APH US UK, family, adventure, some hurt/comfort, Great Depression, American Girl

Enjoy

Chapter 1: A letter from Washington

England got off the train at Washington's main station and looked around. People coming and going, the warm summer sun beaming down on the city streets, as new ford model T's gurgled down the roads. Not much seemed different here, but the letters he received made it all sound so urgent. He situated his hat on his head and lifted his suitcase and umbrella to his hip then took a step out into the muggy summer air.

He winced from the glair of the sun and took a deep breath of hot summer air. America had always been a "hot blooded" young man, but this was ridiculous, he thought to himself. As he walked the streets, which led towards the white house, he passes several homes and apartments with foreclosure signs, and many shops going out of business. He passed by one shop, which sold suits and read the foreclosure notice. "Shame." He said softly and kept walking kicking old newspapers out of his way. "Really Alfred. This is starting to be a bit much. You should clean up more." He mumbled to himself, not that he could talk, his cities were just as dirty.

He kicked one paper out of his way, but the persistent thing remained stuck to his shoe. He growled and kicked harder causing it to catch a breeze and flutter up into his line of sight. "End of it all?" read the headline in big bold letters before it blew off into the road. Arthur sighed as he rounded the corner; he knew this route well, even if it was not the usual one taken… He had help build these roads after all, and had even destroyed a few.

He had been summoned here by America's boss, President Roosevelt, on urgent business. The explanation seemed simple enough though. Everyone around Europe had heard of America's "predicament" but it would pass. These kinds of things always did; he himself had seen his economy fall to near nothing horrible hardships as well, and he had always come through. He really didn't see what the big deal was. He and the rest of the world were suffering from this "sickness" as well. All were feeling the "depression's" nasty grip on their morals and their people. But it was how President Roosevelt had worded the letter that intrigued him.

"Dear Mr. Kirkland… It is urgent that you come, I need to speak with you, and only you can help. Your presence would be most appreciated…"

Mr. Roosevelt as a kind, humble gentleman, and one Arthur had approved of greatly to rule over America. Any man who could treat Alfred like a son was deserving of being a saint… Himself not necessarily included. So he decided to come… But there was something more, something behind the letter he could not put his finger on. "I really don't see why I'm needed." He said aloud to himself. "We all have bouts of depression, its only natural, the spoiled boy will get over it in no…" he suddenly stopped when his path was blocked by a huge line of people.

He stood dumbfounded; the line looked a mile long, disappearing down the next block. People of all shapes, sizes, classes, and ages stood waiting, all with a hint of forlorn on their faces. He twisted his eyebrows into a look of utter perplexion then turned to the building where they were entering… "Red cross Soup kitchen." It read. Arthur sighed then looked back at the massive line….

All of these people had nothing to eat. That was a hard thing to fathom knowing what a chowhound America was. The sight did make him swallow his words a bit, and he lowered his eyes as he walked past. After so many hundred years, he had to learn to become numb to some things… He could not save and protect all of his people like he would like to; same for every country. He had been taught, just like all the others, to not become too attached, and to separate himself from people, other wise… Well, things could become very painful; his hand absent-mindedly fidgeting with a nonexistent ring on his middle finger.

Soon he found himself at the tall, iron, White House gates. "Can I help you sir?" a guard asked glairing at him from under his little blue hat. Arthur said nothing but pulled out his wallet and handed the man an identification card.

The guard took it curiously and read it over. Arthur waited for the reaction… He secretly loved this game. Sure enough the young guard's eyebrows lifted when he read the word and the seal that proved everything he needed to know. He looked back to Arthur. "I have an audience with your president… Or my associate Alfred Jones if you please." He said politely taking his precious card back tucking it in his wallet, which he placed back in the inner pocket of his waistcoat.

The guard nodded and pressed a button opening the gates. "Yes sir, Mr. Eng… Kirkland? Yes, go right ahead the other guards will direct you." Arthur smiled trying not to chuckle. He tipped his hat, "Thank you lad." And he walked right through without trouble. Ah the perks of being a country.

