Disclaimer:
I do not own anything in relation to The Hunger Games Saga. Suzanne Collins owns the concept and the characters of the books.
Author's Note:
This chapter is part 3 of the long awaited Arena scene. This chapter was mainly written by my very talented co-writer/beta. We both have been talking and gave approval of every even in this chapter since the beginning of this story. In this portion this chapter starts just before Peeta and Marvel take Cato away from the cornucopia to have a talk with him.
My Co-write/Beta has been very supportive and very giving with your visions that so very much matches my visions for this story. Thank you to my co-writer/beta, 3vlee, for all of your help and support.
Please remember that this is rated M for a reason and I am always open to suggestions on how to make this story better.
Enjoy!
Chapter 15
Third Party POV
The knife is cleaned off and in her boot. All they see is that she's going through the motions staring straight out there with that vacant look.
Katniss doesn't even look up when Cato takes her jacket from where its hanging from the tree and place it on her shoulders. Katniss just stares out at the lake still, with that lifeless vacant look.
"Dinner's almost ready Katniss."
"Give me a moment."
Peeta puts her plate by her hoping, she would snap out of it and at lease eat. A couple of hours later the untouched plate is still there but she finally put her jacket on. At the fire Clove pulls Peeta and Marvel aside.
Marvel and Peeta take Cato to another part of the clearing to talk to him about Katniss. Clove, Glimmer and Thresh go bring Katniss to the fire & make sure she eats. Katniss looks over and stands as it struts into the clearing . A deer, a beautiful deer, the spark is starting to show in her eyes again.
Marvel, Henry and Peeta has pulled Cato aside at another part of the clearing for a chat about Katniss. Glimmer, Clove and Thresh after just hearing a wolf cry pull Katniss closer to the fire and brought her plate for her to eat.
Yet Katniss just goes through the motions of living. Her eyes vacant having lost their spark until she sees it, a deer. A beautiful big buck as he struts into the clearing.
Katniss looks up and mouths "Thank you."
However the Game Makers want them (the guys) to stay close and protect their pregnant partners. Thresh (the only guy that stayed ) are around the fire talking.
As Katniss is counting the points; 1, 2, 3...6, 7, 8...10, 11-12, 14, her eyes get HUGE. She thinks as she grabs Thresh along with her Bow & Arrows;
"Oh baby, you are going on Momma's wall! My Kill, mine, mine, mine!"
Looks down at her stomach says:
"Venison tonight girls. Mommy's got a 14 pointer. A 14 pointer girls!"
Thresh helps Katniss and Clove get on top of the horn again. She has her bow drawn, arrow is locked. She's just waiting to see the eye when, the wolves start to howl louder as they get closer to the clearing. OH SHIT!
Peeta, Henry, Marvel and Cato are in that area. Instead of the deer fleeing, it charges at them. Katniss switches over to protecting mode. You hear a thwack has the arrow is release as Katniss looks on.
The deer drops with the arrow coming out of the pupil stopping within inches of the guys feet. For the Game Makers Message is very clear. Stay close to and protect your mates.
Peeta looked at Cato says
"In the eye every time. That's how she got the 11, Cato."
"Way to go Fire Girl!"
Katniss waves back turns around to Thresh
"I got a 14 pointer! My Dad never even got a 14 Thresh! Boy he would have been so proud. Thresh he would been bragging about this even more than when I beat the Hayes twins when I got my first 10 pointer when I was 8! Talk about bragging rights. A 14! A 14 pointer and its mine!"
Katniss yells
"Yo Peeta, if you guys are done chatting, can you bring that back with you please. There are two women here eating for 5."
Thresh chuckles as helps Katniss climb down from the horn still whispering
"a 14. 14!".
Cato puts the deer on his shoulders and brings it back, looks up says
"What were you doing up there in your condition?"
"LOOK! You hunt your way. I'll hunt mine. I'm eating for three, mine's more productive. By the way you're welcome."
She then looks to Clove and says
"May I borrow a knife to skin this please?"
Clove pulls her skinning knife from her belt and gives it to Katniss who asks to Thresh stay and help her with the heavy lifting.
