“Jasmine, you know you shouldn’t play in the fountain,” Aladdin said sternly.

“Oh, come on Al, this is so refreshing. Don’t you know how hot it is today?” She patted the side of the fountain with her hand. “At least come sit with me,” she begged him. He gave in, putting his feet in the water, kicking it towards Jasmine. She giggled and splashed him back.

“Well, Aladdin exclaimed, “I guess you’re right,” He slipped off his vest and got in, cupping water in his hands and letting it flow down his face.

“I knew it!” Jasmine said, sending water flying in all directions.

“Hey, not fair,” Aladdin cried out, splashing Jasmine back. She just grinned and dove under the surface to where it got deeper in the middle. Remembering the time, he called out, “Jasmine… Come on stop playing, we have to get ready for the dinner party in a few minutes.” Quickly, Jasmine came up in his face and spit water in his eyes playfully. He sputtered and began to laugh.

“You’re quite cute Aladdin,” Jasmine said giggling.

“Thanks Jasmine,” Aladdin said, rolling his eyes, “but that doesn’t quite cut it.” He kicked his feet hard and Jasmine ended up with a whole lot of water dripping down her face. She smirked at him again, and Aladdin reached over the side of the fountain and handed her his dry vest.

“Here, honey.” Jasmine quickly wiped her face on the vest and threw it over the side of the fountain.

“What in the name of Allah?” The Sultan peeled the now damp vest from his face. “The dinner party is going to start in a half an hour.” He looked at the two newlyweds, a serious expression on his infantile face. “What were you doing in the fountain anyway?”

Jasmine hung her head knowing a reprimand was in store for her, “It’s my fault, I dragged Aladdin into it.” She quickly winked at him, receiving a grin right back, “Well Al, let’s go get ready,” They quickly jumped out of the fountain, Jasmine only pausing to wring out her hair of water.

“Jasmine, I’d like to speak to you later,” The Sultan said sternly. Jasmine rolled her eyes and took Aladdin’s hand. “Both of you are dismissed, you have a half an hour, no, not even, twenty minutes, to clean and dress yourselves, and meet me down here to help me set up the dining room. Oh, and remember, you are dancing the opening dance.” He scurried of to the dining room where Carpet and Genie had begun to set up.

“I told you not to playing in the fountain.”

“I was in it already, its not like you would’ve stopped me,” Jasmine exclaimed. “Let’s just get dressed and do the opening dance for father.”

“Alright Jas,” Aladdin said, walking up the stairs two at a time, “What’s this thing for, anyway? You told me but I forgot.”

“Father’s been organizing this for months, Al. I’m pretty sure it’s a bunch of kingdoms getting together to celebrate the birth of another kingdom. Father offered to host it, and he’s really excited.”

“Yeah, I noticed,” Aladdin replied, opening the door and leading Jasmine inside. “And we have to open that dance thing, so we have to look our best.” He smirked, opening up a dresser drawer. “Why do I think this is going to be no fun?”

“Maybe because you hate dancing,” Jasmine said, giving him a hug. She opened up another drawer and handed him a fancy outfit. He stared at it in dismay.

“And because I hate dressing up,” he sighed, and unfolded the outfit.

“Some prince you are,” Jasmine said smiling, while Aladdin began putting the outfit on. Jasmine searched the closet, picking a tight, low slung, long dress. She put it on carefully, trying not to wrinkle it and ran over to Aladdin, who was having trouble with his cape, and seemed to be on the verge of ripping it. Jasmine quickly pinned it for him, and smoothed the collar. She sat down at the vanity and began to put on her makeup.

“Oh, I’m almost all out of perfume.”

“What do you need it for? You always smell good to me.” Jasmine giggled,

“No, I think father gave it to me when I was younger, but I only started using a couple of months ago. It’s called perfume of the sand, and its really expensive. I don’t think its made anymore though.” She looked at the bottle sadly. Then, grinning wryly, she said, “It’s a shame, considering it makes men more attracted to me,”

Aladdin looked at her strangely. “You mean this perfume is making me attracted to you? If you stopped using it, I’d stop liking you?” Jasmine giggled to herself.

“Yup,” she said, handing him the bottle, and beginning to put on eyeliner in the mirror. Aladdin wasn’t sure how to respond, because he wasn’t sure if Jasmine was joking or not. Looking closely at the bottle, an idea came to him.

