CHAPTER 14

PART I

During our cross-country trek, when rescue seemed not just possible but imminent, I had allowed myself a few brief moments to visualize what the return flight to District Thirteen would be like. I admit that my fantasies were a bit rosy, consisting mostly of images of Katniss holding me, Katniss kissing me, and Katniss actually allowing herself to show her emotions, which was a rarity in itself.

What actually happened, of course, was nowhere near what I had allowed myself to fantasize.

Katniss was still on top of me, pinning me to the ground with her enthusiastic greeting, when Jackson's voice cut through the din. "Everdeen! Katniss Everdeen!"

Katniss reluctantly pulled her mouth from mine, sighed, and turned her head. "Over here, Jackson."

"We need your help," Jackson said urgently as she ran up to Katniss and I. "With the wounded. Over there." She jerked her thumb over her shoulder.

"On my way," Katniss said as she stood up, and then paused to help me up. "Sorry," she murmured. "Duty calls."

"It's okay." I swayed a bit as I regained my feet, causing Katniss to grab my arm protectively.

"Come on, Katniss," Jackson barked. She then seemed to notice me for the first time. "Peeta. Are you injured?"

"A little weak," I admitted. "Hello, Jackson."

Jackson ignored the greeting. "Then get on the hovercraft. Now, soldier!"

Jackson didn't wait for me to comply. She spun around, tapped Katniss on the shoulder, and together they hurried off. Another soldier – one that I didn't recognize – materialized next to me and gently took my arm. "Come on, soldier," he said softly. "Let's get you aboard."

I allowed myself to be led up the ramp and seated on one of the webbed jump seats. As soon as I sat down the tension seemed to drain from my body and suddenly it was all I could do to keep my eyes open, in spite of the flurry of activity around me. Of course, it didn't last.

I saw that the Career Victors were lumped together across from me, under the watchful eye of a pair of armed District Thirteen soldiers. Annie Cresta was seated near me, once again huddled up into a ball. I couldn't blame her…everything was more than a little overwhelming. I was just about to make a move towards Annie, to see if I could offer her anything in the way of comfort, when Lavinia slipped by me, gave me a quick smile, and slid into the seat next to Annie's and began to stroke her back and hair.

The sight of the red-haired Avox girl comforting poor, damaged Annie Cresta was incredibly touching, and her gentle caresses seemed to have a positive effect on Annie, as she began to visibly relax. Lavinia caught my eye briefly and I gave her an encouraging smile and a nod.

Where's Katniss? I looked around but she was still outside, helping the other soldiers, as well as the medics, with the wounded. I was aware of some grumbling from the Career Victors – obviously they resented being "freed," only to be placed under guard as soon as they had been seated on the hovercraft – but they had all been given water and combat rations, so it wasn't exactly like they were being mistreated. My own water and food pack sat on the empty seat next to me, untouched.

A figure in a Peacekeeper's uniform sat down heavily next to me, almost on top of my water and food pack. Johanna Mason tugged off the white helmet and tossed it to the floor carelessly before doing the same with her gloves. "Nice hovercraft," she muttered as she looked around. "Makes the ones that they used to transport us cattle to the Games look luxurious by comparison." She glanced up and saw one of the soldiers that had been guarding the Career Victors watching her closely, gripping his carbine tightly.

"What, you think I'm a real Peacekeeper or something?" Johanna barked out a short, humorless laugh. "Relax, kid." She ran her fingers through her short, spiky black hair and leaned back. "Of course," she added teasingly, "if it really offends you, I can always take this uniform off."

"Knock it off, Jo," I hissed. "The people in Thirteen are pretty black and white. Not much in the sense of humor department."

"Fine, fine," Johanna chuckled. I noticed now that the soldier was making a point not to even glance in Johanna's direction, and I'm sure that she managed to embarrass him. "I was just having a little fun, Handsome." She looked around the hovercraft. "So we're really going to District Thirteen, huh?"

"Yeah," I replied. "Soon, I hope. Have you seen Katniss?"

Johanna jerked her head towards the open ramp. "She's outside helping with the wounded. There was some confusion as to how many of their people were hit. Looks like they had three litters on the ground. Your girlfriend was helping with one of them. She looked pretty upset."

I frowned at this news. "Upset? Why?"

Johanna shrugged as we watched a pair of soldiers carry Andromeda Snow's friend onto the hovercraft and dump her unceremoniously on the floor near the Career Victors. "Who knows? The kid on the stretcher looked to be in rough shape." She shook her head and the girl on the floor – apparently drugged - moaned slightly but otherwise didn't move. "I didn't know that District Thirteen soldiers were as young as Games Tributes. This kid didn't even look old enough to shave."

Before I could reply Boggs stuck his head into the hovercraft. "Wind it up!" he shouted. "We're wheels up in three!"

