May 2022

"Germany and Mexico discuss possible location of next World Meeting," Russia murmured as he read the headline. "To help unite our nations, to help solve our problems, and to promote cultural awareness. Nordic nations in agreement of Mexico City, as is Canada. No word from English or French governments on latest development."

He lowered the paper then folded it neatly, setting it down on his desk. Across from him sat an always nervous Lithuania, and his sisters, Belarus and Ukraine. The elder sister was here in secret. That much, Russia knew. All of her bosses, since she'd gained her independence, refused to allow her any contact with him or with Belarus, citing national interests. He didn't blame them, either. Tensions between his leaders and hers were running high once more. Her people didn't want to go back under Russian rule, not when it had been bloody and violent and left more than half of them starving.

'Not that I want to blame them, even as I do want to blame them and try to,' he mused, folding his hands in front of him and using them as a chin rest. 'I can still be quite cold and . . . mean, if I wish. I just miss having my big sister around. She always knows what to say to cheer me up.' He kept his gaze on Lithuania.

"You lived with America once," he said. "You think Mexico City is good idea? I thought they had bad relations."

"The governments don't be seeing eye to the eye," Lithuania responded. "But then that is the way of governments. America, he would sneak me across the borders to meet the people and to enjoy the food. He and Miguel, sometimes, they would argue . . . but I think America would like Mexico City for next World Meeting. He and Miguel . . ." Lithuania seemed to falter. "Miguel is good kid, he would say, but that was during World War II. After that . . . after that, I am no longer knowing. Life has become complicated much since then."

"Da, it has," Russia confirmed, becoming thoughtful. His gaze went to the fire burning.

"Mexico City could be good," Lithuania said after a moment. "It is nice and warm. The food is good, too. One just has to take precautions with the water . . . or so it used to be . . ."

"Says here that Americans have come across the border to help with Mexico's water problems," Belarus stated. "Maybe water will be safe to drink there . . . should we go."

"I might be going," Russia said. He cast a sideways glance at his baby sister. For once, she wasn't trying to chase after him, begging him to marry her. "You would not?"

"No." She shook her head. "America, if he is to show, he will be loud and obnoxious. As usual. It will be as if nothing has changed."

"And why do you say that?" Russia asked.

"Because we do not change so easily," she said. She sat with her legs crossed and her arms folded over her chest. Her dour expression said more than what words ever could. "We have no reason to change so easily, and certainly someone like America will not. He is still a child, throwing temper tantrum."

"Hrm . . ." Russia closed his eyes . . .

"I found you, little America . . ." he crowed out joyfully. The younger nation glanced at him, a bit startled at first then just shrugged as if he hadn't cared. He ducked into a grocery store.

Russia grinned cruelly then followed him into the store. The weather outside was the usual blusteriness for January, which made sense for America to duck inside to get warm. The hope of getting Russia off his tail, though, was non-existent. Every nation knew when and where other nations were within their lands. That's just how it worked.

'He acts like he does not care I know he's here,' Russia mused, trying to keep from skipping as he entered the grocery store. He paused inside the door, gazing for a familiar jacket . . . wait, America wasn't wearing his usual bomber jacket . . . he was wearing something else . . . but instead found the other nation due to his hair. Not a single Russian possessed golden hair that had a single lock sticking straight into the air.

The register. America was at the register. His grin becoming more malicious, Russia approached, his trusty pipe tucked away inside his jacket.

"Thank you,"America said in perfect Russian, handing over some money then the woman behind the counter slid over a paper bag.

"I found you," Russia whispered, leaning in close, before America could grab the items and duck out.

"And?" America tried to step to one side.

"What do you mean 'and'?" Russia frowned. It was then he noted that the American wasn't tense or ready to fight. Everything about his body screamed relaxed and unafraid. It was something he found he didn't care for in the absolute least. He grabbed the smaller man by the arm and yanked. Hard. In a low hiss, he said, "You are in my country, without my permission, and with no one to protect you. Tell me why I shouldn't kill you right now? Hrm?"

America just rolled his eyes and tried to head for the entrance, his bag in hand. Russia refused to let him.

