"Oh, hello! Look who decided to show up today. Did you forget how to get here brother?"

Smiling in the direction of the voice he turned and walked down one of the kitchen aisle's to the huge stainless steel prep table where his sister Rachel stood. She was dressed in worn jeans and a black Exquisite T-shirt that had the logo, of a white chef’s hat and a martini glass, on the pocket. Her black hair was pulled up into a bright purple cap and peeking out from the hole at the back were red tips that were gathered into a messy bun, and yet with that bizarre mish mash of colors she somehow looked put together. Her light blue eyes were laughing at him and instantly Mason's day improved. He reached out and tugged the bill of the cap.

"No smart ass. I got held up doing a favor for mother dearest."

She grinned at him then stopped cutting the carrots as he grabbed a black apron from the rack and tied it around his hips.

"What'd she sucker you into today?"

He walked behind her and washed his hands at the large sink. "Oh nothing worth repeating trust me. Let's put it this way, it involved a screaming child, an obnoxious thing, a little woman with thick glasses and about 90% of my patience. So I really hope everything runs well tonight."

Rachel resumed her cutting then smirked as she looked over to him.

"So now probably isn't the time to tell you three of your waiters called in and we have a booking that called last minute for a table of 15 and we’re at full capacity tonight?"

Mason froze, looked up at her, and when he saw her smile narrowed his eyes and pointed the knife he was holding at her.

"You lying little brat."

"Hey what did mom teach you about playing with knives?"

Grinning he started cutting the Portobello mushrooms, "Not a damn thing, she didn't cook."

"Well what do you think she'd have said?"

Mason let out a loud laugh, "Ah Rachel, thank you."

"For?"

Before he could answer he heard Wendy, his manager, walk in frantic as usual but smiling as she rushed through the back door and up toward them. Her blond hair was pulled neatly back into a sleek ponytail.

"Hi." she said looking at them with her head cocked to one side, which wedged her cell phone between her chin and shoulder, as she balanced a box in her hands. "Hi. Yes, no I don't need Cab Sav I need Merlot. I ordered this a week ago. Why am I looking at carrots and mushrooms and no Merlot, Stan?"

Mason arched a brow then looked at Rachel and mouthed, Poor Stan.

Rachel chuckled and Wendy whipped her eyes up to him then rolled them like ‘Stan’ was completely incompetent and in that instant he was reminded of the thing. Wendy in her own way reminded him of her, however Wendy usually had some sweetness, she was just rattled right now. He wondered if Queen B had any sweetness. Then he decided it wasn't even worth thinking about and went back to cutting and washing the mushrooms.


Finally, Lena thought, I have a moment to breathe. She sat down in her black leather chair and looked at the files stacked on her desk then groaned. So much paperwork. Orders, prescriptions, insurance documents. So much protocol. Leaning back she shut her eyes then opened one and looked at the clock on her desk. The second hand ticked it's way slowly around to the twelve and the time read 4pm. She’d been on her feet since 7am, and the day, or should she say days? Were starting to wear on her. She knew she needed to slow down. However, Lena also knew she wouldn't because when she slowed down that gave her time to think, and let's face it nothing good ever came from that particular pastime. Standing up she decided now was probably as good a time as any for her to go and get some lunch, considering she hadn't eaten anything but half a donut since this morning. She walked around her desk and stopped as Brandy came to the door.

"Dr McKinney called and wants you to go to his office."

Lena sighed, there goes lunch. "Did he perhaps tell you a time Brandy?"

Nodding she bit her bottom lip. What was she, two?

"He said pronto."

"Pronto?" Lena repeated not quite believing what she’d heard.

Brandy looked as though she wanted to melt into the wall but nodded quickly still biting her lip. Lena rolled her eyes then walked out of her office. Stalking down the hallway seething she thought, what was she, his child? Pronto? Who even used that word except for an angry parent? Lena stopped at the bank of elevators and tapped her foot. She knew what was coming. She was about to get her ass handed to her on a plate for being constantly late. It was nothing new but this time he was pushing it summoning her to his office like a petulant child. The elevator pinged then opened and several visitors and some hospital personal scrambled off. She stepped in, with a nurse from the 2nd floor that she recognized but couldn't name, and went to the back and leaned against the wall.

