Chapter Twelve

The first rays of sunlight dappled through the trees, warming the morning chill. Kookaburras sang their morning ritual, bringing life to the silent mountains.

Nathan’s arm was anchored around her waist, and trying to move without waking him seemed impossible. Catherine nudged closer to his shoulder, feeling the warmth of his body seep into hers.

She was amazed she was still in one piece—she had actually made it through the night without some creature dragging her off into the darkness. Seconds later, Nathan stirred, and she held her breath.

In all her dreams, she didn’t think her memory would return. Now, she was remembering all the little things, the important things, and she bit on her lip. She also remembered the time Nathan had left without a word, without telling her. A small voice jumped up and tried to give its opinion, warning her of the consequences of a broken heart.

She had already suffered to some extent. She had lost this man once, and almost lost him for a second time. She wasn’t about to lose him, again. He was her rock—a place where she could come to lean on if needed.

“Morning, my beautiful lady.” He kissed her lightly on the forehead.

“Morning.”

“Did you sleep well?”

“Yes, surprisingly.”

“Surprised the monsters of the night didn’t step in? I think they were satisfied with their inspection the previous night.” He chuckled.

“What?”

A mischievous grin spread across his face.

She glanced at her watch.

“Search and Rescue will come find us, and then I can fly Juliet out of here.”

“I’m not going without you. Besides, you have already rescued me in more ways than one.”

“That’s not possible.”

“You heard me, and that’s that. The subject is closed.”

“I won’t leave my aircraft here...You know Juliet comes back home with me.”

“Stubborn and beautiful,” he teased and pulled her back into his arms, coaxing her lips over his. It was a slow, sensual kiss, and she didn’t want him to stop.

A groan escaped his lips.

“Look, see what you’ve done? Will you keep that out of your mind for now?” She jabbed at his shoulder in playful gesture.

“Is that a promise or a threat?”

Shaking her head, she said, “You will have to wait and see. For now, I have to get you back to Juliet, and don’t think for a minute I can hold your weight.”

“I need a stick or something.”

Catherine retrieved a long enough branch from the ground nearby to act as a walking stick.

Nathan used both the branch and Catherine for a prop as he struggled to stand. The contact from his hand on her shoulder turned her stomach warm. Managing to control her delicate emotions, she forced herself to concentrate on getting him safely to the aircraft.

“Here.” She grabbed his right hand and slid it over her shoulder. It was a painstaking task, with his hobbled walk and continual stopping. It would take considerable time to get back to the aircraft.

“You need to wait for the chopper to arrive,” Catherine insisted.

“We can manage.”

“The radio is out of range, and so is my mobile, but if SAR is looking, they could spot Juliet from the sky. If I can find you, why can’t they? I thought they were the rescue party. It’s not as though you’re thousands of kilometers off course.”

“As I said, I’m not going without you.”

She sucked in an irritated breath.

When she finally had him lying down on the back seat of her aircraft, the rise of early morning heat was blistering. Perspiration spilled down her temples, saturating her top. She took a few sips of water. “Do you want a drink?”

“Yes. It’s bloody hot in here.”

“And out there.”

Catherine rubbed a hand over the back of her neck. She knew how hot it was, and she didn’t want either of them to dehydrate.

All she had to achieve now was the perfect take-off. That thought sent raw panic skimming through her veins.

Climbing from the aircraft, she stood beside Juliet, her hands resting on her hips as she analyzed the area. It was certainly a godforsaken mirage of colors, sunburned, and desolate. The mountains seemed to grow around her, acting as an enclosure—a prison—as though insisting they stay there forever. Fat chance of that, she thought.

Even the distant sounds of slithering through the dry undergrowth gave her the creeps, and to think she’d slept in this god-forsaken wilderness. She glanced upward. At least it wasn’t raining, and there were no storms to hinder take off. As she drew in a deep breath, she knew it might not eventuate. After all, she had landed in minimal space. It required a lot more than that to take off. She pushed air through pursed lips.

“Catherine.” She heard Nathan’s call, but at that moment, her mind was gathering information and possibilities. “In a minute.”

Jumping up onto the wing and bending down, she gazed at Nathan in pain. “I can give you some more codeine. It will help with your pain.” A groan replaced his answer.

“That does it.” She unlocked the luggage compartment and retrieved the tablets and some water.

