This is my first Hunger Games fic. I typically work on Firefly/Sernity and Bones. I loved the books, just finished last week and I can't help feeling unsatisfied. So here's what I, and hopefully all of you, are looking for.

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Haymitch had brought me to my new, well old, home three days ago. It was to be where I served out my punishment for killing Coin. And it was punishment.

As we had walked from the train station through 12, I remembered how it was when I was here the last time. Although there seems to be a handful of people working on restoring the town; the bodies are still underfoot and hidden by piles of ash. I held in my tears as we passed through the Seam and then held them again, inexplicably, as we passed the Mellark family bakery. Haymitch pretended not to notice as we continued to walk towards Victor's Village. I've found it harder to control my emotions since… coming back.

Greasy Sae had welcomed me with a gentle smile and warm embrace. As her motherly arms enfolded me, it was all I could do not burst out into a fit of sobs. She seemed to sense my downturn in mood and shooed Haymitch out of the house with her ladle. Sae took me to the couch and tucked me in a soft throw. I fell asleep immediately, my head overwhelmed with everything the last week had brought on…

Another week goes by since then; I've barely left my spot on this couch. Greasy Sae comes to feed me three meals a day. She lingers more than she should; cleaning, washing, and always keeping an eye on me. She often asks if I'd like her to run me a bath or help me up to my bed. I shake my head and thank her anyway.

From my makeshift bed on the couch, I hear a knock on the door. I don't answer but I know he'll enter anyway. At least he looks sober.

"You look… clean." I say, as he enters my living room. I tuck the blanket up under my chin.

"And you look awful, sweetheart." I can tell by his expression that he's being serious, I believe him. I feel awful.

"What do you want?" I grumble. "The house is clear of liquor."

He sighs and sits down across from me. "That's not what I'm here about."

I pull the blanket up over my head. "Well then, tell me what you want so I can get back to sleep."

"Fine." He states, exasperation seeping into his voice, I can hear him get up again and move towards me. "I just thought you might want to know that Peeta's coming home tomorrow."

"What do you mean?" I almost yell as I pop out of the covers.

Haymitch heads towards the door. "Dr. Aurelius cleared him to come home."

"B-but why here? He could go to 13 or stay in the capital even." My pulse was racing now at the thought, anywhere but here.

Haymitch lowered his gaze at me. "If you were him would you want to live in either of those places?" He paused for a moment while I registered his meaning. "He's coming and you're going to have to face him. Get over it, sweetheart."

The next thing my ears register is the sound of the door clicking as Haymitch leaves. I barely sleep that night, thinking of mine and Peeta's last moments together. He wanted to die, to escape everything he was and had done. Then I'd kissed him. I still don't know why, but I guess I was hoping it could remind him and bring him back. But it hadn't.

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How will Katniss take Peeta's return? Read and review!