Author's Note: I'm going to be gone for all of November for NaNoWriMo, so I hope this update properly sates you in the meantime.

To answer Confused Guest's question, the reason they're both in the same prison is because Colorado only had one women's prison at the time.

After she finished her shift in the laundry room, Elsa found that Anna still hadn't returned. She hadn't seen her since their fight at breakfast and was beginning to worry that something had happened, the prison was not large enough to hide her for long. If she wasn't back by the end of lunch, Elsa was going to find her. Now if only she had any idea where to begin looking.

Lunch came and went with no sign of Anna. Elsa's fear turned into terror. Something had happened to Anna, and it was all her fault. Once lunch was over, and the women went back to their houses, Elsa realized that her new friend was absent as well. That ruined her first plan, she'd been hoping to ask Eleanor if she'd heard anything.

She knocked on the wall of her other neighbor's house. "Hi, it was Shannon, right?" Elsa asked.

"It is. What's it to you?" said the crooked-nosed brunette from her bunk.

"I'm Elsa, your neighbor."

"Right, the pervert," she spat.

Elsa blinked. She hadn't been called anything of that sort since she was a child. "Let she who is without sin cast the first stone," she offered.

A hard rock shaped object clipped her cheek. "Compared to you freaks, I'd like to think we're all saints here."

Anna had done it, she'd ruined everything for them. They would be here for the next twelve years, and what should have been an unpleasant but fairly easy stint was now going to be an unending hell – perhaps literally unending if the other inmates took any actions that could add to their sentences. "I just want to know where my sister is," Elsa cried, tears streaming from her eyes. The frustration, fear, and loss were all too much.

"I'm sure you do," the woman replied. "Just as I'm sure that you'd love to go spit in the very face of god with her as soon as you get the chance. We all saw the two of you kiss in the middle of the hall, have some fucking shame."

What could she have said to that? Claiming that she had shame, that she'd been trying to keep it a secret, and that she hadn't meant for Anna to make their affection so public would have only served to further enrage the woman. She wanted to hit her, to make her suffer, but she couldn't bring herself to do it; even the stinging on her cheek did nothing to raise her fists. "If you don't want to help, just say that," she muttered as she turned away, another stone biting her back.

She knocked on the door to the next cell, but the response was even worse. Its occupant grabbed her by her dress's collar, almost lifting her off her feet, so she was pulled level to her attacker's eyes, putrid breath filling her lungs. "Oh look, Chastity," the woman said, "it's that sicko."

Elsa managed to turn slightly to see a grey haired woman sitting on the bunk with her legs crossed. "You appear to be right, Claire. Well, Ms. Arendelle, what do you want?"

"I'm just looking for Anna," she said, her voice sounding desperate and terrified. She had no idea who these women were or what they might do to someone like her.

"You won't find her," the woman stated flatly.

The words echoed in Elsa's head. She'd been right, something had happened to Anna. She'd only left her alone for a moment. An image flashed in her mind of Anna being held much the same way she was being held, only to have the life choked from her. Worse thoughts followed this one as tears fell from Elsa's eyes. "What did you do to her?"

"What did I do to her?" Chastity repeated, sounding utterly shocked. "You have vastly misunderstood things, Ms. Arendelle – Elsa. Claire, would you be so kind as to set your houseguest down?"

Elsa fell to her knees as her collar was released. "Then, what happened?"

"She was attacked. As far as I've heard, she's fine, she's just going to be in a dark cell for a few days. It happens all the time. If you're here for as long as I've been, you'll see it many times."

"What's a dark cell?"

"Wow you really are a fish." Claire chuckled, helping her to her feet. "They locked your sister up so she can think about her actions."

"I'd advise you take the time to do the same," Chastity added.

"Or what?" Elsa asked, anger taking the place that her fear had once occupied. "I'll be hit with rocks, thrown around this cell? What are you going to do to me?"

She blinked and rose to her feet. "Just who do you think I am?"

"I don't know." Elsa shrugged. "Some kind of gang leader?"

The two women before her erupted into barks of laughter. Chastity placed a hand on Elsa's shoulder, her wrinkled face offering a surprisingly warm smile. "If a prayer group is a type of gang, then I suppose you're right. I was just here asking Claire about what passage we should discuss tonight. It sounds like you could use it more than we could, what's your favorite?"

"My favorite passage? From the Bible?" Elsa repeated, the fire draining from her voice.

"Genesis 19:30: Lot and his daughters?" she suggested, her tone still jovial.

