~Sketching Out Our Love~

~Chapter 14~

Hi everyone! I am so sorry this chapter took so long, but I haven't been trying to torture you, I promise! I've been so incredibly busy, and I want to thank you all for your patience with me.

On a happy note, today's date is October 12! Which means today is Josh Hutcherson's 20th Birthday! I actually found out today was his birthday through Tumblr, so I'm just passing the news on. Happy Birthday, Josh Hutcherson! 3

Now, you guys have been dying for this chapter, so here you go. It's the longest chapter of the series to make up for the lateness.

Enjoy!

*Katniss POV*

Today was probably the best day of my life. I wasn't lying when I told Peeta that it was the best day ever. I try to convince myself that the holiday spirit is rubbing on me, but I know better. It's Peeta that makes me feel so happy and giddy, not Christmas.

I sit with my legs folded up on our couch. The TV is open to a holiday special, but I don't pay it much attention. I just sit and slowly eat my cookies, thoroughly enjoying the slightly spicy cinnamon taste of them. For the first time in months, I feel completely happy. It's like everything is perfect in this moment, and I have absolutely no worries. I suddenly wonder where closed-up, scowling Katniss went.

I grab my phone and begin texting Peeta.

Hi.

I wait for nearly five minutes, but he doesn't respond. That's strange, because he usually responds quickly when he sees that the texts are from me. I push my worry aside, and think that he is probably busy and will get back to me when he's free.

Ten minutes later, the gingerbread cookies are completely finished, and so is the holiday show that was on. I close the TV, and go throw the empty paper plate away. I decide to change out of my jeans and heavy jacket, so I put on a pair of old sweats and carelessly throw the clothes I was wearing on my bed.

I go back and collapse on the already sunken couch. My stomach is so full of cookies and I feel so warm and content that I have a hard time keeping my eyes open. I give in and close my eyes, enjoying the relaxed feeling.

I am jolted awake after what feels like seconds. When I look at the clock, though, I see that nearly half an hour has passed. I look around, trying to find out what made me wake up so suddenly. Everything seems peaceful, though, so I lay back.

It isn't until I lay back that I realize I am shaking, and I seem to be covered in a cold sweat. I have an inexplicable feeling of dread somewhere in the pit of my stomach. It is so similar to the ominous feelings I had a couple of days ago that I feel scared. It's like déjà vu, and suddenly, I'm nervous.

I focus on breathing and calming myself down, and a couple minutes later, I feel back to normal. I attribute my strange feelings to a bad dream that I can't remember now, and decide that it's time for dinner.

I heat up some lasagna that is leftover from yesterday. As I am doing that, my phone buzzes from the other side of the kitchen. I run towards it, fully expecting that Peeta is finally calling me back. When I get to my phone, though, I see that the person on the other end is my mom.

Usually, Mother doesn't call me when she's at work. Sometimes, her shift as a nurse gets very busy, and she can't leave her patients long enough to call. So, I answer with some apprehension. I feel like it can't be good news. I decide that I am getting paranoid.

"Hey, Mom." I say as I grab my dinner out of the microwave and head to the table. "How are you?"

"Fine." Mom replies, but her tone is slightly off. She sounds somewhat panicky.

"Is something wrong?" I ask curiously, trying to contain my worry.

"You might want to sit down." She tells me seriously.

"Why?" I ask, but I lower myself onto a chair and begin to eat my lasagna all the same. "What's wrong?" I ask in a worried voice.

"Katniss, don't freak out." She begins shakily, and I can detect the lie in her voice. "But you need to come here now."

My heart automatically starts thumping, and the lasagna sticks in my throat. I hate hospitals, and Mother knows that. I've hated them since I watched Gale die in one before my very eyes. "Why?" I ask, trying to remain calm, but I can feel myself shaking.

"Like I said, it could've been worse…" She reiterates shakily. By now, I'm positive that something terrible has happened.

"Mom, you're scaring me." I snap a little more meanly than I intended.

"There was a car accident a couple minutes away from the hospital." She tells me carefully. "I don't know if you heard about it on the news."

I wasn't watching the news, so I didn't see anything. And I know Mother wouldn't tell me about car accidents unless they involve me or someone I know directly. These thoughts automatically make my throat go dry.

"Was it anyone we know?" I ask steadily, as all the possibilities rush through my head. Not Peeta, I pray, not Peeta.

"Peeta." She whispers, affirming my worst fears. And with that one word, I feel like my world has crashed around me.

