September 4th, 2010

"Alfred! Come back here right now, young man and put these clothes on!"

America giggled, running out of his temporary room and running right into Russia who locked hands around America's small wrists and stared down at him.

"Alfred. Causing Arthur stress already today, hmmm?" Russia stared deeply into America's eyes trying to find that- ah! There it was. America tried yanking his arms out of the Russians grip.

"Arthur wants' me to put on these really weird clothes. They look like they're from the 1700's or something!"

"Oh really?" Russia smiled and dragged America back into the room to find England staring down at the bed that had America's old colonial outfit her wore as a child spread out.

"This outfit could still work today." Russia cheerfully announced. He leaned down to meet America's ear, watching from the corner of his eye with amusement England narrowing his eyes. "Funny that you gave a specific time period, though."

America jolted and violently ripped his wrists from Russia's grip and blushed crimson. He ran over to England and punched him lightly on the arm. "Okay! I give up, Arthur. I will wear the stupid outfit."

"What did Ivan say to you, Alfred?" England ignored America's statement and stared with interest over America's head up at Russia.

Russia grinned back. "It's nothing that concerns you."

America didn't look back at Russia but shook his head. "He was just wondering why I thought this outfit was from the 1700's. But I watched an old movie on TV yesterday about early America! A young boy had on a similar outfit. Wouldn't it be neat to live back then?" America finally turned around and smiled up at Russia.

Russia narrowed his eyes.

"Ah perhaps so. Though a bad time for…umm."

America spun back around and held a hand up to his mouth. "Oops! I'm sorry! I forgot America kicked your countries butt back then. That war for freedom or something, right?"

Russia saw England flinch and watched as he stood up quickly.

"Yes. I need to go make a phone call. Please get dressed Alfred." England brushed past Russia and exited the room.

"That wasn't very nice, Alfred."

America looked up from the clothes and stared at Russia, his wide eyes lit up in confusion. "What do you mean?"

"You know what I mean."

Both of them stood gazing at each other for silent minutes before a knock at the door sounded.

"Yes?" America chirped up.

"Oh! Alfred dear, it's time to go." Ukraine announced through the door.

It was decided two cars would be used to take them all to the UN meeting. While Belarus, Ukraine, and Canada went into Canada's small car, England, Russia, and America crammed into Russia's car. America immediately turned on the radio and attempted to find a channel in English. Since they were, however, in Russia, he gave up and settled for the Classical music channel. England in the backseat was silent throughout the car ride and the only noise besides the radio was America humming along to the music.

After twenty minutes of driving, they finally arrived in downtown Moscow to the building hosting the UN. Russia parked the car across from the building and they all got out. England started walking briskly to the building with a shouted 'come along now, Alfred'. Russia looked down beside him to see America looking uneasy, eyes flickering between numerous countries faces.

"What's wrong Alfred?"

America fisted his hands and began walking forward. "Nothing."

"They are just….representatives from the countries of the UN. It's nothing to be nervous about. They won't touch you." Russia chuckled.

America's face split into a smile and he grinned up at Russia. "I know. You got my back, right Ivan?"

'Don't worry! You got my back, right Russia! We'll give the Germans hell!'

Russia only faltered for a mille-second before he gave a answering smile and marched forward up to the UN doors. Wouldn't he always?

As soon as they entered they were greeted by England, Canada, Ukraine and France. France's eyes widened upon seeing America and he rushed forward. America let out a squeak and hid behind Russia.

"Alfred! I'm sure you do not remember me, the tragedy, but I am your oldest brother! Has Arthur been force feeding you his horrid creations?"

England let out a noise of protests and smacked France on the head. America chuckled and came out from behind Russia.

"No. Ivan and Matthew have been making our meals."

"Oh. What a blessing!" France shot Russia a suspicious look before smiling down at America. "Come now Alfred, you can sit by me in the meeting."

Russia, England, and Canada had come up with a plan that they later told France that maybe if they let him sit in at the meeting, he might get his memories back. America looked nervously up at Russia but reached up and took Frances's hand. Russia watched him go through the doors to the meeting room before turning to his sister.

"Where is big sister?"

"She is already in the meeting." Ukraine answered.

"All right. Let's go in then."

Russia, Ukraine, and Canada were the last ones to enter. As they entered the room, they were greeted with the sight of almost every nation crowded around America's chair and jabbering a mile a minute about his condition. This was going to be a long day.

"This concludes this month's UN meeting. Now will all you please exit the room swiftly and calmly and no one better go bug Alfred!" Germany barked out his last order while shuffling his papers back into his folder.

North Italy shot up from his chair beside Germany and gave the broad nation a pat on the back for a job well done and helped gather his papers. South Italy stood up from beside his brother, flashed Spain a dark look, and stormed out of the room.

"But Romano! I was just wondering what he would look like in your old outfit! I wasn't going to put him it!" Spain cried out after, racing out of the room to catch up to South Italy.

