#everlarklove

The Districts were rebelling, friends were held hostage and no doubt being tortured or worse, but Katniss had never felt such happiness. Peeta was alive and safe laying next to her. She tried to console him the best she could when they found out about 12 being firebombed but she was never good with words. Instead she held and kissed him as the blond boy cried and mourned his family. 

That first night together in their private quarters had been tough on them both but through their shared sarrow came joy. She had been sitting in the bunk her back against the wall while Peeta clung to her sobbing. His face was against her chest as the tears fell and she clutched him as he went through every stage of grief well into the wee hours of the morning. It was the first time he had ever fallen apart like that infront of her and she didn't mind. In fact she liked that he showed her this vulnerable heartbroken side of him. It was proof of how much they trusted each other, relied on one another. When the tears had finally ended, he lay with his head in her lap starring up at her with his puffy blue eyes, he finally found his voice. 

“ I love you, Katniss. You don't have to say it back. I just didn't want to go another minute without telling you. No one knows how much time they have.” His voice was hoarse from crying as he spoke to her through the dim light of the room. She slid her arms around him and pulled him to her once again after that. Trying to find the courage and the words to tell him how she felt. 

Their lips touched over and over in soft kisses until she had felt that strange feeling she first discovered on the beach in the games. It terrified and thrilled her making her back away and pull the covers over them both. Peeta always the gentlemen held her as she pretended to go to sleep. She lay awake her eyes wide open as his breathing became slow and rhythmic. 

“ I love you too, Peeta Mellark.” She whispered into the darkness. Peeta’s arm tightened around her waste and she thought maybe he had heard what she had said. Silence filled the room and she turned over to face him with closed eyes hoping sleep would come. She felt worn after the long day's events. When her grey eyes opened Peeta’s intense blue eyes were starring at her. She jumped making him chuckle lightly. 

“ Don't do that!” She scolded. “ You scared me, I thought you were asleep!” 

“ Obviously.” He said a grin sliding over his face that reached his eyes. Katniss smacked his arm in response. After a couple hits he grabbed her wrist and his lips found hers. The contact sent sparks flying between them as the kiss became more passionate. He pulled her closer his fingers digging into her back.  They finally broke away gasping for much needed air and Peeta caressed her face with his soft warm hands. 

“ Do you really love me Katniss?” He asked curiously, his voice husky from the desire she saw in his eyes. She could feel his intense gaze studying her and she felt a slight electricity shoot through her veins. Her fingers slid through his blond curls as she tried to find her voice. 

“ I love you.” She answered hoarsely. His arms tightened around her as he hugged her to him. They fell asleep with smiles on their faces and their arms tangled around one another. Both afraid to let go and scared this was all some kind of dream. But it wasn't.

Gale, Katniss, and Peeta rode in silence to District 8. The hover craft vibrating as they flew threw the sky. Coin and Plutarch had agreed the lethal lovers should make some propos among the wounded that would stoke the fires of the rebellion. As they boarded the aircraft the trio was met by four others. Cressida a partially bald woman, her assistant Masalla, and two brothers Castor and Pollix who was an avox. They would be directing and filming every minute of the visit. 

Katniss sat with Gale on one side and Peeta on the other while Boggs explained in more detail what the group would be flying into. When Katniss heard about the hospital her hand slid into Peetas hand much to the chagrin of her best friend. She needed to feel his strength and was glad Peeta would be beside her when she faced the wounded. She could already tell it was going to be a long agonizing day. 

A little while later they were walking around buildings reduced to rubble with only pieces of walls still standing. The sound of gunfire could be heard off and on in the distance as they stepped inside an old factory building that miraculously was still whole. The stench of rotting corpses filled their noses as they quickly stepped around the fallen soldiers who had paid the ultimate price for what they believed in. 

“ I apologize for y'all having to see them like this, but no one can spare a minute to bury them. The hospital is just through here.” The dark skinned lady, Katniss had forgotten her name as soon as she saw the bodies, gestured ahead of them as she spoke. The woman and Gale were locked in conversation but she had tuned them out. Peeta kept pace with her as they reached the door way and peered inside. 

“ Don't film me in there. I can't help them.” She felt panic gripping at her insides. Peetas fingers laced with hers and the contact immediately calmed the storm inside her. His blue eyes locked with her steel grey ones. 

“ It's okay Katniss. I'm right here with you. We’ll face them together just you and me. We’ll talk to them and do our best, just like we always do. Okay?” Her blond baker always knew what to say to calm her down. 

“ Alright.” She answered knodding her head. Hand-in-hand the two stepped forward and into the chaos of the wounded and whoever was nursing them. It was a nightmare that unfolded around them. The gaping holes and nasty scratches and cuts sent her back to the games and the fallen tributes. At first no one noticed them, but gradually the room seemed to still as people gaped at the visitors with shock and awe. 

“ Katniss Everdeen? What are you doing here?” A girl asked in the crowd. She looked to be the same age as Katniss give or take a couple years. She wondered silently to herself if she to looked so young and insignificant in the grand sceem of things. 

“ Peeta and I came to see you.” She answered hoarsly trying to hold back tears that threatened in the back of her throat and stung her eyes. 

“ Have you both come to fight with us?” Ask a teenaged boy who might have been closer to Prim in age. A gun was slung over one of his shoulders and he had bandages around his neck and one on his arm. 

“ We have.” Peeta answered confidently. His blue eyes lightened slightly with his resolve. 

“ We will.” She added knodding in agreement and stealing a glance from the blond by her side. 

“ Wha-what about the baby?” Inquired a woman who was sitting on the ground holding a bandage to one side of her face. She was shaking slightly possibly from shock but Katniss wasn't sure. Peeta locked eyes with Katniss for a long moment. He squeezed her hand gently and they both knodded once. With a gulp she took a breath and found the words. 

“ I lost the baby.” She said looking into the wounded woman's eyes for a moment before looking away. She didn't know where it came from but a tear slid down her face. She wasn't sure if it was seeing all these people in pain or if there was a part of her that actually wished the pregnancy had been real. Hands began to raise in the three fingered salute. They were all honoring the death of a child that never was. Her heart ached as the realization of who she was,and what she and Peeta truely ment to the revolution,hit her. 

After the questions they both, side-by-side,made their way around the room talking and helping however they could. Neither of them noticed as Castor and Pollix filmed the conversations, laughs, and tears of each interaction. Everyone was so excited and supportive it was overwhelming to her. She wasn't really used to so much attention. Even during the games she had kept her distance from fans and other people. 

As the group said their goodbyes and headed back to the drop off site where the hovercraft was to pick them up a voice came over the walkie-talkie. She couldn't quite make it out. She looked at Boggs who had put the hand held device closer to his ear. He set his jaw and she felt everyone tense. 

“ Say again? I don't think I heard you right.” He asked the walkie clicking in his hand. 

“ Sir, we have multiple aircraft headed are way. Coming in hot! I think they know whose here sir.”  The voice answered. Everyone readied themselves pulling weapons out and knocking arrows. The com went silent. Not even static could be heard. 

“ Tell your people to get ready. Those ships will be here in just a few minutes. Is there someplace we can take them where they will be safe?” Boggs asked the guide pointing to Katniss and Peeta and the crew that followed them. 

“ Don't worry about my people they know what's going on. There's a bunker in a building not to far from here. They can stay there til it's over. “ The dark skinned woman was already moving as she spoke. Her radio at her hip screamed with people's voices as they gave orders and coordinates. An alarm roared to life echoing through the ruined district. 

Gun fire and explosions sent ashes and smoke into the air and the team made their way toward the bunker. As they reached a gap in the grouped factory buildings they came under fire. Katniss watched in horror as Gale was hit. She heard the sound as the metal bullet ripped through what looked like his shoulder and another grazed his side. The tall and slender boy fell backward hitting the ground hard. 

“"Gale!” She screamed and started forward. Peeta’s hand were gripping her sides and he pushed her behind a partially standing brick wall. Bullets showered the spot where the two of them had just been standing. Boggs pulled Gale to safety behind a large peice of broken concrete and assest the damage. One hand held his gun while the other worked to stabilize the unconcious boy. 

“He’ll be alright Katniss!” The dark skinned District 13 security head called between the hail of gun fire and explosions. “ We need to get everyone back into the maze of factory buildings we’re sitting ducks out here!” He ordered firing a few shots at the aircrafts looming over them. 

She let an arrow fly and the ship exploded taking a second one with it as it whirled off in another direction away from the them. Another explosion and a ball of fire rose from the other side of the building to her right. Two more crafts appeared. Everyone was shooting and taking cover behind piles of brick and mortar. 

“ Peeta get down!” She screamed shoving him behind a large piece of concrete just as more bullets sprayed the area Peeta had just been standing at. Something sharp stabbed her back making her back arch backward and she was rising up into the air. Everyone was pinned down unable to get a good shot. She dropped her bow and it fell several feet to the ground. She vaguely recognized Peeta as he cried out but couldn't register what he was yelling. Her vision blurred and she felt like she was floating. 

“ Katniss!” was the last thing she heard as the foggy blackness engulfed her. 

Katniss jerked awake. She lay on a cement slab floor in a small cement cell with four walls and a white door right behind her. She had been dropped in the center of the freezing room. They had stripped her of her Mockingjay uniform. All she wore was her black panties and bra the matching set created for the armored costume. Her lack of covering explained why she was cold and covered in goosebumps. 

She tried to sit up but the room spun and a wave of nausea came over her. She managed to push herself up onto her hands and knees as her stomach wrenched and bile strew across the floor into the right corner next to the door. Whatever they had injected her with right before she was grabbed didn't agree with her. She was glad she hadn't eaten much before the trip to District 8 whether by design or not her stomach was left reeling and lurching. 

When she was finished excreting her stomach contents she collapsed on her side away from the mess letting the cold hard floor cool her sweaty frame from the exertion. Static sounded from speakers in the ceiling of her cell. She tried to push up with her hands but didn't have the strength and fell to the floor again. 

“ Miss Everdeen, what an honor. I'm afraid I can't apologize for the state you are in now. You brought this on yourself shooting that arrow and accepting the role of the Mockingjay. Stirring up the radicles trying to start a rebellion. You've rather made a mess of things for me. It truely is a shame, my dear. I had such high hopes for the two victors of District 12.”  

Snow’s voice lillted down into the room grating of her nerves. She set her jaw. With every ounce of strength she had left she pushed herself up to lean on her arms and hands. Her knees lay on the ground slightly bent. She let the anger and rage fill her and she put on her bravest face. If she was going to die she would die with fire in her eyes and rebellion in her heart. 

“ President Snow.” She acknowledge and her voice took on a calm steely coldness that even shocked her. “ I didn't ask for this. I didn't ask to be part of the games, or to be kidnapped by your so called radicles. I didn't want to be a symbol or start a war. You took children away from their parents and killed them, you treated the districts as your slaves, you left them starving. You brutalize and terrorize everyone to keep control and lord over both the Capitol and the Districts and you want to blame me for the latest revolution.” she paused a smirk breaking out over her face and a chuckle fell from her lips. “Well, go ahead. Kill me. It won't stop them.” She answered. 

Truth was she had gone a little mad hearing Snow again. He had decimated her district reducing it to ashes and bones and mounds of ruins. If this was to be her last stand sort of speak she would make it a good one. She would face the end with dignity, honor, and aplaumb. She refused to let him take anything else from her or the people she loved. 

“ You mistake me Miss Everdeen. I'm not going to kill you. No. No. I'm going to use you. You're going to be the weapon of the Capitol. I'm truely looking forward to our next conversation. We’ll speak again my dear.”  

With that snow was gone making the speaker crackle and pop once before silence fell once more in the room. A sharp ice seemed to form ice crystals in her stomach. A chill ran down her shoulder blades and spine. She didn't like the sound of what the white haired tyrant had just said. 

