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 24

KATNISS POV

After I leave Effie, we are all ushered into the center of District 13, where President Coin is going to give her announcement about rescuing Peeta, Johanna, and Annie as well as the announcement that I will be the Mockingjay.

I file into the room alone but am quickly found by Prim, who grabs my hand.

"Are you okay?" Prim whispers.

I nod and force a smile.

"Where is mom?" I ask, realizing Prim is alone.

"With Finnick," Prim points across the crowd and I do see my mother and Finnick next to one another.

I want to speak with him before Coin starts. I want to let him know that I made the same deal for Annie that I did for Peeta. I quickly move toward my mother and Finnick with Prim at my side.

"Finnick…" I whisper.

Finnick gives me a tight smile and he looks so much older than he is. He has aged in District 13, and the lack of sunshine does nothing for his features.

I am about to open my mouth and explain everything when suddenly President Coin starts speaking.

"My fellow members of District 13 and our visitors from 12. Today is a great day…today is the day we begin to defeat the Capitol. Katniss Everdeen has agreed to be our Mockingjay!" Coin says.

The crowd cheers and many turn to look at me. I feel my face flush red and try to duck a little between Finnick and Prim.

"That's good, Katniss…" Finnick whispers softly.

I wonder if he really thinks I made a good decision or he just doesn't care anymore.

"Katniss…however…does have a few stipulations of her own. As part of her agreement to be our Mockingjay, Katniss has asked that we rescue the remaining Victors from the Capitol and give them harbor in District 13," Coin continues.

Again the crowd cheers.

"I made that deal for Annie too, Finnick," I whisper.

I can tell now he is engaged in the conversation and even smiles a bit, a soft laugh escaping his lips, though I cannot tell if it's genuine happiness or slight madness. "Thank you, Katniss."

"Including Peeta Mellark!" Coin finishes.

Now, the crowd does not cheer. Now the crowd shouts in rage and I feel a knot in my pregnant stomach. They hate Peeta.

My hand slips to my little bump, the little life that Peeta and I created, as if trying to shield our unborn baby from the hate being thrown at its father.

Coin raises her hands to silence the crowd.

"Peeta Mellark is still a Victor. We do not know what the Capitol is doing to them, or making them say. We will give all the Victors the respect Katniss believes they deserve," Coin says.

The shouts die down and just for a moment I think I may actually like President Coin.

"But, if Katniss does not fulfill her duties as the Mockingjay this agreement will be null and void," Coin adds.

This seems to satisfy the crowd but makes me feel like I am going to throw up. Now, more than ever before, Peeta's life is completely in my hands. If something happens and I cannot do what Coin wants, Peeta could die and I would have failed him and his child. Because, I know, that I will never be enough for the baby who will be here in a few short months. Our child needs Peeta. I need Peeta.

I glance over at Finnick and even feel more of a weight on my shoulders as I realize it's not just Peeta I need to worry about saving. Now, Annie and Johanna's lives are on my shoulders as well. I need to be the best Mockingjay I possibly can be. Not just for me, and not just for Peeta's child that is growing inside of me.

PEETA POV

I don't know how much time has passed. It could be days or weeks or months since the beatings at the hands of the Capitol began. I don't know anymore and I am not sure I care. I just don't know how much longer my body can handle it.

The two Peacekeeper who administered my beating, one of kicks and punches to my ribs, toss me into my cell like a feather.

I am lighter. I know I am. The Capitol has hardly been feeding Johanna and I any longer. Both of us have suffered since the day I told President Snow I wouldn't make Katniss into the enemy and I am certain it's only a matter of time before my body shuts down.

The guards close the door to my cell and I slither to the corner on my good arm. I think my left arm was broken yesterday but I cannot be sure. All I know is I can't put much pressure on it.

I reach the small bowl of water that was left for me.

Like a dog. The Capitol is treating me like a dog; only a dog may get better food.

"Looking great, Mellark," Johanna's hoarse voice reaches me.

I glance through the dark to see her thin arms pressed against her own cell walls. Snow hasn't exactly ordered her to be beaten, but the Peacekeepers certainly don't hold back on her either.

"Thanks," I laugh back bitterly. Even my own voice has changed. I sound so much weaker.

"You need to do what Snow wants," Johanna says.

