Four days after the Tracker Jacker incident, Peeta awoke to the sounds of heavy explosions. He wouldn't have given it a second thought had it not came from the general direction of the Cornucopia. That was odd as the Gamemakers, rarely if ever, harmed anything from anywhere near the Cornucopia unless absolutely necessary. But what startled him the most was the tune of the mockingjays that reached him moments after the explosions. It was the same one he taught Rue to signal him with should she or Katniss fall in serious need of his help.

These all had Peeta immediately sprung to action from his state of rest; not totally healed either. He was jumping from one tree to another in a mad dash. He had asked Rye to not send him his package yet, but to wait even later. He had sealed it with antiseptics and bandages for now, but with the pain increasing with every jump, he knew the wound is going to open up soon. Meanwhile a canon had blown off moments after the explosions finished and as soon as Peeta was near the Cornucopia he heard a second one. Fetching out a pair of binoculars from his backpack he looked at the general direction of the Cornucopia. One of the boys from 4, that accompanied him in the trail, was lying dead - visibly caught up in the explosion. The girl from 3 was lying with a snapped neck and an enraged Cato hovering over her - disposed 'waste.'

Peeta wasted no time at all in fleeing from the scene after he found no traces of Clove and Marvel. He started moving towards a part of the forest from where the Mockingjay tune was coming thickly. Again another canon and now without a care of his wounds Peeta was jumping over trees before he properly even landed on one — all the while praying that it wasn't what he was thinking it to be.

The sight that welcomed him as soon as he came to a clearing was quite disheartening. An arrow at throat and Marvel was down; while Katniss was singing to a fatally wounded Rue who was wrapped in nets and had a bloodied spear lying beside her. The sight had Peeta stopped cold and he immediately began contemplating whether he should use up his last of means of ensuring both Katniss and his safety.

That would mean he would have to go for plan B. He had asked his mentor before the Games to spread the popularity of the idea, among the capitol citizens and sponsors, that he will be hinting by his pattern of killing in the Arena. With Marvel dead he could find only 4 remaining such examples. But the plan is risky and not entirely in his hands. One more look at the girl dying and Peeta had determined what he will do. Plan B would have to go in action or Katniss alone is going home.

He noticed the dying girl and he waited patiently. It was a good thing that Katniss had Rue covered entirely with his cloak and also that his last Doppelganger was also the best one — in the sense that it could manifest the quickest in the blink of an eye. He trusted Rye to know what is necessary in this condition as he couldn't exactly cimmunicate with him at the moment — emergency CPR followed by artificial breathing, resealing of wounds and generous infusion of blood to vouch for the lost amount until the body is stabilized thoroughly. This was by far the worst Tribute he was sending home - but nothing that can't be healed by his brother with the aid of Capitol machines, medicines and his numerous experiments.

Moments after Rue released her last breath Peeta instantly launched the invisibly small pills of doppelganger and teleporter at the same time as Katniss covered Rue's body with the cloak from the cameras. The action was like him lifting his hand to rub his head to avoid being caught in the cameras. Even if she felt a slight shifting of weight from the inside for a few moments, Katniss likewise ignored it entirely in her grief. The canon blasted to signify a successful death. The claimer however, was dead before the life he claimed supposedly perished.

Slowly and quietly Peeta retreated from the scene and after a while of crawling, he got on his feet and started walking towards the general direction of the lake with a limp in his leg. Halfway through he heard rustling of leaves and knew instantly someone had spotted him. He allowed his prey to come near him but with his disturbed state of mind and senses he never expected a knife to lodge itself at his wound, opening all that was sealed.

Endurance was a trait that was the only thing Peeta and Rye learnt from their mother. 16 years of life with the witch makes it an important lesson to learn to survive. So he was more annoyed than feeling painful at the attack. One thing was for sure though — he knew who threw the knife; afterall there's only one Tribute who is this good at this art after him. And the place where the knife had impacted said clearly that it was an assault from a trained hand. He was inwardly thanking his lucky stars for somehow getting possibly the last chance at hinting his plan to Haymitch after sparing Cato in his last assault.

