As the play comes to an end Scrooge recants and vows to live a better life. But poor Peeta still hasn't proposed and is going through a rough time. He has to confront Gale and Katniss, without losing control. What will happen as the Muppet-driven Christmas Carol comes to a close? Find out in this last chapter!

I do not own the Hunger Games

I do not own the Muppets

I do not own A Christmas Carol

Behind the scenes, Jo was cracking up as she was brought down and Peeta helped remove the harness she was wearing. "That was awesome!"

"Did you have to push that hard?" Haymitch grumbled as he climbed up from the padded space Johanna had pushed him into.

"Yes, old man, I did," Johanna grinned mischievously.

"Katniss, wait," Delly shouted, she sounded panicked and out of breath.

"Peeta!" Katniss yelled as she neared Peeta. She was clutching something in her hand, and she lifted it as she neared him.

Peeta watched Katniss approach, his heart was in his throat at how beautiful she looked. He always found her to be the most gorgeous woman. He could feel his heart breaking. Out on the stage, he didn't have to act. He felt heartbroken.

"What is this?" Katniss asked, unfurling her hand, the pearl ring was nestled in her palm.

Everyone was watching them. Thom held the Gonzo puppet, and Leevy held Rizzo the Rat. The crew had various muppets in their hands. They all stared open-mouthed. Gale stood behind Johanna like a lumbering giant, his eyes cast to the ground.

Peeta looked at the ring and for the first time in his life, he had no words.

"You are Brainless," Johanna spat. "He was going to ask you to marry him, but you've been hanging with Useless over there," Johanna pointed behind her at Gale. "And not paying attention to Peeta."

Katniss opened her mouth. "I…I…"

Peeta didn't want to wait to hear what Katniss was going to say. He instead walked away. He felt that tightening in his belly. He needed to control himself before he turned into a mutt.

"I didn't know," Katniss stammered.

"That's why I call you Brainless," Johanan scuffed. "Wake up and smell the geese dung. That's the pearl he gave you in the arena."

"How do you know?" Katniss questioned.

"I was there, remember!" Johanna exclaimed. "You don't deserve anyone so good."

"But…I swear nothing is going on with me and Gale…" Katniss stammered.

"There really isn't," Gale said, throwing his hands in the air when Johanna narrowed her eyes at him. "I'm also helping her plan their fifth anniversary."

"I was helping Gale out because he has a crush on Delly," Katniss said.

"Me!" Delly squeaked.

"Yeah, he's smitten," Katniss said.

"I…I…" Delly began to speak. She didn't get to say anything because Johanna walked in front of Delly.

"Delly, Gale really likes you, and it was my idea to get you both to help plan our fifth year after the war anniversary."

"I would have helped out, no matter what. I know you're crazy about Peeta. I should've noticed he was struggling," Delly looked to the ground.

"Delly, it's not your fault," Gale said. "If anything, Katniss should have known, she lives with Peeta."

"Gale!" Delly reprimanded.

"Just joking," Gale said.

"No Useless is right for once. You are responsible for this," Johanna said to Katniss. "Fix it!" She then stomped away.

"Humbug," Katniss muttered.

"Katniss stop slouching," Effie ordered. She sighed. "I'm afraid to agree with Johanna, but she is right. Go find Peeta and apologize." She put her hands on her hips. "I do not care if you have to grovel. That man is the dearest person and deserves all of the happiness in the world. And so do you, dear."

"Effie is right, for some reason that kid loves you. I'd beg…on my knees."

"PLACES EVERYONE!" Plutarch yelled into the microphone.

Thom, Leevy, and the rest of the crew took their place in Scrooge's bedroom.

"Haymitch you must go," Effie said.

"Tink, the kid," Haymitch said.

"I will find him," Effie said. "As for you two," Effie turned to Gale and Delly who were staring at each other with pink cheeks. "No cavorting until the play is over! Places everyone! Oh dear, time is running out! We are running behind!"

Katniss walked away. There was a rush of people setting the scene. Plutarch counted down as the orchestra music softened.

The curtain opened and Haymitch fell from his bed. He looked around and said, "I'm home."

His bedroom was on top of the revolving stage. Rizzo and Gonzo were on a window ledge. The exterior of the building could be seen on the bottom half. Snow fell on that side of the stage.

