A/N: If you want a list of characters, just PM me and I'll send it over. I'll add it as my last chapter once this story is completed.

You can feel it in the air, the sense of hopelessness coming off the other Avoxes. Messalina's arrival tells us one thing: nothing will ever change now. Under Paylor and the districts we at least stood a chance at becoming people again. While Messalina won't live forever, she'll name a successor. And that successor is strongly starting to look like Phoenix. But that would be the case if Messalina was loyal to the Captiol.

A week into their arrival and a pair of Peacekeepers pull me from my chores. I'm brought into Messalina's office where she, my grandfather, and Phoenix are sitting comfortably.

"I still say you should've held her for ransom" says Phoenix. "They might've even traded for Vixen, Madam Galba."

Messalina smiles, "My dear Hector, how many from the districts did we kill before District Thirteen even showed their faces? We did many things over the years to try and coax them out of hiding. Why, even the Hunger Games was an attempt to get them to come out and yet they waited.

"No, they would not give in so easily for one person. Steev knows that she's their biggest bargaining chip. And when we take over, she'll be their shield against my wrath. But make no mistake, as soon as she's safe with us I won't care about the structural integrity of their district."

"Wasn't District Twelve enough for you, Lina?" says Grandfather casually.

Messalina turns an icy stare to him, "District Twelve wasn't responsible for bombing innocent children in front of my home, Marcus. They deserve to be obliterated."

I keep my eyes focused on Grandfather's glass. If I didn't know any better I'd think she meant every last word.

"Easily done," Phoenix says leaning back. "They are so conveniently disarming themselves of their stash of nukes."

"They only need to fire off one," says Grandfather. I can see that he's struggling to not add 'idiot'. Right now, he's playing nice. "But that's a topic for another day. Right now I have some business to attend to with this Avox."

"Panthra, we all know she's your granddaughter," says Phoenix.

Grandfather ignores him. "You're permitted to communicate."

From there the three of them grill me on everything I know about Vixen. And the worst part is I tell them. Supposedly I was to get close to her and the other Welkins so I better know more about them than the rest of the Jabberjays.

They stop and another person walks into the room. He pays no attention to me as he bows in front of Messalina. "You sent for me madam?"

She smiles, "Justinian Burks is it?"

"Yes ma'am."

"I am so terribly sorry about the loss of your family. They were loyal down to the bone as I understand."

"Thank you, ma'am," Justinian replies. There's pain in his eyes. Vixen told me the district executed his older brother and sister as well as his parents.

"Is there anything I can do for you?" she asks.

"I appreciate the offer, but no ma'am."

"Very well. While I have you in here I'd like to speak to you about the Welkins."

"I'm afraid my knowledge only extends to the second son and his family since he married the mayor's daughter. I know as much as anyone else about the others. But then I guess I didn't really know them at all if they were at the center of the rebellion in District Five."

Shaking her head with mock pain Messalina adds, "Yes. Who would've thought that the children of my best friend would be capable of such treason? I kept a close watch on that family over the years and it is not your fault any more than it is mine for not discovering their disloyalty."

"Justinian here has been quite valuable to us," says Phoenix. "We almost had young Vixen thanks to him."

"Oh? Do tell," says Messalina looking like a curious child for a story. Quite frankly I'm curious as well.

"At a party, I ran into an Avox that I recognized as the traitor granddaughter of Marcus Panthra. I knew the districts' hatred for the Panthras and used this to our advantage by going to the Training Center under the pretense of arresting her."

"Would've worked too," interrupts Phoenix, "If the girl hadn't chosen to sneak out that night."

Messalina nods, "Well, that's what we call bad luck. But there will be other opportunities to recover her. But I think you have a very bright future."

"Thank you ma'am," says Justinian.

For the next hour they talk about the family I've grown closest to. Justinian gives them some details that I know and a lot that I don't. The other three nod their heads at certain points but Grandfather and Messalina have a look in their eyes but I'm not sure what it means.

When it is finished, Messalina dismisses Phoenix and Justinian. Once they're out of the room, Grandfather flips a switch making the room bug free.

Taking a deep breath, Messalina leans back in her chair, "I knew there was a reason to not kill Snow before the end of the war."

Grandfather chuckles, "Lina, you and I deal with a new set of pups every five years or so. This one will be no different on training him to behave."

Smiling a bit, Messalina changes the topic, "That boy has an agenda."

"Yep," says Grandfather draining his glass. "I don't know much about him, but I do know that Blane Peaks was somewhat of a father figure to him. For Blane to be partially responsible for his family's death could be an act of betrayal to him. You could promise him District Five to him when this is over."

"Sounds like a plan. Now shut up and greet your granddaughter. I've been waiting for this all week."

Grandfather stares at her in mock submissiveness, "Yes ma'am."

Getting up he holds out his arms and I walk into them. "You all right?"

I nod.

He holds me for another minute before letting go. Messalina then takes her turn.

"What were you thinking coming here?"

I wince when she cups my face.

"Hold it," snaps Grandfather.

Taking my chin he lifts it to the light and traces my face. That stare that would inspire fear in even Snow instantly appears on his face. "Who?"

"Marcus?"

"They broke her cheekbone." He lets go and looks over the rest of me. He won't find any marks. The medicine took care of that. "Young lady, I asked you a question."

I point to the chair that Phoenix sat in.

"Lina, at the end of this he's mine."

Messalina just shrugs, "Since when have I ever interfered?"

I do not want to be Phoenix right now.

"Now, Marcus, you are going to give me your Avox so that she can tell me anything I wish to know about my niece."

"Very well," replies Grandfather. "You girls have fun. I'm going to see what kind of damage I can do between Liber and Hector. I'm willing to bet Liber doesn't plan on taking orders from him for long."

There's some silence after he leaves before Messalina takes my hands and has me sit in a chair. She's up to something as she gets an impish grin on her face and sweetly says, "Now dear. You know I'm a die hard for fantasy stories. I… just love them. So believe me when I say I want every possible detail out of you about this new story I've heard of that recently came out."

I shrug unaware of what she's talking about. There hasn't been a new book published since the war.

Messalina's smile deepens. "It doesn't have a title yet, but I think "The Avox and the Rebel," has a nice ring to it, don't you think?" Her sweet expression disappears, "Start talking sister." And then she smiles again.

A/N: For the sake of my pride, please review.