A/N: Hey folks! Updating both my stories because I feel bad about the long delay :S This is an old prompt from smuffly, who requested some Greg and Henry friendship as Henry often gets left out and I agree! So I hope you enjoy this piece :)

Summary – Henry had recently taken over in DNA and is feeling the strain, so he goes to the labs ex DNA tech turned CSI for some advice.


A Role Model's Advice

Henry Andrews was feeling a little down. It had been just over a month since he had taken over in DNA and he was finding it a lot harder than expected. He missed his old Tox lab and he felt like no matter how hard he worked in DNA he would never be as good as Greg or Wendy.

Although Henry wasn't at the lab when Greg worked in DNA, he'd heard a lot of crazy stories off Nick and Hodges, including a certain incident with a dancer's headdress. But they also said Greg was one of the most competent and fastest techs they had ever seen, he always kept on top and barley ever got backlog. He had also brought a certain presence to the lab that had made everyone smile. Henry was not at all self-confident and he didn't feel like he did any of these things.

Wendy was just as good. Henry had actually seen her at work and knew exactly what she was capable of, blowing his mind with her concentration and skill was normally the case. Plus she was hot, and that was always a bonus.

Henry had decided to make the transition from Tox to DNA because he wanted to try something new. He was a good Tox lab technician, he knew that, but now he thought moving might have been a bad idea as he didn't have Wendy's confidence or Greg's flair. He needed advice. And he knew exactly who to go to.

When it came to his break time, Henry went down to the office he knew Greg shared with Nick. The lab tech entered to find the CSI sat at his desk with his head propped on his fist as he was scribbling away on some report papers. Henry knocked on the side of the door gently and Greg looked up and smiled.

"Hey lil' H" the CSI said and Henry smiled. Greg had started calling him that recently after he started calling Hodges 'H', he didn't want Henry to feel left out. "What can I do for you?" he asked putting his pen down.

"I kind of need some advice" Henry mumbled feeling a little embarrassed.

Greg went wide eyed and his mouth dropped slightly "Well, erm…I sure you were looking for me?" he asked seriously "because I think Catherine is just…"

"No, no I was looking for you" Henry said reassuringly as he entered the room further with his hands clasped in front of him. He and Greg were good friends and he would never normally get nervous around him, but this was kind of a big deal for the lab tech.

"Oh" Greg said still a little surprised. He was barely ever asked for advice and he didn't consider himself the brightest of the group at all, so he failed to see what Henry could want to ask him. "Well then take a seat and tell me what's on your mind." Henry complied and sat looking nervously at Greg. "You know I've never had anyone be nervous of me before but I know how it feels. I remember when I could barely string a sentence together in front of Grissom. I won't bite Henry, promise" he said with an encouraging smile. "You know you can tell me anything."

"Ok...well I can't believe I'm actually saying this but, you're kind of like my role model around here Greg" Henry admitted.

Greg looked a little taken aback; he'd never expected something like this. "You're kidding right?" he said raising an eyebrow, but Henry nodded. Greg squinted a little "Are you sure?"

"I'm serious" Henry said "You moved from lab tech to CSI, you showed me that if there is something that you want to do you just have to have the confidence to do it and you didn't give up until you got there. I want to be like you. I want to be cool yet confident, I want people to always be happy with my work and me, and I want to get it done fast yet accurately. I mean you did all of that stuff."

Greg blinked a few times and his mouth moved but no words came out, he shook his head to regain focus. "Erm…wow, thanks Henry" he said with a smile, he'd never expected to be seen as a role model. "I think that's one of the nicest thanks anyone's ever said to me"

Henry smiled back but he still seemed a little sad "I mean I don't wanna pull a Sanders" he explained "I just wanted to try it out in DNA because I find that stuff really interesting and it's different. But it's turning out to be a lot harder than I thought. How'd you deal with it?"

"Well firstly, you gotta get this idea out of your head that you have to be me, just be you. Let your confidence grow and you'll grow with it. I mean, even now I still have doubts in my head that I'm a good CSI, but everyone does. Hell, Catherine's been a CSI for over twenty years and she still has her moments. Just give yourself the credit you deserve, you're helping families get the justice they need and there is no better feeling. So just remember the good you're doing and don't put yourself down."

"Yeah you're right" Henry said with a small smile and a nod "it does feel great to know I'm helping people. But sometimes I just can't help but feel they don't want me, they want to walk in there and see you, or Wendy. I don't think I can ever live up to you guys." He bowed his head once more.

Greg sighed; he wished he could just make his friend see how good he really was. He was upset himself that Henry felt that way. "H, I wasan extremely annoying lab tech. My music was loud and I'd often get caught doing weird stuff, but that's just who I was. Come on man you are far from boring." He told Henry reassuringly, who lifted his head. "I like hanging out with you, it's good to have someone the same age. But you see, since the days were I'd put rubber gloves on my head and play air guitar, I've grown up, and so have you."

"You know, you're actually kind of scary when you're being profound" Henry said with a lopsided smile and Greg laughed.

"I know I'm scaring myself!" he said. "You were a great technician in Tox; I could always guarantee to get my results in time. Now I know there's a little more stuff to do in DNA but that's ok, just don't rush things because you need to do stuff right. People respect you have a lot of work for one person, and if anyone gives you trouble about it then come find me and I'll talk to them or you know, kick their ass, whichever I feel appropriate."

Henry laughed, he felt a lot better now. "Thanks Greg, you know I wasn't expecting you to go all Grissom like. Thanks for the advice, it was really great and it'll help a lot. You're a good friend and a great CSI, you have to promise me that if I have to be more confident in my work then so do you."

"Alright, I promise" Greg said with a gentle smile. "Say how about a drink after work? We'll grab Nick and Hodges, have a guy's night" the CSI suggested.

"Yeah that sounds like fun" Henry said with a smile, which Greg returned. The lab tech got up to leave and Greg went back to his report. "Thanks again Greg" Henry turned to say as he reached the doorway "It really means a lot to me."

"Don't mention it Henry, and thank you for what you said about me. It's made my day." He grinned "And like I say if you ever need to talk, come find me, whenever."

"I will" Henry grinned and left to return to the lab that was suddenly beginning to feel more like home to him. Greg was right; he didn't need to worry about to living up to people's expectations after Greg and Wendy.

He was Henry Andrews, and he felt lucky to have a friend like Greg Sanders.


Wow I've never really written for Henry before and I loved writing this! I think Greg and Henry have a great friendship on the show so I hope my interpretation was ok :)

Review, pretty please? Just one word that's all I ask!

And keep the prompts coming; you guys have given me some great storylines to work with so far, thank you! :)