Things had slowly come together within the Beilschmidt home. The boys did business along with Eliza as she stayed around a little more than before, and Marie was busy with counseling and understanding more of the countries and their needs. It was quite easy getting into the rhythm of things as a small burp caught her attention.

"Finally got it out of him Marissa?" she asked.

Marissa smiled, "Finally. Took a bit didn't we Alec?"

The little boy just sighed in content as Marissa wiped his chin, "Seems like your boy is in a milk coma."

Marissa laughed at her, "Miss these days?"

Marie felt her heart clamp up yet she smiled, "All the time."

"Would you like to hold him?" the Canadian asked.

She looked at the woman then to the baby then back to Marissa. She could feel Adrian still within her own arms, yet the knowledge sat at the back of her head of the truth.

"It's ok if you say no, I'll give him to Mattie really quick while-"

"No." Marie cut her off, "No, it's fine. I'll take him."

"Are you sure?" Marissa asked.

"Yes. Now come on, hand him here." Marie held out her hands.

With a curt smile, Marissa placed Alec in Marie's arms, laying the small blanket across her shoulder, "I believe I got all of it out of him but he's quite famous for hiding one or two from Mattie and I."

"Don't worry, I'll get it out." she said, laying him against her shoulder as she rubbed his back.

"Ok, any issues, Mattie should be in the other room. I'll be right back." Marissa said, leaving the two of them be.

Marie felt Alec's little fingers curl into her shirt, a sigh leaving him as he snuggled into Marie's shoulder. She gently rubbed his little back as her memories of Adrian came up. She hummed a gentle lullaby that she sang to him each night, resting her head against him as silent snores escaped him. It was these days she missed the most, those innocent times where she would lay with him and just have an afternoon with each other.

Maybe one day, one day for another baby. One with blonde locks and icy blue eyes like Ludwig. A little Beilschmidt running around the home; yes, one day.

"One day Alec, one day." She whispered to him.

He started squirming in her arms as he whimpered against her shoulder, "What's the matter buddy? Want a paci?"

She tried to place the pacifier in his mouth as she moved to cradle him only to have his mouth root around her breast, "Oh no sweetie, those are out of commission. You just ate anyway, but if you're determined let's see if we can find mommy or daddy, ok?"

Marie walked out of the room to see if she could locate either Canadian, yet there was no one around the space. She made her way downstairs to the kitchen only to pause by the dining area. There laid a box and upon it was a full syringe as a lighter stood beside it, she knew that look of the content. It called to her faintly, telling her to take and be numb from the pain she felt. Her gazed moved from Alec to the needle, her mind scrabbling as she went closer to the box. It just sat there, beckoning to be touched and that she did. She lifted the syringe with her free hand as she just stared at it. She swore she could hear Ludwig in the back of her mind, begging her not to touch it, to not take the hit, to think of him and Adrian. Her gaze went back to Alec, who's head nudged her chest more prominently. She looked at the needle once more as it shook within her hand, just to set it back on the box and slowly back away as her own shivers ran through her body. A gentle hand came to her arm, a gesture of reassurance as Marissa came to view along with Juliet. Both ready, just like her, for the evening dinner with the nations and capitals.

"It's ok Marie. You proved a lot today. More than we could've thought." Marissa said as Juliet nodded in agreement.

"You did great darling." Juliet said placing her hand on her shoulder.

"Thank you." she sighed, "Thank you for helping me prove I'm stronger than it."

They both smiled at her as she handed Alec to his mother, "I need to relax for a moment before this dinner."

"Go to his office, he'll be there." Juliet said.

With that, she was off to Ludwig's office as her heels clicked in the hall, everything calmed down in her. She just needed to sit in his chair and have his scent hit her to relax or to have his arms around her. Opening the door, she saw him sitting there as if he was waiting for her.

"I heard." was all he said as he held his arms out to her.

She practically threw herself at him, the feeling of him against her was just the last bit she needed to overcome the needs calling as he rubbed her back. "You have made such strides Marie, I am proud of you and how strong you are."

"Danke Ludwig." she sighed against him.

