Las Vegas, March 2001

Nick showed up at the hotel in time to check in and then head over to the venue for sound check. It was clear that his demeanor had changed upon his return from Tampa, but he also didn't offer any information, so no one asked. That is, until they finished sound check and were lounging around backstage digging through the food table.

Kevin decided now was as good a time as any to see how his trip went, so he approached the table next to Nick.

"And, your trip was good I take it?" Kevin said quietly.

Nick stopped picking through the fruit tray and looked over at Kevin briefly before looking back to the food and answering, "Oh, it was better than good."

"Oh, really?" Kevin lifted his eyebrows. "Care to clue the rest of us in?"

"I've just been waiting for the right time is all," Nick answered. "I don't want to jump the gun or anything."

"Well, if you have something to tell us, you might as well do it now. As long as it's good news, of course," Kevin added. Nick looked around and saw all the guys relaxed in their respective spots, munching on snacks. There were, of course many other people in the room doing the same, but everyone would find out soon enough anyway.

"Let me finish getting my food, Kev," Nick told him. Kevin nodded, grabbed a sandwich and went and found a spot on the couch near Brian.

All of a sudden Nick felt really nervous. He wasn't sure why. He felt uneasy about telling the boys about him and Danielle. Nervous about how they would react, and also about how telling them made it more official. More real. Did this mean he was IN a relationship? Did this mean there was some kind of commitment? He really didn't know. Everything was happening so fast. Almost faster than his heart could keep up with.

He wiped the sweat off his right hand on his jeans, and then switched his food plate into the other hand so he could wipe his left hand. He turned around to see all the guys staring at him.

"What?" Nick asked. "What?" The nerves began to build again.

"Nothing," Brian replied. "What's new with you?"

Nick took a deep breath and exhaled as he walked over to the nearest chair. He sat down and threw a chip in his mouth before speaking up.

"Okay," he said, still chewing. "Here's the deal."

"We're listening," Kevin said in a high-pitched voice, smiling at him.

Nick shot Kevin a look that told him to shut up. He licked his lips and began speaking before thinking about which words he needed to get his message out.

"I went home these past couple of days, and first things first. Age? You're forgiven, but on one condition," Nick began.

"Condition? What condition? I thought you already forgave me?" AJ asked.

"I just did that cause Brian told me to. So, ONE condition," he said again.

"What is it?" AJ asked.

"That you promise not to upset my girlfriend again," Nick said raising his eyebrows at AJ, then glancing at the rest of the guys.

"Girlfriend? Wait, do not tell me that you and her?" AJ cut himself off with a pause before continuing, "are now. . .together?"

"Now you all know," Nick added. "Me and Danielle. We're. . .together." He confirmed turning his eyes back to AJ.

"Nick, are you sure about this?" Brian asked. "I mean, what do you mean by 'together'?"

Nick shot a glance at Brian, "Bri? You got something to say?"

Brian was taken off guard by Nick's immediate defensiveness. "No no, it's just that things are changing kind of quickly. Two days ago, she wouldn't even talk to you, and now you're supposedly dating?"

Nick calmed down a bit, "I know, I'm sorry Bri. It's just, there is already so much shit that has taken place before this and so I'm just a little sensitive, ok?"

Kevin placed his plate on the floor near his feet and scooted up to the edge of the couch. Placing both elbows on his knees he took his stance as peacemaker once again, "Nick, I think it's because there has been so much drama leading up to this, I can speak for everyone when I say that we just want to make sure this isn't a bad idea. If you really like her, and she really likes you, then this is great news. But, with Joey in the mix, it kind of complicates things."

"Joey's not in the mix," Nick snapped. "That's over. For good. We have feelings for each other. We realized that. Jesus, guys, we're not getting married, we're just gonna give this a try."

There was a brief moment of tense silence among everyone in the room, the only sound coming from Nick, who was munching on his chips, trying to avoid any further eye contact. Howie looked around at his bandmates, and spoke up quietly, "Well, I think she's a nice girl. Look at it this way, she's smartened up. Found the better guy?"

Nick stopped eating and looked at Howie. He smiled, "Thanks D."

Brian looked over at Howie then at Nick, "She sure did."

"It's official?" Britney yelled into the phone.

