Dedication: This is dedicated to my friend Kyle, he'll be gone two years in June and I still miss him. He's looking down and smiling as I write this, I miss you, Kyle!
"Home is the place where,
when you have to go there,
They have to take you in."
Robert Frost - The Death of the Hired Man.
The phone rang, once, twice, three times, Buffy reached over her husbands
sleeping form to answer it. "Hello" she answered sleepily into the
reciever.
"Buffy, so sorry to wake you." A familiar voice came over the line, sitting
up in the bed, she asked "Giles?"
"Umm, yes, it's me. I, um, we, the council needs your help." He told her
nervously.
"What's wrong? The new slayer, she's not..." She asked wide awake now.
"Goodness, no, Kayla is fine. We are having your normal hellmouth problems
times three and we need some extra slayer power." He explained, then
hesitantly he added "You will help? Kayla is much too inexperienced to
tackle this alone." He hated to guilt Buffy, but he desperately needed her
help.
"Of course, I'll help. Thank goodness it's summer time, so I don't have to
worry about my job, great thing about teaching, summers off. I'll talk to
Kyle and see if he can come too."
"Wonderful, I'll talk to you tomorrow." Giles frowned slightly as he hung
up the phone.
* * *
Giles turned to the dark man sitting on his couch. "She's coming." He said
with a sigh.
"I knew she would." Angel said with a pained smile.
"You should have let me tell her the whole story. I hate keeping things
from her. Even if she's not the active slayer anymore, I love her like a
daughter." Giles said tersely as he went to heat the kettle. It was going
to be a long night.
Angel entered the kitchen sighing heavily. "Giles, Buffy is a happily
married woman now, she's not the Slayer, she has a life now, a good one,
and as much as I hate to admit it, I like Kyle, he's perfect for her, well
balanced, grounded guy. So, telling her that her ex vampire lover is dying
is not going to bode well. I have to help Kayla with this vampire
explosion, because we both know I won't be around forever...now, thanks to
a dose of poison in my bagged blood. Having 250 years worth of enemies can
be a real bitch. I...we need Buffy's help, and she needs to concentrate on
helping Kayla, not worrying about me." Angel finished and sat down at the
dining table, taking the cup that Giles offered him.
"Angel, I can't tell you how sorry I am about this situation." Giles told
him as he patted his shoulder and sat down across from him. Looking over
the steam rising from his cup he spoke "Let's plan our strategy."
* * *
Buffy finished dressing as she heard Kyle getting out of the shower. He
toweled his hair dry and met her for a kiss. "Good morning" She whispered
between kisses.
"Kyle, I need to talk to you. I've got to go to home, to Sunnydale, Giles
and Kayla need me. Do you think you can go with me?" She asked biting her
bottom lip, hoping this wasn't going to upset his too badly.
He looked at her worriedly. Kyle knew a portion of her Slayer history and
it made him uncomfortable, he loved her far too much to think about the
dangerous life she had led before him. At 28 years old, Kyle knew what he
wanted in life, to be with one Buffy Anne Summers Weldon as long as
possible, and her old life resurging scared him. He thought for a moment
then swallowed his fear, "Sure, I'll come with you. I'm not teaching summer
classes this year, so we have all kinds of time. How dangerous is this
going to be?"
"Giles says hellmouth activity has tripled, I guess he, Angel and Kayla
need some help." She answered him lightly.
"So how dangerous is this?" he repeated the question.
"I'm sure it will be under control in no time." She smiled and patted his
shoulder, then went to get the suitcases from the closet. be anyway >
Kyle went to help Buffy pack. They had not been to
Sunnydale since they had been married, although Buffy still had close ties
there. Her mother had moved back to LA after Buffy was retired as the
slayer. The council had retired her four years ago at 23, she had served
for many more years then any other slayer - seven years. Of course there
was a stipulation, they could ask for her help if ever needed. She had
agreed, moved to LA, where she found a teaching job, she had met Kyle soon
there after. After much persuasion and help from Keats and Byron, the
literature teacher had persuaded her to go out. He could tell she had been
hurt in the past, but felt she was worth the effort, he knew he had made
the right call now as he watched her packing. Three years of marriage and
he still felt like a newleywed.
