(Here is the long awaited next chapter of W2WC. I want to thank EVERYONE for waiting on me to get around to uploading the part 2 of this chapter. I know it's been 2 months, but everyone has been super duper patient with me and I decided to upload as a present to you, my readers. Now that the holidays are ALMOST over, I am going to start back on finishing this. I'm not sure if I'll ever get around to doing a sequel but I will do a very long Epilogue for them. Which could take some time to wrap things up. I have another idea for a new story for K/P but it will have to wait. I have two more stories after this in queue, but I'll try to write drabbles and ficlets for you in between all that writing. As I finish a chapter, I will upload a new one for you. As always: I don't own this! Enjoy!)

When I got back to the table, everyone had finished their dinner. Had I been gone that long? Maybe so, but I sat down anyway. Looking down at my plate, it was the same springtime green broth I had last night.

"I figured since you didn't feel well, I had them make this again for you. It seems easy on the stomach." Peeta said caressing my cheek.

"You've been nauseous?" Ari asked abruptly.

"Ya…." I said slowly knowing that Janja was right. Once you were on Ari's radar there wasn't much she missed.

"OK...you follow me now!"

"Ari…." Tor began.

"No, she needs to come with me."

"Now is not the time."

"We can make the time Tor."

"Talk later. We've got things to discuss." he said. The look he gave her silenced her for the moment. I was safe until it was time for her to snoop on me again.

"Fine!" she growled at him. He arched an eyebrow at her, but said nothing.

I had kept quiet with their arguing and began to sip my soup. It was good-like always-but it fell into my stomach like lead. It was not a good feeling to have. Whatever Ari wanted to talk to me about upped my nerves even more. I wanted to leave the table and crawl back into bed but I forced myself to finish the broth before excusing myself.

In my room, I sat down on the soft blanket and stared at the wall across from me. Warm hands placed on my thighs broke me of my thoughts. Looking down at the body that accompanied the hands, it was Peeta's sparkling blue eyes that held my gaze. They were laced with worry for me. I could tell and I felt guilty for making him worry about me.

"I'm sorry…"

"For what?"

"Making you worry about me."

"Katniss, I love you. I will always worry about you. As I'm sure you worry about me?" he assured me. I gave the tiniest nod of my head at him.

"I think I know what's wrong with me…." I blurted out.

His interest piqued he didn't move from his spot between my legs. "Do you?"

"Yea, but it's only in theory." I replied with caution. What if I was wrong?

"Let me hear it."

"I think I need more of your blood…."

He raised an eyebrow skeptically at me. I knew this wasn't going to go well. Nothing is ever in my favor. At least it hadn't been since my dad died years ago. He sighed closing his eyes briefly before looking at me. Confusing what I needed and what I wanted distracted me.

"Are you sure?" he asked slowly.

"Like I said...in theory. What else could it be Peeta? I'm nauseous half the time, I'm sleeping constantly and I have to always pee. ….I'm clearly sick with something that I don't have a clue about."

He nodded in defeat. Even he didn't have a clue. Caressing my cheek, I leaned into his touch. Grateful for this moment. He opened his mouth like he was going to talk but closed it. He was quiet for a moment, like he was trying to formulate a way to phrase his next words. "Ok, I'll feed you tonight. After everyone has went to sleep. We don't need Ari to ask questions."

I nodded eagerly. This had to be the reason why I felt poorly. Now the waiting would be driving me insane. "Good thing all we have to do tomorrow is our private session with the Gamemakers."

"You know what you're going to do?"

"Not a clue."

"Me neither." he said but perked for a moment, "I told Haymitch that you wanted the tributes from District 3 and Mags from District 4. ….besides Janja and Flynn."

"Oh? How'd that go?"

"He said he would tell them you're still thinking." his smile didn't reach his eyes this time and I wondered if that was my doing. The whole blood issue?

"Of course he did." I rolled my eyes, but returned Peeta's smile.

"I think we should shower and get ready for bed. Then I'll see if everyone has left or crashed out for the night. I'm not worried about Haymitch or Effie." he told me.

