Catching Fire: You and Me

Chapter 9:

Author's Note: hey so i just remembered, last chapter Katniss says she hope no one tells her mom shes pregnant. i forgot that her mom already knows. so just keep that in mind.

still in total shock from my phone call i sit down next to Peeta on my bed. i see him stirr and i take his hand tightly in my own.

"hey, Kat." he says groggily and kisses our intertwined hands.

"Peeta?" i say determined.

"what is it?" he says smiling to himself, in a calm state.

"get up. come on." i press and stand up.

"what's the rush?" he says laying his head back down.

"i need sex. now." i say with an almost irritated tone pulling him out of bed and out the door.

we make it to his house and we lay down as he starts udoing his belt.

"what's up?" he asked, concerned.

"nothing..." and as usual Peeta can tell i'm lying in a heartbeat.

"Katniss. what's wrong?" he say, a worried expressing creeping onto his face.

"I-My-I.....i can't tell you." i say, hating myself for saying it.

i know i cant tell him, its obvious. if i did tell him, he would not only be horribly confused, but it could put him in danger, knowing something that no one is supposed to know.

"are you hiding something from me?" he asks seriously.

Yes.

"No."

"well you know whatever it is you can tell me." he reassures me, tossing his pants on the floor.

No i cant. they would kill you if i did.

"i dont know. i guess i'm just nervous. you know, about the baby and the quell..." i lie blatantly but he doesnt pick up on it.

"it's okay." he says, wrapping his arms around me.

he starts kissing my neck, and i let myself drift out of my thoughts, enjoying the moment for the time it lasts.

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***

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i wake up feeling more relaxed than i have in the past week.

"Hey. how'd you sleep?" Peeta asks when he sees that im awake.

"great!" i say softly kissing his cheek.

we dress and head out into the field to start training, and i finally give in toparticipate because Peeta's right. i do need to. no matter how pregnant i am, or how badly messed up my leg is.

(recap: in the 74th games Katniss paralyzed the top half of her left leg when Cato cut her.)

i start running across the field when my leg gives out and i collapse on the ground.

"Kat!" Peeta says when i fall and rushes to my side.

"i'm fine. my leg gave out." i explain and try to get up but Peeta pushes me back down on the ground. "please! i'm fine! this has happened before i just need to strech it out!" i plead and he nods, helping me back up.

i strech a bit and then get back to my running.

Gale hasn't come back since he found out i was pregnant. i wonder why he's taking it so hard. i know he doesn't really like Peeta, but does he not like my being with him?

Haymitch has been trying his best but the mixture of old age and achohol makes it so he can't go as fast as Peeta and i.

suprisingly, my pregnancy hasn't slowed me down at all. but i see it more as a blessing.

.

***

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One Month Later

My stomach is actually showing now, so i've retreated to wearing baggier clothes, and staying around the Victor's Village only. i dont need anyone else finding out about this.

***

Me and Peeta were laying in the grass behind my house wrapped in each other's arms when i felt something.

"Peeta?" i asked, hoping he would be able to explain this.

he smiles. "i think the baby kicked!" he said and kissed me.

"Oh." i say and close my eyes, nessling into him.

***

the phone call i got last month still haunts me constantly, but Peeta always helps keep it away to some extent.

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***

.

the day of the reaping came and i woke up in Peeta's arms as i do every morning.

except this is no ordinary morning.

this is the day we leave for the Quarter Quell.

Peeta wakes up and forces a smile.

i cant take it anymore and i let my tears flow out.

"Shh. Katniss it's okay. you'll be fine." he says pulling me closer and stroking my hair gently.

"no it wont." i say plainly and burrow into his chest.

For me, today is the beginng of the end.

either me or Peeta is going to die.