What's this? Back from the dead!? Yeah it's me again…WAIT! LET ME EXPLAIN MYSELF! I lack time to actually work on my stories. I know I have quite a few that I have started and haven't finished but I will be working on them soon. Between work and everyday stressfulness, working on multiple stories can be a bit overwhelming. BUT I completely blame myself because I need to stop pumping out so many of them at the same time.

Ok, enough blabbering, here I give to you, ze story! Ohonhonhon!

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Chicktalia!

Chapter 25:

America's Basement

She was always curious about what was down there. She asked him hundreds of times, but all he did was pat her on the head and say "stay out of the basement, Washington".

Washington huffed as she watched the door with determination. For the past few weeks it had been nearly impossible for her to sneak down because it was like America was psychic or had some freaky sixth sense that alarm him when she was making a move.

But not today!

America was at a World Meeting and there is NOTHING he could do to stop her…except the very much locked and vaulted door.

Washington huffed in irritation as she tried to push her way into the damn thing. The door didn't budge an inch and it really frustrated her. It was like the man knew what she was about to do and took a step ahead of her! Why would he even keep secrets from her anyways? Was it something bad down there? What the hell was it?!

"Seriously," Washington said running her fingers through her hair. "How am I supposed to get in now?"

Ameri-cat meowed in reply. Washington looked down at him with pressed lips, thinking up a plan. There was no way she would be able to find a key to the door if America hid it so he was shit out of luck.

"Ms. Washington?" someone called her? She turned around, a small smile reaching her lips once she saw who it was. Lithuania came over every once in awhile to clean and she had totally forgotten about that.

"What are you doing?"

"Hi there Lithuania!" she squeaked. "When did you get here?"

"I've been here for a while," Lithuania said. "What are you doing?"

"You wouldn't happen to know if America has a key for this door would you?" she asked innocently, nudging her head in its direction.

"You mean the basement?" Lithuania asked. "No. I'm sorry. I always want to clean down there for Mr. America but he always would insist on cleaning it out himself. There must be something really important down there."

"I wouldn't know," Washing ton sighed. "He's super alert when I try to break in."

"You've tried?" the other country asked.

"Naturally I like to know what's going on," Washington said with a stern expression, crossing her arms over her chest. "I don't like him keeping secrets like this."

The two stood in silence for awhile until Lithuania chuckled. Washington was confused.

"What?"

"I think he would only keep you from down there for good reason," he said. "Just trust him, Ms. Washington. I am sure he has his reasons."

Washington watched as the Lithuanian walk down the hall, probably about to start on a new task. Washington scowled then turned to the door once again.

Maybe Lithuania was right…maybe America did keep it locked and sealed for her good…

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There was no answer to why Washington's desperate attempts of breaking into the basement increased. Her curiosity turned to pure obsession and she really wanted to know what America could be hiding. It had only been a few days since America returned home. Washington listened while America snored in his sleep, chest rising and falling. It was rather peaceful honestly. Washington found that she almost always miss hearing America snore at night while he was away. After a few minutes, she slowly slid from under his arms, making sure not to awaken the other American. He snorted a bit but his breath fell even once again.

Washington sighed in relief, carefully sliding out of the bed and tip-toed out of the door. Closing it behind her, she let out a sigh of relief. Ameri-cat meowed making her smile.

"Ready boy?" she asked. The cat basically nodded and the two were off.

=IAL=

It took a few days but Washington figured out how to get into the basement. With the lock picking skills she picked up over the centuries, a hammer to take away the nails and such, she found herself standing with the door wide open, looking down into the dark abyss of mysteries.

Ameri-cat curled himself around her leg as they both silently observed and noted how creepy it actually looked. The dank and musty smell didn't help at all either.

"Well boy," she said. "This is it." She switched on the flashlight, taking careful steps down the creaky stairs. She heard water dripping from rusty pipes and the stairs were not so graceful with every footfall. She was so happy when she made it to the bottom of the stairs.

