Disclaimer: I don't own the Hunger Games

To Volunteer

The walls of District 13 were just like the clothes, and the food and the atmosphere, all grey. Effie wrinkled her nose as she neared command. Why was this entire district so against colour? She loved colours; periwinkle, fuchsia, lemon, aubergine, aquamarine, colours could bring life back into something that was old and dreary and District 13 was screaming dreary and in need of life.

Her hand subconsciously stroked her tiny bumped stomach, there was a life in side of her a life that's only option of colour would be grey if they were born in this place. Grey walls, grey clothes - grey baby clothes! Effie shuddered at the thought, no hers child would be raised in this colour. If it was born a boy she would have blues and greens splashed across the walls. If it was a girl she'd dazzle her with pinks, purples and yellows. Yes her child wouldn't be forced into a life of grey but into a world of colour and hopefully a world of safety and security where their name could never be plucked from a bowl sentencing them to death. The rebels had to win this war, she had more than her name and her reputation to uphold now; she had a life that she needed to protect.

Effie tapped the little code into the wall and the door opened, it appeared she was the last in the room and all eyes fell on to her and suddenly, for the first time she felt subconscious. For years she hungered for the eyes of men and woman, envy, admiration or lust she didn't care as long as people were looking at her, but with her latest discovery she didn't want people to look at her, she didn't want them to suspect she had a secret that she was afraid to explain. Haymitch caught her eye and she forced a smile on to her face, but it must have been overdone as Haymitch frowned at her, but, she gave him no time to ask any questions or make assumptions as she sat beside him in the meeting.

"We have a problem that is jeopardising our revolution," said President Coin, her cold voice slicing through the silence of the room. "Upon rescuing the Victors Peeta's health has become a cause of concern. His hijacking has made him an enemy to us and he is like a wild animal with the potential to kill at any given moment."

"With all due respect Madam President the boy is already a killer. He killed in both Hunger Games," butted Haymitch, he was frowning heavily at the President, worried where this could be going.

"That is true, but all our other Victors are capable to keep their control and act like civilised human beings. Peeta's torment has reduced this and now he is a dangerous weapon and we need to decide how to handle this." Effie glanced to Haymitch, she didn't like where Coin was going with this and from the look on Haymitch's face he didn't either.

"His treatment has so far being unsuccessful and we can only keep him locked up for short period of time…"

"Sorry, did you say locked up? So you're treating him as an animal now?" chirped Effie, first she had been denied visiting right to Haymitch while he was in recovery and then she had been refused access to where Peeta had been kept, and now she could see why. She'd been horrified when she'd heard of how they 'treated' Haymitch in his detox and she could only imagine the horrors they'd inflicted upon Peeta while here.

"As I was saying, we need to think of a solution that is best for the revolution."

"For the revolution or for Peeta?" asked Haymitch leaning forwards. "What are you implying Madame President?"

"We need to do what is best for the citizens, they are to be safe here and while Peeta is here I cannot guarantee my people safety. His treatment isn't working and he may remain this way forever, would it be fair on him to live in a world where he can endanger others because he isn't sane?"

Effie clenched her fists under the table and focused breathing deeply through her nose, she was furious upon Coin's admissions. This was something Snow would do, something a monster would do. Beside her Haymitch jumped from his seat.

"You'll not harm the boy! He lives, because if he doesn't you'll lose your Mockingjay, do you hear me! If Peeta dies then Katniss will have nothing in heart to live for. The cause will die with him!" he pronounced every words slowly, his eyes never left those of 13. "Do you hear me, Peeta will not be killed because we failed to protect him!"

"Then what solution do you have to offer Mr Abernathy?"

"From what I've heard Snow has picked at his brain and modified his memories of Katniss and has turned them in to his own personal horrors. We need to somehow show him that he is safe. He believes Katniss is a mutt and now he's in a place where she could be nearby. He's afraid!" He explained, "Plutarch, you said fear is the key component to this, then surely we must reduce his fear and allow him to feel safe and secure before we can possibly treat him. Maybe then we'll have a break through."

Alma Coin seemed to think over Haymitch's proposal, "alright, so let us say we reduce his fear what makes you think he will be able to recover from what has happened to him?"

"Before he went in the games Peeta came to me, he told me to get Katniss out from the games. I've never had a tribute come to me and ask me to spare his opponents life. He was willing to sacrifice his life for her survival. Peeta has the biggest heart in this entire District and his determination rivals that. I know that boy better than any of you, trust me when I say Peeta will fight this."

"Very well, we'll take your idea and press on with it. We will need someone to be in contact with Peeta on a daily basis to help his recovery."

"I'd like to volunteer for that task," interrupted Effie, and though she knew it was rude to interrupt she wasn't going to let this opportunity pass. "Other than Haymitch I'm the next best person to do the job. His parents are all dead and it's a known fact that Haymitch and Katniss have a connection. During the games Peeta was polite and a delight to be around, we kept in contact once the games were over and I believe he'll trust me." She explained efficiently.