I agreed and took his hand and led him to the bathroom. Disrobing, we didn't speak. I could barely look at him. He wasn't comfortable with the idea, but he wasn't going to deny me anything. If he believed that I believed it his was the reason, he didn't argue with me. The shower was quiet and uneventful. You would think after all this time, he would be ready to jump at the instance to do something like this. I hadn't drank from him since we first mated.

But he was quiet...and hesitant. So unlike him. Deep in his own mind, I could never understand what was being said in there. I know he carried his own demons about his own existence, but this should be worry free fro him. So why was he hesitant?

Climbing out of the shower a while later, I stood before the mirror again and looked at myself. Coming up behind me, his eyes dark and lowered; he kissed my shoulder and left me in there. I heard the door close a minute later and knew it would be a minute before he would return. Running a brush through my hair, I stepped out of the bathroom and threw on a nightgown. It was unlike me to dress in something like this, but tonight I needed the sensual touch of something other than Peeta's hands on me.

Taking a seat on the bed, I waited patiently. I could see myself in my mind. In a maze where I kept making the wrong moves. Where the answer would be in the end if I could ever find my way out. Braiding and inbraiding my hair for the like the umpteeth time, I finally became discouraged and pulled myself off the bed. I squashed the urge to pee again even though my bladder was knocking furiously at me. Begging me to relive myself. I stubbornly refused. I wanted to be in the room when Peeta returned. If he returned to me.

Would he crack and tell Vishous? I know they didn't quite get along but I'm sure Peeta could tell him anything without it being told to Tor and Ari. I wasn't sure how to trust him. I wasn't even sure how to trust myself at this point. The Games were days away and I had nothing to look forward too except my own death. Regardless of what Peeta wanted or not.

He was coming home and that's final.

Pacing the room, I thought over what Haymitch had said about having allies. I though about the interview that would be forced upon us. The private session with the Gamemakers tomorrow. I hadn't a clue what I was going to do much less how to keep Peeta alive. I thought about all the secrets that surrounded our lives. How each of them affected us.

My thoughts flew to my sister. How I missed her sunny and cheerful disposition. Her light in the stormy clouds of my own disposition. If hadn't volunteered for her; she wouldn't be here. I would be mourning the sister I loved my whole life. My little duck who quacked and cared too much for animals. I knew that I would never see her again and it saddened me. It didn't depress me but saddened me.

The sun had set hours ago and I wished for Peeta's return. He, alone, could keep me sane in a world of madness. Maybe he told everyone I was asleep or maybe he was talking to his family. It seemed weird to call them his family when I had known forever who they were. Or who they pretended to be. What struck me odd was how he reacted to them. He wanted to be apart of their lives but they continued to push him out claiming he wasn't ready for they needed to tell him.

When is anyone ready?

I heard his footsteps before his could grasp the doorknob. I heard the turning of the handle and the breeze that swept into the room before I saw him. His essence floated through the room swirling around me. Giving me comfort and safety. Turning my head, he stood there wearily unlike earlier when he looked full of life. Closing the door, he strode toward me and pulled me to him.

Maybe it was a ruse for the rest of them. His came to rest on my hips bringing me roughly to him. My body pressed against his and I ignored the ache in my breasts. I wanted him to touch them, caresses them; but his mouth and hands seemed to have a different plan.

"Sit on the bed." He mummered his mouth ghosting over my shoulder. My nightgown bunched around my hips already. His voice, the one that always soaked my panties, was in my ear. Crawling it's way down my spine and back up my brain making life seem fuzzy.

Letting me go, I stumbled toward the bed. My body already buzzing for a release. A release I knew only he could give me. Sitting down on the bed, like he instructed. His eyes were black against my stormy grey eyes. My clit throbbed in anticipation. Falling between my opened and inviting legs, I don't know where he procured the small knife, but it was there gleaming in the dim glow of the room.

He laid it down beside my thigh and ran his hands up and down my legs. A rush of goosebumps released onto my skin and I ached for his hands to slide between my legs. At the thought my legs opened on their own volition. Inviting him to learn its secrets. He must have noticed the invitation when I finally felt fingers slowly trace the sensitive skin. Trembling, my heart sped up and I bit down hard on my lower lip. Tasting blood for the first time. My hunter's eyes trained on him and his nose twitched smelling the succulent aroma of my blood.

