Chapter 4

The Red Scare

He couldn't believe it.

Spies, Soviet spies, had infiltrated his country.

It was bad enough that Russia's actions in Europe frightened his people, but this. This was impossible.

This was happening.

Alfred sat in the Oval Office. His boss had gone out to lunch and he needed some time to himself. He told the secretary that, unless the world was ending, not to bother him. How ironic.

He sat in one of the brown leather chairs with his knees pressed to his chest, his head resting snug on top. Texas had been placed on a nearby table, alongside a list of suspected spies. Some names on the list he had recognized as actors from some of his favorite films. The propaganda was everywhere. Cartoons, films, poster, radio, TV – it all showed communists in a negative light (which was very easy to do) and further scared the people. It wasn't just communists anymore. Socialists and Social Democrats were to be feared as well. Anything foreign or un-American was to be feared. These foreign ideologies were the enemy and the fear of a communist invasion became a reoccurring theme in movies, as well as Alfred's nightmares.

Alfred was still sitting in the Oval Office, reading through some of the bills that his boss was about to pass. Even thought it was mid morning, the sky outside said otherwise. Washington D.C was right in the center of a horrible storm. It had been raining for days and there seemed to no end in sight. Thunder echoed throughout the White House and lightning would occasionally brighten the room for a few seconds before dimming back to darkness. The power had gone out no more than thirty minutes and the president had been moved to a save location, just to be careful. No power meant no communication. The secret service didn't want to take any risks.

So the personified America sat alone in the office, thumbing through anything he could find to pass the time before he could go back to listening to the radio. Alfred felt a shiver creep up his spine. He glanced up at the large window before him, thinking it had blown open. When he saw it was still closed, he shrugged and continued to look for something to entertain him.

"Why hello there comrade."

The blonde looked up, feeling the presence of someone behind him. He didn't have to turn around to know who it was. "Ivan…what are you doing here?"

"I cannot pay a visit to a fellow king?" The large Russian didn't move at all.

Neither did the American. "I'm not a king and neither are you. Get out Russia, you're not welcome here."

Ivan pouted to the back of Alfred's head. "It may be true that you are no king, but do not create lies about me, my dear America."

Puzzled, Alfred turned around. He immediately felt something cold being forced against his head.

A gun. His eyes widened.

"What the hell is this Russia?! You dare come to my home to try to kill me? You're even dumber than I thought."

The gun slightly shook against his head as Russia let out a hearty laugh. "Ah, very good America. But you see, I did not come here to try, I came here to do."

Alfred F. Jones glared up at the man who returned the favor. It would be the last time those sky blue eyes would be open as the gun went off.

"AHH!"

The door slammed shut as America was awakened from his hellish nightmare. He had fallen asleep, still with his knees against his chest. He rubbed his eyes and took deep breaths to try to calm himself. His eyes were wet. He looked down at his knees and saw his jeans were slightly darkened.

He had been crying.

He tried to compose himself as quickly as he could before his boss walked over. "Alfred, are you alright? You nearly scared the bejesus out of me when I walked in here."

The blonde rubbed his head sheepishly. "Heh, sorry about that. I had one heck of a nightmare."

"You'll have to tell me later. But right now, I need you to help me look over these bills." The president walked over to the huge oak desk and took a seat. He ushered for Alfred to join him.

The American nodded and sat down before his boss, his mind still trying to put together his dream. It could very well be a premonition of what was to come and that certainly wouldn't help him sleep. He would discuss it with his boss later. Maybe he knew what it all meant. Whatever it was, though, it bothered Alfred throughout the rest of the stormy week.

"You're a fucking communist!" Alfred yelled at the television screen. A movie had just come on that featured one of his favorite actors who was convicted of being a communist.

He angrily shut off the box and went to get a cola. Why was everyone a communist now? Could he not trust anyone anymore?! It seemed the answer to that question was yes.

There had been a few world meetings since this whole 'red scare' this began and America could hardly stay composed through them. Whenever a nation would even mention something that was 'un-American' Alfred would flip. He would call them a traitor and a communist and throw cuss words at them. One meeting in particular would be very hard to erase from memory.

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The meeting was about to begin as all of the nations took their seats. America, as usual, was going to lead the discussion, on what no one could remember. Russia did not sit down, rather, walked right next to the American. Alfred glanced over, hoping his eyes would push him away before his hands did.

"Excuse me everyone, but I have an important announcement I'd like to make." The room fell silent and all eyes were on Russia, scanning for any clues as to what he might say.

Ivan gave his childish smile that only served to piss Alfred off. Everyone knew it was fake, so why did he continue to use it?

"I would like to warn you all that I have successfully created and tested my own atomic bomb." He turned his smile towards the American next to him. "You are no longer alone, comrade."

Alfred felt as if his heart had stopped beating. This was the worse this that could have happened. Not, it was beyond worse. He knew it was a matter of time, but he had always hoped that Russia would never be successful at building a nuclear weapon. His pupils dilated the fear within them hidden by a glare on his glasses.

The room was silent, save for a few gasps. From the corner of his eye, Alfred saw Kiku's face go pale and look to the floor. It was enough to make him sick. Suddenly, Alfred lost it.

"Are you fucking kidding me?! Didn't you see how dangerous they are? Why would you even try to recreate something so deadly?!"

Russia remained cool and collected as he stared down at the angry American. "Shouldn't you be asking yourself that question? Why did your people create it in the first place? My people simply wish to feel safe from your threat."

Alfred resisted the urge to punch him in the jaw by clenching his fist. Nearby, Arthur saw how restless his former colony was becoming. 'Don't do anything stupid Alfred…'

"My threat?! I'm not the one forcing countries to follow my way of government and creating nuclear weapons behind our backs!"

"Are you so sure of that, Alfred? You and I are mirror images," Ivan smirked and placed his large had on the smaller nation's shoulder. "I am you and you are me. The line that divides us is blurring, little one."

That was it.

Before anyone could react, Alfred pulled out a gun that was tucked inside his bomber jacket. Ivan had followed the American's action and also revealed a gun that was hidden on his person.

In less than a second they each had their gun pointed at the other's head.

The world reacted by pointing their own weapons at the pair.

Russia smirked. America smirked.

"Are you two trying to kill us all?! What the hell is wrong with…?" Arthur was cut off by the American.

"This doesn't involve you Arthur! Nor the rest of you!" His eyes never leaving the man's before him.

Violet eyes pierced through blue and blue pierced right back. The Russian chuckled, moving the gun against Alfred's forehead, just like in his dream. "Now do you see, America? Do you see how alike we are? You threaten to kill me just as I threaten to kill you. Imaging the war between us, Alfred. Image the destruction our madness would leave behind."

"ENOUGH!" Alfred forced the gun against the Russian's head as hard as he could. "Your bullshit ends here. If you so much as cough without my knowing, I'll kill you. Do you understand?!"

The other nations still had their weapons aimed at the two men, but still had no intention to fire. They knew that if anyone got between the two, there was a good chance that feuding nations would attack them.

Ivan and Alfred did not attend any meeting afterwards.