Buffy smiled as Kyle packed beside her, his longish brown hair formed soft
ringlets at the nape of his neck. Bright blue eyes smiled back at her. She
smiled to herself, wondering how she had gotten so lucky. She remembered
all too well, a time when luck was not with her on the romantic front. She
pushed away memories of Angel, knowing she would be seeing him soon, he had
made it his goal in life to help the Slayer, whoever she may be. This must
be bigger then what Giles was telling, if he and Angel couldn't handle it.
She could wait just a little bit long to confirm her secret and give Kyle
the news. She was nervous and excited, she was going home, or the place she
always thought of as home.
"All ready to go?" He asked interrupting her thoughts.
"Um, yeah, but I've got to call Giles."
"I'll put the bags in the car, you call."
Giles answered the phone on the first ring. "Buffy, so glad to hear from
you. You'll be here in a few hours, good, we'll meet at my place. Thank
you, Buffy."
He hung up the phone and picked it up to dial Angels number, then Willow's.
* * *
Willow Rosenberg sat down by Oz on the couch, their children played in the
livingroom floor. She had kept her maiden name, and was now Dr. Rosenberg,
she and Oz had married while still in college, they had two children,
Kelsey age four and Ian age two. "Who was on the phone?" He asked her
smiling at the children playing with the brightly colored waffle blocks
that were all over the floor.
"Giles, Buffy and Kyle are coming in just a few hours. We're meeting over
at his place at Sunset. Can you keep the kids?"
"Of course, are you going to tell Buffy about the poison, about Angel?"
"I swore to Angel that I wouldn't. I'm still hoping to find an antidote,
but I realize time is running out. He gets weaker every day, but I must
abide by his wishes. Patient confidentiality."
"Willow, I try not interfere with your decisions, but sometimes don't you
think that confidentiality should be forgotten, this is your best friend."
"Oz, Angel is my friend too." She said sadly as she moved closer to him, he
put a gentle arm around her and kissed her hair.
* * *
Buffy and Kyle got settled into a hotel quickly, Giles had offered them a
place to stay, but she felt Kyle would be more comfortable at a hotel. He
knew and liked her friends but had not really spent a lot of time with
them. They had all been at the wedding of course, and they had spent
weekends in LA over the last couple of years. He thought Willow and Oz were
wonderful, Xander and his wife Megan were very nice, but they wouldn't be
here, he had been transferred to Texas. Cordelia was in LA with them, they
saw her irregularly, she was always busy. Giles was a great guy, more like
Buffy's father then her actual father. And Angel was...he was a source of
apprehension, Kyle knew that he had been involved with Buffy and there had
been a bad breakup, but he got the feeling that Angel still loved wife. The
way he looked at her during the wedding. Although he was never anything
less then a gentleman when they were together, Kyle was weary of him, but
he admitted he did admire him for helping Giles and Kayla. And he was
probably in his debt for protecting Buffy during her slayer days.
"Let's go, it's almost sunset." Buffy told Kyle as she pulled on a light
sweater and went to the door. "Willow wants us to come for dinner after we
meet. Okay? I talked to her earlier. She's got rounds in the morning at the
hospital, but then she's off for a couple of days."
"Sure, I like Willow. It will be nice to see her and Oz, too." He agreed
happily. They locked the motel room and drove to Giles, they of course had
to drive by the house on Revello Drive. It held so many memories, good and
bad for her. Buffy looked up at the window of what had been her room, she
smiled at some forgotten memory, Angel on her bed holding Mr. Gordo, she,
Willow and Xander watching the indian channel on cable. She looked at the
wonderful man next to her, she loved him, it was funny she thought she
would never love again after Angel, and along comes this funny, sensitive,
poetry spouting man who had more patience then she deserved. And he loved
her, she knew it, she could sense it in his every look and caress. She
sighed happily and leaned up against him as they pulled up to Giles
apartment, he looked down at her and smiled as he placed a gentle kiss on
the top of her head. He opened the car door for her and they made their way
to the door.
Giles was waiting eagerly. He shook Kyle's hand and gave Buffy a huge hug.
She smiled as she saw Willow sitting on the couch next to Angel and Kayla.
Willow was up in a second, she hugged Buffy tightly, smiling she pulled
Kyle into the embrace. They said their hello's and then it was Angel's turn
he stood up slowly. Buffy could have sworn he looked tired, worn. it's all the extra work lately > She smiled up at him and leaned into his
hug, he held her briefly then let go. "Hello, Kyle." he said warmly and
extended his hand.
