Haymitch straightened up and surveyed their surroundings.
"Commander Cretus says his soldiers will meet us here shortly. Start gathering supplies and setting up camp. We're far enough from the city circle that we won't be seen. Lieutenant Jackson, will you help Primrose with the medical supplies?"
"Yes Colonel," the woman answered, turning to help Prim gather the extra bandages and boxes of medicine.
"Bing, you and Dalton guard the border. Make sure we're not surprised by the wrong people."
"You've got it, Haymitch," Bing nodded and adjusted his gun over his shoulder.
"We are going to get some footage of the camp being built," Cressida said, directing her team where to stand. "The rebel party's war efforts."
"That's fine but don't go too far beyond the border. Not until Cretus's team joins us." Cressida nodded in understanding, before turning back to her team and giving them orders. She sent Castor and Pollux in one direction, while Mesalla headed toward the border.
"Prim, can I help with the supplies?"
"Thanks Max," Prim said with a smile as she deposited a box of vials into the boy's arms. Blaze moved forward to help as well.
"Haymitch, where should we set up the medical stations," Prim called.
"Not anywhere near here," a familiar voice said behind them. Prim and Haymitch whirled around as a tall boy rushed forward and yanked Prim into his arms. She didn't have time to react before he was pressing his lips against hers, his hand moving to cradle her head.
"Rory," she gasped, throwing her arms around him. Max looked flabbergasted as he fumbled to hold onto the box. Blaze glanced sideways at his friend and gently nudged him.
When Rory released Prim, he turned to his brother.
"I don't need a greeting like that," Vick held up his hand with a scowl. "Where's Gale?"
"He's standing guard at the border. Give me a hug right now!" Rory pulled his brother into a forceful hug and Vick broke away, scowling.
"Are you just here to torture me?"
"Don't flatter yourself. I'm here to escort Prim back to Headquarters. Tigris has allowed us to use her shop for the medical stations, and Peeta is making space and setting up pallets." Prim tried to keep the excitement at bay. If Peeta was at HQ, that meant her sister was there too. It felt like months since she had seen Katniss. And it HAD been months since she had seen Peeta. She missed her brother-in-law dearly.
Brother, she paused to remind herself. Peeta was her brother. Or half-brother technically, but he was still more family than she had ever expected.
Did he know? She couldn't imagine that he would but she wasn't sure if she would be able to keep the secret. And what would Katniss say? She didn't know about their mother's betrayal either.
There was no time to worry about all of that. They were headed into a war very soon, and they needed to be prepared. She had been put in charge of the medical camp, so she wound bandages and blankets around her shoulders.
Blaze stepped forward, adjusting his shoulder pack.
"Soldier… did you say Peeta Mellark is here?"
"He is. Who are you?"
"Blaze Bronzeway, sir. Peeta was my General back in 2."
"Blaze and Max brought Rosalie to 13 before she had her baby," Prim spoke up. "They are friends."
"Well, pleasure to meet you mates. I'm Rory Hawthorne. I can take you to see Peeta if you like. You can help Prim with these boxes."
Rory nodded to Haymitch, who was directing soldiers what and where to set up.
"Rory," Haymitch marched over to him. "How's it going here?"
"All well, Haymitch. Peeta and Katniss are at HQ, which is where we are heading now. Cretus is standing guard with Gale, and Finnick, Johanna, Rye, and Madge should be joining you shortly. Chaff too."
"Good. I'm going with you. I need to speak to Peeta and Katniss both."
"Sure, come on then." Haymitch held up a hand so they would wait for him, while he hurried off to where Jackson was. He hurriedly explained to her where he was going and asked that she look after things while he was gone.
"Yes Colonel," she nodded. Haymitch paid no attention to the title but nodded in thanks before turning to join Rory.
"Haymitch," she called after him and he paused. "Will you tell them?"
"They both need to know. Peeta, especially." Jackson nodded, her eyes steely. Haymitch nodded and rushed off to join Rory.
"Right, come on," Rory lifted his rifle and led the way through the trees and across the border.
"So does this mean we are in District 1, and not the Capitol," Max asked as they walked.