She scooted backwards until her spine was flush against the farthest wall from the door. She sat knees pulled to her chest waiting for whatever would come for her behind the closed white door. No one came. 

She shifted uncomfortably when the lights went out and she couldn't see a thing in the darkness. A high pitched alarm blairred into the room. It was so shrill her hands covered her ears but it didn't help. Lights flashed in yellows and reds and she moved to the corner at her left bracing her body against the walls. She didn't know how long it lasted but it ended just as abruptly as when it came. She sat shivering in the blackness her hands in her hair and her knees pulled tight against her chest. The alarm rang out again and with it the lights both returning making her scream. Over and over the pattern repeated she thought it would never stop and she would go mad right here. 

She was wrong there was one more thing Snow could take. Her sanity.

Peeta sat in the hospital wing of the underground District 13. His hands raked through his blond curls as he waited for an update on Gale from Prim. The blonde haired younger sister of his fiancé was training to be a doctor and had gone with a group of medical staff to help the tall slider boy from the seam. 

After Katniss had been ripped from him, pulled into one of the hover crafts, all the ships had flown away except for two. The two left behind hand bombed the hospital killing most of the people inside before anyone could take them out. Still reeling from the abduction of Katniss and heart broken over all the innocent people turned to ash infront of his eyes he had done as directed. Unable to go after her, unable to save her he spoke the truth of what had happened in District 8 ,and made a speech he hoped would help inspire others to join. They had deemed him The Voice of the Mockingjay. 

He played the scene over and over in his head wondering how he could have done something, anything to save Katniss from being taken. Could he have seen the strange mechanical arms that wrapped around her? Could he have pushed her out of the way and taken her place? If he lost her he would have nothing. He would be nothing. His family died in 12 Katniss was all he had left. 

He fought the urge to scream to voice his frustration. His fear. His anger. She had to survive. To stay alive long enough until they could get her back. She couldn't die. If she died he might as well be dead too. 

Prim took a seat next to him. Her blond hair was in a braid just like her sisters dark one. It suited her and Peeta almost could see Katniss in some of the girls facial features. She took his left hand in both of hers. The gesture was a comfort and he appreciated her attempt to try and console him. 

“ Gale is out of surgery. He's stable and resting comfortably. He was lucky the bullet wasn't any higher or lower. He’ll have to recover for a few weeks but no real damage was done. I suspect he will be fighting again before we know it.” She tried to smile her voice soft and kind. Peeta just knodded he didn't trust his vocal cords enough to answer with words. 

“ How are you holding up Peeta?” She asked concerned. He looked away at first refusing to make eye contact. When he finally looked at her his face was pained his eyes brimming with threatening tears and a sob he couldn't hold in any longer left his lips. She pulled him into a hug against her as they both cried over the days event. 

“ I have to get her back Prim. For you, for me, for your mom. I feel like I can't breath.” He said between soft sobs. “ I wish I could have taken her place.” As the words fell from his lips Prim jerked away so that they faced each other. 

“ Don't you dare say that Peeta Mellark. If you were taken Katniss would be in worse shape than you are. She would fall apart. She needs you just like she said in the quarter quell. She needs you safe and alive...and okay.” She scolded her eyes drifting beyond him. “ She's a fighter. She’ll survive. We’ll get her back.”

Peeta saw the tears threatening to fall on Prims face and it was his turn to hug and comfort the girl who had become like a sister to him. His mind wandered back to the debriefing with President Coin. The conversation replaying in his mind. 

“ We don't have enough manpower to go after her right now. The area was supposed to be secure! What happened out there, Boggs? You were supposed to protect Katniss and Peeta! Now we have no Mockingjay in a crucial point of the war. We need more people to fight!” A slew of curses and rants followed as everyone scrambled on what to do. 

“ If you get more districts to join and more people fight will you go after Katniss then?” He had asked trying to find anything or do anything that could bring her back to the safety of his arms. 

“ Well yes, if the opportunity presents itself we would grab not only Katniss but the other hostages as well. But we have to have all the districts working together.”  With Coins words still reverberating through him he set his jaw and found his determination. 

“ I’ll find a way to get her back Prim. I promise.” He said hold her in a hug one hand rubbing her back. 

Coin sat in the briefing room with Boggs and Plutarch. They were all around the table trying to figure out what to do now that their Mockingjay had been taken. The round ex game maker wrote feverishly in his notebook while Coin and Boggs discussed security business. 

“ Do you think Peeta can handle this? I mean do you think he has what it takes to inspire a nation? I'm not sure he can handle the pressure.”  She sighed in frustration. “ Katniss is the one whose been seen as the symbol.... The Mockingjay! She shot the arrow and had the idea for the berries. Is Peeta strong enough? Can he really pull off this... What did you call it again?..... Voice of the Mockingjay idea?” She finished looking to Plutarch for answers. 

“ I think he is more than capable. This kid has a way with words. And  he's motivated. You told him the more people and districts that join the revolution the closer he is to getting Katniss back. Peeta loves her. He will do anything for her. I know he won't let you down.” Plutarch reassured talking with his hands. 

“ You said they shot a Propo today. I want to see it when it's ready. If I think it will work we will start broadcasting it to the districts immediately.” She informed.

“ It's actually ready if you'd like to view it now?” the round man asked closing his notebook and setting his pen down. Alma Coin knodded and he hit the button on the remote that dimmed the lights and played the giant view screen infront of them. 

The propo started with shots of the make shift hospital and the fallen heroes who gave their lives for the cause. Then came shots of the attack that left Gale wounded and Katniss being taken. Then footage from the bombed hospital turned to ashes and fire with Peeta explaining what had happened and why. As it drew to a close the blond haired blue eyed boy gave an inspiring speech that made Coin shift in her seat. When he was finished the Mockingjay symbol appeared with the words ‘Join the Fight’ and the four note whistled tune closed it out. 

The lights rose and the screen went blank. The grey haired woman started knodding. A gleam was in her dark grey eyes as she turned to look at Plutarch. 

“ I want this broadcast in the Districts tonight.” She paused for a beat then spoke again. “ You were right about him. Make some more. I want to flood the districts with these propos. Let's see if we can stoke the fire some more.” She requested with a small smile on her face. 

“"Yes ma'am!” Plutarch said with a grin. This was going to work he thought as he left to find Peeta Melkark the Voice of the Mockingjay! 

My name is Katniss Everdeen My home is District 12 District 12 was destroyed. I was in the Hunger Games I Escaped with Peeta I was taken hostage by the Capital I don't know what happened to the others Peeta loves me I love Peeta Mellark I belong to Peeta Peeta belongs to me If I just keep breathing I can survive this I have to see Peeta again

Katniss sat wedged in the far left corner of her cell she was still curled up tight with her knees against her chest. The torturous bone rattling alarm with accompanied flashing lights had finally ended awhile ago. She didn't know how long the process repeated if it was days or hours and she sat unable to move from exhaustion. Her body was stiff and her muscles were in knots. She started to release the tight grip she didn't realize she had on her shins. A clicking noise above her in the grated ceiling made her jump. The lights turned on but were set very low. At least she could see a little.

Images appeared on the white-grey walls as her mind registered what flashed before her. She stood her eyes drawn to clips of Peeta, and Prim. She wondered if Peeta was safe or if he to was in a cell like hers going through the same thing. The unfurling of her limbs was ridiculously taxing. A screen shot of her and Peeta in costume from the Quarter Quell parade made her heart lurch in her chest. She longed for his warmth and calming presence, the feel of his hand in hers. She leaned back against the corner and bowed her head wearily.

The door slid and two peacekeepers stepped inside smugly. They lunged at her with night sticks and constraining hands. She tried to block the blow with her hand but before she could catch it the other guards night stick cracked against her ribs. She flew backwards into the corner they were trying to pull her away from. Holding her side she kicked out at them and her foot made contact with the groin of the peacekeeper on her right. He went down grumbling obscenities. The other, seeing his friend go down, struck her in the stomach.  As her arms fell to her midsection in reflex the peacekeeper spun her around and pinned her flat against the wall.

He dug the night stick into her back and neck and his body pressed against her so she couldn't fight them. He jerked her left arm around her back bending it awkwardly. She grit her teeth as her chest heaved from the exertion of the struggle. They pressed her viciously against the wall as a needle was imbedded in her arm. She felt the liquid drain into her as they pushed down on the plunger.

Her vision went hazy with strange twinkling lights and her heart began to race and pound in her chest. She heard the tinkling of metal chains and felt metal wrap around her wrists and she was pulled to the center of the room. She looked down barely registering the shackles before her arms were raised above her head. The chains were pulled taught and she was on her tip toes.

The images on the wall changed. Instead of the the boy with the bread, who was always kind and smiling, he was replaced by an evil killing machine. It looked like Peeta except the eyes glowed and the look on his face was wrong. A dark villainous scowl who found pleasure in hurting people. The Peeta projected was attacking and hacking people to pieces with a swords and other weapons.

Out of the corner of her eye she caught movement and turned her head to see both Peacekeepers remove their helmets. They moved speedily to stand in front of her. She looked into the same face as the one on the screen. Two dark Peeta's with glowing red eyes poised and ready to inflict pain. She screamed.

As if on cue both Peeta's began to assault her. Quick painful jabs to her body reverberated through her making her swing backward against the chains that prisoned her. With the hits her body reacted by trying to shrink away but there was nowhere to go. There was no way to move.

Their aggressive punches continued for several minutes each one knocking the wind out of her. She would no sooner get her breath back and another hit would vibrate through her again. The chains released as she was mid-swing and she tumbled to the ground. A harsh smacking sound echoed in the room as her body made contact with the floor. Human flesh against cement slab floor.

Unable to move from where she lay from both the impact of the floor and the bombardment of knuckles and fists against her flesh, one of the Peacekeeper Peeta's straddled her waste pinning her to the floor. The sound of rattling chains reverberated through the cell and she whipped her head around to see the peacekeeper with a bucket and a hose. A static click came from the grated ceiling.

"Why did you betray the Capitol?" A familiar voice rang through the room. Peeta's voice. But not her Peeta a darker Peeta. There was to much anger in it. "Why did You betray the Capitol?" He repeated. She did not answer.

Shackles were placed around her ankles and the chains were locked down into the floor. Her arms were pinned above her head and her legs were pulled taut so she couldn't bend or move. She was given another injection. With sparkling spots and a growing haze in her vision a piece of cloth was placed over her face.

The heavy body that was on her left as the water began to rain down on her face. Rough callus hands encircled her neck so she couldn't turn her head away. She tried to hold her breath but the shower was continuous. Unable to hold it any longer she gasped taking in water instead of air. Her lungs burned as she choked and spat against the onslaught of liquid and material.

Her body flopped and shifted wildly as she tried to get away unsuccessful. She felt the weight of someone on her again but was preoccupied by the downpour of water drowning her. After several heart pounding moments the water stopped and the wet cloth was removed. What little light there was seemed to be hurt her already burning eyes.

"Why did you betray the Capitol?" Peeta's voice asked over the speakers. "Are you the Mockingjay?" The questions confused her and she didn't know how to answer them. Everyone new she was the Mockingjay that's why she was here, wasn't it? She didn't betray the Capitol she betrayed Snow because he obliterated her District. She wasn't about to say that though. Instead she grit her teeth and remained silent. After a moment the cloth was replaced on her face and the water cascaded over her.

Her hair and bra were soaked when the cloth was removed again. Her chest felt like it was on fire as she sucked in air. She hacked and spit up water. Tears streaked her face as she choked. More images flashed on the walls of the vicious form of Peeta. More clips of him stabbing, torturing, and killing.

