Chapter Five

The 74th Hunger Games: Third Time's the Charm

As, Katniss stepped off the train she was soon crushed with hugs. Dean's family was the first to reach the only female Victor of District 12. "Thank you for bringing back, my son." Mrs. Rivers said gratefully before taking her family over to Dean to welcome him home.

The Everdeen family, along with the Hawthorne's rushed towards Katniss covering her in hugs and kisses. Katniss noticed her mother was extremely pale and completely terrified.

"What's wrong?" Katniss asked worried, frowning deeply.

Alana Everdeen shakily answered, "President Snow is here for you."

Katniss Everdeen felt a sense of dread wash over her as she saw Haymitch react violently to those words.

Whatever, President Snow was planning to throw at her, Katniss just hoped she would be able to survive the outcome because her family still needed her.

"Ah, Miss. Everdeen. It's a pleasure to see you again." Snow said smiling darkly at her. God his smell made Katniss sick, bloodied roses.

"You see, I have big plans for you, you will be very profitable for me." Snow had an evil smirk. She looked at him with quizzical eyes trying to understand what he was saying.

"I will sell you, to whoever I choose and whenever I choose. If you don't comply then your family; your sweet little sisters, your 'little monkey', your mother, and even your 'cousins' will become deathly clumsy. Do you understand now?" President Snow asked darkly. Katniss was shaken. But she nodded her head in agreement, for there was no way she would put her family in jeopardy. Katniss would always do whatever it took to ensure her loved ones safety and happiness.

"I have one condition if I am to do this; every appointment is discrete and private. There can't even be rumors about this leaving the Capitol." Katniss demanded while glaring at the man in hate.

President Snow smiled maliciously. "I am pleased we are on the same page, Miss. Everdeen. You don't have to worry about your family finding out the truth. I can't have the public seeing you as a female Finnick Odair it would ruin your image, that's not the way I plan on advertising you. You will start during the Victory Tour for young Mr. Rivers. I already have several appointments booked for you. It seems Miss. Everdeen that most citizens of Panem are quite taken you. Let's not disappoint them, dear."

With that he walked away confidently, smiling.

Katniss exited the study to find everyone anxiously waiting for her.

"What did he want, Katniss?" Her mother asked nervously.

Katniss sighed heavily before lying unflinchingly "Wanted to congratulate me for bringing home Dean." Gale, Dean and Haymitch looked at her skeptically.

"Come on, Sweetheart. Be a darling and walk my drunken ass home." Haymitch slurred gruffly. Katniss rolled her eyes at him; he had the subtlety of a tracker jacker. But, Katniss knew he wouldn't leave her alone until they talked about Snow's visit, so she followed him out the door.

Katniss spirits were lifted a little as she heard Tel and Prim shouting and running to follow them out, "Bye, Uncle Mitchy."

Katniss smirked a little as the usually gruff man melted at her siblings' hugs.

As they walked to Haymitch's house, he finally noticed the smirk on Katniss' face.

He glared at her, "Oh, shut up."

Katniss snickered, "I didn't say anything….Uncle Mitchy."

Haymitch scowled at her, "Only the little tykes can call me that. After, all they have all the charm in your family."

Katniss laughed lightly, even cold-hearted Haymitch couldn't deny that he adores her youngest siblings. Sia, however seemed to become less like Prim and more like Katniss with each passing day. Freesia, who is normally sweet as Primrose, becomes spunky and feisty in Haymitch's presence. Katniss likes to blame Haymitch for her little sister's newfound hostile attitude. But in reality it is really Sia wanting to be like her big sister.

Haymitch suddenly got serious, "What did Snow really want, Sweetheart?" Katniss' smile vanished from her face.

"Before, the Victor's party you said something I didn't understand tell now. 'Poor thing, you're gonna hate Snow's gift for your 16th.' You knew this would happen didn't you?" Katniss asked softly.

