~Haymitch~

Brutus and I were sitting in the Lounge car talking about the rest of the tour when Cato burst through the door. He looked worried and his hair was a mess. He and Katniss must have had an argument because it had been hours since she burst through here herself, walking briskly through the car and into the next.

"What is wrong boy?" I asked him, getting annoyed at his constant pacing.

"Katniss and I fought, about something so stupid. She left and I haven't seen her since." he said, finally sitting down on the couch across from the chairs Brutus and I were sitting in.

"What did you fight about?" Brutus asked him.

"Our future, talked about marriage and if President Snow would make us do it or not. She said that she isn't ready to get married at our age and I said that if Snow makes us do it then we don't have a choice."

"That was your first mistake." I informed him and he looked at me confused.

"What was?"

"She grew up her entire life not wanting to get married. After what happened with her father dying and her mother being as out of it as she was. She wouldn't let herself love or be loved romantically." I explained to him and he just sat there listening to me.

"Why do you think she didn't like you so much when you two first met?" Brutus questioned him.

"So what do I do now?"

"Well why did she leave?" I asked.

"When I said that we wouldn't have a choice if Snow made us get married, she asked if I would try to fight for her so we wouldn't have to right away. I was quiet for a little too long and she left."

"Why were you so quiet?" Brutus asked him and Cato sighed.

"I was trying to find the right way to tell her that if we don't do what Snow says he could kill everybody she and I care about, that he wouldn't care about what he did as long as we get married. I didn't want to be so blunt about it."

"Look, you may not know this but I do, right now with Sweetheart as mad as she is, the best you can do is just leave her alone. Okay? She's somewhere on the train, now just let her cool off and come back to you."

"And if she got off the train before it started to move?" he asked, being a smart ass.

"Now it's time to go look." Brutus said before getting up and leaving the car.

~Brutus~

I got up and left the Lounge car. I knew exactly where Spitfire would be, it's where she went the last time she got upset on the tour. The Look-Out car. I looked through the window of the door and saw her curled up on the floor in a ball. I opened the door as quietly as I could and walked over to her. Sighing, I separated her arms and legs so I could pick her up and carry her through the train. She stirred in her sleep as I walked but fell back asleep and curled herself into me. When I got back into the Lounge car, Cato was still sitting there with Haymitch. He picked his head up from his hands and stood up when he saw Spitfire in my arms. He reached out to take her from me but I pulled back.

"Maybe you should sleep in your own room tonight." I warned him.

"Where was she?" he asked.

"The same place she was the last time she got mad on a tour, and you found her."

"The Look-Out car."

"Yep. Curled up into a ball on the floor." he nodded and stepped out of the way for me to walk to her room to put her to bed.

"Wait!" he called and he came up to her head, kissing it lightly. "I love you." he whispered and Haymitch stepped in.

"Alright boy, get to bed." Cato gave Haymitch the "yes dad" look before giving a longing glance at Spitfire. When Haymitch took a threatening step towards Cato, the boy retreated back into his room, shutting it lightly. Haymitch came and opened the door to Spitfire's room for me and I brushed past him to tuck her into bed. I pulled the blankets up to her chin as I felt her shiver, but when she felt no warmth from anybody around her she started to toss and turn so I took a pillow and tuck it under her arm for something to hold on to. When she grabbed a hold of it she stopped squirming and settled into her bed. I walked out of her room and saw Haymitch waiting on the couch.

"Is she okay?"

"Yeah, tossed and turned for a bit. But I think that's because she's used to Cato being there."

"So how did you get her to calm down?" he asked.

"Just tucked a pillow in with her for something to hold."

"I've never seen her this upset before." Haymitch observed.

"I have, back at the academy." I replied, taking a seat in a chair across from him.

"What was the cause?"

"Cato." I replied and he just nodded in response.

~Cato~

Me and my big mouth. I just had to say something stupid that would make her upset. If Snow makes us get married, we won't have a choice. Simple as that. If I could fight for her freedom I would, but Snow would kill everybody we care about. Katniss has enough trouble after being out of the Games, but when it come to her friends and her family, she wouldn't let them die like that, if at all. When she walked out on me, I was trying to figure out how to say that to her without being so blunt. But she took my silence the wrong way and left. I knew that marriage would be a touchy subject for her because she never wanted to get married.

