Author's Note: It's all happening and building to the end now. Not too many chapters to go. Thank you to everyone who has stuck with this!

….

Beginning

"This is just brilliant! Perfect timing, as ever with her. She's been slowly realising and now it's hit her. Of course, she loves him, of course, she realises now and threatens to derail the whole thing by running off!"

Noah laughed alongside him, "She's seventeen. A lot's happened. Besides, she could do worse."

"I've been telling her that for months."

"And did she listen to her esteemed mentor?" Noah laughed.

"Of course, she didn't. She floundered and left us floundering along with her. The poor boy has been through the mill because of her."

"You're too harsh on her."

"She's not made it easy. But at least she hasn't ruined everything yet," Haymitch sighed.

"We'll have to take things from here," Noah said, moving himself closer to where Haymitch sat. "You'll need to be on your way soon. Is Maria taking over?"

"I think so. But if she's not in any state, Chloe has said she'll help if anybody is needed."

"Good. It's what Mags would expect of her, so she'd sign up to help anything or anyone that Mags supports. We've got this. We'll be looking out for them. What good it will do, I don't know."

"It's better than nothing," Haymitch replied. "Besides, you've done great for Chaff. He'd appreciate it. I appreciate it."

"Don't be getting all serious with me now, Haymitch!" Noah laughed. "He hasn't made it difficult. Not got into as much trouble as Finn has. Made himself a weapon, got poor Adan's knife, can get food and water. Got enough saved. Speaking of which, does Chaff have a plan?"

"For if he snuffs it?"

"Where's it all going to? He's got plenty sitting here."

"Split it. My two and Finn. Johanna has some of Poppy's money and part of what was due to Wiress so give your boy some for his part."

"Understood," Noah said as Maria walked over.

"It's time, Haymitch. I'll take over from here. Will be a couple of hours on that hovercraft to get there and be in position," Ten's woman started. "Grab a final drink on your way out. Take a knife too, the selection at the bar is pretty impressive. I've already thanked the kitchens for their kind contribution. Then head as if you're going to the morgue but take the left before you get there. Someone will meet you."

"Ah, fantastic. Someone will clobber me round the head, pretend I've been attacked. Wonderful."

Maria laughed, "They won't make a mess. That will attract attention and we'll all end up with guards."

"So, there won't be too much blood."

"Just go, Haymitch," Maria said before whispering, "You can do this. We all trust you. Mags trusts you."

Haymitch took one final look at his pair alive on the screen in front of him as Noah clapped his back as he stood up to leave, "Should've sat down here more often with you. Take care, Haymitch."

"I'll leave enough behind the bar for all of you on my way out."

….

"It's working," Pluto breathed. "They've got the message. It's on."

The alliance had made their way to the tree and Beetee was providing them with instructions on how the plan should take effect. They were all wrapping copious amounts of the wire around the tree under the strict watch of Three's victor. It all made sense, so far. The audience and Gamemakers would not suspect anything. They needed to use the tree for when the lightning struck, so they could entrap Brutus and Enobaria, or so they would think.

"Good, I'm not spending more money on twenty-four bread rolls," Coral laughed.

"Not now, not when we're this close."

They watched quietly, taking in the scene as the plan started to come together, the victors from Three and Four feeling an uneasy calm spread among them. This is what they had worked for. Yet it all depended on everything falling into place. The trap needed to keep Brutus and Enobaria out of the way, the alliance needed to stay together, the wire needed to hold up and Beetee needed to break them out of the arena. That was before considering whether the hovercraft carrying Haymitch and Plutarch would arrive safely and without unwanted company.

But from the Mentors' Centre, they could only watch. They could arrange their own affairs, but it all depended on everything going to plan from inside the arena. They were experienced mentors, so they could second-guess Gamemaker thinking and knew that they would allow the plan to fall into place unless they realised something was amiss. But there was very little they could do about that either. They would lie if questioned, but if the Gamemakers deliberately set out to foil the plan, only a very clever sponsorship gift could avert disaster and alert those in the arena to the fact that they were subject to District Thirteen's backup plan.

Nobody wanted to think about that. The less left in the hands of the unknown the better. They knew the Capitol well. They trusted each other implicitly. But they were only just finding out about how District Thirteen operated.

But once the tree was prepared, it was time to run the wire. They would be exposed here. The group must split, and it was likely that Brutus and Enobaria would see the approach towards the shoreline and into the water.

Haymitch's girl also picked this moment to express her concerns. Understandable as it was to want to keep Peeta alongside her, they could not risk the pair taking off now and Beetee knew this.

