That evening, Haymitch returned to his room after dinner. He was only there about ten minutes when there was a soft knock.

In his pajamas, he opened the door to see –

"Effie," he said in surprise, but she was already slipping under his arm and into the room.

"For heavens' sake, close the door!" she whispered hurriedly. "Someone will see."

He did as he was told and turned to face the girl he'd been thinking about all day.

"I've been looking for you since I woke up," he said, and she smiled.

"I know," she replied, and he laughed somewhat embarrassedly. "Don't apologize," she said quickly when he opened his mouth. "I was looking for you, too. I'm – I am sorry about last night. I wasn't very polite."

"No, I – I didn't realize –"

"I just got nervous," she said quickly. "I like you, Haymitch, I really do, but – you must hate me."

"Quite the contrary, princess."

"But I'm – I'm from the Capitol! I'm worried about being seen with you because of what my mother and her friends will think! I'm worried about my social status! How much more spoiled can I get?"

Haymitch could hardly believe what he was hearing. "No, no, see, that's what makes you different," he said, moving closer. "You know. Most of them, they just…go along with it. They accept that that theirs is the only way and they don't ask questions. You're smart, Effie. It's not your fault you were born and raised here. It's their fault that they gave you shitty values."

She smiled at this. "I always want to do something about it, but I don't know what there is to be done."

Haymitch scratched the back of his neck. "You could…help a tribute?"

Effie laughed, and then she turned to look around his room. "Do you what will happen if I get caught in here?" she asked more seriously.

"Snow will chop off your head?"

"I'm serious!"

"So am I."

"Shut up. No, I would just lose any chance of ever being anything. Or anyone."

"And you risked all that to be with me?" Haymitch moved closer.

Effie looked up at him. "You're worth it."

"Are you just saying that because I might die tomorrow?"

"Haymitch, don't joke about it."

"I might only have twenty-four hours left live, I get to do…" He whispered, brushing her blonde hair behind her ear, "what I want."

"You can't think that way."

"Don't tell me you want me to win," he said softly, one hand drifting to her waist, the other finding hers, fingers intertwining.

Effie took the hint and placed a delicate hand on his shoulder, and they danced to the silence and the time that was ticking slowly away.

Her hair was still blonde; her eyes were bluer than he remembered, her voice softer, and her laugh easier as he whispered in her ear about all of the places he would go with her if only they had the time.

IT WAS LATE when they finally stopped dancing and Haymitch simply held her to him, relieved to have another person in the room with him. He couldn't imagine going through this night alone.

"I don't want this to end," Effie murmured.

"Then stay with me," said Haymitch into her shoulder.

"People will talk if I'm out all night…."

"Let them talk," he said, kissing her jawbone, "I need you to stay."

"I shouldn't," she said quietly, but it was half-hearted, he could tell.

"Please," said Haymitch, kissing her hand and meeting her gaze, and he knew she would.

Like their victors would years later, Haymitch and Effie stayed together that night to help one another sleep. He woke with his arm curled around her protectively, watching with dread as the clock ticked toward 6:00 A.M.

"Wake up, princess," he murmured, and she shifted.

"What time is it?"

"Time for you to go, if you don't want to get in trouble."

"And time for you to get ready," she breathed.

Moments later, Haymitch was peering out his door into an empty hallway. "Go," he whispered, but instead Effie flung herself at him, and he caught her, returning her embrace, but he reminded her, laughing, "You have to go."

Her blue eyes were wide. "Good luck."

"Thanks, love. I'll need it."

She stood on tiptoe to kiss his lips once, briefly, enough. It was time.

"You're going to win," she told him firmly.

"I'm going to try. Any advice?"

Effie nodded, and the panic in her eyes was real. "Stay alive."