Throughout the next day, Katniss hunted and sold to peacekeepers in exchange for money. She was hoping that she could save enough to bail Prim out of jail, however she was nowhere near close to what Snow would accept.
On her hunting trip, She told Gale about what had happened, however he was more concerned about her hand than how Peeta had spoken to her. "I'm glad Haymitch got the first aid kit, even if it meant Snow had to come talk to you."
"Gale its not like that. Peeta can never know who I am, we can't interact, ever," Katniss retorted sharply. "What about Prim?"
"Snow can't hold onto her forever. He'll get tired of this game he's playing with you and find another tribute to torture. Eventually there will be another."
"Gale-" Katniss started in attempt to disagree.
"Eventually, there will be another," Gale said stronger, looking into her eyes. "You have to let me believe that, Katniss," he said to her, earnestly. "I have to hope that Snow will let you go."
Suddenly feeling uncomfortable, Katniss made a lame excuse to leave the conversation and returned back home, feeling her stomach drop as she saw another message from the capitol left in front of her door.
You have been asked to stay in the capitol servant quarters for the next week. We will require that you maintain your duties, serving coal to 200 citizens per day.
Additionally, there will be a celebration at the President's palace at the end of the week. Coal is to be lit before all guests arrive. You are free to return home to district 12 after your duties are completed.
You will have additional time to visit your sister.
You will be serving the President of Panem, Mr. Peeta Mellark. You must dress your best.
Re-reading the last familiar line, Katniss groaned, internally conflicted. Of course I want to see Peeta, her heart told her. But if he talks to you again, something might happen to Prim, her head disagreed.
Katniss packed her best clothing and left early the next morning for her week at the capitol. She had never stayed overnight in the servant's quarters, she wondered why they requested her all of a sudden. Maybe because the temperature is dropping? She asked herself. Her mind quickly changed the subject and wondered what the servants quarters would be like in comparison to district 12.
Familiarly lying on her sack of coals, she quickly braided her hair and closed her eyes, listening to the train rumble onward towards the unknown. She finally allowed herself to drift off into darkness.
The train jerked to a stop, and Katniss quickly hopped out and followed the peacekeeper who was to show her to her room. He unlocked the door, revealing a bed, a toilet, a long mirror, and a sink.
"If it drops below 20 degrees at night, you will receive an additional blanket. President Mellark is very accommodating."
"Isn't he," Katniss muttered sarcastically.
Katniss plopped down her trunk and got straight to work, starting fires for the civilians of the capitol from dawn until dusk.
Before reaching the President's office, She had one final citizen to serve.
Knocking on the door, A servant opened it slowly, revealing Cato lying peacefully on his couch. Suddenly opening his eyes, he winked at Katniss as she walked in, slapping her on the ass. "Well, well, if it isn't the little fire girl," He teased. "You certainly are hot aren't you."
Katniss' blood boiled beneath her. "Good evening, sir," She bit out, slightly growling at him.
"Well go on then, make the fire. I love watching you bend over," Cato sneered at her, a dangerous tint in his eye.
Katniss quickly threw the coal into the fire and placed some wood, before throwing a match and letting the logs quickly catch up in flames. "That'll be all, Sir," She sneered, standing up and walking towards the door.
Cato quickly jumped up and stood in the doorway, placing his hands on both sides, trapping her in. "Maybe you'd want to stay for awhile…" He grinned at her.
Katniss stepped closer, slightly tantalizing him. She ducked underneath his arms and stepped out of his apartment. "In your dreams, sir," She looked at him furiously.
"Oh how I do dream about it, girl on fire," he sneered before closing the door in her face.
Disgusted but not surprised by Cato's behavior, Katniss scoffed and picked up her final bag of coal to head towards the President's office.
Finally, she reached Peeta's door. Knocking quietly, Haymitch opened it quickly. "Katniss, what did you say to President Mellark?!"
"What are you talking about?!" She whispered quietly to him.
"Ah, Katniss," Peeta called her in chipperly. "Please, start us a fire won't you?"
Katniss wandered in, confused to find at least a dozen peacekeepers rifling through Peeta's office.
"Whats going on, Mr. President?" Katniss asked quietly, getting settled on her knees in front of the fire with Peeta sitting behind her on the couch. She had spoken before she could remind herself not to.
"Turns out, someone has bugged and placed video camera's in my office. I'm assuming its that politician Coin, he's always been out to get me for some reason. I was tipped off to it after returning the first aid kit into the closet. Now no one can keep track of what I do in here," Peeta whispered quietly, taking a sip of his scotch.
Katniss kept silent. Does that mean that Snow won't be able to see me?
"God forbid anyone see's what we do in here," a female voice came strolling in, revealing it to be Glimmer. She sat on Peeta's lap and kissed him, causing Katniss' stomach to flip as she watched Peeta wrap his arms around her, her blood angrily boiling without her conscious permission.
