. "After you gentlemen," Haymitch says. The woman glared at him. Once the door was shut, Katniss finally let out a cry.

"How hard did you fall?" Peeta asked as he slowly and carefully took my boot off.

"So hard. I hurt my elbow," Katniss hisses.

Prim played around with her foot for a little while and determines there isn't a break, and neither in her elbow. When they start taking off her coat and sweater, they're able to pick up her shirt and see the large bruise that's already forming.

"Did someone slam you down on the ice?" Peeta asked.

"That's what it felt like," she groaned.

"Well, nothing's broken. Just sprained and bruised," Prim said as she stood up. "I'll go get you some clean clothes. Your clothes are soaked," Prim said and went upstairs. He sat next to her and let her lean into him, wrapping his arm around her.

"I'll stay here tonight with you. Who knows how long your mom will be," he said and kissed her head.

"Thank you," she said. A moment later Prim came down the stairs with some pajama pants, a long-sleeved shirt and some heavy socks. Prim was flushed.

"What's wrong?" Katniss asked.

"Nothing. I just got a little winded going up and down the stairs," Prim said nervously. Katniss was in too much pain to question it. Prim was fumbling around. "Um…do you want to…I can do it," Prim said. Katniss opened her eyes. She figured out what she was talking about.

"Prim it's fine. Let him help," Katniss breathed. Prim nodded and was surprised when Peeta went to her jeans and unbuttoned them and pulled down the zipper.

"Ok, I'm gonna lift her up a little and you start pulling her pants down," Peeta said. Prim nodded. He picked her up as she groaned, and Prim was able to pull them down far enough that they were out from under her.

Peeta and Prim each took a foot and started pulling her jeans down. He took the bad foot and oh so carefully pulled her leg out from her jeans. Katniss was just sitting in here in a shirt and underwear. Katniss caught Prim's look one time, and she was surprised to see that neither of us were phased by the state of her undress.

They slowly pulled the pajama pants on, and Peeta picked her up again so Prim could pull them on. "I'm gonna go make something for you to eat while Prim changes your shirt," Peeta said and kissed her cheek and went into the kitchen. Prim helped her with her shirt, and she rested her head back. A few minutes later Peeta came out with a tray that had stew, bread, and juice on it. She was starving.

He helped put the tray over her lap and sat down next to her.

"I know Haymitch told us that the best plan is to keep a lot of the things the same. But I didn't think that included you hurting yourself," he whispered and then chuckled. She glared at him, and he just smiled. "Once you eat, we can give you some tea and put some sleeping syrup in it for, and then I'll bring you up to bed," he said and kissed the side of my head. He headed to the kitchen to make some tea.

Katniss thought Prim was acting a little odd. She still looked flushed, like she was embarrassed. But she was so tired and all she wanted to do was eat and then go to sleep.

She had polished off three bowls of stew, some bread and then a cheese bun. He always knew what to do to make her happy. She drank her tea, and Prim told them goodnight.

Peeta scooped her into his arms effortlessly and brought her upstairs. The syrup hadn't just yet taken effect, so she was still alert. He went to turn to her bedroom, but she stopped him.

"What's wrong?" he asked. She bit her lip. "Are you embarrassed to tell me?" she let out a frustrated sigh.

"I need help going to the bathroom," she gritted out. He nodded his head and turned to the bathroom. He helped put her down, baring down on her good foot. He looked around awkwardly.

"So, um…how should we do this?" He asked. She bit her lip and looked around as well.

"If you can pull my pants down, I can do the rest," she said. He bent down and pulled her pants down and left her by herself. He waited a few minutes before he heard a bang. He opened the door and saw her on the floor while she was crying.

"Are you ok?" he asked her. She shook her head.

"I couldn't stand up when I pulled my pajamas back up," he realized what happened. She started pulling them up but needed to stand up. He pulled her pants up all the way and then picked her up again.

He put her down on the bed and went to move but she stopped him again.

