Disclaimer: All characters and things associated with The Hunger Games belongs to Suzanne Collins and Lionsgate. This writing is for pure entertainment only.

Summary: Peeta's lie about Katniss' pregnancy is tested by the Capitol, leaving the Lethal Lovers only one option going into the Quarter Quell.

CHAPTER 3

PEETA POV:

I wait until I am sure Katniss is done crying before I even so much as move a finger on the bed we are both sitting on. It only takes her a few minutes to get herself together and I am really not shocked. She has always been stronger then I could ever imagine.

"Alright…" Katniss says slowly and then stands. "We need to tell Effie and Haymitch."

I stand as well; I don't want her rushing into anything. "Katniss, are you sure? We don't need to do this…we will manage on our own…"

"Oh, come on now, Peeta, are you backing out on me?" Katniss says in the same fake voice she uses for the interview with Caesar. It hurts me, but then I realize I have probably brought it on myself.

So I sigh in defeat, and with my head down, follow Katniss out into the living room, where Effie and Haymitch are still sitting on the couch, clearly waiting for us to come out.

"We need to talk," Katniss says as she sits down on the couch opposite Effie and Haymitch.

I stand behind her, I know I am being selfish but I know I won't be able to take the face Katniss makes as she tells Effie and Haymitch what we have decided.

Haymitch nods slowly when Katniss doesn't continue. "Okay…"

Katniss glances up at me, and I can see she is silently begging me to start talking. It's the same look she gives me in interviews when she doesn't know how to answer questions.

I quickly jump in and save her. It's about all I am good at. "Well…we weighed the options out. We will know what it will look like if the pregnancy turns out to be a lie…"

"What are you saying?" Haymitch's eyes dart from me to Katniss, looking for an explanation.

"I'm going to do it," Katniss says flatly, avoiding eye contact with all of us.

I feel like I couldn't get any lower. I did this to her; I broke the Girl of Fire.

"Katniss…" Haymitch says slowly.

"I know what it means…but it's the only card we can play, really, isn't it? If we want them to buy this story?" Katniss motions to the two of us.

Haymitch glances at Effie but neither says anything.

"Plus…like you said, Haymitch…Peeta and I are on this train together forever, marriage…kids…whatever the Capitol wants from us…assuming we live through these Games…" Katniss seems to be trying to justify all of this, probably to herself more then anyone else.

I wanted all of those things with her, but not like this. Not because she has no choice. This feels so wrong.

"You may not have to go into the Games if we do this," Effie reminds us softly.

"Right…" Katniss nods slowly.

"That's not a guarantee though…and if they still send you in then it presents a whole new set of problems," Haymitch says. I can see any part of him that agreed with Effie's idea earlier is gone. He realizes now what I already know, ruining Katniss' life with a pregnancy may still not save us.

"Don't be silly, Haymitch. How could they possibly send a pregnant girl into that arena?" Effie says.

I avoid eye contact with everyone, though I have to agree with Haymitch. It's not completely out of the question, and if they do send us into the arena, a pregnant Katniss is only a bigger target.

"I can't let you do this," Haymitch says.

My eyes twitch up and I see he is standing in front of Katniss now. Katniss' eyes are hardly raised up to meet his and, for once, she looks younger then seventeen.

"It's my choice…" Katniss tells him softly.

I feel awful because it wasn't her choice. I was the one that made up the lie and now she is going to have to live with it.

"Its not…I know this isn't what you want…" Haymitch motions to me.

This hurts me a little. I know Katniss isn't in love with me, but when Haymitch makes it seem so forced it crushes any hope that I could eventually make her love me. I know she wants Gale, and I want her to be happy. How can I possibly do this to her?

Katniss, however, surprises me with her answer. She straightens up, and a coldness washes over her complexion as she moves toe to toe with Haymitch. "You don't know what I want…"

It seems, even if she doesn't really want me, her mind is made up. Haymitch sees this to and so he moves back to the couch with a sigh.

"Peeta says there is something I can take to make sure it happens…" Katniss turns her attention to Effie.

"Yes…yes of course…you head into your room…I will go get everything needed and be in there in a moment…" Effie says, already moving toward the elevator.

Katniss nods and gives me a weak smile before dropping her eyes again and moving into her bedroom. She looks like a wounded puppy.

I watch her close the door and sigh myself. This is a nightmare.

"Hope you know what you are doing, kid…" Haymitch says to me.

I turn back to him and shake my head. "You're right…she doesn't want this. I screwed up…"

Haymitch snorts at me and chugs the rest of his drink, not bothering to wipe his lip before he leans closer to me. "You think?"

"I thought it was a good idea…" I try to defend myself. Not too long ago, Haymitch thought it was a good idea as well.

"Well…it was…but now…" Haymitch shakes his head.

"I don't want to make her do this…" I tell Haymitch. "I know she doesn't want this with me…I know this is just…I'm forcing her…"

"You can't force that girl to do anything she doesn't want…" Haymitch reminds me what I already know. "But it's not the smartest idea."

