Chapter VI

"What's with yer interest in the captain?" Johanna peers over to me. She'd caught me staring more than once in the direction of our beautiful captain over the past two weeks since I've been on the Mockingjay. She'd already accused me of having a crush on the captain but I think she was mostly joking at the time, now I feel she is starting to believe it. I had been waiting for her to approach me about it. The first time she'd caught me was when I had found Katniss asleep at the table.

…:::…

Exhaustion seemed to seep from every pore of her body, she sat slightly slumped over in the chair, her arms are limp in her lap. Her head hung to the side and her braid was missing more hair than usual. Large pieces of chocolate brown hair fall loose, they form beautifully soft and natural waves. Her eyelids shift but otherwise her face is completely relaxed. No sign of the scowl so commonly found on her face. She is even more beautiful now than the first time I saw her. She looks almost happy, unlike I've ever seen her, and all of her troubles are far away. She seems so much smaller now, awake she carries herself tall and seems much more intimidating. I can't help but stare openly at her, after all no one is here to witness it as there usually is.

Her eyes lids suddenly flutter slightly as her face contorts in pain, her steady breathing begins to grow rapid, and her chest heaves with a silent sob. She begins to mumble, I can't make much of it out, but I can hear certain words, father being one of them. Her breathing becomes quicker and so I rush to her side. I can't imagine what she is seeing nor can I imagine her current position is comfortable. Gingerly I take her body in my arms and lift her from the chair. Immediately she returns to the relaxed and calm state from a few moments ago. As gracefully as I can manage I cross the room towards the couches and lay her down. A piece of her hair falls over her face and I begin to reach out and move it. But as I do her eyes flutter open.

"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." She nods and begins to sit up. She moves to stretch and I am thankful she closes her eyes while she does because I cannot tear my eyes away as her limbs extend and her muscles grow taught. A quiet moan escapes her lip and her body arcs slightly, pushing her chest forward. I force myself to look away. "Err…thanks. Mighty kind of you." Her voice is still deep since she is still waking up. I dip my head in her direction and remove myself from the room—from her intoxicating presence. This woman has me falling hard and fast.

As I turn into the corridor leading to the engine room, and also to the lower deck where my bunk is located, I run straight into Johanna. Her face carries a knowingly smirk—telling me she saw the exchange that just took place—but she leaves it be and continues on towards the engine room.

…::…

"I know you've been keepin' yer eyes on her there pretty boy. Now why is that?" She corralled me into the engine room after dinner, after she caught me staring at Katniss after Finnick told a particularly funny joke. While everyone else was laughing, I was too admittedly; I was entranced with Katniss' beautiful laugh. I had heard her chuckle and laugh a little, but I had never heard her laugh as freely as she did tonight. Her laugh rang through the room like a beautiful song.

Johanna pins me with her gaze. "Come on pretty boy… or should I say Lover Boy? What is it?" I sigh and rub the back of my neck. "I'm not entirely sure Johanna. She fascinates me…I want to know her. I…I can't explain it. Why am I any different…everyone is fascinated with her, I can tell, even you! Why is that? " She snorts but says sincerely, "Because she's some what of a mystery. So why are you?" I sigh again, "Because so few women are." She looks at me questioningly so I continue. "Where I'm from women are all about vanity. That is all there is too them. They care only for themselves, their reputations and their social lives. They care for their looks, their money, and their social standing. They are shallow and uncomplicated. But the captain is different. How many women captains are there…only a handful I'm guessing. How many command respect and loyalty the way she does? How many truly have the effect she has? How many women can be such a mystery without trying, and without even realizing it?"

I pause to breathe, "I've seen it Johanna. I've been watching her and everyone from the moment I stepped foot on this ship. I know you've noticed it too, you told me so the day when Marvel was shot and all hell broke loose. And Annie spoke nothing but praise for the captain from the moment she convinced me aboard this ship. Gale and Finnick would be willing to die protecting her but have enough faith in her to know they will probably never need to. Even you have only minimal bad things to say about her. You respect her; I can see it behind your sarcasm. And Thresh and Rue…they have fallen under her charm just as easily. She saved their lives and now she protects them even though it puts her in danger. She wears this hard mask but if you watch closely it will slip for just a second…and I am desperate to know who she is behind it. I don't know Johanna…there is just something about her." Her gaze is intense as I speak.

"You're right pretty boy." Her entire face becomes deadly serious. "Now what I'm goin' to tell ya better never leave this room or I swear you'll loose an important appendage quicker than you can blink yer pretty blue eyes."

