6

"You were right."

"About what?" Mark asked, glancing over at her. Bailey was once again in the passenger seat. They had stayed at the hidden restaurant for almost three hours, eating, talking, getting to know each other better. Bailey's question had come out of the blue. They had been sharing another comfortable silence.

"Ellie. She's somethin'." Bailey said with a grin. Ellie was the owner of the Hideaway, the home of the best damn steaks in Texas. In her late fifties, with long silver hair tied back in a braid, wearing cowboy boots and a wild print Hawaiian shirt, she'd been a bundle of energy, weaving through tables, carrying huge plates of food, doting on her customers.

Bailey had gotten the feeling that Ellie was like a mother figure to Mark. She certainly seemed to dote on him. She made sure they got their food quickly, that their drinks never ran empty. She even sat down with them for a bit, chatting with Mark about anything that came to mind.

"She's a ball of fire." Mark smiled.

"I noticed." Bailey shook her head.

Mark cleared his throat. "It's almost midnight."

"You gonna turn into a pumpkin?" Bailey asked with a laugh.

"I dunno. It's possible." Mark grinned, slowing down as they entered the city limits.

"Ready to get rid of me?" Bailey reached over and poked his side. Mark jerked and laughed. Bailey was a very physical person, he had figured that out already. All through dinner she had constantly reached out to touch his arm, his hand, to get his attention. She'd play fought with him in the parking lot, to the amusement of the other customers who were sitting outside smoking. When he'd helped her into the truck, she'd slid to the middle of the seat, next to him, so that she brushed against him with every turn he made.

"Not even close, darlin'." He drawled out playfully. It was strange…Bailey was actually fun to be around. He could see himself being friends with her. Hanging out with her. And then he'd think of doing other, more clothing-optional things, and turn red. He was a bit confused by his scattered thoughts.

"What do ya have in mind?" She looked up at him, gray eyes sparkling with mischief. Mark struck her as the kind of person that was just too serious. After working with Ken for so long, Bailey had developed a very wicked sense of fun. Mark looked as if he needed a good dose of it. It wasn't anything he said-at dinner they'd kept their talking to light subjects, neither wanting to delve too deeply just yet. He still seemed to be mulling over her story from earlier, on the ride to the restaurant.

"I don't know." He glanced down at her. "Too late for a movie."

"That's all right. I'd just as soon wait and buy the DVD." Bailey said with a smile.

"I suppose you have to work tomorrow, so I don't wanna keep you out too late."

"Nope. I'm not working until next week. So I can stay up as late as I want to."

Mark glanced at her again. They were nearing the turn off that would lead to her house. "So what do you suggest?"

"Hmm…" Bailey tapped a finger against her chin, thinking. "I don't know. I don't usually go out and enjoy the nightlife."

"It's Wednesday. The nightlife doesn't exist until at least tomorrow night." Mark said wryly.

"All right then. How about we watch a movie at my place?" She asked, looking up at him.

"Your place?" Mark repeated, thinking it over. Then he chided himself for thinking about it. She'd offered a movie, it wasn't as if she'd stripped her shirt off and told him to go to town. Now there was a thought.

"Remember that house you came to and I answered the door?" Bailey said sarcastically, smirking.

"Ha ha. No. Refresh my memory." Mark said, chuckling.

"If you have to go home, that's all right too." She said, grinning. "Since you brought up the fact that it's late. Do you have to work tomorrow?"

Mark shook his head, looking at her again. "The bike shop pretty much runs itself." He'd told her over dinner that as soon as he'd gotten out of school, he had opened his own motorcycle shop. They did everything from repairs to rebuilds. He'd made a very lucrative living from it.

"Well…" She drawled the word out. Mark nodded.

"All right. What movie?"

Bailey laughed. "Hell, I don't know. You'll have to peruse the collection and decide for me."

"Collection?"

She snickered. "You'll see." She said, repeating his words from earlier in the evening.

He parked on the street in front of her house and climbed out, then went around to help her out of the truck. Bailey led the way into the house, tossing her purse onto a table inside the door.

"I can make some popcorn…" Bailey said, smiling at him. Mark shrugged.

"I'm full." He said, rubbing his stomach absently. He always ate too much when he went to Ellie's. But that was the house rule.

"All righty. Want something to drink?" Bailey leaned against the back of the couch and tugged her boots off. Mark watched her with interest, almost wanting to ask what else would be coming off.

