The Presidency thus far wasn't proving to be the unstoppable engine for positive influence that Theodore Roosevelt had wanted it to be. He'd thought it was simply McKinley's faith in his party and loyalty his patrons, but no. That wasn't the case at all.

The Congress was in such a dominating position over the Executive Branch that Roosevelt had to tread carefully with his initial decisions to stay in favor with the Republicans. The Supreme Court was too wrapped up in property rights to be of use to anyone, right now.

But he was not here to meekly bow to the whims of Senator Hanna and his barons. He was here to govern.

To do so he was going to have to do something McKinley wouldn't have dared to do. He was going to reestablish his branch as an equal to the other two, and be the president his country needed.

Sticking his head past the door of his office one day, he loudly directed, "Someone get me Alfred!"

He very much disliked shouting. But it was by far the most effective way to get things done when time was of the essence.

In a matter of minutes, the western Nation was standing in his office with a carefully balanced stance that did nothing to belie his awkward expression. He was still not used to being here. "You wished to see me?" Belatedly he added, "Sir?"

"I was hoping you could take a look at this," Roosevelt said, holding out the list he spent two days compiling.

America took it hesitantly, scanning the names and titles next to them. "…William D. Crum as collector for the port in Charleston?"

"Yes." The president caught the slightest note of displeasure in his voice, and latched onto it like a hunting hound on a scent. "Is there a problem with that?"

"Ye-…no…I mean-…" America set the list down on the desk, and rubbed his temples. "My head hurts."

"He's perfectly eligible," Roosevelt pressed. "A decent man-his ancestry should have no bearing on it."

America's gaze snapped up to meet his. "You did this on purpose."

"I cannot treat mere color as a permanent bar to holding office," Roosevelt intoned patiently, "any more than I could so treat creed or birthplace."

"I-I know," the blond managed, voice wavering suddenly. "I know, and it shouldn't…shouldn't be like this. But I can already feel Dixie seething. You're going to lose a lot of southern supporters over this." He shook slightly, showing a weakness that Roosevelt had neither expected nor wished to ever see. "Just like before-" he choked out.

"Lad…" Just as he said this, Roosevelt recalled that this wasn't a lad. That this was a being older than even the pilgrims, and had lived through everything this country experienced.

Like the Civil War.

"I don't want my children to hurt each other, anymore," blue irises were dark, and haunted. "I feel their pain, and hear screaming at night. It's like my mind is being split in three."

Roosevelt sensed that America wasn't really speaking to him, anymore. In fact, he didn't even seem aware of his surroundings as awful memories replayed behind his eyelids. Then the Nation began to hyperventilate.

Theodore Roosevelt cursed himself for his insensitivity, quickly helping America into a chair before he could collapse, or hurt himself. He took the blond's trembling hands, rubbing them in the same way his own father had when he was a small child plagued with terrible asthma.

"You're alright, m'boy. It's in the past. Do you understand? Things will never escalate like that ever again." Roosevelt continued muttering assurances, unsure of whether they were even doing any good. All he knew was that he wanted this to stop.

America suddenly gripped his shoulders, face pale and frantic. "It hurts, Mister Lincoln. It hurts so much."

"Alfred," the president began firmly. "Lincoln is gone. The war is long over."

The Nation stared into his face, unnervingly still. Then he blinked, recognition flashing across his eyes. He breathed, and slowly released his iron grip. "Sorry. That was just-…uh…sorry. Usually doesn't happen." Right now, as he was struggling to pull himself together again, America was about as close to a bashful and unsure teenager as he ever had been.

'But it shouldn't be this way. This shouldn't be what brings your walls down!'

It was as though his very soul was crying out against the injustice of it all. Instead of making this known, however, Roosevelt only sighed and stepped away to offer some space. ""You've seen more than even the most seasoned soldiers. No one could reasonably expect you to go through it all and come out unscathed. Stronger, perhaps, but not desensitized."

America said nothing.

Roosevelt cast a glance to the list of prospective government officials. "I had no idea the people were still so…"

Divided.

But he didn't say this, either. He didn't know what the effect would be on the still clearly fragile Nation, and wasn't keen to find out.

Finally, America spoke. His voice was quit, but held determination. "I think Crum would be good in that office."

Roosevelt felt his eyebrows climb up his forehead. "Do you, now?"

"I do. "America nearly smiled. "It's good that you're doing this."

"It's far from the social reform that you clearly need," Roosevelt reiterated, however with a slight smile of his own. "But it is a step in the right direction. It is my hope that someday, with work, we can all agree on that much."

Oh the angst! Oh, the delicious, soul-devouring angst that I'm putting them all through!

HISTORY TIIIIIIME!

Most of you are at least somewhat familiar with the Civil War, I'm assuming. They're plenty of fics about it depicting how traumatizing it all was for poor Alfred. SO, he's probably not over it. Might not ever get completely over it. So when Roosevelt began taking counsel with and appointing people REGARDLESS of their color, creed, etcetera (*cough cough*, Booker T. Washington), many Southern Republicans (you know, Jim Crow-type people) were Not Happy. They were also very vocal in their opinions. America would have felt this.

(It's rather interesting to see how Roosevelt would later contradict himself with that scandal concerning the black soldiers of the Twenty-Fifth Infantry posted near Fort Brown, but that is beside the point.)

AAAAAAAAAnnnnnywho, thank you all for the favs, follows, and reviews as always. Don't be afraid to tell me how I'm doing because that's all part of the fun.

Later dudes. ^J^