spn_cinema | THE NEXT BEST THING

Title: The Next Best Thing
Author: Texas_Devill_or_Angel
Movie Prompt: Gidget
Paring: Jared and Jensen
Rating: PG13

After a quick glance to his right to make sure he was out of the path of the surfers Jared turned over on his back and let the water buoy him for a moment. He quickly settled into an easy backstroke and contemplated his situation as he slowly swam along.

Whatever comfort and confidence he’d gained from his conversation with his mother the night before was now gone thanks to the hours he’d just spent with his best friend, Chad, and his other friends on the beach. Not that Chad, Milo or Jake had deliberately said or done anything to make him feel bad, it just happened. And truth be told, it’d been going on all year. He didn’t know how much longer he could fake it. He was pretty sure his friends already suspected that his polite, gentlemanly excuses were a cover for his absolute disinterest.

It wasn’t that he wasn’t interested in sex because he was; he enjoyed getting off just as much as any other seventeen year old boy did when the mood struck him. But the thought of soft rounded bodies, small delicate hands and soft, sweet voices did not do anything for him, sexually speaking. He had no real idea what would, he just knew that the things his friends talked and fantasized about wasn’t it.

Jared didn’t know who to talk to about it. Chad, his best friend, would not be Jared’s first choice. His father was blissfully unaware. Not because he didn’t care or wasn’t interested but because his business kept him busy and Jared took care not to let him know about his problems. He thought his mother might have an idea what was going on with him and she was trying to be supportive. It helped but there was only so much she could do with the limited information she had. Jared felt sure that Jeff, his older brother, was someone he could talk to. Despite the nearly four years age difference, and Jeff being away at school, they were close. If only Jeff was coming home instead of on his way to Italy. But a practically free eight week vacation had been dropped in his lap unexpectedly just shy of a week ago and Jeff had jumped at the chance. Jared couldn’t really blame him.

Jared spared a moment to mentally curse at Jeff’s roommate’s stupid brother for deciding to drop out of the brotherly bonding trip at the last moment leaving the “pre-paid, non-refundable” spot up for grabs.

He stopped swimming and looked around. It was a good thing he was a good swimmer because as preoccupied as he had been he wasn’t surprised to notice that he’d swam out farther than he’d meant. With a shake of his wet hair he flipped around and headed back toward the shore.

He’d only swum about a fourth of the way back when his leg cramped. It was sudden and quite severe and it stopped him in his tracks. He was no stranger to them; knew how to deal with them; but being in the water put him at a serious disadvantage. He was unable to do any of the things he normally would to help make it stop. It finally lessened and Jared began to swim again only for the cramp to return, even more crippling this time. He’d never admit it out loud but he couldn’t stop the panic rising in his chest. The fear that he wouldn't be able to stay afloat much longer gripped him. Now that he’s stopped he feels just how tired his body is. He knows that his friends probably aren’t looking for him, too busy ogling girls to realize he has been out longer than usual. The next cramp makes him realize that they aren’t going to stop anytime soon. A small flash of panic overtakes him and he begins to flail and go under. He manages to surface again but the cramp is intensifying and he goes under again.

The muffled sound of a soft splash barely registers through the pounding of his heartbeat in his ears but moments later strong arms are pulling him through the water and he feels himself being pushed up and over a hard flat surface that bobs up and down in the water as the other person joins him on what he realizes must be a surf board. His rescuer leans over him and presses against his lower body when he reaches forward and around Jared’s waist to propel the board forward with his arms. He hears a deep, rough voice tell him to hold on tight and the next thing he is aware of he and the man behind him on the board are gliding across the water. Not even the fact that his leg is still cramped and that the water splashing in his face makes it almost impossible to see eclipses the small rush of exhilaration Jared feels as they race across the waves headed for the shore.

When the board finally gets close enough to the beach the person behind him slides off and pulls Jared with him in to the knee high water. Jared is aware that there are other people around them but he concentrates on getting to the beach, where he sinks down into the sand on his knees. He can feel his rescuer, the surfer-guy, hovering directing behind him and the same voice as before asking if he’s alright. Jared leans forward a bit, one hand coming to rest on the sand supporting his weight and the other reaching for his thigh, as he manages to get out a shaky “’M fine. Just a cramp.”

