50 States: Chapter 22

Spain looked up from the floor as the door opened and his former colony walked in, followed by Romano. Mexico's expression was neutral but her brown eyes were burning with distrust and hostility while Lovino didn't look any different. The two nations sat on a couch across from him.

"Let's make this quick, Tomato Bastard." Lovino said, wanting to get straight to the point. "Susanna and I have plans."

Antonio sighed and gazing at Romano and Mexico sadly.

"Rosa..." He started, swallowing a lump in his throat. "I just want to say that I am sorry. I know I've hurt you and...your children but-"

"Not just us." Mexico said, bitterly. "Madrid was captured by a group of your officials during my war of independence. She was tortured for three days and dumped in a river like she was basura. I found her on the fourth day."

Rosa was in tears now. Clear droplets were dripping freely as the Mexican closed her eyes in anguish.

"Dios. Isabel had been stabbed thirty-six times and had whip marks all over her back." Rosa sniffled as she tried to wipe her face. "After she woke up, I begged her to go live with America. So that she could heal and be safe. I still can't forgive myself for allowing that to happen to her."

Mexico furiously rubbed at her eyes and stood up, continuing her rant.

"Do you have any idea what it was like for me to find out one of my children had been attacked or wounded in battle? It was hell! I worried myself sick and I could barely focus on my duties!"

Antonio's expression was pained and he was trying to keep tears of shame at bay.

"Rosa," He reached for her but the Hispanic's warning look made him retreat his hand. Spain sighed in defeat. "I understand if you don't want to forgive me, but I just want you to know that I am sorry for all the pain I've caused."

Mexico looked at her former guardian and analyzed him thoroughly. Spain appeared truly remorseful, but the constant reminder of what happened to Madrid haunted her and prevented Rosa from mending their relationship.

She gazed out the window and rubbed her forehead as she went over her options. After a minute of thinking, Mexico turned to Spain.

"I am willing to give you another chance, España -" Rosa nearly jumped when Spain's arms suddenly wrapped her in a tight embrace.

"Oh, gracias!" Antonio nearly sobbed with relief and Mexico patted reluctantly returned the embrace as he continued to thank her. "Muchas gracias, Rosa!"

"However," Rosa said, pushing him away and giving him a stern look. "I will not hesitate to kick your ass back to Europe if you hurt my family and I'm not just talking about my own. Canadáand América are mis hermanos and I will not let it slide if anything happens to their families or the capitals. Entiende usted?"

"Si, Rosa. You have my word." Antonio assured her.

Romano then cleared his throat.

"The same goes for me, Tomato Bastard." He warned. "My figliocci mean the world to me and tell the French Bastard that I will set the mafia on him if he puts his disgusting hands on them."

"Lovi, France isn't that bad-" Spain started.

Mexico watched in amusement as the Italian and Spaniard bickered like brothers. None of them noticed her leave to room and she started to call Madrid on her phone.

…...

When Austria woke up, he felt like his legs had been stretched beyond they could bear but he could breathe normally again. He groaned as he sat up and observed his surroundings. He looked to be in some kind of infirmary. He was laying on a cot, still covered in white paint and mud, and next to the cot was a small table with a glass of water and two pills with a note that said 'For the pain'.

Reluctantly, Roderich swallowed the pills and downed the water in nearly one gulp. Mein Gott, he was thirsty. And thirty seconds later, the pain seemed to fade almost instantly. Austria was shocked at how quickly the pills made him feel better. He nearly jumped out of his skin when he heard someone enter. It was Paris. She was wearing a navy-blue blouse, a white skirt, and black ankle boots. Her hair was down. Beautiful blonde ringlets cascaded past her shoulders and gave her face a lovely frame. In her arms was a bundle of clean clothes.

"Bonjour Monsieur Autriche." Paris greeted with a charming smile. She set the clothes on the cot next to his. "How are you feeling?"

"Err...I am fine." Roderich replied, trying not to look like he was observing her. Paris may look like a female copy of France but he had to admit, she was very pretty.

"Bon. I have brought you some clothes to change into." Paris gestured to the bundle she brought in. "These are Budapest's. You can wear them until your clothes have been washed."

"Thank you." Austria said.

"De rien." Marianne smiled. "May I get you anything else?"

"More vater if it's no trouble." Roderich answered. The French capital assured him it was no trouble at all and left with the empty glass to refill it while he changed.

...

"Del, do you copy?"

"Hey Dad, what's up?" Charity responded, pressing her walkie talkie between her ear and shoulder as she removed her combat boots. She and the states were back in the armory changing out of their camouflage and restoring their weapons.

"Is everyone inside?" America asked.

"If you mean us states, then yes." Delaware replied. "I think there are still a few nations outside."

"Yeah, four. France, Italy, Hungary, and Poland." Alfred informed. "It's gonna rain soon and I think it's time for them to catch a break. Oh, and make sure you give Hungary and Poland our special soap. I don't want my house to smell like skunk."

"Consider it done, see you later." Charity ended the call and turned to New Jersey. "Ethan, you look for Hungary and Poland. I'll round up France and Italy."

The third state scoffed and glared at his sister. "Yeah, leave the Skunk Duet to me. Thanks a lot, Del."

