Not Over Yet

Part 1

Things had been going quite well since Ivan had lost the bet. Alfred would dare say it had been going great, even. He did not decrease his visits in the least or the general leering, but it was normal, like nothing had ever happened in the first place. On the other hand, everything had changed with Jackson. He was still his shy, subdued, and actor self, but he had been unable to escape the other nations. In fact, Germany himself broke his own rules and the entire globe minus Arthur, Alfred, Ivan, and Jackson had been waiting for the duo at their home. Jackson had originally been horrified, but after much coaxing and a little forcing he was introduced to all the nations. Since, he had grown to tolerate them for the most part and no longer hid from them, though he still refused to attend world meetings. That had not turned out to be much of a problem, though, seeing as all those concerned were more than happy to visit themselves. One such common visitor was Arthur, who began to rival both Matthew and Ivan in his appearances. It seems that everything did have a way of working itself out.

That had been exactly what Alfred had been thinking at the next world meeting. He was finally going to deliver his presentation that he had spent all that time on and was more than a little excited. Admittedly, he had forgotten all about it with all the events that had happened with Jackson and had to review well in advance to be ready for it, but he knew he could pull it off. Once more he had asked to go last because of its importance. He really wanted to leave an impression, and leaving the audience pursuing him wanting more seemed to be just the way to do it. It was almost his turn. He just had to wait until Arthur finished his speech on his opinions of current European Union activities. He had never been the best team player when it had come to the EU, so his speech was a little longer than most of feedback presentations that various nations did in accordance to random global events, and Alfred had been trying his best to be patient. It had been easy the day he had originally been going to give his presentation, but since then his nerves had been getting the best of them. He could not shake the feeling that this was just not the day to do it. It had been so bad that the morning of he had thought about calling in sick, but the meeting had been moved back to D.C. just for him and he was not the type to run away from his problems. He just had to be on his guard, that was all, or at least that was what he kept telling himself.

Arthur was finally starting to wrap up his speech. He had gotten a little more heated than what he liked on the matter, but the EU just could not do whatever it pleased. They were all individual nations after all, not simply regions or states. The meeting had been just as chaotic as usual, but when Arthur had stepped up to the podium he had made sure that everyone was paying attention, especially Alfred. He had figured that he would be a perfect backer since he paid for much of the EU's defense and the two were on particularly good terms lately. A part of him also wanted to make him understand that he was not just the only one that had something important to say. The crowd had begrudgingly paid attention and held their tongues, most just waiting for it to be over. Alfred had been one of those, but had made sure no one was none the wiser. Last thing he wanted was for them to figure out that he was nervous. That was when it happened. Arthur had been taking a breath before he was going to run through all his main points once more for good measure when that ringtone began. It was déjà vu all over again.

"Sorry guys, it will be just a moment. Go on without me."

Alfred was out the door in seconds and the rest of the nations could only stare at it, waiting for him to return. It was Arthur that had started the silent wait when he could not bring himself to continue and it took only one look at his face for the feeling of déjà vu hit them. This was how it all began last time. It all being the discovery of a centuries old secret in the form of another persona of America. Surely Alfred would not have something like that up his sleeve again, right? They all did not have time to answer that question before Alfred was already present again, looking sheepish.

"It is nothing serious, but Jackson needs me. I really have to go. Rain check?" he chuckled humorlessly.

Arthur was not convinced, but before he could say anything Germany had already dismissed him with a hand gesture. The newly in charge host was about to be on the receiving end of a vicious glare before a buzzing caught everyone's attention once more. Russia. Russia was getting a phone call. The man had fished around in his pockets and pulled out a vibrating smart phone. The usual smile on his face was gone, but there was no frown either. His face was just blank.

"It seems Fredka is not the only one that has to go." he stated just as stoically and left.

This was Russia. He was creepy, childish, cryptic, violent, terrifying—not blank! He always had that smile on unless something messed with him enough for him to frown. There was never any in-betweens or simply nothing in its place. It was just wrong. Cue the crowd hysteria of the world ending.

"Ve! We should check on America." Italy cried out in the middle of the panic, catching everyone off guard.

The Italian airhead had finally suggested something that made sense.

"That is true." Germany explained, "Maybe their calls had something to do with each other. They have kept secrets together in the past."

Everyone shuddered at the implications. If this really was déjà vu, they wanted to catch it early. That meant someone had to visit Alfred and only one person could do it. If any more went it would give them away in an instant. The battle promptly began.

"I should go see him, he was my charge!" Arthur hissed.

Francis scoffed, "You visited him last time and we had to wait for Russia to reveal Jackson! You cannot be trusted, I will go."

"But none of you would have even noticed that it was Jackson calling him if I had not." he countered.

"Ve, but I came up with the idea!" insisted Italy.

"I should go as the secondary host."

"But only I am awesome enough, West!" screamed out Prussia.

"I am his brother, maybe I should go, eh—"

"Belt up! I am going and no one can stop me." snarled Arthur, heading for the door with his hastily gathered belongs in hand.

Francis was on him in seconds. With a battle cry he slammed into Arthur, grappling with his limbs to restrain him. The Frenchman soon enough had him in a stranglehold as they tumbled towards the ground. More nations joined the assault to pull them away from the door, but before anything could be done the Brit had clamped one hand on the doorknob. There was no removing him now. Even Germany could not pry his hand off the knob. He was going to be the only one of them to leave this room and visit Alfred if it killed him.

"Just open the door, West! None of them will be able to run through it. Let a race decide who visits Alfred!" instructed Prussia, eyeing the pile of nations on top of Arthur with a smirk, "Tough luck, England."

Germany did as told and turned the knob. Or tried.

"I-it's locked!" he burst, suddenly kicking the wooden slab.

Normally when a door was kicked it would somewhat move, but this one was doing none of that. It was like he had kicked a safe—and felt like it, too, for that matter. The barrage began as everyone tried to take down the door. It was useless, even as nations.

"How is this possible, aru?" complained China.

No one could answer that. It took more than a little reinforcing to stop a nation and none of them had heard a thing. It should have been impossible. If they could not go out the door then what could they do? They were in a five-story building in the main meeting room on said fifth floor. No one wanted to attempt that, not even Arthur as desperate as he was. Blast it. This was a lot more complicated than the usual turmoil. Why would anyone even want to lock them in here, anyway? It did not make any sense. None of it did. Jackson called Alfred away and the Russia—Arthur immediately darted to the closest window and searched the streets. Plain as day, Russia stood at the road in front of the meeting place on his phone. It seems he noticed being spotted because his gaze connected with Arthur's and he waved. His face was still blank, but his eyes were emptier than that. Buzz. BUZZ. BUZZ! Arthur almost did not dare to look at his phone, but he soon found himself reading a text.

"'Enjoy each other's company, da?'"