When I wake up, my throat is sore and dry, my head is pounding, and I need to pee so badly I'm afraid I won't make it to the bathroom. I sit up slowly and move the blankets aside, setting my feet on the floor. They have been wrapped in fuzzy socks but I'll ponder that later. I stand up on shaky knees and reach out to grip the wall as I make my way toward the bathroom.

"Katniss!" I freeze in place, my hand clutching the doorframe when I hear his alarmed voice. It's then that I notice, I'm completely naked.

I'm standing in the doorway, with absolutely nothing covering me and Peeta is standing in the hall, his eyes popping and his mouth hanging open.

So what? He's seen me with no clothes before. I nod to him and turn back around.

"I'll be right back," I call over my shoulder as I continue to the bathroom. I hear his heavy prosthetic trying to keep up with me but I reach the bathroom and lock the door behind me. I sigh in relief when I make it just in time.

When I open the door, I'm feeling a bit more self-conscious than I was a moment ago. But Peeta is standing outside the door, a fluffy robe thrown over his arm. He holds it out and I gratefully pull it around my body. Now that my bladder is empty, I notice how weak I feel. I grip the doorknob tightly and he is there, lifting me into his arms. He carries me back to the couch and kneels between my legs. His eyes are filled with tears as he stares up at me. Why? What's happened?

"Peeta? What's wrong?" I reach up to stroke his brow and he captures my hand, pressing it against his face. He lets out something between a laugh and a sob and then his arms are around me.

"Umm…I love you too?" I gasp out but it's muffled by his protective embrace.

"I almost lost you," he gasps and I pull away.

"What?"

"You've been really sick, Katniss. You've had a terrible fever and you didn't move for nearly four days. We couldn't get you to eat and we barely got some soup down your throat. You just…wouldn't wake up." He blinks back tears and leans in to hold me again and this time I let him. I can see how much I have scared him. I imagine the cold mornings and the exhaustion are what I can blame. I became obsessed with providing food for everyone in these harsh winter months. Gale and I always hunted for our families and to feed others, if we had the opportunity. Which usually, we didn't. This is the first time that I don't have to worry about feeding my own family and so my kills can go to people who need them. But I overdid it, I guess. I got up early in the morning and returned late at night, after dark. I wanted to spend time with Peeta and hear all about the bakery and so I stayed up late. I hadn't eaten properly, I hadn't slept, and it all caught up to me. I turn to kiss his damp cheek.

"I'm sorry," I whisper. "I'm sorry I scared you."

"Here," he says, wiping his tears as he pulls away and he reaches for a mug. "Drink this. We've been dripping this down your throat." I put it to my lips and a familiar smell engulfs me. When I taste it, I gag.

"Ugh, that's disgusting," I screw up my nose but Peeta gives me a stern look.

"Drink it." I take another gulp and make a face.

"Where did you get this? It tastes like…like.." I look up as I hear high heels clicking against the wood floor. Effie?

No. I know where this tea came from. I had it often when I was younger, when I got sick from hunting in the cold.

It's my mother's healing tea. I look up into her tired face and all my breath leaves me. I would have spilled the tea if Peeta hadn't been so quick to grab it from my shaking hands.

"Hello Katniss."

I know, I know. it was really short! But I will make yall a deal ;) if I get five reviews before tomorrow evening, I will post a nice long one tomorrow night!

;) :) XOXO