Chapter 1

Santana pulled back her bow string, keeping her dark eyes locked on the unsuspecting squirrel. She could see her breath in the frozen air as the string of her bow rested against her lip for a moment. If she got this one, it would be her last for the day. She'd collected eight rabbits and a beaver from the snares, and had shot another squirrel already. She knew that the Puckerman's favourite meat was the rabbit, but she figured she might as well being a squirrel or two for a bit of variety.

She released the arrow, which hit it's target perfectly. She smirked as the squirrel fell to the forest floor, dead with an arrow in its eye. Hopping out of her hiding place, over the log and down to her catch, she expertly removed the arrow from the dead animal, before dumping it in her sack with the rest of her catch. It would definitely be enough to feed Puck's family for a while.

Ever since she'd returned and Puck had began working in the mines, she provided as much game as she could for his family. He was working all day, and she had nothing to do and more money than she knew what to do with. Not that he'd take any of it- He stubbornly refused to take a single coin and after that particular screaming match, they'd come to the compromise that Santana would provide all the game he couldn't instead during the week. Santana was happy to have something to occupy her time now she didn't have to go to school, and Quinn seemed to enjoy not having a moping Santana around the house the whole time as well.

Santana pried open her tea flask with her teeth, taking a long draw of the hot liquid as she trekked up through the forest back towards the district. A flutter still appeared in her chest every time she thought of Quinn, even though they'd been together for months now. Quinn insisted on them having separate bedrooms with Santana's parents living in the same house as them. Not that Quinn spent much time in her own room anyway.

Santana quickly put her flask away as she came to the fence, pausing briefly to check if the electricity was running through the fence stronger than usual. It wasn't and she quickly hopped through it, making sure not to rip her sack full of game on the way through. She'd left her bow and quiver hidden in it's usual spot in the woods. Before, she had several places she could leave it if she wanted, but since Quinn liked to visit the woods quite frequently (they hadn't had them in District Four apparently), she hadn't had the chance to show her the other spots. And she didn't want Quinn going for a walk in the woods defenceless anyway, so there was no way she wasn't leaving something there for her.

Santana pulled the pack firmly up onto her shoulder, before fixing her leather hunting jacket again, doing her best not to think of the day ahead. By noon, they would all arrive; The reporters, the camera crews, even Holly Holiday, Santana's old escort, will have made her way down from the Capitol to District 12. Just thinking about it put Santana in a foul mood. If she had her way, she'd just forget the Hunger Games all together and just move on with her life. Pretend they were nothing but a bad dream.

The Victory Tour prevented that though. It was the Capitol's way of reminding people of what happened, and of what was to come. It was strategically placed halfway between the annual Games, and forced the Districts to remember the iron grip of the Capitol's power and celebrate it. Needless to say, Santana hated them, and had barely ever shown up to the square to cheer for the Victor. They had never been from her District, and the majority of them had killed one of her friends or neighbours from the Seam.

Santana walked briskly through the Meadow, which was only a few metres away from their old home in the Seam. Her real home. She walked into the old, run down house to change out of her hunting gear. She exchanged her Grandfather's old hunting jacket for a fine red wool coat, her soft, worn hunting boots for a pair of expensive shoes her Mami thought were more appropriate for someone of her status. She let her hair hang down loosely over her shoulders. She didn't need a high pony for walking around town, plus Quinn preferred her hair down.

She allowed herself to stall for a few minutes in the kitchen, which seemed lifeless without the fire there to warm it, a cloth on the table or her Mami's soft humming as she would clean it. Brushing a finger along the worn wood, Santana sighed nostalgically. Sometimes- she wished they still lived here and her life was the way it used to be, where he spent her days hunting, going to school and hating the Capitol behind locked doors. It was a more sheltered life than the one she led now.

Santana hauled her bag of game over her shoulder, and walked out into the snowy streets of the Seam. The shoes pinched her toes as she crunched along the empty street. Cutting down alleys and through backyards, she got to Puck's house in minutes. Mrs Puckerman saw her through the window, and Santana smiled and waved to her. Mrs Puckerman dried her hands on her apron and disappeared to meet Santana at the door.

Santana had always liked and respected Mrs Puckerman. She had worked hard for her family her entire life, and had kicked out Puck's asshole of a father when it came down to it. She had always joked about Santana being her second daughter and the only reason Noah hadn't gone completely off the rails and gotten some girl pregnant.

