Hello all! This is a behind the scenes story! Just a little fun with my Genies and Jinxes stories! All of the chapters will be different times and different situations which didn't make it into the stories or are background extras like this first one.

Disclaimer: I only own Alaric.

The First Night

(Takes place before the first movie, right after the first chapter of the story)

"Why don't you come live with us?" He said and the little monkey leapt onto Alaric's shoulder and chattered in his ear something that sounded like 'oh please!' Alaric smiled a little unsurely.

"Um, really?"

"Of course. Now c'mon lets go home." The older boy walked away.

"Home, that sounds good." Alaric said and after pausing a moment, he ran to keep up.

"So, what's your name?"

"Alaric."

"Well, Alaric, I'm Aladdin and this is Abu." The monkey hugged Alaric with his tail.

"Nice to meet you, Aladdin." The monkey grumbled. "And you too Abu."

After awhile Aladdin said, "You know, you don't look like a jinx to me." And the little boy grinned.

It was late evening when the trio got to the place that Aladdin called 'home'. Alaric seemed fascinated by it though and Aladdin watched from his window seat as Alaric explored the hovel in wonder.

"Wow, all this space is yours?" He asked curiously, the eight-year-old practically bouncing on his feet. Aladdin tried not to laugh, because it wasn't really a funny situation. Truly, the boy had never seen something like this before and that thought sobered him up. Instead he only nodded.

"Yeah, it's not much but its home." Abu sat in his lap, looking at the boy too.

"Home…"Alaric repeated tasting the word for a moment before looking at Aladdin curiously. "Does no one else live here?" He asked and Aladdin arched an eyebrow.

"No…Why?"

"Oh." The boy flushed and Aladdin grimaced, he hadn't meant to sound like he was making fun of him. "I-I just thought it was like where I used to live. Many people lived together."

"Oh, well, no. We don't really do that here unless it's a family or really close friends." Aladdin shrugged. "Most just do what they want." Silence fell and Alaric for the first time noticed the drawn curtain behind the older boy.

"What's that for?" He asked, looking at the thin material in confusion. "Can someone see you up here?"

Aladdin laughed. "No, no. I don't use this to hide. It's just to keep the sun out sometimes and it helps when it's cold out." He tugged the material aside and Alaric's eyes widened at the sight. Aladdin turned to see the palace bathed in orange and pink lights. "It's my favorite time of the day." He commented. "Just right for when the sun hits the palace." Alaric hadn't realized how close he had gotten to the older boy and Aladdin actually got a better look at him. He examined him as the boy gazed at the palace. Now, since they didn't need to be on the run or in a hurry, Aladdin could actually get to look at his new-found friend better and Abu did too.

He was skinny was the first thing Aladdin noticed, too skinny for even a normal, everyday street rat. It was very disturbing to see his ribs. Another thing was that he was very dirty. Now, Aladdin wasn't as well-groomed as he would have liked to be, but he wasn't as grungy looking as most. He kept his appearance as well as he could and Aladdin could tell that Alaric was in desperate need of some attention.

Next was his appearance in itself. Typical Agrabanians had dark tanned skin, dark hair and dark eyes. Alaric was the complete opposite. He had lighter skin than Aladdin had ever seen before and his hair and eye color was odd to him as well. It did suit him though, Aladdin decided. His hair was oddly cut and shaped, but that seemed to work for him too and, Aladdin noticed, he seemed to keep that well-groomed. It wasn't as dirty as his face and hands.

His blue eyes were the same color as the ocean and Aladdin felt that they hid more than he could fathom. Aladdin could tell that Alaric had been abused that much was clear in his almost hesitant gaze. The boy's eyes never rested too long in one spot and as Aladdin sat watching him, he could see the blue orbs, darting to take in all that he could at once. It was a defensive mechanism, he was sure.

Bruises. Aladdin finally noticed the dull bruises that littered every inch of the boy in so many spots. Most were hidden by a thin covering of dirt, but the rest was shown afresh. The one under his left eye for instance, hadn't been that noticeable before, now shone out on his face. Several smaller ones lined his chin and neck and Aladdin grew startled to see that they were finger prints. There were some on his wrists too; large hands had grasped him at one time. Aladdin frowned, not liking what he was seeing at all.

Blood. Blood stains were on the boy's vest, more precisely on the back. Aladdin noticed then that the clothes he wore were getting too small and the vest that was barely covering his chest was a testament to that. It was clear that the boy desperately needed someone to care for him.

Aladdin reached out to place a hand on his shoulder to get his attention and he got a shock. As soon as his fingers grazed the vest, the boy whirled to face him looking very much like a cornered animal. His eyes were wide and fearful, but Aladdin could see the warning in them too. Do not touch, they seemed to say even though the direct thought was never said aloud. Aladdin held his hands up in calming fashion.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to startle you." he stated and for a moment he wondered if the boy was going to flee. Instead he nodded a bit. "I just wanted to know if you'd like to wash off." The boy looked at his hand before shifting his gaze to look at Aladdin. The older boy watched as Alaric looked at him, but was curious as to why Alaric never met his eyes directly.

