A/N: Hey guys! I'm so sorry for taking this freaking long to update. Real life got in the way this time. Ugh, I hate when that happens! Anyway, I managed to finish this one and I truly hope it's worth the extra wait!

This particular chapter had the exceptional honor to be beta'd for two amazing ladies I love, LindsayK and CassandraMello. I owe them a huge amount of thanks and my eternal fealty. *group hug*

Now, without futher ado I give you...

Chapter 14 – Only When I Lose Myself

SPOV

"Keep trying, you said?" Eric says hoarsely, his voice doing funny things with my, my lady parts? Oh, yeah, it gets to me, but not exactly how I envisioned.

Alas, for a split second as I contemplate the wonderfulness of giving myself to this man, something flutters within my brain, a wave of frantic, overpowering fear.

"No, Eric, stop. I can't," I manage to blurt out, growing fearful of the imminent beginning of a real relationship with him.

"Hmm?" he asks, his lips tracing the line of my jaw, hardly paying attention to what I had said.

"Eric, stop. I'm not ready," I utter more firmly.

"Oh, you're very ready," he refutes, giving me a foretaste of his fingers' innate skills.

I moan a breathy whisper, "Oh, dear Lord."

"You're so wet for me, Sookie," says the man that could send my brain whirling around aimlessly with a single rocking motion of his thumb.. Imagine what he could do with the rather plentiful protuberance trapped in his pants.

That was it. I fret. I shove him hard and try to get out from under him, before it's too late. His heavy build doesn't budge an inch, though his quizzical gaze is on me now. "Did I hurt you?"

"No." His caress hadn't caused any pain; on the contrary, I rejoiced in it, but that was precisely the problem, wasn't it?

"So what is it?" he asks, furrowing his brows. "I was certain you were enjoying yourself. Weren't you? You panties seem to prove me right," he says teasingly, with a smug smile threatening to creep on his lips.

"My, my. I guess there aren't many dry panties around when it comes to Eric Northman, are there?" I lash out, plausibly angry at my body's betrayal and his irritating smoothness. Great, deflect the real problem with sarcasm. That will work.

I try to jerk away from him, wrestling and writhing beneath his possessive grip. "You would be surprised," he spits out, subduing my huffy efforts with unfair easiness. He glares down at me, his face so hard, albeit so extraordinarily beautiful it could have being sculpted by Michelangelo himself with Carrara marble for all I know.

Even though his ambiguous words make me wince inwardly, I still mutter back at him defiantly, "Oh, kiss my ass!"

"What the heck, I'll kiss your ass alright," he retorts crossly, shaking his head in disbelief, probably trying to figure out what has gotten into me. Well, I must have finally cracked, since I could swear I spotted a glint of amusement in those crystalline blue eyes somewhere. "Damn, woman. Everything was great, better than great a moment ago… What the hell bit you in the ass?"

I gape at him for about a second before my accusative forefinger starts to poke his chest. "What bit me in the ass? I'll tell you, buster. I asked for you to take this slow and that ain't slow, that is downright highhanded. Get off of me, I want to go home." I wriggle under him as I vent, but he has me pinned down with his weight. I stop fighting him, sighing in profound exasperation. "I'm not ready, I told you. I'm not ready, and you didn't listen, you kept teasing me with your damn sexiness–"

"Unbelievable. I teased you? You were the one that teased me in the first place," he accuses, getting further incensed.

My mouth instantly opens to retort, but no sound comes out. I swallow, my throat feeling suddenly dry as clarity dawns on my thick skull. He is right. I suppose I provoked him as well. I responded to his kisses. How couldn't I? He's a master in the art of kissing, although I really don't want to particularly think about how he got his mastering. Just the thought of it irks me to no end. But I already knew from experience how good he was. We've kissed several times since we met, which wasn't exactly too long ago, and each time it felt like it could have lead to something more, but not really. Except this time we're completely alone in the middle of nowhere; there is no Pam to walk on us, no Ann to drive home, no nothing, and my brain seems to shut down whenever Eric is concerned, thus anything could take place. Anything.

By Golly, I almost succumbed to his deadly charms and gave myself to him fully just then. This is so not me. I'd never act like that with any other man on a first date. Why is it different with him? Why am I different with him? We barely know each other, for Christ's sake. Maybe it's the wine? How much wine did I drink anyway?

