~Interview~

Katniss's P.O.V.

Peeta, Haymitch and I waited at the train station in 12. Reporters and fans and paparazzi are trying to get things out of us. But we don't give in. They try to talk to us behind the barrier.

"How has life been, Katniss?!"

"Are you dating Katniss, Peeta?!"

"How are you feeling about the new policy?!"

The train came and we boarded it. Leaving them all in the dust. We all go to our own rooms and unpack. I stay in my room for a while. I am trying to keep myself calm. I just keep telling myself that the people who care about me will be there and won't leave my side. Especially Peeta. I have been feeling more for him of late. I think it may be love. But I'm not sure. I have never loved someone that way. It's new to me. I'm not even sure if he'd love me. I change into more comfortable clothes and then leave my room. I go to our train cars living room. Haymitch is there. But not Peeta.

"Where is Peeta, Haymitch?" I ask.

"He's in his room still." He says.

I go to his room. I knock on the door. "Hey Peeta?" I ask.

He doesn't answer. I hear some heavy footsteps and a thud. I feel my heartbeat quickens.

"Peeta?" I ask again.

I open the door hesitantly. I go inside. I see him sitting on his bed. His head is in his hands. He's talking quietly. I see that a lamp is broken on the ground.

"Peeta?" I ask cautiously.

He lifts his head up. He stands and looks at me. When he does, my heart stops and my soul leaves my body. He's having a flashback.

"Peeta, this isn't real.." I say.

"It is real! You're a mutt!!!" He yells.

I run to the door. He catches me. I cry out. He pins me to the wall. He closes his hands around my throat.

"Haymitch!" I scream. "Help!"

"You're a mutt! Just a mutt who doesn't deserve anything!" He yells.

I can see black and white spots in the corners of my vision. Then I black out.

~

"......niss? Can you hear me?" I faintly hear someone say.

I groan a bit. I slowly opened my eyes. I see blurry figures. I blink until they come into focus. I see Haymitch.

"Haymitch?" I ask, weakly. "What...?"

"It's alright now. I stopped him just before it could've been bad. He's okay. I promise." He says.

"I want to see him." I say.

"Alright." He says.

I sit up more in my bed. I rub my sore neck. Haymitch leaves. Then Peeta comes in. His face is tear stained.

"Katniss...I'm so so sorry." He says.

"I know." I say. "It's alright."

He sits beside me. I hold his hand. He hides his face in his hands. He cries.

"Hey, look at me." I say.

He does. I wipe his face from the tears. I hug him.

"I love you, Peeta." I say. And I know it is true. It's right. I really do.

He lets me go. "You said you love me. Real or Not real?" he asks.

"Real." I say.

"And you mean it?" He asks.

I smile softly. I nod. "Yes. I do." I say.

He holds my face and then kisses me. I don't know what I feel exactly. It's something to the feeling on the beach in the Quell. A fire in me.

He pulls away. "I love you too." He says.

"Will you stay with me tonight?" I ask.

"Yes. Always." He says.

~Three Days Later; Night of Interview~

Peeta's P.O.V.

We arrived in the Capitol three days ago. The big interview is tonight. Katniss, Haymitch and I are the only Victors here. Everyone is arriving today. I met with Dr. Aurelius. I told him about my flashback. He met with me and is changing things for me to see if it will help. So far it has. And Katniss has been there too. I don't know what we are right now. Just friends or a couple or dating. All I know is I love her. And she loves me. But that is something we don't need to tell everyone. It can just be our little secret. The phone in my hotel room rings. I go and answer it.

"Hello?"

"Hello, Mr. Mellark! I work with the Capitol broadcasting. Caesar Flickerman is requesting you and the other Victors here by 7:30. The interview will be held at 9:00 tonight."

"Thank you. We will be there."

"We look forward to all of your arrivals!"

They hang up. I take a deep breath. I leave my room and go knock on Haymitch's door. He opens it momentarily.

"What is it?" He asks.

"The Capitol Broadcasting called. They want us all there by 7:30." I explain.

"We're still the only ones here. The train has been delayed." Haymitch says.

"Well, then we go. It's almost 7:30." I say.

"I guess so." He says.

"You going to get her?" He asks.

"Yeah, I will." I say.

I go next door. I knock on Katniss's room.

The door opens.

"Hey, um...we have to go to the interview." I say.

"I thought it wasn't until 9?" she says.

"It isn't. They want us there, though. Probably for make-up and wardrobe." I say.

