This all begins with a man by the name of Francis Bonnefoy. Actually know as, the Frog. I'd always hated him. Believe me, that's the truth. He was the fire to my ice. The sun to my moon. The needle to my vein. Ah, yes… He still plays quite the part in this thing I call a life. I had been waiting in the park for my beloved lady. I always told myself I'd marry her someday… She was such a sweet woman, with eyes the color of a cerulean sky. She was all I ever needed, besides a good book and a cup of tea.

You see, despite being extremely happy… I was a very poor Englishman. My savings were meager, and I'd cut ties with family quite some time ago. I believe right after high school in fact. My job was as a secretary, and I didn't make very much. Money is the doorway to evil, my mother always told me. Of course, she also always told me I was a mistake and deserved the bruises of my father's rage. So most things she said just slid off me like raindrops on glass. Oh, childhood… That's another story altogether. I'll tell it another time.

The gloom of night had set in and a wind with teeth as sharp as razors had left me trembling in gooseflesh. Oh, but she was not late. Believe me, this was the time we always met. She had a brother. A rather violent brother. If he knew I was courting with his dear older sister, oh… There are far worse things than death, Father. "Monsieur Kirkland..." I tensed at the voice. It was laced with the finest of accents and dipped in the sweetest of honeys. It made my stomach churn in disgust. It made bile rise in my ever burning throat.

I believe I was twenty on that fateful day.

"Mr. Bonnefoy..." I practically spat as I turned to face the man. He was dressed in one of his lovely suits. I found the cape rather ridiculous... But he was the rich big wig. Not me. So my opinion was probably like a single ripple in the vastness of blue that made up his eyes. He had the face of an angel... But... I was no fool. Anyone who was stupid enough to find him angelic would be used, abused, and strung along until he had the decency to spring them free. By then they were shells of what they once were. If money was the doorway to evil, then he must've been what lie on the other side. He must've been the devil himself, clad in only the most glamorous of things. He flipped his hair in a flamboyant manner then smiled his award winning smile.

"Do not be so sour, mon ami... I was just taking a walk. I 'ear that you are running quite late on payments... Need a loan?" His eyes glinted in a menacing way. I fought to keep my urge to hurl back. "Not from you, Frog." I stated with disgust. Oh and yes, I'd soon be homeless if I didn't figure something out... But I wasn't going to take a loan from him. Not because I didn't think he was good for it, but because I hated him. "Oh you are so cruel to me..." He pouted like a child not getting his way. He then slipped his hand into his pocket. Slipped out a checkbook and waved it like a dog treat. I was not a dog. I wasn't about to jump.

"I said no." I said simply, crossing my arms and turning to wait for my beloved lady. I was a good man with good values. All his money was probably drenched in the blood and tears of my fellow men, anyhow. I knew a bad idea when I saw it. I had a head with a brain. "...Mm... Think of it as a gift then, mon ami." And with that seductive purr he slid a folded paper into my back pocket. Patted it more than necessary. I would've turned to rip it up in his heavenly face, but he was gone and out of sight before I could get a word in. The slip of paper seemed to weigh more than I could bear.

It was then a voice as sweet as candy and as soft as the very clouds above sang to me. "Arthur!" And suddenly everything was alright. The money issues, the 'gift'. Even not being able to see her often. Yes, she made everything in life so much nicer. Kinder. "...You came." I breathed as she ran into my arms. Her cerulean eyes far more beautiful than Bonnefoy's could ever be. Her lips curved into a soft smile as she clung to me. And I held her, oh God, I held her. She was there and that's all that mattered.

"Katyusha..."

My heart set a flutter just saying her name. I was a man of simple pleasures then. Yes... She was truly wonderful. Who needed a roof when her eyes were the very sky? Who needed a home when her body was the temple of my every desire? Who needed to eat when her lips supplied me with the ever so sweet flavors of baked goods? I could've died happy right there... Holding my lady. "Ah I apologize for taking so long..." She whispered as she rested her face in the crook of my neck. Her breasts pressed against my chest and the buttons of her shirt strained in protest. I could feel her soft breathing against my exposed flesh and already I felt my trousers to be uncomfortable. I contained myself, however. Sex was for the married or the damned, and we were neither.

"It's fine... I'm just happy to see you. What held you though, love?" I whispered, running my fingers lovingly through her short wispy locks of hair. "Well..." She clung to me tighter. Swallowed back sobs. She would have to go soon, I assumed... We didn't have long. Still, I held her to me in silence. Enjoying the beauty of the night and the woman that stood against me. "...M-My brother was helping me pay for the bills and such... He does not understand why the money is draining so quickly. These trips to this part of England are milking my savings dry." She was having the same trouble as I... But unlike me, she had several siblings and a bakery to manage. My dear Katyusha was in over her head...

"Ah... I'll help as best I can." I said without hesitation, playing with a particular unruly strand of her hair. She chuckled a bit and nodded as best she could in our current position. "...Oh, thank you... I will not ask for much though." I shook my head at that, because I had to take care of her. I had to. "No... Let me take care of it, Katyusha." I brought her hand to my lips. Kissed each fingertip. Watched her flush at my actions. And, as I said before... At such times, I forgot my worries. Forgot my name was Arthur Kirkland. Forgot I was pinching pennies and eating week old scones.

She lit like the sun as she looked up at me. Blessed me with her sweet smile. "...Alright." And with that she puckered her lips in a comical manner. I laughed before supplying her with what she silently asked for. Our lips connected and the sparks of our love flew. A fire kindled in my gut and I drew her closer to me. A few of the buttons to her shirt finally gave, and I had to force my eyes shut as we kissed. Temptation is a disgusting thing, Father. Not that I care much these days. Anyhow, we eventually parted. Our breaths swirling and mixing with the chilled air of night.

