Author's Note: My my...people not liking Coin? That's not including the heroes of this fic,... shall we go see one of my favorites? yes?

Thanks goes to RR and FH for the reviews

Chapter 92

Reluctant Leader

Paylor POV

I have to say one thing right here right now.

As much as I am pretty damn good at being a leader I hate it. I hate seeing people laying down their lives for someone else. I mean my dad was taught by my grand dad ancient history. History of how this place was a nation once that rallied together and fight oppression and rules that didn't make sense.

It was something Ariana and I have in common, what our fathers taught us. But I took this leadership in stride while she fought it tooth and nail. She hates people thinking she's special, I guess it has to do with this whole 'victor' side of her. You don't want to be special for killing people. And she told me she's religious, her mom was catholic, traditions passed down from her mom and her grandmom and so on. So killing to her is just plain wrong, and Coin and Snow used people's lives like pieces in chess. Ariana saw them as so much more.

"Y'know I may be blind Paylor but I'm not deaf" Ken Colins says, "you're tapping your foot to a snare rhythm."

I realize my nervous tick has reared it annoying head as I look outside from one of the mansion windows, 'command' has set up roots in the banquet hall of the president's mansion of a house. I mean who needs fifty rooms? I miss my old apartment in Eight right now. I look at Ken, his sight still hasn't returned, that flash burned something so he can't see right now, but I think loosing his sight has made him even more insightful. I've put him as my second in command now because we aren't at war per se but we are looking out for what we have dubbed 'the crew', it's Ariana's circle she had in Thirteen that he was barely part of due to his friendship with her. It consists of Peeta Mellark, Katniss Everdeen, Gale Hawthorne, Dr. Gene Makenzie, Maverick Letorch and it used to have Ziggy Watts who died the day after Ariana saw her. I sometimes wonder if that girl was just waiting for Ari to show up and say goodbye. They seem close this group tied together to each other thru romance or family strong friendships.

"Sorry have things on my mind" I reply, I look at Ken and Delly. Delly has been by his side since he had been released. She's a smart kid, bit more on the emotional side of things, she's sensitive to how people could react. Since my men have secured this building I feel safe speaking my mind. "I feel we haven't done any good" I sigh sitting at the desk they got for me, "sure we calmed the masses but the city isn't safe, traps are still active in over half the sectors and Coin doesn't want to send anymore of her men to disengage them and insists I send mine and Castiel's men in, I mean my men are expendable but not hers?"

Sometimes I want to punch Coin in the face for these slights she sends me thru, she is threatened I know, loyalty in my ranks is bordering on impossible levels compared to her men who are looking at each other and thinking they can do anything they want and be damned the consequences.

"We know" Ken sighs, "heck she wants to send what's left of Gale's squad down Ninth tomorrow, they ain't going not without Gale but still!"

"How is Ariana's other half?" I ask we all smirk at my wording, it's plain that I am siding with Ari for a lot of things, "he was released not long ago right?"

"He's still not fully recovered, he's using a cane right now until he's stronger, but he hates the hospital, Church is a battle axe" Delly explains, "Ken was glad to be released even if it's to my care."

"The woman is a drill sergeant" Ken says, "not that I'm not used to it but come on we were all hurting and she's asking how we are and expecting to hear improvment, like it's our fault we are still in pain."

"Anyone talk to Crane?" I ask and they shake their heads, I haven't had a chance since my days are full of meetings where Coin expects to hear I have sent my platoons to get slaughtered which I never do, "how about Letorch?"

"Mav says she's okay, I mean they spend some time at the hospital looking after Peeta, and then the afternoon they are at the relief stations making sure people find safe places for the night" Ken says, "what is Coin trying to do giving people places in dangerous areas, aren't we all supposed to be on the same side here? Snow is the villain right?"

