A/N: In which several more people arrive at the manor.

Purplestan: Thank you! I am really proud of Sil's character development. She's one of my favorite OCs. She's really fun to write :) And technically, Finnick does have a wedding ring back from the Capitol wedding before the rebellion. In my mind, he seems like the type of man who would still have it despite the nature of the marriage itself. I guess I never really thought to mention it in the chapters after that point, but I imagine that he does still wear it.

nox06: Yes, there will definitely be a bit of a cat and mouse thing going on for a bit! Neither Finnick or Sil are patient enough to keep it going for too long though. And there will be a lot of sexual tension in the coming chapters. I hope you don't mind smutty scenes because they will be happening!

Bharm: Lol, sorry! I was originally going to make him believe her, but he didn't want to play into the plot I had planned. Sil definitely tries and fails to stop Finnick in this chapter, so there's that. You're right of course - no one in their right mind would be able to deny Finnick lol.

remifoster1313: Protective Finnick is in this chapter! But yes, this arc will focus primarily on their relationship. Now that they're being more honest with each other about their feelings, they'll be able to move forward. Aurelian will be making a comeback very soon. As for her and Gemma's reunion, that will definitely be happening too which I'm really excited for.

PonyoButtersnaps: Lol. Sil was being a little ridiculous. Like I said above, I originally intended on making him believe her but I think I was getting too impatient as well ;)

Enjoy!


Chapter Fifty Three | That presses the depth of the ocean

"Perhaps her pride had sealed her mind against a better understanding of her own heart. But this she did know – that she meant to capture that obstinate heart back again. That she would conquer once more, and then, that she would never lose him, she would keep him, keep his love, deserve it, and cherish it." Emma Orczy, The Scarlet Pimpernel

The remainder of the Victors arrive soon after. Sil, in wake of her sudden run in with Finnick, avoids him as solidly as she can. He seems to have noticed, but to her frustration, it only seems to amuse him. It puts her even more on edge, though she tries her best to mask that, too. It's not so easy to do, once the announcement of the rest of the Victor's arrival comes in.

Her heart is near to beating right out of her chest as she stands at the top of the stairs beside Coin and Plutarch. Gale is on her other side, content, it seems, to watch the proceedings from above. It's strange that his presence brings her such comfort, considering the fact that they hardly know each other, but Sil is glad to have him beside her. He is like a silent, enduring strength that bolsters her as she watches the proceedings from her higher vantage point atop the stairs.

The other Victors – Katniss, Peeta, and Finnick – stand in the courtyard below them. She feels Finnick's gaze on her every now and then, though Sil keeps her eyes firmly away from his. She fears that her love for him will blind her, and that looking at him now will give the depth of her feelings away. Not that it matters all that much – it seems that nothing she does will convince him of her indifference. He truly does see right through her, and it startles her. She is not accustomed to him reading her so well.

The train they are all waiting for had arrived about ten minutes ago, shuttling the remaining Victors into the Capitol. They need only wait a short amount of time before several long black cars pull up to the Presidential manor, and the last members of their group arrive.

Standing from her higher perspective, Sil has a great view of the proceedings. She sees the form of Beetee being helped onto the cement first. It is the first time she's seen him since the Quarter Quell, and is surprised to see that he now needs a wheelchair, for she hadn't known the full extent of his injuries. As one of the soldiers helps him, Johanna Mason pushes herself out of the car. The brash Victor from 7 has been badly injured, both mentally and physically, during her time in the Capitol. That doesn't stop her from pushing the escort of soldiers aside with a roll of her eyes. Sil watches her lips move as she snaps something at Beetee, but the man doesn't appear all that offended. He just smiles in amusement and watches Johanna stomp off with smiling eyes.

Next comes Enobaria from District 2, who looks lethal even in her casual jeans and button down shirt. Her expression is blank and Sil isn't sure if she's happy to be here or not. District 2 is a loyal place full of Snow's supporters, but Victors are rarely so black and white. Enobaria might've spent the first half of her life supporting Snow, but Sil isn't naïve enough to believe that she still does.

