Chapter 22
For Dear Life
1030 hours, 27 April 2001, Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia.
No one winced as the honor guard completed their 21-gun salute as the casket containing the body of Navy Lieutenant Commander Jordan Parker was lowered in its grave. Colonel Barrett held his daughter, Erica Jane, tightly, as she cried for the women whom she had begun to view as her mother. Off to the rear, Commander Harmon Rabb Jr. of the US Naval JAG Corp, who was Jordan's ex-lover, stood silently, his fists clenched. From the back, Lieutenant Colonel Tony DiNozzo along with his wife, Kate and 2 children, Three and Liat, stood by as they watched. Others, such as retired Colonel Thomas Colleton, his daughter Sergeant 1st Class Tali Colleton, were also in attendance. Everyone remained silent as the casket was lowered into the grave and as the honor guard folded the flag properly.
As the funeral began to break up, Harm, whose fist was still clenched, slowly approached EJ and his daughter, who were walking away. "Hey Barrett" Harm yelled as he lunged as Colonel Barrett. EJ pushed his daughter to the side and dodged the blow. He shoved Harm away, trying to discourage Harm from taking any more aggressive action. However, Harm refused to give up and lunged for EJ's legs. Harm managed to knock the older man to his back, and he delivered several blows to EJ's face. Seeing this, Tony was quick to take action. He quickly hooked his arms around Harm's torso and threw him backwards onto the ground. At the same time, Three and Liat quickly pulled EJ away from Harm. When Harm tried to get off the ground, Tony violently shoved him back down. "You have got to be kidding me Harm" Tony yelled.
"It's his fault, his fault she's gone!" Harm yelled back as he clearly blamed EJ for Jordan's death.
"Shut up, just shut up Harm!" Tony yelled back. "How dare you disgrace her like this" he added.
"No" Harm yelled as he now lunged for Tony. Tony countered the lunge, shoving Harm's face into the dirt. He quickly slipped his arm around Harm's neck and locked him into a sleeper hold submission. Within 28 Seconds, Harm had been rendered unconscious. Once Harm was out, Tony relinquished the hold and got up as 2 members of the Honor Guard attended to Harm. Tony dusted himself off and walked over to Rear Admiral Chegwidden, The Judge Advocate General of The US Navy and Harm's Commanding Officer. "Sorry about that AJ" said Tony as he stood next to the former SEAL.
"Rabb always was a hot head" Chegwidden commented.
"Everyone deals with grief in his or her own way" said Tony. Chegwidden gave Tony a look.
"I'll handle Rabb, you just make sure your CO doesn't do anything else stupid" said Chegwidden as he walked away, his aide, Petty Officer 2nd Class Jason Tiner following a few steps behind.
The Funeral quickly broke up after that, with everyone going their separate ways. Three and Liat would be driving back to Bragg immediately, while Tony would stay for a few hours with Kate in D.C. Tony had ordered Billy drive EJ and Erica Jane back to Bragg, while his partner, Izzy, would still be in Virginia with her father.
1100 hours 27 April 2001, Gibbs' Residence, Arlington, Virginia.
As she walked down the basement stairs, Staff Sergeant Izabella Freya Howsham-Gibbs found her father exactly where she expected to. Drinking bourbon and working on one of his many boats. "How do you even get these things out here?" she asked, absolutely perplexed as to how her father removed these massive boats. Her father laughed.
"Family Secret" said The Gunny as he continued his sanding.
"I am family" Izzy retorted back. "God dad, it's only 1100, how can you drink at this hour?" she asked.
"Easy, like this" he said as he took a swig of bourbon straight from the bottle.
"That's disgusting" she said as she took a seat on one of the stools her father had built.
"So how was the funeral?" he asked.
"Depressing, Colonel Barrett and Commander Rabb got into a fight" she informed him.
"Who won?" Gibbs asked.
"Really? That's what you want to know? Who won?" she countered.
"Yeah" he replied with a shrug.
"Three and Liat broke it up before it got anywhere" she told him. "I can't believe she's gone" Izzy said somberly.
"Death is just another part of life, shit happens" Gibbs replied coldly.
"You're an Ass" said Izzy as she stormed back up the stairs.
"Where are you going?" Gibbs yelled after her.
"Home… to Billy" she said as she slammed the basement door.
