"Ripples"

DISCLAIMER: "CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION" and other related entities are owned, (TM) and (c) by ANTHONY E. ZUIKER, JERRY BRUCKHEIMER Television, CBS Worldwide Inc., Alliance Atlantis Corporation, CSI Productions and CBS Productions, All Rights Reserved. This is a purely an outlet of creative writing inspired by a superb TV series. The character of Iris King is my own creation.

A/N: Grissom and his team reel from a tragedy they could never dream would happen to them…the loss of one of their own. As new faces arrive to supplement the team, Brass' presence and friendship is a rock for Grissom to anchor to during this time of upheaval and transition. Will the tears in the fabric of Grissom's team be mended?

Rated: T

Acknowledgements: "If Today Was Your Last Day"; written by Chad Kroeger; performed by Nickelback. "Haven't Met You Yet"; written by Michael Buble, Alan Chang, Amy Foster-Giles; performed by Michael Buble. "Iris"; written by John Rzezynik; performed by the Goo Goo Dolls. "Only You Can Love Me This Way"; written by Steve McEwan, John Reid; performed by Keith Urban. "Shut Up and Kiss Me"; written and performed by Mary Chapin Carpenter. "Realize"; written by Colbie Callait, Jason Reeves, Mikal Blue. Ain't No Woman (Like the I've Got)"; written by Dennis Lambert, Brian Potter; performed by The Four Tops. There are several CSI episode influences but I have modified the timeline of "Hog Heaven" to accommodate the story's plot. Quote: "Taken", Law & Order: SVU. Acknowledgements for other quotes are cited in story.

Chapter One

VEGAS

The diner was a dive, no question, but it was a 24/7 establishment they were all familiar with where over the years they'd gathered repeatedly to share thoughts over breakfast, something they got to do rarely anymore. And here they were again just like in times past but the purpose was different – Warrick had been officially cleared of Gedda's murder. The collective mood was jubilant at his exoneration and of relief that they could now focus their energies on determining who the department mole was.

To Nick, though, it would have been that much sweeter to have Sara with them. The whole team would've been there but the reality of Sara's abrupt departure was still a fresh hole inside.

Their laughter caused the waitress who was covering their table to look their way as she walked by, catching Nick's eye yet again as he flashed a wink at her in tandem with that wide dimpled smile he owned.

Warrick observed this without comment. Nick was using his whole arsenal. The tall Texan was in between ladies so it was logical.

Still, it was getting late and the team was on the brink of exhaustion from the emotional toll this particular case had taken on them all. One by one they made their farewells to Warrick, gestures showing the tight camaraderie the team all felt at heart. They were his family and had stood by him through all of this. Catherine was now preparing to go but leaned in and hugged him with a soft kiss on his cheek. As their eyes met, a silent exchange took place of the "what ifs" between them. It left Warrick with a bittersweet ache in his heart as she walked out.

Finally, it was just him and Nick, his best friend. The waitress walked past Nick again as their silent flirting continued. Nick wasn't going to leave without her number, that was a given, but he wanted to spend time with Warrick too.

"Let's get outta here and find a place to have a brew," he suggested.

"No, man, I'm just heading home, take a shower and veg," Warrick declined with a faint smile. "Besides, bro, that Texas vibe of yours caught our waitress so you better play this one out."

"I've got a great tip for her that's for sure," Nick drawled confidently.

"I bet you do," Warrick now grinned, knowing his buddy would give him the details when they met up at work the next shift.

As Warrick walked out, he turned in the doorway briefly to see Nick striking up a one-on-one conversation with the dark auburn-haired waitress. She flipped over her order pad and wrote out something quickly that she tore off and handed to Nick. While Nick looked at the sheet of paper with a widening smile, Warrick nodded in approval and headed for his Mustang parked in the alley, hearing the loud bass thump of music coming from a club.

He slid into his Mustang and sat several moments as he realized something. Life had given him a clean slate. Sure, Grissom had told him he was facing a likely suspension and demotion, but given what'd he'd gone through with Candy's murder and then Gedda's where he'd been considered a suspect in both, he'd come through the worst of it. Fate had given him a second chance to do everything better from here on out as a series of thoughts ran through his mind:

Eli: I'll be there for you, son. You'll have the dad I never did. I'm going to take you to school. We'll play catch and I'll go to every game you ever play. You'll be one of the smartest kids. I'll see you go to prom, graduate high school and see you off to college. Whatever you set out to do, I'll be your biggest supporter. You're the hope I have for my life.

Catherine: I want to try again and see where this could lead us.

Greg: You're going to succeed as a CSI but don't lose that spark that made you such a goofy lab rat.

Tina: Some things don't work and some things do. I think Eli's the best of what happened between us.

Grissom: You've supported me through the best and worst times while I've worked and grown under your influence. You've been my mentor and my friend. You never hesitated to take me down a notch when I needed it and encouraged me to be more than I was. You're the man I want to be.

Nick: Could I have a better brother than you? You've always had my back and I had yours. Let's see how you work out with the waitress.

