A/N: I'm so happy I'm adding both reviews and followers to my little story...lol You guys are the best. And to answer a question posed to me… Yes, there will be a sequel. I hope you will follow that story as well when I start posting chapters for it. I will let you all know when I'll be doing that. Don't worry… lol As always please read and review.

Chapter Thirteen: Joshua Thatcher… Real or Not Real

Peeta's POV

"KATNISS," I yell but get nothing back but static.

I look at Haymitch as I jump to my feet. I knew this was a bad idea. I shouldn't have let her go without me. I walk out of the room with Haymitch following behind me. I enter Command just as Rory is rising to his feet.

"I know what you're going to say, Peeta," Rory said raising his hands before I could say a word.

"Then when are we leaving for the Capitol?"

"We're not."

"What?!"

"I spoke to Gale before he and Katniss left for District Two. He told me that no matter what I couldn't allow you to leave thirteen. I'm sorry."

"Why not?"

"I don't know, Peeta. I didn't ask. He has his reasons."

"Boy, you are either taking us or we're taking a hover craft and going ourselves," Haymitch said as he stepped up beside me.

"Haymitch, neither or you know how to fly a hover craft. Besides you wouldn't get within ten feet of one without my authorization," Rory stated.

I glance at Haymitch knowing Rory was right. Idle threats weren't going to work. But I know Haymitch Abernathy is not one to back down easily. And he was proving me right once again as a smile lit up his face and his hand found a microphone.

"Oh, I think we will once I announce to all of thirteen that Katniss Everdeen is in need of some help, and you won't lift a finger to send her some aid," Haymitch replied holding the microphone in one hand and his other in front of the broadcast switch.

"Haymitch, my brother is with her. She has all the help she needs," Rory snapped.

"No, she doesn't, Rory. What she needs is this boy right here. Now, are you going to give her what she needs or do I make you by causing a riot? The choice is clearly yours, but either way Peeta and I are going to the Capitol."

"Fine, I'll take you to the Capitol. God, you are a stubborn old man, Haymitch."

I smile as I clap Haymitch on the back. "No, he's a stubborn old drunk."

"Right you are, Peeta," Haymitch agreed as we followed Rory out of Command.

Twenty minutes later, we were in the air flying toward the Capitol. I settle in my seat then wince as jabs of pain shoot through my shoulder. Well, this is a major set back to my recovery I think, as I see Rory communicating with Gale. The frown I see intensifies the worry I all ready feel. What the hell happened out there?

"What's going on, Rory?" I ask once he is finished with his conversation.

"Gale doesn't know. When they arrived at the Capitol Peacekeepers were there unarmed waiting for them. They told him they had orders to escort them to the President's mansion, but only Katniss would be allowed to enter Thatcher's office. He said she wasn't even in there five minutes before Thatcher's son was calling for some help for her. He said when they walked inside Katniss was passed out in a chair and Joshua Thatcher had his back to them looking at some paperwork."

"Where is Katniss now?" I knew Joshua Thatcher hadn't done anything to Katniss. I would have heard it, but all I heard was him thanking her for honoring his request then she gasped.

"Gale says she's in the medical wing in the mansion."

"What about Thatcher's kid?" Haymitch asked.

"He's still in the office, but he has no way to escape. Gale has men surrounding the mansion in case he tries to flee."

"But…," I say raising my eye brows.

"But he's not doing anything. He's just sitting in the office only allowing his own Peacekeepers to enter or exit the room."

"Gale hasn't seen him except from the back?" I ask clearly confused as to what Joshua Thatcher was hiding.

"No, he hasn't. The whole surrender is being done through the Peacekeepers."

"That doesn't make any sense," Haymitch said clearly just as confused as I am.

"No, it doesn't and Gale isn't happy about it either," Rory agreed.

"Have you told him that we're on our way to him?"

"Yes, and he's pissed that I'm bringing you."

