DISCLAIMER: HG characters do not belong to me.

A/N: There may be one more update by the end of the weekend, if not, no update until the week of OCT 24. On vacation next week.

Chapter 113-Hope II

Katniss sits in the cold snow, her face damp from her tears, she stares out at the darkness in front of her. She realizes she better get up and go home, being gone way longer than she'd said she be and knows that most likely Sienna's gone to bed. Upset at herself for missing her and Gale's routine of putting her to bed and reading to her first. She forces herself to stand up and begins walking back.

When she reaches the back door she sees Harper bark from inside, letting Gale know she has returned. She then sees the sliding door open and Gale come out, when she reaches the top step he pulls her into the house, closing the door behind him.

Before she can say anything he shouts, "DO YOU KNOW HOW LONG YOU'VE BEEN GONE? IT'S BEEN HOURS!"

"I know" she says exhausted.

"What the hell is going on? Haymitch called, he says for you to call him as soon as you can. He was even more unpleasant than he usually is."

"Where's Sienna?"

"Sleeping! Where else would she be doing at this hour! You missed bedtime. You never miss bedtime."

Feeling guilty that she has neglected her daughter and not having spent any time with her all day, she bursts into tears. Taken aback by this uncharacteristic behavior, Gale pulls her into his arms, stroking her back in comfort.

"Catnip talk to me, I can't help you if you don't tell me what's going on" he says into her ear.

"You can't help!" she says continuing to sob.

"Like hell I can't!"

She forms a small smile and pulls back wiping away her tears. Her stomach begins growling and in turn she feels the baby begin to kick hard letting her know she wants food.

Hearing her stomach growl Gale says, "I made a pasta bake, let me heat up a plate for you" while moving into the kitchen.

They sit in silence as she wolfs down her food, Harper laying down on the floor by Gale's feet. She looks at the monitor while she eats. Seeing Sienna sleeping peacefully in her crib, her favorite bear beside her. The bear was old and battered for it was once Posy's. Posy had given it to Sienna the first time Sienna had spent the night at Hazelle's without Gale or Katniss with her. She had screamed for an hour, too upset to go asleep without her parents with her, and when Posy had given Sienna the bear she calmed down and held it tight until she fell asleep. From that night on Sienna slept with the bear beside her, her source of comfort.

Once she is finished eating she takes her plate to the sink to be cleaned. Gale comes up beside her and says, "I'll take care of that later. Come on" and without giving her a chance to respond he takes her hand and pulls her into the attached living room.

Feeling slightly cold, she sits down on the edge of the stone fireplace, placing her hands in front to warm up. A few minutes go by before Gale kneels down beside her and places his hand on her knee and says, "Are you finally ready to talk?"

She nods silently and he gets up and holds his arm out to help her up. They move to the couch and sit side by side. Katniss takes a deep breath and then begins to tell him everything, about her suspicions, how at first she thought Peeta and Johanna had experienced symptoms because of what happened to them when they were held captive. How she began to think more was going on after she saw Annie and what she learned about Helena Hildebrand. He doesn't say a word the entire time. Finally, she tells him about today, about her exam with the doctor, and what Heavensbee and the doctor told her and Haymitch after.

She sees the wheels turn in his head. He opens his mouth to speak than pauses before saying, "The headaches could still be from being pregnant, there's a chance nothing will happen to you."

"Gale….I was in the arena twice. Peeta, Johanna, Enobaria, Beetee and me. We've been exposed more than anyone else."

"That doesn't mean-"

"We need to talk about the possibility of you raising our girls without me."

"No! We are not going to discuss that. So some people are sick, no one has died. The Capitol will come up with a treatment."

"I hope they do. But if they don't-"

"Katniss….." he interrupts, his hands cup her face as he says, "I need you" and she sees the fear his eyes, the fear of losing her.


Before she goes to bed, she calls Haymitch's hotel room even though it is almost midnight. When he answers, she can tell he is wasted by the tone of his voice. She lets him know she is fine and apologizes for calling so late. He slurs his words as he tells her it was okay, and tells her to take care of herself before he hangs up. She sighs as she puts the phone back on the receiver, knowing that most likely he is opening up another bottle to drink.

She wishes she could have a drink right about now, a way to numb herself from the pain. She tries not to worry, but knows until the baby is born and the testing is done she will be worrying constantly.

That night, Gale holds Katniss close to him while she sleeps, the events of today exhausting her. Unable to sleep, Gale gently rubs her stomach as he spoons her, his mind racing while he contemplates what to do.


March 17

Gale knocks on the front door. The house before him the same as all the other homes in the Victor's Village. After a few moments the door opens and Gale looks down and greets Beetee.

His first time coming to Beetee's house, Gale had reached out to him asking if they could talk. Knowing what he wanted to talk about, Beetee invited Gale to his home in District 3, saying that they would have more privacy than if they met in the Capitol.

Beetee hands Gale a cup of coffee as he sits in Beetee's living room. Familiar with the layout of the house from when Katniss lived in the Victor's Village, Gale sees how Beetee's home looks different yet the same.

His thoughts are interrupted when Beetee says, "You want to know what I know about what is happening to the Victors and what the Capitol's plan is?"

"Yes" Gale says, appreciative that Beetee is forgoing the small talk.

