Disclaimer: I do not own Hetalia obviously; all these characters were created by the magical, marvellous Hidekaz Himaruya.

Acknowledgements: Many thanks to the following who reviewed/alerted/favourite so early on in the story and gave me inspiration to carry on: Oxenstierna D. Yuki-Rin, ZeroLuver567, YellowXelia

Warnings: that would be telling... read with an open mind

Chapter 2 – Falling

Paris, France

Russia's moves were smooth, silk as satin. Gliding, sliding - their movements finally matched each other and with each position change, Latvia caught her breath, for a moment afraid to let go, then she would relax a little as she felt the big Russian pull her into his arms, she placed her hands on his broad shoulders for added security.

"Just relax," he told her. He certainly knew what he was doing, that was for sure. His movements were powerful and strong - borne of many years' experience. Faster and faster they went, Latvia out of breath, Russia's heavy breathing ruffling the smaller Nation's blond locks. Latvia's trembling finally eased a little, however, despite Russia's best efforts, she thought she would never really enjoy it, the hardness and the cold was uncomfortable and she knew she would be sore the next day.

Two hours earlier

It was just another meeting – America 'chairing' – his foghorn voice carrying further than the conference room to the three Baltics sat outside in the grounds.

"Well, I'm sticking a fork in this meeting because it's done!" the American said confidently.

"Who the bloody hell put you in charge?" England's voice was less loud but was indignant.

"Honhonhon, are you in charge then, mon l'Angleterre? Are you going to spank me if I am naughty?"

"You can just shut up, Francy-pants," England all but shrieked.

"I think the meeting has just broken up," Estonia said, wisely. "I'm off into the city to do a bit of business."

Latvia and Lithuania exchanged knowing glances, "Oh yes?" Lithuania said.

"Yes, see you later," Estonia replied and with that, pushed his glasses up his nose, picked up his briefcase and went inside the hotel to telephone for a taxi.

The meeting had indeed broken up. They heard England, France and America before they even saw them, "You can bugger off, you garlic-eating pervert, I'm not going back to any hotel room with you."

"Oh mon dieu! L'Angleterre! We have all afternoon, non? What are you going to do?"

"I'm going bloody drinking that is what I'm going to do. And not with you."

"I'll join you, Arty, wait for me!"

France approached the two Baltics. "Honhonhon, bonjour leetle Latvia and leetle Lithuania..."

"Hey! I'm as tall as you!" Lithuania exclaimed and stood up.

"Honhon, you are a fine specimen of a man, Toris. Are you busy?"

"Yes, I am."

"Really?" Francis looked around and raised an elegant eyebrow. "You are sitting here in ze sun, non? But it is very cold. We do not wish you to get cold? Perhaps I can warm you up?" Francis sidled onto the bench next to Latvia.

"I can show you the sights of Paris. It is magnificent. You will be very impressed by ze Eiffel Tower."

Latvia eased herself away from him as politely as she could.

A large shadow fell over them, blocking out the sun.

"France, are you bothering my little Baltics?" Russia's presence made the Paris winter temperature drop several degrees.

France bent his head back to look at the Russian who loomed up behind them, "Sacre bleu! Mon Russie! You startled me!"

Russia growled and said in a very low, dangerous voice, "You had better not be bothering my little Baltics, Francis. That would make me very angry."

Francis jumped up, "Of course not! I was just enquiring about their comfort, non? Leetle Latvia looks very cold."

Latvia shook her head frantically, "I'm fine, honestly."

"Yo, Liet! Hey Francis! Braginski! Cool meeting eh? England totally flipped," Poland wound his arms around Lithuania's neck and planted a kiss on his cheek.

Russia growled at this also, "Feliks you are a bad man and you lead Lithuania astray," he said, his eyes narrowing.

"Honhonhon, zat is very good..." Francis was delighted at this.

"Chill out, dude. Toris needs some downtime with me. Besides you promised, big dude. You said Toris could have the afternoon off with me."

All eyes turned to Russia (Lithuania's slightly hopeful, Feliks' confident, Francis' interested, Latvia's afraid).

