1943 Southern Louisiana

Katniss thinks that Gale won't believe her.

He does.

She thinks that he will leave her to suffer through her curse alone.

He doesn't.

Instead, Gale is a steady support for Katniss and is the one who suggests starting over in a new place, since half of the town is beginning to wonder about her anyway.

Katniss agrees, and they make their escape to a small town in Missouri. A new life, for both of them.

Katniss is surprised that Gale was willing to leave his mother and siblings behind, but he tells her that she is his life now, and he will do anything it takes to protect her.

Present Day

Clove is surprisingly understanding about the situation. When I arrive back to the table, dejected, she motions out the window. "So, who's the girl?"

I try to play dumb at first; what I did was not cool. "What girl?"

Clove rolls her eyes. "Don't try to deny it. I saw you chase after that girl. So, I'll ask you again, who is she?"

I sigh and bury my head into my hands. "Katniss."

Clove taps her hand on my shoulder. "I'm not sure why you are on a date with me when clearly your heart is with someone else."

"I'm so sorry."

She laughs. "Hey, no worries, it happens. You're still buying my dinner though."

I can't help but to laugh at that.

When I get home later that evening, I'm expecting Finnick or Annie to call me to yell at me about what happened with Clove, but that call never comes.

Clove was pretty enough, if not a little self-centered, but seeing Katniss put everything into perspective for me. I'd rather be by myself than with anyone but her.

My next opportunity to see Katniss comes the next weekend. Annie and Finnick invite me out to 80s night at one of the local bars and suggest that I ask Katniss to come along with us. I'm skeptical at first, but Finn has a good idea for once.

"I don't know man, she's probably sick of me by now."

I hear Finn chuckle lightly. "Well, I haven't had any restraining orders against you issued to the police station lately so it can't be too bad."

I sigh loudly. "Very funny."

"I'm kidding. Seriously though, invite her out as friends, I'd like to have a chance to meet this mystery woman and see how she acts around you."

"I guess it's worth a shot."

And that's how I find myself that Friday picking up Katniss to take her to the bar.

She's stunning. Gorgeous. Radiant. Ethereal. She's all of these things and yet none of these are enough to describe her beauty. She has a form-fitting, slinky black dress on that emphasizes her curves and shows off her toned, tanned legs. Her dark hair flows in waves, cascading over her shoulders.

When she sits down in my car her dress rides up her legs, teasing me until I have to shift in my seat to ease my situation.

"Wow, you look – wow."

Katniss laughs lightly at my loss of words. "Thank you, you clean up pretty well yourself."

I look down at my gray button up and dark jeans and shrug. "You should see me in a tux," I joke, and she laughs.

The ride to the bar takes all of ten minutes and then I'm opening the car door for Katniss and ushering her to the door, my hand resting lightly on her back, which she allows.

Finn and Annie are already waiting at one of the old vinyl booths in the back. They wave us over with a smile.

Katniss nods towards them. "I'm guessing these are your friends that you told me about?"

"Yeah, Finnick and Annie are great. Finn is kind of a jokester and a bit of a flirt, but don't take him seriously, he's head over heels for Annie."

"Okay, got it."

I give brief introductions between my friends and Katniss before we settle down into the booth with them. Finnick immediately gives Katniss the third degree. "Tell me about yourself Katniss. Where are you from? What are you doing in a small town like this?"

These questions seem innocent enough, but they cause Katniss to shift uncomfortably in her seat and clear her throat. "I'm originally from Louisiana, but uh…I've moved around a lot. And I'm um…" She trails off, giving me a pleading look to save her from Finn's interrogation.

"Who wants some drinks? First round is on me!" My offer has the desired effect and Finnick forgets all about his earlier questions and focuses on finding the most expensive beer that they offer.

Katniss finds my hand and gives it a small squeeze in thanks.

Several alcoholic beverages later, and we are all buzzed and happy. A giggly Annie pulls Katniss to her feet and leads her out onto the small dance floor. "Come on girl, I know you have to have some good moves."

Katniss laughs and allows Annie to pull her along. I enjoy seeing her happy and carefree like this; and watching her move her body on the dance floor is entrancing.

"You gonna hit that tonight?" Finnick asks, pointing his beer bottle slightly in Katniss' direction. He is even more crass than usual tonight, so I know he is definitely feeling the effects of all the alcohol he consumed.

I sigh and shake my head. "I told you already; she friend-zoned me."

Finnick let's out a sharp bark of laughter. "Her body language says otherwise." He motions with his beer again to the dance floor where Katniss and Annie are still dancing. "She keeps looking over here to see if you are watching her. She's trying to seduce you, I swear."

Katniss' silver eyes catch mine and I watch as she slides her hands down her body, her gaze never leaving mine. I think Finnick might be right, and I have to find out for myself.

I rocket out of the booth without even acknowledging my friend and practically run onto the old, wooden dance floor.

Annie waves to me, a happy grin on her face. "Peeta!

