Hi! I'm so sorry for the delay, school got a little intensive lately.

I want to apologize for the amount of typos last chapter, it's just that when I proofread I tend to skip some paragraphs, I mean, I've practically memorized this story. And I apologize for writing they were going back to London, when they're actually going back to Finchley. I guess I'm just too used to writing London in my Sherlock Holmes stories.

edit: because of a serious writer's block and the fact that this has been on hiatus for almost a year, I have decided to leave it off a three-shot. If ever I come up with more, I'll write a sequel, but for the mean time this it, I'm deeply sorry folks, and I'm forever grateful for the wonderful feedback I've gotten from you all, you are the best.

The passing country side was somewhat reassuring. Susan sat by the window, her head leaned against Edmund's shoulder, her eyes narrowed. Everyone had the delicacy not to say anything about how bloodshot they were.

The Pevensie children hardly spoke during the trip, admitting only to themselves that maybe, it was possible for them to have spent too much time together. It was the second time they grew up, but instead of growing closer they were growing apart.

And it was all because of one particular issue.

Back in the Golden Age, Peter and Edmund had made it a hobby to chase away their sister's suitors, and it was quite a hilarious spectacle for Susan and Lucy. Now, in the 1930s, if a boy stared at Lucy and Peter or Edmund glared at him, Lucy would pout and give them the cold shoulder for at least a week.

In the Golden Age, if Peter or Edmund fancied a girl (which didn't happen too often), Lucy and Susan would tease them to no end, knowing neither of them would have the courage to ask their hand in marriage. In the 1930s, if Peter or Edmund fancied a girl, Lucy and Susan needed to have an audience with her as soon as possible in order to determine whether she'd make a good wife or not.

No girl had met their standards to date, and it got them involved in quite a few arguments, with the boys protesting about how they were free to like whichever girl they wanted to like, and then Lucy retorting that she would stop judging their girlfriends when they let her be fancied by a boy.

No good ever came out of those arguments, and they were starting to put a strain in their relationship.

Susan, who for the most part stayed out of it, watched helplessly and wondered what had gone wrong. They had done this the right way once, why couldn't they repeat the process without destroying their bonds? She guessed it was England's fault. Their convivial always seemed to be messed up in this world.

One more reason to miss Narnia.

"When we get back, I'm locking you inside your room so you don't join the army," Susan whispered to Edmund.

"I'll be more than happy to help you with that," Peter answered. Edmund rolled his eyes, leaning his head back to try and get some sleep.

"Think of it this way, Ed: Susan and Peter are out for most of the day, do you really want me to stay alone in the house? What if I meet a boy? Who will keep him from sneaking into my room at night?"

"Lucy!" Peter scolded. She was becoming a little too liberal for his liking.

"What you don't know, dear sister, is that before I leave, I'm going to make sure every boy in town knows what will happen to them if they come near you."

"And I'll be more than happy to help you with that," Peter repeated.

It was Lucy's turn to roll her eyes. She liked it better when Susan was the overprotected one. Too bad she no longer had anyone to be "protected" from.

Susan, from her place under Edmund's arm, smiled. They might be moving on with their lives as young adults, but they would always be there for each other, no matter how infuriating any of them could be. Peter had a lop-sided smirk of satisfaction on his face as he brought an arm around Lucy's shoulder, and without relinquishing her pout, Lucy leaned into him.

In that moment, Susan knew they would be alright, for some things never changed.

"Hello, your majesties." The great Lion bowed his head low, his honey eyes revealing all the compassion he felt for Prince Rillian, who would be the most distraught by this unfortunate situation. His gaze then fell on Lilliandil, who had been silently marveling at His magnificence.

"I lament that it is under despairing circumstances that we meet again." Caspian smiled to himself, fighting the urge to roll his eyes. He should really be more sensitive, this was a very sad occasion for everyone else, but he couldn't really be sad, he had been longing for the peace this would bring him. If only his dear ones could understand that, perhaps they wouldn't see it as a tragedy, but as a moment to be celebrated. "But I'm afraid it is time to say your goodbyes. I am here to take Caspian to a better place."

