A/N-? Ugh, tiny chickens have invaded. (for those who are not Nerdfighters, this means I am ill), I got a day off school which is awesome, but not so great when I feel like... um... something ill?

Right, well this is the second to last chapter! DUN DUN DUUUNNN! I hope you like it, cuz I've been looking forward to a certain scene...

I wake to the smell of burnt toast and over-brewed coffee. I yawn and stretch out my limbs, shaking off the sleep. Stopping suddenly, I take a look at my surroundings. This isn't familiar at all. My bedroom isn't painted pale yellow, and it certainly isn't this small. Where am I?

I swing my legs around and get out of the bed. I then notice that I'm still wearing the clothes from yesterday. They're a little creased and rolled up in places. As I take my first step of the morning, I have to grab hold of a chest of drawers for balance. My head is spinning wildly out of control and I can't seem to get a grip on myself.

Think, Zinny. Think. Where were you last night?

Haymitch's.

It all comes flooding back to me now. The argument with Ethan, the push and then me running away. A sick taste arises in the back of my throat when I remember it all. Remembering how Ethan reacted yesterday and how shocked I was. I'd never once thought that he would ever fly off the handle like that. And although he didn't hit me directly, he still pushed me. He would never do that, I had thought. But yesterday proved me wrong, didn't it?

Very cautiously, I make my way down the stairs, clutching to the rail to stop me from falling. I stumble through the rooms and into the kitchen. Haymitch is sitting at the table, chewing on some toast, with a mug in his other hand. He snorts loudly as I walk in and erupts into a fit of laughter.

"Your first hangover, eh?" He laughs at me as I wobble into the room.

"And what if it is?" I say, pulling out a chair.

"Then I'll tell you that the first is usually the worst" He replies in mid chew.

"I think I'll have to agree with you there" I collapse on a chair.

Haymitch chuckles and pushes a mug across the table.

"Here, drink this. It works wonders" He says.

"Tah" I say, taking the mug and sipping a little.

It's got to be the strongest coffee I've ever drank. Rich, black liquid that burns down my throat, but instantly refreshes me.

"It's strong" I state, putting down the mug.

"You bet it is" Haymitch then pushes a plate towards me. "Eat some toast with it. It'll work better"

I take a look at the blackened piece of bread. It looks kinda gross, but I take a bite anyway. It crunches against my teeth and the taste is bitter. Very black and bitter. Nevertheless, I get through two rounds of it and finish my coffee.

"Feeling better?" Haymitch asks, taking the plate and dumping it in the sink.

"A bit, thanks. I'll feel much better after a shower" I hint.

"Sure, go ahead. The bathroom is just on your left as you reach the top of the stairs" He says. "Don't be too long though, we're supposed to be meeting with the rest of the team in twenty minutes"

"Twenty minutes?" I repeat in shock.

"Uh huh. You'd better hurry up then" He shoos me upstairs.

I race into the bathroom and quickly flick on the shower. My clothes come peeling off in seconds and I'm in the shower before I can say Happy Hunger Games. The hot water is cruel against my skin, battering against the dirt and sweat. It practically scrapes off a layer of skin, leaving a shiny, clean new layer underneath. I tilt my head back and let the water run down my face, and body. I would stay in here all day if it weren't for the plan.

Jumping out of the shower, I grab a spare towel and pat myself dry. I wrap it around my body and head back to the spare bedroom. Haymitch has kindly left me some clothes lying on the bed and I close the door behind me.

The clothes are just a pair of plain camo trousers, a black t-shirt and some old brown boots. I hesitate no longer and slip into them. They seem just the right size, fortunately, although the boots are a little wide at the toes. I have just enough time to brush through my hair and tie it back into a ponytail, before running back downstairs.

"All done?" Haymitch asks, opening the front door.

"Yup" I answer in response and walk outside.

It's still early, probably between six and seven am. The air is a little chilly, as the sun is only just peeking out in the distance. I wait for Haymitch to lock up and then follow him down the path and through the Victor's Village.

We walk all through the main town centre, the world silent around us. Not many people are awake now, just a few here and there, who don't take any notice of us. Haymitch turns down a small alley and I follow. It seems to drag on forever, when it finally opens up. I then see that we're at the edge of the District and the fence is just in front of us.

I listen carefully, but the sound of low humming is absent. The gate mustn't be on, thankfully. I look to Haymitch.

"Where are they?" I ask, looking around but seeing no-one else.

"They'll be here in approximately twenty seconds" He replies, checking his watch.

And nineteen seconds later, I see a large helicopter land about 500 metres away, beyond the fence.

"Right, that's them. We need to go over there and meet them" Haymitch tells me, ducking under the gap in the fence where I last went through when Ethan was close to death.

I shake my mind free of the memory and duck under after him. Our pace quickens up towards the helicopter and a few minutes later, we're inside.

A small group of people stand around, talking barely above a whisper. I recognise Boggs straight away and he turns to smile at me.

"Hey, Zinnia. What do you think of this beauty, eh?" He asks.

"Swanky" I reply.

He chuckles and walks over to me and Haymitch.

"How's the time going?" Haymitch asks him. "Got enough to get there as planned?"

"We're bang on schedule. I think we're about to take off in a minute" Boggs says, reading something off his clipboard. "Hey, Howard! We ready to take flight?"

Howard, I'm guessing is the pilot, puts his thumbs up and speaks into a small microphone.

"Ok, everyone on board, we're about to take off, so please get into your allocated seats"

I look over to Boggs, who takes my arm and walks me to the front of the seating area. He sits down in his seat and fastens his seat belt.

"Zinnia, you're next to me here" He says. "And Haymitch, you're just behind"

I take the seat and buckle the belt in. "How come I get to sit at the front with you?"

