A/N: Happy late Halloween! *pelts candy at readers* Sorry I didn't update yesterday. I was going to have a scary PJO drabble for the holiday, but...sleep is better. *ducks under table**PJO fandom throws Celestial Broze and Imperial Gold stuff* Well, here's a Hunger Games chapter!


Nikki

Before church ended, Kory left quickly, muttering about leaving something at home. No one seemed to suspect anything, and I guess that's how I knew something was up. Maybe it was the guilty expression on his face as he left the room, or the way he tried to distance himself from me; whatever the reason, I would get an answer out of him.

As soon as Brother Wall dismissed us from class, I quickly gathered my belongings and waited outside for my siblings. Rachel and Jackson walked down the stairs, eating cupcakes. Jacob came from behind, smelling lightly of trash bins. I almost asked him where Mike was, but caught my tongue. 'He's dead,' I reminded myself. 'Dead and long gone.'

Mom waved goodbye to Sister Rollins and joined us. "Hey kids," she greeted us cheerfully. "How was your day?" Rachel and Jackson responded with mouthfuls of cake. I folded my arms. "Fine. Let's just go."

Rachel shrieked, pointing away from us. I followed her gaze and stiffened. Peacekeepers were gathering around us, rounding us up like sheep. Jake's hands balled into fists as he took a step towards them. I pushed him back.

"Don't you dare," I growled. "You are NOT going to mess up today."

"They killed Dad." He growled.

"They didn't know." I said quietly.

"He was out in the streets, Nikki, wearing his Victor pin. I'm pretty sure they knew who he was."

"Maybe they didn't know the effect it would have on his children." I snapped, and stomped off (which is so not easy in heels, by the way). I spotted Alice and sighed with relief. She was the easiest to be around, in my bad moods.

Alice glanced at me through the corners of her eyes and smiled. "Family troubles again?"

I shrugged. "Nothing more than usual. It has been almost a year, you know."

"I know," Alice murmured. "How's your mom holding up? With the pregnancy, I mean."

Before my father died, my mom got pregnant. She should be delivering soon, but she keeps insisting on moving around everywhere. And that can't ever be good. But her friend, Lily, has been making sure that Mom stays within her limits.

Alice and I walked together in a comfortable silence, once in a while submitting a tidbit of information, making each other laugh. "So," I said. "Where're your parents?"

"Dad is taking my sisters to the Forum, and Mom had a meeting somewhere." Alice shrugged. "She didn't say what for, and I didn't bother asking." She sighed, swinging her arms. "I just hope no one I care about is tribute this year."

"That would be nice." I agreed. "But I don't think the odds are in our favor this year."

"They never are." Alice said quietly. "First my brother, then yours, then your Dad. I don't even want to guess who it will be this year."

A Peacekeeper, whose helmet was too big for him, walked up to Alice, and whispered quietly to her. Her eyes grew wide and fearful. She glanced at me, almost in tears. "I, uh, I gotta find my dad." She muttered. I grabbed her arm as she passed by. "What did he tell you?" I demanded. "What did he say?" Alice shook her head. "I can't tell you." She said. "You'll have to ask him." I threw the man a disgusted look. "I'm not talking to any Peacekeeper." I growled. "Not after what they did to my father." Alice glared at me, yanking her arm out of my grip. "That was a year ago!" She said. "It happened. Get over it." With that said, Alice stomped off, leaving me 'alone' with the Peacekeeper.

He faced forward, walking slowly. "Your father was killed by a Peacekeeper?"

"Yes," I muttered. "My mother was several weeks pregnant at the time."

"I'm truly sorry." He said quietly. He stopped, raised his arm hesitantly, then put his hand on my shoulder. I felt a sudden exhilaration at his touch, which scared me. I stared into his brown eyes, and started to melt. Either the guy in front of me was David Tennant, or... No. He'd never... he wasn't THAT stupid. I turned away, shrugging his hand off. "I don't need an escort; I am perfectly capable of reaching the Forum on my own."

His eyes lingered on my face a little longer. "I'm sorry, Ma'am, but..." He shifted the gun in his right arm. "Orders are orders." His shoulders slumped. "I'm sorry I make you uncomfortable." He muttered. His brown eyes met my blue ones, and I took a step forward. Without warning, the Peacekeeper stepped forward and holding my neck with one hand, he pressed his lips to mine, making me lose my footing. Shocked, and therefore immobilized, I stood there, on the receiving end of a very passionate kiss.

After the initial shock wore off, I punched the guy's jaw. "Who in Hades do think you are?" I yelled. "You had no right to do that!" He glared at me, rubbing the place I hit him. "Holy smokes, Nikki." He complained. "I never knew you had a strong fist."

I backed away, trembling. "Kory," I whispered. Kory took off his helmet. "I'm sorry, Nikki. Really, I am." Feeling again the burst of anger, I punched his nose, hearing a terrifying 'crack'.

"Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry!" I grabbed a fistful of kleenex from my purse and shoved it on his nose. Kory squeezed his eyes shut, and tried to stop the blood flow. I stood there like an idiot, covering my mouth with my hands.

"Jeez, Nikki," Kory muttered thickly. "You didn't have to punch me again."

"I said I was sorry." I huffed.

"Sometimes, saying sorry doesn't fix everything."

"What do you want me do, whip out my wand and fix your nose with magic?" I picked up a fallen twig and pointed it at his nose. "Episky," I said dramatically. I giggled. Kory wasn't fazed. "Gosh," I muttered. "Just trying to ease the tension."

Kory rolled his eyes. "Nikki, will you ever be normal?"

"No one is normal." I stated. "We each just have different levels of insanity. Mine just so happens to be higher than yours."

Kory shook his head. He was so infuriating! "I just don't get you, sometimes." I folded my arms, walking and staring straight forward. "You had me from the moment we met, Kory. You never had to 'get' me." I sat on a fountain ledge, resting my head in my hands.

Kory sat beside me. "Could you explain that last comment a little?" I glared at him. "I've had a huge crush on you for several years, since I moved out of town. Other guys caught my eye, yes, but you were the only constant person, the only one I really liked."

"And now?"

"You know, you can really be so oblivious! I just told you how I feel, but you still don't seem to understand!"

"No, I don't understand. I'm a guy, okay?"

"Several minutes ago, you kissed me. Why?"

Kory rubbed the back of his neck; he took his helmet off and set it down next to him. "I never really understood our...ah...relationship." He admitted. I rolled my eyes. "I never knew we actually had a relationship, Kory." He gave me a look that could wither a plant and sighed. "I don't know what to say."

"Me neither." I said quietly. "For a time, I really thought our friendship was progressing."

"Into what?"

I blushed. "Nothing," I mumbled. "Never mind."

Kory touched my hand uncertainly, then laced his fingers in mine. I bit my lip to keep from smiling. I glanced at him through the corner of my eye. "You're really something, Kory Cather. A real piece of work."

"I'm not sure if I should take that as a compliment or an insult."

"A compliment." I said, smiling at him. "Definitely a compliment."


A/N: Okay, so I'm actually going to be gradually rewriting this, so that Kory and Nikki aren't acting like a lovesick couple. But I'll be keeping this vhapter, because Nikki gets show that isn't weak! Who else liked that part?