Legacy

by stacylk

AU.In a time where the children of Panem are housed in concentration camps to be used as slaves, one young man,the son of a resistance leader and the only survivor to escape will discover his destiny,as well as find love in an unexpected place.P/K OC/OC

3. Chapter 3

Rated Adult for Language, Character Death and Explicit Sexual Situations

Dedication: I want to dedicate this story to my best friend Elyse. She helped me through this story for months, became my sounding board and made me discover ideas and situations that only made the story better. Thank you Twin! Love you Lizzie!

003A.

The sweet spring air billowed through the light blue curtains, causing the fabric to ride the wave, flapping against the window sill. The fair haired boy pushed the quilt down around his feet with his heels, the bed posts creaking. Flipping to his side, the bed shifted as he faced the light blue wall, matching the curtains.

The aroma of bread seeped into the room, from under the door. He breathed it in deep, still keeping his eyes closed. The steady foots step traveling up the hallway, stole his attention from the sweet smell. He groaned loudly, realizing that it was Saturday, his appointed day to do the deliveries for the bakery.

He hated having to make small talk with the lonely housewives, who wanted company. Although he was positive that a warm loaf of bread wasn't exactly what most of them had in mind. He wasn't exactly sure, but he had a suspicion that his brother Markis had been far beyond the threshold of most of their houses.

He wasn't saying that he hadn't been tempted to do so, before immediately deciding against it. His hormones were in overdrive, and he on more than one occasion had given in to self gratification. The constant teasing from Markis and at times Gale didn't help his resolve to wait for someone he cared about.

The boy was thankful for his oldest brother Jon, whose temperament was closer to his own, who would quietly comment on how fast he made his deliveries, smiling to himself. However, the dread he felt towards being seduced by older women, wasn't what caused him the most anxiety. His nerves knotted his stomach at thought of having to go to the house far up the hill.

His father and brothers determined not to tell him much about the other type of activities they participated in. He hated the thought of them not trusting him enough to allow him to help.

A banging at the door broke his train of thought, causing him to knock his head on the back board. The door swung open, as he rubbed his head, a look of annoyance passed over his face.

Markis walked into the room, smirking at his younger brother, "Peeta, stop yanking it, and get up."

Peeta continued to rub where a knot was sure to be forming," That hurts."

"Hurts? Then you're doing it wrong."

Peeta reached for the pillow below his head, pitching it at Markis, hitting him in his broad chest, "You're disgusting!"

Markis laughed, as Peeta glared, "Come on, penis. Time to get up."

Peeta sat up swinging his feet over to the side, the quilt falling below where his feet stopped. His back slumped over, while he ran a hand over his chest.

"I wish you would stop calling me that."

"Well, you can wish in one hand and shit in the other and see which one fills up faster."

Peeta lifted up a brow, "Nice. How is it that girls find you the littlest bit attractive?"

Markis scratched his brow, "For one I don't waste my time waiting for someone who will never show. And second...women are stupid."

"The ones you find are."

Markis grins, his dimples deep, "That's how I like them."

Peeta laid his head in his hands, shaking it, causing his hair to wisp against his temples. Stretching his legs gingerly, he pushed himself off the twin bed, his socked feet hitting the wood floor. Markis turned to walk out stopping short next to the door.

He bent down picking up a rolled sheet of canvas. He laid it out against the flat surface of the door. Peeta didn't notice what he was doing, too occupied with digging through his hamper, looking for his jeans from the night before. When he located the colored pencils, he tugged them free of the pocket, turning to his brother.

His body tensed when he saw, Markis looking at the painting. The deep grey eyes of the painting stared him down, her dark hair tangling around her jaw line. Anger surged through him, feelings of violation running through his body. He rushed over to Markis, pushing him to the side.

Markis snorts at the smaller boys attempt at pushing him out the door. He towers over his younger brother, who stands at only 5'10, the shortest of the four Mellark men. Peeta snatches the canvas from his brother's hand, nearly tearing it, holding it behind his back.

"Is she who you jerk off to?"

"Not everything has to revolve around your dick, Markis."

Markis looks genuinely curious, "It doesn't?"

Peeta pushes against his chest forcefully, this time pushing him far enough into the hall, "GET OUT!"

Peeta slams the door, some of the paintings hanging fall to the wooden boards. He rests his head against the door, sighing. The painting still clutched in his sweaty hand, as he moves his eyes down to the rendering.

He gets chills every time he looks at the sharp lines of the girl brought to life by a mixture of paints, and thick lines of charcoal. It took him hours and hundreds of rough drawings to finally be able to transfer to the canvas.

He was thankful that his ass of a brother didn't notice all of the scattered pieces of paper that he had shoved up against the wall under his bed. He hoped that what he imagined was close to what she would have looked like now.

And in his dreams, and yes even the sorted ones that Markis would have a laugh at, she made an appearance. Peeta stood up, tossing the rolled piece of canvas on his mess of a bed, walking over to his closet. He ran his hands over the array of t-shirts, and flannel button ups.

The slight chill in the air opted him to pick both, removing them from their hangers. He pulled a pair of jeans from the floor, reaching for his heavy boots. He dressed quickly, not wanting his brother to come back, pulling off his cotton t-shirt he slept in. He slipped his jeans over the plaid boxers, quickly tugging on the t-shirt, the flannel following suit.

His boots slipped on easily over his socked feet, the laces swinging around each other like a dance. Peeta sighed, reaching for the door, finally making his way down to the first floor of their home that was located above their family's bakery.

His the thumping of his boots echoed through the hallway, soon moving through the stairwell as he made his way down stairs. The boots were a hand –me- downs, much like the jeans that fell beneath the heel of the boot, both a bit too big.

Most of his clothes had once been property of his brothers, the only downside being that both men were a bit larger than their younger brother. Peeta was well aware that his parents would be more than able to buy their children new clothing, seeing that Luka was once a council member for the Capitol.

Luka had once tried to make his son understand that most of the money that he had went to another venture. Peeta was too young to understand the meaning behind it, until a few years later when he had found a little girl and boy, siblings, in the back room of their bakery.

His father was speaking to them softly, both children looking like wounded animals. His father had rushed him out forcefully, not before Peeta had seen the strange markings on their forearms much like the one on his mothers.

The urgency his father had shown was not something in his normal demeanor. Later on, his father had explained to him that there was a burden that the Mellark family had been blessed with.

Peeta stopped asking for new clothing or anything else after that, desperately wanting to be the kind of man like his father. Peeta made his way to the back room, trying to pull his jeans back up to waist.

He rounded the corner, nearly colliding into his mother, who was busying herself with the contents of their family cabinets. Her body tilted slightly, the cans she was handling fell on their sides. Peeta winched, as she tried to find her balance. He reached for her, his hands being pushed away roughly.

"I'm sorry, mother."

She straightened herself, moving her hands down her rumpled dress, a glare on her round face, "You always were an empty headed daydreamer. Something your father encourages on a regular basis."

Peeta positioned himself in front of the shelves, "Here let me help."

She slapped his outstretched arm away, "No! I can get it from here."

Peeta nodded, walking around her to make his way to the back room where his father was sure to be. When he was a few feet from her, he snuck a look behind him. She had resumed her fiddling with the canned goods, her light brown hair falling into her eyes.

Saturdays always made her nervous, her need to busy herself while his father and brothers were conducting their hushed conversations, made the ones who weren't invited crazy. Aside from his mother, Peeta was the only member of the family who wasn't allowed to discuss certain things, or participate in certain tasks.

He sighed, tired of the distance she put between herself and the rest of her family. Peeta's father had off handily mentioned to him, his mother had been used by the capitol. Peeta wondered if her decision to be cut off from the rest of her family had been because of that.

He decided worrying about his mother would take far too much time than he had, turning back to his previous destination. As he made it closer to the curtain that separated the back room from the hallway, he could hear hushed tones.

Peeta tried to still his breathing, not wanting to get caught ease dropping on the conversation. He could easily pull out the voices of his father and older brothers, although the other was harder to point out. Markis would occasionally make a crude remark, soon after their father would gently remind him the reason of why they were there.

Peeta leaned in, careful not to disturb the thin fabric, the last thing he needed was to fall face first into the room, where he wasn't supposed to be near anyhow.

Most of the conversation was too hushed for him to hear, and what he was able to hear was said in a type of shorthand he didn't understand. Something about codes, and farms which seemed strange to be in the same conversation. His father's tone became even more serious, when the subject about a code who was hiding in the forest, comes into the discussion.

Markis comments on the great deal of trouble this one girl had caused him. So the codes were people? Peeta thought back to the siblings he once saw with their marked arms, the one on his mothers arm an exact match. That's when the conclusion of his father and brothers helping people came into his mind.

Now more than ever he wanted to join his family in their business. He leans forward, balancing on his toes, trying to hear even more. He lets his mind start to think about the girl hiding in the forest. Is she alone? How old is she? His mind goes to the conversation he had with his father, after he saw the markings on his mothers arm.

He had innocently asked her about it, receiving a venomous reaction from her. Mumbling under her breathe about ignorant, curious children, needing to mind their own business. My father had taken her to bed, seating me in his lap, hugging my six year old body close to his. He spoke, his mouth to my ear.

"There are those in this world that try to define who we are as people. Never forget Peeta, you are who you aspire to be. Not the bines that others try to lock us into."

This had confused Peeta, his six year old mind unable to understand the meaning of the statement. Now, he was much older, and able to understand the deep meaning behind those few sentences. His back tensed and ached from holding this position.

He was thankful that he had at least some training, to strengthen his body. He had done some wrestling in school, winning a few awards, however sports were never really his thing. The only reason he had joined the team was too try to wipe out all of Markis' previous records, which he had.

The opportunity to wipe his brothers' smug look off of his face was worth all of the hours Peeta had to roll on the floor and grab a hold of other guys. Peeta let's his hands hover inches from the curtains, closer to hearing the hushed voices. Out of nowhere a hand clasps onto Peeta's shoulder.

"What the hell are you doing?"

This startles Peeta enough to make him fall face first into the back room, taking the curtains from their hitches, down with him, both sides clutched in his hands. His body hits the floor hard, with an oomph, his blonde bangs falling into his blue eyes.

Peeta sheepishly looks up into the blue eyes of his father, a crease on his forehead. He surveys the room from his position on the floor; Markis is holding back laughter along side with his oldest brother Jon, who shakes his head.

At the back wall Kale Hawthorne, Gale's father sighs, he too trying not to laugh. Peeta breaks the stare that has started to form between he and his father, to peer behind him to see whose the reason for his getting caught.

The lean body of his best friend Gale Hawthorne, is doubled over, gasps of breathe escaping from his mouth, as he tries not to laugh. Peeta glares at him, pushing himself off of the floor, still gripping the material.

Markis walks pass him, pushing him over with his shoulder, "What a dork."

Peeta's mouth tightens into a line, "Thanks, Mark."

Peeta throws the material to his right, wiping his hands on the legs of his jeans, "I was just…umm…looking for the invoices for the deliveries for today."

Markis mumbles a response, slapping Gale's arm before he makes his way to the front of the bakery. Peeta tries to ignore Gale's snickering, as tries to get the slightly smaller boys attention. However, his attention is now on his father who is in a hushed conversation with Jon and Kale.

Luka Mellark turns toward his youngest son, his bright eyes troubled, motioning with his head to Jon to something laid out on the battered wooden work table. Jon mutely nods a response, picking up the large pile, of what seems to be blueprints to Peeta, off of the table rolling them up with his long fingers.

Jon catches his brother's eyes, a slight smile on his lips; he tilts his head up slightly, motioning for the embarrassed boy to let it go. Kale Hawthorne leans to Jon's ear, careful to keep his face away from Peeta's sight.

Luka gently takes Peeta's arm, leading him into the hallway, rounding the corner away from anyone to hear. Peeta leans against the wall, his father bends down trying to match his son's height.

"Peeta what you just did-."

Peeta looks down at his feet, "Stupid, foolish, intrusive, childish? Take your pick, father."

Luka's eyes softened, "I was going to say dangerous."

The boy looks up to his father, as the older man straightens up to his full height, towering over the boy, "All I want is to help, much like Jon and Markis. I want to be a part of this family. I feel like I'm just this colossal waste of space. You all treat me like I'm a naïve kid. I'm tired of you not seeing me as vital part of this family."

Luka releases his grasp on his son, "Peeta you're different than Markis and even Jon. It's not in any way a negative thing. You're an artist, a painter, and when your term of schooling here in the district is over, you are going to University at the Capitol. There is a great gift inside you son, to make ideas into something people can see and be inspired by. It's a much more important and gallant than anything your brothers and I are involved with. And in response to you feeling like a child, I am proud that you feel as so. What I am doing is to ensure that you have the capability to do as such. It's something to fight for."

"I know about the markings on mother's arm, and even Julia's. I know that the Capitol does something to the children who are taken at the reaping, and if they come back something is different. I also know you being a former Capitol citizen assure that Jon, Markis and I will never be reaped. So what puzzles me is why would you care enough to endanger yourself as well as us? All I want is to understand, why every Saturday the bakery is filled with customers we never see any other day? Why does mother restock the pantry obsessively, keeping her time in the back? Or why it's the only day that I am assigned to do deliveries, but every other day I am to keep to painting or reading from the thick books that you assign for me to scribe? Also, why is it that you Jon, Markis, and Mr. Hawthorne are sometimes gone for days at a time? I want to understand, father."

"There are those who try to silence others. Whereas others try to give them a voice."

Peeta shakes his head, clearly annoyed, "It's all riddles. How did you answer my questions, in any way?"

Luka squared his shoulders, "Peeta there are things you don't need to know."

Peeta threw his hands up, his voice angry, "Fine! I'm going to go get the invoices and start the deliveries."

Luka sighed, as his son stalked up to the front of the bakery, "I love you, son."

Peeta stiffened his shoulders, ignoring his fathers' sentiment to his retreating back. Luka Mellark's bright blue eyes looked to the floor, the guilt of trying to keep his son safe weighing down on his broad shoulders.

Peeta seethed as he stalked up to the front, pushing the swinging doors with enough force, causing the wood to collide into the light green walls. His mother from her place behind the counter looked at him through a curtain of light brown hair.

She went back to wiping down the clear glass display counter, never making eye contact. It was strange to him that she didn't yell at him for ruining her precious walls, or that she was in the front of the bakery instead of tending her shelves in the back like she did every Saturday.

Peeta shook it off, moving behind her to reach the invoices. He noticed the way she kept her distance from him, which normally was something she did often. His mother was never especially nurturing with him or his brothers, and Peeta could count the times he had been hugged by his mother on one hand.

She had always been reclusive, keeping to herself, occasionally remarking about something she disapproved of. So for all intents and purposes she was closer to a lodger than a mother to him and his two brothers. Peeta assumed it was in effect of what had happened to her when the Capitol controlled her life.

His father would never go into detail of how he met their mother, but Peeta had the feeling it wasn't uplifting. He pawed through the stray pieces of paper lining the shelves against the wall. Finally finding what he needed, he scooted behind her, trying not to touch her.

He turned to go to the back when a tapping against the glass from outside got his attention. Jon was waving him outside, as Markis and Gale talked at the bottom of the steps, Gale animated with his hands. Peeta called a farewell to his mother, she still at the counter not responding.

He sighed opening the glass door, the chimes sounding above him. The door closed with a heavy slam, Peeta leaned against it, his head bumping it slightly. Peeta motioned behind him, turning toward Jon.

"What's going on with mother?"

Jon opened his mouth, when Markis interrupted loudly, "Who cares! She's always been bat shit crazy."

"That's' our mother, Mark."

"Do I look like I care?"

"No, you look like an asshole."

Jon sighed, moving in-between his two brothers, "Alright, that's enough."

Jon looked to Peeta, "Be careful when doing your deliveries today. Head Thread has been sniffing around the bakery today. He even came in a few times, looking around the display cases. Father even said he saw him out around back, when the sun was still down. We don't want to give him a reason to start anything."

Markis laughed, "Forget that with Penis falling on the floor. The damn thing could have been heard down into the slums."

Peeta rolled his eyes, "The Seam."

Jon glanced to the foot of the stairs where Markis stood with Gale, "Markis only talks bad about the Seam, because even though he thinks the girls there are trash and easy, they still have enough class not to sleep with him."

Peeta pressed his lips together, trying to keep a laugh from escaping, as Gale burst out laughing.

Markis glared at Jon, "Whatever,"he turned to Gale slapping him on the shoulder, "Gale I'll see you later, never knew how you became best friends with my loser of a brother."

Markis walked up the few steps, pushing Peeta over to the side, his dark hair falling into his eyes, "Have a good time on the deliveries virgin. Maybe you'll get some lady to pull your ding-dong for you."

"That's nice, Mark."

Markis shrugged, tilting his head to Jon, "What? We can't all be devoted and married to one broad, like Jon over here."

Peeta's back stiffened, as Jon grabbed Markis' arms forcefully, his voice dangerously low and angry," Watch the volume. I won't have my wife being whipped or worse because her dumb ass brother-in- law has a big mouth."

Markis ripped his arm from Jon's grasp, "Get off of me, Jon."

Markis pushed Peeta again for good measure before he opened the glass door, making his way into the bakery. Jon's face was still hard, his dirty blonde hair shining from the sunlight overhead. Peeta stood up to his full height, moving closer to his brother.

"He only said that because he's jealous you have Jules. To be honest, so I am."

Jon looked down at his little brother, his face reverting back to his normal welcoming smile," So would I if I was you. Also he's jealous of you too, being why he's partially such an ass to you."

"The other half?"

"He's just an ass."

Peeta nodded as Jon bent down, to pick up the few bags that Peeta needed to distribute. He pushed them into his brother's arms, helping the smaller boy shift them. Peeta looked into the bags, skimming over their contents. Jon pointed to one bag, his finger crumpling the paper sack slightly.

"Take this over to Julia, will you? I was supposed to but father needs me to do something for him. There are some apple tarts and a loaf of nut bread in there for her. She says the baby keeps making her crave it. Who knows if that's true, but when a girl that pretty agrees to be with you, you should never question what she says. Remember that little brother, "Jon laughs his blue eyes shining like their father's, "Also be sure to apologize to her for me, we haven't seen each other in two days. It hasn't been safe with all the enforced Keepers who keep walking the square."

"Sure, I'll let her now. Of course I can't promise she won't fall in love with me, when I'm there."

Jon gave his brother a light slap on the cheek, "Watch it little brother."

Peeta smiled, around Jon still juggling the steps as he clutched the forms in his right hand. When he made it to the second to last step, Gale took a few sacks, easily holding them in his long muscular arms. Jon waved his goodbye, entering the bakery heading to the back room, to where their father would be waiting for him. Peeta squinted down to his hand where the invoice was, trying to find the first delivery location. Gale followed him silently, kicking dirt in front of them as they walked deeper in the Quarter. Peeta motioned behind him, the bags jostling a bit, the smell of pastries working up his nostrils.

"What was that with Markis, earlier?"

Gale looked confused for a minute, then recollection spread over his sharp features, "Oh that? Nothing just told him about the time I had with Madge Undersee last night."

Peeta's jaw dropped, his arms faltered causing him to almost lose the bags, "The mayor's daughter? She seems so uppity."

Gale smirked, "Oh something was up, alright."

"You banged the mayor's daughter?"

"Dude it was insane! She kept scratching down my back, and I kept forgetting what exactly I was doing."

Peeta laughed out loud, "You're kidding me?"

"No. All I was trying to get was some tongue, but then she pushed me up against the wall and started to undue my belt."

"Where were you?"

"Across the slag heap."

"At the school? Gale that's creepy."

"Not when you're with a girl that hot. Besides I think I may really like her. Don't tell Markis, he'll give me shit."

Peeta creased his brow, rounding the corner, "Markis and I don't talk, so don't sweat it. I still wouldn't have pictured you and the mayor's daughter."

Gale stops in his tracks, "Is it because I'm Seam trash?"

Peeta stops feet in front of him, "Come on man, you know that didn't cross my mind for a second. Besides maybe you're the one who thinks you're not good enough for her."

Gale sighed bridging the gap, "You're probably right."

"Let's get this done."

Peeta looked at Gale; he held his back straight scanning the Quarter for any Keepers. Gale's family had been from the Seam, which was seen as the slums by anyone that lived in the Quarter. The shacks and blue collar workers who lived in them were worn and calloused.

Most of the Quarter was Capitol affiliated, seeing anyone from the Seam lower than dirt. Peeta saw a silent strength in the people from the Seam, a need to not let anything take what was important to them…their pride.

And that was the reason why most of Quarter inhabitants hated the Seam dwellers. Unlike them the ones from the Seam weren't for sale. It also seemed ironic to Peeta that more often than not, the children from the Seam were the ones that were reaped.

Peeta had met Gale when they were seven, Gale lanky with his dark head of hair and scowl, a definite contrast to Peeta with his bright hair and even brighter smile.

A few of the Quarter boys were teasing him about his mother being from one of the concentration camps, where she had been at the age of twelve until Luka Mellark married her when she was nineteen, yelling at him that even if his father was from the great Capitol his mother was still trashy.

The chubby one he recognized as the butchers kid pushed him into the mud, erasing the picture he had been making in the mud with a thick twig. His blonde hair becoming dark with mud, his light blue dress shirt now drenched with water from the puddle that was beneath him.

Peeta was decided to ignore them, and hope the taunting would stop soon, when he heard cries and saw the butcher's son lying on the ground next to holding the side of his face, bawling his eyes out. Peeta looked up seeing the other boys on the ground, wailing.

A lanky dark haired boy with gray eyes, seethed with anger above them, twisting one of the boys arms behind him, causing him to wail out in even more pain.

The boy, who later introduced himself as Gale, gave a helping hand to Peeta. Gale was from the Seam where he lived with his parents and three younger siblings, where his father worked in the mines.

Before that he had been a part of the Capitol military, a captain, to later resign when he wished to marry and have children. Gale had been conceived before Kale and Hazelle had married, labeling Gale as a basterd, which would have to be filed and Gale would have been automatically taken from his mothers care to a herding house, a type of orphanage, where he would live until the age of twelve and be sent to one of the camps.

Most children at the herding houses never lasted past ten, the few that did had mothers from the Capitol, and even then it was definite they would be placed with a family from the Capitol. Usually used as manual labor, but they never had to worry about becoming like the children from the camps.

When Peeta had run home to introduce his new friend to his father, Luka had seen the strength in the boy, instantly curious about his parents. Luka had walked Gale home, meeting Kale and Hazelle. Luka had learned about Kale's time in the service, seeing that his connections could help with the trading laws, and transportation of goods, Luka Mellark designed it so that Kale Hawthorne would be in charge of the bakery, and a few other business' shipping and trading supply lines.

This had immediately moved the Hawthorne's living arrangements from the Seam to the Quarter. Peeta had been given a friend, and neighbor, where Gale's family had been given a new life. Both of their lives had been changed by a spirited boy from the Seam.

The deliveries went by quickly with the both of them splitting up the work. Peeta had to side step a few of the women that tried to pull him into their houses with the promise of a back rub or tea.

He could hear Gale a few houses down once telling the blonde in the yellow house that he was madly in love with a goddess, he had gotten a slammed door in his face, which made Peeta snicker. Finally after bags of baked goods and desperate women, there was only one that remained.

Gale sat on the ground with a sigh, "I'm telling you Peet I almost had to give it to the brunette on the corner. Do they always answer the door wearing so little clothing?"

"Yh. They probably thought you were Markis."

"Believe me the way she was begging for it, she wasn't thinking of Markis."

"Why would you care anyway? Aren't you in love?"

Gale pointed up to Peeta, he squinted up at him through the sun, "I swear Mellark if you tell anyone I will beat the shit out of you."

Peeta sat next to his best friend lying the bag down next to him," I won't tell. Honestly man, I'm happy for you."

Gale ran a hand through his dark hair,"Yh, yh."

Peeta leaned against his knees, "Do you find it irritating that our fathers don't share with us what they do in the back room on Saturdays?"

"No, not really. But I guess it comes from being a military kid. There are some things you're better not knowing."

Peeta nodded then whipped his head over, the blonde hair moving in the wind, "You just say you. Meaning me."

"Peet-"

Peeta jumped to his feet, "You know?"

Gale stood up slowly, his hands up, "Peet you're going places, you soon will be some famous artist. This life isn't for you. Honestly, I don't think you would have the stomach for it."

Peeta ran a hand over his face, "Thanks for the vote of confidence."

Gale sighed with frustration, "Don't do that, don't make me feel like an ass for telling you the truth. Damn Peet! The first time we met you were getting your ass kicked by that fat fucker Louis Astin. You're not a fighter Peet, and that's ok."

"Neither is Jon."

"Yh, but Jon has someone to fight for. He has Julia."

Peeta walked over to the bag of bread, turning his back on Gale," Speaking of I gotta go."

Peeta stalked off, fisting the brown paper sack, his feet felt heavy as he kicked through the dirt and rocks. He could still hear Gale calling after him when he rounded the corner making his way up to the house on the hill.

The walk was steep; Peeta's leg , weakened from years of wrestling, dragged him down, his anger draining his body of any energy. The sides of the bag were starting to tear from the tight grip, he had on the material. Finally after about a mile of walking, Peeta was now standing in front of the massive porch that was connected to the two story house.

The house had been on this land longer than anyone who lived in the Quarter or even the Seam and most of its resident's families were generational. Peeta walked up the creaking steps, onto the porch, bending down to a lose board he reached into the bag of bread taking out a slip of paper which is scribed with numbers all over, Peeta guessed were coordinates.

He lifted the board up slipping the paper inside and replacing the loose board. Peeta assumed it was for a contact of his father's, who he couldn't help but question who it may be.

Peeta stood up making his way to the door and finally turning the knob, pushed the door open. Peeta resisted the urge to cough as he walked through the living area which would be used to entertain company, the dust flitting up to the high beam ceilings. Peeta would play in here when he was little, seeing it as the only place where he could truly be himself.

Now it served as a type of deep secret that he was never truly able to know. The old familiar boards creaked beneath his feet, as he made his way to the basement door. He held the bag close to his body, surely crushing the bread.

However, if he wasn't ready she would surely injure him somehow. Slowly he turned the knob, his other hand burying his nails in the paper. The door flew open and the six teen year old boy was met a severely pregnant woman holding a ten inch blade, the tip lightly touching the skin of his neck.

Peeta gulped, the tip digging in slightly, "Hey Jules."

The woman's eyes grew wide, her hand pulling the blade back quickly, "Peeta! I'm so glad it's you," she looked to the hefty blade she was wielding, "Sorry about that."

Peeta stepped down the stairs, closing the door behind him, "It's cool. You probably just thought it was a Keeper."

Julia blushed, "Actually, I thought it may be Markis."

Peeta stepped on the stair beside her, making it hard to share with her swollen belly, "Really?"

Julia's face scrunched, "Yes, last time he said I was getting fat."

"He calls me Penis."

Julia covers her mouth, her pale skin becoming red as she laughs making her strawberry blonde hair shine even more than usually, "I know. Jon told me."

Peeta shook his head, taking her arm to help her down the rest of the stairs. When they made it to the floor, Peeta helped her over to bed that was sitting in the middle of the room. She sunk into the mattress, a groan escaping her lips, happy to be off her feet.

"Speaking of, where is that husband of mine?"

"He had some stuff to do for father. He also sends his lowly apologies. So I was sent as an inadequate substitute."

"Thank the spirits it was you and not Markis."

Peeta nods holding up the bag of bread, Julia smiles pointing over to a partially painted desk across the room. She rubs her stomach, the sleeve on her right arm rising up showing her mark. Peeta stares at it, as Julia rests the blade next to her on the mattress.

Peeta points to her arm, "Did it hurt?"

Julia is almost confused to what he's referring to, when she catches his eyes on the faded red mark. Her deep brown eyes become glassy, when she meets his questioning blue ones.

"A little. Actually it felt like my skin was burning off. I almost passed out."

Peeta walked over to the foot of her bed, sitting down gently, "Was your family there with you?"

Her brown eyes became glassy, "Yes. I lost two older brothers in the arena. Since we were district seven, both of them could swing an axe like breathing."

Peeta raised an eyebrow, "Arena?"

"Peeta I think your questions should be for your brother or your father."

Peeta jumped off the bed, "They never answer my questions!"

Her face became soft but sad, "I'm not going to be the person to tell you those answers, and it's not my right. Also, have you maybe considered that its best you don't know. There are some things that can't be unsaid."

"I've already been fed that line of sorts. From everyone, including Gale, who thinks I'm too sensitive for any of it."

"Have you tried to understand that they might be right? You're so special Peeta Mellark; you have a gift to inspire with both your art and your words. Both are two things severely lacking in this world."

Peeta sat on the floor, his hands landing on his knees, "If it isn't everyone keeping secrets from me, its Markis teasing me about being a virgin."

Julia leaned her head back against the wall, "Well Markis is a whore. But someday Peeta you will find someone that lights the world on fire for you. She'll need you as much as you need her and all the physical stuff will just come naturally."

"Is that how it was with you and Jon?"

"It came slowly with us, like a slow burn. He caught me by surprise."

Peeta smiled, "Maybe someday I could hear that story."

Julia's brown eyes shined, the dark freckles on her pale skin apparent, "Of course."

Peeta reached into his pocket taking out a folded piece of a paper, he stood up walking to her, "Here I made this for you. It's what the baby may look like, "Julia unfolded the thin piece of paper, "I used more of your looks than Jon's because let's face it, you're better looking."

"Oh, I wouldn't sell you Mellark's short. Very handsome, even Markis who can be a tool."

They both laughed together, Julia ran her fingers over the thick lines of pencil markings. It was as if she was trying to memorize it with her fingertips. Peeta moved over to her side looking at the sketch, critiquing everything he had done wrong, Julia would slap his hand away playfully.

They stood there for a bit, teasing each other and talking about how his niece or nephew would turn out. Peeta felt close to Julia, she was warm, courageous, nurturing, but also guarded at times. He was positive if she hadn't fallen for his brother, she would be the type of woman he could love.

It came as a shock, a slap in the face when they first heard the gun shots. Peeta thought back to when he was a kid and he had gone to the Capitol with his brother once for festival and fireworks were shot into the sky. Peeta ran to the small window that was in the basement.

He looked up into the sky, the sun burning spots into his eyes. This time there were no colors, only a bright sky that hung over death. Peeta yelled for Julia to stay put, as she tried to get up from the bed, her knife gripped in her palm.

Peeta ran out of the old house, the boards creaking loudly, as he pounded on each one with his boots. The run down the hill was faster than he would have imagined, his heart pounding through his chest. His eyes strained through the sweat that had rolled down from his forehead.

