Finnick's POV:

"Here, let me have those." BeeTee took the samples from me and set them aside. "Tell me what you found today."

I dropped onto the sofa across from his desk and briefed him about my day, about the leaves, the temperature and the fish. I had reviewed this over and over in my mind all afternoon searching for clues that I had overlooked. "I'm not sure what the fuck is going on. I can't tell if all of this is related or completely separate incidents. I need to see if you can find out what the hell is wrong with each of these samples and if there is a common thread that links them all together."

"This may be a stretch, but the brown spots on the leaves you found…well, Haymitch called me a little while ago and he found some dead leaves and what looks like burned bark on some of the trees in the Groves. He sent me a picture of them, but he is bringing the samples by later on." He was studying the samples in their containers while he talked to me. I could tell he was anxious to get started on this new project I had brought him.

"How long before you will have any answers for me?" I asked. "It's too soon to say right now." he said. "I'd like to analyze Haymitch's samples and compare them to these before I give a final answer. I'll do my best to keep you posted, but it may be a couple of days before I have any definite answers. Is that okay for you?"

"I guess it's going to have to be okay." I took a deep breath to calm myself. I was agitated and impatient but knew better than to rush BeeTee. Nobody was better able to find the answers I needed. "Just let me know the minute you have anything."

BeeTee smiled at me. "You know I will. Meantime, I have something I need you to look at for me." He walked out into the lab and beckoned for me to follow him. "Gale and I have been working on this trap and it keeps malfunctioning after it's triggered. We were wondering if you might have any suggestions."

I looked at the trap and didn't notice anything out of the ordinary. "Can you show me what you're talking about?" I asked. He set the trap and tossed a ball into it, causing the trigger to release. The trap snapped shut and then collapsed back open. He repeated this a couple of more times. "Gale couldn't figure this one out?" I asked. "Nope. That's why I'm asking you. We have looked at this and studied it until we are cross-eyed. Any thoughts or suggestions from you will be most appreciated."

"Let me take it with me for a couple of days and study it in more detail. I'll let you know what I figure out, okay?" I asked. "Sure, not a problem." he said. He wrapped the snare up and placed it in a bag for me. I took the bag from him and looked back over at my samples sitting in his office. "Maybe this will keep me busy until you have something for me."

"Don't worry about this too much, Finn. You have my word that I'll do my best to find out what caused this. I have some of the best researchers in science right here in my lab and I'll make use of their skills. I know how serious this can be, and how important it is to you, but remember – it might not be anything serious at all. I'll call you as soon as I have anything." He assured me as he ushered me out of the lab. "Thanks," I said and made my way back to the shuttle.

I felt a little better knowing that BeeTee was working on it, but I was still concerned knowing that Haymitch had found similar problems on his trees in the Groves. Maybe this was some fungus or algae. Who knows? I shook my head to try and clear it. I checked the time and realized Annie would be getting off of work soon. If I was lucky, I could meet her at work and walk home with her. Sometimes the girls in her shop get caught up in their gossip and forget the time. I decided to give her a call just in case. Surely she could help take my mind off of today. She answered my call and assured me she was just cleaning up her station and would wait for me before locking up.

The shuttle dropped me off at the shop just as the ladies were leaving. The door chimed as I walked in and Annie looked up, smiling when she saw it was me. Her smile made my heart beat faster. I loved how she always seemed happy to see me. "Hey, handsome. Just in time as always!" she said as she grabbed her jacket and keys and pulled me out the door, locking it behind her. Turning back towards me, she slipped her arm through mine and leaned up and kissed me quickly. "You look tired. Tell me about your day."

As we walked towards home I told her about everything that had happened. It had been a long day. She was quiet and let me talk until I ran out of things to say. I could feel her eyes as they searched my face from time to time during my monologue. I knew if I stopped and looked that I would see eyes that reflected concern and love for me. It made me grateful to have a wife that cared about me, about my work, my happiness. Annie made me feel like anything and everything about me was the most important thing to her.

"Let's go out tonight. Maybe the Bistro you love so much and a little dancing or a walk in the park? How does that sound to you?" I suggested. Her eyes lit up and she squealed ecstatically! "Yes! That sounds perfect! All of it!" She was so easy to please and it made me feel guilty that I didn't think to do these little things for her more often. I'd have to change that.

I pulled my arm out of hers and wrapped it around her waist, pulling her close to my side. I leaned down to kiss the top of her head, inhaling her sweet shampoo and relishing how perfectly she molded to me. Instantly I felt more relaxed than I had since I left her in bed this morning. "You're good medicine for me, you know that?" I asked her. She just looked up and smiled at me, wrapping her arms around my waist and hugging me tightly. She leaned up and gently kissed my neck, causing a jolt of electricity to flow straight to my gut. "If we're going to go out tonight, you might not want to get me all worked up." I teased. "Whatever you want, Finn." She flirted back. "You've made me very happy and I want to make you happy, too!" Did I mention I was the luckiest man in the world? Yeah, go ahead – you can be jealous. I don't mind.

