Salaam everyone! Sorry it took so long to update. Requesting Duaa's please :( Hope you enjoy this chapter, and stay awesome! (Also, sorry for any mistakes, too tired to edit again lol)

Jafar stood in front of the window in the living room of Rami and Rana's apartment, his hands clasped behind his back. Even though his gaze was on the street below, he saw neither cars nor people, her face overriding everything else.

Her beautiful face.

He had gotten so used to seeing her every day, that now that she was gone, the house was painfully and obviously quiet.

His emotional attachment to her was stronger than he had previously thought, and that shocked him to his very core.

He had never been one to fall in and out of love. Sure once in a while he would think a girl was pretty, or perhaps he would develop feelings for someone. But it never went beyond feelings. It never went to the point where he could picture a future.

Where he wanted a future.

Until Emma.

From the moment he met her, his whole world had been turned upside down and thrown for such a loop, that he felt like he was on a roller coaster. She had entranced him to the point that he was seriously reevaluating his life and his actions almost all the time. He knew he wasn't good enough for her. He knew at as plainly as he knew his own name.

He also knew that he shouldn't hold his breath that she would return his feelings. She was a bright, friendly, energetic, independent young lady who was beautiful. While he was...well he was him. There was nothing special about him...

He shook his head, her face filling his mind once again.

It was all his fault she was gone.

It was all his fault and he didn't even deserve to think of her.

He deserved the worst of punishments, though he wasn't sure if anything could feel worse than the pain he was currently feeling. The pain of knowing she was in the hands of that evil man. He clenched his hands to his sides, closing his eyes against the anger that was flooding through him.

"Jafar?"

He glanced up as he heard Jenna say his name, and he waited until she had come all the way into the room before bowing slightly in her direction.

"Jenna."

She gave a small smile, though her eyes were still red from crying, and worry lined her face. Despite the strong resemblance between the two sisters, Jafar didn't see them as identical like everyone else. Jenna was Jenna, and Emma was Emma.

"Are you okay?" she asked, and he felt his heart beat fast, remembering the conversation he had had with Emma at Rami and Rana's wedding when she too had inquired about how he was doing.

"I guess."

She tilted her head in concern.

"Jafar, what happened to Emma isn't your fault." She said softly, and he turned his face away, clenching his jaw.

It was his fault.

It was all his fault.

"I shouldn't have let her leave us."

Jenna gave a small laugh.

"You wouldn't have been able to stop her. She is very stubborn, and once she gets an idea in her head, there is no changing her mind."

He shook his head.

"I should have insisted. I should have followed her immediately. But I didn't. And now..." he trailed off, shaking his head.

It was all his fault.

"Jafar, Jamaal would have found a way to get to us even if Emma wasn't here. This is not your fault. You didn't do anything."

He turned up to look at her, staring into her trusting face, before closing his eyes again.

He didn't deserve her concern just as much as he didn't deserve Emma.

"Thank you for trying to reassure me, but I am afraid the fault is to be laid at my feet."

She raised an eyebrow.

"Why is that?" she asked, her face taking on an expression of interest.

He was silent, wondering what he should say, and if he should divulge anything to her, before he finally shook his head.

"I already told you. I let her out of my sight."

"I see I cannot change your mind. I am sorry you feel this way, and I hope eventually you will realize that you cannot take blame for this. If you need to talk, Hudayfah and I are here for you." She said gently, and he nodded his head.

"Thank you."

"Come eat dinner. It just arrived." She said before leaving the room, and he waited a few more moments to compose himself, before he followed her towards the dining room.

The fact of the matter was that even if he didn't deserve Emma, he wouldn't be able to rest until she was safe.

For even though she probably didn't even know she had done it, she had managed to capture his heart.

***

Jamaal paced up and down his office in agitation, pausing every few seconds to glance at the clock. He had promised Emma he would bring her dinner at seven, and it was only six forty five. He could have brought it to her early, but he wanted to make sure she knew he was the boss. That he wasn't messing around.

After another ten minutes of pacing, he sat down at his desk in front of the tray of food they had made up for her, and put a hand to his chin. He wondered how things were going to go down with the tradeoff. Originally he wasn't going to release Emma even if Muhsin gave himself up. But she was not what he was expecting. She wasn't demure and quiet and respectful as he had heard Jenna to be. She was loud and demanding and had quite a mouth on her, and while it was true, she was quite beautiful, she was sort of intimidating.

