***Disclaimer I don't own the Hunger Games or, its Characters***

Legend of the Black Rose

The Trial of Peeta Mellark

Chapter 9

Dead Man walking

Later on in the day, after the hover craft leaves:

Peeta's POV:

He knows he's on borrowed time if he's to kill the Mocking Jay as his mother said it's his duty. Killing the Careers would just be a bonus for him. Especially if it's Cato. Katniss was suppose to be his, Cato wrecked it. Now She's wrapped around his finger. It sickens him that she's with him. After all Flickerman said I have a handsome face too. Girls should be throwing themselves at me.

I know Katniss got one point higher than me on purpose to just prove that she could. And everybody in our suite bought that B.S. story of the apple. Bullshit. When I get done with her though, she'll wish she was never born. Now to find that she's a traitor too, the country will worship the ground I walk on. My family will finally receive the respect that it's due. My god how can she trust that murderer. Well she'll pay for it, all of them will. For now I will rest. I've been busy.

Cato decided to talk to Marvel especially since if they got theirs Birth Control shots from the same batch that Kat & I did. I hope they did their shots in their own district.

Cato: Marvel this will sound personal. I just going to come out & ask. When you got your shot this year did you & Glimmer get it in 1 or at the Capitol?

Marvel: Both at the Capitol just before we went in. Why?

Cato (inhaled deeply & went ahead): So did Katniss & I. Snow's Doctor told us that the shot was faulty/mislabeled. It was actually a fertility drug. Particularly when one or both parents have a family history of multiples. Both Kat & I do. They also didn't tell Kat the usual instructions on birth control. You know, extra protection for the first few days. Luckily Katniss's came out to be negative this time. With everything going on in the arena, not the best time to be having kids. Marv I gotta ask, are you & Glimmer a couple now?"

Marvel was about to get pissed at Cato when it dawned on him that he has a family history of twins in his family, Glimmer doesn't. Marvel:" Yeah. (Then it hit him), Oh boy, I'm wondering now too. Shit, shit, shit."

Cato: " Easy Marv easy. It could also be stress that just won over for the day. Look at what she's been through & look how far she come along from it."

Marvel: "No Cato, remember what Peeta raped Glimmer. Has far as I know because the little shit still had V-card they didn't give him ... She could be... SHIT! If he gets in I'm going to kill him personally. Do you have Brutus's notes on making the pain worse?"

Cato: "MARV! Haymitch sent something to Glimmer to prevent it when he sent Kat's meds. Of all the people in the world, Haymitch would never let that happen. He doesn't play that way. You think the elders in your district would allow their "tribute" to be force to carry a rapist child? I think if Haymitch was still here he would hunt Peeta down himself with just his bare hands. Knowing Brutus, he'll help."

Marvel: "Cato 2 o'clock again dude."

Cato looked across the lake where Marvel said to, there by the rocks & a head pops out from a large rock then back in. FUCK how did he get in. "Marvel get Clove & Thresh, now."

Cato: Took out the cell phone that Cinna sent. While never moving his eyes off Peeta he text Haymitch this message: "Shit for Brains got in & on other side of lake. Sweetheart was right. Arena not safe, need haven or, B's reinforcements ASAP. Out." He sends it hoping that they come up with something so he can protect them all.

Peeta is on the other side of the lake in recon mode. He notices how they looked relaxed like it's a family camping trip. He thinks that they don't notice him there so he starts to make plans on killing the traitor, Girl on fucking Fire. Peeta is at a lost on how to get Katniss until, he thinks he's found a away in. He notices the new building near the cornucopia. He tries to work out a plan that he could sneak into the building to get her. Then she'll pay for everything that she's done to him. He'll make her beg for death over and over again before he gives her that request.

Mean while back in the Capitol:

In the D-12 Suite Haymitch gets out of the shower & gets dress. He looks at the drink still on the bar. He refuses to let the servants remove it. He leaves it there as a reminder about crutches. He's getting back to his old fighting self within. Who knew it took his cousins' kid to do it. Katniss never knew that her father & I were cousins as well as best friends. I had to swear Jim & Camille to secrecy after my whole family was killed. At least I was able to keep them safe from Snow. Pride cost me happiness once it won't again. As he looks up. "Thanks Cuz, I get the point. I won't let you down."

Haymitch notices his cell is buzzing so he picks it up reads: " Shit for Brains got in & is on other side of lake spying on us. Sweetheart was right. Arena not safe, need haven or, B's reinforcements ASAP. Out." That son of a bitch! Fuck the damn rules since Crane's or those shit for brains Peace Keepers can't even find their own dicks let alone contain a psycho murdering rapist, he'll do it himself. Haymitch forwards Cato's text to Brutus & adds bring me notes on how to make the pain 50 times worse-H. Sends the text then calls Crane.