"What?" I am confused by her words. I cannot go against Katniss.

"Even if you don't believe it…say what he wants. Snow will kill you otherwise and then all this will be for nothing," Johanna says.

"I can't do that to Katniss. I need to keep her safe…and the baby—" I start.

"You aren't going to see either of them if you let this continue. Look at you…you look like a bag of bones," Johanna says.

Suddenly, a fear comes to light in my mind and I need to ask Johanna something. I make my way back toward my door, slowly and painfully, so I can have the conversation in low voices with her.

"Johanna…you can't…you can't tell Snow what we know about Katniss…or the plan or the rebellion…no matter what. You promise—" I can hear myself getting frantic.

Johanna laughs and it's a crazy snicker that only leaves me more confused.

"Relax. I know I am going to die here…and it doesn't matter for me because I have no one to go home…but you do and you need to survive this," Johanna tells me.

"I will," I say.

"You won't," Johanna repeats.

And then the door swings open and the Peace Keepers return with a small man in a white coat and I know whom he is. It's one of Snow's many doctors, and for some reason, he has made a point of visiting me the last few days.

I move back from my cell and so doe Johanna. She doesn't like to watch what happens next.

And as if on cue, the door to my cell opens and the two Peacekeepers hold me to the ground. I am more surprised then they are by the strength I seem to have left as I try to get away from the doctor and his needle.

But it is no use, and like the past few days, the doctor injects a long needle into my arm and a strange fuzziness takes over my head. I am not sure what the doctor is putting in me but it makes it hard to concentrate.

"What…what is that?" I manage out, but like last time this happened, I feel like I am seeing two of the doctor.

"Katniss did this to you…she left you here to suffer," The doctor says slowly.

I shake my head to fight his words because I can't seem to find my voice.

"She did my boy. She left you to die…she hates you," The doctor says.

And some of his words seem true, but only for a moment, before I feverishly shake my head again and things start to go black. The words of hate for Katniss from the doctor ring in my ears, and the only way I can fight them is to remember Katniss, laying in my arms after we found out she was pregnant, for the few moments of happiness we seemed to have before Haymitch told us we were going back into the Games. Katniss was growling in that moment.

KATNISS POV

It's been a week since Coin has announced that Peeta will be saved and I should be happy, but all I can right now is focus straight ahead at the tile wall of the small bathroom my mother, sister, and I share. I have been sick all morning. My mother says it's from the baby and that I should get used to it.

I don't want to get used to it. I am nearly two months pregnant now and I hate every moment of it. Not only because I am sick, cranky, and tired most of the time, but because every time I look down at my stomach and the bump that is now slowly becoming apparent to everyone else around me, I think of Peeta.

I need to save Peeta.

I know it's up to me now. Coin will help me bring Peeta home safely but only if I do what she wants me to do. I need to play her game now to rescue Peeta from President Snow's game.

I take a deep breath and try to get up, but as soon as I move my head I am overwhelmed by sickness again and barely make it to the bowl in front of me.

When I finally finish being sick I feel a few tears of frustration rolling down my cheeks. I don't want to be here. I don't want to be pregnant and alone and there is no one to blame but myself. I walked away from Peeta in the arena. I let us get separated, and now my child and Peeta will pay for my actions.

And suddenly, I am beyond frustrated. I could say it's the hormones or it could just be my own temper, but I am pounding my fists on the floor and letting out a growl of annoyance. It seems crazy, but it makes me feel better.

I only stop the scene I am making in the bathroom when I hear a knock on the door.

"Katniss, are you okay?" Prim's voice comes softly through the door and I can hear the concern.

"Fine," I say, but realize my voice his horse from throwing up and my temper tantrum.

"Can I come in?" Prim asks but I don't know why she bothers. She is already opening the door before I can answer her anyway and when she sees me on the floor she is immediately next to me, wiping the sweat from my brow.

"Katniss…you should tell me when you aren't feeling well," Prim says with concern.

"Apparently this is normal," I laugh softly.

Prim stops fretting over me when she hears my laugh and gives me a smile instead. "It is…unfortunately."

"Only seven more months to go," I say sarcastically and look down at the small round stomach I am developing.

"You will be okay," Prim says and helps me to my feet.

