AN: Hello again! I'm back with some FrxFemUK for you guys. Sorry for the M rating, but these guys have such potty mouths and future sexy time.

I know most fans use 'Alice' as FemUK's human name. Well, I feel that name is SO played out. Since there is nothing official & Elizabeth is also used (but not as commonly) so I used Elizabeth. To me it fit better. All unofficial names were chosen for various reasons. I apologize for any OOC-ness.

Anyhow this is the pseudo-prequal to "Always There: FACE Family". Now both are stand alone stories, but it is suggested you read this one first. Basically, this helps to explain Francis and Elizabeth's overly complicated relationship. Also trying to show that while the Kirklands have strained relationships they do care about each other. Their all to Tsundere for their own good. I hope everyone enjoys. Also, yes the title is yoinked from Maroon 5. It is important later.

I tried to make all the French pretty self-explanatory. I may go back to write translations. Constructive comments and favs are love! Also I own nothing but the story!

"Why? Why does it have to be like this every day?" Elizabeth Kirkland sobbed as she sat crying in the back corner of the basement laundry room of her apartment building; The dank space having become her haven. Nearly, everyday for the last four months the little English girl had been in one fight or another with her brother and guardian, Alastair.

'It's not my fault dinner burnt. I'm eleven for goodness sakes. I shouldn't be cooking anyway. Why can't I do anything right? I try so hard,' the blonde girl thought angrily as she pulled her knees tighter to her chest and her tears soaked into her grimy jeans. The little Brit was so entrenched in her sorrow that she did not hear the soft footsteps of someone approaching her.

"Are you okay, mon petite?" a voice with a French accent suddenly asked the crying girl. Elizabeth looked up in surprise through her teary lashes into the bluest eyes she had ever seen. As her vision cleared the Brit could see that those blue eyes belonged to the prettiest boy she had ever seen. His wavy, long blonde hair was pulled back in a ponytail and his lovely full lips were pressed together in a worried line.

"Why are you crying, mon belle fille?" the boy asked as he set down the basket of laundry he held. He then proceeded to sit down next to Elizabeth. The Brit looked at the boy with curious, weary eyes.

'Alastair would kill me if he knew I was talking to some strange boy. He hates it when I bother others,' the blonde girl thought as she inched away from the boy, but unable to pull her eyes away from him. The blue eyed boy looked at Elizabeth curiously and then grinned at her.

"Ah, I zee. We are not zuppozed to talk to ztrangerz are we, mon petite?" the French boy said his voice slightly teasing.

"I am not a baby. I can speak to whomever I bloody well please," Elizabeth said crossly her forest green eyes glaring at the boy and her cheeks red with anger.

"Ah, zo you can zpeak," the French boy teased and smiled brightly at his younger companion. Elizabeth was thankful her face was already red so the boy could not tell she was blushing.

"O-of course I can speak. I'm not simple," the little Brit said as she pulled her gaze away from the boy and buried her face in her knees again. The pretty boys face fell and he placed a comforting hand on the girl's back. She instantly stiffened under his touch, but relaxed when she realized he wasn't going to hurt her. This small reaction did not go unnoticed and the blonde boy began gently stroking the girl's long blonde hair that fell over her back.

"Do you want to talk about it? Mama zayz zhat if you talk about what iz bozhering you it 'elps to not bozher you," the blue eyed boy said gently. Elizabeth peeked up at the boy and saw he was being sincere. She wasn't sure if she trusted this boy, since she had just met him, but she needed to get this weight off of her chest.

"It's my brother, we had a fight because I burnt dinner," the blonde girl said dejectedly as she lifted her head so her chin rested on her knees.

"Why were you cooking? Where were your parentz? Why wazn't your brozher cooking?" the French boy asked a little peeved at the girl's lack of supervision.

"I don't have parents. My dad died four months ago and Alastair had to move here to take care of me. He was really mad about that," the girl said flatly.

"And your mama?" the blonde boy's irritation rising.

"My mum died when I was born. Alastair and my other brothers' say that was my fault too," the girl said mournfully fresh tears brimming in her eyes.