Kyle accepted the handshake and spoke just as warmly "Nice to see you,
Angel"
The new Slayer was Kayla, a charming red head of 17, she was just as fiery
as Buffy had been. She had been the slayer for a year. She had been the
second Slayer called since Buffy's retirement. She stood up and Buffy gave
her a hug, "How's the slaying?" She asked in a teasing voice. Giles had
brought Kayla to LA for a visit and some advice from Buffy.
"It's been tedious lately. All work and no play" she sighed and Giles
rolled his eyes heavenward. Angel let out a small chuckle as he ran a hand
over the slayers head. Buffy could tell he cared for, not like he had cared
for Buffy, but in a brotherly fashion.
"Well, hopefully I can help." Buffy said cheerfully as she sat next to
Kyle. She put her hand over his and clasped it tightly. Angel noticed the
small intimacy and winced inside. what counts. He can give everything I couldn't >
Giles brought in tea for everyone,except Kayla. We should probably start
patroling tomorrow night. The activity has greatly increased, and there are
several fledgings being made, as if they were trying to gather in numbers
for some reason. If we can get these extras under control then maybe you
can get back to LA, Buffy.
"Why don't we start tonight? Why put it off?" She asked curiously.
"Oh, I assumed you would be too tired tonight. But if you want to start
right away it would be wonderful. Willow is of course doing research and
Kayla and I will hit one side of town, if you and Angel can do the other
side."
Kyle looked around uncomfortably, he wasn't sure where he fit in here.
Willow smiled at him, "You can research with me, Kyle, I need the extra
eyes, since Oz is with the kids." Buffy smiled a thankful smile at her
friend. Willow nodded back.
Kyle looked down at Buffy. "Is that what you want me to do? Help Willow?"
He asked her softly.
"I think it would be best, maybe tomorrow night I can show you the joys of
slaying up close and personal" She winked at him as he grasped her hand
more tightly, whispering "Be careful"
Giles brought out a bag of supplies for Buffy. She and Angel decided to go
by the High School and take that side of town. Willow gathered up her
paperwork and got the key to the library, "Come on, Kyle. We'll go as far
as the high school with Buffy and Angel."
Kyle looked a little unsure. Buffy just smiled at him reassuringly and took
his hand. "We'll drive to the high school and then Angel and I will walk
from there."
Willow looked at Angel "Come on, Angel. You can ride with me." He followed
her to her car. Buffy waved her thanks at Willow once again, thankful for
her insightful friend.
Buffy and Kyle got into the car. He was quiet as he started the engine.
Buffy picked up quickly on his insecurity. "Kyle, are you okay?"
"Yeah, it's just that you take to this patrolling as if it's completely
natural. Until I met you, Buffy, I didn't think that all of those things
that go bump in the night actually existed. It will just take me a little
while to adjust, and you going off with Angel isn't exactly my favorite
scenario!" He tried to joke, but she could see that he was serious.
"I'm going to patrol with Angel, walk around, stake vampires, probably
visit the sewers. I'm going back to the hotel room with *you*, I'm going to
shower and crawl into bed with *you.*" She stated matter of factly, then
her soft lips found his, trying to reassure him that it was him that she
loved. He held her close for a moment.
"Okay, but you do promise you'll shower after being in the sewers, right?"
She punched him lightly on the arm. "Okay, former Slayer of Vampires, which
way to the school?"
* * *
"I don't think he likes me much" Angel told Willow on the drive over.
"I don't think he knows you, Angel. And anyway, he has reason to be leery
of you, your his wifes first love. Kyle's a good guy. I think you know
that." Willow said with a smile. Then on a serious note she asked "How are
you feeling?"
"I'm dying, Dr. Rosenberg, your diagnosis. How should I feel?" He told her
his voice barely containing his bitterness.
"Angel, I...I wish it could be different." Willow said softly near tears
for her friend. "I think you should tell Buffy."
"NO! I mean it Willow, you tell her and I will run so far away, no one will
ever find me, I'll just be a pile of dust somewhere when the time comes."
"Okay, okay, calm down." Willow said as she pulled into the schools parking
lot.
"I'm sorry, Willow. It's just that I don't want to worry Buffy."
