Soon they got back on the train to head to 12. Cady seemed more than happy that Kawino was back. "This is all just hard to believe," Cady smiled hugging him.

"I know, but I came back," he said.

"Thank you for that."

"I couldn't leave you," he said, smiling. "You're like my little sister," he added.

"And you're like my big brother if I had lost you..." she trailed off.

"I know but you didn't."

"I know, but I was worried for you," she said.

"I know. Trust me. I know."

"It's not a concern anymore and you're happy."

"Yes, I am."

"Good," she said, before yawning.

"You need to get some rest though," Kawino said just then remembering what Clove said in his dream.

"But I wanted to spend time with you."

"You need to rest first."

"Do I have to?" She yawned.

"Clearly you do," Kawino said, trying to avoid sounding crazy by how he knows beyond the yawns.

"Will you at least tuck me in?"

"Of course, Cady. Want to be carried?"

"Sure," she said, smiling.

He smiled and picked her up. She gave a yawn and wrapped her arms around his neck as he held her. "I already requested to have a bed set high for you."

"Really?" She asked sleepily.

"Yes really."

"You're awesome," she said, as they entered the room.

"Not really."

"Yes really don't let anyone say otherwise." She said climbing onto the large bed that had been mounted on the wall. "Besides, the only ones that ever would besides yourself are dead now," she added.

"That's true," he said, pulling the blanket up to her chin.

"I understand it will be hard to believe otherwise though."

"Well, I'm sure you'll help."

"Of course I will."

"After you sleep."

"Could you stay?"

"Sure, I can stay for a little while." She scootched closer to the wall the bed being more the big enough and patted by her. He smiled and lay down beside her.

She snuggled up against him finally letting herself go to sleep. It started off dreamless but then there was a bright light. When the light died down Cato stood in front of her. She said nothing tears filling her eyes and went and hugged him. "Hey there, Cady." He said hugging her tightly.

"How?" she asked.

"It's a bit hard to explain," he said.

"I'm not dead am I?"

"No, you're just asleep," he said gently.

"So, I'm dreaming?"

"In a sort of way, yes."

"Well, it's great to see you."

"You too, I know you have been worried lately."

"Not really anymore."

"I know but you haven't slept for a while."

"I was scared."

"Cady, I want you to be happy and healthy."

"I know I know it's just… Kawino."

"Wants the same thing."

"I know but I worry about him."

"He worries about you too."

"He doesn't need to."

"Yes he does, look at how bad things have been lately."

"He needs it much more."

"Listen, he worries about you more than you think."

"He doesn't even know the problem though."

"Yes he does." Cato sighed as a couch appeared for them.

"What do you mean? He was in the Arena. How could he possibly…?"

"We sort of showed him." said a new voice from beside Cato.

Cady gasped turning to the source of the voice, "Clove!"

"Hey Cady," she said, with a gentle smile.

"You had been visiting Kawino?"

"While he was in the arena yes, and I will when he goes to sleep tonight, too. He doesn't want to sound crazy by mentioning it to anyone though."

"Well, that makes sense. You told him I hadn't been sleeping though?"

"He needed to be reminded what he was fighting for."

"And how did that do so?"

"He knew that if he didn't come home you would only get worse."

"I guess that makes sense."

"Besides it was good for him."

"It must have been."

"He really cares about you."

"I can tell." She smiled.

"So we used you as a motivation."

"He still almost killed himself though."

"Only because he had come to care about Katniss at that point."

"I know that but it didn't make it any easier."

"He didn't kill himself though."

"Because Katniss saved him. Anyone else in any arena would have let him fall."

"He wouldn't have fallen for anyone else, except maybe you."

"I guess so. Or you," Cady added.

"Maybe." Clove sighed.

"I know he would."

"Yeah, I guess, but you see our point."

"Yes I do."

"Good, now I have to say...I'm sorry, Cady," Cato said.

"There's part of me that can understand why you did it after watching that."

