After Gilbert left Canada's house he headed for the airport, pondering over the new knowledge of Matthew's fate. Maybe it was for the best. Its not like he could have just shown up on the man's doorstep after all these years and expected him to accept his friendship or whatever. At least this way Gilbert wouldn't embarrass himself in front of the other. He glances down at the maple syrup and pancake mix on the passenger seat beside him. It brought to mind memories of the blonde Canadian that gave them to him. She was cute, almost too cute and he knew she was nice, practically the only person that came to visit the Soviets during their incarceration. Maybe they could be friends.

Or maybe Gilbert had a crush on both Canadians that wouldn't leave his head, only one of which was practical and neither of which he stood a chance with.

Gilbert pulls into a parking space at the car rental place near the airport and rests his head on the steering wheel. This was too much for him. Did he only like Canada because she reminded him of Matthew or was it because of who she was. If Gilbert was to be completely honest with himself he would have to say he hardly knew either of them well enough to be this torn up over them.

To hell with it, he would just go with the flow on this and see where it led him.

So over the next several years Gilbert found himself visiting Canada quite frequently after that. His initial reason for visiting her was to get more maple syrup and pancake mix, but he always stayed for pancakes made by Canada herself. His excuse was that hers were just better even if the same things were always going in. He joked once that it may have been the bagged milk. Then one day he was over begging more pancakes off of her when she sighed and told him they would have to wait till after her hockey game.

"You play hockey?"

She blushes prettily before shaking her head. "No, I just like to watch. I go and support the teams every now and then and I was planning to go today."

"Oh." Gilbert had looked down dejectedly, he had really been wanting to spend some time with the Canadian.

"You know I can get you a ticket, if you want to come with me that is."

Gilbert's head had shot up faster than you could blink before grabbing Canada's hand and dragging her over to her car.

"Awesome, sounds like fun."

That first hockey game with Canada had been a real eye opener. She hadn't held back. She was up on her feet and screaming all the while. Shaking her fist and nearly punching Gilbert's eye out. But her team had won so on their way to her car she was ecstatic.

"That was amazing."

"Yeah, you got pretty into it back there. Maybe I should come to these things more often."

She shot him a winning smile, her cheeks flushed from the excitement of the evening.

"That sounds great. I'll let you know when the next game is." She then paused for a moment before pulling out a pen and piece of paper, "You should probably give me your number so I can call you for the next game."

"Sure." He then took the paper and pen and jotted down his number. As he was handing the paper back to her he was struck by an idea. The two were still on nation names with each other and Gilbert felt it was about time that they took this friendship a step farther. "By the way feel free to call me Gilbert."

Canada had then blushed slightly before ducking her head and answering his unasked question. "Matilda. You can call me Matilda."

After that things fell into something of a routine between the two. Gilbert would come over at least once a week for pancakes and hockey. When meetings rolled around the two would sit together during breaks and chat. It was at one of the meetings that Gilbert was approached by America. Matilda had just gotten up to go to a meeting for the Commonwelath and left Gilbert behind when America came up to him with a scowl on his face.

"Prussia."

"Yo America, how are things going?"

"Good I guess. But I was kind of curious about why you're talking to my sister so much."

Gilbert had to stop himself from lashing out at the obvious distrust in the American's tone.

"What, we can't be friends?"

America narrowed his eyes at the albino. "I don't know can you?"

That was all Gilbert could take of the American's attitude. It was like he was accusing him of trying to hurt the Canadian. Just thinking that America thought he could hurt Matilda made his blood boil.

"What the hell is your problem? We're just hanging out and talking. Its not like I'm trying to molest her or anything. Scheisse! She's my friend, I could never hurt her or let anyone else hurt her."

America continued to glare at the albino. "My problem is that she's been tricked before. It hasn't been that long since you were Soviet and given that you came out of it so well I'm guessing you and Russia were in on things together." America leans in his face inches from Gilbert's. "And if you think I'm going to sit back as you try and take advantage of her the same way that Commie bastard did then you have another thing coming."

Gilbert was shocked. Russia had done what? Gilbert backs down from the American, his bangs covering his eyes in deep shadows and his fist clenching tightly at his sides. In a low deadly voice America just made out what he said. "I'll kill him. How dare he! That's why she stopped coming by. That fucker is going to die."

America had been a bit surprised at first he thought Gilbert had been angry at him from ruining his plans. But he was pissed at Russia. Maybe he wasn't such a bad guy after all.

"Hey calm down. Its not like he got anywhere. Just got a bit grabby before I found out and she stopped going over to his place."

This seemed to calm Gilbert down a bit and America let out a sigh.

"Sorry. Its just, you weren't there. It was hell, absolute hell, living with Russia. Matilda was the one ray of light, of hope, that we all had."

"Dude, that's harsh. I guess that's what she was talking about after we chased Russia off that day."

"Yeah well I can't blame you for thinking the worst of me." Gilbert smirks, "After all if I had a cute little sister like that I'd be all over any guy that got to close to her myself."

After that the two had a bit more bonding and when Matilda came back from her meeting she was met by the sight of the two laughing good-naturedly together.

Over time Gilbert felt himself growing even fonder of the Canadian. He began taking longer trips to visit her. Sometimes staying for a full week at a time. Eventually he just gave into the urge and started flirting with Matilda to see how she reacted. When he got a blushing and stuttering Canadian he took it as a positive sign and continued. It all came to a head when one night the two were watching a hockey game at Matilda's home. The two were sitting on the couch when the end of game buzzer went off. The two jumped to their feet in raucous cheers since their team had won. In the heat of the moment Gilbert had taken hold of Matilda and kissed her. It wasn't a deep kiss, lips stayed closed, but it was more than a friendly peck. Both felt a spark at the touch of lips and before either realized it they had gone for a second, more heated kiss.

Gilbert was in heaven. Her lips were so soft and she tasted so good. Gilbert wanted more at that point and his hands began to wander from her shoulders down her back and began to make their way to her ass with plans to pull her flush against him. It was in the moment before he did that that Matilda pulled away from him completely. She forced his hands from her and stepped back, a hand going to cover her slightly parted lips. Gilbert was surprised to see not only shock but fear in those violet glassy orbs.

"Matilda?"

"I'm sorry. I I just can't."

With that short phrase she bolted up the stairs and slammed her bedroom door behind her. Gilbert swore he heard the lock click after the slam.

What had just happened?

XXXXXXXXXX

Ooo a cliffy. And we are getting close to the end. Sadly yes. But for all you wonderful readers out there do not give up hope for I may do a sequel, but lets try getting some of my other stories done first... Yes, finish things before starting something new. Anyway review please.