"Do you think I love you, Katniss? Do you love me? Do you think I could be attracted to a Mockingjay? A MUTT?” Peeta's voice was full of hate and disdain. "I HATE you Katniss! YOU ARE THE REASON MY FAMILY IS DEAD! YOU CAUSED THE DESTRUCTION OF OUR ENTIRE DISTRICT! YOU DISGUST ME! YOU AND YOUR MUTT BIRD SYMBOL!" He screamed through the speaker. His words felt like a knife cutting into her heart leaving her to bleed out on the floor she lay on.

"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry." She whispered as tears burned her already dripping face. In that moment with Peeta yelling and her body shivering she broke. She felt something like a string or cord snap deep down. The walls she had built up for years to protect herself crumbled to rubble. She felt her mind slip and sink into a strange welcoming abyss.

"Your not sorry, not yet!" She could almost see the smirk she imagined on his face as he taunted her. The delightful boy with the bread was gone. What replaced him was a a set prominent jawline, an evil smirk, and angry glowing blue eyes. Snow was taking all the joy out of her life. He was going to win. Why fight him anymore.

The peacekeeper Peeta's moved towards her again and she barely felt the syringe as they administered another dose of hazy sparkling drugs.

Peeta sat in the dining hall of District 13. He picked at his food unable to eat much. It had been weeks since Katniss had been taken and no one was sure if she was alive or not. Not much information was coming from the Capital. Plutarch's informants had gone silent for reasons unknown.

The districts had responded to the propos with him as The Voice of the Mockingjay as well as a the one with Gale telling the account of the night District 12 was reduced to nothing. The most powerful clip had come from Prim. She had sung a song Katniss had taught her about the Hanging Tree. The districts had started blowing up peacekeepers and power plants after that. It had messed with the Capitol power grid.

Snow had done everything he could to counter each film but had grown eerily quite with the weeks recent events. Peeta pleaded to anyone who listened in the universe and beyond that somehow he could get Katniss back alive. He hoped he wasn't a fool for keeping his hopes high that she could still be alive somewhere.

The Capitol music emerged from the screens in the center of the room. The symbol of the Capitol appeared and Caesar Flickerman was sitting in front of them. His suit was blue and wild as ever in a floral pattern something Haymitch had once described as Peacocking. Caeser's hair was purple this time. During the Quell it had been a strange lavender pink. The mans white toothy grin always secretly unsettled Peeta but he never told anyone. And the mans laugh grated on his nerves.

"Tonight we broadcast from the Presidential Palace and do we have a treat for you. Whatever you are doing you'll want to stop now. If you're eating, stop eating. If you're doing something else stop whatever it is because you are going to want to hear this! Joining me tonight is the lovely Katniss Everdeen, and she is here to set the record strait! "

At the mention of her name Peeta dropped his fork and it clattered on to his plate. He watched the screen intently as he saw Katniss seated in a a high back comfy chair. She was no more than skin and bones. Her face was caved in at the cheeks and her eyes looked hollow. His stomach twisted seeing her this way. She was caked in make-up no doubt to cover up what they had done to her. Her hair was not in its usual brad but fell over her shoulders. She wore a floor length white gown and in her violently trembling hand she held one of Snow's white roses.

He heard Gale curse and slam his silverware on the table from across the room. They both looked at each other making eye contact. A silent conversation went on between them. Somehow Peeta knew what Gale was thinking and he whole heartedly agreed with every bit of it. Whatever they had done to her,they would pay for it! Whatever Snow made her say tonight, he would pay for it with his life. They nodded to each other and Gale sank back down to his chair.

The screens went black much to the chagrin of everyone in the hall and Haymitch appeared at Peeta's elbow. He was looking better physically since he sobered up but he too had struggled with Katniss being taken. He motioned for Peeta and Gale to Follow him. Immediately without further prompting the boys stood and fell in step behind the old mentor.

"What's going on why'd they turn of the interview?" Peeta asked when they were in the corridor. Haymitch didn't answer just motioned again for them to follow. They reached the control room Beetee worked in and Haymitch stopped mid-push at the double doors.

"They are going to try and broadcast in the Capitol during the interview. Plutarch got word earlier today about the vulnerability with the power and that Katniss was going to be on tonight. I'm sorry I couldn't tell you sooner. Everyone thought you should be there for this." He whispered to Peeta, with Gale listening, before he swung the doors wide and they all stepped through into the control center.

The room was dark, lit only by the floor to ceiling screen of the live interview and a small lamp over a station that Beetee was meticulously working at. Plutarch and President Coin were whispering in deep conversation while others sat at equipment against the left wall pushing buttons and eyeing readings off various small screens. The interview had already started and he recognized Katniss's voice but didn't catch what she said.

"So what you're saying is you weren't a part of the Radicals plan?" Ceaser asked "No, Peeta and I were in the dark. We had no idea about any radical plan." Katniss answered.

Peeta noticed her voice was different. It was more hoarse, weaker, and slightly higher than normal in tone. He clenched his hands into fists nervously. What are they doing to you? He thought to himself. He could feel Gale tense as the boy from the seam stood next to him.

"You can see ,though, how some might be skeptical about you and Peeta's ignorance of what was going on especially since you yourself shot the arrow that took out the force-field" The purple haired man inquired. "When you're in the games you have to understand that your one thought is to stay alive. But when you go into the games with someone you care about all you can think about is making sure that person stays alive. I was trying to keep Peeta alive. When The cable was cut and Johanna attacked me I thought I was going to die and my last thought was for Peeta to live and return home. And when I could still somehow move, and I heard that cannon, I was afraid that I'd lost him. So I went back to the Lightning tree and found Beetee shaking on the ground. I thought maybe it was a back-up plan. Then Finnick came and I hid. I thought he was going to try to kill me too. But then he started talking to me and Peeta showed up alive and safe. So I wrapped the coil around the arrow and took the shot thinking it would help Peeta win the quell." Katniss explained as she toyed absentmindedly with the white rose in her hand.

Peeta and Gale watched mesmerized and shocked by the image of Katniss on the screen. She was so open and honest it was like watching an open wound. She looked so small and bone-weary it tore at both boys to see her like this. Gale ran a hand through his hair a hurt and angry scowl on his face. Peeta crossed his arms hugging them to his chest and fought the tears that stung the back of his eyes.

"What was it like in the moments after you shot the arrow?" Caesar watched her carefully as she responded "I felt myself fly through the air and when I landed, I thought I was dead. I couldn't move. I could see and hear things for a few moments after I hit the ground but I passed out. When I woke up Peeta was sitting next to me and we were in a hovercraft. I thought we were headed back to the Capital but we weren't. The 'radicals' had in their words liberated us and they wanted us to help them in return." She paused to take a breath. "We did as we were told, not sure who to trust." She finished her head shaking slightly. Caesar was intrigued as he continued his line of questions. "Do you know what has happened to Peeta since your rescue?" He asked feigning concern. Katniss just shook her head in reply. "Peeta, much to the heartbreak of everyone in the Capital, has been doing propaganda for the radicals that claimed to 'liberate' you. He has been deemed the Voice of the Mockingjay. The voice of violence. What are your thoughts about your husband doing this?" "First of all, Peeta is a good person. He's always trying to protect me or others. So if he's doing that it's for a reason." Her gaze was distant as Caesar cute her off. "Wait, are you saying that he might be being forced to do these propaganda clips?" "It's a very real possibility that he's doing what he is doing to protect me and other people he cares about." She said choosing her words carefully.

Coin strode over to where Beetee worked. She leaned down over his shoulder. She was timid to interrupt him which was read by her hesitation. "Do you know how much longer you will be? I don't mean to rush you but we don't have much time. If you're going to broadcast, now would be the time to do it." She whispered "Just a few more minutes. I've almost got it." He murmured.

"Katniss do you know what's going on right now? I know you've been a guest of the capital for awhile but have you been keeping up with the current events that have been happening in the districts?" Caesar's white teeth appeared as he smiled for the cameras. "I've been a little preoccupied since the Capital rescued me," she paused for a moment shifting in her chair. "I was informed of the recent attacks on the dam and what happened as a result of those attacks." She acknowledged. She tried to hide a wince of pain but was unsuccessful.

Peeta and Gale both let out a frustrated breath. Their eyes met for just a second before returning to the screen. They both were fighting tears now. Gale's fingers were laced together at the back of his neck and his head bowed slightly. Peeta ran nervous trembling hands through his hair and pulled at his jumpsuit. Katniss's trembling was becoming more visible as the interview continued.

"I hear you have a message for those responsible for the attacks. I'm not guaranteeing he will see it but maybe you should say something to Peeta as well." His fake sympathy was over acted as he touched Katniss's hand. He gestured for her to speak directly into the cameras. "I just want to say, Peeta if you are watching this do what you think is right. You're one of the best people I've ever known. Think for yourself...and thank you for protecting me. Don't let them make you do anything you don't want to do. Ask yourself can you trust the people you are with. I will support you in whatever and however you choose. We protect each other remember?" She paused as she fought back the tears that threatened to fall.

As she spoke tears streamed down Peeta's face. His heart felt like it was being crushed in his chest. He wished he could wrap her up in his arms. He wished he could go and save her. He wanted to protect her now more than ever. He hoped that ,somehow ,over the miles that separated them she could feel how many people loved and cared for her.

"And the message to the radicals?" Caesar prompted "These malicious attacks that destroyed the dam killing hundreds of people and leaving even more wounded must stop. Because of the power outages from the dams destruction trains have derailed, shipments of supplies and food have been disrupted, and people refusing to work has left districts and leaders in chaos. You only hurt yourselves. We are all connected. What affects one group or district affects us all...."

"We interrupt your regularly scheduled horse manure with..." Beetee said as he broke through the last Capital defenses and started broadcasting a propo. Peeta watched impatiently as he shifted his weight on his feet. He tried to hide his nervous trembling hands in his pockets. He clenched his fingers into fists.

He appeared on a small square in the top right corner of the giant screen. He was in the ruins of District 12 in the propo they shot several days before. In the background instead of dramatic music Prim sang a song her sister had taught her about a hanging tree trying to mimic Katniss's jazzy blues rendition. The signal was unstable and cut in and out of snowy static.

"🎶 Are you, are you coming to the tree? The deadman called for his love to flee.🎶" "Katniss I'm standing here in your house unsure if you're alive. I hope that some how you're watching this and my fears are for nothing." Peeta spoke tears pooling in his eyes.

Katniss froze starring at something out of view of the cameras. Everyone in the room watched as she mouthed Peeta's name but no sound came from her lips. "Prim...?" She whispered. The broadcast propo cut out and she returned her attention to Caesar and her message. "We are all connected and what affects one of us affects us all. So I'm asking..." Before she could get any further the propo returned.

"🎶 I told you to run, so we'd both be free. strange things did happen here, no stranger would it be🎶" "You're the strongest most stubborn person I know. You were a fighter in the games and I'm asking you to fight now. You have so many people who care about you Katniss."

"Peeta?" Katniss face fell to the white rise in her hand for a moment before her eyes returned to the screen. "Peeta, are you there?"

"I'm here Katniss." Peeta whispered to the girl on the screen,who couldn't hear him, in the underground room in 13. Gale put a hand on his shoulder to offer support. Truthfully they both needed it. They watched as the girl in front of them seemed to fight an inward battle. Her eyes moving from the Rose to the screen. A tear fell down both of her makeup covered cheeks. She seemed to reach a decision and she sat up strait in the high backed chair.

"🎶Are you, are you, coming to the tree? Wear a necklace of hope side by side with me. Strange things did happen here, no stranger would it be, if we met at mid-night in the hanging tree.🎶" "I love you Katniss. I need you to do something for me, Stay Alive. You have to stay alive. For me, for your family, for Prim. Stay alive." The propo cut out once more.

