"I'm bored."

Shaking his head in amusement, Grissom set his book down and looked over to the other occupent of the sofa. Reaching over, he pinched her big toe, grinning when she giggled.

Half hoping she'd give up the notion of being `bored' he picked his book up again, his eyes scanning the page for the lost sentence.

No such luck.

"I'm really bored."

"I thought you were enjoying your book." He pointed out to her, his attention half on his novel.

"I'm done with it."

Setting the book down yet again, Grissom took off his glasses looking at her surprisingly. "Already?"

"We've been sitting here forever."

"We have? It's only been..." He trailed off, his eyes looking down to his wristwatch.

"1 hour and 25 minutes." She finished for him, grinning when he looked back up at her.

"When did you get so smart?"

"Uncle Gil," She scoffed at him, "I'm almost a teenager."

Emphasis on the word almost, he silently thanked the heavens that she wasn't. At this age he could handle her, but...the sheer thought of a teenage Lindsey caused him to shake his head, trying to get rid of the thought.

"When's mommy coming back?"

"Should be soon honey."

"I'm bored."

"I think I prefer boredom to shopping with your mommy."

Lindsey grinned at him, knowing that if her mommy was here, she would've hit her Uncle Gil.

"I love shopping."

"I know you do, but it's the day after Christmas and it would've been too crowded."

"And because we're suppose to bond."

"What?"

"What's bond? I heard mommy telling you."

"Lindsey." He tried to gather his wits; her ability to change subjects in lightening speed always caught him off guard.

"Bonding sweetie, um, getting to know each other better."

"But I do know you. I know you like to eat octopuses, play with bugs and mommy takes care of you when your head hurts."

Smiling at her, he pulled her into his lap, smelling ivory soap and the bubble gum she was chewing. "When did you get so smart?"

"I dunno," She shrugged at him innocently; "I guess I was born smart."

God she was a fiery little thing, takes after her mother as always.

"Hey Lindsey bear?" He hugged her tighter.

"Yeah?"

He could tell she was smiling; she loved it when he called her Lindsey bear. "I love you."

"Is this called bonding?"

"It's part of it."

"Okay. I like it, but can we stop? You're hugging me too tight."

He chuckled, loosening his hold on her. Call it timing, but as soon as he did so, the sound of the lock being turned drew their attention to the front door.

"Mommy!" Lindsey jumped off his lap, running towards the door. Settling into the couch, he watched as it opened, and Catherine walked in, hair askew, and cheeks red from the wind and dropping temperature.

"Miss me?" she dropped the packages she held in her hands, reaching down to kiss Lindsey playfully on the cheek. "You weren't having fun with Gil?"

"I finished my book." She shrugged at her mother, walking back into the living room and settling herself next to Grissom who without thought put his arms around her. "And we bond."

"Oh yeah?" Catherine grinned, taking off her jacket and throwing it over the side of the armchair as she followed Lindsey, settling on the other side of Grissom.

The same action that he did for her daughter was repeated as her pulled Catherine in, giving her a peck on the cheek as he did so.

"You're going to have to do better then that." She grinned, teasing him as she fluttered her eyelashes.

"Ewww." Lindsey exclaimed, "You guys always kiss."

"It's fun." Catherine laughed, reaching over to tickle her daughter.

"No it isn't." The little girl declared, leaving no room for argument. "It was gross."

"It was?" Alarmed at her words, Grissom turned his full attention to her, raising his eyebrows.

"Oh yeah," Lindsey shrugged, not knowing that this was a big deal to the two adults in the room, "but mommy?"

Trying to keep her face serious, Catherine nodded her full attention on the situation at hand. It was endearing the way Gil looked so serious and shocked. It was also very amusing.

"I think I have cooties now."

"Cooties?" Gil exlaimed, his voice rising higher then expected. "Who gave you cooties Lindsey?"

"Oh Gil." Catherine swatted him on the chest. "She's 9 for goodness sake. Nothing happened; you don't have to jump to defend her honor."

"This is not nothing, she has cooties." He quickly pointed out, his voice a little panicked.

Aware now that perhaps she shouldn't have said anything, Lindsey jumped up, grabbing her book and grinning at them. "I'm gonna go to my room and listen to my new CD."

They watchedd as she ran off, her long blond hair flying around her. Catherine was the first to break the silence as a loud laugh escape her throat. "That was too cute."

"How was that cute?" He growled at her. "Some little deliquent kissed her, he should be locked away."

"Correction." Catherine swatted him again. "You want her locked away."

"So."

"You're too cute."

"Don't try to change the subject."

"I'm not!" She innocently declared, her fingers reaching out to finger his salt and pepper curls.

"Then what are you doing now?"

"Thinking about kissing you."

"That's fine with me." He smirked at her, pulling her closer.

"But I don't want cooties."

As he moved closer, his face inches from hers, he grinned, his eyes sparkling with desire and mischief. "My dear, you're far too late for that."