Title: Childhood Innocents

Author: Daish

Rating: K.

Disclaimer: I do not own anyone associated with CSI.

Pairing: HC

Summary: Calleigh learns something as a result of a child's brutal honesty.

A/n Ok guys a couple of notes. Speed was shot but the Bullet didn't kill him. However, he was lab-bound for the foreseeable future and so Ryan was still brought in. Ray is not alive but Yelina does know that Madison is Ray's and she still allows Ray Jr. to help her when she is diagnosed with the Leukemia.

Horatio smiled as he saw Calleigh walking towards him with a beautiful megawatt smile on her face. "Hey Handsome you want to go out for drinks tonight with Alexx, Eric, Ryan and Speed?"

"Sure I would love to, meet you at the club around 6:00 sound good?"

"Sure see you then." Calleigh said as she turned and headed down the hall. Horatio was just signing a report from Calleigh when his phone rang.

"Horatio Caine."

"Hey Horatio this is Susie I hate to bother you but I have a problem."

"What is it?" Horatio asked with a bit of worry.

"It's Madison she's sick and I can't stay home with her. The school called me and I wouldn't ordinarily ask but Yelina said that Ray has a soccer game and I have a business dinner I have to go to. I can pick her up and stay with her until around 5:30 will that work for you?"

"It is no problem. I will be at your house around 5:30. It isn't a relapse from the Leukemia is it?"

"No she is still in remission. Thanks I really appreciate it Horatio."

"Don't worry about it your family Susie. I am glad that she has been cancer free for two years. You wouldn't know that she had cancer when she was five by looking at her."

"Your right about that," Susie said softly.

"I have to go but I will see you tonight," Horatio replied as he hung up the phone. Horatio then went looking for Calleigh. He was unable to find her so he went back to his office.

Calleigh was just walking down the hall when Eric caught sight of her.

"Hey Calleigh Horatio was looking for you."

"Thanks Eric see you tonight," Calleigh said as she turned and headed towards Horatio's office. "Hey you wanted to see me Horatio," Calleigh said as she walked into his office.

"Yes I'm sorry but I won't be able to come for drinks with you guys tonight. Susie called me and Madison is sick. She would have asked Yelina to baby-sit but Ray Jr. has a soccer game, and she has a business dinner that she has to go to."

"Don't worry about it. It isn't the leukemia again is it?" Horatio shook his head as he gave Calleigh a small smile.

"Thanks a lot and I hope you guys have fun. I will come with you next," Horatio said returning her smile with one of his own. Calleigh just smiled as she turned and walked out of his office. Around 5:00 Horatio gathered up his suit jacket, locked up his office and headed for Susie's house to take care of his sick niece.