Haymitch wheeled in the stroller beside his chosen seat. The dark landscape flashed by out the window which is the only signal that the train is moving. When he got to the house, Delly managed to put them to sleep. So as not to disturb their sleep, she provided a two seat stroller she had unharmed from the war and found some clothes that used to belong to her and her brother. Delly gladly prepared all the things they would need and didn't even ask for repayment. She even accompanied them to the train. Now, he slumped down his seat. Their weariness was convenient to him. He didn't have to worry about the whole drinking in front of the kids. He dumped his own bag beside him, unzipped it and pulled out a three-quarter full bottle of booze. He popped the cork open and took a huge swig from his bottle.

"Mmm…"

He turned his head to the side and saw Peeta shifting his position. He stared at the boy's blonde hair. He had the same shade as Peeta. His facial features, from the face shape to the bridge of his nose, resemble Peeta greatly. He wondered why they needed a test when they looked accurately like just younger versions of Katniss and Peeta and when they had witnesses when Gale transformed. His shoulders shrugged. He's just following orders and maybe he needs to get out once in a while to get some fresh air (away from his garbage chute house).

"Mrrmm…"

His eyes trailed to Katniss. She turned to face Peeta and saw their hands touch. Haymitch's lips curled into what was supposed to be a smile, but ended up being a smirk. The peaceful look on Katniss face made him slightly jealous. He wished it was him who got turned into a six year old with the trauma brought by the Games wiped out. Even if he knew that they should be turned back, he secretly hoped that they wouldn't. These two would get a chance to relive their lives in this new world without worry and fear. They'll live normal lives. They would sleep soundly in their beds without cry-.

Sniff, sniff

Peeta's blue eyes widened with fear. Suddenly, Haymitch felt panic. How is he going to deal with two crying kids? And he just realized that they have no idea that he's taking them to the Capitol.

"Peeta, let me just explain,"

"Mr. Haymitch?"

Haymitch rolled his eyes. "Oh no, sweetheart, I'm the boogeyman,"

Peeta looked like he was about to faint.

"N-no, no, no, Peeta. It's really me, Haymitch."

Peeta still gave him a fearful and doubtful look. Note to self. Six year olds DO NOT get sarcasm, he thought.

"I'm sorry, Peeta,"

"Where's Delly? Where are we?" he asked.

"We're in the train to the Capitol, sweetheart. We're going to see the doctor,"

Peeta's mouth opened as if to speak his discomfort but closed it again. Haymitch sensed this and tried to reassure him.

"Look, it'll be fine sweetie. Get some sleep and you'll realize the hospital isn't scary at all,"

Peeta shook his head. "I don't wanna go to sleep,"

"Why is that?" he snarled.

Peeta looked towards Katniss and then down and then back at Haymitch.

"Well? Explain yourself," Haymitch commanded.

"Katniss made my bed wet,"

Haymitch's eyes grew wide and immediately unbuckled Peeta. He settled him down beside the stroller and told him to behave. The two seats were connected and he could see that it was Katniss, indeed, who had made the accident. The pee just leaked to Peeta's side.

"Just great," he muttered.

Haymitch blinked rapidly at the situation. Okay, come on, Haymitch. Just change her clothes I guess. He rummaged through the back compartment of the stroller where all the items needed were placed and grabbed a tiny shirt and pajamas fit for the girl's size. He also took another set of similar clothing for Peeta. Then, he turned to Katniss and scratched his head. How was he going to change Katniss without interrupting her sleep? But the brainstorming lasted barely a few seconds because Katniss seemed to feel the wetness of her bed, too.

"Good morning, sweetheart,"

Haymitch probably sounded sarcastic (which meant scary to six-year-olds) again because Katniss was on the verge of tears.

"N—n-no..."

Too late. She was crying, and Katniss cried like a banshee. He tried to reassure her with words but it didn't help. Then, he did the next thing that came in his mind, carry Katniss and pat her back like most parents he saw do. As he picked her up, the smell of urine stung his nostrils, but it wasn't bad. After all, Haymitch had been swimming in his vomit for most of his life and these two witnessed it, so a little kid's pee isn't much.

"Uncle Hobo. I had a nightmare, and then I got so scared I think I might've wet myself,"

Haymitch didn't want to press further on her nightmare. Instead, he just hugged her for comfort.

"There, there. I wouldn't let anything happen to you. Now, come on. Let's go change your clothes,"

He looked at Peeta who was just staring at them. He looked like he wanted a hug, too. So, after hanging the change of clothes on his shoulder, he held Katniss in one arm and carried Peeta in the other. They all headed to the bathroom where he changed them both. Katniss didn't feel comfortable being the boy's bathroom. So, she strongly insisted she change in a bathroom stall by herself while Haymitch changed Peeta. Haymitch was probably returning the favor for Peeta helping him clean up while he was in one of his vomit swimming moments when they first met in a train. After they were done, they headed back to their seats. Since Haymitch couldn't put them in the stroller, he just sat them beside him, one on both sides. But as soon as Haymitch put down Katniss, she bounced up and down.

"Where are we going? Where are we going? Where are we going?..." she repeated the question as she bounced.

