Meanwhile, back in the hospital room.

"This really is a candid moment," jokes Finnick, "where's a camera when you need one?"

"Finnick," Katniss shakes her head with a smile on her face.

"Katniss," Peeta mumbles, calling her attention back to him. "Your favorite color is green, real or not real?"

Katniss's smile falters, "how far backward have we fallen?" Her heart starts pounding in her chest and she can feel the makings of a panic attack coming on and struggling to breathe, it was happening, she was going to start crying again. She had messed everything up, had brought them all the way back to favorite colors. Peeta looks at her expectantly, albeit anxiously, and she snaps back. "Real!" she nearly shouts guiltily. "Real," she clears her throat, "and yours is-"

"Orange," says Peeta confidently. "Like a sunset."

Katniss nods emphatically, "Yes, yes it is." Smiling down at Lily sleeping soundly in his arms and continues, "you told me that once. We were trying the friend thing." Finnick laughs. Confused both Katniss and Peeta look over at him, "what?"

"I don't think you tried very hard!" he starts cackling.

"I don't…" Peeta's face contorts in confusion.

"Kid," Finnick says, immediately stifling his laughter. "You two have a kid. Clearly trying to be friends went a little bit farther than that. You know, honestly, I have rarely seen anyone with more love, care, and concern for another than I see with you two." He shrugs, "I mean it's a little different now…" his mouth slants downward in pity, "but the way you both treat that little girl, is what defines you as people."

Katniss and Peeta both stare at Finnick, both understanding the humor, and resenting it a little. Because after all, he was right. They had tried the friend thing and then got married, had one wonderful night, and then ended up in another arena resulting in a plot they knew nothing about and being hauled to the Capitol. Peeta being hijacked, and having a baby in a foreign District, with so many dead in their home District.

"Finnick," says Peeta, slowly.

"What's up, Peeta?" he responds.

"Could I have a few minutes with Katniss?" He sees concern flash across Finnick's face and he continues quickly, "You can stand right on the other side of the door, but please." He's pleading with Finnick, and Finnick doesn't have the heart to say no or deny him anything. He takes a long pause before finally nodding and turning to leave.

Finnick makes eye contact with Katniss, "if you need me, I'm right outside." She nods and he turns to go. The door shuts behind him, leaving the only Mellark family members left, alone.

"I'm sorry, Katniss," says Peeta. "I shouldn't have gone to District 12. I knew it might set me off, but I didn't want you to go without me. I suppose I was a bit selfish too. I hate that we're being forced to spend so much time apart." He sighs heavily. "Makes me really miss the nights on the train, and our house."

"You remember the house?" she says, stepping right up to the bed and looking down at him.

"Of course, I do," he says, nodding. "I remember the nursery too." He stares down at his daughter for a long moment, "she should be there. Not here." Another long moment that neither of them say anything, because he's right. She should be in that nursery and they should be in that house. But giving up now and going back to that house would mean that Snow had won. Would mean that life would continue the way it always had, that the Games would never end, and that their precious daughter would probably end up in a Games herself one day…if Snow doesn't die. If the rebellion fails, then what is left? At the same time, they make eye contact.

"The rebels can't lose," says Peeta, confidently.

"No," says Katniss, quietly. "I'm afraid I haven't been much help." Instinctively she collapses beside him on the bed. Sitting very close to him. "I don't know what there is that I can even do." She laughs, "I'm sure Haymitch already has a plan and is thinking of how to get me on board right now." Peeta nods and smiles briefly. He takes in the distance between them and makes eye contact with Katniss, who looks like she's just been struck with lightning. "I'm sorry," she gasps, jumping off the bed back to her feet.

"No," says Peeta, nodding his head to the bed. "It's okay." Katniss slowly sits back on the bed. Lily gives a little stir and she moves closer to Peeta without realizing it, to stroke the baby's head, still resting in his arms. While Katniss caresses Lily's head, Peeta stares at her face just inches from his. "Katniss," he breathes out in a desperate sounding huff. She looks up at him and he leans forward, kissing her full on the mouth. A thousand moments, memories, dreams soar through him. These are the lips of the woman he loved, maybe the Capitol could change the memories, but they couldn't change the feel of her. The way her lips felt against his. The need. The complete and utter loss he's felt without those lips.