Clove decides NOW is the time grabs Cato by his shirt and pulls him away for a talk. Has they walk away they can hear Katniss say:
"POPS, Haymitch! A 14 pointer. 14! Dad would've been so proud."
Katniss looks up to the sky says:
"See Brutus, I told you. I'm keeping my word protecting his ass. Ironically this is event number 2."
Back in the mentor's viewing room BOTH Dads are on the ground in a heaving laughing fits. Brutus knows he should be embarrassed for his protege but as her 'Pops', he can't and neither could any other mentor in the room. As Brutus gets up to send a message to his Tribute, Haymitch stops him;
"No, no this one's on me."
As he gets up he mutters
"That's our Girl. Mac would've been proud. Hands down, you gave us bragging rights for a long time to 12."
Knowing that Katniss a 'female' from the 'Seam', just punked District 2's Pride Tribute, Bloody Brutal Cato, twice on national television in under 24 hours. Katniss gave 12 a reason to be proud for a LONG time. Haymitch sends a message from 'Cranky Dad';
Get YOUR head out of YOUR ass CATO NOW Mister! By the way 'Pops' not too happy with your attitude toward his 'little girl' either. Start treating our girl right or else. Here's an ice pack for Clove's hand.-Hugs H&B.
Back in the arena:
At the lake not far from the cornucopia, Clove as just about half dragged Cato and shoves him to sit down on a large rock. Clove hits him upside his head, twice. Then proceeds to tell him;
"Our mentors are wrong Cato. Katniss isn't worth a thousand of you. Katniss is worth A MILLION OF YOU! Do you realize Cato:
1) That in less than 24 hours she has saved YOUR LIFE TWICE in this arena!
2) IN LESS than 24 hours that a FEMALE Tribute from the SEAM of District 12 has made the PRIDE of our District look like a FOOL on national television! All while being 6 & 1/2 months pregnant with YOUR TWINS. DIPSHIT Maggots get more respect from you in a day than, you've given Katniss THIS ENTIRE YEAR! (as Clove hit upside the head again hard.)
3) Do you realize the dark places she had to RE-EXPERIENCE in her mind to write those poems that SHE won in Caesar's contest BECAUSE OF YOU? DO YOU?!
4) Do you realize what it took for her to sing on national television when she was STILL recovering from massive Hypothermia ALL because of YOU!
YOU who is suppose to be the pride of OUR District.
YOU who is suppose to be the epitome of SELF CONTROL.
YOU who is suppose to be the one to set the example of what a force WE are in THESE GAMES!
Some example you are. Hell serial killers and rapist (Cato cringes here) have better control than you at this point asshole. Do you really think ANY woman in their RIGHT MIND will want YOU if this is how you treat them while carrying YOUR children? Think again dipshit."
Clove then hits him in the head again.
"By the way she asks me about your 'go-to'. She saw it all because she was going back to the room for something & YOU WITH 'GO-TO'! Katniss had to ASK ME ABOUT THAT TOO!" Just then the beeping from a parachute arrives for Cato. Clove grabs it opens the container its tosses the note to Cato. Clove then removes the ice pack for her hand.
"YOU STUPID, SON OF A MOTHER FUCKING BITCH and THROUGH ALL OF THIS, SHE STILL MAKES SURE YOU'RE TREATED BETTER THAN YOU EVER TREATED HER!"
At this point Clove is even getting pissed at him.
"Well what the fuck do you have to say for yourself, asshole? WELL ANSWER ME!"
Cato roared back a reply that got all the Mentors attention because most of them were also their trainers;
"1) I DIDN'T KNOW she was behind that corner wall that day for one thing. I CAN'T SEE AROUND CORNERS NOR THROUGH SOLID OBJECTS! ALSO I'M NOT A DOCTOR NOR 'A HEALER' ! HOW THE FUCK I'M I TO KNOW THE 'SIGNS' OF BEING PREGNANT when even YOUR TRAINERS WON'T TRAIN YOU ON THE MOTHER FUCKING SUBJECT CLOVE LET ALONE, TRAIN 'WITH' YOUR PARTNER?! Katniss's mother and sister are healers Clove. While her mother was treating me for poison ivy she could have taught me what to look for. Her sister Prim was traveling to the other districts why didn't she teach me what to look for so I could look out for Katniss.