“Are you lying?” She didn’t answer him, kept her eyes averted and focused on her eyeliner. “Are you?” Aladdin leaned in, wrapping his arms around her shoulders and kissing her neck and face, until she began to giggle uncontrollably. “Gets you every time,” He said proudly. “Now I know you’re lying.” She smiled, and as he pulled away, she grabbed him, arms around his neck and kissed his lips, surprising him. Remembering the time, he pulled away quickly and reminded Jasmine they had to be downstairs. She finished her eyeliner, and stood, Aladdin opened the door and she took his arm and they walked downstairs, late for the dinner party.

“And, Genie, I don’t know what to do with them, playing in the fountain,” The Sultan sighed loudly, “I know they love each other, but still, Jasmine’s mother and I never used to play in the fountain,” he said in an aspirated tone.

“Ahh, Sultan, let them be themselves,” Genie told him matter of factly. “Besides, they’re serious sometimes. And it’s a good sign that they’re so in love. Don’t worry.”

“I guess you’re right,” The Sultan said, patting a cushion “And I do like them to be happy. Ever since Jasmine met Aladdin, she’d been happier than she’s ever been in her whole life. Happier than she’s ever been with me.” He sighed. “Alright, have the chefs bring out the food now. Everything is good. Where are those two? They promised they’d help me set up, and the guests will come in any moment, and they have to start the dance.” Genie vanished into a puff of smoke, and the chefs and about 50 identical Genie’s jumped out with trays and platters of steaming hot food on their heads. The doors swung open, and sultans, kings, queens, princes, princesses, royal children and their handmaidens and servants poured into the dining room. Jasmine and Aladdin arrived from their room, and the Sultan signaled for a waltz from the orchestra Genie had snapped out of thin air a split second ago. (His exact words were, after dragging the poor orchestra through time, “Beethoven’s ninth will have to wait”) Aladdin bowed low to Jasmine, trying to ignore that fact that he felt stupid.

“May I have this dance?” Jasmine smiled and took his hand.

“Of course,” He looked at her, his as well as the Sultan’s face shining with admiration, and put his arms around her waist. Jasmine draped her arms around his neck and held on tightly. As they swayed slowly to the music, other people joined in. Jasmine rested her head on Aladdin’s shoulder, and he pulled her closer to him.

“I thought you were a bad dancer,” Jasmine said softly.

“I am,” Aladdin responded, chuckling.

“I don’t think so,” Jasmine told him, stroking the back of his neck tenderly.

“You’re the only one.”

“No, that queen over there thinks so too.” Aladdin looked at her skeptically, and she smiled up at him. He raised his eyebrow, questioning her, “Anyway,” she continued, “I’m really proud of you, my foot hasn’t been stepped on once.”

“Let’s say Genie helped out a lot.” Aladdin told her embarrassedly. “And we’ll say it took a lot of practice.” He kissed her forehead softly, just as the music sped up. By the look on his Aladdin’s face, Jasmine could tell that Genie hadn’t prepared him to dance to faster songs.

“How about something to drink?” she whispered, taking his hand and leading him towards the tables.

“Anything to stop dancing.”

“How are my two lovebirds?” Genie asked loudly from behind a table suspended in the air loaded with glasses. Jasmine glanced at Aladdin.

“We’re fine,” She told Genie, “How are you?”

“I’ve never been better. Eden said she’d coming to visit tonight, after the party. Oh, and Monkey-boy and Carpet are over there.”

“Aladdin my boy, you did wonderful. Jasmine dear you look fabulous,” The Sultan scurried over, a huge smile on his round face, and all his earlier anger forgotten.

“Oh, hey, Jas, how about we dance?” Genie cried out, “but don’t tell Eden.” Jasmine smiled and took his arm, kissing her fathers cheek on her way to the dance floor.

“How are you, Aladdin?”

“I’m fine, thank you,” he answered.

“How’s Jasmine?”

“She’s great…Oh yeah, I’d been meaning to ask you, when she was just a kid, you got her a perfume, like sand perfume or something with sand and perfume.”

“Hmm, sand perfume? Ahh, I remember, yes indeed. It was her mother’s. She gave it to her when she was just a girl, such a long time ago. She’s grown up so fast. Look at the beautiful woman she has become.” They looked out, where Genie dressed in a tuxedo, danced with Jasmine to a tune that sounded oddly like a modern day swing dancing melody. “My Jasmine, ah, yes. What were you saying?” The Sultan asked, wiping his eyes.

“Just, where did you get that perfume?”

“Hmmm, it was her mother’s, so I’m not sure. Why?”

“Father do you want to dance?” Jasmine dashed over, smiling. “Oh, daddy, am I interrupting something?” The Sultan glanced at Aladdin.

