The following morning Mark and Ellen drive over to the detention center located in the heart of LA. To someone who doesn't know any better, the nondescript building looks like any other office building from the outside and is nothing like a typical detention facility.
The two head inside and wait for their turn among the small crowd of family and friends queued up to visit other detainees. Fortunately, the line progresses steadily until it's their turn and they can finally speak to the officer manning the window. Arranging to visit Aurie is much easier than anticipated, much to Mark's relief. They fill out the forms, present their IDs, and then queue up in another line to be led inside a cafeteria-like room. Mark and Ellen settle at a small, square table to wait. It isn't long before a group of detainees is ushered in. They watch a steady stream of joyous reunions followed by each group settling at the surrounding tables to visit.
Mark smiles when he spots Aurie as she wanders in with the other stragglers, looking around in confusion. Like the other detainees, she is wearing the typical correctional uniform of tan pants with a matching zip-up jacket over a simple white T-shirt.
"Aurie!" he calls out with a wave while standing up so she can see him.
Attracting her attention, she blinks at him in surprise before smiling slightly in relief. When she's close enough, his smile drops into a frown when he notices spots of bruising along the right side of her face from her temple down to her chin.
"I'd ask how you're doing, but the answer is fairly obvious."
She doesn't get a chance to respond when he surprises her with a hug. His concern grows when he hears her grunting in pain. Pulling back, he eyes her haggard, tired features in concern.
"Okay, who did this to you?" he demands.
"It's nothing," she replies, trying to reassure him. At his disbelieving look, she sighs. "Well, nothing serious. It probably looks worse than it is. Sit and I'll tell you about it."
"All right," he grudgingly accepts. As they settle into their seats he introduces the two women. "Aurie, I'd like you to meet Steve's fiancée, Ellen Sharp." After they exchange greetings, he continues. "Ellen returned home yesterday and I brought her up to speed about what's going on. She's here to help me try to get you out of here today."
"And you still wanted to meet me?" Aurie blinks at the blonde in surprise.
"Why wouldn't I?" Ellen asks in confusion.
"Because the mere mention of my mother makes people want to flee in terror," Aurie smirks.
"It's not that bad," Mark laughs.
"I'm sure she's not that bad and you're not your mother," Ellen smiles, earning a small smile of gratitude from the teen.
"Taylor didn't agree and got me tossed in here."
"Well, he's an idiot. So what's going on?" she gestures at Aurie's face.
Aurie's gaze discreetly drifts to the tables around them, before dropping her voice low.
"There's a couple of gangster chicks in here on their way back to South America. El Salvador, I think. They've been strutting around with a tough swagger trying to put the scare into the new detainees."
"I take it they didn't put the scare into you?" Mark asks.
"Not really, but I wasn't trying to be tough and brave either. I was trying to keep to myself but they didn't like me the moment they saw me. I'm too white for their tastes."
"What does that have to do with anything?" Mark frowns in confusion.
"Everything if you've got nothing to lose and want a reason to pick a fight," Aurie smirks. "You should've seen the look on their faces when they came around talking shi..," she awkwardly corrects herself at Mark's pointed look. "Er, crap, I mean talking crap to me in Spanish and I threw it back at them, showing I understood everything they were saying. They didn't like that and jumped me."
"And the guards just let them?" Ellen asks in disbelief.
"Not really. These girls weren't stupid and cornered me when there weren't any guards nearby. I'm not sure how long they were kicking and pounding on me before they were pulled off. Right now they're in solitary, but I'm not taking the chance they've got more friends hanging in the background."
Pulling up the sleeves of the jacket, she shocks them with the nasty bruising covering her arms.
"I wouldn't be bruised up so bad if I fought back," she continues, turning her arms over for them. "But I didn't want to take the chance of that counting against me, even if it was self-defense. So I just curled up and protected my head and stomach as much as I could."
"Were you injured anywhere else?" Mark asks, gently grasping her right arm to examine the bruising more closely.
"I'm pretty sure I've got some nice shades of red and blue all over my back. I can't be more specific because I feel stiff and sore everywhere and the mirrors are polished metal, so it's hard to see things. Definitely bruised all over my legs."
Reaching over, Mark gently pushes her braid out of the way to look at the visible damage on the back of her neck as it disappears into her collar and hairline and the bruising on the side of her face. He then grasps her chin to turn her face towards him while he studies her eyes.
"Are you experiencing any headaches, dizziness, nausea, or blurred vision?"