Mrs Puckerman smiled when she saw the game. She took the beaver by it's tail and felt it's weight, raising an eyebrow as she did so.

"This will make a decent stew."

"A nice hat too." Santana answered and Mrs Puckerman laughed.

"You're a bold one, Santana. But yes, it'll be good pelt. Thank you." The woman wrapped her free arm around Santana in a one armed hug. Santana blushed slightly, but hugged the woman back briefly.

"You're welcome," Santana said politely. Sure she was a downright bitch most the time, but Mrs Lopez deserved better than her usual attitude.

"Now you better go get ready for those cameras. I'll send Noah over if he's home in time to say goodbye, and Elisabeth too." Santana shook her head as she began to walk away.

"It's 'Kay, Mrs P. I said goodbye to Puck and her yesterday. I'm pretty sure Quinn gave them a loaf of bread to give to you, but you know how Puck is," Santana said and Mrs Puckerman rolled her eyes.

"Oh don't I. Well thank Quinn anyway, Santana. And good luck!" Santana waved over her shoulder at the woman.

"Thanks, Mrs P. Enjoy the meat."

Xxxx

"Well, well. If it isn't Santana Lopez. Come to grace us all with your presence?"

"Shut it, Sandy, or would you rather I went and bought those protein mixes from somewhere else?" Santana growled at the obnoxious gay man, pulling out the necessary amount if coins.

"Please, you know I'm the only one around here who sells what Ms Sylvester wants," Sandy sneered back, dumping the crap on the table. Santana did her best not to punch him in the face, counting to ten in her head. Before the Games, she'd never had to trade with the dealer before in the Hob. But now, if she was heading there anyway and Sue asked her to pick some of her weird protein shake shit up, she couldn't refuse.

"A pleasure as always, Santana," Sandy sniped at her as she walked off. She didn't hesitate in giving him the finger over her shoulder, not bothering to give him the satisfaction of her turning around.

Santana walked past all the other stalls, ignoring some shouts about bargains, up to Milly Rose's. Santana perched herself up on the counter and ordered some soup from the large woman. It arrived quickly, and looked like a mixture between some kind of gourd and bean. One of the Peacekeepers, Matt, came up and bought a bowl while she was eating. Santana was actually friends with the Peacekeeper, and he was her favourite law enforcer by far. He never really threw his weight around and was usually good for some banter. He wasn't much older than Santana, though he appeared younger almost. Something about his wide smile and clean shaven head.

"Hey Lopez, shouldn't you be off on a train by now?" he asked, shoving some food into his mouth.

"They're picking us up at noon," she answered.

"Shouldn't you look better?" he asked in a loud whisper. She couldn't help but smirk despite her loud mood.

"Bitch please. I'm the hottest piece of ass around here on a good day, they don't needs to cover all this with their crap." He laughed loudly at her, shaking his head.

"That is very true. Just show a little district pride for a change, Santana. Hm?" He gave Milly a knowing look before walking off the join in friends.

"I want that bowl back!" Milly called after him, but she was laughing so she didn't seem too stern.

"So how's Marley doing?" Santana asked conversationally. Milly's usually bright expression darkened at Santana's question, and Santana raised an eyebrow. She didn't know the kid too well, but she always seemed well behaved and generally ok.

"She's...well I don't know. Sometimes, I think she's doing ok, but then she comes home with this girl, Kitty Wilde and claims they're friends," she sighed and Santana finished the last of her soup.

"Keep her away from that Kitty kid. She's evil. Otherwise, I wouldn't worry about it, she's just going through an awkward phase. Give her a few years and you'll have to fight Jake Puckerman off with a bat." That got a smile out Milly, and Santana quickly made her goodbye before she headed off.

Santana pulled her coat on tighter as she began to make her way back to the Victor's Village. A light snow had started to fall as she began the kilometre walk back. For such a small distance away, they were like two completely worlds. It was a separate community built around a beautiful green, dotted with flowering bushes. There were twelve houses, each large enough to hold ten of the one Santana was raised in. Eight stand empty, and the rest belonged to Sue, Will, Blaine and herself.

Santana noted the smoke coming from all the chimneys in the houses, showing all the victors were up. She knocked in Sue's door briefly before entering. She's house was perfectly organised thanks to her cleaner, with several trophies from her youth strewn around the place. Santana heard movement in the kitchen and made her way down the hall.

