Chapter Nine

District Four was the most beautiful place in all of Panem. Katniss loved the beaches, the ocean, and especially the people. She was sure, her fist visit she would not like the people here. They were fed better, and were one of the favorites of the Capitol. The people, were a kind and hearty bunch. The Peacekeeper presence was much larger, and far more feared than in her own District. The favoritism of the Capitol had its perks, but it also came with harsher punishments and stricter rules. Katniss could feel the building tensions in the fishing District.

As soon as she and Finnick first stepped off the train however, she learned just how many Capitol visitors District Four had. They even had places called hotels just for Capitol citizens who were vacationing by the ocean. Now she cast her gaze over the train station and Katniss felt her body tense. There were hundreds of Capitol women waiting for them. This was not normal, not even for District Four. They had many tourists, but this was ridiculous. Katniss had a sneaking suspicion as to why they were all here, crowding around the door to the train. Katniss sneered at this and glared at them all. She was quick to wrap her arm around Finnick. He in turn wrapped his free arm around her shoulders.

"Can I change my mind? I want to go back to Twelve." Katniss whispered. Stretching as much as she could to reach his ears. The door had not even opened and they could hear the screaming.

"Come now kitten. You faced the Hunger Games, surly you can survive this?" Finnick teased, keeping his face soft. Internally he was throwing a temper tantrum. Katniss rarely visited District Four, her home was Twelve. Always had been, and with her stubborn nature it probably always would be. If he were honest he preferred the laid back quality there as well. So something like this happening now might cause her to not accept visiting her future in-laws with him. 'Fuck. Fucking damn it. Snow should have made sure this did not happen.'

"How the hell did they even know you'd be coming?" Katniss wondered. "I certainly didn't tell anyone."

Things clicked in his head and Finnick wanted to punch something. 'He did this on purpose. Be seen, look only at her, not the throngs of women throwing themselves at you. Perform well or else.' He could practically hear Snow in is mind. He looked down, and made a decision. Katniss was riled up enough already. He was not about to tell her Snow might have had something to do with this. She would do something rash. Well, to be honest, she would probably do something he would love her all the more for, and put them all in danger. Maybe he could tell her later, once they were out of the public eye.

"Not sure. So, here's the plan. We walk past them, ignore them and head straight home." Finnick explained.

"But they are literally screaming for you."

"Who cares. I only have eyes for you."

"Yes, but your ears are not so selective." She grumbled.

"I'll sing you to sleep tonight."

"Deal!" Katniss nodded and sealed it with a kiss before he could change his mind. She adored his voice. She had only heard it once. The last night he visited her when she was twelve. Something he had never done for anyone else. Special just for her. Finnick hated his voice, but she found it stunning. Gentle, deep, soothing. Just like him.

"I really hope your mother and brother aren't in that." Katniss growled as they moved towards the door.

"God no. They ever only see me off. My returns are pretty similar to this all the time. Though they do seem a bit more excited than usual."

"Probably because you've been in Twelve with me since the last games. Plus you are engaged." Katniss added, something burning inside her made itself known and she could not help the comment. She gave herself a mental shake and added another thought. "They never happened when I visited."

Finnick gave her a look. "Snow wanted to keep this as far away as he could. Since we'll be married. I guess he's not going to keep the fans at bay." He noticed her jealousy and thought better than riling her up now. Still it gave him joy she too experienced the same concerns he himself held..

"Pity, I might have liked him more if he had." Katniss stated loudly, hoping Snow's bugs heard that tidbit. "Oh well."

The door to the train opened and Katniss had to fight her instincts to keep her hands off her ears. The screams were piercing and ridiculously high. She wanted to glare, but kept her face as impassive as possible. She did not need anyone seeing just how much she hated these Capitol women. At least not where Snow would find out. As much as she wanted to beat them all away.

Finnick kept his eyes only on Katniss, as he lead them through the throngs of women chanting his name. None of them would be caught dead in District Twelve. Since he never visited the Capitol anymore all they had was his visits home. He kept his mind on seeing his mother, Riggs, and Mags again. He felt his eardrums pop.

