A/n: OMG, I wrote this chapter who knows how many times until I finally came to version I liked. And it's nothing like I was planning/expecting. In any case, thank you for waiting patiently and I hope you enjoy the end of the story. I may or may not do a continuation. Thank you for the reviews/favs/alerts!

Chapter Thirteen

America gave Romano a wide smile as the grumpy Italy twin let them slip in the gate. He went on a potty-mouthed tirade, cursing everything from how late America was to the fact that he had to deal with Poland, and Germany, and the injustice of it all that he couldn't be his own nation. He only stopped when Russia placed a large, warning hand on his head.

"You better fuckin' appreciate this." Romano finished grumbling before handing America a heavy, ill-concealed package. America accepted it happily and fished around for something to light the contents with.

Russia cocked his head and America put a finger to his lips.

"Just a little welcoming parade." America murmured, grabbing the first thing he could reach. He gave a wink over the massive firework the size of Russia's head. "A bit of a distraction, right?"

Russia nodded and shoved Lithuania into Romano. Romano grabbed him and hauled him off. Probably to escape, America reflected. He was glad they had talked about this before; it was Romano's job to round up the captive nations and get them out.

Russia silently made his way in the other direction as America carefully set the fuses. He wasn't nearly as good as China, but he was a whiz with fireworks after yearly practice. It only took a few moment and he flicked open the lighter with a smirk. He hoped nothing lit on fire because it would be a shame to ruin such a nice household.

He carefully donned the tomato pjs Romano had given him and tucked Texas away in a safe place. Ruffling his hair and schooling his expression, he raced in to look completely bewildered and joined the milling ranks of nations.

"A-America…"

He glanced at Latvia, who was looking around fearfully. The small nation was flanked by a few other confused nations, who all looked surprised to see him.

America put a finger to his lips, "Canada."

He didn't have a very good chance to fooling France, but he had a decent chance of fooling England, especially if England was looking for Canada in pjs and not expecting America to be there. Germany, Spain, and Italy certainly wouldn't be able to tell the difference.

And neither, he hoped, would EU.

He started to whisper to some of the nations, ones he knew to be levelheaded, when Germany and Italy arrived. Germany's brow was furrowed in unhappiness and he barked at the group.

"Lockdown! Everyone to the main living room! Now!" To emphasis his point, Germany grabbed Latvia and shoved him at Italy. Italy caught the shaky nation, shaking somewhat himself, and whispered urgently, "Quick, quick, it'll be safe!"

Germany's eyes ghosted over America and stopped. He took a few steps forward uncertainly before scowling, "You! What are you doing here? Why aren't you with EU? Never mind that. Get to a room. We will sort you out later!"

"O-okay." America said biting his tongue and bowing his head and allowing himself to be herded deeper into the complex with the other nations. He assumed that it was the way he wanted to go to get to the big boss. Because Germany and Italy certainly would want to regroup if nothing else. If not, well, he would have to escape Germany's custody and continue on his own. He did not want to hurt anyone if he didn't have to.

They gathered more nations as they went and worried, quiet buzz went up between them. Germany ignored them, matching to the back to keep an eye on everyone. Italy nervously led the way, looking back repeatedly for reassurance.

A nation with spiky hair and a grim face sidled up to America, "What are you doing here America."

"Canada."

"You're not Canada…" Holland hissed, "Where is he? They brought him in earlier! Everyone thought it was you."

"I'm Canada for the moment." America replied urgently and glanced back at Germany, "And I'm here to rescue my brother and free the trapped nations. Do you think you can get everyone to run when we reach our destination?"

Holland nodded slowly, "What would help you the most?"

"Getting everyone out of the way, so they can go back home. They're needed to take care of their people." America instructed, feeling nervous clenches in his stomach. He wished he were going back to his people, but this was one issue he could not let stand. He may have done nothing about the Europeans abductions, couldn't do anything in any case, but the line was crossed when they took Canada.

"What then? Surely we will simply be taken again. As nations, we cannot live in a glass case in a museum." Austria remarked calmly walking so close to them he clipped their heels. His glasses were skewed and he had his lips pursed so tightly they were white, but he looked remarkably composed. It took a moment for America to remember that all of these nations were war-hardened and time-tested. Unless he could somehow take command, it was unlikely they would listen to him.

"I'm sure you'll figure it out." America snapped back grimly. "Use your head and don't get captured again!"

