Coin dismissed the Victors rather quickly, saying she needed to speak to the Mockingjay privately. Finnick shot Peeta one last mystified look before Coin shut the door in his face. Haymitch and Katniss both stood behind Peeta's chair, and Coin took a deep breath.
"I am pleased that you three see reason," she said with a nod of her head. "I know this is not your usual way of doing things but the country will be joyous to hear the Mockingjay agrees with this plan." Katniss nodded stiffly, Peeta staying silent.
"Now then, I have another subject of importance to bring up. A question to put to you, Colonel Mellark." She nodded toward Peeta. "Haymitch, if you wouldn't mind waiting-"
"I would mind, Madame President. As I told you on the phone, I'm uneasy about leaving my kids. Plus, I'm responsible for them while they are out of the hospital, you see, and their parents would have my hide if I left their side."
"President Coin, Katniss and I really should be getting back to the hospital, and we're both exhausted, so if you'll excuse us-"
"Grant me another minute of your time, Colonel. What I want to talk to you about would benefit us all."
"I'm not interested, Madame President."
"You don't know what I was going to say," she said cooly.
"I think I do actually. And I'm not interested in being an experiment again. Too much pain and humiliation haunt me from the last experiments I was a part of. I'm not keen on adding more to my nightmares."
"Soldier, I assure you, our doctors won't do anything without your consent. We could learn so much from you. If you would just-"
"My husband said no," Katniss said coldly. Coin's eyes flashed. "He has been through enough. I don't care if you plan to serve him tea and cakes while poking and prodding him, Peeta will not be experimented on ever again."
"Well, that's that, President Coin," Haymitch shrugged. "I should get these kids back to the hospital."
"I wish you would reconsider, Soldier Mellark," Coin said in a biting tone. "With abilities like yours, we could make great discoveries for the country."
"My apologies, Madame Coin, but I'm looking forward to a quiet, peaceful life with my beloved after all of this. You understand of course." Coin looked anything but understanding.
Katniss started to wheel him out without another word, Haymitch right behind them.
Out in the hall, Haymitch seemed to visibly deflate but he did not stop.
"Just keep moving, sweetheart," he murmured to Katniss. She obeyed and wheeled Peeta outside where the car was waiting. Two soldiers from 13 stepped forward to assist with Peeta's chair and a few minutes later, they were on their way back to the hospital. Haymitch rested his head against the seat while Peeta slumped against Katniss. She found his hand and pulled it to her lips.
"It's ok," she whispered. "We are going home soon."
"If they even let us leave," he muttered back.
"Just because we voted on the next Games doesn't mean we have to stay to watch. Just try to relax, my love. You'll be back in your own kitchen baking me cheesebuns soon enough." He managed a weak smile and kissed the back of her hand. The rest of the drive, he clung to her hand tightly as he stared out the window.
-
When they were back in Peeta's room, Katniss insisted he get into bed straightaway but he pleaded for her to take a bath with him first. Unable to deny him anything, she filled the tub with water and helped him with his clothes. He leaned into her as she helped him hobble into the bathroom.
"Let me try this," he said, his face scrunched in pain. She held his arms as he sat on the edge of the tub and slowly lowered himself down. The pain and stress faded from his face as he was enveloped by the warm water and Katniss smiled as she flung her leg over the tub and prepared to sit down. He tugged on her hand, however, and led her to sit in front of him. She did and her hair tickled his chest as she lay her head back against him. She sighed contentedly, feeling the water and her husband's arms relaxing her.
"Can we just stay like this, right here?"
"Here in the tub? You're going to have to move an oven in here because I am going to get very hungry very fast." He chuckled and kissed her forehead.
"I don't think you'd like soggy cheesebuns very much."
"Probably not. So then no, we need to leave this tub eventually." He sighed, closing his arms around her and burying his face in her hair.
"I just want to disappear to a small corner of the earth with you. No politics, no Games, no Capitol, just us."
"Well maybe when we get back to 12, we can build a cabin in the woods," she gently kissed his cheek.
"Really?"
"Sure, why not? It would be isolated but we'd still be close to Mom and Prim and your family." Peeta chewed on his lip.
