Hello, guys! How you doin? I want to apologize for the previous crappy chapter but i ran out of inspiration. I hope I'll make it up to you with this one! Actually i like this chapter but forgive me for making Susan a little bitchy. I just had to make this story a little more spicy that's all!

P.S. I thank my two faithful reviewers bluemermaid180592 and alcatluvr13! Honestly guys, right now you're my two favortie people on earth :D


I hope you enjoy this chapter! Love, Kate (:

Chapter 25

"Good morning!"

"A good morning to you too, Lu! I see you recovered!"

Peter opened his arms to his sister who was running towards him like a five-year-old. He lifted her and twirled her in the air, causing Lucy giggle joyfully, and then he sat comfortably in his chair with her on his lap.

"It feels so good to have you back! You have no idea how worried you got me yesterday."

"Actually I do! And I'm sorry. It's just… all these memories filled my head.. it was just too much for me to handle. And then you read the letter and even though I don't know her, I felt as if a part of me was missing…" her sweet, childish face turned serious as she remembered those painful feelings she experienced the day before.

"Me too, little one. But it is no use being sad.. I thought of it on our way here. Mum said we'll meet in Aslan's Country and we both know she's right. And after all, we must be happy for her! She's in a better place!" the High King encouraged his little sister whose smile grew bigger and bigger at his every word.

"Oh, my… Fresh air *is* good for you! We should go for rides more often!" she teased him.

"Oh, sure.. and since you are fully yourself we could..huh.. you know…" his voice was serious but Lucy knew him better than that.

She slowly stood on her feet, walking backwards cautiously waiting for her brother's next move.

"You know, Lu… " his voice trailed off and gave the girl a wicked look before jumping off his chair and chasing the little Queen.

Lucy cried an excited scream and ran to the door. He chased her all around the castle until they reached the upper floor where their Royal Chambers were. He almost caught her several times but Lucy as the youngest and slender of the family, she was quicker and was able to escape him. Each time he extended his arm towards her, she screamed in genuine happiness. This actually caused…

"What the hell is going on?" Edmund's annoyed voice roared through his bedroom door.

Lucy startled stopped dead on her tracks, which made Peter ran into her causing them both to fall flat on their faces. Their amused laughs showed they weren't hurt at all. In fact, once Peter managed to calm down a bit, he grabbed Lucy in his strong arms and started pinching and tickling her.

"This is for making me look like a total moron before my subjects!"

"Pete, you'll never learn will you?" Edmund appeared in his door with tussled hair and red, puffy cheeks and eyes.

"Learn what, Sleeping Beauty?" he asked teasingly still having Lucy in his arms.

"You don't look like a moron. You *are* a moron!"

Peter looked threateningly at his brother who laughed deviously at him. He let go of his sister, who let a relieved sigh before rubbing her stomach, and stood up without breaking eye contact with Edmund.

"Are we having a starring contest this morning?" Susan's voice came their left.

"Good morning, Su." The boys chanted in unison still looking at each other.

"Seriously, boys. Break it up! You're scaring me!" she laughed and took her sister in a hug.

Peter only let a battle cry before faking charging on his brother with an imaginary sword. Edmund faked a terrified face and ran back into his room. The two girls, of course, followed them, laughing heartedly at their brothers' silly games. Edmund jumped up and down on the bed as Peter "swished" his blade under his feet. Then, the dark-haired King threw a pillow on his brother and "unsheathed" his own sword.

"On guard!" he yelled and jumped before him. The two started dueling like maniacs with their imaginary weapons.

"Have your brothers completely lost it?" Caspian's sleepy voice startled the girls.

They looked behind them only to see him in his Royal pajamas (which were nothing but a pair of pants and a very old shirt with no buttons.) messing with his hair, looking at them with half-closed, puzzled eyes. To Susan was quite an interesting sight but Lucy could not help the unladylike giggle that escaped her lips as she tried not to laugh at the Telmarine.

"Aww! He got me. Aww! He hurt me! Help, help!" Edmund cried in hypothetical agony as Peter pretended holding his sword in his throat.

"Well, let's put an end to this… game!" Susan mumbled amused and walked towards her brothers.

"Milady, what are you doing here? This is not a safe place for women!" Peter said in a serious, polite manner.

"Well, actually I'm here to solve your.. Misunderstanding!" the girl smiled kindly.

"How?" the brothers knitted their brows.

"With this!" said Susan and pretended taking a bow and an arrow from her invisible quiver.

"Oh, Susan is playing along! The world must be coming to an end! Quick, everyone under the bed! It'll protect us!" Edmund exclaimed amused.

