Madge had several small tasks to complete and her mother came downstairs to help them. The cook brought them a tray of tea and cookies and they all laughed softly as they stuffed little bags of fragrance for some of the guests and as they cut ribbon to wrap around bouquets of flowers. Peeta's meeting must have run late because when Katniss looked outside, the sun had set and the stars twinkled in the sky.

"Will we get in trouble for being out after curfew," Prim asked at her shoulder, peering up at the sky.

"Peeta is First Lieutenant," Madge said dismissively. "I'm sure there won't be a problem."

"I'm not sure, Madge. He said he wanted to obey the curfew rule as much as possible, so I don't know why he's so late."

"I have his office number. Would you feel better if we called him?" Katniss didn't want to admit that she felt worry gnawing at her and nodded, so Madge tugged her into the kitchen where the phone was and quickly dialed the number from the sheet of paper in her hand. She handed the phone to Katniss and she heard the line being answered.

"Mellark," he snapped impatiently. She bit her lip and turned to face the wall.

"Hi Peeta, it's me. Um. Katniss."

"Hi! Oh god Katniss, I'm so sorry, I got stuck. Between the meeting and then Thread gave me a dozen files to go through and now I'm just buried in paperwork. I'm so sorry."

"It's ok," she assured him. "Um, do you want me to walk Prim home?"

"Absolutely not. I'll leave in a few minutes and I will escort you both home. Stay inside until I get there, ok?"

"Ok. Um, be safe." She handed the phone back to Madge and nodded in thanks.

"He just got stuck at the office. He's on his way."

"See? I told you not to worry. Have you thought about what I asked you, by the way?"

"You mean sing at your toasting?" Madge nodded, looking hopeful.

"What would you want me to sing?"

"Anything you want! Really Katniss, it would mean so much to me."

"Ok. I'll do it." Madge threw her arms around her and Katniss was overwhelmed with the intense perfume of lilac.

"Thank you, Katniss, thank you! Our studio upstairs has great acoustics, it's where I used to practice my singing. If you want you can go up there and rehearse, until Peeta gets here." Katniss nodded and Madge skipped back into the living room. She racked her brain for a song to sing at the wedding but kept coming up empty. She rounded the corner and heard Mayor Undersee speaking in a low voice.

"I just saw it. Has anyone else seen it? Well. No doubts the Capitol is controlling the television waves. And you're sure this is it? Very well. No, I need to go. My daughter's wedding is tomorrow. Wait...it's coming back on. Are you watching?" Katniss peeked around the corner and saw the Mayor had his back turned to her, facing the television instead. She could just make out several figures on the screen, a woman with straight hair that was practically silver.

"What is she doing," the Mayor said angrily, still talking to whoever it was on the other line. He wasn't on the phone, that she could see. So what was it? A radio or some other kind of handheld device?

"She knows the implications- that's not the point! Damn. I have to go." Katniss heard a sound behind her and gasped, running toward the stairs. Madge grinned as she made her way up the steps.

"Hey there, I need to grab something from my room. You ok?" She noticed Katniss's pale face and she frowned.

"I'm fine. Thinking about what to sing tomorrow."

"Please don't stress yourself out about it," Madge said anxiously. "Hi Daddy."

"Hey sweetheart. Hello Katniss. Did I hear correctly? You're going to sing for Madge's ceremony?"

"Yes sir. She said I could borrow your studio to practice."

"Go right ahead. That door on the left, right beside Madge's bedroom."

"Thank you." She hurried to the studio and shut the door.

What was happening? Why was everyone keeping secrets and what did they mean?

She glared at the wall. She was going to have to get answers out of her husband, one way or another.


Peeta stood pressed against the wall, his wide eyes on the closed door. His wife's sweet voice captivated him and rendered him incapable of movement. Madge had sent him upstairs to get her, telling him she was practicing her song. She had a knowing gleam in her eye as Peeta took the stairs two at a time. Now he stood outside the room, listening to her soft voice. He decided if anything bad happened to him, he hoped she was nearby so he could ask for her song to die by.

