The Lady of the Lake

And here we are again for Chapter 11. Seriously this whole updating schedule is wigging me out, this is so not my usual MO guys, consider yourself lucky ;) As always this speedy update has been brought to you by the deepness of my love and the fact that you guys give me reviews that make squeal with joy and dive for my computer keyboard to write more.

As of this chapter...we've hit 40,000 words, which is just...mindblowing to me. It's almost double the length of one of my longest fics ever and I seriously don't know to thank you all for being so supportive of this little hike through the imagination.

Also, to the 18 Reviewers? You guys are awesome! SERIOUSLY!

So this chapter is centred around Sky and Cato, because lets face it, we've been dancing around their chemistry for almost 40,000 words, it's about time they did something other than bicker and pant at one another. It also features a murderous Tribute and Finnick's notes of awesome.

I'm thinking of setting up a tumblr for this, maybe with pictures and random little side snippets that don't make it into the final cut of the story.

Anyway, as always review responses are at the end of the chapter!

Enjoy!


Chapter 11

"So what do you do in your District?" Cato asks me the next morning as we eat our meagre breakfast of tubers and the vegetables Teesa and I had managed to pilfer from his Career supplies.

I glance up to find his intensely blue eyes on my face, expectantly waiting for an answer.

"I look after the archives," I say softly, popping another piece of carrot into my mouth, "It's a repository of books and texts."

"You and your books," He lets out a bark of laughter, and shakes his head, "Is that why you were reading that day back in the Capitol?"

"There is nothing wrong with books and knowledge," I bite back at him, bristling slightly, "Even stories can teach us things."

He chuckles, and tosses a chunk of tuber up into the air, deftly spearing it on his sword, "Sure they can sweetheart."

"You are…infuriating." I inform him and roll my eyes as he laughs.

"So you look after dusty books," he leans back, grinning as he chews on his last tuber, "Aren't you District 4's supposed to be fishermen?"

"That is our primary industry," I nod, finishing my own meal, "Almost everyone works on the sea."

"But not you," he considers me, head tilting to the side, "Why don't you?"

"Because I work in the Archives," I look away from him, trying for nonchalance.

"There's more to the story than that." Cato's sword reaches out and lightly pokes my arm, not breaking the skin, "You can trust me little fish."

"Hah!" I snort grinning despite myself, "No. Thanks."

He winks at me and barks a short deep laugh.

It's the first time I think I've ever actually seen him relaxed, and it's the longest period of time we've ever spent together without fighting or him trying to intimidate me into submission. He's almost pleasant like this, which is surprising to me.

"What about you?" I ask, leaning back against the stone, and watching him comfortably, "What did you do in your District?"

He spreads his arms, "This!" he says, mouth curling bitterly, "The Hunger Games. Bringing pride to my District." He pauses and his eyes find mine once more, "The lessons never mentioned getting my ass saved by a girl I've been threatening to kill though."

"I don't think it's something that happens too often." I say softly, shrugging slightly, "But then I don't think tracker jacker nests being dropped on the Career pack is something regular either."

Cato's face hardens slightly, "She got away, didn't she, fire girl?" I nod and he growls softly, "She's going to pay for that. For Glimmer, and the stings. And Lover boy too for being a traitorous little shit…" he scowls down at his hands which clench, "That would have been the worst."

"What?" I say softly, curious.

"Going out like that, without fighting…If I die, I want to die fighting." His blue eyes slowly lift to meet mine, "That's why I owe you. You gave me a chance to win, to bring pride to my District or to die with my sword in my hand, fighting, rather than being killed because a bitch dropped a nest of bugs."

"You don't owe me." I say softly, surprised by his words, "It wasn't even a choice for me…I couldn't just…leave you there."

"You didn't want to leave me there?"

"It was an option," I smile slightly, "But I knew it wasn't one I could live with. There was only ever one real choice for me."

He snorts softly, shaking his head, "They told us what we would likely face, the likely Tributes we'd meet. They never mentioned anyone like you."

I give him a tiny smile, "I guess I'm just special like that."

He doesn't reply, but just watches me thoughtfully as we lapse into silence.


He follows me as I do my daily round of checking my traps and snares, and I'm concerned that his eyebrow may disappear into his hairline, considering how high it's lifting.

"Stop that," I mutter at him as I check the net trap, "I can feel you judging me."

"Sweetheart," he laughs leaning back against a tree, "I'm amazed."

I glance at him again and then back at my work, "Are you mocking me again?"

