Okay, so I lied. There's one more chapter after this and maybe an epilogue that will most likely be Galeiness fluff if I decide make that ending part.

Chapter 35: Day 5, part 2.

With a vicious glare Gale pushes me behind him as we circle each other, wondering who's going to make the first move. Who's going to be the one to strike first and backstab. Who will begin the bloodbath?

"We're not here to fight, 12," Finnick cautions, hands up in a surrendering gesture.

"I highly doubt that," Gale snaps back, venom dripping from his every word. Protective mode is switched inside of him, forcing a side of Gale that can be extremely dangerous if tempted and right now-if there's even one step out of line from any of them-he'll be pushed over the edge.

I'm helpless, weak. I hate it. With a bow but no arrows I can't do much damage without hurting myself also. Nevertheless I grip the body of my weapon tightly within my grasp, the cool metal digging into my palm.

We can hold them off, let one of us escape but we'll never both get out of this alive or without life threatening injuries. Besides, they're the ones who healed us. They have knowledge over our weak points. A hunter and one victor that barely scraped by in her games is no match to three strong, fit Victors who already know us too well. And-wait, 3?

I scan the group, searching for one out of place thing that has been scratching at the back of my mind. They're missing one.

"Where's Thomas?" I speak up, causing Gale to tense up at the sound of my firm questioning voice.

A flash of emotion other than despise crosses through Johanna's eyes before returning to her usual scowl. I saw it though, whether it was faint or only there for a second I saw it. She felt for him.

Unsurprisingly Johanna is the one to reply, "Dead. The mirrors got him." She nods at us as if taking note that we're alive. "Who was the other cannon?"

"We don't kn-"

"Steel," I jump in, cutting Gale off before adding on lamely, "My old ally."

A cannon sounds.

We all simultaneously-except for Gale, he keeps his eyes on the target-peer up at the sky as if that'll give us the answers we're searching for before dropping back down to one another.

"Don't suppose you know who that belonged too?" Johanna inquires, raising an eyebrow.

We shake our heads.

I see her hand tighten around her mace and I tense, catching the movement done right before a strike. Gale must have spotted it also because his bow raises a bit higher. He shifts on his feet slightly, momentarily causing a bright light to shine in my face before it disappears. I glance up, see the quiver strapped to his back as the rays of sunlight bounces off the arrows. An idea suddenly comes to mind. I fear he might be too tall that my movements will be noticeable but it's worth a shot.

Gingerly I reach out, placing a gentle hand on Gale's back before slowly worming my way up. If I can just get a few arrows from him then-

"Let's make a truce," Finnick pipes up abruptly, gaining everyone's attention. "Beetee has a plan for the Careers and the rest of the tributes that could wipe them out completely but he needs help. How about we all stay allies until his plan is done then we go our separate ways and see what happens from then on?"

No one answers, Gale's threatening demeanor only growing to abnormal heights, his glare becoming more intense, more venomous. He'll fight to the death. He'll do it. For me. For our child.

After a long pause of silence Finnick suddenly scowls. "Or we could all just kill each other now."

I let out a breath in defeat, knowing what the smarter choice is, even if it's the risker one. "Gale, I whisper from behind, rising to my tiptoes so my small voice will reach his ears. "We have to do it. We have no other option but to die." I tug on his shirt lightly, urging him forward.

After a moment he sighs, a sigh that seems to relax everyone. My boyfriend's bow falls limply to his side as he rakes a hand through his hair. "Fine. It's a truce."

They. Wouldn't. Tell. Us. The. Damn! Plan! And I'm going mental for it. I don't know Beetee well enough to put my trust in him so just sitting around, doing as told isn't flying well with me. Honestly though, at this point, I'm more irritated than pissed off.

We've been hiking up this stupid rocky mountain for hours! Not to mention the sun is scorching hot. I can feel the rays soaking deep within our pores, slowly beginning to peel back our layers one by one until we sink into nothing but puddles. It doesn't help that our water is practically gone now, only being able to cherish a few tiny sips. Sweat slides down my brow, dampening the back of my neck, and easily forcing dehydration to set in all too quickly.

It's abnormally hot, like sleeping to close to an already roaring fire in the middle of summer when the heat is at its highest peak. I've briefly considered ripping off the sleeveless t-shirt Gale gave me a day or so ago because of the blood on my clothes but decide against it. I'm not that desperate…yet.