"He is but he isn't the only villain" I say "and I know someone is villainizing themselves when they shouldn't" I add

"Ariana has the worst conscious I know" Ken says, "Charring came in last week, he's trying to gain access to her to get her thinking straight but he's on Coin's black list after he refused to come and help her, and she's ordered Plutarch not to help him. And the information I got from Mav is over a week old so…"

"But why is she blaming herself?" Delly asks, "she's not at fault!"

"It's because she was in charge of her men" I explain, "and she blames herself for loosing all but Ken and Kestrel, and I am sure she's blaming his blindness on herself as well"

Ken sighs and rubs the bridge of his nose, "sad but true, but there is nothing we can do, Peeta might be able to talk sense to her"

"Is he able?" I look at Delly who nods

"Peeta told me about writing to her when we were in Twelve, they are as close as siblings sometimes, he's not released yet either" she looks sad, "they only have each other really, I mean they each have Katniss and Gale but-"

"Sometimes you need family" I finish, I lost my mom and dad, they had me late and died of old age, sometimes I still miss my mom and dad but at least I had them. "What is this meeting Coin is hinting on, when all the victors are recovered?"

"It's victor's only" Ken shrugs, "heck Plutarch is only setting it up and it was a vote for only district Thirteen residents" he almost says that last part like he would be sick saying it. I have to admit I don't blame him.

"From one dictator to another" I say, "getting tired of having someone pull our strings sometimes" I look up at a knock on the door, "come."

Private Orelean comes in and salutes, I return it, "mam Everdeen wants access to Snow"

It's been three weeks since she's been released and she asks now? Mellark hasn't been released yet.

"I'll be there" I look up, "tell her I will bring her to see him later today."

"What did Coin say about him?" Ken asks, it's been a long discussion at the last meeting

"Oh y'know district Thirteen, as downtrodden as they are they want it public" I sigh, "funny thing is she's speaking for everyone, what happened to Plutarch's idea of democracy?"

"Guess Coin had other plans" Ken says and smirks ruefully, "when do they plan on the execution?"

"After that meeting the victor's have" I reply, "wish we could have someone there."

"What about Mav?" Delly asks

"Victors" I correct her, but she is staring at me, "who would bring him in? I mean it's by invite only"

"And who has constantly opposed anything Plutarch and Coin ever try to implement?" Ken catches onto his girlfriend's train of thought, then I figure it out, I must be tired because I'm always quick on this stuff.

"I'll call her" I say, "go get some air however cold it is" I reply.

"Spring is just around the corner" Delly smiles, "I mean by the time this is over the tulips will just be peeking out."

"Let's hope" I reply as they get up and leave.

The phone rings a few times but then…

"Hello?" Ariana answers, she sounds wiped out

"Hey kiddo" I say, "you still standing?"

"Yeah for the most part" she replies drowsily, "how are they over there?" she asks about Gale and Katniss whenever I call

"Still in one piece" I reply, "look I need a favor, feel free to decline."

She yawns, yep she is tired, "Viv y'know I will do it if I can, what the problem?"

I hang up on her not long after, she had agreed. The meeting is still not for a couple weeks. Everdeen and Mellark aren't fully recovered or as fully as you can be when you are part mummy. I'm tidying up my desk when someone knocks on my door. I really haven't gotten used to that, my men usually barge in, "come in, it's open" I call.

My brother in arms, Castiel comes in, he was in charge of the mob from four and the young adults and teens of the Capitol. He's married, trying for a child with of all people Snow's own granddaughter.

"Cass!" I smile, "long time no see, keeping busy?"

He nods but looks concerned, "as always, say Viv have you spoken to Ariana lately"

"Just got off the phone with her not long ago why?"

"Good, cuz she's not answering her door" he looks worried, "Letorch is worried about her, and since Hawthorne has his hands full trying to make sure Everdeen takes her meds and Mellark isn't out on his own. Plus when I last saw him he said she stopped visiting a few days ago."

Something is wrong, very wrong. "why wasn't I informed, I said at the last meeting I was to kept informed on her wellbeing, she's our little phoenix Cass!"

"I know, but y'know Coin" he says his face grim.

Yeah I know Coin.