Evolution

A/N: Of course the distance is metaphorical here.


Chapter 6

What Ivan hated the most during his pregnancy were regular check ups, per England's order. The doctor he had sent hadn't changed at all during all those weeks and handled the patient as an animal. Every time he put his cold hands on Russia's stomach, poor Ivan wanted to run away and hide under the bed covers. Fortunately he was going through this discomfort for the last time.

“There are still two weeks left, but from now on I suggest being particularly cautious. You know that as soon as the waters break you should inform me,” the doctor explained with his typical emotionless voice.

'Then I won't be here anymore,' thought Ivan with satisfaction.

Germany hadn't given any sign since his last visit, although he promised his support. Unfortunately it seemed he hadn't managed to change anything, and Russia wasn't going to postpone his escape any longer.
It was snowing for at least twenty four hours, days became very short, creating an ideal situation for fulfilling the plan. Even England, who declared he would arrive that evening, didn't discourage him. Ivan decided to make Arthur a nasty surprise.

“Everything's ready?” He asked Toris when they were all alone, not counting Yao, of course.

“Yes,” Lithuania replied with a shaky voice, not even trying to hide his distress.

“Nobody has seen you?”

“I'm sure not.”

“Excellent. We depart just before the dawn. You know where to wait.”

Toris nodded as Yao nervously paced in circles – something was definately bothering him. He seemed to have doubts, dilemmas, he looked like a person having second thoughts.

“I...” he swallowed nervously, and didn't even look his partner into the eyes. “I'm staying.”

Both Ivan and Toris gazed at him in disbelief. However, considering his expression, Yao was absolutely serious.

“What do you mean you're staying?” Russia hoped for it to be just a stupid joke, but he had no clue why China would joke in a moment like that.

“Don't you understand? If we all disappear, they'll know immediately something's wrong. I... I want to buy you some time,” muttered Yao, showing how hard was this decision to him.

He had a point here, and eventually Russia realised it, but he didn't want to part with his lover just like that. Confused, Lithuania as always tried to help.

“Maybe I'll stay?” he suggested, although he preferred to take care of his master.

“It will be safer if you go with him. Nobody knows those territories better than you, and you're an excellent coachman, “ China pointed out. “And besides if only you stay it'll also look suspicious.

There was a long pause. They didn't expect such a hard choice.

“Lets assume Toris, and I will successfully escape. What about you?” Russia asked seriously, trying to find the most rational solution.

“I'll sneak out somehow, and join you. I've been able to deal with worse situations,” China answered, hoping to sound convincing. “The child is the most important know. If they catch you that will be a disaster.”

There was the next long pause, and Ivan tried to make a final decision.

“Fine, “ He said at last. “But run away as soon as they get suspicious. Don't try to prolong it.”

“Very well,” replied China, trying to smile.

---

They sat in a sitting room, in complete silence. On the table stood two empty cups, and a pot. The point wasn't to have some tea before the journey, but to hide the real reason of their meeting. For quite a long time they were looking at each other without saying anything. They were lost in thoughts, asking themselves so many questions. Did they do a right thing, would they see each other again, would there be a happy ending? No matter what decision they made, the doubts wouldn't disappear.

“It's time,” said Ivan, trying to keep his voice emotionless.

They stood up, and walked towards the wall. Russia turned one of the bricks over the fireplace, which suddenly moved, opening the passage.

“Be careful,” China whispered with a slightly shaky voice.

They parted without kisses and hugs, knowing it would be easier that way. When Ivan got to the dark tunnel, he lit a lantern already waiting for him, and went forward. He tried not to think about his lover now, and focused instead on getting to his destination.

As planned, Toris was already waiting for him. He immediately handed him a coat, currently a bit tight, and a scarf, which Russia quickly put on, because the freezing cold was unpleasant even for him. Lithuania replaced the carriage with a sleigh since it was an only reasonable mean of transport in that conditions. However it was so big, there wasn't much difference between it and the normal carriage, apart from the wheels, of course.

“I brought some blankets, and pillows inside so you can relax and warm yourself,” Toris explained.

“I'll sit beside you, I'm not tired. Lets go!”

