Chapter 11
Walking back to her car, Buffy realized that Lorne was Angel's friend from Pylea. She knew it the minute he said he had a friend named Angel. The way the night was going, Cordelia would be waiting by her car. She hummed the song under her breath then began to sing softly. Buffy drove towards her new home still singing. That's it the name for the dojo 'Wild Angels.' If I am one then I'm not a tame one. Nope not me nothing tame here. Now all we need to do is get a sign made up and business cards and oh, about a million more other things then we will be ready to open.
Buffy was surprised at all the clients they already had waiting for them to open the doors. Quentin showed some of the dailies to his friends. Uma and Lucy were telling everyone they knew, as well. Robert had been right about his buddies they were great. She had a sneaking suspicion that he had them reporting to him but she didn't mind. Buffy had three more surrogate fathers. They took one look at her and it was love at first sight.
She liked the behind the scenes work; no matter how many offers she got every time she went out. Quentin, Uma or Lucy and sometimes all of them would drag her out on the town. Buffy always enjoyed herself but knew she wasn't ready for a relationship. She wasn't even ready to date. The men she had met were all nice and of course real hotties. There was just no sense in spending any real time with someone she would never share all of her life with. Relationships were hard enough especially in Hollywood but add in her freaky life; there was no way. She decided to work just on herself. Buffy liked her new friends and was happy to be patrolling again. The dojo was her real baby though, she put a lot of herself into it and everything was coming together.
Buffy called Giles even though it was late; she knew that he would want to know and was probably still up reading some book. "Giles how are you. I miss you. Are you sitting down somewhere that you won't be overheard? I have some news that is kind of shocking."
"Buffy, are you okay? Have you been hurt? I can be there right away." He was already looking for his keys.
"No, just get comfortable and listen for a little while. I have kind of suspected for a while but I got it confirmed tonight. Uh, you know where I was right, well it seems that I didn't leave everything behind when I came back. My other body is inside my slayer body. Giles did you hear me did you understand what I am saying?"
Buffy heard only silence then she heard his breath hitch. "No Buffy it can't be true. No wonder you thought this was hell for you it was. What you must have felt especially here on the Hellmouth must have been horrible. My darling girl; how long have you known?" Giles wiped the silent tears from his face determined for her not to know he was crying.
"Well I kinda suspected all along. I remember everything Giles, not a moment is missing. Then my spidey sense is off the charts and some people lets just say aren't fun to be around. I wanted you to know now that someone else told me what I had been thinking all along," she whispered.
"Why didn't you tell me earlier? Maybe there was something I could have done even if it was just to listen."
"Well the guy who told me the 411 said what I was doing was healing my aura. There are almost no holes in it any longer. I think no one could do anything but me. You did help Giles; you did what I needed so I could go and heal. I think that the two parts of me are combining meshing into one. They were probably fighting over turf on the playground before," she laughed.
"I'm glad that things are getting easier Buffy. Faith is working out, fairly well," Giles hedged.
"Okay, watcher mine spill. The last couple of times that we talked, you haven't told me anything about what is going on there. Tell me the truth, what is going on?"
"Things have not been smooth here, dear. I'm sorry to say. I don't know how you dealt with all of this daily. I long for my books and ignorance of those around me. Anya and Xander broke up. Apparently, they had been engaged since the night you died but he was unwilling to announce it. She got tired of his excuses and broke off the relationship. Of all people, Xander blames you for the whole mess. He is drinking heavily and I have refused to allow him into the shop. Supposedly, he is going to meetings so there is some hope there."
"Willow has been over using her magic and is close to an addictive state. Tara and her fight constantly and I am afraid headed for a split. She refuses to listen to anyone. I put away all the darker more complicated texts but I caught her in my office the other day. She said she was using the phone but I could tell that she had tried to get to them. Luckily, they are warded and no one but myself can open or touch them. Faith, like I said, is doing well. It was rather rocky at first; they were not very welcoming. I even told them it was your suggestion but they wouldn't believe me. It seems that she and Spike have started a liaison. Of course, that is no one's business, but theirs. Everyone is determined to interfere; especially, as you can imagine, Xander. He seems to think he has some prior claim on Faith. She just ignores them, does her duty and then sneaks Spike into the house or stays at his crypt. Spike has been the most helpful of everyone. That should tell you the state of things here. He patrols every night with or without back up and reports any rumors he may hear. I was only trying to keep from dragging you back into this mess. I hope you understand Buffy." Giles explained all the terrible things that had happened in the past months.
