Second Chances

by Peetabreaddd

FULLY UPDATED! What happens when Katniss can't live without Peeta anymore after they won the war? Feeling lonely, Katniss does something tragic to make it all stop, but is given a second chance to make everything right. STORY HAS BEEN COMPLETELY REDONE

4. Chapter 4

Peeta woke up to a dark cave. He slowly sat up and moved his injured leg. He looked down and saw that his leg was getting better. He saw the needle, and something new. I little tub of ointment. That wasn't there last time. Haymitch must have sent it along to help close his wound because he couldn't believe that his wound was closing up. It didn't really close last time, not until they got out of there. He looked over at Katniss and saw she was bleeding.

"Oh God Katniss," he choked out. It was scary seeing her laying there next to him. Blood pouring from her head. He grabbed the first aid kit and went to work on cleaning her wound. It was bleeding pretty bad. He grabbed the ointment and rubbed it on her forehead. It stopped immediately, and he put a bandage on her head. He moved her around a little until her head was in his lap. He leaned down and kissed her, and pulled her braid lose and worked out all the tangles in her hair. It was dirty, but he didn't care. He loved her hair. He just loved her.

"You're crazy for going," he told her. He knew she couldn't hear him. He looked to the side of him and saw something on the ground in the dirt. He leaned forward, and realized Katniss left him a message.

You're ok now. His mouth dropped. And then he laughed. She brushed her hair back.

"Yeah, I guess you did tell me I would be. But I won't admit to you that you were right," he told her. He fell in and out of sleep, waiting for her to wake up. He was starving and tried to be careful with their food. Lucky that he stuffed his pockets full of different things when he first got here. They would have that to eat. But Katniss had been smart. She hunted a lot the day before. Thinking ahead. They had enough Groosling. Lots of berries and roots to eat. They would be ok till she hunted again. Or till Haymitch sent them some more food.

He hadn't realized it was raining. He had forgot about that. Katniss did an amazing job at covering them from the storm. Finnick and Mags would be proud. He took her shoes and socks off and rubbed her feet. He put his own socks on her and covered her with his jacket that she must have taken off when she got back. He knew it was morning, even though it was dark, and just waited for Katniss to wake up.

"Katniss. Katniss can you hear me?" he called out to her when she started stirring. She opened her eyes, and he smiled at her. "It's so good to see your eyes opened again. You scared me. I woke up last night to you laying in a really scary pool of blood," he told her. She put her hand on her forehead.

"I wouldn't sit up right away. That gash looked pretty bad. That ointment they gave you closed up my wound. I spread it on your cut," he told her, helping her drink some water.

"Are you ok?" she asked. He smiled and kissed her forehead.

"I'm perfect. I'm alive. I ate a lot of the Groosling. I hope we have enough to last through the storm. It's only been getting worse. Your socks and boots are still damp. It's hard to get them to dry in here," he told her. She held a hand to her head. "Does it hurt?" he asked her.

"Yes," she told him. He bent down and kissed her forehead.

"Better?" he asked. She smiled. "What happened? How'd you get that cut? And how did Clove die?" he asked. He already knew, but she told him anyway. She yawned.

"Get some sleep it's ok," he told her. She shook her head.

"I should go get us some food," she told him, almost moving to sit up but he stopped her.

"No stay there. Just lay down. Let me take care of you Katniss. Just sleep. Nothing bad will happen to us with this storm," he told her soothingly. He brushed her hair again. He knew she liked that.

"Just wake me if you need me," she said, and fell asleep. He ate a little bit more, and he slept a little. But was happy to see her when she woke up and was able to sit up. They ate a little bit, and he thought getting her to talk about Rue would be good for the audience. They were going to need Haymitch to send all that food. Haymitch would only send them something if they were good. So, he knew getting her to talk would get the ball rolling.

"So, what happened when you woke up and Rue had found you?" Peeta asked. Katniss gulped, and she started her story. He acted surprised when he heard how they teamed up and started planning how to take the Careers down. How they planned to blow up their food. He ooooh'd and awed at all the right moments. Then she told him about having to lay under a bush, and she had found some arrows. The arrows! He completely forgot about that.

"I put those there." he interrupted. She just stared at him. "I know that you're good with a bow. So, I hid some arrows. Glimmer had the bow though. I just thought if I hid them away from her, I could somehow get them to you. I can't believe that's the bush that you hid under. That's amazing," he said, acting like he had no idea that that would happen.

"That's incredible. Thank you," she said and kissed his cheek. "I can't believe how much you risked, to save my life," she said.

"Well, we both did it for each other. Look what you did yesterday for me," he told her. She smiled at him and took a sip of water. "So, what happened after that? I didn't mean to interrupt you," he asked her innocently. She softly spoke to him. This was hard for her. But he knew the audience was waiting on her every word. And to be honest, he knew all the other Districts were to. Watching a little girl's death is one thing but reliving it like this. Hearing Katniss talk about it? It would keep adding fuel to the fire. He hated doing this, exposing Katniss to this. But he knew what they were fighting for. Freedom! She kept on with her story, and the tears started flowing about Rue. Not only Rue, but flat out killing someone. She sobbed in his arms.

"Shhh it's ok Katniss," he whispered to her.

"She told me to win. That I had to win," she cried. He kissed her forehead.

"You will win Katniss. We both will," he told her. She sat up.

"She told me that I had to win for Prim. I promised my sister I would win for her. But I'm not just winning for Prim anymore. I told Rue that I would win for her. And I would win for you...they didn't make the rule change then, and I didn't want to run into you. I already lost one ally; I couldn't lose you either," she said. He grabbed her face in his hands.

"You will win Katniss. We'll both win. And we'll win this whole thing for them. For Prim and for Rue," he promised her. She nodded her head. Then she pulled back and wiped her face.

"I don't want to talk about them anymore," she said. He nodded his head.

"I wanna know what the heck we can do to get Haymitch to send us some good food. Like real food," Peeta said. His stomach was growling.

"Well, he probably used up a lot of resources trying to knock you out," Katniss said mischievously. He knew she was baiting him now.

"Yeah, about that." he said and intertwined his fingers with hers. "Don't do anything like that again," he told her sternly. She smiled.

"Or what huh?" she asked.

"Or..or...give me a minute," he said. He wanted to do this conversation justice.

"Or what huh," she repeated. He squeezed her hand tightly.

"Don't die for me Katniss. You won't be doing me any favors. You'll be sending a knife straight through my heart if you die for me," he told her honestly. It was the truth. She was stunned.

"You'll be sending a knife straight through my heart if you die. So, don't you do it. I don't regret going out there and getting your medicine. And I don't regret tricking you in order to do it. Don't you ever think about me leaving here by myself. Do you know what being out here without you would do to me? How do you think I would feel if..." she trailed off. Her voice was getting louder, and she was trying to stop her feelings from coming out. This was a real conversation, argument that they were having.

"If what Katniss?" he asked her. She shook her head.

"I don't know," she said honestly.

"Then let me fill in the blanks for you," he said, and pulled her towards him, practically sitting in his lap and kissed her passionately. Kissing her so hard, he could feel the heat coming off of them. He loved her. He needed her. There was no way he was letting her go. There was no way that he was going to fail. They would get out of this mess. He felt her grip loosen and looked at her face. She looked pale.

"Your head. You're dizzy. Come on get some sleep. It's bedtime anyways," he said and reached for her socks. She was still in his lap and he helped her off of him and helped her put her socks back on. He made her drink some more water.

"Get in the sleeping bag with me. It's too cold not to share," he told and zipped his jacket back up. He opened up his arms to her and she gladly accepted them. She buried her face by his ear. The storm was so loud that anything she whispered he knew wouldn't be heard.

"When we were here last time, I remember what I was thinking about," she whispered. He held her tighter and waited for her to continue. "That I loved being held like this. That I hadn't been held like this since my father died, because I didn't trust my mother, but I trusted you. It wasn't just for the cameras. If it was, I wouldn't feel safe. But I felt so safe in your arms. I should have realized it then. I'm so sorry I didn't see it," she told him.

He tried not to smile. She should have realized it then. That she loved him? Was that what she meant? He leaned down, and kissed her, pulling her body so close to his. She scratched at his back and felt himself getting hard. Tonight, he couldn't feel like that, so he pulled his face away.

"We're almost home Katniss. Just get some sleep," he told her. They took turns sleeping, and by the morning, the storm still didn't let up. And it was freezing. They kept huddled together under the sleeping bag. He could feel Katniss moving her legs up and down. He knew it was innocent on her part, but it made him get harder the more she did it. He knew she was pure and naïve, and didn't know, or even realize what she was feeling, him hard against her stomach, but he wanted to pounce on her every time she did it, or just yell at her to stop. But he never did.

Their food was gone, and he kept looking at her. Haymitch would send food at the right moment, but they had to start talking. He heard Katniss' stomach growl, and then heard her groan. She waited a moment, before she started talking.

"You told Caesar that you had a crush on me forever. When did forever start?" she asked him. He smiled. They talked for a few minutes.

"You just weren't paying attention,"

"We'll I'm paying attention now. I've always been paying attention Peeta," she told him he smiled down and laughed. Looking around the cave.

"Well, I don't have much competition here," he told her. She reached her hands out of the sleeping bag and touched his cheeks.

"Peeta. You don't have any competition anywhere. You never have, and you never will. I was always paying attention," she told him.

"So, I should have worked up the nerve to talk to you sooner than huh?" he asked. She nodded her head and pushed him backwards. She kissed him passionately. She felt good. To good.

"How about you kiss my neck again," he whispered. She laughed and swooped down and started kissing his neck. He was in heaven. He made sure to grab the sleeping back to cover them, and reached over and pulled Katniss into him, hugging her tightly to him. But it just made her laugh again.

They heard something then and sat up. He knew what it was. Katniss grabbed her bow and slowly stood up. It was better she did it this time. He would have to cover himself to stand up. Katniss brought back an overflowing basket. It's not just what was in their last time. Lamb stew, fresh rolls, apples and goat cheese. No, this time, there's chicken salad. Tuna fish. And a whole box of crackers. Capitol made crackers. And pineapple. And even two slices of chocolate cake and cookies. And a bottle of what looked like champagne, but the label said Sparkling Cider. They smile at each other.

Oh, they had more sponsors this time. This was good. Very good. Katniss' smile was huge. It wasn't getting food; it was how much more food there was then last time. They were making up for what they messed up last time. He pulled her in for a kiss. He looked up where hopefully a camera was.

