Peeta expected the train to give him flashbacks, but it didn't. The table in the Dining Car was one chair less than the last trip. Nowhere for Prim to sit. Other than that, it was the same train.

Effie was on Cloud Nine, walking him through the Itinerary.

"You'll have to give a speech, of course, honoring the fallen Tributes." Effie said brightly. "Once the Public Affairs are done, each District will have a Banquet, you'll meet the Mentors of each District… Oh, and that reminds me, I have your speech here."

Effie started fussing with the papers as Peeta turned to Haymitch. "The other Mentors?"

"Who else do you invite to Victor's Banquets?" Haymitch grunted, pouring himself a drink. "Don't worry, kid. None of them are going to want revenge."

"Cato's Mentors will." Peeta countered.

"The Mentor Pack from Two is huge, and Cato was the first one they were embarrassed by in forty years." Haymitch yawned. "You broke him without a weapon, or a single Kill. They don't know what to make of you, but they don't hate you. They're trying to decide if they should be impressed."

"About time they were impressed!" Effie said brightly. "The other Districts have been ignoring Twelve for twenty five years. You reminded them not to overlook us. Ah!" She found the page and thrust it at him. "Your speech! Enjoy yourself, Peeta! Nobody since Haymitch has gone on a Victory Tour; or seen the other Districts. You deserve this, Peeta! You earned it."

She was so bright and cheery about it. Peeta was famous for always knowing what to say, but right now he was reliving half a dozen brutal deaths in his head. "Earned it." He repeated, voice flat. From somewhere, he could hear Cato screaming.

Haymitch had a hand on his shoulder quickly. "It's what they give the guy who goes home alive. You didn't do anything more than that."

"Haymitch!" Effie shrilled. "You're his Mentor! Stop undermining his confidence!"

The blinding pain in Peeta's skull suddenly evaporated. Listening to Effie berate Haymitch with that bubbly steel restored his equilibrium instantly. "Yeah, Haymitch. It's a big, big day!"

"It is!" Effie trilled, pleased, and tapped the speech in his hand. "Read that a few times. You'll have to impress when we get to District Eleven. Remember, the crowd responds to sincerity. If you can fake that, you've got it made!"

She swept out, and Peeta turned to Haymitch. "What must it be like in Effie's head?"

"I hear you." Haymitch threw back his drink and poured another. "Listen… Ten more Districts after Eleven… Then the Capitol. Just…" Haymitch rubbed his eyes for a while. "Remember what you were fighting to go home for."

Peeta wouldn't know what that meant until they reached District Seven.

Peeta looked out over District Eleven. Everyone was staring back, as if waiting for a cue, waiting for a sign. Peeta's eyes were glued to the two screens, showing Rue and Thresh. The faces sent a spike through him. Standing before the posters were two family units. Peeta knew immediately they were the families. Rue's sister looked almost exactly like her… If Rue had been able to grow up a bit more.

The microphone whined with feedback. They'd turned up the volume, as if that was why Peeta hadn't said a word yet. From behind him, Peeta could hear Haymitch clear his throat; even from inside.

If I try to help them, I've signed their death sentence; and my own. Peeta said, eyes on Prim's family; Snow's warnings ringing in his ears. If I don't try to help them, then Snow won. I'm damned if I don't, and dead if I do.

Peeta looked at the cards… and then put them away. To the microphone, he finally said something. "Say their names."

The audience didn't even hesitate. Rue. Thresh. Their names echoed around the square like a prayer.

Peeta looked hard at their families, who were stoically staring back, too used to the horrors to let themselves weep for their lost children.

"I wouldn't be here without the both of them." Peeta said. "And I'm sorry I failed to return the favor. Some promises you can't keep in the Arena. This I have learned. But… Before I left on my Tour, I asked for special permission to say thank you. I asked President Snow directly; and he was generous enough to grant me permission… to donate a month each of my Victor's Rations to both Rue and Thresh's families; every year for the rest of my life."

There was a silent roar that grew to murmur at his announcement. It had never been done before. None of the Alliances had ever extended outside the Arena. There was only ever one Victor.

Peeta looked to the cameras. "Thank you, President Snow. You do indeed have the heart of a Victor." Probably more than one. And would no doubt like to add mine to your collection.

There was a round of applause. The families were weeping now. Losing their kids couldn't break them, but an act of kindness could. That's how unexpected it was.

Someone whistled Rue's tune to the Mockingjays. Peeta couldn't see who. But at the moment the tune rang out, two dozen Mockingjays flapped their way up from the crowd. Almost a dozen people had smuggled them in, waiting to release them at the signal.

A dozen people. This was planned. Peeta thought sickly.

The Peacekeepers that lined the stage started pushing their way into the crowd; but the move had been too passive, too hidden. There'd be no way to tell who whistled, or who released the birds…

Unless they informed on each other. Peeta knew that would never happen. It would never happen in Twelve, either.

Haymitch said nothing until they made it back to the Train. "Hope you know what you're doing, kid." He growled.

"I couldn't do nothing."

"Why not? Everyone else in the country does." Haymitch sneered. "I told you that Snow was worried about Districts pulling together. You think this calms that down?"

"That's why I gave him the credit."

"Peeta, Snow doesn't care about credit. Only control. If he thinks you're looking for wriggle room in his cage… which you are… he'll end you. He'll take your goodwill, and beat you to death with it. And by the way, you just used his name to do what you want, without his knowledge. What do you think he'll do with your name, now that you've introduced that tactic?"

Peeta hesitated. "I don't know."

"You think their families are going to get the food? Say they do. What else do they have to lose in return? Thresh had siblings. Their names are in the bowl." Haymitch pressed. "I tried to game the system once, and I took more than forty kids to the Arena, two-by-two. They never lose, Peeta. They never lose."

"I'm not ready to sign my soul over, just like that." Peeta grit out.

"You will be." The old man said with absolute certainty.

Effie bounced up to them quickly. "Peeta?" She said, voice subdued. "There's a call for you. From your father."

Haymitch stiffened, but Peeta didn't notice. "My father?"

Peeta picked up the phone. "Dad?"

"Peeta, before I start, I just want you to know that everything's okay."

Peeta turned to stone. "Why do you want to start with that?"

"There was an accident. Your brother, Kal? He was crossing the street outside the Bakery, and he got clipped from behind by a truck."

Peeta froze. "He's… Kal is okay?"

"He's got a busted arm, but he'll make a full recovery." His father reported. "Odd thing, but the Peacekeeper that called in the accident told me to contact you about it right away. Something about an interview that'll have to be rescheduled."

There is no interview. Peeta gripped the phone hard. "Dad, when was the accident?"

"Half an hour ago."

Right after my speech. "Right." Peeta said carefully. "Can I talk to Kal?"

"Hang on, I'll see if he's awake."

There was a scuffling sound as his father set the phone down. Peeta spoke anyway. "While he's gone… Whoever's listening to this phone call now? You can tell Him that I got the message."

Two second silence. Then the call disconnected itself.

His father didn't call back.

The Victory Tour continued. Peeta made no effort to improvise around the speeches Effie wrote for him. District Ten and Eight were nearly rioting already. District Nine pulled a sit-down en masse, as though saluting him. The Peacekeepers hustled him away from the Podium as they sought out people to make examples of.

District Seven was next, and things changed.

Peeta returned to his rooms on the train, changing clothes. The crowd's eyes on him, weighing him, dissecting him… And worse of all, the ones that were almost pleading with him. Even before the speech, the smalltalk with local leaders was tinged with a kind of judgement, as though they were weighing him up, seeing what he was made of; wondering how he was going to…

To what? Peeta asked himself wistfully. What are they looking for when they stare at me?