Danielle closed her eyes and smiled big, "yup, it's official. My new boyfriend is Nick Carter." Just saying the words gave Danielle a giddy feeling. Nick Carter. Her boyfriend.

"Wow," Britney said. "Just. . .wow."

"Are you surprised?" Danielle asked.

"Uhhhh, yeah I am, and no, I'm not!" Britney answered. "I mean, two days ago you were ready to kick him clean out of your life. But, then again, I saw the way you were the day you went to see him after Valentine's Day. I could tell. You really feel something for him."

"I know, and I WAS ready to move on, but now that we have everything all cleared up. I just can't walk away from him. We both have feelings for each other, and I guess this feels like something I need to go after," Danielle explained.

"So, where is he now? When are you gonna see him next?" Britney asked. "And does your brother know?"

"Yeah, Shane knows. I could hear him rolling his eyes, "Danielle laughed. "And Nick is, right now, in Las Vegas."

"Vegas? Talk about testing the relationship early on," Britney quipped.

"I know, and I guess I really don't expect him to just be committed, this is so soon and I don't think we've really established what our ground rules are or anything," Danielle said.

"Dani, if you guys are dating, it doesn't matter. Either he's faithful, or he's not. There is no middle ground if you two are really giving this a try," Britney told her.

"You're right, I know. It's just weird," Danielle said. "Besides, I'm heading out there tomorrow and then I'll meet him next weekend in San Diego and then they leave for Mexico."

"If you are going to Mexico, I'm soooo meeting you down there!" Britney yelled.

Danielle laughed, "I'm not going to Mexico! I really can't take any more time away from school. God, can you believe I'm almost done? No, I'm not missing any school. I'm almost done, and then I will be free to go wherever."

Britney was quiet for a moment. Danielle could sense she was contemplating saying something, but she couldn't put her finger on it.

"What's wrong, Brit?"

"I was just thinking. Ummmm. . .are you going to tell Joey?" Britney asked.

"He'll find out. I'm not telling him anything." Danielle answered.

"He's acting weird. I saw him yesterday, and he was just. . .I don't know. . .acting weird. I'm gonna let Justin tell him," Britney said.

"That's fine, Brit. I really don't care what he thinks. Right now, I feel good. Like I made a good decision. I can't believe how fast Nick has grown on me. But, I feel like this is totally right."

"Good, then I am happy for you. God! I can't wait to tell Justin! He's gonna flip!" Britney laughed.

Danielle laughed right along with her friend, "No time, like the present. Go tell him! I've got to get back to studying anyway."

"Yeah, like you can study," Britney began.

"I can, and I will. . .I hope," Danielle giggled.

The Next Day. . .

Danielle was taking a final slurp of her coffee before heading off to class. It was Friday and she was ready for the weekend. She had her bags packed and she was going to head to the airport right from school. Her realtor had told her that there may be some people coming by over the weekend to see the condo so she had spent the whole night cleaning.

Before she could step outside the door her phone rang. She ran to the phone to see who it was. She looked at the caller ID and yelped when she saw that it was Nick. "Yes!" she hollered into her empty room before answering the phone. She was so excited. She hadn't talked to him since he arrived in Las Vegas two days ago, and just seeing his number on her phone brought the butterflies to her stomach.

"Hello hello!" she said happily into the phone.

"Well hello to you too!" he giggled. "What are you so happy about this morning?"

"Hmmmmm, let me think. . .I think it's probably because I just received a phone call from a really handsome blonde guy who I've been missing for the past couple of days," she said.

"Oh really? Who's that?" he teased.

"Nick!" she exclaimed.

He laughed, "I'm just playing with ya. How's my babygirl?"

"Good, much better now that I hear your voice," she told him, smiling.

"It's good to hear yours too. You heading to class? I was hoping I would catch you before you left," he said.

"Yeah, I was just leaving, but I have a couple of minutes, how are you?" she asked.

"Tired. Really tired. Vegas is. . .well. . .tiring," he yawned.

"Have you slept at all?" she asked him, a bit of concern showing in her voice.

"Not much. It's hard to sleep here. So much going on. AJ, man, he hasn't slept at all. I don't know how he's surviving. He's drinking all night and drinking coffee all day. I'm waiting for him to fall over any minute," Nick said softly.

"Oh, Nick. God, he can't be doing that. Not with your schedules," she added.

