"Major Altman," a man called.
"colonel Rogers," Teddy replied.
"Are you looking for someone," Rogers asked.
"My daughter and her husband ," Teddy replied, "they flew in with one of the Canadian groups and I haven't seen them. They came in around the same time as lieutenant Hunt."
"Do you know which flight," the colonel asked.
"The pilot was Canadian sergeant McKellar," Teddy replied, "Chris and Grace grew up together and they call each other siblings. He will be protective of her."
"There's a group of Canadians behind that building they were singing and some were speaking French two doctors in blue scrubs with them ," Rogers replied.
"One blonde woman in light blue scrubs," Teddy asked, "about five three. A young man in matching scrubs, brown hair about six three."
"There was one short blonde woman," the colonel replied.
"Can I meet you after sir I need to get my whole group together," Teddy asked, "they would have both Dr. Altman and Dr. Riggs over there, they were on the same flight. I chose to have my daughter and her husband as a team."
"I'll walk with you Major," the colonel said, "I haven't seen you in years."
"I would appreciate it sir," Teddy replied. They made their way to where the helicopter pilots were known to hang out.
Teddy heard Chris's voice before they rounded the corner.
"Boys this is my big sister Dr. Grace Altman," Chris introduced.
"Altman," a guy asked.
"Half sister," Chris replied.
"Altman, like Major Altman," one of the american guys asked.
"My mother," Annie replied.
"So you have the same dad," the first guy asked.
"You could say that," Chris replied, "I'm not done introductions. This is my brother in law Dr. Josh Riggs."
"Doctors," asked the american guy, "what type of doctors."
"Cardiothoracic surgery resident training under Teddy Altman and Nathan Riggs," Annie replied.
"Trauma surgery resident training under Owen and Meghan Hunt," Josh replied.
"Grace Annabeth Altman," Teddy called, in what Annie thought of as her major bossy pants tone. Teddy just needed Annie and Josh's attention quickly and knew that Annie's full name would work. She also knew she would sound stricter then she really was.
"Whoa someone's in trouble," the american man yelled.
"It's mama," Annie replied, "that's just her being bossy."
"Major Altman," Chris greeted seeing Teddy and saluting.
"Sargent McKellar," Teddy replied.
Chris reached out to shake her hand.
Teddy pulled him into a hug, "hi Chris it's good to see you."
"It's good to see you auntie Teddy," Chris replied.
"You know her," the american asked.
"I've known Chris for a long time," Teddy replied, "he and my daughter grew up together."
"Is our group here," Annie asked.
"Most," Teddy replied, "why don't you and Josh come with me and help get organized."
"Yes mama," Annie replied.
"mcKellar your with us you had some of our gear," Teddy commanded.
"Already unloaded and where it needs to go mam," Chris replied, "most of what I had were personal bags for your team."
"Still with me Sargent," Teddy demanded.
"Yes mam," Chris replied.
Chris followed Teddy away from the group of pilots.
"Did you finish your course," Teddy asked.
"I did, they condensed it into two and a half months," Chris replied.
"You've been assigned to our team," Teddy said, "probably with your sister most of it."
"Yes mam," Chris replied.
Teddy cringed she hated Chris calling her mam. But knew that in this setting with everyone in uniform she would have to tolerate it.
"Mama if we aren't needed right now can Josh and I have some time to catch up with Chris," Annie asked.
"Stay in this area," Teddy replied, "I have a few people to meet with. Owen should be in the next group. Meghan is here somewhere."
"She was catching up with someone she knew years ago she knew we were with Chris," Annie replied.
"Next time not with the pilots please," Teddy said.
"Why," Annie asked.
"Reputation it's my team and your my daughter I know at home it doesn't matter but in this setting it does and the rules are stricter. Stay with the medical teams please where you can jump in as anything comes in," Teddy replied, "your new to this it's totally different then at home. You don't know the nuances of this yet. Your here as a civilian doctor the rules will be explained when we're all here but there's places you can't go that you don't have clearance for. Somethings with me as my resident yes but not on your own. Your brother can stay here with you."
A voice yelled, "we need a chopper and surgeons to go to a complex trauma with penetrating chest wounds. Three victims ."
"Dr Altman let's go," Teddy yelled, "someone get a helicopter ready."
"I can be ready in 5," Chris said, "just need to warm up the engine."
