:( I feel terrible. I don't think I posted a single chapter in October. I also think I only got 2 hours of sleep the entire month because of all the crazy courses I'm taking at school. I promise I didn't forget about you guys, but I almost never have time to right anymore. The goal was to get this chapter up on Tuesday but the entire file with everything I've ever written for FF got deleted in a computer failure. I get an entire week of for Thanksgiving and I will post as much as I possibly can then. Thanks for tolerating my lack of ability to write anything :/

Chapter 14

Katniss's POV

"Relax. It's just the poison. All it is is the poison leaving your body. It'll pass soon, I'm sure." I can tell Peeta doesn't believe me. I'm not sure I believe myself.

Peeta sits in his kitchen with a worried look. He's clutching the edge of the table and his eyes are slightly glazed over. "You don't need to sit this through Katniss. I know this bothers you, you can just leave." He's shaking and I'm surprised he can even sit up. All of a sudden, he starts coughing.

"Oh no, not again!" I moan to myself as he drags his hand across his mouth. It comes away bloody, with some disgusting green stuff mixed in. It takes all my willpower not to run away. I grip his shoulder and look anywhere but at him until he stops gagging.

"Stay here. I'll go get a towel or something to clean this up. Try to relax." I can see that Peeta's about to protest, so I add. "For me? Please, I need to feel like I'm doing something."

Of course, that's only half true. If I don't distract myself quickly I could be sick, but Peeta didn't object so I just leave it at that.

When I come back with a rag, Peeta is already wiping poison and blood off the table.

"Here, let me do that." I reached for the towel but he jerks his hand back.

"JUST STOP KATNISS! Please, let me do something myself!"

Peeta's POV

Katniss shrinks back momentarily, then stands up straight without looking at me.

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have shouted. I'm just scared. I'm so sorry Katniss." My voice breaks over her name.

"Don't be. It's not wrong to be scared if you… If you might… When there's a chance that…" She chokes back a sob and steps close. Katniss puts her forehead against my chest, wraps her arms around my neck. I go to hold her, but realize that I'm still holding the dirty rag. Before I can set it down, she steps back and brushes a lone tear off her cheek. It kills me to see her like this, barely able to hold it together, more than any poison ever could.

"I should be apologizing. The last thing you need is for me to fall apart over you." That's it. She's convinced that I'm scared for myself.

"Katniss, I'm not afraid of death. You should understand that. What I'm afraid of is what it's doing to you. I can't help feeling like I need to protect you, and I don't want to leave you alone. I love you so damn much Katniss, and I don't know what'll happen if I die because…" I stop. Because what? Katniss is strong. Stronger than me.

"You're scared of what will happen to me because of what? Peeta, I love you too and I can't do anything to help you! You're dying, damn it, and I can't even take away a little bit of your pain. Why the hell are you scared for me?! I can recover, but you? Stop being so noble all the time!" Katniss has tears streaking her face by the time she stops shouting, but doesn't seem to notice. I can hardly process what she's saying, I'm completely shocked. I never realized that it hurt her when I try to be strong.

"Katniss, I'm sorry. I never knew that-"

"No! Stop apologizing! You treat this like it's all your fault! I just whish there was some way to fix this stupid problem!"

So that's what you're all worked up about? Some 'stupid problem' that you can't fix?" I don't know why I'm shouting back, am I hijacked? I feel like I still have rational thought and control.

"Well if you don't want me to try and help, then maybe I should just leave!"

"Fine. I don't need someone to nanny me."

I don't know what I was expecting. I know I wasn't expecting Katniss to leave. Or maybe I was, but went on like an idiot despite that. Either way, she stormed out and I just stand in my kitchen wondering what I just did.

Oh dear, I didn't know what I intended by this chapter, but I guess it's a cliffy of sorts. Sorry. I promise I won't leave you guys hanging very long this time! Please review, it makes me forget homework long enough to go write something.

Also, thanks to FredNeverDied for reminding me to write and tolerating me not helping her phone…Sorry.