"Yes, but even so...I never should have left you alone like that," he said.

"I can forgive you."

"You can?"

"I've thought about it more than a few times actually and most likely would have if he died in that arena."

"You shouldn't even think of that."

"Well… I did… even before your death."

"Why would you?" he asked.

"After what I saw…"

"Oh, right." He sighed. "You're much too young to die though," he said.

"No one is too young to die," she said.

"That's not true, Cady."

"It is true."

"You deserve to live a full life."

"Thanks but if I had lost Kawino too..." she trailed off.

"You're not anymore though are you?"

"No, I'm not," she said.

"Well, at least that's a relief."

"You know I miss you guys," she said sadly

"We know and we'll be together again someday."

"Just not too soon," Clove added.

"I know. Not too soon."

"Good, I told Kawino the same thing." Clove chuckled slightly.

"Good thing he listened."

"Yeah it is. He seems much happier."

"He has every reason to be now."

"Yes he has you, Enobaria, and Katniss now."

"And Mantear and Drusus are dead."

"Yes they are, and in a terrible place now."

"Good, if anyone deserves hell, it's them."

"Yes it is." They both agreed.

"So, they hurt you, too?" Cady asked Clove.

"Yes they did." She sighed.

"I didn't know that." Cady sighed.

"No one did. Kawino didn't even and I didn't know about him. I thought I was protecting him and he thought he was protecting me."

"That's sick."

"It was admittedly very skillful manipulation and honestly neither of us should have trusted them to keep their word."

"No, but you did."

"Then I threw the games and left him alone with them."

"He still loved you though he always will."

"I don't deserve it though. You don't know this but after my death they just got even harder on him."

"That seems impossible."

"The night before the Reaping was the first time in a month and a half he got any sleep and during them just barely enough food to keep him from starving to death on them."

"Okay, wow."

"No words."

"No, there really isn't."

"And it's my fault."

"Clove, it's not your fault."

"I'm the one who left him alone with THEM."

"You didn't know what was happening."

"I knew they were EVIL and SADISTS and I thought I was the one saving him."

"Clover, he doesn't blame you so why should you?"

"Because it's my fault."

"No it's not."

"He used to blame me."

"He doesn't now though."

"He should."

"No he shouldn't."

"It is my fault though."

"Clover, it's not your fault. It's their fault and no one else's," Cady told her earnestly.

"Yeah, I suppose so."

"So you can just accept that?"

"Yeah, I suppose."

"Good, I really love you both."

"We love you, too."

"Could you come back again?"

"You mean when you sleep?" Cato asked.

"Yes."

"Yes, I can," Cato said.

"That helps some."

"Good, I'm glad that it does

"As long as I can see you that's better than not at all."

"Yeah, I love you."

"I love you, too." He hugged her tightly.

"It's time for you to wake up though."

"Okay, I'll see you next time," she said.

"We'll see you next time." She nodded as they faded away.

She woke back in her bed. Kawino was no longer there, but the door to her room was cracked open. She was about to call out but wondered what time it was. She slid gracefully off the bed and peeked her head out to see the sun was just starting to set. "Perfect." She sighed.

"So you're awake now huh?" asked Enobaria's voice.

"Yeah, sorry about that."

"Don't be, it's alright."

"Made things a bit awkward on myself."

"It's fine, Cady, the other two aren't asleep anyway."

"Yeah, would be a bit early. Where are they?"

"Sitting down for dinner I think."

"Would they mind if I join or…"

"They would be happy to have you."

"Thanks, Enobaria." Cady smiled and headed out.

She arrived in the dining car to find Kawino and Katniss dishing up. Kawino noticed her right away though, "Oh Cady, you're up."

"Yeah, sorry I slept so long."

"It's okay, you must have needed it."

"Yeah, it was nice."

"Then that's good."

"Well thanks," she said, taking the other seat beside Kawino.

"So, what do we have here?"

"Everything really. Take anything you want."

"Really?"

"Yes really."