"Nyet I did not."

Latvia gave a little sigh of relief.

"Yes you did. You cannot just go back on you word. Not cool, man. Don't dig that, dude. Chicks don't dig it."

Francis thought this hilarious, "Chicks?"

Poland mouthed to France "I'll fill you in later."

Lithuania shook his head frantically as he saw Latvia's frightened expression. She looked at him pleadingly, her big blue eyes clearly saying 'Please don't leave me with him'.

"Oh mon Russie, you should look after your employees, non? Then you will get the best out of them."

"Really?" Russia looked interested. Lithuania had been looking tired recently.

"Oui, but of course. I always treat my maids with utmost care and gentleness," he winked lewdly at Latvia.

Latvia blushed scarlet.

"You have maids?" Russia frowned and plonked himself down next to France.

"Oui, I recommend zem, non? You have a large one?"

"Wut?" Russia crossed his legs self-consciously.

"A large house, non?" France giggled but looked Russia up and down, his eyes lingering on Russia's nether regions – currently hidden under his knee-length coat.

"Da," Russia said, relieved.

"Zen you should have maids to clean it."

"I have little Latvia to clean my house," Russia waved a hand at her.

"Ah! But does leetle Latvia wear a maid's uniform?"

Poland sniggered, Lithuania looked absolutely appalled. Latvia blushed and stood up hurriedly, pulling her coat around her.

Russia blushed furiously, "Of course not!"

"Honhonhon, he would look very cute in such a uniform!"

Russia flustered and blustered, a purple haze forming around his shoulders.

Poland took this as his cue, "Come on Liet, Francis..."

"Ah la Pologne! We could go somewhere more comfortable, non? By the way, that skirt on you is adorable..."

"You don't get around me that easily, Francis, you big flirt."

"Erm I'd better stay here with Mr Russia and Latvia..." Lithuania said and tried to indicate with his eyes to his best friend the danger he felt Latvia was in.

"Aw Liet! I wanted your opinion on a new dress I was going to buy."

"I will help you choose some clothes... oh yes..." Francis linked his arm with the Pole's.

Poland leaned in to Toris and whispered, "Don't leave me with this lunk, Liet. He's had the hots for me since 1921 and to be honest, he's so not my type."

Russia waved Toris away, "Go, Lithuania. Have a nice afternoon. You should have a nice time with your friends."

Latvia shook her head and said hurriedly, "But Mr Russia... if there's another meeting in a bit you might need someone to take notes and Estonia..."

"Then you can help me, Latvia," Russia answered her. "Go now, Lithuania. Latvia and I are going to have a fun afternoon of our own."

"Hey, Braginski?" Poland said.

"Wut?"

"You're a top bloke."

"Da, I am!" Russia smiled and put his arm out and pulled Latvia down onto the bench next to him.

"Right, let's go people!" Feliks said and grabbed his two friends and headed off, chatting about what heels would go best with the dress he wanted, slapping France's hand away from his butt and waving his shoulder bag around.

Lithuania dragged his heels and looked over his shoulder at Latvia, "Sorry!" he mouthed at her.

Latvia shivered.

"So, little Latvia what shall we do?"

"Sir?"

"What would you like to do?"

"Erm... I like reading..."

"Nyet! You will not be reading. We will spend some time together. That will be fun, da?"

Latvia trembled. She avoided spending any time with Russia if she could help it. She kept her distance from him and kept her head down as much as possible. Actually spending time alone with him was a nightmare come true.

"You are cold, little Latvia?"

"A little bit, Sir."

"Erm, I know a way I can warm you up!" Russia said, a childish smile appeared on his face.

"Really, Sir?" Latvia thought furiously, could she come up with a sudden illness, a reason, any reason to get away?

"But you might not like it."

'I bet I don't,' she thought, 'Oh dear God, what is he thinking. It could be anything from practising his martial arts on me to invading Poland.'

"I never asked Estonia to do it."

'That's because Estonia was a clever bugger,' she thought. 'He never got caught in these situations. How on earth does he do it? He's a slippery customer. I must watch him and see how he does it'.

