A Love Lost

I dash towards the screen, stepping out in front of everyone and rest my hand on where Peeta is. I look deep into his eyes, and notice he isn't hurt. Not even bruised. He looks to be in perfect health. I was expecting to see a beaten and tormented boy, man. He isn't a boy anymore, and he looks more like a man. Caesar settles into his chair, and looks up at Peeta.

"So…Peeta. Welcome back."

Peeta gives a weak smile, and then says "I bet you thought you'd never interview me again."

"That's true." Says Caesar. "I don't think anyone thought after that night before the Quell you were coming back."

"That wasn't the plan." Peeta says with a small frown.

Caesar leans a little bit towards Peeta. "Everyone knew what your plan was Peeta, to sacrifice yourself to save Katniss and your child."

"Exactly." Peeta said, stroking his hands up and down the armrest on the chair. "But other people had plans as well." Yes they did, I think to myself. Did Peeta know about the rebels? Did he know this was arranged from the beginning?

There was a long silence, until Caesar finally spoke up.

"So, how was that last night in the arena? Help us sort a few things out."

"You have one wish in the arena, and you have to hold onto that wish. Yes, my wish was to save Katniss, and help her survive." He didn't mention saving the baby. He really doesn't know. We have to get him back, he has to be able to meet his daughter when she arrives in 7 months. He has to be here. He has to. " I regretted not running away by ourselves like we had discussed earlier that day. We were too busy with our allies and the others. I should have never let her out of my sight!" he bursts out. "That's when I lost her."

"I heard her calling my name, and I tried to reach her, but the force-field blew out." Peeta says.

"Katniss blew it out." Caesar adds. "As if she was part of the rebels' plans all along."

"She didn't know what she was doing!" Peeta bursts out. He was trying to protect me. Because that's what he and I do, Protect each other. I felt a tear trickle down my face. Then Peeta gets up on his feet, looking down at Caesar. His fists are clenched, and then he puts them on the arm rests of Caesar's chair. "And what was it part of her plan for Johanna to nearly kill her? For the electric shock to paralyze her? To trigger the bombing?" Then he started to yell. "She didn't know, Caesar! Neither of us knew anything! We were just trying to keep each other alive!" Caesar puts his hand on Peeta's chest to try and calm him down.

"Okay Peeta I believe you." He says.

"Okay." Peeta says, pulling his hands off Caesars chair and running them through his hair. Then slumps back into his chair. They ask about Haymitch, which only makes Peeta seem more upset, then he asks about the war.

"I want everyone watching-whether you're on either side- Just think about this. Is this really what you want to do? Kill ourselves off completely? I hopes of what?"

"I don't….I'm not sure I'm following." Caesar adds.

"I'm calling for a cease-fire." Then he asks to leave. Caesar bids everyone a goodnight, then it's over. It was all too much though, So I decided to leave the Command room. As I ran out I heard Coin say "You have not been dismissed Soldier Everdeen." But I ran away anyways. I heard some commotion as I left, but I didn't turn back. I run towards one of my hiding places. Tears streaming down my face. I run into a supply closet, and sink to the floor. I put my palms on my cheeks, and just cr. "You're Alive." I mumble. Peeta isn't dead. He's healthy, and I couldn't be happier. But, I just needed to cry, It might just be my hormones, but I wanted to let it all out. Gale then steps in with a bloody nose, and slides down next to me.

"What happened?" I asked him.

"I got in Boggs way." He says, wiping the blood from his nose with his shirt sleeve.

"They're going to punish you." I say looking up at Gale.

"Already did." He says holding out his wrist that no longer has his comminicuff on it.

"Sorry Soldier Hawthorne." I say back to him, smiling.

"It's alright Soldier Everdeen." We both laugh after he says that. And I start to think, what am I going to do?

"So, a cease-fire?" Gale says, breaking the silence.

"We can't do that. He doesn't know what they did to Twelve." I tell him. Peeta doesn't know, and he doesn't know his entire family is dead. He also doesn't know he's going to be a father. Gale doesn't even know I'm pregnant. I have to tell him, Now.

"Gale…" I trail off.

"What is it?" He asks, looking a bit concerned.

"I'm going to be the Mockingjay." I say firmly.

"Well that's good news." He replies.

"…And I'm pregnant."