Fair Warning: This chapter ends with a graphic, smutty, dirty, awesomely XXX sex scene. You've been notified.

"Good morning, honey," I whisper to Peeta and kiss his jaw.

"Good morning, beautiful," he whispers back. Both our greetings lack the usual enthusiasm.

I sigh deeply. We arrive in the Capitol this morning.

"I know," he tells me. "We'll get through this, Katniss. Together."

"Together," I nod.

Last night, in bed, we watched the Reapings from all the Districts. One thing we noticed was that all the Tributes, even the ones from the Career Districts, looked downright terrified. Almost all of the Mentors were obviously emotional. Annie and Finnick had tears in their eyes. Johanna just looked angry. Chaff was continuously shaking his head in disbelief. It's truly unbelievable that the Capitol is forcing these children to fight. There are a number of seven and eight-year-olds that were Reaped. It's incredibly sad.

We make our way to the dining car for breakfast. We left the twins with my mom and Prim so we can do some 'Mentoring'.

Annabel, Grayson, Haymitch and Effie are already there, silently eating. Peeta and I take our seats and he pours me some hot chocolate.

"Thanks, honey," I softly thank him.

"Sure. Here, have some bread baby." He hands me a roll. I give him a peck on the cheek.

"So we watched the Reapings," I tell the table.

"We did too," Haymitch nods. "I don't really know what to make of it yet."

"Us neither," Peeta agrees. "We'll have to wait and see at Training, I guess." Everyone nods. Annabel and Grayson just look lost.

"Where are the twins, Mrs. Mellark?" Annabel asks quietly.

"They're with my mom and sister," I tell her gently. "We wanted to spend some time with you two."

"Oh," she nods sadly and looks down at her plate.

"What is it, Annabel?" I whisper. She looks back up at me with tears in her eyes.

"I miss my family," she is barely able to say.

I feel the tears coming, and I can't do anything to stop them. Without telling my mind to, I start thinking of how I would feel being ripped from Peeta and our babies. It makes me so emotional I know I can't stay in this room any longer.

"I'm sorry," I sob. "I – I - I just can't." I push my chair back, slip my hand from Peeta's, and quickly exit the room. I don't look back.

I make it to our bedroom and curl up on the bed, letting the tears flow. I need some reassurance, so I reach down into my bag and grab the letter Peeta wrote me. I stay in the fetal position as I read it, my tears fogging up my vision.

A few minutes later I hear the door gently open and close. He doesn't say anything as he approaches me. I feel the bed dip from his weight, and then I feel him behind me, his arms wrapping around me tightly, brining me close.

He lets me read and cry, knowing that his presence is enough for right now.

"I'm sorry," I whimper after a few minutes.

"It's okay," he assures me. "Everyone understands. Nobody's mad."

"I know, but I just left you guys there. I'm supposed to be their mentor and I broke down."

"Katniss, nobody expects any of us to get through this without getting emotional. Especially you and me."

I nod and he shushes me, stroking my hair softly as my sobbing gets quieter.

"What do you need? What can I do for you?" He asks sincerely.

"Stay with me."

"Always."

"Never leave me."

"Always."

After a few more minutes, he hands me some tissues and helps me clean myself up. We return to the dining car, and I apologize for my breakdown. Everyone assures me that everything is fine, and we continue talking.

"What's the Arena like?" Grayson asks.

"Well, this year's will be different from last year's," Haymitch explains. "Nobody will actually know until the Games start."

I think about that. I decide to ask Plutarch, and maybe we can get a leg up on the competition. If we know the general layout, maybe we can come up with a plan to keep them safe for that first night.

"We were lucky," Peeta adds. "Our Arena looked a lot like 12, so Katniss felt right at home in the woods. It gave us a huge advantage once she got her bow."

They both nod, remembering our Games.

"How did you know who to trust?" Annabel asks.

"You don't," I honestly tell her. They looked shocked, so I continue. "You can't ever really know who to trust. You just have to feel in your heart. Like when I woke up and found Rue, I just knew she wouldn't hurt me. She could have, but instead she helped nurse me back to health for two days. When I found Peeta, he was actually scared I was there to kill him. But not a minute later, he trusted me with his life."

"The Careers trusted me," Peeta tells them. "I lied to them, telling them I'd help them hunt down Katniss. I was really just doing it to keep Katniss safe from them. When she dropped that nest, and I told her to run, Cato, the leader, found out I'd been lying. He tried to kill me, but I would never change what I did. It kept Katniss alive, and that was always my only goal."

"Wait, you didn't think you were going to win?" Grayson asks Peeta incredulously.