"... and sometimes Toris would do it, but he doesn't like it very much. He said it hurt. He said I went too fast."

Latvia was really scared now. Toris was much bigger and stronger than her and, despite his appearance was relatively tough, she felt as fragile as glass next to him. If it hurt Toris, she was in for an afternoon of pain.

"... and nobody else will do it with me... I don't know why..." Russia sighed and went off into a little reverie.

Latvia wasn't surprised at this – whatever 'it' was. All the Nations were terrified of Russia, besides his sisters of course. His presence alone could evoke dread and fear. A distinct chill hung around him.

"Mr Russia... I don't think that I..."

"Don't worry, little Latvia. I will take care of you," Russia said, suddenly breaking out of his little daydream. There was sadness in his eyes. "I usually do it alone. But it's always better with someone else."

Latvia tried desperately to think what he was talking about. He clearly assumed she knew what it was. She just hoped to God it wasn't... it wouldn't be would it?

"You have probably never done it?"

"Sir?"

"It does not matter. I will teach you. Don't worry little Latvia. I will go very slow."

Latvia squeaked with fear, "Sir! I think you should know that I'm..." she hesitated. Surely now was the time to tell him...

Russia stood up and pulled her up next to him, "Never mind! Come on, Latvia. You might find it very cold and hard at first, but then it gets better!" Clearly, she was given no choice in the matter.

Latvia found herself closer to Russia than she'd ever been. Her knees were shaking and resembled jelly. They'd already swapped positions a few times, but she found it easier if they were face to face, having Russia holding her from behind was just too creepy, she preferred to see his face – his wide childish grin of pure joy actually reassuring her a little. He held both her hands this time, his much larger ones dwarfing hers. She'd preferred her hands on his shoulders – it gave her greater balance, however, Russia said this was easier if she fell. "Bend your knees, Latvia," he instructed her.

Their breaths misted in the cold clear air, Russia started to slide backward and she followed him, her ice-skates gliding forward. "Use your knees, Raivis, it makes it easier," Russia told her. She nodded but it was all she could to stay upright. She thought that if it weren't for Russia's strong hands holding her up she would be flat on her back on the ice.

She'd spent the first thirty minutes clinging to Russia, her hands gripping his coat as he practically pulled her around the rink. His cheeks were pink, his eyes wide with joy as he glided around and round. For someone who was so big – over six feet tall and over 200 pounds, he was surprisingly graceful. He made it look effortless and she only wished she could move like that. Several times she stumbled and twice she landed on her bottom when his coat slipped out of her hands. He picked her up, gently dusted her off, tilted her chin up and smiled into her bewildered face and then grabbed her around the waist so that he was behind her and literally pushed her around the rink, his scarf fluttering behind him.

"It's fun, da?" he said bending down and whispering into her ear.

She nodded, actually it was fun – in a strange, exciting, 'you could break your ankle any moment' kind of way. And Russia's large solid frame to cling to did make it almost fun.

"Aw, poor Raivis," Russia said, laughing as she fell awkwardly on her bottom again. He spun past her, annoyingly graceful.

Couples and children slid past her and she struggled to stand up, her skates slid away from her and she did the splits.

"Ow!" she said and tears formed in her eyes.

Russia skidded back to her, sending a spray of ice up into the air, concern in his eyes. "Oooh, that is not good, nyet? Not good for little boys to do the splits?"

He picked her up. She shoved his hands away with a sudden spurt of anger, 'bloody big idiot,' she thought, 'I'm fed up of this'.

"Haha!" Russia thought this funny, "Raivis is getting angry? Hormones? That is what happens in puberty..."

Latvia managed to get her skates and her feet to work and, wobbling up to him, jabbed him in the chest, "Stop calling me a boy, I'm a..." but before she could say any more, Russia slid an arm around her waist and side by side they glided around the ice.

"I know, I know, okay, you are a man... although sometimes... it is very funny but you look like a girl!" Russia laughed, thinking this was hilarious.

