When are they letting me out of here?! I think as I walk anxiously back and forth in my small white room. I feel like a caged animal.

I stop to readjust my prosthetic leg.

"Ughh!!" I growl angrily. "Why me?" I glare down at the stupid thing. I sigh. It could've been worse. I mean, it's already pretty bad as it is, but it could have been much worse. I could've died. I wouldn't have been able to see Katniss again.

Katniss. Katniss. Where is she? What is she doing? What – who is she thinking about? What will she think of my new leg?

It's not that bad. Really, I mean, you can't even notice it – I feel it, I know it's there, but you can't really tell. It's a little uncomfortable though, but I'm getting used to it. I have to.

Will it make a difference to Katniss, though? No, no, she's not superficial. It makes a difference to me though. I won't be able to do so many things. Or maybe I will, with enough practice, but I won't do them as good as I would if I had my real leg.

I look around. What time is it? How long have I been here? I feel so lost in this small little white room. So disoriented.

The white camouflaged door slides open.

"Dr. Pardo," I greet him.

"Peeta," he nods. "I see you're making progress with your new leg."

"I guess," I shrug. "Am I getting out of here yet?"

"As a matter of fact you are. I just came here to give your leg a last check."

"Oh, finally," I sight. Finally I'll see her.

"Here, just sit on the bed right there," he motions to the foot of the bed.

I sit, and watch as he unlatches my prosthetic leg.

"Humm," he says studying the tip of what's left of my leg. "Everything seems in order. Your wound is completely healed. You should be fine."

"So can I go now?" I ask almost standing up.

"Easy now," he laughs. "Let me fix your leg first."

I sight exasperated. Right. My leg. Forgot.

"Don't worry, Peeta," he says without looking up. "You'll see her soon enough."

"Oh – no – it's not that, well yes it is, kind of – I just –"

"You don't have to explain yourself kid," he says with a warm smile. "And, don't blush; love is nothing to be embarrassed about."

"Yeah," I mumble stupidly, and look away. I can feel my face burn.

"There, all done. You're good to go. Oh – one more thing." He reaches behind his back and brings out a neatly folded green outfit. "Do you need help with this, or would you rather do it by yourself?"

"I can do it," I tell him. "Thank you, anyway."

"Alright then, Peeta, it was my pleasure to be of your service." He shakes my hand quickly, and turns for the door. "Good luck," he calls over his shoulder.

"Thank you," I say, but the door has already closed behind him.

I stare at the clothes. I unfold them, and can't help but shudder; it's the same outfit we wore in the arena.

Without hesitating, I yank off my robe, and put on the green shirt. I have to sit to put the pants on, though. The boots give a hard time, too, but I manage. I can do this. After surviving the Hunger Games, I can handle anything.

I smooth my hair with my hand and walk over to where the door should be. Instantaneously, the camouflaged door slides open, and I'm free.

I walk out into an empty hallway.

"Hello? Portia? Katniss?"

I walk down the hall as fast as I'm able to. I make turn into another hallway.

"Peeta!"

"Portia!" as soon as I see her familiar, friendly face, I feel better. She runs toward me, and wraps her arms tightly around me, almost throwing me off balance.

"Oh, I'm sorry. Are you okay? Did I hurt you? Oh, I can't believe you made it!"

"Me either," I say. "Where's Katniss? I want to see her."

"You can't see her right now, but don't worry, you will soon enough."

"Why? Where is she?"

"She's with Haymitch, and Cinna, of course. She's probably getting ready right now. Come with me now, I need to get you ready, too."

She places her arm around my shoulders and guides me down the hall and into a big room.

"Peeta!" the crew greets me. They run over, and while some pat my head with tears running down their faces, others pinch my cheeks with wide friendly smiles.

"Alright now, give, Peeta some room, and get to work," says Portia clapping her hands, rushing them. "We have to make this champion shine."

"Bread roll?" offers Portia.

"Oh, no, thanks, I don't feel hungry."

"Humm, probably better if you don't; wouldn't want it to come back up while on TV."

They help me undress, and I can't help but gasp when I see my reflection on the mirror. I've changed so much, and not in a good way. I can see my ribs sticking out through my skin, and my leg – well, my leg is not mine.

"It's okay, Peeta," says Portia reassuringly. "You'll look better very soon. And don't worry; no one will be able to tell how much weight you've lost."

I really don't mind, it was just the shock, that's all. All that concerns me right now is seeing Katniss. The rest I can survive.

I close my eyes as they work around me.

"There," Portia finally announces after what seems too long. "Done."

I open my eyes, and stare at myself in the mirror.

Huh, I do look better. The black pants and the light yellow shirt make me look healthier. My hair is gelled back carefully, and the makeup makes my face look fuller.

"So what do you think?"

"It's good," I reassure her. "Thanks Portia. Not just for this, but for everything. You're one of the nicest people I've met."

"Oh, stop it, Peeta," she says wiping her eyes. "You're getting me all emotional." She miles at me, and pats my shoulder. "You're a good kid, Peeta, one of the nicest I've met."

"Thanks," I say. "Now, how about that roll; I think I regained my appetite."

She laughs and helps me to the sofa.

"Here. Eat fast though. It's almost time."

The thought of seeing Katniss again, gets my stomach turning and twisting, but not in a bad way.

"Ahh, Portia? I think I lost my appetite again. Can we just go?"

"Are you sure?"

My stomach twists again. "Yup."

"Oh – wait." She walks over to the closet. "You'll probably need this."

She gives me a walking stick.

"Do I have to?"

"You might need it."

I nod. "Okay, I guess it wouldn't hurt."

We take the elevator to the level where we trained. It's a tradition for the victor and his or her support team to rise from beneath the stage.

Portia guides me to the metal plate that will raise me to the stage, and then leaves to change into her costume and take her position.

I look around. I'm in a poorly lit area under the stage. There's a few people rushing about, making sure everything's set.

I can hear the crowd; a loud roar of cheers makes the floor vibrate slightly.

The anthem plays and then I can hear Caesar Flickerman greeting the audience. When Effie is introduced I can't help but smile; I remember the day of the reaping and how ridiculous she looked in her pink wig. Not a very happy memory, but the fact that I am here to remember it somehow cancels out the dark side of that story.

Cinna and Portia are introduced, too, and I can hear the crowd going nuts.

The metal plate vibrates, and I can feel it lifting me up to the stage. Bright blinding lights and a deafening roar from the crowd greet me. I let my eyes adjust. I turn to look at my right, and I can see Katniss, in all her beautiful glory, standing there, letting her eyes adjust, too.

This is it, I think. We've officially won the Hunger Games.

One step closer to the happy ending…