10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5…..

As the Gamemakers count down, my anxiety shoots through the roof. We're in our suite watching on a series of monitors. Haymitch, Effie, Finnick, and Annie are here with Peeta, me and the twins.

I can see Grayson and Annabel atop their pedestals. They both look frightened but are trying their best to hide it. They're well aware they're on camera. As the view pans around, showing all the other Tributes, it's disheartening. The majority of them are shaking like leaves. I'm actually scared one of them will fall off and detonate the mine.

4, 3, 2, 1….

Just like that, the Quarter Quell has begun.

At first, it's unlike any other Games in history. The Tributes are frozen. There's no huge rush to the Cornucopia, no onslaught of murder. Eventually, after a few seconds, some of the older kids do step down and make their way, albeit slowly, to the supplies. I'm grateful to see that Grayson hustles, grabbing a backpack, a set of knives, and a spear. He runs back to the area designated to meet up with the Alliance, where most of the other Tributes are already waiting.

We agreed to have them split off into two groups. They'll head in separate directions then meet up at the goat patch to make the trek to the cave. Once Grayson joins them, they merge into the pre-determined groups, and set off towards the woods.

But, just as they reach the tree-line, Grayson looks back. He stops dead in his tracks.

He's looking towards the pedestals. The boy from 2 is taunting the girl from 5, who's only seven. She's atop her pedestal, clutching her knees, tears streaming down her cheeks. They boy is casually flipping a knife from hand to hand, mocking her before he kills her.

"Keep walking Grayson," I hear Haymitch mutter. I, however, pray he doesn't. He reminds me of Peeta too much.

Speaking of Peeta, I turn to look at him. His face is racked with all sorts of emotions, from fear to anxiety to worry. I squeeze his hand harder than I'd already been.

Grayson debates for a split second, turns to Annabel, whispers something to her, then turns and walks towards the pedestals. I can't ever remember seeing him so angry.

He creeps up on the boy from the back, using the skills I taught him. Just as he reaches them, the boy raises his right arm, blade extended, apparently ready to make a killing blow.

All the cameras sense the action and zoom in, the microphones picking up the entire exchange.

Grayson grabs his wrist hard.

"Stop," Grayson says with steel.

The boy turns his head and sees Grayson.

"If you don't let me kill her, you're next 12," he threatens.

Grayson chuckles softly and shakes his head. With his other hand, he reaches up and easily wrenches the knife out of the boy's grip. He slides it into his belt.

"I'll just find you later, it doesn't matter. I'll kill her too," he snivels.

"Good luck with that," Grayson says causally.

Without warning, Grayson takes his own knife, bends down, and slices through the boy's Achilles heel on his right leg. He crumples in agony, screaming out in pain. He won't be going anywhere.

Grayson shoves him to the side and approaches the girl, who is still terrified. He puts away his knife and shows her his empty hands.

"It's okay, I'm not going to hurt you," he says softly. She looks at him warily. "Me and some of my friends are going to go somewhere safe, would you like to come with us?"

She nods shyly.

"What's your name? Mine's Grayson."

"Emily," she whispers.

"Come here Emily, put your arms around my neck and I'll carry you, okay?" Grayson says calmly.

He steps closer tentatively and reaches his arms out. After a few seconds of debate, she wraps her tiny arms around his neck and her legs around his midsection.

Grayson takes one last look at the boy from 2, who is nothing more than a heap of useless, screaming garbage. I'm glad he didn't kill him, but happy he maimed him enough so it'll be hard for him to kill anyone else.

With Emily firmly in his arms, Grayson takes one last look around, then sprints at full speed back towards the woods. Annabel had begun leading the group further away from the Cornucopia, so it takes a few minutes of Grayson running to catch up.

"Who's that?" Annabel asks softly when Grayson reappears.

"This is Emily. Emily, this is my district partner, Annabel."

"Hi Emily," Annabel smiles. "Welcome to our little group."

"Thank you," Emily says quietly. "You saved my life."

"Well we protect each other," Grayson responds automatically.

I look to Peeta. We are both incredibly proud of both our Tributes right now.

Their group trudges through the woods and begins their trek up the mountains leading to the area we designated as their hideout. It should take them most of the day to get there.

