A/N: HI, y'all! Last chapter! I can't believe how fast this has gone! Well, when you plan thoroughly, and have a few 3-5k writing days, you get through writing pretty quick. Lol.


Chapter 10:

Nikki's heart pounded in her chest as she darted through the chaos of the arena. The air was thick with smoke and the screams of the dying, a cacophony that threatened to drown out her own thoughts. She glanced back to make sure the others were keeping up. Peeta was just behind her, his face set in grim determination. Beside him, Haymitch and Finnick fought off the Capitol's Peacekeepers with brutal efficiency. Joanna, Beetee, and Effie were close behind, their expressions a mix of fear and resolve.

"Move! Move!" Haymitch shouted, urging them forward.

They had to reach the rendezvous point. The hovercraft was their only chance of escape. Nikki felt a surge of adrenaline as they burst out of the woods. The hovercraft was just ahead, its engines roaring to life.

"Go, go, go!" Finnick yelled, covering their retreat with his trident.

Nikki clambered aboard, pulling Peeta up after her. Effie stumbled, but Haymitch caught her and hoisted her into the craft. Joanna and Beetee were next, and finally Finnick leaped aboard, slamming the hatch shut behind him.

"We're in!" Nikki called to the pilot.

The hovercraft lifted off, the ground below receding rapidly. Nikki collapsed onto a seat, her breath coming in ragged gasps. They had made it. Against all odds, they had escaped.

"Everyone okay?" Haymitch asked, looking around.

There were nods and murmurs of assent, though everyone looked worse for wear. Beetee was bleeding from a gash on his forehead, and Effie looked like she was in shock. Nikki took a deep breath, trying to steady her nerves. They were safe, for now.

The hovercraft flew through the night, the stars above a stark contrast to the hell they had just left behind. Nikki leaned her head back, closing her eyes for a moment. The journey was far from over, but they had taken the first step.

After what felt like hours, the hovercraft began its descent. Nikki opened her eyes to see the barren landscape of District 13 coming into view. It was a stark contrast to the opulence of the Capitol, a testament to the resilience of its people.

The craft touched down with a jolt, and the hatch opened to reveal a group of stern-faced soldiers. At their head stood President Coin, her silver hair gleaming in the harsh light.

"Welcome to District 13," Coin said, her voice cold and commanding.

Nikki exchanged a look with Peeta, who gave her a small, reassuring nod. They stepped off the hovercraft, and Coin's gaze swept over them, lingering on each face.

"You've been through a lot," Coin continued. "But the real work begins now."

Nikki felt a shiver run down her spine. She had heard stories about President Coin's ruthlessness, and now, standing before her, she could see the ambition and determination in the woman's eyes.

"Follow me," Coin instructed. "We have much to discuss."

They were led through a series of tunnels, the walls damp and covered in grime. Nikki couldn't help but feel a sense of foreboding as they walked. The sounds of their footsteps echoed off the walls, creating an eerie symphony that set her nerves on edge.

They emerged into a large cavern, brightly lit and filled with maps, charts, and screens displaying various strategic information. A large table dominated the center of the room, around which several high-ranking officials were already seated.

"Take a seat," Coin said, gesturing to the empty chairs.

Nikki settled into a chair between Peeta and Haymitch, her mind racing. She couldn't shake the feeling that Coin's interest in her was more than just curiosity. As the president began to outline their plans, Nikki tried to focus on the details. They were about to embark on a mission that could change the course of the rebellion, and she needed to be ready.

Hours passed as they went over the details of their mission. The plan was to launch a coordinated attack on several key Capitol targets, using the chaos to rescue Effie and others who had been captured. Nikki's role was crucial; her knowledge of the Capitol's inner workings would be invaluable in navigating the complex web of defenses.

As the meeting drew to a close, Coin fixed Nikki with another penetrating look. "Your unique skills will be put to the test," she said. "I trust you won't let us down."

Nikki swallowed hard, feeling the weight of Coin's expectations. "I won't," she promised.

With the meeting adjourned, the group dispersed, each member lost in their own thoughts. Nikki lingered for a moment, her mind racing. She had to find a way to balance her own survival with the demands of the rebellion. It was a delicate line to walk, and one misstep could mean disaster.

"Nikki," Haymitch's voice broke through her thoughts. "We need to talk."

She followed him to a quieter corner of the room, away from prying eyes. Haymitch's expression was serious, a rare sight that made Nikki's stomach churn with apprehension.

"What's going on?" she asked.

Haymitch glanced around before speaking. "Coin's got her eye on you," he said. "And that's not necessarily a good thing."

Nikki frowned. "What do you mean?"

"Coin's a shrewd leader," Haymitch explained. "She sees potential in you, but she also sees a threat. You're valuable, but that makes you dangerous in her eyes. She'll be watching your every move."

Nikki felt a chill run down her spine. "So what do I do?"

"Be careful," Haymitch advised. "Stick to the plan, but don't draw too much attention to yourself. And remember, we're in this together. If you need help, you come to me."

