Chapter 28 – Secrets Revealed
AN: Many thanks to those who alerted, favored and posted a review. My thanks to my faithful reviewers – MaidenAlice, Shellibug, BDizzy, DramionEverlarklover26, Mspriss523, Buttercupadass, LACR, Nai1987, pumpkinking5, J, pistonsfan75, jroseley and guest. Your comments are always appreciated and an inspiration. There are no words to express how your comments motivate me to keep writing. The fact that you took time to write a review leaves me gobsmacked with pride and gratitude.
This chapter contains Rye, Haymitch and Katniss' POVs and has now entered the M rating. You have been warned. All characters belong to Suzanne Collins and any mistakes found are mine.
Rye POV ––
"Delly, love open the door," I cajoled as I laid my head on the door panel. "Please, sweetheart." There I stood stark naked in our home. We were in midst of making love when she suddenly shoved me off of her and ran straight to the bathroom with a hand over her mouth. I tried not to be offended but after having your wife stop right when you were amidst the biggest and pleasurable orgasm in your life was down right disappointing and frustrating. I felt insulted then I stopped myself as I realized that she couldn't help the morning sickness she experienced. She was after all carrying my firstborn child. We had not planned to have children for a couple of years but––fate had plans for us. I could never regret having our baby but wished we had better timing.
The sound of her retching continued. I winced as the smell of vomit permeated through the door. "No, go away, Rye. Leave me alone and let me die." I rolled my eyes and stared at the ceiling as I counted to ten in my head. I loved Delly with no doubt in my mind, but her flair for dramatics was annoying. However, when I thought about my dad and how his love and married compared to mine, I knew that I was lucky.
"Honey, please open the door," I pleaded. It was warm in our bedroom unlike rooming with Peeta who insisted in leaving the windows open at night even during the winter season. It was always freezing cold every morning. Once Graham married I moved into his room. After moving in with Delly after our wedding, I missed waking up at the bakery with dad and Peeta already downstairs prepping for the day––the smell of bread, coffee and yeast lingered in the air and the heat warming the rest of the bakery. Now, I awakened to sweet smell of flowers and a warm soft body next to me. I wouldn't change it for anything in the world but there are moments when I missed Dad and my brothers. An image of Peeta flashed in my mind.
I never resented dad's preference to Peeta. He favored him, but I understood the common bond they shared––the love of baking. I was born into the profession so I couldn't say I was good at it like Peeta. He was a natural––inheriting the talent for baking from dad. I could even admit he was a lot better than him. I had told Dad early that I didn't want the bakery when Graham changed professions as a butcher. I could tell he was relieved and I never resented him for it. Just as long as I had a job and Delly in my life I was set and content. I couldn't ask for more.
"Delly, please open the door," I asked again. She had stopped vomiting but I could hear her sniffling and sobbing. Another thing about her pregnancy, Delly cried a lot, and I do mean a lot. She cried when she was happy and cried when she was sad. She cried over the simplest things like when she saw our laundry mixed together for the first time or when I attempted to make cheese buns at home because she was craving it. It may not taste like Peeta's but if she wanted the buns how could I deny the mother of my child her craving.
"No, I'm sweaty and I stink," she replied back. "I feel horrible and I look like shit. I'm going to take a shower." I sighed. We have only been married a few days and I felt as though everything has changed. I was overjoyed because of our new addition but also grieving for the loss of my brother Graham. I miss him. The mix of emotions flustered and angered me. I worried over my new unborn child, my wife and my brother Peeta. They are both eligible for the reaping ceremony. And then to compound my fears I discovered that the MockingJay nearly kidnapped Peeta. My mind couldn't come to grip of the idea. I thought he was on our side, our ally. I remembered my reaction when dad told what happened the day before. The night that we almost lost Peeta again but this time it was with someone I had never expected.
Flashback ––
"Dad, where are you going? Where's Peeta?" I asked. I walked into the bakery early morning to get some bread. He looked as though he hasn't slept as he came out of the bathroom. His hair was wet and his clothes wrinkled. Since mom's departure, our clothes were not pressed as she did the laundry for everyone and ironed our clothes. It was the only thing I missed about her.
"Something happened," he began as I noticed he struggled to find words. A chill ran up my spine. I knew something bad had happened when I walked into the bakery. It was empty, no bread or pastry prepared or the ovens turned on. And Peeta was missing.
"What?" I cried out in panic. "Where's Peeta." I ran into his room and found his bed untouched the windows closed shut.
"Rye, please let me explain," he implored. "Peeta is fine, but something happened last night when he was walking home after his date with Katniss."
"What?"
"The…someone tried to kidnap him last night––"
"What? What the fuck, dad. Where is he?" Jesus, what the hell was going on?
"I told you he's fine, Rye. He sleeping at the Everdeen's house," he stated. "That's where I was headed."
"I want to go with you," I said as I started walking towards the door.
"No, Rye," he shook his head. "I need you to start prepping for today––"
I shook my head vigorously. "No, dad. No, I want to see Peeta."
"No, Rye," he exclaimed. "You need to keep our business open." I opened my mouth to argue with him.
"Fuck the bakery, dad," I said in disbelief.
"Rye, please. I'm barely containing any control I have left. I need you…I need you to take over this morning as you usually do before heading out to school."
"I'm not going to school." I argued. "You just said someone tried to kidnap Peeta. Who? Why?"
"Rye," he sighed. He looked exhausted. "Please don't argue with me. Peeta is fine and is asleep. I'm heading there now to check up on him. I felt bad enough for leaving him there but…"
"What? Why didn't you take him home here so he can rest here?" I inquired.
"When Haymitch and Katniss found him, he was closer to the Seam and…I didn't have the heart to separate him from Katniss," he admitted. "I already…I almost ruined things for them so I just thought he would rather wake up there with her than here." There was something off about him. I knew that Peeta was devastated when dad turned on Katniss it ultimately led to their breakup. Dad was fortunate that Peeta had a forgiving nature. Both he and Katniss was lucky––had dad did that to Delly and me, I wouldn't have never forgiven him. Even as Peeta forgiven him there was still tension between them.
I didn't want to add more pressure or stress so I relented. I took a deep breath. "Who…you didn't say who almost kidnapped him," I muttered. "Was it one of Snow's flunkies…one of the peacekeepers?" Dad shook his head. "Who?"
"The…it was the MockingJay," he revealed. My mouth opened wide and my eyebrows furrowed. I was beyond stunned, flabbergasted and surprised. What the hell?
"The…the MockingJay?" I gasped. "The MockingJay? Why? What for? Why would he do that?"
"I don't have any answers."
"Are you sure it was him?"
"Yes, both Haymitch and Katniss found him carrying Peeta on his shoulders. He obviously drugged him to restrain him. If it wasn't for Haymitch and Katniss, who knows where he would have taken Peeta."
"I don't understand?" I said in confusion and anger. "Why…why would he do that to Peeta? Is that why he's here in District 12?"
"What do you mean, Rye?" he asked. I wasn't stupid. There were so many rumors that the MockingJay was seen in 12, but he was also seen in several of the districts so I chalked it up as rumor––something that the citizen of 12 gossiped about to entertain themselves. So the rumor was true, he was in District 12. He was here for Peeta.
"Dad, it's all over 12 that he's seen here." I snorted. "I'm not completely clueless, you know. I know––" I lowered my voice. "I know that you and Mr. Abernathy and Mr. Everdeen are involved with––"
"Stop, Rye." He raised his hand. "Don't say anything anymore."
"Dad, I'm not stupid," I repeated. "I know that Graham and you have been talking and meeting with…other people." Dad rubbed the bottom of his chin. It was a sign that he was caught in lie or kept a secret. "Why didn't you tell me?"
"I'm sorry Rye," he repented. "I was trying to keep you all safe and I would have told you at the proper time."
"How long, dad?" I pressed. "How long have you been involved with the rebellion?"
"I…I've been involved for a while now…before you were born…before I married your mother. She didn't know either if that's your next question."
"I'm not surprised she didn't know," I acknowledged. She would have been against it. She liked the life she once had. "I want to know why MockingJay tried to kidnap Peeta?" I asked. "What was he trying to accomplish?"
