When morning arrives, neither Katniss or Peeta are in any sort of hurry to leave the safety, comfort, and absolute state of denial of their bedroom. They were in the Capitol - yes, they knew that - but the Capitol didn't have to own every moment of their lives while they were there, or at least, they shouldn't. For a while they lay there, comforted in nothing but the presence of the other. Finally daring to break the silence…

"How are you feeling Katniss?" asks Peeta.

"I'm alright," she shrugs before rolling over to face him. "Baby seems fine." There's a long paused before Katniss adds, "For now." Peeta's face turns harsh and she knows she's offended him. Never since the first Games had he said anything that made her feel this guilty, and it was not a feeling that she liked. "I'm sorry," she adds frantically. "It's just so hard to be positive about anything, when anything and everything around us, is calling for our end."

"I know," Peeta says stroking her face. "But, for my sake at least, please quit reminding me that someone is out to get us and that like it or not, one of us -"

"Don't you dare, say that!" she hisses.

"-That we don't know what the outcome will be," he fumbles the words. For the next several minutes Katniss does nothing but glare at him. "I'm sorry. I'm trying to be realistic here. This isn't going to work out the way we want it to, Katniss. You know that as well as I do. And all the denial in the world is not going to change anything."

"That doesn't mean I want to hear about it," she says through gritted teeth.

"Valid point," he nods and sits upright. "I'm going to get dressed and find out what the plan is for today."

"The interviews."

"Well, yes," he rolls his eyes. "But last year, by now we were already talking about what we were planning on talking about in our interviews and practicing what we were going to say and things like that, but Effie hasn't come in to get us, and neither has Haymitch. Doesn't that make you the least bit curious?"

He was right. She was curious. "I guess we should go find out."

"I can go do that," he swings his legs out over the side of the bed and begins the arduous process of putting on his artificial leg.

Katniss rolls back the other way, sits up, and gets up from the bed. Feeling slightly light headed she sits back down. "Yeah, maybe you should go."

Peeta stops with his leg just long enough to look over at her, "are you okay?"

"Just a little light headed," she waves the air in front of her. "Nothing to worry about. I probably just got up too quickly."

"Are you sure?" he glances to her belly then back to her face. "Baby feel alright?"

"Moving around, so I'd say yes," she shrugs. "I probably just stood up too quickly."

"Well that's not that reassuring," he sighs. "I'm going to call a doctor-" she tries to interrupt. "Just to come and make sure everything is okay. Alright? Humor me, Katniss. Let me be a concerned-" her glare stops him mid-sentence. "Just let me get a doctor, alright?" She nods and he finishes with his leg. "Okay, I'll be back in a little bit, you just lay down." He twists her carefully in the bed and lays her down.

About a half hour later Peeta comes back in followed by one of the doctors from the Capitol. After checking her over and making sure the baby is alright he gives a slight laugh, "no more side sleeping for you."

"What?" ask Peeta and Katniss in unison.

"From what I gather," explains the doctor. "It looks like by sleeping on your back you're putting too much pressure on your vena cava and that is causing blood to not move to your heart as quickly because the baby's weight is too much. So I would suggest sleeping on your side for the remainder of your pregnancy."

"That's easier said than done, doc," says Katniss. "Day after tomorrow, I don't know what's going to happen. I mean, I'll try, but I can't make any guarantees, but I think you understand, right?"

"Katniss," he says. "Regardless of whatever happens to you in that arena, you need to make sure that that baby is your first priority. Peeta can help you, but he can only do so much, and as the woman in this situation, most of that responsibility falls on you. I know you care about your child, even if it's hard to admit in light of everything, but I trust that you'll do that right thing."

"So she's fine, more or less?" Peeta interjects.

"Yes," nods the doctor. "She's fine. Did you guys want to know what gender the baby is? I was able to ascertain that information during my examination."

Katniss replies with a "no" at the same time that Peeta replies with a "yes."

