Lockinge, Michigan
December 18th, 10:23PM
Claire frowned at the sun shining brightly in the clear blue sky. The forecast that morning said there'd be no white Christmas.
"Goddamn climate change." She took a sip of water and impatiently waited for her best friend. They were supposed to meet in this cafe fifteen minutes ago.
"Sorry, sorry!" Her best friend slipped into the seat across from her. "My alarm didn't go off."
"Uh huh."
"No, really! The batteries died."
"Uh huh."
"Please forgive me?" Big brown eyes pleaded for forgiveness.
"Okay, fine. You're buying me dessert." Claire always caved to Lisa when she got all wide-eyed and sad looking.
"Of course! I know how much-"
CRACK!
Both women instinctively ducked at the loud noise that shook the table and rattled the large bay windows they sat next to.
"Holy shit, what was that?"
"Ummm… Claire?" Lisa's voice shook. "Look outside."
The woman stared, speechless.
Where once there had only been very small piles of dirty melting slush in places, now a thick layer of snow covered every square inch of space outside. A glance up showed still blue skies without a single cloud floating by.
BOOM!
BOOM!
BOOM!
Basketball sized balls of snow appeared out of thin air and dropped from the sky, smashing cars. As suddenly as it started, it stopped. Car alarms blared, mailboxes were smashed, and people around them murmured in fright.
"How did…" Lisa's voice trailed off.
"I don't know."
Myka Bering finished rereading her report and signed it. Satisfaction in finishing paperwork never got old. Now she could enjoy her muffin in peace.
Click thud. Click thud. Click thud.
So much for peace. She couldn't wait until Pete got off those crutches. The man didn't seem to grasp that other people besides him lived in the bed and breakfast who needed to sleep, read, and generally hear their own thoughts.
"I'm telling you, Claudia, there is no possible way Batman would stand a chance."
Ugh. This argument again.
"Batman would totally win. He'd just make a kryptonite weapon and wipe the floor with him. Superman is useless without his powers. Look at the Superman 2 movie. Useless." Claudia sat at the round table and grabbed a blueberry muffin from the plate at the center of the table.
"And Superman could just toss him into outer space." Pete flopped down heavily into an empty chair and leaned the crutches against the table. "Ooo, muffins!"
Every morning for two years Leena made sure there were freshly baked muffins for them and every morning Pete acted surprised to see them.
No part of her cared about their 'who would win' arguments so she tuned out their words and focused on the people instead.
This month Claudia sported a green streak in her short red hair and a new Star Trek pin on her jean jacket. Not even twenty-one and she already was an important part of the team with her computer skills and inventions. At least those things Myka understood. Pete with his 'vibes' and childish antics hopelessly frustrated her, though, when she's honest with herself, it balanced out her analytical mind perfectly.
That whole "we're not coworkers, we're family" crap old bosses would condescendingly spew never made sense until now. She guessed nearly dying together on multiple occasions brought people closer together than a seminar on proper evidence collection techniques.
"Good morning, darlings." The lilting English accent grabbed Mika's attention.
Helena.
Three days into her joining Warehouse 13 and Myka still had to pinch herself that the H. G. Wells was not only actually a woman, but worked for the Warehouse in the 1880s. Being preserved in bronze for a hundred and thirty years didn't slow the English woman down one bit.
"Morning, H. G." Both Claudia and Pete greeted in unison before going into another argument about superheroes.
"Are they really going on about this again?" Helena snagged a muffin and sat down in the open chair next to Myka.
"It's like their morning coffee."
"Ah. To each their own, I guess."
While they waited for Artie to show up with their new assignment, she snuck glances at the woman next to her while Helena asked questions about the pop culture references the other two made. Long silky dark brown hair, deep brown eyes, slender fighter's build, and a relentless drive to excel in all things made Myka feel plain with her boring brown hair and uninteresting hazel eyes.
"Are you okay, darling?"
The soft whisper in her ear caused her to shiver.
"Yes," Myka squeaked out. How did Helena always catch her?
"Listen up people, we have a ping." Artie hustled in carrying a folder and his ever present black bag.
"A ping?"