"I don't know." I didn't believe him. My disbelief must have shown on my face. "I mean it, I don't know. Rye, I just lost Graham and we've almost Peeta so many times. My only concern has been about my family. This whole incident has thrown me over the loop. I can't even begin to tell you…or explain it myself."
"It just doesn't make sense, dad."
"I know," he agreed. "Listen, we have to keep this quiet. No can know what happened. And in the meantime, keep Delly close to you." Now he was scaring me. "There too much going on. We need to be alert."
"For what?" I didn't understand what he was asking.
"I can't tell everything you right now, but I can tell you this," he started. "We…this district will be under fire soon. I need you and Delly to pack a bag and be prepared."
"A bag? For what?" I inquired.
"I need you both to be able to leave at moment's notice," he instructed. "I can't tell you all the detail right now, but I just need you both ready incase…"
"Incase of what?"
"Incase we need to leave District 12 immediately," he supplied. "And for good." The thought scared me. Dad was asking me to leave the life I have in 12. The life I only knew and was beginning with Delly. We are about to have a child soon and he or she was going to be born outside of 12 by the sound of it. There was no security in our future. I was about to question him some more. "Please Rye, trust me and do as I tell you."
"What do I tell Delly?" I was flummoxed and scared.
"Don't lie to her," he said. "Tell her everything. You can't start your marriage with a lie even if it means to protect her. I know she'll be okay as long as you stick by her." Delly was my life now, her and our unborn child. I was prepared to let her be oblivious to the plans, but dad was right. I couldn't lie to her and then expect her to leave 12 without an explanation. So I told her everything.
End of Flashback ––
"Honey, do you feel better?" I asked my pregnant wife as she entered the room. She looked pale and tired as she was dressed in a knee length light pink dress. It was one of my favorites as she lost her virginity in that dress. I smiled at the memory. She wasn't showing yet but her morning sickness obviously confirmed her condition as she had a hand on top of her stomach and she looked deathly pale. Since she told me of her pregnancy I had to pinch myself everyday, I am going to be a father in a few months. "Do you want warm milk?" She scrunched her nose. "Oh, how about some juice. I think there's orange or apple?"
"Do we have any tomatoes?" 'Huh, what tomatoes?'
"Tomatoes," I repeated in a stunned manner. "Why do you want––"
"I'm really thirsty for some tomato juice," she announced as she walked over to the icebox.
"Ewww…really?"
"I think the baby wants tomato juice. I want some now," she said. That's another thing, she demanded food she never ate before the pregnancy. Tomatoes were one thing and the other was beer. Delly hated beer. She spewed beer from her mouth and down my shirt when I offered her a sip during my birthday a few months ago. Now she craved for it but she couldn't drink it because of the baby.
"That's disgusting, Rye," she said with her tongue hanging out of her mouth. "That's so vile, how can you drink that?" She proceeded to wash her tongue out with water and chewed on a mint leaf to cleanse the taste from her mouth.
"Dad said that Mr. Cartwright brewed it himself," I commented. "It's not bad. I like it. And he made it for my birthday." She hated beer only meant more for me.
Now that I thought about it, it was probably the night that we conceived our little treasure. Delly commented that I was slightly drunk and extremely amorous.
"I don't know who got the better deal last night me or you?" she said in coquettish manner. "You were like an animal."
Since then our coupling had been wild, hard and fast. We made love on every surface of our new home––from the living room, kitchen table, and bathroom. We have yet to make love in…I winced as I realized that our early morning lovemaking was interrupted due to her morning sickness. Her cravings wavered between food and sex. I was exhausted by both demands. I considered myself a very lucky man. I didn't struggle to find love like Peeta. I wasn't tortured or used by Snow or the MockingJay. I had a wife and child on the way. Yes, I'm a very lucky man.
The thought of joining the rebellion was prominent in my mind, but then the MockingJay tried to kidnap Peeta. What the hell! I wanted Snow to be removed from his office and abolish the Hunger Games, but…after what MockingJay did or tried to do Peeta, my loyalty and desire to free Panem from Snow I now questioned. Did I have to sacrifice my own brother Peeta to attain that goal––sacrificing his life against the entire nation of Panem. It was obvious why he wanted Peeta like Snow he was going to use him.
I'm pissed, annoyed and scared. I needed answers and dad was not forthcoming.
"Rye, Rye! I'm talking to you," Delly exhaled in exasperation. "Why don't you take a shower?" 'Huh? What?' I was so busy inside my head contemplating that I had forgotten where I was at the moment. I only had on a pair of boxers and a t-shirt.
"Sorry, Delly," I muttered. "I…I'm just thinking."
"About?" she asked as she took a bite on a tomato? 'Ewww.' I turned my head and took a sip of coffee. She munched on the vegetable like it was an apple enjoying her self as juice ran down her mouth. I turned my head to stop looking at her.
"Peeta and everything," I answered her.
"Were you able to talk to him?" I nodded my head. "How is he? I mean the thing with the MockingJay has got to be worrisome for him. Does he think that MockingJay might try to kidnap him again?"
"Yeah, and that's got me worried," I said as I recalled our conversation the day before.
Flashback ––
"Hey, Peeta," I called out to my younger brother. Dad was out on delivery which I found odd as he hardly ever volunteered for the task. Usually he'd sent Peeta or me for deliveries. "How are you doing?"
"I'm okay, Rye," he said in a nonchalant manner. We were in the midst of slow afternoon with Delly and Katniss at front and Prim upstairs watching Tyler. He looked tired but…content. I guess he had a really nice date with Katniss the night before––before the MockingJay tried to kidnap him. "So…did you have a nice time on your date last night?" Peeta blushed bright red, his cheek and ear pink and flushed. "That good huh?" I teased him. There was little joy in his life so I was happy that he finally was dating Katniss for real.
"I'm really sorry that MockingJay ruined the rest of the night for you," I admitted. "I'm just really glad that Haymitch and Katniss was there before he…" The word stuck in my throat.
"I just don't know what's going on, Rye," he sighed. "I thought…I never thought that he would do that. I mean…why would he do that?"
"I don't know, Peeta," I answered him. I was totally clueless as to why he tried to take Peeta by force. "I asked dad and he didn't have any answers either."
"I'm so tired, Rye," he confessed. "I don't understand why all this is happening to me. I…all I ever wanted was Katniss, you know? I don't understand why it took all this to happen to me in order to have her in my life. It's just not fair."
"I'm sorry Peeta," I returned. I had no words to comfort him––I wasn't good with words like he was. Peeta could charm any girl––he could literally charm the pants off of them had he tried. I possessed my own strengths but I sometimes envied Peeta's gift with words, his wit and charm. "I wish there is something I could do."
"There is, Rye," he voiced as he had a look in eyes that I didn't like. "Promise me something." I didn't like the direction of this conversation. It had a bad and ominous tone to it, but how could I deny him anything just as I asked if I there was something I could do for him?
"Whatever you need just ask me," I swore. It's moment like this I miss Graham. When I needed advise I sought out my older brother for everything. I loved my dad but he failed us in so many ways. Depending on him was one of them. I knew that he loved us but he never fought for us when it came to our mom. I wanted Peeta to feel and know that he could depend on me.
"If anything happens to me––" I was about argue with him but he raised his hand and spoke further. "I need you to promise that incase something happens to me that you will take care of Tyler and dad." I nodded my head. That was request was easy. "And…I need to know that you…will watch over Katniss. I know she can take care for herself." I smiled. "I know that she'll move on if something happened to me, but I need to know that she has someone to watch her back. That she can depend on our family––that she can depend on you, dad, and Delly to be there for her."
"Of course, I will," I said. I didn't like it. He spoke as if his demise was a foregone conclusion. That he expected to not survive as if his fate was sealed.
"Take care of her for me," he added. "And be her friend even if she insists that she doesn't need one."
"I will, Peeta. I promise," I pledged. "But hey, nothing is going to happen to you, Peeta. You have a lot of people to protect you. And you have Katniss." He smiled, a big toothy grin as his eyes twinkled with mirth. "Besides, Katniss would never let anything happen to you now. We Mellarks are a catch. Once we hook you, you can't help but wants us."
"You're full of it, Rye," Peeta snickered. "I can't understand how a nice girl like Delly would fall for that crap. I'd be lucky to have a girl like Delly so don't mess up."
