The sound of a door opening wrenches me from sleep. I jump, almost waking Ember who is plastered on my chest. My waking eyes are met with Haymitch's sour smile. "I told you not to get attached."

My insides squirm under his gaze and I try to gently move Ember from my lap. She twitches in her sleep and then lays still, unaware of Haymitch suspicious gaze. Lifting the sheet up to her shoulders, I nudge Peeta. "We have company."

His eyes open slowly and he tries to straighten the crick in his neck. "What'd I miss?" He notices the scowl on Haymitch's face, and a smile starts on his lip, "Rough night Haymitch?"

The scowl on Haymitch's face deepens as he crosses his arms over his chest. "Up and at 'em Sunshine. We've got a bit of damage control to do. "

We tiptoe out of the room with my mind spinning, "What now?"

Haymitch motions to Johanna who is leaning against the counter. Her hair is longer now, I wonder what Capitol hair product she's been using as I study my damaged ends. "Hey."

She grins and looks from Peeta's disheveled hair to my crumpled shirt. "Did you guys have fun last night?'

I stiffen, and she nudges Peeta, "Who would have thought that Lover Boy finally scored."

I clear my throat as I reach for the half loaf of bread left over from yesterday, "There were minors present thank you."

Johanna grins, "Kinky."

I wrinkle my nose in disgust, "I thought you wouldn't be here for about a week."

She shrugs, "I managed to get here earlier."

I scan the kitchen for a box or package, any indication of the serum. "So where's the serum?"

She pulls an apple out of her bag and munches it loudly, "That's the thing, it's too dangerous to do a transaction in the Capitol, so my dealer's bringing it out here."

"Your dealer?" Peeta says this as he fiddles with the stove. "Who wants an omelet?"

"A girls got needs." She tries rolling down her sleeve, but I manage to see the puncture marks that are running along her vein.

She scowls at me, "They're weaning me off the morphling slowly."

My eyebrows shoot up, "Okay."

"So, I'm guessing no one else wants an omelet?"

I stared out the window as he cracks an egg. "Make one for the girls, and I'll have one too. "

Haymitch reaches inside Johanna's bag and steals an apple. "I thought you hated kids Katniss."

I place two plates on the table, "I don't hate kids," I think of Prim and Rue and I feel my voice soften, "I love them; I just hate the idea of bringing them into this world."

Johanna looks up from the apple she's munching ,"I bet Peeta hate's that."

Peeta continues watching the omelet slowly cook, pretending that Johanna isn't in the kitchen. "Do you want one Haymitch?"

Haymitch nods and takes a seat. "Here's the plan. We keep the kiddies hidden until Johanna's friend shows up. We test them with the serum, if they're clean we can give them to the orphanage. Then, we get the hell out of here and relocate to somewhere we can better protect you."

Peeta slides an omelet on the plate in front of Haymitch and pretends that the next one requires his full attention, "The relocation's a good idea; Katniss would be easier to protect if we move her somewhere more private."

I notice the odd way he said this, "But?"

He shrugs, "It just doesn't feel right dumping the girls at an orphanage. They trust us."

I nod and consider what he's saying. "I don't think we should relocate either. "

Haymitch almost chokes on his omelet, sending fluffy yellow bits flying across the table, "That's not negotionable."

I scowl, "Yes, it is. "

An omelet lands on the plate in front of me, and Peeta motions for me to eat. "We'll talk about this later. Let's just make sure they're not serum-activated."

I pause, mid-bite; I had been counting on them not being serum-activated, but nothing gave me that security. "So when did you say your friends getting here?"

Johanna looks up from a puncture wound she is scratching, "He'll be here in a day or two, maybe more."

I nod and look down when I feel a small tug on my shirt. Ember's purple eyes probe into mine and she winds her arms around my neck timidly as if she's trying to make sure I'm real. "I thought you left." She says this solemnly before climbing into a chair. She motions to Johanna. "What's she doing here?"

I look from Johanna to Ember, who was now placidly eating an omelet. "You know her."

Johanna smiles cynically, "Hello to you to Ember."

Ember glares at her and sips at the milk Peeta puts before her. "Yeah she locked me in my cell."

Something steels in my stomach and I find myself gripping the edge of the chair. "Really?"

Johanna looks momentarily distressed. "I tried to help you escape."

Ember goes on eating, "You sold us."

Johanna shrugs, "I needed to do my job, if not my cover would have been blown. I tried to get you out. " She goes back to scratching her arm ,"And I didn't sell you. "

Ember fiercely stabs her omelet. "Yeah, but you didn't stop us from being sold either."

