ADDED ACKNOWLEDGEMENT: "Stand" Performed By Rascal Flatts (unable to locate the songwriter)

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

Within the week, the CSI team received word that Nathan Randall waived his preliminary hearing in order to expedite a speedy trial and would be held in the LVPD jail until the trial date was set. Nick and Warrick had been gone to attend a seminar series in Los Angeles the last two weeks and had returned expounding more on the LA night life as opposed to the actual seminars. They were amazed to hear of the Randall case and the Old West antics of Sara and Iris, especially Nick who wanted to nickname Iris and Sara, Annie Oakley and Calamity Jane, respectively.

Grissom informed Iris she'd been promoted to a CSI-2 but it was a hollow victory for her. Grissom was straightforward in telling her that she showed much potential and could even make CSI-3 or be a lead if she applied herself. Iris had voiced her appreciation but that she felt most comfortable being a worker bee, Grissom enjoying her play on words.

Iris was surprised to have Mark and Janice Watson come to the CSI lab requesting to see her and Jim. Janice still would not forgive Iris, but Mark expressed gratitude that Heidi's killer was behind bars. Their friendship was another casualty.

Durante and Cyrano were cremated and their ashes in the same urn were scattered by Brass and Iris with Grissom and Sara on top of the hill where the dogs have given their lives. They had all ridden up to the hill that day, even Brass. He done better than he thought he would and decided he might ride again; for Iris, he'd do just about anything.

That Friday Iris was headed into work as Jim had gone in earlier and she was able to sleep in a little extra. She was listening to the Rascal Flatt song "Stand" as the song had special meaning for her now being a CSI-2 after this difficult case. She turned up the song and listened on to the lyrics:

"You feel like a candle in a hurricane
just like a picture with a broken frame
alone and helpless
like you've lost your fight
but you'll be alright

Cause when push comes to shove
you taste what you're made of
you might bend, till you break
cause its all you can take
on your knees you look up
decide you've had enough
you get mad you get strong
wipe your hands shake it off
then you stand, then you stand
life's like a novel
with the end ripped out
the edge of a canyon
with only one way down
take what you're given before its gone
start holding on, keep holding on

Everytime you get up
and get back in the race
one more small piece of you
starts to fall into place
ooohhh"

Lost in thought, her cell phone suddenly rang and showed Dr. Elander's office calling. "Brass," she answered as this was a personal call. "Mrs. Brass, we finally have your lab results…"

"Are you sure? There must be some mistake! Okay, I understand. I'll make that appointment right away and confirm it with Dr. Elander." Iris clicked off her cell phone as she arrived at work.

She made a mental note to go see Jim right away as soon as she got her stuff put away in her locker. Sara met her with a package addressed to her, telling her it had just been delivered. It had no return address or name. As Sara sat beside her, Iris said, "Well, it's not ticking, so guess I'll open it." Inside she found a little bluebird figurine etched with the name "Heidi" and a note from Nathan Randall saying he knew why the caged bird sings.

All that had been bottled up in Iris for so long broke forth: the death of Heidi and the dogs, the collapse of their friendship with Janice and Mark, and finally the taunting of Heidi's pedophile killer. With a sharp cry, she smashed the figurine against her locker door, shattering it and cutting her hands. She gave Sara an anguished look as she rushed to the shower room and crumpled into the corner after turning on the shower full blast.

Sara's heart went out to her friend and she hauled butt to Grissom's office. "Griss…trouble…Iris!" Grissom wasted no time coming at a dead run behind Sara to the shower area. He turned off the water and gently embraced Iris who faced away from him with convulsing shoulders and bleeding hands. He turned her to him as he comforted her, his voice soothing. "Iris, it's okay, we're getting Jim." He nodded at Sara. Sara went on to find Brass in his office. "Jim…Iris," was all Sara needed to say as Jim bolted from his desk to follow her.

Grissom continued to hold Iris as she shook violently, struggling to control the backwash of her emotions. He placed towels about her hands, thankfully noting the cuts were shallow and not deep lacerations. Sara returned with Brass on her heels. Grissom looked up at Jim with an anguished expression, his regard for Iris and his best friend transparent.

"Gil, make a hole, I got her," Jim said as he took over holding her. "Iris, oh, babe," he said softly as he cradled her to him. Looking up and seeing Jim, Iris asked in a strangled voice, "Why, Jim, why?" Her emotional dam finally broke as gut-wrenching sobs wracked Iris as Jim kept her safely enfolded in his arms while he slowly rocked her like a child and murmured softly into her ear.

Grissom stood back with Sara, Greg, Nick and Warrick with sorrowed looks on their faces as they sympathized and empathized with their teammate and friend.

After several minutes Iris had cried to near exhaustion as she emptied her heart and Brass maintained his embrace. She sniffled roughly as he dried her tears with another sodden Kleenex. "I'm a mess," she finally managed to say shakily in a thick voice. Brass made no reply as he gently kissed her forehead, her cheeks and finally her lips.

"Nah, babe, you're beeeootieful," Jim said, all Jersey coming through.

Iris said softly, "I couldn't protect Heidi…but our baby will be loved and protected."

Jim was startled, looking down at Iris with an expression of shock and then awed delight. "Did you say what I thought you said?"

Iris wearily shook her head in affirmation, "Uh-huh. I just found out on the way in to work from Dr. Elander's office that we're expecting. It's why I've been getting tired so easy and my emotions so out of whack. They're not sure yet but think I'm only a few weeks along. I'm scared to death and so happy at the same time. Jim, oh my goodness, I'm sopping wet and now you're not much better, hon."

"Do you think I care? We're pregnant!" Brass exclaimed with such a goofy lop-sided grin that caused everyone present to snicker, snort and then outright laugh.

Catherine walked in at this moment after having just returned from her vacation and also hearing the unexpected news. The entire team encircled Jim and Iris to give them supportive hugs and other expressions of congratulations.

Later that day at Heidi's gravesite, Iris knelt to place fresh flowers by the headstone as Jim stood with her. He folded his arms around her to place his hands protectively on her abdomen and the new life contained within. Iris took comfort and strength from his being there with her.

"Randall's gonna pay for what he did, Iris. I promise you and I promise Heidi." Jim murmured into her ear.

"Heidi deserves to rest in peace." Iris said softly.

They stayed with Heidi until the sun began to set, renewing their vow to her that she would have justice.

END

Please review. The next story in the Brass/Iris series is "Hat Trick" which will be posted soon.

Thanks for reading! LadyKestrel