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OoOoOo

Very rarely was America one for paranoia. However, she could not shake the sense of impending doom that lingered in the air. She was, discreetly, walking by the hotel that Switzerland was staying at. In her defense, it was on the way to the only place within walking distance that had binoculars.

She hated trying to catch a cab in this city on a Friday night, so walking was her only option. America did not run without a purpose, and jogging was a slower form of running. The day it looked fun would be the day she tried it. America could still vividly recall all of her physical training for her wars. She shuddered.

Her blue eyes scanned the surrounding area. She was hoping to avoid Switzerland for a while, but part of her would never turn down a glimpse of the nation that had captured her heart.

Though, he was more likely to throw said heart back in her face. After he shot it, set it on fire, then stomped on it for a while.

She grimaced.

Alright, so he wasn't the most romantic nation. However, who could really compare with France and either side of Italy?

But, he could be sweet. Couldn't he?

Gentle even. And damn her if that didn't just make him even more attractive.

She ran a hand through her hair to keep her thoughts off of how handsome he was. Her mind kept replaying the gentle smile he gave Lichtenstein. It was like a solar eclipse mixed with meteor shower. Something so rare and inexplicable that America would be in awe of it for years to come.

Speaking of Lichtenstein, she still felt the heavy weight of guilt for not taking the sweet nation up on her offer. However, right now America was more than a tad self-conscious around Switzerland.

Even if she did have a slightly large crush on him.

Her cheeks flushed at the memory of the first time they met for foreign relations. He'd given her a look that screamed how much he didn't want to be there, but it hadn't truly been aimed at her. Or, so she hoped.

Seriously though, why did she have a sense of foreboding doom?

America glanced behind herself again. There was no one out of the ordinary. People were moving about their everyday lives. The city lights were bright and everywhere. She loved her country, always had. Yet, it was odd to her that this feeling came out of nowhere.

Hm... maybe England was making her 'edible' treats again.

America turned her thoughts back to her country. She smiled softly at her people as they passed by her.

She wanted what was best for them. No matter what it did to her personally.

And, in order to advance her people, she had been meeting with several countries over the last few days. It was not all political, only touching bases for some. Her allies needed to know that despite recent political upheavals, she had not forgotten them.

In fact, she had a meeting tomorrow with Singapore. And, true, they were not quite allies, but they were linked heavily through economic relations, and by a burgeoning defense relationship. So, America made it a point to speak with the male nation. He was very hard working and had a sense of transparency in his government that America deeply admired.

It had garnered attention however, he interest in Singapore. America never ceased to be amazed how quickly news traveled in the world.

India had made a point to discuss with her his thoughts on the matter. How it would be interpreted, and how to best interact the other nation. America only wanted to talk with him, not demand or ask anything of him. She listened attentively to India's suggestions, but could not make any promises to the other nation that would make him content enough to drop the subject.

For some crazy reason, India brought up the topic about America abandoning Switzerland in favor of Singapore. Granted, economically speaking if she were to rank the countries... Singapore would be a close second to Switzerland, but she would not leave him.

Their countries had held strong ties for decades.

And, she was slightly enthralled by the former mercenary nation. So the very idea that she would even consider forgoing Switzerland for a different nation was preposterous. Also, Switzerland had a reputation for being neutral.

Translation, he shot at everyone that neared his borders, not just one side. How that was 'neutral' when he did it and 'hostile' when she did, America would never understand.

Her phone rang, the familiar tune jingled at her and America sighed. She stopped in the street and dug her phone out of her suit pocket. Briefly, she glanced at the screen before moving out of the way of the people still walking forward.

"Hello?" She answered in a measured tone.

"Ms. America?"

"Lichtenstein?" She asked, surprised. "Is that you?"

"Yes!" The other nation replied happily. "It is me. I am sorry to bother you, America, but I called to ask you a question."

"Oh?"

"Are you available tomorrow? Around lunch?" The smaller nation asked politely.

It was adorable, how sweet Lichtenstein was.

Wait. Lunch?

She blinked, and internally groaned. Lichtenstein was wasting no time in taking her up on her false offer to reschedule.

Of course.

America really couldn't blame the other nation. Not a single bit. There had been times other nations tried to blow her off, and America had bull rushed her way into their lives as well. So, this was some sort of fate... or Karma... or whatever the newest craze was.

"I can make time." The larger nation responded while pushing Texas back up a bit on the bridge of her nose.

Her meeting with Singapore was in the morning, so they should be finished by lunch time. Certainly.

"I have a meeting early, but I can cut out a bit early and have lunch with you." She continued warmly.

"I don't wish to trouble you. If you are too busy-" Lichtenstein began.

"No, no." America replied, cutting her off effectively. "Singapore is very understanding." She tried to assure her.

"Singapore?" The smaller nation parroted back. "You're meeting with Singapore?"

There was a sharp intake of breath from somewhere in the background. America swiveled her head, looking at her surroundings. There were people milling about, and a woman was fighting with her boyfriend. America rolled her eyes and covered her ear that was not against her cell phone.

