Friday passes in a stream of busy work for Mark. He keeps having to find things to occupy his attention since nothing changes in Aurie's situation. He even calls the downtown detention center for an update on her status with the hope of possibly talking to her, with no success. No deportation officer has been assigned to her as of the last call he made before he went home for the day.
He also has a lot of trouble finding an immigration lawyer for her. Either they can't schedule a consultation any sooner than two weeks out or they won't consider taking the case unless she's being detained for longer than 48 hours. She's barely been in ICE custody for 24 hours.
Steve had more success calling Agent Coronado the day before. As promised, he called her when he returned to his precinct and reached her on the first attempt. It was a long, fruitful conversation that further changed Steve's opinion of Aurie. He learned she had taken the initiative to become a legal U.S. citizen instead of hiding her status and trying to live illegally and undetected. She did her research and set out to appropriately change her status.
Unfortunately, there isn't much Agent Coronado can do to assist Aurie in her current predicament but did give Steve some useful information. She echoed the suggestion they should consult with an immigration lawyer. If Aurie is released to their temporary custody, likely the deportation officer will also refer her case to the immigration courts. During her hearing, a request can be made to send her case file back to the Tucson office where Agent Coronado can take it over again. She had been working with Aurie already, so she wouldn't be at risk of being deported anymore.
Agent Coronado also confirmed to Steve that if one of the paternity tests is positive and whoever is Aurie's father acknowledges paternal responsibility, her citizenship is automatic since she's not eighteen yet. It'll then be up to the family courts to sort out legal guardianship since she's underage.
That last bit of information made Mark's night when Steve told him over dinner. However, it didn't resolve the dilemma of getting Aurie released from ICE custody now. So, he spends most of Friday doing anything to keep his mind from dwelling too much on her situation, except the times he's cornered by Amanda and Jesse respectively for the latest update on what's been going on. Both are supportive and express the same wish they could do something to help. Jesse in particular joked that despite there being no chance Aurie could be Mark's biological granddaughter, he's practically adopted her as one already. Amanda's more helpful in making a good suggestion that he should go down to the detention center on Saturday to attempt a visit with Aurie to see how she's doing. Not only would it reassure her that she is getting help from outside, but as a prominent member of the community advocating for her could convince the deportation officer to release her into his custody.
Mark loves the idea. It feels like he's being more proactive. He's in a good mood by the time he returns home early that evening. Turning off the road and pulling into the driveway, he's surprised to see another car there. It takes a moment for him to recognize it as Ellen Sharp's Mercedes. Pleasantly surprised, he parks the car. Gathering his things, he exits and heads inside.
Stepping through the front door his senses are assaulted by the wonderful smell of something in the air. As he closes the door behind him, Ellen's voice drifts in from the kitchen.
"Steve, is that you?"
"Wrong Sloan," he calls back.
Ellen emerges from the kitchen when he's halfway across his office/den area.
"Hi, Mark," she greets with a cheerful smile and a hug.
"Great to see you," he returns her hug. Pulling back, he adds, "You're back early."
"Yeah, I finally finagled a few days off for a nice little stay-cation."
"Oh, Steve is going to be very happy about that," he grins, releasing her and following her back into the kitchen. "What are you making? It smells great."
"Seared salmon steaks with a rice salad and green bean casserole," she explains, returning to her cooking. "I figured the three of us can enjoy a nice, quiet evening together to catch up since I've been so scarce the past few months."
"Anything I can help you with?"
"You can keep me company," she smiles. "If Steve doesn't end up being late, everything should be ready in half an hour."
"Well, you picked the perfect night because he should be home by then."
"I'd call that a start to a perfect evening," she agrees.
"So, how've you been?" he asks, settling into a nearby chair.
"Pretty good," she answers, moving about the kitchen. "I love being able to travel and visit different places, but I hate how much it keeps me out of LA. The stories I've been covering have been incredibly rewarding, making it worthwhile. It's nice not having to interview people claiming to have proof that Frank Sinatra was the head of a mob family called the 'Rat Pack.'"
"I have to admit that story was interesting to read," Mark smirks.
"Interesting, yes, remotely truthful? No," Ellen rolls her eyes. "I mean, the claim was at least plausible until Mr. Bianchi said Sammy Davis Jr and Joey Bishop were 'cappos.' C'mon, they would've been underbosses."
"Neither would've been that far down the hierarchy," Mark chuckles in agreement.
"Exactly. And that story wasn't ridiculous like some of the others. I like writing articles with a good chance of being read than being in trash papers that are more likely to be used to line the bottom of litter boxes or start fireplace logs."
"Or as toilet paper in the parts of the country that still use outhouses," Mark helpfully adds, earning a laugh from Ellen.
"Those hapless folks would've gotten papercuts on their butts from the poor-quality paper used." She gives Mark a chance to finish laughing before continuing. "So, anything interesting happen while I've been gone?"
