Disclaimer – I do not own Castle
Tuesday
Castle Loft - 09:21 – Rick's Room
A certain injured homicide detective was comfortably curled up to her favourite mystery novelist. His arms snaked around her waist while their fingers were laced together, holding her close but not too tight. Their legs were intertwined under the covers; her back was pressed into his front, like a perfect fit. She could feel his breath on the back of her neck. Kate was unconsciously rubbing her thumb along the back of his hand, making small circler patterns.
She had been awake for a little over twenty minutes now. She did not even bother to move from the intimate embrace she was in with Rick. She didn't want to, even though she had never been one to show emotion or rely on anyone emotionally. At this moment, she felt safe. She had never been so connected to another person before; the way that he always knew what she was thinking. The way they always finished each other's sentences, they were so in-sync that sometimes it scared her.
Ever since her mother's death, she made it her mission not to let anyone get to close to her heart, because if she lost anyone else in her life. She knew she wouldn't be able to cope, it would eat her alive and that's why when the writer pushed himself into her life, she did everything she could not to get attached to him. But it was too late. She was attached even before he came to shadow her. He imprinted in her heart with his words
When he first began shadowing her, she met the ladies man. But over time, she got to see passed the cover of Richard Castle the Playboy and met the true man behind the words, the wonderful father and generous man with the big heart. She would always be grateful for the time that without a second thought paid Coonan that money to find her mother's killer which turned about to be Coonan. And then the scholarship program he set up for her, in her mother's name. That had almost left her breathless.
Her mother would have loved him. In a way, her mother was the one that introduced them. Kate started reading Rick's novels because that was the last thing her mother read before she was gone and at the time, it was a way to stay connected to her. But then his words pulled her in and he helped her cope with her mother's death without her ever knowing it.
"You've done so much for me, Rick. I don't know how I will ever repay you," the brunette whispered to herself, letting out a deep sigh.
"You repaid me in full, when you opened your eyes and come back to me," Rick spoke up, genuine, pressing a kiss to the back of her neck.
Her heat skipped a beat.
Kate was a little taken aback; she thought he was still asleep. His voice didn't even sound sleepy. How long had he been awake for? She turned around to face him, his body moving with hers, so that when she faced him, his arms were snaked around her waist and her arms were looped around his neck. Their eyes locked on one another.
She loved his blue eyes. They were a stony blue, unlike his mother and Alexis, who both had crystal blue. His hair was ruffled from sleep and had an innocent stress-free look on his face, unlike the last ten days since she had woken up in that hospital bed.
"Rick," she practically whispers as it left her lips.
He just shook his head. "No, Kate, you listen to me," he began, determined.
Their faces only a few inches apart; her eyes were filled with curiosity.
"You're the best thing, bar Alexis, that has ever walked into my life. I know you do not believe in soul-mates, fate or even magic, but I do and I see it every day when I look at you," he began, his voice filled with sincerity. "I see this unbelievably breath-taking woman who carries this past pain with her on a daily basis and doesn't let it affect her job. The way you comfort grieving families with such compassion and heart; you're not there for the pay-check. You put your whole heart and soul into every case that comes your way. You keep digging until justice has been achieved for the victim and their family. You don't give up on anyone, especially on me." He divulged with such raw emotion, it made her want to cry.
Kate could hear the sincerity in his voice and see the genuine honesty in his eyes. She had walked in the shoes of a victim's loved one, so she knew the pain they were suffering when she broke the news to them about their loved one. She gave the dedication to each case that she wished her mother's case had been given.
When Rick said things like what he just said, she felt herself falling deeper in love with him.
"You're too important to give up on," she told him, honestly, un-snaking her arms from around his neck, placing a hand on chest and the other on his cheek, a smile tugging at her lips. "After all, the heart wants, what the heart wants," she quoted. He had told her during a case a while back.
Rick's face lit up when those words passed her lips. "You're amazing," he whispered before his lips descended upon hers, capturing them in a slow, tantalizing kiss. His hands moved from her hips and slid up the length of her, before one cupped her face and the other settled behind her head.
A moan escaped the brunette's lips, as the kiss intensified. Her hands began sliding down his toned chest, stopping at the bottom of the black tee-shirt that he was wearing. Kate began slowly sliding it up, until Rick broke the kiss, pulling back. "Kate, you're injured" he reminded her.