"Yeah. Hey look, can I call you back? I'm walking right now, and its a little... loud." She said for lack of a better word.

"Please do," Lichtenstein replied happily and it made America grin.

She was such a sweet nation. Really.

"Great. Thank you."

"Goodbye America!"

"Goodbye Lichtenstein." She replied warmly with a soft laugh.

America closed her cell phone and looked back at the arguing couple. She heard the words 'cheating' and 'sister'. She shook her head and continued on down the street.

She blinked, and turned her head slightly. She couldn't shake the feeling that something was out of place.

With a shrug she finally managed to make it to the store, and zipped over to where the binoculars were. She put it on her expense tab.

It was... government related.

She was making sure Switzerland and Lichtenstein were safe in her country. If she hired a team for that it would cost way more than this. So effectively, the binoculars were a bargain.

OoOoOo

America was not loitering. She was waiting, across and a long way down the street. Outside an establishment that was busy serving other customers. Luckily, there was a park not terribly far from her. It was really a grassy area with a few benches and trees that had been decreed public land. However, it was public and she had her binoculars.

If anyone asked, she was going to use the 'bird watching' line again. It seemed a safe thing to do, and now she had started to call her not stalking of Switzerland by the same name.

Ergo when she was fawning over Switzerland at a safe distance, she was 'bird watching'. No one would know what it meant but her.

America was dressed casually, so as to not stand out. Nantucket moved with her as she walked toward the park. It bobbed in time with her steps. She tried to sight in the binoculars on the entrance of the hotel. It took her a few minutes to get it right.

She walked a little closer and tried to semi-hide behind a tree.

Only 'semi' because the cops would still find a woman with binoculars hiding to be suspicious.

America chuckled at the thought. She did take a moment to look at a few birds, though they were nearly impossible to see if they weren't in a well lit area.

She turned her attention back toward the hotel, nearly sighing as a familiar blonde male came into view. Lichtenstein wasn't with him. That was strange. However, America allowed her thoughts to run away with her and several of them were x-rated. Especially when said nation bent over to help someone pick up the luggage they had dropped.

What a chivalrous act. Her heart nearly melted at the sight.

However, something was off.

America couldn't quite put her finger on it, but Switzerland seemed-

"What are you doing?" An annoyed sounding male nation said from behind her. She nearly jumped out of her skin. What the hell was with people walking up to her when she was busy?

America froze, her eye twitched.

Oh fuck.

Wait. She knew that voice.

"Sw-Switzerland?" She asked, surprised and horrified all at once. She shoved her binoculars behind her back, and turned to give him a lopsided grin. However, she was incredibly nervous. He'd found her. He'd seen her staring through her binoculars like some huge pervert.

And...

And what was he doing here? She blinked, distracted from her fear. Wasn't he just over there?

He looked angry, but that was not an unusual expression when he was around her. His green eyes narrowed on her face, and America did her dead level best not to blush to the roots of her hair.

He was looking at her. Part of her wanted to give a shout of giddy laughter. The other, more rational, side of her wanted to start backing away slowly.

Very slowly.

"What were you doing?" He repeated again, this time a touch less demanding.

America looked around hurriedly. Come up with something, her brain screeched.

"I was... uh..."

"Bird watching?" He supplied neutrally, watching her with a distrustful stare.

"Yes!" She cried excitedly as she latched onto the excuse. America started nodding vigorously. "I was bird watching. And there was a..."

Her mind went blank searching for a proper bird.

"Pigeon..." She said after a moment, "that looked interesting."

"A pigeon?" He repeated, his tone dripping with icy contempt. "At night? That just so happened to be outside what? A hotel?" He asked, with heavy sarcasm.

Hotel?

Crap.

America froze, her fingers trembled behind her nearly dropping the binoculars. There were only office buildings, restaurants, shops, and the lone hotel down this way. Where the nations would stay when they came into her country.

Fuck.

It would not be hard to guess where she had been looking. America made a noise of distress.

Her mouth went dry.

"Uh..." she uttered unintelligently. "I...was..."

"Spying," he hissed angrily. His eyes flashed his fury.

America blinked. What? Spying? Well, technically it would only have been called 'watching' but 'spying' might be accurate. Sort of.

She looked around, desperately trying to get away from the situation.

"I don't know what you mean," she said, clearing her throat. "I was watching a pigeon."

"Don't lie to me," he snarled. He took a step closer, clearly intending to intimidate her.

However, it only made her legs want to turn to jelly. Did he know how handsome he was when he was angry like that? And, America blushed at his closeness. This was likely going to devolve into some sort of horrible debacle, but for right now she was content to not have a gun waived in her face.

Well... yet. There was not a gun in her face yet.

"There are only a few nations in your country right now." He said lowly. "Myself, Lichtenstein, India," he snarled, "and Poland."

That was true. Singapore would not be in until tomorrow. She was picking him up from the airport to go directly to the meeting.

