A/N: I'm going to Gothenburg (a city in Sweden), tomorrow morning, and won't be back until Sunday evening/night. So i thought that i better hurry so i could publish this story before i leave! Or else you would've had to wait until Sunday. And as some of you probably know now, i have trouble witht this fic at the moment, but i think i've solved some of the problems. Cos actually i've written ch 8 and 9 too, but to be honest i wasn't sure if I liked what i had written, and didn't know if i wanted to use it or not. I'm still not sure, but i think i'll use it - since i have no other ideas. -.- But chapter seven, Fluctuating feelings, is now finished and here it is. I really hope you like it, and here's some new stuff in this. Madison has problems (just like me -.-) and your about to hear about them. And it'll get worse. I promise. Woops, sorry, i'll not say more now!! Enjoy the reading, and feel free to leave a review - it would be nice to be welcomed back with a couple of reviews on the chapter!

Disclaimer: No matter how big CSI Miami fan i am - i'm still not the one who owns it. Jerry Bruckheimer does. A bit sad, but we all have to face the truth.. :P

Enjoy!

After spending another half an hour at the police department, the teenagers accepted that there was no way for them to meet the rest of the New York team or the Miami team. Almost all of them were out in the field. So they parted ways; Ray and Olivia went back to Ray's while Madison and Stephanie went back to Madison's.

When they got home again, Madison and Stephanie had to get ready for the dinner, which was two hours later.

"I have to take a shower," Stephanie said.

"Yeah, me too."

"Is it ok if I start?"

"Yeah, just make sure you don't take too long – we have to leave soon."

"No problem, it won't take more than fifteen minutes."

Thirty minutes later both of them had showered and were in their dressing-gowns.

"So how's it going with you, Michael and Joachim?"

"Good, why?"

Stephanie looked at her. "Darling, I've known you for thirteen years."

Madison hesitated, and then decided to tell her. "Well… Alright, honestly I don't know. Well yes I do but…"

"What's going on sweetheart?" Stephanie asked, and hugged her friend. She could tell there was something bothering Madison when it came to the two brothers.

"I… I've tried not to think about it, but… Since we started school, when I slept over at Ray's… Well, he told me that there was a rumour going around, saying there was a fight between Michael and Joachim about… me… I, well… At that time I didn't take it seriously, thinking it just was a stupid rumour. But now I can't stop thinking about it and… It's just so confusing! I like both of them so much, and I don't know which one of them I like the most. And when I've finally decided who of them it is, I feel guilty for even having thought of dating either of them… I know that by choosing one of them, I would ruin my friendship with the other one. And I just can't imagine my life without any of them… They have become such a big part of my life since you left, and I wouldn't stand to lose any of them…"

Stephanie hugged her again. Madison's eyes were at this point filled with tears, but she didn't let a single one leave here eyes. "Mad, I'm… I'm sorry... You'll just have to let the time pass, and see what you think about it later. Maybe you'll get over the one you like, and can continue being friends with both of them. And if not, well, then you'll have to choose what matters most to you – if you like one of them enough to let the friendship with the other die."

"You're right. And right now, I'm sure that I'm not going to give up my friendship with either of them."

Stephanie smiled to her. "C'mon, we have to get ready for the party."

A few minutes later, they heard Suzie call from the hall. "Madison, Stephanie, I'm leaving now!"

"What? It's more then one hour left till the party, mom!" Madison yelled back.

"I know, but I've told Yelina I would help her and Molly with the cooking. I mean, it was supposed to be here at our place, and me doing the cooking not them!"

"Okay, see you in one hour then!"

"Bye!" They heard the door shut.

"Yea, why is our birthday party at Yelina's and Horatio's?"

"I don't know actually… First it was supposed to be here, but then just a few days ago, Yelina called and insisted on having it at their place… I guess they wanted to give mom a hand. I mean she's really busy now since she got that new job. In my opinion, they're making her working far too much. But well, she's happy, and I guess that's all that matters."

"I see…"

"But now, we really have to get ready for the dinner, it's already seven o'clock!"

The girls put their clothes on the bed and then started to get dressed.

'Maybe it is good Michael and Joachim are away for a couple of days, then Madison will have time to think about her feelings towards them. – Without having them around,' Stephanie thought as she applied some mascara.

Stephanie didn't know for how long Madison had been fighting her feelings, but she could tell she really needed a break from the twins. Stephanie didn't know which of them she wanted to be more than friends with, and she didn't ask. She knew better – it was Madison's decision when she was going to tell her. She would do it when she felt ready. And even if she hadn't told her, Stephanie had a pretty good idea whom of the twins she liked. After all, they had known each other for thirteen years. To know which one of them was her type was an easy task after so many years.

