It had been a bad idea. Asking Anna to come.

Anna in pencil skirts and blouses was hard to deal with. Anna in formal wear was near impossible.

Anna in jeans and flowy, beaded, colourful tops?

She had her hair in pigtails.

She was leaning against the car, casually fiddling with the end of one braid, tickling her palm while staring off into space.

How does someone look more attractive in casual clothes? How? Elsa's pulse, which hadn't been going very slowly before she spotted Anna, picked up its pace.

She'd just barely started to be able to deal with Anna being around her, and now it was dawning on Elsa that she'd be spending a whole week with Anna in unknown territory. Anna would want to do things. She'd want to go sightseeing and do touristy things. And she'd want to do them with Elsa. That should have been a good thing.

Except that it wasn't. Because the more time Elsa spent with Anna, the more her brain provided her with inappropriate thoughts about her PA.

For instance, if they took advantage of the heated outdoor pools, what kind of bathing suit would Anna wear?

"Ms. Arendelle!"

Elsa jumped. She'd been standing in the door of the hotel, completely lost in her own thoughts.

"Elsa," Anna said, coming out of her thoughts and smiling widely. "Took you long enough."

"I'll grab your bag," said Anna's companion.

That was another thing. Hans was driving them to the airport.

Despite Elsa's insistence that she was perfectly happy driving them both and that she could leave her car in the airport garage for a week, Anna had asked Mr. Sorlig to give them a lift. He was such a nice person, of course he would agree. Especially for Anna.

Elsa was not ready to admit why this bothered her so much, but it did.

"I can put it in myself," she said, her voice coming out cold as she picked up the suitcase and dragged it to the trunk. She noticed that Anna had packed in a pink duffel bag with tourist key chains hanging off the strap. It made her smile.

"All loaded up ladies?" Hans said. He pulled out a pair of sunglasses and, placing them on his nose, said, "Let's blow this joint."

Anna giggled. Hans, suave as ever, opened the door to the passenger side for her. Elsa fought the urge to hit him with the car door as she slipped into the back seat.

Just act normal. There's no reason for you to feel this way so just act like a decent human being for half an hour.

Somehow she managed it, even when Hans insisted on coming in with them into the airport, carrying Anna's pink duffel bag over one shoulder and holding her hand. Checking the bags went smoothly and finally it was time to go through the security check, where Hans would have to be left behind.

"Don't forget me, Anna," Hans said.

"It's just a week," Anna said with a laugh, but she was blushing and looking pleased.

And then he was kissing her, right there in front of Elsa. A great big soppy thing with their arms wrapped around each other that seemed to just keep going.

"Make sure to take care of my girl," Hans said, releasing Anna. Anna tottered a bit, like she was out of breath. Elsa's hands curled into fists inside her coat pockets. She glared at the intersecting lines of the tiles on the floor rather than look either of them in the face. She was nauseous and lightheaded for some reason.

"That's not really appropriate behaviour for a work situation, Mr. Sorlig." It came out as a snarl.

"Awww, Elsa, he's not gonna see me for a week. I think-" She felt Anna touch her shoulder and she jerked away, reflexively.

"I think that you're both adults and can contain your personal affairs to private." She grabbed the handle of her rolling carry-on luggage and stalked off to the security line.

The moment she was standing still, away from the both of them she wondered what had just happened. That wasn't any way to act. She didn't care if people (in general) went around kissing each other in public. She didn't even really think it inappropriate at work, as long as it didn't interfere with said work. But it was really, really bothering her with Anna and Hans. With Hans' stupid hands on Anna's curvy hips. And Hans' stupid mouth on Anna's cute little cupid's bow lips.

She heard Anna come up behind her in line, but didn't look around. They went through the line, checked their bags and made their way through the airport in silence.