"I'm afraid my sinful urges weren't so inter-generational." Elsa couldn't help but see the humor in her situation at this point. She'd been seeing it a lot of late. All of their precautions and it was always the littlest thing that undid them. It was funny.

"Well that's certainly something at least," Chastity said. "Would you join us for our group tonight? No obligation, I just think it would be good for you. Maybe we can help you find a better path."

Staring into the woman's soft brown eyes, Elsa found herself nodding. What did she have to lose? "All right, I'll join you."

"Wonderful! Oh, I can't believe you, Claire, you still haven't apologized for manhandling this poor woman. We're all sinners, we have no right to cast judgment on her, no matter how distasteful her ways may seem to us."

A bashful expression on her face, Claire hung her head, bringing it almost even with Elsa's. "I'm sorry. I let my feelings get the best of me. Can you forgive me?"

"Of course." Elsa patted the woman's arm gingerly, marveling at the strangeness of her situation.

Muscular arms wrapped around her, pulling her into a bear hug that was no less terrifying than the previous hold. "I'm so glad. I felt awful about scaring you like that."

Elsa's head spun. Was that really all it would take to earn the forgiveness of the other residents? Once she'd bid her farewells and left the house, agreeing to meet them after dinner, the glares of the women around her answered her question for her. She'd won over two people, but everyone else was decidedly still against her.

A globule of spit hit her cheek, bringing back its sting. This would not be a fast process.

The room was black as pitch. Anna felt the cool cement beneath her, until it met with the cool cement of the wall. The trickle of light from the day room had long since faded away and the last scraps of her meal were gone. It must have been close to nine o'clock. Her hand on the wall balled into a fist and struck it. It came away burning and smelling of copper. "What have you gotten yourself into?" she asked the darkness around her.

"I just wanted to kiss Elsa. I thought that we were finally free, that we didn't have to worry about this anymore. I'm so stupid!" Her fist stung as it struck the concrete again. The sound of a drop of blood hitting the floor filled the room. Three more drips followed, as she stared at the spot where her hand should be. "I'm sorry, Elsa."

She dipped her index finger into the blood she could feel pooling between her knuckles, and drew a single long line down the wall. She had three days in this cell, she wasn't willing to lose count of them. The solitude was already getting to her. It couldn't have been more than twelve hours, but it was enough. Anna couldn't recall ever feeling more lonely, lost, or hopeless. If she had only been more careful, more patient, then everything would have been as she told Elsa – they would have been able to finally enjoy their lives – instead she ensured that they would have the torment to which they had been sentenced. The torment their father doomed them to.

"Why would he do that do us? Does he really hate us so much? He'd put his own daughters away for murder? Away for... exactly what we'd been doing under his roof for years. Wow, I really do ruin everything. Why does Elsa even put up with me?"

A clattering roused her from her slumber. She hadn't even realized she'd fallen asleep. Some plain toast and liquefied eggs sat on a tray in front of her. That must have been what woke her up. There weren't any utensils. Had that been intentional or just an oversight? She thought she recalled having silverware with dinner, but now she wasn't sure.

The soggy bread brought the last of the egg to her lips and she bit into it, before finishing the remaining two bites of the toast. She glanced to the wall, where her crooked line bisected it in a crusty brown. As badly as she wanted to add another mark, she'd wait until the sun went down, she wanted each tally to be around the same time.

"Elsa," she sobbed as the faint sounds of the victrola filtered in through the wall. She could almost make out the tune, and attempted to tap her foot in time with it. It was so familiar, but only about a third of the notes would reach her, so she couldn't quite put her finger on the song. "Billie Holliday?" It didn't sound right, but it did give her an idea.

"The snow is snowing, the wind is blowing..." she sang out. The words didn't match the tune, but it reinvigorated her a little to have something to do. "I've got my love to keep me warm."

"Do I?" she interrupted herself. "Do I even still have Elsa after all of this? After everything I've done to ruin her life, after getting her locked up, after showing everyone exactly how twisted we were, why would she possibly want to be around me? Will she even still be talking to me when I get out of here?"

As the second mark joined the first, it did nothing to encourage her. What did it matter when she'd be released from the dark cell if there wasn't going to be anyone waiting for her? "I miss you."

She tossed and turned in the bedding-less bunk, failing to catch even a minute of sleep. The restless night met an empty day as she heard foot steps above her. Breakfast would be there soon.

