Things are upside now no one knows who has survived and with lives in the balance they cannot do anything with the storm raging outside. They are working on a communication device. Will they make it work?

Thank you to Norbertsmom for beating. I do not own the Hunger Games.

It's my birthday today and I've been dying to update this story as a thank you to all of you who have really made this story come to life.

Day 2 of the Storm

The wind whipped and the snowfall slowed. Peeta and Katniss were together in their shared bunk.

The silence that stretched over the evening was broken by the small group of people gathered in the bunker who became a community of survivors. The old wooden structure held up well to the biting temperatures outside, although it didn't detract from the fact that it was still cold inside of the building. It was agreed the provisions should be split equally and that those injured needed the most care.

The first day, they mostly slept. Hazelle made sure all of the injured were taken care of. Some didn't make it, like Purnia. During the battle, Purnia had been shot, but she continued to fight instead of getting medical assistance. One of the team found her in the snow as they were headed for the bunker. They carried her in, her wounds were too severe and she slipped away into the night.

Peeta's brother's health had taken a downturn in the pre-dawn hours. Rye's burns weren't healing as quickly as they hoped and it was imperative the machine that was keeping him alive didn't lose power. Sometime before dawn there was a hiccup with the old generator.

His brother had coded and went into cardiac arrest. Hazelle and her team immediately began trying to revive him. One of the peacekeepers gave his brother mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, and that brought him back.

Peeta had been called and he ran into the back to confront the chaos. Katniss, although she loathed blood, began pitching in as well, trying to calm down the frightened patients. All Peeta could focus on was the heart monitor that rang with that eerie high-pitched ringing. Suddenly the ringing stopped and the heart monitor started beeping steadily.

"Peeta," Hazelle said.

Peeta turned to her. She was talking but he couldn't hear her. He was in a fog. Katniss wrapped her arm around his waist and Peeta finally registered her warmth.

"Katniss, please take him back to the bunk you two are sharing," Hazelle said.

"I will," Katniss responded. "Come on Peeta, let's go back to bed." Katniss led him away.

Peeta sat down but he was still wound up. Katniss leaned up against him. It was still early. All around them they could hear soft snores and soft breathing from those who were fast asleep. The quiet space in the room allowed him to decompress and to rehash what happened. Peeta nestled his nose on Katniss' neck. Her hand gently ran through his hair as Katniss hummed to him. Her beautiful voice enveloped Peeta like a balsam.

Last night he'd been so happy after telling Katniss that wild adventure about Corky and his brothers. Then before the sunrise, he was woken up by someone telling him to come quickly.

The shock of seeing Rye in such a state caused him great pain. Peeta recalled how close they'd become during this past year. How Rye was always trying to protect him and Katniss from being found out by their mother or father.

Peeta recalled one time in particular; when Katniss had gotten stuck at the Bakery for a day-and-a-half. He had woken up with Katniss in his bed. It was a Sunday and he didn't have to get up since the bakery was closed to customers. Katniss was snuggled on top of him, causing Peeta to smile. He loved waking up with her draped on top of him. Without trying to move too much so he wouldn't wake her, Peeta pressed a chaste kiss on Katniss' forehead and another one on her lips.

Katniss slowly woke up and began to plant kisses on his neck. The way her soft lips pressed to his skin sent electrical jolts racing down his body.

His memory went into overdrive as he recalled how sweet Katniss' lips tasted when they kissed. How soft and pillowy they were. How unbelievably alluring Katniss was even when their kisses were chaste.

His heart had thundered in his chest and he had a growing problem beneath the sheets. Peeta was trying desperately to think of things to tamper down his excitable teenage body. He moved away from her and she grasped him tighter.

"Katniss," Peeta said tightly.

"What's wrong?"

"Ah," Peeta mumbled flustered. "We really shouldn't be-"

"Shouldn't be?" Katniss asked in her husky morning voice that sent chills down his spine.

Her silver eyes lit up with her innocence, and he was reminded once more why she was perfect for him. Peeta needed to be a gentleman around her, even though his randy body wanted other things. He would never take advantage of her.

"I erm...need to, ah," he cleared his throat, "calm down."

Katniss looked down and at first, her eyes went round and she backed away but then he saw the instance she became curious. Her face was flushed and she bit her bottom lip. Peeta was desperately grasping at straws trying to calm himself down.

"Does that happen a lot?"