"Katniss…" he breathed agonizingly. The temptation was becoming too much for him. "Please don't test me right now."

"W-why not?" I asked knowing the answer.

"If I don't stop, we'll never get around to doing this. I'll have to take you." The pleasureable aching pain between my legs had been a dull throb turned inferno. He leaned down and slowly began kissing softly on my exposed thighs. I sighed in contentment and he barely flinched but kept his slow ministrations. By the time he had pushed my nightgown up to my belly button, I felt a pool of wetness under my ass.

Inhaling my scent, he growled low in his throat. I could feel it against my bare thighs. The vibrations humming their way all over me. "Blo….blood tasted better when you're aroused." He mummered his nose brushing my sex. My breath hitched and I faintly nodded. Twisting my fingers in his curly locks, I ached to push him all the way into me and taste me. A flick of his tongue against me and I felt him pull away from me sharply.

He was breathing heavily. His body taut like my bowstring. Flushed and sweating, I leaned forward to run my hands down his chest to grip the shirt. At that moment, I didn't care about blood. I wanted his body on top of mine. Ripping it off his body, he didn't fight me. In fact, he helped push my nightgown off me. Pulling me from my sitting position, we swapped spots. He sat down and roughly pulled me toward him.

I never saw the small knife in his hand or when he nicked the side of his neck. I did watch a small stream of blood trailed quickly down his skin. The bright red contrasting against the lightly tanned skin. "Drink now!" He exclaimed and I didn't hesitate. Leaning forward, I captured his skin in my mouth and felt blood pour into my own. Our moans were in unison. Plastering my hand on the other side of his throat, his hips bucked into mine. Rubbing my already sensitive area with his cock, I grind my hips into his hoping for a release. Which I knew I wasn't going to find unless he was inside me.

Tugging gently on me, he pulled me away from his neck and I hungrily wanted more. Before I could reach for him again, he had rolled us over and pinned me underneath him. I could feel his blood course through my body and If I had thought about being on fire before this was entirely new to me.

My eyes closed involuntarily, my mouth parting as my breathing became erratic. I couldn't help the moan that escaped my mouth. It wasn't like this the first time I tasted his blood. What was different now? My mind screamed as I laid there thrashing gently underneath Peeta. In that short moment, everything I had been put through over the past few days with the changes of my body, disappeared. I was just here. Nothing more, nothing less.

Finally the rush seemed to slow down. Like a train finally coming to a stop at the station. Hissing and braking ever so slowly. My body felt hot as if was in fever. Which I knew I wasn't. Opening my eyes, I could see the worry and confusion plastered all over Peeta's face.

"Ar-are you OK?" He whispered.

"Yea, I think I am. What happened?"

"You got this wild look in your eyes when I pulled you away from me. You thrashed around and it looked like you were in pain but you weren't. It didn't last long, but you were starting to worry me."

"It felt like my veins were on fire." I explained. "It wasn't like this the first time."

"What do you mean?" He asked releasing my hands. I wished he hadn't I was starting to like it.

"There wasn't an aftershock like this time."

He thought for a moment. Lost in his own mind. I hesitantly waited on him. My worry growing with each passing second. "Maybe my blood is getting stronger. I am getting closer to my transition." He finally said.

"Are you OK?" I ask watching him pull himself from me.

"Yea. I'm tired Katniss."

I burst into tears. "I'm….sorry Peeta" I buried my head in my hands. OK, this is new. I never cry about anything. At least nothing as insignificant as this. This must have thrown him because it took a minute for him to react.

"Hey...hey...what's with the tears? There's nothing to be sorry over."

I gulped and tried to wipe the tears off my face, but he pulled me close to him crushing me. I didn't even care that my breasts were hurting. Just to have him close to me was enough to keep me sobbing in his bare shoulder. When I finally let up, I stood there in this warmth and I realized I wanted nothing more than for him to hold me while we slept. I didn't care it we had sex tonight. I didn't care about the blood issue or the impending Games.

