Jackson is my original character, but that's all I own.

I got to thinking about how Greg sees the worst in his job, so I thought of this little one-shot. I thought that, with Jackson, even the worst Greg sees can be better with his little boy. I hope you like it...and please review!

Barbara Russell opened her front door before Greg had a chance to knock. He smiled when he saw the woman who cared for his son.

"I saw about the case on the news," Barbara whispered. Greg and the team had worked a case where a little girl not much older than Jackson was found murdered near her home. The evidence led to a family friend who later confessed.

Greg shook his head. He'd worked on cases with murdered children before, but it hit much closer to home since his son came into his life.

Barbara simply smiled and rubbed Greg's shoulder. "He's asleep. I'll get him." She turned to walk to the guestroom Jackson always slept in, but Greg put a hand on her shoulder.

"Let me," he whispered. Barbara smiled, knowing that Greg just needed to be sure his son was okay.

Greg stood in the doorway of the guest room and smiled when he saw Jackson sleeping, happily unaware of the case his father had just worked. Greg just watched as Jackson's chest bobbed up and down rhythmically, arms wrapped around his beloved teddy bear, Cubby. Jackson was his father's whole world. Whereas he used to down a beer or try to concentrate on a movie after a hard case, now he had his little boy to remind him of just how precious life is.

Sitting on the edge of the bed, Greg ran a hand through Jackson's red hair. Jackson stirred and opened his eyes. When he saw his daddy, he smiled. "Hi, daddy," he said sleepily.

Greg smiled weakly. "Hey, Jacks."

Jackson looked at Greg. He knew his father was upset about something. "Daddy, are you sad?"

Greg sighed deeply, not wanting to cry. "Yeah, I'm a little sad."

"Don't be sad, daddy." Jackson rubbed his eyes and sat up.

"Okay," Greg said softly. Like Russell and Catherine, Greg didn't want to bring his work home with him. He looked at his sleepy son, wishing he could feel as happy and innocent as Jackson was.

"You know what?" Greg asked.

"What, daddy?"

"I couldn't get over here fast enough to tell you I love you."

Jackson smiled. "I love you too. Are you still sad, daddy?" Jackson asked.

Greg smiled, feeling tears shimmering in his eyes. "You know what?" Jackson shook his head. "I can't be too sad if I've got you." Greg smiled as his son smiled back.

Jackson got up and wrapped his arms around Greg. Pulling his son close to him, Greg allowed a tear to roll down his cheek.

They stayed like that for several moments-Greg feeling a mix of relief that they'd solved the case and sadness that a child was dead, Jackson just wanting his daddy to be happy.

When they pulled away, Greg smiled at his son. "Thank you."

"For what, daddy?"

Holding his son on his lap, Greg smiled. "I needed a hug today."

Jackson giggled. "You're not sad anymore?"

Greg smiled and gently lifted his sleepy son into his arms. "Not anymore."

The End.