I believe this is a slightly longer chapter than the last few!

Chapter Forty-Nine

Silence fell over the room.

Effie stood up abruptly and moved towards the bay window. She hugged herself, rubbing her hand up and down her arms. Haymitch watched her from his place on the sofa. He would remember the peculiarity of this situation for a long time to come. After all, it was hardly an everyday occurrence in anyone's life to be in the same room with a man who has romantic feelings for a woman who is married to a reluctant husband without so much as any of the parties killing each other.

It was reminiscent of a very bad casting to some cheap Capitol television series. He would know because he had seen plenty of those soap operas slated between the mandatory viewing of the Games while it was still in session, drunk but still able to comprehend what he was watching.

Across their house, on the front lawn, Finn was laughing gleefully, throwing clumps of dirt at Prim. Annie poked her head from the second floor which Effie recognised to be Peeta's painting room. When she saw what her son was up to, she gestured in agitation at Johanna who was supposed to be supervising the children but was clearly, doing a poor job of it. Effie smiled ruefully at the sight. She would miss them dearly when they each return home.

"Something doesn't quite make sense," Effie spoke suddenly. She turned sideways to face Adler, arms folded across her chest. "If you had agreed to a lesser share of the business revenue and Elias had agreed – and profited from it – shouldn't that be the end of it? I don't understand the deal with Haymitch. It serves no purpose."

"Because it wasn't enough," Haymitch said calmly.

Adler blinked and frowned. "Wasn't enough? He's never hinted at having the share increased – "

"He doesn't want an increase. He wants everything," said Haymitch. "I think we could all use with a drink right now."

Haymitch went over to the in-built cabinet and on the top cupboard, a place Effie could never reach, he extracted a half empty bottle of bourbon. Effie narrowed her eyes at him which Haymitch studiously ignored until he had poured a good measure over two glasses. He handed a glass over to Adler.

"Felix," Haymitch shrugged by way of an answer. "That's where I saw him stashed the bourbon."

Now that Adler had said what needed to be said, he appeared to be slightly at ease although he still watched Haymitch with wary eyes, half expecting the man to pounce on him.

"If there's one thing we can all agree on it'll be that Elias Lewis has a forked tongue," Haymitch swirled the drink in his glass. As he walked back over to the sofa, Haymitch passed by Effie still standing by the window. He took hold of her hand and led her to a seat next to him. "The boys are fine," he assured her quietly.

"They haven't been away from us ever since we brought them home. I'm just worried if they're – "

"They're fine, sweetheart," he asserted in a whisper, still acutely aware of the third person in the room. "They've got good people looking after them."

Effie nodded half-heartedly.

"For as long as I've known him, Elias has a certain flair with words," Adler said.

Haymitch snorted. "Is that so? If telling you one thing and me the other is called a 'flair with words', then we all need to think of a new definition for manipulative, ruthless and cold blooded bastard."

That produced a nervous laugh from Adler.

"He was just… He wants what would benefit him."

"Yes," Haymitch agreed, "except 5% of your share isn't cutting it anymore."

Effie's eyes darted between the two men, trying to stay one step ahead but at the moment, she felt she deserved to be congratulated if she could even keep up with Haymitch's train of thoughts as he took the problem apart. This felt familiar to her. This was how they worked during the Games. She would be by his side, going over the sponsor list as he took in the arena and the tributes and tried to understand each of their strategy, and Effie would wait patiently for him to explain what he had figured out.

Adler said nothing. Haymitch knew that Adler did not understand what he was driving at. Haymitch leaned forward, elbows resting on his knees and fingers steepled together.

"Give Effie up for your help with the law," Haymitch scoffed. "Some kind of deal, huh?"

Adler shifted uncomfortably in his seat.

"He twisted everything; what you were willing to do, your desire for Effie and my single minded goal to end this damn law. He had counted on that desperation and warped it to his advantage, thinking that I would take the deal…. thinking that I didn't care enough about Effie or … my children."

Effie stared at him. He had never spoken that out loud to anyone, least of all to a man he barely knew.

"It was a good plan to make it look like Effie was in your debt when she kept accepting those information from you. Easier to twist Effie's hand that way. But he still needed to take care of me," he said, turning to address Effie. "He needed to get rid of me, take me out of the picture and that's why he made the deal with me because once I've accepted his deal, he would have locked me in."

