Marshall picked Elsa up from the studio when evening came, and they headed straight to their parents' house. It had been the new routine for the Daltons. Little by little, they would eat dinner together as a family. From there, they would see how things would go.

Elsa fidgeted on her seat as she glanced towards her brother. "Hans knows."

"Hm? Sorry. What?"

"He knows."

Marshall's mouth fell open, and then he cleared his throat. "She told him?"

She shook her head and leaned back against her seat. "He stopped by the studio earlier before going to the airport. He said he figured it out on his own."

"Okay...?"

"He said I... want to get past this slump." Elsa cringed, realizing that the words did not make sense. "I told him I tried practicing the song with Senya. He said that's already proof enough that I want to get past this."

"Give me a sec," he said, parking his way to the garage. "Okay. I agree with him on this one. He made a valid point."

"So do I. I don't want to let this drag me down all the time. It's just... I don't know how long it's going to take. He didn't force me to join him right away, but who knows what'll happen in the future?"

He removed his seatbelt and faced her. "Why are you worrying about something that hasn't happened yet?"

"Mars—" Elsa paused. "Anna ran after me last night." He nodded, silently telling her that he knew. "We talked. She... She told me why she kept it a secret from him."

"Go on...?"

She faced the door to their house. "She didn't want me to hate her, Mars. She thinks that if I admit it to him, I'll only do it because of her. And the worst part?" She laughed emptily. "She's right."

He didn't say anything for a whole minute until he eventually asked, "Didn't you... want to get over it?"

"I do, but I forced myself last night for her." Elsa turned to him. "What should I do? Anna had always been there for me when I was feeling down. I want to be there for her now, but everything I do, she thinks I'm only forcing myself."

Marshall tapped his fingers on the steering wheel. "Aren't you?"

"No, I..." She groaned, slumping on the chair as she remembered Olaf's words. "I have to, don't you think? If I want to completely move on or to get over this, I have to try."

"Why do you want to get over it? Is it because you want to stop having those nightmares? Because you're tired of filling the void Cindy left behind? Or is it because you want Anna to have it easy?"

She frowned. "What?"

"Reason, Elsa. There is a difference between doing it for yourself and doing it for someone else. You already know how it feels, right? To do something for someone even when it hurts you?"

Mom, Dad...

"I'm not saying this situation with Anna is the same, but maybe you don't have to do anything. Just focus on your own problems, do this at your pace, and trust that she'll reach out to you in her own time. Let things flow naturally. If it happens, it happens. If it doesn't, then..." He shrugged.

"Is that the right choice?"

"I don't know. Maybe? Look I care about Anna, too. I worry about her. There are things she can't tell anyone and that's just not good." He smiled and ruffled her hair. "But I believe she's going to get through it, and you should too." The door opened, cutting their conversation short. Their father waved at them and gestured inside the house. "Come on. They're waiting."

Their father welcomed them with a pat on their backs before leading the way to the dining room where their mother was setting the table. Elsa rushed quickly to her aid while Marshall went over to the kitchen to grab the big pot of stew.

"Mom, you've outdone yourself." Marshall set the pot down in the middle of the table. "How many people are you trying to feed?"

Their mother laughed. "Ask your father. He was the one who made it."

"Seriously?"

"This is a once in a lifetime opportunity, Mars. Take it or leave it," King huffed.

"I'll take it!"

Done with the preparations, they each took their respective seats and started eating. The conversation came easy to them by now. Elsa's guard was no longer as sturdy as the first time she came over, and she would often catch herself completely at ease. It was going better than one would think and at the back of her mind, she wondered if maybe she was ready to return to this house and live with them again.

Elsa briefly entertained the idea. She weighed the pros and cons. Her parents had not shown any signs of ever forcing things on her again. They had been asking genuine questions like what food she liked to eat, what her hobbies were, and the likes. The pros outweighed the cons, and yet, there was still a piece of her that was reluctant.

Then her father asked, "What do you think about going back to Corona?"

Elsa chewed the beef slowly. "What?"

