I've re-written chapter two, I hope you enjoy it. I'll be reposting chapter the posted chapters and then knock on wood every week making an update. I do not own the Hunger Games...and special shout out to Norbertsmom for not only being a great beta, but also for not allowing this story to die.

Two Years Later

"Patrol One."

The static message came over the Peacekeeper's communication device as they walked by Mellark's Bakery.

"Patrol One, here."

"What is the status of Sector A?"

Both Peacekeepers stopped walking. They looked at each other as they stared into Mellark's Bakery window.

"Sector A Clear."

There was a pause as both men waited to hear what their next orders would be. District Twelve was the least active of all of the districts. Its citizens never gave any of the Peacekeepers any trouble. The residents kept to themselves. Only a few of the Merchant kids kept them on their feet, but only when they were drinking.

Once again the Peacekeepers had nothing happening this evening. Everything was quiet.

Peeta hid in the shadows across the street.

"Copy that. Continue on to Sector C." The command came back.

The two Peacekeepers looked at each other, their reluctance was obvious. They were to skip the abandoned part of town and move on to the meadow. They stood for a few minutes talking about the cakes Peeta decorated. They were arguing about which one was the best. Their heated voices drifted across the street to where Peeta hid.

The newer Peacekeepers did not even go by their names, they went by initials or numbers. Peeta closed his eyes. He had to time it outright. He couldn't afford to get caught by these Peacekeepers. They were new to town and did not know him.

If it were Darius or any of the older guys he could have walked across the street and snuck into his home without worry. The older guys knew him, knew Peeta was no threat. Rye, on the other hand, had a few drunken incidents. If these new troops found him breaking curfew, they would discover his brother was not at home which would lead to both of them being arrested. That was not something Peeta desired. Peeta was glad they were headed to the Meadow. For now, Rye was safe.

Taking a deep silent breath Peeta looked across the street. The men were still standing in front of his home. Peeta judged he had to run across the street as soon as they moved away. He was not the most agile of his brothers, but he could be sneaky when he had to be. He listened intently to the two men bicker.

"Seriously, J, how can you say that?"

"You know I have real issues with your taste levels, K."

"You have issues with my taste level? Are you looking at the same cake?" The one named J said.

"Naw man, I'm just saying, the one with the birds is the best one." K pointed to the cake in the display.

"Ha!" J was sounded offended at his partner's opinion.

"Look at it K; you can see the different colors in the bird's eyes."

"Who cares about the birds?" J shrugged his shoulders.

"They look like they are in mid-flight." K flapped his arms as if they were wings.

"I still say the one in the back is the exact replica of the meadow back home. Look at all of those flowers, they look real. It's like they plucked them from the fields and put them on the cake."

"Flowers, really…" J cocked his head to the side.

"What's wrong with flowers? I used to pick them all the time, as a kid…"

J laughed as he spoke, "Really, man you picked flowers."

"Flowers are great."

There was a silent pause as both men stared at each other.

J was the one who broke the silence. "I can't believe we are having this conversation."

"J, haven't you ever plucked any flowers?"

"No."

"I did and I still do."

J cracked up and hit K on the shoulder. "That is the funniest thing ever."

The Peacekeepers laughter spilled into the street.

"If I feel like it, I will. Who is going to stop me? Besides it was for her, you know the girl from five."

The Peacekeeper defended himself. Their voices became hushed as if they were sharing private information.

"Jeez man you're something else, you know that? Really you did that for her?" K's voice could be heard from where Peeta sat.

"Doesn't matter, let's move on to Sector C."

"Seriously the chick with the…." K held up his hands to his chest.

"Why the hell do I even speak to you?"

"Because no one else will," K's sardonic reply caused the other Peacekeeper the chuckle.

"Yeah sure, but you're wrong about her."

"I can believe you gave her flowers." K still held mirth in his voice.

"Believe it," J said.

Peeta was glad to see them moving on. He was happy to be close to his house as he snuck past the two retiring Peacekeepers to get into his backyard. He and his brother Rye had snuck out earlier to a party in an abandoned building. Peeta couldn't stomach the drinking so he left the party relatively early. It was not terribly late yet. There was a whole hour until midnight, but his parents were fast asleep. Bakers rose early and went to bed early. It was an occupational hazard. Peeta was normally in bed by 7:45 pm. It was the ridiculous time enforced by his mother.