"There is a clearing of trees right on the border of the Capitol. It's always been unclaimed land, although Snow would never admit to that. So technically we did land in 1, but we are already in the Capitol," he indicated the paved path just beyond the trees. Rory stepped out first, his rifle raised high. He saw Gale motion him forward and he whispered for them to follow him.
They understood that it was better not to speak until they were inside HQ, though Max and Blaze didn't fully understand it. The city looked to be evacuated, but Rory was acting as if Peacekeepers were lurking around the corner. Or was something else lurking around here?
Haymitch spoke Max's unspoken question.
"Have any mutts been seen around here, Rory?"
"Peeta was attacked the night he came to meet us. He barely made it into the sewers in time. And then we encountered huge lizard mutt-things down in the sewers but I haven't seen anything since then. We've been warned, though, that there could be more coming." Haymitch gripped his gun, twisting his head.
"Stay alert," he muttered to the boys. Max wished he wasn't holding a box so that he could hold his rifle. He glared at Rory, who held his weapon steady in front of him, ready to defend Prim. Who was this guy anyway? He was darker than any boys he had seen in 2 and his eyes were grey and stormy. Max had to wonder where he came from.
Rory fell completely silent as they made their way into the city, circling buildings and pressing themselves against brick walls.
"HQ is right behind us."
"Then let's go," Haymitch hissed. "We're too exposed here." Rory nodded and continued on his way, turning down an alley and knocking sharply on the door. They saw a pair of eyes and Rory leaned in to mumble a word. Max thought he heard "mockingjay" but wasn't certain. The door snapped open and Rory allowed them to pass. Haymitch clapped the boy's shoulder as they made their way inside.
"Tigris," Haymitch nodded to the tall woman standing by the door. There were heavy footsteps and the blonde soldier on the stairs froze.
"Prim," he breathed in a mixture of confusion and relief as the girl rushed toward him, flinging her arms around his neck. Max was growing frustrated at Prim's displays of affection for, it seemed, any man she met. Peeta lifted his sister off the ground and kissed her hair.
"Thank god you are alright," she whimpered.
"I'm fine. Wait here for a moment." He hurried back up the stairs, only to emerge again with her sister in his arms.
"Katty!" Prim shrieked and Peeta grinned when Katniss squirmed in his grasp.
"Don't make me drop you," he chided her with a laugh. He set her in a chair and Prim swooped down on her immediately.
"Prim, what are you DOING here?"
"Coin sent me. I'm in charge of all medical stations and supplies. They were training me to be a doctor, Peeta, can you believe it?"
"I can," he smiled. "You'll make an amazing one, Prim." He turned to shake hands with Haymitch and looked surprised when he recognized the other two.
"I have to admit, I didn't expect to see you two again," his smile widened as he shook their hands.
"We got Rosalie to 13 just in time," Blaze grinned broadly. "I carried out your orders, Peeta. And I told Haymitch that I wanted to fight for the rebels."
"Well I'm glad we have two more brave soldiers on our team! Oh my god, set those boxes down, what was I thinking?" Max stepped forward to set the box on the table, followed by Blaze.
"Haymitch," Peeta nodded solemnly to the Victor. Haymitch swallowed and seemed to hesitate. Before Peeta knew what was happening, the old man had pulled him into a tight hug. Peeta froze and opened his mouth to speak but was released immediately.
"You're a pain in my ass, boy," Haymitch said gruffly. Peeta chuckled and clapped Haymitch's shoulder.
"Missed you too, Haymitch." The old Victor grunted and shook his head.
"Awe, come on, I know you were worried about me."
"I'm too old for the shit you put me through." Peeta snorted.
"What exactly have I put you through?"
"Your wife was crazy without you! Thought she was going to kill someone in 13."
"Don't believe his lies," Katniss paused her conversation with Prim to frown over at the men, before she went back to scowling at her sister.
"Kid, is there a place we can talk? Privately?"
"Yeah. Let's go to the basement," Peeta motioned for Haymitch to follow him. "Rory, I cleared out most of the front of the shop but you can push the clothing racks even further back if you need to."
"Thanks Peeta," Rory called as Peeta pulled the basement door open and descended the stairs.
Peeta paced while Haymitch talked. When Haymitch had seen him a few moments ago, he looked carefree and happy.