Her hazel-greens fixed on his stony blues, lust burning in both sets. She was amazed with the amount of restraint he had, which at the moment was a lot more than her. Because right now, all she wanted to do was rip off his clothes and show him what she was really capable of. She also would love to test if he was as good in real life as he was on paper.
"You're Right" she finally answered. "I guess we should get up, even though it is tempting to stay in bed with you all day," she admitted softly, his face lit up like a kid at Christmas. "There is something, I would like do though," her voice changed to disheartening.
Rick noticed the instant change in his partner, from the lust-filled eyes, now darkening and filled with sadness. "You wanna go see your mom," he answered, as if he was reading her thoughts.
Her eyes began to glisten and she bit down on her bottom lip, as if she was holding something back and she nodded. "Can you take me?" she asked as her voice quivered.
That question took the writer by surprise. He would have figured she would have wanted to go on her own or with her father, maybe Lanie even. But she wanted him there with her, which meant a great deal to him.
He cupped her face. "You don't even need to ask, Kate. Whenever you want to visit your mother, just tell me when and where, even if you want me to wait in the car. You never have to ask," he told her, his voice was filled with sincerity.
Kate was overcome by emotion. When she thought he couldn't be any sweeter, he proved her wrong. "Thank-you Rick" she smiled at him, leaning forward and capturing his lips for another quick kiss.
09:41
Kate walked out of Rick's bathroom, showered and feeling refreshed, her hair still wrapped in a towel. She had applied some clear lip-gloss, black eye-liner and a little concealer to cover the love-bite. Now changed into dark green cargo pants and a silver v- neck tee-shirt, her mother's locket tucked in her shirt. She made her way back over towards the bed, her hand over her wound. She stopped at the end of the bed, sitting down.
Rick had just gotten off his phone with Paula when he spotted his beautiful partner making her way over towards his bed and taking a seat. As he closed his phone, he walked from his dresser to where he had been grabbing clothes for today and made his way over to her. The first-aid kit was slid under the bed, which had been its home since Kate arrived at his loft. The novelist bent down and pulled it out before placing it on the bed and taking a seat beside her.
"Any pain?" he asked, concerned. As he opened the kit and removed a fresh bandage, ointment and a dressing pad; she lifted her top, so the nicely healing wound was visible.
Kate smiled softly at him, answering. "It's getting better."
Rick placed some ointment on a clean fiscal pad, then carefully applied it to the wound.
"I'll take a pill with breakfast," she managed before taking in a sharp breath.
He looked at her, concerned. "I didn't hurt you did I?" his blue eyes filled with apprehension.
"I'm tough, Rick. Just a little sting," she answered softly, holding her shirt up with one hand, squeezing his shoulder with the other. His concern was touching. It only took a few more minutes for Rick to finish and wrap the bandage around her wound and clean up. He then headed in the direction of the shower. She watched him leave, never having seen someone look so incredible sexy in a black tee and dark blue plaid Pjay bottoms.
As he disappeared behind closed doors, a smile lingered on her lips. She was still a little in awe that she was actually with Rick. She was pulled from her thoughts when she heard her cell ringing. Turning her head back to her side-table, she hopped up and walked over, retrieving her phone from it and looked down at the number.
"Hey, how are you?" her voice filled with concern, the injured detective patiently waited for a response.
"You know me, girl. I'm tough" her best friend's voice began, before changing. "Can Javi and I come over for a bit?" a little more shaky this time.
Kate was a little concerned about her friend. She hadn't seen her in almost two days, without even needing to think about the question. "Of course Lanie, you don't even have to ask," she assured her best friend who was more like a sister.
"We're almost there; see you in ten, sweetie" the medical examiner confirmed before the line went dead.
Kate looked at her phone, her best friend sounded a little different than her usually cheerful self. Being abducted and being told that you were going to be killed did affect someone who isn't trained for it.
Kate tossed the phone on her bed and pulled the towel from her head and let her hair fall down past her shoulders. Then walking over towards Rick's dresser, she picked up a hair brush and began brushing her, letting her mind wander.
'You will meet an Alexander and he will be extremely important to you. At some future date, he may save your life' were the words that where echoing through her mind. If only Penny knew how much of an impact those words really had on her. 'May save your life'. Well he had achieved that, more than once and when it came to important, that didn't even come close to what he was to her.
