My muse has been an annoying bitch, claiming I'm neglecting it. So, here I am trying to make everyone happy. Unfortunately, I've been increasingly busy so I don't know if I'm going to be able to update every two or three days like I'm prone to, but I'll give it a shot.
Thank you for all the continuing support.
Disclaimer: I own nothing. I'm just working with the idea.
Meanwhile, somewhere else in the country…
"Everyone here is telling me they can't find one woman?!" He was seething at this point and as his jaw clench in the anger, he had to keep himself from strangling the incompetent bunch of men in the room.
Snow walks out of the room before he fulfills his current wish. He pinches his forehead in an attempt to calm himself.
"So, how's it going?"
"How's it going, he asks...how the hell do you think it's going?!"
"I'm sure they're doing their best-"
"Yea? And what the hell are you doing?! You should be the one who knows better than all of them and you know nothing!"
"I'm telling you, if I knew where they were, I'd tell you! Haymitch doesn't even know where his man is! They don't trust their own people."
Snow laughs, "With good reason." He pats his man on the back. "So, tell me...What are we going to do about this thorn in my side?"
"The only way she's going to surface is when they get you. Once they have you in custody, they'll pull her out to testify."
Snow sighs. "Any chance we don't have to kill this one?"
The other man snorts, "What's so special about this one?"
Snow smirks. "She's got a fire I'd like to be the one to extinguish, if you know what I mean..." The two man share a laugh.
"Look, we still have time-"
"I'd like this over with as of two days ago. I'm taking matters into my own hands." The man watches Snow curiously before following him walk back into the other room. The rest of his goons pretend to be doing something worthwhile when Snow walks in. Snow picks up the phone. "What's the number to the FBI?"
"What are you doing?" The man from earlier asks.
"I told you already, taking matters into my own hands. The number..." He snaps his fingers. The man relents and gives him the number before Snow clears his throat to get the men's attention.
"You don't have to do-" Snow puts his hand up to stop his talking.
"Attention! Anyone who doesn't want to get arrested, should leave now." All of the men take their leave as Snow dials the number. "Yes, hello, my name is Cornalius Snow and I hear you all are looking for me...why yes I'll hold..." He makes an amused face before he's back on the line with someone. "Hello...now is that anyway to talk to a man who wants to turn himself in...you don't believe me? Well, let me give you my address so you can give me a ride...I'm not playing at anything. All I want is to be rid of all of you as much as you of me..."
Snow gives them the address which he's sure they don't need as he was on the line long enough for them to trace the call. He turns back to his man who's still in the room.
"I'm trusting you to handle this once they have me..." The man nods. "Now, get out of here. You're the most important one in all this anyway."
Katniss found Peeta in the basement beating the hell out of the weight bag he had set up. Peeta stopped and leaned against the bag breathlessly, when Katniss snaked her arms around his waist.
"You know," she whispers. "There are more fun ways to get a good workout." Katniss places a kiss on his back. Peeta turns in her arms to face her.
"I know." He places a kiss on her forehead before pulling her tight against him.
"What's wrong?" Katniss asks. He sighs.
"A bunch of coincidences?"
"What do you mean?" She asks.
"Good news or bad news first?" He tightens his hold on her.
"Good?"
"We got him." Katniss' eyes meet his in an attempt to get some clarification. "Snow. We got him. The DA's doing everything to get a trial date as soon as possible. Hopefully, we only have another month here and we'll be home.
"Then, what could possibly be the bad news?"
"The coincidence… Your boy, Elliot Marvel, he's conveniently gone." Katniss looks up at him.
"What do you mean conveniently gone?"
"I was keeping tabs on him and now, it's like he fell off the face of the Earth."
"I'm guessing that's not a good thing?"
"No, it's not. People don't just disappear like that; on the day I find out Snow's caught. I've put in to relocate immediately, but they don't want to move you until they're sure he's a threat; that and, like I said, we probably won't be here too much longer, so they figure why bother. By then, it will be too late." He tells her.
"Well, did your colleagues find anything on him?"
"No hits, but something about him doesn't sit right with me. And he disappears when Snow shows up…" He holds her tighter. "But for now, you are safe and I'm going to keep it that way. I'm not going to let anything happen to you, Katniss. Trust me, okay?"
"I trust you, Peeta. If there's anyone I trust it's you." She kisses his chest.
"I'm glad you do because I think it's about time I taught you a few things." She looks up at him curiously. "You know, to defend yourself." Peeta stands back to look at her. She was decked in a pair of short shorts and a t-shirt. "Good. You dressed properly." He pulls her to the side of the room. "Stay here for a minute."
Katniss watches Peeta go into an adjacent room in the basement. He comes back with a set of black gym mats and starts placing them on the floor. Once he's covered the majority of the floor he calls her over to the center.
"Where'd you get these from, Peeta?"
