Katniss just sat on her bed on the train trying to process everything she learned: the Games, the rebellion, her role, the Careers. It seemed too impossible to be true. She got up and started pacing the room. 'What else can there be?' She thought

As if she was somehow heard, there was a knock at the door. "Katniss?" Johanna's voice asked

"Come in."

Johanna came in looking cautious. "Katniss, I know you already have a lot to think about, but we just got the worst news, and I figured you need to hear it."

"Worse news?"

"Way worse and really there's no way to put it gently."

"Okay?" she asked.

"So, I guess I should just say it. The Capitol fire bombed 12."

"They what!?" Katniss gasped. "No, no, that can't be true!" Katniss stuttered shaking her head. "Those people were innocent!"

"They don't care," Johanna said.

Katniss just fell back onto her bed crying heavily. "What about Prim, my mother, Gale!?" she asked.

"I don't know. There might have been survivors but no one knows either way."

"We have to go there and search," Katniss said.

"We will but it would be best to be ready to find nothing. Expect the worst and you'll never be disappointed."

"I refuse to believe they are gone until I see proof."

"I understand. Believe me, I do."

"Then we have to go."

"I know and we will."

"Not will we need to go now!"

"I already demanded it. We're on our way there, but we can't take a straight path without getting shot out of the air."

"Damn it! How long will it take?"

"A few more hours."

Katniss huffed but said, "I guess that isn't too long."

"It's the best we can do."

"I get that."

"I'm sorry, Katniss. If it makes you feel any better, Snow had everyone I care about killed just a month before the announcement."

"Which announcement?"

"Of the Quarter Quell."

"He did why?"

Johanna hesitated before answering, "Because I didn't want to be a prostitute."

"A what?"

"Someone who has sex with random people for money. He demands it of every victor deemed particularly desirable once they're eighteen."

"That's sick!"

"Yes, it is," Johanna said, looking down at the sheets.

"I'm sorry; I didn't know," Katniss said, taking her hand.

"Only those who are made the 'offer' do. Though without the war you probably would have been."

"And that's what happens if you refuse?"

"Exactly."

"I think I'll be sick."

"Another of hundreds of reasons he needs to die."

"Yes he does. Then this rebellion is completely necessary."

"You see why we need it now."

"Very clearly."

"That's good at least."

"That's a terrible way of putting it."

"Sorry, that came out wrong," she said.

"There are so many people that would have been so much better at this you know," Katniss said.

"Yeah, I suppose so but I thought it might be better to hear from me."

"That's not what I meant."

"What did you mean?"

"At helping with the rebellion."

"I think you need to give yourself a little more credit."

"I'm not good with people. I'm just not and never have been."

"That can actually be learned."

"How?"

"We'll work on it."

"What if it's not good enough?"

"We'll make it work."

"Pretty confident in me."

"I know that you can do it, with the right help," Johanna said, stroking her cheek.

"You have a lot of faith in me."

"Of course, I do and I know you'll prove me right," Johanna whispered in her ear

"What happens if we win? Like, who would be in charge?"

"Coin most likely."

"Who's Coin?"

"The leader of 13."

"We know nothing about her."

"Not much no."

"So we don't know if it will be much better."

"Well, she is the front runner if we win."

"Well, I'm gonna keep an eye on her."

"Can't hurt," Johanna said, pulling Katniss against her in a hug.

"Thanks, Johanna."

"My pleasure, Katniss."

"I'll always be here for you," Johanna promised.

"You promise?"

"I swear."

"Thank you, Johanna; I'll be there for you, too," she said, gently kissing her neck.

"I believe you. Thank you."

"Okay, did you want me to stop?" Katniss asked.

"No." Katniss smiled a little kissing her way up Johanna's neck and to her mouth. Johanna instantly returned the kiss holding her as close as she could. The younger girl was not to be outdone and leaned into her so she was lying on top of Johanna.

Once they separated the kiss, Johanna was smirking. "Not bad at all Girl Who Was on Fire."

"You bring something out in me," Katniss smiled.

"Well, that's a very good sign."

"Is it?"

"Yeah, it shows potential for what you need to do."

"Well, I hope so."