"Do you really think we will be able to rebuild 12?"
"The whole country needs to heal, Peeta. 8 was bombed pretty badly too. We will rebuild. But if you want to go somewhere else, that's fine with me too."
"I already told you, if you're there, it's home." He cupped her chin so she could tilt her head back more and he leaned down to kiss her. His tongue swept across her lip before gently coaxing hers to dance with him. His hands came out of the water and cupped her breasts. She moaned into his mouth as she arched her back, shoving more of her flesh into his eager hands. His fingers moved to tweak her nipples, alternating between tugging and caressing.
"Oh god, Peeta," she moaned and he groaned at the sound of his name echoing on the walls. But when he moved his hand between her legs, she clamped them shut and shook her head.
"We really need to get some sleep. Tomorrow is a long day." He pouted but she chuckled as she kissed him. "Behave yourself," she admonished quietly.
Peeta kept his hands to himself the rest of the bath and closed his eyes in contentment as she washed and dried his hair. When they were both dried and dressed, she helped him into bed and turned to face him, her nose touching his.
"Are you ready for tomorrow?"
"You mean my prosthesis fitting or Snow's execution?"
"Both."
"I won't pretend to know what's going through your head but I trust you. I'll always trust you."
"I love you, Peeta," she cupped his chin and gave him a gentle kiss. "No matter what happens, I will always love you. Please remember that." He raised his head off the pillow, his brow furrowed.
"Why does that sound like something bad is going to happen?"
"Nothing bad is going to happen. Just remember, I love you."
"I love you too. Promise nothing bad is going to happen?" She bit her lip and watched his eyes close as he sank into the pillow before she answered.
"I promise," she breathed softly, the lie seeming to echo rather than drift softly on the air.
-
The doctors came to get Peeta early and he grumbled as he pulled on a shirt and pants. Katniss offered to go with him but he gently declined, explaining that he didn't want to risk yelling at her if the fitting didn't go well. She understood but she hated watching him being rolled away, a feeling of fear closing up her throat. She did her best to shake it away, however, and focus on the day ahead of her. The execution was scheduled for sunset and she needed to prepare. Haymitch had explained that Coin wanted her dressed in her Mockingjay outfit and would be using her bow.
After a quick lunch at the hospital, she made her way to HQ and was unsurprised to see Haymitch was already there. He, however, looked surprised to see her.
"What are you doing here, sweetheart? Thought the boy had a fitting."
"He did and asked me not to be there. I thought I would come here and see what the plan for tonight is." She then noticed that everyone was watching her warily. Finnick and Annie even looked slightly frightened. Cretus couldn't meet her eyes. Everyone must have known what Katniss had done in Coin's office.
Haymitch cleared his throat and beckoned her forward.
"You'll be surrounded by rebel troops. We will have Peeta, Rye, Cretus, and Finnick standing here while Gale, Vick, Johanna, and Chase are here. Bing, Maximus, and Blaze will be here with some of Commander Paylor's troops and this is where the other Victors will stand. Cressida and her team will be here, filming the whole thing. You'll be right here, Snow here, and Coin… right here." He glanced up at her as he circled a spot on the map. He raised a brow but she said nothing.
"Is Coin alright with so many of our soldiers being there?"
"We're all one side now, Katniss," Cretus reminded her. "Even the Capitol soldiers. Peacekeepers will be stationed along the avenue, though they won't be armed."
"Coin thinks it's better to keep the guns away from Peacekeepers so citizens don't become alarmed," Haymitch said, rolling his eyes.
"Alright. What about Snow's supporters and soldiers?"
"They are being executed separately. Coin thought it was better that way." Katniss said nothing but she had to fight to keep her face clear of emotions.
"And the… Hunger Games," Cretus started but paused. Clearing his throat, he started again. "The Capitol Hunger Games Reaping will occur tonight, after the execution. Both are mandatory viewing. Coin is expecting you to assist with the Reaping."
"Isn't that Effie Trinkett's job," Katniss wrinkled her nose.
"You'll be doing the honors, sweetheart."
"Fine. Anything else?"
