Mockingjay: Broken Wings

by Jamie Sommers

A/U Katniss and Peeta are married, expecting a baby. Peeta's unsure of Katniss after the things he's seen while being held prisoner. Is she still trustworthy? With a traitor in the rebellion who can Katniss turn to? Haymitch, after all the secrets he's kept? Gale, who's loyalty lies with President Coin? Or will Peeta open up his heart to her again? Sequel to CF: Rekindling

9. Peeta Mellark, Jabberjay

Mockingjay: Broken Wings

By: Jamie Sommers

Chapter Eight: Peeta Mellark, Jabberjay

Peeta's real hijacking has started and has messed with his permanant memory. Effie is still walking a very fine line between the Capitol and the Rebellion. Katniss fought for the rebel's while visiting Eight, and she's now realizing what her actions cost.

Thank you all for reading and reviewing. It really keeps me motivated. Thank you to S and A for working so hard. They are amazing betas.

I'm on my way to see what's going on with...

Mockingjay: Broken Wings

"We have to get you out of here," Boggs raced towards Katniss across the ruins of District Eight, blood dripping from his recently broken nose. A side effect of the bombing. "Come on," he scooped Katniss up into his arms and ran.

Katniss' grip on her bow was deadly. Her knuckles turned white from lack of blood flow, her body began to shake, she was chilled beyond belief and sweating profusely at the same time. She had done everything the rebels wanted as far as filming went, but disregarded direct orders from those higher up in command and went into battle. The adrenaline flowing through her began to take its effect as she tried to gain control of her thoughts. She had met the wounded, who were now blown to bits, thanks to Snow who looked upon them as vermin. She had spoken her mind about the rebellion on camera. Told the people of the nation how she felt her whole life long, and she had stood up in the middle of a battle, armed with nothing more than a bow and arrow against Capitol hoverplanes. "I'm going to be sick," she struggled a bit in an attempt to get out of Boggs' arms and found herself leaning her head over one of the strong arms that was carrying her like an infant, covering the man in vomit. The fact that he didn't flinch and kept on running towards their rescue party didn't even register with her. The hovercraft that returned for them was a cargo craft with no seats to strap themselves into unlike the last. Plutarch's remaining team, and Haymitch were nowhere to be seen. Katniss felt herself being lowered onto the cold floor of the craft and curled into the fetal position, clutching her knees to her chest. "Peeta," her lips began to move, "What did I do? I didn't even think about banana nut today. I just..." she gasped, "...Oh my God," she said aloud. She remembered being lifted off of the ground and thrown into a building from one of the bombs the Capitol dropped, being tossed onto the cement, Boggs as well as Gale jumping on top of her to shield her from harm. "Oh my God," she said again and clutched her stomach.

"Catnip, it'll be all right. It's just the adrenaline," Gale leaned over her and rubbed her hair. "Hey," he lifted her head and placed it on her lap. "Just rest."

"Peeta. Peeta," she repeated his name over and over again. Regret consumed her. Pain was suddenly shooting through her leg as she reached blindly for the spot and felt a piece of metal sticking out of her leg. "Aaah," she screamed when her fingers barely touched it. Boggs rushed to her aid, leaving another patient's side and examined her wound while Katniss screamed not only in pain, but in frustration for her carelessness.

"I have a little morphling here," Boggs shot it into Katniss before she had a chance to stop him.

"No...Oh, God," it was too late. The medication was now flowing into her system. "We need to get back," she looked up at Gale. "Get me to Regina...Dr. Valero. Tell her about the morphling."

"It'll help you, Catnip."

"I'm...allergic to it," Katniss lied, unsure of how to explain why the drug was so harmful to her.

"What?" Boggs began looking through the flimsy first aid kit he had. "No one told us that. If I had known I would never have given you..."

Katniss' mind began drifting in and out of consciousness from a combination of sheer exhaustion and the drugs. She began humming softly to herself, not paying attention to those around her.

"Think she's okay?" Gale asked Boggs with panic in his voice.

Boggs searched through the first aid kit some more, "We don't have anything to counteract the morphling. We'll have to rush her straight to medical when we land." He called up to the pilot, "Get in touch with Thirteen. Tell them to have an emergency team ready to go. We've got wounded, and Katniss needs to be treated immediately."

"Peeta," she whispered with her eyes closed. "What are you doing out there?" She could see him standing on their balcony wearing his pajama pants looking up at the night sky. "Mmmm, I love the way you smell." She lifted the corner of her lips in a small smile. She was no longer on a hovercraft heading for District Thirteen, but back home in Victor's Village.

"Mom! Prim!" Katniss walked into their house without knocking. "Where the hell is everybody?" She walked around the empty mansion and found her mother outside in the garden. "Hey."

"Hi there. I thought you'd be with Prim and Peeta."

"I'd like to be, but I have no clue where they are." Katniss lifted up the note Peeta left her. The bottom half of it was shredded into pieces complements of Buttercup. "Don't know what you're making for dinner tonight, but I wouldn't complain if cat was on the menu."

Katniss' mother started laughing and said, "They went to the Town Square."

"Okay," Katniss headed in that direction. "Need anything while I'm there?"

"No. Prim is getting everything I need." Evelyn smiled. "Have a good time."

"See ya," Katniss waved at her mother and walked quickly towards the bakery, where she was sure Peeta and Prim must've gone. "Hey there Pops!" Katniss gave the man a hug and dusted flour off of herself afterward. "Where's the rest of my family?" She glared at Peeta's mother thinking, 'I do not mean you!'

"They left awhile ago. Peeta bought us out of sweets and headed for your old neighborhood."

"He did?" Katniss grinned knowing that the sweets would never make it to their home, but would be spread amongst the children in the Seam.

"Yup."

"Guess I'm on my way to the Seam too." Katniss placed a kiss against her father in law's cheek. "See you for dinner?"

"Absolutely."

"You should bring your other boys," Katniss said quite loudly, knowing they were in the front of the bakery and could hear her. "Peeta misses them terribly and we've only got about a week left before we leave for the Capitol. It would be great if they came over for a family dinner."She had met Peeta's brothers a few times, but never really got to know them. As much as she wanted Peeta and his brothers to have a close relationship, Katniss was almost grateful she didn't develop the kind of relationship Peeta had with Prim. Since she was planning on giving up her life in the arena for Peeta, she didn't need any more people mourning her death.

Bing gave her a smile that was almost the mirror image of Peeta's. "I'll try and talk them into it."

"See ya later," Katniss let herself out the backdoor thinking, 'Got me going on a wild goose chase for you today, don't you Peeta?' Coming up on Peeta and Prim telling the Seam kids a story about a knight and a maiden swelled Katniss' heart. Prim waving a stick around calling it a magic wand, and Peeta teaching the kids how to dance once Katniss had accepted his invitation to do so left her feeling warm and content.

Prim started to clap and cheer along with the rest of the kids when their tale was over, then she ran up to Katniss and Peeta. "Take a bow." She bent at the waist and swirled her stick in the air.

"You heard the lady," Peeta grinned at Katniss. "Take a bow."

Prim couldn't stop giggling on the way home. "That look on your face when Katniss kissed you Peeta, was priceless."

"I was starting to wonder if that magic twig..."

"Wand," Prim corrected him.

"Sorry. Wand...really worked." Peeta gripped Katniss hand in his. "Your timing was impeccable." He lifted her hand to his lips and placed a kiss on her knuckles.

"What were you two doing out there anyway?" Katniss had no idea why they were acting so weird in the middle of the Seam, but the kids were enjoying themselves, she was enjoying herself, so who was she to argue.

"Peeta gave me one of the books Effie sent to him filled with Fairy Tales," Prim started.

"Fairy Tales?"

"Fantastical stories of love and intrigue," Peeta explained with a flourish.

"And I just fell in love with them. They're full of magic and romance..." Prim turned around and began walking backwards in a childlike manner, something she hadn't done in a long time. "From the moment I started to read them, I got lost in these mystical worlds with dragons, fairies, princesses..."

"Don't forget about us knights," Peeta chuckled.

"Who could ever forget Peeta the knight," Prim grinned. "Today when Peeta couldn't get the kids to calm down after he brought them some treats, I thought maybe we should tell them one."

"No," Peeta grinned at Prim, "you thought maybe we should act one out. Every girl in the Seam wanted to play the role of Katniss the fair maiden." Peeta gave her a little squeeze around the waist. "I'm sort of glad the real girl showed up when she did though."

"Those kids looked like they were having a good time. A really good time," Katniss squeezed Peeta's hand in return.

"Forget the kids, I was having a good time," Peeta picked Katniss up by the waist and swirled her in a circle. "I got to live happily ever after with my one true love."

Katniss grabbed onto Peeta's shoulders as he twirled her about, her laughter floated out of her and for a brief moment in time she felt that freeing sensation that childhood provided. When worry was something your parents did and happiness was a given. They stopped in town, picking up the items their mother needed then went back to Victor's Village where they prepared and ate dinner as a family. Two additional guests showed up, Haymitch and Peeta's father. The absence of his brothers was always felt, but never spoken about. There were times in Katniss' life, regardless of whether or not she was going back into the Games, that she felt lucky, and today was one of those days. Dinner with their family at her mother's house reminded her of when her father was alive and they'd sit around the table eating whatever he had shot. Her father would tell a story or sing songs while her mother cleaned the kitchen. Peeta's dad took on that job, telling everyone about the first time Katniss came to the backdoor of the bakery to trade squirrel for bread and how nervous she was that he was going to turn her into a Peacekeeper followed up by her mother telling a story about Bing's first attempt at learning about the herbs she used in the apothecary. Laughter filled their home away from home and that feeling of happiness was back. Katniss didn't want to let it go. They had stayed at her mother's past dark, walked Haymitch home, Peeta tucked him into bed since the man was pretty drunk, then did their nightly ritual. A hot shower, Peeta would wash her hair, she would wash his, then get ready for bed. Normally she'd put on the pajama shirt that matched his pants, but tonight Katniss was filled with an almost lighter than air sensation, so she opened her closet and searched through Cinna's designs. The nightgown she pulled out could've easily passed for a gown. Silver and blue silk, lace and a heavy blue ribbon woven throughout the bodice, then wrapping around her waist and tied into a bow. As Katniss gave the bow one last tug, she took in her appearance in the mirror, pulled on the sheer silver lace robe that came down to her ankles, and tucked her feet into the silver and blue slippers Cinna had created. She entered their bedroom doing a quick scan with her eyes, "Peeta?"