"It's when an Artifact gets all Artifacty and starts causing chaos." Claudia's explanation left a lot out.
"Ah, back in Warehouse 12 we called it a Curiosity."
"Fascinating, but we have work to do." The folder slammed down onto the table, Artie's continued outrage at H. G. Wells' reinstatement clear. "We have sudden snowfall in Lockinge, Michigan."
"Uh, Artie?" Hesitantly Pete spoke, even his normal obliviousness picking up on their boss' bad mood. "It's Michigan, snow's pretty normal."
"Isn't Michigan one of the states having a mild winter?" Watching the news every night, a habit Myka picked up when she moved to the middle of nowhere South Dakota, proved to be helpful once again.
"Precisely. Videos are showing three inches of snow suddenly appearing in seconds and it only showed up in Lockinge."
"Now that sounds like an Artifact. But what's wrong with having a white Christmas?" Claudia, still new to the world of Artifacts and their deadly nature, asked with a curious look.
"Nothing, if you don't mind it triggering another ice age and wiping out most of humanity."
"That would be bad."
"Yes, it would be. Eight people are in the hospital with two in critical condition from being hit with large snowballs. With Pete out of commission and Claudia forbidden from field work for the time being," a glare at the two agents silently sitting across from him, "Myka, you'll have to go with H. G."
"Oh goody, not here even a week and I already have an assignment." The woman looked pleased to not be stuck on the sidelines.
Artie, on the other hand, looked positively disgruntled.
"Myka, you're in charge. Feel free to shoot her if she gives you any trouble."
"Artie…" This hostility grated on her nerves.
"Here." He thrust the folded towards Myka. "All the information we have is here along with your airplane tickets and money. Don't forget to get receipts. Now get going before anyone else gets hurt."
"On it." She grabbed the folder from the table before walking out of the room.
"Don't forget bags!"
"We won't!" Did he really think she'd forget to grab a couple before leaving? The silvery static bags Myka had only seen holding computer parts before getting this job, were tucked in every jacket and piece of luggage she owned in the, admittedly likely, chance an Artifact crossed her path. While Artifacts could range in size from a pearl to a blimp, the static bags could handle most things.
'Don't forget bags.'
Pssh. Please, how else would they neutralize the Artifacts to bring back and store in the Warehouse?
Anna closed the front door quickly and rushed to crank up the thermostat. She did not dress for snow that morning. The weather lady called for clear skies.
That dirty liar.
After picking up eggnog and cherry pie for Christmas, she had left the grocery store to find everything covered in snow and the pleasant ten minute walk to stretch out her legs turned into a freezing twenty minute slog.
"Cold. Coldcoldcold." Food in the fridge and Anna placed the tea kettle on the stove to boil. A cup of Earl Grey should take the chill off.
It didn't take long before Anna walked into the living room with a steaming cup and a desire to watch Christmas movies until her sister came home.
On came The Santa Clause and she snuggled under a blanket. Distracted eyes flitted to the large plastic jar roughly two-thirds full of silver coins nearly hidden by the branches of the Christmas tree. Memories came to mind of their parents giving them a much smaller jar to fill when they were little kids. Throughout the year, she and Elsa would do extra chores to earn quarters to put in that jar and, once full, they'd go on a day trip of their choice. One year the zoo, another miniature golf, and even a traveling carnival. Their parents paid for the tickets and food, and the coins were split evenly between them to spend however they wanted.
Four years into a six month stay after their parent's fatal car crash, they revived the tradition with a larger jar. Eight months ago Elsa caught her piling in pennies and banned them from the jar. A pity really because Anna planned on requesting a trip to the beach.
Thoughts of Elsa in a black bikini kept her up at night.
Her hopeless, one-sided, crush didn't mean she had to live like a nun.
Sounds of the front door opening and closing interrupted her fantasies.
"Elsa?"
Footsteps walked to the living room.
"What happened?" Anna rushed over and wrapped the blanket she'd been using around a shivering Elsa. "Did you get caught in the snow?"
"Yes."
"Sit on the couch and I'll make you a cup of hot cider."
"But-"
"Sit," Anna interrupted, "let me take care of you."
"Okay." Clearly exhausted, Elsa relaxed into the couch with a sigh.
