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 22

KATNISS POV

Boggs, Gale, and I get on the hovercraft that will take me to what remains of District 12. We sit in silence for most of the trip and my eyes are locked at my feet while my hands are on my stomach.

Gale seems to notice my hands several times out of the corner of his eyes but does all he can to draw any attention to the fact that he is actually looking at my pregnant stomach. I know it must make him uncomfortable, a constant reminder of what Peeta and I did.

We finally begin our descent and that is when Boggs and Gale begin talking to me.

"Now…we are going to give you some time to wander around. We have clear skies about and we will be watching you from the sky so you will be safe," Boggs says.

"Okay," I nod as we land and the door opens.

"Do you want me to come?" Gale asks.

I shake my head. "No. No, I need to see it myself."

Gale doesn't seem happy about the idea but doesn't argue as I get up and move outside.

And the second I get outside I see the rubble and I am on my knees throwing up.

Gale is at my side in a moment, helping me to my feet, but I stay down. I keep getting sick.

I am shaking, crying, and vomiting everywhere. I can see the Justice Building; I can see the bodies that line the streets, charred from the bombs.

As my hands sprawl out so I can continue to be sick I look down and see that I am not standing just on rubble and rocks, but actually on a person's skull.

I shriek, and crawl away, falling right into Gale's legs and nearly knocking him over.

"Katniss, come one!" Gale yanks me to my feet. "We need to get you back…"

"No! No I want to see everything. I have to!" I push away from Gale, rage in my teary eyes.

"Okay, okay! We can stay," Gale puts his hands up in defense and I realize the Hovercraft is lifting off. We are here whether we want to be or not.

I nod feverishly and turn back to look at the ruins of my home, fighting back the vial in my throat.

I take a few steps on the uneven ground and Gale stays a few feet back from me. I continue to move down through what used to be town, avoiding all the charred skulls and bones at my feet. My neighbors, my home.

I get to the center of town, where the Mayor's home stood and my hands move to my mouth. "Madge…"

"She didn't make it," Gale says quietly.

I nearly jump. I forgot he was with me. I look over at him and see the tears in his eyes.

"I tried to help her…but I couldn't get to them," Gale seems to be talking more to himself than me.

We continue our walk and the next thing I recognize is Peeta's family's bakery. It is destroyed completely. My hands now move to my stomach, as if to protect Peeta's child from the ruins as a small gasp comes out of my mouth.

"They're gone too…" Gale says softly.

I turn to look at Gale, my lips trembling. Peeta's mother had never been a joy, but Peeta's father and brothers were always kind. Now the child inside of me really is the only Mellark left.

"They're all…" I can't get the words out about Peeta's family.

"They wouldn't come with me to the fence. I tried but Mrs. Mellark…" Gale just shakes his head.

I nod, understanding. I know what sort of woman Peeta's mother was.

We walk in silence the rest of the way to the Victor's Village where I get sick again. Peeta's home is completely destroyed and yet mine and Haymitch's stand perfectly intact.

I wonder if it is Snow's way of sending me a message, of letting me know that he knows I am alive and so is Haymitch, but that Peeta is gone.

I fall to my knees, vomiting until I have nothing left in my pregnant stomach. Gale leaves me like this for a little before he helps me to my feet.

"Do you want to go see your place?" Gale asks.

I shake my head and surprise both of us by moving toward the rubble that is Peeta's home. I claw through the broken rubble, searching for something, anything that belonged to Peeta that I can hold onto.

Gale climbs up next to me, clearly surprised by me as I get down on my knees and start digging through the rubble.

"Katniss…what are you doing?" Gale tries to yank me to my feet.

But I pull away from him. "NO! I need…I need to find something!"

"What?" Gale clearly thinks I am mad.

"Anything…anything that is Peeta's…" I admit with tears in my eyes.

I hear Gale sigh and sink down next to me. "Katniss…"

"I can't, Gale…I need something. I need to have something…" I am getting hysterical and I don't even fully understand why I am really so desperate to dig.

"Okay, we will find something," Gale gives into my wishes and moves some rocks around, though I know he isn't looking for anything, I think he is just scared of me.

I keep digging for a few more minutes until feel softness against my fingertips. I recognize it immediately and dig deeper until my hands can grasp the thin brushes.

I pull up and there, in my hand, are three of Peeta's paintbrushes. I gasp and cover my mouth as tears fall down. Peeta loved to paint.

I hold them close to my chest, realizing now why I needed to find something. For the baby. For the baby I am so unsure I can love, I want to have something that belonged to Peeta to give the baby. It may be the only thing that belongs to its father that it will ever touch.

"Is that good?" Gale asks and I notice he has stopped digging.

I nod, knowing I won't find anything else. I put the brushes in my bag and sigh, wiping my tears.

"Can we head over to your place now?" Gale asks.

I nod and allow him to help me to my feet, letting him lead me over to my own home.