The music changed to a jubilant holiday theme and Gonzo began to speak. "Yes the bedpost was his own, his room was his own, he was in his home."

"Hi guys we're back!" Rizzo said, waving to the crowd. They stood on the window ledge.

"We told you we would be," Gonzo said. "But the thing that made Scrooge the happiest was that his life lay before him and that things could be changed."

Haymitch was on his knees, "Oh Robert and Jacob Marley, I promise to live my life with Christmas in my heart. Oh heavens, at Christmas time I am saved." He grabbed the curtains, "They are here." He began to laugh and jump. "I'm as light as a feather, as happy as an angel, I am as merry as a schoolboy."

"Hey, do you think we're safe?" Rizzo asked.

"Well, yeah," Gonzo said. "Scrooge is saved."

No sooner did Gonzo speak than Haymitch opened the window and both Gonzo and Rizzo were pushed off the ledge of the window. They both yelled as they fell behind a large brick fence and a big poof of snow flew up. The audience laughed.

Gonzo and Rizzo both popped up, spitting out snow from their mouths. "Sure we're safe. Remind me never to do this with you again."

"Really, and miss all of the fun?" Gonzo said.

"You there, boy!" Haymitch yelled down to a muppet that was a rabbit.

"Me, sir?"

"What's today?" Haymitch yelled.

"Today?" the Muppet asked.

"Yes, what's today?" Haymitch repeated.

"Today? Well, today is Christmas day!" The muppet yelled at Haymitch.

"It's Christmas day!" Haymitch exclaimed. "I haven't missed it. The spirits did it in one night. They can do anything they want. Of course, they can."

"Spirits?"

"Do you know the poultry shop on the next street?"

"Of course."

You are a remarkable lad, an intelligent lad." Haymitch rubbed his hands. "Have they sold the prized turkey?"

"The one twice as big as me?" The Muppet questioned. "No, sir, they haven't."

"It is marvelous speaking to you my lad." Haymitch leaned over the window with a coin purse. "Buy it for me and I will give you a shilling, no five shillings!"

Haymitch threw down the money.

"And so the boy was off like a shot so eager he was…" Gonzo started.

The rabbit ran and hopped right into Gonzo and Rizzo and knocked them down.

"I suppose you find this fun," Rizzo complained, standing up.

"Yeah!" Gonzo said with glee.

"Agh!" Rizzo cried and fell back onto the snow.

The audience laughed as the rabbit ran off stage. Upstairs in his bedroom, Haymitch walked around. "I'll bring it to Bob Cratchit's house. What a surprise, it's twice the size of Tiny Tim!"

The scene spun and Gonzo and Rizzo were now back on top of the stone fence.

"And a few moments later, dressed in his finest, Scrooge appeared from his home to wish a Merry Christmas to all of the world," Gonzo said.

"Merry Christmas!" Haymitch said, dressed in his great coat, and black imposing top hat. This time a smile lit up his face. He walked by Gonzo and Rizzo and he gently patted Rizzo's head and said, "Merry Christmas!"

"Gee thanks," Rizzo replied.

"Every soul was out and about on that Christmas morning. And Scrooge soon was met with two familiar faces."

Claudius and Caesar came walking out, stage right and Haymitch headed right toward them. Claudius hid behind Caesar.

"Mr. Scrooge," Caesar said, lifting his hands and taking a step back.

"Ah, just the gentleman I was seeking. About that charity donation you were seeking yesterday. Put me down for…" Haymitch whispered something in Caesar's ear.

Caesar's hand fluttered against his chest. "That much?"

Claudius looked at Caesar curiously. Caesar leaned over and whispered it into Claudius's ear. Claudius gasped.

"Not a penny less. Great back payments are included in that sum, I assure you."

"Oh my. I do not know what to say to such generosity!" Caesar looked around him and said, "I just wish there was something we could give to you."

Claudius then took off the red scarf he had on his neck and presented it to Haymitch.

"For me?" Haymitch looked at the red scarf and he put the red scarf around his neck.

"Yes sir," Claudius said. "And a very happy Christmas to you!"

"And Merry Christmas to you both," Haymitch walked one way and Claudius and Caesar walked in the opposite direction.

