Hullo readers!

So I'm posting another chapter (obviously) and I think it's earlier than I have been lately...I've developed a nasty habit of completely losing any track of time so...yeah, I'm not sure when I last posted :P

Anyway! (I say that an awful lot in these authors notes, maybe I should start using a synonym...)

Back on point, this chapter will be focusing on the dinner with Pixie, and foreshadowing of the victory tour, which I'm thinking I'll do a time jump and next chapter will either be the day of, or the day before said tour. We'll see how things go.

Also! I had an absolutely brilliant idea for a new fanfic to write! And I'm sooooo excited to get started on it, but I've told myself that I must finish this one first, and then I can write the story about Finn and Annie's son and this new fanfic at the same time.

I'm not going to tell you any details, but I will give you a general idea of what it is.

It's not a HG fanfic, so a lot of you probably won't be interested. It is a crossover, and I don't think this idea or plot or even crossover has ever happened before. Actually, there isn't, at least not on Fanfiction; I checked. (Shocking I know!)

I will post more details once I'm finished with this story, but for now that's all you get to know *snickers*

So on with the chapter! Be sure to drop me a PM if there's any questions or just to chat, and I'd appreciate a review if you've enjoyed the story thus far ;)

Chapter Eight: Dinner, with a side of dread.

Felix and I returned from shopping and got to work preparing dinner. Becky has been moved downstairs into the living room couch, where Leroy is reading to her. My father and mister Riller are out and about somewhere or other, and Dash is still nowhere to be found.

At five-thirty sharp, there is a knock on the door that announces Pixie's arrival. I answer the door and give her a hug before leading her into the living room.

"You are very punctual."

She laughs at my comment and shrugs.

"When you're a District escort you learn to live by the minute. This must be Leroy."

He smiles and Becky sits up from leaning on him so that he can stand and shake Pixie's hand.

"Yes that's me, it's nice to meet you Pixie. Thank you for doing all you could to help my family."

She smiles and gives him a quick hug.

"Of course dear! I'm so sorry I couldn't bring them both home to you."

Leroy smiles sadly and shrugs.
"It wasn't your fault. I appreciate all you did for Will, and I know he appreciated it to."

Pixie blinks several times and takes a deep breath.
"Yes, well, that's my job isn't it? And who is this lovely young lady?"

Leroy smiles and brushes a lock of hair out of Becky's face.

"This is my girlfriend Becky Riller."

Becky gives Pixie a small wave.

"Excuse me for not standing up, doctor's orders."

Pixie looks surprised.

"Oh goodness! If you don't mind me asking, why do you need a doctor?"

I slip away as Becky and Leroy start to recount all that's happened in the past day and join Felix in the kitchen.

"Mmm, it smells good."

Felix stands over a large pot on the stove, wielding a wooden spoon in one hand, and a jar of spice in the other.
"Well it should, I've been slaving over it for the past few hours."

I laugh and lean on the counter next to him, inhaling some steam rising from the pot as I reply.

"You mean We've been slaving over."

He waves a hand airily as if to brush away the comment and I roll my eyes at him.

"So how is the chowder coming?"

He stirs the thick mixture slowly and then raises the spoon.

"You tell me."

He holds the spoon out to me and I blow on it before tasting. Felix looks at me expectantly and holds up the jar of spice.

"Does it need more spices?"

I shake my head.

"Maybe a tad more salt, but other than that it's perfect."

He smiles and tosses me the spice bottle.
"Well put this away then, and I'll get the salt."

Twenty minutes later and my father and mister Riller have arrived, and everyone is seated around the table enjoying the chowder and fresh bread. It was a good night, one of the best I've had since the games, and it was good to spend time eating and laughing with friends and family. After dinner we retired to the living room, where us teenagers talked amongst ourselves, or listened to the adults.

I glance out the window and see the last hint of the sun disappear over the ocean, with a content sigh I lean my head back against Felix's shoulder and direct my attention inside. Leroy is holding Becky's hand, and her legs are draped over his, Pixie is sitting in the armchair next to mister Riller, and my father is sitting in his rocking chair.

