DISCLAIMER: HG characters do not belong to me.

Words not spoken in English will be italicized.

Chapter 89-New Strategy

Katniss stares at the fire in front of her. She's in a cave, sitting on top of the rocky ground. The ground is uncomfortable, but she is used to it. She's had her share of being in caves before. While out on a hunt with Gale, they got caught in a snow storm. Being much further north, this storm was a lot worse than what Katniss had experienced when she had lived with the tribe two years ago. Having a lot of difficulty seeing, they were able to find a large cave and got a fire going, deciding to wait the storm out. Three hours had passed and the storm had not let up, in fact, it had gotten worse. Hearing the wind continue to howl as she stared at the fire, she decides to break their silence by saying, "I hope they are not worried about us."

"Well that storm came out of nowhere. I think once you explain what happened they'll understand" Gale says tending to the fire, making sure it doesn't blow out from the frigid cold air rushing in suddenly.

"Not exactly an ideal situation we are in while on a honeymoon" Katniss says sounding gloomy.

"I wouldn't say that. If we stay here all night, we won't have to worry about anyone hearing us tonight" he says teasingly.

She snorts and says, "I am not having sex with you on this rocky floor."

He laughs and says, "It would be uncomfortable. And cold."

Both were not used to the frigid air that they had to endure since coming here. And from what Katniss gathered, neither did the tribe. Living north of Panem, the tribe was used to harsh conditions, but this was a whole new level of harsh. Katniss had been asked multiple times by different members of the tribe when it would be safe to leave here for they were having a hard time adapting to this new way of life.

She ended up coming up with a standard answer for everyone who asked. Saying that she would return and let them know they could go back to the village as soon as she was sure there was no threat of harm.

The truth however, was that she wasn't sure if that day would ever come. She wanted to tell Strong Wind to find another place to live if they didn't like the weather conditions this far north. She also wanted to remind him that they choose this area, not her. But she chooses to remain silent, reminding herself that they had no idea they would have had to stay away this long and knowing that he choose this area because he knows no one from Panem could ever withstand this type of environment. The Jay Killers struggled when they were closer to the Panem border, there was no way they could last even a day up here.

Food was harder to find, it was how she and Gale ended up stranded. For they had wandered pretty far out from the new village, trying to find game. And the days were much shorter, getting completely dark by 4 pm with the sun not rising until almost 9 am. With such shorter hours of daylight it made finding food for everyone that much harder.

It was total darkness outside as the snow continued to pile up. Gale looks at his device they used to help navigate their location and sees it is after 5 pm. They were not able to find any food so they decide to make the most of the rest of the evening by talking and trying to rest.

Later on while lying beside him near the fire, Katniss's stomach starts to growl and Gale pulls her closer to him in response. He says softly into her ear, "This brings back bad memories."

She knows what he is talking about. The hardships they both endured after their Fathers had died. How their hunger and desperation both drove them into the woods. But it was in those woods that they found each other. How their hardships resulted a friendship deeper than they would have thought possible. Eventually that friendship turning into something more though it took her years to realize it. She tells him that in response. In turn he smiles at her and kisses her deeply.

She gets a sad look on her face after the kiss ends.

"What is it?" he asks, confused by her sudden change in demeanor.

"It's nothing" she says quickly.

"It's not nothing. I know you better than you know yourself. What is going on your head?"

She sighs, knowing she has to tell him what was suddenly bothering her.

"Sitting in here with you like this, you kissing me just now, reminded me of….."

"When you were hiding out in a cave with Peeta" he says before she can finish.

"Yes."

"I guess I can see why" he says dryly.

"I didn't mean to think about it" she says quickly becoming defensive.

"It's okay, I didn't mean to imply anything. I guess we are both thinking about painful memories tonight."

"I was just thinking that…..I will have to tell him. About you and me."

He sighs, knowing he will have to tell Dez as well. Neither Peeta nor Dez deserved to hear that they had gotten married through Ceasar's articles. Not wanting to risk it, he knew both had to hear it from them.

"I don't think he needs to know right now" he says, still wanting to keep their marriage a secret for as long as he could.

"Once spring arrives I think we should tell people. It won't be as easy to hide my rings under my clothes."

When they were married, Gale had given Katniss her wedding band, the small diamonds on the ring matching the small diamonds on her engagement ring perfectly. She had gotten him a ring as well, a medium sized band that was the same white gold color as hers. While he was wearing his ring while in the wild territory, the plan was to keep the ring at home until they officially announced they were husband and wife.