I never understood how he put himself down so much. At time, I envied the girls the flocked all over him. I never understood how he could pass all the girls that threw themselves at him but then I remembered his crush on Katniss Everdeen––his attraction to a girl, a Seam girl boggled me.
"Hey, I'm best thing that ever happened to Delly," I exclaimed in mock anger.
"No, Rye. She is the best thing that ever happened to you," Peeta disputed. I couldn't argue with him on that fact.
"I'll keep my promise as long as you promise me something as well," I returned. He nodded his head. "That you don't give up. I know that it's been really hard for you…no one could have endured what you have if you weren't strong, Peeta. I admire you for it."
"I don't know if I have it me anymore," he confessed. His confession angered me. "I'm so tired Rye. It's taking all I have to not give up."
"God damnit, Peeta," I bellowed. "You can't give up now. I know you're tired. But you have a lot of people who love you." I knew his weakness and I had to use it. "You have been in love with Katniss for most for your life. You finally have her and she wants you back in return. When you feel at your lowest, remember that. I know I do when I feel like all this bullshit is not worth it. But I'm lucky…I never experienced what you have––I don't have both President Snow and the MockingJay after me. I know how lucky I am."
"Don't remind me," he sighed.
"Just remember one thing," I reiterated. "There's a girl out there who loves you back."
"She doesn't, Rye."
"Shut the fuck up and listen to me," I argued. "She may not realize it but she does. It might take her time to realize it but she does love you. That is what's worth living and fighting for. Don't give up on yourself and on her because you're tired. She is worth fight for."
End of Flashback ––
My conversation with Peeta still bothered me. I didn't like his defeatist attitude. He was scaring me. As his older brother, I may be married and have child on the way but it didn't mean I stopped being his older brother. Since dad was not forthcoming in my need for answers I knew whom to go to find them. After dinner I walked Delly to her parent's house. She wanted to spend time with her mom and do 'pregnancy stuff' before the baby arrived.
I knocked on the wood panel door with great trepidation. I had never visited our only victor but I needed answer so…
"Who the hell is––" Haymitch greeted me his eyes narrow and scowl in place. "What the hell, Rye. Something wrong? Is Peeta okay?" I sighed.
"Peeta's fine, Haymitch," I answered back. "I just need to talk to you."
"Okay, come in," he said as he turned around. I have never been inside his home so what I saw fazed me. I had expected his house to be shambles but I was surprised as his home was clean and organized. "Want anything to drink?"
"No thanks, I don't mean to stay long," I returned.
"I could take a guess why you're here," Haymitch surmised. "You're here because of Peeta."
"Yes and no," I admitted. "Yes, I'm here to talk about what happened to Peeta but the reason for my visit is…I have questions that dad couldn't or rather wouldn't answer them."
Haymitch's eyes rolled. "You know, Rye, if your dad didn't say anything to you what makes you think I'll say anything that he wouldn't?"
"Because I know that he would do anything to keep our family safe even if it meant keeping it to himself. Peeta takes after him in that way," I snorted. "The problem with that is it also leaves us open to attacks that I need to be prepared for." Threats and attacks that ended my brother and his wife's life. I needed to be prepared for any outcome.
"You have a point but you have to see it at his end," he started. "The less you know the better you are."
"And not knowing that Peeta was in danger, in danger from the MockingJay of all people?" I sneered back. "Look what happened? Did you know that the MockingJay wanted Peeta?" Haymitch remained quiet for a few second. His refusal to answer only confirmed my suspicions. "What the fuck, Haymitch? How can you sit there and justify what he did? It was obvious that Peeta didn't want to go with him that he had to drug him. He was taking him by force. Who the hell does he think he is?"
"Now listen, boy," he bristled back. "I don't have to answer to you. My involvement with the rebellion and MockingJay is none of your concern."
"It is if it involves the only brother I have left, it is my business. What affects him affects everyone I love" I spewed back in anger. "Dad was right, this is all the MockingJay's fault. Peeta…his life in is danger because or him."
Haymitch sighed as if he was resigned with that fact. "I know, Rye. I know. But what else can we do? All we can do is try to protect Peeta and everyone involved in his life. That means anyone he is close to. Listen, he's not the only one in danger. All of us are, you, me, your new wife and unborn child. You are right to be angry but staying angry and pointing the finger is unproductive. We need to deal with the issues on hand before anyone we care about gets hurt."
What he said I already knew because Graham was the first casualty. "What we can all do now is…protect everyone we love. You, Rye have a family to protect. You need to let me and your dad protect Peeta and everyone else. I know you're worried about your brother but trust me and your dad to keep every one from harm."
"Even if it means the MockingJay as well," I pressed. "I need to know Haymitch, I need to know who to trust. I thought that MockingJay was on our side but after what he attempted to do…I feel helpless to protect Peeta when I can't even trust him as well."
"I'm sorry I can't give the answer you need and any reassurances but you can depend on this. Your father and I will protect you and your family. You need to stay on guard and watch over Delly and her kin."
"I know that," I snorted.
"Then, trust me and your dad to protect Peeta," Haymitch muttered. "As for the MockingJay, I can assure you it…he will be dealt with." It was all empty promises to me. His words didn't reassure me at all that Peeta was safe or anyone for that matter.
At school, it didn't feel at all like I was married. Delly's friends teased her by calling her Mrs. Mellark. I felt a great sense of pride knowing that he was my wife now. And the news of her pregnancy spread like wild fire. Her classmates gushed and congratulated her. My classmates slapped me on the back. Our new addition only compounded my fears and concerns because Delly was still eligible for the lottery and if she was chosen she would be at least four months pregnant at the time of the games. I felt sick to my stomach just thinking about it.
I looked across the school grounds to find Peeta sitting amongst his new companions––Prim and Madge and his girlfriend Katniss. I smiled knowing that he had done what I thought was impossible; Katniss Everdeen, the girl he had loved since was five was now his girlfriend for real. He sat beside her holding Katniss' hand on his lap as he listened to Prim. He looked…content. Katniss appeared happy and at ease. They made a striking couple with his blond hair and fair skin in contrast to her dark locks and olive complexion. They were a miracle.
I closed my eyes and took a deep cleansing breath. There was so much we gained and at the same time so much to lose. In a short time, I had lost a mother and brother but gained a wife and unborn child. Peeta has Tyler and was finally with his girl and dad…he no longer was underfoot with a woman who didn't love or respected him. Despite the tragedies we endured we're pretty fortunate. I just don't know how long that would last.
"Rye, are you okay?" Delly's voice interrupted my train of thought. "Is there something wrong? You've been staring at Peeta for the last ten minutes."
"I'm okay, Delly,' I returned. Before I turned my head, Peeta caught my eye. He nodded his head and smiled as I returned the gesture. "At this moment, everything is okay."
Haymitch POV ––
My hands shook from exhaustion and anxiety. Since Peeta's incident I felt prickly and agitated. Small noises startled me making me aware of my surroundings 24/7. At this moment, nothing comforted me. It didn't help that there was an overwhelming smell of coal smothering my senses. Whose brilliant idea was it to meet at Mine Shaft #2.? 'Me, that's who,' a voice in my head reminded me.
In front of me stood and gathered twenty-two men––mostly Seam and a few Merchant. Both sides of the divide that knew the MockingJay and I were involved with the rebellion. Well, they all didn't exactly know MockingJay's true identity. We spared them that information incase any one of them were caught or suspected of treason against Snow. We were all sworn to secrecy and never to meet unless it was an emergency. Well, after Peeta's incident this was an emergency.
"My apologies, guys," I started. I flinched my eyes as I tried to focus. The shaft was dimly lit with a couple of torches and oil lamps. We had to be discreet in case there was a peacekeeper patrol outside the entryway. "But it was necessary to call you as we are faced with a very big dilemma." I explained the situation about the contact we made with District 13 and Peeta's kidnapping. "So you see, it was necessary to meet so we can discuss and make plans, but also warn you of things to come."
"What the hell is going on, Haymitch?" Ray Jameson, a Seam miner in his late 30's asked.
"Please before you guys get started with the questions," I said. "Please let me address this…the MockingJay that drugged and almost kidnapped Peeta wasn't our MockingJay?"
