Man, I just want to thank everyone who already read this story. You really made it worth my while to write this! I mean, I have over a thousand hits and 87 reviews, and this story is on 14 favorites' lists and 10 alerts lists. And reviewers, thank you so much for all your support! Everyone rocks here!

I hope I'll see you all when the sequel is up. And you're all lucky. I wrote the entire plot just yesterday! I know exactly what will happen in the story. But I'll only tell you that the title is Free Rina, and there will be quite a few surprises in it! I hope you like it. And I hope you all like the final chapter of Our Genie, Rina! (sniff) It's almost over! Well, here you go. Enjoy! Oh yeah, and this is a songfic, and the song is "Keep Holding On" by Avril Lavigne. Lavigne rules!

Disclaimer: I only own Rina and the plot for this story and the sequel (plus I got some ideas from DarkBlade98 that I'm going to use in the sequel, and I'm mentioning this because I'll probably forget when the time comes to mention it). Plus I've got the outline for the third one, so I own that too! Other than that it's all James Patterson's. But wouldn't it be so cool if I owned all the states I mentioned?

Chapter 12: Keep Holding On (that's right, keep holding on for the sequel!)

POV Rina

We flew as far away as possible from the ruins of the School. It's a good thing we did, too, as soon as we were two miles away I could hear the whitecoat's minds mourning over their precious "science lab" and wanting to kill whoever did this.

On the way over here, Iggy and I told everything we experienced with Ari 2. We got various whoops and cheers when I announced that Iggy wished me free. It only got louder when I said that I was still going to stay. I think they grew dependant of me. But I'm dependant of them too, so it all evens out.

We camped on the Oregon coast, a walk away from a cliff looking out over the ocean. But even though we were safe, the scientists could never find us, and Ari 2 wouldn't be free for a long time, I couldn't sleep. You'd think with Iggy next to me I could manage a bit of shuteye, but I just couldn't. He must have sensed it, because late that night (the moon was right above us, but I still didn't know what time it was) he rolled over, eyes wide open.

"Can't sleep, huh?" He whispered.

"How did you know?"

"I could sense it. You want to go on a walk with me?"

"Sure." It's not like I was going to get to sleep just lying here. We managed to get up without waking up anyone (I was always kinda clumsy), and walked through this strange new forest to the cliff.

"Jump?" I asked.

"Okay, but me first. I'll catch you at the bottom."

"Fine." I waved a hand towards the cliff. He took a flying leap (pun intended) and swept out his wings about halfway down. He glided to a smooth stop on the sand and held out his arms. I followed suit, and before I knew it I was in his arms, belly up. And I won't lie. I made myself a bit lighter for him. I don't think he's weak, I just feel a little self-conscious.

We walked across the beach for a little bit, until we got to a rock about five feet from the waves with some shrubs behind it. He sat down, and I'm able to take a hint, so I sat next to him.

"Do you want to talk? Like, about the School or something?" I felt kinda awkward sitting and not talking.

"Actually, I'd like to have one night where I don't have to hear about the School." Iggy responded.

"Right, sorry." We were silent for a second.

"Hey Rina?"

"Yeah?"

"I was just wondering…it's been bugging me for a while now, but what were you thinking when you left?"

I wasn't exactly expecting that. "Well, sadness for what would happen in the future. Anger that I had to leave. I didn't want to leave. But I had to."

"Rina, can't you come up with a better excuse than 'I had to'?" Iggy sounded exasperated.

"Well, the thing is, I only said that so many times because I didn't want to worry you. The real reason is that if genie law enforcement, or GLF, found out that I disobeyed and stayed with you, they'd do horrible things. They'd take away my powers, possibly isolate me from all contact. Genies are social creatures, we depend on people and powers. We go insane if we don't have at least one of them. And once they take away my powers, everything I've ever done with them would be erased. And we couldn't be able to fix it unless somebody wished it so. They're pretty smart, those GLF. They don't fix it because they want to show us that when you disobey, everyone gets punished, and it's all your fault. That's why I had to leave. I couldn't handle that on my conscious."

"Wow, that's kinda harsh."

"I didn't say they were the nicest beings in the universe."

"Who are the nicest beings, then?"