"It is all happening too fast, Eric," I counter, still taken aback by my earlier conduct. "Too fast," I repeat abstractedly, my eyes wandering, looking for the bottle of wine. I spot it to my right, tossed on the floor. Yep, nearly empty. I shake my head. "I can't. I can't handle this," I say, gesturing between the two of us. "I'm not ready for sex yet–" I admit quietly, feeling like a total fool.

I know I promise myself I would give it a chance; that I'd try and not be afraid anymore, but I never thought he'd grow on me this fast, this much, and that is pretty scary. It's doubtless that my backpedaling at the impending lovemaking is purely due to the dire chance of Eric leaving me broken hearted after getting in my pants and the fact that I never had a real relationship in my life. I never dated seriously for quite a few reasons, though none of them seem logical or even smart right now. And Bill didn't really count, given that we never got to this part. Geez, I am freaking out just thinking of what may happen next if we go down that path. Oh, stop being such a darn prude and get over yourself, Stackhouse. I can't, there is just too many conflicted feelings dueling inside of me at present. And it's taking everything for me to not just run away from the whole shebang, including Eric. In fact, Eric's massive form is the only thing holding me in place at this point. Although, my wacky mind had been working for quite some time in a half-assed, ludicrous escape plan where I'd ask for the ladies room, pretend to go there, sprint the hell out of here so fast that that Bolt guy would eat my dust, hop up onto the Dark Prince's back, and gallop my way home. In all likelihood, I would merely end up with a sore butt or get thrown into the air by that awful tempered horse and win some serious injuries. I almost laugh out loud at the thought of it. Yep, it definitely looks like I'm gonna need a straitjacket now.

Eric looks sharply at me, as if trying to read my fleeting thoughts. Then grabbing hold of my chin, he tilts it upward firmly, and questions me, "What are you talking about? Yeah, it all happened very fast and in an atypical way, but it feels right, Sookie. I know you feel it too. What are you so afraid of?"

"You. The more I want you Eric, the more I am afraid of you," I convey in dismayed honesty.

He stares at me incredulous. "Afraid of me? Why would you be afraid of me?"

"When I am with you I don't own me, Eric. I don't own myself, I don't know who I am anymore, and this is frightening," I deign to answer.

His mouth twitches, and then, shockingly, he starts to laugh, the full-throated sound reverberating through our linked bodies. "Oh, you silly woman, you have nothing to be afraid of," he intones amused, sliding his hand up to caress my cheek with his thumb. "I don't own myself either when I am with you. And I don't want to. It's only when I lose myself in you that I find myself. Yes, it is a bit frightening, for it is unforeseen, and frankly, it's kind of overwhelming at times, but you didn't strike me as a coward, Sookie."

I gape at him. What is he trying to say? "What are you trying to say?" I ask dazedly.

"That I have you, and I won't let you go," he states in an earnest tone, just to fall back into the humorous one, "Besides, Pam would be really mad if we don't get together after all the trouble she went through," he adds with a grin followed by a wink.

I study his gaze carefully. There is no pretense or hesitation in his eyes, nor an ounce of fear lingering there, only a sense of purpose, and something I could simply describe as affection. Pulling out my fears by their rotten roots, I slowly lower my defenses, contentment flaring up in my heart.

"For that you are right," I reply with a chuckle. "I feel like her personal Barbie sometimes and you are undeniably her Ken." I catch myself forming a mental picture of livid, little Pam with cute pigtails on each side of her blonde head cutting off mini-Barbie-Sookie hair, dismembering mini-Ken-Eric, and throwing both down the toilet. I laugh out loud. I'd have to find a proper way to thank that witty friend of mine. She definitely knew what she was doing.

"What is going on in this whimsical mind of yours?" Eric asks, nudging me back to the present.

"Nothing, I was just thinking of what Pam would do to us," I replay with a smile, sliding my arms around his neck.

"Probably kick both our asses with some ninja moves or ground us for our bad behavior," he says jokingly and bursts out laughing.

I soon join him and we roar with laughter for a good while, until the sudden fit subsides into no more than sparse giggles. I look up at his radiant face, and in spite of the mirth alight there I could still see a glimpse of hurt in his eyes. I chew on my bottom lip. "Sorry for fretting and spoiling our date,"

He smirks. "It isn't spoiled by any means, my dear. For one thing, you showed me you have some grit and I find it very endearing."

