My huge thanks go to four persons - dandelion-sunset, titaniasfics and xerxia for taking on the task of betaing my (huge) pile of mistakes grammarwise, and to akai-echo for the awesome banner and aesthetics (go figure, she doesn't believe it's THAT good … go tell her if you agree with me).

So, are you ready to dance ? if so, go read :) And please, PLEASE, don't forget to review if you liked it :)

She honestly didn't know what she was doing here, in a crowd of people dancing, cheering and drinking, where everybody seemed to know everybody. She couldn't believe she'd agreed to come celebrate instead of going to the studio to rehearse again. But Peeta said it was for both Finnick's enrollment in the upcoming season of Dancing with the Stars, and her lead role as the Firebird. Now she had two main events to look forward to dancing in, and couldn't waste time doing nothing constructive.

But somehow, Peeta's words – and Finnick's enthusiasm at her having the role – had persuaded her to attend this party together with the dancers. They wouldn't be dancing tonight – no shows on Mondays – and were all ready to spend an evening moving their asses to the music. As if they didn't do it enough on their own.

So here she was. Katniss Everdeen, Notable Dancer at the National, in the middle of a salsa club – Guanabara – with a flock of people she didn't know.

Well, she actually knew a few of them, but they were currently on the dance floor, dancing to the rhythm of salsa music. Delly and Peeta, not caring whether they were displaying their best moves on the floor, and Finnick with the gentle Annie from the coffee shop, who turned out to be his wife. Finnick, aka professional heartbreaker, was completely doting on his sweet woman. She never liked being the third wheel. Even given the circumstances, she was much more of a fifth wheel, all things considered.

And her mood wasn't really into partying tonight, there was too much at stake starting tomorrow.

Somehow, when Finnick had explained his travel plans to L.A. in the coming months, how much work he would have to put into the choreography before starting to work with whichever star would be his partner, Katniss realized that she was there, in the middle of the room, still completely soaked, without her sports bag or anything.

She had then excused herself, but was stopped from leaving the room by Peeta sharing the news of her success with his friend.

Which led to another round of hugs – because it was apparently hug day – and the shouts of Finnick screaming "Party!" throughout the corridors of the Arena.

Which led to Katniss being asked to come along to celebrate her achievement too. And bid farewell to her teacher... friend? She didn't know how to label the relationship she had with Finnick – nor with Peeta.

She had first refused to be dragged along with the whole gang of dancers, not wanting to be the little duck in a swan lake . But Finnick was insistent; this was perhaps going to be the last time they saw each other "until you're drooling when you see me on tv, of course," and it took a lot of convincing on his part – and maybe a "please" from Peeta - for her to confirm she would come.

Finnick insisted on taking her back to the National so she could grab her things, before dropping her in front of her building, with a smirk and a reminder to be ready at 8 pm, dress and all.

Which gave Katniss roughly three hours to get ready to go... she didn't know where, nor how she should dress, or what on earth was she thinking when she agreed to go?

Desperate times calling for desperate measures, she had called Madge for help.

"Madge, thank God!"

"Kat? What's happening?"

"I need your help, it's a big mess!"

"What's happening? Is it Prim? Is it… Gale?"

"What? No? I need you to help me choose something to wear. Like a dress?!"

Katniss was quite sure she would have been able to hear Madge's sigh directly from the National if her windows had been open.

"You frightened me, you know? And what do you need to get dressed up for?"

"It's... I have to…"Katniss stopped talking as she heard her friend obviously talking to someone else on the other side of the line.

"It's Katniss, no everything's fine, Cinna, don't worry! – Katniss, sorry. Cinna was worried something happened. So, what's going on?"

"Madge, I'm so sorry I frightened you... it's really stupid, don't worry…"

"Kat. What do you need to dress up for?"

Katniss didn't think her cheeks could be more flushed, embarrassed as she was at panicking her friend.

"I'm kind of going to… a party?"

"A party? Who are you and where is Katniss Everdeen?"

"You're hilarious."

"A real party? With grown-ups? Alcohol?"

"Apparently. I have to go to that club, The Guatemala or something, tonight with the guys from the Arena. And the girls."

"You mean the Guanabara?"

"Hum… Maybe? I don't know Madge, it's a Cuban-Brazilian-dancing-whatever place, and I need to dress for that. And I need your help! I don't know what I should wear!"

"I'll be at your place in forty-five minutes, okay. With a dress. But you've got to tell me everything!"

"I already told you everything! There's nothing more!"

"Yeah, of course. As long as you tell me everything that's happening with Finnick…"

Finnick?! Madge thought she had a thing for … Finnick Odair? Katniss would laugh if she wasn't so desperate.