The adults are busy talking about taxes, dips and rises in fish population and other things that don't hold my attention for very long. Felix seems to be interested though, and he makes the odd comment now and then. Becky and Leroy seem content to just sit together and listen, but I am getting sleepy, and if I don't start talking for get up soon I'm going to fall asleep. As if in answer to my thoughts, a knock sounds on the door. Before anyone can move I practically jump up.

"I'll get it!"

I declare, probably a bit to loud, and hurry to the door. I stand poised in the doorway, my hand on the half-open door.

"Dash, where did you disappear to..."

I trail off, noticing the worn but determined look on his face, and the lack of his usually casual attitude.

"I had some...things to do. Am I interrupting something? I could come back..."

I swing the door open and step out of the way, saying quickly.

"No, no, you're not interrupting anything. Come in."

He hesitates for a moment before walking in. I close the door behind me and lean against it.
"Is there something wrong?"

I ask tentatively. He turns around quickly and looks slightly surprised before smiling.

"No, of course not. I'm just a little tired."

I nod, feeling a pit in my stomach. His smile was the easy one he usually reserved for the Capitol, and it didn't reach his eyes. He's not telling me something, and that worries me. But I smile anyway and straighten up.

"Alright, why don't you come say hi? Oh and there's chowder left over if you're hungry."

He shakes his head and follows me to the living room.

"I'm not hungry, but thanks for the offer."

We walk into the living room and introductions and greetings are made. I return to my seat next to Felix, sitting up straight so there's room for Dash. Becky and Leroy decide to go out on the back porch and sit on the swing since the evening is so nice. Which leaves Felix Dash and I with the adults. They resume their conversation as before, with Dash joining in. I keep a close eye on Dash, noticing that he appears casual and relaxed, but I know he still has something weighing on him. I can feel the undercurrent of tension spread to Felix, and I know he suspects something too. After about half and hour of talking, Dash stands up and says.
"Well, I'd better head home. Just dropped by to see how Becky was doing."

Mister Riller stands up and shakes his hand.
"I appreciate that, it was good to meet you."

Dash nods.
"Same. I'll see you later mister Flint."

My father shakes his hand and smiles.

"You're welcomed to drop by any time."

Dash exchanges a nod with Pixie and then walks towards the door. Felix suddenly stands up.

"Hey I'll walk you home. You wanted to ask me about your boat?"

Dash pauses for a minute, and then nods.

"Right...we can talk on the way."

I stand up and take a step forward before Felix holds a hand out to stop me, saying quickly.

"You stay here Mags, I'll just be a minute, and I can tell you're tired."

I'm so shocked I can't even argue as they walk out. I stare at the closed door for a few minutes before fear settles in. Felix lied to me. He never lies, especially to me. Dash is worried, he almost never gets worried. What is going on? I bite my lip and make a decision that I'll probably regret later.

"Hey dad, I'm going to just head upstairs and lie down. Felix is right I am tired. Could you tell him when he gets back?"

My father nods and gives me a quick kiss and hug.

"Alright, get some rest. Goodnight sweetheart."

"Goodnight, I'll see you in the morning."

I say a hasty goodnight to mister Riller, and duck upstairs. Once in my room, I slip on a black hoodie and escape out my window. I walk on the roof until I reach the back of the house, and I lower myself down onto the deck railing.

"Mags?"

I curse under my breath and straighten up.

"Leroy, you didn't see me okay?"

He raises an eyebrow.

"Where are you going?"

Dang it Leroy, this was not the time to be the over protective brother.
"Where's Becky?"

He nods towards the door.
"Bathroom. You didn't answer my question."

My mind races for a plausible excuse and I say quickly.

"I'm going to take a quick walk on the beach."

"Why be sneaky about it?"

"What? I'm not being sneaky!"

I say indignantly. He just pointedly looks at the roof, and then my black hoodie. I sigh and roll my eyes.

"Fine, I'm going to see if I can find some shells to surprise Becky with. Don't tell anyone."

He gives me a long look, and I know he doesn't quite believe me, but finally he nods and says.
"Alright fine, I didn't see you."

I flash him a smile and make my way around the house to the street. After a minute of running, I catch sight of Felix and Dash on the street ahead of me. I stay in the shadows and duck behind buildings until I'm close enough to hear them.