"Don't have much of a choice…about anything down here really, do we?" I say.

Prim shakes her head. "But we are safe."

"I guess that is true at least," I say as we move out the bathroom. I see my bunk a few feet from me and all I want to do is crawl back into it and sleep for a few hours.

"Plutarch sent me…they need you for promotions," Prim says sheepishly. I can tell she did not want to deliver that message.

"Of course they do," I grumble but not just out of annoyance. Doing the new promotions scares me to death because if I make a mistake, or if they do not work, Peeta will pay the ultimate price for it.

"Do you want me to tell them you don't feel well? Maybe they can do them later," Prim offers.

I shake my head because I know I need to do the promotions sooner or later. I need to get it all started. The sooner I do this, the sooner they can rescue Peeta, or at least that is what I am hoping for.

PEETA POV

The doctor has visited me twice since our first visit and each time they strap me up and pump that substance into my arm his words of how awful Katniss is and how she is at fault for my suffering invade my mind. With each word, they offer a blow to my ribs or a slap on my wrist.

I don't know what they are doing or why but it's making it hard for me to concentrate even when they are gone. Last night, I had a dream that Katniss was actually trying to kill me. It seemed so real I woke up screaming.

I didn't sleep after that, and so when the Peace Keepers show up to tell me that President Snow has requested my company I need to fight to keep my eyes opened.

They lead me to the President's mansion and down a maze of hallways until I finally end up in a large room with a balcony that spans the length of the windows. I am led out to this balcony and find the President in a large chair, looking over his rose garden down below.

"Mr. Mellark," The President smiles at me and motions for me to join him.

I slump down in the seat next to him, exhausted, starving, and drained. I imagine it must look so odd. The President, in all white, well fed and clean shaven, sitting next to me, a bag of bones in filthy ripped pants and a shirt that was once white but is now a shade of gray.

"You look like you have seen better days, my boy," The President says and motions for one of his staff to bring me a glass of water.

I guzzle the water greedily and merely nod at the President's words. I think they are an understatement. I am certain I have never looked worse in my life.

"Are you ready to cooperate with us now?" President Snow asks me.

I take a deep breath and put my glass down. I realize now, my hands are shaking and I cannot control them.

"That depends," I say, trying to keep my voice as steady and strong as possible.

President Snow cocks an eyebrow at me. "Depends? On what?"

"What you want me to do. I won't say anything about Katniss, so if that is what you mean then no, I am not ready to cooperate," I say as firmly as I can.

"It's not just about Katniss anymore, my dear boy," President snow picks up a remote on the small table between us and clicks it on.

Suddenly I see footage of the Districts, some are rioting, some are burned to the ground, and some have streets littered with dead bodies.

"This is what Katniss has done. This is what the symbol of the Mockingjay has done to our system. Is this what you want for your life? For your child's life?" The President asks.

I am stunned by the footage and it takes every ounce of my concentration to even try and think about the President's words.

"Now I am willing to make a deal with you, Peeta…" President Snow says after a long moment of allowing me to take the images he has shown me in. "I will let you and Katniss live our your lives with your child far away from all of this…far away from the Districts and the Games and the Capitol…but you need to help me end this war."

I sit straight up, my fists clenching. I know I can't trust President Snow but the image he has painted in my head of a potential future with Katniss is so appetizing. I try to focus on him though, the imagine in front of me now, of the man who has tried so hard to destroy Katniss and me.

I can see that Snow knows I am not buying what he is saying now and so he leans forward, and I can smell the roses on him.

"Remember where we are Peeta…this is the Capitol and I can control and destroy whatever I would like," Snow now threatens me.

"Like you did with District 13?" I can't help but sneer as I say it. The President thought he had destroyed District 13, but both he and I know that is not true.

I can see an anger in Snow's eyes at my comment and I realized I may have pushed him a bit too far. It certainly wasn't my smartest move, but there was some gratification in seeing him squirm for just a mere moment.

Snow gains his composure and then shrugs, picking up a white rose that sat on the table between us. He exams it as he speaks to me. "We hardly bothered then. They were underground, living like rats, but if they want to come to the surface now then we will do to District 13 what we do to rats…we will kill them all."

I do not say anything, examining the threat Snow seems to be making.

