Previously-

Suddenly I jolted up, coughing up seawater and inhaling deep gasps of air. A pair of beautiful sea-green eyes met mine with a crooked smile. The beautiful man raised a hand slowly as if I was some wild animal and he gently caressed my face, moving a couple of stray hairs out of way of my face. " Now that's better."

Disclaimer: If I owned the Hunger Games, Finnick Odair and many others wouldn't have died.

-Finnick Odair-

"Finn!"

Raising a brow, I looked up from my book to see my little sister Annie smiling at me.

"Look what Mags made me!" she giggled.

Annie didn't look a lot like me, but we both had the trademark-tanned skin from District 4 along with distinct features. I looked like my dad being tall and blond while she looked like our mother with her dark long hair and petite build. She had one of those smiles that lit up a room and little Annie was as gentle as dove. She giggled again as she twirled in the new sun dress Mags, a fellow Victor had made for her. The little sun dress was much like stained glass with different shades of cracked green layered to look like a petal. It flowed in the breeze that came from the open balcony and I was reminded that my little sister would be a magnet for boys. Mags Cohen had always acted like our mother from the day our mother had died so young and left us with our drunken father. Fortunately he sobered up once I was sent away to the Games and has been better ever since he thought I had died.

As I stood up, Annie ran to me and I picked her up twirling her around. "My little Mermaid."

Annie giggled and hugged me. "You read too much big brother. You never take me fishing anymore."

I set her down and smiled. "Well. I guess we have to change that soon. But only after you are done with your school work."

District 4 was wealthier than most, and if the family could afford it, the children were able to study Marine Biology working to develop energy for the Capitol using the ocean, our trademark fishing industry, or like those who didn't have a choice or simply wanted to the Career Academy. I secured little Annie a spot studying biology rather than train at the Career Academy after what I saw in the Games. That wasn't the life I wanted for her and I wanted her to be free of the traumas I saw. The murderous nature of people you befriended hours before who went on to attempt to eat someone the next. I wanted Annie to keep up her innocence as long as she could. There wasn't much I could do when it came for the Reaping, but at that point I would figure something else out.

Annie pouted her doll lips and she leaned on me. "Please?"

Shaking my head I pointed to her room. "Studying is much more important lil mermaid."

"We are only studying Plankton reproductive trends…"

"Which is something I have no idea about Annie. Although it does sound pointless. I'll take you out later."

Annie moved away and stuck out her pinky. I knew what that meant and I smiled, wrapping my pinky around hers.

"I promise Annie."

Annie smiled and she gave a conceding smile as she turned and went to her room. I stretched and opened the two doors leading out to my private balcony looking out on the sea. The white sand glistened in the sun and the deep blue spray looked so inviting. Grinning I threw my shirt off and jumped down to go into the white sand heading towards the shore for a swim, something that once was routine was rare for me now as training kept me busy. Being the Capitol's lapdog also required my attention constantly. I smiled as the sun hit my skin and I started my way towards the water.

Suddenly there was a loud humming noise and I covered my eyes to look at the shining object in the sun. It was a Peacekeeper patrol unit, but I've never seen them out so far before. There was something wrong. The red lights flashed in the windows of the hovercraft and visible Peacekeepers running after something. A door slid open and a woman stood in the entryway. There was no way she would jump. The aircraft was probably a couple hundred feet in the air and the water was so deep in the area she would end up in. The creatures of the deep were nothing to laugh about, but that didn't stop her. Bullets flew around her and she wore a fierce look of determination as she jumped.

My eyes widened as her terrified screams filled the air and as soon as she hit the water, I dove into it starting to swim as fast as I could. The force at which she must have hit the water would break anyone's bones and the pressure would make her lose consciousness in mere minutes. She didn't surface and I swam faster as the aircraft started to leave, but not until they dropped something into the water. I didn't know what it was, it resembled a little teardrop, but it fell near her in the seawater.

