Sorry for the long break in updates. I was sick with the flu but I am better now. Hope you enjoy this chapter!

Disclaimer: I do not The Hunger Games or any or its characters.

Chapter 21

Katniss stared at the wall as she sat on a small cot in her prison cell. She had tried sleeping, hoping to escape from the bleak reality but it was too bright. The white walls and the bright white lights above her made it impossible to drift off. Instead, she thought about what had happened that night. Coin had set them up, for some reason. That was evident in the way the soldiers kept their guns pointed at their heads and chests while shouting at them. When the soldiers didn't waver, that's when she knew that the whole mission had been a set up. She wondered what would happen next to her and Finnick. She started to wonder where Finnick even was. The soldiers had escorted them to separate cells. She hoped he was ok.

By the early hours of the morning, she couldn't take it anymore. Her eyes felt so heavy. If only she could get some sleep. She banged on her cell door and shouted for them to turn down the light. She repeated this until all the light disappeared from the room. They cut the lights completely. At first the darkness was welcomed, but then flashbacks of the Arena came back to her, particularly the memory of when her and Gale were in the section of the Arena that turned pitch black. She didn't like being in a dark room by herself. She had no idea what else might lurk in the room. Her heartbeat accelerated and panic set in.

"Gale?" she called out. There was nothing. She screamed his name again. Again, nothing. Katniss made her way back to the cot, curling up into a ball in the corner. Tears escaped her eyes as she laid in the darkness. She thought she heard something in the opposite corner and buried her head under the pillow.

"It's not real. There's nothing there." she chanted over and over again. She thought it might help to say this but it had no effect. She was still scared out of her mind. She still continued, hoping she'd believe it.

Katniss was woken up abruptly. The only light source was coming from the hall. Two guards grabbed her out of bed and led her down a hallway. Before she knew it, she was in the Command Room sitting next to Finnick. He looked horrible, obviously sleep deprived. She could only imagine how horrible she looked. They were sitting across a table with 12 people, including Coin, facing them. Katniss recognized some of the faces. Some of the men had trained them for the mission. Surely they would stick up for them. Coin started the meeting.

"Soldier Katniss Everdeen. Soldier Finnick Odair. You are here for infiltrating a top-secret area to steal highly classified documents. We have eyewitness accounts along with video footage of you doing so. What do you say to these claims?"

"It was a mission. We were doing what we were told." Finnick said, defending them.

"A mission from whom? The Capitol?"

"A mission from you!" Finnick said as he slammed his hands on the table while standing up.

"I authorized no such mission." Coin lied. The other mission trainers didn't even flinch. They must have been in on this too, showing where their loyalties lie. "We brought you here to tell you about your charges. After much discussion, we have decided to charge you with for treason to the government of District 13. A tribunal will meet in a few days to decide what should be done with you."

Katniss couldn't believe what she was hearing. Treason. That was a serious charge. She wondered what the consequences would be…imprisonment? Torture? Death? She felt Finnick intertwine his hand with hers. Coin said a few more words before dismissing the rest of the people, telling Finnick and Katniss she wanted a word in private. She led him into her office and they took a seat in the usual spot. Coin sat behind her desk with a wicked smile on her face.

"You lied back there." Finnick said with anger.

"I had to do what was necessary." she said.

"Was it always going to be a set up?" Katniss asked. It was something she had to know.

"Of course it was. I had to do something about the two of you."

"What do you mean?" Katniss asked, still confused.

"I know what the two of you were up to. I was informed about your mealtime chats with the citizens of District 13. I know what were up to."

"We were just being friendly." Finnick lied.

"Mr. Odair, you really don't think I believe that do you? I know you've been up to something….some sort of plan to turn the citizens of District 13 against me. That's why I set up the fake mission. I knew I had to do something to tarnish your reputation. I must say, it took a lot of nerve for you to try to accomplish such a feat."

"So what happens to us next?" Finnick asked

"You'll find out after we make a decision."

"Are you going to kill us?" Katniss asked.

