I reaaally should not be starting a new fic and this might not even go anywhere but it popped into my head and the only way to get it out was to write it.

Serena knocked on the office door and entered without waiting for a reply. Expecting a sarcastic quip she already had a retort prepared, Hanssen had been avoiding her all morning, but the words caught in her throat at the sight in front of her.

Hanssen was sitting behind his desk as usual, but sitting in front of his desk, legs tangling from the chair, was a blonde little girl of about four years of age. Hanssen and the little girl seemed to be contemplating each other equally carefully.

Serena looked around the office expecting to see someone else, but there was no one.

'Ms Campbell, can I help you?' Hanssen asked.

The little girl turned to look at Serena with the bluest eyes Serena thought she had ever seen.

'Um… who's your little friend?' Serena asked, giving the girl a small smile.

'This is Alice.' Hanssen replied. 'Alice,' the girl turned back to him, 'this is Ms Campbell, she is a… she works with me.' Hanssen spoke gently, clearly making a small effort to simplify his usual speech.

Alice looked at Serena again who gave her another half smile.

'Is she lost?' Serena asked.

Hanssen hesitated, seeming unsure of how to answer. 'No quite.' He seemed about to say something more but stopped.

Serena raised an eyebrow. 'Where are her parents?'

'Her mother had to go away for a few days.'

'And her father?'

Hanssen shrugged, avoiding her gaze and stood up, walking around his desk. 'Your timing Ms Campbell is actually very good.' He said. 'Alice needs to go to the little girls' room. We were just trying to reach a resolution to the problem.'

'How is it a problem?' Serena asked, although she had little interest, all she wanted to know was what was really going on and whose child this was.

'She needs someone to go with her. Just to wait for her.' He smiled gently at Alice.

'Can't you wait outside the door?' Serena asked, guessing where he was going with this.

'Yes, of course. Why didn't I think of that? The CEO hovering outside the ladies room – that wouldn't look strange at all.' He replied sarcastically.

Serena rolled her eyes. Alice tugged on Hanssen's sleeve, she obviously wanted to go.

'Alright.' Serena said with a sigh. 'Come on Alice.' She took the little girl gently by the hand. Throwing a look over her should at Hanssen she added in a stern tone, 'When we get back, you are going to explain all of this to me properly!'