A/N - Thanks to all those who have read, reviewed, alearted, and favortied this story :)

Discalmer - I do not own the hunger games.


Annie stood at the train awaiting Finnick's arrival. She stood inches in front of her Uncle who would never admit it but was just as surprised as she that in a matter of minutes Finnick would be home. Annie's mother stood next to Annie grasping the girls hands as her other fell on her brothers fore arm. As a mother Shelsie worried about what condition Finnick would be in upon his arrival. Many victors where never the same and she didn't want her daughter to get hurt.

As the train pulled up Annie stretched up on her toes trying to get the best view, Shelsie stole a look at her brother who smiled reassuringly. Then Finnick appeared and stepped off the train. On the outside he looked like the same Finnick, except his hair was a bit shorter and the lack of sun in the capitol made his skin lighter. He wore a button down white short sleeved shirt and a pair of khaki shorts. He had become stronger, so strong that he almost seamed. He smiled at the crowd and pumped his fist in the air in his victorious manor. He had always done it when he won small school competitions or when he caught more fish than Annie on the boat. It was a goofy cork but it was truly very Finnick.

When he stepped out he was greeted by his family and after he hugged his father, kissed the cheek of his mother, and gave a nuggie to his younger brother Trenton Odair or Trout as he was known by most of the district. The four where ushered into the justice building once again for final interviews witch Annie must admit took forever. The four hours she spent waiting dragged on treacherously. She spent all of yesterday helping her uncle and mother so she could have today off. So she sat on the steps of Finnick's old house waiting.

She spent the first hour or so in paralyzing anticipation not able to do anything but sit and wait, now that hour has passed she began to get more and more nervous. She began her slight break down with spinning her thumbs quickly one way then switching and repeating the motion in the other direction. Soon she needed to do something else so she tapped her sandal covered foot against the wood step but even that didn't last long. She than began pacing back and forth across the short step hanging herself over the railing whenever someone passed thinking that it was Finnick. After seeing it wasn't she went back to pacing.

Then she began to wonder what was taking so long. Had something gone wrong? Did Finnick not want to see her? Did he find some one more intriguing to be friends with while in the capitol? It wouldn't be hard Annie never found herself to be to interesting. Had her mother been right, had she lost the Finnick that threw her off of the boat when she would imitate one of his many admirers at their school.

"Annie," She heard and like when he had won the games her heart jumped into her throat, she searched for a few moments before her gaze landed on Finnick standing just feet away. She didn't know what came over her but she ran quickly down the stairs grabbing the edge of the rail to slingshot herself around the corner.

"Finnick!" Annie screamed as she took her final strides and jumped into Finnick's arms. The force took Finnick back and he tripped falling into the grass Annie next to him. He gave a good hearted laugh he had missed Annie a lot when he was in the capitol. She laughed as well and Finnick tried to take the moment in. He loved her laugh and wanted to soak in the moment.

The ground becoming itchy under him he pushed himself onto his elbows and Annie sat up. Her hair was pulled into low piggy tails that fell almost to her waist. Her green eyes sparkled as they locked on his own.

She was wearing a pair of jean shorts that frayed at her knees and an old white ribbed tank top and her favorite white flip flops. She had a crooked smile on her lips as she threw herself back into his arms.

"You are home," She said simply her warm breath tickly

"Yeah Anns I am home, and I am not going anywhere anytime soon." He said simply stroking the back of her head.

"Good, now come on Finnick." Annie giggled standing up and punching his shoulder before running away from Finnick's grasp. Soon she found her way to the not too far off beach and ran across the shore line giggling. She knew Finnick was close behind and that he wasn't running his hardest.

Soon I felt his arms around my waist and spun me around before he slipped and fell into the water falling for the second time that day and Annie giggled before wiggling out of his arms and running again, it was nearing the end of summer and in celebration of Finnick's return some of the fishermen where having a campfire.

