"So, where exactly am I taking your sister and why did you not tell me of this before?" Caspian asked crossly.
"To a church," Peter responded. He elaborated after Caspian looked at him in confusion. "You learned about Christianity in class, right? Ever notice how remarkably similar it is to what happened in Narnia? Especially similar Jesus is to Aslan? Aslan told us to look for him in this world. Maybe if Susan can believe in God in this world, she'll be able to believe in Aslan in Narnia. Today's not a Sunday, so I'll see if I can round up a priest for you, since there won't be services going on."
At school, Caspian was surprised to see Susan had dressed nicely. In fact she had done her makeup, found neat clothes, and done up her hair. She hadn't made an effort to look nice for all these months after her family had died. However, Caspian wasn't the only one who noticed. When Caspian approached her, so did a rather attractive young man who was used to having his way with girls.
"Hey, Pevensie. Done with the stupid widow act? Ready to be fun again?" asked Theodore obnoxiously. Caspian gritted his teeth. He did not like that boy at all.
"A widow is a woman who lost her husband, idiot," Susan said flipping her hair over her shoulder. She had, much to her sibling's annoyance, had several flings with Theodore to try to get lost in his passionate make-out sessions and forget everything else, much like she had done with the American soldier. They had been in a relationship when the dreadful train crash happened, and Susan pushed him away after that.
Caspian couldn't help grinning at Susan's insult.
"Whatever. You haven't answered my second question, gorgeous," Theodore said, wagging his eyebrows suggestively.
"Leave her alone," Caspian said, glaring at Theodore.
"You stay out of this. You don't know mine and Miss ice queen's history. C'mon, Su. You know I'm the only one who can make you forget your pain. You free after school?" Theodore said, playing with her hair.
Susan giggled, something she hadn't done in forever. She was feeling more like her old self, but the pain was still there. Maybe giving in to him would get rid of that pain, at least for awhile, and she could start getting her life back to normal.
"Mmhmm," she nodded. Caspian clenched his hands into fists in anger.
"Susan, if you're free, there's someplace I'd like to take you," Caspian enunciated.
"Get off of her, X," Theodore said. "The beauty queen's mine."
"She's not just some pretty accessory for you to show off," Caspian said, halfway out of his chair.
Susan gasped, perhaps remembering some past conversation. She put her hand to her forehead, attracting strange looks from the group that had gathered at the sight of a possible fight.
"What? You trying to claim she's yours?" Theodore said.
Caspian almost said yes, but then took a breath to calm himself and spoke more rationally. "No, that is not at all what I am trying to say. She is not a possession."
Susan looked down and covered her face with her hands. Caspian reached out to her, but Theodore grabbed and pushed him back.
"I said, get off her X… or I'll.. I'll X-terminate you," Theodore said, making his flunkies who were hanging about guffaw.
"Look, I'm not trying to cause any trouble," Caspian said, putting his hands up. "Just leave Susan alone."
"Oh yeah? Says the guy who kept trying to insert himself in her life? Don't think we haven't noticed ice queen over her pushing you away these past months. Hypocrite," Theodore sneered.
Caspian punched him. Three of Theodore's friends joined Theodore in trying to teach Xavier a lesson. This made it fair odds in Caspian's eyes. But then two more joined in the fight.
They had been fighting for a few minutes when Susan shouted, "Enough!"
Caspian instantly stopped fighting, as though she had given a royal command. One of Theodore's flunkies took advantage of this to get in another good punch.
"Theo, I'll go out with you today. Just… just stop beating him up," Susan said between her fingers. Caspian would have argued, but an even bigger crowd was forming and he wasn't sure how many would help Theodore.
Peter would've most likely punched Caspian, if he hadn't already looked like he'd been beaten far too much.
"You let my sister go out with that rascal?" Peter bellowed, being ever the overprotective brother.
"Peter, it was six against one!" Caspian pleaded, wincing and rubbing his jaw after talking.
"It hurt even to talk?" Peter said, worry quickly overtaking his anger. "C'mon Cas. We need to get you cleaned up."
Peter snuck them into Professor Diggory's old house which had yet to be sold and tended to Caspian, despite Caspian's protests.
"So do you know where he's taking her?" Peter asked, gently wiping some blood off of Caspian's face.
