Title: Back to Reality

Pairings: America/England, France/England, Germany/Italy, Russia/China

"Sometimes I just wish that I wasn't a country!" America learns that he better be careful what he wishes for, especially when he has an alien friend who can make it happen. America's world is turned upside down as he wakes up as some guy called Alfred Jones, but if he's not a country anymore then who is he? More importantly...what happened to everyone else?

Russia stumbled backwards as the ground suddenly hit his feet, yet still clung tightly to the Asian in his arms. He eventually peeled open his eyes, blinking slowly at this new location he'd suddenly found himself in with these strange foreign men. A rural area of the city, broken glass shattered at their feet; they'd arrived in front of a large, narrow bleak block of flats. The building was adorned with colourful graffiti and absent of most of its windows, if anything it looked almost as, if not more, creepy looking than the Russian cell they'd just been in.

"Where are we?" Russia asked dazedly, arms still wrapped protectively around China.

America let go of the teleportation device as Germany took it from him, gazing around at his home, a slight smile playing on his lips, "Washington."

Germany wrinkled his nose in disgust at the state of the road they were stood in; open bin liners spilling their rubbish out onto the street. "Mein gott what kind of hell hole is this?"

"Hey dude that's my country you're talking about!" America said defensively.

Germany rolled his eyes, "I mean this place, why are we in this particular area?"

"This is where I woke up." America said, nodding up to the block of flats they'd arrived at. "It's where Alfred lives."

"You weren't lying when you said he was a scumbag." England muttered, cautiously stepping over some broken glass.

Italy looked around slightly nervously, scooting closer to the German. "What are we doing here?"

Germany took Italy's hand, "The American said this was the last part of our journey."

"Oui, he said we would go back to being countries when we came 'ere." France said sceptically, folding his arms across his chest, glancing around for a few moments. "...I do not feel like a country, anyone else?"

England shook his head, raising an eyebrow at the American, "Nope, not at all."

America waved a dismissive hand at them, smiling certainly, "Just give it a minute."

China finally managed to wrench himself away from Russia, gasping slightly as he was finally able to breathe. "Now that everyone has been found, can I please be returned to Beijing?"

"Ja, und I would like to get back home also."

"...I've never been to Berlin before." the Italian said softly from Germany's side, clinging onto his hand.

Germany smiled, going slightly red, "You could...come with me if you like..." he muttered softly, gently squeezing his hand.

America sighed, rolling his eyes, "No one's going anywhere, I put a hell of a lot of effort into finding you guys, I'm not losing you now."

France gazed around the deserted estate, "Zen what are we going to do?"

"Yes Alfred." England turned to the American, one eyebrow raised, "What happened to going back to being countries? I thought you had some big plan."

"I do." America said, a little uncertain this time. Damn it...they were just standing around like idiots, why wasn't anything happening? A light bulb suddenly went off over America's head. "I just gotta find my friend Tony, he'll put everything back to normal." he said, beaming at them all.

England stared at him blankly for a moment, before remembering where he'd heard that name before; when he'd just met the American. "What, the alien?"

Russia looked at America curiously, placing an arm around China's shoulders who tensed immediately. "Alien?"

"Mein gott." Germany muttered, pinching the bridge of his nose in despair. "First teleporting, magic forces and now aliens? What did I ever do to deserve this?" he groaned softly, looking up to the sky.

America laughed slightly, "Trust me guys, Tony will know what to do."

China sighed, "Well where is he?"

America glanced around momentarily until his eyes settled on the block of flats he'd awoken in mere days before. "He's probably inside, watching television, come on I'll show you." he lead everyone up to the door and jogged up the first flight of stairs; at least he could remember where Alfred's apartment was. The door was slightly open and America ran inside in ecstatics, expecting to see Tony casually lying across the sofa, watching something on the TV.

America frowned. The apartment was empty, and what was more the television had actually gone missing. Obviously Mark's revenge for the American stealing his car in the first place...

"...Tony?" America called into the clearly empty apartment, his voice echoing slightly in the sparse room. "Tony dude you in here?" he tried again, taking a few steps into the room, feet creaking on the wooden floor boards beneath the mouldy carpet. "Tony..."

