sorry, I forgot to incorporate anabanana123's idea…it's in this chapter though! here it goes!

Chapter 18 – Peeta's POV

I am finally released from the hospital. Katniss had driven to and from school brining me my school work and teaching me how to do the work for the past week. She has been staying overnight with me. I don't know how I can repay her.

The doctor gave me crutches to help me walk. I didn't think I would need them, but when my medicine wears off, my leg hurts like hell. "Katniss, you ready to go?"

"Finally. I am so tired!"

"Well, we can go home and sleep it off."

"Good. And just to let know you, we're just sleeping. You're far from recovered."

"I figured." I kissed her. This was the first time in a week, other than her kissing my forehead before we went to sleep. "Ready?"

"Yeah." She checked us out of the hospital. She helped me into the car. "Peeta, I'm going to stop at my house to get some more things to bring over."

"That's fine. Is it okay if I stay in the car?" She nodded. "You know, you seem to have gotten better at driving."

"Yeah, I don't really have a license though. Just a permit that is almost expired. I'm lucky the cops haven't pulled me over yet." I chuckled. In twenty minutes she pulled up to the front of her house. "Be right back!" She got out of the car. I watched her run in.

She stayed in for what seemed like forever. When she came in, she had a reusable grocery bag. "What took so long?"

"Gale was there. He was picking up Prim for dinner with Rory."

"Did you talk to him?"

"Yeah, but I wish I hadn't."

"Why? What happened?"

"He said that Johanna broke up with him and that his friends have been ignoring him. I'm one of them. I didn't realize how much time I have been spending with you this week."

"Oh."

"Yeah, and it gets worse."

"Oh God, what now?"

"He kissed me." I couldn't find any words. "He said he wanted me back and that I should break up with you."

"Did you tell him that wasn't happening?"

"I tried, but he invited me for dinner and kissed me again, even though I punched him in the chest."

"Let me go in there and talk to him!"

"Uh no. You're already hurt and I'm not going through this week all over again." I looked into her eyes and motioned for her to drive. She had dark circles under her eyes.

"Babe, we really need to go to sleep. You look dead."

"Oh, thanks!"

"No, look in the mirror." She pulled down the mirror and inhaled. "Yeah, that's what I thought."

Katniss and I ate dinner in silence. I had to sleep on the couch because I couldn't get upstairs. "You don't need to sleep down here babe."

"I want to. I can't really get to sleep without you anymore." I smiled at her. "Luckily this is a big couch; otherwise I would have to pull down the mattress from your bed."

"Yeah, that's good." I opened my arms to her. "Come here." I kissed her head.

"Peeta, do you think we need to break up?"

"Why? Because of Gale? No. Never."

"That's what I thought, but he seems really lonely."

"You want to spend more time with him so that he can kiss you?"

"I never thought of that. But I guess I should have, after today." There was a flash outside the window followed by a crash of thunder. She jumped. "I love thunder, but after the robbery, I can't stand loud noises!" She pulled her head under the covers.

"I'm here for you."

"I never told you, but every time I close my eyes I have nightmares of people stabbing you!" She was sniffling. "I blame myself because I left the door unlocked. Sometimes it's me stabbing you! I can't take it, Peeta!"

"Shh, people forget to do things. It's fine, Katniss. I'm still here."

"Not when I close my eyes." I pulled her closer when I saw another flash. There was a knock at the door and then another crash of thunder. "Who is that?"

"I'll check."

"No, I'll just go."

"Katniss let me repay you for taking care of me the whole week. I'll start now by getting the door."

"Thank you, my feet hurt anyway." I got up and lay the blanket over her. I grabbed the crutches and made my way to the door.

Through the peep hole, I saw Gale. He looked like he was shivering. I opened the door and pulled him in. "What are you doing here?"

"I'm here for Katniss. Is she upstairs?"

"No, I'm over here." She was hidden by the couch. "What do you want, Gale?"

Gale walked around the couch and Katniss sat up. "I'm sorry I kissed you, I know you are dating Peeta. But if I didn't know you two were in high school, I would swear you're married."

"It's not the first time you forced me to do something I didn't want to do." She mumbled. "And I'm not married."

He glared at her. "Catnip, I lied. I can't bear to see you two together." He looked up at me and mouthed, sorry. I clenched my jaw. He looked back to Katniss. "I broke up with Johanna because I want to be with you." I saw right through him. He was lying. Again. But I didn't say anything. He leaned in for another kiss. Katniss slapped him.

"My boyfriend is here and you're trying to: one, break us up; and two, kiss me? That's low, even for you, Gale."

"What does that supposed to mean?"

"It means I'm standing right here and you're trying to steal her from me."

"I know it looks bad, but you have known her for a week. I have known her since we were in diapers!"

"Okay Gale, you don't need to go that much in detail." Katniss's face was red.

"No, I do. You two have slept together and Katniss; you're living with him!" When he put it all together, I had to admit that it was a little crazy. "Catnip, please?"

"No Gale. I'm with Peeta now. I love him." (A/N: I'm trying to make it so that Gale isn't a jerk, he has justified reasons why he should be with Katniss, and not Peeta.)

"Now you're saying that you love him!" He took a deep breath and let it go. "Catnip, I'm going to let you try again. It's me or him." I could tell he was getting very irritated now. Katniss looked in the space between us. She opened her mouth, then ran upstairs into my bedroom. I heard her scream. "What is she doing?"

"Letting it all go. You're overwhelming her. She has been wearing herself out helping me out this whole week." He opened his mouth. "Before you say anything, she did this all on her own. I told her to make Haymitch do it because he owes us."

"Why does he owe you?"

"Long story." Katniss came back downstairs, but stopped half way.

did you like that? Gale trying to break them up…I tried to make it so he isn't that jerky anymore. why didn't peeta call out gale when he said he could tell he was lying? what do you think? Review!