Music and the Beast

Summary: Caught up in a ruse to stay away from her past, top talent manager, Katniss Hawthorne wasn't one for music or romance. But maybe, there might just be someone to bring the music back into her life. Implied K/C, K/G, but ultimately K/P.

Genre: Comedy/Drama/Romance

Chapter Length: 7, 303 words

Warnings: Corny Bread-related humor, Cinna and Peeta bromance, Haymitch being Haymitch.

As usual, I'd like to say thanks to all those who reviewed last chapter and added this story to their alerts and favorites list. You guys are awesome, and I received some particularly encouraging reviews this time around. You guys really know how to put a smile on my face.

A big thanks to my anonymous reviewers whom I couldn't thank personally, Team Haymitch FTW, KinnaFatniss, Anonymous, GIFtoJPG, Chrysalis, andCannoli.

Congratulations also to those who answered the Reader Pop Quiz correctly in their reviews and got a chance to see an extended preview of this chapter, TheBlackMagicRose, Skouli, DandelionOnFire, Kamil the Awesome, Nilrecurring, and Lost Gray Soul. Scroll down to see the rest of the chapter you haven't already read (or read from the start to see some non-major revisions I've made).

Sorry for the day-late update. I was on vacation and didn't have access to the net so I couldn't update as soon as I wanted. A lot of the dialogue surrounding Katniss' speech in this one is iffy, because I couldn't get as in to it as I did when it was Haymitch. Haha I am obviously biased, I know. I'm going to be re-introducing some of the characters I included in this chapter and the next, and hopefully some of the others as well soon, so yay!

Anyway, enjoy the read!

Chapter 6: Redemption

There were no words for how nervous Katniss felt at this moment. The dull pain that remained in her hands from relatively fresh wounds as she clenched her firsts in anticipation was the only thing keeping her head from floating up into nowhere, and as Haymitch began drilling her on what and what not to say, she barely registered a thing. She was going to do this. She was going to get up, and address all her issues.

In front of hundreds of reporters.

With cameras.

Cameras that would broadcast her failed attempts at a press conference to the entire nation.

Probably the world.

She felt sick.

She turned around, intending to run the hell out of there until two pairs of strong arms held her back by both her arms, restraining her so effectively that her feet were no longer even on the ground. She hung there like laundry out to dry, with a dejected look on her face. "I'm not sure I can do this."

"Aw, sweetheart, of course you can." Haymitch comforted her sarcastically. "Just imagine yourself talkin' to the reporters as you would be to that metrosexual client of yours. You know the one – tone-deaf, pretty boy with a mouth like a trout. Think his name was Gay-to?"

If it had been anyone else, Peeta would be appalled at the use of the word 'gay' as an implied insult, but when it came to Cato, Peeta just laughed. Haymitch was getting better at this. When his humor wasn't aimed at his expense, he found he could actually enjoy it. Either that or he just had an undeniable bias against the man who had once held Katniss' affections, albeit purely out of manipulation. "He's right Katniss. Just wing it and be yourself, I'm sure you'll be fine." He let his grasp on her loosen as her feet settled onto the ground. Haymitch on the other hand, wasn't taking any chances as he held her firmly in place.

"I don't think you know this, but I haven't been myself for at least seven years." Katniss rolled her eyes at Peeta. Peeta had no idea what she was talking about and she decided it was best he never found out. How was she supposed to explain her fake marriage with Gale anyway? Shaking the thoughts out of her head she continued in her defense. "And that's easy for both of you to say since you're all so spontaneous and chatty and good with words. All I know how to do is force appointment schedules and work out the best deals."

Peeta just gawked at her with a look of disbelief. Had Katniss really thought he was good with words? The last time Peeta checked, his mind refused to work around her, and he could only imagine what crap his mouth managed to throw up in the past day. Haymitch he could understand, but even then he was only such a great speaker when he wasn't drunk and was instead monumentally inspired. He decided that with the two of them held as Katniss' ideals for public speaking, she was essentially screwed. But he wouldn't tell her that.

"Oh sheesh Katniss." Prim came to her rescue, returning after putting their mother to bed after her medication. "Haymitch's speech back then wasn't even that great." Prim laughed. "You'd know if you were there, but he practically docked the entire thing from dad's eulogy."

Haymitch nudged the blonde girl and huffed. "Just did what I had to do. Personally, I think my delivery was better." Peeta laughed at their exchange then turned to Katniss. She wasn't receiving it quite as well as he was.

"Yeah. I wouldn't know because I wasn't there." Her eyes looked sad, intent on focusing on nothing in particular on the ground and Peeta noted Prim's face as she mentally scolded herself for her lack of tact. Just as Peeta raised his hand in an aim to comfort her, Katniss' eyes shot up, a look of determination now adorning her face. "I owe him so much." She furrowed her eyes in concentration. "I need to do this." She chanted. "I will do this." She straightened herself up. "I'm going to do this."