Coin looked at her and smiled, "excellent I think Miss Trinket you'll be perfect in helping Peeta with his recovery." Effie smiled at her but she could sense dread in her stomach, almost like Coin wanted her to fail. Effie straightened up her back and glanced at Haymitch, he was obviously against her idea...

"When do I start." But he wasn't going to stop her, she was going to help Peeta as much as she could.

She was to report at the hospital wing at precisely 14 hundred hours, there she would be entering Peeta's 'hospital wing.' She would be watched at all times and her safety was everyone's main priority. She would have an ear pierce in her ear where she could hear from outside and be asked to leave at any opportunity.

The meeting came to an abrupt ending after that and Effie quickly stood from her seat. She left the room with many others and was about to turn left when Haymitch grabbed her from behind.

"You know it's incredibly rude to sneak up and grab someone Haymitch. You could have just called out my name." Haymitch rolled his eyes.

"Listen sweetheart, I know you want to help but what you did in there was crazy. Peeta is dangerous, the Capitol; Snow they've turned him into a mutt. He could kill you the second you walk in there."

"I am aware of the risks Haymitch, but I have to see what's happened to him. The Capitol, they've tortured him and now here in 13 they're keeping him locked up like a prisoner. All that boy needs is someone to care for him and help him. We both no 13s way of recovery is barbaric and that boy has been through enough. I chose his name out of that bowl, I dragged him into this so let me help him escape it." Haymitch closed his eyes, he could understand why Effie wanted to help Peeta, it was the same reason he was so desperate to help too, guilt.

They both felt guilty, Effie had reaped him and he had left him to die twice. Helping Peeta recover was a way of healing and removing the guilt they both faced, Coin wanted to kill him, wanted him gone like he meant nothing and Haymitch was not going to let that happen.

"Do you what you have to do Effie, but please be careful." Effie smiled softly she raised her hand to Haymitch's gaunt cheek and stroked his face.

"You need a shave," she said quietly.

Haymitch chuckled, "haven't had time, anyway it's a miners beard." He smiled and covered Effie's petite hand with his large one, they stayed like this for a few minutes longer until Effie stepped back.

"I have to go and have some lunch before I'm to see Peeta," she said softly and he nodded.

"What did the doctor say to you?" he called as she turned and walked down the corridor.

She glanced over her shoulder with a smile, "I'm in perfect health," she said and it was no lie she was in perfect health her tests had revealed that, but now just wasn't the time to tell him about the baby. He wasn't ready to hear the news and if he knew, he's do everything possible to stop her from entering Peeta's room.

She turned down a corner and wandered absent-mindedly to the canteen, she reached for a tray and flashed her schedule into the scanner. She ordered her food, avoiding the dirty look she received off the cook and took her seat at an empty table. She surveryed the room and frowned.

"More grey," she muttered, when all this was over and Peeta was in good health he'd paint the baby's nursery. With this thought in mind she bravely plunged her fork into her mushed turnips.

She delicately placed them in her mouth, chewing quickly before swallowing. The taste hit the back of her throat and she had to take another deep breath from scowling at the taste.

"You don't have to be so polite all the time, the food here really is disgusting," said a familiar voice from behind her. Effie turned in her seat and beamed up at Katniss who smiled softly back at her.

"Well dear, I've more enemies than friends here I don't want to make the former grow any further."

"I'm sorry everyone has been treating you this way," admitted Katniss as she played with her food.

"Don't be, I understand completely why they do. It was the same back in District 12, I am the enemy. I'm Capitol and because of that people hold their grudges against me." Katniss nodded.

"I understand and I've tried to get people to stop looking at you like your worse than…"

"Dirt on the bottom of someone's shoe?" Katniss nodded and looked down. "Things will get better you'll see." Effie placed her paler hand on to Katniss's, Katniss turned to her and smiled.

"Thank you for all the things you've done for me Effie." Effie smiled brightly.

"You are very welcome my girl, and I am proud of you."

"Thank you for helping Peeta too, I ran into Haymitch before I came here, he said you were going to help him."

"He would have done the same thing for you and I. That boy, he deserves all the happiness in the world. He deserves to live."

Katniss nodded, she had took an instant dislike to Effie a few years ago. She was the dumb Escort that reaped kids for entertainment. When she was reaped herself her dislike towards her Escort stayed but Effie had remained polite and kind to her, and had helped her in many ways she had never understood until today. When the Victory tour had finally arrived she'd been happy to see Effie, which had surprised her. Though she didn't show it often Katniss had learnt to appreciate her Escort. It was true what they said about never judging a book by its cover and though Effie was loud and bright Katniss could see someone who cared so deeply and truly wanted the best for everyone.

When this revolution was over, she was going make sure Effie Trinket came out of this alive, because that's also what Peeta would have done, because he saw the good in everyone, which was why it was so cruel that someone had taken good out of him.

Ta da... Chapter two is finally here. This one follows on from the previous chapter and it was going to include Peeta but instead I decided to just involve Katniss and Haymitch and that horrible Alma Coin.

Thank you to all that have reviewed the last chapter and have added this on to their alerts and favourites list. Please keep them all coming, I love hearing what you all have to say.

Until Chapter 3, Lottie!