~Time Skip; 1 Week Later~

Katniss's P.O.V.

The world is black as I cover my ears to block out the screaming coming from somewhere in the darkness encircling me. It's lonely and painful for me since I don't know where the screaming is coming from.

'Katniss! Katniss! Help!' I hear Peeta yell, 'please, help us!'

More screams follow. They're from HU as cries from Ruby, Josie, and Charlie are mixed in with them. It's too much for me to handle...

I wake up in a sweat as Peeta sleeps soundly beside me. Josie and Charlie are still fast asleep. It's only 3 o'clock in the morning. I roll onto my side and pick up my phone, the glare of the screen blinding me. I decide to text George about the nightmare I've just woken up from.

George, you awake?

                                                                                                                          I sure am. What's up, miss lioness?

I had a nightmare and I don't wanna wake up Peeta since it's just gonna worry him a hell of a lot more

                                                                       And I'm the first person you decided to text? I'm flattered.

Sure you are. Being flattered by being woken up by a text at 3AM?

                                                                         Kat, don't worry about it, it's fine. What's the nightmare?

You and the rest of HU, Peeta, Ruby, Josie, and Charlie were being tortured? You were all screaming from being tortured or some shit, idk.

                                                                                                                                                                Wait, wait, wait.

What?

                                                                                                                                       Ruby was in the dream, too?

Yeah. So?

                                     Don't brush it off as nothing. Sleep and I'll talk about it with you later, ok?

 Ok...

George has gone offline 

I put my phone down on the bedside table and try to go back to sleep for a few hours. I'm not successful as I lay awake in the darkness as time passes. I can't get their screams out of my head. I want to know if Ruby is okay. Snow is a terrible man and will do terrible things to those who have done anything to him. But I don't get why he took her. I haven't done anything. Neither has she. She's only 1 years old. My family has done his wishes. Why is he still hurting us? I let out a frustrated sigh and sat up. A bit too quickly. I wince a little. I massage my waist gently. I look down on Peeta. He is still sleeping. I can see the bags under his eyes. Mainly from the new twins, but also from me. My nightmares come so much now. And he's always there. Always. He still has to go to school, that keeps him up too. He's almost close to being done and graduating in May. He's been planning to build a bakery of his own. For me, and our children. And also to remember his family who has been lost. I hate to be hurting him so much. I always hurt everyone I meet. I don't know why so many people are here for me.... It must be why Snow took Ruby. To hurt me...

I sigh and get out of bed. Gently applying pressure to my legs. I still hurt from surgery and am very easily able to rip the stitches again. I take things slow and walk out of our room. Quietly closing the door behind me. I walk to the twins nursery next door to ours. I stop in the hall and stair at the door at the end. A cursive 'R' is hung on the front. I can't get Ruby out of my head. But I can't get myself to go into her room. I quietly open the door to the nursery. Josie sleeps in her crib nearest to the window. I see her silhouette in the moonlight. I go over to her crib and look down on her. She's grown quite a bit since she first came into this world. She has a bit of my olive color but more of Peeta's color. She has more blonde curls, and even a few freckles. Must have been from Prim. I pull her blanket up to cover her a little bit more. I kiss her head and I smile. I hear Charlie start to whimper and wake up. I go over to his crib and look down at him.

"Hey, Char-Char. What's wrong huh? Mama's right here." I say softly and pick him up.

I take him to the rocking chair and turn on the lamp. I give him his pacifier back, and rock gently forward, trying to get him to sleep again.

"Did you sleep, Char? Or was it a nightmare? I have them too. It's hard, but I do have Daddy. And you have the both of us... and maybe soon, your sister." I say to him. "She's the sweetest thing. Has hair like ours. But Daddy and Josie's eyes. She's kind, and very sweet. She's cute as a button like the both of you. And you'll love her when she comes home. I hope it's soon.. Mommy misses her very much.. But... she'll come home soon.. And then our family will be whole, and happy and perfect."

I cry silently as I watch him sleep peacefully. I get up and tuck him back into his crib. I gently push his dark hair out of his face and kiss his head. I wipe one of my tears from his face.

"Goodnight, Charlie..." I whisper.

I leave before they wake up. I close their door. I look at Ruby's door. I cautiously approach it. I look at all the drawings she did. I smile and tears fall from my face. I see a photo hidden behind a picture of a heart she colored. I stop short when I see the full picture. I cover my mouth to keep any noise from coming out. I sink to the floor and hold the picture to my heart. I try to keep myself from crying, but I fail miserably. Seeing her so happy with Peeta, HU and I breaks me.

'I just want her back... is that too much to ask? For my family to be okay.' I think.

I feel someone embrace me and I bury myself into the strong arms of Peeta.

"Come back to bed, Kat. I promise we can look tomorrow." He says gently.

"I just... want her home.." I cry.

"We all do. But not when we aren't at our best to find her. Come on... Let's go back to bed. When the sun comes up, we'll go look for her, and bring her home. I promise, Kit-Kat. I promise... It'll be okay." He says.

