What I Really Need

CHAPTER 29

Katniss POV

I wake to an empty bed, no warmth from Peeta's arms to help me wake peacefully. I jump up when I see a note with his writing.

'Katniss,

Sorry I couldn't be there when you woke but I had to leave for the bakery and I didn't want to wake you. I left some cinnamon rolls and fresh strawberries for you.

Peeta, xx'

I hold the note close to my heart then race downstairs just realising how hungry I am. I sit at the table and almost devourer my breakfast. I chuck on my hunting clothes and race out to the woods for some fresh game.

I go through the meadow and something seems different. All though the snow is melting I think I can hear something a buzzing noise of sorts. As I walk closer and closer to the wire the noise grows louder. I look around for what it is until I realise the answer is in front of me. I lean in closer to the wire and suddenly it clicks: the electricity is on. "It's funny, how a little change affects us hunting doesn't it." I stand up straight and turn around to face Gale. "Yes, I know. Look Gale I don't want to be around you at the moment, I promise Peeta didn't tell me to do anything, I just after what happened yesterday I am just cautious." I say, but he comes closer. "Really Peeta had nothing to do with it. That's funny because he told me to stay away from you." I can see the hurt in his eyes so I take a few steps closer. "Thanks for telling, but because I'm not hunting I'm going to go home besides our family is coming home today." I turn around and walk away. "Katniss, wait. I'm sorry." I stop walking and turn around, "did you just apologize?" He nods, "I understand that you love him. That's why you want to protect him, cause you love him. That's why you brought him with you yesterday. Because whatever I say to you affects him too." I have tears in my eyes. I run over to Gale and hug him. "Thank you for finally understand and I'm glad to have my best friend back." I give a quick kiss on the cheek and walk back home.

PEETA POV

I am rolling dough in the back of the kitchen when I hear the counter bell ring, "one second." I yell out. I walk over to the sink wash, dry my hands and walk out to the counter, when surprisingly the postman is here. "Hi Mr.P what can I do for you?" I ask, "I came to deliver and urgent letter to you. It's good to have you back Peeta. District 12 need more people like you. I'll see you later." "See ya." I say and walk back to the kitchen. I rip the letter open and read its contents,

'Watch yourself now, not everything you were asked to do was done.'

I stare at it with confusion, I hear the bell on the door ring so I shove the letter in my pocket and begin to make my way out. "Peeta?" I hear a quiet voice say. I walk out faster to see Katniss. "Hey Katniss." I watch her run over to me and jump. She plants a fierce kiss on my lips and I set her back down still holding her. "What are you doing here? I thought you were hunting." I ask, "well as it happens someone has put the electricity back on so I can't get through." She explains, "there is one other thing, Gale apologized and finally understands that I love you."

KATNISS POV

I look at his face after I explain Gale and I am confused until he speaks, "that's great Katniss." He picks me up again expect this time my legs are around his waist and somehow we are walking into the back of the bakery. "Peeta what are you doing?" He smiles, "let's just say if someone walks by I don't quite want them seeing us kissing, bit awkward don't you think and considering you're here you can help so when our family gets back they are scrambling around trying to do things." I nod, that's my Peeta always thinking of others. He sets me down and comes back with an apron, "never thought I would have to wear one of these." I see Peeta look at me oddly, "why?" I laughed, "because I am not a baker or because I don't know the first thing about it, besides you said the same thing when we went under the wire to find Gale." He nods, "how about you start by kneading this dough?" He instructs me, "ok." I walk over and place my hands in the dough. I start putting my palms in the dough but then I see Peeta's hands on top of mine. "Like this Katniss," I can feel him rolling my hands into fists and then putting my hands back in the dough. "Thanks." I say as he goes back to do the icing on the cakes.

Time passed and I think we got tons done, "Peeta what time do the others arrive?" I ask and he looks at the clock. "In five minutes." He tells me, suddenly we are literally dropping what we are doing, turned off all the ovens, hung up our aprons and rushed out the door. We start running to the train station, "and I was worried we would be early." I hear Peeta say, it makes me laugh.

