A/N: I...got nothing to say so...

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A few days later, it was time for the private sessions with the Gamemakers."Alright, are you both ready?" Katniss asked as they were about to leave. They both nodded. "You know what you're going to do?"

"Of course," Measel said.

"Seem weak, but not too weak." Prim said.

"Exactly," Katniss said, with a small smile.

"I'll just go to the war scythe then. Not that you guys care."

"What? Of course we care." Katniss said.

"Then why have we never discussed this?"

"I thought Haymitch did?"

"No, never."

"I'm sorry I thought he had."

"No you're not."

"Yes, I am, Measel," she said, as he just headed for the elevator.

"No you're not, Katniss. You know there's only one winner and need to make sure it's Prim." With that he boarded the elevator and waited for Prim who just got on the elevator not sure what to say.

He pressed the button and soon they were moving. "I think you should do the same, Measel."

"What?" He asked.

"Act weak."

"You think that's best?"

"Yeah."

"Why?"

"Makes you less of a target."

"That's true, but more will attack us if we are both weak to them."

"Then we'd prove them wrong when it happened."

"Yeah, I suppose."

"So yeah, I think you should."

"I guess, but we need sponsors.' He sighed.

"There's other ways."

"Like?"

"Sympathy, the interviews, the parade, the actual games, many ways."

"You think that will draw sponsors?"

"Anything can."

"I suppose that's true."

"Exactly, these scores are far from the only variable."

"Okay, you can't deny they are a big part of it though."

"I know that but they only make a difference if they're high. A low score won't kill our odds."

"Okay, I suppose you have a point."

"Look, I'm sorry for my sister."

"You don't have to be."

"I really don't think she means to ignore you. Haymitch is Haymitch so maybe him but Katniss. She gets her mind set to something and almost always puts blinders on to anything else. She's been that way her whole life."

"She just wants you safe." He shrugged.

"That doesn't mean she wanted to completely cut you off."

"Yeah, but she does, so does Haymitch."

"She's not doing it on purpose though. I know my sister and I know she would never mean to."

"Really?" He asked.

"Really, she may be kind of bitter and antisocial most times but never cruel or unfair."

"Yeah, that doesn't seem like her."

"You believe me then?"

"Yeah, I believe you."

"What about the interview though?" he asked.

"They haven't really said much about it." Prim said. "Tomorrow's the couching for it though and I think your chances would be much higher if we go separately."

"You do?" he asked.

"Yeah, if I'm not there then they have to focus on you."

"Oh...well, you make a good point."

"See, I'll request it after the sessions."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes I am."

"I just...I'll get nervous without you."

"You'll be fine, Measel."

"Maybe," he said.

"I know you will."

"Okay, we can do them separate then," he said, as they arrived.

They both stepped off the elevator to the training area. "So what will you do?" He asked.

"I'm not really sure," Prim said, mostly since they aren't alone anymore.

"You could try knots?" He asked.

"Maybe."

"Or Fire starting?"

"That too."

"Those are your only big issues."

"Got it."

"Good."

"What about you?"

"I am not sure, what am I bad at plants?"

"Yeah, probably that."

"Okay, plants it is."

"That's it then."

"Yeah, now we wait."

"Okay, I can handle that."

"We'll be alright."

"I think so."

"Me too, just cautious."

"Natural."

"Yeah, and we need to at least glance at our weapons."

"That's dangerous."

"We need to make sure that they are in there."

"True."

"So, we have to do something."

"Okay."

"Yeah."

After a long while, Measel was called in. He sighed and headed in. He found they were paying a little better attention than last year but not much. He sighed and went to the plants.

After their sessions, he and Prim headed back to their floor. "I feel good about this."

"So do I."

"That's good, we just wait now."

"I need to talk to Katniss about tomorrow."

"Yeah you go then."

She nodded and headed off finding Katniss in her room. "Katniss, we need to talk."

"Sure, Prim, you can talk to me about anything."

"I would like to do the interview couching tomorrow separately. It's the only way Measel can be sure to get any advice."

"What do you mean I thought you two wanted to do that together?"

