A/N: I think I'll make a sequel... What should the name of it be? Something simple, like 'Quarter Quell'? Or something inspiring?

Chapter 14:

They were found sleeping together several times on the Victory Tour, wrapped in each other's arms and fully clothed, by Effie as she bustled around to wake everyone up each day. She eventually just didn't respond to the sleeping arrangements, stating that she couldn't deal with it anymore.

"Come on, Sweetheart, Effie's waiting. You'll be seeing President Snow in a little while."

Nikki looked at the mirror in the bedroom. She was wearing a form-fitting black dress that reached the ground, barely showing her shoes. "Alright, I'm on my way." She made sure that her hair was still in place before she walked to the door and left the bedroom.

"You look lovely," Haymitch said, looking her up and down.

Nikki relaxed at his easy-going attitude. "Thank you, Haymitch. Hopefully, Peeta will think the same."

Haymitch winked at her. They left to meet up with the others, and Haymitch laughed at the look on Peeta's face. "Close your mouth, lover boy."

Peeta's jaw snapped shut as he stared at Nikki. He swallowed before saying, "You look wonderful, Nikki."

Nikki blushed and smiled up at him, eyes sparkling. "Thank you, Peeta." Her voice squeezed out of a tight throat. "You look very handsome."

"Oh! You two look so wonderful together!" Effie's voice trembled as she pulled a handkerchief from her little purse. She dabbed at the corner of her eyes, and sniffed delicately. "It's time." She led the group through the manor, through the crowds, and outside where the event was going to happen.

Nikki and Peeta were introduced to so many 'important people' that they were starting to feel bored. They started dancing on the dance floor section of the yard, discussing the audacity of the Capital throwing up food just to eat more. Then they met Plutarch, the new Gamemaker. He was a jolly man, asking to dance with Nikki.

"Sure," Peeta said, glancing at Nikki and letting go of her. He stepped away, standing by Effie's side.

"Nikki Swift, the girl on fire," Plutarch said, holding Nikki gently as the slowly moved around the dance floor. "You interest me. You interest a fair number of people."

"I try not to," She replied. "I just want a quiet life with Peeta and my family."

"The Capital won't allow that now," the Gamemaker said. "They want to keep you in the spotlight. You're the face of the Capital now."

"How? I didn't do anything to deserve all that."

"You brought out the berries," he explained. "Snow doesn't believe your love story. He thinks that you brought out the berries to defy the Capital."

Nikki's jaw dropped. "How is giving up my life for Peeta's happiness defying the Capital?!"

Plutarch shrugged. "I'm just saying what Snow thinks. He thinks that your sacrifice was just an act and that you orchestrated the dual victor win." He looked at his watch. Tapping the screen, he briefly showed a butterfly surrounded by flames. He glanced up at Nikki. "I've got to go. Remember that the fun starts at Midnight."

When he left, Peeta stepped up to her side. "Nikki, are you okay? You look pale."

Nikki looked at him. "Yes, Peeta, I'm fine. I just found out something that we need to talk about with Haymitch and Effie." He nodded in response, and they continued to dance and chat with the people around them even a little after Snow made his toast to them... until Nikki couldn't put it off any longer. She had to tell the others what had happened.

"Tell us, sweetheart, what's going on?"

Her breath hitched, but her voice was steady as she told them what happened. "Plutarch told me that Snow believes that I orchestrated the dual victor win, as a defiance against the Capital. He said that the Capital wants to keep me in the spotlight as well. Snow doesn't believe our love story, and he's going to want us to do something that 'convinces' him. I just know it..."

Peeta frowned as he looked down at his lap. He placed a hand in his pocket.

"That's not all," Nikki said, looking up at Haymitch. "Plutarch tapped the face of his watch and showed a butterfly surrounded by flames, before saying that the fun starts at Midnight. Yes, with a capital 'M'. What did he mean by that?"

"We'll find that out when we get to it," Haymitch said. "First, we need to figure out what to do about Snow's disbelief."

"I have an idea," Peeta said. "I was already thinking about this, but Snow's just pushing for it sooner than I was ready." He still didn't look ready...

Nikki tilted her head. "What do you mean?"

"Sweetheart, let's let him make sure he's ready before he says anything."

"It's a good time for us to go to bed, anyway," Effie said. "It's been a long few days..."

"You're right." Nikki stood up from her seat and waved goodnight to the others. On her way to her room on the train, she heard footsteps behind her. She looked over her shoulder and saw Peeta. "Hey, what's up?"

He bit his lip. "I was wondering if you wanted to start the night together so we don't have nightmares."

Nikki smiled. "No nightmares sounds great."

"I'll go grab some clothes, and I'll be right back." Peeta kissed her forehead and left.

Nikki shook her head wondering what he was worrying about. It couldn't be anything bad, right? She walked into her room, and got ready for bed. She was just pulling back the covers when Peeta came back. Looking over, she saw his shocked expression. "What?" she asked, straightening up and turning towards him.

He swallowed, looking her up and down. "Sorry, I'm trying so hard not to act on my thoughts right now."

At first, Nikki was a little confused, but when she looked down at her tank top and shorts, she understood. She swallowed and looked back at Peeta. She thought about it. Well, they were old enough... and they loved each other enough to spend the rest of their life together... Her lips moved of their own accord, saying, "We can, if you want. I would like to take that next step."

"What? Really?" Peeta's eyes were wide.

Nikki took a deep breath, and walked over to Peeta, standing on her tiptoes to press her lips to his. "Really," she said before going back to kissing him.

Peeta took a slow step forward, dropping his clothes for the next day, and heard the door shut behind him. He placed his hands on her hips, supporting her as they leisurely kissed.

Her hands fisted in his hair as he moved them towards the bed. They slowly stripped, touching and exploring, and Nikki was laid down in the middle of the bed as Peeta's mouth explored all over her body. His fingers dipped into her curves and in between her legs. Her breath came out in moans. He moved up her body and she wrapped her arms and legs around him, holding him close. "Peeta," she sighed. He lowered his mouth to hers as he moved his hips forward. A sharp pinch, and she grunted slightly into the kiss. Then she relaxed as he began to move.

A/N: Only a few chapters left, I think. :) See you next time!