Return of the Mockingjay

Chapter 10

Katniss POV
Over the course of the next three weeks training for the squad goes well. Everyone is pretty much ready for combat and the only one holding us back is me. Gibbs and Lyndon have given me a crash course in officer training as the only previous experience was a pretty desperate assault on the Capitol to try and kill snow. Some of the stuff I remember. Like the hand signals and using the Holo for instance but Lyndon spends a lot of time teaching me strategy things like where to place your team to defend or attack and stuff like that. It's pretty intense.

As usual Cressida and Pollux film our training to help inspire the new recruits although for the most part they see us everyday as we train alongside them on the training ground. I've noticed that Pollux spends an unusual amount of time filming Steph and Alek and this has got me a little confused to be honest. When I asked Cressida she just said it was to do with putting the team out there as no one had really heard of them before now. But, if that's the case then why isn't she focusing on Blaine too. He's pretty unknown around the country.
We all trudge off the training ground toward the elevator for what I hope is the final time. Today we completed our basic training down in the simulator room and this time Johanna passed easily. As far as I can see we're ready. It all depends on wether Gibbs and Lyndon think I'm ready. As I reach the elevator, the doors open and I see Lyndon with Gibbs, her arm still in a sling.

"Hey, how are you" I say smiling

"More to point, how are you. Do you feel ready to go on an active mission?" Replies Lyndon.

"Yep, if you think I'm ready" I say with my smile growing ever wider.

"Well, I don't think there's anything else we can teach that you can't learn out in the field. It's experience that you need Katniss, not teaching"

I turn to see Gale stood behind me with the same beaming smile. I throw myself into his arms and he embraces me back.
"Well done Catnip, time for us to make a difference"

That evening I sit at the kitchen table with Rue sat in her high chair next to me. I'd normally leave her in front of the tv but since the mission to save Haymitch and Ellie's parents from district 3 all normal TV programs seem to of stopped. Only propaganda stuff from Wolfe or the rebels seem to be shown now and there's nothing else to watch. I cant stomach the trash that Wolfe broadcasts and I'm sick of the sight of me and my squad running around the training ground and the woods that surround 13.

I look up to see Peeta come in through the door and slump down in the chair across from me, he sighs and reaches down to give Rue a kiss on her forehead.

"Everything okay" I say smiling at his exhausted expression.

He looks at me with a blank look on his face "I can't do this anymore Kat, this job is killing me" he drops his head on the table and sighs again. I struggle to keep a straight face at Peeta's show of tiredness.
"Can I get you some food babe?" I ask

"No thanks, I ate back in command" he mumbles into the table.
"Okay"
I take Rue and her carry chair through to the bathroom and start to run a bath. Peeta's always puts me back together after a battle or a mission so I think it's time I did something for him. I go back to the kitchen to see Peeta sleeping soundly with his head resting on the table.
"Hey, wake up Mr President, I have something for you" I whisper into his ear. Peeta jumps awake and I let out a giggle as I nibble on his ear lobe.

"Mmmm, I'm so tired, but I love it when you do that" he mumbles while stretching.

"Come on, follow me"
I lead him through to the bathoom and help him strip off his clothes and sit him in the bath. I run the water a little longer until it's hot and steamy and I hear him moan as he relaxes into the hot water.