Steve, Mark and Jesse were eating lunch in the hospital's cafeteria enjoying each other's company and discussing Jesse and Steve's latest fishing trip that ended up with a fish hook in the chin for Jesse and five stitches in Steve's finger as he tried to help Jesse with the fish hook. Mark was silently laughing at the two of them. They had just returned the evening before. Amanda approached sliding into the seat next to Steve; they briefly kissed. They had been "officially" dating for a couple of months now. Steve still wondered how someone so sophisticated and beautiful as Amanda with her perfect dark skin and intellect could find him interesting. He decided to just enjoy and not think too hard about it.

Mark and Jesse quickly excused themselves knowing the other two would enjoy a moment or two alone, at least as alone as you could get in the middle of a busy hospital cafeteria. "So, how was the fishing trip? Did you catch anything?"

"If you call catching Jesse's chin catching something I'd say yes, if not no. It was beautiful though. Instead of a fish fry this Friday with fish supplied by yours truly we'll have to settle for purchasing the fish."

Amanda chuckled, she had already heard about their mishaps on the phone last night when Steve called after they had been patched up. She took Steve's hand in hers and gently inspected the finger with the stiches. "It doesn't look too bad. Next time let an expert remove the fish hook." She said this with teasing eyes and mirth in her voice.

"How's CJ?" This was Amanda's five year old son and Steve adored him.

"He missed you, but I told him he'd get to see you on Friday and the fish fry."

"How's kindergarten?" School had just started two weeks ago and Amanda had been so worried about CJ going to school.

"He loves it, he has a lot of friends and is learning so much. I guess I didn't need to worry, you were right. At least right about that." They both chuckled. "It does sadden me to see him grow up so quickly," she frowned at this last comment.

Steve put his arm around her, not completely understanding but realizing this was a big step for both Amanda and CJ. "Hey, I need to get back to the station, but as always I loved even this few minutes to talk to you." They kissed and as an afterthought. "Hey, if things aren't too busy this afternoon, how about dinner?"

"I'd like that, I'll get a sitter."

Steve went back to work in a positive frame of mind and with something to look forward to later this evening.

Later that evening they met at a quaint Chinese restaurant, even though Steve was part owner of Barbeque Bob's he enjoyed all food. Steve been assigned a case involving a military officer as a witness that had been good friends with Amanda's ex- husband. He knew he could get some more information about this witness from Amanda, but didn't know how to approach it. He had decided he wouldn't bring it up at dinner, he would just enjoy the meal with Amanda.

They did enjoy the meal and conversation about CJ's school day and Steve's desire to get out surfing soon, he hadn't had a chance to do much of that lately. Amanda did notice Steve seemed a little preoccupied and knew it was probably about a case. Steve had a hard time putting a case on the back burner until it was solved. Sometimes he wished he could, but it was also something she found endearing about him. He was so dedicated and cared about the victims, so she would never complain about it.

She did ask him what was on his mind. "Just a case, sorry, we don't need to talk about it, this is our time."

"Steve, you know you can talk to me, I'm a medical examiner and I know how it helps for you to talk through things. We've had a wonderful meal and have had time to be just us, so what is it?"

"I'm not sure how to approach it, …you know the homicide from this morning a Ron Willard?" Amanda shook her head yes. " Well, there was a witness to an argument with this Ron and another man, but the witness seemed real nervous when we interviewed him and was really vague on the details. You know the witness and if you don't mind can I ask about his character?"

"Sure, who is it?"

"it's Collin's (her ex-husband) friend Paul Appleton."

Amanda's forehead creased, she blew out a heavy sigh and replied, "Of course you can ask me, it's not my favorite topic, but if it will help. I try not to think about Collin or any of his friends too much. Too many memories."

TBC