The box landed with a swish into the waste paper basket. She reached for the instruction manual but was stopped by a gleaming hook impaling the booklet.

"Trust me, you don't need that lass. Once you've used one of these they're all the same. Besides, it's not for you now is it?"
"No, I guess not."

Elsa held her mug of cocoa gingerly and watched as Killian clicked the back of the cellphone into place. After years fiddling with them the pirate had taken a shine to the inventions of this new world, specifically these evolved telephones.

"There we go! Your number has been added to the contact list."
"Anna's and Kristoff's too please."
"Well, I don't know about that-" He leaned forward conspiratorily and scratched his chin. "Looks to me like you're the only one he's interested in talking to love."
"Don't be absurd! Anna can get too emotional sometimes…and….and Kristoff hardly knows him. Ouch!"

Chocolate liquid splashed onto the table. Elsa sucked her finger to null the sting. Killian stabbed a roll of paper towels and chuckled. She sopped up the mess, a faint blush coloured her cheeks and her hands trembled.

"Forgive me. It was a poor joke."
"No. I just…"

Elsa raked her hand through her platinum locks and sighed. Killian squinted at her and adjusted the sleeves of his leather jacket.

"What's the problem with you guys anyway?"
"Killian it's complicated."
"It doesn't have to be."

Elsa turned away to gaze out the window, and in that moment she saw him. He wore jeans and a green turtleneck, but what intrigued her ever since he had arrived in Storybrooke was that he hadn't made any moves to contact her or Anna. There was no way she would ever categorize their relationship as anything more than a queen and a usurper, but it bothered her.

She hesitated before holding the phone close. He was heading toward Granny's Bed and Breakfast with a plastic bag in each hand. She'd catch him if she ran down the stairs.

"Wish me luck!"
"Elsa, we make our own luck in this world."

She smiled at the pirate then raced out the door taking the stairs two at a time. If he wasn't going to offer peace then she would! Besides, he might have a recipe for lingonberry jam and Anna always complained of the extra seat in the living room. They had integrated themselves in Storybrooke, but didn't feel too comfortable with house guests yet. They could invite him over. He wouldn't be a stranger. Every stranger was a potential friend and everyone deserved a second chance. Elsa had made many friends. What was one more in the grand scheme of things? It's not like he would pull any tricks this time. Would he? And just like that there seemed to be one less stair before the landing. Horror etched itself on her face as she fell and yelled, "Hans!"

"What?"

She crashed into him like a wave upon the sand. On impact he gasped and it seemed like an eternity before they tumbled in a heap of limbs. There was another thud and a plastic rustle. She opened her eyes when she heard him groan. Strewn about the floor were cans of tomato soup and corn. "Arrgh, Elsa your nails."

"Huh? Oh. Oh my goodness I'm sorry!"

Elsa pushed herself off him, and backed away completely red in the face. Her heart felt as if it was about to burst, and she averted her gaze, helping him grab the fallen groceries.

"I'm sorry."
"It's ok."
"No, I'm not usually this clumsy-"
"You've done enough-"
"Here."
"Thanks."
"I-"
"Yeah?"

Face to face it was a different story, and Elsa's eyes darted to his throat as he swallowed slowly. She still clutched the cellphone to her breast as they stood up. Hans exhaled and turned away from her.

"It's a pleasure to meet you again. Please, give Anna my regards."
"Hans wait."

Elsa made to lay a hand on his shoulder until he glared.

"Sorry. You see, I…I thought it would be beneficial if we started a correspondence."
"Your majesty-"
"Just Elsa in this world if you don't mind."
"Fine. Elsa, as much as I would like to indulge you that simply can't happen. My phone is still being repaired and seeing as I have neither paper or pen to bequeath I suggest you excuse me."

He pushed past her in a hurry but she blocked the entrance to the stairs.

"I have your phone."

His knuckles whitened as he gripped the plastic and he turned on his heel.

"What? How did you get that?"
"You're not the only one who can play nice with a pirate."
"That conniving son of a-"
"Don't talk about Killian that way-" He raised a brow at her like she had lost her mind."In fact you should thank him." Elsa invaded his personal space in her fervor and lightly pressed his phone to his chest each time she made a point.

"He's helpful, kind, and loves Emma dearly which is much more than you've ever been."

Hans shifted his groceries to one hand and snatched his phone back then tucked it into his jeans pocket. When he leaned close enough to whisper into her ear she held her breath.

"Careful your majesty. One might presume you're infatuated with the savior's lover."
"Hans, queens are above such things."
"I thought you weren't a queen in this world?"

Elsa crossed her arms and smirked.

"You seem to think so."
"Your maje…ahem. Good day."

Elsa giggled then stepped back to let him pass. However, just as he was about to round the corner she yelled "Can you give me a recipe for lingonberry jam?"

Hans stopped in his tracks then continued on his way. When he was out of sight Elsa huffed and leaned on the bannister. Stupid! What was she thinking? Lingonberry jam indeed! This was a hopeless endeavour. He would never call back. He didn't even like her.