He finally made it to the Quarter, running through the square to where he could make it a straight shot to the bakery. When he reached the alleyway that was a stone's throw from his home, he stopped short when he saw his father and Markis being walked out of the bakery.

Keepers has their rifles pointed at each of their heads, Peeta's father complied keeping his eyes front. Markis on the other hand argued, trying on more than one occasion to slap the barrels away. Out of the corner of his eye Peeta saw the black head of hair of Lucious Thread walking toward his father and brother, he stopped short in front of a riled up Markis.

He was pointing toward Luka Mellark, who still kept his face unreadable. Peeta tried to see into the glass window of the bakery searching for his mother and Jon.

Peeta looked over the corner slightly, while still being in the shadows of the alley. Peeta felt bile come up when he saw the pool of dark liquid sliding down the cobble stones of the square, from more than a half dozen of small limbs.

The children, more technically, their bodies were stacked onto each other, as if it's how they had fallen after the bullets had littered their small bodies. Peeta was brought back to his family when he could hear Markis screaming, Thread inches from his face. Peeta could see from his spot, Markis' body tense as he worked up mucus and saliva spitting it into Threads hard face.

Markis smirked when it landed, pleased with his act of rebellion. The soldier behind him hit the back of his knee caps with the butt of his rifle. Markis fell to the bloody cobblestones crying out in pain, his father breaking his composure to help him up.

However, before Luka could reach his son Thread had already pulled his firearm from the back of his uniformed slacks, pointing the barrel at the boy's skull, lodging a bullet into his forehead, matting his long bangs into the entrance point.

Markis' broad frame fell over limp, his green eyes still open, now glassy, and lifeless. Luka Mellark wailed out in pain, throwing himself at his son's limp body. He folded his body into his son's the sobs racking his body, the blood pooling out around them.

Peeta swallowed the vomit that came up into his throat, his body shaking. His father looked up into the face of his son's murderer, his lips moving. The tall man sat up, closing his eyes as he too fell victim to Thread and the push of a trigger.

Luka's body fell onto his son's to soon join him, wherever he may be. All of the strength left the boy's body as he tried to step forward. He placed his foot out of the alleyway slightly, as rough hands pulled him back into the shadows.

Peeta started to protest when he was pushed to the wall, the blue eyes of Jon trying to hold back tears. Jon looked over to the front of the bakery as the Keepers started to break windows.

Peeta's voice broke, "Jon. What happened?"

His face fell, "I don't know Peet. But we can't stay here, "Jon threw a bag at Peeta's chest that he had been carrying, "I packed some of your stuff before they came into the bakery. I think father knew they were coming, he had me pack you a bag."

"Where's mother? Was Mr. Hawthorne there?"

"No Kale left hours ago, besides they don't know his involvement. Mother left hours before he did, right after you and Gale left to do deliveries," this broke Jon form his train of thought, "I need to get Julia. I want you to make it to the Seam, outside of the meadow, and we'll rendezvous there."

"Jon, what about father and Markis?"

Jon grabbed his brother's face, "Peeta we can't worry about that right now. What we need is to survive this and then we can morn. Alright?"

Peeta nodded, "Ok."

Jon pulled the boy from the brick wall, "Let's go."

"What about mother?"

Jon's face fell, "I wouldn't worry about her, Peeta," Jon pushed his brother forward, "Now run to the Seam, and stay hidden."

Peeta ran taking alleyways and scouting out his way as he went. His legs cramped, as the bile rose once again. The pack that Jon had given him was heavy and thumped against his back. He finally made it to the Seam, directly going to the house that once was the Hawthorne's. Peeta slumped against it, trying to keep hidden. He jumped when he felt a hand on his shoulder; sure it was his turn for a bullet. However, instead when he looked up he saw the grey eyes of his best friend.

"Gale."

He hugged the ragged boy, "Peet, holy shit! I thought you were dead."

Peeta's voice was weak and scratchy, "Your father?"

"He's fine. Thread just walked past our house not even looking at us."

"Jon said they probably didn't know about your father."

Gale breathed, "I hope so."

Peeta looked at him, Gale's face already looking guilty, "Gale it's ok to be relieved."

The sounds of boots made the boys crouch closer to the dirt; Peeta peered over the old boards of the porch, to see Jon dragging a very pregnant Julia behind him, her head hung over with pain. She stopped running shaking her head. Jon pulled at her arm, the anger causing his voice to rise.

"..YOU!"

Tears were streaming down her face, "Jon, just go! Save your brother. He's what matters, not me."

Jon spun her to him holding her face, "Don't you know you are everything to me? Always."

Julia hugged him close, her swollen belly where their child rested in-between them. Jon's arms tightened on her when the Keepers flooded the way they entered the Seam. Peeta kept his vantage point as Gale tried to pull him down. Jon pulled back slightly keeping his grip on his wife, his blue eyes locking onto her deep brown ones.

"I love you Jules."

Tears streamed down her dirt streaked face, "I love yo-"

Her words were cut short as a bullet tore through her back, traveling through her stomach to finally lodge itself into Jon's gut. The both of them falling over to the coal dusted earth. Julia's body rolled off of Jon's as her arms fell outwards, the small piece of paper she was clutching flying out of her palm to ride the waves of the wind.

The portrait of her now dead child riding off to oblivion. Jon gasps for air, holding his gut, the dark liquid rushing through his fingers. He rolls on his side crawling to the body of his now still wife. The Keepers rush over to him, crowding his body so Peeta can't see. Peeta starts to jump up as Gale pulls him to the ground, forcing his body on Peeta's. He has his forearm against Peeta's throat, cutting off his voice.

"Shut up Peet. I'm not letting you get your fucking self killed."

Peeta starts to fight him off earning a punch to the face for his effort. Peeta lays there, the fight draining from him when he hears the gun shot, signaling the death of his other brother. Gale peers up to see most of the Keepers leaving the square, a few left to recover the bodies of Jon and Julia. His grip lightens on Peeta's throat, allowing him to speak.

"They don't know about you Gale. If they haven't come for your father, they won't come for his children."

"I'm still coming with you."

"No, I won't bury another brother."

Gale scooted off of Peeta allowing him to sit up, he enveloped him in a hug, "Be careful my friend."

Peeta hugged him back, "You too."

Gale gave him one last look before letting him go and sneaking the back way behind the Seam houses. Peeta took a deep breath clutched his bag, and sprang to his feet running out from the cover of the Seam houses. He didn't dare look back at the bodies he knew to be lying there or even the pools of blood that had clumped with the coal dust.

Shouting rose behind him as he commanded his legs to run faster. All he had to do was get to the tree line and he would be home free. The Keepers were forbidden to go into the forest seeing that it was property of Elective Snow, as was everything, but with the wilderness it was unmapped and had many places where the Keepers could be ambushed.

Peeta made it feet from the tree line, when he felt shocking pain ride up his leg into his back. He collapsed into a tree, looking down to his leg where blood had already soaked through his jeans. He'd been shot. However the adrenaline was still pumping through his broken body as he kept running, He didn't stop running until after the sun went down.

Tree limbs slashed his face, creating cuts as his bad leg hobbled behind his pace. When he was tired of running he slumped against a tree, his body falling to the earth. The bag he had been carrying now had splotches of blood on the canvas from where it had slapped into his leg. Peeta knew he was going to die and this seems a good place as any.

He leaned his head against the tree trunk. This morning he started out with a family, now he was alone. He was going to be a painter, now he was a fugitive. The irony of his situation wasn't lost on him. This morning he wanted to be a part of the fight and now he was. Peeta closed his eyes, waiting for the end to come. His head slumped over as sleep took him over, his hands falling open.

A few miles away Katniss Everdeen would start her day in a few hours with her daily hunt. However, what she would find would set her on a journey that would change the course of her entire life.

---

003B.

The old cabin creaked and sung in tune with the whistling wind, the medley traveling up to the high ceiling of the wooden structure. Even with the fireplace burning through the night, there was still a chill in the dwelling from the cold spring air. Hesitant naked feet slipped from under the thread pulled blanket, calloused feet dangling inches from the floor boards.

A shudder traveled up her petite body, the tone once prominent gone from years of abuse and hunger. Her joints popped, as she sat up stretching out her limbs, a small groan escaping her lips. The thick dark hair down her back, had knotted though the night causing it to stick every which way. She had debated cutting it short, but something stopped her.

Perhaps the way her mother had loved to weave it, while placing delicate flowers in the connecting strains. Or how the tresses reminded her of the heritage her father had placed upon her.

Katniss we are a strong people. Our legacy is to survive and be born from the ashes.

She had run the mantra through her mind every second of the day, when she had been trapped at the farm, even more so the last after she had lost Prim. She ran her boney fingers through her hair, catching in the tangles, gathering the thick hair in one hand; she pulled all of it to the front of her body. The dark curtain of hair spread against her chest, a few pieces falling into her nightgown in between her small breasts.

She threw the blanket down to the foot of the rickety mattress, the slight chill giving her a tiny shock. Her feet met the ground; she dug her toes into the grooves of the wooden boards. The sensation traveling up her spine, reminding her of the difference between jagged stone and welcoming hand cut wood. She scratched the sides of her stomach, yawning through the sleep that still hung over her. Since a month ago it was hard for her to wake up at dawn.

A peaceful nights rest, aside from the occasional nightmare, was something new to her and she would be easily caught in the bliss of sleeping without having to worry about an onslaught of abuse. She walked over to the wardrobe, opening it, greeted by the creaking of the hinges.

The smell of musky oak flooded her senses, old memories hugging her tightly; she fought back a few tears, clearing her throat. The doors hit the sides lightly, rebounding back to her; she caught the left side, concentrating on the mirror placed there.

The sight of her reflection still caught her off guard after a month. There wasn't much use for mirrors in the farm, unless you were a courtesan, and the need for a mirror seemed less than important than keeping a sense of purity.

The reflection of sharp features, finally filling in stuck her with a feeling of relief. Although her deep grey eyes still stared back glassy and haunted. There was no way she was going to beat those demons within such a small time frame. The young girl forced a tight smile, tiny lines deepened around her eyes.

"You are a survivor, Katniss Everdeen. They tried to break you. But you're still standing, stronger than ever. You are a fighter."

Katniss reached out tracing the lines of her face, as if she was becoming reacquainted with an old friend. Every morning it was the same routine of telling herself the few sentences she needed to know most, with becoming familiar with her reflection. She sighed, reaching for the thick flannel shirt, and brown slacks, that she had to take in.

She slipped her thin night gown off over her head, the material hitting the floor with a whisper. Quickly she pulled the slacks on, the air causing her skin to pimple with goose bumps. The chill wrapped around her bare chest, as it rose up from her shallow breathing. The soft flannel slipped over her body, the hem of the shirt ending at the curve of her behind.

Most of the clothing had been her father's, causing most of her days to consist of struggling with needle and thread to take them in. Quickly she threw on the rough worn hunting jacket of her father's, her thin arms sliding into an old familiar comfort. Katniss bent down to where she had left her boots the night before, slipping them on clumsily.

She was still struggling with retaining some of her agility, she worried that the relaxation of the cabin had caused some of her grace to slightly dwindle. She said a short prayer to the spirits hoping that she had hung on to some of it, seeing it would be beneficial when it came to hunting that morning.

Katniss made her way to the front room, picking up her bow and quiver that hung on the wall, next to the front door. She slinged both at her shoulder, pulling her jacket tight around her body. Katniss opened the door, a flood of early light forming around her. The scent of dew from an early shower mixed with pine tickled her nose, causing a smile to form at her lips.

She breathed in deep, closing the door behind her. She made her way down her familiar trek, picking up assorted sizes of pines branches, weaving each one with expert fingers, until she had a medium sized framework for carrying her kill as well as erasing the tracks she would be making. Katniss weaved a piece of rope she kept in the jacket pocket through the tightly woven branches. She connected the ends to her waist, securing the object to her body.

She made her way up and down the forest, occasionally hitting a few squirrels, adding them to her pile. She was hoping for a bigger kill like a grooseling or even a small buck. The meat could be dried, and ensured to keep longer. Katniss looked up into the bright sky, closing her eyes to the sounds of the forest.

Her eyes opened as she was tugged back slightly from the structure at her waist, catching on something. She leaned down lifting it free, when she saw the smallest line of blood mixing with the fallen leaves. Ever the hunter she scanned the area for a fallen animal, concerned about also a wild pack of dogs that wouldn't appreciate her intrusion on their dinner time.

Katniss untied the rope, not wanting to be slowed down if the need risen for her to run or have to climb a tree. The rope fell from her hands, as she slowly made her way up the steep hill, careful to not disturb anything in her way. The smell of metallic assaulted her senses, she was now positive that it was blood she had seen.

The thought of turning back entered her mind, but her curiosity got the best of her as she walked deeper into the forest.

Katniss kept her guard, readily able to run for cover if needed. After a few yards she finally came to the top of the hill, where she knew there was a cluster of trees. The breath caught in her throat when the sight of a far tree came into view. There appeared to be a body laid up against the sturdy oak, the head was hung over almost reaching their knees.

Katniss studied it from afar, watching for an indicator of movement. She scanned the perimeter watching out for wild dogs, which was a possibility due to the strong stench of blood. If there wasn't a wild animal in the vicinity there would be soon. She walked over to the tree slowly, using only the pads of her toes, careful not to make her mark on the area.

When she was only a few feet from the body, she studied the form. She knelt down, keeping her distance, although she was positive she needed to get closer to fully examine it. Katniss sighed; annoyed with the childlike sense of wonder she was feeling. It had been weeks since she had any human contact, and it wasn't lost on her the absurdity that a dead body made her feel less lonely.

With trepidation the dark featured young woman, knelt down, steadying her shaky legs, as the thick stench of blood choked her. With her right hand she lifted up the collar of her flannel, placing it over her mouth in hopes of lessening the smell. Katniss reached out cautiously, using a steady hand to knot her fingers through the light colored hair, bringing the head back to lean up against the tree trunk.

She was certain now that the body was male, his strong jaw with a bit of stubble which barely showed until the sunlight played off of it, led into high cheek bones which were prominent. She couldn't help but stare at him for a few seconds. Katniss leaned over his waist reaching for his forearm, glancing back at his face; she reverted back to his arm.

Pushing his long sleeve up to his elbow, she was careful not to fall into the wide blood pool now surrounding the both of them. His complexion was pale; although she was sure he was normally fair skinned. Katniss turned his arm up to her, running her long fingers over the skin there, she didn't see the marking she was sure to be.

She quickly moved to the other arm, which was now resting beside the toes of her boots. Without as much care this time, she pushed up the other sleeve, revealing it to be just as naked as the other. Katniss let go of the arm, leaning back on her heels.

Her voice came out as a whisper, "Just who the hell are you, guy?"

Katniss rested her hands on her knees, as she looked up to the sky listening to the birds sing. She stood up deciding the man wasn't a code so therefore he wasn't of any concern of hers, Katniss started to walk back down the hill. As she put a few feet between her and the body she could hear her father's voice.

If we are to be different than those who wish to break us, than we are to show compassion and good will. Katniss threw her head back looking to the sky.

"You're killing me father."

Katniss stopped her trek, her hands slapping her sides, as she turned back to the tree supporting the body. She rolled her eyes, letting out a groan of defeat. She jogged the feet to the body, kneeling next to the form, reaching to the pulse point.

She finds a faint pulse signaling at least a slight sign of life. Katniss laid her hands on the man, searching for the point of injury. She made her way down his chest, finally landing at his leg, blood coating her hands. She was curious why she hadn't seen it sooner, due to the amount of blood.

His pants were soaked with the liquid, making it difficult for her to see the wound. Katniss reached for the knife in her jacket pocket with her finger tips, not wanting to smear anymore blood on the coat. When she reached the eight inch blade, she quickly cut the fabric horizontally to give herself a better view of the wound.

Katniss had to tear the fabric a bit, revealing a three inch bullet wound. Positive if she didn't tourniquet it off soon, he would bleed to death. Katniss tugged on the hem of her shirt, ripping off a significant piece. With nimble fingers she wrapped the material inches above the entry wound, tying it off.

She knew by the way her mother taught her, she had a tight window before he lost too much blood. It wouldn't matter how much she did, if she didn't take care of that bullet wound soon.

Katniss wiped the blood off of her blade, slipping it back into her inside pocket. She ran down the hill to where her makeshift stretcher was, dragging it behind her as she picked it up. She knew she was making far too much sound, but she knew time right now was precious. When she reached him, she positioned the structure next to him, rolling him onto the branches, her kill from before being discarded.

It took most of her strength to move him onto it, his body unyielding and heavy. She tried to be careful with his head, unable to stop it from landing hard on the branches. Katniss winced; slightly embarrassed that she may brain this man to death before he had the opportunity to bleed to death.

When she was sure he was completely secure, she made her way back to the cabin. She hoped that she had tied off the bleeder efficiently, not wanting to give the wild animals a trail of blood to follow to where she lived.

By time she reached the front of the cabin, she was out of breath, her body aching from dragging the fully grown man behind her. Katniss lifted the stretcher onto the porch, scooting it into the house, kicking the door open as she bent over dragging it through. The few feet she had to take it to the table, made her back ache.

With a swift movement she stood up, releasing the stretcher, sweeping the papers and empty plates to the ground. She ran to the pantry where she kept clear plastic for when she skinned her kill, pulling loose a large piece. She gathered a paring knife, clean cloths and a large basin, filling it with water that she had collected from the well the day before.

The stove was still lit, as she filled the hanging pot with water to boil. While the water heated so to sterilize her tools, she spread the clear plastic over the table. She looked down to the body at her feet, his smooth skin pale and sweaty. She was certain there was a chance he was already too far gone, but she had to try.

She crouched down placing her elbows under his arm pits, lifting him up. She groaned and huffed as she scooted his upper body onto the table, trying not to move the plastic. While still steadying his shoulders she moved from under him to swing his legs up.

When he was finally on the table she whipped her brow, moving over to the now boiling water. She moved it from the stove, pouring it into her bowl, collecting her tools, placing them into the water.

She placed a clean cloth into the cool well water, before walking over to him, cleaning off his face to look for any other injuries. When she was pleased with finding none, she placed it beside his shoulder, moving down to his feet. She removed his boots one by one, before reaching for the button and fly on his jeans.

She gulped because even though he was half dead, this was still a man she would see naked, and the thought sent her into a cold panic. She had witnessed some of the worst things man could do to each other and still the sight of a penis sent her into frenzy. Katniss Everdeen in most respects was a worldly young woman with the know how to survive in the wilderness, but when it came to anything of a sexual nature, even something as small as working on a dying man who was half naked, she was still a thirteen year old girl, not sixteen like her real age.

With a sigh she tugged off the jeans, having to pull harder as they wanted to catch in his wound track. She thanked the spirits he was unconscious, not able to build to her embarrassment. When the clothing was finally removed, she threw them to the ground going to work on the wound where it was now once again bleeding due to the absence of the tourniquet from before.

Katniss reached into the still warm water, reaching for the small blade. Small strands of hair fell into her eye line, as she bent forward concentrating on the small entry wound. Blood gushed as she pressed the small blade into the hole, maneuvering the bullet forward. She fought the urge to throw up, a wave of dizziness flooding her head.

She hated the medical lessons her mother insisted she participate in. She'd rather be with her father as he taught her about hunting or hand to hand combat. Those things were much more her forte, than digging into bleeding wounds. After an hour of pushing the metal forward she finally heard the small clang of the bullet hitting the table.

She was thankful that he had been shot on the outside of his thigh and not the main artery that ran inside the leg. She was able to stop the bleeding, and able to finally clean the site to stitch it closed with sewing thread. When she was happy with her work, the dark haired girl placed a bandage over the stitches to cover the wound until she was able to collect a few herbs to make an ointment to ward off infection.

She soaked clean cloths into water, washing his body of the dried blood and sweat. Working up his legs, she worked around his boxers, conscious not to disturb them. She carefully pulled off his layer of shirts, wiping off his chest, a flush of pink rising up her face. When she finally cleaned off his arms and hands she began gently wiping his face.

She found herself going slowly with a more steady hand, studying his features. She had to admit that he was attractive, even without being able to see his eyes, which her father always taught her was where a man's soul lived. She traced his firm jaw line with her fingers, and traveled up to his ears into his blonde hair.

She knew how ludicrous it was for her to bring him into her home; she had no idea who he was. She knew he wasn't a code like her, but there was a chance he could be a Keeper or worse. She sighed, placing the cloth down to scoot the table over to her bed. She walked around the table to pull back the sheets, then maneuvering him into the bed.

She was careful not to bump his head onto the headboard, placing his golden head onto the goose feathered pillows instead. She eased the rest of his body underneath the sheets and blanket. He was still breathing so she assumed she had done more good than harm. However, she would have to watch and see if he would have the ability to pull through.

She studied his features again; as she was struck with the feeling she had seen him before. She walked over to her mess, cleaning it completely, before she sat in the hand crafted rocking chair her father had made for her mother. She held an old quilt to her body, rocking back and forth watching the young man in the bed. The rhythmic motion lulled her to sleep, as his breathing next to her became deeper with each minute.

---

003C

Peeta awoke to the scent of pine and lavender, weaving their bodies around his own. His head was cloudy, and he half expected to still be in the woods lying up against a tree. He kept his eyes closed afraid of what he might see.

It took him a few seconds before he felt the ease of cotton against his skin, instead of a cold wind. His hands reached out gripping the sheets, fisting each thread. As if all of sudden, he was struck with the realization of being half naked.

His eyes flew open, met with the sight of a high ceiling of wooden beams. He searched for anything familiar, finally raising the sheets to look down as his bare body, aside from his boxer shorts. The pain from his right leg had lessened from before, Peeta reached down, smoothing his shaky hand over a cotton bandage.

He was more confused than ever, as he sat up against the headboard, trying to make sense of the situation.

The last thing he remembered was collapsing in the forest, preparing to die, and now he was in a bed, half clothed, and for all intents and purposes still alive. He maneuvered his body, careful not to injure his leg further, as he noticed someone sitting next to him. His breath caught in his throat, fear coming over him.

The covered form shifted a bit, allowing the quilt to fall down their body half way. The delicate features of a young woman came into view.

What if the Keepers had found him, and she was one of them?

Although this theory didn't carry much clout seeing he was certain the Keepers would have finished off their initial attempt. Also if by some miracle they did allow him to live, he doubted he would be taken to what appeared to be a drafty cabin. Even more unlikely would they have appointed a waif of a girl to guard him.

Peeta shook his head trying to clear it of any assumptions, as he studied her face more fully. Her bone structure was sharp and memorable, although her face looked a bit too thin for his liking. Even with her eyes closed he could tell they were round and deep connecting to a slight nose that had a minimal crook, suggesting it had been broken more than once.

Peeta became engulfed in studying her face, he supposed as an artist it was something to expect. She seemed so familiar to him, although he couldn't quite figure out why. And as if he had been hit aside the head with a ton of bricks, it came to him in a rush.

She was the girl from the painting, and the sketches.

That would now be collecting dust underneath his bed, if Thread and the other Keepers haven't burned his home to the ground yet. He didn't have to see her deep gray eyes to know it was her, the curves of her profile told him everything he needed to know.

He shifted slightly; bringing his hand out to trace her face, when she began to stir. He assumed the creaking from the bed had alerted her of his movement. His body went still, as she shifted once again leaning her head against the head rest.

Ever so slowly, or only to Peeta as time stood still, her round deep set eyes opened to reveal steel gray. Still heavy with sleep it took her a few seconds to adjust on the boy staring at her. She stretched her arms, her dark hair falling over her face in a curtain. A deep yawn escaped her pink lips, vibrating the air between her and the young man.

"I see I didn't kill you after all. I must still have the touch."

Peeta shook his head, "I… you saved me?"

"Yes. You were bleeding badly, but I was able to stop the bleeding, and remove the bullet. By the way, just what were you doing out in the woods, other than dying?"

Even though Peeta had finally found the girl in the painting he wasn't ready to trust her just yet, "Like you said, bleeding to death."

Katniss stretched her arm to the side, popping the joint of her wrist. Peeta noticed the sleeve there riding up half way to reveal the red markings on her forearm. It was similar to the once on Julia's body, but the numbers at the bottom were different.

Peeta's eyes went wide, his body tensed, as she stared him down with cautious eyes.

She was a code.

And he assumed this cabin was her home, nestled deep in the forest. His mind went to the last day he had with his family, when he had been ease dropping on the conversation behind the curtains. His father and Markis had discussed about a girl, a code, who was hiding in the forest. Peeta looked her up and down, her body was stiff, and she had the other hand under the quilt in her lap.

Realization flooded over him inching into his voice, "You're the code whose been hiding in the forest."

With a speed he wouldn't have expected from someone of her size, she was out of the chair, the quilt now discarded on the floor boards, and inches from him. The mere force of her body next to his pushed his body into the headboard. Her left hand was now laid flat against his ear, while the other held a blade to his throat.

Her gray eyes blazed, "I won't think twice about dropping you right here, even if I did exhaust all of my energy trying to save your ass. Now tell me how you know about me."

The blade poked into his throat as he struggled to speak, "From Markis Mellark."

"Are you a Keeper?"

"No, I'm not."

Katniss positioned her legs on each side of his body, to give her more footing, straddling him while her knife never faltered. Her dark hair fell over her chest, the olive skin bare and smooth ran over her shoulders and under the thin tank top she had on.

Her weight on Peeta's body was slight, and even with the pain in his leg, barely felt. Even with the threat of this fierce woman cutting his throat hanging over his head, he couldn't help but check out her curves and the structure of her face. He wanted to run his fingers through her tangled mess of hair.

He was thankful she wasn't positioned on his groan, or she would have been able to see the effect she had. Peeta had to mentally shake his head at himself for being physically turned on by a woman who was at the very same moment threatening to kill him.

"Where's Mellark, he was supposed to meet me yesterday at the rendezvous point."

Peeta's eyes fell as much as they could with a knife to his throat, "He's dead."

Katniss increased the pressure of the blade, her voice tight," How do you know?"

Peeta's eyes became hard, "I watched him being shot along with his father."

"How do you know the Mellark's?"

Peeta held her gaze," They were my family."

Katniss leaned back, releasing the pressure at his neck, the blade falling at her side, "You're Peeta."

"How do you know?"

Katniss swung her legs off of the bed, standing next to his chest, "You're father spoke of you often. The son of his who would someday become a famous painter," she let out a small laugh, "hell I should have known with soft hands like yours. Your father was a good man."

Peeta scooted down to the pillows, his leg throbbing from the assault of her body, "My father was a fool. He had one job, which was to keep his family safe. Where is he now? Dead along with two of his sons, his unborn grandchild, and left a young son alone to morn them all. That's who he was."

Katniss' face softened for a second, "You've had quite a day. You should rest and later we'll try to get some broth into you."

The sense of awe felt towards this one girl had now been replaced by irritation and resentment. Peeta wanted to be anywhere but in that bed. Anywhere away from the scent of pine and lavender that wafted off her body.

Her petite body with no curves and skin that was littered with faint scares, contrasting against her dark hair. His family was dead; he only assumed his mother faced the same fate, gone from this world. There was no one readily available for him to take all of his frustration out on, so this one girl would have to do. Peeta sat up starting to swing his legs over the side, when she caught his injured leg at the knee.

"What are you doing?"

Peeta panted from the pain emanating up his back, "I'm leaving."

She let out a small huff, "The hell you are! I didn't spend half the day working on your bloody gross body for you to go and pop a stitch and bleed to death in the woods. Everything I did will not be in vain, because you're a dumb ass. No way."

She held her grip, maneuvering him back onto the bed, her hair falling into his face. He wanted to rip it away, make her feel some of his pain. Katniss pulled the blanket up around his chest, smoothing the surface around his body. Peeta looked to the wall, the ceiling; anywhere her deep gray eyes couldn't find him.

"Can I at least know the wild- forest –knife- wielding- girl's name?"

"It's Katniss. Katniss Everdeen."

---

003D

Fire play from the lit iron stove projected shadows upon the walls, much like a dance reaching up into the rafters. The early summer wind blew through the white curtains, blowing Katniss' hair into her face. The tickling of strands against her face, made her want to sneeze as she rubbed her nose.

Opening her gray eyes she looked to the open window from her position on the floor. She had given the bed to Peeta who had needed it while he healed, and after years of having to sleep on floors while being in the farm, she had come accustomed to the firm surface.

However, the opened windows during the night was something different, she had to adjust to. One of the few times he had actually moved from his spot on the bed, other than showering and going to restroom, he had walked over to the window to open it up, complaining he had no idea how someone was able to breathe in the cramped cabin.

Katniss had argued how it was interesting how a cabin which had twelve feet ceilings could be cramped. He merely looked her way, giving a sideways glance as he crawled back onto the bed. The argument about the windows was fleeting as was most conversation with him, the silence was choking her, and she needed a release.

Their routine was simple and daunting, as she would wake up at dawn from her place on the floor, set out to hunt. Leaving him in the same place he had been the night before, never moving at all. She was pleased when he finally started to bathe, the grease in his hair darkens his blonde tresses, and his skin had started to blemish after a few days.

It had taken some coaxing and the threat of scrubbing him down herself before he conceited to do it himself. Every day she would volunteer to heat him up some water, but he insisted that cold water from the well was all he needed. He would barley looked her way and when he did he looked disgusted, utterly uncomfortable to be near her.

Most days he would stare at the wall never moving, while she spent most of her time in the woods gathering or lying in the meadow beside the lake. And when she returned he was as always still sitting in the damn bed. Katniss turned her head to the window; she could see the moon still in the sky from her vantage point.

She guessed that it was still at least an hour till dawn; however she doubted she would be able to fall back asleep so she decided to begin her day early. Before she could sit up, she heard the faint sound of what seemed to be crying. She turned her head to where Peeta would be lying; she could see his body moving slightly as he tried to cover his mouth, the sobs escaping despite his effort.

She wanted to comfort him, but he was more than clear he didn't want her consoling. She laid there for an hour waiting for him to fall asleep, so she could retrieve her clothing from the wardrobe and begin her tedious day of hunting and avoiding Peeta.

After an hour of running through her feelings of the man six feet from her, she could hear his breathing deepen signaling he had finally fallen asleep. After she had dressed and retrieved her bow, she stood next to the bed studying his face. He looked almost peaceful; his leg had finally healed after about a week, as the color flooded back to his skin.

She often found herself watching him as he slept, the hardened look of blue eyes not present, his left hand would lie on his broad chest as he breathed in and out. It confused her how much she wanted to feel close to him, something about him always tugged at her. She sighed walking through the door to hunt and gather the next couple of days meals, however with how little Peeta usually ate, a light load went farther than it should with two almost adults eating.

