Hello! Thank you for all the reviews! Sorry for the long time between updates. I made this a long chapter to make up for it! Enjoy!

p.s. please excuse any grammatical errors.

Chapter 27

During the next few weeks, I spend as much time with Merrick as possible. Gale has stopped coming by the house so it leaves my bed open for him, something I don't mind at all. I do miss Gale though. I've even gone to our spot on Sundays, hoping to find him there. So far, I have been unsuccessful.

I try to not let this bother me as I walk through the Seam to meet Merrick at our tree. It's our last night together. We're celebrating his birthday a day early since he will be on a train tomorrow afternoon. We've already set guidelines about our meeting tonight: no crying and no overly sentimental speeches. When I see him, I drop the basket in my hand and run to him, hugging him tightly. He lets out a laugh as he embraces me.

"You missed me that much?"

"Yes." I reply.

"I missed you too." he admits.

"I have a surprise for you." I tell him.

"I also have a surprise."

"Good surprise?" I ask.

"I think you'll like it." he says as he retrieves the basket. He takes my hand and leads me behind the tree where I see a small green tent set up. I give a big smile and kiss his cheek before going inside. The interior is lit up with fake candles…something I've never seen before. Must be a District 2 thing. I sit on the thick blanket and wave for my basket. He places it next to me before assuming his position on the other side of the tent.

"So what did you bring for us, Miss Everdeen?" he inquires. I told him I'd bring the meal since he had done so for all those other times.

"Close your eyes." I instruct him. When they are closed, I pull a ripe strawberry out of the basket and tell him to open his mouth. When the fruit touches his lips, he bites down and moans in satisfaction. He opens his eyes and grins as he chews.

"My favorite." he says when he's finished.

"I know." I reply. I know how much he likes the berries and that it's one thing he cannot get in District 2.

"There's something else that's my favorite." he mentions. Before I can say anything else, he eases my back against the ground and climbs on top of me as he showers me with kisses. I feel a prickling sensation running through me with the way he kisses me.

"What about the food?" I ask with heavy breaths.

"That can wait." he whispers in my ear. I expected this to happen at some point in the night, just not so early on. We pause during our kisses to strip our clothes until they are all lying on the ground. He stares at me with a lustful gaze.

"I love you, Katniss." he murmurs.

"I love you too." I tell him, bringing my hands up to his face. I lift my head off the ground so I can kiss him once more. I groan as I feel him enter me and his hand is tangled in my hair as he lowers be back towards the ground. He sets the rhythm as he thrusts himself into me. I feel lightheaded. Maybe it was the euphoria I'm experience, or the anxiety I've been encountering all day. It probably doesn't help that I haven't had anything to eat all day. Slowly my vision goes black and every other part of my body seems to shut down.

I am brought back to reality a little later. Merrick is panicked, patting my face and calling me name. I'm not sure how much time has passed.

"What happened?" I ask.

"You blacked out." he says gasps. "You had me so worried." he says pressing his face to mine.

"I don't know what happened." I say, grabbing my head. "I'm sorry."

"You don't need to be sorry. I'm just glad you are ok."

"I guess it was just my emotions getting to me." I speculate.

"What do you mean?"

"I don't think it's any secret about how I feel about you leaving."

"Katniss." he whispers.

"I don't want you to go." I confess. The waterworks start and it only makes him more upset.

"Katniss, we both knew this day would have to come eventually." he says as he strokes my hair.

"I know, it's just hard. What happens when you leave?" I whimper. I feel like a broken record. We've had this conversation so many times but I still can't get over it.

"We'll have to try to start over."

"You think I could feel this way about anyone else?"

"Eventually, yes." he says. It's hard to pinpoint the emotion I feel once he says this but I ultimately find the word. Betrayed. How could he ever think that.

"And you think you could love someone else the way you love me?" I question him.

"Right now, no."

"But eventually…" I trail off. "No, I don't want to know." I add before he can say anything else. I turn around to hide my grief-stricken face. He wraps his arms around me and holds me close to him.

"This sucks." he says, breaking the silence. I can't help but laugh when he says this. It's very rare for him to use that sort of language. "Glad you think my pain is funny." he says lightly.

"We should eat." I say sitting up. I retrieve my shirt and underwear and put them on quickly. He partially dresses himself while I unpack the food.