"Now we better be off, need to beat the others there before they take the good spots and that I want things to be in order before the rowdy ones get there."

"And I'm amazed you are leaving Gilbert here." she smiled up at him.

"He knows better. Besides I have you to back me up if he becomes an ass." he kissed her head, "Grab the keys and I'll get your coat."

Smiling, she made her way to the small cabinet of car keys and readied for the evening when a set caught her eye. She always knew Ludwig to take the Beetle out majority of the time as she took her BMW out, yet she never noticed that car. Curiosity and excitement got to her as she pulled the keys. Knowing Ludwig, he's get there on the Autobahn and it was a thrill she was down for. Grabbing the keys, she went to the garage and found Ludwig by the Beetle.

"Ready, Liebling?"

She held out the keys for him to see, watching as he eyed them and then her, "Schatz?"

"Bitte Ludwig?" she gave him a sweet pout.

"It doesn't work for Gil, it's not working for you."

"Oh, come on, one little joy ride in it, please? You can rub it in Alfred's face of your fast car, come on now." she jingled the keys. "Besides Ludwig, don't you know? Fast cars make girls horny."

His eyebrow nearly rocketed to his hairline as she smirked at him, yea, now she had his interest. His hand grabbed the keys, his eyes never leaving hers. A devilish smile curved upon his lips as her own nearly beamed in excitement as he took her to the car in question.

Sure enough, it was a thrill ride on the Autobahn in the sleek machine. She knew the Audi's could get fast but this was exhilarating. The R8 V10 rode smooth as he sped it down the road, waiting patiently for an opening to hit the pedal. She could see him calculate it all in his head as his eyes skimmed her bare legs and went back to the road. Teasing him was more fun than she imagined, his control of the machine and his own to not touch her was tantalizing as it was. The vibrations of the machine sent chills down her spine, oh how she wished she could feel the real raw power out of this car but being a passenger was just as thrilling.

Ludwig's hand ghosted upon her knee, a sly smile dusting his lips. Marie looked and saw the clearing he did. Truth be told, she was exactly like she said, horny. It was one thing she loved about racing, it gave her that euphoric high she loved besides the drugs.

She smirked at him, letting her knees drift apart and pulling her skirt up, "Think you can control us both?"

"Think?" he looked at her, "Nein, ich weiß, ich kann."

As the last car pulled off to its destination, he hit the pedal and the car took off, hitting speeds she didn't even know it could as his hand slid up her thigh. The wind outside the door as he sped down the Autobahn deafened any thoughts of backing out as his dingers graces her panties, lightly touching and caressing through the fabric. She watched as he controlled the car one-handed with ease as the other one pushed the piece aside and dove two fingers into her wet core.

"Luddy, we'll stain it." she moaned as he hit that one spot.

"There's a cover on the seat for a reason." he said, keeping his speed up.

She could see the growing bulge between his legs as both power of machine and power of a woman overcame him. She wanted to touch him, to let ease of the constrictions yet her body was unmoved as his fingers pumped faster as the car reached the final speed. If this kept up, she would lose it in a matter of mere-

"Sheisse" he cursed under his breath as they got off the famous trek and pulled into the banquet hall lot.

"No kidding." she muttered to herself as he got out of the car and moved to her side.

She was damn close too. If only they were a little- his lips crashed into hers as he pulled her from the car. Slamming the door, he pressed her onto it as she hissed at the cold metal against her back. He lifted her legs to wrap around his waist as he pulled her panties aside, just to slip himself into her. His thrusts were rough and eager, gaining the coil she had in the car back to surface as his teeth and lips attacked her neck.

"Lud, someone will see." she tried to protest, yet her body disagreed as he continued.

"We are early and there is barely anyone here in the lot." he drove himself deeper, bringing her bubble to the surface.

She clawed at his back and tightened her legs as it sat there. With two more pumps from him, she was lost in the bliss that she never wanted to escape from as he followed suit. He panted against her as they came down from their climaxes, his grip never faltering from her as he set her down and adjusted himself and her.

"That was exciting." she spoke to him.

