I had the outline for this chapter done so long ago but I couldn't bring myself to write it. I kind of just threw it all together. Hopefully it flows well..enjoy!

Chapter 6

When Kristoff pulled up to The Palace, Anna was standing on her driveway waiting. Before he could even put his truck in park she was opening the passenger side door.

"You make it awfully hard for a guy to be a gentleman around here."

"Tiana and Rapunzel were downstairs doing their homework and I just—"

In mock offense Kristoff said, "Anna Agnarrsdottir, are you embarrassed to be seen with me?"

Anna covered her face with her hands, "No! I just really don't want to deal with the third degree from them." Looking up at him, under the dim street lighting Anna asked, "Can't I just keep you to myself for a little bit?" Kristoff had never seen a more beautiful woman than Anna in that very moment. All teasing was forgotten as her big, clear eyes looked into his. He wanted this memory imprinted on his mind.

"Anna, you can keep me to yourself for as long as you want." The seriousness in Kristoff's expression heated Anna's face instantly. She was thankful the lighting was dark. Their kiss from the night before was still fresh in Anna's mind and she had been anxious to do it again. His truck had a folding center console separating the front seats. Swiftly, Anna lifted the handle making the entire seat into a bench and slid closer to him. Reading her movement, Kristoff unbuckled his seatbelt and turned to meet her. His large hands went to the sides of her jaw while his lips found hers. Anna's diaphragm tightened at the fierce contact. Needing something to hold onto, Anna gripped Kristoff's wrists, urging him not to stop.

But eventually, they did have to break apart. By this time, Kristoff's windows were completely fogged up and the pair were visibly out of breath. With their foreheads still together, Kristoff managed, "Hungry?"

"Ravenous." Anna breathed out.

Placing one more firm kiss on her lips, Kristoff turned on the defroster and started driving towards the restaurant.

"So," Kristoff started.

"Soooo?" Anna laughed.

They were sitting in a cute little diner not far from campus. It was small but smelled amazing.

"So tell me about your family."

Anna's face quickly lost all humor as her eyes unfocused. They stared at a spot on the wall just to the left of Kristoff's face. "My parents were the best, my biggest fans. They supported me in anything I wanted to do and when I decided to specialize in softball they did everything they could to help me be successful; driving hours to big tournaments, practicing with me in the backyard, cheering so loud at games. It use to make me so embarrassed…" A sad smile ghosted over Anna's lips. It was not lost on Kristoff that Anna was speaking of her parent's in the past tense. "I wish they could have seen me in my Arendelle uniform." Anna focused her eyes back on Kristoff. She was surprised to see a serious look on his face but not an ounce of pity. "They were in a car accident my senior year of high school."

"They would have been proud of where you are today."

"Thank you, I know." Anna sighed and pushed some hair behind her ear. Her smile returned, but Kristoff could still see the emotions behind her eyes. "Tell me about your family."

"Oh gosh, where do I even start?" Kristoff feigned exasperation but Anna could see the humor in his face. "Well there's my parents, Bulda and Cliff. And Grand Pabbie and uncle Brock and uncle Gothi and their wives and then aaaall the cousins." He trailed off, silently counting on his fingers. Anna assumed he was trying to account for his large family.

"So I take it you weren't very lonely growing up?" Anna laughed, thankful to change the focus of the conversation.

Kristoff's cheeks heated a bit but his confidence never wavered, "Well it didn't start out so great. Cliff and Bulda were actually my foster parents back when I was about six. Before them…" he trailed off and Anna stayed silent. "Well, once they brought me home, everything changed. And within a year they asked if I wanted to join their family permanently. They couldn't have any kids of their own. They always say they needed me as much as I needed them."

"Well they sound wonderful." Anna smiled at Kristoff, slightly jealous of the beam in his eye discussing his family back home. "And they're still back in…" Anna realized she had no idea where Kristoff was from.

"Living Rock, Montana."

"Big Sky country." Anna said dreamily.

"Ever been?"

"Its on my list of places to see. Thought I could make my way north through the Tetons then Yellowstone and end at Glacier National Park."