The hovercraft suddenly trembled as the engines purred to life. There was a sudden flurry of activity at the ramp as the three stretchers were brought aboard and hustled to the front. As the last one passed me I saw Katniss walking beside it, clutching the wounded soldier's hand tightly, her face tear-streaked but now carefully controlled. I had recognized the first two wounded soldiers that they had brought aboard – Staff Sergeant Duffy and the former Community Home kid, July Barrow – but this one had too much blood on his face to be easily recognizable.

"Katniss," I said softly as she passed me, "who is it?"

The sound of my voice seemed to snap Katniss out of her fog. She looked down at me, her chin trembling, and all but whispered, "Oh, Peeta. It's Rory Hawthorne."

"What do you mean, you don't have any whole blood?"

The senior medic looked helplessly at Boggs. "Whole blood requires refrigeration, Colonel," she explained. "Plasma and saline do not. Besides, we were told in planning that no trouble was expected."

"Piss-poor planning, if you ask me," Boggs snapped. "You always plan for the worst!"

"Colonel," the medic explained patiently, "there's no way we could carry enough blood of each type to do any good, even if we had refrigeration. We can push plasma and saline into Hawthorne…that should keep him alive until we reach Thirteen."

"And if it isn't?" Boggs asked sharply.

The medic shakily wiped her forehead with the back of one bloody hand, leaving a red streak behind. "We've got his bleeding controlled. And there is one other option, if it comes to that. We can do a direct transfusion, from a healthy soldier straight into Hawthorne. We would be able to pump maybe half a liter into him that way."

Boggs sighed heavily. "I'll do it," he said. "Can he take type 'A positive' blood?"

The medic shook her head. "He's type 'B negative,' Colonel. We'll double check on the hovercraft. We'll get a donor if there's one to be had."

"I hope so," Boggs said slowly. He pointed at Katniss Everdeen, now kneeling on the ground next to Rory Hawthorne's broken body. "His brother was the Mockingjay's district partner in The Hunger Games. He sacrificed himself to save her."

"I know, Colonel," the medic said quietly. "We'll do everything that we can."

A pair of soldiers approached Boggs at that moment, carrying the limp form of a young girl between them. "Colonel, what do you want us to do with her?" one asked.

Boggs frowned. "Who –"

"That's Minister Blackstone's daughter, Colonel." Casca Bishop had been standing off to one side, mostly trying to stay out of the way…until now. "Sperantia Blackstone. Unlike Andromeda Snow, she's an unwilling participant here."

Boggs peered at the girl. "Is she drugged?"

One of the soldiers nodded. "Yes, sir. She was kicking up a fuss. One of the medics hit her with a sedative to quiet her down."

Boggs snorted and jerked his thumb over his shoulder. "Dump her inside. Put her with the Career Victors. Keep her under guard."

Boggs turned back to the medic as the pair of soldiers carried Sperantia Blackstone into the hovercraft. "Okay. Let's get them loaded and out of here." He glanced up at the star-speckled sky, just barely able to make out the shape of a hovercraft orbiting nearby. They won't try anything, Boggs said to himself. Not with Snow's granddaughter on our hovercraft.

Jackson trotted up to Boggs. "Everyone accounted for, sir, and the bird is loaded, except for the litter cases."

Boggs smiled grimly and clapped Jackson on the shoulder. "Get on board, Lieutenant." As the medics and stretcher bearers picked up their litters and moved towards the ramp, Boggs leaned into the hovercraft and shouted, "Wind it up! We're wheels up in three!"

The hovercraft trembled as the engines whined into life. Boggs stepped onto the ramp, and then hesitated when he heard a low hissing sound behind him. He paused and turned to see Casca Bishop trotting towards him, the Peacekeeper transport blazing away merrily to the rear.

"You're supposed to have been on board already," Boggs said accusingly.

Casca paused at the door. "Sorry," he said, not sounding all that sorry. "I didn't want to leave anything of value for our friends. I had a thermite grenade along for that very reason."

Boggs gazed at Casca's impassive face. Very highly placed in Snow's court. Chief of Security to the President of Panem. He's used to being in charge. "Understood," Boggs replied gruffly. "But I'm in charge of this op. That means that you are my responsibility. Do I make myself clear, Mr. Bishop?"

Casca's eyes narrowed slightly. "Perfectly, sir," he said after a moment, and then gestured towards the open door. "After you, Colonel?"

"In charge means being the last out," Boggs explained. "I'll follow you."

Casca nodded, once, before stepping into the hovercraft, with Boggs following closely. The ramp began to rise even before Boggs had completely entered the hovercraft, and a change in the pitch of the engines, accompanied by a slight lurch, told Boggs that the hovercraft had begun to rise. Boggs made his way quickly to the cockpit, carefully stepping around the trio of stretchers now fastened firmly to the floor.