"Peeta, no one is safe not here in the Capital not in the Districts. So much blood and suffering. When will it stop? Can it ever be stopped?" A moment of clarity seemed to pass over her dark circled eyes. She looked down at the rose once more before fixing her intense gaze on the camera. "Their coming Peeta. You'll all be dead by morning! Protect my family! Protect Prim! Get to safety!" She was jerked away from camera view as she spoke. "No!" She cried and then a noise of flesh hitting flesh could be heard. They heard her scream and the live feed went blank.

"That was a warning. She's trying to warn us." Plutarch, Haymitch, and Coin  fell into a heated discussion before going quiet. Their eyes fell on the two boys. Peeta's hands froze halfway to his face as he reacted to the pleas and cries of the girl he loved. Gale was scrubbing his face with his hands, a tangible sign he felt scared and helpless unable to do anything to stop the abuse of his friend. The room stilled for a moment. Organized chaos followed as everyone leaped to action.

"They're going to kill her! We have to go after her!" Peeta yelled to anyone who would listen. Coin put her hands on his shoulders. "We can't go after her now." She said trying to comfort him. She looked at Boggs, " is there any sign of hovercrafts on radar?" The head of security shook his head. She let go of Peeta's broad shoulders.

"I think it's time for an air-raid drill, don't you?" She asked. Alarms blared through the loud speakers. Yellow and red lights began to flash throughout the district. A voice calmly spoke directions over the intercoms.

"This is not a drill! Please stay calm. Please make your way to your designated shelters. For your protection the shield doors will be locked in T-minus eight minutes. This is not a drill...." The same message repeated echoing down stairwells and through corridors of District 13.

Peeta and Gale sprinted from the control room into the cacophony of people making their way loudly to their shelters. Katniss had told Peeta to protect her family and that's what he was going to do. Both young men headed towards the dining hall where they had left Prim and the others earlier. When they reached it the tables and food trays were deserted. Peeta racked his brain to figure out what to do next when Gales head shot up.

"Buttercup!" Gale said more loudly than he meant to. "Prim probably went to get her cat." Katniss had rescued the Orange tabby when they had returned to 12 the first time after hearing of its destruction. His voice was calmer as they ran from the dinning hall towards the living quarters. When they finally arrived in the corridor that housed both Gales mother and his siblings along with Katniss's mother and Prim they found the blonde girl with the raggedy cat in her arms. Peeta sighed in relief.

"Prim, did my family head downstairs already?" Gale said bending down to be at eye level with her as he touched her shoulders lightly. Prim saw both of them as family since they had helped so much over the past couple years. Gale had always been there of course, watching out for her and Katniss. During the first games he'd helped provide them with food bringing them wild game from his hunting trips. He even took Prim out and taught her how to make snares and she learned medicinal plants too. Peeta had appeared later after the first games helping her by painting pictures in a book of all the healing herbs. He'd always been a kind soul with a smile on his face but with everything that happened he was family now.

"They all went down to the shelters from the dining hall. I went to look for both of you but I remembered Buttercup and I couldn't just leave him." Prim answered as the trio began to descend into the safer lower levels headed to the shelters. They made it just in time. All three of them slipped through just as the doors were closing. First Prim, then Peeta, and Gale took up the rear. The walls shook violently as the surface of District 13 was bombarded by bombs.

My name is Katniss Everdeen. I live in District 12 District 12 was destroyed. I was in the Hunger Games I escaped with Peeta Peeta loves me I love him Peeta and Prim need me I have to stay alive

Katniss sat in her freezing cold cell. She only wore the white undergarments that had gone with her interview dress. Even with the white rose in her hand as a warning if she did anything wrong she had still warned Peeta and the rebels of the plan she'd heard while at the palace. Now she waited for them to kill her.

She was locked into a padded reclining chair. Her hands and feet had gone numb from the metal restraints around her wrists, and ankles. She had lost so much weight over the past several weeks the one around her neck was loose enough she could move her head a little. The images of Dark Peeta with glowing eyes flashed in front of her but she didn't pay much attention to it now. Snow didn't have Peeta! He wasn't being tortured and Prim was safe. Or at least she had been during the interview. She prayed to whoever would listen that she had warned them in time. She could live with that as her dying act. Saving Prim, Peeta, and everyone she cared about.

Heavy boots pounded down the hall from the other side of her door. She steadied her breathing readying herself so she could face her executioner. The door slid open and two people in white lab coats wheeling in machines stepped inside with two helmeted peacekeepers behind them. No one spoke a word. Instead a syringe with yellow liquid was pulled from the pockets of both men. Both of them chose a side and simultaneously injected each arm.

The drugs went to work almost instantly. She felt the sparkly haze envelope and posses her. Winding from the top of her head around her body to the tips on her fingers and toes. They placed sticky square patches in various places of her body hooking them up with wires to the machines. She could her the machines beep in rhythm with her heart. The lights were dimmed to a faint yellow glow and she was reminded of a fires glow in a cave. They shoved something in her mouth that cupped her teeth. It was rubbery and soft against her mouth.

"Machine primed. Ready to begin when you are, sir." Said the man on her right. "You may start at two." The man on her left answered. "Begin." She felt the hairs on her arm start to stand and the machine began to hum. An odd sensation began to build in the room around her. A charge hot as fire shot through her and she began to convulse wildly against the chair and its restraints. She heard herself scream but felt oddly disconnected from the sound. The flames built within her veins reaching higher and higher. Boring the pain until she couldn't handle anymore she closed her eyes and screamed once more. The sound echoed through the cell and her head. The room shifted and changed around her until she was somehow in the woods again. Her woods in District 12. Home.

Peeta sat with his back to her. He was sitting on a fallen log covered in green moss. She walked towards him and put her hand on his shoulder. He tensed against her touch. She caught out of the corner of her eye something that flashed in the sunlight. She raised on her tip toes to see what was in Peeta's hand. It was a sword dripping with red blood and as she looked down she saw the lifeless blood stained bodies of her best friend and her sister.

She screamed at the horror of it. Prim, in her blonde pigtails and the overalls she always wore to pick flowers and herbs in, could not be dead! Gale had fallen backwards over top of her sisters small frame, no doubt an attempt to protect her. He had failed and the cost was both their lives. She looked at the blond haired boy on the log still fiddling with his metal stick. With an evil smirk on his blood spattered face his blue eyes slid to lock with her grey ones.

"Now we're almost even." He hissed. "What are you talking about?" She gasped out still reeling from the scene before her. "You killed my family, now I've killed yours." His words made her heart twist in her chest. A broad smile creeped across his face. Her pulse began to pound even louder in her ears. She took a step back accidentally snapping a twig under her foot. She froze under the violence in his gaze. "You can't leave. We aren't done yet!" He spat and she watch as his eyes began to glow and change color from a brilliant blue to raging reddish-orange.

She turned to run but he was to fast. His body collided with hers sending them tumbling down a ridge. His sword cut into her as they rolled. His hands locked around her upper arms they were a tangle of flailing limbs and weapons. When they came to a stop at the bottom he was on top of her pinning her to the ground. She felt the tip of his short sword under her chin.

She glared up at him as she grit her teeth. She was going to say something but couldn't find the words.  He was to strong and she knew she couldn't get away. He was right to hate her. She was the reason District 12 was reduced to ashes his family with it. He had every right to kill her. She kept her eyes on him and was reminded of a similar situation in her first games. The girl with a similar smirk pinning her down and holding a blade to her throat. It almost felt like it had happened to someone else. His body pressing harder against her brought her out of the memory. "You should've died in the games like you were supposed to. Now I have to kill you. I don't think I'm going to kill you right away. They want me to take my time." He whispered as the tip of the blade moved slowly down her neck to her chest. "Whose they?" She gritted. His smirk returned and she felt the blade dig into her skin and it stung as blood drops appeared. A shallow cut on her upper chest near her collar bone. He bent down over her until she could feel his hot breath against her ear. His voice was soft and wistful. "The people that created me."

The last thing she thought as he slid the blade into her slowly as she felt herself break was He's a mutt. He's a mutt. My Peeta is a mutt and he's going to kill me just like he killed Prim, and I deserve it. I killed his family.

Peeta sat crossed legged in a bunk next to Finnick's in the dimly lit shelter. Gale was asleep in the bunk in front of his. His brothers and mother slept near him on the tops of both his and the one Prim shared with her mother. Once the ground had stopped shaking Prim had finally closed her eyes and now slept soundly to Peeta's relief. Finnick was lying back reclined against bedding wide awake and fiddling with a piece of rope tying it in different knots. Peeta watched fascinated as the knots formed into different shapes. He held a notebook and pen stopping mid-sketch to watch the victors rhythmic movements. The bombardment of explosions had finally ended but the all clear had not yet been announced. The waiting was the hardest part.

" I can teach you how to tie knots if you're interested." Finnick said not taking his eyes off the rope in his hands. Peeta put his notebook and pen aside scooting forward to the edge of the mattress. "Does it help? Tying knots over and over?" Peeta asked curiously. They'd had several conversations over the weeks they'd been guests of District 13. Since the capital held both Annie and Katniss hostage they seemed to share each other's pain, bonding over the experience. Annie had been taken right after the Quell escape, from District 4, to punish Finnick. He had been an emotional mess as everyone tried to show their support. Peeta had admitted he didn't know how Finnick was feeling at the time which he now found ironic since Katniss had been ripped from him just days later. After making sure Gale was going to be alright and talking to Prim, he had wondered around 13 for hours. He finally ended up at Finnick's hospital room unable to go back to his living quarters. The two men had sat in silence for a long time before Finnick finally spoke. "I'm sorry about Katniss." Was all he said. His voice was hoarse and sad.

"It's a way to channel my emotion into something productive. This way I'm not hurting anyone, including myself." His words brought Peeta back to the present. "What were you sketching?" He gestured toward the notepad. Unable to answer Peeta picked up the pad and handed it to Finnick. He dropped the rope on his chest and reached out taking the pad of paper. As he inspected the partial sketch a small smile spread across his face. "What?" Peeta asked shyly rubbing his chin against his shoulder. "The way an artist sees a person is quite fascinating. It can reveal a lot about them. It's like glimpsing their soul." He paused. "I saw your showcase during the victory tour, did I ever tell you that?" He paused thoughtfully then shook his head continuing. "You've got skill, I'll give you that. This sketch of Katniss is breathtaking." He added handing the notebook back. He took it and laid it on the bunk next to him. "Thanks but I just can't seem to get her right. I keep trying though. It would be easier if she were here." He felt stupid as soon as he heard the words leave his mouth and he cringed in frustration. "Sorry man." Finnick ran his fingers through his wavy hair and sat up to face Peeta. Finnick's eyes locked with his. "It's okay, if anyone understands what I'm going through its you. You don't have to apologize for missing the girl you love." He put his head in his hands wearily.

"What's Annie like?" Peeta asked hesitantly afraid he might upset him.

"She's....she's a gentle soul." He sighed heavily. "She can surprise you though. No one expected her to survive the games. She wasn't the same after them. but still, she kinda creeped up on me. She walked the beach a lot after she came home." He described as his hand rubbed his nose. "I remember the day I realized I loved her she wore a green sundress that had some kind of decorative beading on it. Her red hair matched the colors of the sunset against the sky and water. She was having a bad day so we decided to walk along the shoreline. It seemed to Sooth both our souls." Finnick picked the piece of rope back up and began weaving it into another knot as he spoke. "She made me feel like a better person. I didn't feel....dirty, I guess would be the word,around her. Didn't feel disgusted by what I'd become. I can breath around her. In the capital it's like a blackness that......that sucks the life out of you. Annie brought the light and life back. And now Snow has her and I can't do anything but tie knots." A soft sob escaped his lips and a tear fell down his cheek.