Haymitch is next. He exits the car with the familiar sense of swag that he seems to use in all dealings. When he approaches Katniss, he claps the girl hard on the back and gives her his usual leering smile.

Peeta and Finnick, having arrived in the Capitol already, means that the only other Victor remaining is Annie Cresta. Sil is happy that the girl is alright. Though she doesn't know her well, Annie had made a good impression on her during her short stay in District 4, back when everything was…

Well. Back when life made complete sense, and yet no sense at all.

Sil is prepared to see Annie – excited, even. What she isn't prepared for is how Finnick greets her.

She's not sure she's ever seen him so happy. With a loud laugh, he rushes to Annie's side and sweeps her up into an embrace, spinning her around a few times. It makes Annie laugh, too, as she clings onto Finnick's shoulders and tips her head back. They make quite a sight in the courtyard, spinning and laughing in the lightly falling snow. Such a sight that Sil is left with a conflicting mixture of emotion, ranging from happiness to confusion.

At her side, Coin steps forward and raises her hands in greeting. "Welcome, to the seat of our victory! Please come inside – we have rooms prepared and a meal ready after your long trip."

The Victors' attention turns to them, and Sil suddenly feels like a ghost floating just above reality. Her skin itches at the attention. She wishes she was anywhere but here, beneath the stares of the people she had never truly fit in with.

As the group approaches, Johanna catches her eye and raises an eyebrow. She nods at Sil and drawls, "What the hell happened to you? Heard you were stuck in Snow's dungeons for a few days."

As if in a dream, Sil stares at Johanna for a long moment. The other stare at Sil. She knows she's being strangely silent and that it isn't normal, but the words just get stuck in her throat. She suddenly thinks it's hilarious that Johanna, of all people, would seem concerned about her.

Keeping her eyes locked onto Johanna's so that she doesn't have to look at the way Finnick's arm is thrown warmly over Annie's shoulders, Sil slowly smiles and demurely says, "I'm quite sure you wouldn't want to hear it."

She feels odd. Faint. She swallows thickly as Johanna raises a questioning eyebrow and snorts, "Well at least you don't sound nearly as annoying as before. Your voice made me want to puke."

The honesty makes Sil snicker. She narrows her eyes at Johanna playfully and amps up her posh District 1 accent just for her benefit, "Dear me! I certainly hope not! These shoes are limited edition, darling." Then, theatrically, she flashes Johanna one of her famous too-wide smiles, the kind that tends to blind whoever is at the receiving end of it.

Johanna stares at her for a second, looking like she's hedging between the desire to shove her or just walk away. Her final decision is to just roll her eyes with a disgusted grunt and mutter, "It's still fucking annoying."

Sil laughs and glances down at the rest of them, carefully avoiding Finnick's eyes. He's staring at her again, but she's too tired to figure him out. And embarrassed. Actually, she has quite a lot of feelings about him at the moment, so much so that she feels as if she is spinning in circles in the face of it all.

Settling her eyes on Annie, Sil carefully hides her discomfort and genuinely says, "I'm glad you're alright, Annie."

The girl from District 4 beams at her with a friendliness that makes Sil's throat close up. No one ever looks at her like that. It's staggering, especially with the current awkwardness she feels towards the man at Annie's side.

But Annie doesn't appear to even notice the atmosphere, for she just reaches out to touch Sil's shoulder and says, "It's good that you're safe, too."

Sil gives her a small smile, but she can't help but glance down at Finnick's arm, which is still looped around Annie's shoulders. She doesn't look at him directly, but she can tell that he's looking at her. What does he see, she wonders?

In this moment, she thinks she's better off not knowing, but the frantic beating of her heart says otherwise. It always does, around him.

Sil glances up at Annie and gestures to the manor with a wave of her hand. "Shall we go inside? It's a bit stifling, really, but Plutarch has given me permission to redecorate at the first possibility." She beams at Annie, falling quickly back into her alter ego – a far more comfortable mask, at the moment – and trills, "The furnishings are so outdated, darling. It will make you gasp in horror, I'm sure."

