Ugh, another short chapter. Sorry all; bear with me and I'll make it worth your while, I swear! ;)

Chapter XIV

Needless to say, Elsa and Anna's relationship changed drastically that night. To anyone else, the change might seem unnoticeable, but to the two girls involved, it was anything but. Furtive glances sent each other's way now carried a different meaning than before; the briefest, accidental brush of skin now had both girls blushing so hard it put the color red to shame; simple, kind gestures now carried a heavier air with them, each act being coupled with the high hope the gesture would be appreciated and reciprocated.

This reciprocation, of course, usually leading to a heavy make out session.

Although they had yet to consummate their relationship all the way yet—no thanks to the blonde, Elsa would add bitterly—Elsa had steadily become more comfortable with displaying her affections towards Anna. No longer was she shy or ashamed to kiss Anna for no reason, although a breathy whisper of "I love you" always accompanied them.

Anna still remained the dominant one in their relationship, however—despite being three years Elsa's junior. Whenever Elsa would sneak up behind Anna, hands coming to rest on the redhead's breasts as teeth came to nip the nape of her neck, Anna would only allow herself to be wooed for the briefest of moments before she had Elsa pinned up against a wall or beneath her on the couch—but not the bed, yet—and kissing her senseless. Elsa tried to make herself more intent on becoming as forceful as the fiery redhead, but she always felt her core tighten when she admitted to herself that she liked being submissive.

Elsa had never thought she'd be one for kinks—hell, she didn't even know if this counted as a kink—but damn was she turned on every time she became overpowered by Anna. The role reversal was nice. After Elsa taking charge with everything else that transpired between them, whether it be the responsibilities of her college life and work while Anna was carefree, or the simple evidence that she was Anna's elder peer, letting Anna take charge kept things interesting.

Besides, it's not like Elsa really knew what she was doing when trying to seduce Anna. While the redhead had said to let Elsa's "emotions take her" and promised that she didn't care how inexperienced Elsa may come off as, Elsa felt as though her emotions were only taking her so far.

Being straightforward about the manner, Elsa was afraid of sex. Her touches only went so low and she would instantly clam up and shy away if Anna got too hands-y in their necking.

Elsa was ashamed of her revelation, and was even further ashamed that Anna didn't let it bother her in the slightest. Despite all the times Anna had told Elsa she wasn't deserving of the blonde, Elsa thought it should be the other way around. Elsa wasn't deserving of Anna's patience. Good god, they both wanted it, that much was obvious. The need was always there in the pit of her stomach, the carnal desire to take Anna then and there and let the redhead do the same to her in turn arose with every kiss, every touch. It burned in her core—it ached to be released—but Elsa never acted on it. She couldn't. For whatever reason her prudish mind could come up with, nothing ever transpired between them below the belt.

Smirking only slightly as Elsa cleaned off some tables at work, she imagined Anna bursting in her Starbucks claiming she could hear Elsa thinking so hard all the way back at the apartment.

Anna needed to get together with Kristoff so the duo could come up with a plan to make Elsa stop thinking so damn much. The blonde would be truly grateful.

Thankfully, a bell jingled and drew Elsa from her thoughts. Looking to the door, she couldn't help rolling her eyes at the establishment's newest customer.

"My apartment too boring for you?"

"More like your PS3 is currently recovering from quite the beating and I figured I needed some air."

"So you walk a good forty minutes to the place I happen to work at?"

The newcomer blushed. "I missed you."

Elsa grinned and, after reassuring her prude mind that no one was watching, leaned in to kiss Anna.

"I missed you, too," she said. "But you're distracting me!" she chided playfully as she snapped her towel at Anna. "God only knows how much you distract me when you're not even present!"

Anna eyed Elsa, and the blonde instantly went crimson, knowing she had said too much.

"I never knew I occupied your mind that much," she said with a grin. "I mean, I know I'm simply mesmerizing, but really, Elsa; it's called self-control."

"Funny," the elder quipped, "I used to possess such a thing until you came along."

"You flatter," Anna deadpanned, yet planted a kiss on Elsa's nose.

"I try."

Moving away to clean another table, Anna quickly followed her.

"How much longer is your shift?" she asked.

"Two hours," Elsa responded. "You're welcome to hang out here and wait for me, but I can't say what that will do to my attention span."

"I don't think the tables will notice the lack of attention."

That time Elsa actually threw the towel at Anna.

"You tease," Elsa said with a laugh.

Anna just shrugged and said smugly, "I try."

Luckily for Elsa, Anna informed her she'd wait at the bookstore down the street and once her presence became absent, Elsa was back in control. It was kind of pitiful the effect this girl had on her; although deep down Elsa knew she wouldn't have it any other way.

XxXxX

After clocking out and discarding her apron, name tag and visor in her car, Elsa rushed down the street to the small local bookstore. She found Anna in the back, nose buried in the pages of some teen novel.

"Never read Harry Potter?"

