Ok, I'm sorry. I had to do it.

Justina: I hope you like the next chapter.

The Libran Iniquity: Yes, James is an arsehole. You're part Irish? Lucky you. I added that author's note because I knew if I didn't, someone would have something to say about the stereotypical Irish woman with red hair. (I know I would have)

Jazri: I fear you. That's why I wrote this chapter so fast.

Tobie Holloway: It's good to be evil!!

Dennisud: Hope the next chapter (all 5,000 words of it) make up for my meanness

Gizzi1213: Did you work it out right?

I decided to write the next chapter double quick, because whereas Alex doesn't respond to threats, I do!!

I had a bit of trouble with this chapter. Please review. I need constructive criticism.

Disclaimer: I do not own the film, "It's A Wonderful Life", nor do I gain any profit from mentioning the aforementioned film.

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"There are five sub-species of Xindi, the Primates, the Aquatics, the Reptilians..." Archer trailed off as the door behind him opened to admit two laughing men.

"Ah" Archer continued. "Let me introduce two of my senior staff..." he got no farther as he heard a strangled cry come from one of the officers in front of him. A red-headed young woman was suddenly going very pale.

Alex couldn't believe it. He was here! On Enterprise! He was alive! And well! She cried out in shock, and every head turned to look at her, including his.

Archer's brow furrowed in concern and he took a step forward to help his officer, as all blood drained from Malcolm Reed's face. He looked as if he had just seen a ghost.

"Lexie?" he croaked out in a hoarse whisper.

"Malcolm? Oh God, Malcolm!!" The occupants of the room looked on in fascination as the young woman broke from her line, and ran towards the Lieutenant. He backed away, a look of horror on his face.

"NO!" he shouted. "No! You can't be my Lexie! She died! I saw the explosion! I watched her die!" Tears began streaming down his face Alex came closer. She stopped just short of him, tears now falling freely from her eyes also.

"Malcolm. Sweetheart, it's me"

"That's just it. It can't be you. I was on the ground crew! I saw you die! I watched you die! I..." Malcolm stopped, his face white as he clutched at his chest.

"I can't breath. My chest. It hurts" he choked out. Alex ran towards him and caught his shoulders to soften the blow as his back hit the wall, and he slid down to the floor. People ran towards him and surrounded him as his vision swam, and the blood roared in his ears.

His wife's beautiful brown eyes and her concerned shout of "Malcolm? No! Malcolm. Stay with me!" were the last things he remembered before darkness claimed him.

-------------------------

Archer pushed through the crowd of people surrounding his Armoury officer. He paused when he saw the young woman cradling Malcolm's head in her lap. Tears were streaming down her face, and she was shouting for someone to get a doctor. She rocked the unconscious officer, and began whispering 'Please be alright. Stay with me' against his now-flushed skin.

"Who are you?" Archer asked her softly.

"Alexandria Reed" she sobbed.

Archer stood up in shock. Alexandria Reed? She couldn't be. But, she seems to... It's impossible. Malcolm would have told us.

Jenson saw the confused emotions flicker across Archer's face, and pulled him aside.

"Sir, Alex is an Ensign, and our engineer. At one point or another, most of the men on the Hope have made a pass at her. But she always refused. Because she was married. To a Starfleet Armoury officer. And, it looks like it's your Armoury officer."

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(A/N This is probably the wrong age that I have down for Malcolm, but it makes more sense for my story for him to be 31. If I am wrong, my apologies. But, I need him to be 31 for the math to add up.)

England. 15 years previously.

Sixteen year old Malcolm Reed walked slowly home from school in the early October twilight. He had stayed late in school to do his homework, and had already missed dinner, but he didn't care. He was in no rush to get home. Pulling his coat tighter around him to block out the chill, he thought over the last three months.

It had been three months since he had told his father that he would not be joining the Navy, and wanted to become a Starfleet officer instead. Since then, you could cut the tension in the air at home with a knife. Tempers had flared, and things had been said when he told his family of his decision, and Malcolm knew that his relationship with his father, rocky at the best of times, was never going to recover.

