Clutching Peeta's hand as her lifeline Katniss and he reached the elevators to gather their belongings. Haymitch and Effie has told them that they will meet them at the bottom of the building from where they will be given a ride to the station and then finally to the train which will carry them back home. No words were spoken by the duo throughout the way as both knew it wasn't necessary and they could wait until they reached the privacy of the train-compartments. Occasional pecks and kisses were being exchanged all this while and before they knew it they were at the topmost floor of the building.

The first thing that they came to see when the elevator doors opened were a packed to the brim couple of stylists. "Any vacation you both planned?" asked Peeta after a few instants.

"Your girlfriend 'wished' us and after that it's not like we have any choice left. But tell you what I'm glad to leave the vicinity of District 1 and get in District 12 as long as I get the Eastern wing," by the time Portia finished she was oblivious to the incredulous looks she was getting from the other 3 occupants of the room.

"Whatever she said," said Cinna after awhile. "Actually due to the sheer lack of Victors in your District's Vill, we have been allotted a house each there due to Katniss's 'wish' as Portia here so eloquently put it. But Portia, has her own demand of getting the Eastern Wing of your mansion Peeta…" Cinna was interrupted here by Peeta.

"Both of you go on and find yourself any room in any wing you choose, as long as it isn't the master of the Western Wing as I'm a sore admirer of the sunset; and no Cinna, in case you were wondering, I wasn't requesting that," said Peeta sincerely. "That includes you too Katniss," he said as afterthought.

Katniss didn't even bother to argue as she knew better than to oppose Peeta's firm decisions by now, and truth be told, she was glad that she would be near him.

"Oh by the way, we packed all your belongings, not much to begin with anyway, and thought you might to like these back," said Portia as she handed over Katniss's Mockingjay gold pin and Peeta's dark-phoenix necklace and bandanna that he gave to her for safekeeping before going for healing.

They were driven through the streets in a car with blackened windows, and the train's waiting for them at the station in all its glory. Effie is accompanying them back and Haymitch, too, of

Course with their stylists as well. They barely have time to 'bid' good-bye to their well-wishers, although they'll see them in a few months, when they'll tour the districts for a round of victory 's theCapitol's way of reminding people that the Hunger Games never really go away. They'll be given a lot of uselessplaques, and everyone will have to pretend they love them – despite the fact that the ones to love might have assassinated their children in the arena.

The train begins moving and They are plunged into night until they clear the tunnel and onlythen did Peeta take his first free breath since thereaping, surprising everyone by showing emotions other than the usual indifferent, menacing, remorseless, passionate or jovial. It was the first time that everyone present, including Katniss, looked at a sad Peeta, but none questioned it. But it had all of them thinking that even Peeta is a human albeit a very strong one to never leak his emotions for more than 2 months now. They eat an enormous dinner and settle into silence infront of the television to watch a replay of the interview.

Withthe Capitol growing farther away every second, Katniss began tothink of home. Of Prim and her mother. Of Peeta with his bread rather than his knife and blood-thirst. Excusing herself to change she went to her room and got out of her dress and into a plain shirt and she slowly, thoroughly wash the makeup from her face and put her hair in its braid, shefinally begin transforming back into herself. But even she knew that she couldn't transform back to her usual self ever again. While most of it wasn't welcome, all the aspects that has to do with Peeta were a boon to her.

As if on cue someone knocked on the door and before even responding, Katniss knew who it was. If nothing than the fact that she heard no footsteps before the door-knock was a dead-giveaway. Only a master-hunter can walk with such a grace.

She unlocked the door and went back in her room as she knew her guest better than most. She returned to her position in front of the mirror, checking out if she was carrying any Capitol-signs any longer. A pair of arms snaked their way around her slender and now curvaceous waist as a body pressed itself to her. the owner of the body's golden mane cascaded down her back while his taller body had its head supported on her shoulder's by leaning down a bit.

"Nothing ever said can describe this beauty," whispered Peeta in her ears making her shiver as they both looked n at their reflections. "Even your reflection envies the beauty you held both in and out."

Despite acting a lot like a boy, a major part of Katniss which was entirely a female, which she had only ever exposed to her parents, sister and now Peeta, was basking in Peeta's compliments. Closing her eyes she leaned backwards to Peeta and said, "As far as I know you though, you would say that even if I was dressed in rags."