"Nothing out of the ordinary," Mark muses thoughtfully. "Aside from the usual hubbub of the hospital, things have been on a sedate downswing. There haven't been any murder cases my help was needed on."
"Has the lack of cases been driving you out of your mind?" Ellen asks with a grin.
"Thankfully, no," Mark smiles back. "Besides, a new mystery means someone died. I don't mind when that doesn't happen."
"Good point," she concedes.
"But this week something happened I might need your help with," Mark muses as a new thought occurs to him.
At her questioning gaze, he spends the next few minutes telling her about Aurie and the paternity tests, even going so far as to retrieve Amalia's photo from Aurie's backpack to show her. Intrigued, Ellen patiently waits for him to finish while she cooks the salmon. As Mark finishes his story, she's plating the fish and is about to start asking questions when they hear Steve come home and enter the kitchen moments later. A smile lights up his face when he sees Ellen.
"Hi, Dad," he greets Mark while stepping over to kiss his greeting with Ellen.
Knowing those two will be busy for a few minutes, Mark smiles and silently slips out of the kitchen with the side dishes to the dining room.
Reluctantly pulling back moments later, Steve leans his head to rest his forehead against hers.
"I missed you," he murmurs into her eyes.
"I missed you too," she smiles back. "We can continue this later. Let's eat before the food gets cold. Besides," her smile turns seductive. "It'll give us all night for anything else that comes to mind."
"Hmmm, I like the sound of that," Steve smiles back.
Stealing one more kiss, he helps her carry the rest of the dishes into the other room. The three of them settle into eating, exchanging idle chit-chat with Steve about his day until Ellen decides to return to her earlier conversation with Mark.
"Mark was telling me about that girl, Auralia Acevedes." A mischievous glint lights up her eyes. "So, your past was a bit wilder than you made it out to seem and may have a little accident running around, hmm?"
"Definitely not my accident," Steve glares at her in annoyance. "There's no chance of her being my daughter. She's nothing like me. I wasn't such a pain in the ass."
"Amazing how different our recollections are," Mark smirks, earning another glare from Steve and a laugh from Ellen.
"And this is that I went out of my way to take that court order your friend wrote up over to the detention center," Steve retorts.
"Thank you for that," Mark nods. "But it doesn't change the fact you're distorting your formative years."
Still grinning at Steve's glower, Ellen focuses back on Mark.
"So, what was it you need my help with? Because it sounds like you're doing as much as you can for this girl."
"Well, Amanda had a good suggestion that I should go down to the detention center tomorrow. She said because of my reputation I have a better chance of getting Aurie released into my custody if I show up. With your varied experiences, I was wondering if you had any suggestions for anything else I can do to shake things up with ICE."
"I doubt there's anything else you can do besides that, Dad. I don't think it'd make a difference even if I were able to go with you."
"Can't you go? You're off tomorrow, aren't you?" Mark asks, looking at Steve in surprise.
Steve shakes his head.
"I'm off, but I'm working at Bob's. Jesse has had to cover a lot for me lately and asked for this weekend off."
"Steve is right that his presence wouldn't make a difference or ICE would've released her into your custody instead of arresting her and would've scheduled an interview for later," Ellen muses thoughtfully. "However, I'll go with you under the pretense of working on a story. I've done a couple of articles on immigration. ICE doesn't have a fondness for journalists, but I can help raise enough of a stink if I need to that might make them uncomfortable enough to do what we want."
Noticing Mark's arched brow and Steve's questioning look, she smirks mischievously at them.
"The LA section of ICE has been under heavy scrutiny lately due to accusations of various civil rights violations against immigrant detainees. The ACLU in particular has been breathing down their necks hard. My being a journalist could work in our favor if they get stubborn."
Mark's face lights up with a pleased grin. Steve rolls his eyes and smirks.
"That'd be great. I want to head over there about nine."
"Works for me," Ellen smiles back.
With the moon shining brightly in the sky accenting the gently crashing ocean to their right, Steve and Ellen take a long after-dinner walk along the dark and deserted beach. Holding hands, they mostly stroll in silence, enjoying simply being in each other's company without any distractions. Every so often they pause to embrace and indulge in slow, sultry kisses. On their way back home, Ellen breaks the comfortable silence.
"Steve?"
"Hm?"
"Why are you so sure you aren't Aurie's father?"
"What?"
He stops dead in his tracks to gape at her.
"Both you and Mark talk as if there's absolutely no way either of you could have fathered her," she points out. "Even by accident, I can't imagine a circumstance Mark would likely be her father, but I can with you."
"Because there's no way I'm her father." Seeing her skeptical gaze, he blows out a harsh breath. "Amalia rarely acknowledged my existence, even when I tried chatting her up. Her entire focus was on Spencer Davis whenever he was around."
"But there were times he wasn't around, and she did acknowledge you, right?"
"A couple, but I would've remembered if I slept with her, even once."
"But Mark mentioned that Amalia admitted to Spencer Davis she believed she had drugged him to sleep with him. She could've done that to you if the circumstances were right."