He picks me up gently and I continue to cry on him. He lowers me in our bed and he holds me close in his arms. My pain and sorrow is taken away slowly by his loving embrace and the tired heart. My tears put me to sleep, and also the soft, sweet words of the only person who can calm my troubled heart.

~

Peeta's P.O.V.

The morning came soon, just as I promised Katniss it would be. She sleeps for the first time in at least a week. Calmly, and peacefully. Even in her sleep, her face wears grief and pain. I want to take it all away. I brush my thumb gently on her cheek and then tuck a long strand of her hair behind her ear. I kiss her soft lips and hold her. I feel the cool breeze blow into our room from the window. It is almost fully spring time. Only 3 months till Katniss is 19. She's had hell through all 18 of them so far, but I want to make the rest of them happy and full of love. Not from me, but all who care about her. Everyone wants that. She's been broken and beaten down so much. She deserves happiness for once in her life. I let her go and sit up. She curls deeper into her pillow and breathes heavily in her sleep.

I pull out my phone. I find Danny and text him.

Can you guys come over today? I need to do something.

                                                                                                                                                           Sure. What's up?

I'm going to go look again. I don't want Kat or the twins alone... I can't keep seeing her this way. I won't come back until I have Ruby with me.

                                                                                                                                         We'll be over there soon.

Thanks.

                                                                                                                               Bring that girl home, Peeta...

I won't come home, until I do. I swear I will find her. If it's the last thing I do. Katniss can't go on..

                               None of us can. But her especially, you're right. She's been broken before too much. This could undo all the healing that she worked so hard for.

That's what worries me.. What'll happen if she doesn't come home. How will Katniss take that..? I don't want to lose her. And I don't want her hurt any longer. She's had enough. I've had enough...

                              We all have. This world has treated her like shit for too long. She doesn't need anything bad to happen to her or anyone of us.

I'm going to go. She's asleep, and so are the twins. I'd just let her. She never does anymore. She needs it.

                                                                                                                                                   We'll be there soon.

I put my phone down and get up. I get myself ready to go. I sit on Katniss's side near her. I love watching her sleep. It relaxes me. It reminds me that she's safe. Although it's not always easy; helping her get to a point where she finally feels calm enough to drift off. It takes a lot of coaxing on my part. Kind words and gentle touches are the key. And I have found that even singing, though not my strongest skill, is sometimes just what she needs to ease into a place where she knows she will be protected. I wish I could join her in this place. But for now, I am content just watching her mind fly off into a world of serenity and peace. I take her in for as long as I can, even if only for a moment before I have to leave her.

~

Danny's P.O.V.

I get out of my car just as I spot the others doing the same thing. We all nod a greeting to each other as Peeta comes outside to greet us before going out to look for Ruby.

'Katniss is still asleep, although she should be waking up soon. The twins will want feeding soon, too.' He tells me, 'there's some bottles in the cupboard and some powder on the side.'

I nod, 'don't worry, they're gonna be fine with us.'

'I know, I'm just on edge because of Ruby. That's all.' He sighs.

'We all are, especially Katniss. But we need to be strong for her,' I say, 'think you can do that?'

Peeta nods and I let him go. We head inside and Katniss is standing in the kitchen holding a cup of coffee.

'Hey, Kat.' Jorel says as cheerfully as he can to lighten the mood, 'we're here to keep you company!'

She bursts out crying and goes to George, who wraps his large arms around her small, frail frame. Her face is full of pain and grief as she sobs. It's killing each and every one of us to see her hurting like this.

'I'll go get the twins, shall I?' I say and start to head to the twins' bedroom.

The cursive 'R' on the door sends a tear down my cheek. Poor, sweet Ruby: kidnapped by some sick psycho bastard who takes pleasure in hurting little kids.

I open the door. Josie and Charlie are wide awake and laughing with each other.

'Hey there, Charmander.' I say as I pick Charlie up out of his crib, 'and hey there Miss Josie-Jo.'

They both look up at me with smiles on their faces. They both look just like their parents. I take them downstairs where a now not crying Katniss takes them from me and puts them in their high chairs.

'Katniss, go lie down. We'll sort these two out.' Jordan tells her as George starts to lead her to the front room, 'they'll be fine with us, promise.'

She nods and follows George to the room. I hate seeing her like this, we all do. I just hope Peeta's found Ruby and that they're both safe.

~

Peeta's P.O.V

I've searched everywhere in this wretched city to try and find my daughter but found nothing. I don't know where she could've gone.

                                                                                                                                      Hey, you found her?- Danny

Sadly not. I have no clue where she is, either.

                            Just come home. We'll look after her for you again tomorrow, if you need us to. We'll gladly look after her again

I know you would. I'm coming home, anyway, I give up looking.

                                                                                                                                                See ya in a few minutes.

I sigh and roll the pearl on the end of a gold chain between my thumb and forefinger. I bought Katniss this on Valentine's Day. But never had the chance to give it to her. Too much has happened. And I wanted to give it to her after the twins were born, but when Ruby went missing, and she needed surgery, I couldn't again. I got it for her as a token, I guess. Just so she knows how pure and beautiful to me. And always will be.