The glass doors that led to the balcony from their master suite were wide open. Sounds of night filtered through to the bedroom. The glow of the moon highlighted the bare skin of Peeta's back as he rested his elbows on the railing. Katniss glanced at the pajama shirt he had taken out for her hanging over a chair, but she didn't need it that night. Cinna had provided her with something else to wear. Though the nightgown could have easily passed for an actual dress, there was one exception, what happened when the bow that was tied around her waist was undone. Katniss stood to the side of the door so Peeta couldn't see her, but he'd be able to hear her as she spoke, "Peeta, what did Prim tell those kids to say when she waived that stick above my head?"

Peeta stared up into the sky, "Ball gown."

Katniss stepped into the doorway. "What?"

"Ball gow...wow," he had turned around and seen what she was wearing.

"What do you think?" Katniss held her arms slightly open.

"Cinna?" Peeta asked taking a couple of steps closer to her.

She nodded her head and said, "This one is called Visions of Love," she fidgeted with the robe in an awkward manner, "but I don't know why. You'd think he'd title something red that name."

Peeta grinned at her and said, "I know why."

"Oh you do?" Katniss always felt a little self conscious when Peeta walked around her and examined Cinna's items. "So tell me."

Peeta trailed his finger over the one inch silver straps that led into an intricately woven criss-cross pattern across Katniss' back and around her waist. "It matches our eyes...the silver..." his hand ran down the full skirt and lifted it slightly off the ground, "...the blue. He's used these colors before, but never like this." He released her skirt and his fingers ran over the edge of the blue lace that ran between her breasts and an area of her stomach. "See the way he put the lace on top of the material? The silver peaks out from beneath the blue...the blue stitching...it's so tiny, but...it's there." Peeta lifted his matching blue eyes to hers and Katniss instantly understood the title of the garment. "Yes...Visions of Love is perfect."

"What are you doing out here?" She wrapped her arms around him from behind and took in the scent of his skin, "Mmmm, I love the way you smell."

Peeta's sigh of contentment caused his shoulders to raise and drop back down. "It's beautiful tonight, isn't it?"

"Mmmm hmmm," Katniss ran her hands over his bare torso, then slid around to the front of him, trailing her hand across his lower back. "It was a beautiful day today too."

"Yeah," he drank in the sight of her. "This really is stunning." He delved into her eyes. "You're stunning." His fingers went for the bow, rubbing the soft material between his fingertips. He gave the bow a tiny tug, but Katniss stopped him with her hand.

"Don't pull on that."

"Why not?"

Katniss wrapped her arms around his neck and brushed her lips against his. "Because I don't feel like standing in the middle of our balcony in a lace robe that doesn't hide a thing and my nightgown pooled around my ankles."

Peeta's brows shot up, "You mean...this little bow is all that's keeping that on you?"

"Mmm hmm," she kissed him slowly.

When their kiss ended Peeta blew out a tiny breath and said, "Cinna really is an artist. Can I please thank him for this one?"

Katniss narrowly glared at him and gave him a scowl. "If you mention that we've been using these things, the only thing you'll see me wearing at night is thermal underwear that covers me from head to toe." Wearing the designs Cinna left behind was one thing, announcing their private moments together was another.

"My lips are sealed," to prove it he placed them against hers in a slow and languid kiss. "Just so you know...it wouldn't matter if you were covered in burlap from head to toe, I'd still find you just as exquisite," his lips pressed softly against hers as his tongue lightly traced the seam of her mouth, "and just as desirable."

"Pig," she said in a teasing manner while tilting her head back inviting him to kiss that spot she loved so much on her neck. "That's all you ever think about."

Peeta trailed kisses down her throat until he reached the crook of her neck and nibbled. "If you had a wife like mine, you'd be thinking about that all the time too."

Katniss smiled and let a breath of satisfied air out. "That feels so good."

"Mmm, you taste like vanilla custard."

"You always say that," she pressed her chest against his. "I find it difficult to believe that I taste like dessert."

Peeta wagged his brows in a teasing manner. He flicked his tongue against her skin, "Sweet, warm," his lips were slowly making their way towards hers, "velvety smooth."

Their mouths met. Moist lips taking tastes of vanilla custard and, "Cinnamon," Katniss breathed into their kiss. "You taste like cinnamon and brown sugar."

"That's because I ate a piece of pecan ring."

"You didn't eat it all, did you?" Katniss pulled back, giving him a warning look.

"No," he ran his hands over her hips. "Even if I did, I'd bake you another if you wanted."

"Being married to a baker has its perks." Katniss ran her hands over Peeta's upper arms, feeling the taught muscles all the years of throwing bags of flour and kneading dough had provided. "Like these," she placed a kiss on his bicep. "And this," she ran the flat of her hand against his well defined stomach.

Peeta's features read content, happy, but most of all love when he spoke. "Remember the first time you hugged me beneath the oak tree?" Katniss could never forget that day. "We were so nervous." He touched the tip of her nose with his fingertip. "You were petrified."

"So were you," she tilted her head to the side and admired the view she was currently holding in her arms. "You didn't want to kiss me on the lips."

"I wasn't afraid to kiss you on the lips. I was afraid because I knew once I did I'd never be able to stop." He rested his forehead against hers, "Really think we would've been able to control ourselves since Delly and Madge hadn't joined us for lunch that day?"

A rush of emotion shot through Katniss as she recalled her first feelings of desire. "I know for a fact we would've gotten carried away," she kissed his cheek. "I might have been fighting my feelings for you emotionally, but physically...that day...I was pretty much a sappy pile of mush. Probably would have agree to just about anything."

Peeta threaded his fingers through her hair and gave her a playful scowl. "Sure, now you tell me." They laughed softly together. "Ever wish we did act on those feelings?"

"Sometimes," Katniss admitted. "But we were pretty young and inexperienced at the time."

"I've got news for you, we're still young," Peeta ducked his head down and gave her an exceptionally flirtatious stare, "though not very inexperienced anymore."

Katniss' turned her blushing face to the side. "This is a strange conversation," she tucked her hair behind her ear.

"No it's not. I'm telling you about a fantasy of mine." He turned her by the chin to face him. "Don't you have any fantasies, Katniss? Dreams you wish you could explore?"

She gave it some thought, but the only dream she had involved the end of their society as they knew it...the end of the Games, and she was pretty sure that's not what Peeta was talking about. "I don't have fantasies," she answered him.

"I do. Then again, I've been fantasizing about you since the age of twelve." Peeta looked down at Katniss and she was certain he noticed her dropped jaw by the way he started laughing. "What? You think I never had impure thoughts about the girl I was sure I was going to spend my life with?"

"But...but..." Katniss stammered. "You were twelve? Peeta," her tone was scolding, "shame on you."

"I was a twelve year old boy getting ready to hit puberty. Don't go lecturing me for being just like every other boy in the world. It's human nature, Katniss."

"Yes, but...you were just a kid."

"I was old enough to have my name put into the reaping bowl, so why not old enough to think about...certain things," his playful gaze caused her cheeks to burn. "If it makes you feel any better, I really didn't know much back then and all I thought about was what it would be like to kiss you."

"Oh," Katniss ducked her head down. "Guess that's not so bad."

"What did you think I was dreaming about throwing you onto the bed and ravishing you?" He laughed into the crook of her neck. "Oh, Katniss," he happily sighed, "those thoughts didn't come until the age of fourteen...okay, maybe thirteen."

"Peeta!" She smacked at his shoulder.

"I'm teasing," His huge smile caused her to smile in return. "There were times when my thoughts would drift to something more, but I tried to curb them...until you held my hand and agreed to be my girlfriend. After that, I pretty much let my imagination go wild. The way I figured...those were the perks of being your boyfriend."

"I...uh..." Katniss swallowed. The truth was she had fantasized about things with him too.

"Never thought about me in that way before we got married, Katniss?" Peeta teased her with a knowing tone to his voice.

She really hated it when he read her mind so easily. "No, I did." For some odd reason his bare chest seemed to be glaring at her. "The day we...uh...um..." she blew out a little breath and told herself she was being silly. "The day we hugged for the first time..." she lifted her chest and chin and spilled, "Peeta I had no idea I could want something so badly until I felt you holding me."

He tucked strands of her hair behind her ear and searched her eyes with his. "The truth finally comes out. Katniss Everdeen wanted a...boy," he gasped, faking shock, to which Katniss had to hide her smile. The teasing was gone from his voice when Peeta spoke. "Like I said, it's a good thing I didn't kiss you on the lips that day."

"Tell me about it." She rested her head on his shoulder, "But boy did I want you to."

"Guess you do fantasize."

"Yeah," she resigned, "maybe I do."

"Think we shared the same one that day, Katniss," Peeta kissed the top of her head.

Katniss wondered if there was a way she could make it come true now that they were married. "If you had a chance to do that again...relive that day...what would you change?"

"A lot of things," Peeta said sadly.

Katniss remembered what had happened earlier that morning. She realized the extent to which his mother's abuse had grown over the years. "I'm talking about the you and me part. Would you do things differently now?"

"Yes...no...I don't know. Maybe."

A plan was starting to form in Katniss' mind, but she wasn't about to let on in case it didn't pan out. "We should live out some of our fantasies, don't' you think?"

"Absolutely," he nodded. "I'd give anything to make your dreams come true, but right now...would you live out a dream with me?"

Katniss' heart began to race at the thought. "Absolutely," she repeated against his lips.

Peeta threaded his fingers through hers and did something Katniss hadn't expected. "Dance with me?"

"Dance? You want to...dance?"

Peeta rested his forehead against hers. "Yes. I was just looking up at the sky and thinking to myself, we never had a wedding dance. As a matter of fact, the only time we've ever danced is when we had an audience. Even today, we had the kids..."

"And some of their parents," Katniss had noticed the adults gathering in front of their houses staring.

"Yeah... they were all watching. I want to dance with you." Peeta kissed her lightly on the tip of her nose. "Say yes, Katniss."

Her eyes had already drifted closed, her insides were already melting as her voice sighed out, "Yes, Katniss."

Peeta chuckled a little at her reply and said, "Wait here. I'll be right back." She could hear the sound of music floating out of their bedroom within minutes. "Thought you might like something to dance to," Peeta smiled tenderly as he walked across the moonlit balcony towards her. With his hand extended he said, "May I?"

