Early post, early post. :) Yay!

Thank you to mormongirl33, fangirlingeverysecond, Dreamer (I really want to see your outfits, but I can't figure out the links (I'm a little technologically slow, I'll admit). Thank you so much for the reviews and the outfits.), and Guest (Aww! Don't worry. Nic's strong, she can handle whatever he throws at her! :) Thanks for reviewing!) for the reviews as well as the favorites and follows this week. I had a couple of incredible, crazy days where I had multiple e-mails from here giving me updates on you all. Thank you so much!

Also... does anyone know how to get the links in the reviews to work? I've tried everything I can think of and every site tells me the page doesn't exist. :( So if anyone could help there, that would be fantastic... and I could be bribed into posting another chapter if we figured it out!

As we pull into the station in the Capitol, I realize just how terribly far away home is. The screaming citizens in their over-the-top, brightly colored outfits are such a strong reminder of that. Even the buildings scream at me that I don't belong here, that I'm a fish out of water, flopping helplessly on the sandy beach.

Cato and I smile and wave at the citizens, my arm looped tightly through his as we exit the train and follow the District 2 escorts into the Training Building where we'll be staying. The citizens reach forward to touch us and shower us with flowers as we go along, but we keep our distance, trying our best to hurry on into the silence waiting for us in the building. Unlike the last time we walked this road, when our lives were on the line, we don't have to win their favor with flattery. We already have it and, as long as we stay together, we always will.

Once our gang reaches the fourth floor, I collapse into the closest of the familiar brown couches, thankful for a chance to escape from the grouchy District 2 people for a while and a bit of privacy. Even on the train it felt like there were people everywhere- watching and analyzing my every move. I smother my face into the soft fabric as I snuggle deep into the cushions. Maybe, if I'm lucky, I can burrow my way through this couch and back home.

Finnick plops down next to me and rubs my back gently, attempting to comfort me. He knows how hard this has been. He's held me when I've cried and dealt with the ups and downs along the way. He knows how bad I want to get home and make sure everyone, especially Mags, is alright. "We're almost done, cupcake."

Giving a noncommittal grunt, I roll over onto my side so I can stare out of the window at the dazzling Capitol. It doesn't hold the same magical appeal it did six months ago, but there's still a sense of awe that fills me whenever I take in the sky-high buildings made of shimmering steel and glass. I wish Zayn were here to see this too.

"When's the party supposed to start, Odair?" My eyes flit to Liam on the other couch. For once he's clean shaven, his hair combed and modeled into a popular yet simple Capitol style, and a suit on instead of the raggedy, old beach clothes he favors at home. It'd be next to impossible to recognize him if it weren't for the signature scowl marring his face.

"It's not until tomorrow, after the next set of interviews with Caesar."

I groan and flop onto my back so I can face Finnick. "More interviews? The one about my talent was awful."

Liam's barking laugh fills the room. "At least the interviewer had the decency to wait until the camera turned to throw up."

Finnick glares. "It wasn't that bad. You did well with the talking. It's just, well, baking isn't your thing."

I snort. "I told you that months ago when you told me it was going to be my talent."

"I thought you could feed starving kids in the other Districts with the food. How was I supposed to know you weren't just being modest?" he grumbles, crossing his arms over his chest as he pouts, clearly upset his plan fell through.

Liam lets out a low chuckle. "We should have sent them anyway; her cooking would have put them out of their misery."

I growl and throw a pillow at Liam's head, snarling when he bats it away as if it were nothing.

"Better behave, cupcake."

I'm about to retort when Finnick cuts in. "Don't antagonize her, Liam."

"She-"

"Just stop." He rubs his temples, a scowl forming on his face while he keeps his sea-green eyes screwed shut.

Liam shuts his mouth and goes back to glowering at the room.

I stick my tongue out at him. Serves him right. His snarky comments are getting on everyone's nerves.

A pillow hits my head and knocks me to the side. I turn to see Finnick eyeing me. "That goes for you too."

