CHAPTER NINE

Upon conclusion of the show, it was announced that the CSI team had placed first followed by the fire department and police department. Nick had high-fived with Warrick as he looked over at the police department's softball team captain and gotten a glare in return.

After this, the bidding for a dinner date with each respective team member began at a furious pace. When it was time for the CSI team to be put up for auction, the lady members of the CSI team were debating how to ensure the results went in their favor. Catherine told them to bid their conscience, but as much conscience as they could afford.

Warrick was pleasantly surprised to find that Catherine saw to it that her bid far exceeded the nearest one. She was counting on them having a very nice evening out. Catherine wanted this to happen in the worst way and found herself facing Warrick as the exchanged a very intent gaze. Warrick gave Catherine that little half-smile of his as he stepped closer and then even closer.

"I am definitely looking forward to that dinner date. We'll make the whole night something to remember," Warrick said as he slipped his arm around her waist. Catherine regarded him with a flirtatious look in her eyes as they stood by and waited to see the outcome for the others.

Greg was holding his breath, open-minded or not, he was a bit unsure of how to react if a total stranger won him as her dinner date. He heard a shout of a triumphant "yes" as Jacquie went forward to claim him. She had outmaneuvered an older grandmother-type who desperately wanted to win. Greg breathed a silent prayer of thanks. Jacquie linked arms with him, looking at him sideways in a saucy manner. Greg thought things are looking up.

Nick stood to the side as the bidding was going fiercely to claim his date slot. He was very flattered by all the attention and how high he was going for. However, he too was wondering just how all this was going to turn out as he was still enjoying the smile from Breanne. A tap on his shoulder brought him back to the here and now. Doing an about face, he was greeted by the owner of that very smile, her blue eyes large and taking him in as she informed him he was her dinner date. He managed his own wide grin, casually placing his arm behind her back. He looked over to Iris as he gave her a thumbs-up for helping to make this possible and getting a return thumbs-up.

Gil stood near the others as the bidding for him came along. The evening had been more fun than he thought it would be. He still held Sara's rose and smelled its delicate fragrance. He could hear the bids being driven up by the emcee, his surprise at such money being offered for a dinner date of all things. The final bid was over a thousand dollars and he resigned himself to an evening with a stranger albeit for the greater good of the pediatrics unit. He stiffened slightly as a hand found his and twined fingers. Turning suddenly he beheld the arching eyebrows below raven-dark hair framing the delicate features with the sly gap-toothed smile that he counted himself blessed to know and admittedly love.

"You're mine for that dinner date, Mr. Grissom." Sara's eyes sparkled as she gazed at Gil.

"Yours and no other's and for more than a dinner date," Gil whispered into her ear, giving her a quick peck on the cheek.

The last bidding was going on for one Jim Brass. To his astonishment, the amount of the bidding was approaching Grissom's and even Brass was wondering who would claim him as their auction prize. This sure ain't Ebay, he thought to himself as he heard the emcee call out the bidding was concluded. He scanned through the crowd of ladies to see who the winner was. He would just have a nice evening out with this person and that would be it. No worries. No strings attached.

Iris made her way over to Brass. "Jim, you all did wonderfully out there. I almost thought you weren't going to take a turn on as lead singer. Why wouldn't you?"

"Are you kidding me…with this mug? By the way, I heard that Exile song was suggested by you…interesting." Brass laughed but looking speculative at the same time.

Iris shrugged her shoulders. "I happen to think it's a great mug. I heard the emcee call the end of the auction, so who won your dinner date?"

"Don't know," Brass admitted.

"It's a shame because you're already spoken for, you know," Iris said lightly as she turned to walk toward the others.

"What? Wait a minute! Hold up there, Missy!" Brass reached out to slide his arms behind Iris and pull her back to him as she chuckled softly.

"The others never had a chance. Your bid was fixed as soon as I saw you up there. It would have been doubled to stop the nearest bidder. I like the odds better that way." Iris said as she gently brushed her eyelashes against his cheek, which she knew drove Brass crazy, and planted a rapid peck on his lips.

This was their first show of affection openly in front of the team and not caring who saw, Jim tilted Iris's face toward his. "Some day that song is happening between us," Brass whispered to her and sealed that promise with a quick kiss.

Iris saucily winked at him. "To some day then," she said softly for his ears alone.

Sam Braun, who had watched the show as well, came over to Catherine. "Hey, kid, whatever the take was tonight I will match dollar for dollar." He hugged her close and headed out of the club.

Catherine looked about at the group around her, relationships forming or evolving. The days and months ahead, were shaping up to be pretty interesting.

END

PLEASE SEE THE NEXT CSI STORY IN THE BRASS/IRIS SERIES ENTITLED "AS YOU WISH" COMING VERY SOON. THANKS FOR READING AND ALL REVIEWS ARE WELCOMED.