Many apologies for the delayed update, but this one is most definitely longer.
So, enjoy!
Tyler was sitting at the bar eyeing a girl who was playing pool, a beer bottle in his hand. Matt nudged his shoulder trying to get his attention.
"Hey man" he said following his gaze. He scoffed when he noticed what was holding Tyler's attention. "I see you're still trying to mend that 'broken heart' of yours" he said walking over to block his view.
Tyler scoffed finally breaking his gaze, and eyed Matt. "Don't start man. Caroline dug her own grave and now she's laying in it" he turned his attention back to the brunette. "I'm not killing myself worrying about how broken she might be, and I'm not just gonna sit here pining over her like a pathetic little dog". He finished the last bit of drink and got up, "not when there are better things out there" he winked at Matt "you get me?"
Matt scoffed and shook his head, and walked to the back exit of the Grill, having ended his shift.
Tyler walked towards the girl, who wasn't exactly blind to Tyler's actions. He smirked and she gave him a flirtatious grin, that was all the invitation he needed.
...
Kol walked into the Grill, a devilish grin plastered on his face.
He surveyed the bar and found Tyler getting extremely comfortable with a brunette by the pool table. His grin widened, let's have some fun.
...
Tyler was directly behind the girl. He, the perfect gentleman, had offered to show her how to play pool when she so embarrassingly had missed her shot.
His mouth began to travel towards her ear when –
"Well, isn't this cozy" Kol grinned walking into Tyler's view. He stopped to pick out a pool stick and winked at the brunette. "Good choice mate. She looks like a tasty little thing".
Tyler stood up, pulling his body away from the brunette, causing the girl to eye both men in confusion.
"What do you want, Kol?" Tyler asked through gritted teeth.
"What's with the tone? I'm just here to talk" Kol leaned over the pool table, fixing his aim on a ball.
Tyler wasn't having it. He walked over to Kol and fixed a glare on him. He was done with these Originals, they had managed to get rid of the most threatening one, he sure as hell wasn't about to let the youngest one intimidate him, especially in front of the brunette.
Kol had sensed Tyler's presence behind him, and he smirked. He lifted his gaze to face Tyler's.
Tyler refused to falter, "Look man. We took down your psychotic brother; we'll have no problem getting rid of you".
The girl stood up against the wall, utterly confused.
Kol ignored Tyler's threat and glanced at the brunette, "No need to worry darling. What we have here is a bad case of all bark no bite" he spit the last words venomously, glaring at Tyler.
Tyler's rage had reached its limit, and without warning he grabbed Kol by the shirt and threw him against the wall.
Kol smirked, obviously unaffected by the amateur hybrid's actions, and this angered Tyler more. He was about to flash over to where Kol stood when Elijah appeared in front of him.
"Hello Tyler. How are you?" Elijah asked.
Tyler's shocked expression making him smile.
"You'll have to excuse my younger sibling's tactics. You see we really are here to talk" he said walking towards a chair placed against the wall. He sat down and smiled, "You wouldn't mind answering a few questions for us, would you?"
...
Caroline and Rebekah walked into the Grill only a short while after Elijah had. Elijah had asked them both to stay at the mansion while he and Kol took care of some business, but that hardly stopped them.
Caroline was fuming, and Rebekah was close behind her. She had never been known as the patient one.
Elijah had decided it best to hold off one more day to take any action, since Caroline had given the others two days. But that day had gone extremely slowly, and none had appeared.
Her threat had been passed over, and she was tired of words and talking. She needed action… she needed Klaus, and she needed him now.
They had disregarded her like they would a little girl throwing a tantrum. They didn't take her seriously, and now she was way past negotiations. Elijah knew it, thus his whole "take care of business" idea. His presence always supplied an eerie dominance that others lacked. So Caroline guessed he was hoping to scare the information out of someone.
Caroline just wanted to hurt them all, she wanted them to feel the pain that they had inflicted on her, and that caused a new bond to form with Rebekah. She did have a bit of experience in the whole torture area.
Once the men had set foot outside the mansion they only needed one glance towards each other to understand, hell no we're not staying.
They glanced around the Grill when they caught a glimpse of Tyler throwing Kol up against a wall.
Caroline smiled and looked at Rebekah who was wearing a similar smile on her face, oh she had just been itching for this encounter.