"I've got to go now." Mom whispers into the phone. "I'm supposed to be working."

"Peeta? Are you sure it's him?" I ask in horror. I can feel my throat starting to close up, and I know that I'm going to start crying. "He's going to live, right?"

"I'm sure." She answers in a strained voice. "Just come, OK?"

"I'm coming."

I close my phone, and run back to my room. I slip the clothes I was wearing today back on in seconds, and at the same time, look through my phone for the one person I need right now.

She answers on the second ring. "Hello?"

"Hey, Annie." I say as calmly as I can. "I need to you to come to my house now."

"Why?" She asks. "Katniss, are you OK?"

"I need you to drive me to the hospital." I reply shakily. "Peeta…"

I can't bring myself to finish the sentence. Saying he's hurt would make it final, and very real. Everything feels surreal now, and I almost don't believe Mother.

Thankfully, Annie doesn't ask any questions. "I'll be there in ten minutes." She answers.

The ten minutes that I wait for Annie are the longest of my life. I pace around the house, and finally, I can't stand being contained in it. I grab my phone and rush out, deciding to wait for Annie outside.

The cool air is invigorating, but all I can think of is Peeta somewhere in a hospital. Just like Gale…

No, I can't think like that. I worry. Peeta is going to be fine.

When I finally see Annie's silver Corolla cruise into my driveway, my legs feel like jelly and panic is threatening to overwhelm me. I jump into the passenger seat the second Annie parks.

"Katniss, what's going on?" Annie asks frantically. "You're scaring me half to death!"

"I don't know." I say as I try to contain my hysteria. "Just drive, Annie, please!"

Annie sees how frantic I am, and she immediately backs out of my driveway. I stay silent as Annie speeds through the roads to get to Mercy Hospital, where Peeta is at.

It can't have been more than hour since Peeta crashed, but I am already imagining horrible possibilities. By the time Annie parks in the hospital, I'm a shaking mess, and I can't stop the feelings of horror trying to overwhelm me.

"Come on, Katniss." Annie says soothingly. "Let's go find out what happened."

I nod, and we begin walking towards the main entrance. My legs feel shaky, but they somehow manage to support me.

Annie sees that I am in no fit state to talk once we get to the front desk, so she explains to the nurse that we are looking for Peeta Mellark. It takes only a couple moments for the nurse to locate his name on the screen.

"He's in surgery." She says emotionlessly. "He'll be in the ICU when he gets out."

I almost collapse, but Annie grabs me and steadies me. "Katniss, calm down." She whispers soothingly. "He's going to be fine."

I can't bring myself to answer. All I can think is that I've already watched someone die in a hospital. How can it even be fair that I have to go through that again?

He isn't going to die, I tell myself comfortingly. The truth is, I can't imagine my life without Peeta. Losing Gale was hard, but the pain was bearable and I recovered from it, for the most part. Losing Peeta would be unbearable. I would spend the rest of my life trying to find the broken pieces of myself.

Annie and I walk out of the elevator, and step onto the ICU. The place just screams sickness at me, and it's almost like I'm back in a hospital with Gale.

"Katniss!" I turn and see Mother running towards me. Mother and I aren't on the best of terms, but I don't hesitate to throw my arms around her and sob.

"It's going to be alright, baby." She whispers softly as she ruffles my hair. "He's young and strong, and he'll pull through."

"Can I please see him?" I ask quietly.

"His surgery is almost finished, and then his mother and sister will go see him." She tells me. "But you can go in once their time is up."

Annie leads me to a plastic chair, and sits beside me. "He's going to be fine." She whispers softly in my ear. "Don't worry; he's going to be fine."

But I think Annie is trying to persuade herself as much as me. I know that she and Peeta are good friends, so this must be hard on her as well.

After what feels like centuries, Prim and Peeta's mom walk out of the first room in the hallway. Prim sees me immediately, and runs over to hug me. Despite my previous quarrels with her, I can't help but hug her back.

"I can't believe it." She tells me numbly. Her light blue eyes are puffy and red.

"What happened?" I ask Prim shakily. "I mean, how did it happen?"

"Some idiot ran a red light and hit his car on the driver's side." Prim says angrily. "The guy who hit him walked away with a scratch on his arm. How is that even fair?"

"Katniss?" Annie asks gently. "Are you ready?"

"Will you come in with me?" I ask her feebly. I hate how weak I sound, but I can't face seeing Peeta alone yet.

