Katniss POV:

I sigh impatiently as I wait for Clove to return. She left quite a while ago and I can't help the worry that is building in my chest. A few Capitol people approach me and I talk to them unsurely as I wait for Clove to return.

I shouldn't have given her the chicken wing I decide taking a bite out of another. I think the spiciness of the meat is delicious but I suppose it's not for everyone. I've never had anything taste like that back home and I can only assume she hadn't either.

A woman with bright yellow hair approaches, she's obviously drunk and I'm not entirely sure but I think she might be trying to flirt with me as she keeps touching my arm and trying to get closer to me. I awkwardly stand there, examining the crowd searching for Clove in the hopes she will appear and save me from the awkward situation. The woman must know I'm not interested, I have a girlfriend and it's not like she's a secret.

I spot Clove enter the room carrying a glass of water. My relief quickly melts away when I notice how pale she is. From the way her eyes dart around the room I can see she's agitated. "Excuse me, I can see my girlfriend has returned." I say to the woman, emphasising the word girlfriend in the hopes she'll get the hint. She only titters trying to link her arm with mine but I manage to evade her.

"Er I need to go talk to Clove." I tell her before walking off as fast as I can without it looking like I'm running away from her.

"Clove." I call once I'm near enough for her to hear. Our eyes meet and she gives me a nervous smile as she approaches me, she takes my hand tightly. Turning back to the room of people, her eyes continuing to dart around nervously.

"Are you ok?" I whisper in her ear. She nods, giving me a sidelong glance before shaking her head ever to slightly. "What's…" I begin to whisper but she cuts me off, mouthing the word 'later' before turning away from me.

Effie wanders over to us beaming, she's a little unsteady on her feet. Silka follows, looking completely out of it with her wig slightly crooked. I spot Clove glaring at the glasses of wine in their hands. "Katniss! Clove! Enjoying the party?" Effie asks happily. I nod, slowly putting my arm around Clove's shoulders. Effie and Silka are harmless but I know she'll be uncomfortable with the state they're in especially Silka who I don't think will be remembering much of this night when she wakes up tomorrow.

"Have two tried these, they're divine?" Silka asks holding out a plate of brightly coloured cakes. I shake my head while Clove just glares at her.

"I'm stuffed." I tell her honestly, I may have eaten a few too many of those chicken wings. Silka giggles as if I've just said something extremely silly, she hands me a glass of some pink liquid.

"Here drink this."

"What is it?" I ask accepting the glass unsurely. Silka giggles again as if I'm an ignorant child.

"It makes you sick so you can carry on eating!" She tells me excitedly. My eyes harden as I purse my lips, handing the glass back to her. I open my mouth to say something but Clove interrupts me.

"Shall we dance?" She asks, looking into her green eyes makes my heart skip, the words I was about to say melting away on my lips, I allow her to lead me towards the dance floor without another word.

"People are starving in 12 and here they're just throwing it up so they can fit more in." I mutter in Clove's ear.

"I know." She meets my eyes sadly squeezing my hand reassuringly. I can tell she dislikes the pink drink the Capitol people are using to waste food. This whole party, the extravagance of it is disgusting. I can't believe there are things like this going on while people back home are starving to death.

"Do you know how to dance?" I whisper as we head through the gaggle of people surrounding the dance floor.

"No, do you?" She asks and I shake my head, I'm about to suggest we return to our corner but we're already on the dancefloor. Awkwardly we try to copy the way the Capitol people around us are moving our bodies almost touching as we spin around the other dancing couples.

A chubby man taps Clove on the shoulder and she tenses in my arms. He smiles down at her "Excuse me may I cut in?" He asks. Clove's eyes harden to a glare but she reluctantly releases me, retreating to the side of the dancefloor and the grey haired man takes my hand.

"Plutarch Heavensbee." He introduces himself. "Head Gamemaker." He winces as I step on his foot but doesn't comment.

