Title:Bah Humbug! pt3
Author: Jen the Genie
Disclaimer/notes: see pt1
********************************************************
Apartment 42, Hegal Place.
24th Dec 11pm approx
"Hello Fox...Fox I know you can hear me. I promise this isn't one of your nightmares....Fox I really need you're attention for a minute." The voice of Diana Fowley slid snake-like across the room and into his head.
With subdued effort Mulder pulled himself into his body.
"Oh Hi Diana. Not a nightmare eh? Then what are you doing here?" The nonchalance in his tone defied his inner turmoil. "I assume you're my Spirit of Christmas present...So what joys have you got instore for me?"
"Always did have a flare for the dramatic, eh Fox?" Diana's cool hand reached and smoothed his brow. "Have I really been reduced to just another of your nightmares?"
"Forgive me If I seem less than indulgent but the events of this evening seemed to have dampened my usual sparkling wit." Mulder straightened himself, the sting of his last encounter still smarting. "I'd appreceaite it if you'd keep this brief and to the point."
"I know, believe me I know." Diana smiled a tired smile. "I deliberately kept you as my last visit of the night..I've had to show quite a few people the error of their ways."
"Don't tell me you've had an attack of conscience?" Mulder couldn't help but smirk. "Told anyone that smoking is bad for their health?"
"Some people are beyond redemption." Diana perched on the edge of the couch."Do you ever wonder if we could have made things work between us?"
"You were the one who filed for the divorce, remember?" Mulder flexed his aching psyche "Sometimes you have to let something go to see if it really was yours! Seems in your case I was wrong."
"Or maybe you were right." Diana Shrugged "I guess you know what's coming next?"
"Let's do it!" Mulder reached out his hand "Just don't ask me to kiss you.....I really couldn't stomach any more poison this evening."
42 Hegal place began to dissolve into a familiar swirl as Mulder grasped Diana's hand. As the stomach retching volume of colours faded into reality, Mulder could just about distinguish Maggie Scully's parlour.
"Why am I here?" Mulder turned on the fading figure of Diana.
"Trust me, there is a reason. I promise." Diana squeezed his arm. "Just make yourself comfey and all will be revealed." Like the Cheshire Cat, her smile hung in the air long after she disipated.
"Diana, wait up!" Mulder shuffled selfconsciously as he feet sunk into the welcoming carpet. The soft, comforting glow of the christmas tree lights were his only illumination as he made his way to the couch. Under the tree, the evidence of many an hour spent dilegently shopping, tugged at his heart. He took a seat. So this was Christmas present:All souls alive with the spirit of the season.
"What on Earth am I doing here? Here of all places?" Mulder settled uneasily and began his wait.
******************************************************
A night attired Dana Scully crept down the stairs like a mouse.
Peering first up the stairwell then into the lounge she breathed a sigh of releif, satisfied that she had disturbed no -one.
"Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house....." Mulder whispered with a smile before holding his breath as her dressing gown brushed past his feet.
In the glow of the tree and the candles scattered around the room, she looked like an enamoured child as she came to rest at the foot of the Douglas Fir. After a quick glance around the room to double check she was alone, Scully reached up and brushed her fingers against the stiff paper skirt of the tree top Angel.
"Angel high upon the tree, grant a little wish for me!"
Scully bowed her head and gave a girlish giggle.
It had been a long time since she had partaken in this particular family tradition. She fondly recalled Christmas's long since passed, when she and Melissa had come creeping to the tree to have their wishes granted by the angel perched upon it's top.
"I wish you were here for Christmas Mulder." A faint blush crept over Scully's features. "I know it's a selfish wish but I really wanted you here to share this with me. To share my hope and joy for the coming year...to know that cherish your friendship, that I care for you deeply" her voice softened "To know how much I love you...am in love with you."
Mulders heart leapt into his throat. Did he really just hear that?
"Dana, don't forget to light the candle." Maggie Scullys voice was laced with emotion as she entered the room.
"Mom, you scared me." Dana gave a selfconscious smile as her cheeks coloured more obviously. "Come to tell me I'm a bit old for this sort of thing?"
"Nonsense dear, you're never too old. I'm just glad my baby girl still believes in our traditions." Maggie smiled reassuringly "But remember, you must light the candle if you want that wish to come true."
