"Don't worry, it'll all work out." He smiled a weak, weary smile and it took all of me to not burst into tears. I grabbed his hand as he turned to walk away. He stopped in surprise and turned back to me. I couldn't speak. I merely squeezed his fingers tightly, trying to stop my own from shaking. I closed my eyes, preparing to let go, when I felt his other hand reach and grip our joined ones. I opened my eyes as he raised them and gently pressed his lips to the back of my hand. His smile was a bit lighter this time and he asked softly,

"Wait for me?" I could only nod and he released my hands to walk away. I had a horrible, sick feeling well up inside my chest. It spread through my entire body, suffocating me as I watched him disappear behind heavy metal doors where doctors awaited him. I felt like it was the last time I'd ever see him. I desperately tried to smother this feeling, but the longer I sat waiting in silence, the more it gnawed at my heart.

"Ms. Everdeen?" I awoke with a start to a doctor shaking my shoulder gently. All I could say in a horse voice was,

"Peeta?" The doctor looked exhausted and spent, but a small smile that made my heart lurch in my still aching chest all the way to my throat came over his lips.

"He's asking for you." I stood up on stiff legs and followed him back, refusing to believe until I saw. I never had been the most trusting person. My heart was pounding as he opened the doors and let me pass him to go inside. He was smiling and talking to his nurse, who was helping prop him up on the pillows behind his head and back. I felt all my strength seep from my body. My knees went weak, but I didn't fall. I stood frozen, rooted to the spot beside the door and merely watched as he laughed and smiled. His eyes were clear and that brilliant blue I loved so much. They landed on me and softened, turned gentle. My heart was still stuck in my throat as the nurse worked around me to the door, giving us time. His lips formed a soft, loving smile and opened.

"Hi."

I couldn't do it anymore. My legs moved on their own and I practically sprinted at him. I saw his eyes widen in alarm just before I leaped onto the bed, throwing my arms around him and burying my face in his shoulder. My breaths were now coming in quick, short gasps that I tried, and failed, to calm. His arms went around me and held me tightly. He shushed me and his fingers stroked my hair soothingly. "It's okay... it's okay." He whispered over and over and I felt his lips touch themselves to my head.

"Are you..? Is it..?" I couldn't get all the words to come. I felt him laugh softly, felt it go from his body to mine and I reveled in the wonderful feeling. I pressed closer to him, is arms tightened in response.

"I'm fine, Katniss," he pulled me away slightly, much to my disappointment, but his hand touched my face and wiped away tears I hadn't realized has started to fall. He smiled brightly. "I'm fine."

I let out a half sob, half laugh and planted a strong kiss on his lips. I then fell back against his shoulder, squeezed my eyes shut and breathed deeply.

"Uh.. Katniss, sweetheart.. you're kinda crushing my IV." I instantly leapt of the bed and he let out a breath, rubbing the spot I had just plunged the needle harder into.

"Sorry." I breathed in horror and anxiety. He laughed again, shook his head and beckoned me back. I stood at his bedside as he took my hand, pulling me back to the bed in a more comfortable position for him. He turned his face in my hair and I listened to the sound of his slow, steady breathing. It became gradually more slow and heavy.

"You're tired. Go to sleep." I said. But I felt him shake his head, his hand holding mine tightening its grip. However, at my continued urdging, his heavy eyelids began to close as he muttered "Just for a little while."

I leaned and pressed a long kiss to his cheek, lulling him to sleep. His lips twitched.

"Katniss?"

"What? Go to sleep." He smiled at that, eyes still closed, but his hand squeezed mine again.

"I love you." I stared at his tired face and gently stroked away the blonde hair from his forehead.

"Love you, too."