"I know that. I know. No one can tell him anything though. He's pretty much his own machine. As long as he stays on top of things, I guess we don't have to worry. But he better not start fucking up work," Nick said.

"I'm sorry, Nick. I don't know what to tell you," she said quietly.

"Don't worry about it. I didn't call to talk about AJ anyway. So, what time will you be here?" he asked his voice perking up.

Danielle really wanted to surprise him. She didn't want him to think she was going to hop the first flight she could to get out there, so she began to let him think she wasn't coming. "Be there? In Vegas? I'm not going to Vegas," she laughed.

"But you said you'd come out for the weekend, it's the weekend!" he reminded her.

"I said NEXT weekend. Next. Meaning when you are in San Diego. I can't come out there this weekend," she told him.

"Why not? You don't have school on the weekend," he said. "And, you said THIS weekend. I remember."

"I did? I'm sorry then cause I need to study on Sunday and I also need to clean this place. The realtor is going to be bringing people by this weekend," she said, squeezing her eyes tight while trying to hold back her laughter. "There's no way I could come out. And it's not because I don't want to."

"Realtor? Oh yeah, that's right. Well, I think you should just call the realtor up and tell her you're not going anywhere. You're not really still moving are you?" he asked, the confusion and frustration starting to show.

"Well, I really haven't thought much about it. Look, Nick, I really don't want to talk about this right now. I need to get going or I'm gonna be late. And for what it's worth, I'm missing you like crazy. It's amazing how much in just this short amount of time," she said.

Nick could here the sincerity in her voice. Just the fact that she missed him made him feel better. "I just feel like I need you here. I just want to hold onto you."

"I know. I want to be there too. But this weekend is just not gonna work. Next weekend. I promise," she said.

Nick was disappointed but he didn't push her. He could feel the beginning of an argument forming if he pressed. He just wanted to see her. He really did think she would be out there later that day. "A week. I have to wait a whole week?"

"I'm sorry, Nick. But yeah," she crossed her fingers.

"Ahhhhhhhhhh," he sighed. "Fine. You gonna be around later?"

"I'll be here. I'll be waiting for your call," she said. "And, I might add, I don't just wait around for anyone."

"Good. Be good," he told her.

"You too. Good luck tonight."

"Thanks, baby."

"Bye Nick."

As Danielle hung up the phone she let out a squeal and skipped toward the door. For the first time in a long while, Danielle couldn't wait to get onto her plane. She couldn't wait to surprise her boyfriend.

Las Vegas, later that day

When Danielle arrived in Vegas she hopped in a cab and headed straight to the hotel. The time difference gave her an extra couple of hours in the day. She studied during most of the flight, so she felt pretty good about being able to put the books away for the weekend until the flight home.

She knew that the chances of Nick actually being in the hotel when she arrived were pretty slim. It was Vegas after all and they were on a day off. So once again, Danielle found herself trying to figure out how she was going to get to Nick. She knew that no hotel person would believe that she was his girlfriend and the chances of her running into any of the other guys to help her out was pretty slim as well. She didn't have a room booked so the hotel wouldn't let her store her bag. She tried to explain that she was staying with one of the guests, but upon telling them who the guest was, she was escorted out of the hotel.

She knew that without Nick giving them permission, that she wasn't going to get anywhere with the hotel people. So she accepted defeat there and decided to just buckle and call him. Hopefully, he wasn't in the middle of something and they could find each other with ease. She figured as a last ditch she could follow the trail of fans. They always seemed to know where everyone was. As she was waiting for the bellhop to hail her a cab she noticed Sarah getting out of a car at the front entrance. Just Sarah. "Oh thank God!" Danielle said under her breath. Luckily no fans had noticed her yet. Sarah was still pretty new so maybe none of them had caught on that she was with AJ.

"Sarah!" Danielle called quietly. Sarah turned to see Danielle waving at her and walking toward her.

Sarah squinted, "Danielle? What are you doing here?" she laughed.

"I came to surprise Nick. Unfortunately I don't have enough connections though. I'm getting nowhere," she laughed back. "No more surprising. It's much nicer having security clearance."

"Awww, he's gonna be so excited to see you," Sarah said tilting her head. "C'mon let's go and put your bag in our room, then I'll take you over. They are doing some rehearsal right now, and then everyone is pretty much gonna split and do the Vegas thing."