Great Peeta! Good job you managed to bring Finnick to tears. He silently chided to himself. "She sounds like an amazing person. I'll be glad to meet her someday." Peeta said encouragingly. Running both hands through his blond curls he shifted in his bunk. Finnick wiped his cheek and sniffed trying to control his heartache and nodded.

"Did Katniss ever tell you she loved you?" Finnick asked starring into the yellow electronic lantern that dangled near his head. It was Peeta's turn to feel the emptiness the absence of one you care about can leave. Finnick must of taken his hesitation as a no and he began to reassure him."She does love you. After your first games everyone thought it was an act so we expected both of you to stick with the whole star-crossed lovers thing during the quell. It wasn't til you hit the forcefield that I realized you both loved each other. Maybe she doesn't know how she loves you or in what way yet. But she does love you."

"She told me." Peeta confessed as his eyes went back to the notepad next to him. "She didn't mean for me to hear it at first, I don't think. We'd just been released from the hospital and they told us about twelve being destroyed." He slid a hand over his face before speaking again. "We were assigned our quarters and I just... I guess I finally reached my limit of bad news, and I fell apart. She held me as I went to pieces and I told her I loved her and I slowly began to calm down." He closed his eyes trying to return to that moment of grief and happiness. "She must of thought I was asleep at some point because she whispered she loved me ,then rolled over and was going to try to sleep. I was awake so I asked her if she meant it. I startled her but she said it again. Then she was." Tears stung the back of his eyes and a lump formed in his throat that ached for release. He didn't cry.

Finnick offered a sad smile but it reached his eyes. He finished another knot he'd been tying while listening to Peeta's story. "I'm glad she told you. And that she figured it out." He chuckled lightly.

"I'm glad she told me but I'm torn about it. A part of me wishes she hadn't. Not because I don't love her but because..." Finnick cut him off. "Because Snow has her and you don't know if you'll ever see her again. That she could die screaming for you and there's nothing you can do about it." He said flatly. His voice was hollow and he looked haunted. Peeta bowed his head nodding slowly. "How do you live with it?" "I drag myself from nightmares each morning and find no relief in waking." He admitted shaking his head. "I feel like I'm going to loose it any minute. Like I'll finally crack and shatter into a million pieces."Peeta choked picking up the notepad to study his drawing of Katniss sleeping peacefully. "Better not give into it. It takes ten times as long to put yourself back together than it does to fall apart." His eyes seem to drift as if he was remembering something.

Both of them fell silent. Finnick stretched out on his bunk returning to tying knots. Sensing the end of conversation Peeta flipped over onto his stomach and returned to the unfinished sketch.

When they were finally given the all clear and the shield doors were unlocked Peeta and Gale were summoned to the war room where Coin, Boggs, and Plutarch stood waiting. They requested he make another Propo about 13 surviving. He agreed and now stood on the grated stairwell that lead to the surface of 13 with Boggs, Cressada and her crew, Haymitch, Gale, and Prim.

The door was opened that lead out side. The view was blocked by large pieces of rubble and debris. They filed out carefully making their way around large pieces of concrete and trees. They stepped out what Peeta thought was a ridge until he looked down. It was the crest of a crater from one of the bombs. The crater was dusted in what he thought was white ashes and foliage. It couldn't be snow it was still to warm yet.  As he walked down inside the gaping whole he found he was mistaken. It wasn't ashes. He bent down and grabbed a handful of white powder. He rubbed the familiar substance between his fingers. It was flour. "What is it?" Asked Prim. She was standing next to Gale and Haymitch a little ways above him. "It's flour. And..." He paused bending down to pick up what he now recognized as one of President Snows white roses. He remembered the one Snow had left for Katniss in her home in 12. "Snow's white roses." His voice shook as he said the mans name. "Okay Peeta we are going to do this just like last time. I want you to look into the camera and explain what happened here." Cressada directed.

A wave of nausea crashed over him as he realized what the gifts meant. He dropped the flour and the rose bending over bracing his hands on his knees. He felt dizzy and a cold fear gripped his insides. Icicles formed in his stomach. He fell to his knees his jumpsuit legs dusted in white. "He's going to kill her. He's going to kill Katniss." He could barely speak and it came out a whisper. His hands trembled uncontrollably. He stared wide-eyed at Prim. "Speak up Peeta we don't have a mic on you?" Peeta barely registered Cressada's instructions. He watched as her lips formed words but couldn't register what they ment at first. "...District 13 is alive and well and so am I." She finished.

"No, I can't! I won't!" He choked when finding his voice. Haymitch held up his hands to shut off the cameras and made his way to Peeta. The older mentor knelt next to him. Before he could say anything Peeta cut him off. "Snow is going to kill Katniss. It's a message. He's going to kill her because of what I've done. Oh god, Haymitch! She's going to die and it's all my fault!" He explained fighting back panicked sobs and gripping Haymitch's arms.

"Peeta?" He heard Prim call concerned. "Peeta are you alright?" Cressada asked "No!" He said more forcefully than he meant to. He felt disconnected as he continued, "Snow's going to kill Katniss." He let go of Haymitch and picked up some flour and a rose. Holding the items out to them he finished. "It's a warning. He's going to kill Katniss. No. I can't! I can't! I won't be the reason she dies!" He cried up to them. "Peeta..." Cressada began. "Don't." Peeta warned his voice tense. He had to get back to 13. He couldn't stand in the middle of this horror anymore. "Let him go." Boggs ordered softly his tone stern.

He stood helping Haymitch to his feet and started back the way he came. Gale had gone white and Prim took his hand trying to find some comfort. Her knees buckled though, and Gale caught her before she slid to the ground. Peeta reached them and took Prim from Gale's arms. Haymitch was not far behind and soon caught up with them as they made their way back to the safety of 13.  Gale stayed behind with Boggs and the others.

Peeta took Prim back to her quarters. She sat in a chair tears brimming her eyes. He laid a blanket over her and she gripped the edge of it tightly to herself. He brushed a few pieces of hair from her face with his fingers. She took his hand. Her eyes found his.

"Is he really going to kill her? Tell me the truth....please? I'm not a little kid anymore. I deserve to know." Prim's question came with two tears that slid down her face. Peeta's heart felt like it cracked inside him. He ran his other hand through his curls. "I don't know." He shifted kneeling next to where she sat. "The flour, the roses, it was directed at me. If he does kill her.... it will be my fault." His head bowed unable to look Prim in the face. He had promised her he would get Katniss back and now he was the reason she would never come home. Because of his actions she would die. Because of his words she would bare his punishment.

Her fingers found his stubbly chin and she lifted his head to face her. Her eyes were pained with a steady resolve. When he faced her she took his face in both of her hands. "Peeta If Katniss dies it won't be your fault. It will be President Snow's fault. You cannot blame yourself for the cruelty of one man. I saw the interview with Katniss in the Capital. They showed me a recording of it. Do you remember what Katniss said to you?" He opened his mouth to say something but she cut him off. "She said you should do what's right. That she would support your decision, your choices. All you have done being the Voice of the Mockingjay, making propos, and taking care of me and mom, she would be proud of you. She would be grateful. Your marriage might be fake but you're family. You've become a brother to me. And I know Katniss loves you. So no matter what, it is not your fault." She let his face go and put her hands in her lap.

"Has anyone ever told you you're wise beyond your years." Peeta chuckled softly tears on his cheeks. He wiped them away as he moved to take the chair next to Prim. "At least once a week." She joked dryly starring at a family photo on the table in the corner.

A few hours later a knock on the door startled them making both of them jumped slightly.  Peeta stood and walked to the door answering it. It was Haymitch. The serious look on his face made Peeta freeze in place. He motioned his former mentor inside. The scruffy man slid past him and walked to stand near where Prim sat. Peeta followed him and stood next to Prim.

"Is your mom here or is she on duty at the hospital?" Haymitch asked his voice kind. "She's still on duty. What's going on Haymitch?" Prim asked hesitantly. "You should sit down." He told Peeta gesturing to the chair next to Prim. Peeta slid down into it not liking the older mans tone. Haymitch slid a hand down his face. "I wish I had something to drink we could really celebrate the end of the Voice of the Mockingjay then." He said "I'm not quitting Haymitch. I just.... I..."Peeta struggled for the words which surprised him. "It's okay, I get it." Haymitch held up a hand stopping Peeta's struggle. He picked up a picture frame inspecting it carefully. "Is this your dad?" He asked Prim. She nodded in response. He put the frame down carefully  and took a seat in front of them. He lifted his head to the ceiling and let out a deep breath before facing them again. "Peeta, you and Katniss are some of the only friends Ive got. Along with you and your mother, sweetheart." He added nodding to Prim. "So... I'm just gonna tell you. They're going after Katniss and the others." He finished, speaking with his hands. Peeta stilled as he registered what Haymitch had said. When he found his strength he stood.

"Where are you going?" Prim asked as she watched him move toward the door.

"I'm going to keep my promise. I'm going to bring Katniss back." He answered with a smile. He was almost to the door when Haymitch spoke again. "You can't. They already left. A tactical team, made of six people, all volunteers, they left about an hour ago."Haymitch said pushing hair out of his face. Peeta turned to face him. His jaw clenched in frustration. He was supposed to go! He was supposed to save Katniss! He promised to bring her back! No one else promised! "I should be with them!" He yelled through gritted teeth knocking over a chair and punching the door. The skin on his knuckles split and blood covered his hand. He let the pain fuel his rage, closing his eyes at the dull ache that had started in his knuckles. "Peeta!" Prim gasped! She threw the blanket off and stood moving toward him cautiously. "Let me see your hand." She said gently. She approached him like he was a wounded animal. He thought of Katniss and the anger and frustration swelled with in him. He pulled away from her more forcefully than he meant to. "Not now!" He growled. She shrank back hurt by his tone. Peeta ran the non-bleeding hand through his curly hair and breathed out forcefully. His temper flared and he moved to punch the door again but Haymitch caught his arm. He didn't know the older mentor could move that fast.

"Peeta enough." Haymitch scolded wearily and let his arm go. Placing his hands on the young victors broad shoulders he continued. "They wouldn't let you go anyway! They lost their Mockingjay once, they can't loose you too. Let's face it, as much as we want Katniss and the others back, this rescue mission could be a one way trip! They're not going to take that chance with you. " The scruffy man enunciated every word making his point evident. Peeta could read the stubborn scowl and it reflected his own frustration. Recovering his composure the older man let Peeta's shoulders go and palmed the beanie on his head adjusting it.

Defeated hot tears began to swell in his eyes He walked back to where Prim now stood. "Sorry Prim" she nodded her acceptance . "I'm just... I should be with them!" He gritted. He sunk down into a chair putting his head in his palms. Prim moved to inspect his damaged hand. The room became quiet for several moments as she worked, until Peeta spoke again. "Does Gale know?" He asked his jaw flexed and his hand starting to throb.   Haymitch didn't answer for a long moment his hands clasped together in front of him as he sat in a chair next to Prim. He finally answered, "Who do you think was the first to volunteer?"

"Moves and countermoves...." Snow stood in his office starring out a window that looked out over the capital. A knock at the door brought him back from memories of his wife when they had just started dating. He'd been thinking of her a lot lately and it unsettled him. Starting with Katniss Everdeen's interview, the desperate star-crossed lovers act with the bakers son, and the fiasco with the berries in the 74th Hunger games. She had an essence about her that made him feel haunted about his wife's strategically planned demise. A rather painful and unfortunate event.

He had caught her cheating, or what he thought was cheating. He still could see her dark hair half up with braids the rest falling loosely down her shoulders and arms. He had loved her long hair. He still saw wisps of it swaying in the breeze. They had been hosting a gathering at the Presidential Palace. She had disappeared during his speech and he'd found her in a room with another man. The man was taken into custody and his wife was moved to another room in the Palace. It had come out during the interrogation of the man that she had been plotting with others to stir up rebellion. He saw the same defiance in her eyes then as he did in Miss Everdeen's now.