* * *
Buffy and Kyle pulled into the school parking lot moments after Willow and
Angel arrived. After giving Buffy a hug and wishing her luck, Kyle somewhat
reluctantly followed Willow into the library. Angel and Buffy started out
on patrol. "Restfield Cemetary first?" Buffy asked as they headed down the
street.
"Yeah, it's the closest. Hope Willow and Kyle can find some clue for all
this extra activity." He answered. He glanced sideways at her, smiling at
her natural grace and beauty, she was still beautiful.
They had not been in the cemetary for very long when they heard a clatter
inside the mausoleum. Angel motioned for Buffy to follow him in, they burst
in on three vamps, trying to break into a casket. Angel took the largest
and Buffy easily went into action, quickly disposing of the other two, she
looked around to find Angel sitting down on the floor. "Are you okay,
Angel? You look wiped out." She asked as she helped him up, her voice full
of compassion.
"I'm fine, just tired, been patrolling hard now, for a couple of weeks." He
explained briskly.
"You should have called me earlier."
"I...we didn't want to bother you."
"It's not a bother if you need me."
"Well, face it, Buffy. You have a life off the hellmouth now. I hate
dragging you back here into it. I don't think your husband likes it either.
And I don't blame him, I wouldn't want my wife off slaying demons either."
"Kyle understands. He knows I have to do this."
"He is a good guy, Buffy. I don't know him well, but I can tell." Angel
said hoarsely. "Lets look in this casket , they obviously were interested
in it's contents."
Buffy helped him push the heavy lid open. "Ah, theres a book in here."
Buffy removed the dust covered book, smiling at Angel. "Maybe, Giles will
know what this is."
They took one more look around the crypt then headed back to the library
with the book.
* * *
Kyle looked at the large stack of books that Willow had placed on the
table. It was kind of overwhelming. He reached for a book and started
looking through it, not sure what he was looking for. He looked around the
library, "Willow, what was it
like then? When Buffy was the slayer?"
"It was scary, and exciting and sad and wonderful all at the same time. We
were the slayerettes to Buffy the Vampire Slayer. At first, it was just
Xander and me, and of course back then Angel just came and gave a cryptic
remark or too and left. Then Cordelia joined the group and Angel became
more active after Buffy killed the Master. He and Buffy were more open
about..." Willow's voice trailed, she didn't know how much Kyle knew about
Buffy and Angel.
"More open about their relationship?" Kyle offered.
"Uh huh."
"Willow, I know they were in love and that it ended badly."
"That, it did" Willow agreed with a nod.
"Willow, I also know that she loves me,now. I may feel some anxiety over
Angel, but I know that Buffy loves me. I am secure in that" He told her
reassuringly. "Now what am I looking for in these books, this one seems to
be about beets."
"I've read that one, several times." Willow laughed softly. "You are so
right, Kyle. Buffy does love you. And I for one am glad she found someone
who cares so much for her."
"It's an easy job." He said softly as she returned to the book.
* * *
Buffy and Angel got back to the library with no problems. Buffy smiled when
she saw Kyle. Angel noticed that her face lit up when she looked at her
husband, for some reason that made him happy.
"Learning anything?" Buffy asked as she gave Kyle a soft kiss on the cheek.
"Lots about beets."
"Oh, we've read that one." Angel and Buffy said together and laughed.
"Did you find anything?" Willow asked from the stacks.
"A book, maybe you can figure it out." Angel told her as she appeared at
the table. He handed her the dusty book.
"I'll take it home, I've got to get to the hospital early tomorrow. Do you
want a ride home, Angel?" She was worried about him.
"Sure, I guess we'll see you tomorrow night?" He asked Buffy and Kyle as he
followed Willow to the door.
"Yeah, we'll be here. Willow, I may come see you in action at the hospital
tomorrow,ok?" Buffy asked.
"Yeah, that would be nice. Goodnight."
"Goodnight." Buffy and Kyle said in unison.
"Let's get something quick to eat and get to the hotel." Buffy told Kyle as
he got up from the table.
Kyle got them both burgers and fries and they drove back to their room. As
he unlocked the door he noticed how tired she looked. "Are you okay?" He
asked concern in his voice.
"Yes, I'm fine, I just haven't done this for awhile. It's almost as
exhausting as trying to teach 15 year olds to appreciate art." She joked.