"That is thoughtful of you but I don't want our relationship to only be one way. You can talk to me about anything. I may not be able to be there in person but I'm here for you too, Giles. We can lean on each other, prop each other up along the way. Don't you feel better, now that it's all off your chest? Oh, I thought of a name for the dojo. I called it Wild Angels. Pretty appropriate don't you think? I love you, watcher mine. You know you can call me too. When you need to bend someone's ear, I have two good ones. Night Giles."
"Goodnight dear. Buffy, I love you too."
Chapter 12
She and Wesley had become friends. They would meet for a meal every so often depending on their schedules. Buffy told him about the dojo and he promised to come to the opening. Quentin had the new trailer for the movie and decided to put part of her scene into it. She wasn't too happy about it but said that it would all blow over.
Wesley told her about Connor sinking Angel into the ocean, how he had found him. "I heard that he is searching everywhere for Cordelia now. No one knows where she went. There is suppose to be someone that would know but there isn't a way to ask her."
"Who?" Buffy asked curious about why there wasn't a way to ask about Cordelia.
"Dinza, she is a dark goddess of the lost. The problem is only a person with a pure soul could force her to talk. I'm afraid that leaves us all out," Wes said sarcastically.
"When you say pure soul; does that mean innocent like never done anything wrong or something else?"
He looked at her closely wondering at her question. "No, actually only some type of higher beings would be able to force the answers from her. The Powers, Oracles, Angels that type of being would have a soul considered pure."
"Would a slayer that was maybe mostly an angel inside work?" She bit her lip looking at him.
"Oh, my word, surely you don't mean," Wesley's eyes widened.
"Yep, little ole angel/slayer, me, reporting for duty, sir. I will help Wesley but you have to keep this between us. Angel couldn't even tell I wasn't in hell. He went on with his life and I am too. Can we go now or do we have to wait for the stroke of midnight?" She wiggled her fingers at him.
"Buffy, are you sure? Being that close to someone as evil, as Dinza, will be painful for you." Wesley could kick himself for telling her, knowing her as he now did. He should have known she would find a way to help. Damn it, he was worried about Cordelia like everyone else but not at the expense of Buffy's pain. He felt protective of her even over any of his other friends. "We can go now, if you are positive," Wesley sighed.
Buffy stood before pitch-black doors, her head was pounding and her skin felt on fire. Gritting her teeth, stiffening her back, she pulled open a door and walked in. Something scuttled across the room, when her eyes finally adjusted, there sat Dinza.
She was hideous and perched on top of an alter: ragged wings, pointed sharp teeth, black rotted skin and scraggily hair the only cover on her body. Her back arched as if in pain and Buffy's eyes widened looking at three huge sagging breasts. Dinza began to screech in a high keening sound.
"Oh, shut up my head already hurts" Buffy yelled.
The dark goddess stopped to ask. "Whets do one such as yours wants from Dinza? Leaves me, Leaves my palace."
"You call this a palace? I'll leave as soon as you tell me where Cordelia Chase went. Otherwise, I come over there and give you a great big hug." Buffy took another step closer as she bit the inside of her cheek.
"No stays away, stays away. The one yous wants isn't on this Earth or any others. She's aboves on another's plane. Now yous go." Dinza pulled further away from Buffy.
"Did she die?" Buffy took another step closer, tasting blood in her mouth.
"No! Justs gone now yous go," Dinza screeched.
Buffy walked out only to collapse into Wesley's waiting arms. He brought her back to his apartment to place cool rags on her fevered brow and waited.
About an hour later, Buffy woke up. "You owe me one bottle of pain medicine, super size it, please. Why was it so bad, Wesley? I've been patrolling for a while now and nothing has bothered me like that hag."
"She is one of the old ones, Buffy. Her power is from the very source of evil. You have been increasing your tolerance but nothing was going to prepare you for her, not in your current body. I'm surprised you did so well," he admitted.
"Gee thanks," she stuck her tongue out at him.
"That's not what I meant, you minx. Now do you feel up to telling me what you learned?" He asked and laid another cool rag on her head.