"Really?"

The whispered question made Aladdin want to rant at whoever had left the boy to wander all alone. Aladdin knew that most of the orphans in Agrabah were either unwanted or their parents had died and it was sad to see. However, something about this one in particular made Aladdin hesitant about what he was going to do. It was obvious that Alaric was no ordinary orphan. Yes, he was scared and alone, but there was something under all that… It made Aladdin wary of just what he had gotten into.

"Yeah."

"I…"

"It's okay." Aladdin reassured him. "It's just getting clean."

"…Okay." Alaric murmured and Aladdin smiled at him warmly.

"I'll be right back." He told him and Alaric suddenly looked afraid. Aladdin stopped walking. "Hey…look at me." Alaric did as Aladdin smiled as convincingly as he could. "I promise I'll be right back." Alaric searched his face for a moment before nodding. Aladdin was confused about Alaric's scrutiny, but it apparently had made him relax at what he found…or didn't find. "Stay right there." He said before he left.

Aladdin came back quickly with the bucket of water and found Alaric still sitting in the same spot and he looked rather stiff. He frowned at the boy's obvious discomfort and looked at Abu. The little monkey was tempting the boy with an apple from the stash they had gotten earlier, but Alaric, despite how hungry he was, did not budge.

"Did you really sit there the entire time?" Aladdin asked in bewilderment, watching as pink tinge spread across Alaric's cheeks. The boy nodded. "You didn't have too." He said as if stating the obvious and Alaric looked harder at his feet. Aladdin immediately reprimanded himself for his careless attitude. "Look, um, what I meant was…"

"Did I not sit right?" Alaric asked quietly and Aladdin was momentarily stunned.

"How can you not sit right?" Aladdin asked confused, but the boy grew fearful. Aladdin blinked rapidly as Alaric got on his knees on his feet and wiped at his eyes.

"I'm sorry." The boy said almost inaudibly, his breathing uneven thanks to him trying to calm down his tearing eyes. His head bobbled, eyes never leaving the ground. "How did you want me to sit?" He asked after wiping at his eyes.

Aladdin was stumped to say the least and he very hesitantly, sank to his own knees, setting the bucket aside. He looked at Alaric in the eye and made sure he was paying attention as he said slowly:

"You can do what you want. You know that right?"

"…You shouldn't say things you don't mean." The boy stated darkly and suddenly flinched back. "I'm sorry! Don't hit me!" He hid his face and Aladdin's and Abu's jaws both flew open.

"Hit you!?" Aladdin struggled to say. "I wouldn't do that. Why would you say that?"

"Well…" Alaric started, poking at the floor with his foot. "Aren't you in charge of me now?" His tone had changed a bit, making it a bit sharper than before and Aladdin frowned.

"I said I'd take care of you not beat you."

"Isn't it the same thing?" Alaric asked, looking a bit confused, his voice lost the edge. "Isn't that a home?"

"No!" Aladdin shook his head and he sighed. "No, of course not."

"Then what does it mean? Other than a place to live. What does it mean?"

"What?"

"What does 'home' mean then? If it doesn't mean that you own me. What does it mean?"

"Home," Aladdin stated slowly, thinking of how to explain it. "It's where you go when you need to be loved, protected, welcomed, and cared for."

"Cared for?" Alaric asked, curiously.

"Yeah." Aladdin encouraged. "That is what home is. That is what this place is for me and Abu. This is our home." Aladdin watched as Alaric took in what he said and then slowly, he looked up from his knees.

"I don't have one."

"You do now. If you still want it." Alaric shifted and Aladdin sighed. "Come on, I brought the water." Alaric inched over to where the bucket was and jumped when Aladdin handed him a rag.

"Here you go." He murmured and Alaric took it quickly and looked back at the water. Aladdin waited a moment and then realized that Alaric had no clue what he was supposed to do with the items. He crouched down and held his hand out. "Here." Alaric looked up at him, a pink tinge to his cheeks and Aladdin smiled reassuringly. "It's all right." He murmured softly and wetting the cloth, he started to wipe at Alaric's face. The boy jumped at the contact, but relaxed slowly as Aladdin wiped the grime off his face. The eight-year-old whimpered when Aladdin cleaned a sore spot on his cheek and he apologized quietly.

"That looks a little better." Aladdin smiled when he had wiped Alaric's face and neck clean. He no longer looked dirty and he looked better than he had before. His skin tone had even lightened a bit. Alaric looked curiously at Aladdin and smiling the older boy showed him his reflection on a small hand mirror that he had stolen. Alaric looked at the boy in the mirror and tilted his head. Aladdin watched sadly as he took in Alaric's genuine amazement at his own face.

It was plain that the boy hadn't seen his reflection in a very long time and he watched as the boy touched his cheek. He looked up at him from the mirror and then looked back again, touching his face. Alaric paused and frowned as his hand in the mirror, looking between it and his face, noticing the difference. Quickly he set the mirror down and stuck his hands into the water bucket. Aladdin smiled as the boy scrubbed at them, seeing the same result he had for his face. He stood after a moment and beckoned to Abu who was watching Alaric with amusement. The monkey ran over and Aladdin walked outside, realizing that Alaric meant to get clean all over.

