~Chapter 36~

Joel

I couldn't leave the table quick enough. Once dinner was over, I made my way down to the gardens as fast as my feet would take me. To my surprise, Noella beat me there. I slowly approached from behind as she had her back to me.

"So I don't know about you…" I started to say as Noella spun around to meet my gaze, "But that dinner seemed to drag on too long."

"Joel." Noella smiled hugging me.

"I'm glad you made it." I nodded.

"Yeah...I was delayed." She said.

"I'd like to hear about it, " I pressed, "I was quite surprised when I got to Agrabah and you weren't here."

"C'mon let's walk...let me start at when I met my so-called "brother" in the desert…"

Noella and I spent the next several minutes walking through the gardens together. It was nice, private, and I appreciated the fact that we could be alone, but I wasn't sure how long that would last. She told me about Aladdin and Faheem and her frustration with the newest clue she got from the mirror in Adam's castle. Though I was alarmed at hearing about what happened in that cave, but how convenient it was that a lamp was home to a magical genie. Who knew such things existed.

We circled around the gardens several times just talking more about our experiences in the last few days. One specific thing we both agreed on was that we didn't like that man Jafar. I especially hated how he looked at Noella during dinner. I explained to Noella how I got into the palace impersonating a guard while looking for her, but found Jasmine first and how we made our deal to help each other.

"I'm glad you're able to help Jasmine out."

"Yeah? Do I make good suitor material?" I smirked.

"We have to get Aladdin and Jasmine some time to get to know each other. I think they would really hit it off." Noella nodded determinedly.

Noella and I came out from the gardens and found ourselves sitting on the stone of the fountain ledge. I glanced up curiously as I saw a shadow fly overhead.

"Looks like your brother Al is way ahead of you." I commented pointing it out to Noella.

Aladdin had flown up to Jasmine's balcony and we saw them start to talk.

"Oh man." Noella whispered, "I hope she decides to take a chance. She's so jaded due to the laws here."

"Wouldn't you be?" I asked raising a curious brow.

"Yeah I guess," She shrugged.

We quieted down trying to make heads or tails of what was going on up there, but of course, we were too far away. I watched and smiled as Noella looked curiously at the two potential love birds above us.

"You look beautiful by the way." I said putting my hand on top of hers that was resting on the stone between us.

She looked at me, her eyes widening surprised by the sudden compliment or my touch I wasn't sure which.

"Thank you." She smiled, "It's a bit out of my comfort zone wearing this get up."

"It looks great, but I'm curious how your skin tone got so dark."

"That's thanks to Genie...I feel like a completely different person."

"No, you're still you." I reassured her.

"And what about you?" She replied putting her hand to my cheek.

"Jasmine used a makeup powder." I shrugged.

"And you let her?" Noella teased.

"Whatever to blend in." I replied.

Shortly after, we looked back on the balcony and Aladdin had apparently convinced Jasmine to ride the magic carpet with him, so they zoomed off quickly.

"You know Joel, most people wash up by the end of the day. Let me help." Noella smiled mischievously. Seconds later, she leaned over the fountain and flicked a splash of water in my direction hitting me in the face.

"Wow…" I said wiping my face, "Real mature." I said in a accusatory tone growing serious before I too bent over splashing water at her soaking her hair in one try. Then it was war, water war at least. We both splashed each other in equal measure laughing as we did so. My skin tone was back to its usual color though Noella's was still intact probably since it was a genie's magic not makeup powder. We stood up pausing our water war trying to wring out our clothes since we were dripping wet by now, but then the tiger, Rajah came bounding over running toward us at full speed. Where or why he came out, I wasn't sure. He threw Noella off balance and she was leaning toward the fountain pool. I tried to stop her grabbing her waist, but Rajah leaned into me and both Noella and I splashed into the fountain. As we sat there looking at each other, we burst out laughing.

"Man, that cat is as playful as a child." I said.

"Yeah." Noella nodded, "Oh your gold circlet is missing." she pointed out.

I tapped my head and sure enough, nothing was there. Noella and I quickly began fishing our way around the fountain water trying to locate it. Moments later, Noella had pulled it out.

"Here." She said as she reached up to place it back on my head placing her free hand on my shoulder to reach up with the other hand.

As she was placing it, I gazed into her eyes and my heart was racing. Once the circlet slid down around my forehead, I put my hand on Noella's cheek rubbing it gently. She seemed surprised by my sudden action, but welcomed it all the same. I leaned in toward her slowly and finally our lips met. How long I had waited for this. I yearned for her touch, but denied myself until now. I couldn't help the way I felt. I had become a better man since she came into my life. As we pulled away, she was grinning ear to ear.

"What's wrong?" I asked curiously.

"Nothing...I just wasn't sure if I was the only one who felt this between us."

"Trust me. You're not." I reassured her.

I wanted to kiss her again, but with Rajah nearby running through the gardens randomly, even with an animal, it didn't feel private anymore. I helped Noella out of the fountain as both of us headed into the palace dripping wet, but walking hand in hand until we got inside. I walked Noella to her room and we said our goodnights.

"See you in the morning." She nodded.

"I'll be here. We can ask Jasmine about that diamond in the rough thing." I replied.

"Yeah well, goodnight Joel." She said.

"Goodnight princess." I smirked.

As I walked away from her door, I smiled knowing I would have kissed her again had we not been in the palace.

I went to my chambers and changed into some dry clothes. Jasmine gave me a new outfit earlier, so that was nice. Now that I was dry, I went back out into the gardens and walked around a bit more. Moonlight walks were a great distraction for me. Soon, Aladdin and Jasmine on the carpet returned and judging by their faces, they had as good of time as Noella and I did. Soon Aladdin fell back on the carpet as it floated down to the ground near me. I walked over startling him at my presence.

"Oh hi, J-Joel." Aladdin said nervously.

"Prince Ali." I smirked, "or can I call you Aladdin?"

"How did you know?"

"Noella told me everything. Don't worry. Your secret is safe with me." I nodded. "Mind if I join you?"

"Not at all." He replied.

We both reclined on carpet staring blankly at the black night sky full of stars. Soon, a long golden snake staff pushed carpet down hard against the ground startling Aladdin and I. Jafar was grinning coldly at us as four guards surrounded us.

"Seize them." Jafar ordered.

The guards did so grabbing Aladdin and I in a fierce grip. One guard went as far as to clamp the carpet to an iron ball chain to keep it grounded. I fought against the guards, but there was no escaping them.

"What are you doing?" I demanded, "How dare you do this to a prince!" I said trying to keep up my facade. Jafar raised a defiant expression leaning down getting in my face.

'But you're not a prince are you?" He replied, "Either of you." He said glancing at Aladdin.

"I have eyes and ears all around Agrabah. There is plenty that I know…" Jafar said coldly as a big red parrot landed on his shoulder, "Just like I know that you aren't from here and I know that even without the color of your skin now telling me so. Your altered appearance speaks volumes about your wicked lies." Jafar hissed.

"You have no authority. I wish to speak to the Sultan now!" I replied.

"I'm charged with keeping peace in Agrabah and you two are imposters." Jafar said.

"Releash us or there will be consequences." Aladdin said.

"Bite your tongue Prince Ah Boo Boo." Jafar replied, "You two shall have the consequences. Get these two out of my sight. Make sure they're never found." Jafar told one of the guards. Before I could react, something hard hit the back of my head and I blacked out.

AN: Whew, a sweet chapter turns disastrous with a snap of the fingers. I enjoyed the fountain fall, it played like a hilarious movie in my head. Anyways, rising action train is moving out of the station. Next chapter will be up soon. Until next time readers! You all rock! :)