A/N: Hey everyone! Here is the new chapter. It's a bit later than I intended, but this week has been full of surprises. We had guests over and now my father is taking me on a business trip with him to Louisiana! Fortunately, I somehow managed to sneak my laptop along so I could continue working and update. This chapter is short, but I hope it is short but sweet. Also news on my next story: it will be titled Gathering Darkness (I don't like the title but I can't figure out a better one) and as long as there are no further unexpected delays, I'm aiming to have it released on Friday, the 6th. Like I mentioned, it will be primarily Jelsa but will include others such as Kristanna, Eugenzel, Hiccstrid and Mericup (yes you read that right, both), it will have a bit of all genres and I'm hoping to bring something new and yet unseen in this fandom. I won't reveal any more, so you'll just have to read it it when it comes out:)
Hope everyone enjoys this chapter and never underestimate the power of a review, it inspires me to no end.

Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters. They are owned by Disney and DreamWorks. I'm writing this purely for entertainment purposes.

Through The Storm
Chapter 12: Winter Dance

Jack strolled into his room, quickly shut the door and pressed his back to it.
"Hhhrrrrrrmmm!" He screamed with his mouth pressed shut. He paced the room, hating every fiber of his being. This was getting ridiculous! Every time he got close to her, he screwed up. First the cold weather test and now this! Elsa was sure to hate him now! "Argh! Great going Frost!" He scolded himself. "Try to ruin what you have with her why don't you?! I can't afford to slip up like that again." He couldn't afford to lose her trust or her friendship. That would just destroy him. Jack was so upset; he didn't even bother with the journal. He just flopped onto his hammock and prayed he hadn't screwed everything up too badly.

Elsa walked into her room and transformed her ice gown into her nightgown then went out into her balcony to star up at the stars in the night sky. Replays of just a few minutes earlier flashed through her mind. Elsa unconsciously touched her calf and a small smile formed on her lips. She had to admit, she was beyond shocked at what had happened. She never would have thought Jack would do something like that, and thankfully, she had been unaware, because had she known, she never would have allowed it. But she had thoroughly enjoyed both the massage he'd given her legs, and the kissing. She was glad it came as a surprise so that she couldn't have prevented it; she would have hated herself if she had. She would have missed this amazing experience. That kiss had been the most wonderful feeling she had felt since she had stopped holding back her powers. It felt even more exhilarating, enthralling, and she wished it had lasted longer. And she found herself wanting more. More of the feelings, more of the kisses. More of Jack. Much more. Elsa blushed at the thought. She went back inside and lay in her bed. She thought of the Guardian as she stared up at her room's ceiling and she wondered on how he made her feel. Her final thoughts before falling asleep were surprising, but not unwelcome: she wondered what it would be like to truly kiss him.

The following morning, Jack went down to the dining area to see there was no sign of Elsa. He sighed heavily and sadly as he went about gathering some fruit.
"She probably doesn't want to see you, moron." Jack thought angrily. And who could blame her when he had violated her trust? What had come over him?! It had been so sudden, so tantalizing! It was like he had been intoxicated! Jack didn't understand why, but he yearned to be with Elsa. He needed to be with her.

Elsa sat on her bed, staring at her hands. Her thoughts were still fixed on Jack and she sighed.
Elsa desperately wanted to see him. But how? How could she talk to him about what had happened? How could she confront him about her feelings and what if he didn't feel the same way? What if this had been a fluke? She couldn't handle the devastation if he didn't return the feelings she realized had been slowly developing. Elsa sighed. She didn't want to avoid Jack and it wouldn't do her any good to stay away from him. Jack stirred something new in her. Something different, but welcome. She longed to be near him.

Jack looked up as he heard Elsa enter the dining area. She was looking down and Jack feared the worst. Perfect. Just perfect! I completely screwed up! They stood there in awkward silence, neither knowing what to say to the other.

"So…" Elsa began tentatively. "What are we going to do for training today?"

"I, uh…. I figured we could take a day off today." Jack replied. "You know, so you can rest a bit and… relax."

"Oh. Okay…" Undesirably, the awkward silence returned. They ate in silence, each occasionally throwing glances at the other, but sadly they always just seemed to miss each other's gaze. When they finished eating, the rose, still unable to meet one another's eyes. Eventually, the worry ate up Jack enough that he decided to speak up.

"Elsa, I'm… I just wanted… I'm so sorry about yesterday. I-I don't know what came over me." He said, trying his best to apologize. Please don't let her hate me please don't let her hate me! Elsa blinked in surprise. She was touched that he cared to apologize, but she was also sad that he felt he had to apologize. She didn't want him to regret what they had shared and she wished she could let him know that she didn't regret it. Not a single moment.

"Jack, I… I just want you to know I'm not angry or upset about yesterday."

"Y-you're not?" Jack asked in shock.

"Mm-mm." Elsa hummed, shaking her head.

"So what do you want to do today?" Elsa thought for a moment before smiling at him, which caused Jack's stomach to perform excited somersaults.

