Enchanted; A Finnick and Annie Fanfic ♥ (Currently Revising/Editing)

Chapter 19: I Have Some Good News

After the dining hall incident, there were only two weeks until the rebels were going to invade the Capitol. Finnick spent more and more time training. By the time he was allowed to leave in the evening, he was so exhausted he fell asleep almost right away. But I was okay with it, because it was what he wanted.

A few days before the troops are to head out, training exams are held. I stayed in our compartment the entire time, but Finnick told me the morning before that they supposed to target each person's weakness. That frightened me a little.

Finnick also said his exam wouldn't take more than an hour, and then he'd have the rest of the day to spend with me. So I stayed in our compartment waiting for him. An hour passed, then two. I started to get worried when three hours had passed, but he came into the room soon after.

"I'm so sorry," he said, kissing me gently before sitting on the bed. I sat next to him and he took my hand. "They had us meet with our squads once we passed the exams."

"Did they use me against you?" I asked.

He smiled. "What do you think?"

He pulled me onto his lap and held me for a while. Part of me wondered if it was because of what happened during his exam, just so he could make sure I was still out of harm's reach. After about ten minutes of holding me, he shook his head, as if remembering something.

"Johanna's back in the hospital," he said.

"How come?"

"Her exam, uh, didn't go so well." Finnick hesitated before asking, "Do you want to come with me to visit her? You don't have to, but I just figured after we could--"

I put my finger to his lips to quiet him. "Sure, I'd love to come."

We stood and he took my hand. We walked quietly to the hospital. When we got there, I said a quick hello to Prim and asked if she knew where Johanna was. She lead us to a room separate from where most patients are located.

"Go in whenever you want, but I have to warn you, she's not in the best shape," Prim said before leaving us alone outside Johanna's room.

Finnick squeezed my hand before opening the door. Johanna was bound to the bend by her wrists and ankles, but besides that, she looked okay. She even had her same obnoxious attitude.

"Oh hey, gorgeous," she said when we walked in, obviously referring to Finnick, "I didn't think you'd come visit me. Not after what I said to your wifey." She gestured towards me.

 I could see that Finnick got slightly angry again remembering the incident, but he just smiled and said, "If she can forgive you, I guess I can too."

Finnick pulled up two chairs for us, and we sat talking to Johanna for what seemed like hours. Sure, she and Finnick did most of the talking, but from time to time, she'd ask me a question like, "So what are you gonna do with yourself while Finnick's in the Capitol?" or "Will you get remarried if he doesn't come back?". They were crude questions, but I kept squeezing Finnick's hand, and that kept me in reality.

After a while, Johanna asked if she could have a few minutes alone with Finnick, and after quickly kissing him on the cheek, I left the room. But, I leaned against the door for a while and listened to their conversation.

"So, you excited about going to the Capitol?" Johanna asked, jealousy filling her voice.

"Excited isn't exactly the right word for it," Finnick said, laughing a little.

"Nervous, then?"

Finnick's voice dropped to a whisper, so I had to listen intently to hear it. "The only thing I'm nervous about is leaving Annie here by herself."

"She's tough, she'll be okay."

"It's just, when I go, I'll sacrifice myself if I have to, if it's for the cause. But I'm worried about what would happen to Annie if I did that."

After that, I started singing the District 4 wedding song to block out whatever else they said. I caught one more little exchange though, just before Finnick came back. And it wasn't because they were talking about me again. It was how serious they both got, especially Johanna.

"She's gonna be alright, Finnick," Johanna said, but the way she said it made her sound unsure.

It was silent for a minute before Finnick spoke again. "Promise me you'll take care of her while I'm gone, Johanna." It sounded like he'd been crying.

"I will. I promise."

And after a couple more minutes of silence, Finnick emerged from the room with a few tears on his cheeks. He wiped them away quickly and pulled my close for a tight hug. After a while, he whispered, "I'm already crying and my goodbye to you hasn't even started." And he kissed the top of my head.

We started walking back to our compartment, hand in hand. About halfway there, Finnick stopped, asked if I wanted to go for a walk outside, and we went out there silently.

Once we were outside, we walked around for a little while before Finnick stopped, smiled, and said, "I have some good news."

And I smiled, too. "What is it?"

"They put me on the squad that they're going to be filming for propos."

"So does that mean I'll get to look after you on camera?"

"Yep. I already asked if you could hang out in Command while I was gone and watch as they film. And do you know what else it means?"

I thought about it, let it all sink in. But I didn't know what else. "What?" I asked.

He smiled and tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. "It means we won't be doing much actual combat. Not until it comes to capturing Snow, at least."

It sinks in right away. That means he'll be safe. He'll come home to me. I smile bigger than I think I ever had and jump into his arms. He holds me and spins me in a circle, and we laugh together. Once we stopped spinning, I kissed him slowly and passionately on the mouth. There wasn't a doubt in my mind that he would make it home to me.