Second Chances

by Peetabreaddd

FULLY UPDATED! What happens when Katniss can't live without Peeta anymore after they won the war? Feeling lonely, Katniss does something tragic to make it all stop, but is given a second chance to make everything right. STORY HAS BEEN COMPLETELY REDONE

9. Chapter 9

The party was boring. She pretended to smile and let people hug her and take pictures with her. She wanted to vomit. True to Peeta's word, he kept Chaff away from her. Chaff asked for a dance, but then Peeta said he wanted to dance with her and pulled Katniss onto the dance floor.

A couple hours in though, the whole room could only hear Haymitch and Chaff. They were so drunk, trying to tell funny stories. But only they could understand.

"Well, I have never been so embarrassed in my life. Someone needs to pick him up and get him out of here. Both of them," Effie screeched, waving her hands at both of them as they rolled around on the floor.

"Well, I guess that's the end of the night then," The Mayor joked.

Katniss and Peeta said their goodbyes, and then Peeta and Cinna helped Haymitch back to the train and into bed where he was passed out. As Peeta walked up to her he hugged her.

"Peeta wait," she said. He smiled at her. "Thank you. For keeping him away from me tonight," Katniss said.

"Anytime. Good night," he said and rubbed his nose against hers. He went back down to his room, and Katniss went to hers. She was going to try and sleep tonight. If she woke up from a nightmare, which she always did, Peeta was allowed to come and stay with her.

It didn't take long before she was screaming, trying to wake up from her nightmare. Peeta came running in. His reaction wasn't faked. He was truly waking her from a nightmare.

"Katniss wake up. Wake up you're ok," Peeta soothed her. She sobbed and held onto him. She was watching the old man get shot from District 11. He was chasing her, blaming her for him dying.

"It's ok. I get nightmares to. It's ok," he told her. Once she calmed down, he pulled away slightly. "Goodnight," he said.

"Peeta?"

"Yeah?

"Will you stay with me?"

"Yeah of course," he told her as he took off his robe and crawled into bed with her. It felt so good to hold her in his arms again. "Always," he whispered. She held onto him tightly and let out a deep sigh.

Districts, 10, 9 and 8 went awful. Effie wasn't joking that they needed to be up to date on the history of each Districts Victors.

District 10 had six Victors, but one had already passed. They ranged from the 23rd Games, to the 59th Games. And she had finally learned about the two Victors that had gone into the 75th arena. Jacob Harrod, from the 33rd Games, and Blair Flame from the 43rd.

District 9 had three reaming Victors out of the lonely five that had won in 74 years. Daniel Bernhardt, 54th Victor, and Mariah Green, 58th Victor went into the Quell.

The Districts were restless. They were beginning to rebel. It was everything Snow didn't want. It was everything that she was supposed to subdue. He put too much on her shoulders. This was an impossible task, and Snow knew that. He knew it all along.

District 8 had just been all around bad. They had four Victors, and this was where Woof Casino, Victor from the 24th Games, and Cecilia Hopsaker from the 42nd Games came from. Both of these Victors Katniss had a hard time dealing with. Woof was so old, and Cecilia had little children. They both died horribly in the Quell.

Peeta particularly had a hard time in District 8. The female tribute lit a fire in their Games... That's how the Careers found her. Cato stabbed her but didn't kill her. Peeta went back to her.

He bent down and saw her suffering. He picked her hand up.

"I'm so sorry. I'm sorry this happened, and I'm sorry that I have to do this. But I don't want you to suffer anymore," Peeta said quietly. Trying not to let the microphones pick it up. She nodded her head.

He had a hard time from the moment he stepped off the train. He did last time as well. Katniss did most of the talking. He was also a mess when they went to her house.

They never slept in a Tributes bed. They slept on the floor in the corner. They stayed together, to keep the nightmares away. But Peeta didn't sleep that night. He slept at the boy tributes house, but barely.

The night they got back onto the train is when it happened. For the first time, Katniss was woken up by Peeta having a nightmare. She flew up and shook him.

"Peeta. Peeta wake up. It's just a dream," she said frantically. She sat up the whole way and faced the wall she shook him.

"Peeta it's ok. It's just a nightmare," she pleaded. He sat up frantically. Looking around. She grabbed his cheeks.

"Ssshh. It's ok. It's ok. You're ok. You're with me Peeta," Katniss tried to soothe him. He was hyperventilating. She realized he was sweating and felt him his chest, legs and back.

"Oh my God Peeta you're drenched in sweat," she said. She felt the bed. The sheets were soaking wet. "Peeta it's ok. I'm right here," she said and pulled him forward to her and hugged him. She rubbed his back up and down. It was like he jumped in a pool; he was sweating that bad.

"Shiny," he whispered. Her heart stopped. He was having nightmares about his shiny memories. Being tortured. She gulped.

After a little while he calmed down a little. "I'm gonna be right back. Just wait right here for me," she told him. He was shaking, and she wasn't sure if he had heard her.

She got up and ran down the train to his room and got something else for him to sleep in. As she was coming back, Haymitch was pouring a drink.

"Haymitch, will you go ask one of those attendants if they'll change the sheets in my room?" she asked. He raised his eyebrow.

"Peeta had a nightmare. It's really bad. The sheets are drenched from him sweating," Katniss said. She mouthed the word shiny to him. His eyes widened.

"Is he ok?" he asked.

"I don't know. Do you mind just asking them to drop off new sheets?" she asked. He nodded his head, and she went back to her room. Peeta was still panting.

"Come with me Peeta," she said and helped him up and into her bathroom, closing the door behind them. She guided him to sit down on the toilet and she grabbed a washcloth and soaked it in freezing cold water. She came back over to him.

"Lift up your arms for me," she said. He did, and she pulled his shirt off. She tilted his face up and wiped the wet cloth around his face. Then she wiped down his neck and left it on the back of his neck. She grabbed another one, and then knelt down and started running the cold, wet cloth around his chest. His stomach. Down his arms. She stood up and went to the side and got his back.

She ran it under cold water again and bent back down and started running the wet cloth up and down his legs. She pushed his boxers up higher to get his thighs.

"Does that feel better?" She asked. He nodded his head. She got it wet some more and rubbed his scalp and then ran it over his face again.

"I was the mutt," he whispered. She nodded her head. She knew exactly what he was dreaming of. He was the mutt that killed her. He dreamed of killing her.

"I know. But you're not," Katniss said. She took his hand and placed it on her chest. "Feel it beating? I'm ok," she whispered. He closed his eyes. He just sat there shaking. She ran a cold cloth over his body for about ten minutes.

"Is that better?" she asked him.

"Much better," he agreed.

"I brought you something to change into. Raise your arms," She said as she went to grab his shirt, but he shook his head.

"It's too hot. I can't," he said as he scrubbed his face. She nodded her head.

"Ok. I have some shorts and pajama pants. But you can just put the shorts on. I'll be out there when you're done," she said and kissed his cheek and walked out. The sheets had already been changed. She felt the bed, and it didn't feel wet.

Peeta came out a moment later, and she helped him lay down and then got under to covers with him.

"Come here," She whispered. He turned into her and laid his head on her chest, wrapping his arms around her waist and hugged her tightly. It was a total role reversal. She was comforting him. She just followed what he would do with her. She tangled her hand in his hair and ran the other one up and down his back. All of a sudden, he started crying. His cries turned into sobbing.

"Peeta it's ok. I'm ok. I'm right here," she whispered to him and kissed his head. She was heartbroken. His mind now had never been touched by trackerjacker venom. It didn't physically change his brain, so he knew he wasn't a mutt. He didn't have triggers. He was never going to confuse who Katniss was. He would never question what was real and what was not real ever again. He would always know what his feelings were. But that didn't mean that he didn't remember. He was still tortured. That will never go away.

"You're ok Peeta. It was just a dream. It's not real. It will never happen. You're safe Peeta," She whispered to him.

It took a while for him to calm down and fall asleep. But Katniss couldn't do it. He moved a couple of times in his sleep, and she was there to soothe him. He would whisper or moan in his sleep. Different things that made her heart break to hear.

"Real or not real?" "I'm a mutt," "You have to kill me," "She's a mutt," "I'm sorry," "She's lying," "I have to kill her,"

But most of all, he whispered her name over and over. He was never going to escape his nightmares of his time in the Capitol. And it made her cry hearing him say those things about her.

She suddenly wondered if this is what Peeta went through every night with her? Holding her, soothing her, not sleeping to take care of her? How does he do this all the time?

She assumed that Haymitch told Effie not to wake them up. Even on their day off, traveling on the train all day she would wake them up. Not let them sleep that long. But Peeta needed the sleep. It was his turn to be taken care of. And Katniss never budged.

He stayed sleeping on her chest the whole night, not moving at all. She soothed his nightmares. Just like he's done so many times.

They would be stuck on the train for two days. He could get plenty of sleep then. They could use the two-day break.

Peeta started stirring early afternoon. He was disoriented when he first opened his eyes. "Hey sleepyhead," she said softly, pushing some hair out of his face.

"Are we in District 7?" he asked.

"No. We have today and tomorrow off. We can just relax," she told him. He laid his head back on the pillow and let out a deep breath.

"Do you wanna talk about it?" she asked. He opened his eyes and looked at her. He waved his finger up in the air. Meaning he couldn't because of the microphones. "Maybe when we get home," she told him. He just nodded his head. They sat there for a few minutes in silence.

"Thank you for taking care of me," he told her. She smiled down and him and gave him a quiet kiss so the mics wouldn't pick it up.

"You've been taking care of me with my nightmares," she told him. Before anything else could be said, his stomach growled. They both chuckled.

"Let me put a shirt on and we can go eat," Peeta said.

They lounged around those two days. Being stuck on a train all day was so boring. They tried to stay busy. Cinna and Portia had Katniss and Peeta's wardrobe to keep them busy. Effie coordinated the schedule, wrote the speeches for each District. She spent a lot of time on dressing, her hair (wigs) and her makeup. Their prep teams did God only knows what. Haymitch drank. Peeta would paint or read. Katniss couldn't do anything. She wanted to hunt!

Peeta and Katniss ended up coming up with a game. In one of the cars there was a living room looking area. There was a large, round coffee table. In the middle it sunk in, to look like a bowl. There were these circle coasters.

Peeta and Katniss would sit back and try to get these coasters into the bowl. Depending on where the coaster landed, was how many points you got. It kept them so entertained that Haymitch ended up joining in, and then Cinna did.

The day before they got to District 7, Katniss, Peeta and Haymitch got off the train at a fuel stop and walked away from the train.

"Alright here's what you're going to do. You're not going to make a big deal that you don't like Johanna or Blight. You're going to fine Silvis and Nathan annoying. But you're going to like Megan. Those three died when you knocked out the arena," Haymitch told Katniss. She looked away from him.

"You be awkward around them. You engage Megan in a little conversation. Johanna and Blight are going to do the exact same thing. Johanna's going to be all over Peeta. Flirting and touching him. Act awkward and not knowing what to do with it. And Blight, he's going to be flirting with you," Haymitch told her. She huffed and crossed her arms. He smiled.

"Perfect. I want you to have the same distaste for the other two. Just don't make it obvious. But when we get back, then you and I can fight about them," Haymitch told her. Katniss nodded. He turned to Peeta.

"You just have to be your charming self. Try to distance yourself from Johanna. She's not going to let you though. Try and save Katniss as often as you can from Blight. When you're in the arena again, the more people Katniss dislikes, the more he won't see it coming that you're allies with them. He won't be able to pick who you like and who you dislike," Haymitch told them.

That's why she was nice to Seeder. She couldn't pick out each Victor that goes into the arena with as the enemy. That would be too obvious. For Finnick and Johanna, she goes with her first instincts when she met them. Snow will only look at Mags, Seeder, Wiress and Beetee as people that she likes. She likes the older people. So, she goes with the truth upon first meeting them.

They arrived in District 7 late morning. Katniss was anxious. They knew why. Underneath her acting, she was happy, anxious and would be relieved to see Johanna.

Effie went through the entire history speech again. Seven total Victors, six still living.

It was repetitive. Parade, speech at the Justice Building, lunch with the mayor, dinner with the female tribute, sleep over, have breakfast, go on a tour of District 7, go to male tributes house, eat dinner, sleep over, eat breakfast and then, meet the other Victors.

"Well, if it isn't the Star-Crossed lovers gracing us with their love story," Blight said, winking at Katniss.

"It's really nice to meet you guys. I watched you and Johanna on your Games. I was really impressed," Peeta said and shook their hands. Johanna stepped closer to him.

"Well, aren't you just the cutest thing ever," she said and looked at Katniss. "How do you ever get any sleep with this gorgeous man in your bed?" she asked. Katniss cleared her throat while Johanna just laughed. Blight threw his arm around Katniss.

"Yeah Peeta, how do you get any sleep with this little fox sleeping in your bed? I bet you're a tiger in the bedroom Girl on Fire," Blight said and then growled like a tiger, just as Katniss jumped from him.

"Why don't we sit down?" Peeta said and pulled her over to their spot in the middle.

"HAYMITCH!" Johanna yelled and jumped into his arms, giving him a big kiss on the lips. Katniss and Peeta's eyes widened. He laughed and put her down.

"What's with this get up?" he asked. Johanna looked down at her clothes.

"What?"

