Part 2

She lay in my arms and I held her close. She told me about her time in the Capitol and about how scared Snow was. She admitted that she had gotten close to him for one reason and one reason only. Information.

She also admitted that he had propositioned her a number of times and that he'd confessed his feelings towards her but she'd told him to wait til after the war.

'I didn't want to tell him no, it would have hurt his feelings, he would have distanced himself from me…'

She swore he hadn't touched her and I knew she wouldn't betray me.

'The quote from the article…you said your heart belonged to another. He didn't question you about it?'

'I haven't seen him since the party. But, I'm sure he will'

'What will you tell him?'

'Ill tell him that I'm In love with Haymitch Abernathy, the leader of the rebellion and an absolute god in the bedroom'

She laughed mockingly and I laughed too, but only a little, I still worried

'No, I'll just tell him I made it up, to get the gossip column off my back. It's the last thing I need right now, rumours of an affair with Snow. Everyone will want to watch my every move'

I hated to think about it but it was true. It's hard to be a spy when the whole world wants a piece of you

'About that last bit…in the article. It's true you know Haymitch. My heart, it's yours'

I kissed her again and held her tighter. She knew I loved her too but she knew I wouldn't admit it until the war was over. If I told her, said it out loud and she lost me she would fall apart. The same way Id started to feel when I'd first seen the article and doubted her. I felt like id lost her and it broke me.

But I knew I'd be right. I knew id prove Coin wrong. I'd first gotten to know the real Effie Trinket during the quarter quell, she had gotten to know herself better then too. She was no enemy, she was a martyr and she was on our side. she wanted no more children to die.

'Can you understand though, why coin would be so distrusting?'

'Of course I can Haymitch. I put on a good show. Just like you wanted me to'

She looked at me, I could feel her warm breath at my neck

'Im not just doing this because I'm on the side of the rebellion, I'm doing it so I can be with you'

I looked at her

'I trust you' I said and I kissed her tenderly. I meant it. I trusted her completely.

'Will she see me? Alma Coin?'

Now that was a question I didn't want to answer. I knew she would and I knew it would be better for Effie to convince Coin of her loyalty herself instead of me. I just didn't want to waste what precious time Effie had left here, back in the district. I wanted her to stay right here. In my arms, holding me. But that was selfish. We had a job to do and a War to win.

'Ill set up a meeting tomorrow. The blue prints will sweeten the deal. She'll trust you, don't worry'

Effie was leaving at midnight tomorrow. She had made a rough journey to 4 by boat. An old acquaintance of her fathers owned a fishery back in the Capitol and used to trade fish at district 4. He had agreed to sneak her there for a price and she promised me she could trust him. From 4 she had taxied her way through each other district, the journey had been hard on her, I could see it in her tired eyes, it was another reason I didn't want her to get out of my bed.

Morning followed and I drove us into the heart of 13. Effie was recognised immediately, some smiled, some did not. She was a celebrity yes but she was still a Capitol citizen.

Coin agreed to hear her side, just the two of them, woman to woman. I'd taken in the blue prints first much to Coins delight.

'She was risking her life getting these' coin said

'Shes risking her life every minute to help us win this war' i stated

'She must love you very much. You must have quite a hold over her for her to do this'

I didn't answer. I didn't want to admit that that was true. Being the reason that she could be killed any moment did not sit well on my mind

'Send her in then'

Effie had been in there with her now for almost an hour. When she finally came out, the pair were smiling.

'Ill see to it that a hover craft takes her safely back to 4. It'll be stationed and waiting at midnight' I nodded a thank you 'safe journey back miss Trinket, we will be in touch soon'

'Anything that you need miss Coin. I'll do what I can'

Coin nodded dutifully and left us. I was relieved to say the least but it was noon almost and in 12 more hours she would be saying goodbye to me again./p

I took her by the hand and led her away. I wanted to be alone with her for what could be the last time.

I had a dark and un shifting feeling that one of us was going to die in this war. Maybe it was the time to tell her how much I loved her now. How much I have loved her since the night of the quarter quell announcement and she'd come to me and fallen apart in my arms. When I'd told her my plan and she'd promised to help me succeed it.

And I'd kissed her.

And she'd kissed me back.

Yes. Maybe It was time. For what else was there to lose.

End.

***i hope you enjoyed the fic and video its on youtube btw as i know some where struggling with the link as it wouldn't let me post the whole thing, its also on my tumblr