Victory's Twist
Chapter 4
Sentence by design
An hour later-Medical D-13;
Katniss wakes up to come very concerned faces. Yet the first face she wants to see is there, Cato.
"Cato? What happ..."
"Shh.. You passed out my fire girl, shh... You're safe at medical. Katniss, Camille asked me when your last cycle was and I couldn't remember. Do you?"
Katniss stopped to think she hadn't had one since the cabin after the Capitol fell about 8 weeks ago.
"Cato, the cabin.."
Cato just started smiling as Camille came into the room;
"The test came back. Cato you need to register that thing. Congrats you're pregnant again. Now we're going to an ultra sound to see how far along you are."
Camille did the ultra sound and had them take a look. A bigger grin took hold on Cato's face as he saw two in there again.
"Yeap Cato, definitely need to register that thing. You're about 7 weeks along with twins. We're avoiding the rush this time until after the first trimester you are on high risk. Then we'll reevaluate after that and see. That means NO heavy lifting and No stress, period."
"But I'm not on bed rest right? I can still do things with the kids, right?"
"As long as there are no other problems, you should be fine."
Camille then leaves to get the discharge papers for them. In the Waiting room Pops, Marcus, Cranky Dad, Effie, Jo-jo and Enobaria hear a victory battle cry from Cato and look at each other.
Back in the room:
"I hope it's boys this time."
"If it's boys, you're getting neutered."
"WHAT?!"
"Cato, it's only fair. I'm doing all the work here beside we will have five children under the age of 3. Counting Clara we will have six children under the age of 8 by the time these two arrive. That's six, S-I-X kids before the age of 20. "
"How about birth control shots? They're once a year? If we want more later we have that option."
"Vasectomies can be reversed. Birth Control is not 100% beside we seemed to keep having them in pairs."
"How about this we go with the birth control until we make a final decision on having anymore? Then go from there, agreed?"
"Agreed."
Cato goes out there where everybody is and tells them:
"She's pregnant and it's twins again."
Haymitch looks at Marcus
"Well?"
"Damn."
Gives Haymitch 100 and Brutus 50 has both dads laugh.
On the way back Cato won't let her feet touch the ground at least for tonight.
"Cato, mom said I could walk home. I feel like such an idiot today. Passing out like that."
"Humor me Katniss. You've been stressed and now with this set of twins you are taking it easy. Let me take care of you like I should have with the girls."
"Like I'm going to have a choice in this?"
"Nope."
After they arrive back in their quarters Cato tells the rest of the gang what is going on. He thanks Peeta and Clove for watching the kids as they congratulate them on the twins. Yet later that night Katniss is still not convinced that justice will be done.
"I'm still scared that they'll get away with i..."
"Shh... Leave that to me."
"But Cato..."
"Katniss Elizabeth, I said to leave it to me. There is a song that I heard one of my friends sing to his long time girlfriend when she was doubting herself in the academy. He didn't know that I was listening. Usually I would pick on them, but it just seemed like they needed this moment without harassment. The song was originally sang by a gospel/country singer a long time ago. It is called 'I Still Believe in You'. It goes like this. Let's see if I can remember all of the lyrics.
Everybody wants a little piece of my time
But still I put you at the end of the line
How it breaks my heart to cause you this pain
To see the tears you cry fallin' like rain
Give me the chance to prove
And I'll make it up to you
I still believe in you
With a love that will always be
Standing so strong and true
Baby I still believe in you and me
Somewhere along the way, I guess I just lost track
Only thinkin' of myself never lookin' back
For all the times I've hurt you, I apologize
I'm sorry it took so long to finally realize
Give me the chance to prove
That nothing's worth losing you
I still believe in you
With a love that will always be
Standing so strong and true
Baby I still believe in you and me"
"Cato, that was beautiful! You believe in me, in us?"
"Yes Katniss. We have been through so much, and you have been so strong. I am so happy that I finally got it through my head that you are not here to hurt me or hurt my chances at survival. I am so proud to call you my wife and the mother of my children even those who are not born yet. I am just glad that you are not throwing up as bad as your last pregnancy."
