When I woke up I felt refreshed. Something different something I hadn't felt for a long time. A sense of contentment prevailed. Peeta had left early to take a run along the beach. Johanna was on her patio smoking. I sauntered over there for company.

"How are you this morning?"

"Hungover, but happy."

"Because Helmut was there?"

"Yes."

The question had seeped into my mind last night I thought all the Victors had died. Where did Helmut come from? How did he escape both sides gunning to kill him?

"I thought the other Victors were dead?"

"Helmut lives in the woods. He appears when he wants to. They would have firebombed all of Seven to get him. They couldn't find him to mentor after Blight won."

I laugh out loud.

"He looks like he lives in the woods."

"Peeta and I are getting married." I blurt out.

"Speak of the devil and he will appear" Johanna chuckles.

Peeta trotted up to the patio. He planted a kiss on my forehead. I immediately intwine my fingers in his.

"I was looking for you."

"Congrats, did you give her the ring?" Johanna says.

"Thank you. And yes I did" Peeta responded

I find myself smiling. A giant shadow looms over us.

"Hey! Where's the newlyweds?" It was Helmut carrying a package.

"Still at the Justice building I assume. I'm surprised that Capitol tart agreed to have a quiet wedding." Johanna says.

"Effie gets a photoshoot when she goes back to the Capitol. She's not as superficial as you think." Peeta retorts.

"Oh! Breakfast!" Johanna sings.

We sit and eat breakfast cheerfully. We plan on meeting Haymitch and Effie later at a casino boat. I keep my hand in Peeta's grounding myself. He's a rock, I feel the calm flowing through him into me. Johanna and Peeta smoke cigarettes, Helmut chews tobacco. Peeta took up smoking after the hijacking he says it calms his nerves. So I let it rest. We retire to our cottage after we lay around the backyard of hers. Upon entering he wraps his arms around me.

"Wear the ring on your finger." He says as he rocks back and forth planting kisses along my neck.

"Okay." I reply "After Effie and Haymitch get to celebrate."

He spins me around and puts my face in his hands looking me in the eyes. Those blue eyes.

"You and me are supposed to be together. That's why my name was pulled from that bowl."

I avert my gaze at the reminder of the reaping. He turns my face back to his.

"I fed you. I give you what you need to live." His eyes become hard "I told you to never turn away from me."

He removes a hand from my face and grips more tightly, with the other he grips my waist and pulls me to him and begins kissing my all over. The world spins, tongues rolling hands grasping. He feels desperate. He presses me to him frantically. I feel the same, I run my hands madly underneath his shirt and run them up his chest. I feel his heart quicken I move them down and find the waistband of his pants. My hands clumsily pull at them. He picks me up and slams me onto the bed.

"God fuck me please!" I cry

He hastily pulls down my pants and enters me just as quickly. Pumping, pounding, grunting, his eyes full. Showing me where I belong. Imprinting it onto my mind my body. His body more powerful than anything I've ever known. And when I come I'm unable to contain myself. He's inside me, just not in the literal sense. The way he makes me feel transcends that. There aren't any words. When he finishes me I'm exhausted, sprawled across the bed. He pulls out and I hear him walking into the bathroom and turning the shower on. Whatever it was he needed to prove he did. I drift off to sleep dreamless until Peeta shakes me awake. He plants kisses on my shoulders.

"Love you. Time to get ready." He whispers to me.

I rise shower, and slip on a pair of harem pants and a cropped shirt Cinna gave me.

We meet the others outside the resort. Effie is glowing. With the exception of last night she has been her natural self. She's lovely under the shroud of makeup. Peeta strokes my back as we wait for the car.

"You're lovely Effie" I tell her and her face brightens more. Haymitch looks happy. "It's a giant step forward. I wish both of you a happy life." With that he hugs me. Eventually the car arrives late and Effie is trying her hardest to contain her aggravation. We all usually fit nicely in the town car but the sheer bulk of Helmut combined with Peeta causes us to be squeezed together.

"Good thing we showered" Johanna quips.

We arrive at a giant riverboat decorated with lights. The entrance is grand with it's marble floors and red drapes adorning the windows. Orchids line the room. The carpet of the casino area is red and Haymitch guides us to a blackjack table where he, Johanna, and Helmut but in. The fellow patrons are mostly Capitol socialites. Peeta and I decide to walk around the casino and play the slot machines, which jingle and jangle. It doesn't take long for any of us to be noticed. A crowd gathered around the table where the rest of our group play.

"It's the girl on fire!" A voice exclaims. A ridiculous looking man with purple hair and a leather jacket greets us. "Huge fan! I'm so happy you both are reunited." I stay silent.

"So are we." Peeta answers monotone.

"Well I figured I'd give you my tidings. I'll leave you alone now. Good luck!" He says as he departs.

"And may the odds be ever in your favor." I say under my breath. Peeta and I laugh. We play for a while then decide to check out the outer decks, which are adorned in lights. Music plays and scantily clad women dance. Women ooh and ahh at Peeta staring at him hungrily. We take a seat at the end of the deck where a waitress dressed as a maid presents us with a giant pipe with hoses and flavored tobacco.
"On the house" She smiles. We order a couple apple ciders and watch the crowd.

"They love their entertainment." Peeta says. I nod.

"I'm Silas." A dark skinned man says as he sits beside us. "I'm from Eleven. I'm sorry to bother you but we need someone. You see since the wars end not everything has flourish like Four once the Capitol's oppression ended. Crime has taken hold in Eleven. Former Snow officials traffic women, the crops, and revenue is not distributed evenly as was agreed upon. We need a voice, our Victors are dead. But both of you are important to Eleven. We need someone on our side to make the Capitol listen. You don't need to do anything now. Just come to Eleven to see for yourself." Silas had sincere eyes, and regarded us as equal.

"We can do that. No guarantee we can help but we'll do what we can."

"Their families? Thresh and Rue? Are they…"

"Alive. They live in the Victor's Village." He answers before I finish the question. "My party is waiting for me. I saw you sitting here and didn't want to miss the chance. Good luck! Have a good evening." He rose and left us.

We sat and puffed upon the flavored tobacco and sipped our apple cider.

"Let's check on our party." Peeta says standing and offering me his hand.

"Let's who knows what they've gotten into."

Upon re entry in the Casino we hear cheering. I search for it's source. My eyes rest upon the table where our friends sit. Effie clapping wildly. Helmut and Haymitch patting Johanna's back. We push through the crowd to join them.

"You missed it!" Johanna yells.

"I just won fifty thousand smackers!"

"Congrats!" Peeta smiles. I smile as well.

I smile through my teeth. We don't need money. The people in the districts do. I'm not saying Johanna plans on keeping the money all to herself. Knowing her she's going to be giving it to the people of Seven. What about the districts who don't have Victors looking after them? One surely can do without, but Five, Six, Eight, Ten, Eleven? Who looks after them. It's in this moment I realize my job as the Mockingjay is not done. It's only just beginning.