He cleared his throat several times, becoming speechless.

"Peeta?"

"Ah yes," his voice sounded funny to his ears as it sounded husky and out of breath.

"Oh." She tilted her head glancing at him. "You're redder than a tomato, does it hurt?"

Peeta couldn't believe he was having this conversation with her. Beads of sweat began to form on his forehead. "No," his voice cracked.

"Do I make you uncomfortable?"

Peeta lied, "No."

"No?" She raised an eyebrow.

"Okay, it's yes and no."

"Explain?"

"I've been trying to calm down, and normally I can do it. But since we've begun to share kisses, I'm having a harder time calming down."

"Oh," Katniss said, then her eyes lit up and she sighed, "OH!"

"So if you wouldn't mind moving, I can maybe calm down." Peeta thought she would move away but instead, Katniss confounded him.

"Nope," she muttered right before she kissed him.

His mind shut down after that and all he could do was kiss her back. How long they kissed he didn't know, but one moment Katniss was on top, then next he had her flipped on her back, her legs curled around him.

Peeta was enjoying himself. Unlike the last time, his mother wasn't home. She had been visiting his older brother, and wouldn't be home until that afternoon.

Katniss locked her legs around his middle and Peeta swore he was having an out-of-body experience.

Since they began kissing, they often had to make sure that it didn't get out of hand as Katniss needed to get home in a timely manner. That morning, things got a little out of hand. He pulled away and Katniss looked flushed; her eyes were brighter than the stars in the night sky. She was so beautiful.

He leaned down to press a soft kiss on her lips.

The moment was ruined when Rye came crashing into his room. It all happened quickly, Peeta registered the proud look on his brother's face, before Rye's eyes slid down to Katniss's legs. Peeta was about to cover them up when he heard his mother shriek.

"Darn it, Peeta!" Rye exclaimed. "Not again!"

Peeta immediately rolled over, putting Katniss behind him. He didn't know why his brother had crashed into his room or why his mother was upset. "Rye!"

"Look, we have got to hide her!" Rye's hand moved in circles as he pointed at Katniss before quickly shutting the door.

"What's going on?"

Katniss looked disoriented, almost like the day Corky forced her to come into his room all those months ago. He could see the slight blush on her cheeks, letting him know she was uncomfortable with the situation. She gave him a questioning look as she gathered the blankets around her.

Peeta didn't get a chance to answer as he wasn't sure what was going on. He turned to his brother, but Rye was busily running around the room collecting Katniss's clothing and boots and throwing them inside dresser drawers, and taking out an old pair of pants and shirt. "Here put these on!"

Peeta caught them, and he had to quickly as Rye tossed him his shoes and socks. Rye was acting like a chicken-without-a-head. It wasn't usual behavior for his brother.

"I'm sorry to do this again, Katniss," Rye ordered Katniss. "But you've got to get under the bed!"

Peeta pushed his blond hair out of his face, moving to protect Katniss. He was sure her face was bright red from being caught again his bed. "Rye what the hell?"

"Mom is downstairs..."

"I thought you said she was at your brother's place?" Katniss said, looking at him.

"This better not be one of your jokes."

"First, no, this isn't a joke. Why would I want to...well...you're the only one…" Rye looked at Katniss and stopped talking. Katniss gave Rye a fierce scowl. "You know what, never mind. Really you need to hide under the bed." Rye went to the door to check. They could hear their mother snarling, mentioning their older brother.

"Why is mom here so early?"

"Our dingbat brother got into an argument with our mother and deposited her here. He didn't want to get stuck with her because the weather emergency announced over the TV a blizzard warning." Rye began rushing his words, speaking without breathing. "Just as he dropped off mom, the snowfall became worse. And now Katniss is going to be stuck here for the next 24 hours."

"A blizzard?" Katniss said in a panicked voice.

"Go ahead, check outside, there's a blizzard!" Rye said. "And by the way, mother dearest is in a pissed off mood and wants you to come downstairs or she's coming upstairs to find you. And the last thing she needs is to find your..." Rye pointed at Katniss all the while winking at her salaciously, "...friend here in bed with you wearing your clothing."

Rye addressed Katniss directly, "So at the risk of sounding like Haymitch, repeating stuff when drunk, you have to hide under the bed. And you need to get dressed ASAP! Because of the way she sounded with dad she's about to come up here like a Peacekeeper looking for an infraction!"