1115 hours, 27 April 2001, Kate DiNozzo's apartment, Washington D.C
As they walked into her apartment, Kate removed her thin coat and threw it over a chair. Tony removed his cap and placed it on the table along with his car keys. "I can't believe she's gone" said Tony as Kate turned on the coffee machine.
"Were the 2 of you close?" Kate asked him.
"She was my friend" said Tony. "Back in Quebec, she was bound and determined to find out why I've been with The Unit for so long" said Tony as he took a seat at Kate's kitchen table.
"Was she successful?" Kate asked as she poured their cups of coffee. Kate's with cream and sugar and Tony's, black and strong.
"Nope" said Tony as Kate handed him his coffee. Kate smiled as she sipped her coffee contently. "This must be horrible for EJ. He's lost the love of his life twice now" said Tony. "I pray to god that will never happen to me" he said as he took a sip.
"You seem to be taking this really hard, for someone who was just a friend" said Kate.
"It's different in the Unit, I thought you of all people would understand that" he retorted.
"Why? Just because I was a stay at home wife for 16 years?" she shot back.
"If I recall, that was your choice, not mine" said Tony.
"Oh really, Mr. 2 Sport All-American" Kate said.
"I would have dropped everything I a second had you just asked" Tony assured her.
"Bullshit" Kate yelled at him.
"Hey, I was supportive and behind you 110% when you joined The Secret Service" Tony said.
"So? Your job with the Unit always came first and foremost" Kate snapped. "Before she married Chester, I remember telling Meg 'never ask him to choose between you and the Unit, because you won't like the answer'" Kate recalled. "I guess I never asked myself that question about you" she snapped coldly. Tony gulped done the remainder of his coffee and stood up. He walked out of the kitchen, towards the front door. "Where do you think you're going?" she yelled after him.
"Home" Tony replied as he put his officer's cap on his head, adjusting it properly. He picked up his car keys and walked out the door.
1510 hours, 27 April 2001, DiNozzo Residence, Base Housing, Fort Bragg, North Carolina.
The convenient part about driving over 85 miles an hour down I-95 is that you turn the 324.3 mile trip from D.C to Bragg from a 5 and half hours down to just under 4. Three and Liat DiNozzo had left shortly after the funeral broke up and Three had driven at approximately 90 miles an hour until they reached home. Unlike how it was for some of the other Unit Members, both Three and Liat had grown up around death. Three could recall back when The Bravo Team was all but wiped out during the mid-90's. That went double for Liat, who had lived most of her life in Israel, before and after being adopted by Tony. That is what set them apart from some of the other members of the Unit. They were the children of Lieutenant Colonel Anthony DiNozzo Jr., who was simply known as "The Movie Buff" and/or "The Riviere-du-Loup shooter" to The Mossad and various other foreign intelligence services around the world.
It was that fact, that he was The "Movie Buff" that Tony kept as his most deeply guarded secret. It wasn't because he feared for his own life, but it was because he feared for the safety and well-being of his family. Both Three and Liat understood this, unfortunately their mother did not. "Imma hates me" Liat blurted out, using the Hebrew word for Mother, as they sat in their father's living room.
"Where did that come from?" Three said, shocked.
"She hates me because I remind her of what our Abba does" Liat said with a tear in her eye.
"What do you mean?" Three asked, wanting clarification.
"If Abba wasn't in the Unit, he never would have met me, and therefore could never have adopted me. She hates me, because she hates what he does for a living" she said bluntly.
"Our Mother doesn't hate you, you're her daughter, and you are my sister" Three said trying to comfort her. Liat just shook her head as she leaned back into the couch she was sitting on. Three stood up from the arm chair he was sitting in and walked over to her. He squatted down in front of her and took each of her hands in his own. "Hey" he whispered to her. "Your my big sister, not only that but your also my best friend. I need you to be strong, ok" he whispered to her as he leaned in and gave her a kiss on the forehead. Then he pulled her into a tight hug, which Liat gladly and lovingly reciprocated.
"You're the best little brother a girl could ask for, ya know that?" she said as she gave him a kiss on the cheek.
"Come on, let's go shooting" suggested Three.
1550 hours, 27 April 2001, Martin Residence, Base Housing, Fort Bragg, North Carolina.
