Dro: Hey, lazies! Don't forget to review this time, please! I was quite perturbed to see such a sharp drop off in reviews over a single chapter. Tsk! Tsk! Don't be getting that lazy on me, especially around exam time while I'm writing at my own risk. Anyway, seriously, read and review.

Chapter Summary: Matt makes a phone call. Alfred makes a rash decision. Matt fails to stop him.

Warnings: Language

Disclaimer: Dro, unfortunately, still does not own APH.

Matthew stretched as he awoke, grunting at the soreness in his muscles. He groaned as he remembered why they were so sore. He lightly touched the stitches on the back of his head. At least they hadn't had to shave his hair off to put them in. He sat up, his body resisting movement, and stared out the window. Paris looked back at him through the window. Matthew had always loved Paris. He often came here whenever he needed a break from life, getting lost among the crowds and splurging on the expensive restaurants. Now he was here for a very different reason, and he was seeing a very different Paris. The city had nearly been burned to the ground at one point, and the reconstruction was slow-going. Only a small portion of what had been the entire city had been rebuilt. The only thing that seemed to be any marker that it had been Paris was the Eiffel Tower, still standing unscathed in the distance.

The Eiffel Tower. Where Alfred was supposed to give himself over to Yao. They didn't have much time left to think of a solution. And Matthew knew very well that if it came down to the wire, Alfred would give himself over to protect his own brother. Matthew was determined not to let that happen. As if on cue, Alfred burst back into the room with breakfast. He was deceptively happy in demeanor, and Matthew could see right through the act. He'd seen his Alfred try to pull this very trick many times in the past. He slipped out of bed and looked around for his suitcase.

While his back was turned to Alfred, he let himself contemplate just what their feelings were for one another. Of course, neither of them had actually spoken about their relationship before, not while Alfred was now with his own Arthur. Matthew knew better than that. He didn't want to hurt Alfred, and he certainly didn't want to damage the man's relationship with Arthur. Matthew may have felt some resentment toward the British man, but he still loved him and he would never purposefully ruin his relationship with Alfred. Purposefully. Because that certainly didn't mean that something couldn't happen that tore the two apart and just happened to be partially his fault.

It was hard to be around this Alfred. As the seconds ticked by, Matthew was sure he could feel the increasing tension in the room. He sat down to eat at the table in the corner with Alfred, both men refusing to look one another in the face. Alfred seemed to have finally gotten some rest, and though he still looked moderately tired, the overwhelming fatigue that had been hanging over his head seemed to have dissipated. It was a silent, awkward breakfast. Alfred didn't seem to know what to say. Matthew couldn't even think clearly. He almost wished that the action would pick back up, as dangerous as that was. He didn't want to be faced with the relationship he could never rekindle or the man he loved more than anything that he just couldn't have.

"So, what's our plan?" Alfred stared out the window.

Matthew quietly chewed his food, trying to appear contemplative. "I…I think we should wait for my Alfred. He was heading to London last time I checked. You said you left a message, right?" He tried to remembered. The past twenty-four hours were blurry in his head.

Alfred nodded solemnly. "Yeah, though I'm not sure if he can figure it out or not. I wrote it in a code that Arthur and I created a while ago. I'm hoping the two pairs of us are similar enough that we have that in common. It was a risk, but it would've been a bigger risk if I had left it to be easily deciphered by Yao's guys."

Matthew silently agreed, feeling a pang of jealousy. He tried to suppress it. "Which means either Alfred is heading over here right now, or he's completely lost and confused."

"Yeah. Pretty much. We might be on our own here." He ran a hand through his hair. "If only I had more time. But the deadline is fast approaching, and I don't think we're going to be able to get the entire group together in time, much less create a decent plan."

"Well, you're certainly not giving yourself up, Alfred."

Alfred's eyes finally met his own. "If that's the only way to save my brother, then I'll do it in a heart beat. And you won't stop me." The burning determined fire in his blue irises spoke volumes more than his assurance.

Matthew shook his head. "How can I possibly let you do that, Alfred? Especially knowing what will happen to you."

"Well, that's just it. We don't know. I have no clue what Yao is planning. All I know is he wants me for a 'ritual' of some kind. That could be anything."

"True." Matthew picked at the remains of his food. "But in all likelihood, it's something that will cost you your life, or else Yao wouldn't have gone to such extremes. I think we can safely say that if you give yourself up, you won't be coming back."

"I know that." He leaned back in chair, eyes fixed on the window. Matthew could guess exactly what he was looking at.

"Please don't get any rash ideas, Alfred."

