Author's Note: Hi everyone, and welcome to 'A Second Chance.' I hope you enjoy. Please review!

The young woman's heels clattered loudly on the cold grey floors of the station. She didn't have a moment to stop and apologise to the several people she had bumped as she had hastened to get off the train. She did not have time for being polite. Susan was very late for a very important meeting.

As she flicked her long, dark hair back over her shoulder, she took a moment to glance at her watch with an annoyed look. If only her mother hadn't been so observant as she was leaving the house to notice she wasn't wearing any makeup!

'Proper young ladies must present themselves in a manner which would please their Majesties, if they were to meet them on the street', she had mused, before huffing at the audible sigh her daughter had uttered. Mrs Pevensie had then continued on her most recent rant, insisting her eldest daughter accompany her to America in the summer. The speech had lasted several minutes, and had made Susan late for her favourite part of the week- lunch in the city with her older brother, Peter.

It had been six months since they had left their true home. Six months since they had walked through the magical hole in the tree. Six months of cold, grey England, and harsh unending reality. The four children seemed to have separated into two groups. Upon their return, Lucy and Edmund had maintained the hope that they would soon return to Narnia, and had launched themselves back into everyday life, blissfully aware that they could at any moment be whisked away to paradise.

Susan and Peter were the opposite. Aslan himself had decreed that they were no longer needed in Narnia, and that their time there was over. There had been a conversation between the two older children after the return to England, hidden away in the bomb shelter at the back of their Finchley home, full of Susan's tears and Peter's clenched jaw, where they promised each other that they would never forget, never stop believing, and be happy for their siblings when they heard of their adventures.

But this was more difficult than Susan had ever imagined. She would never forget, but believing was getting harder and harder. She always had his face in her mind, though. She wondered if he had changed. If he had grown his hair, or a beard, or even married. Time moved differently in Narnia, of course. He was probably even dead.

Caspian. His name lingered in her mind, and she again imagined him whispering it to her as he introduced himself. Susan shook her head to rid her mind of the thoughts. She took a few deep breaths as she walked briskly up the stairs and along the street to the café where she was to meet her brother.

Peter's blue eyes scanned the small room once again as he sipped his tea. He couldn't help it. Even six months later his mind was still in battle mode; always watching, always waiting for the enemy to strike. Not that there were any enemies in this small café.

Peter glanced at his watch again. Susan was late. He frowned slightly, imagining why. He hoped nothing had happened to her. As this thought left his mind, the bell at the door tinkled slightly as his sister entered. Every week they met she looked older, he mused. And more helpless. He stood quickly to hug her, and they took their seats.

"I'm so sorry that I'm late, Peter. Mum caught me on the way out." Susan grimaced. Peter knew that his mother had been trying to coerce his sister into traveling to America with her and their father. He did not want Susan to go. He had a feeling that if she left, she would really be gone.

"Is anything she says sinking in yet?" he asked, forcing a smile.

Susan rolled her eyes. "Still wants me to go to America, still wants me to dress better, fix my hair and makeup.."She sighed. "The problem is, I don't have you there as a buffer anymore."

Three months ago, Peter had escaped to the countryside, to stay with Professor Kirke at his manor. The Professor had taken a liking to the Pevensie children, and had convinced Peter to utilise his exorbant library in preparation for his university entry exams. Miserable as he was, Peter jumped at the chance to get out of the city. Ever since the Golden Age, he longed for green grass and fresh air. The Professor was an odd man, but he was a kindred spirit, and believed all of the children's stories in the past. When he had first arrived, Peter had shared the families latest Narnian adventure, which ended with a fit of anger on Peter's behalf when he began to question Aslan's decision.

Professor Kirke had sat patiently and listened carefully. He did not flinch when Peter kicked his chair across the room. He simply leant forward, looking down his nose, and told Peter he was going to help.

"Peter?"

Peter glanced up at his sister, realising he had been staring into space. "Sorry?"

Susan raised her eyebrows. "I was asking how the study has been this week."

"Alright."

"Just alright?"

"Studying is studying."

"Peter.."

"Susan."

The pair looked at eachother sadly. They both wanted nothing more then to reminisce, to talk about those days, the adventures they had had. But it hurt too much. So just like always, they changed the subject.

"How's Ed and Lucy?" Peter asked. Susan sipped her tea slowly before answering.

"They're still furious that they have to go stay at the Scrubb house from next week. They don't understand how much packing Mum has to do, and how having them home is more of a hindrance than anything."

"They must not be very happy with us."

Susan smiled sadly. "They understand we need to keep busy I think. Lucy just came and hugged me for about five minutes the other day." Her eyes filled with tears. "She doesn't understand."

Peter reached for his sisters hand. "How could they? We can't blame them."

They sat in silence for a moment before Peter cleared his throat and stood up. "Right, come on. Lets go for a walk. We don't have long before I have to meet the Professor to head back."

Susan stood gracefully, pushing her chair under the table. "He came into town?" she asked as they stepped out into the cold air.

Peter glanced both ways before he led the way across the street towards a nearby park. "He said he had an old friend to meet, and he would meet me later to head back together."

The pair followed an old cobbled path through the park. The trees, although the weather was crisp, were covered in flowers. Somehow, compared to the colours of Narnia, English trees seemed dull and unappealing. The pair wandered for a short while, making small talk, before heading back towards the train station. After waiting for half an hour, Peter glanced at his sister.

"Su, why don't you just go? Who knows what he's-' A loud horn tooted from across the street, where a car sat with the elderly Professor waving in the front seat.

"Peter! Susan! Come quickly now!" he called. The siblings looked at eachother before crossing the street.

"You must get in, the both of you." The Professor gasped. Peter shook his head, looking at his sister.

"I'm sorry Professor, but Susan must catch her train.." Susan smiled politely.

The Professor smiled. "Oh, I rather think you will want to come back to the manor with us, Miss Pevensie. I have discovered something, you see."

Susan smiled politely, before saying "I really am sorry, Professor, but Peter is right. I must get home. Mum is waiting, and I must make Edmund and Lucy dinner before-"

The Professor chuckled before climbing out of the car, and holding the door open.

"My dear children, I am afraid I must insist. I need assistance with a small matter." Peter frowned, staring at the Professor incredulously before the old man continued, "You see, its just a small matter indeed. It seems an entire wood has appeared at the back of one of my wardrobes."

I hope you enjoyed the first chapter! Please review!