She smiled and started snatching things. "There's so much."

"Try smaller portions," he said.

"Okay." Cady nodded.

"Try hot chocolate though," Katniss said.

Cady laughed a little. "I will."

"You won't regret it." Katniss slid the pot to her. "Be careful it's hot."

Cady nodded taking the pot. She poured some and drank. "It's great!"

"I told you," she said, smiling.

"I'm glad I listened."

"Me too." Kawino smiled.

"You can try dipping pieces of a roll in it," Katniss said not mentioning where she got it from.

"I bet fours bread would be great in it," Kawino said.

"Let's try." Cady reached for the roll basket finding a fish shaped seaweed roll she assumed must be four's. She dunked it and tasted. You could see her face light up when she did. "It's amazing!"

"That was a great idea! Both of you!"

"Thank you," they said.

She finished them both that way before even looking at anything else. "Now what."

"Whatever you want. The lamb stew's my favorite." Katniss told her motioning to the bowl which Cady checked finding it almost emptied onto Katniss' plate.

"Clearly."

Katniss shrugged. "My mom used to say that I always eat like I'll never see food again but shuts up when I remind her that I'm the only reason we have any food at all."

"Sounds like a complicated relationship."

"I can't really complain," Katniss said, looking down though she probably would have to someone… anyone else but not with Kawino there.

"Well, it still does."

"We were fine before Dad died."

"Oh, I'm sorry."

"It's not your fault she just… shut down."

"I can understand that," Cady said.

"Well, Prim and I almost starved to death and she did nothing. Just sat there staring off into space with dead fish eyes."

"It's called shock...some have a harder time dealing with it than others."

"I know. I get that." Katniss sighed. "It's just, during that time I basically forbade myself from ever needing her. I regret it now. After all those things, I said to her in the goodbyes… if I had died in that arena, it would have been with her thinking I hated her and there never would have been any chance of reconciliation."

"Well, you have the chance now."

"Hopefully it's not too late."

"It's not; people you love will always forgive you," Cady said.

"Alright, and it really is time I forgive her."

"I'll be there for you," Kawino said.

"That will really help."

"Me too," Cady said.

"Then I shouldn't have any trouble."

"I hope not."

"I don't think there will."

"Not after the games."

"We have until morning before we get there though."

"Right and I slept all day so I'll be up a while." Cady sighed.

"It won't be bad. There's a lot to do here."

"Is there?" she asked.

"Yeah, practically anything."

"Wow, that's unexpected."

"Not really, it's the Capitol's."

"I know, but I didn't figure they cared enough."

"They do about their victors."

"I suppose so."

"So yes, there is."

"Well, that'll be fun."

"Yes it will."

"Will you two come with me for a little bit?"

"Sure."

"Thank you."

"Eat first though."

"Okay." She shrugged digging in again.

Soon they had all ate as much as they cared to. "Okay ready?" Kawino asked.

"Ready." Cady nodded.

"Walk or carried?" he asked.

"Carried, please."

He smiled scooping her up and making both her and Katniss giggle. "That is so sweet," Katniss noticed.

"What do you mean?" Kawino asked.

"You two."

"What about us?"

"It's sweet."

"Thank you?" Cady asked.

"So, what are we going to do?"

"Well, let's try movies."

"What are those?"

"There like the videos they show at reaping each year, except entertaining."

"Oh, sounds interesting."

"They are from what I saw." Kawino shrugged.

"Then let's go check it out."

He led the way to a car with a large screen and many small discs. "What are the disks?"

"They are called DVD's. They contain the movies." Kawino explained.

"They do?" She asked looking them over and tossing one labeled Twilight like a Frisbee... that promptly flew out the window

"Yes but you put them in a machine. Not throw them."

"Oh, right sorry."

"It's okay. They look very throwable."

"That's true they do."

She looked through finding one labeled 'The Avengers' and handed it to Kawino instead of throwing it. "Can we try this one?"