Now, his handsome face was screwed up in concentration and worry while his hair was mussed from running his hands through it so many times. The dark circles under his eyes were now evident and he was chewing his nails anxiously.
"So she does want her dead."
"According to Jackson, she means to turn Katniss into a martyr. She'd given Boggs orders to let something happen to her, but when Boggs died, Coin gave the same mission to Jackson. Jackson said Coin's plan was to make sure you found your way to the group so you could finish her off yourself." Peeta's face was full of pain.
"I knew it," he hissed. "I fucking knew it. I told Katniss that was her plan. To get rid of both of us in one fell swoop. She thought I would still be messed up from the venom and that I would kill her. She was the one who radioed us here but never reached out to Boggs to let him know I would be there. This bitch
wanted me to kill Katniss!"
"She's a cold one," Haymitch nodded.
"So what does this Jackson plan to do? I mean, obviously if she's telling you what Coin said, she isn't following her orders, right?"
"No, she's not. And she transferred her security clearance to me. Jackson was supposed to be our new Colonel but she passed the title on."
"Colonel Abernathy, huh?" Peeta's lips curled.
"Not for long," he shook his head. "I never wanted to be a soldier. The only reason agreed to this is to watch over Prim. And if I got lucky, I'd see you kids safe and happy again. Now that I have, I don't want another leadership role. I'm done with mentoring. I've seen enough kids die to last me a lifetime. Which means I will be very very angry with you if you kick the bucket."
"Noted," Peeta laughed. "I'll try not to die. Katniss has threatened me too, don't worry." Haymitch's smile faded a little.
"What's up with her? You having trouble not letting her out of your arms, or is there an actual injury?" Peeta ran a hand through his hair… again.
"She injured her ankle and it's badly bruised. Doc Everett said she needed to stay off of it for a few days but you know how she is. She refuses to be left behind, or left out of anything. I could barely get her to sit in the bed for a few minutes. I don't want her in the fighting if she can't even stand, Haymitch."
"She won't stay out of it," Haymitch shook his head. "You know that."
"I know," he sighed deeply. "Anyway, you were saying? About not wanting to be Colonel?"
"I intend to transfer my clearance to someone too."
"How will Jackson feel about that?"
"She already knows. I want our Colonel to be someone who has dealt with Capitol Peacekeepers, and has a reputation for being a fierce soldier." Peeta stared at the ground until it hit him like a ton of bricks. His head snapped up and his eyes widened.
"Haymitch," he said warningly.
"You've got an army that's ready to fight with you. Whether or not they have experience, you've got soldiers from every district coming to join you. You can lead them."
"I was a Peacekeeper General, Haymitch. No one will trust me to lead the rebel army."
"That's too bad because," he withdrew a machine from his jacket and held it up to his mouth. "Transfer of prime security clearance to Private Peeta Mellark." He turned the device towards Peeta. "Say your name."
"No," Peeta said, his voice shaking.
"Peeta," he stepped toward him. "Say your name."
"I can't, Haymitch, I-"
"Kid, you're the one who needs to do this! Katniss is too rash and too emotional to actually lead an army. You have the experience. You have the power that you will need," he added, making Peeta frown. What did that mean?
"Say it." Peeta took a deep breath and leaned close to the device.
"Peeta Mellark." Green light surrounded him, rooting him to that spot. He stiffened as the light scanned up and down his entire form. Then, it was gone.
"What did you do?"
"Made you Colonel. Here's the holo. This will help map out where mutts and pods are once we get our soldiers into the city. There's something else you should know." Peeta glanced up from the holo. Haymitch stopped, his mind racing. He wanted to tell Peeta what he knew about his magic. What Sae had said about him being a Protector, a magical being with powers to defend those he loved. Sae had told him that Peeta had very old blood, and that magic flowed through him.
But he couldn't say it. The boy had enough on his plate, and Haymitch had just added one more thing.
He bit his lip and sighed.
"Your parents wanted me to tell you hello and they love you. They are eagerly waiting for your return." Peeta's brow quirked but he didn't say anything. He gripped the holo tightly as he pushed the basement door open, but turned back to Haymitch.
"I seriously doubt that's true." Haymitch was taken aback as he blinked up at the boy.
"What do you mean?"