"I know so."

"Only if you help."

"And I will."

"Alright, then maybe things will be okay."

"They will or at the very least better than they are."

"Right, I hope Prim is okay."

"Though I never actually met her. I do, too."

"I think you'll love her."

"From what I have seen I think I will."

Hours later, they were soaring above 12 or rather what remained. Katniss clamped her hand over her mouth staring at the remains but suddenly out of the corner of her eye she saw a smaller line of smoke from farther where she recognized to be at or near her and her father's shack. "Head over towards that smoke!" She shouted. The craft did turn heading towards it.

They flew towards it at top speed. "Only Gale would know to go there," Katniss said, her hopes rising.

"Your cousin?" Johanna asked.

"That was a lie."

"It was?"

"Yes it was. He's my best friend and hunting partner."

"So, then you think he's there?" she asked.

"He has to be."

"Okay," Johanna said as they approached

Soon the craft had landed. "Prim!" Katniss called

Her voice did return, "Katniss?!"

"Prim, it's me!" Katniss said, running towards the voice.

"Katniss!" she called, clearly getting closer.

Katniss rounded a corner and there was Prim sprinting towards her, "Prim!" She shouted slamming into a hug. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine just a little tired. Are you okay!?" She asked.

"No, I just got out of the arena for the second time only to find out that my entire district was firebombed!"

"Well, not all of us are dead."

"How many other's survived?"

"I'm not really sure on the numbers." She admitted. "There were quite a few though. Mom and I have been swamped. You can come see for yourself though most of the healthy are out with Gale."

"Gale, made it out okay?" she asked.

"Yeah, he's actually the only reason we all did."

"Really?" Katniss asked as the others caught up with her.

"Yeah, we and his family were top priority but he tried to get out everyone he could."

"That's good!" Katniss sighed.

"As I said, you can come see."

"Lead the way." She took them back to the lake house.

They found a large group of people waiting for them. "Wow, Gale really had saved a lot."

"Yeah, he was determined."

"That certainly does sound like him."

"He is out hunting now though."

"Did he say what he was hunting for?" Katniss asked knowing that then she could find him easily.

"Fish and plants." Prim said

Katniss nodded and went to where she knew he'd be.

Sure enough, he stood by one of the smaller ponds. "Do you even realize how amazing you are?" she called, mostly to get his attention but also entirely valid.

He looked up and nearly dropped his knife. "Catnip!?" He said cautiously

"Now don't look so happy to see me."

He smiled running over and hugging her. "You're alive!" he said.

"You thought I was dead?"

"The feed cut out, we didn't know what to think."

"Well, yes, I'm alive as you can clearly see."

"Yeah, I see that," he said.

"Well, when I heard 12 was firebombed it didn't seem likely anyone survived."

"I tried to make sure they didn't die."

"I know. Prim told me you were the only reason so many people that survived did."

"Well, I had others helping, too," he said, as Johanna finally caught up.

"Still, amazing job and thank you for prioritizing my family."

Johanna just stood off to the side as Gale spoke. "Of course I couldn't let them die."

"After all, our promise still stood even the second time," he added.

"Yeah, I know, but still thank you, Gale," she said, as Johanna choose that moment to clear her throat

They both turned to her. "Sorry, I had something in my throat." She shrugged

"You're with Catnip now, right?"

"Yeah, I am. Is that a problem?" Johanna asked, then she noticed something with a slight laugh. "And did you just call her Catnip?"

"Yeah, that's what I call her," Gale said defensively.

"Well, alright, back to my first question."

"I don't know."

"How could you not know?"

"Well, it's new is all." He said somewhat evasive.

"…You like her… don't you?"

"What, of course, I like her; she's my best friend."

"You know that's not what I meant."

"Well...yeah I do," he admitted, letting her go.

"So you're jealous."

"Yeah, I suppose I am."

"You should have seen him with Peeta," Katniss added.

"Just as bad?"

"Worse."

"You don't say," Johanna said, wrapping an arm around Katniss' waist

"It didn't help that anyone in 12 with eyes could see it was all an act," Gale pointed out defensively.

"Yeah, well, this isn't fake," Johanna said.

