Chapter V
The Mutt's ship slowly passes through the windshield and out of view once again.
Unbroken silence fills the bridge. "They're holdin' course Cap'n." Sighs of relief can be heard all around. Finnick kisses Annie passionately. Gale looks away, I let my eyes slip sideways to Katniss. She smiles before turning away politely.
"They're holdin' course. We got lucky this time." She says over the intercom.
The relief is palpable in the air.
A few more minutes of silence pass before Katniss speaks, "Well Annie, let's get a move on. Don't want 'em changin' their minds and decidin' they're hungry."
Annie turns the ship around immediately, pushing for hard burn to put as much distance as possible between the Mutts and us. The tension remains, a silent reminder of how lucky we are to have escaped.
"That's enough Annie." Katniss commands after long, silent flight. "We've put a lot of distance between us and them Mutts. You get yourself some rest ya hear? Finnick make sure everyone got themselves fed and that everyone is restin' easy. Then you get yourself some shuteye ya hear?" Gale, Annie, and Finnick all exit the bridge without hesitation and Katniss seats herself in the pilot seat.
"Best get some sleep while ya can there doc. Been a long an' stressful day." Her voice is weary but stern. And without argument I too retire to my bunk. I prepare myself for bed and lay down. But after what seems like hours of tossing and turning I am still wide awake; sleep effectively evading me. Between the entire situation with Marvel and then the appearance of the Mutts my mind is running wild with no hope of settling anytime soon. With a yawn I sit up and rub my face, only to remember the swelling and bruising on my jaw. Shame swells through me, I did deserve it. I can't believe I said such awful things. I really should apologize.
With a sigh I grab a plain white t-shirt and pull it over my head. As silently as possible I slip from my bunk and make my way towards the bridge. As I get closer a soft but beautiful sound wafts through the halls, singing. Her voice is so lovely; there is no doubt in my mind that this voice belongs to Katniss. Only she could find so many ways to surprise me in the few days I've known her. Once again she has left me enchanted. First with her stunning beauty the first time I saw her. Then her attitude and the respect she commands as well as the passion she exudes. Then the haunted fear I thought she was incapable of, the hidden vulnerability she never shows. And now a voice so beautiful it could still all living things.
I stand still and simply listen until she has finished her song. When silence has filled my ears for an acceptable amount of time I approach the bridge. I wouldn't want her to think that I was intruding or eavesdropping on something so private. As I clear the doorway I clear my throat to ensure my presence does not startle her. But as usual Katniss is the essence of calm.
I approach her and settle myself in the co-pilot seat. She nods in acknowledgement of my presence but says nothing. After a few nervous exhales I begin. "Katniss. I wanted to apologize for my behavior earlier. It was completely out of line and I am appalled at my actions. I should never have said such things about you. Please know that I did not believe the words I said, nor did I mean them at all. It was the heat of the moment. I made assumptions and I was so very wrong. Please accept my apologies."
She grunts, a noise I assume means she accepts my apologies. I am learning ever more that Katniss is a woman of few words. Not that she needs them, her mere presence says more than words ever could. She commands respect and obedience with no words at all. It is all part of the effect she has.
More silence passes the time before she speaks. "Couldn't sleep there doc?" A slight smirk turns up the corners of her soft, full lips. "No, today was rather overwhelming." She nods in agreement. "How about you? Aren't you tired at all?"
She barks a quiet laugh, a mesmerizing sound. "I'm always tired there doctor. It's part of my curse. Truth is any time I do get any shuteye nightmares ruin it." Her voice has changed from slightly amused to sadly reverent.
"I'm sorry. It sounds awful. Do you need to talk about it? I've been told I'm an excellent listener." Something inside me cannot understand why but I desire to know this woman in front of me. She is a mystery to say the least.
"I know ya mean well Doc…but I just don't go round spoutin' off such personal information. I barely even know ya. No offense there Doc." Her voice is steely but not cold. She is just stating her position.