"Of course I will." Annie murmurs. "Let's go."

I take a deep breath, and try not to imagine the worst. "OK." I squeak out. Mrs. Mellark gives me a small smile as Annie gets up and walks to the front desk.

"Name?" The nurse asks curtly.

"Katniss Everdeen." I say shakily. "I'm here to see… Peeta Mellark."

The nurse looks at me suspiciously, but she nods at me anyways, and turns to Annie.

"Annie Cresta." Annie responds steadily. "I'm a friend too."

"First room on your right." She tells us in a clipped voice as she waves us through.

I hesitate at the door. A part of me doesn't want to see him. I don't want to face the reality, and I don't want to know how bad it is. But then I think that if our roles were reversed, Peeta wouldn't hesitate to see me. I gather up enough courage to push the door open, but I still can't seem to walk in.

"Come on, Katniss." Annie encourages me.

I step through the door and walk shakily to the bed. Annie stays by my side the whole time, not trying to rush me in any way.

"Peeta." Annie whispers brokenly. I gather up enough courage to look at Peeta, and I involuntarily gasp.

He looks so different from the Peeta I am used to. The first thing I see is that his head is bandaged, which makes fear rush through me. He once radiated life and happiness, but now, he is completely lifeless. His features are just too pale, enunciating the dark bruises all over his face and arms. He looks completely exhausted, and wires are sticking out of him every which way.

I cautiously take a seat beside Peeta as Annie sits on his other side. I take one of Peeta's bandaged hands in both of my own, being careful not to disturb the IV wire. "Peeta?" I whisper softly. "Can you hear me?"

He makes no indication that he can hear me, and I turn to Annie. "Do you think he can hear me?"

"It's worth trying." Annie replies with a shrug. I see her take Peeta's other hand in her own, and whisper something to him.

"I'm here now." I whisper to his lifeless form. "Just get better."

I gently brush a wayward curl of blonde hair off his forehead, and he moans slightly. My hand immediately flies off his skin, because I'm afraid of hurting him any further. But then his eyes open, unmistakably blue against his pale skin and the white bed.

"Peeta." I whisper, smiling through my tears. His hand reaches up to his face, trying to get his oxygen mask off, but I reach out and gently grab his arm. "Don't try to talk." I gently murmur to him. "Just get better."

I gently kiss his forehead, and when I draw back, I see that his eyes are closed again and he's already dozed off again. I take hold of his hand again, and stare down at his sleeping form. He looks so much younger in sleep, almost like a young boy.

Mother walks through the door. She has a clipboard in hand, and she quickly looks at Peeta's vitals and scribbles something down on the clipboard. Prim and Mrs. Mellark follow her through as well.

Mrs. Mellark takes a seat next to me. She is crying softly as she stares down at Peeta's broken body. Prim stares down at her brother in shock, as if she still can't believe this is happening. I sympathize with Prim, because I feel like I am stuck in a bad, unending dream as well.

"He was awake a couple minutes ago." Annie tells my mom softly.

"Not for very long, right?" Mother asks, not pausing in her writing.

"No." I reply. "Just for a couple of seconds."

"I'm going to bring Peeta's doctor in so you can talk to him." Mother announces to the room at large. "I'll be right back." She adds before disappearing through the door.

Mother returns a couple minutes later with a gray-haired doctor. He has a kind face, and his light blue eyes are piercing and intelligent. "Hello. My name is Dr. Aurelius, and I will be Peeta's doctor." He introduces himself.

"Most of his injuries will heal with no permanent effects." Dr. Aurelius says as he looks down at Peeta's clipboard. "He has a concussion, lots of cuts and bruises, and two broken ribs."

I hear Mrs. Mellark sigh in relief at my side. Prim says, in a tremulous voice, "Peeta got a concussion in his very first football game freshman game." She laughs lightly at the memory. "He couldn't remember me for a full two hours."

I can't help but smile at how Prim can light up such a terrible atmosphere. I've noticed this quality in Peeta as well. But the somber mood settles over our group once Mother starts talking.

"What we are more concerned about," Mother says anxiously. "Is this."

She removes the bed cover off Peeta's left leg, and my heart clenches in pain. None of the injuries Dr. Aurelius has listed off compares to Peeta's leg. His leg doesn't even look like a leg anymore. I already know, without Mother saying anything, that is mutilated beyond repair. The flesh is red and mangled, and I can see that the ER doctors tried to stitch it up, but it doesn't look like it worked very well. The gingerbread cookies make a serious threat of coming back up, and I instinctively put a hand over my mouth. I can imagine that my face is some shade of green now.

