America leaned against the counter in the kitchen, holding a mug of coffee. From outside the room, he could hear all of the loud talking and laughter coming from the dining room. There were so many people in this house. Tonight would be the first night that all of the rooms are full. He had to leave the room because he couldn't bring himself to laugh easily in front of everyone. His mind was too clouded to be able to pretend to be so happy.

"If all of this thinking and worrying would go away when I mur. . .When I become ruler, then it would be better to do it as soon as possible," America mumbled, staring down into the mug. He stirred poured some more sugar into the mug and stirred it slowly, trying to buy more time to think. "If only it could work like a home run with the bases loaded. It would sweep everything up and could potentially keep us ahead in the game. Then we'd have a better chance at winning. If it worked like that then I would gladly put myself in the line of fire."

He took a sip of the coffee and sighed. "But there are so many things that could go wrong. If we were to get caught we could end up in another war. . .and this one just ended. I don't think we can be prepared for another war so soon." He frowned down at his coffee. It had gone cold.

"And Ancient Rome. . .he trusts me. I've been under his rule for as long as I can remember, and ever since I had been able to I had been there to protect him. And since he is in my house, I should be protecting him as much as I could. . .not planning against him."

He took a sip of the coffee, grimaced, and walked over to the sink to pour it out, idly wondering if he should pour himself another cup. Another cup of coffee might make him more nervous than he already was. "And if a war were to start it would be a war of only me and Belarus against all of the countries under Ancient Rome. Maybe even Germania. Even Germania must have a soft spot for him. . .Ancient Rome is a great ruler." He shook his head. "I can't do it." He looked up when he heard someone walk into the kitchen. "Belarus. What's up?"

"He's almost done eating. Why did you leave?" she asked suspiciously.

"We can't do it," he answered. "He just gave us a country. Everyone thinks I'm a hero. I want to enjoy all of this."

"So, what happened?" Belarus asked. "You wrote the letter while you were high? You imagined these psychics and told me about what they said before you realized they weren't real?" She clenched her jaw. "You're just scared! You aren't a hero! You're a coward! That's what I have always thought about you and here you are confirming it!" She could barely cover up her irritation. "So you're always going to live like a coward, then? Always too scared to follow through with the things you want to do?"

"Stop!" America yelled at her. "I am only supposed to do what is proper! I can't call myself a hero if I step beyond those boundaries!"

"Then what were you when you first told me that you wanted to do this? When you gained the ambition to do it that is what made you a hero. And if you gain the ambition to take this one step further then you are that much more of a hero!" she stopped and smiled at him, ready to take a different approach. "You've only gotten nervous because things didn't seem to be right, but I'm telling you that the timing and placement couldn't be more perfect. I miss my brother greatly, but instead of just leaving you and seeking refuge in his country. I have stayed here because by signing the marriage certificate I have sworn to do so. I would not steer you wrong no matter how much I miss my brother because I made a promise to you the same way you have promised me that we would do this!"

He thought hard and realized that he couldn't think of an argument against her logic. The only thing nagging at his mind was, "What if we fail?"

"Fail?" Belarus laughed. "If you truly are a hero then you wouldn't fail. . .Ancient Rome should be getting tired. There's a large time difference between your home and his, and he hasn't had a chance to sleep yet. Those two Roman Soldiers that showed up just before dinner have come because they volunteered to guard him. The trick will be easy. All I have to do is get them so drunk that they won't remember tonight. It'll be easy, Romans love wine. They'll have to sleep it off and they'll leave him unguarded. Whatever we do, we can blame on them."

"And people will just believe that they did it? America asked incredulously.

"Why wouldn't they? They'll have no reason to suspect us. We'll be just as upset as everyone else when we find out he is dead." She turned away from him and walked away from him and walked out of the room, glad that she had finally convinced America.

A/N

Review Questions:
Why does America believe Belarus?
Why do Romans like wine so much?
Are you frustrated knowing the fact that I killed Ancient Rome in my notebook yesterday, but I'm so far behind in uploading that he won't be killed on the site til tomorrow?
Are you aware of how hard it is to change the analogies and comparisons to fit into more recent times?