"Sounds good. Thanks so much, Sarah. I really didn't have a very good game plan," Danielle laughed.

"Quite alright," Sarah waved her hand.

"Can I ask you something?" Danielle asked.

"Sure! What is it?"

"Ummmmm, how have the other guys taken the news that Nick and I are, ummm, together?" Danielle winced.

Sarah didn't seem to miss a beat. "Fine, everyone seems fine."

"And AJ?"

"AAAAAAJ, is just AJ," Sarah told her. "He'll come around. Believe me, he's in Vegas right now, he doesn't know heads from tails right now. Your presence is safe."

"Good," Danielle nodded.

The girls dropped Danielle's bag off in the room and headed off to the venue together. When they arrived, rehearsal had just ended.

Nick and Brian were playing basketball behind the studio. Sarah and Danielle hopped onto a golf cart that was around and tooled over to where Nick and Brian were.

Danielle watched Nick as he dribbled the ball around Brian, taking full advantage of his height and long arms. Brian tried to keep up with him, but Nick was spiraling all around him, hollering and taunting Brian the whole time.

As they approached Nick and Brian, Brian started yelling at Nick, "You're traveling! You can't just grab the ball and run, you have to DRIBBLE." Brian stood there watching as Nick ignored him and jumped at the basket. "Dribble, Nick. Dribble?"

Sarah honked the horn on the golf cart to break up their game, "Look who I found trying to sneak in!" she announced bringing the cart to a stop. Danielle stepped off the cart as Nick turned his attention away from the basketball hoop and to the sound of the tooting horn.

"Hey you!" she smiled at him quickening her pace toward him with her arms outstretched.

Nick's eyes grew wide and a smile spread across his lips. "Dani? What are you doing here?" He threw the basketball in Brian's direction not taking his smiling gaze off of Danielle. The basketball, subsequently hit an unknowing Brian in the shoulder. "Hey!" Brian yelled, rubbing his arm. But no one was listening to him.

Nick opened his arms and only had to take two small steps before Danielle jumped into them. He lifted her off the ground, "What are you doing here?"

"I wanted to surprise you!" she said. "Are you surprised?"

Nick giggled, "Uhhhh, YEAH!" He grabbed her face and planted a firm kiss on her lips. "So you were just playing with me this morning?"

Danielle nodded, "Uh huh. But no more surprises. From now on, scheduled visits because it's very difficult getting to you guys otherwise."

"Yeah, scheduled visits! Lots and lots of em!" he told her and grabbed her into a hug again.

Danielle and Nick went back to the hotel to retrieve Danielle's bag from AJ and Sarah's room. They put the bag in Nick's room and then they both decided that they needed some food. Nick made sure that Billy took care of all Danielle's security clearances so that she wouldn't have any trouble in the event that they got separated during the weekend somehow.

With Billy in tow, Nick and Danielle got off the elevator of the hotel hand in hand and into a swarm of fans. Danielle immediately let go of Nick's hand so that he could greet all the fans. She wandered off to the side to stay out of the way while Nick signed autographs and took pictures. Billy was busy keeping everyone in line. A couple of the fans noticed Danielle off to the side. The two girls whispered back and forth to each other.

"Are you sure that's her?" the one girl asked.

"I'm positive! I know my NSync girls, and that's her," the other replied.

"Well why is she here with Nick then?" the first girl challenged.

"Maybe she's not, maybe Joey is here, or Britney. They are best friends you know," the NSync expert replied. "She's not with Nick."

Danielle could hear every word they were saying but she pretended like she couldn't. She just watched Nick work the crowd and waited for her cue to make the exit. Billy cut the fan greeting short, upon glancing at Danielle. She had a worried look on her face and he decided that it was time to go.

"Danielle!" Billy boomed. She looked up at him and he motioned for her to meet them outside. Danielle exited through the doors with a few fans following her out.

"I knew it was her!" the NSync expert proclaimed.

Nick made his apologies to the fans he didn't have time to meet as Billy escorted him out. "Where's Dani?" he asked Billy.

"Waiting outside," he told him. Nick looked through the glass doors and saw Danielle waiting. She had a nervous look on her face and he noticed a group of fans eyeing her suspiciously.