2) ALL she had to do was LOOK to her right on that roof in 2 and SHE would've seen me there Clove. SHE WOULD HAVE and YOU KNOW IT! I WAS THERE THE WHOLE FUCKING TIME! Hell we ALL thought she was going to jump off that ledge that night. I STILL don't even what to think about what happened if I hadn't gotten to her when she passed out. Even then Katniss was thinking that I WAS BRUTUS she was begging him to get away from there, protect and save the TWINS. Like I would never be there for MY OWN CHILDREN. YOU KNOW ME, I WOULD BE THERE FOR MY KIDS NO MATTER WHAT!
3) SHE NEVER GAVE ME A CHANCE TO MAKE IT RIGHT CLOVE, EVER! SHE RAN where we ended up spending over 6 DAMN FUCKING HOURS looking FOR HER that day and night! If the night watch hadn't heard looked up when a newbie saw her, he would have never looked up and I still can't figure out why she would go there in the first damn place. IT'S NOT HER MO!
4) As for 'go-to' I didn't know that she knew until 3 days before WE CAME INTO THE FUCKING ARENA DAMN IT! I'm not excusing it because of what I learned from that day. (This really got the mentors attention at the time) Look there is a lot AND I DO MEAN A LOT that I am not proud of concerning my conduct this past year. At lease I am learning from it. You don't know all of it Clove. At least being pregnant, YOU'RE allowed to feel. Feelings are a weakness that gets us killed in the games. THAT'S WHAT WE WERE TAUGHT FROM DAY ONE Clove and you know it! For me to get Katniss out of here ALIVE, I HAVE to go into a place that she can't understand. Hell Katniss could teach some of our trainers on most of those weapons. There's just a lot I have to figure out and why you're at it can you explain a couple of things since YOU seem to know it all?"
"Such as?"
"One why did you and Peeta read Katniss's poems? Two why Katniss keeps giving me mixed signals?"
"On the Poems, Katniss knew where you wouldn't listen to her, YOU WOULD listen to US. Also she trusted US the Godparents of your children, to make the delivery as she meant it to be. You have no clue how scared she is inside about the people she cares about. Even for someone unworthy for her as you. As for your second question YOU have to talk to her about that. You ALSO have been giving her mixed signals too. IT works BOTH ways Cato. Anyway YOU look at it, YOU STILL have to make it right for her. SO DIPSHIT (as she grabs the front of his shirt and pulls him to her)WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO ABOUT IT?! "
With that Clove walks off back to the Cornucopia leaving Cato there to think about what he's done & what he's about to lose.
Marvel hear Katniss singing while skinning the deer. He knows this song, it's called Missing:
Missing
Please, please forgive me,
But I won't be home again.
Maybe someday you'll look up,
And, barely conscious, you'll say to no one:
"Isn't something missing?"
You won't cry for my absence, I know -
You forgot me long ago.
Am I that unimportant...?
Am I so insignificant...?
Isn't something missing?
Isn't someone missing me?
[Chorus:]
Even though I'm the sacrifice,
You won't try for me, not now.
Though I'd die to know you love me,
I'm all alone.
Isn't someone missing me?
Please, please forgive me,
But I won't be home again.
I know what you do to yourself,
I breathe deep and cry out,
"Isn't something missing?
Isn't someone missing me?"
[Chorus]
And if I bleed, I'll bleed,
Knowing you don't care.
And if I sleep just to dream of you
I'll wake without you there,
Isn't something missing?
Isn't something...
[Chorus]
Marvel knows she has a beautiful voice but now the Mocking Jays have even stopped to listen to her song as he comes up to her and asks:
"Katniss what were you thinking about to sing that?"
Katniss as she's skinning the deer
"The day I found that I was having the twins. It's not a happy one."
"Tell me. I've heard Cato's side. I want to hear yours."
