Salaam everyone. I've noticed that after every single chapter I post, a lot of people freak out and say "that's the end?!' It's the end of the chapter. Not the book. I promise when it is the end of the book, I will make it really clear. Also, rude comments will not be tolerated, and will be deleted right away. Let's all try to be nice please :) Again, excuse any mistakes, didn't have time to edit.

Stay awesome!



Hudayfah gave Jenna one last kiss, before putting a hand under her chin.

"Be strong darling. I'll see you soon InshaAllah." He said, and she nodded, putting her hands on his cheeks.

"You too." She whispered, and he smiled, brushing his lips over her forehead.

"Okay you two. Let's get going Hudayfah, it would be really annoying if my cover got blown because you two couldn't stop kissing!" Issam said in slight irritation from where he stood in the doorway, and Hudayfah shook his head in amusement before following him out the door. As it closed behind him, Jenna drew her knees up to her chest, from where she sat on the bed, and let out a deep sigh.

After a week and a half of not even seeing him, to be able to be in his arms again was so overwhelmingly wonderful that she was still having a little trouble catching her breath. They hadn't done much beyond just sitting with each other, but it had been enough, and she really was starting to feel stronger now that she knew he was safe.

She looked at her watch, before laying down on the bed. It had officially been four hours since Jamaal had brought them here, and she hoped Muhsin was okay. She hadn't seen her brother since they had entered the apartment, and even though Issam had assured her he was going to be okay, she couldn't help but worry.

This wasn't a game they were playing. This was a real life situation that was dangerous and potentially fatal. While yes, it was a comfort to know that they had the FBI on their side, with someone as crazy as Jamaal, anything could go wrong, and it worried her.

As she shifted to her side, tucking her hands under her head on the pillow, her eyes widened in surprise before she started laughing. On the wall was written 'Emma was here...unfortunately' and underneath that were tally marks which obviously amounted to the days her sister had spent in captivity.

Well that was heartbreaking.

As much as she hated to be there, she would rather be stuck in that room instead of one of her sisters. It had been an absolute nightmare imagining all the horrors Emma had been going through, and she hoped soon InshaAllah all of this would be just a distant memory.

She closed her eyes, trying to push all of the anxiety about what was to come out of her head, and just as she was about to drift off to sleep, the door flung open, and she shot up, startled to see Jamaal standing in the doorway.

"Hello love." He said after a few awkward seconds of him just staring at her, and she shifted uncomfortably.

"Hi."

"Well at least you are polite. Emma was not." He said, coming over and joining her on the bed, and she scooted away, pulling her legs underneath her. This was not the first time he was comparing her to Emma, and it was getting really annoying.

"Maybe Emma is only nice to people who deserve it?" she asked, and Jamaal raised an eyebrow in amusement.

"You know she said something very similar to me. You're confusing me love. One minute I think you're the same, and the other I think you are totally different!" he exclaimed, and she glared at him.

"May I help you with something?" she asked, and he crossed his arms over his chest, staring down at her.

"Actually yes." He waited another beat of silence, obviously trying to pique her curiosity, yet she wasn't going to give into him, so she kept her face blank, and eventually he gave a sigh of resignation. "Do you know Laith?" he asked, and for a second panic seized her heart. Oh my God she couldn't blow his cover! It would ruin everything! She and Muhsin and Hudayfah would be in real danger!

"You mean the guy who you had search the house?" she asked, trying with all of her might to keep her voice from shaking.

"Yes."

"Why do you think I know him?"

"There was just something odd about the way you were watching him today."

"Maybe because he had a gun!?" she exclaimed, and he squinted at her suspiciously.

"Are you keeping something from me love?" he asked, and she forced herself to look him in the eyes.

"No."

They continued their staring contest for another two minutes, before eventually he looked away, and she had to wonder if she made him feel uncomfortable.

"Very well."

"What are you going to do with us?" she asked quietly, and he grinned.

"That's for me to know, and you to find out! I'm a man of mystery!" he exclaimed cheerfully, and she shook her head.

"Are you going to hurt us?"

"Probably not all of you."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"I have a hard time hurting pretty young ladies."

She just stared at him.