It didn't take long before Anna returned with a steaming mug of hot cider for her sister and slipped under the blanket to cuddle. The faint scent of pine tickled her nose. Every shop this time of year positively reeked of the stuff and she idly wondered which shop it came from.
For the next six hours they watched Christmas movie after Christmas movie. Sometime during the second movie, snores came from the head laying on Anna's shoulder. Elsa missed lunch and the rest of their movie marathon but she obviously needed the nap and getting the opportunity to hold her sister for hours made an average day wonderfully perfect.
Little sleepy grunts were heard before Elsa sat up rubbing tired eyes.
"Feeling better?"
"I'm still a little cold."
"Still?" Anna frowned worriedly. "Do you want another cup of cider or a blanket?"
"No." A big yawn. "I'm fine. I think I'll go put on a sweatshirt."
"Are you sure?" A cold draft caused Anna to shiver.
"Yes. Don't worry."
"Oookaaay." The worries continued.
"I don't see any snow here at the airport." Seatbelt clicked shut and Helena peered out of the car's windows.
"The information Artie gave us said the snow only fell in a ten block radius." Myka adjusted the rental's car seat before pulling out of the lot.
"I've heard of Artifacts that caused a person to freeze into blocks of ice but not one that suddenly created snow."
"Me either. We should check out the area first."
"Ten blocks is an awful lot of area to search."
"The snow fell in almost a perfect circle. We'll start in the center and work our way out."
"That sounds like a… oh dear."
Myka slowed the car to a stop. They watched the snow slowly travel along the road, expanding the area it covered and creep up to cover cars.
"That doesn't look good." Helena frowned.
"No." A sigh. "No, it doesn't."
Elsa slipped on a sweatshirt sporting a cat wearing sunglasses, a gift from Anna two years ago, and stood in front of her little space heater. Shaking fingers pulled out the necklace she bought earlier that day and placed it on her dresser.
Tiny bright blue crystals formed the shape of many small snowflakes with a large clear one in the center, all sparkled in the dying afternoon light. At the first sight of the necklace in the display case at the antique shop, Elsa immediately knew she had to buy it. Sparks traveled up her arm the moment she touched it and an intelligible whisper could be heard.
Knock. Knock. Knock knock. Knock.
"Can I come in?"
No. Waking up in her sister's arms cuddling under one blanket overtaxed already frayed nerves; she barely held herself back from pushing Anna down and kissing her senseless. Why couldn't she have stayed in blissful ignorance instead of figuring out her feelings?
"Elsa? Are you okay?"
Shit. She sounded worried.
"I'm fine, Anna. Come on in."
Even in a ratty purple T-shirt with a hole near the collar and faded green sleep shorts, Anna's beauty stole her breath.
"Did," Elsa cleared her throat, "did you need something?"
"I wanted to see how you were doing." A concerted frown. "Elsa, you're still shivering."
"I'm fine."
"Uh huh."
"Honestly, I am."
"You should come back downstairs with me. I'll make you another mug of hot cider and we'll watch Miracle on 34th Street."
More cuddling sounded like a slice of heaven on earth and absolutely the worst idea on a long list of bad ideas. If she went down there now she would ruin everything they'd built over the last four years.
"I just caught a chill from the unexpected snow. The space heater is helping."
"If you say so. I'll make tomato soup and grilled cheese sandwiches for dinner."
Comfort food would be good. Right now she'd try anything to calm down her racing heart. Elsa had no clue why it was so difficult today.
"That's beautiful." Her sister's gaze focused on the necklace. "Where did you get it?"
"I found it in the antique shop on Richmond Street. It… it called to me." The literal tinkling female voice she heard had to be her overactive imagination.
"It matches your eyes." A finger gently caressed one of the blue crystals.
The voice whispering in her ears grew louder and a spinning sensation enveloped her body.
"Tell her… she'll understand… tell her… everything will work out…"
"I'm going to lay down and rest for a bit." Or collapse in a heap right there. That possibility seemed more likely.
"Do you smell pine? I keep smelling it around the house." Anna's confusion shone through loud and clear.
"No." Elsa concentrated on remaining upright.