Peeta could still feel their gaze on his skin. He felt like he needed a bath.

Well, that much is easy. Peeta went to the ensuite, stripping his shirt off…

And found the tub was occupied. A young woman was luxuriating in his bath, nudging the taps with her toes. She looked up at a stunned Peeta, making no effort to cover herself, and no effort to conceal the way she looked him over. "Hello."

Peeta turned bright red and turned to leave the bathroom quickly. With the door shut behind him, he wondered if he'd imagined it. Maybe I'm dreaming. My dreams are pretty wild. It'd be nice to have regular teenage guy dreams for once.

The door opened again, and she was there, wearing a towel, hair dripping over her shoulders. "So, as I was about to say: Hello, I'm Johanna Mason."

"I know who you are." Peeta nodded. Even if he didn't recognize her from the Games, she'd been in Twelve on the Victory Tour for the 71st Games. "But seeing you on TV and seeing you in my tub are very different things." He gestured at the door to the corridor. "I know I got the right room. I can't imagine there was an emergency that required an immediate bath."

"I ran out of bubble bath in my place." She excused. "So as long as I was nearby for the Banquet, I thought I'd come and see if you had any."

"Your bath didn't have bubbles."

"You noticed." Johanna oozed sin as she looked up saucily at his face. "How nice."

Peeta flushed again.

Johanna looked at him a moment and sighed hard, the vamp immediately vanishing; pure business left behind. "Never been laid in your life, have you?" She commented, though it wasn't really a question. "That'll make this harder. Not to be indelicate, but some guys have hit a home run at least once by seventeen. Victors especially. Your whole 'thing' with Primrose's sister changed the map a little."

Peeta scowled; as he usually did when Prim came up. "What does 'home run' mean?"

"Doesn't matter. Old saying. I'm here to explain a few things." Johanna told him briskly as she went to his closest and dressed. "This is not a comfortable conversation; but you have a lot of uncomfortable conversations ahead. My experience: Have them frankly and directly."

Peeta gestured at the bathroom. "And that whole show with the bath was?"

"A way to get a read on just how fast you'll blush." She shook her head. "You're the most 'newborn lamb' of any Victor I've ever met."

Peeta looked at the expensive woman's robe she was now wearing and gestured at the closet. There were three closets in the bedroom car, and he'd never actually looked into that one before, but there were all sorts of alluring silks. "Why do I have women's clothes in my closet?"

"Right. Let's start there." Johanna turned and gestured for him to follow her. They sat down at the table in the dining compartment; and Peeta couldn't help but notice the rest of the train was empty. "You're a Victor. Ordinarily, during your tour, you'd have the option of a young woman in your quarters, on call."

"An Avox?"

"No." She said carefully. "She would have the same legal status, but very different duties. As part of your Prize. It hasn't been made public, of course."

Peeta blinked hard. "Really?"

"Does that thought appeal?" Johanna said with no judgement, just trying to read his response. "I understand that Cato left a note with his Mentors to have at least three waiting. Blonde, brunette, and redhead. I have it on good authority that he specifically asked for a blonde that looked as much like Glimmer as possible." She read the look of disgust that crossed Peeta's face. "Mm. I'm glad to see you're better than that; but I'm a little worried that I can see your reaction so easily. You're going to need a poker face when it comes to such things; because The Capitol is not subtle. Sleaze, scandal, and gossip are the currency where this train is going. If that horrifies you, then the Capitol will not accept you."

"Good." Peeta said shortly.

"Bad." She corrected. "Very bad. What the Capitol does not accept, it will chew up and spit out the bones."

Peeta suddenly realized what was happening. Johanna was warning him.

Johanna took a breath and collected a plate of food, mostly to give her hands something to do. "Mellark, I'm sure you're aware by now that The Games are nothing but a way of exercising control. Lesson Number One: People are Meat. Their lives, and deaths, are for the amusement and excitement of the Capitol audience. But that doesn't just apply to Tributes. That's the rule for everyone in Panem. Being a Tribute just means it happens on television. As a Victor, you are not free of that. In fact, as a famous face, the Games are only just getting started for you."

"Okay." Peeta nodded.

She took a breath, and Peeta realized she was trying to be nice to him. "How much do you know about your sponsors?"

"From the games? Nothing at all, except that I'm the first Tribute from Twelve to get a Second-Tier item."

Johanna nodded. "In fact, that 'camp kitchen' was curious enough that someone in Power asked why. See, that gift came from a Sponsor that didn't often send items into the Games: A woman named Tigris. She was a stylist, about twenty Games back. She spent a sizeable portion of her savings getting you that stuff." She looked him in the eye steadily. "That contribution saved your life, and got her an Invite to the Presidential Mansion for the end of the Victory Tour. Tigris will be expecting a return on her investment."

Peeta nodded, waiting for her to explain. Then it hit him, right between the eyes. "Miss Mason, you said that 'ordinarily' I'd have someone here 'on call'. What changed?"

"Ordinarily, it would be part of your Victory Tour; with an option of keeping her as part of your Staff once the Tour was over." Johanna explained gently. "But this is not your fate; because Victors are Meat too, only more expensive."

Peeta froze. "And Tigris already paid a deposit by sponsoring me so extravagantly."

Johanna nodded, sympathetic. "We all get this talk. Usually, it comes at the end of the Tour, before the Mansion. But Tigress paid extra to be your first Client; so you need to know the facts earlier than most."

Peeta looked sick. "You went through this too?"

"All the Victors do. The attractive ones, anyway. The others play different parts. I told you: To The Capitol, we are Meat. And The Capitol is the only town in Panem where meat is cheap and plentiful."

And then Johanna looked down and found Peeta was holding her hand. "You were younger than I am when you won your games." He said softly. "I'm so sorry."

Johanna blinked, derailed by that. His first response was sympathy for her?

My god, they're going to eat him alive.

She pulled her hand out from under his and stood, gesturing for him to do the same. "Peeta, there is one thing you can deny them." She said softly, standing closer to him. "If you say no altogether, they'll make you pay for it. But if it matters to you… I'm willing. Some people wouldn't care. Some would care very much; and I don't know which you are. But this much can be your choice. We don't know each other, but I can be your first, before they can sell it off. Not to brag, but I can make it a more positive experience than what you'd probably get in the Capitol. I won't tell anyone."

Peeta's lips parted automatically as she rested a hand on his chest. "I… No. I just… I can't. No offense."

"None taken." She said immediately, stepping back to a respectful distance. "I've thrown a lot of crap at you today. You need to process. If you change your mind, I'll be at the banquet tonight. But after that, we won't see each other again until your Victor's Ball at Snow's Mansion."

The Presidential Manor always threw the biggest parties. The support staff was there for the glitz and glamor. The Society types were there for the distraction. The rest were there for the hedonism. The Manor had a whole wing of bedrooms left alone by security; the opulent square was converted for dancing; the fireworks were scheduled for after the Victor of the Year had arrived.

The rest of the Victors were making the rounds, catching up with friends; comparing outfits… And sharing what they knew about the latest member of their ranks. Each of them had met Peeta, one on one, during the Victory Tour of their respective Districts; but this was their first chance to compare notes without anyone listening.

Not all the Victors were in attendance, personally; but the Victory Celebration had rows of posters hanging from the ceiling with full glamor portraits of every Victor, going back to the first Games.

Among the Victors attending in person, Finnick Odair and Johanna Mason were Capitol darlings. He was a Socialite Cassanova, and she was a Vamp with a temper to match; both of them young and desirable. In a town obsessed with youth, sex, and violence; they were famous. As a result, they were frequently seen at parties together, always invited to State Functions. Johanna's eyes kept flicking to the door, even knowing the schedule.

"You're far away tonight." Finnick said to Johanna. "Something on your mind?"