With an annoyed face Peeta turned about and scowled at his attacker. The attacker, Clove Braveheart was moments away from wetting herself in sheer horror as the knife, she so hoped would give her an upper hand in killing the boy, only brought the direct wrath of the Prince of Darkness on her. The knife seemed to have no effect on him at all but still very bravely she threw the other knife in her hand directly at his head. Her adrenaline drive had her throw the knife the fastest she could ever manage but the next thing she saw was that the knife was now clasped between Peeta's pointing and index finger, inches away from his face, and still vibrating due to the sheer force at which it was dislodged. Raw fear, horror and dread engulfed her as she realized she might very soon become the Satanás's 16th kill of his vicious blood streak.

Before she could attempt to run, scream or much less even call for help, Peeta was face to face with her. A warm sensation near her legs signalled that she had lost control of her bladder but she was too scared at the moment to become embarrassed by that. She couldn't find her voice in the face of her sure death but she managed to hear what he said next, "Next time we meet, I'm gonna crush you like the annoying bug you are." Before she could even comprehend the meaning of the statement she was backhanded roughly and then hit on the head hard at mid-fall. She had blacked out before she could even hit the ground.

Victor's Village, District 12, Rye's "Realm"...

It was very late at night when Rye finally emerged from the healing room and entered the living room. There sat a 10 screens displayer in the living room which, unlike its cheaper single screen counterpart, displayed all 10 scenes of the matches that the Capitol televised from the Games.

As soon as he entered 2 blonde girls, one of them with a neck mask, and a brunette boy spotted him and stood up – all asking the same question silently. "She is out of danger and as of now stabilized. She'll survive for sure but it was a close-call indeed. Can't mend the scar though because we only furnished for absolutely necessary medicines rather than those petty ones which have usually nothing to do with healing."

All sighed in relief before scuffling the notes, that they had been jolting notes down on all this while, and arranging them in order.

"What's going on since the 'Bombing of the Cornucopia'?" Rye asked with air-quotes using Katniss's reference of the incident, while they arranged the papers.

"Other than Clove knifing open Peeta's wounds, Clove wetting herself out of fear when he didn't even flinch and Peeta manhandling Clove, nothing major at all," listed of Dylan.

"Quite a great list you have," commented Rye impressed.

"But really the not-even-flinching part was awesome. I mean he didn't even show an ounce of reaction," said Sybill impressed.

"If you had even seen our mum, which you will very soon no doubt, then you would have realized from where he and me have got our endurance capacity," said Rye morosely. When they kept looking at him confusedly he explained, "Whipping hasn't taken place in our District for a couple of decades now, since old Cray has been our district's Head-Peacekeeper, but our mother has continued that legacy on her eldest and youngest. Hell even the Peacekeepers then used to have far better reasons than our mother's petty ones." A gasp from the girls was the reaction he got. "And that's only the beginning," finished Rye.

"That bad?" asked Dylan a bit timidly.

Chuckling Rye said, "Let's say if ever a situation comes where I'm given a chance to kill either the President or my mother, than it'd definitely be a hard one and leave it at that."

"She is the worst sort of woman to hurt her own child. I mean I hated my parents too for what they did to me but it pales in comparison to your mom's actions. I mean to think any of my parent would escalate to physical violence… I wanna shoot that woman straight through her head the first time I see her," said Glimmer as a single tear strolled down her eye.

Laughing a bit Rye said, "This I think is the beginning of a very good friendship, although I can't let you do that. And moreover we never considered her as our mother much. It was more along the lines of the witch-wife of our dad who loves to abuse others," everyone shared a small laugh at that. "Enough about the hag about whom I give a damn. Tell me what of my dear brother and his surroundings. And Dylan, you mentioned Clove hitting him back at the wound. How is it now?"

Sybill gave the answer to that, "I've been tracking him and Katniss all this while. He is back at his hiding place, however he used the mud for camouflage this time. He has taken a dose of blood-disinfectant as I recognized it, but has lost a lot of blood – enough to make him dizzy for awhile. The mud would do wonders now to seal the wound but his vitals are a lot down visibly. He is on dry food for a while as we all know, and he has enough clean water to drink but he needs some protein soon. Add to that a fever, which is sure going to come with the sheer amount of blood lost, and I don't find the results to be that appealing."

Rye nodded and said, "Good track of Peeta. We'll ensure that the health-meal is sent as soon as he can get it. Can't risk it with where he is as of now. And for a matter of fact, it can be sent only once without making the Capitol suspicious. They are already suspicious about Peeta's bag as it is. It's a good thing that it has a self-destruction mode though. So we stick to the plan. Wait unless an emergency to send the meal."

