Chapter Text
“No,” Katniss groaned. “Do these people ever stop?” She sat up in bed, leaning back against the headboard and rubbing her eyes.
“Apparently not.” Peeta sat down beside her.
“I suppose Effie will bring it up tomorrow on her show.”
“Probably.” Peeta motioned to the pin that sat on the nightstand.
Katniss picked it up and turned the switch on.
“We should come up with a story when we’re asked about it,” Peeta said.
Katniss was puzzled. “A story? It’s not true.”
“I know, but it looked fairly believable when they showed the footage of you pushing your glass away, and then one of the panelists mentioned that you’ve gained some weight since you were last in the Capitol.”
Katniss scowled. “A panel was discussing whether I’m pregnant or not?” Her voice rose. “That is personal information. They shouldn’t be discussing it.”
“You’re right. Especially since we’ve never even discussed it.” Peeta’s face was gloomy.
“You know how I feel.”
“Actually I don’t because we’ve never talked about it.”
“We did talk about it.” Katniss reached for Peeta’s hand and squeezed it. “I told you about the shot my mother gave me.”
“But the effects won’t last forever. Maybe someday, you might want to start a family with me.”
Katniss opened her mouth to speak, to say that she didn’t know what she wanted, only that she wasn’t ready to be a mother yet, she was still getting used to being married. But she saw the despair in her husband’s eyes. She couldn’t, no wouldn’t tell him that marrying her meant he would never have children of his own.
“We haven’t been married very long,” she began.
“I know, and I’m not saying we should consider it right away but someday, maybe.”
“Yes, someday,” she said brightly. As long as a date wasn’t attached, someday was answer that could satisfy them both for now at least. “Anyway Haymitch says you’re going to be an uncle soon.”
“I still can’t believe that.” Peeta ran his fingers through his hair, a tiny smile appearing on his face. “So what’s our story when we’re asked about it?”
“We deny it. Really it’s none of their business.”
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“Why didn’t you tell me about the baby?” Effie squealed the next morning in the makeup room.
Haymitch had already teased them when they got up. “I’m moving out of Victor’s Village if you spit out any kids,” he’d said.
“That almost makes me wish the rumor was true,” Katniss told Peeta over the blueberry muffins he’d baked for breakfast. Peeta had told her he couldn’t sleep so he’d gotten up early to bake. Katniss wondered if his insomnia was due to the new falsehood facing them or because of their strained conversation about having children.
“It’s not true Effie,” Katniss responded.
“But the wine,” Effie protested.
“You know I’m not much of a drinker.”
Effie frowned. “But you’ve gained weight.”
“Well, you’ve said it yourself. Peeta is a good cook.”
Effie’s face dropped. “I was hoping it was real.”
Katniss wondered why Effie cared, but she guessed it was because a pregnancy would be another thing for the television network to exploit. Maybe it would allow Effie to start a new show, Effie Trinket: Baby Whisperer.
Despite hearing from Katniss and Peeta that the rumor wasn’t true, Effie worked the falsehood into the opening of her show.
“This information might be a little late for you two. But maybe you can try some of these things after the baby arrives.” She winked at the pair who was finally allowed to sit next to each other on the sofa.
Effie stared into the camera. “Today we’re going to explore the different ways a couple can express their love to each other.”
The school in Twelve that Katniss and Peeta had attended had provided students with basic sex education. The girls were separated from the boys and given simple instruction about reproduction. Students could gain practical experience if they regularly visited the slag heap. Katniss never had; she’d never been interested.
Now however as a newly married woman, she had to admit she was curious as to what Effie would present. Katniss was still learning about the pleasures she and Peeta could experience together. Maybe there was something she didn’t know. Things they could do to make things even better.
A screen had been set up behind them and she and Peeta turned to watch it as a series of pictures flashed by. Katniss immediately realized she wanted no part of sex education Capitol-style. It reminded her of the photo book of naked people the photographer had handed her at a magazine shoot prior to The Match Game, the lurid book that Cinna had taken away from her in outrage.
There was no love or caring expressed in the explicit photos shown on the screen. It was all strangely contorted positions, and ropes, whips and other sundry objects. Sometimes a third person or even an animal was added to the mix.
Katniss turned her head away to look down at the carpet. From the corner of her eye she noticed that Peeta’s face was red. His mouth hung open. He winced a few times.
When Cressida called “cut” for the commercial, Peeta turned toward her reaching for her arm.
“They’re playing with us, can’t you see,” he whispered. “Because we’re so…you know.”
“So what?”
“Pure.”
“Peeta, we’re not pure.” They were newlyweds. She thought of their romps underneath the shelving unit in the greenhouse.
“By Capitol standards we are. We’re practically saints.”