"Wow." She said eventually, and he raised an eyebrow again.

"What?"

"You must be just really insecure."

"Insecure?!" he exclaimed in disbelief, before he stood up abruptly. "Watch it love. Remember I hold the lives of you, your brother, and your husband in my hands. I wouldn't push me."

She just stared at him again, trying to muster up a look of panic.

She couldn't blow everyone's cover by acting all cool and in control.

Everything would be fine InshaAllah.

The FBI was watching.

"Okay, I'm sorry!" she exclaimed, and he nodded in satisfaction.

"That's more like it." He regarded her for another few seconds. "Perhaps I will let you see Hudayfah. You know in case it's your last time to say goodbye."

Don't panic Jenna.

He's just trying to rile you up.

Everything will be fine InshaAllah.

"Is this a trick?" she asked, and he grinned.

"Now Jenna! Do I look like the type who would trick you!?" he didn't bother to give her a chance to response, before he started walking towards the door.

"Wait! I thought you said I was going to get to see him!" she cried out, for even though she had just seen him, it hadn't been nearly enough. She never wanted to be separated from him again, and to think he was just a door away was so painful.

He tapped a finger against his chin.

"I'll think about it and get back to you tomorrow! Good night love!"

She watched him go in disgust before flopping back down on the bed.

What a jerk!

***

Jafar finished his tray of food in reflective silence, his mind so cluttered, that he was starting to get a headache. He was more hurt and confused than he had ever been before. Ali had always come to him whenever he needed advice or help with something, and the fact that now, when he was in the worst trouble of his life, he hadn't come to Jafar, was too much to handle.

To think, Ali had betrayed his own family, had been working with a dangerous and cruel man, and for what?! Was it for money? Was he being rebellious?! He had almost killed all of them with that little explosion in the apartment!

Why!?

Jafar couldn't understand.

How was he supposed to tell his parents and his sisters that Ali was going to prison!? It would kill them!

He put his fork down, and picked up his tray, smiling slightly as he saw the penny lying next to his glass. Emma was something else. Somehow she had made an unbearable situation seem just a little bit better.

He had liked that.

Having someone to reassure him like that, and ease his mind.

There was no more denying it.

He loved her.

And it hurt so much to realize that he didn't deserve her.

As he stood up, walking towards the balcony door, he came to a halt as Rami appeared in the doorway, his arms crossed over his chest as he glared down at Jafar.

"Hello Jafar Yaqoub Maen Zakaria Sulayman."

Jafar raised an eyebrow.

"Um, my middle name is Mohammad."

"Oh. Well hello Jafar Mohammad Sulayman."

"Hello Rami um,"

"Farhad."

Jafar laughed.

"Rami Farhad Abdul Hadi." When Rami continued to glare at him, he shifted slightly. "Is there a reason we are using each other's full names?"

"I have a bone to pick with you." Rami said, and as he took a step forward, Jafar took a step back.

"About what?"

"What exactly are your intentions towards Emma?"

Jafar blinked in surprise.

"Excuse me?"

"You heard me. She's obviously interested in you, and it seems to me it's getting harder for her to stay away. I don't want her to fall into something Haram. She seems to lead with her heart first, and think later about the consequences."

"I would never compromise her Rami. You should know that." Jafar said in an affronted tone.

"I'm not saying you would compromise her. I'm just saying I don't want her heart to get invested if you aren't planning on doing anything about it!"

"Who said I didn't want to do anything about it?!"

"Well that's why I'm asking you about your intentions! What are they?"

"Can we go inside? This tray is heavy."

"Forget about the tray man!" Rami exclaimed, and Jafar rolled his eyes, before setting it on the windowsill.

"Why are you treating me like the enemy!?"

"I'm not! I'm just looking out for my sister!"

"Technically she isn't your sister."

"Well I know that!" Rami exclaimed in a huff. "I just like to consider myself the big brother of all of us."

"Sami's older." Jafar said in amusement, and Rami rolled his eyes.

"Whatever, she's my sister in Islam!" he exclaimed. "And stop stalling! Just answer the question!"