"Can we sleep?" I asked softly. Never answering his question about my crying. I would need time analyze it myself. He nodded and stripped the rest of his clothes off. When we climbed in bed, he pulled me in tightly to his body. Snug as we fit together like puzzle pieces; we soon fell asleep.

The next morning when we awoke, it was earlier than normal. Which was saying something about us. I was normally an earlier riser because if hunting and Peeta's naturally early up before myself to bake. This morning it wasn't any different. The sky hadn't turned orange yet. Still the inky blackness that would eventually give way to a purple hue until the shun showed its head to us. Encasing us in its warmth. Bringing the world back to life.

Rolling over I saw that Peeta had finally rolled away from me sometime during the night. When he was in my bed, the nightmares stayed away. But on those rare occasions when he wasn't there; nightmares would plague me until I managed to escape them.

No nightmares tonight, but this one left me feeling all sorts of emotions. Happiness, sadness, longing. I could see us sitting in a garden. It was dark out but the lights around us illuminated the entire area. There was Peeta crouched down with a young boy, maybe 10 or so, with blonde hair and grey eyes. In my arms, a infant. Female with the clearest blue eyes I've ever seen with the exception of one person. Was this the happiness that I wanted?

Running my hand up and down his broad chest, I watched as my hand moved up and down to the rhythm of his breathing. I didn't want to wake him up, but we would have to get ready soon enough. Today was our private session with the Gamemakers and the results would be broadcasted later. Truthfully, I hadn't a clue what I was going to do.

So, I laid there hoping I would fall back asleep. When sleep didn't arrive thirty minutes later, the beating my bladder was getting sent me rushing the bathroom. Relieving myself, I almost sighed in happiness. My rush to the bathroom must have woken Peeta up, because he was leaned against the doorframe, naked, and amusement danced across his face.

"Never knew peeing makes you happy…" he teased.

"When you have to go like I do recently, it does." Normally I would feel self-conscious about Peeta watching me do something like this but we have seen so much of each other, that it didn't bother me as much as I thought it would. After taking care of myself, I shook my head at him. Reaching to brush my teeth, he stopped and wrapped his arms around. In his arms, I felt him breathe into me. He was at least a few inches taller than me right now. Rumor has it that he would grow exponentially when his transition happened.

Nibbling along the flesh of my shoulder, his hands splayed over my stomach. Hugging the skin close to him as he could. "You still seem different to me." He whispered, "but I like it. It's your body but its wonderful as well."

I wanted to blush down to my roots, but his intense gaze kept me from doing it. "I don't care what happens in the next few days, I want you to know I love you."

"I love you too." I whispered trying to keep my emotions in check.

Crawling back into bed, we laid there unable to sleep. His fingers caressing my hair normally would have lulled me to sleep but this morning was different. Sighing into his chest, I sat up abruptly. Running my hands through my hair, I quickly braided it while he stared at me in confusion.

"What's wrong?"

"Can't sleep. Normally I'm so tired that all I want to do is sleep. Can we go somewhere?" I asked.

"Yea. The roof, if you want?"

That sounded like the best idea in the world at the moment. We could sit up there and escape for a little while. Throwing a pair of sleep pants and a tank, I sat down and watched as Peeta dressed. Even though, I was tired, I still could appreciate his body. I didn't notice when he was done until he grabbed me and pulled me to my feet. Taking me from the room, we tiptoed quietly up the stairs and he pushed the door open to the roof. There was a perk to being assigned the top floor.

I was lost in my own thoughts that I must not have seen him grab a blanket. Sitting down, he pulled me gently in his lap and wrapped the both of us. Even in the middle of summer, it was warm but on the roof there was a breeze that could chill you to the bone if you weren't dressed for it.