While they hike, we look around at the other monitors. Only two Tributes died during the bloodbath. The boy from 9 was killed by the Career boy from 1. They'd been arguing and butting heads all week in Training, so it wasn't a big surprise when they decided to fight it out right when the Games began. Then, right after, the girl from 9 killed the boy from 1 in revenge. She literally stabbed him through the heart. It was hard to watch.

The other Tributes who aren't part of our huge Alliance are wandering around, almost clueless. Some of them are still around the Cornucopia. They're not fighting. They seem more like they're in a dream like state, dazed and utterly confused. It breaks my heart. I wish we could save them all. Hopefully we can save the rest.

Eventually, as the sun starts to set, Grayson finds the beginning of the goat path. It's obvious they're the first ones there, as there are no tracks in the snow leading up.

Throughout the day, Grayson has taken on the leadership role in the group. Without there being a vote or even a discussion, everyone looked to him for directions. He decided where to go, when to stop to rest, who should be in front and back, and everything else. He took the role in stride. Once again, he's reminding me of my husband.

"We're the first ones here," Grayson announces. "Annabel, lead everyone up to the cave and I'll wait here for the other group."

"You can't stay alone!" Emily protests, hugging Grayson from the side. She's become very attached to him in these few short hours.

"I'll be okay, Emily," he assures her with a smile. "I have my weapons. Besides, how could anything happen to me when I promised I'd make you dinner? Hmm?"

Emily seems to ponder this and eventually nods reluctantly. Even so, Annabel forces Grayson to have the boy from 4, Finnick and Annie's Tribute, stay with him. Grayson agrees.

"Go, Bel, it's going to get cold fast. Get these kids warm and safe. Feed them some dinner and make sure they drink lots of water."

"Okay Gray," she answers. They call each other these little nicknames they invented during Training. It's incredibly cute. "But you'd better not leave me," she sticks her finger in his chest threateningly.

"I won't," he promises.

Before she leaves, Annabel throws her arms around his neck and I swear I see tears forming in the corner of her eyes. I know they've both grown close, but this is, well, reminiscent of last year.

Just as she lets go, she stops, thinks a moment, then gives Grayson a sweet kiss on the cheek. Grayson looks stunned and blushes furiously.

"Don't you dare leave me, Grayson Mitchell," she warns as she begins to lead the group up the path.

"I promise, Annabel Anderson," Grayson whispers into the wind. It's easy to see the tears streaking down his young, innocent cheeks.

The cameras split the screen, showing Annabel leading the group up the path and Grayson waiting at the bottom.

Darkness settles. We begin to worry about the other group. They haven't shown them in a long time, so we have no idea where they are, or even if they're alive, since there are no death announcements.

Miraculously, about an hour after sunset, the other group arrives, safe and sound.

"What happened?" Grayson asks.

Frederick, the boy from 7, Jo's Tribute, answers.

"A couple of the Career girls were following us. We had to stop a few times and let them pass, then alter our course a bit. Sorry."

"Don't be sorry," Grayson waves him off diplomatically. "We're just glad you're alright. Do you need a rest, it's going to be a bit of a hike up to the cave."

"I think we're good," Frederick answers. "Right guys?" He asks his group. They nod.

"Okay. Let's go." He instructs the boy from 4 to take the lead with Grayson brings up the rear, protecting the group.

The camera switches to the cave, where Annabel is making everyone soup. I'm so happy there wasn't a traditional bloodbath, and almost everyone in the Alliance was able to grab something. They have sufficient food and water and weapons to last the night.

It will take Grayson's group about an hour and a half to reach the cave. While they do that, I snuggle closer to Peeta, needing to feel him.

"Did we do the right thing this morning?" He whispers so nobody else hears.

"Yes," is my immediate response.

This morning, Peeta and I woke up and made a decision. We didn't make it lightly, nor did we make it on a whim. We'd been thinking about it, and decided it had to be done.

We went to the Training Center, found Grayson and Annabel, pulled them aside, and told them everything.

