AN I re-read LB and realized that Jill did meet Susan before she forgot Narnia. That, however, was after I wrote this, and I will not be changing it. Sorry.

Susan smiled falsely at Aunt Alberta as she prattled on about the evils of drink. She would be furious if she realised how badly Susan wanted a Sugar Sweet cocktail right now. That was the kind of effect Alberta had on people though.

"Hello Susan, Mother." A voice greeted. "Sorry I'm late."

Susan turned to her cousin and her mouth nearly fell open in shock. Where was the sulky, bossy, know-it-all of her memories? The boy in front of her was almost fourteen now, but looked older. His dark hair was longer than was strictly fashionable, and his clothes were a little too casual for a family gathering, but he'd never fit in better with her siblings than he did now.

His face was tanned from days spent in the sunshine, and his eyes were bright with laughter. He had the same smile as Lucy, Susan realised surprised. Although thankfully without the inherent Lucy-ness which ensured complete and total devotion from any who saw it. Susan couldn't believe she'd never noticed it before, but then she remembered that she'd never seen him smile. Not really.

"Eustace!" Alberta scolded. "What an insult to our hosts."

Eustace turned his smile on her. "They didn't mind, seeing as I could hardly let Jill and Lucy get here on their own." He winked at Susan conspiratorially. "Between Jill's ability to get lost anywhere she can't see the stars, and Lucy's habit of not caring if she is lost so long as she's got good company, we wouldn't have seen them for another week at least!"

He yelped in pain as a brunette Susan didn't recognise punched him in the shoulder. "I heard that." She informed him, handing him a glass of lemonade. "Hello Alberta."

Alberta greeted her back stiffly, before excusing herself.

The girl rolled her eyes before extending a hand to Susan. "I'm Jill."

Susan shook her hand hesitantly. "I'm Susan. Nice to meet you Jill."

Jill, Jill, Jill. Where had she heard that name before? "So, how long have you and Eustace been together?" She asked brightly.

Eustace choked as he inhaled his lemonade by mistake, and Jill raised her eyebrows.

"We're best friends." She stated coolly.

Susan shrugged. "My mistake."

Jill surveyed her, making Susan want to squirm. "I can't believe you're the girl I've been hearing so much about." Jill mused.

Susan stiffened at these words. "All lies, I assure you." She tittered.

Jill nodded. "True. I was expecting a legendary Queen, not a girl like you."

Before Susan could respond, Jill had been swept away by Lucy. The two girls embraced fiercely, before beginning an animated conversation that made her remember times when Lucy would talk to her about anything and everything.

Eustace shuffled uncomfortably. "She's right you know. You're a shadow of yourself."

Before Susan could open her mouth to scold him for such childish nonsense, he was walking over to her brothers, leaving her quite alone.