"The only thing happening with Finnick, or rather what used to be happening with Finnick, was the dancing. He's married, you know?"

"And the other one? The yummy blonde?"

"Madge! You're with Derek!"

"Well, that doesn't mean I can't look at what else exists! Peeta? You know? He's all kind of hot!"

"Madge... They help me, it's not like that! And don't you have a dress to pick out?"

"I'll see you in 45, Kat!"

"Can't wait…"

"Bye."

Katniss tossed her phone on the quilt next to her, trying to decide what to do next. Still debating whether she would go or not – it was quite tempting to text Finnick she had an emergency. Instead,she put music on before heading to the shower. Soon the sounds of Florence + the Machine were pouring out of the speakers in her room, rending the ringing of her phone completely unnoticed. Dancing to the music, Katniss turned the tap of the shower and started to hum in accordance with the lyrics, her powerful voice carrying the sound and meaning of the words.

Say my name,

And every color illuminates,

We are shining,

And we will never be afraid again.

True to her word, Madge arrived forty-five minutes later, holding a garment bag over her left arm.

"Madge! Right on time!"

"Are you ready to get all dolled up?"

"No?" Katniss was looking around, checking the couch and coffee table, then moving to the kitchen counters.

"What are you looking for?"

"My phone. In case somehow there has been some kind of disaster and I can bail out tonight."

"Come on, you'll have fun! The Guanabara is a great club."

"You've been there?"

"Yeah, Cinna invited us all for his birthday. He seems to know the owner of the place, so… it was fun."

"I'm sure. Dammit, where is this phone?!"

Madge sat on the couch, but not before delicately placing the bag on the back of a chair.

"When was the last time you used it?"

"When I called you."

"And where were you?"

A look of recognition passed in Katniss' eyes as she stepped out of the living room, to the first door on the left – her bedroom.

"You're a star, Madge, you just saved me!"

She appeared, looking at the screen.

"Well, too bad, Peeta said he will pick me up at 8. There's still two hours, with a bit of luck I'll break my leg."

"Which will be useful for dancing, I'm sure."

"Wait, there's a message from Plutarch?" Katniss looked up from her phone, confusion clearly spreading on her face. What could the Director of the Dance possibly want with her?

"Maybe he wants to congratulate you?"

"Or maybe he's telling me they made a mistake and I don't have the part?"

"Or he called you by mistake and just apologized in the message for disturbing you."

"No, it must be something bad, Madge!"

"Only way to know what it is is to listen to it, you know that."

"Yeah… Doesn't mean I want to."

"Press the button, Katniss!"

And she pressed the tiny green app. And listened to the message.

"Yeah, you were right, it was a mistake."

"See? Nothing to worry about! Now, try the dress on. I have to get home, we're having Rory over tonight."

"It will be fine, Madge, I trust you, go home."

"You're sure?"

"Yep. I still have two hours to hope a disaster happens, remember?"

"It's going to be okay, Kat. You deserve a night out."

"Yeah, and with a full day of rehearsals and practices tomorrow…"

Madge rose up from the couch, and wrapped Katniss in a kind hug. "Don't do anything I wouldn't do!"

"Of course."

And without another word, Madge was out of Katniss' apartment.

That's when Katniss allowed herself to shake, emotionally overwhelmed by the phone call she had received.

Plutarch had really called her on purpose.

To tell her they were taking a huge risk in giving her the role of the Firebird, but that they had seen an improvement in her dancing, and that she'd better rise up to the challenge.

The call had been a warning.

"Katniss!" She felt a hand on her arm, shaking her from her memories of the time in her appartment earlier that day. "Are you okay?"

Peeta's voice was concerned, and she looked up at him, seeing the worry etched on his face. She couldn't help but notice how blue his eyes were – surely he must have used contacts as she couldn't recall knowing any shade of blue that bright in nature – and how his curls were curling on his forehead.

"I'm okay, I just kind of… zoned out?"

"You sure everything's okay?" his face was more relaxed now, but the concern was still evident in his eyes.

"Yes, really. I was just thinking."

Katniss took a look around, realizing that the crowd around her has thinned and had moved towards the dance floor in a mess of limbs and colorful dresses. She looked at her own and marveled at how well Cinna had chosen her outfit. The halter dress was a deep red, and complimented her olive-toned skin and dark hair perfectly. It clung to her curves without being too showy, and ended up just below her knees. It was perfect for an evening out at a Salsa club, and she would have to thank him.

"Okay. So I was wondering if maybe you'd like to dance?" Peeta asked.

