Sorry, sorry, sorry! xp I'll be slower with my updates now that I'm back at school... if only snow could give me a couple more days off... *mumbles* So, yeah, I don't own the song used in this chapter ;) that's all for now, hope you guys enjoy!

How to Thaw a Frozen Heart

Chapter fourteen: To try is only half the battle

Pitch's evil smirk cascaded down towards the desolate city his minions just destroyed. Hans surprisingly proved to be the perfect person for this sort of thing, as long as he was given food or something worth his time in return. And ever since the boogeyman came into Elsa's nightmares, he felt stronger than ever. It was only a matter of time the other guardians would find out, and when it was, he would be ready.

Hans glanced over to him and waved with one hand, a trail of blood trickling down his neck from the dirty work. He chuckled at his prize and waved back. Only a few more days, my pet. Then you'll be free and I'll reign for real this time around. Nobody will get in my way this time, not even that little whore of a Queen. She'll be the last to go. As Pitch thought, he felt his power grow more and more than before, and his nightmare horse roared in anticipation. It could hardly wait either.

"Alright, we're going to a picnic!"

Everyone stopped eating when they heard Anna's excited remark. Jack and Elsa shared a weird look before they turn to Kristoff, who just shrugged.

"Uhh… all of us?" Elsa asked her, mentioning to the rest of the table.

Anna giggled and shook her head. "No, silly, you, Jack, me, Kristoff, Eugene, and Rapunzel. We've been talking about having a day off for a while, and now's the perfect time to do it!" She nodded over to Sir Aaron. "I'm putting him in charge for the morning, along with Kai as second-in-command."

The nobleman stared at her in bewilderment. "But your highness, I don't know the first thing about looking after a castle, let alone your subjects. I'm a humble nobleman, not a king."

Jack snickered as he was about to drink his milk. "And here I thought he'd never realize it." Elsa kicked him underneath the table, causing the Spirit to nearly choke on whatever he sipped up. Kristoff smirked at the two.

Rapunzel decided to speak up then to break the awkward silence, although she was hiding in laughter of her own. "Oh, I think that would be a lovely idea. Especially what with everything that's happened so far…" She answered cryptically, and Eugene glanced at her from the corner of his eye. He could tell something else was up from the way she mumbled that last bit, but he didn't say anything about it.

Anna giggled and pumped her fist in victory. "Yay! Okay, guys, we'll all meet up behind the castle in a few minutes, by Jack and Elsa's training grounds."

Once breakfast was finished, Jack trailed slowly behind Elsa. He noticed something was off about her, as if she was… scared of his presence. What happened in that dream? What could he have done that was so terrible? If anything, he knew he didn't like this shy, secluded version of his friend. He knew he would do whatever he can to make her smile again, no matter how long it took him.

Snickering to himself, Jack conjured up a tiny snowball about the size of his hands. He hopped onto the wall and aimed for her head, expecting it to hit her neck at least. However Elsa stopped and turned around before it could, freezing the snowball in its place, and creating an even bigger one. She smirked at him. "Come on, Jack, you should know by now I caught all your tricks."

The Spirit of Fun chuckled, leaning against his staff. "Really? Well then, consider this a test. Show me exactly what you learned in our lessons so far on our way to the picnic."

Elsa was about to open her mouth to retort when she heard Olaf and Sven burst through the big doors, each baring a huge grin on their faces. "Last one out side is a pile of yellow snow!"

She giggled and ran after them, keeping an eye out for Jack all the while. On his end, he could still see that she was stressed out from before; he could only hope that things will get better from here on out.

Anna shook her head when Kristoff struggled with carrying all the things necessary for the picnic, and reached out to help him. "Here, Kris, let me help you with that."

He groaned, but let her take the blanket drooping across his shoulder, knowing that she would be just as stubborn as ever. "Thanks," He muttered, "I think here is about fine. Why do you want to do this picnic again?"

She raised an eyebrow. "Okay, one word honey: Jelsa."

"What?"

She threw her hands up in the air, her face beaming in delight. "This is our chance to get them together! You and I both know that those two dummies are too scared to admit it! We'll let them hang out with each other after we eat, and get them to realize their feelings for one another! It'll be perfect!"

