The enchanted rug seemed to take a wide arc around the city of Adoptolis before it eventually reached Kyon's family household. Either it was intent on giving them a view or Haruhi hadn't magically given it the proper directions to his home. But the time spent airborne was well-received and it still took virtually no time for the five weary individuals to be gently floated through the open balcony of Kyon's room and into his home. The carpet then descended onto the floor, mingling nicely amongst the other rugs and throw pillows already there, and the magic faded from its fibers.

Its riders stepped back onto solid ground, some of them more grateful than others, having no joy in being quite so high up. Yuki set down her pack and scooted off the carpet, rubbing one of its tassels between her fingers and curiously wondering just how the magic had worked. Mikuru stumbled onto a pillow, arms wrapped around her knees while Haruhi rolled onto her back. Itsuki took it upon himself to help Kyon up. Fortunately, the nobleman's son had finally recovered from the night's ordeal and regained consciousness, to the relief of his companions.

Though he remained as confused as ever. Primarily, by the fact that he still had so many companions.

"Why did you bring them with us?" he asked Haruhi.

"You said 'us'," she replied, making quotations with her fingers.

"I mean you and me!" he exclaimed.

"How was I supposed to know that?"

Using common sense, maybe?

"Look, I can't be blamed if your wishes are poorly worded. If you're not satisfied with your magical gifts, I suggest you be more careful with how you word them in future, buster," she glared up at him, hands on her hips, somehow making him feel intimidated despite barely coming up to his chin.

"... alright, sorry," Kyon apologized. "I'll be careful with my future wishes."

"Wish."

"What?"

"Wish," Yuki repeated, catching on quicker. "Singular. She's saying you only have one left."

Oh damnation, that was right. Between the poorly thought out with for 'some excitement' and the desire to escape certain death, he'd used up both of his starter wishes. That left only his third and final wish left.

A light momentarily washed over his face, making him blink as it hurt his eyes. At first puzzled by the light, he realized it was only the sun. It was rising on the horizon. Kyon abruptly realized they'd spend the entire night running around the city in their magical adventure, and he wasn't the least bit tired. If anything, he felt strangely enervated.

He turned to Haruhi, finding her sitting there on a nearby window sill cross-legged. He might have worried for her balance had she been a normal woman, and easily capable of pitching out the window and down into the gardens below. As it was, he was fairly sure she was in no danger if she could animated her own flying carpet, as well as appear and disappear in a puff of smoke. She'd been watching the rising sun on the horizon but, perhaps sensing his gaze, looked up. She turned to face Kyon as he sat back down with the lamp in his hands.

"Have you decided?" she asked quietly.

"I'm still considering my options," he said, pondering them carefully. Then a thought came to him. A very old trick from a tale he'd once been told as a child. "Can I... wish for your freedom? Has that ever been done before?"

She bobbed her head. "It has, but there's a sharp cost to that one. If you wished me free... you then have to take my place... as the genie of the lamp. I get your life and you get mine."

He grimaced at the thought of it. On the surface there was some sense of it, Haruhi would get the freedom she'd been denied for centuries, and Kyon would have magic at his fingertips and plenty of opportunities to use it. Yet the rest of it, the role, the responsibilities, the rules... he wasn't sure he could handle it. He wasn't sure if anyone was ever truly meant to.

"What if I wished you to stay by my side forever?"

She laughed at that one, though he couldn't see what was so funny. "Sorry, sorry, I just... I had a friend who had that happen to them. It was a complete and utter mess...!" she giggled.

That didn't sound promising.

"Then... I'll never use my third wish," Kyon decided. "I promise, right here and now, not to wish for anything. Then you can stay with me, right?"

She pursed her lips under the veil. "... technically that's allowed," she mused. "But Djinn Magical Law is not something to trifle with lightly. There may be far-reaching consequences even we aren't fully aware of. And even if there aren't... do you really think you can go your entire life without wishing for anything?"

"I have everything I could possibly need," Kyon said, realizing it to be true for the first time in... well, ever.

A single finger raised as she wagged it at him. "Need is one thing," she reminded him. "Can you honestly, truthfully say you'll never, ever want anything? Ever? It's been tried before... no one has ever managed to resist the lure of a wish forever. Some have lasted longer than others... but in the end, everyone makes their third wish."

Much as he wished he could've gone his entire life without wanting anything more than Haruhi by his side, Kyon had to admit she was probably right. They'd known each other the span of a day. The same with Itsuki and the others. Who knew what the future might bring?

"I guess I still need to consider my options," he said, feeling miserable he couldn't figure out this puzzle. His stomach rumbled, and he glanced down sheepishly. "Why don't we have some breakfast first though?"

Haruhi gave a veiled smile. "I'll be waiting," she said, her body dissolving into a purple mist and flowing back into the lamp, awaiting her masters summons.

Asahina offered to do the cooking, and Itsuki moved quickly to assist her after Kyon showed them both where the ingredients could be found. He was hoping for a simple affair for breakfast, but they both insisted on repaying his kindness and were whipping up something special it seemed. The air was filled with a pleasant aroma as his stomach rumbled.

