Always

Deal or No Deal

A.N. Hey guys so I don't usually put a video or pic but this you NEED TO WATCH! It's my hunger games tag on my YouTube account and I hope y'all like it!

The words traitor, lier, and enemy are being tossed around behind me and I know they are talking about Peeta. About what he said on the broadcast.

Haymitch grips my wrist tightly. "They're going to kill Peeta." He pauses. "You need to make your demands before they hate him even more." I nod my head and stand up a little straighter.

Staring Coin in the eyes I take a deep breath and remember the haunted look in Peeta's eyes. I'm getting Peeta back. It's not up for debate. Everyone is still arguing and condemning Peeta. They've moved to surround the main table, and I see Coin sitting at the head, her face an emotionless mask as she talks to those around her coolly.

I'm wondering exactly how I'm going to get everyone's attention, but when I hear yet another person call Peeta a traitor, I snap. "No he's not!"

The fact that my voice is strong and I'm not mumbling incoherently is what causes everyone to pause and stare at me. "He has called for a cease-fire," Coin says in her cool, calm tone. Steely. "He is a traitor to the cause."

"Not he's not," I nearly growl. "Snow made him say all of that. Everyone in here knows that Peeta can sway a crowd. Anything he says seems reasonable. Every single one of you in here knows that."

"Well he obviously isn't being tortured, he looked healthier than before he went into the arena.  He's definitely no prisoner of war." A man says to the room.

"Yes, he is. Peeta is a prisoner and he might not be physically tortured but don't you think being town away from your pregnant wife is torture? He doesn't even know if I'm alive." The crowd goes silent. "That's torture."

"And who says that this was filmed live?" Haymitch speaks up in his best 'you're all idiots' voice. "It could easily be old footage and they're just airing it now. The kid had that full-body-polish look. Same treatment you get right out of the arena."

"His words still caused consequences, whether forced or not, and we have no intel that tells us he is a prisoner of war," Coin says impassively. "This could easily sway some of our more timid districts."

"I want him back," I say firmly. "Send in a team and rescue him."

Coin's gaze hardens, probably because I just gave her an order. "No."

My fists clench, and I'm about to shout at her when Haymitch intervenes. "Fine," he says and I glare at him. "Don't send in an extraction team. Instead, promise that when we win the war, he will be pardoned."

Everyone is silent, watching the tense battle unfold. Haymitch and me against Coin. "No form of punishment will be inflicted," I say, breaking the tense moment. If I can't get her to rescue Peeta, at least I can get him immunity. "The same goes for the other captured tributes: Johanna, Enobaria, and Annie." I can't forget them. Especially Johanna and Annie. I miss my new friend, and I can't stand to see Finnick cry.

"No," Coin says flatly.

"Yes!" I slam my hand down on the table, startling everyone. "It's not their fault you abandoned them, and it's certainly not Peeta's. He's the one who ran toward the Capitol hovercraft to draw them away from me. To save me."

"Then he made his own choice," Coin retorts coolly. "They'll be tried with other war criminals and treated as the tribunal sees fit."

"They'll be granted immunity!" My voice is stronger than it has ever been, resonating throughout the room. "You will personally pledge this in front of the entire population of District 13 and the remainder of 12. Soon. Tomorrow. It will be recorded for future generations. You will hold yourself and your government responsible for their safety!"