The episodes of the previous night were seemingly forgotten by all the others aboard the train. We're all damaged, and we're all needed. We have to figure out a way to be cohesive. The poor and downtrodden, the lives that were given up losing their meaning if this is allowed to continue. I discussed my plan with Effie, who joyfully began to plot drawing up plans for a documentary about the whereabouts of former Snow regime, and the rebuilding of the Districts. I look at all of us and Effie is the most functional. I'm not sure if that's an indictment of Effie or us. I've been learning very quickly that alcohol dependence causes more pain to surface rather than less. Perhaps Haymitch is toxic and Peeta and I should stay away. Haymitch sits in a corner alone watching the scenery fly by. I rise and go to the sleeping department. Peeta follows. I sit down and he lays his head on my lap.

"Haymitch is bringing us down." I say flatly.

"I know. He gets drunk and things get out of control. But he saved us and he needs us too. "

"Then he has to dry up" I say this time with conviction in my voice. "We can't make this work if we're drowning in the past. Haymitch is and it's pulling us all with him."

Peeta is silent for a moment.

"He needs a purpose. He stays more functional when he's got something to work for. Maybe he should lobby in the Capitol." Peeta suggests

"Yes, that's a really good idea. It's just that he needs to get clean. Once and for all. He'll backslide and that can't happen again. We should talk Effie into admitting him somewhere."

Peeta nods in accordance.

"We need to destroy his stash."

I giggle, but I'm serious. To some extent we love Haymitch like a father. We're all invested in each other. Sometimes unpleasant steps must be taken. I stroke Peeta's hair curling it around my fingers and eventually we drift off to sleep. When we wake we're dropping Helmut and Johanna off in Seven. Johanna is returning for the Lumber Games.

"Come on out for it okay?!" Johanna says.

"I can see that one log rolling'" Helmut chuckles.

I hug her and tell her we will. I don't know what logrolling is but it sounds fun enough to me. We go and sit in the common area with Effie and Haymitch who are gushing over each other. Effie's face is radiant and happy it's easy to tell without all the makeup. It takes about another four hours to get to home from Seven.

"Let's talk to Effie first" Peeta whispers. I tap Effie on the shoulder and we walk back to a dining car.

"We want Haymitch to lobby in the Capitol for us." I tell her, her face brightens before I drop the bomb "But he needs to dry up first. Peeta and I want him to get treatment. He's making things worse on himself and us."

Her face gets red, she bites her lip and shifts her weight.

"I know. He's an oaf but we just got married. I know he needs help. Can we wait? I mean I've got a lot going on in the Capitol."

"Isn't there somewhere in the Capitol?"

She sighs.

"Yes. But when word gets out it'll be a giant fire to put out."

"Then let them know, show what it's like to be a Victor. There are so many people out there who fought in the war and struggle. Maybe Haymitch can bring them hope?"

Her eyes focus.

"A beacon of hope. Yes! We can't tell him he'll never agree. He'll come with me to the Capitol, I'll prepare things for him at a rehabilitation center. Then I'll be off to see Caesar, discuss the suffering of the Victors and the outlying districts. Ooooh! A new segment! The faces war!"

I'm a little sickened that she's using her husband's alcohol to springboard her career, and to a point I don't think Effie knows any better.

When we arrive home Buttercup greets me with a hiss then mewes up to Peeta. It's just me and him in the Village now. He's excited to start working on the bakery/ cafe.

"We should call it Everlark's" He says "A combination of both our names." He wraps his arms around me as he says this planting kisses on my shoulder.

"Has a nice ring to it." I say

"I've missed home." When he says this he presses more firmly against me so I can feel the swollen member inside his pants. He reaches down and strokes between my legs. I coo and melt into the sensation. I close my eyes and let Peeta overwhelm me with his touch, his kisses along the back of my neck. I turn around and meet his lips with mine. He opens his mouth and I greet him with my tongue. His hands find their way to my breasts stroking my nipples, and I let out a gentle sigh. I drop to my knees and remove his erection from his pants and into my mouth. Nibbling and suckling around the shaft to the head. He moans and wraps his fingers into my hair. He allows me to copulate him and then he jerks me up pushing me onto the kitchen counter. He removes my pants, and my shirt. He looks me in the eyes.

"Do you want me inside you?" He says and I nod.

I wrap my arms around his neck as he enters me. He quickens his pace and enters me more fully. He has one hand wrapped around my waist, and the other is fondling my breast. I close my eyes and lay my head back. It feel heavenly, and I feel my body grasping at his, my nails dragging along his large shoulders, my voice ringing through the room. At the same time I feel him spasm grunting and panting. He lingers inside me for a moment, our foreheads touching then he lowers me down. I opt for a shower before we settle in. Peeta makes cheese rolls and deli meat for dinner and we turn on the television as we snuggle in. There's Caesar Flickerman, smiling and blue.

"Welcome miss Effie Trinket! Everyone!" He shouts out. Effie gives him a look.

"I'm sorry Effie Abernathy!" He chuckles and the crowd roars. "I believe you've come to tell us something serious today?" She nods

Effie's natural hair has been sprayed gold and is styled in victory rolls. She wears an open pink suit jacket with a white tuxedo shirt, her unbelievably tight pencil skirt matches her coat, and white wears white platform heels to top it all off. He gestures to her and they sit.

"Yes, Caesar. My husband has struggled with alcoholism since his Victory in the Second Quarter Quell. He's chosen at this time to seek help for this struggle." She says cheerfully

"My, My we wish him luck"

"Yes, he's not alone in his plight. In my experience working in the Games I've met plenty of Victors with varying degrees of scars. Some like Haymitch self medicated, some went mad, and some use the pain to help others. That's what we want to do on our team. Myself, Haymitch, and the star crossed lovers of course." She giggles.

"Oh?"

"Caesar, we went to the Cornelius Resort in Four where we met a man from Eleven who told us of the continued mistreatment of people there. He asked us to tour, he asked for a voice to bring about equality to a people starving for it. I've met men and women who fought in the war who suffer, and people who had been tortured. We need to embrace them. Show them they are not alone. So Haymitch decided to clean up, so he would be able to embrace them with both hands." She smiles and the crowd cheers.

Peeta turns off the television.

"Wow. She did it." He smiles

"We never gave her enough credit. She's got the magic touch when it comes to hard nosed people." I say.

"What happens next?" He asks.