"You could knock," a voice behind him made him jump.

"God Prim, you're almost as silent as your sister. Is that an Everdeen thing?"

"I stomped up these stairs. You're just a lovesick fool right now. I think you have a bit of drool on your chin."

"Your sister is a siren, really. She's captured my heart with her song."

"Wow does she have you wrapped around her little finger. Hey Katniss! Peeta's ready to walk us home!" She knocked on the door and Peeta immediately missed the melody. The door opened and Katniss looked surprised.

"How long have you been here?"

"Just a few minutes," he shrugged.

"More like twenty. He was drooling on himself when I came up the stairs." His face reddened and he murmured something about waiting by the door. Katniss shook her head and glared at her sister.

"You're terrible."

"I have never seen someone so in love with another person before. Not even Mom and Dad."

"You're too young to remember what they were like."

"Unimportant. Someone else is going to be so happy you decided to sing at the toasting."

"Come on, we need to get home. Mom is probably worrying about where you are."


Peeta offered his arms to the girls again but there was no teasing smile. He looked tense as he lead them through the district, glancing this way and that. They made sure Prim was safely in the house, and Katniss snuggled into his side as they made their way home. The night had turned cool and a light breeze made her shiver.

"Are you cold?"

"I'm fine," she said quickly. "Did you have dinner?"

"Yes, I ate my sandwich so you can report back to Dad that I'm not starving." She stifled her laughter and he winked.

"I like hearing you laugh. Even more so when I'm the one who makes you laugh."

"You're funny looking, what can I say?"

"Ha ha," he wrapped his arm around her, tickling her side.

"Stop," she shrieked, squirming away from him. "Stop, that tickles!"

"You called me funny looking," he said sternly. "Insult the husband, get attacked with tickles."

"No! No I'm sorry, I didn't mean it! You're very good looking."

"Liar."

"I'm not-stop! I'm not lying! You're handsome and you're...you're a great kisser! Please stop tickling me!" He laughed as he held his arms up in the air.

"Ok, ok, that last bit wins you clemency."

"Surprised she didn't mention your abilities in the bedroom, Mellark," a mocking voice came from the shadows. Peeta's laughter vanished from his face and he pulled her to his side.

"Not surprised that you're lurking in the shadows, Jacobson."

"It's quite late, Lieutenant. Surely you know the new rules about the curfew."

"Cut the shit, Jacobson. Commander Thread knows I have been at work all evening. I'm just escorting my wife home."

"How touching. But the rules apply to your wife as well. Just because she is with you doesn't mean she is excused from them."

"Return to your post, soldier, and leave us be," he said in a dangerous whisper.

"This is my post, Mellark. I have been assigned the task of punishing the law-breakers. And you two are breaking the law. You seem to think she's exempt from ALL the rules. I think you've been turning a blind eye to all of her transgressions."

"Stand down, soldier," Peeta growled, pushing Katniss behind him. "That's an order."

"Sounds like you won't be giving orders around here much longer, Lieutenant. Commander Thread was quite interested to know that you didn't tell Commander Cray about our little altercation. He was also very intrigued when I told him that your little wife is said to be the best huntress in the district. But the problem is, there's nothing to hunt in District 12, unless you went into the woods, which are Capitol property. He thinks you might be keeping something from him. Now why would you be doing that, I wonder?" Behind him, Katniss was shaking in fear but Peeta shook with rage. Jacobson smirked as he neared them.

"You think we don't know that your whore is the one who goes beyond the fence? I told you before, Mellark, Commander Thread won't just turn his head like Cray did. He is here to make an example of the law-breakers. And he will start with that Seam slut and her secret lover who you made excuses for." Two more men came out of the darkness and stood on either side of them; Peeta's eyes darted from from one soldier to another. They were all from 2 and had their own little clique. His eyes went back to Jacobson and narrowed.

"I'm still First Lieutenant here. Don't do anything stupid."

"You mean like challenge you? How you got to be Lieutenant is beyond me. Duartyr must have been on something when he promoted you."