Malcolm had suffered three months of cutting remarks, taunts, insults on his own abilities and on Starfleet and now, his father was practising stony silences. His sister Madeline had developed a sudden interest in doing her homework in her friend's house, and his mother tended to stay out of the way of both Malcolm and his father. When Malcolm did happen to be in the same room as his father, they both studiously ignored each other. Malcolm's nerves were at breaking point. He couldn't take much more of this. If this kept up much longer, he was going to cave in and consider joining the Navy, despite his crippling fear of water.

Looking up, Malcolm realized that he was almost home. 'Oh, joy' he thought. He walked at an even slower pace along the quiet street, when a movement up ahead caught his attention. He looked up to see a very pretty girl with long dark hair walking down the steps of her house. 'She must have just moved here' thought Malcolm, because he knew that the house she had just left had been empty for some time. He watched, fascinated at the graceful way she walked, the movements of her hands. He judged her to be about fifteen, or sixteen.

She reached up to brush some hair away from her face and Malcolm saw something shiny glint in the moonlight, slip from around her neck and hit the pathway. He quickened his pace, and saw it was a silver necklace. Picking it up, he called after her "Excuse me!"

She turned and smiled at him.

"Yes?" Malcolm thought that her soft voice, with an Irish accent was the loveliest one he had ever heard.

"Excuse me. I thing you dropped this."

She turned her puzzled gaze to his outstretched hand, and a sudden smile lit her features.

"My necklace!" she exclaimed. "Oh, thank you. It was a present for my sixteenth birthday a few weeks ago. I would have hated to loose it. Thank you." She stepped forward to give him a quick, impulsive hug. Unfamiliar with such contact with a complete stranger, Malcolm didn't react. She pulled away quickly.

Malcolm could see that she was blushing, but he couldn't find the voice to tell her there was no need to be embarrassed. He was completely over- whelmed by the unfamiliar feelings that were flooding him. (A/N Not those kind of feelings. Get your mind out of the gutter!) Malcolm was confused. He was the skeptical one. His sister was the romantic Reed. Malcolm couldn't explain it. He felt like he was flying since her hug, but he was still on the ground. It was almost as if it was he was in love.

Alex couldn't believe that she had hugged him. A complete stranger! She was so embarrassed. She wished there was a hole she could jump in to. The young man in front of her looked completely flustered. 'Great going Stephens' she berated herself silently. 'Alienate the first neighbour you meet. He's really cute too. Goddamnit!' Looking up, she found herself caught in his gaze and was hit by how lovely his eyes were. Her heart began to thump, thump so loudly she was sure he could hear it. Her mouth felt dry and she couldn't tear her eyes away from his. Was this love?

How long they stood there gazing in to each other's eyes, they would never know. They were brought out of it by a door opening down the street. Malcolm shook his head to clear it.

"Well," he finally managed. "I have to get home"

"Of course. Thank you. For the necklace."

"Any time."

Malcolm walked slowly away, looking back over his shoulder every now and then. She (Malcolm realized that he didn't even know her name) stood watching his retreating back, still clutching her necklace in her palm. He smiled and waved before he opened the door to his house. She waved back, and even though it was impossible to tell from this distance, Malcolm knew she was smiling too.

Suddenly, the world seemed brighter. His father had decided to go back to belittling him, but even his father's bad mood could not affect his good one. He found himself looking forward to tomorrow.

-------------------------

Stuart Reed didn't understand it. He was being his most insensitive and sarcastic (For the boys' own good of course. Starfleet! It will never amount to anything!) and Malcolm was just sitting there with a stupid, smiling expression on his face.

I almost had him worn down. He was going to cave in and become a Navy man. I don't understand it.

What has happened since he left for school this morning?

I don't get it.

-------------------------

Alex carefully placed the broken necklace back in her jewelry box. 'I must get it fixed' she thought to herself. 'Or, maybe not. If it keeps me meeting gorgeous guys, it might come in handy.' She was completely unprepared for the feeling of guilt that swamped her when she even though about someone else. 'This is ridiculous!' she told herself. 'You don't even know his name!'

Suddenly though, she was looking forward to starting her new school tomorrow. She had recognized his uniform as the same as the one that now hung in her closet.

'I wonder if he'll be in my year?'