Quickly pulling the switch to turn on the light, the room brightened. All there were was ton of boxes and cases filled with unknown items. Washington was a bit disappointed, but she figured looking through the boxes will satisfy her curiosity.

She opened the first box she saw with ease. Taking out some of the items, she found what looked like an old toy solider. Them something happened.

Washington gasped as she felt the toy vibrate in her hand and the whimpered when pain shot through her head. Memories of when America was a kid playing with these soldiers flashed in her mind. He looked so happy and content. But as soon as the memory came it disappeared again.

She gasped, dropping the toy. She panted heavily, taking a few steps back. Ameri-cat nudged her leg, whimpering in concern as his big blue eyes looked at her in worry.

"What just happened?" she quietly asked herself.

She moved on, finding other things she partly remembered on her own from when she first met America. Most f the memories were sweet; how shy America would get around her or when he tries to tell her how he felt about her. Then some…

Washington just sat there staring at it. She didn't want to touch it, too afraid that the same thing would happen to her like the toy solider and that is one memory she didn't want to relive. It looked cold and still; the story of it left buried in a case for many years…the musket. The same musket America used for the Revolutionary War…

Washington's eyes clouded with sadness. She remembered the day he told her he wanted to fight for his people's freedom. She was so scared and terrified to see such fire in her nation's eyes; in her husband's eyes. She was scared of never seeing him again…

A tear slid down her cheek as she slowly reached for the weapon. Ameri-cat mewled with warning but she ignored him. She didn't notice America calling her name as he spotted her sitting on the floor. Then, she grabbed the musket.

Pain shot through her body like electricity as memories flashed through her brain…

"America! Stop! Wait!"

"What do you want?" America hissed, snatching his arm out of her grip.

"You can't do this!" Washington said, tears rolling down her cheeks. "What if things don't go as planned? What if-"

"That's enough!" America snapped. "There is no way you can convince me to end this. There I now way I will allow my people to suffer any longer!"

"You can't," Washington whimpered, falling to her knees and held America's uniform pants weakly. "You can't go…I don't want to lose you."

The thunder roared in the distance, rain soaking them both to the bone. America's expression softened, kneeling beside her. Raising her chin up, he looked her dead n the eye with a serious expression.

"This is the dream we both have for our people," he said. "And there is no way I will back down from the promise I made them. A promise I made to you. Once this is all over, and we have our freedom, I want you to come home with me as my wife and we build our independent country. Together. We will become a stronger nation…together."

Washington looked up at him with sadness in her eyes as tears fell down. She cried into his chest, holding on to him as if she never wanted to let go.

"I promise," America said. "I promise to come home to you safe and sound…"

"Washington!"

She let go of the musket, panting slightly but let out a sob. She covered her mouth and began coughing up blood; the memory too overwhelming. America rushed to her side, gently rubbing her back trying to sooth her. Then Washington tackled him, hugging him close and sobbed louder.

America was shocked at first, then he hugged her closer to his firm body as if protecting her from the memories.

"I'm so sorry DC," he softly said.

"Why?" she said. "You've done nothing wrong. I just…"

"I told you to stay from down here because of this," America firmly said. "Just listen to what I say just once. Ok?"

Washington nodded, America helping her to her feet. America grabbed her by her waist and gave her a tender kiss. He pressed his forehead to hers and sighed. "I kept my promise," he said with a goofy grin.

Washington rolled her eyes and kissed him back. "And I am happy you did," she said hugging him.

"I love you," America whispered, kissing the top of her head.

"I love you too Al," she said sniffling.

WOAH! I did NOT mean for that to turn all depressing. But here it is, lol. Please forgive all mistakes. I will make it my business to edit the entire thing when I am not feeling lazy, lol. ANYWAYS I am still taking requests and am still working on previous one so all reviews are welcomed and please fav, follow and comment!