This week of training has been grueling. In the morning we have been doing physical training such as the obstacle course, calisthenics on the track, and anything else Boggs and the other captains can think of.

After lunch is going over maps and routes in the capitol. It is very hard to memorize the maps because it seems that they are always changing as the council gets more information from the spies in the capitol. This to me is the worst part of training. I have never had that good of memory.

After dinner we go into the simulator, which is never good because you never know what will come flying out at you. A long shower with much scrubbing is always required afterwards.

This morning is just like all the other mornings this week. I get up early, well early for me, so that I can get in at least a couple hours of hunting. Usually it is more a time to relax and let my mind wander to other things.

Today I found a quiet spot near the brook. There are always rabbits, squirrels, and birds that can be shot without much effort.

As I was daydreaming I saw movement of something big off to my left. I slowly got to me feet and made my way over to the bush. Through the branches I saw a large buck. It is the largest deer I had seen since I have been in district 13. I take careful aim and shoot. The arrow flies and hits the deer.

I walk over to see if it is dead. The arrow had gone right between the eyes. The perfect shot I think then suddenly I feel my eyes begin to water. That is one thing Peeta's father always said about the squirrels I brought him.

I go and sit on the other side of the bush away from the deer. I pull my knees up to my chest as I feel a few hot tears slide down my cheeks. My mind begins to bring up pictures of many of the people from district 12 that did not make it out including all of Peeta's family. I know it is not true but my mind keeps thinking if my actions had not sparked this rebellion, then all these people would still be alive.

"You're not crying over that deer are you, Catnip?" I look up to see Gale standing next to me with his hands on his hips.

"No," I answer shortly as I wipe the tears with the back of my sleeve.

"So what's troubling you?"

I let out a slow deep breath. "I was just thinking of all the people we lost in 12."

Gale sits down next to me and stares off into the trees. "Well, you can get your revenge in the next few days. By this time tomorrow we will be on our way to the capitol."

I nod as his words sink in. We both sit in silence for a long while. Soon I feel Gale's hand on my shoulder, which brings me out of my daze. I look over as he says, "Maybe we should get that deer back to the kitchen so they can cook it today. If not we won't be around to enjoy it."

"Good call," I say as I reach up take his outstretched hand. With Gale's help we carry the deer to the gate. The guard holds the door as we carry it to through. Many people watch us as we make our way to the kitchen.

"I haven't had venison since we left district 3," says an old man to his friend.

"Yup, what I wouldn't do for some wild turkey."

In my mind I hope that this is served in the cafeteria. Sometime I swear all the good meat must get served to Coin and her council.

When we drop off the deer in the kitchen, Peeta joins us as we head out to the field where we will be training today. Boggs and another captain put us through many drills, which include lots of sprints. They also make us do the dummy drill where we have to run to a dummy and drag it back to the line.

When we all complain Boggs says the drill is important because in battle there will be many wounded and he expects us to help our fallen comrades. It is hard to argue with that point.

"Not all of us are 250 pounds. Can't we just drag Katniss around?" Finnick says under his breath as he runs for the dummy. While the rest of our group laughs, Boggs does not think it's funny.

After Finnick pulls the dummy across the line Boggs makes Finnick run and grab a rope that he is holding onto. Finnick tries to move Boggs. He pulls as hard as he can but can't budge him. After letting Finnick flounder for a minute or two Boggs commands, "Now, go get that dummy again, soldier Finnick."

"Yes, sir," puffs out Finnick as he jogs over to the dummy.

After that we are dismissed for lunch. It is quiet at our table as those of us who are training are too tired to talk. Finnick whispers to Annie as he plays with the end of her hair, which is in a loose braid. Haymitch joins us. "How goes the training?"

"Excruciating," says Finnick looking up from Annie.

"Long and tiring," Gale adds.

"So why aren't you training? Aren't you coming to the capitol with us?" Peeta inquires.

"Are you kidding me," Haymitch almost laughs. "I'm a mentor not a fighter. And I plan to do that right here in the safety of these concrete walls, besides these old bones can't take that kind of beating."

"Come on. You trained with Katniss and I before the Quell."

"I think I'll pass, Bread Boy."

Later that evening things are going smoothly in the simulator until we enter a section of buildings that look like huge warehouses. We have set off a few pods like normal when all of a sudden we hear loud screams from the other side of the wall. We all freeze for a bit until Boggs instructs us to continue.

I start moving on with the rest of our group until I hear Finnick. "Peeta, come on. It's just part of the simulator." I turn to see Finnick looking a little worried. Peeta is staring with wide eyes at the door of the building. "Peeta, snap out of it," Finnick puts his hands on Peeta's shoulder. Peeta shrugs him off and continues to look at the door.

I hurry back to the guys. "Peeta, what's wrong?" I ask looking from him to the door.

Boggs is soon at my side. "Soldier Mellark, we need to keep moving," Boggs commands. Peeta doesn't move.

Another scream comes through the wall, which sends shivers down my body. "We…we have to save them," Peeta speaks in little more then a whisper still looking at the door.

"Who?" Finnick asks.

"The ones they're torturing."

When the scream comes again Peeta runs to the door and begins yanking on the handle. "They're dying. We have to help them!" he yells. "Come on. Open up, you stupid door!" Peeta calls frantically as he pulls harder.

By now the whole team has come back and are watching the scene play out. "Peeta, no one is in there. It's just a fake door," Finnick tries to reason with him.