-------------------------

Malcolm sat staring out the window during his French class the next day. He couldn't stop thinking about her. In his mind, he named her Aphrodite. The beautiful Greek Goddess of Love. The name seemed somehow appropriate. He had to find out her real name though. Otherwise, it was just kind of creepy. Suddenly, a sharp, accented voice brought him crashing back down to earth.

"Mr. Reed!"

"Huh?"

"Mr. Reed" his French teacher Monsieur DuMont snapped at him. "I know we are not as interesting as that tree that you've been staring at for the past fifteen minutes, but I would appreciate it if you paid attention and answered the question!"

Malcolm flushed. Languages had never been his thing. He worked hard at them, but couldn't quite grasp them. Now, math equations. They were no problem. It seemed to Malcolm that Monsieur DuMont had it in for him just because he couldn't excel at French. He was saved the embarrassment of asking what the question was by a knock on the door. His teacher stalked over to answer it, and suddenly, his whole mood changed. He turned on the French charm for whoever was on the other side of that door. 'Probably a woman' Malcolm thought as he slouched down in his chair. 'Slimy git.'

He quickly straightened up again when he saw who was walking into the room. It was her! Aphrodite!! She had a navy backpack slung over her shoulder, and had her dark red hair up in a clip. She looked nervous. Malcolm tried not to flinch as she glanced around the classroom. What if she didn't remember him? She broke into a sudden smile when she saw him, but quickly hid it when Monsieur DuMont turned back to her.

"Are you good at French, Ms. Stephens?" he asked her, oozing what he considered to be charm. Malcolm considered it to be sleaze. She was a student for Christ's sake!!

"I can get by" she replied.

"Excellent" he exclaimed. Suddenly, DuMont smirked. "Perhaps you could take a seat there next to Mr. Reed, hmm? He seems to be... a bit lost"

Malcolm felt a blush stain his cheeks, and heard a few sniggers from around the classroom. 'Great. Now she will think I'm an idiot' he thought. Both the blush and the sniggers vanished when a wide smile spread across her beautiful face as she walked towards him.

Malcolm felt like cheering. She was happy to see him!! Maybe she had thought about him last night as he had about her. Malcolm was aware that he was the envy of every male in the room, including DuMont. In the twilight, she had been pretty. In the daytime, she was gorgeous. Her hair was shiny and wavy, and she had very pretty brown eyes. They were kind eyes. She smiled as if her mouth was made for it, and her voice held traces of laughter as she took her seat beside him.

"Hello, Mr. Reed" she said, Soto voice.

Malcolm grinned. "I'd love to reply in kind" he whispered, "but I'm afraid that I don't know your name."

She smiled. "I am Alexandria Stephens. Everybody calls me Alex."

"Everybody?"

"Yup. Everybody."

"Then, I think I'll call you Lexie, so I can stand apart from the crowd." She nodded her consent, and Malcolm grinned. "My name is Malcolm. Malcolm Reed."

"Hello then Malcolm Reed."

"If you two are quite finished giggling like children" DuMont snapped from the head of the classroom "I'd like to continue the lesson." He was in a bad mood. He had planned to make Reed look like a fool in front of the new girl. The boy just bugged him. DuMont had seen the way Reed practically snapped to attention when she had come in. but, Goddamnit, he knew her. 'I guess it's extra homework all round then' he thought maliciously.

When class ended, Malcolm felt like groaning. DuMont was pissed off, and had given them a mountain of homework to do. It would take him hours.

"Are you alright?" Alex asked from beside him as they stood up to leave. 'You look kind of defeated.'

"As you've probably guesses, French is not my strong point. It'll take me hours to do all this work."

"No problem. I'll help you." she offered.

"You will?"

Suddenly she seemed shy. "I will if you want me to." she replied. "I have cousins in France, and I'm fluent. I just didn't want to seem cocky when I said I could get by. The offer's open."

"And I'll take it" Malcolm replied, relieved. "I'm hopeless"

She grinned at his relief. 'Funny, gorgeous and kind.' Malcolm thought as they left the classroom. 'What a combination!!'

Everything that Alex had felt the night before came back, magnified ten times over. Her heart was banging against her ribcage. She was nervous, yet excited. She didn't understand it, but she knew it had everything to do with Malcolm. 'He seems really nice' she thought. 'I hope he stays that way on closer acquaintance.'

They reached a padded bench situated outside the library, and they sat down.