"I did but though I know you haven't been doing it on purpose, I know that if we do it together you two will once again end up just focusing on me and completely ignoring him."

"I...we don't..." She stammered awkwardly.

"I know you never would on purpose but that's what you've been doing this whole time."

"Well I suppose we have." She sighed.

"It's just that if you're alone with him there's no way you'll forget."

"That's true...okay I can except that."

"That's all then."

"How did it go?"

"Pretty well, I tried for a low score as you said."

"Not too low?"

"Not too low. Probably about average for non-Careers."

"Good, enough that we can work with it."

"So I did good?"

"Yes you did very good." Prim just smiled at that. "So, is Measel okay?"

"As he can be."

"Is he still mad at us?"

"Not nearly as bad, I talked to him about it."

"Thank you, Prim."

"It's my pleasure."

"Being the mediator?"

"Yeah, you're both important to me."

"Prim, Are you...I mean…" Katniss paused to think what she was going to ask as a big sister. "Do you love him?" She asked finally.

"I think I do."

"You think you do?" She asked.

"Yes."

"That's good though."

"Not really."

"Why not?

"The games."

"Right, I forget sometimes."

"That's a neat trick. Can you teach me it?"

"You don't want it."

"Why not? It would come in handy."

"Yeah, but you may forget the important things."

"I guess."

"I have."

"I know."

"So, why would you want that?"

"Just to forget some things you want to."

"If I could I would."

"Would be nice if you could choose what to forget."

"Yeah it would."

"We could sell the technique to a lot of victors if we ever figure it out."

"Yeah, we could." She chuckled.

"Not that we need MORE money besides one more victor pay."

"Yeah exactly."

"Still need to work on that."

"Getting you out."

"Right."

"You don't want to lose Measel though?" Prim just nodded. "I'll see if there is anything I can do," Katniss said.

"Unlikely."

"I will try though, for both of you."

"That would never work again."

"I still think there is something to be done," Katniss said.

"Well, if you figure something out let me know if it's not too late."

"I will I promise, I am going to talk to Haymitch go be with Measel."

"Okay." Prim nodded getting up and gave her a hug before going. "Thank you, Katniss."

"No problem. I love you, Prim," she said hugging her.

"I love you, too." Katniss let her go and Prim raced off.

She headed straight back to Measel who she found in the lounging room. "How did it go?" Measel asked.

"Very well everything is set up."

"Really?"

"Yeah, it should all be okay."

"That is a bit of a relief."

"I hope it helps you calm down," she said.

"A bit."

"Good," she said, sitting beside him and cuddling into his side.

"Thank you, Prim."

"It was the least I could do," she said.

"Still."

"You're welcome," she said.

"I guess we'll see how it did."

"Yeah, just wait."

"All that can be done."

"Well, we have each other."

"Yeah, and I'm glad."

"You seem scared."

"Of course I am."

"I mean more so now."

"Just getting so close."

"I know," He sighed holding her tight.

"Three days."

"And then, if I want to live I have to lose you," she said.

"I understand, Prim."

"I know but still."

"I don't know what to say."

She sighed she didn't either she just didn't want to lose Measel or these games. "This is all terrible."

"Yes it is, but you'll get through," he said.

"And lose you."

"Yeah, but you would be okay."

"How do you know?"

"You would be alive."

"Yeah but still."

"That means you would be okay."

"You wouldn't though."

"Yeah, that's true," he said.

"So I wouldn't have you."

"I...I mean that much to you?"

"Yes, you do."

"I'm sorry. I never considered what my death would mean to you," he said.

"Well, it would a lot."

"I know that now, but what can I do?" he asked keeping her close.

"I don't know. Katniss and Haymitch are gonna try to think of something but it's extremely unlikely."

"Maybe they can do it," he said.

"Maybe."

"We can hope at least," he said, looking down to her.

"Not really much else we can do."

"I know." He sighed.

"Unless we think of a way."

"We could."

"I don't even know where to start."

"Me either, but there must be something."

"Kind of designed for there not to be."

"Yet your sister made it so there was."

"That way would never work again."

"I know that."

"What then?"

"I don't know any more than you do."