The feeling of his palm gliding across her own sent a tingle up her arm. Katniss had often wondered how married people dealt with spending their entire lives with one person, she was certain eventually feelings would fade, but now she understood how couples like her parents had looked forward to growing old together. The touch of Peeta's hand used to give her butterflies in her stomach, now it did so much more than that. She relished the feeling of his hand slipping around her waist, the closeness of his lips to her ear as he guided her in a slow circle around their balcony. The sound of his humming in her ear brought on a grin and that's when she noticed the song playing in the background. "What are we listening to?"

"This is that music chip Effie sent to me. It has songs from before the Dark Days on it." Peeta looked down at her. "They're different, aren't they?"

"I've never heard anything like it before." The addictive melody...the words... They were so unlike the music she grew up with.

"I can't tell you how many nights I spent listening to some of these songs over and over again." Peeta rested his cheek against Katniss' temple. "They're like musical stories. Each one sharing a personal piece of someone's heart."

"I can see why you like them so much." She had pushed her love of music from her life so long ago, but when she heard the songs on the music chip, it was hard for her to forget how much she loved it. They danced to three different songs and then a haunting melody began and Katniss could feel Peeta's arms grow tense then loosen up. "You okay?"

"Yeah. This song..." Peeta kissed the middle of her forehead then pressed his cheek against it. "This is one of those songs I used to imagine you singing to me. It reminds me so much of you. All of them do to be honest."

"Why?"

Peeta glanced down at her, "There's so much passion in each one. When we were apart after our Games...I swear Katniss, I thought you wrote half of these just for me."

She let out a little sniff of laughter, "I think we both know I could never create something so pretty."

Peeta stopped dancing and held her hands in his. "You're wrong, Katniss. You think you're bad with words, but you're not. The way you talk to me...the things you say when you don't let your head get in the way of your heart..." he pulled her into his arms and held her, "...you have no clue the effect you have on me."

She ran her hands up his back, kissed his shoulder and listened to the words that filtered through to them. "This is lovely."

"Mmmm..." Peeta cupped her cheeks and kissed her lightly. "This part...You love me cause I'm fragile when I thought that I was strong, but you touch me for a little while and all my fragile strength is gone." The entire time she knew him, she had never heard Peeta sing. His clear baritone voice came as a pleasant surprise to her. Peeta kissed her again, drawing her mouth closer to his, taking his time, causing Katniss' whole body to tingle. "I used to lie in bed at night and listen to that part...think about that time you told me I made you look weak after our interviews with Caesar...I don't know," he held her again, "guess those words reminded me of that vulnerable side of you...the part of you that you never wanted anyone to know about...never wanted to show."

As much as she hated to admit it, she could understand where he was coming from. She hated looking...feeling weak back then, but Peeta helped her to see that it was okay to share that part of herself with another person. "If only I could say it as beautifully as the woman singing this song," Katniss said her thoughts out loud.

"I bet you could." Peeta held her hand and walked them into their bedroom when the song was through. "I bet you could pour your whole heart and soul out into the words of a song if you let yourself."

"You also think I'm the most beautiful woman alive," Katniss grinned at him, wanting to change the topic of conversation.

"That's because you are." He pushed the device that held the tiny music chip, shutting it off, and said, "Know what else I was thinking about tonight?" Katniss shook her head slowly from side to side. "I was thinking, if you weren't already my wife, I'd ask you to marry me tonight. There's something special in the air, don't you think?"

The surge of love that shot through Katniss had her weaving her fingers through his hair, pressing her lips up to his ear and whispering, "I'd say yes. I'd marry you all over again if I could."

Peeta slid his fingers underneath the lace robe and slipped it off of her shoulders, letting it fall to their feet. "I love you, Katniss."

"I love you back."

He lifted her up, placing her in the center of their bed on her knees. "Let's do it." He knelt in front of her, his eyes drifting upwards in thought. "Hmmm...I say...our twentieth...no. Twenty-fifth wedding anniversary, we can have a big blow out. Renew our wedding vows."

She loved it when he did this. Created a world of make believe where anything was possible. It wasn't something she could do with anyone else, in fact she'd probably think it was stupid, like the time Gale suggested that no one watch the Games. What good did pretending do? But when Peeta did it with her, he had a way of making her believe that their dreams of another life actually could come true. "I could wear an actual wedding dress."

"I'll wear a suit."

"Your dad could make our cake," Katniss rested her arms on his shoulders. "Chocolate."

Peeta placed his hands on her waist. "I'll decorate it. I'm much better at it than he is. No roses."

"Haymitch can finally walk me down the aisle. If he's sober."

"Effie can baby the hell out of me," Peeta's smile lit up the room.

"She already does that." Katniss brushed her nose against his. "She could keep Haymitch sober until after the vows."

"If she hasn't strangled him by then." They both chuckled. "Prim could be a one of those girls that stands up with the bride and hands her a big bunch of flowers."

"What are those girls called again?" Katniss asked.

Peeta shrugged, "No clue, but we'll be calling her Dr. Everdeen by then. Mark my words Katniss, your sister is going to be the first person to make it out of the Seam and into medical school. Dr. Primrose Everdeen. Gosh that would make me so proud."

"Me too," Katniss smiled at him. Life felt impossibly good in the arms of Peeta Mellark. "Sounds like all of our dreams are coming true."

"Sort of," Peeta tilted his head to the side and leaned in, "There's still a dream of mine I haven't fulfilled yet."

"What's that?" Katniss leaned closer to him and felt his lips brush against hers.

"To see what happens when I pull this thing." Peeta's fingers reached for the bow at the front of her dress and tugged. The garment slipped off her of shoulders, staying up since her arms were still wrapped around his neck.

"Who am I to stand in the way of a man's dreams?" Katniss leaned in and placed a hungry kiss on his lips, and dropped her arms to the sides.

Peeta pulled back and looked into her eyes, "That's two dreams you made come true tonight, Mrs. Mellark."

As she slipped her arms around his waist she whispered against his lips, "What do you say we go for three?"

Sounds of Peeta's father and her mother talking roused her from her memories of Peeta and District Twelve. "Pops? Mom?" Her voice barely above a whisper. Her head trying to place where she was and what had happened. "What..." and then it hit her. She had gone into Eight and wound up smack in the middle of the war. Without thinking she asked, fear filling her voice, "Banana nut? Where's Dr. Valero?" Katniss sat up in a panic. Hearing her mother and father in law confess that they were aware she was still pregnant, being lectured like she was five years old by both parents, and her own enormous amount of guilt had Katniss pouring out her apologies. Her mother's anger was controlled, but Katniss knew the woman was more than upset. Not only with her, but with the rebel's lack of action. She was shocked when her mother left the room. Not because she walked out, but the reason why took Katniss by complete surprise. It was the first time since her father had died she saw the woman she always wished her mother would be. There was a sense of strength, a 'don't mess with my family,' attitude that left Katniss almost feeling sorry for anyone that got in her mother's path. With her hormones going wild, Katniss could feel uncontrollable tears streaming down her cheeks, and when her father in law broke down and cried, it did nothing to help. Katniss cried with him, mourned with the man, and found herself loving him even more than she could ever have imagined. They talked with one another, attempting to sooth their weary souls when something Bing said brought her to a realization. She had a father again, and it felt good to be loved and protected in that way. "...you became my father the day I took your son's name."

The smile on Bing's face, turned to worry. "Katniss, what can we do to make sure you don't have to go into the war zones anymore?"

"Oh, pops," she sighed and rested back against the pillow, "the only thing I can think of is give Coin her Jabberjay, but then we're risking Peeta's life." Katniss hated the way Peeta always put her first. He never stopped to think about himself, and now that there was a baby in the mix, she knew there would be no stopping him from going out into the combat zone and fighting to keep their child out of the arena. It was her least favorite and favorite quality about Peeta. The tears were suddenly back with a vengeance. "I wish he and I could go back in time. I'd have never pulled those berries out of my pocket and shown them to him. I would've just eaten them and let him win the Games."

"If that were possible, I'd go back and kick Myrna to the curb." Bing said quietly before adding, "I should be ashamed of myself speaking ill of my late wife. I'm not proud of thinking that way, but..." he cleared his throat, "...Katniss, no matter how hard I try, I just can't mourn her death. She never loved Peeta. She never..."

"She did, pops," Katniss found herself telling him about the morning she was outside of the bakery and overheard Peeta's mom say the words her son was so desperate to hear. "She waited until you were both gone, but she said it. She said, 'I love you, Peeta.' She may not have been strong enough to say it out loud in front of the rest of you, but somewhere inside, she loved him." Bing rested his head on the edge of her bed and clamped her hands between his. He stood that way for several minutes, complete silence filled the room then his body began to quake as he sobbed. Katniss stroked the back of his head, a child comforting a parent during their time of need, something she had told herself to do with her mother, but never found the courage to act upon. She had changed so much since letting Peeta into her life. Grown up, and in that one day she went from an impetuous child to responsible woman. Not just Peeta's wife, but also a mother. She listened as her father in law cried about his late wife and children, then decided it was time to start facing things head on. Time to start the healing process. "Pops? Can you find Dr. Valero for me?" She asked when his tears finally subsided. Most importantly, she knew it was time to stop living a lie.

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"What do you mean she was there?!" Snow's rage was quickly boiling over as he yelled at the roomful of Capitol officials. "We had bombers in Eight and you're telling me they were taken down by that girl's arrow?!"

Effie sat to Snow's side trying her best to keep her excitement from showing. Katniss had not only survived a surprise attack against District Eight, but she took down several of the hoverplanes that were sent in. "I find it difficult to believe an arrow could cause so much damage," Effie pursed her lips trying her best to show support for her president.

Snow's puffy lips looked like they were about to explode, "Even an escort can see how unlikely that is. So please..." He looked around the room, "...explain to me how it happened."

"They weren't regular arrows, sir," one of the officials said. "One of the pilots that survived said the arrows they were shooting at them with had explosives built in."

"Where is our patient Miss. Trinket?" Snow practically growled.

"He is amongst his fellow prisoners." Effie hated bringing Peeta back to the cells that held his friends. She hated telling him he had to find out about the rebellion even more.

"Why do I have to go to jail?" Peeta followed Effie and her security guard towards the elevator. "Have I done something wrong?"

"No," Effie turned to him. "Not at all darling. President Snow knows you have developed a relationship with them and would like you to resume your position as a..." she paused briefly, "...a spy." From the look Mr. Tanner gave her she knew she had to pull herself together. "Simply try and find out about the rebellion and he'll release you."

"So I'm a spy?" Peeta stopped walking. "That doesn't sound right. I don't think I'd do that." He ran a hand through his hair. "Wow, this concussion must have really screwed up my head."

