Return of the Mockingjay

Chapter 19

"Let's just look at what we have now in Panem, sure life is hard. But it's only been a few years since Snow was defeated and President Paylor had already achieved so much"

"But we were starving" screams another man. "At least Wolfe promises us food and shelter!"

"And what of your children?" Peeta hits back. "Do you really want to send them to the reaping every year, to watch them die in the games?"

Once again there's silence. Peeta has an answer for everything, well almost anyway. He still can't prove to Panem that I'm alive.
I turn to Lyndon.

"Contact 13, tell them they'll be another broadcast tomorrow, and I'll be there"

Gale stands up to protest but I put my hand up to stop him as Lyndon walks over to the phone and contacts Plutarch.

Peeta continues his address, breaking the silence.

"I know Wolfe has sent out his town speakers to the remaining districts that are under our control, but I plead with you not to listen to them. The future they promise you will never happen and we must join together and fight against him. Only then can we enjoy a peaceful Panem for us and our families"

Once again there's silence, for once he's struggling to overcome the doubt these people are feeling. They need something they can get behind, they need me. Suddenly Ellie hurries across the stage and whispers in his ear. Peeta just shakes his head, smiles and glances straight into the camera. For the first time I see his wonderful blue eyes, his boyish looks. The same face that won me over in the games those years ago, I know that quick glance at the camera was for me, he knows I'm watching.

He continues.....

"I have nothing more to say, except. Join me tomorrow afternoon for another gathering, and this time I can promise you, the Mockingjay will be here!"
I can here the rumbling of excitement pass through the crowd as Peeta salutes them and walks from the stage.

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That afternoon I have a bath and walk around victors green with Gale at my side, steadying me. My legs feel weak and tired, and my body as if it's not my own. No more than a few feet away are the Rapiers, all of them. Standing guard, with weapons drawn. I can understand why Lyndon isn't taking chances after what's happened and I know Viper has been given some sort of punishment for allowing me into the woods unguarded. It was only the sound of Thread's gun that had alerted them to my predicament and fortunately Flux, who's Lyndon's second in command had found me and saved my life, shooting Thread.

For what seems like hours I stagger round the green, trying to build my strength before my appearance in front of the country tomorrow. It won't look good if I collapse on stage whilst addressing the nation, although I'll be letting Panem see I'm alive it won't look good if I'm an weak, decrepit wreck.

Just before dusk Gale leads me back to my house and I manage to make it up the stairs unaided. I make it through my front door, collapse onto the couch and drift off to sleep immediately.

I wake, with the smell of fire stinging my senses, but it's just not that that's awoken me. It's the sense of safety, familiarity, that scent that can only come from one person, Peeta. I open my eyes to see the fire across the room and look down to see Peeta's arm draped across my waist. I'm laid out across my husband, my head rested on a pillow in his lap.

"Hey beautiful" he says

I turn my head and look into his amazing blue eyes, eyes full of concern and love.

"Hi" is all I say as he leans down and kisses me. I savour the sensation and his closeness, that subtle feeling of happiness and contentment. Although for me it's only felt like a few hours that we've been apart for Peeta it's been much longer. And I can feel the longing in his kiss, it feels like ages before pulls away and allows us both to breathe.

"I've missed you" he says quietly as he strokes a few strands of hair away from my forehead"
"I love you" I reply as I take his hand and caress his fingers.

"Where's Rue?" I ask

"Upstairs sleeping"

"Where's the others?"

"Well, Megan and Gale have gone home and the Rapiers and Gibbs squad are outside guarding the village"

"Oh okay"

"Peeta, why weren't you with me when I woke up, you've always been there for me and when I woke today it frightened me, I thought something had happened to you"

"I'm sorry I wasn't here baby. I stayed at you bedside for two weeks waiting for you to wake up but Plutarch keep on at me, asking me to return to 13. And so I went back to try and stop all these rumours about you, but it didn't go well"

"Yeah I know, Gale told me"

"The thing is we knew ages ago that you'd be okay. After you got shot Flux brought you back to the drop ship and Lyndon had you stabilised pretty quickly. It was your body that had started shutting down because of blood loss. Conrad has the same blood group as you so he gave you a transfusion of blood and then we just had to wait until you came round"

"But why didn't you fly me back to 13, that must of been easier?"

"Yeah maybe, but that was more to do with me. They wanted to fly us all back to 13 but I knew Plutarch would be pushing for me to do work for the rebels but I just couldn't leave you. It was easier to stay here and away from Plutarch"

We sit in silence for a while, me watching the dancing flames of the fire whilst Peeta strokes my hair.

"What else has been happening, while I was out I mean?"

"Well, things haven't gone well as you know but Steph and Alek have kept the squad going. Steph's your second in command now and she's been putting everyone through their paces"

I smile, imagining Steph barking orders at Joanna and hearing her curse under her breath.

"So, what happens now?" I ask

"Well, first we've got this broadcast to go through tomorrow afternoon, hopefully that'll sort out our morale problem and then we need to tighten up security around you"

"What!, Peeta I'm a soldier, you're not gonna stop me from fighting, are you?"

"Hang on, calm down. Mission's aren't the problem as for the most part they're secret with only a select few of us with any knowledge of where you are. it's the normal day to day stuff that's the problem. For instance, I told the whole country you were here in 12. That gives Wolfe an opportunity to have another try at killing you and so when you're away from the squad you'll have Gibbs with you. She's even been training with the others as a new member of the Mockingjay squad"

I chuckle "is that what's it's called now, my squad?"

"Yeah, it's all become a bit legendary now, just like you. Don't be surprised to see a different kind of reaction when you stand in front of the crowds tomorrow, I don't think you realise this but right now you're the most powerful person in the country"