Anna didn't even look up as she shook her head in reply. Turning a page, she finally hurriedly let out, "I started reading them in the orphanage, but never finished the series."

"You've got quite a ways to go," Elsa said, noticing she was only on the third book of seven. "Although that one is my favorite."

She saw Anna smile from behind the book, eyes still never leaving the pages. "I think it's my favorite so far, too."

Elsa matched her smile before offering, "So am I going to have to wait until you finish now, or can I offer to buy it for you?"

"Let me finish this chapter and I'll consider."

Rolling her eyes again, Elsa stepped away and began to browse the aisles herself. She wasn't really paying much attention to the titles, having pretty much read everything in the store already. She had been an avid reader back in the orphanage. After finishing all of the books in the home, Oaken had kindly taken up taking her to this bookstore several days a week where Elsa would spend countless hours immersed in any and every new book she came across. After several years, she was quite confident she had finally read every book this store had to offer. Granted, it was small and was no Barnes & Noble or Books a Million, but it still held a considerable about of stories.

Saving her from yet again delving into the abyss that was Elsa's thoughts, Anna approached her, the Harry Potter book tucked tightly against her chest.

"You don't mind?" Anna asked uncertainly, referring back to Elsa's offer to buy said item.

She shook her head. "It's the least I can do for my girlfriend," she noticed Anna's blush and smirked triumphantly—she was getting better with her words. "Besides," she added, "if it will keep my PS3 intact, I seem to have no choice."

"Just promise me this book won't make me want to shred it to pieces," the redhead said as they approached the counter.

"You've got a couple more books before that becomes likely."

Anna just smiled, grabbing Elsa's hand.

"Good."

After leaving the bookstore, the couple decided to make a date out of the day. Each took a turn choosing an activity to do, and although Elsa had to end up paying for everything, Anna tried to make it up to her by stealing kisses every now and again, pushing the blonde into a dark corner of the arcade or into a stall in a bathroom and whispering words of endearment in her ear.

It was nearing eleven at night when Anna and Elsa finally returned home. Almost immediately after stepping foot in the apartment, Elsa' phone rang. She watched Anna move to the couch before pulling the device from her pocket. She didn't recognize the caller ID, but answered anyway.

"Hello?"

"Elsa, this is Lieutenant Shang."

Elsa's brows shot to her hairline. "Oh!" she exclaimed, causing Anna to turn from her book and face her. "Is everything okay?"

She saw Anna mouth "who is it" to her, before she went back to focusing on the voice on the other line.

"Everything is just fine," Shang replied. "In fact, I'm calling with the good news."

"You got them?" Elsa asked, feeling her heart clench in anticipation; Anna—finally catching up to who was calling—jumped up from her spot on the couch.

"Yes, we got them," Shang answered, and Elsa could almost hear the smile in his voice. "All of them. We set up a perimeter around the building last night—or this morning, rather—and ambushed them. Little buggers had nowhere to run and in just an hour's time, they were all being escorted back to the station."

"So…" Elsa hesitated. "Anna's safe? It's over?"

She felt Anna take her hand and Elsa shot the redhead a weak smile, still slightly overcome by the news.

"It's over," Shang answered. "While I would appreciate it if Anna were to come down to the station and identify each member or even make an appearance in court when the time comes, I will leave all of that up to her. I know how dangerous turning in your own gang is, therefore I wouldn't want her to feel forced or like she's stepping back in harm's way. But please tell her to consider it, although there really is no pressure."

Squeezing Anna's hand, Elsa continued. "Was everything recovered?"

"We believe so," Shang replied. "We found countless hoards of jewelry and electronics, as well as stashes of cash; not to mention all the drugs. We're in the process now of listing all the items found in hopes of returning them to their rightful owners."

"That's great," Elsa said with a sigh of relief.

"Ask them what happens now," Anna whispered, tugging Elsa's hand, a look of uncertainty present in her eyes.

Elsa just smiled before adding, "Anna is curious what happens now. I'll tell her what you said, but I believe she means her punishment—or lack thereof."

She heard Shang chuckle and smiled bigger. "Tell Anna that's all there is to it," he said. "Although if she still feels like she needs to do something, she's welcome to come down to the station and we can assign her some kind of community service."

"I'll let her know, thanks," Elsa said with a chuckle.

"I just wanted to fill you both in," Shang told them. "I'll keep you updated once they go to trial and whatnot."

Elsa nodded, though Shang couldn't see it. "Thank you, Lieutenant Shang; we really appreciate it."

"You're welcome, but thank Anna for us, alright?"

And with that he hung up. Elsa ended the call on her side before heaving out another sigh, pulling Anna to her in a hug.

"So that's it?" Anna asked, her voice quiet.

Elsa kissed her temple. "That's it," she responded. "It's over."

Anna tightened her hold on Elsa as she let out a sigh of her own.

"Finally."

*coughs* Little do they know it's anything but over…*coughs* Bum, bum, bum!

*clears throat* Anyway, carry on; don't mind me.