At her side, Gale rolls his eyes and prods Sil forward, careful to avoid her back. She lets him, not arguing because, to be honest, she'd much prefer getting away from Finnick's knowing eyes. With a simpering smirk, Sil glances over at Gale and drawls, "Gale agrees with me, don't you darling?"

The stoic man just snorts and mutters, "Please shut up, Sil."

She snickers, not deeming to respond to him. Instead she just ducks inside quickly, keeping herself ahead of the group so that she doesn't have to look at Finnick. Gracious, she feels so awkward around him all of the sudden! It's a terrible feeling.

She doesn't get very far, though, before Haymitch reaches her side and throws a heavy arm around her back as he drawls, "You're just the same as I remember, sweetheart. And by that, I mean you're insane and slightly annoying."

Normally, Sil might have graced him with a response, but his sudden and heavy touch only makes her gasp – and that's when her pretenses, every last one of them, fall away as she stiffens and crumples a little bit.

Her wounds have scabbed over very nicely from the medical grade ointment the doctors have been reapplying every day, but that doesn't mean her back isn't still tender. The friendly slap Haymitch delivers to it makes a few of them reopen, and unfortunately, the white shirt she's wearing doesn't do much to hide the blood that begins to seep through her bandages. Because she's standing in front of the group, it's rather difficult to hide.

"Sil?" Haymitch asks, looking a bit confused as he watches her face crease with pain. Gale grips her upper arm and helps her straighten up before she falls, holding her securely as she struggles to regain her composure. She does, after a few moments, but unfortunately, it is lost to the rest of them.

"Your back…" Finnick's voice quietly breaks the silence. He reaches her side quickly, putting a hand on her shoulder and staring at the blood stains with eyes that are far too serious for a man like him. Sil, waving everyone away, laughs as if her injuries are no big deal – they surely won't stop her from her latest mission, in any case.

"It's nothing to worry about, darling," is all she says once she's sure the pain won't seep into her voice. She glances quickly at Finnick's expression and shrugs as she straightens her shirt. "I'm perfectly fine."

Her nonchalance makes him frown. "Who did this to you?" he demands, and suddenly Dorsey's words from before tumbles through her mind.

Finnick really is protective of her. She suddenly wishes he wasn't. It would be so much easier if he was indifferent to her plight.

She opens her mouth to tell him to stop worrying, but Gale cuts in and says, "That Felix fellow. Snow's right-hand man. We found her in the cells with her back torn open. She could barely move." At once, Sil glares at him with annoyance, but Gale only raises his eyebrow at her and says, "What? It's the truth."

Wrinkling her nose at him, she mutters, "I could move just fine, thank you very much. As if Felix would ever stop me."

Around them, Coin and Plutarch don't linger to be a part of this conversation. Plutarch catches Sil's eye as he passes, though, giving her a little nod. She glowers back.

The other Victors, unfortunately, stay right where they are, though Katniss is the only one who looks unsurprised. She'd seen Sil's back up close, after all, and had watched her these past few days as she began to heal from the vicious injury.

Gale gives Sil a look of exasperation and reminds her, "I had to carry you up three flights of stairs. And," he adds, much to her annoyance, "I've been lashed before too. I'm well aware how painful it is."

More than a little frustrated, especially with Finnick looking at her with such concern, Sil turns to Gale and says, "Do shut up, Hawthorne. You seem to forget that the Capitol has much more advanced medicine than you did in District 12. I'm already feeling much better." She pauses, and grinds out, "Now if you'll excuse me, I have things to do."

She pushes herself out of Gale's grip and starts down the hall, intent on making a quick exit, but naturally Finnick gets in her way. He quickly catches up to her, though he doesn't stop her progress as she leaves the rest of the Victors behind.

"Finnick, it's really not as bad as it looks," she insists, expecting to hear more concern spout from him the first chance he gets. But – to her shock – Finnick just gently grips her arm once they turn the corner and draws her to a halt. She rolls her eyes and turns to him to tell him to stop his incessant worrying, but he merely cups her face in his hands and presses his forehead against hers.

The embrace is so unexpected that Sil can only stare at him with wide eyes, turning to stone beneath his hands. She's completely unsure what to do, especially when Finnick furiously whispers, "I'm going to kill that man."