"You're not naked," he said. Johanna smacked him and then grabbed his hand.

"Come on, sit next to me," she said and dragged him over to the couch where she could sit next to Peeta. Blight went and sat down next to Katniss. The other four Victors came in. Nathan, Bumble and Stag were loud, old drunks. Older than Haymitch. No wonder the four of them got along. Megan was older as well. Late forties.

"Hi. It's nice to meet you," Megan said. They both stood up and she hugged them.

"I loved watching you both get out of the arena," Megan said. They looked at each other and then back at her. No wonder Haymitch said to like her. Because how could they not like her? And she didn't say she loved watching them in their Games. It was watching them get out. Together.

"Don't mind them. Every year they get together and it's this big, loud, old man drunk party. Although I have to say I'm happy that Haymitch finally gets to enjoy one of these Tours. Visiting his friends," Megan said.

Someone let them know they would be live in one minute. Katniss went to sit down and jumped back up. She was sitting in someone's lap. She whipped around and saw that it was Blight sitting in her seat, smiling.

"Well there beautiful, you can sit on my lap anytime. I sure am happy to be your chair," Blight said and licked his lips, lowering his eyes down to his lap. Her mouth fell open as a everyone laughed except Peeta and Megan.

Megan grabbed Blight's hand and pulled him.

"Get out of her seat. Stop making a fool out of yourself," Megan said, making him get up. He sat next to her before Megan could sit next to Katniss.

"Yes mom," Blight said and kissed Megan's cheek. Peeta wrapped his arm around her shoulder.

"Are you ok?" he asked her quietly. She cleared her throat.

"These Victors are crazy. I want out of here. Now!" she gritted through her teeth. They heard Caesar a moment later.

"Katniss! Peeta! We meet again! How has District 7 been?" he asked excitedly. Peet cleared his throat and sat up.

"It's a really wonderful District. Katniss loves the woods, so she felt right at home," Peeta said. Katniss lightly elbowed him in the stomach. He wasn't supposed to say anything about the woods. There were no woods in District 12. Just outside the fence. She was sure Snow was angry. Again…but that's exactly why Peeta was supposed to say it.

"Now Katniss. I hear rumors that you were climbing a tree yesterday?" Caesar said. Katniss straightened up, smiled and giggled.

"I love climbing trees Caesar. I kind of couldn't help it," Katniss smiled her fake smile.

"It's been a joke that Katniss has found a tree to climb in every District. Effie really gets angry and starts yelling at her," Peeta laughed.

"You're going to give that poor woman a heart attack. Where on earth is your mentor?" Caesar asked. Katniss rolls her eyes and Peeta laughs.

"I don't know Haymitch. You wanna answer that one?" Peeta asked.

"I'm their mentor. Not their damn babysitter," Haymitch grumbled.

"Well, I wouldn't mind babysitting," Johanna said and winked at Peeta. He avoided her gaze.

Caesar asked all the annoying questions. What we thought of their Games. What they thought of ours. Katniss and Peeta were so bored of it. Johanna and Blight were doing a fantastic job of making Katniss and Peeta feel super uncomfortable. It wasn't acting anymore.

Caesar then asked what the group thought of Katniss' clothes, and Peeta's paintings.

"Oh, I love them. I want Peeta to paint me," Johanna said and looked over at Peeta. "Have you ever painted a woman naked before?" she asked. The men laughed. Peeta's face turned red, and Katniss' eye widened.

"Uh oh. Johanna's going in for the kill. Watch out Katniss. She might be trying to still your boyfriend. Be careful Peeta. Don't get into any trouble," Caesar joked.

"Watch out Peeta. I may just steal her from you," Blight said. Everyone laughed. After a while it was over. As soon as they yelled cut Katniss flew from her seat and walked away from them.

"Where's she going in such a hurry?" Johanna asked as Peeta stood up. Johanna moved herself so she ran her hand along Peeta's crotch. His eyes widened. "Oops," she said. Peeta moved around Johanna to run after Katniss.

"Wait Katniss hang on," Peeta called to her. But she was stomping her way back to the train. A Peacekeeper yelled at her, and she spun around.

"I'm going to the damn train. Follow me why don't you. I have to get ready for that stupid party!" Katniss yelled at him. The Peacekeeper did follow them. When they got to the train doors she spun around.

"See? I wanted to go to the train. You can stand out here and wait for me if you'd like," Katniss snapped at him and got onto the train. She stormed down to her room and slammed the door shut it Peeta's face.

Haymitch came into Peeta's room a little while later.

"What crawled up her ass now?" Haymitch asked. He was a little drunk. Peeta rolled his eyes.

"Blight's all over her that's what. Can you just talk to him? Keep him away from her?" Peeta asked. Haymitch laughed.

"There's no keeping him away as much as I can keep Johanna away from you. This is just what they do. You might as well have a little fun with her, since your girlfriend doesn't want to have fun," Haymitch said. Peeta hid his smile. Not from Haymitch, but just because he was happy that everything was going as planned.

And partly because he did do something with Katniss. His girlfriend. He gave her, her first orgasm. Haymitch knew exactly what he was thinking and rolled his eyes.

"You know I would never do that," Peeta told him.

"Peeta you and I both know that she's with Gale. You saw her kissing him with your own eyes. Why don't you have some fun for once," Haymitch said. Peeta slammed his hand down.

"I don't wanna fool around with Johanna. Or any girl for that matter," Peeta snapped at him.

"Peeta. You have to stop letting yourself be hurt by her. She's not going to change," Haymitch told him. He suddenly had those memories of what it felt like back then. It felt awful. But he shook his head.

"Just go away Haymitch. Sober up a little before the party," Peeta told him.

"Are you ok now?" Peeta asked as they were walking to the Justice Building.

"I just want this whole night to be over. I know that it's fake. But…He's to touchy feely. I sat in his lap. I honestly just want him to back off," Katniss told him. He nodded his head.

"I know. It's easier with Johanna. It's- "

"Johanna," they said at the same time.

"My reactions are more on Blight then the fact that Johanna's all over you. I had to ignore her a couple of times because I wanted to laugh," she chuckled. He smiled at her.

"I miss her," he admitted.

"Yeah. I know what you mean…how did your argument with Haymitch go?" she asked. Peeta chuckled.

"It went good. It just sucks what he was saying. I hope your argument with him goes well to," Peeta said.

They got to the Justice Building and did the same thing. Waited until everyone had been announced and then it was their turn to come down the stairs. Wasn't everyone tired of this yet? They sat at their table, and Katniss made Cinna sit next to her. She didn't want Blight to have a chance to sit next to her.

But they weren't that lucky to be rid of him. He and Johanna sat at their table, along with the other Victors. Haymitch was no help. He was getting drunker by the minute.

"So. What does a guy have to do around here to get a dance with the 74th Victor?" Blight asked her, appearing out of nowhere. Where the hell did Cinna go?

"I don't know. Why don't you ask Peeta what you have to do to dance with him," Katniss said sarcastically. Blight just laughed.

"Why are you playing so hard to get?" Blight asked. Her face turned red.

"I think it's time for a dance sweetheart," Peeta said and pulled her elbow, and made their way to the center of the dance floor. They danced together for a few songs before Cinna came over on que.

"Alright let me have a dance with my Victor," Cinna said. Peeta laughed and handed her off.

"Here ya go. I have to excuse myself to the restroom anyway," Peeta said and walked out of the room.

"Enjoying the party?" Cinna asked. Katniss gave him her best fake smile, making him laugh.

"Please don't make that face ever again," Cinna laughed.

"Oh Cinna!" someone called. They promptly dragged him away, leaving Katniss alone. She turned to walk back to her table, but Blight was there first.

"Alone at last. It's customary for the winning Victors to dance with some of the Victors that they visit," Blight said.

"I think I'll go ask Megan," Katniss said, but he blocked her steps and encircled her waist.

"Smile, the cameras watching you," he said. Katniss looked sideways and smiled. She turned back to Blight.

"You're disgusting," she gritted through her fake smile. Before she could say anything else, she felt his hand go down to her butt and squeeze. She yanked away and pushed him away from her. Before she could yell anything, Megan got between them.

"Alright Blight knock it off. You've had your fun. Now leave her alone," Megan told him. Blight walked away, and Megan pulled Katniss back to the table to sit down.

"Try not to let it bother you. He actually is a good person. We all just have our images to uphold," Megan said.

Peeta was coming out of the stall when he stopped. Johanna was laying on the counter, completely naked.

"I'm ready for you to paint me now Mr. Mellark," she said. his mouth dropped. He never thought Johanna would go that far. But there were cameras in certain places. Like this bathroom.

Peeta was dumbstruck, and Johanna let out her real laugh. She was having too much fun with this. This was totally not for the Rebellion. This was totally for him, as a joke.

"I really have to go," he said and ran out of the bathroom. Katniss was waiting for Peeta, and he reached his hand out.

"How about another dance?" Peeta asked. Katniss smiled at him, and they went to the middle of the dance floor. Katniss looked at his face. He looked like he was out of breath. Like he was running away. He was all fidgety. Something had just happened. She tensed up.

"What happened? Are you ok?" she whispered, getting scared.

"What? No, I'm fine. I'm fine," Peeta said and kissed her cheek and pulled her up against him.

"Then what's wrong? You look nervous," Katniss said. Peeta smiled.

"I swear, it's nothing bad. I didn't mean to scare you. I'll tell you tomorrow when the train stops. But it's ok. It's nothing bad at all. I just, can't say it here," he said and kissed her softly on the lips.

"You had me worried for a minute there," she said in relief. He ran his hand up and down her back. His hand stilled, low. Just one finger on her butt. He licked his lips.

"Wanna try and sneak away now?" he whispered. She nodded her head. "You go first," he whispered. She nodded and left the dance floor and went out one of the doors. He poured himself a drink and then quietly sneaked out as well.

He grabbed her hand, and they went running down the hall and turned into a dead end. He spun her around until her back was up against the wall. He kissed her softly. "I missed you," he whispered.

"I'm right here," Katniss said. He tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.

"We don't get to be like how we want to be. I wanna kiss you senseless every night in bed and I can't. So, I miss you," he whispered, leaning in to lick her lips and pull his head back. He leaned against the wall with his palms on it, near her head. Trapping her there. Her hands were on his hips.

"Yeah. I miss you to," she admitted.

"Say it again," he told her. She chuckled and rolled her eyes.

"Peeta, I've missed you," he leaned and kissed her, tracing her tongue with his.

"I wish we could really sneak away," Peeta leaned close into her and placed himself perfectly against her body and pushed his legs into her, making her gasp and grip his shoulders. Her eyes rolled back into her head.

What was he thinking? Doing that? Here? He was crazy. He brought his lips to her ear.

"I want to be with you again," he whispered as he licked her ear.

"I want to make you feel good," he lightly dragged his teeth across her ear.

"I want to feel you under me while you have an orgasm," he sucked on her neck, and she moaned.

They heard footsteps and pulled themselves together. They started kissing again. One of their fake kisses though. They never showed their real kisses for the Capitol.

"Where have you been? This behavior is unacceptable," Effie told them as they pulled apart. There was a camera man behind them. He caught them hiding away, and kissing.

"There are guests in there waiting to meet you, and you just run off. You're being rude and I'm embarrassed by your behavior. You two should be ashamed of yourselves, acting this way. Get back in there this minute!" Effie told them.

"Sorry," they both mumbled and all but ran away.

As soon as they left the Justice Building that night, Katniss let go of Peeta's arm and crossed her own arms. Letting her smile leave her face. She walked ahead of him, while Peeta stared at her. Hurt that she shunned him.

She stormed into the train and poured herself a very small glass of wine.

"What the hell are you so pissed about now?" Haymitch groaned at her.

"Leave me alone Haymitch," Katniss told him.

"Katniss what's wrong?" Peeta asked.

"Oh, I don't know. Maybe the asshole Blight just made me sit in his lap and grope me and grabbed my butt where everyone could see. Couldn't be that" she yelled at him.

"Katniss I'm sorry,"

"Don't apologize to her. She's acting like a spoiled little brat. So, he was hitting on you. It's what Blight does," Haymitch told her as he grabbed a drink.

"Oh, it's ok for Johanna to be all over Peeta as well I suppose?" she demanded. Peeta smiled.

"I'm gonna go take a shower. Just come get me when you're done fighting," Peeta said as he kissed her cheek and walked down to his room.

"You know you're a selfish bitch, right?" Haymitch asked. Katniss mouth fell open.

"She falls all over him and I'm a bitch?"

"Yes, you are. Peeta's not allowed to touch you, but God forbid someone show him a little attention. But it's ok for you to have a boyfriend. But if a girl so much as breathes in his direction you get all possessive,"

"THAT'S NOT TRUE!" she yelled at him. Throwing a glass at him. Well, not at him. She threw it so it wouldn't hit him.

"You watch it girl! I'll throw one back at you…That boy loves you. He drops everything for you. And you make out with your boyfriend in front of his damn Bakery," Haymitch said. He scrubbed his face.

"He told you?" Katniss asked softly.

"Of course, he did. You got some nerve treating him like this. You let him into your bed every night, to chase away your nightmares. But the second you go home; you'll drop him again and go right back to your boyfriend. Then when the cameras are there, you're all in love with him again. Giving him fake affection. Yeah, that doesn't sound like a self-centered bitch at all," Haymitch said.