Yes, yes he knew it was stupid to be intimidated by her, but she had already cussed him out multiple times, and had actually managed to get in a good kick before she was restrained. And yes, it had hurt. Part of him was intrigued by her, and the other part just wanted her out of his hair so he could focus on other more important plans.

As the clock struck seven, he stood up, taking the tray off of his desk, and making his way down the hallway. As he approached, the guards stepped to the side, opening the door for him.

"Good evening love." He said as he closed the door behind him, and Emma glanced up from where she was sitting on her bed, glaring at him.

"What's good about it?"

He gave a chuckle, and put the food down on the side table pulling it so it was in front of her.

"I see someone is still in a bad mood!"

"Well what do you expect?!" she demanded. "You're holding me against my will."

He leaned against the wall across from her, crossing his arms over his chest.

"Eat." He said nodding in the direction of the table, and she shook her head.

"No."

"Why not love?"

She glared at him.

"They will come with the police and throw you in jail you know!" she exclaimed, and he gave a snort of laughter.

"Oh love. So innocent! They can't call the police!"

Her eyes narrowed.

"Why not?"

He raised his hands in the air.

"The police wouldn't believe them. The most they could do was file a missing person's report, but hey! You haven't even been gone twenty four hours, so they couldn't even do that yet!" he crowed in amusement.

"Why wouldn't the police believe them? If they just got the security camera tape from Bloomingdale's!"

Jamaal shook his head.

"Do you think I would risk such a thing?! That tape has been long gone and destroyed. As for why the police wouldn't believe them? Where is the proof? All the calls I have made to them, have been from your cell phone. They didn't go to the police in the beginning, so they have no story, nothing to stand on, and I guarantee you Hudayfah knows it. Even if by some miracle they managed to get the police here, we would have you hidden in seconds, and they would never be able to find you." He took a few steps forward until he was standing in front of her, crouching to look into her face "Eat." He ordered, and she crossed her arms.

"No."

He sighed.

"Are you always this stubborn love? Your sister isn't like this."

"In case you can't tell, I'm not my sister!" she said glaring at him, and he chuckled.

"You're feisty! I like it love. But," he raised a finger in the air, "my good humor will only last for so long, so I advise you to eat before you get me annoyed."

She glared at him for another few seconds before picking up her fork, and he took a seat across from her, watching her intently.

"Why are you staring at me?" she demanded after a few moments, and he grinned.

"Such beauty is hard to ignore love."

She rolled her eyes.

"Gross."

"Well is that any way to talk to your captor?! Where is the respect?!" he exclaimed, and she took a bite of chicken, tilting her head to the side.

"You kidnapped me, and are demanding my brother turn himself in. I don't like you. You don't deserve my respect."

He stared at her, his features alternating between amusement and anger, and after a few seconds, he sat down next to her on the bed, pushing a strand of hair behind her ear. She winced at the contact, pulling away slightly.

"I've been very kind to you love, so I would seriously advise you not to push your luck. I could have you chained and locked up in a room without a bed or food, but I haven't. So don't forget the situation you are in. I would hate to see a pretty thing like you get hurt."

She swallowed another bite before looking up at him.

"I don't believe you are going to hurt me." She said, and he raised an eyebrow.

"Why is that?"

She shrugged, pausing to take a sip from the water bottle that was on the tray.

"Because if you were going to hurt me, you would have already."

He shook his head in amusement.

"Is that so?"

She nodded.

"Plus, I know five different ways of breaking your neck, so I wouldn't try anything if I were you."

He laughed a genuine laugh.

"Do you now?"

"Yes."

"A tough girl huh? Tell me, what do you do for a living?"

"I'm a physical trainer and a nutritionist."

"Ooh I like it." He said in a flirtatious voice, and she glared at him.

"I would ask you what you do, but is professional kidnapper a real thing?"

He laughed again.

"You're a piece of work love."

"Stop calling me that. I told you already, it's gross."

He stood up abruptly from the bed, and grabbed her chin in his hand, forcing her to look up at him.

"I'll call you whatever I want to. Now we've had our fun, I've let you get it out of your system. But don't forget your position." He warned, releasing his hold on her. "I'll see you later." He said before knocking on the door, and once it had opened, he stepped outside, and as it closed behind him, he walked down towards his office a small smile on his face. He wondered if he should keep her around longer.

