A/N: This chapter is short… sorry! It's more of a transition than a complete chapter. [Re-read first chapter if you didn't read the new version].

Winter Palace. St. Petersburg, Russia 1776

The home of Imperial Russia had been peaceful for nearly two decades now; not a drop of blood had been shed and Ivan would like to keep it that way. Although Catherine had deceived and seduced her way to the throne, Russia turned a blind eye to her behavior because she was much more fit to be sitting there than her husband… well, dead husband now. Russia was grateful for Empress Catherine calming Alaska down; his people were now somewhat getting along and Alaska's temper tantrums had almost disappeared.

Catherine had earned a special place in his heart, not only had she increased the Russian Empire's power by crushing his neighbors to the west but she had improved his relationship with Alaska. She had been nothing but good to him since the beginning of her reign in 1763. But like any human, she did have a downside; Catherine did not end serfdom after announcing she didn't like it. Russia knows it will be her downfall, but she is stubborn.

He stood beside his Tsariss, surprised to find her awake and dressed to welcome England's colony at such a late hour. Catherine was quite hospitable, unless you happened to be the British Empire that is; she didn't like him much, as he happened to be a coward.

The servants greeted the guests as they walked in and Russia watched the colony, or rather the newly declared United States of America. Ivan was quite impressed; he had once met this child in London and less than a century later, still just a small child, he was already fighting for his independence. And quite a child he was to have such will to stand up to England. The boy had a clever head. He'd secretly been trading with nations without England's approval; Russia and Catherine both encouraged it because neither of them liked the British nation; it was a good laugh to see the Englishman struggling with his colony.

The United States walked in front of them, followed by his human leader; they exchanged greetings, and Russia found something strangely enchanting about the nation candidate as violet eyes stared down at him. The boy was staring him straight in the eyes, something that even the most powerful nations failed to do; Russia couldn't help but smile; he'd do fine as a powerful ally someday.

While Russia had remained neutral during the American Revolutionary War, he couldn't say he wasn't biased. Russia wanted the American to win his nationhood; in fact, Catherine refused to assist England "tame" the colony, and insisted that the Brit resolve the war by talking peacefully to the colony. Although the war has officially ended, England hasn't stopped trying to take the American back; Russia's heard some nasty rumors about the British Empire's effort to maintain control, for his sake, he better hope it is just a rumor.

The American has come seeking to have Russia acknowledge his independence.

Russia was pulled out of his thoughts as a tug on his boot caught his attention. He looked down to find a sleepy Alaska rubbing at his eyes, dressed in only his nightgown.

"Alaska," Catherine stated adoringly.

Alaska looked up and held up his arms to be picked up. Ivan sighed and picked him up anyway; he didn't have the heart to reprimand Alaska for coming out less than presentable. "What are you doing out of bed, little one?"

"I want to be strong just like that someday," Alaska's sleepy voice drifted off. A sad smile found its way to Ivan's lips; did that mean Alaska wanted to be free? Alaska had potential to grow from his colony status, but hopefully Russia would not have to act violently against his own child.

The next morning Ivan finds Aleks playing in the courtyard with Miska, and the United States is sitting on one of the benches reading a book. Neither of them notice Russia so he doesn't make his presence known. Ivan knows that Alaska is a clever colony, if he wants something he will find a way to get it, and Alaska has been eying the American all morning.

Several minutes pass like this until Alaska pats his dog on the head and walks over to the American. The United States puts down the book to eye Alaska. "Yes?"

Russia knows that Alaska does not understand English and the American colony doesn't understand Russian, so how would they communicate? "How come you want to leave your papa?" Alaska speaks in a tribal language. America seemed shocked, looking around frantically to see if anyone was nearby before concentrating on Alaska again.

"It is complicated," he responds tensely in some other language, but it's close enough that Russia can understand what he's saying. Honestly, it is surprising that they can do that. "He abandoned me, turned my brother against me, and… hurt me." Russia wonders if the rumors are true after all; there's ways to subdue unruly colonies, but Russia rather not indulge those thoughts.

"You don't love each other? I can't imagine papa not loving me," Alaska replies with and Russia smiles; so his Russian America didn't want to leave him. That was a relief. Even though his colony hasn't physically grown, the child has become increasing astute and that worries Russia sometimes; but it's clear that Alaska still has the mentality of a child.

"Your papa is different… he cares about you," America sounds deflated. Something in that voice makes Russia want to turn back time to 1698 when he first met the colony, and steal the American from England's neglectful eye. Alaska would have a brother and the American would not have had to grow up so fast.

Alaska grabs America's hand and holds his ball up. "Come play with me and Miska." The dog barks in agreement, and the conversation is forgotten.