"The gym I work for. They let me borrow them." Katniss stands in front of him in the center of the mats. "Oh! I forgot." He scrambled around again, coming back with a set of boxing gloves for her. "Here."
"Peeta..."
"Now, I really should have you train without those, but I don't want you or me to get hurt."
Once he helps her put on the gloves, Peeta teaches her a few basic punches along with some basic defensive maneuvers.
Katniss was a natural. She quickly picked up everything he taught her. She had plenty of energy, possibly even more than Peeta. About forty minutes in and Peeta wasn't sure if he was the one teaching or she was in charge.
At one point, Peeta ducked down to avoid an on target jab from Katniss and slipped in his attempt. He watched from his knees as Katniss quickly turned and threw herself onto him. She wrapped her arms around his neck and promptly captured his lips for a kiss.
"I win." Katniss whispers against his lips. He chuckles before he kisses her again.
"Be good." He whispers in between kisses.
"Am I not? Have you ever had a better student?" He laughs.
"There isn't a doubt there, just..." He kisses her again. "Let's finish this before we get to your reward." Katniss kisses him once more before pulling him up to stand with her.
Peeta animatedly shakes, trying to regain his composure. "Okay! How about we relive a few days ago. Turn around, Katniss."
"I thought you said reward later, Peeta?" Katniss mischievously says while turning from him. A slight blush creeps up on Peeta's face.
"Anyway..." He coughs, trying to concentrate. "Most people will come at you like this." Peeta wraps his arms around her neck, in a chokehold. "You did well to fight me the way you did, but you got lucky with that elbow to the groin. But if you can get away with doing that, do it every time."
"I got lucky, Peeta?" She laughs. He kisses her before tightening his grip a little.
"Use my weight and the momentum to your advantage. When I grab you, I'll dip forward, but then I'll pull back, pulling you towards me." He shows her gently what he's talking about. "So when I do that, follow me with it. I push forward, go forward. I pull back, come with me. If you get the momentum going enough, you'll tip us over, or better yet, me. Getting it going and toss me over your shoulder. If you can't do that, a side-toss will do."
"I think I got it." Katniss tells him.
"You want to give it a go?" Katniss nods. "Grab my arms." She does. "Ready?" She nods again.
Peeta grips her with purpose. He does like he told her, pulling her and pushing her, trying to get her to submit. He had told her to toss him over, but he honestly didn't think that she would, or could, for that matter.
To his surprise, Peeta felt his legs being lifted off the ground. He tried balancing out, but Katniss was smart and predicted his next move. Next thing Peeta knew, he was on his back on the mat.
"On the first try...good." An out of breath Peeta let's her know.
"You need to lose some weight." Katniss said, while gently massaging her lower back.
"I forgot to mention, the toss might hurt. Use your knees. Hopefully, it's not a frequent thing you're doing anyway." Peeta climbs back to his feet also massaging his back. He goes over to her and kisses her. "You did great."
"So, what's next?" Katniss eagerly asks.
"Throw some pants on and meet me outside. There's something I have to show you."
When they get outside, Peeta grabs her hand and leads her through the forested area behind their house. Every now and then, Peeta stops and points out certain landmarks that will help her not get lost and get to their destination.
"Peeta, where are we going?" They reach the end of the forest a minute later. From their spot, they are uphill looking down on a dirt road. On the dirt road, a lone SUV is parked at the edge. They make their way down the hill to the car.
"Okay. This car is the getaway one." Katniss watches as he reaches under the car for a small box. In the box, he shows her the key fob. He presses the button and the car unlocks. He motions for her to go around to the passenger side. "There are two bags in the trunk. Ones yours, the other mine. If worse comes to worst and for whatever reason, I'm not around, just go Katniss. Get here and go."
"Where would I go?" Peeta turns on the car. The cars built in GPS turns on.
"This will tell you where to go. It's already programmed to your destination. Follow it."
"You said go, even if you're not here. What about you?"
"Don't worry about me, Katniss." Peeta turns the car off and steps out. Katniss follows and she watches him place the key back where he found it.
"How am I not supposed to worry?!" Katniss yells.
"Katniss, please! My job is to protect you. My life is disposable here."
"Not to me." Katniss tells him. She starts to shake at the thought of something happening to Peeta. Peeta notices her concern. He pulls her into a hug.
"Don't worry. Nothing's going to happen. If we're separated, I will find you." He tightens his hold and kisses her head. "You wanted to know how I found you before..." Katniss looks up at him. Peeta grabs her left hand and brings it up to his lips.
"The ring..." Katniss says. Peeta nods.
"As long as you have it on, I will find you." Katniss hugs him again.
"Where does the GPS lead me?"
