[A/N: I'm sorry if I got Scotland's accent wrong at all in this and future chapters. I struggle a bit to understand Scottish and Irish accents so it's more difficult for me to write them. Anyway, enjoy!]

Chapter 3: The Stranger in Town

One Week Later

Despite his scoffing however, England couldn't quite dismiss France's observation as complete nonsense. After all, there had to be some similarity since Miss Waters could acknowledge the presence of countries like Ava could. But it was ridiculous to think that he would've sought her out for that reason alone. Even more absurd was the idea that they might've been "fated" to meet…

"Hello, Earth to Arthur!"

England jumped with surprise as a hand waved just beyond the end of his nose.

"There you are." Raven pulled her hand back and gave him an encouraging smile. "You've been zoning out a lot lately. Anything wrong?"

"No, nothing. My apologies if I've been worrying you. It's just a puzzle of sorts that is occupying my mind."

"Oh, like one of those 'Escape the Room' games? I love those."

"… Quite."

"Anyway, I was saying that I don't get some of the stuff that you Brits love. Like badgers and hedgehogs - what's up with that? They're on everything!"

"What do you have against badgers and hedgehogs?" England replied defensively. "They're charming creatures."

"I don't have anything against them and I agree they're cute. But why are they everywhere?"

"Well, why do you Americans put bald eagles and aliens on everything in your country?" England snapped, ruffled by her prying.

She blinked and then burst out laughing. "That's a good point! Fair enough."

Raven lifted her mug of beer to her lips and took a couple of gulps. It was an unusual brew, the house craft of the pub where they were having dinner. It had been recommended by England, who knew that this pub made excellent specialty beers each year, the best in all London.

The two of them had gotten together for lunch throughout the week, mostly at various cafés around his office. But England had finally decided that he'd like to have dinner with her at a pub like a pair of mature adults. And when she accepted, he knew there was only one pub he could bring her to in order to show her a proper time.

So far the evening had been lovely. They ate, drank, and talked - not all that different from their café meetings - wandering across all different topics until they had landed on the quirks of their cultures. England didn't usually have people calling attention to his and his citizens' great affection for badgers and hedgehogs so he was a bit touchy about it. But she did make an interesting point…

"I'll be right back." Her voice interrupted his musings and a quick glance at the reduced level of her beer told him what she needed. Predictably she headed in the direction of the loo.

England settled back and let his gaze roam absently around the pub's interior. The lighting was low, setting the mood of the place, and the air was thick with the delicious smells of fried food and flavorful ales. Conversation, glassware clinks, and laughter spiced the air; these were every bit as filling as the food and drink on the tables. This was the golden glow of his culture.

"Where is that damn bastard?!"

The shout silenced every other sound in the place and drew everyone's eyes - quite a feat for a downtown pub. But it wasn't a normal occurrence for this place and it wasn't something that England wanted Raven to experience while she was here with him. Luckily he was the perfect cure for any sod who needed an attitude adjustment. He set down his beer and turned in his seat, waiting for the wanker to come within range.

But the agitator wasn't susceptible to his national aura - in face he was a nation himself!

Even in the muted light his coppery hair stood out like a neon sign. His pale skin was punctuated with freckles and at the moment flushed with rage. Deep forest-green eyes glared from beneath heavy, red brows; ones extremely similar to England's in thickness. His clothes were rugged and plain, and his presence filled the room like a brewing North Sea storm.

England's heart jumped into his throat. It was his northern neighbour and older brother, Scotland; perhaps the one person he would've given anything not to see at this particular moment.

Any hope he had that the tall man was here for someone else was quickly dashed. Their green eyes locked, Scotland's brow furrowed angrily, and he stomped directly towards England's table. England's thoughts immediately switched to damage control: how could he get the other country out of here before Raven returned?

"Ye bloody bastard!" he drawled. "I knew ye were full o' dirty tricks but this is the limit!"

"What in God's name are you doing here?!"