The Moon was partly visible through the clouds, and the snow helped the light to illuminate the surroundings, however, Toris would be able to drive even with his eyes closed.
They didn't talk to each other during the journey, they were lost in thoughts too much . Lithuania still felt sceptical about the escape. The rout seemed very long, taking the conditions into account. He wasn't worried about himself, but he feared that horses might not make it, and without them they would be doomed. But Ivan insisted on getting to Hong Kong, and Toris didn't dare to refuse.

“Master?” After a few hours Lithuania felt Russia's head on his shoulder. “Are you sleeping, master?”

“Hmm...” Ivan muttered confused, and looked at his servant with half lidded eyes. “I fell asleep,” he yawned.

“Maybe you should lay down?”

“Maybe...” Russia answered with a still sleepy voice.

Lithuania stopped the sleigh for a moment so Ivan could get inside.

---

Yao was getting nervous. He was more nervous than ever before. Even more than when the NUNC ‘interviewed’ him. The worst thing was he mustn't show his real emotions.

“God, what a nasty country, it's dark, it's bloody freezing, and it's snowing all the time.” It was the first thing England said when he arrived to the palace.

“You can get used to it,” explained China, hoping that he hid his stress well.

“Where's everybody? Russia is usually the first one to greet me, and Toris is supposed to be the first one to grab my luggage.” Arthur looked surprised.

“Ivan is sleeping, and Toris went to get some wood.”

“At this hour?”

“He's very diligent, he didn't want us to run out of wood before morning.”

“Fine. I'll tell my people to help me with the luggage. And you get me some tea.”

China didn't like that England treated him like a servant, but it was more important to buy some time now.

---

Toris didn't feel the hours passing, only because he was lost in thoughts. Even the cold stopped bothering him; he just didn't pay attention to it anymore. He wondered if just for this one time...shouldn't he object to Russia's orders? The attempt of getting so far was madness. Of coursem, getting back to the palace wasn't even an option, but Lithuania took into account one possibility: Poland – he was available. Sure, he wouldn't be very willing to help, but it was better than being stuck in a middle of nowhere.

'What should I do, what should I do? Maybe I should turn back? But on the other hand Ivan would skin me alive for that. But if we all die he wouldn't be able to skin me. Shit, what should I do?'

Soon, he decided to do the only sensible thing. He planned to go to Poland, but first he wanted to inform his master. He took a few deep breaths, and grabbed the lamp. He got out of the sleigh, he opened the door, and sneaked inside.

“I'm sorry to wake you up, but it's very important,” he said with fear in his voice.

“More important than that?” Ivan pushed the covers away, showing his soaked lower garments.

Lithuania could swear he also saw blood. He was completely speechless. He swallowed nervously, not knowing what to say.

“I feel pain. Not too much, but it's getting stronger,” Ivan groaned, covering himself back. “Sorry, I didn't plan this.” Surprisingly he still had some sense of humour.

“We're going to Feliks’.” Toris didn't hesitate anymore. “We should get there before the sunrise.”

He didn't even ask his master for permission. Every second was valuable so he closed the door, and got back to his seat. He knew many shortcuts, so he hoped to get there as planned. Although still scared, he was happy the plans changed.

---

The situation looked pretty bad; England still wasn't asleep, and it was already late. Because of that China also couldn't go to bed, since he had to observe Arthur. On the other hand he couldn't openly spy on him, so the task wasn't easy. When he realised that it's too much for him, he sat down in the kitchen, and poured himself a glass of vodka. He'd never thought he would want one, but this time he really needed to calm himself down.

“I've never seen you drinking before,” commented England when he stood in the doorway.

As a reply China emptied the glass, grimacing, not used to such a strong liquor.

“It's strange that Toris hasn't come back yet,” said Arthur in a chit chat manner, and sat in front of Yao.

“Maybe something happened?”

“Oh, please. Stop this stupid game already! Where are they?!” In a second England became dangerously serious.

“I've already told you. Ivan is sleeping, and...”

“Ivan is not sleeping. I've been to his chamber, it's empty,” said England with a stern look.

“It's because he fell asleep in a sitting room. I didn't want to wake him up,” answered China, feeling his disappearing confidence.

“Bullshit!!!” England roared, and hit the table with his hands. For the first time Yao saw him in such rage. It even scared him. “Where did he go?! Where?!!!”

“You don't think I'll tell you, do you?” China explained with emotionless voice, knowing that he can't pretend anymore.