"Sure," he agreed looking at the picture on the front and ignoring the random symbols.

"Kawino are you okay?" she asked, looking worried.

"What? Yeah. Why?"

Katniss looked at the case then it clicked what he was seeing or more so wasn't as she remembered something he told her in the arena. "He doesn't know how to read."

"Well...I...no I don't," he said, hanging his head.

"Really?" Cady asked, though she realized that given everything it really shouldn't be that surprising.

"Yeah, really...you two hate me now right?"

"No, we could never hate you, Kawino. Especially not for something like that. Though we really should teach you how then."

"You shouldn't have to."

"We want to," Katniss said. "There's actually so many stuff that it's important for."

"Is there really?"

"Almost everything actually."

"Not the games."

"I said almost. I'm pretty sure it is from the mentor side too though."

"I wouldn't know that."

"Well, either way it is critical."

"Oh, I see." He sighed

"So, will you let us?"

"Yeah, I will."

"Right now though?" he asked.

"No we can wait until tomorrow."

"Okay, what does this say though?"

"Marvel's the Avengers?"

"Marvel? What's he doing here?"

"I don't think it means him."

"True, I guess most likely not."

"I can't imagine it would."

"Right, just a coincidence."

"Yeah."

"So, let's watch it."

"Okay." Kawino took out the disk and put it in a machine under the screen. It slid in and started.

They were enjoying the movie but eventually all fell asleep. Enobaria found them a while later and smiled at what she saw.

Cady and Katniss were both leaned against opposite sides of Kawino.

Rather than wake them she went and got a large blanket and covered the three of them before turning off the light and gently closing the door. She had noticed before she did that Kawino and Katniss at least seemed to be sleeping peacefully… an impossibility amongst victors.

'That's at least a good sign,' she thought, yawning as she headed to her own room. 'Let's see what I can squeak out for myself tonight.'

The next morning Kawino woke slowly sunlight streaming into the stopped train. He was surprised though not unpleasantly to find himself still in the video room with Katniss and Cady nestled against him under a random blanket. 'Where did the blanket come from?' He thought.

He noticed they were both still asleep, but the train had stopped meaning their most likely in 12. He smiled and shook them gently. Katniss just groaned turning over. "Come on Katniss, your home." He said Katniss woke up looking at him. "The trains stopped." He said.

She got up awake now. "Time to go see my family then." She said

"Yes, let's go."

Kawino nodded picking up the still sleeping Cady. "She's certainly exhausted," Katniss observed.

"Yeah, she is."

"Do you know why?"

"I have a good idea of why."

"Why?"

"It is difficult to explain at least right now."

"Okay, so, let's get Enobaria and head out."

"I bet she's already up."

"Right, probably." He nodded ad lead the way out.

Sure enough, they found her in the dining car just dishing up breakfast for them. "Good morning, Enobaria."

"Good morning, Kawino."

"So, we got to 12?"

"Yeah, we can exit after you both eat," she said in a motherly voice.

Kawino sighed but sat down. "Thank you," she said.

Katniss sat next to him dishing up. He sat Cady gently in the seat beside him. When he did, she started to wake up. She groaned as she sat up. "What? How'd I get here?"

"I carried you," Kawino said.

"Oh, well, thank you."

"No problem."

"You could have woken me up though."

"You seemed like you needed the sleep."

"I guess I did more than I thought."

"Yes you did, I hope you're feeling better."

"I really am."

"Good, then it's worth it."

"What about you?"

"I slept fine actually."

"So did I," Katniss agreed.

"I noticed that when I covered you all up," Enobaria said. "It was a surprise. Practically an impossibility among victors," she added.

"Really?"

"Really. From nightmares from the games."

"Right." He sighed.

"Maybe it was sleeping together though."

"Maybe it was. We'll have to do that more."

"Seems that way, that's the first time I slept well in a long time," Katniss stated.

"Well, then there's the solution."

"I guess it is."

"You all seemed pretty happy."

"We were."

