Disclaimer: I do not own Hetalia: Axis Powers. All rights go to their creators.

Part 2 Chapter 5: Windows

Elise was startled by a knock on her door. She pulled out her gun and peaked out. "Natalia?" Elise asked.

The blonde haired woman smirked, "Who else?" But did nor open it fully upon seeing Arthur a step or so behind her. He made eye contact with her and she tightened her grip on her pistol.

"What brings you here?" She asked, looking back at Natalia.

"I have such great news! Come on, open up." Elise swallowed before opening the door fully.

Elise stepped aside, tucking her gun into the waist of her jeans and putting her shirt over it.

Natalia beamed and pressed herself against Arthur. She gripped his right arm tightly in her hands

"We're getting married!" Natalia exclaimed.

Elise put on a smile and clasped her hands together. "T-that's great!"

"I knew you'd be supportive. Arthur said that you'd let him use your computer. Could we call in that favor now?"

Elise looked at Natalia's wide eyes. Her smile twiched and she wrung her hands together. "S-sure that's fine."

Great! We won't be too long. I wanted to design the invitations to get them mass printed." Natalia said, sitting down at the computer.

"Do you know-?" Elise started.

"Tolys has a computer in the bookshop. Sometimes when business is slow, he lets me fuck around with it." Natalia shrugged.

"Ok then. Would you two like some tea?"

"Yes, that is good." Natalia said not taking her eyes off of the computer. Arthur gave her a nod when she shifted her gaze to him.

Elise filled up her kettle and put it on her stove. She pulled out three cups from her cupboard and set them down on the counter next to the stove. Elise turned back around and made eye contact with Arthur.

"So Natalia, are you staying here to have the wedding? Are you not leaving anymore?" Elise spoke up, her gaze only flickering away briefly.

"No, the wedding will be in Missouri" Natalia said, voice monotone as she moved the mouse to change the font.

"Missouri? W-why are you still moving?"

"A change of scenery is good for a pair of newlyweds as they say. Especially with all that has happened, poor Natalia needs to get away from it all, wouldn't you agree?" Arthur said, his voice more enthusiastic than before as he gave Elise a grin.

Elise matched his smile, "But this is your home Natalia. Your family is here."

"Nothing good has happened here. It is time I leave. Time to start fresh." Natalia nodded, continuing to type.

Elise's smile faltered, "Ok, if that is what you want."

Natalia then called Arthur over towards the computer to ask him about how he liked the design of the invitation. By then the tea kettle whistled and she fixed their cups of tea.

Elise brought them over to her kitchen table that was a distance behind the computer. The other two blonds walked over and joined her at the table.

"Oh! I heard about your sister from Mister Braginski, I'm sorry for your loss, Natalia." Elise said upon Natalia sitting down.

"I just told Ivan two days ago. I didn't know you two were close."

"I-I've seen him at the auto shop a few times I've worked there. He knew I was good friends with you so he told me."

"I hope those stupid cops can get it together and find her killer." Natalia said before bringing the cup up to her lips and blowing.

"I'm sure the police are doing all that they can." Arthur said, while Elise frowned.

"Eh not with Alfred on the team. I told that detective that Kat would go to the Farmer's Market sometimes, hopefully that's enough." Natalia said with a frown on her face.

"I'm also going to do everything I can to aid the investigation." Elise said and both heard the determination in her voice. "Whatever the cost."

"That is nice of you Elise. They probably need all the help they can get."

Soon Natalia finished the invitation and printed out the document. Natalia ripped the edges of the dot matrix paper. She would be taking it to get copies made. Natalia thanked Elise for letting her use her computer and said goodbye to her for now. Elise hugged Natalia, "Be careful." She whispered in her ear.

"Of course, always." Natalia said before patting her on the back and letting go of her. Natalia led the way out of her apartment.

Elise visibly trembled after she shut the door behind them.

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Ludwig looked through the local newspaper, The Sraftbridge Weekly Chronicle, to learn about the dates of the Farmer's Market. The Market wouldn't be occurring again until Saturday, it was Monday.

On Saturday Ludwig drove to the Farmer's market in Sraftbridge and he and Alfred asked around the local businesses at different tents if anyone had seen Katayusha last week.

