So sorry you guys had to wait ages for this. I hope it was worth the wait!

Re-posting so I could add The End at the end. A lot of folks do not know this story is now finished. For now, at least, until I revise it in the future

Chapter 26

"Alright, men!" Johanna sneered at the comment. "We believe we have found the location of the Mockingjay and child." Paylor said loud enough for the entire group to hear. "We believe it to be an old warehouse that doubled as a small headquarters for troops in District 3."

My palms were sweaty and I couldn't control how unsteady by body became. I was anxious to get this rescue mission underway. Too much time has passed already. No more news of my girls came from Snow. He has been silent; to my dismay.

"We will depart in three hours!" Paylor continued. "The hovercraft will parachute you lot in a mile out from our destination. Six different teams of six will be going in, all will be dropped in different locations so increase the odds of getting in and getting them out alive."

My stomach clenched when she said "alive." They had to be alive; I don't think I could go on in this world without them. I have lost everyone I have ever cared about and to lose them, I would lose myself.

"Once the first team has successfully scouted the Mockingjay and child, it is our duty to pull them out to safety. Every team is expected to surround them as a shield." Paylor said firmly. "The hovercraft will only be five minutes out." She grabbed a large stick from a pack that sat next to her. "This is a signal flare; the green smoke will be our signal as to the location of the Mockingjays pickup."

"There is no room for failure!" Paylor bit her lip. "We owe this girl our lives and we must do everything in our power to save hers, now." The group of troops looked around and nodded in agreement. "Now get some rest until we depart. This is going to be a long mission and I am not sure when you will get to rest again."

Paylor walked off the field and her commanders followed. Haymitch, Gale, Rory, Johanna, and I huddled around a small fire and sat quietly. Few words were said between the lot of us. We all knew what we had to do and we were all stuck in that mindset.

"I'm coming for you, Katniss." I told myself quietly.

(Katniss)

Another day had passed since my dinner with Snow and Phillip had already told me he had requested my audience once more. Good.

I needed to devise a plan to kill him, find Zinnia, and make my escape. Could I trust Phillip to help me? He seemed to be on the wrong side. One day I would have to find out his story.

I heard footsteps making their way towards me. My body stiffened in fear it was Snow or another man planning on attacking me but to my relief it was Phillip. A friendly smile shown on his face; he was the only one I could trust.

"Miss Everdeen." He nodded. I wanted to smile back but I forced myself to maintain my stern face. I couldn't show weakness to anyone. "Snow is expecting you within the hour." I nodded my understanding as he started to undo my bondage.

"Where is my daughter?" I whispered to him quietly. I looked around the room and then in my eyes. I knew he knew but it was also clear he feared for his safety, as well as mine.

"She will be at dinner, tonight." He looked at me sternly. "You understand what that means—don't you?"

I stayed quiet, but I knew that that may be my only chance to save her and get her out of here.

"Your dress, madam." He held up the most ridiculous garment I had ever seen. It was so poufy in every way imaginable. "I designed it myself." He said proudly. "My dear friend, Cinna, loved to help me with my designs."

I was shocked to hear he was once friends with Cinna. Cinna wouldn't befriend someone who would dare side with Snow. He stared into my eyes like he was trying to tell me something.

"How do you know Cinna?" I asked

"We were old friends from school." He whispered. "We both fancied designing outfits that could conceal things—things such as weapons." He hinted.

When he pulled the dress up, I could feel a long, thin, hard item pressed against my dress skirt. I massaged the material and felt a familiar triangular tip underneath the fabric. It was an arrow!

"You understand—don't you?" My eyes began to fill with tears. Cinna found a way to help me once more; even in his death he still helps me.

"There is a bow over the hearth of his fire. Use it well, Katniss. Make sure you don't miss this time." He begged.

"Who are you?" I finally asked.

He smiled and pulled down the neck of his shirt to reveal the Mockingjay symbol. "I'm one of you."

My eyes furrowed at not understanding. "Why are you here?"

"I'm here to protect you. Cinna was smarter than anyone ever knew." He winked and zipped up the back of my dress. "He planted me in Snow's most trusted loyalists after your first game. None of us could ever dream of how smart that man would end up being; but Cinna was smarter." He faced me towards him.

"Kill him, save your daughter, and live." He brushed my hair out of his face.

The door opened across the room and a soldier announced Snow was ready for us.