Scotland ignored England's baffled question and continued to rage. "If ye think me an' me citizens will take this lyin' down, ye're a damn fool! I'll give ye a rebellion to make Ireland's look like a wee babe's birthday party!"

He continued bellowing threats and insults at the top of his voice while the entire pub looked on. Another worry began to eclipse England's thoughts of Raven - Scotland was so consumed with fury that he was beginning to let slip hints that the two of them weren't normal humans. In all likelihood most of the people present wouldn't remember them or their argument, but if the wrong sort were there and did remember it could cause him a real headache. Mostly he was concerned that a reporter for one of his newspapers - or worse, his tabloids - was there and would remember. It was something that didn't bear thinking about.

"Enough, shut up!" England roared over his brother. It momentarily distracted Scotland so the shorter country seized the opportunity and leapt up out of his seat. "Outside now."

A fierce grin split Scotland's face. "Heh, so ye finally grew a pair. Fine."

They started to walk through the crowd towards the entrance. As they did so the atmosphere of the pub quickly calmed until it was as if nothing had happened.

They didn't see Raven as she emerged from the area of the restrooms. She spotted them right away, though she didn't recognize the tall redhead. Confused, she wondered why Arthur was leaving and she began following after them.

"Hey, Arthur!" she called but her voice was lost in the general hubbub.

Undeterred she weaved between the milling pub patrons towards the door the two men had exited through. Everyone seemed very cheerful, but she could've sworn that she heard angry shouting a moment ago while she was in the bathroom…

A shout from the counter broke into her reminiscing. "Oy! You'd better take care of your bill before you leave, missy!"

Raven looked around at the bartender in surprise. "Oh, I was just - my friend -"

The bartender wasn't having it. "What nonsense are you talking? Nobody left and you've been here on your own."

"But -" The protest faded on her lips when his expression darkened. She didn't understand what was going on and why he didn't seem to remember Arthur, but this was turning into the sort of confrontation that she didn't do well with. "… How much?"

England led Scotland briskly out the pub door and around the corner into an alleyway. The air and pavement were damp; it'd been raining on and off all evening, just enough to keep everything wet and dripping. Cars passing by on the road cast off misty clouds as their lights reflected in long beams on the asphalt.

The alley smelled worse than usual because of the humidity. However England and Scotland were more focused on one another than on the stench of the rubbish.

After leading his brother far enough into the alley to be away from the eyes of normal humans, England turned around to face him. "Right. Now then -"

Scotland had already rolled his sleeves up; now that England was facing him he raised his fists and got into a ready stance. "Hope ye're ready t'get whupped!"

"Put your bloody fists down! We're in public, you fool!"

"Och, ye're just a coward!"

"That's a damn lie! You're just a drunken barbarian who can't control his temper!"

"That's it, prepare to lose yer teeth 'little brother'!"

Scotland swung his fist at England's face, fully intending to knock him senseless. But the smaller nation, though a gentleman through and through, had his fair share of experience in fistfights. He ducked and countered, landing a glancing blow to Scotland's jaw. The other country retaliated and it quickly devolved into a frantic scuffle.

Eventually they separated and exchanged heated glares instead. The two were mussed and ruffled but only their egos were badly bruised.

"What in the hell were you thinking in there?!" England suddenly demanded. "Do you have any idea what sort of effect an outburst like that could have on so many ordinary humans?!"

"Ordinary humans?! Ye mean English citizens! Well, what about my citizens, eh?! Did ye have a thought for them before pulling this stunt outta yer arse?!"

"What the bloody hell are you talking about?"

"I'm warning you now, 'little brother', if this is another Massacre of Glencoe situation, I swear I will crush your monarchy to dust!"

His words echoed hauntingly in the paved alley and a blast of cold air whipped past them. England was unaffected by his brother's national aura, countering it by calling up his own. And opposite wind, slightly warmer but just as strong, blasted through they alley and the two canceled one another out in a tumultuous mixing. It was another sort of fight, one that only nations could hold.

"Arthur? Where'd you go?"