"What if we want to fight with you? You can't take him all by yourself." Hungary added in a worried tone, "We might as well stay and fight, otherwise we will be hounded forever."

"Don't worry; I've got it." Holland offered giving Austria a shove with his hip and shooing Hungary back, "I'll tell everyone the plan."

America gave him a grateful look before striding ahead. He wanted to see where they were going so he had warning. The big room they were pushed into seemed to be a living room type area. There were couches and coffee tables and recliners spread out over an expensive looking rug. A second tier ringed the entire room and America spotted obscured stairways that must lead to the second level. An excessive bigscreen tv was on in the corner, turned to the BBC. The volume was too low for America to hear, and he barely paid it any mind. All of his attention was riveted to the figure standing and waiting patiently on the second level.

England and France came from opposite directions, pushing and leading their captives into the living space. They barred the doors and stood before them immediately dashing America's hopes for an easy escape.

Their captivity was quite secure. There were only four doors that lead out and there was a nation guarding each door. Since all the nations were packed in together, there wasn't a lot of room to maneuver anyway. Trapped together, it left them in a milling, confused crowd, and that certainly was going to work against America.

His only hope was that they had enough sense to overpower Italy. He was the weakest link and the most likely to yield to pressure without fighting too much.

EU looked down over them and scowled at America. Clearly Canada had taken the distraction as a time to escape, just like America hoped he would. So far so good.

"I see you did not get far Canada. Where is Spain?"

"Here." Russia chirped happily and dumped the unconscious Spain half over the railing of the second floor. The huge nation was smiling placidly, flanked by Canada and Ukraine. America grinned at the figure his brother cut with his hair straightened and a little cowlick sticking out of the front. Canada was standing shoulder to shoulder with Russia. "I found him wandering around. You should train you soldiers better. It was quite simple to nullify him."

"America, Russia, how good of you to join us today…"

America slid through the crowd of nations, shoving and pushing to get to the stairs. Luckily, only the doors out were being guarded, but he still had to get up the stairs without drawing any attention from the guards. And of course the set of stairs he wanted was between France and England. One good look from France and he would be called out immediately.

Before he could even consider what to do, two nations went up to England and France respectively making sure that they were distracted. America's lips twisted up wryly. Holland's word was as good as gold on gaining some cooperation. It didn't take much to find his way up the stairs and follow the voice of EU.

He hit the top of the stairs and took a deep breath. He hadn't been lying when he said he didn't have a plan. At best he would talk some sense into EU; it was obvious that nations shouldn't be held against their will for some stupid cause. It was great that no one was harmed, but they needed to be free to manage their countries. At worse, he and Canada and Russia and Ukraine and Lithuania would leave. If anyone else could escape at the same time, well good for them. America was quite sure Romano had already discreetly left both the front and back gates open before he himself left.

"Let everyone go!" America shouted in his best goofy voice. Let people think him the fool; it made it child's play to exceed their expectation. Just as Japan had thought him to be weak, foolish, passive, and quick to surrender in the bombing of Pearl Harbor, there had been many other times where others had underestimated him because of his loud voice and thoughtless smiles.

EU whirled with a comical look on his face. He looked between Canada and America several times before a small smile worked its way onto his face. He gave a mocking bow towards America.

"Well played, although you did not do much with your advantage."

Russia seemed to agree, although he was idly shoving Spain inch-by-inch over the railing. Another few inches and Spain was going to be landing on France's head.

"Nah, just warning you. It's a friendly talk, right?" America hummed and eyed his adversary. EU was not quite as large as he was, although that didn't mean much, considering China's landmass and power in comparison to his petite, lithe frame. America sensed that he was doing a lot of posturing, much in the way an amateur actor would overplay a part to make up for a lack of experience. "At least for now. I can't say as I'm too pleased right now. Canada and I are part of the same treaty. You attack him and you attack me. Did you know that?"

Canada hadn't actually entered the alliance yet, but only the two of them knew that.

"I was not aware, no, although I hardly see how it makes a difference which of you I attack. I was not the one nosing around where I was no welcome." EU retorted coolly.

America rolled his eyes, "Well, maybe if someone wasn't causing an uproar by breaking the law…"

"Human laws…"

"Whatever. Just because we're nations doesn't make it right. We're all civilized and modern here. We don't do this conquering bit anymore." America snapped back, feeling his blood boiling. Freedom was a core principle for him; it was his mantra, his motto, and his unshakeable belief. "And don't use the excuse that it's the European thing to do. Europe gave up its colonies. Remember the troubles those colonies caused? Vietnam, India, Africa?"

