Disclaimer: All characters and things associated with The Hunger Games belongs to Suzanne Collins and Lionsgate. This writing is for pure entertainment only.

Summary: Sequel to A Far Worse Games To Play. Emberly survived the Games, but at what cost? She has distanced herself from the family that loves her and the people who need her causing Katniss and Peeta hold onto hope that their daughter is more then a Capitol Puppet, but all signs point to their daughter being the destruction of Panem.

CHAPTER 8

EMBERLY POV

A few days have passed since the incident in District 11 and we are on our way to District 7. Unfortunately, nothing has changed much from District 11 to now. In District 10, 9, and 8 people were angry with us and I had to lash out. At least ten people have been beaten in those Districts and I know I have caused the death of two more civilians.

Mason keeps reminding me I am doing it for a reason, that we have to keep our families safe and that, in the end, we will be saving so many more people. I hope he is right.

Despite all that has happened, the hardest part is still being able to picture the look on Kerr's family's face as we showed up in District 11. I could tell how much they missed her and it was so hard not to tell them the truth; that there is a strong chance she is still alive.

I sit in the end compartment, avoiding watching the train roll down the tracks that will take us to District 7. Mason is sitting behind me and has allowed me to lazily lay my head across his lap. He is busy looking out the window, but I can't be bothered. I don't care what is out there and I am certain I would have fallen asleep by now if he would just stop playing with my messy braid.

It is nice to have him around though. Mason grounds me, he keeps me sane, and he is someone to talk to, even if it's in hushed whispers late at night. Since the kiss, we have grown closer, and the kisses more frequent. I am not sure what they mean or if they are just a comfort for us both. Besides, we need to practice if we are going to pull off the madly in love bit we intend to bring with us to the Capitol.

I don't question it and he doesn't either and that is fine. I have enough on my plate without having to really worry about sorting my feelings out for him.

Our quiet moment is disturbed by Effie coming into the train compartment. She clears her throat as if her heels on the hardwood floor weren't enough for us to know she was there.

"We are near District 7…" Effie starts.

I sit up and sigh. "Any special requests for this District?"

Before we got to District 8, Effie asked if I could try and avoid getting someone whipped. I told her no promises.

"I just want to make you aware of who we will be seeing there," Effie says.

My brow furrows at this and I look at Mason who seems just as confused.

"Who?" Mason asks for us both.

"Johanna Mason will be there," Effie says simply.

I know who Johanna is. She was an ally of my father and mother's in the Hunger Games. She was tortured with my father. She seems to be in the same line of thought as my parents, so I wonder why she would want to meet me there. Surely, she does not appreciate how I have acted since the Games.

"Why?" I finally ask.

"She requested it," Effie admits.

"Seems odd…I don't think we are exactly the type of Victors she supports," Mason says what I am thinking and it amazes me how we can be on the same page without sharing a word.

"I am not exactly sure," Effie admits but seems surprised. "Have you not spoken to her?"

"Never in my life," I say and Mason nods in agreement.

"Huh…" Effie seems lost in her own thought

"What?" I press now, getting aggravated. Clearly Effie wants to tell us something.

"Its nothing…just how she spoke to me on the phone…I thought she may have spoken to you both," Effie says and narrows her eyes at us.

I can tell now there is a double meaning to Effie's words, though she doesn't want to say more because she knows the train is bugged and the Capitol is probably listening. I wonder what Johanna could have said to Effie. I know I have never had contact with her, so it seems strange she would try to make it seem like she knew anything, unless she does and our plan was nowhere near as well hidden or thought out as I thought it was.

Suddenly, I feel like my stomach has been filled with rocks and I am worried about meeting Johanna Mason.


KATNISS POV

I make my way out of the woods with my game bag full of squirrel. Since Haymitch's visit, things have been getting better for us as a family. It seems, since Haymitch has forgiven us and spent nearly every night over for dinner, the rest of the town has forgiven us as well, which means Galen has his friends back and the bakery has been busier then ever.

But more then that, Haymitch's visit gave me strength. If he could move on, love and mourn his son, but continue with his life, then why couldn't I do the same? I can still see Emberly, even if it is from afar and someday she may even come back to us, and I still have Galen and Peeta. I have a family who needs me, and a son and husband who want me around.

