"Ariel," Elsa said evenly, when her friend moved across her room. She swallowed thickly when she felt hands on her shoulder, toying with the skin of her neck and hair, and tried to concentrate on the glowing screen in front of her.

"Come on, Elsa. I know we agreed no sex while I was staying at your house, but Anna's out with Kristoff tonight, and the maids have all gone home," Ariel purred in her ear from behind, "and you need some relaxation."

Elsa suddenly felt sick. Because of how strong her feelings for her sister had grown over a course of only the two weeks she'd been home. Because of the way she had been using Ariel as a distraction for a year now. Because of how disgustingly wrong it was to be in love with Anna and still let Ariel believe she had a chance.

But she desperately wanted to stop. She wanted to stop loving Anna, to stop exploiting Ariel, to stop being so guilty all the time. She wanted to find a way out. She wanted her friends to be happy. And she wanted to stem the flow of pain and longing that burst forth whenever she saw Anna and Kristoff together.

Against her screaming conscience, she turned her head to kiss Ariel's cheek. "I want to talk to you about something."

"Hmm?" Ariel's lips were on her neck, expertly drifting closer to her jawline in a way that made her shiver.

"You know what you said to me a year and a half ago? At the coffee shop, before you suggested that we—"

She felt Ariel's breath hitch. "Yes?"

"I'm willing to give it a chance."

"Really?" Ariel's hands were on Elsa's shoulders, turning her around so that turquoise eyes met cerulean ones. "You're saying yes to being my girlfriend?"

Elsa forced a smile. Anything to stop this pain. "Yes."

Ariel leaned forward excitedly and planted a light kiss on her lips before letting her arms snake around Elsa's shoulders as she pulled the blonde into an embrace.

"Then we're not going to have sex tonight," The excited girl declared as she pulled back. "I want to do this properly."

Elsa made an effort to smile again at her. "Okay."

"Good night!"

When the redhead bounded off into the hallway, Elsa buried her face in her hands as she realized what she had just done.

I'm going to fix myself, her mind said. I'm going to stop being in love with my sister. I'm going to fall in love with Ariel. I'm not going to hurt Ariel. I'm not going to hurt Anna.

I did the right thing.

The ache in her chest didn't stop.

Didn't I?

Anna hopped out of her boyfriend's truck after giving him a quick peck on the cheek, grateful that he never questioned her again about the 'love' conversation that they had almost two weeks ago. She spotted Ariel sitting on the front steps of the house, her bodyguards spread out 'inconspicuously' around the lawn and inside the foyer. Her bright red hair was messily draped over her shoulder and across her back as she huddled on the steps.

Curiously, Anna approached the girl. "Ariel? You okay?" As she neared, she caught a better view of the older girl's face. She looked to have been crying, eyes swollen around her sea-green orbs, still sniffling slightly.

Suddenly Ariel leapt up and threw her arms around Anna, crying out heartily, "She said yes, Anna! We're going out!"

Anna felt her heart drop to her stomach at the sudden revelation.

She knew she should be happy for Elsa and Ariel. She really should. Finally, Elsa would have someone who loved her unconditionally like how Kristoff loved her. Finally, Elsa wouldn't have to be so alone. Ariel understood her. Ariel loved her so much that she was crying tears of happiness when Elsa agreed to go out with her.

"I'm so happy for you, Ariel," Anna tried to sound sincere, biting back her own tears. "Elsa deserves someone like you."

She really does. Elsa deserves to be happy. Ariel can do that for her. They understand each other. They're perfect for each other.

And they're not sisters.

Before her own tears could spill forth, Anna pulled back and choked out, "I have homework, so I'll catch you later, okay?" Before Ariel could respond, Anna ran into the house, up the stairs and into her room.

It was the same dream again. Anna realized this when she caught the scent of Elsa's wintry perfume.

She looked up at her sister, so beautiful and majestic.

This time was different, though. Instead of getting closer like she always did, Elsa kissed her forehead and gave her a forlorn smile. It took Anna a second for her to realize that Elsa was leaving, and that she had just kissed her goodbye.

"No! Wait, Elsa!"

Her sister looked back, alarmed.

"I love you! Don't leave me!" she begged, crying now.

"I'm sorry, Anna. I have someone else now," Elsa smiled softly, and Ariel appeared beside her. As they took each other's hands and walked away, Elsa uttered, "I don't need you anymore."