“Ahh, yea those can be rough” surfer-guy responds “you really shouldn’t go out that far alone”.
Jared nods as he turns and sits in the sand “I know. I didn’t mean to -I was just distracted”.
The sun is behind surfer-guy’s head casting a shadow on his face but Jared can make out broad shoulders, a lean torso, wet - medium length dark hair, firm square-looking jaw and bright green eyes. Surfer-guy reaches out a large hand and pats his shoulder reassuringly and asks “Will you be able to get home okay? Do you need to call someone?”

Jared feels heat shoot through him from surfer-guy’s touch on his shoulder. Not unlike the sensation he felt earlier while riding the surfboard. He shakes his head as he replies “My friends are here – somewhere.”

A bottle of water appears over surfer-guy’s shoulder; the man takes it and hands it to Jared saying “Here, hydrate, it’ll help”.

Jared knows that, so he just nods, opens the bottle, brings it to his mouth and drains half the liquid in one gulp. Surfer-guy stands up, stretches his arm to help Jared stand and says “Can you walk? Is there somewhere your friends will all meet up? I’ll help you th-“

It’s at this point that Chad and Milo, attracted by the attention they have drawn, arrive. Chad steps forward, all but pushing surfer-guy aside to get in front of Jared. “J-man. What happened? Are you okay?”

Jared quickly and briefly explains as he stands up. Chad and Milo hover around him like they are expecting him to collapse. He does feel a little off balance but he’s okay enough to walk. “Come on, you need to go home” Chad states. “Hey man, thanks for helping our friend” he nods at surfer-guy who has moved back a couple steps.

“Least I could do. Glad he’s okay” surfer-guy says as he turns to pick-up his board which some helpful soul had apparently pulled up on to the sand.

His friends are herding him away quickly when Jared realizes that he hasn’t thanked surfer-guy for saving him. He turns to say thanks, but surfer-guy is already knee deep in the water. He’s far enough away that Jared would have to shout to be heard.

Jared briefly thinks about waiting for him to return so he can thank the man for his help, but his body, along with his friends, is telling him that he needs to rest.

Jared will just have to come back tomorrow when he’s feeling better and hope surfer-guy is there so he can do what he needs to.

Jared’s considers his trip to the beach the next morning to be an extremely successful day. Not only did he find his rescuer, who is probably the most gorgeous guy Jared has ever seen, but because of him he meets a group of surfers who encouraged him to try surfing when he mentions being interested.

The group, who all go by nicknames, accept him into their circle easily but not without some friendly teasing due to his youth, size and enthusiasm to join in their pastime despite his near drowning experience or perhaps because of it. Jared’s quick and feisty responses to the banter earn him the teasing nickname of “Tiger”. Jared would protest but the nickname was teasingly tossed out by JR, his rescuer, and Jared is too smitten by the young man’s good looks to protest immediately, not that he really wants to except maybe on principle. By the time he recovers from the effect JR’s smile and sexy voice have on him it’s too late to say anything without it being awkward, so the nickname sticks.

Jared spends pretty much every moment of his summer at the beach from then on. Between learning to surf and getting to know his new group of friends the summer seems to be flying by much too quickly for Jared.

By the time he is able to make solo rides on his newly purchased used surfboard he is sure of two things. He will continue surfing for the rest of his life and he is head-over-heels in love with JR.

Jared will never forget the moment he got his first close up look at JR on the morning he showed up looking for his rescuer. Surfer-guy as Jared had still thought of him that morning, had been in the process of pulling a sweatshirt over his head. His face was hidden in the folds of the hoodie but his tanned and toned broad shoulders, torso, arms and well defined abdomen were on display to everyone who had been looking. And Jared had definitely been looking. Jared will always remember feeling the urge to reach out and run his hands along every part of that body. When JR’s face had finally been visible the sight had taken Jared’s breath away. JR was gorgeous. His hair was lighter than it looked the day before, a mix between light brown and a dark blond. Its length was hard to judge as JR had immediately run his fingers through it pushing it back so that it the wet strands clung to his scalp. His eyes were a deep grass green and fringed with thick, long, sooty dark lashes. Beneath the sun-tanned skin Jared had made out freckles that sprinkled across the bridge of his nose and along his cheeks. A defined square jaw, straight white teeth and pouty full lips completed the picture.

