Part I

It had been a rather eventful year for America, stressful but eventful. The election of a young and vibrant president, along with the recent advancements in space exploration, had made him feel as light as a feather. Despite this, he was still smarting from the dismal failure of the invasion of the Bay of Pigs, and whenever it was brought to mind it made him feel as if black bile was crawling up his throat after a feeling of nausea and sick. The race riots were also another mater troubling him, a constant specter in the back of his mind. However none of these things troubled him so much as the USSR, or as he had been formally known, Russia. America's lip curled in disgust as he thought of the large nation and how everything he touched turned corrupted and evil. Cuba and the GDR were both proof enough of that, and now they too filled America with disgust and paranoia at simply the thought of them lurking in the shadows. The matter or Yuri Gagarin and the Berlin wall hadn't helped sooth his feelings towards Russia, not at all. In fact, the latter was the reason he was here in the Munich airport waiting for Germany to pick him up. Not officially of course, this was to be a secret and rather informal meeting, but America had his agenda planned regardless.

Right at that moment Germany drove up to where America was waiting and the latter nodded at Germany, a smile playing on his lips. Right on time, just as he had expected and he quickly got into the other nation's car. America slapped the door rather loudly, causing Germany to jump slightly and a wrinkle to form on his forehead. However America pretended not to notice, instead he simply settled comfortably in his seat and waited for Germany to start the car, which he soon did. There was one thing though that America disliked about this whole matter, there was a silence between them. It was rather awkward, almost as if the air itself was holding it's breath and feeling like an intruder among the two incarnates. America normally didn't mind silence, but this time he did, and he couldn't help the anxious feeling in his gut that constantly pricked at him like a needle worrying away at a voodoo doll. He sighed, trying to put himself at ease and said, "So, how're things going? I mean...besides the obvious." The obvious of course was that accursed wall, and his brother. America briefly remembered how he had once been called Prussia. Now he was simply known a the DDR or GDR in English. What an awful name, he thought to himself. It felt bitter in his mouth.

Germany gave a noncommittal grunt that could've meant anything, then the nation actually spoke. "It's...been stressful, as I'm sure you know." Again there was silence. America couldn't help but think that Germany was as sociable as that cement wall in Berlin, and it almost made him laugh, but he didn't. He supposed it was up to him to charm the other nation and put him at ease, so he spoke once more. "It's been hard work for me too, but I'm here for personal reasons...partly," he said as he flashed an easy grin. "Before we get to what I'm here for...or instead of discussing anything that might trouble you, I got a better idea. How 'bout you hear about my new president for now? You've seen him around I know. Jack is just swell, and his wife Jackie is a dear, real charming, a real lady." The furrows on Germany's forehead slightly relaxed and he nodded. "I suppose wouldn't do any harm." With that America grinned once more and began chatting about his Lady Jackie and Sir Jack F. over in that far away place that would one day be called Camelot.

Not long afterwards America found himself sitting in Germany's study while Germany himself was absent. He had excused himself a few minutes beforehand in order to get drinks and other refreshments, and America was awaiting his return. Meanwhile that anxious pricking needle had returned once again, and it had crawled up and poked at his heart and now was gnawing at his brain, as if the witch doctor had tired of the poor doll's stomach and had decided to play with his other parts. He fidgeted and tapped his toes in order to distract himself from the worry eating at him, but to no avail. His eyes darted around the room and in one quick moment he got up from his chair, looking under the rug, running his hands under the desk, and peering under all the chairs, almost like a madman in the midst of a flurry of activity. Just then the door swung open. It was of course Germany, and he found America on all fours on the floor, his hair slightly disheveled, and a wild look in his eyes. There was another silence between the two, somehow much more awkward and awful than the one in the car. It was broken by a nervous and agitated laugh, America's laugh."...Sorry 'bout that. I dropped my glasses and just found them...I was sort of worried I'd step on them and I don't know how I'd get home without them." With that he got up, cleared his throat, tried to smooth down his hair, and sat down in the seat he had been sitting in previously.

Germany raised an eyebrow at that explanation, he couldn't help but feel suspicious. After all, the nation's glasses had been on his face when he had last seen him and there was really no reason for him to drop them so far away from the chair where he had been sitting. Nevertheless he decided to keep his thoughts and suspicions to himself for now. In his precarious situation he knew it would do no good to provoke the incarnate before him. In fact he was all to aware of the consequences of upsetting America and the power the young nation now held. It troubled him, but he supposed that he deserved it. He placed the drinks and a few small cakes on the desk before America and then sat down on the other side across from him. "Well I suppose I'll let it go." There was a pause, then he said, "...Broth- I mean East always used to do strange things like that...so there's not much harm done." He quietly shuffled a small pile of papers on his desk, pretending to look though them. He felt rather sad at the memory, however he didn't let it show on his face which remained impassive. "What was it you wanted to talk to me about them? On the telephone...you mentioned you had a reason you wanted to see me...'unofficially.'"

