Good evening, All(
Whew! I made it! I have to thank my *awesome* betas for their twenty four hour turn around time on this chapter. Amazing, I tell you! Alane, Pat, Linds, Carrie and Cindy, you *totally* rock! And yes, it takes that many to clean up my typos! So, thank them too, if you like the story.
This is part one of a two or three part look at one particular Thanksgiving at the Windsor house. I am toying with the idea of sticking a rated chapter in this section, but you'll have to beg ;)
So, I do hope you enjoy this and *please* let me know how you feel!
Have a great week!
*Cheery Vibes*,
Nimue
Title: Holiday Bondage - Part One (Chapter Nine of Meant to Be)
Author: Nimue
Rating: PG -13
Pairing Buffy/Spike. Most major characters included.
Feedback: Yes, please
For instant notification of fic releases, straight to your mailbox, please visit Always_Everyday@yahoogroups.com
Disclaimer: All characters belong to Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy, UPN, Fox... Just Borrowing. (With, of course, the exception of Emma and William, who belong to Buffy and Spike)
The rest of the story can be found at:
and present chapters are being posted on my live journal at:
Summary: Turkey Day at the Windsor house. Part one of a two or three part chapter which *might* include some rated material. We shall see. Giles tells Willow of Althea's phone call and they develop a plan to intercept the prophesy.
Holiday Bondage - Part One
Xander and Takina arrived at the front walk of the familiar abode on Revello at exactly the same time as Willow and her family. They stopped for hugs and kisses, showering each other in the affection of lifelong friendship. It was as if it had been years since they'd last met, rather than just a few days. This is how a holiday *should* be.
Laughter bubbled from inside the house. The now familiar, happy sound of Buffy. A noise that they had not heard nearly enough of as they grew up, but were now blessed with at nearly every meeting. Internally, in some little part of his mind, Xander still cringed that he could never make her sound like that. That it was a Vampire who had finally set her free by binding himself to her. But that sound. That clear, bell-like laughter followed by the shrill, high-pitched giggles of her children, was worth any price he had to pay, real or imaginary.
"Wonder what's going on in there?" Oz questioned, an infectious grin on his face.
"With Buffy, it's hard to tell. I mean, she could be reveling in the joy of demon slaughter, or she could just be playing with the kids," Willow pointed out as they reached the doorstep.
"Well, guess we're with the demony goodness or the family romp," Xander commented. "Not sure which is of the worst." He reached for the knob, a grin spreading across his face. Takina batted him with one hand as she held River to her hip with the other. Xander cringed dramatically, still smiling as he turned the door knob, stepping in with the whole crew in tow.
The scene in the dining room was a tableau that had them all guffawing within seconds. Buffy was barely holding herself up against the kitchen door frame, tears streaming down her face as she watched the scene unfold.
Spike sat, smirking all the while, as Emma and Will tied him to a dining room chair. Running circles around him like some partially living maypole, giggling insanely as they secured little knots and made sure the ropes were snug and tight all over their father.
Xander broke first, wiping tears from his face and warding off the evil- Vampire-glare-of-slow-and-painful-exsanguinations. "Bu.Buffy, did you *tell* them to do that?" He choked out.
She shook her head in response, hand over her stomach, still laughing so hard that she could not speak as Emma secured a knot around Spike's arm.
"Okay," Takina began, smiling just because of the reaction of the others. "Not sure I'm quite getting the joke. Not that Spike tied to furniture isn't funny."
"'Nuf out of you," Spike snapped half-heartedly, barely concealing his own grin. "Don't see you sacrificing your bloody dignity to be the entertainment."
"It. It is kinda funny," Tara agreed. Spike feigned shock and horror at the kind witch's allegiance to the dark side. She blushed, looking away but still grinning uncontrollably.
"Easy fang-boy. Just bringing back a memory or two," Xander chided, eliciting a growl from Spike and a quick tug at the restraints. "Good times," the man continued. "Good times."
"And back to the inside joke?" Takina reminded as Buffy made her way over to the group, still giggling hysterically.
Will separated himself from the festivities just long enough to run up to Takina and look her square in the eye. Well, as square as he could from three feet below. His little arms reached up towards her and River. "Mine," he said confidently, making both Buffy and Takina laugh harder and Xander growl, much in the manner of the bound Vampire. Spike raised an eyebrow in satisfaction while Takina loosed River, handing her over to Will who promptly took her little hand and led her back to the real festivities.
