Author's Note: Thanks so much to those who have followed/read my story so far! If you can't tell from my other stories, I'm a MASSIVE Hunger Games fan!! I will forever love Katniss and Peeta (Everlark) and have written many AUs about them, but I feel inspired at the moment to write about another pair of star-crossed lovers ;)-especially after re-reading the novel and watching the OUTSTANDING film.

Please, please follow/like/and REVIEW this story. I'd greatly appreciate it! Now, on to chapter two...

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CHAPTER TWO:

LOVE BRINGS WEAKNESS

Billy Taupe soon recovered and scrabbled to his feet, smearing the blood across his mouth with the back of his hand before flicking it in Coriolanus' face.

"If you weren't a peacekeeper, I'd fight you right here, right now," he growled. Coriolanus took an imposing step forward, glowering down at Billy Taupe.

"But you won't, because you're smarter than that," he whispered. "Leave quietly now, like she said. Next time you come by here, I'll turn you in for harassment."

Upon this warning, Billy Taupe broke into a smile. "Like Hoff would give a damn about any tramp girl in the Seam or what her trouble was," he sneered. Coriolanus was tempted to strike him again for what he called Lucy Gray; however, Billy Taupe began to retreat from the two of them, and with one final look he disappeared down the path.

Coriolanus had the unfortunate suspicion that the entire Covey was awake now. He heard some shuffling and mutters of frustration from inside. He looked over while Lucy Gray clutched the back of his shirt, leaning her forehead against his shoulder.

"I'm guessin' you heard most of that?" She murmured in distress. Before he could answer, Barb Azure poked her head through the open window. Her ebony hair was wound up tightly in a scarf and her eyes puffy from sleep.

"What in the world is goin' on out here? The whole house is awake. You two aren't havin' a lovers' quarrel?" She sought with exasperation.

"I'm so sorry, Barb," Lucy Gray said, releasing Coriolanus. "It wasn't him. It was Billy Taupe. He was just here."

Few of the Covey were surprised that Billy Taupe would attempt to pursue Lucy Gray again, and his brother, Clerk Carmine, was especially furious about their encounter. He relayed that unfortunately this was his brother's typical behavior. Billy Taupe had always been passionate and hard-headed which often led him to make poor decisions. Though, he still attempted to crawl back to the same people whom he had hurt despite their lack of trust in him.

Coriolanus waited to leave until the Covey settled down again, all quite thankful that he had come to Lucy Gray's aid. By the time he sprinted through town and somehow discovered his way back to the base in the dark, it was an hour past curfew. He was surely screwed and would probably face decent punishment. At the entrance, he spewed out his name and some feeble excuse, revealing his tag around his neck to the peacekeeper on guard.

"Not like you to be late, Gent," he snickered as the gate swung inward. Coriolanus ignored him and hurried over to the commander's office. Upon stepping over the threshold, he smacked right into Sejanus.

"Coryo! You're back. Here he is, Commander Hoff! Just like I said," Sejanus called behind him. He stepped back and Coriolanus watched as Commander Hoff rose from behind his desk.

"Private Plinth was informing me that you were escorting a young lady from the village back home. I'm assuming you've just now returned?" Hoff questioned, his expression unreadable. Coriolanus took this and nodded.

"Yes, sir. She was in a dangerous part of town, and I was worried for her safety. You know how it gets on certain streets at night," He offered smoothly. Hoff raised an eyebrow, but then nodded in assent.

"I do. However, next time I advise you to inform your officer about a situation like this before missing curfew. You will be punished if you're late again," Hoff heeded, settling down into his chair. "Private Plinth, return with Private Snow back to the dormitories."

The two saluted their commander and exited his office. Coriolanus released a heavy breath. This was one of the few times that he was grateful to have Sejanus in Twelve with him.

"Thank you. I needed a good excuse," he told him. Sejanus grinned, clapping him on the back.

"It was no trouble at all. I just figured that you were with your girl and got a little carried away," he chuckled. "I must say, being in love has loosened you up a bit."

The two entered the dormitory and began undressing for bed. Coriolanus wasn't sure if Sejanus' remark was a a positive one. Sejanus seemed to think so, but for Coriolanus he didn't like the idea of love changing him. He wanted being in love with Lucy Gray to better himself, not make him neglect his duties. But she did bring out some virtue in him. Tonight he had saved her. If it wasn't for his ability to be so observant, who knows what could have happened between her and Billy Taupe? The image of him taking her by force crossed his mind, and he shuddered at the thought. No, hopefully the Covey would have heard her screams. Either way, he felt justified this once in missing curfew in exchange for rescuing his girl.

