Chapter Twenty-Nine

Klaus Adler was fast becoming an obsession. Haymitch had a name but not a face to match and he poured over newspapers especially on articles concerning the rebuilding of Panem and the constructions involved in the hopes that Adler will be featured in one of those articles. Haymitch had no idea what he was doing but he felt like he needed to know the man who has been pining after his wife even before they were married.

His behaviour did not go unnoticed by Effie but she misunderstood the entire situation. The articles he was reading and those she was flipping through right now while Haymitch was distracted are all about acquisition of land and properties.

"Are we moving? We didn't discuss this!" she demanded. "Or are you planning on moving out of this house after the law? So the children and I could never find you! I never thought you'd have the nerve -"

"What?"

"What are these?"

"Those are none of your concern," Haymitch answered, waving his fingers on the papers strewn across the study table. "And I detest those accusations. I've already told you that I know my responsibilities to them."

"But why are you reading them? Are you buying a piece of land for… you know what? I don't even know what you would need with a stretch of land if you're really planning on buying it."

"I don't need it. I'm just reading about them. Did Paylor just passed a law the expressly prohibits me from reading a certain kind of news article?" he asked snidely.

"No…" Effie answered slowly. "It's just… These are the kind of things I expect Elias to be interested in, not you."

Haymitch said nothing except to pry a piece of paper out of her grasp and arrange it back with the others on the table. Giving her a side long glance, he asked casually, "speaking of Elias, do you know any of his partners?"

"That is an odd question."

"You don't then? And you say you're well connected at the Capitol," he pivoted, smirking at her.

Effie frowned. "I don't see what Elias or his partners has got to do with anything. Honestly, Haymitch, you're acting strange. Are you sure you're not ill?"

She pressed the back of her hand to his forehead, checking for his temperature.

"Go away, you bothersome woman. Go occupy yourself with choosing the twin's furniture or nursery or …. Just go and do something else."

XxX

The grass in the backyard needed to be mown, something Effie had been reminding him to do for the past three days, but it was not a task he would burden himself with; not when there are young men in the district looking for an extra source of income. He walked barefooted across the backyard feeling the blades of the grass tickling his skin and the earth beneath his feet. He smiled at the memory of him carrying a barefooted Effie the previous day and leaving her in the middle of the backyard. She had stood very still, frozen to the spot before she screamed helplessly for him to carry her back. So uncomfortable was she with the foreign feeling of grass around her ankles and the soil between her toes that she was unable to move a single step forward.

"It's dirty! Haymitch, there could be worms crawling up my feet!"

"Nah," he shook his head. "You're over reacting. Come on, walk towards the house. Won't kill you, sweetheart."

Effie shook her head.

"Ah, I can take the girl out of the Capitol but I can't take the Capitol out of you," he chuckled, watching her with amusement. "You and all that artificial grass…"

Her eyes narrowed but that was enough a motivation for her to prove him wrong.

She stood on her toes and very quickly, she tiptoed and ran to where he was. Well, as much of a run as a pregnant Effie could accomplish. When she was safely next to him, Effie swatted his arms in annoyance.

"Don't do that again!"

"Didn't kill you, did it?"

When she wasn't working herself to a frenzy worrying about something or the other, or when she wasn't bothering him with her compulsive need to organise and clean everything, Effie was bearable and her company was actually enjoyable. There are moments when she made him forget what it was like to be alone, made him forget how terrible and tragic his life was. She made his life better and each time he felt that way, he squashed it aside, too afraid that if he grew accustomed to thinking that way, the pain he would undoubtedly feel when the law fell apart would tear him to pieces. He had suffered through enough pain to last a life time. He did not need another.

Haymitch tore and tossed the bread distractedly to his geese. His mind was occupied with thoughts of Effie and the fact that he needed to get someone to cut down the grass before Effie gave up on him and mown the damn backyard herself.

"Haymitch," Effie appeared suddenly, looking terribly flustered. "We have visitors."

"Tell them I'm not in."

