DISCLAIMER: HG CHARACTERS DO NOT BELONG TO ME.
A/N: As always, thanks for the reviews-also, I wanted to do a quick poll, for my next story, I'm going to do a story from Katniss's point of view, but I'm wondering if people would be more interested in a typical hunger games story that is galeniss with Peeta in the picture, a galeniss story that is a crossover fic (set in Panem but with Walking Dead characters in it-the storyline will be better than it sounds lol), or a Gale/Katniss/Finnick love triangle story. I typically like non-cannon pairings, hence my love for Galeniss, and there's so many Gale/Katniss/Peeta stories so I thought some people might be interested in something different.
Chapter 129-Fluid
"Breathe into the mask" the nurse says to Katniss while helping Katniss sit up. Katniss quickly grabs the mask and her breathing slowly returns to normal as the oxygen quickly goes into her nose and mouth.
"I'll get the doctor" the nurse says and Katniss nods at her while still holding the mask over her face.
Trying not to panic, Katniss begins repeating Sioux words over and over in her head to help calm her nerves. Finally able to release the mask from her face and breathe normally, she nervously taps her fingers on the side of the bed while continuing to repeat the all the words she knows over and over.
After what seems like an eternity, Dr. Pace comes into the room and immediately starts examining her. Katniss sees a troubled look on her face as the doctor says, "Let's take you back for X-rays."
"What about-" But before Katniss can finish Dr. Pace says, "The nurse will take Juniper to the nursery."
An hour later, Katniss now continuously repeating her list of kind acts in her head, she stares at the wall as she waits for Dr. Pace to come back in. She wants to call Gale, but decides to wait until the doctor comes back. 'Why make him worry if it's not serious' she thinks to herself.
But deep down she knew it was serious and her fears were confirmed when Dr. Pace comes into the recovering room and says, "X-rays showed you have fluid in your lungs, we need to remove the fluid right away."
Katniss doesn't have time to process the doctor's words before another nurse comes into the room, holding an extremely long needle in her hand. Katniss is instructed to lay down while Dr. Pace inserts a numbing medication into her neck, and within seconds she is not able to feel anything below her neck. Katniss hears another person come into the room. Another doctor has come in, and while introducing himself his name is gone from Katniss's memory as quickly as it went in. Katniss watches as he takes the long needle from the nurse's hand and inserts the needle into her chest. Katniss takes a deep breath and closes her eyes, Sioux words racing in her head.
"You are doing great Katniss" Dr. Pace says laying a hand on her shoulder gently. Katniss can only nod as she breathes heavily, her eyes now open, she stares up at the ceiling. She begins thinking about how as a girl her Mother talking about some of the residents in 12 having fluid in their lungs, and how it could be fatal.
Once all the fluid is removed and everyone leaves except for Dr. Pace, Katniss says, "So this is why I've been having trouble breathing."
"Most likely-advanced pregnancy made it difficult to see your symptoms and as you know-we couldn't do any X-rays while you were pregnant with Juniper."
"So now what?"
"We run some tests. Make sure the fluid doesn't build back up."
"And if it does?"
"You will need to be referred to see another doctor, someone who specializes in this area- I'd recommend seeing someone in the Capitol."
"Of course" Katniss says dryly.
"I met a new female doctor fresh out of medical training, from District 11. She's excellent, I think you would like her."
"Why isn't she practicing in District 11 then?"
"She wants to get more training from experienced doctors in the Capitol."
Katniss nods and looks at the clock on the wall and says, "Can the nurse bring Juniper back up? I probably need to feed her now."
"In a little bit, we need to do some blood work before she comes back in here."
"But my baby-"
"Your baby will be fine Katniss. If she's hungry, our nurses will make sure she is fed."
Katniss wanted to argue with her, but she respected Dr. Pace too much to do that, she knows if Gale had been in the room with her he would have made a scene and demanded that the bloodwork be done later, but the truth was, Katniss was still numb in the chest and arm area and knew that breastfeeding probably would have not worked out so well despite her best efforts trying.
Three hours later after her blood was taken and getting a chance to sleep, she awakens and sees Gale sitting on a chair across from her with a sleeping Juniper in his arms. The numbness now completely worn off, she quickly sits up as she says, "What time is it?"
"A little after 4" Gale says as he slowly gets up and walks over to her bed smiling as he looks down at his daughter.