We get to the station just as their train is pulling into the station. We wait hand in hand until I see my mother and sister. I drop Peeta's hand and run over to pull my sister into my arms, as Peeta walks over to his family. "Hey Prim." "Hi Katniss." She hugs me back, I let go and stand up and pull my mother into a hug. "It's good to see you again Katniss." I smile, "you too mum." I release her and notice Peeta coming towards me. "I'm going to help my parents and Rye settle back in and help around the bakery so I will be back later." I pull him in for a quick kiss, "I'm cooking tonight." I whisper, "ok." With that he goes, and I turn back to family, 'looks like I am hanging around with you guys." I begin to walk back home when I notice Haymitch isn't here. "Um mum where is Haymitch?" I ask. She turns to face me, "I almost forgot he wanted me to give this to you and Peeta. He said he is staying in the Capitol for a while." She gives me another letter. "Thanks," I put in the pocket in my jacket.

We walk inside and I offer to get them something to eat while they put their things away, "thank you Katniss." I hear my mother say. I walk into the kitchen and put a few things together, bread with honey, fresh strawberries and wild lemongrass which for some odd reason Prim likes to get the juice from the bottom. I put it all on a plate and set it down on the table with 3 cups of water. I see them come in and gasp. "Katniss this looks great." Prim says and goes to sit down so does my mother and I. I grab a strawberry and pop it in my mouth just as my mother goes to speak and Prim is chewing on the honey bread. "Now Katniss, we were all a bit curious as to why you and Peeta left so early after the wedding? I mean we understand that you and Peeta want to spend as much time together as possible but leaving without saying anything beforehand and saying on a note 'we need this' we a are all a suspicious to the point where we think there is something between you and Peeta that you aren't telling us," I sigh and swallow the strawberry, "mum if there was a something going on between Peeta and I that you need to know we would tell you, but I promise on dad's grave that there is nothing going on." If only you knew, I think to myself.

PEETA POV

I walk upstairs with Rye next to me and our parents in front when I become sus, "Rye, is something up with mum and dad?" I whisper to him, "Peeta, their sus about you and Katniss, so is Ms Everdeen." He sighs and keeps walk up.

By the time all their stuff is away and we are all sitting with barely anything I am getting worried. If Ms Everdeen asks Katniss questions I just hope she doesn't say anything about Snow. "Ok Peeta spill it. Why the hell did you and Katniss leave?" My mother is trying to stare me down but it isn't working. "Look whether you choose to believe it or not we just wanted more time together." I say. "Well if that's the only answer we are going to get then go, Peeta." My mother tells me and I'm shocked, "do you still want a hand in the bakery?" I ask, "no. Because I am sure you are itching to get back home to your wife." My mother tells me and I walk out the door. This is ridiculous.

KATNISS POV

"I should be going home. I told Peeta I would make dinner." I stand up, go around give Prim and my mother a kiss and walk out the door. I walk through the melting snow and I can see some little patches of grass here and there. I open the front door and walk in, to my surprise Peeta is already home. "Hello," I say and walk over behind him on the couch. He looks up at me and I kiss his forehead. "Hello, so how was your family?" He asks, "yeah pretty good, my mum said something about them all being sus though." I looks up, "no way, me too. Hey, have you noticed Haymitch isn't here?" Peeta stands up, comes over and puts his arms around me and I put my arms around him. "Yeah I noticed, although mum gave me a letter for us from Haymitch." I say and reach into my jacket and pull out the letter. "Well why don't we read it together," Peeta suggests, "ok." I say.

We go and sit on the couch together. "You do the honours Peeta." I hand him the letter and he rips it open. I watch him pull out the folded letter. "Ready," he asks with worried eyes, "ready." I say and he unfolds the letter.

PEETA POV

I begin to read out loud,

'Peeta and Katniss,

I know by now you are curious as to why I didn't arrive with your family and this will explain everything.