"Okay" he says and kisses her forehead, letting her know he appreciates her willingness to wait a little longer.

They spend the rest of the night curled in each other's arms before finally drifting off to sleep.


The next morning they wake at 6 am. It is still dark, but the snow has stopped. They quickly head towards the village, getting there right before 8 am. They are greeted by Red Bear who comes running towards them.

"Are you alright?"

"Yes. We got caught in the storm. We had to find shelter" she says in response.

"We figured. I see you didn't find food."

"No" she says shaking her head.

"Come-we saved some food for you."

Katniss and Gale devour the food that was saved for them. Gale thanking Morning Sun once she brings them their breakfast. Katniss had been teaching Gale some words since they arrived, he had mastered basic words such as thank you, please, hello, etc. As expected, he caught on quickly.

The day they were to leave, Katniss tells Strong Wind her concerns that if Paylor and the military could not stop the Jay Killers, they would always be a threat. While she feared for their safety if they returned to their village, she knows the harsh conditions made feeding the entire tribe almost impossible.

"It might be best if you go back. I have no idea what the Capitol plans to do about the Jay Killers. It could take years before they are all caught."

"I will not put my people in danger" he says fiercely and assures Katniss that once the snow melts they will be fine.

Katniss promises that she will come back as soon as it safe for them to return. She and Gale say their goodbyes before heading to the spot they were to meet the hovercraft at.

"I'm happy for you. I told you fate would find a way. Now, make sure you bring your baby to see me" Morning Sun says to Katniss as she hugs her goodbye.

Katniss smiles and says, "I don't think that will happen real soon, but if it does, I will. I promise."

While walking to their pick up spot Gale says, "The only word I could understand that she said to you was happy."

"Yeah, she said she was happy for me, and that she wants me to bring our baby to see her once he or she is born."

He asks her if she wants to start trying for a baby in June like they had agreed on. She tells him that until she knows more with what is happening with the Jay Killers, she didn't want to even think about it.

"I have a feeling something bad is going to happen. The last thing I want is to be worrying about my baby's safety."

"I won't let anything happen to you or our child. You know that" he says fiercely staring into her eyes.

"We can't be together all the time Gale."

"Just make sure you wear your distress watch, don't ever take it off when we are apart."

When they arrive back in District 2, Katniss decides to go to the Capitol to meet Haymitch for lunch the day after Gale returned to work. She was still on break until January 15th.

"So I heard Gale is back on suspension" Haymitch says wearily to Katniss, unsure how she would react.

"Yes, I think he'll be suspended till the end of the year."

"I'm sorry sweetheart. You know I never thought he deserved to be suspended for what he did."

She nods in response, showing her appreciation for his support without saying it.

"What is happening with the Jay Killers?"

He takes a sip of his drink, ordering a lunchtime cocktail for himself. She knows this will be the first of many drinks he will be having. "Well, we know they are gaining more and more supporters."

"What kind of supporters?"

"People who-would like to see someone else in charge. Jasper has been able to attract people you wouldn't think to support him. People who are tired of our current President, and-surprisingly, some of Coin's former supporters."

"I'm not surprised to hear about people from District 13 supporting him, I killed their leader after all."

"Well some of them don't want violence, they want a more-peaceful uprising."

"Yet they support Jasper?"

"He's taking a different approach then Geffen. They regrouped in the wild territory, but after they were attacked I think he realized he needed to be in Panem. He lost a lot of people last July in the attack. Instead of being in an unknown territory not knowing when he will be attacked again, he decided to go to 10 and train locally. No need bringing a bunch of people up north for that. And, he's also saying to people who are not at his compound that he doesn't want violence, just that he is trying to get the word out that perhaps new leadership is needed and blaming the Capitol for the fact that his group is labeled a militia group."

"And people are buying this?"

"Some are. People who think their life is not much better now than before."

"What does Paylor plan to do?"

"Beetee is working on something that can help us. A hidden camera we plan to get inside the compound to find out what they are doing in there. How many people are in there, how many weapons they have and what kind. When she makes her move, she can't risk any mistakes for the citizens of Panem will have no idea why she is attacking people in 10."

"When will it be ready?"

"We hope as soon as possible."

She asks Haymitch if she can see Paylor. He agrees to take her back to the President's Mansion with him and has her wait in the lobby while he goes to talk to her. About a half hour later he comes down and says that she can see her.

"Make it brief. She has a meeting starting in less than an hour."

Katniss quickly heads up to her office and once inside, gets right the point.

"We need to send food to the Sioux."

"Food?" Paylor asks in confusion.