Queenie set her fork down and clasped her hands together. "We've been thinking. Maybe it's about time we faced what happened."

Caught off guard by the suddenness of the suggestion, Elsa glanced at her brother. Marshall was chewing something while alternating his gaze from her and their parents, a clueless look on his face.

Elsa cleared her throat. "We went back there last Christmas."

"Yes, but that was only for a few days," her mother said. "That place is filled with memories of Cindy, and your father and I think it's about time to fully accept it. What happened to her."

"I... I don't understand. How could going back there help with that?"

"It wasn't easy visiting Corona and we were honestly relieved when we returned here after that," her father admitted. "It goes to show that we haven't completely moved on yet."

"Your father and I, we don't want to keep running from your sister. She's gone, but it doesn't mean we have to avoid everything that reminds us of her." Queenie unclasped her hands and leaned back in her chair. "Maybe it won't work and maybe this is another decision we made based on emotions. You don't have to agree. We just think this is something that could help us all move forward."

Elsa did not know if this was what her family needed. She had already been feeling comfortable with her parents and even thought of moving back in, but for them to suggest something important like this out of nowhere?

"Can I... think about it?"

"Of course," her parents said.

They continued their meal over small talks after that. Once they were done, Elsa volunteered to do the dishes, much to her mother's delight. Elsa did not mind. She had to move and do something or else she would start overthinking. She exhaled emptily, shaking the intrusive thoughts away.

After cleaning up, she went to her old room.

Another beat passed and then there was a knock on her door. "Mind if I come in?" came Marshall's voice and without waiting for a response, he opened the door and walked over to her bed. "So... Corona."

"Did you know?"

"Nah." He shrugged and flopped himself on the bed. "First time I heard of it."

Elsa inhaled deeply and rubbed her face with both hands. She started walking back and forth in front of him while biting on her fingernails. "This is too sudden, Mars. Going back to Corona is a big deal. Why are they...? I- I don't get it."

"Hm." Marshall pressed his hands on the bed and crossed his legs. "I think I understand where they're coming from." Elsa stopped pacing around and faced him. "I think... staying here and avoiding Corona because of everything that happened won't free them from the pain, Elsa."

"That's..."

He shook his head with a gentle smile. "Is it Anna? We were talking about her earlier and you—"

"I already have a life here, Mars. We already have a life here." Elsa grabbed a pillow and sat beside him. "We have friends and... Anna- we're not okay yet. I don't want to leave when there are still some things we have to talk about."

"It's not going to be forever. Mom and Dad won't force you to go back with them if you don't want to."

"What about you? Are you okay with this? What about Ariel?"

"Well..." He sighed. "I'm staying here. I'm graduating, Elsa, and I have my eyes set on Arendelle University. They know that."

"Then why should I—"

"They're not going to force you," Marshall reiterated, sitting up on the bed. "That's the point of asking. They want you to decide for yourself. It's a big decision to make."

"Do you think I should?"

"You're the only one who can answer that. How do you feel about it, really? Do you want to go or not?"

"I want to help them move on, but will going back really help them? Help me?"

"We've been through a lot as a family, Elsa. Even now, I can tell there are still some things you aren't sure about. If you don't, what other reason do you have for not living here with us? If going back there will show you how serious mom and dad are about this, wouldn't it be worth it?"

"But to actually live there again?"

"It's not set in stone. You can suggest spending the summer vacation there instead. As I've said, they're not going to force you."

"Summer?" Elsa lifted her gaze, biting her lower lip as she saw their reflection in the mirror. "That's for two months."

"It's only for two months. Personally, I think it's a good idea. It won't take long, and you'll be back here before you even know it. I think two months is enough to make it work."

Two months. Would it be enough? Olaf said she should not lose sight of what was important. Now, she couldn't even tell what was more important for her anymore. Giving her parents the chance and helping them move forward by facing their fears, or staying in Arendelle and living their lives the way they were already living it. Before meeting Anna, Elsa had no doubt about what she would choose. She would choose it without hesitation either. But things were different now.

If she left, what would happen to them?

