A/N: This chapter is a bridge between the mushy moment and the beginning of the tour. Not that original, but with the twist of discovered feelings. Keeping with the theme, it's the beginning of the "small steps" that will lead to…wherever it leads.

Update 3/12/13: Reformatted the text, inserted more line breaks for easier reading

Preparing

I walked into my house, not really sure what I had just committed to. As we parted ways, I was filled with an instant anxiety that threatened to bring me to my knees. I was a little mad at myself for revealing my feelings when I wasn't even sure I really understood them.

I told Peeta, I don't know where any of this leads but that I wanted him to know there was more here. I somehow needed to be honest with him in that regard, but I instantly regretted the feeling that I may have severely increased the danger of our situation.

Now we were about to embark on this tour. I was dreading every second.

Aside from the obvious worry and stress of performing to Snow's expectation, I was ill prepared to be the face of the Capitol. My interview before the games, alone, should somehow disqualify me from having to speak in front of crowds, no matter who they might be.

I've never asked Peeta about his thoughts or how he is processing the experience of living first hand in the games. I know for me, it's endless nightmares and remembering the faces of those that never left that arena.

Now, I am expected to go and pretend that I am happy I was the victor and what's more, I am to stand on all the stages of the various districts and smile as they heap pretend smiles and praises onto me.

After another endless night of horror in my dreams, I awoke, tired and sick to my stomach.

I staggered to the bathroom and turned on the shower. When the water had lost all of the warmth, I stepped out and began the routine of preparing for this day. There wasn't much to do, as my miracle team would be here to prep me shortly.

Making my way down the stairs, I was greeted with the smell of fresh bread. A hint of cinnamon filled my senses and as I rounded the corner to the kitchen, there he was.

"I hope you don't mind, but I wanted to bring you and your family a little something," he said.

His eyes were warm and inviting and he had a calm about him that I was almost jealous of. "Thank you," was all I could muster.

I took a seat at the counter and began to nibble at one of the cheese rolls in front of me. My mother and Prim quickly joined us and we had a moment where no one seemed to be under a cloud of stress and suffering.

My thoughts were all over the place this morning. Here was Peeta, being himself; charming and sincere. My family enjoying the day and my mind was continuing to go back to the seam, back to him.

I had hurt him. I knew that. Gale wasn't Peeta, with a gentle spirit and a soul that could absorb anything without reflecting hurt and anger.

I knew our conversation had to happen if I was to be fair to him, but that didn't mean it didn't hurt to know that I may have lost the only friend I had for so long. My only consolation was that maybe he could have a life he dreamed of with someone that was deserving of his caring heart and personality.

My thoughts were interrupted as the knock on the door signaled the beginning of make believe time. My new name for these moments where the prep team came in and turned me into a puppet for the Capitol – make believe.

Peeta excused himself and as he opened the door, there stood Haymitch. Well, at least he is upright and I can see both of his eyes, I thought. He gave me a look that spoke volumes, are you ready?

I simply nodded and made my way upstairs with my prep team in tow. After a fresh scrub down, endless pulling of hair, powders, creams, and whatever else, my door opened and in walked the one that truly made me comfortable, "Hey Cinna," I said with a smile.

He dismissed the prep team and stood looking at me for a second, then crossed the room and gave me a warm reassuring hug.

"Are you ready for this?" he said.

I just shrugged and gave my best Capitol smile. We went over my talent, which of course was his doing as I could never, in a million years, come up with the creative designs he was able to put together. I had rehearsed all my lines about my new found love of designing clothes and felt ready to face those questions.

He showed me the outfits he had prepared for each stop and I commented on how much Peeta would love the soft orange dress that was marked for district 4. "How is that going, you and Peeta?" Cinna asked.

"Actually good, I think," and I know that my body gave me away as I felt the redness creeping up my neck and into my cheeks.

We left my room and I descended the steps once more. I couldn't help but giggle a little at Prim's face. So young and fresh and just not quite old enough to understand how dreadfully terrible this life really was.

I heard her voice before I saw her, "Oh my, how beautiful. We have such a big big day planned," said Effie. She informed me that the camera crews were in place and that they wanted nothing more than to show the nation just how much the love have blossomed between Peeta and I.

We were going to meet in the lane between our houses and then make our way together to the waiting train. I caught Haymitch's eye and could see the discontent and worry in them. I smiled and gave him a reassuring wink as I opened the door.

It had started to snow earlier that day and the ground was covered. When I reached the bottom of the steps, I looked up and there he was. I had gone over my plan for excitement as I saw him. I would put on my best smile and maybe even giggle a little. I think that's what some of the girls in school would do when they saw a boy that had caught their attention.

But when I saw him standing there, I forgot all about my rehearsed performance and felt my heart swell. I was flooded with a feeling that I had only one other time in my life – the cave. Before I knew what I was doing, I was running toward him and in an ill-thought moment, jumped into his outstretched arms.

This, of course, caught us both off-guard and that, combined with his new prosthetic leg, culminated in the two of us collapsing into the snow blanket covering the lane. I quickly apologized and he just smiled at me.

Without another thought, I leaned my head down and our lips met. An instant fire spread throughout my chest and down my arms and legs. When we broke apart, I climbed off of him and helped him back up and our hands found each other as we started toward the train station.

The look on Haymitch's face said we had done well and it was at that second that I realized I had forgotten about why we needed to be affectionate and in love.

I smiled as I thought about that kiss and how giddy I was over it. The Capitol would think that was a daily routine for us, but in reality it was the first time our lips had met since we left the Capitol.

Through all the confusion and stress, I felt a little closer to Peeta walking to the train and for a brief moment wasn't as scared of this trip.