Chapter 24

Friday morning had barely come into life, at least for the majority of the massive college campus' and ancient city's population. However, the small gathering of rowers had been awake for a while now. Students began to fill the gym's downstairs lobby, dragging their feet as they did so. Some of the freshmen voiced complaints, mostly regarding how much longer they would be required to come inside the stuffy Athletics' Center before they could row in the open fjord once more. Upperclassmen would give half-empathetic shrugs with a roll of their eyes, probably remembering their own younger years questioning the very same thing. The call of the river was seemingly growing stronger in everyone's minds and their bodies ached to shove off into the wild blue wonder.

But alas, they were indoors again today to row on the erg machines, and they may as well suck it up. Go with the flow. It's much easier than trying to fight against the proverbial current (as well as the literal, in a rower's case).

Dark blue eyes scanned across the other rowers pooling into the lobby, raising her hand in a small greeting only in response to the Junior captain's obnoxious wave and smile upon his arrival; their conversation from yesterday still warm in both of their thoughts. Other than that, her interest lasted but a second as she briefly glanced across her other seemingly nameless teammates, who she interacted so minutely with, before falling back onto the planner gripped in her hand. Her pencil scratched as she made a few more notations on her daily schedule, as always, ensuring that she had every hour and minute outlined to maximize productivity during her day. When she was satisfied, she sat back and surveyed the filling room again.

Quiet, and far from anyone else's concerns as they arrived, Elsa sat in her usual throne, tucked behind the masses of the team.

She had always liked the mornings; always being a natural early riser, despite pulling some grueling all-nighters here and there (more often than she would like).There was something refreshing about waking up and knowing you made it to a new day. A fresh start. The act was like a triumph in its own mundane manner. As such, she was always on the earlier side of the team arrivals, usually arriving first. Although, having the occasional sluggish days were to be expected in which she found herself rolling in a tad later, yet still never more than 2 or 3 minutes behind her clockwork schedule.

However, although this was true of the Senior rower, Elsa knew well enough by this point, and basically since day one of practice, that her Doubles partner was by far the complete opposite.

Elsa began to wonder how this personality dynamic would influence their rowing routine in the morning sessions, at least, as soon as they were allowed back on the river. In the fall, they rowed together in afternoon sessions, and even then Anna would sometimes run late due to traffic patterns and class scheduling. But in the mornings, Elsa was so accustomed to having her Single boat on the water before the rest of the team had even headed out of the boathouse; way before the sun had broken the horizon line. Such promptness on the water equally allowed her to finish earlier than everyone else, giving her ample time to get ready in the boathouse's locker room.

Back then, she also hadn't had the worry of her internship, so her studies were easily managed, and the extra time provided her much cherished alone time. Now that she had her car back (finally!), ideally she wouldn't be in as terrible of a rush to get to A.T.C., but no one could predict how traffic would be inside the heart of any city at any given day. Well, except that it will be horrible in some way. But I won't have to deal with people sitting next to me and bumping into me, thank heavens..

With her cheek resting against her knuckles and her coaches moving toward the front of the small lobby area to begin the usual morning announcements, Elsa watched with concealed amusement as her favorite redhead finally stumbled inside the room in all of her 'last but not least' glory. The clumsy girl never failed to trip over something either, be it her untied sneakers, the dragging heel of her sweatpants, or the unfortunate bystander who happened to be sitting in her line of destruction. Luckily today, it was just a scuff of her sneaker toe; the stumble easily righted.

"Thank you for deciding to join us, Anna," coach Wessleton said in a snarky tone which Anna rolled her eyes and muttered a dismissal at. Elsa felt her lip rise up, secretly amused at the defiant and unconscious action, before watching Anna plop down on the floor in her usual spot beside Rapunzel.

"Alright everyone," came the larger coach's deep voice, filled with its ever jolly cheer. "We have looked at the water, and I'm excited to announce that it has thawed enough to safely row upon, meaning we can officially begin water practice tomorrow!" The large team let out a bunch of cheers and claps, thrilled to finally get out of the stuffy sports center. Having a taste of warm spring break rowing and then coming back to a frozen river had been such a tease. Even Elsa had to smile with the group, bringing her hands to clap politely amongst the now boisterous students.

She turned her attention to the side as her partner pumped both of her fists into the air and did this cute squirm with her butt. Elsa's teeth had to quickly bite back the goofy grin emerging from her composed smile. How can she always manage to be so adorable..?

"However!" jumped in the Novice Coach, finger raised high above the terrible hairpiece covering his head, slowly silencing the crowd. "We are well overdue for a 2K Erg Test, since next to none of you completed one before Winter Break.." Elsa's brows raised for a moment, struck at the man's sarcastic leering words. Even she had all but forgotten about that 2K. That was.. unusual of her. She wasn't one to be so lax of her rowing schedule. Something must have really been on her mind that week.. While she drifted in quick contemplation, the Novice Coach went on. His weasely eyes narrowed at the students who shrugged their shoulders, not nearly as concerned about missing the test. "Well, I hope you enjoyed your laziness because that means that today everyone is having a surprise 2K!"

The once merry room's atmosphere absolutely plummeted at that call. Groans instantly replaced cheers, and stomping feet replaced joyful claps.

Elsa eyed the many gruesome facial expressions, mentally scoffing at absolutely how much pouty disdain the collegiate rowers had for their 2K's, or at least doing one. She was not saying that she would enjoy doing a 2K of her own free will since the physical test was far from a stroll in the park, however, there were plenty of other things that were worse. She did understand that it was the physicality of the test which most people hated, especially the newer members of the team who were still getting their proverbial footing; let alone the mental strength which this test drew upon. Unlike the Novice rowers, and quite possibly the majority of the team, Elsa had the power, physically, so she never shied away from that challenge. To boot, she had the mental strength too; calloused deeply from years of self-discipline and criticism, both of external and internal origin. Or so she had continuously told herself.

She felt her body sink back into the rough cushions of the chair at that thought. She couldn't deny that there was a shameful weak spot which was in desperate need of help; searching for an answer of how she could overcome it. A weakness that she never had been able to cleanly label, but knew it made its dastardly presence known only where she needed it the least; her own 2K's.

She had first seen a change in herself and her rowing beginning some time while she was rowing within the Nationals. She had always had the mental drive to push herself and push her limits regarding her power. Better, stronger and faster. Never settle for less than the best; beating all of her personal records at steady intervals of her training. She was on the steady rise to infamy; a deity amongst all other rowers, just falling shy behind the beautiful and most powerful rowing goddess herself and possibly the strongest she had ever known. Elsa was a shadow slowly stepping into a light of her very own. She was growing closer and closer to really making an exceptional title for herself. Notoriety for her abilities. Bringing meaning to her name through hard work.

The plateau which she had hit somewhere during that wearisome and blurring year was a dreadful awakening. Seeing a 7:01 consistently across six consecutive 2K tests, after being so used to watching increments of improvement, was mind-numbingly frustrating. The consequences for such performance existed on top of her internal frustration. She was grilled for it too. Hard.

Unfortunately, the ultimate worry stemmed from the team's prestigious nature. This consistent lack of improvement was risky. She'd be cut from the team if she couldn't maintain constant demonstration of successful gains in training, especially with fresh young competitors constantly hoping to gain a spot, her spot, on the team. It didn't matter how strong you were, but the demonstration of your potential of further success; actively showing change in the score. In a coach's mindset, improvement meant you were performing better, and decomposition meant you were losing something.

Yet, a plateau meant she was still just as strong and harboring potential, yet something was interfering. The mental aspect. Laziness and complacence. Those were the worst things that an athlete could be assumed of being. To be mis-labeled. When Elsa began hearing those words passing through some of the other rowers' mouths, she had grown angry with herself; her body, her mind. She didn't know why she was broken when she was trying so hard, on top of everything else she had to balance during her year with the prestigious team.

The National Team's coach had given her additional work-outs, adding on a minimum of an extra 2 hours a day to her training time. The more exercising drove her muscles to burn and cry in painful determination, exhausting her body to the brink of maximum fatigue. Day in and day out; eyes barely able to stay open while she worked on school assignments under midnight skies or stayed up studying well beyond the witching hour. She even remembered an embarrassing moment of falling asleep during a lecture; seeing her scribbled class notes trail off the page as her pencil went askew.

She was the youngest member of the team, and the only one dealing with the troublesome balance of academic achievement with grand athletic performance, but she was book smart by nature. School was of little concern. She could manage alone. In the training, she was surrounded by competition, striving and struggling just as she was; she was not alone there. At least, she never considered herself to be so. She had Belle. The brilliant star that she was; a rising name, shining brightly on Norway's team. Belle had hovered and pushed her even harder into focusing on getting better, reminding her that she just wasn't doing her best; reminding her of all that she would lose if she didn't get her shit together like she always had managed before. And she reminded her that she needed Elsa's support just as much; that Elsa had to improve for both of them.

After having these aspects pushing her incessantly for so long, cumulatively she felt so much stronger; impenetrable, like nothing could ever get to her. Yet none of this helped change her erg time. She could not best that 7:01 time. The discouraging factor pushed her to the brink of hopelessness, even secluding herself from other rowers while doing 2K's to spare herself of their judgments and keep herself viewed as the powerful person she was; choosing to only complete a work-out and doing the inevitably disappointing test in solitude, to wallow in her weakness unbeknownst to the world. The façade may as well have become reality by how much she hid behind it.

The worst part was that she just couldn't seem to figure out why this happened, only spurring the self-pitying cycle and wearing her confidence to the last thread; desperate to hold onto something. Anything.

That is, until she finally did best the time. Obliterated it. Thanks to a taken chance and severely humbled pride brought about by the brink of exhausted will power.

Navy eyes fell back on the freckled teenager who was busily pulling out her water bottle from her usual drawstring bag, exchanging some casual back and forth with the brunette rower beside her. Elsa felt her fingers fall lightly atop her lips in contemplation of her decisions, both last fall and those leading up still to this very day, surprising her at the uncharacteristic risks she felt compelled to take with that freshman.

