Hey guys, we finally worked out of this annoying author's block though no one had helped which was equally annoying. I'm not sure exactly what happened to this chapter but it is rather short for us. I read all the way through it and nothings missing. A lot does happen this chapter though. So read!

Once Effie was done with her rant Peeta was shocked but looked down, "Well, I didn't mean it like that."

"Well that is how it came off." Effie said.

"I'm sorry… I never realized…"

"Well you should have!" She said.

"But I didn't. I made a mistake okay?"

"Well learn from it." She said.

"Alright, I will. I promise."

"Good." She growled walking away.

Peeta sighed unsure what to do. "Go to bed." Maysilee said.

"Alright," He sighed and headed to his room.

Maysilee smirked glad that was taken care of for now. "Hopefully that was enough." She said to no one. Then she sighed she was exhausted and there was still so much more to come. 'Should probably try to get a little bit of shuteye.' She headed to bed it had been a productive day.

The next day after a little bit of sleep but even less than normal she headed to the dining room to wait for Katniss and Peeta. Who did not turn up until Effie made her rounds. She sighed and just took a seat dishing herself up some food and water and waited. 'Good, they need whatever sleep they can get.'

"So any advice?" Katniss asked.

"Well, I already gave this to Peeta but in the training center focus on honing the skills you already have. If the other tributes know your weaknesses they are likely to just exploit them. Not necessarily archery but edible plants, climbing, running, knives, knot tying, anything you already feel pretty confident in."

"Got it." Katniss said nodding.

"Be careful who you speak to and what you say."

"Okay, right, it is a fight to the death in a few days after all."

"Exactly the less they have to use against you the better."

"Alright, I will keep those both in mind."

"Other than that you should be fine."

"Got it." She sighed and dished herself up.

"Oh and allies...try to find at least one each."

"Fine," She sighed thinking over if there's anyone she'd be able to trust.

"You do not have to trust them just be able to work with them."

"I'll try." She sighed.

"That is all I ask."

"Well, doesn't sound too hard."

"It shouldn't be no." Maysilee said buttering a piece of capital bread. "Lastly just as on the train, eat." Maysilee added.

"Okay." They said. They both dished up with no other words.

Breakfast past quickly after that. So after, they both headed down to the training floor. "Ready?" Peeta asked Katniss as the doors closed.

"Yeah," She said not looking at him.

"I'm sorry." He said.

"Effie made you say that didn't she?"

"No, not really. She just got me to realize what was wrong with what I was doing and I'm sorry. That was not my intention."

"Well, thank you."

"Do you accept?" He asked hopefully.

"Yes, you are not forgiven, but I don't hate you as much."

"I guess I have to accept that." He sighed.

"Yes you do."

"Well, it's a start at least."

"This will not lead to anything between you and me." Katniss said.

"I guess there was no way anyway with the games." He admitted.

"Exactly we both can't win."

"Do you think there might have been a chance if it weren't for the games and I had just talked to you instead?"

"I'm not sure I have never thought about relationships. I don't think I would want to with anyone to be perfectly honest."

"Why not?" He asked curious.

"Because that might mean having children and having to watch them starve and send them to Reapings, maybe even here."

"That makes sense."

"So, yeah, no, probably not."

"Got it." He sighed.

"I'm sorry. It's just always been that way."

"I understand." He sighed.

"Good, that has nothing to do with you personally."

"I realize that. It's a life choice on your part." He said. She nodded as they got to the floor.

The doors slid open to reveal a large silver room with weapons and survival stations all around. They noticed they were the last there though. "Damn." Katniss sighed.

They just headed in awkwardly. "Now I can begin." Atala said. She went through and explained the rules and stations. It was fairly straight forward and soon they were free to go.

Unlike canon, they separated and Katniss headed to the edible plants station and Peeta headed to weights both keeping what Maysilee said in mind.

Katniss amazed the station leader. "Very nice young lady." He said stroking his black beard.