"Okay. Maybe it's clinging to my hair. I'll come get you for dinner after I shower."
A kiss on her cheek.
How easy it would have been to turn her head and feel those soft lips on her own. But she held herself back despite the whispers urging her on.
Once Elsa heard the bedroom door click shut, her knees buckled and pure white snow covered every surface.
"What's happening to me?"
Myka found an empty parking spot in the busy downtown shopping district. Residents, unconcerned by the sudden appearance of snow, bustled in and out of stores. She knew from experience nothing phased holiday shoppers.
"Okay, this area is about the center." Snow, once only about three inches thick, now covered her feet and dangerous looking icicles dangled from streetlights and buildings.
"These decorations look like they've seen better days." Helena didn't look particularly convinced the worn, mass produced snowflakes, Santas, and candy canes could be the source of energy.
"Highly doubtful but that…" Across the street and down an unremarkable alley they trekked having seen a sparkle of something that way. In ice up and down the brick wall of the building, a pattern of different sized five-pointed snowflakes glittered in the fading light.
"Did you ever see something like this at Warehouse 12?" Myka touched a snowflake, the surface smooth as glass felt chilled though not icy cold.
"We collected the original Royal Stewart tartan worn by King Robert the Second. It turned the wearer and everything they touched into that pattern then suffocated you if you didn't have permission from the Queen to wear it. This, though, I haven't seen or heard of before."
"I'll call Artie. Maybe he'll recognize the design." Out came the large, brass rectangular box with a video screen from before video screens were invented. If the connection these Farnsworths used weren't completely secure, Myka would have been embarrassed to even be seen with one. The device beeped when it established a secure connection.
"Did you find anything?"
The gruff greeting gave her pause.
"Ooo is that Myka? Can I say hi?" The video shook from what she assumed was Pete reaching for Artie's Farnsworth.
"Yes, it is Myka and no, you can't say hi. Get back to filing those index cards. I work with children." The annoyed muttering came through clearly. "Did you find the Artifact?"
"Not yet. We did find something interesting."
"Show me show me show me."
She turned the Farnsworth around.
"Wait, could it be… Myka, step back, please. Yes, yes it has to be."
Sounds of rushing footsteps and rustling of paper.
"Where is that book? Pete, get out of the way."
"But I wanna help."
"You can help by staying over there."
"Artie?" She turned the device back to her and Helena joined her to watch the indecipherable images whirling on the screen and sounds of Pete being in the way.
"Here it is! Does this look familiar?" He held up an open book to the screen showing an illustration of the same five-pointed snowflake.
"Remarkably familiar." Gaze darting from the screen to the wall, Helena confirmed they were nearly identical. "Where did it come from?"
"This is the personal symbol of Queen Elsa from the kingdom of Arendelle." Excitement had Artie answering the question before realizing who asked it.
"Who is this Queen Elsa and where is Arendelle? I've never heard of it." Pete asked from off screen.
"Arendelle was a small but old kingdom located on the tip of Norway." He turned several pages to a portrait of two women.
Myka studied the image and, once again, wished the display was in color.
"This woman," Artie tapped on the woman with lighter hair, "was their last ruler, Queen Elsa. She fell in love with this woman," he tapped the woman next to her with darker hair.
"H-h-h-hot."
Everyone ignored Pete.
"Her sister, Princess Anna."
"Oh, ew."
They continued to ignore him.
"I'm guessing that didn't work out." Maybe she had seen too many hateful, horrible things on the job for Myka to feel anything but sad at what must have been an impossible situation.
"Actually, Princess Anna returned her sister's feelings. Things, presumably, were going well between them until 1854 when their relationship became known causing a riot in the capital. This is where things get interesting, some unknown Artifact activated and wiped all traces of Arendelle and the sisters from everyone's memories, including all literature and art. Except," Artie's smug face appeared on screen once again, "except for those inside Warehouses 12. It's defenses shielded them."
"Did agents from my warehouse ever figure out what happened?"
"No. All traces of them and the Artifact vanished. There were rumors Queen Elsa could control snow and ice. There's no mention of what Artifact did that either."
"Thanks, Artie."