I let out a huff and stumble off to my room. I'm tired and I just don't want to deal with any of this anymore. It's time to go for a swim.

"Thought I might find you here."

I twirl around, clutching the towel closer around me. My eyes land on Cato, sprawled lazily out on a chair by the pool, swimsuit on and blue eyes boring into mine. I flash him a quick smile before walking slowly over to him. "Liam was being annoying and Finnick's upset. I figured this was the best option right now."

He nods and grabs my arm, tugging me down to sit with him. "Brutus and Enobaria won't stop fighting either. Brutus is still pissed you're here and Enobaria wants to use us to start winning over more sponsors for the Quell."

A shiver works up my spine. I'd completely forgotten that this year would be a Quarter Quell, that the first year I would be Mentoring would be when the Arena was more difficult and deadly than normal, when the odds of survival got slimmer with every passing second.

We learned about the Quells in school. They're supposed to be special Games held every twenty-five years and meant to remind us even more of our place beneath the Capitol. I know the first time around people voted for the Tributes and the second time the number of tributes was doubled. I can't imagine what they'll demand as penance this year.

"Hey, you alright?"

My eyes flit up to his face and I force on a smile. "Yeah. I just need to swim and not think for a while."

He nods and I move away from him, leaving the towel by the chair before quickly and smoothly diving into the cool water. Nearly anywhere else in Panem, I wouldn't be able to do this, but here the temperature is regulated so the water is only slightly cooler than I'd prefer.

My muscles strain as I push myself to go faster, my arms slicing through the water with precision as I propel forward. I emerge from the water, immediately relaxing into a floating position on my back. I feel much better now. This is exactly what I needed.

"There," she says. "Absolutely radiant."

I nod my agreement, my eyes soaking in the image in the mirror. The light pink gown hugs my chest in soft fabric with swirls of beading randomly thrown in before it flows down to the floor in layers upon layers of the fabric. My hair falls in soft curls around my face, framing it and helping my eyes stand out.

Galatea reaches forward and adjusts the pink-stoned necklace at my throat before giving a final nod. "Breathe. Everything will be alright."

Another quick nod.

"Honestly, Nicaea, look at you!" She gestures violently towards the mirror, her long sleeves sliding forward to emphasize the gesture. "Those Capitol people won't care what you say. For what they care the two of you are just a couple of pretty birds that bake and sketch. Breathe. This will be easy."

I shrug and glance back at my reflection. I suppose she's right. They've never really cared before as long as I threw in a few funny quips, Cato was arrogant, and the two of us looked longingly at each other. That's all they want, a good show. Something to entertain them for a few moments.

Finnick strides in, his navy blue suit making his flaming red hair and blue eyes stand out. "About that time," he says, his hands awkwardly stuffed into his pockets.

Galatea nods and shuffles out, mumbling something about making sure Liam isn't dressed in dumpster clothes.

I smile at Finnick and he grins at me.

"Sugar cube?" He pulls out a handful of the things and waggles his eyebrows at me.

My loud laughter fills the room before I snatch one away and pop it into my mouth, enjoying the raw sweetness. "Thanks."

He gives a quick nod before popping a couple in his mouth as well. "You know what to do right?"

"Sit up straight, don't say anything rebellious, flirt with Cato, avoid Rebellion talk, act like a mermaid, vow my love for the Capitol, smile a lot," I say, listing things off on my fingers. "Oh! And don't do anything to upset anybody. Especially making a connection with someone in the crowd."

Finnick smirks, but nods in the affirmative. "If you wanted to be really rebellious though," he says as he guides me out of the room, "you could tell them all that the two of you are working on giving them Victor babies."

I punch him in the shoulder, scowling at him.

"Hey, no fair!" I turn to see Liam glowering at us, Galatea hustling around him to make sure the black suit is up to her normal standard. "I was supposed to get to hit him first. I called dibs." Brutus grumbles next to him, probably staking some older claim to a blow at Finnick.