"I guess I was tired" Katniss says as he hands Juniper to her.
"Well, you did have a baby today" Gale says giving Katniss a kiss on her forehead.
"How was lunch" Katniss asks as she repositions Juniper in her arms, the newborn barely moving.
"We were out a lot longer than I thought, it was a great time. The kids all behaved themselves and kept busy. It wasn't the same without you though."
"Was I-sleeping when you came in?"
"You were out cold."
"Did you-talk to Dr. Pace?"
"No, was I supposed to?"
"I just-wondered if she came to talk to you."
Gale frowns as he says, "What is it, is it Juniper?" panic setting in his voice.
"Gale you know nothing's wrong with Juniper, I would have called you right away."
Katniss sees the wheels turn in Gale's head as he processes her words. "You couldn't breathe again" he says.
"My lungs were filled with fluid. That's why I've been having trouble breathing. They drained the fluid out. Dr. Pace is sending me to a doctor in the Capitol."
"Katniss do you think-"
"I don't know-maybe" Katniss says cutting him off, not saying the dreaded word. The very place that drove them apart inadvertently all those years.
Katniss feels Juniper begin to stir and watches as the baby opens her eyes. Katniss smiles as she looks into Juniper's deep blue eyes. After a few moments Juniper begins to fuss, signaling to Katniss she needs to feed.
While Katniss begins to nurse Juniper, Gale quickly walks out of the room, catching Katniss off guard. Unable to go after him, Katniss leans back on the bed and lays on her side with Juniper while she feeds, gently touching the baby's head while she tries to forget about her and Gale's conversation.
Gale continues walking as quickly as he can down the hall, at times brushing past people along the way without apologizing. Once outside, he begins walking down the street despite the fact it was snowing and he had no coat on. Walking with no purpose, he finds himself in his old neighborhood. He walks past his old apartment and the park behind his apartment, ignoring the stares he was getting from the people he passed by.
He begins walking into the busier section of downtown, where the shops and restaurants were. Knowing he better head to the nearest train station to get back to the hospital because he was bound to run into someone he knows because it was almost 5 pm, he hears someone call out his name. He recognizes the voice immediately.
He turns around and sees her standing there staring at him in shock, they hadn't seen in each other in over ten years. She looked the same, only looking slightly older, her hair still blonde, it was tied back in a neat ponytail. Still pretty thin, she looked healthier than the last time he had seen her.
"Dez" he says hesitantly.
He sees her eyes begin to tear up. He sees her try to hold them back. "You look exactly the same" she says softly.
"So do you" he says.
"What are you doing here?"
"Uh-long story."
"Where's your coat?"
"Part of the long story."
"Gale are you okay?"
"Yes, well-no but, it's all part of the long story."
"I was just heading to my parents for dinner, I just got off work from the salon."
"You still live around here?"
"Uh huh. I live in an apartment near here with my-"
Gale raises his eyebrows waiting for her to finish and she looks down as she says, "With my husband."
"Husband? Wow, Dez, I'm, I'm really happy for you. That's great."
Dez shrugs as she says, "Well, I knew the chance of us ever getting back together were impossible."
Feeling uncomfortable, Gale says, "That was the biggest regret of my life, how I handled that whole situation. You didn't deserve that."
Dez raises her hand and says, "I'd rather not talk about it. Can we, go get a coffee or something?"
"I'm sorry Dez I can't, I have to go."
"But Gale please can't we just talk?"
"Dez, I'm sure you know a lot has happened since the last time we saw each other."
"No shit. I know about your marriage, all your kids. I've seen Katniss's interviews with Caesar."
"Then you know why I have to go."
"But Gale-"
"I'm sorry" he says as he turns to leave. As he begins walking, he quickly turns back around and says, "Dez wait."
"Yeah?" she says desperately hoping that he changed his mind.
"I just wanted you to know, Harper died last year."
He sees her face fall, sad to hear about Harper, but also sad that he wasn't taking her up on her offer for the two of them to reconnect.
"He lived a long, happy life" she says.
"He lived a lot longer than I ever expected him to."
"Did you get another dog?"
"I did, Katniss-surprised my children and I with a new puppy. Our new dog is a female named Lady. She's a nice dog, but I still miss Harper, I miss him a lot."
"I miss him too. We have a dog at our apartment. You're right, there aren't many dogs like him."
"Goodbye Dez."
