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America awoke probably about an hour after going to bed. At first he was just tiredly confused to why he was woken and attempted to doze off. Only sleep didn't come, so he rolled to his side, then to his stomach, and then flopped on his back. It took about fifteen minutes of this for him to realize he was 'tossing and turning' and that sleep wasn't coming back anytime soon. If anything it was getting farther away as his discomfort grew.

It was unrest.

The realization made him sit up in the bed and his confusion grew. Unrest for what? He didn't know, only a couple hours ago he was thinking how everything should be going great! Throwing off his sheets, America got up and began pacing relentlessly.

When he paused to consider the whole thing he heard the muffled voices from the down the hall. Realization came, it was the colonies. America unleashed a groan and made his way out of his room, wondering what type of fight he was going to have to mediate now. Guess he couldn't really expect the friendliness to last forever.

America reluctantly headed towards the door with the sliver of light coming out from the crack at the bottom. But as he approached he found himself surprised to find no apparent angry tones in the voices coming from behind the door. No, he thought as he stood in front of the shut door, the voices were more annoyed than anything else and didn't seem to actually be directed at each other.

Curious, he decided to listen.

Somone hiccupped and spoke. It was Pennsylvania.

"Still can't believe about those Indian raids," she muttered, "I mean, how could he 've brushed them off like they were nothin'?"

"I know what you mean," Maryland voice said, "It was disgusting."

"I didn't have to deal with any of 'em," Connecticut became audible, "And I still thought they were awful. What still bugs me is how he treated my soldiers!"

"Alfred told me he blames Washington for the whole fiasco," an extremely irritated tone said, "And that's why he refused to promote him to a general. Where he belongs. But that's such a lie I can hardly stand it! We all know he was just waiting for an excuse to fight France again."

America nearly gasped. That was Virginia. He hadn't heard the girl sound so angry since she was at her earliest days. It was startling.

"Seriously, Ginny?" That impressed voice belonged to New Jersey, "I never thought you'd be one to speak bad on England."

"Yeah," Delaware could be heard, "What would England say if he knew his perfect little Virginia was upset with him."

"Piss himself," New York supplied.

At this there was a loud burst of laughter from what had to be a number of the little colonies. America even felt his mouth twitch slightly at the statement. What, it was funny!

"Oh be quiet," Virginia called, but one could hear the smile in her voice.

After a moment all was quiet behind the door. America wondered whether they had detected him outside but then deduced they had simply run out of things to say for the time being. Time to make his entrance, he thought grimly and put his hand on the knob to turn it when-

"Why do we even look up to him anymore?"

America's hand stopped.

"What do you mean Mass," South Carolina asked.

"When I was little," the voice spoke calmly, but there was a sly undercurrent, "I looked up to England like he was God. I almost loved him more than Alfred, you know."

There was a pause and some uneasy chair shuffling was heard.

"And," New Hampshire asked tentatively.

"Well…that illusion has been slowly fading for a long time of course. But you could say it's been shattered now."

America swallowed roughly, waiting for her to carry on. She was speaking with her 'smart' voice, which meant she was going to say something important. He could practically see the colonies looking at each other in confusion, unsure of what their sister meant. Expect for Virginia. Somehow he knew Virginia was gazing solemnly at Massachusetts, an understanding glimmer in her eyes.

"He's not invincible," the girls voice said softly, so soft America almost didn't catch it. "He almost lost this war and I watched it. I watched him struggle, I watched him suffer. I watched him lose."

America's eyes widened as took in Massachusetts words. Good God she was right!

There was a second before Massachusetts went for the kill.

"He needs luck and help just like the rest of us. The mighty England isn't so mighty after all."

America threw open the door.

The colonies looked at him in shock. Except for Massachusetts who looked quite calm, America had a feeling she had known he was outside the door for some time.

America could feel his heart beating rapidly and his eyes flickered rapidly from face to face. Almost all of them, save Massachusetts, were obviously nervous and waiting for him to explode.

But he didn't.

He stepped aside and held the door open. "Bed," he said.

The children exchanged surprised glances and hesitated.

"Now," he said a bit more firmly.

At that they all stood up and filed out of the door, both genders heading to their respective bedrooms.

"Massachusetts," he called and the New Englander stopped. Her brothers and sisters carried on, looking over their shoulder sympathetically from time to time. The girl sighed and turned to face her caretaker, fully expecting a lecture and punishment. Which America knew he should give, but…

"Have you been spending some time at Harvard," he asked randomly.

Massachusetts raised her eyebrows, "Possibly. Why?"