"I'll be sure to tell him you think so." Katniss whimpered as the two soldiers came closer and Peeta felt her bury her face in his back.

"Last chance, Jacobson. Leave us alone and walk away and I won't report you for this."

"Come morning there will be a new promoted officer, Mellark. Commander Thread will reward me for turning in the person who keeps stealing from the Capitol. And I'm sure President Snow won't mind a traitor thrown in there as well." Jacobson lifted his chin and the two men attacked from both sides. Peeta threw his arms up but one of them caught him in his jaw and he fell to the ground. Katniss screamed and backed up against the building but Jacobson grabbed her and spun her around.

"Nuh uh, baby. You want to scream, go ahead. No one will come help you. You're going to watch while we kill your traitor husband." She tossed her head and writhed in his grip while the two men continued to kick Peeta.

"Jacobson, let her go," he called from the ground, curling on his side and grunting when a boot buried itself in his side.

"I said you're done giving orders, Mellark. And I think I will take this beauty back to my new office and show her what a real man can do. She can't have learned anything from a loser from District 12." Peeta grabbed one of the men's legs as he was about to kick; they heard a sickening crack and Peeta jerked him aside. He rolled away from the other man and found his way to his hands and knees.

"You seem to forget about my training, Jacobson," Peeta muttered. "I was there getting tortured and tear-gassed while you were harassing District 2 citizens. You have no idea what I am capable of..." Jacobson's hands wrapped around Katniss's throat and he took a few steps back. Peeta stood and held his hands out, his eyes on Jacobson's fingers.

"One more step, Mellark. I can snap her neck as easily as a twig." Peeta blinked blood out of his eyes and swallowed.

"You will all die as traitors in the Capitol," he said through gritted teeth.

"That's where you're wrong, Mellark. I know something else is going on in this district. Something big. And Commander Thread will discover what it is. So who else is involved? Your idiot brother? That loser Murphy?" Katniss squeezed her eyes shut as she tried to swallow. His beefy hands on her throat caused tears to stream down her cheeks. Jacobson laughed softly in her ear.

"Look, little wifey knows you're both goners. That's why she's crying." She jerked when she felt his tongue on her cheek, eagerly lapping up the salty stream. Peeta's eyes glittered with hatred and Jacobson buried his hand in Katniss's hair.

"Boys, finish him off. He's not going to give us answers so just get rid of him. I'll deal with the little wife." Peeta vaguely registered movement in the shadows but tensed up as he felt the others closing in on him. Jacobson grunted and fell forward, his eyes sliding closed. Katniss kicked at him and ran straight into Peeta's arms.

"Out cold," he heard his brother's voice. "Darius, you've got those two?"

"We've got them," said a women's voice, laced with disgust. "Lieutenant Mellark, what would you like us to do with these traitors?"

"Give me a moment, Purnia." He turned to Katniss and cupped her face. "Are you alright?"

"Am I alright," she asked, blinking back tears. "Peeta you're hurt! You could have- they almost- I can't believe that they…"

"Hey, hey," he whispered, wiping at her tears with his thumb. "I'm ok. I'm alright."

"You look like shit," Ryen shook his head.

"Thanks for that, bro. I'm sure you won't mind me being at your toasting with a black eye, right?"

"Least you're alive," he replied with a ginger smile. Peeta felt his ribs and winced.

"Yeah, barely."

"What the hell happened?" Darius straightened up and gestured toward the cuffed peacekeepers.

"Jacobson attacked us and summoned his cronies. We will take them to the Justice Building and I want someone to guard them until I can call in a report."

"Ok but you're not going anywhere," Ryen shook his head, "except home. Where your wife can fix you up."

"Actually it might be a better idea to go see his mother-in-law, since she's a Healer."

"I'm fine," Peeta protested but winced and grabbed at his ribs.

"I'd say at least one cracked rib, Lieutenant," Purnia said placatingly. "Let me call in some back-up and we will get you safely to your mother-in-law's house."

"I don't need...it's late, she's probably in bed-"

"She is not," Katniss cut him off. "And you need healing. We're going to see her. End of discussion."

