Weeks passed. Gale was still working double shifts at the Mines. But once a week, a large basket of food showed up on the Hawthorne doorstep. The source was not a mystery, and Hazelle dove on it before Gale could politely refuse delivery.

So one day a week, Gale made it to the woods, and resumed hunting with Katniss. She still spent most of her time in the woods, making deliveries now and then to town. When she came back, she only visited her mother briefly. Long enough to supply a few rabbits, and assure the last of her kin that she was alive.

The Hob hadn't reopened, but the regulars found each other again. Peeta had made up the difference by giving away food. Haymitch had been trading food for moonshine for over a decade, and Peeta made a point of improving his exchange rate; which put more food in the hands of people with home-breweries, and kids in the Reaping Bowl.

It wasn't enough. It was never enough. Peeta could starve to death and not keep everyone alive. Even without Tesserae, The Captiol added names with each birthday.

Katniss caught up on all the news in her time with Greasy Sae, and then all the really important stuff on her weekly hunting trips with Gale.

The really important stuff was scaring her.

Peeta came into his kitchen and found a few plucked pheasant on the counter, and the huntress curled up on the floor in front of his fireplace. "Y'know, I'm the only person in the District who knows where their next meal is coming from, regardless of your hunting trips. You don't want to sneak any of this to your mom?"

"I hunt, and I don't give you anything." Katniss said, monotone. "You toss me food, and I don't pay you back."

"When are you going to get over the burnt bread?" Peeta grated. "And if anything, Prim should balance that scale, and then some."

"I don't want to talk about her right now." Katniss sat up and turned to Peeta. "Gale is busy. In the Mines, he's taking shifts with everyone who was working in the Hob. On the way back to his place, he takes a different route every time… and stops to talk to workers on the assembly lines. When we hunt, he's making deliveries to someone different every time."

"He's meeting with people." Peeta summed up.

"People who are looking to hold a… demonstration." Katniss spoke like a sigh. "When you were in the Arena, he got the whip for trying to start an uprising. Nobody supported him, and he achieved nothing. I think he's decided to play a longer game now."

Peeta winced. "He's going to get himself killed."

"Possibly other people too." Katniss agreed, and she turned to him beseechingly. "Peeta, is there… I only spoke with Johanna once, but she sort of hinted that maybe… Maybe there was an option other than pointless screaming into the wind. Something better than pulling a sit-down in the Mine."

Peeta bit her lip. "I can ask."

"How?"

"VIP's are allowed to send and receive mail. It's part of the Victor's package. Lets me order expensive novelties."

Katniss blinked. "Surely they read your mail?"

"I'm counting on it." Peeta said to himself as he picked up the pheasant and went to his cooking pots.

"Good morning, Panem! The story of the day, is the leaked letters between Peeta Mellark, and Johanna Mason. Is there more there than pen to paper? We asked Mason herself, just this morning."

"You had the same rumors about me and Finnick Odair. Just good friends, Ceaser, I assure you. Peetey- Excuse me, Victor Mellark is new to the Winner's Circle. It's good to have friends who can help you. Now, you have to tell me, where did you get those letters? They're personal. Like I said, it's important to be… friendly, yes?"

"Less than an hour after that clip went to air, Finnick Odair, the Capitol's favorite sweetheart, made this comment."

"Peeta is a romantic. I don't believe that he'd treat his lady fair Miss Everdeen that way. Especially not this soon. But just between you and me, Ceaser; pretty much everyone in the Victors Circle thinks the relationship with Katniss won't happen. Peeta's a Victor now. And without wanting to offend anyone, the truth is... It's hard for anyone else to truly understand what that's like. It's like the whole world speaks a different language once you're out of the Arena."

"But I wasn't satisfied with that, Panem, so I went to the people themselves, to hear what the Capitol is really saying about the Lethal Lovebirds."

At her Victors Village House in Seven, Johanna answered the phone. She knew who it was before she picked up. "I just saw the interview. You do look good on camera, handsome." Johanna commented to Finnick. "How long on the call?"

"According to Beetee, we've got another three minutes before they can hear us." Finnick responded. "The letters are perfect. I had no idea you could pull this outta thin air, Johanna. Annie's been sighing lovingly at the coverage for an hour."

Johanna chuckled. "I'll let you in on a secret while the Jammer's still working: I didn't write any of it. Peeta's writing both sides."

"Really?"

"I copy my half in my own handwriting, and burn the ones he wrote."

"Well. If he can spin tales like this, he'll tear up the Capitol. Seems we were wrong. He's going to be fine."

"No. I was more right than I knew." Johanna confided. "He's not writing to me, he's writing to Katniss Everdeen. He called me 'Mockingjay' twice in the letters, and didn't notice. It's why I started wearing the necklace everywhere. I told my staff that Peeta gave it to me when I was in Twelve. Story took less than an hour to leak to the TV."

"You were right, then. You have a plant in your household."

"Right. I don't know which one, yet. And it might be a plant from Snow… or from Ceaser Flickerman." Johanna shivered. "The wrong person finds the original drafts of these letters, and I'm dead."

"Ah. Hence the call. You want an exit."

"Once Peeta pointed it out, it was obvious." Johanna sighed. "We're leaving breadcrumbs, Finnick. We either change it up fast, or break up our Cell Group and take our chances. I don't wanna take my chances."

"Me neither. Two minutes left on the call. You should know: The Sit-Downs are spreading. We've been having them in Four. The Fishing Fleets suddenly can't find any fish. By law, if that happens two days out of the week, the Captains are relieved of duty and 're-educated'. But you check the numbers? Every ship in the fleet, almost in sequence, has had no catch for one day a week… And they're taking turns."

"It's that organised?"

