He longs for the answers, as all of us must, He longs for the woman who will conquer his lust

He screams in the night, I scream in the day, He weeps in the evening and lies naked and prays

Night after night, day after day

Would you watch my body weaken and my mind drift away?

- Night After Night, Laura Marling


"You guys were- I can't even say, it's was just- I'm speechless," I gushed, as we met Katniss and Peeta as they came out of their carriage.

"There's a first time for everything," Peeta muttered with a cheeky grin, which gained him a punch in the arm.

"Everyone has gone mad for you," I continued, smiling at them both like a lunatic. I was so happy, I even forgot about my vendetta against Katniss.

"It's true," Haymitch said, finally catching up behind me. "You kids have got a chance, the sponsors are lining up already."

I grinned and jumped up and down again like a five year old on a sugar rush. It was amazing how my mood could suddenly jump from depressed teenager to hyper Capitol squealer, all thanks to some synthetic fire.

"How did it feel?" I asked.

"Weird. They were all so happy," Katniss answered. "Like you, but even more creepy."

An hour ago I would have said something sarcastic back but I only laughed.

"That was fabulous," a handsome dark skin man said, walking over and hugging Katniss. Effie and a woman I didn't know was with him. They must be the new Stylists.

The man pulled back then smiled at Haymitch and I. "I am Cinna, and this is Portia."

"I know you," I said immediately. "You were on my tour for a bit. You saved me from wearing that ghastly dress!"

He laughed. "Yes, I'm surprised you remembered me."

"I'm forever in your debt, trust me. And especially after this," I said gesturing to Katniss and Peeta and their dwindling flames. "You're my hero."

He smiled at me again and shook my hand officially, giving it a squeeze. "Well it's lovely to meet you officially."

"You too, this is amazing!" I said again, causing people around us to stare on, some in amusement, some in annoyance. They were probably jealous but I couldn't careless.

"People are asking me if you're high," a voice purred in my ear.

I turned and saw Finn standing beside be grinning.

"High on life," I joked dreamily, grabbing his arm and pulling him into the circle.

"Peeta! This is Finn." My cheeks hurt from smiling too much but I couldn't stop. Maybe someone had slipped me something and I was high.

"Pleasure to meet you," Peeta said, shaking his hand firmly. "Emery's told me so much about you."

"Likewise. It's a shame I'm meeting you here instead of our big white wedding." I flicked his cheek. Trust Finnick to make things awkwardly uncomfortable just for his own amusement.

"And Katniss Everdeen, girl on fire, it's in an honour," he purred, taking Katniss' hand and kissing it lightly. She looked unimpressed but slightly embarrassed as the friendliness disappeared from Peeta's face, being replaced with annoyance and jealously.

"Play nicely," I warned.

He laughed, the corners of his eyes crinkling up as he did so. "Anyway, I only came over here to say goodbye," he continued. "I best be off."

"Wait, where are you going?" I asked in confusion. I had thought we would continue our fun carefree day, our last until we were thrust into mentor duties.

Finnick looked down, shame coating his face clear.

"Oh," I mumbled, my good mood deflating instantly. He had a 'job' to do. I thought we had the night free, but Finnick never really was free.

I had to sudden urge to cry but I held it back. The others sensed something was up so began to talk among themselves. For once I was happy about Effie barking out orders.

"When will you be... Done?" I asked quietly.

He shrugged. "I never know."

I looked down at my sparkly shoes, not able to meet his eyes. He put his finger under my chin and lifted it up softly.

"Emery, look at me please. I'll be fine. I'm Finnick Odair." I couldn't help but laugh.

"That's my girl. I'll see you tomorrow."

He went to walk away but I grabbed his hand.

"Wait." I leant up and gave him a light kiss on the lips. I don't really know why I did, but it just felt like the natural thing to do.

Finn looked slightly surprised but then he smiled. "Be good while I'm gone."

"I'm not done," I said, hugging him tightly, my chin resting on his shoulder.

"Today really has been one of the best I've had in ages," I whispered into his ear. "Thank you."

"Anything for you Emmy bear," he said back, his breath tickling my neck.

"Stop it Finny Winny."

He tried to pull away but I kept my grip on him. "I see what you're doing but it's not going to work," he laughed. "I have to go eventually."

"I know," I sighed reluctantly letting go. "I just feel so worried. I doubt I'm going to sleep tonight."

"I'll come up to see you when I'm back. How about that?"

I huffed but agreed, I couldn't exactly force him to stay, that would just piss Snow off even more.

I had always hated knowing what Finn and the other victors had been subject too. But having it happen right before my eyes, being unable to do anything to prevent it, was torture.

I caught up with the rest who were just getting into an elevator. Peeta and Katniss, who had probably never been in an elevator before, looked around in amazement as we shot up the skyline.