He sees tears begin to fall from her face as she says, "I miss you so much."
"A part of me will always love you Dez." And she watches as he quickly walks towards the train station.
'You never loved me as much as her' she thinks to herself sadly.
When Gale arrives back at the hospital, he is told where Katniss and Juniper have been moved to. He goes to the floor she is on and walks into her room and sees Juniper in a portable crib in the corner of the room, Katniss sitting in a chair watching TV.
She gets up when he walks into the room. "Where did you go? You just left!"
"I'm sorry, I had to get some air. I had to-clear my thoughts."
"Clear your thoughts" Katniss says in annoyance.
"I go crazy when I think about what the Capitol has done to you."
"Dr. Pace says we can go home tomorrow" the annoyance still in her voice.
"Is she still here?"
"Oh no-she left right after you stormed off. Why?"
"I just thought maybe I could talk to her."
"Well sorry you missed her" she says dryly.
Gale walks over and sees Juniper sleeping soundly, Gale touches her face then pulls up a chair next to Katniss.
"Did you eat?"
"Not yet."
"Do you want me to grab some food from the cafeteria?"
She smiles as she says, "Sounds good" no longer annoyed with him.
They eat in front of the TV, chatting as they flip through the channels, each taking turns getting up to tend to Juniper. Katniss looks over and sees it is almost 10 pm and says, "It's getting late, are you heading over to your Mom's?"
"I should, but I don't want to leave the two of you."
"Your Mom might appreciate the extra help in the morning."
"Ha-true."
He bends down and gives her a passionate kiss before engulfing her in a hug. He tells her that he loves her and then goes over to Juniper's crib and kisses the infant on the forehead before quietly exiting the room.
When he arrives at his Mother's townhouse, he sneaks upstairs and into the room Sienna and Avery sleep in and kisses them goodnight while they slept and did the same for Jack and Taran in their room. He then goes to the basement downstairs area and collapses on the bed, totally exhausted from the whirlwind of emotions he experienced today from seeing the birth of his third daughter, to the fear of Katniss becoming ill, to seeing Dez again. Sleep quickly overcomes him, and he begins to dream. He dreams that he is back in District 12 in the woods hunting. He is a boy again, alone and slightly afraid. He knows he shouldn't be in the woods, that it is illegal. He sees a tiny girl, slowly moving in the woods with a bow and arrow. He quickly approaches her.
"Hunting is illegal you know" he says startling her.
She stops dead in her tracks and looks at him, a terrified expression on her face.
"What's your name?" he asks.
"Katniss" she whispers.
"Catnip?"
"Katniss" she says louder.
"Katniss? Well I'm going to call you Catnip, I like that better."
The scene changes and he is now in District 2, in a bar. He's in the bar he met Dez in all those years ago.
He looks around and sees her standing at a table top with her friends. She is smiling brightly and laughing, looking absolutely beautiful.
"Daddy?" Avery's voice interrupting and changing the scene again and he finds himself sitting with her on the couch in the living room of their house in Silver Lake.
"Yeah Avie?" he says turning towards her.
"Is Mommy dying?"
And before he can answer he hears the alarm go off on his phone, waking him up. Once he turns the alarm off, he goes into the bathroom and splashes cold water on his face, trying to shake off the uneasiness he felt from the dream. He showers and once dressed, heads upstairs and makes breakfast for Hazelle and the kids before they come down.
They run into his arms when they see him. He tells them they will see Katniss and Juniper when he picks them up from the hospital.
"But you said I could come with you" Sienna says.
"I'm sorry but I'm going to need you to stay here and help Grammie get the basement ready for your Mom and Juniper."
"But Dad-"
"No buts Sienna."
He didn't want Sienna to come with him because he wanted to talk with Dr. Pace at the hospital, he also wanted to use the opportunity to talk to Katniss on the train ride about their situation, which they couldn't do if Sienna was around. He hated to disappoint his oldest daughter but he had no choice.
Sienna barely says goodbye to him when he leaves. Anxious to get to the hospital, Gale quickly says goodbye to everyone else and heads out the door, forgetting to take the onesie Hazelle's friend had given to the family as a gift for Juniper.
When he gets to Katniss room he runs into her arms, his actions catching her off guard yet again.
"Gale are you okay?" she says as he pulls back, a look of concern on her face.
"I will be once I have a word with these doctors" he says fiercely.