"I see fine and I haven't gotten dizzy much today. Not like yesterday. I felt sick most of the day. I still have a headache, but I didn't sleep well. It's noisy here at night and I tried staying awake in case those girls had more friends."
"What did the doctor say when they examined you?"
"Nothing. I haven't seen one yet." At their shocked expressions, she adds, "The doctor they normally have on staff was out yesterday when all this happened and won't be back in until Monday."
"Have you seen your deportation officer yet?" Mark asks, his disapproval clear on his face.
Aurie winces when she briefly shakes her head. She gently rubs her neck before answering.
"They said maybe this afternoon, but I doubt that." Gesturing at the room around them, she adds, "A few have been here a week and haven't seen a deportation officer yet."
"That is not what Agent Ortiz said," Mark glowers.
"Yeah, but when it comes to ICE, what they say and what they do are two different things. I really want to kick Taylor hard in the nuts for this," she grumbles in annoyance.
"Aurie!" Mark scolds.
"What? I didn't swear!" Aurie protests.
"As amusing it is to watch Mark play the proper grandpa, why don't we go and see what we can do to get you out of here?" Ellen suggests, not even trying to hide her amusement.
"Good idea," Mark nods, ignoring her barb while rising to his feet.
Mark gently takes Aurie's upper arm and helps her stand up. He frowns when he notices her blinking rapidly a few times and taking a deep breath. He doesn't say anything since the wave of dizziness passes quickly but keeps a steady hold of her shoulder as they walk over to the nearest guards observing the room. Taking turns, he and Ellen tag team the guards until they are led to an interview room to talk to a supervisor. Aurie apprehensively sits in a seat on one side of the table as Mark and Ellen ease into the seats flanking her. She's not sure this is going to work but appreciates Mark and Ellen wanting to try. Within minutes a tall, wiry man with dark brown hair strides in carrying a manila folder.
"I'm Agent Lopez, the day supervisor. I understand you requested to see me," he introduces himself, taking a seat across the table from them.
"Yes," Mark nods. "I'm Dr. Mark Sloan, chief of staff at Community General. I want to get Auralia Acevedes released into my custody."
Opening the file he brought in, Lopez scans the document in it.
"Unfortunately, that won't happen, Dr. Sloan. She hasn't been interviewed by a deportation officer yet. When that takes place, the officer will determine if she's released and how much bail will be."
"She's been in custody for nearly 48 hours and hasn't seen one per procedure," Mark points out. "She also should've received a proper medical exam for her injuries. I'm concerned for her safety and well-being."
"Well, that's nice you're concerned about her, but there's nothing I can do," Lopez replies with thinly veiled condescension. "We are getting new detainees every day and are backed up processing them all. We are working through the backlog as quickly as possible and it will take as long as it takes. Also, her injuries weren't considered serious enough by the nurse to warrant a trip to the hospital and can wait until our staff physician returns on Monday."
Mark gently takes Aurie's right arm and pushes up the sleeve.
"These bruises are deep in the tissue and not from accidentally bumping into a table," he argues. Releasing her hand, he gently angles her head so Lopez can see those bruises better. "Bruising like this on the head could result in a possible concussion, which could have serious complications if left untreated. A nurse isn't qualified to determine the seriousness of these injuries."
"And Miss Acevedes is moving around on her own with no difficulty," Lopez gestures at Aurie. "The incident took place over twenty-four hours ago. By now, if there were complications, they'd have shown up. She is not seriously injured."
Ellen interrupts before Mark can say anything.
"So you're saying that because your staff is 'too busy' that is enough justification to callously disregard a detainee's right to a timely following of procedure and access to appropriate medical care?"
"And you are?" Lopez arches a brow at her.
"Ellen Sharp, a reporter for the Western region of the Associated Press," she promptly replies while pulling a tape recorder out of her pocket and pressing the red button. Ignoring his surprised expression, she continues. "The ACLU has been vocal in criticizing this detention center, particularly the LA division of ICE. Wouldn't this backlog in processing detainees, as you're describing, be a significant contributor to overcrowding? Since overcrowding is considered inhumane treatment, that would explain the increase in complaints of civil rights violations being levied against your agency, wouldn't it?"
"You'd have to reach out to our public relations department for any comments on the operations of this detention center," Lopez cooly replies, annoyance clear in his voice.
"Does anyone in that office work directly with the detainees?" Ellen challenges. When she doesn't get a reply, she continues. "I can certainly reach out to PR, but it'd be a lot easier to get Miss Acevedes released into Dr. Sloan's custody than to get the Action News team out here for a breaking report on the gross negligence going on here, especially regarding a minor. Since it's early enough in the day, chances are good the story could make the national news," she muses thoughtfully. "They'll love the part about dangerous South American gang members running loose to intimidate, threaten, and attack the general population."