"That's it Beetee, I know you like her, you like them both, but be firm with them. It's your plan," Pluto whispered as if talking directly to his victor. "Take control of the plan."

Beetee was soon backed up by Finnick and Johanna and the three of them were able to strongarm Katniss into leaving with Johanna. They all knew her farewell to Peeta was sincere and genuine. The girl did have feelings for him. But those who knew what was about to happen could not help but feel relieved when the pair were separated. Johanna could control Katniss and threaten her into compliance if needed. Peeta would be able to see the logic in two men guarding Beetee, and Three and Four's men could talk Peeta into abiding by the plan if he continued to question. He was the reasonable one, Katniss was impulsive.

"We're still on. Still good," Pluto whispered to his friends in Four.

"It's all in hand," Chloe echoed.

….

Moments later, when he could be assured that everything was still going to plan with Finnick and that Chaff was reasonably safe, Noah made his way to Chloe and Coral.

"The money, what's the plan?"

"We've sorted it," Coral answered. "When everyone is distracted, the transfer will be made."

"It's going home?"

"Yes. As everything comes together, just before it's time, Dora's man will move the money."

"And our job here is done?"

"Yes. The second it falls, we're leaving. Fast."

"Finn?"

"Enough money will be left behind if it all goes wrong. We'll need something to work with. But he's on the list to be evacuated. He will keep the girl close by. He knows what he's doing."

"He better do, for his own sake. We can't have anything happening to his pretty face."

Coral glared at Noah, "I don't even want to think about it. If that happens, Mags will haunt us. I won't be able to forgive myself."

Not wanting to hear any more of that conversation, Chloe intervened, "Please stop. Both of you. This is stressful enough without adding images of Finn being tortured. He's alive and doing his job."

….

The party was in full flow. Capitol sponsors were discussing the likelihood of the plan succeeding with keen anticipation. Those supporting District Two were talking up Brutus and Enobaria's chances of foiling the plan whilst District Three and Four's most ardent supporters were insistent that all would work out. Then it would come down to the large alliance. Nobody knew who would turn on who first.

Sawyer and Linden were mingling too, talking up Johanna's chances and hinting at a broader alliance with Finnick. One that would surpass Four's new bond with Twelve's young victors. Their escort, Vespa Antonia was also present and enjoying the party. She was not providing much assistance to Seven's victors and would only half-heartedly send potential sponsors their way without seeking out any further contributions.

Each of Seven's victors had reached the end of their tether with the woman. Johanna, who believed her friends would still be alive if it were not for their escort, was openly hostile, an attitude formerly shared by Blight due to the harm caused to his young charge. Sawyer and Linden had both lost any patience they had with Vespa following the events of the Seventy-Second Games where her true colours were on show. Even a usually calm and patient Liev had decided enough was enough. The victors were prepared to take action.

Linden and Sawyer had both brought their escort drinks as a matter of politeness and team unity. But, as with their attendance at the party, they had an ulterior motive. Vespa's drinks were spiked so as to make her more relaxed and acquiescent by the time she fell into the hands of Blight's bandmates who had agreed to carry out the plan.

After an hour of mixing with potential sponsors and doing what they could to shore up emergency funds for Johanna should the plan go awry, Sawyer suggested the group part ways before meeting up at another party before midnight. Vespa did not take much persuasion, another party and one without the presence of District Seven's victors was not a difficult sell.

After the drinks she had been steadily provided, Vespa easily made her way into the car that was waiting for her without question or concern. The car took off and Linden and Sawyer were left standing outside.

"It's done," Linden said.

"Our part at least," Sawyer echoed.

"We just have to wait until they send over the funds. Then it's confirmed, that's the signal."

"We should go to that Gamemaker's house, just for a few minutes. Cover our tracks," Sawyer suggested.

"Good idea. Make sure we're seen with others at the right time."

"Let's go. We need to make sure we're back in time too. I don't want to be making a run for it in this suit," Sawyer laughed.

….

Haymitch followed Maria's instructions and made his way through the Training Centre towards the morgue, straying from the usual route as advised. The new corridor was quiet, which was of no surprise to him. It was not anywhere he had been before. He was not going to be directed into a busy area either. His exit needed to be swift.

He kept his drink with him and adopted a casual stroll, as if he were going on a slightly inebriated walk before his tributes were able to see through Beetee's plan and break away from the alliance. But he kept his right hand fixed on the knife in his pocket. He could not be too sure that this was not about to all go wrong.