"Good."

"Why couldn't you sleep before though?" Kawino asked Katniss.

"Just… since my father's death."

"The memories right?" Cady asked.

"Yeah, him and I were always really close."

"Yeah, I get how you feel."

"I suppose you both would but it's even harder when you still have to be the strongest in the house. Shooting up in the middle of the night from nightmares with my hand clasped over my mouth to stop myself from calling out and waking up Prim."

"I'm sorry, Katniss."

"It not your fault. It's just been... really hard."

"I can imagine."

"Well, thank you."

"No problem."

"So, let's just eat."

"Right, I can't wait to see 12." So they dished up.

Soon they were fed and it was time to go out. "What should we expect?" Cady asked Katniss.

"A lot of shock for the most part. Better than 2 in some ways but worse in others." Katniss said.

"How can it possibly be worse?"

"Well, certainly better as a whole but on different aspects."

"Okay?"

"Shouldn't be that many problems though."

"Want to explain later?"

"Probably and you'll figure out some things."

"Probably, we'll see," he said, taking each of their hands.

"Ready then?" They nodded.

They headed off the train hand in hand. They were met at first with silence as they exited. They were surprised by that. Then they reached the edge of the platform to find everyone waiting as the cheering became defining. "That's more what I had expected."

Katniss smiled to see her own family along with Gale and his family waiting for them. "There they are!" Katniss said, leading them over. Kawino seemed nervous but followed as she let go of his hand and hugged her mother and Prim. Once that was sorted out, Katniss introduced pointing to each. "Kawino, Cady, Enobaria, this is my mother, sister Prim, best friend Gale, his mother Hazel, and his siblings Rory, Vick, and Posy."

"Nice to meet you," they both said, shaking each person's hand. There was a thick tension that Katniss even noticed when Kawino and Gale shook hands.

Katniss sent a quick look to Gale trying to figure out what that was about. Now was not the place to ask though she thought as her mother came over and started directing her home. "Them too," Katniss said motioning to Kawino, Cady, and Enobaria.

"Of course they can come."

"Good, it's my choice who lives there anyways."

"Right of course," she said, sounding a bit hurt.

"Wait, I didn't mean it like that."

"What do you mean?"

"I-I'm really terrible at this but I actually wanted to talk to you about how I have been treating you."

"Oh, well why don't we talk alone later? If it's easier for you, I mean."

"I would actually prefer they be here for help. They already offered and as I said, I'm terrible at this."

"Okay, then let's talk." She said when the cameras were gone.

"Well, I was wrong to hate you for after Dad's death. You were depressed and in shock and I shouldn't have blamed you. During the Games, I learned what horrible parents really look like and realized how good I actually have it."

"Katniss...I shouldn't have shut down like that on you and Prim. I was just so...lost."

"No, you shouldn't have but that's not what hurt the most."

"I never wanted to hurt either of you."

"I know that but you still don't get it do you?"

"I am trying to."

"Dad and I… we had been through so much together, I loved him more than anything and when he died it suffocated me and I wanted so badly to just shut down, too, but I'd look at Prim and I knew I couldn't leave her alone so I just took all my emotions and shoved them into to a box way too small and gave any strength I could find to Prim and that… destroyed me…"

To Katniss' surprise her mother hugged her tightly. "Katniss, I'm sorry I am so sorry that I made you shoulder a burden that no child should have. I am sorry I wasn't there like I should have been."

Katniss did hug her back. "I forgive you, Mom."

"Thank you dear," she said.

"And I'm sorry for the stuff I've said, especially during the goodbyes."

"It's okay. I needed to hear some of it."

"So, we're okay?"

"Yeah, we're okay. What did you mean by learning what horrible parents really look like, though?" her mother asked since none of that was shown.

"You don't want to know," Katniss said, looking back at Kawino.

Her mother looked over at him confused. Kawino hesitated but told her everything. He refused to look at her as he spoke. "So, that's what she meant but I don't want you feeling sorry for me because of it."

