So this is my spin on the second reaping of Katniss and Peeta from Catching Fire. Effie's POV. Hope you like! :D xx

Cinna had dressed her in butterfly's for the reaping. She asked him why and he spoke the dangerous truth.

'Because they remind me of you. And so, they shall remind you of yourself when you step foot out there. Butterflies signify beauty, bravery and and open heart. But, most importantly...freedom. Do the right thing Effie'

And then he left

The huge mahogany doors stood before her. The crowd awaited. Her victors, her champions, her...her children awaited to hear there well known fate.

A sleepless and tearful night showed under the white powder today. Her anger showed too. It wasn't fair. It hadn't been from day one. Finally having victors, having someone to care for, threw her head first into the reality of it all. Her heart was about to be ripped out anyway, why not do it in true Effie style.

'They're ready for you Miss Trinket'

She knodded, donned her brightest Capitol smile and opened her doors.

Katniss, Peeta and Haymitch stood and waited. Minutes went by like a soft breeze.

'As ever...ladies first'

She caught Katniss's eye. Her hands shook as she lifted the single piece of paper from the bowl.
Heading back to her mic she read the name in her head. Katniss Everdeen, but the words wouldn't come out.
Her hands now visibly shaking in front of all, she caught Kats eye again.

Kat, lost in her own terror, nodded for her to continue.
She looked to Haymitch and Peeta.
Peeta looked ahead as Haymitch looked right back at her.

She couldn't. She wouldn't.

The piece of paper dropped to the floor and a flurry of gasps suddenly passed through the on looking crowd.

Effie eyed up the peace keeper to her left, his hand by his weapon, all too ready.

'Do the right thing Effie' Cinnas voice played over and over again in her mind as she closed eyes. She thought of butterflies as she pressed the 3 fingers of her left hand together and slowly began to raise them.

It all happened so fast. Suddenly she was being taken a hold of and marched back through the huge mahogany doors. Her eyes still pressed tight as the light from outside disappeared and the doors slammed shut. She opened her eyes to meet her soon to be executioner but it was Haymitch.

'What the hell are you doing Effie?!'

Effie growled in disbelief. Did he have to ruin all of her plans!

'Im doing what I have to Haymitch now let me go'

His hands wrapped tighter around her shoulders

'Haymitch you're hurting me!'

'I saw, Ef! I saw what you where about to do! Are you insane?!'

'For once in my life Haymitch I am feeling completely insane yes! But that is what must be done! Move aside!'

She tried to pass him but he pushed her back up against the wall, her hands gripping at his shirt as she struggle to be free of him.

'Stop Effie! Stop!'

'Is there a problem here?'

The peace keeper had entered, gun in hand, sweating at the near delight of a possible execution on his hands

Effie stayed silent, she didn't want to die here in the shadows

'Ah, she's not feeling to good officer, too much sun, wigs too tight, you know'

The peace keeper did not return Haymitchs smile. His eyes bore deep into Effie's, searching for his excuse to raise his gun.

'Look, she's just a little upset ok, that her tributes are being re reaped, I'll just get her some water, calm her down, she'll be back out there before you know it'

The peace keeper was panting now. His frustration showing in a sick and devilish way, his eyes didn't leave Effie's. 'You got 5 minutes lady, or I'll be throwing you into the games as practice kill' his eyes shot to Haymitch. '5 minutes'

'Yes sir, c'mon darlin, take some water, take a deep breath' he kept up his pretence until the peacekeeper had left.

'You trying to get yourself killed lady?!'

He threw the drink down, water and glass exploding across the marble floor

'It was going to be perfect! The whole of district 12 witness to a Capitol suicide in their honour! They'd have gone crazy! They'd have fought back at the peacekeepers, I know it! The uprising would have started, my victors would be saved!'

'What about me?!'

Haymitch couldn't believe his ears. She was actually about to sacrifice herself for them, all of them.

'You?!' Effie hissed in reply. 'YOU just ruined everything! Now what am I supposed to do? Just go back out there and pretend I don't care?! I can't do it any more Haymitch, I just WONT!'

'Yes you will!' Haymitch took hold of her shoulders again, this time pushing her so hard against the wall she swear she'd broken a rib

'You can't take this upon yourself Effie! We'll find another way to help the uprising, to save our kids! You can't sacrifice your self this way!'

'Why not!'

'Because they'll kill you Effie!'

'And?'

