CHAPTER FOUR

Upon their return to the lab, Sara and Iris went to the break room to continue their conversation. "Sara, you know I'm not one pry in other folks' business, but I need to ask about Captain Brass," Iris asked. "He seemed out of sorts tonight, or is it just me?"

"No, you don't see this side of him much," Sara replied. "It has to do with his daughter, Ellie, so I'll fill you in."

Sara went on to explain how the police captain's marriage and family life had been casualties of his making his job his first priority as well as the pain of mutual affairs he and his wife had. In the midst had been Ellie, who despite Brass' efforts to reconnect with her was still estranged from him. Her past behavior of being self-destructive with drugging and prostituting herself seemed bent on rebelling against his being an absent father, Sara believed, but Brass still had a father's heart in spite of how Ellie was choosing to live her life. Some of this was general knowledge to Iris but what Sara said in addition greatly expanded what Iris now knew.

"That girl bore a remarkable resemblance to Ellie and Brass had said today is El's birthday," Sara went on to say, "I've asked Brass if he'd been able to reach her but he's had no luck as yet. Again, it just a bizarre coincidence how much that girl looked like her."

"My heart goes out to him for it's going to be a long day for him I know," Iris said, her brown eyes glistening with emotion. She pondered if there was something she could do in some small way for him to help the day pass.

Just then Gil was walking by, his pace hurried, as he headed toward his office. Iris remembered that Gil was Brass' best friend and she decided to strike while the iron was hot. She told Sara she needed to see Gil for a minute but to call her if she or Nick needed any help with the new case.

"Uh, Grissom, gotta minute?" Iris walked quickly to catch up to her boss. She still fought the urge to call him Doctor Grissom, but she had adjusted quickly and was now more comfortable with using his last name but Gil she hadn't worked her nerve up to yet.

"Sure, come on in," Gil said, motioning her to a seat across from his desk. "What's on your mind, Iris?"

"It's about Detective Brass, sir, I'm just concerned for him," Iris replied. "He seemed very upset at the crime scene earlier in the shift and I haven't seen him that way before. Has he come back here to the lab?"

"Iris, your concern for Jim is admirable and I understand your desire to be of help, but the subject of Ellie is still sensitive for Jim and one he doesn't readily discuss with everyone except those he's close to. Some things we have to sort out for ourselves. I can say he's got some battle scars from pretty trying emotional events in his life, some haven't healed fully yet." Gil stated which Iris took to be in reference to Jim's near-fatal shooting several months ago.

"Understood, sir, I meant no harm, truly. Thanks for your time." Iris rose quickly to leave. Her heart still remained troubled for Brass.

"Iris?" Gil said, before she left.

"Sir?" she replied, turning back to face Gil.

"I appreciate your desire to be respectful toward a superior but when you say 'sir', I feel about 10 years older than I should, okay? Gil or Grissom is fine, you know," he added with a slight wink.

Iris smiled. "Thanks….Gil….Grissom…Gris". She turned to leave his office and head on toward the locker room. Gil half-smiled to himself. She's coming right along he thought.

Nick and Warrick were in the break room having a heated discussion about what women wanted in a man as Iris walked by on her way to her locker.

"Iris, girl, we need a lady's opinion here!" Warrick called out to her, still laughing at Nick's last comment. "You were married, right?" His smile was erased when he realized how he had asked his question.

Iris never skipped a beat. She sat down across from Warrick. "Yup, what would you like to know, feel free to ask whatever and I'll try my best to be of help."

"Well, Nick and I are discussing what women are looking for in a dude, your input is needed," Warrick felt just a bit uncomfortable, wondering why Iris hadn't bitten his head off, like some women might do. Their discussion was taking place independent of Warrick's sudden marriage to Tina.

"One of life's mysteries, Warrick, I think it varies from woman to woman, just like it does from man to man. What attracts me might not attract say Catherine or Sara, but I think you'd benefit more from a roundtable discussion with the other ladies present. Definitely have some hot opinions to exchange there. Look, I'm not a real authority here, only dated my husband and married kinda young, so if anything I'm a bit foggy about all that." Iris concluded.

"Thanks, Iris, for your thoughts…that might prove to be pretty interesting. Get some controversy going," Nick said.

"Gentlemen, I will see you tonight, so have a good day," Iris dismissed herself.

After she had left the break room, Warrick said to Nick, "She's so quirky but a heart of gold…not my type…but think she'll ever get over her husband? I mean you compare her to Catherine or Sara. Catherine is fine, I mean fine, stacked, passion ready to pop, brains and a bod, and being a redhead to complete the package, we're talking Barbie doll. Then you have Sara: classic features, keeps to herself, sort of smoldering, you know; dark hair, legs that go on forever, toned and built, a braniac too. I look at them and I could see some hot times. When you check out Iris, its different somehow, I mean not that I have but I do have eyes. She's kinda cute, I guess, in a Velma "Scooby Doo" way, quiet, reserved, but you gotta wonder about beneath the surface. But, Lord, can she cook. I pick her over Olive Garden anytime." Warrick finished.

They didn't see Iris who was standing out of sight in the hallway but within earshot of what had been said. Saint Velma, she said to herself, and returned to the locker area.

"Man, she's had time and she's getting on with her life and all. I'd say she's gotten through it but who's to say if over it? Do you ever get over it?" Nick speculated. "She's cool in her own way, I think, and she's still getting used to a new city and job. We all adjust in our own way. I'm glad she's on board with us. "

"You're right, I'm glad she's with us, too, and I'm sure she'll watch our backs like we all do for each other," Warrick agreed. "Now back to the subject at hand…."

Iris slipped into the ladies room and looked appraisingly in the mirror. Her fine brownish hair was a bob style that was practical for her as she fluffed the bangs away. A round freckled face was reflected with soft brown eyes. Her nose was tilted up somewhat. Her bronze-colored metal glasses suited her. A pleasant face but not a pretty one she had always felt. She was less than 5'2" and her figure proportionate she thought, not lithe like Catherine or Sara, perhaps more full and curvy. She groaned to herself, again questioning Velma, remembering watching the classic cartoon show as a kid. She told herself to just go home and let the comments be water off a duck's back.