Asking Anna to cox her had been a huge deal, in her mind; the idea born from synthesis of experimental inquiry and ultimately just being at the end of her rope, hope-wise.

Yet, that rush she had felt last autumn still burned in her heart while she sat staring at Anna; the memory one which would never soon be forgotten. When Elsa had not only found herself breaking free the monotonous 2K mire she had been stuck in but actually revealing a near global record breaking time, her humongous grin up at the shell-shocked coxswain was surely not enough to convey the internal elation coursing briskly through quivering veins. Elsa never spoke of that moment again, embarrassed that this young girl and her words of encouragement were the seemingly most insignificant, yet most imperative thing which she needed to succeed. To finally move forward and get over herself.

The embarrassment, why was it so? Was it because Anna really was as great of a coxswain as their coach and teammates commended her to be? Or was it the unlikely and so utterly tiresome to deny undeniable chemistry between them? That was a question that kept her up late that same night (although Anna calling her was a welcoming surprise that did not aid in her getting to sleep immediately).

Since that day, although she kept silent upon the fact, Elsa had always wondered if Anna realized how monumental she still found that moment between them to be regarding their rowing relationship; sharing a personal struggle with the oblivious freshman, and even finding some form of light in a once dark place. It was absolutely pivotal to both her views on herself and within the bond of their relationship, in her thoughts at least.

Of course she doesn't know, Elsa told herself mockingly, eyes still focused on the now attentive redhead; Anna's face listening closely to whatever instructions the coaches and now captains had continued to bestill on the team. You never shared a word about it. She doesn't know of your previous rowing problems and just how important that 2K was. You dusted the moment off like it was nothing out of the ordinary.. even though it was anything but! Why..?

Was it to save face around her? Had her mask of pride still attached itself so strongly that she couldn't take it off for even this particular person? Guilt seemed to tag along closely with these regrets.

"Freshmen will start, then the upperclassmen will go. Best of luck to you all on the first 2K of the spring," loudly concluded Coach Oaken as he began making his way into the erg room. The words, paired with Anna's and the other people's rising bodies, broke Elsa from her trance, doing her best to extinguish the warping emotions that had entered her consciousness. This was not an opportune time to wallow down memory lane when she had a 2K to complete. Well, at least the usual fake one she led the team and coaches to believe. Only one person was allowed the glimpse into her real world now.

She leaned back on her elbows within the big chair as she considered the approaching testing. Freshman first. So that meant there was little rush for her to move. The first round of warm-ups, paired with setting up and doing the 2K's, would take about 30 minutes in total, especially when accounting for the dilly-dallying which would occur from the rowers who were dragging their feet; prolonging the inevitable pain as much as possible.

A clopping of feet in front of her startled her, causing her to glance up from her deep-set chair. She met two sets of eyes staring down at her; dark coal irises paired paired next to brilliant teal. Both sets matched with eager smiles.

"Elsa, do you want me to cox you again?" asked the freckled teenager with a ready grin. The question immediately befuddled the older woman as she glanced quickly between the two teammates.

"Wh-what?" she finally questioned, thrown off guard to the suddenness and blunt expression from Anna as she blatantly revealed their disclosed evening. She was surprised that the girl was asking about it so openly. They had kept it a secret back then. Hadn't she picked up on that?

The pale boy standing next to the redhead chimed in. "Yeah, Anna said that you rocked your 2K with her coxing you!" His exuberant expression did not appear to pick up on Elsa's surprised look, but Anna's sure did.

Processing the now shocked features of the Senior, Anna scratched her neck nervously. "Uh, yeah. I kinda told Olaf about getting to cox you.."

"I bet it was cuz' she's such an awesome coxswain-rower person!" he added in excitedly. "Better than the best!" His coal colored eyes shone proudly to his fellow teammate in that ever childlike mirth.

Had she been in the appropriate state of mind, or in the appropriate state of general conversation, Elsa would have had no problem with whole-heartedly agreeing to that statement. Anna indeed was an excellent coxswain, both on and off the water; an acknowledgement she had actually had the right of mind to share with her partner while they vacationed in the Southern Isles. However, now was not the time. She was not prepared to agree as confusion still ebbed away at her processing.

The blonde senior blinked repeatedly at her Doubles partner, unsure what had compelled Anna to share this secret of hers. No one else on the team knew that she pulled her own 2K's alone; to limit any pressure that may be placed on her performance as well as limit any harsh judgment that may be generated. She made a face, communicating that she felt uneasy about Anna sharing this information with someone, even if it was only to the most innocent of human beings ever to have lived.

She folded her arms across her chest, leaning back in her suddenly stiff throne. "No. Why would I? I do not need a coxswain." Her voice was flat, eyes locking on with Anna's, maybe a bit too firmly.

The other woman seemed taken aback by the sharpness of the deadpanned response, and maybe more so by the rude dismissal of an obviously friendly act. A guilty look soon spread over her young features, mirroring the feeling beginning to fill Elsa's chest as she regretted the defensive act. Oh no no no! Elsa, that was way too harsh..

"Oh, I just thought.. Never mind. Sorry," quietly and shyly apologized the redhead, backing away and guiding the confused Olaf around in turn. She dropped her attention from the senior, and instead engaged the male coxswain; actions displaced and in search of a change of topic. "Olaf, want to be my coxswain today?" Her voice brightened minimally, causing the momentarily perplexed boy to process the question, but he accepted immediately. The forced brightness in her voice may had been enough to fool an unfamiliar listener but certainly not Elsa.

Elsa watched the duo walk toward the erg room, heart sinking faster and faster as she followed every step. The pang echoed against the hollow steel façade that she let rise into place again. She let out a rough sigh, the ball of her palm rising to repeatedly rap against her skull in admonishing remorse. Dammit, why did you have to react that way to her? It was just miscommunication. That reaction was uncalled for! Already, as she watched the disappearing form of the freshman woman, her pride was wrapping itself up, preparing to present humbling apology that Anna justly deserved when this was all done.

…

The best part of 2K test mornings meant that practice let out much earlier than normal, especially when the team didn't drag their feet. She had to hand it to the spunky pixie haired coxswain for keeping everyone in line. Elsa had a feeling if Anna and Olaf were the coxswains in charge, everyone would be late from excessive dilly-dallying. Tink certainly kept things moving like clock-work.

It was just turning 7:15am as the coxswains collected the upperclassmen's erg times; Tink checking down a checklist, Olaf scribbling down numbers, and Dory running back and forth to the same rower over and over asking for them to repeat their times. Elsa, knowing the forgetful coxswain's mannerisms, just went straight to Tink to report her false time to get out of the room as fast and as seamlessly as possible.

Regardless of being tired after her work-out, Elsa felt to be in a fairly decent mood, all things considered. A good exercise and the early dismissal were just what she needed for a morning pick-me up. Getting extra time in the morning was always a pleasant surprise. For Elsa, now that she had her car back and functioning again, she did not need to worry about public transit either, which made her commute even more tolerable.

She hurried toward the room's exit, ahead of many of her upperclassmen peers, ready to search the freshmen group. A newer added benefit of getting out early also meant that she could spend a little bit more time talking with Anna before they had to go their separate ways for the day. She really enjoyed those spare moments of contact with the freshman, no matter how trivial their chats would seem to outsiders, it stirred something inside her; each day becoming more and more anticipated. Almost daily this week, she berated herself for ever denying this interaction from happening earlier.

Today, however, she was also in very much need to speak and patch things up with the girl for another reason.

Her hopeful blue eyes surveyed the lobby as she exited the erg room, only to catch the tail end of a bunch of freshmen leaving the area. She did not recognize any of the bags and water bottles left behind as the ones belonging to Anna. Honestly, the girl's neon green backpack and vibrant yellow water bottle were hard to miss. Quite reflective of her bright personality, she had begun to distantly muse during her search of the room.

After a quick inspection, she realized Anna was not waiting around like usual, and she felt her hope fall a little. Anna must have realized that they had extra time together to chat this morning.. didn't she? Wouldn't she want to talk with Elsa, even for a little bit?

Was she that upset about earlier? Did I hurt her feelings that badly? Elsa desperately thought while racking her brain for something that could have caused Anna to just simply up and leave without a word. The spit-fire woman had always been ready to enter Elsa's personal bubble, especially now more than ever. I need to find her.. now!

Elsa hurried to haphazardly grab her belongings, and then flew up the stairs with a much restrained speed, trying not to let her eagerness come across in her actions to the other members of the team. She equally hoped that the concern she felt in her chest was not so easily interpreted on her face.

Finally, she entered into the main floor of the building, blue eyes marked toward the front doors in hope of tracing any direction the girl could have run off to. She listed off all possible locations: class, dorm, dining hall.. yes, most likely somewhere food related. As her steps headed toward the exit, she started to reach for her phone with a plan to text the missing girl, but her eyes suddenly caught a sight to the left; red hair as vibrant as a fire instantly grabbing her attention. She spied Anna swaying in a distracted circle as she spoke into her cell phone; one finger pressed in her ear as she tried to block out the chattering of the dismissed crew team and various other sports teams that suffered through morning practices.

Those teal eyes found hers and seemed to light up for a brief instant; that spare freckle dusted hand unplugging her ear for a second to send a tiny wave at the fair haired Senior. Elsa smiled at the wave, relaxed to see that the younger woman had not uncharacteristically left without saying a good-bye. Regretful to admit, that was her own stubborn vice; to up and leave without words. Never Anna's own. She leaned against the wall, arms crossed as she watched the quick interaction and seemingly one-sided conversation.

"Yeah... Yeah, it's really awesome!" Anna said with a smile, causing Elsa to relax a bit more at the sight. Every now and then, the young woman sent an acknowledging look toward the blonde, as if to communicate that she would hurry the conversation along. "Seriously, I'll text you some pics!... Oh, def show them to Uncle Kai. He loves gross things!" She laughed loudly before beginning to walk over toward Elsa's patiently waiting form. "Alright. I'll call you tomorrow?... Oh, and have an awesome trip... I love you too. Bye!"

