DISCLAIMER: HG characters do not belong to me.

Chapter 79-The Question

Gale pulls Katniss into the control room with him while the hovercraft heads for the Capitol. She sees a large TV screen, with Abraham's face on it. Gale explains that Abraham was providing an update on what happened with the Jay Killers they picked up yesterday.

"We found five of them. Unfortunately, it does not appear their leader was with them" Abraham says on the screen.

"Where are you now?" Gale asks loudly.

"We are still in the wild territory where we found them. We thought, perhaps others will come looking for them."

"It's been over 24 hours, still no sign of anyone else?"

"No Commander, no one has showed."

"Then I think this group was on their own. Bring them in."

"Yes Sir, we will head for the Capitol now." And then the screen goes black, Abraham ending the video call.

Once their screen is turned off Katniss turns to Gale and says, "This isn't good, he's nowhere to be found!"

"I am almost beginning to wonder if the five people they picked up were decoys" Gale says deep in thought.

"So, the military now has thirty Jay Killers and how many were killed?" Katniss asks, trying to figure things out.

"About forty."

"So, seventy total. That means at least thirty are still unaccounted for, possibly more."

"We'll find them" he says reassuringly.

"Will we? I am beginning to wonder" she says, concern apparent in her voice.

"We still have our contact in District 1. Maybe he can provide some inside information."

"And if he doesn't?"

"We will figure something out. Someone in the Capitol will come up with an idea."

"Sorry, I have little faith. Marlon knew more about their whereabouts than Paylor's army did."

"You need to cut her some slack Katniss, she has a nation to run."

"So I guess matters of security are not as important? It's not just about me Gale, they are after her too."

"There's only so much she can do."

"She needs to do more, if she doesn't have time perhaps someone else should be in charge."

Gale's thoughts turn to Haymitch and his wish to become involved in the fight to stop the Jay Killers. He thinks he just might have an idea to propose to the President.


When they arrive at the Capitol, they see a small group of people waiting for them at the main landing side. While descending down the walkway Katniss sees Haymitch and Peeta waiting for her.

"Katniss! What happened? Are you alright?" Peeta says running up to her, Haymitch quickly following behind.

"I'm fine Peeta. I broke my arm and I was injured during a battle, but I will be alright." She sees Gale walk by in the corner of her eye, not wanting to be a part of the conversation. She sees him begin to walk towards the main military building with the other soldiers.

"The President didn't tell us you were hurt, just that you had been found" Haymitch says with confusion in his voice.

She is not sure what to say in response. Her instinct is to tell them the truth, for she never kept anything from the two of them. But another part of her tells her to hide the truth in order to try to mend things further with Gale.

"I asked her to not let anyone know I've been hurt. Didn't want to risk word getting out I was injured."

Peeta gives Katniss a look that shows he doesn't believe her. Haymitch nods his head slowly and says, "You can never let anyone think you are weak can you?"

"There's a lot more Jay Killers in the wild territory now. A lot more. If any of them found out how hurt I was, they would think I was an easy target."

"Did you see the tribe?" Peeta asks.

"Briefly, I wasn't able to spend as much time with them as I wanted."

"Why not?" Haymitch asks.

"I fell off a cliff running away from-help. I broke my arm in the fall."

"Katniss why would you do that?" Peeta says his voice rising.

"Let's talk-somewhere else" she responds. She looks around and doesn't see Gale anywhere, she assumes he went to see the President.

The three of them head to the President's Mansion, Katniss leaving a message with the President's secretary that they were heading to the café around the corner and to let Gale know that's where she is.

Once inside all three get coffee and take a seat at a table. Katniss sitting across from Haymitch and Peeta. She looks down at her coffee nervously and says, "I ran away from Gale and the soldiers, because I thought I needed to figure things out my own. I've been, having a hard time since I left District 12."

"You miss home" Peeta says gently.

"Some ways yes, some ways no."

"Why have you been having a hard time?" Haymitch asks pulling out his flask from inside his jacket pocket and taking a sip.

"When I first left, being in the wild territory distracted me. It was new and exciting, to be somewhere so far away. I got to hunt animals I had never seen before and it was, so peaceful there. But I knew I couldn't stay there forever, I belong here. Then when I came back to Panem, I was so focused on trying to become a teacher, I didn't have time to think about anything else. But now, a year later, I am almost at the finish line of my goals and after what happened with Geffen-"

"We know, Gale told us." Peeta says taking her hand and gently squeezing it.

