A/N: Hello again. I'd like to thank everyone who has reviewed so far. It means a lot. So.. I was re-reading Catching Fire and decided to tackle the infamous question - "What happened in the elevator? ;)" Well, here's my version of what happened BEFORE the elevator, IN the elevator, and AFTER the elevator :P It's in 3 parts, so you'll just have to be patient until I feel like treating you to the next bit.. unless of course no one wants it, in which case I'll keep it AAALLL to myself! :P I'm willing to update part 2 and maybe even 3 tomorrow, but you'll all have to be extra nice and sweet talk me into it. I plan to earn the M Rating for this story, let's put it that way. Enjoy Part 1. :)

-Ellie.

"Haymitch and Effie join us, looking pleased about something." - Part 1
Before the Tribute Parade.

I glance up at the clock before taking another pathetic sip from my glass. Effie freaked out at me after finding me with a few bottles on the train, so she's ordered me to slow down. Honestly, I don't know who that damn woman thinks she is. We screw around a few times and suddenly she's acting like my damn wife. As far as I'm concerned, I only said I'd stay sober during training. Now I know I won't be going back into the arena, my rule from last year applies. I'll stay sober enough to keep them alive. I have to watch what I drink anyway, considering that we now have just over a week before the rebel plan is put into action. I have to keep them alive until then and be sober enough to fight and get them the hell out of there, as well as everyone else who is a part of the rebellion. Unfortunately for me, that's quite a few of those in the arena and some here in the Capitol, and I know I can't save everyone. I've prioritized a few in my head. Katniss is essential. If we get no one else, we need her. She's first. Next up, Beetee, who is essential for communications and electronics. After those, it's a case of potluck.

I snap out of my planning when I hear the sound Effie's insanely high heels approaching down the hall.

"Well finally! Damn it woman, I thought we were going to miss the start. You of all people should know how important timing is. How can it take so damn long to get ready?" I hear her before I see her.

"Oh Haymitch, beauty takes time. I have to look my best for the Capitol!"

She rounds the corner and I almost choke on my drink. She's stunning. I allow my eyes to freely roam up and down her body. She's wearing a dress that's fitted to her upper body, but flares out at the waist, hugging her curves at her hips before falling loosely around her knees. At the very bottom of the dress, it's a deep, vibrant pink that gradually fades up the dress into lighter shades until the shoulders of the dress are such a soft pink they're almost white. The rich golden neckline plunges into a deep V, showing off just the right amount of her womanly features. Below the neckline are 3 large, golden buttons, obviously responsible for keeping the dress fastened. At the waist there is a wide, golden band, which is home to a rather oversized bow on the left – so typically Capitol. The dress falls to around her knees, and on her feet she wears the ridiculously high golden heels she's obsessed with. They may be insanely high, but the extra height emphasizes her long, slender legs. The dress makes her body look fantastic, and I find myself undressing her with my eyes for longer than I probably should. My eyes drift back up to the deep neckline and stay there for what I'm sure she feels is way too long.

She clears her throat and I quickly snap my eyes back up from her chest to her face. I'm a little disappointed when I find that she's wearing her usual Capitol mask, complete with the golden wig, but her excessive make-up can't hide the slight redness on her face that only just sneaks through. She stares at me with one eyebrow raised, a slight smirk on her lips and one hand on her hip. I find my eyes fixed on where her hand rests on the perfect curve of her hips.

I wish my hands were on your hips… or thighs… or waist… or that perfect a-

"Mr Abernathy." I jump at the sudden sound of her voice. Yet again, I fix my eyes on hers, but I can only reply with a slight "Hmm?"

"If you've quite finished rudely staring at me... I believe our tributes are about to be revealed to the nation." She smirks at me again as I nod and quickly stand up to walk over to her. She looks up at me, and everything about the way she stands screams confidence and seduction. She knows she looks good, and she knows that I like it. "So… I take it you like my dress, Haymitch?" She talks to me in the voice she reserves for whenever we aren't in public or company. It's her normal voice, lacking her usual annoying screech she puts on in public or for the tributes. When she's with me, she's far from Capitol Effie. I am one of few people to see her as simply Effie. The way her Capitol accent sounds without the screech is actually quite sexy, which shocked me at first. The way she purrs my name when she's being playful or flirty never fails to turn me on. I never would have expected to find this damn woman even remotely attractive, but here we are. After all these years, I now find it possible to see through the mask and the shrill voice and just find my Effie.

No. Not "my Effie", just the REAL Effie. She's not mine. I don't want her like that.

Who are you trying to kid? Of course you do! Just take her, Haymitch!

"Haymitch?"

"Uh… I… Urm… Y-You look…" Why the fuck am I nervous? Pull yourself together, man! "You look amazing, sweetheart. But you already know that don't you?" I smirk at her and place my hands lightly on her waist, leaning in so our lips are just inches apart. She knows exactly what she's doing with all of these seduction tactics. We've played this game many times before.

She lets out a light chuckle.

"Maybe." I slide my hands further around her waist and pull her closer. She lightly scrapes her nails down the front of my shirt. "Or maybe… I know you just won't be able to resist me no matter what I'm wearing."

"Is that so?" I lean in to kiss her, but within less than a second she's gone. I stand there, stunned as she marches towards the door, grinning to herself.

"Come now, Mr Abernathy. We wouldn't want to be late to the tribute parade."

She looks back at me and smirks before firmly pressing the button to the elevator. I follow her, grinning and shaking my head in disbelief. As I reach her, the loud ding! signals that the elevator has arrived. The doors open, and I grin at her and gesture with my hand.

"After you, Miss Trinket."

She smirks seductively and sways her hips as she walks past me, lightly scraping her nails across my chest as she goes.

"Why thank you, Mr Abernathy."

Oh, you just wait, Effie Trinket. The things I'm gonna do to you later.

A/N: Don't hate me too much for the cliffhanger style ending. Later will happen, I promise. Patience is a virtue, my friends.

If either seem OOC, I apologize, but you have to remember that these short stories time-jump each other. They're not in any particular order. In this one, they happen to have been together a few times already, so I imagine that being alone in the penthouse would cause them to act differently/more openly. Just thought I'd explain that. Also, I bet that behind closed doors Effie's not so prim and proper, if you know what I mean ;) I bet Haymitch brings out the little rebel in her. :P

One more thing. I think I described the dress quite well, but it's one I designed myself. I couldn't find the perfect one online so I just drew one. If anyone wants to see that, I can post it somehow on my profile or something. Let me know.

Thanks for reading. Sorry for any mistakes. It's 3am here in England and I'm uploading this just for the lovely FF readers. You can all have an imaginary cookie. :)