Katniss and Peeta (When the Going gets Tough)

Dr. Beetee

"Hi Mom! Hi Prim!" I didn't realize how much I missed them. Peeta let's go of me and they swamped me in a hug.

"Ow!" I exclaim. They both mutter apologizes. They release me and smile at me. I readjust myself and ask, "So what happened?"

The smiles on their faces die. "Well you were attacked, but your recovering." Prim replies.

"Okay." Then I remember Dr. Beetee. "Mom what happened to Dr. Beetee? Is he okay? Is he even alive!" I exclaim.

"Katniss you need to calm down. You any have your heart rate increase so quickly. But yes he is alive. He won't be your doctor anymore though."

"Why not? I liked him."

"He is currently off work recovering."

"Mom, what do you mean recovering?"

"Whatever was in that syringe, paralyze him from the waist down. He is still getting used to the dramatic change."

"This is all my fault. I don't know why they are after me, but I injured a complete stranger."

"Katniss, it isn't your fault. No one knew they would follow you." Prim says in a soothing voice.

"It's all my fault he won't live a normal life again. I'm ruining people's lives." I'm sobbing. I close my eyes to close out the world. The world in which I am inflicting pain to everyone around me.

"It's okay Kat. It's okay." Peeta is stroking the top of my head again.

"You haven't ruined anything Mrs. Mellark."

My eyes fly open. In front of me in a wheelchair is Dr. Beetee.

"Dr. Beetee what are you doing in here?" I'm in shock. He looks happy and healthy apart from the wheelchair.

"I came to check on you. The hospital has given me permission to check on all my patients. Even though due to certain circumstances I cannot treat them."

"He comes in here quite frequently," Peeta adds.

"Thank you for helping me." It sounds pathetic. He put his life on the line for me and my apology is horrible. It is flat out horrible. I'm just not good with words, or people in general.

"It's my job as a doctor to help people Mrs. Mellark." When he says Mellark my mother and sister cringe. I wonder when Prim found out, and what her reaction was. It doesn't sound right to me either, but I like to think it means I am really a part of Peeta's family.

"Please just call me Katniss," I reply. My mother and sister look relieved.

"Okay Katniss, how are you feeling?"

"I'm okay, but in a lot of pain. How are you doing?"

He smiles and replies, "Just living life to the fullest."

"I'm glad you are happy." I yawn and I feel exhausted. It feels like all of a sudden all my energy is gone. I realize I have been fighting to keep my eyes open.

"Someone looks very sleepy," Peeta chuckles.

"I am." I yawn again.

"Katniss, I think you sleep more than Buttercup."

"Probably." And with that I drift off into a peacefully sleep.