Sybill nodded and then said, "Not much to say about Katniss though, other than the fact that she has to work with the aid of only one ear now throughout the Games, until the affected one is healed. She has managed to pull herself through the 'death' of Rue but didn't give up on her 'body' before paying it a tribute of her own. Earned her a loaf of bread from District 11 however I don't think the Capitol appreciates it."

Rye sighed in slight annoyance. "Too stubborn?" asked Glimmer with a hint of amusement.

"Tell me about it," said Rye smiling a bit. "You guys have seen her for what 3 weeks at most? We had to face miss huntress-who-is-as-tactful-as-a-fly for about 16 years 11 of which Peeta spent in following her like a love-sick puppy, which he is by the way." Everyone laughed again, this time joined by Prim too who had just entered the room from the healing room and heard the conversation.

"Oh don't worry even miss huntress-who-is-as-tactful-as-a-fly has had an eye for mister boy-with-the-bread for awhile now, since when the bread incident," said Prim smilingly. "Perks of being the younger sister to miss huntress-who-is-as-tactful-as-a-fly," she said when everyone looked at her questioningly. Glimmer and Sybill nodded in understanding while Dylan and Rye looked even more lost.

"I think you need both the 2 X-chromosomes to understand that," said Dylan wisely and Rye nodded in understanding while all the females rolled their eyes collectively.

"So what about the other Tributes now?" asked Rye finally changing the subject and Glimmer, Sybill and Dylan started rattling off incidents from their personal notes.

"Okay so let's get this straight. Selena 'flirty' and the District 4 Tribute hadn't returned since the 'Bombing of Cornucopia' in fear of facing the reactions of District 2 leftover Careers and have formed an alliance of their own all this while. The male from District 6 is still out there, though he is severely weakened due to prolong starvation and consumption of contaminated water. The duo from District 10 are living from the grains they found in the grasses on the other side of the Cornucopia and are in an alliance for the while. Thresh is there as well, to their opposite end though, doing the same, albeit much better due to prior knowledge in agriculture. The duo of district 7 are sheltering on trees, obviously in alliance, and are building snares around themselves; only the fools don't know that there is no one in their close proximity to trap other than them themselves. Foxface is doing what she has been doing the best all this while – hiding and stealing from anyone and everyone. The Career duo from District 2 are living off from their supplies as well as that of whom they have hunted down earlier, which if used decisively, could last them for a week. Their mentor sent them medicines and iodine tablets, but if judged properly, their popularity is average and at this point of the game, the cost of anything is very high. So it can be safely deduced that it's their last batch of something valuable until the Feast unless they did something extraordinary to gather crowds which I believe is highly unlikely," finished Rye finally, after listening to everyone, while the others listened in awe and rapt attention at all the possibilities and strategies he is making out of their facts.

It was times like these that Glimmer and Dylan saw glimpse of the strategist Peeta in him whom they had came to respect and care for in the few days they spent together and to whom they will also now be eternally grateful and indebted to. But Sybill was more looking at the Rye's expression which displayed worry and she also had a question nagging her mind. But it was Prim who caught Rye for his worry.

"Something worrying you Rye?" asked Prim.

Startled at being caught Rye took his time to compose himself and gather his bearings. Slowly nodding he plopped himself down on the love-seat Glimmer was sitting on and said, "It's the fact that Peeta used up the last of his Doppelgangers and Transportation pills that is worrying me the most."

Glimmer gasped and said, "You mean to tell me he is out of the things he used to save us?"

Rye couldn't bring himself to answer that so he slowly nodded in agreement. He then continued, "He already mentioned to me that none of the ones to arrive here through the transporter pills is going to be him. But I thought that the last one was going to be Katniss so that he could return as the Victor. Now don't get me wrong, I'm glad that he sent Rue but still only one Tribute walks out alive as the Victor."

"That means either Katniss or Peeta is going to come home?" asked Prim disheartedly. She really didn't want to make a choice between her elder sister and the boy who had her sister's eyes and whom even she liked and admired as well.

When Rye didn't answer exactly Sybill finally said, "There is something Peeta has planned all along hasn't he Rye? Its his nature to always have a Plan B to fall back upon. Is that the reason he had spared Clove earlier?"