"That it was." he smiled.

"Dude Ludwig!" they heard Alfred yell, "Good going getting action already, it's dull in here!"

Marie gasped in shock as she realized he had witnessed their actions as Ludwig buried himself amongst her breasts. She watched as Amber thwacked Alfred head and pushed him inside of the building, giving silent sorry afterwards.

"I think that will dampen the mood for a bit." he said looking up at her only to make her laugh at the situation more.

The house seemed eerily quiet as she made her way up the walk. Much of capitals dismissed themselves from their nations to call an early night, and she was no different as Ludwig and the others spoke of the war. She was just lucky enough that Lili brought her home as she went back for Vash.

The steady bass from within spooked her at first, unsure of its source and what it could lead to within but the harder she listened the more she realized Gil was in her eighties collection.

"Son of a bitch." she said, flying through the doors and making her way to the dining room.

The house seemed normal from looks but the booming sound of Renegade didn't give comfort as she turned the corner only to stop and not laugh at the sight. There upon the table was Gil, strutting his dancing skills upon the wood as the final chorus blared through the system. Shaking his hips and gliding around, he was having the time of his life as Marie tried not to laugh, yet when his eyes finally landed on her, she lost it.

She earned a gentle sorry as he got down and finished putting stuff away. With a small chuckle, she went up to her room as she clutched the piece within her hand harder.

This is very vital to us, Marie. I am counting on you to take it home and place it in my office. It pertains to the war and what we have gathered so far along with all military codes. Understand?"

She understood well as she slipped into the room and laid it next to the globe upon his desk. Once she donned on her nightwear, she settled herself into the window nook and looked out into the cool December night. The stars glistened and the night so still, it was beautiful as she looked past all the...something moved below. She cranked her neck to see if she could see better just to hear something shatter downstairs.

Fear crept up in her as she opened the door, "Gil? Was that you or the dogs?"

Silence was her reply. Grabbing the dagger from under Ludwig's bedside, she made her way downstairs to see the ruckus. The house was quiet, no dogs or Gil making any noise as a cold chill covered her. It was colder than normal in the house as she made her way to the office. Opening the door, everything within seemed the same as she left it. Maybe it was just her imagination. She wasn't used to not having-a cold hand slipped across her mouth as an arm pulled her away from the door.

She tried to scream and fight off what held her only to have a barrel touch her temple, "Move and die."

Marie felt total fear roll through her as it came to reality what was happening. A low growl caught her attention along with her captor, glancing to her side, she saw Aster flying down the hall as he barreled into the man. Marie darted into the office to grab the drive only to find it missing.

"No." she whispered.

The man yelled in pain as Aster ripped at his arms and legs, Marie could hear Blackie and Berlitz fighting someone else within the home. Where the hell was Gilbert? She decided she had to be fast about this, lowing her shoulder she rammed the man into the wall as the drive fell from his grasps. Grabbing the drive, she called Aster to follow only to hear the gun go off and Aster cry out.

"Aster!" Marie screamed as she saw the man stand over the pup.

There was no turning back now, she had to run. Marie took off down the hall, trying her best to make it to the garage and get the hell out of there and get Ludwig only to be caught by another man, this one more determined than the other. She slipped their grips as she tried to find the keys to her car.

"Let's just shoot her." the one said as fear over lapped her.

"No, she's special." the darker of the two spoke, "I think she's the next capital. We're taking her."

Oh shit. Her mind went blank for a moment, she was stuck and had no way out of this hell. Ludwig was away, the dogs were either incapacitated or gone, and Gilbert was nowhere in sight as they got closer to her. She was ready to call it in when something rolled near her, a thud catching them both off guard. Looking at the source she realized it was the first man's head. She tried to hold down the scream yet couldn't.

"You asshole, you realized that hurt ja?" she heard someone say, "Don't you realize you can kill me? I am the memories of WWII. Of the Holocaust. Of the Teutonic Knights."

She knew that voice, was never happier to hear it until that moment as she saw the tuffs of white hair behind the man.

"Don't you know? I am the awesome Prussia!" Gil shouted, bringing down the broadsword.