"You can't back out," Adler nodded, the understanding dawned on him. "When the law ends, you'd be forced to divorce her whether or not you want to just to honour the agreement. Effie would have loathed you."

"She would have and I figured that was his plan all along. I won't be surprised if that slinking snake turns around and tell you," he said to Effie, "that I was more than happy to give you up. Never mind the fact that he had also set you up, making it seemed like you owed Adler for the information. It was smart to have three separate deals going on without one knowing of the other. Divide and conquer."

Effie bit her thumb in distress. "He's my cousin."

"At times, we find out that we don't really know someone as well as we would like to think that we do," Adler said sympathetically. "What do we do now?"

"I'd like to see him rot in jail but he hasn't done anything against the law, unfortunately," Haymitch shrugged. "Out of curiousity, have you figured out the rest of his plans, yet?"

The smirk on his face was telling. Haymitch understood Elias' plan before the rest of them did. He was not made one of the figureheads of the Rebellion for nothing – he could unravel plans and strategise faster than anyone else that Effie knew.

"Are there more?" Adler asked, surprised. "Isn't it enough what he's done so far?"

"I think he's only just started," Haymitch said. "Think for a second – why go to that length to break my family apart?"

Adler's brows crinkled contemplatively. "Well, I… My feelings for Effie are – "

"He wants me to be with Klaus? Isn't that why he wants you to give me up?" Effie tried, nibbling worriedly on her bottom lip.

"Yes, that's it exactly. But why?"

"I'm not sure I'm following…." Adler trailed off.

"It's another set-up," Haymitch exhaled. "If you marry Effie, you'll be family. You'd be indebted to him, in a way and he could easily control your business. Look, I don't give a shit about Elias. He can't control me. He's got nothing on me unless I accept his deal and he's counting on me to accept it. But you," Haymitch chuckled, "if he gives you Effie, he'll control you. And men like Elias are all about being in control. I don't suppose you'd want to offend him, what with your shared history as business partner so you'll just keep giving until one day, you realise far too late, that you're not director of that company," he waved his hands carelessly, "but he is. He would have a hold over you."

Adler paled considerably.

"An entire company for a trophy wife," Haymitch's smiled sardonically, the envy creeping back into his heart. "A win-win."

"Haymitch, stop it."

"That's what you'll be, Effie," he frowned. "You'd never have to work for anything, never be more than that."

"Stop it," she hissed.

It was only when he felt her trembling hand blindly clutching on to his knee that Haymitch snapped out of it. He turned towards her to see the flush spreading across her cheeks. He covered her hand with his, fingers curling around her closed fist.

"Effie?"

There was nothing but a chilly silence from her. Effie stared straight ahead, looking at nothing in particular. Her face was a blank mask. By now, Haymitch knew this look far too well. Effie was slipping.

"Is she alright?" Adler inched forward in his seat. Not knowing what the problem was, Adler handed him a glass of water for Effie. Haymitch shook his head.

"Sweetheart?"

Haymitch called out for her again. He touched her clammy cheek, the other still on her hand. Efie's hands were cold. "Look at me, Effs. Hey, hey listen to me. Focus on my voice."

He gave her shoulder a shake.

"Effie," he snapped. "Tristan fell from his crib!"

Effie jumped, jerking back away from him but he held on to her tight. She drew a sharp breath. Her eyes darted around the room before it eventually found his.

"Haymitch?"

"Effs," he smiled. "Where'd you go?"

"I – Am I at home? Is Tristan alright?"

"He's with Peeta. You're – "

"He's like a brother to me," she said out of the blue, suddenly remembering what had transpired since the last half an hour. Haymitch sighed. It was always like this. She would be lost and then, unprompted, she would remember what was going on. Her mind was disjointed.

"I think you're wrong. You're both wrong," she threw Adler a look, her voice was sharp and on edge. "Elias would never do that to me. I'm his cousin. He only wants the best for me."

"Sure, he wants the best for you, sweetheart, but it doesn't hurt if it's the best for him, too," Haymitch scowled.

He held on to her hand, fingers laced together, refusing to let her slip away again. It had been awhile since her last episode. If he was honest, he thought it was long overdue. He had expected an episode when the twins were born, particularly during the time when they couldn't bring the boys home but Effie had not caved despite being upset. The anxiety and stress was usually a common trigger for her episodes.