"I will not tolerate you being here," Russia hissed once more, yanking the American back to him. While America stiffened, just a little, it still wasn't enough for the larger country. "I will not tolerate you ever being here, you American, capitalist pig. I . . ."

He was cut off by an explosion . . . and just a little bit of pain . . .

"Mr. Russia?" Lithuania asked. "Are you okay?"

"Hrm?" Russia blinked lethargically, coming out of his reverie. The Moscow bombings hadn't even been the most painful thing in his story, not with only seven dead and the Armenian resistance crushed with the death of three more.

"You looked like you were having a bad thought or memory," Lithuania said.

"Oh . . ." Russia shrugged. "It is . . . just old memory of bombings . . . long time ago."

"When America showed up and disappeared unannounced?" Lithuania inquired. "I remember you were quite angry that he'd done so, and you didn't find out why."

"No. I never did find out why," Russia confessed. "Forgot about it until now . . . he . . . wasn't scared of me that day . . . he never said word. Just bought something . . ."

"Vodka," Lithuania supplied. "He bought two bottles of vodka."

"And how do you know that?" Belarus demanded in anger.

"Because . . ." and Lithuania exhaled. "Because he told me when he was here that day . . . I was looking for Mr. Russia after the bombs went off . . . I was worried, and I found Mr. America some streets away, covered in bits of shrapnel. He looked so . . . dead-eyed." His face took on a slightly softened and horrified expression. "Something had happened . . . I knew that it had . . . but, when I asked him, he said he just wanted some vodka so he came for it. That was it. He showed me the vodka, said you were still in the store somewhere as the blast hit you the hardest, and that I should go. He didn't want me in anymore trouble than what I could have been."

"Why'd you let him go like that?"

"Because he and America are still friends, little sister," Russia stated. "And I was not nicest back then. To anyone. Not even my . . . favorites. He disappeared over border fast."

"I guess so." Lithuania shrugged. "Mr. America, he stopped talking about his problems long time ago, it seems. If he is sad or lonely, no one knows. No one cares . . ." He lowered his gaze and focused on the fire. "Except for me. I email . . . every day. I hear nothing, but still . . . I try. I refuse to give up. He has always been good friend to me."

Russia stared at his former servant, dumbfounded. He knew that Lithuania and America had been close, but to hear that America didn't say anything about whatever troubled him . . . deeply troubled him . . . and to not have anyone know if you were feeling sad or lonely . . . well, it sounded like the hell Ivan found himself in on more than one occasion.

"This . . . whatever this is with America now . . . it has been brewing long time," he murmured. "Maybe China is right . . . maybe we face war."

"War?" Lithuania snorted and didn't even have the decency to appear appalled by his actions. "No. His leaders, maybe, yes, but America himself? No. No war. War gains nothing for anyone."

"We don't be knowing that . . ."

Russia opened his mouth to agree with Belarus – America had become quite the wild card over the last few decades, his leaders turning into fear-mongers with each passing year – when Lithuania surprised him again. His expression turned into one of great and serious rage, seen only once before but aimed at Prussia. He rose to his feet and slammed his hands on the desk.

"Read the papers, Russia," he snarled. "Which of America's actions speak of war? China refuses to let outsiders in for any reason. He fears any outside influence on his people, so he micromanages to his own detriment. He has to have his papers say Americans win because they have big heads and shoulders rather than working and practicing every single day for Olympics because the idea of Americans actually working hard and earning their wins is . . . is . . . is just too much for any embodiment to imagine. Americans are in countries where they need schools and water, better farming and medical facilities, and they are building those very things! Germany, Kenya, and Mexico, they are seeing space programs much like yours and his being built. Rebellions are being dealt with either peacefully or harshly, but war torn countries are now seeing peace for first time in . . . decades! America and his people, they are doing this, but no one from there is speaking. No one is bragging or being in the face with such things. That is not war, Russia! These are last acts of someone who wishes to be remembered with love and kindness!"

Russia just stared at Lithuania, a part of him hoping to cow the other nation back into submission. The other part of him latched onto those words like a starving man handed even the smallest piece of bread. That kind of loneliness Lithuania described . . . how many hours did it take for America to reach either of his neighbors if he chose to drive instead of fly? Of all the nations, very few knew what it was like to drive for three hours and to not have reached your destination. Russia allowed himself a small smile, involuntarily, when he recalled the recent little spat between Mexico and Spain.

