**Thank you everyone for the great reviews! I am really getting into the story now and I shall continue to update it frequently. However, looking back on the past chapters I realised that I stopped putting a title for the chapter so I'm determined to do that again, a title can reveal a lot about the chapter! Anyway, thank you to everyone who is reading, following and writing the amazing reviews! Here is the next instalment, I sincerely hope you enjoy, and as always feedback is appreciated!***

Chapter 7 - The Shadow

Katniss Everdeen is on the floor. Annie Cresta screams. Finely Cresta cries. Haymitch Abernathy shoots a worried look to Peeta. Peeta Mellark is on his knees beside Katniss. And watching the whole scenario unfold is Gale Hawthorne. The shadow in the doorway.

The first thing she notices is that she is laying down. Her head is propped up by something.. or someone. And the voices.

Voices on constant talking, voices raising at one another. An argument, by the sounds of it.

She blinks wearily and she finds herself staring up at the cream ceiling in their living room. She stretches out her arm to find her hand being held by another. She tilts her head upwards to realise that her head is propped up against Peeta's lap, he is holding her hand.

However, he doesn't seem to realise that she has woken up. Nobody does and she takes a moment to take in the scene around her.

Gale Hawthorne. Her stomach clenches involuntarily. He stands in the doorway his expression contorted by some sort of anger. Haymitch Abernathy stands with his arm around Annie Cresta who has her hands firmly planted either side of her ears. Her son tugs at the end of her dress, his small voice calling out for his mother who is lost to normality, lost to reality. Peeta's voice comes from behind her, his voice is raised unusually and is directed towards Gale. And in the midst of all of this was Katniss. Spread out on the sofa, listening and still.

I passed out. Oh.

Just as she was about to move Gale's voice comes into focus. "And you haven't even realised that she's woken up!" With that every face in the room, even Annie's, turns to look at me. I blink bewildered by the sight of everyone staring, feeling my cheeks flush. I clear my throat and force myself to sit up "What's going o-" Before I can finish Peeta has his hand on my arm, looking my face over intently and worriedly. "Are you okay? You passed out, we were so worried.." He says softly and trails the back of his hand over my cheek. For a moment I get lost in the familiar and welcoming touch of his hand, leaning into it before I realise that everyone is staring and I pull back and nod. "I'm fine, just confused..."

I glance around at each face and finally my eyes lock on Gale's. His eyes roam my face almost desperately, his eyes silently begging me to help him out here. I swallow hard, a lump forming in my throat. "Why are you here?" My voice comes out as barely a whisper and I clear my throat again. "Why are you here?" I ask Gale again, my voice sounding far stronger than I feel.

"I.. I needed to talk to you and I know you weren't going to listen any other way.. about what you said in the kitchen I know you didn't mean it.." He steps closer to me and further into the room but as soon as he does other voices chirp up. Peeta speaking of how he interrupted a good day. Haymitch about how this really isn't a good time.

The next thing I know Finely is rushing over to me and into my arms. I embrace the boy who hugs me tight, the poor boy probably scared by all of the drama that is unfolding before him.

Voices rising. Arms tighter around me. A small body. The shadow becomes a person. Gale walks further in. More protests. Peeta stands. Haymitch by his side. Voices rising mor-

"WHERE'S FINNICK?!"

The scream of desperation sends everyone into a shocked silence.

Annie Cresta stands at one end of the room, her arms clutching the sides of her head. She is shaking. Her eyes are wide as they look us over fearfully.

A pang of guilt hits me. Everyone just forgot about Annie. About how this effects her. Now she has returned to the place that only Finnick could pull her out of as she calls out for her dead husband.

Everyone stands there not knowing what to say. "Finnick.. Finnick.." She whispers the name, repeating it over and over like a mantra. I exchange a worried glance with Peeta who finally approaches Annie.

He puts his hands over hers which cover her ears and speaks softly to her. "Annie, it's alright. It's alright. You here me? It's. Alright." Annie's eyes meet Peeta's and for a second the fear disappears. Peeta wraps his arms protectively around Annie's shoulders and turns to face us all. "I'm going to talk to Annie for a second." He announces and gently leads her out of the room and past Gale, whispering soothing words to her as he goes.

Haymitch glances over to me and Finely and takes the boy from me, gently. He swings him up into his arm and smiles. "Hey little man, let's go and see my geese shall we? Mommy will be okay, son. She always is." He smiles and strokes the boys hair as he walks out, the door shutting behind him.

'WHERE'S FINNICK?' The cry rings out throughout my ears and it pains me to hear it. He isn't here. He is gone. But Annie is. She is a part of Finnick as he was a part of her. She is here and everyone forgot. Just forgot. Because of me. Because of Gale. Because of the shadow in the doorway that just won't go. Because of the shadow that you forget is there, yet he always is.

Then she realises that her and Gale are alone. She stands up and takes a breath, walking and standing a little way in front of Gale.

Now or never.

"Why are you here?"

"To talk to you."

"But I told yo-"

"Tell me that you meant it."

He steps closer to me.

And closer

And closer.

I can feel the heat from his body.

"Look me in the eyes and tell me that you meant in. That you want me to go and never come back."

I feel his breath. His words as they hit my skin. I swallow hard. No. "Ye.." I start but I can't continue.

I feel the dizziness return and I sway slightly on my feet. I go to step away but I trip over my own feet and I fall.

Into his arms. They are around me. Holding me up.

His touch makes my skin tingle, ever nerve on end.

His face is inches for mine.

He leans.

I lean.

"Katniss?"

Peeta's voice comes from the doorway and I turn to see him.

Pale, staring and something written all over his expression.

Hurt.

*P.S- Don't kill me for this guys! Just remember the phrase 'It has to get worse before it get's better!'*