Haymitch: "Crane I'm going in. Your Peace Keepers and guards couldn't contain him. MY TURN! You can either let me handle it or you can have my wrath. Pick one."

Crane: " Haymitch before you take my head off, I agree with you. It was sloppy work on the guards part. They knew better. If you go in, you have to bring Mellark back alive. Per President Snow. I don't give a flying fuck on what condition it is. What do you need?

Haymitch: "Hover Craft, pilot, 1 medic who can keep their mouths shut, a tracker for his arm & I'll pick up what I need from District-2. "

Crane: "When do you plan on it?"

Haymitch: "Within the hour. I'll call back in 30."

Crane: "In 30 later." Hangs up.

Haymitch text Brutus "Need t borrow Phoenix and stuff from your Armory. Have Phoenix at the ready for a briefing when I get there.-H"

Fifteen minutes later a reply text states " Phoenix & I will be meeting you at D-2. All will be ready."-B

In District 13;

Brutus shows Haymitch's text to Effie & tells her that he has to go to District 2 for a few days. Haymitch & I need you to care for Prim. Effie tells Brutus go but soon they have to talk to Prim about this.

Effie: "Prim is confused on what's going on but she's too nervous to ask you two. Brutus she the sweetest child with a smile that can melt the hardest of hearts. You two should be the ones to tell her. It's not my or, Cinna's place. " Brutus nods & adds he'll talk to Haymitch about it when he's at District 2. Brutus goes to Prim to talk to her & let her know that he has to go for a couple of days but he will be back. Effie is with her so she's not alone. He leaves to talk to Boggs(rebels 2 in command), trying to figure out how someone so small could capture his heart so quickly. Informs Boggs the status of the arena & what Haymitch plans to do to recapture Peeta.

Back at the Capitol:

Haymitch packs when he runs across an old box that belonged to his mother. Usually he would not even look at it because of the pain it brings. As his mother would say "Son you got to take the bull by horns", picks it up & opens & finds a hand written letter for him. Well time to face my demons & quit using crutches, mom he thought. As he has a servant finish his packing for him. He opens the yellowed envelope & reads:

"My Beautiful Boy(yes I'm bragging so shut up);

If you are reading this, I am gone & YOU are not allowed any pity parties understand me. I owe you an apology on something. I feel you have the right to know. Your biological father wasn't Royce Aberthany victim of the Hunger Games (sit for this son). Many years ago, I was a singer in District 4 but you knew that. Where I worked was a den of rebellious activity. I was dating a boy who was a rebel but I did not know. I honestly didn't know. We were to be married soon. On a night that I was working, there was a raid by Peace Keepers where he was killed. I was taken into custody and questioned over and over about his actives which the only thing I knew is that he worked on the docks in a warehouse. Then they sent in this new head Peace Keeper by the name Snow (that what was on his tag) where he tortured & raped me. Then believing that I was dead, had me dumped in the woods. That is where Royce found me while on a family hunting trip. I was taken to their healer where they took care of me & got me to my cousin's in 12. When I found out I was having you, Royce was there for me. We married & he adopted you on the day that you were born giving you his grandfather's name, Haymitch. Son as dad's go you are the son of Royce Aberthany. By blood you are the son of Cornelius Snow who is President of Panem. (At this point he drops the letter, looks at the glass again. He pick the letter back up & continues reading) This is what I owe you the apology on because I hid the whole truth from you. For that I am sorry son.

Yes you can get pissed at me for hiding this from you. I know you, you would've been killed in trying to get at him. I couldn't allow that. YOU are my son, did you actually think I would let my son stoop to his level?

Now YOU have to decide is it worth just killing him or, better yet freeing a country from his clutches in these stupid games. I think you know the answer. So stop the damn drinking get your big boy panties out of a twist (as he chuckles) & get to work, damn it. I told you once when you work & fight like a man you can drink like one. Well you won the games I allowed you to drink like one. But after what happened to your Serene & the baby you used it like a freakin' crutch. Well Haymitch Royce Aberthany I FORBID IT. You are NOT doing a pity party with me get it. Screw your head back on straight boy or, I'll come back & haunt you. UNDERSTAND!

You have a choice my beautiful boy. Wallow in pity & use drinking as a crutch or actually fight for something that IS worth fighting for. You can possibly save hundreds of children from certain death or, as the winners slavery at the hands of the Capitol. YOU CHOOSE. I know you do right by me. I'm your mother, I always know (He chuckles, Yes you Ma. Yes you do.)

Love,

Ma

P.S. I still want Grandchildren damn it. Just a thought.- Hugs."