"I just spoke with Mexico," he'd posted to his Facebook account. "He says he, America, and Canada can go for days without seeing each other. Then he gave me NUMBERS. Dios! I cannot believe they can go so long without bumping into each other!"

"Insane, isn't it, chap?" England wrote back. "So glad I don't need to go back there anymore to check on him or the other one."

"Russia?"

"I just think of Spain not knowing how big America's lands are," he said softly. "And how lucky most other nations are to have neighbors so close to them they can see each other every other day if they want."

He couldn't quite keep the hints of bitterness and loneliness out of his voice. In that moment, he understood America far better than he ever wished or wanted. Deep down, he'd known.

He and America had more in common than anyone cared to admit.

"You will be going to World Meeting in Mexico, da?"

"Yes," Lithuania answered. He hesitated for a moment then exhaled. "Norway asked me to be a main speaker."

"Because of me."

"And Prussia . . . and Poland . . ." He exhaled again. "We can all be bullies, Russia. And we can all be victims of bullying. This . . . this isn't just about America but how we speak to each other and treat each other." A soft smile touched Lithuania's features. "You know about Star Trek, yes?"

"Isn't it that stupid science-fiction show of America's?"

"Da, I know about it."

"Did you know there was Russian character in it during the Cold War?" Lithuania inquired.

At that, Russia frowned and sat forward a little. That, in and of itself, sounded unusual and very much unlike America. But then, he'd barely watched any of the series. Most of his bosses called it a stupid American show, so he himself hadn't bothered with it.

"No, I didn't . . . why . . ."

"Because the creator wanted a peaceful world, and he believed it possible. He did things with that show that many people hated at the time. I would not be surprised if many people still hated it for those reasons, but America . . ." Lithuania nodded. "He was proud of that show. He was sad when they canceled it."

"I think you are making that up," Belarus snorted.

"No. I am not." Lithuania shook his head. "We have internet. You can look it up."

Russia was tempted to do just that. The Cold War had been especially heinous on a personal level between him and America. He doubted very much the younger nation would ever enjoy a show that had someone acting as a Russian.

'But then . . . if America wasn't paranoid, he wasn't being taken too seriously,' Russia mused, reaching for his laptop. 'Everything coming from his country was viewed as nonsense, at least by other nations.'

He'd just grabbed his computer when his phone rang. The caller I.D. indicated it was his boss. He glanced at his eldest sister.

"I must go and quickly," she said.

"I'll see you home," Lithuania responded. Before they left, Lithuania added, "I left some of America's favorite things for you in a different study, Russia. It was something he'd asked me to do many years ago but never found the time to do so. I believe it is better late than never at this point."

Then the two were gone. Russia answered his phone.

Author's Notes: If this chapter isn't the greatest, I apologize. It didn't quite get to where I needed it to . . . this was the second worst chapter to write, next to China's. Russia had other ideas from the original concept of an American delegation showing up.

And yes, an American delegation has shown up bearing . . . something.

Anyway, some fun fact time.

In January 1977, three bombs went off in Moscow, killing seven people and injuring dozens more. The bombs were placed in two grocery stores and a subway station. They were blamed on an Armenian resistance group, and three men were executed for the bombings. However, to this day, no one has actually claimed responsibility for the bombings. I discovered this last year when I tried to find out how cold it had gotten in Russia during the 1970s for a novel series I started working on, which will be announced at a later time. I didn't get the temps. I got something more interesting.

Re: Star Trek. Thanks to the internet (a U.S. Air Force creation) and social media, I've heard many complaints about how "woke" Star Trek is mixed with a "since when" attitude. The answer is since it's conception in Gene Roddenberry's mind. If you look at the original cast, you'll see it. Walter Koenig played Pavlov Chekov (my favorite character), who was born in Russia. Nichelle Nichols played Lieutenant Uhura, an educated black woman of rank (she was fourth in line to command the ship), and George Takei who played Sulu. It was Roddenberry's vision for world peace as well as space exploration.

Up next: Two interludes. Chapter Thirteen will be available around February 16th.

Until the next time!