Disclaimer: Refer to chapter 1.

A/N: Ok, so from now on, I will not tell you guys whose POV it is, and see if u can figure it out, not that there's much to figure out, but I will tell you when I switch back to 3rd person, just so things seem totally out of loop!

Also, I put in a bit about Aladdin's mother, so I hope no one minds, seeing as she's not really a character that is around; I've done my own interpretation of her. I did this; so I could develop Cassim more, seeing as there isn't too much about him, even in the 3rd movie.

Thank you everyone who reviewed, it never goes unnoticed!

Now on to the chapter!

Recap:

Sharif nodded again, as the reality of the words sunk into my foolish mind.

Sharif was getting MARRIED?

Chapter 25:

I think my heart stopped beating for second, an incredibly agonising second. I found my eyes locking on to the back of Sharif's head, wishing I could punch him or hit him or…something! Do I have rage issues? Maybe I do, but this makes zero sense!

Angel, as I now like to refer to her, remained smiling coyly, all the while oozing a perfect combination of femineity and innocence. Like she couldn't get any more innocent! Although, I probably shouldn't say that seeing as I don't know her.

My gaze reverted back to Sharif, whose reaction surprised me, in a sense that he seemed calm but looked like he was struggling to hold something in. Or I am just reading too much into it. Why should I care that he's getting married? Why should I care who the girl is? To heck with Sharif, I don't care! Right?

"When the Sultan returns tomorrow night, we will inform him of this new union, as he must know before any wedding plans are made," Irfan continued. I wanted to hear more about this "marriage" so I crept lightly around the side of the pillar, hoping they wouldn't notice.

"I agree," Sharif answered straightforwardly, his focus darting around the room in a slightly odd manner, until they locked on me, ridiculously not hidden behind the pillar.

Oh crap.

I ran as silently as I could, and managed to catch the end of Sharif's words "Excuse me, for a moment, Irfan and Shanaz," he said. Well, Angel has a name, Shanaz, ridiculously pretty name too!

I kept running, until I managed to find a stairway leading outside, instinctively I ran towards the most distant pergola, I figure that if Sharif wants to have an argument with me, it had better not be somewhere public!

I disappeared inside, his arrival only a few moments later. I spun around, my arms crossed defensively against my chest, a, façade, as to what I was really feeling inside.

"Why did you follow me?" I barked immediately.

He raised his eyebrows and said sarcastically "Were you listening in on my conversation?"

I tried not to look at the ground "Maybe"

"Right, so I had a reason to follow you,"

My insides were churning. "To follow me? Do you think I care you're getting married to angel girl?"

"So you were listening,"

"Yeah I was, I happened to hear it ok? It's not like I can just turn my ears off!" I replied sharply, my wits escaping me.

"You don't care?" he asked. I couldn't really figure out his tone, as it could go either way, truly inquisitive or just plain mean and only he could combine the two.

"I don't," I answered firmly.

He paused to consider what I'd just said. "Well that's good, since it doesn't concern you anyway," he replied steely.

"Yeah, it doesn't, have fun with Miss Angel, I'm sure you'll make the cutest couple, if she doesn't get sick of you first," I snapped, and strutted out the door. Hurray, at least I made an exit!

3rd Person

Cassim walked into the throne room, hoping to find Aladdin or Tali. He felt as though he hadn't seen enough of his children, considering they were the reason he was even staying in the palace. Showing Rasoul he actually could manage his job was a shock for him too, after years of working against the system and forgetting a lot about responsibilities he hadn't used for a long time, like fatherhood. He sat down in the Guard's Corner, of the room and sighed.

He often remembered Jameela, his wife, and stared at the painting he'd done of her cradling Tali as a baby, with Aladdin as a toddler by her side. Staring at her face, her reserved dignity reached out to him and reminded him of everything he'd forgotten.

It was almost enough reminiscing to make him angry at himself, angry he hadn't been there for his children, angry he hadn't been around to raise them. He looked into Jameela's eyes on the faintly discoloured scroll, and saw warmth that was unmistakable to anyone who had ever seen her. She didn't have stunning eyes or a unique colour as such, but they were filled with love, love that reflected her pure heart.

She was smiling in the painting, like she usually did. A vivid remembrance caught Cassim for a moment.

"Ok, that is perfect, now don't move!" Cassim cried happily, as he expertly moved the brush across the papyrus. Jameela sat on an old wooden chair which was one of the few items of furniture in the relatively bare room. It had been draped by an old silk shawl, for Cassim's painting. "I can't sit still," she laughed "Aladdin won't let me!"

Aladdin pulled at his mother's sleeves "I wanna go play now," he whined impatiently. Tali gurgled loudly in Jameela's lap, as if to add her own input on the situation. Cassim laughed, overcome with joy. "Aladdin, just sit with your mother for a little longer, and I will buy you some barfi," said Cassim, hoping to appease his son with the promise of the Indian almond sweetmeat.