It was what he said that made her think. Had she really flaunt her relationship with Gale in front of Peeta last time? Did she only give him any attention just because Gale wasn't around? Did she use him just to chase away her nightmares? Is that what she did last time? Is Haymitch using the words, that he wanted to us with her last time?

She hadn't realized she was crying until Haymitch wiped away her tears. He moved his hand in a circle, wanting her to fight back with him. She stood back and shook her head.

"Fine then. I won't let him into my room anymore. Are you satisfied?" she demanded. He scoffed.

"Do whatever you want. But stop hurting him. He's a good man. And he deserves a lot more than you," Haymitch told her. That did it. She covered her face, and Haymitch grabbed her and made her look at him. He pointed to her door.

She ran down the hall and slammed her door shut. She locked the door and sobbed on her bed. Those were real tears. She knows her and Haymitch set this fight up so the microphones would hear them. But to listen to Haymitch say those words…that is exactly what she had done. What was wrong with her? What was wrong with Peeta? Why did he let her treat him this way? Why didn't he just move on?

A little while later she heard a knock at her door. "Katniss?" Peeta called out, as he tried to open the door. He knocked again. "Katniss it's locked. Open the door," Peeta told her.

But she didn't answer. She wasn't supposed to. Peeta tried knocking and calling out to her for about 20 minutes before he gave up and went to the back of the train to wait. Cinna knocked shortly after this.

"Katniss? Come out so I can help you take that dress off," Cinna said. The dress was intricately tied and buttoned in the back. On purpose. So she would have a reason to open the door, and forget to lock it back up. She opened the door and followed him down the hall to her wardrobe cart.

"You ok?" he asked. But he was being serious. He made her look at him. She shook her head and he hugged her. She held onto him tightly and cried.

"Don't be upset about this. You know why Haymitch said that. He didn't mean it. It was all for Snow. You love Peeta. And you know he loves you. Take a deep breath, "he whispered. She nodded her head and pulled back, letting Cinna take the dress off and change into pajamas.

She went back to her room. 'Forgetting' to lock the door. She waited about an hour, before she started screaming from a nightmare. It was fake though. She never went to sleep. Peeta came rushing in and grabbed her, hugging her.

"It's ok Katniss. It was just a nightmare. It's ok. I'm right here," Peeta told her. She stayed buried in his chest.

"No. Don't stay. Just get out," Katniss told him.

"Why are you pushing me away? We've been sleeping in the same bed for nearly two weeks now. Are you still mad about Blight? I'm sorry. I didn't know he would do that. Just please don't push me away Katniss," Peeta told her. They moved a minute later to get under the covers. She hugged him tightly. He looked down at her and stared at her. He grabbed his robe and pulled a piece of paper out of it and held it for her.

You get mad, you get strong. Wipe your hands, shake them off. Then you stand.

Peeta's beautiful words written out for her. She leaned up and kissed him.

'Thank you' she mouthed to him. She held onto him tightly that night.

When they woke up, they went to the breakfast table, but didn't talk. And then Katniss and Haymitch didn't talk. It wasn't until their fuel stop that the three of them silently got off the train and walked away.

"I didn't mean what I said yesterday. I didn't know any fight we prepared would make you this upset," Haymitch told her. Katniss nodded.

"I know," she mumbled. Peeta rubbed her back.

"Well, you're acting, sweetheart, is spot on. You've done everything right," he said and kissed the top of her head.

"Blight needs to stay away from me during the Quell. He's disgusting," Katniss said. Haymitch laughed.

"He's actually a really good kid. But Snow has all of us playing a role. That's his. Once you're in 13, you're gonna see a different side to him. You'll like him," Haymitch said. She rolled her eyes, while Haymitch chuckled and rubbed her shoulder. She then turned to Peeta.

"What happened last night?" she asked. Peeta's eyes widened and then he started laughing. He looked at Haymitch.

"Do you know what Johanna did?" Peeta asked. Haymitch shook his head. "I came out of the bathroom and she's laying on the counter, blocking the sinks. She's completely naked. And she tells me she's ready for me to paint her," Peeta said. Katniss and Haymitch look at each other and all three bursts out laughing.

"Well, I saw her accidently on purpose rub her hand across your crotch," Haymitch laughed. Katniss' eyes widened.

"She was loving this. She was just laughing in the bathroom. This is just making her day," Peeta laughed.

"I miss her," Katniss said suddenly. Peeta and Haymitch stopped laughing. She crossed her arms and scoffed.

"We were all right there. And we couldn't even talk to her. I have to wait till we're in District 13 to actually talk to her. And Finnick," she looked over at Peeta. "Even you," she said. Her looked at her sadly.

"We'll find time Katniss. We always do," Peeta said.

"Not a lot of time. Snow's gonna be watching you more now. Before he wasn't afraid of you. He was just angry about the berries. He didn't suspect anything from you. But now he is. And he'll be upping the security. You know that" Haymitch said. Katniss plopped down on the train rail.

"When is this gonna be over?" Katniss asked dreadfully. Peeta sat down next to her.

"Once we get through with the Tour, then we just have to wait it out until the Quarter Quell," Peeta told her. She groaned and literally fell back into the grass.

"Please just leave me here. Let a train run over me," she said Peeta yanked her up.

"That's not funny, stop it," Peeta told her.

"We better head back," Haymitch said as he started walking back.

The train was boring all day. Katniss laid in her wardrobe car on the floor with Cinna, while he was sewing and cutting and doing God knows what to her clothes. She just laid on the floor and they talked. They had real conversations. It was relaxing to Katniss. Just hearing Cinna's voice. Hearing him talk about his life in the Capitol. His parents and his sister. She loved every moment.

She waited for Peeta to come to her room. She was nervous. He pushed open the door and snuck in. He climbed over her and into the bed and under the covers.

"Hi," he said and kissed her softly. She snuggled up to him and he smiled. "It's freezing in here tonight. My feet are frozen," Peeta joked. She smiled at him nervously.

"You ok?" he whispered. She took a deep breath and took his hand under the blanket to put it on her leg. His eyes widened. She didn't have her pajama pants on. He raised his eyebrows.

"You want to?" he whispered, not believing it. But she shook her head. Peeta knew what she meant. She felt comfortable. She just wanted to be close to him.

He kissed her cheek again and pulled the covers back, taking his own pajama pants down. He looked down at her and saw the light blue panties she was wearing. His breathing became heavy. She looked beautiful.

But he shook his head. He couldn't think like that now. He laid on his side, with Katniss on hers. She picked her knee up so he could slip his leg between hers. He was in dangerous territory here. This was the exact position that they were in the night they rubbed furiously against each other.

He groaned softly into her neck. This was absolute torture. It wasn't fair that he couldn't be with her. It was all he wanted to do. He wanted to make love to her. He loved her. She loved him. Why couldn't they take that next step? They could be in that place right now…if Snow hadn't killed all their friends and family.

"I know," she whispered. She softly kissed him and then turned in his arms. Pressing her back into his chest. He wrapped his arm around her pulling him close. His hand went slightly under her shirt, touching her stomach. She melted into him. This was intimate, with his hand touching her under her shirt. The only thing keeping them separated are two thin materials of clothing.

He kissed the back of her neck.

"I think I'm gonna die from boredom," Katniss said as she laid on the floor in the Dining car.

"Don't say that," Peeta groaned. He hated that since they got on this train, she made death jokes. It was unsettling to him. She usually said them under her breath, thinking that Peeta couldn't hear her.

"I'd rather just drown myself,"

"I'm gonna kill myself if he comes near me again,"

"Just kill me,"

Only yesterday did she start making them out loud.

"Young ladies do not act like that. Get off the floor," Effie told her.

"I'm not a lady," Katniss said. Haymitch laughed.

"If that isn't the most honest thing you've ever said," Haymitch laughed.

"Shut up Haymitch,"

"We could play a card game. Or the coaster game. Haymitch is only down by 20 points," Peeta said.

"No," she whined.

"We can work on your speech. Lord knows you need the practice," Effie said.

"Good God no,"

"Go let your Prep team play around with your makeup and hair," Peeta offered. She moaned and covered her face with her hands and rolled over on her stomach.

"You could always come and try on your clothes. Since you like to avoid it so much," Cinna said.

"If I avoid it then why would I willingly go in there?" she whined from her hands. But then she picked her head up. "That's it!" Katniss said excitedly.

"You're gonna try on your clothes?" Cinna asked. Katniss stood up and shook her head.

"Absolutely not. Come on I need your help," Katniss said as she pulled Peeta up and dragged him down the hall.

"What are we doing?" Peeta asked. She wiggled her eyebrows.

"You and Cinna gave me a great idea," Katniss said.

About an hour later, Peeta came back into the Dining car. Both Cinna and Portia were hemming different clothing items of theirs. Haymitch was still sitting there drinking, and Effie was writing their speech for District 6.

"Uh oh. Where have you two been for an hour?" Cinna asked suspiciously. Peeta was just smiling.

"Are you ready for this?" Peeta asked. He went back to the hallway and helped Katniss walk in.

"THAT IS MOHAGANY!" Katniss yelled. Everyone burst out laughing, except for Effie who gasped and covered her mouth. But she was trying not to laugh. Katniss was standing there in one of Effie's dresses and shoes. And even had one of her wigs on, plus all her jewelry. Her prep team did her makeup.

"Young lady, it is just bad manners to eat your food with your fingers. It's just bad manners Cinna. How bout that!" Katniss pointed to Cinna. Peeta had to hold her hand because of the heels Katniss was in. She stumbled a few times.

"Well, I never," Effie said.

"Happy Hunger Games. And may the odds be ever in your favor," Katniss mocked her. She sounded just like Effie then.

"That one was really good," Portia said.

"I've been practicing that one since I was little," Katniss said. She held up her arms. "Well Effie, what do you think?" she asked. Effie covered her eyes as her shoulders shook. She was trying not to laugh but failing miserably.

"I cannot believe you went into my room and stole all of that," Effie said. She opened her eyes and couldn't stop laughing. Katniss took a step forward again and stumbled. Luckily Peeta was there to hold onto her.

"Ok get me out of these things," Katniss said, holding onto Peeta's shoulder. He laughed and bent down and carefully took one of the heels off, and then the other.

"Don't scuff up those heels," Effie said. Peeta put them on the counter. Katniss spun around.

"Twirling is only cute if you have flames coming from your dress," Peeta said. Cinna opened his mouth and Effie pointed at Cinna.

"Don't you dare put flames into any of my clothes," Effie warned him. Katniss plopped down in the chair, straightening her wig. Katniss clinked a fork onto her glass.

"Hello! We'd like some chocolate covered strawberries," Katniss called out.

"You gonna wear that the rest of the day?" Haymitch asked. She straightened the wig.

"As much as I can," Katniss said.

She stayed in Effie's dress until after dinner, when she couldn't stand the wig anymore. She couldn't understand how Effie could wear that. She stayed in character until she took it off later that night. She took a shower to wash all that makeup off. It took a while.

But when she got out, she wrapped a towel loosely around her body and opened her bathroom door and then was startled. Peeta was laying on the bed waiting for her. The covers were pulled halfway down, and he had one leg under the covers and one leg over the covers, with his arms behind his head.

Peeta just stared at her. Katniss shook her head. "I didn't know you were in here yet. I thought you were taking a shower to," Katniss said.

"I was. You were in there a real long time," he choked out. She nodded her head and turned her back to go into her dresser. The towel dipped low in the back. She went back into the bathroom to get dressed. He groaned and scrubbed his face.

Ever since they came back, all he could ever think about was making love to Katniss. It took over everything in his brain. He always thought about it before, but now he was older. Maybe he went back and repeated his 17th birthday and will redo his 18th birthday…but he technically should be 19. In his head he's an adult now. And after the two years of hell that they went through, you become an adult much faster. He wants to settle down. He wants to enjoy his freedom with Katniss. He wants to be able to touch her the way he wants to, every night.

When she came out of the bathroom, she came out with pajama pants on, and got into bed. He raised his eyebrow and she blushed in embarrassment. He wondered if she was still embarrassed that he had seen her in nothing but a towel. He leaned his elbow onto he bed to hold his head up and he snuck his hand under the blanket.

"What's wrong?" he asked, toying with the drawstring holding her pants up.

"I…I can't sleep like that tonight," she said awkwardly. Avoiding his eyes.

"Why?" he asked her. She looked over and glared at him.

"Think about it," she hissed. He sat there for a minute, and then it dawned on him.

"You have your period?" he asked. She covered her face with her hands.

"God, do you have to say it out loud?" she asked, mortified. He chuckled.

"I'm sorry. Do you want me to call it when your little friend comes to visit?" he asked. She looked over at him, her eyes wide. She was pure. He loved that about her. He loved how her face would turn pink with embarrassment. He was elated that she could still hold on to some innocence.

"I can't believe you just said that" she told him, and then started laughing.

"Please don't ever say that again. That's terrible," she laughed. He leaned over and cupped her cheek and kissed her.

"It's ok. But you seriously don't need to hide things from me. You don't need to be embarrassed to tell me anything," he said. She took a deep breath.

"I'm working on it," she whispered seriously. He smiled brightly at her.

"Thank you," he whispered and kissed her again. She snuggled up to him and they fell right to sleep.

