Katniss POV

The noise of the crowd washes away. Not because I block it out but instead they silence themselves. The guards lead me to the platform and turn me to face the Queen. She looks enraged, furious. She can't understand their reaction. She could never understand what I mean to them. Even if she doesn't believe I am Everdeen the people do. She'll never understand what it means to be truly respected. Respected out of love not fear. In this moment I do understand and it tugs at my heart to know that even if I die today I gave these people something precious, even more precious than gold, hope.

I glance around the crowd briefly. A small sigh of relief escapes my lips when I do not see the faces of my companions. To see that Haymitch obeyed my last request, to know that they are safe somewhere sets my mind at ease. I am glad that they do not have to watch this. That they will live on and hopefully carry on the work my father started as Everdeen. I am happy to know that they are not going to foolishly put themselves in danger for me.

The raise a saulte to me. My throat catches and tears prick my eyes but I don't allow my emotions to show. I set my lips in a hard line and allow my defiance to show through. Smug satisfaction fills me as the Queen's face contorts with rage. She yells at the guards next to me and they jump at her command.

The rope is slipped over my head. I close my eyes and wait. My heart beat rings loudly in my ears. The slow and steady thud that counts down to the end of my life. I allow myself to think of the life I now lose. I think of my sister and my mother and I hope they will not mourn for long, that they will learn to be happy without me. I think of my companions and the family we had made together and I know they will be ok. Lastly I think of Peeta. I hope he will find happiness he deserves.

I feel the platform disappear and for moment I feel weightless.

Peeta POV

In slow motion her body falls, completely weightless just waiting for the tension in the rope. Waiting to end the life of the woman bound by its noose.

I take aim, knowing I have no time to waste, no time to stop and think. I have one shot in one moment and if I fail I will lose forever the woman that I love. I have only my instinct and hope that it will be enough. I release the arrow and watch breathlessly as it cuts through the air. The moment before the arrow lands its target is the longest I've ever experienced. The arrow makes contact with the rope just before it is pulled taught and slices through the rope, leaving only a few weak strands holding the rope together. The weight of Katniss' body jerks the rope and the remaining strands are snapped. With her hands tied together Katniss is helpless to catch herself. I watch as her head makes harsh contact with the edge of the platform as she falls through the gap. Her head snaps back and her body lands with a heavy thud.

The moment it registers that Katniss has not died the crowd erupts into hearty cheers. My mother's piercing voice cuts through the roar of the crowd. She orders her guards to recapture Katniss, who still remains unmoving on the ground. The guards begin to scramble but are intercepted by my comrades. They fight them off and keep them at bay as far as possible from Katniss' limp form.

I stand frozen for a few moments, holding my breath, just waiting for Katniss to move, to flinch, to show any indication that she is alive. My heart stops when after what seems like an eternity she still hasn't moved. My heart thuds erratically in my chest and my body feels as though it is weighed down as I begin to run down the stairs. Once I make it to the edge of the crowd it still feels as though I am trying to run through water. My whole body seems to face an invisible resistance.

I plunge through the chaotic crowd and force my way forward. Bodies wrestle in my path. Others are shoved into and around me. I do my best to keep myself on my feet and moving forward to where Katniss still lays unmoving. Every now and then a break in the crowd allows me to see ahead, her form remains limp. My stomach churns with worry.

With a relieved gasp I break through the crowd and the gallows sit in front of me, Katniss beneath them. I dive under the stained wooden platform and onto the dusty ground below. As I slide closer to Katniss the dirt stirs into a cloud around me. I cough a little and do my best to hold my breath.

"Katniss." I call out with a strained, hoarse voice. She remains unresponsive as my hand grasps her tattered garments.

"Katniss." I call out again, more desperate this time and shake her gently.

Tears spill down my dirt stained cheeks and I wipe the dust from my hands off on my already dirty trousers. I move close to her head and gently run my fingers through her knotted braid. When my fingers feel the sticky warmth near the back of her head I fear the worst. Pulling back my hands my fears are confirmed. Blood.

"No, no, no, no, no." I repeat with a panicked voice.

"Please, Katniss." I beg. My voice cracks and fresh tears spill over. I move to her nose and hope to feel her breathe. However with the flurry of bodies moving about the courtyard it is hard to tell whether the faint movement of air I feel is hers or the breeze from the fighting bodies. In one last desperate and panicked move I lay my head on her breast to wait and listen.

Thud thud.

I release a happy cry.

Thud thud.

I move back and gently brush her hair from her face. Even covered in dirt she is the most beautiful woman I have ever known. It matters not in this moment whether or not I will ever know the joy of being with her. It only matters that she is alive.

Gently I gather her body in one arm and using the other begin to crawl out from under the platform. Once we reach the edge we are on the side opposite of the fighting. I gather her up into my arms and sprint towards the nearest door. I can faintly hear my mother yell over the crowd. No doubt she has spotted me and is commanding her guards to pursue me. With this in mind I push harder and faster. I move through the halls with unusual agility until I have reached the furthest end of the castle. The library sits ahead of me and I slip through the door quickly but not so quietly.

I turn around and scan the enormous room. Shelves of books reach to the roof. Balconies sit at all levels and ladders on wheels sit randomly around the room. I scurry up the first two staircases up to the third and highest balcony. I move to the darkest corner where the light from the window never reaches.

When I was young I used to hide here when my mother was in a particularly bad mood. She never found me then and I count on that now.

Gently I set her down and pull of my cloak. I ball it up and place it beneath her head.

I remove my relatively clean tunic, leaving me only in my undershirt, and use it to wipe the dirt from her face and the blood from the small cut on her forehead. I feel again for the cut in her hair and am relieved to find the blood flow has slowed.

I sit back and listen for signs of the following soldiers. I breath a sigh of relief when I hear no sign of them. And so I sit back and watch as Katniss' chest begins to noticeably rise and fall. Happiness courses through me to see her breath as proof that we were not to late.

I close my eyes and allow myself a moments rest. I focus on slowly my panicked heart rate and assure myself that for this brief moment all is well.

A quiet cough draws back my attention. I open my eyes quickly. I look to Katniss but it appears she has not changed. Frantically I look around for a sign of another presence but find nothing. I settle back down and close my eyes again.

Seconds after I close my eyes a violent stream of coughing begins. I open my eyes to see that Katniss' body jerks violently with every cough. She struggles to sit or stand but in her disoriented state cannot manage either.

"Katniss!" I cry out and jump forward to catch her as she stumbles in her movements. I catch her torso in my arms before she can fall to the ground again. I hold her tight against my chest and she continues to clear her throat.

In time the convulsions stop and her coughing quiets. The room silences again except for our heavy breathing. Hesitantly I move back, my hands still remain clutching her arms for support.

My eyes meet hers and her grey eyes and to see them again fills me with warmth.

Her lips form a gentle smile and I can feel my own do the same.

"Peeta." She whispers hoarsely and her smile widens. "You saved me."

A/N: Hey everyone! I'm sorry that the delay's in my stories have been so big. My school is very busy. I'm writing at least 2 papers a week. And for some reason my manager is working me five days a week when I told her no more than 4 and no more hours than 24. I will be posting as often as possible however I have no idea how long that will be. Thank you so much for your patience and your support! Thanks for the reviews also! Please read and review! I love to hear your thoughts and comments.