Sorry it took so long for me to update. I've had the Chapter written for days but what with me starting back school, I haven't had a chance! The summers over :( I am in fifth year now so I'm supposed to buckle down to work! Gulp*
Ok, so I decided to make the last chapter a two part so that I could squeeze in a bit of what I had to leave out of the first one so it wouldn't sound like rambling on!
I hope you like it! This chap is a bit of fluff, but don't worry, there are some important bits in there too!
Oh, also to Naty who doesn't have any account, I didn't see your review in time to update when you wanted so I am sorry to lose your review but I hope that you keep reading.
So, as always, I hope you like it enough to review. If not, it's enough to know that people are reading it!
(But I reaallly love reviews :D They make me update faster - hint*)
Thanks so much for reading x
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Chapter Twelve - Peeta.
"You."
I never thought one word could bring such light and joy into life.
You. You. Youyouyou.
Me.
I wanted to hesitate, to asses her true meaning and to ask her if she was was sure, if she really meant it. But I couldn't bring myself to. It felt like that stage of your life when you're not young, but not quite old enough to be considered an adult and you find yourself grasping onto your childhood, in the hopes of living in that blissfully ignorant stage for just a little longer.
Ignorance is bliss.
So instead of being careful like I knew that I should have been, when she uttered that one little word, I stepped closer to her almost unknowingly, so close that the touch of her breath on my skin raised goosebumps all along my arms. I smiled slowly and cupped her face between my hands, raising her chin slightly.
For a minute, her gaze stayed steadily on the ground, but I didn't waver so eventually she dragged her eyes up to meet mine, looking up at me from beneath her eye-
lashes.
She looked uncertain and guarded but that was usual for her and didn't put me off because I saw a glimpse of something else flitter through her that I couldn't quite place.
Familiarity, maybe. Like she could relax with me. Like we already knew each other well enough for this to be ok. For this to be right.
Her lips quivered slightly and I smiled as I brushed a strand of her dark hair back behind her ear. I saw her glance fleetingly at my lips and so I leaned in slowly and pressed them to hers softly, but firmly.
I'm here, I wanted to stay, I'm here for you. I'm not going to leave. You can't push me away.
Slowly, as though the walls that were constantly guarding her from the rest of the world had suddenly dissolved, her lips moved subtly with mine and I felt her move closer to me. I moved my hands from her face and into her hair, stroking it gently, following it down to the curve of her spine. I let my hands rest there, holding her as near as I could.
She shifted slightly, placing the palms of her hands on my chest and I felt a thrill run though me.
She trailed the tips of her fingers tantalisingly slow over the shape of my collar bone, then onto my neck, until she reached her other hand and she clasped them there,
pulling me down to her firmly.
I traced the line of her bottom lip with my tongue and she opened her mouth to me gently. I storked the tip of my tongue along hers and her eyes snapped open.
Then she was kissing me back fiercly, as thought we were back in the games and this was the last time we would ever see each other.
Desperately. Intensly.
Her lips fueled a sheer heat deep within me, that flooded to the surface at her contact and my skin was alight with desire.
The fire raged and consumed me, wrapping me in its embrace.
"Peeta?"
For a moment, I thought that the voice had been in my head. It was just Katniss calling out to me. But then I realised that Katniss was in no position to talk and I pulled away from her to look around through foggy eyes.
Through the slight mist, I glimpsed Madge staring at me open-mouthed.
"I..." I was still in a daze.
"Oh my god... Katniss?" Madge squinted at us.
Katniss looked a funny colour and she mumbled, "Eh..."
"Oh... God. You two are...? Ehm, sorry. I'll just um..." she turned to go.
Madge always was very straight forward. She just said whatever came to her mind. No fuss. No shame. Just truth.
It wasn't really a good thing when it came to awkward situations as such.
I looked down at Katniss but she was looking at the ground.
"Actually..." Madge turned back and I groaned inwardly. What next?
"Peeta? Do you mind... um, taking a break for a quick minute. I need to talk to you about something," she asked with a smirk.
She seemed to be unfazed by my cut throat motions and wild eyed expression.
I looked down at Katniss quickly, unsure.
"Go," she smiled softly, "I have to gather my things to leave for the Capitol anyway. We can... eh... we'll talk later."
I held her gaze for a second, then leaned in swiflty and kissed her on her temple. I squeezed her hand lightly and then watched her walk back towards the main tent.
Silence.
A momentary lack of noise overwhelmed me, untill Madge spoke.
"Whoa," she murmered appropriately.
"I know," I said and I turned to smile at her, but when I did, she had a strange expression on her face.
"Are you okay?" I walked towards her. Now that I stood closer, I could see the look in her eyes and furrow of her brow. Her skin had a strange colour to it and she was flushed.
"What's the matter?"
She smiled at me. But it was a strange smile, distant almost, like it didn't really reach her eyes.
"I'm fine," her voice seemed to crack slightly, but I could have imagined it.
"So how did that happen?" she asked, smiling that strange smile, but she bumped her fist reassuringly off of my shoulder.
I shrugged and laughed. "I wish I knew."
She said nothing for a minute, and looked at the ground. When she looked back up at me again, she looked more composed, more like herself.
"That's great, Peeta," she smiled wistfully, "I am happy for you. Really."
"Thanks. I just... can't believe that she wants me."
"Yeah, me neither," she joked, "What could she possibly see in you?"
She laughed loudly and I joined in, unable to help myself.
"It must be my irresistable charm," I choked and she spluttered along with me.
As I wiped a tear from the corner of my eye from laughing, I asked "So, what was it you interupted my mojo to talk about?"
