Author's Note

Hi, this is my first time posting . I hope that the story is to your liking. I have decided to use French and German in the story so translations will be at the bottom of each chapter. My french is accurate because I'm native from Paris and if my German isn't it's because it came from Google Translate :) Let me know what you think, I love reviews and suggestions for this or future fics. Also tell me if you want me to include other pairings ! Thank you for the reviews I love then !

Enjoy,

The PirateChick020497

Chapter 25 - Escape

Maya was barely able to stand. Having spent now over a week in the desert was very difficult. However, it was better than being in that horrible place, with Vincent Elmyer.

Two weeks before when she had first arrived in this godforsaken place the bullet that had been meant for her had not killed her. Vincent had pulled the trigger and nothing had come out. The man had been furious, so he checked to see if it worked again, this time on the man guarding the door. The guard died. The gun worked just fine. Vincent had later proceeded to tell Maya that he was not in the mood anymore and that he would see her soon. Maya had been taken back to her cell of a room and left there. After a week she escaped. The man guarding her was not allowed to sleep ever, so by one week of constant surveillance the ugly eyes on his ugly face drooped, closing. Soon he was asleep. Maya crept out of the room. There were cameras everywhere. The only way she could not been seen was if she stayed impossibly low to the ground, which she had. All the guards were at a meeting, every single one of them except Maya's she had heard during her third day there. She crept to the kitchen, which hadn't been difficult to find because of the stench of rotten food that emanated from it. She had crept about, still close to the floor and taken what she could, then she made her escape, knowing that they would find her she hid herself along with her supplies and her food in the sand as far away as she could. She heard movement from above her that very night as they searched for her. She remained hidden in the sand, it had been a very unpleasant experience but it had been the only solution.

So now as night fell on her seventh day in the desert Maya did not know how long she would last. She had figured out, judging by this desert's climate, that she was almost sure she was in the Saharan Desert. A breeze had tickled her a few times, fresher air, so she couldn't be too far from some body of water,and that meant people, which was a good thing. Maya kept on walking, her legs painfully moving, she shivered, the night was cold, but it was better than the day time that was too hot, and she had the stars to guide her. She thought of all the people that had taught her the things that had helped her escape. Francis had taught her about the position of stars and constellations, claiming that it was very romantic, Arthur had taught her about the oceans and seas and about pirates of course, Gilbert, Ivan and Ludwig had shown her essential combat and survival skills, and Matthew had shown her how to make the best use of her resources. So as she trudged through the desert, her enormous bag on her back, she held them all close to her heart.

They had managed to figure out that Maya was somewhere in north Africa, it was a start and now they were all there, some on the ground on camel-back or trek cars,other in helicopters. They found the base and Gilbert felt his heart clench, if anything had happened to her, if she had died, Gilbert would never forgive himself. Gilbert, Matthew, Alfred and Francis burst into the base, each one heavily armed. Their team had come upon the base and now they were going to get back Maya. As soon as they entered there was a full on assault ready for them. Matthew yelled out,

"MAYA, WHERE ARE YOU !?" in hopes she would reply. The reply he did get however was not from her.

"Oh your precious daughter escaped from here about a week ago Matthew Williams." Vincent said strolling leisurely up to Matthew. Matthew gasped,Maya had escaped.

"I wouldn't get your hopes up if I were you though, being in the desert an entire week is harsh. She is most likely dead already." Vincent continued, then he turned his black eyes to Gilbert, a twisted grin sitting on his face. "Prussia, oh joy, this is a happy day," Vincent's eyes settled on Francis and Alfred before returning to Gilbert, "I get to get rid of four nations at once ! Oh this is fantastic, this is what Toban wanted, this is a great day ! A great day indeed !" Vincent was ecstatic. The nations present all shivered, that name was the last thing they wanted to hear. They all knew that there was no point in trying to dissuade this man from his plans. They had to get rid of him. The first gunshot rang out. The battle began.

Maya fainted on the outskirts of a small town, the sounds of birds ringing in her ears as she fell into the soft sound into darkness.

When Maya awoke she panicked, where was the sand and the north star ? Then she looked into a pair of lavender eyes filled with concern.

"Ivan ?" she croaked.

"Shh, Maya, you are safe, I'm sorry this happened, Я не могу защитить вас." Ivan petted her head, tears were welling in his eyes. Maya had no idea he cared for her that much.

"Спасибо, Иван. Ты сделал меня защитить." Maya said. Ivan looked surprised.

"You speak Russian." Ivan smiled .

"Da." Maya smiled too. Ivan continued to pet Maya's blonde head. Maya was safe and she slept well for the first time in two weeks.

Matthew had a bullet wound in his arm and his leg. They hurt a lot, but the final shot made by the enemy was not directed at him. He heard Gilbert scream in pain. Matthew's eyes widened from where he had fallen on the floor. No, not him too. Matthew struggled to his feet. No nation could die from bullet wounds, but Matthew was not sure about Gilbert. He ran to him. Gilbert clenched his gut, blood seeping through his clothes.

"Gilbert, don't move." Matthew said tearing his shirt, blood loss was not good, even for nations. Matthew moved Gilbert through the wreck to bandage him. He passed the corpse of Vincent Elmyer. Alfred had shot him. There were a few survivors left, those who were not too badly injured had fled, and those who remained laid there, slowly dying. Matthew finished bandaging Gilbert, tears openly running down his face.

"Dummkopf, don't cry. I'm okay." Gilbert said wiping away Matthew's tears with his thumb. Matthew nodded, then a signal came from their radio. Maya found, coordinates M3OP01. Matthew felt whole again. Maya was alive, she was safe. Thank god, she was safe. They were going to be re-united.

Matthew and Gilbert burst into the room, eyes frantically looking. Maya was asleep on a bed, Ivan sitting in a chair by her bedside. Matthew collapsed, kneeling next to his daughter. Her her faces had burns and she looked gaunt, her white blonde hair had been bleached by the sun so much it seemed silver like Gilbert's. Matthew cried silent tears. He had been so afraid, he didn't want to lose her, not ever, not again. Gilbert limped to Matthew side, place a hand on his shoulder. They stood in silence for a while then Ivan spoke.

"I found her on the outskirts of this town yesterday morning. She will need a long time to recover." Ivan said gently.

"Thank you Ivan, thank you so much." Matthew whispered. Ivan smiled sadly.

"She faced quite an ordeal out there. I know personally that recovering from this mentally will be very difficult, especially because she is so young. I can help her with that. If you allow me, after a while I can take her to Russia and help her." Ivan said.

"Yes, I think we can do that. But not yet." Matthew said.

"Very well, then let me know when." Ivan stood up and left the room so that Matthew and Gilbert could be alone with their child. They both cried tears of joy and of sadness. They had Maya back. It was over.

Translations

: Я не могу защитить вас - I could not protect you.

: Спасибо, Иван. Ты сделал меня защитить - Thank you Ivan. You did protect me.

: Da - Yes

: Dummkopf - Idiot