I'm back in my living quarters after the meeting when I hear a tap on the door. Prim and my mother have both started working in the hospital and I really am not in any mood to deal with anybody as my mind is still trying to process what Haymitch had told me and the new role that I will have to take on tomorrow during the shoot.

I just lay there.

"Ms. Everdeen," says a familiar voice. It's definitely not Effie, its lacking that capitol lilt and I'm certain it's not Haymitch. "would you like me to come back?"

I get up reluctantly and answer the door.

Libby stands in the hallway dressed in her grey nurse scrubs. Next to her, is a small hospital trolley with a small bundle on it. "Hello?" I say.

"Ah, yes." says Libby as she rolls a squirming Aiden into my room. "Let us begin."

"Sorry?" I ask, closing the door.

"President Coin would like you to get to know this little guy better for when you shoot your propos. She heard that todays filming did not go well with Aiden." she says confidently, putting her hands on her wide hips.

"Um, no, I'm not . . ." I protest.

Unfazed, Libby rattles on, "You two are gonna have to get to know each other better for tomorrow's combat shoot."

"It's not safe." I say. I suddenly realize that I care about this child's safety. I can't afford to care about someone else but I find myself feeling unwillingly protective towards Aiden: we're both alone in a world we cannot control.

Libby lifts Aiden slowly and he whimpers as he is placed in my arms. His eyes are open and looking into mine. Wearing nothing but a diaper underneath a small white blanket he looks more vulnerable than ever. "Is he ready?" I ask quietly, looking down at those familiar blue eyes.

"Oh yes," says Libby, "he's small but he can support himself. And when he's in combat he'll just be strapped to you with a special harness, he can manage that."

Libby packs up the trolly and heads towards the door.

"Where are you going?" I ask as I seat myself on the bed.

"I'll be back soon to help you feed him." says Libby closing the door, leaving me and Aiden in silence.

...

I look shyly down at the bundle in my arms. Thankfully, the baby looks content and not about to cry.

I notice that a downy, fuzz of blond hair is starting to grow in soft curls on his head.

Aiden starts drooling out of his mouth and I hesitantly wipe it away with the corner of the blanket.

Then he smiles at me, a toothless, slobbery smile. I can't help but smile back as I settle down more comfortably on my pillows. I'm careful to support his head. (Thanks Effie.)

He stretches out a small arm and grabs the end of my braid. He tugs on it, amused. I let him play with my hair and we sit like this for a little while. Aiden playing with my braid and me staring back at him.

When I first met him, I did not believe that such a small thing could contain life. He has gained some weight since his stay in the NICU but in my arms, he seems the size of a skinned rabbit.

I remember what I had told Gale in the forest on the day of the reaping, that I would never have children because I could never protect them from the Capitol. I still feel the same way but Aiden seems independent. He may be small, but he's a fighter.

We're both in the same game, just different levels.

Aiden opens his mouth and sneezes.

He seems rather surprised by this sudden bodily function and after a moment of silence, is bottom lip starts to tremble and he lets out a small wail.

"Oh no."

I hurriedly reason that he is cold. After all, his blanket has slipped to the side and he is wearing nothing but a diaper, they must have taken away his little mockingjay costume.

I'm afraid to put him into my bed for fear that the big blankets will smother him. Not knowing what else to do I unbutton the first three buttons of my jumpsuit and press his soft skin against my chest. I wrap the small blanket over his back, hoping to keep him warm.

After a couple of moments his cries subside and he looks up to me with watery blue eyes.

Awkwardly I stare back. I've never opened myself up to anyone else like this and the last thing I needed now was to explain myself to this baby.

To my surprise, Aiden just rests his downy head on my collarbone, snuggles closer to my breast and after a while, falls asleep.

I realize, as I am slowly lulled to sleep as well, that he already trusts me.

Yet I don't trust myself.