Halfway through trudging their way one woman was bold enough to grab onto him. Finnick turned angry eyes on her, but it was Katniss who reacted.

"Get your fifthly hands off my Finnick!" She screamed at the woman. Her face was hard and her eyes heated. Katniss had lost all patience with the women. They had barely made it halfway off the platform, and it had taken them ten minutes to get this far.

The woman shrunk back but kept her grip. "I, what?"

"You heard me. Get your filthy tie-dyed hands off my man. Or I'll remove them." Katniss growled, her eyes promising she was deadly serious.

"Oh Finnick, this horrid girl just threatened her. How can you marry such a beast?" Another cried out in protest.

Finnick wanted to slam his head into something. 'Yup, she's never coming back home with me again. I guess I live in District Twelve now. I wonder if I can mom mother and Riggs once we're married?'

"How can you act like you care about him. I know what you women did to get your hands on him!" Katniss shrieked. She removed herself from Finnick and slapped the woman holding onto him. "Get the hell off him. Now!"

Finnick realized the situation was too much for Katniss to handle. She had never encountered this in the Capitol. Snow gave strict orders whenever she came. No one was to treat her this way. Not before the last Games anyways. Now she was liable to ruin everything. If word got out what Snow had been doing there would be chaos. The uprising would be too much for them to keep calm before everything was ready. Even now Haymitch's plans needed to be delicately handled.

"Back off!" He bellowed. Silence, sweet silence followed his roar and he smiled. "Good. Now kindly leave me, and the love of my life alone. I have no need for any of you. I want nothing to do, with any of you." His words were harsh. He pried the woman, who was indeed multiple colors, from his body. "I love her, only ever her. You were all nothing. I was nothing, before I met her. I am hers, and she is mine. Now leave!"

The shocked gasps, and cries were music to his ears. For so long he had to play nice, be their toy. Now he could, if only a little, let them know how little they mattered to him. 'See this field, this is where I grow my fucks. Look upon it and see that it is barren.' He smirked, something Haymitch usually said whenever someone questioned his drinking. He figured the sentiment applied.

Katniss beamed at him and wrapped her arms around him. She leaned up and he bent down to kiss her lips. He was soft, gentle, loving. The way he held her, the way he touched her. Not a single one of these Capitol slavers had ever felt his touch like this. Nor would they ever.

With hateful glares to Katniss, and hurt eyes begging he look their way just once more, they slowly departed. "Why didn't you just shout at them when we got off the train?"

"Manners."

"Ah."

"You were doing so well." Finnick sighed, praying this did not come back to bite them in the ass.

"They should not have touched you." Katniss shrugged. "I did warn her."

Finnick had almost forgotten Katniss struck the one with the death grip on him. He wanted to bury himself in the sand and be washed away. His fist clenched. "That was not a smart move. You better hope this wasn't televised."

"I hope it was, now they'll know not to mess with me." Katniss is quick to shoot back. "I guess you're not the only jealous one."

Finnick gave a small chuckle, and lead her to the Victors Village as fast as he was able. He needed to get them out of sight. "True, I have been getting rather jealous lately." He kept his tone light, knowing there were cameras everywhere. "Perhaps we'll make up like we do back in Twelve."

Katniss let loose a very pretty blush. "But your mother and brother."

"We do have bedrooms. I'll take you up to mine tonight and I'll make this all better."

Katniss continued to blush, going mute. Slowly she realized as they walked, just what kind of damage she could have done. If word got out, or a photo, or worse yet video proof of her striking a Capitol woman, they were screwed. 'I'll have to watch the news and see. Maybe another interview will make this blow over.' She hoped.

President Snow glared at his new head Gamemaker. This was unacceptable. He saw why Katniss slapped the woman. He knew what she meant when she screamed. Those words could be painted in the light of a jealous fiancee. One who's lover is a reformed womanizer. Even the citizens in the Capitol, and the Districts would see it that way. Unfortunately she struck a woman, a Capitol woman, and this would not do. It may be seen as an act of jealousy. Except by those of the rebellion, they would see it as more than it really was.

