Sorry for the super-duper long wait! Between exams, writers block, and preparation for having my wisdom teeth removed, I haven't had time for much writing... I hoe you can forgive me. But fear not lovelies! Your faithful writer, Black Cat, is here with yet another chapter! Enjoy!

America's P.O.V.

What happened the following week wasn't much more than a fast-paced blur.

It was nightfall. Greenland and I were all set, hiding in the shadows, waiting for Britain to give the order over the radio. We were to set the bomb the station, then move onto the next. We wanted this attack to be as overwhelming as possible, so we would destroy them in a chain formation, one after another, too little time in between for the Axis to comprehend what happened. Hopefully, keeping them in a constant state of confusion like that would give us a bit more of an upper hand.

I looked over at Greenland. I could tell she was scared. It wasn't for the mission, I knew that. She had been through training inside and out. She knew what she was doing. No, she was still worried about her brother. I nudged her a little and gave her a wink, to which she replied to with a little smile.

We waited a few more minutes in silence, watching the German soldiers training. It seemed like forever until we would get an opening. Still, we waited. We couldn't screw this up. I couldn't screw this up. This was Greenland's family we were talking about. If this plan went awry, it could seriously hurt Denmark. I had to make sure it was as close to perfect as it could possibly be.

Finally, the soldiers were dismissed. A few minutes passed, and I heard Britain give the signal over the radio. I motioned for Greenland to follow me quietly. We were somehow able to sneak past the guards and get into the electrical room. I stood watch while Greenland rigged the system, placing the bomb cartridge between the wires she had so carefully sliced open. It took a while, as I expected it to, when she snuck back over to me. Everything was set. We had five minutes to get out of the base before it went up in flames.

That, of course, was when things took a turn for the worse.

Red lights flashed all throughout the halls, and sirens were heard in every room. A voice over the intercom shouted something in German, but we couldn't exactly make out what it was. All we knew was that we had to get out of there before one, we were caught, and two, we were toast. I grabbed her wrist and we tore down the hall as fast as our legs could carry us.

Things went downhill fast.

We could hear footsteps coming our way fast. My instincts combined with the location of the noise told me that they were blocking our exit of choice. This meant we had to take a detour, which would take up more time. We only had three minutes left to get out. I looked back at Greenland. She seemed to be getting out of breath, but looked like she could keep going. The sirens blared in our ears as we searched franticly for an escape. We stopped for a minute, breathing heavily and trying to find a way to escape. I looked at her, shouting over the sirens. "Are you ok?"

She nodded, still breathing hard. I looked around. There were two hallways to choose from, and we didn't have time to think. I chose the one to the left, racing towards the end of it. We were almost to the exit. I could feel it.

I was right. The door was only moments away, if only we could make it!

Just as the door was well within sight, a hoard of German soldiers blocked our way and surrounded us! I shielded Greenland as best as I could. No matter what, I wanted her to escape. I made a promise, and a Big Brother always keeps his promises.

The general (or at least, who I assumed was the general) shouted an order above the blaring sirens. The men raised their guns. The general gave another order. They took aim at us and pulled the hammer back over the trigger. I knew it took way more than this to kill a country, but it would wound us badly, we would be captured, and worst of all…

My promise to Denmark would be broken.

I wrapped my arms around Greenland, covering her face, head, vital organs, and anywhere else I possibly could. Just as the general was about to give the final order, another voice was heard over the intercom. The men all froze and listened to the voice that came through the sirens. After the voice repeated and disappeared, as if by a miracle, the soldiers made a run for it. Why? Was it a retreat? No… An evacuation!

That was when I remembered that we only had a few precious seconds to get out! I picked Greenland up and sprinted for the door. I was almost there… Almost…!

We had just made it out the door and a good few yards from the building, when I heard the explosion behind me. Acting on instinct to save Greenland, I fell to the ground with her still in my arms, hunched over her and shielding her armadillo style. My eardrums nearly blasted from the sound, and an incredible heat from the flames washed over the both of us. Then, I felt an unimaginable pain in my back…

Greenland's P.O.V.

America protected me with his entire being. The building behind us was blasted to pieces. All those soldiers… Their friends… Their families… Their loved ones… What will become of them now? And Denmark, what will happen to him?

After a while, the blasting was reduced to the dull roar of the fire. America said not a word as he continued to shield me. I looked up at him. His face was twisted in pain. This alarmed me greatly. Something was terribly wrong. "America? What's the matter?"

He sat up slowly, trying in vain to hide the hurt. He slumped sideways, but caught himself with his arm. I held him steady. "America! Talk to me, what hurts? What's wrong?"

His breath was ragged and heavy. "My… B-back…"

"Huh…?" I looked around to his back. My eyes were met with a sight that made my blood run cold despite the heat that billowed around us.

There was a huge chunk of metal lodged vertically in the right side of his back.

He smiled, though it looked more like a grimace. "It's… Ok… Green…"

My eyes filled with tears. "No it's not! We need to get you help, or—!"

"Greenland…"

I stopped and looked at him, tears streaming from my eyes.

I could tell he was losing consciousness as he fell forward. I held him up as he whispered in my ear. "You did a good job…"

I felt his body go limp. "No… No! America! America, please wake up! Open your eyes! Don't leave me!" I held him tight. "Don't leave me…"

Just then, I heard Britain's voice come in over the radio. I took it from America's belt and talked into it. "Yes? Hello?"

"Greenland? Where is America?"

"Britain! Please come soon! The building exploded and…"

"Whoa, slow down, love. What happened?"

"It's America! He needs help now!"