"Get your kit and let's go Annie," Teddy commanded, "Josh you're with us."
Annie sprinted for where her kit was and grabbed it running back to where Teddy was waiting. She had never worked with her mother in full officer mode, this version of mama was a bit intimidating for Annie.
They raced to the helicopter behind Chris.
Chris rapidly made introductions to his copilot.
"corporal Williams this is Major Altman, Dr Riggs and my big sister Dr Altman," Chris said, "we need to be airborne in 5."
The rotors started to turn and Annie stepped back.
Teddy grabbed her arm, "head down and run. Follow me."
"Ann you can do this," Chris said, he realized Annie and Josh had never done this before, "Josh go with Teddy Ann with me."
"C I'm scared," Annie whispered.
"You can do it Ann," Chris replied, "watch auntie Teddy."
Teddy looked over her shoulder and ran to get in.
"On three," Chris said, "one, two, three."
He took his sister's hand and ran towards the helicopter. Annie scrambled inside with Josh Helping pull her in.
Chris got into the cockpit and prepared for take off. In moments they were airborne. Annie in a window seat suddenly became curious about the world below and watched fascinated. Teddy wasn't phased by Annie's initial reaction to running towards a helicopter with rotors turning. She had found it hard at first and never really liked it.
Teddy put her hand on Annie's knee to get her attention, "coming in with a patient you can't hesitate. You just have to do it."
"That was our first time doing that," Josh said.
"You're about to prove yourselves," Teddy said, "it's sink or swim time."
"We know," Annie said, "I wasn't expecting to be thrown in this fast."
"You can do it," Teddy said, "watch your brother he's taking us down to the patients."
The helicopter touched down.
"I'm not turning it off here," Chris yelled over the noise, "work fast."
Teddy led out of the helicopter.
"It's triage," Teddy commanded, "get them stable enough for transport and let's move."
Annie took her kit and ran to the first patient gloving as she went.
"Decreased breath sounds bilaterally," Annie yelled.
Teddy went to the woman with a metal object sticking out of her chest and began to stabilize her for transport.
"McKellar," Teddy yelled, "I need you to help me lift her."
Annie was still working on the patient, she had chest tubes placed and had started large bore IV fluids but this bush medicine was way out of her comfort zone. Looking over Teddy was as calm as if she was in the OR at Grey Sloan.
Annie had her patient stable enough to move to the OR and supervised loading him into the helicopter and ran to help Josh.
"What do you need babe," Annie asked.
"bag him," Josh said, "it's a tamponade. I've never done one away from the hospital."
"Change spots with me. I've done one durning the avalanche with mama," Annie said.
"Do it," Josh said as he took over bagging.
Chris's buddy looked shocked, "that little blonde is really your little sister."
"Fucking bad ass heart surgeon big sister," Chris confirmed, "trained by her mother."
"Her mother is not yours," Williams asked.
"Half siblings," Chris replied, "but we grew up in the same house. Her mama is Major Altman. Auntie Teddy doesn't give an inch when it comes to Annie's training."
"That's the Major Altman all the American guys are talking about. They've told some messed up Romeo and Juliet story about Major Altman and Major Hunt," Williams said.
"Auntie Teddy and uncle Owen," Chris replied, "you think she's strict, wait till you meet him. He's soft with exactly 4 people, Teddy, Allison, Leo and Annie."
"Who's Annie," Williams asked.
"My sister. Her full name is Grace Annabeth Altman. Auntie Teddy chose Grace, dad chose Annabeth. Annie always lived with us because of what auntie Teddy did for work until we finished high school. Mom and dad don't love the name Grace, dad's choice Annabeth was too long as a kid so it became Annie," Chris explained. He knew Teddy had planned on naming Annie Grace if she had decided to keep her, and Annabeth had been the female lead in their dads all time favorite book.
"What do I call her," Williams asked.
"Dr Altman," Chris replied, "only family uses Annie. So down here me, her mama, step father who we call uncle Owen and Annie's husband."
Williams looked disappointed, "she's married."
"Dr Riggs who she's working with," Chris replied, "last summer. They met at Harvard for med school. Been together almost 8 years now."
"Her mother approves," Williams asked.
"She won't do anything to let auntie Teddy down," Chris replied, "this today is way out of Annie's comfort zone. She's a pediatric cardiothoracic surgeon. She prefers kids."
