Hello all! Well here we are again… I need to thank my regulars notanislander, kleeklutch, maria and norbertsmom. Also alliswell read too. Arden is starting to let me pick her brain, along with my medical crew who I know in real life. Thank you Tracy!
*takes a deep breath* I hope you are sitting down for this one, it's a bit of a doozy if I do say so myself. Please let me know what you think!
Enjoy!
Katniss can't help but to smile when Laurel smacks her lips together and says, "This is good! Is your chicken good too?"
"It's very good. Sae and Mags are brilliant cooks."
The little girl sitting beside her nods, unable to speak around the spoonful of mashed potatoes in her mouth. Katniss chuckles and glances up, meeting Peeta's eyes over Laurel's head from his seat on the other side of the little one. Something sparkles within his, and she feels a longing that she thought she put behind her long ago. She gives him a small smile to only receive a big one in return. Maybe it's alright to let the old wants and desires come back after all.
"This chicken has a sweet, almost spring taste," Annie comments from across the table. "I wonder what they seasoned it with."
Mags, who happens to be walking by their table, hears what Annie said. She stops and puts her old weathered hands on Annie's and Finnick's shoulders so she can lean in. "Tonight, it was all Lavinia's idea. She said she learned from one of those fancy cooking shows. It's good."
Annie comments, "Well, please tell her that it's delicious."
Even Peeta speaks up, "Yes, do give our compliments to the chef."
Mags kisses Finnick on the cheek and Annie on the forehead before she leaves them, heading towards the table where Sae is sitting with several of the other older members of the clan. Laurel follows her gaze, and volunteers, "That's all the Grannies and Papas."
Katniss meets the young one's eyes. "Why do you call them that?"
"That's what everyone else calls them," Laurel offers, but turns to her mother to ask, "Why do we call them that, Mama?"
Rue's cheeks faintly glow red. "That's what they want us to call them, Laurel. That's what we've always done." Rue meets Katniss' eyes and visibly relaxes when she sees Katniss smiling at her. "They are the ones who teach the pups and watch them when the adults have their jobs to do."
"That sounds very nice," Katniss adds.
Laurel nods, a huge grin spreads across her face. "It is! We play all day! I wanted to paint today, but Colton wanted to build towers with the blocks. So Granny Sae said that we could do both."
The adults at the table wait to hear what else Laurel has to say, but her mashed potatoes claim her attention once more. Peeta waits for her to finish so he can ask, "Then what happened?"
"Oh, Zack decided to bite Colton, which made them fight. After that, we played out in the woods instead."
There is a chorus of chuckles all around the table.
When everyone at the table has finished eating, Peeta carries Katniss out to the great room. He pauses for a moment to whisper, "I thought you wanted to go somewhere?"
Before she has a chance to say anything, several of the clan members come over to them. He starts to growl at the intrusion, but Katniss squeezes his neck. She inhales, and decides to go ahead and try the mind thing he does to her. she squints her eyes at him and sends 'It's ok. Let's go sit on the couch with them for a moment?'
His brow lifts, so she asks, "You heard that?"
He nods. "I did. Good job, by the way." She hears a thought pop in her head, 'Once we sit, we will be here for a while. They will want to talk to you too.'
She smiles and looks into his beautiful Carolina blue eyes. 'That's alright. They have probably missed you.'
'Ok then. We'll sit and talk.' He nods at the people gathered around, then he heads over to the couch in the corner. "I'm going to set you on your good foot." They chuckle together. "Then I'll help you sit down." When she is seated, and her foot on his lap, Finnick, Annie, Gloss, and Cashmere come over to join them.
Katniss leans her head back against the arm rest behind her and listens to the sounds of the people. Peeta starts rubbing her knee, and she closes her eyes, his touch feels so good. Her eyes drift closed; the soft hum around her lulling her to sleep.