Peeta shakes his head.

"No. From the moment I was Reaped, no. Actually, when Katniss volunteered, I prayed that Effie picked my name out of the Reaping Ball. I wanted to be the one to keep her safe. I knew I had to get her home at all costs, and I knew that meant my life. I was prepared from the moment the Games started to die for her."

They both nod in awe, looking back and forth between us. I squeeze Peeta's hand harder.

We continue talking for another hour, until Effie announces we're almost to the Capitol. Just like Peeta last year, Annabel and Grayson go to the windows to catch their first glimpse of the city. Peeta and I have seen it too many times.

We pull into the station, and I'm glad we thought ahead. Effie and Haymitch take Annabel and Grayson out through the crowds, while me, Peeta, my mom, Prim and the twins exit through a rear car, hidden from the throngs. We make sure all our luggage is loaded, and pile into the limousine. Effie made sure it has tinted windows so nobody can see in.

We arrive at the hotel, and pull up to the back again. The manager greets us, and he's obviously happy to see us. He leads us to our private elevator and has bellhops bring our luggage up. I'm holding Josh and Peeta is holding Eve. We drop my mom and Prim off on their floor and go up to our suite.

"How long until we have to go to the Training Center?" I ask Peeta once we're settled. He looks at his watch.

"A few hours. They have to get prepped and everything. We're going to leave Josh and Eve here, right?"

"Yes. I don't want them anywhere near those cameras," I nod. He breaths a sigh of relief.

"What do you think their costumes will be this year?" He asks.

I shrug.

"No idea. It'll be interesting, though, I know that. Some of these kids are so small I imagine we'll barely be able to see them in the chariots."

Peeta nods sadly.

"We should talk to all the people we need to while we're there too," I remind. "Let them know about the meeting we want to have."

"Good idea."

We lie down and take a nap, the twins between us, relishing in being a family for a few hours. Soon, we're woken up by an alarm, and we dress and get ready to head to the Tribute Parade. We drop Eve and Josh off with Prim, and both of us are reluctant to leave them. It's harder every single time.

We meet the limo out back and soon we arrive at the staging area. It's filled with mentors and the chariots, waiting for the Tributes. We easily find Haymitch and Effie, nervously standing by 12's horses.

"Hey guys," I greet.

"Sweetheart, kid," Haymitch nods.

"You look beautiful," Effie tells me. I'm wearing a gown that I designed with Cinna. It's a burnt orange, not only because it's Peeta's favorite color, but also to throw back to last year. Peeta is wearing a dark green suit with a matching burnt orange tie. He looks very handsome.

"She's right," he whispers in my ear, making my body tingle. "You look gorgeous." I turn and give him a peck on the lips.

"And you look handsome, husband," I whisper. I smooth out his tie, brush off his shoulders, and straighten some of his hairs. He patiently lets me, but I can tell it annoys him when I treat him like this. I look around and some of the other mentors are looking at us funny, but I don't care.

We quickly make our way around and talk to everyone we need to. They all agree immediately to meet us in our suite about an hour after the Parade.

Finally, the Tributes arrive. Annabel and Grayson look incredibly nervous. Cinna and Portia are with them, as I wanted them to have the same stylists. Plutarch said it was no problem. Cinna explains that he wanted to remind everyone of last year, but didn't want to just do the same thing. They're both wearing tight black body suits. Cinna shows us that when they start going down the avenue, the suits will turn on, and glow. While they're just standing here, it doesn't look like much, but Cinna assures us that when they're on the chariots, it will look like a glowing ember. I trust him, of course, and actually look forward to seeing his creation.

The countdown is announced, so we give our last minute advice to Grayson and Annabel. I tell them to hold hands, and they agree. It's more to show unity than anything. I don't think the country would be too keen on such a young romance. But, then again, the Capitol is sick. Peeta, Haymitch, Effie and I make our way to the mentor section.

We sit next to Finnick and Annie, and Peeta holds my hand tight. I can see the many large television screens that occasionally show our section, and sometimes zoom in on the four of us. Ever since Finnick and Annie's wedding, when Peeta and I were best man and maid of honor, we're now known as Panem's two favorite couples. Once they found out we're actually best friends, that made it an even better story apparently.

Soon the Parade starts. The Districts come out, and most of the costumes are predictable. Finnick and Annie chuckle at their Tributes, who are literally dressed like fish. Finally, I can see our Tributes about to enter. I see their suits flick on, and Cinna was right. It's amazing. They both look like embers at the center of a fire, swirling hues of blue, orange, red, green and yellow. The crowd gasps and cheers, much like they did for us last year. The cameras zoom in on Annabel and Grayson, who both look stunned, but keep up their appearance. They are holding hands tightly, and I can tell it's grounding both of them.