"You see," Buffy chuckled, "It's kind of a family tradition."
"Nothin' says Turkey Day like Spike tied to a chair," Willow interjected, causing another growl from Spike.
"Back in the good old days," Xander began, roughly composing himself, "when Spike wasn't of the neutered."
"Hey!" Spike contradicted, serious this time. "I'll have you know that Buffy and I."
"Spike," Buffy warned, all humour slipping from her voice.
Spike sighed. Only right to let her handle the news her way, even if it meant verbal castration by the whelp. Internally, he thought of ways to get the git back once the announcement had been made.
"Anyway," Xander continued, baiting Spike further by winking his victory at Buffy's support, "back in those blessed, blessed good old days, Spike spent a lot of time tied to things."
"And chained," Willow added gleefully. "Don't forget the chainage."
"Oh, of course not," Xander agreed, nodding sagely. "Captain Peroxide over here spent a couple of Thanksgivings tied to chairs."
Takina quirked an eyebrow. "Um, any particular reason? Or was it religious. Like a Christmas tree?"
Buffy giggled, a naughty little thought of Spike being decorated with various edible ornaments making her woozy all over again.
"Well, we were sort of against the idea of becoming his main course," Xander answered, sarcasm biting through his amusement.
"Wouldn't have bitten you anyway, Whelp," Spike commented as the kids tied his legs. "Just because I'm a creature of the night doesn't mean I've got no taste."
Xander smirked, turning back to Takina and Buffy. "Got any gags handy?"
"As a matter of fact."Buffy began, thinking more of her naughty little fantasy than gagging him for public purposes.
"Don't even think 'bout it, Goldilocks," Spike snarled at his beloved, getting a kittenish grin in response.
River began to climb up Spike's legs as if on her father's cue, sticking her pacifier in his mouth and causing the already amused extended family to erupt into gales of laughter yet again. Even Spike had to chuckle from behind the baby's prized possession. Well, that is if one didn't include Will as River's most prized possession.
"What's going on?" An amused, female voice asked from the doorway. Before anyone could hazard a glance back, the voice continued. "Oh, must be Thanksgiving," and strolled nonchalantly past the group and into the kitchen. Very little fazed Anya anymore.
A nervous smile flitted across Giles' face, but it barely hid his distraction. "Shall I find a novelty mug?"
Buffy laughed again, walking over to her lover and starting to peel wily children from his limbs and extricating River's pacifier from his lips, replacing it quickly with her own. "You're being a good sport," she whispered against his soft skin.
"Have to make it up to me later, Pet." He smiled against her lips, making her grin wider.
"Keep the ropes handy then," she commented with a saucy smile and sauntered away, leaving Spike dangerously close to being embarrassingly happy about his humiliation. Quickly, he changed his thought processes, banishing thoughts of Buffy tied right and proper to the bed post and replacing the grin with a smirk.
"Can't a bloke get untied round here?"
The crowd looked at each other for a moment, then to Spike, and began to file out of the room, shrugging and giggling.
"Hey!"
Tara couldn't keep it up and walked back to the captive Vampire as the rest dispersed around the house. She began to untie him with delicate ease, trying not to giggle too loudly. But Spike's own laughter made it hard for her to avoid.
~~~~~
Slowly, he turned the knob and walked outside onto the front porch. Willow was sitting on the top step, watching the kids play in the grass on the front lawn. She was alone, at least for the moment, and the Watcher thought it his best opportunity to approach her without causing alarm in the others. Giles sighed, thinking it wasn't fair to upset her Thanksgiving as his had been. But there was no time left to wait.
"Oh, hey Giles," Willow chirped as her mentor sat down on the step next to her, eyes trained on the children, but mind obviously elsewhere.
"Willow," the Watcher answered, nodding at the slowly setting sun. Not looking at her. He couldn't look at her. He felt like all he ever brought to them was bad news.
"What's with the pouty face?" She asked, furrowing her brow. "You're supposed to be all up with the celebrate-y goodness! Thanksgiving is like. it's like the gateway to lots of present-y holidays. And that's always of the good. Besides, Spike cooked most of dinner, not Buffy, so we should be safe and."