"Will you help me with something else?" she whispered, and then blushed. He nodded his head.

"Yeah of course. What do you need?" he asked softly. He noticed she blushed, and he kissed her cheek. "You can ask me whatever it is," he told her.

"Will you help me take my bra off?" she whispered without looking at him. That took him off guard. He was going to be touching her bra now? He wouldn't let his mind go anywhere. He didn't even have to try. It wasn't one of those times. He realized why she was ok asking these two favors. The Syrup had been taking effect.

"Yeah of course," he said and reached his hands toward her, but he didn't know what to do.

"Unsnap it in the back," she told him. He leaned forward and wrapped his arms around her and pushed the back of her shirt up to her shoulders. He started playing with it for about a minute, and then finally got it to unsnap, and he sat back.

"Ok, now what?" he asked.

"Reach into my sleeve and start pulling the strap down," she said, showing her good arm, but it was facing the wall and it was odd an odd angle. He reached inside her sleeve and started pulling the strap down. Green. Her favorite color. She helped move her arm out of it.

"Ok. Just be careful," she told him sleepily. He carefully maneuvered the strap down. "I don't care if its stretches," she said. He nodded his head and gave it a pull. He got her arm out of it.

"Alright I got it," he said. She nodded her head.

"Just reach up my shirt and pull it out," she told him. He gulped. He carefully moved his hand up the front of her shirt and hooked his finger around the center of her bra, making sure he didn't touch her breasts and pulled her bra out.

"See. Just like magic," she said. He chuckled and helped pull her pajama pants down again. He took off his pants and sweatshirt and got into the bed and helped get her comfortable. She laid her head on his chest.

"Prim saw your shorts in my drawer," she said lazily. Oh gosh.

"Stay with me," she whispered.

"Always. Forever," he told her.

"Please don't ever leave me," she whispered and fell asleep. Peeta wondered what went on in her head on a daily basis. How is she still questioning him after all this time?

She was bed ridden for the next week, if not longer. Katniss had it easier this time. Last time, every time someone knocked on the door, she had been so scared she was going to be arrested or murdered, or her family was. But it never was anyone like that at the door. So, she never jumped in fear. Snow was leaving her alone...for now.

Peeta didn't sleep over again. They didn't want Snow to know how often they slept in the same bed. But he would come by every day. Eating cheese buns and whatever other baked item Peeta made for them. They worked on the plant book again. Having to add everything again. But it was easier this time.

She was laying on the couch on her stomach. Peeta's head was right there. He was also laying down in the same direction, working on a flower. She reached over and ran her hand through his hair. He looked up and smiled at her.

"Your hair is so soft," she whispered so the mics didn't pick it up.

"Thank you. I like yours to," he said. He went back to the book, and she lightly scratched her nails across his back. She just felt like touching him. She liked touching him. She drew shapes on his back, and he started guessing what he was drawing.

"You should try to write something and see if I can guess it," he said. She chuckled and started writing letters on his back. He chuckled.

"Peeta," he said.

"That was too easy,"

"Bread," she bit her lip. How was he doing that?

"Buttercup," he chuckled.

"Stop being right," she told him. She wrote something else, and he looked up at her.

"Dandelion," he said. She smiled and nodded. He leaned up and kissed her. It was a soft, sweet kiss. It was nice kiss. It was a comfortable kiss. It was theirs and no one else's.

The second day a crate full of wedding dresses appeared and she pretended to throw up. Peeta brought them upstairs into a guest room. They didn't even look at them. Peeta laughed it off. Stupid wedding dresses.

They worked all week on the plant book, and Peeta helped her walk around the house after a few days until she could do it on her own.

She wanted to go back into town and forgot. She totally forgot. Why did she forget? She opened her eyes and screamed as she saw her Prep team. Inches from her face. She couldn't help but let out a blood curtailing scream.

"Oh, sweetie we didn't mean to scare you," Octavia said.