Rillian launched forwards and hugged his father as tightly as he could without crushing his bones. Caspian chuckled and patted his back affectionately; When Rillian released him, Lilliandil went to his side and took his hand in both of hers.

"I'd like to see you young again," Caspian said and Lilliandil smiled, closing her eyes. Her skin rejuvenated, her hair became golden again and the wrinkles around her eyes vanished. You could tell apart every little stage of the process, and it was like watching time being turned back. Caspian beamed at the sight, feeling himself grow younger as well. "Be happy..." he whispered, squeezing her hand with all the strength left in his old body.

They abandoned the room, and Caspian felt the smallest déjà vu as his hand stretched out toward them. A sudden wave of sadness overtook him, and he understood that even if his death would mean having some much craved peace of mind, he wasn't exactly content with the concept of not seeing his wife and son again.

"We all will end up in the same place," Aslan whispered, seemingly reading his thoughts. His perceptiveness was something Caspian had grown used to.

"I wouldn't like to get my hopes up, but are you here to take me to your country?"

"No, Caspian, an even better place awaits you."

Caspian frowned. "I'm not sure I can imagine a better place than your country."

"The years have strained your ability to hope for what your heart truly desires, Caspian, and I am most saddened by this. However, whether you can imagine it or not does not change your destination." Aslan explained, and after getting only a clueless look for response, He continued. "You are not going to die today, Caspian."

Caspian couldn't tell whether he felt relieved or afflicted or just plainly annoyed by this knowledge. For the millionth time in the span of a month he asked himself: What else is there left for me to do?. "Then where am I going?" he said carefully, his voice weaker than a mouse's, his spirit crushed once again.

"I think it is most obvious, my boy," Aslan smiled, some amusement fighting it's way into his eyes.

"I stopped being a boy a very long time ago..." Caspian whispered with a pang of bitterness. Aslan brushed it off, knowing full well this side of the King was being brought out by a momentary deception, one that He was about to fix.

"You had a mission in this world, and you have successfully fulfilled it. You have restored the peace amongst Narnia and you have raised a great young man to continue your work. Now," he made what could be referred to as a dramatic pause, walking painfully slow towards the worn out king and nudging his arm with His nose, urging him to stand. "You are needed somewhere else."

Caspian nodded, biting his lips to keep himself from complaining. He couldn't start whining about his prolonged future, that would be utterly childish from a 57-year-old man. He straightened up and pushed himself off the bed, which was no easy task, for his weak legs always threatened to buckle. "Where am I needed? What am I needed for?" he simply asked, swallowing back the slight rage that had begun to gather inside him.

"You will not save a kingdom, and you will not defeat an evil force, if that is what you are fearing." Aslan waited until Caspian's footing was stable and motioned for him to follow. "You are needed for a far nobler purpose where you are going."

This brought Caspian no reassurance at all. "And that purpose would be?"

"Loving somebody."

At this, Caspian stopped short (not that he'd been walking that fast anyways), feeling the slight pang of what moments ago he would've hoped to be a heart attack. Ironically enough, he now silently prayed to the great Lion standing beside him that he wouldn't die after all. Aslan stared at him patiently, kindly, waiting for the weight of the news to settle.

Caspian didn't need to ask what he meant, or who he meant. However, he did need to ask why.

"I thought..."

"That she wasn't meant to be yours?"

He nodded, somewhat ashamed, because after all, he was a married man, and it couldn't be a good thing to not only love, but physically desire, a woman who wasn't his wife. Caspian wondered briefly, without ever letting the actual memories wring his heart, whether or not Aslan knew of what had happened so many years ago in that same room.

Caspian hoped he was too old to blush.