Kristoff dramatically grabbed his chest, "Be still my heart!"

Anna just rolled her eyes but couldn't keep the smile from her lips, "Oh stop."

"But that sounds like a serious trip. You were thinking this summer?"

Anna shrugged and looked away, "Maybe. Haven't given it much thought. We'll see what happens."

"Well Living Rock is just north of Yellowstone if you ever want to stop by and pay us a visit."

The waitress came by, delivered their drinks and took their dinner orders.

"I don't think you've told me about your hometown or junior college." Kristoff continued.

"I'm from this town called Ahtohallan in southern California. Lived there all my life and then went to the community college in the next town over. I had an offer to go play in Oregon out of high school but after my parent's died it didn't feel right to leave right away. But there's not much to tell about the school itself. I spent 2 years there, got recruited now I'm at Arendelle." Anna shrugged her shoulders.

"Well did you like it? Do you keep in touch with anybody anymore?"

She's sure she had enjoyed times at her junior college but every time she thought back to those days her entire 2 years were clouded by that one night. And that made her mad. Hans took away two years of good memories in 5 minutes. She was sure, one day it wouldn't hurt as much—the memories, the scars, the nightmares—but today was not that day.

"I mean, it was fine. Just your run of the mill community college. Most of my teammates were girls who also grew up in the area. But no, I don't keep in touch with anyone really. One of the only downsides of not having an instagram."

"Did you date anyone while you were there?"

"Wow, I already talked about my dead parents, now we're moving onto exes. You have no fear Bjorgman." Anna meant it as a joke but a strange sensation was filtering its way through her wrists. That terrible feeling like they were made of sand, like they had fallen asleep or something. She debated lying for a moment, but it would be easy enough for Kristoff to find out the truth from Rapunzel or Tiana and she didn't want to start off, whatever this was, on a lie.

"Yeah just one guy, nothing serious though."

"Was he an athlete?" Kristoff asked.

"Hmhmm," Anna affirmed, looking down stirring her drink.

Kristoff furrowed his brow at her response. "What sport did he play?" he pushed.

"Baseball." Anna replied, still not looking up.

"Ah, see, I thought you said baseball players weren't your type?" Kristoff tried to joke though he felt a slight tension.

"Yeah well sometimes one bad apple can spoil the bunch." Anna murmured but Kristoff still caught it.

There was a pregnant pause between them.

"Colorado must be a big change for you." Kristoff diverted and Anna was thankful.

"I guess, but this isn't my first time here. We use to come here each summer in high school for a big recruiting tournament. I loved it and always wanted to move here. Fate is funny like that."

The rest of their time at the diner was spent talking in depth about anything and everything. Thankfully, they had already covered the touchy subjects earlier on and the rest of the night was filled with insight and laughter. In Anna's opinion there was nothing more attractive than a guy that could make you laugh. After milkshakes and more talking, the diner looked to be nearing closing time. Looking down at her phone Anna noticed it was almost 11:00pm and they had been out for hours already.

As they walked out of the restaurant, Kristoff slows to a stop, "Hey."

Anna looked back and then turned to him with a confused look, "Hey."

"I like you Anna." Kristoff's serious face had returned.

Anna quirked her eyebrow and smiled, "Yeah?"

"I just wanted to be up front about it. No funny business remember?"

"Right."

"So in the honor of being up front…" Kristoff trailed off.

"Yeah…?" Anna looked worried.

"Well, I don't want to sound presumptuous by asking if you want to come back to my place so…want to park somewhere and make out for a while?"

"You really know how to sweet talk a lady Bjorgman." Anna grinned and grabbed his hand, dragging him the rest of the way to his truck.

It wasn't until well past 2:00am when Anna's head finally hit her pillow. Her lips were swollen but in the most delicious way possible and she had a perma-grin on her face.

And that's when the thoughts came. That dark place in the back of her mind, that had been silent all night, pushed its way to the front now, in the solitude of her room.

You shouldn't have said that.

That was so stupid.

You're so annoying.

He's going to think you're a slut.

That achy feeling in her wrists returned as her grin faded.