Sorry for gramatical errors, if any. Happy Reading!

Chapter 36

"What happens after this?" I ask to our reflections. Gale stands beside me, our eyes not meeting in the mirror.

"After everything is done, you'll have your baby and probably live back in 12 with Mellark," Gale answers steadily.

"And what about you?" I ask. He lets out a long breath. There's a pause from this, as I think that things won't ever be like they used to between us. "You're not going back, are you?"

"No, I'm going to District 2." I meet his eyes in the mirror, but they don't shy away. They're always so strong and serious. "You have a life with Mellark and the baby, and I don't think I'll fit so well in it."

"Why not?" I say.

"Your life will change drastically. You will change. I'll change. Let's face it, we're not the same kids hunting in the woods together. You'll be busy with your life and I have to go find mine."

"I still want you part of my life," I say.

"I'd liked to be, but I have my opportunity in Two, and there's really nothing for me back in Twelve."

"What about your family?"

"They'll be fine. They don't need me anymore. I don't have to hunt for food to keep them from starving." He gives me a small smile, but it doesn't lighten the situation for me much. Gale moves toward the dresser. He takes the pin and puts it on my uniform.

"Where did you get this anyway?" he asks.

"Madge gave it to me before my first Hunger Games," I answer.

"Madge…" he says solemnly. I let out a sigh, as I think of the day she gave it to me. We sold strawberries to her that morning, and then she appeared at the Justice Building to say goodbye. She was the only friend of mine that was girl. She was quiet, and different than other girls. She didn't talk about boys or clothes, which was one of the little things why we became friends. She gave me the pin, and then she gave me a name. I miss her dearly.

"When are you going to Two?" I ask while he finishes fastening the pin.

"Tomorrow," he replies.

"And that will probably be it, won't it?" I say dismally.

Gale pauses and stays solemn. He's always been straightforward. "Yes, I probably won't see you… for awhile." I look straight at myself in the mirror. What he means is we probably won't ever see each other in person again. Gale stands slightly in front of me. "You know I love you, Katniss. You were my best friend. I thought maybe there could have been more between us, but I figured out you loved Peeta way before you told me you did." He shuffles to the side.

"He's a good guy, although I did want to kill him for getting you pregnant. Even when he was hijacked." He says this completely serious, but then he smirks, and I let the corners of my mouth curve upward. "I wouldn't trust anyone else to take care of you, so I'm glad you chose him."

I'm getting that feeling in my throat, but I find it stupid to cry right now. I'm blaming it on the hormones. Gale takes a sheath leaning against the wardrobe. He helps me put it over my shoulder, and then I notice only a single arrow sticking out from it. "There's only one arrow," I say.

"It's supposed to be symbolic. You firing the last shot of the war," he says.

"What if I miss?"

"You won't miss." He adjusts the sheath on my shoulder. "You never miss." He smiles, probably recalling the times of hunting in the woods. Just the two of us, hunting for our families. We were a team, and now this might be the last time I see him. My best friend will leave. And so I think that I can tell him one final secret between two dispersing friends. Right now, he's still my hunting partner and so I want to tell him the situation that disturbing me. We still help each other.

"Gale, I want to ask you for some last final advice."

"Sure," he says casually. "What is it?"

I lower my voice just enough so that he can hear me. "Coin is planning another Hunger Games." Gale looks from calm to angry instantly, but he doesn't say anything. So I continue after I take a deep breath. "She has threatened me with the lives of people that I love, she's planning a Hunger Games for Capitol children, and I have evidence to suspect she was the one who ordered the bombing on the children, and used the poisonous gas that killed Finnick and blinded Prim."

"You're saying she can't be president."

"Yes. Coin is bad news. She's just as bad as Snow. She can't be put into power."

"And knowing you…" Gale starts. "You want to assassinate her."

I nod my head slightly. "I think it's the only way, but Haymitch and Peeta told me not to do it. Peeta made me swear not to."

"Coin does need to be stopped, but Peeta is right. You shouldn't do it."

"Then what do we do? Just wait, till she decides to hurt people? She'll do it. She'll do it to keep her role of president."

