A/N: Thinks are about to get more interesting from this point forward. I hope everyone enjoys.

Chapter 12

Another two weeks later and the construction at The North Pole was finally complete. All that truly remains to be accomplished was ordering furniture and fixtures. The dance floor was a pristine hardwood and shone with a beautiful gloss. Mirrors lined the walls aside from a single side that was all windows looking in on the waiting room. This was situated where the bar once stood. Once exiting into the waiting room, a long hall lead around the dance floor to the reception desk and the exit.

To Elsa, it was a veritable work of art. Nothing in this world could compare to the magnificence of this studio. And she had only one person to thank for it: Jack.

She had not thought it possible to get any closer to the enigmatic man, but she had. Over the past two weeks, as constructions were being wrapped up, after their ice skating date and her claiming her prize, after the second kiss that they shared outside of her door, she had grown inexorably close to him. It seemed at that point it had been inevitable that she would fall for the carefree man. Love at first sight no longer seemed so farfetched.

Elsa found her heart fluttering every time she laid eyes upon his form and the knowing, self-assured looks that he gave her did not make the pounding any less evident. However, they had not moved beyond gentle, explorative kisses or shy, tender touches. Elsa suspected that Jack was following her lead and each day she appreciated that more and more. She just wasn't quite ready to take that next step. She didn't know what she was waiting for.

Jack had proven his love to her time and time again, pursuing her relentlessly, enticing her curiosity, holding back his ardent touches and feverish kisses for something more comforting and gentle. He knew her better than anyone ever would. He was able to read the signs her body gave off and he didn't need her words to know what she was thinking and feeling. It was exciting and unnerving at the same time to know that he was aware of her feelings and she wondered how much longer he could wait for her to give in to him physically.

Elsa paced around the dance floor, her bare feet memorizing the texture with every step she took. It was a masterpiece and it made her breath catch in her throat as she realized her dream was truly becoming a reality. She found herself striding over to the sound system, eager to practice something new, excited to express her feelings with the movement of her body.

The soothing yet haunting tunes of The XX Angels billowed throughout the room and the sound filled Elsa up. Her form moved through the paces, limbs gracefully moving along with the lulling sound of the music. The lyrics expressed words that she was still too shy to speak.

Jack took notice of the sound of music being played from North's office. He had thought himself to be the only one present at the time as he went over potential furniture to purchase for the studio. The catalogues were long forgotten as Jack exited the office in search of who he knew to be there. The ghostly lyrics, speaking with sweetness, caressed his auditory senses and Jack found himself drawn to the anticipated presence of Elsa.

'And everyday
I'm learning about you
The things that no one else sees
And the end comes too soon
Like dreaming of angels'

Elsa's figure moved and flowed through the song. Her very essence resonating with the movements she made and the lyrics sung. Jack watched with rapt fascination. She was truly an amazing woman, talented, strong and driven. How was it that no other man had taken her away? How was it that she was not already the success that she was working so hard to become? This confused him, but he would continue to help her to achieve her goals. That was what he wanted for the rest of his life…

'And leaving without them
And leaving without them'

'Being as in love with you as I am
Being as in love with you as I am
Being as in love with you as I am
Being as in love, love, love
Love, love, love
Love, love, love'

Being the only one present, Jack felt as if she were dancing for him and the haunting meaning of the song was not lost on him. Could she ever possibly understand the hold that she had on him? Could she ever accept the heart that he was holding out to her every day? He wished that she would ardently. Day by day, loving her as deeply as he did and not knowing if these feeling would be fully reciprocated was becoming difficult.

'And with words unspoken
A silent devotion
I know you know what I mean
And the end is unknown
But I think I'm ready
As long as you're with me'

'Being as in love with you as I am
Being as in love with you as I am
Being as in love with you as I am
Being as in love, love, love'

At that very moment, Jack just knew. He knew that she was his and he was hers.