The music began playing. Haymitch began singing. "With a thankful heart, with an endless joy

With a growing family, every girl and boy…"

Haymitch stopped into one of the shops on stage, to make purchases. "They'll be nephew and niece to me…"

A blend of Muppets and humans, sang, "Nephew and niece to me…"

Actors walked on and off stage. On the side of the stage, Peeta was watching the scene. Haymitch was singing with all of the extras and Muppets. This was part of the redemption arch for the character of Scrooge. It was bright and cheerful and no one knew of the drama that was happening behind the scenes.

Peeta watched Gale and Delly make an appearance. Delly clung to Gale's arm easily. Her smile wasn't fake. Her cheeks were red and her eyes were bright. Gale looked down at her and he gave her a goofy grin.

Haymitch went to them and spoke to them. Once this part passed Peeta would have to face Katniss again.

He had been hoping to present the ring to Katniss in a romantic way. After he walked away, he found a quiet spot where he could calm down the whirling emotions that were threatening to overcome him. His episodes were few and far between. The stress he was under was something he hadn't felt since he and Katniss were in the tunnels running for their lives.

However, as he calmed down, Peeta reasoned he wasn't upset with Katniss. He was angry at himself. He was so stupid for leaving it on the desk where anyone could have found the ring and quietly pilfered the valuable item.

"Peeta, dear," Effie approached him.

"Hi Effie," Peeta sighed.

"You beat yourself up too much."

"Effie, I'm a mutt…"

"No," Effie said, shaking her head. "Peeta Mellark, listen to me right now. I was there when they tortured you. I heard you begging them not to hurt me. You are not a mutt. You are not a creature of that madman's Capitol. You are Peeta Mellark, the sweetest boy from District Twelve.

"I'm not angry at her Effie, I'm upset at me," Peeta said.

"Why?"

"Because I allowed myself to become upset that Katniss was giggling with Gale, something she used to do before the Games."

"Peeta it's alright, you are human and a little jealous," Effie said.

"I wasn't jealous before," Peeta sighed.

"Oh yes you were," Effie said, with a sad sigh.

"I don't remember…" Peeta was cut off by Effie.

"Oh my dear boy, you forget I was there during the Victory Tour." Effie smiled sadly. "Even then I could see just how much you both loved the other, but the circumstances surrounding all of us made your love impossible to blossom."

Peeta frowned, unable to remember what she was speaking about. "I wasn't …"

"You were," Effie said.

"I was?"

"It was during the dinner in District Eleven. I was standing at the foot of the stairs watching you both speak in private. Your face betrayed your feelings. Katniss, the poor girl, looked conflicted by her words. Later that evening, I saw that you were not happy."

Katniss in a pink dress and silver wrap came to mind. The memory wasn't shiny so he knew it was real. "Her dress was pink, and her hair was in ringlets."

Effie nodded. "She was resplendent, Cinna did such a wonderful job dressing her. He understood her, better than any of us."

"So just by looking at me, you knew I was jealous?"

"Actually I suspected something was wrong, by the way you were acting, but you told me as much. We were dancing, and I asked you what was wrong. You said, "Nothing, why would anything be wrong."

"That sounds like something I would say," Peeta said.

"I called your bluff and you told me that Gale and Katniss kissed. And I asked if Katniss had kissed Gale or if Gale had kissed Katniss."

"I told you Gale kissed Katniss," Peeta finally remembered.

"And I told you it didn't matter because Katniss didn't kiss him back. So I'm telling you once more, this has nothing to do with the hijacking," Effie chuckled.

"It doesn't?"

"No, my dear it's because you love her, and it is natural."

"I reacted like a child," Peeta said.

"You reacted like a man in love who believes another is encroaching on the life he is building with her." Effie smiled gently. "You love her and are willing to fight for her, but you aren't sure how to fight for her."

"But I left the ring on the table for anyone to find. It could have been stolen. I should have kept the ring in my pocket. This way…"

"No one would find out how you felt?" Katniss asked as she came out of the shadows.

"Katniss I…"

"Katniss and Peeta," Effie began.

"Places everyone," Plutarch shouted into their earpieces. "Katniss, Peeta, Vick, Rory, Fin, Posy…to the stage. NOW!"