“Here, take these.” She watched him swallow the tablet, satisfied she had done all that she could.

“It’s almost an impossibility to get this aircraft out of here. The area is too short, Catherine.”

“If I can land Juliet here, I’ll get her out. If you want to wait until SAR finds us, I can wait. They can lift you out, but as I said...”

“You already know the answer to that one.”

Stepping back onto the bare earth, she swallowed her words.

She learned to do short field take-offs, but this was ridiculous. Waiting for the rescue team would mean leaving Juliet, and that wasn’t going to happen.

Catherine had her doubts that no one in their right mind, in an aircraft or chopper, would land in such a deep gorge—plateau or no plateau. She was their only hope, and she wasn’t going to let on to Nathan that she was nervous.

Opening the luggage compartment again, she began tossing everything out. That meant blankets, her emergency bag, and anything else that wasn’t tied down. Then, up into the cockpit, she discarded her WAC charts, cushions, and empty drink containers.

“Whoa, hang on. I’m fixed to the aircraft.”

A giggle broke from her lips. “I have to make her lighter.” She discarded everything that wasn’t necessary.

“I’ll be back in a while.”

She walked the length of the plateau, picking up branches or anything else that could interfere with takeoff. Then, she spotted a rather large log to the side of the plateau. It was the same one she’d almost hit when she landed. As she neared it, she knew it had to go.

Bending down, she exerted all her strength in moving it only a few centimeters. She ignored the distant echo of Nathan calling and continued to move the log. Twenty minutes later, she sat on top of it, pleased with her efforts. That should do it. She swiped her hands together.

“I’m back.” She glanced at Nathan and found him sound asleep. She knew the codeine would make him a little drowsy, as it did the previous night, and she was satisfied he was asleep. She didn’t need him giving instructions, especially when her heart would be exposed and riding on her chest until she was well clear of the mountains.

After slipping Nathan’s seat belt around him, she clipped her own into position. Starting the engine, then placing her headset on, she turned the aircraft. Holding onto the brakes, it seemed automatic that she hold her breath as well.

She pushed the throttle forward, giving it full revs. Goose bumps pricked her flesh. Her body tensed as the aircraft bumped across the dry plateau. Using every amount of pressure she could manage, her fingers curled tighter around the control column, but fear suddenly froze her. She slowly moved the throttle back, decreasing the revs, and stared at the mountain ahead.

She stole a glance at Nathan, who remained asleep.

Why did she stop? Why? Self-doubt had clouded her determination, squashed her ability. She sucked back a calming breath and turned the aircraft away from the mountain.

Veering it along the plateau, she was ready for takeoff, knowing she didn’t have only her life to think about, she also had Nathan’s. That thought sent her fretfulness into alarm. She could have counted to 1,000 before she decided to attempt the takeoff one last time. If she didn’t make it this time, she’d wait until Search and Rescue arrived, and she’d fly Juliet out alone.

She gave the aircraft full revs, held onto the brake, and then let go, gaining as much ground speed as she possibly could. She sucked back a breath and held onto it.

The nose of the aircraft lifted, rising steeply into the sky. Her shoulders rose and sank as the aircraft barely missed the mountain. Whooshing out her breath, she belted out at the top of her voice, “Woo hoo!” The aircraft tilted to the side as it swept into the sky.

Adrenaline pulsated through her body as the aircraft steadily ascended.

“What?” Nathan called.

“It’s all free flying.” She grinned and turned briefly to catch his expression of startled surprise.

“I knew you could do it.”

His grating tone didn’t hide the pain he still suffered, but his smile was reassuring.

Catherine put in a call, gave her location, and climbed to 9,500 feet, tracking a direct route to Port Macquarie.

“It seems to me you were born to fly.”

She turned and glanced at him just as a call came over the radio.

“Juliet, Echo, Delta, this is Pol Air, we have a visual. Aircraft needing assistance.”

“Pol Air, Juliet, Echo, Delta. Thanks, guys. The patient is with me. Mister Nathan Alexander,” she said, noticing two Police rescue helicopters on her tail.

“The patient is doing well apart from a severe cut to his left arm, which I taped up as best as I could. We think his ankle is broken as well.”

“Juliet, Echo, Delta, we will accompany you to Port Macquarie. You did an amazing job landing on that plateau.”