The Tributes all circle in front of Snow, and he makes his usual speech welcoming them to the Capitol and to the Games. It makes me sick every time I hear it. The Parade is over as soon as it began, and we're back in the Staging Area, congratulating our Tributes on a job well done.

"That will get you some sponsors," Haymitch tells them. "Great job, kids."

"You made a huge impact," Effie adds. "The crowd loves you."

They both look unsure and unsteady, so I speak up.

"It's a good thing, guys. I hated the crowds last year, but I understood we needed them to help us survive. You did great. Trust us, it will help."

They nod in understanding, and after a few minutes, depart with Haymitch and Effie to head back to the Training Center and their rooms. We tell them we'll see them in the morning for the start of training, after our interview with Caesar.

Peeta and I head back to the hotel, and we're fairly quiet for the ride. I know we're both thinking about our own Parade a year ago.

"That was the first time I held your hand," Peeta says suddenly. Of course we're holding hands right now, too.

"I know," I say quietly.

"Did you feel it too? That spark, that electric shock when we touched?"

"Yes," I nod. "I didn't know what it was, but I felt it."

He lets out a breath, like he was worried I'd say no.

"I knew we were going into the Games, and that I was going to die, but I was so happy that night because just for a little while, I got to hold the hand of the girl I love and pretend we were real," he sighs sadly.

"Well, now you can hold my hand whenever you want," I tell him. "And we are real and we are happy." I lean over and give him a sweet kiss on the lips. He smiles into my mouth and I smile back.

"I love you so much, Katniss," he whispers.

"I love you too, Peeta. So much it physically hurts."

We get back to the hotel and scoop up Josh and Eve, who are fast asleep. We thank Prim and my mom and head back to our suite. We wake them up to feed them, then tuck them into bed in their small bedroom. We quickly change into comfortable clothes and prepare ourselves for our upcoming meeting, dragging some chairs into the living room to accommodate everyone.

Our friends show up over a span of ten minutes, all happy to see us. We only got to talk for a couple minutes at the Parade, so we're all catching up and hugging. Of course Annie wants to see the twins, but I tell her they're asleep. She begs, and I relent, making her promise not to wake them up. I take her in, and she starts quietly sobbing at the sight of them. I can tell she wants kids, badly.

Everyone accounted for, we sit down. I sit next to Peeta on a love seat and he grasps my hand, intertwining our fingers.

"Thanks for coming, everyone," Peeta starts. "We wanted to talk to all of you about something very important. Finnick, Annie, and Johanna already know, but we wanted them here too."

"We have a huge favor to ask all of you," I continue. "We consider each and every one of you friends, and we have enjoyed getting to know in the past few months. However, what we're about to ask you is not easy, nor is it simple. We understand it might sound selfish, but we have no other options."

"Just tell them already brainless," Johanna interjects. I glare at her and she just chuckles.

"Peeta and I have decided that because of our children, we can not, under any circumstances, be on the front lines. That means we can't go into the Arena, nor can we leave 13 to fight," I say firmly.

It's silent for a few moments, while everyone digests. We look around, and it's too early to tell what people are thinking.

"Now that doesn't mean we won't be doing anything," Peeta adds. "Katniss and I are going to present a deal to Plutarch. In exchange for letting us stay with our family and keep away from the actual fighting, Katniss and I will agree to become the public faces of the Rebellion. We will do any Propos, TV spots, interviews, photo ops, anything they want of us, as long as they agree to our terms."

"We understand we're asking a lot of you," I tell them honestly. "All of you have to go into the Arena, and we're asking you to let us sit it out. It's not that Peeta and I don't want to fight, because we do, but we need to be around for our children. We just can't risk it. We have to fight in a different way."

We stay silent after this, letting everyone think it over. The tension builds as our future hangs in the balance. Finally, after a few minutes, Johanna speaks up.

"Oh come on, like you're going to risk leaving those cute kids without their parents. Just tell them it's okay, because I know you're all thinking it. Katniss and Peeta are already the most famous people in Panem." Everyone laughs softly, and I take it as a good sign.

"I, for one, would be honored to fight for you," Chaff speaks up. "You are parents, and that must come first. We'll fight on the front lines, you fight on the airwaves."

I nod at Chaff in thanks. I like him a lot. He's good friends with Haymitch.

