"Who's idea was this again?" Nick wondered out loud. A chorus of "Not mine" answered him.
"Ouch! Watch where you're going, Warrick"
"Sorry, Sara. I can't see a thing in here."
"Lindsey, where are you?"
"With Sara, Mommy," Lindsey giggled. Five adults in the dark were fun to listen to. After a moment of silence, a lound bang reverberated in the massive hall follwed by muttering that, if it could have been understood, would have made a sailor blush.
"Grissom, are you OK?" Catherine's voice was a mixture of concern and amusement. She could not remember the last time she had this much fun.
"Yeah, I'm fine, but I don't think the mirror is."
"Did anyone think to bring a flashlight?"
"No. The invitation said to bring a good attitude and ourselves. There was nothing about supplies in case of a power outage."
"Very funny, Nick."
"Ow! Watch who you hit, Sara. You could've given me a black eye." Nick said as Lindsey laughed again.
"What's so funny, Lindsey?"
"You are," she replied still giggling. The adults joined her at this. Despite being stuck in the dark, blindly looking for a way out, they were all relaxed and goofing around. Even the two workoholics had their share of jokes.
"Hey, Grissom," Nick decided it was time to change the topic again. "How many jelly beans do you think were in that jug?"
"Four thousand, six hundred, thirteen."
"Couldn't you have picked a rounder number?
Grissom shrugged his shoulders even though no one could see him do it. Catherine laughed because it would not surprise her if he had done some sort of calculation based on the approximate size and volume of the jar in question to arrive at his guess.
"Hey, guys! I think I found the exit," Sara said pushing the door she found open. Warrick, Nick, and Lindsey follwed her out into the sunlight. Catherine and Grissom hung back in the darkness.
Before they emerged, those waiting heard Grissom say, "Happy Birthday, Catherine."