CPOV

When we get to my building, Katniss looks up at the fourteen story construction in awe. Taylor gets out of the car to open her door, but I rush out before him to do it. As I take her hand, I hear all the cameras going crazy and reporters saying, "And here is the man of the night's festivities, Christian Grey with his date. We are all wondering which lucky girl has made his arm this night."

When she exits the car, the cameras go even wilder and people are clamoring to get close to us. Luckily, thinking about it before I left this morning, I made sure that barriers were put up so that none of my guests would get mauled by the media. Katniss is momentarily blinded but once she gets her bearings and I have my hand on the small of her back to guide her, she gives a small wave to the newshounds.

"Oh my God, is that Katniss Everdeen?!" "The Girl on Fire, he is with the Girl on Fire!" "Christian Grey has topped himself this time; Katniss Everdeen is on his arm as his date for the night!" "Katniss! Come talk to us Katniss!" So many people are screaming for her to give them some attention.

She looks up at me, "I'm sorry, I didn't think this would happen."

I keep walking her to the door, Taylor in front of us, blocking any wayward photographers away from us. "It's my fault; I didn't warn you that they would probably be here. It always happens when there's so many of the who's who in one spot. I honestly forgot about it when I finally got back home. I'm sorry."

She shakes her head but smiles. "Just don't let me fall in front of them, please."

I hold out my arm for her and she wraps hers in it gladly. The lights are blinking so fast that I think I'm going to have a headache if we don't get inside quickly. I try to walk as fast as I can but carefully so she doesn't take a misstep.

Once we're safely inside, Katniss looks up at the vaulted marble ceiling and asks, "This is your building, your company?"

I smile down at her, which isn't as much because of the heels. I like that I won't have to lean so far to kiss her, but when she seems so much more comfortable barefooted, who am I to deny her? "Yes, this is the one I have my main office in. I own four more actual companies here in the Capitol and about six other ones in different districts. But this was my first and where I started, so it's my favorite."

There aren't too many people lingering in the foyer but as we make our way into the first floor layout, more people are seen. Heads turn, there are a few waves and nods in our direction and I know as soon as we pass people, the gossip starts. We had any and all desks and chairs moved into another part of the building so that we could more or less have numerous round banquet tables and even a dance floor put in. The ceilings are high and lit up with dozens of streaming lights and a few chandeliers. It of course looks a lot warmer than during regular business days. The smell of flowers isn't overwhelming, but you can tell they're there. Katniss grips my arm a little tighter as we walk towards a group of men all chattering away.

"Ah, there he is, the host himself! You do put on quite a spread, Christian!" Claims one silver haired, pot-bellied man. He looks at Katniss and then smiles at me, a smile I don't like. If he dare touches Katniss, I will dismember him myself. "Ahhh, so we do get to see her, the Girl on Fire. How do you do, Miss Everdeen?"

I can tell by the way that Katniss stiffens at my side that she doesn't like him much more than I do. In a serious unflattering tone, she answers back, "I'm just fine, Mister…?"

"Why I, dear, am none other than the man you could have been with. I'm Mr. Jenkins, head of the water company here in the Capitol." He leans in and she leans back, so I move slightly in front of her. It doesn't seem to faze him though. He whispers just loud enough for me to hear him too. "Had you been with me, you wouldn't even have to be wearing so much clothing."

"Well, now, that does sound like a treat…. for a pig like you, doesn't it?" She tells him matter-of-factly. I laugh as we walk away to another group. When I turn my head, Mr. Jenkins is turning a bright shade of purple from holding his breath I'm sure. Hopefully he'll go explode somewhere else as I have too many guests here to worry about his over-inflated ego.

"Thank you." I hear Katniss say as we come closer to the next group.

"For what?" I really have no idea what she could be thanking me for. She just met one of my nastier investors, why would she thank me for that?

"For being the one who bid on me first. I'm guessing most of the guys who tried to 'claim' me as you put it, are a lot like him?" She tells me as I grab two glasses of champagne from a passing waiter. I give one to her and she drinks it a little too quickly and makes a funny face. "Ugh, no more of that!"

I can't help but laugh at her and she swats my arm gently. "We'll find you some white wine, you seem to like that. Come on, I see my brother and his wife."

I spot Elliot and Kate just as they see us. I steer us away from the group we were headed to and go to my brother. Kate's eyes are wide when she sees who I'm with; I guess Elliot didn't tell her anything. We meet them half way and I give Elliot a handshake, pulling him into a hug, then kiss Kate on the cheek. "Kate, Elliot, I'd like you to meet Katniss. Katniss, this is my brother, Elliot and his wife, Kate."

"How do you do?" She greets them with a warm smile, a completely different person than the one from a minute ago. Katniss holds her hand out to shake Elliot's and then Kate's, which seems to awaken my sister-in-law.

