A/N - Sorry, been focusing on a different story, totally different plot lines. I can only switch the on/off button so quickly!

CPOV

As soon as I can, I grab her hand in mine and bring it to my lips. She smiles up at me and we head towards the beach. It's a beautiful day, light wind, very warm. If we're lucky, we'll be able to go into the water, depending on how warm it is. We walk at a leisurely pace; it's not as if we're doing anything important today. It's all about relaxation and getting to spend some quiet time together.

We go down to the shoreline so that the water runs up over or feet. The water's surprisingly cool. A big wave comes crashing through and Katniss squeals as she tries to jump away from it.

"Holy crap, that's a lot colder than I thought it would be!" She exclaims as she shifts onto the other side of me. "No swimming in there this trip."

"But you put your suit back on, didn't you?" I ask her, weaving in closer to the water, pulling her along with me.

"Yeah, but don't you dare!" She screams just before I lift her up and throw her in the cold ocean water. She doesn't waste any time pulling me with her once she's found some footing though. I underestimated her physical strength too apparently.

I pop up quickly, it's on now. I haven't played in the water since, well, since I was a child probably and I can't even remember doing it then really. Katniss is bringing so much into my life, playfulness being one of them. The hide and seek game, this. I wonder what else she'll do. It helps that she's younger with a spirit to match. I wonder, despite myself, if she was like this with her husband. He did have the artificial leg though, surely that had to keep him from doing certain things. Knowing her the way that I have, I doubt it though.

She keeps splashing me while I'm trying to grab her, dunk her back under, but she's quick no matter land or sea apparently. I finally get a hold of one of her arms and yank her flush against me. Her smile is wide and her eyes bright with laughter. I grab the other one and kiss her. "Stop moving!"

Katniss ceases to move, breathless. I let her go. Slowing herself down, she replies, "Alright, I'll stop. But you started it." She splashes me one more time and makes a run for the shore, lifting her knees high. I catch up to her soon enough and just shove her over, making her fall in. I laugh louder than I have in ages and run to the shore. When she finally gets back to solid land, I receive the dirtiest look I have gotten in years. I suddenly feel very bad about what I did and go to apologize when we hear,

"Katniss!"

We both turn to see an older blond woman heading our way. I don't recognize her at first, but really looking at her as she gets closer; I see that it has to be her mother. I did see her a few times during family interviews and after the rebellion. Katniss looks up at me and whispers, "How did she know we were coming here?"

I shrug because I don't really know seeing as it was a spur of the moment idea. I'm going to have to have Taylor look over things; make sure someone isn't leaking information. Ms. Everdeen makes it to us; she seems older than I would have previously thought.

"Katniss, I knew I would find you down by the water." She explains, looking at her daughter and then me.

"Mother." Is all Katniss says at first. I'm not sure what to do in this situation. Ana adored both of her parents and I love mine very much. But Katniss, well she hasn't had her mother's attention in a long time. Katniss straightens herself out, standing taller suddenly. "Mother, this is Christian Grey, Christian, this is my mother."

I hold out my hand and she puts her small soft one in it. She is much frailer than her daughter. I'm guessing Katniss gets most of her looks and build from her father at this point. "Ms. Everdeen, it's a pleasure to meet you."

She pulls her hand from mine. "I would say the same, except that it's rude to lie."

"Mother!" Katniss steps forward. It would be easier to take her more seriously if she wasn't dripping wet. "How did you even know I was here to begin with?"

"Effie called me as soon as she heard you were heading in my direction. Since sending Gale did nothing, I figured this would be my best chance." The woman explains.

Katniss folds her arms in front of her. "And why did you even think that sending Gale would be a good choice in the first place? And what the hell do you care what I do? You didn't even care when Peeta died."

Her mother closes her blue eyes for a moment and takes a deep breath. When she opens them, there are tears. "I did care, honey, but it was just too much. Your father, Prim, then the one person you loved. I couldn't do it."

"Yeah, like you couldn't be there for me after Prim died. Good parenting on your part." She retorts, starting to walk away from the water's edge. We both follow her, but I lag behind, not sure where I should be but wanting to hear everything. Katniss turns around, knowing we're both following her. "Mother, leave me alone. You've been doing just that for the last four and a half years; don't bother me when I'm finally happy again."

"Katniss, this isn't right, he isn't right for you. You deserve…"

"What, Mother? I deserve another man like Peeta? How do you know Christian's not? What do you even know about him anyway? Because of some of the women you've seen. He told me all about it last night, thanks to Gale's little visit. Guess what? I don't care about that." Katniss starts walking again. I take a few steps ahead of her mother, making Katniss stop again.

"Aren't you the least bit curious to hear what she has to say? Why she would care so much all of a sudden?" I whisper to her. Katniss rolls her eyes at me and nods her head just once.

"Fine, what? What do you care?" Katniss asks as her mother is standing before her again.

"I just don't think you should have put yourself on that list, Katniss. Do you know the kind of men who are on that list? Just because you happened to get bided on by a younger client doesn't mean that you'll get so lucky next time." Ms. Everdeen looks me up and down. "He's rich, but he has a record for being a sadist."

Katniss shakes her head, "I know, Mother, I read the contract, thank you very much. Besides, my name's not going back on the list. It was a one time thing and Christian has been nothing but kind to me."

"Katniss, it's an act, all of them know how to play their parts well." Wow, she doesn't let up, does she? I guess Katniss had to get that from somewhere.

"Actually, Ms. Everdeen, it's not an act and I'm sorry that you think that way. I truly care for Katniss and have enjoyed all the time we have spent together. I'm sure if you got to know me a little better, you would see that for yourself." There, I put the offer on the table. "Besides, don't you trust your daughter to know what's best for herself? I mean, she's survived quite a bit on her own."

"You, sir, know nothing about my daughter! I raised her; she is not a Capitol slut to be passed around!"

"Whoa, whoa, wait a minute, no one said…" I try but Katniss butts in.

"Mother, I have slept with two men and one is dead. The other you are looking at. Guess what? I'm not going back on the list! Listen to me, I have been fine without you all this time, don't go getting all motherly on me just because of something you heard and thought was true. And if you're counting on Effie, remember, she's from the Capitol too, she likes to gossip, and oh, yeah, I have a lot of money still. I don't need to be with any man from the Capitol for that. Go back to your hospital and leave me be!" This time when Katniss walks away, she keeps going.