Okay, before you kill me for being REALLY late in my update, let me tell you all about the past month in my life: EXAMS. I don't know about you guys but in French schools, we finish on the 29th of June which is why you didn't get a new chapter before. But anyway, sorry.

I don't know if I'll have access to internet during the summer holidays and I want to work on artworks for this story, my profile picture and one or two friends' stories so please excuse the delay. I will however update at least once a month.

I suppose you're confused about when the story is happening (I am too) so let's just set the time to mid march 2012 (explaining why it is still a bit cold).

Henry's just a random character but he might come back later. It is okay if you forget about him, his importance is minor. On the other hand, even if she doesn't appear in this chapter, keep in mind that the old lady hasn't said her last words yet ;)

Long author note is long. Long Austria ark is long too (I expected it to last three chapters maximum). Oh well, here's a potato for the 9gaggers. Potato.

Henry had seen a lot of different things during his five years as a police officer in the beautiful city of Vienna. He had witnessed drunk fights between men and lampposts, mothers forgetting their babies on board, teenagers setting their house on fire… These events may seem unoriginal at first glance, but when you were expecting to be called upon for robberies and murders, people believing the police force is the answer for the least worry come to you as a surprise… and a major disappointment. Really, before this rather… exotic day, Henry had found himself doubting the profession he chose.

What is so special about that day you ask? Well first, Henry's team was summoned to a restaurant for a case of severe property damage done by a group of highly suspicious people. For once it seemed like a serious job and not a grandma-lost-her-cat problem. Second, the suspects ran away. Finally some action in this town! Third, the fugitives weren't exactly your typical criminals. A simple glance at the running party could tell you they were special. Not good special, but not bad special either, just different.

The group was led by an albino wearing casual clothes who radiated an aura that clearly said his ego was far superior than it should be. Following close was a woman with long brown hair who looked ready for a date, her fit body obviously indicated she was no stranger to exercise but her clumsiness showed she wasn't well acquainted with heels. Between the leading group of two young adults and the struggling group far behind ran a freakishly tall man. He was heavily dressed despite the fading cold and his purple eyes and ash blond hair gave him a mysterious feel – Or maybe just a get-on-my-nerves-and-I'll-rip-your-limbs-off-one-by-one-before-feeding-you-to-hungry-mutated-chikens feel. Second to last was a serious looking man with dark hair exhausted from the run. Henry respected that man for a reason he ignored, the simple presence of this aristocratic man stirred warm emotions within his heart. The last member was a girl no older than fifteen, out of all of them she was the most ordinary. No over the top beauty, weird clothing choice or impressing aura. She seemed more human, closer to Henry than any other fugitive… literally.

"Let me go!" the girl screamed as Henry grabbed her left arm "That hurts!" The police officer ignored the teenager and brought her closer to him, tightening his grip as he did so "OW! ARE YOU DEAF OR DEAF? I SAID IT FUCKING HURTS!" the young brunette yelled with a face distorted by pain.

"You're exaggerating." He coldly dismissed, german accent as strong as ever "I'm using the least force I can." He hated being cold to others, especially to young offenders, but the job requested it and anyway, he wasn't lying. Loosening his grip even a little meant releasing the girl and after all the trouble he went through to capture her, he refused to make the sacrifice.

"Damn it Irene! You got caught? How unawesome!" complained the albino. The girl gave no response, she only bit her lip to keep tears from rolling down her red face "Irene?"

The lack of reaction obviously worried her teammates, especially the tallest one. The latter started to go back on his steps as soon as his eyes landed on the girl's facial expression, his eyes determined to do whatever it takes to obtain her freedom. Henry had no doubt the imposing man would have smashed his head against one of the two walls on either side - in this narrow space, a simple swipe with his arm would have been enough to do so - if it wasn't for the man with glasses who stopped him.

"Ivan, hurt my citizen and you'll have World War three on your conscience." He threatened. My citizen?

"In that case you should tell him to release his grip, Дa?" replied the obviously Russian man "Unless you look forward to spending five years worrying about allies and weapons... Roderich."

"Guys? How about you fight later?" suggested the Hungarian woman "And uhm… police officer? What do you say about letting her go?"

Henry frowned. Four against one. That wasn't usually a very advantageous position to be in, quite the opposite actually. But then again, the dark haired man seemed set on defending him, moreover, he also called him 'my citizen', That Roderich guy couldn't be a bad man. Come to think of it, the woman seemed to be a calm and gentle one despite her athletic body structure. And the albino looked irritating but well intentioned none the less. Not to forget the girl was way too young to be a criminal.

"Why did you destroy that restaurant?" he found himself asking, switching his grip to the teenager's other arm. The girl relaxed. Weird.

Said teenager found her voice "We didn't mean to damage anything. Let's just say a prank might have gone overboard… Might have."

The other female presence sighed "And it was such a beautiful picture too… Pity."

Roderich tensed "Please don't even think of doing that again."

The giant dropped his creepy I-wonder-what-beautiful-shape-your-body-will-make-once-I'm-done-with-you smile for a more innocent, fake expression "I agree with my colleague… Though I must admit today was a lot of fun."