I smile, something about her temper seems familiar.

Haymitch smiles, "Well, if it isn't a miniature Katniss."

Ember and I look at one another, our brows furrow at the same time, each one wondering whether we liked the idea of being remotely similar. She goes back to eating her omelet and we accept it as a sort of truce. I look at Haymitch, "So what's the damage that needs controlling?"

A knock on the door makes Peeta flinch and Haymitch walk swiftly towards the side door.

"Hey, I heard you needed some help with a kid?"

A flash of blonde bounces into the kitchen and Johanna tries to cover Ember with her body.

Delly's in our kitchen trying to find any hint of a child; she reminds me of a bloodhound on a scent trail. She smiles extra large for Peeta. "You're looking well Peeta."

Two things make me freeze; the proximity of Delly's face to Peeta's and the fact that I had thought of the kitchen as ours- mine's and Peeta's.

Ember looks at me suspiciously from behind Johanna and goes back to eating her omelet.

"Oh my gosh what happened to you sweetie?" Delly's mouth is in a perfect O as she reaches for Flame, who's standing in the kitchen door way, sleepily rubbing her eyes. Flame side steps her and runs to Peeta, who quickly scoops her up. She lays her head on his shoulder, as Delly fusses with her hair.

I roll my eyes. She couldn't have spotted Ember first? I mean at least she looks relatively normal. I bury my frustration and try not to wince as Delly's voice cuts the air. "Oh my, there's two of them."

She spots Ember nonchalantly eating her omelet. "Hello pumpkin."

Ember snaps at her between bites."My name is Ember."

Delly laughs. "She's so….spirited."

Haymitch laughs, "A minature version of sunshine over there." He points his fork at me.

Johanna tries to push her out the door. "Okay, visiting times over you need to go."

Delly looks at her, "But I thought you needed help. I heard Greasy say you were in over your heads; and considering I'm running the orphanage I thought maybe you'd want to make sure they'd have a place there."

She scrunches her eyes deep in thought. "Though I think their appearance might cause an uproar, We might have to dye her hair."

I see Peeta place a protective hand on Flame's hair. "It'sprobably just a dye, it'll grow out."

Johanna loosens her grip on Delly's shoulders momentarily, "No, they've been genetically engineered, it's stuck that way for good."

Delly gasps, "Wait, what?"

Haymitch picks up Ember, "They're my sister's kids. She was a little eccentric, so she genetically changed their hair color. Unfortunately, her and her husband were lost when the Capitol went down so, yeah I had them shipped down here to live with Uncle Haymitch."

Ember tries to hide her scowl, "Yay, Uncle Haymitch!" She throws her arms around his neck and plants a kiss on his cheek. Flame crawls down from her perch in Peeta's arms and grabs onto Haymitch's leg, I notice she keeps well away from Johanna, "We love you uncle."

Johanna smiles, "Aw, shucks ain't that the cutest thing."

Delly smiles, "It's good to know that they'll be in such good hands. "

She directs this last comment at Peeta, and I can't help but feel relief when Johanna shoves her out the door. "Well that was close."

Haymitch grunts as Ember scurries down his back, "I'll say." Flame goes back to Peeta and she smiles as he places a plate in her hand.

Haymitch chomps noisly on the last bite of his breakfast, "That's the damage by the way. You need to make sure they're not seen. Word travels pretty fast here."

"I don't think she bought it."Peeta looks up at us from the pan he's scrubbing. "I mean have you talked to her; She's pretty smart."

There's ice in my veins as I tug on Ember's hand. "Whatever. Let's find something that you can wear. I think I can cut one of Prim's dresses."

The faint starlight guides me as I lay a checkered blanket on the grass by the house. Flame dances around the blanket and Ember stares solemnly at the stars. She smiles, one of her rare smiles, as a lightning bug lands on her nose. I suppress a smile and light small candles which I place on the blanket. I really hope no one can see these. I cast a quick glance at the kitchen window and see Peeta take a dish out of the oven. My gaze wanders to the girls as they explore the yard. We couldn't keep them inside forever. I try not to think about the messy kitchen, the messy guest room and the even messier living room. No one's gonna be out at this time, besides we don't get visitors anyway. I watch the girls in their dresses made from Prim's clothing. Greasy had come by earlier and stitched the edges so they didn't look so ragged. I hear Flame squeal and I can't help the way my heart jumps to my throat; I relax as I see her squirm away from a firefly. She smiles after Ember grabs it and shows it to her between her cupped hands. She was always leading the way.