"Well, that's too bad," I say wincing as some turbulence jars my shoulder. "I'm not one of his soldiers. I don't have to follow his orders," I say as Rory's Communication Cuff comes to life.

"Peeta, what the hell are you thinking?"

"I'm thinking of Katniss, Gale. She needs me there."

"No, she needs you to be safe, and you are safe in thirteen," Gale snapped. "How far out are you, Rory?"

"We'll be in the Capitol in a half hour."

"Damn, okay, I'll see you when you land."

Thirty minutes later, we landed on top of the President's mansion. The engines were still running as the door opened and Gale stepped inside. He didn't say a word to any of us as he made his way to the pilot. The glare he gave me as he returned told me everything I needed to know. He didn't like me being here and it clearly was more than me being safe in thirteen. In thirteen I was separated from Katniss while he had her all to himself and he liked that.

"You should have stayed in thirteen, Peeta," Gale said once we were all off the hover craft and it was in the air.

"For my own safety right, Gale," I snap.

"That's enough," Haymitch snapped stepping in between me and Gale. "Where's Katniss?"

"This way," Gale said leading the way toward the medical wing.

He stopped in front of a door and I walk in without another word. I know Haymitch is behind me, and I'm grateful that he is. I see Katniss on a bed and move toward her when a doctor steps in front of me. He looks at me in shock, and I frown as I step around him. I pull up a chair beside the bed, sit down, and take Katniss's still hand into mine. I don't like how still she is.

"What's wrong with her?" Haymitch asks when the doctor wouldn't say anything.

"There isn't anything wrong with her from what I can tell. She's just simply passed out," the doctor stated still clearly in shock over something.

"Why is she so still?" I ask looking over my shoulder at the man.

"I don't know. Mr. Thatcher won't allow me to do any tests."

"What?! You are a doctor and there is clearly something wrong with the girl! You can override his authority," Haymitch snapped.

"Peeta…"

My head snapped back around hearing Katniss's soft whisper. Her gray eyes found my blue ones and she smiled up at me. "Hey, Kat, it's good to see your eyes again," I say returning her smile. "How are you feeling?"

"Have you seen him, Peeta?"

"Who, Kat?"

"Joshua Thatcher… Have you seen him yet?"

"No, we had Gale bring us straight to you. Why?"

"He's our son, Peeta," Katniss said starring intently into my eyes.

"What? Kat, that isn't possible," I say shaking my head.

"I know it isn't Peeta, but I'm telling you Joshua Thatcher is our son."

"That would mean you'd have to be pregnant, Sweetheart," Haymitch said.

"And she is," the doctor replied.

"What?" Haymitch asked.

"That is the only test Mr. Thatcher would allow me to do," the doctor stated.

"Peeta, he looks just like you. He has your eyes and hair color, but his spirit has been twisted by Darius Thatcher," Katniss spat.

"He always said it was your fault. You never loved me enough to find me," Joshua Thatcher said.

I was on my feet the moment I heard his voice behind me. I didn't care who he was. He was not coming any where near Katniss again. I hear Haymitch curse under his breath as I turn around blocking Katniss from view. The sight of me looking back at me was a bit freaky to say the least. As I looked at him I suddenly found Katniss in the determination of his gaze and body language.

"You inherited my looks and your mother's spirit I see, Joshua," I said once I had found my voice.

"It's Peeta actually. Joshua is my middle name," Joshua said keeping his eyes locked on me.

"What?" Katniss asked touching my back. I slide sideways so she could see Joshua, but I refused to move farther away.

"You name me after my father and my grandfathers. My full name is Peeta Joshua Mellark."

"This is crazy. How is this possible?" Haymitch demanded.

"I honestly don't know. Darius Thatcher is the only family I've ever known," Joshua replied.

"Then how do you know what we call you?" I snap.

"I researched it. Darius Thatcher didn't keep track of me every moment of every day," Joshua replied evenly.

"Then why didn't you come find us?" Katniss asked taking a hold of my left hand.

"You were all ready dead when I learned the truth."