"Here, let me look at your timetable" said Malcolm, "and I'll see when we can work on it. I'm free this period."

She handed him her timetable and he scanned it, amazed.

"We have practically the same time-table!" he exclaimed. "Physics, advanced Maths, exobiology I'm doing all these too."

"Wow! That's cool. I'm off this period too. So..." Alex shoved the timetable back in her bag, "We can chat. Thanks again for the necklace."

"It was no problem, honestly. I'm just glad I could help."

Malcolm was staring at her funnily, and Alex began to get self-conscious.

"What is it Malcolm?" she asked. "Do I have a bug in my hair or something?"

"Oh, sorry. It's just, I never knew a girl willing to put up with the evil physics, Maths and exobiology teachers we have here... voluntarily."

"A girl?"

"Well, not just girls. Anyone. I'm the only one I know in this school who does that combination of subjects, namely because the teachers are evil."

She smiled. "It has nothing to do with the teachers" she told him. "Starfleet Academy requires an all rounded c.v." She stopped, looking horrified. "I can't believe I just told you that! I have never told anyone outside of my family that I want to join Starfleet. You probably think I'm stupid to want to be in Starfleet. I know my mother does." A deep blush covered her cheeks. Malcolm found it adorable.

"Don't be embarrassed." he told her. "I don't think you're stupid. In fact, I want to go to the Academy too."

"Really?"

"Yeah. My dad wants me to join the navy, but..." he leaned closer and whispered, "I'm terrified of water."

"I want to be an engineer. I love mechanics, and I love the challenge."

"I want to be an Armoury officer."

"Really? You mean with guns, and torpedo's and stuff?"

"Yep. I like to blow things up."

"What!"

"Well, in chemistry in First Year, I accidentally blew up a section of the desk, and I've been hooked ever since" he laughed.

She laughed with him. He was so funny! They sat chatting for a long time, talking about their families. Alex heard all about his family, his father and his desire to explore the stars. She sensed a desperate need to prove himself to his father, and his deep hurt at his father's behaviour.

Malcolm learned how she was the only child of a doctor (her mother) and a teacher (her father) Neither was very supportive of her wish to join Starfleet, thinking it was just a phase. But she explained that it was all she ever wanted to do. Her parents wanted her to stay on earth, but she wanted to be free.

A sudden voice broke into their conversation.

"Mr. Reed!!" Malcolm shut his eyes, and turned around.

"Mr. Griffiths" he replied, and resisted the urge to gulp. Neil Griffiths was the strictest principal the school had ever seen in its 40 year history. Normally, Malcolm approved of discipline, but this guy just took it too far! Griffiths had a reputation for unfair detentions and surprise locker inspections and was generally hated by the students. Malcolm suspected that was the way he liked it.

"Mr. Reed. Why aren't you in class?"

"I have a free, sir."

"Really? And what are you supposed to do when you have a free?"

"Go to the study hall"

"Right. Go to the study hall. And why aren't you there now?"

"Well, I..." Malcolm tried to gesture behind his back for Alex to make a quiet exit. He didn't want her to get into trouble on her first day! Instead...

"Sir" interrupted Alex. Griffiths swung around to face her. She was standing there, wringing her hands, her face a picture of despair.

"It's my fault, sir. I...I... I'm new here, and Malcolm was kind enough to help me find my classes. It was my fault." Her eyes were wide, and she looked so pitiful that Malcolm almost asked her if she had a twin sister, until he saw the sparkle in the chocolate brown orbs.

Then, to Malcolm's utter astonishment, Griffiths' face softened, and his whole demeanour changed. "Fault? There is no fault. There is no problem. Reed here was helping you?"

"Yes Sir."

"Well then, Reed!" Malcolm snapped to attention. "I want you to take personal care of this girl. Do you have a locker, Ms...?"

"Stephens sir. And no. I don't have one."

"There's a spare one beside mine" Malcolm spoke up, bewildered.

"Very well then. You can have that one Ms. Stephens. Reed. Take good care of her!" With that, he walked away. Malcolm stared at Alex in total astonishment.

"How did you do that?" he exclaimed. "I thought I was in for a week of detention"

Alex smiled. "It's the 22nd Century, and some men still believe that women are the weaker sex. I just use that." She informed him.