'AND I CANT LIVE WITHOUT YOU!-

He let her go and cursed himself

- God damn It Ef! I can't...I couldn't'

He moved away but she stayed frozen to the spot

'Haymitch? What are you saying?'

Turning his back he began to pace. His hands at his head, scratching uncomfortably.

'I don't...I don't know what I'd do Ef! If you...if you left. If you weren't here. I can't do this. Not without you.' Still pacing.

Effie lost herself in thought or was it shock.

'I don't understand Haymitch'

Then suddenly he was in front of her again, close enough for her to hear his heart racing in his chest.

'What can't you understand darlin' his tone suddenly low and soft

'There ain't no fight in me anymore if I don't have you by my side.'

His words almost knocked the wind out of her sails

'But I...I thought you hated me? Everything about me? Why do you think I found it so easy to give myself up? I have nothing! I have no one!'

'You have me! For god sake woman! You've always had me!' He looked at her for the longest second, she saw fear in his eyes.

It was fear. He felt like he was about to lose her, he almost had back there.

'There's a war already startin Ef! You don't need to be the big hero, not yet.'

He raised the back of his hand and gently smoothed it over her soft cheek.

'Already starting?'

'Yes, I wasn't sure if you were ready to hear about it yet. The plan. But after the stunt you almost just pulled I'm pretty damn sure you need to hear it'

Without thinking she took a hold of his soothing hand and held it by her lips

'And what if I pull your name out of there Haymitch? What if you go into the games? What if...what if I never see you again?'

'Theres more of them out there who are ready and waiting to take control, you'll find out soon enough wether you hear it from me or not'

She shook her head desperately 'Im not doing it Haymitch, I'm not pulling your name out of there!'

'Shhh, shhh' he soothed. Squeezing her hand tightly, his other came up under her chin and without another word spoken he raised her lips to his.

There, in the reaping room he kissed her. His soft lips pressing hers, hungrily. It lasted only for a moment but it was beautiful.

'What do I need to do?'

'You need to stay alive, dya hear me Ef? Lie, kiss ass, trick your way back into the Capitol, back into their favour again. I need your eyes and ears in there, if you wanna be a hero, be mine. Stay alive.'

He kissed her again quickly, just before the peacekeeper came back

'Times up miss Trinket! Get your ass out there now!'

Effie eyed the sweating pig of a man, she donned her best Capitol pose and sharpest tongue and glided over to him

'Do you have ANY idea of whom you are addressing in such manner?'

He sneered, but before he could answer she grabbed him by the ear and twisted until he fell to her eye level.

'I am president snows finest escort! A member of his council, one of his closest allies and dearest friends. Now wouldn't he be delightfully disappointed to hear that one of his dirty little peacekeepers had over stepped his boundaries and made a highly perverted pass at me!'

'But I didn't! I -'

'Infact, it upset me so much that during the name drawing at the reaping, I caught sight of you and came across so faint and repulsed that I had to interrupt my own duties and take a short leave of absence, just to retain myself!'

He tried to back away but she held him tighter, pinching sharply with her talloned nails

'President Snow does not like it when people interfere with his schedule. He's been known to execute such responsible persons, to make pure examples if them. Should I call him now to discuss the matter?'

'Miss Effie! Ah, miss Trinket! Please, I'll lose my job, everything! Forgive me I-'

'Right! So should you not go, right now and apologise to the waiting crowd on my behalf and give me another god damned minute!'

'Yes ma'am! Right away ma'am, sorry miss Trinket'

She let him go and he scurried off like a beaten bully.

'Now that's heroic' Haymitch spun her around and tried to kiss her again but she pushed him back.

'Don't haymitch. Don't kiss me like that again. I can't risk falling in love with you, if there's a chance I might lose you'

He tried to make light of her words by laughing and went in towards her for a second time but she slapped him, hard.

He was about to recoil with some harsh words but he caught the tears, beckoning in her eyes 'please, Haymitch. Don't make this harder than it already is'

He nodded respectfully and backed off.

'Ill do it. I'll do the reaping. But afterwards, I want to hear everything, I want to hear it from you. I want in on ur plans if it's the last thing I ever do. Understood?'

He knodded, still rubbing at his jaw

'Good! Well-' Effie's eyes brightened and a false smile beamed across her face 'Duty calls then. Shall we, mr Abernathy?'

She wouldn't look at him. Not at least until after the reaping. He opened the mahogany doors for her and walked out at her side.

Out towards their fate. Back into the sun, burning down over district 12.