Disclaimer: CSI isn't mine, and neither is Close to Home, but you probably know that by now.

Spoilers: Season 7 expect Living Doll

A/n: This is a sequel to the story Panic! It is set four or five years later, and is slightly AU. By now Greggo's a bit more cheerful, but still has a bit of angst in this story. I am keeping the journal format, because I like it and have better luck telling something in first person point of view. Just to keep this clear, This story is rated T and staying that way, so don't expect sex scenes or anything like that, this isn't that kind of story, not that I have anything against them.

What day is it, again?

Okay, I'm been doing this journal for a while now. After the incident with Hodges, it kind of became a habit. I don't do it all the time, just when I'm really stressed out. It does help me to vent without hurting anyone, and helps me figure things out in my own head sometimes.

Anyway, I'm starting to ramble again. I think I'll start this story the day that Sofia's friend Annabeth, a lawyer from LA, came to visit and asked us for a favor. That's how this whole thing started, not that any of this her fault.

I had just come home after pulling a double. Sara and I had gotten the floater from Lake Mead. Despite the promotion, Grissom still gives us all the fun cases, or at least it feels like he does. I don't think I'll ever be able to get the smell of decomp completely out of my clothes.

Anyhow, I had just arrived home a little later then I expected to, but that was normal, however annoying it is. Fortunately, Sofia had gotten a hit and run that had been resolved quickly.

She was waiting for me at home with our son, Eric. He's a great kid. I love him, and just wish Grissom wouldn't keep sticking me with double shifts, not that I'm complaining. The Bugman has been a great boss most of the time. The promotion had helped a lot, especially after Sofia and I had gotten married.

It still feels a little surreal sometimes, but my family means everything to me. Of course, catching the bad guys is a close second.

Anyway, I had just gotten to the front door and heard the dogs start to bark. We have Mutt, and now a Lab/Chow cross named Bear, but he's still a only a puppy. Good dog, though.

Sofia opened the door for me and said hello. She was a little annoyed that I was late, and I apologized. I told her that Sara and I had gotten suck with the floater. Promotion or no promotion, I was still the youngest member of the team and still got a lot of those type of cases. It really sucks being on the wrong end of the chain of command sometimes.

"Smells like it." She wasn't kidding.

"You know you like it." I teased. Turning things into jokes was my best defense, and most of time it worked.

She laughed. "You need to get in the shower. We have company coming."

"Sorry, what day is it again?" Double shifts tend make me lose track of the day.

"Friday! Don't tell me you forgot!" I groaned inwardly. Sofia had some friends from LA coming over soon. Her friend had said that they needed to talk about something important.

"Of course not." I gave her a quick kiss and heading to our bedroom when a four year old boy stopped me.

"Daddy!" He smiled happily. Eric's a really cute kid. He has his mom's blue eyes and my messy hair. Eric's also the only four year I know of that all ready knows how o play chess. "Can we watch Skelton Jack now?" He had been looking forward to it all day. Eric was our "Nightmare Before Christmas" DVD. Eric loves Tim Burton movies almost as much as I do.

"In a little bit. I have to shower first." He giggled.

"You smell funny." Like I said, he's adorable.

A/n: There's the beginning. I just had to introduce little Eric and give a little background info before starting the case. More action later, I promise. It's one am here and I just need to get some sleep first.