The hunt went better than she expected with how much little sleep she was able to acquire the night before. A couple of grooselings had fell victim to her aim, and she thanked the birds for their sacrifice. It was midday as she lay on the grass, her dark hair fanned around her like a pair of wings.

She wished she could fly away from her life, living in the trees and feeling the wind around her like a cocoon. She was dreading what had to be done, when she went back to the cabin. She sighed sitting up, rebraiding her thick hair, picking leaves from the tresses. When she was through she stood up walking over to her structure she made from branches where the birds lied.

She had a few miles to construct a reasonable argument, which would surely help him to see the pointlessness of his behavior. She looked up into the sky, thanking her sister Prim for gracing her with the patience to deal with the boy. The trek was bright and calming as she made it to the cabin. She let go of the rope, leaving her kill at the back door, pushing it open. She squared her shoulders as she shut the door making her way to where he would be in the bed.

Sure enough he was still in the spot where she had left him, although now he was sitting up and awake. Katniss walked over to his side, opening her mouth ready to communicate her feelings in an understanding practical manner. Peeta looked away from the wall to her, rolling his eyes.

"Back already? You couldn't have stayed away longer."

Katniss closed her mouth in shock; her shoulders fell a bit, while he turned back to the wall. Fury washed up through her body, she could physically feel her anger surging through her entire being. Logic had just flown out the window, and Katniss Everdeen was a raging instrument of fire.

She rushed over to the side of the bed he was facing, with strength surged by pure fury she tipped the mattress over. Peeta's sturdy body went flying to floor, meeting it with a thud. He started to yell obscenities at her, when she ran to the other side, stopping in front of him. Peeta's head was still against the floor when she started in on him.

"Do you think you're the only person to ever lose someone? To watch them die bloody and senseless in front of you? You're not damn it!"

Peeta seethed with anger from his spot on the floor, "What do you know of any of it?"

"More than a spoiled, selfish, soft artist like you could ever imagine!"

Peeta held his tongue, kicking away from her to scoot his body further from her, she bent down kneeling, "You're father was a great man who sacrificed his life for helping those who were defenseless. He gave people the one thing; those in Capitol never want us to have. Gave us all hope, a feeling to hold onto, to believe there is more than what the Capitol bines us to."

Peeta sat up glaring at the dark haired girl, "I'm so happy for your kind, ecstatic my father wasted his life on people like you."

"You should be glad that he's not here to see how selfish you are. You know he talked about his youngest son, and how honorable he was, how he had this heart that knew no limit. Personally, I don't see it. I only see a selfish, angry waste of a person. I for one am happy, you're father doesn't have to watch you squander everything he taught and sacrificed for you. Because I doubt you could have a father like him and not learn anything. But here you are living every minute in the damn bed, angry about what you lost, how you're feeling. It's pitiful. Your father was a gentleman, you're not."

Katniss held his gaze, his body faltering, as she stood up to walk, "And don't forget those people you hate so much, who depended on the kindness of your father and brothers. I'm one of them, and I saved you from bleeding to death. Hell if I knew the kind of person you were, I would have just let you die."

Katniss turned on her heel, leaving the baffled boy on the floor. She didn't look back as she walked out onto the back porch passing her kill, and running to the meadow to bury her face into the wild flowers to cry. When she finally made it to the meadow, she threw her body down into the dirt, a smudge streaked across her olive skin.

Tears streamed down her face, she had held them as long as she could. Katniss was determined not to let him see her cry, he had taken too much as it was, she wasn't going to allow him the satisfaction of seeing her tears.

She rolled onto her back wondering how it was a boy she barely knew could incite such emotion from her, when guards who had battered her body were never able to earn one tear. Perhaps her confusion came from knowing; Peeta was just as broken as she was.

Katniss lied on her back staring into the sky which felt for hours, listening to the birds above her mimic her complicated string of notes. As much as she tried, she failed to get Peeta out of her head, and this infuriated her more than anything.

What was so special about him? Why did he get under her skin so?

Katniss sat up leaning on her elbows, looking out to the calm waters of the lake. Katniss sighed, aggravated with herself, for where she was headed now. She stood up walking to the clearing where she had found Peeta weeks earlier. Katniss had no idea why she was so adamant in going back to this particular place. The trek was longer than she assumed and the graying of the sky suggested there was a storm on the horizon.

When Katniss reached the cluster of trees, she leaned up against the one she had found him at. Leaves had fallen over the now dried pool of blood, erasing any trace of where he had sat awaiting death. Katniss kicked the tree, damning it for being so readily available to support him in his time of need. She and the tree, she had concluded, were naïve helping fools.

Katniss held her foot to the side wincing from trying to go toe to toe, to speak, with a hunk of lumber. As she was nursing her wounded pride, Katniss noticed a thin strap of material buried beneath a pile of leaves. She bent down curiously, lifting it from the dirt, leaves falling from it every which way. The bag was made out of canvas, and was stained with what looked like blood.

She was positive it belonged to Peeta; it must have been with him when he escaped the district. A part of her wanted to throw it to ground, happy to discard any part of him to the earth. However, she felt an obligation to return it back to him. She cursed the tree, the bag, and anything else in this world that tethered the boy to her.

As she turned back to the trail to take her home, she felt warm droplets of water fall onto her face. The earth swept dirt round her body, and soon she was sticking to pathways of mud. She clinged to the bag, its objects inside weighed down her petite form, as the water plastered her clothing to her skin.

After what felt like an eternity, she finally reached the back porch of the cabin. Under the protection of the awning, Katniss threw off her muddy boots, depositing his bag next to them. She pushed the door open walking through, half expecting to find the mattress still on the floor; however it was back in its proper place. Katniss stopped in her tracks noticing the bed had been made and for once Peeta wasn't in his usually position.

Katniss wondered if he had decided to leave after their fight, an empty feeling inside her chest. She surveyed the room, walking into each part of the house. It appeared he had left after all, and this troubled her more than she would have like. Katniss walked to the front window which was still open from before, closing it gently, careful not to catch the curtains.

As the thunder and lightning raged on outside, Katniss caught a glimpse of something up the hill leading down to the cabin. She started to reach for her bow, when after another flash of light she recognized the outline of Peeta's body. He was running up and down the hill, to be precise he was falling to the ground more than he was staying upright.

Bare feet padded along the earth, the rain and mud coating his thin t-shirt and flannel pajama pants. Katniss watched him for a few minutes before he fell back to the ground, this time staying down instead of pushing himself up. She swallowed as she rushed out of the cabin, anticipating the rage he would once again release onto her.

When she reached him, rain fell around the both of them, while she bent down to touch his shoulder. Her drenched fingers found their way into his shaggy hair instead. She expected him to flinch or the very least to assault her with obscenities.

Instead he lifted his head, his mud smeared face looking up toward her. Neither the mud or the stinging rain could hide the deep blue eyes that connected with her gray ones, neither boy or girl moved for the longest time lost in each other's gaze. Katniss' heart restricted by how broken, the boy beneath her looked.

"I can't get it back."

Peeta's voice slightly stunned her; it was a whisper barely audible above the sound of thunder. Katniss sat on the ground, her slip of a body sinking into the mud. Rain rushed down her dark hair, plastering it to her olive skin. Her thin tank top clung to her back as well as her chest, which she was sure the piece of clothing was giving nothing to the imagination.

A slight blush rushed up her cheeks, quickly disappearing as concern over took her embarrassment. Katniss brought his body into a sitting position, keeping him from tipping over. His shoulders slumped over, all the fight from before was gone, a shell of a boy was melding into the earth of mud, rain, and the remains of the dead.

Katniss placed her surprisingly warm hands onto either side of his face. She forced his eyes to once meet hers again, as she ran her thumbs over the bone beneath his eyes completing the socket there.

"What can't you get back?"

"How I was…how it was before."

"Is that why you're out here running in the rain?"

Peeta nodded, tears mixing with rain, "If I can be the same then I can get them all back. It can be the same."

"Are you talking about your family," Katniss choked back tears as she continued;"Peeta being able to run up and down a hill won't bring them back."

Peeta's voice cracks, as he is now hyperventilating, "..SOMETHING!"

"You can live. That is the real honor for those we have lost."

"I don't think I know how to live without them."

Katniss watched his face fall, she recognized this as a symbol of surrender, she knew she had to do something, so she did the only thing she could think of. Something incredibly foolish, a feat she would never be able to turn back from.

With clumsy movement, she pulled Peeta's face to her, their lips connecting. The pressure made her stomach lose its bottom, as her heart sped up. She opened her eyes seeing the shock on his face, before he too closed his own as she did. Pursed lips stayed still, Katniss wasn't sure how long she needed to keep the contact, debating if it had been long enough, as strong hands pulled her to his chest.

His solid chest made her nipples beneath her soaked tank ache, her whole body ached, Katniss wasn't aware of how this was supposed to feel, but in this moment she wasn't sure if she should run or just melt into his touch.

Katniss was lost in the sensation of his chest against her own, while Peeta balled up the back of her clothing into his hands that gripped to her back. Without warning Peeta's tongue pushed against her lips requesting entry, Katniss hesitated never being in this position before. She scolded herself for being so reckless, for losing her head when it came to this boy.

Slowly she opened her mouth allowing his tongue to mingle with her own. Katniss was shocked with how the sensation made her body tingle. She could taste the salt from his tears on her lips more so than before, as he explored her mouth earning a low groan to escape despite her efforts to keep it in. Her hands moved from his cheeks to his tangled mess of waves.

His hair was thick and heavy due to the rain, as she worked her fingers through it. Peeta's finger nails lightly scratched against her back finally finding the skin, beneath her clothing. Reason rushed back into her brain, trying to push all the sensations out which pulsed through her body to settle below her abdomen.

Katniss wasn't well versed in things of this nature but she was aware of what could come of kissing this boy, the way they were exploring each other's bodies, along with the way his body hummed against hers. She felt ashamed of taking advantage of him while he was in the steps of having a breakdown.

Her small hands pushed him back with enough force to send him onto his back. Shock rushed over his face, as his hands dug into the mud. Katniss sat frozen fromm her place, as he pushed himself off of the ground, walking over to her, reaching a hand to hers. Katniss looked into his face ready to see anger, when all she saw was a soft smile.

Katniss hesitated a second before allowing his sturdy body to lift her up. They both stood there in the rain, mud covering their shivering bodies. Peeta's eyes held her in place, the bones of his jaw flexing slightly. The rain ran into her parted lips mixing with the taste of him, her body shook, although she wasn't quite sure if it was from the storm or the boy standing two feet from her.

Katniss finally realized her hand was still clutched in his, gentle smooth hand met her calloused one. Peeta squeezed firmly, leading her to the cabin. She followed silently, glancing up to his face lighted up by the flashes of lightening.

When they reached the front door, Peeta allowed her to take the lead. She walked him to the middle of the room, only feet from the iron stove. He had already begun to uncontrollably shake, his toes curling into the floor boards. Katniss uncurled her fingers, as he held on tightly, rebounding her body back to his.

She looked into his blue eyes, they were more whole than before but Katniss couldn't help but see them pleading only a bit.

"I'm coming back. I just need to get some blankets and linens so we don't get pneumonia. Especially you, you are still technically healing."

Peeta nodded unfolding his fingers ever so slowly, allowing her to cross the room, to a cabinet where the linens were kept. Shaking herself, Katniss pulled out an array of blankets, towels, and a soft cotton sheet her mother would wrap her and her sister in when the nights became cold.

Water followed her steps creating smudged impressions. Peeta held out his arms giving her access to his body, as she removed the water and mud. Peeta kept his gaze on her as she tried her best to avert her eyes. Even with how little he had been eating the last few weeks, his body was still sturdy and muscular.

This was the closest she had ever been to someone of the opposite sex, other than the ones at the farm, but there you didn't have much time to worry about proximity when your life consisted of surviving. However here far away from any danger, with the only source of light from the fire, and the ongoing storm outside, Katniss' mind wandered to what it would like to fully explore his body. A rush of pink travelled up her ears, the knot in her stomach forming.

Katniss reached for the hem of his shirt, her fingers stopping when she realized that under the soaked fabric would be his broad muscular chest. She didn't know why she was acting like such a child, she had seen boy's chest before at the farm but even then they were skinny ribs jutting out from lack of eating. They weren't smooth from scars and easy to touch like his had been when she had first brought him to her home.

Peeta must have caught on to her hesitation when he placed his hands over hers, Katniss followed the action of his arms, extending their elbows, their arms raised in the space between them, bringing the shirt over his head. Her arms fell to his body wrapping around his neck, trapped by his hands. His shirt fell to the wooden boards with a thud. The water from his pants still ran down his feet, collecting around him.

The breath in Katniss' lungs felt heavy, locking eyes with Peeta, his smiled ever so lightly, where she assumed hers were wide as can be. Katniss pulled her hands from his, moving them closer to her own body. Peeta grabbed her right hand before it could make it to her side, gently laying it on his chest above his heart. The air went out of the room, and for once in her life she didn't have a plan on hand.

Peeta shivered from her touch, "Your hand's warm."

Peeta held his hand over hers, his voice hoarse, "You were right when you called me selfish. I was being selfish, and my father would be ashamed of me. I felt sorry for myself, but I never stopped to think of the danger you put yourself in when you brought me here. And for which I'm incredibly sorry. Thank you, Katniss Everdeen."

The end of Katniss' lip twitched up slightly, "You're welcome."

Peeta motioned his head to the window, "I'm sorry for what happened outside."

Katniss shook her head, "You're just grieving. I understand."

Peeta smiled, a bit of flush running up his neck, "Well, yes but I was talking about the kiss."

"Oh!"

Peeta laughed causing her hand to vibrate over his skin, "It was uncalled for, taking advantage of the woman who saved my life."

"I did kiss you first. So it isn't necessary for you to be such a gentleman and take all the credit."

"Sorry, Miss Everdeen it must be from my upbringing."

Katniss smiled this time, her body tingling, "I should hope so."

Peeta released her hand as he reached for the towel to wipe his face clean; Katniss stood still watching him intently as her shaking persisted. Peeta reached for the hem of her soaked tank top, the thin material showing her skin and breasts underneath. Peeta tried to advert his eyes from her body, but with the firelight shining off of the drops of water on her hair and skin, it made her shine.

He had never seen somebody so beautiful, inside and out, in his life. This must have been the feeling Jon used to describe when he thought of Julia…utterly content. His fingers knotted the fabric, bringing it over her head.

"Your shirts wet also."

Katniss pushed his hands down, her face red. Peeta held onto the fabric, as she leaned to the side picking up a quilt, holding it in front of her. Peeta lifted the tank top up her body as she followed the sight of bare skin, covering up her body, the quilt stopping above the curve of her breasts. Katniss wrapped the blanket around her body, kicking off the wet slacks she still had on.

Peeta's throat became restricted as she walked over to the wardrobe, holding onto the blanket, knotting it to her chest. His eyes followed her across the room, every movement of her hips burned into his brain.

She was killing him, literally killing him.

Katniss opened the wardrobe standing on her tip toes, the quilt falling down her back revealing mixture of olive skin and dark hair. She reached up for a set of clothing, grabbing it, and then turning around to toss it at his face. Peeta caught the pair of pants and shirt before they struck him. Katniss shifted from foot to foot from her place, still clutching the blanket around her. Peeta watched her shuffle feet, a red flush traveling up her arms and down her chest. Everything was starting to go hazy all at once. Katniss motioned to the far wall from her, as she looked anywhere but at his naked chest.

"There's some water heating on the stove, you can use it for a bath. You should wash the mud off and change."

Peeta swallowed, nodding thanks towards her as he walked over to the stove to fetch the water. He snuck a glance at her, she looked nervous and he was almost sure she had been checking him out the same way he had with her. At least he hoped she was feeling the way he was.

Peeta emerged from the other room where the basin used as a bathtub was kept, his blonde hair dripping with beads of water. She had given him another pair of sleeping pants and t-shirt; he assumed they had belonged to her father. The bed was pulled back for him, the sheets smooth and inviting. Katniss was now lying on the floor in her usual place, the thread bare blanket pulled up to her shoulders. Peeta looked to the bed and back to the girl wrapped inside the blanket.

"Will you sleep with me?"

Katniss slowly rolled over to face him, her face unreadable, Peeta held out his hand his palm opened waiting for her to take it.

"I don't want to be alone."

Katniss looked to the side, before peeling back the blanket, leaving it piled on the floor. She sat up, taking his hand mutely, her floor length night gown pooling around her feet. To Peeta's surprise she squeezed his hand, a small smile gracing her full pink lips, allowing him to lead her to the bed. Silently, she crawled into the bed pulling the sheet and blanket around her before turning her back to him. Peeta stood there a few minutes watching her, memorizing the rhythm of her breathing.

"Are you going to sleep or not?"

Peeta smiled at the slight annoyance in her voice, a small laugh coming from her side.

"Yes."

He slipped into the bed pulling the blanket over him, purposefully lying on the sheet, so as to not scare her off. He was surprised she said yes, especially after the way he had treated her for weeks, not to mention mauling her in the rain.

Peeta rested his head on the pillow, feeling more relaxed than he had for weeks. He almost felt at home with her beside him, he looked to her reaching his hand out only to float above her body, moving down the length of her. He wanted to love her and have her love him back, and this alone was the reason why he had to leave her.

---

Katniss awoke tangled in her long hair, the strands wrapping around her body. She stretched her toes, feeling for the blanket, but coming up empty. She slowly opened her eyes, the scent of pine falling upon her.

Her face fell a bit when she noticed; Peeta was no longer in the bed. She was more than shocked last night when had asked her to sleep with him, no assumptions just someone like her. A man like her, who didn't want to be alone if only for one night.

Katniss pushed down her night gown which had ridden up to her mid thigh. She scooted over to the side Peeta had been sleeping on and sat up stretching her arms above her head. She glanced over to the window falling on his profile. He appeared to be just staring off into the woods, not moving at all. She pushed herself off of the bed, walking to the door, to finally be on the porch to stand next to him. Peeta looked to her, his face serious; however the softness of his eyes from last night was still present.

"I'm going to leave,"Katniss looked away from him fearing the tears fighting to come through, "I can't burden you anymore. I need to at least try to make it on my own."

"You're not a burden. It's been nice not having to be alone anymore. Like the light has softened a bit. Even when you lied in bed all the time, and you hated me, it was still better than before."

"I want to be a man, my father can be proud of."

Katniss cleared her throat, a lump forming there," I don't want to be alone, if only for a little bit more. Will you stay with me?"

Peeta took her hand, still staring off into the sunlight, "Always."

---

003E

"I don't understand why anyone would pack all of this when running for their lives."

Katniss stood over the table, a curious brow rose, while perusing through the collection of thick books and vials of assorted paints. Her nimble fingers ran over the broad bindings, scratched leather holding in brittle yellowed pages. She had attempted to read a few pages, however the dialogue was in a strange language, where it appeared to be in English but the arrangement of the words were odd to her.

Her fingers traced the title page, the curve and loop of the lettering fascinating, The Complete Works of William Shakespeare, in bold gold lettering, withstanding the wear and tear effecting the rest of the book. Peeta walked over to the other side of the table, from his sitting position on the bed, to stand facing her.

His face was somber but soft. An expression Katniss had come to know and appreciate from the boy who stood feet from her. He stood still, his breathing steady, while he knotted his fists into the hem of his shirt.

It had been two weeks since she had found him on the porch, deciding to leave or not, her soft pleas for him to stay connecting them. They had fallen into a routine, where she would hunt; he would sit on the porch waiting for her, his mind drifting into a place Katniss was sure she wouldn't be able to touch. At nights she would lay her head in his lap, as he ran his fingers through her hair.

They had started only talking about simple things such as the weather or the trajectory she preferred to shoot from when trying to bag a buck. However, after a few nights the conversation turned to more serious matters, such as their families and how grieving could tear you a part without an anchor.

She had smiled when he admitted, with a quiet voice, she was his anchor. Katniss would fall asleep to his strong calming voice, as his gentle fingers in her dark strands sent shivers up and down her body.

Peeta's voice was calm, "I wasn't the one to pack it. Jon did."

Katniss' finger stilled, " Peeta I am such an ass. I didn't mean to-."

A small laugh escaped his lips," It's ok, Katniss. I can see how this would seem odd to you. Someone packing old books and paints instead of food or medicine."

Katniss tilted her head, "True they're not exactly what I would call a survival need."

Peeta looked up to her, picking up one of the books, handling it as if it was priceless , "These objects are just that. Don't you see, Katniss? They are what ensure our basic need to survive. Freedom of thought. The words in these books have survived time; they are as true now as they were hundreds of years ago. You see the Capitol can enslave us, take those we love away. They can even violate and take our very breath, but they can't stop our minds. And this is our greatest weapon. Our ability to think, it's our strength as a people."

Katniss' face fell, "You sound like my father. He would go on and on about keeping our pride safe, how not to let our minds become weak, to remain sharp."

"He sounds like a very intelligent man."

"He was. It got him killed, thinking such things."

Katniss drifted her eyes up to his, the pain in both sets, settling in the space between. Dark hair fell into her eyes, as she tilted her head to the side, breaking their connection. Peeta bent down setting the book down in the pile, patting the others beside it.

"I'll make you deal. You teach me everything your father taught you, such as hunting, tracking, knife handling, everything. And I will teach you why these words mean so much."

Katniss kept her gaze down, "How do you know I can handle a knife?"

A deep laugh filled the room, Peeta's eyes full, "Are you kidding me? I think I now have a small scar from the last time you held a knife to my throat. Something about not being afraid to kill me if you had to."

Katniss' eyes widen in concern, examining his throat, "Sorry about injuring you. I know how fragile painters can be, " Katniss' brow rose once again, "How is it you even remember such things?"

"Are you serious? I would never forget a beautiful woman sitting on top of me, even if she was going to end me, "a sly smile perked up his lips, "in more ways than one."

The familiar red blush rose up her chest, settling at her cheeks, her dark eyes shining, as she picked up a vile of paint, hurling it at his chest.

"Jerk!"

---

Katniss' chest melded into his back, she could feel their heart beats line up with each other. It was difficult not to lose herself in the sensations, moving through her body by having him so close. Her petite arms strained to reach his hands, due to the width of his broad shoulders.

She would never admit it to Peeta, but she liked the way her body fit into his. It reminded her of how Lily Everdeen's slight frame could disappear into her husband's sturdy frame. It struck Katniss as odd, or just simply fate, how this one boy reminded her of her father more every day.

Perhaps it was James Everdeen's; way of ensuring his daughter would no longer be lonely, sending this young man to her. Peeta felt like a mixture of the past and the future for Katniss, something she was determined to hold onto for as long as she could. She laughed as her petite hands folded over his larger ones, which fumbled with the bow and arrow.

"Perhaps, I'm not meant to be a hunter. I seemed to be more comfortable with the tracking."

Katniss smiled, "You weren't that bad."

Peeta turned his head slightly, trying to catch her eye," Please woman! I was fantastic."

Katniss scoffed, "Say's the boy who is struggling to hold a piece of wood and feathers to a string."

Peeta hunched his back, making her step back a bit, her laughter filling the woods, as her footing faltered, "Those are fighting words, Miss Everdeen."

Katniss regained her position at his back," Just think of it as in the same respect as handling a woman. You have to be gentle but steady, make your presence known. I'm sure even an entitled artist as yourself has had a few girls in your time."

Peeta's fumbling with the bow and arrow went still, his breathing deepening, "Actually I-I- haven't," he stuttered out.

Katniss hid her face, in his back, his scent filling her head, making it dizzy. The idea of him being as inexperienced as her made her feel closer to him. Although she wouldn't have guessed it, the way he had kissed her a couple of weeks ago. Ever since then she found it difficult to stop watching every movement of his, the sight of his naked chest imprinted in her brain.

She wasn't sure how much longer she could be so close to him, and not lose herself in him fully. Peeta turned around, her face leaving his muscular back, the bow and arrow lying at his side, still griped in his hand. She was still embarrassed by referring anything about his past sexual experiences, or lack thereof, a flush creeping into her hair line.

The wind picked up, wrapping her free hair around her body, hopefully shielding her face. It ceased to amaze her, how this one boy could make her feel like a foolish schoolgirl. Katniss kept her head down, studying the golden leaves landing on the toes of her boots.

Peeta reached out, taking hold of the hair, now hiding her face; he dropped the bow and arrow to the ground, placing his other hand below her jaw. Raising her face up, for her eyes to meet his, Katniss' legs went weak, having his hands on her face, his scent yet again making her go loopy.

His complex blue eyes were soft, but something else which lied there was almost unreadable for Katniss. She wanted to pull him down towards her, kiss him once again, and become lost in his touches and body. She wanted to lose herself in him, wanted his hands to claim her as their own.

Katniss was starting to feel things that both frightened and excited her. The air between them was raw, and she could hear nothing but his breathing, and the soft touches of his hands on her skin. Peeta was the first to step back, his hands pushing into the pockets of his jeans.

"I think it's safe to say, hunting isn't my thing."

Katniss shook her head trying to clear it, "Maybe. So is it my turn to be taught something?"

Peeta reached down for the discarded bow and arrow, grasping it, he stood up holding his free hand to her, waiting for her to take it.

"Sure."

---

Katniss slammed the book down, the sound echoing through the dark cabin, with the only light source being the candle sitting in the middle of the table.

"It makes no sense!"

Peeta leaned in next to her, opening the book, his steady fingers turning to the previous page, "Of course it does."

Katniss huffed, her breath moving the pages up slightly, "Maybe to someone who's half Capitol born, but not to some idiot like me."

"Katniss you should understand this more than anyone from the Capitol. Everything you've been through, has led to one decision after another. In most respects you're a lot like Hamlet."

Katniss stuffed her hands in her lap, an eye brow rising," How so?"

"Umm…,"Peeta flipped through the pages, his arm pressed up against hers, "Here it is, listen to this. To be, or not to be, that is the question. Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer. The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, Or to take arms against a sea of troubles, And by opposing end them? To die, to sleep."

"I'm still lost."

"He's trying to decide if he should fight against injustice or to simply live his life. For Hamlet he's going through a crisis of faith. He's lost everything, which defined him as a person, and he must decide where to go from there."

"I can understand feeling the same way, like when Prim died. I sat in the girl's barracks holding her body in my lap for two days. A pox had made its way through the farm; the guards had cured the ones Elective Snow saw worthy. A thirteen year old girl who worked in the laundry, and had been the daughter of a criminal wasn't seen important to their standards. When they finally came for her body, I tried to hold on to her. One the guards had to pull me off, so they could take her little body and throw it into the mass grave they had dug. It was then I started to plan my escape. I no longer had anything to lose. I guess like, Hamlet."

Peeta ran his fingers through her hair, wiping the tears from her cheeks," You never talked about Prim before, or really anything about your family. Thank you for telling me."

"I don't know why I did."

Peeta looked over face, a small smile gracing his," You made a decision."

"So maybe all this literature crap isn't so bad, but I still think the way Hamlet crawled on top of his mother was icky."

Peeta laughed, still smoothing his fingers over her face," Icky? Is this a technical term?"

"You tell me, you're the one who's into all these words."

"Then yes it's definitely icky."

Katniss laughed the firelight making her eyes glow. Something in Peeta constricted, similar to how he felt earlier in the woods when she had assumed about his sexual experiences. He wanted to kiss her then, however now after she had confided in him, he wanted to give her a piece of himself he kept hidden.

He knew how vulnerable it was for her to tell him about her sister, and he wanted to show her the same kind of trust. He wanted to be close to her, give her everything he had, because in this moment he realized he was in love with the girl named Katniss Everdeen.

---

Peeta stood in the water, the droplets of water hitting his chest, as Katniss splashed a few feet from him. He had made it out enough, just so where the water line stopped at his waist. He could hear her teasing him as she floated on her back, about five feet from where he dug his feet into the soil of the lake floor.

The biggest body of water Peeta, had ever been in was the bath tub at home. He wasn't afraid to admit to himself, by being surrounded by this much water, scared the hell out of him. However he enjoyed watching Katniss easily maneuver her body, through the water like silk. Her dark hair spread around her face like a curtain.

From his position he could see her profile, a wide smile on her face. Her dark green tank top rose up, to show the bare skin of her stomach, only to stop below her breasts. Peeta had regretted his idea for her to teach him something, when she suggested he should know how to swim. Although now watching her being so serene, the sunlight shining off of the water around her, setting her body in a glow, he swallowed the saliva he wasn't aware of stuck in his throat. Peeta had been with Katniss for nearly a month, and the presence of her was slowly driving him crazy.

It was excruciating for him to not reach his hands to her body, and explore every curve, make her feel every sensation. Peeta was broke from his reverie, when the sound of splashing startled him. Katniss' dark hair followed her, as she swam over to where Peeta stood.

"You know, you have to come out further if you want to learn how to swim."

"I never said anything about learning to swim. Maybe I just wanted to see you half clothed."

Katniss blushed repositioning her underwear, the only item of clothing, other than her tank top, she had on. Katniss rushed her hand against the ripple of water, sending a wave to Peeta's bare chest.

"I'm not the only one half naked."

"Have you heard me complain?"

Katniss pushed him back slightly, as Peeta trapped her hand to his chest. Katniss tensed under his grip, her eyes widening. Peeta released her hand, giving her the ability to swim back a few inches. The water running down her face reminded him of the night she found him running in the storm, completely broken.

He wanted to grab her hips, forcing them to his, as he ran his hands up and down her body, gently scraping his nails down the flesh of her stomach. However, Peeta knew he couldn't be the one to make the first move, he knew how close she was to running. He looked up to see her staring at him, her eyes dark, and distant.

He needed to ask her something and he knew it would risk all of the progress they had made.

"Why do you pull away like you just did?"

"Because of you."

"What?"

Katniss busied her hands in the water, her legs kicking out," You scare me sometimes, the way you make me feel."

Peeta stepped towards her slowly, not wanting to run the chance of frightening her even more. Katniss slowed her movements, her legs still slowly kicking out of the water. Peeta reached for her legs bringing them down, as she leveled above the water. He moved his hands up her legs, his finger tips traveling over hips, stopping for a few seconds to play with the material there, before making their way up her ribs to rest below her arm pits.

Her skin beneath his hands was warm, and Peeta could feel the tremors ride up and down her body. He locked his light colored eyes onto her dark ones, searching them for any hesitation.

"How do I make you feel?"

Katniss kept silent, her eyes moving over his face, Peeta could feel her body relax, the water helping to hold her up. Peeta slowly inched his thumbs over to her chest, gently tracing the outline of the inside curve of her small breasts. Katniss shuddered at the light touch, her mouth opening slightly, Peeta inched closer to her body, intensifying the pressure on her skin.

