Title: Because Peter Said So Again
Author: Rolletti
This story takes place five years after the monarch returned from Narnia

Ages: Peter 18. Susan: 17, Edmund 15, Lucy 13

I saw this disclaimer on someone's story and thought it a good idea to put on my own: I've read so much that I hope I didn't steal something from someone's story, if I did please accept my apology.

No Slash What So Ever

Disclaimer: Yep, I do not own any part of C.S. Lewis' works, and I'm still regrettably poor.

Chapter 1

The overdue family vacation had been underway for the past hour for the Pevensie family. Henry checked and rechecked the automobile; the tank was full of petroleum, the spare tire was secured, and enough lubrication was filled to keep all parts moving. Despite Peter throwing his weight around, literally, out of concern for his brother's health, the morning activities went quite well.

Although the children gathered their belongings in excitement, they all had a disquieting look about them after Lucy's nightmare. Henry noticed, whether consciously or subconsciously, Susan was touched by each of her siblings in passing. Henry was determined to rid them of their distress with a trip to the seaside. The whole family could use it.

"Buuurrrp"

"Ewwww," everyone chorused in the back seat of the car. Peter, Susan and Lucy looked at Edmund with disgust written across their faces.

"It's not my fault! It's that vile medicine Peter forced down my throat," said Edmund with a vengeful smirk as he turned to look out the window.

"Edmund, that's disgusting," said Susan as she smacked his shoulder. The regurgitated smell of aged licorice prompted Susan to lean across Edmund to roll down the window, just enough to get some fresh air, despite the drizzle.

"What are you doing? I'll get wet!"

"Serves you right," then she whispered with a smirk of her own, "I saw Peter pack the elixir, you know what that means."

Horrified, Edmund swallowed the bitterness of revenge as he felt Peter's grin burning at the back of his head. The window was immediately rolled back in place as he heard a smothered giggle from Lucy. Edmund decided it would be best to study the suddenly fascinating scenery than to give satisfaction to his siblings who no doubt was still grinning at him. Instead, he watched the world leisurely unfold as they drove past. Earlier, he considered all routes to their destination with his father as they studied the map. It was his way of easing his father's pain of his family standing.

"Lucy, what is it?" asked Susan concerned.

"I have an itch on my back, but I can't reach it."

"Here, turn around," offered Susan.

Barely containing her smile, Lucy faced Peter as her sister scratched her back. She tried her best to look as innocent as possible under the All Seeing Eye of her eldest brother, but it didn't work. The slight quirk of his right brow meant he was wise to her mischief. She wanted to tell him she was only entertaining herself because she was bored, but knowing Peter, he knew it before she did.

The scenery began to look the same as they passed through towns proudly displaying "Unique" or "World's Greatest" establishments. They also looked the same. Evidence of the war was another common sight from town to town, as she saw the world pass by. There was simply nothing to do, and her toes wanted to be free from their confinement.

"Better? Alright, now sit still and watch the scenery," said Susan as she shared a smile with Peter before she returned to her reading.

As he looked in the rear view mirror, Henry regarded his eldest. Peter had a look about him. It was subtle, but he knew something. Looking to Susan, Edmund, and Lucy for clues was not helpful. Henry began to see Peter in a different light that morning. He was still confused, still hurt, but a sort of understanding made the process bearable.

Peter looked up as he felt eyes on him, and shared a smile with his dad.

"You're going to develop a headache you know," said Lucy teasing.

"I'm alright, Lu," said Susan distracted.

Lucy drummed her little fingers on her knees as she sighed.

"Lucy, Sweetheart, you refused to sit up front, so could you please stop fidgeting? There's hardly any room as it is," said Susan as gently as possible.

"I can't help it."

"Su," said Edmund coming to the rescue.

"Would you like to switch places, Ed?" Susan smiled forcefully.

With another quick glance at the review mirror, Henry knew Peter expected this. He didn't know how, he just knew. He couldn't quite put his finger on it, but he had the look of someone, a parent, with years of experience.

"Hullo? How did this get here? Someone put a bag of chocolates in my pocket?" smirked Peter.

"," spoke the three youngest Pevensies as Peter held the bag out of reach with a grin.

After sometime, Peter successfully put out a fire before it began, and he and his dad shared another secret smile.

"We know your tricks, Peter Pevensie," said Susan as all three looked at him while chewing, sucking and licking.

"You always have a special treat for us when we travel," giggle Lucy.

"Really, where have you traveled? I thought this was the first vacation since I went off to war?"

Lucy eyes widened with the slip as the silver tongue Edmund answered, "She's referring to our trip to and from the country, dad," all four smiled at the rear view mirror.

Henry nodded somewhat reluctantly, and returned to driving as the three youngest Pevensies held their hands out for more.

Peter ignored them.

"Really Peter, don't be so…" said Susan.

"Well behave yourselves, all three of you. At your ages, you should know better," said Peter quirking his brow. The girl's cheeks turned pink, as Edmund avoided eye contact.

Out of chocolates and ideas for any further games that could possibly be played in a car with very little elbow room, Peter leaned forward and whispered in his father's ear, "Dad, would you mind stopping at that park up ahead? Maybe we can have our lunch there, and give Lucy a chance to expel some of her energy."

"Yes, I don't see why not. What do think, Helen, a nice picnic in the park?" asked Henry, lifting his wife's hand to his lips.

"Yes, that would be lovely now that the sun's out," Helen smiled lovingly. Her eyes were bright with the joy of having her family together on an outing, an actual vacation. She felt like a school girl suppressing the giddiness that wanted to escape.

"Lucy, please stop fidgeting," Susan pleaded.

NnNnNnNn

On the road again, Susan looked at Peter with a smile and mouthed, "Cunning," as she smoothed the hair of her sleeping sister. Even as an adult Lucy's energy never failed. Besides the sun, Queen Lucy was the purest form of energy in the land of Narnia. Her siblings were constantly thinking of new ways to contain her, for their and the royal court sake.

"About another hour, dad?" asked Edmund.

"Yes, the cabin should be ready when we get there. I hope we don't see any more rain this afternoon. I'd like to go swimming when we get there," Henry lifted Helen's hand toward his lips again and said, "It will be like old times, aye? Remember that summer…" he whispered.

"Henry!" shushed Helen as she quickly glanced at the children in embarrassment.

"You're beautiful when you blush. Come over here," he said as he assisted his wife, followed by a chaste kiss on her cheek that drew out a giggle.

"This is going to be a very long hour," whispered Edmund, crinkling his nose.

A/N I've had this story on my computer ever since I wrote the first story, and decided to finish it. Yayness