Closing my eyes, I rested my head against him. I don't know how long we sat there but soon enough the sun started to peek over the white buildings that surrounded us. Streaks of orange and gold smeared against the white buildings. You could see the hazy dusty looking particles that floated around making the world seem like we were in a painting. One by one the lights started to go off. Darkening the streets for a brief moment before the sun illuminated the dark roads. The world started to wake up and for us it was another day closer to the Arena. Where I could very well lose Peeta. I shuddered if I ever saw his broken body lying amongst the wildlife that would surround him before the hovercraft would take him away from me. Would I even get to say goodbye?

Or worse, would he get to say goodbye if he found my body? How would he react? He promised me that I would be coming home. I didn't...no I couldn't believe him. That he would give up his own life to save mine. A debt I would never be able to pay back. Not in a million lifetimes.

"Beautiful, isn't it?" He asked barely breaking the silence.

"Yea." I supplied shortly.

"I was talking about you.." He tilted my head to look at him. His sapphire blue eyes intensely gazed at me and I was entrapped. Like in one of Gale's snares and I didn't want to be freed. Lowering his head down to mine, our noses brushed intimately before his lips found mine. I gasped at the tenderness behind it. It was a feeling that we had yet to share.

Every time we were intimate it was hot, passionate, sometimes it was dark and dangerous, but never tender. Never soft. It was how his body wanted mine. To mark me. To claim me as his own forever. Those nights between the sheets, blood roaring in my ears as he took me over and over, sweat pouring off us his body atop of mine filling me taking his blood fill of me were nights I was going to miss.

"I love you Katniss." He whispered breaking the kiss.

"I love you too." I said my heart really feeling it after all these months. I've loved him this whole time but something about the right moment that you truly fall in love with someone. That one moment that you know can last lifetimes was this one moment. Framing it, I put it away in the box of memories that I would cherish forever.

Curling into him, I wrapped the blanket tighter around me. I could hear the steady beat of his heart through his skin and I wondered how many more days I would be privileged to hear it. I could hear him sigh in contentment; his arms tightening around me. I didn't want him to let go.

Ever.

But I knew we would. Hearing footsteps a minute later, I felt him shuffle his body around to look at our intruder. He ignored whoever it was and turned back to me. Giving me a small smile, I felt his fingers weave into my hair.

"It's time to go Katniss…." I heard him sigh.

"I don't want too." I protested.

"I know. Neither do I, but it's time."

Pulling back from him, I searched his eyes. Hoping he would tell me different. When he didn't I could feel the tears start to prickle around my eyes again. Cupping the side of my face, he pulled me back to him. Holding me as I felt tears fall. He held me as I cried. This perfect moment of what could be our last sunrise.

Kissing my forehead, he pulled away from me. Coming to his feet, he held his hand out me. Looking at his stretched hand I didn't want to take it. Taking it meant that we had to leave our sanctuary. I felt my mind weigh in the options for a mere second before I took his hand in mine. The warmth spreading to my bones. Gooseflesh spread over my skin, but I squeezed his hand tightly in mine and let him lead me down to our room.

Entering the room, I hesitated to undress. But I knew I had too. This wasn't the option of wanting too but having too. Kissing the back of my hand, he began to strip down. At least they had the brains to bring his uniform in this room. I didn't want him far from me. Undressing as well, I slipped on the uniform. It stretched against my elusive changing body. It didn't worry me now that I had tasted Peeta's blood last night.

As we walked through the penthouse, I could smell breakfast looming in front of us. Blanching at the smells, I turned and rushed back toward the bathroom. Retching, I held the toilet hoping that it would end soon. Thankfully for me, there wasn't anything in my stomach or it could have been worse. Flushing a minute later, I looked at my image in the mirror. I was pale and tired. Dark smudges were prominent under my eyes.

Turning the tap on, I cleaned my face and washed my mouth out. The taste of vomit lingering even after I brushed my teeth. Brushing again, I could barely taste the aftertaste. A knock on the door interrupted my thoughts. Opening it, stood a worried Peeta. The crease in his forehead indicating that his worry for me was increasing.

Collapsing into his always open arms, he held me again. We both know the truth. The blood didn't work. There was still something wrong with me. Something we couldn't describe but I know once we left the room, Ari would be on my ass. I didn't want to deal with her. Not today. Not when I felt particularly vulnerable. I felt his strong hands smooth over my back in a sweet gesture to calm me.

