Author's Note: Hey guys! I finally got this thing posted! YAY ME!! I kinda got hung up on this chapter. I kept having all kinds of distractions while I was trying to type this up. Not to mention that the muse seems to have gone insane. I wanted this chapter to go one way and it totally took off in a different direction all by itself. But, I guess that happens sometimes. Hopefully, you all approve. If not, feel free to curse me out and tell me how bad it sucks, lol. I cut this chapter in half for the sake of length. It was too long and too...well...idk...I'm not really diggin' it. But if ya'll like the way it's heading...I might go ahead and post the rest of what I've got. If not...I might take this chapter down and rework it...I haven't decided yet.

Disclaimer: Someone lied to you if you think I own Mortal Kombat.

Sub Zero POV

The Grandmaster made his way down the hallway away from the training room where he had left his student. He was a bit surprised that he found himself quite angry that his time with Wren had been interrupted. As he moved with a determined stride down the hall toward the source of the disturbance, he found himself wondering what would have happened if he had simply given in to his urge to tear the mask away from her face and crush his lips against hers. His body warmed at the thought. Would Wren be accepting of his affections? Frightened? Sickened? Pushing the thought aside, he seized one of the guards by an arm as they tried to rush by him. "I demand to know what all this commotion is about. Now." The words came out a bit more forcefully than he intended.

The guard, startled to find himself looking into the face of the obviously irritated Grandmaster, stuttered out his reply. "The-the sentries...they-they've caught an intruder..."

Sub Zero narrowed his eyes angrily at the guard. "Out here? Who? Why wasn't I informed?"

The guard looked extrememly uncomfortable. "They-they wanted to make sure...before they came to you..."

Sub Zero was quickly becoming annoyed at the guard's response. "Make sure of what?"

The guard swallowed hard. "They think its Frost."

The Grandmaster immediately released the guard and took a step back. Was it possible Frost had actually returned. Mixed emotions flooded Sub Zero's mind. He looked back to the guard who was standing at attention, awaiting orders. "Return to your post."

"Yes, Sir!" The guard hurried away, happy to comply.

Sub Zero ran a hand down his face. He shot a glance back down the hallway in the direction he had come from. "Wren..." For a moment he considered retrieving the girl and taking her with him to investigate, then thought better of it. "I will be back...I promise." He turned and headed down the corridor leading to the outside.

XXXXXXXXXX

Minutes Later...Outside the Temple

"Why did you come here?" Sub Zero coldly asked.

The young woman said nothing, but continued to stare at the icy ground in front of her. One of the guards that flanked her nudged her roughly in the side. "The Grandmaster asked you a question. I suggest you answer him."

Frost looked up at Sub Zero, putting on her most innocent expression. It was a look that had served her well when dealing with him in the past. She hoped it would be an advantage to her now. "I...I didn't know where else to go..."

Sub Zero continued to regard her coolly. His face a mask of neutrality. "Let me rephrase the question...What made you think you would be welcome back here?"

Frost's eyes widened. Was he serious? Surely not. "I-I don't..."

Sub Zero held up a hand to silence her. "I will not elaborate on our last encounter out here in front of everyone, but certainly you are aware of the seriousness of what you have done. You don't honestly believe that would be so easily forgotten?"

The woman couldn't believe it. She recognized that tone of voice all too well. He was serious. She thought quickly of some way to placate him, bend him to her will as she had done so many times in the past. She always knew what to say to get to him. He was so easy...so willing to believe everything she told him. She tried to sound as sincere as she could when she spoke. "I admit what I did was wrong. You were right. You were always right. I let my ambition get the best of me. I finally understand what you were trying to tell me all that time. I would do anything to take back all that I've done if I could...I'm so sorry..." She smiled inwardly as the look on the Grandmaster's face softened for the briefest moment before he could stop it. She had him.

He seemed to consider her words for a moment. He continued to look her in the eye as he spoke to the guards. "Take her to my office. Post a watch on her. I'll be along shortly." He turned to gaze at the gathered crowd. "Disperse these people."

"Yes, Grandmaster." Guards moved to scatter the crowd as the two flanking Frost led her away toward the Temple.

"Get rid of her."

Sub Zero turned toward the voice. "Smoke?"

Smoke looked at his friend seriously. "Get rid of her. Send her back to wherever she came from. You know as well as I that no good will come of her being here. Especially now..."

Sub Zero looked back at Smoke and nodded appreciatively. "Your concern is duly noted. However, I am interested in hearing whatever she has to say."

Smoked sighed. "Just...remain vigilant."

"I intend to." Sub Zero watched as Smoke departed and turned to survey the departing crowd. His eyes immediately locked onto Wren as she stood off to the side with Del. He was walking in her direction before he even realized his legs were moving. "Wren?"

Wren's head snapped around to look at her Sifu. She and Del had been watching the guards lead Frost away. Wren looked up at him guiltily. "I know you told me to wait for you, but..."

Sub Zero cut her off. "No, it's fine. Delilah, excuse us please?"

Del nodded even as she continued to stare angrily after the departing Frost as she disappeared inside the Temple with her escorts. "Yes, Sir."

The Grandmaster waited until Del was out of sight before wrapping one cold hand around Wren's wrist. "Come."

Wren obediantly followed her Sifu back into the Temple and toward the training room. Instead of entering the room however, he stopped right outside the door, seemingly deep in thought. "Sifu?"

"I'm sorry." Sub Zero looked down on his student. "I have to deal with this...with her."

Wren wasn't sure why he was apologizing. "I understand..."

Sub Zero shook his head. "No, you don't." He sighed. "I didn't expect this to happen..." He looked at Wren apologetically.

Wren looked up at him a bit confused. "I mean...this is good, right? She came back. Thats what you wanted..." Her voice trailed off. She had the slightest inkling of doubt as to what her status was now that her Sifu's prized student had seen it fit to return. Perhaps now that Frost was back, Sub Zero would have no reason to want her here. She was amazed to feel a stab of jealousy go through her as the feelings she had been denying she had bubbled to the surface.

Sub Zero said nothing for a moment. He merely gazed down at his pupil. When he finally spoke, his voice was just above a whisper. "I used to think thats what I wanted, but now..." His mind was screaming for him to walk away now and leave the rest unsaid, as uncertain as he was of the reaction he would receive.

Wren could tell by the look on his face that he was having an inner conflict over whatever it was he wanted to say. She waited for him to continue. When he didn't, she felt compelled to question him. "What?"

As he looked into Wren's eyes, he knew it was going to come out before he even opened his mouth again to speak. There was no stopping it anymore. The words tumbled out of his throat seemingly of their own accord. "I want you..."

Wren's breath hitched in her throat and something inside her twisted with pleasure at his words. She wasn't certain she had heard him correctly. "I don't...understand..."

"Wren..." Throwing caution to the wind, he closed the space between them. He paused only for a second before pulling her tight against his chest and doing what he had been aching to do for some time now. Tilting her head back with careful fingers, he gently brushed his lips against hers...Frost could wait.

End of Chapter 25

OH MY GOD!! What the hell have I written?! (bangs head on keyboard) That was just...ugh. Why didn't you all stop me?? I had to quit typing...I was disturbing myself...(sits in the corner and cries)