Might as well get the rumor mill going. Nick thought. Only, this one is true. Nick took Danielle's hand as they began to walk together. Billy was close behind making sure the fans started to keep a distance. They could hear the gasps of the fans when Nick held her hand.

Danielle squeezed his hand tight causing him to look down at her. She looked up into his eyes and he read her mind. "It's OK, babygirl. They are gonna find out sooner or later. Don't worry about it."

Danielle took a deep breath as they continued walking. "I never really thought about the fan reaction, Nick. No one knows that Joey and I have been broken up. This looks really bad."

"It's cool, baby. Don't worry," he tried to reassure her. But in a way, she was right. The fans could be ruthless. He saw how they treated Mandy. He didn't want that to happen to Danielle. And it wasn't only Backstreet fans he was worried about. It was the NSync fans, too.

Danielle knew better than to let a few fans bother her. She just knew that the rumors were going to start flying now. "I'm not gonna let it bother me. I'm gonna TRY not to. I just don't want anything to take away from us. I just want to focus on spending some quality time with you and seeing your show tomorrow night. I've NEVER seen you perform in concert. Can you believe that?"

"What? You've never seen us? Man, that's crazy," Nick shook his head. "You're in for a treat, baby. I can promise you that."

The two had an early dinner and then decided to hit some of the sites in Las Vegas. Danielle really wanted to ride the roller coasters, to which Nick replied, "I ain't going on that one. . .the one that spirals around that building. Hell no!"

"Do not tell me you are afraid of rollercoasters," she said slyly.

"I'm not afraid of rollercoasters, but that one is like a thousand feet in the air!" Nick told her throwing his hands around to help make his point.

The two spent the evening riding coasters, playing blackjack and stealing kisses. They would occasionally run into a small group of fans, and Nick would take the time to sign autographs. Danielle made it a point to be very nice to the fans. She offered to take pics for them and made sure that Nick took the time to meet with them. Nick would glance at her to see if she wanted to get going. She would meet his glance and shake her heading mouthing, "It's Ok."

Nick continued to sign some more autographs and when people started requesting a second round of pictures he decided it was time to go. He looked over at Billy with a knowing look, and then he announced, "Alright, ladies, I really need to get going now. Gotta get my beauty rest."

Their was a round of "awwwwwws" from the small group, but they let him go.

"Beauty rest, huh?" Danielle quipped. "Are we calling it a night?"

"It IS almost midnight and you are on east coast time. Aren't you tired?" he asked.

"Yeah, but I'm having so much fun just being with you," she told him, wrapping her arm around his waist while they walked.

He cuddled her under his arm, "If you think this is fun, wait till we get back to the hotel. We ARE sharing a room for once, you know."

"Yes, I know," she jabbed him. "Don't get any funny ideas yet though, Carter. I've still got lines drawn here."

"Lines? What? No, lines suck, baby," he exclaimed.

"However! I'm not saying that we can't have fun TRYING to cross the line," she smirked. "Just, not THAT. Not yet. It's just too soon, Nick."

"We'll see," he smirked.

They walked together back to the hotel and got through the crowd of fans, many of whom were there when they had left the hotel hours ago. They found their way up to their room. Nick opened the door for Danielle to enter first and then followed her. He closed the door and did up all the locks on the door.

He turned to see her opening her suitcase and pulling out her pajamas and her toothbrush. He walked over to where she was and put his arms around her waist from behind.

"Do you know how nice it is to be able to hold you like this?" he asked into her ear. "I've wanted to just take you and hold you whenever I wanted for awhile now."

She leaned her head back into his chest and closed her eyes. "I know. I can't believe I pushed my feelings for you aside for so long."

All Nick could think about was how much he just wanted to kiss her. Sure, she had said that they weren't going to sleep together yet, but he'd be damned if he wasn't going to give breaking her down his best effort. He wanted to feel every inch of her.

He turned her around, "You don't have to hide them anymore," he said and wasted no time in pressing his lips to hers. His tongue opened her mouth and the passion between them rose quickly.

Danielle couldn't believe how good his kisses felt. She wanted to kiss him forever. She ran her hands through his hair as he pulled her closer and closer to him. She could feel his hands massaging her back, as he worked her mouth with his tongue. She could feel a tingling between her legs and she knew that saying "no" to him was going to be an extreme effort. Just the way he kissed her, it was making her weak.