"Extinct. Another planet got sick of them and sent their form of missiles to them, and those Martians didn't stop the missiles because it would hurt the other planet's feelings. That's why there's no life on Mars."

"That explains a lot." He paused. "But why didn't you stay? We could have lived without your powers, and we'd break you out if you were isolated."

"No, you couldn't live without my powers. I helped Jeb save you when you were still in the School. I made those guards fall asleep and I made that house for you. You'd be long dead, and the world along with it, if my powers didn't interfere. And you can't break in if I'm isolated. You wouldn't be able to find genie headquarters unless you were with a genie, for one thing. And only a genie can get me out. I appreciate it, but you wouldn't be able to."

"Rina, I'd have done anything to see you again. You were driving me crazy, and you weren't even there. I missed you so much."

"You didn't have to miss me so much! You could have moved on. You can live without me."

"No, I can't. Believe me, I've tried. It didn't work." I grinned. I think that was supposed to be a joke. "But Rina, all the time you were gone, I was wondering where you were and what you were doing, if you were thinking of us at all. So now's your chance to tell me. What happened to you when we were gone? What were you thinking? Did you miss us?"

"And what if I don't want to talk?" I didn't know why I was being so stubborn. I guess I just wanted to see how desperate he was.

"Oh, I have ways." He grinned evilly. The next thing I knew I was on the sand, laughing and gasping, and Iggy was on top of me. He sure knew how to play, I'll give him that. "I'll give you one more chance. Answer my question."

"Never!" I grinned. He, well, he did some rather interesting stuff, most of which involved kissing me and adjusting our position so he was sitting cross-legged on the sand and I was sitting in his lap and being smothered by his chest. What if someone saw us? The thought crossed my mind a few times, only to be silenced by a new movement from Iggy. Finally I gave in.

"All right, all right, I'll tell! Just let me get up!"

"Aww, I was having so much fun!" he whined, still grinning in that evil way he had. "But let's hear it."

I adjusted my position so we were sitting cross-legged across from each other. "When I left you, I went to genie headquarters and told my boss all about you guys and how I had to leave you early. For my record, and yours." I added, seeing his confused expression. "Every being that is or has met a genie has to have a profile. We need records. So anyways, Charlie- my boss- was interested with you guys. He said it was a big honor working for world-savers. He didn't exactly approve of us being together, but what happened is what happened. But at the end of the story I kinda lost it. I started crying. I couldn't help it. I didn't want to leave you. But I had to, and I wouldn't be able to forget you easily. So Charlie gave me a vacation.

"I decided to visit some Earth attractions, mainly European cities. But I couldn't stop thinking of you guys. I tried to train myself not to check the iPod for any messages from you. Yes, I got your messages. Even Angel sent me a message while you were sleeping. I still missed you a ton, but I was learning to ignore it, and I had almost learned not to hurt so much when I thought about you guys when I got your message that you were in the School.

"You got the messages? But why didn't you respond?" I'd give anything to not hear how hurt Iggy sounded when he said that.

"I wanted to, I really did. But if I did, you'd respond, and then I'd respond back, and you'd ask for advice, and I'd have to give it to you, or you might ask me to come back, and I'd never be able to say no. And if I just stopped talking, you'd be even more hurt than if you never heard from me in the first place. I thought it would be best not to respond, for the time being.

"It was really hard making the decision to save you. I almost didn't. But then I realized that I could either feel really bad because I let you and the entire world die, or I could save you, get punished, and save an entire world with people I love in it. Either way I loose, so I might as well make more people win while I'm loosing. I was going to just pop open your latches, but you still wouldn't know how to save the world, you needed an extra person to save it, and I wanted to see you one more time. So I dressed up as a whitecoat and freed you myself, oblivious of the punishments."

"But wait, why aren't you being punished right now?"

I smirked. "That's the beauty of the plan I had earlier. When you wished me free, the GLF couldn't punish me for anything I did as a genie. When you get wished free, it's like a clean slate. In the records, I'm an entirely different person. And there are only a handful of freed genies, so it's not a huge problem making new records for freed people. We only have one freed genie a decade, maybe two. I remember one year when we had three genies freed in the same year. They declared a holiday for that occasion."

"So freeing a genie is a pretty big deal?"