"No! But I need you! You can't leave me!" she tried to run after them, but hands arose from the floor of the black room and grabbed her feet. She fell to her feet, and looked up just in time to see Elsa slamming the door behind her. "No! Please! No!"

Gritting her teeth through her tears, she whimpered, "Don't leave me. I need you. Don't leave me."

But Elsa had said, "I don't need you anymore."

She stayed on the ground, broken.

"Anna." Soft hands brushed her shoulder, her hands, her neck, her cheek, trying to coax a response out of her.

It was a familiar feeling.

What was that sweet voice? Did I die and go to heaven?

"Anna, wake up," a voice begged.

Anna's eyes shot open, disorientated by the darkness of the room. The shadowy hands of her nightmare still fresh in her mind, she shook with fear at the black nothingness.

Cool hands were on her cheeks, brushing away the remnants of the dream, drying her tears. She would have recognized this gentle touch anywhere. Still shaking, she reached out into the darkness until her hands were met with the smooth fabric of her sister's t-shirt, and grabbed hold, pulling Elsa closer, as she sobbed uncontrollably from the wave of anguish the nightmare had left behind.

"Shh… you're safe." Elsa stroked her sister's ginger hair and let the girl cry into her shirt, tugging her closer. "I'm here. No one's going to hurt you now."

"Stay with me," Anna pleaded between sobs, "Stay with me." Her words contained such desperation that Elsa was afraid any refusal would cause her to break. She only nodded, and tugged the covers up around them, still holding Anna.

"Do you want to talk about it?" Elsa whispered when Anna's shaking slowly settled. She loosened her grip and let her one of her hands reach up to cup a freckled cheek.

Anna shook her head slowly.

"Talking about it might make you feel better," Elsa prompted quietly.

"I don't remember."

"That's a lie, Anna. This one was particularly bad, wasn't it?"

"How do you know?"

Elsa paused. "I used to check on you at night, after I isolated myself in high school," she confessed. "You always used to have nightmares, so I was worried."

"Every night?"

"Pretty much."

Anna buried herself closer against the compassionate soul beside her, and suddenly every inch of skin that was in contact with Elsa's was on fire. You don't deserve such a kind older sister. That's why she said she doesn't need you. She gasped, as the thought brought more tears to her eyes. "Thank you," she choked.

"Hey, you don't need to thank me," Elsa tore another tissue from the box and dabbed lightly at the drops of moisture that escaped Anna's eyes. "It's my intrinsic duty as your older sister." She laughed. "That, and I love you."

The words made Anna glow with euphoria, but at the same time they cast her into a pit of despair.

I love you, too. If only you knew how much I loved you, Elsa. If only I could tell you. If only you didn't have Ariel. If only we weren't sisters.

But she knew they meant different kinds of love.

They were so close, yet so far. It was just like in her dream; Elsa was going to drift further and further away from her. She was going to have a happy life with Ariel, meet more new friends, and Anna could only watch from the sidelines. Elsa wouldn't need her anymore. Elsa would never need her as much as she used to.

Overwhelmed by the realistic future that she had seen in her nightmare, and a burning desire that had overcome her when she pressed so close to her sister, Anna blurted, "I need you. Don't ever leave me."

She felt Elsa tense around her, and then her sister chuckled. "What makes you think I'll ever leave you? You're my sister. You could chain me to a bullet train and that wouldn't be enough to tear me away from you, silly."

There was a giggle among all the sniffles. "You'd be making millions of people late for work," she chided.

"That's what they get for standing between me and my beloved little sister," Elsa retorted playfully.

The lighthearted atmosphere finally gave Anna the courage to confess, "I dreamt that you left me. That you said you didn't need me."

Elsa tightened her hold, pressing Anna closer to her neck. "Oh, Anna. I always need you. I won't leave you. Trust me."

Before Anna could get her mouth to work, Elsa spoke again. "Besides, you're hopeless without me. I don't know how Kristoff puts up with that reckless mind of yours."

Anna gave an indignant huff, and Elsa abruptly loosened her hold again. "Good night, Anna."

"I love you, Elsa."

And I don't know how to stop.

"Oh, my god, you look beautiful!" Ariel exclaimed as Anna stepped out of her room, wearing the dark blue dress that they had picked. Its silky fabric wrapped around her upper body in a halter-style neckline, exposing her shoulders and arms. The dress sported a stunning dark blue to light blue gradient, with the lightest shade around her waist, underneath the golden belt hung that loosely around it, the metal glinting as she stepped into the light of the hallway.