"Peeta." Johanna confessed. "You and Haymitch were right. My usual moves didn't work. That's weird for me. They always work."

"That's why they don't work on Peeta." Finnick told her. "You're everyone's 'type', which is why Peeta's not interested. Some people aren't interested like 'everyone'. Mellark's like Annie. He needs it to be real."

"This is the Capitol, Finnick. There's no such thing as 'Real'."

"I know." Finnick sighed. "He got to you, didn't he?"

"They're going to eat the poor kid in small, quick bites." Johanna sighed with something like regret. "He's too damn nice."

"Yeah, but that doesn't get to you. He's not that much younger than us, and we've both seen 'nice' get chewed up before." Finnick commented. "So what is it?"

Johanna bit her lip. "I was on the train to meet Peeta, explain the rules to him; like you did for me. His first thought was to be sympathetic, since I was… If it had been Prim that survived, what would you have said? I know, nobody under a certain age has ever come out of the Arena, but... She was twelve years old. What would you have said?"

Dead silence between them, even over the music playing while they danced.

"God, we're monsters, aren't we?" Finnick glanced at Annie's picture, then back to Johanna. "You think there's something wrong with us, given that we can take it on the chin for our whole lives when nice guys can't stand it?"

"Possibly." Johanna said. "But any time I feel jealous of nice and normal people, I remind myself how much I hate them all."

Peeta entered the Presidential Palace last. He felt eyes on him every second. Effie was in her element, thrilled to be at the big parties at last. Haymitch gave Peeta an unreadable look and made his way to the bar.

Peeta's Speech was a thin variation on what every other Victor had said for Seventy Four Years. Snow's speech wasn't much different; and the party began in earnest with the fireworks.

Johanna was dancing with Finnick Odair, and smiled winningly over at Peeta, before giving her dance partner a quick kiss on the cheek, and swaying her way over to him; her words having nothing to do with the bored smile she showed the world. "How you holding up, Little Lamb?"

"You were right." Peeta said to her in a low voice. "I'm Meat. When I walked in, they all reached out to touch me as I walked past. I've never felt so… possessed."

Johanna nodded, knowing the feeling.

"How do you stand it, Miss Mason?"

"If we're going to get you through this, I really need you to start calling me Johanna. And to answer your question, all the people who couldn't stand it are already dead. One or two of them are Avox, serving drinks right now."

Peeta shivered.

"Keep smiling. You're still playing for your life, Little Lamb." She reminded him. "Think of something else. We all do."

"Can I ask you something I have no right to ask?"

She nodded.

"Finnick… He gave you the same 'talk' that you gave me, on the train; didn't he?"

Johanna was floored. "Yes. How did you know?"

"All these galas, they get put on television back home. You always have at least one dance with Finnick. Given his reputation, nobody blinks; but knowing what I do now; I can't believe he'd make a move on someone who's in the same foxhole. If I'm just Meat, certainly Finnick is too. So if you two aren't 'like that', I asked myself what the nature of your relationship could be. This is what I came up with… Given our relative ages… Co-conspirator seems about right."

Johanna nearly swallowed her tongue. In the space of three conversations, before even meeting Finnick, Peeta had managed to put together a startlingly close picture of things. "Well." She said to him quietly. "I'm never going to slow dance with Finnick again; that's for sure."

"So there is something going on." Peeta commented. "But you're worried about it being noticed, and-"

"Just…" She cut him off with a forced smile. "Just stay in your lane. Just for tonight."

"I know. I'm sorry. I just wish I could..." Peeta waved his hand vaguely. "I wish I could think like Finnick."

"Don't go comparing yourself to Casanova over there." Johanna scoffed. "Have you ever so much as kissed a girl before?"

"No. Well, once; but that was Reaping Day, so it doesn't count."

"Don't worry, they won't be expecting... experience." Johanna promised him. "In fact, they bid a lot extra on the assumption that you don't have any."

Peeta ignored that. "That's not what I meant." He said. "What I meant was, how does he do... that, and still keep Annie Cresta so close?"

"Annie?" Johanna froze. "What do you mean?"

"He's in love with her. " Peeta said softly.

Johanna paused, eyes scanning. Peeta was the guest of honor, so there was always someone watching. "Dance with me." She said quickly, and pulled him to the dancefloor. "So... what makes you say that?"

"Oh, it's obvious, any time he's in view of the Victor Posters." Peeta didn't dare point or gesture in Finnick's direction, in fact he turned his gaze completely to Johanna. "He only glances at her picture now and then, but it's like he has to physically stop himself from gazing at her the rest of the time. Like he has to remind himself there is anything else in the room."

Johanna was silent for a second. "We have successfully kept a number of the most suspicious people in the world safely unaware of that little bit of gossip." She said calmly. "And for quite a while, too. How did you see it in thirty seconds?"

"The crowds cheer and laugh at kids killing each other because that's what they're told to do. They wouldn't notice subtext without Ceaser screaming it at them in full technicolor. Snow's people are barely aware of what love is." Peeta scoffed. "If Snow knew how to love, he'd know how to see it all over the place."

"You're a romantic." Johanna observed. "How troubling."

"And you're not." Peeta observed back. "That's sad. I imagine any man lucky enough to have your heart would consider it the highlight of his life."

Is he even aware he's doing it? Johanna wondered, not for the first time. His words were hitting close to the bone. A pain that Johanna had successfully buried for years. "Well, anyway, in a few minutes, your 'date' for the evening will cut in. A few minutes after that, she will suggest getting some privacy. Be smart, and say how lucky you are. Then, just close your eyes and think of someone you'd rather be with. Good luck, Little Lamb."

It was worse than he could have expected. The woman in question was old enough to be his mother, maybe even his grandmother. It was impossible to tell, since she wasn't even human anymore. He supposed there must have been some human left in her DNA somewhere; but there was little sign of it from the outside.

Johanna had called her 'Tigris' and stepped aside quickly; as though charmed by the 'romantic' moment of her cutting in. Peeta summoned all his willpower to keep his face even. Tigris wasn't made up to look like a tiger; she was modified. Her teeth were fanged and sharpened; her skin tattooed or in some way permanently altered to give her tiger stripes; and her hands had been surgically changed to give them a blatant appearance of cat's paws. But her face was the worst part; with some cosmetic work to make her cheeks rounder; her mouth more muzzled; and her nose lengthened. He knew at once the pupils of her eyes weren't done with contact lenses. She had gone all out to be as animal as human.

The overall effect was more feline; but too much time had passed. Twenty years before; she was surely a slinky, powerful, cat-woman. But now... Her 'fur' had greyed out; and her skin grown slack enough that the cosmetic surgery was obvious; everything on her starting to pull taut around the stitches.

This is what happens to Capitol Stars. Peeta thought archly. What will I be in thirty years?

You're still playing for your life, Little Lamb. Peeta heard Johanna say in his head as Tigris led him to a bedroom. There were many of them in the Manor; and apparently all available to the guests.

Tigris drank. There was a full wetbar. Peeta said nothing as she fussed with the top button on his shirt with her...paws, trying to decide if she should unbutton it, or have him do it for her.

I told Katniss that I didn't want them to change me. I told her that I wanted to be more than a piece in Snow's Game. Peeta thought desperately. How can I…

"I know you." Peeta said to her suddenly, as though it just occurred to him. "I've seen you somewhere. On television."

"I was a stylist in the Games." Tigris purr-spoke; and Peeta realised her vocal chords had been altered too.

"I haven't seen you at any of the District Functions on my Victory Tour. Don't Games Stylists have dispensation to attend Official Events in the Districts they win for?"