1799

Alaska hadn't had a tantrum per se. The colony had been more moody, complaining of frequent headaches and upset stomachs. Some days the Russian was unable to find the colony in the entirety of the palace grounds, while on others Alaska made it very clear he was angry by taking his tiny fists and hitting on Russia's legs.

It isn't Alaska's fault that he's been acting this way, so Russia never reprimands him for it. Alaska's mood swings came directly from Russia failing to establish a governing body in Russia America. The poor colony was stuck in the middle between choosing sides in conflicts he was too young to understand; Russia didn't fail to notice that Alaska usually sided with the tribes. Despite England calling the indigenous people of the Americas savages, they were very civil and had established governing bodies well before any of the colonies had been found. Once his mother had died, the tribes had power over Alaska that Russia did not have.

Now that families were starting to expand away from Alaska's coasts, Russia needed a government in place to keep Alaska from losing his mind. It is for that reason that Russia took Aleksandr from the palace to meet with a chairman of one of the Russian American trading companies. Aleksandr doesn't say anything on the short walk, choosing to keep his face hidden in the collar of Russia's uniform as he's being held. Miska trails after them and growls at any bystanders that try to come near them.

The man waiting for them is well into his fifties and he's balding. He is much shorter and rounder than Russia. When the man's beady eyes catches sight of the tall Russian, his demeanor shrivels a little. "Y-you? My m-motherland… you aren't a woman?" Russia inwardly chuckles to himself. That is how many people reacted upon seeing him: a stuttering mess; if that was not the case then they were proud to see their country was strong.

Many people thought that if the motherland had a spirit, it would be a woman for she nurtured her children like any respectable mother with her bountiful lands, but severely injured the invaders like a mother bear fending for her cubs.

Russia placed Alaska on the floor before the man. "Mr. Baranov, please meet your charge. This is my colony, Alaska." The man looks skeptical as he stares down at the colony, beginning to inspect the colony like he'd find some riches on his person. "I expected him to be bigger," the man mumbled and Aleks smacks the hand away that attempted to pull his peninsula, and Russia sighs.

"Alaska, Mr. Baranov is going to be your first governor. He's been living in your mainland for nearly ten years now, so he knows a lot about you." Aqua eyes meet his violet ones and a small frown settles over his face. Russia doesn't know why Alaska has become wary around strangers, especially humans; the colony had become content spending time with Ukraine, Belarus, and Lithuania. Aleks won't part with his dog even if it is just to eat at the table, and he hides away from the humans. Russia almost wonders if someone has been abusing his colony in his absence, but there's no signs of it.

"Be nice and sign the paperwork, okay. It'll help your citizens." Alaska nods and signs all the needed forms to give Baranov some power over decisions in Russian America.

Back in the safety of his home, Alaska uncurls and relaxes his defenses. Just as easy as they had come, the headaches were gone and the colony hadn't back talked him since leaving the office. "Do you want to go back to your mainland?" Russia is sincere in his question. It would be perfectly normal to return the colony to his own land now that there was some form of government in place. There would even be a benefit of having Alaska in charge of the fur trade. Alaska must be nostalgic too; while Russia has been back to North America several times, the colony has not touched his own soil for nearly six decades.

"Will you stay with me," Alaska asks and Russia shakes his head 'no'. That would be impossible. A large hand combs through gray strands and pulls at the tuft of hair that Alaska calls his peninsula. Aleks swats the hand away and buries his body into Russia's side. "Then we visit; you won't leave me will you, papa?"

Russia is taken aback. Usually colonies reared away from their homeland wanted to leave their caretakers, to be around their own people, culture, animals, lands. Only the Bering Strait separated Russia from Alaska, but the colony wanted to stay with him. "Of course I won't, Alik."

A/N: So why little America in this story? Because Russian America began trading with the United States. The transition is showing Alaska's growing comfort with his family.

Fun Fact:

Catherine the Great didn't affiliate herself with Russia, or anywhere else, even though she sat on the throne. She just wanted the crown. She hated serfdom, but didn't end it; in fact she made it harder for peasants to express themselves.

Catherine the Great did NOT have sex with a horse; that was a rumor spread by her enemies (serfs) after her death.

Historical Notes:

Catherine the Great became Empress in 1763, and proclaimed goodwill toward the Aleuts and urged her subjects to treat them fairly. On some islands and parts of the Alaskan Peninsula, groups of traders had been capable of relatively peaceful coexistence with the local inhabitants. Other groups could not manage the tensions and committed acts of violence.

Russian influence in the American Revolutionary War led to the War officially ending in 1776 which helped America declare its independence

In 1799, Aleksandr Baranov became the 1st Governor of Russian America. He later started war with the Tlingit, who owned Sitka, and around 1802 and won in 1808. He renamed Sitka, Novo-Arkhangelsk, after the city he was born in (Arkhangelsk).