"Haymitch!" I cry out as I step on the train.

"Hey Sweetheart." He holds out his arms as I run over to him.

"I never thought I'd be this glad to see you," I laugh.

"Me too," he smiles. He looks over my shoulder at Johanna as he steps through the door.

"She's okay," I whisper.

He nods. "Is he coming?" he whispers.

"Yeah," I whisper. "He was talking to the supply train manager outside, but he'll be right in." I quickly check over my shoulder and turn back. "My family?"

"They're okay," he says.

"And-"

"Gale too."

I let my eyes close with relief for moment.

"Mr. Abernathy!"

"Mr. Snow."

"Call me Peeta," he says as he steps into the car with Portia. "It's so good to see you again."

"Mr. Sn-Peeta!" Effie appears behind him.

"Trinket?"

"Miss Mason. How…lovely…to see you again," Effie sniffs. "Has it been six months already? My, the time flies."

Johanna eyes Effie's lime green satin skirt suit and matching hat. The feathers stuck in the bonnet bob as she walks. "It does. Doesn't it?" She turns to Portia. "So what's our first stop?"

"Eleven," she says, checking her tablet.

"How long a ride is it?" I ask.

"Twelve hours, "she tells us. "It'll be an overnight trip. Peeta, you should check your cars."

"Okay," he answers. "I'll be back in a few minutes," he tells me. He and Portia disappear through a door that leads to the three cars specially outfitted for the trip. I made the mistake of boarding the train through the last of the three cars and was met with five fully outfitted Peacekeepers. They escorted me out of his quarters without comment. I wonder if it's just the five extra guards for him or if there are more in the other cars.

Effie squeals as he goes. "This is a dream come true," she sighs. "We're going to be accompanied by the President's son. This is going to be the most famous Tour the Hunger Games has ever known."

Johanna leans in to whisper to me. "It's definitely going to feel like the longest."

Haymitch laughs as he overhears. "Mason, you're all right."

We all stumble back and forth as the train starts up. I fall onto a sofa by Haymitch. Effie and Johanna find seats across from us. He reaches into his pocket and pulls out a flask. "And it begins." He takes a long swig and we watch the boarding platform disappear as we enter the tunnel out of the mountains.

Two Capital servants burst through the doors followed by the second conductor. Johanna and Haymitch jump to their feet, but they run past us to the car Peeta and Portia walked into. They throw open the doors and dart inside. I stand up. "What's going on?"

Peeta is laughing to himself as he strolls out of the car. Portia's face is red, but she's smiling too. "That is not going to go over well, Peeta," she warns.

"What did you do?" I ask.

"Nothing," he smiles, strolling over to an overstuffed chair and settling down.

"Peeta-"

"How could I possibly have known the pins to those last two cars were loose before we started? Was I supposed to check on them? I mean, it's a shame I won't have a useless library and recreation center that I didn't need in the first place and didn't want, but I think we'll get along just fine."

The engineer and attendants return. "Sir, I apologize, we'll stop the train immediately."

"No!"

"But sir!"

"We'll be behind schedule. That would be far worse," Peeta insists. "We must keep going. You better go make sure the conductor knows to keep up our speed."

The man does as Peeta says with trepidation. The attendants stand around awkwardly. "Is there anything we can bring you?"

"I'll take a brandy," Johanna says immediately.

"Two," says Portia.

"Shiraz?" begs Effie.

"White liquor. Whatever you call it here. Gin?"

Peeta and I refuse.

The attendants gratefully take the excuse to hurry to get drinks.

"You really shouldn't have done that. Your father's going to be furious," I tell Peeta.

"He destroyed my dandelions," he mutters.

"Can you give us a minute?" I look up at Portia. She smiles and nearly laughs. She looks over to Johanna.

"Follow me," she nods to the furthest window. Haymitch and Effie exchange an awkward glance and leave the car.

I pull a chair closer to Peeta. "You've got to stop fighting your dad on these things."