"Well?" Germany said gruffly from behind him, he and the rest of the guys following the American into the filthy apartment.

America spun around to give them a distorted reassuring grin, "Just give it a second guys, I'm sure he'll show up." he tried again, even going as far as to open the door on the only kitchen cupboard (resulting in him breaking it off it's rusty hinges completely) and checking to see if his friend was hiding in there. "Tony!"

Behind him England had his head in his hand, "For God sake..."

"Zis iz just getting sad now." France muttered.

"No seriously, wait!" America insisted, "Tony dude! You can come out now, I got everyone back!" he called into thin air, waving his arms at his friends. "We'd like to be countries again!"

England shook his head, waiting another few moments for this alien to show himself before turning to the German. "Right, that's it; Ludwig set the device to Beijing, might as well start dropping everyone off."

"No! Don't do that, just give it another minute." America said, checking inside the fridge this time.

England sighed, "Alfred this is stupid."

"England I promise you! Just hang on..." America said desperately, holding up a hand as he gazed around the empty apartment, just waiting for something to happen. "Come on Tony please..."

Germany began fiddling with the device in his hands. "Beijing first ja?" he said to the rest.

China nodded, "Yes please."

"I can come too da?" Russia said from beside him.

China froze, "Urm what?"

"I come home with you da?"

"...no, no thank you."

"Germany put that down!" America snapped, glaring at the blond, "Tony will be here any second."

England sighed irritably, "Oh for God sake Alfred just stop with all this foolishness!"

"Dude it's not! Tony got me into this mess and I promise you he'll get me out."

"No Alfred, YOU got us all into this mess." England yelled, pointing an accusing finger at the American's chest. "You dragged us away from our homes for this nonsense!"

"It's not nonsense!" America insisted, pushing England's hand away. "Everything I've been telling you guys is the truth! I promise you!"

"Well where's the proof? Hm?" England asked, raising a bushy eyebrow, "All we have to go on is your ridiculous story and that bloody device!" he waved a hand vaguely in the German's direction, who was frowning as he jabbed at the buttons. "Both of which have caused all of us nothing but misery!"

America looked slightly hurt at England's accusation of his story being 'ridiculous'; his brow creasing with confusion, "...I thought you believed me."

England bit his lip, sighing softly as he ran a hand through his blond locks. "...I wanted to believe it." he muttered softly, folding his arms across his chest. "More than anything I wished it was true...that I actually meant something to the world, that I was a making a difference..." he said bitterly, letting his eyes bore into the American's own. "You gave me hope, Alfred, the hope that I was meant to do greater things then hand out parking tickets and go home to an empty apartment each night...but that was never going to change, was it?" he muttered, voice shaking slightly as he spoke. America swallowed slightly as England stared him down; the Brit shook his head, turning away from him. "...I'm going back to London."

America reached out a hand to grab him. "England-"

"Don't call me that!" England spat, spinning around to glare at him. "My name...is Officer Arthur Kirkland...and I'd thank you to remember that."

America stared at him, eyes wide behind his specs; this couldn't possibly be how this was going to end...

"I'm ready to go back when you are." China said quietly to the German, breaking the awkward silence.

"Uhh...that might be a bit of a dilemma." Germany muttered, rotating the device in his hands, slapping it on the side and giving it a shake.

England looked confused, "What?"

Germany tried the buttons again, frown lines appearing on his forehead. "...the device appears to be jammed."

England stared at him, going to the blond to get a look at the screen on the device. "Oh God it's broken?"

"Ja..." Germany nodded, giving it another tap for good measure but the screen remained blank. "It's been overused."

"Can you fix it Ludwig?" Italy asked from beside him, biting his lip in concern.

Germany nodded slowly, turning it upside down to get a look at the back. It may have been a foreign device, but he'd never met a piece of equipment he couldn't repair. "I think so...it may take a while." he said, reaching into the pocket of his fancy trousers he wore to the ball; the German he took out a wrench which he'd had with him strapped to his mechanics belt the entire trip.