"Being as familiar as I am with Panem's technology, I helped the Capitol piece together what was happening to the Victors, and what most likely the cause was of their unknown condition. In theory it makes sense that there would be consequences of being in such an unnatural environment."

"How many of them are experiencing symptoms?" Gale asks.

"Statistically speaking? Half of all the remaining Victors."

"Do you think any of them will die?"

"In theory, most likely some of them will die. But they are receiving treatment, treatment that was denied by the Capitol in the past. The treatment will most likely prolong their life, though some will always have a poor quality of life such as Mr. Mellark. His condition is getting worse and worse. His seizures are still not under control, and they are starting to increase again. His doctors are trying him on a new medication. I have also been told he is starting to become more forgetful and clumsy."

"And Johanna?"

"She seems to be doing better, she's responding better to treatment than Peeta is. Annie Cresta is not showing symptoms and the only effects we have seen in Enobaria and Helena is infertility. Other symptoms we've seen in other Victors include heart problems and gastrointestinal problems."

"Katniss thinks because she's been in the arena twice she is at greater risk."

"Very probable. All five of us have a greater risk, and three out of the five have already shown symptoms. Only time will tell."

Becoming angry at Beetee's nonchalant attitude, Gale glares at him as he growls, "I refuse to wait and see whether or not Katniss starts showing symptoms, I want her to receive treatment now!"

"I know you are concerned-"

"You have NO idea how I feel! I have a daughter who is not even two yet. I have another daughter about to be born in a few weeks and both of them may grow up without ever knowing their Mother. I have stayed away from the Capitol because if I go there, I WILL hurt somebody. They've known about this for years and they haven't said a word until now."

"They wanted to make sure they knew what they were dealing with before telling the Victors."

"Heavensbee knew. He said it was common knowledge in the Capitol."

"The Capitol knew that being exposed to the radiation for long periods of time was dangerous. But so many of the Victors went on to live unhealthy lifestyles. Did some of them die from the health problems they developed from the arena sure, but some of them died due to choices they made after the games. Just because a Victor died doesn't mean it was because of the radiation exposure in the arena. How Haymitch is still alive is beyond me, and he shows no symptoms! The Capitol didn't know what they were dealing with, because they chose not to deal with it. The current government is doing something about it. It takes time."

"My wife may not have time" Gale hisses, continuing to glare.

"Katniss's headaches are concerning, but, she's not showing any other symptoms. I truly believe either she will have a mild case or she has no symptoms at all. She might not ever develop symptoms. You have to put your trust in the Capitol. The President has increased research in the labs, and they are aggressively working on a more effective treatment."

"It's hard to trust them after this. Katniss told me that Haymich is done with the Capitol, he's done trying to help find Jasper, and that he wants nothing to do with anyone there ever again."

"That's unfortunate."

"That's what happens with you lie to the people you say you are trying to protect."

"And what about you? Are you done with the Capitol?"

"I will talk to the President. But not right now, I'm too angry. I don't know what Katniss will do. Right now I'm just trying to keep her mind off of all this."

"That's all you can do. Be there for her."

"I am, I would give up my life here without hesitation if that's what she needed."

"You are a good man Gale."

He nods in appreciation. They speak for a while longer about the different types of treatment the Capitol is working on, Beetee telling Gale all he knows. He leaves with a better understanding of what is happening to the Victors, and what can maybe be done to help them get better.


March 31

Katniss lays on her back on the edge of the bed, Gale on his knees holding onto her waist as he thrusts inside her, her legs wrapped around him. Taking advantage of their time alone this early Sunday afternoon for Sienna was at Hazelle's for the weekend, Gale picking her up at the townhouse once he's finished at the office tomorrow.

They've been sleeping off and on since 6 am, Gale waking her up early to make love to her over and over again. Looking over at the clock, he sees it is 1:17 as Katniss's breathing changes. Knowing she is close to climaxing, he teases her nipples for he knows how sensitive her body was to his touch. Despite her breasts being sensitive, feeling his fingers tease her drove her crazy, and she tightens her legs around him as she cries out in release. He pulls out of her and moves her legs over his shoulders as he bends down and begins licking her clit, pleasuring her a little bit more as she tries to recover from her orgasm. A few moments later she ruffles his hair getting his attention.

He raises his head up and smiles down at her as she says, "You are going to cause me to go into labor."

He laughs as he says, "Can't help myself. You're so beautiful."

She sits up and moves back to the front of the bed, looking over at him to join her. He climbs on the bed and lays down beside her as she leans back against the headboard, his head leaning on her shoulder.

"So-we are still good on the name we picked out for this little one?" he asks looking at her now very large stomach.

"Yep." She then feels her stomach start to rumble and says, "You need to feed me. I'm starving."

"You should have said something sooner" he says while he gets up.

"I was too busy enjoying myself" she smirks and takes his hand as he helps her off the bed.

They take a quick shower together and once dressed, decide to go out for lunch. They walk along the lake to a nearby café, their go to place when they want something quick. Katniss sees today's special is lamb stew and orders herself a bowl with a side salad while Gale orders a sandwich.

Once they are finished with lunch they sit and talk a bit longer before deciding to go. Wrapping his arm around her waist with her doing the same, they walk arm and arm to the front of the café and stop dead in their tracks when they see Heavensbee walk in. Face to face with him, neither one says a word when Heavensbee says, "Katniss, Gale, how nice to see the two of you."