"I'll take a beer if you have one." He said, moving to the couch and settling on it. Bailey grinned at him and padded into the kitchen, rummaging in the fridge.

She came back and handed him the cold can. "Now. Pick a movie." She pointed to the television. On either side of the big screen stood large shelves. They were packed end to end with DVD cases. She'd apparently run out of room as some movies lay on top of others.

"Damn." He said under his breath, making her laugh.

"I told you."

"Yeah, you weren't kidding." He stood up and began looking at the titles, trying to find one he would want to see. "Have you watched all of these?"

"At some point or other. I'm sort of a movie fiend. Horror movies, mostly." Bailey said around a sip of her beer. She set the can on the table and stretched. "I'm going to go change while you decide. Anything is fine with me." She didn't wait for an answer. She climbed the stairs and disappeared from sight.

Mark sighed and went back to looking through her movies. There were some he'd never heard of, let alone seen. He laughed when he came across a copy of Spiderman. It made him think of the dog that had disappeared the day before.

Bailey reappeared, her hair held back in a loose bun, wearing a knee length nightshirt. She smiled at him. "Got one yet?"

"You have too many to choose from." He said with a sigh, taking a drink of his beer. "Is this one any good?" He held out a case. Bailey took it and made a face.

"Not really." She laughed. "I really should start renting before I buy. I can't help myself though."

"There are worse hobbies. I guess." He smirked. Bailey made a fist and shook it at him.

"Don't be jealous, bud. Pick one."

Mark decided to go with one he'd already seen. Halloween. The original. He hadn't seen that movie in years. Bailey nodded at his choice and turned the TV and DVD player on, loading the movie.

Mark settled on the couch again. Bailey looked at him thoughtfully. "You know, get comfortable. Don't be so stiff."

"Stiff?"

Bailey rolled her eyes. "You have this strange habit of repeating things. Do you do that on purpose?"

"Repeating things?" Mark said, looking genuinely puzzled. Then he laughed. "I know. I can't help myself though."

"You." Bailey said in exasperation, throwing a fake punch at his arm. Mark laughed and dodged her. "I suggest you make yourself comfortable. Or else."

"Sounds like a threat there, woman." Mark eyed her, becoming serious all of a sudden. His eyes hardened. "I don't much like it when a…woman…tells me what to do."

Bailey cocked an eyebrow at him, as if she'd just seen a roach crawl from his mouth. "Uh oh…am I in trouble here?" She eyed him warily. Until he grinned. She groaned and smacked the back of his head. "You asshole. I thought you were gonna kill me."

"I might still." Mark said, laughing again. Thanks to his size, he had learned a long time ago how to be intimidating. Sometimes it was funny to watch.

"Not if I kill you first." Bailey absently rubbed his head where she'd smacked him. "Are you sure about the popcorn?"

"Positive. If I eat anything else, I'll bust." He said, bending and tugging his shoes off.

"Ok. I'm gonna grab another beer. Do you want one?" At his nod, she went into the kitchen again. This time she came back balancing four of them. "So I don't have to get up again." She explained, setting them on the floor. She turned off the lights and sat next to him, pushing play on the remote control.

Fifteen minutes into the movie, she leaned her head against his shoulder. Ten minutes after that, Mark had his arm around Bailey, leaning his cheek against her head. They finished their beers. Mark drank most of Bailey's third one. She was still working on number two. The movie passed in relative quiet, although every now and then one of them would say something, usually something scathing about the film.

By the time the movie was over, Mark was stretched out on his side with Bailey spooned against him. They were both still facing the television. Bailey was using his arm as a pillow. His free hand rested lightly against her hip. The credits were rolling and he did not want to move from the spot he was in, perfectly content to just lie there with her next to him.

When the credits ended, the DVD went back to its menu screen. Bailey sighed and carefully turned in Mark's arms to face him, her head still cushioned by his arm. "I haven't seen that one in a while." She observed, her voice sounding a bit thick.

"Me either." Mark said softly. He nuzzled the top of her head, wrapping his arm around her waist. "Now it really is late."

"Mmm." Bailey made a noise, but did not actually speak.

"Are you fallin' asleep on me?" He asked, chuckling.

"Nope." Now she sounded wide-awake. Mark smiled in the dimly lit room, cuddling her even closer. She did not protest it. "Now what?"