"How old is she," Williams asked, he thought Annie looked about 20 or 21 the same age as him.
"She's my big sister. More accurately older, she's the family shrimp, but she's 28," Chris replied, "absolutely brilliant, probably the nicest person I know.."
They continued watching the three doctors work. Teddy noticed the team work between Annie and Josh to get the patient stable when she noticed Annie draining the pericardium.
"Hold that at a 45 degrees angle," Teddy commanded.
"The ribs are crushed," Annie yelled, "I had to adjust. I felt for it just like you taught me."
"I'm almost ready for transport," Teddy said, "McKellar, Williams get my patient loaded."
Teddy supervised the two soldiers loading her patient and turned to supervise Annie and Josh as they worked.
"We have to go back," Chris called.
"We need to get a binder on this pelvis," Josh called.
"Do it now," Teddy commanded.
They got the patient stable and loaded him into the helicopter.
Teddy gave directions for how to continue treating the patients in a moving helicopter. Reaching their base camp Chris brought the helicopter down. Medical teams rushed to help unload the patients.
"Owen I need you," Teddy commanded, "scrub in with me. Nathan go with Annie, she had a cardiac tamponade, page ortho there's an open book pelvis. Meghan go with Josh multiple crush injuries."
Chris watched the scene. He had never seen his sister in work mode before not like this. Annie was commanding with the nurses and medics. She had done things out there he didn't know were possible and realized that Teddy had taught her. His assessment to his buddy of bad ass was right. The family he desperately wished he was part of all fit that description. They had given their lives to saving others. He wished they were there for more than twelve days. But their hospital really couldn't spare them that long.
Annie walked out of the OR tent with a bottle of water.
"There's a bit of time before dinner C can we talk," Annie asked.
"Sure but auntie Teddy was pretty clear you have to stay around here," Chris answered.
"She's just being over protective," Annie replied.
"She's scary like this," Chris replied.
"Tell her she's being a bossy pants. It always works," Annie laughed.
"You can but I do it, it's insubordination and I'm in shit," Chris replied, "where's Josh?"
"Still in the OR with uncle Owen, crush injuries take a while. They had a ton of bleeders to sew," Annie replied.
"What did you want to talk about," Chris asked.
"Our parents and Becky, you pick what we do first," Annie said.
"Parents are a no brainer, you should stop calling them again," Chris replied.
"It's not that easy," Annie said, "but I'm still mad at them for not even trying to come to my wedding. It was a slap in the face to send a book and a wish we could come note. I invited, I begged, Owen called them so did mama. They didn't want to go, they gave up on me C they didn't want me. I was the back up plan, adopt because they couldn't have one. Then to be told for years by our sister that mama threw me away when she wanted me the whole time but for a shit load of reasons couldn't safely keep me."
"Why didn't she keep you," Chris asked, "she obviously always cared."
Annie whispered, "my bio father was violent with her but that's all I can say."
Chris nodded, "that's brutal is she okay?"
Annie nodded, "now. But her and I have talked the whole story. It's all good. I know our parents gave up on me and I reply when they bother to reach out but I no longer initiate contact. I have a mama and stepdad who love me and want to be there and want me around. He used to go to conferences in Boston while I was in school just to make sure I was okay. He was her best friend and still would make an effort to check on me. They always cared. I have a family that loves me. I'm ready to give up on mom and dad but I can't lose you."
Chris sat in silence for a few minutes, "Annie you won't lose me. I'm not really talking to mom and dad right now either. I'm done with it I'm done with the shit. But I have nowhere else. I walk from them all I have is Becky."
"You have us," Annie said, "me and Josh. Mama and Uncle Owen love you. Leo adores you so does Allison. Mama hugged you as soon as she saw you today. She asked for you to be with our group."
"She did," Chris asked, "I wanted to know why I got put with your group. There's been a lot of gossip about two hot shot american majors coming down with a team."
"Did you know names," Annie asked.
"I heard Altman thrown about. But I didn't expect to see you," Chris said.
"I've wanted to go on one of the humanitarian projects for a while but cardio and peds can never spare me. This was the first chance I have to go and I only have about a year left of residency," Annie explained, "it was now or never. And Josh grew up hearing Nathan's stories so when mama offered it to us we jumped at the chance. We had 5 days to be ready."