"Awe Jo you think I'm pretty." I tease. The responding glare would level just about anyone. "I promise Johanna."

"I have the highest respect for the Cap'n. She's one of the best. I'd never tell her this, Cap'n can be pretty brainless, she'd never see it herself and she'd never accept it. But you are right. The Cap'n can really only be praised. She's a hell of a woman. She strong, determined, she's got courage comin' out of her ass, she's tough as nails that's for sure. Sure she's got herself some flaws, who doesn't. You're right…Finn and Gale most definitely would never let anything happen to the Cap'n and she'd never let anythin' happen to them either. They're ol' war buddies, protect each other's backs. And the Cap'n most certainly don't need protecting. She's got better aim than ninety five percent of people out there. Men and women both. She can take care of herself in almost every way. Almost. The Cap'n don't know nothin' bout love, or feelings. But still she could charm just bout any man out of their pants. She's pretty and don't know it. Comes in handy though, men are suckers for a pretty gal…and a pretty Cap'n like her makes things just a tad bit easier. People are always eager to be on her good side, hoping maybe somethin' will come from it. I've seen men literally fall at her feet and she just stepped over 'em without a second glance. Not even knowing it was her that done it. She don't know how to really feel anymore, so she puts on that hard ass mask of hers. Cap'n has been through her fair share of shit and her life has been anything but happy. But the Cap'n is the best of the best and deserves someone who'd be good to 'er. She don't know it yet but I think it'd be good for her. And from what I've seen you could be good for her lover boy." With that she dismisses me from the engine room.

She follows me back into the dining area, everyone but Thresh and Rue is still there. We walk in and Gale levels me with a look that should be able to kill me. Katniss' gaze shifts curiously between us. Finnick raises his eyebrows, half suggestively and half curiously.

"I asked the Doctor to take a look at my bullet hole…don't want that thing gettin' infected." I nod in agreement with her impromptu excuse.

"Right…bullet hole." Gale mutters, putting air quotations around the word.

"Shut yer face Gale!" Johanna's angry voice rings through. "Doc's to pretty for me…not my kind of man." She pats me on the shoulder and moves to sit down.

"Anyways…that right there doc?" Finnick questions. "Absolutely." I reply, "You can't be to careful with bullet wounds."

Gale huffs but says nothing. I take my seat at the table, which has already been cleared. Eventually Annie goes to the bridge to check our coordinates. Finnick pulls out a deck of cards and deals it out.

"Bullshit!" Johanna cries out after Gale lays down three fours. Her eyes dance with amusement as Gale retrieves the cards in the pile. "Oh Gale…don't act like a Mr. grumpy pants." Johanna mocks. She pouts out her lower lip just slightly. "Shut your trap Johanna." Gale grumbles. Katniss snickers as their exchange continues. "You gonna be the one to make me Hawthorne?" She challenges. The tension between the two has only increased from the time I boarded the Mockingjay. I'm surprised they both haven't combusted, any day now. I don't even think they realize how much they both obviously want each other, how crazy they are for each other. However I can't deny that I enjoy watching them go crazy. I can tell the feeling is mutual between the Captain and Finnick, Finnick's eyes glow with amusement and Katniss' lips are pull into a tight smirk.

…::…

"Alright folks. Time to get rid of all these Union supplies. They're burning a hole in my hull and I don't want to see 'em again. So let's haul ass and get them off. Chaff sent the coordinates for the drop spot so let's go." Katniss commands shortly after landing in District 11 on the planet Achim.

I help Gale, Finnick and Thresh load up the boxes of supplies on the trailer attached to the four-wheeler. When we are finished Thresh heads backs to watch over Rue, make sure they stay out of site and trouble. Clove's shuttle departed over an hour ago, heading off on whatever business she lined up. Annie's been singing whilst sitting on the stairs watching us load; Jo sits beside her with an annoyed look on her face. Since she isn't fully healed Katniss won't let her help out. Gale wanders across the cargo bay and straps on a few heavy-duty guns. Katniss has two on her hips and Finnick's got one slung across his back.

"Think we'll be needin' grenades?" Gale mutters to Finnick. "No. Ain't no need for those Gale. Leave 'em behind." Katniss says sternly. "We need to look as friendly as possible. Grenades don't really give that impression." Gale grumbles but puts the grenades safely back into a locked box.

"Are ya comin' there Doc?" Katniss turns her attention my way. I hadn't really thought about it but I admit I'm curious as to how this goes down.

