Molly had been with Hewa and the other make-up artists all morning. She had fallen asleep more than once, only to be woken up as they waxed her entire body once again.

She had stayed up half the night on the small roof top with Sherlock and had fallen asleep on his shoulder. He had seemed very tense at first, but slowly, he relaxed. When she woke up, she was back in her bed. She couldn't recall how she got there, but just assumed Sherlock had carried her back. She blushed at the thought of Sherlock carrying her, bridal-style, back to her bed. She wished he had stayed with her. But why would he? He didn't feel the same way, and he never would. He wasn't like that. He always ignored the girls who had a crush on him, why would he be any different to Molly?

Molly stood in a small room, looking at herself in a floor-to-ceiling mirror. The dress Hewa had made for her was pretty. It was very fancy. It was a sleeveless, sky blue, poofy dress that hid her feet. The jewels around her neck and torso were mashed together to almost look like a cloud, hence the color of her dress. Two bracelets, clasped around her wrists were holding a long, clear sash that matched the color of her glittering jewels. Molly liked it, but something about it bothered her. It showed off her curves, which she liked but was not comfortable with, but most of all, it wasn't her. She was never one to wear such apparel, and she almost felt like she was betraying herself.

You're only going to wear it this one time, she told herself. There's no harm in wearing it. Its very pretty, and looks good on you. Don't just wear the gown! Be the gown, Molly.

"You look remarkable!" Hewa exclamed, her eyes wide.

Molly turned to Hewa with a smile. "You really think so?" She asked shyly. Her pep-talk to herself did not do much for her self-esteem, but getting compliments from other people seemed to help just a little bit.

"Of course, dear! Don't be nervous. You are going to be the most beautiful Tribute out there!"

Molly held back a frown. Hewa only saw her as an object to dress up in pretty clothes, like a doll. Molly was just Hewa's doll. Despite all the rare moments when Hewa treated Molly as a sort of friend, it would never change Hewa's mind about everything just being part of the game. But Molly didn't blame her. Hewa was born in the Capitol. Born to love the Hunger Games. Born to not flinch away from one child killing another.

"Ready?" Hewa asked, ushering Molly out the door and into a long hall.

Molly's stomach flipped when she saw James and Irene standing at the end of the hall, whispering to each other. Molly slowly slipped beside James, who looked at her on the side of his eye, a crooked smile appearing on his face. Molly was afraid he was going to speak to her, but she saw him turn his head the other way. Something bumped her shoulder, and she turned the other way to see Sherlock behind her. Her stomach flipped again, but for another reason.

The other Tributes started flooding into the hall. Molly made eye contact with a couple of them, John, Greg, and smiled at them in greeting. She accidentally made eye contact with Sebastian from District 3. He smirked at her and she quickly turned away. She stared at the wall so that she would not make eye contact with anyone else. She didn't trust most of them.

"Molly," Sherlock whispered in her ear and nudged her elbow. Molly felt chills run down her spine. She remembered the last time he had whispered in her ear. The results were the same, and she didn't look at him, fearing he would see how red her face was.

She looked down at his hand, half-open in front of her. The small, metallic object glowed in the faint light.

"Mycroft gave it to me for 'good luck'," He continued. "I think you would appreciate it more than I do."

Molly clasped her hand around the object and his hand disappeared. She held it out, grabbing the thin chain between her thumbs and index fingers. She smiled as she lifted up the necklace. The silver chain was very simple, as was the small, round pearl. Molly didn't understand why Mycroft would have given such a girly piece of jewelry to Sherlock.

Molly turned to look at Sherlock, hoping her face was back to being pale. "Why did Mycroft give this to you?"

"I told you. For 'luck'." He said quickly.

"That's it? No other explanation?"

"Is there something wrong with it?" Sherlock asked.

"No, its lovely," Molly glanced at the necklace in her palm before looking back up at Sherlock. "That's why I was wondering why he would have given it to you."

"I don't understand." Sherlock said quickly, and turned away. Molly looked at him, puzzled. Why was he acting so strange? When didn't he? Still, there was something different with his demeanor.

A sudden rumble of applause and cheering rang in Molly's ears and she looked around, trying to figure out where it was coming from. Then, she remembered why she was there in the first place. She was going to be interviewed by Jarem Clark in front of all of Panem.

"Welcome, welcome!" Jarem's voice boomed through the speakers. Molly looked up at the television. Jarem Clark looked exactly the same as he did when he announced the scores just the night before. The only difference was, his half-moon smile seemed bigger and brighter. Molly wondered if it looked more charming in person than on a screen. I guess she would find out soon enough.