Effie couldn't speak anymore lies. She waited patiently until they were in the elevator that Mr. Tanner assured her was still safe to talk in, then filled Peeta in as much as she could. "Peeta," she spoke hurriedly, "You are not a spy and you are not a resident of the Capitol."

"But I..."

"Listen to me," she interrupted him. "I am not your mother, nor have I taken you in. President Snow wants you to believe these thing so you will be loyal to me...to the Capitol. He wants you to hate Katniss."

"Why should I hate her? I barely know her."

Effie gasped and said, "No darling, you do know her. You were not playing a part in the arena, you are in love with her and she with you."

Peeta shook his head, "No. I'd remember that...wouldn't I?"

"They're drugging you Peeta," Effie had her hands on his arms. "You must play along. Do not let them know I have told you these things or they will kill us for certain."

He glared towards the Peacekeeper. "What about this guy? You think he's going to keep this a secret?"

"Can't hear a thing you two are saying," Mr. Tanner said as he watched the lights on the elevator carefully. "If I can't hear you, then I can't tell anyone."

"He's willing to protect us, Peeta, but you must not give any information to Snow or anyone else here about the rebellion." Effie warned him. "You cannot trust them."

"What about you? Can I trust you?"

"You can," Effie assured him. "Most of all, you can trust Katniss. She is the one you must put your faith in."

"Stop talking Miss. Trinket." Mr. Tanner took Peeta's arm. "I'll take you to your cell. You need to resist me, okay?"

Peeta couldn't answer due to the elevator doors opening. "I shall have Mr. Tanner retrieve you when I am ready for you," Effie said curtly. She could see the questionable look on Peeta's face when the mood in the elevator switched at the drop of a hat, and prayed for his safety. 'I will be back, and I will get you out of here if it's the last thing I do,' she swore to herself.

"Any word on the prisoners?" Snow asked an official.

"As of right now, they're all concentrating on trying to get the boy to remember who Katniss Everdeen is," the official answered. "Of course, they're not having much luck with that."

"At least something is working in our favor," Snow let out a sniff of air. "Do we have my hovercraft ready for Miss. Trinket's visit to Twelve?"

"We're preparing it now, sir. The cloaking and anti radar devices are being tested. We should be ready to send them within the next forty-eight hours."

Snow faced Effie, "Will you be ready by then?"

"Absolutely," Effie answered. She was ready now. "Is there a specific time I should plan on leaving?" Getting as much information as she could about her trip would be crucial before letting Haymitch know what she had planned.

"We have decided to keep that information to ourselves for the time being," Snow answered. "We wouldn't want the rebels finding out about your visit and attempting to rescue their Jabberjay."

"Of course, sir," Effie nodded.

"The attack on District Eight," Snow faced the official in charge of his armies. "Other than the loss of a few planes and that...girl," he spit out, "I would say it was somewhat of a success. We have gotten rid of a huge drain on Capitol resources. How are we doing with supplies from District Three? Have we been able to..."

"Mr. President," a voice came through the loud speaker. "Sorry for the disruption sir, but we just got word that the rebels are airing some form of propaganda across the districts."

"Well, put it on my television screen," he ordered.

"We can't do that, sir. They're not airing it in the Capitol. It appears to be directed at the districts."

"Then tap into District Two's networking system and air it for me," Snow gripped the table's edge.

"We're working on it, sir, but we thought we should inform you of the spot being aired."

Snow threw a glare towards his Broadcast Defense official. "Why are you still sitting here? Did you not hear them say our nation's network is currently being compromised?! Find out how they are continually getting access to this nation's networks!"

"Yes, sir," the man stood up. "I'll do what I can to knock it off the airwaves."

"Does anyone else want to inform me about their obnoxious blunders?!" Snow scanned the group of people around the table with piercing eyes. "No? Good. Medical, where are we with our investigation on the lab's mix up with the tracker jacker labels?"

"There is no way of tracing it back to the source. It was simply an unfortunate accident."

"Accident?" Snow turned to Effie, "Do you believe in accidents Miss. Trinket?"

Every answer she gave seemed to be like a test. "I suppose that depends on the circumstances, sir." She answered carefully.

"In this case we had one of the rebellion's leaders in our prison. We were prepared to use him to our benefit, and there was a mysterious mix up in the lab." Snow leaned closer to Effie, "Does that sound like an accident to you?"

"No," Effie answered honestly.

"So who has access to that room we keep the venom stored in?" Snow asked.

There was silence until one official said, "I...I suppose any one of us could gain access to it, sir."

"Any one of you? What about medical personnel? How many of them can gain entry?"

"We're working on that now, sir," Medical answered. "There are only a handful of medical staff that have clearance to enter that room. They must have a level one authorization to unlock the door."

"In other words, anyone that steals a level one authorization code could have been able to switch those labels?" Snow slammed his hand on the table. "Anyone!" Effie took in the startled expressions of the Capitol officials. "Find out who was there, and do it quickly!"

"Yes, sir," Several officials answered and typed into a computerized pad.

"Now," Snow wiped at his lips with a handkerchief and sniffed at his rose. Effie wanted to pull the flower off of his lapel and shove it down his throat when she saw the effect it had on Snow. She was now certain there was some form of drug in it that helped to ease his temper. "Where are we with getting supplies out of District Three?"

The silence in the room was all the answer Effie needed. No one could gain access to the explosives District Three supplied to the Capitol. She could see the president's reaction to his quiet staff, and reveled in it. The Capitol was losing its hold on the districts.

"We've got it, sir," a voice cracked through the room. "We've got access to the propaganda spot the rebels are airing."

They all turned their heads towards the television screen, and listened as the rebel's Mockingjay sang. 'That's my darling little bird,' Effie thought to herself. 'Setting this nation on fire.'

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Bing paced back and forth in the hallway of the medical bay waiting patiently for news from Evelyn. It seemed to be taking forever for the doctors to work on the team that went into Eight. He stuck his hands in his pockets in a pathetic attempt to keep the shaking to a minimum. When Katniss was rushed into the medical bay she was out cold, covered in vomit with a makeshift bandage wrapped around her calf. Rage, an emotion he didn't pride himself on caving into, exploded the minute Bing saw Haymitch Abernathy. He pushed Haymitch into a wall, holding him there by his shoulders. "What the hell happened out there?! Why didn't you tell us she was going?! She's not your child! You're not her father! You're her mentor!"

"I know. I know," Haymitch's face looked drained of blood. "I shouldn't have let her leave here. Don't know what the hell I was thinking."

"YOU WEREN'T!" Bing screamed in his face, his voice reverberated off of the walls. Haymitch's sorrow filled eyes reached his, and Bing instantly lowered his voice. He couldn't let his anger get the best of him. "That's the problem here, no one seems to be thinking of my daughter. Of my son." Bing's voice caught in his throat, "Of my grandchild." Haymitch's expression filled with shock and panic. "You think we don't know?" Bing said quietly. "Her mother has been a healer since birth, not an idiot. Katniss wouldn't continue to show signs if she had lost the baby. I'm not going to question why she's keeping it from us, though I can assume this Mockingjay thing is one of the reasons why, but I will question you...your motivations."

Haymitch cleared his throat. "She didn't tell you?"

"No, but I know she told you. There's no way on earth she'd go out there without someone knowing...without having someone she thought she could trust on her side." Bing dropped his hands and let his back rest against the wall next to Haymitch. His whole body deflated like a punctured balloon. "Why did you let her go out there?" The shakes were starting again.

"What did you expect would happen when she agreed to be the Mockingjay? You think she was just going to film a couple of spots here in the safety of Thirteen and hope the rebels followed her into battle when she's not willing to go herself?" Haymitch let out a burst of air. "Son of a bitch," he pounded his fist against the wall. "I ordered her to leave...told her to get the hell out of there, but she..."

There was dead silence as a member of the medical personnel rushed from one room to another. "No one could ever tell Peeta's girl what to do," Bing sighed.

"No one, but Peeta," Haymitch agreed. "We've got to get him back, and now."

"When are you going?" It had been on Bing's mind for too damn long, but no one told him a thing.

"The plan is to air Katniss' propos, give the Capitol a distraction, and get in there." Haymitch jaw tensed. "Supposed to happen tomorrow, but once Coin finds out about Katniss disobeying direct orders to return to the hovercraft... I don't know what she'll be willing to do."

Bing gave his head a nod. "Know anyone that can fly one of those hovercrafts?"

"Yeah," Haymitch faced him, "Why?"

"In case we need to steal one and pick up my son and Effie." Bing might have said it in a lighthearted manor, but he meant every word.

"He's a lot like you, you know? The instinct to protect that girl...all his girls..." Haymitch sized up the baker. "Easy to see where your son got his passion. Used to think it was his mother that temper of his came from."

"Guess now you know why I never fought back." It wasn't the only reason Bing had tried to keep a cool head when his wife got verbally abusive with him, why he didn't fight harder for Peeta. There was another reason that he never spoke about to anyone. An incident that occurred between him and his wife when Peeta was a child. He pushed the painful thoughts out of his head as he had been doing since his wife had hurt Peeta so badly it resulted in the boy's foot being fractured.

"Bing?" The sound of Evelyn's voice echoed through the hall.

"How is she?" Bing and Haymitch asked in unison.

"She's sleeping. Dr. Valero has given her something for the pain. It's not much considering," Evelyn stepped close to the men and whispered, "considering her condition. She's exhausted, but the baby is fine. We've put the bracelet back on her to monitor its vitals."

"Can I see her?" Bing asked.

"She probably won't wake up for a little while, but I was planning on sitting with her. If you'd like to join me..." Evelyn lifted her eyes to Bing's. "I'd like it if you would wait with me."

"I'd be happy to." Bing turned towards Haymitch. "Find out what you can and let me know. I'll send for you when Katniss wakes." He and Evelyn each took a side of Katniss' bed waiting for her to wake. The room was so quiet Bing could hear the air blowing through the vents. "She's been asleep for hours. Shouldn't she wake up soon?"

"Someone on board the hovercraft gave her a shot of morphling," Evelyn squeezed her lips together. "They didn't know it would be dangerous for her so they gave it to her for pain."

Bing's heart ached. "Morphling can kill that baby."

"Dr. Valero gave her something to neutralize the effects of it. They'll both be fine." Evelyn stood up and grabbed a tissue out of a dispenser then wiped her nose. "I am so angry right now," she said it in such a soft quiet tone, Bing almost laughed. "Why do my daughters seem to think they should handle me with care as if I'm as fragile as a piece of china?"

"Because they're afraid of losing you again," Bing answered her honestly. "When you lost Clay you had a hard time keeping it together."