“Oh, no, Jas, go ahead, I know you love dancing. I was just going to go talk with Carpet and Abu.” He watched Jasmine twirl her father around for a minute and then walked out into the menagerie. Many royal couples stood outside, the menagerie being a more romantic place than the dining room inside. Aladdin sat down on the side of the fountain, thinking to himself. Suddenly realizing that Jasmine’s birthday was in three days. If only he could get her that perfume, he’d have a great gift. But think of how expensive.. And where would he get it? Was it even made anymore? There were so many things to consider. Maybe he should just take her somewhere romantic, or flowers or…

“Aladdin?”

“Jas?” He looked up into the darkness, but the lights coming from the dining room illuminated Jasmine’s delicate figure walking towards him. “I thought you were dancing. Why are you out here?”

“I tripped on Carpet’s tassel,” she said dryly.

“Really?”

“Of course not. I was looking for you. Besides, I’m not that clumsy.”

“I am.” Aladdin said smiling. Jasmine quickly sat down beside him.

“Is something wrong?”

“Well, no, I just needed some fresh air.” Aladdin responded, taking Jasmine’s hands in his own.

“Oh, that’s understandable.” She smiled and put her arms around him. “I have this funny feeling that you just don’t want to dance.” Aladdin sighed with relief. ~At least she didn’t say anything about perfume,~ he thought to himself.

“So that’s it, huh?” Jasmine said.

“Uhhh, what?” He replied, interrupting himself from his own thoughts.

“Oh no, father’s going to kill us. Let’s go inside. And I want to talk to you tonight after the party,”

“Alright. When’s this party over, anyway?” Aladdin asked.

“Late.” Aladdin yawned loudly.

“Do we have to stay for all of it?”

“It’s polite to,” she informed him, stroking his cheek. “Don’t worry, we’ll sleep late, and have breakfast brought up to our room tomorrow.” They walked back inside and began dancing again. Six hours had passed since the start of the party, and it was almost twelve midnight. Both Jasmine and Aladdin had stayed up late the night before talking, and were already tired. But they refreshed themselves with food and drink, and danced with all the other guests.

“Oh, Jas, I feel like my legs are going to fall off.” Jasmine led Aladdin over to a cushion near the table in the corner, which he collapsed upon.

“Sit, I’m going to go get you some water.” He smiled gratefully up at her.

“Thanks,” Aladdin told her, when a minute later she handed him the glass.

“Drink it all, otherwise you’ll have no energy later.” Aladdin quickly drank it, and then patted the cushion next to him.

“Sit with me for a minute,” Jasmine sat down next to him, and Aladdin put an arm around her shoulders. He nuzzled her lovingly, putting his lips on her neck. “You’re so pretty.”

Jasmine giggled and said thanks, when a brisk beat began being played by the orchestra. She pulled Aladdin to his feet, and dragged him over to the middle of the room, ignoring his utters of protest, “C’mon, I’ll teach you it’ll be fun.”

“Dancing isn’t fun.”

“You’re dancing with me, I’m fun,” She took his hands and began twirling him around the room.

The party ended at three in the morning, and all the guests received rooms in the palace for the night. When the orchestra let out its last note, everyone cheered, and the guests bowed towards the Sultan, Aladdin, and Jasmine to show appreciation for the party. Aladdin and Jasmine walked sleepily up to their rooms, quickly changed, and collapsed on the bed, to tired to talk like Jasmine had wanted.

“Wake up sleepy,” Jasmine said, touching Aladdin’s face with her soft hands.

“Uhh, what time is it?” He groaned.

“Almost noon. I guess that dancing really wore you out.”

“You guessed right!”

“We get used to it. I like dancing.”

“Oh, go dance with Genie.” She rolled her eyes, but wrapped her arms around his neck anyway.

“I’m not married to Genie, I’m married to you.”

“Well,” Aladdin said stubbornly, “I hate dancing,”

“Learn to like it,” she told him, kissing his cheek. “Let’s have breakfast.”

After Aladdin suffered through breakfast listening to Jasmine blabber on about dancing lessons and things, he went to see Genie about her perfume of the sand.

“Perfume of the sand, huh?” Genie asked, “That expensive stuff, yeah, Eden’s talked about it before.” Noticing the pleading look on Aladdin’s face, he added, “Can’t give it to you either. My powers aren’t as strong as they were when I was a prisoner Genie. It would probably vanish after awhile.” Aladdin looked at his suspiciously.

“Does that vanishing thing happen to everything you give out?”

“I don’t know, “ Genie mused, “Why?” Aladdin gestured toward the outfit he was wearing.

“Because you gave me these clothes.”