"Now don't jinx it. It is still early in the pregnancy."
They look at each other and then go off to bed to get as much sleep as possible for the day to come.
Next morning, Holding cell, D-13
Marcellus wakes up to wash before getting his morning meal. As always he looks out the window where the scaffolding is yet today is different. He takes a second look to see that a rope in a hangman's noose is now swinging in the breeze has he hears Marvel's deep chuckles leaving the hallway. Marcellus thought;
"Finally it's today. He's finds out his fate today with the rest of them."
Soon Marvel and Gale come into the room. Gag, put ear plugs in and a hood over his head as his hands and feet are shackled like the rest of the prisoners. Marcellus is then linked to the others who are now pushed to move forward being herded like cattle though the district to the court room for their sentence.
Courtroom, D-13:
By mid-morning the seven were brought before the three membered panel for sentencing. This too was also broadcast throughout the country including the capitol. Marcus Malone who acted as Chief Justice for the trial read their sentence:
"The lot of you are found guilty of all the charges brought forth in this court. The are no winner here today. Only a quest for equal and befitting justice to be served upon those who so richly deserve it. Without further ado, I Marcus Malone First Lead Commander of the Rebellion sentence you:
Cornelius Snow
Damon Romulus
Anton Aders
Aber Andrews
Plutarch Havensbee
Mars Cray
Marcellus Mals
For the crimes against humanity and all of the other charges that you were convicted of you all are hereby sentenced to Death by Arena or, Death by Hanging with the exception of Marcellus Mals. Mr. Mals you are hereby sentenced to death by arena, period. You have one minute starting now to choose. Prior to going to your death each of you will receive 50 lashes with the exception of Mars Cray, by the people you took the most from.
For Mars Cray who took so much from the people of District 12, he is to receive 95 lashes from the two families he hurt the most. (Marcus had each of the member who were going to carry out the sentence stand has their name was called)
For Cornelius Snow you will receive your lashes from Victor Haymitch Abernathy.
For Anton Aders you will receive your lashes from Johanna Mason for the deaths of her family & friends.
For Damon Romulus yours will be by Seneca Crane for the murder of Greenhaven and for rigging the games.
For Aber Andrews yours will be by Finnick for holding Annie captive until he was forced by YOU to sell himself.
I need Ella and Gene Gomez to approach the bench."
A murmur goes through the court as the two sisters of Pilot Martin Gomez approach the Judges with Christopher Briggs. Marcus then spoke:
"Ella you are the oldest surviving member of your family. I apologies for not asking you this earlier. Do you or, Gene want the honors to delivering the lashes for Marty?"
"This piece of shit is less than worthy of my time so no for me. Gene?"
"I have followed in all things Ella, I will not stop now. For if I get a hold of that whip so help me God, I won't stop at 50 Commander."
Chris then spoke:
"Then let me have the honor for you both."
Both sisters nodded in agreement. Then the sisters were escorted to their seats has Marcus continues;
"For Plutarch Havensbee yours will be by First Commander of the Air Strike/Support Christopher Briggs on the behalf of the Gomez sisters for the murder of Martin Andrew Gomez.
For Marcellus Mals the first 25 lashes will be done by Thresh Dawson for the harm YOU caused his family. The second 25 will be done by your victim Glimmer Dawson.
Finally, Mars Cray the first 50 lashes will be done by First Commander of Land Forces Gale Hawthorne for the crimes YOU committed against his family including for the Murder of his father Garrick Hawthorne, for the insult of his family status, the sexual harassment to Gale Hawthorne when he was just 12 years old plus for the illegal triple entries on Madge Undersee-Hawthorne. The second 45 will be done by Second Commander of Air Strike and Support Cato Briggs aka BLOODY BRUTAL CATO for the crimes you committed against his wife's family including for the murder of Mac Everdeen, the trauma you caused Camille Everdeen and sexual harassment of Katniss Everdeen-Briggs when she was just 11 years old. For a total of 95 lashes. For I can find no one more deserving to be the recipient of such an award than YOU. In addition all convictions against the Hawthorne and Everdeen families are thereby absolved and ex-sponged off their records. All whipping are to take place 2 weeks before their final sentences are to be carried out. Gentlemen have you made up your mind on your final sentence or, shall I do it for you?"