"It would seem your ploy has failed Heavensbee. How much was shown live?" Snow growled.

"Unfortunately, everything sir. All the way to their joke of making up in his bedroom." Plutarch kept his face solemn. "We can still sell this. She was blinded by jealousy. She was calm, until one went too far. Caesar will call it what it is. A young girl in love, fighting against hundreds of women trying to steal her love away."

"Yes, well I recall you said it would show just how accepting the women of the Capitol are of this new love."

"Perhaps, this love story can take a different turn."

Snow leaned forward resting his hands on his desk. "Do go on."

"Fairy tales, the real ones, they aren't just poof happy ending. The lovers have to conquer obstacles before they can be together. Mr. Odair's past, the jealous lovers, they are an obstacle. One they are clearly strong enough to overcome. So let the people see that. It gives them something to root for. Sure the rebels will use that as saying she's fighting the Capitol. That is where we begin stage two." Plutarch explained with a smug smile painted across his lips.

"You have a more planned?" Snow was both intrigued and hesitant. "After how your last plan went I'm sure you will understand my reluctance to put my faith in you."

Plutarch held up his hands. "True, I did not see that most of those women would be his more fanatical fans. Better screening will have to be done in the future for any other staged events. But, stage two is where we show Katniss is one of us. Always has been always will be. I have a photographer set up to take picture of her dress. We'll do polls here in the Capitol. We'll send a reporter back with her to District Twelve. Send the best bakers from the Capitol, the best florists, musicians, wedding coordinators. Film her looking for locations in the Capitol during the Victory Tour. We'll flood all the channels with her, not fiery or jealous, but doing everything our way for her wedding. Not following the traditions of Districts Four or Twelve, but everything Capitol."

"We'll make it known no one is sparing expense for her wedding. That she is one of us now. The rebels will quiet down. She was our symbol first, we'll make sure they know that. Do an interview, make it mandatory. I've got some ideas. Katniss is a wild card, but we can control how this is viewed. Not many were watching the broadcast We'll keep it off the air again until you speak. I've got something prepared for you and I think it will make the replaying viewed much differently."

Snow sat for a while. "You play a dangerous game Heavensbee."

"These are dangerous times sir."

Snow contemplated the idea for a while. Mulling it over in his head. He watched her every move, and while not his friend, Katniss Everdeen did not want a war. She was his ally in this, so he could take the situation and make this a victory. He smirked. "The woman who grabbed Mr. Odair, find out who she was. Bring her with me, the rebels expect me to punish Miss Everdeen. We'll punish her instead. Set it up Heavensbee."

Plutarch nodded his head, hiding his smile. "Of course sir. Anything else."

"You better hope this idea goes your way."

"If not, I have plans for that as well."

"Oh."

"Moves, and counter moves Sir. Trust me I'm already ten steps ahead."

"Let's hope so." Snow looked to the screen, showing Katniss blushing over Finnick's dirty joke. 'So much chaos Miss Everdeen. However will I contain it?'

Finnick's mother, Ariel, rushed to hug her son the moment he stepped into the house. She was tall, and slender. She was probably the most beautiful woman Katniss had ever seen. Her hair was a fiery red, long and wavy. She stood at an impressive six feet tall. Her face was soft, perfect, gentle. Her eyes, well Katniss knew where Finnick had gotten his eyes. After meeting her the first time, whenever Finnick told her stories of mermaids, she imagined his mother.

Finnick's father was similarly tall. He was broad shouldered and built like a tank. Katniss had seen pictures. His eyes had been blue, and his hair was curly and bronze. He was as handsome as the woman he had married beautiful. Their youngest son, Riggs, took after him almost identically. Same strong jaw and chin. Chiseled perfect nose. Finnick had his mother's nose, and her lips. Full gorgeous lips. She always felt self conscious when she walked into the Odair home. She felt like the ugly duckling surrounded by beautiful swans. Another of Finnick's stories.