"It was in district 2 and 20 degrees outside that day yet there was more warmth outside than in that building. Clove and I were at medical that day. My mother is a healer and taught me the signs. Clove and I went to medical in 2, found there was a glitch in 3. We retook the test came back positive. So pretty much Clove and I were pregnant during the whole time in 4 and 3. The Doc did the ultra sounds showed me carrying twins. I had them print the picture just for him so he would've figured that we conceived either the last week in 5 to the first week in 4. Anyways Clove wanted to tell her 'best' friend so bad I let her go first. (at this point almost everyone is behind Marvel and Katniss listening) Peeta was behind me (Peeta's nod to Marvel to confirm) when I was about to show him we were pregnant too when Cato told Clove in middle of the hallway that he was happy for her since he got the Barren Ice Bitch that he's stuck with. I was so upset I threw the results at Peeta and ran. I needed warmth somewhere, anywhere. That building was so cold inside Marvel. I just kept running up those stairs, didn't even know where I was going. I finally went through this door shoved a pole to keep the cold in and sat on the ledge looking at the district. Later at night I see a bunch of people looking for someone, don't know who. The stars were out, somebody below asked me my name. Next thing Brutus and Clove was there. Peeta was at the door, No Cato. He wasn't there, figures. Then everything went black. The next thing I saw was Cato who said nothing to me. I woke up at the Capitol. Cato was so mad at me because HE couldn't train cause I couldn't train. I made Brutus the promise that I'd have Cato's back so Cato could train again. Cato doesn't know. That's my side of it."
"Does Cato know about the glitch in 3?"
"Don't know according to him, I'm the BARREN Ice bitch, District 12 scum. I just don't get it Marvel. I just don't understand it"
She squeezes her eyes shut to stop them as tears start.
"What Katniss?"
"What did I do to him that was so horrible, so awful that he hates me so? You guys treat your partners with respect. Not my partner. Nope not mine, I'm worse than dirt under a pile wet dog shit that's been covered by monkey shit. I just don't get it. It's never good enough. No matter what. It's.. never going.. to.. b..."
Katniss slumps over. Marvel catches her. All the expecting mothers were provided with cots to sleep on.
"Is her cot set up?"
"Put her on Clove's for now. I'll get it done."
"NO!" (everybody turns to Cato) "Her's is done. Give her to me Marvel."
Cato picked Katniss up like she was air walked to the back of the cornucopia laid on the cot removed her boots. Went to where her sleeping bag was pulled it unzipped it covered her with it. Cato walks out of the horn and goes towards the fire.
"It's about time."
Cato returns to the fire. Marvel sits with him.
"Dude, go talk to her now."
"More complicated than that Marv."
"You've fallen for her and you can't handle it can you?"
"I don't know. I know it's not our way. Careers do not have these kind of feelings. That's our way. We're taught feelings like these are a weakness and a weakness is fatal. Hell I don't even know anymore what I'm suppose to feel. Do I respect the fact that she's carrying my children? Yes. Do I respect the fact that Katniss can handle any weapon and I do mean ANY weapon better than over half the Careers and Trainers that I trained with? FUCK YES. Look I know I screwed up. If I could go back and make it right I would. Do I love her Marvel, I don't know? I do know I want to do right by her. I know I want to make it right for her. I know it won't be easy but I'm willing to try if she'll let me. I also know when Brutus gets a hold of me along with half of my trainers, for having these feelings my ass is Mother fucking grass too! Brutus will make the pain 50 times worse for having these feelings. However, Marvel I don't know if I love her. I don't know what "love" is? When somebody can explain what love is, then I'll know."
"Guys really going to need your help."
"What now for Pete's sake?"
"Dad!"
"OH SHIT!"
Cato, Marvel, and Peeta then run into the cornucopia where Thresh was mid-air, thrown on the ground by Katniss in the throes of a nightmare.
"No Dad No. Don't go in there. Please Dad. Don't Dad. Dad noooo!"
Katniss's face is drenched with sweat. Cato tells Peeta get a cold compress, grabs her from behind starts calming her down. Cato tells her:
"Shh it's okay. You're safe, you're okay. (Peeta gives Cato the compress) until Katniss calms down."
By then Peeta and Marvel have taken Thresh out to check for injuries. Cato puts the compress on her head. Gets up to go back outside to check on Thresh, he hears Katniss say something in her sleep
"Cato, why? What did I do wrong now?"
Her head start going side to side. Cato goes back calms her down again then goes back out to the fire. Thresh is okay just a bruise on his leg.
