CHAPTER ELEVEN

The next morning held promise of a beautiful spring day. It was sunny with a slight breeze. The hearse bearing Kaylee's body arrived to Woodlawn Cemetery followed by several vehicles. There had been a brief viewing at the funeral home and eulogy given by Iris' pastor. Kaylee wore a lovely lavender dress and in death seemed more at peace than while she had lived. A beautiful arrangement of pink roses lay on top of the casket. As Brass and Ellie walked by to pay their respects, Ellie shivered slightly and gripped her father's hand tightly as she gazed down at the young woman. She looked over to see if she could spot Iris anywhere. The stark reality that this could just as easily been her if she had continued on that path still weighed on her mind. Upon the end of the eulogy, the six pallbearers, now including Ecklie at Iris' request, gently bore the casket from the hearse. The men were somber as they carried out their collective task. Iris had followed the rest of the mourners as she walked alone to the last of the limousines in which the rest of her CSI teammates were riding to the cemetery. By the graveside, Iris noted Grissom standing with Sara as they held hands and Sara leaning into Grissom, and that Warrick was standing by Catherine with his hand resting on her shoulder.

Once Kaylee had been laid to rest, each mourner filed past to drop a pink rose into the grave. Iris had gone first, one hand over her heart as she dropped her rose in. She had gone on to stand by her pastor while the rest of the mourners walked by. Brass had had little time to say anything to her in the last forty-eight hours especially since the Ecklie incident at the lab. He and Ellie had continued to reconnect and she had stayed at her father's place.

No media had been present directly at the graveside, although Iris now noted some news vans pulling up and that Ecklie was straightening his tie. She didn't want Grissom being put in the position of having to defend her actions at least not like this. She crossed swiftly over to Ecklie, as Grissom and Sara walked with her.

"Mr. Ecklie, my thanks for your help today. I hope you are discrete in what you say to the press now. As for my continued position as one of your CSI's, that's up to you but my work will stand on its own anytime anywhere." Her gaze was frank at the CSI lab director and her tone firm.

Clearing his throat, Ecklie, now in the presence of the media, stated, "At the Crime Scene Investigation Laboratories, we are comprised of a group of highly professional and technical personnel who at all times strive to maintain contact with the very human side of our work. Investigator King is an example of this. The story of Kaylee Parks has now become known as the "Vegas Angel". Our city mourns her passing but embraces her as one of its own. Thank you." The media now swarmed to Ecklie for more tidbits to broadcast.

"I think this means you're not fired, Iris. Who knew you could politic?" Grissom said.

"We'll see you in a couple days, butt-kicker, okay?" said Sara.

"Sure," smiled Iris, in spite of herself. She watched as Sara walked with Grissom arm-in-arm toward their limousine. Iris found herself increasingly optimistic for Gil and Sara's relationship to strengthen and blossom.

Warrick and Nick stopped by as well. "You're something else," Nick said, hugging Iris close. Warrick hugged her next, saying, "You go, girl."

She hugged Greg herself, telling the CSI just above her in seniority that she was looking forward to working a case only with him and that she marveled how bright he was. He looked sheepish as he went on to the limo.

Catherine walked up last as the two women faced each other. "You did us proud. I can see you'd fight like a tiger if that'd been your daughter."

"She could have been and I just couldn't stand by and let her go into eternity like that," Iris said back. Catherine considered that as she embraced Iris close.

"There's always room for you on days if you ever want it," Catherine said. She walked on to catch up with Warrick who waited for her by the limousine they had been in.

Iris was the last one to leave the graveside as she headed back to her limousine. The car door opened as Jim and Ellie stepped out. "We wanted to ride back with you if it's okay," said Ellie.

"I'd like that," Iris said, as she climbed in.

After arriving back to the funeral home, the respective CSI's left and Iris made toward her Jeep. She discovered Brass had parked next to her and they were getting ready to leave.

Brass stepped out of his car for a moment.

"Iris, hasn't it been a crazy couple of days? Look when things have settled down, would you like to have dinner with Ellie and me, and then maybe just us after that? I can't tell you how grateful I am. Ellie's talking about going to college. I will always be in your debt," Brass finished.

"That's what friends are for," Iris said, her voice a shade tremulous. She trusted Brass didn't pick up on that. "I'll see you around the lab."

Brass nodded as he leaned over quickly and embraced her in the briefest of hugs before he returned to his car.

Iris thought 'I am going for a long horseback ride later today'. It'd be a great opportunity to clear her head and heart. She'd be away from the hustle and bustle of work for a little while anyway. She made plans to head to the boarding stable where she kept her horse to go for a long trail ride.