"And I do mean them all, Mr. Mellark. If you think for a single moment that Katniss and the child she carries are safe then you are just a silly boy from District 12," Snow makes eye contact with me as he speaks.

And suddenly the threat is very real. I know Snow could very easily have moved on any of his threats but he hadn't yet. However, this one feels different. There is a hint of desperation in his voice now and I realize that he will do whatever it takes to stay in power, even if it means destroying every single District around him. He may need them, but surely he can figure out a way to repopulate some. If District 13 falls, won't they all?

My mouth feels drier than before as I let the President's words sink in.

"So what do you say now, Peeta? Will you help me in exchange for Katniss and your child's safety?" Snow asks again.

This time, I find myself nodding. I know I can't trust him to do the right thing but I also know the longer I cooperate, the longer I will be able to keep Katniss safe. Snow isn't stupid, if he hurts her, he loses me. He won't risk that just yet. He needs me.

KATNISS POV

Effie moves in a circle around me, making sure the Mockingjay outfit that Cinna designed for me fits properly. I don't agree with her, but she thinks it's perfect. I slightly hate it, because it emphasis' the small bump in my stomach. I am sure Cinna had a reason for this, but if he had not been the one to create this costume, I am certain I would have never worn it.

"You look lovely my dear," Effie finally finishes by fastening a black Mockingjay pin to the black suit.

I look down at my stomach and sigh. I don't feel lovely. "Why do they want the world to see this?"

"To show you are serious about what you are fighting for. Your future," Effie touches the bump that houses Peeta's child.

I sigh, because I can tell she thinks I hate being pregnant. Although I don't love it, I don't hate it for the reasons everyone things I do. I am starting to truly love the child because it is all I have left of Peeta and I will protect it at all costs. I don't hate the suit because I hate the bump. I hate that the suit shows it, I feel like it makes me look like a weak little girl. I am supposed to be leading a rebellion according to Coin.

"Katniss, just get through this. You will be fine…you will be excellent," Effie breaks me from my thoughts.

I glance up at her and realize she looks so very tired. I know living down here is not easy for her and at first I thought it was the lack of amenities, but now I am starting to see it is because of me. Effie is worried about me.

I give Effie a small smile. "Thank you, Effie."

"Now let's go show them all how strong you can really be," Effie says, softly patting my shoulder.

I nod and follow Effie out into a huge room where Plutarch is standing. He greets me with a wide smile and motions behind him to a stage.

"Now Katniss, this is where you will be standing. We will be in the control room back there filming, and all you need to do is read off of this projector," Plutarch motions to the things around the room as he speaks.

"Okay," I nod suddenly nervous. It is strange to put on my brave, acting face without Peeta by my side. I know I won't be any good without him, but I have to try.

And so I try, and try, and try. Each take seems worse then the next. Plutarch is getting frustrated with me and Effie has stopped giving me suggestions. I can't do the propaganda without Peeta.

"KATNISS! YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO BE LEADING A REBELLION!" Plutarch snaps loudly into the speaker sometime after my seventh take.

And I feel tears rise in my eyes. I am so frustrated, so upset with how awful I am without Peeta. I will never be able to save him if I can't read a few lines. No one will follow this broken Mockingjay into a Rebellion.

And now the tears are flowing freely and I am trying to wipe them before anyone can see.

"Stupid hormones," I mumble, but I know it's more then that. It's everything. I could lose everything.

"Alright, that's enough," I hear a familiar voice grow from the corner.

I look up to see Haymitch slowly stumbling into the room.

And now I am angry. Furious. I hate him. He is the reason I lost Peeta. He let Peeta be part of this insane plan without my knowledge.

"Get out," I growl at Haymitch.

Haymitch puts his hands up and stops advancing, but I know he won't turn around.

"I thought we had taught you manners, sweetheart. Is that any way to greet an old friend?" Haymitch asks and I notice his hands shake slightly.

I realize now why I haven't seen him in awhile. He has been detoxing, and now he looks older and frailer than ever.

"I don't see any friend here," I snap back.

Haymitch looks slightly hurt and gives a small sigh. "Katniss, I'm sorry…"

"You should have saved Peeta," I say flatly. I know the tears are rising again but I will not break down in front of Haymitch.

"Peeta knew the risks, Katniss. He knew what he was getting himself into…" Haymitch tries.

