Hey guys - this is just a filler chapter, so I'm sorry about that, but I really hope you enjoy it.

I actually really wanted to say thank you for the amazing reviews I got, they were so nice. I actually want to share one with you that was so nice, it made my day:

This made me cry :'( You're an amazing writer. My heart hurts with all the
feelings, Thank you. You made the most incredible fan fiction ever.

Thank you to whoever posted this - it was a guest, so I couldn't reply personally, but I'm really touched.

Enjoy this chapter - I promise you that the next one will be better xxxxxxx

18

Cato

As soon as we step offstage, all hell breaks loose. Katniss is sobbing, Annie is trying to soothe her, Haymitch is shouting at no-one in particular and Cinna is holding back Mags, who appeared out of nowhere and is so angry at Katniss she looks ready to kill. As she breaks free of Cinna's grip, I'm in her path and I scream, "EVERYBODY CALM DOWN!" Immediately everyone shuts up and looks at me in shock, except Katniss who continues to cry.

I scoop her into my arms and she cries onto my chest as I ask, "Annie. You were dead. What the fuck is going on?" Annie shakes her head, eyes brimming as she explains, "No. Finnick thought I was dying and had sent him away, but I was actually at Snow's private prison. With Prim." Katniss' head jerks up and she jumps out of my arms, straight up in Annie's face, shouting, "Is she ok? What's he doing to her? Did you look after her?" Annie nods yes and continues talking to me, "Anyway, when I heard he was dead, I only wanted one thing. I still only want one thing. I need you to help me die."

Everyone is speechless for a moment. Katniss speaks first, "If that's what you want, I'm in. I will never stop owing you; I'll do whatever you want." Annie takes a minute to reply, but when she does, a lone tear rolls down her cheek as she answers,

"Yes. I do want to die. I wanna be with Finnick again. I miss him so much. But Katniss, I want you to know that none of this is your fault. You had to think about your family, about yourself, and I would have done exactly the same." Katniss nods tearfully and hugs her tightly.

Haymitch interrupts quickly, "But Annie, there are plenty of weapons in the training room, why don't you just go there?" She smiles tightly and explains, "They won't let me in there alone, which is why you guys need to come with me. You have to help me make it look like an accident."

Everyone instantly understands and goes to hug Annie before retreating to their respective rooms. Katniss and I hug her before leaving and everyone thinks Kat is fine now. I know her better and I can see her barely holding herself together.

"Oh God, Cato. What the fuck have I done?" she cries and I take her into my arms. It reminds me of the time she fell over in the arena and I caught her. That was the first time we gave anyone a hint of our relationship. She wasn't crying then though… "Baby, you did what he wanted, and now you're doing what she wants, ok? It's for the best," I say and cup her face, making her look up at me.

"But Cato. I let someone die for me who had a life waiting for them. How can I let someone else die for me as well?" I nod and kiss her hair murmuring, "Baby, there's nothing you can do about Finnick. And all you can do for Annie right now is let her die – that's what she wants. Now, c'mon! Let's go to the roof – I wanna show you something." She takes my hand and lets me lead her upstairs where a massive picnic is waiting.

We look down over the Capitol where a massive party is happening. The citizens are celebrating Katniss' win, but that's not what I want her to see. I press a small button by the wall which stops us falling and fireworks explode in the sky.

Katniss

I gasp as I see the message they spell out 'KATNISS, WILL YOU MARRY ME- AGAIN?' I'm in tears, absolute floods and I turn to him. He whispers, "Babe. I love you more than life itself. The Capitol calls you the Girl on Fire, the Girl of firsts. Well you're my girl on fire. You light me up, and pass your flame on to so many others. You make me better. You're my girl of firsts – the first girl to make me fall in love with her, the first girl to truly understand me. I wanna be the first and only man to put a ring on your finger. Katniss Everdeen, will you marry me?" I can barely speak through my tears but I manage to choke out a yes and he scoops me up in his arms and I hook my legs round his waist as he spins me round joyfully.

He sets me down and murmurs, "If I could have done it my way, that's how I would have done it. I want to give you a real wedding, one you want, one you'll enjoy. I want your sister to be there, and I want to make it seem real. But we don't have to. We can do whatever, whenever as long as you are there."

I kiss him tenderly and whisper, choking out the words through my tears, "Cato. I love you so much. I never thought…not in a million years…that I'd be so lucky… as to fall in love with someone who is as good a friend as they are a lover. You'll be the best husband, and hopefully in the future, the best father. I've changed since I met you, become more trusting and more accepting. You've brought that out in me, the best parts of me. I can't believe I've had so much luck as to fall in love with someone so incredible, but more than that, have him love me back. I love you. And of course I will marry you." After we'd finally calmed down, we decided to go out to dinner, at a small bistro opposite our apartment.

We woke up in bed together to Haymitch throwing tabloid papers and magazines on us. "Whoa!" Cato shouted, "What's up, man?" Haymitch rolled his eyes and pointed at the pictures on front of each one. There were hundreds, photos of the fireworks; us out together and even (unfortunately) some of us in bed together – mid-sex. We both groaned and Haymitch nodded, "Yeah, getting it now?"

He picked up a random paper and read aloud, "After news Cato and Katniss Hadley would be getting remarried, it was no surprise to hear that they seemed completely love-struck when out together last night. Witnesses agree that they had eyes for nobody but each other and one even added, 'You could have put dog shit on their plates and they wouldn't have noticed'. It seems that the two young victors can do no wrong."

Cato smirked and I said, "I would have noticed if I was eating dog shit." Haymitch whacked me round the head with the paper and shouted, "Katniss! This is a big problem! Now Snow has many, many pictures that he can use against you. Pictures of you naked, doing some very inappropriate things." I blushed and Cato shrugged, "Don't worry, babe, its good practice. And your boobs look great." I slapped him but before he could respond Haymitch jerked his head up and questioned us, "What does that mean? What deal have you made with him?"

I hang my head but have to explain, "In about 8 months, after I've fully recovered, Cato and I have to go into… Finnick's line of work. In return, he made sure Cato didn't go into the arena and helped me win." Haymitch is silent, for so long I'm actually worried and then suddenly he lets out a roar of absolute fury and storms out. We hear loud crashes and squeals from Effie and my prep team. I throw a dressing gown to Cato, put one on myself and hurry into the living room where Haymitch is throwing all his bottles of alcohol in the bin. "Haymitch! What on earth are you doing?" I scream and he spins to face me. He looks terrifying, angrier than I've ever seen him.

"I'm sobering up so I can help you! Why didn't you come to me, Katniss? I could have stopped this before it got out of hand." I shake my head and move closer to him, taking his hand and whispering, "I didn't have a choice. I needed to make sure my family was safe. Plus, it was either this, or losing my family. I couldn't lose Prim-again, or worse, lose Cato. At least with this we're together." Haymitch nods sadly and he begins to cry.

This makes me feel like shit, watching him break down is so painful. I kneel in front of him and murmur, "Its ok. We'll get through this together, Mitch." He nods and pulls me into a hug, then lets me go, reminding me that it's Thursday and I need to get ready, to see Prim. And to tell her the truth. About everything.