"Okay, you want to know Rami? I'm in love with her. I'm so in love with her that it is slightly frightening! And I want to marry her. Ya Allah you don't know how badly I want to marry her." He shook his head. "But I'm not good enough."

Rami raised an eyebrow.

"Why would you think that?"

"Look what's happening Rami! She was kidnapped, and tortured, her family is being terrorized, and guess what?! My own brother played a part in it!"

"But Jafar! You are not your brother! Ali's choices have nothing to do with you! And Emma knows that! If she blamed you for all of this, she wouldn't have spent the past two hours expressing how worried she was about you! She wouldn't have made up a tray because she wanted to make sure that you ate! She wouldn't have come out to check on you!"

"She did all of those things because she is just a caring person."

"While that may be true, it's also because she cares about you! Anyone can see it! Hence the brotherly 'what are your intentions?' speech!"

Jafar smiled.

"It's very nice of you to look out for her like that. But I would never hurt her."

"Jafar, that's not what I was saying."

"I know you aren't, I was just reassuring you." He gave a slight shrug. "But I promise to stay away from her."

"Jafar," Rami begun, but Jafar put a hand up.

"No, it's fine Rami. Yes, maybe ever since I met her, all I could think about was having her by my side as my wife, living the rest of my life with her as my partner. And yes, maybe for a while the image of having children with her and being a family consumed me. But I've come to a decision, and unfortunately," he paused to swallow hard, "I've given up my dream." He said quietly, and Rami was silent. It was the first time in a really long time that Rami had seen Jafar emotional. All of this must have been hurting him so much.

Gosh he was so pissed at Ali!

If he ever got his hands on him...

"So you aren't going to ask her to marry you?"

Jafar sighed, before picking up the tray again.

"No."

***

"Honeybee, are you coming to bed?" Rami called from where he was propped up against the headboard, watching the basketball game that was playing on the television screen.

They had come home a few hours ago, just the two of them as Maria and Emma had decided to stay at FBI headquarters with Omar. Apparently Jamaal wanted to torture Muhsin and Jenna a bit by leaving them locked up in their rooms before he got his revenge, so there was no telling when the whole attempted murder plan would take place.

While Rami liked Emma and Maria, he had to admit it was nice to finally have the house to themselves. They hadn't been alone since their 'honeymoon' which consisted of packing boxes. He was looking forward to a romantic night. He had gotten her some flowers, and made up a midnight snack of her favorite double chocolate cake, had picked out a few songs to dance to since she had been complaining lately that the romance in their marriage was starting to fizzle and they hadn't even been married for a month yet! Maybe they were just too comfortable with one another that they had started out falling into a rhythm of an old married couple.

But no matter how much romance he had planned, the night couldn't start without Rana, who had been in the bathroom for almost forty five minutes, which he would have noticed earlier if Houssam Shaykh hadn't just made the game winning shot...

"Rana?" he called, turning off the television. "Are you okay?" When there was still no answer, he got up, and knocked on the bathroom door. "Honey?"

There was another few moments of silence, before she opened the door, her face streaked with tears.

"Rami," she whispered before she began to cry, and he hurried to pull her into his arms.

"Honey what is it!? What's wrong!?" he exclaimed, pushing her hair back, and kissing her head.

"It's s...stupid." She stammered out, and he led her to the bed, sitting down next to her.

"I'm sure it's not! Tell me what's wrong?"

"I took a pregnancy test, and it was positive!" she cried out, before burying her face in his chest.

"What?! You're pregnant already!?" He exclaimed in astonishment, and when she let out a louder cry, he patted her back. "Okay but what's wrong with that!? That's amazing! We're going to have a baby InshaAllah! Are you not happy?"

"Oh Rami!" she exclaimed, and he held onto her in confusion.

"Rana what is it?!"

"I took the test a week ago, and it was positive, and I was so excited! But then I took another one a few days ago just to make sure, and it was negative."

"Oh. So you're upset that you aren't pregnant?"

She nodded, wiping at her eyes.

"Yes."

"Well maybe the negative one was wrong?"

She shook her head.

"That's what I was hoping for, and I had an appointment with my doctor tomorrow to check, but then I just," she hesitated again, staring up at him, and he raised an eyebrow questioningly.