"You better believe it. Not a lot of people want to waste one whole wish on freeing a genie. The people who do wish one free are most often vain people who want to be the only ones to have had a genie and no one else can have us. But you're not like that, Iggy. And that's one of the reasons I love you." He blushed.

"It isn't that important. You just have to place yourself in their shoes."

"I know. And it is important. Many people never do that. I wish more people were like you."

"Can't you grant your own wishes now? Or do you need a genie too?"

"I can. But where's the fun in making the world perfect? It's all boring. No wars, no stupid people, no explosions."

"I would miss explosions. And stupid people are always funny." We sat next to each other and stared at the tides for some time. Then a song got stuck in my head. I couldn't help it. I hummed it to myself. And Iggy's ears, after years of being depended on when he was blind, picked up my almost silent tones.

"What are you humming?"

"Nothing. Just some song stuck in my head."

"Which one?"

"Some song I heard on the radio. Michelle Branch, I think. No wait, it's Avril Lavigne."

"But which song is it?"

"Well, the thing is I never caught what the title was. I remember the lyrics, though. I can sing it just fine, I just don't know the title."

"Sing it to me."

"What? Sing it to you? Why should I?"

"I just want to know, that's all."

I sighed. "Fine. But I'm not a good singer."

"You're not alone.

Together we stand.

I'll be by your side,

You know I'll take your hand.

When it gets cold

And it feels like the end,

There's no place to go,

You know I won't give in.

No, I won't give in.

"Keep holding on,

'Cause you know we'll make it through.

Just stay strong,

'Cause you know I'm here for you.

There's nothing you can say,

There's nothing you can do,

There's no other way when it comes to the truth.

So keep holding on,

'Cause you know we'll make it through."

I stopped there. I better not expose Iggy to too much of my horrible singing. I turned to look at him and make sure he wasn't paralyzed with horror at my voice. He wasn't. Instead, he faced me, confused.

"Why did you stop?"

"So you wouldn't be scarred for life because my singing is so horrible."

"I didn't think you were bad. I liked it. I've never heard you sing before."

"Really? Are you pulling my leg? I'm pathetic!"

"No, you're not. C'mon, sing the rest of it!"

"You really want me to?" I couldn't believe it. I'm bad, I know it!

"Yes, I want you to. Why wouldn't I?" Well, if he really wants me to…

"So far away.

I wish you were here.

Before it's too late

This could all disappear.

Before the doors close

And it comes to an end

With you by my side

I will fight and defend.

I'll fight and defend.

"Keep holding on,

'Cause you know we'll make it through.

Just stay strong,

'Cause you know I'm here for you.

There's nothing you can say,

There's nothing you can do,

There's no other way when it comes to the truth.

So keep holding on,

'Cause you know we'll make it through.

Hear me when I say

When I say I believe.

Nothing's gonna change

Nothing's gonna change destiny.

Whatever's meant to be

Will work out perfectly.

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

La da da da, la da da da,

La da da da da da da da da da

"Keep holding on,

'Cause you know we'll make it through.

Just stay strong

'Cause you know I'm here for you.

I'm here for you.

There's nothing you can say,

There's nothing you can do,

There's no other way when it comes to the truth.

So keep holding on

'Cause you know we'll make it through,

We'll make it through.

Ahh, ahh,

Keep holding on,

Ahh, ahh,

Keep holding on,

There's nothing you can say,

There's nothing you can do,

There's no other way when it comes to the truth.

So keep holding on,

'Cause you know we'll make it through,

We'll make it through.

I was quiet, and so was Iggy. I just stared at the advancing and receding tides, trying not to blush too much. Then Iggy spoke.

"I didn't know you could sing like that, Rina. Was that your natural voice?"

"Yes, it was my original voice. Is that good or bad?" I was still suspicious. Was he just trying to let me down gently?

"Rina, how many times do I need to say it? You're a great singer, and the person who told you otherwise was deaf. Take it from a guy with super-developed hearing. You're great."