"The Capitol has such backbreaking quotas, that taking one day off isn't hard to sell. I think Peeta stumbled onto something gold, here. Because if people are willing to have 'do nothing' be their first step, then 'do something' is closer than we think…"

"Wow." Johanna bit her lip. "I'll see if it's happening in Seven."

"Tell Peeta that my mom enjoyed the pheasant." Gale sighed as he sat beside Katniss at their usual spot.

"I will." Katniss commented, saying nothing about who hunted them. I knew he wouldn't eat them himself...

"What do you think about the letters?" Gale asked.

Katniss rolled her eyes. "I was back there the other day?" She confided to him. "They're real. Peeta writes those letters to Johanna. But here's the thing? I'm almost positive he's also writing her letters back to him!"

Gale frowned. "Why is he faking a relationship with some girl from District Seven? Even as a Victor, he gets to see her maybe twice a year."

"Doesn't make sense." Katniss agreed. "Anyway, are we hunting or talking about Peeta?"

"I don't buy it! Peeta and Johanna Mason? No way. He fought like hell to get back to his girl in Twelve. Katniss has to understand that!"

"I'm from Seven. Mason's hotter than anything even a Coal District can offer. Katniss vs Mason? No contest."

"We all saw the shot of Katniss taking back that Mockingjay pin. If there was anything possible, she wouldn't have walked away."

"She just lost her sister. Let her mourn before you decide there's nothing there."

"Is it enough?" Peeta asked Haymitch.

"Snow was mad at you because you got the Capitol to view their Tributes as people for a whole half hour." Haymitch groused around the glass in his hand. "Putting Katniss on the Gossip Shows makes her less of a 'real person' in their eyes, and more of a topic to talk about. Snow will be pleased. They can play this little triangle out for weeks."

"Y'know, for it to be a triangle, I'd have to have a shot with either of them." Peeta rolled his eyes so hard they hurt. "This is like a caricature of what I actually wanted with Katniss. And I'm not entirely sure she won't kill me for it."

"Well, look on the bright side. Maybe Katniss and Johanna will run away with each other and give them something to really gossip about." Haymitch cackled.

Peeta took the glass from his hand. "That's enough for you today."

Watching the coverage in the Hawthorne house, Katniss turned to Gale. "This is unreal." She said plainly. "I mean, this cannot be happening. Madge tells me that 'Mockingjays' are the latest Capitol fashion trend. The Capitol is obsessed. They know my name. 41% of those asked want to know when I'm making babies with Peeta. The rest think I should step aside and let Johanna have him."

Gale laughed, winced, laughed again. The scars had healed, but still pulled a bit.

"It's Not FUNNY!" She roared at him. "They had a digital merge of me and Peeta done, to see what our kids would look like. They named our firstborn: Everlark."

Gale was laughing so hard he nearly fell down.

"Stop laughing!" Katniss yelled. "This can't be happening! I must have eaten some bad mushrooms in the Woods; because clearly I'm having hallucinations!"

Gale was laughing harder, tears rolling down his face.

"Will you please get angry about this!?" Katniss raged at him.

"Katniss, there's a lot of life-and-limb crazy in our lives. This is just absurd. If you can't find this funny; then you're not paying attention." Gale told her jovially. And if the Capitol happens to be in favor of 'Everlark', then Katniss will be dead-set against the idea.

"Our final polls are in, and those polled say that Masonlark is the Capitol's Choice over Everlark by about fifteen percent. Claudius?"

"Those numbers are pretty weak, Ceaser. Everyone in the Capitol knows Johanna Mason. At least, more than we know about Katniss Everdeen. They'll go with the girl they know."

"Ceaser, not to be contrary on your show…"

"Tell me the worst, Finnick!"

"You didn't just ask who seems the better match; you asked who they wanted a happy ending for. Everyone loves a true love story, and in that sense, Katniss is the only real option."

"That wouldn't be jealousy, would it Finnick? That shot of you two at Johanna's Victory Celebration is still one of the hottest pics in recent memory."

"Well, thank you. But what I mean is: Peeta and Johanna can't be together more than three or four weeks out of the year, because they're from different Districts. Isn't everything else just talk?"

"You're saying that difference of fifteen percent is actually a much larger margin, and some people are just voting practically?"

"Well, there's no other option, is there?"

"People are starving to death." Peeta condemned the television. "And the only news channel in the country-"

"-is working madly to make sure nobody realizes that people are starving to death." Haymitch cut him off. "A celebrity romance is a good distraction. A love triangle? Even better."

State Events that involved Victors directly were usually few in number. They were always trotted out for The Games; and the Victor celebrations, but other than that, only when the Capitol had to put on a spectacle. Because the Districts never communicated, there was usually no reason for them to go to each other's official events.

Tigris and Cinna were very popular with their new line. The photos of the Victors were truly unique; and not just because they were of Victors from multiple Districts. The photos were such art shots that most of the Capitol had forgotten it was meant as a promotion for a new clothing line. But the wealthy wanted the clothing; and there was never a bad reason to throw a party. Not in the Capitol.

"For once, the 'want everything' spirit of the Capitol is working for us." Haymitch explained to Peeta as they packed. "The Capitol's finest families are not used to hearing the word 'no' where a party is concerned. They want the guests of honor, and such they will have."

"Mm. And I'm starting to see that this was the goal." Peeta nodded. "But why?"

"You're not there, yet."

"Getting real sick of that answer."

"Wouldn't it be nice if we could push a button and have everything we want delivered to us immediately?" Haymitch said with biting sarcasm. "The train leaves in five hours. Don't make me come looking for you."

"Just have to make some deliveries first." Peeta nodded. "While I'm doing that, can I ask you for a favor? I got a message from Madge. Ceaser Flickerman wants an interview; while I'm out of Twelve."