There was no denying that Jared had been immediately and intensely physically attracted to the man, something that Jared hadn’t experienced before but it had been more than that. In the six weeks since that morning they have spent many hours together. Sometimes it is just surfing side-by-side or sitting on the beach relaxing with the others not really speaking to each other directly. But there have also been many hours where they have discussed books, music, and movies, just the two of them and found they share similar tastes. They have told each other many stories of growing up with an older brother and a younger sister and found that being a middle child is just something else they both have in common.

Like most teenagers Jared’s days are not perfect; there are times when there is sadness and angst. Some of those times are when he learns that JR runs off on dates one or two nights a week It hurts Jared because despite the time they spend together and all that they have found in common he can’t seem to make JR see that Jared is interested in him.

Another mostly unenjoyable moment had been owing up to being romantically/sexually interested in boys to his parents. As he had previously suspected his mother had somehow guessed and maybe because of that prior knowledge she had quickly offered her continued love and support of his choices. His father, while not unsupportive, had taken a bit longer to come around.

Realising that his new pastime had isolated him from his longtime friends was a sad moment too.

Like everyone else’s life the bad moments in Jared’s are interspersed with good ones. Learning that JR dates not only women but men was definitely a happy, hopeful one for Jared. His father’s eventual understanding and support of his interest in boys resulting in the end of the constant attempts to set him up on dates with the daughters of his friends and colleagues was also good. Confirming Chad’s suspicions and no longer having to hide his true feelings from his best friend was a very bright moment too, especially since Chad had surprised him by being completely accepting and supportive.

The announcement that there is going to be a end-of-the-summer-bonfire in a week is bittersweet new to Jared. For one thing he hears it from JR’s most recent beach bunny, Danni and he’s hurt that none of his new friends mentioned it to him directly. Learning that they all consider him too young to party with them just makes Jared more determined to attend. When he reminds the group that he turned eighteen a week earlier they relent and agree that he can attend if his parents are okay with it.

The realization that many of the surfers, who are mostly college students, will be leaving the beach and returning to school or home to prepare for the upcoming school year spurs Jared to make a final attempt to get JR’s interest.

Now that Chad knows he is Jared’s first choice for advice (it’s not like he can ask anyone else alright?) Chad of course has no helpful advice to offer claiming that he has no idea how to go about catching a man’s interest. He does eventually comment that if it was him, a girl would just have to ignore him while simultaneously flaunting someone ‘smokin hot’ in his face. Claims it would make him jealous enough to declare his feelings for the girl. Jared is reluctant to indulge in such manipulative behavior but after two days without a more palpable plan of action surfacing, he gives in.

Once again Jared to turns to Chad for help. After they discuss the very few options that Jared has available to him and Jared makes it clear that he wants to be upfront about his intentions with whomever his dates turns out to be they agree that none of the gay boys they actually know will do. Chad declares that none of them would inspire jealousy in a guy that Jared described as ‘so-gorgeous-I-could-die-happy-now-that-I’ve-seen-him’, but it is Chad who provides the answer again albeit unintentionally.

“Too bad you can’t just hire someone to act like they are crazy about you for a few hours. That would make everything so clean and simple. They get paid; you get your man; nobody gets hurt; everybody wins.”

Those words are still on Jared mind when he arrives home later that afternoon and they are what make him realize that he knows someone he can ask to help him, his neighbor.

Tahmoh’s family has lived on Jared’s block for almost six years and when Jared catches sight of him as he exits the car Jared immediately knows that he would be the perfect person to ask to be his fake date. Tahmoh is tall, smart, good looking, very nice and a friend of his and Jeff’s. At two years older than Jared, Tahmoh has already graduated from the same high school that Jared currently attends, they even had a few classes together over the years. As a neighbor and friend of his brother’s, they know each other fairly well. At least well enough for Jared to believe that he can ask this of the other man. While Tahmoh is not gay, he was the best actor in his graduating year. Jared remembers that during their shared drama classes Tahmoh would often say that he welcomed any acting challenge that anyone could bring him; that he loved seeing if he could convincingly portray any character. Jared hopes that one year of college has not changed Tahmoh’s outlook because after dinner Jared is going to call Tahmoh up and ask him out on a fake date.

Tahmoh sounds pleased to hear from Jared later that evening when Jared calls, but Jared is reluctant to ask for this favor over the phone; they agree to meet the next day at a small coffee shop where Tahmoh has worked for several summers.