Katniss suspected Peeta was right about them being taunted. She imagined whoever was monitoring the cameras in their house was furious that there wasn’t a real tape of them coming together to exploit. Maybe this segment of the show was meant to humiliate them. All she knew was that she felt tainted and dirty. She wished there was some way to wash these sordid images out of her head.
For some reason, the episode seemed to drag on. Maybe it was the embarrassment factor. Even Effie was flustered when the slide show ended.
“So much to choose from,” she chirped for the camera, but her eyes had a glassy look.
Finally the theme music started. “Chins up and smiles on.”
“That’s a wrap.” Cressida called.
As soon as the red light on the camera faded, Effie stood up. “That wasn’t what I was expecting,” she said to the director.
“Our polling numbers were down after yesterday’s show,” Cressida explained. “We got a call from upstairs to spice it up.”
Katniss wondered about the people who were watching Effie’s show as she and Peeta removed the microphones from their collars and handed them to the stagehand.
“You two are excused from the debriefing,” Cressida said. “We need to talk about tomorrow’s big surprise and we can’t do it with you there.”
“You’ll be revealing that it wasn’t Peeta on that tape,” Katniss reminded the director.
“Of course, it’s all part of the surprise.”
Katniss sighed in relief. Only one more show and she and Peeta could go home. In fact she hoped they’d be leaving right after that show ended. If they were sent by hovercraft, they’d be home as early as tomorrow afternoon. If so, she’d like to go out into the woods. Being cooped up inside for the past week was driving her crazy.
She turned the pin on as they were driven back to the penthouse. “I wonder what the surprise will be?”
“It has to be better than today’s episode.” Peeta grimaced in disgust. “That was the most vile thing I’ve even seen and trust me, I thought I knew everything after listening to my brothers for so many years.”
“And you called yourself pure.”
“Being aware of something is very different from acting on it,” he said smoothly. He chuckled. “I think even Rye would have been stunned at that display. And if you knew him better, you’d know that’s saying a lot.”
“I already know more about your brother than I want to,” she snorted. She paused before speaking aloud the thought that had been on her mind ever since they’d seen the gossip show at Finnick’s beach house. “What must everyone back home be thinking?” She thought of her mother and Prim, but then she remembered that school had recently resumed. So Prim was likely in class now.
“People in Twelve have jobs, Katniss, they’re not sitting around watching t.v. all day.”
She knew that was true. People had more important things to occupy their time, namely earning an income to keep from starving. Most had never gotten into the habit of watching television due to the inconsistent flow of electricity.
“You’re right,” she muttered. “But I suppose everyone thinks I’m pregnant.” At least her mother and Prim would know it couldn’t be true.
Peeta grabbed her hand and rubbed his thumb over the back of it reassuringly. “Let’s not worry about it. It’s our last day here. What do you want to do?”
“Let’s eat lunch first. I’m starved.”
When they got to the penthouse though, the door was open. Katniss immediately flashed back to the memory finding their door wide open at their house in Victor’s Village.
This time, however, they could hear male voices coming from inside.
“He’s got to be here,” one man said. “We’ve searched this place top to bottom and it’s like that old man vanished.
“There has to be a hidden passage or something,” the other voice said. “Tap on the walls. See if any sound hollow.”
Katniss exchanged a nervous glance with Peeta. If they found Haymitch in the penthouse, would she and Peeta be arrested for harboring an accused criminal?
Peeta took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. “It will be okay,” he whispered before calling out “hello.” He reached for Katniss’ hand and the two of them edged into the living room.
The same two Peacekeepers were back. One was tapping on the walls in the dining room. He turned quickly when he heard Peeta’s loud tread. “What’s behind this wall?” he said. He pointed to the hidden doorway in the dining room.
Peeta let go of Katniss’ hand and pushed against the edge of the concealed door. It opened to reveal the penthouse’s large kitchen.
Kaniss held her breath, hoping Haymitch wasn’t inside making himself a sandwich. But the kitchen was empty.
“Would you some lunch?” Peeta asked the Peacekeeper. “I was just going to make some.”
The man glared at Peeta and left the room, continuing his wall tapping throughout the penthouse.
Katniss sat down at the table, while Peeta opened the refrigerator. “What do you feel like eating?” he asked casually.
Katniss marveled at his calmness. Inwardly she was shaking, waiting for one of the Peacekeepers to find the switch in the closet and the secret stairwell to the floor below and then rush back to haul them away for questioning.
“It doesn’t matter,” she said.
Peeta pulled out a block of cheese, a loaf of bread, and a couple of pears and apples and carried everything to the table.
“Do you want to eat here or on the roof?’
“The roof.” Katniss wanted to get as far away from the penthouse as she could.
They packed everything up in a wicker basket. When they walked out of the kitchen, the front door was shut.