"Looks good." he says before digging in. We are quiet for a while. I think both of us are trying to avoid saying anything that would upset the other.

"I'm sure you friends will be happy to have you back." I say, breaking the silence.

"Yeah, I guess so."

"I don't have any friends left."

"Gale." he says

"No, not anymore."

"I thought he was your best friend."

"He's mad at me." I reveal.

"Why?"

"You." I reluctantly reveal. "As you know, he's not your biggest fan."

"But I'll be gone. He wouldn't have to worry about me."

"It's more complicated than that."

"How?" Merrick asks. I don't reply. I'm not sure how he would react knowing about the feelings that Gale has been harboring for me. "How Katniss?"

"He has feelings for me."

"He loves you." he murmurs. I nod my head. I expect him to get angry or jealous but he does none of that.

"Do you think you would have ended up with him if I had never shown up?"

"No, I don't feel that way about him." I lie. The last thing Merrick needs to know is that I felt something for Gale.

"But could you ever…in the future?"

"I don't know. People don't usually go around thinking about their best friends in that way."

"I've heard what people had said about the two of you."

"What are you talking about?" I ask, confused.

"After the whipping, the streets were filled with gossip. They talked about the two of you. About how it was about time you realized your feelings for him."

"Why because I ran to protect him?"

"You wouldn't do something like that for just anyone."

"Don't tell me your jealous." I huff.

"Maybe a little."

"Why?"

"Because he gets to stay here with you. He might actually have a shot with you."

"No." I start.

"There's no need to spare my feelings. I'll be gone after tomorrow."

"Don't say that."

"It's the truth!" he exclaims. I hate this night…how the whole night has gone so far. It's impossible to truly be happy when I know what will happen when the sun comes up. I do something very brash. I grab my things and take them outside the tent, quickly dressing myself. I begin my walk home when I hear him.

"Katniss, stop!" he says. I turn and find him jogging towards me. He pressed my back against a nearby tree and kisses me passionately. I don't stop him. Instead I reciprocate the kiss and let it build. I feel him begin to pull away but I won't let him. He ends up winning, prying his lips away from mine.

"I'm sorry Katniss. I'm sure that's the last thing you wanted to hear tonight."

"It's ok. I know you were just trying to help."

"If you really want to know the truth, my heart aches when I think about you with anyone other then me."

"I feel the same way." I tell him as I play with his hair. "There's no way I could go with you?"

"You'd do that? Leave behind everything for me?" he asks, a little surprised.

"Yes…yes I would." I finally confess. I feel ashamed for admitting it. "It's not allowed, is it?"

"No." he says with a frown. "Come back to the tent, Katniss." he says, taking my hands and walking backwards as he leads me back to where we started. He breaks away from me long enough for us to venture inside, instantly eliminating any space between us once we are situated. Our lips find each other's and our actions become quite frivolous. We know there isn't much time…we don't have that luxury.

Clothes scatter the floor and this time there is nothing to deter us from what inevitably was going to happen tonight. I make sure to take in every kiss, every touch, every feeling his stirs inside me, knowing I'll have to rely on memory after tonight. When we tire, we lay entwined, staring at each other, while stealing kisses from time to time.

"We should get some rest." he whispers.

"Not tonight."

"Not tonight?" he questions with a laugh.

"You can sleep on the train." I say with a smile, playing with his hair.

"You make a good point." he tells me with intrigue. He releases me and locates his shirt. I sit up, confusion clearly written on my face.

"Get dressed." he says with a sly smile as he hand me a pile of my clothes that he collected. I do as he says and follow him outside. He reaches his hands above him and grips the branch before hoisting himself up. A smile spreads across my face and I follow him until we are close to the top. I sit beside him and he wraps his arm around my shoulders.

"Remember the first time you brought me here, I couldn't even make it to the first limb by myself." he chuckles. I join in.

"You've come a long way." I praise him.

"We both have."

"We met so long ago." I reminisce.

"Over 6 years ago."

"Sometimes I still wonder why you didn't just keep walking."

"How could I?" he says, somewhat hurt by my comment.

"Plenty others did." I reply. "But you were always better than everyone else…kinder."

"I'll never forget that day I saw you in the square…when I came back. You were the prettiest girl I have ever seen." he whispers in my ear, causing my cheeks to blush.