"I guess you don't know… or, maybe you do know, and you don't want me to attack my parents when I get back to 13."
"Peeta, what are you-"
"I know about Mom, Haymitch," Peeta said angrily, his eyes flashing. Haymitch opened his mouth but closed it again.
"Yeah. I know about her little deal with Snow. About why I became a Peacekeeper when I was 16." He was shaking now, his fists clenched and his eyes almost dilated with fury.
"So which is it, Haymitch? You didn't know… or you didn't want me to know you know?"
"Peeta… you gotta understand-"
"Yeah," Peeta replied in a flat tone. "That's what I figured." Peeta started to climb up but Haymitch grabbed his ankle.
"Do you know why she did it?"
"No. But I suppose you do."
"Does sweetheart know?" Haymitch ignored Peeta's statement.
"She does... so Mom better be far, far away from 13 when we return."
When Peeta and Haymitch reemerged, Katniss and Prim seemed to be arguing.
"No Prim," Katniss said angrily. "You need to go back! It's too dangerous here!"
"No more dangerous for me than it is for you and Peeta and Rory and-"
"Everything I've done, I've done to keep you safe! I don't want you anywhere near the fighting and soon, it will be on our very doorstep. You're my baby sister, Primrose, please-"
"I'm not a baby," Prim screamed. "I'm a doctor in training and I want to help the war effort the only way I can! I can't just sit in 13 and wait for news if my sister and boyfriend are alive or dead. Besides, Coin ordered me here! You can't disobey her orders!"
"Watch me," Katniss snarled.
"Hey," Peeta hurried forward, holding his arms up. "I know that tensions are really high and that we're all terrified of what's going to happen, but you are sisters for heaven's sake. Calm down and start acting like it."
"I am acting like it," Katniss said through gritted teeth. "I'm being overprotective like everyone has always said I am. I want her on a hovercraft back to 13, Peeta. Now."
"Katniss, Prim is right," Peeta glanced at Haymitch. "We can't disobey Coin's orders. Not right now anyway. The situation is too dangerous." Prim frowned, looking between both men.
"Explain." Peeta cleared his throat.
"Prim, why don't you start setting up-"
"Stop treating me like a baby, Peeta," Prim rolled her eyes. "Just tell me." Peeta cast Katniss a pleading look but she stared back at him defiantly and he sighed.
"Prim, we think President Coin wants Katniss to die in the war." Prim's jaw dropped and Haymitch scoffed.
"Think? We know. Peeta says that Boggs told you, sweetheart, is that right?" Katniss nodded numbly.
"Ok, well, Jackson told me the same thing. What Coin told her. She wants a martyr for the rebellion and your death, especially if it's televised, would fuel Panem with hate for the Capitol."
"The Mockingjay, murdered on her quest to conquer the Capitol," Peeta said weakly. "Bonus points if her own treasonous husband were to do it." Katniss stared at him in silence. They had discussed it but evidently, Haymitch had confirmed it.
"So when can we kill Coin?" Prim scowled. Peeta nearly clapped his hand over the girl's mouth.
"Careful," he hissed. "We have no idea who all is loyal to 13 and who is loyal to the Mockingjay."
"Since they seemed to be on the same side, I would assume everyone is loyal," Prim bit back.
"I agree that most of Katniss's squad that came here with her are loyal to her but I don't know about anyone else."
"If you're referring to Max and Blaze, Coin doesn't trust them," Prim lowered her voice. "They came here for you, Peeta."
"Who?" Katniss asked, puzzled.
"Nevermind, sweetheart. The point is, Jackson was meant to be our new Colonel. But she transferred security clearance to me and I passed it on as well."
"Ok," she said slowly. "Then who is our new Colonel?" Haymitch indicated Peeta, who looked miserable.
"Are you insane," Katniss asked with wide eyes.
"I'd have thought you'd be pleased," Haymitch grunted.
"Because you think I want my husband at the front of all the fighting?"
"He'd have been up there anyway! He can lead these troops with authority, which is what we all need. He's been through so much, people will follow him."
"I am right here," Peeta said, thoroughly irritated. Katniss went on as if she hadn't heard him.
"Our own squad still doesn't trust him completely! Or maybe they finally do, I don't know. But you heard what those rebel soldiers said when we first met here months ago. They don't trust him because he was a Peacekeeper. What makes you think they will listen to him?"