"Anna, come here! I'll do your makeup," Elsa smiled at her. Anna could go to prom in a potato sack and still take her breath away, she decided.

"Oh, I'll do your hair!" Ariel flitted excitedly down the hall with Anna as they entered Elsa's room.

"I hope you haven't forgotten about those accessories you promised me," Anna teased playfully as she sat down. "Because I'm screwed if you have."

Elsa laughed, "Don't worry, I've got them." The dress covered Anna's collar, so a necklace was unnecessary. Instead, she reached into a drawer and pulled out a gold bracelet with snowflake patterns, its colour perfectly complementing the belt on Anna's waist.

Anna gasped, her hands flying to either side of her face in surprise, "Oh, Elsa, it's beautiful. Is it… is it your snowflake?"

Her sister grinned. "Of course. Would you expect anything less? Put it on."

It fit perfectly on the curve of Anna's wrist. The younger girl was still admiring the pattern on it. Her sister had outdone herself this time, she decided. It wasn't a single snowflake; it was a bunch of them intertwined at the tips, forming an intricate pattern of diamond and crystal.

Elsa pulled out studded earrings. "Now, these ones aren't snowflake-patterned, but I did still design them myself."

Again, they were a complementary gold, inlaid with sapphire, to the belt on Anna's waist. This time, they weren't snowflakes, but glittering crystal icicles. "Thanks so much," she whispered. She was sure her smile couldn't possibly get any wider.

"These are for the other two birthdays I missed," Elsa explained. "Now, close your eyes so I can do your eye makeup."

Ariel was tugging Anna's hair into a bun, allowing a few wild strands to accentuate the younger girl's freckled face. She attached three bluish-green satin ribbons, laced with gold.

In the meantime, Elsa was trying very hard not to be distracted by her sister's lips and adorably freckled cheeks, so dangerously close.

Don't mess this up; it's a special night for her.

Grabbing her gel eyeliner, she swallowed and steeled herself. Slowly, she got to work. When she was satisfied, she chose a sparkly nude eye shadow for her sister, deciding that a more natural look was better.

She leaned back to inspect her work, and felt her heart skip a beat. Her sister was absolutely stunning, even without makeup, but now that she had it, she looked even more amazing.

Feeling another twinge of jealousy at the prospect that Kristoff would get to spend a whole evening with the divine goddess before her, she steadily applied mascara on her sister's thick lashes. "Done," she said, satisfied. "Now for lipstick."

Her breath hitched again as Anna opened her glowing blue eyes and smiled at her in appreciation.

"You can't smile at me if you want me to do your lipstick properly," Elsa teased. She turned to her vanity and shakily chose a light coral. Trying to focus on just the lipstick while applying it, she ran the stick over Anna's unmoving lips. "What do you think?" she asked Ariel.

"Hmm." Ariel frowned, taking in the colours. "I think it needs to be pinker. Try the one you used when we went clubbing," she grinned. "I liked that colour. Here, Anna, rub that off."

"Ugh, clubbing. You just had to remind me. Okay, let's see," Elsa rummaged through her drawers, trying to find the right colour. After locating it, she applied it to Anna's smooth lips, trying not to stare for too long. "What do you think?"

"Perfect!" Ariel cried, hugging Anna tightly. "You look beautiful, Anna! No man is going to want to take his eyes off you!"

Elsa handed her a mirror. "You are gorgeous, baby sis," she choked.

Anna beamed at both of them. "Thanks for helping me get ready! It's almost time!" she exclaimed as they caught a glimpse of Kristoff's truck driving through the gates of the mansion. "Shoes! What shoes am I wearing?"

"These," Elsa opened her closet and held up a pair of white, short-heeled shoes. "I didn't want you tripping over yourself or spraining your ankle tonight, so I took the liberty of not getting you high-heels. Don't complain," she chastised teasingly when Anna opened her mouth to protest, "your feet will thank me later. Now, is your clutch packed and ready?"

"Yup! It's in my room! Let me go grab it!" she threw on the heels and almost tripped racing out of Elsa's room. Thankfully, she caught herself on the doorframe. She glanced sheepishly over her shoulder; Ariel was holding a hand over her mouth to keep from smiling and Elsa had a face that said 'I told you so'.

