A/N: Yeah, I went MIA again for a few weeks, but I'm on Thanksgiving break now so I'm really going to try to make some progress. I'll go ahead and promise to update again this week so I will guilt-trap myself into doing so :) The good thing is I have some ideas for the next few chapters. Some things are going to happen that not everyone will be happy with, so just remember it's all part of the plan to build up to Finnick and Annie. Thanks for helping me get 100 reviews and y'all have a good day!


There's something scary about sudden changes. I've never been a fan of them, even on the smallest scale. It's not so much the concept of something new that frightens me; it's the uncertainty. Uncertainty hangs all over Panem right now. I can see it on the faces of concerned citizens and nervous television reporters. I can hear it in the hushed gossip that runs through the streets.

The Capitol has always kept everything in order with its cruel measures. The districts never even get the opportunity to be uncertain because they are on such a tight leash. Everything is decided for us. The orders are given and we listen. It's always been this way, so how are we supposed to hold ourselves together when even the Capitol is shaking? There have been too many changes too fast. Of course, everyone in the districts want change, but not like this. As of now there's no way to tell if it will be for better or worse.

I understand why. The last time we had a sudden change was when the Dark Days ended twenty years ago, and we all know how that worked out.

It all started about a month ago when old President Burns was found dead in his mansion. I didn't celebrate his death, but I would be lying if I said I felt bad for him. What really concerned me was what would come next. When Burns' son was sworn in the next day, all we could do is hope he would be a more fair leader than his father.

We never find out what kind of leader the younger Burns might have been.

I'm scrubbing dishes as yet another announcement roars over the TV. The loud buzzing has been invading the house so frequently lately that it's more an annoyance than a source of alarm. I figure it's probably another update on the investigation of Burns Sr.'s death.

"What is it this time?" I call out to Alec in the living room.

He doesn't respond for a minute. "Alec?" I ask.

"You might want to come see this, Mags," he answers, and something about his tone makes me nervous.

The reporter is talking so fast I can barely make sense of what he's saying. I look to the bottom of the screen and the headline makes me freeze.

It hasn't even been a month since Burns Jr. took office, and he's dead. From what I can gather, he dropped dead at a party last night, and it's suspected he had a heart condition no one knew about.

"Somehow I doubt that," I say, pulling my mouth into a tight line.

Alec nods in agreement. "I'm sure the doctors would've known if he did. Besides, the timing is almost too convenient."

We exchange a look, and I know we're both thinking the same thing. These kinds of coincidences don't just happen when it comes to the Capitol. Something is going on here, and there's no telling what might come out of it. I doubt we'll end up with a savior of a leader to help make things right when murder is involved already.

Both of us are quiet as we look at the list of potential presidents and listen to the speculation. It looks like one of Burns' nephews will be our next President. Well, assuming nothing happens to him…

There it is again. The uncertainty. Who knows where we'll be a year from now? I'm sure most of the districts are feeling anxious, and the Capitol is undoubtedly in chaos.

The last five years have been really good for me, besides the yearly trip to the Capitol. I've realized the reason I've been so content is that I haven't had to hear much about the Capitol. I get to live my life as normally as possible and focus on being a good wife and daughter and cousin. I don't want the Capitol's business interfering with my life now, placing stress where there shouldn't be.

The effects of anxiety must be working much faster than usual because I already have a funny feeling in my stomach. I watch the screen for a little longer, mostly because I feel obligated to know what's going on, but soon I've had enough.

"I think I'm going to go to bed. Can you let me know if something else happens?" I ask as I pull myself up from the sofa.

"Bed? We just got up an hour ago. Are you okay?" he asks.

"Yeah. I'm just tired and I feel a little sick. I'll be fine after a nap," I answer, waving off his concern. Honestly, what I really need is to get away from this news coverage.

If only it were that easy to escape. I'm at the market two weeks later when the next major announcement comes.

The day starts off normally. Winter is approaching, and there's a slight chill in the air. My sweater doesn't stop a shiver from going up my spine whenever a gust of wind comes. I walk around the outdoor market, picking up different groceries and looking over the assortment of fish that are in season.

I feel a tap on my shoulder, and I turn around to see a woman about my age with a baby on her hip. "Excuse me," she begins nervously. "Do you know where the bread is?"

"Oh it's right over there. Can't miss it," I say, pointing in the general direction.

"Thank you," she says, her gaze drifting to where I'm pointing. She doesn't move.

I'm puzzled for a minute, but then she leans in closer and asks a different question. "I guess what I really came over here to ask you is if you have any idea…what's going on."