She was highly amusing.

***

Jenna lay encircled in Hudayfah's arms, trailing a finger up and down his hand absently as she stared up at the ceiling. He had fallen asleep hours ago, but she had been unable to, her fear for her sister's safety making it impossible. She couldn't believe that Emma had disappeared just that morning, it felt like she had been gone forever. Jenna hadn't cried this much in a really long time, and poor Maria was such a wreck, Rana had to give her a sedative.

She turned her head, looking at Hudayfah's sleeping face, and she felt her heart constrict. She hated that he had to go to Jamaal's personally. She had tried to talk him out of it, saying that surely the team he had hired would be able to handle it, but he was adamant he went himself. He didn't want any other casualties to happen.

After a few more seconds of watching him, she placed a hand on his forehead, gently stroking the hair away from his face, and though she didn't intend for it, his eyes fluttered open.

"Darling? What's wrong?" he asked in a husky voice, and she brought her hand down to his cheek.

"Don't go."

He shifted so he was leaning against the headboard, and sighed.

"Darling, we went through this. I have to. Please don't make it harder."

"Take me with you then!"

He gave a short laugh.

"Yeah okay. Don't even joke about that."

She folded her arms in a pout.

"I don't want to be away from you."

"Jen, I will be gone two hours max. You will probably be asleep still when I get back."

She shook her head.

"I won't be able to sleep knowing you are putting yourself in danger."

"Darling, I am not planning on putting myself in danger. InshaAllah things will be fine, and I'll be back in your arms before you know it."

She pulled him down, giving him a kiss.

"Promise?"

He smiled, before yawning widely.

"InshaAllah. Now come, try to get some sleep."

As they lay back down, he pulled her against his chest, and wrapped his arms around her waist.

"What did your parents say when you told them about Emma?" he asked, and she sighed.

"Baba was totally in shock of course, I was worried he was going to have a heart attack. But we agreed it was best not to tell Mama. She already doesn't know anything, and to introduce her to it by telling her that her daughter was kidnapped, probably isn't the best idea."

He nodded, kissing her neck.

"I agree."

She interlocked their fingers together.

"How is Muhsin doing?"

"Freaking out understandably. But I have to say I am impressed with how he is owning up to things. The change in him is quite noticeable."

Jenna nodded.

"Yeah MashaAllah. I haven't seen him likes this in years. It's like I have my big brother back."

He smiled.

"Alhamdulillah."

They were quiet for a few moments before her eyes widened.

"Oh! With all the commotion today, I forgot to tell you that we saw Sami!"

His eyebrows raised.

"What? No that's impossible! He went home yesterday!"

She shook her head.

"I know, that's what we all thought, but I swear, Maria, Emma and I all saw him."

"Where was he?"

"He was walking in Times Square."

"Are you sure it wasn't just someone who looked like him?"

She groaned.

"No! When we called him though, and Jafar told him we had seen him, he got all nervous and said he had to go."

Hudayfah frowned.

"That's odd. Why would he say he was going home, and then stay here?"

"Emma thought maybe he missed his flight, but he would have let you know wouldn't he?"

Hudayfah nodded, rubbing a hand over his beard.

"That's so weird. I'll have to call him tomorrow InshaAllah."

She was silent for a few seconds, before she looked up at him.

"Um, there is something else."

He glanced down at her with a raised eyebrow.

"Okay?"

"So um, Farris said I had to tell you even though I don't think it's a big deal."

His face took on a concerned expression.

"You're scaring me Jenna."

"Don't be scared. There is just this new neighbor who I say salaam to him sometimes."

"What new neighbor?! When did you meet him?! Why haven't you told me before!?"

"Um well he moved in around the same time we did. I met him about a month ago, and I didn't tell you because I didn't think it was a big deal!"

"Jenna! Ya Allah knowing that you are in danger still didn't stop you from being cautious and not talking to strange men?!"

"Habibi, it isn't that big of a deal!"

"Why haven't I met him yet!?"

She shrugged.

"I don't know. Maybe things just didn't work out! Plus he was out of town and just came back recently."

"What's his name?"

"Um, Laith."

His eyes widened and he gripped her shoulders.

"Jenna! Laith is Jamaal's second hand man! He has been for years. He probably moved here to be a spy! You should have told me! He could have taken you!" he ran a hand through his hair in frustration.