"Of course." Prim sighed.

"I wish I could calm you down."

"You do some."

"I'm glad I can help some." She smiled and kissed his lips. He responded instantly as his arms slid down and around her waist. She did seem to relax into the kiss for the moment.

"That helped." She said when they separated.

"That's great then."

"Yeah, just can we sit here for a while?" She asked.

"Sure, Prim."

"Thank you," she said now laying on his chest.

"Hey, I like it, too," he reminded, wrapping his arms around her.

"I know, and so we both win," she said, smiling.

"That's kind of funny actually."

"What is?"

"Saying that when it's the challenge."

"Oh yeah, I suppose so."

"Hopefully we will find a way there, too."

"Yeah, hopefully."

"I'm sure we will."

"I hope so."

A few hours later everyone was gathered to see the scores. Prim was still laying on Measel with Katniss and Haymitch beside them and Effie and Cinna on the chairs. The scores started showing and Kawino and Cady had pulled up an eleven and ten respectively. "They're good," Katniss muttered.

"Very." Prim paled.

"That's the Careers for you."

"She's so young though… I didn't expect her to be THAT good yet."

"Yes, I know but it's how things are."

Prim nearly crawled into Measel's skin. He didn't mind he held her there rubbing her back soothingly. "I'm scared," she whispered.

"I know, I am too but you'll be okay."

"I'm not so sure anymore."

"Don't let them get to you."

"Hard not to when one of them's already out for my blood."

"I know, but letting them get to you now gives them an edge."

"I guess that's true."

"You'll be alright," he said.

"Okay, I'll try to believe it." He nodded keeping her close as the other scores showed.

Eventually it was time for their own. Prim's pictured flashed with a five and then Measel's with a six. "Great, not too good, not too bad," Katniss approved.

"You think that will work then?" Measel asked.

"Yes I do. Cady might fall for it even."

"That's good then."

Back at the beginning of the scores but on the second floor their own team was waiting. The District 1 scores were both a nine not that they really cared. Then Kawino's score came up as the eleven and he just got up and tried to walk away not saying a word. "Kawino, don't go." Cady said stopping him with pleading eyes.

"I failed."

"You didn't fail you did spectacular," she said.

"Not perfect. A twelve is perfect."

"Kawino, no one gets a twelve."

"It's clearly possible or it wouldn't exist. Besides, Katniss got an eleven, too, last year."

"Yeah and she is a victor and I have looked at the records, no one not a single victor has pulled a twelve." She said.

"It's still not perfect."

"No one is Kawino."

"I'm supposed to be."

"No one can be, Kawino."

"Then how does it even exist?"

"Just to taunt us."

"That wouldn't even make any sense."

"No, it would; that's all they do here."

"How would it do that?"

"The way it worked on you, giving Careers a goal that they can't reach. You did amazing, Kawino. Can't you just trust me on that?"

"Well, you would never lie to me," he said then hesitated and turned to Enobaria. "What do you think?"

"I agree with Cady."

"Really?"

"Yes really."

"Well... I guess if you both think so..."

"We do," Cady said, smiling a little.

"Okay, I trust you two."

"Good."

"Did anyone catch my score?" Cady asked, having been too focused on Kawino.

"You got a ten." Enobaria said.

"That's great then." Cady smiled.

"Yes you both did very well, now we see the other scores."

"Where is it?" Cady asked, as her and Kawino sat back down.

"Ten."

Soon of course Prim and Measels came up. "What? That's not what I expected." Kawino said.

"They clearly did that on purpose," Cady said without hesitation.

"What? Why?" Kawino asked.

"Pulling a Johanna Mason."

"You think they are trying for one?"

"Definitely."

"Well, that would explain a lot."

"Exactly, don't fall for it."

"I will keep my guard up."

"They need to die the first chance we get. No mercy."

"Cady, this is personal for you. I know that."

"It's more than that though. They WILL kill us all if we don't."

"So will anyone else in the arena."

"That is the point of the games but it's different."

"How?" Kawino asked.

"They're DANGEROUS."

"Cady, we are all dangerous," Kawino said.