"I started depending on morphling pills again, a way to calm myself down. I tried to just-push everything that happened from my mind. I moved to District 9, another distraction. I was busy teaching and things were going really well, and then-I found a baby."

"River, yes we know. Gale told Peeta about him" Haymitch says with annoyance in his voice.

"Seeing him abandoned like that, reminded me of the hardships that still exist here. I wanted to keep him, I really did. But the people who adopted him will make great parents, I saw the look in their eyes when they first saw him. The minute he was gone I became depressed again, realizing that things aren't all that much different."

"Change takes time Katniss. And things are better, way better" Haymitch says, the annoyed tone gone from his voice.

"No more Hunger Games, freedom to go wherever you want. Sure, that's better, but people are still struggling, District 12 is still struggling. I was struggling-I could no longer pretend that what happened didn't bother me."

"Okay, so you ran away. So what happened after you fell off that cliff?" Haymitch asks.

"An older man rescued me. He-was once a resident of District 11. He ran off into the wild territory years ago. He brought me to his cabin and took care of me."

"Thank goodness he was there" Peeta says, still holding Katniss's hand.

"Yes. But the Jay Killers came, they were not far from his cabin. I ran off and got help. We rescued him, but a battle ensued. A lot of Jay Killers were killed, but some of the soldiers were killed as well. I got shot in the leg and stabbed."

"Always putting yourself out there, let me guess, he didn't want you to go?" Haymitch says giving Katniss a look.

"No, but I insisted."

"Did Gale save you?" Peeta asks already knowing the answer.

"He and another soldier named Hance both saved me." She then pulls her hand away from Peeta's and takes a deep breath.

"Which brings me to why I wanted you both here. I'm sorry that I caused you to worry. I know I might have-said certain things in my letters that confused you."

Haymitch sensing where the conversation is going says, "I'm going to take off. I'll be at the President's Mansion. Come find me when you get back Katniss alright?"

She nods her head in response and watches as Haymitch gets up and leaves, patting Peeta on the shoulder in comfort.

Peeta gives Katniss a hard stare as she takes a sip of her coffee and says, "I miss you."

She looks down, unable to respond. After a brief pause she says, "I miss you too."

"Are you happy with him?"

"Things have been-a struggle."

"How so?"

"His Mother still hasn't completely warmed up to me, his Sister is mad at him about leaving his ex-fiancé who is still in the picture by the way and oh and I ran away from him. Overall, I'd say things have been tense."

"What do you mean his fiancé is still in the picture?"

"Ex-fiancé" Katniss clarifies. "They are on speaking terms again and she is still spending time with his Mother and Sister.

"Katniss are you really worried that Gale will go back to her?"

"No! I just-it's a constant reminder that there is still a lot of hard feelings there. I don't think I'll ever be good enough for him in their eyes."

"Things take time. I had hoped you were seeing things differently by your words in your letter. That you-wanted to come back. That you realized the grass wasn't greener with him."

"I do miss what we have Peeta. But-I made my choice. You know how I feel about him."

"Did you really tell Gale you wanted to have a baby with him?"

"I did. But that was-me on my maternal high taking care of River. It was a bad idea."

"I never thought you would even consider it."

"I didn't-before."

"Before River?"

"That and-"

"What? Tell me." He says it with desperation in his voice.

"You would never believe me."

"I would."

"The tribe has an herb that when you inhale it, it cause you to hallucinate. But it also can show a person a vision of the future."

"You took this herb?" he asks wide eyed.

"Twice. The first time Rain made me, the second, I voluntarily took it."

"What did you see?"

"Things that have happened. I saw myself in a room that I had never seen before, turns out that room ended up being my dorm room in District 4. I saw myself tied up and being beaten, that happened with Geffen. And I saw-"

"The children you will have with Gale?"

"It doesn't mean it will happen." She knows she cannot tell Peeta that she saw a vision of their children as well. For she knows she can't give him that false hope.

"I think we both know it will."

"No, I don't. I saw things in my visions that didn't happen. The herb shows your fears, you know I feared having a family, especially during the Hunger Games."

"Hunger Games are over Katniss" he says not believing her for a second.

