Just finished rereading Stolen Ice (the 1st fanfic I've ever read again). Even did a review of it on my Tumblr account, if you want to check it out.

Oh, and I don't own Frozen.

Chapter 12: The Past is in the Past

She looked so different, yet it was if she was just their at that hotel in Corona. Her hair, once a exquisite waterfall of platinum hair tied to her signature braid with slicked back bangs was now a jagged storm of spiky black hair (no doubt died, as her roots were starting to show). Her fingernails lack the smooth polish finish of a manicure, and no make-up is present on her face.

But there was no denying that unmistakable air of serenity and those ice blue, dilating eyes that hid beneath sharp, black bangs. Every sharp, elegant Victorian facial features still retain their youth and shape, as if they were forever preserved in ice. Not a wrinkle or blemish was in sight. Every contour and curve of her exquisite face was still just the same as when Anna had last saw in Corona. Not even the unflattering appearance of a prison uniform failed to hide her curves.

"Hey, Anna." Elsa quietly said in her signature husky voice.

...

To break up or not to break up? That is the question.

To break of a relationship is one of the most difficult decisions anyone has to do. It could be hard for anyone getting past a relationships that you've put so much time and energy into. All those presents, kisses, make-out sessions, and presents...what was it all for what at the end? A walk in towards discovering your significant other cheating on you? A hastily scrambled 30 second break-up call? It's a direct slap towards everything you've invested towards to, and coming terms with the fact that either you or your then significant other were wrong about each other.

It's also a time of learning. Of reflecting, of pondering, and moving onward with ones life (and skipping stones across the pond if you're feeling cliché).

However, coming face to face with one of your exes is an entirely new thing. It's a mistake from your past that's came back, greeting you with a fake smile and a dull round of ceremonial catch-up questions ("how are you? I'm fine. We should catch up sometimes"). Small talk to draw out the time and to snuff the awkwardness in the atmosphere. Then again, it could be worse.

You could be in a women's penitentiary.

Surrounded by hordes of women with circumstances that rival (and maybe even exceed) hers.

With no internet connection.

"Hello, Anna."

Scratch that. Coming face to face towards your ex girlfriend in a women's penitentiary surrounded by hordes of women with circumstances that rival (and maybe even exceed) hers with no internet connection is much worse.

"Earth to Anna?" Elsa inquired, making sure the copper headed girl was at least conscious.

There it was again. Elsa just spoke. That soft mellow voice with a hint of huskiness at the end. It was the kind of voice could soothe you into a lullaby and whip you into submission. It was the kind of voice that appear intelligent and sultry at the same time. It was the kind of voice that can knock you back to the past while you're still standing.

"Anna, are you in there?" Elsa said, one patient brow raised.

Anna ignored her and blinked several times, making sure that this is not a dream. Aside from the different hair style and prison uniform, Elsa was just the same as she was a year ago. Anna felt a a jolt of cold shivering down her spine. Seeing her breath in the air made her realize how suddenly it got cold. After all, it still is snowing outside.

Elsa cocked her head to the left, noticing the sudden drop in temperature. "I've been down in SHU and they still haven't fixed the heater? This place is a dump." she muttered, looking around.

Dammit, she though. What was she suppose to say to that? The last time she saw her, they were arguing about the legitimacy of her international drug smuggling business.

Heh...that was the last thing we spoke about...

And now here she stands before her. It wasn't just the fact that her ex was standing in front of her. It was the fact that they're reunion took place in a prison, for fuck sakes. She had thought up a million different scenarios that she would likely encounter in prison. Corrupted guards, bullying, closeted lesbians waiting to prey upon there latest victim. Hell, Kristoff had even volunteered towards helping her research prison culture on the internet!

But this is the last one of them.

In retrospect, this was somewhat fitting: two former lovers ensnared in a dangerous lifestyle of high-class luxury and low-dealing drug smuggling being reunited in an institution that punishes such acts. Still, Anna would have preferred somewhere more sunny and less cramp.

