Author's note: I'm on track with NaNoWriMo, so I thought I'd reward all of us with a new chapter! Thank you for all the love and encouragement so far. Let me know what you think! You can also come talk to me on Tumblr (booksrockmyface).

Much thanks to my awesome beta LavenderVanilla! You guys need to go check out her stuff because it's great!

Happy reading!

Chapter Eight

Prim's condition only grew worse. By the end of the week she was in isolation and being pumped with medicine to get her better. It didn't seem to be helping. Katniss spent every waking moment in the hospital. They weren't allowed in her room for more than a few minutes at a time and they had to wear a mask to prevent introducing more germs into her system.

Peeta accompanied Katniss every afternoon to check on Prim for a few minutes and then he made his way home to work at the bakery. Katniss tried to drive him, but he refused.

"My leg is much better now, and it really isn't that far." He insisted.

She didn't push it too much. She didn't want to leave Prim's side, especially when her mother was working.

Conrad accompanied Peeta on Friday evening. They all took turns donning a mask and gloves and sitting by Prim's side. Katniss wished she could go with them, especially Conrad, to listen to their conversation and see their interactions. But only one person was allowed in at a time at least until her condition approved.

Iris came back from her latest visit to Prim in her isolated room. "I have a shift in little bit. I should run home and change."

Conrad looked at her, his face full of concern. "You haven't slept. You should call in."

Iris waved him off. "I took a nap earlier. I can't afford not to work." She kissed Katniss on the top of her head. "You should go home and get some sleep yourself."

"I'm not tired." Katniss said dismissively.

Conrad said, "She's right. You and Peeta both need to go. I'll stay. I have all the phone numbers to get in contact with everyone. Even Hazelle's oldest. Gale?"

Iris nodded and gave him a grateful smile. "Thank you. Haymitch said he'd come around midnight when he gets off. Then you should go home and rest a few hours before you open up the bakery."

Conrad nodded and looked toward Peeta. "Go on, Peanut. Go home."

"She's there." Peeta said softly. No need to elaborate who "she" was. "What will she say when you don't come back with me?"

"You can sleep at our house." Iris offered. "Katniss will drive you."

"Yeah, sure." Katniss said. She didn't feel it.

Peeta nodded and looked across to Katniss. She was suddenly nervous.

"I want to go see Prim one more time." She left before anyone could say anything and walked down the hall and through the protected doors. She put on a mask and gloves and continued down the sterile hall to the room where Prim slept, hooked to so many machines. She pushed the door open slowly, a small fear in the back of her mind telling her that something had changed for the worse since she was in here last.

Leaning over her sleeping sister, Katniss watched the ragged rise and fall of her chest. Her face wasn't relaxed in her sleep, every breath was a chore. Prim started coughing as she shifted restlessly in her sleep and Katniss smoothed her hair back.

Prim's eyes opened and she smiled up at Katniss. "You look silly in that mask." She whispered hoarsely.

"I feel silly in it." She leaned down and pressed their foreheads together. "Mom's going to work. Peeta and I are leaving to get some sleep. Conrad is staying a while longer. Then Haymitch is coming and I'm sure he's going to be in here every five minutes to make sure you're okay."

"He hovers worse than Mom." Prim whispered. Then she broke into a coughing fit. When it passed she said, "Get plenty of sleep."

"I will, little duck. You rest." She pulled the mask away and kissed Prim's forehead. "I love you, Prim."

"I love you, too." She rolled away as best she could with all the wires she had attached to her and went back to sleep.

Katniss walked back into the waiting room and found her mother had made her exit. She knew they needed the money, but Prim was too sick. They'd have to understand. She sighed. Not that they ever cared before.

She gave Peeta a small smile. "Peeta, you can sleep in Prim's room. I'm sure she won't mind."

He nodded. "Thanks." He gave his father a glance and then hugged him stiffly and headed out the door in front of Katniss. She was confused by the tense interaction, but decided it wasn't her place to ask, especially there.

"See you later, Conrad." She waved before following Peeta.

Katniss slipped her hand into Peeta's as they made their way to the elevator. She'd done it quite a bit in the last few days and it was quickly becoming a habit. His big hands were soft and warm and she needed that.

"Is she okay?" He finally asked as they headed out the front doors.

