Thanks for continuing to read my fanfic. I'm sorry It's taken a bit longer than I'd anticipated to update. I've been having trouble deciding in which direction I'd like this story to go. So, I did an outline all the way to Chapter 8. Should have regular updates now that I know what's going to happen before it happens! As always I appreciate your favourites and alerts, but I really need some feedback if you would be so kind. ~Gar-chan

I wake up to an empty bed the next day. It was a lonely feeling, but at the same time, I knew everything was going to be okay. It's been a relief to be able to feel this way after so much blood and turmoil over the last few years. I can smell some baked goodies down stairs and start to make my journey there.

I get down the stairs and see the table set for one. All that is on the table is a place setting, a plate of cheese buns, and a note. The note is from Peeta, of course. Something like this had Peeta's name written all over it.

The note read as follows:

Katniss,

I've taken your advice and decided that moping isn't going to bring them back.

Enjoy the buns.

With Love,

Peeta

I sat and ate the buns in silence, contemplating what to do with my day. There wasn't much to do around here lately. The winnings we got from the Games left me without an actual need to hunt. I could go to the shop and buy whatever I wanted. I guess this is why Haymitch drinks. There's simply nothing else to do.

I decide to get my bow and arrows and take a trip into the forest for a hunting session anyway. I could get some game for Sae, I know how much she loves those wild dogs for her famous stew. Maybe a rabbit or two would satisfy her as well. She seems to be the only one around here lately that actually needs me.

I hunt. Peeta bakes. Haymitch drinks. I giggle at the revelation. Not much has changed at all.

00000000

I decide to go see how Peeta is doing before I head into the woods. I had been worrying about him, it's a big step for him to be clearing up the Bakery. So, I head down the road to the merchant section of town, and enter the Bakery, or what's left of it.

"Peeta?" I call through the rubble.

"Over here!" he yells to me.

I climb over what I expect used to be the main oven and head to the what would have been the back of the Bakery. I assume this was the living quarters and Peeta's house. I'd never been in this part of the bakery before.

I finally find him after what seemed like a lengthy search. He's shifting things around obviously trying to clear space.

"Is it even safe to be in here?" I ask.

"It should be okay. All the main support beams survived by the looks of it." he looks down. "This used to be my bedroom."

I'm not sure what to say, so I don't say anything. I just give him a look of condolence. I don't know if there's anything that I could say that would make him feel any better. "I just wanted to let you know I'd be going to hunt in the woods. I don't know when I'll be back tonight. Hopefully well before dark." I blurt out. "Sorry to get in your way during such a difficult time." I add.

The look he gives me then turns from sad to almost raging mad.

"You're sorry? What do you mean?" he exclaims. I step back in fear. Is he having a flashback? What should I do in this instance?

He notices my fear, and decides to advance on me, backing me into a corner. Pushing me up hard against the wall. I start to fear for my life, but then, suddenly, his features start to become softer. "I'm sorry." he states.

He pulls me to him with one arm around my neck. "I'm sorry." he repeats. I put my head onto his chest. "I'm sorry." I say. "I didn't mean to make this about me." I hold him close. Something I don't think I've ever done without it being for someone else's benefit. This time, I was holding him because I wanted to. Because I felt it was the right thing to do. Because I…. love him. I love this boy with the bread and I was going to make certain that he was safe from now on. No matter what. No matter how many flashbacks he has and how scared he makes me at time. It's the least that I owe him for all he's done for me. How much he cared for me and loved me when I was nothing but selfish.

Then the words I never thought I would say, without prompting, came out. The three words that, finally, were coming from my heart. The three words I knew I would be saying over and over from this time forward.

"I love you."

He looks at me with the softest look I've ever seen on him, and simply answers with, "I love you, too."

0000000000000

Moments passed, but it felt like an eternity, as if time stopped just for us. We just stood there, embracing each other, and enjoying every moment of it. All alone, in that broken down building, that so much resembled our lives. Broken down.

I was the first to speak after the long silence. "Are you going to be okay on your own? I can help you with this place if you want me to."

"It's okay. I think I'll manage on my own. You go on and find us something for dinner." he smiled at me with one of those heart-melting smiles that he so often gave me. "I enjoy our food more when its something we caught and made ourselves. It almost starts to feel like normalcy is returning to our lives."

"I know what you mean. But, this trip was actually for Sae. I can get a few extra rabbits if you want, though."

"That would be good, if you can." he thinks a moment. "I'll make some more buns for you and get some of the vegetables out of the garden. We'll make a big feast out of it."

"Sounds great." I say, and leave him to his troubles. He'll get through it, he's the strongest person I know. I just hope his strength will be enough. Sometimes, it takes more than strength, to get through these sorts of circumstances. I know that better than anyone. The hardships we've faced… I don't wish them on anyone.

I head in the direction of the woods, once again on my journey. Looking forward to some time with nature, not so much looking forward to time with my memories.

0000000000

Thanks for reading. Please review!