"Hell yeah! Now that's what I'm talkin' about!" Haymitch wrapped an arm around her and shook her encouragingly. "You can do this!"

"Yes I can!"

"You can do this!" Haymitch chanted.

Yes I can!" Katniss was getting revved up.

"You're doing this!" Haymitch returned.

"Yes I am!" She replied, caught up in the excitement.

"Well, you said so yourself." He didn't leave Katniss anytime to decipher what in the world was happening when he opened the front door and pushed her out of it abruptly.

They were greeted with flashes, cameras and what seemed to be millions of questions at once. Katniss turned her face away from the intrusive light that blurred her vision, squinting and covering her face reflexively. Haymitch and Peeta, who stood behind her, couldn't help but do the same.

"Are you Miss Katniss Everdeen!"

"What do you have to say about your father's problem with alcohol!"

"Are the charges on domestic violence true!"

"There are rumors that Joseph Everdeen has had multiple affairs with acclaimed actresses. What do you have to say about this!"

"Are the hidden subliminal messages in your father's music true!"

"Damn these guys are annoyin'." Haymitch mumbled to himself before stepping up in front and shouting in an earsplitting voice. "Will you guys shut the hell up!"

Silence.

"Well, thank you." He bowed with a sardonic smile on his face. "The floor's all yours, sweetheart."

The noise had ceased, but the flashing of cameras was incessant and the faint buzzing in the background made her aware that she was indeed being recorded. She gulped, finally stepping forward, her eyes trained to a point far in the distance.

"Hello. My name is Katniss Everdeen." Flashes. Squinting, she continued. "I'm sure you all know my father, Joseph Everdeen." She paused. "That's why you're all here. You want answers. You want to know the truth. And when you get 'the truth'," She paused, putting emphasis on her last two words, "You all have every intention of sharing them it the world." Her eyes now focused on each and every reporter present, giving them a piece of her gaze, her grey eyes unyielding. "Here it is then."

She took a deep breath and dove right in.

"My father was an astounding musician, so much so that he captured the hearts of an entire generation with his music and his work, and he left a legacy that has since then been forgotten." She spoke with more fervor in her voice. "But before I say anything else, let me ask you this. What exactly was Joseph Everdeen to all of you before you received anonymous tips and rumors about his dirty past? I bet you had never even given that much thought, had you? Because to you, he was a musician who had his moments of fame, moments of fame that you all capitalized on at one point or another. And this is no different, is it? Because it's all just a game, and Joseph Everdeen was but a piece for you to exploit."

Her hand shot to her heart, beating it in her passion. "But to his friends, he was a pillar of strength. And to his sincere supporters, a guiding light. But most of all, to me and my family, he was a true hero. Before he was a musician, he was a husband, and before he was famous, he was a father. He had always put his family first. And that is why, when he found out about my mother and her illness, he broke down. He hit his lowest low. He became an alcoholic. He was involved in a lot scandals. And he did make mistakes with serious repercussions." She had everyone's attention now. "But you know what else he was?" Her voice was strained now as she bit back tears. "He was human."

"He made mistakes. I know I have mine too. We all do. Who doesn't? But let me say this." She hoped Snow was watching. "He was better than all of us." She looked into the lens of a camera as if she were looking into Snow's cold unforgiving eyes. "Because what set him apart was once he realized what he had done, he got up and set himself straight. He never stopped being a father to me and my sister, and he never stopped caring for my mother, even after he had fallen so low. The accusations that he had hit us are false. He would never lay a finger on any of us. He wouldn't hurt a fly."

She stepped forward so she was now directly in front of the reporters and in their midst.

"So to answer your questions. Yes, he had problems, but he didn't let his problems define him, and because of that, he will forever be more than what people, or magazines, or reporters make him out to be."

There were hushed murmurs of debate and agreement among those present.

"His music fought for peace, equality, justice, and redemption. It was never about the fame or the fortune. Whatever money my dad had earned, he used for us, not himself, the rest he gave to charity. He has done so much more good than we could have ever hoped to do, and yet here we are focusing on what are but millimeters of bad press compared to the miles of good he's achieved. He led almost his entire life as the most selfless man I know and I refuse to let my father be remembered for the few mistakes that were merely a small part of his existence. I refuse to be a part of these games people play out of ambition, and jealousy."

Her breathing was heavy by this point and Peeta had his eyes trained on her clenched fists, wondering if she had been too caught up in it all to notice they were hurting. But when he looked up at her, in her eyes, there was no pain, or shame, only the fire that he had once thought to be missing. Here, amidst all the reporters, she was glowing, glaringly intense, and there was no person he admired more at this moment, than his idol's daughter, Katniss. Not even Joseph Everdeen, himself.

