The Only Weapon We Have

"What the hell was that?" A very serious Finnick asked once he'd recovered from the shocking entrance of the two women. The color had still not returned to his face and Katniss yet again felt terrible for being the cause of another person's distress. Finnick had someone else, someone he cared about that Snow could use against the beautiful District 4 winner and as a result, her as well.

"I…" But she was at a loss for words. The fury she'd felt had left her, along with its steadying effects. One thing that hadn't left her however, was a newfound resolve to protect those she could. It was no longer about just Prim. It was no longer about her. It was about the other people she could help save. If she couldn't kill those she hated, she would protect, as much as she was capable, those she loved. "Tell me what I need to know. I won't let her hurt them if I can help it."

She saw Finnick's eyes narrow for a moment before he nodded resolutely. Before he even made a move, Katniss started to pull off the garment that had been so much a part of her life before the games. She couldn't wear this, even see if, in light of what she needed to become. Finnick just watched her in a strangely detached way as she walked, stark naked, back over to the box and replaced the clothes inside. Sliding the cover back in place, she took the box and slid it underneath the large bed, hidden from view.

"I think I've learned enough board games, don't you?"

"Yeah." He said quietly. "I'm sorry about all of this."

"Don't be." She took a deep breath and steeled her resolve. "What now?"

He sighed and ran his fingers through his hair, obviously pondering how he should start. He walked towards her then, hints of his normal façade creeping back into his features.

"First things first, you need to learn to control this." He touched her cheek when he stopped in front of her. "It won't matter what games you know or tricks you learn if you can't convince people that you don't hate them. Show them the scorn you feel and you'll fail."

Katniss nodded. This would be the hardest part and she knew it. Finnick could teach her exactly how to pleasure a man in ways she'd never come up with on her own and he likely would but she needed to learn to pretend. This was something she'd never been good at. In the schoolyard, when the other girls were playing house in the trees or the boys were playing peacekeeper in the rocks, she'd never joined in. It didn't come naturally to her but today; she would learn to play that game she'd failed to all those years ago.

"Smile for me." He said. She tried. She pulled at the muscles she knew should form it. He laughed, more and more of performing Finnick rising to the surface. "That looks like shit darling." She couldn't help but laugh. It wasn't the type other people laughed, filled with humor and joy but it was enough. "There you go. Every time you need to smile, just remember that you look like an idiot when you do it wrong." She laughed again. He had an amazing way about him. It reminded her of Peeta and the smile was gone.

"Whatever you just thought about, stop. Never over-think this. Try to remember anything ridiculous you've ever done. Keep thoughts of others out of your mind. Unless you're thinking about me." He smiled. "In fact, that should make you smile every time." She hit him in the arm but did smile. "Do you understand?" His seriousness back.

"Yes." She said calmly, nodding as well.

"Good." He smiled at her and she couldn't help but think it was real. It was gone a second later. "Next, you need to learn to read people. You need to anticipate what they want. Sometimes, someone will buy you and not even want sex. Some of them just want to pay for the privilege of you company. Those people will want to talk about your time in the arena. They will want you to be excited about it, like it was an honor for you to participate and the highest point in your life to win." He smiled again. "These people are idiots and easy to convince."

Katniss shook her head but understood. "Ok."

"Those are the easy ones." He took her hand and sat her on the bed they stood next to. "Then there are the ones that will want sex. Most will want to think that you want them. It's hard to do but not impossible." He pushed her to lie back. "Never think about someone you love when you're with these people. I've never met anyone that works for. It will just make you miserable and it taints what should only be between you and your love." He coaxed her to scoot further back on the bed. "Instead, think of the people you hate. Think of every wrong they've committed against you. It will give you the passion you need to make the one you're with, believe what you need them to believe, what they already want to believe." He crawled over her. "Always look at them in the eyes and hate them with every part of you. Use it as the weapon it is, the only weapon we have." He lowered his head so that his lips were hovering just above hers. "You learn to do this and you'll not only survive, you'll excel at it." He kissed her.