"Go, you can discuss this later," Effie said tisking over Katniss' costume. "Do not slouch, Katniss, for the sake of the play."

Peeta followed Katniss backstage for the grand finale. They took their places in the Cratchit house. They could hear Haymitch and the crowd singing as he approached the door.

"Peeta," Katniss whispered, standing next to him.

"We'll talk about this when we get home tonight," Peeta whispered back. He couldn't look at her, or else he broke character. He knew acting was tough for Kantiss. She didn't know how to play pretend.

On the other side of the door Haymitch sang, "With a thankful heart that is wide awake, I do make this promise, every breath I take. Will be used now to sing your praise!"

The actors and Muppetiers sang back, "Used now to sing your praise!"

"And to beg you to share my days," Haymitch sang.

And the chorus of Muppets and humans repeated, "Beg you to share my days."

As Haymitch walked back and forth singing. Peeta touched the door, feeling the vibrations of the music. The words hurt Peeta so spiked his lashes and he wiped them away. He wanted to beg Katniss to share his days. The music crescendoed for the final coda of the song.

"With a loving guarantee that even if we part, I will hold you close in a thankful heart…" Haymitch sang.

Peeta straightened his back and slipped into the mild manner of Bob Cratchit. However, in his heart, he wanted nothing more than to live the rest of his days with Katniss as the lyrics said with a loving guarantee that he would hold her close with a thankful heart even if they were ever to part.

Peeta heard when the entire cast that was on the other side of the door sang, "I will hold you close in a thankful heart."

Peeta mentally began counting down. He could hear Gonzo and Rizzo speaking.

"Scrooge arrived at Bob Cratchit's house," Gonzo said. "Giddy with anticipation."

"Awe it smells like goose, Gonzo. It was delicious the first time and it smells even better now," Rizzo said.

"Rizzo, whatever you do, do not touch the goose."

"Awe shucks," Rizzo said.

There was a smattering of laughter from the audience.

Haymitch knocked on the door.

"BOB CRATCHIT!" Haymitch's voice boomed in the now silent stage.

Peeta waited for a beat before opening the door. He peeked out of the door. "Ah…."

"So here you are," Haymitch grumbled.

"Mr. Scrooge!" Peeta exclaimed.

"You, sir, were not at work this morning!" Haymitch sounded gruff but as Peeta closed the door behind him, Haymitch gleefully smiled and then he made his face look serious as Peeta focused his attention back on him. "As we had discussed."

The audience laughed. The stage moved showing the audience the interior of the Cratchit home. The children were sitting at the table, their eyes wide. Katniss was listening behind the door.

"But Mr. Scrooge," Peeta wrung his hands. "We did discuss this…today is Christmas. You gave me the day off."

"I!" Haymitch exclaimed. "I…Ebenezer Scrooge, gave you the day off?"

"Yes..I mean you did sir, you gave me the day off," Peeta stammered.

"Bob Cratchit I've had enough…" Haymitch began saying.

Katniss swung the door open, pushed Peeta behind her, and stood looking up at Haymitch's imposing form. "And I've had enough of you!"

"Emily," Peeta said.

Katniss stepped up to Haymitch, her infamous scowl in place. Peeta wondered if she was being real. In rehearsals, Katniss had never been able to convincingly act mad at Haymitch.

"And...furthermore," Haymitch said.

"And...furthermore you can leave, at once!"

"And therefore I am about to raise your salary," Haymitch exclaimed.

Katniss lifted herself to her full height and said over Haymitch. "OHHH I'm about to shoot you right in the EYE!"

"Emily no," Peeta said standing in front of her. Seeing Peeta having trouble controlling Katniss made the audience laugh. She was tiny compared to his stocky build.

"Yes, right after I raise Bob's salary," Haymitch said laughing.

"Wait," Katniss said, stopping. "Raise his salary?"

"Pardon," Peeta said, making sure his voice sounded shocked.

"Yes, Bob, I am going to raise your salary. Pay your mortgage," Haymitch said happily.

"Oh, ah, Bob, invite Mr. Scrooge in…" Katniss urged.

"Yes, yes….where are my manners, Please Mr. Scrooge come in…come in…"

"Bob, would you mind sharing a bit of turkey dinner?" Haymitch asked.