The song came to an end and Elsa smiled happily to herself. Those lyrics held so much meaning to her. She truly wished she could express this to Jack. Her expression became slightly somber as she moved to turn off the CD that she had set to play. Her movements came to a halt as she took notice of Jack watching her. She was only slightly startled, but happier than anything, to see him there.

"Jack," she called to him with an elated smile.

He seemed to have been in a trance as he twitched back into alertness with Elsa's approach. His eyes lit up and his smile broadened into a grin as she came to stand before him, "Man Elsa," he began in an almost breathless tone, "you are something else."

There was something there that Elsa noticed, something that Jack just wasn't capable of hiding quickly enough: a sadness that seemed to reach out to her and draw her in. What was she doing to him? How was it that she could make him wait for her like this? She knew how she felt! She knew that she loved him with every fiber of her being and yet she still held him at bay.

With a newfound resolution, Elsa reached out for his hands as the next track began to play, "Dance with me?" she asked sweetly, an expression bordering on apologetic on her face.

Jack looked at her skeptically, the sadness now hidden behind the guise of a goofy smile, "I don't know, Elsa. I'm not that good," he practically blushed with embarrassment, "I've got two left feet."

"Oh, come on, Jack," Elsa insisted as she took his hands into hers and wrapped one about her shoulder blades and held the other in the air along with her own, "I wouldn't be much of a choreographer if I couldn't teach you how to dance."

"You've got a point there," he grinned as he drew her body flush against his own with the arm he had around her upper back.

Elsa found herself blushing as he pressed to her intimately. She could feel every contour of his body melded to hers and a heat ignited somewhere she hadn't felt it for quite some time. A single moment was drawn out for what felt like an eternity as she looked into Jack's icy blue gaze. The ardent longing he felt for her was as plain as day and Elsa found herself inhaling sharply before taking a single step back.

"That is bad for," she asserted, wearing her self-control like a shield, but for what?

Why was she still holding back?

Jack smiled mischievously as she instructed him to keep his arm tight while it held hers aloft. Her own arm came to rest atop his other that braced between her shoulder blades. With a dramatic tilt of her head, Elsa began to explain the steps to him, wherein he completely lost track a moment later. He couldn't help but chuckle as Elsa pouted sweetly at him.

"I told you I was no good," he cajoled.

"I think you are intentionally being difficult," she accused.

"Guilty," he confessed to an indignant sound from Elsa, "Come on, can't we just dance high school style?"

Elsa shook her head with a soft laugh as he pulled her closer to his body. His left hand held hers to his front and his right settled into the small of her back as he stepped around awkwardly in a circle with Elsa following his lead.

Elsa could not hold back her smile as she leaned her ear to press into his chest. The soothing sound of Jack's heartbeat made her sigh contentedly. She hadn't listened to it since that night two weeks ago and even then it had the same effect. It made her want to get closer…

"I love the sound of your heartbeat, Jack," she confessed on a whisper, not knowing the effect that it would have on him.

That was his breaking point. He would have to withdraw from her or risk moving too quickly for her liking. He was loath to do it, but it was a necessary evil. He did not want to lose her to his impatience. With a shuddering breath, he placed his hands on her shoulders and stepped back to hold her at arm's length. Elsa's curious expression sought out an explanation.

Jack chuckled roughly, his throat closing up against the urge to kiss her and smother her with his love, "I'm sorry, but," he began weakly, unable to meet her inquisitive gaze, "Would you like to look over some furniture options?"

Elsa was taken aback. He wanted to look at furniture?! But then she took notice of his clenched jaw and the white knuckles of his hands. He was restraining himself… Elsa's heart throbbed and she felt a nervous weight in her belly. He wanted her so badly, but he was willing to resist for her comfort. Elsa's decision was finally made.

"Sure," she answered in a soft tone, taking notice of the deflation of Jack's person, "let's go look at them upstairs."

His eyes shot open to look at her with amazement before an eager smile overwhelmed his features, "Are you sure?"

The only answer Elsa gave him was to take his hand and lead him to her room.

A/N: Thank you for reading. Please review!