Eva Everdeen held her little daughter's chubby hand in her own, running her thumb across the toddler's smooth, unblemished skin.

She didn't go into Town often, in fact, she avoided it at all costs and usually sent Phoenix in her stead when a trip to town was necessary. There were too many memories that roamed the streets of the Town, too many things that never failed to remind her of a life she would never return to.

But today, a crisp and breezy day in late September, it was Eva that was forced to make the trip.

She clutched tighter at her daughter's hand, reining in all her fears, the feel of her baby girl at her side bringing strength to her soul. This little child, this tiny girl had her father's eyes, and, Eva suspected, her father's spirit. She was so young, only two years old, but Eva knew already that her daughter possessed a strength that she herself would never have.

As she walked down the street, slowly as not to exhaust little Katniss' tiny legs, Eva could feel eyes boring into the back of her head – she could feel the stares, she could hear the whispers. She was the disowned daughter, the one who'd fled to the Seam out of love for a coal miner.

She was the outcast.

She felt a blush of shame creep into her cheeks and she ducked her head low, pulling her daughter closer still to her side.

Eva felt the urge to run, to bolt back to the safety of her home and curl up with her daughter, away from the unforgiving eyes of the Town.

As much as she longed to turn back, Eva pushed on, determined not to let the piercing stares send her back into her hole.

She marched on, up the steps of District 12's Granary and into the tall wooden building.

The inside of the store was empty and Eva was thankful to be hidden from the cold glares and the hushed whispers.

She did her business quickly, collecting their weekly allotment of grain and flour before thanking Mr. Wevil softly and heading for the door. He never responded, and she wondered if he still remembered how he used to slip her a pouch of salted sunflower seeds when she'd come in with her father years ago. Maybe he'd forgotten, after all it'd been over twenty years ago.

Eva was so lost in her thoughts, so caught up in guiding Katniss down the steep stairs that she almost didn't even hear the voice that called out to her from several yards away.

At first she was startled, almost sure she'd heard wrong, but when she looked up, there he was, and he looked almost the same as he always had.

It had been years since she'd seen him, but the sight of him sent a dull pain to throbbing in her chest.

The sight of him reminded her of the days when her father would still talk to her, when her name wasn't mentioned in hushed tones while women discussed old scandals.

"Eva!" He'd exclaimed, breathless from running after the small boy at his feet.

Surprise was written on his face, it'd been years since they'd seen each other, and this was the last place she'd expected to meet him.

"W-Wade?"

Her voice was trembling, and she wondered if she looked as shocked as he did.

She felt Katniss below her, looking up at Eva, almost as if she was wondering why her mother was talking to someone that Katniss had never seen before.

Wade stopped in front of her, his mouth open, as if trying to find words, but failing.

It was the little boy that saved him.

"Eva?" He said, pointing a pudgy little finger in their direction, a question resting on his brow.

"Who Eva?" He said again, startling both adults into speech.

"It's been so long…"

"I never expected to see you here…"

They both spoke at the same time, and Wade laughed slightly, Eva joining him after a moment as they both stopped. It seemed suddenly as if both adults could find nothing more interesting in the world that their own feet, and it was a moment before one spoke again.

"It's good to see you Eva," Said Wade softly, a sad smile in his voice. "You look great."

Eva smiled and replied in turn, watching as Wade's gaze drifted to the little girl at her side.

"She's beautiful Eva, she reminds me of you and…"

His voice trailed off suddenly, and they both knew who else he was referring to.

Eva too found herself drawn to the face of the little boy, standing beside his father.

His small hand was clasped in his father's and he rocked back and forth on his heels, looking between the two adults, still trying to make sense of the meeting. The little boy looked up at her, and for just a moment, she could see plainly the traces of his father in him. There were the dark blue eyes, still wide and bright with innocence; there were the blond curls, pale and golden in color.

Tearing her eyes from the child, she looked back into the face of his father. They'd known each other since they were small children, but she could feel the wall between them and mused that perhaps this was a wall that time could not crumble.

"Oh, I'm sorry," Said Wade, gesturing to the little boy at his side.

"This is Peeta – Peeta, will you say hello to Mrs. Everdeen?"

Peeta smiled brightly nodding his head and waving sweetly in their direction.

"Hi!" He said brightly, before turning to his father and whispering a little too loudly.

"Who dis lady Daddy?"

This brought a free, unhindered smile to Eva's face, and she laughed softly at the little boy's curiosity.

"We're old friend's Peeta – from a long time ago…" Eva found her own voice trailing off and caught Wade's gaze again.

"Ooooh," Said Peeta, finally understanding.

"Me n' Madgie is fwends."

This time both adults laughed, before Eva lead Katniss out from behind her skirts to face the little boy and his father.

"Peeta," Said Eva, gesturing towards her daughter.

"This is my little girl Katniss – Katniss, will you say hello little bird?"

Katniss' large, dark eyes darted down to the ground, towards Peeta, then down to the ground again.

"H'lo." She mumbled, her wispy black hair hiding her face from view.

"Katnith?" Peeta looked up at his father, his brow furrowing.

"Dat's hard."

Eva smiled at the little boy, placing a fond hand on Katniss' silky head.

"It is hard, but don't worry, it's not hard for long."

Peeta nodded, and Wade chuckled, running his fingers fondly through the little boy's curls.

They stood there for a moment, none of them speaking before Wade finally broke the silence.

"We, uh, we'd better get going – we're on our way to pay a visit to my mother – she's been doing poorly lately."

Eva frowned as she continued to caress her daughter's head.

"Give her my regards." Said Eva sincerely, thinking of strong Mrs. Mellark, who'd always been kind to her, even after Phoenix.

Wade smiled in response.

"She'll be glad to know you're doing well – she's asked after you several times."

Eva felt tears creeping up behind her eyes and blinked quickly to be rid of them. This was not the time for nostalgia.

Reaching into the pack at his side, Wade pulled out a package of rose colored cookies, lightly sprinkled with sugar and held them out to Eva.

"For the little one." He said, nodding to Katniss, catching the little girl's eye and earning a small smile for his trouble.

Eva hesitated, but in the end, took the sweets he offered and hoped her eyes spoke the thanks she knew her words could not.

Little Peeta, not wanting to be left out, then pulled a smooth, marbled rock from his pocket and handed it to Katniss.

"For you!" He said enthusiastically, and Eva suddenly felt the urge to kiss his round little cheeks.

Just like her mother, Katniss too hesitated, but once the rock was in her palm she looked up, giving Peeta a shy smile.

The little boy beamed brightly as he once again rocked back and forth on his heels.

"It was good to see you Eva." Said Wade, and for a moment, it was almost as if the wall between them was gone.

Eva nodded and replied quickly "It was good to see you too Wade."

"And me!" Peeta said cheerily.

"And you too Peeta."

Wade took the little boy's hand in his once again and led him slowly away from the pair, turning once more too look over his shoulder at Eva, sending her a smile that said what words could not.

There were no hard feelings; the friendship they'd once shared was mending the rift.

After they'd gone, Eva turned and with Katniss in hand, walked in the opposite direction, never looking back.

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