Authors Note

Thank you for the reviews, it is because of you that I am blowing the dust off of this chapter and getting it finished already. My plot bunny escaped, and took my outline with it! I'm sorry for the delays, and I appreciate the patience. Don't worry, big things are happening soon.

Chapter 12

Peeta

The remains of District 12 no longer smolder.

The air is thick; heavy with pain and sorrow, and acrid, causing bile to rise in our throats, and tears to prick our eyes. The smell of death lingers, and ashes swirl in the wind. How long will it take before the ashes of District 12 blow away, and all that's left is the memories of the handful of survivors that made it out?

We have returned to District 12 to shoot more detailed interviews, meant to tug on heartstrings and stir up fear and anger. Back in 13, they didn't even tried to hide their disappointment with my previous performance. The only reason that I was even being allowed to reshoot was because Beetee was having such limited success breaking into the feeds of the Districts, and virtually no success with the Capitol. And let's be honest, it's also because Haymitch wouldn't stop pestering them until they conceded.

It's still eerie to be back in 12, but I needed to come back. While the camera crew set up, I stop by my house in Victor's Village, grabbing my sneakers, and a few other items I had used to train for the Quell. Since Katniss' interview, I've come to a realization; Snow's never going to let her go.

Train and make a plan to rescue Katniss, that's how I'll spend my time now.

Cressida has me sit on the steps of the justice building, just feet away from where I stood next to Katniss, not once, but twice. The red light on the camera turns on and from where she stands behind Pollux, Cressida asks what I'm thinking about.

"I am standing just feet away from where my life changed forever.

I have been in love with Katniss Everdeen since I was 5. I spent years watching her; watching her sing on our first day of school, watching her walk to school hand in hand with her sister, watching her grow thinner and thinner as she starved after her father died... I watched her sacrifice to take care of her family. She could have had more food and less work, but she wanted to make sure that on the day of the reaping, Primrose Everdeen would only be written on one slip of paper.

One slip in thousands, but the odds were not in her favor. The odds were never in our favor.

I wasn't surprised when Katniss volunteered for Prim. As I stood there, watching her make her way up to the stage, I thought about volunteering... I had fallen in love with Katniss when I was five, and I knew that while I might be alive, without her, I wouldn't be truly living. I was ready to volunteer to protect the girl I loved, but as you know, I didn't have to. The odds weren't in my favor either.

I was never meant to become a Victor. I was an ordinary boy from District 12. I was a baker. I didn't know how to survive in the elements, or the first thing about fighting, but standing beside her on this stage, I had an opportunity. Instead of being just another piece of cannon fodder in the games, I could help the girl loved return home to her family, to those who loved her. My death would mean something, and maybe, just maybe, she would come to see the depth of my love for her." For a moment, I can't help but remember Katniss attacking me after that first interview, and worrying that she would never realize that I had been telling the truth.

"Against all odds, I came home with the girl of my dreams." I give a gentle smile, waiting for my unseen audience to sigh, "but still the odds were against us, because not quite a year later, I was forced to enter that arena with her again... I entered the Quarter Quell prepared to lay down my life for her. Once again, it was my hope that I could return the woman I love to those who love her..." My eyes find Gale, who is kicking a rock in the square, thinking back to the years of watching them together. "But against the odds, we both made it out of the arena alive, again. In an arena meant for breeding hate, we found love, and our love has created life. A life that came to be against all odds, and is a monument to my love. So I'm choosing to fight. I'm fighting for love, and hope, and a future for those I love."

"Don't give up. Even against insurmountable odds, there is hope. And this hope is worth fighting for."

From behind the camera, a beaming Cressida asks if I have a message for Katniss.

"Katniss, don't worry about the odds, we are meant to be together. I love you, and our little one, and I'll see you soon."

"Cut!", Cressida yells. She smiles triumphantly at me, and for the first time since I left the arena, I feel a flicker of hope.