Chapter 21: Ill Bird Fouls His Own Nest - Katniss POV

As I lay breathless and totally blissed out, I focused my eyes and looked into Pollux's eyes as he hovered above me. There was a happiness in them, and I saw his love for me as much as he's made me feel it. His breath was also labored and I could sense that his arms were tiring as he held himself above me. I found the strength within me to lift my head and kiss his lips sweetly. I smiled at him, as I nudged him gently, allowing him to lay on his side.

"That was amazing, Pollux." I managed in between heavy breathing, and turned to look at him.

He was already facing me and smiling as well. "I… Love you." He said to and I burrowed closer to his body.

He kissed my forehead tenderly, then my temple, then my cheek and next my nose. His sweetness had me giggling as I replied that I loved him too. When I said so, he pulled back slightly and beamed at me. He looked into my eyes and must have seen how much I meant it, because his lips descended upon mine in an instant. He was peppering me with kisses as I giggled and wound my arms around his neck to pull him closer still.

My giggling was beginning to die down as his lips found that special spot near the back, just below my ear. I felt myself twisting more onto my back and pulling him above me, when my cellular phone rang. We both paused what I was sure would be another round, and looked towards where my shorts lie on the ground, realizing my phone was inside the pocket.

We seemed to have made a silent agreement to ignore it and smiled at each other after it stopped. His lips were back on mine when it began ringing again. We both sighed and realized it probably wouldn't stop unless we answered it. Reluctantly, he got up from the bed without an ounce of shyness regarding his lack of clothes. That act alone made me giggle and place my hand over my eyes as I secured the covers around myself. Sure, we'd just been intimate, but my shyness wouldn't end overnight.

"It… was Effie." He said and I looked at him, wondering why she'd called.

He was pulled on his shorts, and walked towards me to hand me the phone. I sat up in the bad, making sure the sheet was secure enough to prevent it from falling. He leaned down and kissed my lips again, but the phone in my hand vibrated and beeped before we could get carried away. He gave a small growl and looked at the phone like it had offended him. Even though I found it funny, I was also mildly annoyed by the interruption.

"I'm sorry. I can't imagine why she's being so insistent." I apologized but he waved it away with a smile.

I looked down at the phone in my hand and saw that I had two missed calls from Effie and an unopened text message. I clicked on the message box and read Effie's message.

To: Katniss

From: Effie

Katniss, I'm so sorry to interrupt but its Haymitch. He knows Katniss, and he's left me. I need you, Please.

I sat staring at the screen in horror. This is not good… Not good at all. I briefly wondered how he'd found out so soon. I knew she planned to tell him once we were back home. Dammit, I cannot believe he left her. She was so scared of this reaction, as was I … but I still hoped that he'd … Dammit! My mind called out.

"Pollux, I'm sorry but I have to go. It's Effie, she's... well I guess the cat's out of the bag … She's pregnant and Haymitch has just found out, and apparently, he's left her. She sounds desperate." I explained as I jumped out of bed and began dressing myself as fast as I could.

"Go, Katniss… Here you go." Pollux replied and handed me my shirt after I'd finished fastening the bikini top I'd been wearing earlier.

"Thank you, I'm so sorry about this." I said as I pulled up my shorts and tied them.

"Don't… be sorry. She needs… you and I under-stand that. Do… you need… my help?" He replied as he held my shaking hands.

I hadn't realized how nervous I was until I felt his touch, which never failed to help calm me. I sighed and shook my head. I hugged him tightly and breathed him in as his hold around me tightened.

"I love you, Pollux. I would love nothing more than to stay in your arms all night, but…" I was saying until he pulled back and placed a finger on my lips.

"I said… I understand. Besides… we'll have… the rest… of our lives, right? Now, go… to her. I will try… to see if I can… find and talk… to Haymitch, okay?" He replied and I let go of the breath I was holding, and nodded at him… he's right, I agreed.