Latvia shook her head, 'one day, you big loon, I'm going to give you such a bloody shock,' she thought. 'God, I need a bloody big drink.' The latter thought she blurted out loud.

Russia laughed at this, "Haha! We will go and have a vodka! Vodkaaaa!" he yelled as they skated faster and faster. Or should one say, he skated faster and faster, whilst Latvia clung to his waist desperately.

A few hours later – the hotel bar

"We had a brilliant afternoon! I bought a gorgeous red dress, didn't I, Liet?" Poland said.

"Yes, you did..." Lithuania sank down in a chair, took off his shoes and rubbed his tired feet.

"Where is France?" Russia asked and then added as the said Nation staggered in, "Oh there he is!"

France slumped into a chair, "My word, Pol, you know how to shop, I am exhausted..." The Frenchman indicated a bottle of champagne to the barman and then turned to Russia and Latvia who were sat on adjoining bar stools, "Honhonhon, 'ow are you two? Did you have a good afternoon, non?"

"Yes, we did!" Russia's cheeks were still pink and his eyes shone, "But we got tired."

"Honhonhon, did you now?"

"Da. We had to stop because little Raivis was out of breath."

France's eyes were wide as saucers.

Lithuania looked up in shock and he looked at Raivis questioningly.

Latvia, who was pretty pissed at Lithuania for leaving her with 'the big idiot', decided not to let him go so easily.

"Yes, it was very tiring. But Mr Russia was ever so good. It was easier when I held on to him though."

France was almost falling off his stool, he poured a glass of champagne, his mouth open completely agog.

"Da, but little Raivis was a fast learner," Russia continued, completely oblivious to the stares.

"Oh, thank you, Sir," Latvia smiled and sipped her vodka.

"Da, you were better than Toris."

Lithuania frowned at this and looked at Latvia worriedly.

Poland looked at Lithuania, then at Russia and then back at Latvia, complete confusion on his face.

"Thank you, Sir. But I'm going to be sore tomorrow," Latvia said and then she winked surreptitiously at France.

"Mon dieu!"

Lithuania shook his head, saw the wink and then finally caught on when he saw Latvia brush ice from the back of her pants.

"Little Latvia does not complain like you do, Toris. And he is much lighter than you to carry around."

Poland was having none of this, "Hey!" he said, "Like, Liet's mine..."

"Oooh a love triangle!" France was entranced.

"That is okay, Polska. I will not do it with Toris again. I'm going to train little Latvia up. He will get really good after a few more sessions," Russia said, his eyes gleamed. A wide innocent smile adorned his face.

"Ooooh, mon dieu!" France was beside himself, "Perhaps, you know – you and me, Ivan?" France said in his most seductive voice, daringly using Russia's human name.

Russia frowned at this, "I do not think so, France. You do not look flexible enough."

France spluttered his champagne, "Flexible? I do not agree, I am very flexible. Oh yes..."

"I do not trust your hands, Mr France..." Russia shuddered, having had 'experience' of France's wandering hands one Christmas...

France was severely disappointed, "Oooh mon ange..." he said, "We could have so much fun."

Latvia downed the rest of her vodka in one smooth movement and jumped off her stool. As she passed France she leaned into him and whispered in his ear, "It was really good, Monsieur France. Mr Russia is really big and strong. He goes really fast and if you don't keep up, you end up on the floor." She then grinned to herself and went up to her hotel bedroom to have a much needed hot bath.

France almost swooned.

Lithuania shook his head and tutted. He would be having words with that girl later.

Poland turned to Lithaunia and said, "What just happened?"

Russia, completely and utterly oblivious, ordered himself another vodka.

Some people have such dirty minds...

Author's Notes: 1921 – the signing of the Franco-Polish alliance

Just a little extra I wrote whilst watching the European Figure Skating Competition – and Evegni Plushenko had just won Gold.

By the way I can't skate for toffee (the only time I went on the ice me and my friend spent the whole time clinging to each other as 5 year olds skidded past shoving us...) – but perhaps if I had a tall blond Russian to teach me...