Peeta's hands moved down to the wheels of his chair and he glanced up at his wife.
"Let me." She nodded and removed her hands from the handles, watching him wheel himself through the halls. He struggled for a moment and crashed into the wall several times but he flexed his fingers before moving them back to the wheel.
"I can help," she offered.
"I can't appear weak in front of Coin," he said through gritted teeth. "I have to show her I'm still a strong soldier. Your Protector. I can't give her any reason to
"I told you, I won't let her near you."
"Katniss, I'M YOUR protector. Not the other way around. It's my job to keep you safe."
"We keep each other safe," she fired back. Peeta sighed and decided not to press it. In truth, he loved how passionate she was being. One thing he had noticed when they were young is that she absolutely loved fiercely. She had always been so protective of Prim, and now she was extremely protective of him. Secretly, he loved it. But he hadn't been lying when he'd told her he needed to show Coin he was strong. He was sure she would want him to volunteer for more studies and he couldn't bear the thought. Maybe if he showed her he could be useful in other ways, she would forget about his powers.
Peeta wasn't stupid; he knew the probablity of that was pretty slim but still, he had to hope.
After a quick and silent dinner, Haymitch came to escort them to the meeting. Doctor Everett was not happy that his patient was once again leaving the hospital but he couldn't say anything since it was the president who had demanded it.
Haymitch was surprised to hear that Coin was inviting them to the president's mansion and he reluctantly ordered a car. Once they had loaded Peeta's chair into the back, they were on their way. Peeta clung to Katniss's hand tightly and she gently massaged the top of his hand, occasionally leaving kisses on his skin. It relaxed him but not much.
The first problem occurred when they got out of the car and Peeta wheeled himself to the steps. There was no ramp or other path into the mansion so a District 13 soldier came over to help Haymitch lift the wheelchair up the stairs. Peeta insisted he would get out of the chair but as soon as he tried, he fell back down, his leg burning with pain.
Then, the doorway was quite small and they had to squeeze the chair through. It drew more soldiers to the scene and by the time they were in the entryway, Peeta was hiding his face in his hand.
"It's ok," Katniss whispered as she swooped down and gave him a quick kiss on his head. "It's fine now."
"Katniss," he said through gritted teeth but said nothing else as she pushed him down the hall.
When the door opened, Coin stood to welcome them and Peeta gasped. Haymitch froze behind him and Katniss's brow furrowed.
"What is this?"
"A gathering of remaining Victors, all protected under the Mockingjay Deal," Coin said as she closed the door. "Please sit."
"This is all that's left of the Victors?" Peeta asked, looking around. Finnick and Annie sat closely together, with Johanna and an empty seat that was presumably for Haymitch. On the other side sat Beetee, Cecilia, Enobaria, and Arcadia. Katniss's eyes were wide as she realized how many were missing.
"She's not a rebel," Johanna spat, glaring at Enobaria. "Why did you have to include her, Mockingjay?" Katniss wanted to argue that she didn't and was really only thinking about Peeta when she made the deal. But she decided to stay silent and pulled out a chair to sit down, while Peeta wheeled in close beside her.
"I'm pleased to see you both looking well," Coin said, nodding to the couple. Peeta swallowed but gave her a charming smile.
"It's a pleasure to meet you at last, President Coin," he bowed his head. "I've heard many great things about you."
"And I you, Soldier Mellark. We are all thankful that you have returned to Katniss safely." Her eyes were cold when she said it.
"I've asked you here to settle a debate. Tomorrow, we will execute Snow. In the previous week, hundreds of his accomplices in the oppression of Panem have been tried and now await their own deaths. However, the suffering in the districts has been so extreme that these measures appear insufficient to the victims. In fact, many are calling for a complete annihilation of those who held Capitol citizenship." Peeta, who was holding Katniss's hand under the table, squeezed it tightly as he leaned forward with wide eyes.
"However, in the interest of maintaining a sustainable population, we cannot afford this. So, an alternative has been placed on the table. Since my colleagues and I can come to no consensus, it has been agreed that we will let the victors and the Mockingjay decide. The majority of votes will approve the plan. No one may abstain from the vote," says Coin. "What has been proposed is that in lieu of eliminating the entire Capitol population, we have a final, symbolic Hunger Games, using the children directly related to those who held the most power." Silence.
No one said a word. Not even Johanna, who always had a comment. The Victors gaped at the woman and Katniss winced at how tightly Peeta's hand was gripping hers.
"What?" she finally said. She couldn't take the silence any more.
"We hold another Hunger Games using Capitol children," Coin repeated.
"Are you joking?" Peeta spoke up.
"No. I should also tell you that if we do hold the Games, it will be known it was done with your approval, although the individual breakdown of your votes will be kept secret for your own security," Coin said firmly.