My tolerance is slowly slipping away though, especially every time I glance over at Gale and Finnick who have gave into the heat, stripping their upper half of the tributes suit and tying the long arms around their waist to keep the bottom part held up like on mine. Except they get to be shirtless which admittedly-on Gale, or I should I say off Gale- could potentially be very distracting if I wasn't drowning in my own sweat to really take notice.

From the corner of my eye I can tell Johanna has been considering doing the same thing the boys have done, (spare Beetee who leads us, mumbling to himself every few minutes) but is resisting the urge.

I shake my head fiercely. Screw it! The effects of the sun taking over and feeling more irked than ever I angrily wrench the top up and over my head, even showing a point as to throwing it off the side of the steep mountain trail we're on, leaving me in only the bottom of my tributes suit and a grey sports bra.

Everyone gives me weird looks.

"What!?" I snap out with a glare. "I'm hot!"

Johanna shrugs, doing the same.

Gale shakes his head, a small grin tugging at his lips. "I get that Catnip, but you didn't have to punish my shirt by throwing it off a cliff. What did it ever do to you?"

My glare intensifies, turning solely on him as it signals a clear message not to mess with me. He's not even fazed, sending me a small smirk before turning on his heel and continuing on our trek. But I know better. I could see it. The worry lines forming on his forehead, the strain behind his expression, how he reaches for his bow every few minutes. He still doesn't trust them. He's still waiting for them to lash out.

I can't say I don't agree with him either.

Kicking a few pebbles out in front of me I sigh heavily. We've been hiking for hours without any brakes and it's beginning to take its toll on me. Gale has asked several times if I want to stop but I always wave him off, telling him I'm fine. If they can handle this without brakes then I have to also. But that doesn't hold him back from shoving the last bits of water into my hands whenever he thinks I need it.

"Here!" Beetee announces, coming to an abrupt halt by a wide opening to a cave within the rocks.

I peer up, seeing we haven't so much as gotten half way up the mountain which I guess we have to be grateful for because I don't think I would've been able to make it.

Johanna and Finnick immediately trail behind Beetee into the cave, talking quietly amongst themselves. Instead of following I walk to the edge of the cliff right outside the hole, placing my hands on my hips and looking out.

At first I see nothing but jungle and the beach but as I really begin to concentrate on the arena I almost stumble back from what I see. My mouth drops, arms falling limply to my sides.

"Do you think-what? Catnip, what's wrong?" Gale questions, coming up next to me.

"Look," I command immediately, pointing out. "Tell me what you see."

He does as told, giving it a second before shrugging. "A jungle?"

"No, well yes, but no. The arena is divided into sections."

"So?"

"So, did you ever notice how whenever a mutt would come along or some other thing-like the mirrors- would happen they would suddenly disappear after a while or how if you were on the beach nothing would happen at all? Also, the first night this giant wave came at me but was held back by a wall, like something was blocking it from going into another section. Gale, each hour something horrible happens at each different place. It's-it's like a-"

"Clock," he muses with sudden realization. "It's a clock. Katniss, the arena is a clock."

I nod. "Exactly."

"But then what hour does this mountain belong in?"

"I don't know. Maye with the mirrors? We were right by it when that happened."

"Maybe. Except-"

"Gale, Katniss! Hurry up!"

I jump at the sound of Johanna's voice. Before I can make a move to go though Gale catches my arm. "We don't tell them all right?"

With a nod he kisses me quickly on the temple and together we enter the cave.

"All right, so, we're going to have to line the walls with these wires so when the explosion goes off then-"

"Explosion?" I interject, a frown etched onto my features as we near Beetee and the small group. "What do you mean? Like a bomb? No one said anything about that."

"Katniss-"

"No, what do you plan to do? Blow up the whole Goddamn arena?"

"Just a hole in it," Finnick answers, letting out an unsettled sigh. Johanna, Finnick, and Beetee make eye contact as if speaking between them, trying to decide what to do next.

Gale's hand creeps to the small of my back as he shifts closer to me. His eyes meet mine. When I say run, run. I nod, saying I get the message. But we both know I won't listen if I think Gale doesn't have a way to get out so there's no point auguring about that right now.

"We should tell them," Johanna finally speaks up, her tone hard. "They deserve to know. They're in this as much as we are. Especially Katniss."

A beat passes before they all nod in agreement.

Gale tenses beside me once Finnick turns to us. "Look, this isn't about killing the rest of the Careers. This is about the rebellion."

