A/N - Thank you for your reviews and follows they are greatly appreciated - I hope this next installment meets expectations. As before - please let me know your thoughts and opinions, would love to hear them!

The large ornate oak doors to the Justice Building opened and the small petite figure of Emma Pillsbury accompanied by District Four's Mayor John Fabbray walked out onto the make shift stage. Ms. Pillsbury always intrigued Rachel, while from the Capitol she was a muted version of some of the limited fashion forwardness that she had seen from the Capitol. Her auburn hair was styled in a up-do bouffant - her clothes were a single block color but in Capitol fashion and she wore no ostentatious tattoo's or piercings again something most citizens were proud to show off. The national anthem had finished and she reached her spot front and centre of the stage overlooking a deathly silent crowd while lowering the microphone stand down a few notches.

"Welcome to the 74th Annual Hunger Games" her small voice echoing through the square. The outer crowd that consisted of family members not eligible for reaping moved and shifted uncomfortably as the reaping process had now officially begun.

"Today we will choose one boy and one girl who will have the distinct pride and honor to represent District Four in this years Hunger Games." she paused as she did every year as if waiting to hear the crowd erupt in applause or approval - every year silence ensued.

"Well let's get this underway shall we" the sound of Emma's heels resonating through the silent crowd as she walked over to where the names of the districts girls were placed in glass vase woven to replicate fishing net. Her manicured hand delicately picking up a crisp blue envelope that rested on top of the pile. She began the walk back to the middle of the stage, opening the seal on the envelope.

"For the glory of District Four our female tribute is Rachel Berry"

Rachel Berry, she said the name over in her head, she knew that name, it was her. Her mouth was open in shock, the stares and sympathetic glances at her cemented what she already knew, but didn't want to believe. She took a deep breath, closing her eyes just giving herself a second to collect herself, she was now playing a game of life or death and she needed to get her head in the game and start playing. Her eyes opened now no longer full of fear but instead determination - that is what everyone would see when they saw her on television tonight. She lifted her her head high and purposely walked past the crowd of girls who she never knew nor would know. She reached the stage and took her place on stage, she was seated beside their District mentor, she looked over at him in his slacks, shirt and vest hoping there was more to him than what met the eye. Knowing despite her false bravado there were tears fighting hard to break she focused her gaze upon the pier she was seated at only a mere few hours ago, trying hard to etch the image of how the sun was glittering off the blue waves to her memory.

"And now to the boys" the same process was repeated and she now stood once again blue envelope in hand in-front of the microphone.

"For the glory of District Four our male tribute this year is Finn Hudson"

All the composure that Rachel had mustered was lost when she heard his name, she let out a loud gasp, her hand flying to cover her mouth. What a cruel twist fate had thrown her way, of all the opportunities to throw them together, it seemed that fate was sending them to their death together. There was suddenly a commotion in the outer crowd as peacekeepers were making their way to where they were trying to contain Mr. & Mrs. Hudson, she could hear the wails and screams of Mrs. Hudson crying out for her son, her only son. The disturbance had subsided and Rachel was now joined on stage by Finn, who was now standing on the other side of Ms. Pillsbury.

"Let's hear a big round of applause for this year's District Four tributes - Finn Hudson & Rachel Berry"

It seems this time around Ms. Pillsbury knew not to expect any adulation from the crowd and instead of pausing and awaiting for a response, she linked her arms with Finn & Rachel turning and guiding them into the newly opened doors of the Justice Building. Rachel turned for one last look at her home, the sea's full of merchant boats the overhead birds and the smell of salt that always filled the air, she was going to miss it. As she was ushered into the building she turned to once again lock eyes with Finn, noticing that they were no longer bright but instead now filled with a look of terror, a look that mirrored hers.

She was immediately thrust into a large room that was covered on every wall from floor to roof in books, if it were not for the circumstances she would have been in awe from such a sight, perhaps grab a book or two. There was a sudden noise at the door and before she knew what was happening her father was standing in-front of her, his eyes swollen and red.

"Dad" she ran over to him, throwing herself in his arms, in doing so she also opened the flood gates as all the pent up emotion she had been holding onto suddenly exploded.

"I'm so scared dad. I don't want to do this. I don't want to die." she could feel his tears as they fell and mixed in with her own.

"My baby" his hand running through her hair, she recalled he used to do the same thing when she was younger whenever she awoke from a bad dream, it used to soothe her however it wasn't have the same effect now.

"What am i going to do dad?" she removed herself from his embrace.

"You are going to have to listen and learn to everything that they teach you. You need make alliances, you are going to need the others to help you survive. That Finn, he is a good kid, you make sure you two team up, i'm sure he will protect you." he wiped away her fringe, looking directly at her, making sure she was listening.

"But what if i have to kill someone, i don't think i can do that."

"No-one ever really knows what they are capable of until the time comes. Just focus on staying alive and doing everything you can to get back home to me okay baby?"

"I will dad, i promise i will try to do everything I can to come back home to you."

"That's my girl. Now one more thing, this is probably the most critical thing you need to do - you need to make sure they love you"

"Who?" she asked confused.

"The capitol." she sighed, understanding what he meant, there was always a crowd favorite and it never was a surprise that they made it to the final on most occasions. Coincident - she never thought so, nor anyone else from the districts.

"Oh. But no-one here loves me dad, i don't have any friends even the " he placed a finger on her lips silencing her "I love you, and i'm sure they all will love you too if you show them the real you."

"Thanks dad" The next minute happened all to fast before she had the chance to give her father one last hug, several peace keepers stormed the room, dragging him out. She wanted to yell after him, throw herself at them, but her energy was sapped and she wouldn't have had the energy to swat a fly if it landed right in front of her. Instead she noticed for the first time the piano sitting in the corner and headed over to where it was her fingers instantly finding the keys and the melody that she had learnt from a young age. She was singing yet another tune her mother had taught her when she noticed for the first time that she was not alone, she looked up and found Emma Pillsbury, Finn Hudson and her District Mentor standing watching her.

"It's time to go" Emma indicated with a nod of her head for them all to follow her as they fell in line behind her heading to the train station at the bottom level of the Justice Building.

"That was amazing" Finn said taking a step to catch up to Rachel.

"Thank you."

"Do you always sing like that?"

"Usually when i'm alone or down by the pier."

"Well your voice is incredible, you shouldn't hide it."

"I don't hide it, it's just that normally nobody listens"

"Well you should make them listen." she looked up at him, realizing this was the first time she was talking to him and how odd their conversation was being that it was about her.

"Okay, well this is our ride, you will find the train is a nice change from home, only the best for our tributes" Emma broke their conversation as a giant train waited with open doors. Finn indicated that Rachel should go first, as she boarded the train, she realized Ms. Pillsbury wasn't kidding the overt opulence of the train was more than anything she was used to, and she never went without anything.

"If you go to your rooms there are some clothes for you to change into and once you are done we will meet back here at 5pm for dinner"

Well that was it, her time was now no longer her own, even if what she had left was limited. She trailed down to her quarters, for the moment just wanting some time alone so she could set herself a plan. A plan that included Finn Hudson.