I have to hold back a sigh because I'm starting to get tired of people asking me this. A lot of people assume that just because I'm a victor, I must have some sort of inside scoop on what's happening in the Capitol. "No, I'm only hearing what's on the news."

The young woman looks disappointed. "Oh, sorry for bothering you. I just wish I knew what was going on. I need to worry about these things now, for her sake," she says, bouncing the baby girl on her hip.

"I understand. I would let you know if I knew anything," I say automatically, but most of my attention has gone to the baby. She peers up at me with innocent curiosity and I can't help smiling.

"Your daughter's adorable," I add.

"Thank you. She keeps me busy," she says, planting a kiss to the top of the infant's head. "She takes much more after my husband than me."

Now there's no stopping my mind from wondering what my child would look like if I had one. Would his or her hair be a warm, gold-tinted brown or shiny and dark? Would the baby's eyes be blue like mine or green like Alec's? The mental picture I have is so nice, and I wish it was real. I have to remind myself that Panem is going through a time of instability. I need to make sure I can take care of the family I have now, not think about adding any new members.

Still, it's a nice thing to imagine. And right now, I have a strong urge to reach my arms out and hold the baby that's in front of me. I literally want to take this stranger's baby and act like it is my own. Either I have a case of what my mother calls baby fever or I'm going a little crazy.

That's when the sirens come on. A loud voice instructs everyone outside to move to the closest TV viewing area a few hundred feet away. I reluctantly look away from the infant. "Looks like we're about to get some more answers," I tell the mother. Or maybe more questions.

As I walk through Town Square, I brace myself for whatever news awaits me. Alec is probably watching the same broadcast at home right now. I wonder if our suspicions will be right; if our newest president has been targeted just like his relatives.

I take one glance at the giant screen and I see it's true. This time, the culprit is food poisoning. An "accident". The contaminated food killed not only Burns' nephew, but also two of his political advisors who were on the list of potential successors. Even the news reporter looks frazzled from all the sudden deaths. His voice is shaky as he speculates who will take office next. I listen closely to the unfamiliar names: Avitus Cort, Augustus Henderson, Coriolanus Snow. None of the names mean anything to me.

I realize a little too late that I forgot my groceries back at the market, but I don't really care. I tug my sweater closer around me to protect from the chilly wind as I make my way back home. About halfway home, my stomach starts bothering me again, as it has been off and on for the past two weeks. I know a lot of people have been getting sick lately with this cooler weather. Whatever bug I have mixed with all this anxiety really isn't doing much good for my health.

By the time I made it back to Victor's Village and unlock the front door, I'm closing my eyes and breathing slowly through my nose to fight back a wave of nausea. I'm about to go straight upstairs to the bathroom when I hear Alec say, "So it looks like we're going to have a President Snow."

"They decided that already?" I ask in confusion. "I was listening to the news not even fifteen minutes ago and there were at least three choices."

They just got word that the other two are dead. All three of them drank out of a poisoned cup at the same party last night. Snow is the only survivor, and it's too short notice to find anyone else for the job."

"Wait a minute. If this Snow guy is the only survivor, then how do they know he wasn't the one who poisoned-"

Alec answers before I can finish asking. "He was targeted too. He drank out of the same cup. They have him in the hospital and he has some signs of poisoning. The only reason he isn't dead is because he didn't drink as much."

It's all a lot to take in. "Oh the things you miss when you don't watch the news for fifteen minutes," I say miserably as I join Alec on the sofa. I huddle against him and we watch the footage. They start interviewing a boy with pale blonde hair and I don't realize until his name comes on screen that I'm looking at our newest president.

"Isn't he a little young?" Alec asks. "Well he probably won't last much longer anyway," he says flatly. We're both tired of hearing about all of this, but we're worried, too, so we will keep watching.

"Yeah. Poor kid," I say. The words feel weird coming out of my mouth because I don't know whether I should feel sorry for him. For all I know, he could be guilty. On the other hand, he looks barely eighteen, just got poisoned, and has to take over a huge job that will most likely get him killed. I guess it's only fair to feel sorry for him since I have no reason not to.

The next day, Alec wakes up with a stomach bug too and we both spend the day in bed. We both have to take a few trips to the bathroom to throw up, but Alec looks like he feels worse than I do. My nausea comes in waves. I'll go from being fine, to sick, to fine again all within a few minutes. However, when the next morning rolls around, Alec's sickness has passed, and I'm still feeling horrible.