Anna closed the flip phone with a clap and directed her full attention to the smiling blonde. "Sorry that I ran upstairs. It was way too loud down there for a phone call." She wiggled her phone in her hand as she scrolled through the image section. "Aunt Gerda called about wanting pictures after I told her we started dissecting sheep brains in our Biopsych class. Why she found the need to call so early totally beats me."

"She's just excited to hear from you, I'm sure," Elsa mentioned softly, a small twinge of something stirring in her heart despite the glowing warmth she had felt listening to the one sided conversation. Anna was lucky to have family to call her with such loving intention.

Anna looked up from her phone with a thoughtful expression. "Must be. She gets anxious if I don't call her every other day. Empty-Nest Syndrome." Anna just shrugged with a laugh, quickly showing the chosen screenshot image to Elsa before she plugged it into a text form.

Elsa tilted her head, trying to fight the grimace on her face at the unsightly gray mush centered in the picture. Sheep brains were not what she had expected to have to look at so early in the morning. She discretely moved her eyes aside from the image as Anna continued in her quick texting.

"Well, I can certainly tell that you are enjoying that class," Elsa said, noticing the dorky smile on the freckled face. "How is your lab partner handling the dissection part?"

With a dismissing wave of her hand, Anna looked back up and laughed. "Oh, I do all of the cutting and tweezing. Rapunzel just writes our answers and findings down on both of our papers. Technically we're supposed to do separate work.." She pursed her lips. "But she wears gloves as she writes and makes my handwriting messy-looking so our professor doesn't realize that we aren't doing our equal share."

"You two sure are sneaky," Elsa teased with a light sarcasm which Anna initially nodded at but eventually pouted at.

"We are!" she insisted with a grin. She seemed ready to fire another line of defense of her sleuthing abilities, but a loud rumbling echoed from her midsection. Her hands instantly flew atop of her stomach. Determined eyes became bashful. "Er.. Kinda hungry.." she muttered hesitantly.

The blonde had dropped her eyes to Anna's belly before raising her eyes back to the girl's shy face, all too familiar with Anna's insatiable appetite. Her brows raised despite this. "Does anything satiate that beast of a stomach?" The lightness in her tone felt nice. She enjoyed these moments of teasing.

"Many 'a good meal have tried!"

Elsa took a step toward the exit; the action immediately causing Anna to follow. There was a slight bump sound, quickly followed by the sound of a high-pitch beeping. Elsa turned her head back quickly, seeing Anna frozen awkwardly in the "enter" side of the entrance sensors.

There was a groan from the front desk worker who was certainly not amused at hearing the alarm system ring so early. Who could blame them? The accompanied glare sent toward the redhead meant the worker must have been familiar with Anna doing this more often than not. It was March. She was here daily. She really should have learned.

"Sorry.." Anna squeaked with a dramatically apologetic smile before she tore forward, practically dragging the quite amused senior in her wake.

Outside, they were met with a chilled air. They took a few steps before turning to each other in a small walk-way. This was the usual place where they would end their morning chats, bid a good-bye until they could plan some point of time to meet up again (which usually was supplemented by texts and phone calls).

As Elsa eyed the shorter girl, who was distractedly struggling to fix her sneaker heel, she wrung her hands together; her terse words from earlier coming to mind and stimulating the reminder for a much needed apology.

"I'm sorry about what I said before, downstairs. I should never have been so cross," Elsa apologized while bowing her head. "I didn't mean to come off like that to you."

There was a brief tilt of her red haired head as the younger woman processed the apology, taking a moment to connect the sentiment to their coxing conversation. She then let out a breath and waved her hand. "Oh, it's not a problem. I shouldn't have assumed it was something we could talk about all willy-nilly. There's obviously a reason you do them privately." She gave a small smile, a bit embarrassed. "It was pretty inconsiderate on my part.. But, don't worry. Olaf would never say anything. Your 2K secret is nice and safe."

Elsa gave a half-hearted lift of her lip at the explanation, not pleased that Anna was taking on the blame. "It doesn't excuse my reaction. I still shouldn't have just cut you off like that, especially because I never really communicated that it was something 'secret' worthy." She furrowed her brows upward and softened her eyes. "I really would like to have you cox me.. just, later. Tonight. Like the last time. If you wanted to, that is.."

Anna nodded right away, not even taking a moment to hesitate. "I totally understand. And of course I'd love to!" The smiles exchanged seemed to alleviate the residual tension of earlier, at least to Elsa. She wasn't positive if Anna had even maintained the hurt feelings like she had. The mere thought spurred Elsa to add another proposal, just as Anna began to speak about heading to the dining hall.

"Hey, would you like to have breakfast at my place today?" she asked quietly above Anna's babbling commentary regarding some of the gross campus food options. The offer silenced the younger girl so fast, it was mind blowing. Elsa took the wide eyed expression as reason to continue. "We have some extra time, and my food is at least somewhat more normal than campus cooking.."

"I would absolutely love that!" cheered the younger rower. Her stomach appeared to loudly chime in as well. "I just hope I make it there without starving," she joked dramatically, lowering her head. Well, in some part she was only somewhat joking. The whine in her voice was still noticeable.

At that, something clicked in Elsa's mind. Wait, do I sill have..? She flipped the top of her satchel open as they walked toward the parking lot, unzipping a posterior compartment. She felt the corner of her lip turn up in excitement. What do you know. I do. Quickly her hand retrieved a small, metallic packaging and she outstretched her hand toward Anna. "Here," she said softly.

She felt mighty proud of herself at having a left over treat from the fall hidden at the bottom of the bag. She had found storing the treats were a staple necessity in keeping her Doubles partner from whining her way through second practices. Looks like there had been one remainder.

Anna looked to her side, teal eyes widening before looking back up at the blonde. Under the surprised look, Elsa felt her cheeks flush a little as her charitable excitement caught up to her. Within a second, she felt her nerves kick in. Maybe this was more awkward than merely a nice act.

"Really?" Anna said, surprised look stretching into a happy smile. She looked amazed that Elsa remembered having to supply the snacks for their practices. "You have a chocolate brownie Luna Bar?!" Elsa chewed her lip shyly and shrugged slightly, finally realizing how touch-y feel-y this sort of action conveyed.

Anna took the treat with a large 'thank you' before catching the blonde in an appreciative, sideways hug. The action was simple enough that it wouldn't normally call for a hug, but this was Anna. Not like Elsa minded the short embrace, hand rising to pat Anna's mid back for a split second before the hungry girl bounced back and tore into the bar.

"Come on now, let's get going," Elsa said hurrying them along. "By the way, I have your clothes from last week; washed and everything."

"Oh good, I can take them home."

The older girl looked down at her. "I was thinking you could change into them. Possibly shower even if there's time before I need to leave." Before Anna could answer the suggestion, Elsa quickly added flatly, "You stink."

Anna scoffed loudly as she approached the passenger side of the car, waving her hand back and forth past her nose. "How rude! You're the real stinker!"

Blue eyes rolled at the girl's defensive response. "Oh, just get in."

Anna stuck out her tongue before listening as instructed. The two laughed, hopping into the small sedan and pulling out of the campus parking lot. The trip to the North Street apartment was filled with more jesting and even a small dispute of whether or not to turn off the A/C in favor of High heat air.

…

The door unhitched and swung open, the two bodies strolling in. Elsa chuckled as she listened to the tail end of Anna's commentary of how she was thankful for the elevator that she had forgotten about once before. Anna chucked off her sneakers after tapping the salt and ice off, only to flinch and smile innocently as the object knocked over Elsa's tall set of boots. The blonde raised an eye brow, but her expression soon softened and she shook her head at Anna's usual silliness to which she had grown so accustomed and fond of.

"Alright, I need to shower and get dressed for work," Elsa said with functional purpose as she made her way down the hall, intent clear on getting her work morning going. She had taken barely three steps before slowing and turning around, catching how her actions and words had just come across.

How rude. What is with you this morning, she chastised herself when she realized she had left her guest standing in the apartment without any other word. She looked at the ginger haired teenager with an apologetic expression.

"I'm so sorry. That was terribly inhospitable of me," she said taking an awkward step back from the direction in which she came, trying to find something she could offer the young girl to do while she got ready.

To her surprise, the other rower didn't seem to notice Elsa's almost immediate disappearance, or if she had noticed, then she didn't seem to mind. Or she's just used to you rudely running away from her without a single word, the voice in her mind nipped back, chiding her default recluse behavior.

There was a chuckle and Elsa watched Anna scoot her way into the kitchen, sliding playfully across the polished kitchen tile on her socks. "That's all good." She spun herself as she grabbed the edge of the kitchen island, hands coming down with just less than a slam. "Hey, I know. I'll make breakfast!" Her exuberant voice actually surprised Elsa even more than her previous contented expression. Without another moment's hesitation, Anna spun toward the cabinets; mind definitively set on her expedition. "Ohhh yes, I haven't gotten to cook in ages! Lets see.. what do you have..."

Elsa was still caught by Anna's first exclamation and the other words slowly processed as the teen rummaged loudly through the shelves. She cooks?

"You cook?" She hadn't meant the question to be deprecating by any means, of course. Thankfully, she had masked any additional slights of intonation indicators by pure and honest shock. Had her mind's tone of voice been present, then maybe it would have sounded much more off-put. Just, she had not expected this of the girl, for no justifiable reason other than neither had ever discussed it.

There was a giggle. "Why? Is that surprising?" Anna's smug smirk and shrug of the shoulders indicated she took no offense to Elsa's question. Actually, Anna seemed to really enjoy revealing this unknown factoid. "Don't seem so worried. I'm actually really good, sooo you kinda have to let me show ya."

The shock ebbed away, as did any resolve to fight this girl's intent. Far was Elsa to deny this offer. Where Anna had seemingly hid away this information of cooking ability, Elsa had done the same.. just in the opposite sense, as she secretly lacked the skill set that Anna was proclaiming to have.

"Do you have anything chocolaty?" asked Anna, absolutely straight-faced.

Blue eyes blinked suddenly. "..excuse me?"

"Chocolate," chirped the freckled face again. "Do you have any?"

