When I got Rome, there were quite a few policemen outside, inspecting a two wrecked cars that collided into one another. I knew something as miniscule as a car crash couldn't kill a nation, but still. I had to make sure the idiot was okay, didn't I? I sped-walked up to a cop, making sure not to draw attention to myself.

"Um, was anyone hurt in this?" I asked as he turned to me.

He took off his cap and nervously ran a hand through his brown hair. "Not that I know of. There wasn't anyone here other than the drivers when I got here."

I eyed a bit of blood on the ground.

"And cars bleed?" I put my hands on my hips definitely.

"Well, that's from a passenger," the cop explained. "She had a broken arm and minor cuts, so…"

I stared at him for a few seconds but continued searching for Romano. I felt a tap on my shoulder and I spun around on my heels.

"Don...Don't go so fast," Italy gasped. "I had to run to you after running to the meeting. I'm tired."

"Did you actually see Romano get hurt?" I interrogated.

"Yeah," Italy answered. "He ran off, though. He couldn't have gone far."

Our line of sight caught a trail of red on the ground. We took half a second to look at each other and then bolted off, following the trail.

"Ugh, there he is," I groaned. He was sitting cross-legged in the corner of a very small alley. I stomped through and he turned his head away when he saw me.

"What do you want?" he asked curtly.

I karate chopped his head.

"Ow!" He finally looked at me. "What the-"

"Idiot," I growled. "Did you seriously take a head-on collision with a car and then run off and hide back here?!"

He shrugged. "I'll live."

"C'mon, let's go." I grabbed his arm and attempted to yank him up to his feet.

He let out a small shout and pulled his arm back. "What is wrong with you?!"

I knelt down beside him and studied him. Bleeding from his head: check. Broken arm: maybe. Being a jerk about it: heck yeah.

"Don't be such a baby," I scoffed, taking his opposite arm and help him up more gently this time. Italy (who was being so quiet I almost forgot he was there) feigned interest in his shoes and ignored me and his brother.

"Be gentle," Romano growled.

"I'm trying! Can you walk okay?"

"Yeah. So let go!"

I released his arm and sighed. He never learned, did he? I heard cops bustling and shouting in the street.

"Female, fifteen years-"

"Scout-"

"Scout?" I repeated, not even bothering to listen for a last name. "Do people name their kids 'Scout' here?"

"Never heard that name before," Italy finally said.

"Huh," I grunted. "I had a friend named Scout."

Italy didn't have to think twice about going into the street and taking a look about the girl on the stretcher. He spoke to the girl, who I couldn't really make out, and walked back over to me.

"She knows you," he told me.

"Scout...Harris?" I asked.

"Yeah, that's her name," he answered. "Born and raised in New Jersey. Homeless beggar, she said she was."

"Scout!" I shrieked. I rushed out of the alleyway, leaving the brothers forgotten. "Scout, it's Bella!"

She struggled to sit up, her frizzy brown highlighted curls falling around her face. "Bell!"

I hugged her tightly and the police blinked in confusion. "I haven't seen you since you were a kid!"

"Same here," she laughed. She held me at arms length by my shoulders. "So what're you doin' here?"

"I have no idea!" I giggled. "And you?"

"No clue!" She rested her chin in her hands. "Man, one second I'm sitting on a random porch step and the next I'm layin' next to some guy."

"Omigosh, me too! Wasn't a country, was it?"

"Yup, sure was," Scout replied. "If I remember right, his name was...Austria."

"Oh, man, Austria?!" I couldn't help but laugh again. "I got the Italy brothers, but I consider myself lucky now!"

"Um, excuse me, miss?" a cop interrupted. "I'm afraid we'll have to take her to the hospital now."

"Oh," I sighed. "Um, I'll go get you when they say it's okay to let you out, okay?"

"Sure thing," Scout grinned and her green eyes seemed to brighten. I waved sadly as they carried her away.

"Who was that?" Italy asked, appearing out of nowhere.

"Scout," I answered. "She was my best friend when we were kids. She was abandoned so I sorta took her under my wing. Now, about you."

Romano flinched when I glared at him.

"You we have to deal with." I grabbed his good arm and dragged him away.

*We started reading "To Kill a Mockingbird" today. Most people hate reading books, but I don't mind. I actually really liked the name "Scout" so that's where our new character comes from.

Romano: Is she gonna be as bad as Bella?

Scout: I'm gonna be worse than Bells.

Romano: -.-' Great.

Holy Rome: *whirs chain saw* Still here.

Romano: Kill me.

Holy Rome: Gladly.

Italy: *walks in* Hi! :D

Holy Rome: 0_0*