A lot of people had spoken to her when she arrived but had lost track of her as the day went on because the Market was packed with people that day.

Ludwig saw Lovino's tomato stand but Lovino nor his brother Feliciano was running it. A teenager had Lovino's Tomatoes on display. He looked bored but stood up straighter upon seeing Ludwig approach.

"¡Hola! Would you like to buy a pound of Lovino's World Famous Tomatoes?"

"No thank you, I'm Detective Ludwig Beilschimidt here on a murder case. Did you see this woman here last Saturday?" Ludwig held up a picture of Katyusha.

"Oh yeah, she's got big-uh, yeah I saw her…" The teenager said.

"Would you be able to describe that day to me? As many details about Katyusha and anyone she may have talked to as you can."

The teenager nodded, "Sure thing hermano."

Last Saturday At The Farmer's Market

José Hernandez Martinez had turned 16 not too long ago. His parents decided that he needed to get a job because they thought, "this generation is so lazy nowadays. They don't know the meaning of hard work." José's Uncle Lovino who was the manager at the local grocery store also had a little tomato farm. Lovino would come out every Saturday when the farmer's market was running and sell his tomatoes. Seeing this as an opportunity to do less work himself, Lovino suggested José run the stand and his parents agreed.

So here he was, standing under the tent, fresh tomatoes on the table, waiting for the market to open up to customers. The buxom woman, Katyusha, had approached José when she finished setting up her tent.

"You don't look like Lovino Vargas to me." Katyusha said, letting out a giggle.

"No, I'm running the stand for him, he's my uncle. My name is José." José said with a smile, his eyes flickering between her bust and her sapphire blue eyes. He held out his hand for her to shake.

"Nice to meet you José, I'm Katyusha but most people call me Kat." Katyusha smiled sweetly, "Is this your first time at the market?"

"Sí, it is."

"Well it shouldn't be too many people. It's usually slow the 5 hours we are here. So do not worry about being overwhelmed."

José's brown eyes widened, "Really? It's not a lot of work?"

Katyusha shook her head.

"That is more like it." José grinned before sitting back in his chair and kicking his feet up onto the table.

"Hey now put your feet down! At least look like you're busy." Katyusha tapped his gym shoe clad feet.

José put his feet down and ran a hand through his raven colored hair. "Alright, thanks for the tip Miss Kat."

Katyusha nodded and went back to her stand. José noticed she was selling potatoes, radishes, turnips, yams and ginger. As the day went on more people came to the market and it became quite crowded.

José frowned. He had more work to do. José bagged up tomatoes and handed them to customers until he ran out. He couldn't really pay attention to much else. A certain blond haired man with distinctly green eyes and bushy eyebrows approached José's stand.

"I'm sorry sir we don't have any more tomatoes. I just ran out."

"Oh no, I didn't want anything. I noticed Lovino wasn't running the stand. We usually go out drinking but-"

"Arthur!" José looked over to see Katyusha approaching the stand.

"Kat?" Arthur looked over before being pulled into a hug by the other woman.

"It is good to see you! Do you usually visit the market?" Katyusha said after releasing him.

"Not particularly, I usually go with Lovino to the bar here in Srafbridge. I thought he'd be here but…" Arthur nudged his head in José's direction.

"Why don't we go together? I want to catch up, see how my sweet sister is doing. I've been calling her, but she hasn't returned my calls." Katyusha puffed out her cheeks.

"Oh well yes, she's in jail."

"What?!"

"Well…" Arthur scratched behind his head, "... it's a long story."

She turned to José with a pout, "Sorry your first day was so busy José. I promise it's not usually like this. See you next Saturday!" She waved at him.

José waved back, "It's no big deal Miss Kat. See you later."

Then she turned back to Arthur. "Ok, help me pack up my stand. I want to get it done quickly so we can get to the bar. Don't you dare leave out any details." Katyusha said, turning in the opposite direction, and briskly walking back to her stand.

"Alright." Arthur followed her.

José packed up his stand and that was the last time he saw Katyusha. She didn't keep her promise but of course before Ludwig approached him he didn't think it was a big deal.

The Present

Ludwig flipped his notebook closed, a frown on his face. "Thank you young man." José nodded and Ludwig met back up with Alfred. Alfred had asked around as well but came up with next to nothing.

