A/N: Here is the next outtake! This one is set during chapter 8 and the bachelor party. It's a chance to see a little more of drunk Peeta. Hope you enjoy.

Outtake: Standing Up

Cato bangs down another large glass of expensive whiskey in front of me. He bangs it a bit too enthusiastically causing some of the amber liquid to jump and spill out over the top of the glass. He downs his own glass in one go before flinging an arm around my shoulder and giving it a gentle squeeze.

"A fucking amazing night!" he declares as he swings slightly on his stool. "I should get married more often!"

I turn to give him a big grin and then slap him heartily on the back.

"Totally agree!" I reply. "Thanks for letting me come tonight."

Cato has been showering me with drinks all night. From the moment we all walked into the retro bar Cato has made sure that no one is ever without a drink in front of them. It's an endless conveyor belt of tequila, fine whiskey and beer. I haven't drunk like this since college and am rapidly losing my inhibitions. But I can't find it in me to care. Some of Cato's friends are a bit douchish but on the whole they are an amusing bunch of guys. Cato in particular is up for anything and I find myself joining in with many of his antics. Though I am slightly regretting the beer and vinegar cocktail Marvel dared us to drink. I let out a small burp and have to stop myself from gagging at the smell of vinegar that escapes from my mouth.

Cato gives my shoulders another squeeze.

"You are totally welcome man. You're a top bro! Not many of those pussies over there would have drunk Marvel's cocktail!"

I give him a lopsided smile before I down the smoky liquid in my glass.

"Though you haven't made my life easy lately. Glimmer won't stop going on about you!" Cato says tipping his head at me. "You know she's convinced you and Katniss are making it up. She doesn't think Katniss could get a guy like you. Says she is just waiting for you to trip up."

I try really hard to focus in on Cato, but he just won't stop moving. I narrow my eyes and nod try to my head seriously.

"Didn't quite believe it myself," I say.

Cato's revelation doesn't surprise me. Glimmer hasn't exactly been subtle in her attempts to reveal us. It's pretty obvious that her many failed attempts are frustrating her. I'm just surprised that she is the only one who suspects, that we have been that convincing. But then again I suppose I'm not faking it anymore.

"Whatever man. You've got a fine piece of ass there. You're a lucky bastard for getting her," Cato replies.

I chuckle lightly at his comment. I immediately conjure up the image of Katniss in those little black shorts tonight. It took all my effort to not to get hard at the mere sight of her.

My phone vibrates in my pocket and I immediately grin as I go to answer it. With my attention elsewhere Cato turns to his mate Gloss and they begin chatting about the recent baseball games.

The grin is still on my face as I open the message from Katniss.

The stripper just tried to give me a lap dance! I hide behind my hands! I would have much preferred you! Xxx

My smile only broadens. I started texting her shortly after we left. The alcohol has caused my guard to fall slightly and I have been bold enough to text her things I would never have the courage to say to her face. We've been keeping each other update to date with the events of each party. The more alcohol I consume the more flirty the messages get. It's messages like this one that give me hope that I am not alone in my feelings for her.

I don't even try to deny how I feel about her now. I'm rapidily falling in love with her. Every minute I spend with her only causes me to fall deeper. We've just have so much fun together. We know each other so well that we don't need to put on any pretences. We are completely ourselves around each other and it is the most relaxed I have felt in a long time.

I want to tell her how I feel. I want this to become real but I am still unsure where her head is at. There was a moment before we went downstairs for the party tonight where I thought she felt it too. We had just stood there, both locked to the spot. The atmosphere changed. I was hyper aware of everything about her. The freckles across her nose. The sweet jasmine smell of her perfume. The slight sound of the hitch in her breath. It would have been so easy to bend down and kiss her like I've wanted since the cocktail party. But I chickened out. I don't think I could handle it if she didn't reciprocate. It's been a long time since I've felt this way about a girl. Maybe I have never felt like this about anyone.

I guess I'll just wait to see if she makes a move. I don't want to push her into anything and then ruin whatever relationship we have now.

I type out my reply and grin like a 3 year old as I wait for her response.