She didn't have it in her to move. She closed her eyes, wishing for sleep, only to watch her last kiss with her sister repeat endlessly on the inside of her eyelids. Opening her eyes would shatter the image, but as much as it hurt, ending it would hurt more. They might never have another kiss. So she continued to watch it as tears ran down her cheeks. She leapt upon Elsa, their lips met, Elsa struggled, barely kissing back. She felt arms trying to push her away, but she still felt the heat in her lover's lips. It was a frightened gesture, not a spiteful one, she kept telling herself. She still wanted to kiss her, just not in front of everyone. At least she had.

"Please say that nothing's changed. Tell me you still want to be with me, that you're not going to let everyone else tell you that our love is wrong. Just give me that, Elsa. I need it. I need you."

No answer came.

That night she placed the third bloody tally on the wall, but quaked with fear instead of anticipation. Whatever had changed while she'd been gone, she'd find out in the morning. Maybe she'd be out early enough to join Elsa for breakfast, if she'd let her. She didn't need their morning kiss in the yard. She didn't need to hold Elsa while she slept or feel her hand hungrily exploring her while icy blue eyes were on constant watch for anyone who could intrude. She just needed to see her sister's face.

In her dreams she had all of it. She felt her wife's touch, her lips, the heat of their passions. The key turning in her lock dragged her away from trailing kisses down Elsa's neck. It was finally time. She was almost tempted to get herself thrown right back in so she wouldn't have to find out the answer.

Anna didn't give in to temptation. Soon, she found herself in the dining room, where breakfast was being served. Had it really only been three days since she'd last eaten there? It felt like an eternity – or at least a week. She scanned the crowd for her sister, unsure of what she could even say to her at this point.

Near-silver hair drew her attention. She had found Elsa. She was seated with an older woman, a large brunette, and a curly haired red-head. The latter only added to Anna's feeling that she'd been replaced. Elsa didn't need her after all.

Before she could take a step, Elsa's head swiveled in her direction. Their eyes caught on each other. For a moment, Elsa's face lit up with a smile, and Anna thought that she may be invited to join them, but instead Elsa's eyes grew fearful and she slowly shook her head, shooing Anna away. That answered that. She couldn't blame her, but it hurt nonetheless.

Anna grabbed some food and sat down on her own. She stared at the orange before her. She'd had little appetite, but even the single fruit seemed like too much for her at this point. She yearned to be back in her dark cell, back in her ignorance, when she only thought that Elsa had forsaken her, rather than known it for a certainty.

She felt Elsa's eyes linger on her from time to time as she slowly peeled the skin from the orange, but she never returned the glances. She couldn't bring herself to see that look again. It had hurt too much.

The orange was flavorless as she methodically forced herself to eat it, not noticing a moment of it. When it was gone, she left for the yard, a slight part of her convinced that Elsa would join her.

Elsa wasn't the one who followed her.

"You better stay away from her," Eleanor said as she caught up to Anna.

"Here to finish the job?" Anna asked. "Make it quick."

Still a few paces away, Eleanor stopped, sizing up the despondent redhead. "I stand by what I did, but your sister is trying to turn over a new leaf. If you'll do the same, then I'm not going to trouble you. Either way no more perversion happens around me."

"What are you talking about?" Anna was still waiting for their interrupted fight to resume; talking things out instead was too odd.

"Elsa found God. She's really putting her all into repenting. I won't see you ruin that by trying to tempt her back toward a life of sin."

"Being with the one you love isn't a sin." Anna's voice was weak, like even she scarcely believed what she was saying.

"It is when she's your sister, and a woman for that matter. You both broke your covenant with God a thousand times over from what I've heard; but there's still time. You can make it better. Atone for your sins."

Anna rolled her eyes. This was just getting to be too ridiculous. "Is this a prison or a church? Oh, who am I kidding, a church would be less preachy."

Eleanor balled her hand into a fist as she took a stride towards her. Anna's lips curved into a sickly smile. She was going to get exactly what she wanted, she wouldn't have to watch Elsa do this to her, she could just go back in the dark. "You know what? No," Eleanor announced calmly.

"Wait, what?" Anna blinked.

"This is just some sick game. You don't want to improve yourself, you'd rather deal with external pain than consider what you're doing to your own soul. I'll have no part in it. You're welcome to destroy yourself, but I won't be helping you. I already said my piece, I'm going to the rec room." With that, Eleanor abandoned her, and Anna was again alone with her thoughts.