Kitchen – 09:51
Kate and Rick entered the kitchen; arms snaked around one another's waists. Rick was now wearing dark blue jeans and a white tee-shirt with a design on the front. They were walking towards the bench to get their morning hit of caffeine when they spotted Martha and Donavan on the other-side of the bench, making out like two teenagers in love.
Music was drifting through the loft, coming from the lounge area.
"Your mom and dad are making out," she teased Rick, poking his chest. The writer cringed, because as much as he was thrilled that his parents were together, nobody wanted to see their mom and dad make-out.
Since neither parent was aware of their presence yet, Rick not so unsubtly cleared his throat as they walked passed them and stopped opposite of the coffee machine. Kate lightly tapped Rick in the chest for that move. He just smirked and reached for two mugs. Rick started making two coffees.
"Oh I want a tea, the way Alexis makes it," she told him as she took her mug from his hand and went on her way to do so. The writer looked at his partner, concerned. His Kate wanted tea, instead of coffee; the stuff she practically functions on.
Donavan looked towards his son and his partner, she making a tea while Rick stared at her in awe.
She then smiled before turning towards him, answering. "I drink coffee when I am working, and since I am healing I don't need the extra caffeine," she reminded him, placing a hand on his cheek and as they looked at each other with love.
Donavan just shook his head and chuckled. Martha watched her future husband, watching their son and the brunette. She was glad that her son and the detective were finally together. They belong together and they were the missing pieces to each other's hearts.
"Isn't Alexis up yet?" Kate asked aloud, stirring her tea. Even though the teen had no school, the brunette figured she would want to spend every possible moment with Ashley; the young redhead didn't seem like the type to sleep the day away.
"She is usually up by now" Rick answered, tentative. Holding his coffee in one hand, his other snaked around Kate's waist as she brought her drink to her lips.
"Alexis left an hour ago to have breakfast with Ashley. The kid couldn't look me in the eyes when I asked him a few simple questions," Donavan began explaining. "How do we feel about him?" his father asked seriously.
Martha turned and faced her man, scoffing. "Few simple questions, you practically interrogated the poor boy. Alexis couldn't drag him out of here quickly enough," the actress exclaimed, throwing her hands in the air.
Kate was taking a sip of her tea as she watched Martha throw her hands in the air and that's when she spotted a ring. The drink went down the wrong pipe and as Kate began to choke, she placed her drink down on the bench that she was leaning against. Rick automatically turned his attention towards her, putting his coffee down. Un-lacing his arm from around her, the writer began gently patting his partner on the back, his face filled with panic.
"Kate, you okay?" Rick asked, worried.
She cleared her throat and nodded, her eyes not leaving the older woman's hand.
Martha's gaze catching the brunette's, knowing that she had spotted her ring on her hand.
"I'm fine, Rick. Just swallowed too quickly," she explained, turning her focus on him.
He wasn't completely convinced until she turned her focus on him, placing her hand in his and gently squeezing it. "I'm okay," she assured him, her eyes saying it all. Ever since the shooting, he worried about her twice as much as he had previously. "Isn't your mother sparkling this morning," she added, grinning.
The writer raised an eyebrow at his partner, the way she emphasized on 'sparkling' he knew she was trying to tell him something. Turning his attention back to his mother, he watched as she ran her fingers through her hair, and that's when he spotted it.
"That's a – are you and dad – engaged?" he babbled.
Both of his parents nodded their heads, looking at him a little nervously.
He then felt Kate's arm slide around his waist and her hand came to rest on his chest. Rick shifted his eyes down, looking into hers. Without her heels, Kate was a little shorter.
As the young couple shared a look, a soft male voice, sang. "The smile on your face, lets me know that you need me. There's a truth in your eyes, saying you'll never leave me. The touch of your hand says you'll catch me, whenever I fall. You say it best, when you say nothing at all." The music played on.
Rick leaned forward, placing a quick kiss on her lips before turning back to his parents who were both waiting for a response from him.
"I am happy for guys," he answered sincerely. "And must I say about time! It's usually the wedding before the child, instead of waiting forty years but we Rodgers have never done anything responsibly," Rick finished, picking his mug back up and taking another sip.
Kate chuckled, shaking her head.
