The next month was a whirlwind for Anna. After going to her sister that chilly day, Elsa took it upon herself to file an assault case against Hans and once the media got wind of it, other women began to come forward echoing Anna's story. Now, as she watched the news in her sister's den, her mind drifted back to that day a month ago when she told Kristoff and Elsa everything.

(Flashback)

"Hans Westergård? Why does that name sound familiar?" asked Elsa, ask she guided her sister to the couch in her office.

"His father is Earl Westergård of the Southern Isles shipping and exporting empire," said Anna as she heard Kristoff and Elsa gasped. "We met by chance at a café by school. He was very charming and sweet, so I went out with him. However, the date was a disaster! I found him to be only into himself and sex and I really regretted going out with him. All he did was talk about how great he was and how he should be running the family business instead of his older brothers. He got drunk and stupid and after the date was done I didn't give him a good night kiss, which apparently got him mad. He grabbed me and tried to force me to kiss him, but I shoved him and ran away. When he called to apologize I told him I accepted his apology but I refused to go out with him again." Anna stopped to collect herself and closed her eyes. She felt the left side of the couch sag and a warm strong arm wrap around her. She opened her eyes to see that man Kristoff comforting her. Even though he was a stranger to her, she welcomed the comfort as he was sweet and warm. She smiled at him, before going on. "You see, Hans is a big deal in the gossip rags for his extravagant lifestyle and reputation and his family is very rich and powerful, so no one has ever said no to him before, so when I did he snapped. Suddenly he was everywhere, he was at the docks watching me conduct research, he was following me on my jogs every morning, he was standing outside my class rooms. I went to the campus police and the town police, but they couldn't prove he was stalking me. Then one night I was up late working on my thesis, when I heard my window get smashed. I went to go look and came face to with Hans. I tried to run away and scream but he grabbed me and hit me over and over again. Then he pushed me down to the floor and….." Anna broke into a sob as Elsa hugged her close as Kristoff rubbed he back.

"Shh, Anna, shh," cooed her sister, "it's ok now you're safe." Elsa stroked her hair as Anna's sobs began to lessen. "He won't get away with this Anna. I promise you! We're going to take him down."

(End of Flashback)

Anna wrapped her blanket tighter around her shivering form. A month later, Hans was going to trial and thankfully Anna was able to stay anonymous and out of the public eye. Being with her family again was all Anna needed. Her little niece was ecstatic to have "Auntie Anna" back and played with her every day, while her brother-in-law Frederick Dale tended to her needs and made should she could finish her degree from home, which her school generously agreed to under the circumstances.

Getting up, Anna walked out to the balcony of her room and watched the waves of the water crash upon the shore. Elsa's house was their parents' grand colonial which was 3 floors with high ceilings and a breathtaking view on the water. Anna loved the house and was glad she was here.

"Miss Anna?"

Anna turned to see Gerda, Elsa's nanny and housekeeper standing before her. Anna had known Gerda her whole life as she was her and Elsa's nanny growing up. She smiled warmly at the older woman. "Yes, Gerda?"

"Miss Anna, Captain Bjorgman is here to see you," Anna's heart did a cartwheel as she told Gerda to relay that she would be a few minutes.

Once Gerda had left Anna ran to the mirror to freshen up. Kristoff. While she had only known him a month, Anna couldn't hide the fact she was growing fonder of the handsome sea captain every day. He had been so sweet and protective of Anna since she came home and she loved that they shared many conversations and walks together talking about the ocean and its many creatures. Every day he would spend his lunch break with her walking around the town and treating her to stories of the famous captains and pirates. He made her laugh and Anna valued that more than anything.

Giving herself a final once over. She was wearing a large cream colored Irish sweater and dark jeans which were tucked into a pair of beige Uggs. Her hair was in a simple braid and she wore light makeup. Stated to herself she looked fine, she ran downstairs to the foyer to where Kristoff stood. He looked as handsome as he did every day. He wore a dark green argyle sweater, cargo pants, timberland work boots and a wool cap. Anna always blushed when he flashed her his gorgeous smile.

"Hey!" she said walking over to him with a smile and giving him a hug.

"Hey yourself, Miss Feisty pants. Ready? I want to take you somewhere special today," he grabbed the door and led her out by her hand.

They walked down the road in a comfortable silence as Anna watched the leaves fall from the tree. After about 15 minutes, they stood on the shore of a small inlet. "So what's so special about the inlet?" she asked as she took in the beautiful view.