Anywhere except a bathroom stall inside a penitentiary.

Alas, beggars can't be choosers.

She was just the same as before...right? Or...is Elsa exactly as she was before?

"Hey, Elsa...You...um...look different. It's a...good different." Anna managed to garbled through her mouth.

Elsa ran a hand through her hair; pale slender fingers across died black tresses as they fell before her eyes and jutted out of the back of her head. "Heh. Thanks! I know that this probably a bad time to say hi."

Understatement of the century...

"Yeah...um...hi. What's new with you?"

"Oh, you know...been doing stuff. Here. In prison. Excuse me?" Anna moved out of Elsa's way so that she could exit her stall. Walking towards in front of the mirror, Elsa looked at mirror with Anna caught right back at the reflection. She began washing her hands. "For the time being, I decided to have a little fun with my hair, although my platinum roots are starting to show. You?"

"What do you mean by that?" Then it dawned on her. The white stripe that Kristoff mentioned a few days ago when he visited her. Anna gingerly touched it, self-conscious that it was even there. Recently, other inmates have even begun to pick up on her new hair color. "Oh, this - yeah, I have no idea how that came to be. It just...showed up...there."

"Hm." Elsa narrowed her eyes , scanning Anna with icy blue eyes. "When did you get that?"

"Around after 1 week after I got here, I think."

"I see." said Elsa, leaning towards the sink as she splashed water on her face.

Anna was just about to leave when she noticed something different about Elsa: a sun tattoo on the back of her neck that bore the same rosemaling design as her own snowflake tattoo. It stood out in sharp contrast towards Elsa's alabaster skin. Anna was sure that it was the first think anybody would have noticed when facing Elsa's back.

And her wonderfully sculpted ass.

Anna shook her head, trying to get rid of the involuntary though. "So...um...what's that around your neck? A tattoo? I don't recall it ever being there."

"Oh, this." Elsa tapped her neck. "Got it around a year ago Norway in the same place you got your snowflake tattoo. Oaken did it, in case you we're wondering."

A twinge of awkwardness filled the air. They were getting dangerously close to the subject of their break-up.

"I see. Tell him that he did a good job." mumbled Anna.

"I will. I'm writing to him." Turning around, Elsa faced Anna. "You know that you got the same prison number as he does, right? 2246 - ARE?"

Anna looked down on her name tag, then looked up at Elsa's. Rather fittingly, her photo is a lot more cleaner and professional looking, showing of the good side of her face (which is every side). She even had her signature platinum hair locks tied to a braid. Factoring in her dry remark about her being in SHU for sometime and the fact that she recently cut & died her hair, Anna calculated that Elsa has been an inmate at Arendelle Penitentiary for at least 2 months. Maybe even more.

How is it that she still looks this good? I've only been here for a week and my cheekbones have gotten sharper already!

"I wasn't aware of that." Anna stated with a monotone voice.

"Where you aware of me being here? Are you surprised to see me here? Because I should be the more shocked one." Elsa stated earnestly.

Anna raised an eyebrow. "Why would you say that?"

"Because I never saw you as the prison type."

Anna let out a exasperated huff. "What's that suppose to mean?"

BBRRRRIINNNGGG

Both girls looked up towards the ceiling, loud speaker commanding their attention.

"ALL INMATES, REPORT TO THE AUDITORIUM."

...

"Rider, where were you?" barked Hans.

Flynn grinned sheepishly, scratching the back of his head. "Um...I was busy assisting an inmate with getting her mail for Valentine's Day. What's up?"

Hans gestured towards the crowd in front of them. "Look. New inmates."

The auditorium was packed before them. A motley assortment of various women sat before them. Hans, Flynn, and the rest of the correctional officers were standing on the side of the stage, away from the inmates line of sight. 200 inmates sat in chairs, waiting for a certain warden to make his grand speech. Some await eagerly to hear what the head of the Arendelle penitentiary would say about that one leaking toilet or flickering light or one vending machine that doesn't work anymore. Others seemed bored out of their mind, wishing to enjoy the last remaining day of Valentines Day.