In their haste they crashed into a boy, he looked like he was in high school but Caroline had never seen him before, "Sorry" he stuttered before he walked out of the Grill.
Caroline shrugged and continued onto her destination.
...
"Tyler" Elijah started "there's really no need for your profane response. We're only searching for answers for now. If you continue to enforce brute behavior, I might be forced to retaliate".
Tyler refused to let Elijah intimidate him, and decided to answer his calm actions with a strong defense. Elijah wasn't too keen on his approach. It reminded him of a small child attempting to scare off an adult, but it served as an excellent reminder that he wasn't exactly dealing with someone of his IQ level.
The brunette was still standing against the wall, but finally had the good sense to take her leave when she heard Elijah's irritation grow.
She grabbed her purse from the chair next to Elijah, "Excuse me. I'm just gonna get out of your hair. Tyler, right? We'll just hang out some other time" she said walking away from the scene.
Suddenly two blonde girls appeared in front of her.
"What's wrong, sweetheart? Those boys not giving you enough attention?" Rebekah smiled and grabbed the girl by her arm dragging her back towards the scene she was trying to avoid. "Poor girl, we'll just have to do something about that won't we?" she said laughing.
"Oh, but seriously, don't even worry" Caroline chimed in, "cuz you're definitely not missing anything with Tyler" she said her face showing disgust.
"You'll find much more enjoyment with Kol" Rebekah laughed "Isn't that right dear brother?" she said shoving the girl into Kol's arms.
Tyler stood there in shock, his confidence slowly deteriorating upon seeing all the Originals surrounding him. But what seemed to affect him more was the look on Caroline's face. She had a dark smile on her face as she started to approach him.
"Caroline" Elijah called attempting to pull her out of her thoughts, to no avail.
"Hey Tyler" Caroline said as she came up to face him.
"Caroline" Tyler acknowledged her with a slight nod. His hands were slowly forming into fists.
"How've you been, Tyler?" She asked giving him a playful shove. "Looks like it didn't take you very long to move on" she said eyeing the girl who was shaking in Kol's arms. "Good job. She seems like just your type. Kol's too." She laughed as she saw Kol caressing the girl, winking at Caroline.
"But that's the thing about those girls" she said now circling Tyler. "They're everyone's type" she whispered into his ear, "and you always did like it easy" she winked sitting on the pool table.
"Oh come on, Caroline!" Rebekah yelled irritated "Get to the good part. I'm getting impatient" she said taking the vacant seat next to Elijah.
Caroline turned and smiled at her. Elijah rolled his eyes, a very juvenile move he noted, but these siblings of his were driving him insane.
He got up and moved towards Caroline, "Not quite yet Caroline. I've yet to receive the information I'm seeking".
Caroline groaned, but fumed instantly when she heard Tyler say "I guess that explains why I wasted so much time on you".
Elijah quickly grabbed Tyler by the throat and pushed him up against the wall, "I warned you about your language Tyler" he said seething.
"You're failure to participate has forced my brute hand" he growled into his face his grip tightening by the second.
"Caroline, over here, had been kind enough to offer you and your friends an ultimatum. But since you all seem to love endangering your lives, you failed to cooperate" he dropped his hand from Tyler's throat letting him slide down the wall, but he quickly reached into his chest and gripped onto his heart.
Tyler coughed up blood at Elijah's actions, "Now that I have your full attention, Tyler. I need you to send a little message. Your friends have abandoned their homes, and my siblings and I would really rather save ourselves the trouble of searching every building in this town. Please inform them that we're searching for them, and if they could be so kind as to return us Niklaus's body. It would be much easier for everyone" he said releasing Tyler's heart.
He grabbed a handkerchief he had inside his suit pocket and wiped his hand off walking towards the exit, "Caroline" he said signaling towards Tyler's slumping body. "You may proceed. Just remember he is needed alive".
Caroline got off the pool table, grabbed a pool stick that was left on the table, and began walking towards Tyler, "of course Elijah" she said smiling.
"Rebekah? Kol?" Elijah turned towards his siblings "Are you staying?"
Kol smirked and grabbed the girl he had been caressing, "No. I think I'll go and enjoy the new toy my sisters have just given me" he said winking at the two blondes and exiting the building.
Elijah eyed Rebekah whose gaze was fixated on Caroline, "I'd rather stay and see if I can join the fun" she said smirking.