"No," her head snapped around. "I lost it completely. Much like my daughter did when she got back to Twelve after her first Games...when she got here. Yet no one treats her like the child." Evelyn took a few deep breaths to calm herself and asked, "Am I a terrible person?"

"No," Bing's head shot up to face her. "Why would you ask such a thing?"

"My children almost starved to death because I wasn't strong enough to handle the death of their father. Prim...Katniss, they tried to help me, and I refused to let them. What kind of mother does that?" She turned to face Katniss. "No wonder she doesn't trust me."

Bing was silent for a minute then said, "Not everyone handles grief very well." He should know. "Tell me, do you think I'm a terrible person?"

"Of course not," Evelyn said with surprise in her voice. "Why would you ask such a thing?"

Bing studied his daughter in law, lifted her hand in his and said, "I haven't faced my grief at all. It's there. I miss my sons, but all I can think about is how grateful I am that none of them have to suffer at the hands of my wife anymore." He faced Evelyn. "I keep waiting for the tears, but they don't come. Resentment...regret...that's what I'm filled with. Why didn't I take my kids and leave her? Why didn't I kick her out of the house? Why did I let her treat me the way she did?" His voice cracked, "Why did I let her hit Peeta?"

Evelyn reached over the bed and covered his and Katniss' hands with her own. "You did the best you could."

"My best wasn't good enough."

"Pops? Mom?" Katniss' voice spoke softly. "What..." Her sleepy eyes grew wide as her hand flew to her stomach, "Banana nut? Where's Dr. Valero?" Katniss sat up in a panic.

"Shh," Evelyn stood up and ran a hand over her daughter's hair. "The baby is fine." She kissed her daughter's temple.

Katniss slumped back in bed. "How long have you known?"

"It doesn't matter," Evelyn continued to stroke her daughter's head. "All that matters is that the two of you are all right."

"I'm sorry," Katniss closed her eyes. "I'm so sorry I didn't tell you."

Bing saw the tension in Evelyn's jaw and said, "No one tells your mother anything. Seems I know a girl that had that same complaint, yet she doesn't think twice about keeping the people she loves...that love her, in the dark about the most important things in her life."

Evelyn's lips tightened as she said, "No one even told me you were leaving Thirteen."

Katniss' head turned from Bing to Evelyn. "I'm sorry. I'll make sure to ask your permission next time," she said with as much sincerity as she could muster up. There wasn't a lot.

Evelyn's words came out harsher than she desired, "You haven't asked me for permission to do anything since you were a child. I suppose that's my fault. I was the one that allowed you to take your father's place as head of the family, and I can't change that."

"Mom?" Katniss squeezed her hand. "I didn't think. I...I just..."

"You didn't think is right," Bing said. "I know I'm not your father, but that doesn't mean I don't love you like you're my own. I swore to my son that I'd watch out for you, and I know for a fact that he's expecting me to take care of my grandchild, but I can't do that if you don't tell us what's happening in your life, Katniss." It had been a long time since he lectured a child. "You're a married woman, and that's all fine and good, but you're still our daughter," he looked to Evelyn who gave him a nod of approval.

"As far as next time," Evelyn followed up Bing with a lecture of her own, "I'm a bit disappointed to hear that there will be one."

Katniss sucked in a breath. "If I don't do what they want...be the Mockingjay, then... Christ I hate these damn hormones!" Tears began to drip down the side of her face. "Is banana nut really all right? Please tell me I didn't hurt the baby by fighting today."

"You didn't hurt the baby, but you can't continue to keep this a secret if you want it to live," Evelyn's tone was filled with concern. "It's time you tell the truth, Katniss. Regina and I discussed it and we both agree it's time to come clean with President Coin."

Katniss nodded her head slowly. "Yeah, I know, but I'll still have to keep up my end of the deal, mom. Until Peeta gets back, I'm the face of this rebellion."

"Then I say it's time he came back," Evelyn stood up and headed out of the room.

"Where are you going?" Katniss asked.

"To find Justus. I want to know what the heck is going on with the mission to rescue my son." Evelyn turned to Katniss, "Get some rest. I'll be back soon."

Bing lifted the corner of his mouth in a grin that bore a striking resemblance to his son's at Katniss' dropped jaw. "Ever wonder where you got your strength from?" He lifted his chin towards Evelyn's exit. "Your mother is one of the strongest women I know."

"I haven't been a very good daughter to her," Katniss paused then said softly, "to you either."

His whole body began to shake as he stared at Katniss. The little girl he pointed out to Peeta on his son's first day of school was staring straight at him. "Never imagined you would be my daughter. That day I told Peeta about you, I wished you were mine. Wished that I had married your mother...fantasized about taking both you and Peeta to your first day of school." Bing swallowed the lump in his throat. "I took three boys to that school on their first day, and now none of them are here with me." He lifted his sorrow filled gaze to hers. "You're all I've got left Katniss."

"Pops," Katniss sat up and hugged him. "Peeta's alive. I'm going to bring him back home."

Bing began to choke up, "I thought you were going to die too. I thought..." His tears began to fall. The ones he had been waiting for since the destruction of Twelve, since his boys were taken from him. "I can't lose you too, Katniss. I don't think I'd be able to take it if you died." The sound of Katniss' tears joined his as they held onto each other. "I miss them so much."

"I know you do," Katniss gripped onto the back of his shirt. "I do too. I miss Peeta with all my heart. Prim and I have talked and we don't know how you've been staying so strong."

"Promised Peeta I would be," Bing sniffed. "I can't go back on that promise." He released Katniss and walked to the box of tissue, handing a few to Katniss then taking a couple for himself. "Don't tell anyone I was crying like a baby in here," he let out a sad chuckle.

"Your secret's safe with me," Katniss blew her nose. "Think mom's going to tear Coin a new one?"

"Watch your mouth," Bing sat back down.

Katniss shrugged, "Figure I have to get all that out of my system before this kid comes."

"Katniss, do me a favor, will you?"

"Sure, pops."

"Don't lie to your mother anymore. You want to keep things from me," he wiped at his nose, "I can understand that. I'm not your father, but she deserves to know the truth."

Katniss patted his knee. "You both do, and you're wrong...you became my father the day I took your son's name."

It did his heart good knowing that she felt that way about him. Now all Bing had to do was make sure both Presidents didn't kill anymore of his children. He and Katniss spoke quietly together about Peeta...his late wife, Myrna and her lack of love for her child, but it wasn't until Katniss told him about his wife saying she loved Peeta, that Bing was finally able to let the death of his family hit home. The tears that poured out of him were for all of his children. His sons that lived in fear of a woman who was supposed to protect them. The son that took the brunt of his mother's violent outbursts yet grew into the kind of man Bing wished he could be, and the woman he thought he no longer loved.

She hadn't always been that way. Myrna Mellark was once a happy, loving woman, and though Bing grew to love her, he was never in love with her. His heart always belonged to Evelyn. Over the years his wife came to realize his lack of emotion towards her, saw him stare at Clay and Evelyn Everdeen as they walked through the Town Square of District Twelve with envy in his eyes. He could recall his wife suggesting they have a child, maybe that would help their marriage, but it didn't. Bing had felt horrible for not loving his wife the way he should have. He struggled to find ways of making it up to her, but short of professing his undying love for her, he failed horribly. One day as he was putting dinner on the table he noticed that she was smiling at their infant son, Whytte. "Myrna?" Bing called to her, "What do you say we have another baby?" Their second son, Miche was born a little over a year later, the product of Bing's guilty conscience. The moment Bing held his second son in his hands he knew he had made a mistake by suggesting they have another child. It wasn't that he didn't love Miche, it was simply because Bing realized that he had been trying to provide his wife with some form of love. The love of a child, though wonderful, was no substitute for that of a husband. He doted on his boys, grew close to them, as he and his wife drifted apart. His first two children had been planned. Peeta, on the other hand, had been an accident. Bing remembered when it occurred. He and his wife hadn't been intimate with one another since their second child was born, and he was fine with that, but the afternoon he saw Evelyn walking through town on her way to meet her husband from work, Bing felt his heart break. It was his and Myrna's wedding anniversary, and that night when his wife came to him, he hadn't meant to say "I love you, Evelyn," but he did. Neither one of them spoke of it, and two months later Myrna threw a loaf pan at his head saying that he had infected her with his seed, and she wanted to get rid of the baby. There was no medical reason for her to abort their third child so Myrna had no choice but to go through with the pregnancy or break the law. Myrna barely held Peeta as an infant, and when he was old enough to walk, she gave him his first spanking for getting in her way while she was walking through the back of the bakery. Peeta was just over a year old, and Bing was furious. He comforted his crying son, "Mommy didn't mean it, Peeta. She's just in a bad mood today," but Peeta was too young to understand. At the age of three, Bing left to make a delivery and came home to find Peeta with a large bump on his head. Myrna had said he walked into the metal prep table, but Peeta couldn't' stop crying and cowered whenever Myrna walked by him. While his two oldest boys were disciplined with harsh scoldings, Peeta's spankings continued. Bing had considered leaving his wife several times, but he blamed himself for her hatred of the life and loveless marriage she was stuck in and stayed out of obligation. The day she hit Peeta causing him to fall down some stairs had been more than any decent father would put up with. He took his son to the doctor and found out about the hairline fracture his wife had caused. Bing made an excuse, never blaming his wife when the doctor asked what caused it, took Peeta home and tucked him into bed, giving his son a good dose of sleep syrup to keep him in bed and help relieve the pain. The bakery had been absent of costumers, their older boys were at school and Myrna had started to complain about all the work she was left with because Bing had to spend his morning by caring for that "waste of a child she had to spew out." Bing didn't know where the fury came from, but he pushed Myrna up against the wall and held his arm to her throat, pressing down on her windpipe and watched as her face turned red, her hands struggled at his thick, burly arm, which easily held her in place, and her eyes filled with fear. When her eyes started to roll back in her head, Bing ripped himself away from Myrna. He was going to kill the woman and it didn't bother him a bit. 'You're no better than her,' his head rang out in thought. 'Hurting someone weaker than you out of anger.' Bing took a cleansing breath and said in a low voice, "Don't touch him again." He spent the rest of the day and night sitting by Peeta's bed, comforting his son when he woke in the middle of the night crying because he had a nightmare about mommy pushing him off the roof of their bakery. Myrna had kept her distance from Peeta for a while after that incident, Bing taking the brunt of her verbal abuse, allowing his wife to take her perpetual bad mood out on him. Never fighting back for fear of losing his temper again. After awhile he began to believe the things his wife called him...said to him, and he found himself unworthy of being a husband and a father. He no longer thought of Evelyn or watched for her. He didn't deserve her. He was certain now that he was never worthy of her love. Of anyone's love. When Peeta's abuse started back up Bing tried to defend him by reasoning with Myrna, but he found himself filled with cowardice. Afraid of the retribution she'd enact if he did something to her. Afraid of not being able to control himself and taking her life...being put to death for killing her and having all three of his sons in District Twelve's orphanage living a life so much worse than what they were already a part of. There were times in his marriage when the woman he married would show up, and the Mellarks were a normal, happy family, but the words "I love you" were never spoken to Bing or to Peeta for that matter. Those words hadn't been spoken since the birth of Miche.