"It was your eyes that did it."

"I know." She grinned. "My mother is always giving out to me for using the power of my eyes for evil!"

"Damn!" Malcolm mumbled. "Come on. I'll show you where the lockers are."

"Malcolm?"

"Yes?"

"Why does everybody call you Mr. Reed, or Reed? Why not Malcolm?"

"I don't know. It suits me, I guess."

"I prefer Malcolm. It's sexy, and British. Just like you."

Malcolm stopped short. Did she really just say that, or was it his overactive and hyper-sensitized imagination playing tricks on him. She had him so confused that he wasn't sure. Could it be possible that she felt the same way as him? Ever since she walked into the classroom, he had felt... free. He knew it was love, but how was it possible? He barely knew her!

"Malcolm. Come on!" Alex called from down the corridor. He ran to meet her, a smile on his lips.

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Two months passed with relative speed. Alex settled down to her new life, and soon made lots of friends, though she and Malcolm still remained close. A bond had been formed that first day in school, and it was strengthening. They walked to and from school together every day, much to his little sister Madeline's amusement. They met each weekend to help each other study, or to go to a movie. Their feelings for each other intensified every time they saw each other. They were in love! But both were to shy to make the first move.

Then, just before Christmas, an incident occurred that made Malcolm begin to think that he had left it too late and lost Lexie to another.

Their friends were throwing a party to celebrate the holidays and the upcoming holiday. It was held in their friend Will's house, because Will's parents were known not to be too strict on the underage drinking thing. Their way of thinking was, they were sixteen. The age limit was only two years away. Let them have fun.

Neither Malcolm nor Alex were big drinkers, and stuck to the soft drinks. It was a good party though. The music was brilliant, and all their friends were there. Logan, who had asked Alex out a few times (she always said no), was a bit worse for the drink. He didn't get why Alex wouldn't go out with him. At first he thought that she and Malcolm... If they were, he would have backed off. But, he saw them together. They were friends. Best friends. But nothing more. Logan felt he had a shot with her.

So he cornered her under a sprig of mistletoe.

"Hey Alex."

"Hi Logan. Having a good time?"

"The best. So, Alex. You know what season it is?"

"Uh, yeah Logan. It's Christmas. That's why we are having a Christmas party. Are you drunk?"

"A little, I think. You know what a real fun tradition for Christmas is?"

"Turkey?"

"Nope."

"Presents?"

"Wrong again." He pointed upwards. "Mistletoe." He could have sworn that she went a little pale under her glittery party make-up.

"M... mistletoe?"

"Yep. You know, kissing under the mistletoe."

"Uh, Logan. I don't think..."

"Come on. What harm could it do?"

Apparently, a lot. Alex conceded one kiss, very short, not even fully on the lips. That was the exact moment that Malcolm chose to walk in to the room. All he saw was Alex pulling away from Logan. Feeling like he had been punched in the stomach, he turned and blindly stumbled the way he came. Lexie and Logan! Together! Kissing!

But Malcolm had left to soon. He didn't see the mistletoe. He didn't see Logan attempt to pull Alex back into his arms, and fail. He didn't see Alex standing on her toes, looking for him in the crowd. As he stumbled into the back garden, all he saw was the image of the girl he loved in the arms of his friend.

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Two days later, the day before Christmas Eve, they met for their usual visit to the cinema. It was a Saturday, and the cinema was showing old Christmas movies. This one was "It's A Wonderful Life." Malcolm had seen it before, but Alex never had. She sat enthralled, while he sat there thinking.

He hadn't seen her since the incident, but she was never far from his mind. He sat there thinking 'I've lost her. But I never had her. But I lost her.'

He heard a sniffle coming from Alex's direction at the end of the movie.

"Are you crying?" he asked.

"No... Well yes. It was just a brilliant ending." When the lights went up, he saw her tear stained cheeks, and laughed.

"Come on" he told her. "Let's get home."

They walked in silence for a while. Finally, Malcolm could stand it no more.

"How's Logan?" he asked casually.

"Logan? I don't know. Why?"

"No reason."

Alex cast a sideways look at him. In profile, he looked deep in thought. Something was wrong. He'd been acting strangely for the last few days, ever since he left the party early the...