The flame flickered in the cooling night air as Annie sat next to Finnick on the beach while Annie fiddled with a sea shell necklace in her hands. Her mother had tried to teach the girl many times but Annie never had the precision one needed to complete the task.

"Anns, what has been happening since I was gone?" Finnick whispers in her ear.

"Well, um not much I guess, I stopped fishing every day, I was too worried about my stupid best friend and his expensive trident." Annie said pushing Finnick's arm lightly Finnick however was able to grab her hand before she pulled it away.

"Hey Anns you ever been to victors village." He asked with a smile.

"No most people haven't," Annie said with a giggle.

"Well come on, it's not too far off I want to show you." He said standing up and pulling Annie with him. The walk was nice and quiet as Annie held her shoes in her right hand her left linked with Finnick's arm. Finnick also had his shoes off as his feet dug into the soft sand beneath them. They giggled threw out the walk until Finnick started to feel Annie lean more against him. She was getting tired, and he didn't blame her.

The only thing keeping him awake was the fact if he closed his eyes unfeasible nightmares danced across his vision. It was a few minutes before he saw her eyes were closed. He sighed and pulled her small from into his arms.

"No Finnick I can walk." She retorted but Finnick didn't put her down. And what do you know by the time Finnick reached his house in victors' village Annie was out cold a sight that calmed Finnick. Years of being Annie's best friend gained him knowledge few others knew about her. One thing he had learned is she was fairly untrusting especially when it came to being lead or carried. So Annie trusting any one enough to fall asleep in their arms was a big thing. Finnick was worried if Annie still trusted him that much, after she saw him kill those children but her view of him didn't change.

When he entered his house he saw his father standing in the kitchen.

"Annie fell asleep." Finnick pointed out simply.

"I figured as much her uncle and mother already agreed to her staying the night on the couch. Just make sure she gets home tomorrow. I am going to call it a night. I am glad your home son, we've all missed you." He said with a smile toward his son as he disappeared deeper into the house.

"Sure will dad. And I missed you all too, Night." Finnick said laying Annie down on the couch and pulling an extra blanket they had over her small form and kissing her temple before sitting on the arm chair no too far off while he tried to figure what 'talent' he possessed.

Morning came soon enough along with the rising son waking Finnick from the little amount of sleep he had gotten the night before. However before he was fully awake he heard a knock at the door. He opened it to see Mags who smiled and asked if the boy was going to invite her in.

"Always Mags, I was just going to make some hot chocolate, you want some?" He asked leading his mentor into the kitchen.

"Oh no boy I've never been a fan of the stuff. Two sweet for my liking, I didn't know you liked it." Mags said as she took a seat at Finnick's table.

"I don't really but I know Annie's never had any so I was going to make her some." Finnick said as he went to work preparing the warm drink.

"You like her don't cha boy." Mags said and Finnick could feel himself blush a bit. No he did not like Annie Cresta she was just his friend. His best friend, nothing more, he tried to tell himself.

"We're just friends Mags nothing more." He said trying to convince himself more than the woman sitting across the room from him.

"I would keep it that way boy, the capitol gets some pleasure from hurting those the victors love. And a sweet little girl like that wouldn't stand a chance." Mags said before standing up.

"I better get going someone has gotta get Darius up or he would spend his day half asleep." Mags says as she leaves and Finnick can't help but smile. Mags was very caring of Darius, she was his mentor in his games a game that Finnick barley remembered. Darius' games, but Mags had yet to give up on the boy even if he won eleven years ago.

One thing that sticked with Finnick from Mags visit however was the fact that the capitol would hurt his loved ones. He could preapare Trenton to go in the games, he was going to any ways and he would put money on the kid winning. But Annie, Annie was two sweet to innocent. If the capitol hurt her in any way, took away and of the life from her eyes he would never forgive himself.

But could he truly distance himself to the thing he tried so hard to return to. He rubbed his hands over his temples as his thoughts whispered one word. Annie.


A/N - Please Review :)