Elijah shrugged and left.
Caroline stood in front of Tyler eyeing him as he attempted to regain his strength. She grabbed the pool stick and broke it in two pieces, keeping one for herself and throwing the other to Rebekah, "just in case" she said with a wink.
She crouched down to Tyler's eye level and sighed. She reached out to caress his cheek and Tyler flinched at her touch igniting Caroline's rage.
She slapped him quickly across the face causing him to cough up blood again.
"Looks like it didn't take very long for him to train you in his techniques" Tyler scoffed.
Caroline smiled and stood up, "I really wish you'd all get it through your heads already. He didn't do anything to me".
Tyler laughed and slowly stood up, "Just like we didn't do anything to him". At his words, Rebekah quickly flashed to him and stabbed the stick into him.
"I used to find your cockiness endearing, but now it's trying my patience" she growled. When she found out what these teenagers had done to her favorite brother she lost it, and now she was just itching to seek her revenge.
"Rebekah, enough" Caroline called out to her. She huffed, letting him go, and walked to lean against the opposite wall, "Fine".
Tyler pulled the stick out of his stomach and smirked, "Same old Caroline, always the peacemaker. You know you can say whatever you want, but I know the truth. You'll never change. You don't have it in you" he said mockingly.
Caroline flashed in front of him and grabbed him by throat, "And you, Tyler, will always be the same stupid boy who will never have any clue what he's talking about".
"The same stupid boy who managed to come up with the plan to destroy your immortal boyfriend" he spat at her.
She let his throat go and turned around. When he laughed walking towards her, she lifted her arm hitting him straight in the jaw with her elbow.
He stumbled backwards, she turned towards him and walked up hitting him straight in his stomach with her knee causing him to fall back.
She bent down and picked him by the hem of shirt and threw him onto the pool table. He grumbled and tried to lift himself up only to find Caroline pushing him back down. She grabbed the stick and placed it inches above his heart, he stared at her in shock.
"You won't do it" he mocked.
"Only because Elijah asked me not to, but don't push me Tyler. We can always find another messenger" she shrugged slowly pushing the temporary stake into his heart.
"I should've known it was you" she said her face hovered over his. "I saw the look on your face when you had him".
"Don't expect an apology anytime soon" he spat at her.
"And don't expect me to care when he rips you to shreds" she said her teeth clenched. She got up and threw the improvised stake across the room slowly walking away.
"Let's go Rebekah".
Rebekah groaned, "That's it? I was really hoping for something more exciting".
"Once we get Nik back you guys can have all the fun you want, but let's focus on getting him first" she said as they started towards the exit.
Tyler got up, and called to her, "You're delusional if you think we're actually gonna hand him over to you guys".
They stopped in their tracks, and shared a look. Caroline smiled and flashed back to Tyler, "And you underestimate the power of woman scorned" she said.
He scoffed before she grabbed his face forcing him to look at her, "We're being civil because Elijah seems to think this is the only way to get things done, but make no mistake Tyler, all your lives are dispensable to me right now" she said caressing his cheek "and once Elijah gives the signal, I won't hesitate in taking each and every one of you down until I find him" she smiled.
He gulped at her intensity, and clenched his fists when her grip tightened.
"Make sure to give them my message" she said before she grabbed his neck and cracked it so quickly he didn't even have time to process what was happening.
His limp body slumped down onto her and she threw him to the ground before walking back to where Rebekah stood laughing.
"Oh I wish Nik was here to see all this" she laughed as they walked out of the Grill.
They waited in a secluded area, keeping an eye on the entrance to the Grill.
Caroline was still seething from her encounter with Tyler. She had sensed that he had played a major part in the "take down" of Klaus. She saw it in his face, even through her screams and tears she was able to see the smile the crept on his face as he saw her anguish.
She had let Elijah take over with the plan to get Klaus back, but only because her head wasn't exactly in a sane spot right now. If it was up to her, she would be hunting each and every one of them down granting them enough pain that they would be begging her to take him back.
It was only right, she knew that if anyone ever tried to harm a hair on her body Klaus would torture them until they screamed their apologies. She didn't agree with him then, but now that they had taken him from her she understood his need to protect her.
"So what now? We just wait for him to come crawling out then attack him again?" Rebekah asked hopeful.