He furrows his brow. "What?"

"The hovercraft, the bow…He's still angry you're with a Tribute-"

"A Victor."

"A girl from the Districts. He's going to keep…disciplining you."

"I don't care what he does to me."

"I care, Peeta."

He sighs. "I just…I don't want you to live in a cage too." He sits back in the chair. "You remember that night in the meadow? When you said no?"

"Of course."

"I knew what you were afraid of. Rules for everything. A life under a microscope. And now that you're here with me I want to make this life better. For you."

"I appreciate that. I do. But it's not worth angering your father."

"It doesn't have to be this way. I want to stand up to him."

"And you will. When you rule Panem. But for now – please – take it easy."

Peeta sighs. "Ok. After the Tour, I'll…I'll behave."

I shift nervously in my seat. The dress is beautiful; the shoes would make the generals' daughter green with envy. My hair and makeup is perfect. But I can't get comfortable.

"And now I give you our 74th Annual Hunger Games Victor. Katniss Everdeen!" The mayor of District Eleven attempts to encourage his constituents into applause by clapping politely. The smattering of lackluster applause does not steel my nerves.

Peeta takes my hand and pulls me to my feet. Effie grins excitedly and winks at me as we stand. Haymitch scowls. He holds my hand and walks me to the podium. He kisses my fingers and releases me to stand a few steps behind me. Seven Peacekeepers swarm to flank him. I see a rumble of anger move through the crowd.

"It is an honor to stand here before you," I read off the index card shaking in my hand. "Your tributes fought bravely and…and…" I swallow. I look up from the card. "And…" I look at the family in front I know to be Rue's. "And…" I look at the card. I let it go.

I can't remember anything Enobaria taught me about presentation. I can't think. I can't speak.

I feel him next to me before he speaks.

"I owe you – all of you - a debt of gratitude. Without Rue and Thresh, Katniss would not be here. Thresh was smart. And strong. And knew integrity. Rue was brave. And fearless. And kind." I hear the murmur. That he even knew their names is monumental for these people in this poor District.

"I cannot express my thanks to you in words. I hope you can accept a small token of payment for my enormous debt." I try not to jerk my neck too hard when I swing my head to look at him in surprise. "Tonight each family here in Eleven will receive an extra ration of tessurae."

The murmurs break out immediately. Even the Eleven Peacekeepers look surprised.

"I know I can never replace your loss, but I hope this gift will let you know they are not forgotten."

I find my voice. "I am honored to have called your sister a friend. I couldn't have survived without them. Thank you for your children. Thank you for the bread."

The crowd is now dangerously silent. I wonder if I should not be standing next to Peeta. Standing with him on this stage. Then Rue's grandmother stands. Her face is kind. I watch her with fear. Her eyes are on Peeta.

She presses three fingers to her lips. She holds them up to us. The crowd follows.

"You said you would behave!" I'm not even waiting until we are in a quiet corner to start yelling at him.

"I said I would after the Tour," he hedges.

"What's going on?" Johanna asks.

"Peeta's little…stunts…don't go over well with his father," Portia murmurs.

"It was a gesture for their kids saving your life, Katniss," Peeta argues.

"A gesture that could make them suffer!"

"What are you talking about?"

I exhale noisily and slowly. "Can we have a moment?"

Haymitch rolls his eyes. "This is going to get old fast," he says, ushering Effie out of the car. Portia and Johanna mutter as they move to the farthest corner of the car and pull out a deck of cards.

"Do you really think your dad is going to let them get extra tessura?" I hiss.

"I already had it delivered," he bites back. "We brought it with us on the train. That's why the engineer didn't realize the cars were missing for a few minutes; the extra weight of the grain."

I shake my head. "Peeta, they're going to suffer for your actions."

"Why? It's my fault, I'll get punished."

"You just don't…understand. What it's like. Out there."

"I would if you'd tell me. But you won't. You think I'm too sheltered? Too naïve to do any good?"