We got home, showered and dressed to go out. Naturally, I was dressed before Annie, so I sat on the edge of the bed and watched as she finished getting ready. I love to watch her primp and preen. She swept her hair up, twisted high on top of her head and secured it with several tiny clips that glittered in the light. Annie wasn't much on makeup, preferring a little powder, mascara and a soft pink lip gloss. Tonight she chose to wear a sleeveless dress with a scooped neck. It hung straight down, the hem stopping halfway down her thighs. It was a beautiful shade of blue that accented her eyes and the fabric was soft and clung to all of my favorite curves. She finished off her look with a pair of silver heels and her favorite silver teardrop earrings and matching necklace. I helped her with the clasp on her necklace just for an excuse to touch her. I couldn't resist the chance to kiss her on the neck. She stepped away from me, and raising her arms over her head, she slowly turned in a circle and asked "How do I look?" If she only knew what she did to me when she arched her perfect little eyebrows and swayed those perfect little hips. "Breathtaking." I whispered as I placed my hands on her hips, pulled her towards me and bent down to kiss her. I poured every promise I could think of into that kiss. Promises of a lovely evening, of more kisses to come, and of a long, fulfilling future. Grazing my lips along her jaw and down her neck I warned her "We'd better get out of here before the last ounce of resolve I have disappears." Sighing contentedly, she looked up at me and whispered "I love you, too, Finn."

I turned her towards the door and gently pushed her out. "Let's go before I decide to take you right here, right now." She smiled over her shoulder and skipped ahead of me through the door.

The night was unsurpassable. The Bistro was within walking distance of our flat so we opted not to take the shuttle. The night air was balmy with a soft breeze that carried the scent of Eden with it. We ordered the French Onion Soup, her favorite, followed by the Coq au Vin perfectly accented with a delicious Pinot Noir. For dessert, we shared a chocolate soufflé. Afterwards I pulled Annie out to the patio. It was a small, intimate dance floor complete with live musicians playing romantic music. Annie loved the atmosphere of the patio as much as the food. Soft twinkle lights were strung throughout the tree branches, mimicking the stars in the sky. Candles and flowers abounded in every nook and cranny.

"Feeling any better?" Annie asked as she gently rubbed her thumbs along my cheeks. "Much." I replied, kissing the tip of her nose and wrapping my arms around her waist. Dancing with Annie on the patio was like an aphrodisiac and I didn't want this night to end. After several dances, Annie suggested we take a walk through the park on our way home and I agreed. We left the Bistro replete and contented. I laced my fingers through hers, linking her to me and making sure anyone who passed us by knew she was mine.

During the day the park was filled with families and small children playing on the playground and couples strolling around the pond. The pond was the main attraction, found directly in the center of the park. Every path within the park led to the pond. A small family of ducks that lived in the park could often be found swimming around and beautiful Koi could be seen gliding just under the surface of the water. Everyone came to the park to toss crumbs into the pond to feed both the fish and the ducks.

At night, the park was lit with lamps all along each pathway. There was a small bridge crossing over the center of the pond and it, too, was lit with lamps. Annie pulled me towards the bridge, stopping at the top and leaning over the side to peer down into the reflections in the waters below. It was serene here. The water reflected the inky black sky, the glittering stars, and the flickering of the lamps.

It was restful and I was lost in my thoughts when I felt Annie rub her cheek against my shoulder. Looking down I could see her eyes closed and a small smile on her lips. "What are you thinking?" I asked quietly, not wanting to disturb the peaceful atmosphere. Without opening her eyes, she replied, "About you. About how contented I am right now. About how, for so long, I was tormented by the games and my fear of losing you, and of not having a future with you. But not any more. I have you now, and the games are gone – over with. There is no more fear of losing you and our future has just begun. I love you, love this – us – tonight, right now. Everything in my life is absolutely perfect because of you." She sighed and I couldn't help but pull her towards me and kiss her. I kissed her deeply, with all the passion and longing I had in me. I wrapped my hands around her waist and held her tightly against me. I physically ached with need and want for her. "Let's go home." I whispered into her mouth.

We turned and walked slowly home, arms entwined together. I wanted to stay in this moment, never let it go. I needed her, needed this.

We entered our flat and I softly closed the door, locking it behind us. I gathered Annie in my arms and carried her to our room, setting her on her feet next to our bed. She wrapped her arms around my neck as I trailed kisses across her lips and eyes and ran my hands down to the hem of her dress, sliding it up over her hips as she raised her hands over her head and I pulled the dress off of her. Letting it fall to the floor, she groaned as I grazed my fingers down her arms, down the sides of her breasts and slid my hands underneath the sheer grey lace panties she wore and softly cupped her ass in my hands.

I pulled her towards me, grinding my aching need against her. She slid her hands down to grasp my biceps as her eyes closed as her head fell back. I took advantage of this position to slide my tongue down the length of her neck and sucked gently on the soft flesh of her shoulder. She shivered and moaned "I need you now, Finn." I lifted her up and laid her down on our bed.