"Me? With you?"

"Yes. You. Me. The dance floor, the music. You know, dance?"

She was stunned. She didn't expect anyone to ask her to dance, as she was far from being at ease with these rhythms. And she didn't expect Peeta of all men to ask her. She thought he would spend the evening dancing with Delly.

"Katniss? Please?"

"Only if Delly agrees, then." She didn't want to get between Peeta and his girlfriend, and would rather clarify any ambiguity before she agreed.

"Delly? Why would she need to agree to this?"

There was surprise and questioning in Peeta's words, as Katniss looked around, searching for the young woman. At his comment, she turned to look at him.

"I wouldn't want to put myself between you and your girlfriend."

His stare turned intense and his eyes were full of things she couldn't read to save her life. He didn't laugh, instead anchoring his blue irises to her grey ones.

"Delly is not my girlfriend. We are childhood friends, and she's now engaged to a very good guy named Thomas. I'm to be his best man at their wedding next year."

"Oh." Delly wasn't his girlfriend.

But that didn't mean he didn't have one.

"And for your reference, I don't have a girlfriend."

How did he guess what she was thinking?

"I hope you don't play poker, Katniss. Your face is like an open book," he chuckled, adding, "And I'm not gay either. So now, do you wanna dance?" His right hand was extended to her, palm up, waiting for her own.

Half her mind wanted to refuse. The other wanted to take his hand, go onto the dance floor and lose herself to the music. Forget about the ultimatum Plutarch gave her, forget about everything. Just dance.

She took his hand.

He smiled.

He led her to the dance floor where bodies were already moving with precise steps. She was recognized by a few of the dancers, who cheered her, and she felt her fear escalating. What was she doing? She was going to look ridiculously clumsy, dancing around professionals on something she hadn't rehearsed before. But she followed the mop of sweat-darkened curly blond hair until they reached the middle of the dance floor.

"Kitty Kat! It's about time you stopped pouting and joined us!"

"I wasn't pouting, Finnick. I was thinking."

"Sure as hell looked like they weren't happy thoughts. So loosen your corset a bit, Sugar, and dance!"

And without another word, he dragged his partner and wife into a series of spins and turns she easily followed.

"They used to be partners, you know." Peeta said, as he watched the couple too.

"Oh, really? Why aren't they anymore?"

"Annie had personal problems, and she never came back to professional dancing. Now, are you ready?"

"No?"

Peeta laughed but took her right hand in his left, lifting her arm slightly with his grip. His left hand went to the top of her thigh, and she could feel the warmth from his palms through her thin layer of clothing.

"Just follow me. We're doing the basic salsa steps, the ones we taught you, remember?"

She nodded, realizing way too late she was much closer than she usually was when dancing with either Peeta or Finnick. She knew it made sense – the club was packed, while the practice room only held the three of them – but she was still more aware of her proximity to Peeta. But it was reassuring too, the smell that warmed her was the same as the one that lingered on the sweatshirt he gave her – or lent, she wasn't sure – and which was still laying on the back of the chair in her bedroom. She had every intention of giving it back to him someday, when the smell of cinnamon and vanilla had completely faded. Of course, she'd have to pretend she'd only just found it.

But there was something so comforting in that smell – and she knew now it wasn't coming from the kind of soap Peeta was using on his clothes, but that this smell was utterly him.

"Relax, Katniss, and just sway."

Relax. Easier said than done. She was so used to being evaluated each time she danced, stared at to find all the little details that were going wrong, that even dancing like this was a test.

She never felt the spin coming. With a flick of his wrists she found herself turning, almost losing her balance, and being caught safely in Peeta's arms.

"Stop overthinking. Listen to the music. Enjoy it. Let me guide you, just sway, and follow," he whispered, his mouth having found a place near her ear. His mouth, and apparently all of the left part of his head that was now resting on her temple. She tried to relax, she really did, but couldn't help thinking she would step on his feet, or do something ridiculous like fall as unsure as she was dancing on heels.

"You're stubborn, aren't you? You can't dance if you don't relax. To quote a famous choreographer, 'feel the music, Katniss. Let her come to you, reach you. Let her be a part of you.'"

As if on cue, the rhythm changed to a slower pace, and she felt the proximity of Peeta's body even more acutely than before. There was barely any space between them, and there was nothing she could do but follow his rhythm and his steps. He had that natural motion of dancers accustomed to this kind of music, and soon Katniss found it easier to follow him, rather than find her own moves.