Martha waved that comment off and pulled her man into her arms. Donavan chuckled at his son's response, before turning his attention back to the love of his life. Their blue eyes fixed on one another, like they were the only two in the world.
Kate had never been the gushy, lovey dovey, super romantic type, but she had to admit that Rick's parents looked pretty darn cute together. They reminded her of her own parents and they had been so in love before her mother was killed.
A knocking sound coming from the front door pulled at the brunette's attention.
"That's Lanie and Esposito" she announced, detaching herself from Rick and heading out of the kitchen.
Open Lounge Area
The moment the brunette opened the door, her best friend launched into her arms. Kate responded by hugging her friend back, knowing that she needed it. Looking over Lanie's shoulder she spotted Javier, giving him a concerned look.
Rick, Martha and Donavan all stood a few metres behind Kate and watched the two best friends. Javier remained behind his girl, protectively.
"I am sorry I couldn't be there for you, Lanie," the brunette confessed, heartfelt. The black haired woman pulled back from her best friend and looked at her, baffled. "You better not be blaming yourself for this, girl." Lanie began, in her no-nonsense tone before her eyes widened. "Katherine Beckett is that hickey on your neck!" she exclaimed.
Kate's hand instantly went to the spot that was marked on her neck, covering it. She had done her best to cover it with concealer but the damn thing was so dark that it could still faintly be seen. Damn you Rick Castle. The brunette bit down on her bottom lip, her hazel-green eyes watching her friend, a little apprehensive.
"You're together?" she squealed, her eyes widening. When Kate didn't answer, Lanie looked over Kate's shoulder and her eyes locked on the writer, who was standing close but not close enough to be touching.
"Oh, sorry chica. I forgot to tell you this morning," her boyfriend answered, placing a hand on her shoulder. Lanie didn't shift her focus from the writer, who still wasn't saying a word, which meant her girl had given him orders not to tell anyone. Turning her chocolate orbs back to her best friend, she could see that Kate was a little anxious.
Without warning, Lanie launched forward again, pulling Kate into a hug. The brunette was a little stunned at first but welcomed it. "It's about damn time, girl." The medical examiner stated. Kate was relieved, she expected her friend to yell at her for not telling her the moment it happened, expecting every little detail.
"I hope he makes you happy," she added.
Tears glistered in the brunette's eyes, but she blinked them away. "More than words can describe," she confessed to her friend.
The two hugged for a long minute before pulling back and smiling at one another. Lanie then looked passed her friend and fixed her gaze on the writer.
"I am so happy for you two," she answered a little misty eyed.
Rick took a few steps forward until he was by Kate's side, pulling her into a side hug. The brunette responded by looping her own arms around her writer and resting her head on his chest.
Lanie looked passed her friend and noticed Martha with a blue eyed, silver haired hottie, they were in the same intimate embrace as her friend. Then she spotted the ring and knew she was missing something. She and Javier didn't really talk about anything last night; they were just there for one another.
The room had been engulfed in silence, until the Hispanic spoke up.
"Man, it's crazy down there," Javier informed Rick.
The writer raised a curious eyebrow before realizing what the Hispanic detective meant. "Damn it" he responded, turning to face Kate and placing a kiss on her temple. "I'll handle this," he whispered before detaching himself from her and heading towards the door.
"Rick," Kate called after him, he stopped at the door and turned to face. "Shoes" she told him. He looked down at his feet, noticing that they were indeed bare; he smiled at her and headed in the direction of his bedroom first. "What would I do without you," he called over his shoulder.
Kate bit down on her bottom lip, letting a chuckle escape her throat.
Front of Building – 10:01
Rick was standing on the steps out the front of his building, he was without Paula. In their conversation on the phone this morning, she had informed him that he would have to make another statement about their 'marriage' since he hadn't clarified it with his last press release. The press still thought they were married. He informed Paula 'Sorry that I was shot at and didn't have a chance to set the record straight.' She told him she didn't care and that he would have to fix it.
He was now wearing black boots and a leather jacket, even though the weather was humid. There were cameras flashing in his face, people shouting questions at him, left, right and centre. He found a few of the questions quite amusing but kept his face composed. He waited a few minutes until the questions started to die down, since he was doing this without a microphone.
