Author's notes:

Yay! Time to dive into some Everlark!

I just want to take a few seconds to respond to several reviews and messages I have gotten regarding Katniss' parents and their lack of knowledge of her abusive relationship with Cato. Without getting into it too much, I want to explain. I know from personal experience that people sometimes only see what they want to see. Meaning, if someone sees a bruise on someone arm, they tend rationalize, sometimes at a subconscious level, rather than think the worst. Also, when you are a victim of an abusive relationship you fell ashamed and go to great lengths to hide it. None of this makes Katniss' parents bad people nor does it reflect badly on Katniss for trying to hide it, it is simply one of the dangerous factors of abuse.

As always, thanks soooooo much for the review and the love. Keep it up!

So…. Back to the story we go! Enjoy

RavenStoryteller RavenStoryteller RavenStoryteller RavenStoryteller RavenStoryteller

The sun beams from the other side of my closed eyelids, making me instantly aware of my migraine. Rubbing my face with both hands, I move to sit up, waiting for my vision to come into focus. However, I am immediately held down by a gentle force.

"Whoa! You had quite a tumble there. Don't sit up too fast."

I squint to focus on the face behind the familiar voice. "Annie?"

"Oh good! She speaks!" she jokes, trying to brighten the mood. "Can I get you anything?"

"Ugh…. Head ache. Got anything for that?"

Annie nods and leaves the room, returning seconds later with two pills and a glass of water.

"What happened?" For waking up in pain, in a strange room, I sure feel calm.

"What do you remember?"

"Sitting on the bench." In a moment it all comes back to me. "The man, with the knife! Oh my God, my purse!" again, I try to jump up from the bed.

"Slow down there. Don't worry, he didn't get it. It's here!" She reaches down beside the bed near where she is sitting and lifts my purse into view. "I carried you stuff back after you passed out."

"What… how…..." I can't decide on my next question, leaving me unable to form one.

"We were leaving for the night and saw the whole thing. I hate to admit but I was terrified. If it wasn't for the guys, I don't know what would have happened!"

"Guys?"

"Finnick and –"she begins as the door opens after a gentle knock. From the other side, walks in Finnick, followed by a man with blue eyes I thought I had imagined.

"Telling tales of my bravery again my dear?" Finnick strides into the room. "How are feeling Katniss? Sorry we couldn't get to you sooner, but-"

"No! Seriously! Thank you, you're the reason I'm alive and talking to you now."

"Well, I did manage to teach his a lesson." His ego seems to grow with every statement.

"What are you talking about Finn? Peeta's the one who knocked the guy out! All you did was sit on an unconscious dude until the cops came." Annie retorts, causing Finnick's face to flush, as the room goes quiet. I look around at the three of them, finally resting on the only one who has yet to speak.

"Peeta?" I ask.

"Uh yeah. I'm Peeta." He says, lowering his head briefly to look at his shoes. "I'm sorry if you got hurt. I was just trying to get the guy off of you. I didn't know he would push you like that."

"Get him off her? Dude, I've never seen a guy hit the ground that fast! I'm telling you, Katniss, knocked…. out…..cold!" Finnick seems to have shifted his ego to his friend.

"Umm, thanks….. Peeta." I pause to relish in the way his name rolls off my tongue. "I, uh, can't thank you enough."

"It was nothing, Katniss."

"How do you know my name?" I know my head is fuzzy, but I'm certain I haven't told him.

"Finnick filled me in. After you passed out, I carried you back to our place. We didn't know where you live and we couldn't find your phone to call anyone-"

"I don't have a phone…. Or anyone." I whisper the second part of my response so quietly I'm surprise he hears it.

"Oh, sorry. Anyway, Annie offered to let you sleep it off in her room. She said she owed you after you gave her that pin." He is no longer looking down when he speaks. His eyes, now fixed on mine, are a vibrant shade of blue, so bright, they almost don't seem real. Yet, with the rareness of their hue, something keeps telling me I've seen them before.

Snapping out of my fog, I blurt out the first thing that comes to mind. "So you work in the restaurant too?"

He lets out a breath, tinged with a laugh. "Yeah, I'm the guy who made that stew you almost got killed for. I guess I'll take that as a compliment."

My jaw drops. "Oh. Well, then thanks again. I just didn't, couldn't lose my purse. This is literally all I have left. Besides, that stew was amazing." I offer, trying to lighten the mood.

"Thanks." Now it's he who pauses, staring into my eyes with his. Damn, my heads hurts so much. "So, how long do you need to stay?"

"I don't want to be a burden. I can leave if you want."

"No, that's not what I meant. I mean, can we help you get home? No rush though."

"Um, this is kind of embarrassing but, do you know of any long term shelters? Yesterday was first day here and I kinda got here after they all shut their doors for the night. So…."

Annie looks to Finnick, and then they both turn to Peeta, who appears deep in thought. After a moment of silence, he speaks. "Well, I think I speak for the three of us when I say you are welcome to stay as long as you need. Just know that we all pitch in around here. Annie can fill you in. Perhaps this is our way to 'pay it forward'."

I hate to owe people, but for once, it feels great to have someone offer to help. "Thank you! You have no idea how much this means to me. I don't know how to repay you guys."

Annie and Finnick nod and walk out the room. Peeta turns to follow but pauses at the door and looks back at me from over his shoulder. Smiling, his last words shock me. "Tie perhaps?"

The words flow naturally, without thought. "Just this once." And as the last word passes my lips, it hits me.

Peeta was the stranger from the store, the subject of all my fleeting dreams, and now, he was my savior.