The French boy was struck dumb by this last statement. How could her brothers be so cruel? Brothers are supposed to love and care for little sisters not make them cry! They sat silently for several minutes and Elizabeth watched the boy from the corner of her eye. He seemed to be thinking very hard about something.

Abruptly, he snapped his fingers and nodded like he had come to a decision.

"All right, zince you 'ave 'orrible brozherz who 'ave failed at zheir dutiez zhere iz only one zolution. I will be your big brozher," the French boy said with a logical air and turned a brilliant smile on the green eyed girl. Elizabeth looked at him as if he had gone mad.

"How can you be my big brother? I don't even know your name," the little Brit said in confusion.

"Ah, desole. Proper introductionz are in order," the blonde boy said and cleared his throat. "Bonjour, mademoiselle. I am Francis Bonnefoy and I wish to fill zhe role of your big brozher. Will you accept my offer?"

The blonde extended his hand toward Elizabeth and she hesitated. Her weary green eyes looked into his hopeful blue ones and she found her resolve. She slipped her hand into his.

"Elizabeth Kirkland. It is nice to meet you Francis and I accept your offer. I mean you can't be any worse than the three I already have," the blonde girl said back handedly. It was a bad habit of hers to never show direct affection. Francis smiled broadly and pulled the girl into a tight hug.

"I 'ave alwayz wanted a little zister," the French boy said excitedly.

"Le-let me go, wanker," the little English girl sputtered and tried to break away from Francis. The Brit was not use to such strong forms of affection and did not trust the contact.

"Non, brozherz 'ug zisterz and I intend to 'ug you as often and as long as I can," Francis said with a chuckle and placed a kiss on the crown of the girl's head. The French boy then brought the pair to their feet and released the girl. Elizabeth attempted to straighten herself up, but was stopped by Francis taking hold of her hand.

"Come, mon lapin, let'z go and meet mon mama," the blonde boy said as he grabbed the laundry basket and pulled Elizabeth out of the laundry room.

"Why did you just call me a rabbit?" the Brit asked as she meekly struggled to free herself from the boys grasp.

"You zpeak Francais? Magnifique!" Francis exclaimed and squeezed Elizabeth's hand affectionately.

"I only know a little because it is what they are teaching us in school. You didn't answer my question," the green eyed girl said as the pair entered the elevator.

"Ah, well I found you 'iding in a little burrow like un lapin and you are adorable like one. Zo you zhall be mon lapin from now on," Francis explained and turned an adoring smile on the young girl. Elizabeth could feel her cheeks turning crimson and lowered her head in hopes of hiding them from the boy.

'Is this what it feels like to have a friend? Is this what is feels like to be loved?' the English girl thought to herself as they rode the elevator in silence.

From that day on to Elizabeth's immense pleasure (though she would never openly admit it) Francis became a constant companion. They bickered and teased each other mercilously as actual siblings tended to do. Each day was the same for the pair. They met at Francis' flat and walked to school. Then at the end of the day they met at the front of the school to walk home. Since Alastair often worked late the two friends would go to Elizabeth's to do homework and hang out.

Francis tried desperately to teach the young Brit how to cook, but somehow the food always ended up slightly burnt. While things between the Kirkland siblings were still tense the environment was lighter. To Elizabeth everything was finally, almost perfect.

Well it was until that day.

Elizabeth tapped her foot impatiently as she waited at the front gate of the school. Francis was late.

"Where is that, wanker?" the blonde girl murmured as she glanced at her new watch which was a birthday present from Francis. The silver band gleamed in the sunlight and a small smile lit the Brit's face as she fingered the watch face.

Recently, the green eyed girl had found herself feeling new warmth in her heart when she thought of the Frenchman. She wasn't sure what the feeling was, but it grew stronger when she was with him.

Suddenly, she heard his melodic laugh and turned toward the sound intent on giving him a tongue lashing. The words died on her lips when she saw the sight before her.

Francis was on the front steps of the school and he had his arms wrapped around the waist of a beautiful dark haired girl.

Elizabeth felt her heart clench and she was abruptly filled with anger and sadness.