"Best possible speed and most direct flight path back to Thirteen," Boggs ordered the pilot. "Don't bother with stealth mode. They know we're here."

The hovercraft pivoted about and lurched forward suddenly, causing Boggs to grab for a handhold. "We have a shadow," the pilot said grimly, pointing at the radar screen.

"How many?" Boggs asked in alarm.

"Just one," the co-pilot replied as he examined the data. "Matching us for speed and altitude, range is twenty kilometers and holding."

"We'll lose him in a half-hour or so," the pilot explained. "We'll be out of Capitol territory in a few minutes, and it's a quick overflight across a piece of District Seven before we'll be over Ten."

"They won't risk flying over a contested district, much less a pacified district like Ten," Boggs predicted.

"I can take care of them long before then," the pilot said as she fingered a covered switch. "We have aft-mounted air-to-air capability."

"No," Boggs ordered firmly. "I don't want to run the risk of them returning fire reflexively. Only fire if fired upon."

"Copy that," the pilot said, her voice tinged with disappointment as she moved her hand away from the covered switch.

Boggs put one hand gently on her shoulder. "Just get us all home in one piece, as quickly as you can."

"Yes, sir," the pilot murmured as she gripped the steering yoke tighter while the hovercraft raced through the night, heading for District Thirteen.

PART II

"How's he doing?"

Awkwardly, I squatted next to Katniss. She was kneeling next to Rory's stretcher, having never left his side since we boarded. She was gripping his hand tightly as she turned her tear-streaked face up to mine.

"Peeta," she said softly, her brow furrowing as she reached out towards me, pulling my head to her shoulder with her free hand. "I'm so sorry. I should be back there with you. I –"

"Shhhh." I nuzzled her hair, inhaling her scent deeply. Snow, she smells wonderful! "You stay here with Rory. I'm fine."

She pulled her head back and looked at my face closely. "My poor Peeta. You're so thin." She stroked my cheek gently before glancing back down at Rory. "He…he's hurt bad, Peeta. Really bad."

"Is there anything I can do?" I asked.

The medic that had been working on Rory looked up at me. "Depends," he said. "Do you know your blood type?"

"Type A negative, I think," I replied, after thinking for a moment.

"Shit." He glanced at Katniss. "Sorry, Miss Everdeen."

Katniss's face fell. "It's okay," she muttered.

But it wasn't okay. Rory obviously needed a transfusion. "I assume you checked the other soldiers?" I asked.

The medic nodded grimly. "No-go. Ditto the flight crew, the other medics, and the camera crew."

"What about the Career Victors?" I pressed.

"No-go there too," the medic replied as he adjusted Rory's IV drip.

"And the others? Casca Bishop, Andromeda Snow, and that Blackstone girl?"

A light seemed to go off over his head. "I didn't even think of them," he admitted. "And we can type here on the hovercraft! There's a portable kit in the main aide bag."

The medic leaped to his feet and hurried over to one of the other medics, speaking to her in low, urgent tones. "Do you think it'll work?" Katniss asked.

"It's worth a try," I said with a shrug as I watched the two medics open a large, off-white bag, emblazoned on one side with a large red cross. One pulled a rectangular case out of the bag and together both medics hurried to the rear of the hovercraft.

They weren't gone long. After a few minutes, they returned, carrying a small, limp bundle between them. It must be Meda's friend. Casca is much larger and he or Meda would have walked back anyway. "We struck gold with this one," the senior of the two medics explained. "B negative. Perfect."

They dumped the bundle unceremoniously on the deck, and I was able to confirm my suspicions – it was, in fact, Sperantia Blackstone, Andromeda's best friend. The girl groaned slightly and her eyelids fluttered when she landed on the deck, but she never fully awakened. The two medics immediately went to work on her, extending one arm out and positioning her next to Rory. Working quickly, they wrapped a tourniquet around her arm, swabbed the bend in her elbow with an alcohol pad, and deftly inserted a needle, causing her to moan softly.

"Are they hurting her?" I turned to face the voice behind me. Andromeda Snow watched, wide-eyed, as the medics continued to work.

"She's still sedated," the female medic said. "Probably won't remember a thing."

"Will it help him?" Andromeda asked, pointing at Rory.

"It should," the female medic said. "Especially if we could give him, say, a liter rather than a half-liter." The woman looked knowingly at the other medic as she said this.

"A liter?" I glanced at the medics in amazement. "That would weaken her. It could even kill her."

The male medic shrugged. "What's one less Loyalist?"

"No!" Katniss snapped. "You give him a half-liter only. Is that clear?"

Both medics saw the same look in Katniss's eye that I did. "Yes, ma'am," the female medic murmured. "It's clear."

"Thank you, Katniss," Andromeda said softly.