"Thank you,"

"You have quiet the talent for these have you done this before?" He asked suspiciously.

"I just have a great memory and learned from watching tributes previous games." Katniss lied easily.

"Well, that is very good." He said.

"I figured. It is called the Hunger Games for a reason."

"Yes, very well then. Seems like you have it down though."

"Thank you." She said. "I guess I should move on somewhere else." Katniss said looking around.

"Yes, go learn something new."

"My mentor said to stick to what I know though."

"Well, then do what you feel is right."

"Okay, thank you."

"No trouble."

Peeta meanwhile was lifting weights. As mentioned in canon he was having not trouble handling the rather large weights. Though it was catching some attention. He looked around becoming conscious of that. The careers were watching him he needed to make an impression. So he set down what he currently had taking they heaviest one. He swung and threw it. Once it hit EVERYONE's attention was on him. He smirked and went to a new station. He decided to go to the wrestling station.

Hours later they were both back at their floor for dinner. "How did it go?" Maysilee asked.

"I got a lot of people's attention." Peeta said with a smirk.

"Yes he did." Katniss said.

"Really? How so?" Maysilee asked him honestly a little surprised by that.

"I threw weights."

"How big?"

"Biggest they had."

"You're strong then." She noted pretty impressed. "Very strong."

"Thank you." He said.

"Alright, we can work with that."

"We can?" He asked.

"Yeah, so I guess you're not completely useless." She admitted clearly not liking doing so.

"Thank you." He said.

"How did it go for you Katniss?"

"Reasonably well. One of the trainers started to get suspicious I had been leaving the district but I covered it up."

"Good work, Katniss, both of you really." She said.

"Thank you," They both said.

"Eat up." She encouraged.

"Right," He said and they both dished up and started eating. "What did you do?" Peeta asked.

"Probably slept with some random guys." Katniss snorted.

"Really Katniss?! What happened to putting aside our differences and getting you home!? Did you just sleep on it and decide no I would prefer to be a bitch to the women trying to help me stay alive!?" Maysilee asked sick of her attitude.

Katniss hesitated but sighed and said, "You're right. I'm sorry."

"Thank you." She said.

"So… what did you do…?" She asked awkwardly.

"I tried to gather sponsors."

"Oh," She said now feeling guilty for saying that. "Any luck?"

"Yes actually, a fair bit you really made an impression in the parade."

"Well, I guess that's to be expected with what Cinna did."

"Yes but you two used it well."

"Anyone could have."

"Not anyone only the right people." Maysilee corrected.

"I doubt anyone could mess that up."

"You would be surprised."

"How?" Katniss asked. She knew 12 always had terrible tributes but it didn't seem possible to mess up.

"Some would have just stood there."

"I guess but it still would have made a big impression."

"Not if they had not used the attention right."

"Well… I guess."

"Exactly and they loved you. I told you they would." She added from back on the train.

"Well, you were right."

"As surprising as it still is."

"It should not be."

"Well, it is. Okay?"

"Alright, calm down."

"I'll try." She sighed.

"Maybe we should just relax."

"I guess that would be best."

"Go take a shower and get comfortable it will help."

"Okay," She said finishing what she could of her food and heading to the bathroom.

Maysilee sighed resting for a moment. She looked over at Peeta and said, "I'm sorry... for what I said."

"When?" He asked.

"On the train… and at the parade."

"Well, thank you." He said.

"You're welcome. I guess that was rude and hypocritical of me."

"To be fair, I was being annoying."

"Yes you were." She said honestly.

"I had it coming but you overdid it can we move on?" He asked.

She nodded, "Yes."

"Good." He said yawning.

"You should probably try to get some rest."

"Okay." He said heading to his room.

A few days later Maysilee was pacing and waiting for Katniss and Peeta. After a while they were both back up. "So, how was it?"

"No one was paying attention so I just threw some weights until they dismissed me."

"Well that can be good or bad." She said.