She wanted to be horrified by it. She wanted to push him away but she knew exactly what he was doing. She willed the steadily forming knot away before the bracelet could beat her to it. She kissed him back and she thought of Snow. Then she reached up with her hands and grabbed a handful of bronze hair, pressing his lips more forcefully to hers. Her other hand grabbed his arm and gripped him so tightly, she was sure she'd leave a mark. He responded, laying part of his weight onto her and deepening the kiss, tasting her. She gasped when he pulled his lips away, one of his thumbs grazing over an already stiff nipple. He attacked her neck and for a moment, she was able to hold onto that hate until he lightly bit her collarbone and images of what she'd just done with Gale leapt into her mind.

"Stop." She breathed out, pushing against his chest forcefully. He relented immediately, rolling off to the side and she immediately began apologizing. "I'm sorry, I'm…"

"Don't." He said quietly, sitting up and looking down at her. "That was actually pretty good." The encouragement was the only thing she heard in his voice, not rejection or lust.

She brought her hands up to her eyes to hide him from her sight. She was acutely embarrassed right then. "I just…"

"… thought of someone you loved." He finished what she was about to say so that she didn't have to. She nodded. "You'll learn to control that. I know you will." She nodded again. "Now go make me a cup of coffee." She lifted one hand away from one eye and glared at him, a smile creeping onto her lips. His quick change of subject was like a gift and he'd known exactly when to give it.

"No. You make me a cup." He laughed and she knew it was genuine.

"I'm the teacher here," he said with mock sternness, "and last time I checked, you still hadn't mastered that damn thing." He reached over and tweaked her other nipple. She yelped and sat up to smack his chest before sliding off the bed. He was right. She still sucked at making coffee.

OoOoO

AN: The second, somewhat short update. Combine them and it's a good sized update for one day. So, the first lemony interaction with Finnick... was it what you expected?

MaidenAlice: Any way I can think of to advance character development, I'll use. Luckily, having made Snow completely without care for another's personal feelings makes it much easier than between characters that feel empathy for one another. Haha, good to hear. Thank you.
enginette: I love writing for Snow's character. Like I said to MaidenAlice, writing for someone that seemingly doesn't give a hoot about anyone else's feelings is fun to do. Brutal honesty becomes a character trait and is actually fairly easy to write dialogue for. Basically, whatever I want you to know, I can just have her come out and ask or say without much pretense or setup. I'm so happy that my oc is being so well received; I know a lot of people don't really like them in their fan fics. They are reading this stuff for a reason, to see the characters they love, so getting you interested in her has been very rewarding. Yeah, who wants to read about two characters than react the same way to everything? I wouldn't be very good at character development if I did that. Keeping each one distinct is half the fun. You're right; you can't rely on a crutch forever… HAHA, agreed. I'll start a non-profit to get to work on that right away! I'm sure I could get government funding for it. lol
LavenderBrownFan (Lauren): hehe, glad to hear it was a purely good thing. I got you, and thank you. I've got my 'one of the best' award on the frig as I type. I'll have to get the hubby to give me another high five for it. I'm not going to stop this fic, no worries there and I've been putting a little thought into a Haymitch fic. Nothing as complicated as this one, more like a ficlet but I think I'll be able to manage it once this one ends. Trust me, getting chapters out makes my day brighter too, especially when I get to see your guys' reviews.
catie8: I thought you'd like that one. Finally had an indirect mention of Annie. We'll hear more about her later of course but we need to do some definite Fin/Kat focusing for a bit. I mean, how's she supposed to get better if she doesn't practice, practice, practice. lol A mutt! Very interesting… all I'm gonna say. I love you're inferenses, we'll see if they hold water. Appointments, Haymitch, the games and Gale… all answered in due time.
Ambrosia: I knew if one person pointed it out then others had to be thinking it. Very cool the way that works. I'm with you, hot guys are on this planet for one reason, for us to enjoy looking at and thinking about. Sorry if that's crass, but it's true and one price of beauty. :) I'll get you on the bracelet funding donor list.