Until, his mother spoke that was. "Oh Katniss. We've missed you terribly. Come in dear. I've made cookies." Ariel cooed, rushing to wrap her arms around her future daughter.

Katniss loved Finnick's mother, because she was in fact a mother. She was the best mother she had ever met, save maybe Hazelle. "I've missed you too Mrs. Odair."

"Come now my dear. How many times must I ask you to call me mom?" She tutted as she pulled away. "Now let me get a good look at you dear. It's been months." Ariel gave the precious girl her son was marrying a long look over. "Oh, you look tired. Still growing more beautiful by the day. We better make sure you rest up on this vacation." She declared kissing her cheek. "Come on, you can bring your things upstairs later. Cookies first."

Katniss beamed at the woman. Ariel had a way of making everything better. Katniss knew why her sons were such good men. Finnick father died shortly after he won his Games. An 'accident' at Sea. None of them were fooled, it was a statement by Snow, after Finnick refused to be sold to men. Finnick told her his mother knew everything. She was so strong, and kind. Katniss admitted there was a twinge of jealously that he had this kind of support. Then her smile widened. 'Perhaps District Four might make us a good home after all. Or at least a good winter home.'

"You didn't have to bake us cookies mom."

"Hush now. You may be a man, but you're still my son. Cookies, baked with love, are good for the soul. Come on my dears. Riggs should be home soon. He's been seeing this girl lately. Probably wants to tell you all about it when he gets home." She smiled while they made their way to the kitchen.

The layout of the house was the same, but Finnick's mother had decorated it in all manor of seashells and decorative sand, and paintings of the ocean. The house felt like a home. It had the touch of a mother. 'Yup, I could get used to here. If those harpies keep the hell away.' Katniss frowned remembering what had happened.

Ariel noticed this and saw Finnick staring at Katniss wearing a matching frown. She sighed and pushed the plate of warm cookies to them. "How bad was it?" She asked, knowing they would understand.

"They were the worst!" Katniss grumbled. "One even grabbed him. I got so mad when she refused to let go I slapped her."

Ariel's eyebrows rose. "Oh my. Well she should have respected your space." She nodded firmly, well aware what those women did to her son. "I wish I could have been there. I might have given them a good thrashing too."

"Mom, don't encourage her."

"Why not? She needs to make it known she'll fight for you."

Finnick laid his head on the table. "I'm here too. I can protect us both just fine."

Ariel gave the back of her son's head a sympathetic pat. "I know, the big strong man has to take care of the women in his life." Then she gave his head a light tap. "Head off the table dear. Manners."

Katniss chuckled. Finnick rubbed the back of his head. "Mom. Come on now. I'm twenty three."

"Then act your age young man." She smiled at him softly and took a cookie.

Katniss grabbed one as well. She had made Oatmeal cookies, her favorite. She smiled into the cookie and took a small bite. "So how have you been Mrs. Odair?"

"Mom." She chided.

"How have you been," Katniss felt the word in her mouth, it was foreign but not unwelcome, "mom?"

"I've been well my dear. Missing the two of you of course. I've been keeping busy with my art." Ariel pointed to the living room and an unfinished painting of the ocean was sitting on an easel next to a window.

"We've miss you too mom." Finnick reached his hand across the table and gave hers a squeeze. "Katniss has been anxious to visit as well."

"Yeah. I think we might be visiting more often now. I don't have to worry as much about Prim. So we can come and visit more. Especially considering we'll be married soon."

Ariel beamed, and clapped her hands. "Oh that's wonderful." Her face softened and she reached to give Katniss a pat on her arm. "I'm sorry about your sister and friend. I was so worried for you these Games. I'm glad everything worked out alright."

Katniss returned her look with her own sad smile. "Yes, she's grown right up. Just like I did. Her and mother have been living together now. Gale and his family are adjusting well. He has nightmares too, but his aren't so bad. Prim has taken to clinging to mother again. She she's helping her with her nightmares. I'm just glad I have Finnick and Haymitch."

