It started out as just a regular meeting for the countries. All of them slowly came in and talked to one another. France flirted with everyone he saw, England called him a frog and a bloody git, and Prussia slammed the doors against the wall as he walked in 15 minutes late and declared how awesome he was.

That day was September 11th, 2001. Now, you and I know that that particular day, something was going to happen to America that would change him. But they didn't know that. Not even America himself knew that.

No, for them it was just a meeting like any other. That is, until America suddenly collapsed onto the floor clutching his chest.

"America! What's wrong?" England asked from right next to him.

Kneeling down around him were those that he pretty much considered family. England, Canada, and France.

"M-my chest….. it hurts!" he gasped out. It was quite obvious, from the pain in his voice, that he was not faking it.

"Mon cher" France whispered. "Do you think he's been attacked?"

"If he was attacked, who did it? And why?" asked Canada. He looked at all the shocked faces. "No one here, surly?"

England and France looked around as well. "No" England said. "I don't think anyone here did it."

"Do you think his boss knows?"

"Non, perhaps not" France replied. "Would you care to call him, mon petit Canada?"

"Not at all" he said, pulling out his cell phone and dialing the number that would patch him straight through into the Oval Office. It was a number that very few people (even countries) knew.

"Hello?" the president answered on the second ring.

"Bonjour, Mr. President."

"Canada! Is America alright?"

"I'm afraid not, sir. Can you tell me what's going on?"

"One of the Twin Towers have been hit by a plane."

Both England and France gasped at the same time as Canada, having overheard the conversation.

"Sacrebleu! What does zis mean?"

Before France could be answered, America gasped in pain again.

"What is it, Alfred?" England asked, using his human name.

"N-new York is being attacked, isn't he?"

All they could do was nod at him.

"Canada, what's going on?" the president asked.

"I-I think there's been another attack, do you know anything?"

He heard a ringing on the other end of the line.

"Hold on, one moment."

When the president came back on, he had more bad news. "The other tower has been hit. There is no denying this is a terrorist attack. I'm going to have to ask you to do something for me, Canada."

"Anything, sir."

"I need to shut down all the airports all across the country. There are some flights coming in from different countries. Is there any way I can get you to let these planes land in your country?"

"Of course! I will call my prime minister right now and ask his permission and call you right back."

"Thank you, Canada"

Canada hung up and called his prime minister.

"Hello?" He asked when he answered.

"Bonjour, Mr. Prime Minister"

"Ah, Canada! And how is my country today?"

"Well, I'm fine, sir, but I'm afraid my brother is not."

"What's wrong with America?"

"He's being attacked, sir"

"Attacked?"

"Yes, sir. By terrorists."

"Terrorists? Is there anything we can do to help?"

"As a matter of fact, there is. The president asked me to let some airplanes land in our county."

"Well, call him right back and give him the go ahead! You have my permission!"

"Thank you, sir!" he said, and did just that.

The president answered on the second ring this time.

"Thank you very much, Canada. With your help, we may be able to pull out of this." He said when he was told the good news.

"I know you guys will be able to get beyond this sir. There isn't a thing my brother can't do."

America couldn't help but smile at the other country. With a family like his, and citizens as patriotic as possible, how could he not?