“Ahh, no, they don’t vanish,” Genie reassured him, “At least, I hope not.” Aladdin glared at him.

“Thanks a lot. What if I wore clothes you gave me to somewhere important, and they just suddenly vanished?” He shuddered at the thought, not noticing Jasmine walking by.

“I wouldn’t mind,” she said giggling from the doorway, “I think it would be rather cute.” She ran over to Aladdin and he slipped an arm around her, rubbing her delicate shoulders.

“Thanks a lot Jas,” Aladdin said, acting mad, but happily kissing her on the forehead.

“Well, that’s the truth.”

“I thought it might be,” he sighed, “I’m not risking anything anymore. Sorry Genie, I can’t trust you.” Motioning towards Jasmine he said, “Besides, you’re the only one who’s allowed to see stuff like that.” Quickly he added, “and the only one who’d ever want to.”

“Don’t be so sure,” Jasmine said sweetly. “Sooner or later, I’m going to have a lot of competition.” They began walking out of Genie’s room towards theirs.

“I’m sure I won’t have any problem choosing the winner,” Aladdin said, opening up the door and walking inside.

“Al, I’m going to take a nap. Do you want to stay with me, or not?”

“I’m going to go for a walk, ok?” He kissed her on the forehead and walked out. ~This perfume is becoming a big nuisance,~ he told himself silently. He walked back to Genie’s room, and knocked loudly on the door.

“Come in,” Aladdin opened the door and greeted both Genie and Eden.

“Hey, Eden, have you ever heard of something called ‘the perfume of the sand?’

“Yeah, sure, but doesn’t that make men more attracted to you? Why would you want that?”

“Al, little buddy, is there something you’ve been hiding from us? And Jas, for that matter?”

“Not funny! I know the perfume doesn’t really do that, Jas pulled the same trick.”

“It’s just an old saying kid,” Eden said. “Why do you care about this perfume, anyway?”

“Jasmine’s birthday is tomorrow.” Aladdin said simply.

“Mmmm,” the two Genie’s mused.

“Aha!” Eden cried out. “The Cave of Wonders!” Genie and Aladdin looked at her blankly. “It’s inside!”

“But Jafar had those scarab beetles, I’ll never be able to get in without them.”

“Check in his hideout,” Genie advised him. “And bring Carpet with you, in case you have trouble getting in, my little diamond in the rough.”

“Thanks you two.” He walked out and began searching the palace for Abu, Carpet and the scarab beetles in Jafar’s lab.

“Hey, what’s that?” Aladdin asked. “Ooh,” Abu cried out.

“Abu, I don’t know what kind of potions are in here, don’t touch anything!” Ignoring him, Abu pointed to a pretty blue ring, gripped in a vice shaped like an hourglass.

“Wow!” Aladdin said, and as if magnetically drawn to it, he stepped towards the ring. “This couldn’t have been Jafar’s. It’s not red or black or evil looking. It’s, wow, it’s beautiful.” And indeed it was. Carefully taking the ring out of the strange vice, he admired it in his hand for a moment, then stuck it in his pocket. “It’s for Jasmine,” he told Abu. Abu rolled his eyes, mostly because he wanted that ring in his possession, and because of the fact that anything pretty Aladdin found went to Jasmine. Recalling that the glass flower they had stolen from Abis-Mal also went to Jasmine, he knew there was no point in even trying to take it from Aladdin. He’d be expecting that. Abu shook his head and began searching the dusty shelves.

Carpet fluttered over behind Aladdin and dropped something hard on his head.

“Ow!” He rubbed his head and picked up the object from the floor. “Oh, Carpet, you found half the scarab!” If Carpet had eyes he would have rolled them, but instead nodded, and continued looking on the higher shelves. Aladdin flipped through an old, dusty, spell book written in Latin. Pulling another book out, he searched through it. For several hours they sat in the dusty hideout of Jafar, looking for the second half of the scarab beetle.

Meanwhile, Jasmine was all over the palace looking for Aladdin. She had taken a nap for two hours and her husband was gone? Genie had said he went to pick up something, but still. Genie went time traveling with Eden, and he left his lamp. Jasmine figured she’d get reprimanded by two all-powerful genie’s if she disturbed them to find Aladdin, so instead to went to go see Rajah.

“Aha!” Aladdin said, wiping the second filthy scarab beetle off on his pants. He coughed, then motioned for Carpet and Abu to follow him outside where he hopped on Carpet and flew off into the desert sunset.

“Who disturbs my slumber?” Aladdin blinked, still mesmerized by the sight of a giant tiger made of sand.