District 6 and 5 was all the same. Same boring routine. Although District 6 was a little emotional for Peeta. The Morphling that saved Peeta. And they finally learned her name was Alexa Junker. She saved him, so Peeta could keep on fighting.

The other Morphling was Justin Hix. And they had two other Victors.

District 5 had five of the six Victors living. Daphne Byte from the 44th Game, and Marcus Volten from the 51st Games had been in the Quell.

In every District so far, the people were so loud. Just like last time. And she knew, Snow was furious with her. And so was Haymitch. Well, not really. Another planned conversation. The night that they got back on the train to head to District 4 they sat on the couches after they changed.

"Snow is watching us. If he wants you to settle and pacify the Districts, I promise you he's not happy," Haymitch told them as Katniss and Peeta sat across from him. The two of them were leaning back against the couch, and Peeta had his arm around her.

"Instead of being in love you two sound like you're reciting from a drilling manual. You sound like robots up there. Every single damn speech,"

"You try reading that stuff that Effie writes us. It's insulting to their families. It's insulting to their District. And they're being tortured by us coming into their houses, and sleeping in their dead children's beds,"

"Tell that to President Snow when you see him 16 days from now," Haymitch raised his voice.

"We're open to suggestions," Peeta said.

"We could get married," Katniss said. Haymitch choked on his drink, trying not to laugh.

"That's not helping," he said sarcastically.

"I'm serious. If like you said were on this train ride forever, then it's going to happen eventually. Why not now?" Katniss asked. She looked over at Peeta sympathetically. She hurt him last time she said this. Haymitch let out a breathy chuckle.

"It's does make a statement. I'll give you that," Haymitch told her. They paused, waiting for Peeta. He kissed Katniss and smiled.

"Yeah. Sure. Let's do it," he said sadly and got up and walked down to his room. Katniss stared at him miserably. She wouldn't be seeing him till tomorrow. She was going to be taking those sleeping pills, so she didn't wake up from nightmares. And so was Peeta.

She went to get up, making a little noise, but then sat down when Haymitch snapped at her.

"Leave him alone,"

"I thought this is what he wanted?" Katniss snapped back at him.

"Not like this. He loves you Katniss. He wanted this to be real. He wants a life with you. He doesn't want a life with a person who doesn't love him. Who was forced to marry him. Who's in love with someone else. Can't you get it through your head? Why don't you get to know him? Why can't you see that he loves you. If you got Gale out of your damn head, then you could have a real life with that boy," Haymitch told her off, and then left.

Katniss sat there for a while. Wallowing. Why did Peeta love her? Why did he torture himself? Punish himself while Katniss gave him nothing in return. She used him to help her sleep. She never willingly went to just be friends with him. The only time she ever did something for him, was try and protect him in the Quell.

She covered her mouth with her hand and started crying. She didn't protect him. He was caught by the Capitol and tortured. He would never be the same again. She wasted so much time and when she finally admitted to herself who she loved, her Peeta was gone.

This was her punishment. All of this was her fault.

A few hours later, around 12:00, Haymitch came back and stopped when he saw her. She was still sitting there. Her legs were curled up under. She was leaning on the arm rest with her elbow, and her fingers were pulling on her lips.

Haymitch turned around and touched his watch.

"Everything ok?" the voice asked.

"Turn off all the mics in the train," he said.

"Done," the man said quickly. They knew if Haymitch was asking, something was wrong. He ran down the hall and pulled open Peeta's door. He was just laying on his bed, staring at the ceiling. He was in his pajamas, but he hadn't taken the sleeping pills to go to sleep.

"What's wrong?" Peeta asked as he sat up in bed.

"She's still sitting there," Haymitch said. Peeta knew what he meant. "The mics are off," Haymitch said. Peeta went running down the train. Having to stop to wait for the next door to open. He made it all the way back and looked at her.

He walked over and knelt in front of her. "Katniss look at me," he told her. She looked over at him. She wasn't too far gone.

"Why are you still sitting here?" Peeta asked. Tears fell down her face.

"I should have died in the first Games. You could be with a girl that deserves you. Not someone who treated you so badly. Not someone who's careless with your feelings. I was so selfish and ignored you and you were left in the Capitol because of me. I should have died, and none of this would have happened," Katniss said. He looked over at Haymitch.

"You guys can't have any more fights. This is what's causing this," Peeta said. Haymitch nodded and sat on the table, right next to Peeta where he was kneeling in front of her.

"I know," Haymitch said. Peeta put his hand on her leg, that was curled under her.

"Katniss, it isn't true about anything I said. I didn't realize you'd take it this hard. I thought with Peeta here you'd be all right. I'm sorry," Haymitch told her. She looked over at him.

"I should have just died. Why didn't any of you just let me die?" she asked. Peeta grabbed her shoulders and shook them a little.

"Stop saying that you should have died. Stop making jokes about. Stop wallowing in those thoughts. You shouldn't have died. My heart died the day you killed yourself. My whole world ended," Peeta said. Katniss looked away but Peeta grabbed her chin and made her look at him.

"Stop it. Stop whatever's going on in your head. Katniss, you were 16 when you were thrown into the arena. They made you think these things. I know why you did the things you did. Why you didn't allow yourself to feel anything. I understand that" he told her. But she shook her head.

"How can you not hate me? You should hate me. I treated you so badly. Why don't you hate me?" she asked. They've had this fight before. Just when he thought she understood, all those feelings bubbled up and resurfaced again. He shook his head and scrubbed his face.

"What do you want me to say? That I forgive you? Fine Katniss, I forgive you. I forgive you for everything that you said and did since Prim's name was called. Ok? I don't hate you, and I never will. Stop trying to push me away. I don't want to be with some other girl. I'm not going to love anyone else. It's you. It's always been you, and it's always going to be you," Peeta told her, wiping her tears away. He looked back over at Haymitch.

"We can't give her sleeping pills now. She'll never wake up in time. She has to be awake at 6:00 to get prepped," Peeta said.

"She'll have to sleep tomorrow night with them,"

"How? We could barely get them on the train. How are we gonna smuggle them into the District 4 girls house?" he asked. Haymitch looked away, thinking.

"Cinna. He'll have to alter whatever she's wearing to dinner. Hide it in there. You guys sleep in your clothes and don't even change into your pajamas when you're there," Haymitch said. Snow was a sick man. He wanted to torture them by making them sleep in the dead tributes bed. Some of them died at their hands. But he knew they were pissing Snow off even more. They never once slept in any of their beds. They slept on the floor.

"Just take her to bed and see if she'll sleep for a few hours," Haymitch said and left.

"Katniss come on. Let's go try and get a couple hours of sleep,' he told her and pulled her to stand up. Thank God he never took his sleeping pills. He honestly just forgot about them, leaving them on his nightstand.

He took Katniss into her room, and realized she was still wearing her dress. Well, this put him in a predicament. She sat down on her bed. She wasn't so dazed that she didn't know what was going on. He grabbed some clothes for her to wear and turned back around.

"Can you change yourself? Or do you need help?" he asked her softly. She shook her head and took the clothes into the bathroom.

She would hate it if he saw her like that. He had only seen her legs. Nothing else. He wished Prim was here to give her a bath. That somehow always started to wake her up.

She came out a minute later in pajamas. He took her hand and got her to lay down. He got in bed himself, pulling her to lay with her head on his chest.

"Just try and get some sleep Katniss. You have to be up in a few hours," he told her as he kissed the top of her head.

"I want to get something straight. It doesn't matter what happened in the past. I want to have a future with you. It doesn't matter how we got here. We went through a lot. I hung on because I knew you'd be worth the wait. And I was right," he told her. After a few minutes, he knew she had fallen asleep.

She did sleep for a couple of hours that night before they came and got her to get ready. He went back to sleep in his own bed for a couple of hours, and then went to breakfast. He sat down next to her and kissed her cheek.

"You look pretty," he said softly. She smiled at him, but it was a sad smile.

"Don't be sad. We're in District 4. Finnick's here," he reminded her. That lit up her eyes a little, but then she shook her head.

"I can't even talk to him," she grumbled. Peeta looked over to Haymitch, pleading with his eyes to do something. Haymitch looked back at him, basically telling Peeta there was nothing that he could do.

She at least smiled during the parade. She sounded monotone during the speeches, but that was real. She at least didn't have to act. The lunch was boring with the mayor.

And then they were sent to the female tributes house for dinner. As they did with every Tribute family dinner, their prep teams went on and on about the Games. Carelessly talking about their dead children. It made them sick.

When they were getting ready for bed, Peeta tapped her shoulder, which has a tiny pocket that had her sleeping pills. She went into the bathroom and took them, and then her and Peeta went into her bedroom. They made themselves comfy in the corner of the wall and fell asleep.

When Katniss finally got some sleep, she always came back to him. It was nice to have her back. Once they said their goodbyes, they finally got to go on tour of the District. It was a lot of the same stuff they saw last time, but they were there longer this time, and got to enjoy more.

They were walking along a dock on the sand, staring at the ocean.

"Can we put our feet in the sand?" Peeta asked them.

"Sure," the mayor said.

"Absolutely not," Effie told them. Peeta and Katniss did it anyway. They left their shoes on the dock and went out a little further in the sand. They were acting like they had never seen it before. They had one time, but no one knew that.

They picked up the sand and felt it in their hands and fall through their fingers.

"Get back up here. NOW!" Effie yelled at them. Katniss laughed at her and looked at the ocean. Peeta stood next to her, shoulder to shoulder.

"How about we swim in a real ocean. Not a fake one," Peeta said, and linked his fingers with hers. They raised their hands to their shoulders and smiled. They took off running towards the ocean.

"YOU GET BACK HERE! DON'T YOU DARE GET WET!" Effie screamed at them, while the others laughed. They had a few Peacekeepers with them, and they went to move but the mayor stopped them.

"Let them have a little fun. They're just getting in the ocean," he told them. They ran into the water, fighting the waves until they couldn't run anymore. They were up to their waists when they stopped and just laughed. Peeta leaned forward and kissed her.

"Hi," he said. She smiled a real smile at him.

"Hi," she laughed.

"There's no mics out here. We can say whatever we want,"

"Then why is it that I only want to say how much I miss you. And how much I can't wait for this to all be over," she asked.

"It will be. One thing at a time. We've already gone through the Games. We already went through all those months apart. Now we're almost finished with the Tour. Just worry about the Tour," he told her. She nodded and then splashed him. They started splashing each other and laughing.

"Get your asses up here already!" Haymitch yelled, letting his toes sink in the wet sand. They both laughed as they made their way over to him. "It's nice to have a few minutes of happiness. I haven't seen the ocean since I was 16," he told them.

"I wanna come back here. When it's all over," Katniss said. Effie was screaming something awful at them. Haymitch turned around.

"OH, KEEP YOUR WIG ON!" he screamed at her. He turned back to them.

"We will come back here. All three of us. We'll swim in the ocean, and Haymitch will get drunk in the ocean and pass out in the wet sand with the waves covering him, and we'll have to carry him home," Peeta said, making Katniss burst out laughing.

"Why wait till then?" Katniss said, eyeing Peeta. They both looked at Haymitch.

"Don't you dare!" but it was too late. They grabbed him and hauled him into the ocean, dropping him in. Peeta and Katniss were practically falling over laughing at him as he yelled at them trying to get on his knees, only to be pushed by the wave, falling on his face. Peeta fell back on the sand because he was laughing so hard.

Effie screaming the entire time about how rude they are and disrespectful to the mayor they were being. Even though the mayor was genuinely smiling. Cinna and Portia weren't helping by standing there laughing along with them.

After a minute Haymitch finally got up and glared at them, and then walked back towards the dock. Peeta helped Katniss up and they walked back to the dock as well, laughing. He picked up their shoes and shook them off, sand flying everywhere.

"How could the two of you do this? Now we have to go back to the train and wash all that sand and God-awful Ocean water! We won't be able to tour where they package all the seafood!" Effie said.

"Oh yeah, Effie I'm really sorry we won't see that" Katniss laughed. The cameras had been on them the whole time, following along on the beach. But they couldn't hear the three of them talking in the ocean.

As they were walking back, Effie was walking next to them. Practically stomping her feet and standing up straight.

"You both need to stop all this nonsense because I will not be able to hold in my laughter for much longer," she told them angrily. Because she was trying not to laugh.

"I am very happy that you two have found moments to laugh," she said and stomped away from them. They both just laughed.

They were late to the male tributes house, which Effie was upset about. Haymitch would not talk to them. Every time Peeta and Katniss looked at Haymitch, they burst out laughing.

In the morning when they were leaving, they were walking back to the train and Katniss squeezed Peeta's hand. He knew why and smiled.

"We're gonna go see Finnick," he said. They couldn't stand the wait. This was how they felt about seeing Johanna.

Once they showed off their talents, they waited for the Victors of District 4 to walk in.

They had been coached the day before on the six Victors. Muscida Selkirk was a 60-year-old woman, who was as grouchy as they come.

Librae Piscator was around 36. Charming guy. But he was a little nuts. The Games messed him up. He would sometimes start having conversations like he was still in the Games.

And then Ron Venatics, who won two years after Finnick. He was around 23 and married with two little girls.

