Ben groaned wearily as he threw himself, bone-tired, onto his bed. Another day, another merchant's dhow loaded. Honest work was definitely more backbreaking than thieving for his daily bread. Today he'd spent the morning hauling fresh fruit off of a recently returned trade ship, and the afternoon had seen him loading hand-woven rugs under a broiling Arabian sun. He couldn't stand to smell himself but was too exhausted to try and correct the problem.

In the three weeks since he had freed Raia, Ben had been laying low and working hard. Poe was once again his roommate, though now a reluctant and irritating, nagging one. They had disagreed ever since that evening, whether leaving that night was right or foolish.

Poe, who professed to own the inside track on understanding women, had argued that leaving would send the wrong message to Raia; that Ben was insecure. He had been in favor of staying and seeing where the chips fell. They were hero's after all, and walking away from beautiful twins had left him in a foul mood.

Ben had simply refused to stay, ignored his arguments, and walked back to the old quarter of Agrabah, home, once he'd heard most of Rey's story. It wasn't that he wanted to leave the woman he'd just declared his love to, but he felt she deserved some time alone with her family, to reconnect with her former life. Ben wasn't afraid that their love wouldn't withstand a temporary separation but, if he was honest, there was the niggling fear that he might find a different person when he went back. He knew Genie loved him, but how would Raia the Princess choose to live her new life? Would she again be pushed and pulled, unable to make her own choices? It was this uncertainty that cost him sleep in the wee hours.

With the money he'd had remaining from his first wish, he and Poe were able to relocate to a safer area of town and purchase a modest dwelling; street rats no longer. He'd also given Poe a loan, which had enabled him to buy his own dhow. Poe wanted to become a better man while still being true to himself. Ergo, a merchant trader who captained his own ship allowed him the spice of adventure without the crime. Some far-flung day Poe dreamed of being, "a stinking rich merchant, with a ravishing wife and many dark-haired children to spoil."

Ben held no such lofty dreams anymore. Wealth and status were no longer his goals. All he longed for was a place to call home, honest work, and the arms of the woman he loved around him. Being uncertain of what the future may hold after he returned to the palace, he'd opted not to make plans, to find work, and wait to see what came next.

"Another relaxing day at the harbor, Ben?" Poe asked as he walked into their living quarters, throwing his cap at Ben.

Ben threw it back in Poe's face before replying, "Yes! I love smelling like dead fish and seaweed. It really adds a rugged feel to the room, don't you think?"

"It's definitely unforgettable, but you best hope it'll wash off by the time we head back to the palace. Rey will run for her lamp after a whiff of you!"

Ben laughed, rising from his bed, "Good thing the lamp disappeared then. Two more days, buddy. Two more and we can go see our princesses again."

Ben had formally requested an audience with the Sultan two weeks before, and they were both impatient for the appointed hour to arrive. Poe had been corresponding almost daily with Rose since they'd left, and Ben had the sneaking suspicion that Poe's dream world was built around a petite, feisty princess.

"Have I gotten a letter today?"

Ben reached into his tunic pocket and pulled out a folded message, "Messenger was waiting when I got home. What's it worth to you?"

Poe dove at Ben, scrambling to grab ahold of the precious missive before Ben could read it. A wrestling match ensued with only one party particularly invested. Ben released the letter only once he was sure he had flustered his friend sufficiently. Poe had always been so self-contained, but budding affection had given him a soft spot that Ben loved to provoke. All in good fun of course.

Seeking a bit of privacy in which to read his letter, Poe exited their small dwelling and sat down against the sun-warmed wall of the courtyard.

Pookie,

I hope work continued well today. Any luck finding a crew for your first voyage yet? My offer to cut off my hair and act as First Mate still stands. I'm tougher than I look and you know it. I speak several languages, and that'd be an asset to you in your trade negotiations. I also can't imagine anything more romantic than sailing the sea...with you. Who knows, maybe you'll get so raging seasick you'll need someone to hold your hair while you hang over the side! Promise me you'll ponder it until you come around to my way of thinking?

On a side note, you'd best warn that friend of yours that my sister is quietly raging that he hasn't been in contact since he left. If he isn't careful he won't make it back out of the palace with his head on his shoulders. I've discovered Rey does NOT have a great deal of patience anymore, nor has she regained her ability to suffer fools gladly. She speaks honestly, almost bluntly at times. Father has been hard-pressed to keep putting out the fires she starts with visiting emissaries. She misses Ben. Sometimes I hear her crying quietly in our room after we go to bed. He better write soon or bring a gift when he comes. Tell him, if he breaks her heart, I will cut his out and feed it to the tiger.

Love,

Rosie Posie

P.S. Let's name the ship Falcon. It's a majestic creature and will bring good luck.

Poe chuckled, rubbing his chin as he finished the letter. His tiny spitfire was determined to accompany him on his first voyage. He knew she could handle anything the trip entailed, he just wasn't sure her father would approve; he was the Sultan after all. Now, Ben, he was in for a stormy reception if he didn't change course. Maybe he should warn him...as a favor to a fellow man, of course.