"Not at all," he walks over to me, his arms reaching around either side to help with the knots, his bulk a warm solid presence behind me, "This is fascinating."

"Cato," I determinedly focus on my work, trying to ignore his warm earthy scent and the warmth of him at my back, solid and strong, "What are you doing?"

"Helping," he breathes against my neck, "Why?"

"Because you're annoying me," I growl back, jerking my elbow back against him, "Back up."

"So prickly," he laughs, but steps back a pace, "I thought you were completely useless, little fish, but you'll be glad to know all this is revising my opinion of you."

"I'm delighted," I bite my lip as I tug on the rope, winding it around a stick once more; "Suddenly my life is complete."

I turn away from the stick and gasp as suddenly he's there in front of me, and backs me up against the tree trunk.

"Are you getting sassy with me sweetheart?" he asks, mouth curling up slightly, and blue eyes dancing, "My, my, you are full of surprises."

"Stop that," I try to slide away from him, but am trapped as his arms come up, boxing me in between his bulk and the tree, "Cato!"

"Schuyler!" he mocks back, and laughs again, a booming laugh, "Stop bristling those little fins of yours at me."

"Stop patronising me!"

"Stop assuming things." He leans in until our noses are a mere inch apart, "I'm not mocking you."

"Stop-" I begin, but the retort is cut off as his lips find mine.

He tastes like the food we shared for breakfast, like tubers and vegetables, but underneath it is something warm and comfortable, something rash and bold and exciting, something I've never tasted before but can't get enough of. Despite myself I lean into the kiss, and I feel his chest rumble as my hands come up to grip his shoulders.

Our mouths move together as he presses me back against the tree, pinning me there with his strength and the hungry, magnetic quality of his kisses. He's intoxicating, my nerves firing throughout my body as his large, strong hands curl around the curve of my lower back, splaying there to hold me against him.

The gesture is possessive and protective, and I gasp against his mouth. The groan I get in return fires something in me, something smouldering and passionate and I can feel my heartbeat racing.

Finally our lips break apart, it's that or pass out, but he doesn't pull back. Instead that clever, infuriating mouth finds my neck, kissing and biting there and the soft, choked moan that leaves my throat is almost embarrassing.

"Cato," I gasp out, my brain swimming, "Cato…."

"Don't tell me to stop," he groans it against my neck, his lips pressed to the thundering of my pulse, his favourite place on my body, "You don't want me to stop."

"Cato…"

He pulls back with an almost pained growl and strides away, hands raking through his hair, leaving me leaning weakly against the tree trying to gather my scrambling thoughts. He's just as shaken as I am by the turbulent emotions we'd both succumbed to, and despite his passionate words I think both of us were torn by the animalistic hunger we'd both felt.

He looks back at me, and groans, his blue eyes darkened with arousal, "Fuck, Schuyler stop looking at me like that."

"Like what?" I ask breathlessly, contemplating trying to peel my boneless body away from the tree, "I'm just standing here."

"Stop looking at me like….that." He waves a hand towards me, and runs his hands through his hair again, "You're….driving me mad."

"Me?" I laugh almost hysterically, "You're the one constantly in my space, being all physical."

"This is some kind of mind game isn't it?" His face darkens, and suddenly he's threatening. I haven't been afraid of him all day, but a switch has flipped and suddenly I know that I'm in danger, "You're doing this on purpose! Getting in my head!"

"What are you talking about?" I edge around the tree keeping my eyes on him, "Cato…"

Suddenly he is there and he pins me once more, but this time I know he could kill me in a moment. My breath shudders in my throat and my eyes find his, wide and helpless.

"Is this your plan?" he asks me, voice bitter and cruel, "Distract me with your body and maybe I'll let you live?"

My eyes widen even more and a trickle of indignation spikes through the fear.

"You know it's not." I hiss back, "Or did you forget the slap I gave you when you tried to suggest I fuck my way through the games with you?"

He hesitates, but then his eyes narrow once more, "You're safe enough without me here. Here is how I'll repay my debt. I won't tell the other Careers about your little camp. We won't hunt you down. We're done."

And without another word he turns around and stomps towards the lake, towards the Careers.

Leaving me, leaning against the tree, stomach twisted in terrible knots, and a lead weight resting in my chest.

Where had all of that gone so wrong…?


When I get home it's to find a small grey capsule falling from the sky, with a large number 4 on its side.

Its perfect timing and I smile as I run for it, snatching it up eagerly and tugging out the note. For me the notes are the precious part of the gift, words from Finnick. Even the thought of him gives me a warm safe feeling, and I unfold the note eagerly.