That alone has helped me get back into the woods, back to hunting, back to doing what I love to do.

Hunting still reminds me of Emberly, because it was the one thing we really shared and enjoyed doing together, but I realize now its okay to mourn and miss her, but I cannot give up on my passion.

After the first few days, heading into the woods has been easier and I have been staying longer.

I climb back through the fence and decide I am close enough to the bakery that I should stop and see how Peeta is doing. Since more people have been accepting of us, the orders have been piling up on his counter and he has been struggling to keep up. Last night, Galen went straight to the bakery after school to help Peeta and the two of them still did not show up for dinner until well past nine.

I don't know if I will be the same help as Galen has been, but I figured two extra hands are better then none. I move into the back door of the bakery and put my game bag down before heading out to the front. I am surprised to find the bakery empty, expect for Peeta who is decorating a large cake for someone's anniversary.

Peeta looks up and smiles at me. He has been doing that more often lately. We both have been.

I smile back; suppressing a giggle once I notice his face is covered in flour and blue frosting.

"What are you doing here?" Peeta asks, wiping the frosting from his nose once he realizes what I am giggling at.

"Nothing," I tell him and sit up on the counter. "Thought I would come by to see if you needed help."

"Well, I appreciate it but we both know you aren't exactly the baking type," Peeta looks down at the dough he is kneading with a smile and I know he is joking.

"True," I admit, looking at all the tickets on the counter. "But Galen doesn't get out of school for hours and you look busy."

Peeta looks over at the stack of tickets. "Most of those don't need to be finished until the end of the week."

I just nod, reading the name on the first ticket. It is Sarah's name, Damir's mother. I am surprised to see it. I pick it up and look over at Peeta, my eyes requesting an answer.

"She came in last night. She said her mother's birthday was next week and she insisted she have one of my cakes," Peeta explains.

"How was she?" I ask of Sarah. She has not spoken to any of us since we left the Capitol nor has she come by Haymitch's home. She has not forgiven us and I can't blame her.

"She was okay. Not exactly friendly but she made eye contact…" Peeta says.

I sigh. "She still hasn't forgiven us."

Peeta stops working on the dough in front of him and sighs, looking up at me. "Katniss, you have to stop doing that. We don't need forgiveness. We didn't do anything."

I am surprised by Peeta's words. It's the first time he has ever said anything like that. "Peeta, Emberly is out daughter…"

"And she is seventeen years old, Katniss. She made up her mind. She took lives…she walked away from us," Peeta says quickly. "She needs forgiveness. Not us."

I am surprised by Peeta's words, but more so by his first part. I can't believe it, but sometime, weeks ago, I realize now, I forget it was Emberly's birthday. She turned seventeen two weeks after she returned from the Games, when she was threatening to have me locked up for trying to see her. I missed her birthday.

Peeta must take my silence for disagreement and he gently puts a hand on my thigh. "You understand? We didn't do anything. We can't take the blame for Emberly's actions. When we were her age, we were in the Games. We were trying to build a better world. She is old enough to understand what she is doing. We can't take the blame for that."

I realize that Peeta is right but I also realize by saying it out loud he has come to terms himself with the fact that our daughter is gone. He is finally healing.

"You're right," I say softly, looking down at his hand on my lap.

"I miss you," Peeta says just as softly.

I glance up at Peeta and realize, suddenly, that he is talking about more then just us growing back together. We are doing a good job at that, the past few weeks show it. Peeta is talking about more. I can see it in his eyes.

His hand creeps up my leg and I realize he hasn't touched me like this in months. We haven't been intimate since before the Reaping.

And now I feel it. The same fire I felt on the beach in the arena years ago, growing from within. I don't know why but suddenly the thought of being so far from Peeta for so long seems insane.

I lean in and capture his lips with my own. He responds quickly, gathering me up in his arms and taking me into the back office of the bakery, our lips never parting, and I know he will not get any more baking done this afternoon.


EMBERLY POV

We are taking from the train immediately to the Hall of Justice in District 7. No one says a word to us but Mason and I are led into a small room and the doors are closed behind us quickly.

