Chapter 20: Elvira's mistake.

After everyone had said their goodbyes to the nation's deceased leaders, the coffins were taken to the crematorium. Anna and Elvira were informed (after they'd signed all the necessary documentation), that the ashes would be given to them in approximately four to five hours, due to the lengthy process of incineration. The corpses had to be checked for anything that couldn't be incinerated, which required several scans with various apparatus. Then the bodies would be cremated, the bones would be pulverized and everything would be put into elegant wooden boxes, at which point the Anna and Elvira could do with them as they wished.

Not wanting to leave just yet but having no further duties or obligations, they went to a nearby private garden (courtesy of one of the functionaries), where they were given sandwiches for lunch. Anna and Elvira spent all of their time trying to avoid everyone who wanted to offer condolences and talk about anything (from movies to foreign politics) to keep themselves from thinking about their parents' death. Though without much success. Anna did end up crying more than a couple of times, usually after remembering something she used to do with her parents and that it would never happen again.

Finally they were presented with their parents ashes, and the sisters wasted no time loading the wooden boxes into the van that would be transporting them around the country. Both sisters let out a few tears as they watched what was left of their parents being taken away, because it finally dawned on them that this was it… they would never see their parents again, not even their corpses. They were gone.

Later, when the sun was setting over the horizon, all the family members were taken to the Presidential Estate to have dinner with their guests (even though none of the sisters had any appetite, and only ate out of obligation). By the end of it, as was customary, every one of them had stood up and narrated a fond memory they had about the deceased president and/or his wife. Unfortunately, most didn't have much to share, and the only ones who did (Anna and Elvira), were rather tired and so only told their short stories half-heartedly.

By that point the sisters only wanted to go home and sleep, but sadly the dinner didn't seem to be finishing up any time soon. As soon as the food was finished most of the guests switched to alcohol and were quickly intoxicated, apparently forgetting this was supposed to be a sad occasion, not a party. And though the sisters were upset about it, they couldn't downright tell them to shut up or leave as the press (mainly photographers) were still there. So, they smiled politely and resorted to making polite conversation with some of the guests.

Anna actually found herself having a very nice and interesting conversation with Kai and Gerda about career choices once she told them about her parents wanting her to study law. Elvira, however, ended up just listening to her as she tried hard not to indulge and drink a little bit of alcohol to help her loosen up; she'd be the one driving them home, after all.

However, just when she was seriously considering asking Anna if they could retire now, or at least try to leave and hide somewhere for a while, her stupid cousin Gunnar came to sit beside her. Elvira just rolled her eyes and prepared herself to ignore whatever bullshit came out of his mouth, even though she knew it wouldn't be easy.

"So… cousin." He started, not even flinching when Elvira glared at him. "How are you?"

"My parents just died, so what do you think, asshole?" She practically snarled, more so as she noticed he reeked of alcohol.

"Those were your parents? Funny, I always thought you were adopted." He snorted as he burst out laughing. "You know, since you look nothing like them?" He continued laughing and Elvira had to resist the urge to punch his stupid face.

"Shut up." She said instead, and proceeded to take a glass of wine and down it in one gulp, momentarily forgetting she'd promised herself not to drink that evening.

"Ooooh, someone's grumpy." He teased her.

"I said SHUT. UP!" She practically screamed, earning them a few glances from the other people in there, including Anna, but Elvira didn't pay them any mind.

"You know? The problem with you is that you have the composure of a drunkard with anger problems." He said in a semi-serious way, but Elvira just kept glaring daggers at him. "Oh, wait! That's what you are!" He laughed once more, and this time Anna came to her sister's rescue.

"Will you stop being an asshole for one night? We just lost our parents, you insensitive jerk?" She said, but was promptly ignored by the blond man.

"Is that why your parents decided to crash their plane? To avoid having to live with such a disappointment of a daughter?" He snorted, making Elvira clench her fists around the edges of the chair to avoid beating him to a bloody pulp. "Maybe you are the real reason they died. Is that why you said the plane crash wasn't an accident?" He didn't even have time to laugh at his own sick joke because suddenly he was on the ground, clutching his nose in pain.

Elvira didn't waste any time before jumping on him and throwing punches at his face, hoping to leave him so disfigured not even his mother would recognize him. However, she soon found herself being pulled away by more than a few people as they yelled at her to calm down. But she didn't listen, and instead kept kicking him until someone went and slapped her with such force that she stumbled a bit before regaining balance and glaring at the one who had done such a thing… only to find it was Anna, her expression not one of anger, but sad disappointment.