Elsa just looked at her in confusion, not sure whether or not the young girl was kidding. It wasn't even 7:45 am yet. It didn't make sense to ask for sweets. When she was pretty sure she couldn't tell whether the girl was teasing she just went with the safest decision to answer.

"No Anna, why on earth would I have anything chocolate?" Anna just shrugged and sent Elsa a keen eye while the blonde did her best to keep a nonchalant air. Anna did know that the health driven senior had a weak spot for the savory sweetness, but that didn't mean she had it at home! …Well, okay, she had some chocolate; a mere smidgen. A hidden stash of hot fudge tucked away in the very back of the pantry's top shelf. It was a little guilty pleasure that she liked to indulge in during those very very rare moments, but Anna needn't know that! This was no such time for such indulgence. It was breakfast time for Pete's sake. "And I'm kind of concerned of the size of your sweet tooth if you would even be asking about chocolate at breakfast.."

Anna went about washing her hands quickly. "I had a taste of Brownie Luna Bar a few minutes ago. The craving has awakened!" She cast a winning smile to the blonde girl, to which Elsa could only smile back. "Come on, you're going to make yourself late if you keep questioning my cooking." At that reminder, Elsa glanced to the wall clock and nodded. She was already behind thanks to this 5 minute back and forth. Anna then made a shoeing motion with her hands; flicking droplets of water toward the hostess. "Go shower! I'm sure I'll find something to throw together."

Elsa raised her hands to her face in defense of the cold spray and stepped back with an exasperated laugh. "O-okay, okay! Just.. don't make too much of a mess." She nodded at the girl who smiled innocently in return, quickly granting her free reign of the kitchen's contents to cook as she pleased, before scurrying down the hall to the shower.

Honestly, whatever breakfast concoction Anna could rustle up would be better than eating her own usual post-practice meal: bagel (or toast depending), tomato juice, and protein whey. When it came to food, and though she always made sure her nutritional needs were met, Elsa was the truest minimalist; ready to blend up a multivitamin protein shake rather than attempt actual cooking. And the idea of Anna having this complimentary skill set certainly had an.. interesting notion to it.

She spent a good portion of her short shower entertaining the thought of Anna creating different types of smorgasbord feasts, adorning a cute chef hat and apron as she did so. Needless to say, this was one of her more favored showers..

When Elsa finally finished her bathing, towel tied around her waist, her nose picked up a most magnificent fragrance. There was something just off enough about it though that she struggled to put an exact title to it. She quickly brushed out her long silky tresses and braided the damp tendrils into the usual pleated braid. Paired with the lighthearted feminine humming echoing down the halls, she found herself tip-toeing to the corner separating the kitchen from the back of the apartment. Peaking just a small increment around the white painted wall, she spied the redheaded girl swaying to a nameless hummed tune as she stood near the stove.

The second Elsa saw the young girl's head tilt in her direction, she stole herself away, hurrying back toward her bedroom, closing the door behind her. She had no time for such diversion of watching the mesmerizing little chef. She had to get dressed! But boy, did she ever want to know what the smell was.

Not too long after, she had pulled her black dress slacks on, tucked in her cashmere button-up blouse, and, with a whisk of her hand and a few safety pins for good measure, had her hair tucked safely into its tight, standard bun. She looped her blazer under her forearm and stepped out into the now quiet apartment, finishing up the last button on her shirt's cufflink.

She entered into the kitchen, sliding her blazer over her shoulders as she went.

And there, on a plate, she was enlightened to the source of the smell that indeed was that lovely decadence. And she just stared at the sight. What the..? When she had given Anna free rein, she was not expecting her to take such insane liberties. There, in front of her, was chocolate drizzled bacon on display. She wasn't sure what was more surprising. The fact Anna had prepared this, or that Anna figured out where her secret stash was hidden. Alright. Honestly, what was more appalling was the fact that she was staring at bacon covered with chocolate.

"What on Earth are you doing making this for breakfast?" Elsa asked with a mildly incredulous tone. The question made the redhead spin around from her spot near the stove. She seemed ready to respond but her voice stopped; lips remaining partially part, frozen in a moment of thoughtful expression. Elsa furrowed her brows, unsure why the cook was reciprocating an equally surprised gaze as her own. She began to question whether this awestruck look was even in response to her question at all.

As Anna's eyes lingered on her for some long but empty seconds, she started to feel a bit self-conscious of her exterior. Why was the girl just.. gawking at her? Did she miss something as she checked herself in her mirror? A mental check of body sensory input confirmed she could feel fabric covering all necessary places required of clothing. Then what was she ogling at? She finally voiced a quiet "what is it..?", tucking her chin down in the slightest. That seemed to break the momentary trance of the opposite girl whose face immediately began to flush.

Anna shook her head, orange pigtails waving slightly. "Oh, s-sorry." She took a breath, eyes looking shyly up at Elsa's own. "You look.. really, um, professional."

Again, the blonde made a face; confusion heavy in her voice. "You've seen me dress professionally before, though." She was certain of that. She always dressed, at the bare minimum, in business casual attire, even when meeting Anna for private study sessions as a T.A.

"Well you would wear a sweater vest or blouse or stuff. But not a blazer," Anna said, sparkling teal orbs taking liberty to once more admire the charcoal jacket that covered the cream colored satin blouse. "It's um.. well, it just looks really good." She breathed what seemed close to a laugh, but still had a twinge of awe. "Like, I mean, it's a good look.. on- er, for you."

Elsa was very confused by the girl's reasons for being so enraptured by the article of clothing, and more so, the reaction she was receiving. It was only a jacket after all. Did it really look that good on her that it was enough to stun another living person? Huh. Maybe I should wear this old blazer more often..

Wait.. Was she imagining it just then, or were Anna's eyes filled with a bit of longing? Was that the word she was looking for? It didn't seem.. strong enough. Though, no matter how strange it seemed, she couldn't say she disliked it.

"Ah.." she managed to offer in response, still thrown off-guard to the whole sudden compliment filled ordeal. And the two stood in muted silence. After the seconds stretched into well prolonged moments, and when Elsa finally listed to the side as she started to grow more anxious, it finally snapped the freshmen from the transient spell that had overcome her.

Anna just spun back to some plates on the counter and shrugged, reverting the conversation back to the one initially started by the blonde.

"So.." she began, clearing her throat. "I told you that chocolate covered bacon is my favorite study session treat! I figured that since bacon is a necessity of breakfast, that this is a better time than any to have you try it," she said glancing over her shoulder down at the plate. The redirection reminded the blonde of her previous queries before being interrupted, or distracted rather. "I just wish that you had real bacon to fully experience it, but I guess the turkey bacon will be ok for right now."

"H-how did you find my chocolate..?" Elsa asked when she found her voice, adding a skeptical eyebrow raise to better address the topic of other concern. "You would have had to tear apart my cabinets to find that, and now I'm afraid of the mess that you must have left in your wake.." She looked at the clean and pristine cabinets closed in their typical fashion. She was trying not to imagine the tornado disaster zone must exist behind their closed cupboards.

Anna just gave an innocent smile and shrugged her shoulders. "I knew you had to be lying." She chuckled at Elsa's surprised reaction to the (albeit accurate) accusation. "There's no way that you wouldn't have some type of chocolate hanging around. Lucky for me, it just happened to be hot fudge drizzle." She clapped her hands together, dusting off the non-existent debris from cooking. "Besides. S'better than me mixing it into the pancakes which are absolutely the most fluffy delectable things you will ever ever have!" she exclaimed with a self-satisfied smirk.

That's when Elsa realized that on the other counter sat a plate stacked with perfectly rounded golden disks. She watched the redhead grab the plate and slide it beside the bacon. Releasing any concerns of when she last bought pancake batter, Elsa let her mouth begin to water at the sight. Now those were much more appetizing looking than the bacon..

Her hand reached out without second thought, hunger starting to rise and interest sincerely piqued.

"Hey, I still need to shower super quick," Anna said, pulling the plate back at the final instant so the senior's hand only caught air. "Wait for me!"

Elsa watched with hungry wide eyes as the redhead darted out of the room and down the adjoining hall toward the bathroom.

Her amused eyes watched for a few seconds, appreciating that Anna accepted her offer of showering here because she really did have a post-work out odor to her, almost discernible above the tasty scent. Oh that delicious aroma. Her once distracted eyes slowly fell toward the platters again, gaze skimming over the chocolate drizzled turkey bacon for an uninterested second and passing to the other plate.

The fluffy stacks of golden pancakes smelled absolutely heavenly. She wriggled her lips as the scent caught her senses with growing vigor. She reached out a hand again, this time knowing that her target would not be snatched away. Then, before she knew it, she was bringing the perfect breakfast treat to her lips. Perhaps one small taste would be fine. Just to wet the whistle and suppress the urge. As her lips enclosed around the dough, she immediately determined that the taste was just as magical as the smell.

Oh wow.. She let her eyes slide closed as she savored the teeny nibble. This is absolutely the best pancake I have ever-

"Elsa?!"

Blue eyes snapped opened. Down the hall, with arms sliding crossly over a lithe midsection, Anna cocked her head. The accusation in that look made Elsa's shoulders falter. Caught in the act, she hurriedly tore the pancake away from her face and placed it beside the rest on the full platter.

"Yefmm?" She blushed profusely, only just now noticing how obnoxiously large of a bite she had actually taken.

Anna marched over with her change of new clothes now in her arms, obviously straining to keep a stern face. Elsa could nearly see the redhead biting back a smirk.

"You were going to eat without the chef?"

The senior shook her head. "Nom.." She cleared her throat, hurriedly swallowing the accusing bite she had from earlier. "N-no." As Anna stood with accusingly raised eyebrows, Elsa shook her head and motioned for Anna to continue on her way to shower. "Go.. hurry up already. Goodness, I'll behave."

Dear goodness was it hard to behave after tasting the delicious baked good. Somehow she had managed to distract herself by drinking her morning coffee and packing her satchel during the waiting period. But as the clock ticked and her hunger started to be on the rise, she came back over and sat at the center island, drumming her fingers against the granite top, chin resting in the palm of her other hand.