Several days had passed since Elsa's parents dropped the bomb. It had kept Elsa's mind occupied, yet still confused and clueless about what to do. She almost reached out to Olaf and Senya for some advice, but after their conversation regarding Anna, she had a feeling they would only grace her with another mind-boggling response. This was something she had to face herself. Marshall said as much.

But it was still confusing.

"So let me get this straight." Rapunzel stopped and raised her palm up. "You're leaving?"

Elsa cringed. "Not leaving, leaving. I'm still thinking about it. Mom and Dad want us to stay there for... who knows how long, but Mars suggested we just go on vacation."

"And...? They agreed?"

"I haven't given them my answer yet." Elsa zipped up her bag and murmured, "But if... if it would help them, I think it'll be nice, you know?"

Rapunzel's face scrunched. "Ahuh, if you say so."

"You're doing wonders for my confidence, Rapz."

"What do you want me to say?" The brunette huffed, crossing her arms and blowing away a strand of hair when it fell in front of her face. "I'm still bothered about what you and Anna talked about when she followed you outside the reception and now you're telling me you're leaving."

"It's not confirmed yet."

"Whatever." The brunette rolled her eyes. "This is so sudden. Have you even talked to her about this?" Elsa pursed her lips and frowned. "Of course not," Rapunzel mumbled.

"Rapz, we're not okay yet. We've talked. I did. But telling her about this right now... It's not the best time."

Rapunzel crossed her arms and tapped her foot incessantly on the floor. She eyed Elsa carefully and the blonde could only look at her pleadingly. She groaned. "Fine, fine. But don't you dare leave with your relationship like this, even if it's just a vacation."

Elsa lifted her gaze to the determined ones of the brunette. "I wasn't planning to."

"Good. But seriously, you can't catch a break, huh?"

She sighed. "I know, Rapz. I know."

No truer words had ever been spoken. After Hans found out about her identity, Elsa thought it would be the last of her worries. She thought if Hans forced her into joining, that would be it. His reaction was better than she expected and it worked out perfectly for them, even Anna. That should have been it. But Anna still had so many secrets, so many worries she could not tell anyone. Elsa wanted to be there, to prove she was not like everyone else, but now? Now her parents wanted to move back to Corona with her.

To move to a place far from Arendelle. From Anna.

Really can't catch a break.

Elsa grabbed the notebooks that wouldn't fit her bag and followed Rapunzel out of their classroom. The last bell had already rung and most of the students had already left. On their way to the lockers, Elsa's eyes landed on the Juniors' room. The door was ajar and her hands instinctively tightened around her books.

"—oof!"

Elsa stepped back and shook the stars away from her vision before glancing at the person she bumped into. Ariel was rubbing the side of her head, accompanied by Anna who was staring at Elsa with widened eyes.

"Sorry," Elsa hurriedly said. "Sorry, Ariel. Are you okay?"

"Ohhh that hurts." The older redhead laughed. "I'm okay. Sorry!"

"That was loud." Rapunzel glanced between the two. "You sure you're okay?"

"Yup, no worries!"

Elsa released the breath she was holding and let her eyes slide back to Anna's. The younger redhead had been silent the entire time and when their gazes locked, it did not take a second before she looked away again.

Anna...

Pressing the books closer to her chest, Elsa turned to Ariel. Marshall had told her to wait until Anna was ready and Ariel had asked her the same thing weeks ago, but it did not mean she should stop trying to reach out. She had questions, and if Anna was not willing to give her an answer, there was only one other person who might.

"Are you free, Ariel?"

Arie's eyes flew open. "Hm? Now?" Elsa nodded. "We're just about to go home."

Elsa swallowed. "Can we talk? Just the two of us?"

Rapunzel's and Ariel's mouths dropped, with the redhead doing it more gracefully than the brunette, whereas Anna flinched. "E- Elsa..." Anna stuttered.

"I just have some questions," Elsa explained, never tearing her gaze away from Ariel. The cousins shared a look lost to her, so she added, "It's about Mars."

"Oh." Ariel bit her lip and faced Anna again. Anna opened her mouth, seemingly to protest, but the older redhead shook her head. "If you don't mind, I want to put these in my locker."