Marie let out a startled yell as the sword hit the floor. The man dodged Gilbert as he fought him, doing whatever it took to slow him down.

"Go Marie, go. Get out of here!" Gilbert shouted to her as he kicked the man down.

"Not without you!" she demanded.

She watched as his Knight's Code rolled through his head, with a grunt of displeasure. He hit the man with the sword earning a holler of pain. The next thing she knew was Gil was dragging her to the cars, throwing her keys at her as the BMW was in sight.

"Now get in and go." he said, the sword still in his hands.

"I told you not without you."

"Marie please." he pleaded with her, "You have the information, and you are a capital as well. You are too valuable here at this moment, get to West. He'll take care-"

Gilbert was cut off and Marie screamed as a long blade came through Gil's chest. He stumbled back lightly, pulling his up to hit the assailant behind him. Pained and worried, he nodded at her to go and get out of there and to Ludwig. She couldn't leave him behind, yet she was left with no option as the man attempted to get past Gil and to her. Through tear filled eyes, she sped out of the garage and onto the drag. She prayed that Gil would be ok, that it was nothing more than a nightmare but watching as another car sped out of the house was her answer as it followed.

Bravery got to the better of her as she finally veered onto the Autobahn and sped down the length of it towards the hall. Her heart ached as her mind swam in fear for the sweet man she had grown so attached to. She prayed he'd be fine as...the car came into view in front of her, the men within looking around as if to find her. They turned down another pass, one that she knew led to the capitals and the little cities.

"No." she said to herself.

She clutched the drive in her hand as she looked at the sky once more. With a shaky breath, she knew what she had to do, she relaxed her body as best as possible, knowing the impact would be enough to them. She sped up the car, catching up to them as they readied to turn onto the main road.

"Ich liebe dich Ludwig." she said, letting go of the wheel and taking her final breath.

The alarm roared through his head. It was one that every nation knew and feared as well, a declaration of war by attack. And this one was in his home. The hall was full of near chaos when it went off, he panicked more when he saw it was centered in Germany. He couldn't remember leaving the hall, nor Roderich or Vash following but the sight of the house was enough to make him worry as he saw bloodstains from the garage door.

"Mein Gott!" he spoke, running into the house just to nearly slip on the blood trails.

"It's everywhere." Vash said as Roderich followed.

He could hear Elizaveta coming into the house as he looked at the hell of a mess, "Check the rooms. Now!"

He darted upstairs, praying Marie was hiding somewhere up here by Gil's hand, that maybe she was wounded and trying to fix herself up after fighting whomever did this. Yet it was silent upstairs, nothing touched or moved. He knew she was home for there on their bed was her dress she wore to the hall. So, where the hell where they?

Eliza's screamed echoed the house, causing Ludwig to dash to the source. His office doors were wide open as he and Vash made it in together to just to see Roderich haul Eliza off something. His eyes scanned the room just to land on the broadsword and the boot next to it. Gilbert. Without hesitating, he went to his side only to be hit with horror.

"Oh no." Vash stated as he kneeled to the ground.

Ludwig stood there like a fool, dropping to his knees to grab Gil's hand. The man was a bloody mess. The gaping chest wound was what worried him the most, so many gashed and so much blood covered him to the point his hair was tainted red from it all.

"West?" he heard him whisper out.

"Gilbert?" he leaned closer to him, "Gil it's me. What happened?"

"Genesis... tried to kill... me... too awesome." he breathed weakly, "Marie... with you? I... told her... to run."

Marie wasn't here, nor with him or the other nations that he was aware of. Before he could answer Roderich held his shoulder.

"There was an accident on the Autobahn. It's Marie's car." he said slowly, "The drive was in the front seat but she was gone. The men in the other car were a part of Genesis but they died instantly and according to Juliet, so did she."

His world went numb. He looked down at Gilbert once more as the thought of Marie being dead plagued his mind; no, he couldn't lose them. Not both of them. All he remembered after that was Roderich and Vash grabbing for him as his head hit the floor as the darkness took him in.