"Katniss Everdeen." I can see Clove standing at the side of the dancefloor watching us with narrowed eyes. I decide to extract myself from this Capitol person as soon as possible.

"I know who you are Miss Everdeen." He smiles glancing around the room. "What do you think of the party?" He asks offhandedly. I shrug, not wanting to admit how disgusted I am with it all.

"It's a little overwhelming." I tell him, keeping my expression neutral.

"It's appalling." He says pursing his lips as he looks around at the sea of drunk brightly dress people. "Still, if you abandon your moral judgement it can be fun." He smiles again turning back to me as he guides me around the dance floor. I step on his foot again and he winces once more.

"Sorry." I mutter.

"Let me lead." He instructs, trying to guide me into the correct steps.

"So are you having fun?" I ask after a while, he shrugs in response.

"I'm head gamemaker fun is my job." There's a hint of sarcasm in his voice, I snort in amusement.

"What happened to Seneca Crane? Too much fun?" I ask with an equal amount of sarcasm.

"Seneca decided to….quit breathing." He tells me looking away, his smile no longer present. I gulp at the implication of these words. Seneca Crane is dead, the head gamemaker of my games is dead. I cannot imagine he just decided to die like Plutarch is implying.

Plutarch locks eyes with me "It was that or poison berries." He tells me confirming my suspicions Seneca was killed, killed for letting both me and Clove live. I wonder if I should feel guilty but I cannot find it within myself to do so.

"Being head gamemaker has never been the most secure job in the world."

"Then why are you here?" I ask wondering why he would choose to do this job if there's a chance it could end in his murder should he anger the wrong people. He shrugs, the smile reappearing on his face as if amused by my question.

"Same reason as you, I volunteered."

"Why?" I ask, trying to figure out his motives for doing such a thing.

"Ambition." He says, I nod not sure what else I expected, he's a Capitol person after all. I suppose being a good gamemaker can bring great rewards. "Chance to make the games mean something." I can't keep the scowl off my face when he says this.

"The games don't mean anything." I tell him, feeling bold. I realise what I've just said as soon as it leave my mouth and my eyes widen. Before I can rectify my mistake Plutarch smiles at me and pulls away.

"Well maybe it was you that inspired me." He nods towards me finally releasing me and pulling out a gold watch. "I best get going, it's nearly midnight and I have a gamemakers meeting soon." He nods to me.

I'm about to comment on it being a bit late for a meeting when he turns the watch slightly the light hitting the glass face in such a way revealing a familiar symbol. A mockingjay in a circle exactly like my pin. I frown at it for minute.

"Nice watch." I tell him meeting his eyes. A small chuckle escapes his lips as he nods his head.

"Thank you it's one of a kind." We stare at each other for a while, I wonder what it all means. "If anyone asks I've gone home to bed, the meetings are supposed to be a secret but I know I can trust you."

"Your secrets safe with me." I tell him nodding slowly.

"Good…" He glances to the side spotting Clove who is still glaring at him from the side lines her arms folded across her chest as a Capitol man tries to converse with her, the man soon gives up and walks off to join his friends. "I think your girlfriend wants you, I'll take my leave." He comments, amusement in his tone. With a final nod he turns and disappears in the crowd of dancing people.

I head over to Clove, she gives me a quick smile, her gaze still fixed on where Plutarch just was. When I reach her she takes me hand her eyes meeting mine as the glare fades off her face. "I thought he'd never leave." She tells me before leaning up to kiss me.

We're suddenly surrounded by Capitol people squealing and cheering. I pull away from Clove blushing, slightly irritated at the interruption. The crowd calls for another kiss but at that moment the Panem anthem starts playing and lights on a balcony above the room, President Snow is standing there a glass of wine in his hand.

He looks down on the crowd, the music ceases playing as every single person turns their attention to him, cheering and clapping at the sight of him. A false smile appears on his bearded face as he raises a hand to the crowd waiting for them to quieten down.