I turn on the car and drive to my home. The Capitol looks gloomy. Which is odd since how the people here live. It probably isn't really. The pain and sadness is clouding all of our minds. I can't even focus in school. My grades are falling. Almost all 'F's'. It's been noticed by my school professors. But I just do my best and keep my life my own. I don't really want pity grades. I just need to get everything back to normal. Then I'll be back on track and can graduate and start the Bakery and everything will be okay. I just need to find Ruby and bring her home. No matter how long I stay out at night, no matter if I lose sleep and fail every class. Ruby is the most important thing, besides Katniss and the twins. I can't lose any more family. I can't...

I pull onto our street and down to our cul de sac. HU is still there. I open the garage and pull into it. I close the garage and get out. Inside is dark. Everything is quiet, except for the low voices of HU. The only light is in the living room. I put my keys and coat on the rack. I go into the living room.

'You guys can go. I'll let you know if something happens I guess..' I sigh.

'We can stay here. We'll look tomorrow instead. Katniss needs you. More than you know. Almost as much as Ruby. Just stay home tomorrow. We can't do what you can to help her, as much as we want to.' Danny says.

'If you guys don't mind... I guess. You guys are sure?' I say.

They all nod.

'Okay. Make yourselves comfy. Spare rooms upstairs if you need them. Also downstairs.' I say.

'We know. Thanks. Go be with her. She needs it. We're fine.' Dylan says.

'Okay.. night.' I say.

'Night.' They say.

I go up to Katniss and I's bedroom. Her bedside lamp is on. I see Charlie and Josie laying on my side of the bed. Arlo is on her side on the floor. Buttercup is on the trunk at the end of our bed. I smile softly at the sight of my family. Well.. all but one of them... I change into something to sleep in and carefully get in bed. I gently move the twins over a little bit, not wanting to wake them up. I look at Katniss, and my heart breaks. She's so broken. I can tell she's cried a lot. And it looks like she cried herself to sleep as well. I move her hair from her face. She wakes up at my touch.

'Hey Kat..' I whisper.

She doesn't say anything. Her grey eyes look into mine with the same pain. They are losing their gleam and sparkle. Now they are getting dull and pale.

'Anything...?'

'Not today, Kit-Kat... They are going to look tomorrow so I can be with you.' I say.

She nods a little.

'I have something. I know it can't come even close to Ruby, but.. It's a long overdue gift.' I whisper.

I get up and she sits up as I come to her side of the bed. I take the necklace out and move her hair out of the way. I put it around her neck. She holds the pearl.

'For you. Since you will always be pure and beautiful and strong. And I will always love you.' I tell her.

I take her into my arms and hold her close.

'I'm sorry....'

'You have nothing to be sorry for, Katniss.' I say.

'I only hurt people... I don't deserve anything...' She says and starts to cry.

'You deserve everything good that has been given to you.' I tell her and let her go. I look into her eyes with a serious love and passion. 'I fell in love with you long before you ever knew. I never stopped.. And I never will. Nothing that has happened to you or to us was right. But I promise you, Katniss.... It'll all work out. We'll be happy, and everything will be the way we deserve them to be.'

'I can't...'

'You've had three children, taken on an adult roll at only 11, survived an awful amount of abuse and pain, terrible actions at the hand of those who never loved you, loss of our child, loss of your Mom and sister, had your heart broken over and over again at the hands of so many and even from me..... You can do this. I know you can. You always have been able to. You have a fire in you that will never go out. No matter what happens anymore to us, to you, to our children... You're the strongest person I will ever know, Katniss Layla Mellark. I knew it from when you and I actually met and shared something...' I say. 'Don't you dare say you can't. I know you. You can. After all you've been through... I know. I've seen it. And I'll stay with you, always. Remember?'

She nods tentatively, and wipes her face of the tears. I take her back into my hold again.

'You're the most amazing woman alive, Katniss... I can't imagine life with anyone but you. You've given me the best life, amazing children, my best friend.' I say, I can't keep the pain and sadness and love for her in anymore. My tears fall too.

'You love me... Real or Not Real..?' She whispers and looks up at me.

'Real. One Hundred percent, for the rest of my life and even after.. Always real, Katniss. Always. I love you. And I will never stop. No matter what happens. I will always love you.' I say.

I see a little bit of the girl with the two braids down her back and the stunning grey eyes come back to me. I smile when I see her do it for the first time in what feels like an eternity. Her lips meet mine, and for a moment, all the pain upon us disappears... 

SOOO... yes.. that was a lot. We all were crying during this one! Ded ass! Our hearts broke more than yours I bet! But we hope none of yall died! Things are going to get good! Not so sad anymore! Or will they.... DUNDUNDUN! Have to read to find out. Feel free to come at me (Zeffie, Kiyoko and Ruby are off limits!) with any reactions or SHOOKNESS! I am the Queen of Plot Twists afterall! XD Plz leave a vote and comment! More will be out soon! BE ready! You don't even know the half of what's next.. and Yall are gonna be SHOOKETH SHITLESS! no joke, ded ass! XD Lots of Love! *Free Boxes of Puff's Tissuse to everyone and Chocolate!* HUGSS from us all too! 

-Zeffie, Ruby and Kiyoko!