We told them about the Alliance, why we'd formed it, and what would happen tomorrow morning. We told them that's why we were so sure both of them were getting out of there alive. We told them they were the only Tributes who knew, and we trusted them to keep their mouths shut. Not only did their lives depend on their discretion, the Rebellion did as well. When they asked us why we were telling them, we paused before we answered. We told them we trusted them, that we didn't want them going in there thinking they were going to die like we did. But most of all, we needed them to be strong for the Alliance. We needed them to be leaders, to keep spirits up until they could be rescued.

And now, watching as Annabel cooks dinner with a small grin on her face and Grayson scans his sectors making sure they're not being followed, we know we made the correct choice this morning.

"I think so too," Peeta breaks me out of my thoughts. "They're doing great."

"Grayson reminds me of you," I give him a peck on the lips.

"Oh yeah? How's that?"

"He never wanted to be a leader, but he was born to be one. Plus he seems to be making his district partner fall for him. I'm somewhat familiar with what that feels like," I joke. We both chuckle softly.

Grayson and the other group reach the cave, and there are happy reunions all around. When Annabel sees Grayson, she abandons what she was doing, and runs straight into his arms, almost knocking him over.

"You scared me!" She yells at him.

"Sorry?" He mutters sheepishly.

"Just don't ever do that to me again!" She demands.

He just nods shyly. She sighs worriedly.

"I was scared you'd gotten hurt or one of the Careers had found you or-"

He cuts her off.

"Bel, I'm fine. I'm right here. I'm alive. See?" He takes her hand and puts it over his beating heart. I know exactly how comforting that is, as most of my night are spent with my ear directly over Peeta's heart.

She nods and can't help letting a few tears escape. He gently wipes them for her.

"I – I – I," she stumbles.

"I know," Grayson finished softly. She nods. He just opens his arms and she falls into them. They embrace wordlessly. I bet the Capitol's eating this up. They get District 12 giving them some sort of romance two years in a row. Despicable.

The entire Alliance enjoys dinner, and I'm happy to see there's enough for everyone, even Emily, to get at least something. Grayson introduces her to the group, and she's welcomed with open arms, finding a place with some of the younger kids.

Later, Grayson and Annabel sit together, standing guard at the front of the cave. Most of the Tributes are asleep or just about there.

"That was very brave," Annabel tells him. "Saving Emily."

"I couldn't just let him kill her," he says.

"Why didn't you kill him?"

"I don't want to kill anybody." He sounds exactly like my Peeta.

"I probably would've," Annabel mumbles. "He's so mean."

"Well I did make sure he can't really move much," he laughs. She joins him.

They sit in silence for a long time, just looking out across the huge Arena from their place high up on the mountain. I see their hands slowly bridge the gap between them, and soon their holding hands, fingers intertwined. I don't know if either of them notice.

Suddenly the unmistakable sound of snow crunching under foot is audible. Grayson and Annabel are instantly on their feet, weapons at the ready.

"Who's there?" Grayson demands.

The girl from 1 and the girl from 2 appear out of the darkness.

"What do you want?" Annabel spits.

"We followed your tracks," the girl from 1 says, obviously exhausted.

"So you're here to try and kill us?" Grayson deduces.

They shake their heads.

"No. We were wondering if you had any food," the girl from 2 says, obviously embarrassed.

"How do we know you're not lying?" Annabel asks. Smart girl.

Both of them take all their weapons, which are actually pretty meager considering the Districts they come from, and throw them down in front of our Tributes.

"Take them. Tie us up if you want. We just don't want to die," the girl from 1 pleads.

Grayson and Annabel look to one another, then confer quietly for a few moments.

"Fine. But you stay right here at the entrance with us. You do exactly as we say," Grayson lays out the rules.

"Thank you," they say in unison, their utter tiredness evident.

Annabel shows them where to sit, and Grayson wisely finds some rope. He ties their hands, but allows them enough maneuverability to eat some soup Annabel scrounges up. Their eyes easily relay their gratitude.

"Why are so many of you up here in this cave?" The girl from 2 asks.

"That's none of your business," Annabel snaps.

"Sorry," she mutters at her feet.

Annabel laughs a little to herself, amused as I am at the role-reversal.

As the night rolls on, the four of them talk more, and discover they're not that different. They come from families, have brothers and sisters, and none of them every wanted to end up in the Arena. It's interesting to see the similarities.

Before I know it, Peeta is nudging me, showing me it's almost time to head to the roof.