"Sort of. His house."
"I know where that is. Susan dragged me to a party there once. Cas, take off your shirt." Peter said.
"What? No!" Caspian protested.
"I can see you're bleeding under your shirt," Peter said sternly.
"You don't have to do that," Caspian protested yet again.
"Yes I do. You're my brother now, remember?" Peter said with a smile.
Susan was sitting outside on the porch, finally getting a moment alone from Theodore. Suddenly, Xavier was there.
"Seriously? What were you doing, stalking me?" she hissed. "This is really starting to freak me out."
"Do you really want to stay here? You can even blame me when your filthy boyfriend gets mad at you for leaving. Say I – what's the word? – kidnapped you," Xavier said, taking her hand and pulling her up.
"You do realize his dad has the police in his pocket so if I claimed that Theodore would make sure you got arrested?" Susan said argumentatively, but her haughty voice was nullified by her getting up.
"My lady," he said with a bow. He then offered his arm to her. Susan giggled and took it.
"Where are we going?" she asked.
"You'll see." They walked the streets in silence together, but it was a peaceful silence, not awkward at all. When they stopped, Susan felt a bit let down that it didn't seem like it was a date at all.
"A church?" she said crossly.
"Please, come with me," Caspian pleaded to her. Susan melted at his gaze.
"Fine, whatever, X," she said, rolling her eyes, trying to avoid the feelings bubbling inside of her that now felt so foreign.
Peter had been successful in getting a priest to talk with them about Jesus. Peter had told the priest that two friends of his were interested in becoming Christian. Susan was technically already Christian and went to church every week, but since she stopped believing in Narnia, she stopped believing in Christ too and only went because first her parents then her aunt and uncle forced her too.
The priest talked to them for quite a long time, with Peter hiding in a pew, his face covered by the prayer book he was pretending to read.
"Jesus did not just die for those who believe in Him, but for everyone."
Susan's mind was not on a cross, but on a stone table. Evil creatures- hags, werewolves, minotaurs, etc – were gathered around, not Romans and Jews. She began shivering. A witch entered her mind, a wicked knife aloft.
"In fact, He reached out often to the Gentiles, showing He truly cared about those who did not believe and wanted them to turn to Him. At any point in your life, you can always call on Him and He will answer."
"No…. NO! I've called and called and have had no answer! If He really would answer, not answering me means that Jesus does not exist! And neither does God! Nor Aslan!" she ran out, leaving Caspian to hope that the priest did not ask who Aslan was.
"Um, I should go follow her," he stammered, running out. Tears started forming in his eyes as he realized he had failed again.
Suddenly Susan, Peter, and Caspian all heard a lion's roar.
"I've denied him three times," Susan whispered in fright. She looked around wildly, and then ran as far away as she could.
Caspian tried to follow her, but quickly lost her again.
"Caspian," a familiar upset voice said behind him.
"I've failed," Caspian said, grimacing at the reprimand he was sure would follow. "I will accept whatever you decide is my punishment for my failure, but please, I beg you, do not make it sending me back."
"You've not failed yet," Peter said, trying to keep his voice even and squeezing Caspian's shoulder. "I'll only accept you saying that when you've given up on her, which we both know is never going to happen. C'mon, I have a few ideas for where she probably went." Caspian shook his head, ashamed of himself despite what Peter had said.
After a few false tries at places that the Pevensies had often hung out, especially when upset, Peter was starting to get discouraged. Then he had another idea, although had to guess which one, since of course he was dead before they sent him and his family to the cemetery.
They found her kneeling on the ground and crying where the family was buried.
"Susan?" Caspian asked.
"Go away X," she said. Peter put a hand on her shoulder and she turned to look at him.
"Simon?" she asked. Peter put his arms around her and she placed her head on his chest, crying. He held her in place as she began convulsing. Caspian placed a hand on her back and rubbed it comfortingly. After a few minutes she began to sob more quietly and calmly. She looked up at her brother, tears still in her eyes. She gazed into his eyes for a few moments.
"Peter?" she asked timidly reaching a hand out to his face. "I know I am awake and not dreaming, so it must be you…" Peter stroked her hair and smiled, saying nothing. She turned around. "Caspian?!"
