Chapter 5: Mistakes
America stepped out of the stuffy cab and stared at the bleak, gray hospital in front of him. A large statue of two angels, wrapped in thorns, stood in the courtyard. A small fountain trickled under it, and reflected the stone angels. America shivered, half from the sight of the statue, and half from the cold, sharp air around him. It was always cold in Europe, it seemed.
He walked forward, ringing a buzzer next to a big, metal door. It soon swung open and America stepped inside. Two men waited there. After a quick scan with a metal detector, and a close inspection of his glasses when the buzzer rang loudly, they let him through, escorting him straight to the visitors section. The room was blank, and white, apart from the lumpy couch in the corner. England sat in a chair in the center.
He looked up at the sound of the door opening, and his eyes widened.
"Alfred! Oh my god, Alfred," he said, and ran to America.
The American embraced him in a tight hug, then released a few seconds later.
"Hey Iggy. How's it going?" America asked quietly.
England bit his lip. It was certainly not going good.
"As good as it can get. I wont lie, it's been tough. But, I can handle it," he said, trying not to let his emotions break his words.
"Did France give you the tea I got for you? I know it's your favorite," America said, trying, yet failing, to smile.
At this, it was all England could do not to break down and sob. He felt pathetic, but it was just so emotional. He hadn't had anything but tap water in over a year.
"Y-yeah. It was excellent Alfred, thank you," he said, his lip quivering, and tears brimming in the corners of his eyes.
He tried to blink them away, but as he did, one rolled down his cheek. America noticed.
"Iggy? Are you... are you..." he couldn't find the right words to say as his big brother began to cry freely, sparkling tears running down his face.
"I- it's just so- so bloody awful..." England choked out, then hugged his former colony with all the strength he could.
He could smell freshly cut pine, and smoke on America's bomber jacket. The jacket was worn and slightly tattered, but very comforting. America wished he could hug England tighter, but feared breaking something in the frail man if he did.
"I'll get you out of here, okay? I'll get you out, even if I have to break you out" he whispered.
Suddenly, fear filled England's eyes, and he shook his head no at America. America was confused, starting to ask what was wrong, when England put a finger to his lips, desperation etched across his face. Then he mouthed something to the American.
"They are listening."
America suddenly realized the danger. He shot his head around, looking for microphones, bugs, anything out of place. There could be bugs anywhere, in the light on the ceiling, in the couch, the chair, even on England. America turned.
"France will be in next week Iggy, see you," he said, hugging England one last time before heading to the door.
It opened before he could even hit the buzzer, causing him to jump in surprise.
"Jumpy, eh? Let's go, Mr. Jones," one of the guards said.
America shot England an apologetic look before the door was shut. England could only bite his lip and pray that they hadn't heard, which wasn't very likely.
XxXxXxXxXx
Karl Vincent sat in his office, contemplating what he had just heard. That obnoxious, arrogant bastard Alfred Jones had just told his patient he would break him out. Of course, the microphones had picked it up. Was it a serious threat? Would that idiot American actually attempt to break him out? He sighed, slipping the CD recording into a small plastic bag and storing it in his file cabinet. He thumbed through files until he found what he was looking for. He stared at it for a few minutes before opening it. That was his most troublesome file. It constantly mocked him, daring him to come in and try to solve it. He sighed and put it back. Had he failed his patients? What was this anyways? Of course, that wasn't his only concern. There was Arthur Kirkland to contend with.
He had wondered just what it might take to break into that schizophrenic mind, and it seemed that he had only succeeded in confusing the man even more. After that little 'show' last week it was only a matter of finding out what Kirkland had discovered. But it seemed he had discovered the right thing, according to his theory.
"Doctor, we have bugged Jones. He's on his way to the airport. So far, nothing, but we have Listeners on guard," a voice interrupted him.
The doctor shook his head at the voice, then turned to it. One of those pesky guards. If only they wouldn't interrupt his important thoughts!
"Thank you. Is Kirkland in his cell?"
"Yes sir, he's stable."
"Good, dismissed."
Vincent sighed and leaned back in his chair. Kirkland was his next biggest challenge. It was only a matter of time before the puzzle could be pieced together. Just a matter of time...
XxXxXxXxXx
France chewed his fingernail as he thought about what America had just told him. He knew it was a disgusting habit, but he couldn't help it. He was stressed. How could he jeopardize everything they've worked for? Sure, emotions were running high, but that was no reason to make hollow threats and promises of breaking England out! It meant nothing, and now it could make them all look bad in the eyes of England's government, if they had heard.