Aladdin quietened down "Promise?" he asked. "Promise," replied Cassim "Now sit still," Jameela smiled again, despite Tali's managing to get a firm grasp of Jameela's long hair. "Silly girl," she scolded softly, fondling with the slightly large anklet that had been put on Tali. The gold band, that Cassim had bought as a present for his newborn daughter. It didn't actually fit her yet, she would have to grow into it. Cassim just wanted it in the painting.

Cassim resumed his painting, while he watched Aladdin sit up, clearly motivated by the thought of sweets. Jameela gave Tali a kiss on her forehead. "Done!" announced Cassim. Jameela picked up Tali and came over to see the painting. "It's beautiful," she said. "Can I have some barfi now?" Aladdin asked bluntly. Cassim and Jameela laughed "Ok, go on," said Jameela, giving Aladdin a kiss on his cheek. "Bye mama," he said sweetly before heading to the door. "He's definitely his mother's son," Cassim said. Jameela smiled "Go on, I doubt his patience will hold up,"

Cassim chuckled, and held Aladdin's hand as they walked out the door, laughing together.

I walked back into the palace, when a thought occurred to me. What if Aladdin told Dad about Sharif and me, what happened…I would be dead. Well, since my older brother hardly took the news well, I am not sure about my Dad. I have to talk to Aladdin.

Luckily, he wasn't far, and was talking to Ishaq about something at the entry to one of the council rooms.

"Aladdin, I need to talk to you," I said nervously. Aladdin nodded "Ok, you know what to do," he told Ishaq, who headed off. He then draped a brotherly arm around me "I'm all ears," he said. We walked out until the terrace, until I had actually worked out what to say.

"You know what you saw in the pergola," I said, turning to face him.

He crossed his arms "Yeah?"

"Well, it wasn't what it looked like,"

"No?"

"So I would appreciate if you don't tell Dad,"

He looked at me sceptically "If it wasn't 'what it looked like' and believe me it looked like something then there shouldn't be a problem in me telling Dad…"

"Oh please no," I pleaded, running out of things to say.

"Well…ok, just this time," he replied.

"Oh thank you!" I squealed, giving him a big hug.

"But you watch it, guys are very…" he added warningly, unable to finish his sentence. I knew exactly what he was alluding to though, it was more than obvious.

"Don't worry about me, I'm a big girl," I replied confidently.

He smiled "Come on, let's find Dad, feels like we haven't seen him in ages," he commented. I couldn't agree more. We both walked into the throne room, where we found Dad sitting in a corner, seemingly immersed in some sort of daydream.

"Dad?" I said, checking for a reaction, which he did, but slightly late.

"Oh sorry, just lost in my thoughts," he replied. "What were you thinking about?" asked Aladdin

"Your mother," Dad replied with a sigh. We both sat down, on either side of him. He unrolled this scroll, with the painting he'd done of us. My mother wasn't any real "beauty" as you might say, but she was quite pretty in this very simple way. Something in her face, her whole demeanour, however, gave her a look that no stunning women ever seemed to have. It was something you can't describe, but you know that it's there, something wonderful.

I could tell Aladdin was thinking the same thing. "Kids, listen to me, you both know this, I'm sure," began Dad, sounding a little choked up "but, when you love someone, hold on to them, don't let them slip away, because of pride or jealously, and never take them for granted, no matter how strong the love is, sometimes that in itself is abandonment," he finished reflectively.

I nodded, as did Aladdin. "I must go kids, I will see you in awhile, but I am posted out front," he said as he left.

We were both still thinking of our father's words before, words we knew, hadn't come out of pure thought, but out of experience.

My mind was spinning. I wanted to slap my grandmother, I wanted the poison sucked out of her, and I wanted her to die for everything she has done. But this time, it wasn't her, it was my mother who had committed the wrong.

My mother looked at me, discomfort displayed prominently on her features. I turned and saw my grandmother, her coal eyes positively glowing cruel happiness. "Nadira?" my mother said, her voice trembling.

"I do not want to speak to either of you," I said sharply before running out the door. To hell with them. I fastened my abaya and ran through the streets, every step pounding the road in determination. I had no idea why, but there was only one thing I knew would help me, even a little.

I reached the palace gates, only one face I hoped to see. Which I did.

Was it good? If you guys are wondering, I went into Cassim's past because, well that's what makes a character, and since he hasn't actually got much about his life with Aladdin's mother in the movie, I thought why not do a bit about that, something to make him more identifiable. I know it may seem like it contradicts some info in KoT, but it depends on interpretation, which I had to, make this plausible. I know that Al said he never knew his father, or had memories, but remeber, it wasn't Al remembering this, it was Cassim.

Also, I aimed that if this were to be part of the Aladdin universe (Tali in particular, as she would be Al's sister and Cassim's daughter) that it seemed possible, or that it blended in at least, especially with Aladdin having a sister! Did that work?

DD