He chuckled at her and placed the picnic basket on the ground. "I guess this diabolical side of you is picking up because of the little blob of goo in there, eh?"

Anna folded her arms over her stomach, offended. Rapunzel and Eugene shared a knowing look.

Meanwhile, Jack and Elsa had just made it outside of the castle. The guardian was flying beside her, forming a snowball in his hands as he froze what he touched. Elsa giggled as she formed an ice structure into a miniature sled, and used it to skate ahead of him. Sven and Olaf were right behind them.

"You really think you guys could beat us?" Jack called out to the two, smirking as Olaf raised his stick arm in protest.

"C'mon Sven, lets kick their icy butts!" The reindeer nodded and focused his eyes on the picnic.

Elsa glared at him while he chuckled, "What? You know how to attack back-handedly."

"Oh yeah." She smirked and with a grunt, used the remaining ice she had on the bottom of her sleigh to trip Jack, causing him to fall in the grass. Icicles formed around his body.

"THAT WAS UNESSESARY!"

"I know, but it made me feel better!" She laughed, smiling at Olaf as he was now at her shoulder.

Anna and Kristoff stopped arguing to see them running towards the picnic, and Jack collapsed on the ground. The princess slapped her head.

"This is going to be such a long day…"

Sven and Olaf actually made the picnic area first, but to Elsa and Jack, they were too focused on their bet to notice. Jack's eyes narrowed as he used his staff to break himself free, flying over to where the Queen was. Her sled wasn't properly built as she didn't have much time to get the breaks working, so she didn't notice one of the wheels falling off. He chuckled and grabbed her waist, Elsa only noticing for one split second as they fell off the rickety sled, (which collapsed beside the training area, causing Kitty to check out what was going on) and they tumbled into the grassy snow.

"Oof!"

"J-jack!"

"What?"

"I was just about to reach the picnic!"

"Well, too bad, because I stopped you."

"That's cheating!"

"No, I'm using my resources to benefit my survival. Which it did."

"You're insufferable!"

"Marry me."

"Huh…?"

"Hey!" Anna's voice called out, and both turned to face her. "Come on you two, we have everything all set up! You can kiss later!"

Elsa blushed violently as she pushed herself off of Jack, folding her arms tight. "I would rather kiss Sven than this blubbering idiot."

"That hurts, sweetheart." He pouted, although on the inside that comment stung him more than it should've. Elsa rolled her eyes at him, mumbling as she made her way to sit next to Anna, far away from her object of affections as possible.

The meal went smoothly after that, aside from Anna's not-exactly-slight remarks on what Jack and Elsa should do for the rest of the day, while the others go for a 'walk' around the gardens. The one thing that stood out to the couple was going out onto the lake with a boat. Elsa hasn't yet since The Great Thaw, and she wanted to experience it now before she couldn't. Jack happily obliged to take her, with a nod of encouragement from Anna and Kristoff.

Elsa, on the other hand, was nervous about being alone with him. She stayed behind to talk with her sister as he walked ahead.

"Hey, why aren't you going with him? Now is your chance."

"Anna…" She whimpered, "I know this whole thing was just to get me and Jack together… I-I want it, really badly, but I'm just so scared… I'm scared I'll hurt him…"

The princess sighed, taking her hands into hers. "You won't, Elsa. You haven't before, and there's no way you'll do it now. Come on, we've believed in you so many times, but you have to believe in yourself too. You remember the Queen who faced off a bunch of bad guys singlehandedly? Where was that Elsa?"

"I was scared then as well, Anna…" She bit her tongue though, and sighed. She smiled at her. "I guess she's still here…"

Rapunzel nodded in approval, barely hiding back a squeal as she hugged her. "Go on, he's so close! Live your dream!"

"I'll… try." She assured them, and took in a shakey breath while she turned around. She smiled at Jack as he called her over.

Anna smiled as she leaned against Kristoff. "They grow up so fast, don't they?" He chuckled and kissed her forehead.

"Took you long enough," Jack smirked at her, nodding over to the boat. "I was getting worried you got lost or something."

"Or something," Elsa giggled and took his hand. "Thanks for um… going along with my sister's crazy idea. You didn't have to."