It was nearly 1600 when Chester pulled his black 1997 Dodge Ram pickup into his driveway. He jumped out of the truck and grabbed his bag out of the truck beg. He slung the bag over his shoulder as he fished in his pocket for his keys. After retrieving them he opened the front door and dropped his bag at his feet. Shutting the door behind him he made his way down the hallway to the kitchen where he found his wife Meg cooking dinner. He crept up behind her and slide his arms around her waist. "Hey" said Meg as she leaned back into her husband's arms.
"Hey good looking" said Chester as she place a kiss on the bass of her neck.
"Everything go ok at the funeral?" Meg asked.
"No" said Chester as he let out a deep sigh. He released his arms from around his wife and leaned up his back against the counter next to her.
"What happened?" she asked as she stirred the beef stew she was cooking.
"Your old Partner tried to punch out Colonel Barrett" Chester told her.
"Harm? You've got to be kidding?" she said as she stopped stirring and covered the stew.
"He blames EJ for Jordan's death" Chester said. Meg wiped her hands clean on her apron before she wrapped her hands around Chester's neck.
"Did my illustrious ex-partner manage to do any damage?" Meg asked as she giggled.
"No, Tony and his kids broke it up before any damage was done" Chester told her as he leaned in for a quick kiss. "Can we talk?" Chester asked.
"We are talking" Meg said with a silly smile. Chester gave her a look. "Ok" she conceded. "What do we need to talk about?" she asked.
"Us" Chester said. "Meggy, is this the life you want?" Chester asked.
"What do you mean?" she asked for clarification.
"You gave up a promising career as a JAG Officer to get married to an Army Sergeant and a stay at home mom. You have a Harvard Law Degree, I have Jump Wings and a Ranger Tab. Is this the life you want?" Chester asked her.
"Chester, why are you asking me this?" Meg asked with a tear in her eye.
"Today made me put a lot of things in perspective, ya know. When I married you, I promised to spend the rest of my life trying to make you as happy as you've made me" Chester told her.
"Chester, do you know why I married you?" Meg asked him.
"Because I have a sweet ass?" Chester joked.
"I married you because you are the kind, thoughtful and because I love you. I knew when I accepted your proposal that I wouldn't be living a life of glamour and privilege. I married a man of honor, a man who serves his country. I married a man whom I love with all my heart. And if I could go back and do it all again, I would, every day of the week, and twice on Sunday" she told him with a smile. "And you do have an amazing ass" she told him as she gave him a slap on the ass.
2200 hours, 27 April 2001, Sullivan Residence, Base Housing, Fort Bragg, North Carolina.
"Oh Tony" Bridget moaned as Tony kissed his way down her neck towards her collarbone. He began making a hickey on her neck, her hands began crawling her away under his shirt, over his rock hard abs. With one violent jerk, she ripped the button down shirt from his body, breaking ever button in the process. She gazed at his torso, which looked as if it was chiseled from stone. She gave him a devilish smile as she move to nibble on his ear. Before she realize what was happening, Tony scooped her up in his arms and laid her gently on the bed as he assumed the superior position. Just as she had done with his shirt, Tony ripped the beige Michael Kors blouse from her chest, revealing a black lace bra. A devilish grin appeared on Tony face as he tugged on one of the cups with his teeth, eliciting another moan from Bridget. As Tony quickly removed the bar, Bridget just as quickly pulled off Tony's belt and yanked down his green-gray uniform pants. Tony felt his boxers getting shorter and shorter as he pressed his crotch up against Bridget's. Giving him a gentle shove, Tony fell backwards onto his back and Bridget climbed on top of him. As their bare torsos rubbed up, their tongues fought for control. Tony eventually let her win out. Bridget began leading a trail of kisses down Tony's neck and to his torso. She kissed each of his nipples and she continued down his torso. As she did, Tony sat up and slowly nudged her off the bed to the carpeted floor below. As she slid down his boxers, Bridget dropped down to her knees as she took him in his mouth, both of them moaning with pleasure. When she finished a few minutes later, Tony scooped her up and dropped down onto the bed once again. Bridget quickly slid out of her jeans, only leaving her in her black lace thong, her black stockings, and the matching garter belt. Now it was Tony's turn to lead a trail of kisses down Bridget's body. He stopped and used his tongue to make love to each of her breasts. After he did that, he began making his way down her body towards her core. Slowly, he peeled back her thong. For a few short seconds, Tony's eyes were locked on Bridget's, as she gave him the ok without saying a single word. She moaned his name over and over again as he entered her. Tony quickly silenced the moans as he placed his mouth over hers as their tongues resumed their duel for control. "Tony! Tony! Tony! Tony!" she screamed as she came closer and closer to her climax.