He began to walk her back to the bed and laid her down, never breaking his kiss with her. As she laid back he crawled on top of her and began to kiss her neck. He brushed his hand over her breast through her clothes. He brought his lips back to hers, as she rested her hands around his waist. His shirt was untucked and so she was able to run her fingers across the skin of his lower back. His hand began to slide down to her waist as he attempted to lift her shirt.

"Nick, we have to slow down," she breathed, grabbing his hand.

"Baby, I can't," he told her. "It's been awhile you know."

"It has for me too, but we can't. Not yet," she said.

He stopped kissing her neck and brought his face to hers. "Dani, I know this is new, but don't you think this feels right?"

"It feels very right, Nick. Too right. It's hard for me to not just rip your clothes off, but we just can't. Not yet," she explained.

He crawled off of her and ran his hands through his hair. "AGGHHHH! You are gonna kill me babygirl," he told her glancing down at her.

"I'm sorry, Nick," she said quietly, sitting up on the bed.

"Don't be," he said quickly. "I'll be right back."

"Where are you going?" she asked him as he headed toward the bathroom.

He stopped walking and just shot her a quick look that told her he needed to relieve himself. He pointed to the open bathroom, and added with some sarcasm and some bitterness, "Unless you want to come and help?"

"No! Sorry! Go ahead!" she shot back. He went into the bathroom and shut the door. Quite loudly too. She winced when she heard the slam. She felt horrible. She hated that they got to such a point and she didn't give in. She hated to see him get so worked up and then have to stop. But it just wasn't right yet. They'd only been officially dating for two days. Although he had been warming her heart for months. She looked over at the nightstand and on it she saw the picture of the two of them from his birthday party. A smile spread across her lips as she thought back to that night. That was the first time he ever kissed her.

It didn't take long for Nick to relieve himself once he got into the bathroom. He felt much better after he did, and he was able to think rationally. He was frustrated. He didn't understand why she wanted to wait. This moment had been building between the two of them for months. It didn't matter to him that they weren't together as a couple before. She was in his heart, and had been for awhile. He didn't want to wait, but he also didn't want to make her do anything if she wasn't ready. He splashed some water on his face and dried it with a towel. He stripped down to just his boxers and walked back into the bedroom.

She looked up at him, "Better?"

"Much," he replied as he flopped down on the bed next to her. He lay on his side with his head resting on his hand. "I'm sorry I got mad."

"It's alright. I'm sorry that guys don't have more control like women," she said quietly.

"I just feel like we've already come so far, Danielle. Just doesn't make sense to wait," he tried to explain.

"I know what you're saying, Nick. But, I just need some more time," she told him.

He lifted himself up and kissed her gently on the forehead. "When you're ready, we'll both know."

"Thanks," she said and cuddled into his arms. "I think this is the beginning of a beautiful relationship."

He smiled and hugged her closer, "I think you're right."

The Next Night. . .

Danielle sat and watched the concert that night from the audience. She wanted to see the full show. She sat with Leighanne and Sarah in a suite. By the end of the show, she was stunned. She had never really watched Nick live and experiencing his performance for the first time took her breath away. He was so passionate in the way he sang and she was extremely turned on watching him dance.

"I need a drink," she told the girls, while fanning herself.

Leighanne and Sarah laughed and Leighanne piped, "Looks like someone is gonna get lucky tonight."

"He keeps that up and he'll be more than lucky," Danielle joked back with the girls.

The girls joined everyone backstage. Danielle found Nick and wrapped her arms around him as he dug in the cooler for a bottle of water. He jumped when she touched him, clearly startling him, "What the?"

"You were amazing!" she told him.

"Oh, hey babygirl," he said reaching around and wrapping his left arm around her. "So you liked the show?"

"Liked it? Nick, you totally blew me away! I loved it!" she exclaimed.

"Yeah, well I'm good like that," he boasted.

The boys took their showers and then they all went their separate ways into the wilds of Vegas. Danielle and Nick tried their luck at the blackjack tables but the casino was crawling with fans. They wanted to be able to spend as much quality time together as they could, so they headed back to their room for the remainder of the evening.

The next day, Danielle and Nick made plans for her to come out the following weekend to San Diego. Then Danielle boarded a plane and headed back to Tampa and the boys boarded their buses and headed to Phoenix.

Chapter 13
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