Trigger warnings: implied violence.

Elsa awoke first. She wasn't sure why but that night had been the first in a week that she'd gotten a good night's sleep. The circumstances weren't ideal but her body felt refreshed and Anna was snuggled next to her, with her arm over the blonde's thin body, and she was grateful for that. She shifted her body and repositioned her head over the pillow so she could stare at Anna. The redhead was still sleeping and she didn't want to wake her.

Elsa hadn't given their argument much thought since the previous night but looking at Anna then, her petite body spread on the other side of the bed, peacefully, her facial features resting in tranquility and her rhythmic breathing shifting the fabric of the pillow minutely, made her realize that she owed Anna an apology. As she looked at her lying there, she knew that she would have done the same thing Anna did. Or maybe not, she wasn't as astute or driven as Anna was. Elsa was more the type to think things through whereas Anna would just get it over with; she would jump to it if it was for the greater good. Elsa would not do that, but she understood that Anna would and nothing she did or said would change that because Anna was Anna and she wouldn't have her any other way.

She closed her eyes momentarily as those thoughts crossed her mind. She knew she wouldn't fall asleep again but somehow that allowed her to become indulged in her own theories – she didn't even notice when Anna shifted and opened her eyes.

"You're pouting," It sounded more like a question than like a statement and Elsa couldn't help but notice that Anna was using a different tone that morning – the "I'm still sort of angry" tone.

"Uh, I guess?" She didn't know what to make of it and if she was being completely honest, she still felt a tad awkward about the previous night's events. It was as if they were no longer mad at each other, but they were pretending to be; the awkward stage between being mad and making up and neither of them knew how to make it better during that transition. "I see you decided to join me last night."

Anna bit her lip, unsure of how to proceed and knowing fully well that she no longer wanted to be mad at Elsa (or pretend to be, for that matter). "I think we should talk about last night, and in general, really."

"I agree," Elsa shifted again, trying to find a position that would allow her to listen attentively and laughing internally because how would that help? "I need to tell you something, though if you don't mind."

Anna's lips slowly curved upward into a smile, as if the situation wasn't obvious enough. "That's the whole point. I won't stop you."

The blonde nodded and took a deep breath in. She knew apologizing would do it but she felt like a simple sorry wouldn't suffice and she definitely needed to explain herself. "These past few days we've been… not in the best of terms, to put it lightly," Anna opened her mouth to say something but Elsa slightly shook her head, asking for permission to finish. "We have failed to see each other's point of view. Things would be better if you understood me-"

"And if you understood me!" Anna cut her off, not finding the argument to be quite fair. If Elsa wanted to be reasonable, she needed to address the matter as it happened.

"Umm, true. But also, all things considered, my reasons for not wanting you here were strong-"

"Elsa, who cares about the reasons? If I want to do something or if you want to do something, we should talk to each other about it. We're a team you and I. We're a team now." Elsa could tell Anna wanted to say more but the redhead knew she was interrupting so she swallowed the rest.

"Okay, I agree with that as well. My point is, I don't know what's going to happen and neither do you or anyone else but we have a good idea about the severity of it and as much as I would rather have you safe I-"

"Not this again, Elsa please." The redhead fought the temptation to roll her eyes and jump out of bed, finding that argument rather dull as of late.

Elsa gave her a stern look, "please let me finish. I have this thing where I feel like I have to protect you because I've already lost people who I've loved and I couldn't risk losing you. If you could just und-"

"As much as I would like to, you also have to put yourself in-"

"Damn it Anna, I love you."

"-my shoes. I also care about you and if you're going through stuff I would like to be there for you. Who cares if- wait what?" The redhead wasn't sure if she heard correctly or if it was just a fragment of her imagination. To Elsa, she looked completely lost.

"You rambling idiot, I love you."

Anna gasped and lost all the words and protests she was about to give. Seeing Anna's expressions transform was fascinating, if Elsa said so herself. Oh how she wished she could keep that moment forever. Incredibility quickly turned into happiness and her smile couldn't be contained. "God," she exclaimed. Why did hearing that change everything? "I love you too." It was like saying yes to a proposal.

