Her eyelids fluttered open and she felt a cool towel pressed to her forehead.

"There she is, she'll be alright."

"P-Peeta?" Her voice sounded hoarse.

"She's going to be alright? Listen to her voice!" Peeta's voice sounded far away, and looking around her, she couldn't find his face. The older man felt her throat, asking her to say her name several times.

"There's no damage, that will wear off in a couple hours. Here, Miss Everdeen, please take this pill." She sat up a little, catching sight of Peeta in the far corner, pressed against the walls, wringing his hands. In the dim light, she could faintly make out his worried expression. The man in front of her handed her a small white pill and a glass of water. She took it unquestioningly.

"Is Peeta okay?" The man turned to look at Peeta in the corner, and looked back at her, smiling gently.

"He'll be fine. You have to get better quickly so he knows you're fine too. Peeta, would you grab a glass of milk or orange juice or something from the kitchen?" Peeta slipped out silently aside from the clicking of his leg.

"What's wrong with him, why was he so far from me? And who are you?"

"I'm your neighbor, my name is Dr. Aurelius. Peeta is responsible for a pretty hard bump on your head, and he knows it was him. He feels like you'll never be safe around him and I think that's breaking his heart. He was in tears when he came pounding on my door, and when I got here, you were tucked in bed with this cloth on your forehead."

"He thinks we can't be together because of his attacks?"

The doctor nodded.

"What can I do?"

"Help him when he starts having an episode, but stay farther away so you're completely safe. When he's back, show him you trust him, and he'll learn to trust himself." Peeta stepped back in, holding a glass out to Dr. Aurelius. He stayed as far away as he could, and the doctor had to reach out to take the glass from him.

"Thank you Peeta." He held the glass to her mouth, his hand behind her shoulders, propping her up to drink. When the glass was empty, the doctor rose.

"Well, rest a little more today, Miss Everdeen, and you should be feeling better by Monday. Take a couple of Aspirin if your head bothers you, and call me if you feel dizzy or nauseous for an extended period of time." He patted her shoulder, "I'm right across the hall from you." He smiled and turned to shake Peeta's hand.

"You take good care of her, Peeta. I know you can." Peeta shook his hand, face expressionless. The doctor let himself out and they heard the click of the door as he left.

"Peeta, are you okay?" Katniss reached her hand out to him, and he bit his lip, not moving closer. He was back in the corner.

"Peeta? It's not your fault, I don't blame you."
He finally burst out.

"You should! I hurt you, I bruised your wrists and I knocked you out! You were unconscious for an hour! A whole hour!"

She wasn't aware he'd bruised her wrists. She examined them, seeing faint bluish purple marks in the shape of fingers.

"I'll be okay, Peeta, I've been through much worse, and so have you." She thought of the scars going across the skin of his torso, he had yet to tell her where those came from.

"But I hurt you! I could've killed you, and you didn't even try to fight back!" That's true, she don't fight back. She hadn't wanted to hurt him, as this would make him fear her and see her as a threat.

"That's right. I didn't fight back because I knew I would be okay. It would have scared you if I'd fought back. You would have hurt me if you thought I was a threat to you."

"I did hurt you! And you're scaring me now, do you know what it was like to snap out of it to find I'd hurt you? Katniss-"

"Shh, shh. Come here, Peeta." He covered his face with his hands, sliding down the wall and huddling into a ball in the corner. She slipped out of bed, softly walking towards him, slowly so she wouldn't frighten him.

"I'm okay, see? I'm fine." She ignored the pounding behind her eyes as her head adjusted to being upright. Peeta peeked up at her, shrinking away even more as she got nearer. Like a threatened animal, and she was the hunter. She slowly sat down in front of him, so she was at eye level.

"I'm fine, Peeta." He wrapped his arms around his knees, his back pressed up against the wall and his face mottled from crying. He looked like a little boy.

"I realize now that we can't be together anymore. I saw you as my mother. I can't stop myself when I think of her. And I can't forgive myself for seeing you like that." He whispered.

"Yes you can, Peeta. Don't say that. You did stop." He shook his head. "I'm not going anywhere."

