Once we were back on the Dawn Treader, we headed out. That night, a huge storm rolled in. The men were courageous and fought to stay on deck. Lucy and I helped as much as we could, but we soon learned that we needed to watch after Gael.

She was terrified of storms, and Caspian or Edmund, or Peter would always end up shoving us inside to make her stop screaming.

By the next night, the storm had gotten progressively worse. I was down in the warmest room on the ship; the 'laundry' room. It housed all of the sheep skin blankets for the extra cold nights. It was as far away from the whooshing as you could get and it was the room that was easiest to forget the rocking.

I lay back on the pile of sheep skins, a book in hand. I could hear the footsteps of the men rushing around on deck, trying to keep the ship together. It didn't seem right—that I was down here, warm and dry, when my brothers, Caspian, and our crew were up there freezing and wet. I sat up then to go out and help, when the door flew open.

There stood Caspian, his shirt in his hand, and a towel in his other.

We both turned beet red when we saw each other. I tried desperately not to stare at his exposed chest.

"I am very sorry; I didn't know you were in here." He said, making a move for the door.

"No, it's fine. I'll go. You need the warmth more then I." I stood and started to walk towards the door when the ship lurched unexpectedly, and sent me stumbling forward. Caspian caught me and pulled me against him, holding us near the wall until the ship evened out again. I could feel his body heat radiating off of him, and could smell the salt water mixed in with his usual comforting scent.

I looked up at him, and we locked eyes. I cleared my throat and took a step away from him.

"Thanks," I said, looking at the wall behind him, too embarrassed to actually face him.

"You are welcome," His familiar Telmarine accent filled with embarrassment as well.

"Well, I'll just be heading out," I went for the door again, and when I made it just outside the room, I heard Caspian call,

"Wait," I turned around reflexively, and saw him sliding on a dry shirt. "You don't have to go." I hesitated in the darkness of the hallway, looking at him in the doorway, the light from the oil lamp lighting the door behind him.

"Please, don't." He almost begged. I couldn't see his face, but I didn't even have to. I nodded my head and walked back to him. When I got close enough he wrapped me in his arms. "Don't ever go," He whispered in my ear.

"I won't," I replied. His head was bent over mine, and his wet hair tickled my neck. He buried his face in my shoulder, just like he had before I'd left the last time.

Only now, he was changed—older.

I'd been gone three years, and yet he still loved me. He loved me more—it seemed— then he had before I left. He pulled back from me slowly, and his face looked pained. I reached up and brushed away some of his hair.

"What's wrong?" I asked him. The rocking of the ship made it hard for us to stand, and with the door open, the sounds of the storm became louder. He sighed and shut the door before walking over and sitting on the sheep skin. I leaned against the pillar that held the oil lamp, trying to steady myself.

"I will fail at this, Susan." He stated; his head in his hands.

"Fail at what?" I asked gently, moving next to him. I took his hands away from his face and held them in mine. He looked at our hands for a moment, before looking up at me.

"I will not be able to face this evil. I am not as good of a person as I look." He smirked, but it was a sad smirk.

"Caspian," I sighed. "You can't think such things. Would you die for Aslan?"

"Of course I would," He replied easily.

"Then you are the good guy. He will help us with this, alright? There has not been one time when he has failed to help us." I said to him. He shook his head.

"I know it's hard to see now," I continued. "But this storm will pass—we will finish this quest, defeat this evil, and then get you back to your kingdom before Trumpkin has time to paint DLF all over the city." This time when Caspian smirked, it was genuine.

"You mean our kingdom, my Queen." Caspian corrected, taking my face in his hands. I smiled. The door burst open then, causing us both to look over.

"I've seen Aslan!" Lucy shouted.

Well, I leave you now at a relatively good stopping point. I mean, it's kind of a cliff hanger. But, I mean, you get some Suspian goodies. Yay!

My dad just caught me not doing my homework, so, I'll post more later. GOODNIGHT! Peace, love, review.

Sincerely,

Ro Mance