Author's Note: not much to say really, we're getting close to the end dear friends...

Thanks go to RR and JB for their reviews...(and FH for her reviews of chapter 88 and 89)

Chapter 91

State of Affairs

Gale was right about one thing.

All is not well in our little circle. Katniss is out of the hospital now and staying at the presidential mansion under supervision. She's catatonic, she barely eats or sleeps, she cries in fear when she does. Coin actually implements the old rule of Gale sticking with her and with how I have been acting I'm not surprised she would do this again.

It surprises me that she would allow Gale contact with Katniss after all the time we have shared together. But maybe she thinks since she practically has the presidency in the bag there isn't much she can do.

She would be mistaken.

Vivian has come back into my circle, after going off to discuss with Castiel they manage to get protection status for Annie and Finnick, mainly because they are victors and victors are followed by the public. And everyone loves Annie and Finnick. More now than ever.

Because Annie found out a couple days ago, she's pregnant. They are staying in one of the more lavish apartments, with Makenzie as their doctor keeping tabs on Annie. Finnick is over the moon. So they are safe.

Katniss is being looked after by Vivian's men. I realize being on Vivian's side isn't good for either of us, at least in Coin's eyes she might see Vivian and I as a new front so I have Paylor revoke my carte blanch status with her men. Makes me look more the rebel than I am, and Paylor didn't want to. When we had discussed this she reluctantly agreed, my logic is sound. And it shows as Plutarch doesn't contact me anymore.

I spend my days in the hospital helping with those who are still too injured to go home. The numbers thankfully are declining but there is still one person that will be here when everyone else has left and has found a temporary living quarters.

Peeta.

Katniss was lucky, the team had worked on her so quickly and efficiently and surprisingly at Peeta's behest. I had talk to one of the emergency technicians and he has said Peeta had managed saying her name and his mannerisms were very clear. He wanted her to be looked after first, she was priority.

For all his worry about not falling for her again he has. My dear friend remembers her.

But his heroics have retarded his recovery, and he had a worse time because of what he had done.

His hands are damaged; his skin is a patchwork of grafts in different stages of repair. I'm no burn specialist; I only know basic first aid when it comes to burns. What I can say is at least he doesn't have to get fingers amputated, they are second degree but still require skin grafts to heal. He is finally breathing on his own. And the central line was removed, he has a simple IV line now.

I visit him often.

I'm sitting beside him when a gauze covered hand stays my pencil as I am sketching. "Hey Ari" he says very quietly

I look up from my notepad and he has a weak smile. I take his hand after I put down my artwork in progress.

"Hey Peeta" I say softly in return, "you should rest" I sit on the edge of his bed, "you've been thru a lot"

He nods, "Katniss-"

"She's alright, she's out of hospital but still in the capitol, she's taken residence at the mansion with Haymitch and Plutarch and his crew, along with Paylor and her men" I explain, "we're worried about both of you, she's not talking, not eating, and you're still too injured to leave."

He nods, "Prim?"

"Died in the fire, her remains were so destroyed they had her completely cremated" I explain.

"What happened?" he finally asks a question I don't want to answer, not here where anyone can hear

"That's a question for when you get out" I reply, "maybe in a week."

He nods, "I remember standing with Katniss and her seeing Prim race to help Gale, and then a-a voice told me, inside my head, screamed at me 'she can't die!' and I raced after her grabbing her and sheltering her with myself. After that all I remember is looking at her before the medic came."

I smile genuinely to him, "it's because you still love her Peeta."

"Where is Gale?" he asks and that I can answer for now.

"He's looking after Katniss with Haymitch, he doesn't stay at the mansion" I reply

Peeta looks confused, "you guys break up?"

I shake my head, "we're still together but they brought back the rule that he is Katniss' guy we still see each other at night, most nights."

He nods he looks sleepy, "rest Peeta, that's the best thing for you to do right now" I tell him stroking the hair from his face as he drifts off.

When I leave for the night it's not Gale who is waiting for me at the hospital entrance but Plutarch. He falls in step with me so I do not go to my tiny cell of an apartment I steer us to the park.

"What is it now" I look at him finally.

Plutarch looks uncomfortable, "look."

"If it's to join your team to help Katniss, sorry my duty is to Peeta, plus I'm not allowed to enter the mansion" I reply not even letting him start his spiel.

"We need you" he says.

"Who is 'we'" I reply.

Again the uncomfortable silence, the fidgeting. "Plutarch if it's to do with Coin I have two very impolite words I can say right here and now to dissuade you."

"Why are you being difficult?" he asks, "Please won't you listen to us?"

I pause, why am I so important to him. "All is not well I suspect when it comes to the general population" I smirk, "Coin having trouble rallying support?"

"No, but she does have a problem with victors, none of them will talk to her except Enobaria and she wants you all to show up to a meeting in a couple weeks" he says, he seems relieved I'm getting chatty again, "will you hear her out?"

"I'll listen, but it doesn't mean I'll agree to anything" I warn.

Plutarch nods, then asks a question that makes me wonder where his allegiance really is, "How is he?"

"Recovering Plutarch, and he needs peace right now"