"Come in." He lilted turning to face the closed, tall, double doors. He had a rule never to turn his back on anyone. That's how you end up dead. He, of all people, knew that. The doors opened and a small framed man with bleach blond hair stepped inside. He wore a white suit with a gold rose print. No doubt the mans tactless attempt at impressing him. He smiled as the man took his place in front of Snow's desk.

"Ah, Doctor Circundas, please sit." Snow held out a hand gesturing to the high back chair in front of his desk. The doctor took his seat quickly without further encouragement. Snow sat in his chair across the desk from the short man. Circundas was only five-two and he looked like an adolescent playing dress up in the large seat. "How is our rebellious guest doing?" Snow inquired.

Circundas pushed his gold rimmed glasses up his nose before he spoke. "Miss Everdeen continues to amaze us all. As always you were correct in informing me of her being a survivor. She has given my team and I quite the fight. However...." Snow interrupted annoyed by the mans squeaky high pitched voice modification. "Will she be ready by tonight?" He demanded scrutinizing the medical professional across from him. "Miss Everdeen is ready now, Mr. President. Her response to the treatments is quite impressive. She is by far the best work my team and I have ever accomplished. Her manipulation has been completely excepted." The blond haired man boasted. " I have all the information here if you would like to see it." Circundas pulled a pad out of its case and held it out to Snow. The President took it and began to examine its contents. Thankfully,the doctor staid silent as he read. "She never ceases to amaze does she?" Snow mused a smile breaking across his face. "Isn't it ironic how the very girl that sparked a revolution will be the very one that kills it." "Oh yes, Mr. president." The man appeased nervously. "Move her to a cell near the others. You know what to do. That will be all." Snow dismissed turning on the holographic projecting screen on his desk. Circundas Rose and quickly made his way to the door. "Oh, and Circundas," Snows words brought him up short and he turned to face the snowy haired man. "I better not be disappointed. It would be a shame if your family and your team had to suffer for your mistakes if Miss Everdeen fails to accomplish her mission. Keep that in mind." Circundas shivered as fear shot down his spine. He nodded and left the room. Snow sat back in his chair watching the projection intensely. Katniss Everdeen was laying in the middle of her concrete cell singing the valley song. He scratched his white bearded chin. A satisfied amused look on his face.

"Yes Miss Everdeen lets show the rebels what you truly are. Let's see how fast the flames of war will die out when you've killed all their hope." His smile broadened into a wicked grin. He pressed a silver button on his desk lightly. "Egeria, I need to see you." He ordered.

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My Name is Katniss Everdeen My sisters name is Prim I was in the Hunger Games I was kidnapped by the Rebels The rebels have Prim I was kidnapped by the capital My home is District 12 District 12 does not exist The Rebels destroyed it Peeta Mellark is their voice Peeta Mellark will kill us all Peeta Mellark is a mutt Peeta Mellark must be eliminated The Rebels are the enemy Their Leader must be eliminated I do not trust anyone

Katniss lay on her bunk in her new cell. No longer cement walls and slab floors but white walls and grey doors. She wore a cream uniform that looked and felt like medical scrubs. A glimpse of a memory appeared of her sister prim in slate grey medical scrubs. Her eyes kind but with a wisdom beyond her years. Her blonde hair was pulled back into a braid that was twisted and pinned up into a bun at the base of her neck. A ghost of a smile spread across her face but disappeared when a shiny image of a dark Peeta stalking around her baby sister intruded. A shrill scream from down the hall brought her back to the present. She shook her head to clear it and sat up.

She pushed her body up from the bed and stood. She wasn't used to hearing other people scream. She'd been sequestered away in her own prison for, she didn't know how long, but it was nice to know she wasn't alone. She may not trust anyone but knowing there were other prisoners made her feel better. She walked to the grey door across the room placing her ear against it. It vibrated against her skin. Whatever was going on it was draining power. Since the major power outage a few nights ago her captors had been using generators to keep up with their ' treatments' as the men in white called them.

Loud sobs came from next door and she pulled away from the door and moved to the wall on her right. The walls were much thinner here than where she had been. Another scream filled the hall beyond her door and the lights flickered. More sobs from next door followed. This was going to get annoying. She couldn't hear herself think with all the racket. She returned to her bunk and dropped down heavily, sitting with her legs dangling over the edge. Again a painful wail accompanied by more crying. She put her hands to her ears and decided to sing.

🎶" Deep in the meadow, under the willow. A bed of grass, a soft green pillow. Lay down your head and close your eyes...."🎶 She continued to sing until the person next to her finally shut up and the prisoner down the hall finished screaming. Another memory of Prim intruded her thoughts. She was holding Prim after a nightmare. Her blonde hair was tangled and wet from sweat. "Will you sing me a song Katniss?" The girl asked. Katniss fixed the tangled covers and slid down under them to snuggle with Prim. "What do you want to hear?" She had asked between yawns. "Sing the meadow song." Prim said rubbing her eyes. "Okay little duck." She'd answered with a smile.

Booted foot steps coming toward her from behind the door interrupted the memory and she braced herself for whatever would come. They came to a halt right in front of her door, and she heard the familiar keypad code entry. After four small beeps her door unlocked and slid open. Two men in white lab coats entered the room followed by two Peacekeepers.

"Haven't grown tired of my screams yet, gentlemen? Cause, I know, I'm sick of seeing your ugly faces." She quipped. If they were going to torture her more she might as well insult them. She rose to her feet slowly. The two helmeted Peacekeepers flipped out their nightsticks and stepped forward. The two men in white coats slipped back as far as they could get from the altercation. She studied the Peacekeepers eyeing them through determined glares. She was weak but she could take at least one of them if necessary. "Been looking for a way to pay you back for all the beatings. Think I just figured out how." She taunted back. Cocking her head sideways.

She watched the Peacekeeper on her right, his hand twitched, and she flung herself at him with all the strength she had. Caught off guard by her attack she knocked him down taking  the stick from the ground where it fell. She cracked it across his head and the man slid unconscious back down to the floor. The second Peacekeeper moved toward her and the two began to circle each other cautiously.

Out of the corner of her eye she saw the men in white lab coats typing notes. The helmeted man swung out with his stick and she wasn't quite fast enough to get out of the way. It grazed her left arm. He was unprotected so she kicked him between the legs. He fell back against the door holding himself. She felt a sharp jab and barely registered the needle imbedded in her back before she was falling to the floor with heavy eyes. Everything went black. With the words of the short man in a white lab coat echoing in her ears. "Most impressive."

Peeta, Prim, and Haymitch made their way through District 13 to the large control room. Inside Coin and Plutarch were whispering quietly in a corner while Beetee sat in his wheelchair fiddling with computers and buttons. The floor to ceiling wall screen was bright against the dim lighting. Finnick was pictured on the screen and he was speaking of life as a victor. Along one side of the screen were faces with the words live feed. It was the tactical team. They were on a hovercraft heading towards the Capital. Peeta's fingers flexed in frustration as he found Gales face on camera. He should be with them!

"....It is possible to survive the games, we all know this. What you may not know is the second you become a victor you're a slave..." Finnick's voice echoed against the concrete walls.

"What's Finnick doing? Making a Propo?" Prim asked starring up at the screen confused. At her question Beetee turned in his chair. Alma Coin and Plutarch went silent as they realized the others had joined them. Beetee, his eyes alight with anticipation, spoke first. "Finnick's not just making another propo. We are filming him live and broadcasting him on all frequencies. The Capitals defense is down from the the power outage. When they took out the dam it took out their power." He explained taking off his glasses to clean one lens on his jumpsuit quickly. "So he's a distraction." Peeta concluded. He began to regret bringing Prim along as her smaller hand slid into his. She may not be a little girl but she wasn't exactly an adult, then again, neither was he.

"....President snow used to sell me for my body. I was not the only. If a victor is desirable the president gives them as a pleasure gift to the highest bidder. Or to the main elite of the Capital..." Finnick continued, a charming smile on his lips as he spoke.

Haymitch noticed Prim's struggle and moved closer to put his arm around her shoulders. She leaned into the older mans side. As she heard Finnick speak she became more and more unsettled. Tears slid down her face. Peeta met Haymitch's gaze and a silent debate ensued.

"...If a victor refused to entertain at the request of the Captial, President Corilanous Snow would take and kill a family member or a loved one..." The victors eyes looked haunted and he looked as if he were remembering a tragic point in his past.

"Entering Capital airspace. Perimeter defense is offline. Reaching target location in 45 seconds." Boggs voice crackled through the speakers.

Peeta slid a hand down his face nervously as the call came in that the tact team was entering Capital airspace. Prim fidgeted nervously beside him. Haymitch lightly tighten his hold on Prim's shoulders. His face was scrunched into a vigilantly nervous scowl. Peeta nodded to him over Prim's head. The scruffy man nodded back in agreement. "Why don't you come with me, sweetheart. Your upset and you don't need to see this." Haymitch coaxed. She shook her head frantically. " I'm going to stay. I want to see them save Katniss. I'll leave once I know she's safe." She answered, her fingers against her lips. The two blond men exchanged annoyed looks. Peeta thought he heard Haymitch mumble something about Prim being stubborn like her sister, but didn't quite make it out.

The live feed of the tact team went to night vision as the team dropped down into the old tribute center. Gunfire erupted and flashes of light were seen. The peacekeepers standing guard were all killed before the team touched the ground. Slowly the team began to gas each hallway and room as they made their way to the lower levels where Katniss and the others were held.

".....Each Patron would present a lavish gift as a form of payment or to make themselves feel better. Over time I found a much more valuable gift then jewels, money, or diamonds. Secrets. Secrets of the Capital became my gift of choice. Especially those about our dear leader, President Snow ..." Finnick's charming smile morphed into a smirk. He pushed onward each sentence empowering and restoring hope.

Peeta barely noticed as he watched the tactical team clear room by room until they reached a set of double doors. What they found behind those doors made him shiver and his stomach knotted. All different types of torturous devices and restraints sat around the room. Tables filled with chemical compounds and experimental equipment. Large cages sat,thankfully empty, against the walls. Gale bent over one counter to find syringes in some strange hand held contraption and his camera bobbled.

"What is this place?" His voice crackled through the coms with horror. Before anyone could say anything the cameras went a blinding white and he yelped in pain.

"....He wears white flowers that reek of perfume to cover the smell from the sores in his mouth that will never heal....."Finnick's voice overpowered the microphones once again as the tact teams coms started to loose frequency.

"What's happening? Boggs, talk to us!" Called Coin. Beetee was typing frantically at his station. Every muscle in Peeta's body tightened and his breath caught in his throat. Prim gripped his hand tightly trying to keep a brave face. "Boggs talk to me! Beetee get our coms back, now!" Coin ordered. "They must have found another power source. The systems been rebooted. Another sixty seconds and they will be cut off completely. It's not enough time....." He was interrupted by Coin. "Do we abort and call them back? I need information Beetee." Alma Coins grey eyes darkened as she spoke and she shook her head exasperated.  She noticed Prim was still in the room and froze. "Get her out of here. This is no place for someone so young. Peeta you may stay. Keep trying to get our coms back." She acknowledged controlling her concern. Her gaze moving from Haymitch, Prim, and Peeta before coming to rest on Beetee again.

Haymitch took Prim and left the room. She wasn't happy but she didn't argue. Peeta was grateful for that, at least. The video returned but with no way to communicate. The team had pressed onward continuing their search for the hostages. "We need those coms back." Coin mumbled against the hand in front of her mouth. A gesture she did often when troubled.

