Okay, I'd just like to thank everyone who's reviewed again! All the positive comments really make my dreary little grade 11 day! You guys rock! I hope you enjoy this chapter, I really feel things are starting to get interesting! :D

Hans awoke as the morning sun shone brightly through the tiny barred window. It didn't take long before his whole body began to throb and an intense stinging in his back reminded him of the events from the night before. He noticed that his torso was completely covered with clean gauze as he sat up gingerly trying not to aggravate the frayed nerves. His eyes searched the small room until something caught his eye, well, someone. Elsa was huddled up in the back corner of the cell, her head buried in her knees. He wondered whether or not she was sleeping until he saw her slim frame shudder in what seemed like a sob. He was unsure if he should go over to her to see why she was crying. Surely anything that happened to her in this place related to him as well. He only wanted to know for purely selfish reasons… right? He studied her for a moment – her platinum blonde tresses loosely fell down around her shoulders. Abruptly, her head shot up, her piercing blue eyes met his green and he recognized the look on her face vulnerability. Fear etched in every chasm of her features, she slowly stood, not breaking their stare for a moment. Is she scared of me? Hans thought to himself. Tears stained her cheeks as he realized he was getting a rare glimpse of the terrified child within the shell of the stoic queen. His curiosity was overwhelming and he could no longer resist the urge to ask.

"What's wrong?" The words didn't come out as harsh or arrogant as he would have liked and he was slightly taken aback by the softness in his tone. Elsa rapped her arms around her torso as wave of insecurity washing over her. He could see her every emotion in her micro-expressions and the way her eyes darted around the room maniacally.

"I…" she choked out, trying to regain her composure. She didn't want to let her guard down around him because she knew he would prey on that, "Sierra came this morning. Saying she knows a way we can all escape the Southern Isles when the civil war starts. A boat will be ready in five days to takes refugees to Arendelle for safety. All we have to do is escape here in time." Hans narrowed his eyes upon hearing this – there was something she wasn't telling him. The idea of a boat being ready in five days to whisk them away to safety was a joyous thought… cause enough for celebration. And yet, the young queen standing before him looked like her pet had just died.

"There's something you're not telling me," Hans deadpanned.

"Because it's nothing to do with you!" Elsa spat, clenching her fists until her knuckles were white. The sudden outburst surprised Hans, feeling the ungodly need to pry further. What had gotten her so worked up? But that wasn't why he was so persistent. He watched her battle herself internally and something about seeing her so emotionally exposed softened him and he wasn't very sure why. He wasn't very happy about it either. His own conflicting emotions irritated him to no end, until he snapped.

"You know what? You're right; it has nothing to do with me. Go ahead and be upset about whatever stupid little thing you're hiding from me. It will be better this way too, because while you're so caught up in your own head, you won't even notice when I'm about to kill you." He snarled at her, using his extra height to his intimidating advantage. She cowered slightly upon hearing the last two words of his statement. He had scared her. He had struck fear into the heart of The Ice Queen… and yet, he did not feel satisfied. He smirked despite himself, only to mask the guilt he felt. Elsa's gaze quickly sharpened and no traces of fear were left.

"You will never get your chance," she choked out, anger vibrating off her words, "You will never fool me like you did others. And to think just because of one tragically ending romance you think you can–"

"What did you say?" Hans eyes widened in shock as she referred to his late lover, his voice cracking in surprise, "Where did you hear about that?"

"You are a heartless disgrace," she emphasized every word by jabbing his chest with her finger, until he was against a wall, "I doubt even your precious Isabelle could look you in the eye after the things you've done." Only upon hearing her name – that name – did Hans react. He grabbed Elsa by the wrist and spun her around until it was her back against the wall.

"You don't know anything!" He barked. Elsa smiled wickedly completely un-phased by his tight grasp on her. Suddenly it dawned on him – she was getting revenge for him threatening her only moments ago. He immediately released, "It seems the Snow Queen does have a dark side." He ground out, angry that she had opened up old, but still painful wounds.

"I suppose I do have a dark side – it's you."

Elsa felt content with taunting Hans so. She felt slightly guilty for using something Heidi told her as a weapon, but she thought it was necessary at the time. She watched as Hans recoiled back to his cot, his displeasure thrilling her. Provoking him was reassuring to her, that she wasn't letting him fool her. His little 'concerned' act earlier on had rattled her for a moment but now, after both their displays of spite and aggression, she knew he couldn't take advantage of her. It also took her mind off of what Sierra had told her earlier.

_Flashback_

"You know Flynn?" Elsa had asked upon hearing her cousin's husband's name.

"We've known each-other for a long time, but that's beside the point. He has a boat docked in the Isles – it's leaving in five days to take any refugees to Arendelle. By that point, you powers would have most certainly returned enabling you to break free of here." Elsa's mouth hung open slightly until it spread into a broad smile.

"Thank you… so much Sierra," Elsa breathed, relief racing through her veins, "For everything you've done."

"You should be thanking Flynn; he's the one with the ship."

"You've still risked your life to make this possible, and that, I thank you for."

"There's also something else," Sierra's features turned hard and serious as she handed the queen a folded letter, "It's about your parents. You might not want to read it but I think you should. I am so sorry your majesty." She quickly turned, and left leaving Elsa perplexed. Elsa hesitated for a moment before opening the note. It read:

To King Thomas of the Southern Isles,

The deed is done. The King and Queen of Arendelle's ship was lost at sea after being tampered with. To corroborate this message, please write to your contact in Corona. He will confirm that the King and Queen never made it there.

I will be eagerly awaiting my payment,

The Duke of Weaselton

Elsa scanned the note again, and again and again. She felt tears pool in the corner of her eyes as she realized her parent's demise was no accident. She knew it happened a long time ago and she should have gotten past it by now. But after learning the true story, she realized how fresh the grief still was. Elsa tucked the note into her corset and crawled the length of the cell until she was in its furthest corner. She sat there for a moment – knees pulled in close to her chest – breathing heavily before her tears finally cascaded down her face. She angrily pulled her hair out of the loose braid it had been in for over a week and let her hair hang free before let the racking sobs take over her entire being.

Okay, okay... I know there wasn't a lot of Helsa romance in this chapter, but I think it's important for them to experience those conflicting emotions, where the only way to stop them is by acting really cold to one another. But bare with me, because the romance is on it's way... with a LOT of angsty fluff.