A.N:

welcome to the last chapter of this story. there might be an epilogue and a few drabbles to flesh this AU out if I can be bothered/people want to know more. thanks for all reviews so far - I'm very glad you've enjoyed it so far 8D


"I..I'm what?" Anni exclaims as she stares in shock at Norway.

Haldur squeezes her hand slightly in comfort, yet it doesn't lessen the shock.

"You're the grand daughter of the Second Head of the Germanic Family." Norway repeats with a dull expression, as if it's all old news.

"I..what- but...how can this be? No...wait, why didn't Basch tell me before? And why does this make me important?" more and more questions flood her mind as she tries to wrap her head around the fact that she's related to the one of the biggest and most powerful Mafia families out there.

"Because he 'left' the family to protect you." Finland adds with a warm smile.

The past days have been confusing and frightening – but now Anni is truly struggling to breathe normally, let alone think rationally.

"I think we should start from the beginning...how much do you know about the Germanics?" Norway seems downright excited to be allowed to tell a story.

"I know Germania was the one who founded the family and first brought it to it's greatness, then it was passed on to a very young heir...who went missing. That's all I know." she admits with a sigh – Mafia history isn't taught at school – but everyone still knows about most of the bigger ones.

"Holy Roman Empire, he made it what it really is today – and you're right, he was very, very young when he took over the position." Norway nods as he elaborates on the facts she already knew.

"So...where do I come in?"

"You're his granddaughter," Denmark adds with a grin "which actually makes us two related."

Anni almost chokes on her tea as she stares in shock at Denmark.

"Ah, forgot to add that didn't I?" he laughs sheepishly before the cocky grin is back full force.

"Germania was my great-granduncle...so we're related, very distantly, but still related."

"Obviously his side of the family got all the stupid." Iceland mutters under his breath, the comment earns him a frown from Denmark and a chuckle from Sweden and Norway.

"But back to the original story," Norway cuts in as he rolls his eyes at their pouting 'leader'.

"Before HRE went missing he left a will – and it states that the next girl born into the family was to inherit the leadership of the family."

"And as you can probably guess; you're the first girl." Finland adds helpfully with a smile.

"Why leave it to a woman?" she asks, Belgium might fit the 'gangster' life pretty well, but it still seems strange to have a female Head.

"Oh! I know this one! Let me tell this!" Denmark eagerly waves his hands back and forth in triumph.

"Oh for the love of Odin." Erik mutters "Go on then Preben...tell her the god damn rumour."

"Well you see, the story goes that HRE was in love with this beautiful Italian girl, sadly she belonged to Rome's family – so he couldn't have her. It broke his heart and before he disappeared he wished for his own family to be ruled by the next female to come along – sadly he only had sons himself...until you came along!" Denmark grins from ear to ear, satisfied with his storytelling.

"The story goes the Italian woman disappeared around the same time...but no one has ever been able to confirm that rumour." Sweden adds in a low mumble.

"Your brother didn't think growing up in such a place was a good idea – so when he had the chance he took you and ran..." Iceland adds quietly.

"Ran and ran...he had permission to leave. Austria and Germany – the two who alternate between leading the family now-a-days - though it was only right you'd get a change at a normal childhood, and ultimately choose your own path once you were old enough." Norway corrected, his eyes meeting Anni's as she listens intently to his voice.

It's daunting to think she ultimately hold the same power as Denmark. Somewhere out there is a family of gangsters who have to follow her every order should she take that position. The very thought sends shivers down her spine – a mix between fear and gleeful anticipation.

"Did...did you do the same?" she enquires towards the cold Norseman, glancing over at Haldur beside her.

"No, I didn't..."

"Oh" she breathes quietly – he's two years older than her and can probably take much better care of herself than she can, yet she still feels sorry for him. Sorry because he didn't have a choice.

"Why?" she asks bluntly, meeting Norway's dull blue eyes with her intense green ones.

"Because not all things are easy to leave behind." he replies flatly, Anni thinks it must be her imagination; but she's sure there's a hint of sadness in his voice.

She squeezes the white haired males' hand tightly, hoping he understands the comfort she's trying to provide.

"One more question...if I may?"

"Go ahead" Denmark grins.

"Why did you..uh..kidnap me?"

"Ah, excellent question..." the Dane scratches his head and turns to Norway for help to explain.

"Haldur said it wasn't part of the original plan..."

"And he's right," Norway interjects as he elbows Preben in the side to make the taller male stop pestering him "Basch initially only wanted us to keep you safe till he could arrange for you to meet your 'Family' – however when the Mediterranean Family found out about you they thought it would be a perfect opportunity to make a move on the Germanic's land and borders of influence – they've been at 'war' since Germania and Rome founded the two groups."

"You mean they didn't know I existed?"

"No one did actually...there were rumours of course, but no one could confirm it." Tino adds as he fills his own glass with vodka.

"Except for Erik!" Denmark cuts in and throws an arm around the shorter male "I have the best right hand man in the world." he grins – not even flinching as Norway tries his best to push him away.

"Pure luck really...needed a favour from Basch and when I found him: lo and behold there you where too – the little heiress of the great Germanic empire." Norway adds with a small yet smug smile.

"Which bring us full circle as to why you're here with us." Haldur smiles slightly and points at Norway.

"Norway owed your brother a huge favour, so when he needed you to be safe, he contacted us..."

"What...exactly did my brother do for you to make you more or less risk your lives for me?" Anni can't see how her policeman brother could have done anything so important that the Nordics in return would go to such lengths to keep her safe.