"And your wife has spoken," Darius smiled. "Let me get this scumbag to the Justice Building and I'll be back with some help."

"We won't be able to move him easily," Purnia toed at Jacobson's limp form. "You hit him pretty good."

"I'll call in more hands. Peeta, ah, would you like for me to call the Commander?"

"No. I'll deal with it, Darius. Thank you for your help, all of you."

"Hey asshole, use your legs," Darius smacked one of the soldiers in the back of the head and yanked him to his feet. Purnia grabbed the other one and turned back to Peeta, Ryen, and Katniss.

"Stay with the Lieutenant and his wife, Mellark. Jacobson isn't going anywhere." Ryen nodded and bent down to cuff Jacobson. Katniss helped Peeta lean against the brick wall and Purnia and Darius dragged their prisoners off down the road. Katniss opened her bag and pulled out a clean cloth, immediately starting to clean the cuts on his face. He winced but tried to focus on her soft hands pushing his hair out of his eyes and stroking his cheek.

"All of this is because of me," she whispered sadly. His eyes shot open and he sat up.

"No don't you dare think that. This is because that man is an asshole. And because we still have some stupid division between districts, so anyone close to the Capitol automatically thinks they are better than everyone else. Jacobson never liked me and I'd say he was jealous of my position and Duartyr's high opinion of me. But I didn't do myself any favors when I hit him after he arrested Gale. It's not your fault, Katniss."

"I can't believe they would attack their Lieutenant," she shook her head and Ryen scoffed.

"You have to recognize someone's position in order to respect it. Jacobson and his idiots have never recognized Peeta as our First Lieutenant. And Peet probably went through more than the rest of us during training. He earned that title." Peeta groaned and leaned his head against the wall. Katniss stroked his hair and dabbed at his wounds with the cloth. What did they do to her sweet baker in those training courses, she wondered for the hundredth time.

"I'm afraid to look under your shirt," she said softly. "My mom is the healer."

"It's ok," he squeezed her hand. "They're not broken, I know that for sure. It just hurts to breathe right now." Ryen crouched next to his brother and patted his shoulder.

"Can I get you anything, baby bro? To make you a little more comfortable?"

"Want to give me one of your lungs? I could use another one right about now."

"Sure Peet. It's yours. Katniss can tell Madge we missed the toasting because we were in the Capitol having a transplant." The brothers snorted and Katniss rolled her eyes.

"How can boys joke at a time like this?"

"Cause it's better than acknowledging how fucking terrified we are," Ryen said matter-of-factly.

"Rye...before the others get here," Peeta opened his eyes and pulled his brother closer. "I need you to promise me...whatever happens...if something happens to me… you will watch over her." Ryen's eyes flicked from his brother to Katniss and he nodded.

"Of course, Peet. Of course I will."

"You better stop talking like this, Peeta Mellark," she said in a high-pitched whine. "I mean it!"

"It's ok, Katniss," Peeta said soothingly. "I just want to be prepared is all."

"Prepared? For what?"

"Relax Kat, it's a precaution we all take. It's the life of a soldier. We just want our loved ones to be taken care of in case anything happens. And Peet just wants you provided for."

"I told you I'm not going anywhere," Peeta pulled her hand to his lips. "You'll probably get sick of me eventually cause I'm not leaving your side." She burrowed into his arms and tucked her head under his chin. His eyes found his brother's before he closed them, listening to the sound of her heart racing.


When Darius and Purnia returned, Jacobson was still unconscious. Luckily they had brought more than enough backup and several of the men asked Peeta if they could do anything for him. Katniss noted her husband putting on a brave face, hiding his pain and standing up straight while talking to the peacekeepers in low voices. He patted their arms or shook their hands and he smiled. He really did care about his soldiers, she noticed immediately. Peeta really would make an excellent leader.

He tried to go with them to the Justice Building but Purnia practically dragged him toward the Seam.

"You are going home," she said sternly, "and resting. Don't come into work tomorrow."

"Purnia, I'm going to have to deal with this in the morning." Purnia fixed her blue eyes on Katniss and they were hard as steel.

