Title: HAL

Authors Note: I'm not entirely happy with this one, but whatever. I may go back and rewrite it some day. Ha. And if you're slightly confused by 'HAL', it's the computer in 2001: A Space Odyssey which tries to kill everyone because he overheard them talking about disabling him. Oh, and by the way, I'm not sure if Grissom actually signs his paycheck, but whatever. This is my fantasy world.

Disclaimer: I own nothing. CBS, Mr. Jerry B, and Mr. Anthony Z. own all characters and the shows writers own the scripts. No money is being made of this. Only my ideas are mine and are not used with the idea of harming/offending anyone. I also do not own HAL.

Summary: When people go running when Grissom mentions the word 'experiment', he figures Greg has got to do something with it.

Rating: G

Spoilers: Let The Seller Beware and the episode where Judy has to drag Warrick across the room. Also, Lady Heathers Box and uh... the other one she was in. Erg. Sorry, bad with names.

"Greg? A word." Greg nodded, eyes still fixed upon the evidence in front of him. Grissom took a few more steps towards the lab technician, interested in what he was currently working on. However, before he could get a good look, Greg pushed it away, out of view, turning to the older man.

"What can I do for you?" Grissom furrowed his eyebrows, looking curiously at Greg. He reminded himself why he was there and glared slightly.

"When I go looking for someone to help with an experiment, people go running. What did you say?" Greg shifted slightly, glancing out the glass walls towards Jacqui, who quickly busied herself with work. Frowning, he glanced back at his boss and sighed.

"I've been warning people; ever since that foot mildew."

"I know that Greg. Judy told me." Greg made a mental note to track down Judy after this talk was finished. "But why?"

"Because not everybody likes having the risk of ending up dead from some crazy experiment." Grissom frowned as if that had never occurred to him. "Look... Just... Let them know what's going on before you confine them a day of pain."

"You weren't in pain, were you?" Greg snorted.

"There was a rash on my foot. The same thing that helps me get around." He rolled his eyes. "Plus, I had to stay here an extra six hours. Time I could have been sleeping instead of working overtime."

"If you like I could give you an extra day off." Grissom didn't know what to say, confused by what Greg was telling him. He didn't know what to do.

"That's not the point, Grissom. You... you have to think of how other people are going to react. We're not all like you."

"I've had this talk with Catherine before," recalled Grissom, remembering the conversation in the parking lot. "Apparently I have no personal stuff, or emotions."

"That's not what I'm saying." Grissom raised an eyebrow. "Partly because you sign my paycheck, partly because it's not true. You have personal things. Like..." Greg paused, trying to think up an example.

"You have nothing."

"Wait and let me finish thinking." Greg blinked for a few moments. "Lady Heather. She was personal, wasn't she?" Grissom glared.

"She was just the owner of the S&M parlor, nothing more."

"Yeah, yeah. Look, what I'm trying to say is the rule my parents tried to drill into my brain." He paused for a moment, letting Grissom give him a 'get-on-with-it' look. "Think before you act."

"I think-"

"No, I mean... Well, I don't know what I mean anymore. I've already said my point, and it seems like you're not listening so excuse me while I go and find Judy." Greg pushed a button on the machine, letting it whir to life, before getting up and heading towards the door.

"And Grissom, everybody has emotions, whether they're noticeable or not. Look at HAL." Smiling, Greg pushed the glass door opened and started down the hall towards the secretary's desks.