"Hi, Katniss. I'm sorry, but you are the same Katniss from the Hunger Games, right?" She asks her. It's not her usual style, to be caught off guard. Kate was a reporter herself before she decided to write history books, new history books that include the rebellion.

"The one and only. Christian didn't tell you, I take it?" Katniss smiles at Kate, wrapping her arm around my waist. Normally I wouldn't allow such personal touching in public, but all the rules are breaking with Katniss.

Kate takes a look at us and smiles. "It's been awhile since we've seen Christian so happy. I guess you have something to do with this?"

Katniss shrugs her shoulders and looks up at me. "I suppose so. I haven't been this happy in awhile too."

I give her a kiss on her forehead, seeing Elliot and Kate smile out of the corner of my eye. I turn my head towards them. "If you'll excuse us, we have to meet some more boring investors."

"Oh, alright," She says, batting her eyelashes at me. I like that, batting her lashes like that makes her eyes look bigger, brighter, or maybe that's just how she seems right now, brighter, glowing. "Can I have a glass of that white wine first?"

"Of course, I'll be right back." I reluctantly leave her and find Elliot by my side in an instant.

He pats me on the back. "You seem very happy, little brother. What's she like?"

As we go up to the bar, I order her a white wine and myself a red. "She's…she's different. She is strong considering how often she has been hurt. I don't mean just physically, but she's lost so many people in her life and she's done well with herself. I think she may have handled her husband's death better than I handled Ana's, but she hasn't talked about it much. Hell, I don't want to talk about it either."

"Who would? I mean, you both lost people you loved, right? And you know we loved Ana, but it's good to see you smiling again, brother." He slaps my shoulder again before ordering himself and Kate a drink. We make our way back to our lovely ladies, who look like they were talking the entire time we were gone.

"I hope you two were only saying bad things about us." Elliot says as he passes Kate her glass. She just laughs at him and they give each other a kiss.

Katniss takes her glass and sips it carefully. "Much better. So, let's go meet more boring old guys."

I laugh, "They're not all old and not all men, Katniss. But yes, let's go."

Before we even turn to make our way around, my business partner, Ros, comes up to us. "Christian! Almost everyone showed up, not that anyone wouldn't give to come to a party thrown by you."

I smile at her, nodding. "Ros, I'd like you to meet Katniss. Sweetie, this is my business partner, Ros."

"Hi, Ros, nice to meet you." Katniss puts her hand out again and shakes Ros'.

Ros shakes her hand, but is looking at me. Once she has dropped Katniss' hand, she tells me, "Jenkins is having a tantrum over your date here. He's making himself look like a toddler who didn't get the candy he wanted."

"That's because he didn't and he won't." Katniss explains easily, not embarrassed. Ros nods her head to her.

"Good for you! I'd say if you two really want to rub it in his face, dance when the band comes on. Maybe he'll be so upset he'll leave!" She says, walking away laughing. Ros and I agree that we don't like Jenkins personally but he runs his company well. If he didn't, I would have taken it over long ago.

"Dance? There's going to be a band?" Katniss looks at me with a terrified look.

"Of course, why don't you know how to dance?" I pull her close, making her smile and she pushes me away playfully.

"Of course I can, but not in these shoes!" She leans up to me, "Please let me dance barefooted?" Her breath is right on my ear and I shiver from its warmth.

"Sure, but we'll dance after dinner. Come on, there's actually some people you should meet." I tell her, trying to distract myself from finding the nearest bathroom and taking her to it.

She pouts, her bottom lip sticking out just a bit more than her top and I kiss her before I can stop myself. Damn, what is she doing to me?! We don't have to move, as people are coming up to us now. First a few people from the office, mainly my head of security here and a few of the receptionists. Katniss plays her part well and no one else offends her. It's not until I see Beetee walking near us that I direct her away.

"Beetee!" I call out as he's heading in the other direction. The older dark-haired man turns around and smiles when he sees me. As we get closer, his smile widens when he sees who is next to me.

"Katniss?" He asks and as soon as we reach him, she gives him a hug.

"Christian told me you might be here." I hear her say to him as she's still in his arms. It must be a bittersweet reunion as he was the other maker of the bombs that could have killed her sister. Katniss pulls back, still holding his hands, "You look good. How have you been?"

Beetee is in awe of the woman standing before him. I'm sure she looks much different than the last time he saw her. "Katniss, I had no idea you were with Mr. Grey now. How long have you been in the Capitol?"

"This is my third night." She starts to explain.

I then notice a tall dark-haired man come up to the side of us. "And your mother wants you to go home tomorrow." He says.

Katniss turns to the voice and she grabs for my hand since I'm behind her. "Gale."