We Didn't Start The Fire
by FanficAllergy & RoseFyre

oOo

Chapter Twenty Four: Uninvited

oOo

Last Time in We Didn't Start The Fire:

Realization dawns. "Are you giving us permission to have sex?"

She nods her head. "Or whatever. Whatever you need. Sex. Intimacy. Just don't worry about me. I don't want you two to… if you need comfort, take it. I promise I'll be okay with whatever you guys decide." Her eyes plead with us. "Just come home to me."

"Thank you, Katniss," I say, my voice full.

Gale wraps his arms around the two of us. "This is why we love you."

oOo

Standing on the edge of a large frozen body of water, I stare at the dark shore of District Six just a few miles away. It's so close.

It's a little terrifying.

Thirteen's hovercraft are ferrying in the troops in waves. Thirty thousand of us. It's a massive undertaking. This little spit of land is rapidly filling to overflowing. The sounds of men and women setting up camp and preparing for the invasion filter over to me.

I needed to escape. Get away from the chaos to clear my head.

The wilderness is beautiful. Cold. But beautiful. I find myself missing our cave and the quiet winter we spent there. Maybe next year...

The sound of footsteps coming up behind me shakes me from my reverie. I turn to see General Glenn and Gale coming towards me.

"It's a momentous day," Glenn says in greeting. "By this time tomorrow, we'll be making our advance and, before you know it, we'll be on the Capitol's doorstep."

I glance over my shoulder towards Six. "Can't happen soon enough for me, sir."

"That lovely wife of yours," the general says with a smile. "I don't blame you one bit."

"It's not just that," I say, shaking my head. "It's just this is going to change everything. And not just for us."

The general gives me a puzzled look.

"I think what Peet's trying to say is none of us are okay with killing," Gale steps in. "We'll have to if our family's threatened, but… in wars, innocent people get caught in the crossfire."

"We'll do our best to minimize it," General Glenn promises. "We'll do our best to get the civilians clear of the fighting."

"Thank you," I say. I look back out over the water. "I kind of wish this were Twelve we were looking at."

The general makes a face. "I understand. Home's especially important. Maybe if there's still time after we finish this assault, we can liberate your district next. In fact," he says, thinking it over, "I think it'd be good for morale, knowing that even the least of the districts in the Capitol's eyes holds value to us in Thirteen. I'll talk to Alma about it when we get back."

A rush of emotion spills over me. "I'd appreciate it. Plutarch tried, but he said Coin refused."

"Plutarch doesn't have the resources and pull that I do," he says. "Your district will be liberated by springtime. I promise."

"Thank you, General." My throat is tight with emotion.

"No, thank you," he says, placing a warm hand on both of our shoulders. "Thank you for making the sacrifice to be out here with the troops today." He glances behind us. "It means a lot."

I suspect, if I looked, I'd see Cressida's crew filming us talking.

I don't look.

"Are we actually gonna see any fighting?" Gale asks, changing the subject.

General Glenn shrugs. "Will any of us? It all depends on Six's Peacekeepers. If they surrender or not."

"What do you plan on doing with those who surrender?" Gale asks.

I'm glad he did. Thorn's become a friend, especially to our sister-in-law, and she was previously a Peacekeeper. She's made me reevaluate how I think of Peacekeepers. They're just another set of Capitol pawns.

The older man seems to understand. "Anyone who surrenders in good faith will be taken to a transient camp for debriefing and reprogramming."

"Reprogramming?" Gale's tone is disapproving.

"It's not as ominous as it sounds. Merely making sure that the Capitol hasn't implanted any subliminal orders before we reintegrate them into the rest of the populace. Once that's complete, each Peacekeeper will be given an opportunity to join Thirteen's military, to help liberate the rest of Panem."

I glance over at the man. "But what about those people who choose not to join?"

"They'll be held in a secure location until the war's over," he replies quickly. "I've ensured that they'll be treated humanely and with the respect due a soldier. After all, it's not their fault that their government is corrupt. They were merely doing their duty as they were taught. Hatred and revenge are never the solution."