She brought a small white candle to her daughter and gave her a loving squeeze. Scully took the small column of wax, lit it from a larger version on the mantle above the fireplace then carefully placed it in a small star shaped holder.
"Do wishes ever come true Mom?...I mean I know Missy and I did this every year but I can't remember if it ever worked before"
"You got that Science kit you asked for didn't you. You remember, the one you wished for when you were seven." Maggie laughed "I still remember how you smoked us all out on New Years Eve trying to make a firework."
"But I'm not seven anymore Mom, and this isn't a toy that I'm wishing for. What about the real wishes?"
"Always worked for me." Maggie paused in front of couch perilously close to where Mulder now sat. Panicked by her proximaty he started to shuffle along the cushions, convinced that she was about to sit on him. Maggie cocked her head quizzically then moved instead to the chair.
"Your dad spent quite a few Christmas's on active duty before you kids were old enough to miss him. I hated it, he hated it, but it was his career and we accepted it. Every one of those times he was gone I lit my candle and wished for his safe return....It never failed."
"But your wishes weren't selfish...mine is."
"My wishes were made for the same selfish reasons that leave you doubting Dana." Maggie chuckled "I wanted the man that I loved at home with me for the holidays...just like you do. That isn't a crime sweetheart....the crime is not believing it could happen."
"Ah, the thorny question of faith?" Dana curled into the opposite corner of the couch to her wide eyed but silently observing partner. "I want to believe mom, I really do...God I sound like that poster on our office wall." she shook her head with an ironic snort.
"See mom? See what he's done to me...that damn goofy, gorgeous, paranoid, brilliant man that is Mulder. He's has finally got me admitting I want to believe...and he's not even here to see it!"
"He will be. Trust me....trust the Angel."
"I'm all for a bit of devine intervention mom, but I think nothing short of the holy choir indevisible is going to make an impact on the way he was feeling when I left him....I hope our angel has a few pals she can rope into this wish."
"What was the excuse this year?" Maggie's eyes twinkled with amusement. "More little green men to chase in some distant location?"
"No, just one big stupid human." Dana sighed. "He said that he couldn't face meeting up with Bill again."
"Mmm I see." Maggie pursed her lips "And you didn't tell him that Bill and Tara were spending Christmas with her folks this year?"
"I didn't know myself until I got home and picked up my messages."
Mulders ears pricked up at this new piece of information. So Bill wasn't going to be around, well that cast a whole new light on the situation.
"I thought about calling him," Dana studied her hands guiltily "but he got me so mad at him before I left work I decided to let him stew for a while."
"It's not too late, phone him." Maggie nodded in the direction of the phone on the small table next to her daughter. "Don't let your foolish, youthful pride ruin a perfect opportunity..... give the Angel a night off and make your own wish come true."
Apprehensively Scully picked up the reciever and dialled Mulder's number. As the call connected Mulder noticed the look of hope that flared in her eyes. He also noticed how it wavered when his answering machine sprang to life. "Mulder, it's me....If you're there please pick up....Mulder?"
The light in her eyes faded to disappointment as she layed the handset to rest.
"He's probably gone over to the Lone Gunmen." There was an unnatural lightness to her tone that did nothing to cover her disappointment "I guess I could try again in the morning."
"Don't give up on him Dana. " Maggie's eyes drifted toward the seat on the couch that held the mutely spellbound Mulder."Yes I know. He's irrational, frustrating, emotionally battle scarred and at times so infuriatingly blinkered to what you want to share with him that he makes you want to scream...but so was your father when I met him." Maggie chuckled "Well maybe not quite all those things precisely, but he had some pretty annoying traits non the less....What I'm trying to say Dana is that loving a passionately driven man like Mulder is no walk in the park but the rewards are a world unto themselves."
"I've stayed the course this far," Scully rose to her feet "I'm not about to give in yet mom, but thanks for the pep-talk......Well, I've lit that candle. Made my wish. I guess it's all in the hands of kismet now." Scully wrapped her arms about her mother and planted a big wet kiss on her cheek. "G'night Mom."
"Goodnight dear." With the love that only a mother can feel enveloping her, Maggie watched her daughter climb the stairs. When she was gone Maggie stood and walked to pick up another of the small white candles before approaching the tree-top Angel.
