Note: Thanks a lot for your reviews! They mean so much to me and make me happy. I'm always nervous to read what people think, especially since English is not my mother tongue.

I have the next few chapters in store so I'll probably be able to update on a daily basis or at least every other day this week. This is a short one. Hope you enjoy anyway and leave a constructively critical review.

Chapter Two

I am on my feet again within seconds, and before my legs, weak from the disuse, can fail me and I fall, Peeta is right before me and scoops me into his arms enclosing me in the tightest embrace.

"Hey! Why are you crying? Are you alright?" his voice is full of concern, but all I can do for a few moments is let the tears come and sob against his string chest. His arms hold me close to his body and finally I can feel the violent sniveling ebbing away and I dare to look up.

"Katniss, are you alright?" he smiles at me mildly and a little concerned as he touches my wet and cheek in the attempt to wipe away the tears, only getting his hand wet as well.

"Yes. Yes, I'm fine! I just. I am so very relieved… about everything." The sobbing returns, a little less violent and somehow I am glad that I remembered Gales presence just in time before I confessed what I was really so relieved about. With everything happening so fast, I don't want to risk a fight with Gale.

"I leave you alone for one minute and already you're up and crying your eyes out!" it is only when Peeta says this, that I realize he too is dressed in one of those flattering hospital nightgowns, pulling one of those mobile racks with a small bag filled with a clear liquid that is connected to his wrist with a drain tube.

"Oh my god, Peeta!" I cry, as I notice how pale and thin his face looks. But then his words start to sink in. Did he just say he left me alone for just one minute? "Wait, did you sit with me all this time?"

"Every freaking second he was awake and not being treated for his concussion over the past week, he sat here. Like a watchdog. It took me forever to get him out of here and to the doctor for his daily check-up today." I hear Gale confessing fretfully behind me.

I feel a bomb exploding in my chest, sending butterflies through my stomach and a tickly sensation into my limbs, my legs buckle from a new stage of weakness. Is it possible? Could there still be a little bit of the love he once confessed to me? It is almost too god to believe.

"Yeah, well." Peeta gives me a bashful smile and rubs his neck. "The doctors said you'd be fine and you'd come around eventually but I was worried. Also I figured you would have questions when you woke, so I wanted to be there."

"How long have you been up and about? And how is it possible that I've been out for a week when you run around with one of those cool bag thingies in your arm?" I ask and gently bump my fist into his chest, as he guides me over to my bed and helps me under the covers again, protectively plumping up my pillow for me.

"I did have what the doctor called a "severe concussion" but the medicine they gave me was pretty strong and I felt better after two days. They said that with you it was probably just exhaustion. Though I might as well cross out that "just". Someone hit you on the head when the hovercraft picked you up. Apparently they were afraid you might hurt someone. Or yourself, as a matter of fact. Your body and your mind needed a break, Katniss. Badly." He looks at me seriously now and his voice is full of concern as he strokes my forehead ever so lightly, brushing my messy hair with his thumb. Gale is standing over by the door now, as though he is prepared to leave any minute.

"I was so afraid when you weren't waking up." Peeta gently kisses my forehead and suddenly I don't care if Gale will be upset. I just touch Peetas face and lead it down to mine, kissing him softly on the lips. Surrounded by his sweet, familiar, homely scent I realize how very tired I am. The pain in my head subsides a little as I feel myself drift into sleep much quicker than I am willing to. Gale seems to have left the room.

"Will you stay with me?" I manage to mumble against Peetas lips.

"Always." He says and I fall into a deep and dreamless sleep.