"Willow," Giles repeated, this time turning his head to face her. Her red hair blew around her face in the slight autumn breeze and she looked like a child again. Like she had when they had met.
She smiled sheepishly. "Sorry. I guess I get a little excited. The kids make it *so* cool again."
Despite his concerns, Giles had to smile at that. Having children did have a way of restoring the joy to the holiday season. "It is rather nice with them around," he commented quietly. "But, unfortunately, we have other concerns to contend with."
Again, Willow furrowed her brow, her smile fading. "Not to be all concerned about the concerns, but can't it wait until tomorrow? I kinda like my apocalypses on a full stomach."
"I'm afraid it can't," Giles answered ruefully.
Willow sighed heavily, her attention on the playing kids. "How come I knew you would say that?" She paused a moment, taking another long breath. "So, what's the big badness?"
The Watcher wrung his hands, raising his face to the waning sunlight. "Spike told me about Buffy's. condition."
"I know! Isn't it great? I mean, who would've thought that.."
"Willow," Giles interrupted, reclaiming her attention. The beaming smile slid from the Witch's face and her heart picked up its pace.
"Giles, what is it? What's wrong?" Her voice became nervous. Shaky.
The Watcher closed his eyes and swallowed, opening them slowly. "I don't know that anything is wrong quite yet," he began, watching the kids rather than looking at Willow's nervous face.
"Then what?" She asked, her voice picking up speed to match her heart. "I mean, you have to have. you have to have come to me all scaredy faced for a reason."
"I did," Giles responded, searching for the words. There was a pregnant pause as he thought of the least alarmist thing to say. "I received a call from Althea just before I came here today."
"Is she all right? The Coven?" Willow asked nervously.
"Fine, fine," Giles reassured. "But she told me that they had come across a prophesy. One which pertains to the destruction of the One at the hands of their own child."
Willow's eyes opened wide, her mind reeling. "Emma? Will?" The sounds were more like choked gasps than words.
Giles lay a comforting hand on her shoulder. "I asked the same thing," he responded, taking off his glasses and rubbing the bridge of his nose. "But Althea responded, quite clearly, that it was the one yet to be."
A small gasp escaped the redhead's lips. "How. How did they know?"
"Their seer. Not to mention that the child of a Vampire and the Slayer, a child of the One, must affect the energies of the World. Something the Coven would likely pick up on. They want to transmit the prophesy to you tonight, at midnight, so that we can take a look at it ourselves and determine the best course of action. Or. or if it even applies to them," Giles said, his voice laced with hope.
Willow tried to smile, sharing that hope. "They could be wrong, you know. And besides. Buffy, she's not good with the whole prophesy thing. Hates 'em. Does her best to screw them up."
Giles chuckled, squeezing the girl's shoulder. "Will you do it?"
"Sure," she answered, her voice still a little thready. " I mean, maybe they're wrong, right? Like, the prophesy is about the child of the Gunn and not the One, or something."
"They could be," Giles answered unconvincingly. "Willow, I think it best that we keep this between us until we know more about the situation. Frightening Buffy, after all she went through carrying William to term."
Willow mimed zipping her lips and tossing away the key. "Believe me, the *last* thing I want to do is tell Buffy." There was a pause as she composed her thoughts. "They want me someplace in particular?"
"Here," Giles commented. "We'll send the rest home and Buffy out to patrol with Spike. We should be able to receive the information quite quickly."
Willow nodded her understanding. Giles stood, straightening and squinting out at the last rays of the sun.
"Everything's going to be okay, right? I mean with Buffy's baby? Because when you feel that, Giles. feel that inside of you. nothing will stop you from protecting your baby. From falling madly in love." The concern in Willow's voice was palpable. The emotion pouring out like tears.
Giles nodded. "I don't know, Willow. I'd love to say that we can expect a trouble free addition to what has become a lovely family." He paused, rubbing the bridge of his nose again and then sliding his glasses back into position. "But I can't."
Tears welled behind the redhead's eyes. "Could the Prophesy be wrong?"
The older man laid a hand on her shoulder once again, smiling compassionately. "If anyone knows how to confound a prophesy, it's Buffy." A fragile smile broke on Willow's face. "Try not to worry too much. We should know more tonight."
"Tonight," Willow repeated, returning her eyes to the children playing under the setting sun.