If Haymitch could be found and might listen to anyone aside from Effie or myself, it would be Pollux... maybe even Mom, but she wasn't here. Luckily, Pollux had that sort of presence, and I was sure that if he could find him, Pollux might get through to him. He is a great listener and even I knew first hand, just how well he could express himself. He had a way of simplifying things sometimes, which always seemed to help me see things clearer.

I nodded at him gratefully, and gave a soft giggle when he kissed the tip of my nose before going to pull on the rest of his clothes. He was quick and I was grateful for that.

"Thanks Pollux, for wanting to help." I said as we were entering the elevator, and he pulled me in front of himself and wrapped his arms around me as the elevator began descending.

"Sweet… girl. They're import-ant… to you so they are… to me too. Besides… we're all friends… and they need… us now." He spoke into my ear, once again reaffirming how wonderful he is and I found myself nodding at his words.

"You're right. Still, I'm grateful to you... and for you." I said with a smile just as we reached Effie's floor, and I turned in his arms to give him a quick kiss.

"Love you. Let me know if you find him." I said just after a brief kiss and walked off the elevator.

"Love you too … I will text you." He responded just before the doors shut.

I looked at either side of me and realized I had no idea which direction I should go. I pulled out my phone and called Effie back. She answered immediately.

"Katniss… he's gone and I don't think he's coming back." She cried out and I felt my gut twist.

"I'm on your floor Effie - breathe for me - what room are you in?" I asked her, and her crying seemed to intensify and I wondered if she'd heard me.

I was about repeat myself, when I heard a door open somewhere towards my right. I looked that way and saw her lean her head out right before she walked into view. She was in the last room at the end of a very long hallway. I was running towards her before I realized I was moving. I kept my eyes on hers and realized how broken she truly looked. She was leaning against the door frame, and barely seemed to keep herself up on her bare feet.

"Oh, Effie." I said when reached her with arms wide open and she practically collapsed into me.

"What will I do, Katniss? How can I do this without him… Alone?" She asked as she cried.

"Easy now, Effie. Come on, let's get you inside." I replied as I pulled her back inside the room and closed the door.

With me still supporting most of her weight, I turned us around and saw the destruction around the suite's living room. It didn't take longer than a second to realize they were caused by Haymitch's outburst at the news. I walked her towards the small couch by sliding door of the balcony. I didn't bother to look towards the hallway where I was sure the rooms were located. I sat her down and slid the glass door open a little. She'd worked herself into such a state and I figured some fresh air might help. She was hiccuping and her breath was a little shallow. She was on the verge a panic attack, I was sure.

"Alright, Effie. Take some deep breaths … Do it with me … that's it. I need you to listen to me, okay?" I said, but she barely nodded as she seemed unable to calm herself.

"Okay, good. First, you're not alone. I'm here for you and for this baby. Nothing in the world will change that. You listening? Nothing … I'm here." I asked, to make sure she was.

"Alright. Secondly, but most important of all - You need to find the strength within yourself to start calming down. This baby, he needs you to calm down. Do you hear me, Effie? The baby… your baby, needs you to calm down. The baby's safety is paramount right now, Effie. Can you do it on your own, or should I call for a medic to come sedate you?" I spoke as authoritative as I could, hoping to convey that meant my words.

"I can … I … yes, I can do it… just give me… a minute." She was saying between breaths and I was glad she was trying, although I'd step in and call a medic if I truly had to.

"Okay, that's it. Good … yes, you can totally do this. If for no other reason than you r baby needs a calm mommy. That's it, slower… in … out. Good" I encouraged her and she followed instructions.

"Thank… Thank you Katniss. I just, I got overwhelmed. I feel… well not better, but more focused I guess. Thank you, dear girl." She said, after she'd regained some composure.

"No need to thank me, Effie. I love you and this baby already. Now, do you think you can tell me how all this happened?" I asked, gesturing around the room.

She took a deep breath and after a little shudder, she began her story.