Jared arrives first and orders them both drinks and muffins. When Tahmoh arrives they greet each other warmly and spend about twenty minutes catching up before Jared brings up his invitation. He is happy to learn that Tahmoh is involved in his school’s drama group and quickly agrees to help Jared with his situation. The only condition Tahmoh imposes is that he does not want either of their sets parents to know. Jared is in no real position to insist or object. They hash out the details for what is expected and agree to meet at the same coffee shop on the night of the bonfire so that they can drive to it together.

Despite how easily it all came together or maybe because of it it all goes to pieces when Jared arrives at the coffee shop the night of the bonfire. Tahmoh is there waiting for him, but so is JR. Apparently, even though jared has never noticed her there before Danni (JR’s beach bunny) works at the shop. ANd that’s not even the worse thing. Before he can rush Tahmoh out the door, he is hit with apologies from Tahmoh. Something urgent has come up; the actor that was cast as the lead in community theatre he is a member of has had to drop out due to a an injury and they need Tahmoh to return an audition for his spot immediately. Jared barely has time to react before Tahmoh is rushing out the door, wishing Jared luck on making the guy he wants jealous, loudly enough that JR can’t help but overhear.

Jared sighs in disappointment and heads toward the door himself. He can’t help but be surprised when JR falls into step beside him asking “I thought you were coming to the bonfire tonight?”

Jared feels like the answer is obvious but he nevertheless shrugs and says “I was, but my plans just fell through”.

“Oh that’s too bad. Does this mean you aren’t going anymore? Cause I was hopping I could catch a ride to the beach with you.”

Jared is too nice a guy to say no. On the way, at JR’s pressing, Jared finds himself giving the other boy the bare minimum details of his plan.

He’s not really surprised that JR guesses it’s one of their group of friends whom Jared is trying to entice but he absolutely refuses to give JR a name.

He is surprised when after he admits that he is going home, his plan having fallen through, JR offers to be his ‘date’ for the night. JR says that although he does not consider himself an actor he thinks he can give a good enough impression of being head-over-heels for Jared to convince anyone.

Jared knows it bad idea, but the thought of JR sending him dreamy looks, holding his hand, maybe even kissing him is too much to resist and he agrees.

The night ends up being even better than Jared had hoped it would when he’d planned it out.

JR holds his hand, puts his arm around him, whispers in his ear, sits so close that they are practically sitting on top of each other, several times throughout the evening.

In fact the only time JR is more than a foot away from him is when some of the others lure him away long enough to grab a guitar and join them in singing a couple of songs.

Jensen has a wonderful voice which Jared gets to hear when Jensen sings lead on the last song they do. It's a song Jared has never heard before about how there is no such thing as the next best thing to love. It's a wonderful song but it makes Jared realize that he needs to end the date. As much as he has enjoyed JR's attentions the song has made him realize that it's nowhere close to being as good as having the real thing.

When JR returns to the spot they had been sitting at, Jared is gathering his things preparing to leave. Jared thanks JR for his help but tells him it's time for him to stop pretending and go home.

He fully expects for JR to let him away but instead JR takes his arm and pulls him closer than is strictly needed, say as he does that he agrees. That Jared shouldn't have to go to such drastic measures to gain someone's attention. That if that person can't see what a great guy Jared is then that person doesn't deserve Jared and Jared is better off with him.

Jared thinks for a moment that JR is staring at his lips and is leaning into kiss him but someone on the other side of JR rushes by bumping into him and almost knocking them over.. When they regain their footing there is a larger distance than before and the moment is gone.

Jared is prepared to stay to see if they can get it back but JR steps away asking if Jared would mind dropping him off at the house he is staying at since the bonfire won't be over for a good long while yet and none of the others probably want to leave yet.

The beach house where JR and some of the others are staying for the summer is only a few miles down the road and despite the fact that Jared had just realized that he was better off ending the charade he can help but think of the almost kiss and finds himself prolonging it instead by inviting himself in when he asks to use the restroom.

When he emerges from the bathroom, having gathered all his courage to ask JR if he was indeed going to kiss him on the beach he finds JR sprawled on the couch with a beer in his hand. Despite the fact that he's seen JR all summer long in nothing more than board shorts there is something in the way JR is reclined that just makes his brain fizzle out. The next thing he knows he is on the couch next JR, practically in his lap, leaning into his neck whispering "I want you to kiss me. Will you please just kiss me? Please."