"You'll be at his door in the morning."

"Not with me. With Katniss."

Prodding the fire in Peeta's kitchen, Katniss looked up to see Haymitch in the doorway, studying her carefully. "What?"

"Peeta asked me to prep you for the interview."

Katniss blinked. "He asked you?"

"Hey, I'm not wild about it either, Sweetheart. But Peeta seems to think that if the interview goes badly, you're gonna have an unfortunate accident soon. I've prepared Tributes for Interviews for more than twenty years."

"How'd it work out for them?" Katniss shot back, surly; though she regretted it at once.

Haymitch didn't even flinch. "Granted, but Peeta seems to think it's the best option you've got."

"To do what?" Katniss shook her head with bland understatement. "Don't you watch TV? The votes are in: Masonlark is the winner."

"And Peeta wants to keep it that way. So we've got the length of one interview to get you off the Capitol's mind once and for all." He gestured at her. "You're sleeping on his kitchen floor. Either you want out of The Victor's world, or you don't. Decide now."

"At first, I thought he just wanted to keep me close until the Games faded a bit from my memory; but it wasn't that. Peeta would never use people that way."

"And? Now that time has passed?"

"Sorry. I shouldn't say. It's personal; and Peeta's a friend. Whatever else, he's still my friend."

"You said 'at first'. Was Johanna Mason the only thing that changed?"

"No. I did. I realized that he took me in out of guilt as much as anything else."

"Come on, Mockingjay. You know I'm not buying it. The whole country heard the stories he told about you."

"...Okay, Caesar: The Truth. Straight up… I never knew about Peeta's feelings for me until the Reaping. And by the time I saw him again… Prim had happened. I don't blame Peeta for it, but I'll always think of her when I think of him. Always."

"That's… unfortunate."

"I know love is meant to conquer all; but sometimes it doesn't happen that way."

"Does Johanna Mason agree?"

"Johanna? No idea. I've only met her once. But Peeta believes in Love above all else. His heart is resilient; and big enough to have room for more than me, and Rue, and Prim. If he finds a way to still have that; then it's fine with me."

"And, I have to say, Katniss: If you're that tough an act to follow, who else could it be but a Victor?"

"Well… um… Yes."

The interview went to air as the train arrived at District Seven. Wandering the platform was not allowed, so Peeta went to the station's interior. Johanna was there with her luggage. While her entourage loaded her things into the train, Peeta sidled over to her and they watched the display. With the noise of the station, they couldn't hear it, but neither could anyone overhear them. "She's not comfortable on camera, is she?" Peeta observed.

Johanna scoffed. "We've gotta do something about you being too damn nice all the time, Loverboy. She's awful on camera."

"Mm." Peeta grit his teeth. "What's the contingency plan?"

"We don't need one." Johanna waved it off. "I know Ceaser. He'll turn 'awkward' into 'secretive' and spin it into something scandalous, and the Capitol will eat it up with a spoon." She rubbed his shoulder affectionately. "Relax, babe. Even if they don't fall for it; they'll leave Katniss alone. Every high society marriage in the Capitol has at least two mistresses. Orgies are what they do to unwind over the weekend. If anything, having Katniss involved with us will just make them love you more."

"Involved?" Peeta turned bright red.

"In the story, I mean. Though, if you meant the other way..." Johanna gave him a dirty grin.

"Johanna, the point of this was to get her out of the spotlight."

"Exactly. Either she's your 'tragic backstory' or the 'little secret' that I don't know about. Nobody invites the 'other woman' to a party. When everyone's had their say; the spotlight will be off your Mockingjay; and on the two of us. Think you can take it?"

"Put that way, I can." Peeta nodded.

Johanna hesitated. "Listen, is Katniss okay with this?"

"She and I don't exactly have long, heartfelt conversations." Peeta demurred. "Why do you ask? Even if she hated you, she'd never go on camera to rumble the plan."

"I know, it's just… I've been reading those letters. I have to, to make it work, but…" Johanna shook her head. "No, never mind."

Peeta looked at her, giving her his full attention. "No, don't run away. What were you going to ask?"

Did any of those letters actually involve me? Johanna fought down the question. She didn't want him having thoughts. She was having a few thoughts of her own, and that was bad enough. "Never mind."

"With fans of Team Everlark left wondering how much they believe; there's been an exciting twist! We have exclusive images taken from a citizen journalist in Seven. You can clearly see Peeta at the Train Station, having an intimate moment at the Station VIP Lounge with District Seven Victor, Johanna Mason. We're told that he was the first one to meet her and her staff as they boarded the train; and the images have more or less confirmed the rumors of a romance!"

"Do we have any word on what happened next, Ceaser?"

"Well, rules are rules. They've both from different Districts, of course; so they boarded separate compartments for the rest of their journey."

"Doesn't matter. You can tell how eager they were for even a few moments together!"

They made sure to find each other again once they got to the Capitol. They were staying in the same tower, essentially a more ornate version of the Tribute Centre they'd stayed in during the Games. Their Escorts were all over them, but Haymitch ran interference for a bit, getting Effie outraged over something trivial.

Peeta had to make conversation with Johanna, and picked something he'd wanted to say for a while. "Jo, in case I haven't said it enough; thank you so much for this."

"Don't thank me yet. The next part might yet get both of us killed." Despite her words, she was leaning into him.

"That's why I'm thanking you. You've gone a long way out on a limb to guide me through this." Peeta said sincerely. "I've spent the last few days reviewing what might have happened to me without your help. You can go ahead and imagine the various methods of my dismemberment; and that of my family."