"He ensured we could keep our grand fortune - that's curtsey mostly of Norway and his business skills." Tino replies as he takes a sip from his drink.

"Ensured? As in...?" she's almost scared to find out – her image of her law-abiding and respected brother being shattered bit by bit.

"Money laundering." the Norseman states, reaching for his cup of coffee – holding it out to Finland as the other Nordic pours a good bit of vodka into the cup for him.

"The best in the business." Denmark adds with a grin.

Anni can't believe her ears. Never mind she's supposed to lead a Mafia family; her brother is the undefeated champion in white-washing money!

"Oh, don't forget: he's also a pretty good mercenary." Tino smiles as he downs his glass of vodka like it was water – as far as she's gathered it's impossible to get Finland drunk.

"W-What?" she gasps in shock, thankful she's given up trying to drink her tea – she'd have choked and died by now if not.

"I worked with your brother on a few mission – his aim is pretty impressive."

It's a bit difficult to picture Tino and Basch getting on well. Tino seems to always be smiling, while her brother almost wears his frown as permanently as Sweden and Norway do – then again: Tino and Sweden seem to be really good at working together. Perhaps it's just how the Finnish male's personality work? His cheeriness is infectious.

Minutes pass as her brain processes all this new information. The Nordics thankfully don't press her to say anything – instead they re-fill their respective drinks and wait.

Finnally she looks up from her lap, squeezing Haldurs hand tightly she directs her question to the older men.

"So, what happens next? I mean: what do I do now?"

"It's a little up to you really, you can stay here for a while until your brother picks you up... or we can speed the process up and take you to your 'Family' ourselves." Norway explains calmly and clearly.

"Your brother doesn't know we've told you all of this yet – so if you want more time to think we can pretend you're still blissfully ignorant of all of this and let you stay here for a while longer." Denmark smiles warmly – right now Anni actually feels a bit bad for trying so hard to hurt him while he dragged her to the car. Thankfully he seems to bear no grudge.

"Can I have at least one day? I need to think about all of this..."

"Take as many day's as you want." Haldur replies warmly.

~~~~~~~~~~~X~~~~~~~~~~~

Staring out the window, Anni decides that her mind isn't going to be made up by looking at the view.

With light steps she makes her way to the part of the mansion where she knows Haldur sleeps.

She's unsure exactly of which room it is – yet as she walks down the corridor it becomes rather apparent.

Iceland's door is wide open as the white haired man lies on his stomach on his bed, feeding his pet bird sardines.

"Haldur?" she inquires carefully as she steps into view, glancing over the room for anything of interest.

Jerking his head up in surprise before smiling he beckons for her to come inside.

His room is painted a soft blue hue – giving the room a rather cold feel; Anni shivering slightly as she steps inside – it reminds her a little bit of a cold day in winter. Books are stacked everywhere, his two bookcases already overflowing – a few titles she recognises, others are in a different language with strange letters she can only guess how are pronounced.

The only thing that hints that this isn't just any young man's room is the crossbow hanging on the wall and the glass case full of daggers.

"Did you need something?" he asks, worry clear in his voice as he places the bird back in it's large cage by the window.

"I just need someone to talk to." she admits, biting her bottom lip worriedly as she tries to again make up her mind about what to do.

Haldur goes back to the bed, patting a spot beside him. Anni sighs and takes the seat next to him, resting her head against his chest as she lets him wrap one arm protectively around her shoulders.

"I don't know what to choose - this is the most difficult situation I've ever been in" her voice is tired and filled with worry. This isn't something as simple as what to wear in the morning – even choosing university was easier than this.

"Choose what you think will bring you more happiness..." he suggests softly

Mulling over his words for a few moments, Anni considers what really is the most important things in her life.

"Hey, Haldur?"

"Yeah?"

"Can you leave?"

"What do you mean?"

"Like my brother did...can you leave the family?"

The Icelandic male goes quiet for a long while, making Anni's heart sink.

"I...I don't think so." he finally replies with an apologetic look.

"Why?"

"For more or less all my life I've done this," he waves his arm around; indicating to the weapons on display, "Like my brother there isn't much of a life waiting for me should I leave..."

"My brother managed." she interjects softly

"Yeah, because he's managed to play both sides of the law perfectly...Erik and me? Not so much" Haldur replies with a sigh

"You must have done a lot of awful things then..."

"Yeah...I have." he admits, but to her surprise that doesn't bother her at all – she's already come to accept his life has been very different from hers.

She'd wanted to ask him to come with her should she choose to turn her back on the unlawful life – but his heavy words are enough of an indication that it will be near impossible for them to live a normal life. Even she has now seen and heard enough to be unable to live like a normal woman again.

"Are the Germanic and the Nordic households at war?" she asks worriedly – she doesn't want to be expected to hurt any of the Nordic members; especially not Iceland.

"We've had a few clashes, but generally: No. we get on well" he replies with a smile.

"Good..."

A comfortable silence falls over the room as Anni pushes Haldur down on the bed, resting her head on his chest she can hear his heartbeat through his white shirt.

"What will you do if I choose to leave?"

"Follow you...somehow. I'll find a way"

"So you'll be my side no matter what the outcome?"

"Yeah," he replies with a low chuckle, pressing a kiss to the crown of her head "no matter what."

"Then I've made up my mind." She props herself up slightly, looking down at the man below her with a soft smile.

The kiss he gives her is all the confirmation she needs that Haldur will follow her no matter what. Even if it might break a few 'rules' in the process.


A.N:

Anyone care to guess what she chooses? XD

Hope you all liked this - and I'll try to post an epilogue shortly