Argggg ye best enjoy the story!

~Hetalia~

"You actually came." Arthur said with surprised, but delighted eyes.

Francis was right. Arthur would be happy to see them. Monica thought for a brief moment.

"But of course mon ami. We wouldn't miss zis promotion of yours for ze world." Francis smiled wrapping an arm around the newly proclaimed Commodore. "Plus it gave me an excuse to show off zese wonderful outfits." He said with flamboyance.

Monica rolled her eyes but couldn't keep the smile off of her face as she looked to see Arthur's reaction. She expected him to berate or scold or at least be irritable with Francis after that comment. Instead Arthur was smiling an act that caused a warmth to bloom and spread on her cheeks. His green eyes clashed with hers for a moment before he glanced away with a bit of color in his cheeks as he cleared his throat.

"You look exquisite Monica." He finally said after a moment.

Monica's heart skipped as she tried to get her breathing under control, which was becoming increasingly hard with how tight Francis had tied her corset.

"Merci Commodore Jones." She smiled testing out the new title on him.

He chuckled. "That's going to take some getting used to." Arthur commented.

"Oui I'm sure you'll get adjusted to it just fine." Francis waved off. "Just don't let it go to your 'ead like you do everything else." He teased.

Arthur's eye brows furrowed making it look like one large one. "Are you implying that I'm arrogant sir?"

Francis shook his head. "No no no no." He grinned. "I'm saying zat you are full of yourself." He laughed.

Arthur grit his teeth before sending a cocky smirk Francis way that Monica only ever very rarely saw from him. It made her heart flutter while her stomach did flips stimulating her nerves as she unconsciously started playing with the lace on the end of her sleeve in a display of nervous habit.

"This is coming from the man who used my promotion as an act to get people to awe over his clothing." Arthur countered.

"At least I wasn't ze one gloating about being ze first peasant to be promoted to a 'igh officer rank." Francis retaliated.

"It's a rather large deal." Arthur snapped slowly losing control on his temper.

"So you've told me during breakfast, lunch, and dinner nearly every day zis week." Francis grinned in smug satisfaction.

"Alright enough you two, we're in public." Monica said deciding to intervene.

They both paused and looked around as if just realizing that small detail before both of them regained their composure yet again.

"Well I truly do appreciate the two of you coming here today, I know it wasn't easy for you to just close down your shop." Arthur said sincerely.

"Think nothing of it mon ami. We were 'appy to come. I must be getting back to my shop 'owever." Francis smiled. " 'Ave fun with ze rest of ze ceremony, and you will escort Monica back 'ome once you're done correct?" Francis asked.

Monica blushed as she shot him a traitorous look. "Papa, don't you need me to 'elp out in ze shop?" She questioned.

"No my darling." He smiled mischievously. "I need you to stay 'ere and display your dress for as long as possible to gather more costumers." He grinned. "I leave 'er in your capable 'ands Arthur." Francis said walking away.

Monica and Arthur stood in awkward silence for a moment before he finally cleared his throat. "So, would you like to see um the best view here?" He asked then visibly winced knowing how stupid it sounded.

Monica chuckled before nodding her consent and taking his arm as he led her a little ways and helped her take a step onto the edge of the wall built on the cliff. Monica stared off into the great expanse of the ocean seeing it stretch for miles as the sun glittered off of the waves. It was truly breath taking. She looked back over at Arthur and saw his green eyes reflecting longing as he stared off into the ocean. Monica set her slender hand on his forearm bringing him out of his daze. He blushed and gave her a smile making her heart beat erratically again.

"So Monica, there is something I've been meaning to ask you." He finally said after a moment.

"Oui?" She asked politely resisting the urge to gasp for a bigger breath of air.

"I apologize if this seems frank or unprepared, but I've wanted to tell you this for awhile now." He mumbled before glancing away.