Gale seems to be thinking. He looks toward the window and says nothing. I start to get impatient and just want a reply from him. He looks back to me. "I've got a plan, okay? I'll tell you it after the execution."

"What? After?"

"Don't worry. It'll fix this."

"It's not me making a speech is it?"

"No, it's not. Just trust me okay?" I nod in slight frustration. "Alright then, see you later. Shoot straight," he says.

He kisses me on the cheek and rushes out of the room. I'm left there in the middle of room, my thoughts running through my head. I remember the stylists are still in the bathroom, so I grab the rose and open the door to find them all sitting on the side of the tub. "Come on," I tell them. "We've got an audience waiting."

We don't go straight to the site of the execution. We're taken to a room for a meeting. I don't have to guess who will be hosting it. I enter a room with a table where Annie, Johanna, Enbora, Beetee, Peeta, and Haymitch sit. I take a seat between Beetee and Annie. I meet Peeta's and Haymitch's eyes, because we already know what this is about.

"Now that all of our remaining victors are here, we will begin the meeting," starts Coin.

"We're all that's left?" I ask.

"The price of celebrity," says Beetee. "We were targeted from both sides. The Capitol killed the victors they suspected of being rebels. The rebels killed those thought to be allied with the Capitol."

Johanna scowls at Enobaria. "So what's she doing here?"

"She is protected under what we call the Mockingjay Deal," says Coin. "Wherein Katniss Everdeen agreed to support the rebels in exchange for captured victors' immunity. Katniss has upheld her side of the bargain, and so shall we." Coin takes a seat at the head of the table. Her minions stand around. "We've asked you here for opinion and you help in the plan of how we will punish the Capitol for the losses they caused. So in the previous weeks, hundreds of Snow's accomplices in the oppression of Panem have been tried and now await their executions. However, it seems to be insufficient to the districts for their heavy losses. They asked for a complete annihilation of those who held Capitol citizenship. However, in interest of maintaining a sustainable population, we cannot afford this."

Okay, so now she's reeling everybody in thinking that whatever she has proposed, that it will be far less cruel than a complete annihilation. I meet Peeta's eyes, and he has the same expression of soberness.

"So, an alternative has been placed on the table. My colleagues and I have come up with a solution that will satisfy the victims of the war, and equally punish those who worked for the Capitol," says Coin. "What has been proposed is that in lieu of eliminating the entire Capitol population, we have a final, symbolic Hunger Games, using the children directly related to those who held the most power."

Four of us have surprised faces. "What?" Johanna says.

"We hold another Hunger Games using Capitol children," says Coin. "We understand the suffering and pain with becoming a victor of the Hunger Games is unimaginable and we assumed that a Hunger Games with Capitol children will satisfy the vengefulness of our oppressed. Look at it this way. It's the final turn to use their own game against them. They have oppressed the districts for years, and it's finally our turn to make them pay for what they have done. This is how we finish it. This is our final stand against them."

Unfortunately, not all of the victors think it's a bad idea. Johanna and Enobaria seem to be contempt with Coin's Hunger Games, while Beetee and Annie are still about sane, and look disapprovingly. But there's not much we can do.

"So now that brings us to our subject of the matter. We would like the victors to be the ones to take part in the production of the Games."

"What do you mean?" asks Peeta.

"You will be the ones hosting it, as you would say. Nobody's knows the Games better than you all."

"And that's exactly why we shouldn't have them!" exclaims Annie. There goes the first outburst. Coin looks at her with a frown. "We can't have another Hunger Games. The fear and sorrow that comes with it every year is too-"

"Mrs. Odair, believe me when I say that there only will be one. A final one. If you do not wish to take part in it, then we will exclude you from it."

Annie is still upset, but she says nothing and looks into her lap. I'd like to join in yelling at Coin for what a evil hag she truly is, but that will give away my intentions of trying to stop her. I just have to play along, even thought it really kills me.

"The victors will also help in the actual production of the Games, as well as being the hosts. You'll be the representatives of the districts, of our new country. I hope you all will contribute your part in our final stand. Panem would greatly appreciate it, along with all that you have done," says Coin. She looks around at all of us with a satisfied expression. "Very well then, we have the execution to attend to."