However as I am waiting Cato loudly greets the person who has just re-entered the room.

"There's the best best man in the world!" he declares opening his arms wide to hug the tall, dark figure approaching him. "The Jessica Rabbit stripper was a great call!"

Gale gives him a small smile before reaching round his best friend to grab a drink.

"I remembered how much of a hard on you had for Glimmer in that costume for Halloween. Couldn't resist man," Gale replies.

Cato thanks him again before babbling on about the great sex he had had with Glimmer that night. Gale listens on, placating his drunk friend. He appears to be focused on his best friend, but his gaze keeps flitting over to me throughout the conversation. I sit and clench my empty glass tighlty as I look at him. I am not happy about what he had done to Katniss earlier tonight.

I knew Katniss still had some unresolved feelings for him. I was there when he broke her heart. I saw how heartbroken she was. How she never allowed herself to get over him. Madge and I have often teased her over the years about her lack of love life but we always knew it was because she hadn't moved on from Gale. I couldn't believe he took advantage of her good nature tonight and messed with her head.

It surprises me just how angry I am at the thought of him kissing her. I guess as my feelings for her have become more real I've become a bit possessive over her. I feel like she is mine now. Or rather that I want her to be mine. And I want to punch anyone that makes a move on her. The alcohol is not helping subdue my anger on seeing him.

The kiss I gave her before she left was more for my benefit than anyone else's. I had wanted her to forget about Gale. I wanted her to feel it between us. I wanted to remind her that I am here. To remind Gale that she is with me.

I don't know what it is about her. I'm not normally the jealous type. But there is just something about Gale that gets under my skin. Katniss deserves a lot more than what that jerk gives her.

I decide I can't be near Gale without wanting to hit him. I feel the familiar pressure on my bladder and decide going to the bathroom is a better idea than getting in a fight with Gale.

I somewhat unsteadily get up onto my feet and begin making my way out of the bar and towards the restrooms. I see Gale give me one last look before I leave.

I bump into a solid figure on my way out of the bathroom.

"Sorry," I say as I try to regain my balance. The world is spinning around me.

"Some people just don't know their limits," the person replies.

I look up to be met with Gale's sneering face. I narrow my eyes at him and stand up straighter.

"Don't be fucking petty. You have no right to say anything to me after what you did tonight," I reply.

"And what exactly have I apparently done?" he asks with a smirk.

"You really are a fucking asshole. You know exactly what I'm talking about. You kissed Katniss. You had absolutely no right to do that!" I say.

"She didn't seem to mind. She was happily kissing me back," he says cockily.

My blood boils at his words.

"And she stopped it!" I yell. "She came to me in tears after what you did."

The smirk on Gale's face disappears and is replaced by an angry glare.

"I know you have enjoyed having her pine for you these last few years. Enjoyed rubbing your so called great life in her face. I can see it is a big ego boost for you. A wife at home and an ex still struggling to get over you. Must make you feel like a right big man. But it stops now. She's moved on. She's with me now," I say.

"Katniss and I have history. You just can't forget about that," Gale replies.

"And what about your wife? You have twins on the way. How do you think she would feel if she found out what you did tonight?" I say.

He goes pale. Whatever he wants with Katniss he doesn't want his wife to find out. Maybe a few months ago Katniss would have fallen into his trap and accepted to be his bit on the side, but after tonight I am confident she wouldn't do so now.

"Leave my wife out of this," he growls.

I let out a small laugh and shake my head.

"Don't worry. I won't say anything to her. I have more respect for her than that," I say coolly.

I see Gale let out a sigh of relief. I then take a step towards him so I am standing right up in his face. The alcohol has definitely made me bolder tonight.

"But if you ever come near my girlfriend again, I'll use those great wrestling skills I had in high school," I warn.

Gale's eyes widen at my words and I then make a move past him, leaving him in the empty corridor.

It feels good to call him out on all his shit. He's treated Katniss badly for too long. I hope now the jerk will just leave her alone.

And I can't ignore the thrill I felt defending my "girlfriend".