Monica blinked. What was he going to ask? Seeing him fumble for words was so unlike him and yet she found it very endearing. Then a thought hit her as she sorted through all the most likely possibilities. He was going to propose. She felt the need to start breathing heavily, but refused to do so as she just stared at him in silent horror. She couldn't tell if she was excited about this or terrified. Her freedom was on the line she hadn't gotten to do the things she wanted to just yet. No, she couldn't be married, not yet anyways, and that hurt her. Wasn't she also putting her happiness on that line as well? She couldn't imagine any finer man than Arthur asking for her hand in marriage. He was the only person besides Francis who understood her. She would be happy with Arthur, but she couldn't give up her freedom just yet. During all of these flutters of emotions she forgot to do one very important thing. Breathe.

"Monica would you do me the honor of-Monica!" Arthur yelled reaching out for her.

It was too late. Black spots danced in her vision before she felt herself go toppling over the cliff side. It wasn't until the backbreaking fall of water hit her that she realized she was drowning. Her dress acted as an anchor weighing her down and refusing to let her claw her way back up for air. She knew how to swim, however the constant pull and tugging of the water that had a firm grasp on her dress was making it difficult. As she sunk to the bottom staring up at the sun through the ocean's view she couldn't stop the brief thought of 'how beautiful it looked' crossing her mind as her vision clouded around the sight. A shadow crossed over her vision as it took a hold of her arm and yanked her up. Who's saving me? She wondered as the ocean started taking its toll on her. Not Arthur. Her sound mind told her even though she wished that it was as her eyes closed.

"Vake up fraulein!" Someone yelled at her banging on her chest.

Who is talking to me? Monica thought for a moment.

"Ficken. My apologies beforehand fraulein." The gruff voice grumbled.

The pressure on Monica's chest and ribs suddenly got lifted as salt water shot out of her mouth. She rolled over on her side trying to get air back into her lungs. Shaking her light head she finally made eye contact with her savior. His burgundy eyes stood out in contrast to his light hair accentuating his devilishly handsome features. He looked away clearly uncomfortable as he sat back away from her allowing her to sit up. Her mind was blank as she looked from her rescuer, to the men shackled to the support beam blushing, and to her discarded corset next to her. Wait, that was her corset. That's when she looked down at her form and saw she was in her lacy wool white slip. Her blue eyes widen as she tried covering herself turning bright red.

"It's nothing I haven't seen before fraulein." The man remarked.

She frowned at him as he helped her up her hair dangling in wet strands in her face. She took in his soaked appearance then looked over at the two men again.

"You're a pirate." She stated looking back at the man again who saved her life.

A grin spread across his face before turning to face her again. "Und vhat vould a little girl like you, know about pirates?" He questioned.

"Run ma'am go and get help!" One of the men shouted at her.

She ignored their yells as she studied the man in front of her. "I lived in Tortuga when I was younger." She answered dryly.

He laughed and that's when everything clicked for her in shocking clarity that made her jaw drop. Memories of the drunken captain laughing and having a good time with her beloved grand frère came to mind.

"C-captain Gilbert Beilschimdt?" She asked.

He stopped in his laughing and grinned excitedly. "It's about time someone noticed me for my awesome deeds."

"Monica, are you alright!?"

Monica turned seeing Arthur panting as he and his men hurried over to her. He quickly took off his coat and wrapped it around her shoulders as his men circled Gilbert bayonet's raised.

"This is vhy I should never try to do a good deed." Gilbert grumbled.

"Gilbert?" Arthur asked.

Gilbert sighed rolling his eyes. "Come now Arthur, I think you vould know to call me Captain by now." He smirked.

Arthur's eyes narrowed as a smirk crawled up his lips. "I don't see your ship Captain."

Gilbert's eyes narrowed in retaliation before giving a tight smile. "I'm in the market, as it vere."

"Someone fetch some irons." Arthur ordered before looking at his two men who were shackled to the dock. "What the bloody hell are you two wanker's doing?"

They gave sheepish smiles as they both laughed nervously.

"Stop!" Monica ordered causing Arthur to look down at her in surprise. "Do you really intend to shackle my rescuer?"

Arthur looked conflicted as he stared at Gilbert in a new found curiosity. "You saved her? Why?"