"Anna, try to act like a lady tonight, okay?" Elsa pleaded with mock desperation, "I don't want to get a call from the school telling me that you fell face-first into the punch bowl and then broke your wrist or something. Take things slow."

"Yes, Mother," Anna blew a raspberry at Elsa and hopped out of the room, slightly more carefully than before.

"Oh-oh! Let me get a picture before you lovebirds go!" Ariel insisted, after Kristoff stepped out of his truck. She held out her Canon DSLR, looking like the paparazzi, snapping pictures of the awkward couple from every angle. "Come on, stand closer together! You both look ravishing!"

As hard as she tried, Elsa couldn't find the humour in the situation. She tunnel-visioned on Kristoff, with one arm around Anna, and felt jealousy burn in the pit of her stomach.

She and Ariel had been officially dating for almost two weeks, but the feelings she had for Anna were still stronger than ever; if anything, they got stronger whenever she saw Anna. Or whenever she saw Anna with Kristoff.

She had made sure to send Kristoff a proper tuxedo (one that would match Anna's dress) because, despite all her possessive feelings, Anna was going to prom with Kristoff Bjorgman, and Elsa decided that she would be damned if she didn't do everything to make it a great night for Anna. Save for lying about which dress the younger girl looked best in, of course.

Kristoff still had a deer-in-the-headlights expression from when he first saw Anna step out of the front doors of the Arendelle mansion, and he all but tripped over himself to shower her with as many compliments as possible, which, Elsa hated to admit, annoyed her to no end.

Anna was her sister! Her sweet, beloved, innocent, little sister! And here was this man, looking at her sister like she was… like she was a piece of meat! Elsa felt her protective instinct take over again, as she considered driving Anna to the school herself. Instead, she marched over to Kristoff and fixed him with an intent, borderline murderous, stare. "I am entrusting my little sister to you for this evening, Kristoff Bjorgman. I am holding you personally responsible for her wellbeing tonight." She almost added, 'I will have you hanged, drawn, and quartered if she even gets a paper cut on her pinky finger', but decided against it.

He grunted in surprise, "Yeah, of course, Elsa. I won't let her get hurt."

Anna grinned at her, "I'm not that clumsy, worry wart!"

"Well, you guys should go, before you're late. Don't speed!" Elsa called after them as Kristoff turned the truck around and started down the road. Take care of her. My Anna. Her heart clenched.

"Sheesh, you don't think you're worrying too much?" Ariel said, casually entwining their fingers.

"You don't know the kind of trouble Anna gets herself in," Elsa looked at her, smiling as she thought of Anna's childhood mischiefs.

Ariel pulled her in for a kiss. "You don't need to worry about her for tonight, at least. She won't be back until morning. I can think of something we could do while we wait."

Elsa gulped. She was not ready to have—make love with Ariel yet; each date they went on only served to make her feel guiltier and guiltier that she didn't reciprocate the beautiful redhead's feelings. Whatever her brain thought that dating Ariel would do for her, it wasn't happening.

She backed up a little. "Actually, tonight, I want to see the city."

Ariel seemed disappointed at her sudden change of attitude. But, she never pushed Elsa; she always waited for the blonde to be ready, which had Elsa feeling even more ashamed.

With Alistair driving in the front seat, and another man beside him, the two girls were admiring the lights of nighttime downtown Vancouver. Today had been a rare day off; they finished their work early the day before so they could help Anna get ready for prom. The past two weeks have been about setting up the accounts and allocating resources properly for the contract that her mother had forced upon Falk Industries. And correcting the mistakes that were made on the tax spreadsheets.

Elsa stared forlornly outside the tinted windows of the car, wondering, with a clenched fist, if Anna had arrived at the prom venue yet, as Ariel cuddled next to her, playing absentmindedly with her braid.

Suddenly, Elsa told Alistair to park and let them off.

With her and Ariel's bodyguards following them close behind, Elsa stopped in front of a bar.

"Really? You want to go to a bar? You hate drinking!" Ariel exclaimed in surprise.

Elsa gave her an apologetic smile. "Sorry, I felt like a change today. I'll have Alistair take you home if you'd prefer." Getting drunk made her head unclear, but it also wiped away feelings of uneasiness and guilt. In fact, it made her feel better in general. Happy, even.

"Hell no! I've always wanted to go to a bar!" Giving her a spirited grin, Ariel linked their arms and enthusiastically tugged the blonde inside.

"Hmm… I'll take a gin and tonic!" Ariel announced as she scanned the drink menu. "I've always wanted to try one."

