I wake and find that the bed is empty. I run my fingers along the space and find that it's still somewhat warm. I feel a stab of something come over me.

I tie my robe as I walk down the hall and notice that the door to the roof is not open, but ajar and I wonder if Peeta decided that he needed some air.

I see an silhouette in the darkness, but I know that it's Peeta. I slip up silently behind him and wrap my arms around his waist and rest my head against his back.

"I woke up and you where gone. I got..." I feel his body relax and his hands cover mine.

"I'm sorry Katniss. I didn't mean to scare you."

He release my hands and he turns and wraps me into the warmth of his arms. "The party's for us you know?" I can hear the disdain in his voice . Below us people sing and dance. Music mixes with car horns. "Like it's some to celebrate."

I feel his lips on my forehead as his arms wrap tighter around me. "I hate them. They're talking everything from me. Everything I love is right here..." I stand on tip toes and press my lips to his. The kiss is sweet and tender but I can taste the salt of his tears. "I love you too Peeta."

I rest my head into the crook of his neck and I sigh, because my body seems to fit so perfectly against his and I realize that in a way I hate the Capitol too.

"I don't want them to change me. I want to die as myself. If that makes any sense?" I shake my head but I don't see how he could die as anyone but himself. "I don't want them to turn me into some kind of monster."

I nod my head but it's me who feels like monster. I have been worrying about whether there will be trees or of I might be able to fashion a bow and arrow and Peeta has been worrying about losing himself. "So are you saying you won't kill?"

"No Katniss, I'm sure when the time comes I will, I don't go down without a fight. It's just not fair. I finally have you, in my arms...I've finally tasted happiness. I just wish there was a way...some way...to show the Capitol that they don't own us. That we're not pawns in their game."

I realize again that Peeta's has his own fire but it is not fueled by the same kind of hatred and rage that drives Gale. I wish that this all could be different.

Images flash through my head. Peeta and I back home in District 12. I hunt and he bakes. We spend our nights wrapped in each others arms. We have a toasting. And finally I see it clearly...bright blue eyes looking at me, her delicate face framed in dark curls, Peeta's lips and my jaw.

I feel the tears sting my eyes and I realize that I must at least fight to show the that they do not own us. Maybe we can change the tide. I feel the twist and I know the only thing that will ease it.

"Peeta." I let my lips hover over his ear and I smile when his arms lock around me, pressing me into him.

"You love me?" I hear his moan and feel him press into me. "They don't own us tonight."

With that his lips crush to mine and the kiss is hot enough to burn us alive where we stand. I taste the hate, the anger, the desperation, but they crushing blow is the lingering sadness. "I need you Peeta."

We spend the night wrapped in each others arms after me made love several times. In the morning we are greeted by Cinna and Portia. Peeta and I kiss and before she leaves Portia gives me a hug and a kiss on the forehead.

After a pleasant sounding woman comes and put a tracker into my arm Cinna walks me to the Launch Room to prepare for the games.

Cinna has no say in the outfit that I will wear and does not know what is in the garment box but he helps me into the outfit, simple tawny pants, light green blouse, sturdy brown belt, and a thin hooded jacket that falls to my thighs. The boots better then I'd hoped for. Soft leather with a flexible rubber sole with tread.

Cinna takes the gold mockingjay pin from his pocket and pins it to my shirt. "It barely cleared the review board, but in the end they let it through."

"Do you want to talk about anything?" I shake my head and after a moment he opens his arms and I step into his embrace. He wraps his arms around me and we stay like this until my name is called and I step onto the metal plate.

"Remember what Haymitch said. Run. Find water. The rest will come natural." I nod and he smiles. "And Katniss. I not allowed to bet, but if I could, my money would be on you."

I smile and whisper, "Truly?"

"Truly." Cinna says. He kisses me on the forehead. "Good luck, my Girl on Fire." He steps off as the tube comes down and we are cut off. I watch as his fingers tap his chin. Head high. The tube begins to rise and for a moment I'm in darkness.

For a moment I am blinded by the bright light and I feel the strong wind and on it the smell of pine, the promise of trees. The the voice announces.

"Ladies and gentlemen, let the seventy-fourth Hunger Games begin!"