"What do you mean he isn't our MockingJay?" another voice cried out.
"What's going on?" Jameson inquired. "I mean…you just said––"
"Just what I said," I repeated. "The MockingJay that attempted to kidnapped Peeta Mellark is not our MockingJay." This was an epic mess to explain.
"There's another…an imposter posing as the MockingJay here in 12. He was the one that tried to kidnap Jimmy's kid," I blurted.
"You're telling me that we can't trust our own leader?" he continued. "Who are we to follow if we can't trust him? Are you sure there's an imposter? What if––"
"Ray, I've have known MockingJay most of my life and I can assure you as God is my witness, we have an imposter posing as him. Our MockingJay is an honest man who fights for us…for our future. He would not resort to kidnapping our children…to force them to join our cause."
"I can attest to character as well," Nate spoke in turn. "I know him. This is not act of a honest man but an imposter."
"So what are doing to do?"
"What happens if he shows up and we can't tell if he's real or the imposter?"
"This was not what I signed up for," a Merchant cried out.
"What if he starts kidnapping our children...our boys?" The questions flew and I had to catch my breath and select my words. My gut was in knots. "I don't who he is and what he wants."
"So what are we going to do?"
"I know that a lot of you wanted to know MockingJay's true identity," I continued. "But it imperative that we keep his identity a secret. We are doing this for your safety and your family's safety. He needs anonymity until the time is right."
"I understand that," Ray commented. "But how are able to tell the real Jay to the fake one?"
"Number one, he will never appear to you in person," I advised. "Jay will only appear to Nate, Wayne, Garrett, Jimmy and me. We are the only ones who know who he is and it will remain that way."
"But what if by chance we see him and it's not the real Jay."
I turned to Nate, a geologist and mining manager.
"Our Jay will be wearing this." He raised his hand between his fingers was a black MockingJay pin. "There is only two of these that exist especially designed just for him to wear." We didn't wear our silver pins in public. It was too dangerous. The group that gathered here we knew each other so it wasn't necessary for us to wear it. "Our Jay wears one and I have the other."
"He will not be making any appearance or video of any kind or broadcast until further notice," I informed them. "Until we figure out this mess, Jay will be in hiding."
Everyone sighed in relief. The next half hour I discussed the plans for an evacuation. There were many protests but it was agreed that the immobilization plans was imminent and necessary.
"We're only a few numbers here, Haymitch," Wayne brought forth a concern. "How can we evacuate a whole district with the Peacekeepers present?"
"You leave that problem to Jay and me," I told him. "We have already formulated a plan." Just as I was bout to dismiss everyone someone coughed from behind the group.
"Who's there?" I asked.
"Rye," Jimmy yelled at his son who was in the midst of coughing from the coal dust in the mine. "What the hell are you doing here? How did you find us?"
A few seconds later, Rye replied after his coughing fit. "I followed you from the bakery. I was on my way to see Peeta but I saw you sneaking out of the shop."
"God damnit Rye," Jimmy exploded. "Of all the irresponsible and dumbest––"
"Jimmy calm down," Garrett tried to comfort him.
"Don't tell me what to do, Garrett."
"Jimmy," I interrupted them. "There's no point in yelling at Rye. He probably heard everything and we need all the help we can get at this point."
"He's right," Garrett agreed. "We can use all the help now. Who knows what Snow is planning next? I mean, he hasn't made a move in days and that worries me."
"The reaping is in a couple of days I think he making a move then," I reminded him. Everyone agreed with me. "Until then I think we need to continue with our evacuation plans. I don't when but we need to be prepared." The prospect loomed over us because we knew it was inevitable as District 13 was now involved. Now we had two factions to worry over. The meeting was adjourned. Everyone left one at a time since the meeting went past curfew. I stayed behind to make sure everyone was clear and safe from any peacekeepers on patrol.
In the meantime, Rye and Jimmy was in the midst of an argument. "….have a kid on the way. What on this earth made you think that it was a good idea to leave Delly at home and sneak out to follow me?"
"Dad, I think you need to realize that I'm my own man now," Rye began. "I have family I have to protect. I have the right to decide my own fate. You can't stop me if I decide to join the rebellion. I can make my own decisions for me and my family. Just like you did for us."
"You're just like your brother," Jimmy said in resignation. He clearly was upset with Rye but he had a point. If Rye was old enough to marry and start a family, he was old enough to make decisions whether to join the rebellion or not. It was wrong and hypocritical of Jimmy to deny Rye his choices. However I knew why Jimmy was mad at Rye, he was scared for him.
"Graham or Peeta?" he teased him. This was a private conversation I didn't need to witness or hear about so I left. On my way to the Victor's Village I felt as though someone was following me. I turned around and found no one behind. Like I said things and sounds disturbed and startled me to easily so I quickly walked to my home locking the behind me as I slumped against the door.
"Haymitch," a voice sounded inside my dark living room. I jumped in surprise. I knew the voice.
"What the fuck?" I responded. "What are you doing here? You know you shouldn't be walking around where someone might see you." It was Jay minus his MockingJay costume. "You should go home."
"I needed to talk to you," he explained as he sat down on the couch. He pushed aside a pile of clothes to one side. It was my laundry, as I had not folded them yet. If everyone made preparation for an immediate evacuation, I too had to be prepared as well.
"What now, Jay?" I addressed him. The fact that he visited me right after our meeting he was here as the MockingJay even though he didn't wear his disguise. I knew he came as Jay. "You know, you're taking a really big risk being here after curfew."
"I'm aware, Haymitch but since I've been making…a lot of decisions on my own and they ended up in a catastrophe I knew better to act without consulting you and Jimmy."
"What is it?" I asked. This did not bode well. The feeling of doom surfaced even before he spoke. "What have you decided to do now?"
"I want…need to talk to Peeta and Katniss before the reaping," he said. "It is imperative that we bring them on board now."
"Why now? I thought we decided to bring them in after the reaping? What's the hurry?"
"Peeta. Because of him. That fact someone is posing as me really worries me. What if he comes after Katniss? He knows their importance just like Snow." I agreed with him as I nodded my head. "We know that District 13 is behind all this. We need to take control before they decide to do something really drastic."
"I know," I confirmed. "But listen, the kid has been through so much. I want him to have a little time of just being…a kid with his girlfriend. Can't we give them that?"
"I don't know," he returned. "I know it's only a couple of day before the reaping but something inside me…a feeling in gut. I feel that something is going to happen soon." I trusted Jay's instincts but I also wanted Peeta and Katniss to have a couple of day of normalcy.
"Don't borrow trouble, Jay," I sighed. I hadn't bothered to turn on the lights in my house when I walked in. The darkness that surrounded us felt like a foreshadowing. He was right something was going to happen. That was why I've been feeling prickly and anxious. "We're you able to get a hold of Gale in 13?"
Jay took a deep breath. "Yes, and I was right. The MockingJay that tried to kidnap Peeta was sent from District 13."
"Fuck," I said underneath my breath. "Then that confirms it. Not only does Snow wants Peeta, so does Coin." Jay nodded his head.
"I really fucked up, Haymitch," Jay admitted. "At the time, I didn't think adding Peeta's incident with Cray would lead to anything…that it would lead him to President Snow. Jimmy was right. It is my fault that Peeta is a target…and now 13 wants him as well."
"At least they're leaving Katniss alone," I stated.
"Actually she is in danger just as much as Peeta," he revealed. "Because she is Peeta's girlfriend. Kidnapping her would be good leverage if they can't convince him."
"Then no one is safe, Jay," I mentioned. "Not the Everdeens, the Cartwrights and even the Edgewoods." This was now getting out of hand.
"Yes, and that is why I think we need to get them out of 12 first," he decided. "We can't wait for the district evacuation."
"Jesus, Jay," I snorted. "How are going to do that? You're talking about close fifteen people disappearing. And what about the consequences of them disappearing? You know Snow, he will react the same way he did. District 12 will be attacked again."
"I know that," he acknowledged. "That is why I think it's time that we…arm the district to defend themselves."
"What the hell, Jay," I bellowed. "I don't if you noticed that most of the men here are not fighters and have no means or training."