"Quiet down, please! Quiet down!" He said, patiently. The wild crowd calmed slowly down. "Are you ready to meet your Tributes?" More thundering applause. Jarem laughed joyfully. "Careful! Lets not frighten them!" The crowd laughed. "Lets bring out our first Tribute! From District 1, the girl who we all remember was literally glowing and sparkling," Small chuckle from the crowd. "Irene Adler!"

Molly looked away from the television, and rested her eyes on Irene. Irene was starting to walk out on stage. She was looking past Molly, right at Sherlock. When she disappeared and the crowd went wild, Molly looked back up at the screen. Irene looked magnificent, as always. It didn't matter what she wore, but this gown was simply (not so simple looking) gorgeous. Molly instantly felt jealous.

Irene wore a fitted, silver, sparkling dress that went down to her feet. The skirt area was cut on each side to reveal her legs. Her right arm and shoulder were bare, while her left arm and shoulder were covered. Her hair was pinned to the side of her head, curled down, twisting at the end.

Molly had never seen anyone as confident as Irene, and maybe that was why Molly was jealous. Irene's confidence and beauty had captured the attention of Sherlock Holmes, while Molly had to make an effort to get his attention.

After a few minutes, Irene walked off stage, and Jarem introduced James to the audience. It was amazing how sweet James seemed with everyone. He wore a charming smile that could get anyone to like him, but Molly knew the truth. Only, she was starting to doubt herself. Could James really be that bad when he is being so... nice?

"Tell me," Jarem said to James. "Do you miss your family?"

James's charming smile turned into more of a sad smile. "Very much." He said, nodding his head. "Family is the most important thing, Jarem. That is why I volunteered. If I win, than my family has the best they could have, and if I lose," Molly thought she saw him smirk. "I trust the capitol will take care of them." The audiance aw'd.

Molly no longer doubted herself. James was completely full of it. He planned on winning, no matter the cost, and he was obviously just sucking up to the Capitol. Even if he truly believed everything he said, he was only saying it to gain the love of the people.

James walked off the stage. A few members of the audience were in tears.

"Next, from District 2, Molly Hooper!" Molly stopped breathing and her heart pounded. She stood in one spot for a second too long.

"Molly," Sherlock whispered, nudging her. Molly shook her head, bringing herself back to reality. She glanced at Sherlock with a nervous smile before going on stage.

"Ah, there she is!" Jarem chuckled. Molly smiled shyly and looked at the audience. Everyone clapped and cheered... for her. She knew why she was there, and she even remembered the little bit of applause from the kids back in her District when she was chosen, and even though this applause signified the same thing, she felt good about it, even though she knew she shouldn't have.

Jarem took Molly's hand and led her over to a chair next to him.

"My dear Molly," He greeted, his upside down, half-moon smile really was more charming up close. "How are you?" He asked genuinely.

"Pretty good," Molly answered truthfully. She felt comfortable in Jarem's presence, and even with all the people staring at her, she felt good. "And you?"

Jarem was happily surprised by the question. "I am doing well, thank you." He motioned his arms towards her as he looked at the audience. "What a nice girl!" He paused only for a moment. "So, Molly, you are already pretty close to the Capitol, but is there anything different that you think is better or worse compared to your District?"

What a good question. "The food is definitely better," She earned a little chuckle from Jarem and the audience. "Worse? Uhm, I'd say..." Molly knew her answer, but she also knew better than to say what it was. Instead, she came up with a small lie that wasn't totally true, but it wasn't totally false either. "The beds."

"The beds?" Jarem asked, surprised. He chuckled a bit. "What's wrong with the beds?"

"Not soft enough," She said. Normally, she was not very good at lying, but I guess when you really wanted to protect yourself, it had to be done. "In fact, I woke up this morning with a back ache."

"You know, actually, since you said something, I wake up every morning with a strained neck and-"

"Well, you are older." Molly couldn't believe herself. She had never been so not shy in her life, and here she was, joking around with Jarem Clark, a man of great importance. She was relieved when Jarem and the audience laughed.

"And while that is true, I was wondering if you could... possibly..." Jarem had a playful smile on his face as he twisted in his chair, turning his back on her. It was now Molly's turn to laugh with the audience.

"You want a massage?" She went for it, rubbing his shoulders and neck. She should have felt weird, but as the audience practically died of laughter, it just felt like a little comedy skit, which was exactly what it was. Molly could just imagine Sherlock rolling his eyes, but hopefully, he was laughing a little bit, too.

Jarem stretched his muscles as Molly placed her hands back in her own lap. She was still laughing. She felt happy for once.