And that's the reason why we've always liked General Glenn. I wish he'd been elected president. He's loyal to his district, but he also has compassion and the ability to see differing points of view. I wish it were him, and not Coin, who was leading this revolution.

oOo

We set off early the next morning.

Supposedly the techs have disabled the proximity alarms and border traps, but General Glenn is still cautious. He sends out a reconnaissance party to test the passage.

Nothing happens. No mutts. No gunfire. No explosions.

It's safe.

Once they've radioed back that they've scouted the area and all traps have been disabled, General Glenn gives the order to cross. With one caveat: no more than one hundred people can be on the strait at any given time. He doesn't want to overstress the ice.

I agree with him in theory. Still, it's going to be a long crossing.

Thankfully, he seems to understand that, and tells the advance troops to move on ahead instead of waiting. He also gives them orders to circle around the main town of District Six and wait. Once the full army is in position, we'll institute a two pronged attack to take out both Six's border defenses and its primary population center.

Rye's unit is going to be going for the border defenses, the more dangerous of the two fronts. Not that the primary population center will be fully safe, but it's likely to be less dangerous. I wish there was something I could do to keep Rye safe, but he'd never forgive me if I interfered. At least I got a chance to wish him well last night.

While Gale and I wait for our unit to be allowed on the strait, Rory comes up to us and crows, "I found something!"

"You're always finding something," Gale says in a tone tinged with exasperated fondness.

"Yeah, but, this is cool. It's pre-Cataclysm." He pulls out a blue and white plate with the words 'Mackinac Island, Michigan' spelled on it. "I think we're here." He points at the image of a bridge. "You can kind of see the towers still."

"The Mack-in-ack Bridge?" Gale says, sounding it out. "What kind of name is Mackinac?"

I shrug. "I don't know. What kind of name is Sweetgale?" A smile curls on my lips.

Gale rolls his eyes at me, but his lips curl up too. "Damn it, Peet, you're lucky I love you."

"I've been saving up for special occasions."

"I think I'm gonna give it to Prim," Rory says. "You think she'll like it?"

Prim's already got quite a collection of knickknacks and random detritus that she's gotten from Rory. She actually seems to enjoy receiving my brother-in-law's gifts. I wouldn't be surprised if there wasn't a marriage between the two of them in the future.

That reminds me. I wonder if the legal marriage age is fourteen here. Considering it seems to be the age of adulthood for everything else, I wouldn't be surprised. I make it a point to find out later… and then refrain from mentioning it to my brother and sister-in-law.

Rory pulls out something else. "I also found this. It's for my nephew. The one that's not born yet."

Rain has other gifts that Rory's given him, including a mobile made out of various sticks and feathers that Rory found outside of Thirteen. Our second son's not even born yet, and already Rory's finding him stuff. I suspect my children will have whole shelves filled gifts from their Uncle Rory.

I look at this gift curiously. It appears to be etched glass with a hole at the top where a ribbon or piece of string could be threaded. The etching seems to form the shape of a mitten trying to catch a rabbit, and underneath are the words 'Michigan, Christmas 1984.'

"Any idea what Michigan and Christmas are?" Gale asks, looking over my shoulder at the thing.

"No clue," Rory answers. "But isn't it pretty? You think the baby'll like it?"

"It's a baby. I'm sure he'll like it," Gale says before leaning over and murmuring into my ear, "assuming he's not too busy pooping and spitting up all over the place."

I love our son, but it sometimes feels like it's a constant battle against one goopy mess or another. I can only imagine how much worse it'll be once we have two of them to take care of.

General Glenn sends word a couple hours later that it's time for Gale's and my group to make our crossing. The scouts warn us not to get too close to the ruined Mackinac Bridge, even though Cinna's codes seem to be working. The remains of the bridge are a prime spot for traps and they'd rather be safe than sorry.

