Author's Note

Not sure how i'm feeling on this chapter, guys. I'm kind of at a loss on the whole Finnick-Katniss thing so i'm going to focus on Peeta's POV in the next chapter. But i'll make sure to go through the whole dramatic thing between them when i'm inspired...I'll listen to music or something. But yeah, i'll do better next chapter :) i have a lot of ideas that i hope to organize in Peeta's mind :P anyway, enjoy!

Chapter 6

Finnick's POV

I haven't slept much at all. Or moved for that matter. I've been worried about her. Katniss. That nightmare must have been pretty bad Her brunette hair falls gently on her cheeks. I tuck it behind her ear. I may be exhausted but I feel surprisingly serene. Maybe this is why Mellark can't get enough of her. The comfort received from protecting her. It's like to her, I'm perfect. Well, not me, but whatever.

Her body shifts closer to mine. Wow, shes warm.

Her eyes flicker open. "Why are you smiling?"

"Good morning to you too, Kitty. Forgot happiness was a crime in this household."

"You look terrible."

"Thanks, you always know just what to say to make me swoon." I yawn.

Concern flashes in her eyes. "Did you sleep at all last night?"

"Sleep? Why would I need that? I'm as gorgeous as ever."

"Finnick, I don't want you to-"

"Katniss, it's fine. I'm really not even tired."

"Your eyelids are practically drooping."

"That happens when they're overloaded with awesome."

She rolls her eyes at me. "Well I better get dressed so that I can go hunting."

"Oh sweet, I'll come."

"No, I'm going alone."

"Come on, it'll be f-"

"No, Finnick, I'm going alone."

Without another word I release her and dump her body onto the bed. My feet head straight for the door and it shuts behind me.

A little dramatic for my taste but I'm mad. Why does she suddenly want to be away from me?

Katniss's POV

The crisp morning air rakes through my hair. It's really quiet. Finnick can barely keep his mouth shut when he comes. I frown. I need to focus. I left Finnick there for a reason.

"Stop thinking about it, Katniss," I whisper to myself. I wonder what he's thinking right now. What he's doing.

A stick cracks and leaves rustle. I turn my head and see a deer. Deep breath. I put my bow up. Draw back. Aim.

Finnick's POV

"She blew me off." The words still taste wrong on my lips.

The reality of it still isn't computing. Things were good. I was happy. She was happy. Or at least I thought so. What went wrong?

I'm laying on the couch and staring at the ceiling when I hear the door open and shut. Katniss. She walks in and takes off her boots. Slowly she walks across the living room and around a few time until she stands before me.

"Hey."

I sit up. "Hey." What do I say? "You get anything?"

"No."

"Oh," I say, shocked, "distracted?"

She nods, "I guess so." There's a long silence until she breaks it. "I'm sorry about earlier."

I was hoping we would avoid this. "It was no big deal."

"Okay," she says, turning to walk away.

"But-"

"But what?" she turns back.

"But why did you have to go alone?" Stupid curiosity.

"Just needed to clear my head." She thinks this is a substantial answer and turns away once again.

"Of what?"

She shoots me a look, "Why are you suddenly so inquisitive?"

"Why can't you just answer my questions like a normal person."

"Since when do you like normal people? You're in love with Annie."

Ouch. "Excuse me?"

"Oh, I'm sorry, did I hurt your feelings?" Her condescending tone is not helping my temper.

"What's your problem? Why are you being so difficult?"

"Just leave me alone."

"That's not what you wanted last night." Her body tenses. "You needed me then."

"No I didn't."

"Then why did you sleep so peacefully the rest of the night?"

"Who's to say I did?"

"Katniss," I raise my voice, "can you be reasonable at all?"

"Leave me alone!" she spits.

"Why?" I'm yelling now. "So you can go off and cry in a closet by yourself?"

"Stop! It's not supposed to be like this!"

"Like what?"

"Like this! You aren't supposed to be so okay! You aren't the one who's supposed to be comforting me. You're supposed to need me. Not the other way around!"

"Really? I do need you! I've been sitting here all day beating myself up! Is this about what I said last night?"

"What? No."

"Then what?"

She looks at her feet, "You don't need me. I haven't told you much of what happened, of what you don't remember. My mother threw herself into her work and I thought helping you would help me. Now that you're doing so well I can feel myself being crushed."

"But I do," I say walking to her and grabbing her hand. "I need you. I want to protect you just like you want to protect me. It's our instinct. And I'm not letting you go off of the edge again."

I see tears threaten her. "You don't understand."

"I understand the nightmares. I understand the pain. Fear. Paralysis. Every single day it feels like you could go back to the arena. I understand."

"But Gale and P-"

"Katniss, hear me out. I told you I'm not letting you go. I'm not letting this go."

Her eyes widen and her words catch in her throat. Without thinking I press my lips against hers. I pull back and she stares at me mindlessly for a few seconds. Is she going to react at all? Say anything?

"Annie and you got married."

I step back and rub my neck. Married. Is she lying? No, she wouldn't lie about that. I try to speak words but nothing comes out. My mind races and before I realize what I'm doing I'm kissing her again. My mind stops and I pull back. I do the only thing that seems reasonable, I leave the room without another word.