To be contd.
Whew! I made it! I have to thank my *awesome* betas for their twenty four hour turn around time on this chapter. Amazing, I tell you! Alane, Pat, Linds, Carrie and Cindy, you *totally* rock! And yes, it takes that many to clean up my typos! So, thank them too, if you like the story.
This is part one of a two or three part look at one particular Thanksgiving at the Windsor house. I am toying with the idea of sticking a rated chapter in this section, but you'll have to beg ;)
So, I do hope you enjoy this and *please* let me know how you feel!
Have a great week!
*Cheery Vibes*,
Nimue
Title: Holiday Bondage - Part One (Chapter Nine of Meant to Be)
Author: Nimue
Rating: PG -13
Pairing Buffy/Spike. Most major characters included.
Feedback: Yes, please
For instant notification of fic releases, straight to your mailbox, please visit Always_Everyday@yahoogroups.com
Disclaimer: All characters belong to Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy, UPN, Fox... Just Borrowing. (With, of course, the exception of Emma and William, who belong to Buffy and Spike)
The rest of the story can be found at:
and present chapters are being posted on my live journal at:
Summary: Turkey Day at the Windsor house. Part one of a two or three part chapter which *might* include some rated material. We shall see. Giles tells Willow of Althea's phone call and they develop a plan to intercept the prophesy.
Holiday Bondage - Part One
Xander and Takina arrived at the front walk of the familiar abode on Revello at exactly the same time as Willow and her family. They stopped for hugs and kisses, showering each other in the affection of lifelong friendship. It was as if it had been years since they'd last met, rather than just a few days. This is how a holiday *should* be.
Laughter bubbled from inside the house. The now familiar, happy sound of Buffy. A noise that they had not heard nearly enough of as they grew up, but were now blessed with at nearly every meeting. Internally, in some little part of his mind, Xander still cringed that he could never make her sound like that. That it was a Vampire who had finally set her free by binding himself to her. But that sound. That clear, bell-like laughter followed by the shrill, high-pitched giggles of her children, was worth any price he had to pay, real or imaginary.
"Wonder what's going on in there?" Oz questioned, an infectious grin on his face.
"With Buffy, it's hard to tell. I mean, she could be reveling in the joy of demon slaughter, or she could just be playing with the kids," Willow pointed out as they reached the doorstep.
"Well, guess we're with the demony goodness or the family romp," Xander commented. "Not sure which is of the worst." He reached for the knob, a grin spreading across his face. Takina batted him with one hand as she held River to her hip with the other. Xander cringed dramatically, still smiling as he turned the door knob, stepping in with the whole crew in tow.
The scene in the dining room was a tableau that had them all guffawing within seconds. Buffy was barely holding herself up against the kitchen door frame, tears streaming down her face as she watched the scene unfold.
Spike sat, smirking all the while, as Emma and Will tied him to a dining room chair. Running circles around him like some partially living maypole, giggling insanely as they secured little knots and made sure the ropes were snug and tight all over their father.
Xander broke first, wiping tears from his face and warding off the evil- Vampire-glare-of-slow-and-painful-exsanguinations. "Bu.Buffy, did you *tell* them to do that?" He choked out.
She shook her head in response, hand over her stomach, still laughing so hard that she could not speak as Emma secured a knot around Spike's arm.
"Okay," Takina began, smiling just because of the reaction of the others. "Not sure I'm quite getting the joke. Not that Spike tied to furniture isn't funny."
"'Nuf out of you," Spike snapped half-heartedly, barely concealing his own grin. "Don't see you sacrificing your bloody dignity to be the entertainment."
"It. It is kinda funny," Tara agreed. Spike feigned shock and horror at the kind witch's allegiance to the dark side. She blushed, looking away but still grinning uncontrollably.
"Easy fang-boy. Just bringing back a memory or two," Xander chided, eliciting a growl from Spike and a quick tug at the restraints. "Good times," the man continued. "Good times."
"And back to the inside joke?" Takina reminded as Buffy made her way over to the group, still giggling hysterically.
Will separated himself from the festivities just long enough to run up to Takina and look her square in the eye. Well, as square as he could from three feet below. His little arms reached up towards her and River. "Mine," he said confidently, making both Buffy and Takina laugh harder and Xander growl, much in the manner of the bound Vampire. Spike raised an eyebrow in satisfaction while Takina loosed River, handing her over to Will who promptly took her little hand and led her back to the real festivities.
