Disclaimer: I do not own Aladdin.

A/N: This chapter has more humor in it. Haillie owns part of the "magic carpet" scene. (Most of it, actually. All the good parts, anyways). Hope you enjoy!

Chapter 12

Wrinkled Tassels

("Laddie")

Ever since the official note that Haillie was heir to the throne, things between me and Jasmine were less uncomfortable.

Yesterday, when me and Sorrah were discussing a few friendly matters, she even went as far as to smile and wave at me as she passed to go to the throne room, (the Sultana was still uninformed of all of these happenings). More and more, I realize that I'm not really in love with Sorrah: maybe I am, but thoroughly in an older-brotherly way. And more than that: I realize that I still love my Jasmine.

All in all, it's difficult to realize. She has more than enough reason never to take me back…I would understand her choices. Had I not also pretended to be royalty? Took on a false identity and wooed her, and then once I was truly unveiled, did she not wonder if my love was also as fake as my name? I was wrong to have been so quick to act on my impulsive anger. I knew that now.

As quick as that, Genie appeared. "Why the long face, Al?" he asked, twirling his spectacular handlebar mustache. An idea suddenly popped into my head. "What long face?" I asked, leaping up. "I'm going on a date with the love of my life." Leaving Genie to admire his own facial hair, I sped out of the room and toward the princess's wing.

……………………

Knock. Knock.

Slowly, Jasmine's door creaked open. Sorrah stood there, looking curiously at me. "Hi, Aladdin. Do you want to talk to Jasmine?" The expression on her face made it clear that she hoped that I had come to see Jasmine and not her. "Yes, please." Sorrah walked into the room and led me into an adjoined suite box to the one that I had just stepped into. Jasmine was lounging in an elaborate red chair and reading a large tome.

"Er, princess?" I asked timidly. She glanced up, not a care in the world. It was that kind of flippant attitude that really quaked my insides. I wished that Jasmine didn't have the full capability to master the poker face. "Yes?" "Um." I was at a true loss for words. Stuttering, hands sweating. Mind wiped blank.

"Owouljaliktaeadinnawitmehtonie?" I said. Jasmine's blank expression also stated that I had just messed up any chance to marry her. "I meant, How would you like to eat dinner with me tonight?" I said, a little slower this time but still rushed. Jasmine flushed. I thought she was about to show me out of her room with a stick, but instead, she smiled brightly, brighter than I had ever seen, and said, "Of course!"

I didn't return her smile, but I could feel the smile inside of my stomach. "Good," I heard myself say. Was that really my voice, that squeaking sound? "I'll meet you on your terrace, alright?" Jasmine didn't reply, only winked at me and returned to the bookmarked page in her book. Sorrah led me back out and gently shut the door after me. "Have fun, Laddie!" she called after me.

If she hadn't closed the door before I could tickle her for calling me Laddie, (nobody but Genie had license to do that, he's different), Sorrah would have probably been laughing so loud that the entire harem would come and see what was the matter.

Back in my room, I was panicking again. Genie floated by, undisturbed by my nervous and endless pacing. "Relax, dude. Allie, she's gonna love ya!" said Genie, throwing open his arms. Poof. I felt the familiar sensation of magic and looked down to see myself in a tuxedo. "Um, I think I might prefer the Ali costume," I said twisting around to get a look at myself uncomfortably.

Genie sighed and clapped his hands. "If you must."

Promptly at sunset, I swaggered into the hallway, fully in costume complete with over-balancing hat. The feather wavered dangerously from side to side as I went into a dark side passageway. After walking for about five to ten minutes, I ended up on Jasmine's terrace…well, the door to it, actually. Nervously, I clutched the handrail and tried not to look down at my elf toeshoes.

And then, the princess swept in and all thought of myself was forgotten.

She was in her usual blue attire, but Sorrah had done her eyes in very dark kohl, and painted pale blue spots along the eye lines. Her hair had been left down, so she looked absolutely stunning, and her lips were painted a vibrant red. My knees wanted to give out, but I cleared my throat and forced myself to choke out, "You look lovely." It was a miracle that she understood me. "Thank you. Most of the credit goes to Sorrah."

Taking her arm, I pushed open the doors to the terrace. "Aladdin, how would it be if we skipped moonlit-dinner-scene and went on the carpet instead?" said Jasmine suddenly. I smiled. "Why not?" It was better than my idea anyways, in my opinion. I was about to help her step onto Carpet, when I realized that he wasn't there. Instead, there was a crudely made signpost out of wood: "CARPET CURRENTLY IN USE. ESTIMATED WAIT: FIVE MINUTES." "What the…" I started to say.

Then I saw them. Genie and Haillie. Genie was singing "A Whole New World" to her, and Haillie looked like she wanted to die. As they flew by slowly, she yelled to me through the slight wind, "Now, I have two options! I can jump off of this carpet, or I can push him off!" As they flew further away, I noticed Jala sitting on the battlement, munching on buttered popcorn. "Mind giving me some of that?" I called to her. "Sure, I'll send t back with Haillie next time they come 'round!" she yelled back.

Once they were nice and high over Agrabah, Haillie made her move. She shoved Genie right off of the carpet, and he fell. Boom. Déjà vu was starting to come back.

"Oh, wow, that looks fun!" exclaimed Haillie. Then she did a spectacular belly flop right off of the side of the carpet. Carpet flew back to us, looking battered. "Err…" said Jasmine, looking at the small pot of popcorn sitting on the carpet. "Is that moonlit dinner option still open?" "It most definitely is," I agreed.

Jala was watching as me and Jasmine descended back into her rooms. "Before you leave, would you mind sending back that popcorn?" she was yelling. I chuckled to myself as the doors closed, sealing out all noise from nighttime Agrabah.

Jasmine and I sat down to the most wonderfully cooked dinner Agrabah had to offer. Steam rose from the fancy dishes. My eyes widened at loaves of bread like the one that I had stolen on the streets. Jasmine saw my eye-line and laughed. "It is sort-of ironic, isn't it?"

Then, we settled down to some serious eating. I was ravenous, though I hadn't realized it before because of the butterflies flittering around in my stomach. They had been having a party, but now it was my turn. Jasmine watched me eat, chewing more slowly than I. Finally, she said something that had me thinking for a long time after. "Aladdin, who do you love?"

I choked on a piece of bread.

"To tell you the truth…I don't know," I finally answered. "What I wanted to say tonight is that I was and am sorry. It was wrong of me to get mad at you for something that you forgave me completely for." "Well, maybe not completely…" muttered Jasmine under her breath. "And I don't think I love Sorrah." Her head shot up. "You don't?" "No, how can I, when my heart belongs to another?" I asked her helplessly.

"Who?" Jasmine asked, her eyes narrowed at me. "Do I know her, Aladdin?"

"Well, of course you do. I love you, Jasmine."

A/N: Please review!