I smile sincerely in response; satisfied to know he called my wits going on hiatus grit and found it endearing rather than despicable. I don't know how I could be so afraid of him, of falling for him, or letting him have me as deeply as I want him to. Why was I so afraid of accepting Eric in my life? He was the best thing that happened to me in years. And how could I ever deny that is something special between the two of us? One rarely can achieve such a sense of intimacy this easily without time and diligence. And we have it. I couldn't explain how or why, but we do and I almost ruined it with my irrational misgivings. You can be so dimwitted sometimes, Sookie darling, states the obnoxious voice in my head while Eric strokes a tangle of hair away from my face before lowering his forehead to rest against mine. "So silly." I think I hear him whisper. A hint of a smile touches my lips; I am done with being silly.

I tilt my head to meet his lips, tightening my grip on the nape of his neck, my lids closing lazily. He slowly angles his soft mouth to brush mine in a tender caress. I drink in the sweetness of his lingering kiss, his weight resting soothingly on top of me. My lips part without hesitation as his tongue lightly asks for entrance, finding its way deep inside my mouth. Kneading the hard flesh of his broad shoulders, my hands slide along his muscled back, tighten their hold on his loose shirt as the kiss intensifies. He pulls away a long, idyllic minute later, rendering me fleeting, sweet kisses all over my face. I giggle at the ticklish sensation.

"May I go grab that blanket for us or are you still inclined to escape?" Eric inquires, narrowing his eyes at me.

"No, I'm staying," I say flatly, to purge any doubt he still had. "I figure using the Dark Prince to flee wouldn't do me any good," I add matter-of-factly and shrug. I'm beginning to believe Pam set this up and chose this particular, secluded location premeditatedly. She really knows me, doesn't she?

He laughs. "No, it certainly wouldn't."

"Um, could you also see if there is another playlist? I think this one ended and is playing again."

"Let me go check," he says, rising to his feet agilely.

He obliges my request first, going to find the source of music. I sit up and, out of the blue, I experience a small pang rippling through me. I instantly assume it is related to the loss of him.

"Nope, just my leg that fell asleep," I clarify to myself.

"What did you say?" Eric asks from the far end of the loft as he handles Pam's pink iPod.

I chuckle. "Ah, nothing, I said I'm gonna taste the dessert. Do you want some?"

"Sure."

Getting to my feet, I elongate the tingling muscles of my legs as I admire greedily the way Eric's pants hug his luscious butt and thighs tightly from the leaned position I find him in. As if sensing my ogling, he turns to offer me a knowing look. I gasp, getting caught in the act, a flush pinking my face. I hear his rich, booming laugh resound through the room then. I chuckle, turning my back to him and take the bottom of champagne with me. I pop it open without too much trouble and pour the sparkling liquid into the glasses. I sit back down on the floor when the pins-and-needles sensation is finally gone and quickly prepare a plate with chocolate dipped fruits and a piece of the special dessert, setting it by my side.

Eric sets the iPod back on its dock speaker system and grabs the fluffy blanket, tossing it on the rug. I outstretch my hand out to him, offering a glass of champagne. He seizes the glass with his right hand and enfolds my extended one with his left, but instead of sitting with me, he pulls me up into his embrace. I give him a questioning look as he sets our glasses on the trolley nearby and produces a remote control that seems to magically appear in his hand. He offers me a mischievous grin, presses a button, and "I've Got A Crush On You" starts its first notes. Slipping his left arm to the small of my back, he bends down to whisper in my ear, "Dance with me, Sookie."

I nod, smiling brightly at him. I love to dance and could always appreciate a man who knows how to dance, and Eric seems to be one in the know. Standing on my tiptoes to reach his tall frame, I lace my fingers around the nape of his neck. We begin to sway back and forth to the rhythm of the music, using the limited space efficiently. Closing my eyes, I lean forward, my cheek happily resting against his bare chest, the appealing warmth of his skin spreading through me like fire. I snuggle closer to him, inhaling his intoxicating scent, heeding the strong pounding of his heart. He tightens his hold on me, his muscular arms protecting and cherishing me at the same time. I smile joyfully at the feel of him against me, granting a light kiss on his exposed flesh. He shudders at the sudden contact, slipping one of his hands up from my waist to the back of my head and entwining his fingers into my hair, gently willing me to look up at him. His gaze locks with mine, his eyes growing dim with want. We stare at each other for a brief instant before he bends down to kiss me, our feet moving in a slow pace, absently following the beat, while our mouths do their own leisurely dance. He withdraws after long, over-stimulating kisses and presses his lips to my temple.