"Elias is a good man," she breathed, eyes wide and unfocused. "Just like Felix."

Great, Haymitch sighed in exasperation. Now she's just delusional.

There was a movement to his right and Haymitch was reminded of Adler's presence.

"I think it's time you leave," Haymitch said as politely as he could. "You've said what you needed to say."

"He's a good man, Haymitch," Effie repeated, clutching on to Haymitch's shirt, desperate to make him understand. "Elias won't do that. Ask him! Why don't you ask him and then you'll know."

"What's happening to her?"

"I said leave," Haymitch gritted his teeth.

He turned back towards Effie, focusing all of his attention on her. Haymitch pulled her towards him, wrapped her tightly with an arm around her shoulder as she pressed her face on the crook of his neck.

"Okay, sweetheart," he whispered in her ear. "Just focus on your breathing. I'll ask him."

Adler stood awkwardly. He raised his hand towards Effie, as if to comfort her as Haymitch was doing but thought better of it. He studied them until Haymitch frowned at him, jerking his head towards the door.

It was only when Haymitch heard the front door close that he scooted back in his seat, holding Effie an arm's length away. Haymitch cupped her cheeks. He brushed the tears away.

"You alright?" he questioned.

"I don't know," she said, frowning a little. She twisted the end of Haymitch's shirt in her hand. "There's too much going on. I – I feel overwhelmed. We had a fight in the middle of our children's baby shower. Then I found out that … Elias and … Klaus… I – I just…"

"I know," he nodded. "Difficult to wrap your head around it, yeah?"

"Haymitch?" her voice trembled. "What if something happen to us?"

The vulnerability and helplessness in her voice as she asked that question reminded him of the battered Effie Trinket they had extracted and then brought to Thirteen years ago. A sudden surge of protectiveness enveloped him. It was his duty to protect her and the children. His. And this time he would not fail.

"Nothing's going to happen to us," he told her fiercely. "Nothing."

Effie wound her arms around his waist in response and pressed herself up to him on the sofa.

"What if Elias finds out about today and decides to – "

"What was that you said, Effs? He's a good man, isn't he? He wouldn't hurt you," he lied through his teeth. It was better to let Effie believe in her cousin. Let him worry about the repercussions that today would bring. "Why don't you check on the boys?"

At the mention of the twins, Effie lifted her head up. Haymitch knew that would work in diverting her attention. As long as he kept her occupied, there would be a lesser chance of her retreating back into the dark corners of her mind.

"You wanna check on them? Bring them back, sing them a song and put them to sleep," he said.

"You hate when I sing to them."

"Cause you sound like a toad and I fear for their ear drums but since the boys like it – what can I say?" he shrugged.

XxX

He walked her out of the house and needless to say, when they saw Adler standing on their front porch, they were both startled.

"Klaus!"

"Hello," Adler smiled. "Are you – "

"I'm fine," she squeaked with a hand on her chest. "I – I'm sorry you had to see that. But thank you for everything, Klaus. For coming to the baby shower and for… for being honest. I'm going to check on my children now. Goodbye."

"Goodbye, Effie."

The two men watched as she disappeared into Peeta's house.

"You're still here," Haymitch said. "Why's that?"

"Our conversation had not been properly concluded and it does not feel right to leave without first resolving the issue," Adler said, taking a long drag from his cigarette. He fished out a pack from his jacket pocket and offered it to Haymitch.

"I don't smoke," Haymitch shook his head. "I drink."

He uncapped his silver flask and took a swig.

"You drink with the babies around?"

"Effie doesn't let me get drunk," he swallowed a mouthful of whisky. "It's a fine line to tread; to drink without getting drunk."

"How's that working out for you?"

Haymitch paused. He repeated the question over in his head, searching for the judgmental undertone in it.

Arching an eyebrow, Haymitch asked, "are we here to discuss my drinking?"

"No, my apologies, Mr. Abernathy."

The cicadas began their song. The birds flew overhead back to their nests. In the distance, Haymitch could hear a wail and he began his two month old usual guessing game of 'who is crying'. Next to him, Adler flicked the ends of his cigarette while Haymitch continued drinking quietly. He could see Effie's silhouette on the window standing next to a tall man who could only be Felix.