"...I need quite a lot... I d-do not want to be a burden, Arthur." She whispered, her cheeks tainted pink and her pants that of a dog in heat. I gazed down at her, trying to compose myself. Oh, she could drive a man insane with such a look. I wanted to do things I had no right to even imagine. I cleared my throat, putting on a small smile. "Just tell me the price. Anything for you." Those words sounded so out of place coming from my lips. I was English, not French. The words were of those from a man with a heavy wallet or a smooth tongue. When I was with her, I couldn't help this side of me... "Oh my love... I need three thousand..."

My heart nearly stopped then. I remember thinking something along the lines of, Where in the bloody hell am I going to come into that kind of money?! Or any money for that matter! Yes. I had been struck nearly speechless. "Yes... I can get that for you, love." I murmured as I pressed tender kisses on her forehead. Laugh if you must... But with her looking up at me like that, how could I say no? And when she smiled... God... It was worth it. Every penny. Every dime. I'd sell my soul to see her smile like that. Actually, I have. I will. I did. Anyway, she smiled.

"...You are such a generous man. What did I do to deserve you?" I ran my thumb along her bottom lip as she spoke. Gazed at her with a passion I didn't know I even had. "You baked the most wonderful treat in England." I said simply, to which she just giggled. Yes... We met at her bakery. Love at first sight, they say. Star crossed lovers they say. Foolish children who can't tie their own shoes, they say. I couldn't help but wonder how Ivan had the audacity to tell her she didn't know what love was, when he was younger than her. I suppose he just worried for her safety... but... I found myself hating the man more and more.

"Come. Walk with me, Arthur." She released me from her embrace and I reluctantly did the same as she took my hand to lead me to where ever it was she wished to go. I'd walk through the very pits of hell with her. For her, in this case. "It is like a dream, being here with you..." She murmured softly as we walked aimlessly. We often did this. Whether it was through a park or on the shady streets of London. Whether we went out to eat or simply had dinner beneath the stars. I can remember how I felt to be holding her lovely hand. I felt... Happy.

It wasn't long before we found a nice tree to rest our backs against. To sit beneath. We talked of farms and swapped tales of our childhood. She was my best friend and my lover. My ever so sweet Katyusha. We read each other's palms and told jokes. Spoke of how unbearable time apart from each other was. Kissed. Ah... I wanted her in so many ways. And she wanted me. Allowed me to run my hands beneath her blouse and brush my fingertips over her bra. I allowed her to grasp at the bulge in my pants. And for a moment we lost ourselves in the experimental groping and kissing. Our pants and groans of pleasure the only thing disturbing the whitenoise of night.

I ran my hand up her skirt then placed my trembling fingers on her panties. They were soaked clear through... and it made me want... Well. As I said before, I had no right to imagine such thinks. Surely just thinking about it was a sin all on it's own. So we eventually parted, for this was always an over the clothes type deal. It would be better on our wedding night, I assured myself. And so we helped each other redress. Got the grass stains off her back side, for that would be a dead give away of what had gone on. Her brother was not a fool. It was ridiculous, fearing him... But there was nothing to be done about that.

"I'll call a cab for you." I said after clearing my throat. My cheeks were flushed in embaressment I believe. She only chuckled with a shake of her head, somewhat amused. "Thank you." Her accent thicker from her not being as in much control as she would be if we hadn't fooled around. I walked her to the sidewalk and held her hand as we discussed politics and crumpets. She was not a fan of my cooking, or any English cooking for that matter. I suppose her business would do better in America, since here we all have "tasteless buds". I would get upset with her, but she's far too convincing with those smooth lips of hers...

So we stood there for a while, until it was time for her to leave and head back to Carlisle, a city quite far from my humble abode. I had visited a few times, but I wasn't fond of it. I urged her to move every once in a while... But she merely shook her head and muttered something about her siblings. Well. It was still a part of England, and that was enough for me not to dislike it. I adored my country to death. Call me silly, but even now... I find myself singing the national anthem when I'm suffering from withdrawl.

I watched the cab drive off into the night, taking my sweet Katyusha with it. And my good mood as well. Reality had set back in and I was aware of the heavy weight in my back pocket. The bills. Her bills. What I was going to do for dinner and whether or not I should risk taking a taxi home, for the price was ridiculous. Yes... Reality set in and I felt myself grow sick with all of the responsibility sitting on my shoulders. I had to help her. Had to. She needed me to be there when she fell. I myself was already knee deep in the mud of debt... And what could a man such as I do? Watch his lady suffer as her savings dwindled? Go back to work and hope for the best?

I slid my hand into my pocket. Took out the neatly folded sheet of paper. Took a deep breath. I'm better than this. I don't need this. Oh, you have no idea how many times I repeated that mantra in my head as I unfolded the little slip. My breath caught in my throat when I saw what it was I held. What it was Francis Bonnefoy gave me. And there were no strings... This was a... "Gift". Yes, a gift. I wanted to convince myself off that. I wanted to believe that using that stupid slip of paper would be the answer to all my troubles. The key to the door of happiness.

There in my trembling hand... Was a blank check.

A/N: Wah.. I just wanted to get this chapter over with! I know, I know... You have to have a good foundation for a story... But all I wanted was to get this over with so I could get working on chap 3... I'm not a fan of Ukraine really... Though I do find her amusing. I know the pairing is crackish, dears. And the bloody UK was farrrrr to lovey-dovey with her... But I gotta exaggerate... Makes the story more interesting later on! :D Forgive me for grammar mistakes... I will fix this later on in my endless free time. -Fool