It was the middle of the night and I couldn't sleep a wink. All I could think about was how Katniss was doing. This was the first time we had slept alone in a long time and I don't even want to think about what dreams are going through her head. But my thoughts were halted when I heard a ear piercing scream, coming from her room. Quick as lightening, I went to her room and shoved the door open to find her thrashing in her bed, pillows all over the floor, and her legs tangled in the sheets. This was the worst nightmare I've ever seen her have. I ran to her side and gently shook her awake, calling her name over and over until her eyes sprang open and her arms threw themselves around me for support.

"It's okay. It's okay. You're safe." I gasped as I held her tight, stroking her hair. When she started crying I held her tighter to me and rocked her back and forth. "You're safe. Shh. It's okay I've got you."

"It was so real. It was horrible." she sobbed and I just kissed her head.

"It's okay, you don't have to talk about it. I'm so sorry you had to go through that. I'm sorry for earlier too, I was stupid." I admitted as I kept hugging her.

"No, I'm sorry." she sniffed and I pulled away from her to look at her. She wiped her eyes and looked up at me. "I over reacted and I'm sorry. I didn't need to, I was just getting scared and frustrated."

"I shouldn't have pushed the idea of getting married."

"Marriage is something I said I would never do. I've seen what a broken marriage can do to somebody. But..."

"But?" I pressed on.

"But after feeling love and experiencing it, I'm willing to see what it can lead to. I just don't want to get married now when we're still so young." she explained and I nuzzled my forehead against her's.

"I know, but we may not have a choice. If we refuse he'll threaten the ones we care about. I know you don't want it right now but we can't let our families get hurt."

"I'd rather die then see them die." she bit out.

"I know. God forbid but I know."

"So what do we do?" she asked and I shrugged, not sure what to do.

"I guess we just wait and see what Snow wants us to do."

"And until then?" she asked just as the train pulled to a stop. It was still dark out and the clock read three in the morning.

"Until then, we endure the rest of this tour, starting with a swim in the ocean after we give our speeches." I whispered in her ear. "But until then let's get some sleep." she nodded and pulled back the covers, allowing me to get under them with her. I pulled them up to our shoulders and pressed her to me, allowing me to bask in her warmth and the scent of her forest and coal scented hair. After a few minutes her light snores filled my ears. I missed that sound, it reminded me that she was here, safe in my arms. I smiled and kissed her head one more time and closed my eyes so I could go to sleep.

Then next morning when we woke up it was Haymitch and Brutus opening the door. I had been awake for a while, just holding Katniss and rubbing my hand up and down her back, keeping her nightmares away. When the two of them opened the door and saw me in her bed they gave me a questioning look and whispered to me.

"How? And you both better not be naked."

"Nightmares and we're clothed." I whispered back.

"Well wake the sleeping beauty, you need to get ready." Haymitch whispered back before walking away, grumbling about needing a drink. After Brutus followed him out I gently shook Kat until she opened her eyes to look at me.

"Hey." she said, bringing her hand up to rub the sleepiness from her eyes. I brought my hand up and brushed some hair from her face before kissing her head lightly.

"Hey. We need to get ready. Do you know what Cinna has for you to wear?" I asked her but she shook her head and yawned.

"How much time do we have?"

"I don't know but we better get ready before Haymitch comes in here to drag us out of bed." I joked but she was serious.

"He'll do it too." she untangled herself from my arms and stood as I got out of bed myself. I held her hand as we both went to the dining car to get breakfast. Haymitch and Brutus were sitting there eating as we walked in. After finishing our food, Cinna whisked Katniss away to get her dressed. I, myself, walked into my room to see a suit left out for me. The jacket and pants were an ocean blue while my shirt, tie, and shoes were black. When I stepped out in my fancy clothes I stood there with Brutus and Haymitch waiting for Katniss to finish getting ready with Cinna. I was adjusting my tie when she stepped out, and she looked beautiful. The color of her dress matched my suit, but there was a design on it that looked like scales, becoming more sheer as the dress fell to the floor. And finally her hair was done up similar to her first interview during the games. My jaw dropped when I saw her as she walked towards me. Her hand reached up and shut my mouth, then placed a light kiss on my lips.

"No need to catch flies Cato." She joked.

"Or fish considering the District." Haymitch corrected and everybody chuckled.