Immediately and instinctively they both quashed their auras, realizing that any normal human would be driven to madness by the full weight of two countries' power unleashed. The turbulent atmosphere around them calmed and the night returned to its previous damp stillness.

At that moment Raven came around the corner and spotted the two of them. "There you are!" she called. "Why'd you run off like that?"

"Ah, I'm so sorry Miss Waters," England said as he quickly stepped around his brother to approach her. "I needed to step out for some air."

"I wish you'd warned me. The bartender nearly bit my head off when I tried to follow you out."

She said this last with a smile but England immediately sensed the awkward position she'd been put in. "I'm terribly sorry for the misunderstanding! I'll have a word with the barkeep later to settle our bill."

"Well, the bill isn't an issue anymore," she chuckled. "I'm just glad I didn't cause any problems to get the cops called on me. Bobbies? Wait, what are police called in London?"

"Lass, ye should have just told him to f*ck off," Scotland advised sagely. "Tha's the only way t'get respect in a pub."

"D-Don't be absurd!" England spluttered. "Miss Waters would never be so vulgar!"

"Waters, eh?" Scotland pushed past his little brother and approached Raven. "Nice t'meet ye. Call me Iain."

"I'm Raven." She reached out and the two of the exchanged a confident handshake. "Are you a friend of Arthur's?"

"I woulnnae say that…"

"Iain is my older brother," Arthur said, his tone clearly conveying his opinion of his relation. "We don't much get along because of our differing political views. Though now it seems he's finally gone mad."

Iain whirled around on Arthur. "I ain't mad! I know that the missing people are yer doin'! The English government is always tryina cripple the Scottish one, and this is just the newest trick! I come all this way t'get ye t'admit it!"

"And I keep telling you that I have no idea what you're talking about!"

Red flush began creeping back into Iain's face and he made an aggressive move towards Arthur. The Brit reacted as if to defend himself, eyes flashing.

Raven's response was just as fast. She bounded in between them, arms outstretched, palms nearly touching each of their chests. It was enough to get them to stop, though their glowers were hot enough to melt steel.

"People are disappearing… You mean they're missing?" she asked. Concern was clear in her voice. "That's really serious! Are the police investigating?!"

"O'course they are! But there ain't many clues so I decided t'cut out the delay and come t'the source!"

"Shut your damn gob, you sod!" Arthur shouted. "It's no wonder your police can't solve a crime like this if you're so dense to think that I was involved! Do you have any idea how much havoc this is going to raise in Parliament?!"

"Mister Iain, I don't know what you and Arthur's past is like, but I'm sure he didn't have anything to do with missing people," Raven said in her most soothing tone. "We've been having lunch together all week and he hasn't been acting suspicious or anything."

"That donnae prove he's innocent, lass! Ye donnae know how conniving he can be - he can stab ye in the back as he looks ye square in the eyes!"

The accusation hit a nerve with England. Certainly he had his faults but he was honest enough to admit that his brother's charges weren't completely unfounded. He had, in the more cutthroat times of his past, betrayed people and nations without a second thought. That was something he couldn't in good conscience deny.

Of course, Scotland was every bit as guilty of the sin of betrayal as he was. Acting the saint now was laughable.

Raven took no notice of his moment of inner turmoil and continued to debate his brother. "I still don't believe he could have done it! And I'm going to go there and help find those people! That'll clear Arthur's name!"

Talk about a knockout shot to the jaw. Both Scotland and England were dumbfounded by her no-nonsense declaration and for a moment neither could think of a response.

Raven took their silence as approval. "Great! I have some sleuthing experience from high school and a friend of mine could probably be convinced to join too! I'll ask when I see them!"

Smiling happily now that the whole mess between brothers had been resolved, Raven turned to head for the front street. She planned to catch a cab back to her flat so she could prepare for the trip and the intense investigation. She also had to get in touch with her friend to see if he would want to take part. He was brilliant, practically a modern-day Sherlock Holmes, and she had no doubt he could solve it. That is, if he was in the mood to be convinced…

"J-Just a moment, Miss Waters!"

"Oy, wait a tic, lassie!"