"She said Cordelia wasn't on any world but on another plane. If that makes any sense to you, woo hoo." Buffy closed her eyes, her head easing some.
Wesley heard a sigh when she slipped into sleep. He brushed her hair gently from her face. Looking at her, he could easily believe she's an angel. She certainly looked the part all tiny and golden lying there.
Chapter 13
Wesley carried Buffy up the stairs of her apartment to her loud protests. After making sure she was all right, he headed for the Hyperion calling Lorne while he drove. Walking through the hotel doors, he stood at the entrance and announced. "I have news of Cordelia. She is on another plane but she isn't dead."
"How do you know this? Who told you?" Angel demanded.
"I found someone who could speak directly to Dinza. That is what she told them," he answered.
"Where could you find someone in LA that could talk to her evilness, my little tea bag? Oh, you must have met Liz. Isn't she the most scrumptious thing you have ever seen?" Lorne sighed, remembering the little golden angel.
"Yes, Liz agreed to help at great pain and suffering to herself," Wes said.
"Who is this Liz? I want to talk to her myself maybe she is lying. She could be working for W&H," Angel rambled.
"Oh no, Angelcakes, she is the real deal. Not sure how it happened but she's from heaven. Now she is here. You should hear her sing, it is divine. Her offering to go to Dinza was courageous. She said she was from a strong line of women."
Wesley choked and coughed, "Sorry."
"Anyhoo, she would have to be. For someone like Liz to be that close to that much yucky evil, it would be like you jumping outside at 12 noon," Lorne explained.
"Wow, she must be something else," Fred said from her place beside Gunn.
"You have no idea. That is all that I have to say. Goodnight all," Wes said, turning to leave.
"Wesley" Angel called, "Thank you."
"She was my friend too, Angel. I only delivered the information someone else did the work." Wesley walked out the doors. "What a pompous ass." He was glad Buffy wasn't involved with Angel anymore. He didn't deserve her, Wesley wasn't sure anyone did.
They all decided to go to Caritas as a memorial for Cordy. Lorne sang several songs and Wesley showed up, but stayed in the back. Angel turned, at one point, thinking he felt something, only to see Wesley leaving with some blonde, he couldn't see her face.
When they all returned to the Hyperion, there standing in the foyer was Cordelia, wearing a long flowing white gown. She looked at them in confusion then asked. "Who are you? Do I know you people?"
Buffy called Wesley after she got home. "Wesley there is something coming or already here, I can feel it. It's like; my spidey senses are in overdrive. Just be careful okay, warn the others. I will widen my patrol areas and try to pinpoint it better."
Later she couldn't shake the feeling of unease crawling up her spine. Staring out the window up at the stars, she closed her eyes. Buffy could still remember the utter peace she felt up there. She knew she wouldn't find that here but she's determined to come as close as she could.
Wesley met Buffy several days later for dinner. "The night I saw you at Caritas, when Angel returned to the hotel Cordelia was there. No one knows how and she has no memory of her time away or any of us. Apparently, they didn't tell her anything. When she found out the truth, she ran to Connor. She is staying with him."
"I don't understand. I didn't think Connor was supposed to come around and she that didn't know who anyone was."
"He dropped by or Angel called him, whichever. He was there, told her the truth, she ran to him and begged to go live with him," Wesley shrugged.
"Tell me Wesley is Connor attractive?" Buffy looked at him already knowing the answer.
"Why, I would suppose so. He is a mix of Angel and Darla after all. Not as tall as Angel but with his dark hair and eyes, his face is more refined like Darla's. Now that I think of it, Connor looks a lot like Angel did when he lived in Sunnydale you know sleek and finely muscled. Angel has rather filled out over the years," he said.
Buffy laughed, "I wondered about that. How can you put on weight drinking only blood? Anyway, so there is Cordelia with these people she doesn't know. One is green; two are a couple and if I'm not mistaken Angel vamped. Then in walks a young good-looking guy, who is human. Mmm, what would the Cordelia that I know do? I choose option two go home with good-looking guy." Buffy raised an eyebrow daring him to deny her logic.
"Well although, she has changed somewhat over the years; she is still how should I say it, superficial."
"Only question I have is did someone explain the birds and the bees to Connor. From everything, you said he isn't up on current events. So I'm guessing he probably missed sex-ed in school too." She looked at him pointedly.