I can feel Coin's eyes on me, as everyone gets up to leave. I grab the rose from the table and get out the room. Peeta catches up next me. He walks along side me, but remains facing forward. "Remember you swore, Katniss. It's for our baby."

"I know," I say. "I won't break my word."

He intertwines his hand around mine as we walk. When we have to part different ways, he lets go and follows Haymitch. He looks back just for a second before he goes outside. The baby inside me begins to move, which I think it's because my heart is beating faster. Flavius retouches my makeup while Plutarch goes over instructions. I'm guided to the front doors of the mansion. I can see the City Circle is crowded with people on the streets. Guards, officials, rebel leaders, and victors take their places outside. I can hear the crowd begin to cheer when Coin makes her appearance. Effie taps me on the shoulder, which is my cue to go outside. I walk to where I'm supposed to and wait. When they march Snow out the door, the crowd goes insane. They secure his hands behind a post a distance from me. No wonder no one bothered to have me practice. He's ten yards away.

I take the arrow from behind me, raise my bow, and stretch it. My eyes scope out the white rose in his lapel over his heart. This is what I've been waiting for. I fire the arrow to end that bastard's life. I look into his eyes, looking for a sign of anything, fear, remorse, anger. But there's only the same sly smile, as if he finds this all amusing. I'm going to get rid of that grin. His eyes look slighlty upward, and I know what he's trying to do. Before I let go, my eyes hestitantly scan my surroundings. I see Coin is on the balcony. I see Haymitch staring right into me. I look around for Gale, but I don't see him. You know, I could just do it; kill Coin. Adjust my arrow upward and make it all end right here. But I don't. I promised Peeta, and it's an unspoken promise to my child. I go back to concentrating on the rose. Sounds of the crowd mutes in my head, and all I hear is my steady breathing. My hand releases the arrow and I watch it fly into Snow's heart. It pierces through him, and he falls forward to the ground.

There, he's dead. I killed him. Piercing screams and yells jolt my gaze from Snow, and I'm wondering why are they screaming for me killing Snow? I scan the area and see it's not Snow's killing that's causing the screams. It's Coin's.

I look up toward the balcony where she stands. An arrow is in her chest. She falls forward and over the balcony. She falls and plunges into the ground, dead.

Guards rush to where Coin's body lays. Guards are coming for me too, but I don't understand why. Everyone clearly saw me shoot the arrow into Snow, and I only had one. How could I have killed her? And the more important question; who did kill her? The guards grab hold of my arms. I see Peeta rushing towards me. I look around and see the crowd is dispersing in all directions with the chaos of the murdering of the president. The large screens show the replaying of the mysterious arrow going to Coin. From the video, they are able to tell what direction it came from. Cameras zoom in on a building, but I don't see who it is. The guards block my view and push me into the mansion. Peeta is suddenly at my side.

"Why are you arresting her? She couldn't have done it," he says sternly.

"She is under suspicion of being an accomplice. The arrow appears to be from a set of her possession," says the guard.

"What?" I say.

"Sorry soldier, you have to come with us."

"I'm going with her," says Peeta.

"Negative soldier, she's the only one who is being questioned."

Haymitch appears out of nowhere along with the commander I met earlier named Paylor. "He has the right to accompany her. He will not cause a disturbance. She is his wife, so it perfectly normal for him to go along," Command Paylor says.

Peeta and I aren't really married, as far as everyone who saw our interview knows, but I don't think pointing that out will help my case. She probably knows that's a lie.

"Alright," says the guard. "This way." The guard walks us to a lower level, and when we reach a room, Peeta is asked to wait outside while I'm being questioned. He listens, but he stands right next to entrance. My bow is taken away and I'm seated in a chair at a table. A guard questions me about the other arrow, and if I heard of anyone speaking of planning a conspiracy. I answer negatively to all his questions, because I'm really the only person I know who wanted to kill Coin. I'm concluded to be not guilty, but their talking and clues have led them to believe that Gale killed Coin.

Gale.

When they ask me if I think Gale did it, I say I couldn't think of him doing it. But I know. He probably did do it. So much for waiting after the execution. That was probably his plan all along: to kill Coin while I kill Snow. He lied to me, but I guess he did it to so I wouldn't even be tempted to do it myself. But look where he's at right now. He's wanted for murdering the president.