"I agree," Beetee adds. "Peeta and Katniss will be able to do a lot of damage to the Capitol's war effort just by their defection. The fact that they are a young family, and are doing this for their children, will only turn more people against Snow."

Everyone nods their agreement.

"So are we all in agreement then?" Johanna bluntly asks. "Cinnamon buns and brainless sit out the fighting, and become the figureheads of the Rebellion? All in favor raise your hands."

To my astonishment, everyone immediately raises their hands without question.

Tears spring to my eyes involuntarily. Peeta grips my hand harder as we watch our friends save our future.

"Thank you all," I say through my tears. "You have no idea how much this means to us. We will make sure that when our children grow up, they are well aware of the sacrifices each of you have made so that they could live. Thank you."

"We'll never be able to thank you enough," Peeta adds when I'm finished. "Katniss and I want to fight the Capitol more than anything, but like Chaff said, our children must come first. We have to think of them, not ourselves. Thank you so much."

Everyone seems to be getting a little emotional, so Johanna decides to lighten the mood, as is her forte.

"Stop crying brainless, you won you idiot."

I chuckle and everyone laughs softly, the tension and emotion broken.

"One more thing," Peeta holds up a single finger. "Katniss and I are going to meet with Plutarch soon to present this deal. We would appreciate it if all of you could be there to back us up."

"Of course." "It would be an honor." "We'll be there ready to fight."

"Thank you all from the bottom of our hearts," I tell them once more. "Our children thank you too. They're sleeping right now, but we'll make sure to bring them around tomorrow for everyone to see, okay?"

Everyone nods with smiles, thinking about seeing the twins. Most of them haven't seen them since the O'Dair's wedding.

Everyone eventually trickles out, Annie, Finnick and Johanna the last to leave.

"Thanks guys," I tell them once we're alone. "Thanks for helping."

"Stop saying thank you," Finnick tells me with a smile. "You're our best friends. We'd do anything for you and our niece and nephew."

I nod and hold myself back from saying 'thank you'. We give them hugs and kisses (well, not Jo) and tell them we'll see them in the morning.

Finally, Peeta and I are alone in our suite. We collapse on the bed.

"Long day, huh?" He jokes.

"Ugh," is my only response.

"That went better than I thought it would," he says.

"Yeah. I'm glad they're all on board. It will help with Plutarch and in the future to have so many Victors on our side."

"They're great friends."

"That they are. I'm so glad we got to know all of them."

He nods his agreement.

"You know, Kat, the last time we were in this room you were almost six months pregnant," he says quietly.

"Yeah? What's your point?"

He shrugs.

"I don't know. I was just thinking about everything we did last time we were here," he says shyly.

"Oh," I say in realization. "You mean, all the sex we had?"

He nods sheepishly.

"We did have some great sex on this bed, didn't we?"

"Yeah," he whispers.

"Well, we haven't made love since last night, Peeta," I remind him.

"Really?" He asks hopefully.

I roll my eyes.

"No. Really, Peeta? When have you ever known me to turn down having sex with you?"

He thinks for a moment then shrugs.

"Good point," he smiles. "So, what would my baby like to do this evening?"

I ponder his question, tilting my head back and forth for a moment.

"Let's take a shower," I suggest.

His eyes light up and he nods enthusiastically. We get up and start stripping each other on our way to the bathroom, our lips locked as much as possible. By the time we make it to the shower, I'm wet and I can feel his erection.

He reaches in and sets the temperature. I'm down to my bra and panties as he slides his boxers off. I'm about to undo my braid when he stops me.

"Leave it in," he pleads. "You're so beautiful with it."

I nod, and motion that I want him to remove my undergarments. He does with glee, leaving us both naked.

We step in the shower and stand under the flow for a moment, making out vigorously. I feel his hands running all over my skin, setting me on fire.

"Peeta," I moan. "Take me."

He shakes his head.

"First I'm going to make you come," he announces with confidence, knowing how much it turns me on.

He spins me around so my back is against his chest, and his right hand dives between my legs. His left is firmly gripping my breast, my hand on top of it. He works me into a frenzy, his lips attached to my neck, my ear, my shoulder.

"Oh my god," I groan, "don't stop baby. I love you so much."

I feel his smirk against my neck.

"I love you too baby," he whispers. "Are you almost there?"

"Keep going," I nod, "deeper, Peeta, deeper. Oh, that's it. Right there. I'm going to come baby."

When I come, my whole body racks with the orgasm, Peeta holding me up in his strong arms. My eyes slide shut in ecstasy, and I can feel his erection pressing against my butt, making me excited for what I know is next.