Arthur had not come to Ludwig or Alfred about being with Katyusha before she was murdered. Ludwig knew that his next step was to approach the man, although they suspected him, and get his retelling of the events.

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Elise had been in her home for almost a week now. She noticed she hadn't seen or heard Arthur leave for work these past few days.

The phone rang but Elise just let it ring and go to her answering machine. It beeped,

"Bonjour Lili! I was just call-" By then Elise scrambled to pick up the phone.

"M-Marianne!" Elise practically screamed over the phone.

"Lili? Is everything alright?"

"Y-yes, please come over. I have something important I want you to deliver."

"Alright Lili, I'll be right over there. Hold on."

Marianne arrived an hour or so later.

Elise crept out of her apartment door and closed it slowly, eyes on the apartment across from her the entire time. When she saw the knob twist she made a run for the stairs. She had a letter containing the picture of the woman she found in Arthur's apartment and a handwritten letter inside.

Marianne looked up from the payphone at hearing the loud thumps of Elise's descent.

"Where is the fire?" Marianne asked, eyebrows furrowed.

"Take this please and put it away, quickly."

Marianne looked confused but did as she said, putting the letter into her purse.

"Are we still going up?"

Elise nodded, "Yes you can come up. Would you like something to drink or some dessert?" Elise's hands were shaking which went unnoticed by Marianne.

Marianne smiled, "Oui, I-" Marianne looked up, "Arthur? What are you doing up there?" Elise turned to see the man at the top of the steps. Elise swallowed a lump in her throat as Arthur descended the steps to where they were in the lobby.

"I live here; I can be wherever I want. I don't have to answer to you." Arthur frowned and crossed his arms.

"You can be wherever you want, but God you almost gave me a heart attack." Marianne said, placing a hand over her heart. Arthur had the beginnings of a mustache on his face and stubble on his chin. "You look like you haven't slept and you haven't shaved." Marianne frowned, "Non, this won't do! I thought you knew basic grooming practices."

Arthur rolled his eyes, "I ran out of razors and haven't gone to pick up anymore."

Marianne walked up to him and felt his cheeks, "It is so strange."

Arthur grabbed her wrists and pried her hands from his face, "Get your greasy mitts off of my face!"

"If anyone is greasy, it's you." Marianne laughed, "Ohonhonhon."

Elise watched the exchange, fidgeting with her hands.

Arthur narrowed his eyes and let her go, "What are you here for anyway Marianne?"

"I came to see my darling Lili. We're heading to her apartment right now." Marianne lightly pushed him aside. Marianne started ascending the stairs.

Arthur made eye contact with Elise. His stare was intense and Elise tried to hold the same in her gaze, although her hands were shaking. She ascended the stairs after Marianne. Arthur stared at her the entire way of her ascent but she did not look back.

Marianne and Elise were sitting on her couch. Elise's hands still shook which Marianne noticed as she sipped her wine.

"Lili what is going on?"

"I-I can't tell you Marianne."

Marianne frowned, "Why is that? I am your girlfriend, you should be able to tell me anything."

Elise shook her head, "I don't want to put your life in danger. I'll be fine after you deliver the letter to Natalia."

"Natalia? Is this about Mathiew's murder?" Elise nodded. "If you found something. Why don't you just go to the police?"

"I can't." Elise said, eyes downcast.

"Isn't Natalia in jail? Why can't I just take this letter to the police?"

"She isn't in jail anymore. Please, it has to go to her. She deserves to know first. I know she'll go to the police."

"Lili whatever this is, the police need it to catch the killer. What if Natalia throws it away because she doesn't like what is on it?"

"She won't! I know she won't. Please Marianne, for me?" Elise looked at her with her big doe eyes and like Arthur she could not resist puppy dog eyes.

"Fine." Marianne said, kissing the top of the other girl's head, "just this once."

Marianne said goodbye to Elise and upon leaving the other woman's apartment she was stopped by Arthur in the lobby. "What did she tell you?" Marianne noticed his eyes were a bit manic. He seemed stressed out.

"Do you really want to know the details?" Then Marianne walked up to him and whispered into his ear, the most sexually perverse thing she could think of.

Arthur grimaced, "You find new ways to disgust me."

