Disclaimer: I do not own The Hunger Games, it belongs to Suzanne Collins.

AN: I know that it has been a while since I have updated but it's been over six months six I picked a pen and started writing for fun. Dealing with depression/anxiety will do things to you that you never thought could happen. Sorry this is so short, I promise that I tried to make it as good and sound as logical as I possibly could. Let me know what you think.

Peeta couldn't remember the last the time he had been called into General Coin's office. He always made sure to keep his troops in line so that he didn't have to deal with her. General Alma Coin wasn't one to mince words and she didn't like it when people went to Major General Heavensby before going to her with an issue. She ran a tight ship and didn't care for insubordination.

He sat outside General Coin's office, his leg bouncing up and own nervously. What could possibly be so bad that he had to come and see the General and not Gale, who outranked him? Why not send him to Colonel Pallor like she always did? He got along with Paylor and respected her opinion more than Finnick's most of the time.

Colonel Paylor opened the door to the General's office, motioning for him to come in, giving him a calming smile as he passed her.

"Have a seat Lieutenant," Major General Heavensbee said cordially.

"How long have you been here, Mellark?" Coin asked.

"Just a few minutes, ma'am."

"I mean this tour, how long have you been here?"

"Almost a year and a half, but my men get permission to go Stateside when needed."

"We've received word that your battalion will be leaving at the end of the month."

"You're going home, son," Paylor said with a smile.

"Really?"

"Yes, really. You're expected to spread the word. We'll miss you Lieutenant," Heavensbee said sentimentally.

"Thank you," Peeta said graciously.

"You're dismissed," Coin said dryly.

Peeta stood and was out of the room as quick as lightening. He didn't have to look for Finnick; he was in the hallway that led to the General's office. Peeta kept his face neutral as he asked where Gale was.

"He's on cleanup duty in the mess hall. Paylor caught him on the phone while he was on guard duty three times this week. Luckily, she kept it to herself. What's up?"

"I want to tell the two of you together," Peeta explained with a shake of his head.

Gale was just finishing in the kitchen when they found him. Gale and Finnick followed him to his office. Gale closed the door behind them before Finnick pounced.

"Do you want to tell us why we were not allowed to be at a meeting that we should have been a part of?" Finnick questioned tensely.

"When is Annie due?" Peeta questioned, ignoring him.

"Not for another four months," he answered with a sigh.

"Well then, I suggest that you call her and tell her that you'll be able to go to those birthing classes with her after all," Peeta said with a smile.

"We're going home?" Gale asked, hopefully.

"We leave the thirty-first," he confirmed.

Finnick whopped loudly before picking Peeta up off the ground and spinning him around. Peeta's complaints were so loud that they drew a crowd and one of the lower ranking officers opened the door to see what was going on.

"All right, all right; put me down. Show's over everybody, back to work," Peeta ordered.

The soldiers dispersed and Finnick finally put him down. Gale watched his two closest friends interact with a smile. Finnick pulled his phone out of his pocket, talking a mile a minute as he explained to Annie that he was coming home.

"Why so silent, Cap?" Peeta asked.

"Just taking everything in. Why do you think they told you and not me?"

"Well, maybe it's because you were on KP duty at the time," Peeta observed, giving him a terse look.

Gale laughed lightly, putting his hands up in surrender. He stood, holding out a hand to Peeta who took it, allowing himself to pulled in for a bro hug. He had to talk to Peeta about something, but it could wait until later. Right now, he wanted to talk to Madge and break the good news to her.

XXXX

Madge was getting out of the shower when her phone rang. She dashed across the hall to her room, towel drying her hair and her open robe flapping behind her. Thankfully, Katniss was still at work so no one had witnessed her mad dash.

"Hello?" she asked, breathless when she answered her phone.

"Hey," Gale, greeted her.

"Well hey. I didn't think that I would hear from you for a couple more hours," she said with a smile in her voice.

"I know, but I got some news and I wanted to share it with you."

"Good news or bad news?" she asked as she opened and closed drawers, looking for her favorite pair of jeans.

"Good news. How would feel about going out on a date with me? An honest to God date where I pick you up, take you out and lamely make an excuse to kiss you at the end of the night?"

"I'd say that you described every dream that I've had for the past month, but you kept it PG. Why are you asking me a hypothetical question? Didn't anyone ever tell you that it isn't nice to tease your girlfriend?"

"I'm not teasing you at all and it's not a hypothetical question," he answered with a light laugh.

"Are you coming home?" she asked quickly.

"I just found out. I'll be home by Labor Day."

"Gale!" Madge said excitedly.

"I have to report to base first and take care of a couple of things but I'll come see you as soon as I can," he promised.

"When do you get in?"

"September third."

"I'll be there when you get off the plane," she promised.

"I can't ask you to do that," he admonished.

"Have you ever had a girl waiting for you at the airport when you've gotten home before?"

"Other than my mom and sister? No."

"Well, you will this time. Give me all the information when you get it and I'll be there," she promised again.

They talked for a little while longer, making plans and discussing the next step in their relationship. In less than two weeks she would be able to hold his hand, hug him, kiss him anytime she felt like it. She couldn't wait to tell Katniss.

XXXX

Peeta stared at the picture of his family on his desk. It was taken just a couple of months ago, not long after his nephew had been born. All three Mellark men were squished onto Bran's couch so that Bran's wife, Melanie could take a picture of them. Bran sat in the middle, staring at his newborn son in awe while his dad draped an arm over his oldest son's shoulders, smiling proudly. Rye smiled reluctantly for the camera but, Peeta could tell that it was an act. It was one of only a few pictures that he had on his desk but it was the one that he was most proud of.

His dad had taken the news of his return as Peeta suspected he would. Ansel was excited at the prospect of having his youngest son home. Peeta was looking forward to spending his weekend working in the bakery so that his dad could have a little time off. He was looking forward to sunrise jogs on the beach behind the bakery. He thought of making plans to see Katniss while he was home, but he would need to talk to her first. He was planning his free time before he even had it. He hadn't done that in years.

He still had another year of service left but his dad was already asking him if he was going to re-enlist or retire after only eight years of service. He didn't know how to tell his dad that he still felt like he had another four years of service in him. Ansel, wouldn't like it, but he would support Peeta's decision. That's how it had been the last two times and Ansel had eventually come around. It would be any different this time.