<span style="font-size: 18px"><span class="fixed-color" style="color:#bfbfbf">Horizon City Police detectives  <a class="link link--external" data-proxy-href="/proxy.php?link=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.phoenix.gov%2Fpolicesite%2FMediaAssets%2FIMG_7096.jpg&amp;hash=7a301271ab82b2bb848d9b51afe5a946" href="https://www.phoenix.gov/policesite/MediaAssets/IMG_7096.jpg" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" target="_blank">Lieutenant Mary Roberts</a> and <a class="link link--external" data-proxy-href="/proxy.php?link=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.phoenix.gov%2Fpolicesite%2FMediaAssets%2Ftj_martin.JPG&amp;hash=0d691392f6d6539a7a52d915643d069a" href="https://www.phoenix.gov/policesite/MediaAssets/tj_martin.JPG" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" target="_blank">Lieutenant Trent Martin</a> followed up with Gabriel at University Medical Center, in El Paso the day after the altercation between Slater Conway, Gabriel and Jaxon. In order to press assault charges against Slater it was important to take his statement and see if he was willing to proceed. Slater was arrested, and held in the El Paso County Jail to cool off and lawyer up.<br/>
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Besides facing criminal charges for threatening Gabriel and Jaxon with a shotgun, Slater Conway was facing aggravated assault charges which was also a felony in the state of Texas. Slater's sucker punch caused Gabriel to have a concussion and a broken nose, so it was a good thing that the officers on the scene sent him to the emergency room for evaluation and an overnight stay for observation. Gabriel was feeling more himself the morning after, and he gave the police detectives everything they needed to build the criminal case against his ex-boyfriend.<br/>
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Gabriel looked like hell after being discharged from the hospital. He had a black and blue shiner that remained under his left eye after the altercation, that would last for a few days at least. Although the day he was driven home by Jaxon was a little blurry, he still remembered that he'd invited the handsome veteran to his family's restaurant for dinner even though he was slightly embarrassed by his appearance.  Perhaps if he didn't expect too much or didn't consider this a date, Gabriel wouldn't have been so hard on himself.<br/>
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Besides, he probably wouldn't even see Jaxon Pierce again. He more than likely got spooked by his dysfunctional ex-boyfriend and wouldn't bother showing his face at <i>Picaduras.</i><br/>
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Gabriel made himself scarce, helping his mother, Marisol in the kitchen. He was off tonight, but volunteered to slice fruit for cocktails since it was 1/2 price drink night. Alejandro had tables one through five, Juan had tables six through twelve and Gabriel's cousin <a class="link link--external" data-proxy-href="/proxy.php?link=http%3A%2F%2Fbloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com%2Fniagara-gazette.com%2Fcontent%2Ftncms%2Fassets%2Fv3%2Feditorial%2F8%2Fed%2F8edb2aae-9a40-11e5-ab47-a7812fd7f8cf%2F5661186c6ae75.image.jpg&amp;hash=b29e74c428c6c31a98c30c5a777019b7" href="http://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/niagara-gazette.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/8/ed/8edb2aae-9a40-11e5-ab47-a7812fd7f8cf/5661186c6ae75.image.jpg" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" target="_blank">Miguel</a> was working tables one through five on the patio. Miguel grabbed a menu and list of the specials for table four as he stepped through the entrance and approached Jaxon and his dog, Kiv.<br/>
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"Hola Señor, and welcome to<i> Picaduras</i>. My name is Miguel and I will be your server tonight. Can I get you started with something to drink? We have 1/2 price Margaritas tonight, or I can bring you another beverage from the menu. We carry Coke products. Sweet tea and <a class="link link--external" data-proxy-href="/proxy.php?link=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.agardenforthehouse.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2015%2F07%2F066-530x381.jpg&amp;hash=d55db2351d1baf46844dd8adf2e77204" href="http://www.agardenforthehouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/066-530x381.jpg" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" target="_blank"><i>Marisol's Special Limeade,</i></a><i>"</i> Miguel explained with an enthusiastic smile as he set the menu down on Jaxon's table.<br/>
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When Jaxon asked for two waters as well as his cousin Gabriel, Miguel replied, <i>"Si Señor</i>, I will bring you some water, and our complimentary tortillas chips with salsa. Be right back with those. I'll let Gabriel know you're looking for him, he's in the kitchen," Miguel grinned, heading back inside the restaurant with the order.<br/>
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Miguel paused at the bar, speaking briefly to Esteban, the bartender. "<i>Dos aguas, por favor.</i>"<br/>
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Poking his head into the kitchen he was about to yell Gabriel's name, but nearly ran into Gabriel as he came through the doorway carrying bowls of lime wedges, orange and lemon slices on a tray he was delivering to the bar.<br/>
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"Gabe! Some<i> gabacho</i> is out there asking for you saying something about recommendations. Table four, patio. He's got a dog, says you invited him." Miguel relayed the message while picking up a basket of warm tortilla chips and some salsa roja  before heading over to the bar to pick up Jaxon's beverages.<br/>
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Gabriel set the tray down on the bar counter, and turned with a look of shock. <i>Jaxon?</i><br/>
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He could hardly believe his ears. The person his cousin described had to be him, and his dog, Kiv. "Um okay Miguel, I'm coming." Gabriel answered, dropping off the garnishes for the cocktails with Estaban at the bar.<br/>
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By the time Gabriel arrived on the patio, Miguel was delivering Jaxon his beverages and a fresh basket of warmed tortillas with salsa. His cousin smiled towards the doorway, "Ah there's Gabriel. I'll be back in a few minutes to let you decide on what you'd to like to eat. Take your time, Señor."<br/>
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Gabriel approached the table, as Miguel left and offered Jaxon a bright smile despite his banged up face.<i> "Hola</i>, Jaxon. Hi Kiv!" he held out his hand for Kiv to sniff all the while commenting to Jaxon.<br/>
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"He probably won't like the way my hand smells, I've been in the kitchen cutting lemons and limes for the drinks. May I join you?" he asked, before sitting down in the chair across from him.<br/>
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"Wow, you look nice. I almost thought you wouldn't come after what happened with Slater. I'm so glad you did! My cousin Miguel is going to come back to take your order, so let's go over the menu together, yeah?" Gabriel suggested.<br/>
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There was only one at the table, so Gabriel had to look at it upside down. It was okay though, he knew the Picaduras menu like the back of his hand anyway. "I am assuming you've never had Mexican food like this, so what I recommend is trying a little of each to see what you like, so if you like it you can order a full entree. This one here," Gabriel pointed to a pretty picture of their dinner sampler, "It's called <a class="link link--external" data-proxy-href="/proxy.php?link=http%3A%2F%2Flasierramexicanfood.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2016%2F12%2Fmexican-foods.jpg&amp;hash=167b1f3327de549b3a349d0b5eb1b754" href="http://lasierramexicanfood.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/mexican-foods.jpg" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" target="_blank">Picaduras Especial.</a>  For $12.95, you get to sample everything. It comes with a chalupa, chile relleno, beef burrito, enchilada, tamale, rice and beans. I would love to pay for your meal and dessert, Jaxon, it will be my treat. I think you will enjoy it."<br/>
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Of course, Gabriel hadn't eaten yet himself, but he knew exactly what to order for himself.  If Jaxon wanted to know what each item was on the Picaduras Especial, Gabriel would provide more details. It really was the best way to introduce Mexican food to someone who never really knew anything about their cuisine. Miguel appeared on the patio just as he promised a few minutes later, in order to take their food order.</span></span>