PROLOGE

Kate had been beck in reality for almost 3 days now but they still didn't know what would happen to her. Mrs. McCredie had found Kate walking around the grounds the day they came back and thought she was trying to steal something or break in. She was about to call the police when Peter stopped her.

"There you are! We've been looking everywhere for you!" he said, but the worry in his smile was clear. He turned to Mrs. McCredie "The professor is looking for you...wanting to explain something or other..."

"I'll see him in just a minute but first I..." Peter stopped her. "He said it's urgent!" She looked at Kate and said "Stay here!"

"Oh wait!" Peter called "You had better tell him about...you know!" he said tilting his head in Kate's direction. She gave a stern nod and turned to walk towards the professor's office. Peter turned to her. "We've not even been her a day and you're already in trouble!" I smirked as he led me to where the others were. "You owe me!" he said passing Edmund as I sat beside him.

"Why?" he asked bemused but Peter shrugged. "Trust me, you owe me" he said sitting beside Susan. "So how's the story coming?" they shook their heads. Kate held Edmunds hand and he rubbed it with his thumb. "Don't worry! We'll think of something!" Every idea they came up with just didn't seem to work. The professor and the McCredie, as they referred to her, joined them in the study.

"Don't worry! Mrs. McCredie has agreed to go along with whatever we decide..."they all thanked her but they could see the scared, sceptical look in her eye. She wound often throw Kate a strange look which didn't go unnoticed. It wasn't until that night that the Professor had thought of something. He came into the study where they were all sitting.

"I have it!" he said. "I was just listening to the radio and a city in the south of London was bombed tonight...but I have family there, they are safe though" he said seeing their faces "But I can say that a niece of mine died and I took you in...If you want!" he finished. The others looked pleased with his idea so until Edmund and I could marry here I was Kate Kirke. Edmund wasn't happy about the name thing but knew it was necessary. Kate did however keep her rings on, as did he.

They all stayed in the professor's house for the next few months. The Pevensies did write to their mother all the time and it was Lucy who mentioned Kate first. She asked about her in her replies and although Kate never met her mother in law, Edmund and the others assured her she would love Kate when she met her. But the news they all wanted was the news that they dreaded coming and it came in May of the following year.

.

The Blitz was over and kids that were sent to the country were told it was safe to come home and as soon as she heard Mrs. Pevensie had written saying she wanted them home as soon as possible. Although excited to their mother they knew Kate was staying behind. Edmund was close to refusing to leave.

"Edmund..." She sighed the night before they were due to go home. "I don't want to leave you here" he said unpacking everything she did. "Edmund, remove one more thing from that case and you'll regret it" He slumped and went to sit in the chair in the corner. Once Kate finished packing she went over to him. He opened his arms and allowed her to sit on his lap.

"Please don't make this hard!" Kate whispered. She, as Narnian ambassador, had been away from him before but this felt different. He nodded and she put her head on his shoulder. He rubbed her back and said "No promises"

"I'll miss you..." Kate said and he nodded in agreement. Kate sighed and stood. She checked to make sure everything he needed for tomorrow was ready. His clothes for going back were hanging in the wardrobe and everything else was packed away by her as Edmund had refused to. He and Peter had had a fight about it the day before. It took everyone by surprise. He and Edmund had rarely ever fought in Narnia. Peter said that almost losing Edmund to the witch opened his eyes to what he had and he had to cherish it. But since returning he had changed. He was more easily irritated and always in a mood. He was still high King of Narnia but he seemed to be forgetting what that entailed.

Kate lifted the case from the bed and left the room to go and get ready in her own room. Once she was dressed for bed she said her goodnight to Edmund and returned to her room. At nearly 2 in the morning Edmund snuck in. "This isn't a good idea Ed!" she said as he pulled her to him.

"I don't care. If they're making me leave you tomorrow then I'm not wasting a moment of what I have left!"She giggled and turned to face him. She could see his silhouette and his eyes, looking at her like she was the only person on the planet that mattered. She kissed him once and buried herself in his chest. She had been dreading this day since she knew it was coming. One question burned at her and although it was silly and stupid she still had to ask.

"Ed?"

"Hmm"

"What if...you meet someone else?" She felt his tense slightly but continued "What if you don't want me anymore?" she asked. He pulled away from her.

"Do you think that's going to happen? Or that I'll forget you?" She nodded in the dark "See this is exactly why I don't want to go...Kate, I love you! You know that right?" Again she nodded. "So why are we having this conversation?" she laughed quietly to herself. "Thank you!" she whispered giving him a kiss. "You are one of a kind and all mine. I can never replace you. " and she fell asleep in Edmunds arms quietly dreading tomorrow.

.

The next day went by too quickly and soon it was time for the Pevensies to go. Kate had decided to not go to the station as it was too hard. Lucy held her for almost 5 minutes before Peter pulled her away. Susan took Lucy's place and held Kate too. She was crying slightly when she pulled back "We'll see you soon" she said and Kate nodded. Hopefully! She thought to herself. Now was Peter's turn and the High King Peter that was her brother she loved had made a welcome reappearance in that hug. Kate was crying now and she still hadn't said goodbye to Edmund yet. He had watched his siblings say their goodbyes to the love of his life and now he had to and he didn't know when he would see her again. Everyone was outside and only Kate and Edmund were left standing in the entrance.

Kate couldn't stop herself. She threw herself into his arms and held him with everything she had as did he. Teas came hot and heavy and Kate tried to stop them but failed miserably. They pulled back and he looked like a man on his way to the gallows. She wiped her eyes and tried to smile.

"Go, hurry you'll miss the train" pushing him lightly in the direction of the door. He turned and kissed her with everything he had. When they pulled apart he said "I love you Kate Pevensie"

"I love you too now go, GO" she pushed him to the door. He gave her one more kiss and left. She went and sat on the stairs until the professor came in and sat beside her.

"Don't worry my dear...it won't be long!" He said and she smiled. Looking at her wedding rings she smiled "I hope so!"