"Why don't you get some rest, Katniss," she said softly, coming back into the kitchen and seeing her daughter leaning over Peeta.
"I can't."
"He's sleeping. There isn't anything you can do for him right now. How about I make you some tea with sleep syrup as well?"
"No, I don't want any. And I don't want to leave him. What if he wakes up and asks for me?"
"He will be out for several hours at least. Please, dear, try to get some rest." Katniss sighed deeply and nodded without removing her eyes from Peeta. Finally she looked up at her mother and her eyes were hard.
"I know Prim talked to you last night. And judging how you were treating Haymitch, you didn't really listen close enough."
"Katniss-"
"Do you think this is an accident," she waved her hand toward her husband. "Do you think it's a happy coincidence that I get arrested right after we come home from the Capitol? It's time to act, Mom. Way past time."
"You don't know what you're saying."
"Neither do you, Mom. You didn't listen to him when we were young. You're going to listen to me, though. You can't stay here. And I can't believe you went against Dad's wishes. If you loved him so much, why didn't you do as he asked?"
"You need to sleep and stop thinking of all of this," Violet hurried to the counter and poured some tea into a mug. Katniss glared at her but threw her head back, downing the tea and she set the mug aside.
"You'll wake me if anything changes? If he wakes up?"
"Of course." She nodded and cast Peeta one last heartbroken look before she dragged herself into the bedroom and flung herself on the bed.
Peeta and Katniss were still sleeping when Prim arrived home. Violet was measuring out morphling in the syringe and Prim picked one up.
"Will this be enough?"
"Hardly. We think it's best to send Peeta back to the Capitol. Katniss has insisted on accompanying him." Prim's eyes widened.
"But… she can't! She has to-"
"Your sister doesn't HAVE to do anything," her mother said impatiently. "And of course she wants to stay by her husband's side. I don't fault her for that."
"I don't either. But Haymitch has already made arrangements for her to leave 12. She needs to go, Mom."
"I don't know when you became so fond of Haymitch Abernathy but he's not as saintly as you are making him out to be." Prim shook her head slowly.
"Mom, I know what you think of him. But it wasn't his fault. None of it. Daddy made his choice."
"Did Katniss make hers? Because it sounds to me that everyone is just expecting her to do this. Just because her father made some stupid mistakes, doesn't mean she has to follow in his footsteps." Prim gaped at her mother.
"Daddy wasn't stupid and neither is Katniss. And I know you know that. You can't possibly be happy about how things are right now."
"It's the way things are, Primrose. And I don't want to hear anything else about it. Check on your sister for me, please." Prim sighed deeply and went into her bedroom, where Katniss was sleeping on her stomach. She sat on the edge of the bed and gently stroked her sister's hair. The wounds on her back had finally stopped bleeding but Katniss wasn't the one Prim was worried about. Peeta's wounds were already showing signs of infection. Her mother was right, he needed Capitol medicine. But she didn't want Katniss to return to the Capitol. Would Peeta be able to convince her not to come with him?
Katniss stirred and Prim flinched, waiting to see if she would settle again. When she did, Prim sighed and backed out of the room.
"She's still sleeping," she said softly.
"Good. So is he. Will you start on dinner?" Prim had learned to cook at a very early age, having to take care of their mother while Katniss hunted and bartered. She pulled some things out of the cabinets and prepared a hearty stew. Peeta had been supplying them with food and money since he had married her sister, and she was grateful to him for not only taking care of Katniss but the whole family as well. She glanced at her brother-in-law and bit her lip.
"Do you want me to wake Katniss up so she can eat?"
"Let's let her sleep awhile longer. Save a bowl for her for when she wakes up."
"I made a lot," Prim said as she spooned some into a bowl for her mother. There was a knock at the door and Violet frowned.
"It's almost dark out." But Prim hurried to the door and gestured Haymitch to come in.
"How are the kids?"
"Sleeping," Prim said softly. "Would you like a bowl of stew? I made it myself."
"Well I won't say no then. Thanks sweetheart." He accepted the bowl and nodded to Violet as he sat across from her. She shook her head as she lifted the spoon to her mouth.
"Do not start talking about things that will get us into trouble."
"Plutarch checked into it and this house hasn't been bugged for some time. Think the wires were too faulty and no one ever bothered to repair them. So the Capitol has no idea what I'm about to say."