"Oh alright, then well, you don't have to worry now."

"Right, they're dead now and I'm here."

"With me and Katniss," Cady said from where she now sat on his shoulders

"Exactly." Kawino smiled.

"Good then."

"I'm happy now. It sounds weird, but I am."

"You should be," Cady said.

"Weird as a brand new victor though."

"I can't imagine."

"You don't want to."

"Then try not thinking about it."

"I'm still happy though is the thing."

"Good."

"It's just rare is more what I meant."

"Now that's true, but I'm sure Katniss is happy too."

"I am," Katniss said.

"See Kawino, you're not alone."

"Well, I'm glad she's happy."

"You seem nice," Prim said.

"I am unless you give me a reason not to be."

"Good to know."

"Yes and I'm sure you won't."

"I hope not," she said.

"From what I heard you won't."

"What have you heard?"

"Oh, a whole bunch of great stuff from Katniss."

She smiled at that. "Good to know."

"She really seems to admire you."

"She does?"

"Definitely."

"Why? I'm not special."

"You're very special, Prim," Katniss corrected.

"Not compared to you."

"You are. Just in different ways."

Prim smiled slightly as they entered the Victors' Village. "Wow!" Prim said, looking around.

"You each get one of these!?" Cady asked.

"One per victor or can be combined."

"Really?"

"Pretty sure."

"So, we all can live together?"

"Yes, we can."

"I'd like that."

"We will."

"Gale, you could come too," Katniss offered.

"I will then," Gale said, keeping Kawino in the corner of his eye.

"Fantastic." Kawino groaned.

"Okay, what's you two's problem?"

"What do you mean?" they asked.

"With each other, clearly there is one."

"I don't trust him, Catnip."

"Because he's a Career? You heard what he said in the interview Gale."

"Yeah, I heard," he muttered

"Why don't you trust him?"

"He's jealous." Cady said and Prim of all people nodded.

Katniss laughed a bit. "What? No, he's just a friend. A really good one but nothing like that."

"To you maybe."

Katniss looked back to Gale. "Is that true, Gale?" Gale didn't know how to respond. "No, I don't believe it."

"Catnip, I..." He said seeming nervous

"Gale, I'm sorry but I never saw you that way."

"Never?" he asked, seeming hurt if only slightly.

"To be fair, I never thought of anyone that way until Kawino."

"Why him?"

"He's extremely brave, sweet, and selfless and despite everything he's been through he didn't just become bitter and hate the world or spend all of his time crying over it." Gale didn't seem convinced. "Gale, I'm serious."

"Fine, I suppose." He sighed.

"And you can both stop that stuff with each other."

"I will try."

"You had better."

"I will, too," Kawino said.

"Good, I care about you both. Just in different ways."

"Right, I get it." He sighed.

"So, let's just check out the house."

They all nodded Cady turned to Prim smiling. "I think we'll get along."

"I think so, too." Prim smiled.

Kawino smiled it was nice to see Cady make friends "It'll be good for her," he whispered.

"What?" Katniss asked taking his hand. He motioned to Cady and Prim. "They seem like they'll be good friends." She said

"I think so and it will be good for Cady."

"Prim, too."

"It's great then."

"Yeah, now we have a home to explore."

"Yes, let's go together."

She nodded opening the door to a wide high ceiling entrance hall with a grand stair case off to the right painted in a light gold shade. "This is amazing!" Kawino said.

"This is only the start too." Enobaria said.

"It gets better?"

"Yes it does, and that's before we make it our own."

"Unbelievable."

"Yeah, go ahead everybody wonder."

'There's no way she really loves him,' Gale thought, watching Katniss and Kawino head off. 'It's all an act. I just need to prove it.' He thought. 'Then I can break them up and she'll be mine. Should be simple.' He thought smiling as he followed everyone in.

'Just need a plan. Maybe if I find someone else for Kawino. Then, she'll be all mine."

'Just need to figure out who.'