Chapter Five

Katniss could hardly believe what was happening. Ever since the night of the party, everyone was begging her for an interview. Well her and Finnick, who never left her side once she left her floor in the Tribute Center. She was a little intimidated by his nearness at first. He was always touching her. A hand in her hair, an arm around her, holding her hand. It was sweet, and a little possessive. She admitted she liked him around, but everyone was staring at her all the time.

'Perhaps telling all the women in the Capitol he's mine is going to be harder than I thought. Maybe them seeing him like this though I won't have to.'

This was not the sweet Finnick from the phone. Or the funny charming Finnick from his visit to District Twelve. This was Capitol Finnick, and he was making it known who he wanted to spend his time with. Everyone wanted to know if they were dating. Finnick was quick to tell them they were the best of friends and nothing more. He was looking out for her and keeping her safe. After that everyone wanted to know their business.

A few of the victors decided to go out to get lunch together. Many of their fellow mentors or escorts were working with their tributes for their interviews. Haymitch had stayed behind and insisted she go. She needed to make friends with the others, and she could not do that locked away with Finnick. That led her to now.

She stood in a red cardigan, with an orange top underneath and the softest black pants Cinna had ever put her in. She was dolled up for the event. Gloss and Cashmere were both in matching gold and silver. Cashmere wore a dress that Katniss could only describe as scandalous, while Gloss wore a shirt two sizes too small, and pants that looked like they were painted onto his skin. Johanna, was in a pair of brown leggings, with a forest green skirt, too short to be decent if it were not for the leggings. Her top was nothing more than a strap of cloth, also a matching green, wrapped around her chest.

Blight, was instead dressed in what had to be the most Capitol version of a flannel shirt. His pants were a shimmering blue, and he looked like a very shiny lumberjack. Adding to this was the beard on his face. No tributes or victors had any hair on their bodies, save eyebrows and the hair on the top of their heads. Though his beard was so shiny and well kept, Katniss doubted another beard in the Districts looked like it. Blight, it seemed was the Capitol's image of District Seven's working class. Finnick was dressed in a pair of flowing black pants. His shirt, with half the buttons undone was the bluest blue she had ever seen.

They were all seated in what Cashmere called The Lounge, at a round table. Blight had just explained Johanna's vase throwing skills, when yet another reporter had walked to their table. This one too asked for an interview. Katniss had enough.

"We have not even placed an order yet. Can't you see we're out here trying to have some fun? Leave us alone." She growled. She was becoming uncomfortable with all the attention.

"What the little kitten means, is that she's hungry and tired and worried about her tributes. She wants to relax with friends. She's a grumpy kitten when she's hungry." Finnick added.

Johanna eagerly butted in. "She yelled at Finnick the other day in the Tribute Center for trying to take her away from lunch."

"Yes, we were having such a fun time there too. I think he wanted her all to himself." Gloss added in, "the lucky bastard."

Cashmere shook her head. "She's just so darling. Can you blame us for keeping her to ourselves sir?" She gave the intrusive man a heavy look.

Blight eagerly waved over a server. "We're ready. If Katniss isn't fed soon, we'll have another Hunger Games on our hands."

Everyone was laughing and Katniss gave them each a glare, before giving in and chuckling as well. The man bowed and apologized, but he was ignored. They placed their orders and waited for food to arrive. "I hate this." Katniss whispered.

Cashmere reached across the table and gave her hand an affectionate pat. "You'll learn to live with it."

Gloss gave her a knowing smirk. "At least you've got Finnick looking out for you."

Johanna snorted. She was the newest victor, but she fit right in. "More like she's looking out for him."

Finnick began rubbing soothing circles on Katniss' back. "We'll look out for each other."

"Ugh, get a room?" Johanna groaned.

"You keep pulling us out of it!" Finnick sniped back.

"Yes, well you can't keep her all to yourself Odair, gotta share with the rest of us." Gloss teased, he looked Katniss up and down to rile his friend.

"We'll see." Finnick warned him, using his leverage to pull Katniss closer.

"Oh come now boys play nice." Cashmere laughed. "We're all friends here. So who do you think has a winner this year?"

"Two," Blight said. "The boy, he's got this."

"Blight! Our girl has a shot." Johanna shouted.

Finnick nodded, "Two, though Ten has a dark horse going."

Gloss shook his head, "one has final four on lock, but I'm not sure which."

"The girl, but she won't make it to the end." Cashmere reasoned.