He was quickly escorted down the main hall up to the president's cabinet. "The president has been expecting you sir." An agent said as Arthur took off his hat and looked around the portraits of past presidents as they passed down the red-carpeted hallway. "So I have been told." Arthur replied. "Tell me what is this great urgency that I was needed and not my boss?" Normally countries spoke to countries, and their leaders to other leaders. Communication between one county's "boss" to another country was almost unheard of. Which is the main reason why Arthur found this summons so intriguing. The letter had been sent to him, not his king, by America's boss… Not the young country.

"I'm afraid I cannot say sir." The agent said as he paused in front of the cabinet door. He then looked at Arthur his eyebrows lifting, "I'm just thankful you came sir." He said almost desperately. Before Arthur could really take time to study this, he was ushered into the room. The president and several members of his cabinet looked up when the white doors opened. "Forgive the intrusion Mr. President. Sir Kirkland is here." The agent said as Arthur stepped into the room with a polite bow holding his hat behind his back. His suitcase and umbrella were waiting for him back in the main office.

President Roosevelt looked to all the men in the room with him and waved his hands dismissively. "Thank you gentlemen we will convene later, but right now I have some important business with Mr. Kirkland. If you please." He said. The men packed up their leather satchels and papers, and filed out of the room except for maybe five who were part of the Senate… There was no sign of Alfred. Odd, but not uncommon. Countries often lived normal lives like everyone else and only stayed in their capital buildings when needed. But still, surly Alfred was aware of his coming… Typical America, he thought rolling his eyes.

Mr. Roosevelt scooted back in his chair and grabbed his crutches to stand. "Oh please sir don't get…" Arthur began knowing the president's physical disability, but Mr. Roosevelt ignored him and stood with a smile extending a hand to shake. "You are worth the standing Mr. Kirkland. You and your king are our closest friends." The president smiled warmly. Arthur could not help but smile as he grasped the hand into a friendly shake. "As are you ours sir." Arthur said taking a step back glancing back to the president's wheelchair as if asking him to sit.

President Roosevelt complied and sat at his desk resituating papers. He looked very tired, the circles under the man's eyes were evidence enough of his struggle and worry over this "Depression" which had gripped the whole western world. Arthur had seen his own king stay up several nights trying to get a handle on it, while Arthur himself stayed up with an aching stomach or head, due to its effects.

The president fixed his glasses then gestured to a chair for Arthur to sit in. Again it was very rare for an audience like this to be held. The countries always stood behind or at the side of their leaders, and never sat unless the situation called for it, which was hardly ever. Like guards, or loyal dogs they were. However amongst each other they were very much like normal people conducting business, and more often than not leaders spoke and kept in the company of leaders, countries spoke and kept in the company of other countries.

Arthur looked to the chair and the president's valet pushed it gently under him as he sat down. He looked to it slightly uncomfortably, he being one for formality, he would much prefer to stand in the president's presence, but he also knew better than to argue, or refuse a kind gesture.

"Would you like a drink?" Mr. Roosevelt asked politely looking back over his own shoulder for the water, which his valet moved to get. "Yes please. Thank you Mr. President." Arthur said politely. Even though he really wasn't all that thirsty, the laws of cordiality stated that he should never refuse an offer when it was first given. Mr. Roosevelt handed him a glass of water, the poured himself one. The President was very kind to Arthur, always had been, and had been more apt to treat him more like a person than a country. This made Arthur slightly uncomfortable, but he knew it was by good intention so he shrugged it off as much as he could. Usually the leaders drank first then the countries. All of these rules were passed down when rulers of ancient times considered themselves supreme laws or rulers of their countries, and during a time where servant mandate was required. So naturally the countries had to appear strong, powerful and regal next to their leaders, but at the same time submissive, and obedient to any command they were given… It was a long complicated story, and one he had stopped trying to fully comprehend. Though the times had changed, most of these formalities had not, and were acted upon now for more the sake of tradition than anything else. He held the glass in his hand and waited for the president to take a sip before he took a swig of water himself.

But the president's lax behavior did give him an advantage in conversation, so he was able to speak more freely. "Forgive me for being so direct sir. But may I inquire as to why it is that you called me here, with out my king as well? Surly he would be able to help you better than I."

The president shook his head, "No Mr. Kirkland, only you can help I'm afraid." He said seriously. "I explained every thing to King George, and he agreed to let you come help us."