'Remember what I said love, District 2 are emotionally constipated. Don't give up on him just yet – F'

I chuckle weakly and open the small metal container, which I discover is full of chocolate. I know what it means, it means the sponsors are trying to comfort me, so I look up at the sky and whisper, "Thank you."

I eat a small piece and then head up into my cave wondering if Cato will keep his promise, if Finnick is right and he'll return, or if he truly considers us square and even and kills me next time we meet.

I curl up on my ledge, wrapped up in my blanket, and I can't help but miss his solid warmth, even as I breathe in his scent on the blanket I clutch so tightly.


The water is cool over my skin and I sigh with pleasure as I drift in the pale dawn light.

After a restless night I'd woken this morning with a desperate need for the feeling of water on my skin, to feel the calming, lulling tranquillity that only swimming and tending to my books gives me. So here I am, drifting in the dawn, dressed in the slim wetsuit that Finnick sent me.

Slowly I can feel the weight from yesterday's confrontation with Cato slipping away, the soothing water lapping around me, carrying me through the quiet lagoon as I smile up at the dawn sky.

It's the perfect start to the day.

Slowly I pick my way out of the lake, my fingers reaching up to squeeze my thick hair, heavy with water, and then I freeze as a figure walks out of the trees, facing me.

It's not Peeta. It's not Darrien. It's not Marvel or Clove.

And it's not Cato.

It's the boy from District 10, the one with the bad foot, and he holds a large machete in one hand, a spear in the other, eyes wild.

Something about him is off, and as I take a slow step back towards the water I realise that his eyes are fevered, crazy. There is no reason in them; there will be no pleading, or forgiveness that I can give that will stay his hand.

"Another one bites the dust," his voice is scratchy, hoarse with something, and he steps forward, his spear levelled at me, "One less to worry about."

I step back, and then turn, diving for the water, but he's faster.

His spear flashes through the air and sheers through my calf, and into the lakeshore earth, pinning me there like a butterfly on a card.

I scream, I can't help it, the pain is greater than anything I've ever felt in my life and then next moment he's on top of me, his machete at my throat, eyes crazed and above me.

"They'll love this…" he jeers over my sobbing screams, and his hands close around my throat, "The water girl, killed by her own element. So fitting."

"No-" I gasp out, but only get a chance to suck in a last gulp of air before he shoves my head under the water.

I struggle, I thrash wildly like the fish Cato named me, I writhe under his unyielding hands as the world narrows around me in terror.

It's the first time water has not been my ally; my whole life water has protected me, sheltered me, provided me and my family with food and produce, but now it's around me, and my lungs are bursting.

I have to breathe! I have to breathe!

My mind is screaming at me, and my body jerks under his hold, trying desperately to get away.

His fist punches into my belly, and my mouth explodes open, the last little bit of precious air leaving my throat as water rushes in.

I'm going to die. I realise, as the world slowly becomes dark, the night creeping in from the outsides towards the centre of my vision, I'm going to die like this.

I let my body go limp and then there is peace.


I wake up.

That in itself is a surprise, an incredibly pleasant one. I'd been so sure of my imminent death, so sure that my last moments were going to be in the lagoon of the place I'd made my home in this Arena.

But I wake up.

Slowly my senses seem to return to me, first my hearing, and I can hear the reassuring roar of the waterfall, the dripping of water on rough stone. I can smell the damp, the scent of my blanket, the traces of food.

I open my eyes, blinking around the cave, wondering how I got up here.

"You're awake."

I gasp and look around again, but this time my eyes pick him out from where he is standing in the shadows by the mouth of the cave. His arms are folded and his face is in shadow, but I can see his blue eyes glittering as he looks at me.

"Cato." I rasp, slowly pushing myself upright and feeling my head throb, "What are you doing here? What happened?"

"I was…coming to check on you." He speaks roughly, shoulders tensing unhappily, "I heard…I heard you scream…"

"You saved me?" I feel a rush of something, but push it down hurriedly, remembering his obsession with paying back his debt to me, "Thank you."

"I thought you were dead," he walks forward a pace, into the half light, and I can see his blue eyes are almost fevered in his face, "I thought…I thought I was too late."

"You almost were…." I say weakly, fingers gripping at the blanket, "Thank you Cato."

"He's dead." I look up at him again, eyes wide, "I made sure of that."

"Cato you…"

"I did." He cuts me off, stepping forward again, "I did have to."

"The Games unhinged him…" I say softly, shivering as I remember the wild, mad look in his eyes, "I can't…hate him for that."