"So a note just shows up on your doorstep telling you when to go to the Capitol?"

Felix's voice, low and disbelieving. Dash told him about his 'job' in the Capitol?

"Yes. And I'm afraid Mags will have to suffer the same fate."

I wince as I hear Felix's teeth grind together, but he remains otherwise silent, allowing Dash to continue.
"I'm going to do everything I can to keep her out of it, but there's only so much I can do without putting her in even more danger. The president will find out that I care about her. He always finds out."

Okay so now he's confessing his feelings for me? To Felix? I must be dreaming or there is something seriously weird going on.

"I know, so what do we do?"

And Felix just takes it in stride like he knew Dash had feelings for me? Did he know? Why isn't he effected by this information? Maybe they've talked about it before.

"I don't know that there's all that much we can do. Just be careful and hope for the best. If Mags plays up the fact that she's taken, then it might discourage the President from using her. There are some who don't care if the victor is taken or not, but surprisingly the majority of the Capitolites still have some sense of morality."

"What do we do if that doesn't discourage him?"

There's a pause, and I duck into a doorway as they both stop.

"I don't know. We'll have to figure it out as we go along."

They continue walking as Dash finishes.
"I do know one thing, we both would do anything to keep her safe."

"I know. Too bad that doesn't stop the worrying."

They had looped around Victors Village, and now they arrive at Dash's house. They pause on the porch.

"I'll keep you updated once we're on the tour."

"Thanks, I appreciate you doing all of this."

Dash shrugs.
"Mags loves you, and you deserve to know everything."

"Yeah but...you didn't have to do any of this. You could hate me."

Dash chuckles and I see him shake his head.
"Mags made her choice long before she met me, I'm just glad to have her friendship, and yours."

Felix shakes his hand and says.

"Well, it's good to have your friendship too. I'm glad Mags has someone to look after her when I can't. I'll see you later."

"Alright, see you."

Dash disappears inside and Felix walks down the steps and heads back towards my house. I realize that he might go upstairs to say goodbye, so I duck onto the sand behind the large houses in Victors Village and run back to my house. I scale the railing on the side of the house, pull myself onto the roof and slip inside my window just as I hear Felix walking up the stairs. I hurriedly pull off the hoodie and my jeans, leaving me in my underwear and tank top. I jump onto the bed and pull the covers over me just as he knocks on the door.

"Come in."

I say, in a slightly winded voice that I hope just sounds tired. Silently thanking my arena training for building up my speed and stamina. Felix walks in and sits on the edge of the bed.

"Hey."

I give him a small smile.
"Hey."

He brushes some hair out of my face.
"You get some rest alright? I'll see you tomorrow."

I nod.
"So what did you and Dash talk about?"

He shrugs.

"Oh, just something that's been on both of our minds. No need to worry about it."

"Okay."

He smiles and leans down, planting a kiss on my forehead.

"Goodnight Mags."

I cross my arms and stare at him. He raises his eyebrows.
"What?"

"You call that a goodnight kiss?"

He grins and leans down again, kissing me like he means it before straightening up again and tapping the end of my nose.
"That more satisfactory?"

I try not to smile as I nod.

"Much better. I'll see you tomorrow honey."

He adjusts the covers over me before standing up and walking to the door.

"Tomorrow. Goodnight darling."

He closes the door quietly behind him and I relax back into my pillow. Staring at the ceiling for a long time. Unable to sleep. How long have Felix and Dash been talking together about these kinds of things? Why has Felix never told me he knew that Dash had feelings for me? And why on earth would they not tell me anything? Maybe they're scared to tell me. Or they think they're protecting me. But they had to know I would be mad if I ever found out. I can imagine them standing side by side with their arms crossed saying "it's for your own good Mags." And other things like that.

I sigh and roll over, crossing my arms under my pillow and closing my eyes. I can worry about all that and decide whether or not to confront them about it tomorrow, but right now I really need some sleep.

Author's note: Gosh I didn't realize how short that was... Well the next chapter should be longer, but I didn't have anything else to put in this one so this will have to do.

As always, thanks for reading and if you wouldn't mind reviews are awesome! And or PM me with any thoughts, questions or if you'd just like to chat :)

peace out Hamlitons