"Put me on. Broadcast me and I'll try to talk to Snow. I'll give you as much time as I can." Peeta offered, his voice slipping into what Katniss used to call his Official Victor Voice. Coin looked at Plutarch and Beetee for advisement. Beetee nodded and started setting up a camera infront of where Peeta stood. "Yes! Yes." Plutarch advised as he helped Beetee, nodding in agreement. "Okay, ready when you are Peeta. He will only see you." Beetee informed as he wheeled himself out of view of the camera.

"This is Peeta Mellark calling President Snow. President Snow?...... President Snow this is Peeta Mellark.... President Snow?.... Are you there?......" He called. His eyes found Coin, Plutarch, and Beetee as they crowded together behind the camera. He shook his head and tried again. "President Snow this is Peeta. Can you hear me?.... Presi...." He was cut off by a strange out of tune voice.

"Ah, Peeta Mellark! This is a surprise indeed! What an honor to be speaking with the Voice of the Mockingjay. I assume this isn't you calling about my gifts. What can I do for our favorite baker?" Snows voice came through crystal clear and it dripped with excited sarcasm.

"Good evening President Snow. Yes, I did receive your gifts and I except them in the spirit in which they were given." He paused plastering a fake smile on his face and fighting the rage that threatened to show in his tone. "I wanted to talk to you. There are some things I'd like to clear up. Katniss and I didn't know what was going on in the games. We didn't know anything about any plan. We were just trying to keep each other alive. She didn't want a war. She didn't want to be a symbol for a rebellion. Let her go. She is innocent. I'm the one who became the voice of the resistance. I'm the one who became the Mockingjay's voice. Take me and release her." Peeta bargained trying not to sound as desperate as he felt. His voice, to his surprise, staid a steady confident tone.

Snow shook his head and smiled his evil broad toothy grin. " I'm afraid it's a bit to late for noble sacrifice, my boy. As for the rest of it, what's done is done. You did become the voice of the resistance, the voice of the Mockingjay. I warned Katniss what would happen if peace was lost. I warned her what I would do if she defied me. Now she knows I'm a man of my word. Soon you will find out what happens to those who blatantly defy me." Snows voice grew stern and his eyes seemed to bore into Peeta's.

The team reached another sub-basement level and began to search in clockwise rotations. Seeing this out of the corner of his eyes, Peeta pressed forward in conversation. He shifted his weight on his prosthetic slightly. With a noticeable swallow he continued.

"We did everything you asked. We even got engaged and planned our wedding. We fell in love like you wanted us to. You destroyed our home! You brutalized the Districts for decades! Don't blame us for your actions. We are not adults! We did what we could! Let Katniss go and you won't have to see either of us again. I'll stop making propos. I won't be the Mockingjays voice anymore. You have my word! But only if you release Katniss and the others." Peeta offered. Sweat began to slide down his back and temples. He became a little more passionate with his speech than he meant to and he silently chastised himself to stay calm.

"My dear Peeta, it's the things we love most that destroy us. I want you to remember I said that. You've betrayed me and the Capital, you will be punished for that. So will your friends. Did you really think I didn't know about the tribute center. Such a shame....cut them off!" President Snow taunted, barking orders to someone off camera. The transmission was lost completely and the team footage disappeared.

The large screen was covered in snowy static and Peeta felt his heart shatter to pieces. His hands gripped his hair tightly. This whole thing had been a trap and they had played right into Snows greedy, sick hands. His thoughts drifted to Gale and the others on the team. Was he going to be responsible for their deaths too? How could he face Prim now that he was the reason she'd loose two people she loved and cared about. He had just ensured Katniss's death, he was sure of that. She meant everything to him. If she died he would have nothing. He would be nothing. Something in him broke and he flew out the double doors speeding toward the last place he and Katniss had found happiness.

"Peeta!" A voice called after him but he didn't turn around or stop. He continued onward to the elevators. When he reached them he boarded and pressed the button to the level his living quarters were on. No one followed him. When he reached their apartment he shut the door behind him locking it. He stripped off his jumpsuit and pulled out a green shirt and kaki pants. It was a set that Katniss had complimented him on during a wedding cake testing before the quell. She always did love green. He would wear her favorite color as he joined her in death. The star crossed lovers would be reunited once more.

Once he was dressed he turned to lay his grey jumpsuit, the uniform of District 13, next to the one Katniss had worn. She had laid it over her bed to change into when she returned that day from District 8. But she never had returned. He hadn't had the heart to move it or turn it in. At some point it had become a comfort, as if any minute she would return and change into it.

He placed his jumpsuit down on the bed and picked hers up. Putting it against his face he sniffed deeply trying to take in her scent. Tears threatened his eyes. The jumpsuit smelled of flowers and woods. She'd gone hunting the morning before they left and some how the smell of the woods clung to her cloths. He let the suit fall over his arm as he headed toward the door. If Katniss wasn't going to live he didn't want to either.

Something clattered to the floor bouncing off his bare foot. He looked down to see a small dark round object rolling across the floor. It came to a stop at the foot of the bunk. It was the same bunk they had shared for a few nights before she had been taken from him. He bent down to inspect it carefully. When he realized what it was he picked it up and held it in his open palm. It was the pearl from the games he had given her. She'd kept it. As he stared at the object in his hand it brought him out of his grief fueled pain.

Clutching the large pearl in his hand he slid to the ground. Tears streamed down his face and a glimmer of hope shot through his heart. It filled all the cracks making him whole again. He couldn't kill himself. Not yet. Not when there was still a chance she could be alive. He couldn't leave her battered and broken. The stairwell would wait until he needed it. He held the pearl in his fingers and kissed it. A memory of Katniss smiling on the beach as he handed her the pearl invaded his mind and he let himself get lost in it.

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Finnick and Peeta sat next to each other waiting for news in the empty dining hall. Finnick still wore the outfit he had on from the broadcast. Peeta had changed back into his jumpsuit saving the green cloths for Katniss. They both held pieces of rope as Finnick was teaching him to tie different knots. Peeta's hand slipped occasionally to the pearl in his pocket. Waiting to hear news had become harder then waiting for the all clear after the bombardment of 13.  

The doors flew wide and a scruffy man in a jumpsuit and beanie appeared. Haymitch walked up to them quietly. He seemed to be in a good mood. The beanie was crooked on his head and he was smiling. Peeta and Finnick stood abandoning their work. The anticipation driving them both crazy.

"They're back." He announced his smile reaching his eyes. Peeta and Finnick looked at each other for a moment before hopping over their seats and meeting Haymitch. He had turned around to lead the way. He walked with them to the hospital wing. Finnick adjusted his cloths over and over nervously. Peeta wiped cold sweat from his forehead. Haymitch must of found them amusing because he chuckled slightly.

"What are you laughing at?" Peeta teased. Playfully hitting Haymitch's arm with his fist. For the first time in weeks he felt he could breath. A smile slid across his face and he didn't have to fake it. Katniss was alive and safe. They were both going to be okay. "You both are more nervous then a couple on their first date. It's kind of nice to see, actually." He mused. Finnick who was still anxiously picking at his cloths froze with the mentors words. He let go of the material in his hands and let the shirt fall against his skin. "It's not like we haven't been dreaming of this reunion since they were taken from us, Haymitch." Finnick said dryly. Haymitch's grin widened.

When the Elevator opened Peeta and Finnick bounded out into the hall leaving the old mentor behind. When they reached the Trauma Center it was buzzing with nurses, doctors, and officials. They caught sight of Johanna as she started to yell at the medical staff. "No! I don't want that!" She pushed the nurse away pulling the blood pressure cuff off her arm and froze when she saw them. She gave a crooked smile. Her face and body were bruised and her head was shaved balled. " Johanna..." Finnick started but he was interrupted. " Finnick!" Annie called tarring free of the people around her. His head whipped around to find her. She ran into his arms. "Annie! Annie! My Annie!" Finnick said lifting her up cradling her against him and then he was kissing her intensely. Peeta watched the sight and hoped his reunion with Katniss would be similar if not better than his friends. He made his way around the corner where Gale was standing. Leaving Finnick and Annie lip locked in an intimate moment behind him. "Gale, what is it? What's wrong?" Peeta asked moving closer to the boy from the Seam. "Something's not right. Their power was back and their guns were online. They had a lock on us easily and they let us go. I just don't get it and it doesn't feel right." He admitte his head shaking side to side. Peeta felt the knots return to his stomach as he spoke and he looked around nervously for Katniss. "Katniss?" He asked. His hand found the pearl in his pocket and he clutched it tightly. Realizing the panic in Peeta's eyes Gale answered quickly. 

"She's in trauma room two. She'll be alright. When we used the gas on the guards it knocked her out too. You should go wait with her until she wakes up." Gale finished gesturing to the room where Boggs stood in the doorway. Haymitch finally came to stand with them as Gale spoke.

"You should be there too." Peeta encouraged. "I'll see her after the debriefing. The two of you should be alone." He said sadly. He started walking away but then paused and turned back. "Peeta, she's been beaten up pretty bad and her hair.... Just brace yourself." Gale warned softly. The pain in his eyes made Peeta's heart twist as he watched the tall lanky boy saunter off down the hall.

Peeta nodded as he looked at Haymitch. They both took a breath before heading to Katniss's room. Boggs stepped aside to let them in and they slid past the dark skinned man.

When they entered Katniss's room she was still unconscious. She was covered in bruises and scrapes. There were strange square marking on her temples, neck, and arms. Her wrists and ankles were chafed and covered in scabs. Her once long hair has been cut short. Long enough to get in her face and eyes but short enough she couldn't braid it properly. She was so thin and hollow looking. He felt tears sting the back of his eyes and a sob lodged in the back of his throat. "Katniss." He whispered softly as he caressed her cheek lightly. He bent down kissing her forehead and as he pulled back her eyelids began to flutter.

When her eye lids finally did open her light grey eyes met his blue ones.  For a moment she studied him carefully then she sat up slowly and slipped off the edge of the bed to stand in front of him. She didn't speak a word but her hands slid up his arms slowly. Peeta closed his eyes for a moment enjoying the feel of her touch. Her hands made their way to his neck and she laced her fingers around the back of it. He watched as her face changed from a pleasant smile to one of burning hatred. Confused he opened his mouth to speak but was cut off when her knee dug into his groin.

With a painful moan he crumpled over and she shoved her knee up while pushing his head down until they made contact with a crack. Blood poured down his face from his nose. Haymitch tried to pull her away but she grabbed a metal tray on a standing table nearby and slammed it against him until he was out cold. Peeta barely got to his feet when she came after him again with the tray. He moved quickly dodging her swings at first. "Katniss what are you doing?" He asked desperately between heavy breaths. "DON'T TALK TO ME YOU MUTT!" She yelled her voice hoarse. Stunned by her comment he froze confused and hurt by the venom in her tone. The tray collided with his head and he hit the floor. His head swam as it throbbed in his hands. For someone so small and frail looking she sure could hit hard.

He remembered the time, it felt like ages ago now, when Katniss had flipped out and pinned him against the wall after his confession in an interview. He had said he liked her and she'd thought he was trying to make her look weak. The exact opposite of his intensions. He felt the metal tray hit him again and the contact stung his back bringing him out of the memory.

Boggs entered the room with two male nurses. Katniss grabbed a scalpel off the counter next to her eyeing the men as they moved to surround her. Boggs bent down to feel for Haymitch's pulse. She glared at them and Peeta sat up on his knees. She swung out with the scalpel and sliced a nasty gash across his chest. He yelled. The sharp blade felt like fire as it broke his skin. He didn't fight back or try and stop her. He was still in shock by everything. If it wasn't for the pain it would be as if it was just a bad dream. A nightmare. It had to be a nightmare, he thought to himself. Blood flowered over the chest of his jumpsuit. His hand held his chest and became sticky with the red liquid.