(Peeta)

"We reach the first drop in three minutues!" Paylor screamed over the loud engine. "Squad one, suit up and prepare for the jump." Gale, Johanna, Haymitch, Rory, Commander Jacobs, and I started locking on our gear. Paylor opened the side door of the plane as Commaner Jacobs took his position first.

One by one we were falling through the sky. The night air was cool on my skin. My heart was racing as I fell to my potential death but all I could think of was saving them.

We all landed close to one another. It was not difficult for us to gather in our group and decide our game plan.

"Alright men, we are set to head north. The warehouse is about a mile in." We were all very quiet and alert. Haymitch and Johanna were to my right. They held their guns with great confidence as they quietly made their way through the woods.

Gale and Rory guarded my left. Gale's eyes looked more serious than I have ever seen them before. I was grateful for his presence.

We walked for fifteen minutues when the building finally came into view. It was a large building that stood about two stories tall. Few lights lit the small number of doors that accessed the buildings. There were several guards at every entrance; we would have to be perfectly silent if we stood a chance of getting in unseen.

Jacobs signaled for three of us to go right and three left. We made our ways to the doors. Haymitch, Johanna, and I took down the four guards at the first door with ease. Johanna was very skilled and fast with throwing knives. The other three must have been just as successful, for, we heard no cause for alarm.

Haymitch opened the door silently. The halls were dimly lit and empty. We slowly made our way in. At the end of the hallway we could hear voices. When they turned the corner, Haymitch and I put them in a headlock until they passed out. We dragged their bodies to a dark corner to be found later.

The building seemed like one giant maze. The halls didn't seem to go anywhere. I wondered how much luck Gale and the others were having. She's here. I could feel her. My heart started racing knowing I was so close to having them back.

(Katniss)

Phillip guided me to the same doors as we did the night before but this time he instructed me on the way out. "Two rights and one left will get you to an exit." He spoke as quietly as he could. "When you are in the woods, head north, and don't stop until you can't go any further."

"What about you?" I asked concerned.

"Someone has to hold off the guards and give you a headstart." He smirked half heartedly.

I shook my head at him with concern. I didn't want him to die for me. I didn't want anybody else to die for me. Tears streaked my face as we grew closer to our destination. He wiped my tears away and smiled.

"It would be an honor." And he kissed my hand.

Phillip knocked on the door and opened it only when told to enter by Snow.

"Don't miss." He smiled confidently.

(Peeta)

We continued to search the dimly lit building to no avail. We had even ran into Jacobs and a couple other squads. Something didn't seem right. The building wasn't large enough to be such a maze on the inside.

We continued to our search until Jacobs signaled for us to re-enter outside.

(Katniss)

"Good of you to join me, Miss. Everdeen." Snow said smugly.

"I didn't realize I had a choice in the matter." I returned.

A tiny laugh escaped his lips as he guided me to his seat. "No, you didn't; though, I believe you will be glad to see someone today."

He pointed to a tiny cradle that set by his seat. Tiny feet and fingers presented themselves from the top. My stomach clenched and my fists white as I tried to compose myself and hold my ground. I couldn't do this on a whim. Not if I wanted to keep her safe.

"She misses her mother." Snow smirked.

"She will be with me soon enough." I said fervently.

He only smiled and waved for me to take my seat. It was torture for me to have her so close, yet I couldn't touch her. She seemed well looked after. I could hear her precious baby noises as she played with her feet. My eyes filled with tears against my will.

Dinner passed by slowly. I scanned the room for the bow Phillip had told me of. There it was; across the room above the heart, just like he had said. It was bigger than what I was used to and I was weak from the conditions I have been living under. I wasn't overly confident I could string it well enough for a kill but I had to try.

"Why did you bring her? I thought it was your plan all along to keep her away from me."

"Oh it was but I decided it was the courteous thing to do to have her see her mother one last time." I was shocked at his words. I didn't understand where he was going with it.

"I don't understand." I said.

"I am going to kill you, Miss. Everdeen." He said candidly.

(Peeta)

We finally found the exit when we heard Paylor from the hovercraft shouting. "Get out of there! There's a bomb that is set to explode! Get out now!" Paylor shouted with all her might. We all looked at each other and ran through the exit and towards the woods as fast as we could.

It happened in slow motion; we were running, flying, and then falling once more. My ears rang as balls of fire and building fragments slammed into me. I scanned my surroundings looking for the others. Johanna was thrown against a tree, unconscious. Jacobs was dragging Rory out of a pit of fire. Haymitch ran to help Gale to his feet.

