Sorry for the delay but I have been really busy. Now I know this is a little short but don't worry the next chapter will be longer.

I just really wanted to give a little more insight into Jasmine's character. I didn't want to only highlight the bad parts, even though those are really fun to write.

Anyway enjoy!


"Why do you have a monkey on your shoulder?" Anywhere else, that question would have another meaning. People might think you had a problem that needed solving, or simply just someone to talk to. In Agrabah however, there really was a monkey on Aladdin's shoulder.

"He's my friend and he likes to sit on my shoulder. He gets a better view up there". Aladdin responded with a straight face.

Jasmine couldn't stop the giggle that escaped her, covering her mouth with her hand as her eyes widened. She couldn't remember the last time she'd laughed and in front of a servant at that. Lately it seemed there was nothing for her to laugh about, what with everyone pressuring her to marry a man she'd hardly know. But somehow this boy had managed to do the impossible, a boy who for all intents and purposes she was determined to hate, simply because of who he served.

'He's not like the others' Jasmine thought to herself. 'Maybe…maybe he and I could be friends?'

Jasmine had never really had friends before. Well except for Rajah of course and the birds in her canary. For she was the princess, the crown jewel of Agrabah. As such, it was decided long ago by Allah himself that she was not destined for friends. For no one was willing to be the friend of a princess. Which when you really think about it, it would make sense, especially if said princess was as beloved as Jasmine.

I mean think about it, you'd have guards following your every move. You might be searched every time you come to visit. You'd have to endure hours upon hours of boring procedures and regulations. Sometimes, all the freebies in the world just weren't worth the hassle. And besides, there was never a guarantee that those who befriended the princess would receive the luxuries she'd become accustomed to. For she was a princess sick of the royal life. Who's to say she wouldn't want to experience something different? Something new? Who's to say whether she'd prefer to explore the markets, rather than laze around the palace, eating sweets and gossiping about the nobility? Who could honestly say they'd wish to befriend a princess, endure constant attention from the guards and be forced to endure her endless complaints about being forbidden to leave the palace? Where the only reward they'd receive would be the right to inform people they knew the princess personally. No gifts, no jewels, no money. Just the princess' friendship to gain. Somehow I don't think many people would be up for the challenge.

"You know I-" Aladdin started only to fall silent. She was the princess after all, surely there were rules he had to follow. Weren't there?

"What is it?" Jasmine's curiosity was peaked.

"It's nothing, forget it" Aladdin backpedalled.

"No tell me. I wish to know. Please?" Jasmine leaned forward expectantly.

"I just…you have a nice laugh. I mean I've seen you a lot while working for my master, but I've never seen you laugh before. Actually…" Aladdin paused "…I don't think I've ever even seen you smile before".

Jasmine gave a sad smile, a tiny one at best. "I suppose I haven't had much to smile about lately" she sighed.

It seemed her sigh served as a cue for Abu. Upon hearing the pretty young woman sigh, Abu, ever the sucker for a pretty face, scampered over looking up at her pleadingly. And like many young women, particularly those who were lonely or lacked joy in their lives, Jasmine fell for it hook, line and sinker.

"Hello there" Jasmine cooed, letting out another giggle as Abu twisted his tail in his paws.

"His name's Abu. I think he likes you". Aladdin said quietly, bringing the princess' attention back to him. Although not intentionally.

"It's very nice to meet you Abu. I think I like you too". Aladdin smiled at the sight. From what he could see, things weren't nearly as bad as he feared.

Now you may be wondering what's going on. Just to refresh your memories a little, Jafar, ever the manipulative bastard, decided to throw Aladdin into the deep end as it were. He manipulated Aladdin into believing that by befriending the spoiled princess, he would be making many people happy. That by convincing her to do what she was born to do would mean everyone's problems would disappear.

Now Aladdin hadn't quite listened to all of the details, he'd been a little too preoccupied with thinking about how close the man had been to him. How close their faces had been, enough so that the man's goatee had tickled his chin just a little. It still made him flush, although he tried desperately hard to supress it. But still, from what he had listened to, the man's reasoning seemed sound. And being the eager to please, well-mannered ex-street rat that he was, it didn't take much persuading before Aladdin was on board.