"What brought that on?"
Peeta with a glassy look in his eyes;
"They were picking pieces of her father off her for two days.."
As the others looked at Peeta with their jaws dropped, Peeta continue on.
"Her Father Mac Everdeen would walk the girls part of the way to school everyday. But one day he didn't get the whistle from Katniss so she ran back to give it to him and yelled for her dad. He was turning around to go to her when the mine exploded. Pieces & bits of him covered her. Blew her back 20 plus feet. Haymitch and four others had to stop her from running back into the mine to get her uncle, Gale's dad. They literally had to drag her away from there. When she's stressed the memory comes back. I guess if I was 16 volunteered so that my best friend who's engaged to my cousin, wouldn't get raped, impregnated and possibly murdered, becomes pregnant with twins only to be treated like crap from my partner I would be just a tad stressed too. I swear that girl has more courage in her little finger than the five of us combined. I've seen her cry more times in the last 4 months than when her father died. And she worshiped the ground that Mac Everdeen walked on. For him she was the daughter that he was proud to claim has his. He bragged for over six months when she got a 10 pointer for her first kill and she was only 8 beating out all the boys including those damn Hayes twins. She's her father's Daughter and everyone just wonders how she got an 11?"
He gets up and walks away followed by Thresh.
"Go to her Cato before it's too late."
Gets up and leaves the fire.
Mentors room
Brutus sat there not knowing what to say. His protege obeying the capitol's orders to a T for these games while fucking them up at the same time. Brutus is for once totally speechless. Haymitch said
"Brutus hold up. Remember Cato never was raised around anything that loved him. Praised him yes, lusted for him yes, loved him, no. He's telling everybody what the problem is! He has been telling everybody including YOU what the problem is. Nobody's listening to him. Cato DOES NOT know what love is cause that kid has never been loved. Only that he'll get in trouble for having that kind feeling so, he was conditioned that caring, compassion & loving equals bad or, weak. You guys taught him lust forgot about love. You forgot to teach him a few things there kid."
Haymitch walks away to send a message to his tribute.
Back in the arena:
"You want to know what love is Cato?"
"YES!"
"Love is one of the hardest emotions to explain Cato for, it's different for each person. I can tell you what it is for me but you will have to find what it is for you. Love is when you find 'the one' you are willing to do anything and I MEAN ANYTHING for them. You respect them; you want them more than anything in the world and not just for sex; you would rather walk through fire than to see them shed a tear; You would willingly gladly lay down your life or, put your self on the line for that person to keep them safe from harm. That what love is at least for me, Cato. You'll know when it happens cause it'll hit you either hard heavy and fast or, if you fuck it up, like slow torture. Cato talk to her before you lose her."
Marvel leaves Cato alone by the fire to think, walks back to the horn where Peeta is waiting.
"You'll think he'll get the hint."
"Peeta he's never been loved or, in love for that matter. Lusted for by girls yes. Love any of them, no. This goes against years of training and conditioning. Give him a break. He loves her he just doesn't know it yet. For everything he's done he's going to have to belly crawl through hot coals to get her back. On any level, Night"
Marvel goes in followed by Peeta.
Just then a Parachute drops in on Cato. Cato opens it to find two blue cards one for Peeta the other for him Message
YOU give other card to Peeta Now. Lake 5 minutes mister-B&H.
Cato covers his face with his hand. Gets up gives the card to Peeta. Checks on Katniss who is still restless. Flips the compress over. Goes to the lake. Where a tree opens up and Haymitch is on.
"Cato, You're going to get a crash course on love. And here's the short of it
Love is when you fuck up you are willing to do anything to get it back because until you do, You're dead inside. Take it from one who has that experience. By the way Marvel described it right. Because You will do anything for them even die for them & smile while doing it. You have a lot of making up to do for your actions but the rewards are worth it. Unless you want to end up like me-Later."
Screen closes.
Cato goes in to get some sleep but is stop by Peeta who shows him his card. Yet Cato checks on Katniss, he doesn't like what he sees.
Katniss has a fever. All meds in the kits state consult with a doctor if you are pregnant. GREAT we only have a bunch of pregnant women here. Foxy has done all she could at this point.
