Peeta was kissing me. They were long, deep kisses, and very much unlike the short, quick kisses we had shared in the Games. Right now, there was only him and I –oh, so much of him.

"I love you, Katniss Everdeen," he murmured to me, "I will always be here, always."

His kisses were fire, enveloped me and left me wishing for more; something I hadn't done a lot of since we had first entered the Games. Only Gale had made me really feel hope after my dad had died…Gale. He was like a bucket of cold water thrown over my naked body, leaving me shivering and raw, but completely awake. Oh, Gale…

I awoke sitting on a stool in my mother's kitchen, hand holding my head up as I dozed on a stool. I rubbed my eyes, yawning and took in the room as I had so many times before. Then I was forced to do a double take. There was someone lying on the kitchen table, their back a bloody mess. It looked like it was done by whiplashes. My heart stopped as the person hissed in pain. It was Peeta. I covered my mouth in case a scream found its way out and spun around, hoping he hadn't been competent enough to notice my horrified expression.

"Katnip," he groaned. Squeezing my eyes shut, I felt tears spill out the sides. I took a breath and steeled myself. Peeta needs me, I told myself firmly. I turned, hands brushing away imaginary dust on my shirt.

"Hmmm?" I said, not trusting my voice not to waver. I swept black hair out of my eyes.

"Come…. Please," he gasped then, almost delirious from the pain. I started to shout for my mother when he groaned again. "Katniss."

I ran to him then, scooping up one of his hands in both of mine. Mine were lost under his. I pressed my lips to it before holding it to my cheek, tears spilling over.

"I'm here," I told him, "I'll always be here, even if you don't want me."

He smiled then, or at least, tried to. It looked like more of a grimace of pain. "Who. Would ever, not want you?" I tried to smile back, but faltered. I stroked some of his blonde hair out of his face. His usually clear blue eyes were clouded in pain.

Their moment ended abruptly as the door slammed open and Haymitch fell in, and then flat on the floor, dead. I screamed. President Snow stepped in and over Haymitch's dead body. He looked at it calmly before facing ,e.

"He was in my way," he said, smirking, blood red lips vivid against his skin and suit. I glared, but stayed by Peeta's side. "you know who I've come for," he said, and I screamed again, louder now, because I did know, and it wasn't me.