"You are always welcome here my dear. Oh I'm just so happy you'll finally be a part of the family. I've been waiting years for Finnick to work up the courage to ask you to marry him." She shared a secret smile. "He's been head over heels for you since he saw you. He told me so himself."

"Mom!"

"Well it's true."

"God, I'm so embarrassed."

"He didn't hide it very well." Katniss teased.

"Katniss! You too? Is this pick on Finnick day?"

"We'll I mean you've spent four years moping about whenever you weren't on the phone with her." A deep voice chuckled out from behind him.

"Welcome home sweety." Ariel called out.

Riggs smiled and walked over to Katniss and gave her a hug. "Thanks mom. Welcome home Kat. Good to see my brother isn't keeping you locked away forever. He tends to be jealous." He smirked and kissed her cheek.

"Riggs!" Finnick playfully glared at his brother. While he knew his brother had no romantic feelings for his kitten, it still rankled him when a male was that familiar with her.

"Oh no you don't. You're not starting this again over your own brother!" Katniss shot at him.

"Again? He's been this grumpy before?" Ariel chimed in.

"Apparently everyone, even fictional characters are a threat." Katniss grinned like that cat that ate the canary. 'Sweet revenge.'

"Katniss!" Finnick blushed, because it was a little ridiculous he was jealous of James Hail. Still his mother needed no more fuel to embarrass him.

"Fictional characters Kat, really?" Riggs turned to his older brother. "Some ladies man you are."

"Shut up Riggs."

"Oh, and who is he so jealous of?"

"Mom! Please stop. Katniss don't say another word."

Katniss' grin just grew. 'This is how a real family is supposed to be.' "James Hail from Game of Thorns."

"God dammit." Finnick grumbled, then received a light smack of the back of his hand from his mother. "Ouch mom."

"Language. There are ladies present." She chided, "but I can see why. That James Hail sure is a looker. Oh and that voice." Her eyes turned dreamy. "I can see why he might be jealous. I do hope you never meet the actor in person. He might steal you away."

"I'll ask your stylist if she knows him next time she's over." Riggs teased plopping into the chair next to his mother. He picked up a cookie and munched with a wide grin.

"Don't you dare." Finnick warned, wrapping his arm around Katniss protectively.

"The again if Finnick gets too possessive, I can always make you apart of the family Kat." Riggs shots back.

Finnick stiffened and is about to get a little too out of hand. Katniss was quick to diffuse the situation. "I heard from your mother you're actually sweet on a girl already."

Riggs rubbed the back of his head sheepishly. "Yeah, Sarah Cresta. But it's nothing serious yet. Besides who could pass up the Katniss Everdeen." Riggs could not help one more jab at his brother.

"You little-"

"Cresta, why does that name sound familiar?" Katniss wondered. The mood sobered immediately. "What? Why is everyone so quiet now?"

"Annie Cresta." Finnick whispered.

Katniss froze. She found her mind replaying all her memories of the girl who came in second in her Games. "Oh."

Riggs, was quick to lighten the mood. "Don't worry. They don't hold a grudge against you Katniss."

It was the way he said you, that made Finnick hang his head and Katniss frown. "But they blame Finnick. Especially since everyone knows that he got the sponsor for me to have the bow." 'Second most expensive gift in games history. Only Finnick's golden trident was worth more.' She thought bitterly. She knew now what he had to do to get that.

"Katniss. I think we should change the subject." Ariel wanted nothing more than to return to being a happy family. There was too much darkness in their lives already.

Katniss, while heated, was less abrasive than she would be at home. "At least they know he also got Annie sponsors with the same action. She had food, I saw the replay. She got food when I got my bow. She had two hunting knives already." She tried to reason.

"Kitten, just let it go for now." Finnick pleaded.

"I agree. Besides I want to know how your friends are doing back in twelve. Has Madge found herself a boyfriend yet?" Ariel changed the subject and winked at Katniss.