Katniss looked up at Andromeda for the first time. "Hello, Andromeda," she said, allowing herself a small smile. "It's been a long time. And I should be thanking you."

Andromeda frowned. "For what?"

"For helping to bring Peeta back to me," Katniss explained quietly.

Andromeda looked embarrassed. I gave her a quick smile. "I'm sorry about your friend," she finally said, nodding down at Rory.

"He's more than just a friend," Katniss said, as Sperantia's blood began to flow through a clear plastic tube and into Rory's arm. "Do you remember my Games? This is my district partner's brother."

"I hope that he won't mind having a Loyalist's blood in him," Andromeda said.

"I learned a lot about blood, starting with my Games," Katniss said grimly. "And you want to know something? It's all red."

"Shit!" The sudden outburst caused me to jump slightly. A single medic was working on the body lying on the next litter over – the one occupied by July Barrow. "I got a bleeder here! I need a free hand now!"

"Kinda busy here," the female medic replied sharply. "What's the problem?"

"I need both hands to clamp off this guy's femoral artery, and I'm getting arterial blood from his shoulder now!" I noticed blood bubbling up from a wound in July's left shoulder.

"I'll be free in a minute," the other medic working on Rory said. "Just as soon as I –"

"I don't have a minute!" The medic said urgently.

"I'll do it," I said as I clumsily began to rise to my feet.

"No," Katniss said. "Look at you. You can barely stand." She turned to Andromeda. "Can you help?"

Andromeda blanched at the sight of the blood, but her voice held firm as she asked, "What do I have to do?"

The medic working on July glanced up at her. "Grab that dressing," he instructed, nodding his head at a plastic-wrapped package lying next to July's head. "Open it up. Be careful not to touch the white part…that's sterile. You'll put that over the wound."

Andromeda picked up the package and ripped it open. "Like this?" she asked, laying the dressing on her palm, white side up.

"Perfect," the medic said. "Now, you see where he's bleeding? Press the white part over where the blood is coming out. Press down hard. Hold it there until one of us can finish dressing him. Got that?"

Andromeda nodded and moved forward, her face almost as white as the dressing, but she didn't hesitate. Her hand barely trembling, she pressed the dressing over the bleeding wound and pressed down, watching with an expression of mingled horror and fascination as July's blood soaked through the bandage and stained her hands. I heard her let out a small squeal of dismay as July's blood covered her fingers, but she never once let up on the pressure that she was applying to the wound.

July moaned as Andromeda's hands pressed down and his eyes fluttered open. "Hurts," he rasped, as he grimaced in pain. "Oh, fuck."

"Can you give him something?" Katniss asked.

The medic working on him shook his head. "No morphling for either of these soldiers," he said. "At least not until we get the bleeding controlled and some fluids pumped into them. Morphling lowers blood pressure. In their state, it could send them both into deep shock. It could even kill them."

"What about him?" Katniss asked angrily, pointing at Staff Sergeant Duffy lying quietly on his stretcher. "You gave him morphling!"

The medics all looked at each other uneasily before the female medic, who seemed to be the one in charge, replied. "We're keeping him comfortable," she explained. "He has massive head trauma. He won't survive long enough to get to the hospital."

"But we brought him along, nevertheless," a new voice said. Boggs stepped forward, carefully avoiding the stretchers. "We knew on the ground back there he wouldn't make it. But I'll be damned if I'm leaving any soldier behind."

"What would President Coin say?" Katniss asked bitterly. "Bringing along a dying man and wasting resources on him?"

"It's one thing to talk about 'wasting resources' in Command, far from the fighting," Boggs replied grimly. "But it's another when it's your own troops."

"Okay," the female medic said as she stood up. "I'm free." She knelt next to July Barrow's stretcher. "I'll take it from here."

The medic slid her hands over Andromeda's. "I got it," she said quietly as she began to tie the dressing in place. Andromeda sat back numbly, staring at her bloody hands until I reached over and handed her a towel.

Andromeda nodded her thanks and began to slowly and carefully wipe the blood from her hands as she watched the medics work quickly and professionally. "Okay, I got his femoral clamped off," the medic that had been working on July's leg said as he sat back. "How's his pressure?"

"Low, but starting to rise," the female medic said.

"Mine's stabilizing too," the medic with Rory chimed in.

"Good work, you three," Boggs said. "Stay with them." He paused and looked at Katniss and I. "Pretty ironic, huh? Two District Twelve soldiers saved by a pair of Capitol girls." Boggs smiled at Andromeda. "Nice work, young lady."

"Thank you," Andromeda murmured. "Can I stay up here with them?"

Boggs looked at the female medic, who shrugged and nodded. "Sure, if you want," he replied.

"Thank you," Andromeda said again as she settled into a seat near July.

"You should go back," Katniss murmured to me. "Find someplace to stretch out if you can. I'll be back in a bit."