Fuck. Taking a deep breath I dove deep into what would have been her deep blue casket and pulled her into my arms. The teardrop started to blink and it was at that moment when I knew what it was. Wrapping my arm around her waist I began to swim quickly back, a ticking noise filling my senses. We were only a maybe a couple of yards away before the bomb exploded, propelling us further away into the water. The force of the blast made it harder to keep hold of the girl, but at that crucial moment, something in me wanted to make sure she didn't slip from me. I would never want to let her go.

By the time I got her on the beach, my entire body burned. My arms were heavy and my lungs were on fire, but none of that mattered now. I laid her on the sand carefully and felt her pulse. My blood froze when I felt none. I started doing hard compressions and growling in frustration they started to get harder and harder.

"Come on, Breathe."

After twenty she still had no pulse and I placed my lips on hers breathing into her.

"Breathe!"

I started compressions again, feeling her ribs crack somewhat as I sustained my attempt to try to start her heart again. She bolted up and spat seawater up as she inhaled heavily. I wave of relief washed over me and I looked at her.

This woman had light skin that was probably darker, more olive before. An extended stay inside was probably to blame for her new found paleness. Was she captive somewhere? Her long black hair was tied up into a long braid, but stray hairs clung to her cheeks. She was significantly taller than Annie, but that wasn't too important. She looked as if she had been starving her entire life. Her grey eyes met mine with panic and I slowly reached out to her. She flinched and I smiled gently as I moved a couple of stray hairs. "That's better."

Her wide eyes looked at me and she quickly looked back to the sky. "Are they gone?" she asked quietly. She reminded me of a trapped animal the way she was on edge.

"Yes. You are safe."

She tried to stand and winced. I caught her and held steady. "Easy. What is your name?"

"Katniss," she replied softly as she gripped my arm tightly.

I chuckled. "Like the plant?"

Her beautiful grey eyes narrowed and she shoved her body into mine. This little woman used a lot of force and it was enough to make me stumble. "Yes. Like the plant."

"Easy Kat."

"Katniss." The kitten has some claws. I could feel the amused smile on my face as I offered her a hand. "Katniss. My name is Finnick."

Her eyebrow raised and she finally got herself up. "Odair right? The winner of the last Hunger Games."

Oh right. I ran a hand through my hair. She made me nervous. I stood up and her eyes met mine. She fell back to the ground and winced. The fall was tough on her, but the fact nothing seemed broken was remarkable.

I reached an arm out again. "Here."

She looked at me and frowned. "I can handle it getting up."

"You've got some fire in you. But, tell me again how well that is going on your own," I said smirking.

"Shut up," she spat as she tried to get up again. I laughed as she fell. I kneeled down and slid my arms under her to pick her up. She leaned against my chest and huffed. "I had it."

"Clearly Spitfire," I mumbled.

"You won't turn me in will you?" she said quietly.

My blood froze momentarily and I started walking back to my house pondering that thought. Katniss just escaped the Capitol and she injured herself in the process. Defying the Capitol like that would mean a public execution if she was lucky. I don't think anyone has ever escaped the clutches of the Peacekeepers like that at all and certainly anything close to an escape that dramatic. But the cost of protecting her would be large and immediately I feared for Annie.

I shook my head. "No." I said firmly. I wouldn't turn her in. She closed her eyes and I saw a lone tear trail down her cheek. "Are you ok?"

She nodded and a hollow look entered her eyes. I walked into my house and called for Mags. Mags came rushing and she gasped, signing worriedly. "She's alright Mags, but she is hurt. Can you help her?"

Mags quickly nodded as she slipped into unconsciousness again. We carried her to my room and set her on the bed. Mags ushered me out of the room as she started changing and dressing her wounds. My heart pounded in my chest and I looked back at Katniss hoping desperately, that I could maybe keep her safe.

It is kinda short, but things have been ridiculously tough lately. I'm not sure I like the first person point of view so I'll probably switch back. Mags is amazing and I love Finnick's kind mind. He can't read her well and it will drive him insane!