A/N: Me again! I hope that you guys don't think that this was a slow update, it was kind-of in the middle. I mean, it was under a week, but longer than usual…so…yeah. Or, at least, it's under a week while I'm typing this. If I post it later, then, I am very, very sorry.

Please review. I really don't want to revert to reviewing on Differences again. I mean, that was just plain pathetic, OK? Save me from patheticness! (Is that a word?)
I need sugar. Drop a bag or two off if you ever see me around please!

-DewWater

Disclaimer: I don't believe I will ever, have ever, or do own Aladdin or anything related to Aladdin. And I don't believe that my plot bunnies will ever get as spiffy as Haillie's, so tanks to you! (No, 'tanks' is not a typo. It's slang for us!)

And without all you reviewer people, this story would not have been made possible without you guys, so thank you so much, especially Jafarcrazy, who's stuck with this story since the beginning! (faints from thankfulness)

Chapter 25

Revival

(Jala, Genie of the Lamp)

Oh, dear, dear, dear Allah.

I seemed to be saying "Allah" a lot lately, but that must be my imagination.

In any case, I actually have a reason for it this time. The Sultana's been kidnapped. No kidding, the woman that is best protected in this city has been kidnapped, whipped right out from under our noses and taken to who-knows-where. Oh, dear Allah.

On top of that, the adrenaline rush that the news gave me finally cleared my mind. Have you ever been lovesick, and then the adrenaline wakes you up, and you realize what a weak-minded idiot you've been? It's a great feeling, actually.

Well, the old me was back, and the old me was perfectly fine with that. Currently, I was thinking up ways to keep sane and also find a way to keep the weak-kneed Jala at bay for the rest of my life.

Most of the troops that were originally guarding the castle have been sent out to search for Her Royal Majesty. This also presents a problem for us, because while she is missing, the Grand Vizier is technically supposed to assume the throne. And hardly anybody is happy with the idea of Jafar climbing into the velvet throne chair, (A/N: FUZZY! NO TOUCHY!), except for perhaps Razoul.

The entire court is buzzing with gossip about the whole Jasmine-is-not-the-real-heir to the throne thing. I mean, who wouldn't? But it's presenting difficulties to our little group. Who should rule while the Sultana is gone? Jasmine and Aladdin, who would normally have been the heirs to the throne? Jafar, who is the current Grand Vizier? Sorrah, who is the technical heir? Or Haillie and me, who were the original heirs? In this kind of chaos, I wouldn't be surprised if somebody thought up a reasonable argument for the press to rule Agrabah.

Shudder. I take that back.

In any case, as currently, I had decided to pretend that the kiss had never happened. When I suggested this to Jafar, he looked innocent and asked right back, "What kiss?" That's when I figured out that we were both back to normal, (thank Allah! There I go again), but unfortunately, I still loved him. Is this normal?

I was sitting, bored, in Jafar's quarters with Haillie. Five wishes to the man with the blackest heart in Agrabah. Tell me, how is this reasonable?

Haillie was faring even worse than I was with the idea that Jafar was now her master. Since they had been enemies right from the insane start, (was it really not that long ago?), it wasn't really a party for her. She spent her days moping, certain that Jafar would not make her grant wishes just to make her suffer.

The door to Jafar's rooms clicked open, and the Grand Vizier himself swept in. He looked tired, drawn. And old. Yes, that was the word to describe the drooping shoulders very well, how he seemed completely sagging with no self-confidence.

He collapsed on the bed. Me and Haillie had learned it was best not to say anything at all when this happened. Finally, Jafar's head snapped up. "I'm a failure, aren't I?" he asked.

Me and Haillie looked at each other. And decided that we really didn't want to answer that, if we were obligated to tell the truth.

"Just answer me," he said wearily.

"Er, well, you're not a complete failure," said my genius sister. Jafar sighed. "Jala, do you want to be free?" Well, that caught me off guard. Had he finally snapped? "What?" I asked blankly. He looked irritated now. "Do you want me to make you human again?" "And where do I come into all of this?" Haillie butted in, sounding offended.

Jafar completely ignored her.

Finally, I decided a façade was best for this, and crossed my arms. "Well, then, just get on with the wishing," I said, looking at the ceiling. Jafar smirked, I could see him out of my peripheral vision.

"I wish that you were human."

Poof.

It was a strange and yet wonderful feeling. I felt solid and free like I hadn't in, well, a thousand years. I looked at my hands and flexed my cinnamon-brown fingers. Jafar was staring at me. Couldn't take his eyes away. "Am I really that much of an eyesore?" I grumbled.

Jafar shook his head.

Haillie looked at him, and then at me. "And where do I come into all of this again?" she said. Jafar glared at her. "I still have uses for you. If you'd just shut your mouth, I'd make you human too." Haillie shook her head. "I don't like being human. Humans are over-rated. I like being a genie perfectly well."

I looked at her and smiled. "But I'll get old now. And you'll watch me die as a wrinkled old woman." Haillie rolled her eyes. "Won't get me that way, I swear that you won't. You've always wanted to be mortal, but I haven't. I'll follow you into the afterlife, since genies can do that, and bug you there. Haha, gotcha there, eh? Bet you weren't expecting that."

My eyes were brimming full of liquid tears like I hadn't felt in years. I hugged my sister tightly. "STOP HUGGING ME!" whined Haillie. I smiled and just squeezed tighter.

At that moment, I didn't even bother to ask why Jafar was suddenly wanting to free both of his genies, the source of all his power in the court currently. I didn't worry about the fate of the Sultana.

All I knew was that I was brimming with happiness.

Freedom.

I tasted the word in my mouth, trying it out. And it didn't taste half bad.

A/N: Well. I refuse to say that it was a filler chapter, because it wasn't. Jala turning human? It's not a small event! She's probably the first genie in Agrabah to turn from a human into a genie and back again!