"Do I dare disturb the universe?"

~T.S. Eliot, The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock

In the morning we get off the train early enough that the sun hasn't had the chance to warm up the air and goosebumps rise on my skin.

Karina takes Jillian and Ivan up to where Lucille and the other stylist will get them ready for the parade. I'm sure they'll be dressed like trees like every year. I would've thought people so dedicated to fashion would be more creative.

I have to swallow the urge to scream as the atmosphere of the training center falls around me. What I would give to stay anywhere else but here. I trail behind Derek towards the elevator that will take us up to our floor when I hear someone walking quickly behind me. I hardly have to turn my head to see Finnick following after us, his characteristic grin already in place. I open my mouth to greet him but he pulls me into a bone crushing hug. Surprise makes my breath catch in my throat, but I find myself hugging him back.

"I need to talk to you" he whispers so quietly I can hardly hear him. "It's important."

I push back from him and look at his face. He looks much the same, as pretty and arrogant as ever but I can see something shining in his eyes that makes my chest flutter. "Yeah, sure" I murmur, turning to follow him and Derek into the elevator.

Derek doesn't look at me or Finnick as we ride up and up; he just stares forward like he's suddenly angry at Finnick's appearance. I can't deny that I'm curious. Did something happen to Annie? Is it something with his tributes? With mine? My mind increasingly races faster, each idea coming up even more gut wrenching than the one before. Finally, the door slides open on my floor and Finnick all but drags me down the hall into my room. I'm ready to question him, but I'm left with my mouth open as he walks briskly into my bathroom, beckoning me in with a wave as he reaches in and turns on the shower.

He grins at me, apparently amused by my confusion. He wants to shower? "Trust me" he says almost too quietly for me to hear.

"What?" I ask. My hands twitch nervously. "Finnick I don't-" I try to protest but he cuts me off.

"Jo" he sighs, using my apparent new pet name. "Please."

"I-" I begin but something in his faces makes me hesitate. All of his humor and general giddiness are gone and he's looking at me intensely. There's something in his expression that makes me shudder. The last time I saw a look like that was in the Games, right when Hubert thought he was going to kill me… It's less sinister but I can feel the threat – not towards me necessarily, but in general. I nod curtly, curiosity getting the best of me.

Before stepping in, however, Finnick peels off his shirt, giving me a look like I should do the same. "Finnick" I say, once again apprehensive. "No offense, but we're not having sex."

He laughs, shaking his head. "No, we definitely aren't. Keep your clothes on for all I care."

I stand there open mouthed as he continues his process of stripping. He's entirely naked before he sticks his arm in the shower, the rest of him following afterwards. He looks at me through the glass, beaming as he jerks his head for me to follow.

Letting out a long sigh combined with a frustrated groan, I nod. Feeling like an idiot, I pull my shirt over my head. Finnick whistles and I flash him my middle finger, which only makes him laugh harder. Still, I follow suit, depositing my clothes on the floor before giving Finnick one more apprehensive look.

He takes me by the arm and pulls me into the shower after him. The sudden urge to laugh overtakes me, making the corners of my lips pull up into a small smile. What the hell is going on? We're both in the shower, completely naked, Finnick smiling like a conspiratorial madman and I'm going along with it. Regardless, I face him, my eyebrows raised threateningly.

Once he's sure I'm not leaving, Finnick spins around lathering his hands with shampoo and running it through his hair. I raise an eyebrow at him, still having no idea what the hell is going on. He just smiles at me, looking like an excited toddler.

"Might as well take advantage of it" he says with a shrug. "Turn around" he says, reaching for more shampoo, "I'll do you."

I can't stop the laugh. "Will you now?"

He rolls his eyes, still smirking. "Jo, you dirty girl. Sorry to break it to you, but I'm spoken for." He makes a motion with his hand and, laughing, I turn around as he commands.

Behind me, Finnick begins the process of massaging shampoo into my hair. "You're not going to believe me" he starts, speaking quietly into my ear from behind. "But I need you to try, okay? I need you to listen to me. I'm not going to lie to you, I swear." He must sense the look on my face because he lets out a breath. "Promise me you'll let me tell you what I need to. Promise?"

I blink a few times, still wary myself. Is he crazy? Has he gone mad? I nod slowly, like someone would when listening to a toddler's made up story.

"You hate the Capitol" he says, his voice trembling with excitement. "You want to see Snow dead. The Games gone," he doesn't ask, he says. "There's a way to make that happen. We're trying to do it. We want your help; you could help us-"

He's talking so fast that it even takes him a minute to see me holding up my hand, stopping him. "Finnick" I snap, bringing him to silence. I shift awkwardly, turning slightly to look at him. "What the hell are you talking about?"

He shakes his head, seemingly frustrated by the question. "Rebellion, Jo" he finally gets out. "It's been happening for years. The Victors, District higher ups, even a few Capitol people, District 13. District 13." He pauses when I open my mouth to stop him again but he waves his hand. His hand comes down on my shoulder, making me turn back so he can repeat the process of running his fingers through my hair.

Before I can argue or question him anymore he plunges into a tale, one involving too many people and too many secrets. I wouldn't believe it if it weren't him, and if there wasn't the trembling excitement in his voice as he talks. He goes on about District 13 and the other Victors in particular, about the secrets they've uncovered and plans they've secured. It's overwhelming and rather hopeless but something in the way he talks makes me believe in him and makes me feel something I haven't felt in a long time. Hope.

"Okay, fine" I say, turning back to face him when he finally lets me go. "This sounds great, but what am I supposed to do about it?"

This is where Finnick hesitates. "Well, there's not much for people like you and me to do except gather information from… people." I make a face, clearly not understanding what he's trying to say. He breathes deeply, his gaze sympathetic. "No one suspects us of anything, Jo, especially not the rich Capitol fucks. We get into their homes, their offices, their phones… and we have everything."

My stomach knots but I keep my face still. "And how would I get into their homes?"

"You know how" he groans, grimacing at the thought himself. "If we have to do it, we might as well have a reason."