He couldn't blame them for that.

After all, who would want to be here of all places?

The only reason Hans tolerated this place is that it provided an excellent cover-up for his drug smuggling business. Not to mention that it provided an adequate paycheck that pays the apartment here and there.

And plus...there's plenty of women to go around. I mean, society wouldn't certainly miss them...right? One of the fundamental rule in business school: make use of what you've got before you disposed of it.

Hans checked at his watch. Weselton is late...again. Rolling his neck around and cracking a few knuckles, he let out a sigh as he looked up to scan the audience before him. A certain copper headed girl caught his eye as she looked around for a seat. Spotting one near a black haired inmate, she quickly walked past it and settled for one that was several seats away.

"That one's broken." said the raven-haired woman. Ignoring the warning, the copper haired girl (Anna, was it? thought Hans) decided to sit on the chair irregardless. A few seconds later, the chair collapsed, bringing Anna straight to the floor with a clunky thud, and eliciting a few giggles from a few inmates surrounding her. Beat red from pain and embarrassment, Anna decided to stand near the exit doors against the wall with arms crossed and a sullied expression.

Hm...wonder what kind of history those two kind of ladies had with each other?

Ursula tapped him on his shoulder "Sweety, the Warden is here."

'Bout fucking time, Hans thought as Warden Weselton got up on stage. Barely reaching 5'6", the old man nevertheless possessed remarkable posture and a somewhat respectable commanding present...if counter-balanced by a toupee that was always slightly shifting in place.

"Good afternoon, ladies. I am Warden Weselton, and I am in charge of this fine institution. It's here that you'll find that we strive to maintain facilities that are secure, humane, cost-effective, and most importantly..." he paused for a minute for dramatic effect "...rule-following."

The audience was silent, save for a small cough. Weselton continued.

"Any disputes with your fellow inmates, feel free to consult either your correctional facilities or me directly. We will settle any arguments that come between you two. Physical altercations will not be tolerated and will be SEVERELY punished to the utmost limits. Those who doubt my words...well, feel free to consult those that have spent time in solitary confinement." Weselton then gestured towards the front row. "On a brighter note, I'd like to introduce some new inmates that you'll have the wonderful opportunity of befriending."

Hans noticed that these inmates were new, as he has never laid eyes on them before (although he might have seen that one curly red-head one on TV a few days ago). One by one the inmates stood up, turned to face the audience, and introduced themselves.

"Mulan." said an inmate of Asian descent.

"Merida." said a curly red-headed girl with a strong Scottish accent.

"Ariel." said another redhead with straight girl and bangs that seem to defy the laws of conventional physics.

"Cinderella." said a blonde one who looked like she just walked out from the 40's.

Weselton waived them down. "Night schools are offered 2 nights a week, and they are a variety of recreational activities once a week, and clinical services are offered upon inmates request. Jobs will be issued after 7 days..."

Hans had to struggle at this point to not fall asleep.

"...so with that being said, I will pass the verbal button to Hans. Hans, where are you?"

Hans walked on stage, wheeling a trolley with an assortment of everyday household (or in this case, prison) items. "Over here."

Let's get this shit over with...

"This, ladies, is a piece of copper pipe. It was taken from the laundry room." Hans said as he picked up a foot long brass pipe off of the table on the stage. Running his palm through the cylindrical object, he struck the table with it, filling the room with a loud, hollow clang. A few of the inmates flinched at the sound. "As you can see, it's very sturdy. Can be used to break someone's rib...or crack your skull...or mess up your make-up...and..." he formed an O with his thumb and index finger and inserted the rod into the space "...among other things."

Hans let out a sneer, wicked green eyes glittering with satisfaction. He continued onward.

