Katniss POV:

I slowly opened my eyes, squinting, trying to get accustomed to the harsh light. I felt faint even though the Capitol is supposed to get me up to scratch after the games... THE GAMES! Peeta, where's Peeta? My head tries to remember what happened, I saw Beetee with a knife, Peeta scream my name and then I blacked out.

I sit up, rubbing my eyes and then I survey the room. There are a row of hospital beds but none are filled. Where is everyone? I stumble from the bed looking for Peeta. In the next room I find all the tributes that didn't die. My eyes scan the room for Peeta. Johanna, Finnick, Chaff... Then I spot him. He sits uncomfortably in a hard, plastic moulded chair. I see his face light up but I don't have time to smile back before I run and press my body against his.

I smile, remembering Peeta and my reunion after the games and then frown. After everything started going downhill the Capitol spared us. Seems like a wonderful act of kindness? Think again. The only reason they did it was because if they let the games play on they might of had had a rebellion on their hands. And no one would want that, I think sarcastically. After the failed quarter quell games, the Capitol heightened security and I have a feeling that they are not finished with us just yet.

My hands clutch the hot cup of tea so hard that after a few moments I notice my knuckles are stiff and are almost purple in colour. I slightly loosen my grip on the teacup, laughing nervously. Slowly I take scalding sips to calm myself down.

One thing the Capitol, the whole of Panem really, has kept up to date on is ever aspect of their latest victors. Especially our love life. After all, the 74th Hunger Games were the most spectacular of all time, topping the charts. (That's right, they have charts to display which Hunger Games were most popular and what the audience favours.)

So far nothing amazing has happened, so the gossip-obsessed Capitol must be bored out of their brains. As if they had any. I can't help expecting them to send in some vicious mutts to make things more interesting like in the games. I know President Snow still loathes me but he has been keeping a disturbingly low profile so I'm only slightly worried.

There have been more and more public whippings, torturing, shooting...If this was what district 11 was like before I wonder what it's like now... This is a worrying thought. What is happening the dark flock of birds that is Rue's family? I clutch my chest. Rue, her name always brings pain to my heart. It literally knocks the wind out of me and increases my hate of the Capitol dramatically. What they do to people that young and still so innocent it makes me absolutely sick... maybe even murderous. I shake the disturbing thoughts from my mind.

I feel a hand rest on my shoulder and jump about a mile,

"Peeta!" I exclaim. "Don't sneak up on me!'

"Sorry, Katniss." Peeta says and then holds out my favourite bread rolls with melted cheese on top like a peace offering. "Here"

My face softens; I kiss him lightly on the cheek. He knows those are my favourite. I feel him relax. "Sit down" I say, patting the seat next to me. I pick up a cheese roll and nibble around the edge of it. "Have one" He hesitates and then obliges, bringing one to his mouth.

He sighs as I pick up a third one and then smiles, "You never get tired of these do you?" I look at him with my mouth full,

"Mrr" I quickly gulp it down "No way." I say, chuckling. We make ourselves comfortable on the sofa.

"Uh...Katniss?" Peeta begins cautiously after we finish having a laugh. I sense a serious topic about to be brought up.

"Yes?" I reply. He blinks and then starts caressing my hand. My subconscious picks up on the mood. Feeling uncomfortable, I start examining my fingernails, not looking at him.

"I've been..." He pauses and changes his mind. He cups my face in his hands. Peeta's clear, honest blue eyes now take on that intensity, burning into mine. "Will you marry me?"

I gasp.