Normally by now he would be fast asleep, because they were up by three thirty, at the latest, to get the ovens fired up and ready for the first batches of bread. But tomorrow was Sunday, the one day the bakery was closed so that they could clean properly. It meant they could sleep in late. Peeta hoped he could sleep in. However, after his older brother got married and moved out, Peeta assumed more responsibilities, like cleaning the ovens, which no doubt his mother was going to demand he do. His father trusted him; his mother did not. It was no secret Peeta was her least favorite child.

Peeta walked a curious line in his home. He tried his best to stay out of his mother's crosshairs. It didn't always work when he was younger, often being the recipient of her physical rants. But as he grew in height and his shoulders broadened his mother retired from hurting him physically to only spitefully berating him. It gave him the courage to do what he did tonight even though he did not want to go in the first place. Peeta walked with his hands in his pocket as he approached the tree.

It was not cold out tonight even though it was already November. It was actually a balmy night. Peeta was glad that it was still warm out. It meant Katniss could still get a good haul from the woods. Animals might not hibernate early. He knew how hard it was for Katniss Everdeen and her family during the winter. The later the harsh weather the better it was for her to forage in the forest.

Peeta paused as he stopped to look at the majestic tree that his ancestor planted.

The grand tree in his backyard was filled with fall opulence. It's orange and yellow leaves were at peak. Peeta loved the fall, because it was a celebration of his favorite color, orange. He often loved to watch the sunset because of the muted orange it provided. This was a secret he kept to himself. His brothers did not think him to be much of a man. They thought something was wrong with him. Peeta supposed it was why Rye wanted Peeta to join him at the elusive party tonight. Rye wanted Peeta to act more like his friends. It was not in Peeta's nature.

Rye begged him, since now he was fifteen and could go to these types of get-togethers. Peeta reluctantly agreed, not only because tomorrow he could sleep in, but because Rye had moved out of their room over the summer. This was his brothers last year in High School.

His older brother Norton was getting married now that he was over the reaping age. Norton was far too serious-minded to do anything out of the ordinary. Norton was like their mother, a Capitol sympathizer. Rye, the middle Mellark, didn't care about anything. He was reckless and was solely loyal to himself. It surprised him when Rye insisted he go.

Peeta guessed Rye wanted one last hurrah. Peeta went, however as he scanned the small gathering of town kids Peeta couldn't help but think of Katniss. He could not help but want her, but it was a ridiculous desire. The one person he wanted to be there was certainly never going to be at a Merchant get-together. She never even went to the socials at school. Peeta sighed as he once more thought of her.

Katniss Everdeen.

He could feel his blood flowing into his lower abdominal region at the thought of her. Katniss was the single most interesting girl, the focal point of his existence. Years ago, he had thrown her bread. The next time he saw her she held out a dandelion toward him. That was their last form of communication. It was odd considering he saw her every Saturday morning when she traded with his father. She acted as if she did not know him and he could never break out of his shell to speak to her. It was frustrating.

Peeta rubbed his face.

If he wanted, he could end his self-imposed withdrawal from females. Girls liked him. They have tried to kiss him. Hell, one even groped him, but he didn't bite back, unlike his brothers. His brothers went after any and every girl who was remotely interested in them. His brother Rye's latest obsession was Beulah River. It was his one reason for wanting to go to the party. Rye was still there, no doubt trying to score with the River girl. Beulah was beautiful, but had a horrendous personality and was not the brightest bulb in the barn. Peeta could not understand why Rye never went for girls of substance.

Rye always went for fast, easy, and dumb.

Rye made fun of Peeta because he was fixated on only one girl. Peeta did not care. Katniss was worth the waiting, the pining, and the unrequited need. He was besotted. Katniss was not only beautiful but she was smart, strong, loyal, and despite her scowl, he knew there was more to her. He wanted to know more, but he doubted at this moment he could find the answers he sought. Momentarily he was tired and wanted nothing more than his bed.

Yawning, Peeta was glad he resisted drinking. Most of his friends were drunk or on the way to becoming intoxicated. Peeta walked up to the tree that went all the way up to his window. He was not very good at climbing, but he would rather get scrapes from the tree, sneaking into the house, than risking going in through the back door and waking up his mom.

Peeta stood beneath the tree contemplating his move.

From above Katniss was panting hard. She had just scrambled up the tree. She had come here to see if he was alright. She hoped he had not gone to that party. When she was going to leave, she couldn't because the Peacekeepers paused outside of the front of the Bakery.

