The Bonds That Tie Us
The next day was the Tribute Parade. Haymitch and Jeanetty waited in the sides of the mounting area. They watched as Cinna bid the Tributes off and joined them. "They're very brave," a voice behind the trio spoke causing them to turn swiftly. Plutarch Heavensbee, Head Gamemaker, stood behind them, a smile pulling on his lips.
"Heavensbee," Haymitch said as he pulled Jeanetty behind him. "Aren't you supposed to be directing this little party?"
"They can do without me for a little bit. They're competent people." He watched Cinna step closer to Haymitch's side. "Oh, relax, I'm not here to harm you."
"Then why are you here?"
"To offer you some information."
"Why?"
"Why won't you tell the world you and Miss Hamestone are closer thanh you appear on camera? Why would she lie about having no voice when we all know she does. Because the wrong people would come after you if you did. Now this is about the revolution, so shut up and listen." Heavensbee proceeded to quickly give his information. "If you agree, you'll spread the word with the Mentors. Do not let on to your Tributes." Haymitch nodded once before Heavensbee walked away from them.
At that moment the Tributes were ridding back to dismount. They met the Tributes from District 11 and told them what happened, briefing the only Mentors to come from that District. 11 agreed to spread the word to some others Katniss and Peeta joined them.
Haymitch clapped his hands sarcastically for them as they approached. "Nice. Way to make friends out there, you two."
"Well, we learned from the best," Katniss retorted before turning to face the other Tributes.
"We want to introduce you to some special friends of ours. This is Seeder and Chaff. From District 11." Haymitch stopped and laughed when Chaff kissed Katniss. "He's very friendly. Don't invite him over. He'll drink up your liquor." He shook hands with Seeder and Chaff. "I'll see you guys soon."
Jeanetty led the group away. "Let's get some of that makeup off you and talk about these other Tributes."
"These Tributes are crazy," Katniss muttered.
"No, not all of 'em." Haymitch said as they neared the elevator. "He's a good guy." he saluted to the Peacekeeper guards. "Carry on."
They were joined in the elevator by another Tribute dressed like a tree. She spoke as the doors closed behind her. "You guys look amazing."
"Thank you," Katniss said confusingly.
"My stylist is such an idiot," the Tribute continued as she turned away from them and began undressing. "District 7. Lumber. Trees. I'd love to put my ax in her face. So, what do you think? Now that the whole world wants to sleep with you?"
Katniss scoffed. "I don't think that the whole world..."
The Tribute whirled around to face her. "I wasn't talking to you."
"Okay."
"Will you unzip?" She moved her back to Peeta, who agreed and did as she asked. Jeanetty caught the jealous look on Katniss' face. The Tribute turned to face them all again as she finally stripped out of her dress. There was complete silence for the remainder of the trip. When the doors behind her opened, she spoke. "Thanks. Let's do it again sometime."
"Thank you." The Tributes looked to Haymitch.
Jeanetty piped up. "Johanna Mason. District 7. One of my friends."
"Now I suggest the two of you go downstairs tomorrow with a plan. You'll need allies if you want to survive," Haymitch continued as they stepped off onto their floor.
The next night, after training, the Mentors walked into the apartments. "Good news. At least half the Tributes want you as an ally."
"Well, they saw her shoot," Peeta explained.
"Well, sweetheart, you got your pick of the litter," Haymitch said to the young woman.
"I want Wiress and Beetee," she said without hesitation.
"Johanna calls them 'Nuts' and 'Volts'," Peeta put in.
"Well, okay, good. Now, who else?" Haymitch kept the conversation on point.
"Mags." Peeta turned away from her in disbelief. "All right, fine, then no one."
"We'll tell them you're still making up your mind," Jeanetty said before heading back to the elevator.
A few days later came the final assessment, the final interviews, and the last night before the Games. As the Tributes were dressing in wedding attire, the others were watching the interviews.
"I think I have an idea," Peeta said to Jeanetty as she combed his hair back.
"Oh, yeah? Let's hear it."
"Katniss is pregnant."
