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20

Katniss

"Wait, what?" Cato asks, suddenly furious. Haymitch rolls his eyes and sits down, grabbing a magazine. From behind it, he says, "Just let me know when you're done," but we both ignore him. I answer, "He's alive, Cato. I didn't let him die for me, because he's still alive. He's staying with Prim. In his prison. We're breaking them out tonight." He sits down, head in his hands and asks, "How the fucking hell do you know all this?" I smile and sit beside him, taking his hand as I say, "Prim told me." I can see he's about to interrupt but I continue, "Through her eyes."

Cato falls silent for a moment and then says, "How? I saw him die. You did too. Explain." At this we both look to Haymitch, who blushes before responding, "The rebellion has been planned for ages. But it couldn't go ahead with Finnick Odair dead. So as soon as we got him out of the arena, the doctors went to work on his body, and saved his life. Snow found out and captured him, ready to reveal our treason any time he wanted. But not anymore. Because we're leaving tonight."

Cato shakes his head once more and says, "No way. He's not coming with us." I pull a face that asks why and Cato begins to shout, "Because he's in love with you, that's why! I love you too much to lose you, especially to someone like him. I would never feel safe or secure with him around. He's amazing and I'm…"

I laugh and spring to my feet, straddling his lap and I finish, "Perfect. You're perfect. You're not cocky like Finnick. You're not the traditional statuesque build like Finnick. You're you. You're handsome, sweet, kind and funny. You're romantic, muscly and above all, you love me more than you love yourself. So Finnick and Annie will come with us, because I love YOU. And I will never leave you."

He kisses me and pulls me into a tight embrace but he has one more question. "Where are we going?" At this, Haymitch smirks and comes over, putting his arms around us both. "Kids. We're going to England."

Both Cato and I gasp with glee and hug once more. Haymitch dismisses us then, saying something about final details for tonight. We decide to go up to the roof, to say goodbye to the Capitol. "Despite all the shit we've been through here, I'm actually gonna miss this place," I say and Cato laughs, slipping his arms around my waist and saying, "I know, right? I have so much to be grateful for, stuff that wouldn't ever have happened if I hadn't come here." I spin to face him and ask, "Yeah? Like what?" He chuckles and looks down at me, as if to say 'Like you don't know.' "Dear Lord, I wish to say thanks," he declares and closes his eyes.

I close mine too to listen to him as he speaks quietly. "Thank you for picking me to volunteer for the 74th Hunger Games. It got me away from my family, and allowed me to meet the most wonderful girl. Thank you for having the rebels strike in the middle of our Games. Without it, I probably would be dead; because I remember thinking that I would have to kill myself for said girl. Thank you for giving us Peeta, a boy so wonderful and kind that he gave up the love of his life, and eventually his actual life so we could be happy. Thank you for giving us President Snow, who got us through the Quell, and kept little Prim alive. Thank you for allowing us to marry, hopefully twice, and for allowing my wonderful wife to bear a child. But most of all, thank you for giving me the words to tell my amazing, brave, cheeky, darling, enigmatic, funny, gorgeous, happy, inspiring, joyful, kind, lovely, melodious, naughty, one-of-a-kind, pretty, quirky, reliable, soulful, talented, unbelievable, valued, wacky (another slap), eXciting, yummy and zany wife, who I love more and more every day." By the end of this, we're both crying and I kiss him before saying, "I love you. I can think of plenty of things to describe you, but we need to get ready and we need something to entertain us on the journey to England. By the way, eXciting doesn't count."

When we get downstairs, Haymitch is waiting with the others. "It's off, guys," Cinna says and both Cato and I stop in our tracks. "Why?" I ask slowly, suddenly uneasy but Cinna shrugs, "Snow decided not to go out tonight. Too much security." We both nod, and sit down next to Effie who is sniffling. "Wow, Effie. That cold sounds pretty bad," Cato says and Effie coughs loudly before nodding and retreating to her room. Haymitch raises an eyebrow and asks, "Cold?" Cato laughs and replies, "I don't wanna deal with her shit right now." He pulls me onto his lap and puts on the news. The top headline reads '26 reasons to love you.' "Shit. Do they have cameras fucking everywhere?" Cato says and Haymitch and Cinna look round, eyes narrowed. "Explain," Haymitch barks but all I have to do is point to the screen, where Cato's speech is being replayed. Even though I'm angry the whole nation is seeing it, I feel all mushy, because it is incredibly cute. Effie, who has re-entered, and my prep team sigh and clap their hands, showing signs of both excitement and jealousy. Haymitch turns off the TV screen abruptly and I can tell we're in for it now.

Cato

Haymitch stands up and begins to pace back and forth. "You're going to wear a hole in the carpet," I say and he starts shouting, "Do you know what? I've had just about enough of your wisecracks today. Do you have any idea what you're doing? You're sending out a message that says 'We don't mind being caught on camera'. That isn't good. How long before you start your own reality show, or get involved in modelling? For god's sake, you two, I thought you knew better!" Katniss stands and shouts back, holding her ground, "Haymitch, calm the fuck down! It's not like we're ripping our clothes off at every opportunity."

Haymitch hits back, screaming, "No! This is worse; this makes you seem weak. All they have to do is hit one and the other is down too. Is that the image you want to project to the whole of Panem? Because seriously sweetheart, everyone is out to get you!" Katniss is about to scream back when she stops, puts her hands on her hips and barks, "Explain. Now." She sits down beside me, crosses her ankles neatly and gives Effie a small wink. Haymitch kneels down in front on us and whispers, "The Rebels want you on their side. The Capitol wants you on their side. There are plenty of people out there willing to use force to get what they want. So for my sake if not your own, do not show them your weaknesses."

"Oh my God, Cato. What are our lives? This is a joke. People using our love against us? How fucking sick can you get?" Katniss rants and it's her turn to pace up and down now. I resist making the same wisecrack again and turn to Haymitch, saying, "We need to see President Snow. But you need to calm down Kat!" She nods and leads me off to Snow's office, where he is waiting behind his desk, fingertips pressed together, almost like he was expecting us.

Katniss

"Mr and Mrs Hadley, a pleasant surprise. I trust all is well?" Snow says and my blood boils. "Cut the crap Snow," I growl and he nods in agreement, before allowing me to continue, "First off, any cameras in here- I want them off." Snow points to one and Cato goes over to turn it off. When he sits back down beside me, I resume my speech, "Good, now we can be frank. I know you've got Finnick. I need to see him." Snow looks surprised for a moment but quickly puts his poker face back on, asking, "What would a happily married woman like you want with someone like Finnick Odair?"

I shake my head and say, "Not your problem. That's between me and him. Rest assured, we have unfinished business that needs resolving." Snow raises his eyebrows again and looks at Cato, who gives the tiniest nod of his head. Then he says, "Fine, Mrs Hadley, you may see Mr Odair; however, he will be escorted to your apartment, Peacekeepers will stand guard outside the apartment at all times and you will have one hour – that is all. Will there be anything else?" I can see Cato shaking his head but suddenly a spark hits me and I have an idea. "Yes, actually, Mr President. Cato and I have decided that we would like to go away from Panem for a while."