Gilbert rolled his eyes. "I might be a pirate, but I have a set of morals as vell. I couldn't just leave the fraulein to die."

Monica just couldn't stop staring at him. This was Francis best friend, his Captain. What happened to his ship? Where was his first mate? How did they get away? What was he doing here? Monica made eye contact with Arthur trying to plead with him, but he just looked back at her with empty eyes as he shook his head at her. His men approached Gilbert shackling his hands together. This was wrong, he just saved her, he's Francis's friend. This can't be happening.

Monica moved in between Gilbert and Arthur thoroughly baffling the two as she stared up at his commanding green eyes. "So zis is it? You're going to condemn zis man because 'e does a good deed?"

Arthur sighed. "I'm not going to discuss this with you, besides one act of kindness isn't enough to repay a man's life time of wickedness."

"Zen what is enough? 'e saved my life as an act of kindness over saving 'is own skin. What gives you ze right to decide what is or isn't enough to save a man from 'is crimes?" She snapped.

It was silent as an unspoken fiery was said between the two as his eyes threaten to drown her.

"Monica, I will not allow you to belittle me in front of my men. You and I are both subjects under the law and his majesty, and there is nothing I can do to change this situation. Now step aside." He ordered.

Monica felt her cheeks burn in shame and humiliation while glaring up at him with blue eyes that screamed hypocrite.

"Don't you just love awkward lover's spats?" Gilbert laughed before banging his head against the man who had shackled him and wrapping the chains around Monica's neck.

Her eyes widened in surprise while Arthurs narrowed in hate at the man behind her.

"Now that ve're all calm, I vould like my affects if you vill be so kind, and my hat." Gilbert demanded.

Arthur growled before snapping his fingers and getting Gilberts things handed to him. He then reluctantly handed the items to Monica who was turned around after Gilbert managed to pull his pistol out of her grasp and place it against her head.

"Now if you'll be so kind fraulein." He smirked.

He didn't remember her. A brief flutter of panic weld up in her chest of what would happen next as the barrel of the gun pushed harder against her temple. 'Calm down' she chanted in her head all she had to do is work the situation to her advantage. One where Gilbert didn't accidentally blow her head off. Her eyes sparkled with an idea as she quickly placed his hat on and worked to buckle his sword around him. Using her small stature to her advantage she stood on her tip toes making her mouth get very close to his ear.

"Mon grand frère, 'as missed you Captain." She whispered finishing her duties in helping him and dropped back down to her original height.

His eyes widened as recognition. "Francis's little friend?" He questioned lowly.

Monica gave an unnoticeable nod of her head, before Gilbert turned her around. Smirking he backed away taking Monica with him.

"Now gentlemen." He grinned making every word as dramatic as possible. "Fraulein." He breathed in her ear. "This vill be the day that you vill alvays remember as the day you almost caught Captain Gilbert Beilschimdt the awesome und powerful!" He declared before shoving Monica at Arthur who caught her distracting him and his men long enough to escape.

Monica blinked watching as Arthur's men took after him. She really wished she could follow after him, but Arthur's tight grip around her told her that this was going to be the most adventure she would see for quite awhile.

"You're soaked to the bone." Arthur sighed as his pulled his coat on tighter around Monica's slim shoulders. "I'll escort you home first, are you sure you're alright?" He questioned.

Monica was still irritated with him, but she knew true concern when she saw it and decided to relent a fraction of an inch for him.

"Oui Arthur, I'm fine." She snapped.

She went to turn on her heels, but nearly sank to the ground from the crash of the adrenalin rush she had gotten moments before. Arthur caught her with ease before lifting her bridal style. Monica blushed all shades of red before hiding her face into his chest. She didn't have to look to know he was smiling in a smug way, knowing he was right about the situation. As he walked back to the house Monica couldn't stop thinking about her meeting with Gilbert and how his meeting with Francis was going to go. She smiled, if and when he found Francis she just knew they were both going to be ecstatic about seeing one another. She only wished she could see it for herself.

Enjoy life and all of it's wonders!

~Alaina Rayne~