"Well come along you two." Effie said excitedly, dress in a sea foam green dress. "We don't want to keep everybody waiting." Ushering us out of the train and to the Center Square of the District. The smell of sea salt invaded my nostrils as Katniss slipped her hand into mine. I squeezed it as we stepped onto the stage, while most people stood and glared at us. Neither of us had killed their Tributes, they had died in the Bloodbath. But they were both killed by Marvel and Glimmer, and because I was the leader of the Career Pack, I am guilty by association. I dip my head in shame as Katniss delivers her speech, and when I was done with mine we were quickly ushered back to the train. Once the door closes behind us I look at Katniss and smile.

"Ready for a swim?" I ask her and she nods, a tint of a blush creeping on her cheeks.

"There is a bathing suit laid out for you Katniss." Cinna said and she nods, letting go of my hand and walking towards her room. I start to head to my room but I'm stopped by a hand on my shoulder.

"You'll need to take a Peacekeeper with you." Brutus informs and Haymitch stands behind him nodding.

"Why? We can take care of ourselves."

"It's not you we're worried about. These citizens aren't very accepting of you because of what happened to their tributes."

"That wasn't our fault. That was Marvel and Glimmer." I seethe as I shrug off his hand. "But fine, I'll take the Peacekeepers." And with that I walk off before either of them could say anything further. I change into a black swimsuit, white shirt, and black shoes. When I step out Katniss is their waiting for me in a brown sun-dress with gold flowers printed on it, coming out of the top of her dress are forest green straps tied around her neck from her bathing suit, brown shoes on her feet, and her hair down in it's natural curls.

"Ready?" she asks and I nod, grabbing towels for us, taking her hand and leading her out of the train, where the mandatory Peacekeepers meet us. Kat gives me a questioning look upon seeing them and I just shake my head, saying I'll tell her later. Our guards lead us to the beach and as the water comes into view, a voice stops us.

"Well aren't you a lovely sight." the flirty voice says. We turn and find the Capitol sex symbol Finnick Odair standing there smiling at us.

"Finnick." Katniss greets, seemingly unaffected by his flirtation.

"No need for the formality Katniss. But I must say you were ravishing on that stage." he continues and I glare at him, taking a threatening step towards him. Katniss is mine. She may not react to his flirting, but it still bothers me.

"Cato, calm down." she orders, wrapping her arms around my arm, pulling me away. "Come on let's go." she says and I comply, turning away from Finnick and wrapping an arm around her waist as we walk away.

"I hope to see you soon Katniss." he calls to her.

"You won't!" she retorts and I smirk. We finally make it to the beach and I sigh in relief, laying out the towels and sitting on one of them, gesturing for Kat to join me.

"I never knew you were the jealous type." she grins.

"You have no idea." I reply, turning to face her I brushed a strand of hair behind her ear. "I hated Crone back at the Academy, I always thought he was too close to you." she smirks and kisses my cheek.

"Well I'm yours, and only yours." she whispers.

"Just the way I like it." I say, pecking her lips before reaching to take off my shirt.

"What are you doing?" she asked, eying my chest.

"Going for a swim. You promised remember?" she nods, standing up and shimmying out of her dress. A solid forest green bikini graces her body, and I gulp as she kicks off her shoes. She looks down at me expectantly.

"Well are you coming or are you just gonna stare?" she asks, walking towards the water. I jump up and follow her, wrapping my arms around her and spinning her around in the air before jumping into the water. The water is calm, making it perfect for swimming, I carry us out waist deep before setting her down. I grasp her waist in my hands and she tosses her arms around my neck.

"Finally, I get you all to myself." I whisper, nuzzling my nose into her neck.

"Besides the Peacekeeper." she replies and I pull my face away, but lean my forehead against hers.

"Pretend they aren't here." I whisper and bend down to kiss her. I run my tongue along her bottom lip and she opens to me immediately. As our tongues dance together I run my hand up and down her back, finally coming to the back of her thighs and lifting her up, letting her wrap her legs around my waist. We stand in the ocean kissing like nobody is around until a giant wave barrels us over, knocking us under water. After we are done tumbling through the wave, we come up for air, coughing up salt water.

"What was that?" Katniss asked. I look around and see a boat driving away.

"Looks like somebody didn't like our public display of affection. A boat drove by, probably a local." I explained and she nodded then got a mischievous look on her face and splashed water in my face. And so we spent the next few hours playing around in the ocean until Brutus came to collect us.