"West. They'll expect you'll go back South. You'll be driving to a gas station, in the middle of nowhere. It's a long ride, but you won't miss it. When you get there, ask the clerk, 'What song does the mockingjay sing?' It's important you say it like that. Your contact will answer, 'It will sing whatever you sing.' If they don't, keep asking others there until you find him. He will hide you until the FBI shows up. Got it?" Peeta feels Katniss shake her head against his chest.
"Is that how this all works?" Katniss asks.
"The FBI doesn't know about my man there. I like to keep some outsiders in the loop and it comes in handy. I know who to trust. The FBI doesn't question me, because I'm the best."
"Little full of yourself, Peeta." He smiles at her before he leans down to give her a kiss.
"Come on. There's one more thing I have to show you how to do."
After about a thirty minute drive, they finally make it to their destination.
"Peeta? Where are we?" He laughs at her lost expression. Peeta gets out of the car and opens the trunk. Katniss follows and almost steps back when she sees Peeta pull out a handgun.
"So you've taken me somewhere secluded so its easier to kill me and hide my body?"
Peeta laughs again. He grabs hold of her hand and leads them a little further into the wooded area. They're greeted by some locals who make the gun range their second home. Once they find an area to themselves with targets all set up, Peeta starts their lesson.
"Okay. First thing. Katniss, I have never shown someone how to do this. Know that I trust you too and have full confidence in your ability to handle this. When you do it, don't hesitate. You have a shot, take it."
Peeta takes the gun and aims it at one of the targets. He quickly fires the gun at multiple targets. When he's done, he turns to Katniss, who has one hand on the ear closest to Peeta.
"A warning would have been nice." She tells him.
"Sorry." He shows her the gun. "Basics: trigger, trigger guard, hammer, sights, and your safety." He points to all the parts. He releases the mag and shows her how to reload the gun. He flips the gun around so the grip faces Katniss. "Here."
She takes it awkwardly. Once again he points out the safety. He flips it do it's live.
"Go ahead. Shoot." Peeta points towards the targets. She holds it out, unsure of what to do. "Wait!" Peeta stops her. He goes over to the duffel bag and pulls out some safety gear. He hands her a set of ear plugs and some goggles. "I should have probably given you these first."
Peeta takes the gun from her while she gets ready. Once Peeta's also decked out in his gear, he hands her the gun again.
"Okay." He stands behind her. "Always point away. Down preferably. Finger outside the guard, until you're ready to fire." He kicks her feet out a little so her stance is correct. "Arms out. This arm slightly bent. This one more straight. Look through the sight, check safety, and go." Peeta pulls away.
Katniss fires the gun. She didn't expect the recoil as it throws her arms out of whack.
"Okay, I quit." Katniss aims the gun towards the floor, like he taught her, and hands it back to Peeta. He chuckles before pulling her back towards the range. He stands behind her again, but this time he doesn't leave her. He grips her hands, which are in proper position on the gun and helps her.
"Ready?" He asks.
"No." Katniss tells him. He gives her a kiss on the cheek. She smiles up at him. "Am I going to get more of that?"
"Shoot straight first." Katniss turns back towards the target, determined now. She takes a shot. The recoil is a little easier to take with Peeta there. She does, however, end up pushed back further into Peeta. He clears his throat when he realizes how close she is.
"You okay?" Katniss asks Peeta.
"Yea. Keep going." She continues firing each time pushing more into him. Peeta throws his head to the sky in the sensation of her rubbing up against him. Eventually, Peeta leans down towards her neck and begins giving her kisses. Peeta reaches out for the gun, flipping the safety on before turning Katniss' face towards his. He captures her lips in a slow kiss.
"Mmm, I'm guessing I did good." Katniss moans against him.
"Too good." He tells her before gently massaging her shoulders. She torturously rubs against him.
"I see that." Katniss chuckles. Peeta pulls away before she can kiss him again. He takes the gun and puts it back in its case. As soon as he turns around, Katniss collides into him in a passionate kiss. The force of her, and Peeta's not expecting it, knocks them to the ground with Katniss on top.
"You trying to leave me a half a man again?" Peeta asks her with a grin.
"I wouldn't want that." She trails kisses up his neck, then stops suddenly with a scowl. "And I already apologized for that, even though it was your fault!"
"Okay." He whispers before pulling her lips down to him. They kiss for a long time before they hear people clearing their throats around them. They both blush in an embarrassment while getting up. Peeta tries his best to dust himself off, with Katniss padding him down as well. Peeta reaches for his duffel bag and his gun. He then grabs Katniss' hand and they make their way between the two men who give them a thumbs up as they leave.
When they make it back to the car, Peeta looks over at Katniss, who is giving him a devilish smile.
"What..." Peeta draws out.
"I'm going to get my reward now, right?" Katniss is giddy next to him.
Peeta sighs, "What do you want...?"
"You know what I want..." Katniss tells him while running her hand suggestively up his thigh. She watches Peeta's profile as a blush creeps up on his face. "I think it's about time I taught you something."