"I can tell. If it was, she'd never keep up when there are no cameras. You care to guess how many times her and Peeta saw each other, even casually, in the months between when the press left 12 after the Games and the morning before the tour?"

"Not many?" she asked.

"Zero."

"Wow, that's odd."

"Also awkward when the tour did come, 'okay, time to be madly in love with each other again'. Well, it only partially worked," Katniss said.

"What do you mean?"

"People didn't buy it."

"Well, not hard to imagine why."

"Yeah, but Johanna and I are different."

"As I already said, I can tell."

"And that bothers you."

"Well, yeah."

"Well, you need to learn to move on," Johanna said, narrowing her eyes slightly.

"Oh, do I?" he asked.

"Yes you do," Johanna said gravely, folding her arms.

"What if I have an issue with that?" He asked folding his own arms and glancing at her.

"Katniss has made her decision and she chose me."

"Minds can change," he pointed out.

"True but it's her choice if it does. Not yours."

"I know that."

"So, at least for now, you need to move on."

"Fine, whatever."

"We should get everyone on the craft though."

"The craft?" he asked.

"The hovercraft we got here on."

"You took a hovercraft?"

"Yes, it certainly helped to have the Head Gamemaker on the Rebels' side."

"No way! He was!?"

"Yeah, otherwise what we did would have been impossible."

"Yeah, I suppose it would have been."

"Still, that surprising," he commented.

"It really was."

"I suppose that's the point though."

"Well, true, if we were able to see it coming than Snow undoubtedly would have and Plutarch would have gotten a glass full of poison."

"That might be what he did with his predecessor."

"You think Crane was a rebel?"

"No, I think he let Katniss and Peeta leave the arena after defying the Capitals orders."

"Then where's the…?" Katniss started but then remembered that Crane's execution was supposed to be information no one, even victors, had access to. She was only given it as a threat.

"Exactly he just disappears without a trace."

"Yeah, Snow killed him. He told me, but it's easy to forget that something's supposed to be a secret when they're so eager to make sure you know."

"Yeah, but most of the rest of Panem don't know what happened to him."

"I know that now."

"Good, glad you could learn something."

"Hey!"

Johanna stuck her tongue out. "Seriously, back to the craft though."

"Right lead the way."

Katniss headed back knowing both the woods and the craft's location and Johanna and Gale followed.

She, of course, went back to the shack first. She headed straight for Prim and her mother. "Mom, Prim."

They turned to her smiling a little. "Katniss." Her mother smiled having not seen her yet.

"Mom," she said, hugging her.

"I'm so glad you're alive," her mother said.

"I'm glad you both are too."

"We have a way to get everyone here somewhere safer though," Katniss added.

"You do?" She asked hopefully.

"Yes we do."

"Well, then let's go."

"Get the patients, too."

"Of course I can't leave them."

"How many can walk?"

"Most of them."

"Then get those with then come back for those who can't. It's not far."

"Okay, lead the way." She did.

They all followed to the large hovercraft. "How'd you get this?" Prim asked.

"We had help."

"From who."

"The head gamemaker."

"Really? He's with the Districts?"

"Yeah, he's one of the reasons we got out," Johanna said.

"That's great."

"Yeah, I suppose we owe him our thanks."

"Definitely."

"That will be later though."

"Get inside."

They nodded and all headed in as Prim and Katniss went back for those who were not in any shape to walk. "How are you holding up?" Katniss asked her.

"About as well as I could be," Prim said.

"You're really strong, you know that?"

"No, I'm not, not like you."

"We're both strong and weak in our own ways. You cried every time an animal is killed where I find comfort in it even when there's no danger of going hungry. I flew straight for the woods every time a sick or injured person was brought in where you kept a level head no matter what and did everything to save them."

"Yeah, I suppose that's all true."

"In fact, call me a liar but I think you might be stronger than I was at your age."

"No way," she said. "By my age you had already been heading our family for two years."

"Maybe but you kept me sane."

"That doesn't make me strong."

"It does in some ways, you were afraid but you didn't run."

"Well, I was well aware of what running would have meant."

"Still it was an option."

"It was more made out of fear than anything."

"You didn't give in."

