This is also one from my own head. I've read plenty of fanfics about the friendships between the former Victors—mainly Chaff and Haymitch, though Finnick is often mentioned. I wanted to add Seeder because I like her LOL. Also, I want it clear that I think Effie was in on the Rebellion (it does say she joined for personal reasons, after all) and there's a line in Mockingjay where Katniss is told Plutarch and Haymitch had to fight to keep her alive. That, to me, means she was in on a lot of things, because I can't see the two of them caring about Effie one way or the other. They certainly didn't care about any other Escort. With that said, I can't fathom the other Victors not knowing.

Keep an eye out for any grammatical errors, please. If you find any please let me know in a PM or a Review.

Also, if there's something in any of my stories, be it this one or any other ones I've written, that you want me to elaborate on, that might make a good suggestion, FYI. I've found a few things in stories I've written that I might expand on, but don't worry, no one will have to have read the story to understand them.

Can't wait to hear from you guys.

-thamockingjayandpeeta

I NEVER DO

Rated M for language

"Where the fuck is Haymitch?" snarled Johanna at the group. She looked at them, though none of them bothered to answer. They were in 12's Penthouse Suite, seated in the living room, drinks in their hands. Beetee's invention to keep the prying ears from listening in sat on the table, glowing blue. They hadn't been there but a few minutes. Long enough to pour drinks and settle into seats.

Johanna stared from Seeder, to Finnick, and finally to Chaff, who just shrugged and took another drink. When she narrowed her eyes at him he sighed.

"I suppose he's drunk as a skunk and being drug here by Trinket," he finally answered.

Johanna scowled. "Ugh is she coming?"

"Why wouldn't she?" asked Finnick, swallowing his own drink.

"She's always hovering around Haymitch. Can't he breathe? And why doesn't he just tell her to fuck off?"

Seeder eyed Johanna. "Why would he? It's not like he could even if he tried. She does what she wants."

There was a small hint of warmth in her voice as she talked about Effie that had Johanna's stomach churning.

"How can you all stand to be around that bitch?"

Chaff glared at her. "Watch your mouth, girl."

She noticed Finnick frowning at her and scowled back at him. "Why the hostility towards Effie?" Finnick asked.

"Oh, Effie, is it?'" spit out Johanna.

"It's obvious, isn't it Finnick?" Seeder interrupted, her dark eyes dancing with amusement. "She wants to screw Haymitch and he wouldn't take a second look at her—with or without Effie."

Finnick arched an eyebrow. "Is that true?"

"What do you care?" challenged Johanna.

"She only wants to because Effie has Haymitch by the balls," Seeder said boldly to Finnick.

"Nobody has Haymitch by the balls," said Chaff, standing up for his friend.

Seeder and Finnick both shot him a look, and catching their eyes, he grinned.

Johanna's face darkened considerably. "Are you all telling me that Haymitch Abernathy, former Quarter Quell Victor, and Effie Trinket, current Capitol bitch, are—"

"I said watch your mouth, Mason," Chaff said darkly.

Johanna's mouth fell open. "How can you defend her? And how fucked up does Haymitch have to be to fuck a Capitol whore? He needs to lay off the liquor."

"Effie isn't a whore," Finnick said. He paused for a few moments, eyeing his half empty glass. "I should know," he finished bitterly, finishing the rest of its contents.

"I can't believe an Escort has you all defending her. That must be some pretty good pussy."

Seeder stood up so fast that no one saw it. All they heard was the slap echoing around the Penthouse. "Don't talk about her like that," said Seeder coldly.

Johanna was too shocked to really react, except to say, "What the fuck is wrong with you all? Are you yanking my chain?"

"Trinket's different," said Chaff simply, like that explained everything.

Johanna scoffed. "Does she pull out kids name every fucking year to send them to their death or not?"

"She's different, damn it," snapped out Chaff. "She cares," he added a bit more softly. Johanna looked skeptical. "You've got three Victors vouching for her, don't you?"