So Cato being the leader that he is has Peeta get two buckets filling one half way with water. The other to rotate compresses. Cato Also has him take as many canteens he can carry to fill and put water tablets in.
Cato then goes outside looks up at the sky says:
"Brutus or, Haymitch; herbal medicines are not working. Katniss has a fever and is stressed the meds in the med kits can't be used for pregnant women either. I need you to send something for stress and fever for a female pregnant with twins please along with a pressure cuff so I can keep track. Temp is 101. Thanks"
Cato goes back in knowing more than likely it will be at the earliest mid day tomorrow before anything arrives. Cato looks around for something to use as a tub to break her fever until the meds get here. Marvel are any the stuff in any of those large plastic containers can be transferred over another?
"What you're thinking Cato?"
"An old fashion tub. I'll put her in fever appropriate clothes. Put her in the tub. I got to get her tempt down or, we can lose all three. Marvel in the clothes pile get one of my spare light shirts and towels. Katniss is modest put her in one of my light shirts for now. I don't want the girls around so they don't get sick too. So we section off the back area. I'll take care of her, period. Okay."
Marvel nods
"Okay lets do this."
Peeta goes gets water Marvel moves stuff around. Clove was going to help but Peeta stopped her shaking his head no.
"I can help."
"I know you can but Cato said no. He's taking care of her period. Clove he's manning up, let him."
"Marv you found that tub yet?"
"Transferring the stuff now. Just to let you know weapons are in with the kitchen ware."
Marvel slides a 55 gallon tub that was big enough along with the rest of the stuff he requested to him and Cato put it in the back corner.
Taking out the towels, washcloths & clothes. Marvel also brought over to Cato his sleeping bag and gear to put next to Katniss. Which he set up next to Katniss's cot.
The guys form a line to fill the tub up. The guys brought bucket after bucket in to fill the tub up three quarters of the way.
After that Cato changed her into fever attire. Cato had stripped down to under leggings got both of them into the tub. Katniss wasn't happy about it as she tried to fight all the way.
"cold"
"Katniss shh, it's okay, shh you have a fever. It's okay."
"No cold, Cato, Cold"
"Katniss shh, you have a fever, it's not good for the twins. It's okay. shh stay strong for the twins."
As he sang the meadow song to keep Katniss calm;
Deep in the meadow, under the willow
A bed of grass, a soft green pillow
Lay down your head, and close your sleepy eyes
And when again they open, the sun will rise.
Here it's safe, here it's warm
Here the daisies guard you from every harm
Here your dreams are sweet and tomorrow brings them true
Here is the place where I love you.
Deep in the meadow, hidden far away
A cloak of leaves, a moonbeam ray
Forget your woes and let your troubles lay
And when again it's morning, they'll wash away.
Here it's safe, here it's warm
Here the daisies guard you from every harm
Here your dreams are sweet and tomorrow brings them true
Here is the place where I love you.
Deep in the meadow, hidden far away
A cloak of leaves, a moonbeam ray
Forget your woes and let your troubles lay
And when again it's morning, they'll wash away.
Here it's safe, here it's warm
Here the daisies guard you from every harm
Here your dreams are sweet and tomorrow brings them true
Here is the place where I love you.
About an hour later her fever broke for the time being. Cato got her out dried her off & put her in her sleeping bag and put a compress on her head. All Cato and the rest of the gang could do was wait. It wasn't an easy night for all as Cato was doing all he could to keep her fever down.
Finally in the pre-dawn hours, Marvel gave up on sleeping. He got up to see how they were doing when Peeta who was already up heard a pinging. Peeta came in with the package and gave it to Cato.
Inside was everything Cato asked for along with soup and a card telling him to keep up the good work from both mentors.
"How she's doing?"
"With the medicine here, she'll be fine"
As he began giving Katniss her meds per instructions along with taking sips of water. Peeta went back outside to tell the mentor thanks and Cato not leaving her side.
Katniss kept going in and out of consciousness. Every time she woke up, Cato was there, caring for her. This also gave time for Cato to think on everything he did to her.
'Oh boy. I really dug myself into a hole this time.'
Cato then started thinking of ways to apologize to Katniss for all the wrong he's done to her and the twins. Then he came up with a plan.
