A/N: More cuteness ensues, here we go!

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

R-16 E-18

Eric smiled as he thanked another set of guests for showing up. He looked around his backyard and noticed that there were still a lot of people populating his house but knew that most of them were his family. They would leave once all the food had been devoured or packed away, and maybe when the sun rose tomorrow. He tried to keep the frown off of his face when he didn't see the person he had been looking for all day.

Eric practically jumped when he felt someone tap his shoulder from behind. He turned around and blinked when he saw a familiar face.

"Congratulations, Eric," Eric smiled and shook Ron Wolfe's hand. He handed the Cuban-Russian a wrapped box that had impeccable handwriting on the front.

"Thank you, Mr Wolfe." Eric hid the disappointment that it wasn't the right Wolfe he had wanted to see. "There's still some food if you wanted to eat something." Eric motioned over to the table that was still crowded with his family. "My Mama will be more than happy to make up a plate for you to take home."

Ron chuckled and smiled. "I'll be sure to get that plate. I come with a message actually. That gift is actually from Ryan." Eric blinked and looked closely at the writing. "He was going to come with me, or rather I was going to come with him, but his plane got delayed in Boston." Ron gave Eric a soft smile as the young graduate was still looking at the handwriting on the present. "I should know, I was the one who helped him buy his ticket."

Eric felt the corners of his mouth tug up in a slight smile as he clearly recognized the neat handwriting of his OCD best friend. He looked back up at Ron and nodded his thanks. "Um, come on," he regained a sense of conversation. "My Mama will be happy to see you again." Ron chuckled and nodded, clapping Eric on the shoulder and following the young man over to his enthusiastic mother.

Eric grinned later that night as he sat on his bed, staring at the box that was in front of him. He remembered the Detective's kit he had gotten Ryan for his birthday all those years ago, and clearly so did Ryan. Sitting in front of Eric's folded legs, wrapping paper not to far behind, was a 'My First Chemistry Set.'

And according to the note, Ryan had suped this kit up. He had added some extra test tubes and beakers, and even a finger-printing kit. Eric grabbed the box and got up putting it on his book-shelf. He was going to set it up the next day, but wanted it in a safe spot while he slept.

When his cell phone rang he practically jumped on it so it wouldn't wake his parents. "Hello?"

"Did you get my present?" Eric grinned, hearing the voice he had waited for all day.

"How did you know?" Ryan laughed and Eric could imagine the younger teen shaking his head with a grin.

"I just knew. It's what close friends like us do."

"It is, isn't it?" Eric grinned as he settled himself down on his bed, knowing they were going to talk all night long.