When she is almost asleep, a wave of nausea hits her, making her gut clench. Her eyes open wide, meeting Peeta's across the span of the couch. "What's wrong?"
This time, the roll in her stomach makes her wonder if she is going to make it back upstairs in time. He doesn't give her a chance to say anything. He has her in his arms, as he runs up the grand staircase. "Oh, Peeta," she moans as he rushes through their rooms and into the bathroom.
"Stand on your good leg," he reminds her gently as he helps her to stand.
She nods as another pain rolls through her. He helps her to pull her yoga pants down and then he eases her onto the seat. She folds her arms across her lower tummy and groans, "I love you, but get out."
"Are you—"
"Grab me the tablet, and go. I think I'm going to be here for a while." Another tremor shakes her, and she swallows hard.
He grabs for the garbage can and sits it beside her. "Do you want some water?"
She shakes her head, unable to say anything. "I'll call you if I need anything," she gasps.
He eases the door shut, but not all the way. He starts to pace, but before he can go too far, Delly comes rushing in without even knocking. "Where's Katniss?"
He nods towards the shut bathroom door and Delly's lips make a perfect "O". "Annie is sick too. what's wrong with Katniss?"
He clears his throat and whispers, "Her stomach is hurting."
Delly nods. "Annie's too." She walks over to the door and knocks softly. "Katniss, it's me Delly."
"Don't come in here!" Katniss calls from the other side of the door.
"I'm not going to, dear. Are you alright?"
When it takes Katniss longer than a minute to answer, Peeta starts to open the door. "Katniss?" he asks when he hears her retching. He eases the door open to see her with the garbage can up to her chest, while still sitting on the toilet.
Delly steps around Peeta to Katniss. Delly touches Katniss' forehead with the back of her hand. "I'll be right back," she mutters to Peeta and heads back to the door.
Peeta goes ahead and steps into the bathroom. He opens the small window, and a cold breeze comes in, caressing Katniss' sweaty face. "That feels so good," she murmurs. He grabs a washcloth, wets it with cold water and crouches down by her. "Oh, Peeta. you don't want to see me this way."
"Shhh," he hushes her, as he washes her face. "Do you think you can get up?"
She clutches her stomach as another cramp seizes her middle. She shakes her head. "No." Then she looks up, meeting his eyes for the first time since he came in. "Oh crap, Peeta! you can't see me like this."
"I promised to take care of you. That's what I'm going to do."
She inhales a shaky breath and Delly comes rushing back in. Peeta exits the bathroom, but leaves the door open. Delly hands Peeta a water bottle and Katniss hears, "The best thing to do right now is let the food poisoning run its course. Try to keep her drinking so she won't become dehydrated."
"I don't think I can drink anything right now, Delly," Katniss moans from the bathroom.
"Do you think you can take a shower yet? That might help more than anything," Delly asks, stepping into the bathroom.
Katniss hangs her head, and runs her fingers through her waves. "I just want to lay down and go to sleep."
Delly looks at them sympathetically. "I pray to Luna that this passes quickly."
"You gave them too much!" he growls at his mate.
"I only put in what the recipe called for," she barks back at him. "Besides, I'm ready for this to be over with. I miss my pups."
"How are the humans?"
"Delly ran up there to help and still hasn't come back yet. That means the witch's breath is working."
He holds out his arms for her and she melts into his embrace with a sigh. "Soon, we will get to see them, then we will go as far away as we can so no one, wolf or human, will be able to find us again."
Her heeled boots echo through the dungeon as he jerks awake. He doesn't have a chance to open his eyes when that bitch is there smacking him. He wonders why she just doesn't go ahead and kill him, so Delly can be free again.
Clove starts to pace her familiar path in front of him, but he is unable to pay attention to her. Delly is pushing into his thoughts, demanding to tell him what happened that day. She gives him the images of Katniss, and a dark haired beauty she calls Annie being violently sick, which makes him struggle even more, as the silver around his wrists burning anew. He knows that somehow it's her fault, the one who paces in front of him.
