Cinna placed his hand over Haymitchs.

'You're shaking...'

He pulled away

'Whats taking them so long? They said there was no major damage, they said she'd come too soon. What's going on in there?'

Cinna sighed

'I guess they're just taking extra precaution. You know how fragile she is.'

'Yeah...'

Haymitch stopped tapping his foot and took a deep breath. 'Sorry, I'm just...im-'

'I know...' Cinna gave him a knowing smile 'she'll be ok'

'What...do you know?' Haymitch asked suddenly very intrigued at Cinnas smile

'We gonna do this here? Now?' Cinna quizzed

'Do what?' Haymitch shrugged innocently and leaned forward resting his elbows on his thighs

'Talk about your feelings?' Continued Cinna

'I don't do feelings' Haymitch laughed and sat back again folding his arms defensively

'Oh come of it Haymitch. I saw you today. I saw the look in your eyes when we found her. Like you thought for a split second that she could be dead. It terrified you'

'Of course it did...it...she...no one wants to walk in on...no one wants to see a friend hurt...course I was...'

Haymitch wanted to protest but he didn't have the energy. Any one else trying to pry into his thoughts like this he'd have punched them in the face by now. But Cinna was a good guy. He could trust him not to judge.
Before he could speak again, Cinna continued

'It terrified me too. I know Effie's not everyone's cup of tea but...that girl...she means a lot to me. I wouldn't...I don't think I'd be here without her, she's like air. A breath of fresh air in this dirty old city. I love her. She's my best friend. She once risked her whole career for me you know?'

He didn't know. Haymitch furrowed his brow and asked him to continue

'I wouldn't have though she'd have told you the story, No offence' Cinna laughed

'Non taken'

'Its just-' He began 'She never felt you trusted her. So she'd come to me instead. That's all she's ever wanted you know. For you to trust her. See her as an ally not an enemy'

'I don't see her as an en-'

'You do Haymitch. You always have done. That's why your so scared right now. Your scared of admitting that for all these years you could have been wrong about her...'

Haymitch shifted uncomfortably in his seat. He didn't like being told he was wrong but Cinna had a point. Haymitch had been a real bastard to Effie over the years and when he thinks about it, she's never ever really given him a reason to be. He made his own reasons. Because she's from the Capitol, because she supports the games, because she dresses a certain way...

It's not her fault.

She was born into this but she was trying to find away out. Through him.

He thought that all the time they had spent together she had tried to make him feel miserable but...was she just trying to make herself happy?

'You said she risked her career for you?'

Cinna laughed lightly

'Yeah, Effie tough nut Trinket I used to call her. Before we met I used to own my own clothing stall down in the markets outside the main city. Years ago now but, I was starting out and I was as controversial as ever'

Haymitch sniggered

'People in the city hated my designs, they said that I was trying too hard to be different, going against the Capitol with the use of fashion. But back then, I was trying to make a difference to people's lives not their laws, the poorer folk wore my stuff because it was affordable then, not because they wanted to rebel against the city folk. When the richer capitols realised the poor were able to blend in with them I was accused of trying to cause an uprising!'

Haymitch couldn't help but laugh again

'I know. Ridiculous right? But they wanted their power back, so they stirred things up and I was put to trial infront of Snow.'

Haymitch faced him confused

'Wait...were you the one they called 'devil in design?'

Cinna held his hands up

'The very same! The trial was a farce, they had it televised, I'm shocked you never saw?'

Haymitch shook his head

'Never watch the damn TV unless I have to'

Cinna rolled his eyes and smiled

'Well it made great viewing, Snow was getting bored with me I think but he needed to please everyone, I was sure he was about the pass the hanging sentence when in she walked' he let out a sigh at the memory

'Effie Tough Nut Trinket and her crew wearing half of my collection. The councilors went mad but Ef stood her ground. She said 'This man is a fashion god, his designs reflect not what Panem should be but what it could be' and then she pleaded to have them release me so she could have me on her style team, Well...who would dare disappoint the queen of Capitol fashion right? Snow couldn't risk disappointing televisions brightest personality live on air so he let me go and...well...we've been inseparable ever since.'

Haymitch rubbed his jaw 'I wouldn't have thought the councilors would have been so leniant on a simple escort from 12?'

Cinna laughed an slapped his shoulder

'You know what Haymith, you should do your research. Simple escort from 12? Ha! The woman was a fashion icon! This was before she worked in 12. Maybe that's why you never knew. She worked in the city mainly she didn't escort, she just advised. Snow would employ her to work with whomever he thought would be the winning district that year, she stayed behind the scenes really, kind of like a masked crusader.!'

'What?'

'Seruously! Districts used to fight over her, they thought she was lucky charm. She used to model in her spare time too when she was a little younger, she dated film stars, billionaires, hosted parties, events...then little old me came along and well...let's just say the councilors weren't THAT lenient'

'Oh?'

'After the trial was over and the cameras were off Snow was furious with her. She was given a choice. Leave the court and never mention my name again or she would be punished for her little stunt and get shipped off to escort for 12'

'And she just...what? Gave it all up? Just like that? For a man she barely knew because he made good couture'

'She's smart Haymitch. She's adaptable to change unlike anyone else I know. She can sense the good in people and I guess her choice was an easy one. And here we are. Team 12. Held together by the wonder that is that woman'

Cinnas smile suddenly faded

'I don't know what would become of us Haynitch, if she wasn't here. She saw the good in you too you know'

'I doubt that'

'Well don't. There's been plenty of opportunitys for her to get back into a richer district. The people still want her. But something keeps her loyalty to 12 and it ain't the citizens or the squirrel stew...'

He nudged Haymitch

'She wouldn't stay on at 12 for me Cinna don't be a fool.'

'Ok, ok. Maybe I'm wrong, maybe she adores squirrel. But...maybe, just maybe she found something more appealing to her at 12 than she ever did anywhere else'

'Oh yeah and what would that be?'

Cinna eyed him carefully. He didn't really know himself. He'd always asked Efffie the same question about what had kept her in 12 and all she used to say is 'we're a team, you don't abandon your team' but she'd had many teams and groups of friends so it always made him wonder. Sure 12 had been her first ever time as a fully fledged escort but every year she'd been offered the same role and more at better districts. It baffled him but then, she'd baffled him from day one and continued to baffled him everyday after. He wouldn't have her any other way

'Gentlemen?' A nurse sprung her head out of the door that led to Effie. 'Shes awake, come in.'

I hope my back story on Effie and Cinna and their friendship doesn't offend anyone. I ain't Suzanne Collins I'm just borrowing her babies ;)