"You see," Buffy chuckled, "It's kind of a family tradition."
"Nothin' says Turkey Day like Spike tied to a chair," Willow interjected, causing another growl from Spike.
"Back in the good old days," Xander began, roughly composing himself, "when Spike wasn't of the neutered."
"Hey!" Spike contradicted, serious this time. "I'll have you know that Buffy and I."
"Spike," Buffy warned, all humour slipping from her voice.
Spike sighed. Only right to let her handle the news her way, even if it meant verbal castration by the whelp. Internally, he thought of ways to get the git back once the announcement had been made.
"Anyway," Xander continued, baiting Spike further by winking his victory at Buffy's support, "back in those blessed, blessed good old days, Spike spent a lot of time tied to things."
"And chained," Willow added gleefully. "Don't forget the chainage."
"Oh, of course not," Xander agreed, nodding sagely. "Captain Peroxide over here spent a couple of Thanksgivings tied to chairs."
Takina quirked an eyebrow. "Um, any particular reason? Or was it religious. Like a Christmas tree?"
Buffy giggled, a naughty little thought of Spike being decorated with various edible ornaments making her woozy all over again.
"Well, we were sort of against the idea of becoming his main course," Xander answered, sarcasm biting through his amusement.
"Wouldn't have bitten you anyway, Whelp," Spike commented as the kids tied his legs. "Just because I'm a creature of the night doesn't mean I've got no taste."
Xander smirked, turning back to Takina and Buffy. "Got any gags handy?"
"As a matter of fact."Buffy began, thinking more of her naughty little fantasy than gagging him for public purposes.
"Don't even think 'bout it, Goldilocks," Spike snarled at his beloved, getting a kittenish grin in response.
River began to climb up Spike's legs as if on her father's cue, sticking her pacifier in his mouth and causing the already amused extended family to erupt into gales of laughter yet again. Even Spike had to chuckle from behind the baby's prized possession. Well, that is if one didn't include Will as River's most prized possession.
"What's going on?" An amused, female voice asked from the doorway. Before anyone could hazard a glance back, the voice continued. "Oh, must be Thanksgiving," and strolled nonchalantly past the group and into the kitchen. Very little fazed Anya anymore.
A nervous smile flitted across Giles' face, but it barely hid his distraction. "Shall I find a novelty mug?"
Buffy laughed again, walking over to her lover and starting to peel wily children from his limbs and extricating River's pacifier from his lips, replacing it quickly with her own. "You're being a good sport," she whispered against his soft skin.
"Have to make it up to me later, Pet." He smiled against her lips, making her grin wider.
"Keep the ropes handy then," she commented with a saucy smile and sauntered away, leaving Spike dangerously close to being embarrassingly happy about his humiliation. Quickly, he changed his thought processes, banishing thoughts of Buffy tied right and proper to the bed post and replacing the grin with a smirk.
"Can't a bloke get untied round here?"
The crowd looked at each other for a moment, then to Spike, and began to file out of the room, shrugging and giggling.
"Hey!"
Tara couldn't keep it up and walked back to the captive Vampire as the rest dispersed around the house. She began to untie him with delicate ease, trying not to giggle too loudly. But Spike's own laughter made it hard for her to avoid.
~~~~~
Slowly, he turned the knob and walked outside onto the front porch. Willow was sitting on the top step, watching the kids play in the grass on the front lawn. She was alone, at least for the moment, and the Watcher thought it his best opportunity to approach her without causing alarm in the others. Giles sighed, thinking it wasn't fair to upset her Thanksgiving as his had been. But there was no time left to wait.
"Oh, hey Giles," Willow chirped as her mentor sat down on the step next to her, eyes trained on the children, but mind obviously elsewhere.
"Willow," the Watcher answered, nodding at the slowly setting sun. Not looking at her. He couldn't look at her. He felt like all he ever brought to them was bad news.
"What's with the pouty face?" She asked, furrowing her brow. "You're supposed to be all up with the celebrate-y goodness! Thanksgiving is like. it's like the gateway to lots of present-y holidays. And that's always of the good. Besides, Spike cooked most of dinner, not Buffy, so we should be safe and."