"Oh Amerique, why did you do that?" he wondered out loud as he pattered his fingers on the armrest of his chair.
Suddenly, the phone rang. The caller ID was Germany. France quickly picked it up, and was greeted with Germany's worrisome voice.
"France? We need you to come to Berlin, for an emergency meeting," he said, in a huge rush.
"What? But we just had a meeting Paris a day ago, why another?" France asked, not really wanting to hear the answer.
"Britain's Prime Minister is threatening to arrest Alfred, and we need you here, France! This is very serious, so please, help support us," Germany said, anger and disbelief lacing his words at the same time.
"O- of course. I will be there in a few hours."
"We may not have that long."
XxXxXxXxXx
France had rushed off the plane and taken a rental car as soon as he had landed in Germany. He sped through the streets of Berlin, swerving to avoid other cars, his hair in his face. He brushed it away and took a sharp turn, screeching to a halt in front of the meeting area. He rushed inside, ignoring the secretaries and running straight to the meeting room. He flung the door open, and came face to face with England's Prime Minister.
"Prime Minister, what is this about?" France asked, breathless.
"Mr. Jones has been plotting to break Arthur out of his hospital, Mr. Bonnefoy. He is under arrest," the Prime Minister said, who was flushed with worry.
France looked past him, to Alfred, who was pinned against a wall by three government agents. His eyes pleaded with France's, who rushed to him.
"What evidence do you have? What the hell is your problem anyways?" France raised his voice at the Prime Minister.
"I- I am afraid, we have documented Mr. Jones' voice, saying that he would break Arthur out if necessary. We must detain him, and he will stand fair trial-"
"Fair trial? Oh, like Angleterre? He didn't get a chance at all! So, Va te faire foutre, Alfred est innocent salaud égoïste!" France erupted in anger, spewing French at the Prime Minister.
"He was plotting a breakout!" The Prime Minister said, more desperate than demanding.
"Oh, vraiment? You know Alfred, he would never do something like that! His words can be a bit rash, but he would never actually attempt something like that, it could get us all into trouble," France said angrily.
"It already has, Mr. Bonnefoy. We are awaiting confirmation on his arrest," the Prime Minister said, turning away from France.
"Please reconsider," Germany asked, "He did not mean it. Alfred has always had terrible word choice, but he never does anything immoral. It is not fair, he should not be taken from us."
"I am sorry Ludwig, it cannot be done."
Just then, a bleep echoed from the Prime Minister's phone. He flipped it open, and paled a bit.
"Release Mr. Jones," he whispered regretfully.
All of the countries turned on him with a mixture of shock and anger on their faces.
"Why?" America asked.
"Your government reputation has saved you, Mr. Jones. You are free to go," he said, paling even more at the looks of relief, then anger directed towards him, on their faces.
"Get the hell out of Berlin," Germany growled, taking a step toward him, causing the other officials to tense.
Germany laughed.
"Don't excite yourselves, I wont hurt him. Now leave us in peace," Germany said, turning around.
As soon as they were out the door, Germany slammed it after them.
"Well... that was close," America said, breathing heavily.
Suddenly, Germany rounded on him.
"What the hell were you thinking, idiot? You just jeopardized everything that we have worked for, trying to get England released! Now it may never happen, why did you say that? Were you even thinking?"
America tried to talk, opening and closing his mouth several times, before simply staring at the floor.
"I cannot believe this, what will we do now?" Germany shouted, pounding a fist into the table.
France walked over and gave America a reassuring pat on the arm, then turned to everyone else.
"This will not matter. We will have Angleterre released, no matter what. This is just a minor setback, we can still appeal to the court. Remember, Germany and I will be investigating the hospital next week. The UN has approved the warrant, and have set a date for us. Were going to shut that place down," France said.
The other countries murmured disbelieving statements, and shook there heads. France just grit his teeth and turned to Germany.
"Don't worry. We will get him out."
A/n: Uh oh Alfred, what have you done! It was just a mistake, right? What happens now? Thank you reviewers, you always make my day :)
Translations: Oh vraiment? = Oh, really?
Va te faire foutre, Alfred est innocent salaud égoïste! = Screw you, Alfred is innocent you selfish bastard!