"What are you getting at, Katniss?"

"That you are just as strong if not stronger than me when I was your age."

"I'm not though."

"I disagree, and I'll make you see how strong you are."

"How?"

"Not sure, but I will."

Before she could say anymore, they got back to the shack. "There were only five people who needed help walking."

"Ideas to get them?"

"Well, they really just need someone to lean on when they walk."

"Okay, that's not too hard but there are five of them and two of us."

"Repeat trips or go get Gale, Haymitch, and Johanna."

"Well, they're back at the craft."

"One of use can go the other stays and waits."

"Okay, I'll go," Katniss said.

"Probably best."

"Yeah, in case something goes wrong here."

"Yeah, it's best."

"I'll be right back."

"Okay, we'll be here."

So Katniss headed back to the craft. "Hey, we need some help!" She called. It was answered almost instantly. Soon she was joined by Gale and Johanna, who were glaring at each other as well as Haymitch who seemed amused. Katniss sighed at the two of them. "Alright, back to the shack."

They followed with Johanna coming right up beside her. That made Gale come right up the other side. "Are you two going to keep at this?" She asked.

"I'm the one with the right to," Johanna snapped towards Gale.

"What I can't walk beside my best friend?"

"Except that not what it's about to you."

"How do you know? I am allowed to care about her too."

"Clearly she agrees it isn't." Haymitch was biting his lip to keep from laughing "Stay out of this, Haymitch," Johanna said to him.

"I never said a word."

"Might as well have."

"I'm keeping quiet," he said.

"Not everything is verbal."

"Well, what do you expect of me"

"Just keep out."

"Okay, whatever."

They were back at the shack before any more arguments could continue. "Okay everyone help someone." They split each getting to a patient. "Now go slow." Prim said. Each did help them up carefully. "Okay, small steps." She said

It was obviously a slow moving process but eventually they were all safely in the craft. "Let's get moving." Katniss said.

The hover craft did come up. "Where to now?" Prim asked

"District 13 apparently."

"Uh, Catnip that place is a wasteland."

"Well, according to them, that only what they want up to think."

"Is that so?"

"We'll see when we get there but we don't really have any other options."

"Yeah, I guess that's true."

"We see footage from 13 all the time though."

"No you see old footage that has been edited."

"How can you be sure?"

"Lots of small tells."

"Mostly the mockingjay in the corner."

"What do you mean?"

"Whenever they show the Justice Building you can always see the flash of a mockingjay wing in the corner."

"Really, I never noticed that."

"Neither did I until this pair I found in the woods brought it up."

"What pair?" Gale asked surprised.

"Some girl and woman named Bonnie and Twill from District 8. Were making a desperate flee there. I hope they made it," she added sadly.

"And you think they were right?"

"I saw it a few times myself."

"How can you be sure it's the same bird?"

"Same bird, same angle, same spot, every time."

"Hmm… might be on to something."

"I think I am."

"Again, I guess we'll see though."

"She's right though," Johanna said.

"Have you seen it?"

"On the T.V, yes I have."

"But that's the only proof you have?"

"It's the only one she has not the only one we all have, and you would do well to learn your place kid." Haymitch snapped in a more serious tone than Katniss had heard from him in a long time.

Gale was about to say something back, but no one knows what because Haymitch slugged him in the jaw.

"I am in no mood for games any more kid you need to understand what the rest of us have excepted; this is a war and in war you take any opportunity and possibility in mind, no matter how slim the odds," Haymitch said. Miraculously, he did shut up looking down. "Thank you," Haymitch said.

"Was that really necessary, Haymitch?" Katniss asked.

"Yes it was."

"Really, you had to punch him?"

"Yeah, he needs to learn his place in things."

"Well… I guess." Gale looked stunned at her agreement. "Like you wouldn't have." Gale didn't respond. "He does have a good point."

"Yeah and it was fun," Johanna muttered.

Katniss laughed a little. "You didn't even do it."

"It was fun to watch." Gale just huffed. "Whiny."

"I swear he wasn't like this."

"Well, jealousy will do that to people."

"Okay, you can both stop talking about me like I'm not here," Gale pointed out.

