A.N: Timeline reminder Katniss is now 14, the 72nd Hunger Games just finished.

Chapter 24: Life of a Victor

"WELCOME PANEM!" Roared Caesar into his microphone waving diligently towards the crowd. His audience roared with approval. His gaze scanned across the audience soaking in the applause. Expertly he turned towards one of the cameras, the star waiting for this audience to calm. The stage lights immediately lit up swerving towards the host, show casing the man's brightly colored ensemble.

"Is everyone ready for tonight?" Caesar paused as the audience clapped. His eyes adjusted to the change of lighting. The man took a few steps towards the top of the stage, closer to the screaming audience.

"For those of who you who missed the announcement" He winked, " We have a special treat for all of you as Finnick Odair. That's right Finnick Odair has agreed to let our camera's inside his home in the ocean loving District Four."

The applause came louder this time, Caesar smiled brightly making excited facial gestures along with the audience. The neon hair colored man only continued once the sound had indeed died down.

"That's correct. What will we see I wonder? Perhaps we might even get a sneak peek at the lovely Miss. Everdeen?" The female audience screamed, both elated and dismayed that their favorite victor seemed to have been taken off the market.

"Now as much as you love me, let's get to why we are really here shall we?" Caesar bowed elegantly towards the crowd. The lights dimmed as the screen behind him began to light up.

The ocean could be heard as the screen showed nothing but deep blue with boats just barely in the background. The camera turned as Finnick Odair came onto the screen. Out in the audience screams of his name could be heard along with the sounds of shushing. The victor gave the camera a bright smile.

"Panem! Welcome to my humble abode" Finnick bowed with a playful smirk across his lips. As quickly as he bowed the man pulled himself up, "Where our trade of course is fishing. The ocean is lovely isn't?"

His bronze hair could be seen moving with the wind, as he motioned for the cameras to follow along. The victor talked to the audience telling them things that most cared little for, but because it was Finnick they listened attentively. The first stop was the districts Victor Village, showcasing the beautiful homes, where only three currently occupied. Finnick easily led them on a tour of his home. He showed them a majority of the house from the backyard that amazingly enough did overlook the sea being settled into a hill overlooking the beach. The bronze haired man then led crew through to the kitchens, the living room where photos were placed everywhere.

Photos were mainly of his family, Mags and Annie at first. Then came a crop of photos taken from District twelve, any of them were of Finnick with Katniss, then pictures of Haymitch, Madge, Gale and Peeta emerged from the Christmas gatherings that had come tradition. Finnick pointed out his favorite to the camera. It was a simple photo in the center was Mags, grinning wide with a simple birthday cake placed in front of her. On either side of her was Katniss and Annie. The first half of the short played out much like a typical capital commercial, the crowds were following along with much interest in anything Finnick pointed to in particular. He had them tour the marketplace, and the city hall where most were familiar with as the place District Fours reaping's took place.

It was when their favorite victor took them along the beaches, things started to take a different turn. The video special went on as what one would expect, he showed them some of the main staples of the district. What they knew the area of known for, the ocean and he showed them the marina where some of the boats were in fact stationed. Gone were the beautiful mansion sized homes, glimpses of adorable outings with fellow victors and what appeared to be a rather perfect life. What shocked audiences was just how run down most of the boats seemed. They were small, filled to the brim with nets all things not totally unexpected.

Panem still expected well more.

Finnick stopped at a dock, where a line of fishing boats tied up. He waved the camera closer, showing the camera a piece of large rope. His nimble fingers ran through the rope with ease. He showed them some of his favorite, easy to do knots.

"Just in case some of you wanted to know" He winked.

The female side of the audience giggled nervously as one, as the sexual innuendo hit home. Caesar raised an eyebrow as a smaller light hit his face to see his reaction, " Guess he know what side of the sash he is on huh ladies?"

"Hey, as much fun as this has been let's open this up a bit to some popular questions? As we tour my old hood?" Finnick suggested. Taking the camera crew down further towards worn down huts.

"I lived here with the rest of my family. My father was of course, a fisherman" Finnick regaled the audience as they were gifted with rundown huts and images of skeleton framed children running up to Finnick. The bronze haired victor grinned down at the children, offering them snacks from the bag he had with him. Women swooned seeing the attractive young man bending down to talk with the children. Each child was bone thin, dirt covered their bodies and clothes seemed to be worn to the threads.

He turned towards the camera one again, "Competition is fierce here, to provide as much fish as necessary for Panem. Most fisherman struggle to get by."

Whispers began to explode across the audience, Caesar could see many fidgeting in sudden self-consciousness. The film continued Finnick talking as if nothing was wrong while he showed the capital citizens the ugliest sites of his district. They saw everything. Nothing was safe from view, the more the citizens saw the more they whispered.

By the time Snow's order to shut it down finally reached the news anchor, the sneak peek into the Life of a Victor was rolling its credits.

XXX

Back in District 12 tucked safely into the arms of her family, Katniss watched as Caesar tried to appease the discontented crowd. Whispers could be heard amongst the audience, confusion clear in the undistinguishable voices. Katniss closed her eyes, the anxiety rolling around in her stomach finally calming.