Once in the room, Kyle went to the bathroom and started a hot bath for her.
Adding plenty of bubbles, he called her in. "Come get in before the water
gets cold."
Buffy undressed and slid into the relaxing water. "You're too good too me"
She said as she closed her eyes and leaned back.
After a nice soak in the tub, he handed her a towel and her robe. He went
to turn the bed down and waited for her. She crawled in next to him and
curled up close. His arm went around her and she was soon peacefully
sleeping.
The next morning Buffy woke early. She untangled herself from Kyles warm
embrace and got dressed quickly. He stirred and looked up at her. "I'm
going to the hospital to see Willow. Okay? I won't be long. Stay in bed
awhile!"
Buffy found Willow's small office on the lower floor of the hospital. She
helped run a clinic there. "Dr. Rosenberg?" She asked as she entered the
room. Willow looked up from a chart and smiled. "Buffy."
"So this is where you work. It's nice, I'm so proud of you, Will. I need to
ask a professional favor." Buffy said softly.
"What do you need? Are you okay?" Willow asked concerned.
"I'm more then six weeks late, and I think I might be..."
"Pregnant!" Willow finished the sentence for her.
"Um...yeah." Buffy smiled a nervous smile, "Do I need to pee in a cup?"
"No, we'll draw some blood, if it's positive we'll do a quantative, so we
can tell how far along you are."
"I'm not fond of needles, Will. Can't I just do the pee thing?" Buffy asked
unsurely.
"It won't hurt a bit and we can measure the amount of HCG in your serum if
we do a blood test. Urine will say yea or nay, blood can give me a quantity
of HCG so I can give you dates. When you get pregnant your body releases
human chorionic gonadtropin, and it increases so much at a time, so we can
measure the amount and give you an approximate value of how far along you
are." Willow explained.
Buffy shook her head "Whatever you say, your the Doctor."
Willow took her to the exam room, where she drew two tubes of blood. "Why
two tubes?" Buffy asked her suspiciously.
"One for the pregnancy test and the other for a routing CBC, just to check
on anemia."
"How long is this going to take?" Buffy was impatient as ever.
"I'm taking th blood to the lab now, this tube has to clot and then be spun
down, then the pregnancy test takes about 5 minutes, if it's positive, the
quantatative will take about 20 mins. The CBC will be done in about 5
minutes. I'll be right back."
Buffy looked at the pictures of Willow's children that sat on her desk.
Willow had looked so cute pregnant. And she was a great mom. Buffy bit her
bottom lip, she hoped she would be a good mom, she knew Kyle would make a
great Dad.
Willow came back with reports in her hand and a huge smile on her face.
"Congratulations! You are going to be a mommy!"
"I am?" Buffy said excitedly.
"Yes you are, and we'll know when in another few minutes. Does Kyle know
you suspected anything?"
"No, I didn't mention it to him. And I'm not going to until we get this
vamp business taken care of. He won't let me stay, if he knows." Buffy told
her with a sigh.
"Buffy, are you sure? I mean he loves you as much as Ang... I can tell he
loves you alot, he's gonna be so happy!"
The phone rang, Willow picked it up "Yes, thank you." She hung up the
phone. "Mrs. Weldon, you are approximately 8 to 10 weeks pregnant. Let's do
an ultrasound!" Willow said excitedly.
"Relax, Buffy." Willow instructed her friend.
"Willow, you made me drink three glasses of water. It's hard to relax, when
you feel like you are going to pop." Buffy complained good naturedly.
"You had to fill your bladder so it would raise the womb and I can get a
better look. Cold and wet" Willow told her as she put the jelly on her
tummy,as she moved the wand around she showed Buffy her baby on the screen,
"See the little hand and thats the heartbeat."
Buffy stared at the screen in awe. That baby was inside of her. Kyle was
going to be ecstatic!
Willow helped Buffy down off the table. She got dressed and hugged Willow
whispering in her ear "Thanks". Willow handed her the black and white photo
from the ultrasound, "Don't forget this, the baby's first picture. And
remember dinner at my place tonight, 6pm."
Buffy nodded and headed back to the hotel. Kyle was in the shower, she let
herself in and debated with herself to tell or not to tell. He came out
smiling at her, he put on his clothes, "Want to get some breakfast?"