"I still don't want to hear it," she said stiffly.
"Tough. You chased me off when they were young, Violet, but your daughters aren't children anymore. Your eldest is about to take on the goddamn Capitol. Your son-in-law just took a beating worse than anything we've ever seen. And your husband died for his silver tongue. So the least you can do is hear me out." Violet glared at him with so much hatred that Prim scooted her chair back.
"I suggest you channel your anger toward the Capitol, Violet. I'm not the enemy here. You need to remember who the real enemy is."
"Ash said you encouraged him to make more videos. To use Katniss in them. To try to leave the district. You encouraged him to do all of the things that got him killed!"
"I grew up with Ash Everdeen. He was always a stubborn pain in the ass, a trait you both share! If his mind was set to something, no one could change it. And yeah, I wanted to see a different Panem than what I knew. So I encouraged him to fight for what he believed in. I'm sorry if you think that's a crime."
"You're going to get my daughter killed too."
"It's different this time."
"How?"
"Because District 13 has agreed to fight with us and it is the first time in over seventy years that 13 districts stand united. We can take down the Capitol, Violet! Your daughter can take down the Capitol." Violet pushed her bowl aside and shook her head.
"Look," Haymitch scooted his chair closer. "I know we've never gotten along. But I was happy for him when he fell in love with you. He was my best friend. His death haunts me every day. But he wanted me to take you and your girls to 13 if anything happened to him, because he had an inkling that Katniss could be a voice in the revolution too. He wanted you all to be safe. 13 is free of the Capitol. Your girls could have been raised without having to worry about where their next meal would come from, or hearing their names be called at a Reaping. You three would have been better off, but you refused to leave. Katniss has to go, and I want you and Prim to go with her. She won't leave you behind but you're killing her if you make her stay here."
"All of this is irrelevant now. She won't leave without Peeta. And he can't make the journey."
"I'm arranging their transport to the Capitol and making sure we have a guard around them 24/7. I can't go with them this time."
"Are you still leading people out of 12 tonight," Prim asked quietly.
"We've pushed the escape to tomorrow night. Mayor Undersee plans to tell his counterpart in the Capitol that a child has gone missing and we are leading a search party. It will have them turn the fence off AND get the peacekeepers off our backs for a bit. Purnia will lead a few Peacekeepers with us, so it doesn't look suspicious. We have several who are loyal to the rebellion."
"And more who aren't. What did they say about this," Violet waved her hand toward Peeta.
"They think Thread isn't working for Snow anymore. Someone else is calling the shots. And they have to be pretty powerful because the Minister of Defense is missing. So Antonius has either been killed or he's working for the same person."
"So what makes you think Peeta and Katniss are safe in the Capitol?"
"Duartyr, who was Peeta's commander in 2, is still highly respected in the Capitol. He's sworn to protect them. Not only that, we have multiple Peacekeepers and Victors on our side. Peeta will be safe."
"And Katniss," Prim said, her eyes wide. "You said your first priority is Katniss."
"It is, sweetheart. That's why she won't be in the Capitol for long." Prim gaped at the Victor.
"You're going to take her to 13 by force," she whispered. "Because you know she won't leave him."
"We won't make any decisions until we talk to Peeta. But Katniss must get to 13 as soon as possible. And Peeta will agree with that."
"My husband put this so-called rebellion before everything, even his own family," Violet snarled. "But not everyone feels the same, Haymitch." Haymitch opened his mouth to speak when a soft moan reached their ears. Prim jumped to her feet and rushed around the table.
"Hi Peeta," she whispered, covering his hand with hers.
"Prim?"
"Yeah. I'm right here. Katniss is asleep in the next room. Can I get you anything?"
"Water?"
"Of course." While she poured some water at the sink, Haymitch knelt in front of him so Peeta could see his eyes.
"H-mitch?"
"Hey kid," he said with a weak smile. "You don't look so good." Peeta squeezed his eyes shut and tried to shift himself without disturbing his back. But the moment he moved, fire shot across his back and he cried out.
"Don't try to move too much," Violet said, rushing to his side. Prim brushed his hair out of his eyes as she held the cup to his lips. He was too weak to lift his head so Haymitch and Violet helped him drink. He closed his eyes as the water touched his dry tongue.
