Chapter Six

When Aladdin awoke, the sun was nearly setting in the far off horizon. Squinting as he rose from bed and peered out the porthole, he sighed and realized with irritation his entire body was off by more than twelve hours. Yawning, Aladdin rubbed the back of his neck and stretched. Shaking off the remains of his drowsiness, he opened his cabin door and began to head up towards the deck.

"Catch!" Samirah shouted as Aladdin reached the top of the stairs and came into view. She tossed him a beautiful, red shiny apple. Catching it clumsily, taken off guard, he smiled and finally took into account just how hungry he was. "Quite a crazy morning, huh?" She commented as she came down from the bridge. Shading her eyes with her hand as she peered up the mast, she smiled at Hamal who was in the crow's nest. "Big baby." She muttered under her breath. Turning towards Aladdin, she pointed towards Hamal. "Likes to make himself look busy. I'd bet you twenty silvers he's asleep."

Aladdin laughed as he took a greedy bite out of his apple and noticed how vivacious and content Samirah was. If he hadn't known better, he wouldn't have thought, or known, she had a care in the world. Yet, he knew the size of the clouds that loomed over her head and the dwindling thoughts of their attraction; not to mention the tension that was hanging thickly in the air.

Leaning against the rail, the sun soothing his skin, Aladdin sighed and chucked the remainder of his apple into the sea. If he weren't so nerve wracked, he would be enjoying every moment of this. The sun, the air, the ocean, all within his fingertips – a new adventure of exploring. As well as a beautiful woman that wanted him to stay with her. The unsettling thought that kept reoccurring in his mind was the sheer fact that he could, in fact, get used to a life at sea and love it. Turning around, he stared into the vast ocean blue and saw below him, his mangled reflection as torn and disheveled as his thoughts.

"What's on your mind, sailor?" Samirah asked as she joined him at the rail. Gazing out, she closed her eyes and took a deep breath of ocean air. When he didn't respond, she turned to him and smiled. "Clear skies here on out. We're a little rocky today; waves are white capping, but nothing too serious. As long as we keep this wind, we should be there within a day or so," She reassured. "We're making remarkable time." He noted the disappointment vibrating in her words.

"Good." He stated blandly, ignoring the sudden jump in his chest when she moved closer.

"Hamal and I are here to help you, should you need it. " She commented, trying to get some response out of him. He only nodded. Sighing, she dropped her head back, bathing it in the sun's warmth. Turning back to him after a suspended moment, she felt a change in subject might bring out the Aladdin she was falling for. "So ... Aladdin," She paused. "What's it mean?" She asked suddenly.

Perplexed, he turned towards her. "What does what mean?"

"Your name. I'm particularly interested in the meanings of names." She stated as-a-matter-of-factly.

"Aladdin." He stated, sighed, and thought for a moment. "I don't know exactly." When he stopped and noticed that wouldn't be enough to please her, he thought momentarily, dragging up a lost memory. "Actually, I believe I once heard a woman comment on my name a long time ago. Probably one occasion or another when I was in trouble, guards screaming at me, you know." Samirah smiled brightly with mirth and amusement, causing him to feel like melting. Clearing his throat, he continued. "She said something to the effect of, 'height of faith'. Guess I needed it then. Still do everyone once in a while."

"Very fitting." She smiled and bumped her shoulder into his playfully.

"And you? What does your name mean?" Aladdin questioned, smiling slightly.

"Well, believe it or not, but it means; 'entertaining companion'." At that, Aladdin laughed. "What?" She questioned. "What's so funny?"

He settled down and smiled. "That's so perfect for you."

"Well, I'm glad to have brought you some entertainment on this voyage."

"Believe me, you've brought more than that." After Aladdin spoke, they both stood in silence and pondered over the meaning of his words. Clearing her throat, she broke his trance and felt suddenly uneasy.

Lightening the mood, she giggled softly. "Promise you won't say anything, but Hamal's name means 'lamb'!" Bursting into a fit of laughter, they both had to hold onto the railing to keep from doubling over. It was the break from his anxiety Aladdin desperately needed and would always appreciate Samirah for helping him to forget for a few tender moments.

