AN: The next two chapters aren't going to be doing much, plot wise. Just some things I wanted to happen in the story. But it will pick up again soon, don't worry.

'When did my life start to go so well? That never happens.'

It's true, things had actually been working themselves out like everyone told her they would. Anna had a few rough nights and days in class, but for the most part was settled within a few weeks. Bulda helped Elsa with getting Anna to and from school so she wouldn't miss anymore class, and when she had to, Hans did his best to make sure she didn't fall too far behind. Even Gerda offered her a raise. (Far more than she should have, but when Elsa tried to argue, the woman was having none of it).

All in all, things were going better than Elsa ever could have hoped for, and was hoping her luck would continue.

One day in early March, Elsa was waiting outside Anna's classroom to pick her up. Normally, the young girl would spend the afternoon at Kristoff's. But she'd just cashed in her paycheck and wanted to take Anna somewhere special since she rarely got the chance to.

The halls were empty for the most part, which Elsa was pretty accustomed to. The days she came to get Anna, she was usually one of the last people to show up.

She was so busy rummaging around in her purse, she didn't notice when Rapunzel appeared in the doorway.

"Elsa! Hello," she said, pushing her hair over her shoulder. Today it was held back with a golden headband with sun patterns on it. Elsa didn't know why she noticed these things, but didn't question it too much.

"Hello Mrs. Fitzherbert."

The woman rolled her eyes, "For the last time, you don't have to call me that."

"I…okay," Elsa stammered, further flustered at the fact that the teacher's presence turned her into a bumbling idiot at times.

A solemn look crossed Rapunzel's eyes as she stood so close to Elsa that she could smell her perfume.

"Do you have a moment?" she said, lowering her voice, "I need to talk to you about something."

Fearing the worst, Elsa started to panic, "Oh God. Is it Anna? Did she do something? Is she alright?"

Rapunzel sighed, "Yes. Well, yes and no."

She must have seen the worry in Elsa's eyes.

"I mean, no she didn't do anything and yes, she's alright." The teacher bit her lip, looking over her shoulder. "Can you come into the classroom for a moment? There's no one in here. I sent Anna and the others to run an errand."

Elsa could only nod as she followed Rapunzel into the classroom.

"Please, have a seat."

Watching Rapunzel sit on one of the children's chairs, Elsa followed suit, finding it rather uncomfortable, but saying nothing.

The teacher looked at Elsa intently, weighing her words carefully before she spoke.

"Anna is a very bright young girl," she said, "Very smart for her age. I would even venture to say that she's probably reading on a second grade level, which is amazing, considering a lot of her peers are just learning to read."

Elsa fought the smile that wanted to show on her face, beaming with pride for her sister.

"Why, thank you," she managed, "She's been reading with one of her sitters since she came to live with me. I never imagined it would take so well."

Rapunzel smiled, but it died as quickly as it appeared, and the knot in Elsa's stomach returned.

"However, I'm worried about Anna socially. She doesn't seem to interact well with the other kids, aside from Kristoff."

She paused before continuing, "I think it has a lot to do with some of the other children. Foster kids aren't always received too well, and Anna sometimes has issues with…standing up for herself. Usually she'll run and hide on the reading rug or cling to Kristoff's side."

Elsa bit her lip, thinking back to that day in the library when her father showed up; how Anna froze and then burst into tears.

"I guess she doesn't deal with confrontation well," Elsa reasoned, picking at her cuticles, "Runs in the family, I guess."

When Elsa said nothing else, Rapunzel reached across the table and squeezed her hand.

"Have you ever considered therapy for Anna?"

The girl's head shot up, "Therapy?"

"Don't take that the wrong way or anything," Rapunzel said, "Most foster children I deal with end up in therapy for one reason or another. It helps them to sort out their feelings in a productive way. I'm surprised no one at the agency has mentioned it yet."

Elsa looked behind the teacher's head to where there were student drawings hung up. She spotted Anna's right away; two girls, a boy, and a snowman.

"I guess it never crossed my mind," Elsa said, putting her head in her hands.

"There's a counselor here at the school," Rapunzel offered, "I mean, in case you didn't want to take it to an actual doctor's office. Not everyone does."

Elsa sighed, looking up to meet Rapunzel's eyes. The look on her face was warm and genuine, like she was trying to help.

Elsa found herself staring; the sun shone through the window, lighting the teacher's hair like a golden halo. It was flabbergasting that this woman, with so much compassion and beauty, was subjected to the abuse she had been. She then thought of Anna, and what would have happened if she hadn't intervened.

No. She couldn't think about that. Not now.

The sound of Anna's voice and footsteps coming down the hall drew Elsa from her trance, looking to the doorway. Kristoff, Anna, and that girl, Merida, came in, each with a box in their hands. Rapunzel stood up, directing them to an adjoining room.

"Guys, I'll show you where to put that, alright?" She looked to Elsa over her shoulder, mouthing 'be right back."

Elsa sat back once they were gone, exhaling and slumping against the chair. Just as she began to calm herself, a disgusted "ahem" came into her line of hearing.

She looked up to see that woman, Eleanor, standing against the doorway, her hands clenched around her purse as if she thought Elsa would try to take it.

Elsa gave her a quick once over and turned back to the wall, not wanting to get into another confrontation.

However, she could feel the woman's eyes on her, as if they were penetrating her stream of consciousness and tracing her every thought. When she looked to meet the woman's gaze, she was still glaring at her.

"Do you have something you would like to say to me?" Elsa said, surprising herself.

The woman stood up straight, huffing as she circled the classroom, "No. I said everything I needed to last time."

Elsa could feel anger growing inside of her. How dare this woman stand there and judge her. And more importantly, how dare Elsa take anyone's disrespect.

She pulled herself up from the chair, straightening her sweater, praying that she didn't start to stutter over her words.

"Not that it's any of your business," she said, "But you really shouldn't go around passing judgment on anyone. Especially when you don't know their circumstances."

The woman blinked once, but Elsa could tell she had her attention.

"I'm not a degenerate, or a teenage mother, or anything else you think I am," she continued, surprised at how strong her voice sounded, "Anna is my sister. My parents were neglecting her and doing illegal things in their house. That's why I'm raising her right now. Because I didn't want to see my little sister go into foster care."

Eleanor didn't move a muscle, clearly digesting every word Elsa said.

"And another thing. I'm not lazy or inept or anything like that. I'm balancing taking care of my sister on top of being enrolled in college full time as well as working a full time job. It's a lot, sure, but I manage. I'm doing the best I can. So maybe you should think before you speak, or before your ill manners rub off on your children."

Elsa looked away, but she knew she left the woman stunned, and hopefully, put in her place.

Two pairs of footsteps came through the doorway, and Elsa and Eleanor looked up to see Rapunzel standing there, Merida right behind her.

"Anna will be back in a minute," Rapunzel said, completely ignoring the older woman, "I'm letting her and Kristoff get some candy from my stash."

Eleanor sighed, holding out her hand, "Come along, Merida."

The little girl bounced over to her mother, taking her hand and following her right out the door, neither of them looking back.

Elsa let go of the breath she didn't realize she was holding as she saw Anna and Kristoff return to the classroom.

"Anna, get your things," Rapunzel said, pointing to the cubby.

As the young girl ran across the room, Elsa felt Rapunzel slip a hand into her own, squeezing it tight.

"Good for you," she whispered, patting Elsa on the shoulder.

As the teacher walked away, Elsa opened the palm Rapunzel just held, a small sun shaped lollypop in her fingers.