"Floor eight, please." she mumbled closing her eyes as the elevator heaved and started its ascent. Lena started thinking about what she needed to do when she got home. There was laundry, her run and then bed. Wow, when had her life become so stagnant? Running every night, in the park across from her house, was her form of therapy. It punched out all the frustration and anger she held inside and she was usually so tired when she was through that she could crawl into bed and not have time to think of anything but sleep. Her existence was simple. It was structured and it was solitary, just the way she wanted it to be. Finally the elevator hit eight. Lena got out turned left and walked down to the end. Stopping she took a deep breath then pushed the door open. Behind the desk was McKinney's version of Brandy, the difference being no glasses and red hair, she smiled slightly at Lena. "Dr O’Donnell. He's expecting you, just go in."

Nodding Lena pushed the door open and stepped inside. Dr. Roger McKinney, Hospital Administrator. He stood at 5'6, so yes she was taller than him. He was balding and what little hair he did have was graying on the sides. He wore thick glasses that reminded her of coke bottles and had a white moustache. Dr McKinney was the very picture of how she thought the word ‘stuffy’ should be described. However, he was her boss and for that reason she kept her thoughts to herself and respected him. He looked up from what he was signing.

"Lena." he said and sat back in his chair removing his glasses. Lena nodded and he gestured to the chair opposite his desk, "Please sit."

Walking around to the front of the chair she sat crossing her legs, "You wanted to see me?"

He raised his left hand to squeeze the bridge of his nose while bringing his glasses down to his mouth. He bit on the left handle and looked at her thoughtfully. "We had a complaint on you today Lena." he paused.

Sitting straight up in her chair she was about to demand by who, when her mind zeroed right in on a certain delivery man. That asshole.

"I can explain."

"Lena. I don't want an explanation and usually I wouldn't ever call my doctors out on one complaint but this is the third one in four days. That on top of your lack of time management skills and the fact you seem to have lost your ability to tell time at all, leaves me no choice but to ask you. What’s going on? Do you need to take some time off?"

She jammed her clenched fists under her legs and shook her head. "No sir. This week has been rough." she swallowed thinking that was the understatement of the century, the whole last nine years of her life had been rough. She still couldn't believe that giant had reported her. What a giant asshole.

"Well just keep in mind that I have my eye on you and try not to have anymore complaints for let's try, a month?"

Smiling weakly she answered, "Sure. Was that it?"

He put his glasses on the desk and shook is head. "Actually no. I wanted to confirm you’d be at the dinner tonight? For Dr Jones, new Gastro. I expect all the faculty to be there."

Damn it. Just what she didn't want to do tonight. Well at least Shelly would be there. Plastering on a false smile so big it nearly slid off her face, she answered. "Sure, what time is it?"

He stood, told her 9pm then walked her to his office door. "Remember Lena. I'm keeping my eye on you."

She walked out past the receptionist, shooting her an instant death glare, and thought, God I'm screwed.


It was 8pm and Exquisite had opened two hours earlier. The dining room was full and bustling tonight. Mason smiled to himself as he stood at the pass inspecting every dish before it was handed over to his wait staff to be delivered to his hungry customers. Above the chatter and laughter was the music of the greats. Sinatra, Dean and the newer Buble and Jones. This made him happy, he loved his restaurant. It was his second home and had been his dream his whole life. The delicious aromas wafting from his kitchen, the people relaxing and celebrating at their tables. Smiling he looked over to the women and men flirting with his bartenders as they sat and waited for a table or merely sat having a drink and winding down on a Friday night. All to the soundtrack of smooth easy jazz. This was, in his mind, heaven.

"Where’s the New York Strip for table 25?"

Rachel came up sliding it onto the pass for him to garnish with a side of baked baby potatoes in garlic and chives. Mason placed everything carefully then put it up on the lip and rang the service bell.

"One Bourbon Street New York Steak, table 25. Ahh thanks Gail." he said with a wink.