She took the hint and shook her head. "Nope, still no luck there. Every boy is too afraid to approach us. Me, I'm the rich Victor who always has Finnick Odair around, and she's the Mayor's daughter."

"I would think all the boys would be flocking to you two." Riggs offered.

"Oh trust me they do. They're just too scared to approach them." Finnick grumbled.

"You're just paranoid."

"I've seen it whenever you walk Madge home from school. Or when you two go home after writing music." Finnick protested. "You two are so blind to all the attention."

Katniss just shook her head. "You see what I deal with every day." She looked to the sympathetic faces of her future in-laws then turned to Finnick. "I swear if Haymitch and Cinna weren't like fathers to me you'd be jealous of them too."

"You should set her up with a date." Riggs suggested.

"No, if they are too scared to approach then they aren't worthy. One of them will man up one day." Ariel promised. "Things were the same with me. Your father spent three years following me home from school before asking me out on a date."

Finnick smirked. "Only because you are the most beautiful woman alive." Ariel coughed and her eyes glanced to Katniss. "I mean it. Katniss, is still young. Besides I think she'll be twice as beautiful as you when she becomes a mother."

Katniss flushed a deep crimson. "Well, I can't argue with that." Ariel laughed. "Oh, don't tease me with thoughts of grand babies yet dear. You should wait a few years for that."

Katniss looked up to Ariel, grateful for her support. "Yes, you'll just have to wait a few years for that Finnick."

"Why don't you two go upstairs and unpack? I'll get dinner started." Ariel suggested, her smile warm. "We can watch Game of Thorns together later. We'll send the boys out for some bonding. Us girls need some quality time together as well."

Katniss beamed at the mother she always wanted. She walked over to her and gave her a hug. "Thanks mom." The word was sounding less foreign to her the more she said it. "Finnick keeps distracting me when I try to watch it at home."

Ariel clucked her tongue. "Those boys just don't understand it's more that nudity, sex, and murder." She shook her head with a smile. "Go on you two. Dinner will be ready in an hour."

"Mom, he might do 'naughty' things with her up there." Riggs complained with a smirk.

"He'll do no such thing. I raised a gentleman, and a gentleman he will be." Ariel gave her eldest a warning look.

Finnick nodded eagerly. "I am planning on waiting until we are married you know."

"That's my boy. Now hurry up before I chase you out of my kitchen. No more cookies until after dinner." Ariel commanded. "Riggs you're helping me scale the fish."

"But mom!"

"No buts mister. Now march."

Katniss was giggling the whole way up the stairs. She looked to Finnick with the widest grin he had seen on her face since before her sister's reaping. "I love your family."

Finnick opened the door to his room and ushered her. He dropped their bag and wrapped his arms around her tightly. "I'm glad to hear that. At least I won't have to kidnap you to come visit with me."

"If those harpies keep coming around you might." Katniss grumbled.

"What were you thinking kitten? If Snow finds out we could be in big trouble." He buried his face in her neck and tried to hide from the world in her hair.

"He's a smart man. I wasn't hitting that woman to spark a rebellion. I was hitting a slut manhandling the one I love."

"Language dear. Mom will swat you too." Finnick teased, his heart warming at seeing the tables turned for once.

"So, are we going to talk about it?" Katniss pressed.

Finnick's arms tightened around her, he nuzzled his face deeper into her hair and groaned. He felt Katniss tugging at him. "No, don't go. Let me hold you."

"Bed." She stated simply, and he understood.

He released his hold on her and crawled into his bed. She followed his lead and snuggled on top of his chest. "Now, you want to tell me about it, or am I ripping the information from you?"

"Kitten's got her claws out."

"Finnick this is serious."

"I know, I know. Look it's simple. The Cresta's or at least Annie's father blames me for her death." Finnick sighed and stared at the ceiling. "That's it."

"No that's not it. No one blames me specifically when I come home with no tributes. They don't even blame Haymitch and he's drunk, all the time."

"Kitten, the only winners your District had a chance with were you and Gale. Even then, you were a long shot, but they knew Gale had a chance to come home. Hell the miracle Haymitch pulled out of his ass brought both him and Prim home. To them you two are heroes. It's different here in District Four."

