Thank you for reading and I hope you enjoy my version of Haymitch's view on the Games! Everyone's comments have been so encouraging and I appreciate every single one!

I do not own the Hunger Games nor its characters.

Chapter Thirty-Seven

Once we reach the Capitol I head straight to my room in the Training Centre whilst Effie starts calling up her connections to fill them in on her latest tributes. I have a shower, shave, get changed and even douse myself in some of the expensive cologne they have on offer before heading straight to the Sponsorship Room. I feel that if I don't hit the ground running straight away I'm never going to get back in to this. The last time I was this committed was with Chester but he didn't have the intrigue that I'm sure Katniss and Peeta have.

However, before I've even left the room the door opens and a young man in a black outfit walks in. He's got gold eyeliner on and if I didn't know for certain that he was from the Capitol I would say he looks fairly normal.

"Hello, Haymitch," he says. "I'm Cinna."

"Oh," I say, "Plutarch's friend." He nods. Plutarch has been saying for a few years how one of our sympathizers was eager to get in to Games so that he could show off his designs. Apparently he thinks it's the perfect platform for his art.

"I thought we could discuss Katniss' and Peeta's outfits."

"I suppose now is as good a time as any. What are you thinking?"

He says that him and his partner, Portia, aren't going down the coal miners route, which I'm over the moon about, but he wants to know if I have a problem with Katniss and Peeta matching.

"As if they're a team?" I say.

"Yes, we feel it will make them stand out. The tributes are always dressed individually but this will give them an edge."

Make them look like a team. Yes, that could work. Being from 12 they're going to need to stand out somehow. I think I like this guy. I agree to his plan and head for the Sponsorship Room.

I have to say that I'm startled once I arrive, I thought I would be pleading with people for hours just to get the chance to talk to them but two Capitol women quickly totter towards me as soon as I walk in to the room.

"Ladies," I say and they both smile.

"We want to know about this Katniss Everdeen!" One of them squeals, "I thought that her volunteering for her little sister was the sweetest thing anyone from twelve has ever done!" I try not to grimace as she insults my home district.

"And that Peeta Mellark isn't too harsh on the eyes!" Giggles the other.

I smirk, "I suppose not. They're both very strong minded people," I begin, although I'm not entirely sure if my words are true. "And I can guarantee that if you were to Sponsor either one of them you would get a good show for your money." This has got their interest so I launch in to a big speech about how they're desperate to win and that Katniss' wish to see her sister again will mean that she'll do anything to get home. I have a feeling that I'm not far wrong.

Out of the corner of my eye I can see Effie laughing with an older man from the Capitol and I think I can hear her mention the names 'Katniss' and 'Peeta' so I can only assume that she's also trying to win sponsors. She really does want to get out of 12.

As I get ready for the Opening Ceremony my mind starts to wander back to the train with Peeta attempting to clean me up. "She's never going to get home if you're our only chance." That's what he said, I'm sure, but it seems strange that he should be so concerned for his other tribute and not for himself. And then I think about the looks he gave her at breakfast, the longing, helpless looks and suddenly I'm cursing myself for being so stupid. He loves her and she doesn't know. I don't think he has any intention of coming back alive, not if it means that Katniss has to die. Is this why Cinna wants them to match? Did he see something at the Reaping that I missed?

I head over to the Victors' Box, my mind whirring with this new discovery. Should I confront him about it or see if he tells me? Worse still, should I exploit it? I can see that Katniss has a lot of potential, far more than any other tribute I've mentored, but crossing this line could be a new low, even for me.

I can see Mags, Finnick and Annie lingering by the banquet as I enter and Annie has that distant look on her face that has become so normal for her, now. Ever since her win she's blended in to the background and the cameras have no real interest in her, which is a blessing, really. Mags is talking to her whilst Finnick smirks at the ladies, I don't know how he manages to look so disinterested in Annie when I know all he wants to do is look after her. Because he needs to, I suppose.

"Haymitch!" He shouts as he enters. "If you'd wanted diving lessons you should have come to me!" The whole room hears and a ripple of laughter ensues.

"Very funny, Odair," I say and lightly punch him on the arm.

He leans in and sniffs me, which I find odd. "What's that? Have you showered?"

"Now that is a joke!" Says another voice and when I turn around I can see that Johanna has joined us. We've managed to bury the hatchet since my display at the Victory Dinner but I know there's no love lost between us. "I see you've got a volunteer this year."

I nod and motion for them to come closer. "I'm going to get her home," I whisper, "I think she could be what we're waiting for." They all exchange looks of uncertainty. "I know it's early days but I'm really going to try."

I debate whether I should tell them about Peeta's potential love for Katniss but I know that other mentors are lurking around, trying to found out about the competition so I keep it to myself. It isn't long before the chariots are riding in to City Circle and as soon as Katniss and Peeta enter we all take a collective gasp. I really do like Cinna.

Katniss and Peeta seem to be on fire and the whole crowd is going crazy for them. They're even holding hands and Katniss is blowing kisses to the audience! The permanent scowl on her face seems to have gone and has been replaced with a happy and sweet expression. She's the crowd's darling.

I don't waste a moment and as soon as the ceremony is over I go to the Sponsorship Room to see if anyone's about. Unlike this morning, everyone seems to flock to me now, desperate to know about my flaming tributes.