"I know it's been a while my little tinselled friend, but I'm sure you won't mind me making a small wish." Maggie cast her eyes around the room until they reached where Mulder was sitting.
Mulder felt himself stiffen in anticipation of being discovered. Surely, as gifted with an almost unnatural perception as the Scully women seemed to be, the matriachal figure currently gazing at him couldn't be aware of his unearthly presence:Could she?
"My wish for you Fox Mulder, is that you find what you need to give your restless soul the peace it needs. The courage to allow your heart to be free and the good old- fashioned common sense to realise that my daughter is in love with you." Maggie lit the candle, placed it alongside Dana's then moved to the door. "Oh one more thing Fox..."
Mulders head snapped round so quickly it nearly cut off his air supply. Maggie lingered in the door way for just a second as their eyes met. Mulder felt his stomach clench. Oh God, she could see him!
"I expect to see you at my dining table tomorrow young man!" The wink she gave before she departed was almost conspiritorial "Merry Christmas Fox."
******************************************************
That was just too surreal! Mulder braced his hands against the arms of the couch, pushing himself up onto adrenaline shakey legs. The warm sensation that had ignited in his chest the moment Scully had professed her feelings for him, had now reached the proportions of a backdraft. Scully loves me!...is in love with me! He skittered joyfully across the carpet as he found his feet. But how had Maggie known he was there? Oh to hell with the logistics...Scully loves me!
One last white candle remained unlit on the mantle as Mulder leant giddily against it. Would the Christmas Angel allow him a wish? His fingers began to reach for it.
"Mulder. Mulder it's time to return." Even the softness of the voice couldn't disguise Diana's detatchment.
"I want to make a wish." Mulder rounded on the means of his transportation. "C'mon Diana...as a friend....as a former lover... as my ex-wife, would you deny me that?"
"I have no say in the matter."
"Then I guess it's okay." He reached for the stick of wax only to watch down-hearted as his fingers slipped like mist over it's shape. His gaze cast down, the realisation of his ethereal limits dawned. Maggie Scully's lounge became a swirling cloud of what was now and yet was not and Mulder felt his butt hit the battered leather couch in his apartment with a thud.
"Now that was just downright spitefull Diana!" Mulder could barely disguise his displeasure.
"I told you, it was time to return." Diana folded her arms "I only accompany time I don't control it."
"Why was Maggie able to see me?"
"The enlightened are blessed with such perception Mulder." Diana's hard features softened "The real question is, what were you able to see?"
Mulder pondered the question. He'd been witness to his Partners declaration of her love for him.....but his meticulously built defenses still wouldn't let him trust his vision. "Scully said she loved me."
"You seem suprised?" Diana laughed "You're an easy person to love Mulder...despite all your many faults.
Scully's a strong, smart woman and she understands you better than you understand yourself. What drives you, what tortures you and what you need to overcome all the demons in your life and because of that, not despite it Mulder, but because of that, she loves you. How do you feel about her?"
"I love her. Oh God you have no idea how much...have for a long time." Was that a blush that coloured his confession?
"And yet you still continue to build up the walls between you!"
"She deserves more than I can give her. It would be too dangerous to let her know how I felt...you know what we're up against Diana, Jeez, you were a part of all that. If they got an inkling of what she means to me..."
"They'd do what? Take her from you? Take you from her?
Experiment on you both? Mulder wake up and smell the coffee, it's too late. They've done it all already!" Diana shook her head as she stood." Take a chance. Defy the bastards....Maybe it's time to let go your conscious self and act on instinct." She strolled to toward the door "Well, my time's up I'm afraid. Your last guide for the night should be along shortly, take heed of what you see and good luck."
"Thanks Diana...oh I do have one last question. Our Marriage? Was it all a set up....I mean did you marry me because you loved me or because you were told too?"
Diana's features broke into sorrowfull smile "A bit of both...yes our marriage was planned but I never let *them* know that by the time the deed was done I'd fallen for you hook, line and sinker."
"But you filed for divorce...went to Europe...if you loved me that much why do those things?"
"Sometimes if you love something you have to let it go..."
Diana kissed her palm and blew it across the room to him
"Remember, take heed Fox and good luck."
Once more the tv flared and Diana was gone. Mulder stared off into the void of static and contemplated all that he had been shown. Two down and one to go he thought soberly.
