DISCLAIMER: Neither "The Hunger Games", "Catching Fire", or "Mockingjay" books, or movies belong to me.

A/N: What's up guys! This is a short three chapter story that I wrote years ago, it was very difficult for me to re-write (for personal reasons) but I thought that you all might find it intriguing. I hope you enjoy it! Please read and review!

**WARNING!** This story revolves around the re-telling of Peeta's time in the capitol and so there is some torture in this. It will not be too graphic though. But read at your own risk!

"You may have just cost us the war."

"Peeta!"

"You will regret that, boy."

"Peeta! You're okay!"

"Break him."

"PEETA!"

I jump wide awake at the third desperate cry from my wife, sweating and shaking.

My eyes dart around the room frantically assuring myself that I'm home… I'm safe. Now.

I exhale loudly and fall back against the pillows, rubbing my hands over my face and through my disheveled hair before turning my gaze on my beautiful wife of twelve years.

I force a small smile and raise a still slightly shaking hand to caress the side of her face. "I'm sorry, Katniss. Did I hurt you?"

With barely concealed tears in her eyes, she shakes her head and takes my hand off her cheek in favor of grasping it with her own and laying a comforting kiss on my knuckles. "You haven't cried out in your sleep in a long time…"

I run my thumb softly over the back of her hand. "I haven't dreamed about that memory in a long time." I look into her eyes with guilt, "I'm sorry. I woke you up didn't I?"

She shakes her head, wavy raven hair falling over her shoulders, before nestling back down into my side. "Do you want to talk about it? You haven't told me much about what happened, Peeta." She props herself back up for a few seconds, "I keep imagining everything that happened and I hate what I think of. I need to know what really happened. I think it would help us both."

I close my eyes and sigh deeply, "I know… and I'm sorry, it's just that-"

The soft, sweet, full lips on mine take me by surprise but it's a welcome one so I don't protest. Instead, I kiss back gently before she slowly pulls away to look in my eyes. "What is it?"

I run my fingers through her hair and look deeply in her breathtaking gray eyes and whisper, "I don't want it to be too much for you to hear. It's… not pretty."

She smiles and lets out a soft chuckle, "Still trying to protect me?"

I pull her lips down to mine and kiss her passionately before pulling away and breathing out, "Always."

She smiles and gives me another sweet peck before sitting up and sobering. "Peeta… please tell me. I can handle it. You don't have to tell me everything that happened, right now. How about you just start with the memory your dream was about?"

The weight of the memory threatens to overwhelm me again and I shut my eyes tightly and rub the heels of my hands into eyelids. But I take a few steadying breaths, drop my arms to my side, and begin.

A/N: Sorry to stop it there! But never fear! I already have the next (and last) two chapters ready! :) The heavy stuff starts next chapter. You have been warned.