Cassy is six.

8.30pm

Greg Sanders was starting to think that maybe this wasn't such a good idea after all. Oh yes, to begin with spinning round and around and around on his chair was fun. It was still fun. But after fifteen minutes of seeing the roof spinning above him, he was starting the feel a bit sick. Actually more than a bit. His hand shot out, grabbing the edge of the desk, and he came to a shuddering stop. Sitting up slowly, the whole lab swam before his eyes.

"Definitely a bad idea," he muttered, waiting for the room to come back into focus. The shift had just started and this being Vegas on a Friday night, he was pretty sure in an hour or so he'd be busy. Until then though, spinning on his chair it is.

Just as he was about to start another round of spinning, the Assistant Shift Supervisor, Gil Grissom entered his lab. Scrambling to stop his chair from spinning, Greg ended up pulling his chair right under the desk, temporarily winding himself. Carefully Greg went over what he'd learned about Grissom in his head; entomologist... bugs... only recently promoted to assistant shift supervisor... last guy is currently suspended...

"Greg, are you busy?" Grissom asked.

"Nope," he replied, noticing how stressed the CSI looked.

"Can you do me a favour?"

"Sure, what is it?"

"Can you babysit?"

"Huh?" Greg stared in confusion. That was not a request he'd been expecting.

"Can you babysit my daughter? My au pair has the flu. I was planning on setting her up in the break room, but if you could watch that would be even better."

"Okay, sure," Greg replied.

Greg watched curiously for Grissom's return, at the same time trying to make it look like he wasn't. When at last Grissom reappeared, he had a young girl at his side. Greg studied her face. She had brown hair and eyes, and did look a little like Grissom in a way he guessed.

"Cass, this is Greg, you're going to stay with him while I work, okay?" Grissom said.

"Okay," the girl replied.

"Greg, this is Cassy," he said, turning to the lab tech. Noticing Cassy was otherwise distracted he added, "If you have any problems, just let her watch Scooby Doo on your computer. Otherwise, call me."

"No problem Griss," Greg grinned.

"Thanks, I owe you. See you Cassy."

"Bye daddy," Cassy called.

Cassy and Greg stared at each other for a minute, taking the other in.

"What are these?" Cassy asked, pointing to the gecko tank.

"They're geckoes," Greg replied. "The one on the right is called Spots and the one on the left is called Socks."

"Why?" she frowned.

"Why not?" he shrugged. Cassy considered this, before nodding. Greg released a breath he didn't realise he'd been holding.

Now all he had to do was find out how to keep Cassy occupied for the shift.

9.02pm

When Catherine walked into the DNA lab, she was surprised to see Cassy sitting at Greg's desk, frowning in concentration as she bent over a piece of paper. Catherine recognised this face probably meant Cassy was in the middle of creating a fabulous piece of artwork.

"Hey Cassy," she smiled.

"Hi Catherine," the girl replied, looking up.

"What are you doing?" Catherine asked.

"I'm doing a portrait of Spots and Socks. What do you think?"

"It's great. Why are you here?"

"Cause Tali has the flu," Cassy replied, wrinkling her nose. "So dad said Greg would look after me. Do you want to see the picture I did of Greg?"

"Sure sweetie." Catherine bit her lip, trying not to laugh. Considering she was only six, the picture was very good. Although considering the rather disgruntled look Greg gave the picture, he clearly didn't understand the limit of a six year old's artistic talent. His face was bright blue, his hair green, one eye was the size of a dime, the other was the size coaster. She'd also coloured his lips purple and his nose bright red. "It's wonderful Cassy. I'm sure Greg'll stick it up on the wall."

"Here are the DNA samples from under my vic's fingernails," Catherine said, handing it to Greg. "Call me or Warrick when you have the results."

"Your wish is my command," Greg replied.

9.56pm

"Hey Greggo, can you run these hair samples for me?" Nick asked, entering the DNA lab without looking up from the file he was reading. When he looked up, he did a double take, before pressing his lips together and trying hard not to burst out laughing. Greg was wearing a necklace and bracelet that looked like something out of The Flintstones. On closer inspection he realised it was the putty used to make moulds.

"Don't," Greg warned quietly.

"One question, why?"

"Cassy wanted to make jewellery," he explained, pointing to the little girl who was wearing a similar necklace. Nicky looked at her curiously. After hearing about her during his first case with Grissom, he was curious to see just what the bug man's daughter looked like. Apart from the homemade jewellery, she looked surprisingly normal.

"Have fun," Nick said, failing to suppress a grin, as he handed Greg his samples.

11.27pm

Warrick glanced up as he passed the DNA lab, the loud music distracting him from the autopsy report he was reading.

"What the...?" he frowned. The DNA tech as wearing a slightly wonky and definitely home made headdress, complete with feathers and glitter and a necklace made from putty and string. Greg noticed him and beckoned eagerly with his hands.

"I have your results," he said, handing Warrick the piece of paper.

"Thanks..." Warrick was unable to stop looking at the head dress. "You know, I'm pretty sure that's not regulation."

"What? Oh the the hat. Cassy's idea." He pointed at the little girl who was asleep in the corner of the lab.

"She's asleep. So you could take it off now."

"Yeah... But I kinda like it."

"I really wouldn't admit that," Warrick called over his shoulder.

3.26am

Grissom arrived back from the B & E Brass had assigned him and decided to quickly check in on Greg and Cassy. He was pretty sure that Greg wouldn't have any trouble with Cassy, she was well behaved and if there was a problem, all you had to do to solve it was divert the conversation to Scooby Doo. However, upon arrival at the DNA lab, it appeared deserted. Frowning, he began to search the lab. After all, how could a twenty something DNA tech who was about six feet and a six year old disappear in a room with glass walls?

A minute later, he stopped, smiling at the sight before him. In the back corner, Greg was slumped against the wall, asleep, mouth open, hat askew and still wearing home made jewellery, with one arm casually slung around Cassy's shoulder. Cassy was snuggled into his side, one hand twisted into Greg's t-shirt. They reminded him in a way of a brother and sister, the protective way Greg had his arm around her, and the way Cassy held onto him trustingly.

Grissom backed away slowly, leaving the two of them asleep, although he was sorely tempted to sneak back in with a camera.