Cato remembers the first time he saw her, even if it was only on television.

He had been watching a replay of the reapings while on the train to the capitol. Cato wasn't impressed by any of the tribute's he had seen so far, though he did feel sorry for the tiny girl from District 11 since she reminded him of his own little sister. Cato couldn't image her going into the games when she was only 12 years old. He may have trained for the games his entire life, but he didn't think it was fair to have tributes that young, they didn't stand a chance. Since the only District left was 12, he figured he might as well call it a night. However, before he turned the television off, Cato saw a little girl being called as the female tribute from 12. Cato stopped to watch and again felt sorry for the little girl. Even though he had no problem killing the other tributes, he knew he wouldn't be able to kill these two girls. While he was lost in his thoughts, he missed the older girl pushing her way through the crowd, but his attention was called back to the screen when he heard her volunteer.

Cato figured she had volunteered in her sister's place and was surprised since that has never happened in any District, especially 12. What surprised him even more was the crowd's reaction as the girl made her way to the stage. Cato heard her sister crying out her name, 'Katniss', it was an interesting name, unique. He watched as an older boy picked the little girl up and carried her away. His attention was pulled to the boy's eyes who was carrying the small, crying girl away; you could see the love, respect, and concern for Katniss in his eyes clear as day. As he looked over the crowed he saw that most of the crowd had looks of respect and hope in their eyes. On the boy's side, there were more than a few that shared the look of adoration to some degree that the first boy had.

Never had a tribute from the outer districts received this kind of reaction, even if it was a silent one. Mostly, the crowds would look sad and resigned that they were saying goodbye to whomever was called. This crowd looked like they planned on seeing her again, that she could and would win. Cato watched her stand on the stage, looking stoic and fierce, and he learned what the crowd already knew: this girl had fire, this girl had determination, and this girl was not saying goodbye to anyone-she would be coming home.

Cato was enthralled. The outer districts didn't train for the games like careers did. It was understandable why the careers looked confident when they volunteered; they figured that they would either win or they would at least kill as many as they could before they went down. They believed they were bringing honor to their District by playing the games; the more they killed the better. But the outer Districts were normally like lambs at a slaughter.

Why did these people believe Katniss had a chance? What made her different from all the tributes before her?

Cato paused the replay and studied her closely. She was beautiful; he could easily see that through the light layer of dust that normally covered everyone and everything in District 12. She was thin, but not without muscle. She had thick, brown hair that was in a long braid. Her eyes were what drew him in the most. They were a steel grey that seemed to shine brightly with something he couldn't put his finger on.

He wondered if the boy who pulled her sister away was her boyfriend or if it was another one from the sea of boys that liked her. Cato couldn't tell from her reactions. It was obvious she knew the boy who took her sister, but he couldn't get a read on her feelings from the looks she cast his way.

Just the thought of any of those boys touching her angered him. No one deserved to touch her; no one should get close to her flame. She would easily burn anyone who was unworthy that came too close or they could extinguish her fire if she allowed it. Cato didn't believe that any of them knew how to treat a girl such as Katniss. She needed someone who supported her, gave her strength, but didn't hold on to her too tightly. She needed to be free to do what she wanted.

Cato knew exactly what type of guy she needed and he knew that he was the only one who wouldn't extinguish her fire; he'd fan her flames, help her glow brighter then she could on her own. He would make her better, stronger than she could be alone.

He turned his attention back to the television in time to watch one of the boys who had showed a love interest in Katniss get called as the male tribute. Cato watched as the boys' eyes didn't leave Katniss as he made his way to the stage. He watched as the boy, whose name he learned was Peeta, shook her hand. His eyes narrowed as the boy held her hand for a bit longer than what would be considered appropriate.

Cato knew that his whole plan for the Hunger Games had to change. He needed to devise a plan that allowed him to get close to Katniss before the games and let him keep her when they won. Cato could provide for Katniss and her family after the games, get them out of District 12 is that is what they wanted. He could make her happy and complete. He already knew that she would make him complete and he had yet to hear her voice.

Cato knew exactly who he needed to talk to when he arrived at the capitol. The only issue would be getting away from Clove long enough that she didn't find out what he was up to…

A/N: Okay, this is my first attempt at fan fiction or any type of creative writing since I have never been the creative type. I have an idea of where I want to go with the story and it won't follow the books or movie. I have not read the books, so I'm not too familiar with the Hunger Games, but I want to try to keep the characters personalities as accurate as I can with the little bit that I do know. If there are any major inconsistencies, please let me know. If you have any suggestions for improvements, let me know those, too.

I do not own the Hunger Games and this is unbeta'd.