"Yes, you know how far north they are living now."

"I do."

"Well, food up there is scarce. They only get about six hours a daylight each day and there doesn't seem to be as many animals around. I don't think the entire tribe will be able to sustain themselves until spring. Considering it is because of us they had to flee their homeland, we need to help them."

"Would they take food from us?"

"If I take it to them they will."

"And when were you looking to do this?"

"Before I start back to work so, in the next couple of days."

"And how often do you think we should bring food to them?"

"Once a month until April."

"And you want Gale to go with you right?"

"I would prefer it, but he doesn't have to. I don't want any waves to be made with him being suspended and all."

"I can say I appointed him as the government official. You only get access to the hovercraft for one day."

"Thank you" Katniss says appreciatively.


3 months later (April)

Katniss sits on the train heading into the Capitol from Silver Lake. It is Saturday and she is meeting Haymitch for lunch before heading to Hazelle's for the rest of the weekend. Gale is out of town for the next two weeks in District 6 and has taken Harper with him. She decides to stay busy while he is away.

When she finally gets to the café she was to meet Haymitch at, she looks around not seeing him. She finally spots him sitting at a table in the corner with a woman with dark hair. Not recognizing who it is because the woman's back is facing her, she approaches and before Haymitch can say anything Katniss gasps in shock when the woman turns around and faces her.

"Hello Mockingjay. Long time no see" Johanna Mason says smirking at Katniss.

"Johanna" Katniss says happily.

"Didn't recognize me with hair did you?"

"No, I didn't." The last time Katniss had seen Johanna her hair was growing back in patches. Now a full head of hair came down to her shoulders.

"Sorry to interrupt your lunch date with Haymitch here. I just happened to walk into this café to grab some food when I saw him sitting here."

"What are you doing here?" Katniss asks.

"I could ask the two of you the same thing."

"We meet here occasionally when I am in town. I'm uh-working on a project for the President" Haymitch says not revealing anything more.

"I live in District 2 now" Katniss says sitting down beside her.

"Wow, so the gossip Ceasar wrote about you was true. You really are fucking Hawthorne aren't you?"

Haymitch belts out laughing in response. "I see you haven't changed a bit" he says continuing to laugh.

"Glad to see I continue not to disappoint" she says the smirk returning to her face.

"Haymitch, can you give Johanna and me a few minutes alone please?" Katniss asks.

"Sure, I'll be back." And he gets up and leaves them both at the table and walks out. The minute he is gone Johanna says to Katniss, "Out with it. How did you end up leaving the love of your life for Gale? Not that I blame you. The guy was beyond gorgeous. And from what Ceasar wrote he must be dynamite in bed in order for you to actually make a sound while having sex."

"Peeta was there for me when I returned to 12. He helped me heal. We slowly grew back together and we worked through our issues. But, the relationship….ran its course. I was never truly happy there. I was banned to 12 after the war you know that. It's a long story, but Gale and I-we became friends again. And then…..more happened."

"How did Peeta take it?"

"You know Peeta, all he wants is for me to be happy. But-he's hurting...a lot. I try not to think about it. I wish there was a way I could help him."

"I see the drama between the two of you hasn't gone away."

"I am trying to keep the drama to a minimum."

"Well, you are doing a good job. I had no idea you were living in 2."

"Enough about me. What about you? How are you? What are you doing here?"

"Well, you know after the war I returned to District 7. I now have a job running a small store. I sell supplies and weapons, axes of course" she says with a smile on her face.

"That's great. Anyone special in your life?"

"I have a daughter. She's two. I named her Holly."

"Wow that's great. Are you married?"

"Hell no. Her Father isn't even in the picture. I dumped him the minute I figured out I was pregnant. He was more concerned about the fact we weren't together than becoming a Father. I have a good relationship with his Mother though, she's watching Holly for me until I get back to District 7 on Tuesday."

"Why are you here?" Katniss asks, knowing Johanna wouldn't be here for a weekend away.

Her face falls as she says, "I've been….experiencing problems."

"You mean…."

"This is different from what I experienced when I was tortured by Snow. I've been experiencing really bad headaches. So bad I've been throwing up and fainting. I decided to finally come here and see a doctor. In order to help take my mind off of things I decided to come for the weekend. My appointment is Monday."

Katniss is horrified by what she hears, realizing she is going through almost exactly what Peeta is. She tries to push the thought the two are connected from her mind. She grabs Johanna's hand and squeezes it. Her way of showing her sympathy and concern. She sees a slight smile of gratitude in return from the former Victor.