Return of the Mockingjay

Chapter 7

I spend the rest of the afternoon with Rue and Megan in our apartment. I'll leave the rest of my squad recruitment until tomorrow I think to myself. I start to wonder where Peeta is as its getting late and he still isn't home and my concerns are confirmed when I get a call summoning me to command. Megan agrees to stay the night at ours and I make my way to command. I walk into to see the room dimly lit with cigar smoke drifting around the room. Peeta stands with Ellie, their eyes fixed on a number of screens at the far end of the room. Atticus, puffing on a cigar sits in one of the chairs around the conference table with a radio headset pressed to his ear. Plutarch paces the room, eyes locked on the ground lost in his thoughts. Peeta comes over, gives me a light kiss and guides me over to Ellie. She looks like a nervous wreck and I now understand why Peeta sent for me. The mission to rescue Haymitch and Ellie's parents is under way.

Ellie turns to face me and I can now see the bloodshot eyes and the look of worry etched on her face. I wrap my arms around her and hold her tight, I feel guilty. This girl has become very special to me over the last few months and what with my preoccupation with the new squad I realise I've neglected her and the stress and worry she's been going through.

"Hi Ellie, I'm so sorry I've not been there for you" I whisper in her ear.

"Thats okay Katniss, I know you're busy what with the Mockingjay stuff and all"

I pull away and look at her, "thats no excuse for neglecting one of my best friends, I'm sorry Ellie"

She smiles, touches my cheek then turns back to Peeta.

"Whats happening Peeta, how's the mission going?" I ask.

"They've only just set down in the woods outside district 3. It'll take them a while to hike through the forest to the media centre and then we'll see what happens"

Steph comes in with a tray brimming with filled coffee cups and sets them down on the table. She walks over and hands me a cup.

"Hi Katniss"

"Hey Steph. What's this, you doing waitressing work now" I say giggling.

"No, I did what you said and spoke to Plutarch about helping out somewhere and he asked me to help out doing stuff for him and Peeta. It's not really what I wanted but it keeps me involved"

"Okay, you know about my new Propo squad, you still interested in joining up?" I say smiling at her.

"Oh yes please, I'd love to. Who else have you got on your team?"

"Oh the usual faces, Gale, Gibbs and a few others, Oh I nearly forgot, an old friend of yours is in as well, Alek Cohen.
I feel Steph's body tense slightly at the mention of his name but I ignore it and continue.

"He tells me that you went to the academy in district 1 and that you're pretty handy with a bow"

"That's right, it's something I've been trying to forget about what with me being involved in training for the games and all but if I can help the cause then that's fine"

"And how do you feel about working alongside Alek" I ask

"Oh it's fine Katniss. We're old friends and it'll be good to catch up again, It's been a few years since I last saw him you know"

I nod "Yeah he told me" I say dissmissively.

I have to stop myself before I mention Alek's reaction to seeing Steph on the training ground the other day as it's now clear to me that she has no idea as to how Alek feels about her. But, she did flinch slightly when I mentioned his name, maybe she does have feelings for him.