I had returned to the States as fast as possible. I had a bloody lot of work but, just this once, I was setting it all aside. From what I understood, Matthew had been unsuccessful in his efforts to rouse the boy from his stupor. I brought some things along with me in order to aid in my attempt. I met Matthew in the atrium, where I soon confirmed the news that I heard.

"Oh Arthur, hey! Glad you could make it back"

"I apologize for not arriving earlier. It's good to see that you are in one piece"

"He hasn't shot me for as long as I've been here, I'm alright"

"Good to hear", I stated, taking off towards Alfred's room.

"Woah woah, you can't just go in there!"

"Come now, I'm sure progress has been made", I opened the door to his room, coming face to face with the barrel of a gun.

"Back out of the room, close the door, and I won't have to shoot you", Alfred said, threatening from the white bed.

"Alright alright, don't be hasty"

I quickly shut the door, seeing Matthew waiting patiently for me out there.

"As I said before, you can't just walk in there"

He proceeded to explain the many measures I must take before entering the room; knocking, staying towards the back wall, speaking softly.

"That's about all the help I can give you now. If you wouldn't mind, could you take his eagle back eventually, I left the arm cover on that chair. I really have to go, but call me if you need something"

"Don't worry, I'll have that git to his normal self in no time"

"I sure hope so. Alright, bye!", he blurted, dashing out the door.

I proceeded to initiate the door opening once more, very slowly, announcing my presence. I did now notice the large predatory bird in his room, which found its way onto my arm in a very alarming fashion.

"Hello Alfred"

"He seems to like you...The bird I mean"

"Ah yes well, I have met him a few times before now"

"And who might you be?"

"Oh...Arthur...Arthur Kirkland, The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland", I stated, extending my hand in customary gesture. He glared at me, causing me to immediately retreat my hand.

"I was just seeing how you were doing, do you need anything?"

My question met with silence as the eagle returned to its master's bedpost.

"I'm doing fine enough, now will you leave"

"I can't just do that. Come now, someone has to see to your recovery-"

"Nothing is wrong with me, now leave!"

He sounded hesitant in his voice, maybe Matthew had done more than he thought.

"Is it, that you miss Matthew?"

He paused for a moment, thinking, pondering my question.

"What is it to you?"

"I was simply wondering if you remembered anything about him"

"Not something I would share with a stranger like you. I don't know who you're working for, why you're doing this"

"Who I'm working for? Oh Al, I assure you I'm not with Russia, I would never dream of it"

"That's what you all say, but you have no proof"

"Proof? I'm one of your closest allies, your brother, I always thought that was proof enough"

He had returned to petting the bird, ignoring what I was saying.

"Can you at least talk to me?"

"I did"

I got word out of him for at least ten minutes the first day, that had to count for something. Matthew was right though, it would take a lot of work to see more substantial progress in this. Days went by, with my visiting every day for a few hours. It entailed a bit of conversation, but mostly silence. I hoped that even just my presence would do something for him. Nothing changed on one front though, I still had not witnessed him eat or sleep once that entire time. I was worried. He couldn't do this to his body forever, he was only getting weaker. Jogging his memory was the only way for it to change. Even if he could just remember a bit about me, about someone, it would help the situation. I always brought items with me to show him, but today I had something that I knew would accomplish something.

"Alfred? I'm here"

I was greeted the usual manner, though his eyes were heavy with sleep deprivation.

"I have another something to show you. I know you'll like this"

I took out a medium sized box, sliding it across the floor over to him, for I could not get near enough to hand it to him. He opened the box, rather with trepidation, but brought out its contents very slowly, with much thought.

"Do you know what that is?"

He heard me, though probably didn't process what I was saying. He was enraptured in what I had given to him. An aviatrix jacket, belonging to someone very special to him. I knew where he kept it in his house, so I decided maybe if I couldn't get through to him, that she could.

"You recognize it?", I repeated my question.

"Amelia..."

"That's very good!", I doubt he was answering me, probably just saying it to himself.

He rubbed the fabric gently, feeling every stitch with his fingers. He embraced it, taking it very near to himself, as he took long deep breaths. I watched him, as he ignored me, but continued on to himself.

"I had nearly forgot about you...I'm so sorry...Please forgive me"

"I doubt she'd hold any of this against you. Or anything in general against you"

"How...How did you know about her?"

"Me? Well, you introduced me to her after all. I knew a bit about her"

"I...introduced you? How can that be..."

"I'm your older brother, why wouldn't you?"

"Right...Of course...", his eyes returned to the jacket, forever envisioning something with it.

"Is there something wrong?"

"No"

There it was, the one syllable answers. It was time for me to go and leave him to his own mind.

"I'll be off then, see you tomorrow", I moved to the door, exiting very slowly, but before I had stepped out I heard something.

"Thank...you..."

I did not wish to jeopardize the progress that I had accomplished that day, so I let him be.