We get into my home quickly and it looks the same as when I left it. Not a single thing is out of place besides in the kitchen, where I am assuming that my mother and sister left in a rush, leaving the herb vials all over the kitchen table.

I gather some of the herbs up before moving into the study. Gale gives me a few minutes in their alone. There, I find my father's leather jacket and quickly through it on. I glance around the room, wondering what else I should take. I immediately notice my father's picture and quickly gather that. That needs to come with me.

As I stand at the desk, the last memory I have of it was President Snow visiting me, sitting behind it and telling me not to start a war. Clearly, I failed there.

As I turn to walk away, something catches my eye. In the vase of dead, white flowers on the desk, one lone rose stands perfect. I reach for it, pulling it out and immediately recognizing the sickening smell. It is one of Snow's roses.

I quickly drop it, as if it is poisoned but the smell does not leave my nose. I am certain, if I hadn't thrown up everything in my stomach that I would throw up again.

I suddenly want to get out of my home quickly. As I turn to leave the room, a banging comes from the window and causes me to scream.

Gale is at my side in minutes but laughs when he finds me, holding my chest as if my life has left me while Buttercup makes her way into the house.

"Figures…of course the damn cat would survive," I joke a little once I realize I have nothing to be scared of.

Gale just chuckles a little as I reach for Buttercup.

"What are you doing?" Gale asks me.

I place Buttercup on my bag though he fits me a little. "Come on, don't you want to see Prim?"

"Katniss, you can't bring a cat back to District 13. There are rules—" Gale starts.

I glare at Gale. I am not leaving the cat behind. I know he was never my favorite, but he means something to Prim, and he is part of the family. I am not going to leave him in District 12 to pick on the bones of our neighbors.

My glare seems to be enough for Gale to cave and instead, he offers out his hand. "Do you want me to take your bag?"

"I am fine," I say.

"Come on…that cat is heavy. It can't be good for…for the baby," Gale looks away as he says the last word and they are bitter as they roll off his tongue. I know he despises the child inside of me, which is almost funny if it weren't so sad. I know that Peeta assumed Gale would take care of me and the baby. How wrong Peeta seemed to be now about my best friend.

PEETA POV

I am lead into a long room with two chairs and a fireplace. I am somewhere in the President's Mansion, though I have no idea where exactly. Once inside the room I am instructed to sit down.

I take my seat and wait a few minutes before Caesar Flickerman joins me. He has the same purple hair he had in the Quarter Quell interviews, though it is a deeper purple now and he greets me with a smile, not like the others who work in the President's Mansion. They clearly don't trust me.

"PEETA!" Caesar grins and shakes my hand firmly. "So good to see you again."

"You too, Caesar," I say. In all honest, I don't particularly hate him. He has always tried to be helpful to all the tributes during their interviews. Hopefully, he will be the same way now.

"Now…we do have a few subject we would like to touch, per President Snow's orders. We want to speak a little about the Games, and Katniss…and the baby of course…"

I swallow hard at the mention of our child. I don't like the Capitol asking about the baby at all.

If Caesar notices my flinch he doesn't say anything else, but rather continues on. "Now…after all of that, we do want you to speak about the small little acts of rebellion, and the need for a ceasefire before this war really picks up. Do you understand?"

I nod. "Yes."

"Excellent! Excellent! Let's get these cameras rolling!" Caesar orders.

And the bright lights come on, just like they did when Caesar interviewed me before my First Hunger Games and before the Quarter Quell and I put on my interview face, relaxing back into my chair with my leg crossed.

KATNISS POV

Our Hovercraft finally lands in District 13 and I am exhausted. Between the pregnancy, the vomiting, and the stress of actually seeing what is left of District 12 I just want nothing more but to sleep.

Gale helps me off the Hovercraft and orders another soldier to take my bag up to my mother and sisters bunker, giving the soldier a strict order not to look in the bag, knowing Buttercup is in there.

"I'm ready for sleep," I admit.

Gale looks up at the clock. "It's our scheduled time to eat. We should go down to the cafeteria, otherwise we won't be able to eat until tomorrow morning."

I sigh. I know Gale is right and although I want to protest, the fact that I threw up everything in my stomach in District 12, has my pregnant stomach growling and I know I need to eat; at least for the baby if nothing else.

"Okay," I nod and agree.

Gale seems pleased that I am going to sit and eat with him and so he leads me down to the cafeteria floor.

When we reach the cafeteria, I immediately regret my decision to come down there. Everyone is looking at me or my stomach. I feel self-conscious and keep my eyes on the floor, happy to quickly sit down next to Gale.

"Just try to eat," Gale tells me, pushing some food in front of me.

I push some meat and what I think is potatoes around in my plate, my face burning because I know people are still watching me. Suddenly, I don't feel so hungry.

"Come on, Katniss…you have to eat," Gale reminds me.

"I'm not hungry," I say.

"For the baby," Gale adds bitterly.

His words work, however, and I begin taking small bites.