"I don't know how much time I have left doc," Peeta nods towards the door. "So I'd really like to know."

"You sure you don't want to know anything Katniss?" asks the doctor, one more time.

"I'm positive," she nods emphatically. "I don't want to know."

"Okay," says the doctor as he and Peeta head towards the door. "Oh!" he turns to face her. "Try to not do anything strenuous between today and when the Games begin, because you really need to take it easy, and I know when you're in the arena that'll be damn near impossible, but I want you to try. Nothing crazy today, got it?" She nods and Peeta and the doctor leave Katniss in the room to ponder what she's just been told.

After several minutes in the hallway Peeta walks back into the room, misty from his conversation with the doctor, he asks Katniss again if she wants to know and she reiterates that no, she would not. He concedes to the fact that now she says no, but sometime before they enter that arena he's going to tell her, because whether she wants to know it or not, there was something they needed to decide on together. At some point their baby will need a name.

After discovering that they wouldn't need to go over how to conduct an interview - owing to Effie and Haymitch determining that they'd had enough practice - they had a few hours of free time to kill before they'd have to get ready for the interviews themselves. After eating lunch they went and sat down in the lounge.

Peeta sat on the couch putting an arm out to the side on the back so that she could sit against it. Sitting down she curled up beside him legs tucked in beside her and hand over her stomach. For a while no one said anything, then with a slight shiver from Katniss, Peeta grabbed a blanket and draped it over them.

Eventually a Capitol attendant walks into the room asking if they'd like anything to drink. Katniss asks for some milk, the man nods and leaves the room. "Why did he look so sad?" Katniss turning her neck to look at him.

"They feel sorry for us," answers Peeta. "For all of us. No one is happy about this Quell Katniss. Everyone in the Districts that thought their loved one was safe forever, has had to rethink things, and people in the Capitol grow attached to their victors so they're not happy about this either. Our fans possibly the least of all. We've the most to lose. We who have enjoyed so few of the rewards we were given, who have had so little time to be victors, who were never really free to begin with. They own us-"

"But we don't have to let ourselves be pieces in their Games," says Katniss.

"I wish that were true," Peeta sighs. "But I think now more than ever, not wanting the Games to change us, is going to be infinitely harder than it was before. Because they took our comfort of winning away. Whoever wins this one...they're going to be hated before they're going to be loved. It's not really that desirable of a victory."

The attendant walks back into the room with two glasses of milk, "I brought an extra cup."

"Thanks."

"And I added a touch of honey to the milk. For sweetness. And just a pinch of spice," he adds. He looks like he wants to say more, then gives his head a slight shake and backs out of the room.

"They feel bad for us Katniss," Peeta says stroking her shoulder.

"Well they should mind their own business," snaps Katniss. "You know, it's really too bad that we can't go anywhere, not that I'd know the first thing about where we should go...but I just feel so cooped up in here."

"Well who said we can't?" smiles Peeta and jumps to his feet. Extending his hand she stands up. "We good?" He watches her until she gives him a thumbs up. "Alright, follow me!" Pulling her behind him - stopping just long enough to order food - and goes straight for the roof. "Remember this from last year?" Laughing they make it up to the roof.

"Yeah," nods Katniss. "I was still trying to decide how I felt about you."

"You mean you've figured it out finally?" he teased. Katniss gives him a light smack across the arm.

"I suppose you'd decided by then to save me, hadn't you?" she asks, but instead of answering, Peeta grabs a blanket from a box and lays it out before them and then helps her sit down before joining her himself. Once he's sat down she places a pillow in his lap and lays on her side. "Was I even worth saving? I mean look what's happened to you because of what I did." She gestures to his leg.

"Oh stop it," he shakes his head and begins to stroke her head. "I'm used to it now. You saved my life, my leg wasn't that important. With the technology the Capitol has, I was told that I could have a fully functioning attachment in two years. Apparently they're that close, or so the doctor was telling me."

