Wow.. two years since I've posted a new chapter. I'm sorry to keep anyone waiting; I was not planning on cutting off the story, but, what can I say? I ran dry. I had a huge episode of writer's block and I still haven't gotten over it. But, I hate to see a story incomplete. So, here is a resolution… it is a little rushed, but, I hope it may bring some sort of ending to this version of Katniss and Peeta. Thank you all for your support, it means more to me than you might think! Again, sorry for the two year (cringe) delay. Here is a review of what has happened in the last few chapters.

Chapter 8: Katniss and Peeta took their garime test. They both got very good results and will be a "Power Couple."

"We follow the old man into a small office and sit down on chairs across from his desk.

'Let's start with you Peeta,' he says and swipes his finger a few times with his computer.

'Ooo...very good. Looks like you got into the Pingere Academy. It is the most prestigious and exclusive academy for creative souls like yourself. You will become a painter.'

…..

'Now time for you, Katniss,' the old man says and swipes a little more on his computer. He stares at the screen for a second and then leans back in his chair. 'Oh my…' he says.

My heart drops. Peeta finds my hand and holds it tight.

'I have never seen anyone so young get this title before. You will be a conciliator.' the old man says.

'What's a conciliator?' I ask.

'They are a negotiator between the Capital and the Districts. They act as a medium between the two. There are only twelve in Panem. They help with trade and other disputes to help keep peace between a selective District and the Capital.' he explains.

'I didn't even know we had those,' I say.

'Yeah they're typically worthless,' his blood drains from his face, afraid for a second. 'But, paid very well and are very high up in the social class.' he tries to recover from what he said earlier. 'Lots of traveling will be involved, but, like I said earlier, the position has many perks. You two will be very well off- a power couple.'

Peeta and I look at each other with wide eyes. A power couple?

'We'll soon have you out of the apartment you live in now to a much more...suitable one,' he says, his hands starting to shake as he does things on his computer. Was he scared of...us?"

Chapter 9: Peeta and Katniss have a breakthrough. They kiss and end up sleeping in the same bed that night. Then Katniss has a nightmare about choosing her family or Peeta.

"I feel his hand let go of mine and turn my head softly, to face him. Both of his hands grab my waist as he steps forward and kisses me. His lips are soft and warm, yet strong and persistent. The butterflies are going crazy in my stomach, but, for the first time I give in to them instead of trying to resist. For the first time in forever all of my problems in the world are gone.

He pulls away. 'Are you still scared?' he asks me.

'Even more than before,' I smile and wrap my arms around his neck. 'But, I'm okay with it now,' and I lean in for another wonderful kiss."

….

'It doesn't take me very long to clean the empty pizza box and the two plates up. Once I'm done, I head to the bedroom. The lights are off besides a lamp on a bedside table. Peeta is at the other end of the bed, surely already asleep. I try to climb into bed silently and shut the lamp off. I get situated under the covers.

Once I'm done moving around I hear a faint 'Goodnight Katniss.'

'Goodnight Peeta,' I whisper back."

….

"Then the ground starts to shake. I look around frantically, unsure of what was happening. Peeta suddenly gets split from me, the ground splitting open between the two of us. The same happens with my family. Gale, Kailry, my mother, my father, and Prim are standing by the cherry tree, a crack in the earth separating us. Peeta is on the other side of me, separated. Both of them keep on moving farther and farther away from me, the gap growing deeper.

'Katniss jump!' I hear my family say.

'Katniss over here!' Peeta shouts.

The two go back and forth, trying to get me to jump on their side. I look around frantically. Do I go with Peeta? Or do I go with my family? Seeing the gap growing even wider, I know if I don't jump now, I won't be able to be with either of them. Taking a split-second decision I leap towards my family."

Thanks for sticking around so long! Here is the resolution!

"Oh shit!" my eyes snap open to the sound of Peeta's curse.

I look at the time, it's 7:47 in the morning.

"Everything ok?" I shout to Peeta in the bathroom where the sound of running water is coming from.

"Not really," he shouts back.

I swing my legs over the edge of the bed and walk into the bathroom. I find Peeta under the sink, where an abundant source of water is gushing from. The bathroom is starting to flood quickly, the water inching up on the door.