'Who the Hell is she and why is Francis wrapped around her?' the blonde girl thought as she stood frozen watching the pair.

To the Brit's utter horror Francis leaned forward and kissed the dark haired girl. The blonde girl instantly felt like she had been punched in the stomach and crumpled into herself slightly. Her fight or flight instinct took over and she spun to run home. Tears stung the English girl's eyes as she ran for all she was worth.

'Why am I so upset? I know Francis has been out with other girls,'

'But you've never seen him with them,' a little voice responded in the girl's head.

'That doesn't explain anything,'

'Doesn't it?'

'NO! I don't understand,'

'Idiot, you're jealous of that trollop, because you are in love with him,'

'WHAT!?' the blonde girl thought as she let herself into her apartment amazed at how fast she had arrived. The little voice chuckled cruelly at her.

'You're in love with him, stupid, and, have been for a while. You are so dense,'

Elizabeth numbly walked to the green couch and sat down. She absently picked up a matching throw pillow and clutched it to her chest.

"I can't be in lo…that with him. He's my best friend. He's like a brother to me," the green eyed girl muttered into the cushion.

'But he's not your brother,'

"He'd never see me like that. I'm…well I'm me and he's…perfect. He could only love someone perfect like him,"

'You'll never know unless you tell him,'

"I can't do that. I can never do that, because then everything will change. I can't lose the only good thing in my life," Elizabeth buried her head in the pillow and fought back a frustrated sob.

She jumped when she heard a knock at the front door.

"Elisabet, it's Francis," the Frenchman's lilting voice called through the door. The Brit hurriedly straightened up her appearance and went to the door. She opened it slowly and kept her eyes cast downward.

"Come in," she said quietly and hurried to the kitchen. She needed tea pronto! Francis watched the English girl thoughtfully. He could tell she was upset.

"Why didn't you wait for me?" the blonde boy asked as he followed the green eyed girl in to the kitchen and leaned against the counter. He caught her flinch slightly at the question.

"I did and you were late. My time is precious so I went ahead without you," Elizabeth said as she went about filling the kettle with water.

"I've been late before and you 'ave waited. Let's try zhis again," the Frenchman pressed.

"I just didn't feel like waiting today,"

"Lapin, I 'ave known you for zhree yearz now, I know when you are lying and upzet. What 'appened? Did zomezhing 'appen at school? Tell big brozher zo 'e can 'elp,"

Elizabeth felt her heartache when he called himself big brother and nearly dropped the box of tea in her hand.

'Why is this so hard? Why can't I just pretend that nothing happened? I don't want things to change,'

A gentle hand fell on the Brit's shoulder and she flinched in surprise. Turning her head slowly, Elizabeth looked into Francis' concerned blue eyes and her throat constricted.

'Don't look at me like that. Don't look at me with brotherly concern,' the blonde girl thought as she felt her hands clench into fists and tremors of pent up emotions pulsed through her body.

"Elisabet?" Francis said and moved his hand to stroke her hair. Unable to bear the all too familiar touch the English girl shoved past the Frenchman and bolted for the living room.

She needed distance. She needed to think, but the little voice in her head had decided to start up a vicious little chant of 'Tell him! Tell him! Tell him!'

The Brit had barely made it into the living room before a strong pair of hands took hold of her shoulders and spun her around.

"Let me go!" Elizabeth exclaimed as she struggled against the Frenchman's hold.

"Elisabet!" Francis said forcefully making the Brit instantly stop her struggles. The blonde man had never spoken so harshly to the English girl. Even when they were bickering horribly there had always been gentleness to his voice.

"Look at me," he commanded but the Brit only took a quavering breath keeping her eyes downcast. With a frustrated growl the Frenchman took the girl's chin between his thumb and forefinger forcing her gaze to his. The look of anguish and fear that swam in the girl's emerald eyes made his heart clench.

"Mon lapin," he said gently his fiery sapphire eyes softening. "You know zhat you don't 'ave to shoulder your struggles alone. I'm 'ere for you. Zo, pleaze, tell me what 'az you zo upzet,"

Francis watched the conflict in the English girl's eyes as a myriad of emotions swirled in the beautiful green orbs.