Katniss and Peeta took one look at him and realized why Snow pretty much left him alone. He was terribly ugly, with horrible burns covering his body! No woman in the Capitol would want to be with him. Haymitch told them that he got caught in a fire about a year before he was reaped. His wife was his girlfriend at the time, and she never left his side and was still in love with him to this day. He probably had the easiest life of all the Victors.

Mags was the first to walk in, arm and arm with Ron.

"Katniss, Peeta, I'd like to introduce you to two wonderful people. This woman right here is Mags. She's a wonderful and beautiful lady," he said and kissed her cheek, hugging her tightly.

"And this is Ron. Wonderful young man. And father to two of the most beautiful little girls," Haymitch said. Ron laughed as Peeta shook his hand.

"It's really nice to meet both of you," he said and then shook Mag's hand. Katniss smiled at Ron.

"I don't root for anyone in the Games. But I was rooting for you. And I'm glad I was right," she said. He smiled and leaned forward and hugged her.

"Thank you. I hope you're liking District 4. I hope that they let you stray a little and you got to sink your feet into the ocean," Ron said. Peeta and Katniss looked at each other, and then at Haymitch and burst out laughing. Haymitch leaned forward and smacked Peeta on the head. Mags pulled his arm back and then shook her finger at him. He rolled his eyes and wrapped his arm around her shoulders.

"We actually ran right into the ocean. And we pulled Haymitch in to," Peeta laughed. Ron laughed with them.

"Well, welcome to the family," Ron said.

"You leave me the hell alone!" a woman yelled. Muscida walked out, with Finnick following her.

"I'm just saying that maybe you need to tone it down with the red lipstick. You should stick with a neutral color. Your face is already so pale that it looks like the red lipstick is on a witch," Finnick told her. She took her cane and hit him with it.

"MAGS. Get this shithead away from me! You raised him. You deal with him. I wanted nothing to do with this little hoodlum from the moment he was reaped," she griped and walked by us to get to the couch. She looked at Peeta and Katniss. She scoffed.

"Idiots. Every year a new Victor comes along. You both were better off dying in that arena. Now you'll be doing this until the day you die. I'm doing this garbage until the day I die," she said and shook her head.

"Which we all hope is really soon," Finnick said and scrubbed his face. She didn't hear him. Then she looked Katniss up and down.

"You're not a pretty one, are you?" she asked. Katniss' eyes bugged out. Haymitch looked between her and Muscida.

"Peeta, meet your future," Haymitch joked. Katniss' mouth fell open.

"Hi there Muscida," Haymitch said. She pointed her cane at him.

"You stay away from me you drunken lush," Muscida said. Haymitch swiftly leaned down and kissed her. She hit him with a cane. "I said get away from me damnit!" she told him. Haymitch and Finnick laughed.

"Peeta, Katniss. This is Finnick Odair," Haymitch told them. Katniss just wanted to run over to him and hug him. Finnick knew that. He looked her up and down.

"You two look like the sweetest couple in all the Districts. A nice light ocean blue dress, fit for a pretty little girl," Finnick said and looked over at Haymitch.

"They're just the picture-perfect star-crossed lovers. And Katniss," he said and looked right at her. "Well, you're even more beautiful in person," Finnick smiled and winked. Katniss cleared her throat. They all sat down, and Finnick sat next to Katniss. She scooted closer to Peeta, but there was really no place for him to go.

Annie and Librae were talking with someone. They were nodding their heads and listening to whatever they were being told. They were escorted in. Ron was sitting next to Peeta, and Annie sat in between her and Mags. They would take care of her. Ron leaned over and kissed Annie's cheek and shook her leg. And sitting in front of Finnick was better because he could look right at her.

"Scoot over Muscida," Haymitch told her, squeezing in next to Finnick. She hit him.

"You drunken idiot. I'm sitting here and you have zero respect for older women. That's why you don't have a woman because you're a pig!" Peeta and Katniss tried to hold in their laughs. She wasn't wrong, Peeta thought. It was funny to see someone give it back to Haymitch, ten times worse.

"Listen here you old hag. I don't have a woman because they cost too much money. And I have too much of a drinking problem to spend that money on her. Besides, I've gotten a woman in each District. So, you can kiss my ass," Haymitch told her off.

Before anyone could say anything else Librae came in. He went over and shook Katniss' hand. "It's really good to meet you. Both of you," he said and shook Peeta's hand as well.

"I have to say, I was very happy that the two of you made it out of the Games together," Librae said. He shook his head. "You have to set the trap so when she steps on it the ax will fly down and slice her head off," Librae said. He shook his head again.

"It's never happened before. I'm really happy for you," he said. Peeta and Katniss smiled.

"Thank you. I'm a lucky guy," Peeta said as he wrapped his arm around Katniss. Librae smiled and sat down on the couch. Peeta and Katniss were shocked by that. Neither knew how to react to that. The others didn't even flinch when he said it.

"I'm not sitting by this mental case. Someone get him outta here," Muscida said.

"Oh, shut up. You're an old waste of space, and you never hear him complaining that he gets stuck sitting by you," Haymitch said.

"I stabbed him in the heart," Librae told Haymitch.

"I know you did. You already told me that story. We're gonna listen to their stories now," Haymitch told Librae kindly, who smiled and nodded his head. Haymitch was so kind to him. And then Ron was so good with Annie. Victors really do take care of each other.

How sad was that though? Peeta tightened his hold on Katniss. He looked at Librae and Annie. The Games were too much on their mental state. It scared him to death that Katniss would end up like this. He couldn't allow that to happen to her.

Caesar came on, screaming and cheering. Saying hi to everyone. Annie started ringing her hands, and Ron wrapped his arm around her nonchalantly while Mags placed her hand over Annie's. Finnick cleared his throat and she looked up and he smiled at her.

"Alright Katniss. How are you enjoying District 4. I know you and Peeta talked about this very moment of being in District 4 while you were in the caves,"

"I believe she specifically mentioned me as well Caesar," Finnick said as he leaned over and put his hand on Katniss' thigh. She shifted uncomfortably, but she couldn't shake off his hand. She gave her fake smile to the camera.

"Yeah, Katniss was terrible at trying to make something to cover our cave with," Peeta chuckled.

"Well, I'd be more than happy to teach you," Finnick said charmingly. Katniss sucked in her lips and put her head down. She was willing herself not to laugh.

"Oh, will you stop shamelessly flirting with her?" Ron chuckled.

"Better watch out Peeta. You've met another charmer like yourself," Caesar laughed.

"Hey, I'm a charming man as well. I just don't drape my charm all over the poor girl," Ron joked. Peeta laughed and leaned forward and took Finnick's hand off of her thigh.

"Well Caesar, I'm not so worried about Katniss, as I am about the next man that flirts with her. I think she's hit her limit, and we all might see some of the Girl on Fire that everyone loves so much," Peeta joked. Katniss hid her face in 'embarrassment' but really just snorted into her hands.

"Well, it's a good thing she doesn't have a bow then. Tell me, are you talented with any other weapons, Girl on Fire?" Finnick asked, charm dripping from his mouth. Katniss looked up and her face was bright red. Again, not from embarrassment, but from laughter.

"Her mouth is pretty obnoxious. She'd kill anyone with that," Haymitch said. Katniss gave him a look and crossed her arms.

"Now Haymitch, I don't believe that for a minute," Caesar said.

"Oh, I've heard quite a few stories already. Blight seemed to spin quite a tale about Mrs. Everdeen," Finnick said, smiling. Katniss' face turned red with anger.

"Alright everyone, let's lay off her," Peeta chuckled.

"Katniss can dish it out, but she surely can't take it," Haymitch laughed. Her eyes narrowed at him.

"Oh, Katniss I'm so sorry about what I've started. Tell me, are you missing home too much? Missing Prim?" Caesar asked. Katniss straightened up.

"I am really missing Prim. But I have to admit, I'm having so much fun getting to see all the Districts. It's like a dream come true," Katniss said, and smiled at Peeta. Haymitch groaned.

"This is what I live with every day. Everything's beautiful and romantic. They're sickening," Haymitch groaned.

"I think they're cute together," Librae said. He shook his head. "I killed the girl from-"Muscida hit him with her cane to stop him from talking.

"You spit all over me when you're talking. I've had enough of you," she said. Peeta was surprised. Did she did that to save him? Maybe she wasn't as awful as everyone thinks?

"Muscida, are you feeling left out of the conversation. I apologize. Tell me, what did you think of Katniss and Peeta in the Games?" Caesar asked. She snorted.

"I wish you had left me alone. I think they're foolish and sickening to watch. And I hate your hair color!" she told Caesar. Katniss couldn't help it. She burst out laughing then. She covered her mouth and turned to Peeta, laughing through her hands. Ok, she is awful as everyone thinks.

Peeta covered his mouth as well, struggling to keep from laughing. Katniss was using her hand to block out Muscida. Katniss' laughter only grew louder. Peeta then couldn't help it and he also joined in the laughter.

They tried to reign the two in, but as soon as they made eye contact, they burst into another round of laughs. They had calmed down some, but as soon as they turned and looked at Muscida, they burst out laughing again.

"She said…she said his hair," Katniss couldn't get the words out through her laughter. "And she hits people," she laughed, swinging her hand around. "With her cane," they were leaning against each other.

Annie and Librae were the first ones to crack and started laughing. Finnick and Ron were covering their mouths, struggling to not smile. Haymitch leaned his head back and laughed softly.

"Alright you two. You need to settle down," Caesar laughed. After a moment they looked at him.

"Now, where were we?" Caesar asked. Katniss couldn't help it. Muscida moved her cane, and Katniss made this strange noise in the back of her throat and then laughed.

"I can't…I just can't look at her," Katniss laughed.

"Katniss no one can look at the old wench. But it's nothing to laugh about," Finnick told her. Muscida reached over and hit him with her cane. It was too much.

"I'm gonna pee my pants," Peeta laughed.

"Oh the boy from five peed- "Librae went to say but Muscida hit him again. The laughter got louder.

"Alright we're gonna take a short break to let the Star-crossed lovers settle down," Caesar said, and it went to a commercial. If it was even possible, Katniss and Peeta's laughter reached an all-time high.

"She hit him again," Katniss said.

"She always hits us. She doesn't like us very much," Annie told them.

"You two are soft little pansies. How did these fools win the damn Hunger Games?" Muscida asked. Finnick leaned forward to see around Haymitch.

"Hey, wrinkly old hag. Were you watching the Games, or did you have to change your diaper and miss everything?" Finnick asked. Haymitch burst out laughing. After a few failed attempts at looking at Muscida, they were finally starting to calm down right when Caesar came back.

Caesar was talking away to Finnick and Ron, while Katniss was wiping away her tears. Peeta was helping her wipe away the mascara that was under her eyes.

"My prep team is gonna have a field day with my face," Katniss told him softly, so they weren't interrupting the conversation.

"I still think you look pretty," he said sweetly and smiled at her. She chuckled.

"Thank you. God my face is so hot I feel like it's going to melt off," Katniss said touching her face. She moved so Peeta could touch her cheeks and chuckled. He put his hands on his own face.

"Mine's hot to," he chuckled. She felt his face and chuckled.

"AHEM! Lovebirds!" Caesar called. Peeta and Katniss had phased out for a moment, going into their own little world where there was laughter and happiness. They didn't have to fake anything. They didn't have to put on an act. They were real in front of the camera for just a moment.

They cleared their throats and straightened up.

"Sorry Caesar," Katniss said as she started fanning herself. Peeta glanced at Haymitch and Finnick for just a moment. They had seen the exchange as well. But they weren't mad. They looked in awe. For just a moment, they caught it to. They were having a happy moment.

"That's quite alright you two. I'm just glad we could compose ourselves. Now, Muscida. I forgive you for insulting my hair," She rolled her eyes.

"I don't know what to tell you Caesar. Once the body goes, the mind follows," Finnick said.

"I'll show you where you can shove this cane right up your- "she yelled, pointing her cane at him. But Haymitch stopped her.

"Will you cut it out Bitchy poo. Just sit there and turn your hearing aids off," Haymitch told her.

"Alright, alright settle down everyone. Now. Finnick. I think you have something for Katniss. We're gonna take another short break," Caesar said. Katniss looked over at him.

"Alright guys stand up so we can move the set," someone yelled. They all stood up and the couches were being moved out, and a table was being moved in.

There were chairs that were lined up for the Victors to sit in, except for Katniss, Peeta and Finnick. They were standing behind the table.

"Katniss come stand next to me," Finnick said. She eyed him warily and he just smiled at her.

"Honey I'm not going to bite," he said. She crossed her arms and walked over to him. Peeta got on the other side.

"Alright we're back. Finnick. Tell us what Mrs. Everdeen and Mr. Mellark are doing today," Caesar said.

"Well, as we all remember, Katniss was trying to make something to cover the cave opening. And Peeta teased her because it was terrible. So, Katniss said she would just ask me to help her. So, that's what we're making today Caesar. A simple mat. Anyone can do it," Finnick said.

Finnick started showing them, and Katniss and Peeta tried to replicate what Finnick was doing. Peeta's looked perfect. But hers was an absolute disaster.

"Peeta you really have a knack for this. Are you sure you aren't really from District 4?" Finnick asked. Peeta laughed.

"No definitely not from 4," Peeta said and smiled at Katniss. She just scowled, and Finnick looked at her and smiled.