*Flashback- EffiePOV*

We left Katniss and Pollux in the elevator and made our way down the long corridor towards our suite. I hoped things would go well for my dear girl and her lovely companion, although I was sure there'd be nothing to worry about. They had both overcome so much, but anyone could see how much they cared for one another.

"Did you have a good time today?" Hay asked me as he unlocked the door.

"Yes, it was truly a very … amazing day." I responded, wishing I could share our wonderful news but knowing that I couldn't do that just yet.

"Want to go ready a bath while I open a bottle of champagne for us? Well mainly for you, although I feel confident that I could have just a celebratory sip with you. It's not every day two of our friends get engaged, while others are having a baby… not to mention my niece and the boy are planning to confess their undying love for one another." Hay said with a chuckle, but I felt stuck frozen.

"Well, I run us a bath but we don't need champagne to celebrate." I responded, trying to keep my emotions at bay.

"What's going on? You love champagne?" Haymitch asked, sounding a little suspicious and I prayed my emotions wouldn't betray me.

"Nothing, sweetness. I just … I had so much earlier, I don't want to drink anymore today." I lied, feeling that was a perfectly good reason.

I walked away from his curious eyes towards the bedroom and into the bathroom. I was just about to reach for the water lever, when I heard him behind me.

"So you're saying you won't have champagne because you already had too much to drink today?" he asked calmly but still sounding very suspicious, which made me nervous.

"Uh-huh." I replied simply, afraid to let my voice shake and unable to turn around to meet his eyes.

"I call bullshit, Effie. Why are you lying to me, huh? What's really going on? Do you not trust that I can share a sip of champagne with you? Is that really what this is about?" He asked accusingly but also sounding hurt, that I instinctively turned to face him.

"No, Hay. That's not it at all. Believe me, I trust you. If you say you can handle it, I have no doubt that you can. Please don't doubt that I believe in you." I replied honestly and moved to hug him, but he dodged me by walking out of the bathroom.

I followed him but remained by the bathroom door as I watched him pace around the bedroom. He was frustrated, and I knew he wouldn't drop this, no matter how hard I wished it.

"If you trust me, then why are you lying to me?" He asked me suddenly, but sounding calmer than his pacing suggested.

"I'm not -" I tried to reply, but he cut me off.

"Don't lie to me anymore! I'm not an idiot, Effie!" He shouted and I jumped at his sudden tone.

I knew that he'd never hit me, at least, I had to trust that. I'd seen him rant and stomp in anger before… but it had never been directed at me, and I'd be lying if it didn't scare me. I found I was too scared to speak. He was right after all, I was lying. I just didn't think I could tell him the truth while he was like this.

"I was a drunk, for years Effie! You know this, damn well better than most, I'd say! How big of an idiot do you believe me to be? Did you really think I wouldn't notice that for all the wine or champagne you claimed to be drinking earlier, I wouldn't smell it on your breath or taste it in your kisses?" He yelled at me, standing right in front of me, making me recoil and back away slightly.

Shit! Shit Shit! – I thought to myself – How could I have been so foolish? – I wondered, but he wasn't done.

"That's right, I knew it at the party. I just figured you weren't in the mood for alcohol at the party, didn't want to offend anyone by turning them down, seeing as you're too proper to do something like that. So I let it slide and I didn't call you on it in front of everyone. But now … Now, you're lying to me and I won't have that!" He shouted and I felt my eyes close.

How I wished I could just come right out and tell him, but now wasn't the right time at all. Surely learning about the baby right now, will make him even worse.

"And THAT … That right there? Why do you keep doing that?" He asked no longer yelling, but still sounding upset.

He'd startled me out of my thoughts and I opened my eyes to figure out what he was talking about. I looked at him questioningly. I was about to ask what he was going on about, when I saw a look of pure and unadulterated horror befall his face. His mood swings were making me crazy and I was about to ask him what the matter was, when he spoke.

"You're pregnant, aren't you?!" He yelled as he pointed at my belly.