Everyone looked to Katniss and she shrugged. "Mine are going to be lucky to make it to day three. I don't really care who wins, twenty three-three kids are going to start dying tomorrow."

The air had darkened. "Oh hun, you are just too pure." Cashmere gave her a sad smile. "You know we all talked like this your games. Heck we do it every games. Takes the edge off."

Katniss' head shot up. "Really? Who did you think would win?"

"My girl, until you shot her." She smiled softly. Katniss knew she was not mad. The girl had played the sultry game. Snow would have sold her to the Capitol like he did for everyone here save her and Johanna.

"Everyone here was sure you'd be gone in the first hour. I even told my boy to make it quick and painless if he caught you. I did think that your partner was the dark horse." Gloss smiled and leaned in. "But Finnick swore up and down you were District Twelve's secret weapon."

Katniss looked at Finnick, who was very interested in his glass of bubble soda. "Oh really? Is that why you sent me the bow?"

Katniss had no idea, none of them knew that. She watched as Cashmere looked down at her hands. Gloss's jaw almost hit the table. Blight choked on his liquor. Johanna kept switching her gaze between them. Gloss started laughing. "That long, eh Odair?"

Finnick looked up with a glare in Gloss' direction. "Gloss!"

"What long? What's he talking about?" Katniss' instinct was to look to Finnick, who rarely kept anything from her.

Cashmere is the one who answered. "How long Finnick Odair had been-"

"Shut up." Finnick growled at her. All heads snapped his way. 'It's too soon, just let it go.' He pleaded with his eyes.

Blight was the one to speak up. "Everyone can tell you two love each other. Just a matter of in what way. Not that I care."

Johanna followed her mentor's lead. "Everyone here," she points at restaurant they were in, not the table, "wants to get their hands on you two. I say stick together."

Katniss brought it all back together. "I think everyone should stick together." And it was clear to them just who everyone is.

"Of course dear, we're all friends." Cashmere smiled at her. "You really should visit us in One sometime. Bring Finnick along, he never goes anywhere but the Capitol."

"He came to Twelve after my games." Katniss whispered.

"Maybe we'll make a trip of it?" Gloss smiled. "We'll show you District One, you show us Twelve."

"Then she has to come to Seven." Johanna demanded. "I'll come visit in twelve too."

Katniss smiled, they all really liked her. "That would be nice. Sometimes I just want to pull my hair out at home. It gets lonely there with just Haymitch and Prim." She was careful not to mention Gale. Haymitch warned her that until he could not be reaped, mentioning him in public was dangerous for him.

"It's hard when no one understands you." Blight agreed, scratching his beard. "How about it Finnick? You up for visiting us with her?"

Gloss adds. "Do you have enough free time from the Capitol to slum it up with us?" His eyes tell Finnick it was not a jab but an honest question on if Snow would allow it.

Finnick smiled down at Katniss and ruffled her hair. "Whatever the Girl on Fire wants."

They all turned their attention to her. "Then I guess he won't be spending any extra time in the Capitol."

They laugh and applaud. Their minds were not on the impending slaughter of children, but each other. Where they should visit. What time of year is each District at it's best. Whose home they were going to stay at. Making sure to be there at one of Katniss' concerts for the Capitol. They were all so tightly woven together no one dared approach them for an interview the rest of the night.

When, they all returned to the Tribute Center the idea to sit together for the interview came up. Since they were having fun, and it was all they could do to avoid the horrible truth coming to each of them. Twenty-three children are going to start dying in the morning.

Some fuss was made, but they stood by their decision and rearranged their standard of sitting by District to sit side by side. Gloss, who sat beside Johanna, who sat beside Finnick, who sat beside Katniss, who sat beside Cashmere, and finally Blight. Finnick held Katniss' hand, rubbing soothing circles on the sweating skin. They watched the last glorious moment for the lives of twenty-three dead children and one survivor.

The night was almost through when Katniss' female tribute took the stage. She was dressed so sexy Katniss held Finnick and Cashmere's hands and looked worriedly at each. Both realized she had figured out what happened with appealing tributes. Her body was a child, her mind a victor. Finnick leaned in, but it was Cashmere who beat him to it. "My boy will make sure its over quick. Snow won't touch her."

Katniss felt better, and was just about to relax when she hears Finnick's name from the girl on the stage.

"Really, you think you can win over Finnick Odair? Selene has some spunk." Caesar was trying to make the tribute look good. Sadly for her, Finnick and Katniss was the love story President Snow wanted. What President Snow wanted he got.