"Wait a minute Josh, back up," I say trying to make sense of the situation. "Okay, you say you grew up here with Darius Thatcher?"

"Yes, that's the only memories I have," Josh replied.

"How is that possible when you were conceived only three weeks ago here in the future?" I ask.

"That is the mystery of time travel. Some how between the time of my birth and my first memories I end up in Darius Thatcher's hands," Josh explained.

"That would mean you get kidnapped in the past after we return home," I say.

"Yes," he agreed.

"There's one small problem," Katniss said.

"Only one problem, Sweetheart?" Haymitch asked looking over at us.

"Not now, Haymitch," she said. "I know for a fact if my child gets kidnapped I'm not going to sit by and just forget about him," she said motioning toward Josh with her free hand.

"Yet that is exactly what happens," Josh said softly.

"Is anyone else concerned that the kid got here without anyone realizing he's out of Thatcher's office?" Haymitch asked rubbing his face.

Josh smiled as he nodded his head and I realized he had my smile as well. "I'm not going anywhere, Mr. Abernathy. Commander Hawthorne has this building completely surrounded. Besides as long as my mother and father are here then so am I."

"This doesn't sound like the son of a dead President bent on keeping control over the people," Haymitch continued.

"It's not, Mr. Abernathy. This is the son of a baker who only wants peace for all of Panem," Josh replied nodding toward me.

I shake my head not wanting to believe him. He defiantly has a way with words I think to myself. "If that was the case then you would have called for a cease fire the moment we killed Thatcher. Instead you tried to rally the Districts against Katniss."

Josh shrugged his shoulders as if my statements meant nothing to him. "I lied," he said simply.

"You lied?"

"Yes, I lied. If I had immediately given up Thatcher's people would have hurt people. I didn't want that to happen so I lied. You are a good liar yourself. You had the Capitol believing she was pregnant before the Quarter Quell," Josh stated.

"That was different, Josh. I was trying to get her home alive. You were playing with innocent lives," I say.

"But no one else died did they? Where were the Peacekeepers? I pulled them back from the Districts bringing them to the Capitol for my so called protection. I knew she would be able to make the people love her like before. All I had to do was buy her some time to convince one District then they all would follow her."

"You knew Gale would protect me out in the field," Katniss said softly behind me.

"I was counting on it. After I saw you both in Thatcher's arena, I knew I couldn't pretend any more. I secretly staged the fighting in District Two with Demarcus after Thatcher's death so that would be the first place you went. No one was supposed to get hurt, but when they did I knew this had to work. And I only had one shot to achieve that goal."

"You know Demarcus?" Katniss asked in surprise.

"He's my best friend. We attended Peacekeeper training together and found we thought a lot alike. Oh, we would regurgitate the lies our superiors demanded of us, but we were waiting for the time to put an end to the death and destruction of Panem. I saw my chance to do just that and I took it."

"And we're supposed to take your word on that?"

"Haymitch…"

"Sweetheart, he's good with words, and I don't buy it," he huffed.

"I may have been raised by a monster, but I'm nothing like him. I never punished anyone I was sent to control. I was usually on the receiving end of Thatcher's fist."

I defiantly knew first hand what it was like living with an abusive parent. It was that kind of life I swore my children would never experience. Yet here I stand facing a young man who is clearly my son telling me he was abused. My heart broke for him, and it was in that moment I realized he was telling the truth. I feel Katniss squeeze my hand as she sat up in her bed. My eyes find hers and I know without a doubt we are in agreement.

I nod my head, return her squeeze, then let go of her hand and walk toward Josh. "You won't have to go through that anymore, Josh," I say laying my hand on his shoulder.

"No, I just have to face Commander Hawthorne's firing squad," Josh stated.

"No, you won't. I won't allow that to happen," Katniss said climbing slowly out of bed.

"Kat, what are you doing?"

"I'm fine, Peeta," she said walking up to me and Josh. "You won't be punished for something you didn't do," she said wrapping her arms around Josh's neck.