That was when I realized I had my hand pressed to my lower belly. I had not even realized I'd been doing it, giving myself away.

"You were supposed to be taking the contraceptive pills, Effie. You stopped taking them on purpose, didn't you? We talked about this and you knew how I felt about having a child. I knew you wanted one, but we agreed Effie… and I believed you and when you said I'd be enough for you!" He raged as he pulled on his hair.

I was speechless and felt all the air leave my body at his words. I tried to shake my head, hoping to deny his accusations, but he wasn't even looking at me as he paced and stomped around. Yes I wanted a child but at the time, I believed he could be enough for me. Even if that later changed, I did not allow myself to fall pregnant on purpose.

"How? Dammit - Answer me!" He was back to screaming. "How the hell could you do this to me? I trusted you!" He accused.

"I … I didn't do this to you." That was all I could come up with at the moment.

I realized those were the wrong words when he turned his hatred filled eyes towards me. He picked up a champagne bottle from the table nearest to him, and threw it across the room. It crashed on the wall about a foot from where I stood, causing me to let out a yelp. I felt my heart thundering inside me and for the first time in all the years that I've known him, I feared him and I began to cry.

I looked up at him through watery eyes and saw that he seemed frozen to the spot. His eyes darted from me, to the wall where he'd crashed the bottle, and back at me. He seemed stunned at what he'd done and I immediately knew he didn't mean to, but I was still too scared to move or remove my eyes from him. He took a step towards me and I could read the remorse on his face, but I was too scared. I back and away instinctively, with one hand clamped over my mouth to prevent me from screaming out in fear and the other protectively above my belly. He saw my reaction and stopped before taking another step.

I was terrified of him for the first time ever, and I was hurt by his accusations. I never thought he'd react well, but nothing could have ever prepared me for all this. He looked like he wanted to say something, but didn't think I was ready to hear anything else right then. I shook my head at him, hoping to convey that I wasn't ready to hear anything just yet. I just needed a moment - a few minutes maybe - to gather my thoughts and hopefully discuss this like adults now that he'd finally stopped screaming.

He seemed resigned to my preventing him from speaking or coming any closer to me, so he stomped out of the bedroom. Within seconds, I heard things slamming and the breaking of glass. I lost track of how long he carried on with his destruction, when it all finally came to a sudden halt. It was eerily quiet for several seconds, which made my ears feel like they were still ringing with his screams and the destruction he was surely causing in the living room. Then he spoke and I felt my world fall apart.

"I'm leaving!" He yelled out.

Before I could get my head to make my feet move, I swallowed a gasp.

"No!" I yelled at the same time I heard the door slam shut.

That slam seemed to have jump started my body and I went after him, hoping to catch him in the hallway. Unfortunately, in my haste, I tripped over one of the couch cushions on the floor. Luckily, I caught myself against the wall. My shoulder protested in pain, but I was glad I didn't fall to my feet or hurt the baby. I straightened myself out and made my way to the door, only to find the hallway was empty and he was gone.

*End Flashback*

x-x-x-x KatnissPOV x-x-x-x

"That's when I called you, Katniss. I didn't know what else to do." Effie said and wiped some tears.

"You did the right thing, Effie. Oh, I could kill him right now! Wait 'til I get my hands on him. Don't worry now Effie." I said as I hugged her tightly.

When she winced, I noticed she was moving her shoulder like she was in pain. I remembered she said she'd hit herself ogainst the wall, so I and pulled the shirt over to take a look at it. I could already make out the bruise forming there. She looked at me with helpless watery eyes and I wiped her eyes clean. I told her I'd get some ice from the en-suite kitchen and made my way to the kitchen. Hopefully, Pollux would find him soon so I could give him a real piece of my mind and a swift kick in the ass! I also knew I'd have back up once our friends caught wind of his behavior.

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A/N: Whew, that was hard. I feel kind of bad for how dark I painted Haymitch. It just felt true to i character and the darkness that surely surrounds him in the original stories.