"Yeah, I'm really hungry, let's go to the restaurant in the lobby." He took
her hand and led her out.
* * *
The phone rang in the hotel room rang as they tried to leave. "Buffy" Giles
voice came over the line, I got the book from Willow that you and Angel
found. I thinkI know what's going on we can all meet at the library about 8
if that's okay with you" Buffy agreed and hung up the phone. She and Kyle
went to the restaurant, Buffy ordered a huge breakfast, Kyle laughed as he
watched her eat. They went downtown to her Mom's former gallery and Buffy
showed him all of her old hangouts.
They went back to the motel and Buffy took a nap. Kyle watched her sleeping
and once again thanked God for his luck in his finding her. He stroked her
hair and watched some tv. When Buffy awoke it was time to go to Willow's
and then another patrol with Angel.
Buffy and Kyle arrived at Willow's in time to find Oz setting the table and
the two children running around the livingroom. Buffy watched them play and
subconciously put her hand to her tummy. She smiled as Kelsey showed her
the picture she had colored and Ian smiled a sticky smile at her , he had
found a sucker and Willow had just taken it from him.
When everyone was corraled to the dining room they sat down to eat. They
all enjoyed each other s company and Kyle felt comfortable with Willow and
Oz and he decided the kids were great. "They must be a real adventure?" He
asked Willow .
"They are, but worth every minute." She replied smiling at Ian as he fell
asleep in his dinner.
Buffy and Willow cleared the table, while Oz and Kyle cleaned up the kids.
Soon it was time for them to meet Giles and Angel. They said their
goodbyes, Willow said to call if they needed her. Kyle pulled up to the
library and sat for a minute. "What's wrong?" Buffy asked.
"Nothing, it's just this is all so new to me. I just worry about you,
please be careful tonight." He told her softly as he dropped a soft kiss on
her pert little nose.
* * *
Angel and Giles were waiting in the library. "Buffy, Kyle, I'm glad you are
here. I think these vamps are from the circle of Clayus they needed this
book to perform a ritual that will give their leader a power boost. They
also need an amulet to finish the spell, you need to find it, it's probably
in the same crypt.
"Okay, we'll get it now." Buffy told him as she headed for the door. Angel
followed her.
"Be back soon" She told Kyle sweetly.
"Kyle, could you help me with some more research? This probably won't take
them very long?" Giles asked him as he went to start the electric kettle.
Buffy and Angel met no less then five vamps on their way to the cemetary.
Angel was tired and he noticed Buffy kept holding her stomach when she
fought. He was worried about her. "Buffy, are you okay, you keep holding
your stomach. Are you sick?"
"No, no I'm fine." She answered quickly changing the subject "How about
you? Is your age finally catching up with you? You seem to tire easily."
Her teasing masked her concern for him.
"No, I'm fine."
"Okay, lets see if we can get to the cemetary in one piece."
Once at the cemetary, they went back to the mausoleum, a lone vamp was
searching the open crypt. Angel surprised him and he backhanded him hard
against the wall of the mausoleum, running off with an ivory amulet in his
hand. Angel slumped to the ground, Buffy watched as the vamp ran off , she
crouched beside Angel. "What's wrong with you, Angel? This isn't you."
"Nothing, Buffy. Okay nothing is wrong, even one gets away from me
sometimes. We'll find the amulet." He said grumpily.
"Angel, right now I don't care about the amulet. I care about you. What's
wrong, let me help." She said softly as she helped him up.
"No, Buffy. You can't help this time. You have a life, don't worry about
me. Let's go back to the library."
'"Angel, don't you trust me anymore." She asked her voice breaking.
"Of course, I trust you. I said don't worry." He ran his hand through her
hair and hugged her softly.
The walk back was quiet. Giles and Kyle were waiting, Giles thought he had
figured out where the circle of Clayus were holed up. Caves on the outside
of town. They made plans to go the next night. "You know what, I think I
can handle this alone." Angel told them.
"Right, you're not at full power for some reason, Angel, and I'm not
letting you go alone." Buffy said barely containing her anger. Kyle looked
at her uneasily "Let's go to the motel, Buffy."
"Okay, we'll meet at sunset tomorrow. We'll both go, do you understand?"
She looked pointedly at Angel.
"Tomorrow" He replied solemnly.
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