KATNISS

* Katniss scooped some food onto a plate and headed up the stairs to where they had Josh situated. He was still asleep so Katniss set the plate on the side table. Even though he had only been with them for one night he was already doing much better. Some of the color had returned to his skin and the fever had broken at some point during the night. His leg was still a mess, but it would heal in time.

Josh groaned and his eyes flickered open, they were no longer glassed over like before. They were bright and sharp, like his fathers.

"Hey," Katniss said, smiling.

Josh looks quizzically at her for a moment before his memory kicks in.

"Oh yeah, Katniss right?..."

Katniss nods, "You think you can sit up and eat something?"

Josh nods eagerly and sits up, letting Katniss push some pillows behind his back to help him stay up. She hands Josh the plate of food and takes a seat in a chair.

"How long were you gone for Josh?"

Josh set down the spoon and looked down, "I don't know, a week? Two?..."

Katniss shakes her head, "I'm calling Annie today, I don't care what you say. I won't make you leave but you at least need to call her and tell her you're okay."

Josh started to protest but eventually sighed and put his hands up.

"Alright, alright I'll call her…"

Katniss smiles and jumps up, coming back with a phone a few minutes later.

Josh starts to take the phone but Katniss shakes her head.

"No, we're doing it on speaker and I'm dialing. I'm going to make sure you do this."

Josh sighs and falls back against the pillows as Katniss dials the number and sets it on the bed.

The phone is picked up on the fourth ring.

"Look, I really don't have time for this right now…"

Katniss interrupts, "Annie? It Katniss, I know it's been a while since we've talked but…"

"Katniss Everdeen?..." Annie starts, "Now's really not a good time, I'll call you back in…"

Katniss nudges Josh and glares at him,

"Annie? It's me...I'm fine alright?" He says, rolling his eyes.

The line goes silent, "Josh?..."

Katniss can hear the strain in her voice, "Josh I…"

Josh interrupts her, "I'm fine mom, now stop freaking out. I'm…hiding out somewhere but I'm fine. I'm gonna see what's out there and I'll probably come back in a few months…"

Katniss shakes her head and picks up the phone, turning it off speaker and leaving the room.

"I found him yesterday, he was looking for Peeta and I, I think. He's with us in twelve right now, he's alright. A little banged up but he'll be okay in a couple of weeks."

Annie sighs in relief, "thank god, the officials have assumed him...dead. I'm coming to get him now, I'll be there by nightfall if I take the next train…"

Katniss stops her, "Annie, how would you feel about Josh staying here in twelve with us for a while? It'd be good change a scenery for him, I'm not going to force you but I think it'd be good for him. You could relax for a few weeks, without having a teenage boy to worry about…"

Annie goes silent, "I...I…"

"Get him out of four for a while, let him have a little freedom and adventure…"

Annie sighs shakily, "Oh if you really want him too…only for a little while though. I...I don't like him being away for so long. I have to go, I'll call you back later."

Annie hangs up.

Katniss stands in the hall holding the phone, "Did I just take on another kid?..."

Katniss sighs and shakes her head,

"Annie needs a break, it's just for a week anyway."

Katniss hears the door open downstairs and the patter of little feet running up the stairs, she smiles.

"This is going to be an interesting week…"

Finally here's an update, I'm a terrible procrastinator... I can't make any promises about more updates but I'm going to try, I'm on summer break and don't have anything for the net few weeks so I should have time as long as I don't get more crappy writers block. Read and Review please! I love reading them:)

Logen