When she almost began contemplating sneaking another 'itty-bitty' bite, Anna finally emerged from the bathroom, now wearing the spare set of clothes that Elsa had borrowed last week. The shorter girl laughed as she approached, fingers intricately finishing up braiding wet, ginger locks.

"Have you moved at all?" she joked, loading a few pancakes onto her plate, quickly followed by a few slices of bacon. "You look like a 5 year old told to stay out of a cookie jar."

Elsa made a face, quite displeased with the comparison. "I resent that."

"More like 'resemble' if that pout says anything," quipped the girl, plopping down on the stool and beginning to dig in to her portion.

"Please. I'm not that desperate for your cooking.." Although her swift motion to grab the original pancake could have argued the opposite. With a bit more etiquette this time around, she sliced the treat politely with a utensil and made a small 'mmm' sound as she pulled her fork away. Wonderful. Happily enjoying the meal this time, she let herself inquiry about the chocolate bathed meat also on presentation. "It really does not look appetizing."

Anna shook her head while in mid-bite of a bacon strip. "Trust me. It's the greatest thing you'll ever taste."

Elsa gave a small smile, using her fork to motion to the pancakes. "Better than your pancakes? Which, I'll confess, are possibly the best I've ever had."

A smug smirk and large nod were sent back. "Much better!"

Well, this bacon now had a lot to live up to. "Fine. Far be it from me to let the chef's cooking go to waste.." She took a breath before slicing a bite size bit of bacon and cautiously placing it in her mouth.

"Well, what do you think?" asked the girl with sparkling eyes, hopeful for further compliments on her morning feast. She pressed her hands together as she smirked excitedly. Elsa closed her eyes during the time, but she could still feel those teal orbs staring at her intensely.

The blonde chewed the food and eventually swallowed it with a large, loud gulp; the strain not hidden on her face. She looked back at the saucer sized eyes, now shrinking down with a moderate disappointment. Elsa took a napkin and delicately dabbed at her lips and shook her head with a playful sigh.

"It's a shame really."

Auburn brows furrowed. "What? You didn't like it?"

Elsa snorted a laugh, and again shook her head. "No," she said, reaching her fork toward the bacon plate again. "It's a shame that you never brought these to our study sessions sooner!"

…

Not having a breakfast as wonderful as this in ages definitely set this morning aside as one of the best in her memory books. But despite the excellent food, the wonderful company may have truly been the part to set it over the edge as quite possibly the best breakfast she had ever had the pleasure to enjoy. As the duo cleaned up the dishes and started to prepare to return outside and begin their busy days, she found herself thinking how she would love for this to become less of a single event and a more familiar consistency in her life. Much like anything involving Anna did.

"So what time are you out of class tonight?" Elsa asked casually, pulling her navy rowing jacket over her shoulders as the smaller woman began to bundle up herself.

"Oh, I'm done by 3:30. Fridays are my nap afternoons, it's awesome!" she said while drawing her fluffy coat zipper up with a fast zing.

"It'll be good to get some extra rest since we finally get to be on the water tomorrow morning. The earlier days are coming back."

Anna bobbed her head. "Thankfully Saturday practice isn't until 8 though. Sleepin' in!"

As Elsa adjusted her satchel, she looked at the girl yank on her salt stained sneakers which were instantly blanketed by loose sweatpants. "I was thinking to meet around 8-8:30? If, you were still interested in coming tonight, that is.." She felt her hand ring around the strap of her satchel for a moment as her nervous tick came over her. She just hoped the move wasn't so apparent to the other woman. She was starting to think that Anna was more perceptive of her body language than she had previously thought.

The agreeable nod helped reduce her frets. "Of course I am! The time's perfect. I'll be happily rested and full from dinner. Trust me, a hangry coxswain is not a fun time."

Elsa smiled with some playfulness as she relaxed herself and followed Anna's lead. "I would think it's more a 'hangry Anna' trait.."

With a dorky smirk in response, Anna just chose the air of immaturity for the second time that morning and stuck out her tongue. When she recomposed herself, she spun on her heel to head to the door but tucked her chin over her shoulder. With a tsk of her tongue, and voice terribly amused, she smugly teased, "True."

Elsa's stomach twisted pleasantly, cheeks warming at the teasing. It was actions such as these that reminded Elsa why this girl was such an irresistible person.

As the rush of attraction settled inside of her and Elsa watched Anna continue heading to the door, she felt a wave of familiar longing overcome her. The kind she would force down and typically ignore, and never spontaneously act upon. But with her growing appreciation of living in the here and now, she found the longing urge much too interesting to consciously suppress. On impulse, she reached out her hand, timidly brushing her fingers around Anna's wrist, yet not letting them linger for long. Just enough to alert the opposite girl. Red pigtails quickly spun around as Anna brought her eyes behind her.

Body thinking on its own, Elsa raised her arms out with a light shrug of the shoulders; the move meant to signify a welcome, maybe more akin to her ways of silently asking for Anna's hugs. The expression was the only indication of it being for more than a hug. It was quickly interpreted, just as she had known it to be given Anna's now undoubtedly good understanding of Elsa's body language. However, instead of Anna jumping at her with a wild glee as she remembered, the freckled girl's face lit up with an air that held a better contained happiness and a more forward gaze of.. adoration. It made Elsa's stomach flip as she processed that.

Still, the freshman turned on her heel and closed the small gap between them, stepping into welcoming arms and gently resting her head in the crook of Elsa's neck as her arms wound their way securely around the professionally dressed hourglass form.

The easy feeling of Anna's arms locked around her waist was comforting, and Elsa's own arms reveled in the soft location draped around Anna's ever increasingly firm shoulders. The older woman took a breath as her nose rested near ginger locks, surprisingly enjoying the scent of her personal linen fragrance shampoo entangled within the usually strawberry-cream scented hair. It was like a physical part of her would now be with Anna all day. She admittedly really really liked that idea too.

She felt the intoxicating smell enrapture her, so much more so than any possible delicacy Anna could cook up in the kitchen, and she leaned back in the slightest so she could observe the young face below her. Teal eyes rose to meet hers in turn; the three inches of height difference hardly discernible in that moment of close proximity. That soft smile was still present, much to Elsa's happiness. She loved that smile. More so, she had begun to realize that she loved being the cause of it. It did something to her emotions she couldn't quite pin point, yet.

Without a second thought, she found herself drawing her lips down, tilting her head gently and relishing in the soft tickle of Anna's bangs against her forehead. The woman below followed in time, barely given a second of processing after Elsa's own initiation, and there they met within the seal of a kiss.

Gentle and careful, just as most of their encounters had been since the week before; not having yet re-explored the heated exchange which had first set this tumbling ball into motion. But the prolonged brush of sensitive skin was just right, regardless. Consideration and enjoyment sincerely present during the whole engagement.

Eventually, she leaned back once again, blue eyes opening partially to look at the girl across from her; hoping that this was an alright move on her part, given her usual lack of initiation of such physical intimacy. The contented look of bliss from the freckled teen, soon accompanied with an equal gleeful sigh, was all she needed for confirmation.

And the smile soon lit up as aqua eyes revealed themselves once again, a sparkle now added to them beyond those mischievous eyes from moments ago. This same smile curled into a slightly goofy looking one the longer they stood in comfortable silence. Now that's the typical Anna grin I know, she reflected on. The adoring smile from earlier seemed so warm, but was strangely surreal. It was nice to be presented with what she knew; silly Anna.

"Well then," Elsa said, blush growing across her cheeks as Anna continued to stare up at her with the happy and dopey smile. "Work.. and all." She slowly detangled their arms, knowing that she really needed to be on her way, yet also feeling that the rise of emotions which were starting to boil up was too much to process in the pressed time they were allotted.

It did not appear to deter the new bounce in Anna's step, which Elsa bashfully enjoyed to watch. The redhead seemed ready to skip on back to campus with all of this energy. Walking on sunshine. Elsa knew the reason wouldn't be awarded to the carbo-loaded breakfast they had just shared, either.

As Elsa opened the door, letting Anna step out first into the hallway, she turned and locked her apartment door. "I'll give you a ride back," she said while the metallic 'pop' resounded down the empty hall as the top bolt locked into place.

Anna watched her. "That's okay. I know you need to get to work." She looked thoughtful. "I could even jog. Get in that good ol' extra workout too. I don't mind that, or the cold."

Liar, Elsa thought in skeptical amusement. Anna was definitely not as winter loving as she, if her fluffy down jacket was any indication. Honestly, she was well aware that Anna hated the cold, if her many rants had not revealed that fact. She let a chuckle pass her lips as she reached her hand out, taking Anna's own into her grasp as they headed toward the elevator.

"It wasn't up for debate," she said good-naturedly, her voice depicting the air of confidence, semi-akin to the one she would present in the fall when trying to make Anna understand her points, though she knew it needn't be without its playful character. Anna definitely did not need any further convincing on the matter.

She waved the air with her free hand. "Well, then how can I possibly decline another free ride?" she joked in amusement. "Besides, I already did a 2K today anyway. Exercise: check! "

Elsa smiled while Anna made a check-mark with her hand, unconsciously giving Anna's hand a small squeeze and glancing to their still joined hands as the elevator climbed the floors. She blushed a little as she saw a silly grin grow on those freckled cheeks. Even if Anna kept her gaze poised forward as nonchalantly as possible, Elsa knew the redhead was fighting the urge to glance between them too.

It made her feel so comfortable and was in adoration that Anna would do so much to maintain the pace of their new founded relations to that of which was comfortable for Elsa. The young girl, always so gung-ho, the type to act first and ask questions later, was matching Elsa beat for beat, letting her lead; only jumping in where needed due to Elsa's internal hesitance, which she liked to believe had been becoming less and less of an issue this week.

The two progressed much as they did in the boat, once learning the rhythm which they flowed together best. Both in time, physically, going with the flow; talking always saved to discuss only in the aftermath of the stroke. The only thing missing was a race plan, so to speak; where were they in this race? What was the finishing goal?

But it's perfect still, she mused, enjoying the light moment between them and how much it overlapped with their rowing career. Live in the present as long as you can. Take one 'stroke' at a time. Just keep moving forward.