"No, of course not. I cannot kill the Mockingjay. I still need you." Coin said. Katniss found no relief in this statement. Lots of bad things could happen to her. She watched as Coin pushed a button on her phone. Two sets of guards appeared in the room and escorted them back to their separate cells.

Days went by as Katniss sat in the bright light of her cell. Eventually exhaustion took over and she went in and out of consciousness. On the fourth day, the cell door opened and Katniss was surprised to find Haymitch entering the room.

"Looking good sweetheart." he said with a chuckle. He must be drunk.

"Why are you here?" Katniss asked with bitterness.

"They made a decision about you and your accomplice…or is it the other way around. Were you the accomplice?" This statement swung her. Whose side was he on anyway?

"Why are you here?" she asked again.

"I'm supposed to bring the two of you up to the Command Room where they will read your charges and their punishment to you. Come on, we can't be late." he said. Katniss stood up and followed him to the hall where Finnick was waiting with two guards. Katniss ran into his arm, burying her head into his chest. His arm quickly went around her.

"Katniss it's going to be ok. Whatever they tell us in there. We are going to be ok." he whispered to her.

"Come on you two." Haymitch said, nudging them forward. The guards remained where they were. Katniss found it odd that Haymitch was allowed to escort them on his own. They got into the elevator and Haymitch pressed a button. He started to speak very low while looking forward.

"I don't have much time to speak. Coin is planning on executing Finnick and keeping you for…for something. We are going to the top level where you are going to escape. There will be guards there so you'll have to fight. Once you make it outside, you'll go into the woods and follow the snare line. Gale Hawthorne and Johanna Mason will be waiting with you with further instructions."

"What about our families?" Katniss murmured, trying to keep an even tone. She can't leave without her mother and Prim. She watched as Haymitch shielded his mouth with a flask before he spoke.

"They are hidden within District 13. They are safe. We will meet you when we can safely get out." Haymitch said. "When this door opens you are going to attack me and throw me out of the elevator, do you understand?" He took a swig of his drink. Katniss did. It had to look like Haymitch was in compliance with Coin. Finnick nodded once. The door opened to the level of the Command Center. Finnick took hold of Haymitch by the lapel of his jacket and slammed his head again the wall. He threw a couple of fake punches (that looked surprisingly real) before connecting his fist to Haymitch's eye. He threw Haymitch out of the elevator and they watched as he collapsed to the ground. Katniss only hoped it was just an act. Finnick hit the button to the top level and the doors closed.

"Whatever happens to me, you keep going ok?" Finnick said putting his hands on her shoulders.

"What do you mean?"

"If I can't get out, you go without me."

"Finnick." she gasped.

"Promise me." he said with vigor. "You have to get out. Coin cannot have you."

"I promise." she said with a shaky voice. She couldn't imagine leaving Finnick behind. He meant too much to her. The door opened and they were met by two guards that were guarding the entrance. Katniss and Finnick used the combat skills they learned to fight and disarm the guards. Katniss couldn't believe they were actually holding their own against them. They were 2 time Hunger Games Victors. That had to count for something. Once the guards were down, they pressed the button to the entrance door, which opened wide. They ran as fast as they could, not stopping for anything.

Winter was in full force. Snow lay on the ground and the cold air went right through their clothing. As they ran, Katniss thought about how they should have grabbed some jackets. They weren't thinking about that though. They were too concerned about just escaping. Katniss and Finnick followed the snare line deep into the forest until they saw their friends. Johanna was sitting on the ground while Gale frantically paced.

"Gale." Katniss choked out as she approached him. His eyes met hers as he ran to meet her. Their bodies collided with force as they held onto each other.

"You're ok. You're ok." Gale whispered.

"Where are we going?" she asked.

"Back to District 12." he told her. They stood in silence, holding onto each other.

"Come on, lovebirds. We don't have time to waste." Johanna said as she approached them. Katniss broke the embrace. As soon as she was out of Gale's arm's she watched Gale remove his jacket and hand it to her. She thought about refusing it but she was way to cold in her thin long sleeve shirt. She quickly put on the large coat and zipped it up.

"What about you?" she asked Gale.