"And that is why, I've decided, together with my sister, Peeta Mellark and Haymitch Abernathy, former band member of The Mockingjay, that I will be working hard on doing his name justice. With an album – an album dedicated to the moments that mattered, not the moments we choose to acknowledge. That way everybody will know just who exactly Joseph Everdeen was behind what the press made him to be."

As she turned her back to them all, the response was overwhelming. Peeta and Haymitch ran to shield her from the impending chaos, questions on details of the album, who else would be working on it and if Katniss had any intention of getting the band back together. She refused to answer any of them, partially stunned at the fact that she had actually mustered up the nerve to do what she had just done.

As they got the still bewildered girl back into the house, most of the reporters got back into their vans to deliver the details of the scoop they had just gotten. Some lingered to see if they could catch a glimpse of the older Everdeen sister but Haymitch took care of them, shooing them off before they could do any damage.

Once inside, Prim immediately handed Katniss a glass of water as Peeta steadied her on the couch to sit. Haymitch got on the phone, quickly contacting the TV stations and press involved in the conference, drilling them on all the factual details, making extra sure they didn't spin the story in their favor. He had Prim's laptop on standby, sending in manuscripts, details and contracts of discretion. He was an expert at this by now. He had everything planned and Katniss silently thanked him for helping her father look out for her all those years. He wasn't as bad as she had thought.

"Katniss, you were amazing." Prim sat by her and enveloped her in a large hug.

"Was I? Really? I can't remember half of what I said back there. I don't know what got into me." She took a sip of the water she was handed, suddenly noticing the pain in her hands as she clenched and unclenched them. She winced at the pain, but it dissipated as someone took the glass from her and a large hand took her own in his.

"You were more than amazing Katniss. I couldn't have done it better myself." Peeta smiled at her and something about his eyes and his face and his hand in hers made her heart jump. She felt herself tense, but for some reason, Peeta's presence held her together and she couldn't help but give his hand a tight squeeze back.

"Thank you."

"Look at you, crying like a baby. You're a complete mess!" Prim was in tears now too, and Katniss hadn't even noticed she had been crying until her sister had pointed it out. Prim caught her in another embrace and Peeta let her hand go so she could return it this time. "Dad would have been so proud of you Kat."

Peeta got up to give the two sisters some time of their own and headed over to Haymitch who was now struggling with his inbox at the number of inquiries that were coming in. "You need help with that?"

Haymitch grunted, obviously not wanting to admit he needed it but when both his phone and the landline started ringing he had no choice. "Fuckin' technology. Life was easier without it." He glared at the computer before handing it over to Peeta. "I got a draft of everythin' there somewhere. Just send that to anyone who asks. Don't say anythin' unnecessary. Fuckin' piranhas, all of them."

Peeta nodded and laughed as he brought up the folder and attached it to the email before managing the rest of the incoming messages. "You really came through on this one, didn't you?"

Haymitch huffed in between calls. "Been wantin' to do this for a long time. Timin' was never right for poor ole Joe. Been waitin' for Kat to come around for years. Life with the Everdeens ain't so easy." He laughed despite it all.

"I get 'ya." Peeta glanced back at the two girls who now leaned against each other's frames. Yes, the short time he'd spent with them was hell, but it was worth it.

After the initial chaos had died down, they were finally able to sit down for a game plan. This was it.

"First off, I'd like to congratulate Miss Katniss Everdeen." Haymitch clapped as he leaned against the couch, his feet propped up on the coffee table. "'Ya didn't suck as bad as I thought you would. And you gave those damn reporters a run for their money. I think it was probably your face." He cackled at his own humor, enjoying Katniss' less-than-pleased reaction.

"Thanks Haymitch, I'm touched." Katniss nodded at him. She knew this was his way of making her feel valued, as twisted as it may have been.

"Now back to business." Haymitch sat up and clasped his hands together, addressing the three in a more serious manner. "We need a recording studio."

"We could always rent one out." Prim offered. She had her own little notebook and pencil, jotting down minutes and ideas.

"Don't got the money Goldy. And we're in this for the long haul. Can't afford one for that long. We ain't exactly Snow Productions here." He shot her down with almost a hint of an apologetic face, just so she wouldn't throw a fit. Luckily, she didn't as she visibly crossed an item on her notebook out. "Anyone else?"

"Well I had one set up in my apartment back in L.A. Wasn't much, mostly a desktop setup, but it worked for me." Peeta shrugged.

"Too far from here and too close to Snow. We got Deborah to worry about. Don't want a repeat of her little encounter with Snow and we don't want him snoopin' 'round our studio while we work." Haymitch shook his leg impatiently, a habit he had developed after bartenders took way too long serving him his drinks. "Any other bright ideas?"