"Peeta," says Katniss slowly. "Why did you want to know the gender?"

"Why don't you?" he asks back.

"Because it's another reminder…"

"Of what?"

"Of what I have to lose...should anything go wrong in the arena…" she sighs heavily and holds her belly protectively. "What if I can't save them? What if something happens in there and it's my fault? What is something happens to them? What is to become of me? How could I possibly leave an arena if something were to happen?" She begins speaking faster and faster and then shoots straight up, nearly knocking Peeta in the mouth with her head, "If they died...I could never live with myself!" She's screaming now, "It would be all my fault!"

"Katniss…" Peeta drawls, rubbing her shoulders and pulling her into his arms. "It'll all be okay. I won't let anything happen."

"You can't promise that," she says bitterly.

"No…" he admits. "I can't. But I can promise you, that I will do absolutely everything in my power to make sure that you and our baby get out of that arena. Under no circumstances will I not defend you. For no reason will I leave your side. I will be there for you through the whole thing. You won't need to worry about anything but the two of you. That is what I promise you. And if need be," he speaks with resolve. "I will die for you...both. You're my family, and I love you. If it comes down to the wire, I won't have to think twice. When it comes down to a final moment, whatever it may be, I will not fail you."

Katniss begins to cry profusely until she falls asleep. An hour or so later she wakes up to see Peeta looking down at her with tears in his eyes. "Peeta," she reaches up to wipe them away, "what's wrong? Are you okay?"

He smiles faintly, "I was just watching you sleep. It's quite relaxing."

"You don't know the half of it," she laughs dryly. "You are the most peaceful sleeper I have ever seen. There's no harshness in your face, no anger, no anything but the look of absolute innocence. Since Rue, I've never seen anyone sleep so soundly." She stops as if weighing the options of asking or not asking, "how come I don't know when you have any nightmares?"

"I guess I don't thrash around or anything," he shrugs. "I just come to paralyzed with fright. My nightmares are mostly about you anyways."

"How so?"

"I've seen you die, so many ways and so many times, I've lost count." He pulls her hand into the air and gives it a gentle kiss. "It's okay though. When I wake up and you're here. That's why I like to watch you sleep. Because I can see you. You're here. I can touch you, if I need to, because you're right here. And when they're so bad I start to think they're real, I'm relieved, because you're here."

"That's really sweet," Katniss says as she begins to cry. "God! I hate hormones!" Then she pouts, "I want cheese buns…"

"I can do that!" Peeta nearly shouts. "You relax here and-"

The door to the roof opens and Cinna steps out. "I'm sorry you two…"

"Time to be remade?" Katniss grumbles.

"Yes," Cinna shakes his head, "heaven forbid you look good on television."

"I'd be happy in my underclothes!" she blurts out.

"Well we all know that's not true," says Cinna plainly.

"Fine, so maybe it's not," she excuses. "But I hate being paraded around."

"I'm sure we all do," remarks Peeta getting to his feet and pulling Katniss up behind him. "See you at the interviews?" Katniss nods and Peeta leaves giving her a gentle kiss on the lips.

When Katniss sees her dress, appalled is not a strong enough word for what she feels. "That was the dress for my shower!" she shouts and Cinna pats her on the shoulder. "Why am I wearing that? That's so cruel!" tears begin to stream down her face.

"This wasn't my choice," he says, his voice drenched in pity. "Snow insisted."

"Of course it's Snow's fault," mutters Katniss. Looking down at her floral print dress, with a mixture of pink and blue flowers, arranged in the most beautiful collection of fake flowers she had ever seen in her life. "Why does that even surprise me?!" she exclaims, collapsing into a chair.

"You know I'd never-" Cinna begins.

"Oh, no, of course I don't blame you," she sighs heavily. "It's not your fault. None of this is your fault. You're just as much a participant as I am, and neither of us is thrilled to be here."

