AN: I am so happy with the response to this fic. Thank you to everyone who is reviewing, it means the world to me and thank you also to those following; I hope you are enjoying the story.

Special thank you to Kmac13 – you really did inspire me to write this story. If you haven't read her story Capitol's Doll you all really should. It's AMAZING!

Please review and let me know your thoughts and opinions, reviews are my motivation and motivation means more chapters...

Sorry for any mistakes, I do re-read but some always slip past me...

Possession

Four

After several minutes I pulled away, wiping away my tears before looking up to see a familiar handsome face; Finnick.

"Sorry," I mumbled stepping backwards. I could feel a light blush rising up my cheeks.

He watched me with concern. "I'm used to women throwing themselves at me but they never cry," his tone was light; he was trying to cheer me up.

I let out a very unlady like snort which he raised an eyebrow to. I brushed him off and took a seat on the sofa. I didn't comment on the fact that Finnick, Johanna and Cinna were all early. I gave them each a small smile before Haymitch spoke.

"What happened sweetheart?" he asked softly.

I sighed, "Gale."

Realisation flashed into his eyes. "He finally confessed his love for you I presume."

I frowned, "What... wait... how do you know that?"

Haymitch laughed then chugged on the bottle of whiskey before speaking, "it's obvious to everyone with eyes sweetheart, that boy is madly in love with you."

I sighed. How could I have been so oblivious?

"Yeah, well he probably hates me now," I mumbled grabbing the bottle from Haymitch's hand and taking a swig... and then another. It burned my throat but that didn't stop me. Haymitch had assured me that over time I would barely notice it.

"That boy could never hate you sweetheart," Haymitch said softly.

We spoke nothing more about it.

We spent the day drinking and talking. Haymitch, Johanna and I did most of the drinking while Finnick and Cinna did most of the talking though Johanna did chip in.

"I'm surprised you didn't hear the screaming, I think half of your District nearly fainted at the sight of him and the other half were screaming his name," Johanna said, her words slightly slurred. She was of course talking about Finnick's arrival into District 12.

I laughed, a little more than necessary but in my drunken haze it was most hilarious.

"I don't know what you're laughing at Everdeen," Finnick said turning his body towards me. "You'll be screaming my name soon enough too," he said with the confident insanely attractive smirk.

I blushed crimson while Cinna and Johanna burst into laughter and Haymitch pointed his finger at Finnick.

"It's not for pleasure boy, your teaching her remember" he slurred. I smiled slightly at Haymitch's attempt at trying -and failing due to his inhabited state- to be a parental figure, trying to stick up for my 'innocence'.

I didn't truly understand the meaning of innocence any longer. It was something I had lost between leaving home and returning. Even Prim had lost some innocence. We had all been changed by the Hunger Games, some of us more than others.

That night I stumbled to bed, feeling the darkness at the edge of my mind spreading. I hoped for a peacefully night's sleep... but I should have known better.

"Help me," he whispered his eyes pleading with mine.

My heart was racing, my palms were sweating. I couldn't reach him. He was trying to scramble up the side of the Cornucopia as the mutts feral growls tore through the air. They were close.

"Katniss, help me," he called up again.

I stared down at him. I wanted to help. I needed to help... but I couldn't help.

"I'm sorry," I whispered and then they came.

The tearing of his flesh made me heave and his shrill screams piercing the air made me cover my ears. I rocked back on forth on top of the Cornucopia. I had no weapon; I couldn't end his suffering as the mutts, former tributes, tore into him.

I began to hum. A song I once heard back home but it didn't drown out his screams. They surrounded me as did his calls.

"Help me," he screamed.

"Please Katniss..."

"Why won't you help me..."

I stopped humming, I locked over the edge and there he was; his body being apart, limb by limb. But it wasn't mutts now, it was Cato.

"You can save him Katniss," Cato taunted.

But I couldn't. There was an invisible barrier between me and Peeta. I couldn't get to him. I screamed in frustration as Cato laughed, it was dark, twisted and it made me feel sick.

"Please Katniss," he whispered brokenly. "Help me..."

"Peeta," I gasped bolting up right in bed.

Someone was with me, wrapping me into their embrace. "It was just a dream," I clutched onto the person beside me, presuming it was Haymitch.

"I didn't save him," I whimpered.

