550 reviews. WHAT THE HELL? Guys, seriously I feel like the last time I looked at my story stats it was in the 400's and now it's over 500. That's...like...mind boggling. Have I said how much you all rock. It just makes me so happy to see you enjoying the story. Thank you. I wish I had something better to say that just 'thank you' because that doesn't feel like enough. I guess I could thank you but shutting up and letting you read the chapter.

"I couldn't possibly stay," Elsa said quickly.

"Don't be foolish. It's horrible out there, and with the power gone the roads are going to pitch black. And if the roads are closes you may not be able to get home anyway,"
"But," Elsa blushed, "I wouldn't want to impose or anything,"
"I'd rather you stay the night than going out there. It's only one night,"
"Yeah, but…"
"No more buts. You're staying,"
"I'm not even sure if my parents will want that,"
"I'm sure they want you to be safe and not driving on those roads in this weather."
"Okay, I'll call them,"

Elsa sighed and dialled her mother's cell.
"Elsa, honey, are you okay?"
"Where is she?" She heard her father say in the background.
"I'm fine," Elsa said, "I'm still at Jack's,"
She mother let out a sigh, "Thank goodness, we were afraid you might be on the roads. The powers gone out here,"
"Yeah, over here too. Ah, Jack's mom wants to talk to you,"
"Of course," Her mother replied. Elsa passed the phone over.
"Hello Mrs. Winters. I was thinking Elsa should spend the night here. This isn't the kind of weather anyone should have to drive in." A pause, "I completely agree." Another pause, longer this time. "Absolutely not, I'll make sure,"
Jack and Elsa looked at each other as the conversation continued, both wondering what was being said from the other side. When Jack's mom laughed at something their eyebrows shot up. What could they be laughing about?
"I promise you," Jack mother said, "And it's no bother. My youngest is already excited about the prospects of a sleepover," Again a pause, "No need for thanks. Yes, hold on," Jack's mother handed the phone back to Elsa. "Ellie, let get you in some warm PJ's huh," She took her daughter hands.
"Elsa's staying right?"
"Yes, my dove,"

"Hello?" Elsa said into her phone.
"Elsa, make sure you don't cause any trouble for Ms. Frost,"
"Mom," She hissed.
"I'm actually glad you won't have to drive home tonight,"
"What about dad?"
"He's not the happiest. he wanted to go get you, but that would just put you both in unnecessary danger. He agrees that it is safest for you stay where you are, even if he doesn't like the idea of you and Jack sleeping together,"
"Could you not say it like that?" She heard her father say and she had to agree as a blush lit up her face.
"Are you guys okay over there?"
"You don't have to worry about us," Her mother said cheerfully, "You're sister already has candles lit. She says it's like a little camp out. Oh, Anna wants to talk to you," A pause and her sisters bubbly voice reached her eyes, "I bet you're going to have fun tonight," She teased.
"Oh, haha," Elsa deadpanned, "Yes, trying to keep warm will be very fun,"
"You know what the best way to stay warm is, don't you?" Her sister's tone suggestive.
"Anna!"
"I'm just saying, if it gets too cold there is always that option…I'd better shut up now because the vein in dad's forehead looks like it's going to explode."
"Good night Anna," Elsa said.
"I love you,"
"Love you too. And give mom and dad my love,"
"Will do,"

She hung up and looked at Jack.
"I'm surprised your father is letting you stay. I figured he'd try to get you himself,"
"He wanted too. Mom wouldn't let him,"
Jack chuckled, "Let's go get some candles lit," He lead her to the kitchen and got out a few candles in small glass jars, that looked like the scented kind and some that looked like the normal ones. They lit ones in jars, since those were safer. Taking them upstairs they put one in each bedroom, the hall and bathroom.
"Shouldn't we have left one in the living room?" Elsa asked.
"We could have, but it's like we're need to go there,"
"I'm sleeping on the sofa, aren't I?"
"No you're not," Jack said firmly.
"Where will I sleep?"
"In Jack's room," His mother said stepping out of Ellie's room. The teens blushed up to their ears. Jack started spluttering.
"Oh, don't get like that," She said with a mild laugh, "I was thinking Ellie would sleep with me, and Jack in here," She indicated back to Ellie's room, "And you can have his bed."
"Why don't I just sleep in Ellie's room,"
"Jack's bed is bigger, I want you to be comfortable,"
"I really don't want to be a bother,"
"It's not up for discussing Elsa," She said firmly.