"Um…I don't know." Mark said, tracing her spine with one finger. "I guess I should head home."

"Yeah…probably." But she made no move to get up and let him go. Her hand snaked around his waist. They held each other for a few moments. Bailey finally tilted her head to look up at him. "You have had a few beers though. I don't know if I should let you drive at the moment."

Mark said nothing. He was lost in her eyes. There was enough ambient light coming from the TV and the small nightlight in the kitchen to see her eyes, those beautiful gray eyes that drew him in like nothing he'd ever felt before. Without a word or warning, he ducked his head and brushed his lips over hers, kissing her timidly, gently, no pressure, just the barest hint of his lips on hers.

Bailey sighed against his mouth and he took that as his cue to deepen the kiss. He pressed his lips more firmly against hers, his tongue slipping out to caress the curve of her lower lip. Her lips were parted; he flicked his tongue along the opening, urging her to open up for him.

She tilted her head to the side a bit to give Mark better access, using her tongue to play against his. He made a low growling noise in his throat at her actions and delved his tongue deeper into her mouth, moaning at the taste of her against his tongue. He brought his hand up and tugged the elastic holding her hair. It spilled over his hand in a copper fall, the silky texture tickling his fingers. Mark stroked her hair, still kissing her, not wanting to stop.

Austin tucked Payge into bed, kissing her daughter gently on the forehead before heading back out to the living room.

Ken was still there. She just felt better having him with her, and she did not want to be alone. It made her realize just how dependent on Mark she had come to be.

Ken smiled at her when she came back into the living room. Austin was embarrassed. "Ken, I'm glad you've stuck around, but if you need to leave, then I won't put up a big fuss."

"Well…" He was still smiling. He had a little boy smile, dimples and all. "I suppose I should get home and crash. Since I'll be so busy tomorrow."

"Oh?" She couldn't help herself. She sat down and smiled back at him. "What are you doing?"

"Absolutely nothing. Anderson Cooper is closed until Monday."

"Anderson Cooper." Austin said thoughtfully. "Isn't that they guy on…"

"Yes it is." Ken laughed and interrupted her before she could finish.

"Is that on purpose?" Austin asked with a smirk.

"Nah. Cooper Anderson doesn't sound right. We're still tryin' to come up with a catchy name." Ken sighed and looked at the clock. "You sure you don't want me to stick around? You seem kind of edgy. Is something wrong?" He remembered Bailey's thoughts from the day before, about there being something going on with this family. After Austin's phone call, his curiosity was running rampant. She was calm now, and she was wonderful with her daughter, but the way she had sounded on the phone…

"I don't need a babysitter." She said with no malice. "I was just…jumpy I guess. And no…nothing is wrong."

Ken raised an eyebrow. She was lying, it was obvious, because she averted her eyes as soon as she spoke. "I wasn't offering to baby sit." He said, keeping his tone joking.

"Good." Austin rose and stretched. "It's after one. Mark should be back any time now. I think we'll be all right."

"If it's all the same to you, I wouldn't mind waiting until he got home. If it makes you feel safer." He said, his voice low.

Austin hesitated, then nodded. "I don't know why you would want to put yourself out for me. You don't even know me."

"Yet." Ken said with a grin. Austin felt a blush rising again. She had not been with a man since…him…and she had no intentions of starting now, especially since 'he' was still out there somewhere, looking for her. But if she were to change her mind, she had a very good idea where she would start.

Instead of remarking on his comment, Austin pushed her dark hair away from her face and looked at everything but Ken. "I'm going to go to bed. You can stay if you want to. I won't argue with you about it. And thank you."

"For what?" Ken asked, situating himself more comfortably on the couch.

"Just…for being here." Impulsively she leaned over and kissed his cheek, her face five shades of red. "Good night, Ken."

"G'night Aus." He winked at her and watched her walk away. Austin made herself walk normally from the room, even though she felt like running. The way he looked at her…

She shoved the thought aside. Ken obviously thought she was good looking. Too bad that nothing more could come of it that that. Feeling weary to the bone, Austin climbed into bed and snuggled under her blanket, alone, just like always. Being her sucked right then. She wished the whole mess was over with, that she could have a normal life. The end of the tunnel was not in sight, though. And she had a sinking feeling that it never would be.