When Peeta came in to check on them and give them food, Cato told him of his plan for a picnic. Peeta thought it was a great idea. After Peeta left to talk to Clove, Cato got her to take some soup.
"Katniss you have to eat."
"No, Cato no hungry."
"You have to be strong for the twins. What would Prim say if she can't spoil her nieces? You have to try Katniss. Stay strong for the twins."
That's how he got her to do everything while the medicine was kicking in.
Katniss for her part thought it was a nice dream. A part of her wished that it didn't end. She like this Cato better. She knew it couldn't be for real no matter how much she wished otherwise. What she didn't know, it was real, very real. Cato was the only one that took care of her.
On day 3 in the Arena Katniss woke up and looked around to find Cato on the floor sleeping. Peeta and Marvel was at the mouth of the cornucopia. Has they come up, Cato wakes up and smiles
"How are you feeling?"
"Hungry. Where are my clothes?"
Cato as he got up to go to her trunk he said
"You had a fever. You've been out for a day and a half. (As he opened the trunk grab her clean clothes, he found two presents for him in there) What's this?"
"Your Birthday presents from Brutus and I. Go ahead open them."
Cato opens the one from Brutus first to find a sword with his name on it. It brought a smile to his face as his blues eyes danced. He opened up the other one to find a simple set of knives, hand made. They looked familiar. The balance and craftsmanship were really good.
"Where did you find these?"
"I made them when I was 8. This was my father's set. Can I have my clothes please, I'm hungry."
"You're staying there for the rest of the day. Thanks for the knives. In the mean time here's clean clothes you can change into. I'm going to get you some food."
He gets up and goes outside to get some food for Katniss.
Arena day 4
Cato puts his plans to motion & build a fire by the lake with picnic. I ask Peeta and Clove to make sure all of Katniss's favorites foods are there.
While Katniss was asleep last night I had the Dads send in hers and Prim's baby blankets. I have Peeta ask her to go for a walk with him so I can set this up. Peeta takes her to the lake where there is a picnic with all her faves and Cato sitting there holding a green baby blanket (hers) and a pink baby blanket (Prim's) baby in his hands.
"What is this? Are those mine and Prim's baby blankets? I thought that they were lost along with our other baby stuff. How did you get those?"
"First, this is an appreciation/apology picnic. Yes these are from your mother's supply of baby stuff. When I asked Gale if there was anything that your mother had from yours and Prim's baby years, he told me that he hid those blankets from you so you wouldn't try to sell them. I had Prim call your mom and aunt to see if they could send them for us before we left for the Capitol in 2. I was going to give them to you the night before we came into the games, but I didn't want to overwhelm you with anything more than what we did that night. When you were sick in here, I asked your "Pops" if he could send them in here. He sent them and here we are now."
"Thank you Cato. This means a lot to me."
She takes the blankets and holds them close to her chest tears starting to trail down her cheeks.
I take this as my que. I take Katniss's hand and have her sit down. Then I start to apologize to her big time.
"Katniss I am so sorry. I should not have never done those things to you. I shouldn't have ever called you a Barren Ice Bitch the day you going to tell me we were pregnant with twins. I shouldn't have had Samantha come to our room and cheated on you. Just to clear that up, I shouldn't have never had her over there period. I shouldn't have treated you like the dirt under shit even after learning about the babies. This all was my fault and I let you believe that you did something wrong. You didn't do ANYTHING wrong, Katniss. I was scared and mad at the same time. I was scared about being a dad and I was mad because we were forced to become parents. I was confused on my feelings for you. Hell I still am. We were taught that having feelings were weaknesses and in a way they are. I know that what I say now doesn't matter, and that is okay because I know I don't deserve for you to forgive me. I will do whatever I have to make things right between us. I will not treat you like that ever again. On (as Cato looks straight into her eyes) this you have my word."
"How do I know I can believe you, Cato. You weren't even there when I was sick this last time. You've never been there."
"Now hold it right there. When you were sick this last time I took care of you myself, by myself. Jesus Katniss you were so out of it. You were in and out of consciousness. I was there, taking care of you the whole time. Ask clove and Peeta if you want to."