They had made their move.

All they had to do was wait to see what havoc this would play with the other players in the game. Haymitch had warned her this could backfire spectacularly on her, as this would enrage Snow. Katniss counted on it, she needed him to be enraged. When the female victor did not react, her mentor cursed.

"You changed your mind didn't you? You want him to go off the rails" Haymitch accused.

"It helps that Snow is already an incredibly paranoid man, Finnick agrees."

"Bullshit he wants to keep you out of Snow's crosshairs for as long as possible."

"Sweetheart, what did you do?" Haymitch twitched as he felt a slow pounding coming on. A telltale of the headache this little human was capable of forcing upon him.

"I just told him that if he did not help me then I would be facing Snow's wrath all on my lonesome. Trust me he grilled me about that too. So did Johanna" Katniss admitted ignoring the older man's glee at someone else telling her off for a change.

The two starred at the screen in the Everdeen's living room as Caesar quickly signed off. Katniss leaned back, finally looking over at Haymitch who was muttering softly to himself.

"You are totally going to get yourself killed" He groaned. The brunette hummed softly neither denying that was Snow's end goal or not. It was hardly a fair game when Snow seemed to practically growl whenever she was in a room with him.

"Isn't Finnick coming here next week?"

Katniss sighed, "Yes. We finally get to enact the lovely couple act for your entertainment."

"If they are rooting for you then they can't root against your partner. And you my dear tend to make enemies."

"Finnick isn't any nicer than I am!" Katniss defended herself.

"Finnick is a grown up, you have yet to hit that growth spurt and make the adults uncomfortable with your stare" Haymitch deadpanned. Katniss crossed her arms, she knew she was rather small for her age, she never actually grew until she was closer to fifteen. She would be growing a lot this year; the victor was never so glad to know that soon she would at least be at her normal height again.

Haymitch continued, "Alright let us go over the plan one more time."

Grey eyes glared at the dark-haired drunk who chuckled, "We could always do this the bloody way?"

Katniss grumbled her response into her arms. The Abernathy was having none of that. He leaned over and asked sweetly, "What was that?"

"I let Finnick take me on a few dates" She hissed feeling extremely uncomfortable at the thought of needing to play to the crowd again. Admittedly she had gotten much better, the bitter taste never left her mouth.

XXX

Plutarch sat in his office overlooking the bright city lights of the capital. The Head Game maker Seneca Crane's face was on the screen above him. The man was discussing on tv a few changes that were being considered for the 73rd Hunger Games. Plutarch shook his head in despair as Cesar clearly played the sympathetic card, showing empathy towards a man whose job it was to find entertaining ways to kill children.

The District 13 spy pressed his fingers together looking on the screen with a thoughtful look. His president had denied the partnership with the rebellious victors because she did not see the timing to be correct. Rumors were spreading far and wide in the right crowds of how Finnick Odair did what no one else had been able to do, show the capital the real-life conditions of its districts. The citizens were in an uproar causing the current head of the games to bend over backwards trying to ensure the citizens that all was well. How the games were still necessary and will be better than ever.

"How interesting" He thought to himself leaning back against his chair. Turning off the screen, the man turned to look outside of his stainless window starring out into the bright lights of the city. Multiple possibilities entered Plutarch's mind, manipulating each scenario before tossing it aside for another. He tossed around idea after idea of how to get Coin exactly what she wanted while ensuring he could get this country onto the path towards freedom.

Sighing as it became clear that there was far too much undecided for Coin to make a positive move. The woman was hungry for revenge, that hunger leading to onto a path that sought power. She would not stop until she had the very job of the man who had taken everything from her. Plutarch couldn't help but wonder if he was simply working for what he viewed as the lesser of two evils? What was that saying he mused? War made strange bed fellows.

The white-haired man sighed, hearing the knock coming from the hall. What he did not expect he called for the person to enter was his secretary telling him that Haymitch Abernathy was waiting out in the office. He frowned all the victors had flocked towards their districts as soon as they were free to do so. Haymitch never stayed or went to the capital longer than absolutely necessary. Plutarch's thoughts went towards what he had just witnessed, the cheek of Finnick Odair then the proceeding rumors within the capital walls until Seneca Crane was pulled out to be the face of the people.

"Let him in Patricia."

Within moments Haymitch Abernathy was in his office leaving against the chair on the opposite side of the desk, lifting his feet placing them onto Plutarch's desk. Said man raised his eyebrows at his guest who only crossed his arms in silence.

"By all means, make yourself at home" Plutarch greeted thoroughly amused by the blatant disrespect the man was showing. Haymitch was never known to mince words, politics was this man's worst enemy.

"I thought you would like to know that soon Snow's entire game plan is going to be put into jeopardy. All by that measly little girl your boss has decided to dismiss" Haymitch came out bluntly. Not seeing any reason to go easy on the man. Both knew exactly why the victor made the blasted trip from District 12.

