A/N: I did it guys! I updated! Haha :D So in this chapter you find out who 'she' is, and what their plan is ;) I apologise for any mistakes, but well, I only just fit time in to write this, and even then, it is really late here, and I have Uni early in the morning. You all better love me ;) Anyway, enjoy!
I grip Peeta's hand tight as we follow a large dark haired man, down a corridor. I take a few deep breaths, trying to concentrate on the task at hand the actions that are about to take place. I am about to re-tell everything that happened to me, and hopefully, there will be some consequences for Gale. Thankfully Peeta is beside me, keeping me steady and leading me towards the two wooden doors, looming closer to us. When we finally reach them, the man knocks on the door and waits for the "Come in." He pushes open the door for us, stands to the side, and gives his head a nod, with a gentle smile. We walk in, and the man closes the door behind him.
"Please, sit down. Make yourselves at home," President Paylor smiles as she sits behind her desk of paperwork.
"Thank you for seeing us." Peeta says as we take our seats.
"Of course. What can I do for you both today?" She asks, turning her full attention towards us.
I am sitting beside Peeta, my hand still grasped in his. I feel the gentle squeeze of his hand as I turn my gaze towards him, instead of the ground. President Paylor waits graciously, already knowing that it must be important if Effie organised it for us before coming here.
"Do you want me to start?" Peeta asks gently, his voice full of pain. I nod my head and turn my gaze back towards my feet.
"Not too long ago, Katniss was sexually assaulted. It was done by someone who she thought she could trust, Gale Hawthorne. Thankfully she got away before it could go too far, but all the same, she was assaulted and taken advantage of. When Haymitch and I found out, we obviously wanted to go deal with it ourselves, but Katniss begged us not to. And so, that is why we are here now. We thought that maybe you would be able to help us." Peeta says, in his gentle tone that can convince a crowd, but pain and sympathy also seeps through his words. When I look up, I see President Paylor is speechless, her eyes wide in sorrow, her jaw dropped.
"Katniss, is this true?" She asks me.
"Yes." I choke. A few tears have settled within my eyes, but I fight them from falling down onto my skin.
"What can I do to help?" She asks, swallowing back the shock.
"We were thinking that when we go into the interview, the mandatory interview, someone could go get Gale and bring him into custody. We don't want a lot of attention on this; there is already too much focus on us, especially Katniss, as there is. We don't want this situation to be public knowledge." Peeta says, his hand tightening ever so slightly around my own.
"Of course. I completely understand. How about this, I will send my best men in to get Gale, and bring him back here. I will make sure that only a select few people have contact with him, and we will hold a private trial, to determine his fate? I shall take care of it all." She suggests.
"That sounds perfect. What do you think, Katniss?" Peeta asks, turning towards me
"I think it could work. But what about the press? They are like hawks. Won't they suspect something?"
"I don't think so, but if it does happen, I will come up with something. Now I presume you would like to be here for the trial?" Paylor reassures me.
"Um, I'm not sure yet." I mutter as I look down.
"Well, I think it may be important for you to be there. Obviously to speak against him, and to share what happened. Have a think about it and get back to me as soon as you can. We'll have to think of a reason to why you would be in The Capitol again." She says. She does have a point. I guess I would need to be there to testify against him. I nod my head, my lips in a tight line as I think about what awaits me.
"Now, I believe you have several hours until your interview with Caesar? Why don't you two go get ready, and I will take care of everything with Mr. Hawthorne." She smiles as Peeta raises and pulls me up. "Oh, actually, can I please have a quick word with Katniss?" Peeta looks at me, asking with his eyes. I give him a small smile and nod of my head. He lets go of my hand and leaves the room. I turn back towards Madam President and wait for her to speak.
"I just want to let you know Katniss, and this stay between us, that I know how you feel, and you are not alone. It happens more times than you know, and unfortunately, it will continue to happen. You must understand though, that this isn't your fault, and Mr Hawthorne will be held accountable for his actions. You will be ok." She says as she comes around her desk and opens up her arms. Hesitant at first, I walk into them and let her embrace me. It feels like a mother's hug. Warm, safe, loving. I hug her back, and when we part, thank her for her help.
Peeta is waiting outside of the door for me, leaning up against the wall. When I walk out, he turns towards me and extends his left hand.
"Hey, are you okay?"
"Yeah… I'm okay." I say as I take his hand and he leads me back towards the elevator.
"So what did she want to speak to you about?" He asks me as he presses the button.
"She just wanted to make sure I was okay, and she assured me we would get him." I muster up a smile as the elevator doors open, and we take a step inside.
When we reach the penthouse, my prep team immediately pounces on me. Peeta laughs as he walks off to the dining car where Haymitch is sitting with a glass of whiskey. My prep team stirs me into my bedroom where they have set up a studio of make-up, hair products, and creams. 'Damn it. I'm back to this again' I think to myself. I am placed into a large chair, facing a mirror, where my hair is released from its braid. They wheel the chair back, recline it, and beginning waxing hair from my skin. By the end of the painful experience, I am covered in red dots, and being led towards a bath of various creams and scents.