"You don't think they will cancel the Games if she is pregnant?" I ask.

Haymitch shrugs. "Doesn't matter. They might…they might not…but if they don't the best chance of getting you out of there is to keep playing this love story."

"She needs to get out then…especially if she is pregnant. I don't know…if you made deals with her…but…if she does get pregnant…and they do have the Games…she needs to live. I would rather know she is safe and that child…and they are happy somewhere with Gale then me survive." I tell Haymitch quickly, and I mean every word of it. If Gale makes her happy, I want her to be happy.

"Hopefully it doesn't come down to that," Haymitch says.

"If it does…I need your word," I say back.

Haymitch seems to think for a moment and then slowly nods. I know I can trust him, because I know he cares about Katniss and he will do the right thing. It just seems so odd to be having this conversation at all. I can't believe the mess I have turned this all into.

KATNISS POV:

I close the door to my bedroom and toss myself onto the bed, my face burying deep into the satin sheets. I am an idiot.

I can't believe, now that I am alone and really have time to think it over, what I agreed to. I'm going to let Peeta get me pregnant. I am going to betray my beliefs that I should never bring a child into this world, and I am going to demolish any hope of any sort of future with Gale all in the next few hours.

What was I thinking?

I was thinking Peeta needs to live; Prim needs to live; my mother needs to live; Gale needs to live.

I know if the truth comes out, that Peeta lied and I am not pregnant it will cost us any sponsors, any love from the people watching the Games, and it will put those I hold dearest in danger.

That's what I keep telling myself, anyway, as I wait patiently for Effie to come back with the things I will need.

And as I sit and wait, it dawns on me what it will truly mean to let Peeta get me pregnant; how that will have to happen. I hadn't even thought about it, my thoughts being so objective to the task at hand until now.

I am actually going to have to be really intimate with Peeta.

And then I realize that idea doesn't disgust me, but rather frightens me a little. The most I have ever done is kiss either Peeta or Gale, and I am not even sure I am that good at it, to think of doing anything else seems insane, and yet now I've committed to the most intimate act possibly with Peeta.

At least I know I can trust Peeta. He has always been nothing but kind and caring, and I am sure he will be when it comes down to things, but still, the idea of giving him something as sacred as my virginity makes my stomach flop. I am not sure who I wanted to give that to; I thought I would have more time to figure it out. Sure, I realized on the Victory Tour I would eventually have to marry Peeta, but all that seemed so far off, even when I thought of the idea to do it so quickly.

Now everything feels rushed.

A knock on the door startles me from my thoughts and I sit up in bed, just in time to see Effie come into my room, gently closing the door behind her. She is carrying a glass and something else in her hand.

"I brought you the pills you will need to…well…conceive…" Effie says, her voice a pitch higher then usual as she sets the glass of water and two big blue pills on my nightstand.

I blush at Effie's words and hardly manage out a thank you.

"Are you okay, Katniss?" Effie asks.

I snort; her question is so stupid. How could I possibly be okay? Yet, I know Effie is only concerned, and this is her way of showing it, so I quickly recover with a shrug.

"I'll be fine," I say softly.

"Its okay to be frightened…and its certainly okay to back out…I am sure we can twist this someway…" Effie says. I can see she is contemplating sitting on the bed next to me and so I scoot over, giving her a seat.

"No…this is the only way to keep everyone safe…and like you said, it could even stop the Games…" I remind Effie with a small smile, though I am not convinced it will stop anything.

Effie nods and seems to breath a sigh of relief of some sort. "Well…I agree…it might be exactly what these Games need to end…and you and Peeta will have a beautiful little child out of it…"

Effie's words hit me hard again. I nearly almost forgot what a pregnancy ends it. If I go through with this, in nine short months another life will be dependent on me, assuming I live through the Games and do actually have the baby.

"Right…" I say slowly.

Effie's smile fades now and I am sure she can tell I am nervous. "Katniss…you will be fine."

I just nod, unable to find my voice.

"Do you…have any questions…about anything?" Effie clears her throat uncomfortably.

Instantly, I feel my cheeks blush red as I realize what she is talking about. I might not have a clue as to what I am about to do, but I cannot bring myself to tell Effie that. I can't burden anymore embarrassments right now.

Effie, however, seems to understand my blush and gives a sympathetic smile and then cups my cheek, examining me in the way a mother would examine her child. "Peeta's lucky to have you…"

But I know I am really the lucky one. I don't deserve Peeta. I think Effie knows that too but she is trying, in her own way, to comfort me and I can't fault her for that. She truly does only want to see us succeed.

PEETA POV:

I watched Effie go into Katniss' room over twenty minutes ago, and as I sit on the couch in an awkward silence with Haymitch sipping on his drink, I can feel my palms growing sweaty. Sure, I wanted Katniss, but not like this. I wanted her because she wanted me; and if I ever have a family with her I want it because she wanted it. I've already pushed her into a fake relationship and now I've pushed her into a fake family. The only reason I don't want to kick myself is that I know this baby could possibly safe Katniss' life and maybe the rest of us Tribute's lives as well.