"The Capitol. Too see a doctor," Haymitch answered hoping it would stop Katniss bouncing, but it didn't she kept bouncing still.

"Why? Why? Why?..."

"Because you have to,"

"WHY?!"

Katniss had stopped bouncing but her persistence is annoying Haymitch.

"Why don't you get some sleep and I'll tell you in the morning?"

"Nah," Katniss defied. "I wanna play,"

With that, she jumped down her seat and started running around the train cart.

"Hey! Get back here! KATNISS,"

He told Peeta to stay there and behave. Peeta nodded. He was more of a six-year-old, maybe just slightly mature for his age but Katniss was like a beast released after years of being locked up or in short- a three-year-old. Despite being young, Katniss was really fast and Haymitch hadn't had this much exercise since the Peeta's 'Career' training before the Third Quarter Quell and that was a long time ago. So, running around a train cart exhausted him. His age and drinking problem didn't help either. Even in the war he mostly just relied on his brains. Brains!, he exclaimed in his mind. He had to think of a plan.

"Katniss…" he cooed. While he was lost in his thoughts, Katniss had decided to hide. "Katniss, where are you?" He heard giggling. Okay, maybe this didn't even require much thinking and just play along for a while. "Katniss?" The giggles again and it came from under a draped table just across our seat. He tiptoed over to the table and clutched the bottom of the sheets. The giggles were definitely there. One, two, three. He opened the sheets and roared. Katniss shrieked. As far as he knew, children loved playing this game. Usually after the scream was laughter, but there was no laughter-only whimpering. The look of terror on Katniss' face was terrifying itself. Katniss seemed to mutter something inaudible at first but after closer inspection, she could be understood.

"Mutts. Don't kill me,"

Haymitch got her from out of the table and placed her next to Peeta. She was shivering and both of them tried to calm her.

"I'm sorry. I didn't know I would scare you," Haymitch felt responsible for scaring her. He might've triggered memories- memories most kids their current age couldn't handle and he didn't want that.

Katniss remained quiet except for her sniffling. Tears fell from her eyes but she didn't cry loudly. Haymitch wished she did now. At least it meant she was only a child and not traumatized. Peeta was hugging her like a good friend he was. Katniss hugged him back to. They both still have that bond that they shared, when they both took comfort with each other when they had nightmares. Haymitch never understood that seeing as he didn't have anyone else after his family and girlfriend were all killed by the Capitol.

Eventually, Katniss and Peeta fell asleep. They weren't hugging but their heads were leaning against each other. They used Haymitch's lap as a pillow so he couldn't really move and he couldn't get a drink. Instead, he just fought to stay awake the whole trip. He'd done this before. It's not pleasant but it'll have to do- Better than waking the kids up to my screaming when I dream of them in this form being chased by mutts in the arena.

Morning came and Haymitch got around thirty minutes of sleep. It was more of a nap. Katniss and Peeta woke up to the train announcing their arrival. So to avoid Katniss being hyperactive and possibly getting lost, Haymitch managed to convince them to get in the stroller. When he said that it was dry, they didn't believe him, so, he covered it with thick cloth. He pushed the stroller past some carts and then down the open door. Nobody travelled much since nobody's used to it even if travelling to other districts was now allowed but it was hard to find the bubbly escort. She couldn't find a puffball wig anywhere. Then, a lady that was obviously Capitol yet just slightly more normal-looking (just not as much normal as Cinna) waved and approached them. She wasn't far, so, Haymitch studied her. Raven black hair, light brown eyes, had light make-up and a simple but brightly colored sundress. Normal compared to the usual Capitol standards. She seemed familiar but he couldn't point out, until she spoke.

"Haymitch,"

"Princess," he smirked.

But underneath the smug look, inside he was taken aback by Effie's natural beauty. He'd seen her without the Capitol junk once, but that was when she was in the hospital after they had saved her and she looked horribly thin, pale and sickly. But now, she was breathtaking. Haymitch always found her fun to annoy and after years of working together, he'll admit they did share this sort of friendship which runs on arguments and teasing and in the end, he knew he cared for her. But right now, he felt butterflies seeing a new side of her. Not just the looks but the way she looked at him is like she's genuinely happy to see him-like she really missed him.

"Ew, Peeta! Are they going to start kissing in front of us or something?"

This snapped both of them back to reality. For the first time, Haymitch actually agreed with Effie about manners. They shot Katniss a 'That-is-just-rude-glare'.

A/N: Sorry for the long update. I was busy. I don't know if I can finish the thing by 2014. XD Yeah, that last part after the train ride could probably wait until the next chapter but I felt like I needed to include it or else my feels will explode. My Hayffie feels. XD I just loved how Katniss ruined their staring moment by asking Peeta if they're going to make out. Actually, while they were staring off space, Katniss asked Peeta why they looked at each other funny and Peeta said maybe they like-like eachother or something and that's when Katniss says the line. XD I think though that their staring was something between admiration and developing crush. XD As fangirly as I can get, I'm kinda 'bookish'. Hope you enjoyed the chapter. :3 Thanks for reading.

~pinkish-red hearts