"What the—" I am about to bang on the door and demand we are let out when I hear a voice behind me.

"Relax," A female voice says.

I turn to Mason and he looks just as surprised as I do. We then both turn around to find Johanna Mason sitting in an oversized leather chair. Across from her are two smaller chairs.

"Please…sit," Johanna motions.

Mason and I look at each other again and then reluctantly sit. I know that Johanna supported my parents and the rebellion. I also know she is lethal. I wonder if she brought us in here to kill us.

"I bet you are wondering why you are in here?" Johanna asks after silence fills the room.

I nod for us both.

"Well, it would seem your plans are coming to fruition," Johanna says cryptically.

I feel my brow stitch together in confusion. I have no idea what she is talking about but suddenly I am concerned she knows more then I would like her to.

"What do you—" I start.

Johanna puts a finger to her lips and points to the ceiling where I see what is obviously a bug in the light fixture. Even here, we are being watched by the Capitol.

"I've spoken with Enobaria…" Johanna continues.

I feel the color drain from my face. Enobaria is the enemy. She cannot be trusted. Maybe Johanna cannot be trusted either. Suddenly panic flows through me. I need to get out of here, to get away from the only surviving Victor from District 7.

"About what?" Mason speaks up now.

I am shocked to hear how calm and steady his voice is, as if he doesn't really care about what Johanna has just said, but I know he does. He has to. He knows the risk of Enobaria.

"She mentioned you all would like to move to the Capitol and then…possibly get some land to the North…for personal use," Johanna says, raising her eyebrows at the last part.

Now I am deeply confused. I know Mason and I have made it apparent in every interview we have that we want to live in the Capitol, because that will get us closer to our enemy and further from the families we want to protect. We want to be in the Capitol until we have solid proof our other tributes in our alliance are alive. Then, we want to be in the Capitol to devise a plan to shut it down. However, neither of us has ever mentioned land to the North. Neither of us has even been to the North.

"I don't—" I start.

"I actually have some land up there myself. The Capitol doesn't like to let most people know this but after the Revolution we were free to move around a bit more. I went North for a little…found some lovely land up there and built a house. No one lives up there; it's a nice retreat. Its hard to find, very hard to be disturbed there. If you are looking for a place like that, I would love to show you when your tour is over," Johanna says but the look in her eyes tells me she is trying to desperately tell me something else. I just don't understand what it is.

"We…we would love that," Mason speaks for us again and though he sounds smooth and cordial I can tell he is just as confused as I am, but he knows the Capitol can hear us and we need to play the Game.

"Great," Johanna stands. "Then I will see you both when your tour is over."

Without another word, Johanna walks out of the room leaving both Mason and I very confused. We look at each other, wanting to discuss what just happened, but we know it will have to wait until later, until we can go somewhere no one can hear us. Besides, by the time either of us have composed ourselves, Effie is already in the room, escorting us out for another excruciating speech. I hope I don't get too many people beaten, arrested, or killed during this speech.


KATNISS POV

Peeta and I lay in our bed silently. After our actions at the bakery we hurried home just in time to meet Galen on his way back from school. We ate dinner, but something was different. I thought sex would bring Peeta and I closer, but after our wild afternoon in his office, he seems to hardly be able to look at me.

I glance over at Peeta's form. His back is to me but I can tell by his breathing that he is not asleep. I need to talk to him. I need to understand what is happening between us.

"Peeta?" I call out.

I hear Peeta sigh after a long moment. I guess he was contemplating if he was going to pretend he was asleep or not.

"Yeah?" Peeta asks but does not roll to face me.

"Look at me," I request.

I know if it was anyone else, they may not turn to face me, but Peeta has always had a weakness for my requests and sometimes, like tonight, I know I take advantage of it.

After a long moment he turns over and our eyes meet.

"What happened to us?" I ask.

"What do you mean?" Peeta sits up in bed, and I can tell he is uncomfortable.

"The bakery…after it…we have barely said a word to each other," I say, knowing I am just as responsible as he is.

Peeta sighs and runs a hand through his blonde hair. In the dim light of our bedroom, he looks like he is seventeen again and that is saying a lot since the Capitol's alterations have made us both look like we are in our early twenties still.