“Are they gone?” she whispered. Peeta glanced around the living room and headed down the hall, peering into all the bedrooms.
“I think so,” he said, as Katniss caught up with him.
When they got up to the roof, they headed to the bench, again spreading the food across it.
“Do you think Haymitch is going to stay here when we leave?” Katniss asked, as she piled food onto her plate.
Peeta raised his shoulders quizzically. “I don’t know. He’s a fugitive right now. He’s mixed up in something, but I don’t think he killed those preps.”
“But someone killed them and somehow Haymitch has been assigned the blame.” She took a bite from a pear, chewing it thoughtfully. “It’s too bad we don’t know anyone here in the Capitol to help him. Effie’s mad at him…” Katniss voice trailed off.
“What about Plutarch? Haymitch said he was a friend to the victors.”
Katniss scrunched up her face. “I wonder about that. Haymitch was kidnapped right after he went to see him. Could Plutarch be behind the kidnapping?”
“We should find Haymitch after we eat and talk with him.”
When the couple finished their meal, they went downstairs in search of the victor. He wasn’t in the penthouse, so Peeta went to the closet and pulled the switch. The secret panel opened.
“Haymitch, are you there?” Peeta called. His voice echoed off the walls. They closed the hidden door behind them and walked down the stairs to the landing between the two floors.
They found the victor wrapped in a blanket next to the table, his eyes blinking. “What time is it?” he muttered.
“Time to talk,” Katniss said.
“Practicing your mothering skills I see.”
Kantiss scowled. They were trying to help Haymitch. Why did he have to be so rude?
“About an hour ago, Peacekeepers showed up again,” Peeta explained. “They were tapping on the walls looking for you.”
Haymitch snorted. “Didn’t find me did they?”
“Not this time,” Katniss said.
“We’re going home tomorrow after the show,” Peeta said. “What are your plans?”
Haymitch groaned. “You’re leaving so soon?”
“We’ve been here too long already,” Katniss answered.
“We were wondering if there was anyone who could help you or maybe hide you. I don’t think it would be smart to stay here. What about Plutarch?” Peeta suggested.
Haymitch nodded. “Possibly.”
“Do you need our help? Do you want us to talk to him for you?”
Katniss glared at Peeta. Why was he getting the two of them involved?
Haymitch tilted his head. “That might work. It wouldn’t be unusual for you to meet with him.”
Yeah, especially after the week they’d had, Katniss thought. In fact she was surprised the head of network programming hadn’t contacted them already. After all they had successfully launched Effie’s new show.
“Okay, we’ll do it this afternoon,” Peeta said. “But promise me you’ll hole up here. Because I think the Peacekeepers will be back.”
“Bring me some food and something to drink, and it’s a deal.”
Katniss and Peeta left the stairwell, and walked to the kitchen. Peeta packed up some blueberry muffins, a small block of cheese, and a few pieces of fruit. He located a thermos and filled it with cool water.
“I don’t think that’s the drink Haymitch was expecting,” Katniss joked.
“I don’t think there’s any liquor left, especially if he was down to dosing it with sleep syrup.”
Katniss frowned at the memory.
“Anyway he needs to have his wits about him.”
They carried it back to the victor and then left him alone in the stairwell.
“How are we going to get to Plutarch’s office?” Katniss asked. “Do we need to wear disguises again?”
Peeta groaned. “I forgot about that. I guess you can wear that gold wig again. But please don’t mess with my hair.”
Katniss snorted. Peeta’s hair was still a dirty blonde color. “Maybe you should wear the gold wig and I can color my hair.”
Peeta’s eyes widened. “No, Katiss don’t.”
She smiled at the panic in his voice. “You don’t want me to look like a Capitol beauty?” she asked in her best Capitol accent.
He shook his head. “I like you exactly the way you are.”
He leaned in and kissed her and she wondered whether they had time to step into the bedroom before they went to see Plutarch.
But Peeta pulled away. “I have an idea.”
It took a half hour, but when they were finished, Peeta was wearing the gold wig and Katniss’ hair was covered with a colorful scarf. Peeta had made himself up with metallic silver eyeliner, a la Cinna. Katniss was wearing dark glasses and the big coat she’d worn on their last foray onto the streets of the Capitol.
“What do you think?” Peeta asked as they surveyed their appearance in the large bathroom mirror.
“You look very handsome,” Katniss said staring at Peeta.
“I’m starting to worry that you don’t like the way I really look.”
She did like Peeta’s normal appearance but there was something about the silver eyeliner that made his eyes appear even bluer than usual.
They took the elevator to the ground level and left the building. There were two security guards working in the booth in front. Neither looked up as they hurried past. They were deep in conversation discussing the merits of pink hair vs. blue hair. “Pink is so yesterday,” one of them insisted.