"Oh my stars, you don't think they would do you? That would be horrid; she took care of him as a baby and was like a mother to him. It would be like incest for them to do that. I don't even want to think of this." Wesley shook his head as if to get the images out of his mind.
Chapter 13
Buffy was in the middle of choreographing a fight scene with Lucy and Uma for Kill Bill III. She suddenly grabbed her head feeling dizzy and almost collapsed.
Jack, her office manager, came running over when he heard screams. "Liz, can you hear me?" He patted her face.
She caught his hand. "I think we'll call it a day, guys. I must be coming down with something. How about you give me a couple of days to get over whatever this is and we'll pick it up again after that," she smiled weakly.
Jack picked her up in his arms and she laid her head on his shoulder. "I'll just take some aspirin and crawl in bed, Jack. It's probably a touch of the flu or something," she mumbled.
He touched her forehead and it felt warm. "I am going to close up then come back and check on you. Your cute little butt better be in that bed," he warned.
"Promise Poppa Bear," she grinned.
"Children." He shook his head but couldn't keep the worry out of his voice.
Buffy crawled in bed waiting for Jack to leave. When she heard him go down the stairs, she rolled over and called Wesley. "Wesley, it's me. Can you come over? That feeling I've been having, well it almost knocked me off my feet, literally. Whatever it is, I think its here or showing up tonight. Ring the bell and I'll let you in."
She put on some tea while she waited. When Wesley finally arrived, he brought her up to date on Cordelia's returned memories and her request for space to deal with them.
"I don't understand. I thought her and Angel were suppose to be in love or something. I mean, I have had some real humdinger Slayer dreams but they never made me run from the people I loved. Whatever she saw in her vision and Lorne read later must be what is coming tonight. Wesley, wouldn't you think she would be having as hard a time adjusting to LA, like I did Sunnydale. Returning from a higher plane, why is her reaction so different? It only seems to be Angel that she is pulling away from?"
"Maybe it has to do with the type of demon she took on to handle the visions. I'm just not sure Buffy. So where do you think we should look first?"
She thought about it a moment then answered. "I guess we just have to take sections and work towards the center. It feels strongest close to where I first met you. We should stay in that general area."
Wesley pulled out his phone. "I will have my team work on some of the outer lying areas in that vicinity. I am going with you. I don't want you out there incapacitated by whatever this is." Wesley looked at her sternly.
Cordelia and Connor were out patrolling. As they walked past the alley behind Caritas, a huge red horned demon emerged. Connor ran to attack but it merely swatted him away. It advanced towards them but Cordelia pulled Connor away.
Buffy and Wesley arrived minutes later and attacked the demon. They went in as a team but Wesley's sword did little damage and the demon easily pushed him aside. Buffy seeing this went for feet and fist. She was doing some damage but her head was pounding loudly. She was beginning to get dizzy. The demon caught her with a blow to the head sending her into a wall where she collapsed. Wesley ran over to her as the demon moved quickly away.
"Did you get the number of that truck?" She rubbed her head, "Wesley, we have to do something about this. I can fight it if my head will stop ringing. Let's go call Giles and maybe even Lorne to see if they know of anything." He helped her up as they walked back to her SUV.
Buffy called Giles when they returned, after hanging up with him she dialed Lorne's number and invited him over. "Wesley, Giles thinks that he knows of a way to help but he will need to order some special stuff. He said it would take a few days. Let's see what Lorne knows, I have a feeling we may not have that long. Either way I will step up my patrols and widen my areas. I'm off for a couple of days so I will just rest during the day and patrol all night if necessary. It's not like I haven't done it before."
"Buffy please, you shouldn't be out there in your condition. If that thing had thrown you any harder you would be dead now." He could tell by the set of her chin his words fell on deaf ears. She was going regardless of any danger to herself; her only concern was the safety of others. He was beginning to feel uncomfortable with the business like attitude he and the AI team had taken in regards to helping others. Looking at Buffy now, so determined to do whatever was needed, no matter what. He wondered when he had lost the idea of protecting others because it was the right thing to do.
"I cause it as much pain as it does me. I'm confused though, this big horny guy is evil yeah but it doesn't feel like what I've been expecting. Maybe my senses are overloaded I'm just not sure. Doesn't matter, I'm going so you can come or not up to you," Buffy said determinedly.
