We thrive this way for months and before we know it, it's fall. Annie has had her baby, a beautiful, bright baby boy named Finn, and she has sent numerous pictures. Johanna has moved to District 4 to help Annie with Finn, happy to have people to care for. I still haven't heard back from Gale.

Everything is good for the most part. Haymitch and I still have nightmares, but we're better in each other's company. I've taken to hunting in the woods again, and sometimes he comes with me. The town is slowly drawing in more people, and significant progress on reconstruction is being made.

The only people that know about Haymitch and I are my mother and Greasy Sae. We rarely leave Victor's Village, and when we do, we don't show public displays of affection. I'm proud to say we have a bit more control than that. My mother, although wary of our arrangement, accepts it. She knows I'm happy, and she's not about to tear that happiness away from me.

We eat breakfast that morning, chatting about the recent batch of pictures Annie has sent us, when the phone rings. Unsuspecting, I get up to answer it while Haymitch places our dishes in the sink. "Hello?" I say pleasantly.

"Katniss Everdeen! Just the girl I wanted to talk to!" a familiar voice chirps. My grip on the phone tightens.

"Plutarch, how nice to hear from you," I say politely. If he's calling, there is only one thing he wants. Haymitch's head snaps up at the mention of the name, but I refuse to meet his gaze.

"Aurelius told me you were doing better," Plutarch Heavensbee says cheerily. "We're old friends, him and I. Anyway, since I heard of the progress you were making, I was curious to know if you would like to come out to the Capitol in a few months to film a special. A sort of 'before-and-after' segment on those who were influential in the rebellion. So many things can change in a year, you know," he says, and I don't dispute it. It's true.

I hesitate, afraid I'll say something stupid. "While I appreciate your offer, I don't know if now is really the best time..." I trail off, pleased that I sound at least somewhat dignified.

"Oh, but you must," Plutarch gushes. "We'll have everything arranged for you! We'll have your old prep team here, I'll have Dr. Aurelius sign your travel release forms, and you can see everyone again! It will be a fantastic time."

"He'll sign my forms?" I ask hesitantly. Maybe I can go visit my mother and Annie and Johanna in 4. Haymitch and I can travel wherever we want. We'll have freedom again.

"Yes, of course," Plutarch says kindly. "Oh, but you don't need to give me an answer now, I just wanted to let you know. But do think on it, will you? The segment wouldn't be the same without you there," he confesses. "Oh, and before I forget, can you extend the invitation to Haymitch as well? I tried to call his house, but he isn't answering for some reason." I blush at this statement. Haymitch is almost never at his house anymore. I'm just glad that I was the one who answered the phone instead of Haymitch. That would have been hard to explain.

"All right, I will. Thanks for calling, Plutarch," I say before I hang up. I let out a heavy sigh as I lean against the counter, the granite digging into my back.

"What did he want?" Haymitch asks, coming over to where I stand. He puts his arms on either side of me, trapping me there.

"He wants us both to do some war reunion special," I say, looking at my hands. "He says he'll have Dr. Aurelius sign my travel papers and we get to see everyone in the Capitol in a few months."

"Oh," he says, nuzzling my neck. I place my hand in his hair, softly scratching his scalp. His hum vibrates through my body. "What do you think? Do you want to go?"

"Not really," I admit. "I don't want all the cameras on me again. Even after the segment is over, they'll just come over to 12, seeking us out."

"Then we won't go," Haymitch says simply.

"But he'll sign my papers," I argue. "Maybe we can go see my mom and Annie and the baby in Four. You can go and visit some of your friends. We don't have to be stuck here anymore."

"I am not stuck here," he tells me. "I'm here with you because there is no other place I want to be. But I think it would be good for you to see everyone again."

I think about it for a bit. I weigh the joy of seeing people I care about and being free to go wherever I want against the never-ending spotlight the cameras will force on me, on us.

"Do you think we should go?" I ask him. He stands up straight and shrugs his shoulders.

"I think we should make the effort," he says. "Who knows? The Capitol has always been about chance, hasn't it?"

"I guess so," I say as I hug him. A moment of silence reigns. "May the odds be ever in your favor," I say out loud absently. Haymitch snorts into my shoulder. If I've survived a Games and a Quell, I know I can survive some interviews, even if I don't want to. "Okay," I say, decided. "Let's go to the Capitol."

"Always up for an adventure," he tells me and I laugh. He always knows just what to say to make me feel better. "You do realize that Peeta and Gale are going to be there as well?" And what to say to make me think.

I swallow. "Yes," I say, my voice surprisingly strong. "It's about time I've put all this silly drama behind me anyhow."

"There's my girl," Haymitch says as he kisses me on the cheek. I feel him step away and I'm about to protest until he grabs my hand. Intertwining his fingers with mine, he says, "Come on, let's go for a walk."

I follow him out the door, invigorated by the chilly fall air. He puts his arm around my waist, drawing me close to his side as we walk together. We go down to the Meadow, enjoying the scenery, before heading back to our home. We walk with no destination in mind, allowing ourselves this moment of peace. Who knows when we'll be able to enjoy this time together again. As we near the Village, I can make out a figure standing on the porch.

"Who is that?" I mumble to myself, and Haymitch looks in the same direction. The tall, dark figure is standing at the door, hand raised as if to knock, but he never does. He turns around and I stop and stiffen automatically. The visitor looks up at that exact moment, catching my gaze, and I can almost make out his eyes widening at Haymitch's arm around my waist. I blink, wondering if it's just an illusion.

"Gale?"

Hey, guys. This is where the plot starts to get a bit more twisted. I've made a complete outline for this story way before I started posting it, and right now, I'm estimating a good 10-20 more chapters at this rate, which is a lot more than I ever planned to write. So, if my updates start becoming more infrequent, bear with me!

In other news, reviews, critiques, and criticisms of any kind are welcome! If there's a problem with my story, don't be afraid to PM me about it!

I hope you guys are still interested because the drama is going to start soon!