"I couldn't believe you came back."

"I'm glad I did. We've had quite an adventure, Katniss."

"Remember our first kiss?" I ask with a smile.

"I was so nervous to make the first move." he admits. "I knew I could ruin everything between us if you didn't feel that way."

"But you still did."

"I couldn't help myself." he murmurs.

"And then Gale came. I was so afraid. He knew what you were…what your father was."

"He has every right to hate me." Merrick says, leaving me confused.

"No, Merrick. You're so good."

"But I lied to you about my father. It's my fault Gale was whipped."

"It wasn't."

"If I had told you the whole truth about why I was back, you never would have let him go to my house. I bet he's thinks I'm as bad as my father."

"He thinks you become a Peacekeeper one day."

"Never." he whispers. "You're lucky to have someone care about you like that." Again our conversation comes back to this.

"I thought we weren't going to talk about that." I comment.

"I didn't mean for it to come up." he awkwardly adds. We are silent for a long time following that. I keep my stare towards the tree line and notice the sky already becoming slightly lighter. I didn't really think about how late it actually was. I tell Merrick I'm tired and he suggests we climb down from the tree we are perched in. I agree with him, not wanting any accidents to happen. I carefully lower myself from branch to branch until my feet are on solid ground. Even though he started after me, he's already started climbing into the tent. I join him, lying down and resting my head on his chest. I tell him goodnight one last time and close my eyes.

I wake up to the high-pitched beeping from the alarm on his watch. I let out a disapproving moan and then rest my chin on his chest to look at him. He's still unconscious.

"Merrick." I whisper, nuzzling my face next to his.

"Hmm?" he asks, still in a haze.

"Your alarm."

"No." he groans, as if that would negate it going off.

"Can we stay just a little longer?" I ask.

"Yes." he says, wrapping his arms tightly around me.

"Happy Birthday." I murmur before giving him a kiss.

"It's starting off that way." he says with a grin.

"I didn't get you a gift." I say with a frown. With everything that's been happening, it's slipped my mind.

"You didn't need to. You are my gift." he tells me. It's a cheesy comment but I couldn't care less. I'm happy that he's still beside me. While a tangible gift seems out of the question, I could always do something for him. I decide upon singing for him. He always seems to like that. I begin my song, singing sweetly in his ear. I large grin appears as he listens to me.

"I could listen to you all day." he mutters before pressing his lips to mine. A moan escapes from me as he shifts himself on top of me. He wastes no time, unbuttoning my pants and sliding them along with my underwear past my hips. An even louder moan comes out when his fingers make contact, teasing me. While he does this, I fumble for the front of his pants, my desire for him growing by the second. As soon as I slide down the zipper, another beeping sound emits from his wrist.

"Fuck!" he mutters, pressing his forehead against mine.

"Merrick." I whisper, waiting for him to make eye contact.

"Hmm?" he asks looking quizzically at me.

"I didn't hear it." I tell him with a sly smile. His expression matches mine and he pull himself away to free himself from his pants. He moves quickly, knowing we don't have a lot of time. We connect and he thrusts rapidly, causing my breath to hitch repeatedly due to the unexpected pace. Shock melts away as pleasure takes over. I grip onto the blanket beneath me, trying not to succumb just yet. It proves to be impossible and I feel a warmth spread through me, reaching out into every limb. It isn't long after that he finishes, moaning my name as he comes. His body crashes down next to mine, his heavy breaths lingering in the air. As much as I want to curl up close to him, I know I can't. Our time expired long ago.

"Get up." I advise him as I sit up and locate my shirt. He ignores my request, pulling me towards him and holding me against him.

"Merrick." I huff.

"Just a little." he murmurs as his fingers sweep through my hair. His touch is so enticing. I can't say no. We lay there for a minute and then I let my rational side take over. I know he'll be in trouble if he misses that train.

"Ok, time to go." I say as I peel myself off of him. I begin dressing before he can say anything. He sulks for a little but then begins to dress as well. We pack our belongings and start for my house, avoiding town so we can hold hands.

We are silent until we reach my back porch. This is the hardest part. This is our last goodbye. We hold onto each other for dear life, as if that would prevent us from ever being separated.

"This part is always the hardest part." he murmurs into my ear.