"Guys," I say to Finnick and Annie, "we have to get going."

Annie immediately starts crying.

"Annie, we'll see you in a few days at the most," I try to console her as I hug her tight.

"I know," she sobs. "I'm just going to miss the four of you so much. You're like my family."

"We're not like your family, Annie," I say firmly. She widens her eyes in alarm. "We are your family." She relaxes into wide smile. "Just please, be careful in the Arena. Josh and Even need their aunt and uncle okay?"

"I promise," she vows solemnly.

I say goodbye to Finnick, who has tears in the corner of his eyes as well, but would never admit it. Haymitch gives me a hug and kiss on the cheek. He has to go into the Arena with the rest of the Victors, but Effie will be coming with us.

Finnick, Annie and Haymitch leave to head back to the Training Center, and Prim and my mom arrive, ready to go.

Peeta and I head to our bedroom to get dressed.

We put on our dark gray fatigues, combat boots, tactical vests, and our side arms in thigh holsters. I braid my hair back with Peeta's help and smooth his curls out to his displeasure.

When we're dressed, we stand next to one another in front of the mirror.

"Are we really ready for this Peeta?" I ask nervously.

"As long as I have you, I'm ready for anything."

I roll my eyes.

"I knew you'd say that."

"Doesn't mean it's not the truth," he smirks and kisses my cheek. "And by the way, I was right."

"About what?" I ask curiously.

"I'm going to struggle not ripping your clothes off and fucking you against any random wall whenever I see you in your uniform," he smiles wide. I blush deeply and turn my head away.

"You can't do that to me when we can't do anything about it honey," I whine.

"Maybe there will be a bathroom on the hovercraft," he muses.

And just like that I'm sure I need a new pair of panties. Damn him.

The clock strikes midnight and it's time.

We pack the twins into their stroller, making sure we have everything else of ours from the hotel suite. I take a deep breath as we get on the elevator for the last time.

Peeta grabs my hand and I hold onto it for dear life.

Before we reach the roof, we turn to each other.

"Remember Katniss, the house by the lake. You, me, and all of our children."

"I will, Peeta. It's what we'll fight for. I love you."

"I love you too."

We lean in to kiss, and the elevator dings and the doors slide open to reveal the roof.

The hovercraft is already there, the back ramp down ready for us to load.

Prim, my mom and Effie walk ahead of us and get on. Peeta and I take one more moment, look around us at the Capitol, then to each other. We don't say a word. None need to be said. We know.

We step on to the hovercraft, both us pushing the stroller containing our children. As the rear ramp closes, there's one thing I'm certain of.

Our lives will never be the same. But, with my boy with the bread by my side, I know I can get through anything.

Besides, isn't that why I knocked on his door all those months ago? Because it was a lie.

A/N: And there's the last chapter of the first story of the trilogy.

I'm honestly stunned at how far this story has come. Over FOUR HUNDRED reviews, TWO HUNDRED THOUSAND words, and countless ridiculous ideas that apparently people liked. I can't tell you how much it means to have so many people rooting for me, waiting every day for me to post that new chapter.

Honestly, I did feel I was getting repetitive, and I have a lot of ideas about the sequel, so I wanted to get there sooner rather than later. I hope everyone liked what I did with the beginning of the Quell. We will see a bit more of it before the Rebellion actually begins.

Chances are, the first chapter of the new story will be posted tomorrow, but I'm not making any promises. But, knowing me, it most likely will be tomorrow.

Once again, I'd like to thank everyone who read, reviewed, PMed, and enjoyed this story. It's been quite a journey from when I wrote what I thought was going to be a one-shot to where we are now, talking about a trilogy.

I haven't decided on the name for the next story, so keep the suggestions coming. If I choose one that is reader-suggested, believe me, they will get recognized for their contribution.

So, after forty-seven chapters, over 200K words, and more reviews than I'd ever though I'd receive, this is the end of "It Was A Lie". My little experiment at seeing I can right Katniss and Peeta. Sure, the characters might be OOC, but it's been a ton of fun. So thank you for all your support.

Keep reviewing and reading.

The next story in this trilogy will being shortly! Please stay tuned! I want to see even more followers, favs and reviews!

Thanks TO EVERYON!

-Josh