Another thought occurred to Maya, "Wasn't Peeta training too? Did he…."

"Yes, he made it. Along with Katniss and Gale."

"What about Johanna?" Murray glanced over and asked quietly.

"Ah, that's a different story. She never made it pass training due to her morphine addiction."

"So you're telling me that after their attempt to assonated this...ah, jerk, that President Snow escaped?" Murray said impatiently.

"No, President Snow was captured," Grandma answered.

Murray nodded his head and said, "Good. I hope they hung him."

"Wait, Katniss is supposed to kill him. It was a part of the deal," Maya added.

Murray glanced over to his Gram and questioned, "She did kill him, right?"

Grandma shook her head, "No. She shot President Coin."

"Did she have a bad shot or something? How could she shot the wrong guy?" Murray replied annoyed and Maya said, "Did President Snow not get punished then?"

Their Grandmother crossed her legs again and explained, "He had died on the podium laughing."

"Well that's peculiar?" Maya responded.

She laughed at her grandson's accusation, "As for Katniss aim, she could kill a squirrel by hitting it directly in the eye. So it's safe to say it was intentional done."

"Why? I mean I know President Coin is just as bad as President Snow, but what made her choose?"

"Okay let me explain the secret most people don't know about President Snow's death."

The pocket watch clicked together as Gale checked the time. He directed his gaze over to me and said, "Ready?" I nodded my head determined. I was going to get my baby no matter what the cost, including the risk of my ankle bracelet going off. Gale had volunteered to get Rose his self, but I'll admit I'm fully stubborn to go and make sure it goes right this time. Beside, together Gale and I had created our own mission without Coins where about. Gale figured it might not be such a problem with Coin since she's preoccupied with Snow's trial. Actually it hopefully would run smoothly.

We caught a ride on district 13's military vehicle that was designated to be deployed out to the Capitol to round up last retaliations. I sat steady with the extra uniform Gale found for me and waited silently praying no one would talk to me. My ass was sore with spending almost the whole day in the crowded and bumpy ride of the military vehicle, but it would be worth it.

Finally, we made our destination and we're being marched out of the truck in a single line. Thankfully, Gale grabbed my hand to pull me back while the rest of the squad carried out around the corner of the building. Back tracking down the cobble roads, the city seemed like a ghost town. No neighbors I would have passed in my walk would be waving to me now. Instead they be huddle in a corner of the basement, scared for their lives.

"Look up," Gale announced and I stared straight ahead to see the city's circle that lead up to Snow's mansion. "Two guards are at their post by the doors."

"How are we going to get pass them, Gale?"

He smirked over my direction and said, "With authority bullshit."

"I hope for our asses, you are a profession at this art," I replied as we started to head up the concrete stairs.

"Just be quiet and let me talk," Gale whispered and stood taller as we meet with the guards.

"Sorry officer, but this is close. Orders from Presi-"

Gale glanced at his dog tags and his eyes light up with recognition, "General Hawthorne. And we have orders from President Coin to see Paylor." He glanced over to his partner, who shrugged his shoulder and Gale said firmly, "It's urgent officer McCoy."

Officer McCoy opened the doors hastily and shuddered, "Sorry, General Hawthorne. Sir."

We kept walking until the doors shut behind us and I said, "All this time I was kidding and you're actually a general?"

"I was until I got demoted. But he doesn't know that. So where do we go now?"

Gale asked while his guarded eyes wandered around the large foyer. I pointed to the right side of the stairwell, "This way."

Sneaking down the hall I reached for the door knob of her bedroom and peeked inside. No guards were in sight. "Rose?" I whispered, but no sound could be heard. I ran to the crib and it was empty. Gale walked around the room with a deep frown on his face. "She's not here."

"No, no, no." I waved an old ragged stuff animal I had made way back, "She would never leave without teddy. Rose would cry non-stop if she left the house without it."

Gale added, "You don't think they took…."

He stopped as he took in my bewilder expression. I said for certain, "No. But if so, there's only one person that would know where she is."

Gale was on my heels as I lead down the next hallway to the Snow's garden. If Snow was going to be anywhere, that would be his spot. Gale whispered while looking at the two guards, "They know me well. I don't think I can bullshit my way in this time."

I gritted my teeth and said, "Follow my lead." I started to walk toward the two soldiers and I checked around making sure no one else was there to stop me.

The two soldiers said, "I'm sorry, but this is authorize-Oww!"

I stabbed the two of them in the neck and they flopped slowly to the ground. Gale grab onto my arms and whispered panic, "What did you just do?"

"I drugged them. Now we only have a matter of time," I said making my way to the sickly smell of roses. Opening the glass frosted doors, I slid inside with Gale. My eyes scanned around until it landed on a mop of curly brown hair on the other side of a table full of roses. I flew over and slide to my knees as I embraced my daughter.

"Mommy!"

I replied back as I kissed her everywhere, "Rose, sweetie. Oh, I missed you so much." Gale stood beside me as I continued to say, "Mommy is here and she's never going to let you go again." I hoisted her on my hips and turned around for the exit.

"What? No goodbyes for me?"

I whipped my head around at his menacing voice and Gale stepped into front of me with his gun. There President Snow sat on a chair in his best suit ready for the press. He smiled over at me and said, "I'm happy you showed up, I would have been afraid what would have happen to Rose. Especially after Muffy and her husband evacuated and abandoned her with me."

I handed Rose over to Gale and told him, "I'll meet you outside in five."

