The Beginning of the End

Chapter 14

-Peeta-

     I wake up on my bed with Katniss next to me like I used to when she had a nightmare. The room is pitch black so I have no idea what time it is. The events of last night come back to me and I gasp, shocked by my behavior

     "What's wrong?" Katniss's voice comes from the darkness. I didn't realize she was awake.

     "I'm sorry about last night. I don't know why I acted so..." I can't find the right word. She stands up, turns on the lights, and gets back in bed. She places her hand on my chest and leans in, kissing me. My eyes close and I wrap my arms around her, slowly sliding my hands down her back. I knock on the door breaks us apart. She pulls back, blushing.

     "Come in." I try to keep my voice steady as Gale walks in, but he doesn't come farther than the door.

     "Ms. Everdeen is bringing breakfast for both of you." he says and leaves. I bite my lip and we sit in silence until her mom brings our food.

-Katniss-

     All we do all day is talk. It's been two weeks since my last episode and the night Peeta almost ended his life. Our relationship has grown stronger and healthier than it ever has been, and I realize that I have my best friend back. My love for Peeta won't go away, no matter what our relationship is put through. Night falls and we sit on the window seat in each others arms. I lean my head on his chest and close my eyes, letting the moonlight blanket my face and listening to the sound of his hear beat. I look at his eyes and notice the way he winces as he readjusts himself.

     "When is your surgery?" I ask. It should have been yesterday according to my mom, and I'm beginning to worry.

     "Right now." We turn to see my mom behind us with a tray of tools and lots of medicine. Peeta's eyes widen and he looks at me.

     "But..." he protests.

     "Peeta, you need this done now. Do not argue with me. Down the hall I've set up a mini OR. I need you there in fifteen minutes." she orders and walks out. When she leaves I press my lips against his.

     "I'm scared." I say and he holds me tighter.

     "It'll be fine, beautiful. You're mom is an expert, she knows exactly what she's doing." he sounds like he's trying to assure himself too. After a few minutes I pull away.

     "We should get you over there." he nods and painfully gets up. I walk him to the end of the hall and take his hand.

     "I'll be right out here the whole time. I love you." I tell him and cups his hand gently around my jaw, kissing me softly. He walks inside and I lean against the door.

     "What's going on?" I look up to see Gale.

     "Surprise surgery." I say bitterly. He makes a face and I hug him. "I miss you." I say, because it's been forever since we last talked.

     "There's something I need to tell you." he mutters and we walk downstairs into the living room.

     "Is everything okay?" he shakes his head and we sit on the floor outside the OR.

     "A few weeks ago Peeta tried to kill himself." I nod. 

     "I know, I was there." I say sarcastically. But Gale shakes his head.

     "No, that was his second attempt. He tried before that too." he chokes on the last word and horror fills me.

     "Do you think he'll try again?" I dread the answer. He seems so happy, I don't understand how he could do that.

     "Yes. I want you to give him every reason possible not to." he says. I stare at the wall, trying no to imagine my sweet, smiling Peeta lying in a stuffy, old coffin, cold as ice.

     "He seems to be getting better." I say, voicing my thoughts. He nods in agreement.

     "He talks in his sleep." he whispers. I stare at him, startled. He sighs. "He's been too afraid to sleep alone so I've been sleeping on the floor in his room for the past few days. He constantly talks about you and how he wishes he was dead. I didn't think he'd try again until that night with gun....it scared me." he admits. I don't know if I'm more shocked that Gale just admitted to being scared, or that he cares about Peeta so much.

     "I'll protect him." I promise, not only to Gale and Peeta, but to myself as well. Seeing him with that gun to his head made something click in my head, and I realize that no amount of tracker-jacker venom can take me away from him.