"You are sheltered!" Portia glances up at my outburst. I drop my voice back down. "Look, you will make a world of difference in a few short years. In the meantime, stop meddling with things you don't understand."

"I did it for you!" he yells in my face.

I've never seen him so angry. I've never felt so angry myself. He stomps out of the room to his quarters, slamming the door as hard as he can. Portia runs after him quickly, spilling her cards over the floor as she goes.

"Well that went well," Johanna says, sitting back in her chair as Effie hurries back in with a concerned look on her face. "And to think, only ten more stops to go."

Peeta is not as involved in the following Districts. In Eight, they don't even let him walk me to the podium. I assume word was sent back to his father and he's not allowed to speak anymore. The crowd stirs restlessly and my time is cut short without warning. I recall there were several factories destroyed here recently by fire. I wonder if it was on purpose when I see these angry faces in the crowd.

In Seven Johanna receives a great deal of applause when she's invited to introduce me. We stay a few extra minutes so she can sign autographs and speak with her family. I remember when she was selected as my guardian she was given five minutes to pack before she was snatched away too. Her family's faces are set with hate when the armed Peacekeepers surround her and tell her it is time to leave.

In Four, Peeta finally starts talking to me again. He apologizes, although half-heartedly, and asks for my forgiveness. I agree and admit I shouldn't have yelled at him for doing something so incredibly kind. We reach an uneasy agreement. I'm relieved we finally had a real conversation before our engagement in a matter of days, even if it was an argument. Johanna hasn't said another word my "options" and I worry we're running out of time.

"Have you ever met Finnick Odair?" he asks me as we step off the stage at their Justice Building. The crowd here was less tense, but I still felt uncomfortable.

"No," I tell him. "I've seen lots of pictures of him, though."

Peeta laughs. "I think he's probably our most photographed citizen. After my dad, anyway. Would you like to meet him?"

The Peacekeepers are not pleased they have to accompany us across a District to the Victor's Village on the shoreline. Neither is Haymitch, who is hungover and detests the "insufferably cheerful sunshine" of this place. Nonetheless, we do as Peeta wishes and reach a dazzling house of white stone.

"It's beautiful," I breathe.

"Wait until you see the inside," Peeta smiles.

Finnick throws open the door and yanks Peeta into a hug before I can knock. "Peet! You ol' dog, I thought I'd see you soon enough," Finnick is laughing. "And JoJo, it's been a few months, hasn't it?"

"I hate that nickname," Johanna sneers.

"I know; that's why I use it. Ms. Trinket, isn't it?"

Effie is beside herself in the face of Finnick's beauty. "It must be," she breathes, shaking his hand for a little too long. He eyes her deathgrip on his hand and she lets go with a nervous giggle.

"Haymitch Abernathy. Is that you out in the daylight? It doesn't suit you." Haymitch grumbles as I laugh out loud. I think I may like Finnick after all.

"And this beauty," Finnick purrs, "must be your intended. Katniss Everdeen," he bows and takes my hand. He presses a kiss to my knuckles and I flush with embarrassment. "He said you were lovely, but words don't do you justice."

I steal a glance over at Peeta, who is beaming with pride. "Lovely?" I try not to snort. "He gives me far too much credit."

"I will be the judge of that," Finnick laughs. "Come on inside."

I see him eye the Peacekeepers as he stands aside to let us in. Johanna nods at him. I wonder if they are close friends from mentoring for a few years together; if he and I will be friends when I mentor in six months. It seems odd that after all the training I had to go through to be a lady, I'll still have to train children to fight to the death. I have to guess that Snow doesn't want me to forget I'm under his rule no matter what privileges he lets me enjoy.

"Please have a seat," Finnick offers to our band.

"We can't stay long," Effie warns. "We are on a tight schedule, of course."

"Of course," he smiles. "How is your Tour coming, my Lady?"

It takes me a moment to realize he's speaking to me. "She's not quite a lady yet," Portia reminds him.