"Thanks for not letting us starve Haymitch," he called out. They ate happily, but slowly. It was just too good. They decided to wait an hour before eating some more. So, he sat up against the wall, brining Katniss to cuddle up next to him.

"So, what were you saying before? About me, no competition, the best thing that ever happened to you?" he asked. She laughed and sat up.

"I don't remember saying that" she laughed.

"Oh, that's right. That's what I was thinking," he said. She just smiled at him. He nudged her a little. "Scoot over I'm freezing. There's a breeze right there," he said, shoving her over a little. He covered them with a sleeping bag, which forced them to intertwine their legs.

"So, since we were five, you never noticed any other girl?" Katniss asked him, laying her head on his shoulder. He looked down at her and he let out a chuckle.

"No, I noticed just about every other girl, but none of them ever made a lasting impression but you," Peeta told her, and kissed her forehead.

"I'm sure that would thrill your mother. You liking a girl from the Seam," Katniss said bitterly. She had changed her words this time. She had included his father last time he noticed. This time it was just his mother.

"Hardly. But I couldn't care less. Anyways, when we make it back, you won't be a girl from the Seam anymore. You'll be the girl from the Victor's Village. And I couldn't do any better than that," he told her.

"But then our only neighbor would be Haymitch," Katniss said.

"Aww that will be so sweet. You me and Haymitch. Very cozy. Picnics, birthdays, long winter nights around the fire. Retelling old Hunger Game tales. I wanna hear whatever story it is about how Chaff from District 11 setting something on fire," Peeta joked, tightening his arms around her. Katniss snorted.

"Don't let Haymitch get to close to any fire. He'll take a nosedive into it like he did on stage at the Reaping," she said. Peeta laughed. That was true. How had Haymitch stayed alive this long, without getting seriously injured?

"Haymitch seriously hates me. He's yelled at me and walked out on me every time we had a strategy meeting. Or even dinner," Katniss laughed.

"He doesn't hate you. When he's sober, I've never heard him say one mean thing about you," Peeta told her. Her mouth dropped.

"He's never been sober," she said and smacked his shoulder. Making Peeta laughed.

"I know. Who am I kidding? You drive him crazy. Just think of when we're all neighbors. You'll torture him," Peeta laughed. Her eyes widened with excitement.

"Oh my God. What if we snuck into his house and threw away all his liquor?" she said. Peeta burst out laughing.

"We? What do you mean we? I'm not doing it. He likes me. And I plan on keeping it that way. He'll never send us anything again after that comment," he joked.

They stayed cuddled for a little while, before diving back into the food. Peeta looked outside at the sky to see Thresh's face light up. He told Katniss, and she stared at him. She put her hand to her mouth.

"Are you ok?" he asked. She closed her eyes, and a tear escaped her eyes, and trailed slowly down her face.

"He let me go," she whispered. She opened her eyes and looked at him.

"He saved my life. The only reason I'm here is because of him. The both of us. We're alive because of him. I just...he was good. Him and Rue both were. They were just like us. District 11 is just like 12, and they were good to us. And they didn't survive, and they should have. We would be friends had we met them outside the games. I just can't deal with any more people dying," Katniss cried, sobbing into her hands. Peeta rushed over and pulled Katniss into his lap. He wrapped his arms around her, and she cried on his shoulder.

"Shhh it's ok Katniss," he tried to sooth her. He knew these weren't tears for the Capitol. These tears were for Rue and Thresh. He knew the difference. He kissed her cheek as he rocked her back and forth.

"We'll win this for them Katniss. They were good. You're right. And they won't die in vain. We'll win this for them Katniss," he told her. She uncovered her face and wrapped her arms around his neck, burying her face in his neck.

"I just want to go home. I want this to be over with already. I just want to go home with you Peeta," she cried into his ear. He squeezed her tighter to him, kissing her cheek. That wasn't for the Capitol. She said that. That was for them. He gulped. She wanted to go home with him?

"It's almost over Katniss. I'll take you home soon. I promise," he told her. They stayed like that for a few minutes before he somehow managed to move them, leaning back against the wall of the cave and covered them with the sleeping back. She fell asleep on top of him.

They didn't need to discuss about staying awake to watch out for the Careers. They already knew what needed to be done. And he wished it could be done quicker. What day were they on now? Day 15? They just had to sleep in here for two more nights, and then they'd be home. They could do this. He kissed her cheek.

"I promise you I'll get you home Katniss. Just hang in there," he whispered to her. He stayed awake for a few more hours but could feel himself slipping. He tried to stay awake but knew he couldn't any longer. He shook Katniss awake. He didn't want to. He liked having her sleep on top of him like this. He felt like the luckiest guy alive, to have the girl he loved so much, sleeping in his arms like this. But he just knew he had to.

She sat up, and he was asleep in an instant. He felt her waking him up some hours later. He opened his eyes and couldn't help but bringing her face down to his and kissing her passionately. He loved seeing her face, no matter how dirty it may be, as the first thing he saw in the morning. He knew from here on out, no matter what the day may bring, that it would be ok, because he could wake up to Katniss every morning. After a few minutes Katniss pulled away from him.

"We're wasting hunting time," she told him. He yawned and sat up, stretching.

"I wouldn't call kissing wasting time," he told her. She glared at him. They started eating their food again, and he licked his plate just like last time. Blowing a kiss to the camera.

"We miss you Effie," he called out. Katniss hissed and covered his mouth with her hand.

"Shh. Cato could be right out there and hear us," Katniss said. Peeta smiled and grabbed her hand and yanked her into his lap.

"What do I care? I have you to protect me now," Peeta told her and kissed her wildly. God, he loved kissing her. Would he ever get tired of it? He couldn't wait till the camera's weren't on them. Katniss pulled away.

"Come on," she said. He smiled at her and followed her out into the sun, for a miserable day of hunting. They walked past the stream and started into the woods. He was more aware of how quiet he had to be. But he couldn't help it, he made a lot of noise. She looked back at him slowly at one point. He rolled his eyes.

"You want me to take my boots off?" he asked. She smiled at him. But to his surprise, she shook her head.

"You are so loud. When I find a good spot, just sit still and I'll find us something," she told him. She was gonna be a lot nicer to him this time around. He smiled. By this time tomorrow, they'd be on their way to the Cornucopia, to end it all. He could do this. The finish line was in sight. They just had to make it one more night. They got to the spot she wanted, and she showed him a few things to look for. Before she turned and kissed him on the cheek.

"Don't get into any trouble. My heart won't take it," she told him, and turned around. He went down a little toward the stream and pretended to look. He spotted them. Nightlock berries. He smiled. Pretending like he found something good. He grabbed a bunch and went back to his spot where he left Katniss. He spread out the plastic and piled the berries on there. Then pulled out the rest of their food. Foxface was around here, watching him. He shook his head and rolled his eyes. Didn't he just tell Katniss to stop calling her that? Her name was Marissa.

"Come on Peeta walk away," he heard the rebel say. He hadn't heard from them in a few days. He got up and walked away, pretending to be looking for more food. He heard the cannon a few moments later and went running.

He went running and ran right into Katniss.

"Are you ok?" Peeta frantically asked, touching her making sure she was ok.

"I heard the cannon. That's nightlock Peeta. You'll be dead in a minute," Katniss cried, knocking the berries out of his hand. "Damn you Peeta." she said and sobbed on his shoulder.

"I whistled for you, but you never answered. That's what happened to Rue. I whistled and she never heard it. Peeta don't do that. Please don't leave me alone," she cried.

"Shh I'm ok. I'm sorry Katniss. I'm sorry," he said. He rocked her back and forth until her crying stopped. She pulled away and wiped her tears. They saw the hovercraft appear and take Marissa. He then shook his head and grabbed her arm.

"Katniss come on. Cato's around here somewhere. Let's find a tree and hide up in it. You can shoot him from the air," he said, rushing to a tree, but she stopped him.

"No Peeta-" she said and stopped him. "She ate the food. She ate the berries that you left on the plastic for us," Katniss explained to him. They talked for a few minutes, and then started a fire, inviting Cato to it. But they both knew he wouldn't come. They feasted on Groosling and squirrel.

It wasn't the same squirrel as back home. He smiled as he thought about all the times, he snuck down to eat a squirrel with his father. Always asking who came and gave it to him. His father knew why he asked. Because he knew he was in love with Katniss. His father never teased him. His brothers always did. He was surprised how Katniss never realized he liked her. His brothers would practically announce it when she came to the back of the bakery to make a trade. He loved squirrel because she was the one who caught the squirrel.

"Where are you?" Katniss ask, disrupting his thoughts. He slowly looked over at her. He shook his head and let out a chuckle.

"I was thinking how obvious my brothers were when you'd come to my back door when you'd find a squirrel to trade with my dad," he said and looked at her. Her eyebrows furrowed and he laughed. "If Ryee or Wheet ever answered the door, didn't you ever notice how loud they would get?" he asked her. She shook her head.

"Oh HI KATNISS! PEETA, KATNISS IS HERE. DO YOU WANT TO TALK TO HER?" he mocked. She just shook her head. "How did you not notice how they did that? They would make kissing noises from behind the wall. I could see them, but I'm shocked you never heard them." Peeta said. Katniss stared at him, then stared at the ground.

"I just thought they thought you'd want to talk to me because we were in the same class. I guess I was just dumb," she said. He snorted.

"You're oblivious. They made it so obvious, I for sure thought you knew for years that I liked you," he said. She looked up and smiled but shook her head.

"I never did. I'm sorry," she said. He shrugged his shoulders.

"You can make it up to me," he said, smiling back at her. They ate the rest of their meal and decided to go back to the cave.

"Tell me about your brothers. I don't know a lot about them. I know all three of you wrestle, and that Ryee is a troublemaker and a prankster," Katniss said. Peeta was touched. This wasn't for the cameras. Well, part of it was. Talking to him was for the cameras, but she wasn't just working on her second chance for the games, she was working on a second chance with him. That's why she was asking about them. She never had before. He smiled.

"Yeah, Ryee is. He's always playing jokes around the bakery. My mom gets super pissed at him. She thinks he costs her to much money with all the jokes he plays. He's good at baking. But he'd rather do something else," Peeta said. Katniss looked up at him.

"Like what?"

"He really likes to build things. My dad always saves up some money for his birthdays and Christmas' and buys him wood. He loves building things with wood, and he's really good at it. He made my dresser in my room. He took my dad's desk apart once, and he cut his hand, so he left it there. My mom came in and flipped out. She was so angry that he tore apart his desk, but then he came back in and put it back together. It was better than it was before. It was lopsided before, and loose. It was perfect when he fixed it. With a cut hand. If Ryee could do anything, he'd be a carpenter," Peeta said.