"I went to those parties, once." Tigris went still, her claw-nails raking his shirt. "Until President Snow felt I was… an embarrassment to the show. I wasn't beautiful anymore."

She said it, point blank. She's probably never said it straight before. Not to anyone. She actually had to buy a date. Peeta looked at her, putting as much sympathy as he could on his face. "Snow's an inch away from deciding I'm not worth trotting out for the cameras either." He admitted. "Tigris, Snow is older than both of us put together; and he still doesn't know what you and I know intimately."

Her head tilted, another cat-like move. "What's that?"

"That time is a privilege. Age is denied to many people. People we knew. People we loved." Peeta said, soft and intense. "Buying a teenager for the night isn't going to change that."

His tone was so gentle, but the words were brutal, and Tigris didn't know how to respond right away.

"You've been a Stylist for Tributes, and finally for Victors. How many years did they fail? Where are your Victors now?"

Tigris trembled a bit; her cats-eyes flashing. "They… sick. Hospital."

Peeta nodded; and picked her hands off him, holding them in his. "You saw my Games? Cato died, raging at the sky; because he finally saw what we both knew already: It's a Con. The Victors are all barely holding it together; even decades later." He cupped her face with both hands, very carefully scratching behind the ears. She responded like a cat; having played the part so long it was the only thing she responded to. "Winning the Games was the lie they told me; but what they told you was worse." He said in her ear.

She looked up at him attentively, the reason they were alone together forgotten completely. "What was it?"

"Someone sold you on the lie that you had to be twenty years old forever. And when that lie was proven to be cruel and pointless; they told you to go the other way; and be something other than human." Peeta looked deep in her eyes. "Tigris… You never saw Prim's mother on television. And she is beautiful; even after losing a husband and a child. My own mother a year younger still; but she's twisted with bitterness and cruelty."

And there, finally; held back for longer than Peeta had been alive, a single tear started rolling down Tigris' cheek. "They… they said it had to stop. It was like they were reading my mind." She purr-growled emotionally. "They promised me I could have… Well, more than Snow would give me."

She isn't talking about anyone from the Capitol. Peeta filed that away. He'd think about it later. Right now, he was playing for his life, once again. "You. Saved. My. Life." Peeta said, gentle and sincere. "The cost of your Sponsor gift was more than my entire family would see in a year; but it saved me. And it gave Prim a fighting chance to escape the Careers. I would repay you with anything for that."

Tigris looked to the bed. "You would?"

"I would." He said gently. "So, you tell me: Is this really what you want; or do you want to be beautiful again?" Peeta asked. "Because that doesn't come from this. Or from the knife, or the clothes. If the people of my District had to pick the best looking person in the Capitol? It would be Cinna; and he barely acknowledges makeup."

Tigris chuckled a bit, despite herself.

"Back in Twelve, we have no gems, no makeup; no pretty gowns; certainly no cosmetic surgery. The beautiful people? They're the ones that keep themselves… nourished. And I don't mean food. People who are kind. People who love. It shows on their face. They are rare. Work is all we have; and it is breaking. It wears people down. But the ones that can keep something good growing… It shows. Like Angel's Light, shining from them."

Tigris brought her pawed hands up to his face, stroking all over; like she was testing to see if it was a mask. "I think you would be beautiful there. If you get to old age."

"The odds are not in my favor, but of all the people who went into the Arena this year; I'm the only one that has the chance. And that's due in no small part to you." Peeta agreed; and hugged Tigris warmly, as if she was a favorite aunt. "Thank you for that, pretty lady."

Tigris was positively purring in his arms. "Angel's Light."

Finnick was watching the door, discreetly. Nobody else at the party even blinked. It was hardly an odd occurrence for a Capitol State Event. It was only a matter of time before Finnick had to head for one of the guestrooms himself.

The door opened, and Finnick made himself invisible. Tigris came out first, actually holding Peeta's hand. She gave him an emotional smile; and bent closer, nuzzling his cheek. They looked like old friends who had spent the night reminiscing.

Peeta said something to her, quiet enough that Finnick couldn't hear it, but it made Tigris smile.

Finnick quietly returned to the ballroom, and signalled Johanna that everything had gone well. They wouldn't speak again for a while; just in case someone was making note of that.

Peeta wandered around the rest of the party in a daze. The celebration was breaking up into smaller festivals; and Peeta felt like he could see through it as he walked through the Manor slowly. In one room; there were people pairing up; having drunken ruts against every flat surface in various combinations. Nobody seemed bothered by it; watching or joining in.

Out in the courtyards; there were kids play-acting out their favorite Hunger Games moments, while at the other side, their parents were having the Avox fight each other with the cutlery; blood splashing on the grass while the guests laughed and placed bets.

Indoors, there was a more clinical room; where some of the odder company were watching surgical procedures; debating the finer points of implanting feathers or scales, or mockingjay patterns, or Mutt teeth; lining up to converse with the surgeons, even as they carved the guests into unusual shapes and colors, champagne glasses everywhere.

In the 'bathhouses', there were people splashing around playfully, even fully clothed; while off to the side, rows of Avox helped the guests vomit up their stomachs full of food and drink; so that they could go back to the banquet and stuff themselves again.

And everyone was vacantly bored; smiling like this orgy of blood and sex and puke was just a dull party; something they'd seen a thousand times before. Because they had.

Peeta wandered through it all, unmoved by any of it. The guests in the banquet hall all became vividly aware of The Victor, reaching out to touch him; paw at him, wanting to be close enough to get a feel of the latest toy.

Peeta passed through them like a Ghost, heading for the door as quickly as he could. He was overloaded by it; feeling like all his internal organs were shuddering from the revulsion; and far worse, a little bit of intrigue.

A person could become this. Certainly a Victor could.

The idea made him burn.

Peeta came back to his room on the train, knees still trembling a bit; and found he was not alone there. "Johanna. I was wondering how long you'd wait."

She smiled a bit, taking little bites of cake from his dining car buffet. She held up a little device. "This will let us talk for a few minutes without them listening." She said, and set the device down. "I have good news and bad news. The bad news is: You did well. So well, in fact; that you're in demand. Tigris is now welcome at the 'cool kids table' again; and nobody who matters is shy about saying why she has a certain spring in her step."

Peeta rolled his eyes. "And the good news?"

"We might have a way to keep you away from the rest of the jackals. But there's a catch." She took a breath. "I'm about to put my life in your hands, and trust to your poker face. So you can imagine, I'm fairly sure that I'm about to get myself ki-"

"I'm in." Peeta cut her off. "Whatever you and Finnick have cooking? If it's something that will make this all stop; I'm with you."

She stared blankly at him.

"Victors aren't often seen together on camera outside the parties." Peeta started listing on his fingers. "But you and Finnick have a past, and I know the gossip is wrong about it. When I brought it up, you looked pale. When I mentioned him and Annie, you nearly had a heart attack. Haymitch told me to be seen with you, so he's in on it. The Victors are colluding, and that alone is enough to have us all shot, so there must be one hell of a reason. By virtue of being Victors, you have influence, protection, and a special hatred for the Capitol. So, I'm in."

Johanna's mouth became a flat line. "I have been rehearsing this all night; and you just-"

"Oh, sorry. Do you want to say it anyway?"

"No, we're there now; you can't go back."

"Okay."

Johanna lowered her voice. "Finnick was my contact; and sort of my other half in our 'cell group'. But, as you pointed out; it's starting to be noticeable. So I need a new dance partner. Whatever you did with Tigris, it got her on board with us. Her first assignment is to arrange a cover story for us to be seen together. By the time this train passes back through District Seven, Tigris will suddenly decide we'd look good together in her latest fashion line. Given that she is suddenly relevant again, thanks to her connection to this year's most eligible Victor; she will get her wish; and you and I will finish the Tour together."

