Coffee Break, Part 4

In the latest installment in my series, Jim Brass and Sofia Curtis meet once again for coffee and discuss what's been happening with recent cases. Post-ep for "Stealing Home" and "CSI Unplugged."

Thank you so much Beaujolais and Spotted Horse for your kind reviews!

I still don't own CSI

As Jim Brass walked into the diner to order his dinner to go, he once again saw a familiar face at the counter. He walked over and said, "Funny how we're always meeting like this."

Sofia Curtis looked up from stirring her cup of coffee and smiled. "Well, I've heard cops do like coffee." She gestured to the seat next to her Jim sat down and asked the waitress for a cup of coffee and a sandwich to go. When the waitress turned in the order and left, Sofia asked, "How are things with the team?"

Jim took a sip of coffee. "They're good. Russell just brought in a colleauge of his from Seattle, Julie Finlay."

Sofia raised her eyebrows. "Oh, how's that going?"

"So far, so good. She's a good CSI and gets along really well with the team."

Sofia smiled and took a sip of her own coffee. "That's good," she said.

"Yeah, and she's...how shall I put this?" Sofia raised her eyebrows in question. "She's, um, strong-willed."

"That a good thing?"

"Yeah, I guess. Did you hear about that stolen house case a week or so ago?" Sofia nodded. "The three siblings would not stop arguing over the house, so Finlay came up with the solution: a chainsaw."

Sofia almost spit out the sip of coffee she was taking. "Really?"

"Yeah," Jim continued. "Sara told me she was ready to divide the house right down the middle to get those guys to shut up!"

Sofia and Jim shared a laugh.

"But she is a good CSI," Jim continued. "Remember the blackout a few days ago? She and the rest of the team really came through. They had to use some old-school methods to examine the evidence, but they solved the case."

"Good," Sofia said. Jim nodded and took a sip of his coffee. The waitress brought Jim's takeout order and his ticket and Jim thanked her.

"So," Sofia began, "Have you heard from Catherine?"

Jim finished his cup of coffee. "I talked to her about 2 days ago. She sounded really good. I mean, we miss her and she misses the team. But she sounded...how do I say this?"

"Good?" Sofia asked.

Jim chuckled. "Yeah. She's really excited about starting this new chapter in her life."

"Been there," Sofia said. She and Brass shared a smile, remembering how she was a CSI, then a detective, and now was the Deputy Sheriff.

"Worked out really well for you," Jim said. Sofia nodded.

Just then, Jim's cell went off. Answering with a sigh, he listened as the dispatch relayed news of a new crime scene. "Be there in 15," Jim said.

"The job?" Sofia asked.

Jim plopped a couple of dollar bills on the counter for the waitress' tip. "Yeah, looks like my dinner might have to wait." Sofia nodded.

Just before he walked up to pay his check, Jim turned to Sofia with a small smile. "Well, I guess I'll see you the next time you want a cup of coffee."

Sofia smiled and chuckled. "Sure," she said. "See you then."

The End.

I know this is a little shorter than the others, but I thought this would be a good little episode in the series. And yes, there will be a Part 5!

Please review!