"You're welcome, Myka. Just be-"
"Hey Artie, I finished inventory for aisle 657. Hey, is that Myka and H.G.? Hi guys!"
"Hey Claudia, catch!"
CRASH!
"Pete, don't touch that!"
A beep and the screen shut down, the call ending amid more sounds of things falling.
"Looks like Artie has his hands full with those two."
"Yup." Myka did not envy the man one bit. "So if Queen Elsa had been rumored to be able to control snow, the Artifact must be something she could have with her normally. Like a ring or a hairpin. Maybe her crown?"
"Not a crown. Those are usually only brought out for special occasions. I agree it's most likely jewelry. Probably one of the kingdom's heirlooms passed down for generations."
"We passed by an antique shop." Quickly stepping out of the alley, Myka looked up and down the snowy street. "There. Three doors down."
Once inside the warm shop, simply called "Antiques,' Helena rang the bell at the empty counter. The clear glass case was crowded with old looking costume jewelry and the shop itself was piled high with various things from dressers to porcelain angel figurines.
"Hello hello! Welcome to my shop. My name is Kai. How may I be of assistance?" An older, portly man with thinning brown hair seemingly appeared out of nowhere and stood behind the counter.
"Hello. I'm Agent Bering and this is Agent Wells," she held up the leather case showing her badge and ID, "we're with the Secret Service."
"Secret Service? The President is coming here?"
"No, we also investigate threats among other things." Always the first question, Myka answered absently with the usual cover ID, more curious about the several empty spots in the case. "We have a few questions for you, if you have the time."
"I doubt I know anything that could be of help to the Secret Service."
"You'd be surprised. Did you sell anything this morning sometime before eleven?"
"Umm," he looked confused, "why would the Secret Service need to know that?"
"We're not at liberty to say."
"Alright. Let's see, I sold a first edition of Alice in Wonderland, a set of six champagne flutes, and a crystal necklace."
"The necklace," Helena spoke up, "what did it look like?"
"It had small clear crystals situated to look like a large snowflake with blue crystals around it forming smaller snowflakes. I bought it at an Estate Sale last month. It looked pretty old but I couldn't find any information about it."
"Do you remember who bought it?" Could this be the Artifact? It was never this easy. But Myka wasn't going to complain if it was.
"Elsa's a close friend. Is she in some kind of trouble?" Kai hesitated.
"She isn't in trouble. We just need to speak with her." Elsa? Myka felt excitement bubble up.
"Elsa lives about twelve blocks from here on Nevin Street. 487 Nevin Street. The house is covered in Christmas lights."
"Does she perhaps have a sister named Anna?" Helena asked casually.
"Yes," a startled look, "her younger sister. They live together."
The two agents exchanged a look.
"Thank you for your time. You've been a big help."
Before he could ask any questions, both women quickly left the shop.
"Two sisters named Elsa and Anna and snow just happened to suddenly appear after Elsa bought that necklace? There's no way that's just some coincidence."
"I stopped believing in coincidences in 1889."
"Let's go before the snow gets any deeper."
Anna knocked on her sister's bedroom door, the loud bangs and cold air leaking from the room causing her to worry.
"Elsa? Are you alright? It's nearly dinner time."
"I'm f-fine. Have dinner without m-me."
Now she knew something had to be wrong. Not once in four years did they miss having dinner together. They might eat early or late but always together. Anna reached for the door handle.
Locked.
"What the f…" She didn't even know the doors could lock. "Elsa, please open the door."
"G-g-go away, Anna!"
Howling of wind came from the room.
"No! Let me in! We can fix whatever's wrong!" Panic laced the edges of her words.
No response.
"Elsa!"
Ding. Dong.
The doorbell startled Anna.
Ding. Dong.
Whoever was at the door didn't matter. She needed to get this door open.
Knock. Knock. Knock.
"This is the United States Secret Service, please answer the door."
Shit. Did criticizing the President's foreign policy online really merit a visit from them?
Ding. Dong. Knock. Knock.
"Open up!"
Anna rushed down the stairs. The sooner she got rid of her unwelcome visitors, the sooner she could get back.
"Yes?" Anna tried to lean casually against the open doorframe. "Can I help you?"