"You know what confused me the most about what I saw?" she says changing the subject.

He looks at her questioningly.

"I think I saw my own death."

"You just said it might not be the future."

She can only nod in response. While she wasn't afraid of dying, she was not expecting the scene she saw in the second vision to be her own death. For it meant something she didn't want to acknowledge.

"I'm sure it was scary, but it might not be what you think it is. And you have Gale with you now, he will never stop protecting you. I know you lied for him."

"What do you mean?" she says in alarm.

"About not telling us you were hurt. You trust us. Gale was the one who made sure we didn't find out didn't he?"

"Peeta-I have to show him I am committed to him. That I am committed to being in District 2."

"So you are going to let him call the shots?"

"I don't let anyone call the shots you know that."

"People change Katniss, you sure have."

She doesn't respond. She doesn't want to get into the details of her relationship with Gale with Peeta of all people.

"I guess I have changed" is all she can say in response.

"We'd better head back."

"Yeah." And they both get up to leave and walk back towards the President's Mansion.

When they arrive back, she is quickly escorted up to the President's floor, Peeta being instructed to wait in the main lobby.

She is greeted by Haymitch and the President. Haymitch looking pleased.

"The President has given me a new job" he says smirking.

"Oh?" Katniss says eyeing both of them.

"I am-in charge of recruitment."

"For what?"

"Finding spies."

"What?"

"Katniss-" Paylor says interjecting. "You know finding the Jay Killers has been a challenge. Our contact person inside is doing a fine job, but his progress has been slow. Even though I have my Generals helping me, we need more assistance. That's where Haymitch comes in. I have decided he is in charge of finding residents we can trust to help us obtain more information."

"Finding spies you mean?" Katniss asks.

"Sort of. I need to find a group of people who either know Jay Killers personally or ones that join the group and report back information."

"I doubt someone who knows a Jay Killer member will voluntarily give up information."

"You'd be surprised sweetheart. People from the Capitol were on our side during the rebellion remember?"

"Of course it will take a while for this all to come together, but I think it is a good plan. Commander Hawthorne came up with the idea" Paylor says.

"Yeah, I guess I owe him one" Haymitch says running his hand through his hair.

"So when do you start?" Katniss asks.

"Immediately. I'll still be living in 12 but, I will be making a visit to the Capitol at least once a week."

"We will be sending a hovercraft to transport Haymitch back and forth" Paylor says.

When Katniss and Haymitch leave Paylor's office to head down to the main lobby, Haymitch pulls her aside before getting into the elevator and says, "So how did he take it?"

"Take what?" she says confused.

"You know what, getting his heart broken again. I'm assuming you told him that was false hope you gave him when you wrote your letter."

"I never meant to give him false hope."

"I suggest next time not writing words like, I miss you and want what we had back!" Haymitch says dramatically.

"I said I wish we could have it back. But, you know what we had slowly slipped away."

"I do, I saw it happening. I thought you would eventually snap out of it. I never thought the only way to get over it was to leave."

"I do feel awful for leaving, I really do."

"Are you happy with him?"

She snorts in response and says, "Peeta asked me the same thing. The truth is, things have-not gone the way I thought they would."

"Not as easy as you'd thought it be?"

"No."

"I'm sure it will get better. But if you stay near the Capitol I think Ceasar will continue to spy on you."

"I know" she says solemnly.

"You are happier with him."

"That doesn't sound like a question" she says raising her eyebrows.

"It's not."

"I am-happier with him than Peeta."

"I hope it's not just about the sex."

"Haymitch!" Katniss says sternly, angered by his accusation.

He chuckles and says, "Sorry sweetheart, you can blame Ceasar for that one. But I know you and him, have a history. You both were really close with each other's families."

"Used to be that way" she says thinking of Prim's absence, a sudden feeling of sadness consuming her.

"His family will come around. Anyway, we all knew he always loved you. You didn't leave Peeta for just anyone. I don't have to worry about anything. I know he won't let anything happen to you."

"Thanks."

"If you do end up in 2, I won't be that far away sometimes. We could-visit each other."

"I'd like that."

"Take care."

"Haymitch before you go-I was just wondering, how is Peeta? How is he really?

"Quiet as usual. He paints a lot. I have been trying to get him to go out with Delly more.

Katniss nods in response, not saying anything further.