"What!" she turned him around so fast he nearly got whiplash.
"She isn't really, Jeanetty," he said calming the woman. "I'm just saying, all the other Tributes are trying to put a stop to this. What if we say Katniss is pregnant?"
The Mentor put her hand to her chest and rubbed her heart. "If you get that reaction from the Capitol, you may just stop the Games." She breathed deeply as Peeta helped hold her up. "You're up after Katniss," she said nodding to the doors.
Peeta took his leave and Jeanetty went out to the crowd to sit beside Haymitch. The Mentors laughed and applauded happily as Katniss spun and her dress went up in flames revealing the Mockingjay dress underneath.
Haymitch turned to Jeanetty. "Does he have any ideas?"
"One, and it's a damn good one."
They shouted the loudest when Peeta dropped the 'baby bomb' and the crowd went wild, calling for a cancelation of the Games. They stayed with the other Mentors, waiting for the Gamemakers decision on the status of the Games. With heavy hearts they met with Effie and told her the news. The trio made their way to District 12's apartments.
Haymitch was the first to speak to the Tributes. "Baby bomb was a stroke of genius."
"Unfortunetly, the Games are still on," Jeanetty said to them, using her voice. "This is goodbye for now."
There was a moment of sad silence before Effie handed a box to Peeta and Haymitch. "Presents for the boys."
Haymitch shook his box. "What's this?" He opened it and pulled out a gold bangle. Beneath the bangle was a white-gold ring and a short note. 'For Jeanetty.'
"Your token. Remember? Hair for me, pin for Katniss. Gold bangle for you. And for Peeta, that gold medallion that we talked about."
"What about Jeanetty," Katniss asked gesturing to said woman.
"Gold metal and I are not the best of friends," she said with a smile. "Effie and I agreed I'd get a new wardrobe. It's already in my closet."
"Thank you, Effie." Peeta's voice was full of emotion.
"We're a team. Aren't we?" Everyone nodded at her. "And I'm so proud of my Victors. So proud." She gave Peeta and Katniss tight hugs. "You're so..." she stopped to take a calming breath. "Well, you both deserved so much better."
"Thank you, Effie," Katniss whispered as she tried to hide her tears.
"I'm truly sorry." Effie tearfully walked out.
Peeta reached for his Mentors. "Thank you, Jeanetty. Haymitch." He hugged them tight. "For everything."
The Mentors didn't say anything as they turned to Katniss. "Any last advice," she asked them.
"Stay alive," Haymitch said simply as Jeanetty hugged her.
The Mentors walked out but Katniss stopped Haymitch. She whispered to him, and he back to her before he rejoined Jeanetty in their room. "Now I have something for you."
"Oh yeah? What's that?" She was leaning against the sill of the window, looking out over the city.
He wrapped his arms around her and brought her hands to her chest. "I had Effie include this in my box. Unfortunately, you won't be able to wear it out in public just yet." He placed the box in her hands and his chin on her shoulder. "I love you."
She opened the box in excited trepidation. Under the gold bangle was the white gold ring with a small diamond perched atop. "Haymitch?"
"We'll be leaving soon, if Heavensbee holds up his end, you can wear it then, but I want you to have it now. Wear it under your shirt, or on a different finger, I don't care." she turned in his arms to face him. "Marry me?"
She held the ring between her fingers, a smile playing at her lips. "I love you. 20 years as your partner, and I have always loved you. Even when you're drunk." They shared a laugh with that. "And I would be more that thrilled to be your wife..."
"But?" His heart hammered in his chest.
"But you must put this ring on my finger first." She held the ring up to him.
He took the ring and slipped it onto the left ring finger, pausing to admire it for a moment. He then kissed her, pushing her gently towards the bed.
A/n: I was very conflicted in my writing going into the 3rd movie. I had 2 ideas of how I wanted it to go. The one that I wrote and one where Jeanetty gets captured with Annie. I had to ask several people at work in order to decide which I should do, and they all chose this one. But if enough people ask about it I'll write the other one out and post it when I'm done.