Odd, George had told Arthur nothing about all this. "I asked him not to tell you. Forgive me." Roosevelt said as if sensing Arthur's thoughts. "Yes but why? Why did you call for me sir, Mr. President?" Arthur begged immediately correcting himself. One of the members of the Senate looked to Roosevelt. "You didn't tell him?" he asked almost bewildered. "I felt it more appropriate to ask him in person and George agreed." The president argued looking to his associated folding his hands. "What? Tell me what gentlemen?" Arthur begged becoming a bit agitated and inpatient. This was becoming stranger by the moment, he maybe a country and a mass of land, but he still had ears! What on earth was all this about that even George didn't tell him? And where the bloody hell was Alfred?! If anyone would "spill the beans" to coin the phrase, it would be that loud mouth! Arthur found himself instinctually looking around the room for his younger familiar, feeling more uncomfortable by the minute being the only country there. Roosevelt seemed again, to sense this and cleared his throat. "Forgive the secrecy Mr. Kirkland, but George also agreed that it better I ask you in person. If this information were to get out, then things could be quite dangerous." He said. Arthur nodded regaining his composure straightening his back. "Understood sir."

Roosevelt sighed and rubbed his forehead then spoke, "As I'm sure you've realized we are in a horrible depression."

"Yes sir I am." Arthur said, doing his best to hold his tongue about the rest of Europe feeling it as well. "Well, we cannot ask for help, seeing as how all the rest of the world has fallen under it… But we have been hit hard, and it has left us crippled and me, very concerned." The president went on to say with an exhausted sigh. Arthur smiled warmly, "It will be alright sir, these things happen. They come and go, we all have depressions even you humans have them. We countries are no different. I'm sure Alfred will snap out of it if I speak to him…" he said now assuming that was why he had been called… This however was not so…

The president lowered his eyes. "That is the problem Mr. Kirkland… We don't know where he is." He said somberly. Arthur froze and his heart dropped to his toes. "What?" was all he could muster. Roosevelt sighed and shook head, worry now clearly plastered all over his face. "We found this not long after he went missing. He had been staying here under my direction, then one morning he was no where to be found, and all that was left was this note." He handed Arthur the paper and the older country pulled it close to his face and read it:

Dear Boss,

I'm sorry, but I have to do this. I can't just sit around an office all day and do nothing! I have to get out there and try to fix things! People are suffering more than me, and I have to try and make things right. I'm sorry, please don't be sore at me. I promise I'll write. Try to understand…People need me; I have to help them as much as I can… I have to fix things. I'll come back soon I promise.

Your loyal country,

Alfred Jones… AMERICA

Idiot! Arthur's fingers gripped the paper in frustration and concern. What was he thinking?! What was he ever thinking? Trying to be a hero again?! Why didn't the boy ever just do as he was told!

By the look on the president's face he was just as worried as Arthur. "How long has been gone?" Arthur asked not taking his eyes from the paper. "About two months." The president answered shamefully. Arthur's eyes shot up to him. "We have been trying to track him down, but every time we got close he disappeared again. He truly doesn't want to be found." Roosevelt explained. "He's impossible to catch."

"No one knows his terrain better I'm afraid. You know that expression about knowing the back of your hand?" Arthur said holding up his own hand swiveling it around, trying to hide the concern in his voice. Roosevelt mustered a smile at this. "Yes, yes I do. Which is why I need you're help Arthur. No one knows Alfred better than you," he then raised his eyes to the country, locking his grey eyes to bright endless green ones. Arthur sat at attention unwavering, his eyes steady and firm. Yet again felt humbled when his gaze met that of a leader. "You did raise him after all." Roosevelt pointed out. "Mr. President," one of the Senate began, but Arthur quickly diverted his gaze, trying not to blush. "Yes I did. F-For a while." The British nation answered quietly as memories began to flood his mind like a rising tide. "Then please Mr. Kirkland, you must help us find him. With the way the economy is dropping I fear for his safety and well being… If he gets hurt or sicker, then it could be devastating,"

"Wait," Arthur interrupted. "I'm sorry, did you say… Sicker?" he asked. Roosevelt nodded, but one the Senate answered for him. "Mr. Jones, was quite… Um, ill, we shall say, before he went on his "crusade"." the Senator said putting quotes around the word crusade. Arthur tried not to glair. "Understandable, when our economies drop and our people suffer, we do become ill." Arthur said stifling the need to cough himself from the cold he had had earlier. "Yes, but according to his doctor, we wasn't improving, and by the way things are going, it's only getting worse." Another Senator finished. Roosevelt handed Arthur a newspaper, "Read the headlines and market numbers." He insisted. Arthur did as he was told and pulled out a small pair of reading glasses from his coat pocket and put them on to read the fine print.

