A/N: Oh... You guys... I promise you a bit of steamy Hayffie action and the reviews shoot up. I see how it is. Bad little shippers aren't we? ;) You'll just have to be patient. CONTROL YOUR FEELS, PEOPLE! Good things come to those who wait... and even better things when those waiting leave reviews. *casual elbow nudge* ;D :P

Thank you for the feedback though, seriously. I appreciate it loads and I'm really happy that people are enjoying what I write. Also, I'm glad that nobody thought it was too much of a cliffhanger. I'm also glad no one seems to hate me, but if that's me just missing the obvious, let me know. :P

So.. here's the next little treat for you. Lots of fluff and happiness and rainbows and unicorns in this one. Not literally of course. That would be silly. But there IS lots of happiness. My feels were going crazy writing this. I think I got a little carried away. :D Here's part 2.

-Ellie.

"Haymitch and Effie join us, looking pleased about something." - Part 2.
The Parade and the elevator.

The ride down to the ceremony was kind of inconsequential. I was enjoying standing close to Effie and feeling her warmth, but too soon we were joined by Lyme, one of District 2's mentors, and their stuck up bitch of an Escort, Thalia. Never liked her and she never liked me, especially since I "assaulted" her darling Effie on stage last year. If only she knew how much Effie actually enjoys it. Of course she'd get a lecture about reputation and class. I can hear it now. "Darling Effie, don't lower yourself to the levels of scum like him! You deserve better than a lowlife from such a barbaric District!" Oh yeah. We're barbaric for starving and working our asses of. Maybe we should slaughter some innocent children so we can no longer be classed as barbarians. I can't wait to bring this damn Capitol down. They haven't even seen it coming.

I acknowledged Lyme with a nod and we stepped to the back of the elevator to allow the Escorts to babble on about God knows what. I frowned a little at the lack of contact with Effie, but soon found an advantage of my new position. Luckily for me, Effie is still an inch or 2 shorter than me, even with her deadly heels. I had just the perfect angle to freely gaze down the front of Effie's dress. I know, call me pervert, but any man would make the most of this view. It's not like I haven't seen her, touched her naked body before. It's something I don't think I'll ever get enough of. There must've been a smirk plastered on my face because I felt Lyme nudge me. She's an intimidating lady, not someone to be ignored, so I looked up at her. She leaned to mutter into my ear with an amused smirk on her face.

"Stop undressing your Escort with your eyes, Abernathy. You pervert." I chuckled and looked into the mirrored doors, only to find Effie watching me with a somewhat smug grin on her face and amusement clear in her eyes. I gave her a cocky grin and a wink and she smiled before turned her head back to her colleague. I turned to Lyme who was watching us with a knowing smirk on her face.

"Don't give me away. I'm enjoying myself."

We both laughed and I resumed by previous position. Something caught my eye, peeking out over the edge of the deep V-neck. I focused a little more and identified it as none other than black and gold lace. My grin widened and I looked back up at Effie's reflection, arching an eyebrow. She gave me a look of smug satisfaction, and from her expression, I could imagine her smooth, seductive voice saying "You'll just have to wait and see, Mr Abernathy." I knew from that moment that the rest of this night would be unbearable.

The parade went by without a hiccup. We stole the show yet again. Katniss and Peeta were great with their "unforgiving" looks. Of course, only Peeta needed to act. Katniss always looks like she wants to murder everyone in the room.

A mental image of Katniss going crazy with a bow and arrows (shooting randomly into the crowd from the chariot) pops into my head. I chuckle as I walk over to greet Chaff and Seeder.

"Mitchy, m'boy!" Chaff gives me a hard slap on the back when I reach him.

"Chaff. It's been too long, buddy! Hey Seeder, how you been?" I turn and give her a smile.

"Haymitch." She gives me a polite smile and a slight nod. "Not too bad, thanks. Your Victors look just as impressive as last year. Congratulations. You got a good team."

"Yeah. Sure beats me goin' in. I kinda grew attached to those kids though. Can't stand to see this happen. It's not fair on them." I glance over to Katniss and Peeta to see her give the boy a little kiss. I chuckle. "That girl is never gonna decide what she really wants."

I look back at Chaff and Seeder. "What do you say I introduce you to them? Maybe sort out an alliance?"

"Sounds good, Mitchy." Chaff slaps me on the back with his stump again and laughs as I stumble a little from the force. "Good job you're not in there with me. Never could take me on, could ya Mitchy? Huh?" He nudges me, teasing. I shove him back, both of us grinning.

"Come on. Effie will get her wig in a twist if I don't act like a mentor. I should go see the kids."

"That Escort of yours has got you wrapped round her little finger, Mitchy." I shove him again with a smirk.