"To survive so much poisoning and torture shows strength and determination. Peeta has a power inside him that our armies will see and want to stand behind."
"Enough about powers," Peeta snapped, leaving Prim looking very confused. "Yes, I'm a strong soldier. That's it. If the troops are ok with a former peacekeeper leading them, then fine, I'll do my best. But we don't know what Snow and Antonius have been up to, all this time. They could be in that mansion creating unspeakable horrors to unleash on us. Also, I'm not altogether sure if Leo is going to be too happy with me being promoted. He has been Commander since the beginning."
"And you went from Lieutenant to First General in a matter of months," Haymitch pointed out.
"As part of Snow's plan! Not because of anything I did."
"My god, I'm glad I never had either of you as a tribute. You don't believe in yourself, you don't believe in your strengths, and it seems to me that you don't even believe in each other."
"That's not-"
"Now wait a-"
"I gotta get back to the camp," Haymitch said loudly. "I'll try to find Cretus and have a word with him. Prim, you should stay here rather than the camp. When the rest of the supplies arrive tomorrow, I'll have someone bring them to you. And just… just watch out for each other, ok?" Haymitch nodded before taking his leave. Prim huffed and went to join Rory in the shop.
Peeta took the seat beside Katniss and rested his chin on his hands.
"You're thinking I should make someone else Colonel?"
"No," she said stiffly, staring at the table. "Haymitch is right. You have the experience and the discipline. You're a good leader. The troops will follow you."
"When we win this war, we don't have to answer to Coin. We will have the power to elect new leaders."
"Yeah. You want a 16 year old girl to lead the country," she said bitterly. "A little girl who wants to sleep with you."
"Katniss!" Peeta scoffed incredulously. "That's insane."
"Oh, have you forgotten she requested you as a birthday present," she finally looked at him and her eyes were cold steel. "That she wanted you to be her first? You think her little crush on you has faded?"
"Oh my god, I cannot believe we are talking about this. I thought you were finished being jealous-"
"I am NOT jealous. I know who holds your heart. I just want to know why you're so comfortable with a little girl ruling the country that we are fighting to save.
Why you would be so quick to put another Snow in charge, especially one who has lived a spoiled life. I want you to tell me more about why you trust her and why I should trust her." Peeta propped his face in his hands and huffed. It wasn't an extraordinary request. She made a lot of sense, since he had not really told her much about the meetings between him, Leo, and Aurelia. In all honesty, he had been just as skeptical. He supposed he had been caught up in some of her great ideas. Unfortunately, he couldn't really give her good reasons to let Aurelia run for an election. He doubted she would accept "because she wants to make up for her family's past".
"I'm not saying I don't want to hear what others have to say about possibly being in charge," he finally spoke. "Just that I don't think we should count her out completely. She has some great ideas and with the right guidance, she could make a great leader one day. That's all." Katniss studied him intently with narrowed eyes.
"Ok," was all she said.
"Katniss," his voice turned tender as he reached for her hand. "I don't want to argue anymore. About Aurelia, about my place in the rebellion, about being apart. Any of it. We're a team, and a damn good one at that. Let's try to remember who the real enemy is, and that we are both pretty lost without the other. I will always be honest with you, and I just ask for the same from you."
"Of course, Peeta," she said softly. He smiled and pressed his lips to her palm.
"I'll get you back upstairs so you can work on those notes some more. We need to see if Snow has anything on new weapons." She nodded and reached up to slip her arms around his neck as he scooped her out of the chair.
When he had deposited her into the bed, he returned to the shop to help Prim and the others with setting up a proper medical station. Prim turned and her lips thinned.
"Did you tame the beast?" Peeta chuckled.
"She's just worried about you, Prim. and scared. She was just saying this morning that she was grateful that you were far away from the fighting. She loves you fiercely."
"I know," she nodded, her features softening. "But if my older sister is going to be fighting, I want to help too."
"She knows that. Speaking of which, is there anything I can do to help?"
"Rory has been great, arranging the vials. Max and Blaze have been quite helpful in setting up the beds and making sure the bandages are readily
accessible. I'm just not sure how practical it will be to have a medical station this far away from the front line. Aren't you marching on Snow's mansion?"