All of a sudden Katniss pushed him away with more force than he was ready to defend, sending him into the water deeper, his head going under. Peeta breathed in a full mouth of water; he fought his way above water, coughing as he doubled over. He moved his hand over his face to clear his face of any excess water. He searched the lake for her to finally see her running out of the meadow into the cluster of trees, her pants and boots clutched in her hands. Peeta could have drowned himself right there, for being such a stupid, stupid man.

---

By the time, Peeta had made it back to the cabin; Katniss was already lying on the floor, her blanket pulled up to her neck. Peeta's embarrassment was too much for him to handle, he questioned his presence next to her at all. He prided himself in being a gentleman, and he had instead let his hormones overtake him, and like most of the people in her life, take advantage of her.

Peeta realized he was nothing more than the despicable people from the Capitol who happily took their pound of flesh. He walked over to the end of the bed where he had kept his sleeping clothes. He picked up the set of clothing, making his way over to the room they used as makeshift bathroom. Peeta closed the door behind him, careful not to slam it.

He didn't want to upset her even more than he already had. Peeta stripped off his wet clothing, his pants and boxers shorts hitting the floor with a wet thud. He kicked them aside, walking over to the full length mirror against the wall.

He was average height he supposed, perhaps a bit taller than some, and his light complexion left some to be desired, at least in his opinion. His coloring was nothing close to the beauty of Katniss' olive hue, blending into dark eyes and hair.

Peeta ran his hand through his blonde hair; it had lightened due to all the sunlight he had gotten from being outside with Katniss. He wasn't sure but he thought he was starting to get a light tan also, surprised it hadn't gone automatically to a burn. Peeta Mellark wasn't anything special, and certainly wasn't worthy of a woman of the caliber of Katniss, Everdeen.

Peeta sighed, deciding he would leave first thing in the morning, he didn't want to cause her anymore heart ache. He stepped away from the mirror, to retrieve the clothing, pulling each item onto his partially still damp body. Peeta ran a hand through his hair once again, droplets of water falling onto the back and front of his shirt.

He walked out of the room, walking directly to the bed, not chancing a glance at the petite girl on the floor. He knew her back would be to him, and it would only be torture for him to watch her lying so close but so far away. It seemed to be his lot in life, to gain something finally to only lose it soon after.

Peeta sat on the bed, swinging his legs underneath the sheet and blanket; he kept his back to the headboard, positive he wouldn't be able to sleep if he wanted to. He let his mind wander to every second he had spent with Katniss, regretting the time he had treated her badly.

It was time he had wasted, and now it was gone. He sighed closing his eyes, she had been sent to him by the spirits, an angel to save him from himself and the violence of the world. The creaking of the floor boards startled him, causing his eyes to open, settling on the sight of Katniss walking over to him. The only light source being from the few candles around the room, he strained his eyes to see if she was holding a knife.

When he was sure her hands were empty he felt a sense of relief. He caught himself watching the curve of her hips, as she seemed to glide over to him. The floor length gown she always wore, trailing behind her. Her dark hair fell on both sides of her face, framing it in such a way it made Peeta's pulse race. For what felt like an eternity, she finally reached the side of the bed, her body lining up with his lap.

He opened his mouth to speak, as she pulled back the sheet and blanket, she swung her right leg over his own legs. Peeta watched her move, the end of the gown reaching his knees. She settled onto his lap, her knees pushing into the mattress, his hands were still. Peeta's mouth was still opened as he started to speak, her hand coming up to his mouth, placing her delicate fingers to his lips.

Peeta watched as she slowly moved her hands to her chest, gently unbuttoning the silver buttons lined up and down the front of her gown. He watched as she made her way down to the last one located at her belly button. Katniss gathered up her hair, pushing it behind her, allowing Peeta a clear view of her chest.

Peeta was shocked to say the least, he knew he had to say something to her, stop her, but the look in her eyes stopped him. He followed her hands as they pulled the sleeves of her gown down her arms, exposing her breasts. Taut olive skin came into his view; his eyes roamed her chest, her small delicate breasts melding into her petite frame.

Peeta's hands twitched beside him, a heat rose up his face, his breathing deepening. Katniss reached for both his hands, each cradling in her smaller ones, as she brought his to her chest, placing each one on her chest. She exhaled slowly, locking eyes with him, Peeta kept his hands still, aching to feel her whole body.

Katniss hands remained on top of his, as she moved his hands in a circular motion, massaging her breasts with his hands. Peeta watched as she nodded, running her hands through his hair.

With the absence of her hands, Peeta continued to massage her breasts, the skin soft, and warm. He traced rosy nipples with his thumb, gently working over the raised skin. Katniss let out a quiet moan, as she closed her eyes, tightening her hands in his hair. Peeta's body tingled, a heat pulsating at his groan, he tried to hold his composure, but having his hands on her body after dreaming about it for so long was wearing down his resolve.

He moved his hands from her breasts, lightly scratching his fingers down to her waist, pushing her gown further down, until it was trapped above her bottom. Peeta placed his hands on her hips, his fingers almost touching at her back; he almost forgot how petite she actually was. With a swift movement, Peeta pulled her body to him, as he sat up fully, meeting her half way.

He ducked his head down to take one of her breasts in his mouth, his tongue moving around the nipple, as he sucked lightly at the flesh there, his other hand continuing to massage the other breast. Katniss groaned, moving her fingers to his neck to scrap the skin there, her breathing becoming rapid.

Peeta's muscles contracted, the feel of her skin in his mouth beneath his hand was more than he could handle. He wouldn't be surprised if his groan became hard, a sign of his arousal. Peeta removed his mouth from her body, moving his hands up to her hair, knotting his fingers there. Peeta held her head steady, her naked chest rising quickly, he could see she was feeling what he was, or the very least the arousal of having their bodies so close.

Peeta pulled her face to his, pressing his lips to hers, using his tongue to have access to her mouth. As with their first kiss, Peeta's tongue pushed towards her massaging it deeply, a deep long sigh escaping her lips. Katniss moved her hands down to his chest, scraping her nails down the t-shirt until finding their way to the hem.

Katniss slipped her hands under the shirt, spreading her fingers against his muscular chest. Peeta kissed her deeply, their kisses lightly bruising the others mouth. Both their tongues became frantic the other fighting for dominance. What started out as slow and gentle was becoming frenzied, and Peeta was positive she could feel his arousal by now.

Her tiny hands gripped the material of his shirt bringing it up halfway, her hands going to the hem, removing the material, their mouths absent from each others for only a second before finding the connection once again. Katniss threw the shirt to the floor, her hands returning to his chest, as Peeta moved one hand to the small of her back, the other to the back of her head.

He pushed her back, his body following hers, as he laid her down below him, his body settling into hers. He positioned himself as to not crush her delicate frame with his sturdier one. Her kisses became more impatience, moving her hands around his ribs, gently scraping her nails there, Peeta tensed, gently laughing into her mouth. Peeta pulled his lips from hers, studying her face, his chest was still crushed to hers, as he felt her heartbeat drum against his. Her hair was fanned around them, her olive skin shining against the white sheets, the blanket pushed to the foot of the bed.

Peeta's manhood rubbed against her core, he could feel the wetness through the barriers of their clothing. He knew they had a decision to make, either to proceed or to stop at this very second. Peeta wanted to feel her fully, but if she wasn't ready, than he would be happy with just being able to have her this much. Katniss moved her hips up; friction between them caused a deep groan to come from his lips. Peeta moved his hand from her back and head, placing his hands on either side of her face.

"We don't have to go further."

"I want to."

"Katniss if we do, there's no turning back."

Katniss moved her hands to his face, her fingers working their way down his forehead, to trace the bridge of his nose, working to his mouth, to stop at his jaw.

"I don't want to go back."

Peeta shook his head, "Me neither."

Peeta kissed her gently, as he raised his body to pull her gown down her legs, as she kicked it off, making the fragile fabric fall to the floor. He traced the length of her legs; his fingers gentle barely touching, as he sent shivers up her body, a smile gracing her lips. Peeta slid his fingers in the material of her panties, hooking his fingers the elastic, pulling them down over her bottom, inching his body down hers as he pulled the item of clothing from her body, discarding the panties to the floor.

Peeta sat up admiring her naked body, her skin smooth even with the amount of scars marring her body. He had never seen anything so beautiful, and he marveled at the idea of being able to soak up all her beauty. Katniss' olive skin blushed under his eyes, she flinched slightly, his gaze making her squirm. Peeta reached for the waist line of his pants pulling them down his body, until throwing the pants to the side to join his t-shirt and her apparel.

Katniss reached her hands out in front of her, signaling for him to join her; he took her hands, settling against her. His chest pressed against hers, he could feel that her nipples had hardened, and her body was already perspirating. Peeta still held her hands, placing them above her head, he rubbed his nose against hers, Katniss giggled when his long eyelashes tickled her face. Peeta kissed her deeply, before moving his face up a few inches to look into her dark eyes.

"Are you sure?"

"I want to be with you, Peeta."

Peeta fought back a few tears, not wanting to falter in his manhood, "I want to give you everything."

Katniss closed the gap between them, locking her lips to his. She scooted her body down a few inches, spreading her legs, to wrap them around him, her legs settling above his butt. Peeta laid his forehead against hers, holding eye contact; he wanted to watch her closely in case she decided not to go any further.

He positioned his hips to match hers, their pelvis' connecting. He slid in slowly, her walls so tight, the pressure almost painful for him, although the warmth of her threatened to swallow him whole. Katniss' body tensed, as she constricted around him. Her heat and wetness making him dizzy, as she broke his hold on her hands to travel to his back, massaging the muscles there.

Peeta knew he was close to the place of resistance, as her body enveloped him. He looked into her eyes, but she had closed them anticipating what was to come next.

"Katniss open your eyes," Katniss slowly opened her eyes, the dark pools making Peeta's breath catch, "Are you ready?"

Katniss nodded, keeping her eyes open, locking with his. Peeta bore down, his hips grinding into hers, as he broke through the barrier, the resistance not as apparent as before. A few tears fell down her face, her eyes shut tight. Peeta shook his head, starting to pull away from her; he slowly started to slip out of her.

"Ok. We're done."

Katniss moved her hands up to his shoulders, pulling him back down to her, causing him to sink back into her fully.

"No, don't."

"Katniss, I'm not going to hurt you."

Katniss opened her eyes, "The worst is over right? I just want to be with you. Don't pull away now."

Peeta knew she was talking about more than something physical, and it didn't help his anxiety at all. He kissed her on the lips, pushing into her further, he settled into her, running his hands through her hair. He wanted to tell her he loved her in the moment; however he knew it would be too soon, although he wasn't sure if it was Katniss or himself who wasn't ready for such a declaration.

Katniss bucked her hips, signaling for him to move inside her. His rhythm began slow, trying to match her own. Their bodies soon began to race, the motion becoming intense and almost frantic, as Peeta began to kiss her, bruising her soft mouth. He thrusted into her, moans filling the space around him.

The way she wound around him, made him feel at home, the way she was trusting him, made him feel safe. Sweat poured from their bodies, both glistening in the friction of each other. Peeta could feel it rising inside his body quickly, his body spasming as he released into her body. He had wanted to give her all of him, and in this moment he had.

She ran her fingers over his face, as he kept moving inside of her waiting for her own release. He could feel it bubbling inside of her as she tightened even more around him. Her muscles tightened, as he rode the wave with her, soon collapsing into each other.

Katniss giggled, as Peeta joined her smoothing her delicate features of any sweat. Peeta's laughter shook her chest.

"Was I really bad enough for you to laugh afterwards?"

Katniss laughed harder, "The worst!"

Peeta jabbed her in the ribs, exiting her core as he rolled off her body, lying on his own back. They laid there for the longest time, before Peeta crawled over her to make his way to the linen closet. He grabbed a few towels, walking over to the bed sitting on the edge, cleaning her up between her legs. He kept his eyes downward, as he moved the cotton over her sensitive body.

"It'll be sore for a while. Sorry."

"Don't be sorry. I'm the one who crawled on top of you."

"Yes, but I continued it."

Katniss sat up, moving to the front of the bed, pulling Peeta to her, as he placed the towel on the floor.

"Peeta why are you always trying to apologize?"

"I just-."

"I'm not going to break."

"I know. I just don't want you to regret anything you see from me."

"As, long as I can keep looking, I promise I won't be."

Peeta smiled softly, as he pulled her to him, she settled into his chest, as he pulled the sheet around them. Peeta stretched his arm to reach the balled blanket, haphazardly spreading it around their naked bodies.

Peeta cleared his throat, "You know you never told me how I make you feel."

Katniss moved beside him, her hair tickling his skin," Hope. You make me feel hopeful."

They laid there for the longest time, before Peeta was positive, she had finally fallen asleep. He looked down to see her breathing deeply, her arm wrapped around his side. Peeta kissed her forehead, running his fingers over her back. He sighed, knowing he had to at least say it once out loud, thankful she was asleep and would be unaware of it.

"I love you, Miss Katniss Everdeen."

---

003F

The cool summer breeze flowed into the room, surrounding his bare skin, prickling his light complexion. Light shined through the open window, which allowed the outside world to distribute its sensations, throughout the cabin. Peeta laid on his stomach, stretching his arms out, his hands searching for a familiar body, when all he received was a hand full of sheets.

He opened his eyes searching for her when he smoothed out her place of the bed, wondering if he could feel her in the vacant spot. Peeta sighed, assuming she had already left for her daily hunt, as he rolled onto his back, sitting up. The sheet fell to his lap, the rest of his body naked, and exposed. He forced his hands into his tangled blonde hair, scratching his scalp, as he hopelessly worked through the knotted hair.

He looked to the far side of the room, when he nearly fell off the side of the bed from shock. He could see the outline of dark hair, her back hunched over, as if she was concentrating on something. Peeta reached down picking up his discarded pants from the night before, pushing the sheet from his lap, pulling on the soft material of the pajama bottoms.

He stood from the bed, walking over to where she was, seated on the floor, the table blocking his view from the bed. He made his way to stand behind her, pictures, letters, and old trinkets were spread out before her. Boxes were stacked up beside her, the ones perched on the top threatening to topple onto her.

Katniss traced the faces of the photographs with her fingertips, the action so delicate; she barely felt the texture of the paper beneath the pads of her fingers. Finally she became aware of Peeta behind her, as she turned her head up to him, her face expressionless, other than a faint smile. She turned her attention back to the mementos in front of her

. Her legs had fallen asleep an hour ago, and the cool breeze coming from the window caused the hair on her legs to stand up, prickling her bare legs. She had awoken in the middle of the night, to find herself wrapped in Peeta's arms, her body serenely relaxed other than the slight throbbing between her legs. She worked her legs around his, tangling her ankles with his. Katniss pulled her upper body back a bit to look into his face; she reached up moving her fingers over the structure of bones.

She couldn't help but smile of the memory of being beneath him, as her body melded into his. He had been so gentle, while still making her body hum. He had caught here by surprise and not only by the way he had come into her life but by the way he worked himself into her heart. Had brought up emotions she thought had died with her family, feelings she was frightened to feel again.

She had laid there for a couple of hours, when she finally broke her hold on his body, slipping from under the cotton sheet.

Katniss reached down, picking up her panties along with the t-shirt he had been wearing, pulling each one on. The shirt which fell below his waist, reached mid way on her thighs, her frame being so much more petite than his. She walked over to the window opening it halfway, the t-shirt raising up to where her panties stopped.

Her skin was still warm from having him so close to her, and she knew how the open window helped him sleep. Katniss turned around her back leaning against the window seal, watching him breathe in deeply. His muscular legs kicked out of the sheet, his back muscles retracting to the movement.

She marveled at how beautiful he was, not just physically although his muscular body was nothing to scoff at, but the way his mind worked. Peeta was for all definitions an idealist, a man who saw what the world could be, believing in the strength of promise.

When he spoke, it was as if she was a small child again listening to her father talk of their legacy, and the great destiny his fearless Katniss would come to know. Katniss was falling in love with the boy asleep, a few feet from her, and she desperately wanted to know how to stop it.

She gathered up her tangled hair, which was far worse than usual, due to the sweat and friction forced upon it earlier in the night. She twisted it into a knot, finally tucking the long ends into the t-shirt, to fall down her back. Katniss rushed to the wardrobe where she kept her parent's things, she pulled open the doors, stopping both from slamming into the sides.

She rose up on her toes, taking hold of each box, one after another, when finally a dozen stacked boxes sat next to her. Katniss bent over pushing the load against the far wall, she sat down, pulling the lid off one of the yellowed cardboard boxes, reaching her hand in to recover a part of her past.

She had been there sitting in the far corner of the room rummaging through the items of the boxes ever since. Peeta sat down behind her, his legs spreading out beside each side of her, he leaned his chin on her shoulder, watching her fingers trace the photo. He pressed his lips to her temple, moving his hands to her hair to run his fingers through the strands.

His lips spoke against her temple," What are you doing?"

"I couldn't sleep."

Peeta let out a small laugh," So you decided to drag a load of boxes out?"

"This is all I have left of my family. I don't know why I started to look through them."

Peeta worked his fingers through her hair, finally moving to her back rubbing it gently," Sometimes you have to open yourself up to remember, "Peeta placed his hand over hers, "Is this them?"

Katniss nodded, the hair Peeta had freed fell over her chest, "Yes. My parents James and Lily, and my little sister Prim, she was three here."

Peeta studied the picture, the corners were worn and faded, however the faces seemed to shine off of the paper. It was interesting to Peeta how much Katniss looked like her father, his dark eyes, and hair now belonged to her. Katniss, who couldn't be more than five, clung to her father's back, her dark hair in two braids, her plaid dress blowing in the wind.

A petite woman with light blonde hair and bright eyes smiled as she held a smaller version of herself. This was Katniss' family, the people who made her into what she was now. Into the woman he wanted to love for the rest of his life.

Peeta cleared his throat, "What are in all of the rest of the boxes?"

Katniss shook her head, "I don't know. I stopped looking when I found the pictures."

Peeta watched her with intent, his own body tensing at the reminder of losing family. He had to lose himself into something else, right away. He knew she was close to losing herself in her own grief, Peeta could acknowledge, each of them could be the escape for the other.

Peeta buried his face into her hair, breathing her scent in," I actually have been trying to find something. I specifically remember allowing you to take my t-shirt off of my body last night, and now I can't find it."

Katniss smiled, laying the photo down to the floor with the rest," Oh, really?"

"Yes. Have you by any chance seen it?"

Katniss played with the hem of the shirt," Maybe."

She turned around, her body inches from him, their foreheads now touching. Peeta ran his hands up and down her sides, the t-shirt wrinkling with his movements. Katniss kissed him softly, pulling away slightly to nip at his bottom lip.

Peeta placed his hands on her hips, his fingers hitching in the elastic of her panties. Katniss shivered, as she mimicked his movements by hooking her own fingers into the waist line of his pants. She settled on her knees in front of him, sliding her fingers side to side in the elastic. He watched her tease him, enjoying the glint in her eyes.

"Come to think of it I have seen your shirt."

Katniss removed her fingers from his pants to move her hands to the hem of the shirt, sliding it up her body slowly, revealing the tight skin of her stomach, followed by her breasts, to finally be tossed beside her.

Peeta groaned," You're killing me woman."

Katniss tilted her head to one side, smiling, the only piece of clothing on her petite frame being her white cotton panties. Peeta dug his fingers deeper in the fabric, quickly bringing her to his lap. Her bare chest crushed into his, her pulse racing, as Peeta scratched at the skin below her hips.

She closed her eyes, becoming lost in his touches, wanting to lose herself in him completely. Katniss crashed her lips to his, nearly tipping the both of them over. Peeta opened his hands, spreading them behind her as he pressed his thumbs into her hip bones.

He planted his feet, to stand the both of them up as she wrapped her legs around him. Peeta's strong body rose the both of their bodies up, as Katniss slinked her arms around his neck. Peeta pressed his lips to her full ones, sucking at the bottom lip urgently. Katniss giggled, kissing him on the nose, she pulled back slightly, to look into his face.

"I was terrified you would drop us both."

"Naw. I used to wrestle a bit for school, and believe me it's much more difficult to hip toss a two hundred pound guy, than pick up a hundred pound naked girl."

"Hmm, so about these naked girls? Have you done much research carrying them around?"

Peeta walked them over to the bed, careful not slip on any of the stray photographs.

"Only the insanely sexy ones, who talk too much when I try to carry them across a room."

Katniss laughed kissing him, her lips pressing to his, as they crashed to the bed, Peeta's lower half hanging off of the bed. Katniss released her body from his, scooting up the bed, her body missing the warmth of his. Peeta used the sheets to pull himself up the mattress more, his knees settling beside her naked chest. He hunched over her, his chest horizontal to hers.

"Are you sure you're up to it again so soon?"

Katniss huffed, slamming her fists into the mattress, "Peeta, I swear to the spirits! If you do not get on top of me right now, I will hurt you!"

Peeta laughed, angling his body beside her," Yes, maam."

He swung his leg over hers, settling on top of her, careful not to crush her with his frame. Peeta positioned his elbows beside her ears, his hands on her face, as his thumbs ran over her eyebrows, traveling down to her lips.

"You're very sexy when you get all bossy and mean."

Katniss poked him in the ribs, "Is that right?"

Peeta kissed her, his mouth on hers, "Yes."

---

"What's this one from?"

Katniss traced the faint scar on Peeta's thigh, the raised inch of skin, a different texture underneath her fingers. Peeta looked to his thigh, a deep laugh escaping his throat.

"Markis received a knife from my father for his birthday when he was eleven, he swore he was an expert at throwing the stupid thing, and he swung it at a chair. I just so happened to be walking by at the time and it caught me in the leg. I was eight, and I nearly passed out."

Katniss laughed, her bare chest shaking from the short of breath, she placed her hand over her mouth to stifle the sound. Peeta shook his head remembering how mortified his mother had been, seeing blood rush down his leg. To be honest she was more upset with the pair of slacks, which were ruined than the cut on his leg.

Markis was also more frantic about keeping the blade than he was about injuring his little brother. His father had bandaged it up, reminding Peeta, where cuts may hurt; they do have the chance of turning into scars, which impress girls. Peeta stuck his tongue out, exclaiming girls were gross and he would never want to impress any ever.

Katniss searched his body, her light fingers tracing every inch of him, ever the hunter, looking for a new piece revealing the complete picture of, Peeta Mellark. Her fingers stopped on his newest scar, the injury which had brought them together. Katniss' eyes became serious.

"I don't have to ask about this one."

"I'm lucky you were there."

"Don't worry about it, it's what we do. We save each other."

Peeta touched her face," How did you learn to heal?"

Katniss ducked her head, "My mother. She was adamant; I should know how to heal. It was her calling not mine. I'm a hunter much like my father, but Prim, she had the gift like my mother. She always dreamed of being a professional healer, like the ones in the Capitol. Ironic isn't it? An easily cured childhood disease killed her."

"I wish I could have been there for her, for both of you."

Katniss smiled softly, "You're here now."

"Yes, I am."

She tickled his stomach, her calloused fingers from hunting and manual labor, sending shivers up his body. Peeta watched her closely, as her hands and eyes roamed his body. They had spent the entire day in bed with each other, making love, and rediscovering each other's bodies.

They would occasionally take time to eat a little bit, before the food took second place to caresses and utter intoxication of the others body. Peeta had been concerned at first not wanting to cause her anymore physical pain, but his hormones soon won out, or it may have been the way Katniss had wrapped her legs around him, kissing his neck, occasionally scraping her teeth against the sensitive skin there.

It was also more than physical for them; they had talked about everything possible. About the first painting he ever painted, to how she had nearly impelled her father the first time she shot an arrow. After each passing hour, Peeta was even more positive of the fact, concerning his feelings for her. He was beyond a doubt head over heels in love with this woman.

He had to lose his family to find her, and it frightened Peeta how a piece of him was willing to be thankful for this. Peeta knew he was close to losing himself in this one girl, and with each moment he was stepping closer to being more content with the fact.

Katniss tickled her fingers up to his arms, bending them at the elbow. She smiled when she found a small red mark above the elbow.

"What about this one?"

"Ummm, taking a tray of hot rolls out of the oven. I actually think I kept burning myself in the same damn spot."

Katniss rubbed her thumb over the mark; Peeta took her hands, easily flipping her on her back, as he positioned his body on hers. Her laughter filled the room; her dark hair sticking to the sides of her face, Peeta brushed the strands away from face, a wide smile on his face.

"My turn!"

Peeta scooted his body down hers, as he ran his hands over her smooth skin. He kissed every inch he searched, Katniss' body reacting to his touches.

"Let's face it. I'm willing to bet, I have more scars on my body than you."

Peeta laughed into her ribs, "Of course because I'm only a soft painter."

"Did I really say such a thing?"

"Oh yes you did, but you also yelled it."

Katniss taped his head," If I remember correctly, you were being an enormous ass at the time."

Peeta nodded, "True."

He smiled into her skin, his fingers running over a deep scar, surprised he hadn't seen it before, although he had to admit it to himself, where as her stomach was beautiful there were other parts of her body, which had commanded more of his attention. The skin was lifted, and it appeared to have been stitched haphazardly.

"How did this happen?"

Katniss had her eyes closed, reveling in his body against hers, "Hmm?"

"The long one on your stomach? How did it happen?"

Katniss opened her eyes, her dark ones becoming serious, "About three months after Prim and I had been taken to the farm, and she had found an apple at the base of one of the trees which bore fruit for Elective Snow. The stupid thing was half rotten, but we hadn't seen fruit in months, and she was so proud of herself.

She had this huge smile on her face, rolling it between her open hands. We had walked into the yard, and I took it from her, afraid the guards would accuse her of stealing. All of a sudden one of the male codes came up to me, his body was thin and I could see his jaw bone stick out of his skin, more than what was healthy.

He smiled at me, and I thought it was nice to be able to talk to someone else but my small sister, but he didn't say anything, not until I felt a sharp pain in my gut, the apple falling to the muddy ground. I remember falling to the ground, with Prim holding my head.

I looked down to my hands, there was so much blood, and from the ground, I saw the guards tackle the boy to the ground as he cried for the apple. I passed out after soon after, waking up a few hours later in a bunk in the girls' barracks. I almost died because of a piece of rotted fruit. I realized then, how the Capitol had turned us into something lower than human. To survive we had to prey upon each other."

Peeta moved up her body to lie beside her, taking her forearm in his hand. Katniss watched him closely. Peeta traced the markings on her forearm, the numbers below the lines, ugly and marring her olive skin. Katniss held her arm out to him, closing her eyes to his touch.

"Did it hurt?"

"A lot. It's done as a thermal burn, it feels like you're whole body is on fire."

"Why do they do it?"

Katniss sighed," To let us know we're less than human."

"It's ironic isn't it? The Capitol sees children as these monsters when in reality; they're the ones less than human."

Katniss drew her arm away from him;" You are half Capitol born, Peeta."

Her words stung, making him a bit self conscious, "My mother was also a code."

"Well, she and I are so lucky to have Capitol men notice us."

Peeta sat up, pulling the blanket over his naked body, "What is with you?"

Katniss moved over to the far side of the bed, using the sheet to wrap around her body.

"It's just incredibly clear to me, how much we're so different from each other. Maybe there's a reason, why Capitol people see us as trash."

Peeta leaned to her, grabbing a hold of her arm to pull her to him, her head landing on his bare chest, his fingers brushing through her hair, rubbing her back gently.

"There is nothing trashy or below human about you. You are everything. Everything I see as pure…it's you. You're everything."

Katniss griped onto his side, her arm laid across his waist, her nails dug into skin, holding onto him tight. It startled Peeta when she started to cry, all of her grief emptying onto him, as tears rolled down her face and onto his chest. Her small frame shook, as Peeta tried to hold back his own tears. He bent down kissing her crown, his lips buried in her hair.

"I will always be here with you. I will always be here to protect you, it's what we do. We save each other."

---

Katniss woke from a vivid nightmare, where she had been back at the farm holding her little sisters body, the cold stones of the girls barracks digging into her bare knees. She rocked her body back and forth, singing to the lifeless body cradled to hers, however when she looked down to look into Prim's soft delicate features, she saw a strong jaw line instead.

Blank blue eyes stared unmoving to the ceiling, Peeta's shaggy blonde hair, felt rough against her skin, as blood pooled around them both, rising up through the empty room. Katniss held on to his shoulders, finally losing her grip when the sea of blood rose up over her face, drowning her.

She had jolted awake, sweat pouring from her body, the nightgown she had dressed with was now wet and suffocating. She pulled at the fabric allowing her skin to breath, as she finally noticed the absence of Peeta's body. She searched the room slightly frantic from the memories of her dream, as she found him in the exact place he had found her hours ago.

She sat up, padding over to him; her bare feet cool from the wooden floor boards. As she approached him, she could see him huddled over several pieces of papers. Most of the boxes were opened, their lids strewn around him, thrown by the wall. A fury was set inside her as she threw the lids back onto the boxes, startling him out of his concentration.

"What are you doing? You had no right to go through my families things! MY FAMILY!"

Katniss scrambled around the mess, wildly throwing things into the boxes, Peeta leaned up from his sitting position trying to calm her hands.

"Katniss I'm sorry about not asking first, but you have no idea what I've found."

Katniss kept her eyes from his, picking at the photos in front of her," I don't care. You had no right to go through my things."

"Technically they aren't all yours."

Katniss looked up her face confused, "What are you talking about?"

Peeta reaches beside him, picking up a thick pile of papers, "I found these letters, and our fathers had written each other. The correspondents must have been going on for years, many of the dates are well before my brothers and I were ever born," Katniss slowly sits opposite of him, her eyes locked on the letters clutched in his hands," they go on about the camps and how children are being taken from their houses. There's even detailed accounts of meetings they had in the past, which sounds an awful lot like the rebellion. If I didn't know any better, I'd think our fathers actually started the faction against Snow and the Capitol."

Katniss sighed," Peeta-"

Peeta dropped the letters into his lap, reaching for a leather bounded book," I also found this journal; your father had chronicled everything. About the rebellion, how the Capitol military works, the origin of the reaping, it's incredibly detailed, "Peeta thumbed through the pages, the intensity of his voice, troubling Katniss," he even has specific layouts of all the camps. It goes on and on. I have no idea how he and my father kept this from us."

"Peeta, I knew about our families' connection."

Peeta stilled his hands, looking up with disbelief, "Why didn't you tell me?"

Katniss held her hands up, "What would it have changed? They're both dead because of it. You and I are left alone, because they were vain enough to think it wouldn't affect the people they loved."

Peeta's body hummed with anger, "You were the one so adamant of what my father had done. Of how he was such a great man. What changed?"

"It was before I saw the look you have in your eyes now. "

"What look?"