"No she has not. That damm woman will be the death of me."

"Oh come on. She might as well be your wife. You're like an obedient little puppy, stumbling around catering to her every whim." He puts his arm round my shoulder and leans closer. "Of course, you and I both know exactly the kinda whims you cater to for your Escort." He guffaws and I shake my head, smiling.

"You have no idea, Chaff."

"Say, here's a question for ya. Something I can't help but wonder." He grins at me, awaiting my approval.

"Go on?"

"Do you have to book so she can pencil you in?" He slaps me on the arm and guffaws. Seeder lets out a little chuckle but averts her gaze. I open my mouth to reply, but Chaff's not done yet. "Y'know, like, do you have an appointment? A certain time you go to her every night?" He laughs again.

"Chaff, come on..."

"Oh I can just see it now. 7pm - 7:30pm: Tribute Parade. 7:30pm - 8pm: Freshen up. 8pm - 9pm: Dinner. 9pm - 10pm: Television for recaps followed by tribute bedtime. 10pm - 10:30pm: Sex with Haymitch. 10:30pm: Sleep."

I realize I should be pissed off at Chaff, and if it were anyone else then I would be. I know Chaff is just kidding, teasing me. We've been like this with each other for over 20 years, so I know it's all in jest. With Chaff, it's easier to take it like a man and laugh along. Like he said, I never could take him on. I smirk as he laughs to himself, clearly thinking he's the funniest man alive. I put my hand on his arm and lean in a little closer, as if telling a secret, but I keep my voice loud enough for Seeder to hear.

"Not far off actually, Chaff, but believe me, we go for a lot longer than half an hour." He bursts out laughing again and this time Seeder doesn't try to hide her amusement. Chaff slaps his good hand around my shoulders.

"Mitchy, you old dog!" Grinning, I look back to Katniss and Peeta to find them staring at me.

"Come on you two. Let's go see my kids." I nod in their direction and Chaff and Seeder follow me over.

"By the way, I'm sorry if she wants to kill you. She tends to be like that." I mutter just before we reach them. I grin as I hear Chaff murmur a sarcastic "Charming!".

When we reach the kids, Seeder pulls Katniss into a hug. I hear them whispering about the families of last year's tributes before they pull away, both with fake smiles on their faces. Chaff immediately steps forward and pulls Katniss towards him, giving her a full on kiss on the lips. We both guffaw at the girl's shocked expression as she forces herself out of his grip. If she didn't wanna kill him before, she certainly does now.

Chaff puts his arm over my shoulder and leans to mutter into my ear. "Your lady's lookin'" He nods his head towards the side of the elevators and I immediately snap my head in the direction. I catch sight of Effie, who is standing with a few other Escorts, but she's ignoring them and watching us from across the room with a small smile. It's the soft, adoring, motherly smile I see when she's proud of our kids. I mentally kick myself for imagining her as a mother, more specifically the mother of my children. As if that's ever gonna happen. Her smile widens when our eyes lock and I can't help but return it. There's something contagious to me about her happiness. I love when she's happy. When her smile is genuine, it lights up her blue eyes - makes them sparkle. Damn, her smile lights up the entire room. I'm pulled from the moment when Chaff nudges me and laughs.

"You got it bad, Mitch." I turn to look at him and nudge him back, chuckling.

"No I don't. Shut it, buddy."

"Whatever, Mitchy. Hey, you coming?" I notice that a load of Capitol attendants have begun to push us all towards the elevators. Probably don't like the camaraderie between all the Victors. I glance back at Effie who's still smiling at me, her expression soft and... loving? I feel my heart flutter and my smile widens a little. Without turning back to Chaff, I answer him.

"Nah. I'll see you later, Chaff. Gonna go meet Effie." He slaps me on the shoulder and walks with the kids and Seeder towards an elevator.

I push my way through the crowd towards Effie. I see her excuse herself from the small group, who must make some sort of remark because her smile falters. A few of them look at me with disgust clear on their faces. When I give them a cocky grin, they quickly look away, and soon enough they push their way into an elevator. I finally reach Effie and resist the urge to wrap my arms around her. Instead, I secure my hands in my pockets and grin at her.

"Hey, Trinket." She lifts her eyes from the apparently-interesting spot on the floor to meet mine, a small smile on her face again.

"Hey, Abernathy." She mock-echoes me in her best District 12 accent. It's quite cute that she even tries to make her voice deeper. I feel the weird fluttery sensation again and my grin turns into a genuine smile.