Johanna gave him a flirty smile. "Well, we couldn't have that, could we?" Playing the vamp was almost reflex for Johanna. So why is that twist in my chest back this time? She looked over his shoulder. "I can't see cameras setting up. Want to wait?"

"I don't think we can risk it."

Back in private at their Penthouse suite, Peeta headed straight past Haymitch, to the buffet table.

"So, how long did it take to get that 'candid' shot?" Haymitch called after him without looking.

Peeta didn't turn, collecting dinner. "I was standing there kissing Jo's fingers for almost five minutes before someone with a camera saw us."

"Ah. So she's 'Jo' now?"

"G'night, Haymitch." Peeta took the plate back towards his room.

Haymitch got up and followed. "There's one more overnight until we go home, Storyteller. That photo means people will be looking. You're still telling a story. But this time you have to tell it without saying anything to anyone. Tomorrow night is the Launch Party. By lunchtime the next day we're halfway home. You've got one shot left; so don't miss."

Peeta paused at the door. "When are you going to tell me what it is I'm aiming for, exactly?"

"When we get back to Twelve. Until then, it's all still in play."

"Then why can't I know the rules?"

"Because they aren't my rules."

The Launch Party wasn't at the Presidential Mansion. Security was too tight to have visitors too often. But there were a dozen overly-extravagant Banquet Halls within three streets. Fireworks, lavish food, endless liquor, full cast orchestra, a dozen immediately available bedrooms and sex dungeons; even a small zoo in among the swimming pools and tennis courts.

Johanna was mingling, dressed to the nines. Her stylist had been thrilled to learn of another opulent Capitol Party; and had pulled out all the stops. The dress was agony to wear, but gorgeous to look at.

The Launch Party was centred round the photo gallery. Every picture had been blown up to a huge poster; and mounted with perfect angle and lighting, so that the guests could see the designs from everywhere in the room.

Plastered against the wall, trying to stay away from everyone, was a familiar face. "Annie." Johanna said warmly. "I'm surprised. They got you to pose?"

"Me and Finnick." Annie whispered out. Getting her to speak up at these parties was impossible, most of the time. The Capitol was the stage for a lot of her nightmares. "You look good." She pointed. "In your shoot, I mean. It's nice."

"Thank you." Johanna said politely. It was always a minefield talking to Annie; never knowing what would set her off. Finnick wasn't nearby; which made it riskier, given the people around them.

"What's Peeta like?" Annie asked Johanna. She hadn't met him yet.

"One of the good guys." Johanna said honestly. "I trust him."

Annie did a double-take. "Oh. Really?"

Johanna looked at her. "There a problem with that?"

Annie shook her head. "You don't usually trust anyone."

"He's done everything we've asked of him, and he's been dancing on a knife-edge with the rest of us for almost a year now. He's giving away almost all his winnings to the hungry, and he won't so much as keep an Avox-what?!"

Annie was wearing a watery smile. "You're defending him so fiercely."

"What's wrong with that?"

"Well, for one thing, nobody's attacking him." Annie offered. She pointed up at the pictures again. "Cinna told me that Tigris got the idea from her night with Peeta. Angel's Light, shining from within. It's beautiful, isn't it?"

Johanna was still trying to catch up with her last comment. "Yeah. Yeah, it is."

It was the first time Peeta had ever actually seen the photos. He saw the other Victors, paired up. He suddenly saw that the outfit he had worn for the shoot wasn't a standard uniform. Everyone in the gallery had a different outfit. But they all had the same style. Muted white, with that light glow of inner brightness seeming to flow from them.

"Of course, it's only half the story." Haymitch said to him quietly. "Cinna and Tigris chose the Victors that aren't so… damaged. I'm not up there. Neither are the Morphlings…"

"Who?"

"Doesn't matter." Haymitch threw back his drink. "Chaff looks good. I thought they'd skip him too; with the missing hand. But he… He fits with the rest of you."

Peeta started to answer, when a middle-aged woman with unnaturally red hair came over and put her hands on Peeta. "Hel-lo, Victor Mellark." She said smoothly. "My name is Julle, and we almost met last time you were in the Capitol."

"Almost?" Peeta repeated automatically.

"Missed it by that much." Julle smiled hungrily. "Dance with me."

A familiar paw clapped on Julle's wrist. Tigris was suddenly right there. "After." She purr-growled at Julle… and pulled Peeta onto the dancefloor.

Julle's eyes flashed dangerously, but she didn't put up a fight.

Not sure what was happening, Peeta went along with it. Tigris danced him across the floor in as straight a line as she could, taking him from Julle to Johanna. "Something I should know about her?"

Tigris shook her head. "Dance with Johanna."

"That was the plan."

"Not plan. She has it now."'

Peeta blinked. "Has what?"

Tigris smiled like a cat and glanced at the glamor photos of the Victors, glowing with their own glory. "The Light. Jo-hannah has it when she looks at your picture."

Peeta blinked rapidly. "Oh."

Johanna appeared beside them. "Can I cut in?" She said with a grin.

Tigris stepped aside, and Peeta could hear the sounds of cameras flashing.

"Dance slowly." Johanna smiled painfully. "This dress has about seventeen pieces of wire holding it upright past my waist; and it is not comfortable."

"Duly noted." Peeta laughed, and the cameras went off again.

"Tigris was wise to get you away from Julle." His new partner in crime said quietly as they danced. "Julle was one of the other bidders for your first Date. Tigris beat her out by less than a hundred credits."

Peeta shivered. He'd dodged a bullet with Tigris, and he knew it. Julle wouldn't have been swayed by positive words, no matter how good a story Peeta spun. "Didn't strike me as the type to take no for an answer."

"She wouldn't. That's why she's here tonight." Johanna leaned closer and whispered in his ear. "Don't worry. We pull this off, she won't get near either of us. None of them will."