Rye's uncommon surprised expression was all the answer everyone needed. When he saw everyone's hopeful faces, he finally sighed and said, "Yes he has a plan. None of you may know but the 9th Hunger had two star-crossed lovers from District 7 and 10, who were gathering many sponsors for themselves. They were becoming so popular that the Game-makers invoked a twist that should a male and female Tribute ended the Game then they'll win. Everything was going on well for the duo until a few days before the final day, it somehow leaked that what the Tributes were doing was simply an act. Nothing happened immediately until the 2 made it to the final 2. It was then that the Gamemakers announced that 'further reference from the rulebook has revealed that there can only be one Victor.'"

Everyone was silenced and listened with rapt attention at it. In the end no one needed to ask what was the resulting fate of the 'star-crossed lovers.' Dylan finally asked, "So Peeta is trying to pull off the same stunt?"

Rye shook his head in negative and said, "No. He is rather targeting for invocation of similar stipulations but is also willing to bargain with the Capitol. In return of letting 2 to live he is trading the Capitol what they love the most – entertainment, and this will give them entertainment beyond the Games as well."

"But what surety is there that the Capitol won't do the same thing to them as it did to those 2 the last time?" asked Prim wisely.

"My brother's best weapon, other than the obviously lethal brains, until now has been his tongue. Can't say about the kissing part," everyone cracked a smile at that part. "But he can make a person believe that the Sun rises from the West and that fish grows on trees effortlessly," continued Peeta as everyone nodded in agreement at that. "And then there is the fact that unlike those 2 idiots, Peeta and Katniss are in many advantages."

"Like?" asked Sybill curiously.

"Well for starters, his love for Katniss is genuine and while it was nowhere insinuated, even Katniss is growing to care for Peeta," everyone smiled at the truth of that part. "Then there is the fact that these 2, unlike them, aren't idiots to give out any plans infront of the cameras – Peeta is an awfully intelligent strategist and Katniss is a brilliant survivor, so it's not a surprise. Also the Capitol folks are in love with my brother even before the Games started, and their love for him and his popularity has only increased with every day of the Games," finished Rye and everyone nodded at that as none could deny any of it.

Glimmer finally asked what she had been meaning to ask for awhile, "Why didn't you outright told us all these at the beginning."

Rye sighed and took his time to compose for a reply. Finally he said, "Because I didn't want to raise your hopes up only to bring it crashing down, should the worst happen. Peeta is the only one I love the most and unconditionally in this entire world. Peeta has a good relation with dad because he is very forgiving, but as much as I don't want to, I would always accuse dad for my childhood as it was only because of the fact that he couldn't stand up against her, that our mother abused us. I want Peeta back, because ha cared for me, loved me, safeguarded me and gave me a sense of hope and protection when no one was there for me." Everyone was silent and Sybill and Prim had tears in their eyes. Prim knew how it felt as in a way she was similarly taken care of by Katniss. Glimmer regretted asking the painful question tactlessly and to comfort the now distraught brother, she engulfed him in a hug, which Rye returned after a few moments of hesitation. He chuckled and said from her shoulders, "And as much as I would love Peeta back, there is no denying the fact either what he said to you. He would give up his life a hundred times before letting harm come to Katniss."

The silence that followed was broken by the image of Caesar Flickerman and the Head Game-maker Seneca Crane coming alive on one of the central Displayers. Mrs. Everdeen too chose that moment to enter the room as well. Dylan fumbled with the correct remote, the collection of which was in his possession, and raised the volume for everyone to hear.

So how far has the Third Pre-Quell Game been a success Caesar? (Crane)

I have to say this Seneca. This year will give your Career such a boost that you will go down the history as one of Panem's best and most famous Head Game-maker till date. (Caesar)

No matter how much I want the credit, it's the Girl-on-Fire and especially the Prince-of-Darkness that has been doing most of the work. (Crane)

Very true Seneca. The girl is too great an archer to avoid and her tactic of guerilla assaults are leaving us speechless as well. She has already made an impressive 6 kills and still counting — all of them Careers. The highest record of Career-kills she will hold if she kills one more. The boy however is where the most attention of this year is on. With a majority of support from the sponsors, he still has to get a gift yet, but so far he has shown his prowess in all sorts of weaponry and has also made impressive use of his cunning at the same time too. He has broken the previous record of 9 kills and set an impressive record of 15 kills and still counting, 3 of which are Careers. And lets not forget that it was Peeta Mellark's idea that earned Katniss 4 of her kills. What an interesting duo from District 12 we have this year. (Caesar)

Well what can I say? I have got 2 diamonds sent to me from the coal-fields of District 12? (Crane)