"Uh, right," America said, launching his first attack. "See it's actually about your brother." At that Germany flinched, but only for a moment. Otherwise he tried to remain impassive and as he put the papers down he said, "Go on.." Everything was going well so far, or so America thought, though he had reason to think so. Germany never did suffer fools gladly and in this case he seemed rather interested since he hadn't actually stopped him from speaking. He then sighed sadly, he was always an excellent actor after all, and crossed his legs before saying, "I was just thinking, with that wall I reckon it's going to be a lot harder to see him and to even know if he's ok. If it was even easy to know that information before that commie re-put that thing up." America didn't betray his thoughts, but that had actually been a rather close call. The seething hatred he felt for Russia and his ideology had almost slipped out in rather abrasive words, perhaps too abrasive in this situation. Fortunately, he had caught himself and Germany had not even noticed. Instead the other nation shifted awkwardly at the mention of seeing Prussia and said, "Truthfully...I didn't see or talk to East much beforehand...we tended to be kept away from one another even when you weren't around."

Germany didn't mention the fear that he carried within him, the sneaking and pervasive thought that Prussia did not want to even see him at all, but despite his silence his face looked rather tense. America noticed this, but he said nothing. He simply tapped his fingers on the desk, measuring his words and setting the bait he needed. "But don't you miss him? Aren't you worried? I mean who knows what that Ruskie's doing to him over there. What if I said I had an idea of how you could keep some tabs on your brother? Maybe not talk to him, I mean...if the Ruskie's torturing him...or worse-" he added with a knowing look at the other nation. " -Talking to him would give him info to rat on us with, even if he didn't want to, and would probably make Ruskie retaliate. Given your delicate situation I bet you wouldn't want that." He gave Germany a pointed look, unsaid was the threat of warfare or any other possible methods of retaliation. However it was not needed, both knew too well what the risk was.

Germany listened carefully to the nation's words and pondered them. In the past before the world wars he had always thought of himself as cautious, logical, and measured. However now after the loss and the horror of the past he constantly doubted his own judgement and was unsure where to turn to. It didn't help that this was really the first time on his own without Prussia. Despite that though, despite his lacking self confidence and crushing unease, he knew he couldn't let that control him, and he also know that he couldn't let that hold him back from whatever actions needed to be taken. His loneliness and the worry and anxiety for his brother also made him want to take up America's offer before even knowing what it really was. There was another thing that worried him as well, what if Prussia was being tortured? He had no idea if he was or wasn't and for now he could do nothing to help him. He was blind, it was as if a monster of smoke and ink had covered the entire east and had taken Prussia along with it, hiding him forever. America's addition of "or worse" made his fears only grow, what could "or worse" mean? Could it be- before his thoughts stayed and trailed further form their safe path and made their way onto thick bambled roads of his mind that were now well worn, he spoke once more. America listened and waited like a cat stalking it's prey. "...I refuse to consider this notion until you at least tell me what it is...but I can't deny that I do want to know if East is alright or not. So, out with it. Tell me your idea."

America nodded and said, "Fair enough, you're not a rash guy Germany. I like that. You consider the possibilities carefully, that's good in a situation like this!" It was glib though what he was saying, pure flattery to ease the other nation's nerves and butter him up. After all America wanted to lay on the charm, he wanted Germany to trust and to depend on him. It would do no one any good if he was somehow persuaded to turn to the communists, an action America constantly feared. No, Germany had to be reminded that America was a constant friend and source of support, for the greater good of containing the communist threat of course. "Anyway, to get to the point my idea was pretty simple, but I figured you guys over here haven't tried it yet. I mean this wall business just...well, it literally came up overnight," and he shook his head and chucked mirthlessly as he said this. "My idea was, what about bugging? And keeping a literal eye on him?" Germany was about to speak, but America raised his hand and said, "Now before you say anything hear me out. Listen to the whole idea alright? So it's simple, like I said, and should be easy, low risk too depending how far we go, but hey...what's the price for a little peace of mind, am I right?" He flashed a smile and continued on, "The first and primary option is to bug him, bug his house, and if possible but less likely his office desk. To do that we'll need a man over there, someone trained and who knows what he's doing to plant the bugs in good places and just as important, to not get caught by the Ruskies. You know they're everywhere, like cockroaches." He practically spat the last word out, then looked up at Germany for a moment. The other nation just nodded at him, signaling for him to continue. "Thanks, and that ties into our second point. If the bugging works...and if it's possible, I mean we don't want the commies getting ahold of him or anything like that, I think it might be possible to have a man on the ground keeping a physical eye on him. Even taking pictures and evidence if anything nasty's going on." America then shrugged after saying this, as if this idea was only a maybe.