Caroline laughed, "Loving the enthusiasm. Reminds me of your brother, but no." she said poking her head around to get a better view.
"We wait and follow him" she turned to Rebekah, "He might have been serious when he said he wasn't gonna hand him back to us, but Tyler's too predictable".
Rebekah raised in eyebrow in confusion.
"He's still that little high school boy that lets his anger control him" she said "he's gonna run back to his 'crew' for back up. He's gonna want action".
Right as she finished her sentence they saw Tyler exit the Grill skeptically, he surveyed his surroundings before he took off.
"There" Caroline pointed towards the direction he ran.
Rebekah smiled, "Fantastic".
...
Change of plans. We'll find them ourselves, with a tiny bit of help from an oblivious Tyler. We'll text you the address once we get there… STAY TUNED! –Caroline.
Elijah sighed placing the newspaper he had been reading down on the table.
He rubbed his temple and called out, "Kol!". He said walking towards the living room.
"Yes brother?" a nearly nude Kol came out from the room he had been secluded in.
"It seems Caroline and Rebekah have taken it upon themselves to find the rest of their friends" he sighed scrolling through his cell phone.
"They will notify me once they've found them, are you staying with your new –" he motioned towards the room Kol had just exited.
Kol gave him a cheeky grin.
Just then Elijah's phone buzzed.
"It seems Caroline has effectively taken over control of our previous plan" Elijah said smiling at Caroline's text.
Kol raised his eyebrows surprised, "Really now? Who knew she had it in her?"
Elijah put his phone into his pocket and began walking towards the door, "Something tells me Niklaus did".
Kol nodded, "Wait! I'm not letting you lot have all the fun without me".
...
Caroline was right.
"Too easy" she said smiling as Tyler walked into an unfamiliar house.
"So…" Rebekah drawled out. "Now what?" she asked Caroline. They had already texted Elijah, and now she was curious as to what Caroline's agenda was.
Caroline smiled, "We have some fun" she winked.
...
"Ok. So if what Tyler says is true, then I think we might have a problem" Stefan analyzed.
"Oh you think Stefan? YOU THINK?" Tyler yelled out. He was extremely livid considering just how humiliated Caroline had left him. Not only did they steal the girl he was trying to hook up with, but she totally kicked his ass. He would never tell them this of course, but he needed to exact his revenge.
He came to them hoping they all would come up with some plan to get rid of those annoying Originals and their new plus one, but Stefan's tone only pissed him off more.
"Look Tyler you need to calm down" Elena said trying to get his attention. "We'll think of something ok? Besides, we're safe here. You didn't tell them where we moved to right?" she asked concerned.
"No, Elena! Damn, I'm not stupid ok?" Tyler spat at her.
"Alright! Alright, it was just a question. So they have no idea where we are and since we put this house under my name there's no way of them getting in. We just need to come up with a good plan" she said looking to Damon and Stefan who were currently pacing the living room.
"Look it's just Blondie. I'm sure she's just a little scorned, she's nothing we can't handle" Damon said laughing "Actually I'm sure I can handle her myself. It's those pesky Originals we have to worry about".
"I don't know Damon" Elena interjected. "You didn't see her mad. I did, it doesn't seem like she's gonna let you take her down so easily. What about you Tyler? You saw her today? Do you think she might've calmed down a bit?"
Tyler tensed a bit, and it was enough to catch Stefan's attention.
"What happened, Tyler?" he asked his concern growing.
"Well –" Tyler started, but suddenly got cut off by a bunch of tiny pebbles flying in through the window causing the glass to shatter all across the room.
They all quickly ducked away, Tyler grabbed Elena and pulled her into a secure area considering she was still the only human, the rest could handle themselves.
"Hello…?" Caroline drawled, "Anyone home?"
Through the broken window they could see her pacing the front lawn, a giant smirk plastered on her face.
"Tyler? What the hell? You said you didn't tell them!" Damon yelled angrily to a very confused Tyler.
"Oh don't worry, Damon! Your little friend there didn't hum a word" Caroline called from outside "He's just not the brightest bulb in the box, if you catch my drift" she giggled from the outside.
Stefan eyed Tyler who was attempting to hide his face from embarrassment, of course they would follow him. He should've thought about that sooner.