Peeta's eyes flicked around. "Nobody's looking at us."

"They're looking at nothing else." Johanna promised. "A town this obsessed with gossip and backstabbing; everyone has eyes in the back of their head. Now dance me to the side of the room opposite the punchbowl. It's the closest guest bedroom. For people who don't care about being the subject of gossip."

"Safe to talk in here?" Peeta whispered once she closed the bedroom door.

"It is. By the way…" She said quietly. "Happy birthday."

He smiled, despite himself. "You noticed."

"I'm a little surprised you didn't mention it. Any excuse to throw an orgy, in the Capitol. Actually becoming legal is more than enough." Johanna paused. "And I just this second realized that was exactly why you kept it a secret."

"Didn't seem to bother anyone yesterday."

"You're a Victor. Those rules don't apply to you, or any of your 'dates'."

"God, this town needs to melt into the sewers." Peeta scorned. "Those little vials outside at the buffet table? Children are starving in the Districts, and here…"

"I know." Johanna nodded, looking older suddenly.

"Even pigs know to stop eating when they've had enough."

"Shh." She said, suddenly gentle, putting a hand to his chest soothingly. "We all go through this, handsome. We're working towards a day when we can do something about it. It's hard to laugh at injustice, but… The time will come. Try not to think about it."

Peeta nodded. "Yeah, I guess."

They both realized she was still touching him at the same moment. Katniss would have jumped back awkwardly. Johanna gave him a predatory smile.

"But, we are indeed alone at last, and nobody will come looking for us…" Johanna pulled at the strap of her elegant gown, and it seemed to slither off her shoulders instantly. "Happy Birthday to you."

But Peeta was already looking aside discreetly, though he blushed less and less these days.

Johanna rolled her eyes, having expected that. "Relax. I just had to get outta that thing. Took four stylists to get me into that dress. It is such a curse to be hot." She looked around for something more comfortable. "You can look at me, Peeta. Battle armor, remember? If you're that discreet in public, we're finished. You officially have my permission to find me irresistible."

"Mm." Peeta still had his head turned politely.

Johanna looked around the room. "No ensuite; so no towels or bathrobes." She went to the bed and pulled the blanket down, tying it around herself. It was far too long, and extended out behind her like a train on a wedding gown. "All clear."

Peeta turned to look at her again. "I can't believe I'm saying this, but it actually looks good on you."

Johanna snorted. "Y'know, most guys wouldn't mind if a not-unattractive woman in a quick-release dress took them to the nearest bedroom."

"I'm not most guys."

"No, you aren't. We've proven that." Johanna admitted. "I wouldn't be able to stomach this if you were 'most guys'. Can I just ask? Is it still Katniss?"

Peeta said nothing.

Johanna shook her head and cackled. "I love the idea that the Capitol might be undone by a story of unrequited love."

"Just in case there wasn't enough pressure." Peeta said dryly. "But, if we have a few hours to kill…" He produced a deck of cards.

"You really know how to sweep a girl off her feet, Peeta."

The Capitol only knew how to play Casino games. Peeta taught Johanna a few of the games they played in Twelve, and they waited as the sounds of the party faded outside.

"Should we put in another appearance before everyone goes home? The goal is to convince people we're together now."

"Give it another half hour. Don't want to ruin your reputation by wrapping up too early." Johanna teased. "I do have standards."

"Don't you ever stop with that act?"

"Who says it's an act?"

"I watched your Games, Jo. You played helpless so well that they never saw you coming. Now you play the worldly Vamp, but you're only a year or two older than me."

"True. But I've been doing this longer than you." She countered. "Give it time, handsome. If it doesn't break you, being a Victor will make you cool as ice too."

"That's what I'm saying, Jo. You aren't like that at all, no matter how saucy you act. Whether you act helpless or seductress, it's the same thing."

"I'm not acting."

"You're acting so well even you believe it." Peeta put the cards down. "Gin."

Johanna took the cards back. "I can't go out there without strapping myself back into that torture device of a dress. Put your shoes back on, go back out there, don't stop to talk to anyone. Get some wine, bring it back. Leave a few buttons undone, forget your tie, and mess up your hair a bit; let people draw conclusions."

He smiled and obeyed. Johanna gripped the cards tightly as he left the room. His last remark had struck a lot closer to the bone than she'd expected. Other men had tried that line on her, and more than once. It was just a line they'd used to get her into bed.

So why did it feel different this time?

The answer was blazingly obvious. Because it's not a line with Peeta. He'd be happy to play cards all night.

What about you?

Peeta returned, not with wine, but with a large plate of cake; and two forks. "Well, it is my birthday."

Smiling, despite herself, she put the cards down and ate with him.

"Peeta?" Johanna asked suddenly. "This isn't my business, but… Did you have sex with Tigris?"

"No." Peeta said quietly.

"But she joined up anyway." Johanna said. "You must be one hell of a cuddler."

Peeta actually laughed. When they settled, he spoke again. "Haymitch won't tell me everything. He doesn't know, does he? That you already recruited me?"

"I don't talk to Haymitch that often." Johanna nodded. "But we're not the only ones involved. That's how it is in a Cell Group. You usually only know your little piece."

"I figured. You should know that I figured the other part out."

"What?"

"Recruitment? The Rebels were the one that convinced Tigris to Sponsor me in the Games. And when the extravagance got the Gamemaker's attention, you needed a cover story, so you had her claim it was 'putting a deposit down' on me. You were testing her willingness, and demonstrating that the Rebels could cover for her… Maybe even reward her actions on their behalf. All important points if she's going to be an Asset."

Johanna winced. "I was hoping you wouldn't work that out." She confessed. "But it worked. Tigris came on board, and you managed to talk your way out of it. For a time."