"That's why I called in for reinforcements," he said in calm manner.
"What? Reinforcements?"
"I have a small group of rebels camping in the border of District 12," he stated.
"What the hell! How long have they been there?" I was gobsmacked. I knew he had a plan but his news stunned me.
"They've been hiding in the woods since after the dog attacks," he said. "Did you honestly think that the rebels we have…all twenty two of us can evacuate a whole district by ourselves?"
I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. The air in the room was cold but my skin was covered with sweat from head down to my neck. My hands shook and my throat was parched. I was speechless for a few seconds trying to get my mind to focus. "How many? How many are camped in the woods?"
"At least 200," he disclosed. "And they are scattered in the south and south east. Small clusters of 20 in a group. The closest group is camped 100 miles from here." The southern border of District had deep lush foliage that could easily hide a small army. "And I ordered them to mobilize as soon as the games are over."
I looked at my old friend. He was foremost my friend since childhood. I trusted him as my friend, ally and leader. I trusted him with my life. He looked worn, exhausted as if he world on his shoulders because he did––the nation of Panem rested on his shoulders and our fate in his hands. It was a heavy burden he carried. I admired but didn't envy him for it. But because of his decisions and actions, Peeta and now Katniss bore that weight as well. It was not intentional but it happened. I believed that things happened for a reason––that two young teenagers were led to a path not of their choosing. But they were chosen and I had to believe that fate chose them for a reason.
"When do you want to talk to Peeta and Katniss," I said in resignation.
"The night before the reaping ceremony," he stated. "After that I would like to start training the both of them." I looked at him. "They need to be prepared to fight beside me just incase especially Peeta."
"That boy is too kind hearted and gentle––"
"I think you don't give him enough credit. He will fight not because he wants to because he has to. Jimmy raised a fighter. Peeta will fight for those he loves." I couldn't picture the young baker boy with a gun in his hand. But Jay was right he needed to be trained to defend himself.
"Does Jimmy know your plans for Peeta?" 'Please don't tell me that you are going to go over his head again?' my eyes sent to him.
"Of course, I did," he spat out in frustration. "I…I wouldn't do that to him. Peeta is his son."
"How did he react?"
"He was angry at first but then he realized that I was right," he sighed. "I hate doing this, Haymitch. I…I need to do this. We have to get them ready." There were no words for me to articulate how sad, angry, scared and frustrated I felt at the moment. In truth, Peeta had become the son I never had––the son I hoped he would be had I had a boy. I couldn't picture Peeta with a gun in his hand or participate the level of violence you encounter in war––you develop killer instincts to survive. That is not who he was but I knew that image of Peeta was about to change. He needed to be trained and harden for the role he will be forced to accept.
God help us that he will survive and nothing will taint his beautiful soul.
Katniss POV ––
"Katniss, hold still," Prim reprimanded for the third time as she brushed my hair from behind me. "Peeta is not going to be here until the next fifteen minutes."
"I'm just…I want to make sure I look okay," I admitted. Peeta was soon to arrive to pick me up for our date. This was the third night in a row seeing him. It was as if being with him in school wasn't enough. I needed alone time with him to make up for the time we lost. It didn't matter where were went as long as we were together.
"Geez, Katniss," she teased. "It's not like this is your first date with him. What's up with you?" I knew she was teasing me but I detected a bit of annoyance in her tone. When I arrived home or rather snuck back home that night she was awake and waited for me. She blasted me with questions about my time with Peeta. Then she gasped when she noticed a 'bruise' on my neck.
I blushed at the memory of that night that my cheeks turned pink and my face felt hot.
Flashback ––
"Oh God," I moaned as Peeta's lips trailed down from my lips to where my neck met my shoulder.
"Is this okay?" he whispered into my skin as he trailed his tongue up my neck and bit my earlobe. I gasped. Straddling his lap, I lifted the bottom of his shirttail wanting to feel his skin against my hands. I grunted as my hands contacted his undershirt instead. His back muscles felt warm and hard beneath the offensive cloth. "Katniss?"
"Hmm?" I raised my head giving him access to my neck and shoulders as he slid a portion of dress to one side. I felt cool air hit my skin as his tongue left a trail of saliva. I moaned in disappointment when he lifted his head and placed his forehead against mine.
"Katniss," he whispered my name with awe and adoration. "Katniss?"
"Yes?" I said as I struggled to breath through my nose.
"Are we…is this too fast?" he asked his breath raspy and harsh. I stared at his plump wet lips.
"What?" I returned. He was driving me insane with want and…something I never felt before with anyone. This was lust and desire.
"I…well, this is only our second official date and I don't want you to feel pressured into doing anything you're not…" He stopped. I placed a hand on his cheek a thumb rubbing his stubbled face. I longed to run my fingers through his curly hair but realized that his hair was too short. Damn the Capitol for cutting his hair. "I mean, not that we're going to…you know?" I laughed as he struggled to say 'have sex.' It amused me how shy and bold he was at the same time. He was a contradiction.
"Peeta?" I said as I placed a chaste kiss to his luscious lips. "You're my boyfriend now. You said that we should talk about things before we…do anything."
"This doesn't feel like talking," he quipped. "Not that I'm complaining but…I've never done this before." I knew that. I was pleased that he never was with anyone but me. "I never had a girlfriend so…I don't want mess up. Not with you. I never wanted anyone but you." I inwardly swooned and my heart melted.
"I never been with anyone either, Peeta," I stated. Peeta's brows furrowed.
"Oh, I thought…I mean," he stumbled. "I thought you and Gale––"
"Gale? You thought that Gale and I…" I said in an astonished and horrified tone.
"Well, he…you and he were always together and everyone said that…" He turned his head to avoid eye contact.
"What? What have people been saying about me and Gale?" I scoffed in disgust.
I knew there were rumors but I ignored them. I didn't care what people thought of me. But with Peeta, his opinions and thoughts mattered to me. I wrapped my arms around his lean waist. His wide hands encased the small of my back. "Tell me?"
"That he was your boyfriend, your first…" his voice trailed off not wanting to finish his sentence.
"Peeta, Gale was never my boyfriend," I explained. "I never wanted a boyfriend and I especially didn't want Gale that way, ever. He was my friend, my only friend for a while."
"I wanted to be your friend," he said in a low tone I almost missed it.
"I was not…I didn't believe that a boy like you would want to be my friend," I admitted. "I was in difficult in a place in life back then and you're Merchant. I never thought we could be friends. But I'm glad you're my friend now, Peeta. Gale…he never held a place in my life like you did. I never wanted to admit that I wanted you."
I felt ashamed and guilty. But I shook the feelings. This was not how I wanted our date to end up––feeling bad for wasting the time we had all because I was too stubborn to admit I wanted him and was attracted to him.
"So…I'm your first boyfriend?" I nodded my head. It was important for me to let him know that there has never been anyone especially Gale in my life.
"You're the first and only one," I whispered in his ear. "Just you, Peeta." Then a shy smile appeared on Peeta's face. "As for going too fast, I think you're far too much of a gentleman to pressure me."
"I just don't want to…scare you," he confessed. "I know sometimes that I get a little too intense. My mom said––"
"Peeta, never ever mention your mom when we're together like this," I scolded him. "That woman…I swear if she ever touches you again––"
"Sorry, sorry," he said as he kissed my cheek. "Don't get mad. She's gone now. I'm sorry I spoiled the mood. I won't talk about…her."
"No," I corrected myself. "If you need to talk about her that's fine because I want us to be able to talk about anything. Just not now." I shifted my weight on his lap and embraced him tight my breast pressing into his chest. Then I pulled back. "Not when we're like this…when we're alone together like this."
"Sometimes it's difficult for me to talk about her, but with you…I feel like I can," he said. "I didn't mean to bring her up now. I'm sorry."
"Don't be," I told him. "I do however, want to know what my dad said to you." He groaned.
"That's not right," he whined. "Talking with your dad was embarrassing."
"Oh, that bad?" I scrunched my nose. "He didn't…he didn't give you the 'talk' did he?"
"Well, let's just say that I promised your dad that I would never do anything to hurt you," he admitted. "He said that he was glad it was me you're dating but if I ever hurt, he'd come after me. But I told your dad that I would never ever hurt you Katniss. Not when I wanted you for most of my life."