While Agent Lopez remains silent and glares at her, Mark can tell his mind is in overdrive trying to figure out how to handle the situation.
"Wait here," he tersely states before abruptly leaving the room.
Uncertain as to what just happened, Aurie looks on in confusion at Mark grinning over at a triumphant Ellen. Neither says anything as they patiently wait. Aurie is surprised when another man enters the room several minutes later, introducing himself as her deportation officer. After confirming with her that it's okay Mark and Ellen can stay for her interview, the agent proceeds with asking her questions such as where she was born and grew up, how long she had been in the U.S., why she wants to stay, and what her intentions are. He then asks Mark a few questions about himself, his intention to help Aurie, and confirms he understands the responsibilities of being her guardian.
The interview barely takes an hour before the deportation officer decides she can leave in Mark's custody without having to post a bond. He explains the immigration court will send notice of when her hearing will be.
Aurie isn't sure if her head is spinning because of how fast everything went or from her headache, but she's happy she's getting out of there. By noon she's dressed back into her regular clothes and settling into the backseat of Ellen's car. She breathes out a soft sigh of relief as Ellen pulls out of the parking lot.
"Glad to be out of there?" Ellen playfully asks over her shoulder as she merges onto the street.
"More than you'll ever know. Thank you both for getting me out of there," she sincerely states.
"I wouldn't be much of a friend if I left you in there," Mark grins over his shoulder.
"It's more than I thought possible from any friend of mine," Aurie quietly points out.
"Then you need higher standards in your friends," Mark quips before looking over at Ellen. "I promised you lunch, but let's stop at Community General before heading over to BBQ Bob's."
"Sure. It'll be an early dinner at this rate, which is fine by me," she agrees.
Mark looks into the backseat where Aurie is sitting behind Ellen and sees the confusion on her face.
"I want to get you examined and make sure you don't have a concussion or anything more serious."
"I feel fine," Aurie protests. "I'm just moving like a viejita right now."
"What about the waves of dizziness you've been failing to hide all morning?" he challenges. "I wasn't kidding about the importance of giving you a proper medical examination even if it's a mild concussion."
"It also records your injuries in case ICE changes their mind about you being in Mark's custody or tries deporting you without due process," Ellen points out, glancing at Aurie in the rearview mirror. "Think of it as leverage if we need it."
"Exactly," Mark nods.
"Okay," Aurie reluctantly agrees. "I just don't want to cause any more trouble or get any more bills I can't afford."
"Let me worry about that," Mark states. "How are you feeling?"
"Mostly tired."
"Any nausea?"
"Not since this morning."
"Was that before or after breakfast?"
"Neither." At his arched brow, Aurie reluctantly admits, "I was feeling queasy when they got us up this morning, so I didn't eat breakfast."
"When did you last eat? Dinner?" Mark asks in concern.
"Lunch," she hesitantly answers. "It made a return trip like a half-hour later and I didn't feel like eating when they were serving dinner."
Blowing out an exasperated breath, Mark looks over at Ellen.
"I think I'm going to file a formal complaint after all. There should always be a doctor on staff. Had Aurie received proper treatment, she wouldn't have been sick like that, risking dehydration."
"Having medical documentation is going to support that complaint," Ellen nods.
"If your injuries aren't serious enough to get you admitted for observation, do you feel up to eating?" he asks, looking back at Aurie again.
She thinks about it before answering.
"Yeah, I think so. I kind of feel a bit hungry, but also not hungry."
"All right, let's see how it goes then."
Within minutes they arrive at Community General. Mark and Ellen usher Aurie into the ER. Standing by the admission desk writing a report, Jesse looks up and sees them walking in.
"Hey, you got Aurie out!" Jesse smiles in greeting.
"With Ellen's help, I succeeded," Mark cheerfully replies. "I didn't expect to see you here. I thought you had the weekend off."
"Well, my weekend was supposed to start two hours ago, but we got kinda busy. I was about to head out now that it's finally slowing down."
"Well, don't let us keep you. Who's on duty?"
"Dr. Singh, but I'm still here. What do you need?" Jesse asks as he looks at Aurie and winces at the bruise on her face then notices her arms. "What happened?"
"Aurie was attacked by two girls yesterday," Mark explains while Jesse steps closer to Aurie to examine the bruises on her arms. "The staff doctor was out and a nurse conducted an improper exam. She's been experiencing some dizziness and nausea, so I want to get her checked out to document her injuries for a complaint I'm going to file against the detention center."