He gave her a sideways look. "Renting out Victors is what the Capitol does to keep people in line. Keeping operatives uninformed about cells in other Districts is how they keep people from working together. If you wanna recruit people to bring The Capitol down; why does your team follow their playbook?"

Johanna blinked suddenly. "That…" She didn't say it, but she finished the sentence in her head. That makes sense, actually.

Peeta nodded. "Makes you wonder what other parts of the Capitol's playbook they might be following, huh?"

The implication was not a pleasant one, and neither of them spoke of it as they dealt the cards again. She changed the subject. "Who taught you to play cards?"

"Liam." Peeta said quietly. "I was the youngest in my family; and… well, the whole country knows about that. I had a friend, in school. Liam's family couldn't afford him. He and I sort of adopted each other. I smuggled him food, he and I hung out after school. We did the things you're meant to do with family. I remember we once spent a whole day arguing what to put on a pizza. Made some really creative combinations; if only imaginary."

"What's a 'pizza'?"

"I'll make you one, the next time you're in Twelve."

Johanna listened to this. Peeta's friends were something of an open question. "Where is he now?"

"He lied about his age to get a job in the mines." Peeta said quietly. "The Capitol raised the quotas to get back on track after the mine collapse that killed Katniss' father. They had to clear out the collapsed sections. Some of them were too small for workers to get in. The Peacekeepers were beating the crap out of people who were trying to slow things down enough to do them safely; so they had to send in small workers."

Johanna winced. "Do I even have to ask?"

"Liam hit a gas pocket." Peeta nodded somberly. "He was from the Seam. My mom didn't want me going to his funeral." He looked at her. "Y'know, it's not so much that they treat us like cattle. That's just greed and ruthlessness."

And we all grew up with that. Johanna's mind put in, and she felt that twist in her chest again.

"It's that they seem to delight in finding new ways to make us less human… Rue told me that reading a book was a crime in her Ghetto." Peeta waxed as he picked up the cards.

"It's evil." Johanna agreed.

"The evil isn't the point of Rue's story. The point is, that cruelty failed. Rue still got all the stories she needed. There were people in her District willing to risk it, just to tell each other stories of things that never happened; because they cared so much to know what happened to people who didn't really exist." Peeta smiled. "I think it's wonderful. No matter what they do, some people will always find ways to be more human than ever before."

Johanna said nothing.

"What would you do, Jo? To be as real and as human and as much a person beyond their control as you could be?" Peeta wondered, more rhetorical than interested to know. "I like to think everyone has something that can't be made dead in them. Something that will break any barrier. Like flowers growing from weeds, through tiny little cracks in the concrete."

Johanna felt that twist again, much stronger. "Are we playing cards, or what? Last I checked, I was winning."

Peeta peeked out the door. "Looks like the party's winding down. Should we head back to…"

Johanna shook her head. "No point with everyone gone. And frankly… our regular suites are bugged. I'd rather sleep here. You can go, if you want. Get some sleep."

Peeta couldn't help but shiver. "Sleep has become my least favorite part of life." He confessed. "And these days there's some pretty tough competition for that."

"I know what you mean." She nodded, sympathetic. "Stay here tonight."

"Thank you."

Johanna turned back to the bed. "Obviously, I didn't bring pyjamas." She quipped. "I never wear them anyway."

Peeta looked away politely while she returned the bedsheets to normal and climbed under the covers. "All clear." She teased. "Victors aren't meant to blush."

Peeta said nothing to that. "What happens tomorrow?"

"We have a plan. For now, leave it at that." Johanna yawned.

"Well, I guess that as long as the gossips are all watching the door to this room, Finnick can get Annie home safe. I get the sense that the party was wearing her down."

Johanna shook her head, as though that was exactly what she'd expected him to say. "You're hopeless."

Peeta slid under the covers, facing away from her. "I know."

Silence.

They lay in the dark for a while, not sleeping, not speaking. There was a light rumble of thunder, and the rain began again.

And then Johanna turned the light back on. "I can't sleep."

"Me neither." Peeta admitted. "Cards again?"

"No." Johanna said, and turned on her side to face him, stretching languorously. "Sometimes I wish I was a romantic, too."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah. Love makes you stupid, but it makes you brave. What you said, about flowers coming through concrete? Finnick would walk through fire for Annie. You'd do it for Katniss… It just occurred to me when you climbed into this bed that there's nobody who would do it for me." She forced a smile. "The thing about being famously lethal, and the total Vamp... nobody tries to take care of you or be gentle with you."

"I do."

"Gentle is your only position, babe. You go out of your way to be nice." Johanna sighed, and she actually sounded sad. "Sometimes I think it's this amazing act you put on. Sometimes, I think it's because you actually mean it, with me. And then I remind myself that you do mean it. And you would mean it just as much for a total stranger."

"Anyone would do it." Peeta protested.

"Nobody does it. That's the point, stupid. The things you say and do... Nobody does them. Nobody does anything like that. In romance novels and children's fairy tales, maybe. In real life..."

"Real life is Snow's world. He makes sure everyone knows they're worthless and alone and helpless." Peeta said quietly. "That's how you fight back. Not with more evil. You try to fight against people who live for blood, you lose. Or worse, you win by being bloodier than them."

"Like I did?" Johanna asked, out of nowhere. "Actually, don't answer that."

"Johanna, I made a choice a long time ago that as long as the world was cold and cruel, then I would be warm and kind."

She was silent for a while, studying him. That twist in her chest was back; stronger than ever. For once, she didn't fight it off. How does a kid who's been beaten by his own mom, bullied by his brothers, and ignored by his favorite girl, become so kind? How does a guy who's been stabbed, trashed, pimped out and threatened by Kings still find it in him to cook a last meal for his enemy, while still in the Arena? Aloud, she toned it down. "How does a guy like you find something good to see in absolutely everyone?"