Haymitch nodded gravely, "I had hoped naively for your sake that he wouldn't make you the offer but yeah, Sweetheart. I knew. You made yourself unforgettable when you won your first Games. Then, when you won your second Games. Well, damnit Sweetheart! You licked your lips seductively, dripping wet, saying you have many skills and asking if you can show them! That really didn't help you're case, especially since you were already stacked as a fourteen year old!" Haymitch slurred half accusingly and half hopelessly. Katniss blinked shocked at his words, her cheeks darkened in a very rare blush.

"What?" She squeaked out pathetically.

Haymitch snorted, "Oh, Sweetheart. You're completely hopeless. You really don't know the affect you can have on people, do you?" Katniss blinked at him owlishly, not comprehending what he was saying. Haymitch rolled his eyes at her before sighing exasperatedly.

"It would be in your best interest, if you propositioned that hunting partner of yours before you start your appointments." He snapped out the last word in disgust. Katniss looked at him dumbfounded

"Gale? He doesn't see me that way! That would be incredibly awkward for him, Haymitch!" Katniss yelled obliviously. Haymitch sniggered at her naivety.

"Oh please, Sweetheart. The boy is hopelessly in love with you. It will be a wet dream come true for him." Haymitch stated bluntly.

She blushed again, and hastily changed the topic, "I've seen your Hunger Games…you weren't ugly. How did you handle Snow's deal?"

His expression grew grim. "I wasn't strong enough to say yes. He killed my family and my girl. Then I started drinking, so I was no longer wanted. Same thing happened to Johanna, the two of us didn't agree as readily as you and Pretty Boy did. For that, Sweetheart. You will always have my undying respect. For, whatever it's worth." Haymitch snorts bitterly.

Katniss looked at him sadly, finally understanding that there are worse fates then being reaped.

Katniss met Gale in the woods the next day, "I'm sure you want to know what Snow wanted?" Gale nodded his body tense.

Katniss stared at him thoughtfully.

"Are you in love with me?" Katniss asked point blank.

Gale looked at her shock, he nodded sheepishly, while shifting his feet uncomfortably.

"I've been in love with you since I was sixteen, Catnip. I tried to tell you before the 72nd Games but when you came home I could never bring myself to say it because I know how you feel about relationships." Gale answered honestly.

Katniss sighed and then practically collapsed on the forest ground.

"Snow is forcing me to sell myself or he will kill everyone I care about. I don't know how I feel about you Gale and I can't give you a relationship you deserve but you're the only person I trust my first time with. I know it's selfish of me to ask this of you but I-"

Gale cut her rambling off with a fierce kiss that spoke of his passion, his desperation, and his fury that their short time together will be forever tainted by the evil Capitol. Katniss grabbed his hair pulling him closer with one hand and tugging his shirt off with her other hand.

Gale broke their kiss, leaned down resting his forehead on hers, hesitantly whispering, "Now? Are you, sure? There's no going back, Catnip."

Katniss looked into his eyes before answering, "My choices are being taken away from me but I choose this. Please, Gale. I know you have experience. If, I'm going to survive this I need you to teach me." Gale shuddered at her words before finally giving into his desire for her.

The months passed by to quickly for Katniss liking and before she knew it the dreaded Victory Tour had arrived. Dean took everyone by surprise when he showed them his talent as an artist. He had countless drawling's of scenes from past Hunger Games and his own Games. Katniss wasn't too happy with him when she saw a drawling of her singing to Haulm before he died and naturally that was the most talked about piece of his exhibit.

Her first appointment was with a vile Peacekeeper in District 11, her next one was the Mayor in District 9, and another Peacekeeper in 6. When they arrived to District 4, Katniss had to fight the urge to throw a knife at Dean, she finally snapped at him.

"For, god's sake. Haymitch already told you four times that Annie will be there to greet you." Dean blushed taken aback by the venom in her voice. Katniss didn't even have the energy to feel bad she just sighed tiredly. Haymitch studied her in barely concealed concern.

While, the boy has been getting on everyone's nerves because of his non-stop talking about the mentally unstable Victor beauty from District 4 ever since the two met briefly at the end of Dean's Games, Haymitch knew that really had nothing to do with Katniss' short temper.

