Gyahh, huge wait I know, I'm sorry. By the way this is the last of the flashback chapters and starting next chapter we'll be going back to the main story. I've also posted a link to my livejournal account in my profile. I'm most likely going to post warning of when chapters for my fic's will be updated an such. I also am probably going to be uploading some art there every now and then. The stories though, will not be posted in my journal unless someone requests for it. Thats All!

disclaimer: there is a reason its called fanfiction

Chapter 11

The few days were a stress-filled blur. Arthur went through the process of learning the streets and such of Los Angeles along with the names of a few of the Syndicate's underlings. Then he had to run a background check on them and find out the clubs they went to and how it would be most advantageous for him to appear. All the while he would email or call Alfred to check up on how they were progressing on the case (and just to check up on Alfred and hear his voice but Arthur would never admit to that). He might as well contact him while he still could. It was only a matter of time until even contacting Chief Vargas would become a hassle.

It wasn't as hard as he had originally thought, Arthur always had a one-track mind when it came to certain things and work along with his little brother tended to always be pretty high on his priority list. By the end of the first week Arthur had found and made an appearance in one of the lackeys' favorite joints to pick up prostitutes. Lo and behold, after one night of sweaty limbs and time-honed experience on Arthur's part. The nameless lackey got what was probably the best sex he ever had, and was hooked. Arthur then carefully maneuvered his way up the ladder through the boy recommending Arthur (or England as he introduced himself) to his buddies and higher-ups. Tonight he was going to finally meet the "boss." Arthur was waiting for them to give him a ride to a secret location. Arthur looked at the cellphone in his hand. It was probably the last chance he would have to contact Alfred. He took a deep breath and dialed. As soon as he heard the American pick up the phone Arthur smiled. Why was it that this git could make him both relax and flustered at the same time. The two talked for a while until two ALICE Syndicate members arrived. Arthur obediently followed them into the car and let himself be blindfolded. They took his phone away and drove him off to their secret headquarters.

Now here he was, dressed in a silly Alice in Wonderland costume being 'offered up' to the boss of the syndicate (Though Arthur had to admit it was slightly more comfortable than the full leather costume he had gotten originally). The Englishman braced himself. It really all came down to this. If he could thoroughly convince the Boss and win his favor then the rest would be easy.

Arthur sat in his chair as the boss made his entrance. The man was big in just about every way and reaching middle age. He sneered at Arthur,

"I'm going to call you Alice, and you Alice, will call me 'King' at all times. Is that understood?" Arthur nodded demurely while holding back the insults and profanities he wanted to shout. He would have to grit his teeth and bear it. After all, he is British and it would take a lot more than this to take him down. He handled it once, he could do it again. Arthur got up and followed the man to his bedroom. The door closed behind him and Arthur swallowed. There was no looking back now.

Arthur turned the water off and stepped out of the shower. Well, he had done it. After two weeks trial period, The Syndicate's leader was pleased with him and decided he would stay. Arthur slowly wrapped himself with a bathrobe and plodded his way out to the adjacent bedroom without bothering to dry himself off properly.

Arthur sighed, he rubbed his face tiredly with his hands as he unceremoniously plopped down onto the bed in the room that had been prepared for him. He carefully scanned his surroundings for any hidden devices. After assuring himself there were none, he took out a small watch from the pile of clothes he had been wearing. After fiddling with some of the buttons on the side he managed to make a holographic screen pop up along with a keypad. Arthur marveled at the device turning it this way and that inspecting the details. He had never been able to grasp technology the way Kiku could but that never meant he couldn't appreciate it. The device was still incomplete and right now could only take blurry pictures and send messages. Eduard and Kiku had yet to find a way to make it do more and keep it the size of a wristwatch. Arthur began to compose a new message to the Chief.

I've managed to infiltrate the headquarters. The location should be around this area. The boss' name is Rutilis Rex Regis judging from what the other members call him, but that is most likely an assumed name.

Arthur inserted the GPS coordinates the watch had displayed on the holographic screen only a few minutes ago. After clicking the send button Arthur laid down preparing to sleep. There would be much to do from now on.

The next morning Arthur got dressed and realized he did not have any clean clothing since he hadn't been provided with any other than various costumes the Syndicate leader had loaned him. Arthur shivered; he did not want to wear those for longer than he needed to; the humiliation was far too overpowering. The door opened and the man who brought him his food entered. He asked him if he could go back to his previous residence and go get some belongings. The man said that he would pass the message to his boss and tell him later. Arthur nodded slowly and began to eat the food. It really wasn't much more than a lump of bread and some cheese but it wasn't half bad. At least in Arthur's opinion. Suddenly the image of Francis and Alfred telling him he had no taste buds was conjured up in his head and Arthur scowled. There was nothing wrong with his taste buds thank-you-very-much. When the man came back to take the tray away he told Arthur that he would be allowed to go and get his belongings this evening. They would drop him off at a club where they would pick him up again at 6:15. Arthur nodded and the man left him to his privacy. Arthur lied back down and closed his eyes. The image of a sunny-blonde man popped into his head again and Arthur realized how much he missed the man. He knew he wouldn't be getting his phone back and quickly sent Alfred a message on the wristwatch for him to call him at the number of the club he would be picked up at. It would be less suspicious for him to pick up the phone than to actually make the call. His hand froze above the enter key, doing this would be a huge risk. After a moment's contemplation, he clicked send. Now all he had to do was wait.