"The circumstances were never right," Steve counters. "It couldn't have happened."
"Well, what if the impossible happened? Would it be a problem if you were Aurie's father?"
"But it didn't happen," Steve insists.
"Humor me, Sloan," Ellen arches a brow at him. "Would it be a problem? What would you do?"
Giving him time to think about it, she holds his gaze as the light ocean breeze gently tosses her curly locks.
"You know, it's a bit hard imagining something that couldn't have happened." At her pointed look, he rolls his eyes with a heavy sigh. "It wouldn't be a problem. The first thing I'd do is claim paternal responsibility so she can automatically get her citizenship. Then I'd work on getting legal custody of her and moving her in with Dad and me."
"Mark would love that," she grins, stepping closer to wrap her arms around his waist.
"He's long overdue on getting grandkids out of me and with Carol gone…" he breaks off to swallow thickly.
Ellen squeezes his waist in reassurance.
"Plus, it's easy to see he's gotten pretty attached to Aurie," she agrees.
Steve smiles in gratitude and shifts to wrap an arm around her shoulder as they resume their walk back.
"Aurie wouldn't go along with it easily, though." At her confused look, he elaborates. "She's not interested in having a relationship with her biological father. She doesn't want to try based on what she's seen on talk shows where adopted children reunite with their biological parents and despite the initial joyous reactions, contact is often abruptly severed without explanation on either side."
"I can see her point," Ellen muses thoughtfully. "But her situation is different from those as one or both birth parents were either forced by the courts or chose to give up their children. Then they had to come to terms with that. And when they're unexpectedly reunited, that may be hard to deal with in the long run, and cutting off contact feels like the better option. However, Aurie's biological father didn't know about her, which might make a big difference. It seems like she's afraid of being rejected."
"I think she's gone through a lot of that."
"You'd be fighting against that and the rocky start you both had."
"It wouldn't have been so rocky if she didn't get defensive."
At her laugh, he glares at her.
"From what Mark described, you came off too strong, putting her on the defensive," she points out with an amused glint in her eyes. "You were in cop mode, intending to get your answers no matter what, instead of being a patient fisherman and letting the answers come naturally."
"Her mother is Amalia Acevedes who was blatantly trying to snare Spencer Davis, or any rich man, for his money," Steve bristles. "After all these years, Aurie randomly shows up asking for paternity tests from men who, not coincidentally, happen to have money."
"Except for you."
Dropping his arm away from her shoulder, he stops to place his hands on his hips to glare at her again.
"She could've been trying to get to Dad through me."
"Oh, c'mon, Sloan!" Ellen challenges, matching his stance by placing her hands on her hips. "That sounds even more convoluted and stupid than Lawrence Taylor thinking it makes sense to ask Aurie to give him full conservatorship to protect his money." She uses one hand to point at him with emphasis. "Even if, for the sake of argument, Aurie is looking for a windfall, if she's your daughter, you are going to be responsible for her. With or without claiming guardianship, she's not going to be getting a payout and be free to run around buying yachts and Lamborghinis." She pauses briefly to let her words sink in before continuing. "She didn't plan her conception, you know. And Mark said Amalia doesn't seem to be in Aurie's life at all, so she's not even around to orchestrate the completion of her plan. So why even think she is picking up where her mother left off?"
Pausing again to watch him mull over her words, she steps forward to gently wrap her arms around his waist again, prompting him to automatically embrace her.
"She's only asked for a paternity test to get her green card and doesn't want a relationship with whoever is her father. That doesn't sound like someone aiming to milk the cash cow for the long run."
"You're probably right," he reluctantly agrees. "She got upset when Dad suggested he'd help with the cost of an immigration lawyer. Her reaction was honest and different than Amalia's would've been. I admit I could've handled questioning her differently. Dad got a lot more information from her than I did."
"Well, he pretty much can charm the socks off of anyone," she grins. "Either way, I don't think Aurie is aiming to land a literal sugar daddy. If she were, she's going about it the wrong way."
Steve shifts to wrap his arm around her shoulders again so they can continue walking.
"Good point," he concedes. "Doesn't seem like it bothers you if, by some extremely remote chance, she does turn out to be my daughter after all."
"Not at all," she shrugs as the house comes into view. "We both had lives before meeting each other and even the things we don't plan for, make us who we are now. You may be right, and Aurie isn't your daughter, but if you're wrong, which is known to happen from time to time, she's just as much a part of you and I've already accepted the entire package, warts and all."
"What do you mean 'warts and all?'" Steve murmurs in playful defensiveness while pulling her back into his arms to kiss her.
Ellen eagerly returns the kiss as it becomes more passionate. Her arms wind around his neck, pulling him in as close as possible. Reluctantly pulling back minutes later, Steve's smoldering gaze burns into her eyes.
"It's getting a little too cool out here. Let's go inside where it's a lot warmer and I can show you how much I've missed you."
"I'd like that," she smiles seductively.
Reaching for her hand, he leads her back inside the house.