"I'm far better than my mentor. She pretends to be innocent while taking him into her bed. I would be open about every juicy detail." She purred and looked towards Finnick in the audience.

Finnick glared at the girl, and the camera blinking on to get a shot of his and Katniss' response. He gave a Capitol sneer and turned loving eyes to a slack jawed and blushing Katniss. He let out a chuckle and glanced back to the camera and shook his head. His other hand indicating Katniss and asked with his eyes. 'Do you really think she's dragging me into her bed?'

Caesar tried to switch topics, but the girl was having none of it. "He slept with her the night of the Tribute Parade. She was too busy dancing to bother mentoring me. She's jealous."

The view cuts back to Katniss, and she was livid. She softened and shook her head, tears welling up. 'Poor girl,' she mouthed her thoughts and buried her head in her hands. A peek down towards Cinna, and she knew this was not the plan at all. Normally passive, and peaceful Cinna has his hands curled into fits so tight Katniss wondered if he might bleed soon.

"Well, that is interesting. Tell me Selene, after you win, what are you going to do?"

"Steal Finnick Odair's heart." She purred.

The buzzer goes off, and hardly anyone one claps. Not one soul looked to the hateful girl with pity or joy. She has wooed no one. Her partner came on stage. Caesar asked him a few questions, to which his one word answers were played as mysterious. Caesar tried to shed some good light back on District Twelve. When the buzzer went off there was applause and even cheers, because Selene was unlikable, Chase was a diamond in comparison.

Finnick leaned down to Katniss. "We're doing an interview with Caesar later."

Katniss frowned, but understood. "Why would she do that?"

"Every girl in Panem either wants to be you or kill you my dear." Cashmere gave her cheek a pat. "Good thing I'm a woman then."

Katniss laughed a little, and her thoughts darkened. This girl could put Prim in danger if Snow thought she was not innocent. Snow could start selling her. Snow could kill her little sister. "Tell your tributes not to make it so quick."

Three hours later Finnick and Katniss found themselves in Snow's mansion for an interview with Caesar Flickerman. Snow made it clear he wanted to sit down with them first.

"Miss Everdeen, as always it is a pleasure." Snow kissed her cheek and surprisingly he gave her a hug.

"Oh President Snow!" She hugged him back tightly and frowned at him. "That girl, she's ruined everything." Katniss cried in exasperation.

Snow motioned for them to sit. He took her hand and held it gently. Finnick was amazed at how the President treated his symbol of innocence and peace. 'Must be how he treats his granddaughter.'

"How is that my dear?"

"She's made it seem like I am one of those Capitol women throwing themselves at my best friend. That's just not true. He, he keeps the nightmares away." She pleaded. "He stays up all night telling me stories until I fall asleep. If Finnick is not there the nightmares are so bad I scare my mother and sister." She explained, tears threatening to fall.

Snow believed her, because in watching her for so long, he thought he understood the Girl on Fire. She had a fire to live, and was so pure, she blushed at the mention of anything remotely perverse. She was truly his best asset. "I'm sure nothing is going on between you two. Mr. Odair here is too much of a gentleman to try anything like that with a lady of your caliber." There was a look Snow shot to Finnick that only lasted a moment.

Finnick knew what that look meant. He was not happy, but this time it was neither of his 'Darlings' fault. Finnick had told Snow his intentions a month prior during that phone call. "I've taken her under my wing. Haymitch is not the best person for her to look to for guidance."

Snow agreed, 'he's playing his role perfectly.'

"I want you to tell the truth my dear. Just be yourself, I don't think anyone really believes her." Snow added with a smile. "After you two are done I will have Miss Cashmere escort you back to the Tribute Center. Mr. Odair and I will have a talk with Caesar as well."

Snow stood and kissed her cheek once more. "Good evening my dear."

Caesar entered the room and sat with the pair, going over the points he wanted to make. The cameras were still being set up. He assured them everything would be fine. When everything was ready he called out. "Good evening everyone. I know you are all out celebrating, but I have a special treat for you all tonight. Rumors have been flying all over Panem, and I, Caesar Flickerman, have the inside scoop."

The camera in front of Finnick and Katniss moved to catch their attention. Then the red light started blinking to let them know it was about to turn on. They gave bright smiles and the light turned sold, panning up to their faces. They sat together on a love seat, Katniss was leaning onto Finnick in a chaste manor. Finnick was holding her in his arms protectively. "Finnick Odair and Katniss Everdeen." Caesar gave a pause, for the hush to settle over the crowd he was playing to. "So tell me, Finnick is it true you've given up your playboy ways?"

