Aww, so good to know there are still some EC and CSI Miami lovers out there! Review review reeview! The more reviews the more i write! I just finished watching the whole thing on Netflix, and let's just say my family is sick of listening to me talk about it! So glad everyone likes it! Anyways no one reads these things so on with the story!

"Hey Frank," Ryan called as he reached into the fridge in the break room, "Guess what?"

"Just tell me," the detective answered, obviously not in the mood for games.

"Nat and I have decided to start a bet on whether Calleigh and Eric are dating or not. Wanna join in?"

This got Frank's attention. "Oh definitely. Those two lovebirds are more obvious than a monster truck at a fiat punch buggy convention."

Ryan grinned. "So you're betting they are together? How much?"

Frank considered for a moment then said, "How about 20?"

"Sounds great! Welcome to the winning team."

"Yeah, well. How do we prove it?" Frank asked.

"I'm thinking Eric's birthday is tomorrow night and we're all heading over to his place for drinks. Maybe Calleigh will get him something-" Ryan winked- "special."

Frank snorted just as Walter walked in. "Hey guys!" Walter said cheerfully, "What are you guys talking about?"

"We're placing bets on whether or not Calleigh and Delko are an item." Frank motioned toward Walter. "You in?"

"Hell yes I'm in!" Walter half-yelled. "I love this kind of thing!"

"Awesome," Ryan said, grinning mischievously. " How much and what side?"

"Hmm.." Walter looked thoughtfully out the window. "Well as convinced as I am that those two are head over heels for each other, I just can't see either of them acting on it. I mean, you know how Calleigh is. And Eric wouldn't say anything until he was 100 percent sure she was comfortable with it. So I'm going with no."

"Alright, we have equal sides! 20 bucks sound good?" Horatio and Tom will probably be impartial. Ryan thought. So we'll just keep it between us.

"Perfect." Walter said. "May the games begin!

"Knock knock!" Natalia said cheerfully as she flung open the door to Eric's condo. "Calleigh?" The CSI looked confused at seeing the ballistics expert sitting on the couch by herself.

"Natalia!" Calleigh exclaimed happily. "You're the first one here! You get first dibs on hiding spots."

"Wait, what? What's going on, where's Eric?" Natalia asked, taking in the immaculately decorated room.

"Oh, I told him one of my neighbors said my dogs has been making too much noise and I couldn't get off of work. He's over there trying to find my imaginary dog so he can quiet him down." Calleigh giggled. "I can't wait until he realizes it's a tape recorder under my bed!"

"What?" Natalia said, more confused than ever. "Why? We're all supposed to meet over here for drinks in 5 minutes!"

"Oh," Calleigh frowned thoughtfully, "I guess I forgot to mention Eric doesn't know we're all coming. It's a surprise party!"

"Oh!" Natalia exclaimed. "Awesome!"

She took the time to plan this whole thing? Natalia though as she looked around at the room. Streamers hung from the ceiling, balloons were floating in every corner, and there was an enormous home-made banner that had 'HAPPY BIRTHDAY ERIC' written in large, loopy letters. She really does like

"Who's ready to partyyyy!" Walter yelled as he danced through the door. He was grasping a six pack of beer in each hand. He was followed by Ryan, Horatio, Frank and...

"Alexx!" Natalia exclaimed, throwing her arms around the old ME. "What are you doing here?"

Alexx sighed and leaned back to get a good look at her. "Now honey," She lectured sternly, "Did you really think I would miss Eric's 27th? I would never, especially with the promise Eric made to Speedle."

"What is it?" Natalia asked excitedly, but Alexx waved her off.

"Uh-uh honey, I'm not saying anything more!"

After explaining the surprise party, the whole team raced around the room to find places to hide.

"Calleigh, I'm not sure you thought this through," Walter groaned as he tried to squeeze himself into the small closet in the hall. "You've got a plus-sized man trying to fit into a miniature-size closet."

"I'm gonna go ahead and agree with the teddy bear on that one," Frank called as he awkwardly ducked behind a chair in the corner.

"Oh come on guys," Calleigh said with her usual cheerful demeanor, "This is for Eric's birthday! He'll love it!"

With much grouching and grumbling, they each fit into they're respective hiding spots. Meanwhile Horatio, as calm as ever, simply slid behind a large leafy plant.

"Ah-ah," Ryan said as Natalia tried to scoot under the same table he was, "I call dibs!"

"Dibs?!" Natalia said indignantly, "There are no dibs!"

"Well then we'll just have to share," Ryan said with a flirty wink and a half-smile.

Natalia blushed and agreed. As they struggled to fit into the cozy space, Natalia somehow found herself curled on Ryan's lap.

"Oh, sorry," she mumbled, blushing even more fiercely than before as she started to move off. What was wrong with her? She was always confident around guys. There was just something about Ryan that made her knees weak.

"No, wait," Ryan grabbed her waist, causing her to immediately freeze in place. "Stay there. It's not every day I get a beautiful lady sitting on my lap."

Before Natalia could think up a witty reply, the sound of a key turning in the lock made them all jump.

"Shh!" Calleigh shushed them as she flipped of the light switch and ducked down behind the couch.

Just as she did so the door was pushed open, and a slightly disgruntled Eric walked in.

ERIC POV

"Damn tape recorder," Eric muttered as he threw his bag on the table by the door, "I knew she didn't have a dog!"

"SURPRISE!" The team screamed as they jumped out of various hiding places. Eric managed to contain a yelp of surprise and laughed.

"Hey guys!" He said, grinning ear to ear. "What's this?"

"Well, we just wanted to throw a little party for your birthday," Calleigh smiled, suddenly shy.

"It's amazing," Eric said, giving her a meaningful look that made her shiver.

"Oohh she's getting something good tonight," Ryan joked, causing Eric and Calleigh to turn scarlet and Natalia to punch him in the shoulder.

"Now that's enough!" Alexx said. "I happen to know that Calleigh made some delicious food, and Walter brought drinks. I, for one, am famished."

Everyone agreed and happily made their way to the kitchen.

After everyone had eaten and things were settling down, Eric decided to make things more interesting.

"Now," Eric said, calling everyone's attention, "We all know it's my 27th birthday, and what 27 was Speed's favorite number."

Everyone nodded, a slight sadness hanging over them.

"When I turned 20, Speed made me promise something." Eric continued. "Speed knew that truth or dare makes me a little bit nervous. Actually I normally refuse to play it."

Everyone laughed at this.

"But he made me promise that when I turned 27, I would play it. So I think we should. All of us. For Speed."

"For Speed," Calleigh agreed, rubbing her hand up and down his arm. (This motion was by no means unnoticed by the others).

"Alright then!" Ryan announced loudly. "Let's play truth or dare!"

Just outside the condo, Jake sat fuming. His fists were clenched furiously.

Now she's thrown him a surprise party? He thought venomously. She never did that for me. She's never done that for ANYONE. Look at them. All happy. All cozy. Looking at each other when they think no one can see.

His eyes narrowed evilly and his lips turned up in a malicious smile. Too bad they won't be happy for long. Soon Eric will be... Out of the picture. And I'll have Calleigh all to myself. All for me.

Yay! Second chapter done! I have to say I was hoping for more reviews, but I've loved the ones I've gotten so far! Reviews make me happy and want tot write more, so review review review! I was thinking of writing a fic based on the song Forever and Always by Parachute. It'll be horribly sad (I may just have to write a super happy one to make up for it) , but I always think of them when I heard it! Tell me what you think!