Haymitch's PoV:

I gasp when I realize what I've done. I turn to apologize instantly when it hits me that I've just shoved my wife to the ground.

All the warning bells in my head go off when I see the look in her eyes.

Ever since the Capitol tortured her, sometimes she'd have a type of flash back to it. She would think I was an impersonator sent to hurt her instead of myself. And I've just set one off.

Cautiously I kneel down next to her. Carefully I touch her cheek. "It's just me Effie, just me," I whisper. I have to be soft right now.

I remember the first time she did this. It scared me to death. I had no idea what was going on, and I was lucky Annie was visiting because she knew what to do. Annie told me that I had to be tender and prove it was really me.

I have nightmares about every single one of these episodes.

Effie flinched back from my hand. Her eyes were squinted shut and she was just repeating the word "no" in between sobs.

"Effie. Effie, look at me. It's just me, Haymitch. I'm not going to hurt you."

"LIAR!" she shrieks and I jump back.

There are very few things on this earth that can make me cry. But seeing my Effie like this. A reminder of what horrors she had to go through. The memories of her pain becoming more than memories. My eyes water. Anyone who would make fun of that I'd punch so hard they landed on Jupiter. She didn't deserve what happened to her and I can cry because my Effie was hurt.

I sit down next to her and wrap my arms around her gently. I won't try talk; I'll just let her cry.

At first this makes her scream, but I don't let go. If I let go I lose her. That won't happen again. Ever. I will not lose her.

After what feels like centuries she realizes I'm not hurting her. Pulling back she looks into my eyes. She always looks into my eyes as she's coming out of it. It's a good sign.

Once I asked her why she always did that. Her answer was that as she was being tortured she always knew it wasn't me because no matter how close the person looked to me, the eyes were always wrong.

Personally I find that a bunch of romantic crap, but if it gets my Effie back I'm not going to complain.

"Haymitch?" she breaths. "Haymitch," she confirms to herself. "Oh-oh gosh, I-I'm so sorry I must have-"

I squeeze her tight. "You just had a mental attack and you're apologizing? Only you Effie, only you."

She presses her lips to my cheek and mumbles, "Only you Haymitch, it's only you."

A/N: Gah! I wish I could give you guys longer chapters but it's like my mind is like "haha no."

Anyway, bad news time. My play is coming up in two weeks so I more than likely will not be able to get another chapter up until after then. I'm so sorry guys, but I will continue it after then. I wanted to make sure and get you guys a chapter now because of the wait. Hopefully (pray) after that time the chapter will be longer!

So to my AMAZING reviewers:

Gentlefurable (I'm glad you liked that line so much! 'twas one of my favorites for the same reason, they know each other so well)

Guest (I am sorry for any emotional damage this story is causing you but you should keep reading because there will me more :D)

YOUCALLTHATaKIS5 (Ta-da!)

Guest (I hope this chapter answered your question)

Guest (Thank you for the review that I'm not sure how to respond to)

Hunger Games Hungery (Thank you for reviewing chapters 1 and 15! I'm glad you like my story so much!)

You guy's know the shpeal: REVIEW!