Chapter 11

Take It Easy

The pills must have done the trick because I sleep until Katniss shakes me awake. "Peeta, c'mon you've got to get up now. We're home."

I groggily pull myself to the land of the living and rise out of bed. I'm shocked to notice I'm still wearing my dress shirt and pants from the capital. My tongue is glued to the inside of my mouth with a nasty taste. I greedily gulp the water down that was on the bedside table and it helps measurably. I move to get clean clothes out of the drawer when Katniss rests her hand on mine.

"Don't worry about that now Peeta. We can get you something later. You can go home and get cleaned up now." She thrusts a long coat to me instead and I pull it on as we make our way to the door. This time around no crowd has assembled in anticipation of our arrival and I am thankful for small miracles. Haymitch is waiting for us and he nods in our direction.

"How you feelin boy?"

"I'm alright so far. Fever seems to have burned through." The doors burst open and I'm immediately blasted with a breeze of arctic air. I pull my coat tighter around me in an attempt to ward it off. Katniss loops her arm through mine and we make our way off the train and out into town. There is no car to offer us a ride back to Victor's Village so we walk slowly through town. We stop to rest near the square and Katniss holds my hand, my heart nearly leaps for joy only to slow in disappointment when I see she is only checking my pulse.

"Calm down Peeta, take some big breaths." I sigh in disappointment and take a few minutes to slow myself down. I look towards the bakery and see the lights are all on and I can't help but long to be back inside it. It takes twice as long for us to make the trip home and I'm starting to realize how bad this could be. In the event of an emergency I'd never be able to run, I'd be crippled by pain, unable to escape. The thought scares me but I try not to dwell on it because fear could bring on a fit too.

I let myself in my house and look around, nothing has changed. "You can go on home now Katniss, Haymitch. I'll be okay. I'll just get cleaned up and relax until you come and get me later for the party." I see Katniss and Haymitch glance at each other before nodding and heading towards the door.

"Please call me if you need anything Peeta." She says softly as she closes the front door, I let out a deep breath.

Alone at last, I head to my bathroom to shower and I must stand there for ages because the hot water eventually turns tepid before it runs out. I dry off and dress in my boxers and sleep pants. For the first time in ages I take off my fake leg and it feels odd but more comfortable at the same time. I lay down in the bed for a while just to rest my eyes and am startled awake sometime later by the jingling of the phone. Thankfully it's not enough to set me off into another fit. I reattach my leg and limp to the phone.
"Lo?" I offer gruffly into the receiver.

"Peeta, were you sleeping?" Katniss questions. "You'd better get dressed we need to leave for the square so we can get there a little early."

I catch her meaning. We need to leave so my slow ass can get there on time. "Okay, Katniss. Yes I was sleeping but I'll be dressed and meet you by the walk in a few minutes. "

She hangs up the phone without as much as a goodbye. She never did like talking on them. I begrudgingly pull out some black slacks and a white button up shirt. I run a comb through my hair and call it good. I retrieve my jacket off the chair in the kitchen and grab a set of gloves, a hat and some black shoes from the closet. After I rest a moment and put on my shoes I exit the front door to meet Katniss. All in all I think I've made fairly good time but she is already waiting on my porch.

"How are you doing?" She asks.

Inwardly I cringe. Is this all anyone is ever going to ask me again? Already I'm sick of it, but I know she means well so I bite my retort back. "I'm fine." She moves forward with a vile and places it in my coat pocket. I raise an eyebrow in question.

"Sleep syrup." She replies, "It's the best we could come up with on such short notice. I think you should take a sip every hour or so… just in case, you never know, it could help."

"Okay" I try not to think of what might happen if it doesn't help. We set off in silence and she doesn't say much. "Are you okay?" I ask her, "You're awfully quiet."

She says nothing for a few more steps. "I'm scared that's all. I can't see you like that again."

"Like what?" I ask.

She pulls me to a stop. "To see you look like you wish you were dead, to see you so vulnerable and in so much pain. I'd give anything to make it go away." She sniffs at the end.

I pull her to a stop and turn to look at her. I tilt her chin to look me in the eye. "Katniss I'd rather it was me than anyone else. The real punishment would have been seeing you hurt." She pulls me down into a soft kiss and I start to deepen it before I hear Haymitch clear his throat.

"Take it easy kids." He doesn't seem to be joking either. We pull apart and slowly continue on our trek to town.

We arrive with some time to spare and we scope out the justice building and the square that are alight with lights, decorations and the smell of food. We make note of exits, hiding spots or any potential problems. Mayor Undersee comes to speak with us before hand to brief us on the schedule as people begin to assemble.

I take deep breaths and calm myself as I give my speech. I just focus on the words coming out and on nothing else. I sigh in relief as I make it off the stage without an episode. At least I've made it through that part I think. A quick look around to make sure no one is looking and I take a sip of sleep syrup while Katniss delivers her final address. The stuff is bitter, and reminds me of black licorice. It makes me feel light headed and tired and I really just want to lie down and sleep some more.

Katniss joins me and probes me with her intense stare. "Did you.." she starts but I lean in and kiss her on the cheek before whispering in her ear.

"Yes dear I took my medicine. I'm fine." She giggles as my breath tickles her ear. I catch site of Gale glaring at us as he, Mrs. Everdeen and Prim make their way over to us. I take a deep breath and brace myself.

"Mom, Prim" Katniss chirps, "Gale." She adds and she casts a worried glance from him to me. I squeeze her hand in reassurance.

"You did great Katniss" Prim encourages. I don't know if she's been made aware of the situation but she seems to be casting glances my way more than usual.

Katniss leans in and whispers to her mother. I'm not sure what they are whispering about but Mrs. Everdeen nods and then pulls Gale and Prim off, "We'd better get our seats for dinner." She smiles and waves to me, "Good to see you Peeta."

"C'mon Peeta, "Katniss pulls me in the direction of the head table. "Let's get you off your feet before you fall asleep standing here."

I oblige because there is no point in fighting the inevitable. I sit between Haymitch and Katniss and slowly nibble my food, hopefully concealing how little I'm able to actually eat. The music starts up as the sun sets and the stars start to make an appearance and people began to dance. It isn't long before Katniss is asked to dance. She squeezes my thigh in reassurance before she disappears. Haymitch moves to go find more refreshments and I'm left to myself. Mayor Undersee strolls up to my table, "How come you're not out there cutting a rug with your lady?"

"My leg's a bit sore from all the dancing at the capital." I offer with a fake smile plastered to my face.

"Tsk. What a shame. Well I do hope you enjoy the rest of your night Mr. Mellark." He nods his top hat my way and leaves me on my own.

I'm attempting to keep my eyes open when I catch a glimpse of Katniss dancing in the square. I smile a bit because she seems to be truly enjoying herself. Out of the corner of my eye I see Gale make a beeline for her and I instantly retrieve my bottle of sleep syrup from my pocket and down it in one gulp. Nothing good will come of me seeing the outcome of this interaction. I make my way from our table and slowly start heading out of the square. I've nearly made it and I feel myself slack with relief when I hear a snide comment, "I see your whore hasn't changed her ways," It's my mother.