America stared at them, "You guys...you're seriously just giving up and going home?" he said softly; none of them were paying attention to him now, all focused on Germany and the device.

"...it's not as if there's anything for us here is there?" England muttered, glancing around the dirty apartment. "Come on guys, let's sort it out outside." he said, leading the guys back out the door and down the flight of steps to the main street. It may not be practical, but it was better than being stood awkwardly with the American in his apartment, especially when he had that damn annoying kicked puppy look about him.

America helplessly watched them go. What was there he could possibly do? At least the device was broken, meaning they couldn't leave him. But what the hell was going on? He let out a sigh, flopping down onto the stained sofa, sinking into the cushions, resting his head in his hands he raked his fingers through his hair. "Man...Tony dude what have you done to me?" he groaned slightly in despair, shaking his head from side to side.

"...Mr America?" a quiet voice sounded from behind him.

America looked up, spotting the slightly anxious looking Asian who hadn't followed the rest of the guys downstairs. "Oh...hey Japan." he said softly, trying to smile.

Japan tentatively approached the sofa, perching himself on the arm beside the American. "...are you okay?"

"Not really...man why did this have to happen?" America groaned, resting his head back against the sofa, sighing heavily, "God damnit..."

"Mr America...what did you think would happen when we got back to your home?" Japan asked curiously.

America was quiet for a moment before shrugging, "I don't really know Japan...I've kinda just been making this thing up as I go along, hoping it would work."

"...hoping what would work?"

"That we'd go back to the way we were!" America cried, flopping his arms back against the sofa cushions. "Be countries again...I had no idea we'd be stuck as humans for the rest of our lives..."

Japan looked at him sadly, "Are you not happy as a human?"

America sighed, nudging his glasses up to rub at his eyes. "Japan we're not human, we're countries, that's who we are it's who we've always been." he said firmly, letting his arm slowly fall back down to the sofa as he thought about his own words. America slowly shook his head, "...and I can't believe I messed that up..."

"...what did you do?" Japan asked softly

"I wished to be human...and Tony, God bless him, he was just trying to help, but I didn't want him to! I didn't want this..." America groaned in despair, clawing at his hair again. "...and I thought Tony would be here waiting for me, and he'd be able to put everything back to normal."

"Surely this...alien." Japan said slightly awkwardly, "...does not live in this universe."

"He does man, he left me the teleportation device and a note, so he has to be somewhere."

"Well...where do you think he could be?"

America bit his lip, thinking hard...but came up blank. "I dunno...I thought he'd be here since this is where I supposedly live. There's nowhere else he could be."

"Well...where does he come from?"

"Outer space." America said pointedly.

Japan mentally cringed, "I mean where does he come from in your universe? Where did you meet him?"

America blinked slowly, he had not considered this. He cast his mind back, all those years ago, trying to recall his first encounter with his little alien friend. The American's eyes widened behind his specs, slowly sitting up on the sofa. "...Roswell." he whispered, voice almost inaudible, "Roswell, New Mexico...I met him there, and he came to live with me."

Japan smiled slightly, "In that case, he may be still living there."

America nodded, "Yeah...yeah I think you're right!" he said, suddenly beaming, jumping to his feet. "Aw dude, we gotta get over there!"

"Kiku are you ready to go?" Italy suddenly chirped from the doorway, he and the rest of the guys wandering back inside; Germany with the device tucked under his arm.

"Guys!" America grinned, jumping over the back on the sofa. "We've worked out what to do." he announced happily.

"Forget it Alfred, we're going home." England muttered darkly.

"Ja, unfortunately there's going to be a lot of travelling for most of us." he said, taking hold of the device.

America looked confused, "Huh? What do you mean?"

Germany sighed, "The device is almost completely totalled, I managed to get it working again however I estimate it's got about one use left in it before it becomes completely unusable."

America frowned, "...you serious?"

"Ja, so we've decided the best course of action to take is to use the last use in the device to take us back to Europe, und then we can all make our own way home from there." he said, looking apologetically at Japan, "Sorry Kiku, you'll have quite a journey to make."