He stood up and wanted to leave the room, but Arthur grabbed him by the arm.

“You don't have to say anything. I'll find him without your help.” He hissed.

---

It was almost dusk when Toris arrived at Feliks' house. He quickly jumped off the sleigh, ran towards the door and started banging to them. Of course he could just use a doorbell, but because of stress, he forgot about it.

“Are you like seriously crazy trying to get into my house at this hour?” Poland opened the door, irritated.

“You have to help me! It's about master Russia!”

Lithuania grabbed his sleepy, and confused friend by the sleeve, and dragged him towards the sleigh.

“How are you feeling?” he asked, opening the door with fear.

“The pain is... unbearable,” panted Ivan.

The blanket was already soaked with blood, a lot of blood, and even though the doctor had said it's normal, and Toris had found similar information in the book, it was hard not to get scared.

“Don't worry, we arrived. It will be over soon,” he calmed his master down.

Although Feliks wasn't pretty smart, he realised that Toris and Ivan probably had run away.

“Hey, I can't hide you! I'll be in trouble!” he protested.

“You won't leave him here, will you? It would be very unchristian.” Lithuania used a psychological approach.

“Kind of...” Feliks realised that he couldn't just refuse help.

They grabbed Russia from both sides, Lithuania by his shoulders, and Poland by his legs, then they carried him to the house.

“Quick, find me a bed,” ordered Toris.

“He'll like, soil my sheets.”

“I'll buy you new ones, but now, please, help me.”

When they laid down the half conscious Ivan, Lithuania started undoing his coat.

“I'll take the horses to the stable. The sleigh also should be hidden,” Poland pointed out, and left.

“Come back later, I'll need your help!”

Although Russia handled the pain well, restrained himself from screaming and moaning loudly, his expression indicated that he was in agony. Lithuania would do anything to relieve his pain, but he could only wait patiently, and hope that the theoretical knowledge from the books would be enough.

“Toris...” Ivan groaned, grabbing him desperately by the wrist. His grip was so strong that almost painful. “Help me...”

“I'll help, I promise everything will be fine.”

“If you screw something up, I promise I'll kill you.”

“Trust me, master. I know what to do,” Lithuania ensured him, although he wasn't fully honest.

The only reason Toris forgot about the whole fear, was the adrenaline flowing through his veins. He didn't take into account the possibility that something might go wrong, it wasn't time for such considerations, he only concentrated on helping his master.
He carefully removed Russia's coat and scarf, then took off his lower garments, leaving only a sweat soaked shirt on.

“I really would rather not watch it,” said Poland when he entered the room.

“You have to stay, there's nobody else. Bring some useful things.”

“Like what?”

“Clean towels, boiled water... use your brain, you must have some basic knowledge about this kind of things.”

Feliks had never seen Toris being so stern, and definitely had never seen him giving orders. Surprisingly he wasn't able to refuse, so he immediately did what he was told. In the meantime Lithuania focused on his patient. He spread his legs, and took a look.

“I think it won't take long. The passage is fully opened. At least I think so,” he explained, hoping it will calm his master down a bit.

He felt pain himself, watching him like that. He could swear he saw fear in Russia's eyes. If he could bring him some relief, he would do it, but there were things he couldn't make any faster.
When Poland returned, Lithuania drew up his sleeves and thoroughly washed his hands. He remembered that hygiene was mostly important, and he mustn't allow any infection. He was sweating because of emotions he felt, although it was quite cold. And it was only beginning. Fortunately adrenaline gave him strength, so he could handl that difficult task.
Feliks observed everything with a clear disgust. Now he was sure that if he had an ability of bearing children, he wouldn't use it.

---

Now not only Yao felt Arthur's anger. Even his own people where afraid of him. Everyone was sure England would do anything to capture the runaways. He was ready to departure any time.

“But the conditions are very difficult,” pointed out one of his subordinates. “This search my take hours, we're not prepared for...”

“I don't care!” shouted England with growing rage. “If they could do it, we also can!”

“Yes... sir.” Nobody dared to object anymore.

“Send the telegram to NUNC. Tell them about the situation, and that we need backup!”

Suddenly Arthur's gaze moved to Yao, who stood quietly, prepared for everything. He didn't even make a sound when England grabbed him by the hair.

“You're going with me.”