I still do not own CSI. Don't own Wal-Mart either.

Lil Badger 101, sassaa001, smuffly, trekwarstheory, mcfly-star, WeLoveNeville, nickstokesgirl02, InsaneOnTheInside, Vickiann, RosePetal7, AkaOkamiRyu, Rawr.x, Carly Idonea, Atsipoppaa-everyone who has been reading and reviewing this story, I am so thankful!

This chapter's a bit shorter, but I wanted to include a part where Greg remembers how Jackson was concieved. Hope you enjoy it. Please read and review!

After a trip to Wal-Mart for groceries and getting some new clothes for his Jackson, the pair arrived home and Greg put Jackson down for his nap. After he put the groceries away, Greg plopped down on the couch and flipped through a small photo album of baby pictures Riley had included in Jackson's bag. He smiled at pictures of a newborn Jackson, his hair sticking in every direction. He looked at pictures of Jackson as he grew and changed, wishing he could've been there for every one. He wished he could have been there for every first in Jackson's first year of life, but was thankful he had Jackson now.

When he came to the last photo in the album-Jackson on his first birthday-he spent several moments just looking at the photo. Jackson was smiling widely, happily clutching the teddy bear he'd been sleeping with since he'd arrived. He could see himself in Jackson, and could see that even when he was a baby, Jackson was loved. That was one of the reasons why it was so hard for Greg to understand why Riley just left him the way she did. And he still didn't understand why she didn't tell him in the first place.

Greg shut the album and leaned back on the couch. His mind drifted back to the night he and Riley had arrived at his apartment and they concieved their son.

Riley called Greg from a bar she and the team frequented. She said she was mad about how the case had gone. Greg told her to sit tight, and he'd be there soon. He arrived about ten minutes later.

Greg walked up to Riley at the bar, where she was nursing a beer. "Want to talk about it?"

Riley glared at Greg. "No."

Pulling up a bar stool, Greg said, "I don't know if you know this about me, but I'm a good listener."

Riley's angry glare softened into a smile. "I don't do the whole 'talk-about-my-feelings' thing."

Even when she was angry, Greg thought she was beautiful. "Riles, you know..."

"I said, I don't want to talk."

Greg winced slightly, and Riley almost immediately regretted snapping at him. "Riles, why are you so angry?"

Sighing, Riley said, "I'm just tired." She took another swig of her beer and added, "I came here because it's the number one crime lab in the country. Not because I wanted to be a babysitter."

Greg nodded slightly. "Ray?"

"I love being a CSI. But after everything that happened..."

"Riley, you are a good CSI," Greg insisted. "Look, why don't you let me take you home?"

Looking at Greg, Riley said, "I don't want to go home right now."

"Well, then I'll take you to my place." Riley shot Greg a suspicious glare. "Look, you've had how many beers?"

Riley shook her head. "I haven't kept count."

Greg sighed. "Well, just come back to my place. Sleep it off."

Riley looked as though she was contemplating whether or not to take Greg up on his offer. After a few moments, she said, "Okay."

The ride to Greg's apartment had been quiet. Once they arrived, Greg unlocked the door and ushered Riley inside. She plopped down on his couch.

Locking the door, Greg said, "You can take the bed if you want."

Riley said nothing, just stared at the blank television set.

Sighing, Greg sat down on the couch beside her. "Riley, you are a valued member of the team. I wish...I wish you could see that."

Riley turned to look at Greg. Maybe it was the beer, maybe it was because he had complimented her, or maybe it was because they'd both been fighting it for so long, but she leaned over and kissed him.

Greg reeled, but quickly reveled in the sensation of feeling her lips pressed against his and her arms wrapping around him. When they both pulled back for air, Greg gazed into her eyes, seeing no regret. "You know..."

"I want this," Riley quickly said. Covering his mouth with hers, Greg lifted her effortlessly and carried her to his bedroom.

His ringing cell phone brought Greg out of his thoughts. "Sanders," he answered.

"Hey, it's Brass. Riley's here in lockup."

Sighing in both relief and frustration, Greg said, "I'll be right there."

He hung up his phone and walked over to his bedroom where his three year old son was sleeping. Watching Jackson sleep, Greg realized that the little boy was the greatest gift he'd ever recieved. Even if he never understood why Riley never told him he was a father, he was more loving and protective to Jackson than he'd ever been with anyone else in his life.

Jackson stirred, and Greg leaned down and kissed his forehead. "Hey, Jacks," he whispered. Jackson smiled up at his daddy. "We're going to go see another friend of your daddy's okay?"

Rubbing his eyes, Jackson nodded. He reached up and gave Greg a hug.

"I love you, Jacks."

"Love you," the little boy said.

Greg's heart soared. He loved this little boy more than anyone. And while he may never understand why Riley never told him they had a son or even if she was going to tell him, he was forever grateful he had Jackson now. He loved the little boy with all his heart.

TBC...