"Sure." I nod. She reaches into a box behind her, pulling out a gun and holster. "You'll be needin' these if you're goin' to be taggin' along. These are stone killers…they ain't all cuddly like me." I scoff at the idea. Katniss definitely doesn't give off a cuddly vibe in the least. Her sarcastic tone on the last half of the sentence lets me know she's kidding, but she's serious about them being killers. I'll need to watch my back.

She hands me an under layer of armor and instructs me to put it on quickly. I unbutton my silk shirt, which is certainly to fancy to be wearing out here…I really need to find some more inconspicuous clothes. Before I pull on the armor I catch Katniss' eyes rake over my exposed torso. My skin is on fire under her gaze but all to quickly she looks away and lets out a small cough. I can't help but feel partly satisfied.

…:::…

Shit. I was not expecting that. I knew that pretty boy doctor wasn't fat but I sure as hell wasn't expecting him to be so toned. I could barely tear my eyes away. I don't know what the hell is wrong with me but I ain't to sure I like it. I ain't to sure I don't neither. I can't deny it sure was a nice view.

"Time to head out boys." I call once his shirt is rebuttoned. Seriously Doc…silk…far to fancy for livin' like we do.

Annie cheerfully gets of the stairs, jumps aboard the four-wheeler and drives off. But not before securing a kiss from Finnick. She drives off to the drop point where she'll leave the goods and we'll give Crane and his men the directions there. Sure Crane was hook up with us through Chaff, our contact for District 11…but he's still a criminal…can't trust 'em as far as you can throw 'em. Definitely need to take some precautions. He'll give us the money and we'll send him in the right direction.

"I still don't think Seneca Crane was our best bet." Finnick pipes up as we wander towards the meeting spot. "Seriously…didn't he try to shoot at you last time Cap'n?"

I shrug my shoulders all apathetic like and continue forward. "That's old news. Besides we need to money and he's the closest bet. There ain't no hard feelings…I think it'll be fine."

"He tried to shoot you?" The doctors surprised voice rings out from behind me.

"Yea he sure did." Finnick chimes back in, "We was doin' a drop few years back and Kat here refused to bargain down the price. Ol' Crane wasn't to happy bout it and threatened to shoot her. Kat talked out a compromise after he fired a warning shot. I still think he tried to shot 'er but missed. He never was good with aim." Finnick chuckles. Yea as if my life wasn't on the line or nothin'. Out of the corner of my eye I notice the doc's body is tensed right up…nerves I guess.

After we arrive I survey the land. "So Crane ain't dumb, he'll have snipers placed…" I scan again, "there and there." I point to two shaded indents in the hills. "Gale you mind removing those obstacles…don't kill 'em…just knock 'em out for a bit." He moves out and we wait.

A good twenty minutes later Crane and his gang arrive. Most are on horses, a few on foot. "Everdeen." Crane addresses me with a hint of hostility.

"Crane." I reply. "We got the goods, you got the cash?" Crane holds up a bag of coins. He tosses it over and Finnick catches it and counts it.

"It's good Cap'n." He finally states.

"Alright Crane you listen good." I speak the directions clearly so as not to confuse them. When I finish an awkward silence fills the air.

"I'd appreciate if you rode out first there Crane."

"Yea I would but see I ain't never let go of money I don't have too." His plan for snipers has failed; I can see it in his eyes. We was supposed to be shot dead already.

"Sorry Everdeen but I need these supplies…and I need that money there too."

"I did a job Crane…and I'm getting paid for that job. It's only fair."

Chaff nods his head subtly and a shot is fired. I feel the weight of it on my chest, left side just above the breast. It knocks me flat on my back. Damn that hurts.

A few are shot down by Gale's sniper; Finnick takes out a few himself. Most of the horses spook and take off running. I manage to get one fellow in the knee cap but not much else since I'm still trying to catch my breath.

The commotion subsides and it appears we'll live to see another day and we got the money.

"Captain!" I hear the doctor's frantic shout as the shooting dies down. His loud footsteps thunder towards me.

"You alright there Cap'n?" Finnick calls over.

"Armors dented but I'm alive." The doctor reaches my side, eyes wide with fear and worry.

"Well Finn you were right bought this not being such a great idea." I admit while the doctor helps me to my feet.

"Thanks for sayin' Cap'n." Finnick replies.

Gale returns shortly and we all head back to the ship. With everyone on board we take off again.

At dinner Finnick relays the story and finishes with, "It's a real burn, being right so often." I flip him the bird and the night goes on. The look of concern and terror on the poor doctor's face disappears and everything returns back to normal.