"You have to leave before I kill you!"

"I'm not leaving you. I'm not going to do that."

"Then I will." He jumped up and darted out of the room. She decided to watch him and see where he was going rather than follow, since that would make him run farther, faster. While she realized she could probably outlast him and definitely outrun him, she didn't want him to feel like he was her prey.

It was night, she realized, as she watched him curl up on the couch, sobbing into the pillow she'd given him two weeks prior as a just cuz present. When he ran out of tears, he hugged the pillow to his chest, rocking himself to sleep. When she was sure he was out, she crept out and covered him with a soft brown blanket, stroking his cheek and wiping under his eyes with her thumb. She kissed his lips before heading back into the bedroom she used to share with him.

The clock assured her it was still early on Sunday morning when she started awake. Peeta had left her. He had gone back into a wrestling ring, his opponent a gigantic ape of a man, looking furiously down to his much smaller match partner. During the fight, Peeta had lost his footing on his bad leg, and fallen. Of course the ape-man had taken advantage of the opportunity. She heard his strangled cry as she pushed her way out of that world. She opened her eyes, wishing for the warm, comforting arms of her boy, but seeing the bed empty beside her. This wasn't unusual, since Peeta often rose early to make their breakfast. But she had an uneasy feeling as she listened for movement in the kitchen and heard nothing. She rose and clung to the bedpost as her head swam. The feeling passed and she made her way out of the dark room. Before she made it to the kitchen, she came upon Peeta, still in a tight ball on the couch, his legs tucked up into his chest. He'd fallen asleep without removing his prosthetic and she could tell his position wasn't a comfortable one. The previous day's events came rushing back to her as she fell onto the ottoman in front of him.

She reached out to touch his shoulder. He flinched slightly but didn't wake up.

"Peeta?" His eyes fluttered open and he looked around, sitting up and thinking of why he was on the couch.

"Did we fight yesterday? Why am I here?"

"No, we didn't fight Peeta. But I think you broke up with me." He then recalled the circumstances and his eyes grew wide.

"Don't get so close, Katniss! Don't touch me, I'll hurt you again!"

"No you won't, Peeta. You're more careful now." To show him she trusted him, as the doctor instructed, she slowly stood and sat where his head had been. She reached up cautiously to touch his face. He looked terrified and moved farther and farther away from her hand until his back met the armrest on the opposite end of the couch.

"Peeta, come back to me. Kiss me good morning." Her hand came in contact with his cheek and his hand rose to push it away. She didn't let him, brushing the tears away once more. She scooted closer to him, and he stopped moving altogether. She didn't feel his breath on her arm either.

"Breathe. I'm not going to hurt you."

He still didn't react, and she drew her hand back.

"Talk to me, tell me you're still with me. Your favorite color is orange, real or not real?"

He paused, considering her question. She barely heard his reply.

"Real."

"You love to bake, especially cheese buns since those are my favorite. Real or not real?"

"Real."

"You painted the pictures on the walls, real or not real."

His eyes flitted around the room looking at the paintings.

"Real."

"You're still my boyfriend. Real or not real." He didn't respond for a long time, Katniss watched the battle in his head between what he wanted and what he thought he couldn't have.

"Real."

"Your best friend is Delly Cartright and you love her, real or not real?"

"Real."

"You love me, real or not real?"

His eyes welled up with tears as he said one word.

"Real." Katniss reacted to this as well. A smile crept onto her features, and she really wanted to launch at his face to kiss him senseless. But she couldn't do that.

"You won't hurt me. Real or not real."

He didn't respond, his eyes growing glassy and his lips twitching downward.

"Answer me, Peeta, real or not real?"

He slowly dragged his eyes from the spot he'd been staring at on the floor to her eyes.

"Real. I won't hurt you ever again. I promise." A wave of relief hit her, and she smiled warmly at him. He gave her an almost smile back. Gently, she lifted her hand once more to cup under his chin.

"I know that you'll take perfect care of me, just like you always have." He smiled then, nodding his head, pledging to her and to himself.

