CHAPTER SIX
The next several days passed quickly for the CSI men, as they worked a couple hours each day on their lip syncing and dance moves with Catherine. Warrick proved to be a natural and was going to be lead singer on "She's a Lady". Surprisingly, Grissom actually was getting into it himself and had asked personally if he could take the lead on The Four Tops tune. Even Nick asked to take front duty on "Kiss You All Over" and had expressed surprise at it being Iris's choice. However, at the request of the guys, Sara and Iris couldn't sit in on the practices as they had hoped to. They would have to be content with seeing them in action at the show. Catherine promised they were in for a treat.
Around the CSI lab, one could hear the songs being hummed and little moves being displayed now and then by the respective members of the talent show team. Catherine would laugh to herself at the efforts being displayed but she felt that overall this was coming along very well. She was finding herself beginning to get excited about the show that was due to begin rehearsals in 24 hours.
That same morning, Iris was due to go to her fencing practice at the Fence Club of Las Vegas and Breanne, Iris's fencing partner, showed up unexpectedly to see if Iris was still going or not. Breanne was an exceedingly attractive blonde standing five feet, nine inches, who turned heads wherever she went, but she was as down-to-earth as she could be.
"Iris, hey there, you still going to our practice?" Breanne asked coming down the hallway by a stunned Nick who mouthed to Iris behind Breanne 'who's that'.
Iris raised both eyebrows but thought why not. "Sure am. I want you to meet a friend of mine who works here as a CSI. Nick Stokes, may I present Miss (she emphasized) Breanne Porter, my fencing partner."
Nick scrambled to make the acquaintance. "I'm pleased to meet you, Miss Porter."
Breanne looked up at him with deep blue eyes and her mouth curved in a smile. "The pleasure is mine, Nick. Any friend of Iris's I would be happy to get to know better."
"So you two fence with swords, right?" Nick asked. The idea of this lovely creature taking up a sword was intriguing and the image also, but he wouldn't go there just yet.
"Nick, we fence with epees as a matter of fact, as that sword is more elegant and lightweight, no "Braveheart" moves. You should come watch some time." Breanne continued to hold Nick with her gaze.
"Absolutely, I would jump at the chance…uh, I better get on down to Trace. Again, I hope to see you again…soon." Nick finished with a courtly little bow and reluctantly started to head down the hall leaving behind a very amused Breanne.
"Nick, will I get to see you at the benefit show?" Breanne called out after him.
Nick stopped up short and turned quickly around; he was at a loss of words for a quick reply that wouldn't sound self-serving.
"Breanne, I will personally see to it that you see Nick after the show," Iris said quickly to rescue her beleaguered coworker.
Nick gave that ear-to-ear grin of his and raised his hand in farewell as he turned to head back down the hall.