I quickly rid myself of my clothes, unbuttoning my shirt and pants in record time, toeing my shoes off and kicking them away from me. I climbed onto the bed and hovered over her, taking in her exquisite beauty. Her bra was a thin grey satin edged in a tiny lace that matched her panties. She exuded sex and femininity. Her scent hung heavy in the air and clouded my thinking. My rock hard cock jerked in response to the jolt of lust that swept over me.

I reached out and deftly unclasped the front of her bra and swept my palms across each breast pushing the fabric out of the way. God, she was so soft. I leaned in and kissed each pink nipple softly, eliciting a deep moan from Annie. I felt her fingers as they threaded through my hair and drew me closer to her. I alternately nipped and tugged at each nipple with my mouth as my hands began a journey of their own. I slid my palms down her waist and pressed them against the flat plane of her stomach, kneading her soft, pliant skin. Annie whispered my name over and over again, like the chants of the mermaids in our legends, mesmerizing me with her voice. I massaged her hipbones with my thumbs as my fingers splayed across and squeezed the fullness of her rounded hips. Using my knee, I plied her legs apart, pushing between them until they laid open, flat against the bed, exposing her completely to me. Lowering myself against her hot center, I slid the length of my erection against the soft lace of her panties until her hips began to yield to my demands. Now frustrated with the layers of fabric remaining between us, I sat up, causing her fingers to release my hair, and pulled the bra over her shoulders tossing it aside. She lifted her hips allowing me to slide her panties and shoes off and they, too, were quickly relocated somewhere near her bra.

I allowed myself a moment to take in the sight her glorious nakedness before I whispered into her ear, "You look so fucking good, baby." "You still have too many clothes on, Finn." She whispered back, smirking at me with a twinkle in her eyes. "Let's see if I can remedy that." I said as I pushed myself off of her, causing her to cry out at the loss of contact. I slid my boxers off with lightening speed and was back with my dick sliding against her wet core before she could move from her position. "Now, Finn. I want you now." she moaned as her lips sought out mine.

"Patience, baby. We have all night and I'm not in the mood to rush. I fully intend to make love to you all night long, to give you everything I have and to take everything you've ever given to me and show you how much I love you for it. All night, baby." Her hands searched all over my body, groping and grabbing for anything to hold on to, anything to use in her pursuit of bringing us closer together, as one. Her lips seared my skin everywhere they placed heated kisses, igniting me until I felt I was being consumed by her fires.

Reaching down, I took my engorged member in my hand and placed the tip at her swollen opening. Looking up at her, I whispered to her, "Annie, baby. Look at me now." She looked into my eyes and I slowly entered her, stopping only when I was completely incased in her slick, tight heat. "I love you." I said, never losing eye contact with her as I began a slow thrust in and out, syncing with her in a steady, slow rhythm as I began to make love to her. We watched each other as our bodies danced together, joined as one, working together to complete the other half.

We uttered intimate words of love, of pleasure, teaching each other how each touch, caress and embrace brought us closer to consummation. I could feel the heat within beginning to roll forward like a tidal wave and groaned between the desire to give in to myself and the need to hold out longer for more than my immediate satisfaction. I wanted this to last longer, needed it to go on and on. Rejecting my bodies command to thrust harder, to move faster, I continued to assault both of us with a brutally slow and steady push and pull. My lips grazed her chin, her cheeks, her eyelids, before consuming her mouth. My hands drifted down her thighs, pulling up her knees and wrapping her tighter around my body. "Finn, oh god, Finn. Don't stop. Please." she whimpered against my lips. I felt her breathing speed up and her soft mewling shot straight to my gut. My nature warred with me to ravish her, but tonight was too important for my own personal agenda. I needed the pain of my restraint, needed to give of myself to her before I could allow the pleasure that threatened even now to swallow me whole. I needed this, her, us, entwined together like rivers ebbing and flowing together with the tide.

"Finn!" Annie screamed my name into my mouth. She threw her head back and violently arched underneath me, unable to fight the wave of pleasure that coiled within her. My tongue left a wet trail down her neck to her breast as I continued to ravage her body. She bucked and rocked underneath me until I could hold back no more. "Fuck! Yeah, Annie." I hissed. "Fuck, yeah!" I thrust my dick deep within her as her body sucked and pulled every inch of me into her, my thick, hot cum exploding into her as I gave in, slamming us together and grinding into her trying to milk every drop of pleasure from both of us.

When I was able to regain control over my body and could breath again, I kissed her as I slowly slid myself out from between her soft, wet folds. Her hands grabbed my hips to still them, not wanting to lose this feeling of completeness. I, too, immediately felt the loss of our connection and rolled behind her, spooning her to my chest, placing her head on my arm and tucking my free hand around her waist and between her legs, still wet with the results of our lovemaking. I fell into a dreamless sleep, no dreams, no nightmares. When I woke up, my hand was still between her legs, still wet making me wonder what kind of dreams she was having. My dick was instantly hard and I woke her up with my personal ministrations, not giving up until I heard her scream my name again.