"You did what?"Effie asks, alarmed.

"I hung Seneca Crane," I say, already tired of this conversation. It's been a long day, and all I want to do is sleep. I yawn, as if to prove myself, but Effie doesn't budge. "What did you do, Peeta? It must have been dreadful, it was almost an hour before I was allowed in." Effie tisks as I change the subject away from myself, but doesn't bother to steer it back.

"I used the dyes, like you said. But, I didn't really do camouflage."

"You painted?" I ask.

"Yes," He says. "I painted a picture of Rue. How she would have looked after you covered her in flowers. I wanted to hold the Capitol accountable, for killing that little girl, even if no one else could see it."

"That kind of thinking just isn't allowed Peeta. That wont do!" Effie exclaims. "Its almost as if you two planned this whole thing!"

"We didn't, actually. Just a coincidence." Peeta says, smiling at me.

"I actually agree with Effie on this one, but we'll see. When they do the scores tonight." Haymitch sighs. This is really the first time he's ever been somewhat upset with something I've done. Cinna and Portia remain serious, but don't say anything.

"And, Haymitch? We've decided that we don't want any allies in the arena." Peeta says.

"Good. Then I wont be responsible for you idiots killing off my friends with your stupidity." Ouch. He really must be angry.

The rest of dinner is eaten in silence, and when we've all finished, we head to the TV room to get our scores. Cinna wraps his arms around me. "Lets go get those training scores," he says as we gather around the television, giving me a reassuring squeeze.

A puffy-eyed Effie joins us just as the first set of tributes appear on the screen. They go through the districts, one by one, flashing scores underneath the tributes pictures. Cashmere, Gloss, Brutus, Enobaria, and Finnick have earned high scores, low to medium for the rest.

"Has anyone ever scored a zero?" I ask

"No, but there is a first time for everything…" Cinna replies.

And it turns out he's right, because Peeta and I both pull a twelve. I'm jumping for joy in my head, but no one else seems to feel like celebrating.

"Why'd they do that?" I ask.

"Because they want everyone to see you as targets." Says Haymitch. "No go to bed. I cant stand to look at either one of you." He says, shaking his head in disgust. A pit in my stomach opens, and I feel horrible for what I've done. I bow my head as Peeta takes my hand, walking me to my room.

When we reach my door, I reach over and wrap my arms around his neck. "I'm sorry if I made things worse," I say, the pit growing deeper.

"No worse than I did." he whispers into my hair. "Why did you do it, anyway?"

"I don't know. To show them that I'm not just another piece in their Games?" I say, and he laughs, no doubt remembering the night on the roof this time last year. "So. What should we do with our last few days?" I say.

"I just want to spend every possible minute of the rest of my life with you," he replies.

"Come on then," I say, grabbing his arm and pulling him into my room.

We lay there, just staring into each others eyes, trying to read the pain, the worry etched across our features. Every now and then Peeta will brush a stray hair from my face, trace the line of my jaw. I lean closer into the embrace, wanting to be as close as possible.

Peeta brings my face closer to his, kissing me gently. When I don't protest, he urges on, exploring my mouth with his tongue. Just as things start to get heated, I pull away from him. "Wha-" he gasps, saddened by my sudden exit.

"I…I thought you didn't want…?" I sit up, looking at him through the darkness.

"Of course I want you. What would make you think I don't?" He says, trying to reassure me.

"I…I don't know. I'm so confused." I shake my head, running my hand through my hair. "I think I'll just go take a shower." I say, and get up, heading for the bathroom. Before I can shut the door, Peeta is there.

"I know you know." He says.

"I know what?"

"What happened the night of the announcement…"

"I…I don't know what you mean," I say nervously.

"Katniss, you've never been good at lying. We both know that." He sighs.

"You caught me." I say, as he brings me into a hug. "I'm sorry."

"Sorry? Why are you sorry?" He says, pulling me away to look me in the eye.