Too true Seneca too true. So what is this important announcement that the Gamemakers' council is letting the entire Panem know before the Tributes? (Caesar)

You see Caesar these 2 diamonds from 12 has not only given us such a great and valuable show of skills but also of their emotions and care. Right from the beginning they had sacrificed a lot. Starting from volunteering for their siblings to now fighting against all odds and still caring for each other despite knowing the fact that only one among them can walk out alive. Peeta has indeed did a lot for Katniss to protect her – feeding her, watering her, hiding her trails from the Career pack while he was still a part of it, saving her from the District 9 male Tribute during the bloodbath who was the first to fall in his hands. And then Katniss is no slouch either. While Peeta hunts down his prey, Katniss kills in numbers. The 'Bombing of Cornucopia' was a first ever occurrence as well. No Tribute in the history of the Games has ever pulled such a great stunt. These are the things we appreciate Caesar and thus we want to reward them. (Seneca)

Is this what I think it is? (Caesar)

Depends on what you think. We want to reward our star Tributes from 12 with a chance to have what they were willing to sacrifice from the moment they Volunteered – a second chance to pursue their love for each other. Don't think we haven't seen these indications already Caesar. We have and we have assessed them thoroughly and what we have found out is that it can't be anything but genuine. And despite the popular belief we Gamemakers aren't stone hearts and are very much humans. *chuckle* Tomorrow morning at 8 Claudius's voice will notify to all the surviving Tributes that this year for the first time in the history of the Games, 2 Tributes can be crowned Victors, condition applied that they are both from the same District. (Crane)

Impressive… Crane impressive! For all you know, you made your name eternal with the history of this Pre-Quell. That makes it possible for Districts 2, 7, 10 and 12 to have 2 Victors this year. It'll truly be a history and make it more interesting to watch now. A masterpiece you have organized Seneca, I have to give you that. (Caesar)

Well it's the people who gives me the required inspiration. Afterall I aim to please. (Seneca)

Thank you for making time from your very busy schedule to join us and share this interesting information with us Seneca Crane. Wish you all the luck with the Games Seneca. (Caesar)

It's the Mockingjay and Satanás that bears my luck Caesar. (Crane)

*chuckle* Yeah good luck to them as well. So that's all for today ladies and gentleman. Stay tuned for any further updates on the Games. This is Caesar Flickerman, your very beloved commentator and analyzer of the Hunger Games. Good night and back to the Games now. (Caesar)

"Peet and Haymitch did it!" whisper-exclaimed Rye still in Glimmer's arms as the others nodded in shock. Suddenly bolting into action Rye rushed towards the kitchen shouting all the while, "I need to prepare him his nutrient-meal soon. This is the very best opportunity we've got for now."

Everyone were startled but for once everyone, even surprisingly Mrs. Everdeen, looked slightly relieved and were smiling as their chances of getting both Peeta and Katniss back and unharmed together sky-rocketed high.

Still smiling Glimmer said, "Let me go and help him out."

"Sure! Don't distract him much though," said Dylan off-handedly and that made Glimmer pause.

"What did you mean by that?" she asked with a raised eyebrow.

"In case you haven't noticed you were looking at home in his arms all this while," said Sybill equally distractedly but with an amused tone.

Glimmer wasn't liking how it was going at all but still pressed, "It was only to comfort him."

"Yeah sure," said Dylan.

Finally frustrated, much to everyone's amusement, she snapped, "Say clearly whatever you want to say."

Dylan and Sybill looked at each other for a few moments then shrugged and much to Glimmer's mortification started singing, "Rye and Glimmer sitting on a tree. K-I-S-S-I-N-G."

Glimmer for a moment was speechless but soon a blush started erupting into her face as the 2 teens continued chanting their song. It didn't helped either when near the 5th rounds, even Prim joined them. Her last straw and the reason her mortification only grew further was when the usually calm, collected and rather unresponsive Mrs. Everdeen had her lips twitched upwards and her usually dead eyes sparkling with amusement at the teens' antiques. Not being able to take it an longer she dashed off from the living room, face as red as a tomato, and the last thing she heard was them breaking down in laughter. Once near the kitchen door she couldn't help but think, 'Am I that detectable?'

(A/N) : Here you go with a long chapter readers. And guess what? Action begins next chapter (hopefully). Enjoy and Review whatever you all feel after reading this one and any constructive criticism is as warmly welcomed as any appreciations... literally.

~ Aeigns