Now Bing found himself crying for the woman he had no longer loved. For the person he turned her into. For the man he had become. "I'm so ashamed, Katniss. It was my fault she hurt Peeta. Mine."

"No, pops, it wasn't. She had a choice. We all do." Katniss rubbed the back of his head. "She was his mother, and it didn't matter whether or not you two had problems, that's no reason for her to take it out on Peeta." Bing sniffed into her blanket and continued crying until he finally felt purged.

"Can you get Dr. Valero for me?" Katniss asked him.

"Yeah, sure thing." He pushed a button on a tiny remote attached to Katniss' bed and wiped his nose at the same time. "My daughter would like to see her doctor, please," Bing said when a strange voice asked what he needed.

"You'll need to find mom and Prim too," Katniss wiped away Bing's tears. "Go blow your nose and hurry back. I need to show you something."

"Want me to get Haymitch too?" He asked.

Katniss gave it some thought and said, "Yeah. This is something for the whole family."

"What about Gale?"

Katniss shook her head, "No. Just the immediate family."

Bing entered the hospital room with Haymitch by his side to see Katniss' bed surrounded by Evelyn, Prim, Dr. Valero and her husband. "We all here?" Bing asked.

"Yeah," Katniss looked almost eager. "Justus, would you mind?" He gave his head a nod, and left them with his wife, shutting off the light on his way out. "He's going to stand guard while we do this." Katniss turned her eyes towards her doctor. "Go ahead Regina."

"Okay," she smiled and placed something over Katniss' abdomen. "Here you go."

A large image was projected into the air. Bing stared at it, listened to the sounds that was coming from the tiny machine that was placed over Katniss' belly. "Is that..."

"I really wanted Peeta to be the first one to see it, but I think we all needed this today," Katniss looked around at her family's smiling faces. "This is banana nut. Banana nut, these are your grandparents and your aunts."

"Aunts?" Prim asked.

"Mmm hmm," Katniss nodded. "Aunt Prim and Aunt Regina. If it wasn't for Regina and Justus' quick thinking this baby wouldn't' be here right now, so I think that gives them the honor of being an aunt and uncle. Your uncle Justus is watching over our room right now so no one comes walking in, but don't worry, we'll do a formal introduction later," Katniss spoke as though talking to the baby. "Show them the heart, Regina."

Dr. Valero's face had a huge smile on it when she circled the white pumping blob on the screen. "This is it and that noise you hear is the baby's heartbeat."

Katniss told them about the night she and Peeta picked out the names and why they were chosen. "Pops, if you hadn't told Peeta about my dad's voice that first day of school, who knows if he would've noticed me," she smiled. "And Haymitch...mom..." Katniss flashed her eyes to her mockingjay pin that was sitting on the table next to Peeta's locket, "...Peeta and I both believe that Maysilee kept us safe during our Games. So...what do you guys think?"

The whole room was silent, Prim's face beamed like the stars in the night sky, Evelyn was holding in her tears. Haymitch looked like he swallowed a frog, and Regina was thrilled to be considered an aunt. "Welcome to the family banana nut," Bing said, his words and face full of pride and love.

"We can't change what we did in the past," Katniss said and patted her father in law's hand, "or bring back the people we've lost, but we can be grateful for all of them. Without our past, this baby would never be here."

"I'm gonna be a grampa," Haymitch said with an almost giddy tone in his voice.

"Yup," Bing shook his hand. "We both are." He faced Katniss who was staring at him and mouthed the words, "Thank you." In that moment, Bing finally felt worthy of being loved again.

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Haymitch was on a mission when he sought out Boggs being treated in the medical bay. Katniss had been in the arena, one of the deadliest places to ever exist, yet Haymitch worried more when she was fighting against the Capitol's bombers. Though Haymitch was always concerned for his kid's safety, today's attack scared him like none other. Katniss had faced danger before, but she always had Peeta close by determined to protect her. Regardless of who had been in Eight with Katniss, Haymitch didn't trust any of them as much as he trusted Peeta. His heavy footfalls stomped down the corridor of the medical bay stopping when he caught a glimpse of President Coin's right hand man. "Boggs," he greeted the man then dismissed the medical personnel standing in his room. "You guys done here? Can we have a minute?"

Boggs' glared at Haymitch through a flesh toned mask, holding his broken nose in place and spoke. "What do you want Abernathy?"

When the last of the medical team exited the room Haymitch asked, "You plan on ratting Katniss and Gale out to Coin?"

"About them ignoring a direct order from their superiors...endangering all of our lives...putting the only figurehead this rebellion has in the line of fire..."

The way the man said it, Haymitch wanted to report Katniss himself. "Okay. Okay," he held up his hand to stop the man's ramblings. "So the girl has a few issues when it comes to authority. Who doesn't?" Haymitch knew he did. "But she was only doing what we wanted her to do...show her courage to the world."

"And putting lives at risk in the process," Boggs' tone was controlled yet frustrated.

"She thought she was saving lives, and who knows, maybe she did. She did take out a few of those hoverplanes." Haymitch didn't beat around the bush. "You telling Coin or what?"

Boggs' hand lifted to the mask on his face then said, "The way I see it, there's nothing to tell. Katniss acted like the Mockingjay out there today. As you said, she did what we asked of her." Haymitch's lip quirked at the man's answer. "How is she doing? I asked one of the doctors here to check her medical records. Sure enough there was a warning on there in regards to her allergies. The girl's got a list of them." Boggs made a little grunt. "That morphling I gave her didn't harm her, did it?"

"Nah," Haymitch could have sworn Coin's commander was genuinely concerned for Katniss. "That doctor of hers was able to give her something to counteract it. She'll be fine. Got a bad gash in her leg, but they fixed that right up."

"Good." Boggs' grabbed his soiled vest off of the hospital table and stood to leave. "I'm going to say hello to my wife and kids. You should probably make sure those Capitol people don't let their mouths run wild."

Haymitch gave the man a nod, thinking, 'What do you know sweetheart. I think you've got a fan in that man.' Catching up with Plutarch and his crew, making sure they didn't mention Katniss' direct violation of orders was next on his list, but it seemed Plutarch was one step ahead of him.

"Haymitch," the man called to him, meeting him en route. "We must figure out a way of keeping Katniss' actions today to ourselves. There's really no reason why we should let everyone know of her blatant disregard for her superior's orders, is there?" He asked innocently. "It really made for wonderful television."

"Keep your people quiet and I'll worry about everyone else," Haymitch felt a burden lifted off of his shoulders knowing everyone was on the same page. Now all he had to do was stop being pissed off at Katniss. 'Good luck with that,' he thought to himself as he headed towards her hospital room at the request of Peeta's father.

Haymitch had given up on life after his Games. He had lost everyone he loved, been taken to the Capitol at the age of sixteen and introduced to wine. No one thought anything of giving him the alcoholic beverage, he was after all, a victor, but the young boy found he enjoyed the way the alcohol made him feel. It helped him to sleep at night and battle the memories of the arena and loss of his loved ones. As the years progressed so did his taste for booze. His attempt at curbing his cravings for it during the Games gradually decreased. Soon he found himself searching out the substance when the Games weren't in play. Finding a supply of alcohol in Twelve was his good fortune, or so he thought, and then one day Effie Trinket walked into his life and made him question all of his choices. Over the years he and Effie verbally battled one another about the way Haymitch lived, yet the woman never faltered when it came to Haymitch...anything really. He may have despised the Capitol busy body, but he respected her. Caring for her hadn't been in the plans for his life, not that he had one, but neither did being a victor, so Haymitch tried to take his feelings for Effie with a little bit of patience and a lot of whiskey. He hadn't been in love with her when he realized he actually cared about the broad's well-being, but Haymitch knew, no matter how hard he tried to keep people at a distance, once a year, every year, Effie Trinket would show up in her funky Capitol attire and he'd have a friend to face the Games with. She may not have thought of him that way for quite some time, but Haymitch knew the woman actually gave a damn about him. Really, she was about the only person other than Chaff that actually cared. Then Katniss and Peeta entered his life. Two completely different people from completely different areas of Twelve. They should have been natural born enemies, but like Haymtich and Masilee they broke the rules society had set for them and fell in love with each other, both of them in the same position he had been in during his Quell, and again Haymitch's life turned upside down. He told himself he didn't give one shit about the pair of kids from Twelve, but he did. He loved them. It was a lot harder for him to accept that over Trinkie simply because he had years to grow accustomed to the escort. Katniss and Peeta on the other hand swept into his life like one of those toxic tornadoes they faced in the Games and left a lasting impression. He told himself he only gave a shit because they won the Games on their own terms and not the Capitol's...they were an important part of the rebellion he had joined many years before. Yeah...he lied. As Haymitch stood around Katniss' hospital bed with the rest of her family, staring up at a distorted blob she and Peeta affectionately called, banana nut, he came to the realization that he was part of a family again. It took Effie Trinket over a decade to help Haymitch see he was worthy of more than the life he chose for himself, and Katniss and Peeta a few days to show him how good it felt to put someone else first. Their selflessness inspired not only a nation, but a drunk. "I'm gonna be a grampa," he hadn't realized how giddy the words sounded when they came out of his mouth or the way he'd feel when he heard that blob's beating heart, but the anger Haymitch felt when he walked into Katniss' hospital room faded into concern. He went back into her room after meeting up with Plutarch to see Peeta's Jabberjay propos and waited quietly by her beside, snacking on some of the lunch they had brought in for her because he hadn't eaten all day.

"Hey," Katniss looked up at him.

"Hey," Haymitch glared at her, and dumped her earpiece on the blanket in front of her. "Maybe you're not sure how one of these works, so let me explain it to you. You shove this thing in your ear, I talk, you listen. If you have a problem with that, we'll try this one," he dumped a metal device next to the wired earpiece. "This gets fitted around your head and locked into place," he dangled the key in front of her face, "and I'm the only one with a key."