"Can I kiss you now?" He nodded, finally coming toward her. Their lips met softly and she put her hand in his hair, softly running her fingers through his waves. When they finally broke apart, Peeta put both his hands on her cheeks, leaning in once more to dust his lips over the bruise on her forehead. His hands went to hers, and he lifted each of her arms to kiss the bruises on her wrists, touching his lips carefully to each streak of purple, where each one of his fingers crushed. His eyes met hers again, apologizing over and over for hurting her, vowing to never let it happen again.

"Are you back, Peeta? Are you with me?"

"Yes. I'm here."

"Stay with me." She pleaded.

"Always."

She leaned close to him and gently wrapped her arms around his chest, feeling him do the same. She thought of how scared he'd been the night before to even look at her and she rejoiced at their contact now. She frowned as she remembered his words.

"What did you mean, last night, you said you saw me as your mother. Why does that scare you?" She sat back, keeping her arms on his. Terror flashed briefly in his eyes before he replied.

"She had anger problems, my dad settled for her and she knew that. She usually... Well she usually took it out on me." He frowned as Katniss looked at him in shock.

"Why? Why you?" He shrugged.

"She never had a reason, she just did." Katniss got up and went around behind him, peeling his tshirt above his head and tossing it onto the ottoman. She gasped, really looking at the scars there, and Peeta shivered slightly as she ran her finger over a long one.

"Peeta..." She hugged him closely, her tears running down his shoulder blades. He patted her arms that encircled his.

"That's why I fought you, Katniss. That's how far gone I was, I saw you as her and it horrified me."

That's how far gone he was.

"I'm so sorry Peeta. You of all people deserved better. I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry." Between each sorry, she pressed her lips to another scar. She counted 12.

Three nights passed before Peeta would occupy the same bed as Katniss, and he made it clear to her that if he woke her up for any reason, to leave the bed immediately, just in case. It took several hours for him to fall asleep, and Katniss sang to him softly the lullaby her father sang to her. He finally drifted off, a smile lifting his features and she kissed him gently before tucking herself into his side.

Thanksgiving dinner was held at Peeta's apartment, since he was the cook and his kitchen was better stocked than hers, and they invited their neighbor Beetee, who was good friends with Peeta, Delly and Thresh, Johanna, Finnick and Annie, Gale, Madge, and Rue promised to come for desert. Dr. Aurelius was out of town with his own family, but he thanked them for thinking of him.

Dinner went smoothly, Johanna flirted openly with Gale, and Madge laughed at his curt replies. Katniss decided Jo was a very good fit for Gale, she was a very strong persona but it took a lot to make her angry or upset, and she could calm him down when he needed it. Besides, she obviously was attracted to him. Mental note to get them together.

Peeta of course was by her side the entire time, holding her hand and kissing the faint yellowish marks on her wrists when he thought nobody was looking. She had covered up the bruise on her forehead with some makeup to dissuade any questions, especially since Peeta was so anxious to please her friends and show them he would take care of her.

Beetee started up a conversation with Peeta, so Madge and Annie drew Katniss away.

"So..." Madge's eye twinkled.

"So what?" Katniss blushed, knowing the nature of Madge's inquiry. Annie giggled.

"So how much do you like him? Is he good to you? Does he make you feel good in the right places eh...?" Madge poked her friend in the stomach and laughed.

Annie touched her arm.

"Is it real? Is he it?" Katniss liked Annie's questions better than Madge's, but she thought over her answers.

"I like him a lot, he spoils me shamelessly and we haven't gone there... Yet. I hope it's real, I think he might be." She flushed as she finally said all this out loud. The girls squealed in excitement. Katniss had never really been emotional, and she'd been lacking in the gentlemen department for many years.

Johanna came strolling up to them.

"Hey giggle boxes, stop being 13 for a second and set me up with that hot friend of yours." Although her voice was brusque, she smirked at them, knowing exactly what they'd been discussing.

"Gale? He hates you." Madge elbowed Jo playfully.

"Well make him stop hating me then," Jo rolled her eyes as this was obviously the simplest thing in the world.