"In this life, in this world, she wasn't." Aslan admitted, and the admission sounded somewhat like an apology, for the many years of despair this fate had caused the poor man in front of Him. "But, just as she had a lot to learn from this world, you have a lot to learn from hers." Caspian just looked at Him through watery eyes, conveying all the gratitude he couldn't capture in words.

"I don't deserve this" was all he could utter. Aslan chuckled.

"Oh, that you do, Caspian. You have lived your life for others, for your people, for your responsibilities, never once making a choice that was truly meant to make you happy. It is now high time for you to live a life for yourself, for your convictions, for your desires."

Caspian was breathing fast, and he felt a little faint, and just then he remembered the crumpled state of his body.

"But I am too old, and honestly, too tired. Besides, I can't have that much left..." Aslan shook his head, his mane flowing graciously without Him even noticing.

"No, you shall return to her the same age you were when she left this world, for we both know your own life and youth followed right after her."

This was all too much for him. He wasn't sure he could stomach it, the sudden wave of hope, the overwhelming joy streaming from hell-knows-where within him. The emotions where too strong, and they were draining him, but in a good way.

Staggeringly, Caspian was led by Aslan to (quite meaningfully) the southern wall of the room, and once he stood mere inches away, facing it, Aslan said in that strong but strangely calming voice of his: "All you have to do now is say her name."

His eyelids fell shut, his tongue tying in refusal. He feared the pain those two syllables would bring. But it was a lot easier than he thought, his heart had been begging for permission for over 30 years, and as he exhaled, her name mingled effortlessly with the rush of air. "Susan." It was so soft and faint, barely above a lonely whisper.

But his breath -having acquired a smoke-like quality- washed over the stone wall, sliding through the spaces between the bricks like some type of silvery paint, forming the outline of an oval that reached the floor. Caspian watched, amazed like he hadn't been in so long, as he was presented with a sight he never in his wildest dreams could've imagined.

"You must remember that this place is unlike anything you have ever seen. Do not take any course of action, just wait. They will meet you there."

Caspian felt himself nod, unable to take his eyes off that strange place across the wall, fearing it might disappear if he turned away.

"Good luck, Caspian, may you have a splendid lifetime in your new home."

Home. He was finally going home.

With that most joyous thought, he stepped through the portal without glancing back.

The Lion watched silently as the wall recovered its brick pattern, then he stepped out to the balcony and roared, letting the kingdom know that their king was gone.

After giving it a lot of thought, and exploring the place as much as he could without wondering too far from where the portal had been, Caspian came to the conclusion that the place had to be some sort of cave.

And giving it some more thought, he figured it was much too perfectly carved to be a natural cave.

Caspian sat on a bench beside the long gone portal and remembered Aslan's instruction. He was supposed to wait.

The cave was lighted by little torches concealed inside tiny glass spheres, hanging upside-down from the ceiling. The light they shed was white and brilliant like a cloudless midday sky, leaving him to wonder what time of day it was outside. Behind him, the yellow wall read the word "Strand" in dark blue letters, he had no clue as to what such a simple word was doing in this majestic cave, but he figured it had to be important since it occupied a great deal of space.

In front of him, there was a ditch, more than half the width of the cave, and down the ditch he could see some metal straps.

Heaving a sigh, he brought his hand to rub his face. It was then that he noticed how smooth his skin was, and after examining his wrinkle-free hands for a moment he remembered that he was indeed supposed to be younger. He felt silly, being so disoriented by things he already knew to expect. He could only wonder how much of a fool he would make of himself trying to adapt to this place.

The fabric around his wrists caught his attention, and for the first time, he took a look at his attire. He was wearing a very strange shirt that practically choked him, with cuffs that didn't leave much movement to his arms and an even stranger vest made of an itchy fabric. This made him realize that the temperature was much colder than it had been in Narnia, and that the vest, though slightly ridiculous, was quite useful. He too felt strange in the long trousers he was wearing, and the strange boots that didn't even reach his ankle.