It was my turn to smile. "Peeta?"
"Yes," he returned his voice low and husky. The timber sent another jolt of desire to my…
"I want you…you're right, I'm not ready to, you know…" I felt embarrassed and stupid but Peeta knew me. Knew me enough not make fun of my uneasiness and embarrassment.
"I'm not ready either Katniss even though I thought of us…being together for as long I can remember. So…if do something that is uncomfortable just tell me. I won't be upset."
"I don't want to disappoint you," I confessed. He was my first boyfriend and a little voice in my head said that he would be only one. But intellectually I wasn't prepared to admit that to him. Not yet. I knew in my heart he would be the only one but I couldn't tell him that.
"We'll take things slowly as slow as you want in whatever time you need," he promised. "You're worth the wait." He was determined to make me cry not out of sadness but of relief and joy.
I licked his upper lip and bit the lower ones as I pulled it between my teeth. "Kiss me again."
Suddenly, his lips connected with mine. I moaned as his tongue sought entrance tentatively tracing my lips. I wanted more as my tongue dueled against his. Our kisses were too much and not enough our noses colliding with each other. I lost the ability to breath as he stole air from me. A tingling sensation radiated from my center to the tip of my breast making my nipples rock hard. "Oh God," I gasped as exhilaration and lust resurfaced. "Touch me," I demanded between his kisses.
Peeta pulled away causing me to moan in disappointment. "Where?" he asked ever so politely. I grabbed his hand and placed on top of my breast.
"There," I instructed. I wondered how awkward we would be as we stumbled to please each other. Before our date, I fantasized the things he'd to me, with me. It occupied my mind like never before. Would we be awkward and fumble with our attempt to discover each other with lips, tongue and hands.
However, I gasped in pain and pleasure as Peeta pinched my nipple through my bra between his index finger and thumb. Frustrated with my need to feel his hands on my skin, I shoved my dress and bra aside revealing my pert nipple to the cool evening air.
In turn Peeta choked back air into his mouth as it opened wide in shock.
"I know that they're small," I said. "I wish––"
"No, they're perfect," he moaned. "You're perfect."
"…that they were bigger."
"Don't say that," he interjected. "I want you as you are, Katniss. You having bigger breasts wouldn't make me want you more or change the way I feel about you."
"But––" I wanted to argue with him. I've seen the other girls that flirted with him; girls who were prettier and bustier than me, girls who had more to offer him. But the look in his eyes spoke volumes of how he felt about me. I wasn't about to give him up despite my own insecurities.
He cupped my aching breast with his hand his thumb rubbing my nipple as if he was mesmerized. "Peeta?" I watched him as he played with my breast for a few seconds. It wasn't enough the feelings he stirred within me. As he continued to massage my breast he licked his lips once then twice.
"Ugh…" I moaned as he assaulted my breast. I was about to kiss him wanting to feel him but he leaned down and replaced his hand with his mouth. "Fuuuuuck," I panted. His mouth was hot, wet and demanding––sucking, licking as his tongued swirled around my pert bud. I pulled my head back as I rolled my eyes to the sky. His hands were pressed to the small of my back. "Oh god, oh god, ohhh..myyyy….goooooood. Peeta!"
An ache radiated in my center so hot with desire. I couldn't help but rub against him. I couldn't focus so I closed my eyes and concentrated on his mouth. He moaned in pleasure as he continued to swirl his tongue around my areola. 'Yes, like that. Right there.'
The vibration resonated from my nipple to my wet slick center. Then something…an explosion of pleasure ripped through me–– a tingling sensation that flowed down my legs and up my spine. "Yeesssss." I felt light headed and delirious that Peeta held me tight his head pressed against my beating heart. I choked back a breath I couldn't control breathing hard through my mouth. "Oh my God. That was…that was…" I struggled to find the words to express what I was feeling at the moment. Consider me dumbstruck but very satisfied.
"Amazing, you're incredible. You're so beautiful," Peeta supplied. He looked smug and pleased with himself. After the years of putting himself down and his mom feeding into his insecurities I wasn't about to scold him for being cocky because he had the right to be. He made me feel special, loved and wanted but most of all desired. "Are you sure we're not going to fast. I mean this is really officially like our second date." I snorted. In my mind, it wasn't fast enough. I wanted him, my body did but my mind said it was too soon. And Peeta agreed.
"Well, unofficially we have been 'dating' for over month, you know," I teased him as I placed a kiss on his lips.
"That's true," he smiled back. "So I guess you won't mind when I do this?" He shoved the other side of my dress over my shoulder revealing my other neglected breast.
"Peeta!" I screamed in shock. He ignored me as he proceeded to treat my other breast with the same attention.
End of Flashback ––
"Katniss, hello? Are you okay?"
"Huh, what?" I said as my mind returned to the present.
"You know you've been doing that a lot lately?" Prim snickered.
"What?" I asked not knowing what she was talking about.
"Day dreaming," she explained. "It's been happening a lot." I blushed again because I had to admit my drifted to the private moments I shared with Peeta. The hours we spent talking and making out in our dates. "It's really cute. You all hot and bothered––"
"I am not," I protested. 'Was I, because if that was true that would be so embarrassing.'
"I mean…" She reached over and stared at the red bruise Peeta left on my neck. "We better cover that again before mom and dad sees it." The cream that she lathered on early this morning had already faded and needed re-applying.
"Oh, okay," I agreed. It wasn't that I was ashamed that my boyfriend rewarded me with a hickey. I just didn't want anyone to know what Peeta and I had been doing. Our relationship meant a lot to me and even Peeta agreed that it was ours alone for no one to comment. I didn't even realize it was there until Prim discovered it. And I imagined the lectures that mom would give me that alone made me cringe.
"Don't get mad, Katniss," she sighed. "I…I just really happy for you. And…"
"And?" I scowled back at her.
"It's about god damn time," she giggled. "Took you long enough. Where else did he give you a hickey because that one on the neck is a doozy."
"Prim, stop swearing," I gasped in surprise and horror. "I am not going to tell you what…we've been doing." Then we both burst in to laughter. It felt good to laugh.
"Seriously," she said a few moments later as we calmed down. "I'm so glad that you're with Peeta. He so good for you and before you argue with me let me remind you that Peeta would be not be with you, if he didn't want to. So shut up let's get you ready before he gets here." I opened and closed my mouth a couple of times. Prim gave me that patented stare…the one that says 'don't argue with me because I'm as stubborn as you.'
A few minutes later, someone knocked on the door. I jumped and ran into the living room because I knew it was Peeta. I ignored Prim's laugh as Dad opened the door.
"Good evening, Mr. Everdeen," Peeta greeted him. He proceeded to greet Prim and mom as well. He walked over and kissed my cheek while he grabbed my hand. Prim snorted at his gentleman like behavior because she knew better. "Are you ready to go?"
"Where are we going?" I asked. I didn't care where we went or what we did as long as I spent time with him.
"I made dinner," Peeta announced. "I wasn't sure if you wanted to eat at Remy's so…I thought we could eat at my house instead."
My mom and sister sighed. "Oh sweet and romantic," Prim squealed. "Peeta made you dinner."
"Dad will be at Haymitch's," he added. 'Peeta cooked dinner.' After being in school for hours, working at the bakery and finishing home, he made dinner just for the two of us.
"Let's go," I said. I yanked his hand and led him out before anyone made another comment. We didn't speak another word as I led us towards the bakery.
"Katniss, are you okay?" he asked. Just as soon as we reached the edge of the Seam, I stopped and hugged Peeta tight with both arms wrapped around him.
"Hey, what's going on?" his voice shook. "You're kinda scaring me."
"I'm sorry," I said as I pulled back and kissed him. I sent every feeling and emotion in that kiss to assure him that everything was fine. "You cooked me dinner. I just…you're so wonderful and I just can't believe your mine." I fought to say the words that were caught in my throat. I wanted to say more but I couldn't.
"Hey, it's just dinner," he joked. "I mean you might not like it."
"I don't care," I laughed.
"I should think so," he chortled. "I can't have my girlfriend starving. And it's not like I'm not going to cook for you again. Who's know maybe you'll hate my cooking."