"I know. You think we would have gotten used to it by now." I say, thinking about all the other goodbyes we've had to do over the years.

"Maybe because this one seems so final." He's right. All of our other goodbyes have at least had a fleeting hope that he would return once again. This time is different. This time it is certain that he will remain in District 2. I loosen my grip on him and stand on my toes for one last kiss. Our lips move desperately against each other's, frantically seeking out every last bit of pleasure we can get in this brief moment. I continue, waiting for him to end it but he doesn't. This leaves the arduous task on me. I slowly lower my feet back to the ground, breaking us apart.

"I love you, Merrick." I whisper as I bury my face in his chest.

"I love you too, Katniss." he says holding me tightly. I'm surprised that he's the one to break from me. He's had such a hard time letting go. He quickly turns away from me and starts for the fence. I watch him as his hands come to his eyes, most likely wiping away tears. I run to meet him and take one of his hands.

"I'll walk you home." I say, offering a smile, which he returns through glassy eyes. We make our way through a path in the woods, behind the houses in Peacekeeper's Village. I try my best to keep it together but I can't help it that a few tears escape from me, rolling gently down my cheeks.

Merrick stops me, pressing my back against a nearby tree. His hands cup my face and he uses his thumbs to wipe the streams away. I grab the fabric of his shirt and pull him towards me, wanting to taste him once more. He gladly obliges, his lips caressing mine slowly and more sensually this time. I match his rhythm and block out any other thoughts I am having at the moment. I flick my tongue against his and he follows, deepening the kiss. Long, drawn out kisses follow until his lips leave mine and relocate on my neck slowly sucking on my skin, increasing the pleasure I am feeling.

"Merrick." I moan though my hazy consciousness. I can't think when he does this to me. It takes me a while before I can gather my thoughts. He should be home now. His train leaves in about an hour. "Merrick, you should get inside." I comment but he ignores me, leaving a trail of kisses from my neck to my chest.

"Merrick." I mutter again but he ignores me. I push him off me and quick turn to face the tree trunk, facing away from him. "You should get inside before they send people to look for you." He walks around the tree trunk to face me.

"You really think—" he starts.

"You think your father wouldn't look for you? And if he found you with me—"

"I'd never let him hurt you." he interjects, knowing that his father would try something to punish me for forging a secret love affair with his son.

"Difficult to do from over a thousand miles away."

"Ok, I'll go." he sighs. My words must have finally gotten through to him. Before he leaves he gives me one more kiss before he disappears beyond the tree line. I hold in my tears until he's out of range and slowly trudge back, a crying mess.

"Katniss." I hear a voice calling out my name but it's too far away for me to be sure it's him. I'm not even exactly sure which direction it is coming from. My senses seem off. I turn my body 360 degrees, searching for the owner of the voice until Merrick comes running into view. When he gets close, he takes me in his embrace.

"Have a happy life…please, for me. Don't think about me. Forget me, if need be." he pleads with me.

"How could I ever forget you." I whisper.

"Find someone else to love." he tells me. I shudder at his suggestion. I decide to change the subject, saying the thing I've been meaning to say all this time.

"Thank you…for everything. If it weren't for you, I would be standing here today."

"It was my pleasure." he says kissing my cheek.

"Merrick! Merrick!" I hear a male voice call from far away. Fear flashes in both our eyes.

"You have to go." I says before kissing his lips three time.

"I love you." he mutters to me.

"I love you too." I say giving him one last kiss. "Good luck." I tell him before I disappear. I run until I am safely out of Peacekeeper's village. I turn for home but realize I'm not ready to go there yet. Instead I head to the woods where I can think clearly, free from distractions. I make my way under the quiet fence and run past my bow. I'm not in the mood for hunting today. I make the long journey to the lake, trying to occupy as much time as possible. I sit on the grassy bank, watching the summer sun shining down on the gentle waves from the slight summer breeze.

The mid-day summer sun is hot and oppressive. Beads of sweat are already starting to form on my skin. I strip my clothes down to my underwear and bra before wading into the water. I feel the loneliness creeping in. This is my first time swimming out here alone since I've been friends with Gale. I miss him so much. It saddens me to think he is in the mines and not here with me. I'm not sure what will even become of us. It's been about a month since we've last spoken. He's even made a point to avoid me at the Hob, disappearing before I could catch up to him. I wonder if things will mend between us now that Merrick is gone. I don't think he's even aware of that. Maybe if I go to his house, he'll have to talk to me.