"Okay," Katniss scowled at him.

"Oh, but wait," he opened the palm of his hand and showed Katniss his final threat. "In case that doesn't work, this one gets surgically implanted and then you get to listen to my sweet and charming voice twenty-four hours a day." His left eye twitched. "Got it now?"

"Yeah," Katniss spat at him. "Got it. I screwed up."

"You're damn right you did."

"Fine!"

"No, not fine!" Haymitch held his finger under her nose, "None of what you did today was fine! None of what you're doing is fine! Lying to everyone, keeping secrets from me...what else have you been keeping secret, Katniss?!"

"Nothing," she harrumphed crossing her arms over her chest. "My whole life's an open book, okay. And don't worry. I'm planning on telling Coin about the baby. I can't keep this crap up."

Haymitch was surprised to hear her say that considering the girl could be as hard headed as a mule. "Want my opinion?"

Katniss let out a huff of air, rolled her eyes at him and said, "Even if I said no, you'd give it to me."

"That's very true," Haymitch sat back in his chair. "Don't say a thing to Coin yet. Let me figure out how to play this. She's gonna be pissed as hell when she finds out and she can't take it out on you since you're in front of a camera and all, but she can take it out on Justus and Regina. Let me think on this and once I figure out what to do we'll tell."

"I'm not sure how much longer I can keep this a secret Haymitch."

"A secret?" he let out a burst of laughter. "Sweetheart, you haven't kept it a secret. I'm surprised the kitchen staff hasn't figured it out considering you eat more than anyone else in the entire district."

"Shut up," Katniss said as she reached for her lunch.

"Your mom said to drink that cup of tea before you eat so you won't throw up your food." Haymitch pointed it out to her. "And I ate some of your lunch." He shrugged, "I was hungry and you've got enough there to feed all of Twelve."

"Considering no one lives there anymore, that's not saying much," Katniss glared at him. "I'm eating for two. Don't touch my food or I'll report you."

"Yeah, sure you will sweetheart." He wasn't sure if he should tell her what he found out about Peeta's rescue mission considering she had tears dripping down her cheeks and she didn't even know it, but then he remembered he swore on Effie's life not to keep anything from her. "So listen...as far as getting our people out of the Capitol...they're postponing it another day so they can fill the airwaves with airtime assaults."

"What?!" Katniss sat straight up. "No! They have to go get him."

"Listen sweetheart, I want them to go too, you know I do, but we have to be smart about this." He gave her a disapproving look, "Even though I'm not thrilled with what you did today, Plutarch's team thinks they should be able to come up with some really good footage for a spot. Between that and the one they've created for Peeta... trust me, Snow will have his army spread thin with all the fighting that'll be going on around the nation. We wait that extra day and we should be able to swoop in, pick up our people and get out while Snow wonders what the hell happened."

"Meanwhile Peeta could be beaten to death," Katniss let herself drop back against her pillow. "How do we know they won't keep postponing it?"

"This is the only time sweetheart. I swear it." He gathered the gear he dropped onto her bedding in his hands. "Your father in law, Justus and I are gonna swipe a hovercraft and go get them if they don't keep their word about this rescue."

Katniss let out a pathetic laugh. "Yeah, right."

Haymitch leaned over her bed and said, "That's exactly right. Even that Lavinia girl has volunteered to join the army here because she wants to help bring Peeta home...make Snow pay."

"She does?" Katniss' brows shot up.

"That's right." Haymitch pointed at Katniss, "That's you and Peeta sweetheart. That's the power you two have, and Coin wants that on her side. She'll keep her word."

"I hope so," Katniss began to eat her lunch. "Anything else?"

"Yeah," Haymitch turned to leave then looked back over his shoulder at her, "Quit singing in your sleep. It's annoying."

"I don't sing in my sleep," Katniss said with her mouth full of food. Haymitch began reciting a few words to her. "Okay...fine," she succumbed, "I sang in my sleep. Get out and let me eat in peace."

"Get some rest sweetheart. Tomorrow's another day." But it wasn't the next day when Haymitch saw Katniss again, it was later that afternoon when she was wheeled into the command center on her hospital bed to watch the finished propos of her visit to District Eight. Haymitch had to admit it was pretty inspirational considering it came from the girl. He was sure the boy would have added something more to it, but Katniss didn't suck. Then came the propos of her and Peeta and the whole room was silently glued to the television screen. There were sniffles and a lot of people clearing their throat, holding back the emotions the propos stirred up. Haymitch, himself, was moved as they watched their Jabberjay manipulating the people around him with his words, but it was Peeta's lack of words that would leave the nation stunned at his bravery, and how much he was willing to do for Katniss' sake. Haymitch had been upset to begin with when Plutarch's editing included Peeta's moving his mouth to Katniss, but in the context of the propos, it worked. The room exploded with applause after the airing, Plutarch and his film crew took their appropriate kudos, while Katniss stared at the television monitor where Peeta's image had just been, frozen in place, looking as though she were reliving each moment that was played out in front of her. Haymitch felt bad for the girl, but she was handling it like a pro. Talk began about other propos that would move the rebels who were fighting across the districts, and though Haymitch thought it was a good idea to do a spot called We Remember, that featured past tributes that died in the arena, he wanted nothing more than to forget. Remembering was too damn painful without a bottle.

"What was that girl's name you were allies with, Haymitch?" One of Plutarch's staff asked.

Haymitch didn't answer out loud. 'Maysee,' he thought to himself. 'Maysilee. The prettiest girl in District Twelve. The smartest too.' He gripped the edge of the chair in front of him and thought of Effie, 'The prettiest woman in the Capitol. Definitely the smartest person I've ever known.' He had no idea why these two women ever gave a shit about him. One he lost at the hands of the Capitol, the other was playing an even more dangerous game than the first. He waited until the majority of the group was gone, Boggs, Plutarch and his assistant, Gale, Beetee, Justus and Coin were all that was left in the room. Gale, Haymitch noticed was getting quite chummy with Coin, but blew it off. "Let's talk rescue. Time to nail down a plan and get our people out of there."

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She had too much time to think when she sat alone in a hospital room, so Katniss was nothing but grateful when Regina moved her into the same room as Finnick for the remainder of her stay. "Seriously? You still haven't put any pants on?" Katniss asked him as they wheeled her bed into the room.

"Katniss!" Finnick smiled, and leapt to his feet. "Why should I bother with pants when I know you want to admire these rock hard thighs?" His eyebrows moved up and down in a teasing manner.

Katniss couldn't help but laugh at the man. "I'm an ab girl," she chuckled, so put your pants on because it's doing nothing for me.

"That's why I miss Johanna," Finnick pulled on a pair of pajama bottoms. "She knew how to appreciate a man's ass."

"I know. She called Peeta cinnamon buns."

"You knew about that?" Finnick's face was full of surprise, and their conversation of their missing loved ones began. They didn't mope, but they did share funny tidbits of information about those still left in the Capitol. Finnick shared stories of Annie and Johanna, Katniss of Peeta and Effie.

It was a welcome feeling having dinner alongside of Finnick in their hospital room. Digestion was a much easier process when the person eating across from you didn't expect you to be the savior of a nation. It was a lot easier with the help of the tea Katniss' mother mixed up too. As she ate the bowl of fish stew, Katniss was thankful she wouldn't be tossing it up. There was a sense of ease between Katniss and Finnick that began forming in the arena, and grew now that they were in Thirteen together. They were both suffering, going through hell knowing their loved ones were in Snow's hands. They avoided speaking about it until the propos of Katniss and Peeta aired. "They were supposed to keep his message to me a secret," Katniss said sadly.

"It looks like he's telling you he loves you, Katniss. I think the way they used it works to his benefit," Finnick reassured her. "Let's shut it off before they run it again."

"Wait!" Katniss called out before Finnick could shut the television off. "That's Caesar Flickerman," she spoke to herself. An interview of Peeta was announced by the long time host of the Capitol's Hunger Games. "Oh, Peeta," Katniss' hand flew to cover her mouth at the sight of him. "What have they done to you?" The glow of his body polish was gone, replaced by dull, pale skin. His eyes that always sparkled held fear and looked lost...empty. His muscular body was now thin. "It's only been days since I've seen you," she spoke to Peeta's image on the television screen. "What have they done to you?" But it hadn't been days. The answer to the rebel's question about why Peeta looked so healthy during his initial interview was answered. He had been gone for weeks and being tortured from the moment he finished his first interview with Caesar. She and Finnick watched as Peeta spoke, Katniss staring at his lips the entire time for some form of message, but none came.

When it was over Finnick ordered Katniss to shut the television off. "We didn't see it," he reached for her. "If they ask, we shut the TV off right after the airtime assault aired. We never saw Peeta."

Katniss nodded absently, killing the power from the television and continued to eat. Shoving spoonfuls of fish stew into her mouth, chomping down on the piece of bread she was provided.

"Katniss," Plutarch and Fulvia entered her room. "Did you see it? It's being played all over the nation. We're unable to reach the Capitol, but it will do more good in the districts then there right now."

"It was great, Plutarch," Katniss tried to push images of a feeble Peeta out of her mind.

"What did you think of Peeta?" Fulvia asked.

"He was the star of your propos," Katniss answered. "No one in this country will be questioning his motives behind calling for a ceasefire anymore." At least she hoped they wouldn't after the airing of his interview with Caesar, she could see how the people in the districts might question Peeta.

"Katniss and I were saying how moving it was watching the way Peeta always put others first." Finnick gave Plutarch a rap on the back. "You guys did an exceptional job with it."

"Did you continue to watch afterward?" Plutarch was obviously fishing.

"Honestly, seeing it the few times I already have was enough for me today." Katniss' stomach was churning. "We shut it off the minute it was through. Did you air it again right after?"

"We'll be playing it as often as possible," Fulvia answered. "Our plan is to fill the airwaves with that one over the next twenty-four hours, then follow it up with the one from District Eight."

That's when the rebels were planning on launching their rescue plan. "Well, congratulations to you both," Katniss said with as much gumption as she could muster up. "You put together an extraordinary airtime assault."

"Yes, we did," Plutarch looked down at his computer's screen and pushed some buttons. "Come Fulvia. We still have a few bugs to work out of that second Propos, and a script to write for Finnick."