My breath catches in my throat and I shuffle back slightly. My boyfriend's hand on his bow tightens. As if sensing the unease Beetee assures, "They can't hear or see us in here. Finnick made sure of that before the games started."

The green-eyed Victor continues. "Right. Well, as you two know-hopefully-uprisings have been taking place in the Districts. They don't want to live like this any longer. We're sick and tired of being controlled. Have been for years. All we needed was a spark. You, Katniss Everdeen, were that spark."

"When you pulled out the berries," Gale muses, a sudden realization dawning on him while I still feel left in the dark.

"W-well, I knew that did something but I didn't know it had the power to start a rebellion much less me be the one to cause it."

My boyfriend lets out a large breath, raking a hand through his hair. "I can't believe I didn't see it earlier. With District 13 being real-"

"That's not even confirmed," I shoot out, Bonnie and Twill popping up in my mind. We don't even know if they were telling the truth.

"It is actually," Johanna jumps in. "I don't know how you guys knew that but it's true. District 13 is alive and well and ready for a fight."

"That," Gale continues. "And the uprisings, a-and all the reactions, President Snow paying you a visit, e-everything. Katniss, you aren't just the spark of the rebellion, you are the rebellion. Or the face of it at least."

"People look up to you," Finnick adds. "We need you. They need you. To take down the Capitol. The Districts will listen to your voice because of what you did with the berries and everything after that."

Shock courses through my body as I try to find my words. I shake my head, ears disbelieving. "But the berries were a lie! I didn't do it for Peeta!"

"You didn't have too! They don't care. All that matters is that you did do it. It wasn't a lie, not to them, not to you, only to the Capitol citizens that you were forced to feed lies to."

I can feel a headache creeping around the corner and bring my fingers up to my temples, massaging them slowly. "I-I don't understand. What does this have to do with a bomb?"

"Like we said. We need you Katniss. Therefore we can't let you die or Gale. We know you won't be in the best shape to continue without him. Besides…he's already proved useful to the cause. We need him to. That being said you guys can't die so we've rigged the games to get everyone out when the time was right. On the other side of this wall-" Finnick points to the back of the cave. "There's a hovercraft waiting for us. All we need to do is blow it up."

"The explosives are on the other side," Beetee jumps in, taking out a small panel type thing. "When I hook it up to this it'll go off, blowing a hole in the wall, and giving us access to escape. What all of you need to do is set up the shield in this cave so when it does go off the mountain won't collapse on us until we can get to the hovercraft."

"What about everyone else in the arena?" I question.

"We don't know," Johanna answers. "They're going to try and get everyone out in the chaos of things but if they can't…who knows what will happen."

"It's a sacrifice we'll have to make. Everyone but the Careers have already agreed to it."

"Whoa, wait," Gale cuts in. "Who's we? Who's waiting for us on the other side?"

Johanna scoffs, her eyes rolling. "We don't have time for this. Our window of getting out is small and time is running out. The hovercraft won't be able to wait much longer before they're discovered. Today's the last day."

"Johanna's right," Finnick agrees. "We need to get a move on."

Apparently support beams were placed in the cave but when the explosion goes off they'll do little to hold this place up. The rocks will simply crumble around them. So, instead, there's a type of force field thing Beetee built that will activate once the bomb goes off. It won't hold everything together forever but just enough time to get everyone out. All we needed to do is set that up.

Beetee had rolls of what looks to be thin wire. We've been working to line the walls of the cave with it using some other grey sticky substance he had.

To be honest everything still seems like a dream. I mean, are we really doing this? Is this really going to happen? What do we do once we get to the hovercraft? Where will we go? To District 13, I imagine. But what about my family? What about Gale's? Is our baby still okay? How am I supposed to lead a so called rebellion pregnant?

Too many questions have been thrown my way in such a short amount of time that I'm finding it's good to be ignorant sometimes. I don't know what will happen after this. Hell, I barely know what's happening now. But, at the moment, the only thing I want is for Gale and I to get out of here alive.

Licking my dry lips I squat down, plastering on the last bit of wire I have left, before resting my head on the cave wall. My stomach continues doing weird flips as it has been for the last ten minutes. I can feel myself slipping in and out of feeling queasy then nothing at all, except this time it seems to be sticking around.

Nausea creeps up on me out of nowhere and in seconds what little I have left in my stomach comes pouring out.