"We would love to, Mr. Scrooge," Peeta said.

Haymitch signaled and Muppets and humans came inside with presents and the large prized turkey. Gale and Delly walked into the set.

Outside Rizzo exclaimed, "They've got a turkey!" And rushed to go inside but was being blocked by Penguin Muppets. Rizzo was pushed back to Gonzo by the Penguins.

Gonzo shook his head and turned to the audience, "And Scrooge was better than his words. He did it all and infinitely more."

"Hey, what about Tiny Tim?" Rizzo asked.

"And Tiny Tim, who did not die," Gonzo said to Rizzo.

"Awe that's swell!" Rizzo said.

"To Tiny Tim, Scrooge became a second father, he became as good a friend, a good a master, and a good a man, as the good old city ever had."

"Hmmm," Rizzo said.

"And it was always said of him, that he knew how to keep Christmas well, if any man alive possessed the knowledge. May that be truly said of us, and all of us! And so as Tiny Tim observed ..."

Finn, who was sitting next to Haymitch, said in a clear voice, "Bless us…"

"The love we found," Katniss began singing before Haymitch said his last line, she walked toward him. Even the orchestra was struck by her voice. "The love we found, the sweetest dream that we have ever known."

"Katniss," Peeta said as softly as he could but somehow his voice was picked up by the microphone he had. She squeezed his hand and he looked down to see she was wearing the ring on her wedding finger.

Katniss slid onto one knee, and her hand with the pearl ring was extended up to him.

The audience gasped. Somewhere in the background, Peeta could hear Plutarch yelling for the camera to zoom in on her hand.

Since the end of the war, Katniss was notorious for her privacy. This play was the first thing she'd agreed to do, and she wouldn't have done it if she'd known about the cameras. This was Katniss's way of apologizing and showing him she wanted to marry him. Peeta slipped onto his knees in front of her and began singing, "The love we found…"

Katniss joined him in singing, "The love we found, we carry with us so we're never quite alone…"

By this time the orchestra was softly playing music.

"The love we found," Katniss sang. In her eyes, was displayed all of the love she possessed for him.

"The love we found," Peeta sang choked up.

The Cast began to sing, "The sweetest dream that we have ever known."

At that moment, everything around Peeta faded and he leaned down and kissed Katniss. He did not hear the roar of the applause or the way the cast broke character to applaud. All that existed to him was Katniss and this perfect moment.

When he pulled away from the kiss, Katniss said, "I need you Peeta, I need you…"

"I need you too," Peeta replied.

"That was amazing!" Plutarch finally made his appearance after being in the control room all night.

Peeta glanced and saw the cast and the curtains surrounding them were closed.

"Come along, it's the curtain call," Plutarch said. The curtain began to rise.

Peeta tucked himself by Katniss' side and they both bowed slightly as the audience cheered.

Once the curtain call was done, Plutarch started talking fast. "We need to interview you and then we can plan the wedding…" Plutarch said, rubbing his hands together.

"There will be no such thing," Effie said imperiously.

"What?" Plutarch said.

"We got what we wanted. As we speak, money is pouring into the national orphanage fund. You do not need to exploit my babies for your greedy profit Plutarch!" Effie admonished.

"But…"

"Listen to Tink, Plutarch. You're not going anywhere near my kids," Haymitch gruffly said.

It was then Peeta's grin matched Katniss'.

"Ready to go home and have a Toasting?" Peeta asked.

"Yep," Katniss nodded.

Peeta gleefully ran away with Katniss. And as they left, the nation had fallen for Katniss and Peeta once more. They were content in the knowledge that the war had not diminished the love between their star-crossed lovers.

The End.

And that's a wrap. As today is the Ephiany or as we celebrate in the Latin Comunity the Tres Reyes Magos. This is my tiny gift for you guys. I hope Wendywobbles enjoyed the story. Thank you to Norbertsmom my beta who edited this piece why informed...you are a gem, and I'm very lucky to have you in my life.

I wanted to say when I began writing this mad-capped story - I didn't think this would get anyone to read it lol, but man was I wrong. Thank you so much for the wonderful response to the story. For the likes /kudos and lovely comments.