The final ding arrived, and they stepped inside. Anna pushed the button leading them to the ground level. Elsa grinned playfully as her eyes landed again on the bundled up girl's face once more.

"You know, an extra work out is never a bad idea.."

"Yeah yeah yeah," Anna dismissed before coming back to a more pressing matter disputed in the car earlier. "Now let's get this straight this time: we are putting the heat on High."

…

The Athletic Center was always a ghost town after 8pm, despite being open almost to midnight. Most afternoon sports team practices had let out, and many residential students would be eating dinner in the dining hall. That was not Elsa's case.

As she strolled in, not even 5 minutes after the hour, she immediately went down stairs to prepare for her warm-up. I-pod in hand, already set to her normal playlist of Bach, Grieg and Mozart, she went about her usual 20 minute warm-up. The beautiful tunes of the classics were just the calming melody she needed for mental preparation for the coming test. She found herself glancing to the door every now and then, expecting the redhead to waltz in and complain of her musical choices. She smiled as she gently worked her way through the erging movements, remembering how Anna was particular about her taste in music.

Her muscles were eventually sufficiently warmed and Elsa was heading out of the erg room for a well-deserved stretch. She stretched out her legs, torso and arms. Checking her watch, she noticed that time was growing late. Anna should have been arriving soon. As during her warm-up, she again found herself glancing toward the entrance stairwell even more often, half-expecting the girl to make a grand appearance like usual. She couldn't have overslept from her afternoon nap. Actually, I would not put that past her.. Although coated with a humorous outer tone, she couldn't help the slow rise of concern in her mind.

When the clock ticked to 8:40, she found that she had waited well long enough. She was warranted a text message.

Not even a millisecond had passed as she finished her decision that she heard her satchel start buzzing with the ringtone vibration pattern. She rolled her eyes at the ironic timing. Why on earth was she even concerned? Anna probably was running late because she lost something again; ID, keys, hair ties. You name it. She nearly laughed as she reached into the bag and took out the i-phone, habitually swiping the green button across the usual black screen.

She brought the receiver to her ear, smile appearing playfully on her lips. "Hey, where are you?" she asked in a friendly manner, ready to make a snarky comment on whatever excuse Anna had conjured up this time.

"Hi Elsa."

Elsa startled at the man's deep voice, more so surprised that she had mistaken the caller for Anna just out of a recently developed familiarized habit. Goodness, she hadn't even bothered to check the blank screen for the caller's name! Why had she not seen the need to set a caller ID picture? It was only once in a blue moon that someone other than Anna called her without prior appointment to do so. Today, falling into the false sense of security was a mistake. Had she been more cognizant, then she wouldn't have made such a blatant introduction fauxpaux. Hell, she'd probably have ignored the call all together.

Keeping her emotions in check as best she could, she finally responded. "Hello, sir. Excuse me, I had thought someone else was calling."

The older man cleared his throat. "At this late of night? Shouldn't you be preparing for bed soon? You should not be neglecting your sleep."

She frowned, and crossed her free arm over her stomach, cocking her hip with an attitude. "I do not have a bedtime anymore. I'm almost 22; not 12."

"Of course I know that, Elsa," said the man in a stern tone, obviously not appreciative of the immediate attitude being directed t him. "I just am looking out for you."

"I can look out for myself." Not like you or mother really care; not without ulterior intent. Before she could let herself go too far down that path, she shook her head. It wasn't worth her energy to beat a dead horse of a topic. "Also. If you are actually concerned about my sleep, then why did you choose to call me so late?"

There was a sigh on the other end. "Well, you have not returned mine, nor your mother's, calls over the last three weeks, even though I gave you explicit instructions to do so after you received the intern's handbook." He paused. "There was a note on the inside cover. I assume you ignored it because I trust you have read through the book."

The handbook. Hah. It was still sitting on her coffee table, mail packaging barely even opened; a sheen of dust had actually lightly accumulated upon it. Of course she wouldn't have seen the note inside it. She refused to even look at that book at this time. But she did not want to admit that.

"Sorry, I forgot," she said blandly.

"Forgot?" he asked skeptically.

"Yes, forgot," she answered back with a growing frustration; hating how he always harped on the littlest of things. "I've been.." Distracted? Hah. The word she had used when she tried to hide her time merging into the National Team. No, do not use that word ever again with him, lest you unleash a whole new can of worms. "..busy. I've been busy."

"Busy," he repeated to which Elsa remained silent to. Not like that was a lie; an understatement yes, but not lie. The silent pause was quickly broken with a long sigh from the older gentleman. "We are all 'busy'. But that's not an excuse you can use in the real world."

She closed her eyes, trying to stifle an eye roll even though she knew she needn't while being out of eyesight. Annoyance from her semester began to boil up as he continued to almost berate her behavior, despite how little he understood of her life. "And I see that university and my internship are apparently not considered part of the real world. Okay."

"Do not use that tone with me, Elsa." She chewed her tongue, mentally stepping back into line. She was always trained that it wasn't her place to use sarcastic attitude to anyone her superior; parents included. She would do best to remember that.

"Sorry sir," she said softer, not feeling the remorse feeling supposed to be accompanied with the pleasantry, however forcing herself to quell the rising aggravation.

The older man was silent for a moment before accepting the emotionless apology. "Accepted." His voice was flat. "But I assume you have more going on than only those two activities.." he led on knowingly, rhetoric hanging in the statement.

His only daughter stiffened her stance. "If you mean rowing, then yes. I still do it and yes, it does take up time in my life because I care to excel in it, as you have always taught me to aim for."

"To excel, yes. To row, no. It is a wasteful amount of time that could be put to better and productive use of excelling in your other assets," he countered. "It's not practical for your future career here. Not even in the sense of conducting business arrangements over a friendly game or gathering."

"It's not a waste!" she argued back vehemently. "Not everything has to be about the business."

"It is a mere hobby you are wasting valuable energy, resources, and tarnishing the name of our family while pursuing. And I will not have you ruining the legacy I have sought so hard to create for our family." She fumed at his one track mind, despising how nothing that she did was appropriate or good enough unless it fit his plan for her future, or rather, Winters' Management's future.

There was a fire growing in her words once more; a different kind of flame ignited now. An attempt to justify herself as she had tried many times before. "I love it though. Whether or not you think it's practical, it's what I'm passionate about. And I'm good at it! You and mother would only see if you actually saw me perform-"

"-We've seen enough already after last year's fiasco." This was the strictest of all of the man's words up until that point; the tone finite in meaning. "Now, whether you continue this for the time being or not, you'll be graduating soon and will need to stop this childish dream anyway.. Preferably without adding further shame to the Winters' name." The last slighted comment hit her hard.

Never before had he belittled everything about the sport and her aspirations as much as in those words. A dream she held so tight to, smashed under the weight of familial disdain. It cast a shadow over her heart, emotion draining away. It was evident that he wished no longer to talk of the subject of such insignificance to himself, yet of ultimate passion for his daughter, and Elsa accepted that. He would move on whether she wanted it or not, and honestly, she wanted to at this point.

"Will you and mother coming to my graduation this time?" she asked dully, diverting the topic to one of lacked emotion while trying to smother the distant and moot hopefulness beneath her logic and previous experience. "Or are you going to send your P.A. again like at my high school one?"

"Well, as you have put it, we are very 'busy' ourselves." Elsa shut her eyes at the response, knowing that he was explicitly targeting her elusive description previously used for her own aloofness. "We are trying to reserve the date, but you never know what may come up." Yeah, yeah, that was always true. Elsa came to accept their skewed financial priorities, regardless of wishing that the known graduation date could have taken even some precedence to reserve over a year ago (back when she first learned of the scheduled date and time). "Besides, our new assistant is quite handy with technology, so I assure you she will get the best quality of video for us to view if need be." It almost sounded like a poor excuse for a sympathetic offer of consolation.

"Fine." She was so done with this conversation.

"I will give you a call later this week." She did not reply with question of his reasoning since she knew he would at least follow through with his promises if it were related to his own business affairs. "We will discuss the starting chapters of the handbook at that time."

"Sounds good, sir," she said dryly.

"Elsa," he said once more, voice representing the closest thing ever to fatherly concern. "You know I'm only looking out for your future. What people will think of you as you rise in the business world. You cannot be seen as incompetent or weak." His voice paused before bringing up a longstanding reminder. "Remember, make one wrong move.."

She sighed, tired of his favorite mantra. ".. And everyone will know. "

"Exactly. Don't lose sight of your goals."

My goals? You mean yours, she couldn't help but say in her head. Eventually, she ended it with "I won't sir." And that was that. She didn't even need a closing, evening pleasantry as she hung up the phone; not that there was one to reply to anyway.

She turned her head toward the wall and leaned her forehead against its chilled, plaster surface. Just like every conversation they shared, it ended with much frustration. Winter's Management, rowing, academics, legacy, and now even her graduation..

Whatever. It wasn't as if graduations were important, anyways. At least that was what she had told herself after high school. How different could university really be? It was just the awarding of a paper signifying that she had succeeded in academic performance; a fragile and expensive sheet that encompassed four cumulative years which she dragged herself through sleepless nights, aggravation, stress, and constantly fought for some sort of recognition to her name. A reminder that for her parents to be proud, she had to do everything she hated and pressured to give up the only thing that brought her satisfaction and.. freedom from their expectations.

The news of her parents' ever busy lives had been expected, but she really hated the small twinge of hope that her heart had held tight to during her time at Arendelle. That was stupid of you to hope, she angrily belittled herself. They aren't like other parents, or people like Anna's family. You are just another piece in their chess game of business. Why haven't you just accepted this?

Gritting her teeth and raising a loose fist against the wall, a rough sigh escaped her lips. She knew why she hadn't accepted it. She didn't want to. She didn't want it to be that way. Deep down at least. That was the problem. It never mattered how much she tried to bury away her feelings, just as long as she actively stayed aware of it. She was getting weak. Letting herself have a mental respite from this emotional fatigue that was starting to grow detrimental effects on her mind.

