Author's Note: As promised the second part of this double update :D

This is how I distinguish natural confidence and insecurity...

Chapter 53

The Penny Drops

I don't ignore it because I know that room, I know if I ignore her she'll send a guard to get me.

Plus I think I made a negative impression when I threw that knife at her folder. Even if I was angry and hating her it was a big risk. Something I shouldn't have even tried according to Charring.

Her office is lest lustrous than two years ago. Carpets are gone, book cases have been taken out, only a map is on a wall.

"Have a seat" she motions but I refuse, "fine" she stands, "I won't apologize Crane, I'm in the business of this rebellion, and every decision is important. Saving all the tributes went out the window as soon as Everdeen was reaped. We need her"

"You are risking her life" I say flatly, "but you don't seem to care"

"If it gets me to my goal...the Capitol killed hundreds of children. I kill one and you'd have me crucified"

"Because a loss of life however many is not how you win!" I snap, my foot taps impatiently, "are we gonna have at it?"

"We need those codes"

"Not gonna happen"

"We need your help with Everdeen"

"I know it and you know it but again not happening, you sold out braver more influential people for a puppet, you want to win a war with force. Not with brains"

"I order-"

I laugh, "you order? President Coin. I know you will try and threaten my friends, what is left of my family, I even know you will bring up Gale"

"How-"

"Because you did it two years ago only with Maverick" I reply, "what I want I can't have, you said so just now, vindicating yourself on leaving Peeta Mellark, Tracker Kingsly and Johanna Mason to the capitol, and now Annie Cresta and so many others, innocents. So tell me why I should help you?"

"It's the right thing to do!" she glares at me, "all your loved ones lives rest on your actions"

"And the threat returns" I sigh, "time is not right yet anyway" I take a seat casually, even if my instinct is screaming to run, I'm taking big risks to act pompous but to be honest I have little respect for a woman who would jeopardize anyone.

"And what time is that?" Coin goes to her desk, her chair sits higher than mine but it's her insecurity. She needs to be in control, I know I am in control of this so I don't object.

"Wars are won with strategy, you have eleven districts that need to be secured" I look at my nails, "until that happens the whole 'code' issue is null and void"

"It is-"

"It is null!" I snap at her, "I have enough blood on my hands, I pray I won't have anymore, threaten me, threaten my safety Mrs. President but do not use my friends and family as fodder because they are innocent" I stand, "I am done here"

"I'm not" she rebuttals and a guard comes to the doorway blocking me.

"You really want to push me?" I look at the guard but direct my question to Coin who am sure is looking smug.

It takes one motion, one hand on my shoulder and I have snapped his wrist, popped his knee and dislocate his other arm. The guard is on the floor disarmed and I have his gun. I hear an alarm go off but I don't bother trying anything but walking away.

I leave my comunicuff and his hand gun at the doorway.

It's reflection time. And Gale comes to my room, he looks worried.

"Guess I really stepped in it this time" I smirk but he tosses my comunicuff to me, I catch it looking confused.

"Why you pick fights with people you are outgunned on I will never know" he sighs and sits beside me. "When Maverick Letorch heard he was really concerned, I overheard him and Beetee talking"

"I should talk to him" I say concerned, "he's part of my crew as you are"

"Good idea" Gale nods, "can you promise if you show up to the next meeting you won't try and kill Coin? Even scaring her is a bad idea Ariana"

"I'll try okay?" I reply, his response is giving me a long drawn out kiss.

I knock on Maverick's door and Ken answers.

Right I forgot.

"Hello hell-raiser" Ken smirks, "you're not armed are you?"

"Only my tongue" I reply and he has a coy grin, "not like that!"

"Can't blame a guy for thinking it" he teases me, "he's having a shower I was just going for a turn in the firing range have to keep up my skills. Join me?"

I shake my head, "some other time"

He shrugs and kisses my cheek before leaving for late night training.

"Who's that Ken?" I hear

"He's gone to shoot a mannequin" I holler, "just me"

Mav comes out in boxers with a towel across his shoulders, "hey kiddo" he rolls over silently, "can you stop giving the pacemaker reason to work overtime?"

"She asked for it, she took you and Ziggy and Makenzie away!" I'm upset and he shushes me, "it's not fair she's a bully Mav!"

"You know it and I know it but she's leagues better than Snow" he tries to salvage Coin

"The devil is the devil no matter how you dress them up" I say sadly, "I'm not going to meetings if you aren't"

"Only two people can make that decision happen" he sighs, "one is Coin"

"Don't say the other, won't happen" I glare at him

"Have to say it kiddo, Plutarch is the only other person that can allow access right now, Charring won't go to meetings and Coin allows him because she knows if it came to a vote he's gonna more than likely be the rogue vote. Plutarch will side with her almost always" Maverick talks sense but…

"I can't stand him!" I snap and stand and finally end up pacing, Mav sits patiently, "he's so pompous I just want to hit him!"

Maverick is laughing, he's laughing!

"What's so funny?" I growl

"Plutarch was surprised you didn't hit him on the airship, he told Ziggy and I in confidence, he's actually glad you hit Abernathy."

I sink onto the bed again, "do I really have to?" I whine

"Look the best way to get this going the way you want it is to show interest. To do that you have to play the game kid, like the arena" he looks at me bending his head, "play it by your rules though, go along and go to where they tell you to go but once you're there you can do what you do best"

"And what's that?" I look at him tilting my head

"Be you of course" he smiles, "they may call Everdeen the Mokingjay, but you Ariana? You are the Phoenix of this whole game. Born in fire and reborn, she's the puppet; let them play with their marionette you just make sure she comes back for Peet"

"So maybe don't work with them directly, just on their periphery" I clarify and he nods, he then looks worried

"Just remember to come back alive too okay?" he grasps my hand, "no more stupid risks, not unless it's absolutely necessary. Deal?"

I nod.