"Hold up for a sec," was the first thing Anna said, as they passed through the duty-free mall. Elsa stopped and waited, feeling worse and worse about herself as the moments passed. She couldn't have just ignored it, could she? She let her temper get away from her, again, and now Anna was going to be mad. Why did Anna even spend time with her? She was the ice queen, fit to hang out with no one but oblivious IT guys who she couldn't actually hurt with her acid tongue.

"Here you go." Anna had returned. It took Elsa a moment to realise she was holding out a Timmy's cup and doughnut bag.

"Huh?"

"They were out of chocolate sprinkles so we're back to Boston cream." She held them out an inch closer.

"I just snapped at you for no reason and you're buying me a doughnut," Elsa said. She really didn't know why she was protesting. Anna wasn't mad and there was chocolate.

"I know you didn't really mean it."

"I'm a bitch." There, she said it. "You shouldn't be putting up with me."

Anna was shaking her head, a smile on her face. "You're nicer after you've eaten."

She pressed the cup into Elsa's hand, "Drink your crack. I don't think they'll let you bring it on the plane."


Anna had her nose pressed to the window of the rental car as Elsa drove them north of Quebec City. Evergreen trees blurred past the window. She waited for glimpses of the Saint Lawrence through the window, hoping to see a whale despite Elsa's insistence that they wouldn't see one this far inland.

Eventually they turned away from the river along a narrow road that led exclusively to the resort. It was on its own small lake, surrounded by Quebec's special brand of half-sized mountains.

When they finally rounded a bend and caught sight of the resort Anna gasped. Next to her, Elsa gave a satisfied smirk.

The place was huge. A large old-stone building loomed almost like a castle. This far North, snow still covered everything in a white, sparkling blanket. Smoke curled out of old chimneys. Bits of the roof peeked out from the snow, copper aged to a minty green.

Smaller buildings surrounded the main building. They were newer, but were a lovely log cabin style that made the whole place feel old-fashioned.

And Elsa technically owned this whole place. And others like it.

This gave a new meaning to Anna's definition of 'rich.'

Elsa pulled up to the main building. A valet and two bellhops, dressed in a navy-blue uniforms, jogged to open the doors of the car almost as soon as she turned off the engine.

"Ah, merci beaucoup," Elsa said, handing him the keys. She said something else in rapid French, quickly leaving Anna's limited knowledge of the language in the dust. The man gave a little bow – which was super fancy – and climbed into the driver's seat.

"You speak French?" Anna was suitably impressed and more than a little turned on by this development. It was a proven fact that people who spoke french were 80% hotter. Considering that Elsa was already at 100% in that department this was pushing her into possible lethal levels of attractiveness.

"Yes. You don't?" Elsa looked like this idea was completely foreign to her. She began to follow the bellhops up toward the double doors. "Didn't you have french in school?"

"Of course. But I quit after grade nine. If I had to learn to conjugate verbs for one more year I may have drowned myself in Bouillabaisse. How did you stand it?"

Elsa shrugged. "I had a really good tutor for French. I also learned Mandarin, for business."

"Wow, you're dad really cared about your education."

For some reason, Elsa's face clouded over. "Yeah," she said, and started walking faster. Anna jumped a couple steps to catch up.

"Yoo hoo!"

Anna's first impression was of a wall of fuzzy, brightly coloured stripes.

The wall, it turned out when she took a step back, was the chest of the largest man she had ever seen. He was wearing a knitted sweater that looked like it belonged on another planet.

"I am Mr. Oaken. Welcome to La Fontaine de Tranquillité. It is an honour to have you here, Ms. Arendelle. And you are Ms. Summers, ya?"

She shook the big man's hand, a grin spreading across her face. His accent in English was undeniably Swedish. "Call me Anna," she said.

"It's kind of you to greet us personally, Mr. Oaken. I have heard nothing but good things of your management of this place," Elsa said.

Anna wanted to giggle at Elsa's formal tone – so stiff and awkward – but she didn't. Oaken shook Elsa's hand next and opened the doors for them.

