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"I think they're old enough to watch themselves, mom," Rosie said as Effie passed through the dining coach. Joey, who was sitting at the table across from her sister looked up from the book she was reading and rolled her eyes.

"If your aunt and uncle need someone to watch –"

"Mom, Aunt Katniss hates it when you try to force me on her to babysit. Prim's twelve and Henry's ten – you left me and Joey alone a lot younger than that."

"Rosie, I left you and your sister with Linus. And he was very responsible. Joey, were you able to get in touch with him before we left?"

"Hm?" Joey looked up from her book. "Me?"

"Yes, you," Effie said. "Has he changed his mind about coming?"

"You know Linus."

"She means he hasn't," Rosie clarified.

Effie sighed and sat down beside Joey. "He has nothing to feel guilty for … I tell him every year."

"It's not your fault," said Rosie. "I don't know what more you or dad could've done to convince him. It's like guilt was just … I don't know … built into him. At least he's putting it to good use – did Joey tell you he was promoted?"

"No! Joey – why on earth didn't you tell me?"

Joey finally put down her book. "Because he wanted to tell you," she replied, glaring at her sister. "Act surprised when he does tell you. Yes, he was promoted. He's on the educational council now – the big one that oversees the schools for every district. He gets to travel a lot now."

"Really? Oh, that's wonderful! When did this happen?"

"Only the other day."

"Well that's probably why he doesn't want to attend the anniversary with us. He's a busy boy." Effie leaned over and kissed Joey's forehead. "Even if that isn't the reason, I'll choose to believe it."

"Don't call him, mom."

"Who says I was going to?"

"Because you don't give up that easy," said Joey.

Effie smiled. "No. I don't. I never have." She then stood and left the dining car to make the call that Joey predicted.

"Sorry," Rosie said. "I didn't know that information was confidential."

Joey shrugged. "Can't be helped now. He only told me because I'm a teacher in the District. He thought I would want to know I could complain directly to him instead of writing my usual lengthy letters."

Rosie laughed. "Oh joy. Do you think he'll give in to mom though? Come to the Capitol?"

"If dad talks to him, probably. You know how he looks up to him."

"True. That'll be mom's next tactic, I bet. What are you reading, by the way? I've never seen that book."

Joey showed her sister the cover saying, "I got it in the mail the other day. It's for the article I'm writing about the Fever."

"Is it interesting?"

"It's nothing new, really. It was written when not much was known about it – when they assumed it was something like the old disease Polio. I mean, I guess it was – but not completely. It needs to be revised – heavily."

"Well, no one better than you, huh?"

"I only lost a leg," Joey said. "Others lost a lot more."

"No need to sound so dramatic about it," Rosie said, taking the book and flipping through. "I'm not making light of it."

"I know," Joey said. "I'm just in a weird mood. This prototype I've been using has been giving me pain in my hip. I walk more evenly – but I don't know if it's worth the price. Uncle Peeta agreed. We may just go back to the last model – it's slower to react, but much more comfortable."

Both girls turned when the cabin door opened again. Haymitch walked in with a mug off coffee and his grey hair hanging in his face. The resemblance the girls had to him was startling at some times – Rosie had many similar facial features and the same dark hair and Seam eyes. Joey was a little more delicate – like Effie – but her hair was a mess of curls almost like her father's wiry hair and she, too, had the same Seam eyes.

"Your mother been through here yet?"

"Avoiding her?" asked Rosie as her dad plopped onto the seat beside her.

"No – didn't say that."

"You look like it," Joey said. "She's going to be on you about getting Linus to meet up at the Capitol."

Haymitch groaned. "Why does she do this? The boy hates going."

"You know mom," Rosie said, taking her dad's coffee and having a sip. "Yuck! When did you start putting so much sugar in?"

"When I couldn't taste it anymore. It's mine not yours – stop complaining." Haymitch playfully knocked her upside the head. "Yeah, I know your mother. And I know Linus. She'll guilt him into coming and he'll be miserable. Won't show it. But he will." Haymitch shook his head. "Heard from your Aunt Annie. She's arrived with Finn." He kicked Rosie under the table.