Clove stops, watching his wolf-beast fight his bonds. He can feel her eyes narrow in on him. "What happened?"
"I'm going to fucking kill you for hurting her!" He snarls through his wolfish snout. Ever since Clove chained him to the wall, he hasn't been able to change back to his human or even full wolf. Which is probably for the best. This hybrid beast can handle the sorrow and the agony.
When Clove's eyes light up in delight, he wonders if he might have made a horrid mistake. "They are doing it! They said they weren't going to, but they are anyway!" She approaches him and stops just out of his reach if he were able to get loose. "How bad are they?"
Gale growls instead, even snapping his jaws at her. she merely shakes her head, and her claws extend. He doesn't mind the new scratches. It reminds him that he is still alive.
It's not until he hears Delly's cry that he realizes that he didn't shut out the voices. He manages to send her a weak, 'I love you' before he passes out again to dream of her blond curls, sweet curves, and welcoming arms that will take away his heartache.
Kpkpkpkp
She tries to open her eyes, but even the low light of dawn hurts too much. She moans and tries to roll over, but freezes when she feels the echo of pain ripple through her stomach. She stills her breathing, wondering if she is safe, or need to find the edge of the bed.
The cramp passes, and she exhales a shaky breath. She wills her eyes to open, but all she can manage is grimace of pain. A gentle 'Shhhhh,' pushes into her head, and somehow, his inner voice helps to ease the pain.
She isn't sure what to do, but she thinks, 'Peeta.'
'I'm here, Kitten.'
'Can you help me?'
She can feel him come closer, but he doesn't touch her. 'What is it?' he sends.
'I think I'm afraid to get up.'
'Oh pet. What do you want me to do?' He asks.
She wills her eyes to open, and is greeted by a very worried wolf, whose nose is inches from her own. She manages to raise a shaky hand and gently rubs his nose. His Carolina blue eyes never leave hers as she thinks, 'I need to pee. But I'm nervous I'll be sick again if I move.'
She has seen him change several times, but it still takes her breath away. When he is naked before her, he bends so he can gently pick her up. She can't help but to sigh when her stomach and gut don't roll. His words, spoken, "You're better."
She nods against his shoulder. "I think so," she whispers. He takes her into the bathroom, and eases her onto her feet.
"Can you stand?" he whispers, not letting her go.
She nods, "I think so." He holds onto her as she eases herself onto the toilet. Her wish is sent, 'Give me some privacy? Please?'
He nods and sends back, 'I'm going to be right in there. Call when you're done, and I'll help you take a shower.'
'I don't feel—'
'I just want to. Besides, I need a shower too.' She shakes her head weakly at him as he shuts the door behind him. She takes a slow, deep breath, the corners of her lips curling up when it has the desired effect of settling her stomach that is still trying to rebel.
She isn't sure how long she sits there, but when her gut feels like it is going to behave, "Peeta," she calls weakly. The door opens, and he steps back in, offering her a hand. She wrinkles her nose, and says, "But I haven't washed my hands."
He shakes his head at her. "Come, and you can help me wash us both in the shower."
She is so tired, her bones hurt. He helps her to the sink and turns on the tap. The steam coming from the hot water feels so good, she breaths it all in. She jumps a little when she gets a look at herself in the mirror. Dark circles surround her eyes, making them look sunken, almost. Wispy hairs fall limply around her face, sweat from the night before, making them stingy.
Peeta appears in the mirror behind her, meeting her eyes in the glass. He picks up the end of her braid and flicks it against his nose. "Do you want me to undo your hair? I'll wash it for you."
Her strength is quickly leaving as she sways on her feet. 'That sounds wonderful. You might want to hurry; I'm not going to be standing much longer.'
He loosens the hair tie, and unravels her hair. There is a knock on the outer door. 'Who's that?' she sends.