Once the noise in the room had died down he starts his speech thanking them for attending the 74th Hunger Games Tour Celebration.

"I also want to welcome our two victors, two young people who embody our ideals or strength and valour." His eyes find us in the crowd and he seems to glare at us for a second before he turns back to the crowd. "Your love has inspired us, and I know it will go on inspiring us every day for as long as long as you both live." He seems to fix his gaze on Clove and I feel her shudder beside me.

The crowd starts cheering once more and Snow smiles to them as they turn to each other, chatting excitedly. I look up at Snow questioningly, his looks down at me. I wonder if it's been enough, if we've somehow managed to stop the unrest in the districts. He shakes his head ever so slightly, my heart sinks as I receive the answer I knew I'd get.

It hasn't been enough. He still wants the people I care about and myself dead. I gulp turning to Clove, I know she saw the small gesture too, I know she also knew what it meant as her green eyes bore into mine. She squeezes my hand in a way meant to reassure me but my heart is beating rapidly.

I wish I could run home with Clove, I wish I could get Prim and my mother and even Gale with his family and escape into the woods right now. I can barely breath, I try to keep myself looking normal as I attempt to calm myself.

Clove starts leading me through the crown silently and soon we're out of the room and she's leading me through the halls. We reach a grand door which she opens and pulls me into an ornate bathroom. I hear the click of a lock behind us and before I know it her hands are either side of my face forcing me to look her in the eyes.

"Breath Katniss, it's alright." She whispers, I gulp allowing much needed oxygen into my system as my body starts shaking.

"It's not been enough." I tell her urgently. "He's going to have us all killed."

"No, we'll figure something out, we'll get through this, just breath for now ok." She says, I take a deep breath, closing my eyes as Clove brushes away a few strands of hair that have fallen into my eyes. "It's going to be ok." She tells me.

I allow my head to fall onto Clove's shoulder, wrapping my arms around her. She hugs me back and I feel myself calming down. "I want to go home." I tell her my voice breaking slightly.

"I know." Clove pulls away and kisses me gently.

When we finally return to the party we head back to our original corner. I watch the Capitol people and start noticing mockingjays in their clothing, pins like mine are everywhere, the symbol also embroidered into many fabrics. I mention this to Clove and she nods muttering something about Capitol fashions. She points out some more mockingjays used as hair clips, and even one tattooed onto someone's skin.

Oriel spots us from across the room and apporaches. "We've been looking for you." Oriel says steadily, scowling over at Haymitch, who's leaning heavily on Effie a half empty bottle of wine in his hand. "It's time to leave."

I nod, my hand still firmly in Clove's as we allow ourselves to be led outside to a waiting car. Haymitch falls asleep as soon as the car starts moving and I can't help but laugh at how miffed and uncomfortable Effie looks with Haymitch fast asleep and snoring with his head on her shoulder.

Clove doesn't seem to share my amusement as she stares intently at out interlocked hands a scowl set firmly on her face. Casually I release her hand and place an arm around her, she leans into me automatically her hand reaching for my free hand.

We reach the tribute centre and it takes both Oriel and Effie's efforts to remove Haymitch from the car. They drag him into the tribute centre leaving Silka to escort us in. She's totters towards the door, briefly I wonder how much wine she had as we follow her. Clove scowls at her, keeping her hand firmly in mine.

She doesn't seem to notice when Clove presses the roof button on the elevator once Oriel has pressed the buttons for 2 and 12. We reach the 2nd floor and Clove tells her something about wanting to take me to my floor which strangely Silka agrees to, I suppose she's too tired to argue right now.

The doors open on the 12th floor but neither of us move to get off as the doors close once more and take us up to the roof. We step out into the night air, I gulp the place bringing back memories of before the games. Of how I thought I was going to die, I know I'm probably going to die and possibly my loved ones, there's not much we can do. Snow seems intent on having us all killed.