I get back to the apartment just as dinner is being served and find that everyone is already tucking in to their food.

"Everyone's talking about your designs, they loved them!" I say to Cinna and Portia. "Including myself." They say thank you and seeing the shocked expression on Effie's face is enough to make anyone laugh.

For dessert an Avox girl brings over a cake and sets it alight. Katniss catches her eye and announces that she knows her, much to everyone's surprise. I'm sure she does know her, the shock in her reaction was far too natural but I quickly explain what an Avox is to warn her to keep quiet. This girl has no idea just how rebellious she is. Peeta quickly wades in and claims that she looks like someone they know but I'm sure it's a lie, he's just convincing me even more that he's besotted with her.

After we've eaten the cake we move to the living area to watch the recap of the Opening Ceremony and Katniss and Peeta's entrance still takes my breath away, even though I was there.

"Whose idea was the hand holding?" I ask.

"Cinna's," says Portia.

"Just the perfect touch of rebellion. Very nice." I catch Cinna's eye and he gives me a smirk, he may just be our best ally, yet. I turn to my tributes, "Tomorrow evening is the first training session. Meet me for breakfast and I'll tell you exactly how I want you to play it. Now go get some sleep while the grown-ups talk."

They both nod and leave whilst everyone else in the room looks at me with confusion.

"What's going on, Haymitch?" Asks Effie.

"Portia," I begin, "Has Peeta given the slightest hint that he may be in love with Katniss?" Cinna and Effie snap their heads round, although Cinna doesn't seem as taken aback as Effie does.

"Well, he does talk about her a lot. I don't know if he's necessarily in love with her."

"Okay, well, I'm sure I can find out but I'm pretty sure he is and I think that if we want to get sponsors on side we need to present them as a couple."

"But that's so cruel!" Snaps Effie.

"Not if he's already in love with her," says Cinna. "It's never been done before; it would make them stand out." I can tell that he was already thinking along the same lines.

"Only we can't tell them, yet, because I'm not sure how they'll react and they could ruin the whole thing." There's just something about Katniss that makes me doubt she'll be able to play along and it would be cruel to expose Peeta's feelings before he's ready. Everyone agrees and adjourns to their rooms for their night.

As I get under the covers I start to doubt my plan. I might have to choose one of them to support more and it looks increasingly like it's going to be Katniss but she can seem so cold and guarded sometimes whereas Peeta is just naturally more likeable. No, I can't let my heart choose. I've been burned before.

Peeta and I arrive for breakfast at the same time the next morning and it's clear from Katniss' scowl that she's not happy with her outfit; she's wearing a burgundy tunic very similar to Peeta's. If she wins I just hope she appreciates what everyone is doing for her, especially this poor boy.

"So, let's get down to business," I say after my belly has been filled. "Training. First off, if you like, I'll coach you separately. Decide now." I ask this as more of a test of Peeta's love rather than anything else.

"Why would you coach us separately?" Asks Katniss.

"Say if you had a secret skill you might not want the other to know about."

Katniss considers this for a moment but Peeta speaks first. "I don't have any secret skills and I already know what yours is, right? I mean, I've eaten enough of your squirrels." My first thought is that if she's half as good as her father was with a bow then we've got a real chance this year. My second thought is that Peeta is desperate to help her.

"You can coach us together," Katniss says.

"All right, give me some idea of what you can do."

"I can't do anything," says Peeta, "Unless you count baking bread."

He's very quick. "Sorry, I don't. Katniss, I already know you're handy with a knife."

"Not really but I can hunt. With a bow and arrow."

"And you're good?"

"I'm all right."

"She's excellent," says Peeta and immediately starts singing her praises, to which Katniss acts shocked. He's telling her not to undersell herself to me if she wants help but she's a Seam kid through and through so she repays her debt by telling me how strong Peeta is. Although, he quickly dismisses this. Breakfast is certainly an eye opener today.

Peeta finally turns to me after revealing that his mother thinks Katniss will win over him. This kid has got crap coming at him from all angles. "She has no idea," he says, "The effect she can have." She really doesn't, even when it's sitting next to her.

"Well then," I say, "Well, well, well. Katniss, there's no guarantee there'll be bows and arrows in the arena, but during your private session with the Gamemakers, show them what you can do. Until then, stay clear of archery. Are you any good at trapping?"

"I know a few basic snares."

"That may be significant in terms of food. And Peeta, she's right, never underestimate strength in the arena. Very often, physical power tilts the advantage to a player. In the Training Centre, they will have weights, but don't reveal how much you can lift in front of the other tributes. The plan's the same for both of you. You go to group training. Spend the time trying to learn something you don't know. Throw a spear. Swing a mace. Learn to tie a decent knot. Save showing what you're best at until your private sessions. Are we clear?" I'm amazed at how easily the words spill out of my mouth, at how passionate I am to get one of them through this. I guess all of these years in the Capitol have taught me something. I tell them to be together all the time, to which they object but I'm firm. I'm certain now that Peeta wants to protect her and the sooner we present them as having some sort of relationship, the better.

Before I head to the Sponsorship Room I give myself a moment about how best to reveal Peeta's love for Katniss so that we get the Capitolites on side. I can build up the story to the sponsors during training and then…yes, the interviews. That's when we ramp things up. The eve of this year's Games is going to end in a way that's never been seen before.