"Elastic toothbrush with a razor blade mounted right into it." Picking said object from the table, Hans twirled it around his fingers and holding it out in front of him so that everybody in the audience could get a good look. He quickly made some slicing motions with the elastic toothbrush over his arm, wrist, neck, and finally groin, each accompanied by a "sheenk" sound. "Women who used said items are down at SHU, with added sentencing. There lives are effectively over. So I don't want to catch you ladies with any bladed objects. Do I make myself clear?"

There was a general murmur of disinterest, with only a handful of inmates responding yes to that question.

Hans cleared his throat. "Let's try that again: do I make myself clear?"

"YES." answered back the audience.

"Excellent." He turned to face his female co-worker. "Ursula, you're up."

Ursula walked on stage. "Hello, I'm Ursula. I am the spiritual counselor here in Arendelle Penintentiary. If you have any concerns specific regarding your need as women, please come to me. I will handle them personally."

"Even I'm not that desperate." muttered Pocahontas under her breath. Rapunzel let out a small giggle.

Ursula walked out the stage, and Weselton soon followed back. "So ladies, that just does about it, covering all the basic points. Are there any questions?" he asked, clasping his hands. "Yes, young lady?" he pointed towards the curly red head.

"It's Merida, and I've got a question. Are we to do any kind of tasks while we're here?"

"New inmates will be assigned their work 1 week from now. And before you say anything, yes, you will be financially compensated for your efforts. You can then spend it on commissary."

"Oh, that's a relief."

Hans stood there at the side of the stage, tuning the questions Weselton is answering and looking at the window. It was still heavily snowing outside. In his mind, he would have killed to be outside, frolicking in the heavy snow. Because it was at least outside. Away from here. Away from this depressing place. He was even starting to miss the Southern Isle!

The shit I put up for this job. This place is just a means to an end. Just a few more months, and once I smuggle enough drugs and get enough money from Scar, I'm out of here for good. Dad, I'm doing this for you and the company.

Hm...I'm going to have to talk to Tiana about my recent...shipment.

...

"That accent sure brings back memories. Doesn't it, Anna?" asked Elsa.

The seminar in the auditorium had just wrapped up, and the inmates proceeded straight to dinner (chicken casserole with salad and mango, thanks to Tiana.) Elsa was sitting directly in front of Anna, who in turn was doing her best attempt in ignoring her.

"Anna, I'm talking to you." Elsa said, waiving her hand in her face. "Remember? DunBroch was the first place you...well, you can finish that sentence for me, can't you?"

Still no response. Anna was absently playing with her food at this point, spinning her fork around a piece of chicken. Spearing a piece, she bit on it while she chewed slowly with eyes closed. Elsa could only watch with an expression that borders on awestruck and exasperation. Under normal circumstances, she would be welcoming the newer inmates with concern and open arms, explaining them about all the ins and outs of surviving in a prison system (which she had to do so the hard way). She would tell them which correctional officers to ignore, what topping to get on Taco Tuesday, and which inmate to ignore.

The one sitting in front of her comes to mind, although ignoring her is currently proving to be a herculean task at the moment.

"OK, Seriously? How far do you plan on keeping up this act?" Elsa drummed her fingers on the table, waiting for an answer. "We - "

" - live here in this prison? What does that make us? Roommates?" Anna snapped back as she slammed her hand down the table, braided pigtails flying back. The inmates around her turned quickly to see what was it all about, but then quickly lost interest. At this point, she didn't care. "I plan of spending my entire sentence avoiding you as much as possible."

"Anna, we both did some illegal shit, and we both got caught." stated Elsa.

"And here we are both, paying up for our crimes." Anna countered, spearing a carrot with unnecessary force. Taking a bite, Anna leaned in face Elsa with narrowed teal eyes. "What's done is done. The past is in the past."

Elsa grumbled, crossing her arms across her chest. "Anna, what are you thinking when you see of me? That I stole your life? That I stole your good life?"

Ah, the million dollar question. Now we're getting somewhere. Truth be told, she doesn't blame Elsa in the slightest bit for her transgression. Her actions were her own and the woman sitting in front of her had nothing to do with them. OK, maybe a little, but Anna chose to shoulder her responsibility for the crimes that she committed.