"Feelin' alright there, Sweetheart?" He asked sarcastically. Even, though he tried to hide it behind sarcasm Katniss could hear the worry tone in his voice.

She sighed, "Nightmares" Katniss answered curtly.

Haymitch nodded in understanding, since because of Snow's demands for her during this tour she wasn't allowed to bring Tel, who usually keeps Katniss' nightmares away.

Annie rushed towards Katniss tackling her in a hug after the required speeches and ceremony was over.

"I'm so glad you are here!" Annie gushed, but as she spotted Dean she blushed before greeting him with a shy smile and wave, "Hi, Dean"

Dean's own cheeks darkened as hey stuttered out a weak, "H-h-hey, Annie"

Haymitch and Finnick sniggered.

Katniss just rolled her eyes before giving the newly turned 15 year old Victor, a 'seriously-that's-all-you're-gonna-say?' look. Dean shrugged helplessly at his ex-mentor, who turned her attention towards Finnick as he slung an arm over her shoulders.

"Hey, there, gorgeous. Why don't we leave these two lovebirds and the old drunk here and get acquainted with one another in a more intimate way? Come on, Hell Kat. You wouldn't want to disappoint your Fish Boy. Now, would you?" Finnick purred into her ear, his voice husky with desire.

Katniss looked up at his sea green eyes and cocky smirk, she smirked back at him seductively before grabbing his arm and flipping his body over, he landed ungracefully on the ground with a loud thud.

Finnick let out a surprised, "Oooff" sound.

Everyone stared dumbfounded before breaking out in loud laughter.

Katniss stared smugly back at his stunned expression.

"You aren't my anything, Fish Boy. And the next time you touch me without my permission, you'll lose something more valuable than your dignity." She said this with an evil smile on her face, staring pointedly at his crotch. Finnick gulped nervously before quickly recovering and putting on his famous cocky smirk.

"You and your threats. Always, the kinky one huh, Hell Kat?" He leered at her.

Katniss rolled her eyes before walking away, Finnick's warm chuckles ringing heavily in her ears.

The rest of the Victory Tour continued quickly. The worst of her appointments happened in Districts 1 & 2 because they were with Victors who were heartless enough to take advantage of a fellow Victor, but that was nothing compared to the appointment she had at the Capitol, it was with Snow's nephew and four of his friends at the same time. Katniss preserved though, she wouldn't let them break her, she never cried that would mean letting Snow win.

It's time for the drawing. Effie Trinket says as she always does, "Ladies first!" and crosses to the glass ball with the girls' names. She reaches in, digs her hand deep into the ball, and pulls out a slip of paper. Effie crosses back to the podium, smoothes the slip of paper, and reads out the name in a clear voice.

"Primrose Everdeen" Katniss' shock didn't last long, she quickly became too angry to feel anything else.

"I VOLUNTEER AS TRIBUTE!" Katniss yelled the fury clear in her voice and in her blazing grey eyes. Everyone flinched, as the anger seemed to roll of her in waves.

"Katniss! No! Katniss, you can't go!" Prim screamed from the crowd before she could run onto the stage, Gale scooped up the little girl into his arms. Katniss' eyes softened slightly to thank him for his intervention. He nodded to her.

Effie cleared her throat nervously, knowing there was no way to talk Katniss out of this. "Let's give a big round of applause to our tribute once again, Katniss Everdeen!" To the everlasting credit of the people of District 12, not one person claps. So instead of acknowledging applause, Katniss stands there unmoving while they take part in the boldest form of dissent they can manage. Silence, once again but it's different then the last time she volunteered, this silence speaks with more emotion than any words the citizens of District 12 could ever utter at once. Anger. Pain. Loss. Respect. Admiration. Love. Which says, we do not agree. We do not condone. All of this is wrong. Then something unexpected happens. At first one, then another, then almost every member of the crowd touches the three middle fingers of their left hand to their lips and holds it out to her. It is an old and rarely used gesture of their district, occasionally seen at funerals. It means thanks, it means admiration, it means good-bye to someone you love.