"I made sure to bundle up. I'll be fine." he told her. She looked over and saw Johanna handing over a pile of clothing for Finnick that she must have grabbed from his room. There were two long-sleeved shirts and a hat. Katniss hoped it would be enough to keep him warm. The quartet started their journey deep into the woods in the direction of District 12. Gale talked about their route as they walked, estimating that it would take 3 to 5 days to travel. Their food supply was limited but they could hunt if they needed to.

"How did the two of you get out of District 13?" Katniss asked as they jogged.

"Johanna and I have been hunting the past couple of days. The cooks in District 13 have grown accustomed to our deliveries of game so they permitted Johanna and I to take over the hunting. Haymitch came to us and shared his plan to break you out. We made sure to be out hunting at the same time the breakout was planned."

"What about our families. Haymitch said they were hidden." Katniss asked with concern.

"There are lot of secret hiding places in the District, even ones that Coin isn't familiar with. I saw where they were hidden. It's a good place. No one would think to look there. Haymitch told me that Peeta Mellark is going to provide them with bread so they won't starve."

"What if they can't get out?" Katniss asked in a panic.

"They will. Haymitch is going to wait it out, find the best time to get them out. Beetee is working on some sort of spray that will knock out the guards. Once they escape, they will make the same journey we are now."

"And what if the plan doesn't work out?"

"It will." Gale said with finality. Katniss grabbed hold of his arm before stopping.

"What if it doesn't?" she pressed.

"Then they will be taken as hostages." Gale said, giving her the answer she already knew.

"And we will go back right?" Katniss asked. Gale didn't say anything. "Gale, we'd go back for them. Tell me we would."

"Katniss, we'd have no way to know what happened to them, where they were, or even how to get inside District 13. We'd have to carry on."

"Carry on?" Katniss said now outraged. "You knew this the whole time, didn't you? That this could happen?"

"The most important thing was to get you out of there."

"What for?"

"Coin was going to use you for her plan to take over the Capitol. And once she was done with you, she was going to kill you too."

"But she can't kill me. It would cause an outrage." Katniss said. It was true. Citizens of Panem had a special place in their hearts for her. Even after they had their freedom, they would still see her as an important person.

"Accidents happen all the time." he said with fervor.

"And what about your family? And my family? How could you just leave them?" Katniss asked with bitterness. "You're family mean everything to you."

"You think I wanted to leave them there? You think I want something bad to happen to them?"

"Then how could you not go back for them?" Katniss shouted. Gale's expression became serious.

"If they aren't in District 12 in a week, I will go back for them…all of them." he said. Katniss wrapped his arms around.

"I know we can do it Gale. I know we can rescue them. We can—"

"—Katniss I said I would go back."

"And me?"

"You would stay in District 12."

"No I wouldn't."

"You cannot be captured Katniss. They'll kill you. I couldn't let that happen to you." he murmured. She knew there was no point in arguing with him. He wouldn't change his mind about that. She started walking in the direction the have been traveling with the rest of their party behind her. Gale caught up with her and took her hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. "If something bad happened to you, I wouldn't be able to live with myself. I'd think about it everyday, things I could have done differently to save you. It's important for me to keep you safe."

"I can take care of myself." she said. She had always seen herself as self-reliant. She never needed anyone to take care of her before.

"Katniss, when you love someone, you make sure they are taken care of." he told her. She looked up at him. He leaned down and kissed her cheek before whispering 'I love you.' She could feel herself blush while silently cursing him and the hold he had over her.

"I love you too." she said with a sigh. The four made their way through the forest in silence with some random comments added in. They didn't stop walking until evening, where they found a place to rest for the night. Johanna handed them each a thick slice of bread for dinner.

"I feel like I'm back in the Games." Katniss commented out loud.

"At least we don't have to worry about the Gamemakers sending anything our way." Gale said as he wrapped his arm around her.

"No poisonous fog." Finnick said with a shudder.

"We have plenty of other things to worry about though. They are probably out looking for us. And we don't have that many supplies." Katniss said.

"I'd take a parachute right about now." Finnick said trying to lighten the mood. "Or maybe some sugar cubes." he said winking at Katniss. Katniss found a small stone and threw it at him.

"Stop!" she said with a laugh.