He kisses her on the nose, and opens the door to the bathroom. On quiet feet, Delly comes carrying a plastic stool. "Thank you Delly," Peeta says, setting it in the shower.
She bows her head then looks to Katniss. "How are you feeling?"
She inhales a shaky breath. "Bad. It feels like the flu."
Delly comes forward and lays the back of her hand on Katniss' forehead. "You are warm. Do you think you can eat something yet?"
"Maybe some soup?" She whispers.
Delly nods and leaves again. Peeta steps behind her and nudges her to lean against him, which she gladly does. He takes the tank top she threw on last night, and then eases her panties off of her hips. She stumbles, and he swoops her up into his arms.
A feverish shiver moves through her. "This is going to be so cold," she mutters.
He kisses her forehead before he eases her down onto the stool. "I'll keep you warm."
"Promise?" Her raspy whisper tells him how bad she still feels.
"I promise," he replies. He will not only keep her warm, but from now on, he will keep her safe. His wolf happily agrees.
"Oh Finnick," Annie groans. "I don't think I've ever felt this bad."
He flips over the ice pack on her neck. "You must have the same flu as Katniss. Only she has been vomiting, too."
Annie shivers when the cramp in her belly threatens to make her like her silver eyed friend. "Shhh, don't speak too soon."
He stands up, ready to pounce into action. "Do you need me—"
She interrupts him with a shake of her head then has to close her eyes against the wave of nausea that won't leave her alone. "Don't touch me." She peeks at him through heavy lids and her heart clenches at how sad he looks. "I didn't mean it that way, love," she whispers. "I always want you to touch me. Just not right now." A small burp escapes her mouth, and with it, her stomach rolls and with it, comes what little bit of broth she just ate. Somehow, Finnick is able to catch it with the garbage can waiting by the bed.
He doesn't wait for her to ask, but gingerly picks her up and helps her into the bathroom. A knock on the door to his suite keeps him from staying with her. "I'll be alright, Finnick. Go let Delly in."
"Just call out if you need me—"
She hangs her head in her hands as if she doesn't have the strength to even sit up. "I will," his canine hearing still able to pick up her muffled voice.
He goes to the door, and indeed Delly is standing there with a tray. He steps aside so she can enter. While she does, she asks, "How is she?"
Finnick shakes his head. "Not any better. I think she might even be a little worse this morning than she was last night."
Delly places a comforting hand on his forearm. "It must be the flu then. It's a good thing we wolves don't catch it. I'll bring her some of the chicken soup Lavinia made for Katniss."
Finnick says, "Thank you, Delly."
"You look a little better," Mags remarks when she enters the Alpha's bedroom. Katniss is propped up against the padded headboard with her still sore ankle on a pillow.
"I'm just glad I haven't had to go into the bathroom since this morning." Katniss says, her voice still weak.
Mags sets down the tray on the table by the bed. "That's good." She lays her hand against Katniss' forehead. "Still warm," the grandma tisks. "Eat and you will feel better."
Katniss accepts the bowl and stirs the broth that has a couple of noodles swimming in it along with some shredded chicken and green bits of seasoning. "Where's Peeta?"
"The Alpha is with Finnick and Gloss." Mag's sea green eyes meet hers. "They are worried about Delly. And you and Annie, of course."
"What's wrong with Delly? Is she sick too?"
Mags takes the bowl back from Katniss and sits on the edge of the mattress. Mags offers her a spoonful of soup and says, "Delly is worried about her mate. They went on ahead and mated before he went back to his pack—"
"Gale? You are talking about my friend Gale?"
Mags nods and holds up another sip of the liquid. "They mated. Which is fine if the boy didn't have to go back to his pack before Peeta could negotiate for him to move to our clan. Now they are trying to figure out what to do before the pups get here."
"Pups? What are you talking about?"