"Cute." I chuckle at her and her smile widens, making her blue eyes look like they're twinkling. Gazing into her eyes, I realize something that I've known for a while but never admitted. I love this damn woman. We stand looking into each others eyes for a few more minutes. She tries to keep a normal conversation up, but I find that I can't act like I hate her when her eyes are glistening with so much happiness. Sometimes, I notice that what I say gets to her. She knows I don't mean any of it and I know she tries to just ignore it, but despite her best efforts, I sometimes see hurt in her eyes. I wish we didn't have to act at all. Soon enough, if we win the war, my wish will come true. I think she's clinging on to that hope too. One day we'll be free. We can be together without fearing for our lives.

"Katniss and Peeta looked wonderful. We must congratulate Portia and Cinna on another outstanding accomplishment."

"Yeah."

Silence.

"We'll hopefully have sponsors lining up again this year."

"Maybe, sweetheart."

Silence.

"They may be against experienced Victors, but I noticed how much younger and fitter they looked compared to some others. They may stand a chance." I give her a knowing smile and she returns it with a look of understanding. She knows the rebel plan. She helped come up with it.

"Let's just hope they stay alive long enough, shall we?" She smiles and nods.

"Shall we go upstairs?" I glance around me and notice that the crowd has vanished. We stand alone in large room with the exception of a few stragglers, but I have no idea how long it's been since everyone else went up to the penthouse.

"Yeah, let's go." I take her hand and lead her to the elevators. I press the button and one opens immediately. I notice the two mentors from District 8 eye up the open elevator, so I quickly pull Effie inside and hit the button telling the doors to close. I see them give me an annoyed look before the doors shut them out. I press the number 12 and the elevator jolts upwards.

"Nice move. I'm glad we're alone." I turn to her and grin.

"Me too. I've thought about you all evening." I lift my hand to her cheek and allow it to slowly travel down her face, neck, chest, finally resting on her waist. "That dress... Damn, Trinket." She looks up at me through her eyelashes.

"So you like it then?" She raises an eyebrow and smirks at me. I respond by pulling her closer to me and kissing her hungrily. She lets out something in between a moan and a sigh as she crushes her body against mine, her hands reaching up to rake through my hair. I smile into the kiss. She's always loved my hair, for some reason I'll never understand. Every time we kiss, every time we make love, her hands will at some point tangle themselves in my hair. It feels nice. She's even made me fall asleep a few times by gently running her fingers through my hair. She always giggles, ecstatic at how easy it is. It's adorable, really. She was so proud when she figured out that she'd found something that puts me to sleep.

We break apart, gasping for air, but I keep her close. I lean my forehead against hers and lean our heads so that our noses are touching. She smiles up at me. She's breathtaking. She closes her eyes and takes a deep breath. I grin at the sight of her trying so desperately to control herself.

"I've been waiting for you to do that all evening, Mr Abernathy." I chuckle and give her a light peck on the lips.

"I've wanted to do that all evening, Miss Trinket." I kiss her again, another light kiss, but this time she returns it. It's soft and delicate, but somehow feels more intimate than any other.

"Don't think I didn't notice you staring at my chest earlier, by the way." She smiles, and her eyes show amusement.

I chuckle. "I was simply... admiring your perfect body"

She shakes her head lightly and presses a light kiss to my lips. "Sure."

I shush her by kissing her again. Like before, it's slow and soft and intimate. I hear her whimper a little, and I wonder if she's feeling the same fluttering sensation that I am. I know now that we can never go back to how we were before. I've admitted my feelings to myself, and later on I will do the same to her. I know she feels the same way. How could she not, after everything we've been through together? Screw it. Later, I'm opening up to her completely. If she rejects me... Well, the country will be at war in just over a week, so I'll be able to keep myself busy and worry about heartbreak after.

She pulls away from me gently, straightening her dress and fixing her slightly smudged make-up in the mirrored door. "Enough, for now. We're about there."

I groan. She's right. The display says we've just reached the 11th floor.

"Okay, but later on... you're mine." She smirks and turns to me, having finished fixing herself up. She reaches up with her tiny, delicate hand to cup my cheek and her thumb gently wipes a smear of lipstick off my lips. I kiss her thumb gently. She withdraws her hand less than a second before the elevator comes to a stop at the 12th floor.

"Perhaps." The doors open with a ding and she turns to walk out, grinning. I follow, unable to wipe the smile off my face.

My God, I love that woman.

A/N: So... it's 5:06am here in England. I've been writing this since late evening - probably around 10pm ish. Had to keep stopping, so it's been on and off, but I stayed up to finish it. Sorry for any mistakes. Please note the time I am writing this right now and forgive me. :) I think I got carried away. The word count is more than double Part 1. Sorry. Hope you liked it though. Let me know what you think? Keep an eye out for part 3 sometime later today, but now it's sunrise, and I must sleep.