"Then why would you all get into my face and wake me up?" Katniss asked. She stood up and whipped around.

"Can I please just tell you one thing. I killed children," Katniss said. They just looked at her. "Do any of you have your own children? Nieces or nephews? Cousins?" she asked.

"I have a niece," Venia said.

"Oh, I have a little cousin that I absolutely adore. He's the sweetest little thing," Octavia said.

"I have a little brother and sister," Flavius.

"Alright. Imagine this. They're in an arena, and on tv you watch someone murder them in cold blood," she said. The blood drained from their brightly covered face. "Now imagine all of you in the arena, and you're the one that killed your family," Katniss told them. Venia put her hand over her mouth.

"Think about having everyone watching on tv. But they're your family. So, you're sad right?" Katniss asked. They all nodded their heads.

"I murdered children. And you sat at the family's dinner table and talked about how each of them died. They were someone's child. Someone's brother or sister. Niece or nephew. Their cousin. And you just sat at their tables and laughed," Katniss said. The three of them just stood there. Tears welling up in their eyes.

"Victors have nightmares. And you can't wake up a Victor with your face inches from theirs," Katniss said and went downstairs. Her mom, Prim, Peeta, Haymitch, Cinna and Effie were all in the kitchen.

"Hey you ok? We heard you scream," Peeta chuckled. Katniss pinched her nose.

"Someone may want to go talk to my prep team and wipe up their tears," Katniss said.

"What did you beat them to death?" Haymitch laughed.

"No. I told them to imagine their family members getting murdered on tv," Katniss said. They all just stared at her. "I also told them to imagine that they're the ones that killed them," Katniss said. Peeta's eyes widened, and Effie gasped.

"Anything else?" Haymitch asked.

"I told them off about talking about the dead tributes at their family's dinner table. And not to wake a Victor up with their faces so close to theirs," Katniss said. They didn't move. No one knew what to say to that. They all just stared at each other. Someone would open their mouths to say something, but then shut it. They probably stood there for a good two minutes.

"You should bring them some cookies," Peeta said and shoved a box of cookies into Cinna's hands.

"Me? Why me? Cinna asked.

"Because you speak Capitol. And take that thing in the wig with you," Haymitch told Cinna, pointing to Effie who glared at him, and they both walked upstairs.

"So…what got you to snap?" Peeta asked.

"I woke up and they scared me," Katniss said. Peeta and Haymitch nodded in total understanding.

It took an hour before Katniss was allowed to come upstairs. To which she apologized up and down the wall saying that she's nervous about the wedding and wondering if she's too young. And then tells them that she has nightmares, and she was just so scared that she gets angry. And she told them that the Games really, truly are very difficult. Her prep team cried and hugged her. Telling her how sorry they were. They never thought of it like that before.

"Listen. I just got so mad, and I took my anger out on you. It's just so scary waking up like that. But you did nothing wrong. I just want you to forget what I said. I have the best prep team in the world, and you make me smile and laugh. Other Victor's hate their Prep team. Peeta doesn't like his too much," Katniss said, making them laugh. They had a group hug, wiped their tears and went on to make her camera ready.

They weren't on schedule anymore, and Effie was a screaming mess. She came into the living room in the first dress. Peeta and Prim were sitting on the couch, eating popcorn.

"What are you two doing?" she asked. Peeta's shoulder shook.

"You look ridiculous," Haymitch said from the doorway.

"Go home and drink something," Katniss snapped at him. He just laughed and sat down on the couch as well, reaching to grab some popcorn. "Why are you eating popcorn?" she asked as her prep team, Effie and Cinna moved her around.

"We're watching the show," Peeta laughed.

"You shouldn't even be in here. It's bad luck to see the bride in her wedding dress before the wedding," Effie snapped at him as she fluffed out Katniss' dress.