"I'm Agent Bering and this is Agent Wells. Do you and your sister have some time to speak with us?"
"Now isn't a good time. Can you come back tomorrow?"
"It's urgent we speak with you both now."
"Well, like I said, we're busy right now. If you leave a num-"
BOOM!
The doorframe shook. Without a second thought, Anna spun around and raced up the stairs.
"Elsa?! Are you okay?" The once cool hallway turned icy cold and seeped through the thin clothes she normally wore to bed. Snow pushed out from under the door. "Please, unlock the door!"
The howling wind grew louder and the locked door shook. Tears filled Anna's eyes.
"Is your sister in there?"
"Yes." Now was not the time to lose it. Maybe these agents could help. "Something's wrong and I can't get the door open."
"I can handle this."
Anna did a double take at the English accent having assumed only those born in the US would be eligible to be Secret Service. Whatever. If she could help her get to Elsa, Agent Wells could be from Mars for all she cared.
Out came a zip up brown leather case and the woman selected two oddly shaped metal sticks then got to work on the lock.
Every second felt like an eternity as they waited. The wind howled angrily and more snow pushed its way out from under the door.
"There, that should do it," Agent Wells stood and turned the handle.
The door didn't budge.
"Well, so much for that." She stepped back, lifted her right leg, and slammed her foot against the door just above the handle sending it flying open.
All three women rushed into the room. Snow covered every surface of the room, wickedly sharp looking icicles hung from the ceiling, snowflakes spun dizzily with the swirling wind, and the smell of pine nearly bowled Myka over.
"Anna! Get out of here! I can't control it!" A woman with long, blonde hair on hands and knees shouted to be heard above the noise.
"I won't leave y-"
"Watch out!" Myka dove into Anna and pushed her out of the path of a bolt of lightning.
All three women crawled in the snow to put the bed between them and Elsa.
"Where's the necklace?"
"What?"
"Earlier today your sister bought a necklace. Where is it?"
"What does that have anything to do with this?"
"First, the necklace. Then we explain things." Kinda. Myka had gotten good at explaining just enough about Artifacts to outsiders without giving away secrets.
"I saw it on the dresser behind her earlier."
Of course. Why couldn't it have been anywhere else?
"Myka, I'll go get it while you distract Elsa." Helena slipped on a pair of the purple nitrile gloves that would protect her from the effects of the Artifact.
"Okay. Be careful."
"I always am, darling."
"Hey, Elsa!" Myka stood up. "You almost hurt Anna with that bolt of lightning."
"How does she know our names?" Anna's confused question could barely be heard.
"Were you trying to kill her?"
"Of c-course not. I love my sister!"
"I doubt that. It looked like you were aiming right for her. Did you want the house to yourself? Or were you just tired of having your annoying sister around?"
"Shut up! You'd never understand how I feel about her! Anna's everything!"
Past an enraged looking Elsa, she could see Helena grab the necklace off the dresser.
"Oh yeah? Then why can't you control this storm?" Just a little longer and Helena would be back safely. "You wanted to drive Anna out. You wanted to hurt her. You wanted to make sure she never came near you again."
"NO!"
A bolt of lightning, larger than any she had ever seen, shot her way and Myka dropped to the floor in the nick of time.
"You really pissed her off."
"Oh, I hadn't noticed. Bring the necklace over here before she kills us both."
Helena crawled past Anna and waited for her to open the silvery bag that would neutralize the Artifact.
"Anna, look away. This is going to be bright." Once the woman turned her head, Helena dropped it into the bag sending a copious amount of sparks flying into the air.
The wind stopped.
"Haha! We did it! Another Artifact for the Warehouse."
The momentary pause ceased and the wind picked up again.
"I thought that was supposed to work? Why didn't it work?"
"I don't know."
"Back in Warehouse 12, I helped retrieve the dancing shoes of Antonio Carvaggio."
"Who?"
"Exactly. He was a young man who desperately wanted to be a professional dancer but his parents forced him to take over the family fishing boat. Whoever put on his shoes would dance until they confessed what they truly wanted, even after the shoes were neutralized."
"Are you saying Elsa needs to confess to Anna for this to stop?"
