Summary:

What if Coin convinced Haymitch, Plutarch and the tributes to save Peeta instead of Katniss during the Quarter Quell? What would happen?

" But Katniss… This is Peeta! You know him… He wouldn't do that! "

" Oh yeah, I know him. I do. He totally would. "

She laughed and turned away from Haymitch.

Chapter 14 : Succeeding is our only option

Peeta was quite fine with what they learned in mathematics. He just wished they could teach some arts too. But it seemed like the District 13 only wanted performance, at any price.

The days went by, and the "Order of the mocking jay" met twice a week. After what seemed to be a whole year, Peeta walked into Beetee's room, following the man.

" So, what are the news? "

" I'm finally finished with the camera. Just a few things to check and I'll give it to you. " Beetee answered, his voice calm and steady.

" Oh my god, thank you so much for everything Beetee, you've been amazing! "

" That's totally normal. No need to thank me. I just do what I think is right. "

" Well, let me know when it's done then? "

" Sure. I'll find you. "

" Good. Bye, then. "

" Yeah, see you later Peeta. "

Peeta left Beetee's room, smiling and feeling full of energy.

He noticed a few weeks ago that there was a training center in the District, so he headed towards the place. He just stopped by his own room to take a towel. He stayed at the gym for an hour and a half. Then, he took a shower and decided to go sit on his favorite bench.

When he got there, Finnick and Gale were chatting, so he waved and sat next to them.

" Peeta, what's new? "

" The camera is almost done. We might have it before sunset. "

" That's awesome dude! " Finnick yelled, his voice echoing in the corridor.

The boys chatted until Gale and Finnick were called to their training. Peeta looked at them go towards the elevator and fell down on the bench. He closed his eyes, and took a deep breath. He relaxed, repeating himself that everything was going well. He actually fell asleep.

He had a dream about Katniss, when they were in the arena, on the beach. But when he said that nobody needed him, the girl disappeared, as if now, nobody needed him anymore. Then, he found himself in the hovercraft, screaming like a fool.

He woke up, shivering and sweating on the bench. He checked around him, and it took him several minutes to calm down. One look at his bracelet made him understand that he was going to be late at lunch. He got up and ran to the elevator. He tried to shake the memories of his nightmare away, but images of Katniss disappearing kept flashing in his mind.

" Hi everyone. "

Peeta focused on the people seating with him, pushing the ashes of his nightmare away.

" Hey. We learned for Beetee. "

Prim seemed totally fine, she gained weight and was looking pretty happy. As was her mother. Peeta really cared about their state. They became part of his family.

" Good, isn't it? "

" Yeah. But with still need those videos, remember? "

The girl browed to Peeta, and the boy understood what she meant. Thanks Prim for her reminder. They had to get those tapes. It was totally necessary for their plan to work. Would they really have to ask Beetee for something else? This wasn't fair for the man. He had nothing to do with Katniss, but yet, he was the one taking all the risks. Maybe they could find another way to get these recordings.

" I guess I need to go back to that room. "

" But Peeta, she will totally take your High Ranking state away if you do that! " Gale added, really fast.

Peeta was quite surprised when he heard the worried tone in Gale's voice. He didn't think the guy would ever fear for him. How strange.

" What if Beetee deletes the informations of me passing by? "

" Do you think he could do that? "

" Of course he can. Making him do that instead of stealing the tapes is cleverer. Don't you think? Less suspicious for him, more safe. "

Gale nodded. Peeta would have to be really fast and discreet this time. There was no way he could lose his place in the Conceal, but they had to get those tapes. So every single person in 13 will find out what kind of woman Coin was. The kind that researches power and justice in the wrong places with the wrong methods.

" But how could I get these videos? I mean, just watching them won't make me leave with them on tape. "

" You could use the camera too. "

Peeta contemplated the possibility, and it was the only one.

" I guess so. "

" Just be careful. " Murmured Katniss' sister.

The boy smiled to Prim, reassuring her. He was going to do all he could, he just had to. Succeeding was their only option. Or else, the consequences would be really awful.

" I will be, I promise. "

At five in the afternoon, Peeta was reading a book he found about the Games, in the District's library, and was totally into it. He learned more about the first idea they had of it, and it still didn't make sense to him. Making children pay was no use.

