"What is this about?" I asked barging into Haymitch's home waving the mysterious note around in the air. "Are you so miserable that you need to spy on Peeta and me in order to get your kicks?"

"I don't know what you're talking about sweetheart," Haymitch smugly replied.

"The hell you don't! I'm warning youHaymitch. Stay out of this."

"Or what Katniss?" Haymitch asked as a smile tugged on the corners of his lips.

"Or I'll, I'll-,"

"That's what I thought." Haymitch said as he walked towards me. "Take a seat kid."

"Kid? Wait a minute! I'll have you know I'm-,"

"Sit down Katniss!" Haymitch shouted. Apparently I was starting to annoy him. I pulled out a chair from his kitchen table and took a seat. His table was covered in empty liquor bottles and soiled dishes. It took everything in me not to gag.

Haymitch belched before speaking. "Listen; as much as you hate to admit it you need me."

I started to protest but Haymitch held up one hand.

"Think back to your games. You and I had something that Peeta and I didn't; a form of communication that needed no explanation. Now I see that you and the boy are trying to work on some sort of friendship butyou're going about it the wrong way."

"He invited me over for dinner. I don't see the harm in that." I snapped.

"Of course you don't! Did you not learn a thing from what happened when he returned the first time? You didn't listen to me and he ended up on the first hovercraft out of here with your pretty little boyfriend! Is that what you want?"

"Gale is not my boyfriend!" I shouted before continuing. "You know that's not what I want!"

"Then don't show up to that dinner tonight. You both need more time."

"It's like you're trying to keep us apart or something!"

"No. I'm trying to keep you both safe." Haymitch calmly explained.

"Well the games are over and we no longer need your help in that department." Even though I was angry I instantly regretted my harsh words. Haymitch probably feels like we belong to him in some of sort twisted way. We've been the closest thing to family he has had in a long time and I've constantly pushed him away. The look on his face told me that I had gone too far.

"Haymitch I'm sorr-," I started.

"Out. Get out." Haymitch growled.

I stood up and slowly walked towards the front door. Guilt seemed to have a hold on my ankles and I couldn't walk any faster if I tried. Something was still nagging at me and before I left his house I needed to know the answer.

"Just one more thing Haymitch," I softly questioned.

Haymitch remained silent as he rummaged through the empty bottles on his kitchen table, looking for even a drop of liquor to calm him down.

"How did you know what Peeta and I were up to in the forest this afternoon?

He looked up at me for a second and then briskly began to walk towards me. The crazed look in his eyes frightened me a little and I picked up my pace and made it outside before he caught up to me.

"Miserable people do strange things sweetheart," Haymitch snapped before slamming the door in my face. I felt lower than I've ever felt in a very long time as I tracked across the street to my place.

Once inside I knew I needed to calm down. I threw myself onto my bed, grabbed a pillow screamed into it. It actually felt really good and for a split second I was almost convinced that it actually helped.

I rolled over on to my back and replayed the argument with Haymitch over and over again in my mind. He was convinced that I should skip dinner with Peeta tonight and maybe he was right. I flashbacked to the day my stove caught fire and how Peeta left me there to battle the flames alone. I sighed still undecided. The last thing I wanted was a repeat of what happened before. I don't want to be the reason Peeta goes rouge again. I can't allow myself to be the reason things fall apart.

I don't remember when it happened but I somehow managed to drift off to sleep amidst an ocean of confusion. Night had fallen and the clock on my nightstand indicated that it was way too late for me to join Peeta. I slapped my forehead with my palm and cursed myself for falling asleep before at least explaining to him why I decided against joining him for dinner. He probably thinks the worst. I crept downstairs as if he could somehow hear me coming. I slowly walked across the street trying to come up with the right words to explain my absence. I wasn't quite ready but I took a deep breath before knocking on his front door.

No answer.

I knocked several more times and he never surfaced. I guess he must be pretty upset with me and I can't say I blame him. I headed back home feeling like a major disappointment. The only two people in the world who I cared enough to speak to are both upset with me. I've already hurt Haymitch's feelings and now I've upset Peeta. It really feels like no matter what I do someone ends up getting hurt. I decide that it's best if I go back to bed. Maybe the world will somehow form a barrier between me and the people who surround me.

Hours later and I'm tossing and turning in bed, unable to fall asleep again. My heart was way too heavy and my brain was way too clouded. I checked the clock; 1:48am. Before I could attempt to rejoin sleep in battle the screams showed up again, loud and hard. Peeta. This time I would not leave him to fight off the nightmares alone. The least I could do was show up and if he didn't want me there I'd leave without question.

I run across the street to house, just in time for another wave of screams. He sounded like he was in pure terror. I frantically knocked on the door.

"Peeta! Peeta! Open up!" I shouted. It dawned on me that a sleeping Peeta was not about to come downstairs and let me in. I turned the doorknob, relieved to find it unlocked. I bolt upstairs to his room and find him thrashing around in his sheets. I climb into bed with him and begin to calmly and sweetly whisper soothing words in his ear. After about five minutes he relaxes and opens his eyes, startled to find me staring back.

"Katniss? What are you doing here?" he asked.

"I heard you yelling from across the street so I thought..." I let my voice trail off.

"I know what you were trying to do," He whispered. "Thanks."

"Don't mention it," I replied.

I was climbing out of his bed when he grabbed my hand and pulled me back in.

"Do you think you could stay with me until I fall asleep?" He asked with the same innocence of a four-year-old child begging to climb into bed with his parents.

"Okay Peeta, I'll stay." And with that we assumed the position that we grew so used to on the train. I felt his breathing grow a little steadier as he held my body in his arms. We hadn't done this in so long that it felt really strange to me, though not strange enough that I wanted him to let go.

"Katniss what happened to you tonight? We were supposed to have dinner remember?" He finally mustered up the courage to ask.

"I'm sorry Peeta. I fell asleep." Though that was not entirely the reason I missed dinner with him, I didn't have the heart to tell him I never planned on showing up.

"Oh. Was that all?" he questioned.

"Uh huh," I lied.

"I see Haymitch got to you too." I could feel him smiling in the dark.

I sat upright. "How'd you know?"

"Well earlier he tried to convince me to call off our dinner. He said that we weren't ready to be alone together just yet but I told him he was wrong and that he should just stay out of our way from now on."

"Peeta you didn't!" I said thinking of how just hours before I too had written him out of our lives.

"Yea, but I immediately apologized. He is just trying to look out for us you know. Just like when we were in the games. I think looking after us is the one thing that gets him out of bed every morning Katniss. Think about it. What else has he got to live for?"

I felt even guiltier than I had before. Peeta was absolutely right and I owed Haymitch a huge apology. I made a mental note to apologize to him first thing in the morning.

"Your right," I whispered. "Sshh. Try and get some sleep now."

Peeta closed his eyes and eventually fell asleep. I didn't get much sleep that night though my body felt more rested than it had in a long time right there in Peeta' arms.