"You shouldn't have waited," I say, striding past them towards the elevator, jabbing the button to make it go down.

"Don't be like that," Finnick says, snuggling me into his arms. "I'm only trying to help."

It takes everything in me not to laugh at him, especially when I hear someone stomping over.

"No. Mine." An arm tugs at me and I turn to see Cato glowering over my head at Finnick who I know has a ridiculously big grin plastered on his face.

"Not yours," I say, chopping at his hand with my own. "Not anybody's."

He quirks a blonde eyebrow at me then glances down at my hand. "That isn't a very good argument, babe. Really."

"Neither is yours," I say, my eyes zeroing in on his hand as I try to get away.

The elevator dings and we load inside, Cato pulling me towards the back before wrapping me up in a tight embrace and his face lowering closer to mine, blue eyes intense. "The Capitol would disagree with that."

I bite my tongue to hold back a retort that I know could get us all into trouble and just nod.

His face moves away from mine and his hold on me loosens. Slowly and gently he rubs circles into my back and I snuggle into the warmth of his embrace.

"Infuriating brute," I murmur.

A chuckle vibrates through his chest. "Headstrong idiot."

The elevator doors open with another ding before I can reply and we're shuffled out and into black cars that drive us quickly to the plaza where the interview will take place. I watch in silence as the buildings and people pass by. This is becoming a relatively familiar trip, I realize with a small bit of shock as I recognize a few stores and fountains. In a few years I'll probably have the vast majority of this city memorized.

Before I know it, we're seated across from Caesar in his sparkling blue suit and are what I feel should be about half-way through our interview.

"So, the question on everybody's mind, when are you kids going to get married?" he asks, his voice rising at the end to nearly a yell so it can be heard above the crowd. Excitement is written all over his face as he leans in so close to us that he's nearly falling out of his seat.

His eyes flick between the two of us, waiting for a response.

"Well, we haven't talked about anything like that yet, Caesar. It's definitely in the cards though," I say, smiling sweetly up at Cato who has a distinctly dumbfounded look on his face. I give his hand a sharp squeeze and he pulls himself together, smiling down at me. "Don't worry. You'll get an invitation."

Caesar's hands clap together giddily, like a greedy toddler getting whatever he wants. "Excellent. Any idea what kind of wedding you want, Nicaea?"

"I'd love to have a traditional District 4 wedding, but I'm sure it will incorporate parts of weddings from both our districts. I think we'd better move on though." I hide a giggle behind my hand. "Cato looks like he might be sick." He doesn't look normal anyway, there's a distant look in his eyes and it seems like all the blood's drained from his face.

"Not looking to the future much, Cato?"

He shakes his head and my brow furrows slightly. "All I know is that she's my future. As long as I have her, nothing else matters."

A cacophony of "aww"s follows his statement and I lean up to give him a quick kiss on the cheek that earns us another round.

"Aren't they just adorable, folks?"

The resounding yes that comes from the crowd leaves my ears ringing and I smile sweetly out at them.

"Sadly, it's time for them to go. They have a party with the President to attend!"

We all stand and I give Caesar a big hug after he twirls me around so that my dress gets a last once over by the citizens. I plant a quick kiss on his cheek and he waggles his eyebrows while I laugh. He and Cato shake hands, murmuring words I can't hear before laughing.

Cato grabs my hand and the two of us make our way offstage, him waving and smiling, me grinning and blowing kisses at the Citizens.

"All in all, a rather stellar performance, children."

I glance over to see Finnick leaned up against a wall, Brutus and Enobaria standing nearby with scowls in place and arms crossed over their chests.

"They were digging for a proposal though. It was-"

"It was your last shot in the limelight and you blew it!" Enobaria hisses, her eyes zeroed in on Cato. "We told you to propose and you didn't do it."

My eyes are wide and keep flicking from person to person. What?

"Timing wasn't right," Cato says gruffly, tugging a bewildered me down the hall to where another black car is waiting for us.