After what seems like hours, I'm finally released from questioning. Peeta meets me when I exit the room. He holds onto one of my hands. "Are you alright?"

"Yes I'm fine," I reply. Actually, the uncertainty of what's going to happen to Gale is occupying my thoughts right now, but I'm too emotionally exhausted. "I'm just a little tired."

"I'll walk you back to your room," he says. I let his warm hand hold mine, and lead me back to the room where my family is staying.

"They think Gale did it," I say in a hushed tone.

"And you are the one who knows if that's true or not," Peeta says just as soft.

I sigh and nod. "I told him. Maybe I shouldn't have."

"What did he say?"

"He said he had a plan, and that he would tell me about it after the execution. He told me not to kill Coin either," I say.

Peeta keeps a sober expression. "You were still thinking about."

"I was, but that promise kept running in my head. You were right," I say. "But Gale… he said he was going to District 2, but this could ruin his opportunity. He could be jailed, or they could…" I stop there because the thought of his execution frightens me.

Peeta holds me close to him. "It was his choice. He's a smart guy, so he must have thought it all through before he decided to do it. All we can do right now is support him by why he did it. You have evidence of why Coin was a bad leader. You still have a chance to help him."

I break away from his arms, and hold onto one of his hands. He unlocks the door for me and we find that my mother and Prim aren't here. "Stay for a little while, please," I say.

He looks toward the door, but then he nods. "Okay."

He sits on the couch, while I change in sleeping clothes in the bathroom. I let my hair out of the braid, and let it fall in waves. After finishing getting ready, I find Peeta half-asleep, sitting on the couch. I creep up and put a hand in his hair.

He sits up suddenly. "I wasn't asleep."

"You're tired too. It's been a long day," I say. He gets up from the couch and motions for me to lie down. I sit and then rest my head on the arm on the couch. Peeta throws a blanket over me, covering my face. I pull it down and laugh.

"Oh, you don't sleep with a blanket over your face?" he says jokingly.

"Only when I can't stand the sight," I say lightly.

He pretends to be hurt, but then he smiles. "It's just too wonderful, right?"

It's funny how exhaustion makes everything seem funny. I let out a tired laugh. He laughs too, but I can see he's exhausted. He tucks me in and starts for the door. "Wait," I say dryly. He turns around. "Please just lay with me till I fall asleep."

He looks at me and then at the door. "I should be going…"

"Please, just for a little while. It's hard to sleep when so much is going through your head, and when you were beside me, it always seemed like it I can fall asleep faster."

He sighs, but he steps closer. "But your mother could find me here, and I don't think she wants me here."

"It's just a little while. You'll leave before she gets here. If she gets here earlier, you can go out the window or something…"

He laughs, but he reluctantly agrees. I scoot over as much as I can, and he slowly lays right next me over the blanket.

"Not that you're doing bad, but you used to put your arm around me," I say in a whisper. I can feel the warm air of his laugh as he puts his arm over me, and then I feel the comfort of what it was like before.

"Like this?" he whispers.

"Yes," I reply. A little push inside me makes me squirm a bit. "Ow."

"What's wrong?" he whispers.

"Nothing, it just the baby." I take his arm that's around me and put his hand to the bump.

"Whoa." If you can exclaim in a whisper.

"It really moving now," I say in a yawn. He leaves his hand on my stomach, and I feel it natural to be there. My eyes drift close, and it's as if the baby understands it's time to sleep, because it gradually stops moving around. I feel completely safe and comfortable, and I wish it was always like this. No danger to worry about. My baby is safe as long as they live in me, and Peeta lies next to me. If only this could last forever.

"I love you." I hear Peeta whisper.

This time I make sure he hears me. "I love you, too."

If you remember the flashback from Chapter 2, that's what she's thinking about right there. And Gale killing Coin? It's different I know. You'll learn more about it in next chapter. OH, and do i mention that even though this story is soon sadly coming to an end, I have in mind another story. More about that later. So thanks for reading! As always feedback would be awesome.

-cheezebuns