Thank so much to everyone who has left me feedback for this story - it really has been incredibly kind and thoughtful and means a lot. :)) This is the penultimate chapter to this (and I can promise a lot more CS in the next - and last - one ;))

Being the kind of lady that takes surprising comfort in cold and sparsely decorated spaces, Miss Elsa takes her time walking down the narrow hallway. As her sister delighted in the sun's rays on the walk over, so she now feels her heart and soul settle among the cooling stone of the old house.

It has been a charged, sizzling week for all of Mrs Ingrid Chillton's charges.

The youngest

being the subject of much more attention and much more envy from other ladies – for it is enviable enough to be dueled over and exciting enough to overshadow any unsettling circumstances that might have brought about the duel to begin with – this to a degree that even Miss Anna's usually sociable character was not entirely comfortable with, considering the repercussions of all these overromanticized scenes.

The adopted

being on the tongues of most of Storybrooke and, astonishingly enough, only a third of those exercising their imaginations over her current – prolonged and not at all well-concealed – stay at Neverland, while the rest dividing their energies between her recent refusal of one Mr Cassidy and the rumoured return and – even more puzzlingly – impending proposal of a Mr Humbert.

The eldest

having withdrawn herself from most society ever since her sister's (mis)adventures and the resulting uproar in the Nolan's and Jones's households.

It is indeed with great reluctance that Miss Elsa has now made her way to Neverland – only after receiving a letter from Miss Swan that came as close to pleading as that lady has ever been and after being worked over and pleaded with by Miss Anna for some fresh air and fresher still society.

But the place itself bore no fault and rather settled Elsa's nerves. Captain Killian Jones's abode is neither grand, nor lavishly decorated but it is always incredibly well-kept and orderly and has a distinctive character – a certain strength about it – that Elsa has always admired and even defended against Emma's complaints of everything being too stern and set (Why I can barely move around without worrying about "disrupting" something and being haunted by Jones's aggravated sighs for the rest of the day.)

Elsa lets her eyes slide over the modestly furnished sitting room and come to rest on the deep red carpet and the blonde woman sitting upon it, playing with an old black Labrador. Miss Swan certainly seems to have overcome any reserves she might have ever held against Neverland, its order and its master – if current events have been any indication. Or maybe it was the other way around – Neverland and everyone within succumbing to her transforming presence – Elsa muses, observing the bent spine of a book on the side table, the tea cup, placed precariously on its edge, and Emma's scarf – throw carelessly over a chair and brushing over the floor.

"He seems quite willing to let you rule over the house," Elsa mutters half to herself.

Miss Swan looks up at her friend's unwillingly amused face and then returns her gaze to the dog licking her fingertips.

"Ah, it is all because I have spoilt him rotten and wrecked havoc on his diet."

"Just as Anna is probably doing with the strawberries in the garden at this very moment. I do hope Captain Jones won't mind terribly."

The dismissive wave of Emma's hand and its utter ease and familiarity do not go unnoticed and bring Elsa more anxiety than comfort.

"Would you sit? I can bring you some tea."

"Oh, I'm sure you are well-aware of where the kettle is at this point."

She thinks Emma's sigh rather exaggerated, even given her penchant for dramatics.

"By all means, say your piece, so I can have my turn after."

"Your actions paint a much better picture than my words ever could."

"Do they now?"

"Indeed. Have you not been here a fortnight now?"

"That I have."

"And did Captain Liam Jones not relocate to his own estate a full week prior?"

"I'm pleased to know that you are well-informed of the Captain's whereabouts."

"Don't."

It is the cold tone that stops Emma from making another teasing remark and the sparkle in her eye seems to have taken a bucket of cold water.

"And is it not that Captain Killian Jones was well enough to visit the Nolan's three days ago?"

"I fail to see the purpose of your enquiries, Elsa, for you seem to possess all the intelligence there is to possess."

"Oh, I should feel burdened indeed, if I did. Thankfully, that couldn't be further from the truth. And, rest assured, I question everything that is presented to me as fact. Such as – you and the younger Captain Jones being inseparable in every sense of the word in all his comings and goings."

"I'd be grateful indeed, if you were to question Captain Jones himself on the subject, seeing as he is not supposed to have anygoings about, according to Doctor Whale. And, yet, seeing as he has persisted in ignoring both medical advice and common sense, I have indeed taken it upon myself to see to it that he doesn't faint and break his disagreeable head somewhere."