"Being in Twelve does has its perks. We get the penthouse," Effie rattled on. "Now in the morning..."

"Are you alright sweetheart," Haymitch whispered to me. I nodded slightly, not trusting myself to speak.

"He'll be fine, he's done it plenty of times before."

"That doesn't make it right," I snapped. I looked up to Haymitch and apologised immediately.

"S'Alright," he said, patting me on the shoulder. "You've developed some messed up feelings for him. It's natural you care."

I was about to protest but he was kind of right. Besides, I wasn't about to put a shadow on the most intelligent thing Haymitch had ever said to me.

"...Your rooms will be the two closest to the far window. Katniss yours in the last, Peeta's next to it. Haymitch and Emery are near the elevator and the rest of us are in the elcove," Effie continued. "Anything you need, do not hesitate to ask."

The doors opened to reveal our penthouse. Like me and the countless tributes before them, the gapped at their luxorious home in front of them.

I was used to it, so just nudged passed them, making a beeline for the kitchen with Haymitch in tow. He poured a splash of whiskey in a glass then filled it up with lemonade.

He wasn't quitting entirely but I was impressed. He normally had the ratio the otherway around.

"Whats up with you?" I asked, eyeing up the glass.

He downed it quickly then poured himself another one. "If you want me to continue drinking then..."

I snatched the glass off him and knocked back the shot of whiskey myself. It was disgusting. Haymitch cackled loudly as I coughed and spluttered.

"Really, you're supposed to be setting the example here," Effie said.

I rolled my eyes and reached up to the top cupboard where the chips and chocolate was kept.

"Whats that?" Haymitch asked, his voice strained.

"What this?" I asked, holding up my chocolate in confusion.

He looked pissed. "No this." He pulled back the cutout on my dress to reveal the dark bruises from Gale's fingertips from the night we had kissed.

I froze. My dress must have rode up when I reached for the chocolate.

I didn't know what to say. Both Peeta and Katniss were looking at me, slightly embarrassed.

I couldn't tell the truth with her in the room, or even Effie, she'd ask questions about Finnick.

"Finnick," I said quickly, though it sounded more of question.

"Fishboy, you're fooling around with fishboy?" Haymitch asked, looking very much like a father bear protecting his young.

Effie let out a tinkering laugh. "Of course she is. He's her lover."

"Don't say lover," I cringed, as Haymitch said the same. I smirked but then it was wiped off my face under their scrutinous stares.

"I think I'm going to call it a night," I said quickly. "Night guys, see you in the morning."

I practically ran into my room and took off my dress. This day had been an emotional rollercoaster. I'd been excited, guilty, depressed, embaressed, all in the space of half hour. I was surprised I hadn't passed out again.

I put my pajamas on and sat down on my bed, but I was wide awake.

I thought to Finnick and what he would be doing right now, but then stopped myself, my stomach churning. The idea of his violating himself kept creeping into my head. I needed to do something to distract me.

I sighed and went out into the kitchen. It was empty now, everyone had gone to bed for the early start tomorrow. Everyone accept me.

I walked aimlessly around, rearranging the dishes and snacking on food. After what felt like hours, I looked up to the clock and saw that only fifteen minutes had passed. Damn.

This was ridiculous, I was going insane. My mind just kept wandering to poor Finn, then the games. I tried to distract myself with thoughts of home but then stupid Gale would pop into my head. I thought back to the Capitol then the games would appear again. I really couldn't win.

I did need a distraction though. Maybe some late night mentoring would do this trick. I had already spoken to Peeta the night before, so Katniss was due a talk.

She wouldn't be a sleep. No tribute ever really slept before the games. I think I got about two hours sleep the night before my first training session.

Besides, if I didn't do it now, I never would, and Katniss and I were long overdue a real conversation.

I took some chocolate from the kitchen and knocked lightly on her door. There were a few seconds silence before she finally spoke.

"Come in?" She said quietly, sounding unsure of herself.

I opened the door slowly and stuck my head around first. She was sat up in her bed, looking as wide awake as I predicted.

"Hey," I smiled, stepping into the room and shutting the door behind me.

"Hi, is everything okay?" She asked confused.

"Yeah, it's fine. Well, as fine as it can be." I walked across the room and went to sit on her bed, but then thought better of it. She nodded down to the bed, silently giving me permission to sit.

I perched onto the end as an awkward silence fell upon us. I pushed myself up so I was sitting on my knees, just so I had something to do.

"So," she said, breaking the silence. "Was there a reason why you're here at," she looked at the clock on her bedside table. "One fifteen?"

Typical Katniss. She didn't mean to be rude but she always sounded so accusing. We would definitely need to sort that out before the interviews.