"Come on, I'm hungry now," I said as I dragged him towards his home. Once we reached the bakery he stopped.
"Wait a second. I need to do something before we go upstairs," he instructed me. I waited a minute or two and was about to lose patience as he descended the stairs. "Okay." He extended his hand towards me. It was dark upstairs as the lights were turned off. Maybe there was a black out.
"Peeta, why are the lights––" I gasped in surprise. The room was dimly lit with candles burning all over the room. A few were lit on the coffee table, the kitchen counter and two large rounds ones the dining table. I was speechless.
"Katniss?" I walked around. The room was clean and organized as usual but there was a new throw blanket and pillows on the couch and flower arrangements on both the coffee and dining table as well. "You don't like it?" I turned to face him. "I…I guess it's too sappy right? I over did it. I'm so stupid I knew you wouldn't like it." His head was turned down that he couldn't see the look of awe, gratitude and joy on my face.
"No, oh God no, Peeta! It's beautiful and perfect," I complimented him. "You did this all for me?" He nodded his head.
"Do you like it?" Words failed me again. It always happened when he's around me. So I did the one thing I knew to express my gratitude. I ran up to him, grabbed his shirt and kissed him hard on the lips. After a few minutes I pulled back needing to breath.
"Thank you," I rasped between breaths. "It's…more that I ever expected. I love it. Where's Tyler?"
"He's with his uncle Rye and Aunt Delly," he answered. "They thought they would get some practice with Tyler staying over for the night."
"Well, that's kind of them." I sighed in relief. Not that I had anything against his nephew but I wanted all of his attention tonight especially the plans I formulated after dinner.
"Let's sit down and eat before the food gets cold," he recommended. Food was the last thing on my mind, but my stomach disagreed with me as it grumbled loud. "Perfect timing."
He pulled the chair back for me to sit down. Then he served our meal. Dinner consisted of lamb stew with cheese buns. "Peeta, the stew is delicious."
"I know it's your favorite. Prim told me so I begged your mom to give me the recipe." Wow, he was the perfect boyfriend. Not only could he cook he got along with my family. Prim adored him and dad approved of him. I had reservations as to whether mom accepted Peeta since she anticipated that Gale was the only choice for a husband. Her assumptions irked me.
For dessert, he baked chocolate cake––a rarity in District 12. The cake was smooth and decadent. "I made enough so you can take some home for Prim and your parents."
"That's very thoughtful of you, Peeta. Thank you," I said as I reached my hand out to him. After dessert we situated ourselves on the couch for some cuddling. I laid my head on his shoulders appreciating and basking on the peace and quiet that enveloped us. "Thank you Peeta."
"You're welcome," he returned. "I like making dinner for the two us. Makes me feel…normal." I nodded my head. I understood his need for normalcy after everything that has happened to him. Since the incident with Cray his life was turned upside down. He was tortured and drugged by Cray and Snow, lost his mother and brother, gained a nephew to raise and now was targeted by both the Capitol and the MockingJay. "Thank you for making the past few days…they have been the best days of my life." He leaned down and kissed the crown of my head.
I was full with dinner and happy with his arms around me. If this was my future with Peeta, I wanted it. No, I needed it as long it was with him. "How long before your dad comes home?" I asked. He looked at the clock in the kitchen.
"An hour at the most," he answered. I turned and kissed him slow and sweet even though a part me wanted to rip his shirt off him and give him the same care and attention he lavished on me the night before. My nipples tingled in anticipation. I longed for him to taste me there again but my need to be a good girlfriend surpassed my desire for him. While he kissed me senseless I straddled his lap. I managed to unbutton two of his button on his shirt as he continued to kiss me driving me wild.
"Katniss?"
"Stop talking," I murmured against his lips. Just as I shoved his shirt off of him the lights were turned on. I squeaked in mortification and turned around to see Darius and two Peacekeepers at the head of the stairs.
"Darius, what's going on?" Peeta's voice cracked from strain and surprise as he placed me behind him.
"Where's your dad?" he ignored Peeta's question.
"He's at the Victor Village with the guys," he answered.
"Oh why?"
"Well, as you can see, I'm on a date with Katniss," he explained as he also pointed to the dining table. "He left so I can have some time alone with my girlfriend." Darius walked over to the table.
"Do you know when he'll be back?"
"In half an hour." Peeta grabbed my hand as Darius approached us. "What's going on Darius?"
"Nothing, nothing for you to be concern about," he stated. "Let's go." They left the house without another sound.
"Well, that was embarrassing," I said. "What was that all about?"
"I don't know," Peeta voiced. "I didn't even hear them coming in."
"Well, we were kinda busy," I snickered. I was pissed at the interruption and for Darius barging in. Their visit unsettled me. I was scared that they were after Peeta again.
"I guess they kinda killed the mood," he mumbled. "That was just so wrong for them to come in here without so much of a warning. I mean…they could have seen…"
"I guess we were better off at the cemetery or at the abandoned house," I quipped back.
"No, you don't deserve that," he argued back. "I don't want to be sneaking around like we're doing something wrong."
"I don't mind sneaking around if I get to spend time with you," I offered. "It doesn't matter to me where we are just as long as we're together."
"It matters to me, Katniss," he grumbled. "I'm not ashamed of what we're doing. I…care for you a lot and I don't want you thinking that I'm embarrassed to be with you."
"I don't, Peeta," I smiled. "I think you made the point at school by having lunch with me and our classmates knowing that we are dating." I was proud to be with him as well.
For the rest of the evening we just held each other. I wanted to continue what Darius interrupted but to Peeta his mood soured even as we lay together in his bed together with his arm around my shoulder and my head resting on his chest. "Katniss?" he inquired minutes later. I was falling asleep in his arms when his voice awakened me. "I better walk you home before we miss curfew."
I groaned in displeasure as he dislodged his arms from around my waist. I was warm and comfortable resting on his firm chest. I could have stayed in that position forever. "Do you have to?"
"Yes, honey," he chuckled. "Come on. Let's go."
"Peeta," I whined. I was about to protest when he kissed me awakening me from my sleepy state. I reached over and wrapped my arms around his neck as he hovered over me. I felt his hard length on the side of my leg. 'Oh, God he felt…big,' my mind observed.
"Peeta?" Someone's voice filtered in the air as a knock accompanied the sound. Peeta was so startled that he turned over, fell off the bed and landed on the floor.
"Peeta," I cried out to him. He lay on the ground with his eyes closed. I quickly got off the bed and knelt beside him. I felt for the back of his head. "Sweetie, are you okay?" Suddenly the door crashed opened to reveal Haymitch, Jimmy and my dad hovering by the doorway.
"What happened?" Jimmy crashed into the room. He knelt by his son. "Peeta, what's going on? Are you hurt?"
Peeta moaned. "I'm fine, dad," he muttered. "Nothing happened. Katniss and I were just..."
"What were you two doing in his room, Katniss?" Dad asked with an amused look on his face.
"Nothing, dad," I returned as I felt my cheek blushed red. It was a good thing that we were just laying there for had we done what I planned it would have been the most embarrassing moment in my life.
"Can you sit up, Peeta" his dad asked his tone tinged with concern and fear. Peeta nodded as I felt the back of his head incase he had bump from falling off the bed. He winced as I touched a slight lump underneath his hair.
"Ouch." He stood up and sat on the edge of his bed. I sat next him wrapping an arm around his waist. "What are all of you doing here?" he inquired as he gazed at everyone––Jimmy, Haymitch and my dad.
"Darius, came by to visit me," Haymitch announced. "He said that he came by the bakery when he didn't see your dad."
"Well, I did tell him that's where he was," Peeta informed him. "Did he explain why he's was visiting the bakery as this late hour? I assume that he had his patrols searching every house besides ours."
"Yeah, direct order by Snow actually," Jimmy said. Peeta stiffened in my arms at the mention of Snow's name.
"Why?" Peeta stammered. "Why is he having the Peacekeepers searching our homes? What's happening?" There was panic and fear in his voice. I laid my head on his shoulder for support and comfort. Dad, Jimmy and Haymitch looked at each other. It was as if they had a secret and were conspiring with each other. "Dad, what's going on?"