Underneath the mutilated boots, a most fascinating fabric covered his feet, keeping them from the cold that the rest of the shoe was doing nothing about.

Caspian marveled at the loneliness of his surroundings, finding relief in seeing proof that the place wasn't actually abandoned, just currently empty. He waited for what seemed like ages, and somehow, he was patient and collected the whole time. He had found his faith in Aslan again.

Eventually, a new sound disturbed the perfect silence, and a light adverted Caspian that the ditch kept going long after the cave ended. The ear-piercing noise neared and Caspian rose from his seat, his hand instinctively going to his waist, where his sword was supposed to be. But of course, he should've known he wouldn't have a sword in this world, after all, even Peter had had to leave his behind.

Out of the darkness came the most terrifying creature Caspian had ever seen: an enormous, thick, never-ending snake made of metal.

It came to a full stop once inside the cave, and Caspian took several steps back, unsure of whether the creature was readying to attack him. But then the side of the snake, quite bizarrely, opened, and out of the strange mouths came people, who didn't seem at all distressed to have been trapped inside a hideous monster.

Caspian stood in there in shock, trying to go unnoticed just in case these people weren't good intentioned, and slightly fearing someone might force him inside that... thing.

The former prisoners streamed out, most walking straight towards a set of stairs that, Caspian assumed, were the way out, some of them lingered, giving him weird looks, but eventually the crowd dissipated and Caspian was left alone in the cave again.

"Will you please hurry? I want to go home!" came a soft whining from within the now quiescent snake.

"You were the one who wanted to wait for everyone to get off," was the response.

"Because I don't like the crowd," explained the first voice.

Caspian smiled. He knew those voices. His breathing sped up again and he brushed his slightly sweaty hands against the fabric of his trousers. It had been so long since his hands had sweated in nervousness.

"Quit bickering, it's too bloody late and I'm tired, we'll get home when we have to get home," the blond king of Narnia scolded, stepping out of the creature and into the cave, two suitcases in each hand. He was much taller than Caspian remembered.

Behind him, Edmund the Just stuck his tongue out at Lucy the Valiant, and Lucy the Valiant crossed her arms around her chest.

Caspian felt himself in the brim of tears.

"Edmund, instead of getting on our sister's nerves you should be-" Peter stopped abruptly, his eyes finally landing on Caspian, who couldn't be more than six feet away from him. The suitcases fell from his grip, two of them also falling open and spilling their contents all over the floor. Peter didn't notice. Edmund and Lucy teased him, kneeling to collect their belongings and stuffing them back into the suitcases. That was until they decided to look over at what Peter was staring at, and they too were frozen.

There was pregnant silence, none of the royals showing a reaction.

"What are you doing there standing in the middle of the station? Get moving!"

Caspian's heart gave leap, then picked up with a rhythm so fast he though it might gallop right out of his chest.

Lucy turned her head to her sister, expectantly. Susan caught this look but didn't know what to make of it, since her brothers were blocking the view. Lucy laid her hand on Peter's arm, and when she got his attention she nodded her head to the side, towards Susan. Peter returned his gaze to Caspian as he stepped aside.

There she stood, in all her glory. The girl he had known not to miss, not to love, and yet he had loved her so. She was just as he remembered her, if not embellished by how real she was, by the fact that she was actually there, just a few steps away from him. He had been wondering whether he would still love her, after so long a time, after so painful an absence. He had almost feared he would feel empty, indifferent, bitter even.

But he felt it all over again. That sick adoration for every aspect of her being.

He felt it, in fact, a little too much. His head was swimming and his knees threatened to give out under him. Edmund noticed he was shaking, and instinctively took a step closer in case Caspian collapsed on the floor.

Meanwhile, Susan stared back, strangely calm. Some part of her reckoned that she was supposed to be surprised, but somehow, she always knew deep within her soul that this moment would come, she might've lost faith a few times, but she always recovered. And now that it was actually happening, she was just so relieved, that she contented herself with staring at him. Her Caspian, just the one she remembered.