Rye saying their mother was barreling toward his room caused the pieces to fall into place, his mother's witch-like screech, and Rye's panicked behavior. This was not good for various reasons.

First, his mother had an ironclad rule; girls were not allowed in their bedrooms. Not even when his older brother became engaged did she allow his fiance up to his room. Secondly, his mother would go ballistic if she found his girlfriend was from the Seam. His mother's ill-treatment of the people of the Seam was legendary. The people of the Seam called her a witch because she forbade them to enter through the front of the store to make purchases. His mother never treated them cordially when they came to make purchases. She was rude and always had them pay upfront when they asked for a special treat such as cookies or a small pastry.

Coupled with his mother's antiquated Capitol propaganda belief that the people of the Seam weren't to be trusted, Katniss would never be accepted. Katniss looked Seam despite her mother being a Merchant. The only reason their mother allowed her to trade for the fresh game, was because the meat in the market was super expensive and she didn't like to spend that much coin.

The other major problem, Katniss's mother was his father's ex. His mother hated the idea that his dad once loved someone else. His mom was all too aware that had Mrs. Everdeen not fallen in love with Katniss's father, his mom would have become a spinster. Peeta always picked up on the tensions between Mrs. Everdeen and his mom whenever she walked in through the front door of the bakery.

There was no way he would expose Katniss to his mother's mean-spirited shenanigans if she found her in here with him. "Katniss."

Katniss put her hand up, stopping him from saying anything else.

Peeta was momentarily fascinated by the quick calculation in Katniss' eyes as she assessed the situation. He could imagine her in the woods doing the same thing when faced with a dangerous situation like coming across a bear and her cubs.

"I know, under the bed," Katniss said as she quickly hid.

"Damn Katniss has great legs," Rye muttered under his breath.

"Rye!" Peeta exclaimed.

"Sorry...but I'm a leg guy," Rye said as he pulled the blankets down over the side of the bed so that they covered Katniss up and made it look like he had dragged his little brother out of his bed.

Peeta quickly took the clothes Rye had tossed to him and got dressed. Just as he double knotted his boots the door slammed open.

Rye immediately took his face and shoved it in his armpit."Smell my armpit!*

"Oh you're awake," she exclaimed at the sight of both of them roughhousing.

From beneath Rye's underarm, Peeta twisted his head and saw when his mother's eyes changed color from a dark blue to a lighter blue. It meant she'd calmed down. However, his mothers' eyes narrowed suspiciously.

"When will you two numbskulls ever grow up?"

Rye looked up and acted surprised. "Hi, mother! How are you doing? Did you have a nice visit with our brother?"

"Whatever it is you want, Rye Ebone Mellark, the answer is no."

"Mom, do you have to use my middle name?" Rye whined.

"Then don't tempt me," Boudica made a move toward Rye.

Rye flinched and accidentally pressed Peeta's head into his armpit for real.

"Let me go!" Peeta struggled, "You're so gross."

"Let your brother go," Boudica lifted her nose in the air. "Ugh, why do you boys always smell like moldy goat cheese. Make sure you both take a shower before you go downstairs to clean the ovens!"

"Sure thing," Rye smiled that winning smile of his that his mother ignored as she stormed off.

The room rattled with the force of the door slamming.

Rye let go and Peeta wanted to dive out the window.

"Man Rye, mom's right, you do stink. Where were you last night, wrestling with pigs?"

Rye sniffed himself, "I smell glorious!"

"Is she gone?" Katniss asked from underneath the bed.

"Yeah," both boys said.

"This is the second time I saved your butt! You owe me," Rye said.

"Thanks, Rye," Katniss muttered coming out from underneath the bed. "How are we going to hide me without your parents finding out?"

Peeta frowned, Katniss asked a valid question. He looked to Rye for help. They were going to be stuck inside for the next 24 hours. Tonight they would be alright, his parents went to bed early. But until then, they were sunk.

"Oh hell," Rye muttered.

"I know."

"Why are you guys frowning?"

"Let me explain," Rye sighed. "On snow days, our mild-mannered father becomes a mini dictator."

"Your father?" Katniss questioned.

"Whenever the bakery is closed my dad gets a little crazy."

"Crazy," Rye scoffed. "Not only do we have to clean the ovens. But he makes us do inventory, move stock, sweep and mop all of the rooms upstairs and downstairs, clean our rooms, launder the bedsheets and our clothing even if we don't have dirty clothes. We're busier on a snow day than when the bakery is open."