"I'm glad you came," Chris smiled, "we get to work together."
"Thanks for helping me with my fear of the helicopter," Annie mumbled.
"It's hard the first time," Chris said.
"I still hate things flying around my head. She knows that. I don't know what mama was thinking," Annie said.
"She wanted you to do that. Show people that you can be a badass like she is," Chris replied.
"You heard the lecture about it's her reputation on the line," Annie said.
"She wasn't exactly quiet about it," Chris replied.
"Seriously tell mom and dad how you feel that they lost us then spend all your leaves with Josh and I we're happy to have you," Annie smiled.
"Ann you're married," Chris sighed, "you can't seriously want me around that much. Plus soon enough you and Josh are going to decide you want a baby."
Annie blushed, "we've talked about it. After residency is over, we can't until we pass our boards. 5th year is the toughest year of residency."
"See you'll be too busy for me Ann," Chris replied.
"What about you," Annie asked, "what's happening with Becky. I was happy she came for New Years and we got to know her better."
"I don't know where that's going," Chris said, "she wants marriage and has been nagging me since your wedding but I'm not ready."
"You've been together since grade 12," Annie said, "how do you not know?"
"I don't know. How did you know," Chris asked.
"It just felt right. We dated six weeks before we moved in together. He was in Duncan's room for about 3 weeks but one of us always moved so we decided that my room was better with the bigger bed," Annie replied, "but it evolved we've had our disagreements. We started talking about the idea when uncle Owen proposed to mama. It was a nice shared daydream. At the end of our second year of residency Josh planned the sweetest weekend away and totally surprised me but it felt right. C we just knew. It felt right Josh and I it was just easy from the start. We get each other. He was my best friend for years first. We knew everything about each other. He knows every scar, every nightmare there's nothing we don't talk about. We tell each other everything."
"Honestly how long were you together," Chris asked..
'I gave up on dating my second year of med school and we just hung out. We were a couple in every sense of the word by the start of our third year," Annie said.
"I know," Chris laughed, "that Christmas we were at auntie Teddys in Germany you were messaging him constantly."
"She teased me mercilessly," Annie laughed, "don't tell your uncle Owen who your best friend is."
"They didn't like him," Chris asked.
"Didn't trust because of their history with uncle Nathan and auntie Meghan," Annie replied, "once they met Josh all was good. But Becky what are you going to do?"
"I don't know Annie," Chris said, "you tell me."
"I can't decide for you," Annie said, shaking her head.
"You must have some idea," Chris said, "you've always been the smart one."
"It's your life," Annie said, "I want to see you happy. Are you happy?"
"No," Chris admitted, "what do I do? Ann you're the smart one."
"Figure out what makes you happy," Annie said.
"I don't know if it's Becky or mom and dad," Chris said.
"Which worries you more," Annie asked.
"Mom and dad," Chris admitted.
"Leaving my issues with them out of it what's going on," Annie asked.
"I have to choose before I come home between you or them," Chris said.
"I love you and I want you in my life but I won't ask you to choose," Annie said, "I knew years ago this could happen one day and it hurts and it sucks but it's too much of a risk for you. You can't decide your life based on my issues with them. Ya they rarely call and missed my wedding but it's okay I'm fine, I've dealt with it as much as I can. They still haven't made an effort to visit. The bins and letters at Christmas were a nice gesture but it means nothing until they actually try to see me. You have to do what's right for you. C you have to be happy."
Josh had only heard Annie's response to Chris and could see the tears in her eyes.
"What's going on babe," Josh asked sitting on the bench beside Annie. Annie shook her head and grabbed Josh's hand.
"Jessica wants me to choose," Chris replied, "Annie or the rest of the family. And I can't."
"C, I won't ask you to choose me. Lets take this adventure as one last one together. The two of us saving the world it's an okay way to end. And we're not going to dwell on it. We can keep in touch, texts, emails, facetime, but maybe you won't come to see us for a while," Annie mumbelled.
"We'll miss you man and we want you around but we'll be okay," Josh said, "do what's right for you."
"We were more twins than siblings. We always did everything together growing up. I don't have one childhood memory without you," Annie admitted, she had curled against Josh drawing her knees up to her chest and her voice was barely a whisper.
