Mac past the lab's security and nodded at the guards who gave him curious looks. He and Max stepped into the elevator and rode up to the 36th floor, the labs floor. Every time the light would light up when the elevator reached another floor, Max would gasp and his eyes would get bigger. When they reached the Lab Mac grabbed Max's hand and they walked out into the lobby. Mac was aware of everyone's stares as he walked with Max still gripping his hand. Lab techs leaned out of doorways to get a better view of Mac and the little boy. Mac quickly walked to his office but wasn't relieved from the stares because all of the walls of his office were glass. He sighed as he stared at Max, who was now staring intently at Mac. Mac noticed the boys shirt was ripped a little so he dug in his drawer and came out with a toddler sized Chicago Cubs jersey he had gotten from Stella as a practical joke when the Cubs lost the world series to the Yankees. Mac picked up Max and took him to the DNA lab where he could avoid the stares. He set Max on a steel table and grabbed a pair of surgical gloves. He then removed Max's torn t-shirt and placed it into and evidence bag. Max didn't seemed to mind because he was to focused on the gloves Mac was still wearing. Mac took out his camera and Max smiled as he snapped a picture of his stomach and a small bruise on his side.
"Tummy!" Max squeaked as Mac photographed him some more. Mac chuckled a little and then set the camera down and pulled the Cubs jersey over his small head. Mac then carefully checked Maxs fingernails for evidence but found none. Now came the fun part Mac thought as he took out his fingerprinting set. He opened the ink and looked at Max intently,
"Don't worry Max this won't hurt…can I see your finger," Mac said. Max replied by sticking his thumb in the air. Mac gently grasped his finger and stuck it into the ink. Immediately Max giggled and smiled. Mac placed his finger on a note card and labeled it. Mac repeated this procedure with all of Max's fingers. When Mac was done he set his kit on the floor and as he looked up a pair of little hands covered his face. Mac chuckled and lifted Max's hands off his face but the damage had been done and his face was now streaked with black ink. Max giggled and did the same to his own face. Mac and Max sat laughing for a minute or two and then there was a small knock on the glass door. Mac looked up and saw Jane Parsons, head of the DNA lab, standing in the doorway smiling.
"Having fun?" she asked seeing Macs face covered in ink.
"A little," Mac asked smiling at Max.
"So who's this little ball of sunshine?" Jane asked smiling at Max.
"This is Max...he was at the Janet Custow scene… we think he might be a relative so I took his prints,"
"Hence the ink covered faces I presume," Jane asked laughing a little.
"He started it," Mac explained trying to look innocent.
"He's too cute to blame…anyway what brings you to my fortress…are you hiding from someone?" Jane asked.
"Not someone…everyone," Mac said with a smirk and then lifted Max into his arms. "Well we have to clean up so I'll talk to you later Jane.
"Bye," Jane replied waving to Max and smiling as they left the DNA lab.
"Too cute," Jane mumbled to herself,, smiling as she went back to work… and she wasn't talking about Max.