Disclaimer: I do not own The Hunger Games.
Peeta's POV
It's been one month since they broke us out of the arena. One month since any rebel had last seen the Victors' captured by the Capitol. One month since anyone last heard of the Victors' captured by the Capitol. One months since I last saw the love of my life ...
Haymitch had kept his promise to Katniss, and broken mine. He apologizes every time he see's me. Promises me that he was going to keep my promise, up until he heard the speech Katniss had given me.
I just got back from my visit to District 12. The sight of what the Capitol had done to it was almost too much to bear, and I was running through the ruins within seconds of being there. I purposely ran past the bakery to see what had become of it, and sure enough it was burnt down.
By the time I reached my house in the Victor's Village, silent tears were streaming down my face. It took me a bit before I recovered and picked my most prized paintings, some materials and made my way over to Katniss' house.
I got some of her special possessions as well as some for her mother and Prim. I had jumped in shock when I felt Prim's cat brush against my legs. It was hard sneaking him on board the hovercraft, but Prim's reaction to him was priceless, and I wouldn't trade it for the world.
Mrs. Everdeen had thanked me for her and Katniss' belongings I'd brought back as well.
Gale hadn't had time to save many Merchants, among those Merchants he couldn't save were my family. My coward of a father, witch of a mother, and curses of two brothers were all gone. It's not like any of them really cared about me though. They only really began to care about me after I became Victor of the 74th Hunger Games.
Having been reaped for the 74th Hunger Games seems like both good luck and bad. Good luck for having gotten to meet Katniss Everdeen, but bad luck for having gotten to know her. Because now that I know her well, it breaks me even more to even think about what they're doing to her in the Capitol.
They already started planning a rescue mission. What with Katniss being the Mockingjay, President Snow has more reason to kill her as soon as possible. And they can't risk losing her, the leader of the rebellion.
We all thought that they would've killed her on sight. But President Snow, being the greedy snake he is wanted to broadcast the first live torture of Katniss Everdeen only a week after I'd been rescued along with Finnick and Beetee.
I'd reached the lightning tree to find Finnick and Beetee paralyzed. Haymitch told me that Katniss had run off to look for me, Johanna went after her to retrieve Katniss but neither of them returned before we had to go.
They say Katniss probably wouldn't have been able to do this without me anyway. But I know that isn't true, Katniss is strong. She'd fight for this rebellion no matter what.
As I'm making my way down to dinner with Prim and her mother, Haymitch approaches me and tells me I'm needed in Command. I sigh, but follow him through the many halls of District 13.
I ask him what we're needed for, but he says they wouldn't tell him. When we enter, there are many people gathered around the television screen. Plutarch is almost guarding it, and when he see's Haymitch and I, waves us over to him.
Haymitch and I are surprised to see Caesar Flickerman on screen because usually there's war footage or messages from President Snow. Even the bombings of Twelve are shown. I'm almost amused to see what he has to say until I see the camera pulls back, allowing his guest to to seen.
It's Katniss.
I almost flinch at the sight of her, expecting her to be wounded. But she looks as healthy as ever, almost deliriously happy. And it concerns me.
"So, Katniss. It's great to have you back." Caesar greets. A small smile spreads across her face at his words.
"Thank you, Caesar. It's great to be back." Katniss replies cheerfully. I look over at Haymitch, not believing her attitude towards everything, and sure enough he has a suspicious scowl in his face.
"I hope this doesn't make you uncomfortable, but may I?" Caesar asks gently, pointing to her stomach. I look at her stomach too, and notice something I hadn't before. A baby bump. Her smile widens to a grin.
"Of course!" She responds to him. He carefully places his hand on her stomach and jumps back a little with a surprised look on his face as Katniss giggles.
"I felt it kick! This is so exciting! Tell me, Katniss. How far along are you?" Caesar asks, his hand still on her stomach. She purses her lips and seems to contemplate something before a smile graces her lips once again.
"That Capitol was generous enough to check on my baby first thing I got to the Capitol. They told me I was five months along then, so now I must be six." Katniss says excitedly. Caesar's in awe.