No, what ticks her off to know end was the fact that Elsa has the audacity to look at her and start a normal conversation when in truth she was the one -

"That you named me." accused Anna with a lethal tone.

Elsa scoffed, brows raised with humor. "Excuse me?"

"You didn't have to take me down." whispered Anna.

Elsa scoffed, looking exasperated."Is that what it's about? You honestly think I turned you in?" she said, leaning in.

"You haven't seen me in over a year. I've changed. I'm a completely different - ."

Elsa let out a snort as she rolled her eyes, causing several people to turn to their table. "Oh, good for you. And F.Y.I., it wasn't me that turned you in."

"Liar." said Anna.

"Over 10 people were indited and charged with the crime." Elsa began to explain, but Anna cut her with a wave of her hand.

"And none of them ever met me. I know that it was you, Elsa." Anna raised. People were beginning to stare. Even Hans seemed vaguely interested, leaning from the wall on the other side of the cafeteria. "Did Scar set set you up with a deal? What did they give you? Time of for every innocent person you brought in?"

"'Innocent'?" Elsa let out first a snort, then a crackle of a laughter. "Didn't you hear me the first time? We both did some illegal shit. You're in this mess as much as I am. Other people might believe this whole, new version of you, but deep down, I know who you were once were: a boring little girl from Arendelle that wanted to see whole world and wanted to feel special. Whether that girl is the same that's standing before me...well, I don't know."

"Don't you dare spin this around me."

"Anna, you carried that bag full of drugs. No one had a gun pointed at you. And I didn't hear any complaints when I took you around the world. It would've been irrelevant even if I did name you, Anna. Bit I didn't. Although thinking back, I probably should have."

"Why?"

Elsa looked to her right and let out a heavy sigh, rubbing her hands together. "Because you...broke my heart when you only saw me as a dealer."

What?

Time seem to slow at a crawl at that point. Senses dilated to the extreme and breaths magnified. Anna was suddenly aware of the people looking at them, and if not looking, then listened as they continued eating. Anna could have sworn that she heard each individual snowflake lightly tapping on the window still towards her left. A cold wave splashed onto her heart, submerging her with the memory of the two of them in that Corona hotel. Their argument rang clearly as if the whole scenario took place yesterday. Elsa's voice brought her back to present time.

"What about...the two years that we were together? Did that...not count?" Elsa said through eyes reflecting from the ceiling light.

Anna set aside her spoon and looked at Elsa with earnest teal eyes. A small slither of guilt crept into her heart. And she hated this. She hated how Elsa was making her feel right now! Right now, she didn't know how to properly feel. Guilty? Angry? Suspicious? Detached? Manipulated?

"Elsa...I - "

"But hey - it's just like you said: 'the past is in the past', right? I've done horrible things, Anna. I admit that. But one that I never lied to you...was lie to you. Happy Valentines Day, Anna. See ya around...or not." Grabbing her tray, Elsa excused herself from the cafeteria with a slight sob, leaving Anna by herself.

Anna sat their alone looking at her tray for a solid minute. She had opted to eat alone from her fellow inmates, deciding that it would be best not to introduce Elsa to her friends at this point. She looked around her surroundings. The inmates, having lost interest of the commotion between the two, went back to eating their lunch.

It's times like these that she wished she were that same girl three years ago that. She had a simpler frame of mind with a passive view on the world before her. Ignorance is indeed bliss in some regards. She didn't have the stomach to finish her half-eaten chicken casserole in front of her. Clearing her tray, all she wanted now was to be greeted by a nice warm pillow.

Making her way to her cell, Anna looked around. Unable to find Elsa, she can only assume that her cell must be at the far end of the hallway. Wishing not to speak (let alone see) her former ex-girlfriend, Anna made her way towards her bunk.

"Hey, why're you hitting the sheets early?" inquired Rapunzel, who popped up from nowhere. Anna suspected that they possibly might saw the entire exchange with her and Elsa.