"I am sure the gentleman would much contest his ability to go without such a devoted nurse and that his brother would be more than willing to procure a professional nurse, should he truly require such."

"And have you consulted Liam on the topic or is this mere conjuncture on your part?"

Elsa stiffens as she feels the shift in conversation and rearranges her skirts where Smee has taken to snooping around them.

"Please, Emma. You are well-aware that I have chosen to give myself a respite from society."

"Liam is not 'society'."

And with that Miss Froster is on her feet. But she is much mistaken, if she believes this will rescue her.

"Elsa, I do not understand," Emma tries for an appeasing tone, her eyes searching for understanding in her friend's averted gaze. "Aunt and Anna were at the Nolan's just the other-"

"Yes, well, we must never underestimate our aunt and Anna's admirable ability to face situations and then face them no longer when they are behind them."

"And yet you are still staring back over your shoulder."

"And yet you are still at Neverland and, according to half of Storybrooke, clinging to Captain Jones's elbow as if you are the one in danger of fainting and not he."

Miss Swan's back straightens and her head lifts in an admirable imitation of her namesake – poised and ready. It may never be known what she would have bit back, seeing as this is when the gentleman of the house finally makes his entrance.

"I can assure you, Miss Froster, of everyone in this room, I find myself the only one whose surefootedness can be put into question. Ah, and perhaps Mr Smee there, he does have quite a few years on me."

Even Elsa's perfectly pure complexion cannot help but take on a rosy hue at this.

"I beg your pardon, Captain, I did not mean-"

"Oh, I assure you, people who have insinuated that beautiful young women wish to cling to my arm are few and far in between and I hold no grudges against any of them."

"I- still I shouldn't… I'm sure my sister wishes to speak to you."

Captain Jones's little smile is as much a shock to Miss Froster as the light blush that takes over him – the novelty of both making her previous embarrassment but a mundane and quickly forgotten blunder.

"As a matter of fact, she already did, while plundering my garden. And I would be forever indebted to you, if you could perhaps sway Miss Anna on the matter of expressing her eternal… mm, gratitude and indebtedness to me every time we are in each other's company."

"Ah," Elsa cannot help but smile at this. "I give you my word that I will submit your request to her most earnestly but… the result, as I am sure you can imagine, is in no way certain."

"It is all I can ask of you," the gentleman replies with a nod before turning to the other lady in the room. "As for you, Miss Swan-"

"Captain?"

Elsa narrows her eyes at the scene. She and Emma have had one too many contests, trying to read the subtle hints in otherwise unremarkable conversations in drawing rooms and ball halls – much for their own amusement, rather than as a means of acquiring the latest gossip. Now Elsa cannot help but notice the devilish sparkle in all pairs of eyes but her own, the way Emma turns around so she is facing Captain Jones.

"I believe Miss Anna, and my poor garden, would benefit greatly from your assistance."

A silent moment of communication. It sends a small pang through Elsa. The Jones's brothers differ in many ways but their expressive faces and ability to converse merely with their eyes is certainly a family trait and now she realizes with sudden clarity how much she misses.

Emma's gaze fills with understanding and with the slightest of nods she gracefully raises to her feet and slips out of the room. Elsa does not miss the glance her friend sends her – somehow both insistent and imploring, and she certainly does not miss the way she fingertips brush Captain Jones's shoulder on her way out.

"Miss Froster, I do not know what headway Emma has made, if any."

Elsa is sure that the confusion will set in soon enough but at present she is much too distracted. She could swear on her honour that she has never once, in all their time of knowing each other, heard Captain Jones address Miss Swan in such a familiar manner.

"I… I'm not sure what you are referring to."

"I'm referring to your self-appointed exile as both your friend and sister have taken to calling it."

Miss Elsa is not the type of lady that allows herself to scoff. But then, Captain Jones is not the type of gentleman that refers to ladies by their first name with an easy grin on his face. So this is how she finds herself sinking back onto the soft sofa behind her, her hand finding Smee's silky fur.

"Captain-"

"I'm referring, if I must be frank, to your refusal to see my brother, whether by appointment or accident."

"I assure you, my behavior towards your brother has not been particular in the least-"

"And that is precisely the issue that I wish to address."