Katniss frowned into clasped hands as she sat forward. She had an idea, but it wasn't exactly what she would call ideal. "We could always revamp dad's old studio." She paused, waiting for their reactions, but when they didn't come, she continued. "All his equipment's still in the garage, and the room's still here, we'd just need a little bit of furnishing and setup, but everything should still work."

Peeta sat up, thinking her idea wasn't half-bad. 'So that explained the room.' He thought. Haymitch just stared at her, his eyes narrowing.

"Or not." Katniss sat up, puffing her cheeks up and frowning at his scrutiny.

"No, it's a great idea." Haymitch interjected. "Was just makin' sure you were actually Katniss and not some fuckin' alien body-snatchin' spy or somethin'. Last I checked, you tore down that room yourself."

Katniss sighed. "Things are different now Haymitch. This is for dad."

He smiled. "Joe's studio it is then."

Prim wrote the detail down dutifully on her notebook. "I can get some get some extra stuff from friends. Rory would probably help with the lifting."

"I don't think that's a good idea." Haymitch had to stop her. She pouted, being shot down the second time in a row. Haymitch was starting to feel guilty. "Gale's a liability right now. We don't know what the heck that boy's thinkin', dealin' with Snow. His brother might rat us out."

"Rory would never-" Katniss laid a hand on her sister's lap, calming her down as she shook her head.

"We can't risk it Prim."

Prim sat back down and breathed in a deep breath before conceding. "I guess the Undersees will have to do then? Madge is pretty buff." Prim laughed.

"Knock yourself out." Haymitch had forgotten when Prim had become such a team player. He smiled and readied himself for the next order of business. "Next on the list – Manpower."

Katniss raised a brow up at him. "Manpower? What do you mean manpower?"

"Oh sweetheart, you didn't think it would be just us, did you?" He sat back, opening his arms up in a gesture of disbelief.

"Why can't it be just us?" She asked as she stood up, her eyebrows furrowing. She wasn't angry, but she wasn't ecstatic at the idea either. She didn't exactly want to share something so precious as an album dedicated to her father with people whom she didn't know or who didn't even appreciate Joseph Everdeen the way he deserved. "I mean, we've worked so well together so far, I just-"

Peeta couldn't help but feel for the girl in front of him. She had already made leaps and bounds compared to where she was before, not even allowing herself to feel or remember. He couldn't blame her for not being able to let her guard down so easily, especially to people she couldn't even trust. It was a miracle she even trusted him at this point. Surely Haymitch didn't expect her to open up that easily.

"Relax sweetheart." Haymitch tried to assure her. "I'm not gonna push anythin' you ain't ready for on 'ya." She sat down at his words. "But I'm tellin' ya. This album ain't gonna make itself. When Snow had us workin' on his, he had a team of publicists, writers, composers, producers, featured artists and contributors doin' his bidding. We're already stretchin' our limits here."

Katniss nodded.

"So I'll tell 'ya what." He sat back into his seat and swirled a glass of his latest alcoholic concoction in his hand while he addressed her. "How 'bout 'ya give this teamwork thing a shot. I've got a list of names here for 'ya. Some of them, you might've even heard of before." He handed her the paper and she took it reluctantly, scanning through the names. Her eyes widened at a few familiar ones – names that she knew herself. She had to clasp a hand to her mouth to prevent a joyful sob from escaping her lips.

"Are these-?" She managed to let out.

"That's the list of people willin' to help us in this endeavor. Personally, I hate almost each and every one of them, but really, I don't get along with people in general. Heard they were pretty reliable though. And big fans of your father, some of them even fans of you. But I'm sure you know that already." He smirked, seeing the recognition in her face. "Not everyone's out to get 'ya sweetheart."

Ding dong

They all turned to the door, on the other side of which small shuffling noises of feet could be heard.

"That should be some of them right now." Haymitch made a move to stand up to get the door and Katniss followed soon after, partially angry that she had no prior say on this, but as she held her breath anticipating the faces behind the door, she really didn't have it in her to care.

'It couldn't be.'

"Cinna!" The all too familiar face had Katniss running uninhibitedly into the older man's arms, barely allowing him a step into the door before her small form collided with his. "I can't believe it." She buried her face into his chest. It was almost too good to be true.

As the two had their exchange, Haymitch rushed the rest of the lot in, not wanting to risk the possibility of being watched.

"Hang in there, Kat." He laughed as her grasp around his neck tightened. He was barely able to settle her dangling feet to the ground as his company cleared their throats to make their presence known.

Peeta and Prim had stood up to survey the company and Prim had recognized a few of them from award shows and interviews. There were no words to describe her other than she was star struck. Peeta, however, couldn't help but frown at Katniss' familiarity with the man who dressed all too much like a minimalistic hipster.