" Peeta… I thought I'd never find you. Come with me. "

The boy recognized Beetee's voice. So he pulled his book and left behind him. While the man was heading towards the room where he worked, Peeta was anxious, looking around him every three second. Beetee told him to calm down, but he couldn't help the fear he had to make him totally paranoid.

" Here we are! "

Beetee put his bracelet on a big metallic door, and tapped a long code. Then, he rolled in a corridor, followed by Peeta. At the end of the corridor, was a retinal scanner, so Peeta stepped back.

" Beetee Latier. Access confirmed. "

A double-door opened and they entered a huge room, full of machines, instruments, and screens. There, on a big table, was a tiny grey box.

" So, this is the camera you asked for. "

" Wow, it really is small. " Peeta said, in awe.

" Yes, took me a lot of time to finish it because of that. "

" Beetee, thank you really much. "

" You're welcome. "

The man smiled and explained to the boy how it worked. It was actually really simple. You just needed to click on the same button to start and stop the recording, so you had to be careful while borrowing it.

" I'm really sorry, but there is another thing I need you to do. "

" Well, again? "

Suddenly, Peeta was scared Beetee would refuse his request. He had all the rights to, but without his help, he was completely out of the Conceal. Tension was building, and an heavy silence was hanging around the two men. It's when the engineer started to laugh that Peeta relaxed again.

" What can I do to help you? "

" I'm not sure you can do that but… I need to go back to the Computer's room. To film the interviews of Katniss, after she was declared dead. "

" Yeah, that makes sense. "

" So, if you can, and if you want to, could you erase my stopping-off time there? "

" I can do that. Just come back here when you're done. In front of the first door. "

" I truly don't know how to thank you know! We owe you so much! "

" I'm glad to help, I told you. A President shouldn't lie to his citizens. "

" Thank you so much Beetee. Well, I'll go and record it now, okay? "

" Sure. Be careful on your way. "

" I will be. " Peeta said, bowing his head.

The man smiled and Peeta walked towards the exit, Beetee helping him in the process, since this room was really secured. Peeta crossed the last door and thanked the man once again. The door closed and Peeta looked at the camera in the palm of his hand.

This could be the answer to all their questions.

Peeta hid the camera in the pocket on his torso and took the elevator. He got down at the Commandment Center's level and suddenly got scared. What if Coin and Boggs were currently in the Conceal's room? He checked the Commandment Center's room. Empty. It was now or never. He entered the machine's room and locked the door, hearing this "click" sound revolve in the place.

He put his bracelet at the right place and the screen lit up.

" Peeta Mellark. Analysis in process. "

Once again, he saw his infos flash all over the huge screen, and waited for the process to end.

" Access granted. "

" Search. "

" Please formulate your search. "

" Ceasar Flickerman's interviews. "

The computer did a huge noise and Peeta wished Coin didn't lock any case for him. After his lie, everything could have happened.

" Access authorized. " Announced the mechanic voice.

" Chronologic order. "

" Ordering in process. "

Peeta had to wait again, and he saw the amount of interviews the man did. The work ended and he was surprise to see an interview they didn't see with Finnick the last time they came. He pulled out the camera of his pocket and took it between his fingers.

" See interview one. "

" Analysis in process "

Peeta stared at the "waiting" logo on screen. The thing kept turning and he thought it was over.

" Access authorized. " The computer finally said.

Peeta swallowed harshly while hitting the little button on top of the camera. Ceasar appeared, cheering up the crowd, that playfully and vivaciously answered him. Then, he announced the arrival of Katniss Everdeen, the girl who was on fire. This mention alone, broke Peeta's heart. He hated the past use in this nickname.

" There she is! Welcome Katniss, welcome! Sit down, please! "

She was wearing a black dress, simple but pretty. Almost no make-up on her face, except over her blue eyes, and a simple, straight ponytail in her hair. Peeta scanned her face as he did last time, and she seemed to be alright. Still, the look in her eyes was different.

" So, so… Katniss… What is happening? "

" Well… I heard about Peeta's death this morning… "

NDA: Ha, ha! Here is the fourteenth chapter guys!

I enjoyed writing this one, to be true.

I know I leave you with a cliffhanger, but I promise that the wait won't be too long. I promise!

Hope you liked it, see you in the next chapter :)

bisous!