Alfred didn't respond.

"At least let me try to get in touch with my Alfred, first. Did you pick up my mobile?"

Alfred shook his head. "Sorry, there wasn't time."

"Great." He frowned. "I can try the hotel phone though."

"I don't know if that's a good idea. Yao's men might be tracking the other me. Or they could have followed us here. I don't want to risk our conversations being listened to."

"Well, I'm certainly going to call him. He probably thinks I'm dead."

Alfred eyed him, annoyed. "Fine. Go ahead. Just listen for any signs of the line being tapped."

"I know. You're not the only one with experience in that field, Alfred."

"Don't I know it?" Alfred smiled wryly.

Matthew rose from the table and headed out the door, buttoning up his shirt along the way. When he got downstairs and managed to wrangle the phone away from a stingy employee, he tucked himself into a corner of the lobby and dialed Alfred's number, praying his brother would pick up. He did.

"Hello?" Alfred's voice was cold and wary.

"Al, it's me."

"Matt?" He sounded panicked. "Where are you? Are you okay?"

"I'm fine, Al. Calm down. I'm in Paris with the other you."

"Oh, thank God, Matt. I seriously thought Yao had you."

"Where are you now?"

"About to land. We're in France. Where are you? What hotel?"

Matthew found something odd about one of those remarks. "Wait, what do you mean 'we'?"

He was silently for several seconds. "I have the other Arthur with me."

"Come again?"

"Yeah, he appeared on my jet, believe it or not. You should probably go tell the other me that his Arthur is okay."

"Yeah, I'll do that." He felt a weight lift from his shoulders. This would tremendously relieve Alfred, and maybe the man would relax enough to get the notion of sacrificing himself out of his head. At least for the next day. When both Alfreds, the other Arthur, and himself were together, they could come up with a proper plan.

"Are you sure you're all right, Matt?"

"I'm fine, Al. A few scrapes and bruises. Nothing major." He decided it would be best not to mention the stitches. "Hopefully, we've managed to evade Yao's men. At least for now. They're probably crawling all over Paris, waiting for Alfred—the other one—to appear."

"Yeah, well, don't let him. We'll think of a plan."

"I know we will."

"Just…just stay safe, Matt. We'll be there soon."

"Okay." He told them the name of the hotel. "We up on the second floor. Room 212."

"Got it. See you soon, Matt."

"You too."

"…Bye." Alfred sounded pained.

"It's okay, Al. I'm okay. Everything's going to be okay. We'll be waiting for you right in the room."

Alfred sighed into the received. "I know, Matt. I just…I just feel like it's happening all over again. I fought so hard to end the fucking war, and now everything's crumbling around me again."

"This won't be like last time, Al. I promise."

"I can only hope."

"Bye, Al."

"Bye, Matt."

He pushed the end call button and sighed to himself, looking back up into the lobby to find the stingy employee glaring at him again, motioning for him to return the phone. He put it back on the receiver slightly too hard and headed back up the stairs. He stomped back down the hallway, simultaneously relieved and frustrated. When he made it to the room, he found the door hanging slightly open. He paused. Had he left it that way? He could have sworn he closed it. Maybe Alfred had opened it?

His nerves got the best of him before he could finish rationalizing, and he pushed open the door violently, causing it to slam into the wall. Alfred wasn't in the room. But a letter was. The white paper was crumpled, laying on the floor as if it had been tossed carelessly there. Matthew crouched down and picked it up, his pulse accelerating with each word.

I've changed my ultimatum.

You have until Noon today.

- Wang Yao

Matthew's eyes snapped to the clock. It was 11:30. "No…No. No. No." How had they gotten past him? He'd been standing in the lobby the entire time. And yet…he'd never seen anyone remotely suspicious pass by him. So how had they gotten in? How had they…He had to go. He had to go now. He had to stop Alfred. Damn it. Damn everything.

He was in a cab before a full minute had even passed by. He told the man to hurry, that it was an emergency, but the traffic was miserable, and Matthew was sure he would never make it in time. And if he made it to the Tower too late…He didn't even want to think about it. He couldn't lose track of Alfred. They'd never find him again. Yao's surrender location was the only lead they had to track Yao. If Alfred left with Yao's men, they would lose Yao's trail almost immediately. And then what? Without any idea of where Yao was based, they'd be helpless to stop him from…from killing Alfred.

By the time he was out of the cab, throwing the man money like he was wild and insane, it was already five minutes from twelve. He was running out of time. Alfred, please…please stall. Please. Don't let them take you. Whatever you do. I can't just let you…I can't just let them…

Please, Alfred. I love you.