"You are a wonder, Molly Hooper!" Jarem exclaimed as he acted like it was a miracle that he could move again. He gave it a few seconds before making his face serious, and Molly's happiness deteriorated.

"Molly, you looked a little out of your comfort zone when your name was called," His voice was not accusing, but understanding. "What went through your mind as you walked up to that stage?"

I couldn't believe Katie didn't keep her promise. I couldn't believe that I had expected her to do so. I couldn't believe I was leaving my mother to most likely become motherless. I couldn't believe.

"I couldn't really believe it was happening," Molly answered truthfully, trying to make sure her voice wouldn't break. "I think it was just scary leaving my mother."

Jarem nodded, understanding. The audience made noises of sympathy. "You know, I remember your sister." Jarem said. Molly looked at him, listening intently. She didn't remember much about that year, mostly because she didn't want to, but hearing about her sister made her feel better. "I had asked her the same question, and she answered almost the same way. She thought it was scary leaving you and your mother." Jarem spoke to Molly as if no one was watching, like Molly was his close friend. "I could tell she was a strong young woman, and when I saw you walk up that stage and this stage, and when I saw you on that chariot, I saw the strength in you, and I wish you good luck." Jarem took Molly's hand and kissed it. He was so genuine that Molly wanted to cry.

Jarem and Molly stood up. "Molly Hooper, everyone!" Jarem said to the audience. They all cheered and applauded and Molly walked off the stage.

Mycroft, Tim, Hewa and Fordan greeted Molly as she joined them. But Molly hardly heard anything they were saying, mostly because her eyes focused on a television screen behind them. Molly pushed passed them so she could listen and the others joined her.

Sherlock had walked on stage and was shaking hands with Jarem. Sherlock was actually smiling. He looked nice when he smiled and the corners of Molly's mouth turned up at the sight.

Sherlock and Jarem talked and even joked. Molly couldn't believe some of the humorous things coming out of Sherlock's mouth. He was always so serious, and now that he was being the opposite of serious, it was almost like he was speaking a foreign language.

"I also wanted to ask you what it is like to have your elder brother as your mentor?" Said Jarem. Molly almost gasped. She could tell how hard Sherlock was trying not to rolls his eyes, and it was even harder for him to keep the smile on his face.

"Its... manageable." Molly released the gasp in the form of a relieved sigh. Good enough, Molly thought. She thought she heard Mycroft laugh a little.

Jarem chuckled too, and patted Sherlock lightly on the knee. "Now, of course, we can't just let you walk off this stage without talking about that score of yours. A twelve! Very, very impressive! Unheard of. In fact, there's a rumor going around that if District 13 was still functioning, then the highest score would be thirteen, and you still would have gotten the highest score. Now, obviously, the performances from the last training session are secret, but, any chance you can give us a little hint...?"

Sherlock smirked. It didn't take him more than one second to come up with the seemingly perfect answer. "You know, Jarem, the only reason I climbed so high on the score panel is because I'm strong enough to hide my skills. I've got a stout personality, and that's all that really matters."

Molly was sure she was missing his meaning. Mycroft knew right away what Sherlock was getting at, and so did Fordan, but at least Hewa seemed as clueless as Molly. Jarem seemed a bit puzzled, but if he didn't understand it, he was good at hiding it. He laughed and patted Sherlock on the knee again before allowing Sherlock to exit the stage. The crowd went wild. Maybe they understood Sherlock too, but by their faces and whispers, maybe not. Maybe the hair dye went to their brains, and they couldn't think straight. But then, what was Molly's excuse?

Sherlock met with Molly, Mycroft and the others and Mycroft patted him on the back, and surprisingly, Sherlock didn't seem annoyed by it. Maybe it was because it was a form of communicating, and because it was silent, Sherlock welcomed it.

"The crowd loved you!" Hewa exclamed.

"So did Jarem," Fordan said.

"Obviously," Said normal, non-smiling Sherlock. Even though Molly liked his smile and his jokes while he was on stage, she knew it was just an act, for the most part. She wouldn't be surprised if he quite enjoyed the attention. But, she also liked having him as himself. Serious, intelligent, observational, mysterious, Sherlock. Molly liked that in him, and she hoped he never changed.

Sorry it took SO LONG! D: I have been waaaaay busy, and have not had a lot of time to write. :/ But, I tried to make this one long. I hope its long enough! :) Thank you for sticking with me! Thank you, wonderful readers, followers and reviewers :) I love you!

PS. Can you guess what Sherlock did for the Gamemakers?! :D I'm sure its quite obvious, but I honestly am the farthest from clever, like Sherlock. Obviously, he could come up with something better, but I'm writing, so hopefully he doesn't seem too OOC! XD I'm trying! Really!