Here's another chapter. I'm getting into every other day kinda thing. I don't know how that will work come the end of this week. I'm leaving for a speech turni on Friday and won't be back until Saturday night. I'll figure that out later though xP

Nothing much to say for this chapter except I don't like it much. It's an important chapter and I feel I screwed it up as far as the writing goes . Ah well. Thanks again for your reviews. They absolutely make my day! Anyway, enjoy ~

Just when things couldn't get any worse, they did. New York is a busy city and, like most other busy cities, New York was... Well, busy. It was rush hour meaning all the generic businessmen who were grumbling about the roads getting plowed were coming home from work. Working in a large city sucks, so they are usually not happy to spend two and a half hours after work trying to get home.

"Shit," America swore looking out the window and seeing the never ending line of cars.

"It's Ok," the driver tried although he didn't seem to mean it, "We have state of the art equipment back there. You're friend... Brother... Thing is fine." He faced America and shot him a fake smile.

"You have to memorize that crappy line for your final exam or something?" America asked bitterly. The man didn't answer and instead returned his focus back to driving the ambulance. America sighed and pulled out his cell phone. He had over twenty new messages and five new voice mail, but ignored it as he dialed Canada's number.

"Hello?" Canada asked picking up on the second ring.

"Hi, Mattie? It's Alfred," America greeted looking nervously out the window.

"Alfred?" Canada asked aggravated, "You were supposed to call me yesterday! What happened? Nothing bad I hope."

America slapped his face with his hand. "I'm so sorry Mattie. I just... Forgot. But no, it hasn't gotten better. Well, was for a little while, but it's worse. Much, much worse."

"What happened?"

"Arthur's fever went down after I treated the hand," America explained, "Today the power went back on, so I figured I'd get the hospital to come and bring Iggy to, you know, get checked out and make sure there was noting else wrong with him. Well, I was bringing him downstairs when he pulled away from me and... And fell down the stairs. I tried to grab him, but I couldn't. He hit his head. It's bleeding in the back. And his arm... I think it's broken."

"Alfred..."

"Mattie, I'm... I'm scared."

"It'll be Ok," Canada said his voice shaking, "We'll be there soon. Ok? You should call the other countries. We can make a list and split it. That sound good?"

"No," America said, "Just get here quick. I'll do the calling."

"You can't do it all..."

"I can," America said cutting him off, "I can and I will. I have to. I'm there hero, Mattie. I'm the hero."

"I know," Canada replied understanding that America didn't want to steal his hero-ness. He just wanted to do things himself. He needed this. "I'll be there soon, I promise. It's Ok. Everything will be Ok." With that the two hung up and America went straight to calling every country he thought of to call.

All the countries were really very sympathetic. Some even promised to come visit or send gifts. America wanted to scream, "He's not flipping dead!" But he didn't. He said thank you and accepted the sympathy. By the time all the countries America could remember had been called, the ambulance was pulling into the emergency room parking lot.

The driver looked back at America, his eyes filled with sympathy. "We're going to get him treated. Just go to desk and check him in. Stay there until someone comes to get you. Your name, sir?"

"Alfred... Alfred F. Jones," America replied getting out of the car. Still in a daze, he wondered into the emergency room and to the desk. He checked in unable to remember what he had said to the nurse at the desk just a few minutes after sitting down. He sat there for what seemed like hours just holding his phone. It was almost out of battery. Still, he flipped through the messages that had appeared only replying to a few of them.

"I heard about England. Let me offer sympathies. I'm sure he will be Ok. I will send gifts," Japan had sent.

"Hi America! It's Italy on Germany's phone! Don't tell him I took it kay? I wanted to say I'm sorry! Want some pasta? I'll send pasta! I hope it stays warm! Oh no! Germany's coming! Bye Amer- Hi America. Sorry the idiot took my phone. I hope England's doing well. Please keep us updated." Even America who normally had a great sense of humor could not find it in him to laugh at that crazy message.

"Oh you poor thing," France had sent, "Let me send some flowers for the sick one, no? Should I come visit?"