With a silent nod, they left Anna and Rapunzel alone in the hallway and walked together to their lockers. Some of the students have greeted them on their way there, including Aladdin and Jasmine, much to Elsa's surprise. Things have really changed since the New Year. One enigma that hadn't been solved was Vanessa, she supposed, but Elsa would get there.

Right now, she had other important things to take care of.

"You wanted to talk?" Ariel asked, gently closing her locker. Elsa hesitated and looked around, unsure whether the silence of the place was a blessing or not with the questions she would like to ask. "Oh, you don't have to worry about people overhearing us. Most of them have already left."

"No, it's... okay."

Ariel nodded. "So..."

Elsa poked her fingers together, pursing her lips as Ariel kept staring. She cleared her throat and swallowed. "Is... uhm..."

"Let me guess. Anna?" Elsa's cheeks flushed. "I had a feeling that it wasn't about Mars."

A guilty smile crept on her lips. "Sorry."

"Don't be. I understand." Ariel clasped her hands behind her back, glancing around the place and watching a group of students leave through the front door. "She's... been awfully quiet."

"Oh."

"Yeah. Things happened." There was a distant look in Ariel's eyes that caused Elsa to tilt her head in question. Ariel shook her head. "Don't worry about it. So?"

Elsa's eyes dropped to the floor, her fingers absently toying with a loose thread on her sleeve. "We talked. While Senya was performing that night. She told me that... that even if she wants to think nothing will happen, she ends up thinking I'll be like 'everyone'. Even..."

"Me?" Ariel finished for her.

Elsa had been curious about it ever since the name slipped out of Anna's mouth. Vanessa was one thing—that, Elsa could understand a little. But for Ariel to be included? Anna had always said that she did not care about her own wellbeing as long as Ariel would be okay. That kind of protectiveness and closeness, Elsa couldn't figure out why Anna did not want her to end up like Ariel.

"What happened between you and her?"

Ariel did not answer for a good few minutes. Then she sighed. "I don't know where to start, Elsa. This is... something that's really sensitive for her."

"And I respect that," Elsa promised, waving her hands in defense. She held them on air for a few seconds before gently lowering them to her sides. "But I don't like it when she compares me to someone. Have I... Have I done something wrong?"

"I doubt it." Ariel smiled sadly and leaned against the lockers, her eyes downcast. "I'm sorry, Elsa. I don't want to say anything that would hurt Anna's trust again. But I promise you, if she's ready, she will tell you what happened."

"Will she?"

"She told you about her thoughts, didn't she? That she thinks you'll be like everyone?" Ariel asked, and she shrugged when Elsa nodded. "If she told you that, she'll tell you everything else. Eventually. You'll be okay."

"So, uh, hey."

Anna blinked and licked her lips. Her heart thudded erratically inside her ribs, knocking wildly as if there was no tomorrow. She had been watching the corner where her cousin and Elsa disappeared since they left when Rapunzel's voice brought her back to the present.

"Anna?"

She jumped, head snapping to the side to see a worried look on the brunette's face. "S- Sorry. What?"

"Are you okay?"

"N- No, I... W- What was that?"

"Elsa?" Rapunzel scratched the side of her head and glanced over the same corner they disappeared to. "I don't know. But she said it's about Mars. I'm not sure it's something I want to know."

It was something Anna wanted to know. It did not seem like it was Marshall that Elsa was going to ask about. It was too timely, too much of a coincidence. Right after Hans' wedding, Anna had been afraid that it would heighten Elsa's curiosity. Anna could not reveal much of what happened and everything she had told Elsa was the only thing she could tell her. Nothing more and nothing less.

"What is it?" Anna did not answer. "Anna, is something wrong?"

Anna rubbed her face and took a deep breath. "I- I better go. It's... I have to pick up my nephew."

Rapunzel called her name as she rushed towards the exit. William did not have school today, but it was not as if the brunette knew that. Anna clicked her tongue and ran towards her car. She took her place by the wheel and locked the doors.