After several hours of prepping my body for stage, they finally declare that they are finished, and I am able to turn towards the mirror. They are placed me in a deep green dress that flows down my body, slightly covering the high heels they have placed me in. The bodice hugs my curves as the skirt hangs loosely. I still look like myself, while also having the capability to fit into a Capitol crowd. I look amazing. I thank the prep team as one of them leads me out of the bedroom into the dining area, where Peeta is wearing a well-fitted suit. He smiles when he sees me enter, walks up to me and pulls me into his arms, his hands circling my waist.
"You are beautiful." He smiles with his face just inches away from mine.
"You're not too bad yourself." I say back as he gives me one of his fainting smiles, and slowly brings his lips against my own.
"Are you ready to go announce our engagement, Mrs soon-to-be Mellark?"
"Absolutely." I smile
We walk hand in hand until we reach the outskirts of the famous Caesar Flickerman stage. It seems that we have arrived just on time, as Caesar has just walked onto stage and is beginning the show. Greeting the audience members, encouraging people to focus on the sponsors of the show, and giving welcome to the other special guests who are seated in the audience. And then he moves on to introducing the Star-Crossed Lovers.
"Please give a very warm welcome to Ms Katniss Everdeen and Mr Peeta Mellark!" Caesar screams into the microphone as Peeta leads me onto the stage, our hands linked in a power grip. The audience's screams fill the room as we meet Caesar in the middle of the stage. He shakes Peeta's hand with a clasp on his shoulder, and gives me a hug and kiss on the cheek. Like the good girl I am, I smile in return and allow the Capitol gesture. Peeta pulls me into the seat next to him, and immediately, Caesar gets on with the interview. Both he and Peeta engage in a catch up session, discussing the amazing work of the new government and President Paylor. While Peeta answers the questions for the both of us, I can't help but think back to what is happening right this second, all the way over in District 12. A shiver runs down my spine as I can almost feel Gale's breath on my neck as he attempts to bind me to a tree. I close my eyes for a split second and grip tighter to Peeta's hand. He squeezes my hand back and smiles, bringing a slight smile to my face as well.
"So Katniss, tell me, how has life been since being the ol' mighty Mockingjay?" Great, now his questions are directed at me.
"Life… life has been much better than anticipated." I smile as I think about the pain and emptiness Peeta has been able to subdue since being back in my life.
"I'm sure. After the great struggle since the war, Peeta and yourself being separated, having to lead the rebels against Snow, losing your sister, and then committing the murder against the president, I'm sure you are incredibly thankful for how your life is now." Caesar smiles, not understanding how much his words resemble the old times. I bite my tongue, and try to figure out a sentence that won't end in me jumping on Caesar. Thankfully, Peeta saves me, yet again.
"Yes, it was a tough time for everyone, we all lost someone in the war, but I am thankful to still have Katniss by my side. In fact, we have an announcement we would like to share with you all," The audience hangs on Peeta's every word, as he pauses for effect. Caesar is leaning on his chair, practically shoving the microphone in Peeta's face. Eventually Peeta takes the microphone from Caesar, turns to me, my hand still in his, and smiles at me. The smile causes butterflies to stir in my stomach, and I practically want to kiss him right here and now.
"We're engaged." He smiles as I stare into those crystal blue eyes. Breathtaking. Caesar has squealed in his seat, and the audience is on their feet with joy. Peeta lifts me up, digs his hand into his pocket and pulls out my gorgeous engagement ring. I can feel my smile brighten as I see my promise to Peeta, and eagerly let him slip it back where it belongs. With this shrill of happiness of finally telling the world about my engagement to Peeta, I almost forget about Gale… almost. Though I try not to let the thoughts linger on him, I can't help but think about what is happening to him right now. I hope he heard about the engagement before they came to get him. I wish I could see his face when he found out. I hope he hurts. Peeta pulls me towards him, and presses his lips passionately against mine, as we stand on the stage, the crowd going wild. Eventually Caesar pulls us apart and begins asking us a lot of questions. Peeta pulls me onto his lap, and thankfully, he answers most questions, unless Caesar asks me specifically.
"So first of all, I'm sure we would like to know when and how this happened! How did you pop the question, Peeta? Did you know straight away Katniss? Tell, Tell!" He says. I look at Peeta, and he gives me a smile saying he'll go first.
"Well, it happened a few days ago. Katniss and I were having a picnic, and it was so beautiful and peaceful, that I know it had to be right then. Thankfully she said yes, otherwise I think it may have ruined the perfect day." Peeta smiles at me
"Oh, that is magical. And what about you Katniss? Did you know your answer right away?" Caesar asks.
"I've known I wanted to marry him since the 74th Hunger Games, it just took me a little while to get it." I smile back at Peeta.
Caesar wishes us all the luck for the future, and makes us promise to come visit soon. He gives us both hugs, kissing my cheek and shaking Peeta's hand, and then we are being ushered off the stage. As soon as I get off stage, I take a deep breath as I remember why exactly I had to do that interview in the first place. Just as I'm thinking it, an officer walks up to me, bows, and hands me a note. He leaves without a word. I open the letter to find the words that causes my heart to skip a beat and my breathing to stop.
We got him.
A/N: So tell me what you think :) I will try and update as soon as I can, but well, I have a busy life, so yeah :p Anyway, thank you to all of those that have sent in amazing reviews :) I loved them. You guys are the reason why I continue this fanfiction :) I love you all :)
Next chapter won't be updated until 210 reviews!