EU stared back, "Perhaps you misunderstood. These nations are not my colonies… they are more like my family. And I merely wish to keep my family, my children, safe and secure. You cannot understand the pressures facing a smaller nation to avoid bankruptcy and being swallowed up by your larger neighbor. I am taking away the uncertainty and uniting Europe, so that you, America, or China, or whomever, cannot threaten us any longer."

"Touching speech, but did you bother to ask if they wanted your protection?"

EU gave another puzzled stare, "Children cannot be counted on to know what is good for them. I most certainly did not ask."

"Well, did you tell them why?"

"England explained it." EU replied uneasiness seeping to his voice, "And they need my protection."

America sensed he was finally getting somewhere. He opened his mouth to try again when the living room broke into a nasty babble and England tried to hush the nations. Several of them pointed to the TV.

"Turn it up!" Someone yelled. "We want to hear what its saying!"

"…America and Canada have signed a treaty unifying ... with Mexico this makes it the largest county… America is the largest export of… there is a heavy threat of nuclear activity… America's president might be preparing to use her executive power to declare war against… peace talks have been arranged… America is demanding the return of two very important members of the two countries' governments: Alfred F. Jones and Matthew Williams."

America's blue eyes widened in shock. She wouldn't… she wouldn't start a war to ensure his safe return, would she? She had to know that no matter what happened, as long as his people and his country were safe, so was he. He could be held prisoner, tortured almost to death, starved, beaten, drowned… he would survive. It would be excoriating, but he would survive, as he had done several times in POW camps before. Apparently Canada's prime minister also seemed to want his country back safe and sound to the point where he agreed to the treaty officially. He glanced at Canada's face and saw his emotions mirrored.

Then it hit him. What if she had intended to start a war before? Gathering up a unilateral alliance with Canada and Mexico and using isolation as a means to build up weapons and resources then picking a trigger to justify an attack. He knew warfare was a boon to a country, at least initially, because it drew the majority of the people together, especially if America was attacked first. It also had major economic advantages, prompting a huge need for steel and weapons as well as a sharp increase of manpower both within the forces and within factories. And America was used to fighting on other soil, which she would surely push for, to minimize damage to his land.

It certainly was a very real possibility. And America, despite the decreased physical troops, still had a nasty stockpile of nuclear warheads, despite slowly disarming them over the years, and hundreds of bio-engineered weapons… including several deadly strains of influenza…

"Fuck." America cursed under his breath, "China must be wetting himself with happiness right now."

"Unless we're declaring war on him."

America jumped in surprise as his brother appeared beside him, "Christ, don't do that."

America felt a strong sensation building in his chest. At first he was expecting more riots and braced himself for the soul-splitting pain. Instead, the feeling was comforting, strengthening. He forced himself to glance at the TV and a smile crept on his face. Instead of rioting against him, as they had done for the last decade, his people were lobbying for him. His names, both his human and country names, were on a sea of signs and his citizens were outraged at his capture and cheering both for his return.

Content filled him and his eyes hardened a little. He reminded himself this was not his choice or his decision. And hopefully his safe return would ensure that no blood was split… today at least.

"I guess the party's over. C'mon Canada." America tugged at his brother's sleeve. No one tried to stop them or cheer them or even move. There was just silent sets of eyes following them out. He paused just at the door, glancing over the assembly of European nations, lingering on England for a mournful second. He hadn't thought of England as an enemy when he came, despite his flawless acting just a week before, but he may very well be one the next time they met. His eyes flickered over Russia, who he had slowly been warming back up to over the last few decades, renewing their old friendship. All that effort could be gone in an instant and they would go back to before. He forced himself to look at each nation as they stood now. Lithuania, France, Germany.

He registered EU giving orders in his strong, deep voice, commanding the nations to return to their countries and declare a state of emergency and lend their governments support. EU continued to tell the countries how to prepare themselves and they seemed, for the moment, compliant. America had to begrudge a small smile; he had at least accomplished his goal coming here… the nations would be free and EU would be more like a leader than a captor.

He wished the circumstances were better, but there was nothing he could do. Nothing he could do at all. Because he had a sinking feeling that the new day would herald the next World War… and America was the aggressor.