"To what end?" Peeta asked.

"You ever wonder why the Districts only communicate with each other in an Arena?"

"Keeps us from teaming up the rest of the time." Peeta nodded.

"Right. So we need a really good reason for someone from Twelve and someone from Seven to be seen together." Johanna explained, standing up. "Get some sleep, Little Lamb. We're just at the start of this."

"Jo, you said 'Tigris is on board with us'." Peeta called after her. "Who's 'us'?"

"One thing at a time, Loverboy."

"The Capitol is buzzing at the news that Capitol Stylists, Tigris and Cinna; have begun work on a new fashion line. For this, we go to celebrity commentator, Patsy Black. Patsy?"

"Thank you, Ceaser. Named 'Angel Light', the new fashion line will focus on the Hunger Games Victors, who are apparently the inspiration for the work; which is said to focus less on alteration and glitz, and emphasize natural beauty and power; found in the greatest and brightest stars of Panem."

"It's what we've been saying all along, Pats. The privilege of being a Victor is the highest prize; and only the very best of our citizens can achieve it!"

"Right you are, Ceaser! Also, it's really exciting for people in my line of work. Usually, it's only state functions that have the Victors all together. We're told it took some of the biggest names in the Capitol to get special dispensation for this. The compromise is that only Two Victors at a time can be on Tour for the Fashion Shoot."

"With famous names like Cinna and Tigris behind the label; it's bound to be a sellout. Even the law can't hold that in check forever! Ahahahahaa! Love it! But, of course, it's unusual for the Victors. They don't often like to be away from their own beloved home Districts."

"Ohhh, I don't know about that. I was interviewing Johanna Mason when the news broke. She seemed happier to go to Twelve than you'd think."

"Ooh, do tell!"

The deal was done quickly enough, and Johanna arrived in Twelve two weeks later. There was no hotel in town, so it was either Victor's Village, or the Mayor's House. Johanna gave a demure grin as she assured everyone that Peeta wouldn't mind a houseguest for one night.

It raised a few eyebrows, and the story made it back to Ceaser Flickerman's show before she had travelled from the train station to Victor's Village.

Johanna didn't sleep well. Back home she would have various ways to knock herself out. Here in Twelve, she didn't have many of them with her. The bed was unfamiliar, the room was bitterly cold, and everything in the District seemed to stink of coal dust and mud.

Her ears were sharp, especially in the still night. Twelve was a whole lot quieter than Seven, and she heard a sound that every Victor had hardwired into them. The moan of a wounded prey animal. A human animal, waiting to be put out of his misery.

He has nobody here. Not even staff. Not even Avox. The thought came to her, and Johanna slipped out of her bed, heading across the hall.

Peeta wasn't thrashing around. He was paralysed, eyes dancing wildly under closed eyelids. "Run… kat… run!"

Johanna sighed, and went over to the bed, sitting on the edge of it. "Easy, Peeta. Ride it out." She said softly to him. Her manner was gentle, but not in any way seductive. This time, she treated him like a scared little brother. It suddenly dawned on her that he didn't smell like smog and mud. He smelled like fresh bread. An oddly appealing scent at midnight.

Her fingers stroking his face calmed him, his nightmare growing far less vivid. "Katniss?" He moaned out, and for a moment, she thought he was awake.

"Yeah." She promised him softly. "Yes, it's me. It's Katniss. I'm safe."

Peeta settled at once. Even asleep, delirious from nightmares; the sound of her name banished the badness. Johanna felt something akin to raw jealousy. Not of Katniss, but of him. She would have loved a magic word like that. Something that could rescue her from dark dreams so completely.

Peeta was calm again, and Johanna suddenly felt her own tiredness hit her. She retreated to her guest room, knowing if she didn't get up fast, she'd fall asleep right there.

Johanna woke up and went down to his dining room. Back in Seven, there'd be a small army of Avox bustling about, preparing her food, doing her chores…

Peeta's house was empty. There was a note on the counter, informing her that Effie had arrived early and taken her escort with her. The note also directed her to the warming oven in the kitchen, where a large breakfast was waiting. Eggs, bacon, toast; fruit buns. There was orange juice waiting, and coffee in the pot, and the kitchen table was laid for her.

Despite herself, she was impressed. Peeta was a class act. He had done all this alone before she'd woken up.

He came in the back door with an empty basket, while she was halfway through her meal. "Morning." He said carefully, unsure when he saw her.

"Morning." She returned, setting down her fork. "Thank you for breakfast." She regarded him. "Did you sleep?"

He nodded, unnerved by the question. "Jo…" He said carefully. "I vaguely remember you coming into my room. Did we…?"

She smirked, taking pity. "No. I was there, but we didn't do anything." She told him. "Believe me, you'd remember." She gestured around. "Where is everyone?"

"Last I saw, Effie was forcibly taking your entourage on a tour of Twelve." Peeta reported. "Our combined entourage is setting up the shoot for when the stylists get here. Effie is playing Tour Guide. I think she wants to show off that she's far more capable than 'just' an Escort for the Lowest Side of Panem." Peeta still looked unsure. "Tigris covered your visit to Twelve. The TV is hopping about you staying here instead of some other VIP place. I'm not an idiot, Johanna. The cover story is you and me, isn't it? You need a reason to be seen with me, since it's too dangerous to be seen with Finnick now."

He worried he's betraying Katniss; and he hasn't even held my hand. Johanna thought. Oh, they're going to eat this man alive.

"Peeta." She told him, not unkindly. "Don't mistake what we're trying to do with what's really happening. We're telling a story. When I say we have to work on your poker face? I mean it. You wear your heart on your sleeve, and if you can't give it better protection than that, Snow owns you."

"I know." Peeta sighed.

The circus returned to District Twelve. The first time an entourage came through, the District tried to make the most of it, offering food, souvenirs… This time, the Capitol guests were warned about the smell, the food, and the general filth that lived in the District; so they kept to themselves tighter than any group of soldiers.

Tigris prowled in on Cinna's arm; and purred happily at the sight of Johanna and Peeta.

"The early shots look great." Cinna briefed them. "Districts One And Two Paired together well. They've got a long history of friendship in the Arena. We've been mixing up the pairs as best we can. Finnick looks good posing with Wiress. Beetee with Mags, and you two… Well, you're unique. Twelve doesn't have a female Victor; so the two of you together is worth some mileage."

"Sounds like a great idea. Contrast and compare." Peeta agreed, intrigued by the visual.

Johanna's eyes flicked to him, trying to decide if he was being sincere. If I can't tell, it means his poker face is finally improving. "You should see Peeta's paintings sometime, Cinna. He's really good at it."

"I figured. Nobody's that good at camouflage on the first try." Cinna agreed. "Seriously, Peeta… We should have a conversation about that with Effie. Victors all have some special skill. I'm told you have several."

"Man, I'll say." Johanna teased. Her eyes flicked to the reflective surface of the window beside her; and she noticed one or two of the camera crew clocking her little quip, glancing back and forth between Peeta and Her. Good. That little rumor will make its way to Ceaser soon enough.

Tigris brought out the new clothing line. It was glamorous, classic… but lacked the over the top spectacle that Capitol clothing usually had. There was nothing to alter the appearance; at least not at first glance. But when Peeta saw Tigris hold the dress up to Johanna, he was aware of the illumination. Something in the dress was casting light; but not enough that anyone would be aware of the source.

The two of them changed clothes, and Peeta checked again, seeing it clearly. The outfit made Johanna seem to glow; as though she was lit from within. No makeup, no gemstones, just her, full of a warm glow that seemed to come from her directly. Like it was a part of her, shining out from within.

