I was hoping to put off this explanation until tomorrow, to just enjoy this one night with Luke without him having to worry. But I can't leave him in the dark when he's asked me outright, so I explain what Finnick told me and why I said I was getting married. When I stop speaking, Luke just stares at me, green eyes wide.

'Say something,' I plead. He opens his mouth, but nothing comes out and he turns away to look out over the dark water. I continue. 'Luke, I'm sorry I did it without telling you, but I didn't really have a lot of options. I didn't want to wait until I had time to talk to you about it, I wanted to say it before I left the Capitol. Please don't be mad at me.' My voice has picked up to a desperate pitch by the time I stop. When he doesn't reply I grab his chin and turn his face towards me angrily. 'What the hell is the matter with - ' I start, but stop when I see the tears rolling down his cheeks. 'Luke don't cry, please.' I gently sweep the tears from his face with my thumbs. It physically pains me to see him suffering like this.

'I just...I can't believe those people. It's not bad enough that they tried to kill you? Now that you survived their stupid games they have to control your life too? It's not fair. You've been through enough.'

'I know.'

'How have they gotten away with this?' He asks angrily. 'Treating us like their slaves for all these years and we just accept it. Why do we accept it, Jude?'

'We don't really have a choice.'

'Of course we do!' His eyes blaze with passion. 'What would the Capitol be without the districts? They'd have nothing! If we all fought against them, then – '

I clap a hand over his mouth. 'Stop it. It's not going to happen and that kind of talk could get you killed if the wrong person heard it.'

'Nobody is listening but you,' he protests.

'You can't be sure of that. You need to be careful, Luke. You're in enough danger already because of me.'

'I hate that you think you have to protect me. After everything you've been through. I should be the one looking after you.'

'Then marry me,' I say beseechingly.

'Do you actually think that will change anything?' He shakes his head sadly. 'Because I don't. These are the people who make teenagers fight to the death every year, Jude. I don't think the fact that you're married to some pathetic district boy will make any difference. If anything it'll just make me an easier target. Because they'll know you really care about me. I'll just be a better bargaining chip.'

'I'll do what they want then,' I state decidedly. 'I have to.'

'No!' He takes me by the shoulders firmly. 'I would rather die than have anyone using you like that. It makes me sick to my stomach even thinking about it.'

'Then what are we supposed to do? If I don't do what they want they'll kill you. And my Mom. I can't have that on my conscience too. What do I do?'

'I don't know,' he says simply, then kisses me. Not gently like when I got off the train, but passionately, angrily. Pouring all of his emotions into his kiss. His hands expertly explore my body as they have so many times before. The dividing line between us melts away, and I no longer know where he begins and I end. When it's over and I'm lying in his arms, I begin to weep quietly. What we have is so beautiful, so perfect, something to be shared between two people in love. Snow wants to take that special intimacy that only Luke and I share, and turn it into something else, something worthless and degrading that can be bought and sold like a toy.

Luke strokes a strand of hair from my face. 'Marry me anyway. Even if it won't make a difference,' he murmurs. 'Just because it's what you want to do.'

'Of course it's what I want. It's what I've wanted since the first time we even kissed.' I wipe the tears from my cheeks.

'Good, because I love you. No matter what happens, I'm not going to let anything happen to you.'

.

.

Two weeks later, we stand on the beach and say our vows in front of our family and friends, the traditional net woven from long grass covering us. Luke reaches down to dip his fingers in the ocean, then gently touches my lips, leaving a salty taste, and I do the same. The ancient wedding song that is sung at every wedding rings in my ears, and I can't quite believe that it is being sung for me. I gaze into Luke's eyes and realize I have never seen him look so happy. I hope my face isn't betraying the torment I'm going through inside. I can't help but feel that I might be making a mistake.

Finally, there's the kiss that seals the union of marriage, the salty taste on Luke's lips mingling with mine. Then it's over. Luke and I are married, just like I have dreamed of for most of my life. I just never thought that this moment would be so tainted. That I would be so unsure of what is to come. I have heard nothing more of people wanting to buy me since I have returned home, but that's not to say I won't.

Only time will tell.

Reviews would be lovely :)

Soo I think that's it for this story, but I was thinking of doing a follow up story of next year's games, Jude can help Finnick mentor Annie and we can catch up with everything that may have happened in the year. Did Snow leave her alone, will her Mom and Luke be safe? Who knows!

Would anyone be interested? Or I could just continue with this story and skip ahead like a year...What do you think?