"Oh, boy," I exclaim a few minutes later as "I'm In The Mood For Love," begins. "What playlist is this? Songs To Get Lucky?"

"Not quite. It is Songs to Force Sookie to Jump Your Bones, actually," he replies amused.

"Um, most likely," I quip back mockingly.

After dancing one more song, I suggest we go back to our previous position and give those desserts a chance. Since dancing on your tiptoes, with bare feet isn't so thrilling after a while, no matter how enthralling your partner is, if you ask me. I make myself comfortable as Eric stretches out on the rug and pillows his head on the softness of my lap. I smile warmly at him, automatically running my fingers through his hair. I offer a chocolate dipped strawberry to his talented mouth, after tasting one myself, and he gladly accepts it. I enjoy feeding him and myself the sweet treats, and sipping the expensive champagne once in a while. Eric would lick my fingers every chance he got and I'd give him smaller portions each time so he had more opportunities to do so. We finish devouring dessert way too quickly for my liking.

Everything seems so perfect and easy as he lies here, nestled on my thighs, eyeing the night sky, confiding pieces of his life, the moonlight casting a pale glow on his features. Tracing the lines of his strong jaw, his high, prominent cheekbones, his intense blue eyes, his chiseled nose, his well-defined lips, and the sexy cleft in his chin with my fingertips, I find myself utterly enthralled by the sight of his confident, yet relaxed demeanor. I keep catching myself wishing this date wouldn't end, even though I know it eventually will, and shortly given the late hour. I sigh, absently playing with the blond curls of hair on his chest, through his half-open shirt.

"Sookie," Eric calls huskily. "You keep up with that and I won't be responsible for my actions," His eyes, darkened by pure, confined yearning, look for the green light.

"Eric, I…"

EPOV

Before she could put her hesitation into words, I swiftly reposition myself on top of her and crash my mouth down onto hers, molding its softness to my will. Parting her lips with my daring tongue, I explore the secret depths of her mouth, savoring the addicting essence namely Sookie. She partakes of the kiss in no time, hardening my feverish endeavor as she confers all of her into it, luring me in a surreal mesh of wild lust. I groan into her mouth, the intensity of her response provoking a shudder to rip through my body, down through my aching cock. Her warm, sweet-scented breath enriched by chocolate, clouds my senses as if I had been wrapped up into a frenzied reverie. My tongue pursues, caressing and probing, avidly possessing every fraction of her mouth until I extract my lips from hers grudgingly, cursing the human need for air amid breaths.

I want her. I want her with all my might. "Yield to me, Sookie," I say, searching her eyes for an answer.

Her blistering gaze fastens on mine. "I want… it's too soon, Eric," she conveys, her voice barely a susurrus.

Soon? How in the name of God could she insist it's too soon? It's damn late if you ask me. Frankly, I thought we had surpassed this. Was she not ready for sex itself regardless of her preceding positive, even heated response to my advances? Or was she afraid I'd force myself on her? Now that is beyond offensive. I'd never take a woman who wasn't willing, not even if she has me out of my head as Sookie has. Was she that oblivious when it came to me? I suppose we didn't know each other very well up till now... Maybe she is just insecure and wants to wait a little longer until she is sure of what we have. Could she really have been teasing me this whole time just to leave me high and dry? I can't believe she'd play games with me. Hell, I can't bring myself to think clearly right now. She probably just wants to wait a little longer to take this step. Yeah, that must be it. She doesn't seem to be the kind of girl that takes sex lightly. I guess I understand her wavering over the having-sex-on-a-first-date issue. Do you really?

I silence her doubts and my own by closing my mouth over hers in a torrid kiss. I know she wants me as much as I crave her, I can feel it in my gut, but for some fucked up reason she won't let me have her thoroughly. Perhaps she's afraid my sole purpose is to get inside her pants, and then go for a new fuck. She couldn't be more wrong.

"Eric," she moans into my mouth.