"Maybe he was born in the wrong District. Maybe he should have been born in 7. Lumber," Katniss joked. Peeta laughed. "What about Wheet?" she asked. Wheet was the quietest of his brothers. Sure, when Ryee started in on him about Katniss, he joined in. But Wheet was the one who was depressed.

He would lay in bed, and his mother would go and beat him to get him out of bed. He knew where it stemmed from. His mother! She had been trying to fix him up with a girl in town for years. Had worked it out with her parents that they would get married. He wasn't looking forward to it. In fact, he hated it. He didn't even like her.

She was the daughter of the town Tailor. His daughter, Grace, was his only child, and he needed help at his shop. She wouldn't be able to run the shop on her own, so Wheet would marry her, and then take over the shop. Wheet wanted nothing to do with tailoring clothes. He had been told this over and over again, his planned future, by his mother since he was 10. That's when his depression started.

"Sorry should I not ask?" Katniss asked. Peeta shook his head from the memory.

"No, it's ok. I just got lost in thought. He's quiet. You never know when he's around. He's supposed to get married next summer," he told her. She tilted her head as she looked at him. Wheet didn't marry Grace last summer, because Snow sent firebombs in and torched his part of town, killing both his family, and Grace's. Neither of them made it to their own wedding.

"To who?" Katniss asked.

"The Tailor's daughter," he told her. Katniss nodded. They made small talk all the way back to the cave, where Katniss told him to sleep first. He didn't wake up till the morning, where she settled her head on his lap. He brushed her hair until she fell asleep. She slept for a few more hours, and they decided to leave.

They pretended to be surprised when the stream was all dried up. And they pretended to be shocked when it became dark so suddenly. She held her bow out. She knew that at any moment, they'd hear strange noises, and see Cato burst through the trees at them. And they weren't disappointed Cato burst through the trees and ran right passed them.

Katniss and Peeta ran as fast as they could towards the Cornucopia. Peeta kept up better pace this time with Katniss. He helped shove her up the wall, and he followed her. They both made it up, and sat there, breathless. Katniss turned around and looked at Cato. He was trying to catch his breath. One thing was different. She stared at him. His body armor. Where was it?

"Thresh destroyed both his and Cato's body armor. Shoot him now," the rebel said. Peeta heard it to.

"Katniss do it now," he said, yanking her up. Katniss pulled the arrow out and pointed it at Cato. They stared at each other for a moment.

"So. It all comes down to the three of us. Never thought I'd see the Girl on Fire, killing me," Cato said.

"I'm sorry Cato. But me and Peeta have to go home," she said.

"Come on Katniss, just get it over with," Peeta whispered. She closed her eyes and let her arrow go. She burst into tears and turned and fell apart in Peeta's arms. "It's ok Katniss. It's ok," he whispered.

He heard the cannon and peaked over Katniss' shoulder. She had shot him right in the head. He heard the mutts leaving, and turned to look at them running away, and being sucked into the hole. The sun came back up again. So much for their grand finale. The mutts were barely around for ten minutes.

"Come on down to the lake. They'll want to get Cato. Let's let the hovercrafts get him," he said, guiding her to the edge to climb down. He didn't let her turn around and see Cato. They slid down and walked to the lake, letting the hovercraft come and go. They yelled at the Gamemakers to come and get them and waited for Claudius Templesmith to announce that they couldn't both win.

This was it. This was the ending. It was hours sooner than last time. They had slept all night on top of the Cornucopia. This time, Thresh had saved them a lot of trouble by destroying the body armor, so Katniss could shoot Cato. And the rebels had taken all pain away in Peeta's leg, so he could run he noticed. He never got bit by the mutts.

But this was it. This was the end. In a matter of minutes, they'd be on a hovercraft, separated, but on their way back to the Capitol as Victors. He turned slowly to Katniss. She was shaking. He took his knife out and threw it in the lake. He held his arms out.

"Do it," he whispered. She shook her head. He picked up her arrow and pointed it at his heart. "Do it Katniss,"

"NO!" She yelled at him.

"Katniss this is what I want. Go home Katniss. Please," he pleaded with her. He felt tears in his eyes. This was much harder than he thought. It was scary. She cried and shook her head.

"No! Don't you dare leave me alone Peeta Mellark. I didn't save your life just to end it. Kill me," she cried. He grabbed her by the shoulders and shook her.

"Please Katniss. They have to have a Victor. I can't go back to District 12 without you. I've loved you since I was 5 years old. I've watched you walk home from school every single day. I stare at you at lunch. I sneak down into the bakery when my mom's not there, because I know you'll be there to trade a squirrel with my dad. I can't not see you every day. I can't live without you Katniss. Please there's nothing back there for me without you," Peeta cried. He felt himself sobbing. It was too real to be saying all these things.

"They have to have their Victor Katniss," he repeated. She stared at him, and then pulled the berries out. This was the finale. "No don't," he told her.

"Trust me," she said, and put some in his hand.

"Together?" he asked her. She nodded her head.

"Yes Peeta. Together. Because I am not leaving this arena without you," she cried. He leaned in and kissed her passionately. He would have eaten the berries for her. Without question. Where she goes, he'll go. He pulled away breathless and held the end of her braid in his hand. "One," she whispered. He kissed her lips again.

"Two," he told her.

"Three," she said, and they raised their hands to their mouths. Claudius screamed at them to stop, and that they were the winners. They threw the berries on the ground and sobbed, wrapping their arms around each other. She was shaking so badly.

Haymitch gulped as he watched. Finnick and Johanna sat to the right of him. This was harder watching it a second time than he thought. Finnick squeezed his knee.

"That's your Victors," Finnick said, knowing he was on camera. Haymitch nodded his head. Johanna laughed.

"Star crossed lovers. Now THIS is a Hunger Games I'll never forget!" Johanna laughed.

"It's ok Katniss. I got you. You're going home Katniss. We're both going home," he cried in her ear. They heard the hovercrafts coming.

"Don't let them take me away from you. Please Peeta," she cried. He held onto her tightly. He saw both ladders come down, but scooted Katniss back toward one. He held her tightly and placed their bodies against it. The pressure held them in. He knew that last time, by the time they got up to the hovercraft, he had fainted, and Katniss couldn't hold onto him. But this time, there was no dragging him away from her. When they entered the hovercraft, he felt Katniss grip on him tighten.

"It's ok Katniss I'm right here. I'm not letting you go," he squeezed her tightly. He opened his eyes, and saw a few people standing there, and started pulling them apart. He held her firmly, but Katniss screamed at them to get away from her.

"LEAVE US ALONE!" He yelled at them. They squeezed each other so tightly, that four guards started trying to literally rip them apart. "NO!" Peeta yelled as Katniss screamed and sobbed in his arms. He saw the syringe the same time he felt one go into his own back. He fought as hard as he could against the drowsiness, but it was too strong.

"It's ok you guys. You're out of the arena. Nothing bad will happen to you now. Haymitch will take care of you now," he heard the rebel say. He tried to hold onto Katniss, but darkness overtook him.

The next time he woke up, he was strapped into a bed. He heard a voice yelling. He shook his head to listen. It was Haymitch.

"YOU'RE NOT GIVING THAT GIRL BREAST IMPLANTS. SHE'S A CHILD. SHE'S SOMEONE'S BABY GIRL. YOU'RE NOT TOUCHING HER BODY. OR THE BOYS. YOU DON'T GO AROUND ENLARGING EITHER OF THEIR BODY PARTS! YOU LEAVE THEM BOTH ALONE OR I'LL KILL YOU MYSELF!" He heard Haymitch scream. He knew what he meant about the breast implants. Haymitch had drunkenly told him, that he fought with a doctor about enlarging Katniss' breasts, which he was very thankful for, but he didn't know what they wanted to do to him.

He faded in and out for a while. But the time came, when he woke up, and he was fully awake. He knew what this meant. He dressed quickly and walked out the door. He looked up and saw Haymitch, Portia, Cinna and Effie at the end of the hall.

He couldn't help it. He didn't do this last time, but he ran at them. Of course, last time, he had a prosthetic leg and couldn't run, but he ran. Right for Haymitch. He did something silly of course. He sobbed on Haymitch's shoulder. He was in the arena for the third time. Even though he had lived through this arena before, it still took its toll on him. He was out. Haymitch smacked him on the back.

"You're ok now boy. You're out of there. And I couldn't be prouder of you," he said. Haymitch was like his dad. His own father couldn't understand this. Couldn't understand what it was like to be in an arena. But Haymitch could. And that's why he could let Peeta cry on his shoulder. Haymitch knew he had to get it all out before he saw Katniss. After a minute he pulled back.

"Is Katniss ok? Where is she?" he asked frantically. Of course, he knew the answer.

"She's fine son. They want to do your reunion live," he said. He nodded. Portia hugged him then, crying.

"I told you, you both could do it my baker boy," she whispered. Effie hugged him tightly, going on about her Victor. He knew she loved him. Then to his surprise, Cinna hugged him tightly. "Come on. I'll get you ready for tonight," Portia said, and led him away.

Katniss was awake, and she opened the door like last time. She saw Haymitch, Cinna and Effie. She walked over to them this time. She wasn't going to run and give the Capitol the satisfaction. She was done crying. She was done. They ripped Peeta away mercilessly away from her. She was done crying for them. But she stood in front of Haymitch, and broke. He barely had enough time to catch her before she hit the ground as she screamed and sobbed, holding on to him for dear life.

"It's ok sweetheart, I got you. You're almost done Katniss. You're almost home. Just hang in there a little while longer. You did perfect. Everything you did was perfect. I'm so proud of you and I'm so sorry for doubting you," Haymitch whispered. Katniss cried harder and louder. Cinna and Effie rubbed her back.

"Take me home. Please just take me home," she cried.

"Almost sweetheart. We'll go home tomorrow," Haymitch said, rocking her back and forth. They stood there for a while, before he let her go, letting Cinna and Effie hug her. Cinna pulled her into the elevator to take her to the 12th floor to get ready. She turned to Haymitch before she left him.

"Is Peeta ok?" she asked desperately. He smiled.

"He's perfect sweetheart. Every limb intact," Haymitch told her. Meaning, he had both legs.

Katniss and Peeta were kept separated, which Peeta hated. He thought of nothing but her. It was finally time to see her again. He listens as both of their prep teams are introduced. At least Katniss got a team that is amusing. His were grumpy. They didn't look to thrilled to see him back alive. And then Portia and Cinna. They did do an amazing job. They really had done so much to keep both him and Katniss alive. And then Effie. Her moment in the spotlight. And to think, she didn't just have one Victor, she had two. And then Haymitch. The man who was like a father to him and Katniss. This man, over any other person, saved their lives.