Yuki had excused herself momentarily to run an errand in town, while Kyon had the task of telling his mother and little sister they'd be having guests for a while. Fortunately, after meeting Itsuki and Asahina, and having a taste of the latter's freshly brewed tea, she declared them more than welcome in the home for as long as they needed to stay. She also made some remarks about the Amber Rose being a real keeper, making both her and Kyon blush bright red.

Leaving him alone with his newfound friends, Kyon's mother went about her usual daily routine, and Kyon's little sister slipped out of the house to play with her own batch of friends. Leaving only the four of them to settle around the dining table for breakfast. Yuki had even returned with some news of last nights events.

"News is circulating quickly," said Yuki. "But fortunately there's been no mention of any magic. Apparently anyone who saw it didn't believe their own eyes."

"No mention of us either, I presume," Kyon felt a need to add. "If there was we'd be dragged before the Sultan by now. Or at the very least the city guard."

"We've been talking about that and I think we're all in agreement to keep that a secret," Itsuki added. "Haruhi, the lamp, all of it. We figure you wouldn't want that sort of attention."

"Definitely not," agreed Kyon. "I'd have people either trying to steal her away or threatening me into using my last wish on something selfish."

"Unless you wish for something first," Asahina pointed out. "B-but then you'd lose the genie and the lamp anyway. You'd no longer be the master."

The third and final wish. In all the excitement, Kyon had almost forgotten all about it. Again.

"... third wish... I don't know what I should do," he confessed, brushing a hand through his hair. "What do you all think I should wish for?"

"Why ask us?" queried Yuki.

"I trust your opinions," Kyon replied. "I know we haven't known each other very long but... you're good people. Any of you could've run or abandoned me or sold me out by now but... you haven't. I consider you friends, and I need advice right now."

"To know what to wish for, generally you have to know what you want," said Itsuki.

You think I don't know that?

"... just thinking aloud," Itsuki replied with a cheerful smile. "I find it helps."

"I want Haruhi to stay," Kyon finally said. "Last night was fun. I don't want that to be the only time we ever do anything like that. I mean, I could do without the near death and all the destruction but... I could be careful with future wishes..."

"... if only this wasn't the last," hypothesized Yuki.

"Yeah... but it is, I only get three," Kyon said.

"Are you quite sure about that?" asked Itsuki.

Kyon proceeded to relay the rules as Haruhi had explained them to him. The number of wishes received, the means for summoning a genie and using their magical powers, and the limitations imposed upon their supposedly unlimited cosmic, phenomenal powers. Pondering these new revelations carefully, Itsuki rubbed his chin in deep thought. He enjoyed a good puzzle, and now that he had all the pieces...

"I may have a short term plan," he said with a smile.

A short while later, Kyon called them all back into his room to meet and discuss things. Gathering about and laying or reclining or sitting on the various furniture, he summoned Haruhi from the lamp, who appeared with a dramatic

puff of smoke and a bob of her head. She materialized right on Kyon's bed, landing on it lightly and bouncing up and down on the soft covers.

"Hello Kyon," she said. "Are you ready to make your third wish?"

"I think so. I had fun last night, Haruhi," he said. "I really did. It's been amazing... I don't want that to end. And, we think we've come up with a plan."

"Really? Do tell," she said, flopping down the mattress on her belly, hands propping her chin up and legs idly kicking as she watched him.

"Okay so hear this out," he explained. "After I make my third wish, I'll give the lamp to Itsuki. He'll take care of you until he uses up his three wishes in turn. Then Asahina, then Yuki, then my little sister. We'll keep you with our little circle as long as we can."

"And after that?" she asked, spotting an obvious hole in his plan.

"We don't want to risk you falling into the wrong hands," Kyon continued. "I don't think you want that either."

Shivering as she recalled some of her more horrible masters, Haruhi quickly nodded. "No."

"Then we'll find somewhere safe to hide you. Try and give you to our children when they're old enough to be your friend, not just use you as a commodity."

"I... appreciate that," she said. The idea of being stuck in the lamp for another dozen years or so didn't exactly appeal to her, but considering how long she'd spent in it before meeting Kyon, she could handle an odd decade or two.

An uncomfortable silence followed. No one knew quite what to say. Yuki, Itsuki and Asahina had quietly faded into the background, leaving Kyon and Haruhi alone even as they watched from the sidelines. There was a morbid curiosity to see just how this was going to end, even if none of them wanted it to be the case.

"I guess this is the end then," Kyon remarked sadly, gazing down at the lamp in his hands. He couldn't bear to look at Haruhi, see the expression on the genie's face, feel it mirroring his own. See the sadness and guilt. If this was the price of magic, it was too high to pay.

"I'm sorry, Haruhi," he said.

"It's not your fault, it's the way it is!" she protested.

"Look I wish the fun didn't have to end, but..."

Blink. Oh no.

The Third Wish.

Haruhi wore a similar expression of shock as her hands instinctively came together in a soft little clap. For half a second, both genie and master peered down at her hands, realizing the implications, then raised their gazes to meet each other's.