"Do what you have to do to keep him home, Mrs. Mellark. Tie him to the bed if you need."

"She might enjoy that a little too much," Darius laughed softly.

"They both might," one of the men who was carrying Jacobson chuckled. Katniss's face was burning and Peeta cleared his throat.

"Soldiers, that's enough." The laughter died off and several cleared their throats. Ryen tried to help support Peeta but he seemed determined to show only strength in front of the other peacekeepers.

"Get some rest, Lieutenant Mellark," one of the younger soldiers said earnestly. "You'll let us know if we can do anything to help?"

"I will, thank you, Peacekeeper Burns." The men split off and Purnia and Ryen continued to walk with them through the Seam.

"Really Purnia, I'm fine," Peeta said quietly. "You can go on home."

"I'll make sure my Lieutenant is taken care of," she said stiffly. They were silent as they approached the small house and Katniss knocked sharply. Violet's worried face peered through the crack and she gasped.

"Katniss? What's going on?"

"Peeta is hurt. Can we come in?" She threw the door open and urged them inside.

"Thank you, Purnia. Rye, go home and get some rest. You don't want to look like shit at your own toasting."

"You're sure? I can stay and walk you both home-"

"We can stay here tonight if we need to," Katniss shook her head. "He might not be able to walk that far anyway."

"Right. Ok, I'll see you both tomorrow. Take care of him," he added in a whisper. Katniss nodded and shut the door.

"Mama, who's at the door?"

"Prim get me a bowl of water and some clean towels. Some salve from the cabinet too." Prim and her mother immediately slipped into nurse mode, while Katniss helped Peeta sit in the kitchen chair.

"Shirt needs to come off," she whispered, sliding her hands under the material. He grimaced as they worked to pull it off and she gasped at the sight of the ugly bruise on her husband's fair skin. Her mother shook her head when she saw the injury.

"Broken ribs would look much worse. But that bruise worries me. Katniss, clean up his face for me while I tend to this." Katniss nodded and took the bowl of water from her mother. Peeta winced as she carefully wiped his face clean, dabbing at the injuries. Prim brought a bottle of salve and an ice pack from the freezer.

"Hold that to your eye." Peeta nodded in thanks and pressed it to his face.

"I'm going to prod a bit, Peeta. You let me know if it hurts."

"Yes ma'am." She started high up, gently prodding with the tips of her fingers. When she trailed lower, he winced. When she touched a certain spot, he hissed and clenched the table with white knuckles.

"That's more than bruised. What about here?" She pressed down and he cried out. Katniss glared at her mother but Violet merely nodded.

"Two cracked ribs, it seems. Here," she handed him a pill and a glass of water. "For the pain. I have another for when you wake up. Were you two planning to stay the night?"

"I'm not sure if he can walk home," Katniss said quietly.

"I'll sleep with Prim and he can sleep in my bed. It's big enough for him to be comfortable."

"Really Violet, I can walk home tonight. I don't-gah!" She prodded the area with her knuckles and his palm slammed down on the tabletop, his eyes squeezing shutt. Violet shook her head again.

"I don't want you going anywhere. I want to make sure that fracture doesn't get worse overnight. You'll sleep here. Katniss, get him a clean pillow and blanket out of the closet." She nodded and ran to the closet in the hall. Both pillow and blanket were threadbare but she knew he wouldn't care. He was still from District 12, despite his current position. When she returned to the kitchen, her mother was wrapping his torso and was talking in a low voice, so she pressed herself to the wall.

"-used to wrap this more tightly but I don't want you to have more difficulty breathing. And we will just keep this on for a few hours at most. Keep this ice pack on the painful area all night. We will check on the swelling in the morning."

"Thank you, Violet. I'm lucky to have a healer for a mother-in-law."

"You're a good boy, Peeta. So much like your father. I know you'd do anything for my girls and that means everything to me. I know your love for her runs deep."

"Is it that obvious?"

"To everyone but her, it seems." Peeta chuckled softly and winced as she finished binding the bandage.