"Well, I haven't really spoken to you and thought what a perfect time to at this hour," I joked feebly. "I brought chocolate." I held it up weakly.

She didn't really look like she wanted any but took it anyway, just so she had something to do to fill our silences. God I was terrible speaking to people.

But procrastinating would only make it worse. It was like a band aid; rip it off and get it out the way.

"How are you feeling about the games?" I asked, taking my own square of chocolate.

"Is that a trick question?" She asked, raising her eyebrows. "We've been taken from our district to fight to the death, am I supposed to be happy about it."

"No, you're supposed to be upset," I snapped back. "And angry and scared. But being those things isn't going to crown you victor. I'm not your enemy here, I'm here to bring you home."

"You're here to bring Peeta home," she said defiantly. "He's your friend, I get it."

Believe me I wish I could bring Peeta home, I wanted to say, but he's so fixated on you winning. But I didn't, I held my tongue.

"I'm here to help you both. I'm absolutely distraught about Peeta, I seriously don't know how I've held it together. But I know the chances of him winning are slim, and I'd be overjoyed just to get a victor from our district, be it you or him." My words were serious, but my voice was eerily calm and casual. Katniss remained silent after my speech, pondering my words.

"I thought you didn't like me," she sighed. I was surprised. It was unusual for Katniss to show any kind of emotion. I guess I had to repay the favour.

"I don't not like you," I said finally. "You're actually alright when you're not scowling and being moody. But..."

"I'm always going to be the girl standing in the way," she finished for me. She looked at me with knowing in her eyes.

Suddenly, we weren't talking about Peeta at all, were we? Did Katniss know how I felt about Gale, or was I just imagining it.

We both felt the awkwardness fall over us again so I thought it best to change the subject.

"But as I said before, my feelings are not relevant. I'm here to do whatever I can to help you. So is there anything you need to ask?" I sounded quite professional. I was very proud of myself.

Her eyebrows scrunched up in thought. "Do you know anything about the arena?"

I bit my lip. I actually did. It was a forest, but Rocky had sworn me to secrecy. However I just told Katniss I would help her. I needed to think of a way around this.

"No," I lied. "But it's going to be nature related though, it always is. You'll have a water source, probably some trees. They need them for camera and for shelters and stuff. I doubt they'd be any buildings, they had them last year."

She nodded thoughtfully. "What about training? Should we talk to anyone. You said about building an image, would allies help that?"

I was flattered she had listened to me earlier, but I kept my surprise to myself. "I wouldn't get too close to anyone this early. Take tomorrow, well today, to suss them out. Speak only a few words, in passing. And try and stay close to Peeta."

"Why?"

"United front, more threatening," I said, but that wasn't the only reason. My inner Cupid was fluttering around inside me.

"Are allies necessary?" She asked, looking quite disgusted with the idea.

I nodded. "It'll be mighty difficult to do it alone. Some of those kids are cold blooded killers, you'll need to have someone have your back. Even if its only for a day or two. Besides, if they die, you might get the support of their district."

Katniss gasped. "That's awful."

"It's true," I shrugged, taking another square of chocolate. It was over half gone. I guessed Katniss liked it more than she let on.

"Have a look and see what four are like. They're normally quite skilled, and it's easy to create an alliance there," I continued.

The corners of her lips turned up slightly. "Because of..."

"Yes," I said with my own smile, blushing slightly.

She looked up at me with confusion then opened her mouth, but then closed it immediately afterwards, blushing too. There was something she wanted to ask me but was too shy to.

"What?" I asked, trying to be intimidating, but I ruined the whole thing by smiling. It was hard to believe we were both the same age, she seemed so much older.

"It's nothing," she said, looking down into her lap.

"Katniss seriously just tell me. I won't leave her until you do." I actually sounded quite firm. Point to me.

She looked at me and sighed. "I just wanted to say about earlier, and that I won't tell anyone."

"Eh?" Why was she being so cryptic.

"You and the... Marks on your waist. You said you got them from Finnick Odair, but I saw them on the train," she mumbled. "I won't tell them you're having an affair with someone in the district."

My mouth dropped open. She was perceptive. I couldn't believe she had noticed and then decided to cover for me, though, in her eyes, I was a cheater.

We were both silent for a while. I looked at her and could see the cogs turning in her eyes. She looked up to me again.

"Is it Peeta?" She asked.

I wanted to laugh. If I was talking with anyone but Katniss, I probably would have. But I just responded with a: "God no," and a scoffed.

Her eyes suddenly darkened. She had clicked, I knew she had. Her suspicions from earlier proving right.

"It had to be recent because they wouldn't still be there." I didn't answer her. "That morning of the reaping, Gale was late hunting. His mother said he had been out all night. He had gone to visit you..."