"Come on you two time to go!" he shouted and we made our way back to shore. I wrapped the towel around her shoulders and ran it over her head, giving her a peck on her lips. She kept the towel around her shoulder as we walked back to the train. People stopped to stare at the beautiful girl wearing only a bikini and a towel. But I glared at them as I held our clothes and shoes, a towel draped around my neck. They only looked away when I wrapped my arm around her waist and kissed her head. She must've noticed how much this bothered me because she stopped walking and pulled me down for a fiery passionate kiss.

Later that night, Katniss slept soundly. Better than she had in a long time. Most nights she would squirm and whimper through the nightmares, and I would always be there to wake her from them. But not tonight, tonight she was peaceful. Maybe it was because we were able to spend the day together, away from anything that really reminded us of the Games, or because she knew that tomorrow she would see Luna, her friend and roommate. The next morning we are woken up by Effie knocking furiously on our door.

"Come on you two! Wake up!" she shouted through the door before I heard her heels walking away. I rubbed my eyes and looked down at Katniss, still asleep on my chest. I leaned down, kissed her head, and whispered in her ear.

"Katniss, wake up. We're in District Five." she started to wake and looked up at me, sleep still in her eyes.

"District Five?"

"Yeah, you get to see Luna today." I said with a smile. She opened her mouth to say something but Effie was back at the door, this time opening it.

"Out of bed you two. You both need to get ready before we're all late." she huffed before storming out of the room. We both sighed and I went to my room to get dressed, passing Cinna as I did. You know, just the usual these days. On my bed was black pants, jacket and shoes, and a royal purple shirt. Interesting choice of color. I got dressed and walked out into the lounge car to see Katniss there waiting for me, dressed in the same color I was but her dress was...wow. It was a long silk dress, falling to the floor, held on her shoulders by thin straps. The dress flowed around her when she moved, shining in the light. The tips of her black shoes could be seen beneath the dress. Her hair was curled and her make-up done lightly, but either way she looked beautiful. She hadn't noticed me yet because she was talking to Cinna, so I came up behind her and wrapped my arms around her waist and kissed the side of her neck.

"You look beautiful." I whispered against her skin and she chuckled, turning in my arms and looking at me.

"Not so bad yourself." she complimented and I leaned in for a kiss but was stopped half way.

"Yes yes we all look lovely, now let's go!" Effie screeched. I took Katniss's hand and followed Effie.

"What's with her lately?" I whispered.

"Must be her time of the month." Katniss muttered and we both heard Haymitch and Brutus laugh behind us. We stepped off the train and made our way to the Justice Building in the Town Square. When we got up on stage I could feel Katniss's nerves through her shaking hand. I gave it a tight squeeze then saw Luna in the crowd, right in front. I nudged Katniss and she looked at me, I nodded towards Luna who smiled at her and that seemed to help chase away some of the nerves. After we gave our speeches the two of us walked back to the train, Luna following us from a distance. After we changed into more casual clothes, me in black pants, a dusty green shirt and black shoes, while Katniss wore brown leggings, a dark blue cardigan with a white shirt underneath, a brown belt around her waist, and brown boots, her hair still down in curls. I took her hand and kissed it.

"Ready to see Luna?" I asked her and she sighed, with a smile.

"Yeah, it's been too long." we stepped off the train and there she was waiting for us. She and Katniss gave each other a tight hug before pulling away.

"I was rooting for you the entire time." she said looking at Katniss, then she turned to me with a small smile. "You too. You were my third choice after Clove." she said, her eyes filling with tears, as well as Katniss, as well as me. I stepped forward and took the girls in my arms and gave them a group hug. After we pulled away Luna wiped her eyes and smiled.

"Come on, I want to show you around Five." she said excitedly, taking Katniss's hand towing her along. I walked beside her with my arm around her waist, keeping her close to me. After a while of walking we came to a small cafe where we stopped to get something to eat, allowing Luna to pick for us since she knew what was good. As we ate she eyed Katniss and I, a sly smile on her lips.

"What?" I asked looking at her, but Katniss seemed to know what she was thinking.

"Go ahead. Say it." she said.

"Say what?" I asked looking between them.

"I told you so!" Luna said proudly.

"What am I missing?" I asked.

"I knew that you liked her, even before you did and she," Luna said pointing to Katniss. "wouldn't believe me."

"Yes yes you were right. But hey we're together now right?" Katniss replied chuckling. I wrapped my arms around her and nuzzled her neck.

"Hell yeah we are." I whispered and she giggled.

"Oh come on, I want you to meet my parents." Luna exclaimed, and we both followed her out into a wealthier part of the District.