Nikki nodded, grateful for Haymitch's support. "Thanks," she said. "I'll be careful."

As they settled into the routines of District 13, Nikki couldn't help but wonder about the fate of her family and friends in District 12. The thought gnawed at her, a constant reminder of what was at stake.

Haymitch dragged Nikki to the medic section of the tunnels of District 13, drawing her attention from her missing family, and Nikki asked him, "Why are we going here?"

"You know why," Haymitch said, glancing over his shoulder at her. "Everyone in the districts believe you to be pregnant. If you don't show progress, then they'll think you were lying." He chuckled. "And I know you weren't lying, because the morning sickness medicine wouldn't have worked as well as they did if you weren't pregnant. Plus, you had no control over when you got sick in the arena."

They made it to one of the rooms in Medical, and Nikki was shown to a bed. They had her pull up her shirt a bit, and they checked her stomach. "What?"

"Your baby bump is a little small," said one doctor. "Most likely from the living conditions in District 12, but you look healthy at first glance." He put on gloves and grabbed a gel. "This will be cold," he said as he tried warming it up before putting it on her lower stomach.

Nikki hissed at the feeling, and looked at Haymitch in worry. Looking back at the weird machine just in time to see a gray image. "What? Do you see anything?"

The doctor smiled. "There's definitely a baby there." He pointed to a part of the screen. "They're a little small, but it looks like you are about five and a half months along. You will need to eat more often, and healthier food. But, it looks good." He looked at Nikki. "Congratulations." He printed out pictures, and handed them to her.

...

One evening, as they gathered for a briefing, Nikki finally voiced her concerns. "What happened to District 12?" she asked, her voice filled with worry. "What happened to my family? And Peeta's family?"

The room fell silent, and President Coin's expression hardened. "District 12 has been destroyed," she said, her voice devoid of emotion. "But there were survivors. We've been working to locate and bring them to safety."

Nikki felt a surge of relief mixed with sorrow. Her home was gone, but there was hope for her loved ones. She exchanged a look with Peeta, who nodded, his eyes filled with determination.

"We'll find them," Peeta said, his voice steady. "And we'll make sure they're safe."

Nikki nodded, feeling a renewed sense of purpose. The journey to District 13 had been a turning point, but there was still much work to be done. They would fight for their families, for their friends, and for their future.

In the four months that followed, Nikki's pregnancy progressed. The initial shock of finding herself pregnant in the midst of a rebellion gave way to a fierce determination to protect her unborn child. Peeta was her rock, constantly by her side, offering support and comfort.

The harsh routines of District 13 were challenging, but Nikki found solace in the moments of quiet she shared with Peeta. They would sit together in their small quarters, talking about the future and dreaming of a world where their child could grow up in peace.

As her belly grew, due to the better food which led to better health for her and her baby, so did the sense of anticipation. The people of District 13, hardened by years of struggle, showed a surprising softness towards Nikki. They offered her extra food rations and ensured she had the medical care she needed.

One night, as Nikki lay in bed, she felt the first fluttering movements of the baby. She took Peeta's hand and placed it on her belly, watching his face light up with wonder.

"That's our baby," she whispered, tears of joy in her eyes.

Peeta smiled, his own eyes glistening. "I can't wait to meet them," he said softly.

As the months passed, the rebellion continued to rage, but Nikki and Peeta found moments of peace amidst the chaos. They attended strategy meetings, contributed to the war effort, and supported each other through the highs and lows.

The day finally came when Nikki went into labor. The medical team in District 13, though not as advanced as the Capitol's, was skilled and efficient. Peeta stayed by Nikki's side, holding her hand and whispering words of encouragement.

The labor was long and arduous, but Nikki drew strength from Peeta's unwavering presence. After hours of intense effort, the cries of a newborn filled the room. Nikki felt a surge of relief and joy as the baby was placed in her arms.

"It's a girl," the doctor announced, smiling warmly.

Nikki looked down at the tiny, perfect face of her daughter, her heart swelling with love. Peeta leaned in, tears streaming down his face as he kissed Nikki's forehead and then their daughter's.

"She's beautiful," he whispered, his voice choked with emotion.

Nikki nodded, unable to speak as she held their baby close. In that moment, all the hardships and sacrifices seemed worth it. They had brought new life into a world filled with darkness, a beacon of hope for the future.

As they settled into their new roles as parents, Nikki and Peeta found a renewed sense of purpose. The rebellion was far from over, but now they had something even more precious to fight for. Their daughter's future depended on their success.

One evening, as they sat together in their quarters, Nikki looked at Peeta, her eyes filled with determination. "We'll make sure she grows up in a better world," she said firmly.

Peeta nodded, his expression resolute. "We will," he agreed. "For her, and for everyone else."

With their daughter in their arms, Nikki and Peeta were more determined than ever to see the rebellion through to its end. They would fight for their families, for their friends, and for a future where their child could live in peace and freedom. Together, they would forge a new future, free from the tyranny of the Capitol.


A/N 2: What do you think would be a good name for the third story in this series?