But now was not the time to get worked up over this same old drama. She had to get herself together. She had things to do. Things that required her to be collected. Calm. Cool. Everything that she had been trained to do by so many. Conceal. Don't feel. She needed to-

"Hey," came a timid voice from a distance across the foyer. With a start, Elsa jumped a step back from the wall, not out of fright but of the sudden exposure of her weakened moment.

She silently prayed Anna had only witnessed her standing in the strange position; hoping that when she met the freckled expression there would be a perplexed or maybe a 'concerned for her sanity' sort of look. Sure it would be weird to explain herself as to why she chose to put her head on the wall in a dramatic sense, but it would be so much easier than getting around having to hide her personal life.

The immediate glance at Anna's indeed concerned, yet obviously empathetic eyes was all she needed to confirm that Anna had heard at least some of that painfully typical discussion. Elsa swallowed hard, gathering all of those previous wild thoughts back.

The redhead slowly crossed her arms and shuffled the toe of her shoe against the carpet, taking a slightly apprehensive stance, seemingly trying to hold back either a motion of action or biting back questioning words. Both, two things the rather impulsive rower did not typically do. And Elsa knew it.

"How much of that did you hear?" she questioned almost guiltily having exposed more of her troubled family life with the girl. She kept all of her personal family problems and interactions to herself, outside of superficial summaries of her derision and secret confessions for what she wished for.

Anna gave a small rise of her lips, almost just as guilty in appearance to have intruded on the blonde's personal call. "Uh.. well.. enough..?" She offered with an innocent tilt of her brows and paired scrunch of her shoulders. The teenager was obvious unfamiliar with exposure to such conversations, if her lovely and heartwarming interaction with her Aunt's phone call was any example of that.

The uncomfortable posture was getting to be enough for the blonde. She stepped forward and approached the freckled girl. She sucked up her pride and touched the young one's arm delicately. "Stop looking so sad." She tried to add a forced nonchalance, hoping to alleviate Anna's worries. She shouldn't be worried or feel guilty at all. These were Elsa's burdens, not sweet Anna's. "That's pretty much a normal exchange between me and him. I just.. didn't know you were listening."

"Would that have changed your responses?" Teal eyes widened in time as Elsa unconsciously glanced aside; pale hands rising to grip her forearms in a defensive position. "Sorry! I didn't mean to just blurt that! This is so personal, I mean I-"

"No, no," Elsa hurriedly added to calm her fretting partner, shaking her head. "I probably would have merely called him back later instead."

The answer, though nearly 100% truthful, did not appear to appease the other woman, if her rebuttal was anything to go off of.

"Why would you do that?"

The older girl shifted from one leg to the other, chewing the inside of her lip. Might as well just admit it. She's not the type to just let these things slide.. a begrudgingly wonderful trait. "You shouldn't have to hear that stuff. It's bad enough I unloaded my other rants about them onto you."

Auburn brows furrowed deeply. "I never took your stories as rants, even if it was like what, twice?" She almost came close to breathing a chuckle. "I like knowing more about your life, and like, just learning more of you," she emphasized. "It's not a burden for me to know this stuff or anything that you may be worried about. Trust me, I know how that feels."

Something hung in the air after the partially muttered comment slipped out, and Elsa wondered what the redhead had meant, if she had meant anything at all. It could have been her imagination, but something sounded unintentionally hinted at. Did Anna mean that she also thought of herself as a burden? Possibly to Elsa even? Now that would be absurd. What could she, perfect Anna, have ever burdened Elsa with-?

Before she could question it aloud, Anna moved a small step forward. Carefully, she extracted Elsa's hands from their holds around pale arms and brought their hands together between them. "I really want to know you. All of you, good, bad, and every tiny little thing in between!"

This time, it was golden brows that took a moment to rise and furrow; concern etching over her features. "But.." The words she wished to counter back suddenly swirled like a tornado in her mind, and eventually all possible aspects of communication became lodged in her throat. But I have so many problems. I don't want to scare you away. I don't want you to have to take on anything of my worries. She mentally screamed at herself to confess some of these distresses, but nothing made its way to her tongue.

After a few passing seconds of heavy silence, Anna squeezed their palms gently. "Also. if you're worried I won't see you as a perfect goddess because you think you have flaws, well then fat chance because you are flawless to me, and beautiful, and just awesome in every single way-and I.. I'm rambling aren't I? Uh, oh wow. That was a lot. I-I'm sorry!" Her once fluent, automatic words quickly began to tumble in stuttered disfluency as comprehension of the confession was processed. "O-okay, woops, wow this is awkward. My awkward, not yours! You're gorgeous-wait what?!" Her face could not be redder, and her tanned palms were suddenly feeling quite clammy to the touch. Though, Elsa knew she mirrored absolutely every bit of those embarrassed characteristics.

With the grumbled words of "Stop talking already, Anna" filling the background atmosphere, Elsa inhaled deeply, trying to find some control of her own equal fluster. She was certain she would never ever get used to hearing such endearing compliments leave her partner's mouth. However, she was also certain she found the girl's hued cheeks to be the sweetest view she had ever come across.

I really want to live up to your expectations, Anna. She took the moment as her own, leaning forward and pressing a kiss against the ginger bangs covering Anna's temple. The action helped the muttered ramblings die away, replaced with warm comfort. A soft air only interrupted by the high pitched beep on Anna's watch. A glance down. 9pm.

"Alright," sighed the blonde stepping back a little in the direction of the erg room. "I really need to get this 2K over with some time tonight.."

There was a brief moment while Anna escaped her haze. It was soon swapped for typical Anna induced exuberance. "Of course! You are going to do awesome. Better than before!" hooted the rower as she prepared herself to re-enter her original role as coxswain. "I'm so excited."

The blonde did not answer; just swallowed and tried to ignore any rise of nerves that grew when she prepared for these erg tests. The warm-up had gone smoothly, without a hitch in her religious routine, which was a good indicator of her well-practiced consistency. She was not superstitious, but maybe she did have a teeny-tiny compulsion to meet exceptional standards when preparing for these moments; either erging or racing on the water. The small amount of stress remaining from the chronic training slum had had a scarring influence in all of her races to follow. Today's test was no exception.

Fingers programmed in the 2000 meter race into the ergometer. Her steel blue eyes stared down the screen as the starting meter number was projected back. With robotic like precision, she lifted the handle of the machine, pulling her body into the starting position.

"Ya feeling ready?" Anna's hardly contained excited voice was just off to her right, over her shoulder and within clear ear shot. A voice prepared to encourage Elsa on and help call her out of any dark places she could fall into. Elsa only silently nodded as she steadied her quickening breath.

There was only a few seconds of pause time while Anna entered her own preparation separate from Elsa's.

"This is the start." As Anna began the typical marshal call at the race, Elsa straightened her back to sit up tall; ever muscle in her body becoming rigid. "Attention."

Her blue eyes narrowed; breath hitching in anticipation. This was it.

"Row!"

As an arrow sores with speed after released from the taut bow's hold, Elsa drove her legs back with accelerated force and swiftness. The first 5 strokes were quick, short, easily aiding her to gain the momentum that would set her course for the rest of the piece. The bursts were followed with 25 cannon loaded drives, opening with a powerful sprint; the 25th stroke acting as both an entrance into the length of the race, as well as an indicator of meters swallowed by passing seconds.

"First 250 meters down," came Anna's voice, echoing the visual presentation that Elsa had on the screen. 250 meters was just the start with 1750 grueling meters to go, but every heavy stroke knocked nearly another 10 meters off the race.

Catch, drive back. Catch, drive back. Catch, drive back. The pattern was same, a rhythmic motion bringing her steadily along. Breathing rate matched perfectly; respiratory management a necessity to her racing muscles. Steel eyes focused dead on the screen, the time, meters; her body moving with automatic and well learned technique.

"Crush through the first 500!" echoed the voice in her ear.

Yes. 500 meters completed. A quarter of the way through. Here, her muscles still felt loaded with energy as she propelled herself along. A mental check sent a split second of congratulations that she had finished the first 55 strokes in under only a 1:41's time; incredibly fast for her light weight stature. But that was only because of the opening sprint contributing to the additional speed. She wouldn't have another sprint until she reached the end of the race which was about 700 arduous meters away. Here was where the race became the mental game; stamina and consistency being the key to hold out long enough.

She could here Anna's voice, but only able to catch certain words here or there; "stay on it", "more drive", "sit up", "power 10" accounting for those few moments. Anna was definitely never silent, words streaming from her mouth without hesitation, however the majority of those words of encouragement and determination were lost in Elsa's mind; her brain only channeling the sheer inflection behind it.

Come on, Elsa, she focused in on herself as she made it through the middle marker. 1000 meters down, clocking at 3:28. Half way, half way.

Her vision was blurred to everything in her peripheral, tunnel vision set on the screen. She followed all of Anna's instructions, at least she believed she did. She heard the calls and her body responded to each immediately; her mind allowing itself to take the orders without a qualm.

She trusted Anna's words; she trusted Anna. Anna believed in her, and thus it made her believe in herself.

You got this. 900 meters.

You aren't tired yet. 800 meters.

Forget the pain, forget the pain. 700 meters…

..600 meters.

And she wavered; suddenly deaf to the physical world, her brain generating its own noises. Pulling from sounds of a dark past. Not now. She was doing fine. Should couldn't let them come back now. The jumbled noises meant nothing. But suddenly words rang out clear as day, bursting from the prison chains of her memories.

'Unless you do something now, you'll never be good enough. Strong enough.'

She blinked hard, twitching her neck muscles to attempt a physical shake of the memory. The partial movement throwing her for a stroke, posture centimeters off kilter as she compressed to the catch position.

'You're dropping your hands; sit up, that's awful posture. You call this worthy of a National rower?'

No. Not true. She was worthy of National rowing. She had proved it before, countless times. She had to shake this niche off. Get rid of the doubt. She was nearing the last 500 meters. She had to make it there.

She gritted her teeth, jaw muscles clenching tightly. It was a waste of oxygen expenditure to these trivial muscles whilst her hamstrings and quads direly required it; while they screamed for energy. Poor performance. Incorrect technique. An erroneous novice mistake. She knew better than this. Hell, she was better than this!