"I think if you could-keep your relationship with Gale out of Panem Daily that would be best."

"I know."

"I think that's what's hardest for him."

They head down to the main lobby. She sees no sign of Gale. They both walk over to Peeta who appeared to be sketching something on a piece of paper.

He quickly puts away the piece of paper and stands up, immediately touching the side of his head.

"You okay?" Katniss asks frowning.

"Yeah, I just-sometimes I get these headaches."

"Bad?"

"No, they just come on suddenly."

Katniss gives him a look of an apology and says, "You two heading back to your hotel?"

"Yeah we better head back, we can catch the train back to District 12 today" Haymitch says turning to Peeta.

"Thanks for coming and again, I am really sorry I caused you both to worry."

"Katniss-no matter what, I will always care about you" Peeta says.

She instinctively leans in and hugs him, trying to hold back her tears.

She watches them as they leave. She then goes to the main desk and asks if any messages were left for her.

She's told by the secretary that Gale is waiting for her in the main entrance of the military building. She heads over there and sees him talking with Spencer and some of the other soldiers.

When he sees her walk in he quickly comes over. "You okay?" he asks.

"I'm fine. You didn't stay."

"I thought it be better if I wasn't there" he says looking off to the side. She sees he is trying to hold back his jealousy.

"I heard about Haymitch's new job."

"Yeah, he had told me he wanted to get involved, I thought it be a good idea. You are right that more needs to be done."

"Well he seemed pleased about it."

"Good. So, what now?"

"Well, Harvest Moon schools start back in three days. I'd like to be back by tomorrow night if possible."

He nods in response and says, "I can ask the President tomorrow if a hovercraft can take you back in order to save time."

"Thanks."

"Do you want to-head to District 2?"

"What about Dez?"

"I will give her a call before I leave, but, I was thinking of-getting us a hotel room."

"Gale-"

"I know a place where we can go that is far away from downtown. Out near the Stone Garden Inn, you remember that place right?"

"Yeah! They had the best lamb stew ever, better than the Capitol's even."

"It would be near that area."

"Okay" she says feeling a lot better. She remembered that part of District 2 being less populated and more spread out.

She waits for Gale as he goes to get their stuff from the main hovercraft. She sits and chats with Spencer until he returns. Once he comes back she sees he has changed clothes, no longer in his military uniform.

"Let's go" he says helping her stand up.

"Bye Katniss, I hope you feel better soon" Spencer says leaning in for a hug.

"Thanks. I'll let you know the next time I am in the Capitol. And if you are ever in District 9-"

"Don't worry, I'd let you know, doesn't sound like there's much to do there" he says with a laugh.

"It's not that bad. It reminds me a lot of District 12."

"Sorry, I am more used to a busy lifestyle."

They say their goodbyes to Spencer and Gale says goodbye to the other soldiers he was talking with earlier and then grabs their bags along with Katniss's bow and looks for a taxi.

"We are taking a taxi?" she asks.

"Yeah, less chance of people seeing us. I can just imagine the news article now about you being injured."

"Yeah" she says not thinking about it before. She hated how they had to be so secretive, but Haymitch had just warned her that would be their reality.

"Remember this place is near the border. The ride will not cost nearly as much as it would if we were to go downtown."

"So I take it you already got us a room" she asks once they are in the taxi heading towards the border.

"Yeah, I called and reserved it before I came to get you."

"Did you call Dez?"

"I tried, but she wasn't there. I will try again later, she's probably at work right now."

She tries to push the thought of Dez from her mind. While she trusted Gale completely, she wondered if she would be subjected to seeing her in the future if she continued to remain in Posy and Hazelle's life. She knows the two of them running into each other is inevitable, especially if she does move to District 2.

They arrive to the hotel a little after 2 pm. Katniss happily lays down on the bed, realizing that she hasn't sleep on a mattress in over a week. Gale unpacks their stuff as she continues to lay there, closing her eyes.

He lays down beside her once he is finished. He turns on the TV and she sits up, curling up beside him with their backs leaning up on the headboards. A show begins that peaks their interest and they quietly watch it, his arm around her shoulder with her head on his. He notices after about an hour she is fast sleep.

He gently strokes the hair out of face, tired of her bangs, she has begun growing them out, which causes them to fall down on her face if she doesn't tie them back. He gently moves her so that she is not leaning up, not waking in the slightest. The two of them functioning on little sleep the past two days. Once she is laying down he kisses her forehead and turns back to the TV.