"No, it's Ok," America had replied, "I'm sure he will get better. We'll see you at the next world meeting." France sent back a sad crying face and America shut the phone. England was going to get better. Plus, the sick nation would not want to see France hanging around at the moment. It was actually for the best that none of the other countries come by. Other than Canada, of course. America needed Canada right now.

The hours went by with no word from the doctors. At about ten that night, the doors to the emergency room opened and Canada walked in. He looked around the waiting room before spotting America sitting with his head in his hands.

"Alfred!" Canada called rushing over to him. He sat down next the the nation and placed his hand on his back. "How are you?" he asked, "Any news?"

America shook his head. "No. They haven't told me anything yet," he replied in an unnaturally monotone voice. They didn't speak much after that. Sealand had gone to the ice cream shop just a few blocks down the road and bought some ice cream for the three of them. Sealand ate his practically all in one bite and Canada nibbled on his. But America was too tired and depressed to even so much as touch the sugary, creamy treat. Canada was a little worried but figured it was only normal at a time like this.

It wasn't long before Canada had two sleeping nations on his lap. America had fallen asleep shortly after Sealand. It was odd to the large nation. When they were younger, it was always Alfred who watched over him. Now it was the opposite. Canada fell asleep just a short while after the other two, but having no lap to lay on, he just fell slept sitting straight up in the chair.

After a few hours that seemed like minutes to Canada, someone tapped him on the shoulder. He opened his eyes and looked up into the eyes of a woman. Although it was dark, Canada could tell she was wearing purple scrubs like most of the other nurses. "Hey," she greeted warmly, "Are you here for Mr. Arthur Kirkland?" she asked. Canada, not being able to find his voice, simply nodded. The woman smiled kindly. "He's out of surgery, but is still asleep. You have special permission to see him first thing in the morning when you wake up. Just tell them you're here for Mr. Kirkland and they should let you in. I'm sorry to wake you. I just thought you should know."

"Thank you," Canada said tiredly. He glanced at the digital clock that was placed on the wall next to the exit sign. It was only 2:34 in the morning. He looked down and saw that America and Sealand were still sound asleep. Sighing, he closed his eyes again and fell asleep hoping that morning would come quickly.

The early morning sunlight was intense and trying to get through America's closed eyelids and into the depths of his eyes. He opened them and then quickly closed his eyes against the merciless sun. Slowly and carefully he opened his eyes again to find himself laying down on Canada's lap. He could feel Canada breathing with every passing second and knew he was still asleep. America sat up quietly and slowly, trying not to wake his brother. He stood up and stretched. Glancing at the clock, he noticed that it was only 6:45 in the morning.

Looking around again, he noticed that a different nurse at the front desk was trying to wave him over. America nodded and walked over to the desk.

"Hey," The woman greeted, "How are you feeling? Those chairs aren't very comfortable, you know." She gave America a soft smile.

"I'm fine," America responded still a little curious as to what the woman could want from him.

"You're with a Mr. Arthur Kirkland?" the woman asked. America just nodded. "He's down this hallway," the woman pointed, "Three doors down to the left. Room 121. You can go see him. Just be quiet." The woman's eyes shifted over to Canada and Sealand who were still asleep. "Only two visitors at a time, please, and no one under 13. Sorry. It's just the policy around here."

America nodded. "Thank you Miss," he paused reading the woman's name tag, "Jane." He smiled as best he could at a time like this and went back to the little section of the waiting room he, Canada, and Sealand had claimed.

"Hey, Mattie," America said gently shaking Canada awake. Canada opened his eyes and tiredly looked at America. "We can go see Iggy now. The nurse said it was Ok." Canada didn't say anything but his eyes opened a little wider. Taking off his jacket, he got up quietly trying not to wake a still sleeping Sealand. He placed the jacket under the boy's head to offer a little support. Together the two nations walked down the hall to England's room.

England was still asleep in the lonely little hospital bed. He was hooked up to what looked like hundreds of wires all going various places. Some led to a monitor while others went places America couldn't quite trace. England was laying under a thin blanket with his mint green Pjs folded on the nightstand next to him. His arm was wrapped in a cast and his head was wrapped in a white bandage that went all the way around his head.