"Or Anna to her."
"No. No way. The wind is stronger now. Anna would have to get closer and it's too dangerous."
"I can get closer. Elsa won't hurt me."
"She nearly did earlier. We can't risk it."
"Do you have any suggestions then?"
"Yes." Myka pulled out her Tesla gun. "We knock her out, tie her up, and then call Artie."
"What's that?"
"Oh, umm…" The brass and glass shaped gun in her hand looked like it belonged in a Steampunk novel and not in the modern world. "Think of it as a long range taser. It won't hurt much, it'll just knock her out. Mostly."
"WHAT!?"
"Myka, hand it over."
"What? No! It's my Tesla."
"And I'm the better shot."
"Fine. Fine. Anna, you should close your- Anna?" The spot next to Myka was empty. "Helena, wait."
A peek over the bed revealed Anna crawling through the snow and wind towards her sister.
"This will work, Myka. Trust me."
"It better!" If it didn't, the Artifact would be the least of their troubles.
Almost to her sister, Anna wished she wore winter clothes and not her bumming around the house clothes. They did nothing to keep the biting cold out. The smell of pine nearly bowled her over.
"Elsa!" The wind stopped in their little spot but continued to rage in the rest of the room and she sat uncomfortably on her knees in the snow.
"Anna?" Scared blue eyes met her. "You have to get out of here. I can't control this!"
"No, I'm not leaving you."
"I might hurt you!"
"You won't." Numb fingers cradled Elsa's face.
"You don't know that."
"Yes, I do."
Elsa sniffled and hot tears rolled down her cheeks.
"Do you know what my favorite memory is?"
"No."
"On the day it had been a year since I moved back in, I came home from work to you having made lasagna and chocolate cake for dinner. You were so happy to have me living here with you and wanted to celebrate. That's when I knew."
"Knew w-what?" Tears continued to fall and Elsa looked confused.
"That I… I…" Anna's throat closed in fear. If she was wrong there would be no place on Earth left for her to go. A deep breath. "That I had fallen in love with you."
The wind stopped entirely.
"You… love me?"
"Completely." Taking a chance that Elsa really was happy, Anna leaned forward and pressed their lips together. Stillness she had never felt before enveloped her when soft lips danced with hers and deepened the kiss.
Snow vanished, the smell of pine disappeared, and the room warmed.
Helena would be impossible to live with now.
"Thank you both for helping us." Fingers entwined firmly with Anna's, afraid to let go of this impossibly happy dream.
"You're welcome, but we didn't do much. It was all Anna." Myka smiled at them.
If she was at all disgusted, Elsa thought she hid it well.
"Thank you for not shooting my sister, Agent Wells."
"Shooting me?!"
"You're welcome. Now have a long, happy life together, please." The other woman smiled just as widely as her partner.
"That's the plan." Anna snuggled into her side.
Elsa felt her heart soar at her sister's response and wished to never wake from this perfect dream.
"Farewell."
"Goodbye."
The two strange women left with the necklace safely tucked away in a bag.
Anna closed the front door after one last wave goodbye.
"What a day-mmph!"
Elsa could no longer hold back now they were alone and pressed her lips against the wonderfully soft, delightfully sensitive, absolutely perfect lips of the woman she loved and, incredibly, loved her back.
"Umm…" Kiss. "I have to… oh god…" Kiss. Kiss. "Prepare dinner." Kiss.
"How about," Elsa nibbled along Anna's jaw and whispered in her ear, "we order take out and find other ways to occupy ourselves."
Gentle tugging led her to the living room where her sister pushed her down on the couch and straddled her lap.
"Sounds good." Soft kisses slowly traveled up her neck, finding every spot that made her gasp. "We have a lot of catching up to do."
And they did.
This was for the December prompt from the tumblr elsanna-shenanigans DOT tumblr DOT com
Prompt: Traditions
Bonus Restriction 1: Include a plot-relevant description of one of the following smells: pine, chocolate or gasoline
Bonus Restriction 2: Include the number twelve in your story
Bonus Restriction 3: Mention coins
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As always, please review, kudos, comment, like, follow, all that good stuff. I appreciate it.