"What is it? Rana, I'm your husband, you don't have to be embarrassed with me!"

She nodded, before swallowing.

"I just started my period."

His whole face turned red, and he squirmed a bit uncomfortably.

"Oh, uh okay."

She smiled slightly at his embarrassment, before she started to tear up again.

"I was so excited Rami. Just the thought of your baby, our baby," she paused to put her hands on her stomach, "made me so incredibly happy." She shook her head before she leaned against him, and he laughed.

"That is so beautiful honey. And one day I look forward to the many children we are going to have InshaAllah." He kissed her gently. "But we've barely begun our lives together! If you had been pregnant, I would have been over the moon of course. But we still have so much we have to learn about each other! Every single day brings a new adventure, a new insight into the wonderfully beautiful person you are." He gripped her hands in his face. "And it makes me fall in love with you all over again." He whispered, and she let him kiss her, before pressing her forehead against his.

"Thank you. I needed to hear that."

"Of course. And I don't want you to ever think something is too stupid to share with me. Okay?"

She smiled coyly.

"Even if it makes you terribly uncomfortable?"

He flushed slightly, before scowling.

"Don't be a smarty pants!"

She laughed, kissing him again.

"So I saw you talking to Jafar today. What was that about?"

"Oh you know, just guy talk."

"Why did he look so scared?"

"He looked scared?"

"Well, not really scared. More of annoyed beyond belief."

"Well," Rami said with an exaggerated sigh, "I might have given him the whole older brother speech."

"About who?" Rana asked in confusion.

"Emma of course!"

"You aren't her older brother!"

"Hey!"

"Well it's true! Technically she isn't even my sister. She's Hudayfah's sister in law."

"Why does that have to matter?! Obviously this whole debacle has proven that being actually related to someone means nothing anymore!" he exclaimed, and Rana kissed his shoulder before looking into his face in amusement.

"That's true. And you're right, I see her like my sister as well. So why did he need an older brother talking to?"

"Because I wanted to make sure he wasn't stringing Emma along."

Rana laughed.

"That's so not Jafar. If anything, she would spend forever doubting his feelings because he's so reserved!"

"I guess. But unfortunately this whole thing with Ali has freaked him out so badly, that he has deemed himself unworthy of Emma."

"Oh no! But he should know better than to shoulder the responsibility! Just because Ali is his brother, doesn't mean it's his fault!"

Rami nodded.

"I know, but I don't think he's really thinking that rationally at the moment. I think he's hurting too much."

"How sad! They would be perfect together! They are such opposites that at first you would think it would be crazy for them to get together. But I think they would complement each other."

"Yeah. Well InshaAllah things will work out for them. Now, who knows how long we are going to have this place to ourselves, and since we know that everyone is safe, we don't have to feel guilty for spending some time together. So," he paused to turn on the stereo, "come here." He said, pulling her towards him, wrapping one arm around her waist, and she laughed, stretching on her tiptoes to put her arms around his neck.

"Ooh! How romantic Rami!"

"I know," he leaned down to whisper in her ear, "I got you chocolate cake too!"

She laughed, and they swayed to the music, pausing every once in a while to steal a kiss or two, and halfway through their second song, the doorbell rang, and they both froze.

"Were you expecting someone? It's pretty late for company." she said looking at the clock, and he shook his head, releasing his hold on her.

"I'm not expecting anyone. Stay here." He ordered, and she rolled her eyes, picking up her scarf off of the back of the desk chair.

"Yeah right. Let's go!" she exclaimed pulling his hand, and as they entered the living room, she switched on the light, and he peered through the peephole, before his mouth dropped.

"It's Ali!" he exclaimed, and she gasped.

"What!? Are you serious!?"

He nodded.

"Yeah. Should I open it!?"

She wrung her hands nervously, before shrugging.

"I don't know."

He waited a few more beats of silence, before opening the door, and Ali stared at them anxiously for a few seconds before waving.

"Um hi."

Before any of them could comprehend what was happening, Rami's fist shot out, and collided with Ali's face.

"That's for betraying my family!" he exclaimed shaking out his hand, and wincing slightly.

