CHAPTER NINE
Iris seized a coffee pot filled with scalding water that she flung at the first robber, the boiling water covering his face and upper torso. She went for her pistol at the same time. He screamed in agony and clawed blindly through the air. His shotgun fell toward the floor, Iris moving to catch it before she went to cover Sara. The second man was bringing his gun to aim at Iris but had no clue that Sara was carrying her own firearm. She shot him at close range in the right hand just as he was beginning to squeeze off a shot. The bullet went off into the roof by some miracle. The second robber collapsed with a high-pitched shriek holding his bloodied right hand with his left. Upon hearing a shot, the SWAT Team fired a concussion canister exploding the front doors in a shower of glass. The deafening noise caused all four to drop to the ground in stunned confusion and to avoid the flying glass fragments.
Brass and Grissom, along with other officers, charged through the doors to find the men still wounded and collapsed on the ground. Sara and Iris were nearby supporting each other and trying to stagger to their feet. As Brass and the other officers swept through the store to make sure it was clear, Grissom steadied the women while paramedics followed to begin caring for the injured.
Iris stepped quietly away from Sara and Grissom. He had embraced Sara and was holding her tightly as if to never let go. She understood they needed this time together. Holding Sara's head to his chest, Griss looked over to his new CSI and his eyes widened in surprise. Iris was signing to him. Her motions fluid and graceful, Iris signed 'take care of our Sara, she's pretty special'. He noted that for Sara's name, Iris had signed both hands lettering S with a heart-shaped motion. Grissom wondered, 'How could she know'. However, during their time in the store tonight, Sara had opened up and spoken frankly to Iris about the hopes and complications she had with Grissom. She felt things were going beyond the point of a second chance. Iris had whispered to Sara to remember the Beatle song she'd heard earlier and that all things are possible. She had told Sara that she herself had come to the Vegas CSI for a second chance in life, a fresh start.
Sara looked up at Gil. Her eyes were bright with unshed tears. "I didn't know if I was ever going to see you again and not have the chance to tell you…."
"Tell me what, hon?" Grissom asked, perfectly content to just hold Sara, not wanting this moment to end. The fact he had Sara safe in his arms when this could have ended differently had shaken him to the core of his being.
"Just how much you mean to me and to only have you a few feet from me and not even be able to reach out to you..." Sara said in a shaky voice, then burying her head into Grissom's chest.
Gil gently raised her head up with both hands, taking a long, lingering look into her chocolate-brown eyes, memorizing every detail of her face and the touch of her skin to his.
"We can work it out," he said softly as he bent to kiss her, Sara surrendering to him.
Iris knew she was seeing a great change in what Grissom and Sara shared together. She was grateful to be able to witness it. Perhaps one day she might be able to meet someone herself to make that journey with in life. Can someone be that fortunate, she questioned, looking on at Sara and Gil. She then felt a blanket being placed about her shoulders, turning to see Jim Brass beside her.
"You okay? Look I didn't know about how you lost your husband. I'm sorry." He said in his gruff voice. Iris voiced her thanks and suddenly felt drained. Jim also checked quickly on Sara and Grissom, but seeing them otherwise involved, smiled broadly before heading over to another officer.
They looked over then to see a handsome young Hispanic male making his way quickly to ambulance. This could only be Elena's husband, who had just been allowed to enter the crime scene, being escorted by Brass to the ambulance where she was being cared for.
Grissom kept an arm around Sara as they walked over to Iris. "Iris, this doesn't generally happen to our CSI crew," Grissom remarked, "and I trust you'll stay with us."
"Doctor Griss…umm, Grissom, you'll have to get a crowbar to get me out," smiled Iris, "I'm in for the long haul if you'll have me."
"Iris, it's a rough way to start a friendship but I'm glad you were with me," Sara said, Grissom still holding her near.
From inside the ambulance came the cry of new life. Smiles broke the faces of all as they listened to cries of the newest citizen to Las Vegas. Elena's husband emerged from the ambulance carrying his new daughter. He came to where Grissom, Sara, Brass and Iris were standing together.
"My name is Miguel. I'm Elena's husband. Please meet our new daughter, Sarita," he said proudly, giving the infant to Sara to hold.
She peered down at her new namesake in delighted awe and wonder. Grissom stood beside her, arm still draped protectively about her, to share in this moment. He had a cryptic smile on his face. Iris also looked softly upon the newborn, her heart full of hope for this new little person. Brass, memories of Ellie fresh in his heart as always, thought for good things to be in the baby's future.
Sara reluctantly gave the baby back to her doting father, who then returned back to the ambulance to be with his wife and daughter.
"After you get checked out, I'm taking you home; you're off today, no arguments," Grissom said firmly to Sara. "The same goes for you, too, Iris," he said as an afterthought.
Iris watched them walk on to another ambulance. She smiled to herself and thought indeed there are always second chances. Her thoughts were interrupted by a polite cough, as she turned to meet the frank gaze of Captain Brass.
"Iris, you need to get checked out yourself," Brass instructed, "following which I will see to it that you get home safely. Later today, I'll come back personally for you take you to the LVPD to make your statement."
"Captain Brass, your care and concern are appreciated but I am fully capable of driving myself home I assure you," Iris said in protest.
"Well, as Grissom said, no arguments," Brass said briskly, "your Jeep is now part of a crime scene and under my jurisdiction at this point."
"I see…your way or the highway, Detective?" Iris asked in amusement.
"As it is, yes," Brass replied brusquely.
"Very well, sir, I am in your capable hands," Iris said as her mouth curved in a smile.
Brass held his car door open for Iris. As she got in, she noted the dawn light was beginning to chase away the dark of another night. Settling in for the ride to her town home, Iris was truly beginning to feel she was now home in a way she had not felt in a great while.
THE END
I WOULD APPRECIATE HEARING YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE CHARACTER OF IRIS AS A NEW MEMBER TO THE CSI TEAM. YOUR INPUT IS VALUED.
PLEASE NOTE MY NEXT INSTALLMENT IN THIS SERIES ENTITLED "PORT IN THE STORM" WHICH I WILL BE POSTING VERY SHORTLY.
THANKS AGAIN READING AND REVIEWING - LADYKESTREL