We sit in silence eating and I am nearly finished when the television screen in the dining hall changes. I am mildly interested until I hear Caesar Flickerman's voice.

"Wherever you are, you are going to want to see this…please welcome our guest, Hunger Games Victor, Mr. Peeta Mellark…" Caesar Flickerman's voice fills the dining hall.

I am in shock as the camera scans over and Peeta is there, sitting in a white suit, looking rather healthy. He may be a little skinnier than I can remember but his eyes are still so bright.

I stand, shaking, as I look at the father of my child on the screen in front of me, the man I think I love now but never got the chance to tell him. He is alive. He is in the Capitol but he is safe.

"You're alive…" I say the words to the screen as if Peeta can hear me, though I know he cannot. Still, to hear them out loud seems to confirm them more for me.

"What is this?" Gale comes up next to me and I can hear accusation in his voice but I do not care. I ignore him, all I can think about is Peeta.

"Now, Peeta…I want to thank you for being here," Caesar begins.

"Happy to be here," Peeta nods, but I can tell in his face, it is all business for him.

"Now, Peeta…everyone out there is wondering…what happened? There was a rebel plan and Katniss was part of it? Did she leave you behind? The girl, so beloved by the Capitol, beloved by you…carrying your child…was it all an act?" Caesar immediately dives in.

Peeta straightens in his seat and I can imagine that Caesar's choice of words sting because at first it was all an act, maybe Peeta even believes it still is; I did until recently, until I thought I lost Peeta. Only then did I realize my feelings were more for the boy with the bread.

"Katniss had no idea. Katniss was just trying to keep us safe…protect the baby. We were focused on getting her out alive," Peeta says simply.

"Peeta, some are having a hard time believing that—" Caesar starts.

"Well they shouldn't!" Peeta slams his fist.

"Alright, alright…we are not here to upset you…which I can see we have. I know you wanted to speak to the rebels, but if this isn't a good time…" Caesar starts.

"No…no it's fine," Peeta gains his composure and looks directly at the camera.

I am curious what he is going to say. I may not have known the plan but I have since been informed Peeta was in on it. He knew all along what was happening.

"I just…I want everyone out there to stop and think about what you are doing. Put down your weapons…nothing good can come from this all. People will die…no one will win…how could anyone win this? Be smart…don't start this…" Peeta says, looking directly at the camera.

I can hear commotion and angry outburst starting around me and I struggle to hear the last part of the interview.

"Are you suggesting a ceasefire, Peeta?" Caesar asks.

Peeta sighs and looks off camera somewhere before nodding and looking down at his hands. "Yeah…I guess I am."

And the screen goes black and suddenly curses, shouts, and boos fill the cafeteria. No one is happy with Peeta's words. People in the cafeteria are angered by them, many shouting that Peeta betrayed them.

It is suddenly too much for me to handle and I turn, running out of the cafeteria as fast as I can. Peeta is alive and that is wonderful, but right now, it seems like everyone in District 13 hates him. How can I possibly get him back if he isn't safe here?

PEETA POV

Caesar asks me if I am calling for a ceasefire. I know that is the last thing the rebellion wants. I know it's the last thing I want. I want my child to live in a world they do not have to fear and I know the rebellion will create that, but I also know that the only way I can ensure Katniss' safety is to call for the ceasefire, to appease Snow. It's the only hand I have to play.

And so I reluctantly agree and that is the end of the interview.

"Wonderful…wonderful. Thank you so much, Peeta," Caesar shakes my hand.

I shake his back before I am pulled to my feet by two Peacekeepers and my hands are tied back up. I am turned around and am surprised to fine President Snow standing in front of me.

"That was very good, Peeta. A lovely job," Snow says.

"Thanks," I say cautiously.

"But next time, do a better job," Snow's tone changes.

I am genuinely confused. "What do you mean?"

"We cannot have Katniss look like she is a hero. She knew what she was doing—" Snow says.

"No she didn't," I cut him off.

Snow glares at me and takes a deep breath. "I will let her live, but I will not let the people believe she is their Mockingjay. As long as you continue to make her look innocent I cannot control those who will follow her."

"She is not leading anyone," I tell him.

"She may not know it, but I assure you, Mr. Mellark, she is," Snow says to me.

"I am not going to make her look like a bad person. She's not a bad person," I tell Snow.

"Mr. Mellark…" Snow tries.

"I am not going to do it. I did the interview for you. I told them war wouldn't solve anything. I don't need to bring Katniss into it and I am not going to," I tell Snow.

Snow nods and I can tell he is frustrated. "Fine…"

I am confused by Snow's words until he snaps his fingers and suddenly two Peacekeeper's are pulling me out of the room. I struggle against them as Snow yells to them.

"Make sure the treatment starts immediately," Snow says.

I am even more confused by his words, and before I can get my head around what they could mean the two Peacekeepers are on me quickly, using bats and the ends of their guns to beat me into blackness.