**** So this is the final chapter of this series. I hope you enjoyed it! The "closure" piece for this is "Home" (though it can definitely be read as a stand-alone).

Please feel free to check out my other Hayffie fics, particularly The First Goodbye. IDK why it's one of my faves.

Let me know what you thought of this one!

-thamockingjayandpeeta

HEAR

The first thing he hears when he kicks the door in is a whimper.

It was so soft, so quiet, so utterly heartbreaking that he stopped in his tracks for several moments before he could find the courage to proceed.

He swallowed back his anger, and bit back his pity. Right now he had a mission.

He didn't have to worry about rushing so he wouldn't get caught. He'd killed every bastard that stood in his way, without a second thought.

But he knew he had to hurry and get her medical attention.

He approached the small, frail woman, the woman he hardly recognized, reminding himself to be gentle.

He swallowed the bile in his throat at the bruises on her skin. He glanced over her tiny frame, noting all the bruises and lacerations.

She'd been tortured.

At this moment, Kantiss would have to fight him to kill Snow. Haymitch would bloody well rather do it himself.

And he'd like to slice Coin's throat, too, for good fucking measure, for allowing this to happen.

He crouched down, wanting to touch her, but terrified at the same time.

She was so still she looked dead. Had he imagined her earlier whimper?

He thought about what'd happen to him if she were dead. How'd he lose any bit of will he had left to live. He'd end it all, probably right here in this cell, if he wasn't itching to see Snow's death so badly. After that, though? He made no promises.

At that moment a medical team came in.

"Fucking took you long enough," Haymitch said coldly.

"There was a guy out there choking to death on his own blood," one of them responded, and Haymitch turned to him.

"Are you fucking kidding me?"

Instead of answering the medic crouched down next to him. Haymitch got a good look at his face.

If Effie didn't survive, he'd hunt this bastard down and kill him with his bare hands.

Haymitch watched as the medic felt for a pulse. At his touch Haymitch heard a gasp and watched as her body shriveled, forming a ball closer to the wall of the cell.

His heart leapt.

She was alive.

XxXxXx

He was by her beside every single day. She was dehydrated and malnourished. She had a broken jaw and two broken ribs.

But she was alive.

When she was finally well enough to travel back to 13 with him, they left the Capitol.

He spared the medic's life, but left him with a broken nose.

Not a lot of people knew Effie was in 13. Haymitch understood that her presence would not be welcomed here. Still, Plutarch did all he could as well. On the days Haymitch was needed for the Rebellion, Plutarch kept watch, and vice versa.

By the time they're all set to go back to the Capitol, to perform the final Game, Effie is much better.

They walk on eggshells around each other. So much has changed, yet nothing has.

He still drinks like a fish.

She doesn't know it's because he can't live with the guilt anymore.

Or if she does know, she doesn't care.

When it's decided that Katniss must be prepped, Haymitch makes his way to Effie's room, hating himself for what he was about to ask her.

"I'm not that person anymore, Haymitch."

"None of us are the people we started out as, Princess," he said gently.

Effie looked away from him. "It's… part of my punishment, isn't it? Having to parade around in a damn costume, looking like a clown? I didn't tell them anything. I never even came close. I was prepared to die for this Rebellion. Most of the time I wish I were dead. Yet I still get to be punished?"

Haymitch would not lie to her. "Yes." She sucked in a hard breath. "But it's more than that, Effie. Katniss needs you. Our Mockingjay needs you."

Effie stood. She wouldn't look at him. "Fine. I'll help her get ready for the execution." Then she turned to him. "For Katniss."

Haymitch kept his face completely neutral. "That's the only person I'd ask you to do it for."

He walked out then, ignoring the twist in his gut, knowing he'd lost her forever.

When Katniss find him, hours later, talking about needing to talk, he'd already destroyed every piece of furniture in the room. All that was left untouched was the chair he sat on—even the bottle he was drinking from was broken.

And when he took his pain and frustrations out on Katniss, and he tried to chase after her, he found himself on the floor, also broken.

XxXxXx

"She never sold us out," Haymitch said, pacing the room angrily. "Why is she still being punished? It's fucking ridiculous. She's one of us, Plutarch, and you know it."

"I do know it. Haymitch will you calm down for a second?"

"Fuck that, Plutarch. I'm done talking. I want—"

"Katniss already demanded that Effie be given immunity, Haymitch."

Haymitch stopped pacing and stared at Plutarch. He was shocked. Stunned, really.

And relieved

God bless that woman, as broken and bruised as she was.

"Effie's already preparing to go back to the Capitol." He felt his heart drop to his stomach. "And you have to prepare to take care of Katniss… back in 12, where she's been sentenced."

Haymitch's back went up. "Was I on trial too?" he said coolly.

"Not by me. But there are some people who… don't understand your loyalties to a Capitol Escort." Haymitch gritted his teeth, prepared to explode, but Plutarch cut him off. "It's not forever, Haymitch. Just let things calm down. You know you're one of Paylor's favorites. She'll call you in a few months. You know she will. For now… help Katniss. She needs you. You know she does. She can't go back there alone."

Haymitch took a calming breath. "How long before Peeta comes back?"

"Dr. Aurelius is doing the best he can, but it'll some time. Several months at least."

"She's gonna be lost without the boy. We've seen how she is."

"Well, if she ever changes her mind about being on that singing show, she can she him anytime she wants."

Haymitch scowled as he walked away.

XxXxXx

"You fought to keep me alive," Effie whispered. "I won't ever forget that."

"Effie," Haymitch sighed.

"I no longer have to tell you to take care of our Victors. You do so naturally, now. I don't even think you realize how much you've grown to care for them."

"Them?"

"Us, then." She smiled sadly. "But they need you, Haymitch."

"And you, Effie?"

Effie stared at him for a long moment, sadness the only expression in those astonishing blue eyes. "I need time to learn who I am again." Haymitch just stared at her, refusing to speak. "I don't know how long it'll take me. But when I figure it out… I'll know where to find you."

She placed a gentle a kiss on his cheek, gave him a sad smile, picked up her suitcase, and headed back to her home in the Capitol.

He wanted to follow her, force her to come back to 12 with him, and she might have. But she'd have eventually resented him for it. She had to find her own way.

He could only hope and pray that one day, she'd find her way back to him.

Until then, he would remember her: how beautiful she looked without makeup; how soft and gentle her touch was; how she always smelled like peaches, and Effie; how she tasted just like she smelled.

And sure, her late night whimpers would haunt him for the rest of his life. But he'd also remember the way she laughed, or the way she said his name when they made love.

He may never see her again. But he'd feel for her for the rest of his life.