"The one my father had, when he was so sure he was the only left who could make a difference."

"How did you even know about what he was doing?"

Katniss ran her fingers through her hair," I wasn't stupid Peeta. We never stayed in the same place more than six months. My father would disappear for days at a time, sometimes coming back with wounds, my mother had to heal. I pieced it together a couples of years before Prim and I were sent to the camp."

Peeta reached behind him, a folded piece of paper in his hand," I sketched this," he flattened out the thin piece of material, "I think it's you."

Katniss leaned over grabbing the drawing, "When did you do this?"

"About three years ago."

Katniss' eyes widened, "How?"

Peeta reached down into his lap, placing a small golden pin with a bird adorned on it, before her," I found this in the envelope where I found the letters. It had belonged to my father and when I was five, I had given it to a shy dark haired girl with two braids. Katniss I've been sketching you since I was ten. You and I were meant to find each other again, and I am meant to finish what our fathers started."

"I don't remember about the pin, and even if I did I wouldn't buy into all the crap you're trying to make me believe right now."

"What is it so hard for you to want to be a part of this?"

"Because I know how steep the price is. More so for the ones who are left behind when your damn crusade gets you killed."

"How did they die Katniss? Your parents?"

"Prim and I watched them hang. We were taken to the farm directly after. And I will be damned if I stand by to see you destroy yourself!"

"Why is it now, you're so against me doing anything of real substance? To pick up where my father left off."

"Because."

Peeta leaned forward, grabbing her by the shoulders,"Katniss, because why?"

"Just because."

"Why?"

"Because now I feel something for you! Don't you get it! I can't bear watching you leave me! Peeta I can't bury anyone else. If I lost you it would break me."

"Katniss I-"

"Don't say it now. I don't want you to say it if you plan on leaving me."

"I never said I was going."

"You didn't have to. It's written all over your face."

Peeta sighed, trying to hold her face, when she pushed him away, to stand up, "I can't just stay here when I know there are people out there who I could help."

Katniss fisted the cloth of her nightgown," Why would you care anyway? It doesn't involve you at all?"

Peeta stood up, as it was his turn to rage, "Doesn't involve me? How does it not? I lost my family, because of it! What about us? What about when we build our own family?,"Peeta sighed, his anger shuddering, "I don't want to have to stand by to wait to see our child be reaped. I can't do it."

"What do you want me to do then?"

"I want you to help me."

Katniss adverted her eyes," How?"

"There's a paragraph in your father's journal, which talks about contacting an informant he had who was close to Elective Snow, something about a tree he had hollowed out, one he used to leave messages, ways to contact the informant. Now, it doesn't give the specific location but it does talk about it being somewhere special to him, the place where he found happiness."

Katniss leaned her head back, every ounce of fight fleeing her body, "There's a tree at the end of the property, where my parents first met. My father was hunting and my mother was weaving flowers through her hair not paying attention, when she startled him. They were sixteen, and less than a month later my mother was reaped. But before they could come for her, my father took her from the district. They lived here for awhile before they had to leave."

"Can you show me where the tree is?"

"Why?"

Peeta sighed, reaching down for the journal, turning the pages rapidly," He talks of how children from the camps are moved from one to the other, and this is when to try to break them free. It works like clockwork, every six months. I remember on the day my family died, the day you said Markis was to meet you, I had placed a piece of paper with coordinates on it, at the old house on the hill. If I'm assuming correct than I think it's a location for where the next intervention will be."

"Or it may not be. All you have are assumptions, and an old journal, which is four years old."

"This is why I have to meet the contact. And I need you to help me."

Katniss nodded, a throated laugh strangling her," It's funny isn't it? I'm losing you either way."

Peeta dropped the journal stepping toward her, "Katniss-"

Katniss backed away rapidly, "You don't get to do this to me. Wanting to leave and then expecting me to allow you to console me."

Peeta lowered his head, nodding," I can respect how you feel."

"Obviously you don't or you wouldn't ask me to help you leave."

Katniss walked through the mess of memories on the floor, her feet scattering pictures in her wake. She could hear Peeta calling after her, as she walked out the door. Her bare feet sinking into the mud, as leaves clung to the end of her gown. She leaned against the trunk of a tree, her breath coming out rapidly, threatening to strangle her.

She had given her heart to a proud man, who found honor something to be priceless. She had fallen in love with a proud man, much like her father. And like her father, he would end up dangling from the nearest tree, and she would have to look on, unable to stop it.

Katniss realized this must be her true fate, to watch those she loved perish and not have the strength to change it.

---

Every part of her body ached; the anxiety she was experiencing threatened to tear her apart. She tightened the grip she had on her arms, as they crossed over her chest, attempting to hold herself together. She could hear him inside, walking about the cabin, still collecting things to take with him.

It had been two days since she had showed him the hollowed out tree, two days since he had placed a note inside, insisting he was the sole survivor of the Mellark family seeking answers. It had only taken a day before another note had taken the place of Peeta's, scribed with numbers and letters, a location.

Katniss had barely spoken to him since their argument, keeping her distance from him, trying to prepare herself for the inevitable silence soon to follow his departure. It felt as though she was awaiting his death, angry he had chosen this path instead of staying with her. He had chosen to leave her, much the same as her parents and Prim.

The wind ran up her body, billowing the button up shirt she had hunted in earlier in the day. The skin on her stomach prickled, sending shivers up her body. She closed her eyes, concentrating on the heat from the sun on her face. The opening of the front door, made her stomach drop, alerting her it was time for him to leave.

Katniss could feel him standing beside her; she opened her eyes, still looking forward," You said you would stay with me always."

"I'm coming back, Katniss."

"How can you be sure?"

Peeta took her hand, opening it, "Take this," he placed the golden bird pin into her palm, closing her fingers over it," I found you again once. And I will come back for this once again."

Katniss nodded, as he moved to stand in front of her, his blonde hair shining in the sun," I have to do this for me, for us, for the future we can have together. I am coming back. I will always come back to you."

Katniss squeezed the pin in her hand, its sides jabbing into her palm," Do you love me? If you're going to leave I have to know."

Peeta placed his hands on either side of her face," I have always loved you. Even before I knew you. You are and have always been my destiny."

Katniss crashed her lips onto his, breathing in his scent, taking his mouth, every texture something she was desperate to remember. She could taste the salt of her tears traveling to their adjoined lips. His hands left her face far too soon, feeling the absence of his body. She opened her eyes to see him walking away from her; every step broke her heart into pieces.

"Peeta, I love you!"

Peeta stopped, turning to face her," I know."

He gave her a small smile, which didn't reach his eyes, as he turned back around to walk off into the woods. Katniss watched him until, his figure had disappeared. Her entire body wracked with sobs, as she leaned against the post of the porch. Her stomach turned and bile rose up her throat. She barely had time before every in her stomach emptied into the soil beside the cabin.

---

003G

The months since Peeta's departure, were somber, her days quiet aside from the few conversations should would have talking to the sky. For the most part they were one sided, which made Katniss miss Peeta even more so. True the feeling of his body on hers was something she yearned for; however what she missed the most was being able to lie in my bed with him, as he stroked her hair, discussing anything from art to why the sky turned orange before nightfall.

The air in the cabin had become stale and tainted, forcing Katniss to spend most of her days sitting against a tree in the meadow, attempting to read one of the many books , he had left behind. She could see why they fascinated him so much, as they were filled with seduction, revenge, redemption, and love…pure love. She would hold the pages close to her chest, trying to breathe the scent of the musty old books in.

They reminded her of Peeta, his sense of honor and perseverance littered through the passages. Her routine was simple, as she would hunt early in the morning, with her days reading or staring into the lake, followed by the strangling silence of night. The cabin felt cold and unrelenting, reminding her of her loss.

It had been almost two months after he had left, while she suffered through what she assumed to be the flu, when she noticed the weight gain. Her face for the first time in many years had started to fill out, and her ribs were no longer as visible. She assumed having one less mouth to feed so enabling her to attain more portions for herself.

Although she wasn't quite sure why she couldn't stop the persisting need to vomit every second of the day. Her energy had also fallen considerably, as it was difficult for her to trek as far into the woods as she had come accustomed to. Most mornings involved her retching beside a tree, than actually hunting. She also started to notice, more abnormalities than just her health and energy, her breasts were more tender than she remembered and if she didn't know any better she would swear they were growing.

After three months without Peeta, the vomiting persisted, as she noticed her midsection growing, as well as swelling of her ankles which threatened to hobble her at any minute, making it difficult for her to pull on her hunting boots. One morning she stood naked in front of the floor length mirror kept in the room with the bathing basin, as she moved her hands over her body examining every scar, every new gained ounce of weight.

Her breathe caught in her throat when she finally noticed how much her stomach had grown, the realization finally hitting her like an unrelenting truth. Peeta Mellark had left something of his behind, this time it wasn't musty books or dried up paints, or even letters which had been written entailing their legacy before either one had been born.

No, he had left a part of himself with her, something tangible and sacred. When she had been at the farm a few codes had become pregnant, some either from being too friendly with male codes, or the occasional victim of assault from the hands of one of the guards. Originally only the female codes, who had been appointed to accompany Capitol officials and citizens of wealth, had been inoculated with the birth control.

However when the Masters of the facilities as well as Elective Snow himself had noticed how many resources they were wasting on having to abort fetus' of insignificant codes, each female code who had begun her menstrual cycle was injected with the medication.

She had been out of the farm for nearly a year, so it would be logical, assuming the drugs were no longer in her system. Katniss fingers curled over her stomach, closing her eyes as she concentrated on the changes of her body. She was surprised when the overwhelming anxiety she was prepared to feel never came.

She only hoped, Peeta would return to her for only a moment so he could at least be aware of what they created together. As her womb grew, so did her waist line, eventually she was forced to wear the flowing high waist dresses her mother had left behind. Katniss was aware of how bizarre it was to hunt in a floral patterned dress with ankle high boots. She also had to take in account how the extra body weight and her protruding belly affected the way she shot her prey. It was as if she had to learn everything all over again.

When she finally reached four months, the weight gain had affected her stealth, as she wasn't as graceful as she had once been twenty pounds lighter. It was interesting to her how before she had become pregnant she looked almost gaunt from the starvation she had endured from the farm, but now with her body filling in she looked almost healthy, although the extra weight wasn't helping with her hunting, which would ensure she would go without.

She spent the entire day stalking through the woods, retraining her feet to keep a new footing. After what felt like an eternity she finally bagged a small buck, it had taken her nearly longer to take it back to the cabin than it did to initially find it. She laid the buck on the ground in front of the steps of the back porch, her bare knees sinking into the ground, as she reached for the hunting knife kept in her left boot.

She had nearly skinned the entire animal before her nausea inched up her throat into her mouth. She barely had enough time to vomit beside the animal's rack before everything in her stomach, was now sinking into the ground. Katniss gripped onto her stomach, the fabric of the once delicate dress torn and muddy.

After the incident with the buck, she decided to only kill smaller game, which would involve less time to kill, and clean. From then on her meals consisted of small poultry such as birds and young grooselings, or if she felt she could handle the more gamey taste and texture she would bag a few squirrels. Although most of what she ate was from what she gathered, in the woods.

A few weeks later, leaning against a tree in the meadow where she went to read and talk to her child about its father, she noticed a group of wild flowers growing by the edge of the lake. She laid down the book beside the roots of the tree, using the trunk as support, as she held her enlarged belly.

Keeping her hands on her stomach Katniss walked over to the water's edge, kneeling down to examine the flowers. They were weeds with bright yellow petals, she remembered her father calling them dandelions. In an interesting way the flower reminded her of Peeta, with the brightness of the petals, appearing in a place she least expected.

Katniss ran her fingers over the petals, the delicate flower moving along side her touch, "Baby, you and I are going to plant these by the cabin for daddy."

Katniss scooped up the dirt below, taking a handful of the flowers with her; she cupped one hand moving the flowers as well as the dirt to her left hand. Katniss bent down slowly for the book, clutching it firmly. She made her way to the cabin admiring the plant in her hand. She would have another piece of Peeta to keep with her always.

---

The sound shook the walls, tearing Katniss from a deep sleep. She sat up holding her now wide torso; she dug her heels into the mattress to give her leverage. Simple things such as getting dress, hunting, and sitting up were starting to become impossible tasks. She cursed her body for becoming so large, imagining Prim teasing her about how much better it was to be wide from pregnancy than starving back at the farm.

When she finally, sat up she swung her legs over the side, her bare feet hitting the floor boards. She smoothed her nightgown over her belly, trying to calm the round of kicking which was now fluttering inside her womb. She walked over to the window looking to the sky, she could see in the distance a cloud of smoke rising. The reverberating sound had come from the district, something was unfolding and Katniss was thankful she was miles away. Although it worried her, she was able to feel the effects from so far away.

Katniss looked over to the end of the porch where she had planted the flowers more than a month now. A few had withered, although others sprung up to take their place, giving some life to the front of the cabin. Katniss was now five months pregnant, and the anticipation of the baby coming was starting to overwhelm her. She had become worried about what may happen when she gave birth, seeing how she was all alone in the middle of the woods.

She would try to breath and remind herself of how much of a fighter she was. She could hear her father's voice in her mind.

You're a fighter my Katniss, there's a fire in your belly.

Katniss sighed, walking over to the rocking chair she had dragged out of the storage house behind the cabin. Her father had built it for his wife when she had been pregnant with Prim, and Katniss only saw it fitting to use it now as she was about to become a mother herself. She gingerly sat down, careful not to tip over, as she reached for the knitting needles and yarn, she had placed beside the chair hours prior.

Because most of her energy was spent hunting so to feed herself and her child, Katniss spent less time reading in the meadow nowadays. The majority of her time was spent working in the yard, pulling up weeds and planting other wild flowers, as she sang the songs her father had taught her. Or if she wasn't puttering around the garden she was sitting in the rocking chair, making clothes for her child.

She was thankful her parents had kept most of her and Prim's baby clothes boxed up in storage. Most of it was in decent condition, although if she gave birth to a boy she was less inclined to dress him in pink and soft lace than she would be if it turned out to be a girl.

---

Katniss had fallen asleep sitting in the rocking chair, her knitting needles resting on her swollen belly. She had pushed herself out of the sturdy chair, dressing quickly into a long skirt, which would ensure she didn't cut up her knees again on the rocks, in the yard. She was now digging into the ground, the earth running through her parted fingers.

She had found a beautiful bush of roses deep in the woods, which she knew to be primroses, the flower her father had his youngest daughter after. Katniss thought fondly of how their father described his daughters, as Katniss with all her fire and wit, was Prim delicate and graceful. He saw his daughters as forces of nature, equal parts of his strong will and Lily's quiet strength.

Katniss had slowly started to collect flowers, which reminded her of those she had lost. Her garden had become in a sense a memoriam for those who were taken from her. She ran her finger through the dirt, the texture feeling cool to the touch. She brushed her cheek streaking dirt below her eye, most days she left the garden covered in dirt. On particularly nice days she would lie down beside the flowers, listening to the birds sing as she ran her hand over her stomach, humming the notes.

Katniss reached for the roses, reuniting them with the earth, packing the dirt around the bush, allowing it to once again grow and contribute. She leaned over the roses to pack the dirt on the far side, she felt a low rumbling in her stomach, the baby kicking ounce again, and her hands slipped causing her to stab herself on one of the thorns. Katniss drew her hand back, wiping the hand free of dirt as best as she could before she placed it on her lips.

"Damn it."

"I've always loved a dirty mouth on a woman."

Katniss reached for the blade she kept next to her at all times, if something should arise. She griped the handle spinning around as she stood, which proved more difficult with her cumbersome belly, causing her to fumble her footing only a bit. She was at the ready, when her eyes saw the broad, light haired man standing six feet from her.

It took her eyes a few seconds to adjust, as the sunlight shown over his head, making his blonde hair shine. Katniss was stunned from her position, her firm grip on the handle not relenting. They stood there for what seemed like forever, until Peeta closed the gap.

Without the glare from the sun she could see him holding onto his side, the shirt he was wearing was darken at the spot where his hand kept. His stride was slow and steady, blonde hair fell around his eyes, the ends rubbing against a thick stubble working around his jaw moving up into his hair line. When he was only a few feet from her, he motioned to her hand.

"Do you think you could drop the blade? I have already been stabbed, unless you want to finish me off?"

Katniss' fingers relaxed, allowing the knife to fall beside her bare feet, "Peeta?"

"Yes. It's me baby."

It was Katniss' turn to close the gap this time, as she grabbed his face, pressing her lips to his. The kiss was chaste and closed mouth; however every part of her body hummed. She pulled away, her soiled hands on his sweat drenched face. His blue eyes searched her face, his breathing becoming labored.

"Peeta, when I saw you I thought I was dreaming again."

Peeta moved his free hand to her stomach, gently placing it on the obvious growth there, "Speaking of babies," Peeta stared at her stomach for a few seconds before searching her face again, "It is mine?"

Katniss held onto his face, "No. There's many half alive men I drag to my home, who I seduce and have hot dirty sex with, "Katniss let go of his face slapping him on arm," You ass of course it's yours."

Peeta smiled as he winced, dropping his shoulder slightly, "Just checking."

Katniss tried to steady him, "Did you get yourself shot again?"

"No, only stabbed this time."

Katniss moved to his side, supporting the side which wasn't injured, "You showing up, and I having to patch you up is starting to turn into a trend with us."

Peeta let out a strangled laugh, "At least this time when you get me naked, I can be awake for the show."

Katniss started to direct him up the stairs," Shut up, Peeta."

Katniss pushed the door open; her hand gripping onto Peeta's defined bicep, her ankles ached under his added weight. Peeta groaned a bit as Katniss led him to the table, her left hand shoving the empty bowl from the surface, allowing it to fall to the floor clattering. She motioned for him to sit up on the table, as she moved to the far wall where she kept her medical supplies. Katniss made her way back to him, while he leaned against the table; she organized the objects at the far end.

He motioned to her midsection," We should talk about this."

Katniss nodded," Yes, but later. Right now I'm more concerned with not having you bleed on my floors."

Peeta let out a strangled laugh, "Ok."

Katniss lightly pushed at his good side, "Sit."

Peeta hoisted himself up with his able side, sliding onto the table the rest of the way. He watched her walk to the pail where he knew she kept the fresh well water; she reached for a clean bowl, filling it with the liquid. Katniss poured the water over her hands, cleaning them of any excess dirt.

Peeta couldn't take his eyes off of her; he was still in a daze due to the new discovered full shape of her body. Her dark hair fell down in front of her, the ends tangled as he remembered. She filled the bowl of water once again, her nimble fingers holding onto the bowl. Katniss made her way in front of him, as she laid down the bowl. She pulled at the hem of his shirt, receiving his attention.

"Take this off."

Peeta nodded, reaching for the hem as he pulled it over his head," Oh, I see it now. This was all about seeing me shirtless."

"No, it was about not allowing you to bleed to death. Also if I wanted to have you naked, I wouldn't have to feign concern."

Peeta smirked, "True."

Katniss dropped a cloth into the water, squeezing it out, as she moved it to his side. The wound was still bleeding, but it had slowed, making Katniss assume the clotting process had started, which meant nothing of vital importance had been severed. She checked the wound with her fingers, measuring the length of the stab wound. It was a bit long, but the depth didn't seem too severe, she cleaned the wound, applying alcohol and antiseptic. Peeta winced, his shoulder slumping a bit.

"I change my mind. It was better when I was unconscious."

"Are you kidding me? This is nothing compared to what I had to patch up last time."

"You do seem less sicken by it."

Katniss let out a puff of air," Well vomiting every six minutes will toughen you up a bit."

"Yh, about which-"

Katniss shushed him," Later. Let's at least get you minimally healed."

Katniss bandaged up his side, feeling around his ribs, as he groaned grabbing onto his side. She couldn't feel any breaks or fractures.

"I think you have a few bruised ribs. Nothing's broken or fractured, which is good."

Peeta sighed, as he looked down at his bruised body, dried blood stuck down his side from where the wound had originally gushed. Katniss' fingers traveled around his torso, up to his chest. She couldn't help but notice how much his body had defined since she last saw him.

His muscles were visibly present, and the bit of body fat he had before was nonexistent. It would appear, both of their physical forms had taken a transformation while the other was absent. She tried not to get lost in the feel of his body, as she cleaned the few scraps on his chest. She dipped a cotton swab into antiseptic, she made out of herbs, moving it to a wide scrap on his cheek.

Katniss spread the ointment on his face, she glanced at his eyes, as he watched her closely," You look different."

Peeta laughed," So do you."

Katniss shook her head," No, not what I meant. There's something different about you."

"There's something different about you. But I suppose when you have to grow up quickly it happens."

Katniss looked over his face, there were several scratches and a black eye seemed to be forming around his left eye. She smoothed her thumbs over it, after she sat down the cotton.

"What happened here? You look like you went through a battle."

Peeta nodded, shying away from her fingers when she pressed on a tender spot," I did. I was in the district transporting about a hundred codes, to the next check point."

"So, the theatrics from this morning were because of you."

Peeta reached for the cloth washing off the access blood," I needed a distraction."

Katniss stepped back, leaning into a chair, her hands placed on her stomach," So, all the wounds? Were they also a distraction?"

Peeta kept his head down concentrating on washing his body," No, they were about vengeance."

Katniss rubbed her temple, a slight headache from all the excitement," Vengeance?"

"Against Thread. He killed my family, so I wanted to repay him the favor. Almost had the son of a bitch too, but sometimes it's not yet meant to happen."

"Thread? How did he not kill you?"

Peeta laid the cloth down, as he slowly jumped down from the table. He walked past Katniss to a discarded shirt she had worn the other day, pulling it on careful not to snag his bandage.

"I found the contact about two weeks after I left here, and until a month ago I had been training ever since."

Katniss placed her hands on the chair, turning to face him," So you left as a boy and came back as a soldier."

Peeta stepped forward towards her," It's what was needed to be done to ensure we had a future," Peeta reached his hand out, rounding the chair to stand beside her, his hand lying on her stomach," Looks like it wasn't too soon."

Katniss turned to face him, his hand able to rest on her body more firmly," How far a long do you think you are?"

Katniss couldn't meet his eye," I think about five months. I just started to feel it kick."

Peeta's mouth widened into a grin, " Really?"

Katniss nodded, as she placed her hand on top of his," Yes."

"Is it time to talk about the baby yet?"

"Peeta-"

"Katniss, are you ok with this? I never wanted to cause you more pain, and I never would have left if I had known."

"Yes you would of, because it was the right thing to do. And you're back now and it's all I wanted."

Peeta moved his hands up her body, resting his thumbs on her pulse points," I thought of you every second, when I was gone. Your face got me through all the pain. The very thought of making it back to you carried me through."

Katniss lowered her head, dark hair spooling down between their two bodies," I missed you too."

Peeta moved his right hand to her jaw, moving her face up," Then give me a proper hello, because the kiss out front was pitiful."

Katniss laughed," You were bleeding, and injured."

Peeta shook his head," It's no excuse for your laziness, Miss Everdeen."

Katniss smiled, as Peeta brought her closer tilting her mouth up to meet his, she was hesitant, worried the months they spent a part had somehow changed the way they communicated with their bodies. Katniss shivered as Peeta's lips found hers, the heat from his mouth sent her body into shock, and it had been so long since she had been able to feel him. This time it was Katniss' tongue, which demanded entrance, ravishing his mouth, as the two battled for dominance.

Katniss trailed her fingers up his jaw bone, lightly scratching the new stubble which lived there. Her fingers soon found his long blonde hair, tangling her hands in the sweaty mess. Peeta moaned into her mouth, as he moved his own hands to her back, balling the fabric of her shirt in his fists. What had started as slow and gentle was turning into feverish and urgent, as they both pulled at the others body, yearning to be closer.

Katniss' lips felt bruised and swollen; however the need in her won out, as Peeta's hands made their way over the hem of her shirt, lifting it up quickly, to meet her bare skin. Katniss moved her hands from his hair, earning a slight whimper from him due to the absence of her hands. Katniss smiled into his mouth, as she slid her own hands under his shirt, spreading her petite hands over his chest.

She was careful not to injure him further, although all she wanted to do was scratch down his chest towards his torso. His hands ran up and down her spine, and she noticed his hands had become more calloused than she remembered, although the pressure of his touches was something which would never change. Peeta bit at her lip, as she returned the action, their mouths both battered and hungry.

The both pulled away for air, as Katniss looked into his blue eyes, they had changed, something in him was different somehow a bit less bright, but she knew what war could do to a man, and she had no doubt Peeta was already in the thick of it.

Peeta could see the concern in her eyes, her dark pools almost broke him, as he could see her searching his own for answers. He knew she sensed something had changed in him, her instincts unnerving him. He was contemplating pulling away from her, shielding himself from the guilt he would feel when she realized how he had changed.

He left her an idealistic painter, and had come back as a soldier. He had beaten his body and mind into a machine, his only objective to do whatever it took to ensure her safety. She was his sole purpose, his reason for fighting against those who would oppose those similar to her. He was prepared and willing to deal with the consequences of his actions, although he wasn't quite prepared to have her know how far he had gone.

Katniss could see his mind working; his face became troubled, as his bright blue eyes glassed over. Katniss massaged his chest, her thumbs working into the muscles there.

"It doesn't matter what happened. Not now. This time is only about you and me, finding each other again, in the best way we know how."

Peeta smirked, his lips curving, "And what way exactly?"

"Are you really going to make me say it?"

"No. I just find it amusing how a pregnant woman, can still be embarrassed about sex."

Katniss pushed into his chest, a soft giggle coming from her mouth," Shut up!"

Peeta grabbed onto her wrists, the fabric of the shirt bunching up, as he brought her closer to him, crashing his mouth onto hers. His kisses were even more urgent before, Katniss barely had an opportunity to breath, as Peeta tried to discover her mouth once again.

Peeta parted his lips from her, his breathing coming out rapidly, as he laid his forehead against hers. His eyelashes tickled her own, sending shivers back down her back to meet his strong hands. Peeta leaned forward kissing her nose gently, as he slid his hands down to the waist line of her skirt. His hands tickled underneath her stomach, as he smoothed his right thumb over where their child was.

Katniss closed her eyes, lost in his touches, as he bent down, moving her skirt down as he lowered his own body. Katniss held onto his sturdy shoulders for support, as the air hit her now bare bottom half of her body. Peeta knelt in front of her both surprised and glad to find the absence of underwear.

Katniss blushed, opening her eyes, "I can't wear them anymore. I got too big and the elastic was cutting off the circulation."

Peeta laughed, as he looked up at her," They only get in the way."

Katniss slapped his shoulder, as he wrapped his hand around her legs, helping her step out of the skirt. Katniss kicked it away as it pooled at her feet, while Peeta's hands glided up her now toned legs. His hands stopped below her bottom, as he moved them to her front, lifting up her shirt, securing it on the top of her stomach. Peeta placed his hands on her bare stomach, running his fingers over the stretched skin there.

Katniss shut her eyes for a few seconds reveling in his touches, as he leaned forward, gently kissing her stomach. Katniss moved her hands to his hair, noticing how it had darkened a bit. He laid his hands flat, spreading his fingers out, never taking his eyes off her body.

"You are so beautiful."

Katniss shuddered, her body starting to feel weak, as Peeta slid is hands around her body, down to her bottom, cupping her there. He pressed his lips into her stomach, she faltered a bit. He held her up supporting her body with his strong arms. He looked up to her, his brows knitted in concern.

"Are you ok?"

"Yes. It's just I can't stand still for very long."

Peeta nodded, as he rose up to his full height, taking her hands from his hair to enclose his fingers over hers. He moved to her side, releasing one of her hands to brace her back, as he walked her to the bed. When they made to the edge, he braced her under her arms, lifting her on the bed gently. Katniss reached for the hem of her shirt bringing it over head, her naked body coming into full view.

She let the fabric slip from her fingers, the shirt landing at Peeta's feet. Her dark hair fell to her side; Katniss wrapped the ends around her fingers, pushing the thick strands at her back. Peeta stared at her naked body, the sweat beads had started to form on her olive skin, which seemed to shine even more so because of the pregnancy. It took his breath away how incredibly sexy and awe inspiring it was, knowing she would give birth to his child.

Katniss started to become restless from his hesitation, as she pulled him between her legs, reaching for the hem of his own shirt. She lifted it slowly over his bandage, not wanting to catch the fabric on the cloth bandage. She made it halfway up his chest, as he replaced her hands bringing the shirt over his head. His blonde hair crashed round his jaw line, as Katniss laid her small hands on his torso, watching him.

Peeta slipped his boots off, kicking them to the side, while he unbuttoned his pants, pushing them down his legs. Something below Katniss' abdomen rushed up through her body, it was intense and almost animalistic. She wanted nothing more than to feel Peeta inside her; she needed to feel him close, to have him claim every part of her.

Peeta kicked his jeans over to where his boots fell on their sides, his hands latched onto her hips bringing her even closer. Katniss reached for the elastic on his boxers, her fingers teasingly hooking into the fabric there. Peeta moaned, his impatience growing, as he pushed his underwear down his legs, the article at his feet, as he stepped out.

They stood there for the longest time for either one of them spoke. The anticipation of what was to come bubbling over, Katniss lowered her head.

"I don't think I can take your weight anymore."

She placed her hands on her swollen belly, Peeta nodded understanding what she was trying to convey. He crawled onto the bed, his back against the far wall, as he motioned for her to come to him.

"Come here. I have an idea."

Katniss scooted to him, as he helped her into his lap, he could feel how moist she was already. The heat from her core, send a fever up his body. He tried to restrain himself, knowing how frightened she may be, this being the first time she'd be making love while being pregnant. Katniss settled her knees to each side of Peeta's legs, the bed lowering under their weight.

She wrapped her arms around his neck, threading her fingers through his now longer hair. Peeta grabbed onto her hip bones, slowly lowering her body onto his erection. The both moaned in unison, as Katniss settled onto him. She was already incredibly wet, and the tightness of her walls, increased the pressure he felt. Peeta slowly moved her body up and down, the friction almost too much for him to handle.

Katniss clawed at his neck, as she moaned, quickly taking over the pace, needing to speed it up. Peeta's grip pressed into her body, he was sure the delicate olive skin there would bruise. Katniss leaned forward, pressing her mouth to his, their tongues eventually finding each other, teeth scraped against skin, as hands pulled at the others body.

Everything was frantic and raw; the distance created between them was being bridged with their two writhing bodies, as the sweat poured from their pores.

Peeta moved his hands up her back, sweat slicked up her back as he glided his fingers up her skin, to barely reach her shoulder blades. Her dark hair tangled in his fingers, as he brought her body forward, parting their mouths, to rest his on her naked breasts. They had grown significantly more than he remembered, due to the result of her pregnancy.