She just couldn't believe she'd do something like that the day after their parents had died. She couldn't understand why she couldn't control herself, why his words had affected her so much. It's not like they were truth; even if the plane crash hadn't been an accident, there was no way Elvira could have caused it, everyone knew that! So why had she let the words of a drunken jerk shake her in such a way?

Elvira, however, seemed to be coming back to her senses, as she blinked and looked around, before finally focusing on her cousin, who was on the floor. Bleeding. She then took notice of the cameras pointed at her, having captured every moment of what she'd just done. She also looked at everyone's angry, scared and disgusted faces. The faces she was used to receiving. But somehow today they hurt even more the normal.

So, not wanting to stay and be scolded by Anna, and feeling terrible because of what she'd just done, Elvira ran away before they could stop her.

"Elvira, wait!" Anna screamed, but her sister didn't hear her; instead she kept running as fast as she could towards the exit and, no doubt, to her car. Anna tried to follow her, but by the time she got out of the building, their car was already gone, and there was no way she could chase it on foot.

She screamed out in frustration, not caring there were some people watching her, and kicked a nearby tree, even though it hurt her quite a lot. Of course, not as much as it hurt seeing Elvira doing something so stupid and reckless again.

She just hoped she would be okay, and that she had gone home.

When Anna arrived home, having been driven there by her uncle Kai, Elvira's car wasn't there. She got worried for a second, but figured out she had probably gone to some club to pick up random chicks and get herself high, and all her worries were replaced by anger. She just couldn't understand how Elvira always had to be so impulsive and irresponsible.

However, she didn't comment out loud and instead said goodbye to her uncle, thanking him for everything, before walking inside. There, sleeping in the living room, was Elsa. She had probably fallen asleep while watching TV… and in a very uncomfortable position. Anna thought about carrying her upstairs to their room, but she realized she was too tired and would probably end up dropping her. But leaving her there didn't seem right either, so…

"Elsa." She said, gently shaking her. "Elsa." She repeated, this time louder.

"Uhmm… five more minutes." She mumbled without opening her eyes.

"Elsa, you need to get to bed." Anna sighed.

"Mmmh… bed… with Anna." She said with a content smile on her face (that made Anna think she wasn't exactly dreaming innocent things) before she furrowed her brows as if thinking. "Wait… Anna?" At this, she opened her eyes and stared at her, confused but relieved. "You're here!" She exclaimed happily.

"Yeah, I've just arrived." The redhead shrugged.

"You look terrible." Elsa commented, even though she didn't want to sound mean. But seriously, Anna looked pale, was slouching in a way that suggested she was more than just a little tired and sad, and her makeup was smeared. Not at all like she had seen her earlier on TV.

"Thanks?" Anna raised an eyebrow, in what she hoped was a playful way, but she couldn't even manage a faked smile, instead coming up with a grimace.

"Are you okay?" Elsa asked as she got up from the couch and gently took her face on her hands. "You look like you've been crying." She said, noticing her red and puffy eyes.

"Well, what were you expecting?" Anna retorted in an exasperated manner, not wanting to be reminded that the grief she felt was probably showing all over her face, for everyone to see. "I went to my parents' cremation, I wasn't going to come back singing and dancing, that's for sure!" She burst out, the tiredness preventing her brain from filtering the things that came out of her mouth (not that it often did, anyways).

"Anna…" Elsa started, worrying over Anna when she just suddenly became angry, apparently out of nowhere. She supposed it was normal after such a traumatic experience though. Maybe the redhead just needed to sleep. "You should rest, come on."

Anna glared at her for two seconds but then slumped her shoulders and looked down in shame, sighing.

"I-I… I guess you're right." She admitted, despite herself, and Elsa internally sighed in relief. For a moment she'd thought she would protest, fight and get angry.

Without another word, the blonde then took Anna's waist and led her upstairs to her room, where she sat her on the bed and gave her a nightgown, before changing into one herself, grabbing a towel to clean off Anna's makeup and doing just that. Then, she finally got into bed with Anna.

She couldn't help noticing that, even with the lights off, the redhead looked absolutely devastated. She wasn't crying like the previous day, sure, but her eyes were distant, unfocused, and her lips, which she was used to see curled up in a little grin, were now pressed in a thin line. More so, her muscles didn't appear relaxed at all; no, they were all tense, even if she didn't realize it. And she wasn't trying to start conversation with her, as she always did before going to sleep. She wasn't trying to hug her, or initiate physical contact of any kind. No, she was depressed.