"Tony!" Bridget yelled as she shot up in her bed. She was panting heavily and her nightie was drenched in sweat from the neckline to the bottom hem. After a minute or two, she calmed down. "Damn" she said when she realized it was only a dream. She quickly changed out of her nightie and she decided to take a cold shower. After she finished, she put on a clean set of green undergarments and then a pair of baby blue pajama pants. After that she opened another draw in her dresser looking for a top, and what she saw 1st made her smile. It was an auburn colored t-shirt, with the word "Airborne" written across the chest in bright gold letters. Below it was a printing of The Army Paratrooper wings, wings which Bridget also proudly displayed on her uniform. She was one of only 4 women in the military to have them, Tali, Izzy and Liat being the others. What made the shirt even more special was that it really belonged to Tony. He had given it to her to borrow back when they were in D.C during the Palmer Crisis.
Bridget snatched the shirt from the draw and slipped it on. She slid the door shut and walked over to the arm chair in the corner of the room. On the night stand next to it sat 2 photos. The 1st one was of her and Tony, back when he was made temporary CO of the Unit back after Colonel Colleton was forced out. She had loved working so closely with him. The other picture was her favorite. It was a photo of Tony, in full dress uniform, with his Medal of Honor clasped around his neck. "I Love you Tony" she said to the picture as she pulled it to her chest. As she did that, she also pulled her knees up to her chest as she practically pulled herself into a ball. Yes, she was in love with Tony. Tony was her forbidden fruit, something she couldn't have. Only one other person knew of Bridget's secret love for Tony, but she was unlikely to spill the beans, seeing as how they had just buried her only 11 hours earlier. Yes, Jordan had been able to pick out Bridget's feelings for Tony, but thanks to doctor-patient confidentiality, she had never revealed them to anyone.
Bridget would have given just anything just to spend one night with Tony. Yes, she had been in love with Tony since she had 1st joined the Unit several years earlier. Unfortunately for Bridget, Tony had been and still is far too honorable to cheat on his wife.
Bridget looked over at the clock, it read 2230 hours. With another sigh, she stood up and placed the picture back on the nightstand. She just about to crawl back into bed, when she heard a knock on her front door. Wondering who could be knocking on her door so late at night, she walked over to her corner table and pulled her 45. out of its holster. "Who is it?" she called out.
"A friend" a very familiar voice yelled back. Bridget smiled and placed her gun down on her coffee table. Then, she opened her door to find Tony standing there leaning up against the door frame. He gave her his trademark 1000-watt DiNozzo grin, making Bridget blush bright red.
"Come in" she said as she turned away so he could she her face. Tony stopped leaning on the doorframe and walked inside, closing the door behind him. His uniform jacket was open, his tie had been loosened and he wasn't wearing his cap. "You do know its past 2230 right?" Bridget said as she took a seat on her love seat. She patted the cushion next to her, signaling for him to sit down next to her. Tony happily obliged. He sat down next to her and handed Bridget a bottle. "Calvados" she read aloud from the label. "The finest apple jack brandy in the world" she commented. "I thought you didn't drink this 'froggie shit' according to you" Bridget said.
"I don't, this batch ain't exactly what you would call legal" Tony said with a grin.
"Which means it was brewed up in Lucien Galtier's barn" concluded.
"Exactly" said Tony as he took the bottle from her hand and opened it. He took a swig and proceeded to pass the bottle to Bridget, who took a swig herself.
"Smooth" she commented as she coughed a couple of times. Tony laughed at her, causing Bridget to smack his arm. "Think EJ with be ok?" she asked.
"Eventually, I'm sure, but right now, probably not. He just lost the women that he love for the 2nd time in his life" Tony said as he took off his jacket and threw it over to Bridget's couch, his tie followed a few seconds later. They both took a few more swigs of the Calvados.
"So how's your Mom?" Bridget asked.
"Which one? My 'Mom' or my current step-mother?" Tony asked for clarification.
"Your Mom… Olivia" Bridget clarified.
