Following Mark inside BBQ Bob's, Aurie can tell it's a place where the patrons aren't interested in the atmosphere. People come to eat, plain and simple. It's comfortable and brightly lit with a warm, homey feel. It's busy inside, but most customers are eating or finishing their meals.
Mark heads for a large table in the middle of the room. Eight people can easily sit at it, three on the sides with plenty of elbow room and one at each end. He takes his place at the head of the table and Aurie eases into the seat to his left.
"Nice place, smells really good."
"It has the best barbecue ribs around," Mark states confidently.
"Sounds like you come here a lot."
"I'm an investor," he grins.
"A doctor and restaurant owner, wow," Aurie smiles back, impressed. Looking around she adds, "I thought doctors wander the golf course in their spare time, not running a restaurant."
"That's a vicious rumor started by disgruntled nurses," Mark teases. "Actually, Steve and one of my co-workers own and operate it. I'm just a silent investor. I don't get involved in the day-to-day."
"Your son owns this?" Aurie asks in surprise. At Mark's nod, she adds, "Wow. I mean, I thought cops just managed to earn enough to make a living, not own and operate a restaurant. At least, that's how they make it out on a lot of cop shows."
"Well, normally you shouldn't believe everything you see on TV, especially scripted shows, but there is a lot of truth to that myth. He and his partner couldn't afford it on their own, so that's how I became an investor."
Mark looks over and smiles at a familiar man approaching their table carrying menus.
"Hi, Mark!" Jesse's smile grows bigger in recognition of Mark's companion. "Hey, I know you!"
Mark looks at them in surprise as Aurie gives Jesse a small wave and an embarrassed smile.
"Hi. Guess you're Mark's co-worker who co-owns this place?"
"That I am," Jesse replies proudly.
"You two know each other?" Mark asks, looking between the two.
"Sort of. We met this morning towards the end of my shift," Jesse explains, handing each a menu.
"Really?" Mark asks, keenly interested because Aurie is turning a nice shade of pink. "How did you two meet?"
"You're gonna keep bugging until I tell you, huh?" Aurie narrows her eyes at an innocently smiling Mark.
"Never spark his curiosity, he'll cling to you like a bad shirt," Jesse sagely points out.
"Point taken," Aurie smirks before looking at Mark. "I had a slight problem finding the phlebotomy lab."
Mark frowns in confusion.
"Didn't you follow the signs? They're pretty straightforward."
"Yeah, if I knew how to spell 'phlebotomy,'" she admits in annoyance. "Guess I must've looked lost because Dr., uh, Travis, right?" she hesitantly asks Jesse, getting a nod from him. "Because Dr. Travis had to point me in the right direction."
Jesse scratches his cheek before answering.
"I figured you were lost when you passed the doctor's lounge three times before I came out to talk to you on the fourth."
"Three times?" At his nod, she sighs in irritation. "No wonder that hallway looked so familiar."
"Well, the important thing is that you found the lab. And you got to meet Jesse," Mark states with a pleased grin.
"I still don't know your full name," Jesse points out, causing Aurie to look at him confused. "You only told me your first name. Oralina?"
Aurie can't help but smile.
"Almost. Ore-all-lee-ah Ah-ceh-veh-dez," she carefully enunciates.
"Auralia Acevedes," Jesse carefully repeats. She nods in approval. "Got it. Sorry about butchering it."
"That's okay," she smiles. "It's not easy like Maria or Juanita. It'll be easier if you call me Aurie."
While they chat, Mark acts as if to study the menu, bending his head behind it in a way Aurie can't see his smile. It's a relief seeing her relaxed and comfortable with Jesse. It'll help when Steve finally joins them.
"All right, Aurie, you can call me Jesse and let me officially welcome you to BBQ Bobs," Jesse declares with a flourish. "It's the best barbecue you'll ever wrap your tastebuds around. Now, what can I get you both to drink?'
"I'd like a Coke with lemon, please."
"Mark?"
"Just water for me, thanks. We're waiting for Steve to join us."
"I'll get your drinks and be right back," Jesse states, walking back to the kitchen.
Opening her menu, Aurie waits until Jesse is out of earshot.
"Does he work full-time at the hospital?" she quietly asks.
"Yes, he does. He's a doctor in the ER," Mark explains.
Aurie lowers her menu and stares at him in shock.
"Really? That's not an easy job. How does he manage to work both here and there?"
