Hi guys! Back with an update! This one didn't take me as long to put up because I've been writing all weekend. This a happy chapter. It's just kind of a filler chapter. Not to much plot progression happens in it. I wanted to take a little break from all the sadness. So there's some nice fluff in this chapter! Hope you like it! Thanks for all the new reviews, follows, and favorites. I tried to send you all a quick private message to thank you personally. I had a very nice conversation with catnip851. I enjoyed talking to you! Anyway here's the next chapter!

Chapter 7 - Still the mockingjay

I instinctively closed my eyes. The bright light of the hospital room was painful. When I finally reopened them only Peeta and my mother were sitting beside me.

"Where's Paylor?" I ask.

Peeta rubs the top of my hand.

"She went back to her office."

"I thought I had to talk to her."

"When you're ready." he says gently.

My mother comes over to check my vital signs.

"Everything's back to normal. How are you feeling?" she asks.

I had to admit I did feel better. I was still tired, the nightmares didn't let me get any rest. But I didn't feel physically sick anymore.

"Better." I say.

"Katniss you cant do this again. You have to remain as strong as you can. For the baby. I spoke with Dr. Aurlieus he wants you to take two of the pills for the nightmares instead of one. He assured me it wouldn't harm the baby. He also wants to examine you in the morning if your up for it." she says.

I hated taking the pills as it is. But if it might help with the nightmares. I'll do it. I'll do anything. My mother goes off to get me fresh water leaving Peeta and I alone. He sits next to me on the bed holding a muffin.

"Here. I don't know how good it's going to be, I didn't bake it. But it's better than nothing." he says.

I laugh. This is the first time I've laughed in awhile. He grins clearly happy to see me smile. I bite into the muffin. It's blueberry flavored and still moist. Must have been baked this morning. I finish it quickly. Which makes Peeta smile even more. How I've missed his smile. All I've seen lately is his serious face and tears. I kiss Peeta. And I really kiss him. I kiss him with all the fire I had before all this happened. We break apart only when we here footsteps. My mother comes back in with the water. I look at Peeta out of the corner of my eye and he's still grinning. I down three cups of the cold water quickly. I'm relieved to see a pair of clothes sitting on the end of my bed. My mother must of grabbed them. I pull the curtain over while Peeta chats with my mother on the other side. I pull on my hunting pants, a white t-shirt, my fathers hunting jacket, and boots. The clothing felt good on my skin I felt like myself. Well except bigger. I know my fathers jacket wouldn't zip even if I tried. I braid my hair back before pulling the curtain aside. Peeta smiles.

"You look much better!" my mother exclaims.

I smile.

"Thanks mom. I'll see you later."

Peeta and I walk out into the hallway hand in hand. We stop beside the door to Paylor's office.

"Thank you, for walking me here." I say.

"Katniss I'm going in with you. Don't you remember me saying, I wont let you out of my sight." he says firmly.

I lean in so my forehead touches his.

"I'll be alright. I'll be in there with Paylor." I say.

He blows out a sigh. I kiss him reassuringly. He grins.

"I'm glad you look like yourself again. Except I feel like there's something between us."

I laugh and look down at my stomach pushing up against his. He kisses me again and scans my face. I can see worry in his eyes.

"I'll be fine. See you soon." I say.

I walk into Paylor's office, before his eyes can convince me to stay with him. Paylor looks up from her desk when I enter. She smiles at me warmly.

"Katniss, come in and sit down."

I sit in a chair in front of her desk. She looks me up and down.

"You look much better. How are you feeling?" she asks.

"Better, still tired though."

Paylor nods solemnly.

"We have all been losing sleep over this." she says.

I nod at her and wait for her to continue.

"We do not know how exactly they hijacked our television system. I'm assuming it's the same way we did to the capitol. We tried to track the signal, but it was gone before we could find out where it was coming from. But if it happens again, this time we will be ready."

She pours me a glass of water, then one for herself before continuing.

"I just need you to remember you can't let this break you. You are still the mocking jay. You are still the girl on fire. You are still Katniss. You need to keep on a strong face. You can't let this get to you, that is what they want. Let them know you will protect your child. Whatever the cost. Let them know that they will be found and punished."

