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Leave & Don't Come Back

Chapter 9
Time After Time

In the years that followed Phoenix spent more time with Peeta 'dad' & Delly. When Phoenix started school, the decision was made that she spent the school year with Katniss & Pops with summer vacation with Dad & Delly. Holiday breaks & weekends were rotated to give equal time. However with a 'blended' family plans it didn't sit well with her kid brothers who both adored her. Yet the two families made work. However it wasn't always rainbows & sunshine for both families.

District 2 Hospital 13 years later:

Peeta, Delly & Rye arrive at the hospital's pediactric center to find Katniss, Cato & JC in the waiting room worried.
Peeta goes up to Katniss to talk;

"What happened?"

"Phoenix was on a date with her boyfriend, Mason when they got into a fight. You know Phoenix, she won't take any crap so she just up & left. Mason tried to get her into the car to give her a ride home. Mason swore he hadn't been drinking when called us saying Phoenix walked out before he could explain what happened & was going after her. Cato & I then get this call from a peace keeper saying, that Mason lost control & hit Phoenix with his car. When he blacked out, hit Phoenix, pinned her between the car & the pole. Peeta, Mason is dead. Phoenix is in surgery to fix her shattered knee. What is taking so damn long?!"

"Katniss, if she's anything like you she's a fighter."

"Yes but there's goes dance & basketball. She wanted to goes to college on her own talent. Now that may not be possible."

"It's Phoenix, she'll find a way. Like I've always said, she's her mother's daughter. There's always hope."

While they sat back down to wait, the Peace Keepers came by to tell them that Mason had no alcohol in his system. However it's now a homocide investigation because of a deadly designer drug they found in his system. At the party that he was at, they found a soda can with his prints on it that still had some of its contents. It tested positive for the drug also the can had a pin pick on the upper lip. So did Phoenix's which leads us to believe they were the targets. They think the only reason why Phoenix didn't have any in her system was because one of the other kids 'accidently' knocked it out of her hand spilling most of it onto the floor. So its pointing that Mason was the only target the whole time. Phoenix was collateral damage.

After they had left Cato had Katniss's head on his shoulders. Peeta had Delly's on his shoulders the four of them worried has her kid brothers were in another area discussing a theory between themselves.

"Do you think it's sound Rye? Maybe I'm just venting."

"I came up with the same theory when the Peace Keeper was talking to Dad & Katniss, JC."

"You think?"

"Tell them JC."

Just as JC goes to them to talk, the doctor comes out. He apologised for taking so long but they couldn't save her knee so they replaced it then & there. He didn't want to come out until after the anathesic fully wore off. What got him was Phoenix is asking for her kid brothers. Cato looks at the pair there.

"Boys."
JC decided to be the spokesman for the two.

"Yes, Pops?"

"What were you two talking about over there?"

"A theory that Rye & I had Pops."

"Exactly what theory James Cato Stone?"

JC gulped & took a deep breath before explaining it fully. JC ended it with;
"After what the Peace Keepers were telling you all Rye came to the same conclusion too."

This is when Delly looked at her son;
"RYE BRANDON?"

Rye thought oh shit here we go.

"Yes Mom."

"Just when were going to enlighten us about this?"

"It was JC's theory so, I was going to let JC take the credit. By the way, not bad little brother."

"Thanks Rye."

Cato then spoke up;

"Next time just tell us."

"Can we go with the doctor to see Phoenix now Pops?"

Katniss then spoke up;

"Go. Maybe she will tell you more without us there."

The boys go with the doc.

"What do you think Katniss?"

"Peeta if the boys are right, there's somebody obsessed with our girl. From what I can tell, its the only thing for the most part that fits the facts has we were informed of. This is worse than when JC had his tonsils taken out."

Has they sit back down next to their spouses, Peeta commented;

"At least she didn't lose her leg in the arena."

"I still feel rotten about that., Peeta. I should've gotten that medicine to you faster."

"Don't they didn't want me to come out alive. It was suppose to be you."

Katniss does a double take.

"Say what?"

"A few years back before Phoenix started kindergarden, they made all the documents from the games opened to the public. I always had this question of who was suppose to win if it was meant to be only one; You, me or Mars from 2. So I made a trip to the Capitol after a weekend visit. I got a copy of the records. YOU were suppose to be the lone winner then, after the 'Victory tour' if you weren't 'taken' were going to be sold into prostitution."

"I was only 16 at the 74th games."

"Snow didn't care. Too many of the Capitolites were interested in you. Haymitch was doing everything he could to prevent your selling. It didn't sit well with Snow. I do not know to this day how in the hell Haymitch got Snow to back down."

Katniss just put her hand to her mouth & closed her eyes for a moment. This is when Cato took over the conversation.

"Haymitch didn't Peeta. I did."

Both Peeta's & Katniss's snapped back up at Cato.

"I called in my favor. Most 'Victors' don't get favors from the President. When I overheard Snow telling Haymitch his plan for after the games if Katniss was only one that came out, I called in my favor, to allow Haymitch's plan for the two of you to get out. It's not right to 'sell' someone you do not own."