Katniss is caught completely off guard, but she doesn't fight it, doesn't pull away, doesn't do anything but engage. Few things in this world have always felt right to her, and this was one of those things. His kisses were always all-consuming, passionate, and made her forget so many of the terrible things going on in their lives. Whether his holding her or these kisses did more for her she wasn't sure, but she knew in this moment, Peeta would have to be the one to pull away.

How long the kiss goes on is unknown and it is only broken apart by Lily's cries. Katniss makes eye contact with Peeta before looking back down at their baby. The proof she'd been terrified to admit for so long. The entirety of her world and every ounce of love she had for both of them, hits her like a train. Those lips, the heat with which they entranced her. She forgot how good they felt, how sweet, and hot. How hard she had tried to deny her real feelings for him in the first Games. How she tried desperately to forget about him before the Victory Tour, and then being so hopeless for him and without him after. It's not until Snow has taken and hurt him, that she truly appreciates it all.

"Peeta," she barely gets out. Breathing heavily, she leans forward and kisses his cheek and then leans her head on his shoulder. Afraid that if she kisses him again she won't be able to leave this room. It's only now that she understands why she has to leave this room. Because Snow cannot be allowed to keep operating how he always has. He needs to be stopped, and it's only now that she truly understands her point in this war. Finally understands why it's her that had to be the Mockingjay. People need a leader, and apart from District 13, no one knows who Coin is. More than that, they don't know Coin, but they know Katniss and she needs to bring these people together so they can end the war, end the Hunger Games, end the Capitol's cruelties.

"Penny for your thoughts?" Peeta asks, resting his head on Katniss'.

"I'm going to need you to take care of Lily for a little bit," says Katniss. Peeta's head jerks up and he stares at her. He nudges her head with his own to get her to look at him, but instead she keeps her head on his shoulder and wraps her arm around his back. "I think I finally understand my purpose in this war." He continues to stare at the top of her head and relaxes against her arm. "I have to keep her safe. You're here, not completely whole, but you're away from Snow." She pauses, but only briefly. Peeta lays his head back against hers. "We can't have any more Hunger Games. We can't let him win. If he wins, we will have already signed her death certificate." She reaches forward to rest her other hand on top of his arm so she can stroke Lily's baby hairs. "She can't go through what we did."

"No," says Peeta. "She won't." He sighs heavily and his shoulders drop. "No way I can convince you to take me with you?" At this she abruptly lifts her head, hitting it into his and then meeting his sad eyes. "I don't want you to go anywhere you could get hurt without me." She can hear the sincerity and desperation in his voice. "I'd feel better being with you. I don't think I could take the separation." She gives his arm a squeeze.

"I think," she says, cautiously. "We have to be smart about this. I don't want anything to happen to you either. But who is going to watch her, if we're not here?"

The door swings open and Johanna stands in the doorway, brooding and moody, as was always the case.

"This whole conversation is making me sick," she makes a gagging noise. Johanna spins around and her eyes settle on Lily. "There are few things in this godforsaken world that I genuinely care about." She points at Lily, "that tiny human, is one of those few things. I just wanted to come in here and say that...no matter what, this baby will always know that her parents love her, that she was born because of their annoying love, and that I will defend and protect her to my last breath…" she sighs then quickly adds, "and that her parents will always do the same, whether they are with her or not."

Katniss and Peeta both stare at Johanna, mouths agape.

"Oh shut up!" Johanna crosses her arms over her chest defensively. "I just thought you should know."

"Thank you, Jo," Katniss says genuinely. "That is good to know."

Johanna nods, but then stops abruptly. Staring back and forth between Katniss and Peeta her jaw drops open and she takes three steps quickly toward them. They both lean back slightly, unsure of what she was going to do.