"It's my job," he says. "But just because it's my job, it doesn't mean I approve of his methods. And I am sorry Katniss that this is your fate. The odds have certainly never been in your favor. And I wish I could help change that. But I know I can't. And I'm sorry for that. And I'm sorry that no matter what happens in that arena...the odds will never be in your favor."

"It's really all a big joke, isn't it?" bitterness seeping from her every word. "The Games. The tributes. The victors. The mentors. And tributes again. You could say the odds were never in their favor either."

"Yes," he agrees. "But it's not their odds I'm concerned about."

"Thank you," she says gently placing her hand on his. "For everything."

"It's what I'm here for," he nods. "And that's not my job." Looking at the clock he hurries the last of her jewelry in place. "Be ready to dazzle them all. Make them feel bad for you if you have to."

"Every one of them is angry, Katniss," says Haymitch as he waltzes through the door. "They are all going to try to say whatever they can to stop this Games. I suggest you do the same. You've already got a good sympathy vote, so we just need you to tug a bit on the heartstrings...think you can do that?"

She nods but then shakes her head.

"Eh," he tips his head to the side, "at least try something." He turns and gestures to the door. "Now if you wouldn't mind...we have somewhere else we need to be." As they walk through the main area Katniss scours every possible inch she passes for Peeta. "Oh, the boy is meeting us there. So no need to worry, you'll see him soon enough anyways."

"Am I twirling today?" Katniss asks as they walk through the door.

"Oh, that reminds me," Cinna reaches into his pocket and pulls out a tiny button.

"No," he shakes his head. "Think Peeta would have it out for me if I made to spin around. So no, no twirling. But when you're ready, press this button and your dress will do it's own thing, without any work from you...then maybe Peeta won't kill me." He laughs and they continue their journey to the studio.

Upon her arrival, Peeta comes over to meet her. "Sorry, they thought we should come separately for some reason."

Katniss shakes her head, "yeah I gathered that much when Haymitch said we'd be meeting you here."

"No need to be snappy with me, Katniss," he rubs her shoulder. "We're here now, so it'll be okay."

"Has anyone gone yet?"

"Just the Career districts," he shrugs, "meaning 1 thru 4."

"Did they try to stop the Games? What did they say?"

"Well, the brother and sister from One talked about how the Capitol has become their family," he rolls his eyes. "Or something sappy like that. The two from Two didn't seem to care much, I think they must have liked murder. The girl from Three - Wiress - didn't really say much of anything. And the guy from Three talked about how the Quell was written by men and could therefore be unwritten by men. Four, Mags was so quiet I couldn't really figure out what she was saying, and Finnick recited something to 'my love.'"

"Really?" she asks indignant. "Everyone in the Capitol must be thinking he's talking to them on an individual level. I guess that works for the sympathy card. He must have had people fainting because he's just too beautiful and precious for this world."

"Not that I know of," he hesitates. "But I also can't really see the audience from here."

"True," she nods. "Ouch!" then she rubs her stomach. "Calm down in there."

"You alright?" Peeta questions frantically.

"Yeah, yeah, yeah," she waves him away with her hand. "I'm fine, just a kick to the ribs isn't an enjoyable feeling."

"Well I wouldn't know," he throws his hands into the air.

"Whoa!" Peeta enunciates looking at the monitor.

"What?" she looks frantically to the same area.

"Johanna is letting them have it…"

"Well, you know what," her voice raising, "Well fuck that! And fuck anybody that had anything to do with it!"

"Um…" Peeta says for lack of anything else to say.

"Well I think her point is coming across pretty well," says Katniss sardonically.

One by one the rest of the tributes go up to Caesar, say their peace about the Games and play on the hearts of the Capitol citizens hoping that something will cause some sort of uproar and get the Games cancelled, but so far nothing's happening, nothing's making any difference at all. These victors so deeply loved by the Capitol, have said nothing to bring a rise out of anyone. And now it was Katniss' turn to talk, and she had absolutely no idea what to say.