Peeta crosses the lawn with a steaming dish and a smile on his face. "I think I got it right."

I give him a smile. "It probably taste great."

The girls flock to the blanket, their makeshift dresses flying behind them. They eagerly sit down and watch as Peeta passes plates of steaming noodles.

I sniff it and the scent of something creamy and wonderful wafts into my nose. "What is it?"

"It's this old recipe I found in one of my dad's ancient books. It's called fettuccine."

I nod and recall eating something like this in the Capitol. I smile as I take bite; Peeta's was better. I watch the girls as they eat. They swallow thier food with the wild abandon of starving wolves. They start running around the yard the minute they finish the meal. They looked happy, finally being able to be outside. They're kids, of course they're happy being outside. I remember my childhood. Almost all of it was spent in the woods.

As we sit there in the quiet, the wind rustles the edge of the blanket and I feel something stir inside me; something that feels like peace and happiness. The leaves whisper to each other; their soft sighs harmonizing with the crickets chirping. I watch as the girls chase each other on lawn; they're buzzing from the sugary cake Peeta had brought out just after dinner. Peeta sits on the back steps watching as they run behind trees and jump over rocks, he calls to them when they stray too far.

I lay back on the blanket and watch the stars twinkle above me. I search for the constellations my father used to show me. There was the Bear, the Ladle, and the Victor; the three stars in his belt wink at me as I lay motionless. I close my eyes and let the wind caress my skin. Something warm and lsoft lays down next to me. I open my eyes and find Ember's large eyes staring at me. "Can I lie down with you?"

I look back to where Peeta was racing Flame, and nod. She lies down next to me and sticks a small hand out towards the night sky, "What's that star called?"

"That's the Leader, the ancients used to navigate the sea by it. " I pause repeating my father's words to me, " because it'll always leads you north."

She nods and points at the brightest star in the sky, "That one?"

"That's the planet Venus."

She nods, "Are there people on there too?"

I shake my head, "We tried putting people on there before; we thought we could stabilize the planet's atmosphere. But we stopped after losing so many ships."

She grows quiet and I wonder if I've upset her. Relief floods through me as she spreads her arms and motions to all the stars. "What are they made of?"

I pause, "What do you think they're made of?"

She shrugs, "Hot gas?"

I nod, surprised at her. She's sensible. "My father used to tell me they were made of magic."

Her eyes grow wide as she considers the possibility. "I like that explanation better; even if it's not true."

Her voice sounded ancient, it felt wrong hearing such a logical answer from a little girl. I think back to all the stories of magic and elves I had told Prim.

On impulse, I pull her closer and start speaking. " Let me tell you a story I once heard. Once upon a time..."

She looks at me strangely for a moment and then settles contentedly into my shoulder. Pretty soon I feel Flame nuzzle into my other side and hear Peeta lay down next to her. I continue my story about a girl that slept for many, many years and how her love's kiss awakened her. The night grows silent and I realize the girls are asleep as I end my story. Peeta stretches and picks up Flame, "That was a good story. My father used to tell me that one."

I smile, "Mine too."

I pick Ember up and make my way slowly towards the house. After placing her in the guest room, I watch as her and her sister gently snore. I remember the plates outside and I close the door gently behind me, leaving them to dream. Upon entering the kitchen I find Peeta's already washing the plates and I sigh, feeling a bit useless. "You didn't have to get them you know."

He shrugs and continues washing the plates, "You told the story, I'll wash the dishes."

I smile and stare at the counter top. My mind ripples as I wonder what we're going to do with the girls. We can't leave them to the orphanage. I think back on the last few days. They trust us. I look around at the nearly new house. We can't leave here either, we would need all this space if we were to keep them. I recall the small hut I used to live in before; that wouldn't do. I think of the proabability of finding a house even remotely as nice or big as this one. The odds weren't in our favor. So we can't just pack up and leave because I'm being hunted. For all I know they'll never stop. This thought turns my mind into a maelstrom. Panic and fear each contributing to the storm swirling inside me. They need to be protected. Nobody else can die because of me; especially not Peeta or the girls. What if we really can't keep-

The soft, warm sensation of Peeta's lips against mine, freeze my thoughts. I feel myself softening against him, and he pulls away. I try and make myself sound indignant. "What was that for?"

He smiles and heads up the stairs, "You look like you needed waking up."