“It is I, Aladdin.” The tiger-god surveyed him carefully, then asked,

“What are you here for?”

“The…the perfume of the sand.”

“Proceed. Do not lay a hand on anything but it.” Aladdin nodded, ushered Abu and Carpet inside, then quickly followed them, glancing back out of the tiger’s mouth one last time.

Wandering about in The Cave of Wonders wasn’t too great. Aladdin had an idea of what the perfume bottle looked like, but didn’t want to touch anything until he was sure. After hours of searching, at the time when is he had been outside the tiger-god’s mouth, the sky would have been so dark he wouldn’t have seen his hand in front of his face, he walked into a huge room he hadn’t seen before. Inside were more jewels, gold, gems, and diamonds, plus riches beyond his imagination. Staring intently at piles of these luxuries for a moment, he then shook his head and headed to the back of the cavern, where a pile of oddly shaped bottles caught his eye. As he hoped, there were perfume bottles among them.

Now, Aladdin had left Abu and Carpet alone together, which obviously wasn’t the greatest idea. Carpet wasn’t as easily manipulated by jewels as Abu was, and even Iago had been, but when he saw the towering pile of gems, he stopped. Abu, meanwhile, took action, making plans on how he was going to smuggle some of those gems out of here.

Aladdin, at the back of the cavern, was reading each carved inscription on the perfume bottles against the wall. Noticing it said sand, he walked around it, making sure every word he wanted was on it. He reassured himself one more time it said perfume of the sand, then quickly picked it up. The floor nor ceiling shook, and he knew it was the right stuff. Still wanting to restore confidence to himself, he shook the bottle and sprayed it. Being a guy, he had no clue where to spray, and his whole body ended up smelling like perfume of the sand. Aladdin held his nose and began walking back toward the place where he hoped he left Abu and Carpet. Remembering that the two were not the most reliable when it came to jewels, and big expensive items, he began to sprint. It was just a tiny bit too late though, and just as Abu placed his little monkey fingers around a beaded necklace and goblet covered in trinkets that were probably worth more than the whole city of Agrabah, Aladdin got there and yanked his tail away from the golden ornaments.

“I knew I shouldn’t have brought you,” Aladdin said, as Abu began stuffing his vest with jewels.

“Again you have touched the forbidden treasure!” Abu rolled his eyes and pocketed more gems. When the tiger’s treat of death was voiced and the walls began to fall in, Abu began to take him seriously. Aladdin grabbed Abu and jumped on Carpet just as the ground below them erupted. Lava flowed down the walls and dripped from the crumbling collapsing ceiling. Aladdin, Abu, and Carpet desperately tried to make their way back to the entrance of the cave alive.

Jasmine sat down on her bed wondering where Aladdin could be. He disappeared at about two o’clock, and it was now almost seven. What could he have gone to pick up that could have taken this long? Frustrated, she walked out of her room to see what her father was doing.

Hugging the walls of the cavern, Aladdin and Abu perched on Carpet. They watched the entire cave fall in, knowing they were out of immediate danger, but also knowing they had no way out of the cave. As the last rock came tumbling to the floor, Carpet quickly fluttered down after it.

“You guys!” Aladdin whined, “We could have been in and out of here in a matter of a couple of hours.” Carpet bowed apologetically, but Abu crossed his arms and began yelling at Aladdin for getting involved with girls.

“They’re all trouble!” Abu chattered then began imitating a girl flirting. Aladdin was just a tiny bit pissed off now.

“Abu, trust me, girls like Jasmine are not trouble. What’s better than a girl who can take care of themselves? She doesn’t want someone running her life, she’s independent. And she’s smart and funny, pretty, well she’s gorgeous, but…” Aladdin went off in his own world for awhile, while Carpet and Abu sat and talked to each other.

When Aladdin was finished, he looked up at the ceiling. There was a small hole somewhere that let in some light which was dimming, so he figured it was dusk. He went near it and took the perfume out of his pocket, and sat down, Carpet and Abu followed.

“Don’t worry you guys, let’s sleep for the night and find a way out tomorrow. There’s no use exerting ourselves.” He tried not to think about what would happen to them if they didn’t find a way out.

Back at the palace, Jasmine had watched her father write letters to kings, observed Rajah “play with” a new chew toy, and taken another nap. She was laying in bed, restless and lonely. She decided to go out to Aladdin’s hovel, which was the perfect spot to look down on the city of Agrabah and at the stars in the beautiful sky.