"Ah, special treatment for the only girl on the aircraft" He winks, then drops to a low whisper. "And I'd prefer your company to old Abernathy's"

I smile at him. "I'm sure he's not that bad"

"Nah, he's alright is Haymitch. Just don't catch him off guard when he's been drinking. It can get nasty"

"When is he not drinking?" I laugh, a little too loud and Haymitch's head leans forward just between us.

"I hope you two aren't talking about me" He says.

"Of course not. You're not the only alcoholic I know" Boggs chuckles, leaning back in his seat.

There's a low rumbling sound and the helicopter starts to vibrate. The noise gets louder and louder as the propeller gathers speed. I gasp as we begin to lift off the ground. I've never flown before and it feels so strange, not to have gravity keeping you down. I like the feeling.

"Wow" I breathe.

"It's a shame we have no windows back here" Boggs says. "But then again, it's all part of the fun"

"It's amazing" I gasp.

"It gets better once we can walk around"

"We can walk inside when we're flying?" I exclaim in astonishment.

"Sure we can. This is from District Thirteen, and we do only make the finest"

And it's true. A few minutes of being in the air and a small dinging sound echoes around the craft.

"Ah, that means it's free to wander" Boggs tells me, unfastening his seat belt and standing up.

I do the same, stepping carefully first, then once I realise it's safe, I begin to walk around normally.

"How long until we reach the arena?" I ask.

"Not too long, I'd say about a couple of hours tops" He answers.

"Awesome" I say excitedly, but inside I'm starting to feel nervous. Not because of the Capitol, but because in a few hours time, I'll see Finnick.

"Ha! Three in a row! I win... again!" I say, circling the row of three crosses on the grid.

Boggs sighs, scratching his forehead. "How many times is that; five?"

"Six" I correct him, taking pleasure in my victory.

"How do you keep doing it?" He asks.

"Practise, I guess" I shrug.

"More like cheating" He says, folding his arms in a gruff.

I laugh at his childish behaviour. "Oh, you're such a bad loser"

"I am not"

"Bad loser"

"Not"

"Bad loser"

"Not"

Haymitch walks over, interrupting my teasing.

"Hey, you two kids. Just wanted to let you know that we're heading towards the arena"

"Really, so soon?" I say, surprised at how fast time has gone.

Haymitch nods and Boggs stands up, grabbing his clipboard.

"Right, I'd better go and get prepared. You two wait here and do as you're instructed" Boggs orders.

We nod obediently and sit back down.

Neither of us speaks. Haymitch seems to be concentrating on something or other, and I can't prize my mind away from the thoughts swirling around.

What will Finnick do when he sees me? Will he ignore me and walk away? Or will he come and beg me for forgiveness? What will he say to me? What will I say to him?

I'm staring into space when I hear a small triumphant cheer from the front section of the helicopter. We must have broken into the arena.

Everything after that goes so quickly. People run around the craft, giving orders and pressing buttons on control panels. I'm ushered into a small room at the back of the helicopter. I stand still, not knowing what I'm supposed to do. If I'm supposed to do anything.

Five minutes pass and I'm still alone in the room. I start to chew my fingers impatiently, with nothing else to do but wait for further instructions.

Ten minutes pass and I'm still alone. Now, I've resorted to untying and retying my shoe laces, to keep me from dying of boredom. Still, no-one has come to find me.

Fifteen minutes pass and I'm still alone in the room, but now I can hear voices. I press my ear to the door to see if I can pick up what they're saying. I can hear them, but can't quite make out what they're saying. There seems to be about three people in the room.

I keep trying to pick up on the conversation, but then it goes quiet. I think they've gone.

Just out of curiosity, I check if the door is locked. It isn't, so I carefully turn the handle and peep my head inside. The room seems empty, but I still move the rest of my body in. I turn to close the door behind me, and as I do, a voice comes from somewhere behind.

"Zinny?"

I whirl around to see Finnick standing on the opposite side of the room, staring at me.

My heart flutters and I can't contain myself from shouting his name.

"Finnick!" I cry, starting to run towards him.

"Zinny!" He cries back and also starts to run.

Neither of us stops in time, so we end up colliding into each other. My arms reach up and wrap around his neck, pulling him down to me. I press my lips against his.

He doesn't pull back, but deepens the kiss. I feel his arms coming against my back, holding me close. My hands feel his muscles in his neck tense and relax, tense and relax. My fingers twine through his hair and I breathe in his scent. The scent of the beach, the waves, the sand. The scent of his body against mine. The scent I missed so much.

At last his lips lift off mine and he rests his head on my shoulder, whispering in my ear.

"I am so sorry, Zinny. I didn't-"

I pull back and rest my finger on his lips. "Shh, not now"

He nods and pulls me back into him, kissing my lips again and stroking his fingers down my back. My own fingers run down his chest, tracing his muscles under his shirt.

"Zinny, I love you" He murmurs to me.

"I love you too"

"You don't know how much I've missed you"

"I'm sure I can guess"

He pulls back and holds my arms, looking deeply into my eyes.

"I am so sorry about everything I did, you know" He tells me, stroking my cheek.

"It's ok, I know" I say, leaning my head on his chest.

"I promise you that I'll never walk away like that. Never"

"And I'll never leave without saying goodbye"

"Good"

"Good"

A/N- AWWWWWWWW was it just me or did any of you find that a cute ending? I thought it was cute when I was writing it :D

Anyways, for those people who don't know, I am writing a SYOT and I need 10 more tributes if you want to quickly submit one then thanks a lot! I need to get it posted asap, so give me your tributes and see them either die or win! Yay.

Chapter 15 (the final chapter) is going to be written either tomorow or some day soon and should be posted up within the next few days!

Thanks, FireflyLlama x