Josh couldn't believe the sudden change in Annie, an hour earlier she had been her confident self doing surgery and flexibly adapting to the new shared OR environment. But he hadn't seen this Annie since their first years of med school. The shy mumbling woman was not his Annie.
"It's okay. We'll make it work," Josh whispered in Annie's ear so low only she could hear him, "we won't lose him."
"I'm choosing the two of you," Chris said, "I just don't know how to tell mom and dad."
"I changed my name and cut all ties," Annie whispered.
"I'm not losing the only two family members who support me," Chris said, "you two have my back way more than any of them. I'm choosing you."
"What does Becky say," Annie asked.
"I haven't told her. We don't talk about these things," Chris replied, "she's friends with Jessica."
"That's how Jessica knew just how much time we spent together," Annie said, "you need to make some big picture choices. I might not agree with you, but I will always be on your side."
Josh took the moment to lighten the mood, "did you just quote Teddy?"
"I've heard it from her so often when I have to make a big decision and she's refusing to tell me what she thinks I should do that it just came out," Annie said.
"That's Teddy's line," Josh teased, "you're turning into your mama."
"I am not," Annie said, "and the line wasn't her's originally it was her moms. And it fit so there."
"So there," Chris smiled, "are you 7."
"No but you are shamoo," Annie replied, "thinking I would be mad at you for making a choice. I don't care what choice you make, just make one and stick to it. I will be there for you no matter what."
"I've made a choice," Chris said, "I'm choosing you Annie and Josh. You're a packaged deal now."
"We are," Annie replied, "but you don't have to if that's not what will make you happy."
"Ann it's what I want," Chris said, "my big sister and my bro."
"You're always welcome at our house," Annie smiled, "Thanksgiving is a hassle across the border but we expect you for Christmas and New Years."
"Ski trip always," Chris smiled, "who else is going to help you kick Uncle Owen's ass."
"There will be none of that sergeant," Owen said rounding the corner.
"Sorry Major Hunt," Chris replied, "I meant no disrespect."
"At ease," Owen replied, "It's good to see you. Teddy told me the three of you were over here. Annie have you been crying? Your patient will live and you had an amazing save. You didn't even need Nathan today and mama told me what you did in the field."
"McKellar drama," Josh replied, "we'll talk later. I need Teddy to teach me to do more of the cardio trauma."
"Am I phoning again," Owen asked.
"After we get home," Annie replied, "they don't know I'm here. I'm not exactly speaking to them."
"I wouldn't either," Owen replied, "dinner is in 15 minutes. Annie, Josh you need clean scrubs."
They had forgotten about the dirt and blood on their scrubs.
"Maybe if we had a more practical colour it wouldn't be a problem," Annie grumbelled.
"I said to let residents wear navy for this take it up with mama," Owen replied.
"We're going Uncle Owen," Annie replied.
"Annie not here," Owen reminded gently, "you have to use our titles. I know you hate it and it feels weird but you need to."
"Sorry," Annie replied.
"Just go get changed," Owen directed, "McKellar I need to speak to you."
"Yes sir," Chris replied.
Owen took a seat next to Chris, "tell me what happened. Why is my step daughter in tears? I saw you guys she was a full on turtle after the best save she's ever had. She did her whole repair on her own and the attending never touched the patient."
"She was on fire out there. I've never seen anything like it. She got her guy stable then helped Josh. She had a needle right against the guy's heart going by feel," Chris said, "Jessica wants me to choose mom and dad or Annie. I chose Annie. She's really afraid of all of them and all of the history in Cloverdale. "
"So we'll see you for Christmas," Owen asked.
"You will," Chris replied, "if that's okay."
"You're always welcome. I'll let Teddy know," Owen said.
"Just like that," Chris asked.
"You're family," Owen said, "you're Annie's brother. We'll figure out what the little kids will call you. But we're still Uncle Owen and Auntie Teddy. My mom is nana."
"Thank you sir," Chris said.
"Any time Chris," Owen said, "you should find your group for dinner and we should gather ours."
"Should Annie be down here it's pretty rough," Chris said.
"She's going to stay with our team who she knows and for the first few days will be with me, Teddy or Meghan. We won't split her and Josh and we have you assigned to us most days as far as we know so you can fly your sister if needed," Owen said.
Chris checked his watch, "I should find my CO sir. I've been gone a while."
"Tell them you were with me," Owen replied.