"Yeeeeah I don't believe in that," Peeta said and shoved more popcorn in his mouth, smiling at her. She couldn't help but laugh at him. "Besides, we're here to vote on which dress we want," Peeta said. Katniss just rolled her eyes.

The second dress was not much better. Katniss could barely see through her head piece. All four of them complained about each dress. Of course, Prim was more of a laughing participant, then a complaining and ridicule one. By the fifth dress that's when Peeta and Haymitch groaned.

"What the hell is that. The lace and whatever the hell that thing on her head is, is terrible," Haymitch said. Cinna stood up.

"You know I'm standing right here. I've been standing here this entire time that you've insulted my work," Cinna said, tired of Haymitch and Peeta. But the boys just laughed.

"It looks like a bird cage on top of her head," Peeta said. Cinna grabbed a pillow that was behind Katniss and threw it at Peeta's face.

"Shut up!" Cinna snapped. But it just made the boys laugh louder. Katniss was dying by the sixth dress. Her foot hurt so bad. Peeta was walking to the kitchen when she was coming down the steps. She tripped and he ran and caught her.

"You ok?" he asked. She nodded.

"My damn foot hurts so bad," she complained.

"This is the last one, right?" he asked. She nodded her head and looked down. His breath caught. Out of all the dresses, this by far was the most beautiful. They all were beautiful, but nothing like Katniss. She would never pick something like this out, but it didn't make her any less beautiful in it.

"Let me help you in,' Peeta said as he let her lean into him.

"Hey, where's the popcorn?" Haymitch asked.

"This is the last one," Peeta said.

When she was finally done, Peeta helped her back upstairs and went home for the night. It took all day! She fell right to sleep.

Peeta carried Katniss into their room on their wedding night. The one in the Capitol. But they didn't care. They were in love. He put her down as he shut the door and turned on the light. When they turned, Katniss screamed. There was President Snow.

"Congratulations you two. On this happy, joyful day. I wanted to personally wish you a long, happy, healthy, and prosperous life. Filling the world with many, many children," Snow said. Katniss had stepped back, scared. Peet half stepped in front of her. Snow laughed. Peeta looked passed him to see a long mirror that went around two walls. The corner of that wall was curved.

"I have a wonderful surprise for you. On your wedding night, as you lay down in this bed, and give each other your precious virginity, some of the wealthiest Capitol citizens will watch. They've paid good money to watch Mr. Mellark break Ms. Everdeen's hymen. Watching the blood soak the sheets, proving her pureness," Snow said and laughed.

"Oh, excuse me. Ms. Mellark," he laughed again. Katniss was crying.

"And if we don't?" Peeta asked.

"Well then. The two highest bidders that are surely hoping you say no, are each going to come in here and take your virginities," Snow said, laughing. "So please, say no," Snow laughed.

"DON'T TOUCH HER!" Peeta screamed as he woke up. Oh God. That was one of the most horrible dreams he had ever had. That was what had almost happened to him and Katniss. Their wedding night could have been for a show. For the Capitol to watch and laugh and who knows what else.

That could have been them. It almost was them. But then Snow decided to put them into the Quarter Quell. It was the only thing that saved Katniss and Peeta from being sexually abused. From Katniss being raped.

He heard someone walking up the stairs. He figured it was Katniss, but it was actually Haymitch.

"Heard you scream. You ok?" Haymitch asked. Peeta shook his head. Haymitch came in and sat on the chair.

"Can't sleep?" Peeta asked. Haymitch shook his head.

"Tomorrow. They get to call us back into the Games. And it doesn't matter one iota that we survive it. It scares the hell out of me," Haymitch admitted. Peeta covered his face with his hand.

"I just…I can't believe I'm going back in there," Peeta said.

"If Effie happens to grab the other card and says your name…I can't…" Haymitch couldn't get the words out. Peeta sat up.

