"AH AH *AHCHOO!* Sorry, excuse me, Haymitch, here is your...*AHCHOO!* Your meeting schedule, there's several company managers on there that want to discuss new survival products for...for...*AHCHOO!* For our future tributes"

She placed a file in front of him and focused on Cinna

"Darling *COUGH* The fabric distributers are expecting you at noon to show you their new silks, here's some samples they sent over" she pulled a small folder from her handbag along with a dozen or so screwed up tissues and coughed a little more before handing it over

"Oh...thanks Ef..." Cinna took the folder by his fingertips then he and Haymitch exchanged a look.

"I've got a meeting in...*ACHOO!* 5 minutes with the catering company, too many cakes last *COUGH* last year, our tributes need more *COUGH* protine."

She continued to flap around them with her handful of tissues and her list if do's and don't's for the day when

"You gonna do it or shall I?" Cinna asked Haymitch

Both men made a silent agreement with each other then stood and took Effie by her arms

"Hey! What the-"

They began to march her out of the kitchen.

"What are you- let go! Boys! *COUGH* manners!"

They marched her right to her bedroom and made her sit down on her bed. Cinna took off her shoes and Haymitch fluffed her pillow as she protested, weakly

"Lie down Ef" Cinna crooned and pushed her down, gently

"I have a meeting in 5 minutes! I can't! I...I...*AAAHCHOOOOO!*"

"You ain't going no where princess, do as your told and lay down"

Haymitch gripped her shoulders, a little less delicately than Cinna and pusher her down into her bed

"But but but!"

"No but's!" Cinna protested and placed the back of his hand at Effies forehead "Jesus Ef! Your burning up!"

"I am?"

Haymitch rolled his eyes

"You know what sweetheart, if you stopped busying yourself around everyone and everywhere so much, you'd probably have the chance to stop and notice when you are actually sick"

"I'm not sick!" She sat up and he pushed her back down again

"God damnit Effie if you try to get out of this bed one more time I'm gonna tie you to it"

Cinna smiled to himself, a private joke in his head. Haymitch and Effie didn't notice.

"But my meeting!"

Suddenly, Haymitch placed his finger over her mouth, an action that made Effie's entire body jolt in surprise. She shut up.

He then looked at Cinna

"Your meetings at noon right?"

"Yeah"

He looked back at Effie. His finger hadn't moved

"It's 9 now, Cinna will meet the caterers for you before his appointment with the distributors, ok? I will meet with the survival manufacturers and take plenty if notes for you and YOU will stay here and get better! Comprende? "

Effie looked at Cinna helplessly as he nodded in agreement with Haymitch.
She sat back, defeated and deflated and nodded too.

"Good!" Haymitch chimed. He dropped his hand from her mouth and stood up from the bed "Now I'm gonna make you some tea before I leave ok? and by the time I get back in here I want you to be dressed for bed and under the covers, got it?"

Effie rolled her eyes "so I'm allowed to get out of the bed to get changed am I?"

"Don't sass me woman, yes, yes you can, come on Cinna"

Cinna kissed her cheek and winked.

"Do as your told"

She pushed him off playfully "go! The caterers will be waiting! And...thankyou!"

The boys left her to get changed. Maybe she should be sick more often, the attention was more than flattering. But what was the nicest surprise of all was the fact that they both actually seemed to care about her. Really care. A warm feeling washed over her. She really did have good friends.

Cinna was a sweetheart, she knew that. He was kind to everyone, but not Haymitch, no, someone would have to be very special for Haymitch to care. And here he was, practically tucking her in and making her tea. It had been a long time coming but they were finally getting comfortable around each other. Starting to feel like a strong and solid team.

Everything had gone according to Effie's schedule she would be pleased to know. When Haymitch returned to the penthouse, which they all had been sharing for a while, he noticed that Cinna was still out.
He went to check on Effie.

It was a little dark in her room as he entered and had to wait a few seconds for his eyes to adjust before he crept in. Effie was sleeping in her side, her pale un painted face was surrounded by a sea of tissues and her unkempt honey blonde hair fell about her in waves. He liked it when Effie wasn't dressed for work, he, Cinna and Effie had spent many a dress down day together between games and meetings and schedules and he had always found it easier to tolerate her when she looked like a human.
She was actually quite funny he had discovered. When it was just the 3 of them, she was dry and sharp and entertaining but, he always felt she that she tried too hard around their tributes and other friends and her humour would become almost forced and cringe worthy.
That's why he didn't spend a lot if time in her company or listening to her when they were working.

Haymitch sat on the bed gently and gathered away her used tissues.

"Ef?" He whispered but got no reply. Her eyes stayed shut and her breathing heavy.
He smoothed a lock of her hair behind her ear, accidently brushing the apple of her cheek with his fingers. She was soft but a little clammy. He wondered if she'd eaten anything today.

"Wait!"

She cried out suddenly in her sleep, making him jump. her body jolted also, just slightly, but her breathing remained the same and her eyes stayed closed

"Ef?" He placed his hand gently on her shoulder, she moved a little at the warm and unfamiliar touch but didn't wake

"Wait..." She whispered softly "please, don't leave...don't lea...mmm"

Haymitch felt like he should leave.
She was in a deep and unnerving sleep but he didn't want to wake her.

He stood up quietly and turned to leave

"I love...mm" she whispered again "I...do"

Haymitch stood at the door and listened a little longer

"Hmm...Cin...Cinna. I love him..."

Haymitch rolled his eyes and chuckled to himself. What woman didn't love Cinna? He was the king of charm with the means to be the ultimate player but a heart that made him the perfect gentleman. Haymitch admired him for that. He had to admit, they'd probably make a cute couple. The king and queen of style and fashion. He let out a sigh and went to leave when...

"Haym...I love. Cinna I love him...mmm...I love Haymitch"

He stopped dead in his tracks

"Say what?"

He faced her again but she still slept. A little feverish but still soundly. She yawned, then coughed then rolled over

"No no no" Haymitch crept towards her

"Ef?"

"Mmm"

"Say that again?"

"Hmm..." She wouldn't rouse

"Ef?" He whispered, trying to enter her dreams once again "say that again..."

She didn't answer

"Effie?"

"Mm hmm?" She rolled back to face him, eyes suddenly open but still foggy with sleep.

Damn. He'd woken her.

"Haymitch? What- what are you doing here?" She yawned again and lifted her head from her pillow. "Were you just talking to me?"

He rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly. He wouldn't admit it but the sight if her disheveled hair and soft, sleepy eyes were getting the better of him

"Ah, yeah. I just- I wondered if you, ah, wanted some...some soup?"

She smiled and rested her head back down.

"Soup...soup would be nice...thank y..."

But before she could finish, sleep fell upon her again and so he let her get her rest.

He had a strange feeling wash over him suddenly, as he watched her sleeping and listened to her breathing. It was a feeling he had felt before, whenever Effie had made his morning coffee 'just right' with that dash of bourbon, or whenever she won at cards and her face lit up in achievement. There was also that one time, in particular, when he had had a rough night. A few weeks ago now, Too little booze and too many nightmares. She'd come to his room with a stiff drink and stories of her day and waited and chirped on until he had polished off his glass and fallen back into a safer slumber.

He wasn't used to this warm feeling but it wasn't alien to him. He was growing feelings for her. Slowly and cautiously but growing non the less.

Could he allow that? Was he allowed to allow that?

He needed to talk to someone. He needed advice, Man to man.

He heard Cinnas key turn in the front door lock and crept away from Effie's room to greet him.