The Arrangement

Disclaimer: I do not own the Hunger Games or any of the characters. This fanfiction is for entertainment purposes only. Enjoy.

I cannot believe all the amazing reviews! You are all truly wonderful! I appreciate all the overwhelming support. I wanted to get back to Peeta's POV in this chapter because I know you are all dying to know why Katniss can't speak. Please review after reading please and thank you!

Chapter 25 Peeta's POV

I reluctantly followed the doctor out of the room and into his office. I made sure Haymitch and Johanna were by Katniss's door. I was not taking any chances ever again. She would be protected at all times. I had failed her once and that would never happen again, not on my watch. The doctor is staring at me with sympathy in his eyes.

I just want him to get on with it so I can get back to Katniss. "What did you need to speak to me about, doctor?" I don't mean to be impatient, but I am. I want to be with Katniss not here in this sterile little office.

"Katniss's inability to speak seems to stem from post-traumatic stress disorder, or a variation of it at least. She is in a great deal of shock. Whatever happened to her, whatever she witnessed has made her close in on herself, to protect herself the only way she knows how."

None of this shocks me and it makes a great deal of sense. However, I knew how strong Katniss was. What had she discovered that had made her unable to speak? What did this kidnapper do to her? I was so grateful that she had not been sexually assaulted. I didn't want her to have to deal with that trauma. That was the worst trauma anyone would go through, right? Suddenly, I am not so sure. What else had happened? Why won't she talk about it?

She is obsessed with protecting me. I saw it in her eyes. Her eyes are very telling and reveal her thoughts when she thinks she is being secretive. Or maybe it is because I know her so well. Whatever the reason, I know she is hiding something to protect me. I wonder what it is and when she will tell me about it.

I shake my head to clear my thoughts and focus on the doctor. "Will she be able to speak again?" I believe I know the answer, but I need to hear it out loud.

"Yes, she will. She just has to find a way to cope with what she has been through and then the shock will start to wear off. I am hesitate to call it PTSD, but it is the closest medical term I can come up with at this point. She is in shock and she has suffered a great deal. We don't know what happened to her. I have a few theories. I believe she may have been tortured in some way."

I feel anger and sadness grip me in a vise. "Why is that?"

"She didn't want me anywhere near her. It makes me believe another doctor, or someone pretending to be a doctor, has done something to her that she didn't like. We just won't know until she opens up to us and tells us her thoughts and her feelings. I believe, in time, she will open up to you, Peeta."

I nod and ponder all he has told me. I want her to open up to me too, but I am terrified to hear about what she has gone through. What if she is never able to get over it? Will she be seized by these terrors forever? I pray that is not the case. I hate seeing her in any kind of pain.

"May I take her home?"

The doctor nods. "Yes, she can go home with you. I will come by daily to check on her there. I think she would feel more comfortable in her own bed."

I hope she will. It had not been her bed very long before all of this. I push that thought out of my mind. I will not allow myself such thoughts. Katniss and I were going to make it through this as a couple. I loved her more than my own life. I wanted her to know that, to believe that. I wanted her to feel safe and protected with me. I wouldn't let her down again, ever.

"Thank you." I say. I stand up and shake his hand before hurrying out the door. I see that Prim is in with Katniss now. Katniss is laying down on the narrow bed holding her sister tightly against her body. I can hear Prim's soft voice singing softly to her, soothing her. My heart constricts as I take in the scene. Haymitch and Johanna are watching too.

Katniss's eyes are closed. Prim is brushing her hair off her face and singing softly…a lullaby I seem to recognize, and Katniss seems to know it well.

I catch Haymitch's attention. "Have you spoken with my father today?"

Haymitch shakes his head. "I have been unable to make contact with your father at all today. He left word last night that he would be unable to communicate with anyone today, but I don't know why. He even dismissed his own security team, sir."

This surprises me. My father rarely went anywhere without security. He was so paranoid and I would think he would be even more paranoid right now, so what was going on with him?

Prim comes out of the room and I wrap her in a comforting hug. She is a strong little girl now.

"She is sleeping now. I sang her to sleep." She says proudly.

I kneel down in front of her. "What song were you singing?"

"Just a lullaby my father taught Katniss. She always sings it to me when I am scared. Since she can't talk, she is unable to sing herself so I thought I would help her."

I knew I recognized the song. Katniss hummed it at school too and on those days when I sat by her side after her father's death. She was always humming that song. She was comforting herself without asking for anyone's help. She always wanted to be so tough. She didn't want anyone to do anything for her. I was so thankful for Prim. She was just the medicine Katniss needed.

"Thank you." I tell her and she smiles at me.

"She will come back to us, Peeta. Don't count her out. She is strong and independent. I know my sister. She will be back to claim vengeance for what happened to her."

I smile because I know Prim is right. Katniss will be ready to take on this enemy as soon as she heals. She doesn't give up and she never has. It is just another one of her amazing qualities, just another thing about her that I love.

While she is sleeping, I pick her up in my arms and carry her from the room. I am anxious to get her home and comfortable. I plan on staying right by her side throughout everything.

Once at home, I lay her on the bed and cover her with a quilt. She looks so haunted even in sleep. What had happened to her and when would she tell me about it?

Katniss's POV

I wake up in my own bed covered with a warm blanket. Peeta is asleep on the bed next to me holding my hand. I pull away from him slightly and scoot over more to my side of the bed. I can't let him get under my skin. If he does, then I will tell him what I know when I am able to speak. I can't tell him what I know. Peeta Mellark is the most amazing person and he is so open and compassionate. What would it do to him if he were to know what I know now? Would it destroy him? Would it make him a target, too? I can't take that risk. The only way I can protect Peeta from this is if I put a little distance between us.

I will protect him no matter what I have to do. I will find a way to protect him. I might involve Gale. Maybe he would know what to do. I dismiss this thought though. I can't tell Gale if I don't tell Peeta. I also don't trust Gale with Peeta's life. Only I can protect my husband and I will whether he likes it or not.

I continue to look at him in the darkness. I reach my hand out and trace his cheek gently and push his blonde hair out of his eyes. He sighs contentedly and a smile graces his face. It is good to see his smile. I have missed it. He has been so worried about me that I haven't seen his genuine smile in a long time. I love him so much. It is going to kill me, but I will put some distance between us. I have to do it to protect him. He can never find out the truth. I will not be responsible for changing my wonderful husband. If I have to die protecting him, then so be it. I am not giving in to that animal. I refuse. Let him come. I will be waiting for him.

I hope you enjoyed this chapter. There are many more secrets to be spilled. What do you think Katniss is keeping from Peeta? What do you think of Katniss and Peeta? I still want Katniss to be the strong character portrayed in the books and I wanted to convey Peeta as her protector. He always wants to protect her and is unwavering in his love for her (like the books). Please review and let me know what you think.

I have tried to reply to many reviews. If I did not reply to your review then I apologize. I read them all and I love them so please keep reviewing!