Instinctively wrapping his other arm around Glimmer's waist, Peeta silently broke the kiss with Glimmer and began looking at Katniss. Glimmer took this as an opportunity to start kissing his neck. I hope she can't feel my pulse quicken when I look at the servant… Peeta's mind trailed off, with a flickering image of him grabbing Katniss and kissing her passionately. No, Peeta. Don't think about her that way. Shes from district fucking 12!
Aggressively rejoining Glimmer in a kiss, he attempted to feel something for her as they're lips moved together. She was the most beautiful girl in the capitol, constantly on the cover of capitol couture. She was a little materialistic, but she worshipped him. To his dismay, he didn't feel any jolts of electricity when he touched her. Nothing like the other night with Katniss...
Glimmer began to moan rather loudly, causing Katniss to be fed up. She slapped her hands down, clearing her throat, and stood up. "Should I come back later?" She asked them, causing Glimmer to throw her a dirty look.
Breaking apart the kiss, Peeta placed Glimmer off his lap. "Darling, you better go," He told her. "Same with you boys, I think you've got all the bugs," He announced to the rest of the room. "I have some private work to do." He looked at Katniss, flicking his hand in reference back to the fire. "You stay," he commanded, as he crossed to his desk.
"So, Kat-niss," he said slowly. "How are you finding your time in the capitol?" He asked her slowly.
Katniss looked over at him. "It's fine, Sir," she began. "Can't complain."
Peeta looked up at her. "That's good news," he smiled lightly.
Katniss smiled too. "No, Sir, I mean I literally can't complain. They made me sign something."
Peeta laughed, "Not a protocall I was even aware of," he began, happiness in his eyes. She's funny, too he thought. Thats like a bonus...
Katniss laughed lightly, before continuing her work. She placed the logs slowly on top of one another, buying as much time as she could with him.
Peeta looked at her backside, he watched her move. "Do you always wear your hair like that? It seems so familiar..." he asked, rubbing his head to dilute the slight headache he had just recieved. He took another sip of scotch.
Katniss smiled and looked down. "I only wear it down for special occasions, sir..." she began. Then she lit the fire, disappointed that it caught so quickly. "I'm all finished here," she said, yet she began to tie up her combat boots. Peeta stood up from behind his desk. He watched as she tied her black boots, tucked her bangs behind her ears... he noticed the faint scars on her knuckles.
For some reason, his head began to throb in piercing pain, and he dropped his drink and collapsed to the floor.
Katniss, alarmed, ran over to him. "Peeta?!" She said urgently, automatically touching his face quickly. Seeing him in pain was not new to her, yet it reminded her of old memories. What's going on? She thought. His hands were on his temples, pressing inward, and his face cringed with pain. "Peeta!" She yelled louder, placing her hands on his shoulders and leaning over him. He slowly clenched his fist and began to breathe deeply.
Sometime later, Peeta opened his eyes, with Katniss' face leaning over him. His headache was gone.
"Are you feeling better?" Katniss asked quietly.
"What happened?" Peeta asked her, slightly embarassed.
"I don't know really, you just kind of... well you collapsed," she admitted, standing up. "It looked like your head was splitting open or something."
Peeta touched his head faintly, feeling the damp cloth that Katniss must have placed on his forehead. He looked at her worriedly. "You were here?"
"You fell unconcious, I moved you to the couch. It's only been about 10 minutes, Sir," She rambled. Then she looked at him, crossing her arms in front of her chest. "I was here," she finally admitted, answering his question. "I... well I didn't want to leave you... in that condition," She said carefully. Then she crossed over and sat on the couch near the far end of his legs, picking up a vile off the table. "I fixed you a healing drink,"she said, handing it to him.
Peeta took the vile and swallowed it in a single gulp. His head automatically began to feel better. "Thank you, Katniss," He said to her. Leaning up.
Katniss looked at him. "You're welcome... is-well... is there anything else you need?" She asked.
For awhile he stared at her, examining her face, her eyes, her lips... She stayed without me asking her to. She took care of me. Why does this seem so familiar?
"Sir?" She pressed.
"I apologize, I feel a sense of deja vu," Peeta admitted.
Katniss froze, the weight of his words sinking in. "Oh?" She asked quietly.
Peeta, staring at her again, unconsciously began to reach for her injured hand. He looked down at it, grazing it lightly with his fingers. Suddenly, he found his other hand lightly touching her neck. He leaned closer to her, whispering her name as he pressed his forehead against hers.
Katniss lost herself for a moment. In his scent, his touch... He hadn't touched her romantically since the games. It had been too long.
Then she snapped back to reality, leaning away and letting his hand drop from her neck. "I'm sorry, Sir. I have to go." With that, she stood up and left the room, throwing a final glance over her shoulder before closing the door.
Peeta laid back on the couch, placing his hand over his eyes. This girl is going to drive me crazy.
Who likes it so far? Just wait until the masquerade, things will really start to get moving! Review and favorite please!