"We have to go! There are guards on their way!" Jacobs shouted. He slung Johanna onto his shoulder and we ran as fast as we could into the black woods.

"Where are we going?" I begged.

"Back to the ship. It was a decoy building!" We continued to run.

Gun fires had found us. I ducked and missed three before I drew my gun and took down two guards. Gale had done the same. The hovercraft was finally in sight but they were gaining on us.

"I'm out of ammo!" Gale had yelled. Haymitch tossed him his as he struggled to help Rory walk. He was his pretty hard in the explosion but we had to keep going.

Finally, when I felt we were done for, our crew fired back.

"Lets go!" Paylor screamed on the radio.

We had finally made it back on the ship. The gun fires continued until we were safely in the air. The medics went to work on Rory and the other men from different squads.

"Where is she?" I finally lost my cool as I grabbed Paylor by the shoulders and threw her into the wall. Paylor's eyes grew wide with fear. Haymitch and Gale came at me with speed and threw me off of her. I was shaking; I needed to know she wasn't in that building.

"It was a decoy building." We think she is in another not far from here. We are heading there now but we fear the surprise attack is out of the question. He might already know we are coming." She said regrettably.

(Katniss)

"You see; your husband has discovered us and I don't like to give up my toys." He took a bite.

I fingered the tip of the arrow in my skirt and I slowly started to remove it from its hiding spot. "Not if I kill you first."

"Not this time, Miss. Everdeen." He held up his glass of wine to me and started to stand.

His hand slowly grabbed for the dagger that set in his place setting and made his way towards me. "I truly am sorry. This isn't how I wanted it to be but it is for the good of the country. You understand."

Finally, I had the arrow free from the skirt; Snow slowly made his way across the room to where I sat until he was right behind me. He pulled back my hair and I breathed in deep. I only had one chance to get this right. "Now hold still so I can make this quick."

Before he could get the dagger to my neck I elbowed him as hard as I could in the gut. He let out a grunt and I jumped on the table and ran for the hearth.

He heaved and coughed as he struggled for air. I yanked the bow from its stand and tried to string it. It was much bigger than what I was used to. I struggled to pull it before he threw his dagger at my head. I just barely missed.

He quickly made his way towards me. I still struggled with the stiff bow until he made his way to Zinnia and I was filled with rage. I dipped the arrow in an oil lamp and set it on fire. I raise the bow and released as he took her into his arms.

(Peeta)

We landed right by the new warehouse Katniss was supposed to be in. Gun fire was shot from both directions. Paylor was right; there wouldn't be any surprise attack here.

We ran off the ship shooting at every guard we could see. Haymitch and I were the first ones into the building and we ran with ferociousness. Gun fire after gun fire, kill after kill we made our way through the halls.

We opened a door that was a large open space with one light in the center. I recognized it from the picture Snow sent of Katniss. We were in the right place, but where was she?

(Katniss)

Snow looked upon me with shock. He fell to his knees as blood poured from his mouth. Zinnia had begun to scream. I ran to her before he could drop her. I grabbed her and held her tight.

I kissed her head and unwrapped her from her body. She was perfect; not a scratch on her. Tears streaked my face as I held her to my chest when Phillip ran into the room.

"We must go! Now!" I looked at him with urgency but I couldn't without making sure Snow was dead once and for all.

I grabbed the dagger that was intended for me and I stared at him straight in the eyes. "This time I'll make sure." His eyes grew wide as I ran the blade across his neck.

"Now!" Phillip pleaded.

I grabbed Zinnia and we made our way through the halls. Phillip shot at several guards before our exit was in sight. That was when I saw them. The most glorious faces I had ever beheld—Peeta and Haymitch.

Phillip and Peeta raised their guns to each other. "No!" I shouted. I pushed Phillip to the side. Peeta's bullet just barely missed us; Phillip fell to the floor and turned to me in confusion.

I ran towards Peeta and he held us in his arms. Gun fire continued to sound through the halls. That was the only welcoming we could have. Haymitch held a hand out to Phillip and helped him to his feet.

"Where is the exit?" He asked.

"This way!" Phillip pointed to the east.

We ran and dodged for what seemed hours until we found ourselves flying in the air on the familiar hovercraft.