"You don't need to refer to me as Doc. You can call me Peeta." To be honest I'd rather hear my name fall from her lips. She laughs. "I know yer name. I'll call ya what I want to. For now I'm gonna call you Doc."
"Well if you insist." I chuckle along with her. "You really should try to get some rest there Doc. Been a long day. Sleep'll do ya some good." I stand and stretch just slightly, a yawn escaping my mouth.
"Goodnight Katniss….err… I mean Captain." I mutter before leaving the bridge and returning to my bunk. With another yawn I settle into the mattress and find the sleep that had previously evaded me.
…:::…
He's a good man that doctor. Not many just go about admitting they're wrong. Good looking too, can't exactly deny that. But he's already sufferin' from cabin sickness if he thinks I'm going to just spill all my dark secrets just because he's actin' all sweet and stuff. Not many knows my secret, just Gale and Johanna, because I cannot bear to face my own demons.
Truth is my daddy died at the hands of those verdammt Mutts. The two of us were travellin' on a cargo ship, picking up some supplies for the village from the next planet. They ambushed us. My dad took me and locked me inside a hidden vault; one not even them Mutts could know bout or open. Didn't matter much though. I could still hear the screams. I heard everyone of 'em die. Couldn't block out them noises even if I wanted to. Eventually it became too much and I was mercifully granted relief, I fell into unconsciousness and next time I woke up I was in a hospital bed planet side. Mom and Prim were there…but Mom wasn't really there. When the ship never landed a search party was sent. They found the remains of our ship and searched it. It was pretty obvious what had happened. And I was the only survivor…the nightmares started then. Some nights I don't hear it, some nights I find peace. But just as often I can hear it, I'm trapped in it all over again. Fear only increases the nights I don't sleep. I don't want to take the risk and be trapped once again. It's too horrible; I'd rather suffer exhaustion. Simple as that.
Momma came round eventually. Went back to working in the clinics. Physically she took care of us, other than that she was pretty absent. Least I knew she could take care of Prim when I up and left. My Dad was a big supporter of the war against the Kapitol, said they didn't deserve all that money and power they got, said all they did was misuse it. Gotta say I agreed with 'im. The central planets are all rich and luxurious, got the best of everything and don't care bout those who are sufferin'. Planets on the outer rim got the short end of the stick, we got next to nothing' except sickness and poverty. So I went to war. Lieutenant Katniss Everdeen. Needless to say we lost that there war and now the Kapitol has more power than ever. Life just ain't fair…but that's my story.
Hours later I hear the soft patter of Annie's footsteps as she emerges from her bunk. "I'm all rested there Cap'n. Now it's yer turn." She places a hand lightly on my shoulder, "I got this Cap'n." I slide up out of the seat and she takes my place, once again tuggin' on that costume hat.
Instead of headin' for my bunk I wander into the dining hall for a drink. I can already feel tonight ain't a good one, no real point in goin' to sleep. I sit at the table, cup in hand, still got about an hour till everyone else gets up. With a sigh I set down my cup and rub my hands over my eyes, tryin' to work the sleep out of them. But exhaustion gets the better of me and sleep claims me quickly.
I feel my body being lifted by warm, strong arms, Gale or Finnick must've found me dozin' at the table, but odd enough I smell cinnamon and vanilla as well. I don't get carried to far. Just to the couch I assume. By the time I'm all laid out I can open my eyes again. Instead I see Peeta standin' over me.
"Sorry Captain. I didn't mean to wake you. I just figured that you would be much more comfortable on the couch rather than hunched over in that chair. " I nod and sit up. Stretching slightly, feelin' a small crick in my neck. "Err…thanks. Mighty kind of you." Mighty kind indeed…what a strange fellow this doctor is. He tips his head to me before exiting the dinning hall.
Author's Note: Hey all I hope you enjoyed the chapter. Please review! I love your comments.