Aladdin thought of Jasmine most of the night, hoping he could get out of this mess and see her again. He also pondered over ways to get out of the cave, but no intelligent ideas came to him. They all relied on someone coming to the rescue, which most certainly wasn’t happening. He fought himself to stay awake for most of the night, but nothing worked. Giving in, he put his head down on a rock and closed his eyes, wishing he could be back in Agrabah.

“Carpet, there has got to be a way out of here. Since there’s light coming in, there has to be a hole or something.” Carpet motioned for Aladdin and Abu to jump on top of him, and they flew to the top of the cavern, feeling for a opening or gap.

“Father? Is Aladdin here?” Jasmine asked worriedly, crashing into the Sultan’s bedroom. Pulling his nightcap from his eyes, he answered.

“No, I haven’t seen him dear. Why did you ask? And of all places, why would he be in my room?”

“Oh, daddy, he’s been missing since yesterday.”

“And where have you been all night? I must have sent all the guards in Arabia out to retrieve you. I figured the two of you had eloped.” Jasmine rolled her eyes sardonically and replied,

“Of course not, father, yesterday, he wished me sweet dreams before I took a nap, and that was the last I saw of him. Carpet and Abu aren’t here either. Oh, yes and Genie said he went to pick up something….” It suddenly dawned on her that it was her birthday, and the “something” that Aladdin went to pick up had to be a gift. “Happy birthday to me,” she said curtly, “Some party this is.”

“Jasmine, I think I know what the gift is, it’s bound to be extremely expensive, just calm down, Aladdin can take care of himself…”

“I know he can father, but ohh!!” She stomped her foot with irritation, “Gifts aren’t as important as his life. I don’t know where he is or how he is. He could be….” She wouldn’t let the word form on her lips. “Daddy, I have to find him.”

“Look! Abu, it’s a hole!” Aladdin quickly boosted Abu up, and he scampered inside it. Letting his eyes adjust to the tiny amount of light streaming in, which was so different from the darkness of the cave. Abu moved tiny rocks out of the way, making sure that the relocation of them wouldn’t involve the collapsing of the roof. Giving himself just enough space to crawl through, he widened it a tiny bit, with just enough room to have Carpet shoot through it like a javelin. Carpet lowered Aladdin towards the ground, and he jumped off at the same time Carpet moved over. He slipped and his whole body went hurdling off Carpet and down to the floor ten feet below. He landed on top of the perfume bottle, crushing it. He also landed atop his ankle, twisting it the wrong way. “OW!” He felt the moisture of the perfume trickle over his body, drenching him in the odor which he no longer liked to smell.

“Shoot!” All this work, for nothing. He was trapped in a cave, which they had found a way out off, too small for him to fit through, he had broken the only gift he could give Jasmine into smithereens. And now? Who was he going to go to for help? Jasmine. “This is great. Just fabulous.” He tried to hold back frustration at his clumsiness, and told Carpet, “Please, just go get Jasmine,” Carpet zipped out of the cave, quickly, leaving Aladdin to sulk in a crevice of the dark cavern, moaning in pain and clutching his ankle.

Meanwhile, Jasmine was rummaging through Genie’s room in pursuit of his lamp. She had decided it was enough of an emergency to contact him. When she finally found it, she quickly brought it to her father, who by now was dressed, rubbing the lamp along the way. There was a huge bang and a lot of smoke poured out of the lamp, and through the door shot Carpet with Abu on top, holding on for dear life. Genie popped out of his lamp, Eden transported herself by his side in an instant. Everyone began talking at the same time.

“EVERYONE! QUIET!” Jasmine yelled, then whistled as loudly as she could. Everyone stopped dead. “Now, Genie, you first, where is Aladdin?” Transforming himself to a pirate he said,

“Aye, Aye, Matey. Yer fellow sailor is in thee Cave of Wonders, lookin fer yer p…”

“Talk regularly,” she said harshly, “I have no time for this. I need to find Aladdin.”

“He’s looking for perfume,” Eden offered, “By the way, happy birthday.”

“It won’t be happy if I don’t find him,” Jasmine told everyone, clenching her fists. “Abu, Carpet?” The two began gesturing and chattering loudly.

“Slow down!” Everyone exclaimed.

“He’s trapped inside, Monkey-boy touched a gem…”

“Oh big surprise.”

“They found a way out, but it was too small for Al to crawl out of, and we’ve got to go get him!” Genie changed himself to a giant jet, which everyone rapidly climbed into, and somehow flew through the walls of the palace and toward the Cave of Wonders.

The smell of the perfume on him had gone to his head, and he soon awoke to a deep rumbling. He crawled to a corner of the cavern and watched as millions of riches materialized out of the air. He was aware someone had come into the cave, but whether it was the wayward traveler or one of his friends he didn’t know. He huddled there while the treasures appeared.