"What's with the baby colored dress?" snaps Johanna.

"Snow made me wear it," she says plainly.

Johanna takes several steps towards Katniss, makes eye contact and says with absolute resolve, "Make him pay for it." Katniss nods, she didn't know how she was going to accomplish that but she guessed she could at least try. Walking on stage to the shouts and chants of her name, Katniss is overwhelmed.

"My, my, my," exclaims Caesar Flickerman as Katniss takes her place beside him. "Now, Katniss. This has been a very emotional time for all of us. You must be feeling some of that too, especially you."

"Well, it has been interesting," she says.

"Yes, yes, very true," he places his hand on the small of her back. "Now I think we're all disappointed, mm, more than a little disappointed with how unfortunate your circumstances really are. I mean you're pregnant, that must be something very hard to come to terms with with the way that things are for you, right now."

"It has taken some adjusting to be sure," her voice cracking.

"And now, Katniss, this dress," he strokes the sleeve. "This must have been for your baby shower, never to be."

"Yes, this is the dress."

"Must be a bit bittersweet to be wearing it now, I imagine," he tries to sound sympathetic.

"More bitter than sweet, I suppose."

"Are you going to be twirling this year? Or does Peeta have some sort of say in that?"

"I'm not twirling," she raises the hand where the button is tightly clenched. "But I do have something."

"Oooh," squeals Caesar. "Intriguing! Wouldn't we like to see folks?"

The answer is thunderous applause, and with determination Katniss presses the button having absolutely no idea what was going to happen, but trusting that Cinna would never do anything to hurt her. As she glances at the bottom of the dress it starts to turn into fire and it travels up to the top of the dress burning away the bright blue and pink. Just when she's afraid that this is it, she's going to be left standing naked on the stage, a bit of fabric falls from the shoulders encasing her from neck to feet in a dark blue dress made out of what seemed to be feathers. Almost instinctively she raises her arms to the side.

"Oh oh oh oh," Caesar says jumping with excitement, "it's like a - it's like - it's like a bird," and he flaps his hands to his sides.

"Just like a mockingjay," she says slowly, realizing just how much Cinna has put himself at risk.

"Well your stylist has certainly outdone himself this year!" he searches the stylists box till he finds him, "Cinna! Take a bow!" Cinna stands and bows accordingly as the audience continues to scream in approval. Turning back to Katniss Caesar asks her to take her seat and then introduces Peeta.

"Hello Caesar!" he says cheerfully. And they begin their usual banter, to great reaction and enjoyment of the audience. "Now Peeta," he looks somber. "What we all really want to know is, have you named the baby?" Peeta looks briefly stunned before recovering to answer that, no they had not. "Well do you at least know the gender?"

"Well I do," he says. "But Katniss didn't want to know."

"Oh come now, Peeta," he chides. "We want to know. Won't you tell us?"

"You think you can keep a secret?"

"Oh of course we can keep a secret," smiles Caesar leaning in to Peeta.

"No, I can't say," he pauses as if struggling to find the words. "It's just…" he shifts uneasily. "It's just." Tears fill his eyes. "It's not just...there's two of them." The crowd erupts in angry screams and protests and so Caesar encourages him to take a seat. Once again Peeta has blown anything that anyone says clear out of the water.

Getting up to Katniss' side, he hugs her, and then stands at her side holding her hand. Then in the greatest show of rebellion since the Dark Days the victors join hands in one unbroken link. To show their disapproval. To show their anger. To show that even though they are being forced to do this, in one moment, they stand together on one point. They stand together on their detest of the Capitol. They are solid. Together. Deadly.

They are victors and they're not to be messed with.

Lights

go

out.

But the shouts don't stop in the darkness. Anger lights it's own fuse and even the dark can't diminish it.