"Okay," I agreed, once again almost overwhelmed by exhaustion. Katniss gave me a quick kiss and helped me up, before turning her attention once more to the battered body of Rory Hawthorne.

I made my way back to my seat and plopped down wearily. I noticed that Johanna and the Career Victors were quiet now, and Casca Bishop was huddled at the rear of the hovercraft with Jackson, where they were talking in low tones. Lavinia was still cradling Annie Cresta protectively, carrying on a sign-language conversation with an obviously smitten Pollux, while Castor and Messalla looked on in obvious amusement.

Wordlessly, Johanna handed me a bottle of water. "Thanks," I muttered as I took a long drink.

"How's everything going up front?" Johanna asked after I had drained the bottle.

"Fine." I looked at Johanna. "Rory and July are more dead than alive, and Staff Sergeant Duffy – my drill sergeant from when I was training to be a soldier – won't make it back to Thirteen alive."

The names meant nothing to Johanna. Despite that, she said, "I'm sorry."

I looked at her in surprise. She was leaning back in her seat with her eyes closed. "I'm so fucking sick of killing and blood," she muttered.

"So am I," I agreed. I closed my own eyes. And, despite the tension and fear, it didn't take me more than two minutes to fall asleep.

Staff Sergeant Duffy died someplace over District Ten.

PART III

"Madam President?"

Alma Coin jerked out of the fitful doze that she had been in and looked up, blinking her eyes blearily. "Oh. Mr. Heavensbee. You have an update, I assume?"

Plutarch Heavensbee nodded. "They're over inter-district lands between Districts Eleven and Eight. Boggs reports one confirmed KIA."

Coin's jaw tightened. "Who?"

"Staff Sergeant Duffy, Madam President," Plutarch replied. "Boggs also reiterated the immediate need for two surgical teams to be standing by for the other wounded soldiers."

Coin nodded. "The hospital has already been alerted. Do they still have their 'shadow?'"

"No, ma'am. The Capitol hovercraft came under fire as soon as it crossed into District Ten. It broke contact and headed back towards the Capitol before our forces could shoot it down."

"And what of Peeta Mellark's condition?" Coin asked.

"He hasn't sought out medical treatment," Plutarch said. "Boggs reported that he's weak, and possibly suffering from malnutrition. He also said that Peeta hasn't fully recovered from the injuries that he sustained while in captivity." Plutarch paused for a moment. "He'll probably resist, but it would be a good idea to have a medical team standing by for Peeta Mellark as well."

"Resist?" Coin frowned. "Why? If he's in such a weakened state –"

"Two words, Madam President," Plutarch replied with a half-smile. "Katniss Everdeen."

The fact that Coin didn't smile wasn't lost on Plutarch Heavensbee. "Mellark goes straight from the flight line to the hospital, Mr. Heavensbee. I want him well enough to begin shooting propos. And if the Mockingjay objects, remind her that I was the one that allowed her participation in the rescue. Quid pro quo, Heavensbee. Quid pro quo."

She didn't sound like Alma Coin just then, Plutarch thought. She sounded like Coriolanus Snow. But all he said was, "Yes, Madam President."

"This war is far from over, Heavensbee," Coin continued. "We need all of the districts firmly on our side…and that includes the Career districts as well. Speaking of Careers, can we count on the cooperation of Cashmere, Gloss, and Enobaria, in spite of their incarceration by Snow? I know how deeply loyalties from Districts One and Two run with regards to the Capitol."

"I'm sure they will be glad to be of assistance, President Coin," Plutarch replied slowly.

"On that subject," Coin said, "I'll need to see Major Zander when we're through here. I need to discuss some security measures with her prior to the hovercraft's return."

Plutarch nodded. Major Zander was Boggs' second in command, and was accustomed to assuming many of his duties during his frequent absences, not the least of which was the security of District Thirteen. "I'll contact Major Zander after I return to the comm center, Madam President," he said as he turned to leave. "When would you like to see her?"

"Immediately," Coin replied brusquely. Plutarch noticed that she was already studying a report on her PADD.

I wonder why she wants to see Zander so urgently, Plutarch said to himself as he made his way back to the communications center.

"Peeta, wake up."

I felt a hand gently shaking my shoulder and, with effort, opened my eyes. Katniss was perched next to me, her silvery-gray eyes studying my face intently. I smiled and reached up, covering her hand with mine.

"How are you feeling?" she asked softly.

"Okay," I lied. Truthfully, I was exhausted, and every muscle in my body still ached from the stress and exertion of our escape. "How's Rory?"

"Stable," Katniss replied, her brow creasing with worry. "The medics think he'll make it back to Thirteen alive. July's doing okay too…well, maybe not okay, but he'll make it back to Thirteen alive also." She touched my face softly. "My poor Peeta. I should have been here with you. I was just in the way back there when they were working on Rory."

