9.

It was a fun party. France went over the top. There were colorful decorations strewn around in every room, a selection of food that could sure feed the world population of poor people in more than a year, roses were everywhere which made the palace stink with their smell, wine and alcohol were supplied by bartenders, and waiters and waitresses were walking around giving Hors d'œuvres to the guests.

England had walked her in and guided her along, however, he disappeared now.

"Mon Petite!"

Seychelles turned to see the man who raised her as a little girl. "France! Thank you so much for inviting us!" Seychelles gave him a hug. France was dressed Peter Pan. Seychelles wondered why France picked a British character if he and England were rivals. Seychelles didn't ask though.

"Oh, so, by 'us' does that mean the uptight Brit came?"

"Oui! He came."

"Excellent." France said in a voice that hinted mischief. France put an arm around Seychelles and guided her away. "Listen, I have to go, but I'll be back." France settled her down in a plushy couch, "So, stay right here and," France grabbed a plate that had various fishes on it, "Eat this." France handed the dish to her and left.


England was outside looking out at the fountain. Hearing the water splash down calmed him down and helped him think clearer. He rested his head on the railing.

"Angleterre! That's where you've been hiding!"

England turned around and saw that perverted Frenchman heading his way. England cursed under his breath.

"I've been looking everywhere for you. You have to come inside."

"Why is that?"

"Well, this is a party, you must dance!"

"I choose not to." England said gruffly. He put his head back down on the railing.

"Come on, only a couple?" France begged.

"No." England rolled his head away from France.

"Please England. Come on, what would make you come in and dance?"

England was getting aggravated. There is only so much of France England can take in a day, "If I dance one dance will you leave me alone."

"Make it ten."

"Eight."

"Nine."

"Seven."

"Six and a half."

"How the hell do you have a half of a dance, you wanker!? Five and that's my final offer."

"Fine, five." France held out his hand.

"I'm not shaking that hand. God only knows where it's been!" England held his hands away from France.

France put his hand back to his side, "Fine, but remember five dances."

"Yes, I know. I keep my word, unlike some people."

"Come on."

"You mean now!?"

"Yes, now come on."

England groaned and followed France inside.

Perfect timing! France thought. A slow song was just starting to play. Seychelles is sitting all alone, England is right here. All according to plan. "Say England."

"Yes?" England looked at France.

"When are you going to dance?"

"This is a slow song. I can't dance to this!" England exclaimed.

"You can with a partner." France smiled devilishly.

"What's your game, Old Man?" England eyed him skeptically.

"'Old Man'! Who you calling old? Ah, alors que plus, why don't you ask Seychelles to dance. She's sitting all alone and bored there."

"Now, that's your game! I won't allow it." England shook his head no.

"Now now," France waved a finger in England's face, "you said you never break your word."

"I don't, but you never said anything about Seychelles being involved."

"Didn't you tell me that you love her? Why won't you dance with her?"

"…Only one dance with Seychelles."

France perked up, "Oh, merci!"

"But I'm deducting one dance from our deal."

"You're a tough cookie, Angleterre." France shook his head. "Fine."

England walked over to Seychelles.

Seychelles looked up at England when he approached her. She was staring at all the dancers, there was no one here she knew besides England and France. She was bored out of her mind.

Now is the perfect timing to tell England. "Oh! Bonjour Angleterre. Why did you leave me? I have to as-." Seychelles was stopped when a hand clasped her mouth.

England released his hand from Seychelles's mouth. "Would you care to dance?" England asked Seychelles. Actually, England seemed to be asking the potted plant next to her since he was looking at it when he asked Seychelles.

"Um, sure?"

England held out his hand and Seychelles accepted it. England led her to the dance floor.

Seychelles felt England's hands go on her waist, smooth and gentle. Seychelles put her arms around his neck. They started to dance. Their dancing was slow at first but slowly it got more fast. England trips over his feet too much and he stepped on my feet four times…Ow! Make that five…

Seychelles stood on her tippy toes to whisper in England's ear. "Are you okay?"

England felt her breath tickle the insides of his ears. He leaned closer to Seychelles. "I'm afraid I'm not a very good dancer."

Seychelles laughed.

England felt embarrassed and hurt that Seychelles would laugh at him for something so petty as dancing.

"Is that all? There's no reason to be ashamed. Here I'll help you."

"Huh?"

"I happen to be pretty good at dancing." Seychelles said proudly.

"I hope you are better at dancing than you are of making tea."

"Oh I am. You're problem is that your too uptight. Make yourself looser."

England tried to 'make himself looser', but he only made himself more uptight.

"No, no you just made it worse. Shake yourself out."

"I'm not doing that here! It would be unseemly!"

Seychelles gave him an aggravated look.

England sighed and shook himself.

In the back of the room, France laughed (who was watching the two from afar). I wonder what mademoiselle Seychelles is making England do.

"Now, your focus is the next problem."

"What do you mean? My focus is straight on!"

Seychelles laughed at him, "That's the problem. Focus less on the steps, have fun. Don't stress the fun though. Now, try." Seychelles put her arms around England's neck again, and England slipped his hands on Seychelles's hips.

England and Seychelles swayed to the music. They were both in pace and England didn't trip or step on Seychelles's feet once. Seychelles's advice worked.

"You're getting better!" Seychelles said proud.