Damon called his attention and started motioning towards him and Elena, then to the backdoor. Take Elena and go, he really wanted to stay and deal with Caroline though. His ego wouldn't allow that girl to continue on humiliating him, but Stefan's stern face caused him to get up.
He quietly made his way back with Elena, they reached the back without Caroline having noticed, but as soon as they set foot outside something threw him across the backyard.
"Rebekah" Tyler gasped as he saw her holding a terrified Elena.
"Oh Tyler", Rebekah smiled "you really must start attending more school. Perhaps they might be able to help you retrieve some of the brain cells you so obviously lack" she laughed and flashed over to where Caroline stood in the front lawn.
Tyler remained shocked, what the hell just happened?
...
"What do who we have here boys?" Caroline mocked the men inside. She caressed Elena's face earning a flinch from Elena. She smiled, "The objection of your undying affection".
She looked up to see a very angry Damon, and a terrified Stefan. Interesting.
"Well, thank you for having the good sense to be frightened Stefan" She said laughing.
"Well, now you're just starting to sound like my brother" Rebekah laughed, still clutching onto Elena.
"Ah! I know right?" Caroline laughed "I was hoping to exude some of that eeriness Elijah has, but it doesn't make it any less true" she said eyeing Stefan.
Damon had had enough he wasn't about to let some baby vampire and her sidekick hurt Elena, he flashed out of the house and attempted to attack Rebekah, only to be pulled back by Caroline who was ready for the attack.
She yanked him away, and he flashed towards her when he felt himself fly back by a sudden blow to his stomach.
Kol had showed up with his trusty bat right on time, "Oh. I do love this thing" he said circling Damon who was now on the floor.
Elijah stood behind them leaning against a car, observing them all carefully.
"What do you want, Caroline" Stefan finally spoke up, walking cautiously out of the house.
Caroline laughed, "Are you serious? You're seriously gonna stand there and act all innocent on me?"
Stefan shrugged and made his way closer to her and Rebekah, "Just let Elena go. She shouldn't be punished for this" Stefan tried to negotiate.
"Mmm… No. I guess not" Caroline said pacing the lawn. "But you should" she said pointing him out.
"I don't understand. What are you –" Stefan shook his head confused.
"Cut the act, Stefan!" Caroline yelled. "You know exactly what I'm talking about! And you understand why I'm doing this."
Stefan seemed to falter at her words.
"Yeah, see. You know" she said glaring at him. "Let me ask you a question Stefan. Mm… You too Damon" she eyed Damon who was being held by a very excited Kol.
"You see, I have your precious Elena here in my grasp. What would you do if I…" she walked over to Elena and grabbed her arm slowly pulling it back making it more painful as it began to dislocate.
Elena let out a piercing scream. Damon tried to break free from Kol's grasp to get to Elena, and Stefan finally lost his calm demeanor attempting to flash to Caroline, but Elijah was quicker. He stepped in front of Stefan's path and blocked his way.
"Ahh, so the ripper shows some emotions" she clapped giddy. "See, you would go to hell and back to protect the love of your life" she said mockingly.
She walked up to Elena and wiped away her tears, "And I'm willing to bet she'd do the same for you two".
"I'm losing my patience Caroline" Stefan growled at her, attempting to get past Elijah, but to no avail.
"And I've lost mine!" she yelled at Stefan. "You would do anything to ensure Elena's safety. So what made you think that I would just let you take Klaus from me so easily?"
Stefan's rage faltered.
"You're all so selfish, and it doesn't surprise me from Damon. But you Stefan" She said glaring a hole into his soul, "from you it did".
He knew exactly what she was talking about. He had been hesitant on this whole plan, not only because of Caroline, but because of Klaus too.
He saw the happiness that Caroline had had before all this, and he also noted Klaus's tamed behavior. He had let Tyler convince him into his idea, and had truly believed it would be for the best.
Up until the point where he saw Caroline's anguish, and Klaus's look of betrayal. He noted how they looked at one another as the others were slowly tearing their whole world apart, but it was too late. And now all he had to live with was the guilt, knowing that he, and the others, had unwittingly done this to her.
"I saw it in your eyes that night. You felt just as guilty, not only for being so damn selfish, but because he trusted you" Caroline said. "You guys just disregarded my feelings, and justified it by thinking I would get over it." She motioned Elijah away and walked up to Stefan, "I owe you for mentoring me in the vamp ways, but I will never forgive you for assuming that your love for her" she pointed at Elena, "is greater than my love for him".