Before Anna could get a good look at the inside, gleeful voices and small bodies assaulted them.

"Da, is this your boss?"

"Is it the redhead or the blond one?"

"I like the blond one. She should be the boss."

"Yeah. Red looks more like the peppy sidekick."

There were four brown-haired children swarming them and Oaken, blinking up with wide blue eyes. Elsa had frozen solid, a deer caught in the headlights of cuteness.

"Children," Oaken said. The four little ones immediately backed off, going to stand beside their father.

"Ms. Arendelle, Ms. Anna, this is my family. Say, Hi, family."

The kids all waved. "Yoo Hoo!"

Anna waved back.

"Now go find Papa. You will get in the way of the guests." The kids ran off.

Elsa was still frozen on the spot. Anna nudged her in the ribs, making her jump.

"Could you show us to our rooms?" Elsa asked. "Airports take a lot out of me."

"Of course, Ms. Arendelle. I'll go get the keys and be back in a jiff, ya?"

Anna giggled at the look that was still on Elsa's face. "They're so cute," Anna said.

"There's so many of them."

"Do you think Oaken would notice if I stole one?"

Elsa smirked.


"Oh. My. God."

Anna stood in the doorway, staring at the room. Elsa peeked in behind her, trying to figure out if this was just normal Anna 'oh my God' or if something was wrong.

It was normal Anna. She was staring at the suite, bouncing slightly on the balls of her feet in excitement.

It was an impressive suite. It was larger than Elsa's suite at home, and more eloquently decorated. Anna, unable to contain herself apparently, ran into the room.

"You can see the pools outside – people are swimming and it's March! A real fireplace! Oh my God – there's a jacuzzi in here!"

Elsa considered that she should probably tell Anna to stop saying "Oh my God" so much. It wasn't nearly as polite in Quebec as it was back home. Anna ran into the bedroom and began to gush about the king sized bed.

"She is very pleased, ya?" Oaken said. Elsa couldn't help but smile as Anna kicked off her shoes to bounce on the bed.

"Looks like," she said. Anna's braids bounced, flying around her shoulders as she laughed like a child. She flopped onto her back after a moment and buried herself in the pillows. "I could spend all day in here," she said, her voice muffled by the down.

Heat was creeping up Elsa's neck. She coughed and looked back at Oaken. "This is excellent. Could you show me to my room, now?"

Oaken looked confused. "This is your room."

"Okay," she said quickly. That made sense – it was obviously the best suite in the hotel. "Where's Anna's room?"

Oaken's eye's looked quickly from Anna, still on the bed, to Elsa. He tapped his fingers together nervously. "... you are not... oh, dear."

"Oh dear?" she repeated, the bottom dropping out of her stomach. She knew what he was going to say.

"See, we were under the impression that you would be sharing room, ya?"

She looked quickly at Anna, who was oblivious to the conversation in the doorway. She was currently stretching out like a cat. Her shirt was riding up, her jeans riding low. There were freckles dotting her hips.

Elsa grabbed Oaken's arm, pulling him out of the door slightly and lowering her voice.

"You need to get me another room. I don't care if it's the cheapest room you have, but you need to book another room for me."

Oaken shifted uncomfortably. "Oh, dear. I'm afraid there are no rooms. See, we have a supply and demand problem."

"No rooms? This is a hotel. There's always a free room, somewhere. A cancelled booking-"

"We have none. There is the festival going on this week and we are already the most popular resort in the area."

Elsa stared at him, despair growing in her. This couldn't be happening. Why would the universe do this to her?

Anna had hopped down from the bed and skipped over to join them. She looked at their tense faces. "Hey, what's up?

Elsa remained stony faced, staring out the bay windows as Oaken explained the situation. Predictably, Anna wasn't worried.

"This room is huge anyway. We can share, right Elsa?"

Elsa grunted. Both Anna and Oaken took it as a yes.

"We serve you private dinner tonight, okay?" Oaken said earnestly as he was about to leave. "So there are no hard feelings, ya?"