Part three concluded......................
********************************************************
Author: Jen the Genie
Disclaimer/notes: see pt1
********************************************************
Apartment 42, Hegal Place.
24th Dec 11pm approx
"Hello Fox...Fox I know you can hear me. I promise this isn't one of your nightmares....Fox I really need you're attention for a minute." The voice of Diana Fowley slid snake-like across the room and into his head.
With subdued effort Mulder pulled himself into his body.
"Oh Hi Diana. Not a nightmare eh? Then what are you doing here?" The nonchalance in his tone defied his inner turmoil. "I assume you're my Spirit of Christmas present...So what joys have you got instore for me?"
"Always did have a flare for the dramatic, eh Fox?" Diana's cool hand reached and smoothed his brow. "Have I really been reduced to just another of your nightmares?"
"Forgive me If I seem less than indulgent but the events of this evening seemed to have dampened my usual sparkling wit." Mulder straightened himself, the sting of his last encounter still smarting. "I'd appreceaite it if you'd keep this brief and to the point."
"I know, believe me I know." Diana smiled a tired smile. "I deliberately kept you as my last visit of the night..I've had to show quite a few people the error of their ways."
"Don't tell me you've had an attack of conscience?" Mulder couldn't help but smirk. "Told anyone that smoking is bad for their health?"
"Some people are beyond redemption." Diana perched on the edge of the couch."Do you ever wonder if we could have made things work between us?"
"You were the one who filed for the divorce, remember?" Mulder flexed his aching psyche "Sometimes you have to let something go to see if it really was yours! Seems in your case I was wrong."
"Or maybe you were right." Diana Shrugged "I guess you know what's coming next?"
"Let's do it!" Mulder reached out his hand "Just don't ask me to kiss you.....I really couldn't stomach any more poison this evening."
42 Hegal place began to dissolve into a familiar swirl as Mulder grasped Diana's hand. As the stomach retching volume of colours faded into reality, Mulder could just about distinguish Maggie Scully's parlour.
"Why am I here?" Mulder turned on the fading figure of Diana.
"Trust me, there is a reason. I promise." Diana squeezed his arm. "Just make yourself comfey and all will be revealed." Like the Cheshire Cat, her smile hung in the air long after she disipated.
"Diana, wait up!" Mulder shuffled selfconsciously as he feet sunk into the welcoming carpet. The soft, comforting glow of the christmas tree lights were his only illumination as he made his way to the couch. Under the tree, the evidence of many an hour spent dilegently shopping, tugged at his heart. He took a seat. So this was Christmas present:All souls alive with the spirit of the season.
"What on Earth am I doing here? Here of all places?" Mulder settled uneasily and began his wait.
******************************************************
A night attired Dana Scully crept down the stairs like a mouse.
Peering first up the stairwell then into the lounge she breathed a sigh of releif, satisfied that she had disturbed no -one.
"Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house....." Mulder whispered with a smile before holding his breath as her dressing gown brushed past his feet.
In the glow of the tree and the candles scattered around the room, she looked like an enamoured child as she came to rest at the foot of the Douglas Fir. After a quick glance around the room to double check she was alone, Scully reached up and brushed her fingers against the stiff paper skirt of the tree top Angel.
"Angel high upon the tree, grant a little wish for me!"
Scully bowed her head and gave a girlish giggle.
It had been a long time since she had partaken in this particular family tradition. She fondly recalled Christmas's long since passed, when she and Melissa had come creeping to the tree to have their wishes granted by the angel perched upon it's top.
"I wish you were here for Christmas Mulder." A faint blush crept over Scully's features. "I know it's a selfish wish but I really wanted you here to share this with me. To share my hope and joy for the coming year...to know that cherish your friendship, that I care for you deeply" her voice softened "To know how much I love you...am in love with you."
Mulders heart leapt into his throat. Did he really just hear that?
"Dana, don't forget to light the candle." Maggie Scullys voice was laced with emotion as she entered the room.
"Mom, you scared me." Dana gave a selfconscious smile as her cheeks coloured more obviously. "Come to tell me I'm a bit old for this sort of thing?"
"Nonsense dear, you're never too old. I'm just glad my baby girl still believes in our traditions." Maggie smiled reassuringly "But remember, you must light the candle if you want that wish to come true."