Her mind tried to process what he was saying. She could tell from his ire that he was still upset about the whole going to eat with India thing, when she had refused Lichtenstein.

She gave a sheepish smile.

"I don't-" she tried to deny again, her eyes wide.

"Since I am here, and Lichtenstein is already sleeping. That leaves India and Poland."

His posture turned a touch more aggressive.

"India went out to eat after you left," Switzerland continued.

America felt the proverbial walls closing in on her. If Switzerland figured out that America was not stalking him, she was in huge trouble. Her fingers clenched nervously. What to do? What to do? She was going to say nothing.

Not a damn word.

"So, I just have one thing to ask. What do you hope to gain by spying on Poland?" Switzerland demanded.

America's head snapped up and she blinked at him. That was Poland? Hot damn! She felt a wave of pity that he was gay. With a body like that? If she were a man, she'd be all over Poland in a heartbeat. Not that she'd ever just 'forget' about Switzerland, but...

Yum. Just yum.

Switzerland was glaring at her. She looked back toward the hotel.

She couldn't help it. The fact that it had been Poland, which made sense-She'd approved his visa herself while he was checking on their multiple projects together-, combined with her own salacious thoughts considering he was the last person that would ever even consider doing that with her was hilarious.

America burst into laughter. Long and loud belly laughs that had her gasping for breath. She tried to stop it by covering her mouth, but to no avail.

Spying on Poland?! Oh Lord, this was pretty funny now that she thought about it.

Switzerland paused, his anger melting into confusion.

Tears were streaming down America's face as she tried to take calming breaths before bursting out into laughter again. People glanced at them, some openly stared. However, she was too far gone to care.

"Oh... my..." she said after a few moments. A sour expression painted Switzerland's face. "You... thought?"

He narrowed his green eyes at her. He was clearly not pleased with the turn of events.

"I fail to see what is so funny." He snapped out.

She grinned and chuckled. Her face was flushed from her fit of amusement. He did not understand, but it was pretty damned hilarious. She adjusted Texas.

"Don't worry about it." She said with some humor still lacing her words. America gave him a steady look. "I am not spying on Poland."

That was the truth. She just was going to omit the part about it was actually Switzerland himself she'd been hoping to catch a glimpse of.

He looked at her. His face a blank mask as if he were determining the truth of her words. Finally, he appeared to accept what she said. He nodded slowly. However, he still looked at her as if she were dirt under his shoe.

Ah well, that was progress over thinking she was into espionage. A small comfort at least.

His green eyes watched her intently. He cleared his throat and looked between them, noticing how close he had gotten. He pulled back as if she were contaminated. America internally sighed.

It had been fun while it lasted. She gave him a diplomatic smile, with a slight nod. She wanted to get out of here before he had more time to figure out what she'd really been doing. Hopefully he would buy the bird watching bit. Perhaps that whole ordeal with Lichtenstein would work in her favor?

America dearly hoped so.

She started away from him, aiming for the safety of the milling crowds.

"Lichtenstein wanted to reschedule lunch with you," he said calmly at her retreating form.

America paused. She turned slowly, eyed Switzerland like he had grown two heads.

"Yes," she said slowly, "she called me already."

He nodded. His eyes narrowed on her.

"If anything happens to her, I'll-"

America sighed loudly, interrupting him.

"Oh for crying out loud," she said with a hint of anger in her words.

It would be nice if once, just once, he didn't think the worst of her. But, oh no, she was America. And somehow that was synonymous with sinister plots.

Granted, they whole spying thing did not reflect the best on her. Still. She wasn't the freaking devil incarnate. She gave him an exasperated look.

"I have never had, and likely never will have, any intention of doing anything to Lichtenstein." She said with aggravation, "I am not going to hurt her. I do not want to hurt her. She is nice to me. I consider her a friend. Look," America said crossing her arms over her chest, the binoculars gripped tightly in one hand. "I get that you don't like me. You've made that pretty obvious."

The admission hurt like it always did. However, America still liked Switzerland, and still respected him on many levels.

Something flickered across his face for the briefest of moments. It almost looked like a flinch, but she brushed that off. It was only her imagination playing tricks on her again. Like that time she was in Louisiana with England and thought she actually saw something hovering around him.

"But would it kill you to pretend for a day that I'm not the worst thing in the world?" Her blue eyes narrowed on him. Switzerland stood unnaturally still.

"Ignore me for a freaking day. You do it all the time anyway." She muttered.

Hm, maybe a touch of her bitterness came through on that one. She ran a hand through her hair and huffed in agitation. She didn't want to fight, least of all with him. It was time for a tactical retreat. She nodded to him stiffly and turned back around.

She wasn't even six feet away from where she started when she began to mentally pep talk herself.

Okay, so today had not been successful in 'watching him from afar'. Tomorrow she'd have lunch with Lichtenstein and pretend this never happened. She'd take a week and then try again on Thursday sometime. He was supposed to be at the next world meeting, and she was going as well.

Maybe if she was lucky, she could glance at him discreetly a few times.