"Don't you dare volunteer. I'm serious. And don't feel guilty. If we switch places, something could go wrong. And we'll ruin everything. So, stay out of there," Peeta told him sternly. Haymitch nodded his head. What was that man thinking? Anything could have gone wrong. If Peeta was out there watching, all eyes would be on him. The excitement alone of the first time a Victor becomes a mentor is a spectacle. But now add the fact that the love of his life is in the arena? He'd never be able to sneak away, and he'd get stuck in the Capitol. Again.

And then what would happen to Haymitch? He may not even make it off his pedestal alive. Everything could go wrong. Something could happen to Finnick. There would be no reason for Katniss to trust anyone. Snow would know something was up.

"What was your dream about?" Haymitch asked. Peeta scrubbed his face. Reliving it in his mind.

"Snow sold us. To watch us on our wedding night," he said, disgusted. Haymitch let out a deep breath and Peeta looked at him. "Was that going to happen?" Peeta asked softly.

"I honestly don't know. Something was going to happen. Plutarch knows though. I made him swear not to tell anyone. Including me. I don't want to know how close we were to him selling you two," Haymitch said and scrubbed his face.

"If we think she's bad now…there's nothing that could bring her back from that. She'd be one of the Victors that gets left in their District. Made to be forgotten," Haymitch said. That just killed Peeta to hear.

"Have you ever told her about your other dreams?" Haymitch asked. He knew what he meant. His time in the Capitol.

"No. And I don't think I ever can tell her. I think it would cause more damage. It would destroy her," he couldn't imagine telling her about all the sick and twisted things the Capitol did to him. And the beatings. The only reason Haymitch knew was because when he got to District 13, his hijacked self-told him. Told him everything, with no emotion in his voice.

"We'll have to go for a walk tomorrow. Just the three of us. We need a plan for when the Quell is announced.

The next day they do take that walk. They go into the middle of a field and sit on a few old barrels.

"Alright. Snow listened to us when the Quarter Quell was announced. Plutarch said he rewound it and laughed at us. So, we can't just give him nothing. We have to do it again," Katniss rubbed her forehead over her eyebrows. Trying to rub the headache away.

It was one of her worst fears brought to life; reliving hearing the announcement of the Quell. Realizing she was going back into the arena. And she had to sit through it again? AGAIN! How was she going to sit through this again? She felt Peeta take her hand.

"So, what do we do then?" Peeta asked.

"We'll watch it the same way we did last time- "

"NO!" Katniss told them. She looked at both of them. "We're watching it together. We should have done it that way before…but we never thought we'd ever go back into the arena. That was the promise that was made to us. But we'll watch it together," Katniss said. Peeta and Haymitch looked at each other.

"Then how are we gonna do this? You ran off last time. Peeta came running right to me, and then you came by later on," Haymitch said. Katniss sat there for a minute.

"Let me run out the door. Don't stop me. Be too stunned to go after me. Then go back to your house to scream and drink. Peeta will follow you and ask you to save my life. You'll look for me, but not find me. I'll go back to your house, beg you to save his life and then we'll get drunk," Katniss said. She scoffed. "I'm so done pretending," she said. Peeta picked her hand up and kissed it.

"Ok. That's going to work. So, I got a few more ideas," Haymitch said.

The plan had been set. Everyone was in their places. Prim and Emily sat in the chairs. Katniss sat in the middle of the couch with Peeta and Haymitch. She heard her mom whisper to Prim earlier to let them sit together. This is something that they won't ever understand.

So here they were. Sitting. Waiting for the announcement. They had to sit through Caesar's interview with Cinna and all her wedding dress pictures. Then the announcement. Katniss' shoulders already shook, and tears were streaming down her face. Peeta wrapped his arm around her, and Haymitch held her hand. She wouldn't even watch.

"On the seventy-fifth anniversary of the Hunger Games. As a reminder to the rebels that even the strongest among them cannot overcome the power of the Capitol, the male and female tributes will be reaped from their existing pool of Victor's," Snow said.