'You'll never be enough.'

She missed a beat in her strokes, the screen's split time rising as the rhythmic speed hiccupped from the brief speed reduction. Her throat tightened as the last phrase carried dense emotional baggage with it; the voice familiar and loud. So loud she could swear it was right beside her. Desperate to break from the past, she relied on the most novice error any rower could make on the erg. But she had lost all sense of reality. Mind fogged with the episodic memory, she had to confirm that she was not back in that moment; stuck back there once again.

Frantic icy eyes glanced beside her, dreading the harsh view of deep brown eyes glaring her down with disappointment and embarrassment in her performance.

Teal. Shining sea green eyes brimming with confidence and adoration, snapped the projector of her mind's eye from playing the horror film. It wasn't Belle. It wasn't last year. She wasn't defending her spot on the National team. No. She was immediately grounded once again.

"I'm here! I got you!" The voice was hard with assurance in her ear, as if reading every slight change in Elsa's body language. As if Anna could read the exact fear in her haunted eyes. Pride echoed in her partner's voice. "You're so much stronger than this. You will show that to me now!"

The command did its job, accompanied with the knowledge that she had the support. She wasn't alone. She was not alone with Anna here. Anna had faith. Anna believed in her. Anna knew what she could do. Anna wasn't going to let her do this alone.

She narrowed her eyes as she faced down the last sprint, knowing that she had to give everything she had left to make up for her panic. She gulped down air, lungs straining to meet her body's needs; abdomen tight, ribs aching.

"Last 10 strokes!"

It was a haze, those final 100 meters. Tunnel vision was all she had as her body tingled numbly; muscles pumping and running completely on reserve resources that were depleting fast. Muscles tore and pushed beyond their programmed abilities in a powerful sprint. And with one last forceful drive, the meters were reduced to absolute zero.

The clock came to a halt, as did her body. Arms fell limply, barely able to hold the erg handle steady. Legs compressed limply within their foot stretcher binds.

Neck being the only set of muscles still functional, she lifted her face to the screen which she had nearly completed black out upon seconds earlier. The numbers sat firm, on display. Elsa stared at the final time on her screen, heart sinking whilst hammering inside her chest.

Shit.

6:59.9. She had barely kept her time below the damned 7 minute mark that stained her record, and it was nearly three seconds slower than the 2K she had pulled last autumn. How could that happen? She had been training so damn hard this winter and spring. She always trained hard.

She felt Anna's brief falter as she, too, examined the final time. But that was only a fleeting bout of waver, and Anna was soon tossing congratulations and encouragements to the blonde for doing such a great job. Elsa tried to accept the terms, but she was unable to fully absorb them at that time.

She had taken her water bottle, steadying her breath and taking large gulps in. All the while, she was throwing questions at herself. Why couldn't she do better? Why did those doubts come flying back again? She had gotten over those troubling thoughts, or so she thought. After the last 2K, she had figured that she had broken the cycle. That she had found the remedy to her tragedy; setting her pride aside and accepting help from another. That nothing could hold her back any more.

But that couldn't be the case. Not after that. Everything she had once believed still lingered. How could she deny it; keep fighting it? It was true after all..

"I'm really not strong enough," she breathed almost silently as if in averse acceptance, moving her lips to the side in reluctance of the admission. Her hands, sore from the aggressive grip she had held on the erg handle, let the bar go and clasped together while her heaving shoulders hunched forward.

"That's not true," assured Anna quickly, moving to stand in front of the exhausted rower, slinging her leg over the slide of the ergometer. She bent down to make sure she caught Elsa's eyes. "You're the strongest person I know!"

"Physically, maybe. But I.. I lack the mental strength." It seemed as if Anna was going to refute this statement again, when Elsa laughed ironically. "My stubbornness and discipline must act as wonderful band aids to cover up my weak spots, I guess." She glanced quickly up to her coxswain of mere minutes ago. Of course, the expression read complete disbelief at the claim. It was full of conviction that all of Elsa's words seemed null.

Anna seemed ready to interject, but she was cut off by Elsa's quiet self-admission. "It was probably why I struggled so hard with the team," Elsa stated ambiguously, reference only known by the regretful intonation carried with it. "Without the mind set, I don't have full control of my power.. I'm not strong enough to be better." The voices of the past threatened to come forth once more as she felt the acceptance of chronically denied truth begin to sink in. "Why did I ever think I was worthy of a spot? I'm just not enough-"

"-You stop right there." The senior woman froze at the sudden drop in Anna's voice; command so strong she felt a small sensation chill the back of her neck. Anna never rose her voice like that, at least in such a manner toward her. Looking at the young woman's stiff form, she could tell Anna was aggressively fighting against the admonishing and belittling comments on Elsa's behalf. And for a few moments, the weight seemed to alleviate in her heart, like a flutter of lightness.

Was there really any point trying to convince this dead-set redhead? Not like many people, or anyone, could understand what she lived through. Nor would anyone want to. By the look of rigid defiance facing her down, Anna certainly did not want to hear any more. The flutter slowed and Elsa swallowed back a guilty sigh. She shouldn't unload this burden onto her partner. She couldn't.

"Now don't go looking at me with that tone of face.." the blonde mustered in effortful jest, trying to divert the conversation before it became too heavy. She gave a wry smile with a halfhearted shrug, eyes filled with much held tiredness, before dropping the oceanic pools back down to her clasped hands once more.

There was a shuffle and when her navy eyes rose once more, she found that freckled face staring intently right back at her. "None of that matters now," said the redhead with earnest conviction, ignoring the attempted joke to lighten the moment. "I may never get what happened way back.. whenever," she said while swirling her hand in the air. "But I'm here now to help in any way I can, and I'm definitely here to stay. I can be your strength; remind you of what you're capable of, if that's what you need."

Elsa watched the girl carefully, trying to process what she was saying. And in a feeble moment, she let the words that she had been biting back for so long finally slip forth. "I don't want to burden you with my problems."

Eventually, after the admission sank in, the focused expression began to lighten to one more accustomed to the freshman. "I told you. I don't care about what you went through back then-well, I mean, I do care about that too. But I care more about the You right now, and I will do whatever it takes to make you see how amazing you are!" She couldn't help a small rouge from coloring her cheeks, freckles darkening in kind as she offered a shy grin to the taller girl across from her. "I mean, not like you could, nor have you ever been able to, get rid of me that easily."

That is very true, Elsa thought softly, warmly, while sending the flushed girl a reassuring smile. And I really don't want to either.

Her sapphire eyes fell back to the ergometer machine just behind Anna. The once wirring engine was now lifeless and silent; a deceitful illusion of what pain the equipment was capable of inducing to many an athlete. She internally shook her head. Today just.. wasn't your day. Tomorrow is a new day. The season is only just beginning. A new day. She always looked forward to a new day.

She felt an arm drape lazily around the small of her back, more than likely growing damp from the still freshly sweat soaked fabric of her shirt. But one glance at the bubbly face at her side and she knew Anna could care less about dirtying herself a little, as well as about giving into Elsa's troubling thoughts; confidence soley focused on embracing the positives in life. Oh, Anna was ever so positive.

As Anna lightly helped the fatigued woman to her wobbly feet, arm remaining in its place against the woman's back, Elsa was reminded of Flynn's wise words from just yesterday.

A person should aim to find the person who makes you a better person. Who brings out the best in you. That's what you should look for.

You really did find a person like that, too. Her thoughts synthesized Flynn's wise comment with words and actions exchanged between her and Anna today. Then she glanced down slightly toward the girl supporting her. A smile was plastered on that heart-shaped face, only growing brighter as the auburn haired girl looked up and met Elsa's eyes.

With a sweet smile in return to the happy one beside her, she maneuvered herself ever so gently to drape her cooling arm over the sweatshirt clad shoulders. The endearing embrace felt right, and her open gesture was further reinforced by the reciprocated actions. The shorter girl wasted no time in snuggling her head against the angular crook of her neck. Seriously, undeterred by the collection of residual sweat.

"Thank you for tonight.. It means so much," Elsa said honestly yet vaguely once more, unable to fully verbalize the entire encompassing meaning into any other utterance.

The ginger haired freshman laughed playfully. "Of course! It's always an honor to cox you."

Elsa faltered just before they parted to grab their jackets and belongings, about to symbolize the final closure for the evening's events. "That's not.. well, I mean.. yes, coxing. But.. It's not just that.."

Anna stepped back with a nod to pause the blonde's word fumbling, placing the same smile of reassurance upon her face just as she had done before. "Don't worry. I know what you mean." Ocean blue eyes met those complimentary sea green pools with an open exchange between the gazes. "Thank you for tonight, too."

Accepting of all things said and done. Patient for the unlocked secrets. Appreciating the difficult admissions and embracing all faults with nothing less than righteous vigor and pride. Gracious for the progressively developing trust; deeper than had ever been explored before. And just like that, as Elsa looked back to the welcoming windows into another's soul, her guarded and chilled heart seemed to begin to melt on the spot. A guaranteed truth was acquired that night, dispelling doubtful mirages trying to counteract what Elsa should have known all along.

You can't do it alone. Anna is your strength.

-End Chapter 24-

A.N. Long time between updates, but thank you for your continued support and patience. The 2K scene was pretty much a retake on chapter 11, if anyone remembers way back when. I really wanted to revisit the 2K again, since the moment in the Fall really signified a story changing section of Elsa's relationship with Anna, be it so subtle. Plus, who doesn't like to read about intense sweaty athletes passionately working together for a common goal?

I will say, the 'Elsa Arc' will have 4 more chapters and then we will go back to Anna's view. Anything from that point on in Elsa's perspective will be told in a memory/recounting sequence to Anna, as these chapters act to symbolize the now open exchange of information between the characters.

To the reviewers who anxiously await the return of Anna's POV, be careful what you wish for because drama is to come. Lastly, to other reviewers asking about whether Belle will be making an actual appearance at any point in the story, all I say is good things come to those who wait.

Thanks for reading!