AN: This is the quickest I've ever uploaded! Gee! There is going to be at least one more chapter (maybe two more) and an epilogue, so keep your eyes peeled. And, ahem, but my birthday is in eleven days. Just tossing that out there.
Peeta runs out of the hospital. He becomes fully aware that he's still only dressed in one of their paper gowns when the wind chills him. However, he doesn't care. All he cares about is finding Katniss, and making sure she's okay.
He runs and runs until he's at the Capitol square, where the President is about to be executed.
A woman with dark hair stands before the President, who's seated in a wooden chair. "You have been charged with countless charges of conspiracy, fraud, murder, blackmail and we have video evidence and witness testimony to prove it all. We are not giving you the ability to enter a plea, however, we are giving you one last opportunity to apologize for your crimes. Will you speak?"
The President doesn't answer with a yes or no, instead, he begins to speak, his voice slow and authoritative. "My people… do you really hold these accusations against me? Can you really believe the unfortunate ramblings of a psychopathic killer? How can you not trust me- your strong and loving leader? I have saved you, and helped control you through my pre-emptive measures. I would never squander that trust and love for money… It's all ludicrous!" At this, the President attempts to stand from his chair, but it becomes apparent that he's chained. "I have plenty of money… and security… and power. Why would I dream of more?"
The crowd stays silent, and watches as Snow scans the audience. Peeta shivers as the President's cold eyes reach him, and stare him down.
"I know my words will not change you… or your opinions… but I know that, today, justice will be served. Punishments" Snow takes in a deep breath, eyes still locked on Peeta, "will be enforced. Unfortunately, no one will win, today."
He lets out a laugh, at the end of his speech. It's cold, and matches his name. A peacekeeper moves forward, and plunges a needle into Snow's arm. The laughter ends, as the president dies, but Peeta fears it will resonate forever in his head. Peeta has to shake his head to remember why he is there.
He spies Katniss, who's in line to testify. She's right after one of Snow's agents, and looks completely terrified, as she knows what her fate is going to be. She's still a little sickly looking, but a glint of gold around her neck makes Peeta spring into action.
"Stop!" He calls out. The Capitol civilians, who hadn't noticed him before, turn to look at him in awe. A rush of whispers flood through the town square, and it takes the woman who'd spoken to Snow before his final moments to silence the area.
"Peeta Mellark." She calls out. "I never expected to see you so well so soon."
"Yeah, well, there's something important that I have to do here." He responds.
"By all means." She smiles warmly.
Peeta looks around at the people. "I have been through a lot these past few days, and I'm not sure of much anymore, but what I do know is there is no one more innocent here than Katniss Everdeen. I don't know how she ended up in Snow's clutches, but it was completely against her will. Katniss, please, come forward and tell them what happened. Tell me."
Katniss walks, nervously, to Peeta and stops right beside him. For a fleeting moment, Peeta is embarrassed about his current wardrobe, but pushes the thought out of his head. There are more important things to deal with than your pride, Mellark.
"One day, I was hunting. It's illegal in our district… I didn't have a choice. Me and my sister, we were starving, and my father is dead, and my mother… She just shut down. I had to do this. I had to save my family. I was trying to be very careful, but… they caught me. There were two teenagers that they were chasing through the woods. One, the boy, was killed… the girl was turned to an Avox." Katniss took in a deep breath, and Peeta wondered if she'd ever told anyone this story, or if this was her first time retelling. "Snow caught me and was going to have me killed, but said he would spare me if I went with him to the Capitol and worked for him. He said he'd even let me keep my-" Katniss's voice cracks, but she swallows and continues. "Keep my tongue. At first, I told him no, because at the time, I felt I'd rather die than work with him.
"Somehow, though, he found out my weakness. My baby sister, Prim, was entering her first Reaping that year, and I was so worried for her. The president told me that if I went with him, he'd keep her safe. She'd never be a tribute, never have to fight, and she'd always have food. He promised and we made a contract. I felt so filthy but I knew Prim needed more than what I could give her."
Katniss is shaking, but her voice remains hard and clear the entire time.
"I have stayed here for two years- away from my friends and family. I didn't pick this."
Peeta continues. "Anyone who thinks she did obviously doesn't understand the love you can hold for a sibling."
Katniss nods awkwardly at Peeta, and looks away. Peeta is confused, but doesn't let on. Instead he turns to the dark haired lady.
"I'm sorry… I don't know your name…" he starts.
"President Paylor." She answers.
"President? Wow. President Paylor." The woman chuckles, and Peeta shoots her a half smile. "Well, I don't know what your stances are, or what is going to happen around here. All I know is I'm not going to be happy unless Katniss can come back to Victor's Village with me."
President Paylor smiles at him. "Peeta Mellark, you have convinced me to let Katniss go free. Now, if you don't mind, we have a lot of cases to fix up. But, if you'd like, there's a train leaving within the hour. Go fetch Effie and Haymitch, and you all can get home. Let us take care of this."
"Yes, ma'am." Peeta responds happily. He walks towards the hospital, Katniss following closely behind.
Neither of them talk for the entire walk.
AN: I love Peeta. And finally- all the loose ends are tied up! Everything lays into place. We finally find out why Katniss was there! Yay!
The next chapter's got some loving reunions, some tension, and some more Hercules references.
In other news, the review button has got a whole lot bigger, shinier and bluer... don't you just want to press it? And write nice things to me? Yeah. Me too. ;)