Gale bent down to whisper, "I'm not leaving you here with this nut."

I placed my hand on his cheek and replied into his ear, "I'll be fine. Just knock to give me a heads up that the guards are waking."

Gale sighed annoyed at my request, but did as I said. Before closing the door he said, "Only Five." He glared over to Snow and then shut the door.

I slowly walked over to him and said, "Do you remember the first thing you told me when I enter your home."

He smirked up at me mentioning that moment and he responded, "Ah, yes. I told you welcome to the family." I wanted to smack him that day when he laughed at his own pun. He had kept my agreement to place my daughter to a capitol family. Unfortunately, he had surprised me by letting his own family adopted her, thus we seemed related in his sick mind.

I pulled out a vial that contain a black liquid and gently placed it into his hands. "You gave me the chance for an easy out, so I'm returning the favor. Good luck, Coriolanus." He only had five days left to live if the trial went speedy.

President Snow swished the vial in his thin fingers, "Best wishes Buttercup."

A knock caught my attention and I turned to leave.

"You killed my father and Kaito," I said as I dare not to look back in those cold hearted eyes.

"Yes."

Opening the door, Gale nodded for me to go first down the stairs. I say to him, "I find it interesting that you propped them up with their guns."

"Well, I wanted to make them look like they were still on guard," Gale said as we made our way to the front door. Pushing the doors aside, Gale saluted them and said, "Carry on."

After a few minutes we were on the outskirts of the Capitol and I ripped off my mask and helmet. Gale with his one unoccupied arm lifted a branch up and ushered us into the forest. He said, "I think we should rest here for the night until we can make other traveling arrangements."

Handing Rose over to me, Gale pointed for me to sit on the fallen tree while he set up camp. I bounced my leg up and down, slowly rocking her to sleep. Soon Gale waved me over and I placed Rose on the recently laid out sleeping bag. Giving her quick goodnight kiss on her head, I sat over by Gale on the log. He said checking his gun, "We have some food and water provisions to keep us going for four days. But later, I'll have to hunt and gather some stuff for us to eat and drink."

"It's going to take away to get back to district thirteen," I stated.

Gale swished his head back and forth, "I guess about five days at most." He glanced over at Rose, "Depending on the little one's mood."

I studied Gale who had his small smile lying across his face. He peeked over to me and said, "She really is a sweetie pie." Gale gave a laugh as he continued to say, "There's no doubt she isn't your daughter. She was talking to me all the while you were gone."

I bumped into his shoulder, "Just because I like to socialize unlike some certain people," I smiled over at him, "doesn't make me a chatterbox."

Gale rolled his eyes, "Whatever you say Sparks."

I shook my head at his commentary and asked, "Shouldn't we gather some wood for a fire?"

"No, we can't. It'll draw attention on us. And the last thing I need is for district 13 soldiers think were escapees."

I glanced down and tried to joke, "I think I'm already have that title."

Gale noticed the strain in my voice and asked, "Are you okay?"

I bit my lip and confessed, "Gale, I haven't slept without a light since the games." My eyes shifted over and he nodded his head in understanding. "I'll just have to not sleep for five days," I added jokingly.

"Oh is that all, Sparks," Gale said as he got up fixing the other sleeping bag by Rose. He sat down on it and waved me to come over. I rolled my eyes and moved myself over to Gale at a glacier pace. Gale grey eyes stared up at me and he patted the spot between him and Rose. I was hesitating until Gale said, "What? Do I smell or something?"

I kneeled down and sprawled out into the middle. I leaned over to him and sniffed him comically. "Peewww!" I giggle as he smirked at me. I turned over and cuddled close to Rose. "Really, you don't smell bad. You do smell like peaches and gunpowder." I chuckled as I added, "What a great combination."

Gale warm breath whispered in my ears, "I'm glad I don't offend. Now I want you to relax." He said this as he rubbed my back.

I whispered, "I'm telling you if I fall asleep, I'll be screaming and kicking in the middle of the night from the nightmares."

"No you won't. As long as you're with me your safe Sparks," Gale said in a soothing voice.

"Did I ever tell you the story about my father catching a bat in his snare?"

"Um, no Gale. You've never told me stories about yourself or your family. The only thing I know about you is that you hunt and are from District 12."

Gale kept rubbing my back in circular motion and replied, "Oh, come on you know more than that."

I said sarcastically, "Oh, yes I forgot you're a stubborn, quick witted, devilishly handsome master hunter."

"You think I'm handsome?" Gale responded and I could just imagine his smirk.

"Devilishly," I teased.

"Is that all? Well, we just have to change that. Let's see, my name is Gale Hawthorne. I'm nineteen years old."

I giggled at his humor and said, "You're only nineteen. I pegged you at least to be thirty-two."

Gale added, "Yea, I thought you were much younger than twenty-one. I assumed you were at least twelve."

I laughed quiet and said, "Gale?"

"Yea, Sparks." He answered back.

"Tell me more about you. What are your parent's like, how many siblings you have, did you ever mined for gold, were you smart in school or one of the bad boys that skip class?"

Gale gave a soft laugh, "Hold up there speedy. Let me try to answer one question at a time…."

From that point, Gale and I had talked the whole night until my eyes couldn't stay open. I would have sworn Gales lips kissed my head and whispered, "Good Night Willow." But I wasn't sure for I had slipped into unconscious. But if so, this would be the first time he called me by my first name and just the though made my heart flutter.