Katniss released her friend from her tight embrace to be met with the warm smiles of his company. "These are?" She began. She knew by their familiar faces that they had once worked for Snow and her guardedness told her she shouldn't have been so quick to accept them, but her years with Cinna had told her that he was a good, if not perfect, judge of character. So much so that he had seen past her hard exterior and actually chose to befriend her himself. She trusted Cinna, and anyone Cinna trusted, she would learn to trust as well.

"This is Portia." He introduced the tall woman with large captivating eyes and uncharacteristically blonde hair that stuck out in contrast to her sandy skin. The planes of her face shimmered at her flattering use of makeup and her figure was accentuated by her stylish dress. She couldn't help but glance back and forth between her and Cinna, speculating if there was anything between them. Before Katniss could jump into any conclusions, Cinna continued. "She's my sister." He laughed. "And she also happens to be an artist and photographer."

Portia took her in for a warm embrace, already feeling close enough to the young Everdeen to hug her. Katniss didn't resist. She felt sincere and friendly. "I've been a fan of your father for so long." She explained to Katniss as she released her from her embrace and took both hands into hers. "My professor did your father's fifth album's cover art and introduced me to his work. I was never one for music, but Cinna here practically drowned us with his songs. I, on the other hand was a fan of the symbolism in a lot of their album's art. I was impressed to find out he conceptualized all of it."

Katniss nodded and she appreciated the woman's attention to detail, similar to how her father had always been. His fondness for symbolism in his music and art made him a philosopher in his own right.

Cinna seemed to be enjoying the fact that she was getting along well with his sister. Katniss had always known Cinna was a fan of her father and at times when he incessantly fanboyed about his music, she would leave the room and avoid the topic, not wanting to remember. Over time, Cinna had just assumed she had cultivated a dislike for the musician and made no moves to discuss it further, lest it endanger their friendship. Looking back at it now, she felt guilty for withholding her identity from him the entire time she had known him, but she had never once even thought that he might have known all this time.

"And of course, you know Flavius, Venia and Octavia." Cinna introduced the three that always seemed to move in a group. Katniss had remembered them very well due to the outlandish styles they used to sport for fun whenever they took on different project. "They're going to be in charge of marketing and publicity. Rest assured, I've personally drilled it into their heads that maximum discretion is to be maintained while working on this project. I know how these three can be."

They all just laughed to themselves, obviously aware of their reputation for being blabbermouths. They all took turns shaking her hand vigorously, overly enthusiastic and generally giddy. They all seemed sincerely dedicated to the project's success and never once had Katniss thought that these three would end up here, but as they each recounted their stories of admiration and the inspiration they had drawn from her father and his work, she couldn't help but smile and be thankful for the legacy that her father had left.

She turned back to Cinna her eyes appreciative and humbled. "How did you-" She turned to Haymitch, her eyes questioning. "Didn't Snow-?"

"He was going to fire me anyway." Cinna waved his hand off as he rubbed her cheek assuringly. "Saved him some time and quit myself." He turned to the three that now seemed to be craving for attention and validation. "And these three would follow me to the ends of the earth." He laughed as they nodded. Katniss wasn't actually aware of their tight-knit relationship and she silently cursed herself for being so self-absorbed all these years.

"Thanks." She said quietly addressing them all. "I don't know what I've gotten you all into. I'm not even sure we can pay you properly." She looked to Haymitch and he wore a face that basically said, 'Nope, we definitely can't.'

Cinna just laughed. "We're not in this for the money Kat." He wrapped an arm around her and nuzzled his cheek to her hair affectionately. "We're doing this for you."

Caught up in the moment, Octavia led the group in what would be Katniss' second group hug of the day, huddling the newly arrived additions in a tight hug with Katniss' in the center.

Prim shifted on the balls of her feet, biting her nails as she watched what transpired in front of her before breaking down. "Damnit, I want to be in the group hug too!" She ran towards them and huddled herself in, already feeling the closeness and friendship despite not knowing these people at all. That was Prim for you, overly eager, trusting and gung-ho.

Peeta crossed his arms with a smile on his face as he was joined by Haymitch. "All this sappy stuff is making me sick." The older man took a generous gulp from his glass and leaned his frame onto the younger man, wrapping his arm around his shoulder.

"You sure it isn't just the alcohol?" Peeta raised his brow at him before turning back and furrowing his brow at how close Cinna was pressed against Katniss in the tightness of the hug. He fought to maintain a straight face, but Haymitch saw right through him.

"Don't get your knickers in a twist boy." He teased. "Cinna's gay as a rainbow."

While Peeta didn't entirely appreciate Haymitch's analogy, being a supporter of gender equality as Joseph Everdeen once had been, he couldn't help but feel relieved at the revelation, and instead of focusing on how Cinna now had his arms around the small of Katniss' back, he was able to appreciate the new lot of company for what precious people they were to her. They were her friends now, and as a corollary, his.

