That night I sleep on the cold ground. I'm too weak to climb up the tree and settle in the fork in the branches. I have Peeta's jacket wrapped around me tightly as I try to absorb all of it's warmth. But even that doesn't stop the intense shivering. I can't seen to fall asleep. I have tear streaks down my face and I think my hands are purple with the bitter cold air.

All of a sudden I hear the crunch of feet and I freeze, as much as I can with the cold. The footsteps get closer until I see a dark figure emerge from the trees. "Oh Katniss" he sighs and I know it's Peeta, he sounds like he's just had his heart broken. I see him rush over to me and I roll over and face away from him. "I told you I don't need help" I sob as the tears start to build up again.

"I couldn't leave you out here alone and freezing" he says with a sniff and I squeeze my eyes shut, trying to erase every thought. I feel something heavy drape over me and then Peeta's arms wrap around me. He has laid down with me and brought a blanket. I roll over in his arms and look up so I can just make out his face by the light of the moon.

"What are you doing?" I whisper and he hugs me tighter. "I'm staying with you, always, like I promised" he says and I rest my head on his chest. "Thank you" I murmur and he kisses my forehead softly. "Peeta I-" I start but he stops me "shh it's ok, we'll talk in the morning, go to sleep" he says softly and I nod before slowly drifting off to sleep.

I wake up in the morning and realize it's the first sleep i've ever had with no nightmares and not waking up because of the cold winter air. I look up to see Peeta gazing down at me "hey" he says as I sit up and wrap the blanket that he brought tightly around me. "Thank you, for staying with me" I say, not making eye contact with him. "But it can't happen again" I murmur; "this is my world. You don't belong here, you belong in your warm house with a loving family" I continue, still not looking at him.

"Katniss you don't belong here either" he says and I shake my head "no, I do. This is what life had out for me. For me to be alone and living in the woods. It's what I deserve" I say and I finally look up and see he has tears in his eyes. "No katniss no" his voice cracks "you deserve so much better than this" he says and I shake my head letting the tears fall freely down my face.

"You can stay at my house, please let me help you" he begs and hastly wipe the tears with the back of my hand. "Peeta I can't burden you with that. I have no money to pay you or anything" I sob. "you wont have to pay me. Just you being alive and healthy will be payment enough. Please" he pleads.

"Just for a few nights" I say and he starts to say something before changing his mind. "Okay" he whispers. "Thank you Peeta, truly" I say softly and he leans over and rests his hand on my shoulder "I would do anything, for you to be safe" he says before standing up and starting to fold the blanket.

I stand up and climb up the tree, grabbing my bag and then climbing down. About halfway down my foot slips on the ice that has frozen to the tree trunk. I let out a scream as I flail down to the ground and land with a gasp of air on the ground.

I groan as Peeta rushes over to me "Katniss are you okay?" He frantically asks and I give a painful nod "Yep, i'm good" I say in a breath of air. "Are you sure? Do you want me to carry you?" He asks and I shake my head "nope I'll be fine" I say as I heave myself up from the ground and dust myself off. "Are you sure? I can-" "I said i'm fine" U snap as I pick up my bag and limp away.

"Katniss" he sighs "i'm sorry, I was just trying to help" he says as he runs to catch up with me. "I already told you I don't need your help. I'm just staying for a few days to make you happy or whatever" I grumble and he shrugs "suit yourself" he says as he takes my bag from me and leads the way out of the woods.

"I can carry my own bag you know" I say rudely and he sighs and runs a hand through his hair. "Do you ever let anyone do anything for you?" He says annoyed. "Not when i'm perfectly capable of doing it on my own" I snap and he sighs again and walks just ahead of me.

As we reach the edge of the woods and road leading to town he gives up on being angry at me and turns around "i'm sorry" he says and I shrug "it's ok, i'm kinda sorry too" I mumble "kinda?" He questions "i'm just not good with words, thats all. Not a lot of people want to help me, no one infact until you" I point out and he reaches over and takes my hand. "I will help you, even if my life depends on it" he says "thank you" I whisper and he nods and smiles warmly at me. He lets go of my hand and I immediatly miss the warmth it held.

We walk in silence and Peeta leads me through town. "Are you hungry?" He asks and I look down and shake my head "yes you are" he says in regards to me shaking my head. "Peeta i'm fine honestly" I say but he won't take any of it. "When was the last time you ate?" He asks and I try and think back to the last time I actually ate. But with everything going on I honestly can't remember. "I don't know" I murmur and he sighs, his face falls and he runs a hand through his hair.

"I can't belive anything like this could ever happen to you" he whispers sadly as he leads me across town and into the bakery that they own. We walk through the door and there is another boy that looks alittle older than Peeta standing behind the counter. He also has blond hair but his eyes aren't as bright as Peeta's.

"Hey Rye" Peeta says as he sits me down in a booth. "Stay" he says and I frown at him "i'm not a dog" I huff and I see him smirk as he makes his way out the back. I shift uncomfortably in my seat as Rye leans against the countertop and stares at me. "Can I help you?" I ask rudely and he gets this goofy look on his face "your Katniss Everdeen" he tells me and I roll my eyes "how do you know my name?" I ask and at this he smiles even wider. "My baby bro doesn't shut up about you" he says and Inlook at him confused. Does he mean Peeta?

At that moment Peeta walks out from the back carrying a large plate full of all sorts of pastries. My stomach growls at the buttery and sweet scent and I almost throw up, thats how deprived of food I have been. Peeta sets the plate in the middle of the table as he takes a seat opposite me. "Um do you mind if I have a glass of water?" I ask nervously as I suddenly realise how thirsty I am. "Oh sure" Peeta smiles as he gets up from the table and disappears out the back again.

He returns with two glasses and a jug of water. I scull the first and second glass and only drink half of the third as Peeta stares at me shocked. "Sorry" I mutter embarrassed, "no it's ok" he assures me.

After we have eaten Peeta thanks his brother and we head back out into the wintery cold air. Peeta leads the way to his house and I am shocked to see a small double story house which is nice without it going over the top. "Are you ready?" Peeta asks and I nod and follow him up the path and to the front door.

THANKS SO MUCH FOR THE REVIEWS !

I can update so quikly because i made it a while ago :)

Thanks.