"Choose your last words carefully, little King!" the girl pointed her arrow to her younger brother.

"I knew you'd side me!" Peter bragged.

"The same goes to you, blondie!" she said pointing both boys with her invisible arrow.

"Parlay?" Edmund smiled innocently.

The girl looked at them maliciously and was about to "fire" her arrow when someone interrupted her.

"And the brave, stunningly beautiful Queen shoots the two hateful brothers who fought for the throne and takes their place and then she finds a dashing knight and made him her King. Fin!"

Lucy finished the story by dragging Caspian next to Susan and throwing herself on the bed.

"You know damn well how to destroy someone's mood!" Peter stated and rested his hands on his thighs.

"Anyway, I'm going to get a little snack. Can I get anything for any of you?" the elder brother offered as he made his way to the door.

"Get me some chocolate, pleaseeee!" Lucy put on her puppy eyes face.

"Bring me some bread and butter, will you?" Edmund requested trying to look worn out.

"Some apples and pears.."

"Oh, and a glass of milk.."

"Don't forget my strawberries!"

"Tea or water.."

"Knock it off, won't you? I'm not food carrier! Go help yourselves!" Peter looked at them menacingly and exited the room, followed by murmurs of complain and boredom and yawns.

"Hold on, King Edmund the Just and King Caspian the X!" Susan ordered and the boys turned around and faced her through sleepy eyes.

"You're not going to the kitchen dressed up like this are you?"

The boys looked each other up and down before shrugging nonchalantly their shoulders.

"Yeah, so?" her brother asked.

"So? You're in your night clothes! You'll be quite a sight! Two Kings in half-buttoned shirts and well-worn pants!"

"Hey, don't judge us!" Edmund exclaimed pointing his finger to her.

The girl only rolled her eyes."Whatever am I going to do with you two?"

"Well, I don't know about Edmund but I have some pretty good ideas about me…" the Telmarine gave her a crooked smile that made Susan's cheeks burn.

"Feeling a little uncomfortable over here, lovebirds…" Peter said in a loud, clear voice.

"Ahem.. yes of course. I'm sorry, Peter." The former prince apologized, clearing his throat and the five royalties headed to the kitchen.

"Come on Peter please!"

"No."

"Please, please, please!"

"Lucy I said no and that is final!"

"Why not?"

"Because!"

"Oh, come on! It's been three weeks since our first visit to the house! You promised me we'd go back!"

"I know and we will but this is not the right time! We have so many things to do here." The boy tried to sound as gentle as possible but his little sister had been bugging him for hours on the matter. He started wondering how long his patience would last..

"Like what?" she had no intention to give it up so easily.

"Like completing the ship's repairing and finding someone to be her captain. And there are of course my kingly duties…" he said as he checked off on his fingers, suddenly realizing that he actually had not much to do. But he chose not to let Lucy know about it.

"What are you talking about? She's already done!" she protested tapping impatiently her foot.

"Yes, but we must test her on the water. And I think you have forgotten that-"

"When will he return? I'm getting worried more and more each day!" Susan stormed in the room, shutting violently the door behind her and then throwing herself on Peter's bed.

The boy slapped his forehead rolling his eyes.

"Really girls, didn't mother tell you of respecting one's privacy?" he complained.

"Yeah so?" Lucy shrugged her shoulders and hopped to her sister.

"Don't worry, Su. He'll be back in two days." She hugged her sister.

"And actually he only left the day before yesterday!" Peter rolled his eyes again.

He couldn't believe that his little sister was so madly in love with that Telmarine boy. He actually never thought he'd see his sister so in love. He'd even thought that he would be the first to find his match and Susan after him but she had proven him wrong… again…

"Why didn't you go?" Susan gave him and accusing look."Or let Ed go with him? He must be feeling so alone… and if anything should happen to him – God forbid- *you* will be responsible!" she pointed him with her finger accusingly.

"Relax, won't you? Aslan said that Archenland is a… civilized city with barely any criminals. And why would anyone want to hurt Caspian?"

"Because he is a King!" she said pointing out the obvious.

"Anyhow, he'll be alright and hopefully he'll find that.. Drinian fellow soon so that, as Lucy stated, he returns in two days."

"Why did he go over there again?"Lucy narrowed her eyes in question.

"Because Archenlanders are more experienced in ships and sea-voyages than the narnians and, of course, the Telmarines."

"I still don't think it was a good idea sending him there accompanied just by Reepicheep and Trumpkin."

"It matters not now since he's already there!" Peter chanted nonchalantly, infuriating Susan even more.

"You are… despicable!"she said each angered word calmly sounding much like Caspian.