This was the only time the defense spoke has they replied one by one:
"Arena."
Marcus then had it entered the final sentence as death of arena to commence in 45 days from today. Then Marcus spoke at the defendants for the last time:
"You are all worthless in my eyes. Pond scum has more worth than the lot of you will ever have. May god have mercy upon your souls for what you have done to so many for so long. BAILLIFFS GET THESE WORTHLESS PIECES OF SHIT OUT OF MY COURT NOW! !
We are adjourned."
After the Judges left, has the gags are placed onto each defendant Seneca Crane met Haymitch Abernathy in front of the defendants so they can all hear:
"Old friend how would you like to help me design an arena 'especially' for 'THIS' occasion?"
Haymitch while looking directly at Snow and Cray replied:
"I would love nothing more my OLD friend."
Right after the two men said that, the ear plugs and hoods went on to close out the world around them as they were escorted back to their cells for transport to the secret dungeons until their sentences were carried out.
After they left Katniss had her head in her hands as she realized that her nightmare did not come true. As Cato removed her hands from her face:
"See I told you my Fire Girl. I will make sure he will never harm your family again."
A Week Later...
Cato was making arrangments with Chris on having Clara stay the night with him and Ella tonight, so that Clara can have some more time with Chris. After that he went back to quarters to check on Katniss.
He walk into his room and sees that Katniss is taking a nap and that she has a smile on her face. As he looks at her, he takes off his shirt and pants and then slips into the bed next to her. He closes his eyes and is immediately transported to a meadow.
He sees that Katniss is under a willow tree with two strange men. He runs up to her and moves her to stand behind him.
"Katniss! Stay back."
"Cato. It is ok."
"No, it is not. We do not know these strange people."
"Um Cato, I want you to meet my Daddy Mac Everdeen and my Uncle/Godfather Garret Hawthorn."
"Oh. Hello sirs"
"See Baby Girl. We told you."
"Yes Daddy. I know."
"WHAT?! DID SHE JUST.."
"Yes Cato, she know better to mouth her father."
"Ok Mac. We brought them here for a reason. Naps only last for so long when you have babies in the house."
"Right. First thing first. We wanted to let you know that the baby you had lost during the bombing is making an apperience but he will not be alone. He will have a brother."
"Wait we having boys Uncle?"
"Yes my wild child. You will have boys."
"Second we want to play the proud father and uncle card with sword boy here. Mac you want the honors?"
"Sure thing Gar. Cato you better take better care of our little wild child or we will make your life worse than the PAIN that Brutus would ever give you. DO YOU HEAR ME?"
"Yessir'"
"GOOD"
"Well Mac we better let them get back the babies are returning."
"Alright Gar."
Garret gives Katniss a hug and then goes to shake Cato's hand.
"Cato, can you do me a favor?"
"Yeah sure."
"One take good care of her she is a special young lady and give my son Gale a message:
You are doing good boy!
He will know what I mean."
"Yeah I can do that."
Cato shakes Mac's hand and as Katniss is giving her father a hug, Mac takes Katniss's face in his hands and says:
"Katniss Elizabeth you need to give your mother a break. I know that she went against tradition and married without your and Prim's appoval but she does deserve to be happy again too. Bran is a wonderful strong man. He will be good to your mother. They have my approval. She will always be MY wife but she needs to be happy again. I love you my baby girl. Do as you are told and rest. Give Mitch a message for me:
Thank you for taking care of my family and watching over my baby girl."
"I love you Daddy."
Theywake up and Katniss is in tears. He holds her and tells her that everything is going to be ok.
"You were there in my father's meadow. You talked to him. He really liked you. I wish you were really there."
"Katniss love I was there. We are really having boys this time. Sammy and the girls are going to have brothers."
"Yeah we are having boys so guess what?'
"Vassectomy?"
"YUP. You gettin' neutered!"
"Damn. We need to set up an appointment. FUCK!"