"Please call me Katniss," I say. I can see why Peeta hates being call Sir or Master. It sets you apart; isolates you from those around you.

"All right. How is your Tour, Katniss?"

"It's…unexpected," I tell him, hedging my words. The Peacekeepers are standing around, bored, and Peeta and Portia are sitting near me. But I can't believe they haven't noticed the unrest. "Things seem rather…tense."

"It's probably all those fires and accidents," Johanna says dryly. "Puts people on edge."

"Yes, it is tragic, isn't it?" Effie agrees. "So many. I hear there was even an accident on an oil rig here. Is that right, Mr. Odair?"

Finnick is looking at Haymitch when he answers. "Yes," he says slowly. "Terrible thing. The whole thing went up in flames. I heard that most of the workers were evacuated in time, but it lost over two thousand barrels of fuel bound for the capital. Enough fuel for twenty Capital hovercrafts."

Effie tsk-tsks. My eyes lock on Finnick. I'm getting the same uneasy feeling Johanna gives me when she talks of options and changes.

Peeta smiles at my frown. "It's not so bad. There are plenty of supply trains to the Districts and back. And it's more important that the workers got away in time."

"That's our Peeta," Finnick smiles. "He's got a good sense of priority."

"Here, here," says Portia with a smile and making Peeta blush.

I put my hand over his and give his fingers a squeeze. I see Haymitch narrow his eyes on us. I stare him down.

It isn't long at all before Effie hurries us out the door to visit Three. Our trip there will not be at their Justice Building, as part of it collapsed in a terrible windstorm last week. We have to arrive early so the Peacekeepers can inspect the new setting and determine if it's safe for Peeta and I.

Effie toddles of the bed nearly as soon as we get on the train, and Johanna laughs that she probably needs to wash her wig birds. Peeta yawns and Portia drags him off to his quarters. When they're gone, Johanna stands.

"Do I have to go to bed too?" I whine.

"No," she says, catching me off guard. "I think your Mentor can keep an eye on you."

"But he's a man. I'm not supposed to be alone with men," I hear myself blurting out.

Johanna gags. "I think I can trust you not to put the moves on Abernathy." She turns and walks out the door as Haymitch scowls at her.

I turn to him. He pulls a flask from his jacket pocket and takes a swig. "The first time I'm alone with a man in nearly four months and it's you."

"Consider yourself lucky. If it were Gale, he'd be dead already."

I blanch. "Are they really all right?"

"They're under pretty obvious supervision. Being followed and that stuff. Haven't heard bugs on the phone or anything, but they don't call anyone anyway. Your mother and Prim are taking it better than Gale, he's pretty pissed."

"I can imagine," I scowl. "He never was one for keeping his mouth shut."

"Last I ran into him, said he was trying to figure out how to get you out of here."

I raise my eyes in surprise. "Really?"

"Yeah. I told him he should give up."

My heart sinks. "Why?"

"Because getting you away from Snow's son is going would mean taking down the government itself. That place is more heavily fortified than the Arena."

I sigh. "You're right. He'd only get hurt. Or killed."

"That's what I said. One man alone? It's preposterous. It would take an entire country. Coordinated outages, attacks, accidents, disruptions. That sort of cooperation would be the only thing to take down Snow."

His words are like a fire beginning. A small, flickering light that grows to brighten a dark room. I speak very slowly and carefully.

"Outages that cause interruptions to fuel. And industrial manufacturing."

"Exactly," he says with the hint of a smile.

"Haymitch-"

"Well, it's getting late. I better be off," he says suddenly, standing and turning to the door faster than I thought a drunk could move. "Your guard is going to be worried about you anyway."

"Haymitch!" He turns and watches me with a stern look. I know I'm not to ask anything about what he knows.

"If that sort of thing…could ever happen…which it can't, of course…" he nods. "Do you think they…whoever they is…would spare…" I don't have to say his name. Haymitch knows what I mean.

"I don't know, sweetheart."