"What are you doing here?" Peter finally asked, it came out a little rough and made it sound like his presence was undesired, but Caspian didn't seem to be listening. In fact, he didn't seem to be there at all.

"Aslan must've sent him!" Lucy whispered, still awestruck, and Edmund nodded. Peter wasn't listening either. He was more engrossed by the growing tension between his sister and the Telmarine.

"Caspian, how did you get here? Is everything alright in Narnia?" The shock was starting to wear off, and Edmund was starting to feel gleeful. He had often found himself praying for Aslan to give them another chance to go back, all of them, partially because he couldn't stand the way Susan missed him, but even if Susan hadn't been involved, Edmund would've still missed Caspian greatly. Over the time they spent together in The Dawn Treader, he had become his best friend, and even though he'd never voice it, he felt Caspian to be more of a brother to him than Peter.

Right now, though, his best friend wasn't acknowledging his presence. Ok, I get that he missed her more than any of us, but this is just ridiculous. Edmund thought to himself.

"Caspian?" Lucy insisted, stepping closer to him and pulling at his arm. Caspian stayed put, not even casting her a side glance. "Sue?" No response out of her either.

"Ok, here's what we're going to do:" Peter sighed, resuming his leader instincts. "We'll ask you a question, you shake your head if the answer is no, you nod if the answer is yes. Is that clear enough?"

Surprisingly, they got a nod out of him. Well, a half nod that would've gone unnoticed had they not been looking for it.

"Is there war in Narnia?"

Caspian shook his head. Again, so slightly that if they'd blinked, they would've missed it.

"Is there a danger in our own world you're here to warn us about."

Another shake.

These questions were useless, Lucy thought, deciding to step in. "Are you here to stay?" she asked hopefully. The beginnings of a smile showed in his lips as he nodded a little more intently. Susan's eyes lighted up and she stepped forward, making Caspian take a sharp breath in, his whole body leaning towards her.

The three remaining siblings watched expectantly, hoping they would just get it over and done with.

The couple-to-be didn't make any other moves, neither of them was ready to. Neither could believe the other one was there, and they both wanted to savour the sweetness of this moment, to prolong it for as long as possible.

"But what are we going to do with him? We can't just leave him here!" The siblings bickered.

"Says who?" Peter muttered under his breath. Edmund rolled his eyes.

"We can sneak him into the house!" Lucy chirped, jumping a little at the excitement the idea of a secret operation brought her.

Edmund and Peter, though, seeing the look on both Caspian and Susan's faces, had to shake their heads vigorously. They were not having him in the same house as their sister. Especially not overnight.

"Oh, come on! Don't be like that! He can stay in your room, you can even lock up the door or stay up all night, I'm sure Caspian isn't so desperate to-"

"Lucy, don't you dare finish that sentence!" Peter growled.

"Ok, I won't say it, but you got the message. You should really give Caspian some of your trust."

Peter and Edmund didn't have time to consider the wisdom in their sister's words, for in that moment, the subject of the conversation -who had been standing motionlessly in front of their other sister for what seemed like an eternity- snapped out of his trance and, taking two big strides forward, crashed his lips against Susan's, his arms instantly finding the dents in her body where they belonged. Susan's own arms were thrown around him too, her hands threading through his hair expertly.

It was a good thing the train station was deserted, it wasn't a view meant for public display.

Edmund made involuntary gagging sounds in the back of his throat, while Peter's face grew red with anger and his hands balled into fists. Lucy limited herself to smiling a huge smile and crossing her arms over her chest in approval.

Peter cleared his throat and made his decision. Caspian was not staying with them.

The sound brought them back to reality, well... enough at least to stop kissing. But other than that, they were just so completely immersed in one another.