I snort back in anger. "Seems like everyone but me knew all about it."

"We needed to keep you safe. You and that baby…that is all Peeta wanted…it's all he still wants," Haymitch says.

And the reminder that Peeta is still alive is enough to send me over the edge again, and the tears roll down my cheeks. I am so tired of all of this, and I just want to save Peeta, but I don't know how to. Certainly this propaganda message won't do it.

I don't stop Haymitch this time when he comes and wraps his arms around me. In fact I relax in them and the anger I have for Haymitch slowly resolves because I can feel his own tear on my cheek. I realize now he misses Peeta as much as I do.

"We will get him back, Katniss," Haymitch says, wrapping his arms around my head and cradling my head the way a father would to his own child.

"Not with this…" Coin's voice is loud.

Haymitch and I break apart to see Plutarch and Coin entering the room together.

"This acting is awful…no! No, awful doesn't even cover it," Plutarch says.

"We can't use any of this. This isn't going to work out," Coin says.

Coins eyes dig into me and I realize she is threatening me. If I can't do what she asks of me I will not get Peeta back. She doesn't have to say it, I just know that is what she means.

"What happened to the girl on stage with Caesar? That is who we need," Plutarch says.

"The boy did better. Maybe we should have saved him," Coin speaks of Peeta as if I am not even in the room.

"Hey! This just isn't her forte. You can't coach her what to say, she just needs to feel it coming genuinely," Haymitch defends me, his arm still around my back.

I glance up at my mentor and know he is slowly making his way back into my heart.

"And honestly that script was horrid," Effie joins in and I bit my tongue to not smile. She too tries her best to protect me.

"Well we need to figure something out," Coin snaps. "We need the Katniss that volunteered for her sister…that gave Rue a grave."

Silence falls among us for a moment and then Beetee rolls in on his chair. I realize he was in the control room with Plutarch.

"Well those two instances have very common themes…they were both organic. No one told Katniss what to do," Beetee analytically says.

"What are you getting at?" Coin asks.

I feel my own face screw up because I am just as confused by Beetee's thoughts.

"She needs to be put in the field!" Plutarch blurts out snapping his finger.

"What?" I hear myself ask but also hear Coin and Effie echo my word as well.

"Absolutely not," Coin says.

"But it would be perfect. Get her out amongst the people…show the Districts she cares about this war…that she is in the middle of it!" Plutarch seems to be getting carried away with his idea.

"It's not safe for her. She is pregnant," Effie says.

"Plus we aren't going to risk her life. We need her. She is the symbol," Plutarch adds.

"District 8 is relatively safe. They haven't had much bombing in a week or so," Beetee adds.

"Now wait a minute. Even so…that's a risk. It could get bombed," Haymitch says.

"Doubtful. There isn't much left there," Plutarch says.

My heads swirls back and forth between those bickering over my future, but not letting me have a say in it. I feel like a child whose parents are fighting over what is best for her.

"Again…the baby…" Effie says.

"We can keep her safe," Plutarch says.

"I want to go," I say softly at first. I am so angry that they are taking every decision away from me. Baby or no baby, I need to do everything in my power to get Peeta back, so maybe Beetee is right. Maybe I need to be in the field.

"There is too much risk," Coin says, completely ignoring me.

"I want to go," I say louder now.

Everyone stops speaking and looks at me.

"I want to go. I want to do whatever I need to do to help," I say but really all I mean is that I will do whatever I need to in order to make Coin save Peeta.

"Katniss…we can figure something else out. There are other ways to do this," Effie says.

I am surprised by Effie's words because I realize now that she knows exactly what I am thinking – that I will do anything to save Peeta.

"If she wants to go, we should send her. A pregnant Mockingjay in the field…it will make everyone stand behind her. She is the ideal symbol. A rebel, a fighter…now a mother…" Plutarch says, glancing at Coin.

In the end Coin will make the final decision.

And slowly Coin nods her head. I think Plutarch has painted a picture in her mind that is too good to pass up.

"Maybe you are onto something…" Coin says. "Assuming we can keep her safe."

"We certainly can," Plutarch says eagerly.

And so it is settled. I will go out into the field. Hopefully that will work better and give Coin whatever she is looking for so that I can get Peeta back.