Peeta, Portia, and a throng of Capitol reporters are waiting for me when the hovercraft lands. Peeta smiles and pulls me into a hug. I hear the click of the cameras.
"You want to pose for the cameras?" Peeta asks me.
"Why not," I say, smiling in a manner that I'm sure Haymitch would say is unbecoming of a Victor, but soon I won't be just a Victor; I'll be the Peeta's partner. The President-Elect's partner.
We turn to face the cameras. Peeta puts his arm around me, and we smile and wave.
Reporters are calling out, trying to get Peeta to answer their questions. Peeta points to one of the reporters and nods.
"Gloss Thorne, Capitol TV," One of the reporters says as Peeta nods in recognition, "there have been rumors that your dating Katniss Everdeen. Is that true?"
"I don't know," Peeta says coyly, "you should ask her sometime."
Gloss looks at me, "Are you?" She asks.
Although I knew this moment was coming, I froze like a deer in the woods before replying, "yes," and giggling. Peeta laughs with me as Portia directs us to a waiting car.
We get inside, and before we pull off, we're joined by several other vehicles behind us and in front of us. Peeta explains that the motorcade, as he calls it, comes with his job. The other cars are filled with members of his protection unit, a special branch of the Peacekeepers that answer only to him, and a number of other security measures.
Before I know it, we're approaching Peeta's home, the Blair House, which, as he explains to me, is adjacent to President Snow's mansion and part of the larger Presidential Compound. A gate opens, and our car pulls inside the compound and under an awning.
Immediately a man in a black suit opens the car door; Peeta thanks him, and we turn to walk inside. At the door are two Peacekeepers standing at attention. They salute Peeta and then open the door.
"This is the 'working' side of the house, where we have offices and conference rooms and things. We'll head up to the Residence and get you settled in if that's okay?"
I nod and look around; the decor is similar to President Snow's mansion, formal and ornate. Portraits of men and women line the walls. Peeta notices me staring and says, "those are all historical figures, some of which I picked out, but most were here when I moved in. The Residence is less stuffy."
After walking up a set of stairs, we arrive at the entrance to the Residence. A camera detects Peeta's face and unlocks the door. "We'll get you in the system when we visit the Citadel."
I look confused, and Peeta explains that the Citadel is the headquarters of the War and the Central Intelligence Departments. I nod.
We enter the Residence, which, true to Peeta's word, is far less stuffy. While the room itself is still ornate, the furniture and art appear comfortable and familiar. It's not unlike my home in Victor's Village.
Peeta gives me a quick tour, showing me around the large apartment which occupies the second and third floor of the building, with the offices and more public rooms on the ground floor and in a wing that connects the President's Mansion and the Executive Office Building.
Looking out the windows at the rest of the compound, it hits me how _large _the government is, and from what Peeta has said, these are just the departments closest to the president.
Peeta shows me my room, and I discover that my bags have arrived and that my clothes have already been hung up in the closet.
"They work fast." Peeta says, "I still don't see why I need such a large staff or even a staff at all, but I pick and choose my battles."
We head downstairs to a sitting room to have lunch; Peeta explains that he thought I might prefer something more relaxed than a meal in the formal dining room.
"If I'm being honest with you, Katniss, I don't get much use out of the formal dining room. It's usually only used when I have to host important people. Not that you're not important, it's just that…."
"Peeta," I say, stopping him, "I know what you mean," He looks relieved, "and thank you for being so thoughtful."
We sit down for lunch, and an attendant brings out two plates of lamb stew with dried plums. Peeta thanks the attendant, who nods in response.
"I heard this was your favorite," Peeta says.
"Did Caesar Flickerman tell you that?" I ask jokingly.
"Maybe," Peeta responds, laughing, and I find myself laughing with him.
After we both stop laughing, he continues, "But seriously, Katniss. I know this isn't home for you, and I know neither of us chose to be in this situation, but I want to try and make you as comfortable and happy here as possible. If there's anything you need or want, please tell me, and I'll try and make it happen for you."
I'm struck by his thoughtfulness and his kindness, the way he's thinking of me even when his own life has been turned upside down.
I'm hesitant to say what I really want, but I manage to say, "I'd like to hunt."
"That's it?" Peeta says incredulously.
"Well, no." I say slowly, "but… when I'm out there in the woods, I feel free. I feel connected with my father. When I was younger, he was the one who took me into the woods outside District 12 and taught me to hunt. He didn't know it and couldn't have known it, but he saved my life." I start to tear up against my will, "I wouldn't have made it out of the Arena if he hadn't taught me how to shoot, how to hunt, how to survive... Peeta reaches up and delicately wipes a tear from my eye before embracing me.
He's holding me as he'll never let go.
"I understand." He says, "We can make that happen; you can hunt whenever you want with whoever you want." I feel relief wash over me.
I could actually be happy here.