I felt really bad for putting up the Finnick/ Azia scene in the last chapter instead of this one. So, I wanted to make sure I got this out today. In a way, I broke my promise. I updated today, not tomorrow. Hope you guys don't mind. Please review :)

Katniss' POV

Effie unlocks the door and steps into our cell. Peeta is still holding me tight, unsure if we can trust the President's assistant. She must sense the awkwardness and decides to keep a distance from us just in case she has to make a run for it.

"Well, how are you?" she finally spits out after a few minutes of silence.

"Just fine, Effie. Didn't you hear? Jail cells are the new luxury in the Capitol." I scoff. I'm not in the mood to play games, I want to know the truth. Too many people in my life have changed more than I'd like them to, specifically Gale and my tolerance level for nonsense or beating around the bush is near zero. The Capitol has put me through too much for me to be patient. Peeta has a dead serious look on his face and I think he could scare her off, but to me it just looks like he has to use the bathroom.

If this Effie is the one I remember, I'm wary to trust her with my life. She is human and has emotions, but she's a Capitol puppet. Then again, she's been nothing but kind to Peeta and I since the last rebellion. After all, she is the one who offered to help us plan the wedding and honeymoon.

"You can trust me. I can't stay too long, though." She glances around nervously, her gaze constantly shifting from the door to us.

"You're here to spill the beans about Gale? Why would you do that if you work for him?" I question.

"Because I'm looking out for you two and your family. Katniss, if you wipe that scowl off your face for a few minutes, I can tell what has become of him." A defensive Effie. That's new.

"Fine," I huff as I cross my arms.

"Thank you. Now, I may begin. As you know, Gale hasn't been himself for many years. You may not believe me, but he did what he did, thinking he was protecting you. He spent countless days and nights plagued by nightmares, beatings, and small dosages of tracker jacker venom. It was a simple deal that Snow offered him: Gale was to do everything he was told to do and you would be kept alive. But Snow never plays a fair bargain, he's a liar and a cheater. Your best friend didn't know that his health was slowly deteriorating. The things he went through are unspeakable. That's how horrible it is, Katniss. Snow corrupted his mind and changed him. Of course, it got to the point where Gale was very fragile and sick. It was so serious that he needed a new heart. Guess who offered to give up his own for him? Snow. He needed Gale alive so his legacy of cruelty and his twisted vision of Panem as a utopia would live on," she pauses to take a deep breath, "There is still good in him, Katniss. I know there is. Just like Peeta was able to heal with the help of those who knew him best, Gale needs you. I can't deny that he's done terrible things to you, but don't give up on him. Forgive him so you can help him before it's too late."

I'm utterly speechless. It was a lot of information to take in and my mind is yet to register all of it. Effie was telling the truth. I could tell by the sincerity in her voice and the pained expression on her face.

"Thank you for sharing that with us, Effie," Peeta speaks for me.

She leaves without another word. Suddenly, two Peacekeepers appear out of nowhere. My body tenses and Peeta holds me tighter. "I need to breathe, honey," I whisper.

"Mrs. Mellark," one of them addresses me. I'm about to respond when I realize that this person is so familiar. It can't be him. I haven't seen him in years. He used to be the young boy with leukemia, Salama's little brother who became my brother when my mother took them in. Now, he's so grown and resembles Peeta a lot. They both have blond hair and blue eyes, but Jake's hair is more of a dirty blond and his blue eyes have specks of gray. He's healthy and strong, but in a Peacekeeper uniform?

"Jake?" I whisper, on the verge of tears. "Why?" He hugs me and knows exactly what I'm thinking.

"We're the spies that Coin sent to the Capitol."'

"Whose the other?" On cue, she takes her hat off, revealing her blond hair that is in a bun.

"Salama?" I'm in shock. Peeta gives them both hugs and we're all a hysterical mess.

"Yeah, I was sent in as a replacement for Jake's former partner. I missed you so much, big sister." They're both so grown and I can't help but cry. Salama is 35 years old now and Jake is 30. She has a husband back in District 12 that I'm yet to meet. I don't know much about Jake. After the twins were born, he was kept in the hospital and wasn't allowed any visitors. I saw him from time to time, but then one day he was gone. My mother had said that he was needed in the Capitol, now I understand what she meant.

"We know where your son and Rachel are."

They know where they are, but they kind of left out an important fact...dun dun dun..