"Katniss, why are you..." He began to ask his voice so low it almost came out a whisper. She stood over him and as the others came toward them she bent down stabbing him in the side in one fluid motion. He gasped as the scalpel imbedded in his body. She shoved the blade deep. Then Boggs was pulling her away by her arms. Katniss began to scream lashing out wildly at anyone who got close. She was like a wounded animal.

"NO! LET ME GO! HE'S A MUTT! HE'LL KILL US ALL! HE'LL KILL US ALL! NO, HE HAS TO DIE!" Finally they pinned her against the wall and injected her with a sedative as she screamed. She went limp and Boggs carried her away. More nurses and doctors flooded into the trauma room. Each one leaping into action around the room.

Peeta fought against the lightheaded haze that was starting to drag him down. He sat against the wall one hand on his chest the other on the scalpel still inside his side. He watched as Haymitch was lifted and wheeled to another room in a wheelchair. As the nurses picked Peeta up and laid him onto the padded table Katniss had been lying on moments ago, he lost consciousness. He faded into blackness and the sensation of fire burning around his open wounds.

Haymitch, Prim, and Gale sat in the hall outside Peeta hospital room. He had been rushed to surgery when the examination had shown that the scalpel lodged inside him had punctured two organs. The surgery had been a success and the curly blond haired boy lay, still under anesthesia, unconscious in his room. Katniss had been sedated and restrained in an observed cell. No one was allowed to see her yet.

Prim and her mother had been helping Annie, with Finnick by her side, when the attack on Peeta occurred. Haymitch had just been knocked unconscious and the doctors diagnosed him with a concussion. They had ordered no sleep for 24hours and he sat with ice pack in hand and bruises forming on his face, neck, and back. Gale took it the hardest. He had been there, told Peeta to go in and wait with her. He blamed himself for not thinking something could've been done to Katniss. He'd been the one who'd lifted her off that weird table in the tribute center. He had pulled wires and instruments off her body.

"I should've staid. I should've gone in with you guys. I should've known." He sighed rubbing his hands through his hair. He sat elbows on his knees and his head in his hands.

"I hate to break it to you, but if you had been there you could be in just as bad a shape as Peeta or myself. There's no tellin' what they've done to her or who she'd target next." Haymitch answered wincing as he put the ice back on his forehead.

"Plutarch and the doctors said she was Hijacked. I don't know how anyone could make her violent toward any of us. We just got her back only to find out she isn't who she was." Prim sniffed. "Oh god, what's Peeta gonna do?" Her hands went to her eyes wiping away tears before they fell to far down her cheeks. Gale wrapped his arm around the back of her shoulders and squeezed lightly before kissing the top of her head.

"We'll do what we can. We keep fighting and hoping that Katniss will come back to us." He whispered against her blonde hair. He locked eyes with Haymitch and they both shared a doubtful look.

"We'll know more by the time Peeta wakes up, the doctors and Plutarch will have finished assessing her condition by then. Then we can all be there for Peeta when the bomb is dropped." The older mentor took a deep breath as he slouched back in the chair. "Poor girl, she deserves much better. They both do." He palmed his beanie fighting tears.

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Peeta's eyes fluttered open slowly. His vision was blurry and he felt drugged. His body felt like a limp noodle and his eyelids felt as if they were trying to be held down by weights. When he turned his head to look at his surroundings he found himself in a hospital room with Boggs, Haymitch, Gale and Prim all asleep in chairs. Prim's head was leaning on Gales shoulder while He was all stretched out laying back in a chair, his head bowed forward.  Haymitch sat forward, his elbows on his knees, and his head in his hands. On further inspection maybe Haymitch wasn't asleep. Boggs adjusted in the chair uncrossing his leg and sat up straighter trying to get comfortable.

Peeta realized his chest was bandaged then and as he tried to shift he felt another bandage on his side. He suddenly felt nauseous his stomach twisting. His heart broke as he recalled his reunion with Katniss. Her body battered and bruised, her hair cut short, her sunken frame. The way she smiled at first until it turned to an evil smirk with her eyes radiating hateful fury. He wished he hadn't woken up.

"It wasn't a nightmare." His voice was hoarse, defeated. Haymitch's head shot up and Boggs stood.

"No, it wasn't a nightmare." Haymitch said. Prim and Gale still snoozed quietly next to each other.

"Take it easy Peeta. You've just had surgery and you've got a lot of stitches." Boggs said as he tried to sit up but the dark skinned man held him down lightly until he laid back down again.

"Snow said 'its the things we love most that destroy us.' He was right." Tears slid from Peeta's eyes. He looked up at the ceiling trying to stop the flow of them.

"No, Peeta. Snow caused this. Not Katniss. Not love. Snow, and snow alone." Prim whispered as she sat up clearing her eyes of sand. Her movement woke Gale who shifted and sat up straight in his chair as well.

"Oh, hey, you're awake." He mumbled hoarsely from sleep. He missed what Prim had said and didn't understand why everyone had gone quiet. With a yawn he asked, "So how you feeling? Do you need anything?" Before Peeta could answer Plutarch appeared at the open room door and he knocked lightly, smiling as he entered.

"How are you feeling?" He echoed Gales previous question. Peeta just gave the man a look.

"The girl I love just called me a Mutt and tried to kill me, how would you feel?" The words fell from his lips with more attitude than he meant. Plutarch smiled his amused smile. The same one he'd given Peeta the night of the ball at the end of the Victory Tour, when he'd asked to cut in and dance with Katniss.

"Yes, she did get you rather good with that scalpel." He mused pulling out a thin file of papers from his messenger bag. "I uh," he cleared his throat. "I have some news about Katniss."

Everyone froze and the room went deathly quiet. Even Boggs stood as still as a statue, in fact, Peeta wasn't sure he was even breathing at one point. Haymitch's eyes met Peeta's encouraging him with a nod. Gales arm moved around Prim protectively. Her attention was on Peeta and Plutarch.

"What's happened to her? Why did she Attack me and call me a mutt?" Peeta asked raising the head of the bed with a button on the railing next to him. He gasped with the pain of moving his med-section but waved everyone's concern away as he found he could face them better. Plutarch shifted his weight on his feet slightly.

"She's the victim of something called Hijacking. It's not unheard of in the Capital but it has never been used on someone so young." Plutarch explained flipping and folding the file inside out to get to its contents.

"What does that mean?" Peeta asked as Prim stepped forward and sat next to him on the bed. She took his hand and held it in hers as Plutarch answered. It was a sweet comforting gesture that he welcomed.

"I'm not going to sugar coat it Peeta, it's a nasty process. She must have undergone a lot of torture for them to have manipulated her memories of you. They use beatings and other methods to strip down a persons identity and then condition them into fearing and hating someone." Plutarch informed.

"So they changed her memories of Peeta? They tortured her until she broke, is that it? Did they do this with her memories of anyone else?" Prim asked fighting to keep her voice steady.

"From what we've learned during her examination the main focus was Peeta but she's... How do I put this?.... She's not the Katniss that any of us know. She's still very protective of you, though, Prim. She wants to see you. She doesn't believe you're safe, like we told her. But you won't be going in to see her alone." Plutarch adjusted his attention from Peeta to Prim before turning back to Peeta once more.

"Is there any way to reverse what's been done?" Peeta asked hesitantly, afraid of what the answer might be.

"We've assembled a specialized team and I'm very hopeful that we can reverse it enough that she will be able to reclaim who she once was." Plutarch's reply was diplomatic. Peeta knew what an answer like that meant. He'd given those type of answers himself in the capital many times. It was a way to say something without actually saying it. He raked a frustrated hand through his hair.

Katniss Everdeen, the girl on fire, the victor, the Mockingjay, was hijacked. Katniss, the stubborn girl with the braid who could shoot and hunt. She could NOT be lost forever. In that moment he found a determined resolve deep inside him. He would find a way to bring the real Katniss back. He would find a way to restore her memories. There was only one thing to do. He had to save her because that's what they do, protect and save each other.

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Everyone had left for the assembly that Coin had called, probably another speech, leaving Peeta alone in his hospital room. He played with the pearl in his hands. It had been in, his now mangled, jumpsuit pocket. As he lay in the bed he felt a strange pull within him. He knew it was Katniss. Her presence always had the same affect on him. He wanted to be with her every moment of every day. His soul throbbed and it was as if she was calling him to her.

Peeta stood slowly, carefully holding his side. He reached the door and waited for the nurse on duty to leave her station. When she wandered down another hallway he hobbled down the corridor to where the nurse had just been standing. He found Katniss's room number on the board behind the desk and made his way to her. He gripped her pearl tightly in his free hand. 

When he saw Katniss through the observation windows he was caught off guard. She was in a restraining jacket she had somehow worked free and the sleeves fell down over her hands. She slammed her body against the walls wildly bouncing off them and sliding to the floor only to jump up and try again. She was screaming or yelling as she went. He moved closer to the windows and she froze turning to look his direction. She moved to the one way mirrors placing her hand flat on the glass. He put his hand on the glass over hers before he realized what he was doing. Her mouth began to move.

He looked straight into her light grey eyes. They were full of fiery rage and a soul deep torturous pain, it hurt him. The room was sound proof so he wasn't sure what she was saying or doing. He found a button on a panel in the wall. When he pushed it her voice lilted out of the speaker.

"🎶 Are you, are you coming to the tree? The dead man called out, for his love to flee. Strange things did happen here no stranger would it be, if we met at mid-night in the hanging tree. Are you, are you, coming to the tree? I told you to run, so we'd both be free. Strange things did happen here, no stranger would it be, if we met at mid-night in the hanging tree. Are you, Are you, coming to the tree? Wear a necklace of rope, side by side with me. Strange things did happen here, no stranger would it be, if we met at mid-night  in the hanging tree. 🎶" she sang through the speaker in her jazzy blues voice.

"I know you're there. I can feel you." She vocalized pressing her whole body against the window. She looked like a predatory cat that was hunting prey. Her gaze intense as she tried to look at him beyond the glass. Her movements were seductive almost verging on erotic. It both excited and disturbed him. He swallowed hard. He fingered the dark pearl against his palm.

"How's your side, Peeta?" A smirk slid across her face as she asked the question. She pushed away from the glass and made her way to stand at the foot of the bed. "What's the matter? Cat got your tongue?" She taunted. Her eyes returning to the glass. She laughed lightly. "I know what you are." She whispered. Each word tortured him and he wondered why he had come.

"Oh, I know why you've come. You want something from me right?!" She smiled a vicious grin as she pushed the hair out of her face. She moved within inches of the mirrored window again and gripped the bottom of her shirt. "Is this what you want Peeta?" She asked mocking the look of an innocent girl.  And edging her top up just slightly to show the skin on her stomach. "You want to play? Is that it?"Her voice was low and seductive. She raised her shirt a little more.

He stepped back angrily gripping the pearl tightly. How could she be saying this? How could she think such horrible things about him? Yes he admitted he loved her. Yes he did sometimes think about what it would be like to show her how he loved her, physically. But not like this. Not like some dirty cheap prostitute. It broke his heart as he watched both mesmerized by this predatory creature, and horrified at what Katniss had become. It felt as if someone had tore out his heart, and crushed it in front of him, leaving a gaping open wound behind.

"Come on mutt, let's PLAY!" She yelled dropping her shirt and slamming her hands against the plastic like glass. "YOU THINK WHAT I DID TO YOU EARLIER IS PAINFUL?! I'LL KILL YOU! YOU'LL DIE SCREAMING IN A POOL OF YOUR OWN BLOOD!"

Open Wounds. That's what the two of them had become. Two giant gaping wounds, open and bleeding for the world to see.