Over a year has passed since Ohm's Games. Much has changed, but much has not. I stare out at the glorious Shenandoah Valley: its green peaks covered with peaceful forest. What has always been the escape of Katniss has soon become mine as well in the months since we first began to come to District 12 regularly. The warm spring breezes feel reinvigorating. They calm me down almost as much as my new family does. I need this place now for the nightmares still come at night. Lizzy has even admitted to me that she is haunted by terrifying visions in her sleep as well. Sometimes, I am the one who awakens to her terrified screams in the dark, others it is she who must wrap her warms around me to blunt the sting of the cold sweat on my skin after I snap back into consciousness after slaying long dead opponents.

I look over to her now; playing a careless game of tag with little Prim and Haymitch Mellark. You would never know from her smiles and laughter that she was the same terrified woman trapped in Ohm's terror device such a short time ago. The smell of freshly baked bread from the kitchen in Victor's Village hangs in the air and mixes perfectly with the scent of roasting venison on the barbecue grill. Peeta tends the coals with same careful attention that he pays to his oven and his art. Apparently, he has become quite skilled over the years in preparing what Katniss brings home in her game bag.

Prim and Haymitch's innocent laughter is like a salve that is helping to heal my scarred mind. The children are blissfully ignorant of the terrible things that can happen in the world, and I love them for that. Their parents have taught them what the Games were, but they are just stories, much like the boogey-man under the bed. I think this is why Katniss and Peeta have allowed us to get so close to them, and why Lizzy and I will allow the Mellarks so close to our children: It makes the lessons of the past more real. Hopefully, the next generations will learn from our tragedies instead of having to experience their own. This reasoning is why I have insisted that Lizzy and I start visiting here so often. This particular trip, however, is extremely special because it is the first time that we have brought a third little member of our clan.

Katniss peacefully sits in a chair, watching Lizzy play with Prim and Haymitch, while holding a sleeping bundle in her arms. It is my infant son, Octavian. When he was born, both Lizzy and I were so happy that he looked so much like us, but for different reasons. She was thankful that he had my nose and auburn hair, but I did not breathe a sigh of relief until I saw his little eyes. I was worried that somehow, from a place buried deep in my DNA, that he would be cursed with the serpentine eyes that would forever mark him as descendant of Coriolanus. Instead, when he first gazed up at his father, all I saw was beautiful sea-green.

Katniss rocks him gently back and forth, singing a quiet melody to him. I can't make out the words, but it is beautiful. When she comes to the end of the tune, she looks over and sees me off by myself, staring at her loving care of my child. Careful not to disturb the infant's peaceful slumber, she stands up, walks over to check things with Peeta, and then comes and takes a seat with me.

"Hell of a view you have. How do I get a backyard like this?"

"Win the Hunger Games." Both of us burst out laughing. She then looks down at Octavian. "You know, I never thought in a million years that I would be a holding a baby in my arms with the last name, Snow."

"Well, I'm glad you are…but if certain Avoxes had had their way, you wouldn't be."

"How has Lizzy been doing?" Katniss asks caringly.

"Better actually…I wish I could say the same." I pause as I ask a question that has been brewing in my head for months. "Honestly, do the nightmares ever go away?" She answers with her trademark honesty.

"No, but they do get easier to deal with. Especially when they keep reminding you of how precious things around you can be." She looks over to Peeta, Prim, and Haymitch. I look first to Lizzy and then to my son.

"So, have they caught the bastard yet?"

"No, he's disappeared without a trace. President Holmes is already working on having him declared dead."

"Typical politician, always out for appearances first," Katniss says with annoyance.

"Interesting opinion for a presidential assassin. I guess some things never change, however, I assure you that she is worlds above some of the other leaders of Panem who have made your acquaintance." Both of us laugh again.

"So do you think it was worth it?" I ask.

"What?"

"What you and Peeta went through to be together in the arena, the war, picking up the pieces of his mind, everything."

"You know, the versions of Peeta and me you saw in all those reruns isn't exactly reality."

"How so?"

"The love between us in the first games was all an invention of our mentor…at least on my side of things. Haymitch and I thought it would bring us more sponsors and keep us alive if I played along with Peeta's feelings." This is more of a shock to me then when I found out that Katniss voted yes for the Games with the Capitol's children. "I didn't realize that I actually loved him back for real until I almost lost him to Snow's…." she hesitates apologetically.

"It's alright," I say reassuringly. "Keep going."

"President Snow's torture. It was when I saw the good person inside of him almost eclipsed by hatred and anger that I knew I couldn't stand to ever live without him again."

"Why are you telling me this?"