When the laughter subsided, they looked at each other, long and softly. Aladdin's heart and mind were pulling him in two different directions that were promising to rip him apart head to toe. The wind suddenly gusted through the ship, taking both of them by surprise and had them once again grasping the rail.

"We're coming up to some rough waters!" Hamal bellowed drowsily from the crow's nest, pulling himself up from the small space.

"Listen Aladdin," Samirah began, choosing to ignore Hamal. "I..." She found herself at a loss of words even though she had spent the last few hours agonizing over the perfect wording of her practiced speech to him. "I know everything that has happened on Sapphire may all just be one coincidence after another between us with no real meaning, but I can't ignore how I feel. I never have and I never will, even if it leads me to nothing but ruin." She sighed and collected her thoughts. "I understand all that you're going through for Jasmine and what this is doing to you. But, despite what my mind is screaming, I have to listen to my heart. I want you to stay ... with me." When his eyes shifted away, uncomfortable with the situation and deep in thought, she cast her eyes down and her cheeks began to glow with embarrassment. "I'm sorry, I--"

But he didn't have the chance to hear her apology or express how he felt. A sudden rouge wave slammed into the boat and sent Samirah and Aladdin tumbling towards the opposing side of the ship. Landing roughly on his back, Aladdin groaned. Samirah lost control of her weight and footing and was tossed on top of Aladdin.

Amidst the chaos of the boat and the waves and the wind ... there was a sudden clarity surrounding Aladdin and Samirah. They were unable to see or hear anything else as they became lost within each other's eyes. Aladdin became all too aware of the lust that suddenly sprang fourth in his abdomen and spread throughout him like wild fire. Samirah found herself gasping as she struggled for balance.

Unconscious of their actions, both began to lower their eyes and move their parted lips closer together. It just seemed so perfect, so right. It was unquestionable to deny their feelings, just the morals behind them. Just as Aladdin and Samirah felt the slightest, sweet touch of the other, the tingling and leisure breath of each other, the boat jostled them and broke their trance.

Unaware where his hands were, Aladdin found them encircled around Samirah's abdomen and her back. "I'm so sorry." She said suddenly as realization struck them both. "I guess I lost my footing." Aladdin quickly stood and gave her a hand. Rubbing his back, he groaned slightly at the pulsing pain that radiated from the small of his back. Focusing on the pain, rather than what had just occurred between them, was the easier alternative.

Yet again, the guilt rose and tightened his throat. He tried to forget Jasmine at the moment, and focused on how Samirah was feeling. There was just ... something that was so right about him and her together. Never a doubt, as opposed to the constant status check he felt with Jasmine. He knew Samirah could understand him in ways she would never be able to, and perhaps vise-versa. So, where did that leave him? Of course, if the counsel decided against them, it would make his decision all the more easier, but he didn't want Samirah to just be his leftovers … his seconds. 'Oh Allah,' He thought bitterly. 'I can't take this much longer.'

"Don't worry about it." He said as he grimaced against the pain that was slowly rising. Turning, he looked towards where he had landed and noticed he had fallen over mast rigging. "Good thing I broke your fall." He said wisely.

"Yeah ... thanks." She stated blandly. An awkward silence overcame them both. She knew he was pondering over her offer to stay aboard the ship since he hadn't immediately declined the suggestion. "I'm going to go check on Hamal." She pointed towards his general whereabouts before quickly leaving, wanting to give him time to think it over before giving her an answer.

Aladdin watched her hurriedly climb up the mast and towards the crow's nest, feeling a vague sense of love tingle his senses and cause him to smile. She wanted him to stay and she loved him. No questions of money or place in society, just two adolescents who were quickly falling in love with nothing but the prospect of a happy future. Even as he was joyfully pondering his relationship with Samirah his mind whispered memories of Jasmine and all he had once been willing to desert with the only promise of being with her forever.

"If this is all a test of my character, morals or even love for Jasmine," Aladdin muttered to himself as he sat on the deck, staring up at the crow's nest thoughtfully. "Then I am failing horribly."

Please R/R – Greatly Appreciated!!