"Peeta!" Peeta had fallen to the floor with a sick thud and Madge was at his side in an instant. His hands shook as he grasped hers.

"Sh- she… she did what?"

"She's alive," Finnick said hastily. "But she's…weak. Doctor, can you leave immediately?"

"Yes," he said with a nod and without a second glance, he was out the door. Finnick knelt next to Peeta and put his hands on his shoulders.

"Listen to me. She's alive. Haymitch is with her. And you can see her soon, alright?"

"Why… why would she… why would she do this?"

"Haymitch has been pleading her case with some of the Council. Her trial is supposed to start tomorrow and that's why they moved her from the Tribute Center. I think Katniss got the wrong idea and thought they would torture her. She hoarded all the pills they had been giving her and took them all at once. They caught it on the security surveillance so they were able to get to her in time. I know Haymitch isn't happy with the guards. He had no idea she was being moved to the mansion. They're not letting anyone speak to her so I think she panicked and assumed she was being moved to the cells to be tortured."

"She knows that's where they tortured me," Peeta said, his face drained of color.

"And that's why she did that. Before we set out from District 13, Boggs gave us nightlock pills. Capsules that can be bitten in case of capture. I think she lost hers, though. Haymitch called me before he went to Paylor, though, and said you can see her soon. I know it's tough and I sound like I'm scolding a five year old but just

be patient." Peeta's face made Finnick chuckle.

"Woohoo, Sunshine sure has rubbed off on you. You've got that scowl down."

"Finnick, stop teasing him," Madge said nervously. "Peeta. She's alive, and that's what matters." He nodded and pushed himself to his feet. Finnick stared in awe.

"That leg is really working for ya."

"Yeah," he said dismissively, not particularly caring about his prosthetic leg at the moment. Finnick nodded and clapped Peeta on the shoulder.

"Soon," he said assuredly.


Katniss heard her name being called, but she didn't want to open her eyes. It was a beautiful spring day; the katniss plants tickled her face as she floated on her back. She knew her father was nearby, laughing at her escapades in the water. Someone was calling her name but she couldn't be bothered to answer. It was so peaceful out here. The sun shone down and she knew she should have rubbed a bit of oil into her nose to keep it from getting raw. She sighed contentedly and continued to float around her lake. Her father laughingly told her that it was actually President Snow's lake but no, this was her lake. Hers.

She was at peace here…

Except for that incessant calling of her name…


"Katniss," Peeta said pleadingly. "Open your eyes. Please. Please open your eyes." The doctor had told him to talk to her. To coax her back to him. Back from the brink of death.

He hadn't left her side all night. The moment they had allowed him to see her, he had fallen to his knees beside her bed and refused to leave.

Haymitch had been by a little while ago. Prim had just left. Ryen and Madge had been here this morning.

All of them with the same look. They would peer into the room, their eyes would darken and their shoulders would sag before murmuring words of comfort and retreating back down the hall.

Peeta was sick of it. He had locked the door after Prim had left and would only open it for the doctor.

He didn't need any more pity. Neither did Katniss.

He needed justice. He needed assurance that they would be alright.

He needed her.


"Katkin." Her eyes fluttered as a strong hand pushed her hair out of her eyes and she gazed up into Seam grey eyes.

"Daddy?"

"He's calling for you, Katkin. Your boy with the bread."

"My boy with… Peeta?"

"He's calling for you, my girl. He's calling for his love."

"I don't…"

"Go to him, my songbird. You don't belong here."

"But I don't want to leave you."

"Katniss, I will never leave you. Never. As long as you have a song in your heart, I'll be there too. But you gotta go. That boy needs you. He needs you like you need him."

"It's not fair, Daddy. What they've done to us."

"The world aint fair, Katkin. That's the truth. No it aint fair, what you both have been through. But you need each other. You'll overcome it if you stay together."

"He's here? Right now?" Her father smiled as Peeta's voice reached them.

"Katniss, please," he sounded so broken that it made Katniss hurt. "Please come back to me."

"I'm right here."

"Go to him, little songbird. I'll see you again someday."

"Daddy…"

"Open your eyes, little songbird."

"Open your eyes…"


Katniss's eyes fluttered and Peeta let out a choked gasp.

"Katniss?" She couldn't speak but her eyes met his and his became glassy. He left tender kisses wherever he could on her hands, her face, her lips. Tears splashed her cheeks as he held her close.

Haymitch watched the boy sob into her chest. He allowed a faint smile to pass over his weary face. These kids would be the death of him, that was for damned sure.

Beside him, Commander Paylor cleared her throat.

"Glad to see she pulled through."

"Told you she was a fighter," he grunted.

"You don't have to tell me that. I witnessed it with my own eyes. She's a hero. I don't want to interrupt them, so inform her I'd like to speak to her later?"

"Sure thing."

"And Haymitch?"

"Yes, Madame President?"

"I have secured transportation for you and the Mockingjay and her husband. You will return to District 12 first thing tomorrow morning."


I'm sorry it's so short but I am leaving on vacation tonight and didn't want to leave without posting something! After all the angst, thought we could use a little breather...

see you all next week! XOXO