"All right, let me call my team and Angel to see where everyone should or will be patrolling tomorrow. I will pick you up for patrol. I'll be leaving now since Lorne should be here soon. Hopefully, he will have a solution." They heard the downstairs buzzer and Wesley went to answer it returning with Lorne.
"Sugarplum, I got your call and came as soon as I could. Tell Uncle Lorne what's wrong?" He noticed she was hurt and looked concerned. "Sweetie pie, did someone try to clip your wings?"
"Kinda Lorne, you know Wesley?" The two men mumbled that they did. "We were out on a patrol tonight and ran into a big red demon, literally. He was putting out some heavy vibes but I was holding out. Then it just gets worse and he caught me when it was peaking and knocked me into a wall. I was hoping you knew of something that might help. Kind of a sitting duck, if I can't defend myself."
"Honey bunch, I'm not sure I understand. Why would you be patrolling with Wesley? You have enough to handle with just your run of the meal creeps. I mean humans by the way. Why are you purposefully going out to areas that are going to cause you even more pain? What can you do to fight them cream puff, you're tiny?" Lorne asked, trying to understand. He knew she would drop by and see him sometimes. She would even sing but he couldn't wrap his horns around what she was doing.
"Kermie, what I tell you stays here between us all right? My full name is Elizabeth Anne Summers, otherwise known as Buffy. After I returned, well let's just say a lot changed so I wanted a new name as well. The thing that didn't change is that I am still a slayer; this is still a slayer's body. Well an angel/slayer or I'm not sure there is a name for what I am. I kinda like wild angel myself," Buffy giggled.
Lorne's mouth opened and closed like a fish as he absorbed what she had just told him. "You're her? Angel's slayer the one that died and then returned. Now it makes sense, well no, it doesn't. How come when you sang I didn't see Angel? I saw where you were from, the love for your family and friends, your pain and the way that you were healing yourself but Angelcakes, nada. Why?"
"The Angel I knew and loved is gone. He left me after graduation but we would still see each other, no one knew. Especially if the other was hurting, we had a place that we would meet. I met him after my return and my Angel was gone. The man you know isn't him. I guess that's why you didn't see him. He's no longer in my heart anymore just my memories, the memories of a first love." Buffy smiled sadly that a huge chapter of her past had closed forever.
"Angel has changed that much?" Wesley and Lorne asked at the same time.
"I don't want to step on anyone's toes here, so please don't take this the wrong way. He used to help people because it was the right thing to do not for money or his final reward. So yeah, the Angel I knew would never have taken money from people who asked for help regardless if they could afford it or not. That is not what it is all about, if you are a protector then that is what you do, protect. Angel's need used to drive him to go out each night and make sure that Sunnydale was a safer place to live, safe from what he used to be. He had a purpose for what he did and it made him stronger. It made him someone to admire. The man that met me talked about how it was only right the people that could pay should, since he needed to make a living too. This isn't a job it is a calling a duty. I'm sorry guys but it's the way I feel. What was wrong with turning AI into a real investigation agency during the day? You would have had an income and still helped innocents at night. What I don't understand is Angel has always had money. Did you ever see his apartment or the mansion? There were pieces of art that were worth boo coo dinaro. Where is all of that money? If he gives, some crap about it is Angelus' money then why was it okay to live off it in Sunnydale? None of the way he is living his life makes any sense to me anymore, I'm sorry you asked. I'm not trying to tell you guys what to do with your lives. I just know that I wouldn't be able to live with myself if I ever took money from someone I helped."
Buffy looked at her two friends hoping she hadn't hurt their feelings or lost their friendship. They both looked away from her and her shoulder's sag. "I'm sorry guys if you want to leave I understand. Please know that I love the both of you. You are my dear friends and I didn't mean to hurt you." A tear fell down her cheek then she felt two sets of arms hug her.
"You can't get rid of us that easy, sugarplum. You didn't hurt our feelings you just made us look at ourselves a little closer. I haven't had enough to drink to do that. It was hard to swallow."
"Lorne is right, Buffy. You didn't say anything that wasn't the truth and that we didn't need to hear. Probably have needed to hear for quite some time I would imagine. Someone looking in can give a person a new perspective on things and yours is spot on. I hate to admit that I have been having similar thoughts myself." Wesley kissed the top of her head.
