Return of the Mockingjay

Chapter 9

Steph's POV

I wake and sigh to myself at the start of another evening working for Plutarch. Running errands, delivering messages and so on seems to be my lot recently. Because of the late hours I have to sleep during the afternoon to ready myself for the man that never seems to rest. I throw the covers back and sit on the edge of my bed. I look across to see Jess still snoring quietly and smile to myself, at least she's safe and away from district 1, the reaping and the games. If we could just beat these damn militants we could all live in peace which none of us have ever really encountered before. Sure, we had a few months before Wolfe came along but life was pretty tough even for us what with the ill feeling directed towards Dad over his involvement with the games and stuff.

I lean my elbows onto my knees and think of yesterday on the landing pad. I really thought I'd lost him, Alek. I'd already had him taken away from me once before when Dad took us back to the Capitol but when I saw the drop ship crash I thought my life was going to end. How can I possibly be involved with Katniss's squad when Alek is also part of the team. Since that day back at the academy when I first laid eyes on him he's been my world, my life. All these years I've waited, hoping that one day he'll walk back into my life and now he's finally here I don't want him.

He's holding me back in some way and I long to make a difference in this war but I just can't fight alongside Alek knowing I'll always worry about him being taken away from me with me never showing my true feelings for him. The fact is, I love him. And I can't bear to live in a world without him, even if he can't be mine.

I look at the time, 5pm. I need to get ready as I'm helping Plutarch with some media stuff until late tonight. But if I leave early enough I could go and see Katniss and explain things, she'll understand I'm sure.
I take a shower, get dressed in my plain grey district 13 jumpsuit and make my way to the presidential suite. As I walk down the corridor I see two new security guards who I haven't seen before.

"Good evening, can I see Katniss please" I say sincerely

"I'm sorry Miss, she's not here, and even if she was we're only permitted to admit close friends and family"

"Do you know when she'll be back?"

"She's pretty busy right now, you could wait out here in the corridor if you want but we have no idea when she might return"

"That's okay I'll wait" I say smiling back at the security guards. I wander down the corridor and lean with my back against the wall and wait. Fortunately I dont have to wait long before Katniss appears and starts walking down the corridor toward me. She looks at me and smiles.

"Hey Steph, you okay?"

"I'm fine Katniss, I just came by to chat with you if that's okay"

"Sure, come on in"

I follow her into the apartment to see it empty. I'd of hoped to of seen Rue but she must be out with Megan or Peeta. I take a seat by the Kitchen table whilst Katniss makes some tea from the console. She hands me my mug and I clasp it in both hands, savouring the warmth. Katniss sits across from me with her own mug and looks at me.

"So tell me, what happened last night?"

I look down at my tea, not really that keen on drinking it. "I dont know Katniss, it was seeing Alek again I guess. I know you told me that he was here and all but when I saw him it just shocked me thats all. We went through an awful lot back in District 1 you know"

She nods but continues to stare straight into my eyes. "That's not all of it is it Steph, why did you run from the control room after the crash? and, I heard you sigh in relief when you saw he was alive in the wreckage"