I abandon the thought of him and swim laps across the lake, concentrating on the movement of my body more than anything else. I continue this until I've exhausted my muscles. I return to the grass to dry myself in the sun. I can feel its rays on me, evaporating the water from my skin. My mind wanders back to Merrick. I wonder what District he is traveling through right now. I wonder what is waiting for him back home and what the job process is like there. In District 12, you are sent to the mines if you are from the Seam. If you are the child of a Merchant, you work in the family store. I've won the Hunger Games, twice, so I don't fit into either category. I have the pleasure of serving as a mentor for most likely the rest of my life and watch two children from my district die in the Arena each year. I don't know how Haymitch has done it all those years. Maybe that's why he's turned to the bottle. I question if that will happen to me.

I lay there until I am dry and the dress myself. I start back from home stopping at the clearing. I sit on the rock in the middle of the field, where I meet Gale for hunting. It feels like I am waiting for him right now to show up. I know he never will, even if he could. I lie back on the rock and pick a berry from the bush behind me, plopping it in my mouth. They don't taste as sweet as they used to. My mind goes back to summer mornings when Gale would throw the berries in the air and we'd take turns catching them in our mouths. I close my eyes and grin when I think about my time out here with Gale, before things got complicated. I would do anything to get those times back.

When the heat of the stone becomes too much, I slink down into the grass, resolving to take a short nap. I'm in no hurry to get back. I don't have much waiting for me back in the confines of my district. I close my eyes and relax my muscles as the summer breeze carries me toward sleep.

I wake up sandwiched between covers. I feel confused and unsure about I how I made it home. I find my answer when I turn to my right and find Gale lying next to me, his stare fixed on me.

"What are you doing here?" I ask hoarsely.

"I brought you home from the clearing." he answers.

"How?" I pry.

"Prim came around when you didn't show up for dinner."

"But why?" His confusion matches mine, with his quizzical brow and suspecting eyes.

"Why wouldn't I?" he asks, clearly offended.

"We're not friends." I sadly reply.

"Why would you ever thing that?" he asks, looking at me like a wounded animal.

"Gale, I've seen you in the Hob…you've avoided me more than once."

"Not because I didn't want to be your friend. I was hurting…a lot." He doesn't have to reveal the reason why. I know it was me. We lay in silence. I don't feel like acknowledging the fact that I broke his heart. I never wanted to hurt him…I never thought I could.

"I heard the news." he says.

"I'm sure you're thrilled." I huff.

"Despite what you think Katniss, I actually do care about your happiness." he quips.

"As long it doesn't include Merrick Thread." I add.

"Not true." he says, brows furrowed.

"You never liked him." I object.

"I don't like most people Katniss." he says with a laugh. That is a true statement. I'm not even sure if he liked me in the beginning.

"Well, you don't have to worry about him anymore." I say, as my eyes tear up. I quickly turn my body, facing the windows so he can't see me cry. I expect another grand Gale Hawthorne speech about District 2 and his father, and how he'll be a Peacekeeper just like his dad. What I receive is something totally different and surprising. Gale wraps his arm around me, pulling his body close to mine. At first I thought it would be unwarranted, but I find comfort in his touch.

"It hurts so much." I gasp.

"I know, Katniss." he murmurs in my ear.

"Does it ever go away?"

"Yes. It can take a hell of a long time, but you will make it through this."

"How long?"

"Depends. Lying in bed all day won't help though. Keep yourself busy…get back into a routine…find something to distract you." he suggest. I feel him release me and shift off the bed.

"Where are you going?" I ask, sitting up and facing toward the door.

"It's getting late." he says.

"Stay." I cry out my desperate plea. I immediately regret my sudden outburst. I don't want to look weak. I also don't want to lead him on.

"Ok." he says, moving back to the bed and sliding under the covers.

"Thank you…for bringing me back."

"What are friends for?" he replies with a small smile. Something tells me there is more intent than he's willing to reveal. I don't say anything back. Instead, I give a grin close my eyes, wondering about Gale Hawthorne.

Merrick's gone :( Gale's back :) Comments? Predictions? Let me know in the reviews ;)