"He's gotten pretty good at juggling. Jesse is usually here when he's not on shift at the hospital. He and Steve alternate and one of them is always here, so neither has to carry the load all the time. It balances out pretty good for them."
"That's amazing both manage to work two jobs like that. I know it's not easy running a restaurant," Aurie observes before lifting her menu to study it again.
"They're both pretty amazing," Mark quietly agrees with pride. Moments later he closes his menu and sets it aside. "See anything that strikes your fancy?"
"A few things, to be honest," she muses as Jesse returns with two drinks. "But you said the ribs are the best, so I'm going with those."
"Which ones?" Jesse asks, taking out a pencil and order pad.
"I dunno. What do the little flames next to the Five Alarm Special mean?" She points out an item to Jesse under the section marked 'RIBS.'
"That they're really hot and spicy. Only the brave eat those," Jesse explains, straightening up.
"Cool. I'd like those please, with the fried okra and coleslaw." Closing the menu, she's startled to notice Jesse and Mark gaping at her. "What?"
"You're going for the Five Alarm Special?" Jesse asks incredulously.
"Well, yeah." Aurie shrinks back a little uncomfortably. "It's just at most places their idea of hot is not even close in my book. And I like hot, spicy stuff."
"You are one brave soul," Mark comments before turning to Jesse. "I'll take the rib eye, medium rare, with the vegetable medley and a house salad with Italian. And get Steve his usual," he adds while Jesse scribbles down his order.
"I'll bring out your salad," Jesse nods, collecting their menus.
Mark glances at his watch noting it's already 2:15 p.m.
"I guess Steve must be running late."
"Does he do this often? Y'know, not show up," Aurie tentatively asks while fishing the lemon wedge out of her soda with the straw.
"He'll be here, or he would've called me on my cell phone if he couldn't make it," Mark casually replies, noticing her tension as she squeezes the juice out of the wedge into the soda and then stirs it with the straw. "It's not unusual for him to be late."
"Okay."
Aurie tenses slightly and follows Mark's gaze when he looks over his shoulder at the sound of the front door opening and smiles in recognition.
"Hi, Amanda," he cheerfully calls out to the strikingly beautiful woman as she approaches the table.
"Hey, Mark," she greets back, coming to stand next to him. "I'd hoped to find you here. I went looking for you earlier to ask you to lunch and it seemed you completely disappeared from the hospital," she arches a brow, her tone slightly scolding.
"I was playing hooky with a new friend." A mischievous smile spreads across his face. "Amanda, I'd like you to meet Auralia Acevedes." Looking at Aurie, he adds, "This is Dr. Amanda Bentley."
"Hi, nice to meet you, Auralia," Amanda greets with a warm smile while shaking her hand.
"Nice to meet you too," Aurie quietly replies with a shy smile.
Amanda's surprised by Mark's new friend, wondering who she is since he's never mentioned her before. She can wait, though. She knows she'll find out about the pretty teen sooner or later, especially if she hangs around long enough.
"Do you mind if I join you? Or is this a private lunch?" Amanda asks, turning back to Mark.
"I don't mind, do you?" he asks Aurie.
"Uh, no, I don't mind," Aurie shrugs, not sure what else to say. Not like she can say, 'No, you can't.'
Amanda eases herself into the seat to Mark's right, putting her across from the teen. Aurie studies her. She's a definite head-turner, giving off a refined, confident air.
"Amanda is chief pathologist at the hospital and her lab also doubles as the adjunct LA County Medical Examiner office," Mark explains, while Amanda settles in.
Aurie nods, not having any clue what he's talking about. She debates on asking but figures if she keeps asking the questions no one can bug her with questions.
"Um, sorry for being stupid, but I don't know what 'pathologist' means. What do you do?"
"You're not being stupid," Amanda gently corrects her. "It'd be stupid if you didn't ask about something you're not familiar with." She gives another smile, which Aurie returns, reassured. "Well, in my regular pathology work for the hospital I study the nature of diseases. I examine samples and verify for another doctor their suspicions about the cause of their patient's illness. In addition to being the hospital pathologist, my office serves as an adjunct county medical examiner's office. I basically help determine or verify the cause of a person's death. That can include someone who died at home of a heart attack, who died under a doctor's care, was killed in an accident or was murdered."
"Hey Amanda," Jesse greets cheerfully, coming up behind Aurie. "When'd you get here?"
He places the salad in front of Mark and leans forward to set a basket full of rolls in the center of the table.