"I want to sleep with Elsa," Ellie popped into the hall, dressed in long sleeved, thick purple pyjamas.
"Sweetie, you'll sleep with mommy tonight, okay," Jack's mother said gently brushing her fingers through the girl's hair.
"But it's a sleepover. We have to sleep together."
"Oh, getting to old to sleep with your mother? Just want to break my heart don't you,"
"No, no, I don't." Ellie said quickly, afraid she upset her mother. "I'll stay with you mommy."

Jack and Elsa hide their laughter behind their hands. "I should find you something to sleep in," Jack said to Elsa.
"I'll get extra blankets for everyone." His mother said.

Jack went up to his own room, changing into a long sleeved black jersey and dark blue fleece pants. Then he found one of his hoodies that had gotten a bit tight for him, but should fit Elsa and some warm sweatpants. He called her up.
""Ah…so I found some clothes that might fit you. They're right there," He pointed to his bed "so...uh…you can go ahead," He shifted towards the opening in the floor.
"Thanks," She mumbled as he disappeared down the ladder.
Elsa's gaze roamed to the sky light. In the dark of a starless night the only think she could make out was faint mass of swirling snow. In the sole candle flickering cast dull shadows against the walls, giving the room a cosy feeling. The candle, which was scented, released the warm aroma of cinnamon only added the warmth.

Elsa changed quickly. As soon as she pulled Jack's sweater over her head she was enveloped in his musk. Her fingers curled into the cloth, relishing in the instantaneous heat. Lifting the neck line to her nose a smile involuntarily appeared on her lips because of the similar comfort of the smell. She sighed slightly before hearing Ellie's voice calling her.
"Elsa?"
"Yes Ellie," she replied. The girls head popped into view, a huge grin on her face.
"I want to show you something. Can you come?"
"Okay," Elsa smiled following her back down the ladder.

Jack went to his mother to see if she'd gotten the extra blankets, only find her standing in the doorway, a smile plastered on her face. Jack was going to ask what she was doing, but she put a finger to her lips before beckoning him closer. He walked next to her and saw the reason for her smile.

Elsa and Ellie were sitting on the latter's bed, giggling about something. There were a few art projects next to them; apparently that's what she wanted to show the blonde. Elsa was braiding Ellie's hair while the smaller girl related her creating of one the art pieces. Neither noticed they had an audience.

Jack leaned against the doorframe, grinning at the sight. Ellie seemed so at home with Elsa. If you didn't know better one would say Ellie was Elsa's little sister, not his. His heart quicken as he looked at them laughing. He loved to see his sister happy. And she couldn't look happier right now. Jack felt as if in that moment something had shifted. His feelings for Elsa suddenly exploded in his chest, so painful he gasped. Why would he be feeling like this right now? It was a completely ordinary moment, and yet…

As though sensing his eyes on her Elsa looked up.
"Oh, hi," She said a bit shyly.
"Mommy, look Elsa braided my hair just like hers,"
"I can see that,"
"Mommy, can I grow out my hair, long like Elsa's?"
Her mother chuckled, "We'll see. Now let's get you to bed,"
"But I'm not tired," She said through a yawn.
"Yes you are, let's go," She handed the blankets in her hands to Jack and lifted Ellie. "Don't stay up to late you two," She said to Jack and Elsa, a knowing smirk gracing her features. They avoided direct eye contact.