For the first time since he entered the room, Killian seems to lose some of his confidence and good humour and he sinks into the chair opposite her with some difficulty. Elsa makes to rise and assist him but he waves her off with a slightly pained smile.

"No, no, please, let me exercise the freedom to move by myself while Emma is engaged with your sister."

Try as she might, Elsa can't help but smile at that. Though her little slip does not last long.

"Surely you must realize that her stay here and your… this situation is not doing either of your reputations any favours."

"Oh, I thought just as you do, I assure you. But my reputation has long been beyond salvaging. And Miss Swan has had to refute two marriage offers in only so many weeks so it would seem her "reputation" – or perhaps her fortune and good name – much more resilient than we thought."

Miss Froster's eyes widen despite herself. Surely, she hasn't been that sheltered from everything happening in Storybrooke. She stayed rather informed on anything that had to do with Emma and their close acquaintances. Surely, her aunt would know if-

"Two?" it is a shriek, or as close to one as Miss Elsa Froster has ever come.

"Indeed."

Any other day, she would call the Captain's small grin pained, yet he still seems much too relaxed for Emma's possible nuptials to have caused him any real discomfort.

"Have gentlemen flocked to your house to propose to her?"

Killian chuckles lowly.

"I have no doubt Mr Cassidy would have had no qualms about doing so but he seems to prefer his rejections not so very personal. As it is, Mr Humbert very skillfully seized the chance he was presented with when we were at the Nolan's estate."

"So the rumours were true that he intended to…"

"I am assured he very much did."

"And Emma…"

At this Captain Jones shifts his gaze to the colourful carpet and reaches for his ear in a sign of mild discomfort.

"Well, I'm sure she would much rather share the details herself."

"Yes, of course."

Elsa doesn't know what Emma would rather do or not do but she will most certainly have to explain how she has been propositioned on multiple occasions and yet finds herself in the house of a man who is not said to be among the list of wish-to-be husbands.

"But Miss Swan's recent handling of marriage proposals is not the question I wished to discuss with you."

"Captain Jones, surely you must know how much I value your friendship and your council, and the sacrifices you have made for my family… I could never thank you enough for… So I hope that you can trust my own judgement in return."

"I do. I would trust few people's judgement more than your own, Miss Froster. Well, perhaps Mrs Nolan's."

Elsa smiles at that and feels herself relax. Perhaps this is not the ambush she was expecting after all.

"But, due to recent events, I have discovered that… sometimes we shy away from things that, if we knew their true nature, we'd embrace wholeheartedly."

"I'm not sure I understand."

"Elsa, all I'm asking is that you consent to talk to my brother."

Ice blue falls away from its imploring counterpart.

"I am not ready. I need time to… to prepare for what he has to say."

"How can you, when you don't know what that is?"

"I can imagine. After everything that happened – to you and-"

"I sincerely hope you do not hold yourself or anyone in your family accountable."

"Who is accountable does not change the many altercations that were caused."

"And if my brother and Emma are back to uniting forces to keep me as confided to my house as possible, I'm certain you can see how much has been put to rest."

"Oh, but their tempers and tantrums burn out sooner than they have been set off and you know it."

"Indeed. In that we are in perfect agreement. But, I hope I have proven myself less prone to outbursts and flights of fancy."

"Well, there was this one incident recently…" Elsa cannot help but point out but then- "Of course, you have."

"And I hope… you could trust me on this."

How the lady would have responded to his heartfelt request, the Captain will never know because it was now Miss Swan's turn for a timely interruption.

"Your sister is waiting for you outside," Emma announces from the doorway. "If my powers of deduction are still sharp, she has had her fill of Killian's strawberries."

Elsa gets to her feet and narrows her pale eyes, first at her closest friend and then at her host.

"I guess it is time we go. But perhaps we could see, if my own powers of deduction still match yours, dear Emma."

There is some small degree of suspicion in Miss Swan's eyes but there is amusement as well, the thrill and joy of having her friend and confidant back perhaps, or perhaps… a certain eagerness to hear what she has so cleverly deduced.

"And seeing how you have both applied to my trust and good nature, I'm sure you will be fair and candid with me in turn."

Elsa sees out of the corner of her eye the Captain's slight movement, the way he must surely be looking at Emma right now. But Emma is still smiling and Elsa, despite it all, can't help but grin back as she asks.

"So are you or are you not engaged to be married to Captain Jones here?"