"I would if it was any other person but it's the President, and I am not sitting through this visit alone!" she hissed at him. "So if it ever crossed your mind to disappear now of all time, I will personally – "

"Paylor? You're saying Paylor is -"

"Do we have any other president in this country?"

Haymitch ignored her snarky remark, a trait she had most definitely picked up from him over the years except with Effie, she was only snarky when there was something bothering her like the unexpected presence of the current leader of Panem.

"Well, well, Plutarch did inform me that you rear geese in your backyard," Paylor's voice floated over to the pair of them. "I had to come and see it for myself."

Paylor smiled at them, walking towards where they were with her two guards bringing up the rear, both whom made a sweeping glance around the perimeter of the Abernathys' house for possible threats.

Haymitch's eyes narrowed a fraction as it flickered from the President to her entourage. He hung the pail of bucket containing the bread on a nail hook, wiped his hands on his pants while ignoring Effie's look of disapproval at how his laziness would leave stains on those pants and strode forward to shake the President's hand.

Paylor shook the proffered hand and peered around the pen to look at his geese.

"I doubt you're here to see my geese," his commented pleasantly though he was not fooling Effie who could hear the underlying tension coating his words. "You could have called I'd tell you the same, you know. This isn't a social visit, either, so it begs the question – why are you here?"

"Haymitch!" Effie said sternly, clearly affronted by how forward he was. "My apologies. I'm very sorry about the way he is behaving! He isn't… He's not a morning person. Surprise visits does not bode well either."

Haymitch nearly laughed at her snide remark and at the way Effie was informing the President of Panem that her visit was indeed a surprise neither of them quite appreciate. An advance warning would not have been remiss, he thought.

President Paylor merely bestowed them with another smile. She seemed to be smiling a lot that Haymitch was surprised her facial muscles were not aching. It must have been a habit from being the centre of the country's attention.

"It's not a problem, don't worry about it. I've been treated worse before. You look well, Mrs. Abernathy. How far along are you?"

"Just over seven months now," Effie replied. "Where are my manners? Please, do come in. Your ah… Your guards, too. Please come in, all of you."

Once inside, Effie excused herself to the kitchen to prepare refreshments for their guests which left Haymitch with the arduous task of making small talks with Paylor. He gestured for her to take a seat before settling himself across from her and as she looked around his house, taking everything in, he took the opportunity to study her.

"This is a nice home you have here," she commented. "Your wife's work, I supposed?"

Haymitch nodded curtly. He bit his tongue to stop himself from running his mouth and risk making a rude remark that might offend her. His thoughts went to the upcoming appeal. It would do no one any favours if he were to ruin their chances by getting on her bad side.

"You're here because…?"

"Pleasantries aside, then?" she asked.

Haymitch shrugged. "No point talking in circles. You're a busy woman. We might as well get straight to point of your visit."

"Very well, you are right, there's a reason I'm here. But before we get into the crux of the matter, I want you to keep in mind that we fought on the same side before this. I was your comrade. I was on the side of the Mockingjay before the country elected me as their president and being the president changes none of that. I was someone else before I was a president of this county and the role I played during the rebellion was not a role I would so easily forget. Although, yes, I do understand that my current position makes it difficult for you to see me as a friend."

Paylor nodded politely as Effie handed her a cup of tea. The look Effie gave him lingered a second too long and he knew she overheard what Paylor had just told him but took her place next to him wordlessly.

"Eileen," Haymitch began. The use of her given name was deliberate; to show her that he had not forgotten their roles in the Rebellion, that a part of him still acknowledged her as his comrade. "I do remember but even you wouldn't let that get in the way of running the country, now would you? That would be terribly unprofessional."

Effie was quick to rest her hand on his thigh, a silent warning for him to be careful with his words.

"No, I wouldn't," the President concurred. "But I am not your enemy."

"Oh dear God, no, of course, you're not our enemy. We've never thought of you as one! Enemy… that is a very strong word," Effie assured her hastily. "You're just doing your job. I can't imagine it being an easy task leading a country just barely recovering from a war. I don't envy you."

