Katniss and Peeta (When the Going gets Tough)

Healing and More Problems

***Two weeks later***
I feel a lot better. My lungs can work on their own, and I didn't damage my lung permanently. I am alive and I am thankful. Life is a precious gift that must be cradled gently.

I am finally out of the ICU. I get to see my friends. I found out they had come home from deployment. I haven't been attacked, and I'm no longer guarded.

I missed them so much. I like talking to Finnick the most, beause he brings that brotherly love. I feel safe and loved around him.

Gale just seems uncomfortable. I don't really know what happened. I have a hunch though.

Prim and I have gotten along since our argument. The air around us feels more open. I feel free like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders. I no longer have to feel like I'm such a bad sister she doesn't want to be around me.

My mother has forgiven Peeta. She is usually working, so she can pay for Prim to go to college. I don't see her much. She does stop by when she can to check on me. I know she loves me though.

Peeta hardly ever leaves my side. It's nice, but I don't enjoy being babied. I feel like I owe him. I don't like being in other people's debt. Even he is my husband.

It doesn't sound right. Husband and wife, Mrs. Mellark, Katniss Mellark, it creeps me out. It honestly makes me cringe. I love Peeta, but it feels like I have abandoned my family.

"Hi," Gale says as he walks in.

"What's up?" I ask trying to sound upbeat.

"It's bow season." He sits down in the chair next to the bed. Darn. I'm missing it, I've been hunting for a long time. Gale and I learned from each other. I taught him how to hunt. While he taught me how to trap ad snare.

"Shot a deer yet?" He probably has he usually get two or three a year. It's like he is a deer magnet or something. They don't fear him.

"Nope saw a doe and two yearlings."

"And you didn't shoot?"

"Nope," he replies very nonchalantly.

"Why not?" He shoots at anything ad everything. If it moves and has meat he will probably shoot it.

"I didn't want the two yearlings on their own. Everyone needs someone to protect them."

"Gale, what are you getting at?" I am confused.

"What do you mean?" He asks very innocently.

"You know full well what I mean! You are hinting at something."

"Yes I am."

"Then what is it! Do you think I can't protect myself. That I'm just a defenseless girl, that can't put up a fight! I was in the military with you! I was trained with you! I fought by your side." I am seriously offended.

"I know. You aren't seeing the bigger picture."

"Would you quit speaking in gosh darn riddles!"

"I'm not."

"Yes, you are, and you know it too." I'm honestly fed up.

"I'm saying you are injured." He points out.

"And where have you been the last I don't know, three weeks I've been awake! And the six before that?"

"The first five I was still deployed. But I have been paying attention to your progress. You can stay awake for more than ten minutes now."

"Ha. Ha. Very funny."

"Katniss you maybe healing, but you are still in peril."

"I realize this." I cross my arms.

"You can't defend yourself in this state."

"I know."

"Do you understand how important it is to have someone protect you?"

"I was guarded for two weeks by head sheriff Boggs most of the time. What do you think?"

Gale throws his hands up in the air exasperated. "You just don't get it!"

"I don't get what! Are you allergic to straight answers?"

"Peeta can't protect you! Prim can't protect you! Your mom can't protect you!"

"Gale you are seriously confusing me!"

"I can protect you, they can't!"

"Gale, Peeta is my husband-," I start but he cuts me off.

"I don't care! He can't protect you! I can!"

"Gale, you need to calm down-," he cuts me off again.

"Don't tell me to calm down when I am talking about your well being!"

"You are overreacting!"

"No I am not!"

"Yes you are!"

"No I am not!"

"Yes you are! You are treating me like a child!"

"It's because I love you!

"We've talked about this and I'm married!"

"I don't care! I still love you!"

"Gale-," he cuts me off again. However this time it's, because he is kissing me.

Gale is so strong and muscular. I'm still not back to my full strength and even then I'm not sure I could move him. He is practically on top of me. After what seems like an eternity I am still struggling, when I hear the door open. Gale must of heard it too because he quickly pulls away.

"GET OUT!" I am screaming at Gale. I completely ignore the other person.

"Katniss I-," he starts.

"No get out! Now!"

"But-,"

"No! Leave! I haven't even been married a year and your are trying to destroy my marriage! Why can't you let me be happy?"

"Katniss, I'm going!"

"Good!"

"Just incase anything bad were to happen to you. I want to end on a happy note. I got Prim a cat and his name is Buttercup." He says with a sad expression. I immediately feel like a horrible person.

"If anything happens to me then, I want you to know you are my close friend. And I enjoy hanging out with you, however not at this current point in time!

"See ya, Katniss."

"Bye, Gale." I say as he walks out the door.

I turn my attention to who opened the door. Instead of one person opening the door and seeing a whole drama worth a tv show, it's three.

It's Prim, Finnick, and of course Peeta.

Could this get any worse?