I was frozen, unable to speak. She was clever, very clever. And I was almost certain she would hit me. He loved her, and probably she him. I was toast.

But she didn't. Her expression suddenly became guarded, then clouded, then indifferent.

"Well, it's none of my business anyway," she said hautily, returning back to the usual Katniss that I had just spent the past half hour trying to breakaway.

"I'm sorry Katniss, it was just-"

"It's fine," she cut me off. "I'll keep it quiet."

I still felt guilty and was compelled to tell her the truth. "It meant nothing I promise you. He came to see me after the reaping. It was just a mistake."

She shrugged and wrapped up the chocolate. "As I said before, it's none of my business. I'm going to go to bed now. We've got another 'big, big day tomorrow."

I let myself crack a smile. I stood up from her bed and brushed myself down. "Goodnight. And I mean it, anything you need."

She nodded as I let myself out.

I went back to my room but I was now more wide awake then ever.

As if I needed something else on my plate, I now had to worry about Katniss hating me even more because of my 'moment' with Gale. I just wanted to shake her and tell her that Gale loved her, and for some reason, Peeta did too. But it was not my place, and teen drama was the last thing we needed.

I went back to my room and decided to check out the TV. Maybe the mind numbing Capitol shows would help me nod off.

I decided to watch 'the tear jerker of the year' which just turned out to be a movie about a rich Capitol girl who lost her money, and then had to live in a first floor apartment in the lower village. Really, Capitol people and their problems.

It was just getting to the end where she sold a diamond necklace she found on the floor when there was a knock on the door.

The person didn't even wait for me to respond. The door opened slowly and revealed a very tired looking and disheveled Finnick.

"Finn," I said, leaping up out of bed and over to the door where he stood. I threw my arms around his neck, pulling him down toward me.

He seemed hesitant at first but then he engulfed my body in his arms, burying his face into my hair.

I squeezed him tightly, wanting him to know how worried I was, and how I would be here for him no matter what.

"Are you okay?" I whispered.

"I'm okay," he mumbled into my hair. "Mind if I take a shower?"

I pulled back and shook my head. He gave me a small smile before padding into the bathroom and shutting the door behind him.

It was weird seeing Finnick so quiet. I had witnessed flirty Finn and normal Finn, both which were chatty and held a twinkle in their eye. But this Finn was eery, he looked so broken.

My stomach twisted in pain, knowing how awful it must be for him to have to give himself up night after night for random women. I had felt uneasy before, but actually seeing the evidence of a broken Finnick, someone who had always been so strong, did me in.

I crawled back into bed and stared blankly at the TV as a comedy show started.

After what seemed like an eternity, the bathroom door reopened and Finnick came out wearing nothing but a tshirt and boxers. I was thankful for the darkness that hid my blush.

As soon as he perched down onto my bed, I began to cry. At first the tears were slow but then they came pouring out my eyes.

Finnick arms were around me in a second as I sobbed into his chest.

"I don't know why I'm so worked up," I said honestly. "I'm the one who should be comforting you." I heard a small laugh rumble throughout his chest.

"I don't need comforting, I'm fine. I always am after a shower. You however..." He stroked my hair softly. "When I said I'd come and see you, I didn't think you'd stay up."

"I didn't, I just couldn't sleep. I could get you out of my head."

He sighed and lay down on the bed, pulling the sheets over us and keeping my head on his chest. I put my arm around his stomach and hugged him tighter.

"I told you before, you don't need to worry. I can take care of myself just fine," he said, still rubbing my hair softly. I didn't realise how tired I was. I could feel myself drifting further off with every stroke.

"I can't help it. It's awful what you're going through and it could've been me, it's going to be me." Maybe that was what my real issue was. I knew I couldn't evade Snow forever.

"But it's not and if that day ever comes, you know I'm going to be here for you. I'll always be here for you." He kissed my head affectionately but I was too sleepy to reply.

"So, care to tell me about that kiss earlier?" He asked, a smile evident in his voice.

I mumbled something incoherently then drifted off. Falling into a dreamless sleep; the best I had in months.


Sorry I've been a while with the updates, I have my end of year exams coming up and everything's kind of crazy. But I promise to have another chapter up by the end of next week.

This chapter was kind of different, I needed to get all these talks out the way before all the action starts. I know some people are going to not like Katniss guessing so quickly, but there's a reason for her suspicions that'll be revealed later... Also someone was asking about more Haymitch/Emery which will happen in a couple of chapters.

Thanks to everyone who has reviewed: asha74, ShortySC22, solTshallbe (my new french friend :) smileykat14, ElleJTriX, lolamellark123 and Bailey.

Thanks so much for reading, let me know what you think. I love hearing from people.