"I'm sorry." She whispered, and he shook his head.

"I'm not angry with you, I'm just..." he trailed off, tightening his hold on her. "You don't know how badly my heart would break if something were to happen to you! Please, please, please promise me to never keep anything from me again. Promise me that darling!" he pleaded, and she nodded.

"I promise."

He gave a deep sigh.

"Good. Ya Allah. I can't believe he actually sent someone to be so close to us." He shook his head.

"We spoke to him right before we went shopping. Emma told him that's where we were going. You think that's how Jamaal found us?"

Hudayfah nodded.

"Probably."

Her eyes began to well with tears.

"So it's my fault she's gone!"

He sighed.

"Jenna,"

"No Hudayfah! If I had told you from the beginning, you would have warned us and been able to do something about it, and Emma would b...be h...h...here!" she exclaimed before bursting into sobs, and he pulled her against his chest, putting a hand in her hair.

"It is not your fault. Jamaal would have found a way to get to us no matter what."

She gave a choked laugh.

"That's what I told Jafar when he said it was his fault."

Hudayfah smiled, and brushed the tears away from her cheeks.

"The only person whose fault this is, is Jamaal. Okay?"

She nodded.

"Okay. Thank you habibi."

He tilted her head up, pressing his lips against hers once, twice, three times, before pulling her back down, and in the comfort of his soothing embrace, she finally fell asleep.

***

"Why are you awake so early?" Rana mumbled sleepily as she felt Rami get out of their bed. "Come back." She said sitting up and reaching for him, and he glanced back at her apologetically.

"Nothing would please me more honeybee, believe me, but I have to get ready to go."

She frowned, and gathered her hair up into a ponytail.

"You guys are going this early? It's not even four o'clock yet."

He nodded, pulling on a pair of jeans.

"Yeah, Hud thought it would be best to go while it was still dark out, but it wasn't night time."

She got out of the bed, and leaned against the wall, crossing her arms over her chest.

"Who else is going with you guys?"

"Hud hired a security team."

She stepped forward, putting a hand on his arm.

"I don't want you to go. What if you get hurt?" She whispered, and he put an arm around her waist, pulling her towards him.

"Sweetie, I'm going to be fine InshaAllah. I'll be very careful, and we are going to have a whole team. It's not like I am the only one going!"

She nodded, and brushed her fingers through his hair.

"I know. But it doesn't help me be any less scared. Jamaal is a crazy guy. You guys don't know how many thugs he might have skulking around where he lives!"

He chuckled, and pushed her chin up to kiss her.

"I promise to stay clear of any thugs that may be skulking."

She rolled her eyes, and put a hand on her hip.

"Are you making fun of me?"

"Yes." He grinned at her, walking over to a bag, and taking out a bulletproof vest, before pulling off his shirt.

She gave a slight shiver, sitting down on the bed.

"Just the thought that you need a bulletproof vest just brings back horrible memories."

"Hey, if I hadn't gotten shot, we wouldn't be where we are right now."

"I don't want you to go." She said again, and he finished strapping the vest on before pulling her up.

"Rana, we are only going to scope out the place so we are prepared for Thursday. We aren't going to do any raiding or anything."

She reached up, tracing his collarbone.

"Don't go." She pleaded quietly, and he narrowed his eyes at her.

"Oh no! You aren't trying to use your feminine charms to get me to stay are you!?"

"Is it working?" she asked with a tilt of her head, and he clasped her hands in his.

"In any other circumstance it probably would have." He gave a chuckle. "But this is Emma's life at risk, we have to do something."

She sighed, and pressed a kiss to his shoulder.

"I know. But promise you will be as careful as possible. You won't take any risks or get into trouble, or you know get hit by a car or something."

He laughed.

"Baby doll, we haven't even been married a week yet. Believe me I have no intention of not coming back to you. I haven't had enough of your kisses and smiles yet." He teased, and she pushed him lightly.

"And you promise to text me that you got there safely?"

He grinned.

"I promise to text you when we get to the bad guy's house."

She rolled her eyes.

"Put a shirt on!"

"You sure that's what you want me to do?" he asked with a wiggle of his eyebrows, and she scowled at him.

"Everything's a joke with you isn't it!? I'm really freaking out over here!"

He laughed as he pulled on his shirt, before he pushed her against the wall, kissing her forehead.

"Don't worry gorgeous, everything will be fine InshaAllah..."