And Elsa smiled with her, giggled even. "I'm sorry for taking so long to say it. I was waiting for the right moment and then I realized that there is no perfect moment and we're just wasting time. Why postpone the inevitable, right?"

Anna continued to smile but then her hands were holding Elsa's face, pulling her towards her lips. "I'm glad you did."

The kiss lingered for a while, turning passionate and making them tug at each others' lips. It was Elsa who pulled away first running her fingers lightly over Anna's hair. "I'm not finished yet,"

"Okay," was all Anna said. She was aware of the possibility that Elsa might continue to pursue her against her decision but for the moment she was happy - the happiest she had ever been - and she couldn't protest.

"Can you forgive me for the past two days? I can be stupid sometimes but I finally came around and yes, I would have preferred if you stayed," she was caressing Anna's cheek now, looking intensely into her eyes, "-but in the end I'm glad you're here despite everything and I regret acting the way I did towards you. You see, when I said I love you, I really, really meant it. I love nothing now, except for you and I love you more than I've loved anything or anyone else. It's not your typical I love you, I know, but I am in love with you." She smiled, "I'm in love with you and it's amazing and terrifying at the same time but oh so beautiful. You make me feel like I'm on top of the world and it makes me wonder what it is about you... How can one person be capable of that? But I'm glad that person is you. I really am."

Anna closed her eyes and Elsa took the opportunity to look for any signs that might give the redhead away. "How can I not forgive you after that?" She said after a while, the biggest grin was displayed on her face. "But I must also apologize, Elsa. You are right, after all, I could have tried to understand you but I love you too much and it goes beyond caring. It's much more than that."

The blonde scoot closer to Anna. It was amazing what some rest could do, or communication and understanding. "Tell me something," Elsa started.

"What's that?"

"Are you planning to kidnap me today? Because I regret to inform you that today is my father's funeral and then there are somethings I have to do at the office. Of course, you're welcome to come along."

"Elsa, I just finally got to see you after three days and you think I care what I'll be doing all day? It really doesn't matter as long as I'm with you." Anna let her leg roam atop Elsa's thigh.

"Let's go shower then, it'll be a long day."

"-saying he was a nice man would be an understatement and saying he was a great father would be even more so but I know I will, and hope that you all will too, be reminded of what kind of person he really was." Ygrette was speaking. It was her moment, her chance to say goodbye. To Elsa, those words meant nothing. Sure, she could write and eulogy but it wouldn't have been as heartfelt as her sister's was. Or was she just pretending? Putting up a show? Yes, Ygrette had said that Adgar was a man of mistakes, but who wasn't? She could say that and get away with it, in the end Ygrette still loved him and nothing would change that, he was her father after all.

Although Elsa was unaffected with the whole ordeal, aside from the fact that the entire thing was injustice, she couldn't help but wonder of what could have been? Of course that would be left only to her imagination. The whole thing was all too tragic and she should cherish her sister now that she was all she had, she concluded. She could have mended things but accidents like that happened all the time and people didn't get to tell their loved ones how they really felt. That's why she'd chosen to get out with it earlier. Anna needed to know that she was loved and maybe her father had needed it too, even if he didn't deserve it.

It was useless thinking about such things. She couldn't change them, all thanks to Hans. Why couldn't that man let it go? His quest for power, money, or whatever it was, would soon turn against him but she still couldn't help but feel uneasy, even more so now that Anna was there, and she was in danger. Hans made it clear that he could attack, and he could do so at any moment. Panic spread through Elsa. Hans could be there in that very funeral, either amongst the crowd or watching from afar, waiting for the best opportunity.

She began to look around every now and then, observing as best she could. Could she pick up on someone who was acting suspicious or was she just being paranoid? All she knew was that she'd stop paying attention to what was going on a long time ago.

There was no Hans, or so it seemed but Anna had noticed her fidgeting and gotten hold of her hand. She leaned close to whisper in her ear and Elsa felt her girlfriends warm breath on her ear more than she heard the words she said. She turned to look at the teal eyes staring at her with worry and Elsa offered her a reassuring smile.

I'm fine, she wanted to say. But the more she thought about it, the more it started to develop into something else. I hope we will be fine. I hope everything will be fine.

She had a feeling she would feel uneasy for the rest of the day and it was confirmed even after that feeling remained way after her father was buried away.