"Rami!" Rana exclaimed as Ali bent over, grabbing his face, and Rami turned to her apologetically.

"Sorry. Reflex."

"Oh my God Rami! Are you trying to kill me!?" Ali demanded, and Rami grabbed his shirt, pulling him inside the house.

"You're lucky that's all I did!" he snarled, before shoving Ali up against the door. "What do you want!?" he demanded, and Ali paused to wipe the blood off of his hands onto his shirt.

"I need to talk to you."

"Ali, it's probably not the best idea for you to be here." Rana said, glancing back at her husband who looked like he was preparing to throw another punch.

Ali shook his head, eyeing Rami warily.

"I know that I am the last person in the world that any of you want to see. But you have to understand how horrible I feel about all of this! I really honestly didn't mean to hurt any of you!"

Rami scoffed.

"Then why did you do it!? You knew Jamaal was out to get Hudayfah and Muhsin!"

Ali let his hands fall to his sides, his face taking on a pained expression.

"I needed the money. And I couldn't ask Hudayfah for it anymore, I just couldn't."

Rami shook his head.

"That's not an excuse. It's not an excuse at all."

"You don't know how it feels to have barely a penny to your name! None of you do!" Ali exclaimed, and Rami shoved him so hard, that one of the pictures fell off the wall as he hit the door.

"I don't know how it feels not to have money?! I don't know how it feels?!" Rami bellowed, pushing him again.

"Rami," Rana said quietly, but he ignored her, taking another step towards Ali.

"All of us got where we are because we worked for it! Because we earned it!" he turned around to point at his wife. "Rana put herself through medical school by waitressing tables! Everything that Hudayfah has accomplished, he did with hard work and only made it after facing many failures! My family was so poor, that my scholarship money at ASU was all I had to live on! But I would have never considered betraying those close to me! I worked as many jobs as I could get until I could not only support myself, but my parents as well! You took the easy way out, so don't try to make us feel sorry for you!" he exclaimed angrily, and as Rana put a hand on his arm, he let out a long breath, drawing her in front of him as if he was trying to put a buffer between Ali and himself.

"Well I'm sorry I'm not as good a person as you are Rami." Ali said sarcastically, and Rami shook his head.

'Don't you dare try to pass yourself off as a victim! You made your own bad choices, and now you have to deal with them!" he sighed in frustration, before raking a hand through his hair. "What do you want Ali? Why are you here?"

"I need to talk to you."

"Well then talk." Rami gestured, and Ali shifted uncomfortably.

"Right here? In the doorway?"

"Considering you are probably the one who blew up Hudayfah's house, forgive me for not inviting you to make yourself comfortable." Rami said coldly, and Ali winced slightly.

"Okay I have to warn you." He paused to take a deep dramatic breath, making sure both of them were looking at him, "Jamaal plans on killing Muhsin tomorrow night."

When both Rami and Rana remained silent, Ali cleared his throat.

"Um, did you hear me?"

"We have ears." Rami replied, and Ali shook his head.

"So you don't care?"

"Oh we care. We just don't want to say anything in case you are keeping a log to give to Jamaal!"

"Excuse me!?"

"Oh yeah," Rami said with a nod, "I can just imagine it. '10:52, Rami sneezed'!"

"Rami, stop." Rana said softly, and Rami shook his head, leaning against the wall.

"Is that all you had to tell us?"

Ali glared at him for a few seconds, before stepping forward.

"I wouldn't be so mean to me Rami. Without me, you are going in blind. For all you know, Jenna and Hudayfah could be dead right now."

Rami snorted.

"Yeah okay. Because you are so important. Just get out of here man, we don't need you." He said with a wave of his hand, and Ali's back stiffened.

"Look, I made a mistake," he began, and Rami cut him off, with a quick step forward.

"This wasn't a mistake Ali. This was putting people's lives on the line for your own selfish needs! Did you even stop to consider what you would do if Jamaal had killed Emma or Hudayfah? Would you have been able to live with yourself knowing you played a part in your own cousin's death?!"

Ali's jaw clenched, but he remained quiet, staring at Rami, who shook his head.