He looks up "Okay Ma I know what to do. Sorry it took so long. I still miss you all." Calls Crane tells him all is arranged however there's a twist from Crane. Crane is pissed because of what Peeta did to his games this year & he wants pay back on Peeta, bad. After Peeta's recapture there will be a final game between mother, son & 22 other crazies. Upon Haymitch's return, he & Crane are to plan it for the next year's Hunger Games. Haymitch goes back into his room changes into battle black fatigues, tucks his mother's letter in one of the cargo pockets, grabs the packs that are waiting for him and leaves out the door. On his way to the hover craft, Haymitch calls the game maker to send a message to the arena.

Back in the arena:

Clove & Thresh with Marvel come out and notice immediately where Peeta is. Cato went back inside of the horn to check on Katniss. Katniss was awake along with Glimmer talking.

Glimmer : "Well if your birth control was faulty. Wait a minute... Oh Shit Katniss. Marvel got our shots there too. Just before the arena. Did Cinna send anything extra in those packages?"

Katniss: "We'll look, you take a test, no problem. My came out negative. Don't worry Glimmer right now it's too soon tell. Don't put the cart before the horse." Katniss looks up smiles:"Hi hubby. Talked to Marvel?"

Cato: "Yes. Now the two of you stay in here. Katniss where's your bow?"

Katniss: "Over there. Why?"

Cato debated this then came out and said it: "He got back in. Marvel, Clove & Thresh are outside now. I want you & Glimmer to stay here. If he gets in use the bow. Glimmer there's a machete and a spear. Rissa, Rue and the others are coming back to be with you. You know what to do. Hey Glimmer to me a favor. Go talk to Marvel while getting Rissa & the kids."

Glimmer: "Getting Rissa and the kids, right. (mouths "talk to her")"

Cato: "Thanks. Katniss? Look at me. I told you he will not get near you. I won't let him touch you. It's going to be okay baby. I'm right here. Baby the only way he even gets near you is over his own dead body."

Katniss: " I thought at least with the shield around the arena, this would be the one place he couldn't get to. I would stay in this gilded cage if it meant that we were safe. Babe get my bow & the crossbow too. I was showing Rue & Rissa it the other day. How did Peeta get back in?"

Cato: "The shield was down during President Snow's visit. So depending on where the transfer was or, where he went bat shit Peeta was closer to the arena then they thought."

Katniss: " I guess my theory wasn't that dumb after all. I had a thought. Can we move into the cabin yet?"

Cato: "Pretty much but it'll still be uncomfortable why?"

Katniss: "Well it's better than on the floor in here where we have no idea where he is & no visual. And it has one thing every expecting woman needs that this doesn't have."

Cato: "Basically you don't want to get trigger happy. Right, got it and what does the cabin have that this doesn't?"

Katniss: "Indoor plumbing & our own room."(Cato chuckles) "Run it by everybody." Cato went got the bow, crossbow along with a quiver of each in arrows & put them by Katniss. He wants her to feel safe but the one thing that didn't make sense is why does he now want to kill her. Why? However those questions stop when he hears a pinging from a parachute. Cato walks toward the mouth of the cornucopia where it landed opens the container & pulls a note out with bag of peppermint for Katniss.

Cato: "Help is on the way. Move everybody into the cabin ASAP. Here's something for Katniss's stress. Hang in there. The gang is on its way along with an old friend.-H"

Cato pokes his head out & calls for Clove and Glimmer. Tell them we're moving everybody into the cabin now, to grab Thresh, Rissa & the kids. Also give these night goggles to Marvel for watch. Turns back to Katniss bring over the peppermint.

Cato: "I guess it's moving night sweetheart."

Katniss: "Don't call me sweetheart. Haymitch always calls me that."

Cato: "Well what pet name am I allowed? You're not thrilled with kitty cat, fire girl, & you barely tolerate babe."

Katniss: "You'll think of something. I guess I'm just not very girly."

Cato (chuckles): "Nah really my love. (Katniss nods at that one & he gets the message) Who would've guessed it." Clove, Glimmer & the rest of the gang started moving all the stuff over to the cabin. That was except Marvel who was on watch. Kids grabbed all the light stuff, while Thresh was carrying big heavy lockers by himself with no problem. Clove was volunteered to sit with Katniss who rolling the sleeping bags up for the new place while Cato pitched in. Got the fire going in the main room so there would be light. After pretty much everything was over there he came back for Katniss & Clove. Cato grabbed the sleeping bags then the three went over to the new place.