Now she was stuck on the branch. Nervously she watched Peeta look at the tree. She knew if he came up here she was going to be stuck. There was nowhere for her to go unless she shimmed up the branch and hopped into his room. That was not an option.

Katniss was panicking.

The leaves above began to shake. Katniss's grey eyes shifted upwards, curious as to what was causing the leaves to shake. There was no breeze tonight.

It was then that darned squirrel jumped down from its perch.

The squirrel's nose twitched as it looked directly at Katniss.

Katniss scowled.

It was not impressed and began to make noises.

"Shhh," Katniss tried to intimidate it and used her free hand to try to scare it away. She could see Peeta just below her as he was looking for a way to climb the tree.

The squirrel hunched over. This was a sign, animals did to denounce they were threatened.

"No, no, no, no…" Katniss whispered desperately hoping to startle the creature from what she knew was going to happen next. She did not want to get attacked by a squirrel.

The bushy-tailed creature came toward her, threatening to bite her. Katniss sat up quickly as the furry little beast charged at her. Unfortunately, she lost her balance in the process. Katniss tried to stabilize herself by using her arms, but to no avail. She slipped off the trunk and plummeted toward the earth.

Peeta was surprised to see the branch above shake right before he saw a shadowy figure dropping from the tree. He quickly maneuvered to catch the small bundle that was falling.

Katniss braced her body to feel the pain of the ground. She did not yell. She kept her eyes tightly closed, waiting for the pain. She'd fallen plenty of times from trees. She'd learned how to fall, but she never reached the ground. Instead, she was caught. Reluctantly, she opened her eyes to stare up into the startled blue eyes of Peeta Mellark.

Peeta was shocked as he beheld Katniss Everdeen.

In a million years Peeta never thought he would be coming home to catch Katniss falling out of the tree in his backyard. They stared at each other in the silence of the night. Each one filled with disbelief at the situation they found each other in.

Finally, Peeta broke the silence.

"Are you okay?"

Mutely, Katniss nodded. She could not believe she fell out of the tree because of that stupid squirrel. Katniss hated the furry little menace. She was so embarrassed she did not know where to look. A mixture of fiery anger and humiliation swirled within her.

"Are you sure?" Peeta was concerned she could be hurt and her not know it.

She couldn't even formulate a word, much less a sentence. Her stare was harsh, but she couldn't help it. Peeta was physically holding her, while standing in the middle of his backyard. She fell out of his tree, because of her weakness. She wondered how in the world she was going to be able to get away with this. The huntress was captured by a baker.

Despite all of her whirling emotions, she was not trying to get out of his arms. The one thing that her brain registered was that she oddly felt safe. He saved her once again. Her traitorous nose greedily sniffed him. She picked up the slight cinnamon and dill scent. It made her heart race. She swallowed as she felt the blood rush to her face.

In the dark Peeta could not see the fierce blush that spread over Katniss cheeks. "Are you sure?" He asked again.

She nodded once more.

Reluctantly, he let her go, settling her feet on the ground. Peeta could not believe this. He grinned when it hit him. Katniss was in his tree. She did not have her game bag with her. It was late in the evening. Peeta wondered why in the world she would be in his tree. Peeta hoped she was not looking for his brother Rye. Girls did all sorts of things for Rye. Peeta swallowed, morbidly his morbid curiosity grew. "What were you doing up in the tree, Katniss?"

Katniss's eyes grew larger. He knew her name. Then she admonished herself. Of course, he knew her name. She traded with his father often. Peeta was there sometimes during the trades. "I..."

It was then they felt it. Small little pellets being thrown at them.

"Oww," Peeta said, looking up. The shell of a nut hit him in between the eyes.

There, on the branch, the squirrel was throwing empty shells and twigs at them quickly and with deadly aim. Its little paw raised in the air as if cursing them, fighting mad.

Peeta quickly moved them away from the barrage towards the side of the house where they could not be reached. He sheltered her with his body.

For a brief moment, Katniss allowed it. She allowed her body to be protected. She tucked her head against the wall of his chest, as his arms braced on either side of her. Her hands were spread wide on his abdomen. She breathed in the smell of bread, cinnamon, and dill. It was comforting and oddly familiar.

"I hate that squirrel," Peeta muttered.

His words snapped Katniss out of her self-indulgence.