"Can he have some food, Mom?"
"He needs to eat. See if you can get a few spoonfuls in." Prim brought over a bowl and held up the spoon.
"I made stew," she said half-heartedly. "Are you hungry?" He tried to nod but released a moan instead. Prim held the spoon to his lips while Haymitch and Violet held him steady. He ate several spoonfuls before he moaned and lowered his face to the table.
"Hurts," he said weakly.
"I know," Violet smoothed back his hair. "I'll give you some morphling but we have to be careful. We don't want you to become addicted to the stuff."
"Just give him the damn drug to help with the pain," Haymitch said gruffly. Violet shot him a look before she retrieved a syringe and located a spot near Peeta's shoulder.
"Hold still," she said gently as she pushed the needle in. Peeta cried out but relaxed instantly as the drug started to take effect.
"That should help."
"Is Ka-nis ok," he asked, his eyes closing.
"You saved her life, Peeta," Prim said, lowering to her knees. She stretched her arms out on the table, as if she were hugging him. "You're the best brother in the world."
"I… didn't reach her… in time. They… beat her-"
"She's going to be just fine, kid," Haymitch said patiently. "Prim's right, you saved her. Twenty lashes would have killed her. You saved her life again." Peeta tried to smile.
"She has to go."
"You can talk to her when she wakes up. Get some more rest, ok?" He didn't say anything else and Haymitch knew he had fallen asleep. He looked up at Violet, his brow furrowed.
"How is Katniss, really?"
"She's in pain but she will be fine. Three lashes didn't do a lot of damage but she can't move around a lot. She will be better tomorrow."
"Good. They leave tomorrow afternoon. And then we leave tomorrow night," his eyes flicked to Prim. "Did you talk to your boy?"
"He's not my boy," she said sharply and Haymitch's brow quirked. Prim sighed. "Fine. Yes, I talked to Rory. Told him everything and he was going straight to talk to Gale on the way home from the mines. He said he doesn't know what Gale will do but… he said he would stay by my side, wherever I go."
"One Hawthorne is better than none. But I hope Gale comes and brings his other siblings."
"I also told him about their mother," she said in a small voice. Violet's eyes widened while Haymitch looked confused.
"Hazelle? What about her?"
"She's dying." Haymitch turned to Violet in question and she shook her head.
"Cancer. She doesn't have long. The drugs have no effect on the disease."
"Damn. They won't leave her in that state." Haymitch rubbed the back of his neck and sighed.
"I'd better get home. Thanks for the stew, sweetheart." He cupped the girl's chin and smiled.
"A couple of Peacekeepers are coming around tomorrow to help get Peeta to the train station. Tell Katniss to pack what she can. And you both should pack what you'll need as well."
"Wouldn't it be better to send Primrose along with Katniss to the Capitol?"
"I don't want Prim anywhere near that place. It's bad enough Katniss has to go back. No, I'll follow Ash's wishes and escort his wife and daughter to 13 myself. Be ready to run, Violet. Pack light but take what means something to you. I don't know if there will be a 12 to come back to." Prim gasped and Haymitch patted her cheek before he took his leave.
Sometime after Violet and Prim had gone to bed, Katniss awoke and crept into the kitchen, the blanket around her shoulders. She pulled a chair in front of the table and pulled Peeta's hand to her lips. He stirred at the touch and his eyes opened blearily.
"Hi," she whispered, moving his palm to her cheek.
"Hi." She squeezed back tears at how weak his voice sounded.
"Why did you do it, Peeta?" He blinked up at her.
"Because I love you." She stifled a sob. Peeta shifted around and tried to lift his head.
"And I know you love me too. Even if you won't say it." He flipped his hand around and stroked her cheek with his knuckles. Katniss turned her face so he wouldn't see her tears. He cupped her chin and rubbed with his thumb.
"Why can't you tell me, Katniss?" She shook her head but couldn't answer. She had been asking herself that very question. Why couldn't she just tell him what he longed to hear? Especially after what he had done for her. He had saved her life, again, and she couldn't even stammer out three words? He groaned and lowered his arm back to the table.
"Listen Katniss. You know what this means. I can't-"
"No," she said sharply, looking at him now. "Don't say it."
"You need to go," he pleaded. "And I can't make the journey. You-"
"You're going to the Capitol to get help, and I'm coming with you. When you're better, we will go together."
