Author's note: As a disclaimer (and trying not to give too much away) I've never experienced the events in this chapter, so I apologize if they are inaccurate. I only know what I research and see in movies and reading books. So if anyone feels it needs to be fixed, please feel free to tell me.

Happy reading!

Chapter Three

Katniss rolled out of bed early a few mornings later. She started gathering her hunting clothes.

Peeta rolled over and reached out for her. "Katniss?" He squinted an eye open. "Hey. Going hunting?"

"Yeah." She climbed over and kissed his cheek. "I'll be back in a few hours."

"Okay." He rolled back over. "Be careful."

"I will." She went down the stairs and made herself a cup of the tea Hazelle had given her. It was really helpful and she was now feeling like she could regain her normal life. For a while, at least. She picked up her bow, quiver, and game bag by the back door. She walked into the office and scribbled a quick note to Peeta. "Remember to pick up some more sugar when you go to the market today." She stuck it to the refrigerator and hurried out the back door.

She got two birds right off. They flew right in front of her when she stepped on a hidden twig. She picked them up and stuffed them in her game bag. She stalked through the forest, trying to be a little quieter this time around. She was checking on a snare when a squirrel scurried past her. She got it. And the snare held a rabbit. She reset it and then took the rabbits out of all the other snares and reset them.

As she was getting up from a crouch, she got lightheaded. She grabbed onto a tree to steady herself.

"Must have stood up too fast." She muttered to herself. She picked up her bag and headed out of the forest.

She stepped through the back door and set her things down. She walked over to the refrigerator to see her note had been replaced by one from Peeta.

"I'll remember, sweetheart. I'm going to the bakery for a while to help with some final touches. Be back for lunch. There are fresh rolls in the oven. Love you!"

She smiled and took a roll out of the oven. She broke off a piece and placed it on her tongue. "Mm." she groaned and then stuffed even more in her mouth. She walked up the stairs, shedding her clothes as she went. She finished her roll as she turned on the shower to heat up.

She put a hand on her stomach as she felt a pain shoot through her abdomen. She stood still for a minute, but the pain didn't come back. She shrugged and continued with her shower.

The phone was ringing as she came back down the stairs. "Peeta, are you home yet?" She called. But there was no answer. She hurried to answer the phone.

"Hello."

"Why the hell didn't you tell me my mother was marrying Haymitch when I talked to you last night?" Gale demanded.

"I'm sorry, I didn't think it was my place and she said she wanted to tell you when she felt the time was right." She sat down on the sofa and stretched her legs out. "I take it you don't like the idea."

"I don't dislike it. But, my god, Katniss. My mom is getting married. To Haymitch Abernathy. She'll be Hazelle Abernathy."

She laughed, "I'm sorry. I thought some of the same things. But he really does care for her. And they treat each other well."

"Good to know. So you think it's fine?"

"It's perfectly fine. How is your vacation?"

"Going well. Maggie is her mother's daughter. She loves the sea."

Katniss chuckled, "That's good. I'm going to hope this one likes to hunt. I don't know what I'd do if she preferred long division or something. I guess she can bake with Peeta and I'll be okay with that."

Gale laughed. "So you're hoping for a girl?"

"I'm hoping for a healthy baby that doesn't have to worry about anything."

"And it won't."

"I know, but—" she stopped speaking as another pain hit her. This one felt different. She looked down and saw blood. "Gale, something's wrong."

"What do you mean something's wrong?"

"I'm bleeding. And I feel weird. I think I'm losing my baby."

"Can you make it across the street to Mother?"

"I don't know." She stood. "Oh, god, Gale. There's so much. I don't know what's happening."

"I'm calling my mother. You sit tight."

The line went dead. Katniss stood there for a while. She was lightheaded and the pain had returned. The phone dropped from her hand and she stumbled toward the front door. She threw it open and started across the street. She was caught up by a pair of arms.

"Whoa there, sweetheart" Haymitch said. "Hazelle is on her way. He carried her back into the house and brought her up to her bedroom.

"Peeta." She said. "I need you to get him. He's at the bakery"

"I will. Once Hazelle gets here." He assured her.

Hazelle appeared in the door a few seconds later and Haymitch left to find Peeta

Hazelle stayed until Peeta returned. She said there wasn't anything to be done. Just let it all happen. She helped Katniss change. She bundled her up in bed and told her that if she felt cold or developed a fever it could be something dangerous.