"I wouldn't have been very good company," I said lightly. "How long have I been asleep?"

"Long enough," Johanna Mason grumbled. "By the way, Handsome, about your snoring - I've heard quieter chainsaws in District Seven logging camps."

"I don't snore," I protested weakly.

"Yes, you do, Peeta," Katniss all but whispered. She quickly changed the subject when she noticed Johanna leaning forward, listening to every word. "Did you hear about Duffy?"

I nodded. "Yes. I guess I should feel something, but that guy delighted in busting my balls. He was a good soldier, though."

"He didn't think the same of you," Boggs said as he squeezed past Katniss, gripping a handhold as he swayed in time with the hovercraft's movements. "He told me that you had no business training as a soldier."

"Figures," I muttered. "Can't say that I'm shocked."

"He also said," Boggs continued, "that he had never seen a trainee with more heart, or one that worked as hard, as you did."

"He said that?" I asked in surprise.

"He did," Boggs confirmed. Seeing my sudden embarrassment at this revelation, he quickly changed the subject. "Anyway, I came back here to let you know that we're twenty minutes out, and that you, Peeta, will go willingly to the hospital once we land and you will stay there, until the docs mark you as fit to return to limited duty."

"I'm fine," I protested unconvincingly.

"I don't think so," Boggs replied firmly. "And, more importantly, neither does President Coin." His voice softened slightly. "Look, soldier. You've been through the wringer. Capture, torture, beatings, mental abuse…you need – hell, you've earned – the chance to rest and put yourself back together."

"Okay, fine," I muttered. I didn't like it…but at the same time, deep down inside, I knew that Boggs – and Coin, for that matter – was right. I did need some time in the hospital. I just would have rather spent my first night back in Thirteen with Katniss.

"Anyway," Boggs continued, "I came back to tell you that we're less than twenty minutes out."

"Almost there," I said softly. "Thanks, Boggs."

Boggs nodded once, and then made his way towards the hovercraft cockpit. As Katniss and I watched him, she leaned over and said, very softly, "You won't be alone tonight. I'll be there with you."

"I'm sure there's some rule against that," I pointed out.

"Well, there's no way that I can go back to my quarters," Katniss said stubbornly. "Not with both you and Rory in the hospital!"

"What's this?" Johanna asked innocently. "Is the Mockingjay planning on playing house with you in the hospital, Handsome?"

I looked at Johanna in disgust. "Get your mind out of the gutter, Jo. It's nothing like that."

"It sure sounded like that to me," Johanna replied with a wink.

"Shut it, Mason," Katniss all but snarled.

Johanna settled back in her seat and smirked at Katniss and I. "My, my," she teased. "Touchy, aren't we? So, tell me something, you two – how's the food in this mystery district that we're heading to?"

"You'll find out," Katniss said, as she matched Johanna's smirk with one of her own.

I can only describe what happened in the first few minutes following our landing in District Thirteen as organized chaos.

Medical teams charged into the hovercraft as soon as the ramp thumped to the concrete floor of the West Hangar. They brushed right by me, the soldiers accompanying them ordering everyone else to remain in place as the unconscious bodies of Rory Hawthorne and July Barrow were transferred onto wheeled gurneys. Another team followed the medics into the hovercraft and headed for the stretcher that bore Duffy's body. Unlike the white-clad medics, this crew was clad in the now-familiar gray coverall worn by most of the inhabitants of District Thirteen, and the patches on their left shoulders identified them as being assigned to Waste Management.

Rory Hawthorne and July Barrow were headed to the hospital. Staff Sergeant Duffy was headed to the incinerators.

Once Rory, July, and Duffy were wheeled down the hovercraft ramp, another medical team appeared, pushing a wheelchair. As they stopped next to my seat I realized with a shock that the wheelchair was meant for me.

I rose to my feet slowly (and somewhat painfully) and tried to wave them off. "I don't need that," I protested, even as Katniss gripped my arm to keep me from swaying unsteadily.

The medics were respectful, but firm. "I'm sorry, Soldier Mellark," one of them said. "Orders from the top. In you go."

"I'm coming with you," Katniss said insistently.

The medics glanced at each other uncertainly. "I…I don't know if that's –"

"Let her go with him," Boggs ordered as he stepped forward. When the medics hesitated, Boggs added, "On my authority."

The medic nodded as I sat down in the chair. "Yes, sir."

"Thanks, Boggs," I said gratefully as my chair began to move.

"Anytime, soldier," Boggs replied fondly. "Katniss, you'll be expected at debriefing later," he added.

"I figured," Katniss muttered, but so softly that only the medics and I could hear her. Louder, she said, "Just let me know when. You know where to find me."

"Will do," Boggs called out.