Plutarch's attention was caught, sitting up the man motioned quickly for the former to carry on. Haymitch smirked, "You should alert your president of the change of course."

"Haymitch what exactly am I reporting?"

Haymitch pulled his feet off the desk, Plutarch resisting the urge to clean the area the man's feet had just resided. The victor leaned forward his voice low, "I'd rather get chewed up by mutts than let you get a sneak peal. Katniss however wanted to give you forewarning. So here I am."

"Abernathy you haven't given me anything to go back with" Plutarch tried to reason only for the man to shake his head, " We can't do anything until we have the support in place. But I will tell you to keep an eye on the papers and the screen. I say some time around May."

XXX

The months passed since Haymitch's meeting with Plutarch. Quickly after the 72nd, life turned into a familiar routine where Katniss was either hunting, helping her family with their slowly built medical office. Mrs. Everdeen and Prim had become the resident physicians for the villager's and especially the miners when they came back injured. For the most part their guards left them alone, not seeing the point of disrupting this forbidden activity.

As far as the Peacekeepers were concerned the less people who died from accidents, the more hands they had to work the mines and keep those workers fed. Finnick was mostly kept away on engagements, a passive aggressive move as any the girl on fire had seen before. Johanna was kept busy, yet that did not mean the media had to look hard for gossip.

Haymitch with his evil genius tendency towards plots that revolved Katniss and fake relationships set it all into motion. First it was a trip to District Four, where the capital had recently sent materials to upgrade fishermen's boats. The masses were appeased for the moment. Katniss had arrived with much of the media covering the grand unveiling of District Four's brand-new equipment, only a handpicked crew sent by Haymitch had followed Katniss.

Cressida and her crew were refreshingly familiar to the victor. She had yet to shave off part of her head, keeping her hair long and in a ponytail with braids decorated in beads spread throughout. Along with Cressida came her crew of the avox Pollux and his brother and her assistant. It almost felt like home.

They filmed her as she slipped by the masses, finding Finnick Odair waiting for her the moment she had left the train area. Cressida tapped her arm signaling her crew to film the way Finnick bent down, slightly to pick up the younger woman spinning her around in the process.

"Finnick!" Katniss laughed as the victor spun her around a few more times. Cressida silently cooing in the background hissing at her crew to make sure they get it. When Cressida met Finnick's eye she gave him a playful wink and he laughed.

"Who is your friends Katniss?" Finnick pretended to whisper in her ear despite the camera being able to catch it all.

"Oh, I was inspired by you, Odair" The fourteen-year-old shrugged, taking the older man's hand into hers and dragging him with her.

"Now show you promised to show me your favorite spots" Katniss announced, more for the cameras than Finnick. The camera crew followed at a safe distance from the couple, making sure to get enough footage of their 'date' that will air throughout the entire country in a matter of days.

This time the capital was subjected to a much more beautiful view of District Four. Finnick showed Katniss his favorite food stands to eat. The forest raised girl most decidedly did not like the taste of fish.

"I don't like squirrel" Finnick shot back playfully. Cressida almost did a jig when Pollux signed that the camera did in fact catch that. Citizen all over laughed at seeing Katniss Everdeen throw a piece of fish at him.

"I told you that you were fish boy" She taunted, as Finnick steered her away from the stands along the shore.

XXX

After her date with Finnick, the camera crew followed her into District 7 to visit Johanna. They were greeted with a "What the hell took you so long" and the image of Johanna Mason dragging Katniss Everdeen into the lumber yard.

It was not until Johanna tossed an axe onto the ground next to Katniss did the fourteen-year-old reply "You want me to do what?"

Johanna sighed as she placed one hand on her hip and allowed one hand to wave towards the axe dramatically, "Well first you have to pick it up."

"Why do I have to pick it up?"

Johanna rolled her eyes, "We are going to show those capitalist citizens what it's like to do real manual labor that's what. No offense but you look like you could use some stress relief."

Katniss dead panned, "So your solution is to give me an axe?"

"You're not going to kill somebody!"

As if that was supposed to make anyone feel better? Katniss shrugged it off knowing that based on Johanna's logic it actually did. Looking down at the axe, the district twelve victor sized up the weapon. Johanna had chosen well, based on the look it was the perfect size for her current height. The main issue is that Katniss was strong, but her strength lay in control and steadiness not muscle. Using both of her hands, just to be safe, she lifted the axe with a little more than a huff.

Pollux clapped his hands, as Cressida and her assistant refocused the cameras to frame both Johanna and Katniss. Johanna came up behind Katniss, her voice soft and steady ensuring both girl's battle instincts would not kick in. Katniss refused to think about how badly that fight would go. Katniss allowed the other girl to fix her grip on the weapon.

"Better, now I want to see how you hit that log over there" Johanna pointed to a couple of logs that were placed in a long line.

"What am I free labor?"

Johanna snorted, "Yes so get to it!"

Johanna suddenly felt glad that Katniss considered her a friend once the girl sliced the axe into the wood making a deep cut. For someone who had never used an axe before the girl sure did a strong swing.