I called to Clove and Peeta who were there at the picnic with them to confirm that it was indeed Cato who took care of her.
Cato then continues
"Jesus Katniss I hadn't been this scared since you passed out on the ledge at the academy in 2. You scared the fucking living hell out of all of us including, Brutus and that alone is a feat in itself. If I hadn't grabbed you from the side that day as you passed out, I still don't even want to think about it."
"YOU weren't there that day! I remember Clove and Brutus were in front of me, Peeta was holding the door open. You weren't there. I remembered looking for you. You weren't there."
"Katniss I helped Peeta break down the door. I carried you to medical that night when you thought I was Brutus asking him to you out of there and protect the twins. That's how out of it you were. I saw your eyes were glazed and glassy. I crept on long the side (out of your range of vision) to grab you in case you slipped. Good thing too. I was there even, when you told Brutus that you had to come out there for warmth because it was so cold inside. I was there the whole time. The whole time."
Peeta confirmed it without even being asked.
"You can even ask Brutus if you want to. YOU have my word that I will treat the three of you better from here on. Now sit down and eat. You haven't eaten in a day and a half."
Katniss replies:
"You better if you don't the incident with the poison ivy and the natural laxatives will be the least of your worries. This doesn't mean that you are going to be out of the dog house any time soon, but I do accept your apology. Again thank you for thinking about this special gift to give my-wait our daughter's when they come into the world."
"One more thing."
"What now Cato? All I want to do is eat something and get a little more rest."
"I am so very, very sorry for yelling at you and treating you like shit on the first day in here. I was just trying to protect you the only way I knew how, and now I see that I went about it the wrong way. I also want to thank you for saving my life not just one time but twice."
Later that evening Katniss was laying down because of everything that happened she was singing. She started humming Missing. When that didn't ease the stress she was feeling she started with.
Good Enough:
Under your spell again
I can't say no to you
Crave my heart and it's bleeding in your hand
I can't say no to you..
Shouldn't let you torture me so sweetly
Now I can't let go of this dream
I can't breathe but I feel
Good enough
I feel good enough for you
Drink up sweet decadence
I can't say no to you
And I've completely lost myself and I don't mind
I can't say no to you
Shouldn't let you conquer me completely
Now I can't let go of this dream
Can't believe that I feel
Good enough
I feel good enough
It's been such a long time coming
But I feel good
And I'm still waiting for the rain to fall
Pour real life down on me
'Cause I can't hold on to anything
This good enough
Am I good enough
For you to love me too?
So take care what you ask of me
'Cause I can't say no
What Katniss didn't realize is that five people were listening to her but for different reasons:
1)Camille knows her daughter. She can't take anymore.
2) Marcus, Haymitch and Brutus; Katniss gave the signal. Marcus pops his head in to see big brother then text his brother with one word; tomorrow. Brutus show Haymitch who gets up and sends a message to Katniss. Haymitch knows she's out of it so he went for a straight approach.
3) Cato as he listens to Katniss singing notices the Mocking Jays have stopped to listen. He also realizes she's stressed to the max and its because of him.
He sees a parachute come in. Cato grabs it for Katniss and brings it to her. As Cato opens it up the container for her, he tells her
"Yes you are."
Inside the canister is candied ginger root, a can of ginger ale, chocolate covered strawberries (those come to momma), pineapple and a note;
We heard you loud and clear. Stay together. Be ready,
Stay alive,
Haymitch
"Cato; Yes I am what? I don't follow."
"Yes you are good enough. For you to love me too."
While he's humming and rubbing the knots out of her back. He knows now she's stress to the max. Katniss shows him the note but Cato doesn't understand. He calls Clove over and has her sit with Katniss while he talks to Marvel and Peeta.
The guys agree, they need to stick together and protect the girls. Peeta goes to Clove while Cato sticks with Katniss. Later that evening the guys pack a backpack with clothes, food and weapons just in case. Cato also make sure that the girls blankets are in his pack. Cato has her bow at the ready for her while having his sword at the ready. Likewise the others do the same with their special weapons. Katniss isn't sleeping.
"Katniss? Talk to me."
"The Mocking Jays aren't Mocking."
Peeta has Clove go by Katniss while Cato grabs his sword as the bombs go off...