"Peeta I…" my words failed me. I felt stupid standing in his house… breaking into his house is more like it.

I heard his feet hit the floor as he slid off the window sill. He silently made his way over to me… his blue eyes never leaving mine.

I once again tried to speak, but I couldn't find anything to say.

What was supposed to happen? For me to say "Sorry I broke into your house Peeta, I had a nightmare."

I was stopped by my thoughts when I felt his arms wrap around my waist and pull me close to him. I was about to protest, tell him I was sorry for intruding, and that I needed to go back home when my nose cradled into his neck.

There was something about his smell, his warmth that made me feel like everything in my life was going to be okay. That the pain, the nightmares, the memories would be okay.

"I'm sorry" I whispered into his hair.

He didn't say anything, just wrapped his arms tighter around me. It was the embrace that we had been missing, the bond that was Peeta and I.

I suddenly felt foolish for locking him out of my life for so long.

He pulled back slightly, and in the dim moonlight I could make out his facial features.

"Please don't leave." He whispered softly.

I shook my head, felt tears stinging my eyes.

Why was I getting so upset?

He grabbed my hand and led me quietly into the bedroom.

I knew tonight would not be a night of talking and kisses… just one of comfort and need.

We lay quietly on the bed, and he pulled the covers over us.

"Stay with me"

I nodded my head as I felt the warmth and security surround me.

"Always"

The sunlight streaming in from the window caused me to stir.

The first thing I noticed was a strong pair of arms holding me. I was pressed into his chest… the faint smell of dough and cologne enveloping me.

His eyes flashed open suddenly, and for a moment I was afraid he wouldn't remember that he had invited me into his bedroom last night.

I let out a sigh of relief when I saw his eyes crinkle in a smile.

"No nightmares?"

I shook my head, letting some of my hair fall into my face.

"You're like my own personal shield against them."

I nuzzled closer to him, not afraid to show him how much I really did need him as a shield. How much I really needed just someone in my life.

One of his hands lifted off of my back to stroke my unbraided, unkempt hair.

We lay like this for hours, just enjoying each other's company… no one saying much, or doing much. Just enjoying the warmth that we had both been deprived of for so long during these harsh winter months.

I guess I had dozed off, because when I woke again the bed was empty.

I felt a sting of cold panic run through me… and wondered if Peeta had changed his mind about what had happened with us overnight and into the morning.

I sat up, and realized the robe which I had originally laid down in was folded neatly in a chair on the other side of the room.

I was left in just a thin tank-top, and a pair of shorts.

As I was crossing the room to retrieve my robe, I caught the smell of bacon sizzling from the kitchen.

I pulled my robe on tightly, and crept down the stairs.

The site of Peeta in the kitchen, wearing an apron and carefully folding bacon into some type of sandwich warmed my heart.

He looked up and flashed me a genuine smile, "I'm sorry I didn't wake you… you seemed at peace, and I figured you'd be hungry when you woke up."

I laughed quietly, "You didn't have to cook for me."

"Sure I didn't, but I wanted to… plus who doesn't love bacon?"

I smiled as he handed me a plate and joined him at the table.

I glanced out the window and noticed that it seemed to be brighter than it usually is at this time in the morning.

"What time is it?"

He glanced down, "2:45."

"2:45! Peeta! Why did you let me sleep so late?"

"Says the girl that crawls into bed with me past 3 in the morning… you needed to sleep, so I let you sleep."

He shook his head at me as he took a bite of his sandwich, "When's the last time you had a decent night's sleep anyway?"

I scoffed at him "I did not crawl into bed with you."

He smiled and tipped his head at me encouraging me to take a bite of my sandwich.