"Didn't get the five-star hotel treatment, huh?" Jesse smirks at Aurie while gently adjusting her head to look at the bruises on her face and neck.
"Not even the Motel 6 treatment," she jokes back.
Grinning, Jesse gently guides her by the shoulder and leads them to the nearest empty exam room.
"Aurie will be my last patient for the day," he explains to Mark as Ellen trails behind.
"Sounds good," Mark agrees.
During the next three hours, Aurie endures Mark and Jesse checking her balance, reflexes, and coordination while asking her numerous questions to check her memory, concentration, and recall abilities.
Ellen hovers in the background observing. Mostly she's amused at seeing the two dealing with and outmaneuvering the resistant teen. She's appalled along with the two doctors when they get a good look at Aurie's back after she changes into a hospital gown and they begin the physical examination. Like her legs, her back is littered with deep, overlapping bruises, explaining her stiff movement and discomfort. Although not as numerous or severe, there's also bruising on the sides of her ribcage. Aurie hisses in pain as Jesse presses along her ribs. He ends up ordering X-rays to check for any fractures.
While waiting for the X-rays to come back, Aurie dozes in the exam room while Mark, Ellen, and Jesse wait in the doctor's lounge with cups of coffee. Mark and Ellen spend the time filling Jesse in on details of what happened at the detention center before they're interrupted by a nurse delivering the X-rays. The two doctors head off to the nearest lightbox to check out the results.
"Well, it looks like she got lucky and doesn't have any fractures," Jesse states while scanning the X-rays. "She just has a mild concussion and is banged up good."
"She should be fine in a couple of days with plenty of rest," Mark concurs. "Did you plan on keeping her overnight for observation?"
"Depends, are you still planning on having her stay with you?"
"Yes. It's going to be a few more days until the paternity test results are in and her immigration status is resolved, so she'll need someplace to stay."
"Then there's the fact ICE put her in your custody and you're responsible for her," Jesse points out. "Since you have to keep track of her until then she doesn't need to stay overnight."
"I'm sure she'll appreciate that. Besides, she didn't have much of a spring break so far, so maybe she'd enjoy some relaxation time at the beach," Mark grins.
"Probably. Are you taking her home after this?"
"Not right away. I promised to take Ellen for lunch as thanks for her help, but since we've been sidetracked it's turning into an early dinner. And Aurie hasn't eaten since lunch yesterday. We'll head over to BBQ Bob's after this so I can kill two birds with one stone."
"Some food sounds good. Mind if I join you guys?"
"I don't, but didn't you want the weekend off? That's why Steve is covering for you at Bob's isn't it?"
"Yeah, which will make it fun to show up to eat while he's working," Jesse smirks.
Mark shakes his head in amusement at his young protégé.
"Well, I'm starving. Let's get going."
Nodding in agreement, Jesse follows Mark out of the room. Minutes later they've awakened Aurie and she is relieved they're not keeping her overnight. Feeling much better after her nap, she confirms to Mark's relief she is hungry enough to try some food at BBQ Bob's. Once Aurie is changed back into her clothes and her discharge is complete, the four head out to the parking lot.
"So do you want me to follow you over to Bob's?" Jesse asks, pulling out his keys.
"Actually, do you mind taking Aurie with you?" Mark asks, earning confused looks from the others. Stopping in place, he adds, "I think I'll take Monday off. There's some work I'm going to need to bring home with me. So unless my chauffer objects, I just need to run up to my office to grab what I need," he grins at Ellen.
"I don't object as long as I still get fed," Ellen smiles back.
"Glad to hear it. Besides, I don't want Aurie to wait any longer to eat something," Mark adds, turning to Jesse and Aurie. "So you two go on ahead. We'll be there shortly."
"Sure thing," Jesse readily agrees. Looking at Aurie he jerks his head off to their left. "C'mon, my car is over here."
Looking confused but not in the mood to argue, Aurie decides to go with the flow and walks with Jesse to his car. Heading back into the hospital, Ellen gives Mark a sidelong look.
"You don't live that far away and could easily come in tomorrow or Monday to pick up what you need."
"But that wouldn't have guaranteed the chance to talk to you alone without risking Aurie overhearing and taking our conversation the wrong way," he explains as they enter the elevator.
"What do you mean?" she frowns in confusion.
"Well, I'm trying to think of anything else that might help her out. I've got an idea, but it might be invading her privacy."
They exit the elevator once they reach Mark's floor and head to his office.