Peter only gave her an innocent look and mouthed her 'I love you too' teasingly knowing that would make her leave his room and thankfully leave him alone since Lucy would chase after her to comfort her. The violent slam of the door and Lucy's accusing words confirmed his suspicions and a content smile found its way on his lips as he settled himself in his armchair, with his favorite book in his hands.

"Finally some privacy!" he murmured satisfied.

"Hey, Pete! Are you up for a chess game?" Edmund's head popped out of the window behind him.

"Oh, come on!"

"Lu, stop shouting! You'll wake the whole of Narnia!" Caspian laughed as he lifted a screaming, overexcited Lucy in a big, brotherly hug.

"Well, waking Susan is my main goal…!" she remarked and gave him a toothy smile as he pinched her lightly on her shoulder.

"I missed you, little one!" he only laughed.

"I missed you too! Thank Aslan, you're home. Su has started really bugging me.." she said rolling her eyes teasingly as he placed her on the ground.

"How so?" he narrowed his eyes quizzically.

"Well, she kept worrying over you and annoying us with her concern!"

"Did she now?" he mumbled intrigued making Lucy giggle.

"Yeah, you could never believe how worried she was! So I decided that I should distract her, somehow… So I made her read me a story tonight."

"I thought that she read you stories at nights anyway." he said perplexed.

"Well, she did but I decide a few days ago that what kind of a Queen am I if my older sister keeps reading me fairytales?" she said sounding quite like a grown-up.

"Whatever. How come you're not asleep in this hour? It's past midnight!" he looked at her seriously. Lucy and the guards were the only ones awake.

"Oh, well, I woke up feeling a little thirsty, so I decided to go to the kitchens and have a glass of water and maybe a little snack." She explained doing her best to look as innocent as possible.

"Oh, alright. I think I'm gonna go get a little shower and then a good night's sleep. I'm so worn-out!" he mocked laughing, making the girl laugh along.

"Ok, goodnight, Cas!" she chirped in a whisper and continued her way to the kitchens.

"Oh, Caspian!" she suddenly exclaimed remembering something."Will you please do me the favor and close my bedroom door. I think I left it open."

"Sure, but why?"

"Just do it, okay?" she asked again impatiently.

"Okay. Good night, sweetie." he replied yawning, feeling to bored and tired to bother asking again.

He climbed hurriedly the stairs that led to the first floor so when he reached the ones that led to the Royal Chambers he was completely exhausted and out of breath. And the bag he carried on one shoulder was a little too heavy for a man who traveled all day long from Archenland on horseback and then had to climbed three flights of stairs.

He supported himself on the wall for a second, just to find his breath, and then headed to his chambers. It was actually a good thing Lucy's room was next to his otherwise he wouldn't have remember what she had asked him.

"Oops, I almost forgot." He murmured.

He dragged himself to the door and reached for the doorknob. As he was about to shut the door, he heard a sound coming from inside the room, a moan. He instantly snapped the door open silently, thinking of the worst. But as he scanned the room with his dark eyes, he noticed someone sleeping in a chair beside Lucy's bed.

Susan!

He sighed relieved and walked a little closer. She was breathtaking. She wore her night gown and he knew he should feel ashamed since seeing a girl in her night clothes was inappropriate. But he just couldn't take his eyes off her. She had an open book on her lap and her hands were resting on top of it. Her chest was rising slowly and steadily with each breath she took and she looked like she had a quite pleasant dream. She had a small smile on her rosy lips and her eyes were so gently closed that looked as if they would snap open.

He reached and removed a strand of hair of her face. She apparently sensed his fingers against the soft skin of her cheek since she purred and slightly scrunched her small nose. It was the sweetest thing he had ever led eyes on. And his heart melt when he heard her whispering his name in her sleep. Her voice was so soft that resembled to Lucy's. Lucy? Oh, right. This is her room.

"I forgot. Well, I'd better be off before she finds me here." He muttered and gave a small kiss on Susan's cheek before leaving.

An hour later, after relaxing in his bathtub, he put on a pair of pants and slipped in his warm, soft bed, feeling his fatigue and sleepiness taking instantly over his body. But as he moved to the center of the king-sized bed he felt something warm and harder than any pillow or even his mattress. He touched it gently, trying to figure out what it was he was touching.

'Wait, this is not a' what'. This is a 'who'!' he thought realizing he was actually sensing human flesh. He supported his weight on his elbows trying to recognize the person next to him. But the moment he lifted his head above the person's, the person rolled over and he found himself lying with Susan's slipping form almost on top of him. What on earth was she doing here?