Sue sat at her table, newspaper and coffee in hand. She wore one of her typical track suits and a pair of glasses low on her nose. She looked up as Santana entered and placed the pot of protein powder on the table

"You get the one I told you to?"

"Good morning to you too. And si, I did. You owe me so much for dealing with that pig just so you can get your fix of that shit," Santana said, perching on the windowsill.

"Don't act like you can't handle Sandy, Lopez. If I wanted to hear someone bitch about it, I would've asked Teen Gay to do it."

"Asked me to do what?" The sound of Blaine's voice twisted her stomach and Santana shifted in her spot. She watched him as he crossed to the table, sharply dressed with glints of snow in his gelled dark hair. He looked so strong and healthy, completely different to the sick starving boy she knew in the arena, and his limp barely noticeable. He set a plate of bacon on the table.

"Hope some of that's for me." Santana waved to Will as he walked in carrying a loaf of fresh bread. They all had their own ways to stay busy; Santana hunted, Blaine cooked the meat, Will baked and Sue stayed in shape and up to date with the rest if the Districts. They were like their own dysfunctional family, with Quinn adding to it from time to time. Blaine sliced the bread and laid it out for them, only glancing up at Santana after he served Will and Sue.

"Would you like some?"

"No, but I'll take some for Quinn. You know she's got this thing for bacon. Thanks." They could've been talking to total strangers. It was the same every time they spoke since they finished filming, and Santana hated it. Blaine placed some bacon and bread on a plate and wrapped it in some paper, before handing it to her.

"You're welcome," he answered stiffly as she thanked him again. As the others began chatting, Santana sighed.

This is going to be a long few months.

"I better get this to Quinn before it gets cold." She left it at that, swinging out the window, dropping to the ground and then wading back across the green to her house. She left a trail of footprints in the snow, and wiped her shoes before she entered. Santana had barely stepped inside when Quinn was there, looking stunning as always. She had her make up and hair done for the cameras, but her expression was guarded, which was unusual or when they were at home.

"Don't worry I'm taking them off here," Santana smiled, kicking off her shoes and leaning in to peck a quick kiss to Quinn's lips. Quinn gave a strained smile, and alarm bells went of in Santana's head.

"Here, I got you some bacon too." That earned her a genuine smile as well as another kiss, even if it was chaste.

"Thank you. Did you have a nice walk?"

"Walk?" Quinn knew she'd been in the woods for half the night. Santana's eyes flickered to the kitchen behind her and put in her own HBIC mask. There was a man in a tailored suit and surgically perfected features standing there, showing he was from the Capitol. Something was wrong.

"I don't know if you could call it that. It was more like skating, and I spent most the time falling on my ass." Relief flashed on Quinn's face for a half a second as she realised Santana caught on.

"Someone's here to see you." Quinn's face was way too pale for Santana's liking. Her protective instincts kicked in and she took one of Quinn's hands in hers. Those fuckers had another thing coming if they thought they could come into her home and intimidate Quinn like this.

"I thought they weren't coming until twelve," Santana's voice was cool as she pretended not to notice Quinn's state. "Did Kurt come over early to help me get ready and bring my prep team?"

"No, San, it's-" Quinn began, but was cut off.

"This way please, Ms Lopez," the man said, gesturing down the hallway. Santana stared at him for a minute, but knew better than to comment on being ushered in her own home. As she went, she gave Quinn a quick kiss on the cheek and a reassuring smile.

"Probably more instructions for the tour." But as she neared the shut door of her study, which had never been closed before as long as she lived there, her mind began to race.

Who the hell is here? What do they want? And what the fuck did they do to scare Quinn?

"Go on in," said the Capitol man, who had followed her down the hallway.

She twisted the brass doorknob and stepped inside. Her nose twisted slightly as she registered the smell of roses and blood. A small, white haired man who seemed vaguely familiar was reading a book. He held up a finger, then turned and Santana's heart skipped a beat.

She was staring into the snakelike eyes of President Snow.

Well fuck. Santana's mind rushed back to the opening days of the Victory Tours, trying to remember seeing the President amongst the winning tributes and their mentors, stylists and high government officials. She could never recall seeing him there once. He attended celebrations in the Capitol. Period.

