Disclaimer: I do not own Aladdin or any Disney associated characters, but I do own my characters such as Tali, and also, Farehpur is not a real place in India.

And also, I am CHANGING TALI's age, from 14, to 16. Aladdin and Jasmine are 18. Just to be clear, Nadira is also 18.

Thanks to everyone who reviewed! I encourage you to keep it up!

Recap:

Aladdin gulped "And Jasmine," he added. "Continue boy," said the Sultan. "Well," said Aladdin, glancing at Cassim "I was wondering, I mean, hoping, I mean…would ou possibly be able to employ my Father as…head of the guards?"

Chapter 2:

The dining room was suspended in silence. Aladdin gulped nervously. Jasmine stood up and walked over to his side.

The Sultan stared at them inquisitively. "Father," said Jasmine, breaking the silence.

"Er, yes," stuttered the sultan. Cassim sighed and stood up.

"I apologise your highness, it is wrong enough that I am here, much less my son asking you favours on my behalf, so please dismiss what Aladdin said"

"Dad," said Aladdin "I can handle this on my own!" Aladdin knelt before the Sultan. "You majesty, please, I ask you this only because as Jasmine's husband and your vizier, I truly believe this is not only my Father's, but our chance, to start fresh and leave the things that happened last time, all in the past"

Tali noted the strangely approving expressions on the others faces as they watched what was happening. "What happened last time?" she whispered to Iago.

"Tell ya later kid, it's quite a story!" he replied. The Sultan looked down at Aladdin. "Stand up, m'boy" he said. Aladdin rose slowly.

"It is because I hold you in the highest regard, that I am doing this," The sultan stood up and sighed "I will allow your Father to be head of the guards, alongside Rasoul"

Aladdin smiled gratefully "Thank you Sultan!" He bowed again. "Yes, come now, I will have Rasoul alerted and he will see to it that your father," he gestured towards Cassim "Is prepared to start tomorrow,"

"In the meanwhile, I must ask you to come with me immediately, to meet with my council of advisors, for preparation to meet the delegation from India,"

"Certainly Sultan," said Aladdin "I'll see you guys later," He followed the Sultan as they headed to their meeting.

In Efram

"Zeena, you must stretch your arms wider, and move your hips slightly slower," said a flustered Nadira, instructing the teenager in her carriage. "I'll get it, I promise!" said the girl fearfully.

"I know you will, no need to fret," said Nadira, collapsing on to her silk cushions. That's so unlike her, to let things go that easily, thought Zeena.

Nadira sighed heavily "Just go, and tell Saaleha and Dalia, to come for their lesson in half an hour," ordered Nadira.

"Yes, Nadira" answered Zeena before departing to her own carriage. Nadira sighed again, this time more heavily.

Why can't I concentrate today? She thought. Nadira stood up and sat down at her vanity, fingering the priceless jewellery sitting there, gifts from men she entertained.

Absentmindedly, she started brushing her hair. Suddenly she remembered something. Cassim! She thought Poor guy, I never even gave him an explanation!

"There was something about him," she murmured to herself. She stood up and wandered over to the curtained area, behind which sat her crystal ball.

I wonder how he is, mused Nadira wouldn't hurt to take a peek! She sat down, and slowly waved her hands over the ball. An image of Cassim appeared, he was laughing joyously hugging his daughter Tali.

Nadira tried to peer in closer, when the bottom of her foot hit something sharp. "Ow," she winced, rubbing her foot. She saw a small black point sticking out from underneath the cushion of her stool.

"What in the?" she muttered, pulling at the object. It finally came out from whatever was holding it back.

The black box, opened, and at first appeared empty. Nadira peered inside, at what seemed to be scrolls that lay flat, one on top of each other.

Nadira picked up the first scroll and read carefully.

It read:

1st full moon of the second month, year 1

Today Mr. Al- Sayud came back! I really hoped he wouldn't, not after last time where he gave me three sacks of gold, I was so embarrassed, it was great to have the money, but I was still embarrassed! Mother was pleased though.

Nadira is such a beautiful baby, she crawls around quickly and has really taken to travelling around so much, I'm glad she has, otherwise it would only make my life harder.

Mother is sending me to Agrabah, with some of the other girls, we are to try and run the troupe on our own, preparation for the future I guess. Although I really wish it wasn't.

Nadira is going to stay here with my mother, I do wish I didn't have to leave, her, I don't know how long I will be gone for, six months? A year? Maybe more!

Oh, I am being called, I have to go to, it's my turn to help mother with the dinner,

Love, Nasheeta

"Mother?" gasped Nadira. Nasheeta, my mother! She cried in her mind. Her eyes fell upon the word Agrabah. Well, we both have our connections then!

Tears sprung to Nadira's eyes. She looked at the next entry; it appeared to have been written one and half years later.

1st Half moon of the ninth month, year 2

I am so glad that Saabda could take my son, I could never tell mother about him. Saabda will take him to Ghazar, until he is 16, then I want her to let him go, I want him to go to Agrabah at 16, to at least know some truths about himself.

Nadira's eyes stopped in their tracks. SON? She continued to read

As for the Father, he knows, but doesn't want him, that is fine, I don't think he could love him the right way, in fact I think that man is incapable of love!

I am back with mother, the girls and I are leaving tonight, and Nadira is sitting here, playing with my kohl! I better clean it up before mother gets angry. I have thought about leaving here, one day just leaving without reason, who knows?

Nasheeta

"Mother had a son, in that time she went away?" she muttered. "I don't believe it"

She had the son in Agrabah too, to a man from Agrabah!

If these dates are correct, the son should be at least 16 now, if not more, and the fact that he's also my half brother, is totally shocking!

Suddenly there was a sharp knock on her door, interrupting her thoughts. "Come in," she said shakily. Two girls clad in belly dancing clothes entered. "Saaleha, Dalia, come in," muttered Nadira.

The girls entered obediently. "We're ready for our lesson; after all we want to be ready before we go to Ghazar," said the taller girl, Dalia.

"Change of plans girls," said Nadira staring out her window "We're not going to Ghazar" turning her head back to face them.

"We're not?" said Saaleha. "Then where are we going?" Dalia asked sceptically.

"We're going to Agrabah," said Nadira.