The next morning the sun filters brightly through the curtains in the kitchen window. My mo had sown them when we first moved in. I try not to look serious as Flame and Ember eat their breakfast. Peeta leans on the counter and looks at the door as if death was going to come through it and Haymitch twiddle his thumbs back in his chair. "Where is she!" His growl causes Ember to give him a dirty look.

I look at the clock, Johanna should have been here an hour ago. She had stopped as soon has the sun had risen to tell us her dealer would meet her on the edge of town with the serum. I watch the minute hand circle the face of the clock one more time. There's a quick rap on the door, and all of us jump. Peeta opens the door, and a barely lucid Johanna slides her way past Peeta. She practically dances her way to me and sticks a smile vial in my hand, "This yours."

Her words come out muffled and slurred. I wrinkle my noise in disgust and Haymitch leads her to a chair. "Looks like someone got their fix." She grabs his face between her hands, "You're too cute."

I roll my eyes, and Haymitch grabs the vial from my hand. "It's showtime."

I shrug my shoulders, trying to stall, "Couldn't we just ask them?"

His gaze falls on the girls still obliviously eating their breakfast. "I told you the serum has many side effects, one of them being selective amnesia. They wouldn't have remembered if they took the serum before."

"It's a security measure." Johanna offers this information from behind a strand of hair she had placed across her lips like a mustache. She giggles as the strand slides from her lip; with a lazy smile she tries to balance the strand again.

I motion to the girls. "But they have to remember something , they have nightmares."

Haymitch shakes his head and moves into the living room. "They have nightmares about what they've seen, not because of the serum."

I follow him, ready to argue my point. I hear the scraping of a chair in the kitchen and Ember peers at Haymitch from the entrance to the living room; suspicion clouding her eyes, "Is there something wrong with us?"

I motion to her and she walks to me carefully; Flame, who had been behind her, follows. I fix a lose strand of Ember's blond hair. "We just need to give you some medicine, which will tell us if you're sick." Oh, the lies we tell.

Both girls nod and settle into the couch; Flame, sensing the tension in the air, grabs Embers hand. I feel Peeta watching me closely, and I wonder if he can see that my nails are digging into my palm.

The seconds tick by as Haymitch fiddles with the vial; it feels like years have gone by when he manages to pour a sickly sweet smelling liquid into a spoon. I move towards the couch and try not to vomit as the smell of roses penetrates my nose.

Haymitch holds the spoon out towards both the girls, "Alright, who first?"

Flame looks at Ember, who seems rooted into the couch cushion. "I'll go first."

Surprise causes my eyebrows to lift and I place my hand on her shoulder, bracing myself for the worst. "I'm right here honey." As if that will help her…

Peeta grips my hand as the spoon disappears into her mouth. She gags and I stiffen as she begins to cough. I stand there waiting for her words to shoot out and singe us; but there's only silence. I look at Haymitch after a scorching five minutes of silence. Neither of us dare to hope that she wasn't serum activated. "Is it supposed to have an immediate effect?"

He looks at me blankly and tosses his voice into the kitchen, "Johanna!"

She answers his bellow by floating into the living room on her tip toes. "Yes, Haymee."

He rolls his eyes and I look at him quizzically. He impatiently grabs her arm, bring her level to his face. "Is this thing supposed to be instantaneous? Or do we wait a few hours?"

She runs her fingers through his hair, for a moment unsure of what he's saying. She looks at the children on the couch and it jogs her memory. "It happens as soon as they swallow." She taps his nose.

My muscles relax and I slightly loosen my grip on Peeta's hand, allowing some of the blood to circulate.

Flame looks up at me, "So I'm not sick?"

I nod and tousle her hair with my free hand. She bounces up and down with a smile.

Haymitch pours a second round of the serum, emptying the small vile, but I feel amazingly relaxed. Ember was always the stronger one, if they didn't activate Flame they couldn't have possible activated her. She was a fighter. Her mind couldn't be so easily controlled.

The spoon disappears into Ember's mouth. The sweet liquid is barely down her throat when she freezes. I think she is going to start gagging like Flame, but then a small hissing sound escapes her lips. She starts speaking softly at first, and then louder and louder; she is practically screaming as the terrible flood of words fill the room. They were everywhere. Her frenzied words accumulate in puddles around my ears, my mind refusing to accept they were there. My body tenses and I felt my insides being swept clean by the torrent of words. A single thought resonates inside my empty heart. The stronger the person the bigger the burden they bear.

Hey everyone sorry for the delay; it took me forever to figure out how to I wanted this chapter written. That and I've been trying to find a job (I'm convinced everyone is against hiring me haha). Please let me know what you think. I hope you enjoy it =)