"Oh stop!" She shakes her head and then points to the space between them. "Look how close you are!" She makes a little squeal. Happy. Must be a new sensation for her, thinks Katniss. So thankful that Johanna was getting better.

"I thought our love was annoying?" Peeta asks with a raised eyebrow.

"Heh," Johanna mumbles. "It is. I loved somebody once…" Katniss opens her mouth but Johanna finishes her comment, "Snow had him killed, so, I guess we all know how that worked out for me then, don't we?" She jerks her head up to the ceiling immediately and lets out a loud grunt, stomping her foot in the process. "He just takes anything with the tiniest bit of good in it - or them -" she pauses and gestures to Peeta, "and then makes them unrecognizable...or obliterates them entirely." She spins angrily and punches the wall. "You two got lucky. That's why I hated you so much. Snow let you both live and my Eli was taken from me, and the worst part is, there's not a damn thing I can do about it."

"Johanna…" Katniss starts, but Johanna immediately motions for her to stop talking.

"Frankly! This is so unfair!" The only thing heard in the corresponding silence is Haymitch's obvious grunt of frustration behind them. "No!" Johanna blurts at Haymitch. "They don't get how lucky they are! They don't know!"

"Johanna-" Katniss insists. She gives Peeta's back a gentle rub before standing up and walking toward Johanna, pulling her into her arms. "I don't know what it's been like for you, and I'm sorry that I can't relate close enough to give you any words of reassurance," she sighs as Johanna goes limp. "But if Lily-at all-helps to diminish that anguish...then that's quite alright with me."

"Yeah," Peeta nods, standing up. "What Katniss said. We don't know what you've been through, so we can't relate...but if Lily helps you to somehow, grapple, with all that pain and loss then we are more than willing to let you have some time with her." Johanna lifts her head from Katniss's shoulder to look at Peeta. He walks over behind Katniss, baby still in his arm, uses his right arm to wrap around Katniss' waist and gives Johanna's arm a squeeze. "In fact," says Peeta, slowly. "Since her mother and I will be doing some propo work, she's going to need someone to take care of her. Prim and Katniss' mother are in the hospital for long hours at a time, so she's going to need some sincere care."

Johanna's eyes meet Peeta's, searching them for the truth.

"Peeta," Katniss says, letting go of Johanna and turning to face him. "I don't think you should come. It might not be safe for you. And I don't want anything to happen to you," she sighs heavily, "I've already had that happen enough times to last me the rest of my life." His eyes are pleading and her shoulders slump. "I just…" she raises her hand, palm to his cheek and pouts. "I don't want what happened in 12 to happen again, or something worse." She looks down at Lily in his left arm, while his right remains wrapped around her.

"Katniss," Peeta says, frustrated. "I'd never be able to live with myself if something happened to you, especially if I can help.." He stares at her for a moment before continuing, "it's what you and I do, protect each other. Real or not real?"

"Real," she chokes out. "Always."

"Then I'm going," he says matter-of-factly. "I'm sure both Gale and Haymitch are protesting. But I'm going." He gives Lily a little bounce as her eyes flutter open. A small smile crosses her lips. "She deserves the best future we can give her, and if I can help it come faster, then I want the chance to do that. Her future is as much my responsibility as it is your, Katniss," he rubs her back.

"I don't know…"

The door opens again, and it's Gale.

"Don't worry, Peeta," Gale says. "If you go all mutt, I'll just shoot you, and then we'll be done with it." Katniss, Johanna, and Peeta stare at Gale in shock. "Oh, that wasn't what you were asking for?" He glares at Peeta. "Sorry," his hands fly up in mock apology, "I'll only do it if necessary."

"The hell you will!" Johanna makes her way towards him when Katniss grabs her arm. "Let me at him! I'll make him sorry he was ever born!" Katniss refuses to let go.