Annie smiled knowingly, "I think that's your job, sweetie." Gale was on his way to the kitchen to refill his glass and Annie shoved Jo towards him with a grin. Jo scowled back but disappeared behind the wall as she followed Gale.

"She'll get him. It may take awhile, but she will. She'll always get everything she wants." Madge nodded, and Katniss agreed with her. Just then, Finnick came up behind Annie and trapped her around the waist, tugging her backward into him.

"There you are, love." He smooched her head loudly and she giggled. "Peeta's missing you, Katniss." He winked before leading Annie back to the couch and settling with her in his lap and chatting amiably with Delly. Thresh seemed to be enjoying Beetee's company and Peeta wasn't in the room. She frowned and went into the kitchen. He was whipping some cream for the pie with his back to her, his phone alight on the counter beside him. Gale and Jo weren't in sight. She snuck up behind him and kissed the back of his neck, making him jump and drop the whisk into the frothy white mess. She laughed and fished it out.

"Don't scare me like that, Katniss!" He spun and gripped her hips, his eyes telling her he very much liked being scared like that. She threaded her arms over his shoulders.

"Did Rue say she was coming?" He nodded, he'd told Rue to text him when she was on her way so that he could start the cream.

"I can't wait to taste your pie, it smelled so good baking..." She leaned up to kiss his lips. He smiled down on her, moving his lips along her jawline.

"You looked like you were enjoying your little tete-e-tete with your friends, what were you all so giggly about?"

"Um we were teasing Jo about having the hots for Gale..." She skirted.

"Oh does she? I hadn't noticed..." He chuckled.

"And they were asking me about you..."

"And?" He turned, casually continuing to beat the cream, but his voice betrayed how much he wanted to know the answer.

"They asked me if you're good to me, I assured them you are, they asked if we'd..." She moved her hands awkwardly in circles, "I told them not yet, and they asked me if it was real, if you were IT..."

He held his breath, his hands freezing in their positions, back still toward her.

"And you said?"

"I told them real." Peeta spun around and crushed her to him, kissing her fiercely, and she knew this was exactly what he needed to hear.

"I love you, Katniss. I love you." His lips found their way down her jaw and neck, nipping the skin under her ears.

"Tonight, okay? Tonight." His voice was husky and she suddenly couldn't wait until everyone left.

She nodded and they broke apart, hearing the door buzzer wail and Jo answer it.

"Katniss, there's a pixie here to see you!" She heard Rue's fluttery giggle and led Peeta out to greet her. Her father waved as he dropped her off.

"Hi Rue, how was your dinner?"

"It was delicious, my mom outdid herself, I'm guessing Peeta did too." She stepped inside and hugged Katniss and then Peeta affectionately.

"I hope you saved a little room for some pumpkin pie, lil girl." Peeta and Rue had really hit it off when they met at the studio several days ago. It made Katniss realize how good he was with kids.

"Of course, I wouldn't miss it!" She giggled and took one of each of their hands, leading them back into the party.

"Thresh! I didn't know you'd be here!" She ran up and the big man caught her up in his arms, kissing her hair fondly.

"I'm just as surprised, honey, are you Katniss's favorite student that she goes on and on about?" He winked over her head at their hostess.

"Rue and I were neighbors for a few years in Alabama before she came up here. I didn't realize I'd be following only a little while later." He set her down and introduced her to Delly, and as she hugged the plump blonde, she gave Thresh a quick nod of approval at his woman. This made everyone laugh, and she quickly met and befriended everyone, even Gale, who was still in a slightly sour mood from fending off Johanna all evening.

When everyone settled down for pie, Rue was squeezed between Thresh and Jo on the couch, and Peeta pulled Katniss down into his lap as they enjoyed his creation.

After they'd eaten, Peeta started clearing their plates away, and Rue hopped up to help him. Katniss thought it was odd that they'd been in the kitchen for so long, but figured they were probably just chatting. Awhile later, when they still hadn't returned, she rose and excused herself. She froze when she saw them next to the sink. Peeta was trembling.

"Rue?" She whispered, the dark girl shook her head minutely, and Katniss stayed where she was.

