A/N: Apologies for the late update-college has been kicking my ass. Enjoy! :)

CHAPTER THIRTEEN:

SNOW'S DREAMS

Lucy Gray woke to the image of her Coriolanus dressing himself in front of the mirror. He adjusted his gray blue lipels, smoothing out the crisp fabric along his arms before snapping his Officer's pins on each shoulder. His ivory hair had grown slightly, allowing him to comb back the strands from his forehead. His new position had earned him the privilege of freeing his hair from a buzz cut.

He caught sight of Lucy Gray's head poking out from the covers, her brown curls a delightful mess about her. She gazed at him lazily, her rosy lips curling into a smile.

"Handsome."

Coriolanus approached the bedside to kiss her. With Lucy Gray's arms locked around him, he tugged her up out of bed and placed her across his lap. Their lips moved together with excitement, igniting a once rare joy between them. Things had been happier now that they weren't so poor. Here they were in a beautiful bedroom, the large arched windows inviting the sun to flood onto their intertwined bodies. Their nights had turned electrifying once more, that old passion possessing them, beckoning them back to the love which had sparked between them the moment they had met eyes.

"Are we goin' to see Pluribus this afternoon?" Lucy Gray wondered, chuckling as Coriolanus planted several kisses on her cheek.

"Yes, ma'am." He whispered, continuing down her neck.

"What should I wear?" Lucy Gray patted his shoulders with excitement.

"How about that new dress I bought you?"

And so Lucy Gray slipped into a white organza dress, splattered with tiny orange roses. She twirled around in their closet a few times, watching it flare out in waves. Maude Ivory would have nearly fainted at the sight of a dress this beautiful. Someday soon, Lucy Gray would pass it down to her. That is, when they arrived at the Capitol. Lucy Gray wandered down the marble hallway to the foyer with her shoes in her hands, the elegant tile cold and smooth against her bare feet.

The Plinths had graciously gifted their penthouse uptown to the Snows while they found a new place to live near Sejanus, who was now located on the outskirts of the city. It was a saintly yet difficult offer to accept, especially for the Grandma'am who couldn't imagine taking even a loaf of bread from the Plinths. And yet, Coriolanus was willing to do just about anything to get out of the dingy apartment, but he had promised his grandmother that he would restore honor to their family name. This wouldn't be a permanent home, and he would buy them their own penthouse when he had the means.

Whatever Coriolanus could offer the Plinths to save his pride, they simply refused. However, Lucy Gray had, without surprise, captured them with her charms, and she felt it necessary to pay some debt by performing for them and the patients at the asylum. Coriolanus initially resisted the idea, worried for her safety around lunatics and especially for rumors to spread that Lucy Gray had befriended crazy people. But she had fought him on it, aching to sing.

But now, she was earning a big gig at Pluribus' nightclub, which had become more successful in recent years since the war. It was high class, not one of those shady places in the middle class boroughs. Lucy Gray would be their finest performer, and Coriolanus was certain that she would earn a permanent spot there. He couldn't wait to spend his off-nights at the club, allowing her heavenly voice to transport him just as she had done in Twelve.

"Just a moment, you two. Come here, girlie."

The Grandma'am had entered from the large balcony outside, carrying a bouquet of roses in her arms. They were the last she was able to preserve before the frost. Coriolanus and Lucy Gray had just rung for the private elevator. Lucy Gray obeyed Grandma'am, approaching her as she held up a single pink rose for her.

"Wear something young and fresh in your hair, like you. That's what they're after at my friend's club, anyway," she told Lucy Gray, breaking the end of the stem and tucking the flower into her curls. She then glanced over the girl with an amused look.

"Well, you're no Snow, but you're Coryo's girl. That's close enough," she smiled. No, Lucy Gray still felt too foreign to be a Snow. But, she appreciated the Grandma'am's strange approval.

Coriolanus was pleased to be able to order them a cab to the club instead of walking there. Lucy Gray's shoes probably wouldnt have been suitable for that anyway. When he had purchased her a new wardrobe, he didn't think to buy her any shoes for walking—only for looking pretty and performing.

"Here, let me carry you over the puddle," Coriolanus announced, scooping Lucy Gray up and settling her into the car.

"Thank you, darlin', but I'm not some doll. A splash of mud won't ruin me," she laughed.

"I know, but I just want you to look perfect," Coriolanus responded, taking her hand as they drove off.

"Well, thank you. I do hope they like me," she admitted.

"They'll love you. You'll be so busy singing, you won't have time to visit the asylum anymore," he hinted.

"Oh, but I like singin' there. Most of them are awfully sweet. Even Sejanus..." she murmured. Despite the horrors he had put her through in Twelve, she couldn't help but feel sorry for Sejanus. He didn't seem crazy, not like the others there. And his parents had been incredibly kind towards her.

"Well, it's his fault your family is dead. Remember that," Coriolanus lectured with more force than he had intended. The idea that she was sympathizing with a rebel bothered him. Lucy Gray felt taken aback by his harshness.