"But-"
"Stop it, Peeta. I said I'm not leaving you. Ever. You swore to me that no one would tear us apart."
"Katniss-"
"I heard Haymitch say he arranged transport for us tomorrow. We are going together."
"It's dangerous," he said sternly.
"Exactly. So you'll need me there to protect you." Even when he was wrought with pain, Peeta rolled his eyes.
"Katniss, stop being stubborn. You have to make it to 13. Without me."
"We're done talking about this. I'm staying with you. Now do you want some more medicine?"
"Your mom gave me morphling but I'm in so much pain, I don't know if it did anything." Katniss stood and surveyed his back. She felt nauseated at the sight.
"Those Peacekeepers are absolute monsters."
"Was your mom able to fix me up?" She didn't want to lie but she couldn't tell him his back was red and raw and absolutely terrifying to look at it. There was a stench in the air from his wounds. She hadn't thought it had been long enough to get infected. But the humid air did not bode well for his exposed injuries.
"Yeah," she finally said. "Looking better already." He knew she was lying, could hear it in her voice, but he decided not to say anything.
"You should try to sleep more," he said, closing his eyes.
"I've slept all day. You get some more rest. Let me know if you need anything."
"Actually, there is something that could help."
"OK," she prepared to run to the cabinets for some kind of herb.
"Kiss me." She stared at him before she lowered her lips to his cheek. He turned, his nose nudging her cheek, until their lips met. It was soft and a little painful on account their lips were cut, but Peeta moaned against her mouth and his shaking hand grasped hers. When she pulled away, he opened his eyes and his lips
curved upwards.
"Thank you. I'll be up and about in no time."
"If only my kisses had some real healing power," she sighed, lowering her forehead to his cheek. "If only there were something I could actually do!"
"You being here with me is the best medicine," he whispered. "I'll survive because I have you." She squeezed his hand.
"You are my world, Peeta Mellark," she whispered. "Don't ever leave me."
"I'm not going anywhere," he said gently. "If those Capitol bastards think this will break us, they've got another thing coming." She sighed deeply and lowered her head beside his, taking comfort in his warm breath on her face. They fell asleep like that, their hands still entwined.
Violet awoke early and decided to give Peeta a bit more morphling so he could sleep soundly. She watched her daughter sleep, knowing she would have an awful ache in her neck when she woke but she also knew Katniss would refuse to leave his side. Sighing, she turned to start on breakfast. As she picked up an egg, she thought about how difficult things had been since Ash had died. Granted, living in 12 they had always been poor but as a Merchant, she was still able to afford luxuries like eggs and butter and new cotton to make new clothes and new shoes when hers would get holes in them. She hadn't been able to provide any of that for her girls. She glanced at Katniss and sighed heavily. Her daughter had been forced to grow up much too fast. Her little girl was busy making sure they stayed alive while her mother, the person who should have been providing for her, was unable to move from her bed. Violet shook her head, trying to shake away the memories.
Haymitch's words from the previous night stayed with her.
"Your girls could have been raised without having to worry about where their next meal would come from, or hearing their names be called at a Reaping. You three would have been better off, but you refused to leave."
She'd been so angry with Haymitch for so long that she still didn't want to go anywhere with him. But she knew he was right. She didn't even know anything about 13 but she knew her daughters would have been so much better off growing up there instead of 12.
"Morning," her youngest yawned as she reached for a cup.
"Morning Prim. I'm cooking eggs for breakfast."
"Smells great. I can't believe Peeta gave us an allowance for food. I don't even remember the last time I ate an egg."
"Katniss has brought home duck eggs more than once. Why don't you wake her up and see if she's hungry? We will let Peeta sleep as long as we can." Prim nodded and moved toward Katniss.
"Don't wake her yet, Prim," Peeta's deep voice scared both women. "She was up late with me."
"You scared me, big brother," Prim scolded him. Violet inhaled sharply and glanced at them over her shoulder. "Mom's making breakfast. Are you hungry?"
"Not really." Prim cast her mother a worried look.
"Can I take a look at your back?"
"Yeah." Prim inspected the wounds, then brought a hand to his forehead.
"Peeta, you're burning up."
"Yeah, I don't feel so great." Prim chewed her lip and looked at her mother.