Haymitch, however, wasn't one for sentimental things.

"Okay people, we've got a lot of work to do and it would please me greatly if you all sat down and calmed the fuck down." He settled down in his seat and started sifting through papers. "Now that we got our behind-the-scenes team together, we only got the band to worry about."

The congregation of people now settled into various seats and tables scattered around the house within earshot of the drunk's professional drawl, the living room not nearly big enough for the lot of them.

Haymitch continued when they had their full attention on him. "Of course we could go with me on bass and Pizza on whatever the hell he specializes in, but I don't think we'd make it on us alone."

Cinna raised his brow. "Pizza?"

Katniss just glared at Haymitch. He was obviously enjoying his new found hobby of coming up with ridiculous bread-related nicknames for the Peeta, who obviously wasn't enjoying it as much.

"It's Peeta." Peeta corrected, mustering up a forced smile. If he let Haymitch get to him, he'd only tease him more, he decided. "And I specialize in guitar and keyboard, FYI." He seemed quite pleased with himself.

"I still think it'd be better if we split the instruments up, and even with you around boy, we still need a second string and drums. Probably could do with some brass and synth here and there." Haymitch grunted, disappointed that the nickname he had spent the last few minutes on hadn't gotten the desired effect.

Cinna offered himself up, eager. "I can handle the synthesizer and post-production. I could also generate backup instrumentals if that's what you need."

Katniss nodded in agreement. His work with Cato's singles, despite Cato's obvious lack of talent, was testimony to how well he worked with music as a technician.

Haymitch still didn't look content. "Fine, you go ahead with your fancy-schmancy technology. But nothin' can replace good old-fashioned skills with an instrument and frankly, I don't think the techno-hip-hoppity-hop-dubstep or whatever crap these kids are listening to these days was Joe's style."

Cinna laughed at the man who was so blunt, but he didn't take it as a personal hit and instead smiled at his honesty. "How 'bout we bring in old Beetee from back then?" He took a stab at Haymitch, knowing full well as a fan that the two never seemed to get along in interviews. It was an ongoing joke of the whole band dynamic.

Peeta's eyes shot up and he wore a smirk at the ensuing drama. "Oooooh. Burn." He taunted like a teenage boy, exchanging silent high-fives with Cinna. He felt comfort in no longer being the only hardcore Mockingjay fanboy in the group.

Haymitch wore a grimace at the mention of his old band mate's name. There wasn't anything glaringly wrong with the idea of having him rejoin their old group and he was sure Beetee would be more than willing to give it a shot if it were for Joe's sake, but Haymitch had been avoiding him in the discussion the entire time, hoping nobody would bring him up. They'd actually been really good friends and in reality, it wasn't Beetee Haymitch couldn't stand, but Wiress, his then-girlfriend and now-wife. They were virtually inseparable during the latter days of the band and they had gotten on Haymitch's nerves when Haymitch had caught them making out on the job on more than one occasion. But now that it was up there, he had to concede.

"I'll give him a call." He muttered under his breath.

Cinna laughed. "Make sure to invite his wife. I'd love to meet her."

Peeta could have sworn he'd seen Haymitch give Cinna the finger, but he laughed it off. "That does it for second guitar then. And drums-"

"I may have someone in mind." Katniss let out, deep in thought and obviously in an internal debate with herself as she contemplated the possibility. "But I'm not sure if she'd be willing after all this time."

Prim's eyes widened as Katniss shot her a look searching for approval, and as if she could read her sister's mind, Prim shot up and ran excitedly for her book of contacts. "I'm calling her now!"

Haymitch shot Katniss an inquisitive look and Katniss shrugged lightly. "D'you happen to remember Johanna Mason?"

Haymitch gave her the widest grin he could muster. "Let's get this ball rollin'."

When all was said and done, they had decided against using the song list they had come up with originally for Snow with much debate and disagreement on Peeta and Katniss' side. They had worked hard on that list and they held it dearly in their hearts. Haymitch hadn't wanted to risk Snow being able to sue them and they had no idea the extent of Snow's malicious deal with Katniss' poor unknowing mother. For all they knew he could have bought the songs right off her, leaving them with no rights for distribution and very much at a disadvantage to Snow.

That left them Joseph's unreleased songs, scraps of compositions and his songs that were considered public domain, all of which Haymitch was now busy digging up from their old apartment and preparing. Cinna had made his way back to LA, to have his equipment moved in supplement to what was already there and the trio of publicists along with Portia had started their plan of attack, making leeway for anything Snow might have had up his sleeve. Prim was busy making numerous calls and gathering up people for the studio setup and all in all, everyone was busy dedicating themselves to Joseph Everdeen and his work.