"What Sookie?" I request hoarsely, my hand sliding beneath her dress to tease her swollen nub, feeding her increasing need as it feeds my own. "Tell me what you want," I ask with another circular motion of my thumb, eliciting another delightful moan from her.

"It's too… oh… hmm… soon," she repeats ever more weakly, faltering on her assessment as a fervid kiss is surmounted by a more fervid one.

She whimpers softly in protest when I remove my fingers from the notch between her legs, pressing in its place the painful erection in my pants. She takes a sharp intake of breath, her lashes flipping open in sheer astonishment. I lift my gaze to gather any flicker of expression that crosses her face. The heat of our kissing has reached her; the evidence is in her reddened cheeks, her nostrils flaring forcefully, and her mouth gaping a tad to assist the heavy breathing. Her brows pucker slightly as if she's struggling to reach some inner conclusion, but her eyes, her scintillating blue eyes, twinkle with nothing but raw lust and need. A need so inebriating that it overshadows all of my senses. I need to be inside of her. I need to taste her. I waited long enough. She has got me in such a state of turmoil that I have to prove to myself this galling obsession, this relentless ache I have inside, for days now, will assuage the moment I have her, otherwise I'll be damned. The Gods help me.

"Sookie, I can't–" I begin to voice my desire to take her, but she cuts me off, her preciously flushed face looking up at me. "I know I said to take this slow, and we have to, but I want you Eric," she says shyly, biting her lower lip.

A sly smile crawls into the corners of my lips. "Are you sure?" I ask out of courtesy. She nods positively. I inhale deeply. This incredibly enticing woman, dangerously unaware of her appeal, is leaving me rather wound up, not to say bewildered with her request. I respect, and comply to her wishes, nevertheless. What else could I do? "Then let me show you how to enjoy slow, my dear."

I settle for sucking, licking, and nibbling the luscious flesh of her neck, my free hand doggedly kneading down her sides. She moans in accord as my mouth trails down to her shoulder and collarbone, her pulse quickening underneath my demanding lips. Sliding down to lavish care on her luxuriant breasts, I taunt her nipples into throbbing firmness, my teeth and mouth trying to break them free from an outrageous excess of fabric, while my hand works on the halter strap of her bodice. I finally achieve my goal, liberating the most exhilarating pair of breasts my eyes have ever had the pleasure to assess. And they had many, many pairs to assess. But Sookie's are the most perfect lush mounts of creamy, satiny flesh. I relish the feel of her sweet, pink nipples in my mouth, their tender hardness rolling over my tongue, and her cries when I suck them hard, nipping a little. I glide south, gingerly placing kisses along her body, my hands tenderly stroking her luxuriant curves, my fiery gaze locked with hers all the way down. She gasps when I shove her skirt upward, bunching it around her waistline and get rid of her black lacy thong swiftly, tossing it aside with a leer. I capture her right foot on my hands, lifting it to my mouth, my eyes aimed at hers with a devilish glint to them. I kiss the smooth skin of her shapely leg leisurely, causing her to make little whining sounds. When I am done teasing, I flex her knee, placing her foot back on the floor, still primed in her sexy shoe. I do the exact same thing with her left foot; her legs wide open to receive my attentions now. I bend over her, cupping her buttocks with one hand to hold her in place, my visage floating above the small amount of golden curls adorning the top of her sex. I growl at the sight of her. The bare flesh of her soft folds is glossy from her arousal and emanating an incredible amount of heat. I want nothing other than to take her into my mouth and that's exactly what I plan to do. Her entire body shakes involuntarily as I blow a lungful of cold air into her moist lips, and then descend, moving my mouth onto her.

She mumbles something incoherent and twists wildly against me. I cock one eyebrow questioningly to her as I lick my lips. "Do you want me to stop?"

She shakes her head, her eyes squeezing shut. "No, please," she chokes out.

I smirk satisfied and return my attentions to her inner thigh. Her hands clasp on my shoulders and her breasts heave in time with her breathing, as I roughly lick and suck the fluids pooling there. She tastes amazing, the perfect combination of sweet and salty. I slide one finger inside of her impossibly tight slit, and she whimpers from the shock of it. I move it in and out at a slow pace at first, thinking of how tight she would be on my cock, while my tongue ravishes her mound with open hunger, taking its fair share in the feast. Little cries of undeniable pleasure escape her mouth under the onslaught of both my tongue and finger. I find myself unfeasibly hard and on the verge of exploding just by pleasuring her.

