Chapter 11

One day, Georgia found Russia on her beach, eyes closed and breathing in the sea air. She came up to him quietly, and stood next to him.

"I was waiting for you. Somehow I knew you were coming," she said, her hand on her locket. "That is an interesting look."

Russia opened his eyes and smiled down at her. His new tan greatcoat was open to the sea breeze, and his bronze star metal winked in the sun.

"You are ever beautiful, Georgia," he said.

She blushed and looked down.

"I brought lunch," she said, lifting a basket. He took it, and she busied herself with laying out a blanket on the sand and setting up a small picnic of breads, cheeses and wine. She pulled him on the blanket and offered him bread.

"Thank you," he said through munching. "I am very hungry. I've been traveling all day, and I –"

"What did you do to me?" Georgia cut in. She lifted the locket on its chain and let it dangle. "What have you done?"

Russia shrugged and smiled, pouring a glass of wine.

"I am changed, and I know it, Russia. Do not play the idiot."

He sighed and looked to the sea.

"I told you, Georgia, I gave you a piece of me. But if it bothers you, I can take it back." He held out a hand, taking a gulp of wine. Georgia pulled away, covering the locket with her fist. Russia laughed.

"See? There you go. It cannot bother you too much, then." He took her free hand and brought it to his lips. "I have come to ask if you will join me back home. In Russia. Will you be my sunshine, Georgia?"

Georgia sighed and pulled her hand away.

"You can feel it here," she said, tapping the locket. "You already know the answer."

Russia smiled, eyes bright, and took a sip of wine.

"It does not matter," he said. "You will join me in Moscow."

"Moscow?" Georgia scoffed. "Before you at least promised me Petersburg. And now I'll be brought to Moscow? Yet again against my will?"

She scowled and tore a piece of bread to bits, flinging the crumbs onto the beach for the birds.

"Why can we not be friends, Russia?" she said, pleading. "What is so terrible about simply visiting me when you wish? The sea will be here whether I am independent or under your roof. My gardens are still here. I am still here, Russia."

She clasped his hand in hers and placed it on her chest.

"See? I did not disappear while I was free. I am still here, and I will be here whenever you wish to see me."

Russia's eyes lost a bit of their gleam. He moved his hand from Georgia's chest to her cheek.

"You are always here," he said, his smile small. "That is the problem. I need the sun with me. Always."

" I can visit you!" Georgia said, her eyes shining, her voice frantic. "I can come to you sometimes, and we can dance and read and –"

"No." Russia chuckled. He stood, offering his hand to Georgia. "It is not enough. You will come with me to –"

He staggered. His eyes grew dim. He stumbled back, shaking his head.

"What is…what is this?" he said, bemused, holding his head. "I can't…everything is fuzzy."

Georgia stared up at him, eyes still shining. She smiled and blinked rapidly as Russia fell back on the blanket.

"What is wrong, I did not drink so much that –" He stopped, mouth agape, staring at his empty wine glass. "You. You never touched the food and drink."

He looked at Georgia with his bleary eyes.

"You…poisoned me!" A shocked grin spread across his reddening face.

"Just a little," Georgia said, brushing crumbs from her skirt. "I'm not going back with you, Russia. And I will do what I must to stay free."

"You poisoned me!" Russia's laugh rumbled over the beach, even as he shook his head from dizziness. "Oh, you make me laugh."

He lunged at her and grabbed her throat, his large hand circling it gently. He held it there, just high enough above the blanket that Georgia had to sit up straight to keep from being choked. She gasped and clawed at his arm. He shook his head and blinked, smiling.

"Not enough poison," he said. Georgia closed her eyes, her brows raised. "It will clear away soon. But you! What will I do with you? You hurt me, Georgia."

"I. A-am sorry," Georgia stammered.

"I know," Russia said pleasantly. "Everyone is always sorry when they hurt me. But you did more. You break my heart, Georgia."

He tapped the locket. Georgia sucked in a breath.

"You feel this? This ache? Yes, you do, I can see."

He let her go. She rubbed her neck, and brushed the locket with the tips of her fingers.

"You know when I hurt? Then maybe you won't try to hurt me so much, da?" Russia stood again, offering his hand to Georgia. "You see, I love you."

"I know!" Georgia snapped, waving away his hand. He didn't move.

"And I know you love me," he said.

"I can't really help it anymore!" she cried, grabbing the locket. "How can I when you're always here!"

She kicked at the basket. An unopened bottle of wine rolled out onto the blanket. Still Russia hovered over her, hand outstretched.

"Fine!" she cried, grabbing his hand and lifting herself up. "What choice do I have?"

Russia beamed and pulled her into a great, tight hug.

"My sunshine," he said, holding her as she sobbed into his chest. "My light. Soon it will all be as it was before." His voice dipped low. "Only better."