I let it sink in. I was a great singer. I didn't think I was bad, I just never thought I was great. All the other girls were better at me in high school. But they were genies too, so I guess I must sound pretty good to a human. But then again, I'm half human now, so I must have lost some of my "genie charm", which includes singing. But he still thought I was good…

I don't know how long we sat speechless. It was like our bodies talked in their little ways, like Iggy using his thumb to give my hand a little massage and my head resting on his shoulder. I don't know why, but I wanted something more. I just didn't know what it was that I wanted. In spite of my silence, I sighed.

"What's wrong?" Iggy asked, his body transferring from calm to concerned.

"I don't know." I lifted my head from his shoulder. "I mean, this is great and all, but there's just something I want. I don't know what it is, but I want it so bad right now."

"You know, I feel the same way. But what do we want?" He turned to me, and I just now saw those amazing blue eyes I missed so much. They were a clear blue, as light as the sky. I love those eyes. He was gazing into mine at exactly the same time, and I think we both just realized what we wanted. But should we? We've done it a lot, but my body was paralyzed. What if we never stopped once we started? Because alone…on a beach…with no people in sight… did we have that much control?

"Go for it!" As this was yelled by neither me or Iggy, we swiveled around.

What the h-e-double hockey sticks was the rest of the flock doing spying on us behind those shrubs? Gazzy and Angel had smiles from ear to ear, Max was grinning evilly, Fang had payback written all over his face (with a small smile, surprisingly), and Nudge was smiling guiltily and gave a little wave, clearly the one who had just yelled out that last statement.

"Sorry, I couldn't help it! You both wanted to so much, but you weren't going to, so…" Nudge trailed off.

"We've been watching since Rina was explaining genie freedom." Angel answered. Dang, she can read my mind again! I'm so bad at blocking it. "Iggy's right, you have a good singing voice, Rina! Don't let those high school girls convince you otherwise." Well, that was a little sweet, but I wish they wouldn't hear me without my permission!

"How did you watch us for this long?" Iggy asked.

"It was easy, we just had to not make any noise and not think too much. And you guys were completely unaware of us anyways." Angel answered.

"But why?"

"Well, the little kids were curious, and Fang and I want payback for the Great Salt Lake." Max answered.

"How do you know about that?" I asked.

Gazzy grinned sheepishly. "I'll do anything for chocolate."

"Gazzy! We told you not to tell Max!" Iggy scolded.

"Well, I didn't tell Max. Her boyfriend made me tell him." Fang made a smile that matched Max's.

"You got to witness our private moments, we get to witness yours. But I'm not satisfied yet." He said.

"I'm sorry, we didn't guarantee your satisfaction or your money back." I growled. What were we, a romance movie?

"Actually, a romance movie calls for music." Angel addressed me. Instantly, my mind filled with Kiss the Girl, the very same song I played in Max and Fang's head. A grimace from Iggy told me that he heard it too.

"C'mon, guys, you know you want to!" Nudge told us.

"I agree with Nudge. You missed each other so much, and you haven't done it in forever, so why not?" I think Nudge was grateful that Gazzy was backing her up.

"Let's see some payback." Max said. Fang nodded in agreement, back to his stoic self.

"Angel?" I almost pleaded. She only made the song louder. Iggy and I turned away from them, back towards the tides.

"Wanna gross out the little kids?" I mentally asked Iggy.

"They wouldn't exactly be grossed out, you know." He sent back.

"I know. But do you want to?"

"Only if you do."

I nodded, and he leaned in. I followed suit, and we kissed. Unaware of the cheers and "YES's" around us, we kept kissing like we never had before. Because this time we knew that this was one of many, and I was going to be here to return these for a long time. Iggy's sandy hand crept up my arm, and mine found it's way into his hair. We stayed like that for an eternity, and I wouldn't have minded doing it longer, but our limitations made us break apart for air. The flock was gone by then. They've had their show.

"Wow." Iggy said.

"Yeah. Wow."

"I feel better now."

"As in complete, or as in getting closer?"

"Complete."

"Me too." We smiled at the same time and leaned in for more. Now I felt satisfied, and I never wanted to leave this paradise.

(sniff) It's over! Our Genie, Rina is over! And wasn't that a sweet ending? I think it was. But don't worry faithful readers, the sequel is called Free Rina, and I'm posting it as soon as I can!

Thanks again to everyone who has reviewed or read this story. And please review and tell me how you liked the ending!

See you at the sequel!

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