I inhaled deeply but instead of smelling the familiar mix of alcohol and mint I smelt something salty; the sea. Finnick cradled me in his arms, his chin resting on the top of my head as I shook, the after effects of the nightmare.

"You're not Haymitch," I whispered softly.

His chest rumbled in what I could only presume was a laugh. "No, what gave it away."

I inhaled again, I had never smelt the sea but there was no denying that it was the sea. He was from District 4 and the little I knew about him was that he loved swimming, fishing... anything that involved water. The smell was oddly calming, soothing and comforting.

"You smell clean," I whispered smiling softly as he shook slightly with laughter.

"That would do it," he whispered softly seeming slightly amused.

My head was pressed against his chest, his bare chest! I suddenly felt a little hot under the collar, I hadn't been around many half naked men, or any in fact. It was something I would have to get used to I supposed.

"Where's Haymitch?" I asked. He was usually the one to wake me from my nightmares.

"He's out cold, so is Johanna," Cinna voice said from the door way. He stood leaning against the frame watching me softly.

"I was screaming wasn't I," I said biting my lip and twiddling my thumbs in embarrassment.

Cinna smiled softly but said nothing. I leaned my head back to look up at Finnick for an answer, he nodded slowly. "You were screaming his name," he whispered softly.

I nodded slowly. It was generally his name or just terrified noises. Cinna smiled softly at me before going back to his room. On the second morning that he had found Haymitch and I asleep together after I won the games, I had asked him why it didn't surprise him, he had simply said that it was 'very rare to find a Victor in bed alone'. He didn't need to say 'because of nightmares'. Cinna didn't know what it was like but he knew, by observing, that they were truly awful but Katniss understood why he had left, he knew Finnick would do a better job of comforting me simply because he knew what she was going through.

I buried myself deeper into Finnick's embrace. He was warm, soft and his skin was smooth against my cheek. My eyes began to drop, I was exhausted but afraid. Sleeping only meant nightmares. Finnick obviously seeing my battle moved us both further onto the bed before lying me down.

I clung to him and he lay down with me. "Go to sleep Katniss," he whispered softly, his voice lulling me even further into slumber.

"Stay," I managed to mumble.

My head was pressed against his chest and so with a rumble of his chest I knew he had agreed and I fell asleep without another thought.

Possession

I stretched, curling my toes with groaning softly. Even with my eyes shut the light was too bright. I pulled the cover over my face and settled back onto the large, warm and moving pillow.

Moving?

I opened my eyes and came face to face with a smirking Finnick. I gasped softly in fright before pulling back. His shirtless form rose into a sitting position where he continued to watch me, amusement written all over his features as I tried, and failed, to compose myself.

"Did you sleep well?" he had laid back down. He rested his head on his entwined hands, broadening his chest; the position also displayed his biceps nicely. The smirk on his lips told me that he knew how good he looked. I rolled my eyes.

I realised, in answer to his question, that I had in fact slept very well minus the waking up and screaming. After going back to sleep in Finnick's arms might I add I hadn't had a nightmare, I had slept peacefully.

I small smile settled upon my lips, "yes," I could hear my own surprise. "I did."

Finnick smirked, "you're welcome," he said in usual 'Finnick Odair' cocky manner.

I rolled my eyes again, ignoring him though inside I thanked him. I rolled out of bed and stretched, my muscles ached and my bones cracked but I felt more energized than I had in weeks. In my simple cotton bedclothes I made my way to the bathroom, all too aware of Finnick taking in my attire, his eyes watching me until I closed and locked the bathroom door.

I washed my face with the sweet smelling soap that I had become used to. It wasn't as fancy as Capital soap but I preferred it. After brushing my teeth with the minty paste; another luxury that I had been supplied once becoming a Victor, I left the bathroom.

Of course Finnick was still laying there, his eyes once again on me. I raised an eyebrow at his blatant staring, "you can leave now." I said coolly before making my way to the oak wardrobe. I had very few of my old clothes but over the weeks I had become used to the finer fabrics and more elaborate clothing that had been supplied.

Of course elaborate to me was very simple in Capitol terms!

Pulling out a pair of simple black trousers and a fitted white t-shirt, I once again turned to face Finnick. He was still staring at me, his eyes twinkling with amusement.

"Do you mind?"

He smirked, "not really."

I shook my head frustration but before I could speak he was talking once again.