"What can I give him for the fever?"
"We have some tablets in the left cabinet. Give him some more morphling for the pain. And I'll make some tea to help him relax." Prim flew to the cabinets, pulling out herbs and medicines, and Violet thought about trying to pack all of it in a bag. She wouldn't be able to take everything with her. And she had a feeling they would all need healing in the near future.
"Chew these, Peeta," Prim said softly, sliding the tablets into his mouth. He chewed obediently and she helped him swallow some water.
"Can I sleep?"
"You need to eat something. That medicine will make you sick on an empty stomach."
"Not hungry," he mumbled.
"That's the fever talking," Prim said soothingly. "Mom, he's starting to shiver." Violet was about to answer when there was a knock at the door. Since Prim was still tending to Peeta, Violet hurried to the door and her eyes widened when she opened it.
"Good morning, Violet."
"Good morning, Bran. Come inside."
"I hope I didn't wake you?"
"Not at all. I'm cooking breakfast and Prim is treating Peeta."
"How is he?" She stopped and looked up at him. The years had been kind to him but she saw the sadness and worry swirling around in his Merchant blue eyes.
"Not well," she said quietly. Bran winced.
"Is there anything I can do?"
"He needs to get to the Capitol as soon as possible. There's nothing else either of us can do." She could see he was holding back tears and she wrapped her arms around him, holding him close. Bran tightened his hold on Violet, the only woman he had ever really loved, and allowed her to hold him, to run her hand through his hair, to whisper soothing words in his ear. He didn't want to hold himself together anymore, because his wife had told him not to break down in front of people, to hold it together for the family name. Bran couldn't care less about the family name, only about the broken boy on his former lover's table. His boy. His youngest (and though he would never say it aloud) his favorite son. He took a step back and rubbed at his face.
"Can I see him?"
"Of course." She squeezed his hand and he wished she hadn't let go as he followed her into the kitchen.
One glance at his son told him that Violet was right. He needed to leave for the Capitol immediately. He was shivering violently even as Prim wiped the sweat from his brow. His back was red and inflamed, his eyes were unfocused and hazy, and he continued to moan in pain.
"Dad," Peeta caught sight of his father and Bran dropped to his knees in front of the table.
"I'm here, my boy. I'm right here."
"Dad… I need you to promise me..." Peeta winced in pain but Bran waited for him to speak again. "Promise me you will get out of 12. Get Mom to leave. Bing. April. Delly. Get them all to leave and follow Haymitch to 13. Promise me you'll go."
"Your mother says she isn't going anywhere, Peet," he said quietly. "She says it's all crazy talk and she's staying right here. Bing convinced April but she looks ready to pop. He's terrified she will go into labor while we're running."
"Then Mrs. Everdeen has to go with you," Peeta gasped out. "To help her."
"Peeta, I'm not-"
"You know you have to go," he said urgently. "Katniss needs you and Prim with her in 13."
"You will be with us too," Prim squeezed his hand. "You can't leave her, Peeta."
"God knows I don't want to but… I mentioned to her that we might be star-crossed lovers and I'm starting to think we really are."
"No you're not," Prim said firmly. "Katniss needs you, Peeta! She is actually happy now. She actually smiles. And you do that. Not Mom. Not me. You."
"Peet, you have to hold on son. The Capitol will be able to fix you up. You just have to hold on until you get there."
"I'm holding on. But I want to know that my family is safe. Dad will carry you over his shoulders if he has to, Violet." She quickly looked at Bran and saw a blush starting to rise in his rounded cheeks.
"I'll talk to your mother again," he said quietly. "And I'll make sure Violet and Prim stay safe. I promise." Peeta nodded and rested his chin on the table.
"Don't tell Katniss how bad off I am."
"She will know as soon as she looks at you," Prim shook her head. "And she will tell you the same thing. You had better hold on and stay with her."
"How'd I get so lucky… to marry into a family of amazing women," he managed a weak smile. Bran stroked his son's face and sighed.
"Bing and I managed to pack some of your things last night. We packed a bag for Katniss but we weren't sure what else she would like to take."
"I'll go over there and pack her personal things," Prim volunteered. "I'll go right now."
"Be careful," Violet said and Bran stood up.
"I'll escort her, Violet."