"We are but we don't know if Snow's troops will challenge us from here. And there is no way Katniss will allow you to set up a medical station any closer than this, so don't even think about it."
"You're the Colonel, Peeta. You could-"
"Stop right there," he shook his head. "Don't even think of asking me to give an order that will anger my wife."
"What if it's for the good of your troops," she insisted. Peeta's hands gripped the sides of his head.
"Just stop, Prim. We'll make do with what we have. If we see that it's not working, we'll make adjustments how we see fit. Don't ask me to make a choice between my wife and my little sister." Prim spun around, her eyes wide.
"You know?"
"Huh?"
"Did you- you just referred to me as your sister."
"I've referred to you as my sister since I married Katniss," he said, his voice laced with confusion. "I figured it was… less formal than saying sister-in-law." For some reason, her shoulders fell.
"Oh. Right."
"Prim, what's-"
"Prim, how is this?" Prim turned back to Rory.
"Oh that looks great. It will be helpful if we have lots of injured soldiers in here together. Thanks Rory."
"Is there anything else we can do to help, Miss Primrose?"
"Blaze, this is great! Thank you and Max so much. I think we are good until we get the extra supplies tomorrow."
"We should be returning to base camp then," Max stood and brushed off his hands. Rory stuffed his hands in his pockets, eyeying Peeta warily.
"I overheard Haymitch saying you are our new Colonel."
"Yeah," Peeta groaned, running a hand over his face. "And a Colonel who stays tucked away inside is useless. So now I get to try to explain to Katniss why I can't stay by her side the whole time."
"I'll help with her ankle," Prim suggested. "And maybe we can have her on her feet tomorrow."
"Thanks Prim but I just don't think she'll be ready by the time we attack. You know she won't be left behind and you know I won't be able to stop worrying over her. We could be seriously compromised if she doesn't listen to orders."
"You're a soldier first, Peeta, and a husband second." Peeta snorted humorlessly and lowered his hand to look at Rory.
"You've known her for how long, Rory? And you really think she's ok with that way of thinking?"
"Don't be an idiot," Prim chastised Rory as well. "She has been apart from Peeta for months and you think she will suddenly be ok with him going off to be a soldier while she waits at home?"
"Of course not," Rory said impatiently. "I know firsthand how fierce the Everdeen women are. I'm just saying that I think we're underestimating her. She married Peeta knowing he was a Peacekeeper and a Lieutenant. She stayed with him as he was promoted to Captain. And she knew, when we were on our mission to find him, that he was still a soldier. Yes, she's having a hard time letting you out of her sight right now but when it comes down to it, I think she'll have an easier time accepting it than you think." Peeta stared at him and Prim shook her head.
"You're cute but you're a fool. She will never find it any easier for Peeta to leave her behind. You didn't see her the way I saw her in 13. She didn't want to eat. Often, she stayed in bed. She didn't talk to people for the longest time. She just shut down, Rory. Until she stepped up to fight, she had withdrawn into herself. And you think she will just kiss him goodbye when the fight starts?" Rory looked like he was about to say something but Peeta held his hand up.
"Look, I'll talk to her. Commander Cretus is supposedly inviting a large portion of the troops over for dinner tonight and we can talk more about what we plan to do. We are expecting most of the troops from other districts by morning. Haymitch wanted to have everything ready at camp in case anyone arrives tonight. Can I count on you two to assist Haymitch with that?" He indicated Blaze and Max, who both nodded eagerly.
"Excellent, thank you soldiers. Rory, if you could escort Blaze and Max back to camp and let Cretus know what's going on. He might want to start sending a few of the soldiers back here. The doctor should be here soon so Gale should definitely return."
"What happened to Gale?" Prim asked quickly.
"Mutt attack," Rory muttered. "He's fine but he needed stitches."
"Prim, I'd actually like to talk to you about something I need some help with. Be careful, soldiers." Rory, Blaze, and Max saluted Peeta before taking their leave. Peeta pulled up some chairs and motioned for Prim to sit.
"Listen Prim, I'll try to make this as short as I can. I was part of an experiment when I was first taken to 2. They injected me with this serum that was meant to turn me into a super soldier."