Oh you've seriously done it now, Santana. The familiar sense of dread that had accompanied her when she was in the Capitol just after the Games returned, and she knew she was in serious trouble. It took all her willpower not to go make sure her parents were ok, knowing they were in such close proximity to the man who hated her almost as much as she hated the Capitol. She had outsmarted his Hunger Games, made the Capitol look foolish and consequently undermined his control.

To be fair, it wasn't only out of defiance she pulled the stunt with the berries. Sure, she was royally pissed after they killed her friends and Brittany and put her through all that just to fuck them over, but that didn't mean she wasn't genuinely trying to saw Blaine's life as well. The defiance wasn't her only reason for he stunt.

She treated the President with caution, keeping her eyes locked on him and remaining motionless. Treating him like the snake he was, making her feel like an intruder in her own house.

"How about me make this whole situation a lot easier by agreeing not to lie to each other, hm?" he said. Taking a deep breath, she tried to calm herself. She would not appear weak in front of this man when it mattered the most.

"That would probably save time." He smiled at her and she felt physically ill. He was the most unattractive being she had ever encountered. And that was saying something.

"My advisors were concerned you would be difficult thanks to your reputation, but you're not planning on being difficult, are you?" he asked. Santana bit her tongue from snapping back a sharp comment, reminding herself of Quinn as her family.

"No."

"That's what I told them. I said any girl who goes to such lengths to preserve her life isn't going to be interesting in throwing it away with both hands. And then there's her lover and family to think of. Her parents, her estranged grandmother, dearest Ms Fabray..."

Do not snap, Santana. He's testing you. He's laid it all out, don't give him the reaction. He waited a moment before seeming satisfied with her response, or therefore lack of.

"Sit." She sat opposite him in a straight-backed, carved chair, while he took a seat at the polished desk. She clenched and unclenched her fists in her lap, her dark eyes never leaving his.

"I have a problem, Ms Lopez. A problem that began the moment you pulled out those poisonous berries in the arena."

Here we go.

"If the Head Gamemaker, Seneca Crane, ha had any brains, he'd have blown you to dust right then. But he had an unfortunate sentimental streak. So here you are. Can you guess where he is?" he asked.

"Enjoying retirement?" It was little more than a snarl and the President laughed. The stench of blood and roses had grown now she was closer to him. The rise in the President's lapel explained that, but the blood...

"You could say that. After that, there was nothing to do but to let you play out your little scenario. And you were pretty good too, acting like it was all done for the boy's happiness. The people in the Capitol were quite convinced. Unfortunately, not everyone in the districts fell for your act," he said.

What? Her shock must have flashed across her face, because he addressed it.

"This, of course, you don't know. You have no access to information about the moods in other districts. However, in several of them, people viewed your little trick with the berries as an act of defiance, not an act of courage, friendship as love. And if a loud mouthed girl from District Twelve of all places can defy the Capitol and walk away unharmed, what is stopping them all from doing the same? What is to prevent, say, an uprising?"

It took her a minute, but she finally caught onto his meaning.

"There have been uprisings?" She was somewhat chilled and elated by the possibilities. A chance of uprisings meant a chance of revolutions...

"Not yet. But they'll follow if the course if things don't change. And uprisings have been known to lead to revolution. Do you have any idea what that would mean? How many people would die? What conditions those left would have to face? Whatever problems anyone may have with the Capitol, believe me when I say that if it real eases its grip on the districts for even a short time, the entire system would collapse."

Bullshit. She had to admit though, she was impressed by the sincerity and directness of his speech. As if he gave a rat's ass about the welfare of the citizens of Panem, when that was the furthest from the truth.

"It must be very fragile then, if a handful of berries can bring it down." There was a long pause while he examined her, as if seeing her in a new light. She kept her face blank, and her eyes locked on his cold ice blue pair.

"It is fragile, but not in the way you suppose he finally said simply. Santana opened her mouth to respond, but a knock on the door interrupted her. The Capitol man stuck his head in.

"Her mother wants to know if you want tea."

"Tea would be lovely," the president said. The door opened wider and Santana saw her Mami standing there nervously, holding a tray with a china tea set they only used for special occasions.

"Set it here please." Santana watched her mother set the tray on the desk, noticing the beautifully decorated cookies. Obviously a gift from Will or Blaine.