A knock on his passenger window sent that path of thought on its way as he saw Undersheriff McKeen. Warrick concealed his surprise and then suspicion well. What was the undersheriff doing there? Was he there to gloat and tell him about being demoted, suspended, or fired? McKeen seemed to have materialized out of thin air. Keeping his face neutral while feeling something wasn't right at the same time, he cautiously lowered the window as McKeen struck up a brief conversation.

The deafening music from the club permeated the alley as one gun shot and then another rang out into the occupied Mustang. The shooter coolly wiped the gun of prints and casually tossed it into the car before strolling briskly away to vanish into the darkness, setting into motion irrevocable changes to the fabric of Grissom's team.

Warrick could feel the blood seeping down his neck. He couldn't move, wanted to scream for help, but there'd be no one there to hear. His vision was blurring with strength ebbing away with the steady flow of blood. Warrick felt so tired, so very tired. Grissom…he had to find the strength to hang on…Grissom would be there. He knew Grissom would come. Consciousness faded as his head slumped forward to rest on the steering wheel.

DALLAS

Jeri Church, graveyard supervisor at the Dallas Crime lab, had gotten her verbal kneepads ready before approaching her team. She was ready for the sequential polite refusals she tended to run into when asking anyone to volunteer for swing shift. The swing shift supervisor was a pain in everyone's backside, constantly trying to brown-nose the lab director, looking for any potential opportunity to advance. Like it or not, Jeri had to provide a body for his team due to the early maternity leave of a fellow CSI. Jeri knew she could count on one of her team members in a pinch.

Iris was in the locker area where she'd just gotten in from her outcall – a break-and-enter with possible arson at the original Sonny Bryan's BBQ restaurant on Inwood near the U.T. Southwestern medical district. She had a smoky smell in her hair and clothes but not from the wood used to cook by but that of the structural fire. The building had sustained significant water damage and likely to be closed for some time for repairs. Iris was a BBQ lover and knew it was going to grieve all patrons who satisfied their craving for "Q" at the location. Using a towel, she was wiping away at some ash residue that had stained her clothes.

"Long night, Iris?" asked Jeri.

"Well, you gave me the call for Sonny Bryan's. What a mess. The place will be shut down for a while to clean up after the fire. It looks to be arson according to the DFD investigator, but definite signs of forced entry to gain access inside where the fire originated. I found a crowbar at the restaurant's rear entry and the door had been pried open and the lock broken out. I'll go back to interview the owner later this morning and do the routine questioning. BBQ lovers including us will be in mourning for a while," Iris said with a tired smile.

"No disrespect to them but I'll take one of your cookouts over theirs. You know you're due to give us a spread," Jeri chuckled.

"Sorry, I guess I haven't had my head in cooking here lately," Iris admitted.

"You've been acting…I don't know…worn down is the best way I can put it," Jeri seated herself by Iris. "Is it because of Max writing you another of his letters?"

"There's days I'd rather not have it known about being the FTD killer's only survivor," Iris sighed in exasperation.

"I know it still haunts you about his being your friend and a DPD homicide detective, but you were meant to be the one who stopped him," Jerri reassured her and patted her shoulder.

"I guess that crystallizes how I've been feeling of late," Iris said and there was a distant look in her eyes.

"We all get those urges, dear, but I'd like to ask a favor," Jeri said dismissively with a wave of her hand.

"Sure, one is glad to be service," Iris said blandly. Her response was a trademark one for her, a line from "Bicentennial Man", one of her favorite sci-fi movies.

"Melanie went into labor," Jeri informed her.

"She's not due for a month! Is she okay? Oh my heavens I had a baby blanket to give her!" Iris gasped.

"Melanie and her baby boy are just fine. She delivered a few hours ago at big Baylor," Jeri smiled and it faded slightly, knowing it was still a secret hope of Iris' one day to have her own brood even though she gladly welcomed the blessed events of others.

"Oh me, how wonderful for her and Bud," Iris said with misting eyes. Births were always a happy time to her, in spite of her heart's faint voice of when for her, she would just admit it wasn't meant to be and focus on the joyful event.

"You should be godmother since you set them up on their first date," Jeri nudged her. "Who's going to be your matchmaker?"

"I don't know when that'll happen or if ever. I'm content with my life," Iris insisted.

"Liar, you're always matchmaking others so you're more than due," Jeri laughed.

"What's the favor?" Iris changed the subject.

"Right, uh, could you cover for Melanie on swing while she's on maternity leave?" Jeri asked hopefully.

"One is glad to be service," Iris agreed again.

"Thanks, Iris, I knew you'd come through," Jeri gave her a brief hug and left.

Iris watched her go before she reread the latest letter from Max. She knew she should just send them back unopened and not put herself through his delusional fantasy of they're going to be together one day. His imploring her to forgive him and he'd show her how he could make it all right was never going to end. As she tore up the letter, she sighed aloud, "You'll never know how weary, Jeri."