Marianne shrugged, "Sex is apart of life. I do not understand why you are so prudish about it. Oh! That reminds me, how are you and Natalia?"

"Why would you want to know about that?! As if I'd tell you!" Arthur's ears were colored pink with blush.

"No you silly goose. Did you cheat on her with her sister or not?"Marianne crossed her arms and pursed her lips.

"No! Of course not! Not everyone gets easily bored with their partners and falls into temptation like you Marianne!"

"I do not! How dare you act all high and mighty when you go through so many girls I can't even keep track of their names!"

"What are you talking about?"

"Oh now your dementia is acting up again." Marianne rolled her eyes, "Before you moved here, it seemed like you were going out with a girl like every week and then it was like she dropped off the planet. I never saw them again."

He blinked,"Haven't you ever heard of changing? I'm not that kind of person anymore!"

"Well I didn't know!" She said before pursing her lips and crossing her arms.

Arthur furrowed his eyebrows and so did Marianne, "Right, well I didn't cheat on Natalia with her sister. Natalia and I are actually engaged."

"Merde! Really? I am shocked." Marianne smiled before adding, "Why would she want to be stuck with you? I don't know."

Arthur pursed his lips, "I guess that's the best I'll get from you."

"I would like an invitation! You know where to send it. If you excuse me, I'll be leaving." Marianne said, walking out the front door with a wave.

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While Natalya and Arthur are at the Morgue in Chapter 4: The Wolf

Elise went back to her apartment and looked across the hall at her neighbor's door. She went into her own apartment and looked for a few bobby pins. Elise's brother Vash showed her how to pick locks and shoot guns. Elise also grabbed a handgun and put it down in her pants. Then she put her shirt over it.

Elise walked across the hall and knocked on her neighbor's door. She didn't hear anything after waiting a few moments. She picked the lock, hearing a click, and opened the door.

Elise closed it behind herself, turned on the lights and walked towards the right. She crept into the man's bedroom. Nothing out of the ordinary besides the large amount of lipstick on his vanity.

Elise inspected a few of them. They were all opened, each at varying stages of use. They were all different brands and colors. Elise picked up one that was stained with old dried blood, mauve in color. Elise slipped it into her pocket. She looked through his drawers and found nothing of note.

Elise crept down the hallway again, and walked into another room, where she found the camera. The room contained a desk with a typewriter, a notepad, and the aforementioned camera. Behind the desk was a small bookcase. A window was adjacent to the door. A paper that was in the typewriter had a few words on it, Chapter 3: Betrayal headed the paper. Arthur had just started the third chapter of a new novel.

Elise looked through the papers scattered on the desk, seeing more drafts of a book he is working on.

Elise looked back at the paper that wasn't finished.

Winston's body was still. Wrinkles were smoothed and his face was peaceful as he took his last breath. Eyelashes were just brushing his cheeks. Mark loosened his hands from around the older man's neck. He had brought the older man peace; he just wished that Linda could see it that way too.

Linda woke up in a pool of blood. She could still feel his hands around her neck. She wondered why he decided to leave her alive.

Elise decided to take the paper from the typewriter and replace it with another.

Elise looked through the room a bit more. A hardcover book by Arthur called Girl With A Smile was what she picked up from the book case. Stuck in a book was a singular polaroid photo of a blonde haired woman with blue eyes and bruises on her neck. Blood stained the right side of her hair just above her forehead.

Elise's hands shook and she dropped the photo. Elise covered her mouth with her hand as she let out a squeak. The woman in the photo had to have been dead, her eyes looked lifeless. She didn't recognize the woman.

Elise was going to look through more books when she heard the sound of the knob twisting. Elise grabbed the picture and went straight for the window. Just as Arthur opened the door to his apartment, Elise had one foot out on the ledge of the window.

Elise crawled through the window of the apartment next to Arthur's. The person who lived in the apartment wasn't home so it was pitch black dark. Elise groped her way to the front door. When she found it, she unlocked it and went to her own apartment.

Closing the door once inside, Elise slid with her back to the door onto the floor.

Elise bit her fingers as tears flowed freely down her cheeks and her breathing was heavily erratic.

"Natalia, what have you done?" She whispered.

A/N: Thank you for reading! Criticism welcome!