However, Elsa decided to let her sleep, not wanting to disturb her or cause her even more stress. That is, until minutes passed and Anna continued turning on the bed, unable to even close her eyes.

"Are you okay?" Elsa asked, and Anna stopped her movements, startled. Her back was facing Elsa.

"Sorry. I didn't want to disturb you." She said in a small voice.

"You can't sleep?" The blonde insisted, worried.

"No." She sighed, but still didn't turn around, not even when Elsa came closer and gently put her hand on Anna's shoulder, in an attempt to turn her over.

"Want to talk about it?" Elsa suggested, patiently waiting for Anna to open up.

"… No." Anna answered honestly. "It's… painful."

"Okay." Elsa agreed, not wanting to pressure her into speaking. She'd talk when she felt like it. "Do you want to cuddle?" She asked instead, still wanting to do something to make her feel better.

"… Okay." The redhead agreed after a tense silence, realizing that Elsa's warmth and delicious scent could be just what she needed to relax and finally fall asleep. So, she turned around and nestled into her favorite spot; the crook under Elsa's head, while her arms surrounded her girlfriend's waist, and her legs entangled with hers. She'd thought she wanted to be left alone, but in that moment she realized she truly needed Elsa to calm the pain in her heart.

And finally, she relaxed for the first time since the day before and closed her eyes, waiting for the slumber to take her. However, there was just something that wouldn't let her sleep, and it wasn't exactly her parents' death. No. It was something else entirely. Someone else had her worried and upset, and she found herself unable to find any rest, so after a few minutes she gave up.

"Elsa?" She whispered. "Are you awake?"

"Mmmh? Yeah, yeah. I'm… I'm awake." She answered, though it was obvious she had already fallen asleep, or at least was about to do so.

"You sure?"

"Yes." She didn't even hesitate. "Did you need something?"

Sighing, and realizing she'd better say something now that she'd awoken her girlfriend, Anna decided to talk about what was bothering her.

"Just… talk."

"About what?" Elsa yawned, but did her best to open her eyes and pay attention to Anna.

"About… Elvira." She admitted, and instantly felt her girlfriend tense up.

"Did you two, well, do something the other night, at your date?" Elsa asked, fearing the worst, however, Anna looked her with a confused expression for a few seconds before her eyes widened and she rushed to explain herself.

"What? No! Not at all." Anna exclaimed, almost too quickly, but then she realized she had to be honest with Elsa now, before it got worse. "I-I mean, we did kiss, but… well, she kissed me, a-and… " She gulped, trying to calm down her nervousness and focus on what she wanted to say. "B-but that's not what I'm worried about; it was just a sisterly kiss. Well, not sisterly; sisters don't kiss on the lips. But I-I…" She was silenced when a delicate finger was pressed on her lips.

"Anna, you're rambling." Elsa informed her.

"Sorry." The redhead answered sheepishly.

"It's alright." She assured her. "From what I could get, Elvira kissed you on the lips last night, but you still see her only as your sister, and I have nothing to worry about. Is that correct?" Anna only nodded in response. "Good. Now, first things first. Should I kill her the next time I see her?" She asked semi-seriously. Because really, to steal a kiss out of Anna against her will? Now that was just inconsiderate. She'd played dirty.

"I'm afraid she'll kill herself before that." Anna sighed, her eyes suddenly turning even sadder than before as she clutched tightly her girlfriend. Noticing she was serious, Elsa got worried.

"What do you mean?"

"She punched our cousin during dinner." Anna explained with a pained voice. "And I mean, yeah, he deserved it, but that doesn't mean Elvira can just beat him into a bloody pulp in front of our whole family and the press." She sighed. "And then she just left! And she took the car with her, leaving me to ask someone for a ride." Her voice sounded pained, angry and sad at the same time. There were just too many intense emotions in it, and so Elsa proceeded to pull her a little closer, hoping to alleviate, even a little bit, her afflictions.

"She probably went to a club, to get herself drunk and high until she forgets about everything and everyone, and maybe ends up killing herself when she tries to drive home." She finished with a bitter tone of voice.

"Well, she is an impulsive and spoiled brat." Elsa commented. "This hardly surprises me." As soon as she'd finished saying this though, she felt Anna's angriest glare directed towards her, even if she couldn't see it in the dark room.

"She's my sister, don't talk about her like that!" Anna protested angrily, and Elsa flinched at her tone of voice. She should have kept her opinions about Elvira to herself.