After reattaching the scarab halves, Jasmine conversed with the Tiger.

“Why are you here?”

“Please, my husband is trapped inside!”

“Nobody could still be alive after me closing my mouth.”

“You don’t know my husband. Please, let me go in after him.”

“I will not. Then I will have to let everyone in to be fair.”

“Oh, but please,” Jasmine said still not discouraged, “I will do anything.”

“Of course not,” the Tiger growled menacingly, and everyone took a step back except Jasmine.

“Listen, I have a Genie and a Carpet who belong in there, and-”

“You are not the diamond in the rough, I cannot let you through. Leave.”

“But my husband is!!!”

“I do not want to argue. Hurry and bring his body out, so I can go back to sleep. Take the Genie and rug along.” Jasmine bowed her head in thanks and hurried inside.

“Good luck Jasmine,” her father said quietly. “I hope you find him.” Softly, so that nobody could hear her, she said,

“I hope so too.”

“I can’t believe this!” Aladdin sat in the Cave of Wonders yelling at the walls. “I broke her present! She’s given me everything! A home, a family, friends, respect. I try to repay her, and this is what I get.” He picked up the shattered remains of the bottle and looked at them miserably.

“Aladdin?” Jasmine called into every room, “Are you here? Where are you? Aladdin??” For the longest time nobody answered. Walking into a cavern isolated from the rest, she called out his name again. Looking around, she realized she hadn’t been there before, and hoped this would be the right one. “Aladdin!!” Aladdin sat up straight. He was afraid he had heard wrong. “Aladdin! Oh, I hope he isn’t d-”

“Jasmine??”

“Aladdin??”

“Al, follow my voice! Walk towards me! And don’t touch anything!”

“Jas, I can’t, I must’ve twisted my ankle. It feels like it’s on fire.” Jasmine hurried through the cave, listening for the sound of Aladdin’s voice. Noticing a glitter in a dark corner, and that Aladdin’s voice was coming from that direction, she ran towards it, while Aladdin slowly crawled out.

“Aladdin!” Jasmine jumped into his arms and Aladdin held her tightly, happy to see her. “Oh, Aladdin,” she exclaimed, putting her head on his shoulder and her arms around his neck. “Al, I thought I lost you,” she told him through tears, “Don’t ever do that again.” He calmly caressed her shoulders, noticing how cold she was.

“Jas, it’s okay. I’m fine, and you came here to get me, we’re alright. Don’t worry, please, stop crying.” She dried her eyes and looked up at him, suddenly sniffing the air as well as her husband.

“What’s that dreadful smell?” He smiled and touched her cheek.

“It’s your perfume.” Aladdin told her sheepishly.

“This is all my fault, I didn’t need that perfume.” He looked at her, suddenly frightened, thinking, I have no gift.

“Oh no, Jas, I can’t, oh--”

“Carpet, Genie, C’mon, I found Al, let’s get out of here!” she turned to him, with a questioning glance. “What’d you say? Sorry I interrupted, I want to get you out of here, your ankle looks real bad.”

“Jas, wait. Listen, I can’t give you the perfume, I’m sorry.” He began to rummage into his pocket.

“Al, honey,” said Jasmine, as Carpet came speeding into the cavern, Genie by his side, “Listen, tell me later.” She pointed to Aladdin’s ankle. “Genie?”

“Here, you go, 911, Doctor Genie to the rescue.” He created a splint that fit itself to the joint. Jasmine quickly helped lift Aladdin onto Carpet and sat down beside him, and began stroking his back softly, while Carpet took off.

“Jas, I can’t give you the perfume. This is the real reason I hurt my ankle.” He removed the remains of the perfume bottle from his pocket shamefacedly, apology written all over his face. “I fell and…”

“Oh Aladdin,” Jasmine said softly, throwing her arms around him, “What does it matter?”

“Of course it matters. Jasmine, you’ve given me everything that I have right now. I tried to repay you, and I’m stuck with a throbbing ankle and a broken piece of pottery. I’m so sorry. You don’t deserve me,” he said sullenly, pulling her arms off his body.

“Aladdin, don’t be stupid, of course I deserve you. You know that’s the whole reason I married you. I didn’t want someone who was materialistic, and valued perfume more than the life of someone important. I didn’t need somebody who was going to make my choices for me, or do anything of that sort. Of course I deserve you, and you deserve me as well. I’m proud that you went through all this trouble for me. I love you.” She turned his head towards her, and he smiled weakly, although he was still upset at himself.

“Jas, but I have no gift to give, none at all.”