"Sugar cubes?" Gale asked with a quizzical brow.

"Yeah something Finnick said to me before the Opening Ceremonies for the Quell. You wouldn't believe how these two treated me before the Games started."

"We were just having a little fun." Johanna said, in a mock innocence.

"And what did you do?" Gale asked Johanna.

"I was completely harmless." she said back to Gale.

"Oh please, you were all over him." Katniss said with a laugh. "During the whole Quell actually."

"I couldn't help myself. It was also rather amusing how mad you were with me. And I eventually stopped."

"I wish I could remember the Quell." Gale said. "I don't like not knowing."

"You're lucky you can't remember. Some really horrible things happened in there." Finnick said.

"Like what?" Gale asked crossing his arms. Finnick looked over to Katniss, as if he was requesting permission to share. She nodded at him, knowing he would be selective with what he shared.

"Well first you ran into a force field and technically died. She as a wreck, I had to save your life. Then the Gamemakers sent some fog away. It blistered our skin and attacked our nerves. Mags died in the fog." he said almost in a trance.

"Who's Mags?" Gale asked.

"My District partner…my mentor from my Games. She saved us."

"I'm sorry. What else happened?" Gale asked.

"You tried to kill me. Bashed my head with a rock…several times." Finnick told Gale. Gale looked over to Katniss to confirm it.

"That's wasn't his fault. I told him to. And to be fair, we though you were trying to kill us."

"I know, but it was still bad."

"After that the alliance was broken and we were by ourselves." Katniss said.

"Did anything bad happen after that? With us?" Gale asked.

"The Careers from District 1 found us…tried to kill us. Gloss sliced your abdomen. I thought you were going to die. Haymitch sent medicine. It saved your life. The Gamemakers didn't give us long after you healed. They sent mutts after us; they chased us into another section, which turned to darkness. We couldn't escape. I was scared out of my mind, but you calmed me down. You told me about that time we fell asleep in the woods and how scared I was."

"You were terrified." Gale said with a smirk. "Then what did I do?"

"You…we…" she trailed off as she blushed deeply.

"Oh, my, gosh, you didn't!" Johanna shouted out with shock. "You had sex in the Arena!" Katniss nodded with embarrassment, mainly with how big of a deal Johanna was making it.

"Seriously?" Finnick added.

"Yes, Finnick we did, alright? And that's all you're hearing about it."

"I'd like to hear more." Gale whispered in her ear.

"Later." Katniss murmured as she gave his a small smile.

"So what happened next?"

"These two found us. Johanna dug a knife into my arm."

"For the last time, I was getting your tracker out." Johanna said in exasperation.

"Still hurt." Katniss teased. "After that, I shot an arrow at a flaw in the force field. A hovercraft appeared and lifted me out of the Arena. The rebels had gotten Beetee, Finnick and me. They couldn't get to you and Johanna in time. The Capitol got to you and took you hostage and you stayed there until the rebels came for you. And that was it."

"What did they do to us there?" he asked Johanna.

"Tortured us. I'm not sure what they did to you, but it was bad on my end. I could hear you sometimes, screaming, calling out her name."

"I guess it's a good thing that I can't remember it."

"You're not missing out on anything, trust me." Johanna said with a shiver.

"As much as I hate to break up all the reminiscing, I think it's time to get some sleep. We have a long day tomorrow." Finnick said. The other three agreed. Katniss curled up to Gale. The temperature had already dropped to freezing and she was sure it would get colder during the night.

"You'll be ok?" Katniss asked with concern.

"Of course I will. I've got the Girl on Fire in my arms." he said with a small smile.

"Gale." she said, rolling her eyes.

"I'll be fine." he said. Katniss looked over and found that even Finnick and Johanna were huddled together. She still wondered about them, if they had ever done anything together. Or maybe this was just them trying to survive the cold. She swept the thought from her mind as she closed her eyes and tried to get some rest.

Whew, Katniss and Finnick escaped. Any predictions? Do you think they'll get to District 12? If so, what do you think will happen once they get there? If not, what do you think will happen? I would love to hear your thoughts! You know I like reviews :)