Susan's conversation with her mother did not turn out as she had expected. Yes, there were lectures, but the gentle words of comfort outweighed the scolding. After she and her mother had talked, she was sent to her room. She was glad to be sent to her room. Her room was always where she could retreat. Where she could shut the whole world out. She lay in bed, staring up at the ceiling, not really sleeping. She was still thinking of Caspian. Was he thinking of her? She looked out her window, and she saw the bluebirds singing and flirting with each other. The female was rejecting the male, and Susan loved watching it. She actually smiled for the first time, since they left Narnia. She chuckled sofly. Oh, how it reminded him of her and Caspian! During the one month that they had spent in Narnia, it was obvious in Caspian's every word and deed that he was trying to woo her. But she rejected his advances, like the female bluebird outside. She thought it best to play hard-to-get. She thought it best to test Caspian's patience, perseverance, and love for her. Little did she know that she would never return to Narnia. On that final day, she could not bear the thought of leaving, and her heart would not keep silent about her love for him. That was when she kissed him.

As she looked outside, she saw that the female bird had finally accepted the male's advances. It was painful to see. It reminded her of the day she left Narnia. She closed her eyes, and all she could see in her minds eye was that last moment with him. That kiss. So vivid. She thought for a moment that she could still feel his lips on hers, and smell his scent.

Good Lord, she thought, I must be losing my mind. She opened her eyes, once more, and she turned to head back to bed. But something outside her window made her look back. She thought she saw her heart's desire standing in the street. But he was wearing modern clothes. Could it be? Was he in England? Or was it just another boy who looked very much like him. She turned, thinking it was only and illusion, like the vision she had in her dormitory. When she looked back, Caspian was still standing there.

"I am losing my mind," she thought, aloud.

"No, you're not," said a familiar voice, "I can see him too."

"Ed! What are you doing here?"

"I'm here to pester you," Edmund said, jokingly.

"Get out of here!"

Edmund went over to the window, and so did Susan. By now, Caspian was crossing the street. Susan flushed, as she saw Caspian approach the gate, and Edmund smiled at his sister's reaction.

"He really is here," she muttered.

"And he's right at our gate."

Outside, Caspian saw Susan and Edmund through the window. He picked up a pepple and threw it at the window. He called, and she turned to look at him. She opened her window.

"Caspian? Caspian! Is that really you?" Susan called out.

"Yes, it is I!"

Susan almost swooned at the thought. Could it really be him, or was it a dream? No, he was there. She had heard his voice.

"I'll come down in a moment! Wait for me," she said with a smile.

She ran out the door, with Edmund at her heels.

"He's here! He's in England!" Susan shouted, happily.

Lucy got out of her room, and so did Peter.

"What's all the commotion, here? Some people are trying to sleep!" he said, as he rubbed his eyes.

"Caspian's here. In England," Edmund put in.

"He's here? Here where?" Lucy asked incredulously.

"Here, in England."

"You can't be serious," Peter said.

"Believe me, I saw him with my own two eyes," Edmund said, as he ran after his older sister.

In her haste to see Caspian, Susan had forgotten to wear her sandals. She ran out of the house barefooted. It had just rained, and as Susan ran to meet her Prince, she slipped. Seeing her slip, her three siblings ran to her side. But before they could, Caspian had pushed his way past the gate, and was at Susan's side, in a minute. She smiled, as she lay in his arms.

"Is it really you?"

"It is," he answered, then leaned down to kiss her.

Peter looked away, for a moment, then looked back at the couple now standing before them. The two had shared a very passionate kiss. He couldn't bear the thought of his sister falling in love and being taken away by another man.

"What do you think you're doing, kissing my sister right in front of me? You already kissed her in Narnia, and now, you kiss her here?"

"Peter! Please," Susan and Lucy said, simultaneously.

"Fine! Have it your way, then!" Peter said, as he walked back into the hosue in a huff. All three Pevensies shrugged, and Caspian smirked.

"Come on! I'll introduce you to my mother," Susan said, excitedly, as she led him by the hand. She was happy to see her Prince again. Now, all those tears seemed like a bad dream, a distant memory.

But her heart was not ready for his departure. She had remembered Aslan's words--words He had spoken to her in a dream. Caspian will only be with Susan for a night, and then, he would have to return to Narnia. She wanted to push the thought further into the back of her mind. She just wanted to enjoy this moment. But try as she might, she could not.

Cair Paravel. Susan sat on her throne, alone, at night. She knew where she was, and she didn't have to ask. But still she could not understand. She was wearing her Narnian robes--ones she had worn as a queen, but she knew it was impossible. She knew she could never return to Narnia. And the last time she was here, Cair Paravel had been nothing but a heap of ruins, overran by grass and ivy. Unless it was a dream... As she sat there, in silence, the Great Lion slowly walked up to her. She did not want to talk to Him, and He knew it.

"I know that you do not wish to speak to me, Queen Susan," Aslan began, "but you have something important to ask of me?"

"Why did you have to send us back, Aslan? Why? I felt like I found the person I belong with," Susan said, almost choking.

"You think I ruined your life?" Aslan sadly said, in his deep voice.

Susan nodded.

"My deepest apologies. Then, I shall give you what you ask for, young one," Aslan said, stepping up onto the dais, "You shall see Caspian again. This, I promise."

At first, the young woman was not convinced. After all, she still held some bitterness toward the lion. Why should she believe Him, now? Then, she realized Aslan could grant her wish, if He wanted to. She smiled and thanked Him.

"But," continued the Great Lion, "You shall be together for only one night. You must remember that Caspian is now a king, and he has duties to his own people."

"I... understand... completely, Aslan." Susan said, although she did not, nor could not understand. She could never bring herself to understand. She knew she was being selfish. She wanted to have Caspian forever.

The newly-reuinited lovers took a stroll among the plants. They held each other's hand, and it was at that time that Caspian saw the teardrops escapimg from his lady-loves eyes.

"Susan, why are you crying?" he inquired.

Quickly, Susan wiped her tears with her handkerchief. She placed it back into her pocket.

"I'm happy," she said, fibbing, "These are tears of joy. I love you, Caspian."

"I love you too, Susan."