It took her even longer to answer. She slid into the front seat and waited for him. He took her hand once again when the car was started and in gear. "She's having trouble breathing." Katniss whispered.

Peeta kissed her hand and rubbed it.

She gave him an uncomfortable glance and he tried to remove his hand, but she held fast.

He gave her an encouraging smile and squeezed her hand. "We'll just go rest and try not worry. The doctors and nurses know how to take care of her and my dad will call if there's a change."

She nodded, but finished the drive in silence. She took her hand back as she pulled in beside her mother who was leaving. They exchanged waves and Katniss led Peeta inside.

"Some of my dad's old clothes will probably fit you well enough to sleep in, at least." She disappeared into her mom's room and found an old shirt and a pair of sweat pants. Her mom had talked of getting rid of them, but never had in the last six years. Katniss handed them over and then disappeared into her bedroom to change.

There was a knock on the door just as she pulled on a pair of sleep pants with ducks on them. Prim had given them to her on her last birthday.

"But you're the little duck." She'd argued. And then Prim had produced a matching pair for herself. Iris had appeared a moment later in another matching pair with a package containing some of Katniss's favorite movies and some popcorn and candy.

She shook herself from the memory and opened the door to Peeta, giving him a kind smile. "Do you need anything?" She asked as she took in his appearance. The shirt was a little snug across the chest, but the pants appeared to fit him well.

He shook his head and looked down. "I'm not that tired. Can we talk or something?"

She nodded. "Would you like some hot chocolate or tea?" She motioned for him to follow her to the kitchen. "We have chamomile and lemon and I think some earl grey, but you probably don't want that so late."

"Hot chocolate would be fine." He stood awkwardly in the doorway and watched as she took out two large mugs, some milk, and a box of hot chocolate powder.

She poured the powder in the cups, a little spilling out onto the counter, and then added milk. She turned to him once the cups were in the microwave.

He smiled, but it didn't meet his eyes. They were full of the worry she felt herself and she didn't know why, but she felt like opening up to him at every turn. It was frightening. It all was. But Prim's condition was even bigger and she knew he'd understand or at least try to.

"I'm scared." She admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Scared?" he moved closer. "For Prim?"

She nodded and folded her arms over her chest. Katniss wasn't one for baring her soul, but Peeta somehow always made it seem okay, at least a little bit.

He placed a tentative hand on her shoulder and slid it down her back. "It's all so much, isn't it?"

She nodded and moved a little closer to him. "What if she doesn't make it?"

"You have to think more positively, Katniss." He smoothed his hand over her hair.

She looked up. Their faces were just inches apart. Peeta's heart sped up when he realized he could kiss Katniss Everdeen right here and now, all he had to do was move in just a little more.

The microwave beeped and she quickly moved out of his grasp. She opened the door to the microwave and stared at the steaming mugs. She reached in and hissed when her hand touched the hot handles.

Peeta found the oven mitts and handed one over. Katniss gratefully took it and retrieved both cups carefully. She stirred the contents with a spoon and wrapped wet paper towels around the handles in an attempt to cool them down.

They sat opposite each other at the kitchen table and stirred their hot chocolate in silence. Katniss wiped at an errant tear. Peeta sipped his drink and pretended not to notice.

"So…" Peeta began.

Katniss looked up. "Yeah?"

"Do you remember when we were in music class together in kindergarten and you sang that song with the teacher? She was teaching us about different kinds of music and singers. She was talking about Hank Williams."

She smiled and looked down at her drink. "I remember. Kaw-Liga. My dad was a big Hank Williams fan. I knew all that stuff."

He nodded. "And then you sang I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry and I almost did. Five years old and I had no idea what that song was about, but your voice was so pretty. I was a goner that day."

She looked up. "Why are you telling me this?"

He shrugged. "I didn't think I'd ever have a chance with you, Katniss. Never. But here we are."

"My sister is sick. You possibly share part of her DNA and could heal her. This isn't a chance for another sexual encounter. You're sleeping in my house to hide from your mom."

"I am."

She took a sip of her hot chocolate as she thought and then said, "She's always kind of rude, gruff. Like Haymitch, except not endearing at all."

"She's worse when she knows no one's looking." Peeta admitted, swirling the contents of his cup.

Katniss traced the rim of her mug. "So why did your dad marry her anyway? He's attractive enough, he could have had anyone."