"Thanks, you're not to bad yourself." Seychelles laughed. She leaned her head on England's shoulder. England held her tighter and closer.

There were so many things Seychelles and England both wanted to say to each other, but they didn't want to ruin the moment. France made sure to keep a full play of slow songs going. England and Seychelles just danced to every one of the dances. England ignored the bet he made with France and had fun with Seychelles. France put on some fast songs as well after he received too many complaints from other partygoers. Seychelles and England danced together. Seychelles wasn't really lying; she was really good at dancing. England was better at dancing to fast songs than to slow songs. He and Seychelles really put on a show dancing next to each other. Some even clapped for their dancing.

England and Seychelles drove home in silence, went inside the house in silence, and went to bed in silence. Tomorrow, Seychelles would have to leave. It was both on their minds. England would come back later in the day because he had business to attend to in London with Parliament. Neither of them wanted to leave, but it had to be done.

The maids packed up Seychelles's clothes and belongings and packed them in the car for the morning. The bouquet Seychelles received from England was slowly dying. Dark purple crumpled up petals surrounded the vase of the flowers. A maid, carelessly thinking, had dumped out the water in the vase; cleaned up the fallen petals; and threw out the bouquet.

Seychelles awoke. She was still in England's pirate outfit. Seychelles didn't want to give it back; she wanted to wear it forever. However, it wouldn't be right of her to, it was England's and it was already way past its due date. Seychelles stripped out of it and put on the dress that she wore the first time coming to England. Seychelles held the costume, neatly folded, in her hands as she headed down the stairs for the last time.

England was waiting by the car for Seychelles. When he saw her come out he was surprised to see her holding something.

"What's that, Love?" England pointed to the costume.

"It's your pirate outfit. I forgot to return it to you." Seychelles stuck her arms out but England never made a move to take it.

"No, keep it. I'd like you to remember your visit to England."

"I'll always remember my trip to England no matter what you give me. It'll always have a special spot in my heart." Seychelles touched her heart with her hand. "So, here take it."

England was touched by that. England felt his eyes water up. He wiped his eyes when Seychelles wasn't looking. He could tell that Seychelles didn't want to part with it; it all said it in her eyes. "Seychelles, I'm afraid your head doesn't seem to comprehend. I want you to have it."

"A-are you sure, England?"

"I'm positive, now come now. We don't want you to miss your flight."

Seychelles stepped inside the car and England drove Seychelles to the airport.

The ride was silent; they were both in their own thoughts. Seychelles was leaning her head against the window. She wanted to tell England, but what would he say back? She didn't need to be heartbroken on her flight, but wouldn't she still be heartbroken if she never told him or even asked him how he feels toward her? England was trying to figure the same thing out.

Seychelles heard the announcement of her flight boarding now. They were in the gates, standing. She stood up and grabbed her luggage in her hands.

"Take care, Seychelles. Take care…" England's last words drifted off.

Seychelles looked up at him, "You too…"

They stood like that for a long time.
"Final call for flight 878!" The announcer warned.

"Well,… you better hurry… You don't want to miss your flight."

Seychelles nodded and turned around and left. It doesn't feel right leaving like this. Seychelles ran back to England and gave him a big hug. England shocked hugged back slowly. Seychelles hurried and left to board for her flight.

England was back in his study. He was writing a note. He handed it to the messenger. "Please deliver this as quickest you can."

The messenger bowed and hurried out the door.

Seychelles came back the university. She opened her dorm room and set her suitcases down in the corner. Seychelles looked around the room. Seychelles went to her bed and found a letter on her bed.

Seychelles picked up the letter. The words on the envelope were very neatly written. Seychelles tore open the paper and took the note out. She read:

Dear Seychelles,

I hope you do not think of it as lame to write to you about this rather than discuss it via person. I couldn't tell you this in person. As hard as this may be to believe, it was hard and I was shy, I admit it. Yes the great Arthur Kirkland was shy! Well, I hope I do not make you become frightened by what I am about to tell you because I do not want to scare you away from me. I loved your company at my home. You opened life up for me that I hadn't ever experienced in years. I wanted to tell you that I love the way you laughter brightens the room, how your smile makes your face beam, how your eyes shine, your personality (yes, even when you fight with me), the way your so childlike, and there is something that drives me crazy in those red ribbons. What I guess I'm trying to say is that I've fallen in love with you. I wished to tell you this when you were in England, but I guess I just was afraid you'd reject me. I was afraid I would gain another scar, not on my back but in my heart. Please, if you don't feel the same… Please, spare my feelings and let me down easy. I'm not as strong as I may look to you.

With love,

Arthur Kirkland

Seychelles read and reread the letter a thousand times. She memorized it, could recite it word for word, and even backwards. So, England did love me, he was just to shy to admit it. I never pictured England to be the shy type, that's more of Canada's ball field. I can't sit around here! I have to act I have to tell England! Seychelles remembered that England was returning today. She hurried out the door to her dorm room.

A/N

HEY AGAIN! I love everyone of my awesome readers! YOU GUYS ARE PUSSIA AWESOME! NEVER FORGET THAT! I think a few more chapters and this story will come to an end. Don't worry I'll upload more stories about Seychelles and England and maybe some other pairings. I've decided to do the sex scene because I got a story idea on it. So that's gonna be my new story to work on after this. I'm not spoiling it, though. Au revoir!