The numbers were horribly low… Employment near zero, stock market numbers irreplaceable, every thing was out of whack. The dust bowl was in full swing as well, and only getting worse. There was even a small mention of how Canada, America's twin, was being affected by all of this. This was all very disturbing; Arthur had no idea of how devastatingly unbalanced, and wounded these statistics were. If they were all true, then America was indeed in dire trouble. Especially if he were out there all alone, and without contact! If he were to get sicker, or injure himself… He very well could kill himself…

"When did you hear from him last?" Arthur asked calmly returning his glasses to his pocket and the paper back to the desk. "Last week." Roosevelt said and handed Arthur another letter. "We got this letter which suggests he was some where around Illinois and Kentucky at least a week ago."

"He had been out west before that, trying to fix the dust bowl we can only assume." Another Senator added in as Arthur examined the postage from the letter he had been given. "Where do you think he will head next?" Arthur continued to ask as if he were questioning for a case. "We…We don't know sir." Another Senator said hanging his head shamefully. "We were hoping you could help us."

Arthur looked up at them and Roosevelt again sighed sadly and his weary eyes pleaded with Arthur. "There's no one out there better when it comes to secret services. I will not lie to you Mr. Kirkland, we a hanging by a thread here, and I am doing all I can to keep it from ripping. My options are exhausting quickly, and I am needed here, otherwise," the President looked away for a moment and squeezed his fingers into his palm. "I'd be out there looking for him myself…" he then turned back, "But it would do us all no good if I did. Please, I need Alfred back here, or if anything out of harm's way." His face then softened and Arthur could swear he saw the reflections of tears behind the president's eyes. "I think of Alfred as if he were one of my own, just as I do all the people I dictate… Please Arthur, I'm sure you know how that feels. The worry of a parent."

Arthur dropped his gaze a moment. "Aye sir. That I do." He said seriously. "So I ask you please," Roosevelt nearly begged. "Please help us. Find him. Find him and bring him back safely… For all our sakes. Only you know Alfred well enough to find him and convince him to come back."

"Oh, I'm afraid I can't convince Alfred of anything he doesn't want to do sir." Arthur blushed and chuckled. "He can be quite stubborn."

"Yes but he will listen to you." The president went on. Arthur sighed in his head. Alfred never listened to him, why would he bother now when he was defying his own boss?

"Please England," he looked back up at the sound of his formal name. "Will you help us?" there was a moment of silence in the room as all waited. Arthur closed his eyes and smiled slowly rising to his feet. "Of course I will." He said standing to his full height opening his endless emerald green eyes. "I'll bring the boy back home safe and sound Mr. President. I promise." He said in earnest.

President Roosevelt sighed happily smiling with utter gratitude and relief, sinking into his desk, his broad shoulders relaxing. He extended a hand to the country, which Arthur took into a welcoming shake. "I'm forever indebted to you Mr. Kirkland." Roosevelt sighed his voice quivering with overwhelming relief. Arthur smiled kindly, "Please sir call me Arthur." He permitted. "And no dept is necessary, I do, after all like you said… Know the worry of a parent, and that a country." He smiled releasing his hand and took a step back. "I'll bring him back safely. You have my word."

Roosevelt nodded smiling. "A plane will be ready to fly you to the last known location, after that though, I'm afraid I cannot offer you anything more." The president said. Arthur smiled as he was escorted to the door. "Don't worry Mr. President, I can manage just fine. We countries always have a ways of finding one another. After all, who better to send on a wild goose chase than a goose eh?" He grinned. The president chuckled, "God speed Arthur, take care and good luck."

"And to you sir." Arthur bowed politely before he left the room to begin his search. Oh America what had you gotten yourself into this time…