Chapter 9:

The majority of Monday and Tuesday went by slightly uneventful. Elsa had dragged Anna with her every morning for a run and promised that she would do it every morning, force her if she had to, after Anna complained about the time. So for Anna, the soreness she felt in her legs was just a reminder of how bad she really needed to stay fit and the reminder that Elsa was actually trying to help her.

On Wednesday morning, after a tedious hour of calculus and a ton of homework, she made a note to ask Elsa for help. That class drained all the energy she could muster in the mornings, well that and the runs Elsa forced her to make. The rest of her classes, or the coursework, were no challenge to her. She was sure that she could pass without even having to try.

Work at the office was nothing she couldn't handle, not that they expected much of her anyway. They probably gave Elsa the more challenging stuff, only she would be able to handle that to perfection, she thought.

There was of course that one meeting... Anna hated recalling embarrassing events but it was inevitable.

Anna and Elsa had been put in charge of contacting clients and informing them of the new policy changes. They had spent a good amount of Tuesday morning calling the people on the lists they had been given. Anna noticed how good Elsa was at it. The blonde was so formal and knew exactly what to say, the clients didn't even bother ask questions due to her authoritative tone, whereas Anna stuttered and had to think about exactly what to say after a response, usually followed by an "uh.." She was only glad that she was able to stop herself from rambling.

After lunch time, the majority of the staff had been called into a meeting. Elsa and Anna, even though they were just interns, were required to attend so as to become familiar with the business environment. Little did Anna know, Elsa was required to attend for other reasons.

"Ladies and gents, have a seat if you would-" Hans stated with his usual charm. The commotion in the room had suddenly been brought to a halt.

"-Thank you. Now, if we may begin." He looked around the room and then to the notes sitting on the far end of the big meeting table. "I initially intended for this meeting to be brief but after my intern and I-" He extended his arm out to Elsa. "- went over some papers we found that the manner in which we are dealing with the current projects, well one project in particular, is actually causing our company losses. Although minor losses, it is important that we deal with them for the sake of long term benefits."

Elsa was sitting at the other end, next to Hans' seat. Anna noticed how focused she looked, her deep concentration causing her eyebrows to furrow. She had her elbow on the table, holding her chin. She couldn't look more thoughtful even if she tried. Her admiration for Elsa was interrupted by Hans' deep voice. "Like I mentioned before, I anticipated this meeting to be short and thus made plans to meet with an associate, however my intern will cover for me and explain the current project's situation and what measures need to be taken."

Elsa stood from her seat and in no time was standing where Hans had been a few seconds ago.

"Thank you Hans, and thank you for the attention ladies and gentlemen. Without further ado-"

Hell, she can run this company if she so much as wants to!

"Now, I know this looks different than the usual model you use but for the sake of simplicity we were forced to consolidate the numbers. I understand it might get some time to get used to but it will become much easier after a while."

Anna noticed how tall Elsa actually was, she was able to look at Hans at eye-level, she wasn't even wearing big heels! Her slim figure was covered by a black skirt which gave away the shape of her hips and long legs. The navy blue button down brought up her bust and the rolled up sleeves revealed the soft pale skin on her arms. Anna couldn't get her eyes away from the girl's neck, the open collar was giving too much away, to Anna anyway. Anna recalled the first time she has seen Elsa, so much had changed since then. Fortunately, so much had changed for the good.

Her hair was again put into a braid which rested on her right shoulder. Anna had never paid that much attention to Elsa's physique before. She was starting too much that she even noticed the little hairs standing at the back of Elsa's neck. Her platinum bangs were obviously too long to be called bangs anymore and Anna could tell that she had tried to pull them back but that only created volume. Only Elsa can look this good without even trying. Her hair was like a cascade of silver ore melting with the pressure of extreme heat. Elsa's extreme heat.

Elsa's extreme heat that I'm becoming a victim of!

Then there were Elsa's facial features. Her lips moved with a subtlety unaware to anyone except Anna. She would give a small smile everyone in a while which showcased her white, perfect teeth.

This has to be the definition of a perfect smile, hell she has to be the definition of a perfect human being.

She shifted her gaze from Elsa's lips to her blue fiery eyes. Anna was sure that Elsa's deep, blue eyes wouldn't miss a thing, not even herself. It took her a while to realize Elsa was staring back at her and obviously asking for something. Anna quickly shook her head as if to come back to reality.

"Anna, the copies?" Anna thought about what Elsa had just asked. As she processed the information she quickly recalled the copies Elsa had given her that morning.

"Oh, right. One second." The entire room was now staring at her as she scrambled through the carpets under her. "Aha, found them!" She stood up and walked towards Elsa, only then regretting having chosen a seat so far from the front. She looked down at the papers, making sure she had indeed gotten hold of the right ones. Before flipping to the third page, she tripped on the back of her foot and stumbled into the floor. Luckily, Elsa got a hold of her before she hit the floor. She felt the blonde's soft hands around her arm and waist, and then her cool breath on her ear.