Katniss moaned as his warm mouth connected with the sensitive skin, he sucked on the salty skin, twirling his tongue around the perky nipples. He took his time finding every inch of skin, as she rode in a steady motion. Peeta leaned his head back, banging it lightly against the wall, as he could feel his release soon approaching.

Every muscle in his body was about to give out, as he could feel her body tensing. Peeta leaned forward bringing their foreheads together, as both bodies in unison rode the wave. Every part of Katniss exploded at once, every part of her belonged to the man in front of her, and as he peeked when she did. She could read his bright blue eyes knowing beyond a doubt he had given her everything he had as well.

Peeta held onto her back lowering both their bodies down to the bed, their skin slick from sweat and passion. The only sound heard in the cabin being their labored breathing, as both waited for their pulses to steady. Peeta moved himself up the bed with his elbows, his damp hair sticking to his face, as his head leaned against the headboard.

Katniss followed suit trying to work around her enlarged stomach, her naked body settled beside his, her skin still warm. Her breathing started to settle, as her stomach fluttered, the baby making its presence known.

Peeta let out a winded laugh," If I knew it was going to be like this with a pregnant woman, I would have knocked you up awhile ago."

Katniss rolled her eyes," Wow, such lovely pillow talk, honey."

Peeta laughed out loud, as he scooted down to meet her, his lips inches from hers," You like my pillow talk."

Peeta closed the gap kissing her fully, Katniss giggled into his mouth, as she parted from his lips," Yh, yh, keep lying to yourself."

Peeta moved his hands down to her sides, tickling her lightly, she rolled from side to side laughing," It's going to be like this, is it?"

Katniss fought for breath, pushing his hands from her," Ok you win you're very romantic!"

Peeta laughed lowering his face to hers, rubbing his cheek on hers, his eyelashes tickling her skin. Katniss sighed, as she was utterly content with where she was at the moment. Peeta pulled from her, lying on his side, he propped himself up on his elbow looking down at her. Katniss kept his eye contact, as they searched each other's faces. Peeta was the first to break the silence as he smoothed her hair from her face.

"Are you alright with being a mother at seventeen?"

Katniss shrugged," My mother was my age when she first had me, and she and my father were on the run. It wasn't until I was four, before it was even possible for us to come back here to the cabin."

Peeta swallowed, " Katniss you may have to do the same. I've started something when I headed off against Thread. I can feel it."

Katniss reached up to his face, caressing his skin there," However it has to happen, we'll be together. I am behind anything you do. I am proud to love you."

"You have a fire inside of you, Katniss Everdeen."

Peeta held her face with his free hand, as he lowered his mouth to hers, kissing her softly. Katniss increased the pressure, her stomach lurching. She flinched a bit, causing Peeta to search her face concerned. Katniss laughed placing her hands on her stomach, motioning Peeta to feel, pulling his hand down with hers. Peeta's hands kept still for awhile before he smiled feeling the tiniest bit of movement.

Katniss' smiled widened, as she looked to Peeta," Someone's trying to say hi."

Peeta sighed, laughing directly after, as he lowered his body down the bed, positioning his body to lay his head on her stomach. His breath was soft on her skin, as he traced circles on her skin.

"Hi, baby. Daddy's home and I'm never leaving you or your mommy ever again."

---

Katniss dug her heels into the soil, the damp dirt burying her toes. Petals blew off her stomach, as the wind picked up, her skirt rippling. Her fingers weaved the flowers together, the rope running the length of her legs. It had been a month since Peeta's return, and her belly had grown significantly rendering her from doing anything strenuous.

Peeta had taken over the hunting duties, at first Katniss was skeptical he possessed the skills to do so. However when he came back about five hours later, dragging a small buck behind him, she was more than pleased. His aim had approved astronomically from the first hunting excursion they had, when Katniss tried to teach him how to use a bow.

A lot of things had changed in Peeta, he seemed more confident, solid, but something was different, he held something back from her. Katniss spent most of her time in the garden, lying beside her flowers as she sang to her unborn child.

Peeta would sometimes disappear into the woods, not coming back for hours, at times he would come back empty handed. She tried to ask him once, but he only brushed her off, saying he needed some time to think. Katniss didn't see the need to press the issue further, as she quickly changed the subject.

Most days after he dragged back his kill, he would sit in the garden with her, as her head laid in his lap listening to him read. She did notice how Peeta always kept a blade beside him, even when they slept, it was as if he knew of something to come, and they were powerless to stop it.

He was always patient with her, almost to the point of coddling her, which would infuriate her. Katniss would scold him, lecturing him about which she may be pregnant, but she wasn't an invalid.

The slamming of the back door drew her attention to Peeta walking toward the clearing, which lied beyond the hill. She sat up on her elbows, brushing the flowers off her stomach. Katniss watched his figure disappear through the woods; she pursed her lips, pondering the idea of following him. She planted her feet, lifting herself off of the ground with a groan.

Katniss held the small of her back with one hand, as she walked over to the side of the porch, reaching for her boots. With the support of the boards she slipped on her boots, leaving the shoe laces to fall free. Her feet had started to swell due to the added weight on her small frame, usually resulting in her wearing the boots lose. Katniss secured the blade she kept on her body, slipping her hand into her pocket.

The cool steal, burned her touch a bit, as she gripped the handle gently, wanting to be sure of its presence. Katniss pushed off the porch, walking out towards to woods, looking for the obvious tracks Peeta had left. It insulted her how poorly he tried to cover up his point of direction.

Did he doubt she would have the conviction to follow him? Or it could have been the fact he trusted her enough, believing she wouldn't become curious enough? Katniss shook her head, waking herself out of her assumptions; they weren't helping her in the least.

Katniss used the trees to help lower her to the ground as she analyzed the markings on the ground, a disturbed leaf here and there, or a few broken twigs. She had to admit she was still impressed with how much he had improved, when it came to covering his tracks.

They were obvious to her; however to anyone else the markings would have appeared the product of the wild life, who roamed about. Katniss' muscles began to ache; she hadn't exerted so much energy in quite awhile. She stayed about twenty feet behind him, not wanting to alert him to her presence.

Peeta stopped, his feet securely planted as he leaned against the trunk of a tree. He couldn't help smiling to himself, when he thought of Katniss following him. He had made it easy for her to follow him on purpose. Peeta only hoped she didn't make it difficult for him later, when he made his ploy known. His mental ramblings were abruptly interrupted when he was pulled from the tree, swung about.

It took Peeta a few seconds to gain his bearings, but not before he was punched across the face, jerking his head to the side. He gained his composure quickly, solidifying his footing, his palms up facing forward waiting for another attack.

The older man stood a foot from him, leaning from side to side, much like a serpent waiting for the appropriate time to attack. Peeta slowed his breathing as he was taught, while his eyes never left the man's. It was a split of a second before the other man attacked, going for Peeta's wrist to most likely disable him to the ground.

Peeta being a bit faster in stepped, grabbing his wrist, his fingers locked as he torked the man's arms down, his elbow colliding with the older man's nose. The older man winced back, stumbling a bit, as he forced his nose back into place, a popping sound resounding. Peeta stepped back himself, his breathing a bit rushed, as he glared at the man in front of him.

"What the hell is with you?"

The man smiled through a mouth of blood, spitting the remainder on the ground," Just keeping you on your toes, kid. Thought with all the damn time you've been keeping with a broad, you would be a bit rusty."

Peeta crossed his arms, a smirk on his lips," And the verdict?"

The man whipped his mouth," Don't get cocky kid, it's the surest way to get the shit kicked out of you, or worse."

Katniss kept her place leaning against the tree, her blade in her hand since the man attacked Peeta. She had contemplated coming to his rescue, however her enlarged stomach had stopped her. So here she stood gripping her knife for dear life, watching as Peeta exchanged words with him.

It was clear to her, Peeta was familiar with him, his stance had changed significantly, he standing almost casual, which confused Katniss a great deal. She observed the man, he wasn't much taller than Peeta, although his body wasn't as muscular, and his shoulders were narrower, than Peeta's.

From here she could see how his shirt was buttoned incorrectly, and how desperately his pants were need of hemming. He had his long blonde hair pulled back in a pony tail, the strands held together with what appeared to be a leather string.

His appearance was deceptive of how well and quickly he fought, she even had the assumption, the man had let Peeta win. She relaxed the hold on her blade, using the hand to grab a hold of the tree, as a wave of nausea took over. This was a reminder of why she tried not to become as excited as of late, much of her energy went towards not vomiting.

Peeta looked over to Katniss, as she started to double over, her nails scraping the bark, as dry heaves took over her body. Peeta sighed, motioning for the man to follow him as he approached the pregnant woman gasping for air.

"What was so important, which gave you of all people incentive enough to drag yourself across the districts? What Haymitch?"

Haymitch cracked his neck, as he reached into his pocket bringing out a flask," Please for the love of the spirits," he unscrewed the top, as he downed a bit of whiskey," can we talk on this when she's not heaving up all her innards in the middle of the damn woods?"

Peeta looked back at him, as he trekked up the mole hill, reaching Katniss. Her hair was flooding to her face as she tried to blow it away, as bile rose up her throat. Peeta reached her side, gathering up her hair, gently pulling it to her back. He laid his hand on hers where it gripped the knife; her fingers had laxed making the blade start to fall. Peeta grabbed the knife, bending down to stick it in the ground.

"It may not be wise to hold a weapon while vomiting."

Hatmitch shrugged throwing his head back, another gulp of hard liquor burning down his raw throat," Why not? I do it all the time."

Peeta stood up to Katniss' height, his back hunched over, as he gripped her hand, now free of the blade.

"You know, next time you want to track a man, you may try not to heave a few feet from him. And I have to admit, being pregnant is not improving on your ability to be stealth."

Katniss glanced at him glaring, as another round of bile rose up, meeting the ground," I-I-should-have stabbed-you."

Peeta rubbed her back with his free hand, "You are so very cute when you threaten bodily harm."

Katniss' breathing slowed as the nausea subsided, she whipped her mouth with the back of her hand, as she stood up, turning away from Peeta's touch. He stood back giving her enough room to compose herself, even though he would rather be holding onto her. Katniss straightened her back trying to be as imposing as one could be while six months pregnant.

"Why have you been stalking into the woods? Is it to fight an old drunk?"

Haymitch straightened his back, the pouch of alcohol forgotten for a second," Hey! I ain't so old."

Peeta closed his eyes trying to block out Haymitch, he opened them quickly fixating on the angry girl before him," Katniss this is Haymitch Abernathy. He's the contact."

Katniss shook her head, struggling for reason," The drunk is the contact? The person you went to see? The one who kept you away for nearly half a year?"

Haymitch pointed towards Peeta, " Which was his own choice."

Peeta looked to the blonde haired man," Haymitch-"

Katniss threw up her arms," This buffoon is a part of the resistance?" Katniss shook her head again, "Wait. Abernathy? As in the great Vanquisher Haymitch Abernathy? The man of the codes? My father would talk about you often. How you were a fierce warrior. Although, all I see is a meaningless drunk."

Haymitch lifts up his right arm, whipping his mouth off with his sleeve," Well, don't you have your ass on a pedestal? Pretty self righteous for someone who just upchucked in front of a damn stranger. Although, James was always a little too uppity for my taste, but he was a good man."

Katniss' eyes widened," You knew my father?"

"I just guess you're Everdeen's girl since, the kid here said he was staying in the woods with a girl who showed him the contact spot. And as paranoid as Jimmy was, I'm sure he didn't post the damn place in the Capitol gazette."

Katniss fidgeted, rubbing her stomach unintentionally, as Haymitch took another swig," Still the kid didn't mention exactly what sort of time he was spending in the woods," Haymitch looked Katniss up and down, clearly stopping at her rounded belly," must have been a good time? Or I'm just hoping, I've always been an optimist."

Peeta cleared his throat, he needed to down play the intensity between the other two, knowing how the stress may affect Katniss and the baby," Haymitch, what is so important?"

"More than I want to discuss out here in the whacking woods."

Peeta walked to Katniss' side taking her hand, as she leaned on him for support, "The cabin's up the way, we can talk there."

Haymitch walked pass Katniss, the swell of alcohol wafting off his body, causing the bile in her stomach to rise. Peeta noticed the anguish on her face, as she tightened her grip on his hand.

Peeta motioned to the flask in Hatmitch's hand as it was midway to his lips," Haymitch, do you think you can cool it with the booze? The smell can make pregnant women want to vomit. And since there happens to be one here-"

Haymitch scrunched up his nose, his light colored eye brows fusing," Why I'm not the one who knocked her up. Pleasing her is your job. Or at least I hope you gave her a good tickle for all the trouble she's in now. Right, sweetheart?"

---

The summer air sweltered inside the cabin, a cool breeze floated through the opened door, catching Katniss on the back of her neck. She relaxed a bit from the contact, as she rocked in her chair trying to keep her idle hands busy. Peeta and Haymitch had been huddled over the table for more than an hour now.

Peeta had been tense ever sense they reached the cabin, he had been extremely specific about what information Haymitch let slip out within her earshot. She had to admit the way he was treating her like a child was absolutely infuriating, and her temper was starting to win out her patience. She watched Peeta closely, as he motioned toward something on the table.

When the two men initially reached the table, Haymitch had pulled something from his waist band; it appeared to be a few sheets of wide paper. Katniss huffed, and threw the knitting she had unraveled to the floor; she hoisted herself up from the chair. Her back arched, as he stomach lifted into the air, a groan escaped her lips as her muscles moved, her back straightening.

Katniss stomped over to the table with as much force, as a pregnant woman could muster, as she pushed Haymitch aside, staring Peeta dead set in the eyes.

"I am not some damn child! You both will tell me everything, and stop trying to protect me. I did well on my own for a very long time before you came around."

Haymitch scratched his facial hair, as he hid his smile behind his hand, sneaking a look to Peeta who was looking to him, over Katniss' head. Haymitch gave a quick nod, turning his attention back to the table.

Peeta cleared his throat," Katniss the less you know the better. I don't want-"

"Tell me now!"

Peeta leaned over the table, his hands firmly planted," Haymitch?"

Katniss turned to the older man as he rubbed his face, "They're gonna start televising the arena, and the reapings."

"What? Why?"

"Snow needs to show his dominance even more now."

Katniss tried to clear her head, as she leaned her right side against the table for support, "Why so much more now?"

Peeta was barely audible behind her, "Because of me."

Katniss nearly fell over as she spun toward Peeta," Why?"

Peeta kept his head down, his long blonde hair falling into his eyes," The night before I came back. The theatrics you pointed out, they were explosions. I had to buy enough time for all of the codes to get through the square of the district and Thread was closing in with his troops. So-I blew up the left side of the justice building."

Peeta looked to Katniss, as her eyes grew studying his face, "How muchtime did you actually need? There shouldn't have been a need for explosives with only twenty kids to move."

Peeta shook his head, his golden hair whipping against his jaw line," It wasn't twenty."

Haymitch studied the plans in front of him," More like two hundred."

Katniss kept her back to Haymitch, locking eyes with Peeta, "Two hundred is nearly the code population of any farm."

Peeta's lips cracked a slight smile," I know."

"It's why you had to take on Thread isn't it? To make sure the kids got to the rally point."

"Yes and other reasons."

Haymitch picked up a loose pencil throwing it over Katniss' head as it collided with Peeta's back," Now seeing as the girl mentioned it. Why the fuck, didn't you kill the prick?"

Peeta ran his hands over the papers in front of him," Complications."

Haymitch snorted," Well 'cause of you and your damn complications, the psycho has been pulled from running the district Keeper troops, to being bumped down to running this pretty little new farm here."

Peeta glared Haymitch down," Don't worry I did some damage."

Hatmitch chuckled, the sound strangled," Oh, I know, kid. He's not so pretty anymore with a blooming scars across his face. Let's see if the great killer of the innocent pulls as much skirt as he did before."

Katniss nodded, "So, you did pay him back four stabbing your side?"

"It's a give and take relationship."

Katniss sighed looking to the table at the papers scattered between the two men. The yellowed paper was scribbled with faint lines; an unsteady hand had crafted them. She realized most of the spelling was incorrect, and the numbers were difficult to read.

She ran her fingers over the lines, as it struck her quickly. These were layouts of a camp, as the dimensions came into view, Katniss was even surer of it. She assumed the drawings had been done by Haymitch, his unsteady hand added to her suspicions.

Peeta rubbed his jaw, as he reached for his neck, the stress clearly laying on him," Snow's rebuilding his camp. I suppose he thinks he made it far too easy me. More than ever he has to show the districts as well as the Capitol, he has utter control over those who are inferior born. The Capitols whole way of life relies on the codes, and the districts. If anyone thinks he's losing his grasp in the slightest, he's lost everything and he will not see this happen."

"So, he's testing you?"

"In more ways than one."

Katniss shook her head," What do you mean?"

Haymitch reached for the papers gathering them up into a pile," The kid here, is now the Capitols number one enemy. Snows got his face plastered on every jumbo tron bulletin and screen through the damn place."

"My father always said I was destined to be known by the Capitol."

Haymitch chuckled as he rolled up the plans, slipping them into his pants, "Luka always was the smartest out of us all," Haymitch elbowed Katniss in the side," although Jimmy did have the biggest balls. Bravest son a bitch I ever met and it's saying a lot."

Katniss nodded, as she straightened her back," Thank you, I think."

Haymitch shrugged, taking a swig of whiskey," Take it or leave it."

Katniss watches as Hatmitch walks out the front door, planting himself down on the porch steps, breathing in the cool breeze. She catches Peeta's arm before he walks out of the room to join the older man.

"You shouldn't have to hide things from me."

"I didn't want you to look at me differently."

"Why would I?"

"Because even I didn't mean to, I've become a part of this rebellion, and I didn't want you to be angry with me the way I know you are with your father."

Katniss looked to the ground, as Peeta watched her closely," I may have to come to terms with it all, huh?"

Peeta reached for her jaw, bringing her face up to face his," Maybe."

Katniss nodded slowly, walking from him as she made her way back to her chair, picking up the tangled knitting. She laid the yarn on her stomach, as her nimble fingers started to weave. Peeta watched her for a few seconds before he slowly walked out the door.

He stood behind Haymitch before he sat beside him. The old boards creaking under their weight, as Peeta settled in looking out into the sunset. Haymitch sat next to him in silence as he nursed the remaining liquor in his flask.

"Kid, you know how bad it is with the girl being knocked up, right?"

Peeta kept his face calm, "Haymitch-"

Haymitch lowered his head, closing the gap between him and the young boy," Snow would give anything to get his scaly hands on a kid of yours. Push the child into the arena and watch the thing get hacked to pieces. Although only if the child survived the hoarding houses."

"You did."

"It's cause I'm one broken hard son of a bitch. I wouldn't want anyone I cared about having to go through it. And you know what they do to the mothers. A bullet to the head or some poison to the veins. And I will be even more damned before I see another one of Jimmy's girls die because of Snow."

Peeta shifted from side to side," Looks like we need to give the baby a father."

"Peeta?"

Peeta pulled at the loose threads of his pants," Did you ever find out where Gale Hawthorne was moved to?"

"Kale's oldest boy? Yh, Snow had him join the ranks of his military. Believe he's an officer right now, living in the Capitol. Why?"

Peeta looked to the older man, snatching the liquor from his hand as he took a swig," You know why?"

Haymitch lowered his voice, as it hissed," Are you cracked? You're whole bleeding face is around there."

Peeta tossed the flask back to Haymitch as he glanced over his shoulder, at a concentrated Katniss," I have to."

---

Everything about the Capitol sent Peeta's skin crawling, the decadence, the absolute ignorance when he came to acknowledging those who were suffering was enough to make him want to burn the entire city down. A part of him was ashamed knowing, he had ties to this place through his father, even though he knew the man had given it up years ago.

It was difficult for Peeta to picture his father, living his life beside the peculiar and cruel people of the Capitol. Peeta crouched deeper into the shadows, as a few pedestrians passed by the opening of the alley. He moved his hands to his hood, making sure it was secure.

He nearly been caught as he entered the city, the main gate was surrounded by Keepers. He had been lucky enough to blend in with a group of codes who were sent through the service area.

Peeta had finally located the housing which was appointed to Gale. He had been waiting in the alley underneath the stairwell for some time, as he decided just how he was going to approach this situation. The glare from the blinking lights burned his eyes, even in the darkness.

He had been taken aback to finally see himself posted up on one of the jumbo trons, the picture from a few years ago when his father had his citizen photo made. A dry voice blared out of the speakers listing his offenses, such as they were. Peeta had shook his head, as one of his crimes was listed as the thievery of stolen property, he had no doubt the offense was referring to the hundreds of children he had helped survive. He was also surprised by how much poverty there seemed to be in the Capitol, when you ventured far enough into the slums.

Peeta had never thought a place which was known for its glitz could have places lacking the luster, although he assumed with how devious the Capitol actually was, it was bound to have some tarnish. Peeta looked up to the stairs, breathing in deep before he reached up, bringing the ladder down to his height. His side still ached from where Katniss had patched it up; he assumed his ribs were a bit bruised even now.

He had taken quite a beating from Thread, however he had given it just as bad. Before he had been trained by Haymitch, Peeta was certain Thread would have killed him in a matter of minutes, so Peeta was more than alright being able to escape with a stab wound and bruises.

When the first rung of the ladder was eye level, Peeta hoisted himself up, claiming up the rusty ladder, to the window of Gale's housing. Peeta reached into his boot taking out his blade as he inched it between the window seal, sliding around the brick before he found the alarm. It was small and a quite out of date with its technology, making it simple for Peeta to sever the wiring, as he twisted the cords together with his pointer fingers.

He wetted the ends with a bit of his saliva, praying to the spirits to help him not to shock himself. The copper wiring gave a little spark, as the humming started, then all was silent. Peeta smiled to himself, as he was a bit shocked it actually worked.

He crouched down, as he slid the window up entering the dark apartment. His heavy boots set down on the carpet, his footing steady as he turned to the window sliding it closed. The light from the blinking adds from outside lit the room. It was sparsely furnished with only a simple brown chair in the middle of the room.

The walls were painted a simple white, which were bare much like the rest of the apartment. Peeta studied the room, wanting to know his surroundings in case he had to defend himself, if Haymitch's Intel was wrong, due to his drinking. Peeta's body stilled as the front door lock began to click, the door knob turning. Quickly he rushed to the connecting wall, his body next to the door.

He finally realized he still held onto his blade from before with the window. He closed his eyes trying to steady his breathing.

The door opened slowly, as Peeta bent down slowly, slipping the blade into his boot. He knew if he had to fight he would rather injure the other person than kill them. Peeta wasn't afraid to try to survive, but it would be stretch of time between when he would kill someone.

He had spent a month trying to convince himself, the Keepers he had killed were just as likely to do the same to him, and the many children who were present, but it never seemed to quiet his guilt. Peeta straightened his back, blending into the darkness of the room. His hood hung over his blue eyes, only giving him a visual advantage, where as anyone looking upon him couldn't see his eyes.

One of Haymitch's rules was always if you can never allow an enemy to see your eyes. They will always give your intentions away, although it was also something one could use against an opponent.

Peeta waited for the figure to make it to the opposite wall, lighting the room. His eyes had to adjust to the light, as the figure kept his back turned toward him, tossing a set of keys, and an entrance card on the counter. Peeta cleared his throat, causing the dark haired man to whirl around. The uniformed young man reached for his firearm.

Peeta peeled back his hood, his voice steady," You know there really shouldn't be weapons between friends. How have you been, Gale?"

Gale's eyes widen at the man in front of him," Peeta?"

Peeta smoothed his hair from his face," Yh, it's me."

Gale released his finger from the grip of his revolver," It hardly even looks like you."

"Well things change,"Peeta motions to the uniformed man's appearance," clearly."

Gale moves his hands to his sleek hair smoothing back a lose strand," I didn't have much choice."

Peeta walked to the center of the room, scratching his heads absentmindedly," Oh, there's always a choice."

Gale closed the gap, each man staring the other down," Sure, like your stunt in twelve, with your run in with Thread. I hope you know he sees it as his mission to bring your body in, and I don't think taking you in alive is a concern of his. Seeing the way you shredded his face."

"He murdered my family."

"Peeta, your mother killed herself. Delilah was always a sick woman."

Peeta stepped forward his voice deep," And this place made her so."

Gale shook his head," What are you going to do? Take Snow head on? Mark up the face of any high ranking officer?"

Peeta nodded, his fists at his sides," If I have to-yes."

"Is this why you risked your life to come here? To let me know how determined you are to destroy yourself?"

Peeta laughed," I couldn't give a shit what you think. Seeing how you crawled to the Capitol," Peeta flicked the medal pins on Gale's chest, "Those are some nice bars."

"Fuck you, Peeta. It was the only way to save my family. I don't need your judgments."

Peeta sighed, swallowing his pride, "I didn't come here to fight. I need you to do something for me."

Gale stepped back, shocked," A favor? Why would I do anything for you? My life will never be as it was."

"You owe my family."

"I owe nothing."

"But your father does."

Gale moved from Peeta, trying to fight the temptation to strike him," Then go deal with him."

"It's you who needs to make it right."

Gale clenched his fists," And what would it be?"

"The only reason why you never ended up being reaped and put into a camp is because of my father, and the chance he took on yours. He gave you and your siblings a life, when his children lost theirs."

"What do you even need?"

"There's a pregnant code who's unable to list the father for the child's birth slip. I need you to take her in, and act as the father."

Gale almost choked on his laughter," Oh, is that it? As long as it's nothing complicated."

"It's a common situation for Capitol officers to take on codes as mates. They won't think twice about it."

Gale shook his head to clear it," Why are you going to so much trouble to protect one code?" Peeta's shoulders stiffened, " It's your kid, isn't it?"

Peeta glared at him head on, "Yes."

Gale laughed sharply," So, little virginal Peeta Mellark finally got some?"

"I need to move her into the city as soon as possible. The more you're seen with her before the child comes the better."

Gale ran his hand through his dark hair," I never said I would do it."

Peeta once again closed the gap," Oh, you will, Gale. Or I will let the proper authorities know your involvement with my family. And I doubt you'll get anymore fancy pins after which."

"You'll sell me out? One of your oldest friends, for some girl you knocked up?"

Peeta straightened his jacket as he stood inches from Gale, his eyes blazing;" I will burn this whole country down to protect her and my child."

Gale smirked, "Looks like you finally became a fighter."

---

Katniss pulled the case from Peeta's hands, opening it clumsily, the latch releasing. She deftly dumped her belongings back onto the bed, pushing them away from his grasp. As she threw the case onto the bed, on top of the clothing and books.

Her voice was high, and panicked," Absolutely not! I am not going!"

Peeta righted the case, packing everything again just as he did the last six times," Stop being so damn stubborn."

Katniss turned on him, pushing him over slightly," Are you cracked? I am not pretending to be some mistress for a Capitol officer you know. Maybe Haymitch punched you in the head too many times."

Peeta closed the case, placing it away from her grasp," It's the only way. The baby needs a father to put on the birth slip, and we both know it can't be me."

"I don't know why-"

"Katniss if the child is born a basterd, they will take it to the hoarding house, but not before they kill you. This is the only way I know how to save the both of you."

"By sending us to the worse place possible?"

Peeta looked to her, his blue eyes glassy," It's the only way I know. Katniss I watched my brother witness the death of his wife and their child, right before they put a bullet through his brain, as he bled to death by Julia's body. I will walk through hell itself, before I let that happen to us."

Katniss sighed, "I feel like it's giving up on us as a family."

Peeta turned into her, bringing her face to his, as he kissed her, their lips parted, as tears spilled down her face," No, only the opposite. This is ensuring we someday have the possibility of being together."

Peeta laid his hands on her stomach, as he placed his forehead to hers, their eyelashes whisping against the other, "Katniss I will someday marry you, and all of this will be some distant memory."

Katniss' dark eyes looked into his lighter ones, "I love you, Peeta."

Peeta smiled slightly, although it didn't reach his eyes, "I know."

---

003H

The light from the sky light flooded into the room, bathing Katniss' bare back in light. The warm sun caused goose bumps to rise from her olive skin. Katniss stuck her tongue out, concentrating on the paintbrush as it skittered and skipped over the plastered wall. She scratched her nose streaking light green paint over her bridge, the faint freckles there now unseen.

She flicks the hairs of the brush sharply, as edges of leaves appear. The silk maternity halter top she has on, bunches a bit as she stands on her tip toes. With the allowance she's given as a spouse to an officer, helped with supplying her new wardrobe. She had initially declined such an offer, happy to resume wearing her mother's old dresses.

However, Gale had reminded her it was important she play the part as a military spouse living in the Capitol. Katniss shifted to one foot, as her stomach crushed into the wall, a large streak of brown paint now melding with the pink top.

Katniss blew her dark hair out of her eyes, the soft curls falling around her body. She had been insulted at first when Gale had suggested she wear her hair differently, something more sophisticated. However she had conceded, knowing he was only trying to help her fit the part. Although she would have given anything to be back in her garden, her tangled dark head of hair lying in Peeta's lap, as he read to her.

It had been three months since she had left the only true home she knew, and moved to the Capitol with Gale. A man she had never known before, who she would have to convincably pretend to love as the father of her child. It was difficult for her not to want to be on the run with Peeta, forget everything and everyone.

Katniss sighed as she dipped her brush into the green paint, droplets falling like rain to the plastic covering the floor. It disturbed her how much the paint resembled blood, as she was reminded of how much her memories from the farm haunt her. She shook her head, as the brush made contact with the wall, another makeshift leaf forming.

A low whistle from the door, jarred her from her deep concentration. Gale stood in the doorway, his arms crossed as he leaned against the doorway. The buttons of his shirt bunched against his toned arms, his olive skin a contrast against the dark blue material. His hair was slicked back, dark much like hers, and it was curious to her how much he was the exact opposite of Peeta.

Gale was kind, but he had a damaged side to him, something she could easily relate to. A small smile reached his lips as he walked into the nursery, his eyes scanning the place.

"Not bad. I can't believe you did all of this in one day."

Katniss stilled the brush as she turned her head around to admire the room. The carpet was brown, and Katniss had laid down on the soft fibers, when she had first entered the room, which would belong to her child. It reminded her of the soft dirt beside her garden, and in the moment she decided she would make the room into a forest.

The windows were adorned with light blue curtains to represent the wind, as she painted a mural of trees and light onto the walls. She would bring her child into the only place she ever felt safe. The only place she had a life with its father, the place where she was truly whole. Katniss turned back to the wall, as she nodded with approval.

"Every Everdeen has loved the forest and the little one will be no exception."