Of course once Aladdin had time to think it over properly, away from the man who seemed to overtake so many of his thoughts lately, Aladdin started panicking. It started out with the usual what did I get myself into? Why did I agree to this? Why didn't I listen instead of dreaming of things that are never going to happen? Then it evolved to the slightly more detailed, such as how can I make this happen? She's a princess and I used to be a street rat, we have nothing in common. This is never going to work; she'll try and have me arrested. How could I be so stupid to agree to something I know nothing about? You know the usual freak out people have in their minds whenever they agree to do something they either can't or don't want to do. But usually they're too preoccupied with thoughts of sex, or the stuff leading up to sex, to realise what they agreed to.

In the end though, it seemed Aladdin's panicking was for nought. For the princess had yet to scream for the guards, and she could scream quite loud when needed. Nor had she tried to hit him or even yell at him, always a plus. In fact, ever since his master had forced him to visit the princess, who had of course been informed of their little meeting for everyone's sake, things had been surprisingly pleasant. There'd been no screaming, no thinly veiled insults, at least not any directed at him. It seemed the princess really didn't like Jafar though, not that Aladdin was very surprised. All in all, the princess was surprisingly calm and almost normal. Well as normal as one can be while stroking a pet tiger, dressed in clothing that would cost Aladdin a lifetime's wages and perched delicately on the edge of a magnificent golden fountain. The fountain alone was enough to stun Aladdin. They say water is the most valuable thing in the world, and in Agrabah it was only ever considered a blessing from the gods. To see it being produced in the middle of a lush garden, which again was a sight to behold given they resided in the desert, it was shocking to say the least for the ex-street rat.

Of course Jasmine herself was quite an impressive sight, although the tiger kind of threw him for a loop. But still Aladdin couldn't keep his gaze from the fountain. Perhaps not the best way to start a friendship, although had Aladdin been observing the princess, instead of the way the water flowed like crystal, he'd have seen the bewildered look on her face.

Now Jasmine was a girl used to getting whatever it was she wanted; money, clothes, jewels it didn't matter. She almost always got what she asked for, lest of course it could endanger her health or something. So it was refreshing to say the least, when the servant of her most hated enemy, well her only enemy really, pretty much ignored her in favour of a pool of water, well Jasmine wasn't quite sure how to react. After all, it wasn't exactly something they taught her in her etiquette classes. But strangely, as hard as she tried to make it so, Jasmine couldn't bring herself to be annoyed. Perhaps it was because the boy was the first boy she'd been allowed to be near, who wasn't a snobby asshole with a superiority complex. Or perhaps it was because he was really cute, even if he was a servant. Whatever the reason, Jasmine found him intriguing. If it had been anyone else they'd have fawned over her, showering her with attention. But he was different. He wasn't like the others. And for Jasmine, despite all the attention she received, the gifts she was given and the adoration that was shown for her, she found herself liking the fat that for once someone wasn't treating her like a princess. Instead she was being treated like everyone else.

It was nice.

"This is Rajah. He's my friend". Jasmine gestured to the tiger busy drinking form the fountain. Apparently he'd dismissed the servant and his monkey as threats, flicking his tail as though he couldn't wait to be rid of them.

"You're friends with a tiger?" Aladdin couldn't help but ask. It wasn't like it was an everyday thing, even in Agrabah.

"You're friends with a monkey. Isn't that just as strange?" Jasmine stated rather bluntly. She could be a little protective at times, especially if she thought someone was criticising her choice in friends.

"I guess you're right" Aladdin smiled, rubbing his neck sheepishly.

"How can you stand to be around him so much?" Jasmine asked.

"Abu? Well he's my friend, I-" Aladdin started, sounding rather confused by the question.

"No not him, I meant Jafar". Jasmine interrupted, her eyes hardened at the name.

"Oh, him". Aladdin said quietly. He couldn't quite think of a reply.

Everyone knew how the princess felt about the man, you'd have to be blind not to. But Aladdin didn't feel that way. The man had given him pretty much everything he could want; safety, a warm bed to sleep in, regular meals and even a job of his own. It was a better life than he could have ever hoped for while living on the streets. And it was all thanks to Jafar. How could Aladdin be expected to hate the man after he'd given him everything? He just couldn't.

"Well?" Jasmine prompted. Aladdin hadn't said anything for at least a minute.

