DISCLAIMER: I DON'T OWN CSI OR ANY OF ITS CHARACTERS; THEY BELONG TO CBS OR ANTHONY ZUIKER
RATED: K+
SPOILERS: NONE I AM AWARE OF.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: "WE CAN WORK IT OUT" BY JOHN LENNON & PAUL MCCARTNEY OF THE BEATLES.
EPISODE INFLUENCE: NONE; TIMELINE INDEPENDENT OF CSI SEASONS 1-6
A/N: The addition of a new member to the CSI team is welcomed; however, trouble looms on the horizon to endanger what Sara and Gil share between them.
Second Chances
The early 80's Jeep Wagoneer pulled up in front of Sara's place and honked urgently. Sara grabbed her purse and backpack, locked her door and hurried outside. Her own car was in the shop and she was catching a ride in to work.
"Hey, Iris, thanks for picking me up!" she exclaimed as she hopped into the Jeep.
"No problem, glad to be of service," smiled Iris King, the newest member to the CSI night shift. "We're running behind, so let's roll."
Sara glanced at Iris out of the corner of her eye speculatively. Iris was in her forties and wore her collar-length brownish hair simply feathered back. She had laughingly said her best features were her brown eyes (despite glasses) and her freckles. She also had the distinction of being the shortest team member at just 5'2".
"Do you mind stopping in at the C-store?" Sara asked, "I need a caffeine jolt like nobody's business!"
"Sure thing," Iris replied, "you might let the boss know we're on the way and does anyone want anything while we're there?"
"I'm on it," laughed Sara, dialing up Grissom on her cell phone.
"Just get here as quick you can, ladies, it's a busy night here," said Grissom briskly, before hanging up with Sara.
The Jeep pulled into the little convenience store parking lot, which was often frequented by the nearby police department personnel that also housed the CSI lab. Both women quickly got out and walked into the store.
"Buenas nochas, Elena, how's the baby tonight?" Sara asked.
"She is very restless, like a Mexican jumping bean," laughed Elena, the night clerk, as she patted her large abdomen.
"Your first baby, right?" smiled Iris. She was still getting acquainted with the young Hispanic woman, who readily recognized her regulars at the store.
"Yes, we still have not picked out a name," Elena sighed. "It will not be too much longer before she is here."
"How 'bout Sara?" chimed in the dark-haired CSI with a sly grin and arched eyebrow.
"Indeed, the name means 'princess'," added Iris with a wink at Sara.
Screeching tires suddenly interrupted the cheerful banter between the women as a car ground to a stop in front of the store entrance. Two men leaped out of the car and slammed through the doors. Both were wearing hooded jackets and dark bandanas over their faces.
"Don't move! You're dead if you move! Got guns!" yelled the first man into the store.
"Where's the safe? Get that cash drawer open!" barked the second man.
Elena with hands raised gently pressed the alarm button located on the floor beneath the counter with her foot. Sara and Iris stood stock-still where they were. Iris, whose face had gone pale, gave a careful questioning look at Sara, who gave only a slight shake of her head.