It was several moments before Peeta noticed the rest of the room had gone silent, just watching the two Victors gaze at each other. Cinna had a secret smile, the support staff was trading knowing looks; and Tigris actually had a tear in her eye.

"You look good." Johanna admitted softly.

"So do you." Peeta returned in the same tone.

While the cameras set up for the first stage, Johanna sidled over to Tigris. "I was instructed to give you the thanks of our mutual friends."

Tigris' paws stilled on the fabric for a moment. "Good to be doing something I know how to do. Thank them."

"I will." Johanna agreed, easing her secretive tone. "And you do know your stuff. Whatever gave you this idea? It's so subtle."

"Peeta did." Tigris admitted. "He made me think of my first joy. First time I saw the light." She purred a little. "I grew up in the Capitol. Things are shiny there. But I saw real glow so suddenly that I didn't realize how beautiful it was for a while. Heaven Light. I could see it coming from my soul back then." She gestured at herself. "A gleaming soul cannot live in Capitol for long."

"No." Johanna agreed. "You and Cinna… You really pulled something off with this one. I didn't know how to look for it before, but I feel like I can see Peeta's soul, radiating out of him." She gestured over at him. "It's so subtle, but it's beautiful. He shines."

Tigris trilled.

"What?"

"I haven't plugged in his powerpack yet." Tigris purred. "His outfit isn't lit."

Johanna would have blushed, if she was the type. Somewhere between her ribs, she felt something twist.

The photoshoot took several hours. The limited lights, and the effect they were producing, was hard to capture on film. Cinna directed the shoot by taking them through all sorts of settings. There were shots of Peeta and Johanna, arm-in-arm in the impoverished areas, gazing up at the justice building, strolling around Victor's Village, even talking to some people passing by, the cameras a discreet distance away.

The effect of the outfit was apparent. Peeta was getting some careful looks from people he'd known his whole life. There was a different kind of glow around him now, and while the people he was talking to couldn't place where it was coming from, they were under its sway.

The Victors were a shining presence, something brighter than normal people and normal life.

Cinna was doing something to adjust Johanna's dress; and Peeta took the chance to sidle over to Tigris. "If you turned up the power on the lights, it wouldn't work anymore." Peeta admitted. "It'd be obviously fake. Having it so gentle, even on a cloudy day; it's like it comes just from us."

Tigris gave a little purr. "Angel's Light."

Peeta smiled. "Yeah." He looked at Tigris carefully. "You have a little bit of it too, now. More than I saw last time we spoke."

Tigris looked down. "It's good, to work again. Feels good. Good inside."

Peeta nodded. "It helps, to feel useful."

Tigris pointed. "Cinna has it too. More than me." She purr-spoke. "No surgery, no ink; just… that." She extended her hands out, showing off what used to be human hands. "Can't go back."

"None of us can." Peeta agreed. "You, me, Johanna? We'll never be those kids again. But if you can't go back, you go forward."

As Cinna finished the small adjustment on Johanna's dress, Effie spun around. "Alright folks, one more set and we'll break for lunch!" She thundered. "Let's go! We have a schedule!"

The shoot ended, and Johanna sidled up to Peeta. "Listen." She said to him quietly. "In about ten minutes, I'm going to have a full-on Diva Meltdown. I'm going to abuse the whole company; and refuse to get on the train until they leave. I'm also going to fire my Escort for some trivial reason."

"You are?" Peeta was nonplussed.

"I am. And it shall be epic." She told him politely. "Let me go on for a while before you come out to watch, and then you will interrupt me. I will suddenly be calmed down by your mere presence, and you will suggest I stay until a private train can be sent in the morning. My Escort will agree to that; and you will invite me to stay in your guestroom. 'All above board, of course'."

"And you know how I hate rattling around that big house, all by my lonesome." Peeta played along, getting it.

"The Capitol will demand Effie take over as Escort until my ass is back on the train; and I'll be home in Seven by lunchtime tomorrow. But in those sixteen hours, we'll have replaced my Escort with someone we can trust, we'll have planted a story that'll set up the next operation; and we'll have taken a whole lot of heat off Finnick by making me the problem."

"How bad will that get for you?"

"Depends how the story plays out." Johanna admitted. "It's a calculated risk."

"Aren't they all?"

The screaming went on for exactly forty four seconds before Peeta made his entrance. Johanna's Escort and support team was on the train quickly; and Johanna was back in Victor's Village by nightfall. Effie moved herself into one of Peeta's guestrooms right away, insisting that it was the best way to prevent gossip from spreading.

"It was one thing last night with her Escort Staff there, but I'm sure you don't want to do anything to tarnish Johanna's reputation." Effie told Peeta fiercely. "You're a gentleman, after all."

"Well, of course, Effie." Peeta said, playing the part flawlessly. "Gee, you don't think there's a chance this could reflect badly on her, do you? Because I could stay with my brother for a night, if it'll be a problem…"

"Nonsense; we're not driving you out of your own house. You're a Victor!" Effie said proudly. "Where is Johanna, anyway?"

"I think she's across the street, drinking with Haymitch."

Effie let out a horrified wail. "Look, I'm going to stay over. Just to kill any rumors. Nobody can accuse either of you of impropriety if I'm here too."

Effie snored so loud that Peeta could have marched a brass band past her room and not woken her.

Peeta didn't sleep. He paced. The house was large enough that he could pace for a good while. When he passed Johanna's room, he heard her crying out in her sleep, and went into her room immediately. She slept with a throwing axe under her pillow; and he carefully moved it aside before shaking her awake.

Johanna came up swinging. If she'd had an axe, she'd have taken his hand off. "Whoa! Easy! It's me!"

Johanna switched on a light, blinking. "Oh."

Peeta sat on the edge of her bed, and turned the light off, sending them both into blissful darkness. "Go back to sleep. I'll sit here a while."

"You don't have to."

"I know."

She was embarrassed to be seen as weak, even asleep. "I can handle it. Lord knows I have before."

"You did it for me the other night."

"Well yeah, but… That's different. That was me."

"I figured." Peeta said easily. "When I was about six years old, I had a nightmare and ran to my mother's room. I told her I had a scary dream, and she told me to get used to it. She said she had them all the time, and they were all about me." He sniffed a bit and tucked the covers around her a bit more. "I was twelve before I realized what that meant, seeing my name go in the bowl for the first time."

Johanna was suddenly wide awake, floored by that. He could pour his heart out to a virtual stranger like it was nothing.

A stranger who's supposedly your secret lover. At least, that's what you're trying to convince the whole country of. She thought. Is he always like this, or did he catch feelings?

"Anyway, whatever you think, I'm fine staying here. I don't sleep either." Peeta assured her. "But since I was six years old, I hate that people have to deal with nightmares alone."

People. Would he do this for anyone? "...okay." She said finally. "You can stay if you want. But you don't have to."

"I know." He wasn't even trying to get closer; and she felt exposed. Peeta didn't even lay beside her in bed. He sat upright at the opposite side of the mattress, leaning against the wall. It reminded her of someone sitting by a hospital bed. She didn't know it was almost exactly the pose he had when dozing against the hearth, beside Katniss.

She shut her eyes, and then opened them again. "I can handle it."

"I know."

She shut her eyes for a few minutes, and then opened them again. She was more unsettled than she'd been in years, and didn't know why. "W-we can have sex first if you wanna-"

"Shhh. Just rest, Johanna. Just sleep."

He was gone again when she woke up. The night had left her unsettled for some reason, and she got herself back to normal by making a standard search of the upper floors. Effie was long gone, with a note to her charge, assuring him that nothing had gone on under her watchful gaze. She'd slept through the whole thing and not noticed.

With her search finished before breakfast, Johanna came downstairs to Peeta's kitchen, with a glass jar under her arm. She nearly tripped on Katniss, at her usual spot by the fireplace. "Oh. Hello."