"They're just a threat okay?"

"You're making them out to be a bigger threat than they are," he said, hugging her.

"What makes you so sure?"

"I have gotten to know the boy."

"Again, a Johanna Mason."

"Not in that case, he stopped me from cutting myself."

"That doesn't mean anything."

"Yes it does."

"How?"

"Because, even if they are pulling one now, that would have in no way effected what he did then. Anyone other than you or him would have just let me continue."

"What does that have to do with whether or not he's a threat?"

"A threat would have let me continue to weaken myself."

"Not necessarily."

"You just can't accept not all of twelve are monsters."

"They're the enemy, Kawino."

"They are AN enemy, Cady."

"The point still stands."

"That doesn't make them monsters"

"I didn't say they were."

"You act like they are."

"Everyone is in the Arena."

"No, you are focused on them. Name one other person in this arena but one of the four of us." Kawino pointed out. Cady opened her mouth then closed it realizing that she couldn't. "Exactly."

"I...I don't know... what to say," she stammered, starting to cry. Kawino was surprised by the tears but pulled her in as he's recently seen and received a lot not really sure what else to do. She clung to him tightly as the reality of the situation set in on her. "I've really screwed up haven't I?"

"No, you just let revenge get to you."

"I'm going to die," she grumbled.

"I won't let you," Kawino said.

"It's bound to happen though."

"Not if I can help it."

"What if you can't?"

"I will."

"I've pretty much made the biggest mistake though."

"It'll be okay," he said.

"You sound so sure."

"I am. I'll make sure your safe." He said.

"At what cost?"

"At any cost," Kawino said.

"I can't let you do that."

"Why not? I want you to be safe."

"I want you to, too."

"I know."

"So I can't let you do that."

"You may not have a choice."

"Kawino, please."

"I will keep you safe," he said.

"I don't want you to if it comes at the cost of your own life which it would."

"Cady, you are worth it to me."

"You deserve to win though."

"No you do."

"You need at least some chance at a good life."

"You do too."

"I've had one; you never had."

"Sometimes that's just how things work out."

"That doesn't mean it should."

"I know."

"Please don't do this."

"I promise that I will keep you safe." He said.

Cady sighed and just leaned into him as he patted her back. "I don't want you to."

"I want to though."

"I know but…"

"You're afraid?" he asked.

"Yeah."

"It'll be okay," he said.

"It can't be."

"Stop being so negative."

"You just don't understand do you?"

"Maybe."

"I can't let you die."

"I can't let you either."

"Then it can't be okay."

"We'll see."

"You deserve to survive more than anyone though," Cady insisted.

"Not more than you."

"Yes, more than me."

"It's a matter of opinion."

"It's true though."

"To you maybe."

"Why would I deserve to live more?"

"Because I say so."

"That's not a good reason."

"It is for me."

"At least there're real reasons you need to."

"No there isn't."

"Yes there are and I have already just said them."

"It doesn't matter."

"Yes it does."

"No you mean more to me than that."

"I don't even know what to say."

"Just try to stay calm okay?"

"I can't."

"Try, be brave." He said.

"It's more than that though."

"I know."

"What then?"

"I'm not sure."

"This is terrible."

"It always is."

"I know that."

"Yeah, maybe sleep will help."

"Doubt it."

"Come on, I'll tuck you in," he offered.

"Unlikely."

"Come on." He said picking her up.

He carried her to her room where her bed had been on request risen as high as it could. It came up to about Kawino's shoulders, but he was still able to help her up. She didn't really fight it as he but her up there. She climbed up and then turned to face him. "I'm still scared."

"Everyone is. I can stay with you if you like."

"Would you please?" she asked.

"Of course."

She smiled a little as he climbed up and sat on the edge of her bed. "Thank you, Kawino."

"It's my pleasure." He said.

"I love you, Kawino."

"I love you, too, Cady," he said pulling the cover up to her shoulders. "You really are very light though," he commented randomly.

"Thank you." She said awkwardly. She turned her back to try to go to sleep not wanting to admit to him the real reason. He lay down on the edge of her bed trying to stay awake until she drifted off. Eventually she did though uneasy.