"Fun?" asked the albino, stuttering a bit due to his obvious fear of the other "We ran all over Vienna just for a stupid camera, we almost started a new war, we are now treated as criminals and you call this fun? Wow, your mind is as screwed up as ever."

The ash blond's face darkened "But don't you see it? I thought you were just as lonely as me…" he ignored the german's blatant lie ("I like being alone!") and carried on with a slight blush and a sincere smile "We both got to fight alongside allies again, forget about past rivalries and spend a whole day without worrying about official duties. I-I really liked today, it was different from the usual dull and lonely days." He faced the youngest person present "It all went according to your plan, Дa?"

The other three displayed surprise on their faces "What plan?" questioned the aristocratic man.

"I noticed you were doing anything to get me to relax, very small things at first but this… this… this is the most fun I had since my sisters left." He admitted with embarrassment "Thank y-"

Krshhhhh. Krshhhhh "Squad five to Henry, squad five to Henry" the portable radio declared in german.

"Henry receiving." Responded the wary police officer

Krshhhhh "Backup is arriving in less than two." Krshhhhh. The radio announced

He looked at the fugitives. Then at the radio. Then at the fugitives again.

LINEBREAK

Henry had done very few things that could be considered as 'out of line' in his life, none to be more precise… Until that day. He slumped on the couch as the realization of what he'd just done sunk in. I just jeopardized my carrier and my whole life. Oh god help me, I think I'm screwed. What about my wife and sons? Will they be seen as related to a coward who betrayed his country?

"Here, have some tea." Suggested the Hungarian woman "You can call me Elizaveta by the way." He stared at her with a blank expression, unable to find words.

"So what is your name officer?" wondered the owner of the house, back straight and sipping from his cup with elegance and dignity.

Henry shrugged "Don't call me officer… I'm probably ripped from that title. Why did I ever choose to help you?" his eyes obviously showed panic and confusion.

Roderich smiled "That's the question I was going to ask you." The married man looked up in disbelief. That man he felt so loyal to was smiling at his problems? Why couldn't he see how bad the situation was? He was so inconsiderate! But if that is so, why can't I find in my heart hate to spare for him?

"I-I'm not sure… I just felt like you weren't bad guys. The simple idea if sentencing innocents is so repulsing to me – and – and that girl is young – I – I – didn't have the courage to ruin her future! The way you talked to each other without even worrying about what you had just done… I don't know what went through my head. Before I knew it I was helping you escape from my co-workers." He blurted out.

"How do you feel about working for the United Nations?" suddenly suggested the dark haired man "As a bodyguard for Austria's representative?" He waited for an answer but seeing the officer was too busy trying to register the words that came out from the austrian's mouth, he resumed "Due to the rather… hard to handle personality of every representative, bodyguards and managers tend to quit for the sake of their sanity. Mine did so a few months ago and the way you decided not to blindly follow orders from your superiors impressed me. So what do you say?"

"Could you stop speaking german please? I don't understand anything and it sounds interesting." complained the teenager prying on their conversation from the other side of the couch. Roderich sighed and summarized everything in English. "Hey Ivan!" she called "Did your bodyguard quit too?"

"Het." The tall man denied between two sips of 95% vodka and 5% tea (no one dared to point out it was obvious the 5% tea were nonexistent) "Both me and America were deemed able to protect ourselves."

"Wait a second, why have I never seen any bodyguards before?" Irene asked

The older woman smiled "Firstly because the only ones who didn't quit are Japan's, Lithuania's, Ukraine's, Finland's and Egypt's and because their job isn't to protect the country but information from being heard by anyone, themselves included." She paused "How's your arm?"

Henry suddenly felt guilty as he remembered he was the cause of the girl's pain "I'm really sorry about that, I didn't know my grip hurt that much and -"

"You don't have to blame yourself for anything," forgave Irene "I just happened to have an old injury on that arm and you couldn't have known. Anyway, it's fine now as long as I don't put any strength in it so don't worry."

"That's explains why only carried stuff with your right arm when we cleaned the storage." Noted the Russian man. "How did it happen?"

The girl grimaced "Ski accident…" she glanced at her watch and shot up from the comfortable seat "We're gonna miss our flight if we don't leave now!"

It took a while for Ivan to realize the topic had changed. He nodded, waved goodbye and followed the younger girl to the door.

Hungary did enjoy the day too but remained disappointed at her loss. She started cleaning the house she used to live in, out of habit, leaving Austria and Henry alone together (needless to say she had a minor nosebleed) as the nation explained everything about their existence to the human. Her eyes fell on the dining table where a little note and a metallic square were left:

"Thank you for helping me! Austria's not as scared of Russia as before and you guys got to see his true feelings for a bit. Not only that but he got a fun day off so it's a double win! :D
And now for my end of the deal; Russia and Austria were wrong to underestimate my brain, lucky they didn't check if the memory card was in when they smashed the camera! ;) Have fun!

Irene"

The female nation smiled. It seemed Irene forgot to mention one thing; Hungary wasn't scared of Russia anymore and whenever she would get the opportunity, befriending the giant wouldn't be a bad idea.

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