And then, he felt himself being lifted up. He saw the audience, and then turned to see Katniss. He ran to her, and she jumped into his arms. He spun her around and kissed her madly. They would be ok. This was just another thing to do in front of the cameras. But she was alive. And she was safe. And he couldn't hide his excitement.

He didn't get as mad as she did, with kissing in front of everyone like this. They didn't even come up for air. He wouldn't let her go. He felt Caesar tap him on the shoulder, but he shoved him away without looking at him. He focused on kissing Katniss. The love of his life. It's Haymitch that he waits for to interrupt him. He pulls him back.

"Down boy. Her mother is watching you," he says loudly, pointing to a camera. Katniss pretends to be embarrassed and hides her face. Peeta laughed and just grabs her hand. Haymitch shoves them over to the love seat. He gets comfortable, and Katniss tosses her shoes off, and curls up against him. He holds her tight to his chest and kisses the top of her forehead.

"Now don't these two look just adorable. They haven't seen each other since they were whisked away on the hovercraft, but it looks like no time has passed. Give the love birds a round of applause," Caesar says. Everyone claps, and he holds onto Katniss tighter.

They sat for three hours watching their time on The Hunger Games. It was disgusting. But he did notice that the bloodbath wasn't as long. It seemed like it was going by much quicker. But then he realized why. They had been more romantic with each other. They wanted to show more of them together. He felt Katniss stiffen when they watched as she climbed on top of him and kissed him. He leaned over and kissed her forehead.

"All kidding aside, I hope we do finish the whole kissing my neck thing," he joked. She covered her face.

"I'm mortified," she admitted. He wasn't angry at all by that. This was something that should be done in private. Not the whole world looking at and staring at and begging for more. Then it was over. It was some of the worst hours of his life, watching the Hunger Games of himself and Katniss. Snow came out to crown them. He felt Katniss' arm tighten and he kissed her cheek.

"We're not done yet Katniss. Remember who the enemy is. And remember how we fight him," he said. She looked at him and nodded. Snow came over and placed the crown on her head first. He watched as he eyed her evilly. Then he came over, and barely looked at Peeta. Not really caring that he was standing in front him.

"Thank you so much President Snow," Peeta said, catching the man off guard. Peeta smiled at him. Not a nice smile, but as mean as he could muster up. Snow was taken back by him, but then nodded his head. Peeta wasn't nothing. He wasn't the Girl on Fire, or the Mockingjay. But he was something that shouldn't be underestimated. And this is the man that hijacked him! Peeta would never, ever, forget that.

Caesar said their goodbyes, and Haymitch ushered them off stage, and onto the elevators. Haymitch just smiled at them. There really wasn't anything to say. Haymitch was happy. Katniss held tightly to Peeta. He remembered what happened last time. They were separated. Would Haymitch make them separate this time? Haymitch grabbed his hand and patted it. Peeta felt pills in his hand. Sleeping pills again. He put them into his pocket.

"Now you really should let the girl get some sleep Peeta," Haymitch said. He pointed up and mouthed microphones to them. They both nodded.

"Haymitch please. I just got her back. I haven't even had a chance to talk to her," Peeta said. Katniss held on tighter to him. She wrapped her arm around his neck.

"It isn't proper. What would her mother say? You're not in the Games anymore boy. Go to your own bed," he said, winking at them, and then walking down the hall.

"He'll never know Katniss," Peeta said. They walked down the hall and into his room. There was a glass of water and he handed it to her, and the sleeping pills. She nodded and took them, and then he did the same. They didn't care what they were wearing, they slipped into bed in their nice clothes. Before he pulled the covers over them, she reached down and lifted up his pant leg. She touched his leg and looked up at him. He wiped away the tears that fell and just smiled at her. They didn't want to say anything because they knew Snow was listening. They just curled up together and fell asleep.

They were startled when Effie came in shouting at them to wake up. And yelled at Peeta about how inappropriate it was to sleep in the same bed as Katniss. They were whisked away to get ready. This was the big interview. After that, they would be heading home. Home. He couldn't wait. Then he never had to let Katniss go. They would be living right next door to each other. He had a fleeting thought of just asking her to move in with him. He was sure her mother wouldn't object, they lived through three arenas now, and a war. Surely, they were adult enough to live together. But then he shook his head. Rushing her was exactly what he didn't want to do.

It's funny, last time he was having the exact same thoughts. Of course, last time he thought she meant every word. He guessed through talking with her a little bit, that she did mean everything she said, it was just that the Capitol made her say them, in front of millions of people. It wasn't how she wanted to say them. He knew that.

That's where they were different. He could care less expressing his feelings in front of people. It never bothered him. Some things obviously he wanted to keep between them, but when it came to the arena, he wasn't shy in front of the cameras. She was the complete opposite. Everything she held near and dear to her, she wanted to keep private. He knew now how awful it was to have her first kiss in front of all of Panem. She wanted that for herself, and she'll never get that back. The Capitol had stolen that from her.

He was starting to see now where they had gone wrong. She was scared when they forced him on her. Saying they had to be in love. Now he sees why she questioned it, and thought she wasn't in love with him. He was glad they had talked some, and would talk more, because he was starting to understand more who Katniss was. And that was all he ever wanted. He smiled when Haymitch escorted Katniss in. Haymitch glared at him and cornered him.

"You stay out of the girl's room at night. Didn't I tell you that last night boy?" he demanded. Caesar laughed and stepped in between them.

"Oh Haymitch. Can't you see they're in love. They couldn't stay away from each other," Caesar joked and patted Peeta on the back. Peeta smiled at Haymitch. To anyone else, that smile would be taken as Peeta didn't care what Haymitch said. But to himself, Katniss and Haymitch, that smile was a laugh. Knowing that Haymitch was acting. Knowing that they were doing ok.

They were giving their second chance all they had. Because as every day went by, he realized it wasn't just Katniss' second chance, it was everyone's second chance. Caesar pushed him a little.

"Now go give the girl a hug and kiss before you sit down. She looks terribly nervous," Caesar said, sitting down. Peeta gladly hugged Katniss.

"Is he happy with how were doing?" he whispered, pretending to kiss her ear. She hugged him tightly and buried her face in his neck.

"Very," was all she said. He pulled back and kissed her on the lips. Caesar coughed.

"Alright you two none of that ten-minute-long kiss like last night. We have a very important interview. Come on," he joked, waving them to sit on the love seat. He looked around the living room and saw that it was transformed a little. The tight little love seat was made for them to sit even closer to each other. He couldn't be happier to do that. Katniss kicked off her shoes again and sat close. He wrapped his arms around her tightly, and she smiled. She leaned into him again.

"I'm sorry for last time. You were so happy and had no idea what was going on with me. But I hope you know there's nothing to worry about this time," she whispered in his ear and pulled back. He smiled at her and brought her hands to his lips to kiss.

"Thank you," he said. That just made him even happier. Caesar let them know that they were starting. He knew it's still hard for Katniss to just talk. She hates it. She gets nervous and doesn't know what to say. That much he does know, so he wanted to help her out whenever he can. So, he instantly starts up with Caesar. Joking and laughing.

"Now Peeta. A little birdie told me that Haymitch is having an awful time keeping you two apart," Caesar joked. Katniss covered her face from embarrassment, and Peeta just laughed, hugging her tighter.

"Haymitch just wants to keep me respectable. It's just such a shock. We were in the arena and slept in each other's arms every night. We have to remind ourselves we're not in our cave anymore. We're back in the real world. It's just hard. Something we have to get used to. But we'll be living next door to each other from now on," he said, smiling down at Katniss. She removed her hand from her face.

"My mother's going to kill me," she groaned, causing everyone to laugh.

"I think she should let it slide. You did survive the Hunger Games. What are the both of you looking forward to most once you get home? You get a beautiful house in the Victor's Village now," Caesar asked.

"Picnics with Haymitch," Katniss snorted, causing Peeta to laugh with her. Caesar clapped his hands.

"That's right! That's what you both talked about that in the games. I'm sure Haymitch will have his work cut out for him. His job as mentor is not done for you both. He'll be playing the role of the dad keeping you away from sneaking into Katniss' bedroom window at night," he joked, laughing loudly. Right behind the camera Haymitch snorted. Katniss groaned and covered her face again. Caesar leaned forward and patted Katniss' leg.

"Oh dear; I'm so sorry. We're just embarrassing her to much aren't we?" Caesar asked Peeta.

"All at my expense," she said, hiding her face in Peeta's shirt. They both laughed, and Peeta coaxed her out of his shirt.

"I'm sorry. Come on Caesar, no more jokes on Katniss. All she can think about is getting home to her sister. And she's exhausted. All she wants to do is get on that train and sleep till we pull into the station," he told him.

"Well then Peeta, we know from our days in the cave, that it was love at first sight for you at what, age five?" Caesar asked. Peeta nodded and looked at Katniss.

"From the moment I laid eyes on her," he said, never looking away. Katniss blushed and looked down. He picked her chin back up to look at him. "From the moment I laid eyes on you. I never stopped," he told her. She smiled at him. He could tell she was trying not to cry.

"Oh, that's beautiful. Katniss, what a ride for you. I think the real excitement for the audience was watching you fall for him. When did you realize you were in love with him?" Caesar asked. He felt Katniss stiffen a little. She looked down and cleared her throat.

"Honestly, Caesar...I didn't realize it at first. It took me all this time to realize it. But there was a day back in District 12, when we were just kids, and he gave me some bread. It was that day," she said honestly and looked up at him. He thought she wasn't going to tell the story, but he figured if she was gonna answer this with any depth to it, she had to be honest. She was a terrible actress.

"It was the day with the bread. It was always that day Peeta," she told him. His heart swelled. He never knew. He leaned forward and kissed her. That was real. That was real! Caesar pressed his hand to his heart.

"You two are so sweet," Caesar said and wiped his eyes. "Well, I know when it hit me. That night when you shouted out his name from the tree," Caesar said. Katniss looked back at him.

"I guess for the audience it was. I tried not to get to close to Peeta. Up until that point, I tried not to think about what my feelings were, because honestly, I already cared about him. I didn't think I could make it out with him. So, I tried to ignore anything I've ever felt. I just couldn't stop myself when I shouted his name with the rule change. I didn't think about it. It was like when I volunteered for Prim. I did it out of love. I never thought twice about what it meant. Everything in that tree changed," Katniss said.

