Alfred's return to the White House had been understated, and happened in the dead of night. His assimilation in the following weeks had been equally painless-if only because he almost never showed up for longer than ten minutes at a time.

In fact, Roosevelt hadn't seen the lad very much at all. He suspected that it was for fear of getting a direct order.

'Of course, America would be averse to authority,' the President reflected. 'We were practically built on the idea. But nothing can get done if he keeps running scared!'

So here he was. America had mentioned Thomas Jefferson writing about him, and that the writings were in the White House's library, somewhere. They might have the insight he needed to reach the boy. However he was having trouble finding the damned things in the sizeable collection the White House boasted.

'If people have managed to overlook it for over a century, then it must be in the most unlikely spot,' he told himself, climbing up onto a step stool for what felt like the hundredth time.

Then he saw it. A worn green folder, tucked between two molding books whose titles had worn away long ago. Roosevelt bit back a sigh. 'Or I am simply the first one looking for them since they were initially written.'

The president very carefully pulled the innocuous collection from the shelf, taking it to a nearby reading chair for him to study. He handled the yellowing and brittle parchment with reverence. 'I'm going to have this transcribed, and preserved in the Library of Congress. National artifacts such as this should not be left to deteriorate!'

He settled himself in his seat, and began to read.

In the light of my country finally revealing himself (very dramatically, I might add), I have resolved to take it upon myself to observe, study, and solve the enigma that is Alfred F. Jones's state of being.

Perhaps it is my way of coping with an unlikely reality. I cannot be certain. God forbid Alfred-or America, rather, find out about this. He's terribly private about the whole thing, despite what his boisterously loud personality would have one believe.

The first things to note, of course are his strength and rate of healing. I've yet to personally see him with a truly mortal wound, though I suspect that it would have much the same effect as him stabbing himself in the shoulder did-ruined clothing, and entirely unbroken skin. As for his physical prowess, I do believe he would give Hercules himself pause were they to ever meet in contest.

I cannot help but wonder if this is the same for other 'Nations', as Alfred referred to his kind. And a darker part of me wonders whether these traits could be utilized on the battlefield. Practically, Alfred might be trained to turn the tide of battle in our, and consequently his, favor. Ethically, however…he appears no more than fifteen, physically. Such an idea might as well be a moral taboo with how sick to the stomach my own idea makes me feel.

There, the first passage cut off. Roosevelt replaced the sheet in the folder, closing it thoughtfully. The America depicted here was young, open, and possessing a certain positivity in character that was…absent, anymore. Nowadays he was sullen, distrustful, and perhaps even a little grim in his determination. It was hard to believe that one error in forethought on the part of the founders could lead to such a mess.

'Unless the Restraint Clause isn't the only thing wrong, here.'

Now that he considered it, such a thing would make sense. It'd explain Alfred's as of yet unexplainable behaviors, as well.

'If only I can get this fool of an immortal being to confide in his president!'

Alright, so an extremely short chapter, because I was reading the previous chapter only to discover to my ultimate dismay that it was missing an entire freakin' section. I blame Fanfiction's finicky editing features. So GO BACK AND READ THAT RIGHT NOW TO AVOID CONFUSION.

Aaaaanywho, thanks for the favs, follows, and reviews! I promise I'm working on that ATLAxHetalia crossover chapter right now. I was just seriously upset to find something wrong with my story.

Later dudes. ^J^