JR is so surprised by Jared's plea that he freezes so Jared leans in farther and presses their lips together. It's clumsy and probably too hard but Jared feels those same tingles and sparks along his body that he's felt everytime JR has touch him.

It takes him a few moments to realize that JR is actually pushing him away, gently, but still away from him saying "Stop. Jared you need to stop."

He can see Jr’s lips moving and hear words but they don’t make sense to Jared. His heart is pounding all he can hear is it beating loudly in his head. When Jared tries to lean forward to press their lips together again JR’s grip tightens and he pushes Jared away more firmly repeating his previous words “No Jared. Stop. You need to get off me.”

Comprehension rushes through Jared a millisecond before the humiliation does. JR doesn’t want him. In his scramble to get up off the couch he manages to knock the half empty beer can JR still held in one hand onto himself emptying most of the remaining liquid onto himself.

The tears gathering in his eyes make it hard for him to see clearly but once he is on his feet he rushes in the direction he thinks the door is. He ignores JR’s “Shit. Wait. Jared. Let me…”

But the rest of JR’s words are lost to him because he is somehow miraculously at the door. He knows that he really shouldn’t be driving but all he can think is that he needs to leave before JR sees him crying. Being rejected was enough humiliation for one night he doesn't think he could bare it if he breaks down too.

He drives too fast and maybe a little reckless but is lucky enough to make it home without incident. However his luck ends there as his parents greet him as soon as he steps in with the news that his brother is back from Italy and will be driving arriving the next day accompanied by his friend, Josh.

Jared is too upset to give the information much attention. All he wants is to be alone in his room so he can cry himself to sleep and maybe make a plan for the rest of his summer because he is NOT going back to the beach until JR is gone.

With a mumbled "that's great, I'm glad Jeff's back" he walks past his parents. He makes it as far as the bottom step before his parents stop him and ask where he's been and if he's been driving because he smells of alcohol. That is really the last straw for Jared. He can't take it any more and he shouts out "I don't wanna talk about it" before turning, running up the stairs and into his room slamming and locking the door behind him. He refuses to open the door or talk to his parents when they try.

Thirty six hours later, when his brother knocks on his door for the fourth or fifth time in the twenty four hours he's been home Jared finally spills his tale of unrequited love.

It's clear that outside of trying to reassure Jared that everything will be better with time, Jeff doesn't really know what to do to make his little brother feel better, but he refuses to leave Jared alone with his broken heart.

Jeff invites Jared to join him and Josh, and Josh's brother, (who attends school a couple of hours up the coast and has been spending his summer in town with friends and has apparently been forgiven for bailing on the summer trip) for an afternoon of driving around town showing Josh the sites.

Jared reminds Jeff that he is currently under house arrest because he's refused to fill their parents in on the events of two nights ago. Jeff says to leave their parents to him and convinces them by saying that he really needs Jared to come along so that they are a foursome instead of an awkward threesom, plus it will be better for Jared to be out than sitting at home alone brooding.

With no option left, Jared dresses and heads out with Jeff.

He can't believe his eyes when Jeff drives to the same beach house where Jared so recently had his heart broken. Before he can say or ask anything Jeff honks the horn; the door immediately opens and a young man, about Jeff's age exits calling something back over his shoulder that sounds like 'hurry up Jerk'. It's not JR, but that's all Jared's brain can register for the next few minutes because the next thing he's aware of, he's in the back seat (Jeff must have told him to move there) and he is looking at the back of Josh Ackles’ head.

Jeff is making introductions and while Jared is trying to find his voice to say hello the rear passenger door opposite him opens and someone slides into the seat. With his wits returning he turns to greet Josh's brother only to find himself face to face with JR whom Josh is introducing as his little brother, Jensen.

Heat flares up all over Jared's body, he's pretty sure it's anger (or embarrassment) and he reaches for the door handle instinctively but a small shake of JR/Jensen's head indicating he shouldn't makes him stop. JR uses the cover of their brothers discussing where they should go first to lean toward Jared enough to whisper "do you really want to have to explain?" with a nod of his head to the front seat. And although Jeff does know most of the story, Jared doesn't really want Jeff to know everything and he has no wish to explain it to a stranger, even one who is his brother's best friend, at all.