She brought a small white candle to her daughter and gave her a loving squeeze. Scully took the small column of wax, lit it from a larger version on the mantle above the fireplace then carefully placed it in a small star shaped holder.
"Do wishes ever come true Mom?...I mean I know Missy and I did this every year but I can't remember if it ever worked before"
"You got that Science kit you asked for didn't you. You remember, the one you wished for when you were seven." Maggie laughed "I still remember how you smoked us all out on New Years Eve trying to make a firework."
"But I'm not seven anymore Mom, and this isn't a toy that I'm wishing for. What about the real wishes?"
"Always worked for me." Maggie paused in front of couch perilously close to where Mulder now sat. Panicked by her proximaty he started to shuffle along the cushions, convinced that she was about to sit on him. Maggie cocked her head quizzically then moved instead to the chair.
"Your dad spent quite a few Christmas's on active duty before you kids were old enough to miss him. I hated it, he hated it, but it was his career and we accepted it. Every one of those times he was gone I lit my candle and wished for his safe return....It never failed."
"But your wishes weren't selfish...mine is."
"My wishes were made for the same selfish reasons that leave you doubting Dana." Maggie chuckled "I wanted the man that I loved at home with me for the holidays...just like you do. That isn't a crime sweetheart....the crime is not believing it could happen."
"Ah, the thorny question of faith?" Dana curled into the opposite corner of the couch to her wide eyed but silently observing partner. "I want to believe mom, I really do...God I sound like that poster on our office wall." she shook her head with an ironic snort.
"See mom? See what he's done to me...that damn goofy, gorgeous, paranoid, brilliant man that is Mulder. He's has finally got me admitting I want to believe...and he's not even here to see it!"
"He will be. Trust me....trust the Angel."
"I'm all for a bit of devine intervention mom, but I think nothing short of the holy choir indevisible is going to make an impact on the way he was feeling when I left him....I hope our angel has a few pals she can rope into this wish."
"What was the excuse this year?" Maggie's eyes twinkled with amusement. "More little green men to chase in some distant location?"
"No, just one big stupid human." Dana sighed. "He said that he couldn't face meeting up with Bill again."
"Mmm I see." Maggie pursed her lips "And you didn't tell him that Bill and Tara were spending Christmas with her folks this year?"
"I didn't know myself until I got home and picked up my messages."
Mulders ears pricked up at this new piece of information. So Bill wasn't going to be around, well that cast a whole new light on the situation.
"I thought about calling him," Dana studied her hands guiltily "but he got me so mad at him before I left work I decided to let him stew for a while."
"It's not too late, phone him." Maggie nodded in the direction of the phone on the small table next to her daughter. "Don't let your foolish, youthful pride ruin a perfect opportunity..... give the Angel a night off and make your own wish come true."
Apprehensively Scully picked up the reciever and dialled Mulder's number. As the call connected Mulder noticed the look of hope that flared in her eyes. He also noticed how it wavered when his answering machine sprang to life. "Mulder, it's me....If you're there please pick up....Mulder?"
The light in her eyes faded to disappointment as she layed the handset to rest.
"He's probably gone over to the Lone Gunmen." There was an unnatural lightness to her tone that did nothing to cover her disappointment "I guess I could try again in the morning."
"Don't give up on him Dana. " Maggie's eyes drifted toward the seat on the couch that held the mutely spellbound Mulder."Yes I know. He's irrational, frustrating, emotionally battle scarred and at times so infuriatingly blinkered to what you want to share with him that he makes you want to scream...but so was your father when I met him." Maggie chuckled "Well maybe not quite all those things precisely, but he had some pretty annoying traits non the less....What I'm trying to say Dana is that loving a passionately driven man like Mulder is no walk in the park but the rewards are a world unto themselves."
"I've stayed the course this far," Scully rose to her feet "I'm not about to give in yet mom, but thanks for the pep-talk......Well, I've lit that candle. Made my wish. I guess it's all in the hands of kismet now." Scully wrapped her arms about her mother and planted a big wet kiss on her cheek. "G'night Mom."
"Goodnight dear." With the love that only a mother can feel enveloping her, Maggie watched her daughter climb the stairs. When she was gone Maggie stood and walked to pick up another of the small white candles before approaching the tree-top Angel.