Alfred stood underneath the massive metal structure, staring straight up. He could feel Yao's henchmen staring at him, but he didn't see the need in going to them. They would come to him, he was sure, when the time was right. When he'd seen the letter that had been unceremoniously slipped under the door, he'd nearly had a heart attack. Any inkling he had of forming a plan had been thrown out the window, and he'd been forced to make a split second decision. He no longer had any sort of choice. It was surrender now or let his Matt die.

The men walked closer to him, and he turned to face them as they stopped a few feet away. They were dressed in black business suits, staring at him with deceptive smiles. "Mr. America," one of them said, "we are here to escort to Lord Yao." Alfred nodded silently. The two men ushered him along, heading toward the nearest street, where Alfred assumed there was a vehicle waiting. Just as they neared a sleek, black car, a loud shout sounded off behind him.

Alfred whipped around to see Matt running toward them, frantic and terrified. One of the men pulled out a pistol, and Alfred knocked it out of his hand. "I'll deal with him. Don't you even fucking think of hurting him." He warned. The men backed off. Alfred walked toward the rushing Matt and caught him in a rough embrace.

"Alfred, you can't!" Matthew whispered in his ear, panicked.

"I have to, Matt. My Mattie is at stake, and I can't let anything happen to him. I don't have a choice. You just need to stay here, okay? And explain to…to Arthur and the other me when they get here." He spoke into Matt's shoulder.

"Explain what? That I let you give yourself up? That I let you walk into a death trap?"

"You didn't let me do anything, Matt. I'm doing this with or without your approval. Make sure they know that."

"Al, I can't let you go." He clung tighter. "Let me come with you."

"No. I can't do that, Matt. You need to stay here and be safe." He forced Matthew out of the hug and cupped the boy's cheeks. They were flushed from exhaustion. His eyes were wet with unshed tears. "For me, Matt. Please, do it for me." Alfred knew he would regret what he was about to do, but he needed to pacify Matt before he got himself hurt. He couldn't have the suffering of two Matts on his shoulders. He just couldn't. He pulled Matt forward and pressed their lips together. Matt went completely rigid for several seconds, but then it was like a damn broke, and he flung himself on Alfred, deepening the kiss. Alfred's arms encircled Matt's waist and pulled the younger man against him.

This was wrong, and they both knew it. But neither of them stopped. Alfred kissed him with all the pent up passion he'd been suppressing for the last few years, grazing Matt's tongue with his own. Then it was over. Alfred leaned back in to press a quick peck against Matt's now flushed lips, and then he turned away without another word. Matt stood there motionlessly, his hand now covering his mouth, his eyes now shedding their tears. But he didn't say anything else, didn't try to stop Alfred anymore. That kiss had said everything the two of them could possibly say to one another.

One of the men opened the door of the black car, and Alfred silently slipped inside. Yao sat on the other side, legs crossed, posture perfect. He had an amused smile on his face. Alfred said nothing to him at first, and he didn't dare look back out the window, where he knew Matthew was about to break down. That had hurt in a thousand ways. Not only had he admitted to himself what he'd been trying to deny for years—that he still did love this Matt—but he had also used their attachment against Matt in order to manipulate his actions. He knew he would regret that for the rest of the life. However, if Yao had his way, that might not have been much longer.

The moment they started to drive away, reality seemed to slam back into him full force. Yao finally started talking. "I'm glad you decided to comply, Alfred. I truly didn't want to hurt your brother. You've made things a lot easier on everyone." He paused, then grinned. "Well, maybe not everyone. I had heard rumors of your affair with my world's Matthew, but I didn't know they were true to this extent. Tell me—or not, I'm just curious—does this affair extend to your own Matthew?"

Alfred bristled like a cat. "No. It doesn't." He pushed away the nagging image of himself kissing his brother in the bathroom after he'd returned home.

"I see." Yao said slyly. Alfred knew Yao had just seen right through him, and he'd never wanted to punch the man square in the jaw more than he did now. But his thoughts were derailed when Yao suddenly changed the subject. "Well then, I'm sure you're very curious to know why I need you here."

And then Yao told him everything.

Dro: And everything just falls apart. Along with the plot thickening, of course.

Next Chapter: The two Italies and Germany find themselves in a German town. Parallel! Italy and Germany discuss their plan of action. Meanwhile, Alfred finds himself in Yao's base, preparing himself for his inevitable end. A tearful reunion with his brother doesn't help. Also, someone we haven't seen for a while comes back into the picture.