Disclaimer: I am a broke college student who does not own a house, a unicorn, or these characters.

"And then she said that it was a family heirloom. Can you believe her? As if I don't know paste from real diamonds when I see them" Mary sniffed, turning her nose up in the air.

"Mm," Susan made a noncommittal noise in the back of her throat.

"Are you even listening, Su?"

"Of course I am," Susan said irritably, even as she scanned the crowd for signs of Jack. He had promised to return with her coat.

"Let me see your ring again" Mary begged.

Susan held her hand out to the girl beside her, praying Jack would return quickly. The diamond caught the light of a nearby table, reflecting brilliantly for a second before becoming dull once again. Everything was dull nowadays, even the parties that had once been such fun to attend. Beside her, Mary sighed.

"It's lovely. Have you decided on a day yet?"

Finally turning her attention to the younger girl, Susan laughed.

"No, I haven't. I'm only twenty two, there will be plenty of time before we have to decide"

"Oh of course," Mary nodded solemnly, "It must be difficult for you"

Susan narrowed her eyes, "What do you mean?"

Seeing Susan's anger, Mary tried to backtrack quickly, "Well what I meant to say is that, Jack's family is lovely but it's obviously no comparison to your own"

Her patience running thin, Susan stood angrily. It had been two years but any mention of her family still brought a hard lump to her throat. Trying to compose herself, she mustered enough control to smile thinly at Mary before excusing herself, only to turn and run right into Jack.

"Where are you off to in such a hurry?" he joked, wrapping her coat around her.

Susan relaxed marginally before linking her arm through his, "I was about to send a search party for you."

Jack laughed, his eyes crinkling at the corners. The light reflected the silver hair at his temples. "Oh Su, sometimes I think you must be older than I am with all the worrying you do. I'm sorry I took so long dear" he said before kissing her cheek.

"Goodnight Mary" Susan said, leading Jack out the door. The two of them left Mary by herself on the seat in the corner, watching them wistfully.

XXXXXXXXXXXX

"Susan"

"Susan"

"Su-"

Susan woke sharply as she felt someone pinch her. Turning, she found Jack on his side, snoring quietly. She felt a sudden sense of urgency. Perhaps she had left the door unlocked. Climbing out from under the sheets, Susan crept quietly through the house to check the front door. It was locked. Grumbling at her own stupidity she made her way back to bed before she stopped short in front of the fireplace. On the mantle was a lion figurine that looked incredibly realistic.

When had Jack gotten this, and why hadn't he told her?

Something about the lion was familiar to her. She half expected it to step off the mantle and speak to her, but that was ridiculous. It was just her mind playing tricks on her so late at night. Shaking her head and feeling rather foolish for having climbed out of bed in the middle of the night she padded back toward bed. Just as she pulled the sheets over herself once more and was ready to close her eyes and let sleep claim her, Susan was sure she heard someone calling her name. She was sure it was Peter's voice. But that was impossible.