"Prim," Peeta said weakly and she knelt in front of him so he could look into her eyes. "On my bedside table, you'll find a small gold pin. A mockingjay. Please make
sure Katniss has it."
"Ok Peeta. What else can I pack for you?"
"My sketchbooks. Please make sure my sketchbooks are packed. And some pencils. There's also a small green box, in my drawer beside the bed. Pack that for me as well."
"You've got it. I'll be back as soon as I can." Bran wrapped an arm around Prim's shoulder and lead her to the door.
"Bran," Violet called out, hurrying after them. He paused, looking back and waiting.
"Please…" she trailed off, biting her lip. Bran's face softened and he reached out to squeeze her hand.
"She's safe with me, Vi."
"I know." He gave her a reassuring smile before leading Prim outside. Violet returned to the kitchen to keep an eye on Peeta. When Katniss woke, Peeta told her she needed to pack any necessary belongings she had left behind when she had moved out. While she threw things into a bag, Peeta tried to lean up on his elbows but fell to his chest, moaning in pain.
"I'm ready," Katniss announced, slinging her hunting bag over her shoulder.
"Someone should be here any minute to help carry him to the train station." The very next minute there was a sharp knock at the door and the sound of voices in the hallway. Prim and Bran lead the way, followed by three Peacekeepers, with Gale, Thom, and Rory bringing up the rear. Katniss sighed with relief when she saw Gale and Thom carrying the board they had used to transport Peeta here.
"You look awful, boss," Purnia muttered.
"Least it matches how I feel," Peeta groaned.
"Let's do this slowly and carefully," Thom said, nodding toward the table. Gale and Rory moved forward, with Burns and Pickens taking their places on the other side of Peeta. They were able to wedge the board underneath Peeta and slowly set him on their shoulders. Peeta winced but didn't make a sound.
"Mrs. Mellark, you can ride with him," Purnia nodded toward the cart they had brought while the men loaded Peeta into the back. Katniss nodded and turned back to Prim. She knelt to the ground and pulled her sister in for a hug.
"I will see you soon, ok?"
"Be careful," Prim whispered, hugging her tightly.
"I forget how grown you are," Katniss replied. "How much older and more mature you are now. I know I can count on you. Help Haymitch get them to safety."
"I will, Katniss. You take care of yourself and your husband, ok? I want to see you in 13 safely."
"You'll see both of us," she assured her sister. "We will meet you in a few days." Katniss kissed her sister's fair cheek and stood up to face her mother.
"Please listen to Haymitch. You don't have to like him. But listen to him. And get there safely." Violet nodded, sighing and Katniss embraced her.
"Keep Prim safe."
"You stay safe. Promise me?"
"Promise." Katniss approached Gale next and Rory bit his lip.
"Katniss, I'm so-"
"Don't Rory. I told you I don't blame you for this."
"Ma has already had a long talk with him," Gale glanced at his brother.
"Gale… we need you. 12 needs you."
"I can't leave my mother behind, Katniss. Posy isn't up to making that journey either."
"Then carry her on your shoulders. Hazelle would not want you to stay here for her. You have to help your people get to safety."
"I get what you're doing, Catnip," Gale said, surprisingly gently. "I really do. But she's my mother. I can't leave her to die."
"But-"
"Go to the Capitol with your husband," he cut her off. "And then get yourself to 13. Maybe one day, we will see each other again." Katniss sighed but she knew Gale's mind was set. She glanced at Rory and saw him slip his hand into Prim's.
"You take care of her, Rory."
"With my life, Katniss." Katniss nodded and climbed into the cart beside Peeta, despite Soldier Burns asking her if she preferred sitting up front. Purnia jumped up beside Burns and Thom and Gale took a step back.
"Thank you for your help," Katniss called. Purnia saluted the small group.
"Pickens will cover us until we reach the train station, and then he will return to you. You all be careful and wait for Haymitch's signal. It won't be long."
"Be safe, Katniss. We love you." Katniss waved to her mother and sister and saw Gale put three fingers to his lips before raising them into the sky. It was an old and rarely used gesture of the district, occasionally seen at funerals. It meant thanks and admiration, and more importantly, it meant good-bye to someone you love.
Katniss returned the gesture and the cart lurched forward. Peeta moaned and Katniss reached for his hand.
"We're safe and we're together," she whispered, watching her family fade into the dust.