"You go on to bed and get some sleep. Katniss should have everything set up for you." He nodded and stood.

"For the record, Violet, I know my dad's feelings for you have remained the same over the years. He was happy for you but he never stopped loving you. We're the same, in that way."

"She doesn't love anyone else like that, Peeta." He shrugged and clutched his side.

"Maybe not. But I want her to love me because that's what her heart says to do. Not because I saved her or provided for her."

"Marriage of necessity is quite common these days," she said gently. "It's not a bad thing."

"No," he agreed. "But it's not what my heart wants. And I used to think I would take anything; whatever possible way to be with her but now that I know how it feels to kiss her and hold her, I don't know if my heart can take any indifference. I need it to be real."

"Then you should talk to her. Say all of this to her and not to me."

"I don't want to frighten her away."

"You underestimate my girl, Peeta. Katniss is a fighter. And she fights for those she loves."

"Well I hope one day I can count myself among those lucky few."

"It sounds like you already can." There was silence and Katniss chewed on her lip for a moment.

"Good night, Violet."

"Sleep well, Peeta." She heard his heavy footsteps moving closer and she retreated back toward the stairs. He huffed as he reached for the stair rail and she pressed herself to his side so he could lean into her.

"I hate this," he groaned. "Your mom shouldn't be kicked out of her own room!"

"Don't try to argue with them," she shrugged. "And count yourself lucky. Most injured people in this house sleep on the table."

"I should have offered to do that! Or at least take the smaller room."

"Don't be stupid. You're family. Mom won't let you be any more uncomfortable than you already are."

"Katniss," her mother called from the kitchen.

"Can you make it up by yourself?"

"I'm not 5, Katniss." He leaned toward the stair rail and pulled himself up. Katniss watched him with a frown before returning to the kitchen. Her mother was putting the salve and bandages away.

"Keep an eye on him tonight. That wrap doesn't need to be on all night, just a few hours. And I have more ice if he needs it."

"Ok. Thanks Mom." Violet cupped her daughter's chin and gave her a sad smile.

"Are you alright?"

"I'm fine," she jerked her face out of her mother's grasp.

"I know you're worried for him, but he knows how to handle himself."

"Yeah, he handled himself well when he was bleeding on the ground, getting the shit kicked out of him. And he was worried about me the whole time! That's ridiculous."

"That's how it is when a person loves another person, sweetie." Katniss shook her head. She didn't take well to her mother's pet names and affectionate caresses. Why was it all of a sudden ok for her mother to act like a mother? She huffed and grabbed the salve.

"I'm going up to sit with him. See you in the morning."

"Sleep well, dear."

When she entered the room, Peeta was sitting on the edge of the bed, his feet planted firmly on the ground. He looked up as she neared the bed, and opened his mouth as she leaned over to fluff the pillow. She refused to meet his eyes until he grabbed her hand and pulled it to his chest.

"I'm sorry for the way I spoke to you."

"Doesn't matter," she shrugged but he pulled her closer so she was standing between his legs.

"It does matter. This just...reminded me of... another time. And I don't like it. But I shouldn't take it out on you. You're the only thing that matters to me right now and I appreciate you trying to help me."

She stroked his hair and he leaned forward to rest his forehead against her stomach.

"You should get some rest." She gently pushed him back to the pillows and lifted his feet to the blanket.

"Are you comfortable?" It was a stupid question, she realized, but he nodded.

"Very."

"Good. I'll sleep on the floor so I don't-"

"No way," he sat up, groaning and wincing. "Ow. No, I mean, come up here with me. You are not sleeping on the floor."

"I don't want to hurt you."

"Katniss," he said as he rolled his eyes.

"Peeta," she fired right back. He gave her a patronizing look then looked pointedly at the bed.

"Fine but if I make that injury worse, I'll be so mad at you."

"I'll take my chances." She stood beside him and shook her head.

"You'll be more comfortable if you take your pants off."

"Katniss, I can't...we're in your mother's house," he blushed.