"I wanted it," Peeta looks down at his hands and I can hear shame in his voice.

"What?" I am confused now.

"I wanted you. I feel awful but…all I have been thinking about the last two weeks is how much I want to touch you…and I know that makes me a bad father. It has to…because I don't care about what happens to Emberly, all I could think about was touching you," Peeta says.

My brow comes together in confusion. I don't understand how he thinks that makes him a bad father. "Peeta, we're married. What we did…we both needed it—"

"But our daughter is gone. I mean, she is as good as dead in our eyes and I know you're struggling with that because you are a good mom. But me? All I could do was think how angry I was at Emberly for taking you from me. I just wanted to touch you and be with you and it was killing me to know I couldn't because it wouldn't be right because you are still trying to work through what Emberly has done," Peeta rubs his chin and I can tell he is frustrated with himself.

I reach out and touch my husband's cheek. This time it is not as rushed and feverish as it was in bakery. This time, it is gentle. "Peeta, we all heal differently, but what we did this afternoon…it doesn't mean we love Emberly any less. We are moving on, and I need you to help me do that. I needed you today."

Peeta watches me carefully but does not say anything and now the guilt weighs on me.

"I've neglected you," I admit with a sigh.

"What? Katniss, no—" Peeta starts.

"I have. I have neglected how this has made you feel, how you are dealing with all of this. Even this afternoon, I wanted that and I didn't care if you wanted it," I admit.

"I did want it—" Peeta starts.

"I know but even if you didn't, I didn't care. I wanted it, I needed it and I used you for it," I admit now, feeling worse then before.

"No you didn't, Katniss. Maybe we both feel bad because it happened for selfish reasons but…maybe that's just us. Maybe we are twisted," Peeta sighs but I know he has a small smile on his face.

Suddenly I feel better. I feel closer to Peeta then I have in months.

"No," I shake my head with my own small smile. "Maybe we just need normalcy, and what happened today…that's normal for a married couple. We're getting back to that."

Peeta studies me for a long minute and I see a small smile form again and he gives a nod, pulling me in closer so I can bury my head on his chest. "Yeah, maybe we are."

And then silence falls in the room, but its not uncomfortable, its normal. For once, things between us feel like they used to. As I lay in Peeta's arms, I feel the same protection and comfort I did years ago on the train and for the first night in months, I sleep soundly.


EMBERLY POV

Mason and I lay in bed as the train races away from District 7 to District 6. As usual, my speech in Seven did not go well. A few people booed, I made a scene and two people were taking to the stocks to be reprimanded. At least they had not been killed.

Now, we ride on toward District 6. It is clear that Mason and I both want to talk about what Johanna but neither of us are sure when will be a good time and how to bring it up.

I decide I am going to be the one to bring it up. I get out of the bed we are not sharing and move to the television screen. I use the scanner on the wall and turn the volume up on some Capitol program.

The sound disturbs Mason and he sits up in bed.

"What are you—" Mason starts.

I point to the ceiling where I know the Capitol has bugged the train and is listening. I am hoping the sound of the television will tune them out. I climb back in the bed and move close to Mason so I can whisper to him.

"What the hell do you think Johanna was talking about earlier?" I whisper.

Mason shrugs and whispers back. "I don't know. I have been trying to figure it out. I don't know what the North had to do with anything…she was being so cryptic."

"Maybe it's a trap?" I suggest.

"Did you feel threatened?" Mason asks.

After a moment I sigh and shake my head. In all honesty, threatened was the last thing I felt. I am sure, from what I have heard of Johanna Mason, if she wanted to threaten us she easily could have. "No. Did you?"

"No," Mason responds back quickly.

"But what does that mean?" I am trying to figure out what Johanna's words could have meant if she wasn't trying to threaten or scare us.

"Maybe it means she isn't the enemy," Mason says after a moment.

"Maybe," I have to agree after some silence. I don't know what else to think right now.

And the conversation ends as simply as it began. Mason pulls me into his arms and after a few minutes, I hear his light snores. They used to annoy me, but now I find comfort in how familiar they are, just like I find comfort in how strong his arms are around me.