"Yeah, he could have." He looked up. "But he wanted your mom and she fell for your dad. So mine was left to fool around with my mom." He paused again and revealed, "They got married because she was pregnant with Sam."

Katniss leaned in. "Your dad told you this?"

Peeta shook his head. "My mom likes to throw it in his face every time they argue. How she was stuck. She was pretty enough she could have had a dozen other guys, but because he knocked her up and she had no other choice."

"That's awful."

"And somehow Sam is still her favorite." He took a long drink from his mug and sat it down.

"There shouldn't be a favorite or least favorite. You should love all your kids the same."

He nodded. "My dad does. The way he is with Prim? That's how he is with all of us. So even if the results come back negative, he's already accepted her as his daughter."

Katniss nodded. "And you've already accepted her as your sister."

Peeta sighed. "She's a sweet girl. She doesn't deserve this."

"She doesn't." She finished her hot chocolate and stood from the table. "I'm really tired."

"Me too." He drained his cup and placed it in the sink. He watched her a moment and then looked away.

"I'm glad you're here with me."

"Me too." He looked up again. Her face was right there again, just a few inches away.

She thought a moment and then moved closer. His hand came up and touched her cheek and she followed the momentum as she met him for a soft brush of her lips against his. She rested her forehead against his. "You want to sleep with me?" She whispered.

He smirked. "Like before or just really sleep?"

She met his smile. "The actual sleep thing." She stepped back. "Tomorrow's Saturday, so I don't have to be anywhere but the hospital."

"I have to go to the bakery, but I can be late for once since Sam and Landon are hardly ever there on time." He followed her to her bed and waited until she climbed in, before sliding in beside her. He was unsure what to do with his hands until she pulled him close and rested her forehead against his. His arms wrapped around her.

It was awkward at first, but they both soon relaxed. Katniss slipped her foot between his ankles. Peeta pressed a soft kiss to her lips, but she pushed him away.

"No more tonight." She said. She rolled away, keeping his arm around her waist.

He pressed his nose into her hair and took a deep breath. He immediately felt embarrassment. "Sorry." He whispered.

"It's fine." She whispered back. She thought about the last several hours and remembered the parting Peeta and Conrad had shared. "Why are you mad at your dad?"

"What makes you think I'm mad at him?" He slowly rubbed his thumb back and forth over her stomach.

She leaned into his chest, relaxing even more every second. "The way you hugged him. You barely said anything to him all evening."

He pressed his nose into her hair again and said, "Because he stayed when he should have left."

"With your mom?"

"Yeah. It's somehow bigger the older I get." He kissed her shoulder and she shrugged him off. He loosened his hold on her a little. "He said she always told him she'd say it was him and that Landon and Sam would take her side." He rolled onto his back. "It's no excuse. I would have spoken for myself. I should have. But she hurt him, too."

She turned to face him once more. "It's not fair."

"It's not." He cupped her cheek and stared at her for a long time in silence. "God, you're so pretty." He breathed.

She shook her head. "I'm not." He opened his mouth to protest and she silenced him with a kiss. She rolled on top of him. Her fingers found their way into his hair.

Peeta was taken back a moment, but very quickly melted into the kiss, slipping his hands up her shirt and caressing her back. Their bodies responded the same way they had a year before, but Katniss was sober enough this time to know that it wasn't the right time.

She broke the kiss and looked down at him. "We should sleep."

He nodded and extracted himself from beneath her. "Which room is Prim's?"

She pulled him back. "Please don't go. Please sleep here with me. I'm sorry I kissed you."

"I'm not." He gave her a small smile. "It wouldn't hurt anything, you know."

"It wouldn't help it either." She rolled away and worked to calm the excitement his body had brought out in her own.

After several calming breaths, Peeta slid back into the bed with Katniss. Sleep was the order of business, but after that kiss, it didn't come easily to either of them.


Katniss awoke with the feeling that something was missing. She rolled over and remembered that she hadn't fallen asleep alone, but she had awoken that way. She sat up in bed and registered the murmur of voices in the other room. She picked out her mother's soft tones followed by Peeta's soothing response. And there was another among them, a man's. This one was gruff and abrupt. Haymitch.