He remembered hearing voices while he was in his bathroom. It must have been Lucy, sending her sister to her room. 'She must have accidentally walked in my room instead of hers and was too sleepy to notice.' He reasoned.

For a moment he battled inside him on whether he should take her to her room or wake her up. But as she purred in her sleep, burying her face in his warm chest he just couldn't bring himself to do neither. Smiling lovingly, he wrapped his left arm around her and with his right one he caressed her face and hair. He had a feeling that this would be the greatest sleep he ever had. But he had forgotten one very important thing…

The consequences...

That morning, Susan woke up on something warm and soft. She could swear she was touching human skin. She squinted her eyes to protect them of the bright morning sun that filled the room with its light. She lifted slightly her head only to see that she *was* touching human skin, Caspian's to be more accurate. He, too, was waking up and the moment his eyes got used to the light, he noticed her.

"Good morning, my love."

"Good morning, Caspian. How did you-?" Wait, something's not right. Caspian? She thought and looked at him again perplexed. Her eyes got wider in shock as realization hit her.

"Caspian! You-! You are-!" she exclaimed.

"Yes, love, I'm back!" he grinned crookedly at her.

"No! You are half-naked in my bed!"

Oopsy.. he did not see that one coming…

"For one thing, sweetie, you are in *my* bed." He corrected her pointing his finger to her.

Looking where his finger was pointing, she looked down at her only to find herself wearing nothing but her light, short night gown. She quickly led her hands on her chest covering herself.

"Honey, what are you doing? What's wrong with you?" the King seemed puzzled.

"What's wrong with me? What's wrong with *you*! You took advantage of me! And after all, don't you have no sense of what's appropriate and what's not? We are both half-naked in your bed!" she yelled in panicked shock as she got off the bed and desperately searching her shoes.

"What the hell are you talking about? Took advantage of you?" he stood up as well, not actually wanting to believe she had said that.

"Yes!" she confirmed as she put on her shoes.

"You know I would never do anything like that! How could you even think of something so vile like that?" his face turned serious.

"Does the fact that you had me on top of you, with your arms around my waist sound like a good reason to you?" she hissed.

"No, it doesn't! By Aslan, I was such a fool. Thinking you'd be happy to see me!" he walked towards her.

"That's what I thought too!" she said sarcastically looking away.

"What do you mean? You're not happy to see me?" his voice was just above a whisper now. His previously hard face, was now hurt and pained.

"I'm not sure." She replied, her eyes avoiding his, without thinking what she was saying and left the room.

"Su! Su, where are you?"

Lucy had looked every room and corridor of the castle. She had even begged the maids inform her if they knew where her sister was. But it's been an hour and there was still no sign of the Gentle Queen. The girl got more and more concerned. Where could she be? She had to find her since Peter asked his siblings and Caspian to assemble in the throne room. He said something about an important matter. But Lucy was now more anxious to find Susan just because she was not only worried but curious as well.

"There you are.." she mumbled under her breath as she looked down a window of the upper floor's corridor.

Susan sat on a stone bench in the gardens, there among the roses and orchids. She had never felt lonelier in her entire life. She took a white rose in her hands and examined it, not really looking at it but anything to distract her mind was more than welcome.

"Susan…" her sister's gentle voice reached her ears. 'Here's my distraction.'

"Su. What are you doing here?" the girl sat next to her, looking at her through narrowed eyes.

"Good morning to you too, Lu!" she tried to sound funny but failed to do so. 'Great now even my voice betrays me!' she rolled her eyes.

"I think I know you well enough to know when something's wrong. So please take off this everything's-alright mask and tell me what happened."

Susan couldn't believe how mature she looked that moment her little sister. She decided to take her advice and her faked smile disappeared instantly from her lips.

"Alright." She sighed and shrugged her shoulders in surrender.

She explained everything that had happened almost an hour ago between her and Caspian.

"What are you frowning for?" she asked her puzzled once she finished her story.

"I'm frowning because you're stupid!"

"I beg your pardon?" Susan's eyes widened in disbelief.

"How could you treat poor Caspian so? Now I understand why he walks around the castle like a ghost with no trace of his usual happiness!"

"What do you mean?"

"This I'll tell you only and hopefully you'll understand. He refused a chess game with Ed and he has made no mean comments against Peter!" she stood up from the bench explaining passionately what she meant.

"Oh, my… He must be so sad… But he shouldn't have taken advantage of me being asleep!"

"Wake up, Su!" Lucy flicked her sister on the shoulder. "He didn't wake you up or take you to your bed because he loves you hence he wants to spend one simple night by his love's side!"

