Disclaimer: Not mine!

A/N: This chapter has been sitting on my hard disk for a week and it was supposed to be uploaded next week but I think now seems appropriate.

Chapter 21

"Excuse me?" her shrill voice rang sharply across the hallway.

"Uh…"

"What do you mean, Peeta!" she demanded crossly.

"Peeta meant what he said, Effie," Katniss said and wrapped an arm around Effie's shoulder. It was meant to be a comforting gesture but Effie felt none of it.

Her stomach churned and Effie's mind began to focus on the singular fact that Haymitch had not made it. "You mean… He's … He's dead?"

They nodded mutely.

"No, no," Effie laughed harshly, the hollow sound sent a shiver down Peeta's spine.

"There must be a mistake. No, Katniss. Haymitch is stubborn, he won't just… He can't! He's a Victor; they're supposed to live!" she added.

She realised of course, how petulant she sounded. Victors were humans too, and death was something that would claim them all eventually. Effie sat heavily on the chair and covered her face with her hands.

For a moment, she kept shaking her head, mumbling incoherently.

"I've never told him."

Peeta looked up at Katniss the moment Effie uttered those words. Katniss had caught it too because she was desperately trying to hide a smile creeping up on her face.

"Told him what?" he inquired at the same time that Katniss asked if she would like to see Haymitch.

Effie stood up shakily and with the younger dark-haired girl guiding her by the elbow, she opened the door to Haymitch's hospital room. The door closed behind her and Effie was left alone in the sterile white room looking at Haymitch's supine form lying still on the bed, a thick white blanket covered him up to his chest. The silence was almost deafening.

His head was wrapped in thick bandages but Effie could still see a blotched of red staining the white cloth. His eyes were closed and he looked so peaceful, more at peace than she could ever recall him being at.

The tears were making her vision blurry and she blinked them away desperately as she moved closer to his bed. Effie sat on the only chair next to him with her forehead resting on the mattress. Her shoulders shook as she cried, the tears falling hot and fast down her cheeks. Effie cried so hard that hiccups soon wracked her body.

One of her arms was thrown across Haymitch's stomach, the other clutching his hand lying on top of the blanket tightly. Had she not let emotions rule her and paid closer attention to her surroundings, Effie would have realised something important.

As it was, her thoughts were a jumbled mess and nothing made any sense to her at that moment. All she cared about was Haymitch lying motionless in front of her. In that moment, it all became clear to Effie, something akin to a miraculous enlightenment enveloped her soul. Marcus had not been lying – it had always been Haymitch. For her, no one would ever be able to measure up to Haymitch. All his flaws and imperfections, the way he teased her and drove her mad with anger. Nobody else could be that way except him.

They had spent far too many years with each other that they had slowly became a part of each other's life without them even realising. Effie had not only learnt to tolerate Haymitch, she had long ago accepted that it was normal behaviour the way he acted around her. So much so that when she spent her time with any other man, particularly Marcus, it made her feel at odds to be treated so nicely, to not have to constantly remind Marcus about manners or his drinking habit. Marcus was too perfect and too proper and she did not want her men perfect.

Effie realised that if he just opened his eyes, if she was given another chance, she would be content with how they were all these while because that was how they had always been and she never wanted things to change. It was always her and Haymitch.

"Please wake up, Haymitch. Please don't leave me."

The white bed linen was doing a good job of soaking her tears up and she pulled his body tighter almost in desperation. Effie was frightened. She had never before imagined a world where Haymitch was dead. What am I supposed to do?

Even when they were not on talking terms, she knew at the back of her mind, he was still at District Twelve but now…

"I don't have a family and you're … you're like a family to me. I'm so sorry for everything! Oh god, I take back all those terrible things I said to you on the phone. I'm sorry about the itching powder. I forgive you for the frogs and my car, and I even forgive you for my heels. I'll give up all my heels if I could see you and talk to you for one more day," she hiccupped and took a deep breath.

"I never had the chance to tell you and I'm too late, now. Please. Oh god, I was so stupid!"

The poor woman was so distraught she failed to register the low rumbling of Haymitch's chest or the way his body shook silently as though the dead Haymitch was trying to quietly suppress his laughter.

"Yes, you are. Why the hell are you crying as if I'm dead, Trinket?" questioned a raspy voice.

Effie stilled at the sound of the familiar deep voice. Slowly, she forced herself to look up. Haymitch was looking at her with an unreadable expression on his face, a ghost of a smile still lingered on his face, his eyes twinkling mischievously with a hint of curiosity reflecting on his irises.

"Haymitch?"

"Nope – his twin," he mocked her, wetting his parched lips at the same time.

"Haymitch?"

He rolled his eyes at Effie. "Yes, little dove, it's me – the bane of your existence, Haymitch Abernathy."

"But–" She glanced back at the close door uncertainly and frowned at the now equally confused man on the bed. "- why are you alive?"