"It's beyond repair." Dr. Aurelius explains as Mother quickly covers the leg. "There is a huge risk of an infection, and it will never properly heal enough to the point where he can walk again."

I feel light-headed at this news. I try as hard as I can to forget the image of Peeta's mangled leg, but it's been burned into my mind. What did Peeta ever do to deserve this?

"Are there… options?" Mrs. Mellark asks shakily. She reaches over me, and grasps Peeta's hand tightly.

"There are always options." Mother says softly. "You can leave it this way and hope that he doesn't get an infection, or you can choose to amputate it."

"Ampute?" I croak out in horror before I can stop myself.

Mrs. Mellark swallows thickly. "It won't get better?" She asks in clarification.

Dr. Aurelius shakes his head. "The injury is too deep. It's completely damaged."

Mrs. Mellark takes a deep breath, and reaches over to gently brush some hair off of Peeta's closed eyes. After a long pause, she turns to Dr. Aurelius and asks, "Can I have a moment to talk to my husband?"

"Of course." Dr. Aurelius says kindly. Mrs. Mellark hurries out to make the phone call, and I scoot closer to Peeta.

"Peeta?" I whisper. "I'm right here. Can you still hear me?"

"He probably can't hear you." Dr. Aurelius explains to me. "We re-sedated him so he wouldn't wake up again."

Before I can respond though, we hear screams coming through the door. "BARLEE MELLARK!" Mrs. Mellark screams from outside the room. "IS WORK MORE IMPORTANT THAN YOUR SON? YOU AND RYE HAVE TO COME HERE NOW!"

We stare at the door in complete silence. Mrs. Mellark's screams have subsided, but we can still hear her talking to Mr. Mellark in a lower voice. I turn back to Peeta, to find him still unconscious and pale.

"Why is he so pale?" Prim asks Dr. Aurelius hesitantly, voicing my thoughts exactly.

"He lost a lot of blood, and he is very tired as well." The doctor replies. "He needs rest."

Mrs. Mellark walks back into the room looking furious. Mrs. Mellark is normally very soft-spoken and kind, so I couldn't imagine her screaming until today. Prim rushes over to her Mother, and asks, "What's wrong, Mom?"

"Barlee and Rye are on a business trip, and they refused to come see Peeta until it's over." Mrs. Mellark snaps. "Since when is money more important than family?"

"When are they coming?" Prim asks softly. I can see anger in her delicate features, and I suddenly wonder why Peeta never told me about his brother and dad. He talked about his mom and Prim all the time, but not his brother and dad. What's wrong between them?

"Tomorrow afternoon. I made them book the first flight from Chicago to New York." Mrs. Mellark says promptly.

There is a long pause before anyone talks again. Mrs. Mellark is staring down at Peeta's sleeping figure silently. I see her pull back the cover on Peeta's leg and very gently trace one of the scars. A moment later, she pulls the cover back and turns to Dr. Aurelius and Mother.

"I want him to live." She says simply.

It takes me a couple seconds to comprehend that Mrs. Mellark has made her choice, but when I do, I agree wholeheartedly with her. If Peeta has one leg, it won't change how I feel about him. The important thing is that he'll be alive.

Mother nods. "I'll be right back with the papers of consent."

Once Mrs. Mellark signs the paper, we are ordered out of the room as Peeta is prepped for yet another surgery. I place a soft kiss on his cheek before I walk out. "I'll be back." I whisper softly in his ear.

Mother comes to the waiting room, and sees me sitting next to Annie. "Katniss, my shift is over." She tells me. "Come spend the night at home."

"I'm not leaving him." I say immediately. There is no way I am leaving this hospital with Peeta in surgery.

Mrs. Mellark turns to me and looks at me with her blue eyes that so resemble Peeta's. "Katniss, Peeta would want you to rest." She says. "Take Prim with you so she can rest too. I'll stay here and let you know if anything changes."

"I don't want to!" Prim snaps at her mom. "I can't leave Peeta."

"Prim." Mrs. Mellark pulls Prim close to her. "I'll call you if anything happens. Go rest so you can stay with him tomorrow."

Prim glares at her mother with a ferocity that I couldn't have imagined possible of her. "I'm staying." She enunciates each syllable carefully. "And so is Katniss."