"I shot an arrow at the Gamemakers' platform. Shot an arrow out of some stupid roast pig's mouth."

"Y...you what?" She asked.

"I didn't like being ignored."

"So you shot at them!?" She asked.

"Near them." Katniss corrected.

"That is dangerous."

"I know that."

"Then why do it?"

"I'm impulsive. You knew that."

"I know, okay well we can't do anything about it now."

"Then I just told them 'thank you for your consideration' and left."

"Okay, so there are only two ways this can end."

"Which are?" Katniss asked.

"Either you are going to be praised or punished."

"What would happen if they decide to punish me?" She asked now worried about her mother and Prim.

"Well, you may not make it to the arena."

"I thought they couldn't do that." Katniss paled even more.

"Normally, no but a threat to a gamemaker is different." Katniss gulped and went straight to her room.

Maysilee sighed this could be bad. That was until she heard a loud crash, followed by another and another… She rushed to Katniss' room in time to duck a plate. "Go away." Katniss snapped noticing her through tear-filled eyes.

"Katniss." Maysilee said approaching carefully.

"I said go away."

"I am not going to."

"Why not?"

"Because you need to talk to someone."

She just pulled her knees up crying. Maysilee sighed and sat beside her stroking her hair. "I didn't want to kill them, Maysilee." She cried.

"You might not have." She said holding Katniss.

"I still might have."

"Katniss, they are unlikely to touch them. You did not kill anyone."

"Of course not. I didn't want to."

"So they are unlikely to hurt them."

"You sure?"

"Yes I am. Also they wouldn't be able to without revealing what happened in your session. Which they can't do." She added.

"Well… I guess that's true."

"See, you need to try and stay calm."

"I'll try." She hugged Katniss. "Thanks, Maysilee."

"It's no trouble."

"What about me though?"

"I will do anything I can to keep you safe."

"Really?"

"Really." Maysilee promised.

"Thank you,"

"It's not trouble." Maysilee said.

"What would you be able to do if they decide to though?"

"You would be surprised the weight victors have here."

"You really think you'd be able to convince them otherwise?"

"If done right. There's no way I'd let them kill you."

"Thank you, Maysilee."

"My pleasure, Katniss. You and your family really do mean a lot to me."

"I know that now."

"Then just keep that in mind."

"I will." She promised. She was surprised when Katniss actually returned the hug. "Thank you Maysilee."

"You're welcome."

"Sorry for, you know, everything."

"I can't really blame you for that."

"I just...I do not understand why you and other victors do what you do." She said.

"Well, there is a reason but I can't tell you it."

"I won't tell." She said.

"I'm sorry but I really can't."

"Why? Are you in danger?

"No," She trailed awkwardly, her eyes darting around.

"Seems like you are."

"Can we please just drop it?"

"Yes for now." She said. Maysilee let out a breath of relief. "I will not give up though." She warned.

"Then we'll see who's stubbornness prevails."

"Mine will." Katniss said.

"Mine already has though." Maysilee pointed out with a smirk.

"No, I choose to give up." She said smirking.

"I can get you to do it again."

"No way."

"We'll see." Maysilee smirked.

"Yes we will." Katniss said.

"When will the results be shown?"

"Soon." Maysilee sighed. "We should head down. See which they decided." Maysilee said letting go.

"Okay." Katniss sighed. She helped her up and they headed to the living room.

Peeta was waiting there looking nervous. "Just about time," Maysilee said and they took their seats. Peeta nodded as they waited.

It got to time and Maysilee of course turned it on. The boy from one appeared first and it ran through slowly. They eventually got to 12 and just like in canon Peeta got an 8. "An eight! Impressive!"

"Thank you, I guess some of them must have been paying enough attention."

"Yeah, guess so." She said. Then Katniss' came up with the same 11.

"Eleven!" She said stunned.

"Looks like they choose to praise you!" Maysilee said happily.

"Yeah, thank goodness." She said.