"Yeah. Someone wants to see you. In the basement." Frowning, Katniss walked over to the door and kicked down the ladder. She descended into the basement and when she straightened up, Cinna wrapped his arms around her.
"My girl on fire. I'm proud of you."
"Cinna," she gasped, clinging to him for dear life. She hadn't seen him since the night the troops had left and she felt guilty for not having asked about him or Chase.
"Caused quite a stir, haven't you Katniss," Chase said with a wink and a smile. She returned his embrace and looked from one to the other.
"What's going on?"
"We're your prep team. Coin wants you to look like a real Mockingjay." Katniss rolled her eyes.
"What does that even mean?"
"It means, my dear girl, that we are going to make you look every bit as fierce and powerful as you are. Every camera will be on you so we are going to show the Capitol why you were the chosen one to lead this rebellion. I even made some alterations to your Mockingjay outfit." He didn't elaborate but he started to work her hair free of the braid and Chase opened a bag of brushes and make-up.
"Just sit and relax," Cinna said soothingly. "You said you trusted me."
"I do," she said immediately. He smiled and gently stroked her cheek with his knuckles.
"Tonight, the Mockingjay sings."
-
Peeta waited, arms crossed over his chest and eyes locked on the clock. It had now been an hour since the doctor had been here and he was without a leg, a chair, a crutch or anything else to help him move around. So he was stuck here on the table, waiting. He grew more impatient and more anxious by the minute. Finally, he heard the door open behind him and he huffed.
"About damn time. What's–" he let out a sharp gasp that was cut off by a hand clamped over his mouth. His eyes grew wide as he tossed his head and fought against the hands that held him. Whoever it was slammed him down against the table and Peeta's eyes squeezed shut against the pain in his head.
"Hold him down," a voice said roughly and more hands moved to restrain him.
"No! No!" he cried, muffled by the rough palm. He tossed and writhed as someone lifted a needle and he became even more wild.
"Get off me! Don't! NO!" He panted and pleaded as he watched the needle get closer to his arm. He blinked back tears as he felt a small prick, then felt his strength drain away.
His head lolled to the side as he slipped from consciousness.
-
Katniss felt uneasy as she reentered the hospital. Although Cinna and Chase had made her beautiful, she was aware of every person staring at her with wide eyes. She really just wanted to see Peeta. Haymitch had told her he would collect her from the hospital before the execution and Katniss was looking forward to spending a few quiet minutes with her husband.
But he wasn't in their room so she assumed he was still in his fitting. After asking several nurses where he would be, she found herself in an empty surgery room.
"Peeta?" She winced as her voice echoed off the walls.
"Peeta!" She grew more anxious, spinning on the spot. She burst out of the room and demanded to see Doctor Everett. He came running down the hall and she nearly grabbed the front of his shirt.
"Where is he? Where is Peeta?"
"Katniss, calm down. You'll send yourself into a fit."
"Where is my husband?!"
"I don't know," he gripped her fist. "He was missing when I came back in."
"Missing? What do you mean missing? How do you go missing in a hospital?!"
"Please, stay calm. We are looking for him. We have soldiers looking for him. We will find him."
"I can't do this again. I… I can't. I WON'T! Find him! Find Peeta!"
"We're trying, Katniss, we are doing everything we can."
"It's not enough," she shrieked, drawing stares. "You're not doing enough! Find him! You HAVE TO FIND HIM!"
"Katniss!" Someone hurried over and she fell back into the pair of arms.
"What the hell's happening, Doc?"
"Peeta has been… he's missing."
"What the hell do you mean, he's missing? He's been kidnapped?"
"I didn't say that, Haymitch. He wasn't in the room I left him in but that doesn't mean–"
"Fuck! How could you lose the boy in a hospital?"
"Now you need to calm down too. We're doing everything we can to find him."
"Shit. Sweetheart. Hey, look at me." She felt his hands on her face and she tried to focus on him.
"Look at me, Katniss. We'll get him back. Ok? We'll find him."
"Haymitch," she said in a choked voice. "What if… what…"
"None of that. We'll find him. He's fine." He sounded as if he was trying to assure himself more than her.