"If you know where to look, it isn't that hard." Peeta sighed. "I don't understand people who feel hate so easily. Protecting your heart from pain, I get that. Wanting revenge? I get that. But wanting to hate? Who does that?"

"I do." She whispered. "When everything else broke my heart and beat me down, hatred kept me on my feet."

Peeta had no answer to that. He just reached out and cupped her face with his hand, almost without noticing. She lifted her head from the pillow enough to feel it, and after a moment his hand withdrew.

"When I first came to Twelve, Haymitch came to see me." She offered. "He told me to be nice. I made some saucy remark, and Haymitch got really pissed off. He told me he was serious. Because he knew I wasn't going to be able to leave before breakfast this time. Maybe not ever again, if we pull this off."

Peeta nodded.

"He really admires you, Peeta. Finnick said the same thing before I cut in on your dance. I don't know what they think I'm going to do to you, but I'm not that much of a lioness, am I?"

Peeta chuckled. "You are when you want to be."

"Haymitch and Finnick and Annie... they all say that I could do a lot worse than to go with it and just be your... whatever we pretend to be."

"Katniss said something similar when the gossip started." Peeta nodded. "But I think she saw the alternative as me being taken out and shot."

"Katniss considers me a fate slightly better than death. High praise from 'the other woman'." Johanna smirked.

The feeling was so mellow, like the world was muted with soft lights and gentle music. The rain beat softly on the window, making everything so relaxed.

"Thing is... they're right." Peeta said finally. "The reason her interview worked is because every word she said was true. As much as I want..."

"Shh." Johanna shifted over, leaned against him, resting her fingertips on his lips. "Prim is gone. She can't be saved. I've seen this before, Little Lamb. You'll spend your life trapped in the Arena, reliving that moment, trying to find a way out. Don't see Prim die, every time you try to think good thoughts about this girl you love."

"I know." Peeta held her hand, actually kissed her fingers for a second. Johanna felt her heart give a solid thump in a way it hadn't done in a long time. That twisting feeling had settled right over her heart. There were no cameras in here. He was being affectionate because he wanted to be nice to her. "You think it's easy, keeping that 'gentle' part alive. But it's hard. And since the Games, knowing I had to let her go… It's just… agony."

Long silence. Both of them just lay still in a bed big enough for five, close enough to touch but not reaching, listening to the rain outside.

"I think about us being lovers, sometimes." She admitted softly. "You and me."

She could feel him tense, even from the other side of the bed.

"More and more often as this goes on." She confessed. "When I copied those letters down in my own handwriting… I don't know. Maybe I forgot for a second, but it made me think differently about some things. That's all it was, at first. Just new thoughts, now and then."

Peeta said nothing for a minute. "And now?"

"I'm not a puritan by anyone's measure. I've gone further with guys I've trusted a lot less. At first, I thought it was just... y'know; scratching that itch. But the further it goes, the more I want to make it all go away for a night; for both of us." Her mouth was suddenly dry. "And if we did... I would be so good to you. Whatever the people outside that door think of us, I meant it when I said I could make it better than what your buyers would offer. It wouldn't be like Julle. Sex is diversion and currency here; and if you had said yes on the train, I wouldn't treat you like any of them would... I would worship you head to toe and make you forget that bad things exist in the world. And I can say that because I know you'd want to do the same for me."

"Jo..." His voice was hoarse.

"No, let me say this." She stopped him. "A while ago, you said that I didn't see love everywhere, and that was sad for me." Johanna said finally. "But even if there was someone like you back in Seven, I don't think I'd accept. I've been very careful about that... because I know what it's like."

He looked over, surprised.

She nodded. "I had a love, once. Like Finnick and Annie. When I won my Game, he was... very, very expendable. I told Snow 'no' one time, and he was dead before I got back from the Victory Tour."

"I'm sorry."

"The worst part is: I wasn't really in love. He was my first crush. The one that makes you feel like the sun is always shining. I was a kid." Johanna choked out. "If Snow had just let things run their course, we would have broken up on our own so quickly." She withdrew a little. "I have not let myself love anyone since then. Not family. Not friends. It almost felt like talking to the same person twice would get them killed."

Peeta sniffed. "Katniss made no secret of the fact that she'd rather die than get married and have kids of her own to risk the Reaping. It wasn't adolescent rebellion, it was a life choice." He shook his head. "We've sort of dedicated a big chuck of our lives to chasing a mirage, haven't we?"

"He was precious to me. And Katniss is precious to you. But you know what else they are?"

"Not here?" Peeta said softly.

"Not here. Not Victors. Not watched. In my case, not alive. Not... Not us."

Silence. They were still close on the bed, almost whispering in each other's ears.

"What you said, about how people only act this way in fairy tales? I always figured first love is so powerful because…" Peeta sighed softly. "I mean, I tell stories. I've heard plenty too. Even the fairy tales the Capitol do allow are so ridiculous. Save a princess, slay a dragon. One dance, first kiss and the fairest in the land is yours for a happily ever after. First love is so powerful because we don't have dragons and magic beans. But we do have love. It's the one part of a fairy tale that we get to really have. A schoolkid knows that fairy tales aren't true; and then; usually a year or three after you stop believing, the best part of them turns out to be real; and it's yours with just one look." He was still going, all of this pouring out of him. And for the first time, Johanna felt like he speaking to her, and not to the imaginary Katniss in his head. "And not only can you find it; but someone convinces you that you deserve it. Someone out there actually comes along to convince you that you are deserving of love. It's like magic. Real, fairy tale magic."