"Ah…the top isn't too tight or anything?" He asked. Elsa shook her head.
"No, it fine. Perfect actually," Her voice lowered to a whisper.
"So…do you want to do anything?"
"Like what?"
"Like something to kill time, unless you want to go to sleep,"
Elsa shook her head. She didn't normally go the sleep until at least midnight, so it being minutes to ten she could be up for a few hours still. No doubt Jack was in the same boat, or he wouldn't have asked about doing something.
"We could play a board game or something,"
"A board game?"
"Yeah, unless you have a better idea,"
"Nothing were winning is reliant solely on rolling high numbers. If you have chess, I wouldn't mind that,"
"We have a board...but I suck at chess."
"Then I'll just wipe your behind, and it's no fun until there's a fight involved."
"I'm decent in checkers though."
"You're on Frost,"

They went up his room and Jack dug the game from his closet. Sitting on his bed they set up the pieces. Jack's 'decent' capabilities in checkers proved to be no match for Elsa. He'd won two out of five games and as they were playing their sixth bout he was forced to watch in horror and she took three of his pieces at one, leaving him with only two pieces left, to go up against the seven of hers still on the board.
"But…how'd…when did…how did I not see that?" Jack exclaimed. Elsa laughed.
"I thought you said you were decent,"
"Hey, I won two games," He tried to defend himself.
"Barely,"
"You're cheating,"
"How?"
"I don't know but I know you are," He huffed, crossing his arms tightly.
Elsa laughed; her music laugh that made his skin tingle. He sighed and started resetting the board.
"I'm going to lose this round anyway," He said to answer her questioning gaze. The next game he won, but only just with just two pieces to spare. The next round he won as well. He smiled, even though he was sure it was luck mixed with Elsa making a few bad moves. On their ninth game Jack realised something was up when he saw he once again had more pieces on the board.
"You're losing on purpose," He exclaimed.
"What?" Elsa looked at him like he was raving.
"You're throwing the game just to make me feel better."
"I would never," Elsa sounded appalled that he'd even suggest such a thing. From that point on Jack suddenly found himself losing his pieces. When Elsa claimed his final piece, that he'd just managed to king, she said with a smile "If I were throwing the game would I have lost there?"
Jack knocked the board aside and grabbed her around the waist, tickling her furiously.
"Admit it, you let me win before,"
"J-Jack. St-op!" She gasped between laughs, desperately trying to pry his hands away from her sides. He didn't relent until she finally cried out.
"Okay! I'll admit it! Just stop!"
Smirking Jack stopped tickling. She hit his chest pushing him away. She tried to speak but was too busy regaining her breath.
"Why'd you let me win?"
"Because you look so cute when you get excited after a win." She teased, her voice still a little strain for air. "But you look also adorable when you get frustrated after you lose, so basically isn't win-win for me,"
Jack pouted, his brow knitting together. Elsa laughed, "Just like that, that's the same look when you get frustrated."

"Elsa, you are just mean," He sat up, turning away from her. Still chucking she wrapped her arms around his waist.
"Are you mad because you lost so much, or because I let you win those times,"
"A little of both," He grumbled.
"Come on," She nudged him gently, "Do you want to play another game? I'll let you choose,"
"Not really in the mood for games anymore,"
"Is that so?"
"Yeah, turns out my girlfriend just likes seeing me get frustrated."
"Not true," Elsa said, "But like I said you do look very cute," she kissed his cheek. He was still muttering under his breath. Elsa decided to change that. She placed a light, but lingering kiss to his neck. She felt the shiver that ran through him in response. Going at an excruciatingly slow pace she trailed kissed up his neck, stopping just under his ear. She whispered, "You did win fairly a few times. You should at least get a reward for that,"

Jack shivered again.
"What about you? You did win more times," His voice was low and husky.
"Mmh," Elsa hummed in thought, "I'm sure we can come up with something that's mutually beneficial."
Jack gave a low laugh turning to encircle his hands around her waist. He kissed her lightly, in no hurry to rush the kiss. Elsa nibbled his lower lip and he returned the favour with slightly more gusto. The kiss continued at the leisurely pace for a while.

Not much later, they found themselves perfectly content under the blankets. Elsa had her head tucked under Jack's chin, her eyes closed, enjoying being about to hear his heart beat.
"I really should go," Jack mumbled dozily, "Or we're going to find ourselves in trouble," He wanted to get up, but his limbs (currently around Elsa) weren't listening.
"A few more minutes," Elsa whispered, unwilling to give up his heat just yet. He nodded her own warmth slowly luring him to slumber.
"Only a few more minutes," He said, and nibbled on her earlobe lightly making her giggle. Those few turned into half an hour and neither knew how long after that they feel asleep in each other's arms.

Nardragon~ until the next page.