Gale stepped toward her, "You mean Hawthorne."

Katniss looked down to her paint smeared toes," Yes, right. I keep forgetting."

Gale approached her, his body inches from hers, as he looked to her profile," You have to be more careful, about it. It's fine here in our home, but what would happen if we're out in public?"

Katniss threw the brush into the paint, the silver brush sinking into the green sea. She turned into him, surprised by how close he was.

"This isn't easy for me. Marrying a man I don't know or love, and having to convince the rest of the world I do. I'm doing my best."

Gale reaches his hand up to her face, holding it gently," I know. I just want you," he released one hand from her face to lie on her stomach," and this child to be safe."

Katniss felt uneasy under his stare, his dark eyes burning into her. The glint of light caught her eye, as she looked to Gale's wedding ring, the gold standing out from his dark skin. Katniss backed up, as his hands were forced to leave her body.

His face fell for a minute; she could have swore he looked embarrassed from his forwardness. They stood there in silence, neither one wanting to acknowledge the other, as Katniss fiddled with her own ring, one which resembled Gale's. It had been three months since she had married the man, giving her child a name.

She had only arrived in the Capitol a few days prior before she was standing in front of a mirror, dressed in white, her dark hair smoothed back into a tight bun. Apparently, there was a special prep team, who dealt with the weddings of officers to codes. She had been concerned being pregnant when she and Gale married, but it was pointed out to her, how this was a normal occurrence in the Capitol when it came to Capitol officers marrying an inferior.

It was after all the only way most inferior women married a Capitol soldier, by being with child. Katniss had a suspicion, not all the unions, conception included, were entirely willing on the female codes part.

There she stood, the gauzy soft fabric hung loosely around her stomach, as long sleeves stopped at her fingers. She looked nothing like herself; her face was covered in makeup, and small pearl clip on earrings, sat at her lobes.

The room was cool from the air pushing out of the vents; she shivered not quite sure from what. Katniss held her arms out, the fabric waving slightly, as she studied her appearance thoroughly.

She sighed a pout on her lips," Is this really what brides are supposed to look like? Like an over exaggerated harlot, with far too much rouge?"

"Personally, I always loved the muddy hunting boots. They suit you so much more than this gaudy dress."

Katniss whirled around, almost knocking the full length mirror over, as her hands griped the sides. She steadied the mirror, watching the hooded man standing at the door. A strong hand withdrew the hood, showing Katniss sparkling blue eyes wrinkling in a smile.

His hair brushed against his jaw bone, the facial hair there starting to thicken into a beard. Katniss rushed to him as he too closed the gap between their two bodies. Peeta's lips found hers before her feet had the opportunity to stop, her body colliding with his. His lips were hungry on hers, and her body went limp as he forced her mouth open with his tongue.

Katniss merely melted against his broad chest, her arms hanging loosely around his shoulders. She dug her nails into his shoulders, the fabric of his jacket wrinkled under hands, as the threads caught under her nails. He held onto her back, gripping her tight, as if she would melt away. Katniss' lips started to ach from the pressure of his, and she was certain where this kind of passion led them.

With reluctant hands, she pushed him away, a moan coming from his swollen lips from the loss of contact. Peeta breathed shallow as he looked at the woman before him, her dress was slightly wrinkled from his touches, and her dark hair had come out of the bun a bit, as a few strands surrounded her face.

Peeta ran his trembling hand through his blonde hair," I may have gotten a little carried away."

Katniss tried to smile but faltered as the gravity of the situation hit her," What are you doing here? You can't be here. There are military personnel everywhere."

Peeta reached out for her face, his hand landing on her cheek," I wanted to see you before you married another man."

"This was your idea."

Peeta flinched back, as he turned his back to her," I know!," he turned back to her slowly, his face pained," It doesn't make it hurt less."

Katniss walked to him, the dress catching on her bare feet, as she gripped his wrists forcing him to face her. Peeta's eyes were solemn as she searched his face.

"I could never love anyone but you. This isn't really a marriage to me. It's a means to an end. To ensure this child has their best chance. You are the only man I want to spend the rest of my life with. Only you."

Peeta nodded, his face pale," Alright."

Peeta had left shortly after; she assumed he had watched the ceremony from a nearby building. Katniss had wanted to search for him, seek out the deep blue eyes she knew were watching her, but she knew the danger she would be inviting. Instead she had kept her eyes on Gale, as he stood tall in this official uniform. She had been dreading the kiss, however he was respectful and tight lipped about it, his apologetic eyes met hers when they parted.

The reception had been intense and strange with people she had never met coming up to her as if they had known her forever. Shortly after they had been assigned to a quaint apartment, which was set aside for officers with families.

Katniss had kept her distance from Gale, not wanting to give him the wrong impression. However, after getting to know him, she came to recognize why Peeta trusted him. He was loyal, brave and he had strength in him, she respected, although even knowing the kind of man he was, she still felt confused and uneasy when things would become intense between them.

Katniss rubbed her nose, as she reached for another brush, keeping her attention on the wall. Gale wringed his hands, watching her closely, as his mouth open and then immediately closed. He stepped closer to her, his face inches from hers.

"These past months have meant something to me. I consider you someone I care about. I want to be entirely honest with you, when I tell you I don't think it's a good idea to have Peeta around the child."

Katniss nearly dropped her brush, her face masked with confusion and anger," What?"

"He's a liability Katniss. We both know what will happen to any of us if Snow knows his involvement with you and this child."

"I'm not going to get into this with you Gale. Not now."

Gale sighed," Why not? It needs to be talked about before the baby arrives."

Katniss doubled over, holding her sides, the paint brush falling from her hand, as it clattered onto the plastic. Gale bent down with her, trying to steady her, as she rocked to the side slightly.

"Because you ass, I think I'm going into labor."

Katniss dug her nails into his lean arms, as another wave of pain rushes through her body. A strangled cry filtered out of her mouth, as everything went incredibly blurry. All she could feel was searing pain and a desperate need to have Peeta being the one to hold her up.

---

Gale held her hand as she writhed in pain, her voice hoarse already from the screaming. He wanted to sooth her pain, comfort her somehow. He knew he wasn't the man she wanted by her side at this time or any other. However, he had been charmed by this incredible woman, and he had the feeling he was falling for her.

Gale was certain she would never share his affections, her heart belonged to Peeta no matter how doomed their love was, and so Gale didn't see it necessary to push the issue.

He winched when she once again dug her nails into his hand as another wave of contractions took over. It had been nearly two hours since she had doubled over in the nursery. He had gathered her up, carrying her fragile body to the back wall, where a safe room had been built, unknowing to the Capitol. Peeta had sent in an associate of his, a lean pale man with thick rimmed glasses.

He had a strange way about him, as he walked the house tapping his pointer finger to his thin lips. Gale had noticed how he seemed to talk in circles, convinced every ones understanding of electronics and algebra was as advanced as his. Gale had also noticed the bare code marking on his arm, signifying he had lived in the camps, which was equally puzzling to him, seeing most codes could barely read and write, disregard the fact this man seemed to easily pass genius level.

It had taken nearly the next three months to construct it, seeing it was only safe to work on it during the night. Luckily, the housing development only had Gale and Katniss as tenants, helping to ensure no nosy neighbors to speculate of the noses coming out of the Hawthorne home. It would initially be used as room for Katniss to give birth in, to later be used as a hiding place for her and the child if their affiliation to Peeta and the resistance ever became public knowledge.

The lanky man who after several meetings finally introduced himself as Beetee, had installed an alert system connected to a button, which would notify Peeta if he was needed. Gale had pressed it as soon as he was able to set Katniss on the bed in the center of the room. He had sealed them in the room, unlocking the adjoining door which led to a tunnel.

He was smoothing her dark hair back from her sweaty forehead, when the door opened, still holding her hand, he stood up his hand rising as the gun, he had left in the safe room pointed toward the movement.

A petite girl dark skinned girl, with bright eyes walked into the room, a heavy satchel draped over her chest. She held the door as a young man similar in coloring to her, walked through, his wide shoulders barely fitting through the slender door frame. The boy towered over the girl, his golden flecked eyes narrowing at Gale and the weapon he possessed.

"You wanna get rid of the piece before you get hurt, hoss?"

Gale nodded holstering the weapon, as he followed the girl with his eyes as she walked toward Katniss. Her eyes smiled as she ran her hand over the laboring woman's cheek.

"I may be misinformed, but having a gun around a new born may not be the safest thing."

Gale's free hand went directly to the gun at his hip," Umm, sorry. I couldn't be too sure."

The dark haired girl kept her eyes on Katniss," I understand," the girl stood up her height barely reaching the midway point of most of the shelves, as she pulled the strap over her head," but now we really need to get to work. There's no telling how much time was wasted waiting on us."

Gale sat down next to the bed, as Katniss lifted her body the contractions taking over," What took so long?"

The boy went around the room, positioning everything she would need to deliver the baby," We had to duck a few Keeper patrols, they don't like us code folk so much," the boy have Gale a snarky grin, as he looked to the girl the smile fading," Rue, do you want the IV stand to her right?"

Rue nodded her dark head of curls bouncy, "Yes, Thresh. Go ahead and move the table here so I can have easy access to my tools."

Gale shook his head," Wait! You're going to deliver the baby? What are you ten?"

Thresh's head whipped up from his task, "Watch it buddy."

Gale kept eyes locked with Thresh, as Rue settled into the stool at the foot of Katniss' bed," I'm almost fourteen, if it's so important for you to know. However seeing how this woman is in the midst of labor, and I was sent here to do a job. I would appreciate if you kept the questions until after the delivery."

Thresh walked over to Rue, organizing the tools she may need to use," In other words, shut it."

Rue looked to Thresh, ignoring his exchange with Gale, as she pointed toward Katniss," I need you two to move her down towards me so I can check the cervix to see how dilated she is," Rue lifted herself from her seat to look over Katniss," I see her water has already broken."

Gale let go of Katniss' hand as he and Thresh positioned their arms under hers to pull her down the bed, as she moaned in pain. Thresh placed the pillow at her head, as he lifted the front of the bed, elevated her head. Rue pointed to a stack of linens, as Thresh opened it, the cotton fabrics gliding in the air as it landed over Katniss lower half.

Rue slipped on the surgical gloves Thresh had placed with the other tools on the table. She reached for the scissors; Thresh had placed there, pulling the sheet over her head. Gale watched Katniss reflex in pain, as Rue hand dropped the cut remains of Katniss' pants and underwear on the floor. Rue came out from under the sheet quickly, her face serious.

"She dilated to an eight, which means she's in transition. She doesn't have long. Thresh I need you to go ahead and get her IV in."

Katniss hissed as she struggled through the present contraction," No! I can't have this baby without Peeta. I-WILL-NOT!

Thresh bent down, his form setting her in his shadow," Sweets, he's coming, but the best you can do now is let Rue bird do her job, and have this here baby."

Tears poured from Katniss' gray eyes, as she nodded," Ok."

Gale replaced Thresh's place, as he went back to work, reaching for Katniss' arm as he began to insert her IV. Gale pointed to the linens, catching Thresh's eyes, as he tossed him a small washcloth. Gale nodded him a thanks, as he directed his attention back to the girl beneath him.

Gale whipped the sweat from her forehead, as she shut her eyes tightly riding the wave of the contractions," I'm here for you Katniss. I'm not going anywhere."

Katniss opened her eyes to the dark haired man, "I know."

Movement by the door, alerted everyone in the room, as the door shut with a thud. Peeta stood there breathing hard, his hood halfway down his head, his blonde hair falling around his face.

Katniss' face relaxed for the first time," Peeta."

Peeta smiled walking over to her, standing beside Gale," So, looks like we're having a baby."

Katniss smiled through tears and sweat," I hope so or all of this is for nothing."

Peeta laughed as he looked to Gale," I got it from here, Gale."

Gale nodded as he stood up, walking around Peeta, as he made his way to the door leading to the tunnel. Peeta ran his hand over her forehead, as he studied her face. Gale was nearly to the door, when Katniss called his name, causing him to turn around.

"Thank you, Gale."

Gale cracked a thin smile," Sure."

Peeta kept his eyes on Katniss as his shoulders tensed, while Gale opened the door taking his place in the tunnel to wait on the outside. Peeta cupped her cupped, as she moaned through another wave.

"You are so beautiful."

Thresh cleared his throat from the other side," Boss, I know how you love to do the talky thing, but we got to get this baby delivered."

Peeta smirked as he lifted Katniss' upper body up, to position his body behind hers. He swung his legs over, as Thresh held the IV tubing above their heads. Peeta places his hands on her shoulders as he pulls her to his chest, helping her to settle into him. He bends down to her ear, his warm breath mixing with her sweat drenched skin.

"Let's have this baby, shall we?"

Katniss nods, his hands find hers, as another contraction nearly knocks her over. Peeta lays his cheek onto the top of her head, bracing her.

Rue looks up to Katniss, her golden eyes warm," Alright Katniss, you're at ten centimeters. It's time to push."

Peeta lowers his head to her ear, his hair tickling her face," This is it, baby. You can do it."

Rue lifted up the sheet, her hands in place to greet the infant," Ok, Katniss. Push!"

Katniss squeezed Peeta's hands as she gritted her teeth,"AAHHH!"

Rue lowered her head, as she scooted closer to the end of the bed," Alright, just a few more."

Katniss shut her eyes, the blood running to her face," AAAAHHHHHHHH!"

Rue nodded towards Thresh signaling for him to retrieve a baby blanket from the pile of linens," I see the head, and there's the shoulders. Katniss I need you to push one more time."

Katniss leaned her head back," I can't. I don't have anything left."

Peeta's breath was warm on her face, as the fever of pushing burnt her cheeks, his voice soft," You can do anything. And I know beyond a doubt you can bring our child into this world."

Katniss nodded as she bore down, pushing one more time," AAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!"

Peeta looked to Rue, as she nodded to him, a wide smile coming over her face. Before he could ask her about his child, a strong cry rung out, as both Peeta and Katniss began to weep. Thresh bent down cleaning the crying infant with warm water, as he washed the fluids from his tiny body. Thresh backed up when he was sure most of the bodily residue was washed away. Katniss held her arms out toward Rue, as she walked to the couple on the bed, swaddling the bawling infant.

Rue sighed, looking down at the baby," He has a light in him. I can tell."

Rue placed the child into his mother's arm gently, Katniss kept her eyes on the baby," Him?"

"Yes. You have a healthy baby boy."

Katniss pulled the blanket from his face," Thank you."

Rue nodded, as she pulled Thresh from the room, giving the couple private time with their child. Peeta looked up from the two in his arms to nod a thank you to the two retreating forms. The door closed with a resounding thud, while Peeta and Katniss were entirely engrossed with the newborn before them. Katniss studied her son's face, his cheeks round and rosy.

He had finally stopped crying deciding to suck on his chubby fist instead. Peeta enveloped his hand over his son's, tears started to run down his face. Katniss settled into him, a sense of content washing over her body.

Katniss laughed as she ran her fingers through the baby's dark hair," He has the Everdeen hair for sure."

Peeta sighed," He's beautiful like his mother."

Katniss studied the baby's face, as he fell into a deep sleep," He's already sleeping?"

"Being born is hard work."

Katniss laughed again, her body vibrating Peeta's," Yh? Try being the one pushing a human being from your vagina."

Peeta laughed," No, I'm good," he sighed watching his son, "What should we call him?"

"I don't know. Why don't you name him?"

"Brenton. It means fire. Something I want for him. I want him to have the strength of his mother, to have her fire."

Katniss leaned into Peeta, as he kissed the top of her tangled hair," Brenton it is then. Brenton Mellark."

Peeta's face fell, " Hawthorne. It's Hawthorne."

Katniss shook her head, as the baby opened his eyes," No, with eyes like those he's definitely a Mellark."

Peeta buried his face in her hair," Yes, he is."

---

Peeta held his son in his arms, as he rocked him through the nursery. He had finally convinced Katniss she needed to rest, after such an exhausting day. She had showered, and was now in the other room succumbing to the exhaustion. As he was helping her into the shower he noticed her body was covered in paint. Her toes especially were speckled in green spots, her olive skin setting the color off.

He had been sitting at her bed side, holding Brenton as his curiosity got the best of him. Holding onto his son tightly he ventured into the now dark room, flipping the light switch. His breath almost caught in his throat, walking into the middle of the room. A colorful mural covered every inch of the walls, trees were the main focus with streaks of bright colors, greens, pinks, blues, and mostly oranges danced in unison.

Peeta smiled, she had created a forest for their child. Brenton like his mother was now a child of the woods, a hunter, and a fighter.

Peeta looked down to his son, his dark hair shined even in the false light, which contrasted to his dark complexion, something he had inherited from his mother of course. Peeta allowed himself to imagine what his son would be.

Would he be a baker? Or a painter like he was?

Peeta's mind raced as he looked into the face of the purest soul he had ever seen. This must have been what he father meant, when talked of a fathers love. When he had first seen her swollen belly, it was so surreal for him to imagine himself as a father, but now in this moment holding the tiny person in his strong arms, he understood everything his father had done for him and his brothers.

The love a parent has for a child is an impossible love, something better than the dreams you thought you had for yourself.

Peeta was lost in memorizing the lines of the baby's face when a knock at the door frame, startled him. He spun around, gently rocking his son, as he came eye to eye with Gale. His arms were crossed over his chest, as he looked away from father and son to point at the carpet.

"I picked up the plastic and got rid of the paint cans," Gale admired the walls from his place at the threshold," Katniss made it her mission to fix the nursery up like the woods. She said it's the only place she feels safe."

Peeta nodded," It is," he rocked his son taking him over to his crib to lie him down gently, not wanting to disturb the infant," Do you two talk a lot?"

Gale nodded," Sometimes. There's not a lot to do. It's not like I have many options when it comes to my wife who is actually in love with another man and about to bare his child."

Peeta gripped the top of the crib, trying to subside the tinge of jealousy rising inside of him," True."

Gale let out a sharp laugh," When we were kids this is not how I pictured we would be. I'm in the Capitol military, married to a woman who will never love me back, and you the golden boy protégé, a criminal."

Peeta turned around, his knuckles white as he squeezed his fists shut," I have a feeling this isn't going to be a civil chat between old friends."

Gale uncrossed his arms as he walked further into the room," It can be. We can stop pretending to be little boys and be men."

Peeta nodded trying to come off as indifferent," Well as long as were not pretending, don't assume for a second I don't know how you feel about her."

"Who?"

Peeta held his hands up," Don't play dumb with me Gale. I'm talking about Katniss. I saw how you were with her, when I first came in. It's not like you tried to hide it."

"I've had to play it up for everyone, convincing them we're a real couple."

Peeta closed the gap between them, their bodies a few feet apart," You love her."

"What's the point, Peeta? It's not as if she would ever feel the same way."

"The point is you have feelings for my-"

"For your what, Peeta? Girlfriend? Mother of your child? What?"

Anger ran through Peeta's body, his body tense causing his shoulders to cramp. He kept his place, as Gale returned his stare.

The dark haired man cleared his throat," What Katniss is to you isn't really the issue. It's… you don't belong here anymore Peeta. You made your decisions, you made your choice, and you have to live with them. And you should leave and not come back."

Peeta shook his head," I don't accept that."

"You need to. What, so you're going to be Brenton's estranged uncle, who comes around once a year? What about this, he knows you're his father, and he's in school when the topic of you comes along, and he announces to everyone in the Capitol he's your son? You and I both know what they would do to him. If he's not immediately killed, he would be sent to a hoarding house and then a camp. Just by being in his life, you'll be putting him in danger."

Peeta dropped his head, his voice low," I'm his father."

"Be his father and do what's best for him. I'll take care of him like he was my own. You're still my best friend, even if we both will never be those kids you met on the playground again."

Peeta nodded, his head still bowed," It doesn't seem like almost a year, since we were walking through the square talking about how you banged Undersee."

Gale kept his stare on Peeta's blonde head," A lot of things changed."

Peeta lifted his head slowly, looking Gale in the eyes," Including us."

"Especially us. We're not kids anymore, and now there's a child we need to put first. Do what's best for Brenton."

"I'm his father. I'm what's best for him."

"You're a fugitive. You've killed Capitol personal. You're damn face is all over the city, and I bet there's circulation for bounty all through the districts. Choosing to have a family while you take part in the resistance is selfish. Look at what happened with your father, and Katniss' family."

Peeta tightened his lips, inching his body centimeters from Gale's, his eyes filled with fury," You talk about how I'm different? Say one more ill will thing about my father or Katniss' and I will feed you your tongue. I'm a murderer remember?"

Gale matched Peeta's stare," You're really going to get into it with me, with your infant son feet away? Is this who you've become?"

Peeta's eyes falter, as he takes a step back, his face cloudy," No. I- you're asking me to walk away from the best thing, which has ever happened to me?"

Gale tilts his head to the side, a sigh escaping his lips," I'm asking you to protect it."

Peeta turned halfway, facing Brenton's crib as he moved his hand over his face, "I don't know if I can let go."

"I can't tell Katniss what to do when it comes to you, but I have to try to protect Brenton."

"From me?"

"From your life."

"Fine. I get the fact you're risking your own well being to protect my son, and the logical part of me would even agree with what you're saying. Hell, if I were you I may even be doing the same thing, but as the one you're telling to completely move on from what I love most, all I want to do is hate you. Because now in this moment and many others you're not the brazen kid who saved me from getting my ass kicked, you're just the son of a bitch who's taking my life in my son's life."

Gale sighed, as he watched Peeta walk over to the crib," There's a bag in the hallway; it has all the documents you'll need when you go to the filing office. It has all the signatures from hospital personal, saying Brenton was born in the Capitol maternity wing. It's stamped with the seal and has the underlying color imprint. No one will be able to tell it's not legit. You shouldn't have any trouble getting a birth slip."

Gale nodded," Alright."

Peeta gripped the side of the crib," You need to go so I can say goodbye to my son."

Gale mutely bowed his head as he turned to walk out of the nursery leaving father and son alone. Peeta listened for the door to shut before, he allowed himself to look down at his child. Peeta reached down tracing the baby's outstretched arms; he looked as if he was a bird in midflight. Peeta smiled, while he ran the tips of his fingers over his son's soft dark hair.

His cheeks were round; although even as a newborn he already had a strong bone structure. Brenton's chest rose and fell deeply as his breathing filled the room; the silence broke by only the sounds of Peeta's son's will to live.

Peeta's vision began to blur, as he looked up to the wall baring his fists into his eyes. His shoulders wracked with a shuddering breath as tears struggled to come from his body. He released a strangled breath from his mouth, as his body eased.

Peeta lowered his head to take in the sight of his child, as he enveloped his fist over the fragile one in the crib," When I found out you existed, I couldn't stop imagining what kind of father I would be. It seemed natural because I was blessed with an incredible father; I only hoped I could live up to everything he was. But Gale's right, who I am, can only hurt you. I can have it all, my father tried and he lost his life because of it, along with two of his sons. I want to stay, but I've chosen my path, and it's not here. I know someday you'll hate me, but I'm willing to take on this burden to keep you safe. I love you son."

Peeta bent over the side of the crib, placing a kiss on Brenton's forehead, his long blonde hair tickling the child's face causing him to stir. Peeta took in his son's face one last time, before he swallowed his tears, standing up. He ran his hand through his hair, while he walked to the door, pausing for a minute. Peeta laid his head against the door, his heavy breathing mingling with his son's.

The tears threatened to crawl back up his throat, as Peeta dug his nails into his closed fists. Peeta sighed, a coughing of tears rushing out, causing him to swallow hard.

His voice came out as a whisper, a silent prayer from father to son," Be strong son. Be courageous, and thoughtful. Be better than your father."

Peeta didn't swear to look back as he reached for the door knob, opening the door to the hallway. He lingered for only a few seconds, listening to his son's breathing, before he stepped into the hall closing his lifeline to his only child forever.

---

Katniss bent down reaching for the colorful block, as the rest tumbled from her arms to the ground. She shook her head, a sharp swear escaping her lips. As if on cue, a string of giggles came from under the bed, slightly muffled from the down cast of the comforter. Katniss kneeled down, steadying herself with her hands, as she crouched down.

She could still hear laughing, as she brought the side of the blanket up to rest on the top of the mattress. She couldn't help smiling at the squirming child, as he folded his arms over the top of his head. His face was buried into the carpet as he kicked his legs out toward the nearest wall. His dark hair moved and folded over his arms, as his body wracked with laughter. Katniss reached under the bed, tickling his sides.

"Someone is having a giggle fit."

He kept his face to the carpet, as he shook his head, more dark hair falling over his arms," Nuh, uh!"

Katniss tickled him even more so, causing him to roll to his back, bright blue eyes shining," Yes, you are."

A tiny finger poked her nose playfully;" You said a no-no word."

Katniss laughed, nodding her head," Yes, I did. And mommy shouldn't have, but Brenton is supposed to pickup his toys. Isn't he?"

Brenton covered his eyes with his paint stained hands," Brenton isn't here, he gone."

Katniss' body ached from laughing at her son, she reached for his hands peeling them from his round face," Oh look there he is! I found him!," Brenton giggled as he rocked from side to side his back picking up stray strings from the carpet," And you also know to wash your hands after using the paints."

"Mommy I like them painted. It's like a rainbow I can touch."

Katniss lied on her stomach, scooting closer her head pressing against the doorframe," You're mommy's rainbow. The promise of good things."

Brenton rolled on his stomach, his dark hair falling around his face, chubby stained hands placed on her cheeks," You silly, mommy!"

His blue eyes searched her face, a toothy grin gracing his face," Bye, mommy!"

Katniss watched her son slip from under his bed, his little legs getting caught on the part of the comforter which was still down. Katniss sat up helping him up as he ran from the room into the hallway which led to the bathroom. She ran her hands through her wavy dark hair, as she used the edge of the bed to help her up.

She scooted the blocks over the carpet with her feet, before they settled beside Brenton's toy box. She looked to the walls, the painted trees had faded a bit from the sunlight casted down from the sky light. It had been three years since Brenton was born, and she was amazed how she had been able to survive without the little boy in her life. Although there were times when his bright blue eyes would look to her, and she would have to inhale a sharp breath, taken back by how much he looked like his father.

Even at three, her son reminded her of Peeta, the way he would hold the paints in his tiny palms, and gently stretch his fingers over the paper. He also had this way of silently being in a room, without even moving and still he commanded the attention of everyone around him. Brenton shared many traits with his father, and this frightened her.

What if the wrong person noticed?

Gale had been appointed a command position, and it was beginning to be more frequent when Capitol officials were in conference with him, asking about his young son and wife. The meeting were an everyday occurrence, due to the unrelenting trouble the resistance, and its leader, were presenting. Peeta had gone from a nuisance for the Capitol to a fully fledged enemy.

It was difficult to go anywhere in the city without seeing the bulletins out for Peeta's arrest and inevitable death. She had to hold back her fear, not wanting to give anyone the least bit inkling she was connected to the resistance leader in any way. If she failed it would mean certain death for her and an even worse fate for her son.

Katniss sighed, walking out of her son's room to the adjacent bathroom, where the sound of running water filled the hallway. She stopped in the doorway leaning against the door frame, as she watched his tiny hands filling up with water, as his chubby fingers cupped the liquid. He kept his attention on the water, as he laughed his fingers falling apart to emerge his hands in the bit of water collecting at the bottom of the sink. She felt guilty as she watched him look at the water with wonder. She was going to leave for one of her meetings.

It was only twice a year, but each time she felt farther away from her son. She tried to clear her head as she reached around the door frame, reaching for the hand towel looped into the holder mounted on the wall. She stepped into the bathroom, turning the facet handle close, earning a pout from her son.

"I was feeling the water."

Katniss shook her head, her dark curls brushing past her shoulders," Yes, well I think you're done."

Brenton held his wet hands up for his mother, as she dried them his dark head of hair dropping back as he hummed a song. The paint had embedded underneath his nails, but she was already late as it was and Gale was to be home soon.

When she done, Katniss picked him up from his stepping stool, and setting him down on the ground. She tossed the towel on the counter of the sink, as she heard the opening of the door. Her stomach stilled dropped at the sound, unaware of who was entering her home. Brenton's eyes widen as he ran out of the room, Katniss tried to reach for him, before he left her side. She rushed out of the bathroom, to see her husband kneeling down to catch Brenton as he hurled his body at the man's.

Gale caught the toddler, enveloping him in his arms as he swung him around the living room. Her son's arms held tight as he giggled, his legs flying out into the open space.

Brenton's loud voice rung out," Zoom, zoom, daddy! Zoom, zoom!"

Gale's dark eyes laughed," We are zoom zooming, Bren."

Brenton pulled back, his arms still around Gale's neck, his face serious," No, daddy. The way we zoom when mommy's gone."

Katniss folded her arms, as Gale smiled at her, he looked back at Brenton with false seriousness," Remember we don't tell mommy about those zooms."

Brenton nods slowly, as he catches on," Oh, yes. We can't tell girls about being rough, because girls are frable."

Gale laughed," Fragile, son. Fragile."

Katniss walked to them, taking Brenton from Gale's arms," Excuse me," Brenton tried to hold onto Gale as his mother held him in her arms, before setting him down," Go, play in your room, while daddy changes out of his uniform."

Brenton crossed his arms," Daddy did you catch any rebel scums today?"

Katniss' eyes widen as she looked to Gale, his face just as shocked," Brenton-"

Brenton ignored Gale," Isn't Peeta Mellark a bad man?"

Katniss bent down picking her son up quickly, as she sat him down in his room. He moved over to his toy box, digging through the array of toys. Katniss walked into the hallway, closing the door behind her. Gale had already started to unbutton his dress jacket, as Katniss made her way into the living room. Gale took his jacket off laying it over the chair in front of him. He held his hands up as he noticed her walking to him. He could see the rage in her face, and he was more than afraid to face her wrath.

"He must have heard it from some of my colleagues. I would have never said anything to him about my work."

"He's three; all he wants to be is like you. He has no idea what's really happening."

"And he shouldn't. By not allowing him to know the truth, we're protecting him."

Katniss ran her hand over her face," Protecting? Sometimes it doesn't feel like it."

Gale opened his mouth as he closed the gap between them, Katniss turned away from him, making her way to the bedroom. She walked into the room, passing the bed to enter her walk in closet. She had packed her bag earlier, and it now lied under a rack of winter fur coats, she never wore. Katniss picked up the black satchel, her nails bearing down in to the leather strap.

She passed the full bodied mirror in her closet, only to step back, facing it to examine herself. Her dark hair fell over her shoulders in waves and curls, the dark purple of her silk blouse intertwined with her dark tresses. Her skin was smooth and clear, most of her scars had been smoothed away by the cream she was told to use by a prep team. She hardly recognized the woman in front of her. She had somehow lost the girl she had known, through lies, secrets, and fear.