"You finished?" Stephanie asked twenty minutes to eight.

"Almost..." Madison put her nail polish in the box on her desk.

"Yep, finished!" she said, smiling.

"Alright then. I guess we'll walk, won't we?"

"Yes. I mean it doesn't take more than fifteen minutes, and we'll still be in time."

"Alright, c'mon then!

The girls left the house, and arrived at Yelina's and Horatio's house a few minutes past eight. Perfect timing. They knocked at the door, and were welcomed by Ray.

"Hi again!" He said, smiling.

"Hey!" The girls answered with one mouth.

Olivia joined Ray at the door. "Hey girls! Come in, even though Ray forgets to invite you to come in, it doesn't mean you have to stand on the doorstep all night."

"Yeah, sorry. Come in!" Ray said and grinned a little.

"Thanks," said Stephanie and smiled at Ray. They went into the hall and after taking their shoes off; they went into the kitchen to say hi to everyone. All the grown-ups were in the kitchen – Madison thought it was weird that there had to be four persons to make food for eight, but didn't say anything. After saying 'hi', and being congratulated uncountable times, Stephanie and Madison went into the living room again. They stopped in the door to the living room, looking at the pair in the sofas. Ray and Olivia sat so close together snogging that it was impossible to tell which pair of hands belonged to Ray and which to Olivia. Smiling to each other they headed back to the sofas.

When they stopped beside the sofa the couple were sitting in, Ray and Olivia still hadn't noticed them approaching. Stephanie gawked.

Ray looked up as they separated.

"Uh… sorry…"

"Oh…" said Olivia as she noticed they weren't alone anymore.

Madison just laughed a little. "What are Yelina and Suzie whispering about?" Stephanie asked, looking at the pair behind her who just had entered the living room. The others turned to see Yelina and Suzie standing in a corner of the room.

"But what if they've forgotten?" Suzie hissed. "It's ten past eight!"

"Calm down, that's just proof everything's alright. I would be scared if they were on time, honestly," Yelina replied, smiling a little. Whatever they were discussing, Suzie didn't look entirely convinced.

The teenagers turned their heads back. "What were they talking about?"

"No idea, but it sounds like we're about to find out, doesn't it?" Madison answered, smiling. "I guess it's some kind of surprise, it wouldn't be the first time – would it?"

Stephanie laughed.

"No. Do you remember when Horatio and Suzie hired a 'wizard' for your party and you got scared and ran away?"

Now all of them were laughing. "I remember that!" Ray said. "I thought he was cool, but he scared the crap out of Mad!"

"Yeah, I got scared when he took that coin out from my ear! I ran away to mom and cried."

"Let's hope you don't start crying this time," Stephanie teased. Madison didn't answer at this; she just shot her friend a look.

"But I don't understand… Is it both of your birthdays today?" Olivia asked.

"Well, no, not for real," Stephanie answered. "My birthday was yesterday, but we've been celebrating it together on Mad's birthday since we were kids."

"Oh, I see. I thought it was a bit weird that two friends had their birthdays on the same day. Almost too much of a coincidence."

"Yeah, it would be creepy if it was that way," Ray agreed.

"Anyway – how's it going in New York, Stephanie?" Olivia asked.

Stephanie made a disgusted face before she answered. "I hate New York…"

"Oh, w-", but Olivia could see in all the others faces that she better drop the subject.

"Uh, alright," She said instead and before any of them could answer Madison's phone started to ring.

"Excuse me," she said and picked out her cell phone from her pocket.

"Madison here," she answered.

"Hi Mad! Happy birthday!" Joachim's voice said.

"Aww, thank you!! How's London?"

"I prefer Miami. But it's fun to meet the family again. I've just got a new cousin. She's sleeping most of the time, but she's cute."

"What?! You haven't told me!! What does she look like?"

"Uh… small?"

Madison sighed.

"Hey! I want to talk to her – give me the phone!" Madison heard Michael in the background.

"No, I'm-" But it seemed like Michael had taken the phone from his brother, because a few seconds later she heard Michael's voice talking to her.

"Hey, happy birthday Mad! I suggested calling you, but Joachim said we should wait. But obviously he went out from the room and called you without telling me."

Madison laughed a little, but she didn't find it amusing at all. Joachim hadn't wanted Michael to talk to her. "Thank you! And I heard about your cousin! How is she? What' does she look like?"