Mean while in the recovering room, two brothers are getting an earful from big sis. The boys will tell their parents & they quote "she's pissed off & wants to take them down."

Laying in a bed in the recovering room Phoenix looks around while waiting for her brothers to show up. The doctor told her everything that they had to replace her knee, the bruises, that Mason was dead. The doctor also told her tomorrow, the peace keepers will be by to question her about tonight after they clear it with him. He will make sure that one of my parents are here with me during this time.
Phoenix is deep in thought when her brothers come up.

"Hey Butterfly."

"Hey guys. Mason didn't make it." Has Phoenix tears up.

"No, he didn't. We know."

"Okay I know you two. Tell me what you think."

Rye asked her;

"Phoenix was there anybody besides Mason?"

"No. Mason & I have been together for two years. Everybody knew that."
"Anybody who wanted to take you out lately?"

"What are you getting at Rye?"

"Actually it was JC who came up with this theory. One of Mason's rivals but you & Mason were drinking that same kind of soda, that's why JC thinks somebody accidently knocked it out of your hand. Whoever knocked it out of your hand, was the one who dope them."

"Wait it wasn't a guy who knocked it out of my hand it was a girl. She'd been making moves on Mason before he came back with our drinks. She was lit but she didn't looked tanked. I was going to get us some snacks when she bumped into me. It was kind of embarassing."

"What was her name, Phoenix?"

"I don't know. Never seen her around 2 before."

"Rival school?'

"Nope know them. It gives me food for thought." Phoenix asked the doctor to get everybody else in. Before the parentals got there Rye & JC hit her with question, after question. Soon Dad, Pops, Mom & Momma Delly come on in. One could say you never saw four relieved parents in their lives. By then the doctor had also told them, about the peace keeper visit tomorrow. There getting her room ready for the rest of her stay. Peeta then said that they were getting a hotel for the night & Katniss stopped them right there.
"Oh no you're not."

"Katniss its too late for a train."

"Peeta, I have a Mother-in-law suite that you & delly can use. Rye can bunk with JC."

"You're sure."

"Yes since Phoenix is going to be here for awhile, it makes perfect sense."
Then Cato speaks up.

"I agree. This way we can figure out schedules, her make up work & PT."
Phoenix then looks at everybody;

"Something tells me I'm going to hate that last part."

"Listen to Pops, Butterfly. Pops & Dad will get you better yet. Yes you will but later it'll be worth it."

After they moved Phoenix to her room. Katniss called in a favor with Paylor to have a guard for Phoenix. Within the hour three of Paylor's most trusted bodyguards arrived to guard Phoenix until she returns home. Katniss was going to stay with her, when Phoenix even said;

"Mom! I'm tired, you're tired & we're going to have the peace keepers to deal with tomorrow. I already know that the four of you are going to make plans. You need to be there. I'm a big girl. I need some time to process this."

"I'll be here first thing in the morning, Phoenix Rue with maybe some hmm... chocolate chip pancakes? Hmmm"

"With sausage & cheesy buns?"

Has Katniss gives her a kiss on her forehead:

"With sausage & cheesy buns too. Nighty night Butterfly" as Phoenix falls back asleep.

After everyone arrives back the house in Victors Village the boys go and crash in JC's room while four parents get coffee going for the night. They make plans for school, home, hospital schedule & physical torture when the time comes.

First thing in the morning Katniss arrives with Phoenix's favorite breakfast. Katniss tells her that the peace keepers will be here this afternoon so could rest more. In the mean time Pops is going to get you make up work so you don't fall behind & we already have a tutor schedule. When Phoenix asked is dad coming to visit during all this? Katniss told her not to worry. On his weekends until she can travel, they're coming over to the house.

"Mom, why?"

"Because my Butterfly, Dad loves you too. We can put aside our differences for you."

"Pops is okay with this?"

"He & Momma Delly helped with the schedule so not to interfere with your brother's schedules."

"Well we can cancel basketball & dance scholarships. This sucks."

"Phoenix we already had your college education set up when you were a baby. YOU wanted on your own merit."

"I know but, I wanted to do it."

"As your grandmother told me once before you were born, 'Broken wings mend but they do mend.' "

"Has anybody got ahold of Mason's parents today."

"I did last night. They're just grateful you're alive. Come on rest little one. Mom's here."

The next time Phoenix wakes up, Katniss is asleep in the chair on one side. Dad is awake in the other.
"Hey baby girl."

"Hi Dad."

"I think your mother super-glued herself into that chair. She won't leave you. Mason's parents came by but you were still sleeping so, they left."

"That's Mom for you. Are they okay?"

"No baby girl, they're not. Just like you're our baby, Mason was theirs."

"Dad I keep racking my brain on the girl who knocked my soda out of my hand. I can't place her. I don't know who she is."

"Try it at a different angle Phoenix."

"I don't follow Dad."

"You don't know who she is right? (Phoenix nods) Go with who she isn't. In the mean time can you describe her to me?"

"I think so, why?"

"I have pad, pencil & mad drawing skills. I can sketch her."