"You want the truth?" Aladdin asked, receiving a pointed look in return. "Right" he sighed. "I know you and he don't get along. I know that what I'm about to say might make you never want to speak to me again. But I don't care. I owe him everything, more than you could imagine. If it weren't for him I'd still be on the streets. You don't know what it's like to live that way. To never know when your next meal will come from. To never know what you'll have to do to earn that next meal. I did things I wish I didn't have to, but if I hadn't, I might not be here right now. Jafar he…if he hadn't brought me here then I don't know if I'd even still be alive right now". Aladdin said quietly. "I owe him my life" he added in afterthought.

"Oh, I see". Whatever Jasmine had been ready to say in response, it was clear she no longer wished to say it.

"I know you don't like him. If I was in your position I might not either. I mean he's the one looking to find suitable candidates to be your husband. I guess to you it's like he's the one forcing you to get married. But he isn't. I mean I know you probably think I'm lying but you're wrong. That law about you marrying has been around for years. Even before you were born. Even before Jafar came to the palace". Aladdin said, nervously watching Rajah as the tiger once again returned to the princess' side.

"How do you know that? How can you be sure?" Well no one could say Jasmine was weak-willed, that was for sure.

"I read it. Jafar has me fetch him books and scrolls from the palace library. Sometimes he lets me read them when he doesn't have any need of me. That's how I found out". Aladdin answered nervously.

Aladdin had a right to be nervous. Being able to read wasn't something many could do. Especially not a lowly street rat. It wouldn't bode well for him if people became aware he could read. They might take it as a sign that he was attempting to rise above his station. A most grievous crime to be sure; one that could even result in death. If of course there were no better candidates for the death penalty.

"You can read?" Jasmine asked, sounding somewhat confused.

"Please don't tell anyone". Aladdin was already berating himself for revealing that little fact.

"I won't". The words were out of Jasmine's mouth before she even had a chance to process them. But they were the truth. While Jasmine could be for lack of a better word a bitch at times, she wasn't heartless.

"Really?" Aladdin sounded surprised.

It hurt. To think he believed she would turn him in like that. It was at that moment Jasmine realised what people really thought of her. To think this boy, someone who seemed so nice and genuine, believed she would intentionally harm him, well it hurt. But what hurt more was that Jasmine knew she'd brought it on herself. Her behaviour of late was not the way a princess should act. She had been rude, disruptive and selfish. And at the time she hadn't cared, she'd had bigger things to worry about. Only now she was learning about the consequences for her actions and she had no one to blame but herself.

"Is that how you see me?" Jasmine asked, her head hung as she stared at her clasped hands.

"I think…I think that's how you've made people see you. But I don't think it's the real you. Is it?" Aladdin asked.

"No. It isn't" Jasmine said quietly. She unclasped her hands to accept the hug offered by Abu. Although it didn't last long as he caught sight of Rajah on her other side. Jasmine let out a little giggle as Abu scampered back to his master's outstretched arm. "Do you…do you think we might be friends?"

Aladdin paused at that. "Is that even legal?" he asked without thinking.

This time Jasmine couldn't help but laugh at that. "Only if I'm the one asking you" she teased.

"Okay. We can be friends". Aladdin answered with a grin of his own, Abu sat on his shoulder once more.

"Good, I'm glad" she smiled. It was a real, genuine smile. Aladdin liked it; it made her seem more human. "Then will you tell me about what it's like outside the palace?" she asked rather desperately.

"Well, what if I showed you instead?" Aladdin offered.

"Showed me? How?" Jasmine cocked her head to the side, eying him strangely,

At that Aladdin abruptly stood up, Abu clinging to his shoulder. "Do you trust me?" he asked, offering her his hand.

"I…yes?" Jasmine responded, allowing him to pull her up. As strange as it sounded, she really did trust him. More than the others living in the palace at least.

"Then follow me". Aladdin smiled, letting her hand go much to her disappointment.

"Alright". No matter what she was in the public eye, Jasmine was still just a teenage girl. And like many teenage girls she was easily manipulated by a charming smile and handsome face. And if that meant she would be doing something stupid for a boy she liked, well that just meant she was just like every other teenage girl out there.


Have no fear this will not be AladdinJasmine. It's JafarAladdin all the way I promise.

Now I am hoping to include the magic carpet at some point and thanks to a reader's suggestion I have been toying with the idea of Aladdin learning some magic from Jafar. But I don't know if I'll be adding the genie in. I'd like to but I'll have to see how the story goes.

Anyway let me know what you think!

KB