Baragor was alive.

And, of course he was. The International Consortium could study charts, and statistics as much as they so desired, but they never truly understood the enemy. Hans did. It's what kept him up at night- or at least, what used to. Now, he slept soundly next to the ice queen.

Who was surprisingly warm... As a matter of fact he hadn't seen Elsa for a couple of days now. He was an addict; just one more moment with her, just one more touch. Lately though, she was distancing herself. She needed, and deserved, her space. How could he love her without respecting her-

Hans stopped that line of thought. Between feeling sorry for himself (that she would never love him) fearing what Baragor would do, and mourning Kristoffer... he hadn't realized something. It was the day before the spring dance, and he had work to do.

His army was well-prepared to defend Arrendelle. And Hans doubted that, unless the pirates had a couple more traitors in his court, that a frontal assault would be a suicide mission. He had been on suicide missions before. The ships, when they burned down around him, he'd been the one setting 'em on fire. He had been willing to die. But this time was different. This time he knew there was something out there that was just... better.

Elsa.

He knew where her quarters were. Hans slipped in and snooped about her room. Baragor had taken the queen's room, and Hans had seized Anna's. Since the Protector (and all the various titles that the good people of the Southern Isles liked to attach to it) was a very powerful man, he got his personal servant her own room with a lock on the door only he possessed. Before moving in with him, she would ask him to lock her door after a personal inspection (which insured obedience) and every night, if she had been sleeping there.

Ideally, that's how it was supposed to work.

Of course, in reality Elsa stayed with him. So she didn't need him to unlock it every night. He had to open it for her last night, and he wondered why she was so determined to live separate from him. His answer came when he heard humming coming from the bath.

Elsa. Naked.

It was a good time to be alive and male.

Hans marched in like he owned the place, which he kind of did.

"Elsa, may I have a moment," He said from the doorway. Her face turned bright red as she remembered that, although she had locked her door the second she got in, Hans had the key.

Taking her silence as an invitation, the Protector confidently walked in. The smell of perfume and soap filled the air.

"I'm so delighted that you found the time to get ready for the festivities tomorrow."

She nodded her head.

"Do you have an escort?"

Elsa found the courage to speak up, "I... I'm fine, thank you."

Hans smiled, "Good. You should have a night off. I... the Protector is not supposed to dance, though, so you needn't worry about my needs. At least, not for tomorrow night."

He winked, believing she thought him to be an arrogant fool. He had her attention, and, really, that's what he wanted. It was as close to her as he could ever get.

"I took it upon myself to have some of your dresses brought out of storage. Please," He said as kindly as possible, "Make use of them."

He turned to leave, smirking. He knew something she did not want him to know; why was her hair darker? And why didn't she use her powers to turn the water opaque?

"Hans," She said, rising. He could hear her getting up, but... for some reason it just felt disrespectful to turn around. And he cared? "...what are you hiding from me?"

Suddenly, he didn't want to stay anymore. Hans marched out, locking the door behind him. Coming here was a mistake. Elsa... was a mistake. She was dangerous- made him... feel things. He had to keep her at arm's length, control her. And he needed to make sure she didn't figure out how badly he needed her.

The last of the preparations for the spring dance were finished. Elsa had done a magnificent job (of course) and now took a moment to take in the sight. Arrendelle had transformed. Thanks to the Southern Isles, the port of Arrendelle now had an exponentially larger trade route to deal with, which translated into much bigger international political standings.

It also meant that Elsa had a huge budget that she could blow, and no one could stop her- not even the great Protector himself. Elsa blushed as she remembered her last run-in with the prince. Some 'holy' protector he was! Barging in on a young woman like that!

Still... there was just something about him that spoke to a soft spot in her hurt. All he did was strut and pose, but underneath it all, she saw the pain and humiliation. Not that he wasn't gorgeous. She just... was interested in more... cerebral things.

Right now she did not have the time to think about the prince she slept with, er, next to. She had to focus on Anna. Gathering hot soup, blankets and... wedding cake? Elsa made her way down to the dungeon. She braced herself for the worst; Anna alone, starving, dehydrated, her weak body limp as she held onto dear life-

Bang, bang, bang,

"Hey, can I get some food up in here?!" Anna's voice called. Startled, Elsa dropped her tray. Cursing her clumsiness, she quickly gathered the items and found Anna... in surprisingly good health. From underneath the cowl, Elsa felt a huge burden lift from her shoulders. Her sister was safe- and as pushy as ever. Her cheeks were flush, as was her waist-line. Only a smidge bigger, but eating through her entire wedding cake alone had done a number, even on a girl who could pound down her throat like Anna.

"About time you got here," She whined, "My mid-afternoon snack was an hour ago!"

Elsa smiled, "Oh, Anna, never change."

"Don't worry," She snorted through the bars as her hands found purchase in dessert before her meal, "I won't."

The petite red-head inhaled her dinner. Elsa watched in awe- not because Anna had the inhuman ability to consume whatever she wanted, as much as she wanted without gaining an ounce, (usually) but because her little sister was okay, thriving, even. If anything, Elsa felt a bit silly worrying about her. Anna took care of herself.

glug, glug, glug...

She also took care of a large slice of cake and a pitcher of milk.

"More," Said Anna, motioning the ex-queen turned servant-girl over, "Listen, I know you're not supposed to talk to me, but you can shake your head and stuff. Have you seen the queen?"

Elsa shook her head- literally true, there was no queen to see. Anna punched the wall. Her sister noticed that part of the wall was particularly worn thin. Anna also kept her anger issues, apparently.

"Is that double-crossing snake Hans in charge? Wait, strike that," She held up air quotes, her voice dripping with sarcasm, "Is our 'Beloved Protector' still around doing stuff?"

Elsa nodded. There wasn't much harm in admitting that.

"I bet he won't even throw the spring dance this year!" Anna said grumpily. Then she saw Elsa shake her head, "What? No way!"

Elsa turned to leave.

"Hey! Wait a second, are you...?"

The blond turned brunette froze. No. If her sister figured it out... yesterday, the thought thrilled her. Now, it might get them both killed. Elsa knew that Hans had been writing the International Consortium, using a great deal of his political leverage for something big. And if he got wind the sisters were back together.

"No..." Whispered Elsa. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Anna ask a question she'd been holding onto for awhile. A rumor, really.

"Jo?"

'Jo' fled.