My orgasm finished, I spin around in his arms and attack his lips. I feel him grip my butt, and he's about to lift me up to straddle him.

"Nuh uh," I shake my head. He looks at me funny, so to explain better, I kneel down in front of him and take his erection in my mouth.

"Oh my god Katniss," he moans. "Baby, that feels….oh don't stop."

And I don't. I work him into the same frenzy he had me in, and I when I look up into his eyes, the look of love almost shocks me with its intensity. A few times, I shift my mouth to his balls, taking one at a time and giving them my full attention, causing him to praise me like never before.

I can tell he's close, so I take his entire length in my mouth quickly, and repeat.

"Close?" I ask. He nods. "Do you want to come in my mouth?" He nods again shyly.

A couple minutes later, he tells me he's there, so I speed up even faster. When he comes, I massage his balls, helping him get his full load out, sliding him in and out to aid. I feel his warmth in my mouth and on the back of my throat, the familiar taste of my husband. When I feel he's expelled everything, I look up to him and swallow. He shakes his head as always, in disbelief.

He grips my shoulders and pulls me back up to him. He kisses me hard, not caring that I just had his seed in my mouth. This time, when he grips my butt, I let him pick me up, and I straddle him. He backs me up against the wall and I groan in pleasure. I feel his growing erection against my thigh. He moves his lips to my neck and then my ear, nibbling softly to drive me crazy.

"Peeta?"

"Hmm?" He mumbles against my shoulder blade.

"I. Need. You. Inside. Me. This. Instant," I demand slowly.

He smirks up at me and complies. I feel him enter me, moaning the entire time while he slides all the way in.

"Oh my god you're so tight," he tells me breathily.

"Maybe you're just huge," I throw back. He smiles wide.

He starts sliding in and out, and I use my leverage to help him. We're soon writhing in sync, and he brings me to another screaming orgasm. I can only hope we don't wake the twins.

"Mmmm Katniss you're so warm baby," he whispers against my lips as he kisses me.

"I can't help it when you're inside me, honey," I tell him honestly. This makes him grin at his effect on me.

We make love like this, face to face, our lips locked, for a good twenty minutes before I can tell he's inching towards his release.

"You going to come soon?" I ask him quietly.

He nods and kisses me passionately. After a couple more minutes, I know he's seconds away, so I put my lips next to his ear and whisper.

"I want you to come inside me, Peeta. I want you to kiss me as you come. I want to feel your warmth inside me. Please, baby, please, I love you so much. Come, Peeta, come inside me."

This drives him over the edge, as it always does, and he locks his lips to mine as I feel him explode inside me. As always, I make sure he's buried as far into me as possible when he comes, and we both thrust a couple times to make sure he gets it all out.

When he's finished, I quickly lower myself off of him, kneel in front of him, and clean his length with my mouth. I feel him shudder and groan in pleasure. I softly kiss the tip of his erection when I'm finished and look up at him. He looks in awe of me. I smile softly.

"You're amazing," he tells me quietly.

"Right back at ya," I retort. He smiles.

We get on with the regular part of the shower. He takes my braid out and washes my hair gently, and I return the favor. I wash his stump with love, as he spent a good portion of the day on his feet. I know it hurt, even if he won't admit it to anyone.

Soon, we're getting ready for bed. We check on the twins, and watch over them for a few minutes. I'm in front of Peeta, my back to his chest, his arms wrapped around my waist tightly, my arms covering his. He leans his head down so it's next to mine.

"We'll protect them, Kat," he whispers.

"I know," I nod slightly.

"I promise, honey. I'll gladly lay down my life for you three."

"I know," I nod again. "But please, let that be the very last option Peeta. We need you. We need daddy."

"I promise," he repeats.

"I love you, Peeta. Forever," I tell him.

"I love you too, Katniss. Always."

A/N: Okay, so we've arrived in the Capitol and had the Tribute Parade. They've spoken to the other rebel Victors, who are on board with the plan. Now they just have to present it to Plutarch.

The next chapter will involve their interview with Caesar and the beginning of training. It will be interesting to see how the Gamemakers and mentors react to the young Tributes. Some of them probably won't even be able to lift most of the weaponry.

Thank you all for the kind words about my illness. It was nothing serious, just a bug. But I always have to be careful, you see. I don't have my spleen, pancreas, gallbladder, appendix, duodenum, half my stomach, and some of my intestines. So when I do get sick, even with something minor, I have to really be careful, because my immune system is so compromised. But I'm doing much better today, so thank you!

Keep reviewing and reading. Monday, Monday, Monday.