"She loves you," Adler stated suddenly.

It was not what Haymitch was expecting but he found himself saying, "yes, she does."

It felt hypocritical because Haymitch had never acknowledged Effie's feelings for him. When she had admitted the same to him at the hospital, he had passed it off as some kind of transference but now, he didn't know why he needed Adler to know that but it felt important for Adler to understand that there was no room for him in Effie's heart.

"It defied logic especially since it's you but love had never made much sense," Adler said. "Your reputation precedes you. Everyone in the Capitol knows who you are."

Haymitch clenched his fist. He didn't need to hear this.

"You're a well-known drunk. Rude and dangerous," Adler went on. "Elias spoke of you, too, of course, and to be honest, I didn't have a very good impression of you."

Haymitch snorted.

"Yeah, well, that isn't news to me."

"I must say, everyone who knew Effie thought she was mad to marry you as if working with you wasn't enough, she now had to live out her life with you. She only tarnished her reputation which by the end of the Rebellion was in tatters. I admit, I thought you didn't deserve someone as wonderful as her. She could have done so much better than a drunk."

"You don't even know her," Haymitch sneered. "You people need to stop thinking you know best when you don't."

"You are absolutely right. As I found out today, I didn't know her well. Only what I saw from when she appeared on television. Likewise, I didn't know you personally either. I don't know what you and Effie had gone through but being in the Rebellion together must have created some bond between you both. A bond I could never hope to replicate."

Haymitch frowned but held his tongue.

"I have heard stories that Effie experienced some very difficult times during the war," Adler admitted. "Unfortunately, I am not aware of the details."

"You shouldn't be aware of the details," Haymitch grunted.

Adler gave a curt nod.

"You know of the details of it, I presume and you could help her go through it."

Haymitch kept quiet, letting Adler believe that unlike him, Haymitch knew the torture Effie suffered in prison.

"You and Effie are the ones who had deal with the effects of it and if you could help her get through her life, who are we to say that she was mad to marry you?" Adler thought out loud. "What happened earlier," he nodded towards the house, "does it happened often?"

"It has happened a few times."

"I wouldn't have known what to do," Adler said to himself. "Is it true, though, that you didn't want to marry Effie?"

"I didn't want to be married."

"Elias told me you didn't care at all about Effie. He painted a picture that made me think she was in an abusive marriage with you."

Haymitch choked on his whiskey.

"What?!"

"From what I saw, the way you treated her told me a different story," Adler said. He either had not heard Haymitch's question or he had chosen to ignore it. "You couldn't see the way you look at her or the panic in your eyes when she was having her… breakdown, if that's what it's called. If you could see yourself, perhaps, you'd realise how deeply you feel for her."

"Listen," Haymitch rounded on that man.

Adler was quick to move a step back. He raised both hands in a surrendering gesture, telling Haymitch that he meant no harm.

"I don't mean to offend you. I can never have her. I knew that. I think I've known that since I first met her - she showed no interest in me except to talk about her family here in Twelve and when she was pregnant, that was all she would talk about. What you have here – a wife and children – I know some people in my position would kill to have that.

Haymitch shook his head and stepped away from Adler. He didn't know what to say to that. It wasn't long before Adler spoke again.

"I am aware that your appeal was rejected for the second time. You must have your own personal reasons for wanting to continue with it but I hope it is not because of Effie," he said. "I still want to help, in any way that I can."

Haymitch brought the flask to his lips and gulped the contents down. He thought about it for a minute.

"I don't want anything in return," Adler added.

Isn't that a relief?, Haymitch thought.

"Your information has been useful to us," Haymitch admitted. "We could … use some help."

"Okay," Adler smiled, releasing a breath. He nodded at Haymitch. "Okay, that's… that's good. What can I do?"

"I only have one condition," Haymitch said before Adler could get ahead of himself. "You route your information to Plutarch. Not through my wife. I don't want her to be involved with you anymore than she already has. I think it would be best not to give Elias any more ammunition."

That was the partial truth.

I hope you enjoyed reading that! Thanks for reading and please leave a review.

A/N: I went back to read Chapter 1 two weeks ago and hated how it was so I rewrote the entirety of that chapter with an extra thousand words. There isn't many drastic changes but there are little, little things I've added in :)