Paylor sipped her tea, watching them both over the rim of her cup.

"It is my duty and my obligation to this country that I serve it to the best of my ability," the President said. "This means that nothing escapes my desk. You've been visiting the Districts, Haymitch."

"We just came back from Four if that's what you mean," Haymitch informed her, neatly avoiding the real reason Paylor brought it up.

"Let me rephrase that – you've been visiting the districts with Peeta Mellark for reasons other than leisure."

"It's not exactly a secret operation," Haymitch answered, crossing his legs at the ankles and leaning back against the chair. "I did approach you several months ago imploring you to end the law. You rejected it."

"The Council rejected it," she was quick to correct him. "Within reasons, too. We need the law. I cannot stress this enough. Even I was not granted immunity from it. I never gave marriage or family much thought before but things have change and the way I think have to change with it. Things will continue to change for the better. We need to hold on to that believe that it will."

Haymitch made a guttural noise at the back of his throat. "You're blindsided. You want this law to work out so badly in your favour you're refusing to see the flaw in the system."

"We acknowledge the flaws in the system, Haymitch, and we're constantly trying to rectify it or come up with a solution for it. That medical facility in the Capitol is -"

"Abhorrent," he interrupted.

Paylor pretended not to hear him. "The Department of Social and Family Affairs have recently provided couple and family counselling for the benefit of the people."

"With all due respect, those services should already be in place with or without the law."

President Paylor fixed him with a steely glare and then she exhaled slowly, crossing her legs in front of her. "I'm not here to discuss that. The interviews you've conducted with those people in the districts … I want to know exactly what you plan to do with those clips."

"Ah," his lips quirked in satisfaction now that they have finally gotten to the reason as to why the President had decided to visit. Haymitch took a deep breath, leaning forward with his elbows resting on his knees. He clasped his hands together, his index fingers tracing his upper lips thoughtfully. "Eileen, I have the utmost respect for you and I appreciate you coming all the way to Twelve to personally ask me that question instead of sending one of your Council members. But this is a free country, now, yes?"

Paylor cocked her head to the side and narrowed her eyes at his question. His question held an element of truth and there was no escaping from it. The president nodded and only then did Haymitch continue.

"People deserve to have their voices heard and I don't think your administration will take too kindly to a mob of people gathering somewhere. So we opted for a less hostile way but a way for them to speak their minds nonetheless."

"As long as you're not instigating anything… We cannot afford for the country to rebel again. The financial losses will be astronomical and the loss of life will cripple the entire country"

"I am not but I cannot control what the people think. You're treading on very thin ice. Half of the population are already unhappy with the law and there are far too many social -"

"Haymitch, I've heard all these arguments before and no doubt, I will be hearing them again when the time comes for you to submit your next appeal," she interrupted. "If I'm treading on thin ice, then you are, too. Those interviews are dangerous. An idea is a powerful thing and you're planting ideas in their head. It may rub the wrong way, give them the wrong motivation and if they fight back, Haymitch, if there is a riot, I will personally hold you accountable."

Effie gasped and shot him a worried look. She had no idea what the president would do if that were to happen. Effie began to fidget in her seat, restless and troubled. Those interviews were her idea. She brought it up to Haymitch who orchestrated it with the help of Plutarch and Peeta. If anyone was responsible for instigating anything, it would be her.

Haymitch said nothing about her involvement. The look he gave her warned her to keep her mouth shut but Effie needed to get a word in. She could not let Haymitch take the blame.

"President Paylor -" Effie started but stopped abruptly when the President held up her hand to silence her.

"I understand why Haymitch is doing what he does," she said. "I'm speaking to you now, Haymitch, as your friend. I am asking you to stop before the situation gets out of control. I understand that there are several more districts for you to visit. Don't. Drop it. The Council will not tolerate another unrest. Panem is still recuperating from the previous war. I know that you're not trying to overthrow my Government and every citizen in this country has a right to a freedom of assembly but if this leads to a riot that involves the destruction of property, loss of lives or any form of violence, the Council will go for you first. I implore you to tread carefully. To think of your wife and unborn children; of what would happen to them if you're … not here," she finished, letting the warning and threat hang in the air. "Think of the Mellark family while you're at it because they will not let slide Peeta's involvement, either."