"She's ok I guess, she misses my dad a whole lot though" Tony said.
"She still in Bensonhurst?" Bridget asked, referring to the Bensonhurst district of Brooklyn.
"Yep" Tony replied as he took another swig.
"And how's your kid Brother?" she asked.
"Again, which one?" Tony asked with a smile.
"The not spoiled brat one" she clarified.
"Ok, well that eliminates Morgan, but still leaves Michael and Dante" he said.
"Olivia's son" She said.
"Dante" Tony told her. "And he's doing good, little bastard will be 16 come June" Tony said with a laugh. They passed the bottle back and forth a few more times as the discussed each other's families. Finally, Tony took the bottle from Bridget. When Tony put the bottle on the coffee table, he saw Bridget's 45 resting there. "Hey Brig, why is your 45 out of its holster?" he asked her.
"Because I wondered who the hell would be knocking on my door at 2230. I had no idea it would be a wild stallion" said Bridget as she watched Tony pick up her gun. As he did, his hand started to shake a little. "How long are you planning on hiding it?" she asked him.
"Hiding what?" he countered. Bridget reached forward and took the gun from his hand, placing it back on the table. Bridget took each of Tony's hands in hers, "Tony you have nerve damage" she said urgently.
"So" said Tony. "If I tell EJ, he'll have me benched before I can say "apple jack" Tony said urgently. "I can still do my job Brig" he assured her. Bridget pushed Tony's hands together and interlaced his fingers with her own. Then she lifted up their conjoined hands and placed a kiss to his knuckles. She kissed each of the scares that lay on his hands from years of fighting.
"You can't keep hiding this forever" she pleaded.
"I can, and I will. Not even Kate knows about this, but then again, how could see, when I only see once every few months" Tony complained.
"You'll always have me" Bridget said.
"I know, my sweet Georgia Peach" Tony said as he placed a kiss on her cheek. Only Tony knew that Bridget was originally from Georgia, not Texas, where she grew up.
I love you Tony Bridget thought as she pulled Tony into a tight hug.
0605 hours, 28 April 2001, Unit locker room, Unit Compound, Fort Bragg, North Carolina
When Tony, Tali and Chester walked into the locker room the next morning, they were pissed off at what they saw. "Hey! Who the fuck trashed our bar?" Chester yelled as he hoped over the bar. "Must have been one hell of a fight" he commented as he checked the stash of alcohol behind the bar. While Chester did that, Tony and Tali checked out the rest of a locker room.
"Chester! Tali!" Tony yelled. Both of them rushed over. What they found what was an unconscious Izzy who had been thrown through the now broken table. "Izzy, Izzy!" Tony said as he shook Izzy's arm. Then he noticed something on Izzy's face.
"She's unconscious" Chester pointed out.
"Thank you Captain Obvious" Tony retorted. "Ok, Ironman, we're gonna get her to the hospital" he ordered Chester. "Tali, wake up Dragnet, Phantom and Shark Bait. Me us at the hospital. Izzy's gonna need a security detail" Tony ordered.
"On it" said Tali as she hurried out. Tony quickly scooped up Izzy into his arms and as he and Chester rushed out of the locker room and out of the building to where Chester's truck was parked. As Chester got in the driver's seat and started the engine, Tony laid Izzy down in the truck bed and then hopped in next to her.
"Punch it bro!" Tony yelled. Chester put his foot to the floor and the truck took off towards the base hospital.
0620 hours, 28 April 2001, Fort Bragg Hospital, Fort Bragg, North Carolina
The hallway was quiet as Chester and Tony waited silently for Dr. O'Doull to finish his examination of Izzy, who remained unconscious. The silence was broken after a few minutes when Tali arrived with Izzy's security detail, all of them dressed in black commando fatigues. "Dragnet, I want you outside the door, and I want Phantom and Shark Bait at each end of the corridor" Tali ordered. "Any news?" Tali asked as she leaned up against the wall next to Tony.
"Nothing yell, Doc O'Doull is still examining her" Tony said.
"You saw something didn't you?" Tali asked. "On Izzy's face" she added.
"Maybe, but I'm not sure it'll be anything useful" he replied. "Have you notified EJ?" he asked, trying to change the subject.
"Yes, Colonel Barrett is on his way" Tali replied.