"That's perfect."

Peeta pulls out his sketch pad & went with the basics in facial features. Then Peeta started firing off questions has hair color, eye color, eye shape, nose, brow... then it hits her.
"Dad! She had a four leaf plant right here at the end of her brow. It was dark pink or red like a strawberry. I thought it was a bad face paint on but, it could be a birthmark."

At this Katniss wakes up;

"What... huh?... Peeta what are you doing?" But Phoenix answers for him.

"He helped me remember the girl who knocked my drink out of my hand."
Katniss looks at Peeta sketch. It was very detailed. Just then the doctor knocks, comes in with two peace keepers, Cato & the family attorney.

"Honey, why is Geo here?"

"To make sure Phoenix's rights are taken care of, love. Hey Butterfly."

"Hi Pops. Dad helped jog my memory."

Peeta then show them his sketch saying; "She was getting frustrated. This helped her."
The peace keeper took a look at the sketch scanned it & sent it out. Its when Cato realizes that she stumbled onto something big.
"You guys know who she is?"

"Yes. Her name is Cynthia Delreallus. Her father was..." as Peeta cuts him off.

"Doctor Cornell Delreallus who was the doctor assigned to me to treat me for the high jacking. Mason wasn't the target at all?"

"Yes he was. Mason was the target for Phoenix to suffer when he hurts her. This designer drug is known has Tarasploxin (pronounced Tar-asp-lox-in) also known asp-lox. It uses the stickiness of the venom to hit the system hard & fast. Its' also high concentrated to bring on anger & aggression. The bad part is that it leaves the system within the hour of taking it without a trace. It had to have been a very high dosage to have it still in Mason's system for him to blackout like that."

"Why would she want to hurt Phoenix?"

"To hurt the people who took her father away."

Katniss then spoke.
"Then you're saying that it's my fault for bringing justice to the man, for almost killing my ex-husband?"

"No Mrs. Stone."

"Then what? Who's the actual target? It just can't be a 17 year old girl."

"That's what we are not sure of. With this sketch we can put a ABP out on her before she strikes again."

After a few more questions, the peace keepers left. No one in that room felt better for they all knew that a killer is out there with a killer designer drug.

Phoenix was in the hospital for almost two weeks while she was there Cato made sure that she will be safe at school. Peeta & Delly stayed with Phoenix while, Katniss & Cato attended Mason's funeral. Cato was even one of the pall bearers for the family. Even though they were informed of the circumstances of their sons' death, they never blamed Phoenix for it. They even went to visit Phoenix at the hospital after the funeral with Katniss. It wasn't easy for everybody but they were glad that Phoenix was going to be okay.

Also during this time a nation-wide man hunt was on for Cynthia Delreallus for one count of murder & one count of attempted murder. It took over two months to find her. Ironically the peace keepers found her in District 7 when a 13 year old boy who was coming home from school, found her lurking about near his house in Victor's Village.

In the penal desert colony, they found Dr. Delreallus's body in a shallow grave five miles from the colony itself where his daughter left him there many years ago.

The more the peace keeper investigated into Cynthia, the more dirt they found. They would be investigating this case for over three years before bringing it two trial due to many of the unsolved murders that were linked to her in all te districts.

However for Phoenix, it didn't bring back Mason. Mason was her first love, her first kiss. They both loved each other to the end. It hurt her, it hurt her to her very core. Because of what happened, it was years before Phoenix would let anybody get close to her again. Phoenix pushed her physical therapy or, torture depending on the day just, to keep going.

During her senior year she applied only to colleges abroad. For her parents it was hard for them to see their child so heart broken as they tried to talk her to also apply to schools here. Phoenix told all four of them straight up, no. She needed this change. She needed to do this.

The one person who understood it all was Cato, her Pops. Katniss was not happy about it.
"Why abroad Cato? There are many fine school in this country."

Cato turned to her:

"Katniss remember the day you took a bullet for ME?"
Katniss nodded yes.

"I should've never been on that mission. I just returned from burying my wife & child. I didn't want to go on for so long. YOU had to tell me to join the land of the living. A better example Camille. She zoned out for almost five years leaving you to raise Prim. Even after the rebellion, she never returned to 12 full time. Yet Camille carried on. Remember how after you lost Prim it took you a better part of a year to even want to hunt again. (as he held her face close to his)
You named her Phoenix because even after something so terrible happened to you a beautiful thing came out of it. Came out of the ashes that was the 'Girl on Fire'. Phoenix is coming out of the ashes from Mason's death. She's pushing herself to join the living again. She getting ready to start over. To fly out of the ashes & leave the nest. Who knows it made be the best thing for her."

"It doesn't mean I have to like it, that she'll be so far away."

"No but it doesn't mean she should stay here in pain either. She'll come back, when she's ready."

Three weeks later the letters came in from Oxford, Edinburgh, Paris, Rome, Sydney, two in New Zealand, Nova Scotia & Dublin. Only four were going to accept her; Rome, Edinburgh, Oxford & Sydney. In the end Phoenix chose Oxford in England.
Little did she know that her adventures were just beginning.