"Yeah, I need to get to work right now for both of you." Maysilee said getting right to her feet.

"At least we did well."

"Yes you did and I can definitely work with both of those."

"That's great!" Katniss said in relief.

"Yes it is."

"So now what?"

"Now you two get some sleep. It's couching for the interviews with Effie and I tomorrow."

They both nodded and as they left Katniss hugged her. Maysilee was surprised but obviously returned it. "Thank you." Katniss said.

"You're welcome, Katniss." She nodded and then headed off. She smiled at that.

Things were working out now at least mostly. 'At least she's happy now. And that's all that matters.' Katniss had to make it out at any cost.

She headed out knowing how many Capitolites will still be awake for a lot longer. However she what she might end up doing by going out. Still, they need sponsors and it was for Katniss so out she went on a mission because of that, she looked rather determined as she made her way through the streets and in the higher class part of town a man approached. "Ms. Donner, fancy finding you here."

"Well, I am trying to get sponsors." She said.

"Well, there clearly are other ways to get that." He said and pulled out her exact price.

She sighed reminding herself it was for the kids. Even if it wasn't she still doesn't have a choice in the middle and simply said. "You pick the place."

"My place." He said offering a hand. She took it with a sigh. She had been doing this for years anyways.

Hours later she left with a large sum of coins and a sick feeling. She absolutely hated this life she had to live but just kept reminding herself why she had to do it. She headed back to shower off and try to relax.

'At least I got the money.' She kept thinking to herself as tears streamed down her got out and climbed into closed her eyes though unlikely hoping to get at least some sleep that did not deep, but still sleep.

The next morning she headed down ready to couch them. "Alright who wants to start where?" She asked.

"I'll go with Maysilee first." Katniss said.

"Okay." Peeta said.

"Well, then, just eat and we'll get started."

"Okay." They said. So they each dished up.

"Are you okay?" Katniss asked.

"Yeah, I'm fine." Maysilee said awkwardly.

"No you are not," Katniss whispered.

"I am. Just leave it."

"Fine." Katniss sighed she was too tired for this.

"Thank you, know eat." Maysilee said drinking some of her water. Katniss looked unhappy but listened.

Once they were done eating they broke into their groups. "So Katniss we need to figure out what to do for your interview."

"Right, do you have any ideas for that?"

"Just be yourself, act like you are talking to a friend."

"You really think that would help?" Katniss asked though a little skeptical but remembering their previous conversation.

"Yes, I really do."

"Well, alright, I guess we can try and run through how that would go."

"Okay, ready?"

"Ready," Katniss nodded.

"So Katniss how do you feel about your odds?" Katniss stumbled having no idea how to answer that. "You need to relax and say how you feel." Maysilee said.

"Well, I am not really sure on my odds."

"How can you not be sure?" She asked.

"Well, I really need to get home and I'm clearly doing pretty well but looking at the other tributes…"

"Still an 11 you must have impressed."

"Well, yeah, I had."

"Did you think that you would score so well?"

"No I didn't. That was quite the pleasant surprise."

"Does that make you feel any better about your own odds?"

"Yes it does." She answered.

"So, you are one of the only volunteers in your Districts history, what drove you to it?"

"I couldn't let Prim go into the arena and die. She means the absolute world to me."

"You want to make it home for her?"

"Of course I do. I'll try everything to get there."

"So you feel you can overcome the others?"

"I think I can. I'll certainly do everything I can."

"Do you see any major threats?"

"Definitely, either the boy from 2 or 11 has to be the biggest one though."

"Strength is the biggest threat then it your opinion?"

"Yes I do."

"So, is that why you doubt yourself."

"I guess that is most of it."

"Well, you know, your mentor was not the strongest in her games."

"I know. So I still really do have a chance."

"Yes you do and we wish you luck."

"Thank you."

"See was that easy?" Maysilee asked.

"Well… I guess it wasn't too bad."

"Exactly you have got this."

"You sure that was good enough?"

