III

Jack sat up drowsily and blinked the remaining sleep in his eyes away. He yawned and stretched, looking around. He saw a sleeping figure on his couch. His genie. Norm. Jack stood up and walked over to the sleeping Norm and ran a pale hand through the genie's black hair. The albino opened his mouth to speak but stopped. He'll let Norm sleep.

A thought crossed Jack's mind and he blushed. He glanced around to make sure that they were alone. He sighed. "Please don't wake if I do this…" Jack leaned over Norm and pressed his lips softly against the genie's. He pulled away, his blush even darker.

"What was that for, Red?"

Jack yelped and backed away from Norm. "Y-You were awake?!"

Norm smirked and sat up. "Sure was. Anyway, why'd you do that?"

The evil genius was at a loss. What could I say to him without seeming like a complete weirdo? 'I just met you, but I'm in love with you.'?? Dammit... Jack sighed and palmed his face. "I don't know why I did it…" He replied, opting for a lie.

Norm had a barely noticeable blush across his cheeks. 'I don't know'? Okay, Red. You are a bad liar.

"Liar," the genie accused. Norm stood up and walked over to Jack, trapping the boy between himself and the wall. "Now, tell the truth. Granted, I'm one who lies like a rug, but I hate it when people aren't straight with me."

Jack turned his head away from Norm. "Okay, okay! I think it was on impulse but… You're a great-looking guy, and I really like you…"

"But, you hardly…" Norm began, but Jack cut him off.

"I know that I hardly even know you. That's the problem. I felt this way before and I was rejected rather harshly. So, I wanted to kiss you while you were sleeping, just so I could get it out of my system and not be worried about rejection…" Jack was careful not to look at Norm. He didn't want to see a chastising expression on the handsome genie's face.

Norm dropped his hands to his side. He smiled at Jack. "That's fine. Don't worry, Red; I'm not mad." Sensing the uber-awkward air around them, he quickly changed the subject. "So, have you thought about your other two wishes?" Norm walked back over to the couch and sat down.

Jack stared at Norm, thankful that the subject was so expertly changed. "Actually, no… I can't think of anything to wish for…"

The genie crossed his legs and arms and leaned back. "You could always wish me free, Red."

Jack felt a stabbing pain in his chest. Before he realized it, he was blurting out, "If I wish you free, you'll leave me! I don't want you to go away!" As quick as it was said, Jack covered his mouth, his face a darker red than his hair.

Norm stared at Jack. No one had ever wanted him to stick around before. They were happy using him to grant dumbass wishes and then ditching him once he served his purpose. Jack wanted Norm to stay. Jack just wanted him.

"Sorry… Just don't… Rush the 'setting-you-free' thing…" Jack said softly.

At his words, Norm was stunned. "You never said you'd wish me free. Are you trying to tell me that you will?" Suddenly, his heart ached. Norm realized how selfish he had just sounded. He didn't mean to seem like a jerk. Not to Jack. Again, he wondered why. Yeah, he's had sex, but he's never been in love. Could that be it? Was he in love with Jack Spicer?

Before Norm could say anything else, a voice came floating down the stairs. "Oh, Jack!" Wuya came strutting down the stairs with someone Norm didn't recognize, but Jack did.

"Ch-Chase!" Jack's face tinged pink and Norm felt aggravated. He was the jealous type.

"Hello, Spicer," Chase Young nodded curtly at the redhead.

Wuya draped an arm around Chase, whose left eye twitched slightly. "Jack, we want you to come help us retrieve some Shen Gong Wu from the monks," she said.

"Shen what?" Norm blinked. He looked to Jack for an explanation. But it wasn't Jack who responded.

"The Shen Gong Wu are powerful magical that have many abilities," Chase explained and Norm growled.

"I was asking Jack, not you, Elf," Norm said.

Chase raised an eyebrow. "And just who are you?"

"He's my genie. His name is Norm," Jack said hurriedly. Norm wondered if Chase was the one Jack was talking about. Was Chase the one who rejected Jack? Just thinking about made Norm want to walk up to the other man and deck him.

"Jack can't go. We have plans," Norm cut in.

Jack looked at Norm in confusion. "We do?"

A nod came from the genie. "Yup. We're going to the movies. So, beat it."

Wuya glared at the genie. "Well, at least you're getting along…" She turned and started back up the stairs, dragging Chase with her.

"Movies?" Jack blinked, confused.

Norm nodded. "The movies. Anything good playing?"

Jack started laughing. "Well, do you like horror?"

"Whores? Where?" Norm smiled, trying to make the awkward feeling between him and Jack melt. It worked. "Yeah, I like 'em."

"Okay, cool. Let's go see 'Saw VI', then." Jack smiled, grabbing his jacket.

"As you wish, Red."