Mags gives her another spoonful. "Delly is going to have babies. In her family, they always have two or even three at a time." Mags shakes her head at herself. "Silly me, I forget that you don't know. When a female one of us gets pregnant, and she is born wolf, the gestational period is only four or five months compared to your nine months." Katniss feels like the breath has been knocked out of her and it must show on her face because it sets Mags to tisking again. "Don't worry dear. I was human once too. When you get pregnant. You will probably only have one or two, not three pups. And you will go, what we call 'full term'. So a full nine months for you!"
Mags sticks another spoonful of broth in her mouth and keeps on chattering. "I only had single births, while Sae had two sets of twins." She looks in the bowl, satisfied that it's empty and Katniss looks exhausted. "Sleep dear, you will feel better when you wake up."
Katniss yawns. "Thank you Mags. How is Annie?"
"Annie is a little worse than you are, I think. But she ate a bowl full of soup too." She leans over to kiss Katniss on the forehead. "Sleep, Catkin," Mags wishes as she walks out of the bedroom.
Katniss closes her eyes, and welcomes the sleepy tug she feels. But before she can surrender fully, her stomach lurches painfully. "Oh crap," she whispers to the empty room. She lies still, hoping that the urge to vomit passes. And for a moment it does, until she feels her reflexes making her move.
She throws her legs over the side of the bed and looks frantically for the crutches that she's only used once before Peeta came to help her. Not realizing what she is doing, she mutters, "Where are you when I need you?"
She reaches for her crutches, and the pain ripples across her lower belly. She hobbles across the floor, barely reaching the bathroom in time.
That's where Peeta finds her when he is finally able to get away. "What happened?"
She looks up at him and says meekly. "I ate the soup and it was good. But it didn't like me. I'm so tired, Peeta."
He nods from the doorway. "Have you taken anything?"
She shakes her head. "Can I have something?"
"I will find something that you can take. I know you are tired."
She isn't sure how long she sits there after he leaves, but he comes back with a drink that tastes a lot like ginger ale, which feels so good, and some little pink odd shaped pills. In a moment they are gone, she is cleaned up and tucked back into bed. This time, when the sandman comes for her, her gut agrees that she can finally get some rest.
The Alpha's sick mate casts a gloomy mood over the castle. Add to that the first beta's future mate who is also ill, makes the wolves restless, and wanting to do something, anything to help the humans get better.
They whisper and wonder if Peeta and Finnick went on ahead and gave them the changing bite, but then they remember, the magic only works when Luna is at her fullest and can bless the change. Then in the next breath, remind one another that Finnick and Annie's wouldn't be blessed because of her memory loss.
They watch restlessly-
Peeta sits and does what he's been doing for the past three days, watches her sleep. Katniss stopped vomiting yesterday, but she is so weak, all she has been able to keep down is the weak tea Lavinia has been feeding her and Annie.
He pushes into her mind, trying to see if she is conscious at all, but there is nothing. He grabs her hand and presses her fingers to his lips, kissing her knuckles. "Katniss," his pained whisper fills the silence. "Wake up, Kitten. Please?"
A light knock echoes through the suite but he doesn't move. Instead he sends, 'Come in.'
Delly enters quietly with a blood pressure cuff and a stethoscope around her neck. "Can I listen to her?" She asks from the doorway. She knows that even though she is a member of his clan, he is still very protective of Katniss right now, especially with her being sick.
He glances at Delly and then gives her a short nod. Delly comes around to the other side of the bed, and secures the cuff around Katniss' upper arm. She slides the stethoscope on her brachial pulse, but feels for the pulse in her wrist.
Peeta is so focused on watching Katniss, that he doesn't see the grimace that crosses Delly's features when she feels Katniss' weak pulse. She pumps up the cuff and exhales when her blood pressure only reads 80/40. "Peeta? we've got to go."
His head snaps up. "Go where?" Dread making his voice heavy with sorrow, because he knows what she is going to say. Wasn't he just thinking the same thing too?