I watch Josh stiffen, and I wonder if he's ever had any kind of love in his life. Katniss must have felt him stiffen because I watch her arms tighten around his neck. In a matter of minutes, his body relaxes and his own arms wrap gently around her waist. I gently squeeze Josh's shoulder and not my head toward Katniss.

"You aren't alone now, Josh."

Josh looks at me as tears fill his blue eyes. "Thanks, Dad," he said as the tears slid down his cheeks.

"I hate seeing a grown man cry," Haymitch said holding out a handkerchief while he wiped his own teary eyed face.

Josh laughs, takes the handkerchief, and nods his head. "I'll try to remember that, Mr. Abernathy."

Katniss frowned as she looked over her shoulder. "Leave my son alone, Haymitch," she scolded to which Haymitch nodded his head.

"You believe me now, Mr. Abernathy?"

"It's hard not to kid, but I have full faith in these two. If Katniss and Peeta believe you then I do too."

Josh smiled as he nodded his head. "I'm glad you do, Mr. Abernathy. I'm going to need all the supporters I can get. Mom, why don't you go lay down? You've had a long day," he suggested.

Katniss looked up into Josh's blue eyes and shook her head. "I'm fine Josh, and I've rested enough."

"You might want to go back to Thatcher's office before Gale realizes you're missing," I suggest as the door behind me, Josh, and Katniss opens.

"He all ready knows Thatcher is missing," Gale growled as he enters the room.

"Mellark, Commander Hawthorne," Josh replied looking over his shoulder.

"What?"

Josh gently untangled himself from Katniss before turning around to face Gale. "My name isn't Thatcher, Commander Hawthorne. It's Peeta Joshua Mellark."

A look of shock crosses Gale's face but is quickly replaced by anger. "That isn't possible. Jackson, get in here and take this prisoner away," he spat.

"Gale, no," Katniss began but Josh quickly shook his head.

"It's all right, Mom. I'll be fine," he said as Jackson entered the room and hauled him out of it.

My arm instantly wraps around Katniss as she buries her face gently into my chest. "He'll be all right, Kat."

"He's lying," Gale snapped. There is no way he's your son, Katniss."

"Gale, look at him," Katniss snapped looking over her shoulder. "He's a spitting image of both Peeta and Finn."

"He could be a creation of Thatcher's to pull on your heartstrings, Katniss," Gale continued.

"Except Katniss is pregnant, Gale," I say rubbing circles on Katniss's back.

If looks could kill I would be dead on the floor. If Gale hated me before he really despises me now. I sigh as he storms out of the room after Jackson and Josh. This was not looking good at all nor did Katniss. I kiss the top of her sobbing head and smile down at her once she looked up at me.

"He hates me, Peeta," she sobbed.

"No, Kat, he hates me for not only taking you from him but for getting you pregnant."

"Well, we can't change that," she said wiping her nose.

"No, we can't," I agree wiping away her tears as Haymitch hands over another handkerchief.

"Then what can we do?"

"Make sure that kid gets a fair trial," Haymitch answered.

"And you do need your rest. All this stress isn't good for your baby," the doctor stated making his presence known.

"I can't sleep while my son is interrogated by Gale," she insisted.

"He won't be alone, Kat. I promise I won't let Gale hurt him."

"You go take care of Josh, Peeta. I'll make sure Katniss gets rest," Haymitch said stepping up beside us.

I nod my head and plant a kiss on Katniss's lips. I walk out of the room and slam my eyes shut as Venom comes to life. Come on Peeta, you know you can't stop Gale. You know I can do more than you ever could. Now was not the time to deal with Venom. You never want to deal with me Peeta, but I'm not going anywhere.

"Like hell you're not," I growl as I open my eyes hearing Gale yelling.

"Who are you?!"

I step up to the door as I hear Josh reply, "I've told you who I am, Commander Hawthorne. My name is Peeta Joshua Mellark."

"I'm sorry Mr. Mellark, but I can't allow you to enter."