"I-I'm sorry. I'm just… jealous." She admitted, though she didn't tell Anna that she still believed what she'd just said about Elvira.

"I understand." Anna sighed. "And I also know she can be a little bitchy and exasperating sometimes, but… she's still my sister, you know?" She looked up, practically begging Elsa to understand. "We grew up together, we were best friends, shared our lunches at school, got in trouble…" She sighed with nostalgia. "She's the person I love most in the entire world." She admitted, with a tone so sincere that Elsa couldn't help feeling a rather nasty, and familiar, sensation inside of her. "Just as much as I love you of course." Anna rushed to assure her, though Elsa couldn't help wondering if she was just saying it to calm her down, or if she was being sincere.

"And I guess you're worried about her." Elsa inferred out of her words, trying not to focus on the things that made her heart ache.

"Well… yes." Anna nodded. "She's the only family I have left now, after all. At least, the only one I know I'd miss terribly if she died." She explained. "I don't think I'd find the will to live if she died too." Her voice cracked at the end, and tears started falling from her face as she trembled and clutched at Elsa, who suddenly didn't know what to do, or say, to make her feel better, so she just hugged her as she cried.

"I'll make sure she doesn't." She promised out of impulse. "I'll beat some sense into her if I have to."

"I think she'd beat you before you could even land a punch with her." Anna giggled between sobs, but after that moment of humor, she kept crying, her mind making her imagine once more her life without her parents and her sister. Alone. Even if she had Elsa, she knew she wouldn't feel quite complete. She'd always lack something. She'd never be the same.

"Shhh. It's okay." Elsa cooed. "Don't worry about it now. We'll both talk to her when she comes back if necessary." She assured her, and it wasn't an empty promise; she'd have a serious talk to Elvira if Anna asked her to. "For now though, you should get some sleep. It's been a long day."

Anna nodded and tried to calm down her sobs, as Elsa rubbed calming circles on her back and whispered sweet words to her ear. She didn't even notice at what point she managed to fall asleep, drained by her crying and protected by her girlfriend's arms.

Elsa woke up to the sound of Anna's cellphone ringing in the bedside table. She groaned and tried to muffle the sound with her pillow, but it wasn't enough. More so, when it finally stopped ringing, it soon reassumed doing its annoying sounds.

She peered at Anna to see if she was going to answer it, but the redhead was snoring and sleeping soundly, not giving any hint that she even heard the cellphone. So no, Anna wasn't going to save her from it. Maybe she should just get up and put in in silence mode (if she figured out how to do that, that is).

So, reluctantly, Elsa detangled herself from Anna's embrace and carefully went to take the cellphone from the table. When she picked it up though, she noticed two things; one, it was four in the morning, so she hadn't slept more than three hours yet. And two… it was Elvira the one who was calling.

Elvira. She probably wanted to confess her feelings for Anna, now that she was in a drunken state. What would she feel if she just hung up? If she turned off the phone?

Wait, no. She couldn't do that. What if it was an emergency? What if she'd had an accident?

Sighing, and planning on giving that odious girl a piece of her mind if she wasn't in any kind of trouble, Elsa got out of the room and took the call.

"Hello?"

"Elsa?!... No, you…" Elvira's panicked voice sounded loud and clear, however, it sounded like it was difficult for her to speak, and there were voices on the background. This worried Elsa greatly.

"Elvira?" When she didn't answer and some ruffling sound was heard, she insisted. "Elvira, where are you? Are you okay?" Again, a few moments passed and she didn't answer, but just when Elsa was about to call her name again, she finally spoke.

"Elsa, listen to me." She said, panting. "I was taken a-and…" She paused, apparently finding it difficult to breathe. "I don't have much time. The point is… don't listen to him! You hear me? Whatever he says, just don't…!" Before she could finish what she was saying, a blow was heard, followed by a thump and a groan. It was clear someone had hit her.

Before Elsa could ask her if she was okay though, someone took the phone and spoke. Someone she knew all too well.

"Hello there, S-A-134." He said with his voice so full of spite, Elsa couldn't help feeling a chill run down her spine as all blood drained from her face.

"Hans."

A/N: Yes, another cliffhanger. Please don't hate me (because the next two will end with a cliffhanger as well XP). I hope you liked this little thing nonetheless, even if it was rather short and not much happened in it, and please leave a review if you did. See you soon :)

Thanks to my beta reader moonwatcher13.