As he settled in for bed, Billy Taupe's words echoed in his head. So, he wanted to run away with some others from Twelve? Live out in the middle of nowhere? Wasn't that against Capitol law? He wasn't quite sure. However, breaking that girl Lil out of prison definitely was. The worst part of his scheme is that he somehow had gotten a peacekeeper involved. A traitor now amongst them on base here. Coriolanus was probably the only one who had heard about this. He would have to report it to Commander Hoff in the morning. However, he'd have to somehow avoid mentioning Lucy Gray.

Good thing she didn't agree to go with Billy Taupe. His heart swelled when he thought back to her sound refusal. Clearly, she didn't think running off was the solution for escaping suffering and poverty in Twelve. Coriolanus felt more convicted that she would agree with his plan to take her and the Covey to the Capitol. The officer's examination was coming up soon, and if he could score high enough it would allow him to move up the ranks. From there, he could work his way to District Two for further training and perhaps get stationed near home.

The following morning after breakfast, Coriolanus headed to Commander Hoff's office to report Billy Taupe. However, he discovered his office to be empty, and the head officer of his unit was nowhere in sight. He sought Sejanus for answers during their morning rounds in town.

"Where's Commander Hoff and Officer Russell this morning?"

"I heard from the other guys that Commander Hoff is on orders to escort the Mayor to the mines for some sort of annual inspection. He shouldn't be back until the evening. Officer Russell went with him," Sejanus explained as they patrolled the town square. "Why?"

"I have to tell him something important," Coriolanus answered quietly. He preferred not to tell Sejanus about what he had overheard, especially not out in the open. It was imperative that Commander Hoff was informed first.

"What about?" Sejanus pressed. They had reached the Justice Building and turned on their heels to start down Main Street. Coriolanus glanced around at the few locals running their errands and shook his head.

"It's not right for me to tell you at the moment. But don't worry, it'll all get taken care of when Commander Hoff is informed."

Sejanus eyed him nervously for a moment, but ceased to weigh the subject. Up the street, a young girl came hurrying towards them and scrabbled up the steps of the bakery on their left. She glanced over her shoulder and discovered the two peacekeepers. A large grin spread over her round face.

"Coriolanus Snow!" She called out, waving. It was Maude Ivory. Usually, Coriolanus preferred that those he knew in Twelve address him more formally as a peacekeeper, but with her he let it slide. After all, she was Lucy Gray's cousin and only a child.

"Hello there, Maude Ivory. Are you picking up some bread?" Coriolanus asked as they approached her. She bounced down and up in a quick curtsy.

"Yep! Mr. Mellark always makes a deal with us Covey on Saturdays. Any leftover pastries are half off for us! He likes our singin' quite a lot!" She explained. "And we're singin' again tonight at the Hob. Will you both be there? I know Lucy Gray is countin' on it."

Coriolanus grinned. He'd give any free moment he had to hear Lucy Gray sing.

"I certainly will be," he promised the girl. She gave a little hurray.

"It'll be one of our best shows yet, I'm sure. And I know that good for nothin' Billy Taupe won't dare show his face this time, not after you scared him off last night," She declared with a satisfied look. Coriolanus gave a nervous chuckle.

"Oh, so you heard about that?"

"Well, all that yellin' rudely woke me up last night, and I was awfully mad because I heard Billy Taupe's voice outside. But then Lucy Gray told me you socked him good, and he booked it out of the Seam like nobody's business. I haven't seen him around since, and I'm sure he's stone cold scared of you now," she rattled on.

Coriolanus didn't know exactly how to respond to this, only after hearing her words he became worried that perhaps he had scared Billy Taupe out of town. He needed him to stay in Twelve long enough so Hoff had someone to arrest upon hearing his report.

"Well, I hope you were able to fall back asleep," he returned. "Private Sejanus and I must leave you now. I hope you enjoy your pastries," He bowed to her kindly, knowing how she appreciated his gentle manners.

"Indeed I did. Thank you, Coriolanus!" She curtsied gracefully and spun around to enter the bakery. In desperation, Coriolanus tried to come up with something intriguing to talk about in order to steer Sejanus' mind away from Maude Ivory's words, but of course he went straight to it.

"So, is that really why you were late last night? You were fighting off Billy Taupe?" Sejanus asked in a low tone, a hint of a smile on his face.

"I hoped you wouldn't ask," Coriolanus grumbled. "But, yeah, he was... trying to pursue Lucy Gray. Asking her to run off with him and some other locals," he forced out with frustration. Sejanus was quiet for a moment, his eyebrows knitted together as he searched his story.

"So, he was just there begging her to run away with him? Did he mention anything else?" He finally probed.

