Here's the next chapter! Enjoy! I do not own THG, the lovely Suzanne Collins does, so any direct quotes will be in italics.


Ch. 52

"Oh! Peeta! You're doing it!" Effie screams as I make my way down the hallway to my team. I have the clothes I wore in the arena back on the hospital clothes in a trash somewhere. The last couple days have been a lot of improvement; I started to walk with the cane. I would walk the halls every day and wonder if Katniss was in any of these rooms, but there were no windows on the doors, there would be no secret reunions.

Effie obviously didn't think I could do it or she hadn't heard of my improvement. It almost looks normal with the way I walk now, but only almost. I still limp and put a lot of my weight on the cane, but I'll get better at home away from everything and with Katniss to cheer me on.

I finally get to my team. I've already seen Haymitch, and Effie I kind of missed, but she was Effie. But Portia until I saw her I didn't realize just how much. She smiles at me and instead of the sorrow that etched her face right before I went into the arena it's pure joy. She quickly grabs me into a huge hug and I almost loose my balance, but she steadies me. We stand in a hug for a while before I realize I must do the same with Effie and Haymitch, there are cameras watching.

I move to my escort, a lady who I completely hated for a long time with out even knowing her. But her she was, her hair bright pink, her outfit so Capitol, and her hug so tight. Maybe she had actually missed us; maybe behind all those passive aggressive comments was a heart that actually cared for us. I release from her hug fast and move to Haymitch. His hug isn't much, really just a pat on the back, but with Haymitch I'll know we'll be friends forever.

It's off with Portia I go to get ready for the ceremonies. Once out of sight of the cameras I feel a nervousness that I didn't even notice was there, leave my body.

" Peeta, I'm so proud of you and Katniss. You did what you had to do. Peeta, just know you are brave." Says Portia as we step onto the elevator, back to our rooms. It's like we never even left. Except all those empty floors we pass on our way to the twelve, they won't have the same tributes in them. They are gone. It gets to our room too fast before I can say anything, it opens up to my prep team. Talia, Rake, Lucinda are the same as always. Young and vibrant and Capitol.

"Peeta, you were so amazing!" Says Talia jumping up and down.

"Peeta, you were so sweet. You and Katniss will be together forever, you have the perfect relationship," say Lucinda. What does she really know of our relationship? They congratulate and praise me more, but I don't really listen. I can smell the amazing Capitol food not that far away, but they won't move. I want to just push them over and stuff my face.

"Guys, you can talk to him at the table. Please, he has to be hungry." Screams Portia at the prep team she's probably not too happy she got. I bet they're all like this, and that not all designer are like Portia and Cinna, calm and collected.

We finally move to the table, except I don't get much, only a small serving. Which I swear is smaller than the first serving of lamb stew I had in the arena. I savor each tiny bite as my taste buds ask for more and more. There is talk going on, but they aren't talking to me anymore as they see I'm more into my food than them.

A couple hours later, which were filled with gossip upon gossip. Each one talked about the big moments in the Games, how sweet I was to Katniss, how adorable that little Rue was. It so much talk about the Games I can't take it. I've managed to push it away for some times during the day, but at night I get the worst. Nightmares filled with the games, nightmares filled with me losing Katniss.

After a while I didn't focus on what they were saying, but that I would be able to see Katniss tonight. Her hair wouldn't be messy, her face not scratched and bruised and even though she never lost her beauty in the Games, she will be radiant again. I wonder what outfit Cinna has created to make her look almost perfect in all ways. It's tonight I get to see her. Tonight.

It's nice when Portia comes in and gets me into my outfit. She doesn't blabber on about the games, or where she was when this happened, she just occasionally asks me questions like are you okay or how are you dealing with that leg? No talk of the all too painful games.

But now here I was below the stage and ready for the ride up and the moment I see Katniss. Haymitch comes up to me before I have to step onto the platform that won't open up to the arena, but a gigantic room full of people, congratulating me on Katniss and mine victory.

"Peeta, good luck out there." Says Haymitch a hand on my shoulder.

"Thanks Haymitch, " I say, and I think he will go away after that, but he doesn't.

"I have the letter still." He says reaching for a pocket in his jacket. "Do want it, or do you still want me to give it to Katniss?" Why would he give it to Katniss, when I could? I still want her to see it; I want her to know that I would've died so that she could live.

"I'd like to give it to her." He hands me the letter.

"Peeta, why don't you just wait until you get home. It might be better that way." I didn't know why Haymitch wanted me to wait until we're back, but I'll listen to him. He probably has a reason for it.

Pretty soon it's time for me to step on to the platform, I'll see Katniss with in a matter of seconds. I hold my breath as I go up, up, up. Then there she is, Katniss looks like the young girl I first saw in kindergarten. Her dress makes her look innocent and harmless, not the hunter that she is, but the lover that she also is.

Katniss takes the few steps to me and flings herself into my arms. I missed this. We begin to kiss and all the while I'm thinking this is where I'm meant to be. With Katniss.


I hope you liked it! I am leaving this weekend so there won't be anymore updates today or tomorrow, but maybe Sunday, that's a big maybe though. I don't know what time we're getting home. Which I will probably finish this by Tuesday! I can't believe it! So have a wonderful weekend! Don't forget to REVIEW on the way out! Thanks! ~boywithbreadlover