I glare at the soldier and am about to give him a piece of my mind when I hear a hand striking skin. "I'm not about to stand out here while that goes on."

"I'm sorry…"

"So am I," I say after punching the soldier in the face dropping him instantly. "Damn, that hurt," I say rubbing my right shoulder as I enter the room.

"Just because you don't like who my father is doesn't mean it isn't true," Josh snapped.

I quickly walk up and grab Gale's arm as it rose to strike Josh again. "Gale, stop."

"This doesn't concern you, Peeta," Gale growled yanking his arm free.

"When it comes to my son Gale, it does concern me," I say stepping around Gale to stand beside Josh all the while keeping my eyes on Jackson who was also in the room.

Gale sighed and glared at me. "Jackson, take our prisoner back to his room."

"Yes, sir," Jackson said hauling Josh to his feet. "Let's go," he said shoving him out of the room.

I make a move to follow when Gale's voice stops me. "Damn you, Peeta!"

"Excuse me," I say turning around to face Gale.

"How could you do that?!"

I frown as I watch Gale pace around the small room. I knew he had a temper, but I had never seen him so angry before. "How could I do what, Gale?"

"Oh, you know damn well what, Peeta!"

"No, I don't."

"How could you take advantage of her?! How could you get her pregnant?!"

"I didn't take advantage of her, Gale. I know you still love her…"

"I will always love her, Peeta!"

"I know, but so do I."

"You don't deserve her," Gale growled.

"You're probably right," I agree. I had to keep him talking and find a way to calm him down.

"I know I'm right, Peeta. You'll eventually hurt her or kill her," Gale accused.

"That won't happen, Gale."

"Really… How can you be sure, Peeta? When will Venom make an appearance and try to kill Katniss?"

He had valid points, but with each day I grew stronger. Not strong enough, Peeta. I stagger backwards and slam my eyes shut as Venom fights me for control. I hear Gale's cold laughter as he watched me struggle thus proving his point. I told you I'm not going anywhere. I open my eyes as my breath comes out in pants from my struggle with Venom.

"What's wrong, Peeta?" Gale asks as his fist connects with my face.

My body slams against the wall bringing a yell of pain as my injured shoulder is jarred. "What was that Gale, payback?"

"Oh, it's just the beginning of payback, Peeta," Gale growled as he advanced on me.

"Sir, the leaders of the other Districts are here," Jackson said entering the room causing Gale to stop his advance.

"Thank you, Jackson. We'll finish this later, Peeta," Gale growled turning on his heel and walking out of the room.

I nod my head as I push myself off the wall. I'm sure we will I think, as I walk back to the medical wing. He wants to kill us you know. "No, kidding," I snap before stepping inside the room.

"You're supposed to be resting, Kat," I say as I approach Katniss's bed. She was sitting up putting knots into a piece of rope.

"Peeta, what happened to you?" she asked throwing the covers off of herself.

"I'm fine, Katniss. Stay in that bed," I demand softly as I pull the covers back over her.

"No, you're not. Who hit you?" she asked as she wiped the blood from my face.

"Who do you think?" I ask before sitting down beside her.

"Gale…"

"Yeah, but Josh is all right. I think his trial is going to be starting soon. Jackson said the other District leaders are here."

"Then we have to go," Katniss insisted.

"No, we have to stay right here. You need to rest."

"But…"

"No, buts, Kat," I say laying my hand over our baby. "The best thing we can do right now is keep Josh safe," I say rubbing her belly.

"What about the Josh of this time?"

"I'll help him," Haymitch said squeezing Katniss's shoulder.

"Thank you, Haymitch," Katniss said smiling slightly.

"It's no problem, Sweetheart. Besides what are mentors for?" he asked smirking at us as he walked out of the room.

"This is going to be a very long couple of days," Katniss said sighing as she laid her hand over mine.

"He'll be all right, Kat. How can he not be with Haymitch on his side?" I ask smiling at her.

"That's what I'm worried about," she said returning the smile.