If he was taken unexpectedly, it would mean their plan had been foiled. That everyone was in danger, and he would not be able to tell any of his friends. His friends in the arena would surely die too, leaving Brutus or Enobaria the sole survivor, a broken victor of all victors.

It was a long corridor, as Haymitch had expected. But he kept on walking, knowing that before he reached the door opposite, his fate, and that of the entire plan would be revealed. There was a side entrance, over halfway along the straight route ahead and he guessed that was where he would be intercepted.

He glanced at the door behind him. There was no sign of peacekeepers rushing to meet him. A small relief but doing little to calm the nerves he suddenly felt. True to character, Haymitch took a large gulp of the whiskey he had brought with him before walking on.

The side route was becoming clearer, but Haymitch could not hear footsteps. His assailant was lying in wait. Or maybe he would have to wait for them, but Haymitch doubted that. He could hear the telltale buzz of the cameras that had been interfered with, so he knew he was on the right path, and they would only be out for a limited amount of time. He would not be kept waiting.

So, he carried on. Only a matter of steps to go. He took a deep breath and made his way forward, willing himself on. He did not know what he would find beyond the side route, beyond the hovercraft, the arena, or District Thirteen. But this was it, his final moments before war broke out, with him, the drunk victor from District Twelve as one of the most prominent instigators.

A rebel, a revolutionary even. Except the final label did not feel right. He was simply Haymitch Abernathy, a rebel of course. A man most of his colleagues in the Mentors' Centre and on their way back home trusted implicitly, but a man with a liking for far too much alcohol, the shakes that he could not quite control and a bad temper when provoked.

He realised he had not seen Effie Trinket for a few hours and when he bid her goodbye, he felt in retrospect that it had been far too casual. He hoped that she would be okay. He hated having to trust Plutarch. He didn't feel as if she would be safer in the Capitol, gold wig and Mockingjay accessories on display. But he had been assured it was for the best.

He tried to imagine forcing Effie here with him and how difficult a task that would be. No doubt that was part of the reason why Heavensbee had refused his request. She would be a risk. Haymitch could see that, but she would be invaluable to him, to Katniss and Peeta, should they somehow be able to retrieve them both.

He imagined her being intercepted and forced into a Capitol prison cell and the thought made him ill. Instead, he imagined her being taken from a party and brought onto the hovercraft where he would soon meet her, or perhaps finding her in just a few seconds, a rebel all along. But that was laughable. Effie Trinket was Effie Trinket. Decent, for a Capitol, underneath her makeup. Smarter than she made herself out to be, but a rebel she was not. Entirely loyal to the Capitol and President Snow, Haymitch was no longer sure. She was loyal to them, to Katniss and Peeta, the boy especially, he could tell there was a real affection there. That would be a problem. But Plutarch refused to listen.

His thoughts were interrupted by the inevitable. Loud footsteps collided with his, and though Haymitch was expecting it, he jumped in surprised. An arm wrapped forcefully around his neck, knocking him off balance, before he was dragged through the corridor, forcing his feet to try to keep up. He tried to put up a fight, to appear as if he was not being taken willingly, and the grip on his neck tightened, the hand holding the glass was batted out of the way, the glass shattering audibly and echoing across the corridor.

"Faster," his assailant whispered and Haymitch laughed in relief. All was going to plan.

He was brought crashing through a door and out onto the open roof where he was met by another man who helped force him into the waiting hovercraft. The door shut behind him immediately and the two men began roughly searching his person before finding the knife he had taken from the Mentors' Centre, albeit not the one he was hiding in his shoe that was pressing uncomfortably to his ankle.

"He can keep that," a female voice announced. Fulvia Cardew was now standing in front of him. "Sit down, fasten in, we're taking off."

He did as he was told and then looked back up to find Plutarch Heavensbee laughing, "Glad you could join us. I dare say you took your time, Haymitch. Sorry about all the fuss, entirely necessary as you'll understand."

Haymitch laughed in response, "I don't suppose you have any more whiskey; your friends here wouldn't let me finish mine."

….

In Poppy's room, District Six's two surviving victors were talking quietly.

"This is for you," Max started, pulling a small box from one of his pockets, "From the three of us. To you."

"Max, you really didn't have to do anything."

"It's just a little something from the three of us. We all agreed, even Levi. You've done far too much for us. We've asked too much of you over the years and you have helped us all, and saved us time and time again."

"We've become a family. In our own way. I hadn't had a family since I was eight, so, I just fit in where I was needed."