Now, Katniss was truly in danger of crying, but fortunately Haymitch chooses this time to come staggering across the stage.

"Look at her. Look at this one!" He hollers, throwing an arm around her shoulders. He's surprisingly strong for such a wreck.

"That's my girl! I've always liked her!" His breath reeks of liquor and it's been a long time since he's bathed.

"Lots of . . . " He can't think of the word for a while.

"Spunk!" He says triumphantly. Katniss couldn't help rolling her eyes at his go-to word for her. "More than you!" Haymitch releases Katniss and starts for the front of the stage.

"More than you!" He shouts, pointing directly into a camera.

Is he addressing the audience or is he so drunk he might actually be taunting the Capitol? Katniss thinks, she knows him well enough by now to say he's definitely personally taunting President Snow. But fortunately for Haymitch before he could continue and anger the Capitol further, he plummets off the stage and knocks himself unconscious.

"Well then time for our boy tribute-Peeta Mellark!" Katniss had to bite her lip to keep in a growl of frustration. She was going into the Arena with the boy with bread. The one person who she owes her life to. The odds just plain sucked sometimes.

Her family once again was her first visitors, their visit was a lot like last time. Madge, came in next.

"They let you wear one thing from your district in the arena. One thing to remind you of home. Will you wear this? I know you lost your old token in the arena last time" She holds out the circular gold pin that was on her dress earlier. Katniss hadn't paid much attention to it before, but now she see it's a small bird in flight.

"Your pin?" Katniss asks.

"Here, I'll put it on your dress, all right?" Madge doesn't wait for an answer, she just leans in and fixes the bird to Katniss' dress.

"Promise you'll wear it into the arena, Katniss?" She asks.

"Promise?" There's urgency about Madge's tone that surprises her. Katniss just nods her head. Madge kisses Katniss' cheek before she leaves.

Her last visitor was Gale who came alone this time. Gale doesn't say anything just grabs her in a passionate embrace, kissing her fiercely.

"Get your hands on a bow and come back home to us again." Gale said once, he broke the kiss.

Katniss rolled her eyes, "In the past four years I have been involved in the Hunger Games there has never been a bow and arrows in the arena." Gale grabbed her shoulders urgently.

"Show them how good you are during the private sessions. Then the Gamemakers will be more than happy to put one in for you. All they want is a good show, give them one. Remember, that I love you, Catnip." Gale rushed out before the peacekeepers dragged him away. Katniss didn't have it in her to tell the people expecting her back that she had no plans of returning, the odds gave her the chance to repay her debt to the boy with bread and Katniss would take advantage of it. District 12 would have another Victor this year- it just wouldn't be her. Peeta Mellark would be coming home if Katniss had any say in it.

Haymitch pulled Katniss into his room to talk to her privately before Effie called them out for dinner.

"What's your plan, Sweetheart?" Haymitch asked gruffly.

Katniss avoided his eyes as she answered, "I won't be returning to District 12 this time, Haymitch. We'll be saving, Peeta." Haymitch gaped at her shocked but it quickly turned to anger.

"You are planning on sacrificing yourself, for that kid? What the hell, Sweetheart? Why is saving Bread Boy so important that you would leave your kids to fend themselves and alone with that worthless mother of yours?" Haymitch asked harshly. Katniss rushed out the story of Peeta saving her family with the two burned pieces of bread and how she owes him her life. Haymitch's glare turned into an understanding expression but his eyes were pained.

"That was years ago, Sweetheart. Thank him, and focus on staying alive." He practically pleaded with her. Katniss shook her head stubbornly, before he could argue with her more they were interrupted by Dean and Peeta.

"Effie is looking for you guys." Dean explained and left the doorway, with Katniss following him out.

Peeta lingered behind watching the two leave but not leaving himself.

Haymitch noticing this bitterly asked, "Was there something you needed, Bread Boy?" Peeta rolled his eyes at the unoriginal nickname.

"You have to make sure she wins again." Peeta said calmly, shocking the older man. Haymitch's eyebrows shot up in surprise.

"Why would you give her life more priority over your own?" He asked the baker's son curiously. Peeta rubbed his neck uncomfortable with this conversation.

