Authors Note: Hello everyone! I'm not sure when I'll be wrapping up this fanfic but when I do; I hope all of you enjoy the ending. That being said, enjoy this chapter and the many more that are to come!

Alfred silently left Annecy, France. He wouldn't look back. Why should he? Nothing could ever be the same between the two of them. The blond dragged his belongings all the way to the airport, letting the beauty of the place sink into his memory once again.

It was time to head back to America, the land of lost dreams.

The blue eyed American would wait in silence for his airplane to arrive, hands resting on his lap. His thoughts lingered on what was and what could never be. He wanted things to go back to how they were but that wasn't possible. So Alfred forced himself to move on.

The plane arrived and Alfred boarded it, setting his belongings in the little cubby. He would take his seat and wait to leave this place of pointless memories. The plane was ready to take off, the flight attendants going around and helping anyone who needed to be buckled. Alfred took care of himself, eyes focused on the seat in front of him. He was ready to go home. He had let his heart give up a long time ago.

A few moments of shaking and the plane took off and Alfred closed his eyes. He couldn't live in the past anymore and he could no longer delude himself into believing that they could get back together.

The blond took out his journal, ready to write.

Lady Liberty is a beacon of hope to so many. Everyone who comes to America is embraced by her arms. She welcomes all and accepts everyone for their faults. Her torch stands proudly tall, lighting the way for so many.

Not me.

I have long since abandoned my hopes and dreams. All that was left for me was to survive and let my country thrive. I have to be the hero for my people. I need them to see that it's not just Lady Liberty who gives them the hope. I want them to know that their dreams will succeed. My people, new and old to my land, are all that I need. Lady Liberty will not give false light to those who come here but I hope they are not deluded and blinded by arrogance.

Alfred set his pen down and journal aside, smiling to himself. He would never publish this. It was too personal and yet, he somehow felt better now. He knew he could never have things the same and he felt empty but he would try his best to fill the void with his people and their hopes and dreams. Not his.

After all, countries could never love another being like them. The only happiness they can ever feel is the happiness of their people.

The plane landed and Alfred hurried to gather his belongings and leave. He would return home and set everything about, not noticing the knock on his door.

There was another knock and Alfred straightened up. He glanced over to the source of knocking. Slowly, he would walk to his door and open it, not sure what he expected.

And he wasn't too surprised.

"Francis," Alfred's voice was barely a whisper, blue eyes locking onto blue eyes.

"Alfred."

"Why are you here?"

The Frenchman would look at the other male, frowning. He reached out and pulled the American in by the hips gently, pressing his lips against lips.

Alfred barely had any time to react. He kissed back, stomach turning with anxiety. He wanted to sink against the other male, like old times but he couldn't. Alfred tore himself away and swung his hand, his palm leaving an angry red mark against Francis's cheek.

"What the hell!?" Alfred screamed, tears flowing down his own cheeks. "Why can't you leave me alone?"

Francis didn't answer.

"Can't you see I'm trying to get over you?" His voice shrunk, the sobs taking over. He couldn't handle this. Why did Francis have to play with his heart like this?

Still, the Frenchman did not speak.

Alfred would slam some more things around, the sadness, once again, replaced by anger.

"I don't want to see you ever again! I want to move on!"

Francis let him throw his tantrum until finally, Alfred calmed down. He would go over and pull the other male close, hugging him.

"I can't let you go," the man finally whispered, "I made a mistake."

Alfred would just rest in his arms, feeling defeated.

"Francis, I wish I could take you back but I can't," Alfred would whisper back to him, "I just can't. Things will never be the same as they were back then. I can't trust you. Besides, we both have changed. You need to move on."

Francis would only hold him there, a hand running through the blond strands of the other male.

"Please, just go. Just leave America and let me go," Alfred pleaded, pulling away from the other male once more.

"Keep the statue," Francis finally spoke, moving away from the other male, "with a little care and treatment, I'm sure you can bring it back to its golden glory."

"No, Francis. I'm going to leave it how it is. I want my people to see the truth not some false lies. You and I both know what we have is tarnished."

Francis sighed, standing up. "So this is goodbye?"

"No. We will have to see each other for the rest of our lives but, only for business."

"Business?" Francis blinked. Was that a stab at the past? Was Alfred being serious? Deciding not to ask questions, the blond Frenchman left America.

They would eventually cross paths again. It was bound to happen. But when it did, Alfred would be strong. He promised himself that.

Authors Note: So how was it? Let me know how you feel about it so far! There will be more chapters, so don't think this is the end. This is really just the beginning. I hope you check out my other fanfics and I hope you anticipate the chapters to come and even the new stories that will be appearing here shortly! R&R F&F and have a nice day!