"We'd love to," Anna said and skipped off to inspect the minibar.


"This is my husband, André."

Anna looked at the young, blond, muscular man carrying a tray of brownies. He was wearing an apron over a grey suit. "Whoa," she said. She turned to Oaken, "Good job, Oaken."

"I know, ya?" Oaken was still wearing the fabulous sweater, but he made it look almost fancy. André nudged him in the ribs as he passed to the dining room.

"And these are Emmanuel, Gabriel and Elise." Three children, an older girl in a pink dress and the two boys in slacks and button ups followed André with plates, cutlery and glasses.

"Thank you for inviting us, Mr. Oaken," Elsa said. She'd been tense ever since arriving, Anna noticed. She was probably put out by all the new people – it was like being at a party but they would certainly notice if she tried to hide in their bathroom. Hopefully André's chocolate brownies would help.

Oaken lived in one of the log buildings on the grounds. It was a fair sized home, but it felt small and cozy with the two big men and four children running between the kitchen and the dining room. Elsa and Anna were ushered into the den to sit down and wait. The youngest child, a little girl called Gigi, played host.

"Are you guys married? Do you have any kids? Are they with you?" she shot out in rapid succession the moment Elsa and Anna sat down next to each other. She had a bit of childish lisp and a French accent. Anna decided she was stealing this one.

"No, we don't have any kids," she said.

"Awww," Gigi said. Anna giggled and peeked over at Elsa.

She was sitting rigid in her seat, eyes wide and shocked, hands clasped firmly together.

"They are not married, ma chou," Oaken said.

"But Papa said Ms. Elsa was bringing sa petite amie."

André, who was passing with a crock of soup, turned red. "Non, ma chou, son amie. Amie."

"But you said-"

"Son amie."

Anna tried to follow the French part of the conversation. As far as she could tell, they were trying to decide whether she was a friend or a small sized friend. She'd ask Elsa about it later.

Gigi pouted. "You're both really pretty. You should be married."

Elsa's ears were red. Anna could feel her face flushing too. Oaken, coming in from the kitchen, laughed. "Ah, kids. They are funny, ya?"

Anna forced a laugh.

"Dinner is ready," André said loudly. Elsa shot up from her seat like it was on fire and, when she sat down at the table, seemed to make a point of sitting as far from Anna as possible.


"Gosh, I'm exhausted," Anna said, yawning and stretching her arms up into the air. Her top lifted with the movement, exposing a small strip of skin above the waist of her jeans.

Elsa suppressed her own yawn. She wanted nothing more than to curl up and go to sleep. But the thought of going up to the room with Anna and going through getting ready for bed and the inevitable discussion of who would sleep where was too much for her.

"I'm going to go for a walk," she said quickly. "I want to familiarize myself with the property."

Anna nodded sleepily. She briefly leaned against Elsa, wrapping an arm around her waist. "Night-night," she said, her breath brushing against Elsa's neck. She shivered when Anna leg go, pulling her arms tight to her stomach as she watched Anna slump off to the elevator.


Elsa nursed her fourth beer.

She didn't like beer, but she didn't want to get into heavy liquor in public. She was pretty sure she'd already intimidated the bar staff as she was technically their employer's employer's employer. Or something.

She was thinking. And avoiding Anna, if she was being honest with herself.

By the end of the fourth beer, she was very much being honest with herself.

She decided, very firmly, that this... this whatever it was, was all Sachiko's fault.

Elsa used to be normal. A bit bookish, a bit quiet, very well behaved. Then her father sent her to St. Willibrord's Catholic Academy for Girls when she started high-school. He wasn't particularly religious, but he liked the values of the school and the complete lack of boys for her to get into trouble with.

He probably would have been better sending her to an all-boys school, if that was his worry.