"Just tired." mumbled Anna on her pillow.

"Did it have to do with the Ice Queen?" asked Jasmine.

Anna turned around to face her fellow prison mates. "The who?"

"That's what everybody calls her. Apparently when she arrived her, she didn't talk to anyone, didn't eat with anyone, and simply spent the majority of her time either in the library or at her bunk. When Aurora threatened her with something, she went all crazy and beated the shit outta her." explained Rapunzel.

"Who?" asked Anna.

"Aurora. Use to be here. Now she's transferred to a different facility due to her wounds."

"Yeah, but the craziest part was that Elsa then tried to apply first-aid to Aurora, then volunteered to actually GO to SHU."

"Huh. I see." was all Anna could manage after a considerable pause. She didn't have it in her to continue conversation.

"So?"

"So what?"

"How do you two know each other?"

Anna sighed. She might as well tell them, considering the fact it was going to get out anyway. If not from her, then from illicit rumors other inmate will spread around. "She was my ex-girlfriend for two years."

Both Rapunzel and Jasmine's eyes were as round as saucers. Anna quickly cut them of before they had the chance of piling her with questions.

"Tell you about it some other time." Waving goodnight, she tilted her head so that lied face down on her pillow.

Because in reality, she really didn't want to talk about it. With anybody else, for that matter. Aside from Pocahontas (of whom even Anna was reluctant to ask for advice), who'd be able to relate to her current situation at the moment? As far as she could tell, she was on her own on this. In another world, this would make a great Netflix series.

The initial shock value of coming face to face with her ex now dissipated, leaving a void that's now being replaced with a raging storm of emotions. A miriad of emotions whirlwined and engulfed her heart, each battling for dominance. She...hated this feeling. She hated...not knowing how to properly feel.

First and foremost, there was anger. She felt angry for being so stupid into getting herself wrapped up in the schemes. That she could have been this stupid, this lovesick, this blinded towards what she did all those years ago. Next came the clawing sensation of shame. Sheer, utter disgraced by the fact that the only productive thing she has done with her life was blog about her travels with Elsa. Hell, even Kristoff was doing something productive by delivering ice to folks and herding/breeding his family's reindeer collection.

I mean, starving children in India are making programs and inventions that could be potentially saving lives. And what do I do instead?

And lastly (and most suprisingly of all), she felt guilty. Devastated by the fact that she broke up with Elsa on bad terms and threw away two years of fulfillment with her first love. That she could have done more if she thought about others instead of her. That, in another world, she could be saving Agrabah instead of rotting on a cheap mattress no doubt filled with bugs and meth inside a women's penitentiary.

Anna turned over, mattress springs mimicking her trail of thought as her lids began to feel heavier. A new feeling began to blossom underneath the folds of her heart. A twinge of...wellness. A euphoric sensation that is slowly warming in heart. Perhaps with small embers and some smoke, but the element of fire was undeniably present.

Happiness.

She felt happy. But why? And how? Happy that she is now presented the chance to meet with her former lover? To make amends? To right wrongs?

How?

And should she?

After all, she and Elsa said it best: the past is in the past. Would it not be appropriate to leave it at that? After all, she came here for one thing and one thing only: to serve her time in jail.

Perhaps she was over-thinking it all. Perhaps she was not suppose to feel. Perhaps that this is just another passing fad.

Or perhaps...this was...*yawn*...just all a dream...

She turned over, giving today's events one past ponder before sleep overtook her thoughts.

Then...why does it feel like my chest is hurting?

12 chapters in and Elsa finally makes her physical debut. Aren't you guys glad that I didn't drag this longer than it had to be?

I think I managed a good chunk of character development here and there. Feels great to incorporate some signature lines from the movie as well. Started a Tumblr account with same username as this one to keep in touch with you guys! Oh, and finals are coming up, so forgive me for slowing up on chapters. Education comes first. Reviews & constructive criticisms are encouraged and welcomed.

- V