"The hospital. Annie needs to go—"
She isn't able to finish because Peeta stands abruptly with Katniss in his arms. He bellows, "Finnick! Let's go!" His beta with his mate in his arms, meets him out in the hallway. Delly runs ahead of them, opening doors.
They end up at Peeta's truck. "Give me the keys," Delly demands. Both Peeta and Finnick start to protest when she simply plucks the keys from Peeta's fingers and climbs in. "Come on," she bids them. "We gotta go!"
The men climb in, Peeta gathering Katniss close, holding her tight on his lap. Finnick settles in beside him with Annie watching. "She's not doing so good," she whispers.
Finnick murmurs something in her ear, and Peeta can't help but to hear, "He's worried for her."
Annie nods. "I'm scared too, Peeta. This is the worst I've ever felt."
He inhales a deep breath. "You two will be better soon."
Delly says from the front of the truck, "They just need some fluids, then they will perk right up."
Peeta sends, 'Are you sure?' when she is silent for a very long minute. He wants to demand an answer when Finnick pushes in, 'She doesn't know what's wrong. She's tried everything she knows. She doesn't know humans. She is a wolf doctor.'
He rests his forehead against Katniss', praying to Luna, and whoever else may be listening.
Delly pulls up at the ER entrance. She shuts off the truck and hops out. Finnick clambers out first, carrying Annie inside. Then Delly helps Peeta to climb out while holding a still unconscious Katniss. "I'm going to park the truck, then I'll come find you," she says.
He nods, and turns to make his way in. The waiting room isn't that busy on this Tuesday night, and he sees Finnick talking to the receptionist, whose eyes widen when she sees Peeta with an unconscious Katniss in his arms. "You come this way." She looks back to Finnick. "Is the same thing wrong with her?" Finnick nods. "Both of you, come with me."
She takes them through the swinging doors and leads them to two stretchers separated by a curtain. As soon as Peeta lays Katniss down, she takes a shuddering breath. She releases it slowly while a pain explodes in Peeta's chest. He grabs at it while Finnick has to catch him before he hits the floor. Several nurses stop what they are doing and come running over, followed by Dr. Peterson in a lab coat.
She has her stethoscope out, searching for something while Peeta moans to Finnick, "Her heart. Check her heart."
Dr. Peterson moves her scope searching—searching—Peeta's breath stops in his chest and he has to stop the howl that wants to come out. There is a flurry of movement around his mate and he wants to go to her to protect her from the electrical charge he hears building.
Delly has found him and holds him when the electric bolt shoots through Katniss. It's not a howl that escapes him, but it is a sob. He can feel the charge in the air when they get the voltage ready again. He can feel Delly pushing into his mind, calming his wolf, while Finnick, and Annie, even in her sickness, try to help him.
He gasps when her heart starts again.
He inhales for her when she can't, pushing, sending, willing her lungs to work again.
He watches helplessly as they push a breathing tube down her throat.
He catches his breath when they hook her up to the ventilator.
He wants to grab her and run away from the smell of antiseptic, the sounds of the machines invading his ears, the red light blinking to alert them that it's breathing for the woman on the gurney before him.
He wills his wolf to stay here in the strange place, and together they watch.
Some of the nurses stay with Katniss, while Dr. Peterson and the others turn to Annie. The doctor meets Finnick's eyes. "What's wrong with her?"
"Same thing. They started vomiting and diarrhea several days ago," Delly answers. "They started to feel better yesterday, then this morning, slowly got sicker than they were before." Delly nods towards Katniss, who a nurse is threading a needle into her vein to start an IV. "She said that she was going to take a nap. That was at 1:00 this afternoon. I checked her blood pressure and it was 80/40 and a faint pulse. That's when we came here."
Dr. Peterson listens to Annie's chest while nurses are starting an IV on Annie and fitting breathing cannula up to her nose. The doctor turns her attention to Annie. "And how are you feeling?"