"Katniss, he'll be in surgery for the next six hours." Mother tries to persuade me. "We'll be back first thing in the morning when my next shift starts."

"I'm staying." I whisper. I turn to hug Annie who is getting up to leave. "Thanks for bringing me." I tell her sincerely.

"Katniss, he's my friend too." She says quietly. "Call me if anything happens."

"I will." I promise her. "Thanks again."

"I'll be back at nine." Mother whispers to me as she hugs me. "Try to get some rest."

I nod to Mother. "See you tomorrow." I tell her. And since I am trying to improve our relationship, I add, "Good night."

"Good night, Katniss."

She and Annie walk towards the elevators, and with a last wave, they disappear inside.

Prim and I sit on the hard plastic chairs in utter silence as Mrs. Mellark goes looking for one of Peeta's nurses. It isn't I hear Prim sniffling twenty minutes later that I realize she is crying. I reach over, and hug her slender body. I don't hesitate to let her rest her head on my shoulder.

"What if something happens to Peeta?" Prim asks me tearfully.

"I don't know what I'd do." I tell Prim honestly.

"I know you love him." Prim says softly.

"I do." I murmur softly. Prim snuggles up against me more securely. And in that moment, I realize I have judged Prim too harshly. It almost feels like I have a younger sister as I hug her close to me. I've always wanted a sister, and in a way, it feels like I finally have one.

Prim and I wake up from a restless, agonizingly long night at five in the morning. A nurse informs us that Peeta is out of surgery. Our backs are stiff from sitting on the hard plastic chairs all night, and my whole body is numb. I know for a fact that Prim didn't even fall asleep until three in the morning, because I could hear her crying beside me all night.

I managed to fall asleep after three hours, but I had some of the worst nightmares I'd had since Gale's death. The sound of shattering glass on the pavement, white walls stained red, and long, unending screams. When I woke up, I realized those screams belonged to me.

The nurse finally ends our torturous night. Prim snaps awake and looks at the nurse blearily. "What?" She mumbles as she slowly arches her back and winces.

"Peeta is out of surgery." The nurse repeats patiently.

"Can we see him?" Prim asks excitedly. She flashes an adorable smile at the nurse, who immediately caves in.

"Yes." She smiles indulgently at Prim. "Just be quiet."

"Yay!" Prim squeals and claps her hand like a child. She grabs me around the shoulders and gives me a huge, bone-crunching hug.

When Prim finally releases me, I slowly drag myself out of the plastic chair, stretching my limbs one by one and staggering forward a couple steps. I slowly walk to the bathroom, and Prim follows me. Once I get to the mirror, I realize that I look like a zombie. There are dark circles under my eyes and my hair is sticking up in all directions. I throw some cold water on my face in an effort to wake myself up.

Prim skips out of the bathroom a moment later. I marvel at how her whole face seems to have lit up, in sharp contrast to last night.

Ten minutes later, Prim and I are both ready. Using Prim's comb, I braid my hair to the side over my shoulder instead of straight back. A few wisps of hair frame my face, but I still look exhausted and my eyes are red.

"Do you want to see Peeta now, or have breakfast first?" Prim asks brightly.

My stomach is rumbling, because I haven't eaten anything since the gingerbread cookies. The lasagna I heated up is probably still on our kitchen table right now. But I'd rather see Peeta than eat.

"I want to see Peeta really quickly." I tell Prim. "Then we can have breakfast."

Prim and I rush towards Peeta's room, and the nurse lets Prim and I in without question this time. Prim skips into Peeta's room cheerfully, and I walk in more quietly behind her.

Peeta looks marginally better today. His skin is less pale, and he is breathing without the oxygen mask. He still looks tired, and all the wires and tubes are still connected to him.

My eyes stray down to the area of his legs. There is only one fully formed leg under his covers. I can't resist pulling the cover over and staring down at what used to be Peeta's leg. It cuts off right above his knee, and is heavily bandaged.

I wonder how Peeta will react to the news that we let the doctors chop off his leg. I hope he knows that it won't change anything about him.

"It doesn't matter." Prim says quietly, as if reading my mind. She suddenly turns to face me. "Does it matter to you?"

"No." I say quickly. "I still feel the same way about him."

"Don't hurt my brother." Prim warns me. "Promise me."

"I promise." I say sincerely as I pull the cover back over Peeta's leg. "I would never hurt him."

Prim returns to her normal bubbly self. "Let's go down to the cafeteria and have some breakfast." She moans. "I'm starving!"