“Juliet, Echo, Delta. Thank you, Pol Air.”

“Well, you must be an important man to have the Police send their choppers for you and escort you home.”

“Oh, yes. Big city lawyer, here.” He chuckled.

Big city lawyer or not, he was imperative, and she needed the man. After all, he was a part of her past—a lovely past—and she wanted him in her future. She wanted him as family.

It wasn’t long before the truth rammed home. She could have lost this man, lost him forever. Now, she would do whatever it took to hold onto him. She wanted him as much as she wanted Airways, and she intended to have both. She pulled a quirky face and grinned.

When she landed on Port Macquarie’s sealed airstrip, she taxied toward the hangars and pulled the aircraft to a halt beside Airways, noticing an ambulance was on standby along with a score of unknown faces.

Catherine turned to face Nathan. “You know, one of the helicopters would have been more comfy for you.”

“As I said, I’m not going anywhere without you.”

“I wonder who the stubborn one is?”

“I had a good teacher.”

His eyes spoke so much truth, love, and sincerity. It had been a long time coming, but now Catherine knew he was worth the wait. “How are you feeling?”

“Ankle throbbing like hell, but besides that, I feel great. Why shouldn’t I? I have a very lovely, talented lady who risked her life to save mine. I think that states fate and a whole lot of love.”

One of the ambulance attendants started to approach the aircraft. “I should move out of the way and let them do their job,” she said before climbing from the aircraft. As her feet touched the tarmac, she drew in a composing breath, trying to dissipate the nausea crawling in her stomach.

“Catherine.”

“Yes. Mark, hello.” She shook hands with the young ambulance attendant. He was at the hospital on a number of occasions after her accident.

“How did you get him in there?”

“We had a little difficulty. I think he broke his left ankle, and he has a deep gash on his left arm.” She watched as two other ambulance attendants maneuvered him out of the aircraft and onto a stretcher.

“How are you feeling? It must have been quite an ordeal.”

She sucked in a breath. “It was in a way. Mark...I’ve got my memory back.”

“What, your memory? That’s great news. You’ve been hanging on for so long.”

Catherine glanced around, noticing she wasn’t the only one who had heard him. They hadn’t even known she’d lost it, and now...she cringed as she watched the ambulance attendant wheel Nathan toward her, on their way to the ambulance.

“I’ll follow you to the hospital, okay?” she whispered as he passed by.

He nodded in acknowledgment, and she watched them wheel him away.

“I’ll see you later. Oh, sorry...you must be wrapped up about getting your memory back.”

“I’m coming to terms with many things.” She sent a wistful smile his way.

“I think you should get checked out. Make sure you’re a hundred percent.”

“I will, Mark. Thanks.”

Seconds after Nathan left in the ambulance, cameras hovered and reporters stood in her path.

“Rumor has it you quit flying because of your father’s accident. The area you landed your aircraft in, they say it’s virtually impossible to land any type of aircraft there. Do you have any comment?”

“No comment,” she delivered.

“They say your memory has returned. Do you think you will ever enter another air show?”

“As I said, no comment.”

“What does it feel like to be a real heroine?”

She managed to get through the hangar, past her office, and bolt out the back door without calling attention to herself before slamming into Pete.

“Well, Cat. You had us all worried.” He gave her a cuddle. “You don’t look too well, yourself. How about you go and see your doctor before you race off to the hospital?”

“Yes, I think I need to. After all, he did say if my memory ever returned, I had to see him, and I do have a pounding headache.” She rubbed her forehead with her fingertips.

“Your memory.” He gave her an inquiring look. “Are you really okay?” He slinked one arm around her shoulder and hugged her.

“Yes, Pete. I’m managing.”

“I knew you could do it, Cat. I’m proud of you.”

A grin slipped across her face.

“Come on. I’ll go with you.”

She studied him. “Okay. Then, I guess I wouldn’t mind if you drove as well. Just until I get checked out. It was a trying experience, but I really want to have a shower first.”

“No time for showers. That can come later. I imagine this experience has taken its toll on you, but it’s a miracle you have your memory back.”

“I feel like a new person. I feel like I have some drive in life, something pushing me forward and something worthwhile to live for. It’s going to take some time to fathom.”

“I’m just glad you’re safe.” He opened the passenger door of the car, and then climbed into the driver’s seat.