Once the chair was clear of the ramp a soldier motioned us to stop. I then noticed President Coin approaching, along with her ever-present assistant, Henry Elliott, as well as Haymitch Abernathy, Plutarch Heavensbee and an officer – a major – whose name I didn't immediately remember, but who I knew was a member of Boggs' security staff. Another familiar face was present as well – Finnick Odair, who, at that very moment, was locked in a tight embrace with Annie Cresta. I smiled and waved at him, but I doubt if he noticed.

Plutarch certainly noticed. "Are you getting all this?" he asked Messalla.

Messalla was standing off to one side, where both Castor and Pollux were busy recording every move for posterity. "On it," Messalla replied tersely. I couldn't help but smile when I saw Lavinia standing just behind Pollux. Apparently, they had "bonded" quite nicely on the flight back to Thirteen.

"Soldier Mellark," President Alma Coin said warmly as she stopped in front of my chair. She extended her hand and I gripped it weakly. "Welcome back to District Thirteen."

"Thank you, President Coin," I murmured. "It's good to be back."

"And try to stay out of trouble now, kid," Haymitch said with a fond grin.

"I'll try, Haymitch," I said as I returned his grin.

"I won't keep you," Coin continued. "I just wanted to be here to welcome you…and the Mockingjay…back to the fold. We'll talk more later." She turned towards Katniss. "You'll be notified of debriefing later. For now, I suggest that you –"

"I told her she could accompany Soldier Mellark to the hospital, Madam President," Boggs cut in. "She's not immediately required, and –"

"What the fuck is going on here?" Johanna's voice rang out in the cavernous hangar. "Heavensbee! Want to explain exactly what these Peacekeepers-in-gray think they're doing?"

I tried to turn towards the sound of Johanna's voice, but I couldn't crane my neck around far enough to see what was happening. "Katniss, what's going on?"

"That's what I want to know," Katniss muttered angrily as she shouldered the medic aside that had been pushing my chair. "Outta the way," Katniss ordered as she spun my chair around.

The entire group from the Capitol – Casca, the Career Victors, Andromeda Snow, and Sperantia Blackstone, who was groggily swaying on her feet as the effects of the sedative abated, and was being held upright by Casca and Andromeda – had been herded into one area of the hangar and surrounded by armed soldiers. As I watched, a pair of soldiers approached the camera crew and grasped Lavinia by her arms, and then led her to the others.

"Young woman," Coin said sternly, "I understand that you have been through a great deal of stress. But you must also understand that your attitude will not be tolerated here."

Johanna glanced contemptuously at Coin. "Who the fuck are you?"

Plutarch Heavensbee quickly stepped between Coin and Johanna. "Umm, Johanna," he said hastily, "I would like you to meet Alma Coin…President of District Thirteen. President Coin, Johanna Mason, Victor from District Seven."

"I know who she is, Mr. Heavensbee," Coin snapped. She made a sharp gesture and a pair of soldiers moved forward, flanking Johanna.

"President Coin?" Johanna asked sarcastically. "Since when does a district have a president? And what do these two assholes want?"

Coin glanced at Major Zander, who stepped forward and nervously cleared her throat. "My name is Major Zander. I'm here to escort you new arrivals to the District Thirteen Receiving and Refugee Processing Center. Now, if you will all –"

"Just a moment," Casca Bishop said. "Mr. Heavensbee…President Coin. Since when does a group of refugees require an armed escort?"

"It's for your own protection," Coin explained smoothly. "You are all either Capitol citizens or from districts with Loyalist sympathies. The citizens of District Thirteen have some very strong feelings regarding Loyalists. Until the citizens here become convinced of your loyalty and commitment to the Rebellion, I thought it best that you remain sequestered."

"In other words," Johanna spat, "we're under fucking arrest."

"Young woman," Coin snapped, "your televised statements have raised a great many questions regarding exactly where your loyalties lie!"

"And what about her?" Johanna pointed at Annie. "She's from a Career District also! I don't see you arresting her."

"Miss Cresta didn't broadcast disloyal statements, either," Coin replied smugly.

"No, she didn't," I said from my wheelchair. "She didn't because she was off-camera, like I was, being used to coerce Johanna into cooperating. This is wrong, President Coin. These people were all in on the escape. I wouldn't be sitting here right now if it wasn't for Casca Bishop, and Andromeda Snow, and Johanna Mason. And Lavinia…she's an Avox. Already tried and condemned by the Capitol! Where do you think her loyalties lie?"

Coin's jaw tightened. "This decision is not subject to debate." She turned towards Casca. "Mr. Bishop, no one here is under arrest except for her." Coin pointed to Sperantia Blackstone. "The rest of you will be treated as guests until the people of District Thirteen no longer view you as either the enemy or as a potential threat."

Boggs stepped forward. "Madam President –"

Coin ignored him. "Major Zander, please insure that the refugees are escorted to Receiving and given a meal, quarters, and appropriate clothing. The Blackstone girl is to be treated as a prisoner until further notice."