"Leo, it's Haymitch. Peeta is missing. Send troops ASAP!" Katniss didn't notice that Haymitch had his radio on him but he shoved it back onto his waistband and led Katniss away from the doctor.
"We'll search the hospital. We'll find him."
"I know who has him," she snarled. "I know where he is."
-
"Katniss, slow down! You can't just go barging into the President's mansion."
"This isn't HER mansion and if you're not going to help me, then get out of my way, Gale!"
"Hey," his hands went to her shoulders and he stood in front of her, preventing her from moving. "Just listen to me. We will find Peeta, I promise. But we have to be smart about it. Barging in isn't smart."
"And what do you suggest?"
"A diversion," his eyes were glittering. "So you can sneak in and look for him. Vick and I will distract Coin while you get inside. Keep your radio on you, do you hear me? And once you find him, you call us immediately. Got it?"
"Got it," she murmured. He nodded and gestured for Vick to walk ahead of them. The Hawthorne boys moved toward the front door while Katniss slipped around to the back. She quickly found a side entrance and pressed herself to the wall whenever she heard footsteps. So far, she was having an easy time of it. She could hear deep voices at the front and knew Gale had succeeded in distracting Coin. She didn't know how long it would last, though.
Feeling her pulse start to quicken, she started pushing doors open and peering in. She was surprised and grateful that the rooms all seemed to be empty.
Until she came to one at the end of the hall. She pushed open the door and clapped a hand over her mouth to muffle her scream.
Peeta was lying on the metal table, his hands stretched and tied over his head. His shirt had been cut open and more straps bound him to the table. He looked like he was sleeping so she hurried over and gently shook him.
"Peeta," she hissed in his ear. "Peeta, wake up. Please wake up." His head rolled lifelessly and she became even more panicked.
"Peeta! Peeta, please open your eyes! Come on, my love! Please wake up!"
"Mm," she heard him make a slight sound in the back of his throat and she jumped.
"Peeta?"
"Ka-niss?" He was obviously fighting to open his eyes; they felt incredibly heavy and he thought maybe they had been sewn shut. But he could hear the panic in his wife's voice and he wanted to calm her. He was here, and he was alive. His bound hands were being tugged and he fought harder to open his eyes.
"Oh my god, Peeta!" Her hand went to his cheek and he instinctively turned into her palm.
"S'ok," he assured her. He felt like he had swallowed cotton and his arms ached but he had no pain otherwise. The soldiers hadn't hurt him in any other way.
"I'm ok, love," he said before clearing his throat. "I'm ok."
"I'm going to kill her," she said through gritted teeth. "I don't need my bow. I will kill her with my bare hands."
"Who?"
"Coin!" Peeta's head felt fuzzy as he tried to lift it off the table.
"Coin did this?"
"You're in her mansion. Once I get you out of here, we are going home. Fuck the Capitol and fuck the execution. Fuck the Mockingjay. I'm taking you far away from here." She fought with his restraints, screaming in frustration. The door opened and Katniss spun around. A soldier peered in and swallowed.
"Mrs. Mellark. You're not supposed to be here."
"Neither is he. Release him now. Or I will put an arrow through your eye." He glanced warily at Peeta before moving his gaze back to her.
"I'm sorry, Soldier Mellark. I can't do that."
"Then you can go get your boss, so we can have a talk." He backed out of the room and returned only moments later, Coin in tow.
"You'd better have a hell of an explanation to keep me from murdering you on the spot." The soldier at her side went for his gun but Coin lifted a hand.
"It's alright. You may wait outside." The solder looked reluctant but he obeyed and left Coin with a very pissed off Mockingjay. The two women merely stared at each other for a few minutes before Katniss spoke first.
"Release him."
"Katniss–"
"Are you DEAF? I said release him!"
"If you would just hear me out for a moment," Coin held up her hand as if trying to placate her. Katniss was having none of it. She turned back around to face Peeta.
"I will get you out of here. I won't let anything else happen to you." Peeta blinked up at her, unsure of what to say.
"Soldiers," Coin spoke again and this time her tone was different. It was almost desperate. "You have to understand. Peeta's abilities can help heal Panem."
