No matter how many years I've been in Division I've only met Alma Coin twice. Once when I first came here when I was eight and when I got my 'career test' five years ago when I turned eighteen. Basically her seeing whether or not I was balanced mentally and seeing how my psyche worked. I clearly passed but in both times the woman had sent a chill through my body, I wasn't scared but intimidated. There was something about her eyes that screamed ruthless and seeing her in action today showed me what she is willing to do.

My mentors, both Brutus and Enobaria, had told me about Alma and later told me of the relationship she had with Katniss, how they were in some levels, the surrogate mother and child for each other. Therefore I didn't think Coin would be too heartless, but I was wrong, she had no trouble pulling the 'dead lover' card and seeing Katniss crying somewhat pulled at my heart strings, something I was sure couldn't be right yet seeing those tear filled eyes that are usually so strong did something to me.

I locked her in her 'cage', as she insists calling it, and went to have a talk with both my mentors.

"Ah Cato, come right in, sit down. What is it that you wanted to talk with us?"

"You know that I have been assigned a new mission right?"

"Yes, but Snow wouldn't tell us what it was about." Enobaria replied confused as to why Snow would keep such a thing from them both.

"I have to guard someone."

"That's it? Boy, if you are having troubles with that then we trained you wrong." Brutus sits down on the couch next to Enobaria with a drink in hand.

"Brutus shut up. Who is it you're guarding?"

"Katniss Everdeen."

"What?"

They say in unison, or at least try to seeing that Brutus practically spit his drink right out while saying it.

"Katniss Everdeen. The Girl On Fire."

"Boy we know who she is. One of the best and one hell of a girl."

"You know her?" I had no idea they could know her. For all I know they only trained the Careers.

"Of course we do, or did you thing we only trained you?" He says laughing.

"No of course not but I only thought you trained Careers. And what do you mean 'one hell of a girl'?"

"Exactly what I meant. She's not like the rest. She's good."

"Good?"

"Yes good, she still has her humanity, her heart, even after all of this and it was a shame to hear what happened."

"Yes it was. She was such a nice girl. Funny too." Enobaria was adding to the pile.

"But Cato why did you want to talk to us about it?"

"I'm having trouble keeping things compartmentalized."

"So, in short, you're starting to like her?"

"No, well yes, well, I'm liking the person she is and she is not the traitor Snow described. He said she would try to manipulate me, try to escape again yet all she has done so far is being complacent and throwing herself under the bus for some new recruit."

"That sounds like Katniss." He says then taking a sip of his new glass of whiskey.

"Well it was bound to happen eventually."

"What do you mean Enobaria?"

"I mean that it's hard not to like someone like Katniss. She's brave, selfless, kind hearted. Much like yourself before all of your training. It was bound to happen. She reminds you of what you used to be. Good."

I'm really starting to hate that word.

"Are you saying I'm not 'good' anymore?"

"Not like you used to be but that is normal Cato, everyone loses a bit of themselves when they get here. Some lose it completely."

"Well what should I do about it?"

"Honestly we don't know, we've never had that problem before but we also never had to guard someone like her."

"Try not to get to attached."

"I've tried that she point blank told me she knew what I was doing and to quit it because it doesn't work to try to 'keep a semblance of distance'" a smirk a bit remembering it.

"Ah that girl. Too smart for her own good."

"She was one of our finest. Much like yourself Cato. Didn't you ever wonder who beat your record of long distance shooting? That was Katniss in her first year while it took you two to get your score." Brutus is openly smiling now eager to rub it in my face.

"Has she talked to her mentor yet?"

"No why?"

"Haymitch must want to know what's going on but I can only imagine the damage that girl will do if she has her hands on him. Intentionally or not he was the one to hunt her down."

"What do-" I'm interrupted by a beeping in my pocket.

"I have to go. Snow wishes to see me."

"Ok, go ahead. Oh and Cato, don't tell Snow anything about this. Good luck."

"Thanks and besides, I'm not that stupid."

I'm walking through corridors trying to get to Snow's office possibilities of why he'd want to see me going through my brain. I'm fairly positive he doesn't know about my liking of Katniss but that is all I can think about.

I knock on the door twice before letting myself in.

"Cato, my boy, how is our little fireball doing?"

"I'm thinking well sir."

"Good, good. I'm sure you're wondering why I called you in here."

"Indeed sir I am."

"Well I assure you it wasn't to talk about the weather. Here is a tablet that is filled with information about Miss Everdeen. Some of it necessary other more so that you know what you are dealing with. There are video and audio files, pictures, debriefs anything you require knowing and more. That is everything we know about Miss Everdeen."

"Thank you sir, that will help my task immensely."

"You're welcome my boy. You're dismissed."

I walk back to mine and Katniss' room only to find her asleep but it doesn't seem to be a restful sleep. She's thrashing wildly and there are tears streaming down her face.

Making a split second decision that I don't even bother questioning I throw the tablet one the bed, unlock the door and walk in sitting at the side of her bed shaking her to wake up calling her name.

She suddenly opens her eyes that are instantly filled to the brim in tears and she does something that completely bewilders me. She latches on to me in a hug, her arms trying to find purchase on anything and settling on my shirt, her head resting on my chest where my heart is beating wildly, and, without a second thought I put my arms around her protectively as if shielding her from the world, rocking her back and forth whispering words of comfort in her ear. After a couple of minutes she falls back asleep. I can feel the change in her breathing and I lay her down on the tucking her in making her as comfortable as possible after wiping the tear tracks off her face.

I lock the door again and step into the bathroom looking at myself in the mirror. My crumpled shirt, the wet spot were underneath my heart is still beating at a staccato rhythm and all I could think was

Where the hell have I just gotten myself into?

A/N: Sooo, what do you think? I'm thinking of making a Cato POV every ten or so chapters, more if you want :)

What do you think? Drop a review lovelies!