Madge rolled her eyes playfully, muttering 'mojo' sarcastically under her breath, but I noticed her expression reverted back to that strange, flickering one.
"Well," she blurted, "It's about Gale. You see, I don't actually-"
"Wait," I broke in grinning, "Don't tell something has happened. We couldn't both get what we want on the same day."
She faltered slightly. "Well, eh, no. Not exactly."
I waited patiently.
She seemed to be mentally contemplating something. Then I saw the slight nod of her head.
"I wasn't sure before now... I wanted to talk to you... But I think now.... I think..." she stumbled incoherently.
"What is it?" I asked gently.
She paused, and breathed in and out deeply.
Finally, she blurted out...
"I'm going with him."
It took me a moment to register the words.
"Going with who? Where?" I fumbled.
"Gale," she sighed but her eyes lightened noticably, "I'm going with him. On the mission."
Silence.
"You're what?" I shouted.
"I'm going with him to help recruit other rebels and spread the rebellion plans," she strung the sentence into one word.
"But... but," I spluttered, "You can't!"
"Why not?" she challenged.
"Because!" I exclaimed loudly, "Because it's dangerous. You could get hurt. You could get killed!"
"I'm a big girl Peeta," she said curtly, echoing back on the start of the rebellion, "I can take care of myself."
I started to shout something, then restrained myself, knowing she wouldn't listen. She had made up her mind. Nobody could change that.
"Why?" I asked quietly.
"If you and Katniss have a chance," she whispered, "Then why not Gale and I?"
"You're risking your life for him," I said dully.
"What else is worth the risk?" she asked and I had no answer for that one.
"Just be happy for me, like I am happy for you," she pleaded.
I didn't say anything, but I nodded quickly.
"Thank you," she whispered.
I looked at the ground.
"We better head over," she hesitated, "We're leaving early and you still have to get ready for the Capitol."
I nodded again.
She smiled weakly, linked her arm with mine and led me back to main tent.
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I stood with Katniss by my side and watched as the rebels who were leaving on the mission readied themsleves with an unsettling feeling of dread in the pit of my stomach.
Katniss kept glancing at me and turning away but I couldn't take my eyes off of Madge who was closing the top on a heavy looking backpack and hoisting it onto her back. She tipped slightly to the side with the weight of the bag and then laughed.
I gulped.
Gale helped to fix the straps of the bag so that the bag sat more evenly between her shoulder blades and she smiled up at him brightly. He gave her a funny look and smiled back faintly. I had a bitter taste in my mouth that I couldn't seem to get rid of.
Why would she do this?
What if she got hurt?
Did she ever take anything seriously?
She laughed again and said something to Gale who looked in our direction and then nodded. They made their way through the other rebels, over to us. when they stopped beside us, we were all silent for a minute. Katniss and Gale were avoiding each others gaze and I was glaring full on at Madge.
She stuck her tongue out at me and waggled her eyebrows in Gales direction when he wasn't looking.
I couldn't help it, I had to laugh.
Gale and Katniss looked up startled at my laugh and I could feel my ears reddening but Madge just grinned.
"So, we'll be heading off now," Gale cleared his throat.
"I..." Katniss kept her eyes on me as she spoke to him, "Good luck."
"Thanks," he muttered gruffly.
"Who needs luck when we have Gale," laughed Madge, trying to be reassuring, and putting her hand on Gales arm. I could feel Katniss's attention zoning in on that touch with mine. She slipped her hand into mine, somewhat discreetly. Somewhat.
"I'll miss you," Madge turned her bright eyed gaze on me and I felt a sharp pang of pain.
"I'll miss you too," I said, realising it was true.
She smiled and I slipped out of Katniss's hand to pull her into a hug.
"For God's sake, be safe," I whispered into her hair and she shivered slightly in my arms.
"Aren't I always?" she grinned, pulling back, but there were tears brimming on the edge of her eyes. I caught one as it slid down her cheek and brushed it away and then,
of course, she laughed.
"This isn't goodbye, so don't even say it," she demanded, smiling.
"Okay, how about - see you soon?" I suggested.
"Perfect," she grinned, "See you soon, Peeta."
"See you soon, Madge."
And I meant it.
No matter what.
Then Madge turned to Katniss. "Take care of him for me," she joked, "He tends to wander off sometimes."
Katniss smiled, "Of course."
Then Katniss eyed Gale warily. "Eh... bye."
"Yeah, bye," Gale huffed back. I exchanged a glance with Madge.
Madge smiled at me again and then headed over to mthe others. Katniss started to edge away also, but when I went to move, I found a very large hand in my way.
"Peeta," Gale said in a serious tone, "If you hurt her in any way, you'll have me too deal with."
I stared at him for a moment, then looked over his shoulder at Madge. He followed my gaze.
"The same goes for you," I said simply.
We nodded, coming to a silent agreement and then parted ways.
I went back over to stand beside Katniss. I took her hand in mine and we watched as the last of the group departed. They would have to walk the first stint of the mission,
transportation would be too obvious.
Madge turned one last time and waved back at me before dissapearing into the trees. Gale didn't wave, he just looked back once, then walked away.
"Be safe."
It played in my head.
"Aren't I always?"
I sighed deeply.
"I hope so," I whispered into the cold air, wishing that the whisper could carry in the wind all the way to Madge and wrap her in its embrace, as a warning to her to remember those words.
Katniss and I didn't say anything.
But we stood there for a while, after they had left, just looking at the spot we had last seen them.
"Come on," Katniss said after a while, "It's time to go to the Capitol."
"It is time," I echoed and taking her hand, we walked back through the clearing, towards the District.
It is time.
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4 DAYS (for Americans) TILL CATCHING FIRE!!!
Lucky yokes :D