Katniss uncoiled a little. "Hello." Katniss watched without moving as Johanna put the jar in one of the empty kitchen cabinets below the sink. "Peeta's not here." She said thickly. "He leaves early. Gives food to… well, whoever's turn it is. He has a roster."

"I saw it in the pantry." Johanna nodded. "I mentioned the other night that most Victors have a personal chef, but then I tasted Peeta's cooking. A chef would be wasted."

Katniss said nothing.

"I can count your ribs. I don't imagine he's been refusing you meals if you sleep on his kitchen floor, so what's the deal?" Johanna asked. "You don't like his cooking?"

"According to the Gamemakers, it's to die for." Katniss said with grim sarcasm. "But don't make that joke to him." She was exhausted by the effort to talk to this stranger. "He'll be back soon."

"S'okay. I figured we should have ourselves a personal chat." Johanna said briskly to Katniss. She noticed the girl's bow beside the door and went over to it. "Peeta tells me you can shoot."

Katniss just stared at her. "Yeah?"

"Show me."

"Um, no."

Johanna gave her a stare. It stripped Katniss down to her bones in an instant. "Listen to me right now." She said seriously. "I know losing Prim broke you. My Games broke me for a while, so I sympathise. I had to put myself back together very fast. You have time to wallow. That time is now over. Either you're ready to get off the mat, or you're part of the problem."

Katniss scowled. Who was this woman, and how dare she? "I'm sorry, take one step closer and say that again, please?"

Johanna almost smirked. "Katniss, you know what you are? You are the reason why the Games exist."

Katniss was silent for half a heartbeat, before she finally seemed to process that. "I'm what?"

"You're Snow's success story." Johanna didn't blink as she hefted the bow. "Now. Peeta says you can shoot. Really, really well. And that's why I'm talking to you. Because if you're half as good as Peeta seems to think, then that makes you dangerous. But The Games broke you. Exactly as they were meant to do. A dangerous girl who can fight back and win, is now permanently on the floor, starving herself to death in a kitchen full of food. Congratulations, you've proven The Games are a brilliant move on the part of The Capitol. And it's not going to stop, as long as people like you stay curled in a ball, just waiting to die."

And slowly, very slowly, Katniss' eyes came into focus, in a way they hadn't done since Prim died. The old Katniss was, just barely, becoming aware of her surroundings. "Johanna Mason…" Katniss said quietly, like the words were trying to find their way out of the darkness. "Why have you really come to Twelve?"

Johanna's eyes dissected her over the cup of coffee she'd poured herself. "Eat." She told Katniss firmly. "When we've had breakfast, I wanna see what you can do with your bow. Impress me, and maybe I'll answer that question."

Intrigued, despite herself, Katniss went to the fruit basket and started munching. Peeta had enough fresh fruit to feed a family through winter.

Peeta took that moment to come into the house via the kitchen door, with an empty bread basket under his arm. He saw Katniss standing at the counter, and eating, and the sight nearly made him fall over. He looked to Johanna, who was stoking the kitchen fire, as though this miracle happened every day.

Johanna turned back to see him looking back and forth between her and Katniss, who hadn't noticed the scrutiny.

Thank you. He mouthed to Johanna, almost tearing up; and Johanna felt that twist in her chest again.

The three of them sat and ate breakfast. Johanna commented on Peeta's cooking. Katniss said nothing, and then went back outside, pausing to collect her bow and quiver of arrows. Johanna went along with her.

"So. Let's see what you've got."

Before she'd made it to the end of the sentence, Katniss was in motion. The bow in her hand flashed, one arrow after another. Peeta had set up a target for her; though she'd never used it until now. When she'd nailed the target dead centre three times; she did it again with her eyes closed; then after spinning around a few times.

Johanna briefly went back to the kitchen for the fruit basket, and started tossing targets for her. When Katniss hit them precisely, she started throwing harder; trickier angles…

The Mockingjay never missed.

Katniss could see the slight look of challenge in Johanna's eye. The Victor pulled the last two apples in the basket. Katniss held two arrows in her hand, one sighted along her hand, the other between her other fingers; ready to slap it into place.

Johanna threw the fruit at Katniss directly, as fast as she could, and Katniss flashed with the bow like a quickdraw. At close range, she couldn't draw back; but it didn't affect the accuracy, spearing one apple, then the other. Short range, long range, plenty of time, pure reflex; sniper shots; close-in defence. Katniss could do it all with her bow.

Johanna said nothing the entire time; but by the time the Quiver was empty; her face had changed. She'd seen something in Katniss. Something deadly. Something mighty.

Katniss spun and fired her last arrow at the target again, and split one of her earlier bullseyes down the middle of the arrowshaft. It had been dumb luck, but it looked perfect.

Katniss grinned savagely at the target, when a axe suddenly whizzed past her head, flipping end over end, until it slammed into the target, deep enough to split the whole bullseye from the supports. The target fell; cleaved by the throwing axe.

Surprised, Katniss spun to find Johanna had a second one, flipping it around her wrist expertly. "Where were you hiding those?" Katniss couldn't help but ask.

"Hey, handsome." Johanna said to Peeta as she came in from the backyard. She had an apple, skewered on Katniss' arrow. "She's good. You weren't kidding."

"I know." Peeta said. "Thank you, for…" He gestured at the discarded apple cores. "So, um… You want anything else?"

"There are so many ways I can spin that into something dirty; but before we get to that…" She checked the door. Katniss had walked off into the trees, not coming back inside. "It's not my business, but have you ever had her over for dinner, or... anything?" She gestured at the fireplace. "Other than what she was doing when I came downstairs, anyway?"

Peeta flushed. "No, I've never… I mean, I don't know what to talk about with… well anyone, anymore. I try to help out where I can-"

"People. But no confidants. Nobody who would say anything you wouldn't want Snow to hear one day?"

Peeta blinked. "What are you asking me?"

Johanna reopened the cabinet beneath the sink and retrieved the large glass jar she had brought into the kitchen, placing it on the table in front of him. It was sealed, airtight, with half a dozen small electronic devices inside. Peeta recognized their purpose instantly.

Johanna nodded. "You're far too trusting. But I think I got them all. They'll put in a dozen more the next time you're out of the house, but don't worry: I'll show you how to find them."

"Yesterday, we were talking about-"

"They never bug the kitchens." She assured him. "Those are servant areas. You don't have any here, but why listen in on a room full of Avox? They can't talk."

"Right." Peeta flashed through every conversation he'd ever had in the house. Katniss in the kitchen. His dance lessons with Effie. His polite chat with Gale and Hazelle. His argument with Katniss in the bedroom when he'd stopped her from shooting at Sno-

"Oh dear god!" Peeta breathed. "The bedroom?"

She shook her head. "Nothing there. That was my first stop. I checked twice."

"Why would they leave that room alone?"

"Because you were up for sale. That grace period is over now, so they'll probably start, but they have people they want to control in District Twelve, too. If any of them took a shine to you, or if you had a girlfriend of your own; they wouldn't want it recorded. Not until after your Victory Tour. Tigris payed a lot for first dibs. Those recordings make their way to a number of people; most of whom take regular bribes from other people."

Peeta winced. "And if there was ever proof that Tigris got swindled…" He paused. "Why did you check my bedroom first?"

Johanna gave him a wicked grin. "Just in case."

Peeta rolled his eyes, seeing it for what it was now.

The battle-smirk faded. "Listen, I need to ask you something I've got no right to ask: How much do you love Everdeen?"

"If it had come down to me and Prim as the final two, I wouldn't be here." Peeta said honestly.

Johanna nodded, processing his. "If you had to kill to protect her, would you?"