"It's okay. It's not real, Peeta," I try placing my hand on his arm.

"No, they're in there and we have to get them out," Peeta turns to look me in the eyes as a tear slides down his cheek.

"Stop the simulation!" calls out Boggs with obvious concern in his voice.

Soon the lights flicker then everything is just blank boxes and white walls. A door opens a little bit down the wall and some medics walk in. I turn to see Peeta sitting on the floor with Finnick and another soldier kneeling on both sides. One medic shines a light in his eyes. "Can you tell me where you are, soldier?"

"Training," Peeta answers but there is questioning in his voice.

"That's right," the medic nods, "Do you feel all right?"

"I…I think so."

The medic stands up and turns to Boggs. "He seems to have had a small episode, but appears stable."

Boggs nods then looks at Peeta. "Everyone is dismissed. We will meet at the hovercraft launch pad at 6 o'clock sharp. Have all your gear," Boggs commands, "Get some rest. It may be the most you get until we capture Snow."

Everyone files out the door except Finnick, Gale, Peeta, and I. Boggs looks at Peeta then over at Finnick. "Soldier Odair, please escort Soldier Mellark back to his room." Finnick nods and helps Peeta to his feet.

I watch them go before I speak, "Are you letting Peeta stay on the team?"

"If he still wants to go. I've seen soldiers loose it more than that on the battlefield," Boggs looks at me, "Now go get some rest, Soldier Everdeen." I nod and smile weakly then turn to head to my room.

After I scrub myself free of all the grime from the pods I head up to Peeta's room. When I enter his room I glance around. Usually he is on his bed or sitting in his chair drawing, but I don't see him. I look toward the bathroom door to see if he is still in the shower but the door is wide open and the light is off. "Peeta," I call hesitantly.

"Katniss," I hear a small voice answer. I turn toward the sound and find Peeta sitting in the corner wedged between the bed and the wall. His arms are wrapped around his knees. I can see an all too familiar fear in his eyes.

"Peeta, what are you doing in the corner?" I walk over and crouch down beside him. "What's wrong?"

"Maybe I shouldn't go to the capitol tomorrow."

"What do you mean? It's what you've been training for for so long."

"But what if I freak out again," he says as his squeezes his arms tighter around himself. "What if some of the team gets hurt because I loose it?"

I sit down on the floor in front of him. "You'll be fine. We all freak out some times. I freaked out in the arena when I heard the mockingjays."

Peeta thinks about it for a bit then looks at me with fear in his eyes. "What if I get captured again? I can't go through that again," he shudders.

"You won't get taken. Our team will protect you," I say as I reach up and squeeze his hand reassuringly. Peeta looks into my eyes and takes my hand.

We both sit there for a while then I get an idea. "Come on. Let's go some where." I stand and pull on his hand.

"Where?"

"Just come."

"But Boggs said to get some rest."

"Do you really think you're going to sleep right now?"

"Probably not," he answers as he allows me to pull him up. He then follows me to the door.

We walk out into the hall that is mostly deserted. I lead him to the elevator and push the button for the first floor. As we ride up I rub my thumb against Peeta's still tense hand.

As we walk down the hall I look back at Peeta to see if I can tell if he knows where I am taking him. I can tell by the blank look in his eyes that he still has no clue.

We finally arrive at our destination and I push open the door. Peeta gasps at the sight of all the plants in the greenhouse. "I almost forgot about this place." I look to see a small smile forming on his face and can't help but smile back.

We walk slowly among all the plants. Finally we come to a tree. It's the same spot where we sat when Peeta had that episode where his mind went blank. We lie down on our backs under the tree. I rest my head on Peeta's shoulder. I can feel his fingers playing with my hair. We just lay there in silence for a while.

"Katniss," Peeta nearly whispers.

"What," I reply quietly.

"Are you afraid of going to the capitol?"

I roll over to look into his blue eyes then rest my chin on my elbow with a sigh and give it some thought. "Maybe a little, but not really."

"Oh," he says, "Why not."

"The way I see it. We've survived two hunger games, your torture, two bombings, my propos, and all that training. Things can't get much worse."

Peeta is still while he thinks for a bit. "What do you think will happen when we capture Snow?"

I rest my head on his chest and listen to his heartbeat as I consider his question. "We'll execute him then life will go back to normal," I say with a shrug.

"What's normal?"

"I think we'll go back to 12. I'll hunt. You'll bake. Things like that." Peeta reaches up to place his hand on mine that is resting on his chest. We don't talk but just lie next to each other, each of us lost in our own thoughts.

My eyes begin to close and I am almost asleep when my eyes pop open. I roll over to look at Peeta who is asleep. "Peeta," I say gently shaking his arm. He barely opens his eyes to look at me. "We better go back to your room. We have to get an early start and we don't want to oversleep." He nods a little and then closes his eyes. "Peeta, get up." I shake his arm more vigorously. He opens his eyes as I get up and pull on his hand.

I finally get him to stand and lead him out of the greenhouse and back to his room where he crashes into bed. I pull the covers around him and kiss his cheek. "Good night," I whisper but he is already out.

I lie there and think of what will begin in a few hours. By this time tomorrow we will be somewhere in the capitol and on the mission of tracking down Snow.

Just a little heads up. I don't think I could write very well about the fighting in the capitol so the next chapter will most likely be the epilogue unless I get inspired. I hope no one is too disappointed.