Yay! Chapter 9! Thank you all for all your support. Comments and suggestions are very much appriciated. And now, I give you... Chapter 9!

America's P.O.V.

The next morning, we were both exhausted. Greenland spent most of the night throwing up after we got home, and I stayed up with her. I couldn't just leave her all alone. She seemed better today, though. The doctor said it was the new flu strand that was making her sick. On one hand, I was glad that it wasn't her economy, because then she could be sick for a long time. Years, even. I was worried that she would hit a depression after being cut off from Denmark for so long, but it looked like trading with Canada and I was keeping her stable. On the other hand, this flu virus was tearing her apart, and as tired as I was from staying up with her while she got sick, I knew she felt miserable.

We sat together on the couch for a while. Greenland eventually fell asleep and used my lap as a pillow. I wanted to stay close to her in case her stomach was upset again and she needed my help (I kept a small trash can nearby just in case, but she seemed to be doing ok). I woke up now and again when she shivered or shifted her weight, but she was be out cold, which was a good thing, since she was getting rest. I knew that she was a country, and I knew it took more than just a case of the stomach flu to kill one, but that didn't mean she wasn't hurting. I was worried she would get dehydrated, so I made sure she got plenty of fluids whenever she woke up.

It was around noon and we were still snoozing for a while on the couch. I felt her head lift off of my lap, and I opened my eyes to see her sitting up. "What's wrong?" I moved for the trash can. "Do you think you're gonna be sick again?"

She shook her head. "Someone's at the door."

Sure enough, I heard someone knocking on the front door. I knew it wasn't Britain to chew me out for missing a meeting, because he said I could stay home to take care of Greenland and he would catch me up on what I missed later. I patted her on the head before I went over to check it out.

When I opened the door, there stood Canada, holding a grocery bag filled with ingredients for vegetable soup. He smiled nervously at me. "Hey, bro. How's Greenland feeling?"

I scratched the back of my head and yawned slightly. "Better than last night." I looked down at the bag. "What's that?"

"Oh, well since you were taking care of her and everything, I thought that I would help out in case you needed a break. I mean, if you don't mind, that is…"

I thought for a minute. I didn't want Canada to get sick from whatever Greenland had. Actually, considering how close I stayed with her, I was surprised that I didn't get sick. Then again, Canada was good with these kinds of things. He was the real quiet, gentle sort. I knew he wouldn't excite her too much, and he wasn't out to get her for land or recourses. I figured it couldn't hurt to have him around to help. I sighed and opened the door a little wider to let him in. "Sure, why not."

He smiled at me and entered. "Thanks. I'll get the soup started and let you two sleep for a while longer. You look like you could use it, and I know Greenland doesn't feel good."

I yawned again and went back to the living room. "Thanks."

Greenland was already asleep by the time Canada was making his preparations. She looked so small, curled up under the blankets like that. I sat next to her and rested my eyes for a while. I was so tired, but I knew I still needed to watch over her. I wouldn't be asleep for long, I just wanted to get some rest for when she needed me. I just… needed… some rest…

Canada's P.O.V.

I took one last glance over my shoulder at my brother and Greenland before I headed into the kitchen to make soup for her. I knew that she would need plenty of vitamins and nutrition, so I decided on vegetable soup. I remembered her telling me that her land was mostly frozen tundra, so crops didn't usually grow very well and it was hard to find fresh vegetables. I figured maybe she'd like to try some.

Just as everything was blending together in the pot, I heard light footsteps from behind me. I turned to see Greenland walking in with a blanket wrapped around her shoulders. "Canada…? What are you doing here?

I have to admit, I was a little surprised. Most countries don't recognize me, or see me for that matter. I guess I have that invisible quality. Maybe it was because I was the only one in the room that time. Then again, I remembered a few times in the meeting room when she would speak up for me. Could it be that there was someone other than America who saw me? I shook off the thought and stirred the soup. "America told me you were sick, so I decided to make something for you."

She walked closer to me. "Thank you. It smells really good."

I felt myself blush a little. I had never been alone in a room with a girl before, or not one who acknowledged my existence, anyway. I admit, I was a little nervous.

I looked up at her face to see that she looked pretty worn out. She was so tired, but she came out here to talk to me? I knew she needed rest. I put the burner on low and walked her out to the living room. "Um, we can let this boil for a little while. You should be sitting down or something."

She nodded as she walked sleepily with me to the couch. I saw that America was already asleep in his recliner. I knew he must have been tired from staying up all night with Greenland, and that I should be careful to let him rest. I sat on the couch for a while with Greenland and covered her up with a few more blankets. "There. Warmer?"

She nodded tiredly. I was just about to get up to add a few more touches to the soup, when I felt a weight settle down on my shoulder. I turned to see that Greenland was already half asleep, leaning on me! My face flared up, and I thought my heart would explode! She was so close to me now, my mind wouldn't function. Never before had I been so close to a girl, unless she was sitting on me or some other situation when she didn't notice me. Greenland was the first girl to see me for who I was. This was a new feeling for me…

She curled up next to me and started to fall asleep. "Canada… Thank you… It was really sweet of you to come all the way out here." She yawned a little and smiled up at me before closing her eyes again. "You're a really good friend."

A warm feeling enveloped my chest at her words. A friend? Me? Maybe that's why she noticed me when others didn't, because she needed a friend. I knew America was her Big Brother now, but other than him, she really didn't know anyone on the Allies side all that well. All of her friends and family had been left behind. I knew she had to be lonely. Maybe that's what she needed, and what I could be for her: a friend. Someone she could talk to, someone to let her know she wasn't alone.

I looked down at her face. She looked so peaceful, like and angel. I put my arm around her and leaned my head back on the couch. "Sleep well, Greenland…"

Greenland's P.O.V.

Canada stayed at our house for a while longer and talked with us. I was glad he was here. He wasn't hungry for power like the other countries, and he was nice and quiet. I really liked having him around. The soup was delicious, and it was easy on my stomach. I felt much better now that I had something in my system. I could tell he was a good cook. Maybe it came with being a former French colony.

Canada ended up spending the night with us at America's house. He wanted to make sure I was better before he went back home. It was nice to have him around as company. He was easygoing and had a sweet disposition. I felt bad that none of the other countries recognized him. I always did my best to speak up for him at meetings, though I myself didn't usually have much to say. It was a shame that no one saw he was there, because they were really missing out on a great chance at friendship with a true friend.

I slept contently that night. I hadn't thrown up since the night before, and I felt like I was getting my energy back. I hoped this meant I would be better by the next meeting.

Somewhere around midnight, I awoke to a peculiar noise. It was like something small was hitting against my window, making a plink! noise. I got out of bed and walked over to my window. I opened it and looked around. From below, I heard someone call "Ciao, Greenland!"

I looked down at the front lawn. There stood a figure waving to me and smiling broadly. As my eyes began to adjust to the darkness, I realized who it was.

"Italy? What are you doing here?"

Will Italy get in trouble for unauthorized recon? And what about the relationship between Canada and Greenland; the budding of a new friendship, or blossoming romance? As the reader, you decide! :D