In reality it was just what he wanted to do, but he wanted to play his cards safely in case anything went wrong. "Of course that's only if it's safe enough, and the bugging works out. Keeping tabs on him though modern technology in his home and though good old fashioned human resources outside to sum it up." He then held a finger up, a silent signal for the other nation to wait. Germany understood that and did so, nodding once more. "Now I know what you're going to say. What about his privacy and so on, but Germany-" And at this he leaned forward slightly, his brows furrowed and lips drawn into a frown. "Isn't a little peace of mind over your brother's physical and mental well being more important than all that? Isn't it better to know if he's alright? Or do you just want to sit in the dark and not know about him...unless, you don't care anymore. I mean, I'm not judging you. You two have been though a lot and well...maybe you two just aren't as close anymore. That's understandable." America shrugged but before he could do or say any anything else Germany shot up immediately, however once he realized just what he had done, he turned slightly red and coughed. Then he slowly sat down and and rubbed his forehead, sighing as he did. "...Of course I...of course...he's my brother and that's that," he said firmly. "No matter what odd or strange things he tends to do...or...his crimes and faults of the recent past...he...he's still my brother." Germany looked down on his desk for a moment, he was never really the most expressive man and even now the words he wanted to say struggled to come out, like a fly vainly trying to free itself from the confines of sticky paper and certain death. He rubbed his forehead once more, then his temples, letting the skin freely crease and fold due to the pressure of his fingers and his wearied expression. "...I agree to your idea. It's a plan...but are we collaborating or-?" Or was this a move requiring only American resources and power, that was what his unspoken words seemed to say.

The latter of course was what America had planned and wanted. Having Germany help wouldn't do any good, in fact it would hinder the agenda he had in the long run. "For now at least, I was thinking of only using American resources on this little project. You folks are nearer of course, but we still have American forces and personal in West Germany and West Berlin and can always send a few or more around here so this shouldn't be any problem for us. We have men trained to do such things too, real professionals and stuff. Later on if things go well we might team up with some of your men if we need any help," America had no intention of doing so whatsoever. Germany nodded, "Um, right. Perhaps this is best..." Finally, the agreement had come, but his idea hadn't fully come to fruition. There was far more work needed to be done, for the greater good of course, and for peace and freedom worldwide. In any case America grinned again, his eyes lighting up, but only slightly. "Great! Let's shake on it, on our deal as it is now of course," and he held out an open hand towards Germany, making sure to look him right in the eyes. Germany looked back, but he couldn't help a strong desire to look away. There was something in those eyes that made him feel ill at ease and rather nervous, but he resisted the temptation. Instead he simply continued to look and took America's hand. America then gave him a very firm handshake, perhaps a little firmer than was normal, but Germany was never entirely sure. Not then, nor whenever he looked back on the matter.

Additional notes/historical notes.

This fic takes place in 1961 during this period President JFK was in power, a nickname he had was 'Jack' and that's who America is referring to. Jackie is his wife and first lady Jackie Kennedy, later Jackie Onassis.

The Bay of Pigs invasion was a failed military invasion of Cuba undertaken by a CIA response paramilitary group in order to overthrow Fidel Castro's communist government. It took place from the 17th to the 19th of April 1961.

The Berlin Wall went up overnight on August 13th 1961. At that time it was a very crude hastily built wall made of concrete and brick. Later it became larger and harder to get across as time went on and it was improved. It cut off West Berlin from East Berlin and East Germany surrounding it. The official story by the GDR government was that the wall was built to prevent West German 'fascists' from coming into the nation and to protect the GDR from them, the real reason was to stop the large flow of people escaping into allied territory since up until that time, it was one of the easiest ways to escape the GDR. It's debatable if the Russians were involved or wanted it but in any case the real push for the wall came from the East German leader Walter Ulbricht and it was built by the East German army.

On May 21 1961 the Freedom Riders were involved in the Montgomery Riots in Montgomery, Alabama.