In the days that Dahlia and Finnick spent tucked away from the world outside, it seemed chaos had become the norm for those dedicated to the Mockingjay cause. With Peeta's rehabilitation going slower than doctors hoped and the recent success in District Two, it was hard to tell whether the new developments were generally positive or negative. However, when the pair finally emerged from their blissful cocoon, it was to the news that Katniss had been shot and was lying in the infirmary recovering. Dahlia decided they should go and visit her while the girl couldn't run away, but found that someone had already beaten them to it.

Johanna.

Dahlia felt terrible for not thinking of her friend in the time since she had arrived in District Thirteen. Johanna had been a captive of the Capitol too, though she was subjected to regular torture and pain where Dahlia had gotten off lightly. She was Snow's weapon after all, not his target. That's where she and Johanna's treatment differed. Dahlia's suffering was primarily mental and emotional, while Johanna's agony was physical. Snow had a certain flair for creativity when it came to tormenting people in different ways. Hijacking, brainwashing, electroshocks... They were brutal, but effective, ways to get his desired results.

When Dahlia and Finnick arrived hand in hand at Katniss' ward, they overheard her telling Johanna, "You should have been the Mockingjay. Nobody else would tell you what to say."

And Johanna was quick to snap back, "But nobody likes me."

"They're afraid of you." Katniss pointed out, her voice still hoarse and croaky from lack of use.

"Maybe here, but..." Johanna grumbled, plucking objects from Katniss' bedside table and scrutinising them with narrowed eyes. "In the Capitol, you're the only thing that they're scared of. They used to fear the Black Dahlia too but, as far as they're aware, she's on their side now."

Dahlia froze. Of course the Capitol thought she was working with them. Nobody had seen her in public since she was rescued by the rebels. No one knew that she had been forced to side with Snow. No one knew that she would now be fighting for the Rebellion. She was a figure of this war, even if she had not wanted it. The people needed to see which side she was on. She needed to be seen. They needed to know that wasn't who she is.

A hand squeezing hers three times brought her back to the present. "It's alright, Lia." Finnick whispered reassuringly in her ear, knowing she hated the title the Capitol had pushed onto her. Just the mere mention of what she had become was enough of a horrifying reminder for her to spiral into guilt. But Finnick was always there to pull her back out. "What is your name?"

"Dahlia Blossom." She replied shakily as Finnick cupped her cheek to ground her to reality.

"And where are you right now?" He asked firmly, running his fingers soothingly through her hair as he compels her fearful gaze to meet his.

Taking a deep breath to steady herself, she answered, "I'm in District Thirteen with the rebels." Then her eyes stared deeply into Finnick's as she added on, "With you."

"Exactly." Finnick declared with a soft but proud grin on his face. "You're not in the Capitol. You're here with me. You're safe." Sighing in relief at Finnick's comfort and support, Dahlia surged forward to wrap her arms around his frame. Her mind would be lost without Finnick by her side. He was the reason she could still live her life relatively normal. "I swear I will get revenge on the people that took you from me and destroyed your memories. They will get no mercy from me, I promise you."

After Finnick had placed a tender kiss against her hairline and the pair had pulled away, Dahlia fiercely proclaimed, "You'll have to get in line."

Neither of them realised that Johanna had spotted the two lingering in the doorway and scoffed at their affection before very loudly commenting, "They messed us up pretty good, didn't they?" Dahlia's head snapped round to face her old friend, who was staring darkly in her direction. Hesitantly, Dahlia forced herself to venture further into the room under the observant gazes of Katniss and Johanna with Finnick following behind. "Which character do we have the pleasure of speaking to now?" Johanna questioned snidely, the sarcasm and spite evident in her tone. "Dahlia Blossom or the Black Dahlia?"

Though Johanna made a commendable effort to disguise her fear, Dahlia could see the way her body trembled the closer the former assassin got to her. She was terrified... Terrified of Dahlia. The first friend she'd ever made after the Games, now the subject of all her distress. The sight was heartbreaking for Dahlia to witness.

"Jo..." She muttered mournfully, pausing in her step once she noticed how uncomfortable Johanna was becoming. "I..."

"Which is it?" Johanna growled out through gritted teeth, tensing up as Dahlia tried to discreetly shuffle forward.

"Jo, it's me. It's Dahlia." She stated pleadingly, desperately hoping her friend would be able to relax around her.

Johanna's eyes trailed up and down Dahlia's body, observing the tired grey jumpsuit she wore to fit in with the rest of the district's uniform. The girl she remembered from her torturous weeks in the Capitol wouldn't be caught dead wearing anything remotely resembling the attire of a rebel. But the real sign that Dahlia was released from the Madame's spell were her eyes. The once blank, vacant pits of darkness were now bright and full of emotion. No doubt that was the work of Finnick Odair, who stood diligently behind the girl ready to intervene. But the eyes never lie, and Dahlia's told Johanna everything she needed to hear.

"Pity." She drawled with mock disappointment, ripping the tube of morphling out of her arm as she hopped to her feet. "That's a real shame... At least if I was speaking with Snow's weapon, I know I'd be talking to a woman willing to destroy the Capitol for what they've done."