She let out a sob and Peeta pulled her tightly into his arms, letting her sob. He was crying to. They would be going into the Games for a fourth time. This one scared him more than anything. He would never admit it to Katniss, but he was terrified of being left behind.

Emily screamed. Even though she knew Katniss would make it out, it still affected her and Prim. Katniss got up and ran away, leaving Peeta. He was supposed to pretend to be too stunned to move.

"Where is she going?" Prim cried. They may have lived through this before, but it still was real. It was still painful. It had never healed. Haymitch yelled and ran out of the house. Running into his, screaming and throwing things around.

Peeta finally ran after Haymitch into his house. They did the rehearsed speech. Begging him to save Katniss because Haymitch owed him. He didn't try to save him in the first Games. So now Haymitch had to do what he wanted. And what he wanted was for him to save Katniss.

He left his house, and walked into town, and into the Bakery. He walked in the back door and into the kitchen. The mics were on in here as well. His dad just burst forward and hugged him. This happened last time to. He knew there weren't any cameras. But it was what he realized before. This moment being done before, was no less painful.

"They can't do this," his dad said. He was never a crier. And he did last time. But his dad wasn't rehearsed like they were. So, he couldn't just bring on the waterworks. But the hug was real. His dad pulled back.

"How can they do this? Wasn't that part of the agreement? When you win the Hunger Games, you can't ever go back in," Ryee said.

"It's the Capitol. They can do anything they want," Peeta said.

"What are you gonna do?" Wheet asked.

"I'm gonna go back in there. Save Katniss again," Peeta said. There were groans around the kitchen.

"Why are you trying to save her? She's not in love with you. She loves that tall guy. Why did you even ask her to marry you when we all know she's in love with someone else?" Ryee asked. His family wasn't supposed to know anything that was going. They didn't last time. They thought Katniss was genuinely in love with Peeta. But they knew more this time. Not everything. But enough to know what was at stake. So, this conversation was directly from Haymitch.

"I don't want to hear this again. I can't keep having the same conversation anymore. You can't change my mind,"

"So, you're just going in there to die for her?" Ryee demanded.

"Stop this! Right now. We're not going to do this. Not now. Not ever," his father said. Peeta ended up going back to the Victor's Village and going into Katniss house.

"Is she upstairs?" Peeta asked.

"We can't find her," Prim said. He pretended to look around for her for an hour, but then just went and sat on his front porch.

Katniss had hidden in one of the Victor's houses. Breaking the glass again. Not even caring. Because she was going into the arena again. For a fourth time. How was she supposed do this? How was she going to do this? She rocked back and forth for who knows how long. She finally went to Haymitch. They drank, had their speech about saving Peeta and got drunk.

Katniss walked out the front door, stumbling. Peeta waited a moment. When she got to her front porch, Gale ran out of the house to her. He said how sorry he was that they should have left sooner. He caught her as she stumbled a bit.

"Katniss," Peeta called and ran over to her. "Katniss what happened to you? What happened to your hands?" he asked. Now that was a real question. What did she do?

"Are you drunk?" Peeta asked. She laughed.

"Yep. Me and Haymitch got drunk. And it's a good thing to. I need all the experience I can get before I'm thrown into the arena and killed," Katniss said and laughed and practically fell into Peeta's arms.

"Come on let's get you to bed," Peeta said.

"I can help her to bed," Gale told him. He was crossing his arms a few feet back. He looked miserable. He felt guilty that Gale had to go through this.

"No. I'm going to stay with her in case she has a nightmare. I'm gonna take care of her if she gets sick," Peeta said.

"Like hell you will. There aren't any cameras around here. She doesn't have to be with you now. You're not getting married anymore. You're going back into the arena. She's free to be with me with whatever little time we have left together. And you're not taking her away from me," Gale said as he looked the other way.