Japan shook Greece awake and they both stood silently to leave, a fuming Turkey stalking behind them. Japan paused at America's chair and gave the small boy a nod and smile before he was dragged off by Greece.

Slowly but surely all the other nations exited the meeting room until it was just Russia, England, France, Canada, and America.

"That meeting was so boring! Well, Kiku's part about his toy production was neat, but still pretty boring. I feel sorry for you guys. Do you always have to do these?" America exclaimed, spinning the chair around.

Several faces fell and England bit his lip, trying to hold his disappointment. "Ah. Yes. But it's very serious and important work to help bring peace to all nations."

America nodded his head in agreement. "You should get a hero for that!"

Canada chuckled and held out his hand. "That might be a bit hard to do, Alfred. Come on, we can stop by Mickey D's on the way back to Russia's house."

America started to eagerly reach his hand to meet Canada's before another shot out and took it. America looked up in annoyance at Russia.

"May you all please leave for a few minutes? I need to speak to Alfred about something."

England opened his mouth to protest but France covered it with his hand and nodded. "Of course you may. Everyone?"

America looked up at Russia in confusion as everyone exited the room. The doors snapped closed and the empty room was deathly silent.

"So…ah. What did you want to talk about, Ivan?"

Russia stared down at America with a piercing gaze.

"Alfred F. Jones. Do not play this game with me."

America's eyes went wide with fear. He shot up from his chair and started to run to the door. Russia had anticipated this and was two steps ahead of him. His large arms shot out and he grabbed America around the waist, lifting him into the air up against his chest.

"LET ME GO BRAGINSKI! THIS INSTANT!" America screamed out, kicking his tiny legs and scratching at Russia's arms.

"How long, America?" Russia whispered into the tiny nation's ear.

America ceased all fighting and went limp. "Ho-How did you know?"

Russia chuckled. "Along with the few hints here and there, Amelia told me."

Russia went over to an empty chair and sat down, shifting America so that he was sitting in his lap, facing him. America fidgeted in discomfort, a blush coming to his small face.

"Why?" Russia breathed out, trying to search for the answer in America's eyes.

America froze then buried his head against Russia's chest. He mumbled something.

"What have I told you about your mumbling, America?"

America looked up at Russia with a weak glare, his eyes moist. "Not strong enough anymore."

"What nonsense is this?" Russia snapped.

"At first, it really was Amelia who had taken over. She had me purposely get run over by you. Very painful and I was fucking glad she also felt that." America growled out. "She was very worried for me. I hadn't slept in over a week, working on a lot of paperwork. But when I was thrown back in control of my mind and body again when I remembered Iggy's toy soldier…and woke up…..I realized."

America bit his lip and looked down at Russia's lap. "I realized I wanted to keep pretending to be oblivious. This recession is very hard. I'm tired all the time and all the wars my country is fighting in. It's exhausting. I'm no longer following a 'hero code' as I used to back in the day. I need…"

America's eyes finally squeezed shut tightly, tears spilling over the edge, "I'm not you, Russia. I can't keep that poker face on all the time. I'm not strong enough."

Russia wrapped his arms around America and brought him closer. "You had me pretty fooled during the 50's."

"That was different!" America shuddered out. "I knew you; mind and body. But the world today is confusing. I can't anticipate Iran's moves. His mind is an electric fence that won't shut off. It's hard to keep a poker face when he rips my emotions out from me. And his boss is fucking pissing me off avoiding direct questions."

Russia gave a heavy sigh and dug in his pocket, pulling out a red handkerchief which he used to wipe away America's tears. "May I remind you the Cold War had these same factors as well. But yes, I was your good friend before that so you knew me a little better. Iran is a fool. You need not waste your energy fighting him toe to toe. Stand back and observe him before you make a move." Russia leaned down, his face directly in front of America's. "A game of chess, you see." He chuckled out.

America gave a sniff and looked down, a blush flooding his cheeks. "A hero always needs a sidekick though."

Russia's eyes widened slightly before he smiled warmly. "Not the villain anymore?"

America shook his head and pecked Russia on the lips shyly. Russia tightened his hold around America's small waist. "Good."

Russia then kissed America gently. A crack sounded before the doors swung open. A heap of bodies spilled on to the floor of the meeting room. Canada, England, France, Ukraine, Japan, Hungary, and China looked up startled. Hungary broke the silence by letting out a squeal of delight. Japan raised his camera but England snatched it from him.

"Don't you dare Japan! He's just a child!" England was the first to stand and he looked positively murderous. "You are in so much trouble America. I can't believe you!"

America's face drained of all color and he looked up at Russia in panic. "You've got my back, right Russia?"

Russia smirked and kissed America's forehead.

"I Can't help you here."

That's it! End of this fanfic! I hope you guys enjoyed it as much as I did writing it!