"And I believe he already told you no, he didn't want to be an experiment again! And yet you go behind our backs and drug him and kidnap him? From his prosthesis fitting at that!"
"President Coin," Peeta shifted on the table. "Please understand. It's not personal. I have been used and beaten and tortured for as long as I can remember. I was kidnapped when I was 16. The torture started right after that. I just want to be a normal 18 year old boy, ma'am. I have laid down my life countless times and I just want… some normalcy."
"Forgive me, Colonel but there will be no normalcy for anyone until we fix Panem."
"And that will take decades. Our ancestors destroyed the world, do you really think we can fix it over night? No, Madame President. Panem will heal with time. There's nothing I can do for them."
"Are we done here? No scratch that. We are done here. My husband has given you his answer. Now let him go so we can get the hell out of here and far away from you."
"Katniss, please think about it. You've seen how Panem is. Starvation. Disease. Death. Imagine if Peeta's powers could fix all that. I witnessed it with my own eyes. It was truly remarkable."
"I don't care if- wait. What do you mean, you witnessed it?" Coin was silent but her eyes glittered with madness.
"It was you," Katniss said in horror, her jaw agape. "Snow didn't drop those bombs. You did."
"You're the reason I'm like this?!" Peeta snarled, tugging at his restraints.
"I had already given the order when I saw Peeta use his powers. I would never have launched them had I known."
"You knew we were down there, you psycho bitch! What, just because we didn't turn out to be normal human beings you decided we were worthy of life after all?"
"You're such a child, Everdeen. You have no idea how the world works. How politics work. The citizens of this country are fragile and hopeless. They look to someone to lead them and want to know that they are going to be taken care of."
"You've been underground too long, Coin," Katniss chuckled humorlessly. "Panem's citizens aren't fragile. They are fighters. Rebels from every district have been helping with the revolution. Commander Paylor of District 8 can tell you how her soldiers bravely fought against the Capitol. The Victors turned against the hand that fed them to fight for a normal life. You don't see Panem's people for what they could be. How do you hope to lead them then?" Silence. Coin fumed in silence and
Katniss shrugged.
"I'm done. I'm done with you and I'm done with this Mockingjay shit. Let me father keep the legacy. I want a normal life too. And my name is MELLARK." She turned once again and started tugging at Peeta's restraints.
"In my pocket," he muttered. Katniss reached in and pulled out a knife. She quickly sawed at the straps that held him down, then started working on his hands. He sighed deeply when he could finally lower his hands but he threw them around her instead. She held him tightly, burying her face in his neck and inhaling his sweet scent.
"And do you remember what I said when we made the deal, Mrs. Mellark?" Katniss turned slowly, arms still wrapped around Peeta.
"Any deviance from her mission, in either motive or deed, will be viewed as a break in the agreement. The immunity would be terminated and the fate of the peacekeepers determined by the law of District Thirteen. As would her own." Katniss stared at the woman, fear clouding her eyes for the first time in their interaction.
"The rebels won't let you touch us."
"Oh they will protect the Mockingjay, of course, but her husband is still considered a traitor to Panem. Several years of abhorrent deeds carried out in the Capitol's name. Do you really think Panem is ready to forgive a man for that?"
"I… I was following orders," Peeta said croakily, his eyes wide.
"Yes you were. Just as Snow's closest followers and soldiers were doing. And we are executing them tonight." Peeta swallowed, going pale.
"The next time you make a threat, Soldier, I suggest you remember who you are dealing with. I am no Snow. I am much more. And you and your husband both belong to me now." Coin pushed the door behind her open and cocked her head.
"I shall see you both at the execution tonight. Your mentor should have told you everything. And tomorrow morning, I shall see you back here Colonel Mellark, for your preliminary exam." Peeta blanched just as Katniss took a step forward but the door swung shut behind Coin.
Notes:
Surprised! I'm alive!
You guys, I am SO SO sorry. I didn't even realize it had been that long but life gets crazy and you have no motivation and no inspiration for anything! But I am finishing up the story as we speak so I can post regularly! Thank yall so much for the sweet comments and messages and for sticking with me! Will post again sometime mid next week/next weekend.
Have a great week! XOXOX