"Yes I am, just stay calm."

"Okay, I will try."

"You can do it."

"Thank you, Maysilee. What about you though?"

"What about me?" She asked.

"You say you're okay but you're obviously not."

"I'm fine Katniss."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes I...am" She said.

"You hesitated."

"Just tired is all." She said.

She hesitated but chose to drop it. "You'll have to tell me one day." She sighed.

'I hope not.' Maysilee thought knowing the only way that could happen is if Katniss was put in the trade.

"So now what?"

"We still have a little bit of time before the switch."

"Want to talk?"

"As long as it's not about that."

"About what?" She asked.

"What you always keep pushing." Maysilee answered.

"Oh that?"

"Yeah, not that."

"Okay, fine." She sighed.

"Anything else though?" Maysilee offered.

"Not, really just nervous." She said.

"That's normal. Everyone is."

"Were you?" She asked.

"Absolutely terrified."

"So, how did you get through?"

"I stayed calm as I could."

"You make it sound so easy."

"I never said it was."

"You made it sound that way." Katniss said.

"Sorry did not mean to."

"So, how can you relax then?"

"Lay down for a bit."

"Okay,"

"Believe me it helps."

"I will try then."

"Just lay on the couch." She sighed and did as directed. "Now think of something relaxing." She closed her eyes and predictably pictured herself in the woods outside 12. She relaxed a little. Maysilee smiled noticing that. "Good now relax until it's time to switch okay?" She asked. Katniss nodded. She smiled and they sat in silence waiting.

Eventually it was time to switch though. "Good luck." Maysilee said.

"Thank you, Maysilee." She said getting up.

"My pleasure." She said watching Katniss leave.

The next day, all the other interviews had pretty much gone the same but then we got to Peeta's. Katniss was just relieved hers was over. "Ladies and Gentlemen Peeta Mellark!" He made his way to the stage and took his seat next to Peeta. "Welcome Peeta." He said.

"Thank you, Caesar. It's great to be here."

"So, have you enjoyed the Capital?"

"Yes I have."

"How would you say it's different from home?"

"Everything honestly."

"Alright, well how do you feel about your odds?"

"I'd say they're good. I'm strong and good with a knife or unarmed."

"Always useful. Do you feel threatened?"

"Of course, anyone who doesn't going into the games is bound to die."

"Who stands the best chance?"

"Probably Clove."

"Really why?"

"I saw her over at the knife station. She literally never misses so basically if she chooses you as a target you're doomed."

"So you think she is the biggest threat? Not one of the lager opponents?'

"I still say Clove."

"Well, that is interesting."

"I guess."

"So, how do you feel you will fair?"

"I think I stand a good chance."

"Better than your partner?"

"No,"

"So, you think she is better than you."

"Yes I do."

"What makes you say that?"

"She's pretty much built to survive really and will be able to kill when she needs to."

"Does she have better odds than Clove?"

"It's a tough call really." He said not wanting to paint a target on her back.

"Very interesting."

"Any other questions?"

"Well that is it for us. It has been a pleasure" Caesar said.

"Thank you, Caesar."

"Peeta Mellark!" He said again as Peeta left. The crowd roared and the interviews were obviously over.

He smiled as he made his way over. Before he could find Katniss or Maysilee though he found him encircled by the Careers. "What do you want?" He asked.

"We talked and decided your joining the pack." Cato said.

"Why should I?"

"Otherwise you've made yourself our first target." Clove said since he said she were his biggest threat.

"Fine." He said.

"Good, you made the right choice, unlike that boy from 11."

"You offered it to him?

"Yeah but he refused."

"Why?"

"Because he's stupid apparently."

"Well, I am in." He said.

"Good, then just stay through the bloodbath."

"Got it." He said nodding. With that they left. 'What did I just do?' He thought.

So that's it, hopefully good, hopefully not too short, hopefully no one fell asleep either, unless it late at night and/or you were tired. Then it's okay. Review and you can flame!