I squeeze Peeta's hand, and Prim and I quietly exit Peeta's room.

Peeta doesn't wake up that day or the next day. I mostly stay at home and go to school, and get updates about Peeta from Prim. Because Mr. Mellark and Peeta's brother have arrived and are spending their days with Peeta at the hospital, I feel awkward by staying and disrupting them. I feel like an intruder, even though Prim and Mrs. Mellark have been kind and welcoming.

I have become something of an overnight celebrity at school. Everyone wants to talk to me, and find out what happened to Peeta. Since I've never coped well around huge crowds, I last half a day before leaving. I can't stand the huge crowds, and all the unfamiliar people talking to me.

I'm sitting at home, staring at my ceiling and debating whether I should go see Peeta, when my mom pokes her head into my room.

"Katniss, would you go like to see Peeta?" She asks me. "He'll probably wake up, and you can talk to him."

I leap off my bed so quickly that I get a head rush. "Yes, please!" I say eagerly. "I'll be ready in a second."

I pull on my thickest sweater, because it's freezing outside. It's supposed to start snowing this week, and I'm terrified. For someone who is used to the warmer California weather, snow sounds downright foreign. But the thought of a snowy holiday is actually exciting.

Once I'm all bundled up, Mother and I take the elevator and head out to our car. We were only outside for a minute or so, but the small exposure made my teeth chatter beyond control. Mother and I get into her Honda, and we have to wait for a moment for the engine to adjust and the heater to start up.

Mother hums along with an oldies song on the radio to herself as we make the drive to the hospital. I'm excited to see Peeta awake, and actually talk with him. It's been a long three days without him around, and I miss him more than I thought ever possible.

It only takes a couple minutes to get to the hospital. I dread arriving at the hospital for several reasons. The first, most childish reason is that I don't want to go outside into the snow again. But the other reason is that I am actually nervous to see Peeta. I haven't been nervous around Peeta since the day at the cemetery, but now, I am downright scared. I don't know whether he'll be happy to see me or not. So much has changed in the past few days that I'm not sure where we stand anymore.

Old Katniss would have been too scared to even show up to the hospital. I would've stayed at home and never even left the apartment. I'm actually kind of proud of myself for stepping out of my shell.

These thoughts entertain me on the car ride and the quick walk through the hospital to get to Peeta. Peeta was moved out of the ICU and into a normal hospital room yesterday, so Mother and I don't head to the ICU. When we arrive at the desk, the nurse already seems to know me, and I recognize her as Peeta's night nurse in the ICU. She smiles and waves Mother and I right through.

The nervousness must show on my face, because Mother squeezes my hand. My immediate reaction is to flinch away from her touch, but I refrain from doing so. Mending our frayed relationship has been hard, but I don't want to keep pushing her away anymore.

"He's doing so much better, don't worry." Mother smiles encouragingly. "There's nothing to be nervous about."

I nod at Mother, and give her a brief smile, but I'm still a little on edge. Her words haven't appeased me much, because a nurse's idea of "much better" is so much different than mine. In my opinion, much better means perfectly healthy and normal, but in Mother's world, it means a small improvement. Over the years, I've learned not to trust nurses. They told me Gale was doing so much better, and he died two weeks later. Not too uplifting, especially in the present situation.

I knock on the closed door hesitantly. I'm still slightly shy of intruding on Peeta's family, so I feel somewhat tentative.

The door is pushed open, and for a moment, I see Peeta. My heart leaps excitedly, but then I see that those hazel eyes definitely do not belong to Peeta. Otherwise, the boy looks exactly like Peeta, with his blonde hair, muscular build, and kind facial features.

He stares at me in confusion for a moment, but then recognition crosses his features. "Hi, Katniss, right?" He opens the door more widely and I step in. "I'm Rye." He adds quickly. "Peeta's brother."

"Hi." I manage to squeak out, and stand awkwardly by the door of the room. I see Mrs. Mellark and Prim sitting next to Peeta, and an older, blonde haired man that must be Peeta's dad. He is sitting on the edge of his seat with his head in his hands. The room is quiet, and tension seems to be crackling in the air. Peeta sleeps blissfully, completely unaware of the tension in the room.

Mrs. Mellark looks up, and her eyes fill with relief when she sees me. She quickly gets up, and gives me a quick hug. "Hi dear." She smiles kindly at me. "We've been waiting for you!"

