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Peeta's POV:

Katniss had agreed to take me out to the woods, and although she had initiated the invitation, she still seemed unsure. But it was Katniss, and if she didn't want me to come, she would tell me. As far as I knew.

I followed her out into the meadow, and when I went to duck under the fence, my prosthetic leg caught on the wire.

I glanced up and saw Katniss pause apprehensively, but not towards me. I looked down to tug my leg free, and pretended not to see her pause. If she wanted to think, or to take back her invitation, I would let her do so in peace.

We made our way through the woods after that, as she had said nothing. As we went, I started to remember another time this had occurred, during the first Games.

Katniss and I were being stalked by Foxface, though we didn't know it. Katniss had been yelling at me for being too noisy, but I couldn't exactly help it since one leg was on the mend.

She said nothing now about my loud steps. There was no possibility that they were actually quieter; her steps whispered while mine yelled, thanks to the fact that I was missing half a leg.

Strangely enough, having a leg missing below the knee had never caused me to have pity on myself or be angry. I had escaped with my life, and more importantly Katniss's that day, and that had to cost some sort of sacrifice. I was willing to pay anything for that.

Eventually we came to a small rock ledge where Katniss sat down, so I sat beside her. She still said nothing. I wasn't worried though; sometimes she got quiet, and in a place that held so many memories for her, a bright conversation was not what I was expecting.

After a while I placed my arm around her shoulder, and as she tucked her head into my chest, I smiled.

"Thanks for taking me here," I said, genuinely grateful.

"Sure."

Things were getting better again.

Katniss was getting better again.

But yet again, she was going to surprise me.

As we looked out onto the valley beyond District 12, she quietly said, "Peeta?"

I glanced down at her.

"I love you."

Her cheeks turned a bright red, and instantly I was soaring. Hearing her say it, out here with no one to make a show for, no one to convince of some ridiculous pretence, well it was something I never would have dared imagine.

"I love you too." I hoped I didn't take too long to respond, but I was incredibly happy.

She smiled almost shyly, and turned away again.

And it was then that I knew. That things would be alright. It would take time, lots of time, to heal the wounds we both had. But we would get there.

However much I wished that this would last forever, the sun began to set behind us, and we needed to get back. The woods were no place to be at night when you were defenseless.

So we got up, and trekked back through the woods, still in silence. We were back to the house just before it became completely dark.

On our way back, I took her hand and linked my fingers through hers. She still didn't say anything, but she didn't pull her hand away.

"Wonder if we should have brought Haymitch with us," I joked, and she laughed.

"Yeah, I don't think so," she responded, a smile in her voice.

I lead her up the front steps to our house, and was surprised to see a light on inside. I must have left it on before we headed out this morning.

I went to open the door using the key in my pocket, but it turned easily under my hand. That was curious.

When I ventured in, my hand still locked in Katniss's, I heard voices in the back of the house, coming from the kitchen.

I panicked for a moment, my heart pounding. Katniss had already received a visit once in this house, from Snow. He was dead though, I reminded myself. He couldn't come here, couldn't hurt her anymore.

Pure relief washed through me when I recognized the voice of Haymitch as he laughed loudly. Another voice answered, but I couldn't believe my own ears. There's no way.

There's not a change that he would come here.

Katniss froze next to me, now clutching my hand with all her might. I pulled her forward gently, moving towards the kitchen.

I couldn't believe my ears, but there was no denying my eyes.

Gale Hawthorne sat in my kitchen across from Haymitch.

"Hey." He said, looking up at Katniss pleadingly. His eyes flickered down to our linked hands, and narrowed slightly.

All eyes were on Katniss as she just shook her head and for the first time in weeks, tears began to spring up in her eyes.

Whether they were tears of joy or sadness I couldn't tell, but I did know that if he hurt Katniss, he would not be staying long.

I know, I know! Sorry, but he's back! The next few chapters will be even more exciting ; )

Stay tuned and PLEASE check out "In Too Deep," one of my other stories. I'd loveeee you if you left me a review there! : )