Katniss gave a blank stare as if not understanding.

"Our dad will be going in and out of our rooms all day long," Rye rubbed his face.

"Basically you can't hide up here all day. We'll have to be creative."

"I've got to get Katniss out of here before either one of our parents catches you with her. There are only so many times you can hide her under your bed."

"I'm not going with you," Katniss said, standing akimbo, her face taking on what Peeta liked to call her hunter's face. It was a scowl with a menacing frown.

"Look, not for nothing, my brother sleeps in a shoebox. My room is bigger and we can hide you there."

"I'm not leaving Katniss upstairs all day, Rye. I'm not that stupid. I think we can sneak her downstairs. Do you mind spending time with me in the cellar where we keep the majority of our supplies?"

"So you want me to clean the ovens?"

"Come on Rye, I'd do it for you if you were in this situation."

"Fine, I volunteer as tribute!" Rye muttered.

"Son," their dad's voice could be heard on the opposite side of the door.

"Crap," Rye said.

Peeta turned to see Katniss dive behind the door as it opened. Peeta stood by the door hoping his bulk would hide Katniss.

He cleared his throat, his voice sounded high-pitched, "Hi, dad?"

"Son, are you okay, you look a little peaked?" He looked between them.

"I'm fine," Peeta wasn't entirely lying, he was fine, he was just stressed by this situation.

Rye rubbed the back of his head as their father turned his sight on him. "You boys look like you're up to something?"

"Dad, we're just wondering what happened that would cause our brother to send her back just before a blizzard."

Eugene sighed. "She got into an argument with your brother's wife about their business practices. It got pretty heated and your brother brought your mother home before anyone got hurt." Eugene was about to speak when he stopped and sniffed the air, "What is that smell?"

"It's Rye dad. He needs to take a bath," Peeta said.

Their father sniffed Rye and wrinkled his nose. "Son you smell putrid. Didn't you shower last night?"

Rye lifted his head and groaned in disbelief that their father "Dad?"

"Come along, Ebone, you're taking a bath this instance. Peeta, I expect you downstairs and ready to clean out those ovens."

"Ah dad," Rye said. "It's my turn to clean the ovens. Peeta is going to tackle the cellar this time."

"The cellar is a big commitment, are you sure you're up to it?" Eugene smiled.

"Yeah," Peeta said.

"I like that moxy, son." His father said, before turning to Rye. "You know what, don't worry about the shower. You're going to need one when you're done with the ovens."

Rye looked at Peeta over their father's shoulder, mouthing, "You owe me one."

"I'm sorry about that, Katniss," Peeta said. "Why don't you sneak into the bathroom," he walked to his closet and found some of his old clothing, a warm sweater, fluffy socks, and a pair of his old wrestling sweats that no longer fit him. "Here, I think this will keep you warm. The ovens won't be on today or tomorrow so I want to make sure you're warm."

"Thanks," Katniss said before slipping out of his room.

Just then Corky came out and scampered across the floor. Peeta muttered, hunching down to pick him up. "Corky I need help, how am I going to hide Katniss without my parents noticing her here?"

Corky's tail switched.

"I wish you could keep my dad occupied today." He laughed shortly. "Well, at least we'll be together for the next twenty-four hours."

Corky rubbed his little paws, a sign he was looking forward to the assignment.

Katniss opened the door and slipped inside. "Nemesis," Katniss greeted.

"Hey, don't say that to him. Corky's going to help us."

Katniss made a face and Corky lifted his nose.

"I need both of you to lay down your weapons. If we don't work together, this will end in destruction."

"I don't know why I'm agreeing to this," Katniss muttered.

Corky huffed before leaving.

The door opened and Rye popped his head in. "Dad's making breakfast and mom's setting the table."

"Okay, we just have to get her downstairs," Peeta said.

"I know and while downstairs no hanky panky."

Peeta flushed knowing Rye didn't even realize what he had said out loud. He looked behind him and saw Katniss scowl.

"Rye, stop."

"Stop what? I found you two in a very compromising position. If you two are going to do more than kissing then you need to protect not just yourself, but Katniss as well."

"What are you trying to say, Rye?" Katniss challenged.

"Yup, still hot," Rye joked.

Katniss narrowed her eyes.