"Darn Squirrel," Katniss grumbled, narrowing her eyes as she peeked over his shoulder. Katniss stepped out of his shelter. She took a small pebble from the ground and without much preamble flung it at the small annoying animal. The pebble zinged past its tail. The squirrel seeing this scampered away.

Peeta knew her aim was accurate and he was thrilled to see just how good she was. "Wow, take that, you pest."

They laughed suddenly at the audacity of the situation.

"I guess you were chasing that squirrel." Peeta grinned.

Katniss bit her lips. It wasn't the squirrel that she was chasing. It was him. She was worried about Peeta and his brother Rye going out to drink. Peeta was not the type to drink or go to wild parties. She worried he would drunkenly stumble back home to face his mother's painful reckoning. Katniss was going to sneak some of her mother's brew that would help him with a hangover, but that was not the real reason behind her fear.

It was the slow trickling of reinforcements sent by the Capitol. The reaping was done for the year. There was no reason for such a presence in District Twelve. Something was going on in the district, even the old Peacekeepers like Cray, were acting out of sorts. Katniss did not want something happening to Peeta.

"Seriously though, what are you doing here?"

Katniss grabbed the herbs she held in the pocket of her father's jacket and shoved it into his hands.

"What's this?"

"For hangovers," Katniss whispered before she made a dash.

Peeta caught up with her and held her arm. "No, wait you don't have to run."

Katniss looked at his hand on her shoulder. Her chest felt like it was going to explode.

It was quite revealing to know she came here to give him the herbs for hangovers. Peeta questioned how she knew he was going to the party? He looked into her face; she looked utterly guilty and flushed. Peeta brows crashed into each other as he puzzled as to why she was in the tree that led to his bedroom.

"Please let me go..."

Peeta loosened his grip. "I didn't mean to scare you."

Katniss backed away slowly.

"Please don't go."

Katniss had no way of explaining to him what she was doing here. Why she followed him, or why he was important to her. Other than her holding out the dandelion to him they never spoke. Her instinct was to run and never come back. But his eyes stopped her.

His blue eyes implored her to stay. They were breathtaking to behold up close.

Peeta could convey his meaning with a simple gesture whereas she could not do anything but frown or scowl. In school, Peeta never found it difficult to get his point across. Katniss liked to simply listen to the timbre of his voice whenever he spoke. She blankly stared up at him, hoping she could back away slowly.

It then came to him, she was following him. His heart soared then it crashed as he thought about the Peacekeepers in town. "Listen, there are Peacekeepers all over town tonight. They were just outside. They were headed toward the meadow."

Katniss paused. She knew this to be true. She counted eight on her way here tonight.

"Stay here with me." Peeta quickly said. "I'll sleep on the ground and I promise to wake you before dawn since I have to get up early."

"Tomorrow is Sunday Peeta, you guys aren't open on Sundays."

"I have to get up to clean the ovens. I will wake you up so that you can sneak home. I promise, I will not touch you. Just don't go out there; it's dangerous."

Katniss knew she should go home. She should say no, but she did not and somehow she found herself inside of his room, wearing his clothing and snuggling into his bed.

Even Peeta could not hide the wide smile on his face. He lay on the floor next to the bed contemplating just how hot she looked in his undershirt and boxers. Peeta slid his hand under his head, not knowing how he was going to sleep. It was not until later when she woke up whimpering that he realized she was asleep.

"Katniss…"

Katniss's mouth was open in a silent scream when she sat up.

Peeta put his arms around her.

Katniss buried her face into the crook of his neck. His scent was reassuring.

They sat there not speaking.

When Peeta was sure she had calmed down enough he began to move.

"Stay with me."

Peeta crept in besides her and she clung to him. This time it did not take long for them both to fall asleep, wrapped up in each other's arms where it was safe. It was the way Rye found them.

His buzzed mind snapped into being sober instantly.

Rye grinned.

His disappointment over Peeta leaving early dissipated. There was nothing wrong with his little brother. It all made sense, Peeta had a girl, and it was none other than Katniss Everdeen. Rye wanted to jump on the bed with them, but seeing the way they clung to each other made him pause. It was intimate and private. He felt ashamed, voyeuristic for being present.

This was the real thing.

Rye instead backed out of his brother's room and left with a small smile on his lips. He would not intrude on his little brother's bubble. He knew the truth and now he would have to help Peeta out. Rye had no doubt if their mother were to ever find out about Katniss, the woman would kill or maim Peeta.