"Are you alright?" His voice low to my ear.

"No, but there's nothing I can do." I sighed heavily and looked up at him. My head barely brushed his chin. He nodded and pulled me back to the dining room where I'm assuming no one saw me rush to the bathroom.

Taking a seat, the chatter was quieter this morning. It had become quieter every day since we arrived. No one seemed to be in good spirits; including Effie. Which was a shocker to both Peeta and I. Normally she was inclined to talk everyone to death. Every so often, I watch as Haymitch would grab her free hand and squeeze it affectionately.

I guess after 15 years of working together you form some sort of affection for a person no matter how decrepit they actually can be. They reminded me of two sides of a coin. One polished and shiny. The other dull and lifeless. Effie maintained her orangey hue today but it seemed softer. Like Peeta's sunset. And not as garish. Maybe Haymitch was having an effect on her. Even he, had stopped drinking, to make sure Peeta was to come home.

Around me, plates of fruit, pancakes, eggs and a variety of breakfast meats greeted me. The only thing that seemed appetizing was the fruit and eggs. I knew I had to keep up pretenses in case I was interrogated about my eating habits. Normally I could eat anyone under the table. With my love of food….OK, well, Peeta's cheese buns; no one stood a chance.

Picking at my food, I sipped at the hot chocolate and grasped Peeta's free hand with my own. I could eat one-handed. I just needed to keep in my mind that he was still with me. Always. We were due to leave in the next half hour and I hoped that the time would drag. Ari eyed me for a minute trying to gauge me.

Like I was ready to tell her anything.

Of course, I knew she would get it out of me. What I didn't know was that it was going to be at the last minute before I would be sent up the tube to the Arena. And it would rock my already crippling world apart.

"You two need to get going." Ari mentioned turning back to Peeta and I.

"We know…."

"Procrastinating will not make this go by any faster. Do you two know what you're going to do?" Tor asked.

"No." we replied in unison.

"Do what?" V implored finally realizing that people were talking.

"For our private session with the Gamemakers." I grumbled scooting my eggs to the side of the plate.

"And I'm assuming that you've done shown them what you're good at?" He said.

We nodded at him. Perplexed at what he was heading at, we waited patiently for guidance. In this place, it was the only way you were going to survive. With the exception of Haymitch's silver parachutes.

"Do something you've learned since you've been here. Be it big or small. I'm sure they really don't care what you can do, do they?"

"Not really. Since everyone here are previous Victors; it's all for show. The Gamemakers know who's vicious enough in the Arena and who will be on the list to be killed first." Haymitch spoke up as he wiped his mouth.

It was all the advice we were going to get. I thought to myself. What had we learned since we got here? Nothing really except for the knot-tying station. Or maybe Peeta could throw a few knives. I physically shrugged my shoulders at them.

"Like it matters anyway…." I grumbled. My mood was indeed sour this morning. First, not being able to sleep, then being pulled away from our private moment. Lastly, my impromptu run to the bathroom. Yea, my morning was swell.

"OK, we need to get going." Peeta finally said taking my hand. Pulling me to my feet, like he's been doing all morning, we barely waved goodbye as he led us to the elevator. Stepping inside, anxiety grew in my stomach as the doors closed on us.

Peeta must have known because he pulled me in for a long slow kiss. One of those soul searching kisses that left me wanting for more. Couldn't he have done this afterward? His large hands settled on my waist and he backed us against the wall. His body pressed firmly against the side of the elevator while my own my free to move around instead of being pinned under his possession.

Palming my hands around his neck, I could feel his heartbeat thrum under my fingers. Our lips and tongues danced the ancient mating ritual that ensnared us in its intricate design. In that moment, we forgot about the Games, our friends and family, and found each other. He deepened the kiss, our bodies pressed firmly into each others.

"I'm going to need you tonight…" the words rolled off his tongue like honey and I could feel my body responding immediately to his command. I could only nod my head words escaping me, like always. Before I could lean in for another kiss. The elevator dinged and the doors slid open. It was time.