"And why do you think that was?" Caesar asked.

"Because for the first time since his name was called at The Reaping, there was a chance that I could keep him," she whispered. Haymitch snorts again. He didn't want to laugh. Caesar pulled out his handkerchief. Peeta pressed his forehead against her temple and rubbed both her hands in his one.

"So now that you've got me, what are you going to do with me?" he asked. She turned to him and kissed him.

"I'm going to put you somewhere, where you can't get hurt anymore," she told him. He hugged her to him. That was impossible. They would be back here a year from now. In the other arena. Of course, at this exact moment next year, they'll already both be in District 13.

Caesar started asking questions from the beginning the Games started.

"Peeta, you joined the Careers. Why?" Caesar asked. Everyone already knew why. But the Capitol wanted to hear his answer.

"I was scared to death of them. They were lethal. But if I was with them when they cornered Katniss…if I could at least help her escape, I needed to. Even if it meant that I'd die. As long as she went home," Peeta answered and looked at Katniss.

Caesar made a few jokes about Glimmer having a crush on Cato. Peeta just smiled and joked along. He hated that. She was dead, and they were making fun of her. Of course, he knew she was already in District 13. Hopefully she had already recovered from all the tracker-jacker stings.

"And my heart skipped a beat when you saw her in the tree. I mean the audience had no idea what was going on with you at that point. You joined up with the Careers, saying you could find her, and then pointing out her traps. But when you saw her wrapped in her tarp and smiled at her. You never even told the Careers you saw her. My heart just skipped a beat. Just skipped a few beats. How did you know she was there" he asked. Peeta chuckled.

"Something just caught my eye. I saw the tarp. And I just had this feeling that she was up there. And if she was, I didn't want her to think I betrayed her. Because I would never do that,"

"Now what about you Katniss? What went through your mind?" Caesar asked.

"I was really hurt at first. I've known him my whole life. And he's always been so kind. So, I have to sadly admit that I thought he did betray me. And it killed me," she whispered and put her head down. Peeta squeezed her to him. She sniffed and looked up. "I was devastated. That he would change. But then he looked up and smiled. I knew he saw me. Well, at least the tarp. And I knew he hadn't betrayed me. I knew that he was trying to protect me," she said and rested her head on his shoulder.

Caesar blew his nose. He talked about the fire next, and the Careers catching Katniss, and her finding the tree. Caesar loved the banter between her and Cato.

"Now I saw your face Peeta when she called him honey. You didn't like that at all did you?" Caesar asked. Peeta blushed and scratched the back of his head.

"No. I can't say that I did like it. But I know why she did it. She was just trying to taunt him," Peeta said, looking at Katniss.

"I honestly don't know what came over me. I don't call anyone honey," she said.

"Well call the boy honey already. He looked like a lost little puppy dog when you called Cato that," Caesar laughed. She laughed and looked over at him.

"I'm sorry honey, I won't ever call anyone that again, but you," Katniss said, and kissed him sweetly on the nose. He heard Haymitch laugh again. Those were laughs of joy. And laughs at the Capitol.

"Alright I guess I forgive you," he told her. Haymitch laughed again and Caesar turned to him.

"Now, now Haymitch. Your mentor is just laughing over there at you two," Caesar said. The camera turned to Haymitch, and his hands were covering his face and he groaned.

"I can't believe that this," holding out his hand to them, "Is what I have to bring home. Some lovesick little teenagers," Haymitch complained, making Caesar laugh loudly.

"You watch out there Haymitch. You have a couple of pranksters on your hands now," he said and turned back to Peeta and Katniss. "A parent's job is never done," he joked.

Then Caesar talked about Peeta staying awake all night.

"Just so he could make sure you were alright. I mean, I was just dying for something to happen. I wanted him to whisk you away or something. Then you're telling him to leave so he didn't get stung. And he came back to save you. I was a mess. I was crying for you both. Just a sobbing mess. I didn't know how to do my job as host because I was just so beside myself. I wanted to jump right into that arena and bring you both out together," he said. Peeta and Katniss smiled at each other.

"I was a mess for those next two days, that you were passed out, and Peeta was in the river. I was so happy when you woke up. And your alliance with Rue," he said. Luckily, Caesar didn't stay long on that subject, but couldn't wait to talk about when she was looking for him.

"How did you find him. I just couldn't believe it. How did you know what to do?" Caesar asked. He knew she had to be careful with that question.

"Well, my father taught me a lot about tracking. He liked to leave trails of things for me to follow, and I'd get a prize at the end. I just knew I had to start from where I last saw him. And he left a trail of blood, so it was fairly easy," she told him.

"How did you feel, when you found him by that river?" Caesar asked. Katniss looked over at Peeta and smiled.

"I felt like the happiest person in the world," she smiled at him. She leaned in and kissed him and turned back to Caesar. "I couldn't imagine my life without him," she said, cuddling up to him. He hugged her tightly.

"Your days in the cave, I have never loved anyone so much in the Games. The romance that you brought to the screen. We watched you fall in love. And the way you took care of him and risked your life for him. Peeta how did you feel?" he asked.

"She saved my life," Peeta said.

"We saved each other," Katniss said.

"You did save each other. It was beautiful," Caesar said. He talked with them about Peeta being so sick, and her nursing him back to health. Then her going to the feast and saving Peeta. Then Peeta taking care of Katniss. They talked about every moment practically that they had in the cave, and hunting.

"Now, your little banter that we saw back and forth. The kisses. Is this going to continue when you leave here?" Caesar asked. Katniss laughed and looked up at him.

"I couldn't imagine my life without him Caesar. There's no way I'm letting him go," Katniss said. Peeta kissed her.

"That would be a yes," Peeta said, never looking at Caesar.

"Now this big question. Katniss. When you pulled out those berries. What was going through your mind?" he asked. This was the big one. Was she going to keep it the same, or was she going to go all out? She looked down at Peeta's hand and squeezed them. When she looked back up at Caesar, she had tears in her eyes.

"All I could think about was going home with him Caesar. When his name was called at the Reaping, I knew even if I did make it home, I would never truly be happy without Peeta Mellark in my life. When I found out I could go home with him...I did everything I could to keep him alive. I didn't want to leave that arena without him. I was promised I could keep him, and I couldn't let anyone take him away from me. I wasn't leaving that arena without him. Even if that meant I died with him. As long as I'm with him Caesar, I don't care where we are. I don't want to live a day without him," she said. She nailed it. For a girl who thought she wasn't good with words, she just killed it.

"Peeta, what went on in your mind?" he asked. He let a tear fall from his eyes.

"I will go wherever this girl goes. I trust her with my life completely," he said. There. They did it.

They said their goodbyes and were ushered to the train station. They said their heartfelt goodbyes to Cinna and Portia. He knew it was hard for Katniss to leave Cinna. She never truly had a chance to talk to him. She never got to say anything she really wanted. But he knew she would be able to soon.

They got onto the train and sat down in the living room. Katniss sat curled up next to him. Haymitch and Effie sat across from them. Haymitch just smiled at them, sipping his drink. He gave them a thumbs up. They knew the microphones were on them and listening very carefully now. They had to be careful with everything they said now.

"Well?" Katniss asked Haymitch. He just smiled and shrugged his shoulders.

"Well, what? I brought you two home safe and sound. You're in love. There's nothing for me to rattle on about. You did it. Perfectly. We're celebrating," he said, sipping his drink again. Katniss let out a small sigh and smiled. She leaned her head back against the window and closed her eyes.

"I can't wait to be back home," she said. Peeta reached behind her neck and rubbed it with his hands. She groaned.

"Oh, I am just so happy for the both of you. I'm so sad to see you both leave me tomorrow, but I couldn't be happier to see you in six more months for the Victory Tour. You must start working on your talents. If you should need anything, I will send you anything your heart desires on the train. It's been such a bore being the Escort for District 12 with only Haymitch sending in requests for alcohol. And then more alcohol. And even more alcohol," she said, eyeing him rudely. They laughed at her.

"Paints would be nice Effie. And I love to bake you know. Anything you want to send me for baking I would truly appreciate," he told her. Effie smiled.

"And I can send you anything for your sister. Some new dresses that will dazzle any boy she fancies," Effie said. Katniss smiled at her. She got up and pulled out three small boxes and handed each other them one.

"Go on, I got you all a gift," she said. They each opened a gold watch, and Effie held out her hand for them to see hers. "I'll give Cinna and Portia there's when I get back to the Capitol. Were a team. Not just the four of us. The six of us. They're gold for Katniss' Mockingjay," Effie said.

They all stared in awe at them. Haymitch instantly put his on, tapping it with his fingers. Peeta helped Katniss with hers. They were very nice.

Peeta had a sudden thought and couldn't help but laugh.

"Why are you so giggly?" Haymitch asked.

"We are a team. We spell out team," Peeta said. They all just stared at him. "T, for Trinkett. E for Everdeen. A for Abernathy and M for Mellark. T-E-A-M," Peeta said. They all chuckled at the stupid joke.

They rode for a few hours, just sitting in the living room, making small talk. They didn't need to talk to hide anything really. Anything they really wanted to say could wait till they got home. But Haymitch's big smile was enough to tide them over. He was beyond happy. But his smile left his face as soon as they came to a stop to refuel.

"How about the three of us take a short walk hmm," he said. Peeta and Katniss looked at each other and followed. He and Katniss walked hand and hand down a way, until Haymitch turned and looked at them.

"What's with the face?" Katniss demanded.

"What's wrong Haymitch. I thought we did everything right," Peeta asked.

"You did. Everything you did was perfect. The Capitol loves you even more than they did last time. The other Districts feel stronger about you then they did last time. Apologizing to kids you killed, I know it was something that was real for the both of you. You wanted to say that last time, and I know it's eaten away at you. I know why you did it. Snow is furious. That little word to dead bodies...it was huge. And you both did it," Haymitch said. They looked at each other.

"Should we not have?" Peeta asked.

"Oh no. It was perfect. I wanted to actually suggest doing that myself. But I couldn't make you do that. That's something you had to do for yourself. The point is, that added more fuel to the fire. They see your guilt, your sadness. That's important. You both took your second chance and ran with it. I'm proud of you," he said.

"Then what's wrong?" Katniss demanded.

"There are microphones in our houses. They'll be listening carefully now. So, you have to be careful what you say. All the time," Haymitch said. Katniss huffed, rolled her eyes and crossed her arms.

"For a whole damn year," she muttered. Peeta looked back to Haymitch.