"Enough with the true confession, Kermie do you know of some magic Motrin that will help my head? If not will you call around, please Kermie, for me," Buffy said in singsong voice.
Wesley laughed at the nickname having missed her use of it the first time. He expected the green demon to bristle at the name but he seemed to melt even more, she drew people to her and once there they happily stayed. "That's not fair Twinkie pulling out all the stops like that just don't do the lips and we have a deal. If you start pouting there is no telling what I will agree to." Lorne smiled down at her. She is so tiny and precious. Please, May the Powers watch over and keep her.
Chapter 15
Buffy went to answer the phone as Lorne and Wesley talked among themselves and watched her. "Did you know her before, Wes?" Lorne asked.
"Yes, I was her watcher for a short period until she fired me," he answered.
"She fired you and you're still friends. I knew Liz was special but wow."
"Buffy was always an unusual slayer. She went against every rule the Council ever made. My firing was the best thing that ever happened to me. It made me realize the way I was living my life was wrong. Everything the Council had taught me was based in half-truths. They refused to help Angel when he had been poisoned so she quit them and fired me. The only choice left was slayer's blood as a cure. Buffy forced Angel to drink from her to save him."
"Liz gave him her blood. Lucky, he didn't end up killing her." Lorne shook his head.
"Once he recovered, he rushed her to the infirmary. Buffy recovered and stopped a demon from ascending and Angel left that night after the battle was over." Wes continued.
"What he left her after that? Well at least he didn't mark her. Were they really that in love, I mean like him and Cordy now?"
"He did mark her Lorne but he still left. You haven't seen kyrumption or moira or any of you other Pylean fancies until you've seen them together. They were beautiful to watch fight as a team. Even just talking quietly the chemistry and passion was palpable. Angel and Cordelia's relationship is nothing in comparison. Buffy is my friend and so is Cordy, the difference is Buffy would put me before herself every time. No whatever those two have doesn't compare at all," Wesley's said sternly.
"Wow and Angel left to come here for what?" Lorne shook his head as he tried to picture what Wesley had told him.
"I'm not even sure anymore. I think originally Angel left intending to return. He wanted to find a way to feel worthy of her and still give her a chance for normal life."
They quit talking as they heard Buffy's voice become louder. "QT, I am fine stop worrying. I will rest. Yes big brother, no classes and no walk-throughs. If you call Rob I will hurt you, you know I will. He will just worry unnecessarily. I'm going to bed soon. I love you too, ya big goof, goodnight." Buffy hung up the phone and walked back over to Lorne and Wesley.
"Your boyfriend?" Lorne snooped.
"QT, oh no, he is a good friend. Actually, he is one of my business partners. I met him when I was working in Scottsdale. The owner of the dojo and him were old friends," she explained.
"QT wouldn't be Quentin Tarantino would it? You're the elusive mystery cousin everyone is buzzing about. I thought there was something about those pictures. Normally when I was looking at them, I had several Martinis so it didn't click before. You are so sneaky, sugarplum. Wes, our girl is a celebrity. She is taking tinsel town by storm," Lorne bragged.
"Oh now, do tell" he teased. Buffy hated the publicity but it was good for business. She was careful not be photographed to often though.
"Women all over are trying to get their hair the same color as hers. They have been hounding places to try to and find out where she got her contacts. No one knows and no one has been able to duplicate the effect. Liz, sugarplum, tell Uncle Lorne, we could make a killing."
"Uh, heaven, I think or the spell, wouldn't recommend either solution. Lousy travel plans and no frequent flyer miles," Buffy answered.
"You mean it all just changed like that. Wonder what you really look like then?" Lorne pondered.
"What do you mean? This is it I haven't done anything I'm not even wearing any makeup."
"Oh honey bunch, I meant your appearance changed some because of what you are. Kind of like you can't stuff something big into a small place without some of it overflowing. Your angel parts overflowed into your hair and eyes. The real you is the angel part and how you looked up in the clouds. I bet you were a bright little thing," Lorne explained.
"The brightness or changes in her appearance reflect what she is correct. People can feel what she is from the warmth she puts off." Wesley finally understood some of the things that had been bothering him.
"I say my dear Watson, I think you have it." Lorne laughed and soon the others joined him.
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