~Katniss's POV~

We sit on the roof as we had the previous night just talking. "I want to sleep, but I know I wouldn't be able to." Peeta says looking over the edge at all the people celebrating the games tomorrow. There's almost a hint of sadness in his voice. "You could try." I suggest quietly. He needed the sleep because he wouldn't be getting much in the games. He gives a slight shrug lost in thought. "What are you thinking?" I ask my eyes trained on his face. "I don't want them to change me. I'm not than just a piece in these games." he turns his gaze to me and I press my lips together dropping my gaze to my hands intertwined with his.

I don't know why but his words almost feel accusing which is ridiculous because I know that he knows the games are not my doing. "I know you're not." I say quietly. "You do, but everyone down there looks at all of us as just pawns in a game. Death, and murder. It's all just a game to them." I raise my gaze to meet his. It's like his words are echoing my thoughts. That's what I've thought my whole life, but my father would never listen. He never did, and never will.

"They don't own me. If I'm going to die, I want to still be me." I shake my head rejecting his words. "You're not going to die. I forbid it, alright? I'll make sure you don't." He releases my hands and wraps his arm around my waist and pulls me closer. "Thank you." He whispers and his lips inch towards mine. "Stop with the thank you." I say causing him to pull back slightly. "It's the least I can do, I will owe my life to you." He arches an eyebrow curiously. "You won't owe me anything. I'm saving you because I want to, because I care about you, because I'm falling for you." The words tumble out before I can stop them. I wasn't planning on admitting my feelings out loud.

~Peeta's POV~

At Katniss's words I lean in and kiss her. There wasn't any need to repeat my feelings after I broadcast them across Panem. I couldn't make my feelings clearer. We pull back an she smiles. "You need sleep." She says as she stands up. I sigh wishing we could just stay here. I stand up as well and take her. When we back to my room we get into bed instantly. This time my arms wrap around her holding her close. I was praying this wouldn't be my last night with her. The fear of going into the games hits me and any hopes for sleep disappear. The fear of going into the games had vanished when Katniss said she was going to help me get out alive, but not that the games were tomorrow the fear was hitting me hard. I train my eyes on Katniss's sleeping face hoping for sleep to come, and it eventually does.

~Katniss's POV~

I wake up once again to Effie yelling "It's a big, big, big day." I roll over my locking with Peeta's instantly. As I look in his eyes a sense of fear crashes down on me. I was terrified something would happen out of my control and I'd never see him again. The thought causes an aching pain where my heart is. I can see in his blue eyes my own fear reflected. He was scared as well.

I place a shaky hand on his cheek lightly, and he places his hand over mine steadily and strong holding it to his cheek. "I'll see you soon, Katniss." Sadness fills his eyes and I lean in him a long lingering kiss. Portia walks in causing us to reluctantly pull away. "Katniss, Seneca needs you in the training center in ten minutes." Portia's tone is almost saddened but I wasn't sure why.

I sit up and slide out of bed, but Peeta catches my wrist pulling me back down. His other hand goes to the back of my neck pulling me in for one last kiss. The urgency and passion behind the kiss takes me by surprise but I like it. When we pull away he opens his mouth to speak but I place my hand over his mouth. "No. No goodbyes. This isn't goodbye." My voice catches and I dash out of the room before I do something stupid like cry.

~Peeta's POV~

My prep team preps me in silent, and Portia isn't much more talkative. When Portia finishes Haymitch walks in. "Look, we've got five minutes then we need to get you to the hovercraft. When you're in the arena don't go for anything in the cornucopia. It's a bloodbath. Turn, run, and get to water." I nod this would've been my strategy anyways. "Peeta, you can do this. Now, let's go." I get up and follow behind Haymitch. As we get closer to the hovercraft fear rakes through my body, and I have to force myself forehead. This was it. The games are about to begin.

~Katniss's POV~

I stand next to Seneca in the gamemaker room, and watch as each tribute lights up on the map indicating that they have the tracker. My conversation with Seneca in the training center plays through my mind. As soon as I had gotten off the elevator he started talking. "Was it your bright idea to have him broadcast his love for you?" He has asked waiting impatiently for an answer. I instantly got defensive.

"I was locked in a room all day I had nothing to do with it. Besides he never once said he loves me." He had narrowed his eyes at me. "Does it matter?" Do you really think your father wants you to be with someone?" I arched an eyebrow taken back at the indication that my father cared. "Don't act like he cares." I had countered. "I'm not going to lie to you and say he does, but he does care if you fall in love, and move to District twelve. Where he knows you don't think they're treated fairly. As the president's daughter, you could be the spark of a rebellion. Especially in twelve where you're out of your father's reach." His words shocked me.

My father was worried about me starting a rebellion? The thought never even crossed my mind. "He can't keep me in the Capitol if I don't want to be here." He shook his head sighing in frustration. "Katniss do you know how easily he could make the boys death look like an accident? If you can be a good gamemaker, make him believe you think the games are a good thing, make him believe it doesn't bother you. You'll then be free of suspicion, and allowed to go to twelve and have a life with that boy." I swallowed hard his words hitting me hard. A life with Peeta. A life in District Twelve. A life away from the Capitol. Before I could ask anything the other gamemakers had shown up.

"They're ready. Final checks!" How words snap me back to reality. I glance over at him and I feel almost sick. Everyone in this room was so emotionless when it comes to the games. They had no problem sending kids to their death. The worst part was there was nothing I could do to stop it without guaranteeing my death, Peeta's death, Seneca's death, and everyone in this rooms death. For the first time since the reaping I feel helpless.

~Peeta's POV~

When we land Portia leads me into the launch room. Fear weighs heavily on me as I think about what's coming in the next five minutes. I stare at the tube that will take me to the arena with wide eyes. Portia walks to me silently with my arena jacket. "Don't worry Peeta. She's helping you. She believes in you." When she says 'she' I know there's cameras in the room, but I know she means Katniss. She gives me a hug and pulls away when an announcer says "Thirty seconds."

I take a deep breathe trying to get my hands to stop shaking. "Twenty seconds." I take a tentative step towards the tube, and then another. Slowly making my way to the tube trying to wipe fear off my face. The only thought I can form is I'm about to face twenty three people who wouldn't hesitate to take my life to save their own. I shake the thought from my mind reminding myself of Haymitch's last advice. Turn, run, find water. "Ten seconds." I take my last few steps and I'm on the platform. The tube closes encasing me inside. I stand straight as it starts raising. The last thought I have before I'm in the arena is Let the games begin.

~Katniss POV~

"They're in the tubes." I watch the map of the arena in fear. "Katniss, press the button on the wall to raise then." Seneca orders and I force myself towards the button and press it. I just sent twenty three people to their death I think, and I pray to God Peeta doesn't get caught up in something and become on of them. I compose my face into an emotionless mask. Seneca comes up behind me and whispers in my ear "Don't worry. As long as he's not stupid enough to get caught in the bloodbath he should be the one coming out alive." I just nod and turn towards the screens to see them in the arena. Claudius's voice booms loudly "Let the 74th annual Hunger Games begin." As soon as he's done speaking one of the gamemakers who's name I learned was Coal starts counting down from sixty. Sixty seconds and the games begin.