"We'll get some moments. Not a lot. When the mics are down. And our watches will let us know," he said, holding them up for them to see. "You keep them on. They may look delicate, all covered in gold. But they're anything but delicate. They're like your trackers. You keep them on at all times. When you shower, when you're baking, when you're hunting. They'll be fine and can withstand anything your throw at them. They'll vibrate and send messages to you," he told them. Peeta looked down at his watch. So, he would have limited times to really talk to Katniss.

"During these next six months before the games...Katniss' indifference to you made Snow even angrier," Haymitch said. Peeta whipped his head up to look at Haymitch. "I told you this whole trip, do exactly what you did last time, but up the ante. Make it better...I don't want to be the one to tell you this, but for the next six months, you both can't be seen or heard together around the District together," he said sadly, staring at Katniss. Peeta shook his head and looked over at her. She was shaking her head and backing up.

"No, no, no. I just got him back. I won't do that to him again. I can't Haymitch," she cried. Peeta jumped forward and wrapped his arms around her, not letting her walk backwards anymore as she started crying.

"Katniss it will be ok," Peeta said.

"Please don't keep us separated Haymitch please," she cried. She grabbed her head in her hands. "Oh God I can't do this again," she cried.

"I don't want to do that sweetheart. But it's the rebel's call. And I agree. Everything you did. Ignoring him. Leaving to hunt illegally. Everything with Gale. Even kissing him. You know everything you did set things in motion to him coming up with the idea to put all the Victor's back in the Games," Katniss let out a sob and he hugged her.

"I don't get this. Why can't we stay together. Snows already mad because I started uprisings. Who cares if he knows I love Peeta this time," she cried. He gulped. Did she really love him?

"Because he will take Peeta away from you," Haymitch told her. She just cried and shook her head.

"I can't do this Haymitch. I thought I'd at least be able to breath. To be with Peeta. I just got him back. There's so much that I want to say," she cried.

"And you will Katniss. It will be hard at first. There will be times when the rebels shut the mics down. But I need you to do this. For everyone's freedom. We're fighting a war right now sweetheart," Haymitch said. Katniss cried harder. Peeta was at a loss for words right now by her words. By her reactions. She cared about him.

"You'll be together, and once the cameras leave; you'll go into your separate houses," he told them. Katniss shook her head.

"Gale won't kiss me. I won't let him. I don't even want to go hunting with him," Katniss cried. Peeta was starting to understand the situation with Gale. He didn't know many details. Just that Katniss somehow held Gale responsible for Prim's death, and he didn't come back to 12.

"I'm going to have to talk to Gale. But he's a bigger part of this then you think. Snow hates that kid. I'll talk to him when we get back," Haymitch said.

"Why does he have to be a part of this?" He felt his blood boiling. Gale would be able to see Katniss whenever he wanted. Go hunting all day on Sundays with her. Kiss her? That was out of the question.

But how was that his decision? It wasn't. It was hers.

"You remember what we're fighting for. Both of you. This has to happen. I'm trying my best to make it, so you have time together. But I can't just snap my fingers. I need you to work with me. I need you to stay away from each other. We all need it," Haymitch said. He put his head down. "The mics will be off for a few hours tonight. Just till midnight. I'm sorry," he said, and walked back to the train.

He was so happy. He hadn't even thought of what would happen once they got home. He wanted Katniss to move in with him. Now he had to stay away from her for six whole months. He barely saw her in those times. He'd sneak glances at her through his window a lot. He saw her outside, and in town sometimes. But to have to ignore her now?

"It's ok. Haymitch will think of something. It's just six months Katniss. Then when we go on the Victory tour, we'll be together again," he tried to sooth her. But he knew it wouldn't help.

"I can't be without you another six months. I just got you back Peeta. You were gone for five months already. Even when you were with me before..." she trailed off from her sobs. He was hijacked and wanted to kill her. He just rocked her back and forth.

She cried into his chest. "Haymitch will get us out of this Katniss. I promise. I know he will. We'll just take it one day at a time. I promise," he told her. Effie called them back. They came back onto the train. Effie must have known what had happened. She patted both of their shoulders.

"Come on," he said, leading her to bed. They stayed cuddled up in bed together. He thought he would be so happy to be going home. But he wasn't now that he knew he would have to let Katniss go. How was he always this stupid, not realizing what was right in front of them? What would happen? He was an idiot.

"How am I just supposed to ignore you for six months?" Katniss asked.

"Well, you did it once before. I'm sure you can do it again," he said. She sat up staring at him.

"I'm sorry Peeta. I'm so, so sorry. I never should have done that. But I didn't know what I wanted. I was scared and confused. I wanted nothing to do with what the Capitol was forcing on me. I didn't know that I wanted you. I kinda did but I was so afraid of it. I'm afraid to love you because I don't want children," she cried. He shook his head. What did she just say? There was too much in that. He needed time to figure all that out. But he knew he wasn't going to get that.

"Katniss please. There's no reason to talk about kids,"

"But I'm too afraid to love you. It hurts to lose you when I do. I was going to tell you when they rescued you. But you came back to me hijacked. You hated me. And I was a coward," she cried. His breath caught in his throat. She was going to tell him…that she loved him. He gulped and he grabbed her shoulders.

"Katniss, we don't need to talk about this now-"

"When will we talk Peeta?" she demanded. He sat there silently on his bed, just staring at her. "When are we gonna have the time. We promised we would talk when we got home and look what's happening. We're going home and were not allowed to talk. I have to ignore you all over again. We'll never get the chance to talk," she cried.

"Then talk now," he told her. She sat there, crying on his bed. "You ignored me last time. I get why. You've told me as much. Let's talk about it then," She stared at him in confusion.

"I get why you did what you did. You were confused. You were angry. You were sad. You were a million different things, and I get that. I understand why you acted the way you did. I didn't for a long time, and it was hard to accept, but I do understand. You don't have to go into any more detail about why you reacted that way. But I want to know how it made you feel. How were you?" he asked. Katniss stared at him for a while.

"I was scared," she said simply. She let the tears fall. "I was scared. All the time. And sad. I tried to not think about you. But the more I tried not to, the harder it was for me to stop. I missed you all the time. And I couldn't understand why. I kept telling myself to talk to you. To apologize. To ask you to forgive me. But as each day went on, it got harder and harder. And I never did it," she said, guilt written all over her face. Her held her face in his hands.

"Then ask me now," he whispered. She stared at him for a minute before she started talking. He knew she had to say it, she would never move on. He didn't care what had happened, but she did. And that's why he wanted her to ask him to forgive her. It would heal her.

"I'm sorry Peeta. I'm sorry for leading you on and letting you down so horribly. I'm sorry for ignoring you for six whole months. I'm sorry for making you feel horrible...I'm sorry for never asking you how you felt. Please forgive me Peeta," she cried, and he captured his lips in his.

"I told you. I'm not angry. I understand why you did everything you did. I forgive you. I did that day on the train when I told you I was sorry," he said. She looked down at her hands. She was ashamed of herself for how she had treated him.

"I never asked you Peeta. I never wanted to try and be selfish. I was just so afraid to hear what your answer was. But what did to you during those six months?" she asked. He took a deep breath and sat back.

"You don't really want to hear it Katniss," he told her. She shook her head.

"Yes. I do," she said. She wiped her face. "I can take it Peeta," she said. He knew she was lying. He took a deep breath and scrubbed his face with his hands.

"I was lonely. Plain and simple. I thought you meant every word. I didn't know you were acting for the cameras, and when I found out I felt stupid. I thought we were going to have this amazing life together, and I was miserable. I felt really incredibly stupid. I was alone in my house because my mom didn't want to move from the bakery into my house. I was alone and I missed you and wished you would fall in love with me," he said. She looked away as tears fell. He leaned forward and pulled her to him. "Come on that's why I didn't want to tell you, "He said, wiping her tears.

"I made you feel alone...that's an awful feeling. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry Peeta. And you weren't stupid. You're not stupid. I'm the one who's stupid because I just couldn't figure out what I wanted. Or I wouldn't let myself figure it out. And I hurt you while I was being selfish. I'm sorry Peeta. But I did choose you," she said. He smiled and kissed her again.

She chose him! He wanted to enjoy this moment. He wanted to live in this moment forever. She chose him. She chose him in the arena. She chose him in 13. She chose him…but he couldn't even truly enjoy this moment. Because his was a sad moment.

"I don't care about any of that Katniss. All I care about is now," he said, holding her hands in his. She stared down at them.

"You did care on the train. That's why you felt you had to apologize. Like you did something wrong. That the reason we weren't friends was because you were making me feel bad. And I just let you apologize. I wish I told you then. I made you feel like an idiot. Like you had to try so hard to get to know me. Like trying to find out what my favorite color was. Peeta. I promise I'll do better. I'll answer any question you want about me. You don't have to fight to get me to tell you things," she said.

"Shh it's ok Katniss. I know that now. And that's all that matters to me," he said, brushing the hair away from her face. He pulled her close to him. "Just calm down and relax. Just keep talking to me. Tell me whatever you want to tell me, "He said. Katniss snorted.

"All you ever wanted was just to be close to me…and all I did was push you away. I made you feel alone. I always did that even when they rescued you. I left you to rot in 13. I abandoned you so many times. I was so selfish. I've always been selfish," she cried. He made her sit up.

"Katniss you were 16 years old. You were forced to provide for you mom and Prim when you were only 11. You've spent 16 years watching the Hunger Games and fearing it. You made it so you only cared about a few people in your life so you wouldn't be hurt. Then the Capitol forces me on you. Just because you showed honesty and kindness in the Games. Towards Rue and Thresh and me. And then Snow threatens to take all that away from you if you don't love me. Katniss no one is supposed to be able to handle that. I understand why you didn't know what to do. I understand you. I'm not hurt anymore. You have to forgive yourself," Peeta told her. But she shook her head.

"I won't forgive myself. Ever. I don't deserve that," she said. He sighed.

"Come on we don't have to keep talking about this. It's just upsetting you," he said.

"But when's the next chance I'll have to talk to you again? If I have a few hours to talk to you at home, I don't want to talk about this stuff. I want it all out. I just want to tell you everything. I owe you that Peeta,"

"You don't owe me anything Katniss," he told her softly. But she just shook her head.

"I owe you everything," she said. She closed her eyes.