“Are you sure you don’t mind?”

“Positive. I’ll come in and wait for you in the waiting room. You shouldn’t be alone.”

* * * *

It was the usual waiting time, but considering she didn’t have an appointment, she gathered it would take a while.

“I think you should ring your friend, Ali. She’d want to know you’re here and safe.”

Catherine nodded, feeling the headache not easing but increasing with such a throb, it was making her feel sick. Her right hand settled over her stomach.

“The doc will fix you up. Wait and see...what’s Ali’s number? I’ll give her a ring.”

Pete talked to Ali for a few minutes before hanging up. “Ali said she’s on her way. I’ll take your car back to Mac Air. Lock it up for the night if you want. Then, Ali can drive you home.”

Catherine nodded, feeling drained. She felt as though a world of bombardment slowly drained the last amount of energy she had left in her body.

“Catherine Berg.”

She heard Doctor Curtis’s voice before seeing him move into view. “I heard the news.”

She forced her trembling body to stand and shook her head. “It doesn’t take long for any type of news to get around in this town.”

“Are you okay?”

“I thought I was, but now everything seems to be exploding in my head.”

“Come with me.” He cupped his hand under her elbow and helped her to stand before leading her down a hallway toward his office. “Jennifer, could you please get Catherine a cup of coffee,” he called to one of the receptionists.

Once inside his office, he closed the door, and Catherine slipped into a chair opposite his desk.

“Let’s take a look at your forehead.” He moved her hair out of the way. “This could have been stitched.”

“Yes, I know.”

“Who put the bandage over it?”

“I did.” She twisted her mouth to one side.

“It’s just as well. It could have been a lot worse. I’ll clean it out and redress it. How’s everything else feeling?”

“Besides a headache, I feel completely drained. I have no energy at all.”

“I wonder why. Being stuck in those mountains and stranded for days with probably no sleep. You’ll be okay, but you need to rest. I want you to go home and rest for at least two days. Promise me, or I will have to admit you into the hospital.”

The thought of going back into the hospital horrified her, so she quickly said, “I’ll go home, I promise.” She’d spent enough time in hospitals after her car accident. All the long days, the idle waiting game, and the drawn-out nights would never be an invitation to return.

“Thank you.”

“It was a remarkable thing you did. You saved Nathan Alexander’s life.” He shot Catherine a strange look. “You got your memory back.”

“Yes, when I hit my head.”

“Amazing. I thought it would return, but not in that way. You persevered, Catherine, and that was always a good sign.”

When he cleaned and taped her forehead, he shone a light in her eyes, and performed a complete medical examination. “Well, your blood pressure is normal. Everything appears to be normal. You have a few nasty scratches on those arms, though. I’ll get the nurse to clean them up for you, but you need a good shower.”

“That is something I know.” Her lips tugged upward at the sides. “I wanted to go straight home, but Pete insisted I come and see you.”

“Wise man, Pete.”

Catherine grinned.

“Who’s driving you home?”

“Oh, I think a girlfriend may be waiting.”

Doctor Curtis moved around behind his desk and pressed an intercom button. “Jennifer, can you send in...” He looked up at Catherine. “What’s your girlfriend’s name?”

“Ali Mitchell.”

“Can you send Ali Mitchell in, please?”

“You know there’s no need. I can get a taxi.”

“I can see that even with your memory intact, your stubbornness has never disappeared.”

Catherine grinned as a knock sounded on the door. It swung opened.

“Doctor Curtis. Ali Mitchell is here.” One of the receptionists poked her head around the door.

Ali walked in and ignored the doctor at first. She sank down and slid an arm around Catherine. “Hey, Cat. I’m so glad you’re okay.”

“Don’t worry, Ali. I’m fine. You know me.”

Ali stood and turned to the doctor. “Sorry. Hello, Doctor Curtis.”

“Catherine needs to rest for a few days. Is it possible that you could keep an eye on her?”

“Most definitely.” Ali turned to Catherine. “Looks like doctor’s orders, kiddo.”

* * * *

Catherine learned that Nathan would be in hospital for at least three days. They kept in contact by their mobile phones.

When she appeared at Port Macquarie Base Hospital, she floated through the wide, sliding doors as though she didn’t have a care in the world. She was still amazed she had flown Juliet, and it would take days to sink in, maybe even weeks.