"Ngh," she hissed. "Get it together, Anna. Please."

Ever since that encounter with Vanessa at Ariel's house, every single day that passed drained the energy out of Anna; she could hardly catch a wink of sleep. She did her best to avoid everyone involved with her issues, thinking that if she did not encounter them, there would be no need to face them. That had always been her solution.

To run.

Elsa's blunt words outside the reception hall and Vanessa's surprise visit to Ariel had been the moments that never left her alone. Their shadows lingered inside her head wherever she went. Like a blight and an illness that wouldn't go away.

Her breath shuddered as she turned the engine on, reaching for her cell phone and shooting a text to Ariel, telling her that she would be going ahead. Without waiting for a reply, she stepped on the gas and made her way back to her house at a slow and steady pace. Her knees trembled and her hands were cold around the wheel.

Ariel won't say anything, will she?

The drive back home took double the amount of time Anna usually took to reach it. She had to stop over a couple of times because her mind kept jumping from one thought to another, but when she finally arrived, she did not waste time throwing herself on their sofa in the living room.

"Anya?"

Anna blinked and glanced at the corner where her nephew was standing. She swallowed and put on a small smile. "Hey, Liam."

"You're early!" The boy ran towards her and jumped on the same sofa.

"Wha- Liam, no!" The breath puffed out of Anna's mouth, forcing her in a sitting position. She cringed as she rubbed her sides. "Ow! Did you get heavier?"

His eyes twinkled as he grabbed the remote instead of answering her question. Anna shook her head and tried to find a comfortable position on the sofa, letting the boy choose a channel. As he decided on a cartoon show, Anna unzipped her bag and blindly patted around for a small notebook. Her hand stopped as it touched something soft.

She froze.

With a hard swallow, she took the neatly folded scarf out of her bag. She stared at the familiar color and design, chest squeezing tight as she remembered how Elsa had wrapped it around her that fateful night. She really uses it a lot. Tears pricked her eyes as the thought occurred to her. Really, why was it so hard to open up to such a kind person?

"Are you okay?"

Anna's breath hitched and she immediately wiped the tears off. She faced the worried little kid and gave a watery smile. "Yes, Liam. Don't worry."

"You look sad." He patted his snowman stuffed toy and offered it to her with both hands. "Here, you can hug Mallows. He gives warm hugs!"

"I'm okay, Liam. I was just thinking."

"About?"

About Elsa, Vanessa, Ariel, Hans. About many things that a child should not worry about. She wanted to say everything out loud. She wanted to tell someone—anyone—how she truly felt, but when she would think about who could understand her, the only thing she could see was a blur.

"School."

William hummed. "Is high school hard?"

"It's bearable. You only need to work hard."

"But it's fun with friends?"

The question stunned Anna for a moment before she answered a reluctant, "Yes."

It was fun being with Elsa, Rapunzel, and Marshall, as long as the problems surrounding them were ignored. If they had met under different circumstances, in a different school, and with a different past or lifestyle, maybe things would have been much simpler.

"I have fun with my friends, too!" William chimed, glancing at the stuffed toy and pouting. "But Chelsea gets annoying sometimes. She keeps telling me to sing with her. It's embarrassing."

Anna froze upon hearing the name of her nephew's friend. "Is it?"

"Sometimes." He shrugged. "Sometimes, she'll stick her tongue out at me and push me away. Why are girls so complicated?"

That pulled a laugh out of her. "I wish I knew."

"Oh, but not you!" His eyes widened. "Anya is kind. You are always there for me and—"

"Liam, it's okay," Anna giggled, ruffling his hair.

He jumped on his seat and tackled Anna in a huge hug, surprising her. "You laughed." He giggled through her clothes before looking up at her with his eyes twinkling. "Are you happy?"

A pause, then she smiled. "I am."

William nuzzled his head on the crook of Anna's neck again. Meg stepped out to the living room and saw them in this position. The siblings' eyes met and Anna shrugged discreetly, trying not to disturb the boy who was slowly dozing off in her arms.

Meg walked over to glance at her child to see him sleeping. "He missed you," she said.