"How about a snowball fight?" Jack gave her a wide grin that made her heart flutter.
"You're on!"

Their game lasted for a good few hours. Both laughed and had so much fun playing with each other. Jack amazed Elsa with his abilities and tricks that she had not learned. Elsa made Jack proud with what she had mastered from him. Both were perfectly match, neither gaining an upper hand, perfect equals.
Eventually Elsa decided to summon Marshmallow to help her out and beat Jack. Unfortunately, the giant snowman got overexcited and ended up burying BOTH of them under a pile of snow. Jack and Elsa manage to get their heads out of the snow and laughed uproariously. When they finally settled down a bit, Jack managed wiggle out of the snow and helped Elsa out. They stood face-to-face, holding each other's arms and laughing softly. They looed at one another's face and blush lightly as their laughter died down and they gazed deeply into each other's eyes with something new, something neither realized yet that they had or what it was: love.

"Come on Jack! You'll love this I promise!" Elsa said, giggling as she pulled his arm.

"No, come on Elsa! I can't!" Jack laughed as she pulled him towards the center of the ice palace's entrance foyer. Elsa waved her hands and a beautiful, majestically crafted grand piano formed from ice. Jack smiled, remembering how Elsa never ceased to amaze him. She turned back to him and gave him that smile of hers that just made him melt.

"Come on, it'll be fun." Even if she hadn't been pleading, Jack knew he would never be able to refuse her.
Marshmallow stood before the piano and began to play surprisingly well for a giant snow creature with huge fingers as thick as tree trunks.

"Sing us a song, you're the piano man." Said Jack. Elsa shyly walked out to the center of the foyer, nervous, as she knew Jack's eyes were upon her. She knew she didn't dance, but not that she couldn't. She closed her eyes and felt the rhythm and just let it carry her. She was a bit mechanical at first in her movements, but eventually he moves became graceful, flowing perfectly with the song. He watched as Elsa danced beautifully in the middle of the room. She was absolutely mesmerizing to watch. It took a long while before Jack was able to come to his senses; he grinned.

"Ah, you're not just the Snow Queen, you're also the Dancing Queen!" Jack laughed causing the Queen to smile.

"Jack, join me." Said Elsa, blushing slightly. A look of worry quickly appeared on the Guardian's face.

"I don't know how to dance." He said.

"I'll teach you." Slowly, and surprisingly, timidly, Jack made his way out to her, standing nervously beside the Queen. He took a deep breath, gathering up his courage, and grinned at her.

"Your Majesty." Said Jack, bowing. "May I have this dance?" Elsa smiled and curtsied.

"You may, good sir." She took one of Jack's hands and placed it on her waist. She then took his other hand in hers and placed her free hand on his shoulder. Jack smiled at her causing Elsa to feel like her knees were made of jelly. "I'll lead."

"I'll follow you anywhere." Jack said causing her to blush. They danced slowly, waltzing around the foyer to the song coming from the piano. But soon Jack was looking down at their feet. Elsa frowned. She wanted to look at his eyes and face as they danced.

"Jack, look at me." She said gently.

"I don't want to step on your feet." Jack said nervously. Elsa giggled.

"You won't. Trust me." They continued dancing, Jack slowly taking his eyes off his feet. When he did, he was met by the most rewarding sight by looking Elsa in the eyes and face. Soon another song started, and as the Queen led, the Guardian had stopped looking down altogether. The waltzed to several different songs and the fun seemed to go on for hours. Not once did Jack step on Elsa's feet, though he did trip over his own in the beginning, and they always kept their eyes on the other's. Soon marshmallow started to play yet another song. It was probably the twentieth or something; both Jack and Elsa had lost track as both found their dance partner far more interesting than counting songs. The song that played was so beautiful and inspiring that it really moved Jack in ways he'd never expected. After being around for more than three hundred years and listening to all kinds of songs, he was really keen to learn more about the wonderful melody that was so touching and mysterious to his ears. So moving and powerful.

"What is this song?" Jack asked.

"I call it Let It Go; made it myself." Jack's jaw dropped as he stared at Elsa with awe.

"Wow. It's really beautiful Elsa." The Queen smiled at him, a light tinge of oink appearing on her cheeks.

"Thank you."

When the song finally ended, Jack and Elsa stopped in the very center of the foyer. They were both smiling as they gazed into one another's eyes. So enchanted in each other they were, that they didn't realize their proximity; that their foreheads were actually touching.
"Elsa, you are the most magnificent person I have ever met." Said Jack. They were literally nose-to-nose; feeling each other's steady breathing on their own lips. Their eyes flicked to one another's lips as their breathing became a bit ragged. They were really close. And Elsa panicked. She drew back suddenly, fear in her face, but sadness in her eyes from pulling away from Jack.

