Back for more? Good, here's the next chapter.

Haymitch answered the door of his house with his usual,

"Whaddya want?" He looked at his visitor, and even though his face was still grumpy, there was a twinkle in his eyes. "It ain't reaping day, Trinket." Effie pretended to be annoyed, but she really wasn't. It was all part of the show,

"Manners, Mr. Abernathy! It's tour day! Now, let me in, we have a big, big, big day ahead of us." She pushed him back into the house, as she closed the door behind them. Effie took a deep breath, letting her upset show for the first time in days, since she'd heard the news. Haymitch noticed, and gently took her arm.

"What's wrong, sweetheart?"

"Seneca's dead." She stopped for minute, breathing heavily as she tried her best to keep control. While her and Seneca had only dated because it was a good cover for both of them, he'd still been a friend. A friend since childhood. Haymitch's eyes went wide, this was bad.

"How?"

"The papers said suicide, but we know better. Snow killed him, for letting Katniss and Peeta live." He pulled Effie to him, embracing her tenderly. She sniffed a few times, determined not to cry. She'd done enough of that in private before leaving.

"But, we have that tour. And you are not leaving the house in that." Haymitch rolled his eyes, but Effie had a point. Even though he didn't want to go, there would be nothing but trouble if he skipped the tour. And they didn't need it. Not with everything they had planned.

Eventually, after much aggravation, Effie managed to get everyone on board the train. The less said about that, the better. The tour went relatively well, aside from the issues in eleven, but Effie could read between the lines. She could tell that Snow was not pleased. Haymitch had told her about Snow visiting Katniss, and the thought made her shudder.

The time just dragged on between the Tour and the unveiling of Katniss's wedding dresses. Effie wasn't that eager to see them or vote on them. She had a gut feeling that the young victor would never get to wear them for real. But she had to feign excitement, for all her friends and for the public in general.

The night of the voting, Effie joined Portia at Cinna's apartment. With the two stylists, she didn't have to fake her feelings on things. And Cinna's place was not bugged, which was a relief. They watched in silence, and then came the moment they were all dreading. The quarter quell announcement. It was looming up on them, and even knowing their plans, was not a comfort.

When the little boy handed Snow the envelope, Effie closed her eyes, and felt Cinna and Portia each take one of her hands. As they realized the ramifications of the quarter quell, all three looked around in horror. Effie could only think of one thing, Haymitch could end up back in the arena. And the thought of Katniss definitely going back in was heartbreaking. She had no idea what this would do to their plans, but right at that moment, she didn't care. She stood up,

"I have to see him." Cinna and Portia got up as well.

"I know, but you can't. If you went down there right now . . . You know there'd be trouble." Cinna was right. Unfortunately, she had to stay. "Give it a few more months. Then when the reaping is closer, find an excuse." Effie nodded. It was good that she had Portia and Cinna with her right now. Or she might have gotten them all in serious trouble.

The next two months went by excruciatingly slow for Effie. She'd had no contact with Haymitch at all. Then, finally, opportunity, in the form of Finnick's giant capitol birthday bash. Haymitch came, with Katniss and Peeta in tow to celebrate. It was odd, seeing Haymitch at a party and not drinking at all. But, all he had to do was to point at his two chaperones. Peeta was keeping a really good eye on Haymitch. It took a little maneuvering, but Effie managed to steal Haymitch away for a little while.

They snuck away to a quiet room, and then, Effie was in his arms as soon as the door closed and locked behind them. Holding each other leads to gentle caresses, this ends up with Effie's wig tossed on the floor and clothes not far behind. There was no talking. Muffled moans, sighs and whimpers were the only sounds coming out of the room.

Meanwhile, Peeta had noticed that Haymitch had disappeared. A flash of annoyance crossed his face briefly, and he went to seek out the errant drunkard. He was expecting to find the mentor taking a drink on the sly, while Katniss and Peeta had been distracted by meeting the other victors who'd come for the party. As Peeta walked by a doorway, he heard Haymitch moan softly, and the soft whimpers of a woman. They were not sounds of pain, Peeta was sure of that. The house he'd grown up in was not that big, and he and his brothers had heard sounds like that from time to time.

A few minutes later, Peeta heard the door lock. He realized it would look like he was trying to eavesdrop on Haymitch and his mystery girlfriend. He ducked down a nearby hall, not wanting to be caught but incredibly curious. What he saw next was unbelievable. Effie Trinket walked out of the room, and headed back to the party. Peeta looked down at the drink he was holding. Maybe Finnick had slipped something extra in it.

Haymitch stepped out of the room a few minutes later, feeling well sated. It wouldn't be until he got home when he realized something. Something important they'd both forgotten, in the heat of the moment.

And that's chapter six. Reviews appreciated.