A/N: Howdy! And welcome back to Tales of the Midwest! In this chapter we meet up with Alfred F. Jones! Aka America.

Duh.

Anyways I was plenty surprised by the response that came with the last chapter! So, since I heard a lot about Ohio and Michigan in the comments...mmmm...here ya go! Well, it's not all sexual tension. (Sorry, plot n' stuff) But I hope you enjoy nonetheless! Enough chit chat! On with the story!

With birds twittering just outside a sun stricken window, it's pretty easy to deem a day 'perfect'. At least, for the Midwest. As most of the nation knew, the edges could have earth quakes and hurricanes sure. But nothing compared to the bipolar weather of the Midwest. One day it's sunny, the next it's hailing, after that it's tornado season again. So to have a regional meeting on a sunny day, could only bring good luck to the twelve gathered states.

Nevertheless, Indiana was busy staring out the window, drumming her fingers against the oaken table boredly.

Missouri was hosting today, so the other eleven had been settled around a large circular oak table, light conversation crinkling the air. Nobody was willing to argue, shout, or even set a single toe out of line.

This behavior came for two reasons. Firstly, Alfred was stopping by to oversee the meeting, and generally just catch up with his States. But secondly...Alfred (or America, whichever you prefer) had been taking States with him to G8 meetings recently. It started off simple enough, with the Original 13 wanting to go and visit the rest of the countries.

Of course as soon as the thirteen saw England some sort of argument sparked, not a peep else was spoken of what happened in that meeting. Supposedly, getting to see England made Florida jealous. Or at least, that's what Indiana had heard from Mississippi. Anyways, Alfred, being the fool he is, gave in to Florida's pleas and has now been escorting various regions to these meetings.

To say that everyone was quiet due to nerves would be a serious understatement. Indiana swore she could cut through the air as if it were Wisconsin's cheese. She hummed mentally to herself, tucking a few strands of short flax golden hair behind her ear. Blue eyes flickering about the table, waiting for someone to speak.

No one did.

The door slammed open, Missouri quickly excusing herself from the table to welcome America. "Welcome back, Alfred." She greeted politely, opening the door and allowing the Country to stride in. Usual dopey grin in place, America clapped Missouri on the back with a high laugh.

"Dude! Missouri! Awesome to see you! Huh, haven't really changed much..." Alfred muttered, gazing around the home at all the furniture and paintings that hadn't shifted for decades.

"It's...ah...cozy..." Missouri replied, motioning to the dining room as she hurriedly scuttled off, dark brown hair bouncing along with her hurried strides.

Indiana flicked her eyes over to Alfred, always Alfred. Never Dad, or Papa, or Father. Because he wasn't, he was more like a guardian. At least in the eyes of seven out of twelve Midwestern states. As the majority ruled with minority rights, the group of States had come to a consensus to call America 'Alfred'. Of course, to be rebellious, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Ohio, and Wisconsin would sometimes call him Dad. Just for kicks.

"So dudes, what's for dinner?" Alfred asked, an excited gleam in his sky blue eyes, already kicking his lips in anticipation.

Kansas spoke up first, swiping some already windblown dusty blond hair out of his light brown eyes. "We're having pork roast with potatoes, carrots, and corn on the cob." He announced, keeping his voice steady despite anticipation. Although, three states immediately perked up at the last ingredient.

"Ha ha! AWESOME! Sounds like the perfect dinner for a hero!" Alfred laughed boisterously once more, dissolving into 'ooooooo's once Missouri brought out a steaming tray. Several slices of cut pork leaned against one another along the plate, sliced potatoes and carrots littered the area around it. Nebraska disappeared into the kitchen for a moment before strolling out smugly with his own plate of steaming corn on the cob.

Iowa and Ohio shot him a warning glare as he set the corn down onto the table.

Missouri settled into her seat at the head of the table, the rest of the Midwest motioning all together to begin a short prayer. Hands barely grazed before America had shouted; "COOL! Let's eat!" Already starting to scoop some meat and vegetables onto his plate before shoving it at North Dakota. She blinked at him with a questionable expression, cautiously serving herself before shoving the main plate at South Dakota.

Most of the Sates stayed in comfortable silence, meal times (especially dinner) were often left peaceful and quiet. Arguments could be settled over dessert.

