Together

Chapter 1

Katniss P.O.V.

I look out the window and watch as the storm rages on outside. I grip the curtains to try and keep my hands from shaking, but it doesn't help much. Peeta was supposed to be heading home ten minutes ago, which is about the same time this storm started. He's not answering his phone, so I know that he's already left the bakery. That means he's either driving in the pouring rain, or pulled over somewhere on the side of the road. I pray to God that it's the latter.

I hear Willow cry out so I go upstairs to the nursery to check on her. "What's the matter baby girl?" I ask as I pick her up out of her crib. "Did the storm scare you?" I prop her head up on my shoulder and walk around a little. It doesn't take long for Willow to fall asleep again, so I take her downstairs and set in the couch to wait for Peeta.

Twenty minutes later, the storm hasn't let up and I'm still waiting for Peeta. I start back upstairs to lay Willow down in her crib again. The electricity goes off when I'm halfway up the steps, and I stop for a minute to give my eyes time to adjust to the dark. When I think I can see well enough I start walking again, but I somehow still manage to miss a step.

I gasp as I start falling backwards. My ankle twists around and my back hits the steps. I start sliding, but I grab onto the railing before I make it too far down. My heart is racing as I pull myself up and check on Willow. She doesn't look hurt, but she's screaming her head off.

"I'm so sorry baby girl," I say with tears streaming down my face. I try standing up, but a yelp of pain escapes my mouth. Deciding that I shouldn't take another chance at falling, I sit back down on the step.

I don't know how long I've sat here until someone knocks on the front door. Afraid that whoever it is will leave if I don't come to the door, I start hollering. "Help!" I yell.

"Katniss!" I sigh in relief at the sound of Peeta's voice. I wait for Peeta to come in, but it takes a minute before I hear keys rattling and the door opens. "Katniss?"

"I'm up here," I holler. I can barely see Peeta coming toward us, but I can hear his footsteps get louder and louder. It doesn't take long before I feel Peeta's hand on my back and hear his worried voice in my ear.

"Oh my gosh! Katniss, are you all right? What happened?"

"I did something stupid," I say. "I was trying to go up the steps in the dark and I fell." I pass Willow to Peeta and he tries to calm her down.

"Are you okay though?" he asks me.

"I think so," I reply. "But I'm not worried about me right now." I run my thumb across Willow's cheek and give Peeta a worried look. "She seem pretty upset. Do you think she's okay?"

"She's okay?" Peeta assures me. "I'm sure she's just scared like you are. Are you sure you're not hurt anywhere?"

"My ankle is a little sore," I say. "But other than that, I'm fine."

"Which ankle?" Peeta asks.

"Peeta, I'm fine."

"I know, I heard you. Now which ankle?"

I smile at him. "My left one."

Peeta nods. "I'm going to put Willow in her crib and I'll be right back."

"Okay," I reply. It doesn't take long for Peeta to return. "Did she stop crying?" I ask.

"Yeah," Peeta replies. He kneels down in front of me and starts inspecting my ankle. "I can't tell if it's swollen or not. Let's get you over to the couch where you'll be more comfortable." He picks me up and starts carrying me downstairs.

"How did you get so wet?" I ask him.

He chuckles. "Katniss, it's raining outside."

"I know that," I say. "But it's not like you were standing out there in it." He lays me down on the couch and gets a pillow for me to prop my foot upon.

"When I got to the door and heard you hollering for help, I realized that I left my keys in the car so I had to run back to the car and get them."

"Well you better dry off and go change your clothes. You're getting me all wet." He starts shaking his head back and forth like a dog, flinging water off of his hair and onto me. "Quit it," I laugh as I shield my face with my arms. Peeta smiles at me before he leans over and kisses me.

"I'll be right back," he says. I nod and he stands up and walks off. In a few minutes, Peeta comes back wearing dry clothes and carrying a thin rag.

"What's that?" I ask.

"Ice," Peeta says as he lays the rag across my ankle. The sudden coldness makes me flinch a little and Peeta jerks his hand back. "Sorry," he says.

"No, it's fine," I say. "I just wasn't expecting it to be that cold." This time, Peeta lays the rag down slowly. "Thank you."

"You're welcome," Peeta replies. "That should help in case there's any swelling. I'll call Ellen as soon as the storm passes and see if she can come over to make sure nothing is broken."

I shake my head. "It's not broken."

"Still, I'd feel better if you'd let her look at it," Peeta says.

"Okay," I sigh. Peeta sits down beside of me on the floor and leans back against the couch. Peeta looks over at the fireplace and then up at me.

"You want me to see if I can get a fire going?" he asks.

I shake my head. "The lights will probably be back on in a few minutes." I reach down and take Peeta's hand in mine.

"Are you hurt anywhere else?" Peeta asks.

"No, I don't think so," I reply. "But my back will probably be sore in the morning." Peeta quickly sits up and looks at me.

"Why? Did you hit it?"

"Yeah," I reply. "But before you ask, I didn't hit it that hard and I'm fine."

Peeta sighs and leans back again. "You know, you can be very-"

"Stubborn," I butt in. Peeta looks at me and chuckles. "Yeah, you've told me that a few times." The lights suddenly flicker on and I look up. My eyes land on the clock and I notice that it's almost time for Willow to eat again. "Peeta."

"Yeah?"

"Will you go fix Willow a bottle?" I ask. "She'll probably be getting hungry again soon."

"Yeah," Peeta says as he stands up. "Do you need anything?" I shake my head and Peeta walks off towards the kitchen.
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Sorry if it's short and boring. Hopefully the next one will be better. My uncle is having health problems and I haven't had a lot of time to think. Any ideas would be REALLY appreciated.