With an irritated huff, Johanna skirted around Dahlia and went to stalk out of the room. However, she was intercepted by a hand catching her wrist and halting her in her tracks. Glancing down only confirmed that Dahlia was the one holding her in place, her hand looking significantly larger compared to Johanna's gaunt and bony arm.

But as Johanna's eyes lifted to focus on Dahlia's face, she found that the woman hadn't actually turned to look at her. Instead she stared straight ahead unnervingly, like the soldier Alaric had trained her to be. Like a true warrior.

"I will destroy those responsible for our pain." Dahlia vowed passionately before she finally raised her stare up to meet Johanna's. The ferocity in her soul was evident by the spark lighting up her features. These weren't just meaningless words, this was a promise. One that Dahlia intended to keep, not just for Johanna, but for herself and all the others who had suffered at Snow's hands. "They turned me into a nightmare... so I'm going to be theirs."

At that adamant declaration, a satisfied smirk curled onto Johanna's lips. That was the Dahlia she knew and loved. That was the woman who was going to bring about the downfall of the Capitol. Leaning in closer, Johanna whispered, "I know you will."

Then she was off with a quick squeeze of the hand and a playful wink. Oh, how Dahlia had missed her partner in crime.

With Johanna's absence, Dahlia and Finnick could now turn their full attention to Katniss, who lay stationary on the bed watching them carefully. "So, I heard you're bulletproof now, Girl on Fire?" Dahlia joked with a kind smile as the pair settled down at Katniss' bedside.

"Guess I can thank Cinna for that." She muttered bitterly, her expression becoming more downcast at the thought of her fallen friend. She hurried to repress her sadness by motioning to Dahlia and announce, "You seem to be back to normal. Your recovery's gone well."

"I can thank Finnick for that." Dahlia retorted, glancing up at Finnick with a beaming grin as his arm found its place on her waist. "He saved me just as much as Cinna saved you." Katniss swallowed back her tears and nodded, attempting to avoid eye contact until Dahlia surprised her by delicately taking her hand. Her eyes darted up in astonishment to find the formidable woman gazing sympathetically at her, as if she could see the emotional struggle Katniss was going through. "Although Haymitch was also a big help."

"Haymitch?" Katniss almost recoiled in shock at the notion of her former mentor aiding Dahlia in her rehabilitation.

Dahlia just nodded in confirmation and remarked, "He's heavily involved in Peeta's recovery as well." Katniss' features seemed to sour at the mention of the boy's name, which Dahlia noticed straight away. "Things aren't going well between you two?"

"He thinks I'm a mutt." She mumbled in dismay, hands absentmindedly reaching for her now healed neck as it seemed to ache in reminder of what he'd done. "He wants me dead."

"There was a time I wanted you dead as well." Dahlia pointed out wisely before glancing up at Finnick with a remorseful look. "There was also a time I wanted Finnick dead. But I wouldn't be where I am now if he hadn't stuck by me. The Peeta you know and love is still in there somewhere, Katniss. So don't give up on him just yet."

Katniss struggled to reply for a moment, staring at Dahlia in disbelief. The last time the two had interacted, they were on opposite sides of the war. Now they were having a civil conversation and lifting each other's spirits.

Brows furrowed in feigned suspicion, Katniss slyly asked, "Since when did you start handing out words of encouragement?"

The two girls chuckled in amusement at how much things had changed before Dahlia replied, "I literally went to Hell, shook hands with devil and got spat back out the other side. I think I'm allowed to change my outlook on life."

But Katniss turned to Finnick and dramatically exclaimed, "What have you done to her?"

Finnick threw his head back in laughter as Dahlia pouted with a faked look of offence. Once his giggles had died down and he noticed the expression on her face, he smirked teasingly and engulfed her smaller frame in his arms. Squeezing her tight, he rocked them side to side and jokingly proclaimed, "My future wife, the inspirational speaker."

"Future wife?" Katniss blurted out, eyes blown wide in shock at the revelation while Dahlia smacked Finnick's chest to scold him.

They hadn't wanted anyone to know until they'd asked for official permission to go ahead with a wedding. There was no reason to get people excited for a celebration that might not even happen. But Finnick's blabbermouth had ruined that plan.

Cringing sheepishly at his mistake, Finnick mumbled, "Sorry, little flower. I'm just excited to be able to call you my wife."

Unable to keep the adoring grin off her face, Dahlia returned her attention to Katniss and explained, "Nothing is confirmed just yet. Which is why I was hoping to keep it a secret." She sent a sharp look in Finnick's direction which just made him tighten his grip and bury his face in her hair. Dahlia rolled her eyes in annoyance, but the smile on her face told a different story. "We need to talk to President Coin first and that woman really doesn't seem to like me."

"She doesn't like me much either." Katniss muttered in support, hoping to bring Dahlia some sort of consolation.

"She hates the things she can't control." Dahlia retorted, realising there wasn't much difference between Alma Coin and the Madame. "So if she hates you, you're doing something right." Katniss snorted at Dahlia's bold statement as she continued jestingly, "Guessing that means I can't rely on you to help us win her over?" The Mockingjay shook her head to unfortunately decline the offer, leaving Dahlia to sigh and glance up at Finnick. "Looks like we're on our own."

Finnick didn't seem at all disheartened at that prospect as he nuzzled his nose in her neck. With his lips brushing against her skin, he delightedly mumbled, "I wouldn't have it any other way."