With her memory intact, and the fear of never being able to fly conquered, she thought there wouldn’t be one scenario that would have made her climb back into an aircraft, but she never thought about saving the life of the man she loved. It had been two miracles in one.

She paused when she arrived in front of room number twenty-seven. Realizing dreams do come true, she pushed the door open and noticed Nathan was sitting opposite in a wheelchair.

“Hi. How’s the patient doing?” She walked toward him and noticed his leg was outstretched with his ankle in a plaster cast. She bent down and kissed him on the cheek. It felt good to have him back where he belonged.

“I knew you would fly, again,” he said, his eyes smiling. “Not under the best of circumstances, but nevertheless…I want to thank you.”

“It wasn’t such a big deal. Besides, I couldn’t let anything happen to my partner.”

“If you didn’t turn up, that rescue team might not have found me. It was a bad night, that first night—every second seemed to drag on.”

She imagined it would have been a bad few nights, considering he was in pain without any painkillers to help him through. She cringed at the thought.

She sat on the bed beside him. “I think they would have found you, but I didn’t want to wait for them.” A giggle caught in her throat—a mixture of nerves and doubt.

“I could have been there for days. How did you know I drifted off course?”

Well, she couldn’t tell him she stumbled over him and spoil her heroic qualities. “Um, um…I had a feeling. Just a feeling.”

“I love your feelings…you certainly accomplished something. I’m proud of you, Catherine.”

“Thank you. Thank you for giving me back my wings. If it wasn’t for you, I wouldn’t have my memory intact. I wouldn’t know the feeling of having a past. I wouldn’t remember you, us...”

“You deserve it tenfold. Come here.” He put his arm out beckoning her closer. She moved and crouched beside him.

“I have to smother you with thank you kisses. Did I make any promises in my delirious state?” He smirked. The green in his eyes shimmered with happiness.

“Yes, you made lots of them,” she tilted her head, her lips twisted to one side, and her eyes sparkled. She tried to conjure up something worthwhile for payment. “A life-saving procedure by a heroine would be worth a great deal.” She giggled. “That’s it. You said you would sell your share of Airways to me.”

He frowned with objection. “I don’t think there’s any chance of that. Why would I want to sell?”

“I thought the country life might be too boring for you.” She pointed her chin upward in a teasing fashion.

“I think there’s enough to keep me from getting bored right before my eyes. Don’t forget, I have the project at Deep River. There’s a lot I want to explain. Besides, when we marry, it will be yours in full. It will be ours. I think your father would have wanted it that way.”

She shook her head, not realizing that piece of information. It was true, though. Airways would belong to both of them.

“Would you like to take me home, now?” he whispered. “I mustn’t forget my walking aid. These will be a laugh, trying to play Skippy.

She finally got him into her car and placed the crutches behind the seat before slipping into the driver’s seat.

“Pacific Drive.”

She smiled, not fathoming the events of the last two days, but she was pleased to be back on the ground for the time being.

Pulling into the side entrance of the unit block had her horrified. Glancing up toward the wide expanse of steps, she began to count them. It would be impossible, she thought, getting him over those.

“Are you sure you’ll be okay all alone?”

“A couple of little steps won’t stop me.”

“Which one is your unit?” When she brought the car to a standstill, her head moved upward.

“It’s not as far as it seems, only four floors. That’s not counting the ground floor, or the parking area underneath. Mine’s on the top floor.”

She glared at him. “You’ve got to be kidding.”

“It does have an elevator.” He shot her a wink, the kind that relayed his innermost feelings.

“Let’s go, then.” She retrieved his bag from behind her seat and made her way around toward the passenger door.

As she reached over to get hold of the crutches, his arm slipped around her waist, pulling her down to him in a most uncomfortable position.

“Nathan, don’t. Someone may be watching,” she stated, pretending to struggle.

“So, let them watch. Might teach them something.” His hand roamed over the back of her neck, grabbing it gently and guiding her lips closer.

As their lips united, her mind drifted to a place not at all resembling the front seat of her car. She purred against him. Little sounds murmured from her lips until she realized someone might be watching them, and she pulled back with a jerk.

“Nathan,” she scolded lightheartedly. She had a hard time taking her gaze from his sparkling, summer blue eyes.

“Let’s get you out of here,” she blurted before swinging herself to her feet and helping him from the car.