His hand rested at her waist, while he slowly, hesitant that she might disappear, caressed the soft skin of her cheek with the other one. Susan's face scrunched up in utter delight, her eyes shut tightly as a few tears ran down her face. Caspian wiped them with his rough thumb, but they kept coming. This caused Caspian's heart to shatter, even though he knew she wasn't weeping out of sadness, but joy. He could feel tears of his own prickle in his eyes as he leaned in and kissed every inch of her face.

Susan sobbed, and he had to use all his will power not to do so too.

Peter, Edmund and Lucy were beyond trying to comprehend the scene, and contented themselves with looking around awkwardly until the reunion was done.

It took nearly a half an hour, during which Susan stood tightly enveloped in Caspian's arms, for Peter to clear his throat again and bring them back to reality.

"We know you missed each other, but really, guys, it's 9:30, we have to get home." Strangely, he didn't sound angry nor demanding, he just sounded awkward. And shy. Very, very shy.

Susan bit her lips to avoid smiling, but it didn't really work. Caspian reluctantly pulled away from her, and spoke his first words.

"I'm sorry" he said lamely, involuntarily sniffing and wiping his eyes. He looked quite pathetic, with his eyes bloodshot and his hair disheveled, but he looked happy.

"That's alright," Edmund replied, "But now that you're done sucking my sister's face, don't you think you owe us a hug too?" Susan went redder than they'd seen her in a long time, and Caspian pressed his lips together not to start crying again.

God, he had missed them so much... Their teasing, their bickering, their closeness.

He silently spread his arms and crushed his best friend into a tight hug, which was eagerly returned. Lucy joined in by hugging Caspian's side, and he draped an arm around her too, burying his face in her shoulder to wipe off some of the returning moisture in his eyes, knowing full well she would keep it as their secret. "Thank you" he whispered before pulling away.

The next in line was Peter, who was holding his hand out for him to shake. There was never any real closeness between them, the little time they spent together they spent it arguing, and going at each other's throats. Peter really couldn't ask for the same warm meeting his siblings were getting.

Caspian, however, had different plans. Rejecting the offered hand, Caspian hugged Peter, which was a shocker for most.

In Caspian's book, there was nothing to forgive. Peter was just being the great King, leader, but most importantly, big brother that he was, and Caspian respected him for it. And since he would be spending another lifetime with them, they might as well start getting along.

Peter was stunned, but hugged him back. Not for long, of course, it got awkward after the first ten seconds.

After the other members of his family (and his heart had yet to stop skipping a beat at the thought) were properly greeted, he couldn't help walking back to Susan and slipping his hand into hers. She smiled up at him, for some reason still frowning a little.

"I lo-" he was about to confess, before being cut off by Edmund.

"Ok, ok, we've seen enough, let's just go home, you two can resume your happy reunion later."

Peter's expression was priceless. "I think what Edmund meant to say was tomorrow, when you see each other again."

Susan blushed madly again, not having taken Edmund's sentence that way.

"Peter, please relax, that vein in your forehead might pop any second now. Nobody thought of it that way, you should really stop thinking about Susan and Caspian having sex all the time." The collective, uncomfortable coughing commenced immediately. When had Lucy's comments become so blunt? "What? I mean, we all know it's going to happen some day-"

"Lucy!" Susan and Peter yelled. Caspian just looked around awkwardly, trying not to let his blush give away the truth.

"Peter, Lucy, you're both exaggerating. Caspian just came back... or for the first time... whatever, the point is, he just got here. We have plenty of time to worry about his future with our sister. Let's just go home and interrogate him about Narnia."

"I agree with Edmund." Caspian said, desperate to draw the attention away from that subject.

"What makes you think you're coming with us?" Peter snapped. He really didn't mean to, he wanted to become friends with Caspian, truly, but the tension from the previous argument and his overall tiredness were interfering with his objectivity.

"Oh, quit it, Peter, of course he's coming with us," Lucy said, taking Caspian's free hand and leading him (and consequently Susan) to the exit of the station, and into a whole new adventure.

maybe maybe someday a sequel will be written...