Jeff starts the car and drives on toward an unknown destination but he looks back at Jared and asks if there is anywhere can think of around town that's interesting enough of to show Josh. Being that Jared doesn’t really want to have to spend anymore time in the car than is necessary he shakes his head in a negative answer. To his surprise JR speaks up “If it wouldn’t be too inconvenient, I’d like to show Josh where I spent most of the summer. Can we stop by Tourmaline?”

With a glance at Jared, (Jeff doesn’t know the name of the beach Jared spent his summer at), then nods and turns to go in that direction saying “It’s close, we can stop by there first.”

It only takes a few minutes to arrive. Jared considers staying in the car while the others make the trek down the stairs, but a concerned look from Jeff and barely noticeable nod from JR indicating he wants Jared to come along has him exiting the vehicle with the others.

The beach is surprisingly empty, most of the summer crowd having headed home in the time since the bonfire. There are only a few surfers and beach goers scattered along the stretch of beach.

Jared is trailing along behind the other three while the other three boys talk about surfing and Italy and exchange all the details of their summers.

With his head bent Jared doesn’t really notice that he is falling farther and farther behind. But he can’t help but notice when he comes up against a solid body.

It’s JR. Jeff and Josh, involved in their own conversation, have apparently left the two younger men on their own as they continue toward one of the food stands.

Jared tries to step around JR, but JR steps sideways with him saying “Come on Jared, we need to talk about what happened”.

Jared steps back and heads after the older boys “I’ll pass Jensen I’m only here because Jeff didn’t want the three of you to be all awkward an’ stuff”.

JR chuckles as he hurries up and steps in front of Jared again. Jared gives him an annoyed look but JR shrugs it off “Come on, even you gotta admit that’s hilariously ironic.”

“No. I don’t actually.”

JR smiles. “It is so and you know… Okay, okay. It’s not funny at all, but it is ironic as hell. Anyway I’m glad you’re here.”

“That’s not how you acted like the other night”. Jared spits out.

“How the hell was I supposed to act, Tiger?”

“I don’t know! But maybe you coulda kissed me back, instead of pushing me off!? And don’t call me that!” Jared’s attempt to walk away is thwarted by JR stepping in front of him again.

“Look, I wanted to kiss you back, but…”

Jared shakes his head indicating his disbelief “But what? Either you did or you didn’t.”

“I did.” JR insists.

“Then why didn’t you? Why did you push me away?”

JR actually looks like he might be blushing as he admits “I didn’t want either of us to get hurt, okay? I mean just a couple of hours earlier you’d been trying to make some other guy jealous. Then suddenly you were kissing me and well, I thought- mean- I didn’t want to be your rebound guy, okay? I wanted it to mean something.”

It takes a second to register what JR’s words mean but when it does Jared can’t hold back the smile and laughter that bubbles up inside him.

“Oh NOW, you’re laughing”. Jared can see that JR is taking the laughter the wrong way so his hand shoots out and grabs JR’s bicep as he starts to turn away..

“Wait, wait. I’m only laughing because this is really is stupid. We’re really stupid.”

Then, in response to JR’s quizzical look, adds “You're the guy. I was trying to make YOU jealous.”

“Oh. OH.” JR sighs as he steps closer to Jared “Why didn’t you say something sooner? Why didn-- You know what? It doesn’t matter why. We’ve wasted too much time already.”

JR reaches for Jared’s hand then leans in and whispers “So what do we do now Tiger?”

“Maybe we can try that kiss again? And agree to never bring up that night, ever!”

They both forget that somewhere on that beach or maybe in the parking lot their older brothers are waiting, possibly watching, as their lips meet for the second time.

It's a little bit clumsy, probably too hard, definitely too short but Jared feels those tingles and sparks shooting along his body again; in his memory it’s perfect.

Hands clasped together, they are walking toward the parking lot when Jared thinks to ask “So how does Jensen Ackles translate into the nickname JR?”

“My middle name is Ross. One of the guys in my dorm freshman year was a real joker. Gave everyone nicknames. It’s kinda of a long story. I’ll have plenty of time to tell you about it soon. We’ll have to have something to talk about on all the weekends I plan to visit you.”

End.

(Rest of the story Is now posted 10/20/15).