"Absolutely no offence to Cinnna's skills, but truly he had the easiest task of styling what was a beauty already," said Peeta.

Smilingly Katniss fired back, "And you would have me believe Portia did a hard-job in styling what is already the dashing handsomeness that is one of the most popular shrine for females in our district?"

Chuckling slightly Peeta said, "Your choice of words are proof enough now that being with me is rubbing off on you."

Opening her eyes with a mock-horror, Katniss said, "Oh my god! What'll happen when tomorrow suddenly I possess you keen intellect, sheer acting skills, awesome fighting skills and inhuman everything left unsaid."

"Even my sarcasm is rubbing off on you Katniss," said Peeta jovially and then both broke down in a fit of laughter, buckling down so hard that they stumbled on the bed. Once they had their laughter in control, they looked into each other's eyes and after a moment both jumped on each other in perfect synchronization, catching each other's lips in a chaste and passionate kiss.

That's when they decided that they deserved becoming a little adventurous this time around and thus started groping, cuddling, caressing and straddling each other, all the while exploring each other's mouths. Anything further from there was checked by Peeta and after almost loosing herself to the temptation a couple of times, Katniss too learnt quickly to stay within the limits. However that didn't stop themselves from feeling each other and after the initial awkwardness, even pleasuring each other as well. They did that a lot of times that night and after 3 hrs of a make-out session, they both were spent and thus fell asleep instantly with Peeta spooning Katniss. One of his hands was around her whilethe other was being used as a pillow by her. His own head was buried in her hair, taking in his favorite scent while his mouth still worked in nibbling her skin at the junction of her neck and shoulders.

At morning Katniss woke up to find 2 blue orbs staring at her. A closer inspection revealed it to be Peeta whom she was straddling at the moment. A blush crept on her face on realizing how closely she was holding him against herself… until memories of what they did last night crashed into her. With a feeling of confidence no oozing out of her, she looked at Peeta now undeterred with a renewed vigor.

With his knee-weakening smile, Peeta said, "Thought or a moment there that you are going to withdraw."

With a mock-superior tone Katniss said, "I've to live upto the name that the Capitol presented me with afterall – 'the Girl-on-Fire'."

Chuckling slightly Peeta closed the distance between them and pecked her on the nose, saying, "You have lived upto the title already my Mockingjay."

Katniss liked the name the most when it came from Peeta's adoration and love for her, so she decided to return him the favor, and sad with a peck on his lips, "So have you my Dark-Phoenix."

"Guess we have earned our selves some new nick-names. This means celebration," and with that another making-out session began. However this one was interrupted early with the announcement that they will reach District 12 in 5 hours now.

"Ready to face the crowds back home?" asked Peeta a few minutes after the announcement was made.

"You don't look so sure though," said Katniss thoughtfully.

"I don't know Katniss," said Peeta with a sigh. "I've killed. 16 valuable lives I consider innocent as the Capitol controlled them. I don't know how can one take credits for something like that."

Peeta being remorseful for all his kills and confessing it nonetheless was the last thing Katniss expected. But if anything, it made her love him even more. Out there for everyone else he might have been an assassin, a master-strategist, a great actor. But for her he will always be the boy with the bread who by his compassion saved her from sure death a few years ago when she was all but hopeless. But Peeta needed her now – a fact that was very rare.

Tilting his head so that he was looking in her eyes, Katniss said, "You do not have to worry over them anytime. The fact that you are sorry for their death speaks volume of your character unlike that of the Capitol, who should be blamed by the way for putting us all in this situation in the first place. How about we make a deal though? To face the crowd I mean."

Peeta looked curios, "And what might that be?"

"Let's face it together. Always."

"Forever."

(A/N) : This is the end of this part of my Hunger Games remake. In case anyone was wondering then I didn't drop dead... yet. Can't be sure with sophomore pressure and all. To all those who an appearance of the team back at District 12 or perhaps a reunion, then I'm sorry but they are going to make their next appearance only in my sequel. Thanks to all those who encouraged me throughout this experience by sending reviews of both praise and criticism. That's it for now. Until next time. Adieu!

~Aeigns