"I thought by me choosing the rebellion, I was choosing Gale. If I chose to remain peaceful for the Capitol, that meant I was choosing you. I thought if I chose you, I couldn't have Gale in my life. Or if I chose Gale, I couldn't have you. But I see it now. I get it. I choose the rebellion. I choose to fight. And with that, I can choose whoever I want. By choosing one of you, I can still have the other as a friend. That's what I'm fighting for. My freedom. Your freedom, everyone's freedom. But I thought the rebellion was Gale, and the Capitol was you. I was wrong. I choose the rebellion, but you're the rebellion. You're my freedom. That's what I'm fighting for. But you would never take my freedom away by not letting me be friends with Gale. And I get that now, that you'll let me choose what my relationship with Gale is," she said. He smiled brightly at her. She was choosing him. He took her hands and placed them over his heart.

"I don't care what your relationship is with Gale, Katniss. And you're right, I would never make you choose. I didn't even realize that that was even bothering you. But if you still want to go hunting with him ten years from now, then great, if that makes you happy, then I would never stop you. If you don't want that, and you're ok with that, if you're ok with not having him around, then I'm fine to. Gale has been your best friend for so long. You both went through something I'll never understand. Losing your father and becoming the provider of a family when you were just a kid, fighting not to starve...I didn't have to do that. He understands you in a way that I can't. I'm not jealous of that anymore Katniss." he said. She hugged him tightly.

"I choose you Peeta," she whispered. He pulled back and smiled.

"I have waited so long for you to tell me that," he said. He kissed her sweetly.

"I'll tell you over and over again," Katniss said. He smiled.

"I don't mind hearing it," he told her. But there was something else that he'd rather hear. Something he wanted to tell her to, but now wasn't the moment. He wanted to make it romantic. He knew that would be harder now, that he couldn't see her. Or talk to her. But he just had to be patient. Their romantic moment would come.

"When that big blizzard comes. I don't want you to have to stay in your house by yourself. Stay with me," she said suddenly. Her mind really must be going through everything that had happened last year. "We both know your house will be fine. I want you to stay with me," she told him. He leaned his head against hers.

"Always," he whispered. She pulled back.

"You whispered that to me the night you brought me up to bed. I didn't realize it at first, I had to think about it a lot. But that's what you told me when I asked you to stay with me. And the night on the train during the Victory Tour. It wasn't until I was in 13 that I remembered," she said. He smiled at her and nodded his head.

"Yeah, I did. I thought you didn't love me at the time. But I would still stay with you," he told her truthfully. He saw in her face, that she didn't like hearing him say those things.

"I'll always stay with you to," she told him. She laid her head back on his chest has he held her. Since she mentioned the blizzard, it struck a memory in his own mind from back then. Before the Quell was announced.

"It scared me that night you were late, and the Peacekeepers were at your house. I knew you went hunting. We all did. And we just waited. We couldn't talk about it because the Peacekeepers were right there. But my mind was playing all sorts of tricks on me. At least I was right about one thought. They turned the fence back on. I just kept praying that you'd outsmart them somehow. And you did. You came home. Pretty banged up though," he said.

"It was stupid to go out there. I won't do that again. I promise. I'll listen better," she told him. He just laughed. "When I think back on that night though, how we were all acting for the Peacekeepers...it was really just me acting. Because I'm just not that friendly. But you fit so well in with my mother and sister. Even Haymitch does when he's not drunk. I just hope we can enjoy more moments like that," she said sadly.

"We will Katniss. I promise. At least after the Victory Tour we can be together a lot more. Every day if you like. We'll be engaged by then," he promised her. She squeezed him tighter.

"At least then we won't have to go another six months without each other. I already went too long without being with you," she said sadly. They stayed silent for a few minutes. The train was relaxing to them.

"I liked watching you paint. And staring at your eyelashes. You're very beautiful." she said drowsily. Peeta knew she was falling asleep. Because even though she was talking, and sharing things with him, he figured that was not something she would share.

"Just go to sleep Katniss. Just take a nap. I'll be right here when you wake up," he told her. And she fell asleep.

He was so worried about her. This just wasn't her. She was all over the place with her emotions. And she was all over the place with her thoughts. He never had one moment to rest and concentrate on what was going on. He came back to District 12, and Katniss had killed herself. He was sobbing with her in his arms. Dead! He held on tightly to her dead body.

And then he opened his eyes, and he was in his childhood bedroom! They never had a chance to deal with coming back, because then they were Reaped and thrust into the Hunger Games.

Now they were going home. Katniss hadn't been home since she killed herself. Now they had to deal with her depression. Her episodes that Haymitch talked about. He needed to take care of her! And then…Peeta had to deal with his hijacking.

The second he opened his eyes, he felt like all this dark fog left his brain. There was no confusion about what was real and not real. It instantly changed! He was never going to have an episode, thinking that Katniss was evil. His brain had not physically been changed by all the venom. So now, he had to deal with this.

Katniss didn't stay asleep for long. She started calling for Prim, and Peeta instantly woke her up. Shaking her roughly to wake her from the nightmares.

"Katniss wake up. Prim's alive Katniss. She's at home. Katniss wake up," he told her. She sat up, screaming, and looking around. He grabbed her face and made her focus on him. "Katniss it's me. I'm right here. Your safe," he told her. She looked around his room.

"I don't want to lay here anymore. I don't want to go back to sleep," she told him. He nodded his head.

"Alright that's fine. Let's go to the back of the train where the window is," he told her. She nodded and he held her hand, leading them to the back of the train. Dinner would start getting served soon. As he sat down, she cuddled closed to him in his arms. It was starting to get dark. The sun looked beautiful.

"Prim's alive you know. And she's waiting for you. You'll see her tomorrow," he told her.

"And I'll have to let you go," she cried. Peeta moved her to face him.

"Katniss, I need to know you'll keep your promise. That you'll do better, that you'll listen to what Haymitch told you to do. I know this is gonna be hard. Staying away from each other for six months. I'm going through the same thing you are. But I need to know that you'll really listen to what he tells you. I need to know that you're going to be ok. I won't be far away. I'll be next door. But it's only six months. And if you ever really, truly need me, we'll figure out where to go to meet up. We'll find ways around Snow. But promise me you won't..." he trailed off. Gulping.

"That I won't what?" she asked.

"Promise me you won't hurt yourself again," he said quietly. One thing about having all the cameras on them for 16 days in the arena, was that they couldn't talk about what happened, about her killing herself. Katniss didn't say anything. She pulled away from him and stood up.

"I don't want to talk about that," she said. She had done so well. She had let him in, told him what her feelings were. But he could already feel it. She was starting to shut down. He stood behind her.

"I need to know that when I can't be with you, that you're going to be ok. You have Prim. She's not dead Katniss. Rely on her when you feel sad. Don't let it consume you," Peeta told her.

"I won't," she gritted out. He slowly made her turn around and face him.

"Will getting angry at me make you feel better about separating tomorrow?" he asked her. She just stared at him, and he let out a sigh. "If it makes you feel better then I'm fine with that. But I just need to know that you'll be ok Katniss," he said. She looked away.

"Like you said, I'll have Prim," she told him. Effie interrupted them for dinner. As soon as it was over, Peeta led her back down to his room, and into his bed. She changed into one of his shirts and shorts again. She slept with her head pressed to his chest and felt her crying. He knew that there was nothing left for him to say. They would be separated tomorrow, and there wasn't a damn thing either of them could do about it.

Breakfast was a quiet affair. No one wanting to talk. He reached over and grabbed Katniss' hand in his. She leaned her other arm on the table and covered her face.

"You did great sweetheart. And now you get to go home and rest. Because it's all over," Haymitch reminded her. She looked up at him, then to Peeta, and back at him. Haymitch mouthed I'm sorry to her.

"Both your families will be at the train station waiting for you. I'm so sorry to see you go. Write down anything you both can think of that you want. I promise to get my Victor's anything you may want," Effie reminded them, handing them pens and paper.

Katniss wrote nothing on the paper. But Peeta had much to write. He knew he wanted to stay busy these next six months. Just baking in his home would never keep him busy enough to not run up to Katniss' house, throw open the door and kiss her senseless. He needed other things to keep him busy. As they pulled into the train station, Katniss started crying, and Peeta pulled her to his chest.

"Please don't cry. Everything will be ok. We'll be ok. I just need you to stay strong. This isn't like last time. I'm really here. I'm safe, and I'm right next door. And Prim is alive. And your mom is here. Please I just need to know you'll be ok," he whispered in her ear. She pulled back and stared at him.

"I just got you back," she whispered. He kissed her and wiped her tears.

"I know. And I'm here. I'll just be next door," he whispered back. Effie grabbed a tissue and started wiping Katniss' face.

"There, there, now darling. I know you're just bursting with excitement. But save those tears, my Victor." she said and kissed Katniss' cheek. She leaned towards them.

"Now I don't want either of you to worry what your bodies might go through. You were given a shot, and it lasts three months, so you won't be growing any hair. It's like freezing the inside of your body for three months," she quietly joked.

Peeta and Katniss eyed each other. They already knew that. It was explained to them when they each got it. For him, it was just making sure he didn't grow any facial hair, but he knew from Finnick at the Quarter Quell, that for Katniss, it not only meant not growing hair, like on her legs or under her arms, but that meant not getting her period. But he didn't understand why Effie was telling them this now. She hadn't last time. She leaned in closer.

"It's a form of birth control," she mouthed so quietly. Peeta's eyes widened.

"Effie!" Katniss hissed. She stood back and clapped her hands.

"Come, come, now. Your whole District is here to welcome their Victor's home," she said excitedly. Peeta held Katniss' hand. Her face was red from blushing. Why did Effie just tell them that?

Duh you idiot. Effie could see the relationship between them was real. It wasn't just for Panem anymore. They were in love. And she wanted them to know, that if they were to do anything...sexual...they wouldn't get pregnant. For three months at least.

He knew that the Escorts were allowed to send anything to Victor's that they wanted, except protection. It was never allowed to be given to any District. No matter how much you paid for it. It was only for the residents of the Capitol.

He had remembered talking with Finnick about in District 13. He was allowed to use it when he was in the Capitol. Because he was forced to sleep around. He told them how women took pills and got shots to protect pregnancy. But he knew that guys wore something on themselves called condoms. And when they had sex, it kept anything a guy leaked out, inside of the condom. And it also helped with sexually transmitted diseases. He shook his head.

Why the hell would Effie put that in their heads now. He looked over at Katniss again, still blushing. Was Effie trying to give Katniss something to hope for? To look forward to? Well for the next three months, they were supposed to stay away from each other. Having sex wasn't an easy thing when you're not even supposed to be in the same room with each other. Effie and Haymitch walked out, and the crowd cheered. They were waiting for Peeta and Katniss. He picked her hand up and brought it to his lips. Kissing it. She looked at him, and he brushed her cheek with his hand, smiling at her.