"Because you asked if all of it was worth it. Before that Reaping Day, I was one-hundred percent convinced that I would never get married and have children." She points to Prim who is currently chasing Lizzy across the grass as Haymitch bounces along behind his sister. "Prim is ten years old now. If things had stayed the same, her name would be in those glass bowls in less than two years. I wouldn't be able to live with myself if I heard her called over those loudspeakers. If she had made it, than it could be Haymitch just a few years later. I'd have rather died a crazy old spinster alone in the woods than put myself through one second of that.

But now, with men like you protecting us," she says reaching out and patting my knee acerbically, "We live in a different world: a world where all our children can grow up to be whatever they choose to be and never knowing things like the Hunger Games. Was it worth it?" she asks looking one last time toward her three most treasured possessions. "I would go through everything again a million times if it meant that I could sit here peacefully on this sunny day and see my husband happily cooking lunch while my son and daughter play games with your beautiful wife. I think that when you look down at this little guy here, you know your answer would be the same." I am speechless, but I know that she is right.

"So, what will little Octavian Snow choose to be," Katniss says gently rocking him back and forth, "a soldier, like his father…or maybe a politician?" she says looking back to me.

"Actually, I kind of hope he takes up fishing." She smiles at my words.

"Hey everybody!" Peeta yells from the back porch. "Food's almost ready! I just gotta get the rolls out of the oven." Lizzy leads Prim and Haymitch from the grass inside to wash up.

"He really is a good man…" I say trailing off.

"The best," she replies. "No offense."

"None taken. Whether you really loved him or not during that first games doesn't matter, you know? You made the right choice in the end, if you don't mind me saying so."

"I don't mind at all. I hope that little revelation hasn't spoiled the view of your beloved Mockingjay too much," Katniss says sarcastically.

"You'll always be my beloved Mockingjay," I reply.

"Actually, Peeta and I had a long talk about that recently. You see, I've grown kinda tired of being that beloved Mockingjay. I mean, that was over twenty-five years ago, and I think I deserve to retire."

"What?" I ask confused.

"Well, I'm a lot of different things now: hunter, wife, mother…my schedule is packed and being a treasured national icon sort of gets in the way." She expertly balances Octavian in one arm while reaching into her pocket with the other. She pulls something out and puts it in my palm. "My time has passed, Ares. This country needs new heroes to look up to." She smiles one last time and stands up. "C'mon little guy, I think your mama will want you back," she whispers into Octavian's sleeping ears.

She walks over to the kitchen to help Peeta and Lizzy. Alone again, I look down to see what she placed in my hand. It is her Mockingjay pin: the sacred symbol of the Revolution.

Unfortunately, I don't get long to savor the moment.

"BEEP, BEEP, BEEP," chirps the communicuff on my wrist. I press the button and answer.

"Colonel Snow," I say expecting a routine message from the Ministry.

"It's wonderful to hear your voice again, My Dear Ares." It is like I have been dropped into a giant tank of ice water. I jump up and run over to the forest, not wanting anyone to know with whom I'm speaking.

"So, you are alive, Ohm. I was starting to wonder. I see you've made yourself another Reevox."

"So, we're back to formalities now? Pity, I was starting to like the little friendship we were building before. Yes, I've made another Reevox. I had to after you so rudely took my old one as a trophy."

"I suppose it won't do me any good to trace this?"

"Probably not, though I do see that your technicians at the Ministry have done a splendid job enhancing your security protocols. Who knows? You might be safe now."

"Why don't I believe you when you say that?"

"Because you know me, My Dear Colonel. You know what I'm capable of."

"What do you want, Ohm?"

"After our little encounter on the island last year, I've had some time to reflect. I really do apologize for being such as horrible host to you and Mrs. Snow. Perhaps the next time the three of us meet, it will be under more civil circumstances. Actually, should I say the four of us now. I'm sorry I haven't congratulated you yet on the new arrival."

"Don't you even dare mention my son!"

"Now there is that fiery temper I've missed so much. Tell me, Colonel, who do you have your monthly meetings with at Special Defense now? Does he or she provide the same level of quality that I did or are you still searching for another with my talents?"

"I really don't think you called me to ask for your old job back, Ohm, so get to whatever point you're going to make."

"Fine, always impatient as usual. You see, I've realized you were right all along. You're not my enemy at all! I mean, you can't help what you are anymore than I can help what I am. The real enemies are those who tolerate your existence: The Ministry, that pompous ass General Sturm, and that cow of a President that keeps getting foolishly re-elected time after time. Why you could even say that the real enemy are the people of Panem themselves. After all, they claim to abhor the horrors of the old regime and yet allow so many of its old traditions to remain. Luckily for me, my new friends feel the same way."

"What are you talking about, Rikard?"

"Back to first names again? Really, Colonel, this is becoming tiring. You must make up your mind."

"Dammit, what is going on?"

"Oh don't worry, God of War, you'll find out soon enough…HA! HA! HA! HA! HA!" The same maniacal laughing that haunts my nightmares returns. That is when I hear the explosions begin.

END OF BOOK ONE