"A few minutes ago," she states as she joins Aurie in reaching out to grab a warm roll from the basket.
"Can I get you anything?"
"I would like a Cobb Salad with ranch dressing and water please."
Jesse gives Amanda a look as she proceeds to tear off a piece of roll with her fingers and eat it.
"Amanda, this is a barbecue restaurant. We serve a wide assortment of barbecued meats and you're gonna order just a salad?"
"Not everyone is interested in blocking their arteries on fatty foods or raising their blood glucose on sugary sauces every time they come in here," Amanda retorts.
"It's not 'fatty foods' or 'sugary sauces,'" Jesse fires back defensively with narrowed eyes. "It's fine quality meats slow grilled into a delectable masterpiece. You're just ignorant of perfection," he loftily declares.
"Perfection of what? How to slowly increase the size of your thighs? Or your number of chins?" Amanda scoffs. Before Jesse can argue she adds, "Just get me a salad, please. I'm starving."
"All right. One 'Home on the Range' grazers special coming right up," Jesse shrugs, ignoring Amanda's glare.
He goes and checks on a couple of diners who are still lingering over their meals before returning to the kitchen.
"Don't mind them, they do that all the time," Mark states in response to Aurie's bemused expression.
"So, how did you meet Mark?" Amanda asks Aurie at the same time the front door opens again.
Before she can answer Mark twists around in his seat and calls out to the person walking into the restaurant.
"Hi, Steve!"
"Hey, Steve," Amanda also chimes in.
"Hi, Dad. Hey, Amanda," Steve greets them back.
Aurie studies the intimidating newcomer as he comes around the table to sit next to Amanda. He favors his father's looks a lot. Seems taller, but broader in build. He's ruggedly handsome with the same clear blue eyes. Even if she didn't know it, his whole being still gave off 'cop' vibes.
Once Steve is settled in his seat, Mark introduces him to Aurie.
"Steve, this is Auralia Acevedes. The young lady I was telling you about."
"Nice to meet you," Steve tightly smiles as he extends his hand, which Aurie shakes.
"Hi," Aurie responds quietly.
As they start to chat, she focuses on eating her roll, trying hard not to squirm under his scrutinizing gaze.
"Sorry, I'm late. Had a couple of things to finish up. Did I miss much?" Steve asks, grabbing a roll for himself.
"Not much. I already ordered for you. Aurie and Amanda were just getting to know one another," Mark answers.
"Oh, is Aurie your nickname?" Amanda asks. Aurie nods. "That's a really cute nickname."
"Thanks."
"Okay. So, back to my original question, how did you meet Mark?" Amanda eagerly asks.
Before Aurie can open her mouth to answer she's relieved when Jesse and a waitress interrupt with trays loaded with their food. She's surprised when he sets another plate on the table next to her before settling himself in front of it. She's starting to feel it's getting a little crowded and wonders if the whole damn hospital is going to join them for lunch.
"Jesse, would you care to join us too?" Mark facetiously asks.
"Thanks," Jesse replies, oblivious to Amanda rolling her eyes.
The table falls quiet as everyone starts eating. Aurie tastes the side dishes first. She's pleased there isn't too much mayonnaise in the coleslaw and the okra is cooked just right, hating when it's mushy. Picking up one of the ribs she smiles to herself as she breathes in the wonderful aroma of spices.
Jesse pauses in eating when he notices Aurie pick up a rib. Mark is of the same mind and joins him in waiting for the teen's reaction. Looking up from her salad to ask Aurie a question, Amanda is surprised to notice the two men staring at the teen. When he sees her confused expression, Jesse signals Amanda to wait. Not knowing what she's waiting for, she decides to join in watching.
Instinct makes Steve look up to see everyone watching the oblivious teenager as she raises a rib to her mouth.
"What is everyone staring at?" Steve demands, ignoring Jesse's attempt to silently warn him off.
Startled, Aurie looks around in confusion.
"What?" she asks, feeling self-conscious.
"We're waiting to see what Aurie thinks of the ribs," Jesse explains to Steve.
"Jesse, they're just ribs," Amanda impatiently retorts.
"They're not just ribs, Amanda," Jesse fires back. "They're the Five Alarm Special."
"You ordered the Five Alarm Special?" Steve asks. He can't help but be impressed she's trying that recipe.
Aurie just nods, looking around the silent table. Despite it being a bit creepy, she realizes they're not going to stop staring until she tries the ribs. Deciding to humor them, she takes a bite into heaven.
