Disclaimer: All characters and things associated with The Hunger Games belongs to Suzanne Collins and Lionsgate. This writing is for pure entertainment only.

Summary: Peeta's lie about Katniss' pregnancy is tested by the Capitol, leaving the Lethal Lovers only one option going into the Quarter Quell.

CHAPTER 21

PEETA POV

It's been two weeks since President Snow and I met. I know because they are actually letting natural light into the cells holding Johanna and I. It has made telling time easier and I have been keeping track in my head of how many sunsets I have been able to see through the window.

They are also not beating us anymore, or at least not as much. Johanna has still gotten her knuckles wrapped for spitting at the guards two days ago but for the most part they are taking better care of us. They have been bringing us two meals a day as well now. I assume this is because they need me to look decent on camera and Snow knows they cannot beat Johanna in front of me and have me cooperate.

"So…whatever plan you have…does it involve us living a functional life down here? They aren't starving us but they sure as hell aren't letting us go," Johanna says to me.

"Something like that…" I mumble.

"Serious, Peeta, what do they have you doing?" Johanna asks me.

I want to tell her but I am certain she won't be happy with my choice. "What I have to…"

"You made a deal with Snow," Johanna accuses.

"To keep Katniss safe, yes," I admit.

Johanna snorts and I look up at her just in time to see her rolling her eyes. "You can't believe Snow can be trusted."

I shake my head; I don't trust Snow but it's the only card that can be played right now. "No I don't trust him, but he needs me right now."

"For what?" Johanna asks.

"To calm everyone down…he wants me to call for a ceasefire," I explain.

"Which goes against everything we were doing in the arena! The point was unrest," Johanna whispers in an aggravated voice.

I know that what she is saying is true. I agreed to protect Katniss and be part of the rebellion, but really all that mattered to me was protecting Katniss. I am still doing that now and doing as Snow asks is the only way I can do that right now.

"The point for me was to keep Katniss safe. I am still doing that," I say quickly and then slide down my own bars, giving Johanna a view of my back and letting her know I am finished with the conversation.

KATNISS POV

I lay in bed; one hand on my stomach and one hand rolling the pearl Peeta gave me between my fingers. These are the only two things of him I have left that are certain. The pearl he gave me and the child inside of me. Both final gifts from Peeta and although the baby makes me uneasy, I will do what I can to honor Peeta by trying my best to give the child a good life.

The door to barracks I share with my sister and mother now opens and I expect to see my mother or Prim come in with some food. They have been sneaking me snacks out of the cafeteria the last two days since I have refused to go anywhere.

I am surprisingly shocked, however, to see Gale and Boggs enter, both dressed in soldier gear.

"Katniss, you need to get up," Gale tells me. It's the first words he has said to me since the one other time I saw him in District 13, weeks ago. He has made a point of avoiding me since then.

I watch him carefully but don't move a muscle except for my fingers that continue to move the pearl from tip to tip.

"Katniss, please. President Coin is worried—" Boggs starts.

"Because I am not playing her game?" I cut him off but the lack of emotion in my voice even surprises me.

"Katniss…there is more at stake here," Gale tries.

I shake my head and look down at my stomach. "Peeta…"

"Peeta isn't here. We need you. You're a symbol," Gale cuts me off and I can see now he is avoiding looking at my stomach. He doesn't mention the child or even want to look at it. Maybe that's why he has avoided me.

"I don't want to be the symbol," I feel a mix of anger and tears rise. "I just want Peeta back."

"If we win this war, and he is alive…we can do that. We can get him back but we need your help," Boggs tries.

I laugh bitterly and feel a tear rolling down my cheek at Bogg's words. Surely he doesn't believe them. "You don't honestly think Peeta is alive, do you? The only survivors from that arena are Beetee, Finnick, and I."

"Maybe, but we don't know that," Boggs says.

I just shake my head and look back down at the pearl in my hand.

Gale must recognize it because I hear him sigh loudly and it attracts my attention back to him.

"What do you want from me Gale?" I ask him.

"I want you to fight. I know you better then this, Katniss. Whether Peeta is alive or not is not relevant right now. What we need to do—" Gale tries.

"Gale, I am pregnant and all I can even think about is how this baby lost the better of its two parents before it even got a chance. What could you possibly need from me? What I can I possibly do to help?" I cut him off.

Gale seems surprised by my words and I see his demeanor change. "That's not true, Katniss. That kid is lucky to have you."

Gale still avoids looking at my stomach and swallows hard. I can tell he has more to say so I am silent.

"So do this for Peeta. Give his death meaning…give his kid a chance to live in a world that doesn't want it dead," Gale adds.

And that's the cord Gale was looking for. He knows using Peeta's child's future is enough to make me flinch and he is right. The baby isn't safe as long as Snow is alive, as long as this war is looming.

Still, I am not sure what I can even do. I sigh. "Gale, there isn't any point. I can't be of any help. I don't want to be…they left Peeta and I just wish they would leave me alone now."

"You need to see what happened to District 12," Boggs speaks up.

My eyes narrow at the older man. "What?"

"Coin is against it but…I think it might help you. Give you a perspective of what is really going on…what the Capitol has done," Boggs says.

"I know what the Capitol is capable of!" I snap quickly, my hormones taking over in an instant, something I know I will never get used to.

"He's right though, Katniss. Before you decide you can't do anything…see what happened in 12," Gale says.

I think for a long hard moment and I know Gale is right. I need to see District 12. I need to see my home. I need to see my past and so I sit up. "You think I should go?"

Gale nods feverishly and so does Boggs. Both seem eager to get me to go back to District 12.

"Okay," I nod in agreement. This I will do, if for no other reason than to get some closure, to see my home once more, in case we don't make it out of this at least I will know Peeta's child got to be in the place where it all began; where Peeta and I were reaped, where the rebellion really began.

PEETA POV

After another day or so, Snow's guards come to get me. They let me know its time for my interview as they lead me out of the cell area. I am quickly brought upstairs where a few members of what I believe were District 1 and District 2's prep team get me ready for my time on camera. For a moment I allow myself to think about Portia and Cinna but I quickly shake their images from my mind. I have no idea what happened to either Prep Team for District 12 but I can't imagine it is anything good.

They put me in a white suit; similar to the white one I wore during the interviews in the Quarter Quell, which they said was to compliment Katniss' wedding dress.

They cover up any bruises that have not healed from the beatings downstairs and give me a haircut.

I am nearly finished when I hear the door open behind me. "Mr. Mellark."

I stand and see President Snow smiling at me in the doorway. "Mr. President."

"You look lovely, my boy," Snow compliments me.

I give an uneasy nod. "Thank you."

"I just came to let you know what to expect today. Caesar will be interviewing you. Won't be too terribly long. He will first talk to you about what happened in the Games and then will ask for you to talk about the unrest in the Districts. We want to be sure the people understand that the unrest is not needed and is unacceptable," Snow walks me quickly through everything.

"Okay," I nod slowly.

"Do you understand all of this, Peeta? It is imperative that this is handled the correct way on camera," Snow tells me.

"I understand," I nod again.

"Excellent. Then I wish you luck," Snow says with his eerily smile and I can swear, out of the corner of his mouth, I see a little blood.