That was where Elsa met Sachiko. She was a bit rebellious, and a lot of cute. She smoked and cussed and was constantly spouting innuendos. Elsa sat beside her in first period, and took notice of her when she was trying to see if she could set her desk on fire without the nuns noticing.

Elsa liked her. She hadn't thought the word 'gay' but it was there, plaguing her every time they touched or Sachiko leered at her while biting her bottom lip.

She couldn't remember who had kissed who first, but that didn't matter. Elsa had known it was wrong, against what her teachers and her father thought. But she hadn't cared. She was rebellious and her own woman.

Or maybe she was just horny and fourteen.

Either way, by the time her Dad had got home they'd both lost their shirts and she had Sachiko pinned beneath her on her bed.

He hadn't yelled. He'd very calmly asked Sachiko to leave. Then very calmly withdrew Elsa from St. Willibrord's, hiring a series of first class tutors. All male and over the age of fifty.

Or maybe it wasn't Sachiko's fault at all. Maybe it was her father's.

While grooming her to be the heir to his empire he had simultaneously kept her away from people. Normal people that she could have created normal relationships with. By the time she went to university, she was so socially inept that he didn't need to worry about her having a friendship with another human being, let alone a relationship.

She downed her sixth beer.

Her father loved her. She knew that. She kept telling herself that. She kept clinging to that.

She knew it was his beliefs that made him do it. His desire to protect his daughter from something he believed was evil. His desire to make Elsa believe it too.

And she had.

Except...

She hadn't.

She could look at Oaken and say, 'he is a good person'. His husband is a wonderful person, too. An amazing cook. Their kids... it should be illegal for children to be that adorable. It was a perfect, happy family and she couldn't look at that and think 'evil'.

And Anna.

Anna.

She was crazier than Sachiko.

Oaken found her with her face pressed against the cold counter of the bar. The place had long since emptied, all the chairs except for hers placed on the tables and most of the lights turned off.

"Ms. Elsa? Are you alright?"

She lifted her head.

"Maybe?"

"I only ask because my bartender would like to go home, ya?"

She looked at her watch. 2 a.m.

"Oh, sorry. I'll go to my room."

She stood, stumbling a bit. How much had she drunk? Oaken caught her arm.

"I help you upstairs, ya?"

She mumbled something, unsure if she was saying no or yes. He began to lead her toward the lobby.

As he pressed the button for the top floor, she leaned against the mirrored walls of the elevator and surveyed him. He was such a happy person, she realised.

Elsa wanted to be a happy person.

"Oaken – can I ask you a personal question?"

"Oh, ya, of course, Ms. Elsa."

"How did you... uh... realise that you were... attracted to men?"

He laughed. "You've seen my husband, ya?"

Elsa nodded.

"I do not think there is anyone who would not be attracted to men after meeting him, see?"

Elsa thought about it. "I guess I could see it... but I don't really, I guess."

Oaken raised an eyebrow as the elevator dinged for her floor. "Ah... see, Ms. Elsa, I think you answered the question you really wanted answered, ya?"

"Huh?"

"If you are not attracted to my husband, you will not be attracted to anyone's husband."

"Oh..."

She stumbled to the room. Peeking in the bedroom, she could see a mass of red hair and covers. She wondered what would happen if she went over to the bed and prodded Anna awake. Or kissed her.

Bad idea, said the part of her that was still thinking clearly.

She made her way to the couch and flopped down, pressing her face into the leather and curling up into a ball.

Dad was dumb.


First off: Sorry about the French. To the french speakers, that is. I have no idea if I did it right because when it comes to french, I am Anna.

Second: Ummmm *fangirls about this chapter so hard*

Third: I'm an awful author who doesn't really reply to reviews all that much. My editor/co-writer/personal-flotation-device says that I need to start doing that instead of just reading them repeatedly and grinning like an idiot. So yeah, gonna try that. Because I love you. And I fear her.

Fourth: So my out line for the next chapter is "Fluff". Literally. You're welcome.

Cheers,

Capt. Elfy