He smiled and fell asleep at the foot of her bed.

The next day Prim and Measel got up ready for couching. "Nervous?" He asked.

"A little," she admitted. "Are you?"

"Yeah, of course I am."

"Less though?"

"Yeah, now that I know I will get some attention."

"That's good then."

"Yeah, I suppose."

"You'll be okay."

"You think so?"

"Yes I do."

"Okay," he said, nodding.

"You trust me?"

"Of course I do."

"On this?"

"Yes even on this."

"Good then."

"You ready?" He asked taking her hand.

"Ready." She nodded.

They headed out to face Haymitch and Katniss. They found them both in the dining room. "There you two are."

"Yeah, so, what's the plan?"

"Well, first you have manners with Effie."

"Both of us?" Measel asked

"No one of you first."

"Okay." He nodded.

"So decide among you two."

"I'll go first with Effie," Prim offered.

"Do you want to?"

"Yes."

"Okay, then you first with Effie."

"Okay."

"So, who is going first?" Haymitch asked.

"Measel is with you two."

"Alright, we can work with that."

"Eat first though."

"Of course." They said nodding. They both dished themselves up and breakfast passed without much said.

Then they broke off and Prim followed Effie to a large empty room. "So, where do we start?" Prim asked.

"How you stand when presenting yourself: back straight and eyes ahead when walking. Before practicing we need to get you changed though."

"Changed?" Prim asked confused.

"Of course," Effie said, and took out a long dress and high heels.

Prim sighed realizing what she was in for. "Wait, did you get Katniss in that?"

"Yes I did," she said.

"I imagine she wasn't too happy about that."

"No, she fought me on it."

"Yeah, that does sound like her."

"Well, she lost."

"That does not sound like her."

"Well, she did after time."

"Still."

"I can be stubborn, too, Prim."

"I did know that."

"So, I won out that time."

"Well, good job."

"Thank you. Now, are you going to be as difficult are can this go smoother?"

"I'll cooperate."

"Great." Effie smiled and slid it on to her. "And no rolling it up."

"Why not?"

"Because it has to stay below the ankles and Katniss would not give up on trying." Prim sighed, but did as told trying to walk in the gown. She made it a few steps before the dress caught under the heels and she fell. "You are focused too much on the walk."

"Alright," Prim muttered getting up.

"Kick then walk."

"Okay." She gulped and tried again. She made it a bit further but fell again. She got back up grumbling something unintelligible.

"Oh come on, you'll be okay."

She took a deep breath and tried again. Halfway across the room she stumbled. She just managed to catch herself before falling again though. "That's better."

"Yeah, not falling is good."

"Yes so is making it to the other side of the room."

She looked across the rest of the way setting it as her goal. 'I can do it.' With her determination she made it across that time. "Yes!" She said happily.

"Good job, Prim."

"Thank you. Now what?"

"You do it again and try not to fall at all."

"Okay." Prim said taking a deep breath and tried.

It took her a few tries, but eventually she mastered the step kick motions. "Great." Effie smiled.

"Thank you, Effie now what?"

"Now how to sit and talk."

"Okay?" Prim said confused.

Meanwhile Measel was back with Katniss and Haymitch. "Alright so we need to figure how to play you off."

"We were thinking to go with likable and a bit shy."

"Okay, I think I can do that," he said. "I'm surprised you guys thought about it though," he added.

"Well, I did the other night." Haymitch said.

"Well, that is some relief."

"Glad you like the idea."

"So, practice?"

"Yes ready?"

"I think so."

"Alright, then let's go through some basic questions. First, how would you say you feel about your score?"

"Well, there's not really much to feel about it."

"Good but remember to seem a bit nervous not too much though." Katniss said.

"So how could I have done it?"

"Say you were expecting maybe a little higher but that's how things worked out."

"What would that do?"

"Get a small bit of pity for you."

"Well… okay but it doesn't really make sense."

"What do you mean?"

"How would it do that?"

"People in the capital always feel bad when you fall short of goals."

"Okay, I'll remember that."

"Good."

A/N: We hope you all liked the chapter. See you next time!