Which is why Katniss and Peeta found themselves where they were now, rummaging through the remnants of the band's old equipment and stuff in the garage in preparation for the studio setup. Peeta couldn't help but look back on the song list with regret as they did so, thinking now that they'd have to start from scratch. 'What a waste.' He thought. He liked those songs. They were his favorites, and being able to work on them would have been a dream come true. At the same time, he considered the list a memory of his first civil interactions with Katniss and comparing it to right now, with them both sweating side by side in the heat and dim light of the garage as they hauled up crates and crates of equipment and wires, it was hard to believe they had come so far.

Katniss seemed to have gotten over it quickly though, immersed in the fact that either way, she'd do her best to do her father justice. As she lifted a particularly large box of what looked to papers and CDs, she had overestimated her strength and was falling back at the weight of it all until Peeta caught her from behind and supported her arms. She craned her neck up to look at him, both surprised and thankful for his catching her. But as she felt his warm breath on her she became suddenly aware of his proximity and the familiar feel of his shirt.

Peeta could feel the rise and fall of her as she breathed against his chest and he was vaguely aware of how his heartbeat sped up at the smell of her. Peeta held her for awhile before snapping out of it and relieving her of the box and giving her space.

"Those clothes suit you." She said out of the blue, tucking a stray strand of hair behind her hair as she spoke and regained her composure. Peeta settled the box down in front of the door connecting the garage to the house for sorting before turning to look at what he was wearing. "I remember that shirt." She added.

Peeta suddenly felt embarrassed. He was going to apologize for using clothes he knew to be her father's, thinking she would have preferred it if they stayed off a strange man's body, but she interrupted his thoughts with her laugh.

She laughed. Peeta was puzzled. Why was she laughing?

"I'm sorry." She let out between giggles. "That sounded really creepy, didn't it?" She played with her braid as she circled him, scrutinizing him with a meticulous eye, poking him and adjusting his clothes where they had crumpled up. "Yep, it's a perfect fit." She smiled.

"I don't understand." Was all Peeta could say as she looked up at him with a sincere smile.

"Did you know? I used to call that shirt my dad's itchy shirt." She laughed at the memory. "Well, it was more fuzzy than itchy, but that's what I called it. It was so old and used that bits of the cotton were clumping up and giving it a little rough fuzziness." Peeta ran his hands down the side of the shirt and instantly knew what she was talking about. It was kind of fuzzy. She continued. "When I was three, I'd ask my dad to give my piggy back rides and all I ever did was rub my hands repeatedly on his back, loving the shirt's texture. I loved it so much I'd make my mom wash it after every use, just so I'd get to play with it the next day when dad wore it. It got fuzzier and fuzzier after every wash and eventually, my mom just gave up and told me I could use it as a blanket so my father wouldn't have to deal with my incessant need for piggy back rides."

Peeta smiled to himself, imagining a little Katniss curled up against the red shirt that he now wore.

"I didn't want to be such a bother, so I just pretended I was happy cuddling into it in my sleep, when actually I preferred it when my dad was wearing it." She lifted a hand to his shoulder and ran her fingers down his the front of his shirt, feeling the familiar texture of the fabric. It was an innocent gesture, but Peeta gulped as her touch left goose bumps on his skin beneath it. "I don't mind you wearing it if that's what you're worried about. I'm just surprised it's still here."

She gave him a warm smile once again and he offered her what little words his brain could put together in the mushed up state it was. "It makes you think, no matter where people go, they always leave something for you to remember them by."

'That was definitely cheesier than I intended it to be.' He thought, suddenly regretting his words as her brows furrowed all of a sudden. Peeta wondered if he had said something wrong.

"You're right." She said, an edge of realization in her voice. "Peeta, you're a genius!" She gave him a huge hug and an affectionate pat on the cheek before rushing to the house, not giving him a hint of explanation.

He ran after her to find her making her way to her mother's room, accidentally bumping into Prim making calls on the way.

"What the hell, Katniss!" Prim yelled, putting a hand over the receiver so as to avoid confusion with whomever she was with the phone with. When Katniss ignored her, Prim shot a questioning look at Peeta who just shrugged and made his way to follow Katniss.

When he entered Deborah Everdeen's room, Katniss was frantically searching the closets leaving a mess of clothes and shoes in her wake.

"Sorry, Mrs. Everdeen." He excused himself in front of the woman who now seemed to be observing Katniss quizzically and made his way to Katniss' side, dodging flying sweaters and boxes on his way. "What the heck is wrong with you, Katniss?" He scolded, his tone subdued.

She ignored him and called out to her mother. "Mom, do you remember our old book? The one dad left us when he was on tour? It was brown and a bit dingy. You know the one with the songs he used to sing to me and Prim?"