"Hey Annie, mind if I dance with Katniss for a bit?"

Her smile grows wider. "Sure! I'll grab another vodka cranberry and go see what Finn is up to." Annie winks at me as she slides by to get to the bar.

Katniss gives me a sly smile. "Let's dance."

I can't help the grin that creeps onto my face as I start to dance with Katniss. The alcohol coursing throughout my body emboldens me and I run my hand down her arm and grasp her palm in my own. I gently pull her close to me so that her back is flush with my chest. "Show me what you've got."

She begins to move her body against mine and pure, fiery lust begins to take over me. My fingers tickle the back of her neck as I push her hair over one shoulder and ghost my lips against the delicate skin there.

I hear her breath hitch and I wait for her to tell me to stop; but she doesn't. Katniss continues to grind her body against mine and as much as I try, I can't help but to let my erection press into her back.

I know she must feel it, hard and heavy, against her, but she doesn't say anything until the song ends. "I'm going to go get another drink!" she shouts and saunters off to the bar.

I try to discreetly adjust myself in my pants while I wait for her to return. She's acting very out of character for her usual shy and quiet self. I really don't know if it is the alcohol or something else, but it's nice to see this side of her.

Katniss comes back, her breath smelling distinctly of tequila. "Peeta! You're so…so sexy."

My heart races at what she just said, but she is slurring her words and when I look into her eyes, they are glassy and unfocused. "Maybe we should get you home."

She nods and slinks her arms around my neck; bringing her lips to my ear, causing a tingling sensation where they barely brush against my skin. "Yeah, let's get outta here."

When she pulls away I realize the intention behind her words. She wants to go home, with me. Every cell in my body screams with me to tell her yes. I can already imagine her naked in my bed; my cock pounding into her. Or maybe on my kitchen island, or on the couch, or even against the wall. I shake myself out of my lustful thoughts before I actually do something stupid like agree. She's drunk. Beyond drunk. And I won't take advantage of her like that no matter how much I want her.

"We are both under the influence of alcohol right now, I don't think that's the best idea. How about I call you an Uber?"

Katniss' lips turn down in a pout. "Don't you want me?"

I take her hand and gently kiss her palm. "Of course I do, but not like this."

She stumbles against me and sighs loudly, shaking her head. "Maybe you're right, I may be a bit intoxicated."

I give her a small smile and lead here over to the booth with Finn and Annie.

The Uber drops us off at Katniss' house and I walk her up to the door. She fumbles with her keys before finding the right one and turning it into the lock. "Can you help me upstairs to my room? I've had way too much and I'm scared I might actually fall."

I nod and assist her up the stairs and onto her bed. She flops down and groans. "Peeeeetahhh"

"Yes?"

Katniss lifts herself off of her bed and flings off her heels. "I need you to help me change my clothes. This dress can be difficult."

I swallow hard. She wants me to undress her. She. Wants. Me. To. Undress. Her. And I have to do it and resist the temptation to do anything that I will regret in the morning. "Yeah, whatever you need."

I help Katniss unzip her dress and slip it off of her body. My body thrums as my hand glides along her delicate skin and I try not to look at her almost bare body. Once the garment is off, she grabs a t-shirt and sweatpants and throws them on before huddling under the covers. "Thank you."

I smile back at her. "You're welcome."

Her breathing changes almost instantly to a slow and steady rhythm and I lean down to place a kiss to her forehead before turning to leave.

Before I can even get one step away, Katniss' hand reaches out and grabs my arm, startling me. "Stay with me."

I allow her to pull me back to her bed. I'm tired and drunk and I don't really feel like walking back home anyway. Still, I wait for her to drift back to sleep before I answer. "Always."

The morning light streams into the window, waking me up from a wonderful dream of having Katniss in my arms.

Then, all at once, I remember where I am and the events of the previous evening. Dark hair splays across my chest and I find Katniss curled up next to me. I feel like I'm still in the dream and I want to pull her close to me and kiss her and never let go.

I shift in the bed, trying to get up without waking her. I slip quietly to the bathroom and when I return, she's awake and sitting up in the bed.

"Morning."

I smile brightly at her. "Morning, how are you feeling?"

Katniss groans and shakes her head slightly. "Not great. I'm going to take a shower. Stay here please, I think we need to talk about last night."

"Okay, I'll be here."

Katniss retreats to the shower and soon I hear the water running. I look for my phone to check for messages, and when I find it, it's halfway across the room near a bookshelf that's overflowing. I grab my phone and almost trip over a large photo album.

I pick up the heavy album - which is falling apart with age – and go to place it back on the bookshelf when something falls out of it and lands at my feet. I reach down to pick it up.

It's a black and white photo that looks like it's from the 1920s or 30s. A tall man in a suit with dark hair and features stands next to a thin woman in what must be a wedding dress with similar features. I lean closer to look at the woman's face and gasp in shock, the photograph falling out of my hands and back onto the floor.

The woman in the photo is Katniss.