A/N: thanks to all who read the last chapter. I'm sorry that they're rather short, but it'll have to do. Please R&R! I need comments so I know how to improve this for my next chapter.

--------------------------------------------------------

I'm too tired to listen

I'm too old to believe

All these childish stories

There is no such thing as faith

And trust, and pixie dust

"Come on, pick up. Please." Susan begged her brother as the phone rang and rang. No one answered. She tried again, but to no avail. "Strange," she muttered to herself. "Peter always answers the phone.

Deciding he must not be home, she tried calling her old home, where Edmund and Lucy still lived. The phone rang for over a minute before the line went dead. A little anxious, Susan tried again. Surely her siblings couldn't stay mad at her forever. Could they?

After calling both homes for another few minutes, she gave up, and replaced the phone on its hook. She checked the clock on the wall. It was five o'clock. Mum wouldn't be home yet, but surely her two younger siblings would be back from school. And Peter had Saturdays off, just as she did. Why wasn't anyone answering?

Nothing's wrong, she assured herself. They're just out right now. They'll answer later.

Continuing to reassure herself, Susan walked around her tiny apartment, straightening up her things and trying not to look at the clock. She passed the better part of an hour in this manner, eventually settling down enough to read a book.

By six o'clock, she was impatient, though she didn't know why she felt so anxious. Setting down her book on the table, Susan walked over to the phone, and, picking it up, dialed Peter's number once again. Nothing.

She received the same response from her mother's house. Surely Edmund and Lucy would be back from wherever they had been by now. Why wouldn't they answer the phone?

Seized by the sudden need to see her siblings, Susan grabbed her coat and left her apartment, not fully knowing what she intended to do. What if they weren't home? What if they refused to see her? No, they wouldn't do that.

Susan walked down the street and entered the underground, where she purchased a ticket for the next train going close to the neighborhood Peter and her other siblings lived in.

A few minutes later, the train arrived and Susan claimed her seat in the almost empty compartment. Closing her eyes, she leaned her head back and lost herself in her thoughts.

I'm sorry. I know it's important to you, but I just can't believe what you do. I wish I could, but it's all just a fairy-tale. It's make-believe, can't you see that? Narnia doesn't exist. There is no such thing as fauns, mermaids, or even Aslan, she thought, directing her thoughts to her siblings, wherever they may be.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Caspian!" Lucy cried, running forward to embrace the king warmly. "Oh, I've missed you!"

"What?" Caspian replied weakly. "How…"

Peter and Edmund looked around in amazement, not daring to believe their eyes. "Narnia?" questioned Peter softly.

"No Pete, we're just stuck in a wardrobe again. A very big wardrobe," replied Edmund, drawing a disbelieving laugh from his older brother. But it was obvious in the Just King's eyes that he was having trouble believing it as well.

"Aren't you so glad to be back!" exclaimed Lucy. "I know I am. Oh, don't look so shocked, Edmund, Aslan said you would come back. But…Peter. How did you come back with us? I thought you weren't coming back again?" She was interrupted by the sound of someone trying to speak, but with no success.
The three of them turned to Caspian, who was still having trouble with incoherency. Finally, he found the words he needed. "I'm so glad to see you all again! But…" he paused, looking confused and disappointed. "Where is Susan?"

The Pevensies looked at each other, their happy mood suddenly deflated. Caspian noticed the change and was immediately concerned. "What's wrong? Is she…" he trailed off, unable to give voice to his sudden thought. She couldn't be dead.

"No," answered Edmund quietly, knowing what he couldn't say. "She is-"

"Susan is no longer a friend of Narnia." Peter interrupted flatly.

"Peter!" exclaimed Lucy, but she was cut off by Caspian, who felt as if he had just received a slap in the face.

"What? What do you mean? How could she no longer be a friend of Narnia? She is Queen Susan the Gentle!"

"Caspian," Lucy said, coming over and grasping his hand. He looked down at her face, which was crossed with sadness, and a hint of hurt. "She doesn't believe in Narnia anymore. She thinks it's just a game we played. Susan thinks Narnia doesn't exist."

Caspian stepped backwards, his mind reeling. How could she not believe in Narnia? Doesn't she remember her time ruling it, her time fighting to defend it? Has she forgotten all of that? Has she forgotten me?

He looked into the forlorn faces of the three people standing before him, and he knew the answer. Yes.