When we reach the other side, I take a deep breath before stepping onto the beach. I'm officially now in District Six.

The invasion has begun.

oOo

It's a long cold march to the outskirts of the main population center of District Six. The scouts, ranging on ahead, report the way seems to be free of boobytraps. There's even one of those long meadows we encountered so much when fleeing District Twelve heading in the general direction we want to go.

After General Glenn's scouts give the all clear, the rest of the army follows the meadow. It makes travel in the wintertime substantially easier.

For added safety, we march at night. We don't want to risk being spotted by any of the Capitol's hovercraft patrols. We bring up the possibility of our tracks being spotted from the air, but General Glenn tells us not to worry. Apparently the meadow is a popular spot for local fauna to congregate and from the air trampled snow is trampled snow.

Our fears assuaged, we soldier on.

It takes a bit of getting used to.

Gale doesn't find the change in schedule as difficult as he initially expected. Apparently the irregular sleep pattern of parents coupled with his Mockingjay duties and Gale's natural ability to sleep anywhere at anytime, means that at least one of us is doing okay.

But it's not me.

By the fourth night, I'm starting to miss the sun. By the fifth, I stay up much later than I should just to get a few minutes of pale wintery dawn.

Naturally Gale notices. "Having trouble sleeping?" he asks me, putting his arm around my shoulders.

I lean into his embrace, soaking up the warmth and comfort in equal doses. "A bit."

"How? Falling asleep or staying asleep?"

"Both."

"Have you taken those pills the medics gave you?" The question is pointed.

I shake my head. All soldiers have been given a selection of sleep aids by the military docs. I haven't wanted to take them. I'm still not entirely trusting of Thirteen's motivations.

Gale sighs, removing his arm to run a hand through his hair. "Dammit, Peet. We promised Katniss we'd try to come back to her. I don't want you gettin' killed because you're too damn tired to pay attention."

"I'll be fine." I know it's a lie. But I don't want my husband to worry.

Gale's eyes narrow. "No, you won't. Now get your ass in there and get to bed." He holds the door to our tiny tent open.

I crawl in, moving automatically to my sleeping bag.

Gale stops me. "No. Not there. Here." He points to his sleeping bag. "With me."

My eyes fly to his in the pale dawn light. "Are you sure?"

"I wouldn't have offered if I weren't. Dammit, Peeta, we've been sleeping together for almost two years. If I've got any say in the matter, we're gonna be sleeping together for at least sixty more!"

I'm still hesitant. I don't want to push my husband into doing something he'll regret.

"Please, Peeta." Gale's tone is gentle, loving.

I give in.

Dragging my sleeping bag over to cover us both, I nestle up against my husband's chest. He smells of pine and the indescribable musk I've come to associate with my husband. I miss Katniss and her sweetness, but this is the closest I've been to comfortable since we left Thirteen.

I sigh contentedly.

My husband's body shakes, laughing. "You know I love you, you stubborn merchant pain in the ass."

"I love you too." I reach up and kiss him gently on the mouth, keeping my lips closed. I don't want sex. I want comfort.

Gale gives it. "Good," he says, when he pulls back. "Now let's get some sleep."

oOo

I feel better the following night. Apparently sleeping in my husband's arms was just what I needed.

Gale smirks at me knowingly. The bastard. I hate to admit he's right, but I was being an idiot for trying to keep some distance between us.

Not that I'll ever tell him that.

In an attempt to avoid my husband's smugness, I mingle with several of the other soldiers. Many of them are young, younger than me, even, and there's a sort of frightened look in their eyes. I realize these are transients, refugees from the other districts. They don't have the same hardened look of acceptance that Thirteen soldiers do.

I know people have been streaming in since before we even arrived. But there's something off about these troops. Something wrong.

I realize what it is when I spot someone I recognize. Someone who has no business being here.

Glados Poindexter.

I make my way over to Error's older sister, a carefully schooled expression on my face. "Fancy seeing you out here."