"I didn't mean we will do anything! You can barely move, Peeta, I'm not going to jump your bones. I just want you to be comfortable." He exhaled softly and nodded as he stood up. She helped him slide them down his legs and he fell back onto the bed. She climbed over him so she wouldn't aggravate his injured side.

"Come here," he held out his arm, and she rested her head on his chest. He turned into her and kissed her temple. She ran a finger across the bandage and sighed.

"Think you can get some sleep?"

"I'll try. You get some rest, Katniss. And stop blaming yourself."

"The men might respect you a little more if you weren't married to a… to someone from the Seam."

"Hey." He cupped her chin and turned her head to look at him. His face was stern, his brows drawn together. "You'd better banish those thoughts right now. Don't you dare call yourself anything of the sort. This has nothing to do with you, ok? These men have never liked me and have challenged me more than a few times. They don't like the fact that I come from 12 and have more power than they do. They have never respected me. So get those thoughts out of your mind, alright?"

She nodded gingerly and tucked her head under his chin. They were quiet and she thought he might have fallen asleep if it weren't for the staggered breaths he kept taking.

"What did you mean?" He pulled away so he could look down at her.

"When?"

"When you said it reminds you of another time. What did you mean by that?" He closed his eyes for a moment and squeezed, his face pained.

"I told you before, I got...hit as a child. One day it went a little too far and...I had some trouble walking normally. Only Bing knew what had happened and he tried to help me walk everywhere. I was angry and was quite short with him. I screamed at him that I wasn't a child and ran away to the meadow. Which was dumb because she hit me more when I came home late that night." She listened silently, unconsciously wrapping her arm around him and pulling him close, daring anyone to try to take him from her.

"She hit you so hard you couldn't walk straight?"

"Rolling pins don't mesh well with bones," he said softly. "She didn't break anything but it hurt like hell for awhile. I don't even remember what I did to make her so angry. But that's why I snapped at you. It just...took me back." He reached over and pushed the hair out of her eyes.

"I've always had a hard time letting people take care of me," his voice was soft. "As the youngest, you'd think it wouldn't be a problem but I try to take care of people and find it difficult to depend on others. I guess that's why it feels strange when you make a fuss. Like you really care."

"I do care, Peeta," she said indignantly, sitting up. He propped himself on his elbow and stroked her cheek with his knuckles.

"I know," he said softly, his lips curving upwards. "It's incredible. Because it's not just someone caring about me...it's you." She leaned down to kiss him and his hand moved to her hair.

"You scared me tonight," she whispered against his lips.

"I'm sorry."

"Don't apologize. Just promise me that you'll stay safe."

"I'm tougher than I look, love."

"That's not what I mean. Stop trying to protect everyone."

"Says the girl who has hunted illegally to provide for her family." But it wasn't condescending, just gentle and maybe a little sad.

"That's different," she argued.

"I'm not going to argue with you, Katniss. I promise you I will stay safe." She nodded and kissed his shoulder before lying back down.

"Good. Because if anything happened to you… I wouldn't survive it." Her voice was so soft it was a wonder that he had heard her. But he did. His heart raced as she rested her head on his chest and his arm wrapped around her. Perhaps her mother was right. Perhaps she did-

"I'm falling in love with you," the words escaped her lips as she was pulled into Morpheus's dream world. Peeta gasped softly, his eyes darting to her still form. She smacked her lips and turned into him, her cheek warm against his skin. His hand hovered over her head, almost afraid to touch her lest she was an apparition that would disappear before his eyes.

"I love you, Katniss," he whispered, his fingers sliding through her dark locks. "For always." The pain in his side faded, as if her words had healed him completely. He shifted more onto his side so he could slide his arm under her, pulling her to his chest. He rested his chin on her head and closed his eyes. For the first time in years, he didn't have a single nightmare.


I'm so sorry guys, work has been crazy hectic and I just took a little vacation getaway and it's all just been chaos! We've got the Toasting coming up next chapter, and Katniss's first trip the Capitol soon- I promise it won't be this long again! Thanks for your awesome reviews and messages! Keep em coming! XOXOXO