"God, dad, let it go!"

"Didn't say anything!"

"You were going to. Shut up before you do."

Haymitch laughed. "You know your mom would be over the moon –"

"Dad!"

"All right, all right! I heard you. God, your voice is as shrill as your mother's. Have you both had something to eat?"

"Yes," Rosie and Joey said together – Rosie's voice tinged with irritation.

"Then my job's done. I'm going to go wander."

"You mean hide from mom?" Joey asked.

"I said wander. I didn't say hide, did I?"

Once Haymitch had left the cabin through the other door in attempts to hide from Effie, Rosie angry grabbed her empty mug and went to the coffee maker to refill it muttering to herself as she did.

"He was kidding," Joey said when her sister returned.

"Thank god he doesn't know we slept together …"

Joey laughed. "He'd kill Finn."

"It was one time two years ago. We've put it behind us. We dated for a week. You'd think it was some long term relationship the way mom talks."

"Mom just thinks it'd be cute if you got together. You know she and Aunt Annie have been planning your wedding since you were born."

"Don't I know it … god, he wasn't even that great … I mean … the sex was just … blah."

Joey laughed. "Well, maybe if you both weren't drunk …"

"Yeah, maybe, but I'm not really keen to find out."

Joey winced when she unbuckled the strap that held her false leg in place. Her thigh was slightly swollen – but that usually happened when she was trying out a new prosthetic. She didn't know why Effie and Haymitch insisted she try every new model on the market – she was happy with simplicity.

There was a knock on the door. Haymitch cracked the door and peeked in. "Pick up the phone – line two."

"Who is it?"

"Linus."

"Why me?"

"Just pick up the damn phone."

Joey sighed and did as Haymitch asked. He gave her a thumbs-up and left the room.

"Linus?" Joey asked. "Am I the decider?"

She heard a laugh on the other line. "No, I wouldn't force it on you," Linus replied. "I told Haymitch I'll meet you all at the usual hotel."

"You gave in?"

"You know Effie."

"Yeah. Guess it's better you gave in rather than suffer her wrath … or passive-aggressive wrath. Apparently Finn's already there – you'll have male company besides dad."

"Doubt it. Finn's single again – broke up with his girlfriend last week. He'll be out on the town."

"He doesn't have the best track record. And whether my sister admits it or not, they were good for each other … for the short time it lasted."

"You know it was more than a week."

Joey laughed. "Obviously. Anyway, why did you need to talk to me?"

"I wanted to remind you that you still owe me a drink from the chess game I won last time I was home."

"You're such an asshole."

Rosie finished buffing her nails then carefully applied her clean varnish to them. Blowing on her nails gently, she went back to her bed and sat down where she had several books open as well as a few papers – applications – laying around her.

History books.

Applications for archival jobs in the Capitol.

She was excited – it was something she had always wanted to do. History had always fascinated her. But she also knew her parents would be lukewarm – to say the least – about her choice of career. And she was putting off telling them as long as she could. They would be supportive, yes – but happy?

Rosie picked up one of the applications. It was half-filled out by Plutarch, who had agreed to write her a letter of recommendation. She had convinced herself that she would finish them and, while in the Capitol, send them out: but she was beginning to feel uneasy about it all.

"Shit," she muttered, tossing the application back into the pile.

"Are you happy?" Haymitch asked as he sat beside Effie on the sofa in their private cabin. "You've got the whole family coming now."

Effie smiled. "Yes. I know how Linus feels but … I just want him to see that the world isn't as unforgiving as he thinks. I worry that there was something we could have done but didn't."

Haymitch kissed his wife's cheek. "There was nothing we could do. We did our best. It was just … I don't know … already in his head, I guess. It's survivor's guilt."

Effie sighed.

"He knows we love him, Eff. That's what matters. And … he'll have a good time. He always does in the end."

"Yes … yes, I know."

"Then put a smile on, princess."

"You can see my wrinkles when I smile."

"I know," said Haymitch. "I like your wrinkles."