"Rye focus," Peeta snapped his finger. He was tempted to slap his brother on the back of his head for that comment.

"Sorry, it's just so easy to get a rise out of Katniss."

"Laugh all you want Rye but you know I always get my prey right through the eyes," Katniss said.

Ryes' eyes widened. "Why am I scared, but so attracted to you right now?"

"Rye!" Peeta snapped. His brother was such a horn dog.

"Sorry," he said, smiling mischievously. "My little grey cells," Rye pointed to his temple, "have been working overtime. I have a plan."

Katniss scowled at Rye; Peeta's brother was going to get it. "What do you have in mind to get Katniss out of here unseen, Rye?" Peeta asked.

"I'll cause a distraction to keep mom and dad focused on me, while you make sure Katniss goes downstairs and hides inside of the cellar."

Peeta hated to admit it, but Rye's plan was brilliant. "You getting nagged by our parents, is the perfect cover to be able to make it past them and downstairs to the cellar."

"I'll wait there until Peeta lets me know the coast is all clear."

"I promise you, I'll bring you food," Peeta said.

"If you two kiss, I will gag," Rye said.

Peeta grinned. He understood what Rye was feeling. When their older brother was courting his now-wife, Peeta and Rye used to be their chaperons.

"I think we should get going. Your parents are going to wonder what you two are up to." Katniss was the practical one between the three of them.

"See you in a bit."

They didn't have to wait long.

"Eugene, why did you tell our son not to bathe?" His mother's voice could be heard yelling in his room.

"That is our cue," Peeta said as they left his room and made their way down the stairs to the second floor.

"He's going to be cleaning the ovens," his father said.

"Seriously, you realize I'm about to be aged out of the reaping. I don't have to listen to either one of you," Rye said, egging them on.

"As long as you live under my roof you will," his father said.

"Who do you think you are?" their mother asked, outraged.

As his parents argued, Peeta walked into the living room and Katniss hid behind him. All of that practice in the wrestling mat made him nimble enough to walk to the stairs that led to the store below. When they reached downstairs Peeta led her to the cellar and flipped on the light switch.

It was chilly and he forgot to give Katniss an extra layer of clothing. Katniss hated the cold. "Here," he said, unbuttoning his orange flannel shirt. He slid it around her shoulders.

Unexpectedly Katniss leaned up on tiptoe and kissed him.

"You've got to be kidding me?" Rye's outraged voice sounded right behind them.

Katniss jumped away, her cheeks were a bright red.

"You two couldn't keep your hands off each other for ten minutes."

Peeta cleared his throat, feeling embarrassed. He was caught making out with Katniss. "What is it?"

"I came down to let you know breakfast is ready."

"I'll be back as soon as possible." Peeta didn't like keeping Katniss downstairs. He plowed through his eggs.

"Son, slow down. You're going to choke on your eggs."

"It's just I want to get started. It's a massive job and I want to make sure everything gets done, "Peeta answered.

"Why don't you take some of the food with you Peeta, this way you can eat and work," Rye suggested.

"Can I?" Peeta asked, trying to sound eager, but not so much as to raise his parents' suspicions.

"Yes," his father sighed.

Peeta scooped up eggs, a glass of milk, some bread, and cheese and headed downstairs. He smiled when he saw Katniss waiting for him.

They worked in silence. Katniss wanted to help him with the inventory and she went to a deeper part of the cellar while he stayed closer to the door. Her being so far away from him allowed him to work without being tempted to kiss her.

"Hey Peeta," Katniss whispered.

"Aahh!" he shouted.

"Everything okay down there?" His dad poked his head down the stairs. At that moment Peeta saw Corkey aim a nut at his dad.

"Ow!" His father turned around. "IT'S THE RAT!"

His father ran upstairs. "BOUDICA!"

Katniss glanced at him with large eyes. They could hear his father's heavy steps as he ran, his muffled words, and then a struggle.

Katniss's mouth formed an 'O', right before she ducked behind some barrels.

"COME AND SEE!" His father came downstairs.

"EUGENE!" His mother's trousered leg appeared behind his father's.

"I am not crazy, there is something stealing my nuts," his father claimed.

His mother looked madder than Buttercup when he got snow on his fur. "Eugene, there is nothing down here but our youngest son counting the same inventory we counted the last time it snowed." His mother put her hands on her hips. "That was two days ago."