A little later, they went back in to find that Alaric was in better condition than he had been before and was running a hand through his wet hair. Alaric looked up when they entered and he set the bucket and rag aside.

"Thank you." He said softly and Aladdin nodded.

"Sure. Are you hungry?" He asked and Alaric looked like he really wanted to nod before his eyes looked the room over.

"Where do I eat?" He asked and Aladdin shrugged.

"Anywhere you want." He murmured and Alaric nodded slowly. Aladdin went over to the small amount he had stolen today and took the bread loaf, halving it and handing the largest bit to the boy. Alaric took it hesitantly and eyed the door. Aladdin didn't notice him going outside the room, but Abu did and he tugged Aladdin's pants leg.

"What?" He asked and Abu pointed at where Alaric was sitting with his back to them. Aladdin realized that the boy didn't want him to see how he ate and that worried him. He could see that the boy was more than hungry, he was ravenous and tore into the bread, like he had never had any before. When Alaric was through he came inside and Aladdin pretended to not have noticed he was gone.

"Want more?" He asked and Alaric shook his head, barely stifling a yawn. Aladdin did yawn and looked out to see how high the moon was. It was getting late. Alaric remained where he was at, while Aladdin set a place for him to sleep, near the window.

"That was good." The boy murmured and Aladdin looked at him. "The bread. I've never had any like that before. Where did you get it?"

"Well…I stole it." Aladdin murmured.

"You mean, people sell it that good?" He sounded excited and Aladdin groaned internally. Poor kid.

"Yeah all the time." Alaric smiled happily and Aladdin wondered how many bad loaves he had had before.

"Mr. Aladdin?"

"It's just Aladdin or Al if you want."

"Um…do they sell good fruit too?"

"Yeah."

"Wow." Alaric murmured and Aladdin went back to preparing his bed.

"Well, time for bed." He stated once he was done and Alaric's eyes widened. Aladdin froze where he was standing and they eyed one another for many minutes. The unmistakable fear was in the boy's eyes and Aladdin finally had to look away. "I'm not going to hurt you." He said softly and once again got to the boy's eye level. "Trust me. I won't hurt you." Alaric moved over to where he was and Aladdin backed up to give him space as he settled into the makeshift bed.

"I…I'm scared." The boy murmured after a moment.

"There's nothing to be scared of." Aladdin said gently. "Nothing will happen up here."

"I'm scared to close my eyes." Alaric admitted and Aladdin sat next to him.

"It's okay….Dreams won't hurt you."

"Are dreams images you get when you do something bad?"

"Bad?"

"Like scream when you're not supposed to." Alaric murmured and Aladdin's hands clenched into fists. Someone told him when to scream? But why was he screaming to begin with?

"Um…No. Dreams are images you have when you're asleep. It usually has nothing to do with what you were doing before."

"Oh. So….if I go to sleep and dream…It won't be bad?"

"Well…I can't guarantee that. That would be a nightmare. But if you're still scared, you can talk to me a bit."

"Okay." Alaric rolled to his side and curled into a ball, facing Aladdin.

"Where did you come from? And why were you alone?"

"Why?" Alaric asked sharply and Aladdin frowned. "You're not going to take me back are you?" Aladdin shook his head.

"No. but I just wanted to know."

"I….I came from a…."

"From a what?"

"A…Freak Show."

"A what?" Aladdin asked and the boy swallowed nervously as he nodded.

"Yes….I'm the Jinx." He murmured and Aladdin frowned further.

"Someone called you that?"

"It was my name. I was the Jinx. There were others. Dog-man, the Howler, the Bearded-Lady, there were a lot of us." Aladdin was silent for a moment and then shifted, deciding to ask what he was wanting to ask.

"Did they…did they hurt you?"

A nod.

"They hit you?"

Another nod.

"What about food? Did they feed you?"

"Only when I was good. I used to get bread and cheese when I was good." He murmured and then got excited. "And this one time, I got my very own shiny red apple." He smiled at the memory before looking sad again. "But I got it taken from me when I messed." Aladdin tried not to yell in frustration. Who could do that to a little boy? "I got a bite though, it was nice."

"Er…yeah, apples taste good." Aladdin said unsure of how to respond. "Are you feeling a little better?"

"A little." He murmured and touched the pillow at his head. "What's this?"

"A pillow."

"Oh, what's in it?"

"Feathers."

"A bird goes around naked?" Aladdin laughed and had to stifle it when the boy gave him a real concerned look. "Why do they pluck the birds? Were they being punished?"

"No, no. The birds were dead."

"Oh. Um…Mr…Um…Aladdin?"

"Yeah?"

"I'm tired."

"Then goodnight." He murmured and rolled over in his own bed. Abu snored lightly. Alaric waited until Aladdin's breathing was even before getting up. When Aladdin awoke in the morning, Alaric was gone.

Review?