A/N: I would like to thank HalfHope for the inspiration here - I read her 'Reunion Rewrite' and couldn't help myself. So, here is what I think might have happened, had Peeta not been hijacked. This line is the first before my bit starts:

Peeta's already awake, sitting on the side of the bed, looking bewildered as a trio of doctors reassure him, flash lights in his eyes, check his pulse. I'm disappointed that mine was not the first face he saw when he woke, but he sees it now.


He blinks rapidly and then stares at me for a long moment, obviously shocked. I launch myself forward just as he gets to his feet. Haymitch's hand is yanked from my shoulder as I leave him far behind – because there is nothing in the world now but Peeta and I, moving as fast as light and yet much too slowly.

Then his fingers touch me for the first time in months and a fraction of a second later, mine reach his face. His lips are on mine and I don't even care that Gale is only a few doors down the hall. Peeta is back, Peeta is here, Peeta is back!

"Oh – oh," I gasp when we finally break apart. His grip is so strong. I wish it were tighter. I crush my face into his chest and feel him kiss my hair. Clinging to him, I don't notice the sobs wracking my body until he pulls away slightly. I clutch him more tightly, not wanting to let go.

"Katniss!" His voice is a hoarse whisper, and while the broken tone reminds me of all the horrors he has surely experienced, it is my name he speaks and that is enough for now.

"Peeta, I – I – you're here, and…" there are no more words needed. He understands. I stand on my toes and pull his face towards mine. We are one again, as we are meant to be. After a few seconds I have to break away because I'm crying too hard. We both are.

"Yes, I'm here," he agrees and my hands are on his cheeks, wet with his tears. "I'll always be here." I want so badly to believe it, and I almost do – but this reunion would not be happening if the promise was one that any of us could keep. This makes me cry harder. How can the Capitol do this to us? How can they make everything so uncertain? How dare they?

But these unhappy thoughts have no place in our joy. Perhaps I can make my words true, though, if I say them and believe in them enough. "Me, too."