Johanna stared at him. It had happened. Something she'd dreaded and longed for her entire life. She'd long held that some people were undeniably worthy of all the goodness in the world. She'd even decided that Peeta was on that list... but she'd never thought 'the world' would include her. And yet, she had felt it, like flipping a switch. The comments from Finnick, Annie; even Tigris, all falling into place at the same time. Her jaded heart was suddenly beating brightly. Ohmigod. He didn't catch feelings, I did!

Peeta's face shifted, and she suddenly realized how long they'd been nose to nose, without a word between then. Say something. She told herself. Something genuine.

"Sometimes I try to console myself thinking that all love is a mirage, Peeta. Not just mine." She said finally. "Most days I can. But I don't think I could manage that with you."

"...was it too much?" Peeta guessed.

"Ordinarily, yes." Johanna said. "But you're not even trying."

Peeta started to say something, but she was already moving. Without a word, she got out of the bed and went to his clothes; putting on his shirt. It was a very possessive move, but it wasn't meant that way. Peeta understood. The only thing of hers in the room was what she wore to the party, and that wasn't going to do it for this conversation.

She almost laughed as she dressed. "You aren't even trying. Not to get me to love you, or to get me as an ally, or even get me into bed... This is just you." Wearing a shirt big enough for sleepwear, she turned back to him. She made sure he watched as she wiped away every bit of her makeup. "No battle armor. No warpaint. No cover story. This is just me." She found she was holding her breath. Why do I feel more exposed by putting clothes on?

Peeta knew what she meant, sitting up on the edge of the bed. "You're very beautiful, Jo."

"Am I? To you, I mean? We did a whole Tour of Panem on the idea that you could see someone shine inside." She stepped closer to him. Close enough to touch. He didn't pull back, his hands coming up to hold her at the waist. A moment later she took his face between her hands and kissed tenderly. Cheeks, forehead, eyes, chin. There were small tears on his face when they parted, just from the gentleness. "If you say no, I'll understand. Please don't say no? Just for tonight."

"Why tonight?" Peeta asked, his breathing hitched.

"Because tomorrow, things will be different. And tonight, this can be Real. The Capitol is all about the Not Real. Real is a precious thing to let go by." She leaned in and kissed him again. "I'm not asking for anything tonight, except an honest answer to this question: I want to do this; and I want you to want it too. If you don't want to, say so. I'm certainly not going to push you into it; given the… other parts of our life." She leaned in for one more kiss, just barely touching his lips. "I offered, once. Things were different then. But it's still your choice."

And finally, after an endless beat, he leaned closer and started kissing her back. She could feel his heart racing. Let go. She thought at him. Let go of her, let go of the Capitol; let go of the… the fear. Feel something else with me. Choice is the one thing I can offer you that the world cannot.

"Just for tonight. No judgements or obligations. Real or Not Real?" She mumbled against his lips.

"Real." Peeta confirmed, as Johanna pushed him back on the bed.

Author's Note:

The Real/Not Real is obviously a reference to the books, but not because I'm ripping off the Everlark romance. (I know Everlark shippers aren't going to like having the Real/Not Real conversation with someone else; but hear me out.) I got onto the idea that everyone in the Capitol, (Not just the Jacked) are all under the same spell, not having a clue how to be genuine. I wanted to create a real, genuine moment for our AU hero team. And I couldn't think of a way to make everyone certain that it was so, without coming out and saying it. You'll find out why that was so important in the next chapter.

I'm sure Team Everlark is ready to lynch me now, but remember: It's not an Everlark Romance, it's a full-AU. Peeta has a huge heart, and he can't resist giving it away to people who need it. It is, in fact, his greatest weakness in the Canon.

Also, the reason anything at all is happening with Johanna? It's because she isn't Katniss, by any comparison. In the books, (moreso than the movies) Johanna is a vamp. She's fine with using her body to distract or manipulate. Given the backstory that comes with her, that manipulation is her weapon. But Peeta is part of her Cell Group now, and she knows she can't play him the way she does everyone else.

In this chapter, Peeta's goal is to move the Girl on Fire away from the Capitol's reach, and help the war effort. Johanna came into this planning to treat Peeta like Finnick, and found she couldn't do it, since he's a very different person to the kind of Victors she's used to. Her position in this chapter is that Peeta can play the game on her level, but he still cares too much; so she wants to protect him too, since lives depend on it, including their own. She's halfway between his Mentor and his Partner.

The other part of this chapter was Peeta's acceptance of his role as a Victor. Unrequited love of Katniss was his whole motive in the first book. Keeping her alive was his whole motive for the second book. That's what's happening here. Peeta's accepting that Katniss isn't interested. In his mind, she never will be now that Prim has died in his arms; and he has to accept that soon or die. In Peeta's mind, Katniss is 'off the train' at last.

As to the final scene: In the canon, Peeta and Katniss did nothing more than cuddle away the nightmares for all of CF. Johanna is way more 'worldly'. She knows the difference between sex and love; and she's very sure of herself with the former. The latter? In the canon, Johanna's only word on 'love' was about the Jabberjays: "They can't hurt me. There's nobody left I love."

That line was where I started with the idea of Jo/Peeta. Remember, he's not a lovesick dope where she is concerned; he's a clever guy trying to stay alive; and maybe win a war. Johanna is a grown, if still young woman, who had to learn how to survive as a Victor while way too young.

Katniss blushes, Johanna doesn't; and Peeta's an open book. It made for a very different romance; which was the point of the AU. I added lines to make clear that Johanna's not forcing anything, or demanding that Peeta forget his feelings for Katniss; but she will seek comfort and even offer some solace in ways that Katniss simply couldn't bring herself to do, even if she had felt that way towards Peeta in CF.