America shrugged, "I noticed you were sounding…educated."

She bristled slightly, "I am educated."

"I know sweetheart, I'm just saying I noticed."

"So...," Massachusetts scuffled her feet, "Are you going to punish me or something?"

He should, but he wasn't. Something strange was telling him to leave this alone for the time being, even if he might regret it. Stupid, confusing intuitions.

"No," America turned and started for his room, "Keep up the good work with Harvard. Virginia and Connecticut are still jealous."

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America was completely and utterly exhausted. And that was putting it lightly. For the past week he had been traveling to all thirteen of the colonies in order to get them home. He was used to going through them (that was what he spent the majority of his time doing, after all) but doing so all at once, with all the kids in a cramped carriage, took its toll.

But finally, finally he was dropping of his last little darling, Georgia.

"Scarlett," he nudged the dozing girl, using her human name, "Scar, honey we're here."

Sighing deeply the pretty little colony opened her eyes slowly. America couldn't help grinning at the sight, despite his fatigue. The kids were so cute.

"The driver already got your luggage inside," America murmured and moved to help her sit up.

"Mmmm, Savannah," Georgia smiled widely as she stretched, "Feels good to finally be home."

Chuckling America opened the door, "Glad to hear it Scarlett. Here let's get you inside."

"No, Alfred," Georgia mumbled, still a little drowsy, "You're tired. I'll let m'self in. No trouble."

"It's no trouble for me either-"

"Stay," the colony said firmly as she shuffled over to the door.

Chuckling again America decided he could comply with her wishes. He pulled the girl close and pressed a kiss on her nose, "Bye Scarly, see you soon."

Georgia wrinkled her nose at the nickname and stuck her tongue out, making America laugh good-naturedly.

"Well," she bit her lip, looking slightly unsure all of a sudden, "I better go."

She leant forward and kissed his check, then raised up and whispered in his ear (so softly he almost didn't catch it) "Bye Daddy."

America's eyes widened and he unconsciously tightened his hold on the colony.

"Georgia," he said slowly, "Did-did you call me Daddy?"

Georgia bit her lip again and looked out the window. "Almost all the other kids I know have parents and I always thought I didn't. 'Cept then I thought of you and, well, you seem to act like all the other kids daddies with taking care of 'me real good and whatnot so I thought…gosh, I dunno. Do you mind, do you not want me to call you that?"

"N-no," America stammered hastily, "No Scarlett I don't mind."

"Honest," Georgia turned to him, looking hopeful.

"Honest."

Wrapping her arms around him tightly he heard her murmur, "I love you Daddy."

"Love you too Georgia," America returned, resting his cheek on top of her head. He hoped she didn't notice the tear the rolled down his cheek and into her hair.

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A/N: Hmm that came rather quickly. This chapter was a bit of a lull but necessary. Hopefully some people liked it anyways. I would like to gratefully (and I mean that!) acknowledge my reviewers Marine is hope2, Bluestrike22, and, SakuraLetters. To Bluestrike22 I'm sorry we didn't get much of Massachusetts plotting in this chapter but at the same time she kinda was…I don't know, anyways we'll see more of her anger and plotting soon :)

Speaking of Massachusetts I know it seems like she's the main character but I swear this won't all be about her. I'm going to give all the colonies their fair share of representation I promise.

About the story: 1- America's confused on how he should be feeling. On one hand he wants to stay loyal to England but on the other he can't help feeling the same emotions his colonies are feeling, and right now they're not extremely thrilled with Iggy. Poor Alfred.

2- I really don't know if Scarlett was a popular name in colonial times. Knowing my luck it probably wasn't but this is one historical error I'm willing to make since that's Georgia's official name in some of my other stories featuring her (most are still in-progress btw). And yes it has to do with Gone With The Wind.

Oh and just so we're clear three of the colonies officially have their introduced human names. Virginia- Ginny, Massachusetts- Abigail, and Georgia- Scarlett. I'd appreciate any ideas you have on names for the others.

Historical Notes-

1- Harvard was the first college in the US. I find that fact pretty cool. The mention of Virginia and Connecticut being jealous is due to the fact they also had colleges at the time, William and Mary and Yale. There were actually a few other colleges at this time (including Princeton) but I just didn't mention them.

2- As far as I can tell Atlanta wasn't founded yet and Savannah was the largest city in Georgia, thus she lives there. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

Well that's all. Thank you for simply reading this chapter and if you'd be extra kind and leave a review I'd happily thank you!

Little-Harlequin