Arthur fidgeted nervously next to the public phone located outside the club. It neared the time he had asked Alfred to call. 3-2-1... Arthur counted down in his head. The phone rang. He picked it up after three rings, enough time to compose himself.

"Hello?" he said in a voice that was thankfully much calmer than he was feeling.

"Hey Artie," Arthur blushed, Alfred sounded almost nervous, why would he be nervous? He quickly tried to think of something to say,

"Hello Alfred," he paused, "I-I'm glad you called," there was an awkward silence and Arthur cursed himself for not having something better to say. Lucky for him Alfred broke the silence,

"Of course I did! It wouldn't be heroic not to!" Arthur groaned out of reflex but inside he was very happy,

"Bloody hell, Alfred! Why must you always blather on about that?" he joked playfully smiling when Alfred merely laughed. "Anyways Alfred," there was silence; Arthur started to talk in a lower voice, fearful of anyone listening in. "I just wanted to check up on you," Arthur didn't know why he was suddenly so honest. Usually he would have made up some kind of excuse. At the silence from the other end Arthur got even more nervous "Are you even listening you git?" he shouted.

"What?" came the startled reaction. Arthur rolled his eyes, typical.

"So you weren't listening," Arthur was back to a low whisper, "I was saying that I might not be back as soon as I had hoped to be so; you'll just have to get along without me a bit longer. You are doing well right?" he was trying very hard to be honest. He knew that he didn't always leave the best of impressions.

"Don't worry about it! I couldn't be better without you breathing down my neck, Michelle is such a better partner!" Alfred replied cheerfully. It felt like something stabbed Arthur's heart,

"…I see," he sighed, he wouldn't be able to do this for much longer, "Well anyways that was really all I had to say—," he was cut off,

"Seriously Artie? You told me to call you this late at some weird number and now you're just going to hang up after checking up on me? I don't need constantly worried about me!" Arthur was shocked, he hadn't expected that. The sword that was thrust through his heart twisted mercilessly, Arthur could feel the tears build up in his eyes and he hastily wiped them with his sleeve, "…Fine you wanker, I guess I just shouldn't even go through the trouble of trying to check up on you. I hope you and Michelle have fun," Arthur managed to force out,

"Arthur, wait, I—," It seemed almost like Alfred was remorseful but Arthur knew better than to believe that,

"Just stop Alfred, I already know you don't need me, just leav-, Fuck—," He quickly hung up and calmed himself down, his ride was here. Arthur grabbed his bags and clambered into the car. He closed his eyes for once glad to be blindfolded hiding his red eyes from view. The the tears never left his eyes, he wouldn't risk possibly his only chance to save his brother, not again. Not for someone who didn't even care.

That night when the Syndicate leader called him to his room Arthur went with a firery determination. He would try to squeeze out as much information as possible. But he didn't realize how that would effect his safety. After the much older man regained his senses he interrogated Arthur. Apparently Arthur's "playful curiosity," as it was dubbed, on his background was suspicious. Arthur smoothly talked his way out of it and when he arrived back at his room he collapsed. After breathing heavily for a few moments he pulled himself up. That had been the closest he's ever been to being found out. There wasn't much time left until his entire story crumbles. Quickly, he sent Chief Vargas a message with all the new info. He also sent a plea for them to work faster, he wasn't sure how much longer he could last. Absolutely taxed both emotionally and physically, Arthur fell into a fitful slumber.

After only a few days Arthur got a message from the Chief. They had found a cure. Arthur practically jumped with joy. His brother would be okay.

The day after thee was a message saying that they were in the midst of the plans for storming the Syndicate headquarters. Arthur's detailed description of the area would make it much easier than they had originally thought. He would also be sending Francis and Charles to pick up Arthur beforehand so no one found out about him. Arthur held the wristwatch to his forehead and closed his eyes. He could feel relief wash over him. Just a little longer, he repeated in his head like a mantra, even if he was being ruthlessly invaded by the Syndicate leader, that one phrase would be enough to keep him going. Arthur closed his eyes and let his mind relax, Just a little more.

Sorry about the (very) possible errors, I didn't have time to edit. Please review!