Word Count: 500

Pairings: France/Fem!England (Francis/Alice)

Warnings: None

Prequel to Too Late

She Will Be…

Francis could see that Arthur was terrified. It wasn't often that the Brit invited him over, though he had seen more of him in recent months due to his relationship with Arthur's twin Alice. The fact that the grumpy gentleman had called Francis over was frightening enough, but since it was about Alice, Francis came running.

"I don't know what to do," Arthur whispered, staring at the cup of tea in front of him.

"Is zere a way to save 'er? Somezing to stop zis?"

Arthur shook his head. "I'm so sorry, Francis, I'm doing everything I can but…"

"Non, she cannot disappear! Zere is nozing wrong wiz your country!"

"Two of us are no longer needed. I tried taking her place but she refused to let me." Arthur looked up. "I was hoping that between you and I we might be able to recall this happening to others in the past?"

"Desole, mon ami, but I do not remember zis 'appening…not in zese circumstances… Arzur, please, zere must be a way to save 'er… what about your magic? Surely zere is somezing?"

"You think I haven't thought of that you bloody frog?" Arthur shouted. "My sister is disappearing and there is nothing I can do to save her!"

"Angleterre, zere was a spell you did once, a very long time ago. It was to replace ze personification of a nation. If you replaced moi, wiz 'er—"

"Don't you even think about it, Francis!" Arthur jumped to his feet, grabbing France by the collar of his shirt. "Don't even consider it! Do you think Alice would ever forgive me if I let you sacrifice yourself for her? You have no idea what the consequences of that would be!"

Francis pushed him away. "And you zink I will let 'er disappear and do nozing to stop it? I love 'er! Zere is no one I 'ave ever loved more zan Alice! I refuse to let 'er fade away simply because England only needs on representative!"

England hung his head. "It's out of the question, Francis. But maybe I could find a similar spell somewhere…I'll have to think on it."

"We boz need rest, mon ami. We 'ave a few more days before it will be too late. She will be…she will be safe."

Arthur nodded. "Good night, Francis."

"Bonne nuit, mon ami."

Francis watched Arthur go upstairs before he ventured through the house, searching for one thing only. He found her in her bedroom, running a brush through long blonde hair. She smiled sadly when she noticed him, unable to pretend any longer that she didn't know.

He stepped into the room, taking the brush from her hands and cupping her chin. "I will protect you at all costs, mon amour."

Before she had a chance to respond or ask what he meant, his lips crashed against hers.

It was a few hours after Francis left for Paris a day later when Arthur noticed it, a spell book was missing.