"I can't say. I just need to talk to Commander Hoff about what I heard immediately," he responded shortly, ending the conversation. He didn't care to elaborate to Sejanus about Billy Taupe's attempt at lovemaking to his girl.

That afternoon following supper, Coriolanus took advantage of his time off and headed to the Hob early, hoping to catch Lucy Gray before she went on stage. She had relayed to him that the Covey used a small shed in the back as a makeshift dressing room and to store their instruments. As he approached the shed, he heard the clarity of a sweet voice singing scales through the cracked door. He knew it was her. Before knocking, he indulged his ears and leaned against the door to listen. Her voice always sought to possess him, arousing a strange, beautiful feeling in his soul. It transporting him entirely, as it did even when he heard her voice in his dreams. For lately, he often dreamt of her singing.

He jolted when the door swung open. Lucy Gray's deep brown eyes found his.

"I thought I heard someone at the door," she said, breaking into a smile. He leaned his arm against the frame over her.

"But I thought I was so quiet," he murmured. She inched closer, shaking her head.

"I guess I just seem to know your presence," she responded, her breath now against his lips.

"Can I come in?"

"Of course."

Lucy Gray urgently grabbed his shirt collar and pulled him into her. Each one of her kisses immediately refreshed Coriolanus. She made him feel alive and impelled with this passion that he had never experienced before. He was entranced by her, by her ardent floral scent, her cascade of dark curls arranged so carefully, that delicate beauty mark beneath her lips. Entrapped in his embrace, he longed to keep her there forever, to consume her and allow her goodness to overcome him completely.

They found themselves entangled on the small worn sofa in the corner. Lucy Gray sat across Coriolanus and leaned against the arm, her legs draped over his lap. His arm was wrapped around her, his hand resting on her hip, and with the other, he mindlessly played with the tassel on her robe. She watched him intently, studying his smooth tanned face, his blond eyelashes blink, noticing how his lips thinned in concentration. In his mind, he had suddenly left her and the warm, quiet shed. His thoughts were elsewhere, and she knew that they were plaguing him.

"Don't think much about what you heard last night, Coriolanus," Lucy Gray uttered, her voice soft. She reached out and cupped his jaw. He looked up to discover a somber look on her face.

"What, about Billy Taupe asking you to run away or about the way he spoke to you about your past?" He questioned, maintaining a steady voice.

"Both. Him and I are over, you know that. And anyhow, he might not actually run away or even join these locals in their cause. You don't have to worry about him," she tried assure him.

"I'll have to report him, you know," Coriolanus revealed sternly. Lucy Gray's eyes widened and she pressed her fingers into his palm.

"But-don't you know that he'll be hung?" She breathed. He shot her a look.

"I thought you detached all of your feelings from him?" he countered, perhaps a bit harshly.

"I don't care for him anymore, but I-I don't want him killed," she disclosed, taken aback.

"Well, I can't go against my duties as a peacekeeper. It's my job to report anything considered treasonous."

"Please, Coriolanus, can't you just allow it to slip this one time? I'm sure Billy Taupe has dropped the idea entirely after your encounter with him last night. He's rebellious, but he's not stupid. He won't go through with it now that you know about it," she pleaded, grabbing his face again when he turned away from her. "I'm asking this of you-begging you-because I can't face any more death. It's haunted me since the arena, and I couldn't bare enduring any more of it. The hangings terrify me, even the guns you peacekeepers carry terrify me. I already dream of death at night, and I don't want to witness it awake, either," she bursted out.

Coriolanus met her gaze, wild with fear, and he knew that her words were true. He recognized within her the struggle she had faced since the arena to maintain her purity of self, the sanctity of her mind. Despite the horrors she had endured, her heart was too pure to bear another tragedy like this. Her goodness was like the bright sun on a cold winter's day. A single golden candle lit in a dark, empty room. She was life itself, so how could she be expected to defend death? She was not a fighter, not a killer. Coriolanus desired to preserve this part of her. The part of her which made him love her even more intensely. For it was so unlike himself. In this alone, he realized that he should accept her request. So, she had weakened him again. He sighed.

"Alright. This one time I'll let it go. But if I catch him scheming anything, I'll be forced to report it. Remember, I might give warnings, but Hoff gives none," he informed her. Lucy Gray's face relaxed, and she leaned her head against his chest.

"Thank you, Coriolanus. You're a good man," she whispered, emulated the same words she spoke to him behind those bars at the zoo. He hoped that he truly was a good man and not some idiot boy neglecting his duties because he was enamored with a girl.

"You'll have to go now," she told him sadly, leaning back. "I have to get changed."

"I'll see you soon on that stage," he smiled at her as they untangled themselves.