Once again, John and Hope were headed back towards the Chamberlain estate. As John kept driving, there was nothing but dead silence. Hope just kept staring out the window, still in disbelief about everything that had transpired.

"Are you alright?' He asked her.

"I'm fine." She replied. "It's just that—you know what? You were right about him. He is a horrible person, and I hope I never see him again. Nothing good ever came from him."

"Oh I can think of one thing." Replied John.

"Really what's that?" She said with a sarcastic chuckle.

"You." He Replied with a smile.

"Okay, I'll give you that one." She said as she returned his smile.

They soon pulled up to the house, as John unbuckled his seat belt. Hope's stomach began to tighten in knots, as she couldn't help have an ominous feeling about being there.

"Which room is your's?" He asked.

"The third door, on the left." She told him. "At the top of the stairs."

"Okay." He replied as he started to open the car door. But all of a sudden she grabbed his arm.

"Wait!" She exclaimed. "I'm still not sure this is a good idea!"

"Are you still worried about a genie?" He asked. "Even with everything you just found out about your father?"

"Even though he was a criminal." Hope replied. "It still doesn't explain what happened. I mean if he gave me the bottle it would be one thing, but you said it was in a safety deposit box at the bank. You were the one who gave it to me."

"You would be amazed at what con artist can do." He replied. "Maybe he found a way to get inside the bank vault, or maybe he got to it when it was in my car during the memorial service. Perhaps I should check it to see if there is some kind of camera, or microphone, that he was able to hide inside of it."

"No." She said. "Please, I just want to be rid of that thing. I want nothing more to do with this house, or my family. I didn't really have time to unpack. If you go to my room, you can just grab my bag. We could just stop at the drugstore on the way back to your place, to pick up some toiletries."

"Okay." He replied with a caring smile. "I love you."

"I love you too." She told him, as she returned his smile. Hope could feel the tears welling up in her eyes, as she handed him her house key. For this was the first time in her life that she actually felt loved. He gave her a quick peck on the cheek, before getting out of the car.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++

As John unlocked the front door, a creaking sound of the door opening reverberated throughout the house. He couldn't get over how cold and empty it had felt. No wonder Hope had felt so lonely all the time. Well it didn't matter anymore, because she had him now.

"Hello!" He yelled. "Any genies in here?"

Guess not! He thought as his voice echoed through the house. As he headed for the stairs, he heard what sounded like a party. It started out faint, but all of a sudden, the sounds of music and party goers seemed to be getting louder. It was coming from the ballroom.

What the hell? He wondered. Did someone break in here?

Felling angry about the even the very thought of it, he marched towards the door, and pushed it opened with anger and great fervor.

"What the—Oh my god!" He exclaimed. As the entire ballroom seemed to be engulfed in a bright white light, it was calling to him. Entranced by it, he could not look away. With that, he made his way inside. The light had enveloped him, as the door shut behind him.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++

As Hope waited in the car, she began to get nervous. He had been in there for over fifteen minutes, much longer than it should have taken him. She looked up towards the sky, as she noticed the full moon was turning a deep red color. Didn't the genie say something about a blood red moon to her? At that moment, she heard a voice inside her head.

"Hope!" The genie's voice called out to her. "Come to me, now! Or the good lawyer dies!"

"No please, don't!" She cried. "Please don't hurt him!"

"Then give me a reason not to!" He replied. "Show me that you understand that I am the one that you belong to, show me that you understand that you are mine!"

"Alright I'll come to you!" She exclaimed in terror. "Just promise me that you won't hurt him!"

"That's my good girl!" He told her. "I promise I won't hurt him, I really have no desire to do so! We'll be waiting for you, in the ballroom!"

Hope got out of the car, and ran into the house as quickly as possible. If anything happened to John, she would never forgive herself. Why didn't he listen to her? Why didn't they just go to his place?

As she she entered the foyer, she could hear music from the Nutcracker Suite. It was the same as the night of the Christmas Ball two years ago. As she walked towards the ballroom, she could see a bright light emanating from the door. Slowly she made her way over, as the music seemed to get louder. Cautiously she opened the door, and stepped through.

As she did, she couldn't believe her eyes. The entire ballroom looked the same as it did the night of the Christmas Ball. But the only other person in the room was John, dressed in the same tuxedo he had worn that night. Or at least he looked like John, deep down she knew it wasn't really him.

"Where's John?" She cried.

"He's safe for now." The genie replied with a smile. "As long as you cooperate."

She felt angry, as the genie kept talking to her, since he insisted on being disguised as John.

"I said, 'Where's John!'" She growled

"You're not being very polite my dear." He told her. "I am much more agreeable when you act more polite. Besides, I thought you liked this form."

"I like it on John!" She exclaimed. He just looked at her, and laughed in utter amusement.

"As fiery as your ember colored hair." He replied. "I think it was one of the first thimgs I noticed about you. Now then my fiery haired beauty, may I have this dance."

"I'm not dressed for it." she proclaimed rather coldly.

He just looked at her and smiled, "Now you are."

As soon as he said it, she looked down. She was now in the same white, and gold, ballgown that she had worn the night of the ball.

"Now then." He said again with a smile. "May I have this dance, my lady?" Just like in the dream, he bowed to her and extended his hand. Also, just as in the dream, she reluctantly took it. He soon wrapped his arm around her waste, as he held her close to him. As they waltzed to The Nutcracker Suite, he kept looking at her with adoration. Through Johns eyes, the genie continued to smile. However, she only returned a look that was cold and stoic.

"Why are you doing this?" She asked.

"Do you remember the first time we danced." He said as he ignored her question. "I believe you told me that you never wanted that moment to end."

"Of course I remember." She cried. "It was only last night, when you raped me!"

"I don't recall you complaining at the time." He responded. "In fact, if anything, you seemed to be enjoying yourself."

"You entered my mind, and manipulated me through my dreams!" She growled. "And somehow you still physically took the most precious gift that belonged to me!"

"Oh no my dear." He said to her. "I'm afraid you have that wrong. In fact, quite the contrary. That is one special gift, that was always promised to me."

Hope was horrified by what he just said, did he really think that?

"You bastard!" She cried. "How dare you say that was promised to you!" Then, all of a sudden, Slap! Her hand came flying across is face, but he had little to no reaction. Instead he just looked at her and laughed.

"My beautiful Hope!" He exclaimed, as he continued laugh. "You cannot hurt me, for I am immortal. As my chosen bride there is no action you could do, or say, to keep me from loving you. And I will love you, as you will stay by my side, for all eternity. So you see, I have all the time in the universe. More than enough time, to show you that you will soon love me as well. I am for you Hope, just as you are for me."

"Why do you keep saying that?'" She cried. "Why did you think my virginity belonged to you? Why can't you understand that I have a free will? Just because you're a powerful being, doesn't automatically give you the right to claim me!"

"You see my dear, wishes have consequences." He explained.

"What are you talking about?" She asked in confusion. "I never made a wish!"

"No, but your mother made two." He explained. "Unlike most tales of genie lore, an individual is only guaranteed one wish, not three. If the person wants a second wish, than they must give the genie something of great value."

"Oh my god!" She cried. "Are you telling me what I think you're telling me?"

"That's right, my angel." He explained. "In order to receive her second wish, your mother gave me her most valuable treasure. She gave me—you."