"Maybe you need to eat something," Alec suggests as he opens up the pantry, only to find it nearly empty.

"Oh, sorry, I kind of forgot to bring the groceries home the other day," I admit sheepishly.

"I'm not sure how you forget groceries at the market but okay. You get a pass because you're sick," he says, sounding more amused than mad.

He leaves a while later to pick up something for us to eat, and I try to follow his suggestion to get some more rest. I get restless before long though, and I keep wondering if I should see a doctor. Alec knows I haven't been feeling well, but I didn't tell him it had been going on for weeks. I don't want to make him worry over nothing, so maybe it's best I go by myself.

I find a piece of paper and scribble a note on it.

I was feeling well enough to get up so I'm making a quick visit into town. I promise I'll be back soon. Love you.

I leave the note on the bed and grab my jacket before leaving the house. There are two doctors in District Four. One can be found in a small clinic that has limited medical supplies shipped in from the Capitol. The other is a woman working out of her home who usually prescribes herbs and things of that nature. The clinic is probably a better place to go, but it's connection to the Capitol makes me hesitant.

I have a personal connection with the apothecary woman anyway. She's the mother of one of my former tributes.

She answers the door shortly after I knock, and I'm greeted by her familiar smile and chestnut brown hair. Behind her happy expression, I can see the pain she's been carrying around the past few years.

"Hi, Mags. I didn't expect to see you today. Are you here for a medical reason or did you just come to talk?"

"Medical reason," I admit.

She nods and motions for me to follow her inside. She gets a sheet out of a cabinet and sprawls it over the round kitchen table. After I'm seated, she turns to me. "What's the problem, dear?"

"I've been feeling sick on and off lately. I know there's a bug going around, but my husband had it too and his was different. I'll feel nauseous really suddenly and it leaves just as quickly."

The nurse looks deep in thought. "Is there a certain time of day the sickness comes, like, say for instance, the morning?"

I think about that for a minute. "Yeah, I guess it is usually the morning or early afternoon."

She picks up a clipboard and scribbles something down. "Do you have any other symptoms?"

"Um, I guess I've been a little tired and achy lately. The nausea's the main thing, though," I answer unsurely.

Her next question takes me off guard. "When was the first day of your last menstrual cycle?" she asks slowly, her warm brown eyes trained on my face.

"Oh," I say. My mind starts racing and I try to trace back days unsuccessfully. "I…I don't know. I haven't exactly kept track…It's been a while. Do you think I'm…" I trail off and take a deep breath. "Are you saying I'm pregnant?"

The woman sets down her clipboard and puts her hand over mine. "I don't have the tests that could tell you for sure, but I'd say it's a strong possibility. If you want, I could maybe pick up a test from the clinic within the next few days, and then we'll be able to tell. Would you like that?"

I nod immediately. Of course I want to know for sure. "Okay, if you can come back in two or three days, I'll be sure to have it for you. Until then, why don't we keep this between us?" she smiles kindly.

"Okay," I say quietly. I'm still a little in shock. I've been thinking about babies lately, and never once did I consider I might already be carrying one. There's been so much going on lately to distract me from the obvious signs. I pull back the fabric of my shirt and look at my stomach. It looks flat as ever, but could there be someone inside?

I already came to the conclusion that this is a bad time to bring a child into this world. Honestly, there's never going to be a good time for me. For years, I've fought an indecisive battle. I always knew I wanted kids, but I always come up with excuses that make me question if it's a good idea. Time and time again I've convinced myself it's not, that I'm fine without any, but now things are different. Alec and I most likely have a baby on the way and I'm happy. So, so happy. Overjoyed, even. I don't have to make excuses or question anymore. The decision has been made and I can finally admit that it's the one I've wanted all along.

"Thank you," I tell the doctor, my grin stretching across my face.

"It's no problem. You look excited," she comments.

"I am," I reply, no hint of doubt in my voice.

Waiting the next two days is agonizing, but when I go back to take the test, I am relieved to see a faint red plus. Positive. I can barely restrain myself from excitedly telling Alec the second I walk back into the house. The only thing that stops me from doing so is that I want to come up with a more creative, memorable way.

I decide on knitting various baby items. I start on a hat, a blanket, and some booties, making sure to jump back and forth between them so they will all be finished at the same time. Alec watches me, occasionally making a sarcastic comment about me channeling my inner grandma with all the knitting. It's obvious he has no idea, and that makes me smile. I can't wait to see the look on his face once they are all done and he realizes.

I'm laying on the sofa, working with the cream colored yarn when there's a loud knocking at the front door.