The party.

'Damnit!' she swore softly to herself. 'He saw me with Logan.'

"Malcolm" she said aloud. "Why are you asking about Logan?"

"I told you, no reason. You just seemed to be having a good time with him, that's all."

She stopped, and grabbed his arm, swinging him around to face her.

"Are you jealous?" Malcolm wouldn't meet her eyes. Alex decided that they had danced around their feelings enough. Action was needed. "Please, tell me you're jealous. That means that I'm not alone in what I feel."

Malcolm was stunned. He couldn't speak. She felt the same way? Taking his silence fro a no, Alex tried to move away, but he pulled her back and kissed her, long and softly. When they finally broke for air, they looked into each other's eyes. Smiling, he wrapped his arm around her to keep her warm, and they walked home, knowing that they were not alone any more.

It started to snow.

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On Christmas Eve, Alex sat on her front step, gazing up at the stars. Someday, Malcolm and I are going to explore those, she thought as she waited. Someday. We are going to kick ass in the Academy!!

After their first kiss last night, Malcolm walked her home. He kissed her softly on the lips, and asked her to meet him on the steps, tonight. He said he had something to tell her. She knew what it was. He loved her... she hoped. She loved him so much it hurt to be without him, so when she saw him walking up the path, she sprang to her feet to meet him.

He seemed nervous, unsure of himself, which was not Malcolm's usual style. He was so confident and out-going usually. He stopped in front of her, and smiled a half smile.

"Lexie" he began. "I... I... I have something for you. It says what I feel." He handed her a black velvet box. "Open it" he urged, so she did.

Inside was a silver bracelet. Inscribed on it were the words:

A.S. I love you. Forever. Always. M.R.

She flung her arms around his neck.

"I love you too" she told him, just before she kissed him. It was a soul- searing kiss.

They knew they were soul-mates in that moment.

They also knew they would be together for the rest of their lives.

------------------------------

Enterprise, 2154

Archer stood in sickbay next to Trip, watching as Phlox scanned Malcolm's unconscious form. Malcolm's wife (he found it hard to say the word) stood next to the bed, refusing to move more than three feet away from Malcolm. She had refused to let go of him once the medical team arrived with Phlox in the briefing room. She had held his hand all the way to sickbay, and had only released his hand when Phlox told her that she was impeding his treatment of her husband.

"I've killed him" she said aloud to no-one in particular. "I gave him a heart attack."

"Lieutenant Reed is not dead." Phlox assured her. "Nor has he had a cardiac episode. He is simply in severe shock. He should regain consciousness soon."

As soon as Phlox moved away from Malcolm, Alex was once again by his side. She sat next to him on the bio-bed, and held his hand. Tenderly, she brushed a lock of hair off his forehead. He looked so good! So handsome in his uniform. She checked his hands. No wedding ring either! Maybe he is not married again. She heard someone clear their throat. It was Archer.

"I'm Captain Archer. This is Trip Tucker, my Chief Engineer. Are you really...?"

"Malcolm's wife? Yes. My name is Alexandria Reed. Everybody calls me Alex. Malcolm calls me Lexie." Her voice broke on the last word, and she began to cry.

Archer and Trip looked at each other helplessly. Neither knew what to do when women cried, especially their friend's wives. They were at a loss.

"Tell me" Alex began, regaining control of her tears, "What does he do on this ship?"

"He's my Chief Armoury Officer" Archer told her.

"And the best damned one I've ever met" added Trip.

Alex smiled sadly. "He always did like to blow things up."

Malcolm stirred and opened his eyes. Where was he? What had happened? He looked to his left, and saw Archer and Trip standing next to a bio-bed, looking very confused. He suddenly became aware that someone was holding his had. He looked up, into a pair of very familiar, beloved brown eyes. Lexie! But that's impossible. His darling wife had died eight years ago. He had seen it happen. He had seen the shuttle explode. But still, those eyes...

His eyes moved from the beautiful brown eyes, down a pert nose, to a mouth made for smiling.

"Hi" she said in an Irish accented voice.

That voice! It was her! No one else's voice could make his heart race and breathing quickened by saying one little word.

Alex smiled.

"Remember me?"

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So, what do you think?

Was it worth the wait?

There's more, so stay tuned.