"It's Illinois you should be thanking." Delaware remarked with a smirk. Said state didn't look the least bit remorseful.

"They had it coming." Violet said, looking rather proud of herself. "The Pole's too arrogant for his own good and don't even get me started on the Hungarian She-Beast. No one attacks our godparents and gets away with it."

"Couldn't have said it better myself, little sister." Pennsylvania agreed, hanging up the water gun he had used during their little game and stretched. "Well, I'm starving. Hopefully lunch is almost ready."

"I think Mom's cooking this time." Michigan said before handing New Jersey a cloth. "Here, you'll need this."

Ethan nodded his thanks and tied the cloth around his face so his mouth and nose were covered.

"See you guys at lunch." Delaware and New Jersey then left to find the missing nations.

…...

There were many things Elizabeth Kirkland despised. Bragging, mess or disorganization, and bad hygiene irritated her to no end. However, nothing set her off more than being the brunt of mockery simply because she was the capital of England. She had only discovered this today, and Elizabeth had never been this angry for decades. She was nearly at the point of seeing red.

After London had escorted England, Germany, China, and Japan to 411 where Spain and Romano were arguing she heard something that made her freeze and her blood boil.

"I wonder if she's as bad at cooking as you, Inglaterra." Spain snickered.

Elizabeth barely heard her country shout back at the Spanish nation for she walked out of that room as quickly as possible because if she stayed there, London was sure that she would do something she would regret later.

What Spain said was not true. Unlike her nation, London was actually a decent cook and she had been repulsed when Alfred had once brought home one of England's scones. Those things didn't even deserve to be called food. When it was her turn to cook for the family, the states often asked (begged) her to make muffins or jam for scones at breakfast. Not to mention, she had cooked for Alfred and Emily when they were children. Even after the states were born and when more capitals came to the Jones Household, nobody complained about her food.

Figuring a walk would calm her down, Elizabeth took one of the elevators to the first floor. From there she went outside and was instantly hit with the pleasant smells of the gardens. As she walked, London stroked the petals of a pink rose, an iris, and a lily. The floral scents instantly soothed the raging fire in her head. Elizabeth soon found herself walking in the direction of the swimming pool. Dipping her feet in the water sounded like heaven at that moment.

When she first heard splashing, London thought it was probably some of the states but when the pool came into her view she instantly wished she had never come outside.

"Cholera!" Poland cursed in frustration after dunking his head in the water. "It won't come off!"

"I swear," Hungary growled after splashing herself for probably the hundredth time. "When I find out who made that trap I will give them more than a skillet to the face."

London sighed. She had the worst luck today. While it had been fun to frighten and soak the nations this morning, Elizabeth was hoping to avoid them for the rest of the day. But Alfred had called her to escort England, Germany, China, and Japan to Room 411 when they found one of the secret passages to get back inside the house.

And now she just had to run into Poland and Hungary when all she wanted to do was distract herself from dealing with the nations' nonsense.

"What are you two doing?" London asked, finally deciding to made her presence known. The two Eastern Europeans immediately jumped back and Hungary took out her frying pan, going into a defensive position while Poland looked ready to bolt. "Oh, calm down. I'm unarmed."

Hungary eyed her suspiciously before lowering her weapon. "Poland and I were tricked into opening a bag that had a skunk inside it and the smell won't come off."

As if being struck, London instantly jumped back and before she could say anything another voice cut her off.

"Sorry to break it to you but it's going to take something stronger than pool water to get rid of the stink." New Jersey said, entering the area with a cloth covering his mouth and nose. "The game's over so I've been sent to bring you back in. I'll take you to the showers. There's a special soap you can use to get rid of the smell."

"Like, finally!" Poland exclaimed, walking past London and immediately the stench struck her nostrils, causing her to gag.

"Get away from me, you ninny!" She cried, stepping back. "I don't want your filth getting on me!"

As Poland and Hungary started walking towards the house, Ethan reached into his pocket and a black can to Elizabeth. Inspecting the label, she saw that it was pepper spray.

"Del's looking for the pervert and the pasta bastard." New Jersey said before gesturing to the spray. "This is just in case you run into France."

London hummed in approval. "Thank you, Darling. The last thing I want is that lecher touching me."

With that, New Jersey waved goodbye and ran to catch up with Hungary and Poland.

AN: And there's chapter 22. This story will come to an end soon, a few more chapters most likely, and then I will get to work on my one-shot series. I've also been thinking about doing an Ask the States piece (including the nations and the capitals). I haven't decided if I will go for it yet, I'll let you readers know in one of the next few chapters. Meanwhile, let me know what you think.

Thank you for your support! Don't forget to review, they really mean a lot to me!

Translations:

Spanish:

Basura: Garbage

Dios: God

España: Spain

Gracias: Thank you

Muchas gracias: Thank you very much

Canadá: Canada

América: America

Mis hermanos: My brothers

Entiende usted: Do you understand?

Si: Yes

Inglaterra: England

Italian:

Figliocci: Godchildren

French:

Bonjour Monsieur Autriche: Hello Mister Austria

Bon: Good

De rien: You're welcome

Polish:

Cholera: Damn it!