So, that was quite the shocker in the last chapter, am I right? And I'm sure some of you literally want to injure me right now for making Liz pregnant with Miklisho's baby, but I have a feeling that you are going to be a little happier after this. Maybe you know, and maybe you don't, depending on who you are and what we've talked about. But one thing will always be the same from chapter to chapter- my need for feedback. You need to tell me what your thinking, because I can't read minds, and it helps me get a glimpse of what people are thinking and like to see time and time again. OK, here's the chapter. I hope you'll love it!

Chapter 18- Relieved and Grateful

"How did this happen?" I ask Luke. "Are you sure that you were never alone with him? He could have slipped something into a drink, or waited until you were asleep and then…did it." Luke replies. I groan and place my face in my hands, praying my tears won't be coming again anytime soon. "Luke, I swear, I always thought he was creepy. I would never be alone with him. He wouldn't get the chance….unless-"I start, and then I remember something. The day when we were scored at the Training Center. I had taken a nap, and when I woke up, I thought immediately that I must have been more tired than I though. Not sure I mentioned this, but I was wearing no pants, and my underwear was on at an odd angle. I remember lying down with my shorts on. Now, they lay at my feet under the covers. I didn't understand what happened. I couldn't remember much in my state of just waking up. And another thing- my head was pounding. It was a migraine starting. Now, as I sat with Luke, I thought I had finally figured out what had happened and why.

"Luke. He…he did find a way. He came in my room when I was sleeping, and he did what he did, and then that's why I woke up with my pants off and a pounding headache. I've heard sex is supposed to hurt the first time. Since I wasn't awake, the pain went to the only place it could- my head. "I exclaim.

"Liz, honey, this doesn't add up. He didn't get you pregnant. He couldn't have. He was having sex with Alice an hour before we were getting scored. I know, because…well, I walked in on them." He replies. "But…the doctor wouldn't lie to me like that, would he? I mean, he's a doctor. He has to tell the truth, right?" I ask. I start thinking, and honestly, it could be either way. Miklisho could have gotten me pregnant, or I might not be pregnant at all. I have no idea at this point.

Mabel POV

"Doctor, about Elizabeth Hirsch, is she really pregnant?" I ask. Dr. Langford stares at me over his lit cigarette. He pulls it elegantly away from his lips and balances it between two fingers. "Mabel, you think I would tell her she's pregnant if it isn't true?" He replies.

I stare at him, unable to know what to think. If she was pregnant, she would have been showing signs weeks earlier. I was pregnant for the first time when I was 16, and I was puking and feeling crappy for 2 weeks before I finally went to a doctor to see if I was pregnant, and even then I already knew what the answer was.

Elizabeth would know if she was, or at least, she would have had some suspicions about it. "Doctor, please, just tell me if she is or isn't. If she is, she's going to need some comfort, and I guarantee you that her parents and Luke's won't be providing it. I'll have to plan on saying something. And another thing, if she isn't, your giving her quite a scare, and she doesn't deserve that." I say in a soft tone.

I remember how scared I was when the doctor had told me I was pregnant. And how ironic is this, Dr. Langford was that same doctor that told me four years ago. I am 20 now, and every time we get a teenager girl who thinks she's pregnant, I always get emotional when I have to tell her she is. When she starts crying and shaking and trembling. I know the feeling those teens are going through.

The only thing was, I was in a two year relationship with a boyfriend that was there with me. Most of these girls don't have that. Their boyfriends bail when they find out their perfect, girlfriend is pregnant. And I was lucky. I had a boyfriend that offered me a ring to marry him and give me his parent's money to help me get through taking care of the baby.

"Mabel, if it really means that much to you to know, Elizabeth Hirsch is not pregnant. She won't be if she knows what's good for her with all that new found popularity of hers."

I stare at him. My fists clench under me and I can barely sit at my desk. My legs shake a bit, and I have to restrain myself a lot to not punch Dr. Langford. Why would he do something like that? Does he not know that he is causing so much fear and pain to her? I need to tell her right now. "Why would you do something like that?" I ask. "I have my reasons.

I stand up and walk into the hallway, where Luke and Elizabeth sit. She looks so pale right now. Just like I did when the baby finally came. I was so tired from staying up every night helping the baby to sleep when I never was able to. I was working three jobs, because 3 months after the marriage, and 2 months before my little son Connor was born, my boyfriend kicked me out and we got a divorce. I was on my own. As I stand with the small fifteen year old girl, the memories of my past float through my brain. I am so happy that I can make her feel better. "Liz, you're not actually pregnant. Dr. Langford lied to you." I say quickly. Her smile is as big as a dinner plate, and just as white. She is really happy, and I can tell.

Liz POV-

I get up and storm into the examination room, where I know Dr. Langford will be. "What the hell! You told me I was pregnant when I wasn't!" I screech.

"I'm sorry." He whispers. He sits down in a chair and lays his head in his hands, sniffling a few times. "My son was a tribute in this year's Games. He was such a sweet, strong, smart boy. And he died so quickly. My wife and I were so sure he would be coming home. But he died in the first five minutes. Dead as a doornail. It hurt our pride, and our hearts. I have so many less clients coming to me now for checkups and things. They don't want me because my son lost the Games. And then you came here, and I was so mad. You were the Victor, when my own son is dead. And I never got to say goodbye. In our district, goodbyes aren't part of the process. So I never got to tell him to work hard, or say that I loved him. And I'll never get to." He murmurs.

I get a bit teary at this statement. "I didn't kill Marvin. Miklisho did, and if it does anything to comfort you, we, the Careers, we were all so mad at him for what he did. And I killed Miklisho to avenge all the people he had killed. And even that can't help you I'm sure." I reply. "No. It still makes him dead. But thank you for your sympathy. That does make me feel better."

I feel sorry for Dr. Langford, but I am so relieved and grateful that I am not pregnant. I would be a complete wreck if that happened. And anyone knows you can't be a wreck to be a Victor. They would hate me.

I hear a soft knocking at the door, and in walk my parents. I leap up and hug them tightly. My dad smiles at me and my mom is crying. "I'm so happy to see you!" I say. I look back at a teary Dr. Langford. I step out into the hall, knowing that seeing me reunite with my family might make him sad the same thing won't be happening with Marvin. "We're glad to see you too, sweetie!" My mom exclaims. "There's someone here to see you and Luke." My dad says with a serious expression.

We walk down the hallway and I see Luke standing outside a door with a man in a black Peacekeeper uniform. The uniforms are navy blue and grey usually. This isn't just any Peacekeeper. Luke takes my hand and we walk into the room. I see the man sitting in the chair. He has huge, fake lips, snow white hair, and an icy pale complexion. But that isn't what makes me recognize him. It's the blood red rose pinned into his lapel. This man…no…it couldn't be.

The man stands. "Ms. Hirsch, it is a pleasure to meet you. My name is President Snow. I'm here to talk about your requirements. For the both of you." He says.

This man is the President of Panem. And he's here….talking to me. This can't be good.

So….what did you think? I had so much fun writing it. Please, send me a message or submit a review and tell me what you liked, what you didn't like, and then leave me a rating from 1-10, 1 being the worst and 10 being the best. May the odds be ever in your favor, MrsLukeCastellan