"Did you stop to consider how much you're tearing your brother up inside? That he is now shouldering the burden for what you did!? That he is giving up his happiness because he doesn't feel good enough due to your," he paused to make air quotes, "'mistakes'? Don't try to trick yourself into thinking that you are going to get off the hook that easily. You may share blood with Hudayfah and Sami and my wife," he paused to open the door, "but you aren't family anymore."

There was a loud silence around them, before Ali swallowed hard, and squared his shoulders.

"Fine." He said roughly, before he left, slamming the door behind him, and as Rami turned around, it was to find Rana in tears.

"I'm sorry I had to be so tough on him." He said gently, and she nodded, wiping at her eyes.

"No, he deserves it. It's just hard to handle. He is my cousin after all." She whispered, and he pulled her roughly against his chest, holding her tightly.

"I know. It's going to be okay honey. InshaAllah all will be well." he kissed her head. "Would cake make you feel better?" he asked, and she laughed, looking up into his face.

"Yes it would."

***

Ali stomped angrily out of the elevator, making his way towards the doors of the building. He couldn't believe how Rami and Rana were dismissing what he had told them as if it didn't mean anything.

Or...

As if they already knew!

But how could they have known?! There was no way!

As he started to walk down the steps, he came a halt as he found Jafar sitting on the porch, his hands tented, and his face a mask. The two brothers faced each other for a few seconds, before Ali took another step down.

"Hi." He said, and Jafar nodded, putting his hands in his pocket as he stood up.

"Hello."

Another silence fell over them, before Ali cleared his throat.

"So I guess you know?"

"Yeah. Yeah I do." Jafar said quietly, and Ali sighed.

"I would say I'm sorry, but that doesn't seem to be getting me anywhere."

Jafar regarded him in that calculated way of his before he raked a hand through his hair, letting his hand drop to his side.

"Why didn't you come to me Ali? Why didn't you tell me?"

Ali shrugged.

"I don't know."

"That's not an answer Ali."

"It's the only one I have."

"I see."

"I know it means nothing, but I am really sorry. I felt backed into a corner, and I was scared and ashamed and just too overwhelmed. I didn't want to bring you down with me."

"What do you mean?"

Ali laughed bitterly.

"I am under no mistaken impression that I am going to be a free man much longer."

Jafar raised in eyebrow.

"Why would you think that?"

"Hudayfah is one of the most powerful men in the country. It doesn't matter how strong Jamaal thinks he is, he won't win. And all of us are going to go down with him." He shrugged. "If I had let you know what was going on, you could be guilty by association," he shook his head, "and I've already ruined my life, why would I do that to you too?"

"I could have helped you. I would have helped you if you had just told me that you had lost your job and needed money. When did this all start?"

"Remember the meeting we had to figure out what to do with Jenna?"

"Yes."

"A few days after that Jamaal approached me. I don't know why he chose me, perhaps he had been spying and realized how badly I needed money. But he approached me and offered me a ton of money. And I couldn't refuse. I didn't want to admit to you that I had messed up so badly."

"You're my brother Ali. You're my best friend." Jafar swallowed, putting a hand on the back of his neck. "And now I'm going to lose you."

Ali shook his head, and to his surprise, tears started to well up in his eyes.

"I'm sorry." He whispered, and Jafar sighed before pulling his brother into a hug.

"I know."

A few seconds later, Jafar let go, and Ali gave a sniff before looking at Jafar.

"I don't want you to ever think any of this was your fault or that you are to blame. You are the best brother I could have ever asked for. My only regret is that I didn't follow the wonderful example you provided for me all my life. I would hate to know that on top of hurting you and Mama and Baba and Hikmah and Hind, that I also stopped you from marrying Emma. I know you don't love easily, and I know how much you do love her." He shook his head. "Don't let what I did stop you from going after her."

Jafar was silent, before nodding.

"Okay. Thank you."

Ali managed a small smile.

"You're welcome." They were quiet for a few seconds, before Ali tightened his jacket around his shoulders. "I should get going. I'm not sure what to do with my last few moments of freedom."

Jafar winced, and looked into his brother's face, before putting a hand on his shoulder.

"I'm still here for you Ali. InshaAllah I always will be."

No this is not the end.