Haymitch could feel Effie's nail digging into his thigh. He could tell how tense she was. He rested his hand on top of hers reassuringly, trying to convey to her that there was nothing for her to worry about.

Haymitch was still staring at the President, his mind actively trying to process what she just informed him when she stood up suddenly and smoothened out the creases on her suit. President Paylor nodded at them and then towards her guards, informing them that she had concluded the business and is ready to leave.

"I hope I've made myself perfectly clear," she said.

Effie stood up and wrung her hands together. She looked at President Paylor with her emotions written plain across her face for the president to read. If Paylor had hoped to instil some fear from her visit, she had succeeded in scaring Effie.

"I understand perfectly. I'll … I'll talk to him. There won't be any trouble. Please don't… Tell the Council that Haymitch won't – "

"Effie," he cut her off. "I've forgotten to switch off the heater in the bathroom. Would you check on that, make sure it doesn't overheat."

Effie knew a dismissal when she heard one. He knew that she did not approve of him sending her away in such a brusque manner but he would deal with her later.

Haymitch walked the president out to the front door. "Thanks for the warning," he muttered out of the corner of his mouth. "There won't be any more interviews."

I don't need anymore, anyway.

"But going after me? Holding me accountable?" he went on.

"Who would I go after then? There's always something or someone setting things off."

"Fair enough."

Haymitch wasn't angry with Paylor. She was doing him a favour coming out to Twelve just to lay it out to him what her Government would do if things spiral out of control. Haymitch understood her position. Paylor was worried about a civil unrest and it was not baseless. Being the president came with an insurmountable amount of responsibilities and a civil unrest would complicate an already dire situation.

There was one thing Haymitch realised she never brought up. Paylor never once implied that he should at any point drop his appeal. She only wanted him to stop talking to people in the other districts.

At the door, she turned and smirked at him. "Between you and me, there are merits to your arguments and let's just say that I enjoy this debate between you and Plutarch. Too much, I must say that I am actually looking forward to the time of the appeal. But, I find it necessary to remind you that the Council pass the decisions, not me alone."

"Yeah, I didn't forget that," he answered, leaning against the door frame. "Well, I guess I'll be seeing you soon, then."

Haymitch raised his hand in farewell but dropped it when Paylor walked back to where he was standing. She stood on the steps on his front porch, her guards waiting just out of ear shot. Paylor must have asked them for privacy.

"This information is classified but as your friend, I think you should be made aware that a certain Elias Lewis brought the Council's attention of your visits to the various districts with Peeta," she told him.

His eyes widened in surprise. Haymitch was not expecting that piece of information.

"It was through his formal complaint – citing reasons that you had no legitimate authority to be conducting any kind of interviews – that the Council launched an investigation into your case. Yes, there was an investigation involving you but," she smiled, "I am the president and it has its merits. I managed to persuade the Council not to investigate any further until I have spoken to you. I hope you understand the gravity of the situation you're in. If you insist on continuing with those interviews, I will not have the power to stop them from moving forward with the investigation. If the Council believe you are a threat to the security of this country, they will not hesitate to stop you."

His mouth had run dry and images of him being in a prison cell invaded his mind. He shuddered at the thought of having the twins visiting him in prison. That was not the way he wanted to be remembered as their father.

Haymitch blinked and focused his attention back to the president. Paylor wanted his trust and in return, she gave him the name of the person who had thrown a noose around his neck.

I know it's unusual because it's in the middle of the week but I said I would update in January, right? So there you are. HAPPY NEW YEAR ALL OF YOU!

A/N - I googled and wiki but President Paylor did not have a first name. So I gave her one. It's not in Mockingjay either, is it? I haven't read that book for awhile but if it's mentioned in it, please tell me and I'll change her name.

Reviews are love :)

P.S - I did another gifset based on Chapter 13. It's on my tumblr.