DISCLAIMER: I DON'T OWN CSI OR ANY OF ITS CHARACTERS; THEY BELONG TO CBS OR ANTHONY ZUIKER. This story is merely my creative outlet of expression as a fan of the show and Jim Brass/Paul Guilfoyle.
RATED: T to M
SPOILERS: NONE I AM AWARE OF.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: "Pour Some Sugar on Me" sung by Def Leppard; written by Joe Elliott, Phil Collen, Rick Savage, Steve Clark, Robert "Mutt" Lange. "Someone to Watch Over Me" written by Ira Gershwin. "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing" sung by Aerosmith; written by Dianne Warren. My home team of Kacee, Mel and Onyx, and beta assistance by Sassy, whose collective moral support, insight and support are so appreciated.
A/N: Nathan Randall is now under lock and key for his mental illness. The countdown begins toward the impending arrival of the triplets for Jim and Iris. The approaching holidays promise a happy time for them and their CSI family. When tragedy strikes Brass, Grissom and the entire CSI team rally around Jim. How far will Brass go to see his own sense of justice fulfilled?
"THE SOUND OF YOUR CRY"CHAPTER ONE
Dr. Conklin's last appointment had cancelled and she was happy to spend the extra time with Jim and Iris who had just found out they were expecting a thrice-blessed event. She had the stunned couple along with Sara and Grissom come to her private office.
"How can I be that far along and with triplets? I wasn't on fertility medicine or anything like that. And, good grief, I'm not even showing yet," Iris said in a rush still processing what the sonogram screen had shown her and Jim.
Jim "Stud" Brass was still beside himself with his "hat trick" and couldn't get rid of his prideful grin just yet.
"Remember, Iris, every woman's pregnancy is different and while your middle has thickened a bit you'll be showing soon enough so enjoy it for now. Your amniocentesis results should be available in around two weeks. It looks like the good old-fashioned method of wham-bam-thank-you-ma'am worked here without the need for fertility drugs," Dr. Conklin replied with a knowing wink.
"Gil, Sara, we wanted to ask something of you," Jim said as he held Iris's hand.
"Sure, name it!" Grissom exclaimed, his happiness for his best friend reflected in his voice.
"Iris and I talked about it beforehand and we want you and Sara to be our babies' godparents," Jim said to Grissom.
Sara's eyes went wide as she looked to Iris who happily nodded in agreement with Jim. Grissom held her hand firmly in his as he read the answer in her facial expression and that was confirmed in his own heart.
"It'd be an honor for us, Jim, we accept," Grissom replied.
"You all seem to have a very close-knit friendship and you'll need a network of family and friends to help out after the little dears arrive," Dr. Conklin said approvingly.
"Uh, Doc, when is Iris due?" Jim asked but still maintaining his grin, holding hands with his sweetheart.
"Well, I said you're around 12 to 13 weeks along and going with best-case scenario I would say your due date is very close to Christmas. How's that for a present?" The good doctor laughed huskily. "And I want you to come back in two weeks to go over your amniocentesis results and repeat the ultrasound as I think by then the little darlings will hopefully give us a clue as to boys or girls."
Grissom clapped Brass on the back at that. "Sara said it best…you stud you!"
"Three more stockings to put up with the Christmas tree, hon, and that'll be our first Christmas too," Jim commented to Iris. He couldn't resist, as usual, and gave her a quick kiss.
"Is your house going to be big enough now depending upon on the results of the next ultrasound?" Sara queried with a little smirk.
"Good question, Sara," Iris replied thoughtfully as she glanced at Jim.
"Is it time for an extreme makeover of the house, Jim?" Grissom asked with a raised brow.
"Personally, I love where we're at and perhaps just some minor renovation like adding on another room," Iris interjected.
"See, that's one of the things I love about you, being practical when you could ask for the moon and I'd try to give it to you." Jim grinned at her.
"Let's get going! I'm sure Dr. Conklin would like to get home," Iris replied
"I will see you back in two weeks then," Dr. Conklin said as she showed everyone out.
"What about going to Chang's in Henderson to celebrate? My treat!" Grissom exclaimed as they left the office.
Later that evening after having enjoyed a Chinese dinner to die for, literally, it came time for the fortune cookies. Each of them read their respective cookie fortune aloud:
Grissom said, "Your great attention to detail is both a blessing and a curse. Time is precious, but truth is more precious than time."
Sara said, "Trust your intuition. The universe is guiding your life. Your heart is pure, and your mind clear, and your soul devout."
Jim said, "Put the data you have uncovered to a beneficial use as something you lost will soon turn up. Your skill will accomplish what the force of many cannot."
Iris said, "You have the ability to adapt to diverse situations. Your blessing is no more than being safe and sound for the whole lifetime. There is yet time for you to take a different path."
They all exchanged looks at what each person's fortune had indicated.
"I don't put any stock in that stuff anyway," Jim was the first to say as he tore his paper up into little bits to leave on his plate.
"They're interesting observations at best," Iris commented as she still looked hers over.
"Hmmm. The universe is guiding my life, eh? I suppose it's been doing a good job at times then," Sara mused as she looked affectionately at Grissom.
"Guilty as charged about paying attention to detail," Grissom said dryly.