Katniss knew Plutarch’s office was nearby in a building close to the studio where they’d been taping Effie’s show. Fortunately Peeta was good with directions and remembered exactly how to get there.
The disguises they wore must have been convincing because no one looked at them twice as they made their way through the streets of the Capitol. It probably helped that it was mid-afternoon and the streets were nearly empty.
Security at the building where Plutarch worked was thorough. After asking to see Plutarch, the guard refused to allow them on the elevator until they identified themselves. After a brief argument, Katniss was forced to remove her scarf to prove to the guard that she really was Katniss Everdeen Mellark, winner of The Match Game.
She and Peeta had to sign several autographs after that and pose for a photo before the guard called Plutarch’s office and allowed them to take an elevator up.
Plutarch’s desk was covered with paperwork when they walked into his office. They’d been there before, months ago for an uncomfortable meeting toward the end of The Match Game. Plutarch stood up to greet them. He hit a switch on his desk that turned off the television that hung on the wall, before walking over to them.
“Katniss and Peeta, how good to see you.” He hugged Katniss and shook Peeta’s hand.
“Love those disguises, here have a seat.” He motioned to the big conference table in the center of the room.
As soon as they sat down, he groaned. “I’ve been swamped ever since Fulvia’s been on her leave of absence.” He nodded towards the stacks of paperwork on his desk.
“But not too swamped to follow your latest news. Congratulations on your pregnancy Katniss.”
“It’s not true,” Katniss said.
“Of course not,” Plutarch said brightly. “But it’s good for ratings. Well, what can I do for you two?”
“We’re here because of Haymitch,” Peeta began.
Plutarch raised an eyebrow. “Just a minute. He got up from his chair, walked over to his desk, and pushed at something underneath it.
“You can speak freely now.”
Katniss nodded. So conversations in Plutarch’s office were recorded. The pin in her pocket was in the “on” position as well. She didn’t want this conversation recorded either.
“We’re here to plead for Haymitch,” Peeta said bluntly. “We’re leaving tomorrow and we’re worried about him. We know he didn’t murder those two preps.”
Plutarch nodded. “I know.”
“Then why don’t you tell someone in charge,” Katniss blurted out. “Peacekeepers are doing daily sweeps of our penthouse. They’ve threatened to arrest us if they find him there.”
“Is he there?”
Peeta and Katniss fell silent.
“Okay you’ve answered my question.”
“What is going on?” Katniss was angry.
Plutarch cleared his throat. “When President Snow was taken out of command, Seneca Crane was moved into position. It was meant to be a temporary job. The idea was to form a republic where the people of each district and the Capitol elect their own representatives to be their voice in a centralized government.”
Katniss glared at the man.
“Don’t look so suspicious; it’s worked before. If our ancestors could do it, then we can, too.”
“But that didn’t happen,” Peeta pointed out.
“No, it didn’t. `Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely’ is an old saying from the Dark Days, but it’s true. Seneca simply replaced Snow as Panem’s dictator. He got away with it by appeasing the districts – canceling The Hunger Games, and permitting inter-district travel. But now he’s facing economic problems in the Capitol. People are turning against him.”
“Like the preps that are calling for the reinstatement of The Games?” Peeta asked.
Plutarch nodded. “That group is the most visible, but they are actually very weak. There are others that are quite powerful, influential people who are only waiting for Seneca to make a mistake so they have a legitimate reason to remove him from office.”
“Why do they need a reason if he was only supposed to hold the position temporarily?” Peeta asked.
“The relationship between the Capitol and the districts is fragile. Seneca is popular with the districts. We need a smooth transition if we want the districts to continue to support us.
“What does this have to do with Haymitch?” Katniss was growing tired of Plutarch’s history lesson. It didn’t answer any of her questions.
“I would think it’s clear,” Plutarch stated. “The death of so many victors within a short period of time has caused a distraction that has national impact. Someone is behind the distraction and now that someone has targeted Haymitch. If they could pin those preps deaths on him, they also could make him responsible for the recent deaths of all the victors.”
“How? He didn’t travel to those districts and kill those victors.” Katniss wondered if she should mention that Haymitch thought Cashmere and Gloss were the killers. But she had no proof. It was only speculation.
Plutarch laughed. “You’ve spent your entire week defending your husband from false accusations. Haven’t you figured out how the Capitol operates? Evidence can be created. Anything can be spun into gold.”
Katniss glanced at Peeta. His jaw was clenched, his hands had closed forming fists.
“Who is responsible for all this? Who set Haymitch up?” she asked.
“The person who has the most to lose if the distraction ends and the truth comes out about the Capitol economy,” Plutarch replied. “The former head Gamemaker and master of death, Seneca Crane.”