Author's Note: My plan is to keep the pace of posting 2 chapters a day. I hope all of you taking the time to read the story are enjoying it! Thank you for reading!

Chapter 14: Katniss

I've never been the most verbal person. I couldn't even talk to Peeta after he saved my family from starving to death to utter two simple words. I couldn't even thank him. I'm even less verbal now.

I can't speak freely here. It's almost like the walls are listening. Sometimes the hair on the back of my neck stands on end, as I get the feeling I'm being watched.

This isn't normal, is it?

We, of course, lived a very tough life in District 12, but I was able to leave. I was able to escape through the fence into the woods, and recharge. Here, underground, I haven't see the sun in days.

We are shooting our first propos today. Peeta and I. It took Haymitch to convince us to even try. It took Cressida, Messala, Castor, and Pollux to convince me that it was a good idea. If we reach the districts, if we gain support, all those deaths have to mean something, right? We could change the world and end the Games. And no family will ever have to send their children on a train to their death again.

"We stand here together. United not only in love, but against a common enemy. The Capital," I repeat woodenly. I clutch Peeta's hand but the words still come out garbled and insincere. Peeta looks at me and smiles. He's encouraging, but words written for me have never come easily out of my mouth. Words in general have never come easily out of my mouth.

I vaguely hear Plutarch yelling at me, but I've tuned him out. Haymitch appears, gesturing Peeta and I into the control room.

"I think we can all agree that what we just saw is exactly how a revolution dies," Haymitch says. Plutarch and President Coin nod, and I look down at my feet.

"Who can tell me of a moment when Katniss genuinely made you feel something. Not because you were envious of her outfit or when Peeta made you like her. A moment when you genuinely felt something."

"When she volunteered for her sister," Effie says. She was released from the hospital before Peeta and me. I've noticed she's never far from Haymitch's side.

"When she screamed Peeta's name after finding out there could be 2 victors," Gale says. I feel so awkward around him now. He was my best friend in the world, and now I don't even feel like I can talk to him.

"When she sang that song for the little girl," Corporeal Boggs says. I didn't realize District 13 was able to see the Games. Have they been watching children die for 75 years?

"Excellent. Volunteered. Screamed for Peeta. Sang for Rue. What do all these moments have in common?" Haymitch asks, as though the answer should be obvious to everyone.

"No one told her what to say," Peeta says, squeezing my hand.

"Exactly," replies Haymitch, throwing up his hands. "Katniss cannot be scripted. She's passionate, but she cannot be forced to be passionate. She's capable of doing this, but she cannot be scripted. This has to come from her, or it will never work."

Plutarch and President Coin look at each other. "What are you suggesting?" President Coin asks.

"Send her out into the field. Send them both out into the field. Send the cameras with them. You will never get anything useful out of them in a booth," Haymitch's voice is low, but serious. No one misses his meaning. He wants us to fight.

"No," I say emphatically, jumping up from my seat. "There is absolutely no way I will go into the field with Peeta. I lost him once, I'm not going to do it again."

"Miss Everdeen," says President Coin. I'm momentarily distracted by how her eyes remind me of another president I know. "It has to be both of you. We can make sure you're safe. We can send you to areas that are secure. You will be safe."

"Katniss, I'm fine with this," Peeta says. I look into his eyes, falling to my knees as the fight drains out of me. Peeta slowly sinks to his knees as well, meeting me eye level, and holding my gaze steady with his hands holding my cheeks. "We'll be together, every step of the way. Nothing will separate us again."

Tears leak out of my eyes, rolling slowly down my cheeks.

"I will not lose you, Katniss, and you will never lose me."

"Stay with me," I beg him.

"Always."