Finnick looked down to Katniss for a moment and then back to Caesar. "I'm twenty-one Caesar. It's about time I started thinking about settling down."

Caesar gave a hearty laugh. "I know quite a few woman out there are particularity upset at that right now. So why the change?"

Finnick's eyes flashed, and he spoke elusively. "Something sparked me to."

Caesar gave a knowing look to the camera. They cut to Katniss and she is oblivious to all of this. "How does that make you feel Girl on Fire?"

"I'm glad. Finnick and I have been friends since after my first games. We talk almost every night." Katniss looked down, uncomfortable, she did not want to share this. But a part of her knew she had to. 'Anything to protect Prim.' "I've had nightmares since my dad died, and after the games." She stopped and blinked back tears. "They got so bad Prim and mother were really scared. So Haymitch thought that since Finnick and I won our games so young, we would understand each other. So I called him, and we talked for hours, and he told me stories. I fell asleep on the phone, and he stayed up the whole night. Every time I woke from a nightmare he was right there, and told me another story. I can't go to sleep without him anymore."

Caesar gave her a look of sympathy. "You've been through so much, and still show such strength. Your mother and sister can't help?"

Katniss' eyes glaze over as she thinks about her family. "My mother, she was dealing, is dealing, with losing the person she loved most. She still sees me as her little girl, she does not treat me like a victor, and we argue over this. She tries to lock me away and keep me safe, and I love her, but she doesn't see the me I've become." Katniss wiped a tear from her eye. "I try to be strong for Prim. I don't want her to worry about anything. Finnick has become very special to me."

Caesar nodded. "We've all heard rumors, you two went on a date the other night. Can you give us the juicy details?" Katniss flushed beet red. Finnick smiled down at her.

"It was not a date." Finnick explained.

Caesar waited for more and pouted when nothing was forthcoming. "That's it? Details Finnick Odair, give us details."

Finnick chuckled. "Look at her. She's embarrassed at the word date." Katniss buried her face in her hands, trying to hide. But not before sticking her tongue out at him in a cheeky manor. Childish antics to continue her innocent act. "No I took her out to have fun. I like to think of it as a date, but she's determined it was just two friends having fun."

"Are you interested in Miss Everdeen here?" Caesar pressed excitedly. He waved a hand out to hush his audience. No doubt they would, waiting for the answer with baited breath.

"I would have to be dead not to be." Finnick replied, with a bright smile. "I plan on waiting until she's older to try and push our friendship there though."

Katniss was still red when Finnick gently pried her hand from her face and held it in his own. Making sure the cameras saw he had her in his arms, but it was loving and innocent. Caesar cooed at the pair. "And you Miss Everdeen? Any special feelings for Finnick here?"

Katniss stuttered. "I, um, well, maybe. I've never been in love. I'm not sure."

Caesar reached over and gave her hand a pat. "So why he was in your room?"

"We don't have phones in the Tribute Center. I had not talked to him in months. He was telling me stories like when we're at home. Besides Haymitch and Cinna stayed up all night in the living room. They are like fathers to me, so Finnick would have a black eye if he did anything bad." She blushed at that thought.

"So what are your plans after the games this year Finnick?" Caesar asked with excitement.

"I'll be joining Katniss in Twelve, maybe visiting a few friends." Finnick responded, again being elusive. He knew what the denizens of the Capitol would eat it up.

"No plans to take her away to Four?"

"Her little sister would kill me if I took her away. Katniss would too." Finnick laughed. Caesar and Katniss joined in.

"Well, anything else to add?" Caesar asked.

When both victors shook their heads in dissent he turned back to the camera. "Stay tuned, our very own President Snow will be joining Mr. Odair here for a very special interview shortly."

The cameras stopped rolling and Caesar kissed both of Katniss' cheeks. "You were marvelous my dear simply marvelous."

Katniss nodded, and gave Finnick a hug. "I'll see you tomorrow Finnick."

"Be safe kitten."

Caesar pouted. "Now that would have been too cute for camera. You've been holding out on me."

Finnick ushered Katniss into Cashmere's protective arms. He clasped Caesar by the shoulders and walked him away from Katniss. "Next time Caesar. Can't drop all the goodies at once."