The girl blushes and smiles. "Yeah. Didn't expect to be here myself."

"Why are you here?"

She shrugs. "Joined the army two weeks ago. Pretty much every able-bodied person is here. At least that's what they told us."

I struggle to keep a frown from my face. I know that's not true. General Glenn mentioned that they left at least five thousand troops back in Thirteen under Boggs's command in the event of a Capitol counterattack. I wasn't about to argue with that decision, because they're right. The Capitol could attack, and Thirteen needs to be ready.

But why doesn't Glados know that? And why is she here?

I look around, realizing she's not the only person here who can't have much training. I think I spot a few people from Twelve who we were called in to identify back in August, as well as a few who we weren't. This group seems particularly callow, untested.

"I'm surprised they sent you," I say instead of mentioning my concerns.

"Me too."

I place a hand on her shoulder. "Well, try to keep your spirits up. I'm sure you'll be fine."

She sighs. "I hope so. My family's got the worst luck."

I nod my head absently. I kind of agree with her. Two siblings being Reaped back to back, mom dying of the flu… her family seems almost as cursed as mine. Not like I'd tell her that. It seems a bit callous to get into a competition over who has the worse life. Not to mention it's a competition you really don't want to win.

Still, the question about why so many green troops have been sent along won't go away, so I seek out General Glenn.

"Why are there soldiers here that have had less than two weeks worth of training?" I ask after the usual pleasantries are out of the way.

The man scrubs at his face. "It's not the ideal solution and it was not my decision. However, it was deemed a poor use of Thirteen resources to sacrifice well-trained soldiers in a distractionary offensive."

I can almost hear Coin's voice when he says the words. "So you're saying it's okay to sacrifice them."

"Personally, I don't believe in sacrificing any of my soldiers," the red-faced man corrects. "However, I was overruled."

"But we're out here. You don't have to send them in first."

"And I'm not going to," he says firmly. "As general and as the ranking leader of this invasion, I'm allowed to make short-term tactical decisions so long as the overall long-term strategy is maintained. It is my tactical opinion that sending kids off to die is in poor judgment."

"Thank you."

"I planned on doing it before you even talked to me, Peeta." His tone is chiding.

I flush at the rebuke. I should have known better than to jump to conclusions. The man has been nothing but kind and honorable. "Thank you," I say again.

"Not all of us view the transients as disposable or as breeding stock."

But we both know who does.

I look at the man, thinking of all the things I could say. How much I respect him. How much I wish he'd won the race for president. But I don't say any of those. Instead, I tell him, "I wish there were more people like you," before nodding at him and heading back to find my husband.

oOo

A couple days later, our progress slows to a crawl. We're just a few miles away from the outskirts of the main population center of District Six, and the group going to take out the district defenses has already split off. Rye and I didn't get much time to talk, but we made sure to wish each other luck before following our respective units.

We call a halt to allow those troops behind us to catch up, even though we're in one of the later groups. In the interest of his troops' physical ability, General Glenn orders a day of rest before commencing the assault.

It's a little bit daunting, considering that in less than twenty four hours, we'll be in the heat of battle.

I stare at the setting sun, letting my thoughts wander. Behind me, I hear the sound of someone's approaching footsteps. Familiar footsteps.

Strong arms slip around me and I feel a broad chest against my back. "So. What are you thinking about?"

"Would you believe me if I said nothing?" I lean back against my husband.

"No." Gale plants a kiss behind my ear. "You're always thinking about something."

"Fine. How about everything?"

"That I'll believe."

"It's just…" I struggle to put my thoughts into words. "I feel like we're standing on the edge of a cliff and we're about to leap off. And whether we float, or fall, or fly is up in the air."

"Don't worry about it, Peet."

"It's my job to worry about it."

"It's our job." He nuzzles the back of my neck. "You're not alone in this."

I turn around so that we're pressed chest-to-chest. "I wish Katniss were here. And Rain."

"I don't. Knowing they're safe gives me the strength to do what I need to do tomorrow. I'll do anything to keep them safe."