"I know. But we'd be back at that apartment place you hate if it weren't for his parents," Lucy Gray countered before looking out the window. She was right, but Coriolanus didn't tell her so.

They arrived outside a sleek violet building, quiet and absent of its colorful lighting during the daytime. Lucy Gray would meet with Pluribus, rehearse for the afternoon, and have her first trial performance that night. Coriolanus would get her settled and then head to the Department. He planned on returning in the evening to watch her.

"It's my boy, Coriolanus Snow!" Pluribus beamed as the two of them entered through the backstage door. His silver curls bounced as he fled towards them. "And his shining lady, Ms—?"

"Lucy Gray. How do you do?" Lucy Gray spoke with confidence, holding out her hand to shake his. Pluribus accepted her hand, instead kissing it with reverence.

"What a pleasure to meet you. I remember the first time I heard you sing before the games. I thought to myself 'If that little girl ever wins, she'd be the one to rescue my club!'" Pluribus gushed.

"Thank you. I hope I live up to your expectations," she chuckled. Pluribus gave a tour of the club, showing off the lovely little stage, the seating area, the bar, the kitchens, and the comfortable backstage complete with several dressing rooms.

"I have this one already made up for you. It should have everything you need," Pluribus ushered them inside one of the delightful rooms. "I recently hired your cousin, Coriolanus, to sew my costumes. We must have the best for my new stars! Oh, I've just hired some excellent dancers and a comedian, too!"

"Oh, yes. Tigris is very grateful to you. Especially since she can work alongside, Lucy Gray," Coriolanus attested. Lucy Gray felt her hand along the velvet sofa before peering into the ornate mirror above the makeup stand.

"Yes, it's almost too perfect," she breathed, quite aghast. So, this was how Capitol perfomers were treated. They were practically viewed as royalty. She oggled over the slew of different lipsticks, selecting one of the gold viles and discovering a delicious red color. She thought back to how she used to get ready—in an old shed, with crushed berries and watered down paint for her face palette. She smiled to herself wistfully. The boys didn't know the difference. To them, she was the most done up girl in town. But here, this was the real stuff.

"You like it?" Coriolanus asked her, studying her face with amusement. She nodded.

"Oh, my dear, just you wait. You're going to simply love it here!" Pluribus patted her shoulder. "Now, I'm off to speak with our artistic director and we'll get everything arranged onstage for you to practice. I'll be back soon," he winked, before shutting the door.

"He's awfully nice," Lucy Gray said, settling onto the sofa.

"Oh yeah, he's a dear friend of Grandma'am's. He likes me, and he loves you. He'll make sure you're all taken care of here," Coriolanus assured, drapping an arm around her.

"Thank you." She whispered. Finally, she felt emboldened by the chance to have some purpose here. She had been clinging to Coriolanus, afraid of becoming someone on her own other than the fortunate district girl. Perhaps, the people in the Capitol could come to remember her for her singing and not for the games.

"I'll be back tonight," Coriolanus stood, bringing Lucy Gray up with him.

"May I have a kiss, officer?" She crept closer, gazing up at him with those dangerous doe eyes.

"Only if I get more tonight," he smirked, leaning down to rest his forehead against hers. She stroked his jawline, bringing his lips to hers, her entire body burning when he trapped her in his embrace. She dragged her hands through his hair as he deepened the kiss, tenderly prying her lips open so he could indulge in her further. Every caress of his sent a shudder down her spine, and in some ways she wished they had begun this in the morning before they left.

She cut him off short, breathing heavily. She dropped her head down, pressing her forehead to his chest.

"Sorry—you have to go," she murmured.

"I know." And yet he pulled her even tighter against him. "I'm so glad you're mine, Lucy Gray. I can see you, have you, everyday. We're finally happy. Together. It's—it's—" Coriolanus forgot his words gazing at her, his fingers exploring her hair. Lucy Gray knew it was everything that he had ever wanted. She grinned.

"The dream you had? When I was only your tribute?"

Coriolanus nodded. "But I never really thought it would come to fruition," he admitted. He likely believed he would eventually attain security, perhaps, but not the ability to have her, too. Upon hearing his words, a thought gnawed at the back of Lucy Gray's mind. Would he have ever been completely happy with just her? No money, no family, no Capitol?

Coriolanus departed from the club, on his way to the Department for several afternoon meetings. He also had been recently recruited to manage the security of Dr. Gaul's experimentation lab. She had personally requested his service. He was pleased to be on such good terms with her and was hopeful that her recommendation would carry him through when applying for commander in the future.

When he reached his desk at the Department, a crisp letter with the Capitol seal was waiting for him atop a pile of paperwork. He tossed his hat onto the chair across from him and settled into his own leather seat. He extracted his letter opener from the drawer and cleanly sliced it open, discovering the handwriting of Dr. Gaul:

Dear Officer Snow,

I request your presence at my office tomorrow morning to discuss several important matters regarding this coming year's Hunger Games. I value your insight immensely. Please arrive no later than 9 o'clock.

Best regards,

Dr. Volumnia Gaul