"Who's that?" Alec calls from across the house.

"Probably just Marilla or Hallie. They haven't stopped by in a while," I answer. I walk over to the door, still in my pajamas, and peek out through the window. Instead of seeing my now grown-up younger cousins, I'm greeted with the sight of two white-clad peacekeepers.

I feel like I have a mini-heart attack. "Alec, there's peacekeepers at our door," I say, my voice high and panicky.

Alec's there in a second, and he somehow manages to stay collected. He opens the door slightly and I slink back behind him.

"What do you want?" my husband asks harshly.

"President Snow wants to meet with all the victors. Your train leaves in twenty minutes. If I were you, I'd pack for a long trip," a gruff voice says in response.

I don't want to go to the Capitol, especially not at a time like this. I thought the deal was I only had to endure all of that for one month a year. But we aren't exactly in a position to question when two peacekeepers have guns aimed inside our house.

Alec closes the door and curses under his breath before heading straight upstairs. I glance back at the unfinished baby items in the sofa. How long is this trip going to be? I don't want to tell Alec while we're in the Capitol with all the cameras around. Now is the only option. So much for the creative reveal.

I walk upstairs into our bedroom to find Alec hurriedly tossing piles of clothes into a large suitcase. The way he's storming around the room is more than enough indication that he's aggravated and stressed. Maybe I should be worried about this trip, too, but I'm more concerned about telling him about the baby at the moment. He's already aggravated. What if this untimely news just makes him mad?

I start to say something, but I chicken out and end up saying, "Those clothes are never going to fit in the suitcase if you don't fold them."

"You can fold them if you want. I'm trying to get us ready," he says without looking at me. He tosses some day clothes in my direction. I change and then sit cross legged on the bed behind the suitcase.

"Alec, I have something to tell you," I try.

"You'll have my full attention after we leave, Mags. We don't have time for this right now."

"But it's important. There's a big change coming soon," I say.

That gets his attention. "What do you mean?" he questions. I'm a little dumbfounded that he went from moving around so fast to stopping within a second. I guess I really haven't planned what exactly to say because I start rambling nervously and dancing around what I really need to say.

I see him glance back at the clock and I know he's itching to get back to packing. Man, how I wish I was better with words. "OhandbythewayI'mpregnant." I force the words out in a hurry, and they all smash together.

I watch his face carefully as he comprehends the words. All I see is shock. It's hard to tell what else might be going on in his head.

"You're pregnant?" he asks, and I nod. "That's why you've been sick?" Another nod.

"I know this isn't the best time to tell you this. I'm sorry. I hope you're not mad," I say softly.

He blinks in confusion. "Why would I be mad? I'm just surprised. There's already been a lot to take in this morning."

"Oh, good," I sigh in relief.

"You don't look happy," Alec notes.

"I am. I promise I am. This isn't exactly how I wanted to tell you, though." I look back up into his eyes. "Are you happy?" I ask.

He takes my hand and pulls me up to where I'm standing on my knees at the edge of the bed and presses his lips against mine. "If you're happy, I'm happy. You're right that it isn't the best time, but we're going to make this work."

I smile widely against the skin of his neck. Our moment is interrupted by more knocking at the door. "Must be time to leave," Alec says, his voice shifting back to irritated.

I zip up the suitcase and help Alec carry the luggage downstairs. The peacekeepers escort us to the train and we meet Kallan there. Neither Alec or I say anything about the big news. I spend a good portion of the train ride imagining what the future will be like with a new addition to the family. The closer we get to the Capitol, though, the more I have to start thinking about the political situation.

The truth is I know nothing about President Snow. Something about this trip makes me feel like his presidency will be more permanent than the last few. That makes me suspicious. Then I think of the frail kid I saw on TV and I can't imagine he would be behind all of these sudden deaths.

Why does he need to talk to all of us anyway? What is there to say unless something big is changing? If the change has to do with the Hunger Games, it would make sense to consult the victors. Another thing I haven't considered is why the peacekeepers suggested the trip would be long. The only thing I can think of is that they want to separate us victors from the districts. Why? I have no clue.

Every passing minute brings me closer to the Capitol and the young president. If change is going to come, let it be for the best. Best case scenario, the new president will turn things around for Panem and make things fair for once. It's extremely unlikely, maybe even improbable, but it doesn't hurt to hope.

That would be a sudden change I could live with.


Chapter 27 guest review reply:

Yippeeee: Aw thank you! Sorry this update took a while. I really hope you keep reading!