I don't know what to say to this, so I just smile and nod. "Do you mind sitting with Peeta for a little bit?" She asks me in bright voice. "We've been sitting here with him all day."

"Sure." I say with a smile. I don't miss Mrs. Mellark's hidden message, though. I can see that she is dying to get out of this enclosed room before someone explodes. Not for the first time, I wonder what has brought about the tension in the Mellark family.

"We'll just go have some dinner downstairs." Mrs. Mellark throws a sharp glance at Peeta's dad. "Come on, Barlee. Let's go get something to eat."

Mr. Mellark gets up wordlessly, and throws me a suspicious glance. On first glance, he resembles Peeta and Rye very closely. But when I look closer, I see none of the kindness so obviously etched in Peeta and Rye's faces. I try to ignore his glance, but I can't completely shake it off. The rest of the Mellark family, even Rye, throws me a wide, friendly smile before leaving the room. Still, I wait for everyone to leave before heading closer to Peeta and sitting beside him.

I admit with relief that Mother was right. Peeta does look so much better today. Most of the bruises have faded, and the bandages have come off his head, chest, and arms. Even though I don't want my thoughts to stray down that direction, I can't help but stare down at Peeta's well-defined, muscular, and naked chest. My heart starts pounding immediately, and I feel a blush heat up my cheeks. I'm tempted to pull the covers up, but I don't want to bother Peeta.

Instead, I take one of his hands in mine, and start by talking to him again. "Peeta?" I ask softly. "Are you awake?"

Peeta just sleeps on, and suddenly, the stress and exhaustion of the past three days catches up with me. My nights are spent restlessly tossing and turning, and when I actually manage to sink into sleep, I have nightmares of being trapped in cars, and Peeta calling for help. But I never get there in time.

I lean down onto the bed, and snuggle into Peeta's body, being careful not to hit his leg or any of the wires. Before long, I'm being lulled to sleep by the sound of Peeta's reassuringly steady heartbeat against my ear, and his warmth enveloping my cold body.

When I wake up, I feel someone playing with my hair. At first, I don't know where I am or what I'm doing there, but it all rushes back within moments.

The hand keeps on playing with my hair, and I look up to find Peeta's tired blue eyes inches from mine, and his hands tangled in my hair.

He smiles softly, and I can already feel tears pooling in my eyes. "Hey." He breathes out quietly.

"Peeta!" I gasp. "I've been so worried about you!"

He laughs weakly. "I woke up, and you were here." He says in a raspy voice. "I want to wake up and see you every day."

I laugh, and I can actually feel tears coursing down my cheeks. I try to wipe them away before Peeta sees, but it doesn't work.

"What's wrong?" Peeta looks at me in concern, which is insane. He's the one lying in a hospital, so I should be concerned for him, not the other way around. His hand reaches up to gently wipe the tears off my cheek.

"Nothing." I say, but then add, "I thought you were going to die!"

"I promised I'd never leave you." Peeta says softly. "I wasn't going to break my promise to you."

His sweet words make me feel even more happy and undeserving of him. "I missed you." I tell him, and realize how mushy I sound. Only Peeta can make me feel this way.

"I did too." He tells. "I don't remember much about the last couple days, but I remember missing you."

"I was so scared." I admit in a whisper. "It was so unreal."

I rub his hand reassuringly, and an easy silence falls between us. "So, what happened?" Peeta asks me in a light voice. "I don't remember much."

"There was a car." I begin cautiously. "It crashed into your driver's side after running a red light."

"That's it?" He asks, looking at me piercingly, as if trying to draw the truth out of me.

"You've been here for three days." I say, trying to avoid the subject of the injuries.

Peeta sits up slowly, and leans against his pillows with a small moan. "Have you been here the whole time?" He asks me curiously.

Even though I feel terrible for telling him the truth, I do it anyways. "I spent the first night with you." I respond. "And most of the days too, until Mother's shift ended."

"You didn't have to." Peeta says softly. "But thank you."

"You woke up for a minute or so." I remind him. "Don't you remember?"

Peeta slowly shakes his head. "No, I don't really remember anything since we made gingerbread cookies." He explains with a casual smile.

"That's fine." I say with a relieved smile. I'm guessing that's one of the effects of his concussion, but I don't complain. It could've been so much worse.

"So, why am I here?" He asks the question I've been trying to evade.

"Just for precaution." I say easily. "You have a concussion, a couple bruises, and a couple broken ribs, but that's it, really."