She clicked her teeth and met his glare, her gaze never faltering, "You have something of mine. And I won't stop until I get it back" she spoke, her voice suddenly growing more powerful.
Their stare-off only lasted a couple seconds before Stefan faltered, "Let Elena go and I'll show you where he is".
At this the rest of his group protested, suddenly Tyler appeared from his hiding place and screamed at Stefan, "Stop being an idiot man! You can't set him free!"
Caroline's glare was unrelenting, and Stefan had lived long enough to understand her demeanor, go down peacefully or expect bloodshed.
He nodded towards Rebekah, "Hand Elena over to Damon and I'll take you guys to Klaus".
"Stefan, no!" Elena protested, "We can't just set him free after this".
Caroline smiled, "You really should have considered that sooner". She nodded for Rebekah and Kol, but they were still a bit uneasy.
"Look, they won't do anything. Just make sure he won't do anything to us" Stefan tried.
Caroline shrugged walking towards Elijah, who held a very proud stance, "I'll try" she said smiling.
"Just hand her over to Damon, and let's go" she said to Kol and Rebekah. "I just want Klaus back safe in my arms, ok?" Caroline directed the last statement to Stefan.
As soon as Damon had Elena in his arms, he flashed away with her, leaving only a puff of dust where they had stood.
Tyler stood behind them all in a rage watching the whole scene unfold.
How precious, the family will finally be reunited, he thought his fists clenching.
They arrived at the storage with a very anxious Caroline.
Kol and Rebekah waited by the car while Elijah accompanied Caroline, who wasn't letting Stefan out of her sight.
The three of them walked down the endless aisles of storages when Stefan stopped abruptly.
"Caroline" he said standing directly in front of her, "I'm doing this for you, ok? But you can't let him do anything".
Caroline scoffed and rolled her eyes.
"Caroline! Look, yeah you were right. I do partly feel responsible for all of this, but you have to give me your word you won't let him harm Elena, or anyone else for that matter" Stefan urged.
"Fine! Whatever Stefan! I'll do what I can. Can you just – get on with it please?" she said anxiously.
Stefan sighed, and moved forward stopping when he reached a storage with the number 1020.
"This is it?" Caroline asked.
Stefan nodded. "Well, what are you waiting for Stefan? Open it" she sensed his apprehension.
He had grown hesitant on their way there, not sure if handing him over was a good idea. Klaus was never know as the forgiving type once he was betrayed, but as he pulled himself away from his thoughts he noticed the lock had been broken off.
"Wait" he said, his concern growing.
"What do you mean? What are you –" she stopped suddenly when she noticed what had caused Stefan's weariness.
"Please tell me you did that"
"What seems to be the problem?" Elijah called out suddenly pulling himself out of his thoughts. Since earlier that afternoon, he had let Caroline handle everything. He had noticed her strength and power had increased significantly, and since then he had decided he would give her the opportunity to take control, only stepping in when he deemed necessary.
He saw Caroline and Stefan's shared look of panic and stepped in throwing open the door's sliding door.
"No" Caroline cried out in a whisper. She stepped into the vacant storage "No. No. No."
She turned to Stefan, "What did you do? Where is he?" she yelled seething.
Stefan's face of bewilderment was enough for Caroline to understand, he hadn't done anything.
"Oh no… Have you lost something?" they heard a feminine voice call out to them from the hall.
They all moved towards the direction of the voice. There was no female, only a lonely boy. Caroline recognized him, the boy from the Grill? What was he doing here?
Suddenly a gush of wind sped past them, but Elijah saw her first.
"Katerina"
What just happened? :O
Aha. Please let me know what's going through those pretty little heads of yours. I'm genuinely curious.
1-800-hows my writing? How was this chapter? Do I suck? Should I stop? HOLLA AT ME YO. kidding. but yes, plz review and let me know.
*special thanks to all you who read, extra special thanks to those who review AND read, and special shout out to redrosebud for that detailed review. How was this chapter? ;)
I know I'm not very good with updates, but your reviews DO help! They remind me that there are people who are reading and who might (or might not) care so I try my best to write quickly and update as soon as I can.
So thank you for the reviews, keep it up!
Till next time.
-Joce!