Katniss sat staring at the remnants of stew in the bottom of her bowl which quickly began to blur. Tears fell straight down causing a little splash. Food had quickly become her enemy. While she was eating three meals a day plus snacks Peeta was being starved...beaten...who knew what else. That night when she ran to the bathroom to throw up, it had nothing to do with the baby and everything to do with its father.

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"Bring them to me!" Snow's uncontrollable anger after watching the rebel's propos caused Effie to fear for the prisoner's safety.

"Yes, sir," Effie quickly got up and exited the conference room, leaving the rest of the officials to take the brunt of Snow's rage. "Come, Mr. Tanner," she led him to the elevator and began speaking the moment the doors were closed. "My computer? Do you have it?"

"Yes," Mr. Tanner eyed her suspiciously. "Why do you need it?"

"The rebels aired a propaganda spot across the nation, and now our president wants Peeta to go on air with Caesar Flickerman." Effie held her hand out waiting as Mr. Tanner dug it out from beneath the protective vest that was part of his uniform. "I wonder if I can..." she began pushing buttons without knowing what she was doing. "For criminy's sake. How does this thing work?"

"Don't you know?"

"Plutarch didn't teach me much about it. Just the basics," Effie was growing quite frustrated.

"Give it to me," Mr. Tanner said with an exasperated sigh. "I'll figure it out." He quickly dashed his fingers over some buttons and asked, "What do you want me to do?"

"I want to pull up the propaganda message so the rebels in the jail cells can see it."

"Are you insane?!" Mr. Tanner shoved it back into his vest. "I am not letting you show them this rubbish."

"Oh, you...detestable..." Effie reached for the computer only to have her hand smacked away.

Mr. Tanner avoided her advancing hands towards the computer. "Miss. Trinket, if you're not careful I'm going to think you're trying to take advantage of me."

Effie's whole face turned red, "How dare you!"

Mr. Tanner's lips quirked. "Knew that would stop you from digging through my clothes." He glanced down at her. "What makes you think you can show them a recording on this computer without Snow knowing about it?"

"He wants Johanna and Peeta to be brought up to him. We'll have them all in the elevator with us, so I thought..." Effie pursed her lips. "Not that it matters anyway. Why I ever thought you could do something on that computer that I am incapable of is beyond me."

"Oh really? Is that a challenge Miss. Trinket?" He asked with an arched brow.

The tip of Effie's pointy high heel shoe tapped away at the floor. "No. Though I'm certain it would pose quite the challenge for you, Mr. Tanner." She stood in silence as the elevator reached its destination and the doors opened. "You there," she pointed to some Peacekeepers, "bring Peeta Mellark and Johanna Mason to me." Within minutes the trio appeared in front of Effie and Mr. Tanner. "Please cuff them," Effie ordered a guard tersely.

"Great," Johanna rolled her eyes, "Today's torture session will be brought to you by the Capitol's most pretentious bitch." Effie tried not to cringe when the guard that fastened Johanna's wrists together backhanded her across the mouth leaving a split lip and blood dripping from it. She ignored Peeta's immediate defense of Johanna and admired the woman that licked the blood off of her lip like it was nothing, and said, "I'm sorry, would you prefer stuck up bitch to pretentious?"

"Leave her be," Effie ordered before the guard took his fists to her. "President Snow is waiting for these prisoners." She faced Johanna and Peeta. "Get in!" She snapped at them then stepped inside of the elevator alongside of her guard and her friends.

"All right, let's see what we can do with this thing," Mr. Tanner pulled out the computer and tapped at some buttons the second the doors were closed. "Here you go, Miss. Trinket." He handed it to Effie. "The next time you want to manipulate me, try using the word please, it goes a long way with me." He gave Johanna a once over and said, "Mason...big fan of your Games," then took out a key card and stuck it in the elevator's control panel causing it to stop mid floor. "You've got about five minutes before I have to get this thing moving again, so hurry up."

"Who the hell is this guy?" Johanna thumbed at him.

"Oh my," Effie pushed a button on the computer screen and said, "Johanna be quiet. The rebels have sent a message you must see."

"And you're showing it to us in front of Hagar the horrible over here?" Johanna's whole faced contorted. "Great, now we're all dead."

"Shut up, Mason," Steven reached over and pushed the buttons on the computer for Effie, "This is play. This is stop, and this shuts it down."

"What message did they send, mo...Ef...Effie," Peeta corrected himself before calling her mom again.

"Watch and see," Effie grinned as soft music began to quietly play from her portable device.

A black screen with white lettering appeared. "Peeta Mellark. Jabberjay." a still of Peeta during his interview where he called for a ceasefire was shown. His image dissolved, and another picture appeared of Peeta and Glimmer filled the screen as he looked over the bow and arrows the Gamemakers had put in the Cornucopia during his first Games. ""Everyone thought the worst of him when he first joined up with them," Katniss' voice spoke in the background, "but it didn't take long for Peeta's real motives to show."

"Any good with these?" Glimmer asked.

Peeta shook his head and said, "District 12, remember? Coal mining."

Glimmer took an arrow out and twirled it around in her fingers. "What about the girl on fire?"

"A bow and arrow? Katniss?" Peeta chuckled. "Not likely." The scene of Katniss shooting an arrow at the bag of apples and blowing up the Careers' supply played showing Peeta's ability to easily lie.

Katniss' voice was heard again. "He was willing to die...be tortured...so I could live, and he's doing it again. Doing what he has to...saying what he has to, so Snow won't kill me."

The scenes continued to change from one to another of Peeta misleading the Careers during the Seventy-Fourth Hunger Games. Him leading the Careers in the opposite direction of Katniss while she walked through the woods. Peeta running into her snare and mouthing, "I love you," to the hidden cameras. Then a shot of him and Katniss standing across a river from each other.

Peeta's face morphed into one of love the moment he caught sight of Katniss sitting on a rock at the edge of the riverbank. He looked over his shoulders checking for signs of danger, then turned back to her. "My God, I love you," Peeta's voice echoed softly.

From across the river Katniss spoke, her voice a contradiction to the girl everyone had come to know. It was tender and loving, "It matches your eyes, Peeta.," she said of the flower she had picked.

"What are you thinking about over there?" Peeta smiled at Katniss as he placed the cap on the last of his water bottles. "Stay safe, Katniss." Peeta whispered to her from across the river. Their images slowly fading away and being replaced.

Katniss and Prim sitting on a rock somewhere in the woods was now featured. Katniss held her arm out, pulled off a black band and showed Prim what it had been covering, "Each scar on my body has a...story behind it, but they don't really make a difference because Peeta's not here for me to talk to...to," She sighed, "to share them with." Katniss looked into the woods. "President Snow wiped all of those away from Peeta when they captured him from the arena. Gave him a body polish, as if buffing away the scars on the outside would hide the fact that we went through hell together." Another picture of Peeta during his ceasefire interview replaced Katniss and Prim's scene. Peeta looking pristine. His skin glowing. "Like it could just wipe away all the hurt on the inside. He doesn't know, or maybe he does know, and chooses to ignore it, but going through the Games...killing all of those kids just so you can live... Peeta was right when he said it costs you everything you are."

Peeta's tearful apology to the girl he killed out of mercy from District Eight began. "My God," he choked out. "Shhh. Shhh." He lifted her head and placed it in his lap. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry." He stroked her hair. He gulped as he told her, "I'll make it quick. You won't suffer anymore." The girl's eyes met his. They were full of tears. "Close your eyes." His voice was soft and tender. "You're going home now. You're going to be with your family. They're waiting for you." He watched as she closed her eyes. Peeta held the knife in his hand. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. I'm sorry." He slit her throat all the while visibly swallowing back his tears. He placed her head gently down to the ground as the Gamemakers' cannon fired.

"Doing that sort of thing..." Katniss' voice spoke, but the scene of Peeta leaning over the girl they all knew as Foxface was on screen. "...it makes a mark you can't erase. You can't put makeup on it and shine it up. It's still there, and it hurts."

Peeta's voice cracked out, "I'm sorry," to the redheaded girl that lay dead in the arena.

"Does he think I'm an idiot? Is Snow under the impression that showing me a prerecorded interview of Peeta all dressed up, means I'm going to believe he's fine? That the people of this country are going to fall for his smoke and mirrors?" Pictures flashed of Peeta in clothing obviously provided by the Capitol, before and after the Games, as Katniss spoke in the background, "We're smarter than he gives us credit for. The people of the districts...they'll see through the words Peeta said. They'll look past the body polish...the makeup and they'll see the man that would do or say anything to save my life."

The scene turned back to Katniss as she wiped the lipstick she was wearing off on the hem of her mockingjay uniform. "We can't hide who we really are no matter how much crap they put on us. Snow can try and make me...all of us believe that Peeta's some traitor, but we know better."

Scenes of Katniss walking through the hospital in District Eight began to play. An older man with a bloody bandage wrapped around his forehead held Katniss' hand and spoke to her. "Peeta's outsmarting his enemies again, huh," his creased and filthy face lit up with pride.

A badly injured woman reaching out to her saying, "We know Peeta only said those things to protect his wife and child."

A young President Snow's face bled onto the screen, standing at a podium over chariots with tributes representing each nation, then quickly changed to show him aging over the years, taking the same position as the tributes in the chariots continued to change with each year. Katniss' voice spoke in the background, "If Snow were as brave and powerful as he wanted us all to believe, he'd quit hiding Peeta. Instead of putting an interview on from weeks ago, he'd do a live one so I could see what my husband really looks like, only he won't because it will show the people of this nation exactly the kind of man he is. He's a coward."

An image of Peeta and Katniss holding the nightlock up for all the world to see took over the screen. "Afraid of two kids that did nothing but fall in love and challenged the Capitol for their right to live," Katniss' voice spoke as the screen dissolved to her clinging onto Peeta's back saying, "Read my lips," and mouthing "I love you."

Peeta's interview with Caesar quickly appeared, "Katniss... I don't know where you are or what your role is in all of this, but..." he hung his head down then lifted it up, "Read my lips. You know what you have to do." It switched to slow motion. Peeta's lips barely moved, but no sound came out. Then the screen faded to black and bright white letters appeared out of nowhere, OUR JABBERJAY'S SILENCE SPEAKS VOLUMES! The music faded. The spot was complete.

"Katniss was brilliant," Effie held back her sobs at seeing her darling girl. "As were you, Peeta."

"Hot damn," Johanna leaned against the wall as Mr. Tanner restarted the elevator. "That was pretty good." She gave Peeta a little thump. "What'd ya think, cinnamon buns?"

Peeta kept swallowing over and over again, his eyes filling with tears as he looked to Effie and choked out, "Wife and child?"