"Second thoughts?" Haymitch croaked out.

My eyes twitch up to his and I want to slap the drink out of his hand. Of course I am overthinking all of this. It doesn't feel right to trap Katniss anymore then I already have.

"Don't worry…she doesn't know any different...I don't think she has much experience with boys…" Haymitch laughs at his own drunken joke.

Before I realize what I am doing, I have stood and punched Haymitch clear across the jaw. That's the last thing I was worried about. I am worried about keeping Katniss' integrity and keeping her happy, not keeping her satisfied for the next few hours.

Thought, now that the thought has crossed my mind, it does worry me and I hope I can at least make things enjoyable for her.

Haymitch slowly gets himself up, wiping the blood from the corner of his mouth. His eyes narrow at me and I wonder if he is planning an attack. Fortunately, I will never know, as Effie has emerged from Katniss' bedroom now.

"What is going on out here?!" Effie is nearly screaming.

"Nothing…"I move past Haymitch who just waves Effie off. Maybe, even in his drunken state, he realizes he crossed a line.

Effie's eyes dart between me and Haymitch before she sighs and fixes my collar.

"Well…Katniss is ready…just…be a gentleman…though I know you are," Effie instruct.

I nod, still slightly angry with Haymitch, so my thoughts are not completely making me nervous anymore. Instead, I walk with confidence into Katniss' bedroom, just happy to be away from Haymitch.

However, the second I am in Katniss' room, my head levels back out and my nerves begin again. She is sitting on her bed, looking rather defeated yet curious at the same time.

"Everything okay out there?" Katniss asks.

I sigh and roll my eyes. "I might have just decked Haymitch off the couch…"

"What?" Katniss cannot hide the surprise in her voice or her facial expression, and it actually makes me smile a bit.

"He just…was drunk…and talking…" I try to explain.

Katniss seems to get it and nods.

Silence fills the room.

"So…" I can feel my palms getting sweaty as I dig my hands into my pockets.

Katniss' cheeks grow red as I move around the bed but do not sit down on it. Its strange; she and I have slept in the same bed so many times before, but now, because I know what has to happen in that bed tonight if we have any hope of getting these Games cancelled, it suddenly feels wrong to sit on it without her invitation.

"Effie…brought me the stuff. I need to take that…" Katniss points to the pills and water on her nightstand.

"We don't need to do this," I say one more time to her. I want her to know it's the truth. I don't want to make her do this.

"Yes we do," Katniss tells me.

This only makes me feel worse. I might as well be holding a gun to her head. I really made a mess out of this. "Katniss…"

And then suddenly Katniss is on her feet, kissing me. This kiss is different then the forced ones in interviews. It feels closer to the one we had in the cave in the arena, before I realized she as acting, but it also feels different then that. Desperate even.

"Katniss…what are you doing?" I ask when she breaks away from me.

But she doesn't answer. Instead she turns to the table and takes the pill Effie left her before turning her attention back to me. Her cheeks are beat red and I am certain she used every ounce of confidence to give me that kiss.

"I can't…" I tell her.

"Peeta…" Katniss whispers to me.

"I know you don't want this…I can't make you do this…it doesn't feel right…" I tell her.

"We knew this would happen eventually, right? You and I…we are going to be together no matter what…whether its in ten years or now…this was going to happen," Katniss reasons with the same method she used to explain why we should get married. It isn't about love; it is about survival for her.

And I want her to survive. I want her to be happy. I love her.

"But its not real…" I tell her. I know I am being selfish now; I want it to be real, but it never was going to be.

Katniss sighs and then shakes her head. "It could be…maybe…"

I raise an eyebrow at her. "What?"

Katniss just shrugs and doesn't answer. "This is our chance to get out of here…then we can figure it out."

I know that is the best answer I can hope from her and so I nod, allowing her to take my hand and lead me to her bed.

She slowly pulls me in for another kiss and I can feel her trembling. She is either scared or nervous; maybe she is both.

Her tremble makes me laugh.

"What?" Katniss seems embarrassed as she looks up at me, clearly searching for an explanation to what I think is funny.

"You're shaking…" I tell her.

Despite how dim the light in the room is I can tell that she is blushing. I feel bad for causing her embarrassment.

"Oh…" She says simply.

"I'm nervous too…" I quickly tell her. "Probably more then you. Remember? I am the one in love here…"

Katniss gives me a sweet, sympathetic smile; similar to the ones she used to give me that made me feel like a wounded animal. It certainly doesn't give me a boost of confidence.

But before I can think of anything else to say, Katniss is pulling me in for another kiss and I forget whatever I was really thinking about. Her lips are so soft against mine, and even if I know she doesn't feel the same; I can't help but loving her.