Her words empowered me. She is right. I cant let this get to me. I need to stay strong. For my child. For Peeta. No matter what happens.

"You're right. I'm sorry." I say.

"I know you wont be up to it right now. But I'd love to get some footage of you saying this to them. I'd also love some footage of you and Peeta living on your happy lives. I understand now is not the right time. But think about it."

I nod.

"One more thing."

She grabs a knife with a sheath out of her drawer, and slides it to me.

"I want you to be armed at all times. Guards are set up all over that is true. But you need to be able to defend yourself as well. I spoke to Peeta for a few minutes while you were asleep. He told me he'd like to start training with my forces again. To be able to protect you to his best ability. If you'd like to train as well you're welcome to it. Just don't over do it."

I nod and slide the knife into a pocket inside my jacket. She smiles and places her hand over mine.

"Just remember Katniss. We'll find them. Everything will be alright. You are strong. You are the mockingjay."

Her last sentence echoed in my head, as I walked back to my room. On my way back I see Annie walking hand in hand with Gannet. When he see's me he immediately runs to me.

"Katiss! Can I feel the baby!" he exclaims.

Annie runs up behind him and tries to lead him away.

"Hunny.." she begins.

My smile interrupts her.

"No, really it's fine Annie." I say.

I kneel down to his level and let him feel my stomach. He smiles.

"Posy will probably be mad at me, but I hope it's a boy." he says.

I smile and brush a dark lock out of his eyes. Those sea green eyes just stare up at me. Every time I see them I'm flooded with memories of Finnick. I can't image how Annie must feel.

"Katniss, I don't want you to be scared. If you get scared again you can come to me."

I feel a tear roll down my cheek. It's not a sad one though. It's a happy one. I kiss the top of his head.

"I will Gannet." I say.

I stand up and look at Annie straight in the eyes.

"You have a great boy. Just like his father."

Annie smiles at me.

"I know."

When I get back to my room, I kick off my shoes and throw my coat on the floor. Peeta is sitting on the bed with his sketchbook. I crawl next to him.

"What are you drawing Picasso?"

"You. Like always."

He turns his sketchbook towards me. I'm wearing my emerald dress, my hair covers my shoulders in soft curls. I'm holding my stomach, looking down at it smiling.

"It's beautiful." I say.

He sets his sketchbook down and stares at me.

"No. You are beautiful."

I smile and lay my head on his chest.

"Paylor told me you want to start training again."

"I think it's for the best." he says.

"I agree, as long as I get to train too."

He looks down at me.

"Absolutely not." he says firmly.

I crawl down to the edge of the bed and grab the knife out of my coat. Peeta stares at it intensely.

"Paylor says I should be armed at all times. I think I should practice shooting a hours a day at least."

He nods knowing he can't win this argument.

"As long as I'm with you."

I nod in agreement and place my hand on the side of his face. He sighs like he's been yearning for my touch, and places his hand on top of mine. He then kisses me with all the emotion he's been holding in. Happiness, sorrow, worry, I feel them all in that kiss. I kiss him back with just as much passion, and feel the skin I hadn't felt in days. The soft, warm, skin of his back and chest, and the rough edges of his scars. Our love making was now gentler than ever. It had a certain sweetness to it now that it didn't have before. The kind of sweetness it had the very first time we made love. He made sure I was completely comfortable and held himself back with expert control. I myself struggled to hold myself back. I wasn't used to having to hold back. But it ended up being beautiful. When we were finished we held each other and whispered stories in the night.

"I remember my brothers would always say why don't you just talk to Katniss?"

I smiled and kiss his neck gently.

"They said that to me every single day. But I never could get the courage to talk to you. Getting reaped was actually a blessing for me. But marrying you? That was my dream come true." he says.

I smile and give him a soft kiss on the lips. He grabs a glass of water and two pills off the nightstand.

"Here. I already took mine." he says.

I quickly swallow the pills. We both comfortably wrap ourselves up in each other. The way we always do. I lay my head on his chest.

"I love you, Katniss Mellark."

"I love you." I mumbled half asleep.

He laughs softly. That's the last thing I heard before I settle into a deep dreamless sleep.