"Yes, ma'am," Zander replied.

"As for Andromeda Snow," Coin continued thoughtfully, "she is, after all, Coriolanus Snow's granddaughter. Assign her quarters near mine on the Command level, and I want around the clock guards placed on her for her own protection." Coin smiled at Andromeda. "You see, Miss Snow? You are my guest, not my prisoner."

"Ma'am," Andromeda said respectfully, "I would rather stay with the others."

"You have your orders, Major," Coin said coldly. "And," she added, pointing at me, "get him to the hospital. Now."

As I watched, a pair of soldiers shackled an obviously terrified Sperantia Blackstone and hustled her out of the hangar, while another, larger group of soldiers herded the others, grumbling and complaining, to a different exit. The last thing I saw before I was wheeled out of the hangar was Andromeda Snow looking at Katniss and I, her expression frightened, even pleading.

"I'm should have said something," Katniss muttered as the elevator doors slammed shut. I grabbed her hand firmly.

"No," I said softly. "You shouldn't. Not now, Katniss. Emotions are high right now. Let everyone cool off before you get Coin pissed at you again."

"He's right," the medic pushing my chair said.

"But they didn't do shit!" Katniss sputtered as the elevator began to move. "Boggs, Haymitch, Plutarch – they all just stood there and let it happen!"

"I think everyone was as surprised as we were," I said. "Look. The only one that was actually locked up was Sperantia Blackstone. I'm sure that the others are just under guard temporarily for their own protection. Like Coin said."

I didn't believe a word that I was saying, but at that moment my priority was to keep Katniss out of any further trouble. And, if she continued to let her mouth run away with her, that's exactly what she was headed for – more trouble. The medics that were escorting me to the hospital picked up on what I was trying to do and, to my surprise, chimed in, agreeing with me. I found out later that the entire medical staff in Thirteen thought very highly of both Mrs. Everdeen and Prim, and didn't want to see anything happen to either one of them – or to Katniss.

"Look," I said as we entered the hospital. "You have me back. You get to see Prim and your mother soon. And Rory will be okay, now that he's here. We'll worry about the other bullshit later, okay?"

Katniss looked down at me, her eyes still blazing angrily, but she managed to say calmly, "Okay, Peeta. You're right. As usual."

A nurse directed the medics pushing my chair into an examining room. There, they helped me out of the chair and on to an examination table, told me that a doctor would be in shortly, promised to let Mrs. Everdeen and Prim know where we were, and left.

Katniss wasted no time after they left. She bent over me as I lay on the table and gave me a long, slow, lingering kiss. "Finally," she breathed as she came up for air, "I get you alone. I've been aching to really do that ever since we picked you up."

"It was worth the wait," I murmured as I pulled her lips back down to mine.

PART IV

Spartacus, President Snow's new Chief of Security, paused at the entrance to Snow's private office and rapped lightly on the door jamb. "You sent for me, President Snow?"

Snow glanced up from the computer screen glowing softly on his desk. "Ahh. Spartacus. Yes. Come in and shut the door."

Spartacus stepped into the office and closed the door behind him. As soon as the door was shut, Snow said, "I've received confirmation from our source inside Thirteen that my granddaughter and her friend have arrived there safely, and unharmed."

"That's good news, sir," Spartacus replied carefully.

"I need you to do something for me, Spartacus," Snow continued. "I need you to contact the Communications Ministry. Tell them that you are acting under my authority and that I desire to have the Red Line reactivated as soon as possible."

Spartacus frowned. "The 'Red Line,' sir?"

Snow nodded. "The Red Line was a secure communications network between us and District Thirteen. The last time it was used was seventy-five years ago, when my predecessors used it to negotiate armistice terms with the outlaws in District Thirteen. Now I find myself in a position where I must negotiate with their descendants to facilitate the safe return of both Andromeda as well as Sperantia Blackstone."

"Yes, sir," Spartacus said uneasily.

Snow chuckled humorlessly. "I negotiate from a position of strength, Spartacus. Remember that. I still govern over Panem. And if my demands are not met, this so-called Rebellion will feel the full force of my displeasure." Snow paused, tossed down the pen that he had been holding, and leaned back in his chair.

"District Twelve was cleansed by fire, Spartacus," Snow said coldly. "I shall not hesitate to make an example of another district if the criminals in Thirteen choose to defy me."

"Yes, sir," Spartacus said again. He shivered slightly as the cold tendrils of fear gripped his spine.

"I offered the districts hope, Spartacus," Snow continued. "Hope through their Tributes' victories in the Games. And they threw it back in my face. Now, they shall know something else."

Snow suddenly sat up and stared at Spartacus, his eyes blazing.

"They shall experience the true power of the Capitol. And they shall know fear."