Scowling, Johanna stood. "All of you are fucking stupid. And Haymitch is the biggest fucking fool of all. The Capitol killed his entire family yet he's in bed with one of them? That's fucking sick, and low, even for a fucking disgraced 12 drunk."

Chaff slammed his glass down, rising, his eyes flashing. "Don't ever mention Haymitch's family. Not around me, and certainly not around him." Chaff's voice was low, and filled with warning. "You may be good with an axe, but Haymitch could slit your throat in his sleep, and at this point I don't know anybody who'd stop him or care. There are two things that'll piss Haymitch off more than anything: mentioning his family, and talking bad about his Escort. Now I'll cut you some slack because you're new to the crew, and it took us all a couple of years to wrap our minds around it as well, but we've already told you she's different. If it weren't for her I'd have lost Haymitch years ago. Do you know how many times she's bailed us out or come and got us? That woman has protected Haymitch. Cleaned up after him. Made sure he didn't choke to death on his vomit. She's saved each of us at least half a dozen times over the past several years. So you don't talk bad about Effie Trinket in front of us. And you better damn sure never talk bad about her in front of Haymitch."

Johanna looked like she was physically going to be sick. "I don't want to spend time with anybody who'd defend a bloody Escort over me." Her voice was shaking with suppressed rage as they all looked at her.

Finnick sighed, also standing. "Johanna, shut up," he said a little harshly. "Don't you get it? The fact that we're defending her should have been your first clue. Besides, Haymitch wouldn't love someone who was really Capitol."

Chaff jerked and looked at Finnick. "Love? You're pushing it, kid. Lust is more like it."

Seeder rolled her eyes. "Oh he's in love with her all right. He just doesn't know it yet. Kinda like Katniss with Peeta."

Chaff looked at Seeder. "He's my best friend. I think I'd know if my own best friend was in love with his Escort or not."

Johanna shook her head in irritation and disgust. "I don't believe one of them has all of you wrapped around her finger! Count me out." She started to walk away, towards the door. "I want nothing to do with your little club. She's no different from the rest of them. And if I could get away with it I'd wring her fucking neck with her stupid, blinding pink wig."

The knife that whizzed passed Johanna's face lodged itself deeply into the wall, a mere hair away from Johanna's face. She stood stock still, her eyes wide as she stared at Haymitch and Effie, who'd been outside on the balcony, having heard everything.

"Leave. Now." The way Haymitch spoke to her had her realizing very quickly that he could kill her in his sleep—with his eyes closed, and both hands at his side. Nothing rarely scared Johanna anymore, but the look he was giving her made it completely obvious how he'd won his Games. "And you owe said Capitol bitch your life. If she hadn't grabbed my arm that knife would be in between your eyes."

She stared at him, and then her eyes met everyone else's. Seeder was staring at Haymitch, her own eyes surprised. Finnick wouldn't meet her eye, which pissed her off even more, and Chaff had a look that clearly said, 'I told you so.'

And then her eyes rested on Effie, who was staring boldly at her, and the look in the Escort's eyes startled her. Her Capitol blue eyes were dark with anger, and quiet disdain, and it was such a shock for an Escort to be looking at her like that that Johanna found herself flabbergasted.

"I believe Haymitch told you to leave," she said coolly, and Johanna noted the way Effie held on to Haymitch's arm.

Johanna left without a word, feeling all their eyes on her.

Effie turned towards the group. "That girl is not allowed back in my Penthouse until she gets it. You all want to hang out with her, fine. But she doesn't belong here." She eyed them all to let them know she was serious. "You all enjoy your evening. I think I'm going to call it an early night."

"She'll learn, Effie," Seeder said kindly, seeing how upset Effie was, even with her Capitol mask in place. "Don't worry."

"I never do," responded Effie. She let go of Haymitch's arm after squeezing it gently and headed off to her room, trying not to worry about the love thing.