"That's not very courteous," he smirked at her, the confusion evaporating to be replaced by his usual smug expression. Haymitch winced in pain as he tried to push himself off the bed, "Help me out, Trinket."

Quickly, she helped him into a sitting position and offered him a glass of water which he accepted gratefully.

Her hand curled around his wrist and pushed the hospital tag away, feeling for his pulse. Haymitch jerked his hand back in surprise.

"What are you doing?" he snarled. It would have the intended effect of frightening Effie if his voice had not sounded so weak.

"I'm just trying to check," she said and her hand went straight to his neck this time. He batted her hand away.

"What are you trying to check, you insane woman?"

"Your pulse, of course," she replied as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.

"I'm alive, Effie! I'm talking to you, aren't I?" he said harshly.

Her lips wobbled and she bit on it hard to stop herself from breaking down into fresh tears, her emotions were still vulnerable after all the fright. He gave a sigh and held out his hand to her. "Go on and check if it gives you peace of mind."

She smiled but ignored his hand and pressed her ear where his heart was, feeling it beating steadily. She felt Haymitch tense at her proximity and his heartbeat increased rapidly.

"How much did you hear?" she asked softly, still half lying on Haymitch.

"Enough."

"All of it?"

"Most of it," his voice came out in a whisper. Effie was aware of his hand softly stroking her hair and she closed her eyes, savouring his tender gesture which did not come often.

Opening her eyes, Effie took a deep breath and straightened up. "Still alive," she announced the smile lighting up her eyes.

"You don't say?"

Effie blushed and tried to distract herself by smoothing out his blanket and then tucking him in. He growled in displeasure at being coddled by Effie.

"Who told you I was dead?" he asked, swatting off her hand that was trying to brush his hair out of his face.

Effie's hand stilled at that question and her eyes narrowed a fraction. Those two! "Katniss and Peeta."

He broke into laughter but stopped almost immediately, clutching his injured head. "You do realise that they've pulled a prank on you?"

"Yes, Haymitch, I realise that now," she answered testily. "Were you in on it? Was this your idea because I wouldn't put it past –"

He shook his head. "I would very much like to say yes, but I just woke up from my sleep to find a frantic woman clutching and sobbing horridly. Terrible bedside manners, little dove."

She flushed in embarrassment and slapped his arm lightly. Her heart sang and Effie felt the warmth spreading through her. She missed him calling her by that name. Little dove. It made her feel special and exclusive.

"I told them about … You know… What we do to each other," he ventured to speak, trying to explain why Katniss and Peeta had probably did what they did.

She nodded. Her eyes kept flicking to the door and the redness of her cheek from the embarrassment of crying hopelessly over Haymitch earlier on was apparent. She felt slightly grateful that she had not poured out any soul-deep confessions before he woke up and eventually put a stop to her snivelling. Effie felt so foolish and now that she knew Haymitch was alive and relatively well, she wanted nothing more than to leave the hospital room.

"I should go. You should rest," she started.

He shrugged in response. "I've been resting for days. You came to Twelve alone or am I supposed to prepare myself for the company of your beloved fiancé?"

"I came alone."

He gave an exaggerated sigh of relief and Effie glared at him. He started chuckling all of a sudden and shook his head disbelievingly.

"I can't believe – are you seriously that ignorant? Can't you tell the difference between a living person and a corpse?"

"I couldn't think straight, Haymitch! I was distraught and upset!"

"Oh, were you? And why's that?" he asked cocking his head to the side and waited.

"If you're just going to continue laughing at me, I'm going to leave," said Effie who was quick to change the subject. "You seem to be coping well with your injuries anyway – which reminds me, how did you fall?"

"No idea. Was drunk - tried to take a shower and must have slipped. Are you going back to the Capitol?"

He looked at her expectantly and waited for an answer. Effie wondered if Haymitch would ask her to stay for a while longer while he was hospitalised but quickly dismissed the idea. Even if he wanted her to stay around, Haymitch would never ask. She knew him enough to know that.

"Not today. Maybe in two or three days' time."

Haymitch's demeanour seemed to relax slightly and she knew that she had made the right decision.

"I really have to go this time. I'll visit you again tomorrow but I have to go now. I need to buy new clothes because I did not have the time to pack! Can you believe it? This is all your fault. Ahh, I need to talk to Katniss and Peeta, too - about that horrible lie they told me and then find a place to stay. I wonder if the bed and breakfast place is ready and open for business?"

With the relief she felt knowing that Haymitch's injuries were not life threatening, Effie reverted back to her old self – speaking at the speed of a Capitol train and listing out her plans, even though nobody was even remotely interested.

"My spare house key is taped under one of the parapets, two windows to the left of the door," he said suddenly.

"I'm sorry?"

"You can stay over at my house, Trinket, as long as you bring me some alcohol tomorrow."

"Thank you, Haymitch! You're so very kind but I'm afraid I cannot smuggle in alcohol to a patient. It is simply unheard –"

"Get out, Effie, before I change my mind."

A wide grin spread across her face and with a chipper, "I'll see you tomorrow," she closed his door.

