Oddly short chapter today ... I didn't realize until the wordcount came up - but it's more of a filler chapter really so I suppose that's okay.

As I always say - thank you guys so much for your reviews and visits and favorites and all that wonderful stuff! You guys rock! Lots of love!


Effie finally rid herself of her obnoxious nails for the time being. She was free now to bite her nails to stumps, if it would help her calm down. She would just wear gloves so no one would ask.

"How long has he been gone?" Cinna asked, finding a moment to pull Effie aside in Headquarters.

"He said he'd call when he got back to the penthouse. Which hasn't happened yet. He's probably still waiting."

"There hasn't been any major changes on the screen yet."

"They're probably still deciding what to do."

Cinna agreed. He let Effie get back to work with the sponsors.

Effie continued to go through the motions until the room was suddenly hushed and Claudius Templesmith's voice echoed through the room.

There had been a rule change.

"But will they really let two win?" Effie asked, letting Haymitch pour her a glass of wine.

"That's not what we have to worry about," answered Haymitch. "Katniss is alive because of Peeta. Because of a fake love story that she better damn well go along with."

"She's eager to find Peeta," said Cinna. "And she will."

"That speaks for itself in some ways," said Effie. "I can work with it."

"Yeah, but it'll matter what happens when she does find him," said Haymitch.

"She's smart," said Cinna. "And … if not, give her a nudge."

"Oh, don't suggest that," Effie said. "Haymitch giving hints won't be subtle."

"He's the one who controls the sponsors in the end."

Effie sipped her wine and glanced at Haymitch. "Just - let's try not to let them be on the brink of death."

"Makes for a better story. But come on - we're living another day - clink glasses - all of us. Come on!"


"What did you say to Seneca?" Effie asked after Cinna had left and midnight was ticking past. "You were gone for most of the day."

"I was waiting most of the day," said Haymitch, struggling with the buttons on his vest.

Effie sighed and stepped in to help him. He didn't fight it.

"And?"

"I … I just tried to convince him to make a story."

"A story? I know Seneca -"

"I may have used … some stuff you said."

"Oh?"

"Hope."

"Ah."

"And then the rest was me."

"And what was that?"

Haymitch shrugged off his vest. "Young love. How's that sound?"

"Like a disaster waiting to happen. But Cinna's right. Katniss will catch on. And … if she doesn't. We'll discuss -"

"Oh, I already have ideas."

"I'm sure you do." Effie picked up the vest he had just tossed on the ground and folded it.

"You know - the man may be on our side."

"Cinna? Of course he is. He made that quite clear -"

"Crane. Obviously Cinna is. But Crane … telling you where to meet him? Then the rule change? You know only he has the leverage to make a call like that - or influence the people who do."

"You didn't tell him -"

"I only told him what he needed to know. I didn't tell him about how Katniss really feels. Or how you are. Or any of the things we've discussed … or that have … happened."

"Good," Effie said. "Because even if he does think like us, even if he is on our side, he is higher up on the chain and therefore in a more dangerous position. Not to us - but to himself."

"Protecting him?" Haymitch asked.

"Concerned." Effie corrected. She stood on her toes and kissed his cheek. He reeked of alcohol - more than just wine - but Effie tried to put it out of her mind. They needed to work together and starting a fight with Haymitch was not the way to go.

"That all I get?" he asked. "For what I pulled?"

Effie shook her head and kissed his lips softly. "Good job. Again."

Haymitch smiled and pinched her backside. "I like that 'again' part."


The next morning, Effie delayed going to Headquarters to watch Katniss' search for Peeta. She and Haymitch agreed that, if she waited, the more antsy potential sponsors may get - especially when the Capitol was watching the star-crossed lover search themselves.

"Are you sure she'll find him in time?"

"In time for what?" asked Haymitch.

"Peeta's hurt."

"She'll find him."

"Will you send him medicine?"

Haymitch shrugged. "If he needs it."

Effie turned back to the screen. She knew he wouldn't send medicine.

And it was because they both knew that - even with the rule change - still only one would come out.

It was all a ploy.

It had to be.