And then he's gone.

I can barely pay attention in Three, Two and One. My mind is racing. There is a plan. Not just to free me but to free Panem. I have no idea what the details are, but it must be soon. The outages are more frequent and violent in their destruction. But my engagement is in one week. And my wedding is only two weeks away now.

"How long until we get to Twelve?" I ask Effie on the train. I'm nearly brimming with excitement of news. I wonder if Gale will tell me anything more than Haymitch.

"Oh, were you not told?"

Haymitch looks up sharply with me. "Told what?"

"We're going to skip Twelve this year."

I stare at her. "But my family-my home…"

Peeta is at a loss for words. I don't think he was told either. "But the Tour always ends at the Victor's home."

Effie shrugs. "Not this year. President Snow said that as your family will be attending your engagement party and wedding, we should skip Twelve to give you more time to prepare for your nuptials."

I sit back in my chair, stunned. Snow is keeping me from my family on purpose. But why? Because of Gale? Does he know his promise to me?

"I'm sorry, Katniss. If I'd have known," Peeta begins.

"It's okay," I say, forcing a smile. "She's right. My family will be at the Capital in just a week."

"I know, but," he sulks, "I wanted to see the meadow again."

I smile.

When we get back to the Capital, the tone has changed entirely.

"Welcome back, Master Snow. Miss Everdeen. You are to join President Snow in his office immediately. Ms. Trinket, Ms. Mason, Mr. Abernathy are to report to the Chief Justice office. Now."

I look over my shoulder as Effie, Johanna and Haymitch are flanked by our train guards. They are marched away swiftly. Portia follows us to the hallway that houses Snow's office.

"What's going on?" I whisper.

"I don't know," Peeta frowns. "What's this all about, Stefan?"

"Your father had some concerns over the security details in the Districts. I understand there were…disruptions while you were out in the field."

I meet Portia's eyes and she glances away.

The door we are led to is inconspicuous. If looking for it, no one would be able to tell that this is the working office of the president. Probably on purpose, I realize. I take note of the door handle. The emblem of Panem is inscribed on it. I have to smile in disgust. He had to set himself above in some small way after all.

"Peeta." Snow stands and moves over to Peeta quickly, his chair rolling out from behind him and smacking the credenza behind him. "I'm surprised to see you so unmolested after the news of what's been going on out there."

"The accidents? It wasn't really anything. Nothing even happened while we were there-"

"Portia," Snow barks and she jumps. "Go outside." She nearly runs and closes the door too hard behind her.

"Savages," Snow spits. Turning away, his eyes flash on me. "Savage behavior, the destruction out there. Don't you agree, Miss Everdeen?" He tests me angrily.

"I-I-don't understand, sir," I sputter.

"There are rumors," he seethes, "that these so-called accidents are in fact, acts of sabotage."

I gasp, perhaps too loudly to be convincing. "Why would anyone do such a thing?"

Peeta nods. "Yeah, Dad. Why? It's not for their own benefit."

"Why indeed?" Snow murmurs. I don't like the way he looks at me and Peeta. He paces the floor around his desk. "Needless to say, security will be tightened for your wedding."

"We're swarmed now," Peeta protests. "We've barely had any time together with all the people following us-"

"I will not have my decisions questioned!" Snow screams.

I try not to shake where I stand. Even Peeta is surprised by the outburst.

"It's for your own protection," Snow says quietly. I don't believe him. It's for his own display. To show his might on a mandated viewing program to all of Panem. To prove we can't defy him. He turns to me. "Your family, of course," I catch my breath, "will be afforded the same protection."

I am shaking now. His threat is lost on Peeta, but I understand him fully. If I interfere, my mother, sister and best friend will be dead in front of my eyes.

"How kind of you," I whisper.

"It's the least I can do."

As I stumble back to my room with a visibly shaken Johanna, I take comfort that at least the sabotage across Panem distracted Snow from the extra rations Eleven received two weeks ago.