America and Canada sat down on the two chairs that were placed in the room. America grabbed England's left hand that was wrapped in a bandage. He held it tenderly but did not let go. Neither Canada nor America said anything. Once Canada went out to go tell Sealand where they were but came back quickly.

A few hours passed and there seemed to be no change. England did not look any closer to waking up than he had that morning. At about 2:15 that afternoon, the door to England's room opened and a doctor dressed in white came in. He smiled kindly when America and Canada looked up at him.

"Hello," he said, "How is everyone?" The boys nodded unsure of what to say. "What are your relationships with uh...," the doctor faltered as he checked the clipboard he was conveniently holding, "Mr. Kirkland."

"Well you see...," Canada began.

"He's our brother and was our guardian when we were little," America cut off. He didn't want to shut Canada up, but he also didn't want to go into some long explanation. It had just been too long a day for that.

The doctor nodded. He walked over to the bed and checked the various monitors and lines that were hooked up to England. "He's should be fine," the doctor smiled after a few minutes, "His infected hand should be better by tomorrow. His fever's down to about 102. The only things he will leave the hospital with is a fractured arm and some antibiotics. We just need to watch his head and make sure there's nothing serious going on. He also needs another surgery on his arm. But after that, he should be fine."

"That's good!" Canada clapped happy to hear that England would be Ok.

"We're going to keep him here this week, though. I'm sorry for any inconvenience, but we need to make sure he's Ok," the doctor explained as he walked out the door.

The brothers sat in more silence for a few minutes. Then America turned to Canada. "Mattie," he asked, "Wanna play a game?"

Canada was a little taken aback by the request but figured that it might be a good idea to get their minds off of the current situation for a few minutes. Little did Canada know, the game would soon take a serious turn. "Sure," he said, "What do you want to play?"

"'What Would You Do or Say,'" America said quickly reminding Canada of the game the two made up when they were younger. "I'll start. Mattie, what would you do if you won a million dollars?"

Canada paused to think for a moment. "I'd go on vacation with you, Peter, and Arthur. We'd have a lot of fun," he finally answered, "Ok. What would you do if they closed McDonnalds?"

America's eyes widened in mock horror. "I'd cry," he said with a straight face that sent the two countries into a fit of giggles. "Mattie, what would you do if you won a year's supply of pancakes?"

Canada paused for a moment. "My version of a year's supply, or a normal person's version of a year's supply?"

"Your version."

"I'd eat them, of course. But I'd need a year's supply of maple syrup to go with it!" Canada laughed. "What would you do if I got you a dog for Christmas?"

"I'd keep it and call it Charles," America answered.

"Why Charles?"

"Because Charles is the name of a hero!" America smiled. The two laughed for a few moments. Then America's face turned grim. "What would you say... If I told you that I... I was in love with Arthur?" America asked in an all too serious voice.

Canada looked at America in shock at how quickly the game had taken a dark turn. "I... I'd," Canada stammered. Then he sighed. "Honestly, I'd say 'finally!'" Seeing America's confused face he continued. "I always knew you two were falling for each other. You just wouldn't admit it. Either way, if your asking if I'd support you, of course I would. You two are soul mates. I can tell." Canada shot America a reassuring smile. As he stood up, he patted America on the shoulder. "I'm going to take Peter to the diner down the street. Want anything?"

America shook his head knowing Canada would bring him something anyway. He was too busy getting lost in his thoughts. He didn't even hear Canada shut the door as he was left in the silent room with a still sleeping England.

Uggg I write like crap .

At least Iggy's Ok, though, right xP

Sealand's just kinda hanging around, isn't he? Sorry, he's just here 'cause I felt like it. He doesn't do too much, but he sure it cute ;D
I hope I explained everything alright. .

Anyway, thanks so, so much for your reviews. You guys are just amazing! I have never had a story get this many reviews and it just makes me want to write and write. I LOVE you guys :D