"I- I should go…" She said. Like Jack had done so last night, Elsa too quickly fled from him, darting up the stairs towards her room.
Jack watched her leave. He had no idea what made her flee. What had frightened her off? Was it because of him? Jack knew he'd be pushing his luck, but he wanted to go after her. He felt like he needed to go after her. Making up his mind, Jack bolted up the stairs and made for her room. The door had been left half-open and he could see her pacing nervously inside.

Elsa paced her room cradling her arms. She couldn't believe just how close she had been to Jack. So tantalizingly close that she had almost given into her impulses and kissed him! And oh, how she desperately wanted to kiss him! But what if Jack didn't share her feelings? What if all he wanted was to be her friend? She couldn't risk ruining what they had. She had to control her emotions and feelings. She had to somehow rein them in. She did want to get hurt because of her feelings and even more importantly; she didn't want Jack to be hurt. Their friendship was too important to her to lose just because of her impulses. But why, why did she have these impulses towards Jack to begin with? Why was she always feeling the way she did around him? Could it be possible?
Am I falling in love with him?! No, worse! I already am!
"Conceal, don't feel." Elsa repeated her creed to herself. It was her only comfort, but how she hated it this time around! It provided absolutely no solace to her aching heart as her tears threatened to fall.

"No Elsa." Elsa whirled around to see Jack standing at her doorway.

"Jack!"

"Reveal, feel." He said walking into her room to stand right in front of her. He saw the tears brimming her eyes and knew she was hurting, and to know she was in pain, even emotion, was like a large rusty dagger being plunged into his heart and twisted around.

"Jack, I…"

"Reveal, feel." He repeated taking her hands. They stayed like that for a few minutes until Elsa had calmed and her eyes had dried. They could have stayed there forever, but both knew they'd be risking their friendship if the stayed. That's something both unknowingly agreed with one another. Neither wished to lose their friendship to their impulses, yet both feared that their yearning would only continue to get stronger until the could no longer ignore them. Until they could no longer deny them.
"I'll be downstairs if you need me, Your Majesty."

"Goodbye, Jack." Elsa croaked back. She was on the verge of tears but not for the reasons he thought. Oh she could not stress enough just how desperately she wanted to kiss him; it felt like a necessity for her to live! And to have him kiss her back! To feel their lips pressed together, their bodies close and intertwining. Little did she know, however, that the object of her affections was feeling the exact same way.

As Kristoff and Anna continued on their journey with Sven and Olaf, the blond man had slowly been starting to notice that the spirited redhead was unnaturally silent. While Anna's silence was a dead giveaway something was wrong, Kristoff surprised himself as he normally wasn't one to ever notice if someone was bothered by something unless the said so. It was just in his nature to trust that everyone could handle their issues and he could keep to his own and Sven's business. Kristoff thought and realized that it was since he had tripped and fallen. Had she hurt herself.
"Anna, what's bothering you?" Kristoff abruptly asked.

"Hm? What? Oh, uh it's nothing." Kristoff wasn't convinced. He looked at the girl beside him, frowning.

"Come on Anna, I know something's bothering you."

"It's just… I don't know. I- I think I saw something strange earlier in the woods."

"Like what? A bear?"

"No. It's… I don't know what it was."

"Well what did you think you saw?"

"I'm not sure. I don't know."

"Well, if you think of anything, you can always tell me." He said. Anna nodded and they continued in silence for a few moments, the Princess deep in thoughts.

"Kristoff?"

"Hmm?" Anna hesitated before she decided to continue.

"Are there any pure black deer around here?" Kristoff frowned, considering her question

"No. I've never even heard of a pure black deer." He paused in thought. "Is that what you saw?" Anna recalled the animal before speaking.

"Actually, I think it was more a horse."

"Maybe a castle horse? A guard might have lost it?" Anna shook her head.

"No. We don't have any pure black horses. Most are white or light chestnut. A few are multicolored, but there are no pure black horses. And it's eyes…" She shuddered.

"What about them?"

"They we bright yellow."

"That's normal for some animals." Kristoff said thoughtfully. Maybe it hadn't been a horse. Maybe it had been a deer or something. Again Anna shook her head.

"No, it was bright yellow. Really bright. Like it was glowing." She explained. "It looked really predatorial." At those last words Kristoff, frowned deeply. He began more alert and his movement took on greater purpose. You don't believe me?"

"The Queen who controls ice, an invisible guy who can fly and also wields ice, a living talking snowman and giant living snowman? On any normal given day, I wouldn't have believed you, but now? No I believe you all right."

"What do you think it was?" Asked Anna. Kristoff narrowed his eyes as he thought.

"Trouble."

A/N2: More good news for AnnaxKristoff. I managed to get a bit of them in this chapter, so that means we will indeed have four chapters in a row with them (11-14). We'll get a lot of them next chapter and chapter 14 will be mostly theirs.

Guest: I'm really glad you enjoyed it so much. I hope you like this one just as well.

ElsaTheSnowQueen2: While not as intimate as the last chapter, I hope you also found this one satisfying.

Awesomo3000: I'm continuing, lol! Did this chapter manage to continue the overload?