"You see Peeta? It's okay, nobody's going to hurt you, you're gonna be okay. Can you hear me?" She didn't know how Rue had learned what to do. She didn't think it was safe for the tiny nymph to be rubbing Peeta's tight shoulders or holding his hand. But she knew movement would push Peeta back. She caught sight of the blackened tea bag on the stove, and realized that was the trigger to this attack.

"Shh, Peeta, I won't let anyone hurt you, you're safe with me now." It seemed a little ironic that the little girl was comforting the man, but it did seem to help, and when she started singing softly, Peeta's tense muscles relaxed, and she rested her head against his shoulder. Her hand continued rubbing the back of his, and in a small voice Katniss heard him say, "be careful, I'm not back yet. Get Katniss." Without turning or moving away from him, Rue told him, "she's here, it's okay, you're safe with me."

Katniss moved closer slowly, and spoke cautiously, "I'm here, Peeta. Come back to me. The fire's gone, you're safe." Rue let Katniss take her place, and whispered in her ear,

"I dropped a tea bag on the stove and it caught fire. What's wrong with him?"

"PTSD, I'll tell you later. Thank you." Peeta turned back to Katniss, his eyes clear again and his voice normal as he smiled wryly at Rue.

"Thanks, Rue." Rue held his hand and smiled back at him.

"Anytime. I hope you feel better." She disappeared around the corner.

"Did I scare her?"

"No, she's letting us recover. She's okay."

Peeta nodded.

"The fire was back." He held up his hand when he had imagined the burns.

"I didn't touch it? It didn't burn me?"

"No, you're safe." She hugged him close.

It was only an hour or two later when the last of the guests, Rue and Gale, were on their way out. Rue's father thanked the couple for giving her a wonderful time, and Rue promised to show Katniss her efforts on the lullaby next Monday, kissing Peeta's cheek and chattering about Johanna on the way out. Gale shook Peeta's hand, praising his food and hugged Katniss, grumbling about Jo, when Katniss stopped him from leaving.

"Give her a shot, Gale, I think you guys would be good together."

"Johanna Mason. And me. Together. On purpose."

Peeta turned away, cleaning up some plates and napkins to hide his laugh.

"Yeah, I mean she's going to get you eventually, I promise you. Just spare yourself a lot of energy, plus she'll rub it in your face forever about how long she knew and how you fought her if you don't at least have dinner with her sometime."

"She sounds like a determined woman."

"Give me your phone." Gale meekly handed it over. And Katniss entered Jo's number.

"Okay, but if she doesn't work out I'm blaming you."

"Okay, bye Gale, enjoy yourself, alright?"

"Yeah, yeah. Mellark," Peeta turned back. "You take good care of this girl, you hear me?" Peeta nodded and Gale left, satisfied.

It only took the sound of the click of the door before Katniss realized they were alone. She spun around to see Peeta disappearing into the kitchen, hands full of plates and cups. She grabbed a few and followed him.

"Hello, love of mine, happy thanksgiving."

She kissed him soundly. He dropped the towel in his hand and brought her closer.

"What are you thankful for this year?"

"I can think of a few things," She smirked.

"I can't, I can only think of one right now because she's standing right in front of me and nothing else matters."

"Look at this text from Jo." She held her phone up to Peeta as he brushed is teeth.

JOHANNA MASON

Thanks.

DELIVERED

ATTACHED

She opened the attachment and showed a screenshot of her conversation with Gale, ending with her affirmative answer to him asking her out.

"Finally," Peeta chuckled, spitting his toothpaste into the sink.

"Would you look at that, Ol Jo Mason has a date to go to the bar, instead of coming home from it." The both cracked up, knowing how absurdly true that statement was.

"I think they'll get married."

"I'd pay to see that wedding."

"You won't need to, you set it up."

"You can be my plus one."

"Thanks, 'preciate it..."

She smacked a kiss onto his minty lips, and he growled hungrily for more.

"You in a hurry to go anywhere today?"

"No, you?"

"Nope." They crawled back into bed, lips interlocked.