"Thank you sir," Chris said standing and shaking Owen's hand.
Chris walked away and joined an American he had gotten to know over the past couple weeks.
"How do you know Major Hunt," the American asked.
"My half sister is Major Altman's daughter," Chris explained, " Major Owen Hunt is married to Major Teddy Altman. I see them a lot. Grace lives in Seattle doing her surgical residency with her mother and step dad teaching her."
"Your sister is Altman's daughter," the man looked surprised, "is your sister single?"
"Yes to Altman's daughter," Chris replied, "Richardson my sister is married, her husband is the other American surgeon in light blue scrubs. Plus Hunt is more protective of Annie than our dad is."
"So your dad and Altman but your Canadian," Richardson said.
"Both my parents are Canadian. My sister has dual citizenship, she lived in BC until med school," Chris replied, " she wasn't close to her mom who she calls mama until after high school when auntie Teddy came back from Iraq. I've spent a lot of time with them though."
"I've heard she's a real hard ass," Richardson replied.
"Auntie Teddy has high standards," Chris replied, then paused realizing his slip, "it's actually Hunt you want to watch out for. Hunt yells Altman lectures."
"How much time have you spent with them," Richardson asked, "she hugged you. You called her auntie Teddy."
"I spent the week between Christmas and Newyears with them to see my sister," Chris replied, "I spent two weeks with them last summer before my sister's wedding. My sister and I are really close and talk a few times a week, if Altman or Hunt are around they always want to say hi. In the last ten years I've spent most holidays with them. I'm closer to them than my parents."
"What does your sister do," Richardson asked.
"Cardiothoracic surgeon," Chris replied, "Annie is the brains of the family. I meant Grace, she uses her legal name professionally but Annie is a childhood nickname from her middle name our family still uses."
"You just have the one half sister," Richardson asked.
"No I have Annie she's about a year older than me, Jessica is 2 and a half years younger," Chris replied.
"You okay,"Teddy asked a very quiet Annie as they walked to get dinner.
"Weird conversation with C," Annie replied, "Jessica wants him to choose."
"Choose what," Teddy asked.
"Me or the rest of the family," Annie replied.
"But he chose us," Josh added.
"It's going to cause drama," Annie said.
"It's his decision," Teddy replied, "you know how it works."
"I may have used your line with him," Annie said.
"Which one," Teddy asked.
"I may not agree with you," Annie replied, "I don't want him to choose and be unhappy. I made my choices and they've hurt but I've always had you. Chris chooses he only has me."
"He has us," Owen said, joining the rest of his family, "I invited him for Christmas. You can't lose your brother."
"Two brothers and a sister," Annie replied, "it was cool to do that today."
"You and Josh were a good team. Chris is just our pilot ," Teddy said proudly, "Annie, Josh you worked together to save that patient out there. That I could trust you two with the other patients let me get to the one that would have been a black card if I was alone."
"Will we have to black card here," Annie asked.
"Hopefully not," Teddy replied, "but there's supposed to be heavy rain tonight and that will mean more slides."
"Can I not do another helicopter run," Annie asked, "the rotors scare me."
"You'll go with one of our attendings who know how to do it," Teddy said, "I'm going to keep the two of you together as much as possible and we've borrowed Chris and his team."
"He thought he might be able to get permission for us to ride along on a training run after dinner," Josh said.
"If that offer comes, go," Owen replied.
"He mentioned the four of us," Josh said, "he was using you two and needing to know how you like things as the excuse."
"I'll go. See him in action," Owen replied, "I helped with his application to helicopter training when he decided he wanted to fly helicopters."
"I remember that at the cabin. My first year of med school," Annie smiled, "mama and I were making dinner and brownies while you did that at the table. We felt like a family."
"We were. I was teased that whole trip about having two kids because I apparently over mothered both of you," Teddy smiled, "I forgot about that afternoon until now."
"So did I," Annie replied, "that was the year of the great snowball fight. You over mother sometimes. You're better now that you have Ali and Leo."
"Yes and you hid behind the sled then Chris dragged you out," Owen laughed.
"And we built the snow cave by the cabin," Annie laughed.
"Snow cave," Josh asked, "where's my snow cave?"
"We'll build one this year for Ali and Leo," Annie promised, "I'm not the snow cave architect though. That's all Chris."