I mentioned this on Tumblr yesterday, but I forgot to say it here! I'm travelling home tomorrow for a visit, I'll be (obviously) able to post when I get there, but not enroute. So I'll be taking tomorrow and Tuesday (as I'll be dead to the world) off - there may be another short break that happens as I have plans to visit a friend next weekend, but I'll let you guys know ahead of time!

As always, thank you for reading and your lovely reviews! You guys are amazing!


Katniss pushed a mug off coffee towards him. "This isn't something you can fix by shutting it out," she muttered.

Haymitch ignored the offer.

"Why'd you even bother planning a rebellion?"

"Katniss - it's better this way."

"What? You drinking yourself to death? Doubt the Capitol's going to replace your liver. Again."

"They don't need me alive anymore."

"You know, I wish I just sent Peeta over. I'm really sick of hearing you moan about yourself. You don't like it? Fix it. And you did. For a few months. And then you just … I don't understand."

Haymitch was quiet again.

"Effie said you talked."

"I told her to stay with Annie."

"You were just waiting for a reason to get her to leave, weren't you? Shrug off some of the responsibility. Put it back on the Capitol when -"

"Fuck you."

"It's true. You're pathetic. You're able to overtake a government, but you can't take care of your family?"

"They don't need me."

"They do - do you know what my mom was like when my father died?"

"That's different."

"It isn't. It's worse. Because you're still alive. And Effie knows it. And she'll think about it. And Rosie will know. She'll be able to tell."

Haymitch shook his head.

"You take better care of the boy across the street than you do your own wife and kid."

"Effie deserves -"

"Oh, shut up. Effie probably does deserve someone better than you but guess what? She loves you. She married you. You are having a kid. And … well, look around you. It's sick."

"You know how I am, Katniss. You know me."

"Yeah, which is why I thought you were able to do better than this." She pushed her coffee away. "I'm done. I can't do this today."

And she left the house.


Annie held up a purple hued dress that had a simple check pattern - just small enough for a baby.

"I found it while I was getting groceries," she said. "You ought to have a look around. You've been stuck in the house since you got here."

"I know," Effie said, folding the dress in her lap after thanking Annie for yet another bit of clothing - she had started amassing a collection now. Annie seemed to be over the moon about buying for a new baby. "But, the healer wants me on bed rest. I've been … well, not really following it. And I need to rest. At least for a few days."

"Well, you could sit out in the sun."

Effie smiled. "I will."

"Did you have a nightmare last night?"

"Hm?"

"Last night - I heard -"

"Oh," Effie looked embarrassed. "Yes, I'm … I'm sorry. It happens more frequently now and I can't take -"

"It's all right." Annie rested her hand on Effie's. "I just wanted to make sure nothing was wrong. Besides the nightmares."

Effie shook her head. "Everything … health-wise … is normal. More kicking in the evening but that's it."

"Are you worried about the trial?"

"It feels like the last thing on my mind."

"Good." Annie quickly tied Finn's shoe that had come undone while he was climbing onto a nearby sofa. "But you'd tell me?"

"Yes, of course."

"Will Peeta be able to stay for lunch at least? Oh, I haven't seen him since the wedding -"

"I'm sure he'll be able to."

Annie grinned. "I'm so looking forward to seeing him!"