"Katniss!" From the side I can hear the sound of Gale's boots slapping against the cold, damp ground as he races to my side, everyone either shuffling back or around me.

I grip the wall for support, continuing to cough and spew without any grip over whether I throw up more or not. My boyfriend squats down next to me, instantly pushing back my braid. He rubs small circles into my back, whispering soothing words that my mind, for the most part, seems to block out.

When I'm done I roughly wipe my mouth on my shoulder, falling back on my heels and into Gale's hold. "Are you okay?" he murmurs.

Sniffling, I nod, my voice coming out slightly hoarse. "Yeah…yeah, I think so. It just came out of nowhere."

"You need to eat something."

"It's not that," Johanna interjects, passing me a small container of water. "Probably morning sickness."

Gale's head snaps up to her, his glare sharp, demanding. For the second time today she rolls her eyes. "Don't go getting your panties in a twist. We all know, don't worry. We're just not too sure about the baby daddy though…we can take a wild guess." Her eyes dart towards Gale for a moment. "That's why we had to change the plan. The original one…well, she would've lost the baby if we went that way. Anyway, the medicine they gave you at the beginning isn't long term. I'm surprised it lasted this long. We were actually supposed to be out of the arena by now, but you two were hard to track down."

Haymitch. Haymitch must've told them. He's the only one…and Peeta would never have let it slip.

Leaning back into Gale's chest, my gaze sweeps around the remaining Victors. "How-"

"It's ready!" Beetee exclaims, hopping up from his seat, panel in hand. "The explosions are set, but we have a problem."

"What?" Finnick inquires, eyebrows furring in confusion.

"The countdown takes 5 minutes and with the way we have everything set up once I press the button the Gamemakers will be alerted which, of course, can potentially ruin everything. They will quickly identify the bombs and race over to the outside of the arena to deactivate them, in the process finding our hovercraft."

Finnick shakes his head. "So, how do we stop them? Why didn't you tell us this before?"

"That doesn't matter now. What I and other allies on the inside have done is set it up to where once the countdown begins the camera right outside this cave will be activated. It'll freeze the rest of the screens so that the only thing showing to the Capitol and the Districts will be whatever's in front of that camera. All we need now is a distraction. Something else the Gamemakers will be too engrossed in handling than this. Preferably something in front of that camera that they don't want everyone else to see."

"Well, we can't very well go out and fight each other. They encourage that so what can we do that'll be more distracting than blowing a hole in the side of the arena?" Gale demands just as it dawns on me. Something totally crazy, and reckless, and extremely suicidal. But it'll work.

I turn to Beetee. "When the bomb goes off that's it right? The distraction can end immediately and we'll still have enough time to get to the hovercraft?"

The District 3 Victor scratches the back of his head, giving me an odd look. "Yes, of course, but what-"

"A confession," I answer. "A full frontal confession. My confession, of everything. Given to the people in the Districts. No more secrets or lies. If I'm going to be the face of this rebellion they need to know the truth."

"You don't have to do this, Catnip. You know that right?" Gale assures, bending down to my level where I use a large rock as a seat in front of the camera. He pulls me close, resting his forehead against mine.

"I know. But I want to. I have to."

He opens his mouth to reply but Beetee beats him to it. "We're all set. Everything is ready."

Giving him a nod I motion Gale back. Before doing so though he kisses me on the lips deeply, slowly, right in front of everyone. It may have only lasted a few seconds but it felt like a lifetime. It made me remember just how his touch, his smell, his taste is all so intoxicating. I try to ignore the hum of electricity surging through my body once he pulls back. "I love you."

I watch as every kind of emotion ever known swims in his eyes, taking over those grey irises and no doubt mirroring my own. "I love you too."

Giving me one last peck on the lips he goes to stand off to the side, but remaining in my line of sight.

"You have 5 minutes," The District 3 Victor says, holding the panel out, his finger hovering above a small red button. Beetee won't meet my eye anymore as he shifts on his feet in an uncomfortable manor, obviously feeling awkward after watching out exchange. "Then 2 more before the force field collapses. So once time is up you'll have to follow our leads out immediately."

"Got it."

"All right. I'm ready when you are."

Giving him a firm nod Beetee's hand presses down on the button, signaling our start of the countdown.

A small beeping sound echo's towards the very spot where a hidden camera is installed in the rock walls outside the cave. A tiny red light begins blinking and I take that as my cue to go, looking straight into the colored light.