"Sorry, we'll stop."

"Thank you." Johanna smirked and pulled Katniss to her and kissed her. Gale just gave a rather loud huff and left the room.

Prim cleared her throat to gain their attention and they did separate. "So you and my sister?" She asked in a sweet voice.

"Well, yes."

"Okay, well I have something to say. If you ever even think about doing anything to hurt her, remember this: I know a lot about injuries and what can't be healed."

Johanna and Katniss stared at Prim in shock. Johanna gulped after a while. "I will keep that in mind."

"Good that's all I ask." She said smiling and left the room to check on the patients.

"I like her she's terrifying and adorable."

Though still shocked at her sister's threat Katniss did laugh a little. "Yeah, I suppose you would."

"Yeah, that makes her fun!"

"I guess and you don't have to worry right?"

"Of course I don't; I'm not going to hurt you," Johanna said.

"I know we had promised but you and Prim seem much closer than most siblings."

"Is that a bad thing?"

"Not at all, I'm just curious why."

"Well, probably the biggest reason is that when I was eleven and she was seven our father had just died in a mining accident and our mother just completely shut down lying completely unreachable on her bed staring off at nothing so for the longest time, we were all each other had."

"Oh, I never knew that."

"Of course, you had no way to. Obviously she did get better and Prim was ecstatic to have her back but I've still never really forgave her. The only part about that that I regret is in the goodbyes before my first Games screaming at her that no matter what happens to me, she can't shut down again. If I had died in that arena it probably would have been with her thinking, I hated her."

"You didn't though you survived twice," Johanna said.

"I still shouldn't have yelled at her. At least not at a time like that."

"No, but emotions can do that to you."

"She deserved it though. Prim and I almost STARVED TO DEATH and she did NOTHING and if it happened again... no. I could let that happen."

"I understand," Johanna said.

"So yeah, that's why Prim and I are so close."

"Well, I'm glad you are."

"Yeah, she's just someone I never had any doubts about loving."

"You had doubts on everyone else?"

"At some point or another, or my dad before he died. If it wasn't for him, I would have never been able to survive either Games."

"I'm sorry you lost him."

"It really hurt to say the least. Since I was five, he'd take me out in those woods and teach me how to shoot, hunt, gather, fish, swim, all of that stuff."

"He sounds like a good man."

"He was."

"Must have been he raised you."

"Sometimes a bad person can raise a good one."

"Not often, but fair enough point."

"He really was though. Everyone loved him."

"Everyone?"

"As far as I know."

"That's impressive."

"Yes it is."

"Guess he passed it on to you?"

"I'm not really sure. Peeta insisted before the first games that I had no idea the effect I can have on people… I took it as an insult."

"I don't think it was."

"I took it as one at the time."

"Well, he probably said it wrong."

"It was probably more my fault."

"Mistakes are a part of life."

"Well, I certainly made a lot of them."

"Maybe but we all have."

"Doesn't seem that way."

"Believe me we all have," Johanna said.

"Thanks, that does help."

"I'm glad to help."

"So, what now?"

"We get there and then we start fighting the war."

"Right away?"

"No, we'll get rest time, but not a ton," Johanna said.

"Great." Katniss sighed.

"Sorry, but that's war," Johanna said.

"I understand."

"So, stop being so dramatic you have a big part in this war," Johanna said as they headed through the same door Prim had used to leave the room earlier.

"How long will it take to get to 13?"

"Not too, much longer," Johanna said looking around to the injured and then she smiled slightly.

Katniss noticed they were beginning to slow down. "About there?" Katniss asked Johanna.

"Yeah nearly. Are you ready?" Johanna said.

"Ready as I can be."

"It'll be okay, Katniss."

"You think so?"

"Yes I know."

"Okay, I trust you."

"Good, haven't you already learned you should?"

"I have really."

"Good then." They landed slowly in a field at the edge of a forest.

"Okay, everyone follow me." Haymitch said. Everyone was soon out with those who needed help the first time obviously still need it. He led them to a small hard surface. "This is the entrance." Just as he said that the hatch opened.

They headed down into 13 already amazed. It was so...clean looking. "That's... interesting."