"Grrrrr! How can I have nothing to wear! There are thirty dresses in this horrid closet," Rey, in an uncharacteristic fit of dramatics, threw herself onto her bed which was piled with discarded outfits; an arm thrown over her eyes.

"Rey...sweetie, this is ridiculous. Just pick something. Ben won't see the clothes anyway!" her sister coaxed from the doorway.

Rey popped up, a pink tinge evident on her cheeks, "Rosie! Just what are you implying?"

"Not what you're thinking, apparently! I just meant that he's in love with you, and he won't care what you're wearing. He just wants you."

"Does he?" Rey's voice trailed off uncertainly. "Poe has written to you practically every day, and Ben hasn't said a word. He just...left. I wouldn't even know why if Poe hadn't told you!" She sniffled and wiped a tear that managed to escape. "I miss him, and I'm going either kill him or kiss him when I see him this afternoon."

"Either way let's make him squirm a little, shall we?" Rose smirked, and so saying, she delved into the pile of discarded dresses and pulled out a midnight blue dress.

"You know, Ben bought this fabric when we visited the marketplace. I don't know why I picked this color in the first place, it really doesn't suit me. But you, you will be stunning," she said, holding the dress up in front of Rey. The floor-length dress shimmered in the sunlight, thanks to the silver threads and diamond chips adorning the dress. It was like being draped in an Arabian night, stars scattered across the expanse of it. "This dress was made to shine. Go forth and dazzle, Darling."

Rose helped Rey into the elaborate dress and then called a servant to dress her hair. A veil was attached to her hair by a sapphire comb, and then Rose pronounced her complete. Rey had gone quiet during the hairstyling, twisting a spare scarf around her wrist and off again. She wanted to believe her sister's words so badly. That Ben was coming back for her. That he would stay if she asked him to.

Winding the scarf, her thoughts wandered to the new relationship she was forging with her father. She and her father had shared many late night heart to hearts about the reasons she had felt there was no other option but to flee her home. He had been deeply hurt knowing that she hadn't come to talk to him but realized now that he hadn't even been open to it, blinded as he was by the need to maintain his kingdom. Rey had spoken of how difficult it was to feel such pressure to marry. While she respected the customs of her people, the traitorous Vizier had only brought buffoons for her to choose from. Her greatest sorrow had come from the knowledge that her father could change the law to give her more time to find a suitable partner and he wouldn't do it. She had felt betrayed by the man who should have loved her best.

Rey loved her father dearly but had told him, in no uncertain terms, that she would leave (straight out the front door this time) if he refused to approve of her choice and allow them to marry. She was going to marry Ben if still wanted her, even if it meant she could no longer have her royal title. After a few days of discussion with his advisors, they had all agreed that her choice was a sound one. Ben had shown his cool head under pressure, and his valor and strength had saved the people from tyranny; they owed him their lives. He would make a great Sultan when the time came. Her father had added afterward, privately, that most important to him was that Ben loved her and held her first in his heart. She deserved nothing less.

"I don't remember this walk taking so long the last time we made it," Ben practically whined. "Why is it that when you want time to fly it shudders to a halt and refuses to pass?"

"Oh my gosh, Ben. Would you please, please just shut up already? We'll get there when we get there and not a minute sooner! Don't make me turn around and knock some sense into you," Poe retorted.

They were almost to the front gates of the palace, on their way to the appointment with the Sultan. Ben wore the striking black robes he'd had made for the Harvest Party so long ago, while Poe cut a rather dashing figure in a spectacular shade of lime green that no one else would even dream of attempting to pull off.

As the men approached the doors, Poe took a deep breath, slapped Ben on the back, and said, "This is our moment. Let's go get them, Tiger." He made to walk forward, but paused mid-step and drew back to whisper in Ben's ear, "Did you remember to bring the ring?"

A frantic expression crossed Ben's face and he patted his clothes for the ring he'd purchased. Finally, he found it hanging from a chain around his neck where he'd put it last night so he wouldn't forget it. Triumphant, he held it out for Poe's inspection. The rare yellow diamond solitaire flashed brilliantly as it reflected the sun's rays. Sunbeams for his Sunshine to wear.

"What if she says no?"

"She's not going to say no. But if she does then we go out and get plastered together, and you come with me on my trip. Maybe, I'd even let you steer the boat once in a while. You know, like on the graveyard shift or something," Poe said bumping his shoulder against Ben's.

Ben rolled his eyes, "You're such a good friend, Poe."

Together the two guys laughed and entered into the palace to meet their destinies…

#################

A/N: A cliffhanger? How could the author do this to us? We should revolt ;p

This chapter got away with me and was much longer than anticipated. Next week will come the desired ending. I promise!

Until next week, Lovies!

p.s. A Dhow is an Arabian trading ship.