Thanks to everyone who reviewed my last chapter! And now…drum roll, please… Chapter Sixty Nine! Also just to let you people know, the beginning of this chapter is right after the end of last, if you know what I mean. Katniss hugged Gale, and now this chapter just starts off from there. Thank you!

"Katniss?" Gale was lightly rubbing my back as I cried into his chest.

As hard as it was, I pulled away from him and wiped my eyes. "What?"

"I'm sorry I have caused you so much pain." But before I could argue with him, he put his finger to my lips. "Before…With having to watch you and Peeta in the Games, and when you came home, I was a jerk. You couldn't help it. You were only marrying Peeta to stay alive. And then… Just a week or two after we got here… I was stupid in thinking you didn't really love him. And when you thought the child was mine. And now this." Gale had a pained look on. "No one that makes you so hurt deserves you."

"Shut up." I reburied my face. "You're making me cry more."

"See, this is what I'm talking about!" He looked half-exasperated, half-amused.

"But Gale, I-I really do love you. But even if you were…alive I couldn't have you. You know that." I had no idea why I was telling him that. A year ago, no scratch that, six months ago I wouldn't have even dreamed of having this conversation with Gale.

"I know, Katniss, but—" Gale suddenly cut off. He caught his bottom lip in between his teeth. "Peeta's on his way. I should be going."

For the first time in what seemed like forever, I didn't want Peeta to come. I had Gale. But since I'm in a dream…Gale's presence really shouldn't matter. "But you can stay here until I wake up, right?"

Gale looked confused. "More like…fall asleep."

I didn't quite get it, but went with what he said anyways. "Then stay with me until I fall asleep."

That seemed fine with him. He tucked his legs under the covers and slid down next to me. "Just once ever in my lifetime…"

Maybe he wasn't use to girls snuggling up to him in bed, because when I wrapped my arms around him and put my head on his chest, I felt his body go tense.

"Katniss, you and Peeta… You're kind of married." He was unsure of what to do.

I sighed. "This is only a dream and we are doing anything, so it doesn't matter. And besides, you just died so I don't think Peeta would mind."

I felt Gale relax under me and he put his arm around my shoulder. "Is there anything…I can do for you right now? Before I leave?"

"Sing for me."

My request caught Gale off guard. "I don't really sing, Katniss."

"Please?" I lifted my eyes up to his. "Sing me to sleep, Gale. Just once in our lifetime."

With only a shy smile, Gale cleared his throat and began to sing:

I know a place that we can go to,

A place where no one knows you

They won't know who we are.

I know a place that we can run to,

And do those things we want to

They won't know who we are.

Let me take you there.

I want to take you there.

I know a place that we've forgotten,

A place where we won't get caught in

I know a place where we can hide out

And turn our hearts inside out

They won't know who we are.

Let me take you there…

My chest tightened as Gale's strong voice faded away. My eyelids began to droop and I fell asleep there in Gale's arms.

My eyes snapped open what felt like three seconds later. I was still lying in bed, but my brain hurt with a major de-ja-vu. Everything was exactly how it was right before Gale had entered. The door was stuck, almost closed, and the blankets were still tucked around me like no one had been by my side. I shook my head.

Suddenly, I heard familiar footsteps outside my door and it swung open. Peeta looked frantic, but when he saw me sitting casually in bed, his face relaxed. "You worried me there, Katniss."

I said nothing, just avoided his gaze. There was a bit of leftover guilt from Gale's visit, but not as much as there would have been originally.

"What…happened? Why did you run out like that?" He seemed really nervous that I might have heard his and the doctors "talk".

I shrugged nonchalantly. "You and the doctor went into the room, and after a second of self-pitying, I ran from the room."

"You didn't…hear what the doctor and I were talking about?" He looked immensely guilty.

I wanted to play along and pretend I hadn't heard anything, for both of our sakes, but that would only cause trouble, so I told him the truth. "…Yes. I-I did up to the part when you said that there was a chance…"
Despite the attempt to stay calm, Peeta's face contorted into pain. "I'm sorry you had to listen to that." He dragged himself over to the bed and gingerly sat down next to me. I could tell he was trying hard not to cry.

Seeing him in pain like this hurt, me, and I felt bad. Every time I cry, Peeta holds me and comforts me, as if I am the only one affected by the whole thing. But now I can see the torture in his eyes, the vulnerability finally showing through. And here I was always thinking that I was the only one being affected by Alexis' current position.

I took Peeta's hand and gently pulled his head into my lap, saying words of comfort while tears streamed down both of our faces. This was certainly a switch, but it was one I could live with. Ever so carefully, I bent my face down towards his and kissed him lightly. "Do you want to talk about it?"

Peeta closed his eyes. "I've always wanted a daughter."

It was all I could do not to slobber and cry all over him. Instead, I allowed myself a little sob and held his hand tighter. "Don't do this to yourself. It will only make matters worse."

"So you are going to just let them have her?" Peeta's tone wasn't angry, thank goodness. "I use to always want to prove my mother wrong. She was so horrible, and I have always wanted to prove that I could be a good parent. I can't just give Alexis to them according to something that might be able to be changed."

"We could—" I hesitated; what I was about to offer was extreme. "If it is a kid you want… We could try. I know we won't be able to replace Alexis, if you think it will help us cope, then let's just try."

Peeta froze. I hoped that I hadn't upset him in any way. He opened his eyes and stared in bewilderment up at me. "…Would you actually do that? Or are you just saying it?"

I shook my head slowly. "No, I am serious. I wouldn't joke about something like that. If you want to, we'll find a way to make it happen, one way or another."

Peeta's bright blue eyes were locked on my grey ones for what seemed like an hour before he said, "I don't want to give up on Alexis quite yet, but when all hope is lost for her, we'll see if you're still up to it." He reached up and ran his thumb along my wet cheekbone.

I smiled just the slightest bit. "We'll see." Tired and exhausted, I feel back into the pillows and closed my eyes.

Peeta lifted his head up off my lap and scooted up next to me. "Do you want dinner before we go to sleep?"

I shook my head sleepily. "Surprisingly enough I have a stunning lack of appetite. Let's wait until breakfast."

"Okay." He kissed my cheek. "Sleep, Katniss."

And I did.

I must be having an off day, because that wasn't near as emotional as I had hoped it would be. Ah, well. But anyways, the person who had the idea of Finnick's kid hasn't let her presence be known yet, so I am going to ask my faithful readers to send in ideas for names, along with preferred gender. I'll choose from there. Thanks! R&R