"I can't," she finally said and tried to turn her face away from him. The Frenchman's hold was strong though and prevented her evasion.

"Why can't you tell me?"

"Because if I do then things will change and I will lose you,"

"Zhere iz no way you could ever loze me, cher,"

"Promise?"

"Cross mon coeur," the blue eyed man said as he released the Brit's chin and made an 'X' over his heart.

"All right," Elizabeth said as she took hold of Francis' shirt collar and pulled his face to her own.

"I love you," she said before she pressed her lips to the Frenchman's and electricity coursed through her veins.

'What am I doing? This is crazy, and yet…It feels so right,' the English girl thought as Francis' hands suddenly rested on her shoulders and uncertainty took hold of the Brit.

'What is he doing? Is he going to push me away or pull me closer?' the English girl's thoughts were interrupted by the front door opening.

"Oi! What the Hell are you doing?" a deep male voice called out causing the pair to separate. Emerald and sapphire eyes turned to meet the angry glare of Alastair Kirkland.

"Alastair, it'z not what it lookz like," Francis exclaimed as he quickly pulled himself away from Elizabeth.

"Oh, I think it's exactly what is looks like," the fiery red head said as he stalked toward the younger male and grabbed his shirt collar. "I knew one day you were going to pull something like this. I'm just glad I caught you only kissing her,"

"Alastair, let him go. He didn't kiss me. I kissed him," Elizabeth exclaimed as she took hold of her brother's arm and tried vainly to get him to release the younger man.

"I'm sure you only did it because he encouraged you to. Sneaky little French bastard," the green eyed man said as his grip tightened on the shirt collar.

"No, I…" the blonde girl started.

"You're right Alastair. I made a mistake and I'm sorry," Francis said flatly and the Brit froze. Bewildered emerald eyes looked up at Francis, but he had his face turned away his hair hiding his expression.

'No! He can't mean that? He had to have felt what I felt, right?' the blonde girl thought as she felt her body go numb. Alastair released the Frenchman with a disgusted growl and shook the English girl off his arm.

"Get the Hell out of my house and if you ever come near Elizabeth again I will end you. Do we have an understanding?" the redhead asked with malice.

"Oui," Francis said simply and quickly moved past the Kirkland siblings.

"Francis," Elizabeth called as she moved to follow the Frenchman, but a strong hand took hold of her arm holding her in place.

"Elizabeth go to your room," Alastair ordered harshly. The Brit turned her gaze on her brother and glared at him.

"No! I have to go talk to him," the green eyed girl said as she violently struggled against her brother's grip.

"You will never speak to him again. Do you understand me?" the older Kirkland said turning weary, authoritative emerald eyes toward the young girl. Elizabeth's own emerald eyes widened in shock briefly, but quickly became angry slits.

"You can't tell me who I may or may not speak to. I have to go talk to him now. I have to fix this. I can't lose the only good thing I have in my life," the Brit said turning her gaze back to the empty doorway. She failed to see the slight flash of hurt in Alastair's eyes. For a brief second the redhead considered letting her chase after the Frenchman, but he needed to protect her.

"This subject is not up for discussion. Now I will only say this once more. Go to your room," the green eyed man said and his voice held a note of finality that shattered Elizabeth's resolve. The Brit felt her whole body go lax and she hung her head in defeat. Slowly she shuffled toward the hall that led to her bedroom.

"I hate you," the English girl murmured and then dashed for her room. Alastair flinched at the girl's words and ran his fingers through his hair in frustration.

"I'm sorry you feel that way, Elizabeth. Hopefully, some day you'll see that everything I do is because I think it is what's best for you. It may not seem like it, but I do love you, baby sister," Alastair said quietly and then trudged into the kitchen for a drink.

Character list:

Elizabeth Kirkland=FemEngland

Francis Bonnefoy=France

Alastair Kirkland=Scotland

Alawn Kirkland=Wales

Aaron Kirkland=N. Ireland

Sigrid=FemNorway

Ioana=FemRomania

Michelle=Seychelles

Drama, drama everywhere! So there's the first part! Oh what other trials lay ahead? Read on to find out.