"Well, yeah… i.. you know…" she searched her brain for the right argument didn't find any.

"Exactly!"

"Still, do you have any idea what would have happened if Edmund or even worse Peter had walked in the room?"

"But they didn't! You should not live your life on what could or would have happened, Su. We could never know what would have happened but what will happen it's an entirely different matter and it's up to you!"

"Alright, alright. You convinced me. And what do you suggest I do?"

"Apologize to him."

"I like it. Simple and true. I'll do it! But what should I say? Oh, God, I don't know what to say!"

"Listen to your heart." Lucy looked her in the eyes significantly and left.

"Yes, mum!" Susan yelled teasingly after her.

An hour later, the five royalties and two unknown men were in the throne room.

"So what is this so important announcement of yours, Peter?" Edmund asked.

"I want to introduce to you Lord Drinian of Archenland, Captain of the Dawn Treader and his first mate, Lord Rynelf of Archenland." He announced them and the two lords bowed deeply to the royalties.

"It is an honor, my Lords." Susan walked first towards them and offered her sweet, polite smile.

"Ah, Queen Susan the Gentle. The rumors said of your beauty, but they hardly do you any justice!" Lord Drinian complimented her, kissing her hand.

"Ahem, my Lords these are Queen Lucy the Valiant and King Edmund the Just." Caspian interrupted.

Susan gave him a questioning look but he only turned his back on her, focusing his attention on their guests.

"So when do we start our voyage?" Rynelf asked.

They had moved now in the castle's balcony, with the enchanting view to the sea and the horizon.

"In three days time." Edmund informed them all.

"So soon? I haven't even packed yet." Lucy murmured and the company laughed.

"I really like you, Queen Lucy. You are most entertaining!" Drinian commented making it sound like a compliment.

"Thanks."Lucy forced a smile not liking very much his comment.

"However, I am sorry that me and Rynelf must leave. We have to get familiar with the ship and all. We shall see you in five days. Enjoy the rest of your day, Your Majesties!" they bowed and kissed the girls' hands and let Trumpkin lead them to the door.

"Good choice, Caspian. They are both excellent. I think Drinian will make a fine captain." Edmund congratulated him.

"So do I, Ed. I'm glad you liked them I was afraid I made the wrong choice."

"You certainly did not. All four of us like them." Susan gave him a reassuring smile.

"I'm glad. Now if you'll excuse me…" he replied coldly and left.

"What the heck just happened?" Edmund asked, pointing to Caspian's direction.

"Nothing happened! Have you noticed anything peculiar, Lu?" Susan answered instantly.

"Me? No! Of course not!" the Valiant Queen agreed hurriedly.

Edmund looked at them perplexed and then back to his friend's direction and just shrugged his shoulders.

"I'm sorry but I think I'll ask again. What is going on here?" Edmund said exasperated placing soundly his fork and knife on his plate.

"I must agree with Ed. You have been acting very oddly today." Peter observed.

"Boys, what are you talking about? Everything's alright!" Susan replied looking at them and then to Caspian who was staring at her blankly.

"Yes, everything is just fine. Why do you say that?" Caspian agreed.

"I don't know, I sense some tense in the atmosphere." Edmund eyed them suspiciously.

"Then you must go to a doctor and check on your senses because I agree with Su and Cas!" Lucy said with her mouth full.

"Oh, I think-." He started saying his arguments but was cut off by Susan.

"Nothing's wrong, Edmund so why don't you just drop it?" it was Susan's turn to hit her fork on her plate exasperated.

"Alright, alright! Don't shoot me!" he rolled his eyes and turned his attention on his plate.

When they finished their dinner, Susan walked discreetly next to Caspian and asked him to have a private talk later that night.

"I regret I have to say no to your proposal, Susan, I'm tired and I think I'll be going to get some sleep in a few minutes. In my bed, Susan!" he hissed in a whisper, trying not to be heard by her brothers.

"Cas, please…" she said in a pleading voice.

"Really, Susan. I don't want to talk right now. Good night." He gave her a hard look and made his way to his room.

Susan that night tossed and turned like the sea. She had to admit, sleeping next to Caspian was the best night of her life. Oh, how she missed his smell, his warmth, his love… Being in his arms felt so right. She realized that's what she wanted, even if it seemed completely inappropriate. Now she regretted every word she had said that morning. She couldn't actually believe those venomous words had come out of her mouth. Remembering Caspian's pained expression was what hurt her most. How she wanted to take his sorrow and have him smile at her again. This gorgeous smile that made her day brighter every time she looked at him. She wished she had thought better before saying this awful things to him.

She wished she had thought of the consequences….

Comments please? :)