Finnick closed his eyes, the pressures of mentoring in a Career District were high. Even still he had no winners. District Four had lost eighteen tributes since he took over being a mentor. Bridge had retired after he and Mags had brought him home. He lived with his wife in solitude. He never left the Tribute Center during the games, refusing to be a part of it anymore. He was selfish, Mags was eighty and she still watched over the Tributes every year. No one could blame an eighty year old woman. That just left him.

"We're a Career District technically. But these last few years, no one volunteers, they train sure, but only in case their names are ever picked. They've grown despondent. If a Career wins they are from One or Two, not Four. District Two has the most Victors, they train future Peacekeepers there. So it makes sense they have the brutal mentality and physicality needed. But the people don't know that. So if they can't blame an eighty year old woman, they blame me. I'm too busy 'womanizing' to save my tributes." Finnick barked out a dark laugh. "If they only knew that during the games the money I make goes to my tributes. But I can't say a word to them. Snow can't let his secrets be known."

Katniss held him tighter, her head nuzzling into his neck. "So you let them think the worst of you."

"It's not usually this bad either. Hell Annie's father had forgiven me. Until word spread about the bow. Some people looked at it and saw a mentor taking pity on a young girl without anyone. Haymitch sure as hell would not sober up enough to help you."

"He did."

"Yes, but do you think they knew that, or he would want them to know that? He's drunk, but a very functional drunk. Sober he's a genius. So he plays his part. So I helped a little girl get a weapon she used mainly to feed herself, and defend herself once. There are some who are bitter, because they know with that bow you out lasted Annie. You were safe from the mutts. So my selfless choice to help a little girl caused Annie's death. Not directly, and had she died before hand they probably would not even have a problem with it. To save such a young girl, those people are bitter, not hateful." Finnick explained, his hands subconsciously braiding Katniss hair.

Katniss kept her head still, enjoying the attention, and knowing it was helping him keep focused, sane. "I guess I can understand their point of view. You didn't betray them, but if you hadn't they might have had another winner."

"Exactly, so bitter, but not enough so to be angry or upset for long. Most people don't even bring it up. And seeing you, they understand my choice. Like I said you move people, and they either want to kiss you, kill you, or be you. So yeah, it was a rough few months after the 72nd games and that interview. It has died down now." Finnick admitted. "I do feel guilty sometimes, when I see her family." Finnick kissed the top of her head.

Katniss bowed her head. "Sometimes I feel guilty too. If not for me she'd be alive, but then Prim would not have come home. Haymitch would not have given her a chance not with Gale, then again she might not have been reaped. Or she would have starved. I just, sometimes it's too much you know. I know you go through it too."

"Oh kitten. I do. We all do. It's called survivors guilt. We all have it. It's no wonder Victors become friends and stick together. We're the only ones who understand. So when I look at Annie's family, I feel terrible, but I would get you that bow every time. You pulled me in. Still, he'll never forgive me."

"Tell me about it. You'll feel better getting it off your chest you know." Katniss kissed the spot over his heart.

"He blames me for her death. He told me I was the worst thing to happen to District Four. It was my fault she died. If I hadn't betrayed my District she'd still be alive. I saved you because I was sick and fell in love with a twelve year old child." Finnick paused, letting out a sob. Katniss kept quiet, wanting him to get it all out.

"I tried to explain myself. That I did it without really thinking. That I had gotten money for Annie first, that I saw you on screen and I had to help you. No one else would. He would not listen. He told me if his other daughter was reaped he would demand Bridge be her mentor. He would not lose another child to a man whore." Finnick was crying now, the tears burning down his face.

"I told him the flood was an accident. It wasn't supposed to happen. That it was all chance. I had no way of knowing you would win. I just wanted to help. To give you something before you died. He refused to listen. His daughter would have won if you had no bow. There was no way to prove it. But you knew how to set snares and gather food. You were smart. I could not tell him Snow picked which one of you he wanted. That those mutts were sent in because he wanted a symbol of innocence. That Annie, probably everyone, was doomed when your name was reaped first."