Deborah's face was blank, but at the mention of the book, she smiled warmly, her eyes lighting up in recollection. "Well of course dear. It's right here." Katniss' and Peeta's eyes followed the woman as she made her way to the side of her bed and brought out a large scrapbook from under her pillow. "I've kept it safe and sound."

Katniss ran to her mother and enveloped her in a large hug. "Thank you, mom." She ran her fingers through her mother's short hair appreciatively, the book held tightly in between them.

"Oh Katniss." Katniss had to let her go as she stared at her mother, obviously surprised that the woman had even remembered her. The last time she was able to recognize her was a few years before her father's death.

"Y-you. You remember me?" She asked? Tears now escaping her eyes.

"You look just like your father." Deborah breathed out with a gentle sigh as she wiped the tears off her daughter's cheeks. She gave her daughter a smile, and Katniss beamed at the small hint of awareness that hadn't graced her mother's face in a long while. Her mother handed her the book and Katniss took it and held it tightly against her frame. "Give them hell, kiddo."

Katniss laughed at the odd combination of words that left her mother's lips. She hadn't talked like that since she was a child. She thanked her mother again before finally running out and catching Prim by surprise as she stormed into the living room. She sat down on the couch and laid the book on the coffee table in front of her. Prim's eyes widened.

"Where did you get that?" She breathed out at the sight of the book which now distracted her from the conversation she was having on the phone. "I'm sorry but amma have to call you back later." Prim put the phone down and sat on the floor in front of the table, her eyes trained at the book as if it were some kind of artifact.

Peeta sat beside Katniss, his eyes narrowing at the sight of the dusty old book. Katniss flipped its pages gently, revealing pictures, drawings and scraps of news articles. But that wasn't all of it. As her hands flew to scanning the pages, Peeta's eyes widened as with each flip, the book revealed pages and pages of music, lyrics and compositions.

This was it. The odds were now definitely in their favor.

"Prim? Call Haymitch." Katniss slowed down as she dwindled to the last few pages. "Tell him our search is over."

Turning the last page over, she saw a picture of her family and a message in her father's hand writing.

"You just need to find yourself."

Notes: I HAVE A NEW FANFICTION OUT ENTITLED 'LEARN TO FLY'. Check it out!

I realize now that a lot of this story is dialogue-driven as opposed to situation-driven, which makes it monumentally longer than a lot of fics out there despite only very little happening over the span of a chapter, and I apologize for that. Haha. It only occurred to me when I was re-reading my work after reading somebody else's. I don't entirely know if it's a bad thing or not.

Also, the thing about the fuzzy shirt? That is totally me right there. Except it wasn't a shirt, it's my pillowcases (and a few of my older shirts as well, actually). I have these pillow cases which I've kept since I was a child. I don't use them because you know, they're old. But I still wash them regularly and cuddle with them because they're just so damn fuzzy after all the washing. I love it when my shirts get so old that they cotton starts bunching up. It doesn't look very fashionable, but I love it against my skin ahahaha. Lol TMI.

And yeah, for all you who noticed, I changed the chapter title because this one got too long. I decided to split or Redemption and Reunioninto two chapters, the next one will obviously be Reunions. Hahaha.

Again, I'm looking for new stories and fics to read, so go ahead and recommend stuff for me. Thanks for the people who added my story to their communities. I actually found some good reads out of some of them. :D

Now for the Reader Pop Quiz.

What instrument(s) does Peeta specialize in?

Post your answer along with your review for an extended preview of the next chapter.

Chapter 7: Reunions

"What is that?" Peeta asked as Katniss flipped the book closed and cradled it in her arms possessively.

"It's a book my family used to work on." She answered, her eyes glazed in nostalgia as she smiled. She was happy to have found something so precious. She had almost forgotten it existed, and had it not been for Peeta reminding her, she probably would have never even thought to look for it. "It started out as just newspaper clippings of when my dad got interviewed, and then photos of the band and cover art concepts, but then my dad started using it as his personal song book." She lifted the book up to her lips placing a small kiss on it. "He'd try to teach me and Prim how to read music and write lyrics on it." She laughed. "I think some of my old compositions are in here actually."

"Oh really now?" Peeta raised his brows at her. "So what exactly did little Katniss have to write about in her music? It must have been very inspired. I'd like to have a look myself." He reached out for the book teasingly, not actually intending to take it but just to gauge her reaction.

She withdrew from him quickly with a look of utter shock on her face which only piqued Peeta's interest in the book further.

"Now you've got to show me." He laughed, but she just playfully stuck her tongue out at him.

"You'll have to pry it from my cold, dead hands."

Peeta raised his hands up at her in surrender, giving in and settling into the couch as he watched Katniss caress the book's cover on her lap. She had finally started opening up to him. Silently Peeta wondered if that would change if she knew that he was the man from that night.

He shook his head and tried not to think about it.

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