A/N: So, this finishes this up at long last, I should have ended it sooner. It's nice to have this off my back.

Disclaimer: I think there's one in the first chapter.

As the world superpower, World Conferences demanded a level of care and attention, plus individual meetings with almost every Nation attending. Except Canada and Mexico who stopped by whenever it suited them; well, Mexico started doing that after NAFTA mostly to annoy her. Unlike Canada her relationship with Mexico ranked high on the ridiculously complicated list; he resented her and drove her crazy, she treated him dismissively, only noticing when something when wrong or his problems affected her. A lot of her relations were ridiculously complicated, but she hoped to simplify her and Japan's eventually, but the Conference left little time for personnel things. Almost every time she spoke to anyone, they talked shop, treaties, agreements, disputes, things that she did to anger them, etc. Really, she knew most only tolerated her because they had to, and that she exasperated her friends frequently.

It was damned exhausting.

"Hey Meri?" Philippines stuck her head in the door, "Can I…?" Despite early history, she and Philippines developed an easy friendship, though she never told the other about her real gender.

America grinned at her, "Always. Sup?"

A dark skinned beauty, Philippines always turned heads, "It's about Mexico."

Groaning she rolled her eyes, "What's he done now?"

"He got drunk last night and mentioned you had a brother…"

"Duh, I've got several, and whatever Hong Kong is." Though, from Philippines' body language she guessed this had nothing to do with her half-mad family, but something, or someone else. Her eyes narrowed, "Hundred year rule."

The other's mouth opened and shut, she nodded, "Of course. Sorry."

"Naw, not your fault. I'll sock Mex for bringing it up later; he won't let the Alamo go."

"Nor do you," Philippines teased.

"'Course not, it was awesome."

Sitting across the table her friend snorted, "You lost badly."

"He won the battle, and I kicked the crap outta him," she leaned back, a relaxed, triumphant grin spreading. "He's still sore 'bout it."

"Zimmerman?"

"Exactly."

Enjoying the distraction, she and Philippines chattered away for a while, gossiping, sharing stories, but not flirting like they used to. Sure, every Nation was arguably bisexual, but some still had preferences. Whether or not Germany was gay received frequent guessing, America had money on asexual, but Philippines shared Hungary's love of trying to set them up.

"The females, plus Italy, only thing is tonight," Philippines informed her. "You're coming right?"

Well, she could now if she wanted to. "Sure, why not. You're gonna love some of the stories I have about the guys."

Philippines' eyes sparkled, "Tell us everything."

"Oh, Hun's gonna have a lot of material for her manga."

"Speaking of Hun's manga, do you realize we all lost money a month ago?"

"Here I thought I knew every betting pool," America huffed. "Seriously none of you bet that Japan or I were female?"

The other shook her head, which surprised America. Normally Nation betting pools contained the obvious and the utterly impossible as placed bets; granted some of the strange ones were hers, Australia's or Prussia's. Yet, she still won with most of them by betting that England would shrink France while both wore revealing outfits. Sometimes the strange paid off; a lesson she learned well as a kid, and again during the Cold War.

Sometime during their chatter one Nation or another dropped off snacks, probably Italy, or someone hoping to gain favor with her before negotiating something or another. Though given the number of cakes she assumed Austria had a nervous breakdown and started baking ridiculous amounts again. Huh, normally Hungary helped him with those.

Both Nations lounged with their feet on the table, Philippines snagged a small cake, "Are you and Japan dating?"

"Since when d'ya care about Japan?"

"I do not, but you are my friend."

America shrugged, "We're not. He's got issues."

"You do to."

"We all do Phili, but his cause problems."

Rising gracefully to her feet Philippines nodded, "yours cause more, for all of us. The others voted, so I came here to tell you to sort it out before it affects the rest of us."

"China didn't participate huh?"

"No."

"I'll think about it." When Philippines tried to say something then decided against it, America sighed, "What's wrong?"

For a while longer the other waffled uncertainly, clearly weighing what she wanted to say versus potential fallout. Of course she recognized that look, the same her oldest friend taught her, and that she taught Philippines. Naturally, whatever Philippines wanted to say would risked hurting her, or a point of view she hadn't considered. Normally, the island Nation spoke bluntly, letting everyone know how she felt; which, in retrospect was how America acted back before she became the superpower.

Philippines looked concerned, "I think you will be happier."

"C'mon, I'm already happy."

"Not like you were before World War 2. Think about it." The other shut the door behind as she left, leaving America sitting in stunned silence; her mind whirled to process what Philippines aid, trying to understand the implications.

All the battles of her past, the fear of first flight, automobiles, family and friends lost and regained, adventures straight for fairy tales too. None of that had her struggling to contain her nervousness. Swallowing hard, she walked over to where Japan sat, "Hey. We should talk."

Without a word, he moved his manga to clear a seat on the bench outside the conference building; settled in the shade, it still felt ridiculously hot for September. How did Indonesia live like this? Why wasn't he a puddle or sweat or something? "You were right," Japan fidgeted with one of the books, "it changes nothing."

She blinked, apparently she underestimated his progressiveness; something she rarely did. "Thanks, wanna get dinner tonight? Just us?"

"Alright."

A/N: So, you all can let your imaginations fill in what happens next.

Philippines is an OC, and she's here because a Pew Research Poll I found showed that of the countries surveyed, they have the most positive opinion of the USA.

Couple of references:
Brother/Hundred Year rule-There were two personifications originally, North (Amelia) and South (Jonathan), South is dead. The Hundred Year Rule is that Nations don't mention dead Nations until a hundred years later to full remove citizen's lingering attachment. Yes, I know the Civil War ended in 1865, but because of how the aftermath was handled, the KKK, and discrimination against Blacks, in this South died in 1965 with the Voting Rights Act.

Zimmerman telegrams-During WW1, Germany offered to return land Mexico lost during the Mexican-American War if they sided with Germany, attacked the US, and if they won the war. It was of course found out, and America threatened Mexico.

France and England-Season 5 of Hetalia, that exact thing happens

China-Because increased ties between the USA and Japan are viewed as a threat to Chinese interests, I figured the character would be displeased if they became romantically involved.