We were together again. The three of us. Peeta held us both; we shared tears and joy. I hugged Gale, Haymitch, and even Johanna. The crew only watched our reunion.

"Thank you." I cried as I held Zinnia tightly to my chest. "All of you."

Three months had passed since our triumphant escape. Phillip fluffed my skirt as Octavia guided me down the hall. Flavius and Venia were all tears as I left the room. Effie stood at the end of the hallway holding Zinnia. She wore a beautiful dress of all white. Beautiful white feathers dangled from her skirt and hat; Zinnia laughed as she blew on them.

Mother and Haymitch stood at the bottom of the steps as they waited for my arrival. Mother's hands covered her mouth when I first appeared; I couldn't help but smile. Haymitch, however, was bawling like a little baby. It made me so happy he was there by my side.

Hazelle and the family welcomed me with their warm smiles as I walked toward the backdoor.

The day had finally come; the day I always said I would never have—our wedding day. Gale opened the door as we all made our way to the ceremony. The hovercraft sat in my backyard waiting to take us to my father's lake. Peeta and I had decided it was the purest place in Panem and the most appropriate for us to become man and wife.

The flight was short; not nearly long enough to calm my nerves. I was anxious to see Peeta. We weren't allowed to see each other since the night before and we haven't been apart for more than a few hours since the kidnapping.

I picked up Zinnia and laughed when she squirmed from my arms, ready to walk. She was filled with smiles and laughter as she took a few wobbly steps. I held her hand and we walked slowly off the ship.

Everything was breathtaking. I had never seen such a beautiful set up in my life. It seemed like hundreds of chairs were set. An aisle of flower petals dusted the dark green grass that would soon take me to my future husband. The sky was so blue and welcoming; the birds sang us songs of celebration. The suns light peaked through the trees so delicately; I was without words.

So many people had shown up for our wedding. Many of whom I didn't know but I was their Mockingjay; I would always be their Mockingjay and they would always be my people.

We slowly made our way inside my little gazebo so Octavia could finish any last minute touches before the ceremony started.

There were so many people I wished could be there that day: Prim, Cinna, Father, Finnick, and many more. I closed my eyes and placed my hand over my heart as I remembered them.

Haymitch grabbed my attention when he locked his arm in mine. I looked up at him and smiled. His face was red from tears. "Are you ready?"

"As I'll ever be." I said with a smile.

When the music started, my closest friends walked down the aisle before me and stood by Peeta, whom, I could not take my eyes off of. He looked so perfect. I would walk through fire for him, and him me—I suppose we already have. Perhaps that is why I finally agreed it was time we married; I would never find the kind of love and passion we have for one another. He was mine and I was his.

"It's our turn now, Katniss." Haymitch nudged reassuringly. We took our first steps to the quiet music. It felt like we were going so slow; I wanted to be by his side. Finally, he was right next to me; he welcomed me with my favorite smile and took my hand as we stepped towards one another to be wed.

I didn't hear most of what was said until we spoke our vows. I was concentrating so hard on how happy I was; how lucky I was to be marrying Peeta.

"Katniss. I have loved you my whole life and I will love you until the day I die. I promise I will protect you and our children from harm and I promise to always take care of you and our family. You are my life, my world, my everything." His words brought tears to my eyes. His gentle fingers wiped them from my cheek.

"Peeta. You're the first person I think of when I wake up and the last person when I go to sleep. You have given me the greatest gift anyone could ever give and that is love. You have taught me how to open up and let people in; you have taught me about how much good there still is in this world. I would walk through fire for you. You are my the love of my life and I can't wait to spend the rest of my life with you."

Peeta squeezed my hand and smiled. Gale cleared his throat to hand Peeta the rings. He gently placed the sparkling, silver band on my finger and I did the same. I couldn't take my eyes off of him.

"With this ring, I thee wed." We said in sync.

"By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you Man and Wife."

The crowd cheered and clapped but I quickly drowned it out as Peeta's lips met mine. He was mine; forever. Snow was gone. Coin was gone. Finally, we could have our happy ever after.

I didn't want to fight anymore. I have loved and lost. I have felt more pain that most people would feel in a lifetime. I want my children to live in a world free of the Hunger Games and Rebellions. I want our world to be at peace.

I am Katniss Everdeen-Mellark. I am 22 years old. I killed Snow and brought on a Rebellion. I am the Girl on Fire. I am the Mockingjay. But most of all…I am the baker's wife; and I am happy.

THE END