She stares at him in shock, stunned yet again.

He quips a smile at her and quietly muses, "You know, I like the sight of you speechless." He trails a thumb against the corner of her mouth, which is slightly parted in her surprise, and Sil snaps her jaw closed. Her lips tingle as she remembers how he'd kissed her upon his arrival to the mansion. The way his eyes blaze down at her now makes Sil think he's remembering it, too.

Feeling rather removed, as if she is a ghost drifting away from her own body, Sil murmurs, "I'm glad I amuse you."

He chuckles a bit and shakes his head, forehead still pressed against hers. "You might have amused me, once, but now you just make me crazy."

She raises an imperious eyebrow and wonders, "Is that a good thing?"

Pursing his mouth, he responds swiftly, "I think it is."

She stares at him, unsure what to say, unsure if she should listen to her heart as it screams at her to lean closer. She battles with her desires for a few moments. Finnick watches with a knowing gleam in his eye, as if he is well aware of her struggle. He seems to be aware of her decision, too, once she reaches it, for he doesn't stop her from gently pulling away.

"I'm sure Annie is waiting for you," she tells him, smoothing out her features and straightening her collar just to give her hands something to do. The sudden topic change seems to surprise Finnick – for a moment or two, anyway, until his eyes crease with an emotion she's used to seeing on his face: amusement.

He laughs, crosses his arms, and drawls, "Are you jealous?"

The question makes her look at him quickly, unsure how to respond. He looks like he wants to burst out into laughter. It unsettles her. This man…he drives her crazy too, but not always in a good way.

With a scoff, she steps back and snaps, "What a thing to say! As if I'd ever be jeal – "

His lips cut her off for the second time that day and he lurches forward. She flounders against his abrupt kiss, the rest of her words muffled as he devours the remainder of her sentence, hands flying to cup her face and tangle his fingers into her hair. And – she can't help it, she really can't. Not when he's kissing her like this, with such fire! She is utterly powerless against him. It doesn't even matter that she's been trying to push him away since he got here. None of it matters.

With a sigh, she melts into his kiss, lips moving with his and matching his movements completely. She grapples her fingers into his shirt, clinging to him as their chests press against one another and their mouths move wildly, inelegantly, in alignment with the beating of their hearts.

Her response to him only makes Finnick tug her closer, carefully scooping her against him as his hands linger on her shoulders. He avoids her back, cognizant even now of her injuries, but it hardly stops him from kissing the daylights out of her, and – it hardly stops her from kissing him back just as earnestly.

It takes her far too long to remember herself when he's kissing her like this. When she does, it doesn't seem to matter, because Finnick's eyes are gleaming when she gasps and pulls away yet again. He doesn't appear to be bothered by her sudden jolt away from him. In fact, his expression drops into something resembling awe-inspired mirth, as though he is partially enraptured by her response to his kiss and partially amused at her attempts to refuse him.

"Finnick – " she starts, but he just smirks and presses a swift kiss to her mouth to shut her up.

When he pulls away after only a brief second, he chuckles, "You can deny your feelings all you want, Sil, but after that kiss…" he pauses, eyes softening as he smooths a hand over her white-blonde hair and murmurs, "I don't know why you're doing this, but no one can fake a kiss like that."

She glowers and pulls away, clearing her throat awkwardly because she knows he's right. Still, she doesn't verbally give in. She's not sure why, especially when all she wants to do is drag him back to kiss him all over again.

"…You're incorrigible – "

"I love you," is all he returns with. It shuts her up pretty fast, and makes her turn to stare at him with eyes wider than he's ever seen them. His mouth twists up at the sight of her shocked expression. Chuckling, he shrugs, "Just because you refuse to say it doesn't mean I won't. I love you, Sil. And I know you love me back. What I don't understand is why you're trying so hard to pretend otherwise. Don't you think we should just be honest with each other by now?"

She fumbles at the question. Lately, she's been doing that quite a lot.

"…There are things…" she murmurs hesitantly, unwilling to broach the subject in too much detail lest it get in the way of the freedom she needs in order to enact her plans. "…Things I must do, before this is over. I don't yet have that luxury."