With the realization that she could actually do it came the feeling of being able to let go – even if it was just a tiny bit. She felt his hand on her hips moving towards her back, as if to settle her close to him, but didn't feel annoyed by it. It was the song, she decided, her Spanish good enough to understand the lyrics. It was a love song, and it should be a love dance. Could she be a lover, for a few minutes?

She could… try, maybe?

So she let herself fall into the music, to the sound, to the rhythm. Her pelvis matched her partner's move for move, and she really let herself enjoy his proximity.

"Good, now just follow me… " Peeta whispered.

But before she could ask what he was talking about, the hand on her back tensed, a strong thigh pressed between her own, as he bent her backwards, her dark hair falling like a curtain behind her. Then, as easily as he had pushed her backwards, Peeta pulled her back to him. She was sure she was flustered, her eyes wide open in surprise, and ready for a fight.

"Peeta! What was that?"

"Shh, it's called dancing. Enjoy."

And then he did it again, bending her backwards a bit lower even, holding her steadily, before repeating their little routine of steps. She didn't want to admit that it was freeing to feel herself falling, but with the certainty that she wouldn't crash to the floor, that someone was holding her up.

"We're going to try a spin," Peeta whispered.

"A spin? What should I do? One of the moves you taught me?"

"You do what you feel like doing. I'll catch you."

Taking a chance, she looked in his eyes, and saw so many things she didn't want to analyze right here, right now. But there was something she recognized: he would catch her up, whatever her move would be. And she tried to convey in her glance that she trusted him.

"At 4...1;2;3…"

And with a move of his wrist and a push of his hand on her back, she felt herself starting to turn and more importantly, she started wanting to add a sway of her hips just then, and that bending her leg just like she was doing a pivot would be the right move. So she did it, and when she came back into Peeta's arm, she saw the smile radiating from his face.

"That's it, Katniss. Dance. Do what you want to, follow the music…"

And with that, he stopped speaking, and starting spinning her again.

"God, I'm thirsty! You mind if I grab a drink?"

"I could use a break too," Peeta said, casually taking her hand in his. That's what friendly hand holding must be, she thought, following him through the crowd, his stocky build allowing him to part the crowd, and make a beeline to the bar. They sat on two stools, and Peeta quickly caught the attention of the barmaid.

Shouting her name was a sure way to do it, proving he came to the joint quite often.

"Peeta! So good to see you again!"

"Hey, Tyncia. Long time no see! Still playing at the National?"

At his words, Katniss looked up from the list of drinks to meet the familiar eyes of the shy pianist who often accompanied her during practices.

"Martyna! What are you doing here? Are you working here too?"

"Hey, Katniss! It's really you … I wasn't sure when I saw you dancing with Peet here, I didn't know you were into that kind of dancing!"

"Well, I'm not really into this but…" Katniss felt another blush coming to her cheeks. "It's… I'm trying to work on something new on the side, for the Bolero, you know, and Haymitch came with this idea that Finnick and Peeta could help me..."

"Wow, that's great, really! It must be a nice change for you to dance to this music. You did very well over there!" Martyna said.

"She did work hard and made a lot of progresses, don't let her take herself down!" Peeta chimed into the conversation. "Oh, Tyncia, is Cinna here ?" Martyna nodded.

"He's upstairs, trying to convince some band to come play one evening. Go see him!"

"Can I leave you alone a few minutes? I'd like to say hi?" Peeta gently asked Katniss.

"Sure, I'll try to catch my breath!"

"Drinks are on me tonight, get whatever you want." Then turning to the Martyna, Peeta said, "The usual for me, please!"

"Your Yuengling will be waiting for you, Peet!"

Without another word, Peeta left through a door next to the end of the bar.

Martyna looked around, making sure no customers were calling for her.

"I never thought I'd see you here, Katniss. And I never thought you'd go to Finnick and Peeta for help."

"I forgot to ask you - how do you know him? Peeta?"

Martyna looked at Katniss, clearly surprised by her question.

"Well, Haymitch didn't tell you?"

Katniss shook her head, surprised. What else had Haymitch hidden from her?

"Why would he? I was supposed to work with Finnick, so I never asked."

"Oh. Well, Peeta was one of his dancers at the National until what, seven, eight years ago? He was supposed to become a principal after dancing the Bolero. Butn he broke his leg, badly, and never made it back to ballet dancing."

"Peeta was a ballet dancer?!"

Surprise, astonishment, and shock rushed through Katniss at the same time as she took in the information Martyna gave her. Peeta? A ballet dancer? At the National?

"I'm sorry, I thought you knew? And that it was why Haymitch introduced the both of you. Since you said it was to work on the Bolero.. "