"But, Boudica," his father said. "I swear I saw its beady little eyes peering at me from that dark corner."

"UGH!" his mother growled then stomped upstairs.

His father ran after her. Katniss came out and she could hear them shouting and going on upstairs.

"Sorry," Katniss whispered.

"It's okay. Thank goodness my guard saved us," Peeta said.

"I have to use the bathroom."

"Okay, I'll check to see if the coast is clear."

Peeta ran upstairs and saw that only Rye was there. "Where are mom and dad?"

"In the storefront."

"Really, it's awfully quiet?" Peeta ran to the cellar door and Katniss popped up as soon as he waved her up.

"Are you going upstairs?" Rye asked.

"Bathroom," Peeta said, watching Katniss run up the stairs.

"You know what, they are too quiet," Rye said. "You don't think mom-" Rye stopped talking and dragged his thumb over his throat.

"No, mom wouldn't kill dad…" Peeta raised an eyebrow.

Peeta watched Rye walk into the storefront and then he heard Rye cry out. "MY EYES!"

"RYE!" Their mother shouted.

"Ebone Mellark," their father finished.

All three of them came back into the workspace. Peeta's eyes went wide as he saw his father's shirt was untucked and unbuttoned. His mother was clutching the top portion of her overalls. Rye looked like he wanted to barf.

Peeta could only imagine what Rye had seen. But after that, there was no more effort to clean or count. His parents locked themselves in their room and Rye said he was going to wash out his eyes, as soon as the bathroom was free.

His brother's quick thinking was one of the things that allowed Peeta to keep Katniss hidden until she left the next day. These were the things that brought them closer. Just when they were starting to have a good relationship there was a good chance he could lose Rye.

Peeta rubbed his face.

"Talk to me," Katniss asked.

"Hazelle said they needed more medicine. We need news, but no one knows what was going on outside of the bunker."

Katniss pressed her lips against his cheek.

"Rye's got a fever."

"He'll make it, Peeta. He's too stubborn to give up."

"He is," chuckled. "Can you sing to me?"

Katniss searched his eyes. "What song?"

"The valley song."

"Lie down," Katniss said.

Peeta lay down on his side and she laid behind him and slid her arm around his waist, and her leg slid over his. She whispered into his ear, "I love you."

Peeta sighed, "I love you too."

She began singing the valley song softly in his ear. "Down in the valley…" her voice crooned softly.

Peeta closed his eyes as her voice penetrated the tempest battling his battered soul.

He was glad he had Katniss with him, she was stronger than him. She saw Gale taken down and yet she had the ability to shoot the Citizen and then go on to fight. Katniss had saved his life several times during the battle. He couldn't do what she did that night, and he was proud to be associated with her. He felt lucky that she'd stalked him even though she would never admit it, but he had to admit, if it wasn't for Corky they would have never gotten together.

When he woke up Katniss was awake and waiting for him. "Come on."

"What? Where?" He was disoriented and didn't know why she was so perky.

"You need a shower and food, and then we have to head over to see Cressida to make sure that contraption her team has worked because it's the only way we're going to get news from the outside."

He grinned at her all-business attitude. He knew she was trying to distract him with the communication device. Perhaps that's what he needed, to have something to focus on.

Later on in the day Katniss and Peeta stood by as Cressida, Castor, and Pollux fired up the machine they had created. They had done several tries earlier, sending simple messages from one end of the bunker to the other. The first few tries nothing had worked so they began calibrating their homemade communication device.

"Do you think this is going to work this time?" Peeta asked.

Pollux lifted his thumbs up.

Castor jogged to the end of the bunker. Cressida began flashing the message.

Katniss gripped Peeta's hands.

Peeta grinned at Katniss.

Katniss whispered, "If this works we'll be able to try to send a signal to the guardhouse."

"You'll be able to find out if your mom made it there," Peeta said.

Katniss nodded.

Pollux sent the signal.

From the other side, a cheer could be heard. Castor came running back to them, "The signal came through, crystal clear."

Peeta happily hugged Katniss. The contraption worked. Everyone was happy and the mood in the bunker lifted.

"Now that it's not snowing as hard, the signal will be stronger," Cressida said.

"Let's do it, we can use Katniss holding a sign."

Within moments Katniss stood with a sign as her image was transmitted. She smiled at Peeta and she took strength from him. If he held hope that his brother would make it, then she could hope that her mother had somehow made it to the guardhouse.