I'm unable keep myself from stiffening. "And I won't?"

"No. I didn't say that." Gale reaches up to card his fingers through my hair. He's trying to comfort me, and it's working. "It's just… as much as I wish we could have them here with us, hold them in our arms, I also feel better knowing I don't have to worry about them in the coming battle."

I sigh. "I'm just worried about what's going to happen in Thirteen."

"I am too," he admits, echoing my sigh. "But Katniss has her mom and Prim and Madge. And she hasn't pissed off Coin quite like you and I have. And she's a proven breeder, so she's probably safe. Thirteen would revolt if they killed a pregnant woman." Gale pauses, his arms tightening around me. "No, the one I'm worried about losing is you."

"I'm not going anywhere."

"Tell that to my heart. I've lost so many people, Peet. I don't think I could bear it to lose more." He pauses, his voice dropping to a whisper. "Especially when it would be my fault."

"Are you planning on killing me?"

"No! Of course not."

"Then why would it be your fault?"

"Because... because I'm pushing you away."

I glance down at his arms and then back up to his face with a wry twist to my lips. "Not really feeling pushed away now."

He drops his arms to run his hands through his hair. "Dammit, Peet, you know what I mean!"

"No, actually I don't."

"I feel like you think I love you less than I love Katniss."

I stare at him, all thoughts of teasing gone.

He's not wrong. I've always felt that I was the second choice, that the only way Gale could have Katniss was to have me too. I know he loves me, the last few nights have proven that. But there's still that niggling doubt. Most of the time I can push it away, live in the moment. But sometimes that little voice of self-doubt rears up and starts to shout.

"The thing is, Peet, we need you. I need you. Katniss and me? We wouldn't work. We're too alike. It might be good for a little while, but it wouldn't stay good. We'd end up hating each other, and that's assuming she didn't kill me first."

I make a little noise.

"Fuck, this is coming out all wrong. That's not the only reason. And it's not the most important one." He takes a deep breath and looks me right in the eye. "I love you, Peeta, for you. Separate from Katniss. What can I do to prove to you that what I feel for you is real?"

I want to lie, deflect. But I know the only way this relationship will work is if we're completely honest with each other. I jeopardized that a bit this summer. I can't do it again.

Taking a deep breath, I take the plunge. "I want to make love with you. Not just sex, but I want to do what we do to Katniss with you. But I know you're not ready. And I don't want to push. But it's getting harder and harder to keep myself from overstepping the boundaries that we've set."

"This is the first time I'm hearing this, Peet." Disappointment colors his tone. "When did the whole penis touching thing change?"

"I don't know," I answer, wrapping my arms around myself. "Probably sometime when we were back in the cave. It's been growing for a while." I glance up at him. "I just… get a little thrill every time you touch me. And it just grows every time we kiss. I want it all. Everything." I sigh. "But I don't want to force you. I know you don't want me, at least not in that way. And I'm trying to live with that."

"Dammit, Peet, that's…" He runs one hand through his hair before pulling me back into his arms. "You confuse me, okay? I've never really been attracted to guys, but I'm attracted to you. And that confuses the fuck out of me."

"I'm sorry?" I say, not feeling sorry at all.

"No you're not. It's just… I always figured myself to be a bit of a, well, ladies' man. I like women. I've always liked women. But you…" he trails off. "I have these dreams sometimes. And it's you and me, just the two of us."

"Are we naked?"

He rolls his eyes. "Yes, Peet, we're naked." Then he sobers. "And they're just like my dreams of Katniss. Or all three of us. So I need to figure it out."

"What does your heart tell you?"

He doesn't answer me in words. Instead, he bends down and gently kisses my mouth.

I let myself begin to hope.

oOo

A couple hours before dawn, General Glenn preps the troops. He approached Gale and me the night before to ask us if we'd be willing to say a few inspiring words to motivate the troops.

Naturally, we said yes.

