AN: Hi everyone! I hope you all enjoying the story. Here is Chapter three and things are starting to get heated now. Are we going to see Effie and Haymitch play out a romance? Or are they going to have a very special relationship?

Sit back and read to find out.

Like always I hope you enjoy.

Review if you like

Disclaimer: I own nothing, nothing at all.

Effie's POV

My head was pressed against the cool satin pillow and my eyes watched the zooming scenery as the train sped toward District Twelve. It's been fourteen years that I had remain their escort. Each year I promised myself that I would find a better district to go to but each year I fail to do so.

There was so much I could do at the Capital but each year I came back for two reason. The first was because even if it was for a short time I could offer two young souls a different life before they faced the greatest challenge any human shall face. The second was more personal, I would see Haymitch again and feel him close to me. I knew I shouldn't want to see him or dream about him but I waited every year to come back and impale his memory in my mind until my return.

I couldn't say when or how I fell for him but everything started with an argument of course. He had call me a pristine manner psychopath and I had call him an uncouth hairless baboon. In a whirlwind of words and insults did his lips fall upon mine, and at the moment I flew to the clouds and didn't come back. He makes my heart beat without control, butterflies to fly in my stomach in wild abandonment, and my mind race toward the future.

I push myself away form my purple sheets and sat up slowly running my pale hand in my honey blonde curls before gracefully throwing my sheets away from my body and step onto the blue carpet flooring. My deep purple silk sleeping gown fell down to my knees as I walk toward the small table in my room that had a warm kettle of coffee waiting for me. I flipped on the screen in my room and watched our game maker Seneca Crane talk about the 74th hunger games. I couldn't stop rolling my eyes and shaking my head at his words of unity between the districts. I pour myself a cup and sipped gingerly on it but continued to watch, not noticing when the train slowed and stopped. I rose my legs to fold under me and flip the newspaper open. I didn't get very far in the article that I was reading when I felt warm lips fall on my bare shoulder. I smiled despite myself and turned to meet the dark grey eyes that filled my dreams the last few nights. His blond hair was washed and combed for once. His fingertips trace my shoulder blade before move toward my face and ghosting my cheek.

I turn my face down but his fingers flew down to my chin and harshly pushed it up. His dark grey stared into my green eyes and I took in his handsome face. He had not shaven in what appear to be months. But it was his cocky smile that made me flush as I whispered.

"Good morning Haymitch."

"Morning princess."

I gently unfolded my legs and rose to my feet, Haymitch tower a good foot over me. But I bit into my lip and place a well manicure hand on his strong chest and rose to my tiptoes and tilted my head up before looking at him in the eyes and whispered lowly,

"Another year."

He nodded his head before dipping his head down to capture my lips in a heated kiss. I pressed myself closer to him and felt his arm travel down the side of my arms to fall on my hips. He pulled away slowly and whispered warmly in my ear.

"Where's the ice?"

I instantly detangle myself from his arms and hissed.

"You are unbelievable, can't you say at least…never mind please leave I need to get ready."

"Or what? Did you honestly think I was going to say I miss you Effie. Get your head out of the clouds sweetheart."

"Stop acting like a brute. Did your mother show you any kind of manners!"

Haymitch rolled his eyes at me before turned away and shouted over his shoulder.

"Oh she did, I just refuse to show manners to over pompous Barbie dolls. See you soon darling."

Then he walk off leaving me to shake my head at my outburst. For one moment I wish he could tell me that he at least he misses me the way I miss him all year long. However that didn't give me right to bring up his history, I knew his story better than most. I know he blames himself for his parents death and the girl he once loved. I could never replace her, because he once whisper sweet nothing in her ear and all I would get are insults and maybes. I felt tears fill my eyes but shook my head and began to get to work. It was the 74th hunger games and my game face needed to be ready.

I apply my heavy duty pale white make up and focused on my eyes. Slowly
I moved down to my lips and look at the color I choose last night. It was a color that Haymitch once said he like on me, of course he was drunk at the time. I shook my head and apply with extra care and precision. Then moved onto my wardrobe and dressed in my favorite new purple power suit. Then came my favorite scarf and flower hat that perched on top of my new white curl wig. It suited my facial features well. When I fell gently onto the mattress I look at my shoes while tapping my gold purple fingertip against my mouth in deep thought. I finally decided on the new 6 inch purple open toed booties. Standing up gracefully and placed my jewelry on and look at my reflection in the mirror. I felt prefect but my heart felt heavy, it was another year I would be condemning innocent souls to the Capital whim.

While I walk to the stage and listen to President Snow message, I couldn't help the smile on my face. His words always seem to feel reassuring even though you knew that reality behind them. Then I began to call names, I headed toward one of the bowls and pull out a white piece of paper. I took a deep breathe and shouted.

"Primrose Everdeen"

For a few minutes no one moved until the shadow of a girl who look barely older than twelve started to walk forward. Shock and horror written all across her beautiful face. I try encouraging her forward but I deeply wanted to tell her to run and not look back. Then in a sudden commotion, a girl shouted.

"I volunteer! I volunteer as tribute."

I was shock but kept a calm façade and told her to come forward. When she step onto the stage I said.

"Your name darling?"

It took a moment for her to respond but she whispered.

"Katniss Everdeen."

"I bet anything that was your sister."

She merely nodded at me, I try to get the crowd to clap but they all remain silent and unyielding. I continue to the boys and shouted out.

"Peeta Mellark."

A boy around the Katniss Everdeen age came forward and step onto the stage. When they were both standing beside me I look at the crowds and said.

"We have our tributes for District 12."

Then I swiftly turn them and lead them into the stone building behind me. They would have a moment with their families to say goodbye. I waited for them and then help them into the car and headed toward the train. I showed them around and controlled my voice to sound warm and bubbly, a routine I've become use to during this time of the year. When they sat down, I made small talk before I said,

"Let me go find Haymitch, he must be in the bar cart."

I walk off stiffly and toward the direction where I knew I would find him. When I did find him, he was nursing an empty glass I pointed my finger toward the car where a scare boy and girl sat waiting for their mentor's encouraging words, he rolled his eyes and saluted me before walking off. I headed toward my room and closed the door, I always allow Haymitch to get to know his tributes. There would be plenty of time for me to get to know and bond with them.

That night as I crawl into bed and placed my head on the pillow did I hear my door click open and close. I already knew who it was, but I didn't turn around I simple held my pillow closer to me feeling the mattress dip as his weight fell onto the bed. His arms fell around me and nuzzle my neck. I try to fight the urge but I couldn't, I couldn't waste the short time we had together. I turn around and look into his red blood shot eyes and inhale his citrus scent that lingered with alcohol. I couldn't help but smile sadly at him and lean forward and peck his lips. He responded drunkenly before saying.

"You didn't look so bad out there."

I couldn't help the smile that appeared on my face as I nodded my head at him and whispered in his ear.

"It's all for you."

His eyes drop for a moment and shook his head.

"Don't Effie."

I sigh as his lips went toward my lips and claim them as his before pulling away and said.

"I think we have a chance this year."

I nodded before snuggling closer to him and allowing him to make me forget the heaviness in my heart because every year I hope for that chance, but it never came.