"Mmmm," she hums appreciatively before taking another bite.
"You're not burning your mouth?" Mark asks.
Aurie slowly shakes her head and swallows before answering.
"It's not hot," she shrugs at their looks of disbelief. "It's really flavorful with a good kick to it and a nice afterburn that creeps up on you. What?" she asks, looking around at their gaping expressions. "Did you expect me to race to the bathroom and stick my head in the toilet for relief?"
"Well, yeah," came Jesse's reply.
"Jesse!" Amanda scolds.
Aurie can't help smirking at Jesse while cocking an eyebrow.
"Sorry to disappoint you, but not even close."
Mark can't help chuckling and Steve shakes his head as they resume eating and chatting. Aurie ignores the conversation around her, choosing to enjoy her food instead. Besides, the less she participates the better.
"Aurie?" Amanda asks, attracting her attention. "Getting back to my original question, how did you meet Mark?"
Tensing slightly again, Aurie takes a moment to wipe her mouth, trying to think of what to say. Picking up on her reluctance, Mark answers for her.
"I used to know her mom years ago. She was in the neighborhood and stopped by."
"Oh, really?" Amanda asks with interest.
"Um, yeah," Aurie nods, seizing on Mark's explanation. "My mom used to live here."
Already knowing there's more to her story than that, Steve decides it's time for a little 'Q and A' with Miss Acevedes.
"Since this is the first time we're getting to meet you, tell us more about yourself?"
Aurie eyes Steve warily, not sure what he wants to know. She has a feeling things are going to get uncomfortable. He'd been scrutinizing her hard all through lunch. She wanted to tell him to 'fuck off', but didn't out of respect for Mark, especially after everything he's done for her.
"Like what?"
"Oh, let's start with where you and your family live? Where do you go to school?"
"In Tucson. I'm a freshman at Ocotillo High School."
Crossing his arms on the edge of the table, Steve leans forward a little.
"Do you have any hobbies?"
"Nope."
"Then what do you do in your spare time?" Steve's expression is of friendly interest, but his eyes are anything but.
"I work. Do homework."
Aurie isn't sure where this is going and doesn't like it, but if he wants to play ball, she can keep up.
By this point, everyone at the table is watching them. Mark's not happy with the situation, but since neither has crossed the line, he doesn't have a reason to intervene. It feels like two engines on the same track racing towards the proverbial train wreck and there's nothing he can do to stop the collision.
"And where do you work?" Steve asks, keeping up the polite pretense despite her answers starting to annoy him.
"A part-time job."
Aurie knows she's being a brat, but he's being a jerk. She's enjoying the chance to get back at him for watching her like she was about to steal the flatware or something.
"Where do you work?" she innocently asks, briefly catching Steve off guard.
"For the Los Angeles Police Department. I'm a detective in the homicide division." Recovering, he adds, "I'm curious, you haven't said much about your mom. So how is Amalia?"
Feeling like they're switching from playing whiffle ball to softball, Aurie rolls with it, refusing to give in.
"She's fine."
"That's good," he nods. "What has she been up to lately?"
"Probably her usual stuff."
"Which is?" Steve prods, trying to keep his tone pleasant.
"Just about anything," she shrugs. "It's a cosmic rule or something. Kids don't keep up with what their parents are doing. I mean, do you know everything your dad does when you're not around?"
"Well, no," Steve's eyes narrow slightly, but he manages to keep his temper. "But I usually have a pretty good idea."
"Oh, that's good," she states insincerely.
"So, what brings you out to LA?"
"Have to try resolving some old stuff related to me," Aurie replies innocently, knowing they're playing hardball now.
"That's nice," Amanda interjects. "Will you be staying long?"
She's not sure what's going on, but caught the look of dismay on Mark's face and wants to try diffusing the situation.
"Maybe another week until everything's done. Then I've got to head home," Aurie answers politely. She isn't going to be rude when Amanda doesn't deserve it.
"That's a pretty vague answer," Steve comments.
Fed up, Aurie decides to stop playing his stupid game.
"Yeah, but it's not like it's anyone else's business, is it?" Aurie points out with a definite challenge in her eyes.
"Is your business really that private? Especially when it's involving others?" Steve challenges back. "Being so secretive implies you might have something to hide."
"Well, yeah when it concerns only myself and the ones involved, but it's not being secretive or hiding anything. Only paranoid people think that," she arches a brow. "It's respecting someone's privacy. And you know why I'm here. Your dad told you about it. It's just not something that has to be shared with the entire world."