"This is 13." Said an authoritative w omens voice. Everyone turned to find a fifty-year-old woman with perfect gray hair and almost white gray eyes.

"Ah, President Coin." Haymitch said politely as he could.

"Soldier Abernathy."

"We have the survivors from 12," he said.

"I can see that and they are all welcome to stay here in 13. There is more than enough room and we can have any injured treated."

"That's great they need that and food if possible," Haymitch said before noticing two soldiers standing behind her and a young red haired boy behind them.

"Of course, they will each receive the normal ration as everyone else in 13 which I imagine being from 12 is much more than any of them are used to having."

"Yes, of course, Ma'am if you would lead the way."

"Right, follow me everyone."

They nodded and followed with the boy staying off to the side of the group with only Prim taking notice. She couldn't help but wonder who this guy was and debated over asking. He waved at her as she approached. "Can you talk?" she asked suddenly.

"Yeah, I can. Why would I not be able to talk?" He asked, bright green eyes filled with confusion.

"There could be reasons. I'm Prim."

"I'm Zain, nice to meet you." He said, offering a hand.

Prim took it with a shake. "Nice to meet you, too."

"So, you're from 12 right?" he asked, walking with her.

"Yeah, I'm Katniss' sister."

"Oh, you are? My grandma isn't a huge fan of your sister," he said.

"Your grandma?"

"Yeah, my grandma," he said, pointing to the group ahead of them.

"The president?"

"Yeah her, she's my Grandma." He shrugged.

"She doesn't like Katniss?"

"Well, she doesn't like him as much as she liked the guy she was with."

"Well, Peeta's dead."

"Yeah, I know and she wasn't thrilled when that happened either."

"Well, it's not like anything can be done about it."

"Yeah, I know. I'm just saying."

"Why doesn't she like Katniss?"

"She's convinced she doesn't know how real things are, and can't be a leader."

"Well, I think she realizes that now."

"I hope so I really do."

"Are there even any other options if not?"

"What do you mean?"

"Would they be anyone that could replace Katniss?"

"I'm not sure maybe, but I don't know the plan."

"She's not actually supposed to be a leader is she?"

"Who, your sister?" Zain asked and Prim nodded. "Well, on some level yes."

"I hadn't realized that."

"She has to be on some level like I said, but maybe others can help her."

"I'm sure plenty would."

"Then she should be fine, Grandma might even come to like her."

"Hopefully she will."

"Yeah, I mean she wasn't sure on you either, but you seem really nice," he said.

"What did she have against me?"

"Well, she said you seemed like you weren't going to be of much use, at least from what she knew of you."

"Well, I can't kill like Katniss but I'm a healer and through it I've always been able to stay calm and focused no matter what came through the door."

"Well then, she's already wrong about you that's a great talent," he said.

"I could talk to Grandma about that. We could use a new nurse down here," he added.

"You'd do that for me!?" She asked, hopefully.

"Why wouldn't I?"

"Well, we just met and all..." she said.

"If you're telling the truth, it could be more help to us than you."

"Yeah, but I've always wanted to do something in medicine," she said.

"Then everyone wins. Except the Capitol of course."

"That's the idea."

"Exactly."

"You know I think you and I are going to get along great." She said with a soft smile.

"I think so, too."

Just ahead of them Johanna who had been listening nudged Katniss. "Your sister may have found someone."

"What do you mean by found someone?" Johanna just pointed back. Katniss glanced over to see Prim and Zain talking and she noted a very soft blush on each of their cheeks that you wouldn't have noticed without looking for it. "Well, that's different wonder who he is?" She muttered suspiciously.

"I don't know."

"Should I go ask?" Katniss asked in a concerned sibling voice.

"Probably."

"Now?"

"Sure."

Katniss nodded stopping and turning to them. "Prim, who's your new friend?" She asked

"This is Zain, President Coin's grandson."

"Oh, nice to meet you I'm Katniss, Prim's big sister."

"I know who you are. The whole world does."

"Well, still I like to be polite at times."

"Well, it's nice to actually meet you."

"You as well, I just wanted to know who you were."

"Well, now you know."

"Yeah, I suppose so it's good to see Prim making friends."