"Just stay strong. I will to. We'll stay busy. And it will be six months before you know it...just please smile for me. I don't want to see you sad today. You have Prim. You have her. Focus on that," he said. She smiled at him, and he kissed her.

He led her out onto the platform. Everyone was there. Screaming, cheering and waving. Peeta and Katniss smiled and waved back. Not letting their other hands go. They held tight to each other. He brought their hands up high. Everyone cheered louder.

Peeta saw them the same time Katniss did. He saw Prim above the crowd because Gale was holding her on his shoulders. Standing with her mother, and Gale's family. Waving. Prim was crying and blowing kisses. Katniss looked over to Peeta with tears in her eyes. He knew she would be ok. Because she had Prim. Katniss just had to see her again. He smiled at her. Their families got closer, and they had to separate to hug them.

Prim came barreling at me and wrapped her arms around me. When she had woken up in her house in the Seam, she never truly had a chance to deal with the fact that Prim was still alive. She had been whisked away so suddenly. But now she had the time. Her father's words came back to her about Prim.

Let Prim grow up. Watching you in the games changed her. Trust her with your secrets. She can handle them.

Could she really lean on Prim? Prim was just a baby though. But she wasn't a baby anymore. She may look 12 years old, but she had watched her sister go through 3 arenas now and went through a war herself. Maybe her father and Peeta were right. She should lean on Prim. She felt her mom's arms go around her to, and the three held on to one another. Crying.

"Things will be different now. I'll make it up to you. I promise," her mother whispered in her ear.

Peeta watched as Prim ran into Katniss' arms, and he smiled. She would be ok. Prim would make sure of that. He was thrown backwards a bit when Ryee slammed into him. He was startled a bit.

When he come back last time, his mother was so angry the way that he had behaved. Throwing himself around for Katniss, professing his love for her. And admitting to the whole world, that his father was in love with Katniss' mother. It wasn't so much that he fell in love with a girl from the Seam. It was that specific girl that his mother hated.

She wanted his family to have as little to do with Peeta as possible. Telling him flat out that they would not be moving into his house. His family was so scared of his mother, that everyone just listened. He was allowed over for dinner sometimes, and to go into the bakery. But he had limited access to his family when he came home. He didn't want to make the same mistake this time with them. He would keep them alive. He hugged Ryee tightly, and Ryee pulled back. He smiled at Peeta.

"You did real good little brother. I'm glad to see you back. In one piece," Ryee said. His eyes glancing down for a second. Peeta knew what he meant. Because of losing his leg last time. That was another thing his mother was pissed about. That he lost his leg for a Seam girl.

Wheet hugged him next. Just smiling. No words really needed to be said. And then his father embraced him tightly.

"I don't know how many times I can sit through that. No father should have to watch their child like that," he whispered. Peeta nodded his head and pulled back.

"I know. I love you dad. In case I forget to tell you sometimes," Peeta said. That wasn't something that was said around his house a lot. Mainly because of his mother. She felt that men shouldn't go around saying that. That it made them weak. Well, he must be the weakest Mellark, because he wants to say it to Katniss all the time. All day, every day, for the rest of his life.

His mother stepped up next. Not smiling but hugged him. He knew it was for the cameras. She went to pull back, but he held tight to her.

"In case I don't tell you enough either, I do love you mom," he said. He didn't ever remember telling her. She pulled back and looked at him, startled by what he said. He thought he saw her wipe a tear away as she turned.

"Your cousins are excited to see you to," Her mother said to her. She knew she said it because the cameras were right there. She knew that while she was in the arena, everyone had directed the reporters over to Gale because they were so close. And she knew that they had concocted that he was her cousin. They didn't want to mess with the star-crossed lovers act. She wondered how hard this was for Gale the second time around.

Posy ran up into her arms and hugged her tightly. Rory and Vick throwing her arms around her also. Then as they left her arms, she felt Hazelle hug her tightly. She pulled back and smiled, touching Katniss' cheek. She hadn't done that last time. She realized that Hazelle knew to.

"I'm glad you made it home safe and sound," she said sincerely, and hugged Katniss again. She would have thought that Hazelle would hate Katniss. For blaming her son for Prim's death. For picking Peeta instead of Gale. But there was no hostility in those eyes. Gale came up next. He leaned down and hugged her tightly.

"You'll always be my best friend to," he whispered to her. Katniss pulled back and stared at him. He had a month away from her, and probably thought about their last conversation over and over again. He leaned in and hugged her again. "There's nothing to forgive. I just want us to be best friends again," he told her. He pulled away and smiled, and she nodded her head in relief.

Peeta watched the exchange between Katniss and Gale. He had seen him whisper something, but he didn't know what. He wanted to ask Katniss the first chance he got. But he knew he couldn't. He didn't want her to feel like if she chose Peeta, that meant cutting Gale out of her life. He knew they shared a special bond. His thoughts were interrupted by Prim jumping into his arms. He hugged her tightly.

"Thank you for bringing her back to me Peeta," she whispered. He laughed.

"It's more like she brought me back. Just take care of her when I'm not around will ya?" Peeta asked. Prim pulled back and stared at him oddly. She nodded her head.

It was new territory last time on what to do with two Victor's, but Katniss and Peeta introduced each other to their families. Hugging each other. Peeta's mother didn't hug Katniss though. Which was fine by her. She hated Peeta's mother.

The reporters were eating it up, making Peeta take pictures with her family. And then Katniss with Peeta's family.

Haymitch came onto the platform then, and everyone went wild. He waved to everyone, and that's when their families started hugging him. Haymitch had never experienced that before because he never had brought any of the kids home. But it was customary when they got home, that the families would thank him as well. And then they all got together for pictures.

At the end though, the famous picture of the mentor with their Victor, bringing them home. Haymitch got in the middle of them and raised their hands up. Cheering and yells could be heard all over District 12. They had never heard their District be so excited.

They were ushered down the platform, when reporters started yelling different things at them, asking them questions. Katniss' mother answered one of their questions.

"Katniss is too young to have a boyfriend," Emily told them. Peeta and Katniss looked over at each other and smiled. They were brought to their new homes. Pretending to be so excited about these houses that the Capitol gave them. Living right next door to each other was a dream come true. They thanked the Capitol so much for giving them their new lives. They hugged and kissed for the cameras, and they waved goodbye as they all left.

Haymitch stared at them all just standing there. Him, Katniss and her family, Peeta and his, and even Gale's family, which of course were Katniss' 'cousins'. Ryee slapped him on the back.

"Well, the bread won't bake itself. Come on by later. I'm baking this huge cake with pine trees on it saying, 'I survived the Hunger Games'. It will look like crap so you gotta come by and fix it," Ryee joked. His mother smacked him in the back of the head and dragged his father and brothers off.

"We should really be going. Let you settle it. Come on kids," Hazelle said. Haymitch pointed to Gale.

"How about we have a talk. Come with me," he told Gale. Gale didn't get a chance to speak, as Haymitch pushed him forward, walking out of the Victor's Village.

"How about you and I get started on something for supper. You're welcome to join us Peeta," Katniss' mother said kindly. Peeta smiled at her.

"I'm going to have to take a rain check on that. But I'll cash it in soon," he said. She nodded, and her and Prim went inside. He and Katniss were alone. They just stared down at the ground.

"After all we went through. This is just supposed to end like this? We just say goodbye for six months? Act like nothing ever happened. The Quell didn't happen. The war and your hijacking never happened. You being gone for five months never happened and me getting sick never happened. We were supposed to talk about that. And now nothing is resolved," she said bitterly.

"A lot is resolved Katniss. Just not everything. It's not ending. I'm not away in the Capitol like last time. I'm right here. I'm right next door. And this time you have Prim. You can lean on her to get you through this. When it gets hard for you, you remember why we're doing this. For our freedom," he told her.

"So, we just have to sacrifice for the whole world. Again! And what did they sacrifice for us?" she cried. He pulled her to his chest. "Why do I have to lose everything? I just want to be with you. We never get our chance," she cried. He was shocked by her confessions since they came back. She had always been so closed off. And now here she was, crying for him. Expressing that she wanted to be with him. It was all he had ever wanted. And now he had to send her away.

What would happen in that time that they had to stay away? Would she realize that she didn't choose him at all? Now that Gale was back, would she still choose him again?

He kissed the top of her head.

"We will Katniss. We will get our chance. We will have our moment. And I promise, I'll make every tear, every bad, angry and sad moment…I'll make it all worth it. I'll make it so perfect Katniss; you'll see. Every day we're apart, I'll make up for it. I'll make it up to you. I promise," he told her. He pulled away and she had tears flowing down her face. She was starting to cry, and he kissed her. She sobbed through the kiss, and she hugged him tightly.

"Please don't go. I need you. Please don't leave me," she cried. She never begged for him. Never told him that she needed him. One time she did, on the beach...but this was different. He hated seeing her like this.

"We have to say goodbye," he choked out. She let out a sob and hugged him tighter. "This is killing me. But Haymitch will work out a plan for us. I know he will. We'll be together soon I promise," he told her. He pulled her away and kissed her forehead and smiled for her.

"Go be with Prim," he told her. She just stood there, and he gently nudged her. She walked up the stairs and turned around to look at him. He smiled and nodded at her. She turned back to her house and opened the door. She looked at him again, and he put his fingers up to his lips, and blew her a kiss. She closed her eyes and shut the door. He looked up to his own steps, and made the slow trek up his walkway, up the steps and in through the door.

As soon as it was shut, he collapsed against it, falling to the floor, and sobbing. He would be strong in front of her, but after everything he had just been through, he just needed that time to break down. He had no time to himself to process anything he had gone through. Now that he was alone, bitterly alone, he would process everything… All alone.

"Are you ok?" Prim asked from the doorway. Katniss had run away up to her room, like a little girl, crying in her bed for hours. She opened her eyes, and realized it was nighttime. Prim walked into the room and put a bowl of soup on her nightstand and sat on the bed. She stroked Katniss' hair.

"No, I'm not," Katniss admitted. It was the truth. She never liked to let Prim know when something was wrong. But her father wanted her to trust in Prim. Prim laid down in bed, facing Katniss. She put her hand on her shoulder.

"I'm here now. And I'm not going anywhere," Prim said. Prim pulled Katniss close to her. Was she really hugging her baby sister? The little girl she vowed to protect from everything bad in the world. From starvation, from homelessness. From the Hunger Games, from the war. The war won and took Prim with it. She squeezed Prim tightly. "I'm really here Katniss," she whispered.

"I'm so sorry," Katniss whispered, and cried.