DISTRICT 13 IS ALIVE

THE REBELLION IS COMING

BE READY FOR ANYTHING

BOTH OF YOU ARE FACE OF THIS REBBELION

AND KATNISS

YOU ARE THE MOCKINGJAY.

From Haymitch.'

I sit there stunned and look over at Katniss. "Do you realise what this means Katniss?" She nods, "it means everything we've been told about 13 has been a lie." I pull her into my arms, "don't worry we will be alright." She nods, "come on I came home to make dinner."

KATNISS POV

I get up and walk into the kitchen. "So Katniss am I allowed to know what is for dinner?" Peeta asks as he follows me into the kitchen. "Nope. It'll be a surprise. Anyway I was thinking, even though it didn't go so well last time what if we had our family around for dinner again, second time lucky." I suggest and turn to face him. I put my arms around his neck and his land on my waist, "well who knows." He tells me. I smile. Suddenly he bends down and kisses me, not one of the ok then kisses, one of 'those' kisses that makes feelings stir deep down inside you. I feel him break the kiss, I look up and see him smile, "I'll be back soon." He tells me "ok. Please try and be home as soon as possible something has me in the shakes." I tell him. "Sure thing." With that he walks out the door and I turn to start making dinner.

PEETA POV

I walk over to the house that Katniss's family lives in and knock on the door. "Hi Peeta," Prim says as she opens the door, "come on in." I walk in, "thanks Prim." I say and give her a warm hug. "Hello Peeta, what a pleasant surprise, where is Katniss?" Ms Everdeen asks as I give her a hug, "she is at home. She said she wanted to make dinner tonight, um we were wondering if you and Prim wanted to come for dinner. We're going to ask my parents and brother as well." I say, "we'd love to. What time would you like us there?" She asks, "around seven would be great." "Ok then. Thank you Peeta." I give them both a smile and walk out the door.

I leave the Victor's Village and start into town when I notice a few Peacekeepers staring at me especially the new commander. I pick up the pace a little bit and get to the bakery faster then I predicted. I walk in and I hear the bell on the door ring which makes my father look up. "Hello Peeta, what are you doing here." I walk over to the counter. "Hi Dad, Katniss and I were wondering if you, mum and Rye wanted to come round for dinner along with Everdeen's." I ask. "One second, I will just ask your mother but if I could make the choice on my own I would say yes." I laugh a little under my breath and dad walks into the back of the bakery. I few minutes later he comes out again, "surprisingly she said yes. What time Peeta?" I look up, "around seven if that's ok?" "That will be fine, ok then I need to get back to work. So I will see you later." "Bye dad." I say and walk out of the bakery.

KATNISS POV

I have just finished putting dinner in the oven as Peeta walks in the front door. I close the oven and run through the house to him and fling my arms around him. "You see that is why I always want to come home because I always get to see and kiss you." He tells me and puts his lips on mine. I pull his head down closer and force my way into his mouth, once again I get that stirring deep down. "I'm going to go and put something half decent on ok," I say as I break the kiss. "Ok, I'll set the table for dinner." I run upstairs, into our room and rummage in my draws until I find what I am looking for. I pull out my leggings and white long sleeved top. I quickly change and put my hair in its usual braid over my shoulder but I keep my boots on afterwards and rush back downstairs to find I table set, candles lit and my amazing husband beside. "How Peeta, it's beautiful," I go over and wrap my arms around his waist, "well I am glad you like what I did. Anyway it is almost seven so they should be getting here." He tells me, "ok well I am going to check on dinner," I walk over and pull the oven open slightly and peek in. "Does it look good," I hear Peeta ask behind me, "it does. I am just going to turn the heat down a lot but not of off so stays warm." I reply just as we hear a knock on the door, "ready," I ask as I walk over to the door with Peeta. "Ready," he says and I pull the door open. "Hi mum, hi Prim." I say as they walk in, "hi Katniss, hi Peeta." Prim and my mother say. I get a hug from both of them and so does Peeta.

