Hans' family backed up as he and Elsa brought the frozen mermaid onto shore. Hagen joined them, pushing the ice block back towards the dunes, far away from the water. The mermaid thrashed about.

Hans glared at her. Without looking to Elsa, he explained to her, "You can't make a mermaid cry with threats or physical pain. They won't even cry for a fallen comrade, no matter how tight the bond. There's only one thing they care about." He grabbed a lock of her long hair, playing with it in his hands. He looked deep into the mermaid's eyes, which were purple again. "Their beauty." The white hair in his hands erupted into flames, and she screeched in pain. The others were horrified.

"Hans, what are you doing?" Hagen asked.

"I'm doing everyone a favor. Go home. We can talk tomorrow." Hans extinguished the flames. A patch of her head was black and charred, the skin underneath red and bubbling. She whined, but did not cry.

Hagen ushered Freyja and the others back to the palace. They didn't need to watch. Elsa, however, walked over to Hans and put a hand on his shoulder. "You don't have to do this."

"I want that tear," he insisted. "It's the only hope I have."

Elsa backed up, giving him some space. Hans placed his left hand on the mermaid's cheek tenderly, as if about to kiss her. He stared deeply into her purple eyes.

He thought of being with Elsa, far away from his family. This had been a wasted trip, more trouble than it was worth. It had been non-stop heartache since returning from Arendelle. He had lost his father, a brother, and any trust his family had in him. He had put Elsa at risk, and he was determined to fix it. His anger heated up his hand.

"No, no, please don't," she whimpered.

Her cheek sizzled, but Hans maintained eye contact. She whined at the temperature got hotter and hotter. It wasn't until he felt her cheek bubble beneath his hand that her eyes got glassy.

"Please stop," she begged.

Hans shifted his burning thumb to her eyebrow, and she screamed. He was dangerously close to her eye, the lashes singeing off. It was just the push she needed to cry.

His other hand shot up to catch the tear. He swiped it away with his thumb, but it evaporated in pink smoke as it touched his glowing orange hand. Touching them didn't cure Hans of his powers. He furrowed his brow and thought quickly. "Elsa, could you make me a vial?"

Elsa held up her open palm and conjured a vial of ice. She handed it to Hans, who held it against the mermaid's cheek. She screamed as his thumb burned the side of her eye. Three teardrops slipped into the vial. He passed it back to Elsa, who sealed it.

Hans turned back to the mermaid. "You're not eating anyone tonight. Stay away from me and my family. If I ever see your face again, I'll turn you into a fish stick." When he pried his left hand off of her cheek, her melted skin stretched and tore, and she cried harder. He walked away, motioning for Elsa to release her.

The Snow Queen smacked the mermaid's unharmed cheek, allowing her ice magic to add some extra sting. "Don't you ever kiss my man again."

The mermaid looked at her, one cheek with a layer of frost, the other still oozing from Hans' burns. "He liked it," she said with a smirk.

Elsa used her ice magic to shove the frozen mermaid into the sea. She melted the block of ice with a flick of her wrist as she followed Hans. "You were amazing," she told him.

"Don't congratulate me just yet," he muttered.

"Why? You beat a mermaid, got a tear, and saved your mother. Sounds like a productive evening to me," she said optimistically.

He turned to her. "Only one thing could make tonight better."

Elsa closed her eyes and leaned in to kiss him. He grabbed the hand holding the vial, and her eyes snapped open.

"Well...two things, I suppose," he chuckled, kissing her.

Elsa playfully smacked his arm, and they went to Hans' room to try the tears. Hans stared at the vial for a whole minute before opening it. "Should I just drink it?"

"That would be my guess," Elsa said, shrugging.

He met her blue eyes, hating himself for putting her in danger. He hoped that the tears would fix everything. Hans took a deep breath. "Bottoms up." He emptied the salty tears onto his tongue and swallowed. He then sat in silence, waiting for a sign.

"Did it work?" Elsa asked.

"I don't know. I don't feel anything. Do I look any different?"

Elsa crossed her arms. "Other than a few teeth marks, you're fine," she said, an edge to her voice.

Hans knew he would be reminded of this night for years to come. He felt so stupid for falling into his brothers' trap so easily. He hadn't expected the fierce mermaid to be that enticing. He scratched his neck in shame. "Good to know."

"You should clean those up before bed," she advised, standing up from her chair. She headed for the door, but Hans grabbed her hand to stop her.

"You're mad."

She paused. "A little. What am I supposed to think when I get a sweet letter to meet you and you never show? I had thought you'd stood me up. And then I finally find you, and you're kissing that thing! How am I supposed to feel?"

Hans put his hands on her shoulders. "Your feelings are perfectly valid. Keep in mind, we were both tricked into thinking the other stood us up. I would never do that to do. As for her..."

"How could you?" Elsa yelled, ripping herself out of his grasp. This was the first time she had lost her temper since his last trip to Arendelle. Her icy blue eyes lost their sparkle and her pink lips were no longer smiling. Hans could almost hear her shutting down on him.

"No, no, no, please. She had me in a trance, made herself look like you. You have to believe me." He stroked her white blond hair. "You're the only one I ever want to kiss."

Hans leaned in, kissing her softly, tenderly. He attempted to pour his feelings for her into his touch. He was grateful for her understanding. He loved her for supporting him when he was at his lowest. He adored every aspect of who she was, ice powers included. She was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. He pulled away. "I love you."

Elsa's eyes were glassy. She placed a hand on his cheek, and he leaned into it, finding solace in the chill. "I love you, too."

"I promise you, it will never happen again."

"Good," Elsa said, kissing him deeply. "Was it all worth it, at least?"

Hans snapped his fingers, and a flame appeared. Elsa watched his face fall. "Maybe it just takes a while...get it through your system?"

"Yeah, maybe..." He didn't sound convinced.

"Get some sleep," Elsa said, kissing him again. "You need it."

"Sweet dreams, my angel."

She smiled. "Sweet dreams." She kissed him once more, slow and sensual. It stole the breath from his lungs, and he wrapped her up in his arms. Hans deepened the kiss and rubbed Elsa's back. She was his, he was hers, and nothing could change that.

Elsa left for her own room, but Hans wished she could stay. He climbed into bed, hoping his powers would be gone by morning.