I was stood with Gale in the Block's control room. We'd been allowed access to watch our troops. It was time for the soldier's final examinations, to make sure they were fit for battle. All my group had passed the first three tests; the obstacle course (a physical condition assessment), weapons proficiency and a written tactical exam. Even Finch. But the last test, the hardest, was the simulated combat situation in the Block, and I was seriously praying that Finch would fail. So he wouldn't have to go into battle. Gale seemed to be thinking along the same lines. Katniss' test was that day too.

"Do you think she'll pass?" I asked Gale. He smiled sadly.

"I'm almost certain she will. She's survived the Hunger Games...twice. Her weakness is nothing to do with strength; it's to do with how she deals with orders. She can't follow them."

He was right. We watched Katniss together on a big screen. It was like watching the Games, seeing her scuffle out in the open. She was struggling to obey orders, as Gale had predicted. Her command from her superior was to drop to the ground, but I could see her hesitating, knowing that to complete her mission, she needed to blow up a petrol tank, killing the soldiers in opposition. But, reluctantly, she followed orders and threw herself to the floor. Someone else blew up the petrol tank, completing the mission. Gale smiled a little, before turning away. He patted my arm sympathetically.

"Maybe you'll have more luck than me," he said. I chewed my thumb and nodded, trying to smile. After he left, the wait became even more agonising. I kept my eye on the queue as soldier after soldier shuffled their way into the Block. I could see Finch's barely blue hair amongst the crowd. At least from here, I had the luxury of being able to watch him. Admire him. Maybe in the Capitol, we could be together again, out of Coin's sight. But that would also mean him being in the thick of the danger, and I wanted him safe more than I wanted him close. So as he stepped into the Block, I prayed that he would fail the exam.

Finch emerged on the main viewing screen, in a street where Capitol citizens were milling around in their ridiculous clothes. The realism of it seemed to shock Finch, and he looked around his home in awe. He'd missed it, even if he would never admit it. How could he not? How could dark, dull District 13 ever compare to the brightness and beauty of his first home? And yet after a moment, he looked truly lost. Why I'm not sure. Maybe it was his realisation that he didn't belong there, as a soldier or as a citizen. Finch had never really fit in in the Capitol, but he was never welcome in 13. So it begged the question; where did he belong?

Wherever I go, Finch. That's where you belong. With me. This will be over soon. Then we can be together.

A siren rang in the street, and I felt fear punch my stomach, even though I knew it was a fake. It was part of the simulation in the Block. Finch's eyes darted about him as the fake civilians ran for cover. Capitol soldiers and rebels alike were suddenly fighting in the street. I watched Finch hastily prepare his gun and start shooting at random, managing to hit a few targets.

But then the game changed.

A bomb was set off in the street. Finch stumbled backwards, debris flying everywhere and screams filling the air. He covered his eyes, falling to the ground. People trampled all over him and I pressed my hand to the screen, wishing I could take him out of there. I heard his next command that was channelled through his ear piece. Mission Complete. Target destroyed. Retreat.

But Finch wasn't listening. His eyes were set on the flaming rubble. And to my horror, I saw a small hand emerge from it. And I knew then that Finch had failed his exam. He ran straight over and began to rummage desperately, moments later pulling out a small child.

That wasn't the mission, Finch.

At least if he's failed, then that means he'll be staying here. But somehow, the thought wasn't particularly comforting. Maybe I sensed by then that nothing concerning Finch would ever go my way.

It was shortly after Finch's assessment that Coin showed up. She gave me an amiable smile, a clipboard in her hand.

"Congratulations, Soldier. All of your team passed. You're all going to the Capitol," she said. I shook my head.

"No. Not Finch. He didn't pass, I know he didn't!"

Coin smiled again, making me want to punch her "Actually, he did. Only just, but he's on the team."

I couldn't take it anymore. I slammed my hands into her chest, making her stumble. My breathing was rapid "You can't do this," I snarled. "He'll die out there."

Coin's face mirrored mine, a snarl set on her lips.

"I just did," she said. Then she walked out of the room, leaving me to mourn for Finch and the death he was certainly on the way to.

***

Fear revealed itself in my team in the smell of sweat in the air. In the hushed voices and the shallow breathing. Everyone sat almost perfectly still, barely speaking. I was sat next to Alexius and Ronan, distancing myself from Finch at least until we got to the Capitol. I was feeling the nerves as much as anyone. I folded my hands neatly on my lap, staring at the floor.

"Are you OK?" Alexius asked. I raised my eyes to meet his, trying to give him an encouraging smile.

"I'm fine. Just a little tense."

"Me too. I...it's been a difficult few days."

I nodded "Saying goodbye wasn't easy. My mother, father, uncle...they've lost a lot already. With Elliott gone...they're scared I won't come back."

Alexius looked sympathetic "I understand. Goodbyes are never easy. But I'm happy to be here. I...I finally have a chance to prove myself. Show my worth."

I patted his arm "You'll do them proud. I'm certain."

He nodded, smiling, and then he leant his head back on the headrest to get some sleep. I ran over our procedures for when we got there in my head. Set up camp outside the Capitol, get some shut eye for the night, attack the next day. It was simple enough, but it made me nervous. We'd been warned of the dangers awaiting us. Pods containing Capitol made mutts. Soldiers. Bombs. It was dangerous ground, of course. And we were stepping right into it.

The aircraft landed in early evening. I let everyone get off the craft first, before stepping out. I said goodbye to the pilot and he took off, leaving us alone. The boys were chatting excitedly, already preparing to set up camp. We were dropped off close to where I had been in my last visit into the centre of the Capitol. The day I met Finch. It made me smile a little. I spotted him chatting with Ronan as they started setting up a tent. I tried not to stare, moving into the centre of the group to address them.

"Buddy up, everyone. Alexius, Ronan, you're on second watch. First watch...Finch. With me," I said, before I could change my mind. He looked a little surprised, but eager. I helped some of the boys with their tents and then most of them retreated inside. Soon enough, it was just him and me, sat on opposite sides of a dwindling campfire. I could feel him watching me before I even looked at him. And suddenly, my nerves weren't aimed at the coming war. They were made by his gaze. Because I knew the way he was looking at me. With longing, and love. I finally found the courage to meet his eyes. Going into battle would have been easier on my heart than looking in those pale blue eyes.

"I've missed..." I began, but I wasn't sure how to finish. There were a million things I'd missed about him. But I didn't need to say anything.

"I know," he said.

Finch stood up and I did too. Slowly, like we were drawn together by magnets, we pulled towards each other. I was face to face with his broad chest. I let my hand rest against him gently, feeling his heart beat pulsing through my fingers. He closed his eyes as my other hand trailed up his arm and to his face. My fingers traced his chin, his ears, the lids of his eyes. My finger rested finally on his lips. They gently shifted to kiss my fingertip, before travelling to the back of my hand, which he clutched with his own warm hands. He finally opened his eyes, and cupped my face. I rested into his hands, my eyes never leaving his.

"I know," he repeated "I've missed this too."

His lips slowly moved to rest on mine and I sank into him, arms around his neck. I'd missed standing on my tiptoes to reach his lips. I missed his blue hair sticking out between my fingers when I grabbed it. I missed how warm he was, how he touched me like he knew every inch of my body as well as his home town. He gently brushed aside the straps of my vest top to kiss the bare skin on my shoulders. My heart thudded against my chest. I was dizzy with excitement.

"We should be careful," I whispered. Finch grabbed my waist and pulled me closer, his fingers curled around my belt loops.

"I'm done being careful," he breathed.