"Ok Peeta was right. This is terrible," Finnick laughed. She threw it down on the table.

"It's not fair. He's been baking his entire life. He can do anything with his hands. They're like magic," Katniss griped. Haymitch snorted and started chuckling. Finnick's eyes widened, and he smiled. Peeta just covered his face.

"Oh really?" Finnick asked as he bent over the table and leaned his elbows on the table. "Please tell me, what else can Peeta do with his magical hands?" Finnick asked as he wiggled his fingers. Peeta groaned into his hands.

"What?" she asked. Katniss wasn't getting it. Peeta smacked him and Finnick laughed and stood up, holding his hands up.

"Ok, ok, ok. I'll just help you," Finnick laughed and went behind Katniss and took her hands. "Now this is how you want to weave it through," Finnick said in a sultry voice. Playing with her hands. Katniss was uncomfortable and she shot a look at Peeta. He looked helpless.

"Alright I give. I'm no good at this. You win," Katniss said to Peeta and moved out of Finnick's arms and over to Peeta.

Once they were done, they went back to the train to eat lunch and get ready for the party. Katniss and Haymitch had another argument about how Finnick kept touching her and he did nothing about it. And how rude Finnick and Haymitch were to Muscida. And how Muscida was rude to Librae. And how much Muscida was rude to her.

She told Haymitch she was done and said Snow could have her. Haymitch threw a glass at the wall, whizzing by her head and practically dragged her off the train.

Katniss and Peeta were sitting at a table, and Katniss was just picking at her food.

"What's wrong?" Peeta asked.

"I'm really tired of seafood," Katniss admitted. Peeta smiled.

"I kinda am to. It's good. But this is just too much for me," Peeta said. He stood up and held out his hand. "So, dance with me then," he said. She took his hand and he led her to the dance floor. Peeta lead them and started swaying.

"I can't wait to be home. What day are we on now?" she asked.

"Day 34. We have 17 more days, and then we're done for good," he told her. She put her head on his shoulder.

"I don't know how I can take 17 more days of this. I'm just so tired," she whispered. He lifted her head to look at him.

"34 days have already passed. You can get through 17 more," Peeta said. He looked over her shoulder. "We're gonna sneak away again. I'll go first. Go out the green door and take the second right. Go all the way down and take a left. It's the first door on the right," Peeta said and kissed her cheek. He snuck out, and Katniss sat back down and waited for a few minutes before she followed him.

When she opened the door, it was a small office that had very dim lighting.

"Peeta?" she called. The lamp light turned on and Peeta was behind the desk. Leaning up against it in front was Finnick with his arms crossed. Smiling. She felt like she could cry, and she flung herself at him.

"Hi there, best friend. I've missed you," Finnick said, hugging her tightly.

"I've missed you so much," Katniss cried. She couldn't help it.

"Haymitch set this up. They think he's with a lady friend upstairs," Peeta said.

"We only have a few minutes until you both have to go down a different hallway and start making out," Finnick joked. Katniss pulled away, and Finnick wiped her tears.

"I know you're having a really hard time. I know this has taken so much out of you," Finnick said and squeezed her hands.

"And I know I can't be there for you. I won't see you until we're back in the Capitol. But just know that I'm always here for you. And I'm thinking of you. You're not alone. And I know you can do this. I have faith in you," Finnick said. Katniss sucked in a shaky breath.

"I have nightmares about you. So many Finnick. You broke me when I had to throw…" she trailed off and Finnick shook his head.

"What you did for me…" Finnick trailed off, choking on his words. "It's something only a Victor can understand. You do the hard things, that others won't do. You do things, that an average person can't do, and then you're stuck with facing it by yourself, and taking all the weight on your shoulders," he said as she sucked in another shaky breath.

"I was in so much pain. I wanted to die at that exact moment. And my best friend did the one thing that was needed…You let me die without suffering," Finnick said. She let out a sob and hugged him again.

"I needed you to end my suffering. You did what I wanted you to do. I need you to get that through your head. You released me. And it's what I wanted. Please stop taking this weight on your shoulders. Don't let Snow win," Finnick said and pulled her back, making her look at him.

"Don't let him get inside your head. He makes you think that everything was your fault. I chose this. Everybody chose this. Katniss, everyone who died…they didn't die because of you. And they didn't die for you. They died for their freedom," Finnick said. Then he chuckled. "Ok so a couple people died for you. Myself included," Finnick joked, making her laugh. He hugged her again.

"I love you. And I know you can do this. Just stay strong. And know that I'm with you all the time," he said and kissed the top of her head. He pulled back and smiled at her. "Now, in a little while I'm going to come ask you to dance. You're going to be super uncomfortable with me. I'm going to whisper some sexual inuendo, you'll blush and glare at me and go and stomp away," Finnick joked. She laughed and wiped her face.

"Thank you," Katniss said. He smiled and snuck out of the room. Peeta came around and hugged her. "Thank you," she told him.

"You're welcome. Come on let's go make out in a hallway," he joked. They were caught a few minutes later and ran back into the ballroom. And true to his word, Finnick made her dance with him.

"It's amazing how Cinna is able to capture your innocence in every outfit he designs for you. This dress is just the perfect, dewey eyed schoolgirl look," Finnick said.

"Well Cinna is amazing. Everyone in the Capitol is wearing him," She told him. Finnick leaned into her to whispered in his ear.

"I wouldn't mind seeing what's under that innocent little dress," Finnick said. She gasped and pushed him away and stomped off the dance floor. She went up to Peeta and Effie.

"Have we put in enough time to leave now?" she demanded. Effie nodded her head, and she flew out of the ballroom like a tornado.

She got onto the train, with Peeta right behind her and saw Haymitch there. He had left early out of boredom. She went running up to him and hugged him. Peeta was smiling at him over her shoulder.

"Thank you Haymitch," she whispered.

"You're welcome sweetheart," He pulled away and cleared his throat. "Damnit what the hell is wrong with you now? I can't do this after every day in every! Single! District!" Haymitch told her.

"You better tell all your Victor friends to stay away from me. Finnick Odair just said he wanted to see what was under my dress," Katniss yelled at him. Haymitch scoffed.

"Yes, I agree though. Every single District. Let's go over them, shall we? How a Victor in every District has groped me, touched me inappropriately or made sexual innuendos at me," Katniss told him. Haymitch plopped down.

"Oh, this should be good," Haymitch said.

"Chaff in 11 kissed me and grabbed my butt. Jacob Harrod in 10 stared at my breasts and ask me what my bra size was," Haymitch burst out laughing.

"Did he really?" he laughed.

"Haymitch come on," Peeta said.

"Daniel Bernhardt from 9 asked me what sexual position I liked best with Peeta. Denim Weaver from 8 spilled a little of his drink on me and put his hand out to grab my breasts. Blight Jordan from 7 made me sit in his lap and grabbed my butt. Axel Vexer from 6 asked me if I shaved down there. Fox Perideaux from 5 told me how big he is down there. And then we have Finnick. So yes Haymitch. Every single damn District,"

"What do you want me to do about it? They're having fun. Just let it roll off your back," Haymitch laughed. She picked up a glass and threw it at the wall, making sure not to throw it close to where he was sitting.

"THAT'S IT. THAT'S THE LAST TIME YOU THROW SOMETHING AT ME!" He screamed and Katniss ran into her room and slammed the door. Peeta and Haymitch were pretending to struggle with each other.

"Haymitch leave her alone. They're sexually harassing her. She has a right to be mad," Peeta said.

"She threw a glass at my head,"

"Haymitch sit back down," Peeta told him. He held his hand to his mouth to keep the laughter in. That was actually a comical argument. He enjoyed that one.

They were on the train for three whole days. They were so bored. She yelled at Effie when she woke her up the first day. She had nothing to do, why not sleep in. Effie didn't wake up her up the other two days.

Peeta and Katniss sat and watched the TV. It was all about them. Showing them in every District. They were currently watching all those little moments that they forgot the cameras were watching them. Not really forgetting, just pretending. The Capitol was telling this beautiful love story. Katniss looked at him and just rolled her eyes.

"I hope they show something else. How can they keep watching this. It's the same in every single District. It's overkill. This has got to be over already," she groaned.

"Think of it this way. We've already gotten through 8 Districts. We only have 3 left, and the Capitol. We're almost done," Peeta said.

Peeta and Katniss were happy to see Wiress and Beetee. And they only had one other living Victor. Roadie Violet. He asked Katniss if she'd ever been licked. Right in front of Peeta. Peeta pulled her away after that. And Katniss had no idea what he meant.

They were happy that when they left that night, they arrived in District 2 the next morning. But District 2 made them nervous. They were all for the Capitol. So, they weren't huge fans of Katniss and Peeta.

When they met Clove's parents, they were not happy. It was blatantly obvious. This was the first family that was angry at them. And why shouldn't they be? Because of Katniss, Thresh killed their daughter.

"This was Clove's room. Just go on in there and look at all of her things. Take whatever you want," her mother said and walked away. It was the worst house yet. And they figured the next three would be like that.

And they were right. Cato's was like that. The mother and father wouldn't even look at Katniss and Peeta. Katniss practically begged Haymitch to stay and take care of them, but he wasn't allowed. They followed Cato's mom down the hall.

"If you could not touch anything in his room, I would appreciate that. It's bad enough you killed my son, I don't want the hands of the girl who murdered my son touching all his things. Including his bed. You can sleep on the floor," she said and walked down the hall and slammed her door.

Peeta pulled her into Cato's bedroom, and she covered her face with her hands, and he pulled her to his chest.

"I know Katniss. It's ok. It's ok. She has a right to be upset. We both know that. But this wasn't your fault. The Capitol made you do this. They made the Hunger Games. And they made District 1 and 2 support the Hunger Games and made them think that the Games are an Honor. Don't let them get inside your head," he said and kissed her head. And really, they'd be reunited with their children soon.

They all but ran out of the house the next morning to get camera ready on the train for breakfast. Cato's parents wouldn't even look at them. Katniss practically jumped out of that house.

District 2 had the most Victors so far. Nine out of twelve Victors were still alive. She was happy to see Commander Lyme- well no, she was just Lyme here. The Victors here were all Careers. And they were all intimidating. She would be intimidated by Lyme if she hadn't met her already.

Brutus challenged Katniss and Peeta to a knife throwing contest. Peeta laughed because he knew he'd be terrible. Katniss and Brutus went back and forth. Brutus was different. Sure, he was intimidating, but he was laughing. Having fun with them. But it was clear he had no memory of what happened. The only one who did was Lyme.

"Can I see your teeth?" Peeta asked Enobaria. They both leaned forward, and she showed them off.

"Do you ever bite your tongue?" he asked. She actually smiled.

"A few times. But you never know when you're gonna be in the Hunger Games and need to eat the flesh off of another Tribute," she said. Peeta and Katniss just gulped. She had no idea how true that statement was, being back in the Games.

Blade Dagger was the District 2 perv. He asked Katniss if she wanted to join him in the pants party. Everyone laughed, but she didn't get the joke. He was all the way from the 15th Games, and he was still a large intimidating man…even with a cane.

They didn't have to travel anymore for days. Once they left District 2 that night, they were in District 1 the next morning.

"I don't know how we're supposed to go to two more Tribute's house," Peeta said. He was sitting on the floor in Katniss' prep room. Her prep team were in another room mixing colors and chemicals and potions. Peeta was drinking hot chocolate while Haymitch sat in another chair, drinking who knows what.

Katniss was resting back in her lounge chair. Her toenails were drying, as were her fingernails. She was laying back and had some yellow mask on her face, and cucumbers over her eyes, while there was tin foil in her hair.

"Why do you have cucumbers on your eyes?" Haymitch asked.

"They said she had dark circles under her eyes, and she looked worn down," Peeta said. Katniss snorted.

"Gee I wonder why. We were treated like garbage by Cato and Clove's parents. It's just going to be the same thing with Glimmer and Marvel. I killed their children," Katniss said.

"You need something for your blood pressure. I'm impressed you haven't had a heart attack yet," Haymitch said. It wasn't an insult. It was just the truth. Peeta knew that Katniss understood just by the sound of his voice, because she didn't move a muscle.

Glimmer's house was much the same. Her mother cried. "I can't believe I have my daughter's murderer sleeping in my house. How shameful and prideful they are," Glimmer's mother said.

"It's ok. Not much longer now," Peeta told her as he held her all night.

Marvel's parents wouldn't even look at them. The whole time they were there they acted like the two of them never existed. They didn't even tell them where Marvel's bedroom was. They had to figure it out. And his parents never said anything in the morning as well.

Once they left and Marvel's house as out of sight, Peeta picked Katniss up and spun her around.

"No more houses. That was the last one. We made it through. We're almost done," Peeta said and hugged her tightly.

"We're almost home," she whispered.

District 1 had nine out of eleven Victors for them to meet. The second she walked in she knew. She didn't just have one guy that was going to harass her. She was getting all the men, except the oldest from the 9th Games.

Silver Rodain from the 20th. Glaze Opaille from the 22nd, Mint Sturnham from the 47th, and the worst one, Azurea Beauregarde form the 69th. And surprisingly, Gloss!

Gloss' flirting was harmless. It was like he had a crush on her. He just stared adoringly at her. While Azurea was high on morphling, asked if he could spank Katniss.