She catches his eye with a serious look that puts a thoughtful expression on his face. Neither of them misses the wording of her sentence. The way she hints that, one day, she will be able to be honest as him. Just not today.

He sighs out but doesn't look too upset with her. His eyes are hopeful and open when he tells her, "Okay. I understand."

The surprise that shoots through her gaze isn't overlooked, and Finnick chuckles, "What? I do. You're the Sterling Nightingale. Can you just promise me one thing?"

She's hesitant to say yes, so all she does is nod slowly, looking up at him with a questioning expression. He reaches for her hand and tangles their fingers together.

"…Once you're finished with whatever it is you're doing," he murmurs, "come to me. I'm tired of pretending I don't want you, Sil. I want every single part of you."

His eyes flash at her, and Sil feels the burn of desire smolder through her at the look on his face. She tightens her fingers around his without thought, heart hammering in her chest in response to his words. It takes such effort not to throw herself into his arms – far more effort than she would have ever imagined.

Her mouth upturns into the barest hint of a smile, and, eyes gleaming with unspoken emotion, Sil breathes, "You wouldn't be able to keep me away even if you tried, Finnick Odair."

The cadence of her voice, the expressive way her eyes linger on his – she could have very well told him she loves him, for all the affection pouring from her gaze. He knows it, and he smiles, his own heart beating just as quickly as hers, and in perfect alignment.

He opens his mouth to say something, though in truth he isn't sure what words he means to use, but someone's voice cuts in.

"Sil! I've been looking everywhere for you."

The familiar voice that Sil has been waiting to hear all day makes her abruptly turn, and at once, she becomes the Sterling Nightingale – eyes hard, body straight – transforming before Finnick's eyes so absolutely that he can only stare and wonder yet again how he had missed the colossal secret of her true identity all this time.

"Tommy," Sil greets, glancing down at the satchel he's got slung over one shoulder. She knows all too well what garments lay within the fabric casing, and she knows how they will be used.

She glances over at Finnick one last time, squeezing his hand again before dropping it from her grasp and moving to Tommy's side. Finnick just stands there watching as she grasps the man's shoulder and directs him down the hall, voice quiet as she inquires into something he cannot hear at this distance.

What plan is brewing in that brilliant mind of hers? What necessity of purpose keeps her from admitting her love for him with the same boldness with which she had summoned back in the streets of the Capitol?

He is not sure, but he will get to the bottom of this, because there is something in the atmosphere that gives him pause. Something dark and dangerous. Something that he means to protect this woman from even if she doesn't need his help.

Love is a strange creature. It buffets you, sweeps you up into its embrace, asks for nothing and everything at the same time. It frightens him and strengthens him simultaneously, battering him with waves of desire that leaves him speechless, yet fills him with such passion that he hardly knows what to do in the face of it.


"Two Factory uniforms, as requested," Tommy says, dropping his satchel onto her bed the moment they enter Sil's borrowed room. She shuts the door quickly and turns to peruse the contents of the bag with a measured expression. There are, indeed, two uniforms waiting for her. The crisp cotton fabric is soft to the touch, and the ID patches sewn into the disguises will only further pass them as Factory workers. She only hopes the disguise will hold once they reach their destination.

"Good," she says, glancing up at her partner and friend with a twist of her mouth. "I assume the soldiers checked your bag before letting you inside?"

Tommy nods and sits down on her bed with a stretch. "Yeah. They didn't realize what they were, though. It helps that they've never been to District 1 before." He shrugs and adds, "I told them it was just a change of clothes and nothing more. They didn't question me."

Sil hums. He catches her eye and asks, "What's the plan? I assume this is about the riots."

She nods slowly. "You know my father is there. I have to get him out before it's too late. Coin refuses to send soldiers in to help, so I'm afraid this is a solo mission. The other agents are on their way to 1 as we speak."

Tommy frowns at her, "She refuses to send soldiers? Doesn't she know how bad the riots are? It's all over the news."