She passed the crutches to him with uncertainty.

“Now, don’t laugh. I have never used these damn contraptions in my entire life. I’m on ‘L’ Plates.”

After she had made some considerable promises she knew she couldn’t keep, she started to giggle. He looked awkward, as though he was about to fall into a heap right there on the bitumen.

“I thought you promised.”

“I did. Sorry, it’s just. Sorry…You look so clumsy.” She covered her mouth with her hand.

“Maladroit or not, I will master these damn contraptions. You wait and see.”

She followed, and to her surprise, it had taken little effort for him to scale the set of eight steps before they were in the elevator and rising.

“Where’re your keys?”

“In my pocket.” His mouth slid into a slick grin.

It was useless to attempt to use his hands, as they tentatively clung to the crutches.

She slipped her hand into his jeans pocket. Heat surfaced in her cheeks, and she was grateful when her fingers found them almost instantly.

“What’s that grin for?” she questioned, trying to keep a straight face while his transitioned into an even more roguish one.

He rested beside the door and leaned on the wall while Catherine slipped the key into the lock. She waited until he hobbled in before following him, noticing the male reflection of his unit.

It echoed masculinity, with a black leather lounge chair to her right. The kitchen, a little further ahead, was colored in blue tones. She dropped his bags on the floor beside her and shut the door.

While she opened the vertical blinds, Nathan had made it safely to the lounge chair and slumped onto it, letting out a deep sigh of relief.

“What a beautiful view.” Her gaze fixed on the glorious ocean just across the road. She turned. “Are you sure you’ll be okay when I leave? I can cancel the meeting with Brad. We can discuss matters another time.”

“Don’t be silly. Of course I can take care of myself.”

Before she left, she made a cup of coffee and moved his belongings into the bedroom.

“My housekeeper will bring me what I need and tidy up when required. That’s what she gets paid to do. I’ll give her a ring.”

“As I said, I could stay a while longer,” she said, feeling guilty. She bent down and kissed him goodbye.

“Thank you, again. You put yourself in danger, your life before mine.”

“Actually, I wasn’t in danger. My old talents rose to the occasion.” She perked up, hiding any signs of the difficulties she encountered. She wasn’t about to spoil his image of her. After all, she was his heroine. There was no need to clarify her ordeal.

“Ring me if you need a hand with anything. I’ll call you on the way to work in the morning to see how you’re doing.” She closed the door behind her and rested back for some moments before leaving.

She hated leaving him alone, and especially in the state he was in, but as a typical male, he had insisted.

* * * *

It had been four days—four whole days—since their ordeal. Still, trying to adjust and process her memories would take some time, and the fact that she’d flown again was another nervous jolt to her system. Even now, she felt a little wiped out and knew her body and mind were still coming to terms with everything that had happened. She still had to be alone for a time, alone with her memories. To ponder, enjoy, and sit with them. After all, they made her the person she was that day, and she smiled.

* * * *

The weather clouded the sky while she was on her way to Nathan’s unit. Glancing over toward the mountains, dark clouds were eagerly dumping heavy showers of rain. It was certainly a welcoming sight, considering the lack of rainfall in the area.

The joy she felt in her heart was something she never expected to feel—not in this lifetime, anyway. Had she found her soul mate, or was she still floundering? Either way, her heart felt whole.

It was as though a steel door was opening, giving way to a wonderful future ahead. She pictured the many children she would give birth to, imagining the very thought of being married to such a wonderful man.

Thoughts of her father came to mind, and she smiled. Thanks, Dad. You knew what you were up to, didn’t you? You chose the man years ago. If only you could be here with me, to share my happiness. Thank you, my dearest father. Humming along to a song on the radio, she turned into Nathan’s driveway.

When she sprang from her car, she felt like running to his door instead of taking a fast-paced walk. Feelings overwhelmed her.

She recalled the time they spent together when she was sixteen. It was magical and so very innocent, and she’d let him go the whole way. There was never any regret. He was a part of her. If she believed in preordained destiny, it was now on her menu.

She waited after tapping on his door. Then waited. Following another hard rap, it finally opened.

Catherine was horrified! She reeled back in astonishment.

Her face filled with heat, and she balled her hands behind her back. Her nails stung the soft flesh of her hands.

Like the wings on an aircraft, her body iced.