Annie smiles a weak smile. "Tired. Bad. Tired."
"I bet you do." Dr. Peterson turns to one of the nurses. "Up her electrolytes, add vanconycin and rochephin to the mix." She then goes back to Katniss' bedside. She finishes her physical assessment before she turns to Peeta. "She's going to be alright. I'll be able to tell better when she wakes up. She stopped breathing because of the trauma of almost drowning last week. I'm going to take them both upstairs and admit them." She steps closer to Peeta and pats his back as she whispers, "She's going to be alright. You just have to believe, ok?"
They pull up in the parking lot not far behind the Alpha. "What are we going to do?" She whispers.
He sighs. So much is riding on this. Not for the first time, he is glad that he inherited his father's gift of being able to make time stand still. The warnings that were told weigh heavily on him. "Anything for the boys."
She nods, choking back a sob. "We need to go in, and see—"
He interrupts her with a kiss. "Shhh," he whispers against her lips. "Let me go in, you stay here out of sight."
She nods as her mate disappears. As long as she's been his mate, it's still startling to see him vanish like he can. She remembers how worried his mother always was about him, knowing that if the alphas found out about their powers, they would all be killed.
In a matter of seconds, he is back, breathing hard. He gasps, "We almost did it. she almost died."
"But Clove said—"
"I know; she wants to do it. The doctor brought her back and she is hooked up to a ventilator."
"How is Annie?"
He hisses, "I told you! I don't want to know their names!" She flinches at his harshness and he instantly softens. "This is hard enough as it is. I just want my sons—"
She reaches for him and for a long moment, they hold one another, missing their family. She finally whispers, "What do you want me to do?"
He pulls away and presses a kiss to her lips. When he pulls away, he says, "Go to the ambulance bay and convince one of the EMTs that you need one. We can get them both of the humans in the ambulance after they take them up to their rooms. Then we can take them to her."
She nods, and tries not to cry in front of her mate. These women could and almost have become dear friends. She just hopes that whatever Clove has planned for them is quick and merciful.
He hears the nurse call his name, but he still doesn't want to take his eyes off of her. She hasn't moved since—well since before, at home. He can hear his wolf howl, wanting out to do something, anything to reach her. "Mr. Mellark? We are ready to take her to a room now." He nods, and steps away so two aides can unlock the wheels and push her to the elevator. "Mr. Mellark? You can ride up with her."
"Thank you," he whispers hoarsely.
The nurse nods. "She is going to be alright. She just needs to get her fluids built back up and then I'm sure she will wake up." She stops when the doors open at the end of the hall. "Go on, now. She needs you."
He glances at her, but she nudges him towards the elevator. He trots down the hallway to where they are holding the doors for him. He looks back in time to see a flash of red enter the ER, but the doors close before he can see their face.
In just a moment they are on the second floor of the small town hospital and Peeta is following them into a private room. He stands out of the way as the aides arrange everything now attached to her. They walk past him, but the tall man pauses for a moment. "Just push the call button if you need anything."
Peeta nods and hears the door shut behind them. It's in that moment, he can feel his heart break. The sob that he's been holding in finally escapes, making him collapse in the chair in the corner of the sparse, beige room.
Somewhere in the back of his mind, where he is attached to everyone who he loves, he hears his uncle Haymitch emit weakly, 'Brutus has escaped.'
Another note!
My prereaders and even my beta asked about Gale and Delly not telling Peeta what is being done to him. There are several reasons. One of them is Gale isn't letting Delly know everything that is being done to him, so she doesn't know it all. Another is Delly sees and is even helping Peeta go through what he is with Katniss. In this fic, even though Delly is a wolf, she is just a omega, not even a beta. So even though she helped raise Peeta, she still feels like she needs to handle this on her own. Peeta does know that she is pregnant and he has all intent and purposes in asking Cato if Gale can switch clans. But silly Katniss, she won't stay well so he can. (totally me being silly lol)