If anyone has input regarding the direction of the plot or has requests for more of something, don't hesitate to drop a note or a review.

And, as always, I don't own Hetalia.

The next few days of their visit were uneventful-Ivan would leave in the mornings, disappear for an hour or two, return to show Alfred around the bustling city, and they would wander back to the hotel late at night. Alfred learned to ask few questions, as Ivan would rarely give him a straight answer, so when the Russian invited him along one morning, he was more than slightly curious.

"Is this the same place you've been going to all this time?"

"Yes."

"So…"

"So what?"

"What are we doing here?"

"We are-" Ivan hesitated, glancing behind him before turning a corner. "It is nothing important."

"You've abandoned me in that stupid hotel for three days in a row! It has to be important!"

"Keep your voice down, idiot, or we could both be in trouble." Tugging him into an alley, Ivan approached a dingy door, knocking twice before entering. Alfred stumbled after him, glancing up before letting his mouth fall open in surprise. "What-"

"Good. This the guy?" In front of Alfred, a chair spun around to reveal a short pale man with Asian features, hands folded as he studied Alfred. Ivan simply nodded in response to the question, and led Alfred forward so that the other man could get a better look at him in the dim light. Several monitors seemed to make up part of the wall behind the man's chair, and a few flashing lights distracted Alfred momentarily before he returned his attention to the man before him.

"Um, Ivan-who's he?"

"This is-"

"Kiku Honda, at your service." The man nodded quickly, turning to begin typing at one of the monitors. "Ivan here's enlisted my assistance."

"He is being paid well." Ivan muttered, shrugging half-heartedly.

"Wait, so-what exactly is he doing? Why do we need him?"

"Because from what I can gather, you two are wanted men. At least, Alfred Jones and Ivan Braginsky are wanted men. However-" A picture of Alfred flashed up on the screen, and the blonde stepped forward to examine the picture better. "Let's see….Timothy Carter and Nikolai Volkov aren't wanted."

"I'm afraid I don't-"

"I'm getting you out of jail. A simple matter of identification, and you're free to go. These should be ready by tomorrow, now that I have a picture of you-"

"Wait! How did you get a picture of me?"

"There's cameras everywhere in here. Please. It wasn't so hard. I even altered it so it doesn't match the mug they're broadcasting."

"Whoa." Alfred slowly nodded, impressed, then glanced to Ivan. "How did you even find this guy?"

"This address used to belong to an old associate. It took some time to locate, but Mr. Honda has proved more than amiable."

"I scratch your back, you scratch mine. As soon as these are ready, you can get out of town."

Ivan nodded, then moved to take Alfred's arm again, practically dragging him outside. Alfred sputtered slightly, annoyed, but finally fell into line beside Ivan.

"What did he mean? I mean, I know we're heading to-" He suddenly lowered his voice, glancing around. "Moscow, but….we get ID's, and he gets nothing?"

"As I said. I am paying him. And I will do him a favor once we get to Moscow."

"A…favor?"

"It is none of your concern. Stay out of it."

"Ivan, we're in this thing as a team! We've always been a team, ever since we met! I can't believe you'd just act like this, on your own and leave me behind to-" Suddenly, Ivan turned to pull Alfred close to him, firmly placing his lips against Alfred's before roughly sliding his tongue into the American's mouth. With few options available, Alfred quieted immediately as he slowly relaxed into the kiss, matching Ivan's force. After a few heartbeats, Ivan pulled away again, wiping his mouth on his sleeve before looking to Alfred.

"Trust me. I have arranged things for the both of us, and you need not worry. Can you promise me that?"

"Um….y-yeah, I guess…" Breathless, Alfred stared at his companion, unsure of how to respond. "We'll be okay?"

"We will be fine. We will find my sister. And we will be free." Ivan smiled faintly, motioning to him, then began walking again, his large strides carrying him quickly back to their hotel. Alfred trailed behind, quieted, and glanced behind them every so often as the feeling of being watched tugged at his mind. However, they finally reached their temporary abode, and Alfred gratefully fell inside, pulled along as Ivan led him back to their room.

Sorry this one took so long.