Kristoff smiled as he put his fingers between his lips and let out a small whistle. Suddenly, a bottle nosed dolphin jumped out of the water and Anna smiled. "Oh my gosh, he's beautiful!" Anna exclaimed as she ran down the pier nearby to get a closer look. Kristoff chuckled as he followed behind.

When Anna got to the edge of the pier she saw the dolphin pop his head out of the water and make a few clicks at them.

"Hey buddy!" she heard Kristoff say. "This is Anna!"

Anna watched in amazement as the dolphin turned on his side and flapped his flipper in a wave. Anna was blown away. "A friend of yours?" They sat at the edge of the pier as the dolphin, stood up on his tail and continued to bleet and click at them.

Kristoff smirked and chuckled. "This is Sven. I've been coming out here to think and relax for years and Sven here has been my buddy for a long time. We keep each other company and we play with each other."

"You play?" she inquired, raising an eyebrow. She watched as Kristoff pulled out a can of sardines and a tennis ball. "Watch this!" he said as he threw the ball far into the ocean. Sven dove into the water and in lightning fast time, he returned with it and spat it out to Kristoff who caught it expertly. Anna clapped like a delighted child as Kristoff opened the can of sardines and threw one into Sven's mouth. Kristoff smiled and handed the ball to Anna who proceeded to throw it.

This routine continued for the next hour until finally out of sardines, Kristoff and Anna bid Sven good bye. Walking down the pier, Anna stopped and grabbed Kristoff's hand to stop him. Turning him to her she smiled at him. "Kristoff, I want to tell you something," Anna rubbed her thumbs over his rough calloused knuckles as she looked up into his eyes. "This past month has been a rough one and I know as the trial goes on it's only going to get tougher, but you have made this all seem bearable to me and I want to thank you for that."

Kristoff's eyes were soft towards her and he gently touched his other hand to her cheek and ran his thumb over it. Anna continued, "I know it's only been a month and maybe I'm being silly, but I'm starting to fall for you. I'm damaged goods and you probably don't want a girl like me who's been soiled but-"Anna's words were cut off as Kristoff crushed a hard kiss on her surprised lips. When reality hit her, she softened and returned the kiss with the same need and wrapped her arms around his neck.

When they finally broke for need of air, Kristoff leaned his forehead on hers and looked intensely into her eyes. "Don't you ever say you are damaged goods or anything along those lines of nonsense again. You are amazing!" Anna felt tears begin to well up as Kristoff gently kissed the tip of her nose. "Anna, what happened to you is not your fault. You're a beautiful woman with a good heart, who some asshole decided to take advantage of. He's the damaged goods, not you. You're a beautiful pearl found within the oyster."

Wiping away the tears cascading down her cheeks, Kristoff leaned in a kissed her again, lifting her off the ground slightly to bring her to his height. When they broke away, Anna's legs were wrapped around his waist and he held her close. "The first time I thought you were beautiful and watching you show your strength and tenacity through this all has made me fall for you more, but I didn't want to rush you after what you had been through. I didn't want to come across as the same kind of guy who takes advantage."

Anna chuckled and kissed his forehead before giving him a tight hug. "Never," she said against his ear. They stood like that for what seemed like forever, when Kristoff gently put her back on her feet and looked deep into her eyes, giving her an excited shiver. "Anna, would you like to go on an actual date with me?"

Anna, in her excitement to say yes, caught KRistoff off guard and tackled him to the ground. As the couple laid there laughing on the ground, they made a date for the next evening at 7pm.

Walking back to Anna's home, the two fell into an easy conversation and laughed. Kristoff gave her another kiss, before leaving to go back to work. Anna couldn't wipe the smile off her face for the rest of the evening. As the wind blew through them on the chilly day on the pier, Anna felt her heart finally start to warm up again and she couldn't wait for the next evening.

Unbeknownst to the young couple that day a set of eyes were on them observing their whole outing. Pulling out a cell phone as he stood hidden outside the sisters' home, he dialed a number and pressed it to his ear. "Yes sir, I followed her all day. She was with some guy today. No sir not the brother in law looks like some kind of boyfriend. I couldn't hear sir, but I'll stay on her and see who this guy is and if she sees him again. Pictures? Yes sir, I'm on it. Thank you sir, yes good bye."

And just like that, the dark figure turned and walked away from the house, where the happy Anna gushed about her day to Else and Gerda, unaware of the impending danger ahead.