"This is where we first kissed…" Clove says absentmindedly as we walk over to the edge. I nod my eyes glancing over at the bush of white flowers that leans over the edge. Clove seems to be lost in thought, her eyes drifting over to the brightly lit city. "Snow found me when I went looking for water."

My eyes widen, Snow found her? Did he talk to her? "What happened?" I ask, she looks back to me.

"He wanted to remind me of my 'task'." She says darkly her eyes clouding over with anger.

"You mean killing me?" I ask, my voice trembling slightly. Briefly I wonder if it would solve anything if I let her kill me, if I died then maybe Snow would leave her and my family alone. Then they might be safe. I shake my head, I know she'd never hurt me, let alone kill me and it would be selfish to even ask her too, she loves me and it would hurt her too much.

"I'm not going to do it." She states, looking me dead in the eye as she takes my hand. "I'm not going to hurt the only person I love. He must know that."

"Then why would he ask you to?" I ask frowning. Clove shakes her head.

"I don't know. I don't think we could've calmed the districts even if we wanted to… Whether we show ourselves to be in love or not I don't think it matters. I think Snow knows that, I just don't understand why he'd try to make us think there's something we can do…" She looks away thoughtfully.

"We have to do something." I whisper looking down at our finger entwined together.

Clove nods, kissing me gently. "I love you." She whispers when we part a small smile appearing on her lips. She releases my hand and walks over to the edge staring out over the city her hands shoved into her pockets. "Katniss, I love you and no matter what happens I want to spend the rest of my life with you no matter how short that is…"

"I know I love you too…" I take a step towards her and she turns looking me in the eyes, I watch as she fidgets nervously before taking a deep breath and closing the distance between us. She pulls something out of her pocket and goes down on one knee before me. Never taking her eyes off mine for one second, my heart flutters in my chest as I realise what she's doing.

She holds up the object she revealing it to be a small velvet box which she opens it and the most perfect diamond ring shimmers in the artificial Capitol lights. "Katniss, will you marry me?" She says, her voice shaking ever so slightly. I too stunned to move, my mouth falls open.

Marry her? Of course I want to marry Clove, elation fills me and the word yes is on the tip of my tongue. But then I remember President Snow, how he wants to kill us. If he found out about this he might try to punish us.

"But…Snow…" I force out, Clove scowls shaking her head.

"Fuck Snow!" She snarls, I'm taken aback momentarily from her outburst, her eyes are focussed on mine. "I love you, there's no way he can change that. There's nothing we can do to stop his plans whatever they are, we should have a shot at happiness."

I nod, a smile appearing on my lips unbidden. "Yes." I grin as I allow the elation to flood through me, she's right why shouldn't we have this chance at a moment of happiness. I love her and she loves me, there's nothing that will change that. She stands and I kiss her, my lips crashing into hers as I wrap my arms around her.

We part and Clove takes the ring out of the box, gently taking my left hand and sliding the ring onto my finger. I can't stop grinning as I look down at it, the diamond is expertly chiselled into shape. I wonder where she came across such a fine ring.

"I got it back in District 1…When you were talking to Haymitch…" She tells me answering my unasked question. I nod, remembering how she'd disappeared only to re-appear shortly afterwards when I noticed she was missing. "They're the best jewellers there so I figured that'd be the best place to get one…" She trails off awkwardly, a light blush appearing on her cheeks making my heart melt.

"It's perfect." I tell her, kissing her passionately.

We head down to the 2nd floor deciding to spend the night in Clove's room. I didn't want to spend a night apart from her and I know she'd rather be as far away as possible from Haymitch while he's so drunk.

We sneak into her room and lie together on the bed, our eyes' locked together in the dim light. "I love you." She whispers, I can just about see her smile in the half light and I grin back.

"I love you too." I lean my head forwards so our foreheads meet, not wanting to take my eyes off her for a second. She smiles once more before closing her eyes.