"The news got out that the MockingJay is in District 12," Dad said. "Darius doesn't know about your attempted kidnapping but that he was seen here in the district. So Snow had his peacekeepers searching everyone's home no matter what time it was or how late it is."
Peeta's breath became harsh and uneven. He was panicking. "Did they find him?" he asked.
"It's just a rumor to them," Haymitch stated. "Whispers and gossip amongst the Merchant and Seam but Snow wasn't taking any chances. He doesn't know if it's true or not."
"So the MockingJay is safe?" I'm stunned by his question. "They didn't catch him?"
"They won't find him," Jimmy said. There was a look of desperation and anger in his eyes. I didn't blame him I myself was angry with him too. I didn't care if he was the leader of the rebellion. He tried to kidnap Peeta, drugged him to carry him away from me…from his family. "Why are you asking?"
"I know what he did was wrong…what he tried to do to me," Peeta began. "I was angry but I understand why he did it."
"Peeta, what he did was wrong in some many levels," dad stated. "It doesn't excuse him for trying to force you into joining…the cause. He could have asked without taking you by force."
"I know, and I'm mad as hell about that," Peeta returned. "But that doesn't mean I want him to be caught…he's still on our side." I was amazed and in awe for his understanding and forgiving nature. As for me, I would never forgive him for hurting Peeta the way he did, dropping him on the ground like he was a sack of flour. He meant to injure Peeta. "I don't approve of his methods but…he's still fighting for the right cause."
Jimmy slapped Haymitch on the back. "Well, what did I tell you? That's my boy, all heart not a single malice bone in his body." Dad smiled as if his opinion of Peeta was raised higher than before.
Peeta scoffed. "That's not true, dad and you know it." He tightened his arm around me as he placed his lips on the side of my head. I missed his kisses and the feel of his body close to mine.
"Garrett, Haymitch maybe this isn't a good time for to talk to them," Jimmy suggested. "Look at them." I was embarrassed to having been caught in Peeta's bedroom but I didn't regret it.
"We have to, Jimmy," dad argued back.
"What's going on, dad?" I finally inquired. I was tired and anxious. Their presence agitated me.
"Anyway, we came here…all three of us for reason," Haymitch started. "There is something all of us need to talk to you, both of you." I didn't like the sound of what he was saying. It was foreboding and gloomy. I couldn't handle anymore bad news especially when it pertained to Peeta. "Garrett, you want to tell them or should I?" he asked him.
"Dad, what's going on?" I demanded again. Peeta's hand rested on my waist. It calmed me for only a few seconds until dad started to explain why they disturbed us on our date.
"The first thing, you need to know that…the MockingJay," he started. "The man who tried to kidnap Peeta wasn't the real MockingJay." Peeta gasped.
"What do you mean he wasn't the real MockingJay?" he inquired.
"Just what I said, the one that attacked you wasn't MockingJay. He was imposter. I swear to you that the real Mockingjay would have never drugged and tried to kidnap you, Peeta."
Peeta looked at his dad for confirmation. "Did you know he wasn't real?'"
"We didn't at the time," he answered back. "I'm sorry, Peeta."
"I don't understand," he shook his head. "How many are there running around?"
"All you need to know right now that if you do encounter or see him, it's not the real one because our MockingJay is in hiding. He won't be making an appearance any time soon," Haymitch said.
"But what about the rebels? Do they know a fake one has been posing as their leader?" Peeta questioned.
"That's the problem. We have at least one MockingJay in each district posing as our leader," Haymitch disclosed. "He had to make an appearance to rally and get recruits so we…he assigned one for each district. You just need to know that the real one has been here all this time. He needed to be in this district because it's the farthest away from Snow and…"
"And what?" I asked.
"He needed to be close by to get in contact with District 13," dad added.
"Thirteen, but District 13 was annihilated years ago," Peeta mentioned.
"No, Peeta," Haymitch interjected. "They've been in hiding, regrouping all these years."
This was all too much, the rebels, the MockingJay––real and fake, and the resurrection of District 13. "I still don't understand why you're telling me and Katniss all this is," he said. "I understand why a fake MockingJay tried to kidnap me but you telling me and Katniss all this? Why?"
Dad knelt before Peeta and me. I protested because of his disability but he shushed me. "Listen, the politics of war is complicated. Too many men or women want power, power to rule over Panem and it's people. I understand why he wanted you because you have become a symbol of hope. With the two of you together, both of you have become the symbol of the future––people need that kind of hope that together with love it's worth fighting for."
"But we didn't do anything, Mr. Everdeen," Peeta insisted. "I became popular by circumstance. I didn't earn or want to be anyone's symbol. And Katniss doesn't deserve to be threatened because of her association to me."
"You're wrong. Just seeing you together like right now gives me hope that there will be a better future, a better Panem to live in for our children's future––your children's future with no games, arenas and oppression from the Capitol." He stood up and stepped back.
Haymitch then approached us. "We, Mr. Everdeen, Mr. Mellark and I have a question to ask you, both of. I want you to think about it. Don't answer right away."
"What?" I implored. Peeta gripped my hand while his other hand was latched to my waist.
"We need you…the rebellion needs you," Haymitch stated. "I'm here with the behalf of the real MockingJay to ask you to join us. Be our symbol, the hope and inspiration that Panem needs to fight against Snow." I was dumbstruck. Did I really hear Haymitch asked Peeta and I to join the rebellion, to fight for their cause?
"MockingJay needs you both," Dad added. "He would be here himself to ask but…he didn't want to scare or anger you. Especially you Peeta, the one person he injured and hurt the most due to his…hubris."
"Dad?" Peeta reached out to his father.
"I want nothing more in this world but to keep you safe and from harm," he conceded with defeat and resignation. "If I had my choice I would tell you to say 'to hell with you and your war, but I can't decide for you. You've endured so much. You've become a better man then I will ever be. It's your choice."
"I'll support you in whatever you decide to do. I'll support you both," Dad stated. Both Peeta and I were astounded. There were so many questions in my mind I couldn't sort them out. It was clear that Peeta felt the same.
"It's getting late," Haymitch announced. "Almost time for curfew."
"Time to go home, Katniss," Dad mentioned. The thought of leaving Peeta frightened me. I wanted….needed to talk to him. Haymitch was right we both needed time to make a decision. A decision that affected not only our lives but also the lives in Panem. I couldn't decide on my own without Peeta's input. We had to make a decision together.
"I'm walking Katniss home, Mr. Everdeen," Peeta asserted.
"Peeta––" his father interjected.
"No, it's all right," Dad relented. "We should give them a bit of time together and let him walk his girl home."
"But it's––"
"Jimmy, give the kid some space," Haymitch asserted. "I'll walk him back here once he drops Katniss home, I promise."
"I won't be long, dad," Peeta said as he grabbed my hand and walked me down the stairs. The walk home was short and quiet. Dad and Haymitch lingered behind us keeping their distance. We were both speechless. By the time, we reached my home I was cold and anxious. Dad walked straight inside the house while Haymitch stood at a discreet distance to provide Peeta and I a bit of privacy. This was not how I wanted my night to end.
A night when both Peeta and I had hoped for a quiet night together––a couple of hours that involved with nothing but kisses and touches as we explored our physical relationship. First we were interrupted by Darius and then by members of the MockingJay's rebels; people whom we've known most of our lives. People like my father who I thought I knew but realized that I didn't know him as I thought I did. I guess we all have our secrets.
I wrapped my arms around Peeta's neck securing myself into his warm embrace. I felt safe in his arms. "It'll be okay, Katniss," he whispered in my ear his breathe hot and warm. "I know there's a lot to talk about, even a lot of questions but not now." I nodded my head as he leaned down and kissed me.
His kisses were comforting and bone melting that I was lost for a few seconds absorbing his presence and his touch. I concentrated on him and the feeling he stirred in me both in mind and body. For now this was all I wanted and the thoughts of the MockingJay and the rebellion disappeared. Right now at this moment he was Peeta and I was Katniss his girlfriend. No one else and nothing else mattered.
AN: Thank you for reading this chapter. My sincere apologies for not posting sooner than I anticipated. I hope it was worth the wait. Things will get intense as the reaping and the rebellion will affect the lives for everyone not just for Everlark. Hope that you will continue to take this journey with me. Have great weekend.