"And now it's just you again, to carry the fire. But you've always been our fire."

"You know you can come with me."

"That would be reckless of me. To risk your life in such a way. I could never ask you to run away from me and leave me to whatever may be if we got caught because I'm too slow. I'll take my way out, to give me some control and to take that pain from you," Max said softly. "Turn around, let me put this on."

It was a simple necklace, in District Six style, something that Poppy would appreciate, rather than the garish designs of the Capitol. The pendant was small, in a dark greyish silver, common to the jewellery of their home. Engraved on it were the initials of the four victors with four stars intertwined on the back.

Poppy looked at the pendant as it rested against her, "You'll be with me this way," she offered, smiling before turning to Max once more, "There's so much to do, so much waiting for me."

"Take everything as it comes. Don't get ahead of yourself. Just work through everything as you always do, but keep yourself safe. Nobody else will look out for you in the way you do. Or I would, or Linden," Max whispered. "Stay alive, Poppy."

"You know I don't plan on dying."

"Good. That's what we need. Now," Max started, picking up the bag Poppy had prepared, "Have you got everything ready?"

The pair went through the bag checking everything was in order, confirming that there was nothing left that Poppy would not be able to find or steal that she did not already have. There would be stops along the way before her escape from the Capitol, but they knew it would not do to be caught out when peacekeepers would be looking for her.

"I've arranged for some help. Our people are coming to meet you."

"What do you mean?"

"You aren't the only one who can alter the train rotas," Max laughed. "Those we trust implicitly, who will get you out of here, they're waiting."

"They do know what they're getting themselves into?"

"They volunteered. They know the risks."

Poppy moved to hug Max knowing that when they parted in the Mentors' Centre, it would be hurried, and they would not see each other again.

"Thank you," she whispered. "You've helped me more than you realise."

"I wouldn't have lasted this long without you. You got me here. Thank you, Poppy."

….

Linden and Sawyer made their way back into the Training Centre, having returned from one of the Gamemaker's parties. They had to follow their usual routine so nobody would realise anything was amiss, so they stopped to speak to onlookers before making their way back inside. As many people as possible needed to see them whilst it was happening.

But that would all soon change, and the two men hurried back up to their floor to change and collect what they would need for making a swift escape, where secrecy would be imperative.

"You good?" Sawyer asked.

"As I'll ever be," Linden replied. "Let's do this."

As they returned to the Mentors' Centre, Poppy could not hide her relief. Linden gave her a pointed look to tell her to keep calm and not react. As far as everyone else knew, they had simply been out winning sponsors.

"A successful trip?" Liev asked.

"We've got what we need," Sawyer said.

"Good. Now we wait."

The group sat waiting, watching as Johanna and Katniss moved further from the group, running the wire down through the jungle, trying not to fixate on the sponsorship figures at the side of their screens.

To nobody's surprise, the two women did not talk much and there was clearly tension between them. But as long as they did not begin openly fighting, they did not mind too much.

It seemed like a long wait until they heard the telltale beeping to signal incoming funds. This is when they would know whether it had worked. If their previously agreed amount appeared on screen, then Vespa was dead, and the group had got away unscathed. If not, the plan had not worked.

Following receipt of the initial amount, the other funds accrued by Linden and Sawyer would follow, and as with District Four's money, their funds would be removed from the sponsorship pot and distributed to the victors. Liev would have to collect a package that would be deposited at the bar moments after the funds came through on screen. Four's contact would look after the rest, kept behind for Johanna in the event of an emergency and hide the truth from any onlookers who were focused on the receipt of sponsorship funds.

But the money came in. The full amount, as agreed on, and everyone fixated on Seven's screens could relax. It was done. Blight's men were safe, and their escort would bother them no more.

"The bitch is dead, Johanna," Sawyer whispered.

"We did it, Blight," Linden echoed as Liev counted down the seconds until he could leave for the bar.

Max remained alongside Poppy, his hand on her shoulder, "Not long now, my girl."

"We've got this, I know we have."

"We need to. This has got to work."

Whilst Six's pair continued to whisper among themselves, Liev made his way to the bar, collected the bag and hid it under a tray of drinks he brought using the money Haymitch had left them.

"Thought we should spend some of Haymitch's money," he said as he returned and subtly began distributing the wads of cash under the table as the drinks were passed around.

"It's what he would want," Sawyer laughed.

Suddenly, Linden pushed Liev's arm out from in front of the screen, forcing the older man back in his seat, "Something's wrong," he hissed.

"What do you mean?"

"The wire's been cut."