Set during training for the 75th Hunger Games.

Katniss watched as Johanna sharpened her ax yet again in the training session, she walked up to the woman, sitting next to her. Without saying anything Katniss grabbed the second ax and started following the same movements that Johanna was taking to sharpen the ax.

"You do realize the possibility of that," She points to the ax in Katniss' hands. "Being the ax I plant into your head is 50 percent, right?" Johanna asked as she spun the other ax in her hand, and Katniss nodded.

"Why else do you think I'm sharpening it? I want it to be as quick and painless as possible, the sharper it is the more likely I'll get that." Katniss replied and Johanna chuckled. After that they sat next to one another working on the axes without speaking. The session was closed and they went separate ways like nothing had happened.

"So you spent a lot of time with Johanna today." Peeta said as they were in the elevator going back to their floor. "You want her for an ally?"

"I guess, I mean I really do still want Beetee and Wiress… even Mags I think." Katniss replied and Peeta's jaw dropped.

"Seriously Katniss? We need fighters not dead weight!" Peeta yelled and Katniss glared at him.

"Are you kidding me? Mags makes amazing hooks, so if we are starving and there is water she can feed us. Beetee and Wiress are beyond smart they could use the arena we are contained in against everyone else! Open your eyes Peeta, you were dead fucking weight last games if you don't remember!" Katniss screamed and stormed out of the elevator as soon as the doors opened, leaving a stunned Peeta standing there jaw dropped to the ground. Haymitch watched Katniss go right into her room slamming the door behind her before he turned back to Peeta.

"What the fuck did you say to her?" He asked and Peeta explained. "You of all people pulled that card?" Haymitch shook his head. "Go get cleaned up for dinner."

x-x-x

Katniss paced her room till finally she decided she was doing herself no good and walked back into the shared space of the apartment, she spotted Haymitch. "I'm going to the roof." She said and he nodded. Katniss grabbed her pack and headed out the doors and up the stairs to the roof. As she stepped out into the open air she noticed she wasn't the only victor to have this idea. Johanna, Finnick and Mags were sitting on the edge of the building. She walked up to them and sat next to Johanna.

"Shit day huh?" Johanna asked and Katniss nodded. Mags handed her a flask and Katniss stared down at it.

"Trust me, take it." Finnick said and Katniss took the flask putting it up to her mouth she took a swig.

"Oh god," She choked and handed the flask to Johanna who was laughing and tapping Katniss' back to clear the coughing fit. "That is terrible."

"That is Mags' personal stash." Finnick said as he took a long drag, Katniss watched and almost retched. Johanna handed her another flask.

"Try this, it's from seven so might be closer to what you might drink in twelve." Johanna offered and Katniss raised an eyebrow to the woman. "Trust me it doesn't take like fish stuck in sneakers." Katniss took the flask and took a small sip. Johanna wasn't lying it did taste a lot like home. A savory mixture of honey and cinnamon. It reminded Katniss of Christmas when she was younger and her father was still alive, how he would stay up late with her, sharing his mug of hot cider that she knew her mother would freak out about if she found out. "Tastes like home doesn't it?" Johanna smirked and Katniss nodded.

"It tastes like Christmas with my dad." Katniss said and Johanna smiled.

"Good memories I hope?" She asked and Katniss nodded.

"My father used to sneak me sips of his hot cider with honey whiskey in it during winter time." Katniss smiled, "My mother would have freaked if she ever found out."

"My mother used to tell me stories of how my dad used to add a little to my bottle when I couldn't sleep as an infant. Explains a lot according to my brothers." Johanna grinned. Katniss looked over at her and chuckled.

"Guess both our fathers saw no harm in under aged drinking." She said, finally noticing that Finnick and Mags had left. "When did they leave?"

"Does it bother you?" Johanna asked instead of responding.

"No, I'm just shocked I'm more observant normally."

"Well maybe you have something distracting you?"

"Hmmm… maybe." Katniss smiled. "It's getting late."

"It is."

"We should head to bed, we have training early." Johanna nodded and stood, she pulled Katniss up to her feet. "Good night Kat." Johanna said as she walked back into the building, leaving Katniss standing there looking out over the cityscape. Katniss took another moment to soak in the Capitol, the buildings stood taller than any in district twelve, and not a single tree was within miles of the epicenter. It caused Katniss to wonder if because of their lack of being in touch with the world around them, the earth, that is why no one in the Capitol saw anything wrong with taking the children of the districts and throwing them into a fight to the death. Maybe the loss of that connection explains the bright colorful clothes and the getting sick just to gorge on more food. These things that seemed so wildly outrageous to Katniss might be more normal if she herself didn't know the wonderful world out there just waiting for them to explore.