"You're right, I do know," Steve nods. "But I don't think it's a question of discretion as it's about trying to obscure your true intentions."
Aurie glares at him, not liking what he's implying. Before she can retort, Jesse can't help himself and interrupts.
"What are you two talking about?"
"What she's not saying," Steve replies, not breaking off from holding Aurie's glare. "She wants me and my dad to take a paternity test to determine if either one of us is her father."
Amanda and Jesse stare at him in shock. Mark rests his elbow on the table next to his plate, dropping his head into his left hand. He starts massaging his forehead. Ignoring them, Aurie narrows her eyes at Steve.
"It might help if you stand up and speak louder, I don't think everyone in the restaurant heard you. Or do you want to get on the radio and announce it to the entire police department?" she sarcastically bites out.
"No need. I just want to know why you aren't being honest about why you're here," Steve fires back.
Taken aback, Aurie looks at him in confusion.
"What the hell are you talking about? You know why I'm here."
"Maybe. Then again, maybe not. Let me spell it out for you in plain English."
On the verge of going off on him, Aurie glares at him angrily. Steve's gaze matches hers in intensity.
"You're trying to be discreet because you don't want anyone to know why you're looking for your biological father after all these years. Maybe it's because you're just trying to follow in your mother's footsteps and collect money from whoever that is."
Aurie doesn't get a chance to retort when she's cut off.
"That's enough!"
Startled at the sudden interruption Aurie and Steve simultaneously look over at Mark, his face in stern reprimand. Amanda and Jesse share a look but tacitly remain silent.
"This was supposed to be a pleasant lunch for you two to meet and get to know each other, not to try ripping each other's throats out. This is not the time or place to be discussing this."
Aurie looks at her hands clasped tightly in her lap to hide the shaking. Taking a deep breath, she fails to hide the anger in her voice.
"You're right, it's not." Raising her eyes, she meets Steve's unapologetic gaze. "Believe what you want. I don't give a shit. If you want to cover your ass and aren't afraid of a little needle, be at the hospital phlebotomy lab tomorrow at eleven. Otherwise, fuck off," she growls, shocking the others.
Standing up, she fished fifteen dollars from her pocket.
"Thanks for lunch, Dr. Sloan. I've got to go," she tensely states while slapping the money on the table and walking away.
"Aurie…" Mark tries stopping her.
She ignores him and disappears out the door without a second glance. Everyone shifts to look at Steve.
"Look, I'm sorry if my questions bother anyone, but I'm not sorry I asked them."
"There was no need for it, Steve," Mark admonishes.
"Yeah, you were giving her the third degree," Jesse adds.
"If you knew the whole story behind her background, you wouldn't be saying that."
"But did you have to keep pushing her? It was obvious there were some things she didn't feel comfortable enough to share," Amanda points out.
"Considering what she's asking me and Dad to do, it wouldn't have hurt for her to be a little more forthcoming either," Steve tersely counters, disliking having to defend himself when he knows he's right.
"Steve, a lot of what you asked I told you already and anything you didn't know was probably unimportant," Mark explains.
Amanda and Jesse both nod in agreement.
"And like I said, I'm not apologizing for wanting to find out as much as I can. You may believe she's harmless, Dad, but I'm not willing to take that chance." Steve glances at his watch, before looking back at his father. "Look, Dad, I'm sorry if I upset you, but I don't want you to get hurt by her."
Mark's expression softens and a slight smile tugs at his lips.
"You don't have to worry about protecting me from a fifteen-year-old girl."
"Dad, I've arrested killers younger than that," Steve replies tiredly. "Look, I've got to get back to the office. We can argue more about this later. I'll see you guys."
Steve nods at Amanda and Jesse, who say 'goodbye' back as he stands up. Passing behind his dad he briefly lays a reassuring hand on his shoulder before walking out. Mark looks after him for a moment, lost in thought before realizing his day is pretty much shot.
"I guess I should get back to the hospital since my date deserted me," he quips, trying to lighten the mood as he starts to stand up.
Amanda grabs his arm and forces him back into his seat.
"Not so fast."
"Yeah, we want to know the details," Jesse adds.
"All of them," Amanda states in a tone that brooks no argument.
Startled, Mark looks at the determined expressions both wear and knows he's trapped. With a heavy sigh, he sits back and starts giving them all the gory details.