Peeta nods his head, giving me a long, searching look. His eyes stray down to his legs. Underneath the covers, the outline of his leg cuts off right above his knee. I stare down with him, my heart pounding with nerves as I wait for him to say something.

Peeta takes a deep breath before talking. "Am I imagining things?" He asks me in an almost hopeful voice.

I shake my head, but quickly explain. "It doesn't make you any different, Peeta." I rush. "You're still you."

Peeta looks at me in disbelief. "Aren't you disgusted?"

"No!" I say in alarm. "Of course not! Why would I be disgusted?"

Peeta's cheeks turn red, but I can see the relief in his eyes. "So, you'll still take me?"

"Of course." I smile in relief. "Why would you even think I'd leave?"

"I don't really know." Peeta replies. "Just insecure, I guess."

"Don't be." I rebuke him. "You're being silly."

Peeta arches an eyebrow. "Really?" He says teasingly. "Come here then."

I carefully snuggle up against him, carefully avoiding the wires sticking out of his chest. Peeta gets annoyed, and he digs the wires out with a wince. I glare at him in an effort to be stern, but end up smiling.

"Who cares?" He mutters. "I don't like wires and IVs anyways."

I snuggle up against him, listening to his steady, comforting breaths. "Where's my family?" He asks me a moment later. "Did they forget about me?"

I shake my head. "They're having dinner." I reply. "Why, are you bored of me already?"

Peeta's blue eyes widen adorably. "Why would you even think that?" He asks me.

Before I can answer, we hear the door open. I quickly leap out of Peeta's bed, and sit down on the chair closest to his bed seconds before Peeta's family come in.

"Peeta!" Prim is the first to reach Peeta and hug him. Mrs. Mellark is next, and Rye gives Peeta a one-armed hug and a tentative smile, which Peeta quickly returns. Mr. Mellark stays off to the side, and gives Peeta a mechanical smile before sitting down.

I grab my purse, and give Peeta's hand one last squeeze. "I'll be back later, alright?" I say softly. I bend down and gently kiss his forehead.

"But you just came!" Mrs. Mellark says cheerfully. Seeing Peeta awake seems to have boosted her spirits. "Please stay a little longer!"

I feel so put on the spot that I sit back down next to Prim. Peeta is still very tired, so he falls back asleep within the hour. Mother comes in and reattaches Peeta's IV, and jokes that Peeta is the rebel of the ward.

About ten minutes later, another woman steps through. She has an athletic build, and dark mocha skin. She introduces herself as Atala, Peeta's physical therapy trainer. She explains that she and Peeta will start his therapy tomorrow, and that he'll be walking again in no time.

Mother ends up working an extended shift through the night, so I end up staying with Peeta all night again. Thankfully, Mr. Mellark and Rye leave about half an hour later, leaving just Mrs. Mellark and Prim in the room with me.

I sit on the chair closest to Peeta's head, not caring that it is uncomfortable and will cause my back to ache tomorrow. I grab Peeta's hand, gently rubbing small circles into his skin. All the worry of the past few days has melted away, and I feel completely relieved. I was so scared of Peeta's reaction to his missing leg, but he seems alright so far.

I stare down at his face, committing each feature to memory. I almost feel like I'm spying on him, which in a way, I am. I gently trace the outline of his jaw with my fingers, and brush his unruly blonde hair off his face.

I'm still holding Peeta's hand when I start drifting off. The quiet beeping of the monitors and Peeta's steady breaths lull me to sleep, and in no time at all, I'm asleep. For the first time since Peeta's accident, I have no nightmares.

I really want to thank you all for the awe-inspiring response to this story. I just want to take a moment to thank all my anonymous reviewers as well. I know I can't send you previews or PM you to show you how much I appreciate you, but just know that I love you guys too. So, to all my readers, thank you!

The next chapter will be up very soon. It is the last chapter of this series, and then, I have an epilogue for all you lovely readers, because you guys are awesome and you deserve it.

A little off topic, but I'm looking for a new story to write after this is done. If you have any ideas, please PM me, and I'd love to talk to you guys about it! I would like to stick in AU area, though. I am open to anything, but I have to like the idea to write it well. Thank you!

Next chapter: The ups and downs of Peeta's recovery from his POV and some Mellark family angst. I might have a couple surprises too. :)

I'd love to see a couple reviews too! I got nearly 60 reviews for the previous chapter, which is a record for me! Thanks! 3

Lots of Love,

Pearl 3