"No he won't." America said, snatching the device off the German. "I know where we're going."

"What?" England asked, brows creasing in irritation.

America looked at them determinedly, "You all gotta come with me to Roswell."

Germany's face contorted with confusion, "...New Mexico? Why?"

"Cause that's where Tony is!" America announced happily, waiting for the guy's ecstatic reactions.

China sighed, resting his head in his palm, "Aiyah..."

"It's true!" America insisted, "That's where his space ship landed! He's gotta still be there, let's go there and look for him!"

Germany glared at him, grabbing the device back from the American's hands. "Alfred, there's one use left in the device, und we're using it get home."

"But if we go to Roswell we will get home!" America said, preaching to the rest, "To our real homes, back in the real universe."

China sighed, "Not this again."

"Guys seriously trust me! He'll be there; I know he'll be there!"

"That's an insane idea, what if he's not there?" Germany muttered gruffly, keeping a firm hold on the device. "Then we'll be stuck."

"Well that's just a chance we gotta take if we ever want to go back to the way things were." America said, his gaze going along each one of them, lingering slightly longer on England as he used his best pleading eyes. "...come on guys."

Germany shook his head, "Nein, we're going home."

America glared at him, reaching for the teleportation device. "It's my device and I say we gotta go to Roswell."

"We wouldn't even be in this mess if it wasn't for you!" Germany snapped, holding it out of America's reach.

"You would never have met Italy if it wasn't for me!" America pointed out, causing the German to curse silently under his breath, but he still wouldn't relinquish the device.

France rolled his eyes, deciding to use reason. "Why don't we just put it to a vote?"

America thought about it, it seemed a good a bet as any. "Yeah okay, one vote each. We either go to Roswell to find Tony and become countries again...or we give up like pussys and go home."

Germany glared at him, but an exchange of glances with the others assured him there was no way he could possibly lose. "Fine, und if it's a tie we go for Europe." he added.

America smiled slightly, "Deal." he said shaking the German's hand firmly. "Well I vote for Roswell, Germany?

"Ludwig." the blond growled, "Und I say we go home...Feli?" he turned to his little Italian, holding out his hand.

Italy smiled softly, wrapping his fingers around the German's large hand. "I'm sticking with you Ludwig."

Germany smiled, softening slightly. "Good, Kiku?" he turned to the Asian.

Japan bit his lip, dithering with his answer before he sighed, "I agree it is an insane idea Mr Ludwig..." he muttered softly, shuffling over to stand by America's side, opposite him. "But I'm afraid I must side with Mr America, he saved my life after all."

Germany raised an eyebrow but shrugged slightly, "Alright, two each...Yao?"

"I need to get home to my wife and children." he said without hesitation, going to stand with Germany and Italy.

Germany nodded. "Ivan?"

Russia looked at the Asian curiously, "...I cannot come home with you?" he asked, hope glinting in his eyes,

"No." China growled.

Russia looked slightly reluctant as he went to stand with America. "Then I side with the American...I'll be killed if I step foot back in Moscow."

Germany tried to keep calm but the numbers didn't seem to be looking in his favour. "...Francis?"

France smirked slightly, counting the people on each side; the blond didn't really have a preference either way. "Hmm...just to make it interesting, I'll let Arthur be ze decider." he said with a wink in the Brit's direction as he sauntered over to the American. "I'm for Roswell."

Germany sighed, "Alright, Arthur?" he glanced at the blond, "It's down to you, if you side with the American we'll go to Roswell, if you're with us it'll be four on either side...and in the event of a tie we'll go back to Europe."

England raised an eyebrow, "Well I think it's pretty obvious where I stand on this."

"England, please..." America begged, reaching out to take the Brit's hand as he tried to side with the German.

England sighed, pulling away from him. "Alfred give it up, aliens are not real and I'm not going to Roswell to try and find one!"

"I thought you wanted to go back to being a country." America said defensively.

"I would if it was possible but it's not, this whole mission, this whole thing has been absolutely ridiculous!"

"So? It's been fun!"