"You might as well get changed in front of me Everdeen, I'm going to see it all soon anyway," he tone was light but serious. It was the seriousness that had me blushing, and of course the truth of his words.

I was still trying to get my head around the fact that Finnick would be teaching me how to do that and he would see me like no male has before... apart from Cinna. But he was my stylist, he didn't really count.

In a moment of bravery though, I decided to play him at his own game. He hadn't thought I would do it, he didn't think I was brave enough. I'm Katniss Everdeen, the girl on fire for fucks sake! With my pep talk over I pulled at the hem of my nightshirt and peeled it from my body.

My underwear was simple cotton like my nightclothes, they weren't anything fancy but they were comfy.

I dared to look at Finnick as I peeled off my trousers and saw his mild shock as he stared at me. Of course he regained his composer quickly, the female body wouldn't surprise him at all and I was very aware that his staring wasn't because I looked like anything special but because I had actually done it!

"You certainly need some new underwear," he commented with a smirk.

I scowled, "I like them."

Finnick snorted, "You might but you're not going to impress anyone with that." He said pointing to the white cotton pants and bra I was stood in.

"He's right," I turned to see Cinna stepping into the room. I smiled as he gave me a soft smile in return.

Cinna got straight down to business. "You," he said pointing his finger at Finnick. "Leave and you," he said turning to me, his voice softening. "We might as well get you used to the things you'll have to wear in the Capitol."

I noticed the bag in his hand and as he set it down on my bed he started pulling at fancy and very uncomfortable looking garments in various styles and colours. I stared at them, my eyes wide and frightened.

"I like these ones," Finnick said twirling a scrap of lacy red material which I guessed were pants.

Cinna scowled at him but his eyes held amusement, "out." He ordered, snatching the material from his finger.

Finnick did as he was told and left but not before winking at me. I blushed in embarrassment at his blatant flirting but also at the prospect of wearing those skimpy bits if underwear in front of him and others.

I groaned and sat on the edge of my bed. "It's going to take a miracle for me to be able to do this convincingly."

Cinna sat down beside me, wrapping his arm around my shoulder. "I think your stronger than you give yourself credit for and smarter. You'll do it because you know it's to keep your family safe; that will give you the motivation and the courage you need."

I sighed and leant into his side. "I'm scared Cinna, I don't want to do this."

"I know," he whispered softly, pressing a light kiss to my temple. "I don't want you to have to do this either. None of us do."

I took in several deep breathes, calming myself, preparing myself for the day ahead.

"Here," Cinna said softly. "These shouldn't be too uncomfortable."

They underwear was soft, not lacy and hopefully not to uncomfortable. I smiled, there were fairly normal and I knew he was easing me in slowly.

"Thank you Cinna," I said before surprising myself and him, and wrapped my arms around him.

No matter what happened, I knew I had people that cared about me and it would be that which got me through.

Possession

I walked down the stairs; I couldn't keep the scowl off my face. Johanna saw me and laughed.

"Wait until you have to wear lace," was she said before making her way to the kitchen.

I followed, inhaling a delicious scent as I went. To my surprise I found Hazelle and Greasy Sae cooking. The Hawthorne children and Prim were all sat around the table with Haymitch, Johanna, Finnick and Cinna. I smiled as Prim blushed slightly every time Finnick spoke to her.

I know the feeling little duck.

"There you are," Hazelle said in greeting. "Sit down child. We need to get some meat on your bones." She said in her familiar motherly tone.

I noticed my mother wasn't present and neither was Gale, the former didn't bother or surprise me but the latter disappointed me but then Prim jumped up and wrapped her arms around me and I managed a smile.

"Morning little duck," I kissed the top of her head before she lead me to the table.

I sat between her and Finnick; my old life and my new life. It was odd seeing them mixing, combining and I wondered if maybe by some miracle I wouldn't have to separate the two... maybe, just maybe, it could just be my life, all of them together. Nothing new or old about it!

AN: So, what do you think? Let me know. I really would love to hear what you think so please leave a review and I hope you all continue to enjoy the story.

IMPROTANT NOTICE

I'm moving in a couple of days so my internet will be down. I will try and update again before it goes off but if not you can be assured that I will be writing feverishly while its down and will post as soon as it's back up.

I hope you will all bare with me and continue to support this story. Thank you.