XxX

The first place Effie went to was the Seam and there, she bought herself some clothes and other necessities; enough to last her a week in District Twelve. With two bags filled with her new purchases – she had convinced herself that she was contributing to the recovering economy with her shopping – Effie made her way to Victor's Village.

A few steps inside his house, Effie stopped momentarily and inhaled the familiar smell of Haymitch's house. It had the smell of vapours from his many spirits mingling with the fresh air outside, the faint lavender fragrance diffuser Effie had placed on his house when she had stayed over and the ever present smell of dirty dishes, he had never bothered to wash unless someone cleaned it for him. The familiar warm feeling that greeted her felt strangely like home.

Realising what she just thought of, Effie shook her head to quickly get rid of that notion. She deposited her purchases in the same room she had occupied for weeks earlier noting that nothing in that room had been touched. The plastic flowers she had bought at the Seam still stood in the vase on the window sill.

One other thing to take care of, she thought to herself.

"Hello Katniss and Peeta," she greeted them as Katniss let her in. Dramatically, she dabbed her eyes with her pocket handkerchief. "Should we start with the funeral preparations for Haymitch?"

"Effie…"

"I have several contacts at the Capitol and they could help, of course."

"Effie, what are you –"

"I supposed a lot of people would want to attend. After all he was –"

"Effie!" Katniss snapped at her. "He's not dead."

"Oh, I know," she said silkily, a sly smile playing on her lips. "How dare you! Both of you! You gave me such a fright!"

Katniss heaved a sigh of relief and sat on the chair heavily. "For a moment there, I really thought… you know, that you really believed Haymitch was dead."

Peeta had enveloped Effie in his arms, rubbing her back and laughing lightly. "We're sorry, Effie. We don't mean any harm. We just thought that you needed a push in the right direction."

"A push?" she asked, her eyebrows crinkling.

"Yes. To make you realise your feelings for him."

Effie gasped, her hand flying to cover her mouth.

"Oh, don't act too surprised, Effie. It was obvious to us once Haymitch told us what happened," Katniss rolled her eyes. Tactful as always.

"What exactly did Haymitch told you?"

"All those things you did to each other. Pranks?"

"They're not pranks!" she answered indignantly. "That is terribly childish. He did something to me and I gave his as good as I got in return. But it soon took a life of its own and …. "

"Blew up in your faces?" Katniss finished her sentence.

"Yes," she breathed out. "Was that all he said? Did he say anything else?"

"That was all. Is there something more that we should know?" Peeta inquired.

"No, no, absolutely not."

Effie had been afraid that Haymitch had told them about her walking in on him and Anna because now that she was calm, she realised that her behaviour was reminiscent of a raving lunatic lover and her own behaviour made her worried. If he had told them about that incident, he would have to follow up with the story of them kissing in her kitchen and all those other moments in District Twelve.

"We're really sorry, Effie. But when you met us at the hospital lobby, I noticed the lack of wedding ring and I'm sorry if I'm assuming too much, but no fiancé?"

Effie shook her head sadly, "No. No more Marcus but that's another story for another day. Go on, you have some explaining to do."

Peeta nodded, acquiescing to her request. "I was quite surprised when I found out you were engaged, you know? I was happy for you, of course but still surprised. And when you talked to me on the phone, you didn't sound at all thrilled and it clued me in that something was not right. It made sense when Haymitch told me the story. Why else would you go out of your way to annoy the living daylight out of Haymitch if you had not enjoyed it? If it had not meant something to you?"

"How do you know if it meant anything, Peeta?"

"I don't. But you arrived at District Twelve so fast and I saw the look on your face when you met us at the hospital lobby," he paused and looked at Katniss briefly as though looking for support.

"I really don't know if it meant anything, Effie, so I tested it out today when I told you Haymitch didn't make it. And I guessed I was right," he smiled crookedly. "I have to thank Katniss for picking it up so quick and playing along."

That night, as she lay in bed, Effie kept replaying the events of the entire day in her head. It seemed nearly comical how everyone else around them could tell something about them that they themselves did not realise.

Effie had no idea how to proceed from where they were. But as she mulled her problems, she thought the first logical step was to tell him that she was no longer engaged and see how he reacted to that news.

I'll tell him. I'll tell Haymitch how I feel once he gets better, she promised herself before drifting off to sleep.

Firstly, to Angelfish - have some virtual doughnuts for being suspicious about Haymitch's death! I think only you picked it up. So, good job! & you should get an account so I can communicate with you!

Secondly, to all the guest reviewers, thank you for your reviews! I don't recalled killing Haymitch or Effie in my other stories but anyway, I'm sorry if you are all mostly left disappointed with Chapter 20, regretted reading Live A Little, and quit reading after that chapter. I tried. But, thank you for reading it in the first place!

On another note, this plot twist has been mapped out since I began writing and I enjoyed writing it so much! So i hope you do too!Till next chapter, do tell me your thoughts!