Disclaimer: I'm too lazy to do this. Go click back to the last chapter.

Alfred stared up at the bright blue sky, feeling the wind in his hair and the sun warming his face. Salt flavored the air slightly, mixed with old, warm wood and just plain wetness. He couldn't hear anything, except the waves in the ocean, and the occasional shout from the deck. Yes, today was a perfect day. Not a cloud in the sky.

And the crow's nest was the perfect place to be on a perfect day.

Alfred buried his chin into his arms, still staring up at the sky, getting lost in its depths. He started zoning, not really focused on anything. Perhaps that was how he missed the giant British Navy vessel parked next to their ship.

Something pulled him back from his zoning, the sound of loud voices on deck. He shook his head, clearing out the dust bunnies before peering over the side to see what was going on. Alfred had to rub his eyes to make sure he was seeing correctly.

Right next to him was a giant British vessel! And my God, it was beautiful!

Then he swiveled his head back to see what they were yelling about, and his heart froze.

Alfred watched as a giant man in a trench coat (who in their right mind would wear a coat in this weather?) was speaking angrily to his captain, a tall, good man who always looked out for his crew. The two seemed to be arguing about something, though Alfred couldn't tell what. Then he noticed what the tall man was gesturing too. His… His brother.

Suddenly Alfred knew exactly what this was about. He'd heard the stories, about how British sailors would come onto American ships and actually take some of the sailor's, claiming they were 'deserters' and forced them to work on their ships. And now they wanted Matthew, his sweet little baby brother. No way was anyone going to take Matthew, not without fight!

Alfred leapt up from where he sat, and grabbed the rope hanging from the crow's nest to the bottom of the ship. Of course, the Captain had specifically asked (yelled loudly)him not to do this, but it was necessary for a cool entrance. Alfred pulled on a glove he used just for occasions like these and swung onto the rope and down into the middle of the argument.

Everyone gasped at Alfred, some in shock and surprise, others in annoyance. Oh, they thought, Alfred just loves making entrances like these.

"What the hell do you think you're doing, Alfred?" The captain hissed at the teen, grabbing for his shirt.

"You stay away from my brother!" Alfred shouted loudly, putting his hands on his hips. Everyone gasped quite loudly. Had Alfred actually been paying attention? Had he actually known what was going on?

The tall man who had been trying to take Matthew away smiled menacingly. "Your brother is a deserter, and we are simply… picking him back up."

Alfred scowled. "My brother is loyal to a fault! He'd never betray his country!"

"Um…Alfred, it's okay, really—"

"No, it's not!" Alfred rounded on his brother, who flinched at Alfred's fiery gaze. "I swore to protect you, Mattie! This idiot is going to take you away, and that's not going to happen!"

"You seem very confident in yourself."

Alfred whipped back towards the voice, eyebrows into a deep V on his forehead. He opened his mouth to make a retort, but shut his mouth quickly. After a moment, he let out a very loud laugh and said in a shout, "Wow, your eyebrows are huge!"

The man flushed and backed away. "Th-The nerve! I'll have you know I'm the captain of this Navy vessel!"

"Yeah, yeah, old man! You still ain't getting my brother!"

"O-Old man? Why you—Ivan!"

The tall man who had been talking to the captain scowled and stepped forward, drawing out a pipe. A pipe…? Alfred wondered quietly. Where did he get that?

With a loud klong!, Alfred heard the pipe hit him before he felt it. Stars danced in front of his eyelids, and he felt himself going down amidst all the shouting. Just as he felt the blackness about to take him, he remembered something: Alfred, you fool, if you faint now they'll take Matthew! Wake up! Stay awake, you idiot! Alfred fought against the call of sleep, and clawed to the surface. He would not…lose!

Alfred gasped when he felt himself come back, and shakily stood up. There was a hushed silence, and no one dared to speak; everyone was looking at him with a shocked faces. Alfred shook his head, trying to focus, and managed to growl out: "You…won't…touch…my…brother."

The British captain stared at Alfred, looking slightly slack-jawed. He had complete faith in Ivan, that Ivan hadn't gone easy on Alfred just because he was a boy. So what happened? Did the boy just have a very hard head? Or had the will to protect his brother overcome the need to pass out? Perhaps it was just a fluke?

Matthew leapt forward, supporting Alfred in his arms. Alfred was so stupid! He should never have stood up for Matthew, and now… now he had nearly gotten himself killed! What a stupid, stupid, brave brother he had! "Please…" Matthew begged. "Don't hurt him anymore, I'll go with you!"