"Here," Katniss turns to Peeta, "I'm going to take her for a moment." Peeta nods knowing exactly what she's about to do and hands Lily back to her, but not before placing a kiss over her forehead and telling her he loves her. Katniss turns back to Johanna, "Here, you hold her." Katniss shoves Lily in Johanna's arms before she can protest any further. "Go take a walk. Calm down and then come back here." Johanna scowls, but then smiles down at Lily, shrugs and leaves the room.

As soon as the door closes, Gale and Peeta are staring unblinking at each other.

"Guys," Katniss tries to take a step to stand in the middle, but Peeta's arm tightens. "Peeta, I chose you." His grip loosens, he drops his arm, but grabs her hand. Interlocking their fingers as she takes one step towards Gale. "Please, I need your help too." Gale's eyes focus on her hand that is currently laced with Peeta's. "I'm sorry, for not understanding my feelings before, for making you think there was more here than there is." His expression hardens. "I can't do this without you."

"Fine, Katniss," says Gale, looking over her head to Peeta. "I was already going to help you."

"Thank you," she says, trying feebly to get him to focus on her and not Peeta. It doesn't work. "Maybe we should go tell Coin the good news." She nods at Gale and gives Peeta's hand a squeeze, letting him know she's including him in this decision and journey.

"Are they going to let me leave?" Peeta asks her.

"They're going to have to," she says flatly, looking up into Peeta's blue eyes. "If they want me to step up and accept what my role is in all of this." Peeta nods. "What does your schedule say, Gale?" He looks down and then looking back up at her, rolls his eyes. "Command?" He nods. "Alright, let's go."

Before Katniss takes another step, Peeta pulls her firmly back to him. Releasing her hand he wraps his arms around her waist, clasping his hands together, and then his lips are on hers. Fierce, intentional, and unrelenting. They've kissed more times than he can count, but this was another kind of feeling. While he was kissing her, he could sort things out, he could feel how much she cared. He knew that what the Capitol put into his head was horribly wrong. He loved her absolutely, and no amount of torture could change that.

Katniss snakes her arms from under his and places them on either side of his face, to hold him there, to soak in the moment. Everything and everyone fades away, except for this moment, this kiss. The way he was holding her made her feel even safer than they had before. She knew that her intense feelings for him were love, what else could they be? He'd given up or lost so many things to be with her. He loved her, even now, when he was so messed up from the Capitol. He was hers, no one else would do. He abruptly pulls away, but leans his forehead down on top of hers.

"Katniss," he coos, "I love you."

For the first time she feels she can say it, that she'd withheld these words from him long enough. Now more than ever he deserved to hear them. He needed to hear them. They were as much his as they were hers.

"I know," she chokes out, hands still on his face. "I love you, too." She pulls back her head and separates their faces and stares deeply into his eyes. "I suppose I always have. Probably since the moment with the berries. I knew I couldn't leave that arena without you, I couldn't live without you. I'm so glad you didn't die," she leans her head against his chest, drops her arms to his waist. "You're not allowed to die, just so you're aware."

"Where you go," he says, giving her a squeeze. "I go. Simple as that."

"God," grumbles Gale. "It's not enough to see you love him, but now I have to hear you say it and watch probably the most intense kiss I've ever seen in my life." He folds his arms over his chest in disappointment, but they don't care.

"If you think that's bad," says Peeta with a wry smile. "You should see what happens when we're behind closed doors." Gale meets his eyes and he winks. "Come on," he coos to Katmiss. "Let's go see what we need to do. I'm betting they've needed you for a while." She nods. He lets go of her waist and interlocks their hands again. "Snow won't win. Not when we're together, and we have the other Victors too, Haymitch, Johanna, Annie, and Finnick. They can't stop all of us together."

Katniss nods and Peeta pulls them to the door. As expected Haymitch and Finnick protest. After threatening to just leave them behind they fall into place behind Peeta, Katniss, and Gale and head straight for Command. Peeta, of course, was right. It had been far too long for her to take her place as the Mockingjay. But with Peeta by her side and Johanna taking care of the baby, there's nothing that can stop them now.