"Willow," Giles repeated, this time turning his head to face her. Her red hair blew around her face in the slight autumn breeze and she looked like a child again. Like she had when they had met.
She smiled sheepishly. "Sorry. I guess I get a little excited. The kids make it *so* cool again."
Despite his concerns, Giles had to smile at that. Having children did have a way of restoring the joy to the holiday season. "It is rather nice with them around," he commented quietly. "But, unfortunately, we have other concerns to contend with."
Again, Willow furrowed her brow, her smile fading. "Not to be all concerned about the concerns, but can't it wait until tomorrow? I kinda like my apocalypses on a full stomach."
"I'm afraid it can't," Giles answered ruefully.
Willow sighed heavily, her attention on the playing kids. "How come I knew you would say that?" She paused a moment, taking another long breath. "So, what's the big badness?"
The Watcher wrung his hands, raising his face to the waning sunlight. "Spike told me about Buffy's. condition."
"I know! Isn't it great? I mean, who would've thought that.."
"Willow," Giles interrupted, reclaiming her attention. The beaming smile slid from the Witch's face and her heart picked up its pace.
"Giles, what is it? What's wrong?" Her voice became nervous. Shaky.
The Watcher closed his eyes and swallowed, opening them slowly. "I don't know that anything is wrong quite yet," he began, watching the kids rather than looking at Willow's nervous face.
"Then what?" She asked, her voice picking up speed to match her heart. "I mean, you have to have. you have to have come to me all scaredy faced for a reason."
"I did," Giles responded, searching for the words. There was a pregnant pause as he thought of the least alarmist thing to say. "I received a call from Althea just before I came here today."
"Is she all right? The Coven?" Willow asked nervously.
"Fine, fine," Giles reassured. "But she told me that they had come across a prophesy. One which pertains to the destruction of the One at the hands of their own child."
Willow's eyes opened wide, her mind reeling. "Emma? Will?" The sounds were more like choked gasps than words.
Giles lay a comforting hand on her shoulder. "I asked the same thing," he responded, taking off his glasses and rubbing the bridge of his nose. "But Althea responded, quite clearly, that it was the one yet to be."
A small gasp escaped the redhead's lips. "How. How did they know?"
"Their seer. Not to mention that the child of a Vampire and the Slayer, a child of the One, must affect the energies of the World. Something the Coven would likely pick up on. They want to transmit the prophesy to you tonight, at midnight, so that we can take a look at it ourselves and determine the best course of action. Or. or if it even applies to them," Giles said, his voice laced with hope.
Willow tried to smile, sharing that hope. "They could be wrong, you know. And besides. Buffy, she's not good with the whole prophesy thing. Hates 'em. Does her best to screw them up."
Giles chuckled, squeezing the girl's shoulder. "Will you do it?"
"Sure," she answered, her voice still a little thready. " I mean, maybe they're wrong, right? Like, the prophesy is about the child of the Gunn and not the One, or something."
"They could be," Giles answered unconvincingly. "Willow, I think it best that we keep this between us until we know more about the situation. Frightening Buffy, after all she went through carrying William to term."
Willow mimed zipping her lips and tossing away the key. "Believe me, the *last* thing I want to do is tell Buffy." There was a pause as she composed her thoughts. "They want me someplace in particular?"
"Here," Giles commented. "We'll send the rest home and Buffy out to patrol with Spike. We should be able to receive the information quite quickly."
Willow nodded her understanding. Giles stood, straightening and squinting out at the last rays of the sun.
"Everything's going to be okay, right? I mean with Buffy's baby? Because when you feel that, Giles. feel that inside of you. nothing will stop you from protecting your baby. From falling madly in love." The concern in Willow's voice was palpable. The emotion pouring out like tears.
Giles nodded. "I don't know, Willow. I'd love to say that we can expect a trouble free addition to what has become a lovely family." He paused, rubbing the bridge of his nose again and then sliding his glasses back into position. "But I can't."
Tears welled behind the redhead's eyes. "Could the Prophesy be wrong?"
The older man laid a hand on her shoulder once again, smiling compassionately. "If anyone knows how to confound a prophesy, it's Buffy." A fragile smile broke on Willow's face. "Try not to worry too much. We should know more tonight."
"Tonight," Willow repeated, returning her eyes to the children playing under the setting sun.
To be contd.