"I can." Cato strides forward a few more paces and crouches down by the makeshift bed, his hands gripping mine, "You're mine. And he almost took you from me."

"So you saved me to kill me yourself?" I remember his words from the day before yesterday, his vow that once his debt was complete, my life was forfeit to him, "You're no better than him."

"No!" His hand comes up and grips the back of my neck, holding me still as I struggle, weak as a kitten, "Don't say that! I won't kill you. Not yet, I won't kill you yet."

"But you will." My eyes drift closed.

"Someone will." His voice is hoarse, "Wouldn't you rather it was me? Who will make it a death worthy of being remembered?"

"I don't want to die at all!" I shout but my voice is weak, reed thin, "I don't want to die at all!"

"This is the Hunger Games!" He growls it back at me, hands coming up to grip my shoulders, shaking me, "I can't be Victor if you still breathe, that's just…that's just how it is."

There is no argument I can give to that, so I just look away from him.

"I'm not going to just let you kill me,"

He makes a low sound of exasperation, and suddenly his hands are cupping my face, turning me back to face him.

His eyes are warm, exasperated, but there is pain there too,

"You are the most infuriating woman I've ever met." He whispers, before kissing me softly, just a light nudging of his lips against mine, "I won't kill you, not yet. It's all I can give you."

I nod slowly, "Not yet."

He smiles and stands, "I have to get back to the Careers. They'll be wondering what I'm doing out here."

"They'll have heard his cannon." I point out drowsily.

He nods, "Yes. You get some rest Schuyler. I'll come check on you tomorrow."

"Sky," I murmur to him as he leaves, "Call me Sky?"

He hesitates in the doorway before coming back to me, kissing my mouth softly one more time before leaving.

"Sky."


So there we go, the first kiss, and the first almost death scene!

SugarPearl - Here go go another super cute Sky/Cato scene. As for whether or not Cato could really kill Sky...I don't think even he's sure of that at the moment.

Eve - No worries! And I'm glad to hear from you again! The boys are badass of course, and yes I love writing Finnick's little interjections as well as Cato and Sky dancing around one another and dealing with their instincts and emotions.

EGilly - Ahaha she might do that one day, if they make it out of the Games :)

Luli Cullen - Thank you! xx

ObsidianWind - Ahahahaha yeah I had fun when that line came to me. Dear Finnick, you and your silliness cannot be denied. I think he's having a heart attack back in the Capitol though. Sky is stressing him out.

blackraven88 - Welcome to TLOTL! And yeah I know Darvel isn't everyone's cup of tea, which is why it's a minor pairing for this fic. I just needed Darrien to have a bit of love...and somehow it became Marvel!

Queen of sharks - Eep

germany - We shall have to see won't we!

IamCharliedaughterofPoseidon - Yay, I love making your day! i always wondered about Peeta and Cato's confrontation too, so it's been fun going through all the little things Katniss didn't see and have Sky be there to witness it. I hope you enjoyed Sky and Cato this chapter!

DancingAroundAFire - I'm waiting now to hear your opinion of Sky and Cato's complicated relationship! Share with me your thoughts.

LoopyLoola - I hope you enjoyed this Chapter's Cato and Sky too! There was quite a bit of them this time around.

CatoSkyOBSESSED - I'm loving the name btw! I'm so glad you like this story, and I'm SO glad you like Sky! There's always a danger when writing OC's so it's wonderful to hear that she's someone people can cheer for. I'm glad you like her relationship with Cato too, mixed up little Career that he is. He's starting to feel something now though. I hope to hear from you again.

Frazzle - welcome back Frazzle, and I hope you enjoyed this chapter's Skato moments!

countygirl1994 - No crying please. The Update is here!

bluetigers - Darvel is adorable, and they're breaking my heart already. Damn boys and their epic cute! Sky's eyesight will definitely come up, but as for how Cato reacts well...who knows.

Hahaha - Glad you enjoyed it lovely! :)

It's-A-Passion - Hee! I'm so glad you enjoyed Darrien and Marvel's sweet little moment and I hope you enjoyed Cato and Sky this chapter. I see Cato as being this very instinctive person, very in touch with his primitive side, whereas Sky is much more empathetic and sensitive. But yes I believe she finds him a complete adrenaline rush. He's as intoxicating to her as she is to him.

RoseMaple - 3! He does tend to revert to assiness doesn't he. The Skato this chapter was rife with it. I put it down to the fact the Academy in 2 didn't socialise him properly.