“Oh Aladdin, you are my gift. You are the greatest gift anyone could ever receive. I’m so glad I have you here.” She brushed off the pieces of the perfume bottle, and taking Aladdin’s hand, they watching them plummet to the floor below them. Realizing that Jasmine meant what she said, he grabbed her, wrapped his arms around her, and gave her a long, sweet kiss, a small gift, which she accepted, and kissed him back lovingly.

Carpet flew out of the tiger’s mouth, which closed abruptly, letting the tiger get back to his nap. Abu quickly picked up the scarabs and stuck them in his vest, when Aladdin realized that he had another gift to give Jasmine, other than a passionate kiss.

“Jas, uh,” he stammered, fumbling through his pocket once again, “I’ve got this for you, also, I mean if you want it, It’s a gift…” He pulled the blue diamond ring out of his pocket and handed it to her. “It’s beautiful, just like you are.” Jasmine smiled at him, but looked at her father nervously.

“Uh, Al, it’s lovely, but..” The Sultan quickly interrupted.

“Could that be? The Mystic Blue Diamond?” Aladdin looked from the ring to Jasmine to her father. “Where’d you get that my boy?”

“Well, Jafar’s lab, but it was--”

“Ahh, it is.”

“What is it?” Aladdin asked despairingly.

“Well, a couple of days before you met, Jafar had hypnotized me and stolen it, to figure out something important to him, no doubt.” Aladdin rolled the ring around in his hand, then handed it back to the Sultan.

“It’s rightfully yours,” he said. He turned to Jasmine, and she took his hand, patted it, and brought him behind another sand dune, away from the endless chatter of all their friends. They sat down in the warm sand and Jasmine put her head on Aladdin’s shoulder.

“I’m afraid I’m fresh out of gifts,” he glanced down at himself embarrassedly, “And I don’t look like the perfect present either.”

“To me you do. To me you always do.” Aladdin cocked an eyebrow.

“I’m sure,” he said doubtfully. Jasmine lovingly stroked his cheek, then coughed loudly.

“Well you do,” she said, “You definitely don’t smell like one, sorry. I’m lucky though, I mean, isn’t it better to have a foul smelling husband than none at all?”

Aladdin looked at her confusedly. “Are you serious?”

“Oh Al, I’d love you, even if you smelled like this full time.” She rubbed his shoulders soothingly. “But we need to burn those clothes.” Aladdin nodded in agreement.

“Look, Jas, I’m real sorry you didn’t get a present. I tried, and oh, I’m sorry.”

“Aladdin, I’ve told you countless times. I don’t need perfumes or rings. I have you, and that’s the greatest gift in the world.” He looked at her, smiled and said,

“I love you Jasmine.”

“I love you too.” He tilted Jasmine’s head back and kissed her lips charmingly. He pulled her closer to his chest, and lay his back down in the sand. When they stopped kissing, Jasmine lay with her eyes closed, the side of her face in his chest, grateful that her husband was safe and right beside her. Footsteps in the sand made her abruptly open them up again, and notice her father standing above them.

“Aladdin, my boy, I’d like you to have this.” The Sultan held out the sparkling diamond ring, “It’s been passed down from sultan to sultan for many years, and, well, sure, you aren’t the sultan yet, but I feel as if you’ve proven yourself worthy in more ways than one. You risked your life to find a present for your wife, you could’ve been…”

“Sultan, but she’s my wife, she’s everything to me. I’d do anything for her.” He put an arm around her shoulder and she hugged him.

“Aladdin, we’ve talked about this already, come on,” Jasmine told him.

“Aladdin, everyday you are brave, intelligent, loving, loyal, and honest. You are always determined, and you are a great friend to everyone here. You’re going to make a great Sultan, and you are a remarkable son-in-law to me. You are most deserving of this reward.” The Sultan held the ring out to Aladdin once again. He pondered, wondering if the Sultan was right, and he was all those things. Brave, not many people could talk to a giant tiger, and stay in a dark cave the whole night. Intelligent, I guess I was smart, I looked for a way to get out of the cave. I’m always loving to Jasmine, and that kiss was a pretty good present. I was loyal, I didn’t give up and helped my friends out. I was honest, I told Jasmine the truth about breaking the perfume bottle. Holding out his hand, he grasped the ring, and slid it onto his finger. Jasmine kissed his cheek softly. She whispered into his ear,

“Aladdin, it looks fabulous. Just like you. And no matter what you say, you’ve earned this.”

“I know, oh, and Jas?”

“Yes, Aladdin?” Jasmine asked gently.

“Happy birthday.”