"Shut up, Mattie! You're not touching him!" Alfred leaned against Matthew heavily, obviously not able to take another hit.

The captain blinked at Alfred quietly, a curious expression on his face. Then he smirked. "I have a deal to discuss with the captain. Maybe… you can keep your gifted navigator."

Everyone on the ship breathed a sigh of relief; Matthew was a favorite amongst the crew, even more so than his brother. Matthew was sweet and kind, and was always very diplomatic due to growing up in a family that was often involved deep in politics. He was the youngest, too, so people on the ship felt a natural protectiveness for him. Alfred often relied on Matthew to get things across to the crew for him, because Alfred had a tendency to ask questions as rudely as possible and then expect to get the appropriate response.

So the line of people's thought on the ship was this: If Matthew leaves, we'll be stuck with that!

"Don't worry, Mattie, the Cap'n will take care of ever'thing!" Alfred ground out, still wobbling slightly after the attack of the pipe.

"Alfred, you idiot! You shouldn't have defended me, then you wouldn't have gotten hurt! You didn't think things through again, did you." Matthew answered accusingly, still gently supporting his unsteady older brother.

Alfred looked deep into Matthew's eyes, trying to get him to understand. "If I hadn't intervened, you would've gotten taken. I don't know what I would've done with myself. Matthew, the conditions on that ship—for you especially—would've been horrible. You might've died, Mattie. I—I couldn't let that happen. Mattie, no offense, you're not the sturdiest person in the world. Sending you there would've been practically murder."

Matthew sighed and quietly pulled his older brother closer into a hug. "This doesn't mean I forgive you, Alfred. I…I just understand why you did it."

Rowan, another crew member on the ship, grinned at Matthew and said, "You're brother's right, Matthew. The captain will take care of you."

Chatter continued for a few more minutes, though the two brothers remained in silence. It was only interrupted once, when Alfred felt prickling on the back of his neck, like someone was watching him. When he whipped around, the only person he could see was the creepy tall person with the pipe staring at him. Alfred shifted uncomfortably before turning away.

Finally, after what seemed like forever, the two captains came out and called the crew over to them. The captain of Alfred's ship had a grim expression on his face, and the other captain just looked extremely smug. "I have a bad feeling about this…" Matthew muttered, grabbing Alfred's arm and tugging him closer.

"Aw, it'll be okay! Cap'n wouldn't let anything happen to you."

Matthew looked up at Alfred, looking like he wanted to argue, before sighing and backing down. "I guess."

"After much consideration, we have managed to come to a decision. This ship, the Sparta, will be allowed to keep out main navigator Matthew Williams." Whispers broke out after the statement, obviously pleased.

Alfred grinned over at his brother. "See? What'd I tell you?"

"I don't like where this is going…" Matthew muttered.

"Alfred Jones will be going instead."

There was a long, shocked silence… before an uproar started.

Alfred, mind over-loaded and head aching with the impact of the pipe, fainted.

I really feel like this wasn't one of the best ones I've ever done… meaning it sucks worse than usual. I'm really not satisfied with it, but it's just a one-shot collection. Not like it's supposed to be Shakespeare. Still, I'm not pleased at all…

So this was the second one in the two part. I tried to make them as non OOC as possible. Meaning Alfred was a little stupid and naïve, and Mattie was shy and stuff. Except for the fact that I made Mattie really well liked. I just think that he'd be so much nicer at this sort of stuff than Alfred.

I got this idea out of a history textbook, so don't blame me if my ideas are a little inaccurate. Also, the only reason Alfred managed to get out of that pipe alive was: he has a strong will and a hard head. It's actually what impressed the captain enough to take the other brother. And no, Mattie doesn't come up with a super escape plan and crap. Alfred wakes up on a British vessel.

After getting off the high the reviews provided me, I realized I never thanked anyone. So, some thank-yous are in order.

Reviewers: Phamenia, L. Hawk, Cmpteraddict, cough, IMAxENIGMAx, cross-over-lover232, lol tinglies, Loudheart13, The French Otaku, and artfan. Also extra thanks to Phamenia and L. Hawk, since they were the first two to review.

Subscribers: cross-over-lover232, IMAxENIGMAx, Kami-SamanoShukusen, Loudheart14, phantomshadowdragon, Secret-H and Sed-chan.

Favorites: AgentRagDoll, aile-chan, Kami-SamanoShukusen

Loudheart14, Mega-Prindel-of-Doom, Miorochi, Perfect1Up, Phamenia, Sed-chan, and Sora Nadeshiko.

Thanks for everything. You guys keep me going!

IceEckos12