"Scotch on the rocks for me, please," Elsa added.

They handed the bartender their ID's when he glanced at them skeptically. After checking to make sure they were legal, he grabbed two glasses and poured their drinks in front of them. "Enjoy, ladies," he grinned.

Elsa drained her Scotch, to Ariel's surprise. Ariel, naturally competitive, downed her gin and tonic in a single swig as well. "Wow, that is not what I expected it to taste like," Ariel said, her mouth twisted in disgust.

Elsa winced at the bitter aftertaste in her mouth. "Give me a straight shot of Jack this time, please."

"I want one of Smirnoff!" Ariel declared loudly.

The bartender collected the glasses and replaced them with single shot glasses, pouring each of them their liquor.

Elsa took the shot in one swallow again, making a face at the flavour. This one had a muskier taste than the other. The aftertaste was still bitter. She ordered a shot of tequila this time, and Ariel the same.

They both agreed that this one tasted the worst.

"Bartender, you got anything sweet in there?" Ariel drawled tantalizingly to the gruff man behind the counter over the rock music playing in the background.

He passed them each a shot of spiced rum. This time he also placed two cans of coke in front of them, "Don't puke on my floor."

They looked at each other and drained it, chasing it with the coke. It wasn't bad, Elsa decided.

Ariel settled with vodka. Elsa ordered another shot of tequila.

The vile flavour was like her punishment. For the disgusting, incestuous feelings she still had for Anna. For the lack of affection she returned to Ariel. She smirked inwardly, letting the alcohol take control.

At least Ariel seemed like she was enjoying her vodka. "So, Elsa," she sang.

Elsa looked at Ariel, whose face was already red. "Enjoying the heat, Ariel?" she teased.

"Oh, you know I like it hot," Ariel retorted.

"Ariel, life sucks, you know," Elsa began, not knowing where she was going with this.

"Yeah, noooo freedom at all," Ariel replied, equally intoxicated. "Suuuuuucks. Lucky Anna, she gets to have the most fun tonight."

"It sucks even mooooore when someone you love doesn't love you back, doesn't it," Elsa drawled on. She was vaguely aware what she was saying, but didn't care enough anymore to stop herself.

The pain was gone. The guilt was gone. The ache that had been constantly eating at her heart ever since she agreed to go out with Ariel was gone. She felt empty, but at the same time, full. The loud music in the background was only fueling her euphoria.

Happy. Stupidly happy. For no reason.

So happy, as if nothing she said or did could perturb this contentment. Like nothing had consequences. Like she was floating. No crashing. No pain. No nightmares. No worries.

No rights. No wrongs.

No one could tell her what to do.

No one could tell her what was wrong.

She couldn't even tell what was wrong anymore.

"But it's greeeeat when you're going out," Ariel droned sluggishly.

"Arieeel," Elsa tried to focus. After another swig of coke, "Ariel, I like someone else."

"You… wha…" Ariel threw an arm on the counter and put her head down on it, staring sideways at Elsa.

Don't say it. Some coherent voice screamed from within the confines of her drugged brain. You'll regret it. Don't do it.

No right or wrong.

I already regret it.

No consequences.

"Ariel, I'm…" Elsa fought the urge to lower her head onto the counter and close her eyes. She struggled to speak evenly, "Ariel… can we be friends?"

Happy. Still so happy.

Ariel grinned goofily at her, "We are friends…Goooood friends."

"I mean… just friends… we'll always… be friends… right?" Elsa took a shaky breath and shook her head to try and clear it. It only made her dizzier. Deep breath. "Ariel, I'm in love with someone else."

No right or wrong.

"Hmmmmm.."

She had to be clear. "Ariel, I don't... I don't love you. Not that way…"

Suddenly, it seemed Ariel understood what she was trying to tell her. Elsa could make out her blue eyes, wide in horror, through her blurring vision. She clumsily reached out an arm to touch Ariel's shoulder, but missed. "I'm… sorry."

She wasn't sure if the girl's eyes were watering—she only caught a glimpse of her reaction before the girl stood up—or if her own eyes were filling with tears.

Pain.

Before anyone could react—Elsa, or Ariel's bodyguards—the heartbroken girl ran out of the bar. Several bewildered men ran after her, and as Elsa stumbled through the doors, she could barely make out the silhouette of long red hair stumbling onto the dimly lit street…

… right into the path of an oncoming truck.