Around 5 pm he decides he better go out and get food. He leaves her a note in case she wakes and then leaves.

Katniss wakes up around 6 pm. She quickly sits up when she realizes Gale is not beside her on the bed, calling out for him. She looks around and sees a note on the nightstand and reads:

Went to get food-be back soon. You looked so peaceful sleeping I didn't want to disturb you. Love you-Gale

She smiles at his note. She leans back up on the headboard and turns the TV back on. Twenty minutes later the door opens and Gale appears, carrying a large bag.

"You're awake" he says cheerfully.

She reaches for him and when he comes over she pulls him down for a deep kiss. Once the kiss ends he says, "What was that for?"

She shrugs and says, "No reason, what did you get?" realizing that her stomach was suddenly growling.

"Well, I took a quick train ride over to the Stone Garden Inn. I ordered the lamb stew for you to go."

She gets a big grin on her face and says, "Thanks" as she watches him dig into the bag. They sit on the small table and chairs in the room as they begin eagerly eating their food, Gale getting the fresh catch of the day as his meal.

"Was it as good as before?" he asks once she leaves no trace of stew in the bowl.

"Uh huh."

He chuckles as he cleans up. She looks at him and says, "Sorry I can't help more."

"No need to be sorry. You have a broken arm, been shot in the leg, and stabbed in the shoulder. I think you have a damn good reason to take it easy."

She fills up her water glass and takes a couple of her pain pills. Just as the doctor said, they are not habit forming and while they helped, she was still feeling a lot of soreness but she knew it was to be expected.

They continue to watch TV after dinner, Gale getting up a little while later to use the phone. She knows he is calling Dez. He takes the phone and moves towards the small hallway by the door. She tries to respect his privacy but curiosity gets the best of her and she begins to listen to his conversation. She hears him say that he will be at the apartment by tomorrow afternoon and hears him ask about Harper. She then hears his voice start to change.

"I am in High River…Dez-I think you know the answer to that question…..that's why I am here….I told you before I would never bring her there…suit yourself…..I've got to go…bye." And she hears him hang up.

She pretends to be interested in what she is watching when he sits back down on the bed beside her, sighing deeply. She turns her head and looks at him while he stares at the TV, suddenly no longer in a talkative mood.

They lay there in silence for a while. When she looks over at the clock she sees it is 9 pm. She decides to break the silence and says, "What time are we leaving tomorrow?"

"I have to be at work by 9 am. We will need to leave here by 7:45."

"Okay."

"Why don't you come to my office with me? I can call the President and find out when the hovercraft is coming."

"If you think that would be alright."

"My staff knows about you if that's what you are worried about."

"I wasn't sure."

"Well, it became a bigger deal than it needed to be, a lot of rumors going around, I had to finally come out and acknowledge some things."

She leans in and kisses him, not knowing the right thing to say. He barely kisses her back; his lips hardly moving, she kisses him again and this time his lips do not move at all.

She pulls away and gives him a confused look.

"Sorry I just-have a lot on my mind."

She takes him by surprise by asking, "Are you happy? With me I mean."

He looks at her incredulously and says, "What makes you even ask that?"

"Peeta and Haymitch both asked me that today. I never thought about it until now. It made me realize, that despite our ups and downs, I am happier with you than I was with Peeta. As I said before, you make me feel-alive."

She sees a look of relief on his face, hearing that she is happier with him. He looks at her in the eyes and says, "I wish things could be different, that we didn't have to be so cautious about everything. That I could kiss you the way I did that day on the beach. But-I would endure pretending to be your cousin until I died if it was the only way we could be together."

"I doubt anyone thinks we are cousins now."

"You'd be surprised."

She looks at him curiously but he doesn't respond and instead gives her a quick kiss. They get ready for bed and he helps her change before getting back in the bed. They continue to watch TV with only the glare of the screen in the room, the lights off. Sleep quickly overcomes her again before she can kiss him goodnight. He slowly moves off the bed and goes into her bag, pulling out her dreamcatcher and hangs it by the lamp, letting it dangle from the top of the lamp's shade.

A/N: Sorry this is late, was way too tired to post anything last night. Also, I planted some seeds that hint what will happen in the future of this story.