"Yes."

"And if you had to let someone kill you, so that she'd be okay? Not in an Arena, but… Anywhere else? Would you do that?"

Peeta stared at her. "Yes."

Johanna sighed. "If you really want to keep Katniss safe; you need to do something harder still." She said seriously. "You have to let her go."

Peeta was silent for a long moment. "In District Eleven, I did something stupid."

"The food." Johanna nodded. "I saw."

"Inside half an hour, my brother was in a hospital bed." Peeta said quietly. "I know the stakes, Johanna."

"You're a smart guy." She nodded, halfway between pleased he got it, and sympathetic. "But there is another layer to that: See, the Districts believed you about loving Katniss. If you and she would agree to be seen together, if she was your guest on a Capitol trip or two… I mean, it's a love story that even the Capitol could get behind, because you started it in the Arena. It would cut down on the number of times you get… rented out."

"No." Peeta said instantly. "I won't use Katniss as a human shield. I won't do that."

"You won't do that to her." Johanna shook her head in open despair. "But what it does to you…"

"Jo, most of the time I don't have Katniss around when she's sitting right there where you're standing." Peeta sighed. "Even if the Capitol got hit by a meteor tonight, it couldn't take back what's already been."

"I guess not." Johanna conceded. "For what it's worth, I'm sorry about that." She was surprised to discover that she meant it. "I've seen the bastards use someone's heart against them. It's not the worst thing they do, but only because they do a lot of really bad things. I mean, crazy bad. At least in the Arena you have a weapon."

Peeta leaned forward. "The cover story we're spinning about you and me. Where does Katniss fit into that?"

"Mm." Johanna nodded, waving the arrow. "That's why I'm staying here. I have to see where your Mockingjay is at. She's either an ally, or a civilian. And Civilians belong to Snow."

"We Are Meat." Peeta recited Rule Number One.

Johanna nodded. "The Capitol lives for distraction." She told him sagely. "The way they can keep dancing while putting children in the Arena, the way they can live with mass starvation, constant surveillance, and better odds of being executed than reaching old age? Distraction. The Capitol concerns itself with the most insane of circus acts, the most trivial of news; and the raising of gossip to an artform. All this, to keep them from looking too closely at their own lives; let alone other people's."

"Okay." Peeta nodded, learning.

"Your doomed love story got a lot of traction in the Games; but the Games are over. So if we can't make Katniss a player, her best bet for survival is to make her part of the story." Johanna told him. "The determination has been made that we can work that to our advantage, and garner sympathy for you, and against the Games."

"And this 'Determination' was made by who?"

"One thing at a time, Loverboy." She told him. "I've seen what you can do during an interview. Think you can do it again? Because you won't have many chances for a do-over."

"What's the goal?"

"The gossips are yapping about the 'real reason' why I stayed in Twelve an extra day. It's a story that will protect the two of us whenever we're seen together, and give Katniss an escape route from the Capitol's reach." Johanna told him. "Think you can summon enough juice to get it over the line?"

"Put that way, I believe I can." Peeta promised.

She was ready to leave it there, but something made her speak again. "One thing I promise you, Peeta. Whatever we do in public, I'll be honest with you in private." Johanna said straight. "If you can do the same; we'll be fine Allies. And I won't make any kind of move to bring Katniss back into the firing line."

He gave her a surprised look.

Johanna shrugged. "Nothing's off-limits to them. Some things should be; if only for us."

"Thank you." He said quietly. "And you? What's off-limits for you?"

Johanna shook her head. "I don't have anyone left."

"It's been six weeks since the end of the Victory Tour, and the Capitol is clamoring for More!More!More! Here with us via remote, live from District Twelve, our latest and greatest Victor: Peeta Mellark! It's so good to have you back, Peeta!"

"It's been far too long, Ceaser. But I still get to see you every day."

"The wonder of television. Peeta, we're all dying to know: What happened next? With you, with your family… With Katniss Everdeen."

"(Sigh) Ahh, Ceaser… I was afraid you were going to ask me that."

"Rumor is she's part of your household staff, now."

"I've heard those rumors too, but I can assure you, it's not true. For one thing, I don't have a staff. There are people in the District who cook and clean to help each other out; but it's not the same thing. And… Well, some Games you are the Victor, some games you never had a chance. Before the Reaping, I might have had a shot; but coming home instead of Prim has closed that door."

"I think I speak for all of us here in the Capitol when I say that will change."

"That's where the rumors about her came from. Victor's Village is a small community in Twelve. Just me and Haymitch."

"Ew."

"Well said. I'm afraid The Games took that one from me."

Watching the interview, Haymitch found he enjoyed the flash of panic that crossed Ceaser's face for half a second at that line. If Peeta was about to blame the Capitol for a broken heart, it would be uncomfortable.

Peeta held the silence for the perfect beat before he threw Ceaser a life preserver.

"...But life is a far more interesting thing than just the people you already know, Ceaser. Being a Victor, I've seen more of the world than I ever would as a baker. Some of the people I've met… Some of them have changed my life."

"Really? There are a few pictures circulating of you with… others, in the Victor's Circle."

"Victors have the best stories to tell, Ceaser. One thing you know about me, I love stories. Especially ones with happy endings."

"Johanna Mason certainly seemed to be smiling when she left District Twelve this morning."

"I'm sure I don't know what you're talking about."

Author's Note:

Alright, here's the reasoning: We found out from Finnick what became of Victors. In Catching Fire we know that there's a parade of junkies, drunks; and madness in the Victor's Circle. Peeta and Katniss were spared from that by their 'romance'. I asked myself, without the 'Girl On Fire', how would Peeta be 'Inducted' into the Victor's Life. Having someone explain it to them seemed the logical choice, and I sure as hell wasn't going to let it be Haymitch.

I chose Johanna, because of the B-Plot of Catching Fire. In CF, all the other Victors were part of the Resistance, and they built their plans around Katniss without telling her.

Peeta's next move came down to two choices: Either Peeta tries to make it work with Katniss anyway, even knowing she'd be in the danger of his world; or Peeta would be recruited into the Resistance Cell with all the other solo Victors.

In the original book, Team Everlark was way too hot for Finnick and Johanna to approach, with Snow at their throats every second. Katniss was swept to the top of the Resistance as the Girl on Fire. Peeta was not so 'iconic'; so if I'm going to take on the rest of the trilogy, I needed Peeta to be recruited into the Resistance.

Johanna was the way to do that, because I've made a lot of noise in this fic about how the only way Districts interact is through the Games. I needed a reason to keep Peeta in contact with the extended cast; while keeping Peeta in character.

It seemed in character for Peeta to make the noble sacrifice to keep Katniss out of Captiol reach. He would have done it in the Arena, he can do it in Twelve.

The one thing that almost all the feedback for this fic agreed on was that with Prim gone, Katniss and Peeta had almost no chance of working out; and I agreed. Without that connection, Peeta needed a new way into the War. Johanna provided a way to do both.

Remember, that in the canon story, Peeta's love for Katniss was real, but hers was a lie; at least at this point. I wondered how Peeta would be able to handle it if he went in knowing his 'girlfriend' was a cover story. What resulted was a far more balanced partnership between two smart people playing for their lives.

Also, I couldn't leave out the 'elevator' scene completely, so I made it a bathtub instead.

Also, for all the Everlark Shippers that really don't like a Peeta/Katniss moment with Gale? I'm not trying to craft an Everlark story with a detour. I'm writing an AU; which results in very different lives for all concerned. It's still listed as a Katniss/Peeta fic because his feelings for her remain a major part of his motivations for the majority of the story.

I assure you, the Mockingjay's part in this story is far from done; but an Everlark ending is by no means a guarantee.