"What a welcome sight. You know, it's funny how often people forget that presidents need to eat too," President Snow said charmingly. It seemed to put her Mami at ease at least.

"I could bring you something more filling if you'd like for lunch?" Santana stopped herself from rolling her eyes. Typical. Her Mami trying to mother the man who wanted her dead. The President smiled up at her.

"No thank you. This is perfect." The dismissal was obvious, and Santana's mother nodded, flashing Santana a warning glance before leaving the room. Santana watched as the President poured tea for the two of them, filling his with cream and sugar, then spending a long time stirring. Santana knew he was waiting for her to speak.

"You shouldn't have all that cream and sugar. It's bad for your health." Where had that come from? She didn't know. He laughed at her words continuing to stir.

"Perhaps. But life isn't worth living without some pleasures, wouldn't you agree?" Santana's left hand twitched at his words and she leaned back in her chair, observing him for a moment.

"I didn't mean to start any uprisings."

"I believe you. It doesn't matter. Your stylist turned out to be prophetic in his wardrobe choice. Santana Lopez, the girl who was in fire, you have provided a spark that, left unattended, may grow to an inferno that destroys Panem," he said.

"Why not just kill me now then? Save yourself the hassle?" Her words were blunt and harsh.

"Publicly? That would only add fuel to the flames." He shook his head, sipping from his tea.

"The arrange an accident." He chuckled at that.

"If you were watching, would you believe it? No." She rubbed her temples, sighing.

"Just tell me what you want me to do and I'll do it," she said wearily.

"If only it were that simple." He sniffed the air then, cocking an eyebrow. "Is that bacon?" Santana could smell the delicious scent of the bacon she had brought for Quinn wafting down the hall.

"Yes. Quinn's." she regretted it the moment she said her name; She didn't want to talk about Quinn with this man.

"Ah yes, Quinn Fabray. How is the love of your life? She gave us quite a Game two years ago." Santana's gaze tinted red at his smug tone, and it was all she could do not to smash her tea cup in his face.

"Good."

"Come now Ms Lopez, surely you have more to say about the girl who stole your heart?" Santana gritted her teeth. He was taunting her, definitely. Baiting her.

"I have plenty to say. I just prefer not to share details of my personal life with..." She trailed off.

"With enemies?" He laughed. "Don't worry, I'm not offended. Lucky for you, all of Panem can see you infatuation with the girl. Which makes your defence much more plausible." Santana remained silent, watching him carefully. President Snow leaned forward, clasping his hands in front of him, his eyes boring into hers.

"My issue, Ms Lopez, is your friendship with Blaine Anderson. I know how unstable and distant it has become in the last few months, and let me tell you, it is doing nothing to help your case." Santana gulped, her mouth suddenly dry. It made sense. It appeared she took out those berries not only for herself and Quinn, but for Blaine and Kurt as well. Because Blaine had apparently meant that much to her.

"Blaine is my friend." She clarified.

"Perhaps to an extent. When did he realise your true intentions when you pulled out those berries?"

"He knows I meant to save him too."

"But that wasn't you're main intention as you would have the country believe." She could feel Snixx taking over as his words enraged her.

"Who says it wasn't?" she growled.

"I do. And I wouldn't be here if I weren't the only person who had doubts. And that's what endangers you, your girlfriend, your parents and that rough friend of yours." Santana's face paled.

"Don't...please don't hurt them."

"That all depends on you, Ms Lopez, and your friendship with Blaine."

"We'll be the same on tour. I'll be as close with him as I was, and show how madly in love I am with Quinn," she said.

"As close as you are," corrected President Snow.

"As close as I am," she confirmed.

"You'll have to do even better if the uprising is to be averted. This tour will be your only chance to turn things around."

Fantastic.

"I will. They won't have any reason to doubt me by the time all of this is over. I'll convince them all," she said calmly. He laughed again, which was started to bug her. She wasn't that fucking funny.

"Aim higher. Try to convince me." He dropped the napkin and retrieved his book. She didn't watch him as he headed for the door, and only rested her head in her hands when she heard the door click shut behind him.

When did everything her so fucked up?

Xxxx

A/N: Sequel woo! As you all know this is the sequel to "This Girl Is On Fire". I'm really excited to do this fic, because Catching Fire was my favourite in the Hunger Games books. I'm pretty happy with this chapter, so leave me a review and let me know what you think! -Q