"She's special. She's the survivor not me. Like you said, I'm just the Bread Boy."

Haymitch studied him critically, "True enough, but there's more to it than that."

Peeta blushed lightly, before finally admitting "I've been in love with her since I was five and the birds stopped to hear her sing." Haymitch examined the boy's face before smirking.

"Looks like, Sweetheart's plan is doomed to fail." Haymitch Abernathy snickered as he dragged Peeta to dinner.

Katniss looked suspiciously at them as the two entered the room. Peeta looked sheepish and Haymitch looked entirely too smug for Katniss to be comfortable with. Katniss' instincts were telling her nothing good would come out of this.

After dinner they gathered around to watch the reapings together:

District One Tributes: Glimmer Yundt, 17 years old pretty 6'2 blue-eyed blonde Career*Marvel Knight, 17 years old 6'2 brown-eyed brunette Career

District Two Tributes: Clove Isenhower, 15 years old 5'7 green-eyed brunette Career*Cato Paxson, 18 years 6'5 green-eyed brown haired Career

District Three Tributes: Ganesa Freeman, 16 years old 5'6 brown-eyed brunette*Alden Tennant, 15 years old 5'7 blue-eyed brunette

District Four Tributes: Opah Niles, 16 years old 6' green-eyed raven haired Career*Ray Wilder, 17 years old 6'1 blue-eyed blonde Career

District Five Tributes: Vixen Ripley, 14 years old 5'1 green-eyed fox faced red head*Eryk Kassanavoid, 16 years old 5'5 hazel-eyed brunette

District Six Tributes: Isa Ford, 15 years old 5'3 blue-eyed brunette*Rams Oswalt, 17 years old 5'6 brown-eyed brunette

District Seven Tributes: Euptella Atwood, 15 years old 5'5 blue-eyed brunette*Ash Boyer, 18 years old 5'9 green-eyed red head

District Eight Tributes: Pashmina Hughes, 16 years old 5'5 brown-eyed brunette*Frieze Ladd, 18 years old 5'7 blue-eyed brunette

District Nine Tributes: Grana Dines, 17 years old 5'4 green-eyed brunette*Amaranth Molson, 15 years old 5'6 brown-eyed brunette

District Ten Tributes: Arapawa Cox, 16 years old 5'5 hazel-eyed brunette*Bantu Vaughn, 18 years old 5'7 blue-eyed brunette that was crippled

District Eleven Tributes: Rue Jarvis, 12 years old 4'11 brown-eyed brunette dark skin*Thresh Klopp, 17 years old 6'5 brown-eyed brunette with dark skin

District Twelve Tributes: Katniss Everdeen; It was still weird seeing all 5'10 of my 16 year old self, My figure looked striking on stage, the expression in my face could only be described as murderous, I looked like a warrior.

Peeta Mellark; Even though he was crying there wouldn't be a problem getting sponsors. The Capitol will love the fact he was attractive.

Katniss left before anyone could say anything to her. She had a difficult time falling asleep her mind was at war with itself as thought of what was to come.

As Katniss enters the dining car, Effie Trinket brushes by her with a cup of black coffee. She's muttering obscenities under her breath. Haymitch, his face puffy and red from the previous day's indulgences, is chuckling. Peeta holds a roll and looks somewhat embarrassed.

"Sit down! Sit down!" says Haymitch, waving Katniss over. Dean just looked extremely uncomfortable.

"So, you're supposed to give us advice," Peeta says to Haymitch. Dean and Katniss snicker.

"Here's some advice. Stay alive," says Haymitch, and then bursts out laughing.

"That's very funny," says Peeta. Suddenly he lashes out at the glass in Haymitch's hand. It shatters on the floor, sending the blood red liquid running toward the back of the train.

"Only not to us." Peeta says seriously. Haymitch considers this a moment, then punches Peeta in the jaw, knocking him from his chair. When he turns back to reach for the spirits, Katniss drove her knife into the table between his hand and the bottle, barely missing his fingers.

