"It's free." I tell him placing my balled up hands on the tabletop. "It's free or I won't have any part in this."

"Katniss, as much as I'd love to let that happen, I just don't think we can."

"Whys that?" I ask through gritted teeth.

"Because Katniss, this entire thing costs money. Everything does. Every chair, every champagne flute, every single everything. And the tickets are what makes the money to pay for all of those things."

"But this isn't fair to the people who lost family members, or friends in the war!" I exclaim.

"We do gage some very many guests of honor coming to make speeches, all of them have been touched by the war at least in some way." He says.

"What do you mean they were touched by the war in some way?" I ask

"They lost someone, a friend possibly."

"Sure those people need talked about." I start. "But the people the world really needs to hear from are the ones who risked their lives to save others."

"Katniss look, there is no possible way that we can give these tickets out for free. Okay?"

"Then lower the price." I press.

"I don't think I can.." He says. "It isn't any of my business and I can't make the change seeing that it isn't my department. So why don't you just forget about it?"

"I won't come. Who runs that department?" I ask. "I want to talk to them."

"His name is Shepard. But he isn't the compromising type."

"I still would like to talk to him."

"Katniss are you sure?" He asks.

"Let's just go Katniss, come on."  Peeta tries to tell me.

Plutarch turns, lifting his phone to his ear and talking to who ever is on the other end. "Shepard is on his way...."

***

Shepard was as bad as they told me he'd be. He was rude, and tough, with a single eyebrow and a bad temper. It took some major convincing but I eventually got him to agree to the free tickets.

I've just stepped out of the shower, it's the day after the interviews and the talk with Shepard.

They laid a dress out, it's for tonight's premier. Which, i am not excited about.

I don't want to sit through a dinner where all people will talk about is me and only me. I hate being the center of attention. Ironic I know, seeing that I was the mockingjay.

"Kat, are you dressed yet?" Peeta calls through the silent rooms.

"N-No." I call back. "I'm not."

"Well you better hurry." He calls back. "I'm ready to go when you are."

"Just go." I say loudly.

I hear the door open with a quiet click behind me. "You don't think they'd just have the dinner without the mockingjay would they?" He asks with his head in the crook of my neck.

"They should. I didn't do anything. They could have had any determined teenager. They could have had you. You were the one who knew how to talk to people. I didn't. They don't need me."

"Kat, they do. So just get dressed and come have a great time." He pecks my cheek quickly before exiting the room.

I look at the dress, hanging on the door of the closet. It's dark blue, slim fitting and hanging to the floor. Single thin straps, and a heart shaped top. It's the most beautiful dress they've ever had me wear.

I slip it over my head and look at myself in the mirror. Stunning. Drop dead gorgeous. I have never ever looked better.

They've already done my hair, and my makeup. All that's left to do is show up.

I look around the room.

This is going to be total hell. Having everyone gawk at me all night, they all will be constantly thanking me for all I've done. I'll meet people who have lost someone in the war. I'm sure there will be naysayers, and people who have lost someone in the war. There is going to be someone will have something bad to say about me.

The room suddenly starts spinning. I put a hand on my stomach and my breathing becomes loud and quick.

I can't do this. I need to leave. I push the door open and it stops abruptly and I crash into something.

"Hey, babe! You look beautiful." He tells me with a smile on my waist. I push past him and make my way for the door. "Katniss!" He calls after me. I get half way down the hallway, before he stops me and holds me tight.

"Let me go!" My voice strangled from my throat.

"No!" He says holding my close and tight to himself. "Come back to the room."

He leads me back, sits me on the couch, and hands me a cup of hot tea. "Why did you run?" He asks me.

"I have a bad feeling about tonight. A really bad feeling. Like that something bad is going to happen." I say quickly.

"Nothing will." He assures me. "I'll be there, and so will Gale, and Jo, and Effie and Haymitch and everyone else."

"Are you sure?" I ask.

"Completely." He says.

"Okay.." I nod unsure. I set my tea down and hold out my hand to him.

"I love you." He smiled and kisses my cheek. "So so much."

"I love you so so much more." I smile.

***

I get a touch up on my makeup on the way there. Then I'm told what the events will be through the night.

For an hour in the beginning we will walk the gold and black carpet, and answer questions from paparazzi.

Then we go to the dinner room, where we'll listen to people give speeches and then right before we eat I'll give my speech.

Then, after that we'll go to a exclusive VIP party a few blocks down.

The car jolts to a stop. And I take a long deep breath.

Peeta gets out first. He grabs my hand and then pulls me from the car too. I tug my dress down and am greeted to hoards of camera flashes.

I hold his hand tight, knowing I can only do this if he's by my side.