She sighs. She looks to her feet. I know what she's thinking.

"Hey, it'll be okay." I say and take her hand.

She looks up at me. "I'm just scared. On how the world will see me." She says.

"It doesn't matter what they think, Katniss. Only those who care most for you." I say.

She nods. I kiss her, then pull her into a hug.

"Everything will work out. I swear to you." I say.

~

Katniss's P.O.V.

A limo pulls up to the big theatre. Crowds of people are waiting outside. Paparazzi are taking pictures of us and fans are calling my name. I hold onto Peeta tightly. He shields me from them. We are escorted to our separate rooms. I sit down on the chair and wait for someone to come. My nerves are out of this world. I'm having hard memories come back to me. Cinna. Prim. Finnick. Boggs. They were all taken away in this place. And I can't bring them back. I hear the door open. I turn around. I immediately get a warm feeling.

"Effie." I say.

"Hello my dear. It's good to see you again." She says.

I stand and go to her. I hug her.

"I've missed you a lot." I say.

"I have too." She says.

I let her go.

"You look great, Effie." I say.

"Thank you. You look well too." She says.

"Not completely." I admit, and sigh.

I move my sleeves to my shirt down. Effie gasps.

"Oh my dear ...I'm so sorry." She says. She hugs me tight.

"It's alright. I'm getting better." I say.

"And that is amazing. I would hate to lose you." She says. "We can work with this. No one will have to know."

"Really? How?" I ask.

"An artist never reveals, my dear." She says with a smile. "Now sit. My team will come and we will get started. You remember Flavius and Octavia right?"

"Of course." I say.

"Well, they will be most excited to see you again." She says.

"I bet so." I say.

~

"How do you think we did, dear?" Flavius asks.

I twirl around and look in the mirror. I am wearing a dress that is cream and has lace flower designs. It is spaghetti strapped and exposes my back. It goes to my mid thighs. They did this cover over my arms. It looks like skin. You can't even tell I ever did anything. I wear black high heels and diamond earrings. My hair is curled and there is a flower and diamond gems pin in my hair. They did simple make-up. It makes me look my age.

"I love it. You guys did amazing." I say.

The door opens and Effie comes in. "Oh my dear, you look wonderful. Everyone else is done and waiting." She says.

"Thank you." I say.

I walk out with Effie. She takes me backstage. I feel much better about being here with my friends. They have all changed a bit. Beetee can walk, but with a cane. Annie's son is older and looks more and more like Finnick. Johanna has her hair back. Cressida has let her hair grow and retired her vine tattoos. We all hug and greet each other. Good and bad memories come back. We catch up on life. And soon enough we are being announced on T.V. by Caesar. I hold tight to Peeta.

"I've got you. Everything will be okay." He says.

I nod. He gives my hand a squeeze. Then we are all ushered on stage. The crowd goes wild. I try to put on my best face. The lights shine and then with all the noise, it's very overwhelming. I just keep my hand in Peeta's. Caesar catches up with everyone else before Peeta and I. That is what most of the world wants to know about.

"Now most of you came here for these too, so let's get to it! How are the Star-Crossed Lovers?" Caesar asks us.

I look at Peeta. I give him a look. He gets that I don't want to talk much.

"We're good. Just living life like the rest of our friends." Peeta says.

"Anything we can expect from you two? An engagement? Children?" Caesar asks.

"Not anytime soon, I don't think. Katniss and I are just...living, I guess." Peeta says.

"Well, we will wait with anticipation." Caesar says. "Anything you'd like to say Katniss? Not a whole lot has been said from you."

I feel my throat tighten a bit. I squeeze Peeta's hand.

"Well," I start. "To be honest, there isn't much. Things are pretty simple and low key. I hunt, occasionally go to work with Peeta, but after that...not much." I admit. It is the truth. Maybe not the whole story of what I do..but that will not be shared.

"And that's okay!" Caesar says.

I smile and nod.

"Things must still be weird and maybe even hard with the loss of your family." Caesar says.

'No...please don't bring this up.' I think.

I nod. "It is a bit." Is all I say.

"But by the looks and sounds of things, you have all these amazing people." Caesar says.

"It's true." I say.

"Well that is all the time we have, folks! Thank you for coming all this way!" Caesar exclaims.

The audience cheers for us and applauds. Caesar shakes our hands. And we all wave goodbye to the crowd then walk off stage. I can feel my heart beating out of my chest and at a million miles per minute.

"It's done and over with now, Kat." Peeta says.

"I know. But not forever." I say.