"And the baby, it's Peeta's, right?" Caesar asks her. Her face falls a little, and she presses her lips together as she closes her eyes. Caesar quickly puts his free hand on top her hand that's closest to him and she opens her eyes.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to upset you. You don't have to answer if you don't want to, Katniss." Caesar says ominously, suddenly tracing a weird pattern on her dress that starts just under her neck and continues all the way until it's on top of her stomach. Her eyes widen and she begins to shake her head.
"No, no. I'm sorry. It's just really hard to think of Peeta. But yes, the baby could only ever be his." Katniss replies quickly. Caesar smiles and puts both of his hands on his lap.
"Ah yes. So Katniss, is there something you'd like to say about the war? Something you'd like to say to the rebels?" Caesar asks. Katniss' cheery mood is gone now. She appears trying not to look scared as she looks into the camera.
"I want everyone watching, to lay down their weapons. As the Mockingjay, I'm only saying what I think should be done. And that is to stop right now before there's nothing left to fight for." Katniss says quietly. Caesar raises his eyebrows.
"So are you calling for a cease-fire, Miss Everdeen." Caesar asks her. Katniss takes a deep breath and looks down at her stomach. She places a hand on it and looks up.
"Yes. I, Katniss Everdeen am calling for a cease-fire." Katniss says in a demanding voice. I begin to hear slight murmurs and whispers around me. What has she done? Caesar smiles.
"Very well. I think that's all for out interview. Thank you for your time, Katniss." Caesar finishes. Katniss bites her lip and nods.
"It was my pleasure Caesar." She says quietly before the cameras turn off and the television returns to what they normally broadcast.
I stand there, stunned at what she's said. I can't even imagine how much this may hurt the rebellion.
"What does she think she's doing? I thought you said it as all a hoax Haymitch, how could she possibly be that far along when she wasn't even showing during the Games." President Coin says.
"I said I thought it was. She wasn't showing much, but if you'd seen her in person, you could tell that her stomach was slightly swelled. The wet-suits didn't make it seem like she had a stomach either. But Coin, she was clearly forced into saying that. Couldn't you see her hesitation? How she almost always looked at her stomach before saying a word?" Haymitch presses.
"Yes, I did. But I imagined that it was to make her appearance more dramatic. Seeing Katniss pregnant and wanting to stop the war will make people question what they're doing." Coin retaliates.
"Believe it or not, I know Katniss was forced into saying those words. That red pattern that Caesar was tracing on her dress? It looked like a lightning bolt trailing from her neck to her stomach. I suppose it indicates that everything she says goes back to her baby. The only reason the Capitol checked on her baby was to see if she was really pregnant. We have to get her out soon. Her and her unborn child's lives are at risk." Haymitch practically yells.
Her eyes are cold as she nods.
"You know we're already planning a rescue mission. She's the leader of this rebellion. But until then, Mr. Mellark is to prepare to go into battle. The rebels need to know he's alive and well, willing to do anything to get his fiance and child back. Peeta needs to convince them that she's being forced to say those things in fear of being punished through their child." Coin says firmly and I nod.
"I'll go into special weaponry right now if necessary. I can do it, we just need to get me out there as soon as possible. I need Katniss to know I'm alive as well." I tell them. For the first time ever, I see a small smile on Coin's face.
"I'll tell Beetee you're on your way. Train hard and well. You'll be going to District 8 in exactly one week, I've heard from Commander Paylor it's been especially hard there. Bye now, you are both dismissed." Coin says to Haymitch and I. We nod and make our way out, only to be met with Gale right outside the door.
"What were you thinking? Now not only is Katniss' life at risk, but her child's is as well! No doubt she hates you beyond repair because of what you've done to her." Gale accuses.
"It's not like I forced myself on her. Calm down. That's my child as well." I fire back. Something flashes in his eyes at my words. As if he's remembering what Katniss said, the baby could only ever be his.
Gale doesn't say anything further, and Haymitch drags me down to special weaponry. But he turns to me before I walk inside.
"Don't listen to anything Gale says, alright? He loves Katniss too, he's just angry that you're the father of her baby. Don't let anything he says affect you, you can do this. For Katniss, and your baby." Haymitch says softly. I only nod before entering the room.
I hope you all enjoy the idea of this story! I decided to add a little twist to Katniss' hijacking, making her pregnant and all. I hope you all follow and review, maybe even favorite. Until next time!
With love, Daisy