"Ok that's enough. I'm serious," Peeta said. Katniss and Peeta had played their role very well with all the Districts. But they were both stir crazy, and ready for this to end. Peeta and Katniss had had enough! Those two didn't have their memories, so they weren't acting. They were serious. And Peeta was absolutely done with it.

They were surprised how friendly Cashmere was. She was genuine. Even though Gloss was flirting with Katniss, it was harmless. He was a nice guy. But from what Peeta could tell, Gloss desired Katniss. It was a look he knew well. He saw it in the mirror every day.

Their interview wasn't as bad. But it wasn't easy either. Their Victors were intimidating, but nowhere near as bad as District 2, when they thought they shouldn't make any sudden movements around District 2 Victors.

When they went to the party, Cashmere sat next to Katniss, and they actually had a nice conversation. "It was exciting to watch something new. Not the same old Hunger Games. This one made me pay attention. I think it's amazing that you got out together," Cashmere said. Katniss smiled.

"So am I," Katniss said. Cashmere wiped her mouth.

"Walk me to the lady's room," Cashmere whispered. Katniss looked around and then at Peeta.

"I'll be right back," she said and kissed his cheek, and then followed Cashmere into the bathroom. Cashmere locked the door, and Katniss went on full alert.

"Listen. I hate to do this. But it's something that every Victor has to know, and when there's cameras around, Victors don't get a chance to explain what a Victor's life is really like," Cashmere said. Katniss was a little scared if she was honest. Cashmere took a deep breath.

"You're desirable to the Capitol. You're beautiful. And beautiful Victors don't just get to live a wonderful, safe life. If you're beautiful, like you and Peeta are…Snow is going to prostitute you out," Cashmere whispered. Katniss' body froze.

"I know you're scared right now. But we can't sugar coat it. You'll be safe when you're in the Capitol this time, because all eyes are on you. But when the Quarter Quell comes…that's when he'll give you a proposal. You sleep with who he sells you to, and your family lives," Cashmere said. Katniss could feel her body shaking.

"With you and Peeta together…it's going to be the worst. He'll send you both together. He'll probably have you lose your virginity while they film it," she said. Katniss covered her mouth.

"I know this is a lot Katniss. But you have to take yourself out of it. Let your mind take you out of that moment. Go somewhere else. But don't let one of them take your virginity. And don't let Peeta take it in front of someone. When you get home Katniss, let him do it in private," Cashmere said. Why was she saying this? Tears streamed down her face.

"He's a good guy. I know it was an act to get him out of the arena. And I mean, if I knew the kid from my District, I may have done the same thing. But Peeta's a good guy. Just make some happy memories with him. So, when you are forced, just think of those moments. Don't let them steal everything about sex away from you. Don't let them take your innocence. Let Peeta do it in the right way," she told her. Katniss couldn't breathe.

"What? How?" she asked pointing to her. Cashmere closed her eyes.

"Gloss warned me when I won. So, I had to somehow within a year, figure out how to make it mean something. Make it something I could hold onto," she looked away. "So, Gloss did it," Cashmere whispered. Katniss covered her mouth.

"He makes us do it together in front of the Capitol," she whispered. Her brother took her virginity? Snow makes them do this together? Cashmere turned back to her and wiped her face and then the tears falling down Katniss' face.

"I know this is hard. And I'm so sorry. But when it's all done, you go be with any Victor. They'll be there for you. No matter which one you find first. Even one of the guys who have been all over you. They'll take care of you in that moment," Cashmere said and hugged her. "Dry your eyes and come out in a few minutes. Don't take too long in here," she said and pulled away and ran out of the bathroom.

Peeta was waiting for Katniss to come back when Gloss sat next to him. "Can we talk a minute?" Gloss asked. Peeta looked around and saw no one. So, he nodded.

"I have to warn you. About the Capitol," Gloss said. Peeta shook his head. What did he say?

"I have to make this fast before someone comes over. But Snow thinks your beautiful. And he takes beautiful people and sells them," Gloss said…what? "Sexually. He'll do it to both of you. And since your stunt with the berries, he's going to make it ten times worse. He'll make you and Katniss do things that will make you want to kill yourself," Gloss told him. Haymitch had never told him this. So why would someone from District 1 tell him?

"By yourself and together. So, I'm warning you that it's going to happen. For the girls it's worse. Just give Katniss good memories before it happens. Don't let those assholes take her cherry or watch you do it. It's sickening enough," Gloss said. For once, Peeta was at a loss for words.

"It'll be better for Katniss if you do it in the privacy of your bedroom," Gloss said. He watched Cashmere sneak in.

"Where's Katniss?" Peeta demanded. Gloss looked and saw Cashmere at the bar.

"She's probably still in the bathroom. Cashmere just talked with her to," Gloss said. Peeta's eyes widened.

"What did Cashmere say to her?" Haymitch asked as he came over, startling Peeta.

"You know what," Gloss said. Peeta ran his hand through his hair. "Why didn't you do it? You're their mentor," Gloss asked.

"Because it's not gonna happen. Where is she?" Haymitch asked Cashmere as she walked up to them.

"She'll be a few minutes," Cashmere said. Peeta wasted no time and went running out the door and down the hall to the bathroom, with Haymitch right behind him. Peeta threw open the door, and saw Katniss on the floor, just staring and crying. Peeta got down on the floor right in front of her.

"Katniss please don't get upset. It's not gonna happen. It didn't happen. It's not possibly going to happen," Peeta said. Katniss was shaking uncontrollably. Peeta looked back at Haymitch.

"We have to get her out of here," Peeta said.

"Something didn't agree with her stomach. She has food poisoning. Come on sweetheart," Haymitch said as they helped her stand up. Peeta took his jacket off and threw it around her shoulders. Haymitch got his hands wet and patted her face, her arms, and her neck and chest with water.

"She looks like she's sweating," Haymitch said. They walked out with her, and a camera saw them. Haymitch stood in front of them.

"Alright just stay right there. Katniss has food poisoning, so we're gonna call this an early night. And you're not gonna film this. Or I'm gonna shove my foot up your ass," Haymitch said and shoved the camera away. They were walking back to the train, when Haymitch moved them down a small alley.

"Katniss. You have to calm down. Please listen to me. This isn't going to happen," Peeta said. He had never felt Katniss shake like this before.

"That's…what he…was going to…do to me?" she whispered and stared at Haymitch. He just looked at her sadly.

"I didn't know for sure. If I knew then I would tell you. But I didn't want to upset you with something that may not happen," Haymitch lied to her. Peeta knew it, but Katniss was too upset to notice that Haymitch was lying. It was going to happen. Peeta thought he was going to be sick.

"Katniss, I need you to calm down. We need to get back to the train. We can't talk about this on the train, so I need you to stay focused on me," Peeta said. They heard footsteps, and saw Cinna, Effie and Portia stop and then turn down the alley.

"What happened?" Cinna asked.

"Cashmere and Gloss gave them the speech of what happens to beautiful Victors," Haymitch said and scrubbed his face. They all just stood there.

"Prim always gives her a bath first. The water starts getting her out of this. She's not completely stuck in her head yet. But she needs to take a bath," Peeta said.

"I have a bathtub in my bathroom," Portia said. Peeta looked over at Effie.

"I can't see her like that," Peeta said. He was asking her to do it.

"I've seen her. I'll do it. Come on," Cinna said as they surrounded her to let her walk, covering her from any hidden cameras. They got her on the train and down to Portia's room.

"I'll take care of her. Just bring me something to change her into," Cinna said.

"Mics are off in here and the bathroom," Haymitch said. Cinna took her into the bathroom and got her into the tub. He washed off the makeup and washed her hair while she just sat there with her knees pulled up to her chin.

"I could have been one of them," she whispered. She looked up at him. "That's what was supposed to happen to me," she told him. Cinna let out a deep breath.

"Be thankful that it didn't. And be thankful that it won't. I can only imagine how scary that is for someone. But we all saved you from that life. You and Peeta," Cinna told her.

"Things are different now. What if when we get there tomorrow, and he makes me do something? What about the Quarter Quell?" she cried. The door slid open and Haymitch walked in. Covering his eyes with his hands. He threw the clothes at Cinna and shut the door and slid down to the bathtub, holding his hand out.

"What are you doing?" Cinna asked.

"I heard what you said. So, listen to me. Tomorrow, nothing is going to happen. Because all eyes are on you the entire time. That Capitol loves you so much, that they want to see every moment of your time with them. And nothing will happen in the Quell because there's too much focus on the Tribute's. It's easier for mentors to sneak away, but not the Tribute's. You're going to be fine," Haymitch told her, looking for her shoulder. Cinna grabbed his hand and placed it on her shoulder and squeezed it.

"We don't know for sure," she cried.

"Yes, we do. Because Plutarch's with him. He's been with him since right before the Tour. I already said he couldn't stop the tour, but he's gotten inside of Snow's head. Everything is going right on plan. And Plutarch will never let someone hurt you like that. He cares about you too much to let anyone touch you in that way," Haymitch said. Katniss just stared at him.

"She's giving me a dirty look like she doesn't believe me, isn't she?" Haymitch asked. Cinna chuckled.

"Yeah, she is," Cinna said.

"Sweetheart, Plutarch does care about you. He has his own weird way of doing it, but he cares about you," Haymitch chuckled. Then he reached down her arm to hold her hand.

"Wanna know how I know he won't let it happen? Because he stopped it the first time," Haymitch told her. Katniss covered her mouth. "I told you I wouldn't lie to you anymore. It would have happened," he admitted.

"But Plutarch stopped it from happening. And we will never, EVER, let anyone sexually abuse you ever Katniss. I promise," Haymitch told her. He pulled his hand back.

"Help me out of here," he grumbled at Cinna, making him chuckle as he guided Haymitch out. He sat back down next to the tub and made Katniss look at him.

"Don't let Snow get inside your head about this. It didn't happen, and it won't happen," Cinna told her and kissed the top of her head. He got her out of the tub and dried her off and helped her get dressed.

When they came out Peeta was leaning onto the bed with his arms crossed and looking down at the floor. The moment the door slid open Peeta jumped and took Katniss into her arms. He was fresh from a shower as well.

"Are you ok?" he asked her. Katniss nodded her head and he pulled back. He kissed her lips and then kissed her cheek. "Come on, let me take you to bed," he aside and kissed her temple.

"Take the sleeping pills tonight. Then hit your watch and they'll turn the mics back on about 30 minutes later," Haymitch told them. Peeta nodded and wrapped his arms around her and walked her down to his bedroom because it was closer.

He pulled her with him into bed and pulled her close to him.

"I don't want you to think of those things. I want you to just clear your mind and just listen to me. Ok?" he asked. She nodded her head.

"I don't know when it's going to happen Katniss Everdeen. But you and me, we're endgame. No one in this world is going to take our first time, or any time away from us. Every sexual moment that we have, will only be with each other. For the rest of our lives. And when we make love for the first time, there will be candles and red rose petals. Anything romantic that I can think of. And it will feel good. And we'll be in love. And our first time will be clumsy, and we'll laugh about it, and have to practice getting it right. You're mine, and no one will ever touch you in that way, except for me," he told her. Repeatedly kissing the side of her face.

Her arms were under his arms, laying on his back. He felt her hug him tighter then. "The only one that will ever get to see you in that way, is me. It's always going to just be you and me," he told her.

"Thank you," she whispered. He kissed her ear and leaned over and grabbed the sleeping pills for them. They each took them, and he pressed the button on his watch, and fell asleep.

They woke up more refreshed. That was one of the glorious side effects of these particular sleeping pills. They put you to sleep in a matter of a few minutes. You sleep through the entire night, never waking up once. They keep you from dreaming. And when you wake up, you feel wonderful. Not in the least bit tired.

"Good morning," he whispered and kissed her softly. She snuggled up into his chest.

"I wish we could stay here forever," Katniss murmured into his chest. He chuckled and rubbed her back.

"One day Katniss Everdeen. Me and you will wake up and stay in bed all day," he whispered into her ear. She pulled back and looked up at him. She looked around and remembered where she was. "Guess what today is though?" he asked her. She raised an eyebrow.

"It's day 47. We're almost home,"

The Capitol parade was the biggest parade yet. It took almost two hours. Their prep teams cried the whole time. You would have thought it was them that won the Hunger Games. They waved excitedly at people that they knew.

Cinna and Portia had gotten a little tired and scooted back down into their seats awhile.

Effie was in her glory. Waving to everyone. Cheering about her precious Victors. She never tired, which amazed Peeta.

Haymitch was already well on his way to being drunk when they got there, but he had a few flasks with him, so he completely got drunk. He threw up a few times over the car and onto the street. His body was currently draped off to the side, with his head hanging out of the car.

Katniss and Peeta were trying to wave at everyone but ended up getting so tired that they sat in their seats to ease their aching backs. The Capitol citizens were always yelling for them to kiss, so they constantly did. The parade was torture to get through.

They were brought to the stage where tributes go for their interviews. Cinna, Portia, and those obnoxious prep team animals made them camera ready. Peeta took her hand.

"Let's get this over with," she grumbled.

"At least we like Caesar," he offered. She smiled and rolled her eyes. Caesar called everyone out, and then called them out and they put on their big smiles and walked out. The crowd was screaming for them. Caesar hugged them tightly and they all sat, waiting for the crowd to settle down.

