Thank you, again, for reading and I hope you enjoy the chapter! All feedback is welcome and I appreciate any comments you may have.

I do not own the Hunger Games nor its characters.

Chapter Thirty-Nine

By the time I wake up the next day Peeta and Katniss are already in the hands of their prep team so I spend the hours wisely by heading, once again, to the Sponsorship Room where I stumble upon Plutarch chatting away to a group of Capitolites.

He doesn't approach me immediately but waits half an hour and then walks over with that infamous grin.

"Haymitch!" He says as he wraps an arm around me. "How's she getting on?" He whispers before he pulls away. This is the first time I've seen him since I arrived in the Capitol but it's of no surprise to me that he's fascinated by Katniss.

"Well, she doesn't really like to do what she's told, which is a good and a bad thing, I suppose."

"She's certainly fiery, she sent me flying in to a bowl of punch when she launched that arrow!"

I laugh, the image of Plutarch landing in a punch bowl will never fail to amuse me. "I've got a plan," I say once I've stopped laughing but I keep smiling to keep up the pretence for any onlookers. "And it may just smell enough of rebellion to get her home."

He nods as I explain my plan and agrees that it just might work, not only would young lovers torn apart by their circumstances appeal to the soppy Capitolites but it would also, hopefully, anger the districts.

Just as we're saying goodbye Plutarch says, "Of course, it had to be you that would come up with such a cunning plan!" I'm not sure if that's a compliment or not. I suppose I'll find out if and when Katniss wins.

After I've had enough of the Sponsorship Room and their many delicacies I go to Peeta's room to find Portia making a few last minute alterations to his black suit. My mind instantly heads towards Vieve and that day in the shop. I must have a melancholy look on my face because Peeta is staring at me as if I've got two heads.

"Are you okay, Haymitch?" He asks.

"Yes," I groan, trying to shake off any thoughts of Vieve. "I just wanted to check that you're all set for tonight. How are you feeling?"

"A bit nervous but I'm determined to do this." He looks down before adding, "I need to."

I slap him on the back and say, "You're going to be great, I'll see you later," before leaving the room. For some reason he puts me on edge; his sheer determination to sacrifice himself for someone he loves just makes me feel like a pathetic excuse of a man. A fact I already know but don't want to be reminded of.

Cinna has very kindly made me a fancy new suit for the interviews so after I've showered I put it on and accompany everyone else to the room where the interviews will take place. Just before I take my seat with the other victors I notice that Katniss has her scowl etched across her face so I make sure to tell her and Peeta that they still need to act like a happy pair. I try to suppress the guilt I feel when I see Peeta's face.

I find my seat next to Chaff, who has already fetched me a bottle of white liquor and wait for the interviews to begin. When his tribute, Rue, takes to the stage I can sense his body tensing as she looks so childlike compared to the other tributes. She's very sweet and gets a lot of sympathy but I doubt anyone is backing her.

Eventually, Katniss takes to the stage in one of Cinna's amazing designs that makes her look like she could turn in to a fireball at any moment. I can tell she's nervous but Caesar manages to get a funny remark out of her about lamb stew that has the audience cracking up. I'm just hoping that she can keep it up.

"Now, Katniss," says Caesar, "When you came out in the opening ceremonies, my heart actually stopped. What did you think of that costume?"

"You mean after I got over my fear of being burned alive?" Another laugh. Keep going, I think.

"Yes. Start then."

"I thought Cinna was brilliant and it was the most gorgeous costume and I couldn't believe I was wearing it. I can't believe I'm wearing this, either." She stands up and says, "I mean, Look at it!" To my surprise she starts twirling on the stage and she really does look like she's on fire, the effect is incredible and the whole audience feels it. She stops, claiming she's dizzy but Caesar grabs her.

"Don't worry, I've got you. Can't have you following in your mentor's footsteps."

The cameras quickly point to me and I just smile and wave, although I'm fighting the urge to smack Chaff who is guffawing like nobody's business.

The cameras swing back to Katniss and Caesar is trying to find out how she got that eleven but she reminds him that it's secret, which almost makes him wet himself, I'm sure.

"Let's go back then, to the moment they called your sister's name at the reaping And you volunteered," says Caesar and I can feel my heart beat picking up. She was doing okay up until now but this could change everything. "Can you tell us about her?"

"Her name's Prim. She's just twelve. And I love her more than anything." It's simple but at least she's given them some insight in to her life. I'm just willing for her time to be over, now.

"What did she say to you? After the reaping?"

"She asked me to try really hard to win."

"And what did you say?"

"I swore I would." Yes! It might not have been the best interview but at least she's told the audience that she has a solid reason to win and that's she's going to try her hardest.

The buzzer sounds and as she leaves the stage I begin to tense. Peeta's up next and it's almost time for his big reveal. I'm certain that Katniss is going to hate us both within the next five minutes but I don't care, hopefully she'll realise what we're trying to do for her.

Peeta is brilliant as soon as he steps on to the stage, he's joking with Caesar and has the whole crowd roaring with laughter. He's set the whole thing up beautifully now and when Caesar asks him about a girlfriend I almost breathe a sigh of relief. So far, so good.

Peeta shakes his head in response to the question but in such a way that you don't really believe him.