"You don't understand her anymore. You don't understand what it's like being in the arena. I understand her. I get her. You'll never understand. I'm the one who chases away her nightmares,"

"That's nothing that someone else couldn't do. Prim could comfort her after a nightmare. That means nothing. She belongs with me," Gale told him. He was scrubbing his face. Peeta just wanted this to be over for him.

"We can sit here and argue all night long. But I'm the one who's actually going into the arena to save her life. So, excuse me if I want to spend every waking moment with her…she's coming back Gale. And after that, there's nothing I can do," Peeta said, clearing his throat. That was horrible to say. Katniss' giggling brought him back to reality.

"Are you leaving?" Katniss asked Gale, laughing.

"Yeah. I am Catnip. I'll see you later," Gale said sadly and walked home. He didn't think it would be that hard to say that to Gale, but it was. He didn't like torturing him.

"Are you gonna bring me up to bed?" Katniss asked.

"Yeah sweetheart. I am. Let you get some sleep," Peeta said and scooped her up. Emily and Prim were standing there, holding the door open for him. He took her up to bed and took her shoes off and tucked her into bed. She had to be by herself tonight.

The next day, later afternoon, Katniss finally emerged from her house and brought Haymitch some tea.

"Well, there's my drinking buddy. Care for some more?" Haymitch asked. Katniss shook her head. Peeta came down with the empty bottles again. Peeta and Haymitch fought about how they were going to train like Careers for the next three months. That two of them were coming home. One a Victor, the other a mentor.

He threw out all Haymitch's liquor. The last bottle in his hand though. Haymitch was prepared of three months without alcohol though. Peeta told them that Ripper wasn't allowed to sell anything to him. Katniss said she would go and get him more liquor, but then Peeta argued that he'd rat both of them out and stomped out of the house.

"I don't like self-righteous people," Katniss tells Haymitch.

"What's to like?"

"You and me. That's who he plans on coming home," Katniss said, choking on a sob.

"Well, then the joke's on him,"

We didn't waste time watching tapes this time. We just never bring it up. We already know who's going into the arena. And we already know which tributes live. All 24 of them!

Peeta had already been working out in his basement. Katniss had noticed that the past 9 months. But now it was her and Haymitch's time. It was warm again, so they could be outside, sweating in the heat. They ran around the District. Getting in their 'cardio.' Whatever Peeta was going on about.

Haymitch did much better than last time. He had started getting sober at this time last year. When they were in the Capitol, he wasn't drinking, because he had to stay sharp. Then the whole time they were in District 13 he didn't drink. So, he was able to step up a lot quicker.

"I think it's stupid that I have to do this. You're going in. Let me go home and drink," Haymitch grouched. Peeta and Katniss laughed at him.

"Why are we running all around District 12?" Katniss asked.

"Because I want them to know that we're ready to fight. We're going in to fight for them. And they need to be reminded of that when they see us running by," Peeta said. And it was true. People would stop and stare at them every day while they ran around. Always a different path. Peeta caught Katniss staring at him one of the days they were running. He slowed down to walk for a few minutes.

"Penny for your thoughts," Peeta said to her.

"You run much faster now," she told him. He furrowed his eyebrows. "Your prosthetic. You don't have it anymore. So, you can run faster," Katniss said. He smiled.

"Yeah, I guess I can. And I bet I can outrun you," Peeta said. She wiggled her eyebrows.

"Wanna race?" she asked. He nodded.

"Ok. On your mark. Get set-HEY!" Peeta yelled. Katniss cheated and ran ahead of him.

"HEY! DON'T LEAVE ME BACK HERE!" Haymitch yelled. He was laying in the middle of the road.

By this time, the 'virus' had taken five thousand District 12 residents. Of course, almost one thousand of those were the families that 'starved' during the blizzard. Those few days took so many lives. It made all three of them happy to think about. No one died from starvation during that blizzard. They're all in District 13.

District 12's atmosphere was different. We all knew the secret, and we were getting out and fighting back. Not everyone remembered that they've lived this life before, but they knew we were getting out!