"Geez, Sweetheart. Watch it, you were too close to my fingers this time." Haymitch slurs exasperatedly.

"That was the point, Sugar." Katniss smirked at him. Dean sniggered as Haymitch rolled his eyes. Peeta rises from the floor and scoops up a handful of ice from under the fruit tureen. He starts to raise it to the red mark on his jaw.

"No," says Haymitch, stopping him. "Let the bruise show. The audience will think you've mixed it up with another tribute before you've even made it to the arena."

Katniss looked at him in surprise, "Wow, actual advice? Impressive, Sugar. You, can mentor Peeta then and I'll mentor Dean on how too mentor me."

Dean nodded his head towards her, Peeta looked relieved, and Haymitch had a sly look in his eye that she did not like.

The Opening Ceremony went off without a hitch, as she stepped onto the elevator, she heard a familiar purr in her ears, "Hello, gorgeous. Just when I thought you couldn't get any hotter, Hell Kat."

Katniss snorts, "That was a terrible fire pun, Fish Boy." Finnick grins charmingly at her.

"Well, Hell Kat. Have you heard the saying 'foul water will quench fire'? Suits us don't you think?" He purred seductively, leering down at her.

She tried to hide her shiver but by the now cocky look on his face she wasn't entirely successful.

"In your dreams, Fish Boy. It's never gonna happen." Katniss smirked at him.

Finnick smiled at her wickedly, "What did I tell you about saying, 'never' Hell Kat?" He chuckled and winked as she scowled before she exited the elevator.

The training came and went without problems, Katniss was once again always being watched by everyone but she just ignored it. She was shocked when Cato approached her about a possible alliance, she told him she would think about. However, Katniss had no intention of joining the Careers ever.

After dinner, we go to sitting room to watch the scores announced on television:

District One Tributes: Marvel Knight-9 Glimmer Yundt-8

District Two Tributes: Cato Paxson-10 Clove Isenhower-10

Katniss had a look of disgust, "That girl is a knife-throwing psycho."

Haymitch snorted at her. "No one likes a hypocrite, Sweetheart."

Katniss glared at everyone's laughter, before ignoring them to watch rest of the scores.

District Three Tributes: Alden Tennant-6 Ganesa Freeman-5

District Four Tributes: Ray Wilder-8 Opah Niles-8

District Five Tributes: Eryk Kassanavoid-3 Vixen Ripley-5

District Six Tributes: Rams Oswalt-5 Isa Ford-5

District Seven Tributes: Ash Boyer-4 Euptella Atwood-5

District Eight Tributes: Frieze Ladd-5 Pashmina Hughes-6

District Nine Tributes: Amaranth Molson-5 Grana Dines-5

District Ten Tributes: Bantu Vaughn-6 Arapawa Cox-4

District Eleven Tributes: Thresh Klopp-10 Rue Jarvis-7

District Twelve Tributes: Peeta Mellark-8 Katniss Everdeen-11

Everyone cheers and congratulates Katniss. However, she was too busy thinking what this means to respond to them.

"The Gamemakers gave me that score so the Careers would forget about any idea of an alliance, they want me to be the Careers number one target." Katniss pointed out logically.

Haymitch sighed, "I don't doubt that, Sweetheart"

Katniss beamed, as a brilliant idea began forming in her mind.

Haymitch groaned, "Why the hell do you have that glint in your eye, Sweetheart?"

Katniss shrugged innocently "What glint, Sugar?"

He glared at the spunky girl, "The glint that says you're planning to do something completely unpredictable that could get you killed if the plan goes bad but will be ingenious if it's successful."

Katniss laughed at him. Everyone smiled at the sound besides Haymitch.

She smirked before repeating the first words she ever said to her mentor, "You'll find out, once the games begin just like everyone else unless you're too busy choking on your own vomit again."

Haymitch rolled his eyes as he fought off a fond grin. Dean and Peeta exchanged baffled looks as Effie & the Stylists shook with uncontrollable laughter.

AN: Now we are getting to the good stuff! 74th Hunger Games are here :)

Rd, Enjoy, & Review!