Katniss cuddled up close to Peeta, crossing her leg towards him. He had one arm wrapped around her, leaning into her, while on hand was on her thigh.

"You two are so beautiful together. Tell me everything. How has this ginormous Victory Tour been, IN YOUR HONOR?" Caesar yelled, making the crowd go wild. Katniss giggled.

"It's really been like a dream come true Caesar. I never imagined I'd be lucky enough to see all the Districts," Katniss said.

"I loved it. Getting to see what each District does for the Capitol. I have to say our District is a little boring with all the coal compared to fishing on the ocean every day," Peeta said.

"Oh, the seafood there was so good," Katniss said. Peeta chuckled, knowing how Katniss felt about the seafood. She was sick of it.

"You liked the food in District 4?" Caesar asked.

"I loved it. Peeta made me stop eating," Katniss giggled.

"Caesar don't let her lie to you. I couldn't have gotten her to stop eating if I tried. She only went on this Tour for the food," Peeta joked. Katniss giggled and slapped him playfully in the stomach.

"I was just getting the full experience of what each District had to offer," Katniss defended herself. Haymitch let out a loud laugh.

"She's getting fat Caesar. Cinna had to take out all her clothes because she wouldn't stop eating," Haymitch said. Katniss let her mouth fall open. But Cinna raised his hands.

"Oh no, don't put me in the middle of another one of your arguments. And for the record, no I never had to take out any of her clothes. At the end I did have to take it in. She's been running around for almost two months now and has gotten too skinny," Cinna laughed. Katniss looked smugly at Haymitch.

"Now wait, what do you mean another one of your arguments?" Caesar asked. Peeta groaned.

"Oh, please Caesar don't make them rehash anything. It will just get them all crazy again. All Katniss and Haymitch do is fight. I think we've all taken a turn in the hot seat to be in the middle of them," Peeta joked.

"She threw a pitcher of water across the table at me," Haymitch said. Caesar gasped with his mouth wide opened and turned to Katniss.

"You looked thirsty," Katniss said. The crowd laughed.

"Now, I seem to hear that Katniss likes to not only make Haymitch mad, but also antagonizes Effie just a little bit. Care to clear up these rumors? Anyone?" Caesar asked, looking at everyone on the floor.

"Oh, tell them about what you did with Effie's clothes," Venia told Katniss. Katniss and Peeta burst out laughing.

"What is this? Katniss tell me this story. I'm dying to hear it," Caesar said excitedly.

"Well Caesar, it wasn't my fault. When we were traveling between Districts, it can get really boring on the train. Everyone was going stir crazy. So, in my defense, I was only acting out of boredom," Katniss started. Peeta covered his eyes and laughed. Effie put her hands on her hips.

"I don't find that as an excuse," Effie told her.

"What happened? Tell me everything," Caesar said as he jumped over onto the loveseat to practically sit on Katniss' lap. She giggled.

"Let me set the stage for this. We were all in the living room car. Effie was working on our speeches. Portia and Cinna are sewing and hemming our clothes. Haymitch is drinking," Peeta says dramatically, making everyone laugh.

"Naturally," Caesar says, like it was the most obvious thing in the world,

"I'm sitting next to Haymitch shuffling a deck of cards. And Katniss was just sprawled out laying on the floor, whining and groaning and moaning about being so bored," Peeta said dramatically again, using his arms to show how she was spread out. Caesar laughed again.

"You weren't really on the floor were you Katniss?" he asked. Katniss covered her face is fake embarrassment.

"I'm telling you Caesar. I had no control over what I was doing," she said.

"Well tell me, what happened next,"

"Well, everyone was giving me ideas of what I could do. Cinna told me to try on some of my clothes," Katniss said dreadfully.

"It's like dragging a child out of a candy store to get her to try on her clothes," Cinna said.

"Well then Peeta told me to go to my prep team and let them have some fun decorating me. So, then I had an idea and I dragged Peeta with me- "

"She made me her accomplice against my will. She made me go into Effie's room and start stealing one of her outfits. Her wig, her jewelry. Her shoes. She had no shame and didn't care about dragging me along with her," Peeta said. Katniss let her mouth drop and turned on him.

"You were just as much a part of this as I was," Peeta's eyes widened, and he held out his hands.

"No, I wasn't. I didn't wear her dress," Peeta said. The crowd gasped and Caesar stood up and spun around.

"Tell me you didn't Katniss," Caesar said. Katniss laughed.

"I let my prep team do my makeup like Effie's, and they helped me into her one of her dresses and put her wig on and some jewelry. And Peeta helped me walk down the hallway because her heels were too high for me and couldn't make it on my own. And I pretended to be Effie Trinkett for the rest of the day," Katniss said, enormously proud of herself. It took a few minutes to get the audience to quiet down.

"Now tell me. Are you able to impersonate Effie?" Caesar asked seriously. She smiled but Effie yelled at her.

"Katniss Everdeen don't you dare," she told her. Katniss straightened herself up.

"WELCOME! Welcome, welcome. Happy Hunger Games. And may the odds be ever in your favor. Now! Before we begin, we have a very special film. Brought to you all the way from the Capitol," Katniss said.

"DO IT AGAIN!" Caesar screamed. She cleared her throat again.

"As usual, ladies first. And now for the boys!" everyone was screaming.

"Get up! We have a big, big day!" she said. She sat back and smiled at Peeta. He laughed at her. Caesar for everyone to quiet down again.

"I don't think Katniss understands. Effie's still gonna be our escort. And we're not parting ways tonight. You're gonna be in trouble," Peeta laughed. Katniss rolled her eyes and sat back against Peeta.

"I saw lots of times where Effie was yelling at the both of you. I mean what was it? District 8? District 9? Katniss you actually rolled down a hill," Caesar said. Katniss started laughing.

"Peeta did it to. I don't know why I'm always to blame. Everything I've done, he was right there for," Katniss said.

"Yeah well, what can I say. I'm just always gonna be around for everything," Peeta said. Katniss looked at him and smiled. A romantic moment for the Capitol. There are oohs and awes.

"Now tell me you two. Are you missing home? I bet you miss your sister Katniss," Caesar asked.

"Yeah, I am Caesar. I can't wait to see her in a couple of days,"

"What about you Peeta?"

"Yeah, I'm missing my family a lot as well,"

"Now tell me. You played a practical joke on Haymitch that involved chickens. Why does your family have chickens?" Caesar asked. Katniss and Peeta laughed, while Haymitch crossed his arms and scoffed.

"It's actually something Prim always wanted. So, when we got home from the Games, I bought them for her," Katniss said sweetly. Lying about how the chickens came to be. She had nothing to do with it.

"They're a bunch of pests. She lets them run around in my yard all the time," Haymitch told them.

"Peeta's brother Ryee, built a fence around mine, Peeta's and Haymitch's backyard for Prim's goat, Lady, so she stays close by and doesn't wander off. But now it's the perfect space for all the chickens,"

"I love the chickens. They're so much fun to play with," Peeta said. Katniss turned to him, ready for another argument.

"But they're not for playing with. She probably already sold them to families to eat. I told her when I got home, they all better be gone," Katniss told Peeta.

"That doesn't mean that they're not fun to play with. Prim's fine. She'll be fine when they're gone," Peeta said, but Katniss' eyes widened.

"No, she won't be. You both named the chickens!" She said, raising her voice. The audience roared with laughter. She shook her head and rubbed her forehead.

"Why can't they have names?" Peeta asked her. She whipped her head up.

"Because people are gonna eat them. I bet everyone's eaten them already!" Katniss told him.

"Oh no, trouble in Paradise. I think Peeta's in trouble," Caesar joked. Katniss crossed her arms and scooted away from him, looking the other way. The audience was dying.

"Oh, I definitely think he's in trouble. What are you gonna do Peeta?" Caesar asked. Peeta made a face at the audience, making them laugh. Mocking that he was in trouble. He took Katniss' hand.

"Alright. I did encourage her to get attached. And I'm sorry. I won't help Prim name the next chickens that she gets. I won't even play with them," Peeta said. She looked back at him. "Much," he said. Katniss mouth dropped.

"Ok I love to play with them. They really liked me. They would follow me around the backyard like I was their momma duck. It couldn't be helped," Peeta defended himself. She let out a deep breath and shook her head.

"You're hopeless," Katniss said. He smiled and kissed her. She scooted back to him, and he wrapped his arm around her.

"Oh, you two are adorable…Now, let me ask you two this. Where is this going? What do you see for your future?" Caesar asked. Peeta cleared his throat, and Katniss looked at him, waiting for him to say something.

"Well, I kinda have a thought on that," Peeta said. He moved forward off the love seat and sunk down to one knee. Katniss faked shock and covered her mouth. He pulled out a box and opened it to reveal an engagement ring.

"Katniss Everdeen. The moment I saw on you on stage for your sister, my life began. It was fate that my name was called. I admitted right here on this very stage, that you were the love of my life. I went into those Games wanting nothing more than to make sure you lived. I wasn't going to come back here without you. I thought my life was over when I was hiding, laying there dying. But you found me," he paused for dramatic effect.

"You found me. You took care of me. You risked your life to save me. And you nursed me back to health. You saved me in those Games. You saved us. I'm so thankful that the Games brought us together and didn't separate us. Will you marry me?" he asked. Katniss didn't even wait. She nodded her head, and he pushed the ring on her finger. They stood up and kissed with passion.

Well, they were engaged now. There it was. Their fake engagement. With a terrible speech about it being fate that put them in the arena. That speech was all about the Games. It was for the Capitol.

They set the plan in motion. Now it was up to the rest of the Districts to fulfill their part.

"Let's start eating at a different table this time," Katniss said. Peeta nodded his head. They tried to taste everything last time but couldn't. So, now they can. Peeta held the plate for her like last time and they each would take a bite of something. Not wasting something they took.

"Are they near us?" Katniss asked Peeta. He looked over her shoulder.

"No. Your Prep team isn't around. I swear if they give me that glass- "

"Let them hand it to you. I'm gonna knock it out of your hand and ruin someone's outfit," she said. Peeta smiled.

"We just gotta wait it out a little bit longer. We'll be home in a few days," Peeta said.

Plutarch came up to Katniss to dance again. He gave her that odd speech all over again. And then he let Peeta take her.

President Snow gave his speech about their engagement. While everyone was watching the fireworks, she turned around. Snow shook his head, and Peeta turned around to catch it. Peeta pretended to look defeated. Then he turned back to Katniss and smiled sadly at her. He linked their hands.

"We're in this together. Once we're home, we go to the next step. And I'm always gonna be right here," he said and leaned in and kissed her. Peeta looked over his shoulder at Snow, who was carefully watching them.

Their two-day train ride was even worse than ever. Because they were going home! And they couldn't get there quick enough. They arrived in District 12 early afternoon.

When they got off the train, Prim was the first one onto the platform and threw herself into her arms.

"I've missed you Little Duck," Katniss told her. Her mother hugged them both.

Peeta's father and brothers all gave him a hug. His mother looked angry, but she was playing her role. She hugged Peeta as well.

The Hawthorne's were there to hug her as well, minus Gale. But that was what they had planned.

Peeta came over and Prim hugged him tightly. The hugs went all around, congratulating the happy couple on their engagement. Saying that they we're going to be family now. Katniss knew she had to hug Peeta's mother and hugged the ridged witch.

"Well, I guess your worst nightmare just happened. Seam trash will have your last name now," Katniss said as she pulled back and smiled brightly. "So, do I get to call you mom when Peeta and I get married?" Katniss asked brightly, for the cameras. Ryee leaned into his mom and hid his face.

"Smile, the cameras are watching you," Ryee told his mother softly. Peeta's mother smiled.

"Of course, dear," she said, and turned to stand with her husband.

They were all whisked away to get ready and start the party. On this day, everyone in District 12 would go home with full bellies. It was the one thing that winning the Hunger Games, that she was grateful for. Her District received their parcels once a month, to celebrate their Tribute's Victory. All year long.

"You look beautiful," Prim said as Katniss sat back and let her prep team work on her. Peeta and Prim had snuck in, and Prim was sitting on Peeta's lap.

"That green really goes well with your eyes," Peeta said. Katniss tried to sit up, but Octavia pushed her back.

"I don't think either of you are funny," Katniss said. She had an awful green mask on her face.

"We're about to wash it off. You're so cranky today," Venia said. Peeta and Prim laughed.

"I love your dress Katniss," Prim said as she stared at the dress that was hanging up.

"I think yours is much prettier though," Katniss told her.

"Well, I think you'll both be gorgeous. You gonna save me a dance?" Peeta asked Prim. She chuckled.

"I sure will, brother-in-law," she laughed.

Katniss and Peeta did enjoy themselves. This was their District. Sure, they still had to act for the cameras, but they didn't have to act for their people. They happily watched as everyone had enough to eat.

It couldn't have happened quicker, but the party was over. Katniss and Peeta said goodbye to their friends and watched the train leave. Katniss leaned down and took off her shoes and sighed in relief.

"Finally. Let's go home," Katniss said and wrapped her hand around Peeta's arm. The Capitol cameras were still there. They'd follow them on their walk home. They got to their courtyard and kissed. The camera cut and they left. Katniss dropped her shoes in the grass and groaned.

"We did it. 51 days,"

"Yeah 51 days of hell,"