"What happened?!" I ask.

"I don't know! Can you get some buckets or something? I can't stop this," he is desperately trying to hold water in the broken pipe with his hands, but is failing miserably.

"I'll go look for something," I tell him, trying not to laugh.

I couldn't find any buckets, but I did find a few pots and vases. I bring them back to Peeta, who has managed to wrap a towel around the pipe. It didn't stop the running water, but, delayed it. We put a pot under the pipe, but, it starts to fill up quicker than we thought.

"I'm going to go see if I can find tape or anything that'll work better." Peeta says.

He leaves and I replace the pots and vases as they get full and dump them down the bathtub. I also soak some of the water on the floor with towels. When Peeta gets back, the bathroom has improved a lot.

"I found some duct tape- wow it looks good in here!" he says, referring to my moping.

"Thanks, perfect timing though, this vase is almost full."

He wraps the tape around the pipe, finally stopping the leakage.

"I can't wait until they put us into a new apartment, this one is full of traps!" Peeta says.

"At some point they have to stop, right?" I ask.

"You never know with the capitol…" he sighs. "What do you want to do for breakfast?"

"Hmm...do you want to try going out to eat?"

"What? Is my baking no longer good enough for you?" he smirks.

I laugh, "No, I just...if we are going to live here the rest of our lives, we might as well get to know this place."

"Sounds great," he smiles at me.

We both take turns getting dressed. I wear a light, blue sundress with some sort of tribal pattern and leather strappy sandals. When it's Peeta's turn, I relax in the living room waiting for him. When he comes out of the bedroom twelve minutes later, he's wearing a white tee shirt with navy shorts. The butterflies that I had run from for what seemed so long return. Instead of making me panic this time, I smile. I've got so lucky with him.

"What?" he asks me, wondering why I was staring. I just smile at him and ignore his question for now.

"You ready?" I ask.

"Yes."

We walk around the city, looking for a place to eat while also observing the odd atmosphere of our new home. There are fountains on every corner, each flowing gracefully with different colored water. Some are green, blue, pink ,red, we even saw a rainbow one. They are a mix of gaudiness and beauty, making me unsure of how I felt about the extravagance of them.

Unlike in Twelve, there seems to be little to no peacekeepers on the streets, as if the people in the Capitol are less savage than those in Twelve.

Every building you pass appears to be sky high. They're also all grey or white or black. There aren't any brick or wooden buildings; they're all concrete. Maybe that's why they have the colorful fountains, to try to balance the dullness with color.

We find a small cafe to eat at. It is very modern and there are no waiters or waitresses or even cashiers. When we sat down at a table, we put our order into a touchscreen tablet-like thing. Then the food comes around this track that was attached to all the walls around the perimeter of the cafe and lowers down to our table by a machine.

It is all very new and modern. It angers me that this kind of technology is available for the citizens of the Capitol, but, people in twelve can barely afford to feed their children. I guess as a conciliator I might be able to change that. Maybe I could really change things in Panem.

After we eat yet another delicious meal full of pastries and versions of coffee, Peeta and I decide to head home hand in hand. Being outside in the Capitol for an hour or two is enough for both of us in one day. It's so overwhelming and different, it's nice to go home and relax.

Since I woke up, I can't get my mind off our kiss. I'll get mad that I gave in so easily to the government's "match" for me, but, then I realize it's Peeta. Anything related to him can't be bad, right? He's so sweet and kind. His heart is so pure.

I rub his hand a little with my thumb as the elevator takes us to our floor. He looks over and smiles at me his brilliant smile. I peck him on the lips, so happy that I could do that any time I wanted now.

I never knew that I would actually have a desire for a relationship like this. To have someone to hold my hand while walking on the street or someone to wake up to, wrapped in their arms or someone to rely on when my doubts overwhelm me… I want that now. I want Peeta now.

"We're going to be in this together?" I ask him once we're inside the apartment.

"Of course. Forever."

I know it was short, but, at least it's complete. I really enjoyed writing Peeta and Katniss; we never see enough of them in the books or the movies! I hope you enjoyed reading the story! I might end up writing more… I have a few new ideas in mind.

XOXO,

secretrisker