"Good morning everyone," Rick began, not quite shouting. "If you will all leave your questions until I have finished speaking, then I will answer most of them." He added before continuing, keeping his expression still. "Our last chat was interrupted; I cannot go into the detail of why a friend of mine was killed in front of this building. But I can guarantee that the person who has been after myself and Detective Beckett, is no longer a threat. I would also like to make something clear. Kate and I are not married. The reason the hospital thought we were was because before Detective Beckett got shot, we were working an undercover case as a married couple. I was too stunned at the time to correct the wonderful staff at the hospital," he lied, not breaking his poker face.
"Why is the detective living with you, Mr Castle?" a female voice asked, holding her mic out.
Rick turned his attention to the dark haired women who appeared to be in her late twenties. "Kate is staying with me until she is fully recovered from her injury, since her building isn't appropriate for her recovery. While she is here, her privacy will be respected. If anyone does bother her, then I will not release a press statement about anything in my life for a year," he promised.
"So there is nothing going on with yourself and the detective?" a male reporter asked.
Rick didn't want to keep how he felt about Kate to himself but she had asked him to keep it quiet for now and he loved her, so he would respect her wishes. "Kate is my partner and I am doing what any partner would do. Helping her through a tough time," he answered, not completely lying.
"Is it true that the person who shot the detective was the uncle of the new captain?" a woman's voice asked.
The writer was a little surprised by that question and he was a little curious to who asked it. The cameras were flashing in front of his face, which made it hard to see who asked what question. He knew he wasn't allowed to release any information about what happened. "I am not allowed to comment on the shooting, you'll have to ask that question at the press conference the police will be holding," he answered honestly.
"Aren't you worried about the new captain, though? What if she wants to finish what her uncle started?" the same voice asked. The writer began scanning the crowd for the person to who the voice matched.
"No, Nicole Hunter is a good woman with an impeccable service record. And she shouldn't be judged or held responsible for actions caused by others," he informed the voice that was beginning to get on his nerves. "That is all for today, I expect you all to remove yourselves from the front of my building within the next thirty minutes," he finished before turning and heading back into the building.
Driving – 16:31
Kate was staring out the window, watching the scenery pass by as Rick drove them to the cemetery. She had watched him this morning on television as he gave his press conference. He kept his promise to her while telling the truth about their relationship. Lanie and Javier stayed for an hour and she informed them that she didn't want anyone knowing about her and Rick until she was comfortable telling them. Out of curiosity she asked. 'Who won the pool?' At first her friends tried to act surprised, but Kate just glared at them. Finally Lanie answered 'Roy' and they were all quiet for a bit after that.
Kate preferred to visit her mother in the late afternoons; it was just something about the atmosphere that made her feel this way. It was like the same way she felt about music and rain. As the brunette let her mind drift, a song she hadn't heard in years began to play over the radio. Closing her eyes, Kate listened to the song.
"This is for my peoples who just lost somebody. Your best friend, your baby, your man, or your lady, put your hand way up high. We will never say bye (no, no, no) Mamas, daddies, sisters, brothers, friends and cousins. This is for my peoples who lost their grandmothers. Lift your head to the sky 'cause we will never say bye."
Usually when sad songs played, she turned them off because they reminded her of her mother. But today, right now. She welcomed it, softly singing along to the words that cut deep.
"As a child there were them times I didn't get it but you kept me in line. I didn't know why you didn't show up sometimes. On Sunday mornings and I missed you. But I'm glad we talked through all them grown folk things. Separation brings. You never let me know it. You never let it show because you loved me and obviously, there's so much more left to say, If you were with me today face to face."
Rick was a little concerned how his partner would handle this visit to her mother, since her killer and the case she had been working on was solved. He was a little surprised when he heard Kate's sweet voice, softly singing along with the radio.
He kept his eyes on the road as they were almost at their destination.
"I never knew I could hurt like this and everyday life goes on like I wish I could talk to you for awhile. Miss you but I try not to cry as time goes by and it's true that you've reached a better place, still I'd give the world to see your face and I'm right here next to you, but it's like you're gone too soon ...Now the hardest thing to do is say bye bye."
He pulled up outside of the cemetery, turning his attention to his partner. Her eyes were still closed.
"And you never got the chance to see how good I've done and you never got to see me back at number one. I wish that you were here to celebrate together. I wish that we could spend the holidays together ...I remember when you used to tuck me in at night with the Teddy Bear you gave to me that I held so tight. I thought you were so strong, you'd make it through whatever. It's so hard to accept the fact you're gone forever."