We chat a lot Prim couldn't stop talking about our wedding, when there is another knock on the door I answer it by myself. "Hi guys, please come on in." I say, "thank you Katniss." Mr Mellark says, I get nothing from Mrs Mellark but Rye is as buzzing as a bee. "Hey sis, how are you?" "I'm great Rye, how are you?" I hug my new brother and he hugs me back. "I'm ok thanks." We all join each other in the living room and I go into the kitchen to start putting dinner onto plates. I walk in and pull the tray and dish out of the oven. I put the shepherd's pie on the counter along with the roasted vegetables. I pull out a stack of plates and begin to put a slice of pie and vegetables on them.

PEETA POV
"I'm going to go and help Katniss with dinner." I get up and walk into the kitchen. "Ok Katniss I am dying to know what did you cook?" I ask with a pleading in my voice. "Shepherd's Pie with roast veggies." She looks up and hands me two plates with food on them. "Looks great," I say and set them down on the table, "thanks. I got the recipe from a cook book I found in the back of your cupboard that looked really familiar." She tells me and I laugh, "Katniss that book was from our year 7 class." She looks over to me stunned, "really." I nod as she hands me more plates.

KATNISS POV

At last everyone is seated for dinner and the general chatter spreads like wild fire, from talk of the bakery to medicine. Prim is non-stop talking about the wedding until Mr Mellark grabs our attention. "I would like to propose a toast to our children and may they have a long and happy life," "cheers" everyone including myself says until my mother grabs our attention. "Now Peeta and Katniss I am sure you are both aware that we have some slight concerns as parents as to why you two left straight after the wedding to come back to 12." I look over to Peeta who has a shed of fear and worry in his eyes but hides it well, "we wanted to come back to spend some time together and just settle in without anyone fusing over us. No offense." Peeta says. I grasp his hand under the table.

PEETA POV

I can feel Katniss's hand shaking so I slowly rub her palm with my thumb, "yes. Well no offense to you but we don't believe you." My mother says. For some reason I notice her eyes getting a bit darker. "Look it isn't that we don't trust you but we are worried. I mean even at the wedding, Katniss you seemed anxious." Ms Everdeen says.

KATNISS POV

I sigh at my mother, "personally I don't understand why you can't just believe us." I say to them. "Because Katniss, no one takes off straight away with only leaving a note to tell us where you have gone after your wedding." Mr Mellark tells me. I see Peeta stand and smack his fist on the table, "do you really want to know why we had to leave?" "Peeta," I whisper but he doesn't stop. "Because we had direct orders from President Snow that we couldn't carry out so we had to leave." He yells to them, and then leaves the room. "Is that true Katniss?" My mother asks. I nod, "yes it is." I see Mrs Mellark sigh and Mr Mellark shake his head. "Prim, Rye can you please leave so we can talk to Katniss." Mr Mellark tells them and they do as asked and go straight upstairs. "I'm going to get Peeta," I say.

I walk into the kitchen but he isn't there I look out the window and right in front of my eyes is Peeta. I open the back door and walk over him, "Peeta, they want to talk to us. Please come back inside." He turns around with tears staining his face. "How do we tell them Katniss, how?" I put my arms around him, "I don't know. But we will work something out." I grab his hand and lead him back inside and back to our family where we once again sit.

"I don't understand why you didn't tell us. Did anyone else know?" Mum asks, I look over to who nods. "Haymitch, he knew about the orders. Just not what they were." "I don't understand why you didn't tell us." Mr Mellark said, "because we did so you wouldn't worry. Like the reaping we knew what was going to happen but didn't say anything so you didn't worry about them. Look I'm sorry but I personally think that that's all you need to know. Feel free to stay as long as you like and I'll be at the bakery tomorrow don't worry." Peeta says and leaves. "I agree with him. I'm sorry, but everything we do we do it to try and protect you." I say and leave the table.

Author Note: Please, please review. I hope you like it because there are going to be more chapters coming for a while. Enjoy. Xxx

P.S. This is the longest chapter i have written so far.