"I know it's been a while my little tinselled friend, but I'm sure you won't mind me making a small wish." Maggie cast her eyes around the room until they reached where Mulder was sitting.
Mulder felt himself stiffen in anticipation of being discovered. Surely, as gifted with an almost unnatural perception as the Scully women seemed to be, the matriachal figure currently gazing at him couldn't be aware of his unearthly presence:Could she?
"My wish for you Fox Mulder, is that you find what you need to give your restless soul the peace it needs. The courage to allow your heart to be free and the good old- fashioned common sense to realise that my daughter is in love with you." Maggie lit the candle, placed it alongside Dana's then moved to the door. "Oh one more thing Fox..."
Mulders head snapped round so quickly it nearly cut off his air supply. Maggie lingered in the door way for just a second as their eyes met. Mulder felt his stomach clench. Oh God, she could see him!
"I expect to see you at my dining table tomorrow young man!" The wink she gave before she departed was almost conspiritorial "Merry Christmas Fox."
******************************************************
That was just too surreal! Mulder braced his hands against the arms of the couch, pushing himself up onto adrenaline shakey legs. The warm sensation that had ignited in his chest the moment Scully had professed her feelings for him, had now reached the proportions of a backdraft. Scully loves me!...is in love with me! He skittered joyfully across the carpet as he found his feet. But how had Maggie known he was there? Oh to hell with the logistics...Scully loves me!
One last white candle remained unlit on the mantle as Mulder leant giddily against it. Would the Christmas Angel allow him a wish? His fingers began to reach for it.
"Mulder. Mulder it's time to return." Even the softness of the voice couldn't disguise Diana's detatchment.
"I want to make a wish." Mulder rounded on the means of his transportation. "C'mon Diana...as a friend....as a former lover... as my ex-wife, would you deny me that?"
"I have no say in the matter."
"Then I guess it's okay." He reached for the stick of wax only to watch down-hearted as his fingers slipped like mist over it's shape. His gaze cast down, the realisation of his ethereal limits dawned. Maggie Scully's lounge became a swirling cloud of what was now and yet was not and Mulder felt his butt hit the battered leather couch in his apartment with a thud.
"Now that was just downright spitefull Diana!" Mulder could barely disguise his displeasure.
"I told you, it was time to return." Diana folded her arms "I only accompany time I don't control it."
"Why was Maggie able to see me?"
"The enlightened are blessed with such perception Mulder." Diana's hard features softened "The real question is, what were you able to see?"
Mulder pondered the question. He'd been witness to his Partners declaration of her love for him.....but his meticulously built defenses still wouldn't let him trust his vision. "Scully said she loved me."
"You seem suprised?" Diana laughed "You're an easy person to love Mulder...despite all your many faults.
Scully's a strong, smart woman and she understands you better than you understand yourself. What drives you, what tortures you and what you need to overcome all the demons in your life and because of that, not despite it Mulder, but because of that, she loves you. How do you feel about her?"
"I love her. Oh God you have no idea how much...have for a long time." Was that a blush that coloured his confession?
"And yet you still continue to build up the walls between you!"
"She deserves more than I can give her. It would be too dangerous to let her know how I felt...you know what we're up against Diana, Jeez, you were a part of all that. If they got an inkling of what she means to me..."
"They'd do what? Take her from you? Take you from her?
Experiment on you both? Mulder wake up and smell the coffee, it's too late. They've done it all already!" Diana shook her head as she stood." Take a chance. Defy the bastards....Maybe it's time to let go your conscious self and act on instinct." She strolled to toward the door "Well, my time's up I'm afraid. Your last guide for the night should be along shortly, take heed of what you see and good luck."
"Thanks Diana...oh I do have one last question. Our Marriage? Was it all a set up....I mean did you marry me because you loved me or because you were told too?"
Diana's features broke into sorrowfull smile "A bit of both...yes our marriage was planned but I never let *them* know that by the time the deed was done I'd fallen for you hook, line and sinker."
"But you filed for divorce...went to Europe...if you loved me that much why do those things?"
"Sometimes if you love something you have to let it go..."
Diana kissed her palm and blew it across the room to him
"Remember, take heed Fox and good luck."
Once more the tv flared and Diana was gone. Mulder stared off into the void of static and contemplated all that he had been shown. Two down and one to go he thought soberly.
Part three concluded......................
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