Chapter 2: To Settle In

Alfred hummed softly, walking down the sidewalk. He looked around warily, unable to shake the feeling that something was a little off, until his gaze settled on a familiar green dress. The sight made his stomach drop, and his eyes go cold.

There, across the street, stood Joyce, eyes narrowed, lips pursed, and hands folded neatly over her purse, side-by-side with a tall, trench coat wearing man whom had his head lowered. From what he could tell the two were speaking Russian, but they were speaking so fast he could hardly read their lips. The only thing he caught out the whole thing was 'America'.

His heart was beating fast, his hair standing on end. At least, until he met her gaze, and she broke into a smile. Without a second thought she dashed across the street, ignoring the honks of spooked drivers as they avoided her and each other.

"Alfred!" now he could hear the Russian echo of her British accent. "Come meet my father;s old friend!"

The man tensed as the Russian made his way over. He gave Alfred a nod, resting a hand on Joyce's shoulder.

"Joyce has told me much about you Alfred." he smiled slightly. "I wish I could ask you to watch out for her, but I'm afraid she is too hard-headed to make it easy."

She elbowed him in the ribs, making him chuckle. "We ran into each other when I was walking around and started swapping stories."

"Da, dear Joyce and I were just discussing her journey here. I'm glad she had an easy trip."

"Yes, yes but- Oh! Vladimir your train!"

'Vladimir' gasped, pulling out a gold pocket watch to check the time. "Oh! I best be off! Good bye Alfred, До свидания сестра!" [1]

"До свидания, и берегите себя!" [2] she watched him dash off before giving Alfred a frown "Please excuse his sudden departure. He's had trouble with his memory since he was injured in the war."

"Oh, it's okay!" Alfred forced a smile, despite knowing that she would see right through it. He just couldn't fight the nagging thoughts in the back of his mind. "I understand."

Joyce gave him such a heartbreakingly kind smile, he didn't want to even think she had lied to him. So he forced darker thoughts from his mind, extending his arm to her. When she accepted it, he found himself pleased-

-yet scared.

"So, is that dress the only thing you own?"

"Hm? Oh, yes." she flushed. "I spent my savings on the ticket here."

"Is it that expensive?"

"Yes. Russia is not very stable, prices change almost daily. .. If you're not lucky, you're on the bad side of the change."

"Well that won't do!" he felt his real smile return. "Come on, let's go get you some clothes!"

"Are you sure?!" she looked up at him in shock.

"Of course!" he grinned. "C'mon, let me have a chance to be a hero!"

Joyce smiled, giggling as she hugged his arm. "Oh you're so sweet…"

"I try~!" he winked, leading her along. The thoughts from only minutes before were gone, and he found himself enjoying her company again.

The duo walked along the street, Alfred commenting on different shops as the passed and attempting to teach her how to find her way in the city. But at one shop Joyce became suddenly rooted outside the window. Her guide stopped, looking in. It was a dress boutique, and as he looked at all the colors displayed inside he cringed.

"This one?"

"Is it okay?" she looked at him, clearly worried.

"Yeah it's fine." he nodded, taking her inside. "Choose whatever you want."

The woman frowned, but let go of him to look around through all the racks. He trailed behind, pointing out colors and patterns and styles he thought would look good on her. The other women in the shop almost seemed jealous as they sneered and sent glares their way, but he wasn't sure if it was because he was helping her, or because of the woman herself, with that great figure she had.

He decided to go with the latter, if only to keep from accidentally embarrassing himself.

"Go try those on." Alfred nudged her shoulder, wanting to think about something else.

"Where?" the woman looked around, but he soon had her pointed in the right direction. As soon as she was gone he looked around again until he came across a coat section. After poking about for a moment, he produced a lovely dark green trench coat which he quickly paid for. And just in time, as Joyce return a few minutes after.

"Well?"

"I like them." she smiled, then caught sight of the coat draped over his arm. "What is-?"

"A gift."

"Oh." Joyce seemed confused, but let him take the clothes from her to pay for. While the other ladies grumbled their not-so-hidden displeasure, Alfred handed her something: a brown skirt with a half-sleeve green top.

"Go put this on."

"Okay."

"When you're done, we're heading to see someone."

She flicked her hand at him, letting him know she had heard him. When she returned again he put her green dress in a bag with the other clothes, and helped her into her new coat before handing her her (oddly heavy) purse. He took her by the arm once more (the other held all of her things) before taking her back out onto the street. The woman followed quietly as he led her along, looking around at all the things around her. Alfred looked back just long enough to flash her a smile.

"You can't stay in a hotel forever, so I've asked a friend to pull some strings."

"What?"

"Well housing is pretty limited in New York right now, and pretty expensive. But I've gotten you moved to the top of the list."

"What?" she stopped. "Alfred-"

"No arguing. I'm going to help you out."

"Alfred! I need a place where my grandparents can live with me when they make it over!"

"No problem!" he stopped outside of a building. Upon opening the door, she was ushered inside where a handsome older gentleman was waiting. He gave the two a smile.

"Mr. Jones! Is this the young lady you were speaking of?"

"Yes. Frederick, this is Ms. Mcclain."

"Lovely to meet you dear." he dipped his head. "I understand you are looking for a place to live?"

"Yessir," she suddenly seemed very shy, hugging Alfred's arm tighter. "Uhm, my grandparents will be joining me in a month or so. I hope to be settled by then."

"Of course. Please, follow me."

[1] До свидания сестра - goodbye sister

[2] До свидания, и берегите себя! - Goodbye, and take care!