"I'm so sorry this happened to you, Katniss." She said softly, smoothing her hair back from her head.

"Could I get pregnant again?"

"Yes. But you need to let your body get better. Give it a few months before you try again."

She nodded. "Has this ever happened to you?"

"Yes. Before Posy was born. And it took a while before I was able to conceive again. That's why there was such a big gap between her and Vick."

Peeta hobbled in. "Katniss?"

At the sight of her husband, Katniss broke down. "I'm so sorry. I'm so, so sorry." She sobbed as he held her.

"Sh. It's okay. I'm here. It's okay." He soothed.

She continued to cry on his shoulder. He knew this was difficult for her. He'd never seen her like this. Even when she had her worst nightmares, she never broke down like this. She sat back and wiped at her eyes. Her lip still trembled. "I'm sorry." She said again.

"Don't do that." He said softly, smoothing a hand over her hair. "It's not your fault."

"But I didn't want this."

"I know you didn't. But that doesn't mean it caused this."

She wrapped her arms around him again. "Don't leave me, Peeta."

"I won't, Katniss. I'm right here."

Hazelle said from the door. "You need to rest. I'll bring over food for the both of you. Remember what I said about fever and chills, Katniss."

"Yes, ma'am." She said softly.

"Get better." Haymitch said awkwardly from behind her as they turned to leave.

Peeta moved to lie beside her. They didn't speak for a long time. Katniss continued to sniff and hiccup. He ran his fingers through her hair and down her arm.

"It's okay." He whispered over and over like a mantra.

After a while, she went completely quiet. She said softly, "There's game to clean."

"I'll get it."

"Don't mess it up." She said dully.

"I won't, sweetheart." He kissed her forehead. "Just rest like Hazelle said."

"We'll get to the Capitol to get your new leg soon."

"Just rest for now. I'm getting around well enough."

"But you already made your appointment."

"You don't need to worry, sweetheart. I'll call them." He said softly. He kissed her softly.

She pressed her face into his shoulder. She clung to him. After a while, her grip loosened as she dozed off.

Peeta stayed a while until she was certain she was all right. He went downstairs and saw that Hazelle had left a note in the middle of the table that she put some food in the refrigerator for later and had cleaned up in the study as best she could.

Peeta went to the study and saw the couch was missing a cushion and the rug was missing. He contemplated the implications of that for a while. The phone rang, pulling him out of his thoughts. He picked it up.

"Hello?" he asked tentatively.

"Peeta, hi. It's Gale."

"Gale."

"Is Katniss okay?"

"Katniss? How…"

"We were talking when…I'm sorry."

"I…We…" He sat down on the end of the couch. "You called your mother. Thank you."

"I didn't know what else to do. I feel helpless."

"You're not the only one."

"Well, Annie and I send our best." He said awkwardly.

"Thank you. And congratulations about your new stepfather." Peeta said wryly.

Gale laughed. "Yeah. Thanks. I guess."

"Don't worry, Katniss and I can keep a good eye out. And Posy still lives at home and I can see she's just as strong-willed as the rest of you. Your mother will be all right."

A scream from the bedroom cut into their conversation.

"What was that?" Gale asked.

"Katniss. I have to go." Peeta hung up the phone without listening for a response.

She was lying on her back with her hands covering her face. She mumbled to herself over and over, but Peeta didn't catch it. He sat down beside her and pulled her hands away.

"Hey. You okay."

She looked at him for a while before he nodded. "Yeah."

"Gale called. He was worried."

"I was on the phone with him…" She sighed. "I dreamed I had a baby, but it had Snow's face."

"Snow's face? That what made you scream?"

"No. The dream changed and I saw Prim die. I killed her with an arrow." She closed her eyes. "I'm tired of these dreams."

"I know." He said softly. "I am too."

"It's all my fault. Everything."

"Sweetheart—"

"It is, Peeta. It is. If I hadn't…It all started when I volunteered for her. From that first moment, I defied what they wanted. And I became the Mockingjay. And because of me, so many people died. My sister died. Your family died."

"But life is better for everyone now, Katniss."

"Better for them. But not for us." She rolled over. "I want to be alone for a while."

Peeta struggled for a moment, but he stood. "I'll be right downstairs if you need anything." He started clumsily cleaning the game Katniss had brought in earlier.