"District Twelve is always reaped first, and Effie always picks the female Tribute first. The second she drew your name it was over. You had a fire and some people saw it. Some of the Victors noticed, Cinna noticed, he volunteered to be your stylist, his first games, and he picked you. A little girl from the Seam of District Twelve. Haymitch got sober for you. Hell your partner, eighteen, well fed, strong, he picked you too. Some of us knew if you made it past the bloodbath you had a real shot. The bow didn't matter. Snow saw you were his ticket to quelling the rebellion starting. You were the most valuable pawn so no Gamemaker messed with you. Annie did not stand a chance even before she went mad."

Finnick took a breath. "After the bloodbath I didn't want her to win. She was very pretty. Snow would have sold her like me in a heartbeat. She was exotic, he would not have cared if she were mad. Of course I could not tell her father that either. So I had nothing to convince him. I even tried telling him she was not the same girl anymore. What she saw broke her. Your District partner and you were the bigger threat. You had all the attention from the beginning, and he had scored really well for an outer District. She went mad and was no longer a threat. She was rarely on the main screen. No one saw how bad it was but the Gamemakers and the other Victors. A mad tribute does not make good television."

"He would not take that either. Though at least he could not blame me for that. I really tried to do right by her, to keep her fed, to make sure she was taken care of. None of that mattered to him. I killed his daughter. So he hates me, his wife, may have finally forgiven me, but he hates me."

"What about the girl Riggs is seeing?"

"She understands too I guess. She even told me Annie probably would have wanted it that way. If she didn't win she would have wanted you to win. He just, can't accept his daughter is gone. He has to blame someone. Its far safer to blame her mentor than the Capitol. Especially considering what I did."

"Did you tell him you regret it sometimes, that you feel guilty?" Katniss offered.

"No. I don't think that will make him feel better." Finnick reasoned.

"So, I should probably avoid him then."

"Oh kitten, it's not your fault. You did not ask for it, you were humble. You were too innocent, too pure to blame. I don't think he'll blame anyone but me."

"Do you blame you? For her death?" Katniss wondered.

"I don't want to." Finnick was quiet for a long time fore whispering out. "But I do."

"You shouldn't. You say I can't be blamed, but I do blame myself. Then I really think about it and I blame the Capitol." Katniss paused and does the math in her head. It takes her a while because math was never her strong suit. Finnick watched her count with her fingers. He could not help the tiny upturn of his lips at how adorable she was, even during this. "They've killed over seventeen hundred children during the last seventy four Hunger Games. So if it makes you feel better remember, you did not make the Games, and you did not kill that girl. You saved me. It makes me feel better sometimes."

Finnick lifted Katniss' chin and stared into her eyes. She was everything he could ever want or need. He wanted to save her to protect her, and here she was healing him too. "I love you Katniss."

Katniss leaned in towards his lips and whispered against them. "I love you too."

"Hey Finnick, Kat mom says dinner's almost-" Riggs stopped after opening the door and smirked as they scrambled away from each other. "Hey mom guess what I caught Finnick doing!"

"Riggs you little pest! Get back here!"

Finnick leapt from the bed and started chasing his little brother down the stairs. "Mom, Finnick was making out with Katniss on his bed!"

"Finnick Odair! I told you to be a gentleman." Ariel shouted.

"I was. We just kissed once. It was just a little one. Come on mom I promise."

Katniss slowly made her way downstairs and saw Ariel waving a wooden spoon in Finnick's face. A look of disapproval marring her usually happy face. Finnick was rubbing the back of his head and was looking sheepish. He saw Katniss and his eyes turned pleading.

"Katniss, tell her we did nothing wrong."

"I don't know Finnick. I thought you said it was pick on Finnick day." She chuckled. Katniss would always cherish this moment. She was part of a family a real family. Today Finnick finally really opened up to her. Just for a little while she let herself be well and truly happy.