"For telling you to lie to me. I shouldn't have told you to do that. I can see that it hurt you…" My gaze falls to the floor, and only a second later Peeta's hooked his finger under my chin, bringing my eyes to his. "Peeta…" I sigh, and he plants his mouth on mine, gentle but firm. I cave, and we stand in the bathroom, hands tangling with hair, tongues dancing.

My breath has quickened, my heart is pounding. I cup his cheek, and pull away panting. "Peeta, I feel gross. I need a shower…"

"Do you want me to leave?" he asks, turning towards the door.

"No, of course I want you to stay!" I exclaim, grabbing his sleeve, pulling him back to me. " But… Could you maybe, turn around until I'm in the tub?"

He plants a soft kiss on my lips, "I would have anyway, I know how you value your modesty," he says chuckling slightly. He bends down and turns the water on for me, pushing all the right buttons and levers, and soon, a delicious smell is filling the air, and a little nudge from within tells me this is good.

I quickly undress, and on my way over to the tub, I catch sight of myself in the mirror. Crap. I'm showing! How long has it been? I count in my head, trying to remember where the days have gone as my hands rest over my slightly protruding belly. I'm just over the halfway mark. Of course I'd be showing.

"Everything alright?" Peeta asks, restraining himself from looking in my direction.

"Yea," I manage, and he senses the panic in my voice.

"Katniss? What is it? Are you okay?" He's worried now. Crap, crap, crapppp.

"Yup, totally fine," I say, gulping, and I hurriedly get in the bath before he gets the chance to notice anything more.

"Can I turn around now?"

"Yes," I sigh, relaxing into the bubbles, and he turns grabbing a chair from the vanity, and sits next to me, clasping my hand in his. And then this feeling is overwhelming me, this need that I cant quite pin-point, and Peeta is looking exceptionally ravishing tonight. "Cinna's design?" I ask.

"Hmm?" he says

"What your wearing, I like it. A lot. Did Cinna design it?" I say, biting my lip.

"Oh, uh. I'm not sure. Its just what was laid out for me today… Y-you like it?" He's confused, I can see it all across his features.

I nod approvingly, looking him up and down. "I know somewhere they'd look better, though,"

Peeta looks at me, startled and slightly aggravated.

"And, I seem to have a surplus of bubbles here. I'm not sure if I can use them all… I'd hate for them to go to waste…" I say, lifting my free hand from the water, blowing the bubbles on Peeta.

"Hey!"

"What?"

"You got me wet!"

"No I didn't!" I say, a hint of a smile playing at my lips. And then it hits me. I plunge my free hand back into the water, then suddenly bring it back above, showering him with the floral scented water.

"Your going to pay for that one, Mrs. Everdeen!" He smiles, and a giggle escapes me, and it feels good. Its been so long since I've had reason to laugh, to be carefree.

Peeta begins to strip off his clothes, first his jacket, and then his shirt. Before he can remove anything else, I quickly pull him into the tub with me, sloshing water and bubbles all across the bathroom floor.

He laughs, I laugh. A few minutes pass as we calm a bit. "So, about those bubbles?"

He just smiles. "As good as gone," He says, raising his brows. I laugh, and lean forward, taking hold of his drenched torso, forcing him closer to me.

"Just the answer I was hoping for," I say, bringing his face to mine, kissing him full on.

..

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I AM SO SORRY IT TOOK SO LONG. I pretty much hated the first half of this chapter, and because it was just so mind-bogglingly boring, it made it that much harder to write. And now you faithful readers have waited a few weeks, and what do I do? I LEAVE YOU WITH A HORRIBLE CLIFF-HANGER. And for that, I am sorry. But, I promise the next two chapters will make up for it completely!

I want to give a special thanks to my very good friend/beta (mage-luna) for giving me so much helpful advice and ideas for this chapter, and a few previous. (I would be forever grateful if you would check out her FANNIE fic called Ocean Tide)

DON'T FORGET to leave me a review? PLEASE AND THANKS!