This is my first fanfic so yeah it might not be all that great. Basically, I think that if Annie and Peeta weren't around Katniss X Finnick would be a likely pairing but only if they were similar in age. So Finnick one the 70th Hunger games not the 65th. Everything else is the same except Annie didn't go to the hunger games so she and Finnick didn't fall in love although they are good friends, and Peeta died in his games.

Disclaimer: I don't own anything apart from my ideas, this website is called Fanfiction for a reason.


Chapter One – Back to the Capitol

I think I'm in shock, this can't be happening. I just got back and now I have to go back into the arena for a Quarter Quell. I have no chance of coming out alive this year, not when I'm competing against other victors. I didn't even get to say goodbye to Prim, Gale, my mom.

"Right you two have some of this delicious food and get some rest. We've got a big, big day tomorrow." Effie says.

"For god's sakes Effie! Have you not stopped to think for one second how we might be feeling? We're supposed to be safe from the games, we won that guarantees the fact that we won't be going back in!" I cry.

"Sweetheart, you should know by now that no one is ever safe from Snow's clutches." Haymitch tells me.

"They rigged it!" I gasp, "We weren't supposed to go back in, and this is my entire fault!"

"Sweetheart what are you talking about?"

"My games Haymitch. I won in the wrong way, the mutts were designed to drive Peeta and I to the cornucopia to fight Cato. Peeta, he he…" I choked up talking about Peeta, "He wasn't supposed to push himself and Cato off when he grabbed Peeta, the Gamemakers wanted me to shoot Cato killing them both but I didn't do it. I won the Hunger Games having only killed one person directly." I explain.

"Well shit sweetheart."

At some point during my speech Effie had left the room, I decide to follow in her example and leave as well. Big, big day and all.


We arrive at the Capitol and step into the elevator that will take us up to our floor, just as the doors are closing someone else steps in.

"Girl on fire, such a pleasure to meet you." The person says.

"And you are?" I reply without looking up.

"Oh I'm hurt that you don't recognise me. I'm Finnick Odair." He tells me.

"You mean I'm in the presence of the Finnick Odair," I gush "oh my god!"

"You're a fan then?" A smile tugging at his lips. He's such an arrogant, pompous pretty boy.

"No." I glance up and see we're at floor four "Oh look it's your floor, well have a nice day although I don't know how any one can enjoy their self with our imminent death looming over us."

Finnick just stares at me as he walks away. What have I gotten myself into now?

"Sweetheart what have you done? He's not used to anyone resisting his charm."

"That's what he calls it? Charm?" I interrupt Haymitch.

"As I was saying sweetheart, no one ever brushes him off. You've just given him a challenge he can't refuse."

"Oh crap the man-whore is coming after me!" I say in mock horror.

I'm surprised I can still joke knowing that I'm going to die soon. The games messed me up more than I'd thought.

As soon as we arrive in the suite, my prep team whisk me away to the bathroom to 'prep' me. They complain about my hair and my eyebrows but I zone them out, Haymitch's prep team are going to have a much bigger challenge than mine anyway. They shouldn't complain they're not the ones going into the arena to die.

I go into my room and standing there is my favourite person from the Capitol, heck he's the only person from the Capitol I'd consider a friend.

"Cinna! I missed you so much." I exclaim.

"Hey there Katniss, feels like I saw you just last week." Cinna says, and I have to agree ever since winning the games I've been the centre of the Capitol's attention. "I have your dress for the opening ceremony here."

He takes out a black dress. It's pretty plane for Cinna but I slip it on anyway knowing he must have a trick up his sleeve, or my sleeve seeing as I'm the one wearing the dress. It's shorter than what I'm usually put in coming to mid thigh. Cinna does my hair and makeup and when I see myself in the mirror, I'm almost unrecognisable. Standing in my reflection is an intimidating young woman. I look older than my seventeen years, less innocent.

"Cinna, you've really outdone yourself this time." I complement his work.

"You are going to be stunning Katniss." He tells me.


I'm standing alone by the District 12 chariot stroking one of the magnificent black horses.

"Katniss!" Someone calls my name. I look around and realise who it was, Fish brains.

"Odair." I acknowledge him.

"Aw come on Katniss call me Finnick." He purrs. He holds out a lump of sugar, right in front of my face. "You want a sugar cube? I mean they're supposed to be for the horses but who cares about them, right? They have all the time in the world to eat sugar whereas, you and I-When we see something sweet we better grab it…"

This man, oh my god he goes on. How can anyone actually be attracted to him? Sure, he has good looks but when he opens his mouth, it's like word vomit. Blah, blah, blah on and on and on. Where is Haymitch when you need him, or anyone else for that matter?

"…So Katniss, do you want a sugar cube?"

"No. But I would love to borrow that outfit sometime." I reply.

"You look very formidable in that getup Fire Girl. What happened to all the little girl dresses?" He asks.

"I outgrew them." I snap.