Kate realized that the black escalade had stopped moving. She opened her eyes, looking out the window and saw gravestone after gravestone. A moment later she felt Rick's hand squeeze her shoulder.
"I never knew I could hurt like this and everyday life goes on like I wish I could talk to you for awhile. Miss you but I try not to cry as time goes by and it's true that you've reached a better place, still I'd give the world to see your face and I'm right here next to you, but it's like you're gone too soon ...Now the hardest thing to do is say bye bye...:
Rick turned the car off, stopping the music. Silence falling over the car. She turned her eyes on him. Rick handed her the bouquet of flowers that they had picked up before coming here.
Kate took a deep breath, retrieving them from him and nodding. She placed her hand on the door and opened it, getting out.
Cemetery – 16:38
Kate was sitting in front of her mother's grave, the bouquet of purple and blue lilies in hand. Her fingers ran over the lettering on her mother's grave. She was silent for a long moment before she placed the flowers down in front. Rick was waiting a good distance away, standing under a tree. She didn't even have to tell him to hang back, he just knew that she needed some alone time with her mother.
"Hi, mom" she began, her hands finding ring that was hanging around her neck and her eyes not leaving the gravestone. The last time Kate had been here was just after she arrested Lockwood. She had come alone and just sat for hours until it was dark.
"We did it," she whispered. "We caught the guy who took you away from me and dad. It took eleven years but we finally got him, Mom." The brunette professed. She felt a sudden sadness wash over her and before she knew it, her eyes were stinging and tears began to freely fall.
"I miss you so much" she sobbed. "I don't know what to do now, Mom. I've spent so long chasing this that now ... there is nothing left to chase," she admitted. She was relieved that her mother's case was solved but it scared her. That case was a connection to her mother; what if she started to forget about her. The thought that broke her heart the most was that their children would never meet their amazing grandmother. Sure, they'd have Martha but not her mother.
Rick knew that she needed to do this her own way, even though seeing her breakdown like this pained him. He was finding it extremely hard to keep his distance. She was in pain and he wanted to be there to take it away. The writer couldn't just stand there and do nothing, even though he was a good ten metres away. He could hear her sobs and they were ripping through him.
The injured detective didn't want to be here alone anymore. Hell, she wasn't alone. She had Rick, always. That one little word meant so much to the both of them; that one word could write a novel about them.
Kate was just about to call her partner over when she felt his hand on her shoulder, gently squeezing it. Kate began standing up with his help, her back to him until she turned around and wrapped her arms around him, sobbing on his shoulder.
Rick held her closely, rubbing her back as she let her feelings out. "I know, beautiful. Just let it out," he whispered, letting a few tears of his own slip.
17:15
Kate and Rick were both sitting in front of Johanna's grave. Kate was leaning back in Rick's arms, her back moulded against his chest. He had his arms wrapped around her; the two had been just sitting there for some time now. The detective had never been this open and emotional around a guy before. Well, maybe Royce but he had met her when she was going down a dark path.
Kate didn't think that she could just sit here with him and it not be weird. Strangely enough, it was comfortable. She felt like she could tell him anything and he wouldn't judge. That was one of the reasons she trusted her heart with him, one of the reasons she loved him.
"You know what I keep thinking?" Kate began, he replied with "Mmm," which made her smile. "One day when I walk down the aisle, years from now, the only thought that will pass through my mind will be 'I wish my mom was here," the brunette whispered her confession.
Kate then felt a kiss, pressed to the back of her head. "She'll always be in your heart Kate, no one can ever take her from there," Rick told her.
The detective thought she was all cried out but after that comment, a few silent tears managed to appear.
A few minutes passed before Kate announced. "Let's go home, Rick." As she began standing up, Rick helped her as he stood up himself. She turned to face him, their fingers laced and a smile on both sets of lips. "Yeah, lets," he agreed.
Kate bit down on her bottom lip. She knew that stupid smile was on his face because she had called the loft 'Home' and that it hadn't been the first time.
As they began walking away from the cemetery, their arms linked around one another. Kate closed her eyes for a moment and took a deep breath. "You can now fly, baby bird." she heard a slight whisper say, that sounded like her mother. Opening her eyes, Kate smiled.