He laughed while they climbed onto the boat, and he placed his staff against the wood to take a paddle to row them. "Well, according to you, I'm not physically capable of flying at long-distances yet, so I'm here just to humor you."

"I feel so loved." She smirked, mentally sighing as the cool September breeze brushed through her hair. They sat in silence for a while, both unsure of how to start a conversation. They each respectively had their own fears, but each too stubborn to admit them. Elsa stared out into the water in her reflection, frowning at the dark circles under her eyes.

Anna, Kristoff, Rapunzel and Eugene all climbed into one boat after them. Olaf didn't want to be near the water, as it was his personal phobia, so Sven stayed on the grounds with him. The princesses rubbed her temples.

"Why aren't they saying anything to each other?"

Eugene rested his hand against his cheek. "After what they each went through, I don't think I would want to talk…"

Kristoff eyed his wife carefully, trying his best to ignore the pleading look on her face. THAT LOOK. He knew what that meant. And he wasn't going to fall for it. "No, Anna, I'm not singing."

"Kristoff, you told me you know the song by heart. Besides, you have an amazing voice. It'll help fit… de mood."

"What song?" Rapunzel asked, now very intrigued.

The prince sighed, giving Eugene a pleading look. Unfortunately he was interested in what the girls were talking about as well, so all he had was a smirk on his lips. Kristoff slapped his head. The things I do to please this woman… He couldn't get mad at her adorable face as he kissed her nose, sighing in defeat.

There… you see her

Sittin' there across the way

"You got it, honey!" Anna encouraged, a beaming smile on her face. He cleared his throat.

She don't got a lot to say,

But there's something about her

And you don't know why but you're dying to try

You wanna kiss the girl

Jack blushed when he heard the singing, looking around for the voice he couldn't find. Elsa didn't seem to notice anything.

Yes, you want her

Look at her you know you do

Possible she wants you to

There is one way to ask her

It don't take a word not a single word go on and…

Kiss the girl

This time though, Elsa heard the tenor voice, and shrunk low in her seat as Jack used the paddle to bring them around the fjord. Anna, I swear I'm going to kill you for this…

"Can't you sing with me now?" Kristoff asked his wife pleadingly, who giggled.

"Oh, fine."

Sha-la-la-la-la

Looks like the boy's too shy ain't gonna kiss the girl

Sha-la-la-la ain't that sad it's such a shame too bad

He gonna miss the girl

"Y-you know… I'm really proud of you." Jack said, to which Elsa looked up at him.

"About what? I didn't do anything special…"

He shook his head, "No, Elsa, you did. Even though you were scared you made your guards to take me to your room… you didn't cry and you didn't break down in front of me. If the Man in the Moon ever chose you to be a guardian… then I could see why."

Elsa smiled at him, "Thanks, Jack. That means a lot to me."

Kristoff smiled as Anna leaned against him.

Now's your moment

Floating in a blue lagoon

Boy, you better do it soon

No time will be better

She don't say a word and she won't say a word until you

Kiss the girl

Sha-la-la-la don't be scared you got the mood prepared

Go on and kiss the girl

Sha-la-la-la don't stop now

Don't try to hide it how

You wanna kiss the girl

To Anna's surprise, the two were actually leaning into each other. Beautiful ice crystals began to cascade down the vines they were surrounded by.

Sha-la-la-la, float along and listen to the song

Say, kiss the girl

Whoa, whoa

Music play, do what the music say

You gotta kiss the girl…

Why don't you kiss the girl?

Elsa's breath caught in her throat as she was leaning close to Jack, too close for her personal comfort. However, she felt the warmest when she was around him—now more so than ever. Was it the music? Was it the fact that her love was sitting right there, willing and ready? Was it her personal fear overcoming everything? Whatever it was, she didn't care. She refused.

The two were so close to each other now, Jack's eyes filled with pleading curiosity—she would've answered his silent question right then, if it weren't for the fact that she noticed an unnatural brown streak in his white hair. She gasped in alarm, reaching her arm to touch it causing him to pull back. That one action was enough to cause the boat to topple over, sending the two into the water. Eugene and Rapunzel burst out laughing on one end at the misfortune, while Anna and Kristoff stared at the scene with mouths agape.

"Well." Olaf said from where he was; a smug look spread across his face. "That happened."