"Wow, it's really quiet in here. Where's all the farming babble nonsense?"

Silverware was clasped tighter, teeth grating silently as the Sates fumed, forever polite.

"Ha! Either way I guess it don't matter. So, guys, this is a really killer opportunity! You would have to be like...a commie to pass this up! So there's this G8 meeting in D.C. tomorrow, and I kinda promised everybody you would all be there!"

Silence still, although the clattering of metal on plate had slowed, the States digesting that fact rather than their food.

"So yeah! After dinner we're all gonna pile into a car and drive on out there! I've already made seating arrangements for ya ahead of time!" Alfred fumbled around with something in his pocket, eventually whipping out a folded piece of paper. Stuffing another slice of pork into his mouth, America began listing off seats. "So North Dakota, you're driving! And then Wisconsin, Kansas, you'll be sharing the shot gun! Okay, next row is Minnesota, Nebraska and Idaho! Next Illinois, Missouri, and South Dakota, you get the back! Finally, Indiana and Michigan get the trunk!"

"IDAHO?"

"TRUNK?"

"WHAT ABOUT OHIO?"

"Oh don't worry! It's a van, so the trunk is plenty spacious!" Alfred replied, completely ignoring the other two exclamations. "Alright! Well! I'm stuffed! And I've got a plane to catch!" America stood up abruptly, grabbing a couple ears f corn on the way out before hollering a 'START PACKING!' back to the Midwest.

-15 Minutes Later-

Eventually, the States had deciphered that by 'Idaho' Alfred meant 'Iowa', and Ohio had been placed in the trunk with Indiana and Michigan.

The ride started out plenty normal, Missouri held a small roll call, the silence still lingering from dinner. "I Julia am here. Mary!"

Ohio shouted back "Here!"

"Stevens!"

Michigan raised his hand in reply.

"Ann!"

Indiana mumbled out a "Present."

"Achsah!"

Illinois huffed and raised her hand.

"Nelson!"

Wisconsin waved his arm around wildly in reply.

"Alexander!"

Minnesota replied with a quiet "I'm here!" And a soft smile.

"Ansel!"

Iowa tapped against the window twice, eyes trained outside.

"Addie!"

North Dakota beeped the horn with a mild whoop for good measure.

"Margaret!"

South Dakota whooped back, punching the top of the van before drawing back with a hiss of pain.

"Thomas!"

Nebraska replied with "Corn State reporting!" Earning two more glares from Ohio and Iowa.

"ANNNNND, Charles!"

Kansas just huffed, "Can we go already?"

With that North Dakota peeled away from Missouri's house, beginning to drive down to the Freeway while fiddling with the radio. But the trunk is where things were really heating up.

Michigan was reading a lengthy romance novel, curled up on the left side of the trunk. Ohio leaned against the right side, staring at nothing with a bored expression. Indiana sat between the two (as usual...) already sitting on pins and needles, just waiting for one of the two to begin shouting.

"Hey, asshole up north, you promised I could read that on the ride like...ten minutes ago." Ohio began, her eyes already narrowed in challenge.

"Yeah well, chill. I'm not done, and it's my book. Piss off." Michigan rolled his eyes along with the scoffed sentences, flipping a page noisily.

"Don't care. You promised. Now hand it!" Ohio snapped, already seething.

Michigan stuck out his tongue, clutching the book to his chest with a snarl. "Too bad! I paid for it, so I say you can't have it!"

"You traitorous swine!" Ohio lunged across Indiana's lap, clawing at Michigan and the book, all while being restrained by an exasperated Indiana.

"Ignorant ass!"

"GIMME THE BOOK DAMN YOU!"

"IT'S MINE!"

Indiana sighed, slumping against the trunk door, a writhing Ohio starting a fight with Michigan right on top of her. Again. "Why meeeeee..." She groaned out, slumping her head against the trunk door with a thump!

This was going to be a looong trip...

A/N: That last scene in the trunk is based off of real life btw. Yeah, my and my two friends take a bus each day between schools, and this happened yesterday. Let's just say I feel for Indiana. I hope you guys enjoyed this short little story-thing! Please let me know about any of your ideas, or thoughts! I would love it!

Thanks a a whole bunch! ~Cornonlecob