By mutual agreement, this is going to be Gale's show.

Most of our propos have featured me taking the lead role. Now is Gale's time to shine. We don't come up with a speech ahead of time, just go over a list of things we want to make sure to include. Like Katniss, he's better unscripted.

But that doesn't make him any less nervous. Taking a deep breath, my husband steps forward. "In a few short hours, the revolution will begin." He glances over at me and I motion for him to continue. "In a few short hours, the Capitol will feel our sting. Today, in this moment, we stand on the brink of salvation. Not just for us, but for all of Panem!"

Good. He's starting to get into the swing of it.

"It's a bit hard to take in," Gale continues, "but we can't be overwhelmed by what we're about to do. Each of us has a role to play. Each of us has a responsibility. After today, we will no longer be a ragtag rebellion made up of the remnants of District Thirteen and transients from all of Panem. After today, we will be more. We will be a band of brothers and sisters fighting for a common cause, for a common purpose. Today we will be baptized in blood and born again as free men and women!"

The troops around us shift, straightening. My husband's words are having the desired effect. Now he just needs to bring this home to a strong finish.

"So take up your weapons and remember who the real enemy is. We're not conquerors. We are liberators!" he cries. "So let's set our brothers and sisters in District Six free. I think they've been underneath the Capitol's yoke long enough!"

No one cheers. But one by one, led by the contingent from District Twelve, the troops hold up their hands in the old three-fingered salute.

The time for preparation is over.

The time for battle has begun.

oOo

AN:
Written: 11/21/15
Revised: 12/14/15
Revised 2: 12/22/15

This chapter was named after the Alanis Morissette song of the same name.

It was nice to be able to have Rory scrounge something. One of us is from Michigan and actually can say Mackinac correctly… it's Mack-in-naw in case you were wondering. It's one of the ways Michiganders can identify tourists. The Island is fairly well known for being featured in the movie "Somewhere in Time." It's a huge tourist trap and all of the surrounding towns sell souvenirs. The staging area was actually St. Ignace and not the island itself, but having been there, the one of us who lives in the state can vouch that there are a lot of souvenir shops in the area. Especially near the ferry launch.

The long highway they followed is Interstate 75. Six's main population center is near Flint, Michigan. Detroit and Port Huron are too close to the border with Thirteen and the Capitol wouldn't want people who might flee to live too close to the border. The whole line along the east side of the state is going to be extremely well defended. Think Normandy in World War II. It took a lot of luck and planning to take those beaches. We'll see when we return how successful Thirteen will be.

So! Onto a little discussion of the arc title! Since we accidentally finished the arc. (Yes, it was accidental. We realized after we finished writing Gale's speech that the arc was done and it was time to switch perspectives about two chapters earlier than we'd originally planned.) This arc is called "We Didn't Start the Fire" after the Billy Joel song. While the verses don't really fit, the chorus really really does. Because our characters didn't start the fire. They were a spark, yes, but they weren't the only ones. It was building for a lot longer than our characters have been around.

We will now be switching perspectives. After two interludes, Gale will become our perspective character. We hope you enjoyed your time with Peeta!

Things We Randomized:

-How many items Rory found

We will be taking a break from publishing for a while - real life is hitting. We will return on the anniversary of when we first published in January with the next interlude. We may tease a bit on tumblr. But mostly we're going to work on dealing with real life. We've written over a half a million words in the last year. We're due for a break. LOL

Up Next: Interlude: Catch My Breath - AKA: Meanwhile, back in the Capitol…

After That: Interlude: Are You Gonna Go My Way - AKA: Meanwhile, back in District Thirteen...

Coming Soon: Lovers in a Dangerous Time - The Revolution has begun and Gale's family is smack dab in the middle of it. It's going to take everything they have to make it out alive. Gale's going to do everything in his power to make sure they do. But that's not going to be easy, especially not in the middle of a civil war. He's going to need luck. Unfortunately, Gale's never believed in luck.

Thanks for reading! Let us know what you think!