Katniss grumbled and rolled out of bed. She took the time to re-braid her hair and then walked out into the living room. She saw Peeta first, still dressed in her father's old clothes. He smiled kindly and quickly offered a box of donuts.

She picked a jelly-filled one and turned to her mother, still dressed in scrubs.

"Good morning, sleepy-head." Iris greeted her. "Haymitch stopped by the bakery for coffee and donuts." She slid a small cup across the table to her. "Prim is better this morning." She smiled and took a sip of her own drink.

Haymitch gave her a sleepy nod. "Get that look off your face, sweetheart. Like you're shocked or something. You know Prim is a fighter."

Katniss took the seat beside Peeta and tried to avoid looking at him. "How much better?"

"Breathing is easier and fever is finally under control." Haymitch said. "Hazelle's there now. I'm about to go relieve Gale of the brats."

Peeta gave him a shocked look.

Katniss chuckled. "I'd say Vick and Rory are brats, but Posy is your little angel."

"More like a devil." Haymitch grumbled, but here was no malice in it. "She acts sweet, but don't get her mad."

"Don't I know it?" She finally looked at Peeta and explained, "His stepkids. Gale's brothers and sister."

"Hey, now, cut that stepkid business, sweetheart. They ain't mine yet."

"Might as well be. You practically live there now, don't you?"

"Hazelle still makes me leave at night." He muttered.

Katniss and Iris shared a laugh. They'd been witness to many fights about it.

"Did anyone happen to tell my dad?" Peeta asked finally.

Haymitch said, "He wasn't in the front when I got the donuts and I didn't want to deal with your mother."

"I told him." Iris nodded. "Well, I sent him a text. We should hear something from him soon."

"Unless Mom is reading his texts." Peeta held out his hand to Katniss. "Can I borrow your phone to call him?"

Katniss had to run back to her room to retrieve her phone. When she handed it over, Peeta disappeared into the other room to make the call.

Haymitch asked, "Did you use protection?"

She sputtered. "Excuse me?"

He inclined his head toward the living room. "That boy came out of your room this morning."

"We just slept." Katniss said defensively.

Haymitch held up his hands in surrender. "We have enough trouble around here without you fucking the Mellark kid."

"Well, excuse me, but none of that is any of your business." She took her coffee and went to her room to gather clothes.

Peeta called, "Hey, Katniss?" as he tapped on her door.

She opened it and took her phone from his outstretched hand. "You want a ride home?"

"Yeah. But I'll wait until you're ready."

"Okay, just give me a minute." She grabbed his arm as he walked away. "Be careful what you say to Haymitch."

He gave her a puzzled look and then nodded. "Yeah, okay." She watched him walk away and then slipped into the bathroom to shower.

She emerged to find her mom and Peeta on the couch looking over a photo album.

"I really hope you skipped over my pictures and went right to Prim's." She said as she sat on Iris's other side.

Peeta grinned. "You had a really cute bottom."

Katniss felt her cheeks warming, but Iris patted her knee. "This is Prim's baby book. Yours is still on the shelf." She kissed Katniss's cheek and then stood. "I need to shower so I can get back to Prim." She started out of the room and then turned. "I'm off for the next two days. I'll keep an eye on Prim. You go be a teenager with your friends for a few hours at least, please?"

Katniss nodded. "I'll talk to Gale about it later." She closed the baby book. "I'll bring Peeta home and then see you at the hospital."

"Okay." She left the room.

Katniss watched Peeta a moment and then stood. "Come on."

He followed her out to her car.

"So you want to hang out later?" She asked as she pointed her car toward the bakery.

"Um, sure." He said, sounding a little more eager than she had expected.

"I'll talk to Gale and Madge. Maybe Annie and Finnick can come along."

"Okay. I'll be in the bakery until after six." She detected a bit of disappointment in Peeta's tone, but he moved on before she could say anything. "Mom isn't going to be happy that I've been gone from the bakery for so long today. I'll probably have to scrub out the ovens with a toothbrush."

Katniss pulled into the bakery parking lot. "I could just wait until you're changed and you can come with me."

He shook his head. "I need to help here. But call my dad's number and tell me what plans you've made. I'll see if she'll let me go."

She reached over and took his hand. "I hope so." She squeezed and then let go. She watched as he made his way into the house attached at the back. He looked over his shoulder just before he stepped inside.