She turned away from her reflection; it had become difficult to look at herself, on the days she was to go back to the woods. It wasn't the same it had been before, and every time she met him at her family's old home, she felt further away from him, and it almost broke her in two.

Katniss sighed as she exited the closet, she stepped back when she saw Gale undressing by the foot of the bed. She turned away a blush coming over face, as she held up her hand over the side of her face, shielding her eyes.

"Gale, I had no idea you were in here."

Gale chuckled," It's only skin, Katniss. You don't have to make a big deal out of it."

"Well it is a big deal to me, Gale."

"It shouldn't be. We are married."

"We're not married like everyone else."

Gale nodded reaching for the shirt he had draped over the end of the bed," It's hard to forget. Everything we are is a lie."

"The lies keep us all safe. You've been saying it for years."

Gale reached for his jeans tugging them on as he watched Katniss from across the room. He had developed feelings for her long ago, and he would have given anything to have her feel the same. She had started to tap her foot; he could tell she was beginning to become inpatient.

He buttoned his pants, before he folded his arms over his chest, watching her. He debated standing there longer watching her, making her stew in her annoyance. Instead he cleared his throat signaling for her to turn around. Katniss' hair wrapped around the side of her neck as she brushed it away, walking to the door, pass Gale.

When she was at an arm's length to him, he gripped onto her arm, holding her in place. She looked to her arm and then to his face, her eyes puzzled. Gale searched her face, her deep gray eyes looking into his. His hand tightened on her forearm, desperate to keep her with him.

"I don't think you should keep doing this to yourself. He's not the man who knew."

Katniss struggled to tear her arm away,"What do you know about it?"

"I know every time you come back, you're different. Katniss he treats you like a whore. Whatever there was between you two is gone now. All Peeta is has to do with the resistance, he doesn't have room for anything else."

"Why would you say this to me?"

"Because I care about you. I don't want you to get hurt."

"Really? Then you should have thought about such things before you pushed him away after Brenton was born."

"Katniss-"

"And why is it ok for you to conspire with him against the Capitol, but it's far too dangerous for me to meet with him in secret twice a year?"

"Because I'm not going to lose myself in him. I know you love him, almost as much as you love your son. And I can't fault you for wanting to have a part of him close to you, but a lot has happened to him over these three years. He's not the same, and he may never be."

Katniss pushed Gale back with her free hand, causing him to release her," I can't let go."

"Then it may kill us all."

Katniss looked away from him, as she smoothed her hair down, "Make sure Brenton gets to bed at a decent hour. I'll be back tomorrow."

Gale watched her leave the room, his body shaking, as she shut the door behind her. She walked down the hall, to the door of Brenton's bedroom.

She opened the door slowly, as she found him lying on the floor, his legs swinging into the air, as he built a tower from blocks. She walked over to him, bending down to kiss him on top of his head. He seemed too engulfed in his present actions to look up. Katniss ran her hand through the bottom of his dark hair.

"Bye, baby. I'll be back soon."

"Are you going to visit your friend again?"

"Yes."

"Oh, good friends are nice, and I think you need a friend."

Katniss tilted her head," Why?"

"Because you look sad."

Katniss face fell as she said goodbye to her son once more and walked to the front door. She looked back to the home she had been sharing with Gale and her son for years now. She couldn't help but feel split in two, dedicated to two separate lives. Incomplete in both.

---

Peeta stood beside the tree, looking towards the front of the cabin. He had seen her past the window numerous times, he was positive she hadn't seen him. It was already dark and the moon wasn't yet full. He wasn't sure how long he had been standing there watching, as the cool wind beat at his back. It had been almost four since they had been having their meetings.

They would both come to the cabin, the only safe place either of them knew, and they would connect if only for a few hours. The first few times he couldn't get to her soon enough, however the last few times he had to will himself to be near her. He wasn't the man she had fell in love with and he was petrified she would figure it out someday.

The closer he became to the resistance to his mission, the farther away he drifted from her. So, instead of facing the matter at hand, instead of being with the one person who truly ever saw him, he was stalking outside of her family's home.

Peeta ran both his hands over his face, his vision was blurry and his bad leg was starting to ache. The wound from being stab above his knee was still healing and the soreness only persisted with long periods of standing.

Peeta swallowed any self doubt as he walked pass the trees, to advance up the porch steps. When he reached the door, he leaned his forehead against the wooden door. He wished more than anything, to believe there was a way back from the depths he was lost in.

A slither of hope, which made it probable for him to be the kind of man, who had a wife and, who could raise a child. Although he knew he had wasted his chance, and the only option he had was to lose himself in the woman beyond the door. She was waiting for him, and he put all of his rage, confusion, and fear into her.

Peeta breathed in deep, as he opened the door, the wood creaking, alerting her of his arrival. The only light was from the fire stove, which illuminated her dark hair. She turned around a smile on her face, her deep gray eyes shining. Peeta had to take in another breathe as she walked towards him, she seemed to become even more beautiful each time he saw her.

He pushed his feelings down into his body, he didn't need to feel those types of things, what he needed was to her skin on his, her sweat mingling with his, and the pressure of her mouth on his body. She began to open her mouth to speak, as he closed the gap between their bodies.

His mouth crushed onto hers, as his hands found their way into her hair. Peeta tangled his fingers into the dark strands, as she moaned into his mouth her tongue applying pressure back onto his.

Katniss snaked her arms around his neck, her own hands finding solace in his long blonde hair. Her lips were already swollen as Peeta sucked and nipped at the skin of her mouth. His kisses were more ravenous than usual, and she willing to get lost in his rough touches as he tugged at her hair. Peeta pulled her head back to expose her neck as he traced his tongue from her mouth down to her jaw and to finally end at the soft flesh of her throat.

Katniss body went limp, as Peeta released his left hand from her curls to travel down her spine to end at the small of her back to steady her. Her hands shook in his hair, as the sensations of his mouth on her skin sent shivers down her body to settle below her abdomen.

Peeta's mouth traveled back to hers, as he pulled her head forward, his tongue once again pushing against her lips for entrance. Katniss moved her fingers down his hair, finally landing her hands on his broad shoulders. Her nails scrapped against the material of his shirt there. Peeta attacked her mouth as Katniss reciprocated just as much pressure and passion.

Peeta's hands traveled to her chest, fingers burying themselves between the fabric and buttons. He needed to feel all of her skin on his, he needed to feel her against him, and their clothing was a misfortunate barrier. Peeta pulled the fabric open, the sound of tearing caused Katniss to drop back as her nimble fingers unbuttoned her blouse.

Peeta kept his gaze on her chest, as soon as the top buttons were undone; he pulled the rest of the shirt open. Katniss fisted the material of his own shirt tightly, as she looked into his eyes, neither one dared to say a word.

Peeta flattened his hands over her bra clad breasts, the black lace tickling the soft skin there, as he pressed the fabric against her. Katniss took in a sharp breath as he stared at her, she afraid to move, her skin began to heat up from his heavy breathing. Peeta moved his right hand down below her breast, having it travel over her bare stomach and to rest at the hook of her slacks. He wasted no time undoing the metal and fabric before pushing them down with one hand.

He backed up from her, his hand still on her chest, as her arms outstretched. Katniss searched his face, but it was stoic and unreadable, as he looked down at her, his hand at her waist hooking their fingers into her lace underwear. Peeta pushed them down mid thigh, before he brought his boot clad foot up to push her panties down all the way.

His eyes traveled up her body to finally settle on her eyes. He swallowed hard, as he pushed the fabric from her shoulders, making it pool at her feet next to her discarded underwear.

Katniss' fingers traveled over his muscular chest to knot themselves in the hem of his shirt, gradually pulling it up his chest, Peeta growled in frustration as he covered her hands with his and quickly pulled the shirt over his head. His blonde hair fell over his bare shoulders, as Katniss traced her nails down his arms, to land on his chest.

Peeta crushed his mouth to hers, as he picked her up, wrapping her legs around him. Katniss became dizzy from the contact of his skin and his wet hot mouth on hers. Their chest collided with each others, as he pressed her back up against the wall, causing pictures to clatter to the ground. The breath escaped her lungs as the contact jolted her, all the while Peeta kept kissing her. He held up her body with his, the sweat already glistening their bare skin.

Peeta reached down to his jeans undoing the button and fly there, as they fell to his knees. He stopped kissing her to search her face, while Katniss inched his boxers down with the heels of her feet.

Without warning Peeta entered her, he groaned in response to her heat and tightness. A sigh escaped her lips, as Peeta planted his hands flat against her ears, all the while thrusting into her.

Every inch of her body was on fire, her nails scratched as his bare skin, bits of blood presenting underneath her nails. Katniss trembled under his touch; her back ached from repeatable being pushed into the wall. The feeling was numbed by the presence of Peeta's body pressed against her.

She wanted to be worry, her mind kept telling her something was off, but the way he was buried in her core made her want to push the thoughts away. This was panicked and his hands had started to roam her chest with a clumsy fever.

Peeta easily unhooked the front of her bra, the lace falling from her breasts, as he moved his warm mouth from her to find solace at her chest. His right hand returned to its place beside her hair, his pointer finger becoming tangled in her dark strands. The wetness off his lips sent shivers through her, his tongue circled her already peeked nipple.

The pressure he was applying, made her tighten around him, causing him to push in further. Katniss moaned, her head tilting up enough to knock itself against the wall, a bout of dizziness coming over her.

This was more than making love, even more than sex, this was a desperate need to feel alive, to feel anything, and Peeta knew if anyone could make him feel whole again it would be Katniss. He knew he was taking her body hostage, using it to fuel anything possibility to feel normal again. He was lost in the sensations her body was sending through him, but also knew how unfair it was to her, to bring her down to his depths.

She was once courageous and shiny, but now in this moment she was down in the dirt with him, scraping for anything to feel right. Peeta removed his mouth from her bare breasts, the nipples dark pink and swollen from his assault. He looked into her dark eyes searching for anything, resembling love, but most of what he saw was lust and confusion.

Katniss moved her hands up to his shoulders, pushing against him; he nodded as he slipped out of her, helping her feet find the floor.

Katniss walked passed him, as she made her way over to the rocking chair. She picked up the thick quilt, wrapping it around her naked body. The hooks of her bra caught in the loose strings of the blanket, making her reposition the material.

Katniss held her arms over her chest, while watching Peeta bend down to pull up his pants. He kept his back to her, as he leaned against the wall, his arms outstretched with his hands flat. The space between them became quiet, cold, as neither one dared to speak only the sound of their heavy breathing filled the room.

"This isn't us."

Her voice came like a whisper; he almost didn't hear it even in the silent room. Peeta closed his eyes, his blonde hair shielding his face. He could hear Katniss inhale a deep breath, the shakiness in her voice clear.

"We're not these people. I'm not this woman, who you say nothing to before you screw her against a wall. A wall? I will not be like this."

"How would you have us be, Katniss?"

"We loved each other once, Peeta. There was a time when you looked at me, and I saw every part of you. It was like seeing a part of the world I was never allowed to experience. And now I look into your eyes, and all I see is pain and confusion."

Peeta whirled around, his face blank, although his eyes were deep blue, the ocean during a storm," What do you want from me?"

"I want to see you. I want to see the boy I fell in love with."

"He's gone!," he advanced on her grabbing her by the arms, the air went out of the room and all there was, was longing," I don't know how to get him back. You're the only thing resembling the life I once had."

Katniss placed her hands on either side of his face, her eyes frantically searching his face," What happened to you?"

"I can't tell you. It's my burden to bear. I won't drag you into it all."

"But you have. When you treat me like a vessel to fill. Something for all your pain to go into, you make it my burden. You make me a part of it."

Peeta held on tightly to her arms, all the while looking into her tear filled eyes. He wanted so desperately to save her from all the grief, be the man she needed, but he was lost himself, and all he knew now was how to fight.

Not for love, but for a way out, a way to make his enemy feel his pain. Something which had began as pure and just, even though it was still those things, had become what defined him, with its twists, and he feared to save others he had sold his own happiness, his own soul in the process.

"I'm half way, Peeta. Part of me is with our son, and the other is always with you. I have to choose."

"You're choosing him."

It was more than a question; it was a statement as Peeta knew the kind of woman she was. The grace she possessed, the strength she breathed every second of the day.

"I have to. He needs me. I feel like I've been drowning these past years. I haven't been me, and for the first year, it was ok because you still looked at me the same way, and we hadn't yet lost our connection. But after all the Capitol gatherings, and the fittings, and everything else to convince everyone I was this loyal military wife, I lost who I was. I stopped seeing myself, as well. I need to find her again, and our son depends on me to do so."

Peeta released her arms as his hands traveled up to her face," I don't know how to walk away from you. It was hard enough leaving Brenton, if I walk away from you it may break me."

Tears streamed down her face, her breaths coming in as choked sobs," You're already broken, Peeta. I can be the one to walk away. One of us has to be strong enough to do so."

Peeta nodded as his own tears streamed down his face," You were always the strongest of the both of us."

Katniss shook her head, her dark waves sticking to the tears on her face," No, I wasn't. You just never believed in yourself enough to realize it."

"You always did? Believe in me?"

"I still do. Nothing will change how I feel about you. I just think it's time to let go."

Peeta removed his hands from her face as he turned his back to her; Katniss' face missed the warmth of him already. She stood there for a few seconds before she started to gather her clothing, she picked up her bag from where it had been discarded and walked to the next room to change.

Peeta didn't dare watch her, he was too afraid his resolve would fall apart. He knew he had to let her go, even if it was killing him inside. When he heard the door shut he picked up his own clothes, quickly dressing. He walked out of the cabin without a word to her, he needed a clean break. Although he knew he was fooling himself, it was never clean with Katniss.

It was messy and exciting, and real. She was his whole hope, hope his life was meant for more than pain and regret. She held the part of him where the naïve painter from district twelve lived, where the boy who wanted nothing more than for his father to be proud of him, lied. She was the beholder of all those parts of him he kept hidden from everyone else.

Peeta quickly ran through the woods to the border line, where he knew there would be a transpo waiting for him. He needed to get back to base, where the man he was now could carry on his work, where he could pour himself into destroying his enemy. Where he wouldn't have to feel, and know she was safely away from him.

---

The colorful blocks tumbled to the floor, collecting in his lap in a heap. His dark hair beginning to grow over his bright blue eyes, swept to one side as he scratched his forehead in frustration. Katniss couldn't help but laugh at her son, as his bottom lip pouched out in annoyance. Brenton's chubby little fingers had been trying in vain to construct a bridge made from his wooden blocks. His brow was furrowed in concentration as he began to stack each one again.

"Mommy I need new blocks. These blocks don't stack."

Katniss reached out to him from her sitting position next to him in his room, to run her fingers through his hair. Brenton ignored her touch, too involved in the task at hand.

"No, maybe Brenton needs to stack them better."

"Naw aw, daddy said I need better blocks."

Katniss tilted her head raising an eyebrow, "Oh he did, did he?"

"What did I do?"

Katniss looked up to see the dark haired man, smiling, as he leaned against the door frame. His face looked more relaxed than it had in awhile. Katniss couldn't help but debate, the reason why he had seemed more at ease for the last month.

It had been a month since she had come home early, from seeing Peeta.

All the lights in the apartment were out, which she assumed because it had been the middle of the night. When she walked through the front door, she was startled when the lap next to the sofa had been turned on. She had absentmindedly reached for the blade she no longer kept on her, ready to protect herself. A deep breath, she wasn't sure she was holding, escaped her lips when she saw Gale sitting next to the lamp, his hand still dangling from the cord.

His face was clouded, and she wasn't quite sure if he had been crying. She walked past the sofa, to enter the hallway leading to her bedroom. Katniss pushed the tall doors open; she walked into the room tossing her satchel against the wall.

She stood there silent, not wanting to breathe or speak, knowing if she did her situation would become reality and she wasn't ready to start living without Peeta just yet. A soft hand landed on her shoulder, she flinched slightly, surprised by the touch.

Katniss turned around to face the dark eyes of the man, who had taken care of her and her son all these years. It would have been so much easier if she had loved him, so much less painful than it was to be in love with Peeta.

However, Gale didn't make her utterly frustrated, or catch her off guard with something genuine. Peeta made her feel and think things no one else could, and she cursed herself for loving him.

Gale slowly placed his hands on each side of her face, as they locked eyes. Katniss tried to hold her resolve, but the way he was looking at her, caused her stomach to knot and the tears started to rush from her eyes.

"I'm not going to see him anymore. It's not the same, and it killing me."

"It shouldn't be so hard to love someone."

"Gale-"

It was as if Katniss was watching it all in slow motion, as he inched his face closer to hers, his lips inches from hers. Many things ran through her mind.

Was this what she wanted? Could she ever be with another man who wasn't Peeta?

Katniss started to close her eyes, until she turned her head, pushing Gale's hands away with her own.

"I can't."

"You can't let him go, can you?"

Katniss looked to her feet, as curtains of dark hair shielded her face," No."

Gale had been apologetic for his actions, they both had agreed it was something neither one of them could handle at the moment; however Katniss had a suspicion the caution was more on her end than his. Although, over the last month she had wondered what might have changed if she had allowed Gale to kiss her.

She quickly pushed the though away, knowing she would only be comfortable with one man's lips on hers, and she had said goodbye to him. Gale walked into the room, while Brenton slapped the blocks to one side, frustrated by the lopsided design.

"Bren, I never said anything about getting new blocks. I said better blocks would be nice, nothing more."

Katniss reached out tickling Brenton at his sides, as he rolled onto the floor giggling, his pile of blocks forgotten. Gale stepped forward to join in, as a pounding sound came from the front door. Katniss stopped tickling her son as she looked to Gale, he glanced behind him toward the living room before locking eyes with her.

She could see he was worried, as her own face became pale. Gale motioned toward a laughing Brenton, signaling Katniss to pick him up. She gathered Brenton in her arms as she stood up her legs felt like lead. She could hear shouting through the door as Capitol Keepers demanded entrance.

"They're here for him aren't they?"

Gale placed a hand on top of the boys head," No, I don't think so. I think it has to do with me, but it won't matter if they get a hold of you two. You're my family and we know what they do to families."

Gale rushed to Brenton's closet pulling out a small bag; he made his way to Katniss, slipping the strap over her shoulder.

"What is this?"

"I packed a bag for him."

Katniss grabbed him by his arm as he turned to walk away," You knew this would happen, didn't you?"

"I had a feeling," the banging becomes even more persistent," take Brenton to the safe room, I want you to seal yourself in press the alert for the resistance and then take the tunnel out to the outer borders."

Katniss shook her head," No, we're not going without you."

Gale took her arm this time, pulling her out of the room, with Brenton in her arms," GO!"

Katniss gave a look back to him as she ran to the end of the house, where the safe room was located. Brenton had begun to cry in her arms, reaching his arms out behind her. Gale stood in the hallway, watching them venture farther away from him, tears welling in his eyes as the boy he knew as his son cried for him.

When he was sure both Katniss and the boy were safely down the hall, Gale walked to the front door. Katniss could faintly hear his footsteps as she pressed in the code for the room, it opened with a quiet click, as the wall parted. She placed Brenton down on the cot, which stayed there, and pressed the button signaling the resistance there was trouble. She hoped to the spirits, the alarm worked after all these years.

She had left the door slightly open for Gale to follow in after them, allowing her to peek through the slit. She could hear voices shouting and things being thrown away. Keeper's voices rang through the rooms.

"Caption Hawthorne you are accused of treason!"

"Where's your wife and son?"

"How could you help rebellious scum, and betray your post?"

Katniss' heart began to beat faster, as she bared her nails down onto the metal of the room. She glanced back at Brenton who was oblivious to the shouting as he turned a red block over in his hands. Katniss tried to keep her attention on her son, studying his face, thankful he was more focused on the toy than the situation.

Her body shook as a ringing of gun fire filled the rooms. Her breath caught, as everything began to slow down. Katniss walked out of the room a few inches, frozen in step as she saw Gale rounded the corner, his body hunched over. His feet were dragging, and sweat was pouring from his face. He looked up to see Katniss in front of the open door, his eyes panicked.

"What the hell are doing out of the room?"

Katniss ran the extra steps to him, slinging his shoulder over her own," Shut up. It's lucky for you I am."

Gale grunted a response as she helped him inside; the sounds of footsteps were close as she started to close the door, after they were safely inside. The metal was heavy and unrelenting as Katniss used all of her bodily strength to secure the door.

The rickeshaying of bullets made her flinch, as the door beeped signaling its closer. Gale was lying on the floor, his breathing shallow, as Katniss hunched beside him, his body curled in a fetal position. She roamed her hands over his body to find and entry wound.

"Where were you shot?"

His voice came out as a gurgle as blood had already started to fall from his mouth, "The back-I-I-fought them off-I-couldn't-"

Katniss laid a shaky hand on his lips, stilling them," Shhh."

She looked up to her son who had forgotten about the block, and now was watching the only father he knew bleed out onto the floor. She took a deep breath which only got caught in her throat, as she sprung up hitting the button and alerting the others. She reached for the firearm; Gale caught in the safe room, and tucked it in the back of her slacks.

The banging on the other side of the door, made her flinch as she hunched beside her son. She placed her hands gently on his tiny face, turning it to face her. His bright blue eyes had already started to well up with tears and she was afraid of losing it herself.

"Brenton why don't we all play a game?," he nodded his head slowly, she picked him up off of the bed, sure to cover his face from seeing Gale on the floor, and opened the door to the tunnel," I want you to run all the way down to the next door and wait for me there. I want to see how fast you can run."

She sat him down and pushed on his back gently to signal him it was time to start, "Go, sweetie. Run!"

She watched his little legs run through the half lit tunnel, when she was sure he wouldn't look back, Katniss ran over to Gale. His body had started to shake, and a blood pool had started to form around his back.

"Go, Katniss.L-Leave."

She shook her head, reaching for the bag on the floor and sliding it over her head," No, not without you."

She grabbed his free arm, while the other was trapped under his body, she was amazed by how much he weighed when it was dead weight. He groaned, as she got him to his feet, blood smeared the floor and her hands were already covered in it.

His head lolled forward as she got him as straight as she could. Katniss snaked her arm around his back, she could feel the sticky warm liquid form to her body. The banging on the door persisted and the voices only grew louder.

Gale's voice barely was recognizable," Brenton?"

"He's fine. He's waiting for us."

Katniss dragged Gale out of the room, and secured the door when they were both fully in the tunnel. The orange glow from the overhead strung lights, hollowed out the shadows on Gale's face, as his eyes dark eyes started to dim. She knew she had to get him out of there quickly; she reached for the second button on the wall pushing it.

A spark flew out melding the metal into one, causing the entrance of the tunnel and the tunnel itself to be unseen by others. She hurried down the tunnel, his body becoming heavier each second, as the skin on her arm began to become hard and constricted by the output of blood which had started to dry. She wanted to cry, let her fear take over, but she knew allowing her fear to show wasn't going to help the situation.

The tunnel seemed to go on forever, his body had become even more still, the shaking of his body was the only movement coming from him. Katniss knew Gale was dying beside her, and realization was enough to force her legs forward.

She could see a light up ahead as she searched the dark for her son. All of a sudden she could hear his voice, there was someone else with him, and her body froze as the figure came closer.

The Capitol must have found them, and now they would all die.

She wrapped both arms around Gale limp body, as she dragged him further. She had to get to her child, to at least tell him his mother loved him and everything she had done was to keep him safe, and she regretted the fact she had failed. Katniss stopped, as she reached behind her to where the gun was, her fingers slick from the blood slid a bit until she tighten around the grip. Her breathing quickened as the figure approached them; she could feel her pulse beat into her ears, and all she felt was numb.

Every part of her drained when she saw his blonde hair come into view, and she couldn't help the laugh of relief. His face was grim, and he appeared to have been panting, she assumed from running, as sweat shown off his forehead.

"Peeta!"

Peeta looked to her for a second before he took Gale's other shoulder, and the two of them ran him the rest of the way.

"Are you ok? Where was he shot?"

"Yes! It's in the back!"

Peeta nodded, his hand grabbed a hold of Katniss' arm as they made it through the door of the tunnel, which led into a piece of woods outside the border. Katniss searched for her Brenton, her anxiety taking an all new high.

"Where's Brenton?"

Peeta pointed with his free hand," He's fine. He's over there."

Katniss looked up to him hugging a tree watching them closely. Gale moaned loudly, as Peeta began to set him down to the ground gently. Katniss bent with the two men, she brought Gale's arm over her head, his body laid into the dirt on its side. Peeta ripped the back of his shirt open to look at the wound; he used his fingers to wipe away the blood as more gushed out. Gale's face was already pale, and a mouthful of blood was already present. Peeta sighed, while he dropped his head, his shoulders hunched over.

"There's nothing we can do. It's too late."

Katniss shook her head quickly," No!"

Peeta leaned over Gale's body taking her face in his hands, blood marred her smooth skin," He's dying soon, Katniss. It's over."

Katniss started to sob, her body shaking uncontrollably. Peeta released her face as he looked over to his son, his dark hair falling over his blue eyes. Everything was falling apart around him and all he could do was watch. Rue came running up to him with her medics bag in head, but Peeta only shook his head, she nodded silently watching on.

Peeta pointed to where Brenton watched," Rue, get the kid out of her. Ok?"

Rue nodded as she scooped up Brenton, he held his hands out, his blue eyes filling with tears. Peeta had to hold back his own, as he rolled Gale onto his back. Katniss brought his head to her lap, as she pushed his dark hair from his face. His skin was pale and his dark eyes had sunken, all the while looking up into Katniss' face.

His voice was raspy and barely audible as blood ran from his lips," I could have loved you forever. I do-love you," Katniss tried to keep the tears back and she gasped for breath," You're so beautiful."

Peeta rocked back on his hells as he watched on, he wanted to be jealous and stack his claim but he knew this would be the last time Gale would have to be with Katniss, and he couldn't bring himself to take it from him.

"Where's-Bren-Brenton?"

Peeta leaned in his knees settling into the dirt where the blood had already pooled," He's fine. He's safe."

Gale's eyes shifted to Peeta," I loved him like my own."

Peeta nodded, as his own tears ran down his face," Thank you."

"Don't stop, Peeta. Keep fighting- keep- for-him-"

Peeta covers his face, as Gale's last breath left his body. Katniss sobbed as she moved her fingers over his eyes to close them. Katniss looked off into the space above Peeta's head, hoping any kind of sign would come to assure her this all a dream. However nothing came, the sound she could hear was the man across from her sobbing. She was numb as the last of her tears streaked through the blood on her face, and another piece of her left with the dead.

---

Katniss let the water run over her hands, watching the blood run from them as the water turned pink. She had been able to wash most of the blood from her body, the last evidence of Gale being in her life running down the drain. After Gale had passed away, Peeta had one of the male codes help him carry his body back to an abandoned warehouse which was once used to harbor code refugees.

Peeta had made sure the lights and water were still running, in case he would have had to use it again. She unbuttoned her blood soaked clothing letting each piece fall to her feet like ashes. Her eyes were dark and her skin goose bumped from the slight chill in the air.

She collected her hair, assuming she had washed all of the blood from it, knotted it at the base of her neck. She heard a quiet knock at the door, before covering herself up with her arms. Peeta's head poked in and she nodded him in, she turned to the sink turning off the water, her arms falling to her side.

Peeta blushed at the sight of her naked body, as he walked over to the counter next to her lying down a stack of clothing.

"I wasn't expecting to see all of you, so soon."

Katniss rolled her eyes as she reached for the set of clothes," You've seen me naked, Peeta. I just couldn't be in those clothes any longer."

Peeta nodded, "I understand," he thumbed something in the stack of things sitting on the counter," I uh-I got those papers you were asking for, you and the kid should be ok with crossing the districts. I've also set up some contacts who owe me favors to help the two of you out if you come to need it. But most are still loyal to your father and the Everdeen name."

Katniss pulled on her clothing, the soft material sliding down her back," Peeta-"

"I don't want to know where you're going, because if I do I know I'll be tempted to find you. And it's better this way, a clean break."

Katniss slipped on the worn jeans, buttoning them up, her hands went to his face,"Peeta-"

"I was drowning too you know. Before I knew you, and you saved me. Not just from the gun wound, but from everything. You saved me."

"We can't be together right now."

Peeta placed his hands onto hers," Why not. We could be a family."

"I'm tired of burying people. Right now it's like I can feel their hand dragging me down, and I can't breathe."

"Gale just died, it'll get-"

"Better? It won't. He died because of us, because he knew us. And he risked it to protect our child. I can't let his sacrifice be in vain. I have to be a mother now. I need to let you go, to be a whole person for our son. I have to find myself again, and I can't do it here with you."

Peeta moved his face to the side trying to fight back his own tears, as hers fell from her face to her chest. Katniss slipped her hands from his face opening up the bag she had with Brenton's things in it, placing the ones on the counter along with them. Peeta reached into his pocket, a gold pin clutched in his palm. Katniss watched as he unfolded his hand revealing the bird pin in it.

"I want you to have this. Give it to our son when he's old enough to understand its meaning."

Katniss placed her hand on his, curling her fingers over the trinket," Katniss he has a legacy. Whether we want to recognize it or not it's still there. He's forever going to be a Mellark and Everdeen. It's in his blood and you have to prepare him for it. Like James did with you."

Katniss kept her eyes on the pin," I understand."

Peeta nodded as he drew his hand away, watching Katniss slip on the thread bare coat he had given her. She inhaled the scent of him; it was musky and almost floral. She slid the pin into her pocket, her fingers touching something else. She pulled out a piece of an old dandelion; her eyes went directly to Peeta.

"I go to the cabin sometimes to think, and work on your garden."

Katniss nodded, and slipped the flower into the pocket, her reminder of Peeta. She picked up the strap of the bag pulling it over her head, as she walked passed Peeta. It took all of her will power not to kiss him goodbye, she couldn't let herself feel for him, it would only restore the idea of him sharing a grave with Gale.

She was caught by surprised when her body was being turned around and her chest crushed into his. Katniss wanted to protest, she wanted to push him away, refuse to have any contact. However when his lips crushed to hers, every part of her fell silent, as she melted into him one last time. His mouth was gentle and warm, and for those few seconds she felt the boy she fell in love with.

Katniss was the first to pull away, her hands tangling in his hair. Peeta laid his forehead against hers, his breathing deep.

"I love you, Katniss."

Katniss exhaled a sigh, her chest becoming tight," I know."

---

A/N: Woah! That really was a long chapter and thank you to those who stuck through it. I wanted to give context to Brenton's story, and in return show how PK grew to love each other in this universe. Reviews are Love!

-Stace