"Evening, lads!" Northants yelled, swinging open the door to Revolutionary HQ. "We have a new ally!"

"Who's tha- NOTTINGHAM!" York squealed, practically falling down the stairs and wrapping his arms tightly around his new colleague.

"Hello, mate-" Nottingham wheezed, patting her best friend on the back, "I can't breathe-"

"Sorry..."

"No you're not!"

"Hello, Nottingham," Cambridge smiled politely, shaking her hand once York was done collapsing her lungs. "I... Haven't seen you in a while..."

"Been busy," Nottingham shrugged, "Someone needs to keep the Posh Brigade's ego in check."

"And by the 'Posh Brigade' you mean-?"

"Derby."

"I thought as much," Cambridge muttered, eyes darting between her and Northamptonshire, almost immediately observing Nottingham's arm wrapped around the shoulder of the person that meant the most to him in the entire world. "How do you two know each other again?"

"It's a long story..." Northants sighed, shrugging Nottingham's arm off of her. "And a long time ago..."

"It feels like years since I last saw her..."

"That's because it has been years, darlin'-"

"Oh yeah..." They both laughed at this, though Nottingham's smile seemed less sincere as she met Cambridge's eyes and with a pang of anguish finally realised what was going on. Though, what did she expect? It had been years since she'd last seen Northamptonshire, and longer still since she'd held her in her arms and told her how much she meant to her... Of course Northamptonshire would find someone else, and as long as she was happy, that was ok in her eyes, though the very thought shattered her fragile heart. But she didn't care about her own loneliness; her love's happiness came first, even if that meant losing her.

Meanwhile, Cambridge's heart ached as he saw the pair together... He knew this jealousy was wrong, that this was probably nothing, but what if it was something greater? What if they were... He couldn't bear to think it... No, it had been years, they'd said it themselves. They couldn't still be in love, could they? But there they were, so close to each other and so happy in each other's presence...

"Um... You two alive in there?" York giggled, ruffling Cambridge's hair and patting Nottingham's shoulder.

"Yorkkkkkkk, stoppppp-" Nottingham groaned, playfully pushing his hand away. Cambridge barely acknowledged the gesture however, instead taking the opportunity to grab Northamptonshire's hand and pull her quietly into the living room, away from the chaos.

"Cambridge... Are you ok?" Northants whispered, squeezing his hand gently.

"I'm just fine, thank you..."

"Are you sure?"

"Do you love her?" The question just slipped out of his mouth, tears welling up in his eyes. In any other situation, he would resent such tactless displays of emotion, but his heart ached as he gazed into Northamptonshire's eyes and he truly had no idea how he would cope with the pain of seeing her with someone else.

"Oh, Cambridge..." Northamptonshire sighed, despondent at the sight of his despair. "A long, long time ago I did... She was my world... But times have changed, and I don't have the same feelings towards her that I did... I've missed her, of course I have, but I don't think she's the one I love anymore..."

"...How come you met her again?" Cambridge sniffed, blinking back his tears and gazing into her eyes.

"I... Buckinghamshire decided to pick a fight, and Nottingham, for want of a better word, saved me."

"Buckinghamshire hurt you?!"

"She tried... But I'm fine now, ok?"

"What did she try to do?!"

"It doesn't matter...

"Northamptonshire, please tell me..."

"She... She wanted to stab me," Northamptonshire whispered, gazing at the ground, ashamed and embarrassed by her defencelessness.

Blood draining from his face, Cambridge wrapped his arms gently around her, stroking her silky hair and allowing her to bury her face in his shoulder, as their hearts pulsed in synchronisation. He had to protect her... He shouldn't have let her go on her own, how could be so blind?

"We should leave..." Northants sighed what felt like a thousand years later, as she slipped out of his loving grasp. "Before the others come looking for us..."

"I suppose..." Letting go of her, Cambridge walked back into the hallway, following the scent of tea and biscuits, and taking a seat between York and Northants in the kitchen. Nottingham smiled at them as they entered, but was quick to turn back to York and England who were playing a particularly heated game of hangman, the sadness visible in her glittering eyes.

"A'up," York grinned mischievously, "How was your make-out session~?"

"WE WEREN'T-"

"SHUT UP, YORK!"

"Awhhh," he groaned, stifling a giggle, "Want me to tell your mum, Northants?"

"NO-"

"Why do you know her mother..?" Cambridge asked, slightly amused in spite of himself.

"He's my uncle... Unfortunately..."

"Meanieeee!"

"I'm going to bed... Goodnight Cambridge, Nottingham... And England," she chucked, patting England on the head and rolling her eyes at York as she left.