"I know," she said softly. Peeta's brow furrowed and he sat back in his chair.
"What do you mean, you know?" Prim slid a small journal out of her bag and handed it to him. Peeta flipped through it, his eyes widening in horror.
"Where did you get this?"
"Blaze's father was on the team… that, um…"
"Tortured me?" Prim winced at how cold his voice had become.
"This notebook contains pages and pages of notes about those experiments." Peeta looked back down at the journal.
"What about the serum they used? Is there anything about that in here?"
"I haven't had a chance to go through the whole thing and there is a lot I don't understand, that you'll have to help me with. But it is a detailed account but what was used on you, how many times, and the aftermath. Up until you were promoted and requested to be moved to 12."
"Then that's what I need you to work on. The serum they used on me was supposedly a one of a kind, using my blood, and I was the first in years to survive the procedure. Our sources say that Snow has possible plans to replicate the serum and use it on his other soldiers. The serum increases physical strength, healing time, and reflexes. The scientists used it on me in conjunction with tracker-jacker venom. The super serum helped my body but the venom attacked my mind. They worked against each other and each time I have been poisoned, I have been able to overcome it with a powerful dosage of super serum."
"You still have some? But how?"
"The doctor you will meet soon, Doctor Everett, was the one who healed me when I came here after the whipping in 12. General Duartyr worked with Doctor Everett to make me better, and I think Duartyr had the recipe for the serum. Everette has replicated it and provided me with more. It's how I was able to regain most of my memories when I was brought here a few weeks ago. I want to know if it is safe to use on our soldiers, and if it is possible for Snow to use it on his troops. I expect you and Doctor Everett can work together on this."
"Of course, Peeta," she accepted the journal back and dropped it in her pocket. Peeta stared at her pocket uneasily.
"Don't show Katniss, alright? She has already found some notes from Snow's office and is just… she doesn't like knowing what I went through."
"Of course she doesn't," Prim's voice softened. "But I won't show her unless I have to."
"Thanks, Prim. I made this little bedroom over here, for you," he showed her the curtain he had set up and the little pallet with lots of pillows. There was even a small table for her things.
"Thanks, Big Bro," she grinned, which she returned. She wanted to tell him, she really did. But was it fair to hear it from her and not his own parents?
"Ok, little sister," he winked. "I'm going to check on your sister. I'll be back down in a little while." Prim nodded as she sat at the large table and opened the notebook, with pen in hand.
Peeta made his way back upstairs and froze when he saw the room was empty.
"Katniss?" He called, grimacing when his voice wavered. He saw the bathroom door closed and he hurried over to try it. It was locked so he pressed his face against it.
"Katniss, are you alright? Please answer me." He was silent and could hear small sniffles. He shook the doorknob again and knocked.
"Katniss, please open the door. You're scaring me." But it remained closed.
"Do you remember the Capitol when I broke the door down? I'd hate to do the same to Tigris's door but I will if you don't let me in. Please," he added desperately.
In the bathroom, sprawled on the floor, Katniss clutched a file while papers were spread across her lap. She could make out headlines such as "Corialanus Snow correspondence with Margaret Mellark of District 12" and "Collection Schedule of Peeta Mellark of District 12". But the one that had caught her eye, the one she was clenching in her fist, read "Investigation of Ash Everdeen- Sources include Michael and Morgan Farville, Margaret Mellark, and Brenden Diggs"
After what seemed like hours of Peeta's incessant knocking, which grew louder and louder, Katniss stood and finally yanked the door open.
Peeta's eyes, full of concern and questioning, traveled over her face and down her form, until they locked on a file in her hands.
In a tiny cursive handprint, he could just make out "For Peeta".
I'm sorry about another cliffie, I just can't help it! *hides*
and there's a LOT going on in this chapter so I apologize for that- I have gotten a few angry messages about this "dragging on" and being "way too long"... if you look at my previous fics, you'll see that I like long fics. So I won't exactly apologize for that. However, I am extremely grateful to many of you who have left comments and sent messages saying even though it's so long, it hasn't gotten boring or you are still excited to read. I thank you for that.
We're wrapping things up and gearing up for the battle. Bear with me, not much longer to go.
Have a great weekend everyone!
XOXO