"To start…sparking an uprising wasn't intentional…it never was. I first started off as a normal District 12 seam girl trying not to die, attempting to keep my family safe when all of a sudden I was pulled into this mess against my will. All I wanted was to go home, to get back to my-" Should I say it? Should I tell them all?

No. No. It's too close. Too personal. Those are our woods. No one else's.

"-family," I finish off carefully. "But now…now I'm not too sure. Before…I had never thought about living, only surviving because that's all there was to it until now. Until I had something to truly fight for. I realized this is not how I want to live the rest of my life. In constant fear and pain, feeling like every step I make could be not only be mine but my family's and my friend's destruction also.

"Most of you see me as the face of the rebellion." My sweaty palms clamp together in my lap as I take my time, talking slowly, carefully. "To be totally honest I don't know if I can do this. I don't know if I'm ready to do this. But I do know that I want change. I can't let my family, my children live in a world like this any longer, knowing how much hurt and suffering there can really be. But I also know that to move forward I must first tell the truth. You must first know the truth. And that is why I am here today. That is why I sit in front of each and every District of Panem right now-for me to give you a full frontal confession about what's really happened."

Holding my head up high like Cinna always told me I gather all the strength I can muster. "My name is Katniss Everdeen and everything the Capitol has told you about me is a lie.

"I've found that all this-everything-started when I pulled out those berries. At the time I didn't do it for Peeta, or my family, or the rebellion. I did it for Gale. Because I promised him I'd come back. I promised to keep going, to do whatever it took to come home. The first thing you need to know is that yes, the berry stunt was done as an act of love, just not for Peeta, but for Gale. Peeta and I are a lie. I never loved him, I never have, and I probably never will.

"In my first games, during the interview, Peeta's confession for me was real. I didn't know that was going to happen. I didn't plan it, but when it did my mentor, Haymitch, encouraged the idea. I didn't go along with it at the beginning, I didn't want to because at the time I was secretly in a relationship with Gale Hawthorne…we…we had been best friends since I was twelve, but as time passed…it turned into something else, something more. We were together for about 3 months before I was reaped to no one's knowledge but our families. We-I-didn't want the unnecessary attention considering the reputation we had built together over the years. I just wanted to be us in peace. Even when I was reaped I didn't come out…

"As time passed in the arena I began getting desperate and when they announced two people could win it was like a sign telling, forcing me to go along with the act that I was in love with Peeta Mellark. So I did. Haymitch and I were in on it together. He kind of…led me through it." Biting my lip I shake my head. "I don't think one can realize how disgusted I felt with myself after and during. For leading Peeta on, for causing Gale pain, and ultimately putting up a bloke in our relationship, but I knew it was the only way to survive. To get home like I promised.

"After it was all said and done I hadn't known I sparked something with those berries. It was only when I was told to enhance the act, blame all my actions on "my love for Peeta" that I started to realize that what I was toying with was dangerous. Then somehow in the mix of it a rumor got out that Gale and I were cousins. Of course I had to go along with it because if I didn't…President Snow would kill him. My family, my home, anything and everything he could get his hands on he would use against me to do his bidding.

"He tore Gale away from me. Forced me into a life I didn't want nor asked for. And manipulated not just me but all of you. The day of the Victory Tour he came to me and threatened the lives of every District 12 member if I didn't calm the rest of Panem, and convince everyone Peeta and I were real. He made sure the Quarter Quell is the way it is so we would all turn against each other."

Briefly closing my eyes I intake a large breath, hoping to prepare myself for my next words. It'll strengthen everyone. Bring the Districts closer together. You can do this Everdeen.

My eyes dart over to where Gale stands, searching for the reassurance I need. "And finally, for my last confession, I come here today bearing a child. Our child. Yes, Gale and I have some of the worst timing with this happening now but there's nothing we can do about it at the moment. But I want to let you know that I feel you. I understand you. And like many others, I'm not ready to give my child up to the Capitol."

My gaze finds the camera once more. "Now, I don't know about the rest of you but I am sick and tired of living under his rule, of living below the Capitol like scum, doing their bidding as if we were slaves. Watching them take our children away from us only to force them to slaughter one another every year for their sick entertainment. Like I said before-I don't know what will happen after this, but I am willing to fight if you are. I am willing to lead a rebellion as long as I have you by my side."

As if on cue-all at once-the ground begins to shake violently, just as a huge, gapping whole is ripped into the wall of the cave.