"You certainly did," He agrees eyeing me up and down. "You know, you could've made out like a bandit in the Capitol, jewels, money-"

"Well I don't like jewels and I have more money than I'll ever need. What do you do with all your riches anyway?" I cut him off.

"Oh I haven't dealt in anything as common as money in years." He replies.

"Well how do people pay for the 'pleasure' of your company?" I ask sarcastically.

"Secrets. Tell me girl on fire, do you have any secrets worth my time?"

"Well Fish brains if I did, I wouldn't give them away to you. Besides, I'm an open book people seem to know all of my secrets before I know them myself."

"Sadly, I think that's true." Finnick sighs then saunters away just as Haymitch and Cinna walk over to me.

"What did he want sweetheart?" Haymitch questions.

"To know all of my secrets." I say mockingly.

"You didn't tell him did you Katniss?" Haymitch asks me seriously, he only ever calls me Katniss when he's serious.

"No Haymitch, god no. I can't stand him he's such an arrogant, bigheaded self righteous pretty boy." I scoff.

"Ok sweetheart, whatever you say." Haymitch teases.

"Hey! What is that supposed to mean? Haymitch you drunken old man what are you talking about?" I screech.

"In case you haven't noticed sweetheart, I'm not drunk." Haymitch changes the subject.

"Yeah why is that?"

"I cleaned out Ripper's stock before we got reaped."

"I did wonder what those noises coming from your house were. I thought the coyotes had got in." I laugh. I really am twisted.

Cinna comes over to turn on my power pack. He tells me not to wave and to just look like this entire thing is beneath me. The chariots start moving; I look at the other tributes and see lots of them staring at me, especially Finnick. I look down at my dress to see it glowing like the hot embers of a fire. I then glance back at the other tributes, a few of them have flaming accessories on their outfits, their stylists no doubt copying Cinna's idea from last year. The tributes from 10 are dressed as livestock, with flaming belts. What are they going to do, cook themselves to save other people the bother?

We come to a halt and President Snow steps up to the podium.

"Welcome back victors of the past tributes once again. This year as it's a quarter quell things will be a little different leading up to and during the games. This year you will have to team up with another tribute of the opposite sex. You must stay with each other in the training centre and the arena, and you will sleep on the same floor of the building."

I look at Haymitch and nod; I'll just pair up with him.

"One last thing tributes, your partner must be from a different district and the gentlemen will choose. Happy hunger games and may the odds be ever in your favour." Snow finishes his speech leaving me shocked.

I have to pair up with someone from another district and I don't even get a say in who it will be. To say I'm outraged would be an understatement.


We are filed into a room I've never been in; I think it's where the mentors watch the games together. The mentors' lounge or something. The 'gentlemen' are asked to pick a partner.

They go in district order, and Finnick takes his turn.

"I choose, Katniss Everdeen." He announces.

Anyone but me, why do I have to be stuck with the Capitol sex image?

Everyone picks their partner and I decided to make a list of who would be stuck together in the arena in case I wanted to make any alliances:

Floor one: Cashmere and Brutus

Floor two: Enobaria and Gloss

Floor three: Wiress and Blight

Floor four: Mags and Haymitch

Floor five: District 5 female and Male morphling

Floor six: Female morphling and Woof

Floor seven: Johanna and Beetee

Floor eight: Cecelia and Chaff

Floor Nine: Female from 9 and Male from 10

Floor ten: Female from 10 and Male from 9

Floor eleven: Seeder and Male from 5

Floor twelve: Me and Finnick

I don't know half of the tributes names so I have to make do with putting things like Male from 5. Finnick and I make our way up to floor twelve much to my annoyance.

I ignore Finnick throughout the ride in the elevator but when we arrive at the room, I turn to him in surprise. Everything is different: instead of two chairs, there is one very small sofa and, instead of two bedrooms, there is one with luckily two fairly large beds. What was the other bedroom is now just a bare room.

It seems like they are doing everything they can to make us closer so it's harder to kill each other in the arena.

"So Fire girl, it seems like we're going to be spending a lot of time together in the upcoming weeks." He says, "Isn't it great?"

"Oh yes you're the first person I would choose to spend my last few weeks alive with. Now if you don't mind I'm going to bed." I reply mockingly.

"Why would I mind Katniss, maybe I'll join you." He says seductively.

"In your dreams Fish boy." I snap back at him.

"Oh no Katniss more like your dreams." He teases.

"Great, so now not only do I have to put up with your annoying presence for the remainder of my life, I have to deal with your endless innuendos." I groan and walk out.

I change into my pyjamas in the en-suite and crawl into my bed. Finnick is already changed and in his bed. He's staring at me which is seeming to become a habit with him.

"Take a picture Odair, it'll last longer."

"Oh I wish I could Kat but I don't have my camera." He chuckles.

"Don't call me 'Kat' Fish brains." I tell him.

"Well Katniss seeing as we're alone, how about that secret?"

So that's it, the first chapter done. Please review and tell me if you like it. Sorry if the characters are OOC.

If you have any ideas for what should happen throughout the story, they would be greatly appreciated