His question makes her pause, unsure how to respond when she doesn't know the full story behind Coin's decision. All she knows is that there is something glimmering beneath the surface of Coin's persona that makes Sil uneasy. She explains this carefully, in halting words. Tommy absorbs the information with keen interest, watching her expression closely. He's never officially met President Alma Coin from District 13, though he's been part of her cause for nearly as long as Sil. Born and bred in the Capitol, Tommy is what one might call an 'at-home rebel'. At least, that's what Sil likes to call him when she's feeling playful. She doesn't feel very playful now, though.

"I understand Coin's decision. The Capitol is a tattered mess, but the riots in 1 and 2 are far more concerning. I don't think she understands the gravity of loyalty those people have towards Snow," Sil tells him as she empties the satchel. Along with the Factory uniforms, he had also brought some of her make-up and hair dye. She lays it out on the mattress with a contemplative expression.

Tommy shrugs and says, "She's a fool for overlooking this, then." She glances at him with a raised eyebrow and he laughs, "What? I'm a rebel through and through but that doesn't mean I'm completely loyal to Coin. After everything we've been through, you're the one who holds my loyalty."

His words make her smile. She sighs and sits beside him, murmuring, "Does that mean you'll be accompanying me to District 1?"

He smirks at her and nudges her arm, "Hell yeah. When are we leaving?"

"…Tomorrow night. Under the cover of darkness. Coin will be meeting with the Victors the day after that for some kind of vote – she won't tell me what it's about, but we need to be gone by then."

Tommy nods. "Alright. Are you sure you'll be okay to do this, though? With your back." The look she sends him make him raise his hands up in surrender, "Dorsey mentioned it, is all. This isn't gonna be a walk in the park and you need to be in good condition if we're going to do this successfully."

Sil sighs. "Despite the circumstances, I'll be alright. I'll go down and get new bandages soon."

He doesn't argue, which she's grateful for. Even if she was in a worse condition, she'd still go. Her father is trapped in District 1, and who knows whether or not he's safe? If Coin won't help her save him, then she will do it herself – consequences be damned. She hasn't dedicated the last seven years of her life to bring that woman to power. Her true motivation lies in bringing an to end the corruption and to free Panem of the brutality of Snow's clutches. She owes her allegiance to no one.

Turning to Tommy, she murmurs, "Listen, keep Dorsey out of this okay? The less people know, the better."

The order surprises him. The three of them have been operating together in the Capitol for as long as he can remember. They rarely keep anything of this caliber from each other when it concerns Nightingale business.

"…Are you sure?" he asks. Sil runs a hand through her hair and sighs.

"I'm not sure of anything, anymore," she grumbles, "but if Coin catches wind of this, it's over before it begins. Can I trust you, Tommy?"

He looks at her, catching her eye, and sends her a dashing grin. "Always, Sil."

They smile at each other. Her smile drops away, though, when he suddenly and very slyly wonders, "So…you and Odair seemed pretty cozy in that hallway."

To her frustration, she feels herself immediately blush. It is a sight that is very rare on her face, and Tommy stares at it with a humored expression. He chuckles. She just pushes him.

"That's none of your business!" she responds, sounding perfectly horrified, and his chuckle turns into a full-blown laugh. She glowers at him and stands up, shucking the Factory uniforms carefully out of sight before muttering, "Gracious…"

Tommy smirks, then turns towards her and suddenly says, "I nearly forgot – there was someone asking for you when I walked in. Were you expecting anyone else?"

Sil just glances over at him and frowns, "No."

Tommy hums, then narrows his eyes at her and mumbles, "She looked kinda like you, now that I think of it. Anyhow, you should probably go down to the medical tents to check your back. I'm gonna go find a place to sleep for a while."

With that, he takes his leave without another word, and doesn't even notice the way Sil's face has frozen with surprise. She stares at the door silently, hands still full of the Factory uniforms, and doesn't move an inch. Her mind, however…

Suddenly, she has a very strong feeling that she knows who this person is, who had been asking for her when Tommy had arrived.

Quite suddenly, the mission that she has been so entrenched in for the last few days seems to slip from her mind entirely. The uniform falls from her hands. Before it even hits the floor, Sil is stepping forward to throw the door open and make her way down the hall.