Caesar nodded and readied himself for the next interview. This one was going to be far less innocent. He was so excited. When Snow came out they switched love seat for two wing-back armchairs, to match the one Caesar was in before. They were all handed drinks, and the next interview was on. "This is Caesar Flickerman here with a one time only exclusive tell all with Mr. Finnick Odair and our very own President Snow. We'll only be showing this once, so you better pay attention ladies and gentlemen. So, tell me, what secrets are we sharing tonight?"

President Snow laughed and took a sip of his drink. "Why Finnick Odair's budding romance with the lovely Miss Everdeen."

Finnick smiled and took a long chug of his whiskey. "It's hard to be frank with her around. She's so pure."

"Oh, keeping secrets from her?"

"Not in the sense that it is for my benefit. It's all for her. She's still so young. She's never even had a kiss. So I have to take things very slow with her."

"And what does our dear President have to say about this love affair?" Caesar knew his role.

"I'm very proud Mr. Odair has found someone worthy of his time. I think he's been looking out for her from the start."

"Do tell." Caesar encourages.

Snow looked to Finnick, and smiled. "Do you remember her very precious treasure?" Snow hinted.

Caesar's eyes widen at this information. "The bow, from the arena?" People had even started calling the weapon Katniss' treasure during the last games. They had one, but no one used it.

"I made sure to secure the sponsorship of it. It was my idea." Finnick admitted with a smile. "I wanted her to win."

President Snow jumped in. "I think we all did. She is everything the Capitol values. Mr. Odair denies it, but I think he was in love with her even then."

Finnick turned to him. "Maybe, but I can't think like that. I have to think of her, and her needs."

"How noble. If I had any say in the matter, I'd have you two married tomorrow." Caesar gushed.

"Now Caesar, she's still a young girl." Snow chastised. 'And I could not agree more.'

"I know I know, but the romance, the story, it's the perfect fairy tale." He exclaimed. "The Boy of Water and the Girl on Fire."

Finnick laughed. "Katniss calls me her boy with the bow." 'Capitol Finnick, just keep being Captiol Finnick.'

"Oh how delicious!"

"Have you thought about when you might start trying to take the next step to winning her heart?" Caesar pressed.

"Not before she's sixteen. I've been with a lot of women in the past. I need to really distance myself from who I was and focus on being a better man for her. That's going to take some time."

"Of course, but tell us, do you love her?" Caesar leaned so far out of his seat Finnick thought he might fall out any minute.

Finnick wanted to walk away because he has not ever told Katniss he loved her yet, at least not in that way. "I haven't told her if I do."

"Come on Finnick!"

Snow placed his hand on Finnick's knee. "We promise, not a soul will tell her." He gripped it, and knew Finnick has gotten the message.

"Yes." He whispered, "and I don't deserve her." Finnick stared off camera at a spot on the wall with a frown.

"Nonsense my boy. You've been nothing but good to that girl. It was you who told me you plan on marrying her someday." Snow let the bomb drop and Finnick realized just why he was there. To make known there would be a wedding between them, and President Snow approved.

Caesar fell out of his chair. "Truly?"

The way he asked, reminded Finnick so much of Katniss, the words slipped out. "I'm looking forward to the day I can keep my kitten all to myself."

Snow gave Finnick a guarded look. "Surely you'll not hide her away?" Caesar begged.

"No, but I won't let another man lay one lust filled finger on her. I saw them at the party we attended. She's mine." He was Capitol Finnick, with just a little bit of murderous intent. He glared right down the camera, daring anyone to challenge him.

"So protective." Snow offered. "You see why I support them. Our Katniss Everdeen is a symbol of peace and love. Finnick would give his life for that girl. Only the best for our Mockingjay."

"So, Finnick, do you have anything to say to the ladies of Panem? After you've just threatened the males?" Caesar made it seem like a joke, but not a soul would think of taking Finnick Odair lightly now. Not on the subject of one Katniss Everdeen.

"Sorry ladies, I'm all hers now." Finnick's grin was viscous and pleased.

"May the odds be ever in their favor." Snow replied. The cameras cut off and the interview was over. "Good work Mr. Odair, I think that has solved the little mistake that girl caused."

"Good. I've got a little kitten who needs a bedtime story." Finnick tried for an out.

"I wish you the best in winning her heart, as she has so obviously won yours." The smile made Finnick want to run away with Katniss into the woods, or sail out and find out if the ocean really ended. They would never be safe here.

When he finally returned to the Tribute Center she was already ready for bed and waiting for him. She pouted, wanting to know what he said. 'When she's older.' He promised, to the both of them. The time was going to fly.