"Was this Plutarch's idea?" Haymitch asked with a frown.
"It was mine," said Coin, almost indifferently. "It seemed to balance the need for vengeance with the least loss of life. You may cast your votes."
"No!" burst out Peeta. "I vote no, of course! We can't have another Hunger Games!"
"Why not?" Johanna cocked her head, looking considering. "It seems very fair to me. I vote yes."
"So do I," muttered Enobaria as she stared at her hands in her lap. "Let them have a taste of their own medicine."
"Isn't this why we rebelled in the first place?" Peeta looked around. "Isn't this why we fought? Why we lost so many loved ones? To make sure this never happened again?"
"Passionate speech, Captain Handsome, but we've all been suffering at the hands of the Capitol." Peeta slowly turned to glare at her.
"Really, Johanna? You're going to pull that? After what I shared with you?"
"Exactly! You've suffered tremendously too, so why aren't you for this?"
"Aurelia was Snow's daughter! She would be forced to participate in these Games if she hadn't died."
"Yes, my condolences, Soldier Mellark. I'd heard that you became quite close with the President's daughter." Peeta glared at the woman.
"Aurelia Snow assisted the rebel party! We would have been lost without her. She deserves justice, and putting on another Hunger Games for Capitol citizens is NOT justice."
"I vote no with Peeta," Finnick nodded, clinging to Annie's hand. "There's been enough murder. I for one am ready to see the country start to heal and we can't do that while we are still committing these atrocities."
"Finnick, look around you," Johanna held out her hands. "All of our friends, gone. Murdered by the Capitol, who promised to protect them only after putting them through hell!"
"I vote no as well," Annie shook her head. "Finnick's right. I want to start healing." Johanna huffed and sat back in her chair.
No," says Beetee. "It would set a bad precedent. We have to stop viewing one another as enemies. At this point, unity is essential for our survival. No."
"I vote… yes," Cecilia said carefully, and Peeta turned to her, shocked. "I'm sorry, Peeta. I understand what you are saying, but…" her hand went to her enormous belly and she sighed deeply. "My first born was... He was borne out of rape. Right after I won the Games. Snow sold me, like he sold every Victor. I know I shouldn't be angry at the entire Capitol… but I am. I want to see them try to survive an arena."
"No," Arcadia said in a shaky voice. They waited for her to elaborate but she didn't. She merely shook in her seat. Coin raised a brow and turned to Katniss. She felt all eyes on her and inhaled sharply. She fixed her gaze on Coin, whose steel eyes bore into hers. She didn't trust Coin. Not in the slightest. But she needed to maintain her trust. She needed to stay on Coin's good side, until she and Peeta could safely get the hell out of the Capitol. And it wasn't just Peeta. Madge was pregnant. Rye. Finnick and Annie. Johanna. Prim and her mother. Peeta's brothers. She knew Coin wouldn't hesitate to punish any of them if Katniss angered her.
"I vote yes," she said firmly. "For Peeta." Her husband blanched.
"Katniss, you can't be-"
"Haymitch?" Coin cut him off and turned to the old Victor. Haymitch held Katniss's gaze and his brow furrowed.
The good thing about her mentor, Katniss decided, was that he always seemed to know what she was thinking. They had quickly become attuned to each other and their silent communication was key. Haymitch's eyes narrowed for just a moment.
"I'm with the Mockingjay," he cleared his throat briefly, then gave a smile. Peeta gaped between the two of them.
"Katniss, this is insane! You can't-"
"It's a tie," Coin said, placing her palms on the table. "Are you all steadfast in your votes?" Her eyes traveled around the room. Johanna glanced at her friends.
"Can I… can Katniss and I just… have a moment," Peeta raised a trembling hand. Coin said nothing but sat back in her chair, her arms folded across her chest. Peeta wheeled closer to Katniss and lowered his head.
"Katniss, this isn't what I want. You know this isn't what I want. Just vote no so we can go home."
"They have put you through hell, Peeta," she whispered fiercely. "And it started when you were a child. All of this pain and humiliation and threats… this is the only way." He started at the way her eyes seemed to glisten. Haymitch wasn't the only one who was good at reading her. Peeta knew his wife better than anyone and could practically hear her voice in his head.
Just trust me, Peeta.
He did. He trusted her more than anyone he knew. If she was doing this, there had to be a reason. And he wouldn't be the one to stand in her way. He didn't know what her plan was, just that he had to support her in whatever it was.
He cleared his throat and lifted his head. Katniss's hand covered his and their fingers entwined on the tabletop.
"I've changed my mind," he said in an unwavering voice. Finnick's jaw dropped and even Johanna leaned forward in her seat. "I vote yes. Let the final Hunger Games begin."
