Jackson is my original character, but I don't own CSI.
Two more weeks until the season première!
Thank you Tede-Ruxe! I'd been thinking about this story for a while, but you gave me the idea to finally write it!
I love writing for Jackson and his family, and I wondered how Greg might tell his son about what he went through in the "Fannysmackin'" episode. I know Jackson's a little young, but I wondered how Greg might explain it to him. And...here's what I came up with. Please read and review.
Greg Sanders stood in the doorway of his son Jackson's room and watched the little boy sleep. He loved his son with all of his heart, and wished he could be as carefree and innocent as Jackson. He couldn't take his eyes off his son, sleeping soundly with his arms wrapped around his beloved teddy bear.
Greg thought about what he had to do the next day...how he wished the events leading up to the day had never happened. He knew he had nothing to worry about - that it was a parole hearing, and the chances of the guy getting out were slim to none. But he still dreaded revisiting the past.
Morgan quietly walked in and wrapped her arms around her husband's waist. She hated that he had to do what he had to do the next day, but she knew he needed closure. She also knew he wanted to keep Jackson safe.
"What are you thinking?" Morgan whispered.
With a soft sigh, Greg said, "I wish I could just keep him safe...and I wouldn't have to worry about him getting hurt, or...or God knows what."
"You are a good dad," Morgan said as she rubbed Greg's back. "He's a good kid. He loves you and knows you love him."
Greg closed his eyes as he held Morgan's hand. He opened them and looked at his sleeping son. "He's amazing."
Morgan smiled and laid her head on Greg's shoulder. "Just like his daddy."
Greg laughed softly as a small smile crossed his face. "Just like his mama, too."
Morgan held Greg close as they watched the little boy sleep. She wished she could take away all of Greg's fear and worries. Greg had told her what he had endured a few years ago - she could hardly believe Greg had been through so much. And she knew that it was not his fault. But she wished it had never happened.
Morgan called Barbara to be sure Jackson was okay. She smiled when she heard her little boy singing along with a favorite TV show in the background. "Okay, tell him I love him!"
Before Barbara could answer, Jackson shouted, "I want to talk!" Morgan and Barbara laughed softly as Jackson came to the phone.
"Mama, are you an' daddy at work?"
Morgan sighed softly. "I am. Your daddy had to go to court this morning."
"I didn't see him when I left for Mrs. Barbara's."
Thinking of how she and Greg wished they could keep him safe always, Morgan smiled softly. "I know, sweet pea. He had something important to do this morning. He wished he could be there, but he had to go. And he told me to tell you that he loves you soooo much!"
Jackson laughed softly. "I love him soooo much too! An' I love you, Mama!"
Morgan smiled and said goodbye to Jackson as she walked into the morgue to talk to Doc Robbins about her latest case.
The medical examiner smiled when Morgan entered the room. "You're working?"
Morgan nodded. "I wanted to be there, but we're shorthanded here. Sara and Nick took the day to be with Greg..."
Doc Robbins nodded. He remembered being called to testify about the original case six years before. "Greg understands."
Smiling at her dear friend, Morgan nodded. "I keep wondering what I can say or do...to help."
"Just be there for him," Doc said with a wise smile. "That's all he needs."
Morgan smiled, knowing her friend was right.
Greg sat on a bench outside of the court room, his leg bouncing up and down. He knew he shouldn't be nervous - he wasn't on trial or facing inquest. Still, the thought of facing people who suffered because their loved one made the wrong choices and nearly killed him made Greg scared.
Sara sat down next to her dear friend. She remembered seeing him six years ago - the feeling of sadness and anger coming back to her.
Greg sensed his best friend was almost as nervous as he was. "I-It's going to be okay," he said after a few moments of silence.
"Yeah," Sara said. She looked at her surrogate brother and a small smile crossed her face. "You're going to be okay."
Nick walked over to the two. "You will, G."
The bailiff called Greg into the court room. He stood, sharing a look of fear and anticipation with his best friends.
TBC...