"What... what did you do?" Haruhi asked, gazing down at her hands in astonishment, scarcely believing what had just happened.

"I-I- I don't know!" Kyon exclaimed. "What happened? What did I wish for?!"

"You wished for the fun never to end," Itsuki stated, remarkably calm. That ever-present smile was growing wider by the second, and Kyon was starting to get irritated he hadn't wished it right off of Itsuki's face instead. If he didn't know better, he'd almost swear Itsuki had planned for this.

"Haruhi must have interpreted your wish as a wish for freedom without being free," Yuki hypothesized, adjusting her glasses.

"What does that mean?" asked the genie, puzzled.

"Does that mean Miss Haruhi can still use magic?" asked Mikuru timidly.

Four sets of eyes turned to the genie girl, who suddenly looked very self-conscious. But Haruhi snapped her fingers, and there was indeed a multicolored spark, like a tiny firework going off at the end of her fingertips.

"It does... wow... this is amazing! Oh man we are going to have the best time ever!" she declared.

She threw her arms around Kyon, hugging him so tightly for a moment he turned blue as the air was cut off from reaching his head. Then, just as quickly, Haruhi swept up Mikuru in a hug, and both girls were laughing in delight, the redheaded girl with a demure giggle, Haruhi with something closer to a mad cackle. Kyon could only watched in amazement at her sudden shift in mood.

"Did I... do the right thing?" he asked, not really expecting an answer.

The boy at his side provided one anyway. "They were your wishes to make, Kyon, and made only from the bottom of your heart out of your truest of desires. Perhaps on the surface this may seem strange and unexpected, but I think deep down you know the truth. This is what you wanted. And I'm glad to be a part of it."

"Well, it's good to have you around," Kyon said magnanimously. "And I suppose that includes all of you," he added, gesturing to Yuki and Asahina. Haruhi popped up between the two girls, wrapping an arm around both their shoulders and hugging them close enough for their cheeks to touch.

"Looks like things are going to change around here," he said. "I don't even know where you're going to stay, Haruhi... I mean... does your lamp still work?"

With a wave of her hands, the mischievous girl's body broke apart into smoke, flowing into the mystic lamp and vanishing from view. Seconds later, she flowed out the same way, appearing in a puff and giving a bow. "Seems so! I can stay there when I sleep long as I know I can get out whenever I want. You won't have to put me up anywhere."

"What about us?" asked Mikuru softly.

That was the question, wasn't it? Yuki was a traveler, but she'd lost most of her possessions back at the Shamishir. She might be able to put together some of it from memory, but the rest was gone. Ditto for Itsuki and Mikuru, who likely didn't even have their jobs anymore.

"Why don't they just stay here?" Haruhi asked, stating the simple solution. "Don't you have the space?"

"We uh... we do have some guest rooms down the hall," Kyon said. "And a storage closet that's big enough for a third room, if a little cramped."

"Wait, you mean we'd all live here? With you?" Mikuru asked, her cheeks flushing rosy at the thought.

Kyon shared a look with Haruhi, who nodded enthusiastically, smiling brighter than the noonday sun.

"It wouldn't be fair to just put up with us simply because you can," Itsuki protested politely. "Why don't I offer my services as a cook as a means of paying my way? I'm sure I can be of great use around the kitchen. Maybe the gardens as well."

"What about us?" asked Yuki. "I don't have many... employable skills but I don't wish to be an ungrateful layabout either."

"What about your help Kyon with his business... like uh... what's the word?" Haruhi asked, rubbing her chin. Then, with a snap of her fingers, she had it. "A consultant! You can consult for him. With... the consulting."

"I do know sums rather well, and I'm versatile in three languages besides the trade common," the pale-haired girl said. Kyon nodded, that was more than enough of a benefit to put her on a payroll.

"And me?" asked Mikuru.

Haruhi grinned. "We can make you a servant. Right Kyon? She can make tea and serve it to you in that oh so cute little outfit...!"

He'd be lying if he said he didn't enjoy the idea, though it didn't seem quite right to him to force that sort of servitude on such an innocent young girl. Especially after that display back at the Shamshir. At the very least, he needed to make sure she was okay with the idea of it. "Is that alright with you, Mikuru? We could pay a fair wage... and... I promise we won't mistreat you. Nothing you're uncomfortable with. I promise."

"I... I think I'd like that," she said, smiling sweetly. "Yes. I accept."

"Wonderful!" Haruhi said, clapping her hands.

"Yeah. Then it looks like we're going to stick together... and have the time of our lives."

The sun continued to rise on the horizon.

Authors Notes:
Please review and favorite if you enjoyed.

I ascribe to the theory that, despite his frequent complaints and cynicism, Kyon loves Haruhi and their misadventures deep down and wants to continue them, same as he did in 'The Disappearance' towards the end. Used a similar premise for Kyon's third wish, bringing the story to a close.

And since I'm sure someone is bound to ask so no, no plans for a continuation, sequel, or anything of that nature. Just a cute little tribute to the Haruhi Suzumiya series and a fun little fantasy adventure for a genie and her master.