"I know," Anna somberly admitted. "I'm sorry."

"It's okay," her older sister assured. "How are you feeling? This is the first time I've seen you outside your room since you went to Ariel's. Mind telling me what I've missed?"

Anna exhaled softly, opting to toy with the little boy's hair. Meg had tried to ask what happened numerous times, but Anna had been too wrapped up in her own thoughts that eventually, the older woman left her alone.

"She... apologized to Ariel."

The older woman's eyebrows shot up. "Really? Vanessa?"

Anna scoffed, shaking her head tiredly. "She did a terrible job. She didn't answer my questions. I mean, I asked a lot. Lashed out, I guess. But she didn't say anything else."

"What did you ask her?"

Anna's fingers stopped on William's head. "If... If there's something wrong with me."

"And...? What did she say?"

"Nothing." Anna hastily wiped her eyes when she felt tears brimming on them again. "I don't know what to do, Meg. There's a distance between me and Elsa now, too, because of this. I really messed up."

Meg sat on the armrest. "Have you tried talking? It could do wonders."

"I can't. I always end up not saying anything." Anna sighed. "How were you able to do it? When people doted on you, when they used you for something... how did you... how did you learn to trust someone again?"

Meg blinked and later smiled. "It's all because of Herc, Anna. He was the one that proved to me people are not the same. I'm guessing it's the same for Hans."

"Were you scared?"

"More than anything. When I started to feel at ease around him, I got scared. I thought it was going to hurt someday so I tried to push him away. But he never stopped reaching out. That's how it worked for us. From what I'm seeing? Elsa has that potential."

Anna pursed her lips and searched her sister's face.

"She's an honest girl, Anna. I talked to her before the wedding started. She wants to fix whatever you two have. All you have to do is to give her that chance." Meg took Anna's hands and squeezed it tight. "I'm not ignoring your feelings, but I need you to hear it. It's been years since Vanessa did those things to you. How long are you going to let her control your life?"

Anna's breath hitched. Her sister's words, these were things she already knew for a long time. That was why it frustrated her to no end when her fears kept her from doing what she wanted. Hearing it from Meg, of all people, made the tears rush forward.

She was such a joke. She had encouraged Elsa to be who she wanted to be before, to show her different sides of her, and to trust that she would be able to take it. She even had the nerve to call Elsa a hypocrite when she herself was being one, too. Disgusting.

"Anna..."

"I'm tired," she croaked. "Of feeling like this all the time. I know I should explain myself. I know I shouldn't think badly of her because of what Vanessa did. It's not fair. But these thoughts, they're..."

"How bad do they get?"

Anna frowned and tilted her head. "I can't get any sleep? I can't concentrate on anything. It feels like whatever I do, I'll only end up hurting her or pushing her away."

Meg hummed, standing from the chair and taking a proper seat across the younger redhead. "Do you want me to talk to Clara?

"Clara?" Meg nodded. "Why?"

"She might know someone who—" Meg glanced at her son and upon making sure that he was still asleep, looked back at her younger sister. "Don't take this hard, okay? Have you ever thought that maybe, just maybe, a counselor might help?"

"Counselor?" she repeated, unsure if she heard it right. "You want me to see a..."

"It's just a suggestion. I was thinking it might help."

"Why?"

Meg uncrossed her legs and leaned forward, smiling gently. "I see things that worry me, Anna. You're my sister, and I love you. That's why I want to help. You've built walls around yourself that, sometimes, even I can't enter. I've noticed them since Dad died."

After Ariel pointed out how a lot of things had already changed, Anna mulled over it. It was true, she had changed a lot. Whether it was for the better or not was something she couldn't tell. What she did know was that she was not as strong as she wanted to be. She was not as strong as she used to be.

Meg placed her hands on Anna's own. "You know I'm here for you no matter what, right? Whatever you decide, I wouldn't think any less of you. Promise you're going to think about it?"

Reminder: Clara is their school nurse and Belle's sister. Also, the thing about Anna calling Elsa a hypocrite (or at least it was implied that she did) happened in chapter 9.