At District 2:

Haymitch arrives to find Brutus & Cato's best friend Phoenix waiting for him. Brutus starts briefing Phoenix that Cato is not only alive but is married to Katniss. They explain what happened in the arena, the trial, Peeta's escape. They're still trying to figure out why Katniss is the target. When it dawned on Haymitch who then called Seneca Crane & said "get Joanna on the phone, now". In a dark dank prison cell awaiting her sentence to be carried out, Joanna Mellark sits when the door opens and two guards pull her up off her seat and escort her to Seneca Crane. Joanna is shoved none too gently into a seat while Seneca put the phone on speaker. "Okay Haymitch you're on speaker & she's here go."

Haymitch: "Joanna what did you tell Peeta to get him to attack Katniss? You better tell me. Mr. Crane is pissed & would enjoy beating the hell out of you at my request woman so don't fuck with me."

Joanna: (with her head held high)" I told Peeta the truth. I told him that the little Seam Whore he worshipped so much all this time was the part of the rebellion. That she's a traitor to the country & he was ordered to kill her any chance he gets, any way, shape or form he wants."

Both Crane & Haymitch: "YOU WHATTTTT!" (Haymitch also had his phone on speaker on his end. Both Brutus & Phoenix jaws dropped. They both knew now no matter what that they have to move the kids out of the arena.

Joanna: "I saw the pin that the Mayor's brat gave to Katniss before the reaping. It was Mayseliee's Mocking Jay pin when she was reaped in the 50th Hunger Games. It was the sign of the rebellion. Of course I told my son the truth, none of you would have the balls to. When Madge gave Katniss the pin and told her it was to "protect" her, I knew she was the face of the rebellion. You think anybody would have Madge Undersee the pampered Mayor's daughter as the face of anything. Ah! Peeta now sees Katniss for what she is, a traitor. Go ahead kill me but everyone will know about the " Girl on Fire" is nothing more than a Seam whore."

Haymitch: "Seneca this changes everything. I need to talk to the President."

Just then Present Snow comes in. Snow:" Haymitch, what a nice surprise. Yes Seneca replayed Mrs. Mellark's confession. Yes I'm in total agreement but how do you want to handle this? However, the sentence has already been passed on Mrs. Mellark."

Haymitch: "With all due respect sir, Peeta's sentence has not been passed yet. Sir, I recommend that I am allowed to remove the tributes from the arena & relocate. I will be the only one to know where they are at. These Tributes are innocent, they've not committed a crime & they have obeyed the country's degree concerning the reaping & these games. They should not be punished more for crimes that they didn't commit. I recapture Peeta but only to put a tracker in him. Leave the arena alone which, can be reused for the 75th games between mother & son. Peeta will have to live off the land & survive on his own. This will save the Capitol on money for constructing a new arena & we can still use all the stuff that Seneca had planned in this one for the next games. This will also help the Capitol recoup from the losses in this years games. This also gives a sense of Justice that you were looking for too Sir. As Ms. Jones mentioned at the sentencing & if memory serves you were impressed by it, Sir."

Snow: "Very good Haymitch. Very Good. I like it. I think that would work very well & to think I don't have to depend on any guard or, peace keepers & the cameras can monitor Mr. Mellark 24/7. He would have to live on his own or, by fate die on his own. I like it. Very well we will "adjust" Mr. Mellark's sentence for now. I will let Seneca take it from here. Good night. May the odds be ever in your favor."

Haymitch: "Thank you sir."(Snow leaves) "Seneca you still there."

Seneca: "Yeah Mitch. Thanks for saving my bacon what do you need?"

Haymitch: "Get this, get this, man I can't believe I'm going to say this about a female. Get this..."

Seneca: " Whoreson of a witch who flies on her own broom out of here? "

Haymitch: "Yes THANK YOU! And Seneca I'm sending back your hover craft. This I have to do my way. The less who know the better."

Seneca: "Okay. Good luck, Mitch." Hangs up the phone looks to Joanna with a Cheshire Cat grin from ear to ear and says "Get this worthless bitch out of my sight. Use her as you will." He adds.

Back at District 2:

After the revealing call Haymitch gets his gear from the Hover Craft. The three go to a special Armory where Haymitch lets out a low whistle. They start picking their weapons. When Brutus speaks. Brutus: "Hey Mitch?"

Haymitch: "What Bru?

Brutus: "I take we are moving up the reunion? Effie say Prim is asking questions but is too nervous to ask us."

Haymitch: "Yeah Bru. Bru grab extra toys for Cato, Marvel & Clove would you."

Brutus: "Sure Mitch."

After packing what they needed (& then some)Haymitch goes; "When we get to the Hover Craft, I will give you the next set of plans. Bru get your cell out and text Cato this."

*** I Do not own the Hunger Games nor it's Characters***

Introducing a new character Phoenix in this one & in 10. He will be part of the sequel Perfection in White.