"Correction, Colonel Barrett is here" said Colonel Barrett as he walked up. The Unit Commander was dressed in a gray green "members-only" jacket, on top of a green Air Cav t-shirt and desert camo fatigue pants with his tan Ranger beret.
"Colonel" both Tali and Tony said at the same time.
"Any news?" Barrett asked.
"Nope" Tali and Tony said, once again at the same time.
"Do either of you have any idea how whoever did this slipped through Security?" Barrett asked.
"Not a clue Colonel" Tony said grimly.
"We haven't been able to find anything on how this asshole got on and off the base" Tali said.
"Who do you have working on it?" asked Colonel Barrett.
"Sky Train and Princess" Tony said, using the call signs of his 2 children, Three and Liat.
"Good, very good" Barrett replied.
"Hey, has anyone notified Billy? He is her partner after all" Chester pointed out.
"I'll do it" said Tali as she reached for her phone.
"No, leave Hitman out of this" Barrett ordered.
"What?" Tony demanded. "We have to tell Billy" Tony said.
"No we do not" Barrett repeated, and that's and order. I don't need him going off all halfcocked before we have all the answers" Barrett said. "Now, If you'll excuse me, I have to car Izzy's father" Barrett said as he walked away. As Tony and Tali walked away, Dr. O'Doull exited the examination room.
"What's the news doc?" Tony asked as he and Tali walked up to the good doctor.
"She took quite the pounding. She's gonna have some pretty bad bruising, and I think she has a couple of cracked ribs. I'm sending her in for x-rays now" said Dr. O'Doull. "Oh, and Colonel DiNozzo" he added as he reached into the breast pocket of his white lab coat. "Here's that thing we discussed" he said as he handed him a piece of paper. As Tony examined it, the doctor walked away and Tali came over.
"What is it?" she asked.
"I'm bloody imprint taken off Izzy's face. The person that did this to her was wearing a ring, and the ring left a bloody imprint on her right cheek" Tony said as he examined the picture.
"Well, can you make out anything?" Tali pestered.
"Oh my God, it's an Academy ring" Tony said.
"West Point?" Tali asked.
"Yep" said Tony. Tony help up the imprint to the light, where the words "West Point Class of" were clearly visible. "I can't make out the year" Tony said.
"Let me see it" Tali said as she held out her hand. Tony reluctantly handed it to her. Tali walked over to a nurse's cart and grabbed a water bottle.
"What the hell are you doing?" Tony asked as he watched Tali hold the bottle of water up against her eye like a magnifying glass.
"I saw this in a movie once" Tali said as she moved the piece of paper around.
"Isn't that supposed to be Tony's line" joked Chester, who was also watching. Tony quickly gave him a hard head slap to the back of the head.
"Shut it Chester" Tony ordered.
"Right Top" Chester replied as he rubbed the back of his head.
"Anything yet Tals?" Tony asked.
"19 something" she said as she lowered the water bottle from her face. "It's 19 something, I'm having trouble reading the rest" she said.
"Come on Tals, whoever did this to Izzy was wearing that ring" Tony said. Seeing that Tali was in need of more encouragement, Tony placed his hand on her shoulder. "Come on Tals, you're my partner, you can do this" he said trying to motivate her. Tali put the water bottle back up to her face and tried once again.
"19, 19" she repeated as she twister the water bottle. "1996" she finally declared. "West Point Class of 1996" she said. A half second after she said it, the paper and water bottle fell from her hands and all the color ran from her face when she realized what it meant.
"Oh my God!" Tony said as fell back into the wall.
"That's impossible" Chester said.
"What does that mean?" asked Deeks, who was standing guard in front of the door to Izzy's room.
"We thought that whoever did this to Izzy had somehow slipped by our security and surveillance systems. They didn't need to, because I was one of us" said Tony.
"Who?" Deeks asked. "Who graduated from The Point in 96'" he asked.
"Billy" Tony said ominously. "Ok, listen up" Tony yelled. "Ironman, you stay here, you're in charge of Izzy's security. Anyone you don't know tries to enter that room, shoot em" Tony ordered. "Freedom! You're with me" Tony said as he began walking away.
"Where we going T?" Tali asked.
"We're going to go get the Hitman" he said using Billy Hazard's call sign. "Dead… or alive"
A/N- PLEASE REVIEW!