England stared at him, "Fun? What the bloody hell do you mean fun? How has any of this been fun?" he asked in utter bewilderment.

America laughed slightly, taking the Brit's hand again. "England in the last few days you've travelled the world! You've met so many different people, made new friends." he nodded to the guys who were stood watching them. "You've been to a strip club in Paris...eaten authentic Chinese food in Beijing, been to a show in Rome...crashed a party in Moscow..." America trailed off, shaking his head slightly in awe as he came to terms with just what kind of adventure they'd really had. "Dude you've done stuff people could only dream off."

England sighed, rolling his eyes dismissively, "Yes but I've also had my life put in danger on a number of occasions, been repeatedly molested by a French stripper." he growled, shooting a dirty look in France's direction. "Been forced to sleep in a filthy caravan with a load of strange men, no offence, been constantly yelled at by a German, been put in jail, and developed an idiotic crush on some bloody American!" he yelled angrily, bushy brows furrowed together. England swallowed slightly, face going bright red when he realised what he'd just blurted out in his ramblings.

America blinked slowly, gently lacing his fingers with England's as he still clung onto his hand. "England..." he said softly, trying to get the Brit to look at him as the blond tried to pull away.

"...I just want this to be over..." England muttered softly, head lowered to the grubby carpet as tears threatened to fall. "I just want to go home..."

"To do what? Your crappy job? Which to be honest you've probably lost since you've been gone for the last few days..." he pointed out; the Brit almost groaned in despair. "England you're destined for greatness, I promise you...please, I need you." America begged, gently cupping the Brit's face with his other hand.

England bit his lip, shivering slightly under the American's soft touch. "...I don't know."

"Please...for me?" America pleaded softly, gently pulling the Brit closer with the hand still grasping his, tilting his chin up towards his own.

England swallowed heavily, caught in the American's intense gaze as they were brought steadily closer, their noses brushing together as their lips were mere millimetres from one another.

"What's it going to be Arthur?" the German interrupted rudely, getting impatient now.

England took a reluctant step back from the American, sighing softly. America still had that irresistible pleading look on his face and damn it...the Brit just couldn't resist it. "...if you screw me over again Alfred, you will regret it." England warned dangerously.

America smiled reassuringly, "Trust me dude."

England sighed, holding out his hand. "Alright, let's go find your alien...wow, that's something I never thought I'd say in my life." he muttered; the American laughed, taking the Brit's hand.

Germany stared at him, not believing what had just happened. America bounded over to him, taking the device, "Thanks for holding it for me dude." he said cheerily, fiddling with the buttons.

"You can't be serious!" China said, staring at the German, "You're really going to let him do this?"

Germany sighed irritably, "We shook on it." he muttered darkly, glaring at the Brit. "Congratulations Arthur, your vote has just ruined our lives." he growled, placing a hand on the device when the American held it out for them all.

"Oh God I'm going to be stuck in New Mexico, with no way of getting home..." China complained, also grabbing on.

Russia smiled, clinging to the Asian, "Now we get to spend more time together!"

"Aiyah..."

Japan placed a tentative hand on Germany's shoulder, slightly wary of the blonds' hatred towards him at that moment. "I'm sure we'll find the alien..."

"If not...at least we'll all still be together." Italy said softly, curling up under the German's arm.

France went to jump on England's back but America pushed him to one side before he managed to grab on. "Hey, this is our love story buddy, stop trying to wrestle your way in." he muttered in the blonds' ear, taking a firmer hold on England's hand.

France pouted slightly, taking hold of the device instead. "...not fair."

England smiled in relief, linking his fingers with the American's, "...you better be right about this."

America smiled back at him, "Dude trust me, would I ever steer you guys wrong?" he tried to ignore the deadpan stares he got in return as he reached for the right button. "Alright guys, hang on." for what seemed like the hundredth time; the American slammed his fist down on the big red button, sending waves of powerful electricity, blue light and deafening buzzing blasting out into the surroundings. The bright light seemed distorted, as if struggling to work. But like always, the guys felt their feet lift off the ground, blasting off to what America was certain, was their final destination.

Just one more to go I promise

Reviews are love :)