"Oh… God… Ahh… Eric," she cries out, her voice catching on her throat.

"Look at me, Sookie."

Her eyes flutter open and lock with mine at my command. My finger glides in and out of her sleek walls, getting deeper and faster with each new thrust. I suck on her clit harder once more, her inner muscles contract around my finger, her entire body convulsing as a violent wave of pure ecstasy rips through her. She lets out a strangled cry, shaking from the force of orgasm wrought in her body. I lick her thoroughly, before smoothing her dress and coming back up to rest by her side. I draw her dazed form into my embrace, holding her close, briefly brushing my lips across her trembling ones. She goes limp in my arms, a blistering puddle of complete satisfaction. I smile inwardly, contentment sweeping through me.

I can't believe an hour ago she was fighting me, fighting herself, trying to bail from something so incredible, to shut me off. I couldn't have that. I couldn't let her go. She is mine. I won't have it any other way. "Thank you," she murmurs into the hollow of my shoulder as she snuggles deeper against me, nuzzling my neck, her breath warm on my skin. I run my fingers through her silky hair, instinctively wanting to put her at ease. She rubs the exposed skin of my chest with her fingertips, kissing the tender spot right below my earlobe. I quiver under her touch, my arms involuntary tightening their hold on her waist, my body still aching with unresolved need. As if noticing the cramped condition on my pants, Sookie slides her hand down my torso sensuously, taking her time. I groan her name as she pinches and fondles my nipples, caresses the muscles of my abdomen, and lower. She fumbles a little with the button and zipper of my pants but succeeds in the end. She releases my hard, throbbing cock from its confinement and I almost growl at the feel of it. She slides down some more, taking my right nipple between her teeth, as she folds her small, delicate fingers around my erection. My grip on her hair tightens considerably when she begins to stroke me up and down. I find myself moving into her smooth, firm grasp, in a powerful rhythm in no time. She moves her attentions to my other nipple, drawing it into her mouth, sucking and nibbling the sensitive flesh, willing me to find my release. She squeezes my length, rubbing her thumb on the tip on the way up and that's all it takes. I shout as the lash of pleasure explodes within me, my body stiffening, and then shuddering violently with the force of my climax. When the last spasms ease, I pull her into my arms, planting a thank you kiss on her lips.

We lay together, happily sated, until our breaths even out and words can be formed again in our throats. "Eric," she calls softly.

"Hmm?"

"We should head to the city," she says.

Unfortunately, I have to agree with her, it's terribly late and we both have things to do the following morning. I'd have just a few hours left to sleep.

"Yeah, you're right, but I'm bringing you here every chance I get," I inform her.

She lifts her head to look at me and brushes her smiling lips to mine. "I'll hold you to that," she says.

We reluctantly disentangle from each other's hold, and rise to our feet. We straighten out our clothing, put on our shoes, and smooth our hair the best way we can. I rush her to go, but she wants to clean? I tell her to leave everything as it is; that Pam surely hired someone to put things in order the next day, but she's adamant in wanting to clear up the mess we made. I help her with the cleaning, and we finish it fairly quickly. I grab my jacket and lead her to my car, saying the next time we come back I'll show her the whole property, and that we could even spend the night. She blushes at the idea, although she agrees, and even mentions bringing Annika with us. I find the thought of the three of us passing the day at the farm wonderful; still I keep it to myself. I don't want her to feel pressured and try to run away from me again.

I drive back to the city, and sooner than I wished for I'm parking in front of her place. I get out of the car and open the door for her. I walk her to her apartment, her hand enveloped in mine. We say our goodbyes, she asks if I want to come in and I say I can't because my shift starts in a few hours. I give her one last kiss, before turning to go away.

"Eric," she calls.

I look back at her and find her tempting figure standing at the doorway. "Yes?"

She seems like she would say something but changed her mind. Instead she murmurs with a coy smile, "See you soon."

"You can bet all your money on that, my dear."

A/N: *blushes* Um, okay... you guys got a slice of citrus! The first one I ever wrote! *blushes some more* I'd really love to know if you think I did it right or not. Any feedback will be much welcomed! Also I wanted to know if you guys like where this story is going. Thanks! :)