"Handsome lad like you," says Caesar, "There must be some special girl. Come on, what's her name?"

"Well, there is this one girl. I've had a crush on her ever since I can remember. But I'm pretty sure she didn't know I was alive until the reaping." I can almost hear the sighs of sympathy from the audience.

"She have another fellow?"

"I don't know, but a lot of boys like her."

"So, here's what you do. You win, you go home. She can't turn you down then, eh?"

I clench my fists, waiting for Peeta's response. This is it. This is his chance. Katniss' chance.

"I don't think it's going to work out. Winning…won't help in my case."

"Why ever not?"

"Because...," he's stammering, unsure if he should go ahead with it but eventually he spits it out, "because…she came here with me."
I knew he could do it, he's got the whole room gripped and the look of sadness on his face is going to read well with the audience. I almost hit myself for being so emotionally distant, I know that it's not a look faked for the cameras.

Katniss' face appears on screen. She's suitably shocked and I'm hoping that she doesn't lash out. Luckily, she just looks down as if she's embarrassed. I'm guessing she has no idea how perfectly she's just played her role of the heartbroken teenager.

"Oh, that is a piece of bad luck," says Caesar.

"It's not good," says Peeta.

"Well, I don't think any of us can blame you. It'd be hard not to fall for that young lady. She didn't know?"

Peeta shakes his head and says, "Not until now."

Caesar asks the audience if they'd like to get Katniss back up on stage, which sends a cold chill over my body, before informing them that it's against the rules. As Peeta leaves the stage I'm convinced that he gets the biggest applause, as well as a few tears. During the anthem all I can hear is whispers of "Poor Peeta" and "They'd make such a sweet couple."

Chaff turns to me, "Was that your big plan?" He asks.

I nod, "What do you think?"

"It's either the best strategy that the Games has ever seen or the worst. I guess we'll soon find out."

I grin, finish off my bottle of white liquor and leave my seat to go and check on Peeta and Katniss, something I'm dreading. I meet up with Effie, Portia and Cinna before we get in to the elevator and as soon as it opens in to our apartment we can see shards of something splayed across the floor and Peeta sitting amongst it.

"What's going on?" Screeches Effie, "Did you fall?"

"After she shoved me," replies Peeta, allowing Effie and Cinna to help him up.

"Shoved him?" I shout, the feeling of anger growing inside of me. This girl is just not good for my health!

"That was your idea, wasn't it?" She says, "Turning me into some kind of fool in front of the entire country?"

"It was my idea," says Peeta, "Haymitch just helped me with it."

"Yes, Haymitch is very helpful. To you!" She spits.

"You are a fool," I say, "Do you think he hurt you? That boy gave you something you could never achieve on your own."

"He made me look weak!"

"He made you look desirable! And let's face it, you can use all the help you can get in that department. You were about as romantic as dirt until he said he wanted you. Now they all do. You're all they're talking about. The star-crossed lovers from District Twelve!"

"But we're not star-crossed lovers!"

I can't contain my anger any longer and push her against the wall, she may have the mind-set of a hunter but her social skills are atrocious. "Who cares? It's all a big show. It's all how you're perceived. The most I could say about you after your interview was that you were nice enough, although that in itself was a small miracle. Now I can say you're a heartbreaker. Oh, oh, oh, how the boys back home fall longingly at your feet. Which do you think will get you more sponsors?"

She shoves me away and I can see that she's thinking it over. She's still adamant that she should have been told but after everyone has assured her that her reaction was perfect her face softens a little.

"She's just worried about her boyfriend," says Peeta and my head snaps around, he didn't tell me she already had a boyfriend!

"I don't have a boyfriend," Katniss snaps.

"Whatever," says Peeta, "But I bet he's smart enough to know a bluff when he sees it. Besides you didn't say you loved me. So what does it matter?" Poor kid, even now he's still trying to protect her. He doesn't really want her to know how he feels in case it confuses her. After a little more arguing and reassuring Katniss that this is the right strategy we sit down for dinner and then watch the interview recaps.

Eventually, it's time for bed and for us to say our goodbyes. This is the last time any of us are going to see Peeta in the flesh but I just hope that stupid girl makes it out.

Effie shakes their hands and wishes them luck before she says, "I wouldn't be at all surprised if I finally get promoted to a decent district next year!" Argh, this woman!

I, meanwhile, do nothing. I hate goodbyes.

"Any final words of advice?" Asks Peeta and I realise that this is my last chance to impart any words of somewhat wisdom I have.

"When the gong sounds, get the hell out of there. You're neither of you up to the bloodbath at the Cornucopia. Just clear out, put as much distance as you can between yourselves and the others, and find a source of water. Got it?"

"And after that?" Asks Katniss.

"Stay alive." I don't know what else to say, after all, that's all I want her to do. Survive this hell and then help the cause. Possibly.

As I try to sleep all I can think about is Katniss and the horrors that await her. I know I should be worried about Peeta but he's resigned himself to the fact that he's going to die and, unfortunately, so have I. He's a good kid, a rarity in this country, but I don't think he has the same rebellious streak that Katniss does. She may not be our figurehead but I'm sure she hates Snow enough to help us. At least, I hope she does.