"Fuck!" Anna screamed, the words echoed by a few inmates in the nearby men's prison. "What am I going to do? Is religion really that important to her now?" She paced to their secret spot, where she had expected the two of them to know each other's embrace for years to come. They had both always believed in God, the alternative had never even entered their minds, but neither of them had ever been devout. If this really did mean something to Elsa, then could she really bring herself to drag her away from it? She'd finally found something healthy for herself, rather than their life of debauchery and sin, which was the only thing Anna could ever bring her. "Maybe I really should leave her alone."

After breakfast she had work in the laundry room. Fortunately (or unfortunately), Elsa didn't have the same duties that day, so Anna didn't have to endure her company, no matter how desperately she wished for it.

She felt the dirty looks of her fellow laundry-women more than she saw them. None of them said a word to her, nor did they hand her clothing, soap, wire brushes, or anything else she needed. She was as isolated there as she had been only twenty feet away in her dark cell. The strange homesickness for it grew as she scrubbed at a stubborn stain. She wanted this nightmare to finally end. She wanted to wake up in bed with Elsa, in the home in which they'd built a life together, where they had friends, passions, and each other. She wanted to be waiting, grasshopper in her hand, for her wife to return from a long day of work, ready to soothe her pains the best she could. She wanted Elsa back.

Lunch went much the same. She saw Elsa and her little Bible group chatting. She even saw Elsa smile. It hurt even more than the look of fear she'd given her that morning. She really had moved on. The tuna sandwich she force-fed herself was as flavorless as the orange had been.

That night was bath night. The first chance she'd had for one since she'd arrived at the prison. As she sank into the warm water, for a moment, her fears finally began to ebb. Relaxing for just a moment, she allowed the water to wash over her as she closed her eyes. Her mind wasn't at peace, it was still a mass of horror, fear, and conviction that she would never have her life back, but the chaos was slightly subdued. The water felt amazing. She hadn't even realized how badly she'd needed this.

She used up all of her time and then some, before she begrudgingly dried off and put on her clean clothes. As she opened the door, she ran headlong into her sister, sending both of them to the floor.

"Ow," Elsa cried, from her place against the wall. She looked up to see who had crashed into her, only to lock on the teal eyes she'd spent her life memorizing. She couldn't avoid her any longer. Of course they both had bath night at the same time – it was in alphabetical order. "Anna," she breathed.

Elsa had actually said something to her. Granted 'Ow, Anna,' was not quite what Anna had been hoping for, but it was far more than she had dared to expect. "Elsa," she replied, ever the picture of loquaciousness.

Finally averting her gaze, Elsa rose to her feet, her back to Anna. It was the only chance she'd have to be alone with her sister, but Elsa had no idea what to say.

"Please just say something," Anna begged, her voice quiet, for once accepting that they may not want to be overheard.

"I'm sorry," Elsa responded softly, still facing the wall.

"You're sorry?" Anna cried. "Sorry for what? For abandoning me? For letting everyone convince you that our love was some horrid sin?"

Turning on her, Elsa closed the gap, their lips mere inches apart. "Our love has always been a sin. It was worth it. You are worth it. But right now, the only way we can survive is to show penance."

"You really think our love's a sin?" Tears streamed down her face, as she tried to focus on the blurry image of her sister.

Elsa sighed, her hand drifting towards Anna's, before finally taking it. "Just play along for now, please. When we get out of here, I promise, you'll have me for the rest of our lives, but in here all it will do is get us killed. You were already hurt for it and I'm not willing to see that happen again." She squeezed gently, attempting to convey her affection and alleviate her sister's fears.

Anna ripped her hand from her grasp. "So you're willing to just give up on us for the next fourteen years?! It's not worth it!" Her voice was rising, but to her credit it still wasn't a proper yell. "You're all that matters, Elsa. I don't care what happens to me as long as I have you. Just forget what they think, we'll make it through all of this together."

"I can't do it, Anna. I won't. If you won't look after yourself, I will. I want it too, but it's not safe. So until we're out of here, this is the only option. Maybe once you've convinced them that you regret everything we'll actually be able to be around each other again, but until then I have to do what's safest for us."

"Coward," Anna spat.

Elsa's eyes went wide. She couldn't think of the last time her sister had ever insulted her. She reached out for her sister again "Anna –"

"No." Anna knocked her hand aside. "Be careful what you wish for. I'll stay away from you. If you decide to grow a spine, I'll be happy to talk to you then, but I'm not playing this game with you. Have fun with your new friends." She stormed back to her cell, without looking back. Elsa would receive exactly what she'd asked for – Anna would leave her alone.