I know that there've been long breaks between updates. I'm really sorry about that. Still overseas, so it's hard to find time to write. I know I said this on the last chapter, but in case you didn't see it, someone told me that I repeated it, so I changed it to the updated version. If you haven't read it, go read it first :P Haha. Enjoy!

Out of all of us, Gale is the most eager to get started. Our contributions seem like nothing compared to his elaborate plans and ideas. My fingers dig into the bottom of my leather chair as I watch him structure attack sequences, troops, anything that we're going to need. I can't help but remember him in District 2, making the suggestion that we block the exits to the nut, openly stating that he wouldn't mind killing off every last person in there. The fear that he will return to be something so violent, so heartless, almost overwhelms me.

But it doesn't.

Something about the way he talks now is different. It isn't as cold as before. His voice doesn't contain the same rage he had before. For the next four hours, one half of me is absorbed in the planning and discussion, and the other is watching Gale intently, studying his eyes, tone, gestures… I hear him talk about using different methods. I hear him talk about strategies that he says he never shared with 13. I watch his hands draw beautiful, elaborate sketches of different forms of weapons that he remembers seeing in 13. I notice the crease in his forehead as he and Beetee try to improve it. But I can feel Peeta getting antsy beside me. Finally, he speaks up.

"Where are we all supposed to be while this is happening?"

We all look between Paylor and Gale. Paylor nods at him, signaling for him to continue. Gale turns and looks between me and Peeta, a pained expression on his face. "Beetee and I, of course, will be in 13 searching their inventory and learning more about their plans. You all need to be back here to receive what we send back to you. If anything in our current plans needs to be changed, you will be the team to do it."

"You're going in alone?" The sudden increase in Peeta's voice makes me jump. "Just the two of you?"

"We'll have someone send us in a hovercraft."

"You'll die with no backup."

"You need more information."

"What about Beetee's technological skills? Or your leadership? We need those too!"

"You're all smart enough." Gale's tone is strong and even. He has no doubts about this. I stare at him as I realize what he's saying. I'm going to lose him. I'm going to lose him forever. He's going to steal information and get himself killed and he doesn't even care. My heart starts pounding, but no words come out of my mouth.

Peeta takes one look at my face and stands up. "I'm going. You need to stay back here."

Why does he think this is helping?

"It's just some information," says Gale. "I'll be back in no time. We already know what 13 looks like. We know our way around. We can park the hover craft in the forest nearby and escape before anyone notices."

"Assuming you do manage to come back," Peeta doesn't sound convinced, but he sits back down. "What happens next?"

Gale glances at me, and leans back in his chair. I don't like this. I don't like how this looks. "We can try to get rid of 13 completely, but I'm sure we would all prefer avoiding that, if possible. If we can't figure out who's in charge before their attack, we'll keep looking." He pauses. "If all else fails…we have an old fashioned battle, just like in the history books."

We've read in school about our ancestors and their history. But we've also read about manuscripts and old, old books that have been uncovered about times far before even our ancestors. There were people in a land called Europe, and we learned that certain countries once had wars on large, empty fields. Each side would stand on one end, neatly arranged like chess pieces. Someone would shout "charge!" Then each army would run forward, and kill as many from the other side as possible, until the leader is murdered, or one side surrenders. There was always a leader, though. Always someone on the front line, bringing everyone out, willing to be the first to die…

"No." I say. I swivel my seat around to face him. One look into my eyes and he knows what I'm talking about.

"They don't want me." He leans forward, determined grey eyes staring though mine. "They want you, Katniss. They want revenge on you. They want to kill you. You, Peeta, and Paylor. You are their three main targets. We have to protect you."

"I'm the mockingjay!" I burst out. "I should be on the front line, sacrificing myself for the country. It's my mess, this whole thing is my fault, I should be paying for it, not you!"

Before I know it, Gale's hands are gripping my shoulders, holding me up. "Exactly. You are the Mockingjay. As soon as they get you, everything else falls apart."

"He's right, Katniss." Being sober must be killing Haymitch. He fingers the silver bottle opener in front of him, and goes on. "Protecting you three is our top priority."

I can't listen to this. I get up and walk out of the conference room, grabbing an open bottle of liquor on the way out. I hear Gale groan. As soon as the doors shut behind me, I hear muffled shouts from what is most likely to be Gale, Peeta, and Haymitch. I run into the fire escape and sit down. There are too many thoughts swirling in my head.

Gale is going to die.

I take a swig from the bottle in my hand.

Gale is going to die protecting me.

I take another.

Coin killed my sister.

I take a big, long gulp.

Coin's people are trying to kill me, and all I'm doing is sitting in a fire escape chugging liquor.

I finish the rest of it off.

Peeta walks through the heavy metal door and sits on the step next to me. We sit like this for a few minutes, before he finally decides to break the silence.

"He's just protecting you."

"He's going to die."

"He knows what the rest of Panem needs."

"But I need him!" I feel my voice rising. "For so long, I was stuck at home, pretty much as good as dead before both of you got back. I barely had any time with him, and he's going to go back out and die."

"Katniss…" He grabs my shoulder and turns me to face him. "You weren't listening. An old fashioned battle is the backup plan. If we figure out who their leader is, that doesn't have to happen."

For a moment, the hope starts to come back. Then I remember how we're going to get information. "He's going to die in 13."

Peeta sighs. "He isn't. Haymitch is in there right now, trying to talk him into some compromise. It'll work out."

None of this helps at all. "I know Gale. He won't budge." I lean forward and hang my head. Closing my eyes, I remember every good moment I've spent with Gale. I from the first time I met him, to the days in school when I spoke to no one but him, to the time he was sending me off to the games, to the time we spent together after I got back... If only there was something that could be done to stop him…

"Peeta," I sit up suddenly. "Peeta, we have to go. Now."