The three of them - Anna, Elsa and Ygrette - had ridden back to the office together in silence. There were many things to say and not just to clear the air or break the silence, but comforting things to make each other feel better or even things that would have come up in a normal conversation. But it didn't feel right. A death was a death after all and Ygrette did seem affected by it so it didn't seem right. The burial ceremony had been like every other, condolences here and there, a couple of tears and the exchanges of a few words.

Ygrette thus, remained silent and Elsa, feeling guilty for feeling down after seeing her mother's grave rather than grieving for her father, did too. Under normal circumstances, Anna would have been happy to supply them with a conversation, but it all felt wrong.

"Ygrette," Elsa spoke and her sister lifted her head to look at her. "I know that was rough for you so please, just go home. I'll take care of everything back at the office. You can come back when you're ready."

Her sister remained silent for a while, considering the option. "I don't think... I need to be kept busy."

"Tell you what? Why don't you work from home? I know the place reminds you of him so just stay away for a while, I'll call you if I need anything." Elsa added.

"Uh, yeah." Ygrette nodded. "Sure, that sounds like a good plan."

Anna and Elsa were dropped off at North Aim and Ygrette was driven home. The pair that remained waited until the car left and then turned around to enter the building.

"So this is it huh?" Anna stared at the building.

"Yup, this is it. Welcome to Arendelle Corp."

"Why do I feel important walking in here, next to you?" Anna stared at Elsa in awe.

"Because we agreed that you only like me for my money," Elsa joked and that earned her a push from Anna.

"Hey watch it, let's go in there and get to work, shall we?"

They did, but finding the ability to concentrate was a difficult task, especially after a few hours at the cemetery. There was still too much to do and their progress was incredibly slow. At some point during the evening, Elsa decided that enlisting Beatrice with some tasks would also quicken the process. The three of them worked at the conference room for what seemed like a few more hours, but in reality they were mere minutes.

Elsa kept staring at Anna every now and then. The redhead looked tired and bored out of her mind and she figured that Anna didn't want to complain in order to just stay there. "Anna, maybe you should head back home."

Anna was in the middle of a yawn, "oh no. I'm fine I promise."

Elsa tilted her head and gave her a look. "Are you sure?"

"Yeah, yeah. It's just this clothes, they're a little uncomfortable."

Elsa thought about it and knowing that Anna was stubborn, she knew that the redhead would refuse to leave her side for the night so perhaps there was a better option. "Okay, why don't you go home and chance? Beatrice can drive you since we don't have our cars?"

"You wouldn't mind, would you Beatrice?" Anna asked.

The girl shook her head excitedly, "oh no. Not at all. God knows I need some fresh air."

Elsa was left alone after a few minutes. She continued to work, sorting and going through papers as best she could. In the middle of all the chaos, she wondered when everything would be back to normal. Winter break was far from what she expected and for the first time, she couldn't wait to go back to campus, back to normality. Her stomach growled and she quickly looked at the clock to check for the time.

It was late. She could bet the others would be hungry as well as soon as they got back and unfortunately, no one had gotten dinner so it was up to her.

She hoped everyone liked Chinese.

The drive-thru line had caused her to take longer than expected. It wasn't until the clock almost hit nine-thirty that she was able to drive back to the office. She smiled when she pulled into the parking lot and noticed Beatrice's car already there.

Seems like they beat me to it.

Remembering the food she carried made her quicken her steps. She figured that maybe it was time to go home, it was quite late after all. They could always continue the next day. They needed only about two more days and all the paper work could be finished, besides what damage would a little delay do?

She convinced herself that it was a good idea as she got out of the elevator into the thirteenth floor. Maybe her sister would even agree with her, of course maybe they'd also finish quicker after Ygrette came back and all their moods were lifted.

It was all going to work out. Everything would go back to normal in no time.

Except...

Why was there screaming coming out of the conference room?

Arguing...

Yelling...

She couldn't quite put the words together, nor what was going on. She was only certain of two things: someone had screamed Hans' name and a gun shot followed.

Anna!

She ran.

AN: I've been reading too much Agatha Christie. Next chapter should be soon.

P.S. Sorry, guys.