Adam was homesick, and he had a nauseated feeling in the pit of his stomach. The career girl from four had been gone a while, and beads of sweat began to form as he counted the long minutes. Abigail wasn't sitting beside, she had pretty much ignored him for the last two days.

Marie, the girl from nine, actually was the closest one to him. He was kind of glad she had helped him out a bit in training, but wasn't sure he could trust her. The only other tribute he thought might work with him was the guy from 12. Only because he had helped him out with traps.

Marie spoke, jarring him from his thoughts, "You're going to be ok, no one expects you to get some macho score."

"I know," he whispered, "I just want to try and not disappoint my little girl."

Her eyes widened, "You have a daughter?"

"Yeah," he managed, "I kind of didn't want to be a dad, but I couldn't say no. So my girlfriend and I, well she got pregnant. I don't guess I'll ever see them again, but I don't want her to know me as a complete failure."

Abigail laughed, "Getting reaped is a complete failure."

He stiffened, he hadn't known Abigail was listening. She rolled her eyes at his reaction, "You should have told our mentor about your kid. Not that I would have given you any more sympathy."

Marie spoke loudly, "Just cause you're a piece of damaged goods, doesn't mean you get to tear him up like this."

Abigail's eyes widened, "Oh, when did you get so wise?"

"No one with a loving family would be so calloused." Marie stood, "But I don't really want to argue with you, I just don't think you should pick on this guy like you're doing."

Adam was glad his name was called just then, his worry over the sessions cast aside. He was more afraid of the girl's argument, though he was incredibly grateful to Marie. "Thanks," he nodded her way as he strode out, trying to put his partner's words out of his mind.

Hadrian tried to keep up with the next set of tributes. The guy was pretty unremarkable, messing around at plant identification, and playing with traps. He did start a fire, which Andre said was a great asset for anyone. Though he wasn't sure how sarcastic the statement was meant to be.

The girl was fierce, bludgeoning everything in sight with this weird hammer. "What is she working with?" He asked aloud, forgetting his effort to not sound ignorant.

"That, my dear boy, is a Horseman's pick."

"Actors are so naïve," a voice spoke behind him, making Hadrian flush. He was glad the girl stopped, providing a distraction from his plight. She made her way over to plants, showing off her knowledge of that station. Hadrian could tell they were impressed by her skills, even though she seemed to struggle through the obstacle course. And he suddenly desired to ask her why, she seemed pretty fit and agile.

Stella watched Herman stumble through the doors, he was so nervous, it made her want to laugh. He had even announced that the inquisition was better than this. Not that she or anyone else had ever heard of the inquisition. She glanced at the pocket mirror she held, making sure her makeup was perfect. Matt still hung around, and she was starting to warm up to him. At least Taylor wasn't butting in, in fact she was trying to seduce that kid from 10, Philadelphia. Which reminded her, that she really wanted to talk to him. He was just too nice, he had to have something up his sleeve. No sane person would have hung out the last two days with all the little kids, he was constantly with some bloodbath, handing out advice, and being super friendly. It just didn't add up.

"So what's the plan?" Matt asked her.

"The plan?" she dipped her head slightly, "Do you have a plan, I mean, how do we get together tonight?"

"You serious? That's awesome, I can't wait. But I was actually asking about your session, I mean, they won't award you just cause you're such a looker."

Stella grinned, "I don't know? I mean I could just go skinny dipping in the training pool."

Matt's eyes widened, "Why didn't you do that when I was around?"

The PA system spoke, "Stella Tracks."

"Answer you later," she grinned wickedly, "I have an important meeting."

By the time the Gamemakers sent Herman Rail out, Hadrian was on his second glass of wine. He had never imagined the pain of watching these weak little kids pathetically attempt to perform, he wished he could leave. But he didn't want to disappoint Gemini, or look like a feeble fool in front of this group. It was just so hard that from the last three tributes, only Abigail seemed to have any chance.

Stella walked in, picking up two chairs, and dragging them in front of the Gamemakers. "Hello," she called up to them, "I know one of you must be feeling awfully lonely, I thought I could chat with one of you."

Lafayette spoke down to her, "You are quite serious?"

"Of course, I don't want to waste your time. But I can find out anything, from anyone."

Gemini was intrigued, she spoke in an undertone to Thrope, "Send in Hadrian, he's not a Gamemaker, it's not illegal." She grabbed Hadrian sleeve, whispering for him to walk down there.

Hadrian nearly spit out his drink, "What, no, no, no, no, I can't do that." What had the girl said to make them send in him? He scowled at Andre for distracting him with his jokes. Yes, he had wanted to forget about Herman's meager chances, but now look what had happened to him.

Several around him chuckled, and Gemini turned, facing him fully, her blue eyes pleading, "Come on Hadrian, It'll be fun. Give it a try."

He stared at the alluring Gemini, cutting his gaze to the waiting Stella. For some reason he felt like a trapped dog. He reluctantly headed down the back stairs, entering the room, and sitting in the chair beside the teenager.

"I'm Stella, It's great to meet you."

His eyes drifted to the Gamemaker, it was weird to be looked down on like this, "Yeah, I guess so. You might know that I'm Hadrian."

"The famous singer?"

"That's what they say." He crossed his arms, suddenly embarrassed by the façade he was playing.

"You don't like being a singer," he barely heard the words, hardly registering it as question, but attempted an answer, "I don't know, I mean the fame is terrible."

"Oh, I'm so sorry," She rubbed his back, and he began to relax. "But at least, I mean, you must love music."

"No," he laughed, speaking without thinking, "I never even knew about it,"

"Never? How did you start singing?"

Hadrian grew exasperated, "Look, I'm no, I'm just," he fumbled for words, before crumpling, head in his hands. Why had Augustus punished him like this?

"You've never sung?" The girl's voice was filled with surprise.

He looked back at her, feeling bad for lying, "I just worked in broadcasting, it was a spur of the moment tale, just enough to work out for me to help my boss."

"Oh, I kind of am disappointed, but I'm also kind of glad."

He was confused, "You're glad?"

"Yeah, a guy like, I thought you would have lots of girlfriends, and I have like this super big crush on you."

Hadrian felt his mouth grow dry, he temporarily forgot about his audience, "Seriously? I've never had a girlfriend, it's kind of funny that you like me."

Stella faced him completely, "You've never had a girlfriend? But you're so cute!"

He flushed, "I work a lot of long hours, and before I started this, I wasn't that popular. I was a nobody."

"You'll never be a nobody again." Stella spoke, touching his shoulder gently.

"That's for sure," A Gamemaker called out, snapping Hadrian to his feet.

"Did you hear that?" He yelled louder than he'd ever done in his life.

The Gamemakers exploded in laughter, and Hadrian glanced down at the girl. She was smirking, almost apologetically. It was all he could do not to slap her.