CPOV

So I'm going to be heading back to the place I was born. I haven't been there in a few years. Not since I acquired the rights to build. But this is for an entirely different reason and I'll be going with Katniss.

We don't go back to my apartment though, but to a random store to buy what we'll need. Taylor leaves us there for an hour so that he can make sure the Jeep is filled and ready to go. We buy some extra clothes, for the ones we have with us won't do once we hit the mountains and some food and drinks for the ride. We'll stop when we need to and I'm sure Katniss won't want to sleep in the Jeep, but she's been in worse, so who knows what she'd be up to. Taylor even gets Mrs. Jones to meet us at the store, making sure she has packed a bag, for she's going too, she just doesn't know where yet.

When I spot her in the entryway, looking for us, I call her over and she quickly comes to us. Katniss is looking at some snacks, smiling at some of the things I'm sure she's never had before.

In a slightly shaky voice, Mrs. Jones asks me, "What's going on, Mr. Grey? The last time you had me pack up like this is when….well, you know when."

I nod, being reminded of when a former sub broke in to a different home for different reasons. "I know, Mrs. Jones. Don't worry; it's not for the same thing, not really. But we have found out some things and need to go to District 12 right away, so I figured you and Taylor can follow on the motorcycle while I'm in the Jeep with Katniss."

A big grin lights up her entire face. With a little shake of her head and a laugh, "That's why he was sounded so thrilled when he told me to wear jeans and pack light."

"Well, we can take the bags in the Jeep, there'll be enough room and we'll all stay at the same places overnight. I don't think Katniss will want to sleep in the Jeep." I tell the older woman as she looks over my shoulder to the dark-haired beauty still looking at snacks.

"I would hope not. Okay, so do I need to get anything from here then, sir?" She asks, looking around the general store.

"Only if you want to. I know the bike has decent sized saddlebags, so make sure you both have water, but we'll have a small cooler with us with ice and whatever snacks." I turn to find Katniss walking towards us and put my arm around her shoulder when she stands next to me. "Did you find what you wanted?"

She lets out a giggle, "There's so much stuff here I've never seen! I picked out a few things that I thought might be worth trying, but stuck to mostly what I know for sure I like. I didn't know what you might like though."

"That's okay, Miss Everdeen, I'll get him his snacks." Gail says as she sets her bag on the floor and walks to the shelves behind us.

I look down at Katniss; she seems to be in a better mood. I don't know if it's because of the treats she's found or because we're going to her home now. She's said that there isn't anything there for her now since her husband died, but it's still her home. "Are you looking forward to leaving?"

She tilts her head up to me, the smile that was on her lips fading just a bit, "Yes and no. Yes, because I want to show you where I'm from and show you how I hunt, but no because of why we're going there. I hate the thought that someone tainted it even more for me. I hate that someone thought they could buy us, our time, use us like that. And I hate that I know about it."

Well, I guess that fire's back. Her eyes are a deep shade of grey, but from anger, not passion and there is very little difference sometimes. Gail is back by our sides in two minutes and we're ready to pay and go. We wait in a nearby coffee shop, sipping on various drinks when I see my big, black Jeep pull up and a motorcycle right behind it. The ladies finish their teas and I hold the door open as we all file out.

Taylor gets off of the bike, taking his black helmet off, while my other security detail, Andrews, gets out of the Jeep. He hands me the keys, "All ready sir. Will I be following too or meeting you there?"

"You're going ahead of us in that." I answer, pointing to a smaller sedan that I decided to buy while we waited. The car isn't like my other ones, less obvious and not as grand. But he isn't complaining when I hand him those set of keys. I also hand him a bag full of snacks and water. "You should be set until we stop. I figure we can get a few hours in of driving."

Taylor, having been next to Gail, who is on the other side of me, nods his head. "There's a small inn that we passed when we had taken that vacation last year. It's about five hours out, right off of the main highway."

I shake my head, "We're not going to take the main highway. We'll be taking old roads, ones that people take to enjoy the trip, not to get there quickly. I know it's not for fun that we're all leaving, but we might as well enjoy the scenery."

Taylor and Gail's mouths widen into bright smiles, while Andrews stays impassive, and Katniss just shakes her head with a small smile. "I've never done that before."

"And that was another reason." I turn to her as Gail goes to the motorcycle, getting her helmet on, as if she knows she doesn't need to hear the rest. Taylor follows suit, waiting on me to give the signal. Andrews pauses for a moment and then just nods and gets into the sedan. I put my hands on Katniss' shoulders, then up to her face, "I know what we're going for isn't going to be pretty, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't see some of what Panem has to offer."

She smiles brightly up at me, "I would have never expected any of this to happen the way it has, but I can't say that all of it is bad."

I lower my head to hers and give her a chaste kiss on the lips. When I pull away, she pouts and I laugh, "When we stop, we can have more alone time, but we need to get going. And I know what you mean. Every moment has been an adventure so far with you."

A/N- I know I said before I wouldn't apologize, but it's hard not to. I was having a hard time getting back into this and another story until I got a little bit of insight. I will hopefully be updating more often now.