"I don't think there is anything more invasive than that background check Steve did," she points out. "What have you got in mind?"
"True, but Aurie might feel getting a copy of her birth certificate is invasive," he states, surprising Ellen as they reach his office and he unlocks the door.
Once inside he heads over to his desk and he starts gathering together the files he needs before continuing.
"It's probably not going to be helpful towards her immigration status, but if none of us prove to be her father, I'm hoping there might be another possibility on her birth certificate."
"Because like in the US, both parents are usually listed on the birth certificate," Ellen concludes in dawning realization.
"Exactly," Mark nods, tucking several folders into a case with his work laptop before ushering her out of the office. "It's a long shot. Chances are good the field for the father may be blank, but Amalia could've put another name, maybe one known to her family, so she could save face in front of them."
"And you'd like to see if I have any friends in Mexico who can check the public records and get a copy fast," Ellen adds when they get to the elevator and head down again.
"If you would please. I doubt she came to the U.S. with that in hand. Aurie said she was from Cholula. That's likely where she was born. If nothing else, it verifies her birthdate for all legal documents that will have to be filed if Spencer Davis turns out to be her father."
"Or if Steve turns out to be her father," Ellen points out as they cross the parking lot to her car. She rolls her eyes at Mark's shocked expression. "Honestly, you and Steve have too narrow a perspective in this situation. It's not impossible that if circumstances were right Aurie could be Steve's daughter."
"You really think Steve could be her father?" he asks as they reach her car and climb in.
"Yes," she answers while fastening her seatbelt, leaving him gaping at her. "I haven't heard a good reason that it isn't possible. Steve admitted to being attracted to Amalia and trying to chat her up. So if the opportunity presented itself, Steve would've slept with her."
Turning the ignition, she backs out of the space before continuing.
"Aurie told you her mother confronted Spencer Davis and slipped up by admitting she drugged him to sleep with him and that's how he fathered Aurie. Apparently, Davis gave Aurie strong reasons, which she hasn't shared with you, that he couldn't have. So what if Amalia mistook Steve for Davis? They've got similar features and are about the same height and build."
"But their eye and hair color are different," Mark counters. "And their facial features are more distinctive than you're implying."
"In dim lighting, eyes and hair color could appear muted enough to be indistinctive," she challenges while turning a corner. "Factor in the drugs and Amalia wouldn't have been able to tell Steve from Spencer."
Mark frowns in confusion.
"I still don't see how Amalia could make that mistake," he shakes his head. "She was doing the drugging, not the other way around."
"If she were successful in drugging Spencer Davis, why is Aurie having to search for her father now?" Ellen asks, leaving Mark speechless. "And Amalia would've known exactly who got her pregnant. If she were sure, she could've demanded a blood test back then. I think the blood test is going to rule him out. You said she had alternates she'd cycle through if he wasn't around and still had you along with two others to accomplish her goal with."
Ellen lets the silence stretch out while Mark mulls her words over before adding her final thoughts.
"I honestly don't think you're Aurie's father. And I know Steve wouldn't have easily allowed himself to be drugged, but since the alleged drugging took place during a party, his guard wouldn't have been as sharp. It also isn't a stretch that Amalia drugged herself by accident and could've even been drunk. From what I'm hearing, she wasn't much of a mastermind and it explains why she couldn't definitively prove Spencer was Aurie's father. None of this would be happening if she could."
"You make a compelling argument, Ellen, but I just don't see Steve in Aurie," Mark finally replies. "It'd be great if she were my granddaughter, but she hardly favors any of his features except her one blue eye, which Lawrence Taylor has blue eyes too, by the way."
Arriving at BBQ Bob's, Ellen parks the car and cuts the ignition before turning to Mark.
"I see him in her," she states, shocking Mark again. "I was playing devil's advocate while teasing Steve last night about being her father because he was so sure he wasn't. But when I met Aurie today, I can see it," she smiles at Mark's gobsmacked expression. "Mentally step back from being sure he isn't her father and look at her. I can see her mother's features, but her left eye is the same hue as yours and she has some of Steve's jawline, forehead, and nose. It's subtle, but it's there."
She watches Mark sit in silence as his mind digests it all.
"Are you sure?" he finally asks.
Chuckling, Ellen leans over to kiss him on the cheek.
"You're going to be around Aurie and Steve a lot the next couple of days, you'll see it too. Now for that food, you promised."
Smiling slightly, Mark shakes his head before exiting the car and joining her as they walk towards BBQ Bob's.
Viejita- old woman. Pronounced vee-hee-tah