"Are you okay, Anna?" She whispered.

"Yeah, just... not the best day to wear heels." She chuckled nervously and the rest of the group gave a laugh. She handed Elsa the papers immediately and headed back to her seat.

The rest of the meeting went great, Elsa did what she needed to do and got her point across. No one asked many questions and if they did Elsa would give the most reassuring answer.

When the meeting was over Elsa stayed to gather her papers and Anna stayed to avoid any more embarrassment. Once everyone left the room, Elsa shot a look at Anna. "So much for a good first meeting, right?" She looked amused. Anna looked at her in disbelief.

"You better not be laughing at me!" Anna said, obviously kidding.

"I would do no such thing, I'm actually glad that happened-" Elsa put up her finger to signal that she wasn't finished. "-But in a good way. Obviously I'm not glad that you almost feel and might have hurt yourself somehow, but you did manage to bring some humor into the room and release the tension."

"Tension? What tension?"

"Are you kidding? I was sure they were just waiting for me to make a mistake."

"What? No way. You were great. Seriously, really great."

"Well, I'm glad you think so-" She gave her a smile and continued. "-what were you so distracted with anyway? I had to call your name several times."

Oh, shit.

"Oh. I, uh... I can't tell you." She looked down, avoiding to meet Elsa's gaze.

"Oh really? Do I have to get it out of you?" She smirked at Anna.

"You wouldn't!"

"Probably not, but if I didn't know any better I would think you were staring at me."

Wait, what? Does she know?

"I'm kidding, I'm kidding!" Elsa laughed and Anna didn't know what to make of it. Fortunately, the awkward moment was interrupted by Hans.

It was a funny to think that when Anna had free time on her hands, she could find nothing to do. And now that she barely had time during the week days, she longed for free time. She couldn't wait for the weekend any longer, she was looking forward to finally sleeping in, and then she remembered.

Of course Elsa won't let you sleep in.

It was an unpleasant thought, but she convinced herself it would be worth it since she'd spend time around her.

Elsa entered the room, catching Anna doing homework for the first time, not knowing she was actually just day dreaming.

"Well this is something you rarely see every day."

"Trust me, I wish you wouldn't have to see it. I wish I didn't have to do it."

"What are you working on?"

"Just some labs." Anna said, not sure what she really was working on since the only productive thing she had managed to do was pull out a binder.

"How's your calculus class going?"

"Well, it's going. Too fast, but it's going."

"I'm sure you'll do great."

"I think I'll settle for fine. I don't think I could do 'great' in math."

"Well enough about school. How are things in general?"

"I'm trying to think of a way to put it, but can't think of anything besides stressful." Anna leaned back into her chair and extended her arms.

"You need a getaway." Elsa said, getting ready for bed.

"Don't we all?"

"Actually that's a great idea!"

"There was an idea?" Anna asked more sleepy than confused.

"My father owns a country house, not too far from here actually, I had been planning on visiting but wasn't sure when. We could go if you'd like?"

Is she asking me out?

With no hesitation, Anna agreed. Elsa didn't specify when, and it was now the beginning of September, she only hoped that was a false promise. Though she didn't think Elsa would forget about it, or so she hoped.

"So, how are things with your boyfriend?" She asked Elsa as they had both settled in bed, turning off the lights.

"And here I thought you were about to fall asleep thirty minutes ago and now you want to chat?"

"I become active at night."

"I hope that doesn't mean what I think it means."

It took a while for Anna to process what Elsa had intended. "Elsa!"

The blonde just laughed.

"Well, I'd go to sleep now if I were you. I'm sure you don't want to go for a run while sleep deprived."

"Are you trying to avoid my question?" Anna was hopeful, although she hated to admit it and felt guilty for it, that things wouldn't be good between them two, and then Elsa spoke.

"Great," she yawned and that made Anna wondered if she was just saying that so Anna could shut up. "Things have gotten better. You might actually get to meet him soon."

Oh.

"Great." and this time, Anna's 'great' was the one she hoped Elsa had given her. It was sarcasm at its finest, she didn't want Elsa to elaborate on how great her relationship really was. Gladly, Elsa was half asleep to note Anna's tone. Internally, Anna wished she had noticed.

It would be a sleepless night.

AN: Ah, I'm supposed to be reviewing for finals and here I am uploading another chapter!

Short chapter I know, but I figured I might as well since I'm planning for chapter 10 to be intense.

What do you guys think of the story line, too slow or too fast? Please, let me know!

Let's see what else is there... Oh, yeah! Thanks for the reviews and all the favs/follows. Means a lot to me.

Critics/suggestions are always welcome. I like to think we're actually writing this fanfic together so don't be afraid to comment on anything. :D