"She's gorgeous! Really, really cute. Her name is Leah, and she looks exactly like her mother!"

"Aww, Leah, what a beautiful name!"

"Thanks. So how has your day been? I'm sorry we couldn't stay to see Stephanie."

"Hang on a second… You knew she was coming?"

"Well… yeah… But I couldn't tell you, it would destroy the surprise!"

"Yeah you're right."

"How are you celebrating then?"

"We're having a birthday party at Yelina and Horatio's for Stephanie and me. Everyone's here including Molly and Olivia, celebrating us."

"Nice. Wish I could be there."

"Yeah, but still we'll see each other tomorrow, won't we?"

"Yeah, but it would've been cool to meet the New-," he stopped there but hastily continued. "It would've been cool to meet Stephanie again."

"New what? Do you know what surprise they are planning?"

"Well… maybe…" But she could hear that he did know.

"The new what, Michael!?"

But he just laughed a little. "Sorry, you'll find out soon, I promise. Can I have a word with Stephanie before I have to hang up?"

"Yeah, sure."

"Thanks. Promise me you'll have an awesome birthday and say 'Hi' to Horatio and the others!"

"I will. Bye!"

"Bye!"

And with that Madison handed over the phone to Stephanie. "He knows what they are up to," Madison told Olivia and Ray grumpily. They just grinned. "You know what they are up too, don't you!?" Madison said.

"Yeah, part of it. And it's kinda fun to see you so upset for not knowing. I mean you're about to find out!"

Madison just mumbled something neither Ray nor Olivia could catch. The couple grinned, but left it right there, knowing it would be unwise to put Madison's mood in jeopardy.

A few more minutes past without any of them said anything. Madison left the sofa to offer Yelina and Suzie some help, but they assured her that they didn't need any help. So Madison went back to the sofa, and soon Stephanie joined them again.

"You talked to Michael or Joachim?" Madison asked her as Stephanie sat down beside her.

"First Michael, but just for a couple of minutes. Then Joachim wanted to talk - he didn't sound very happy."

"No, Michael took the phone from his hands," Madison replied.

"I see," but nobody took any notice of what she said – the doorbell rang and Madison rose to get it. When she saw who was standing outside the door she wasn't able to say anything. Her mouth just fell open as she watched the people outside the house. The nine people outside beamed to her.

"Aren't you gonna let them in?" Horatio asked from the kitchen.

"Uh, yeah, sorry guys, it was just such a surprise…"

A few of them laughed, and they made their way through the door.

"Congratulations Madison!" Alexx, who was first through the door said.

"Thanks Alexx! Are all of you here?!"

"No, Hawkes, Flack and Peyton are still in NY, so they couldn't come. But the rest of us are here!" said Stella, who came after Alexx. Madison, who was still shocked to see so many faces there to celebrate her birthday with her, hugged Stella and then turned to the next. A couple of times, the Miami team had been to their parties, but since Speed's death it had just been Madison, Stephanie and their families. And the New York team had never been to any of her parties, with Speed or without him. Thoughts of Speed still made her upset, he had always been really nice to her. Joking and giving her soda when she was a kid. But now she forced those thoughts out of her head and turned to Lindsay, who hugged and congratulated her. Eric Delko came after Lindsay, and then Madison hugged the rest of the guests and she was congratulated uncountable times.

When she finally closed the door after Calleigh, Madison turned to see the whole team from Miami, and a big part from the NY team inside, standing in groups talking.

The CSI team from Miami had almost become a part of the family for her and Stephanie. Both their families where small, and instead of big family parties, Horatio's team had been invited. But after the death of Tim Speedle, there hadn't been any big parties. It was like no one had been in the right mood for that. They had all gotten over Speeds death, some faster than others, but to come to Madison's and Stephanie's parties would've felt... weird?

Speed had always been there, and they hadn't been sure if they could manage to do it without him. To do things Speed had been doing with them was something none of them were sure they could manage doing without him – there would always be a missing 'gap' in their company, reserved for him. But tonight none of them seemed to have Speed on their minds, they were all happy and laughing and talking. Ray, Olivia, Eric and Lindsay were standing, chattering a few metres away. Not far from there Mac, Suzie, Stella and Ryan were talking, glasses of champagne in their hands. Stephanie was also there, without a champagne glass though. On the two sofas sat Alexx, Danny and Natalia talking. Horatio came out from the kitchen with a new bottle of champagne, and joined those who were talking on the sofas. He served champagne to Natalia, Alexx and Danny who raised their glasses and cheered for Madison and Stephanie. At the door to the kitchen Yelina and Calleigh stood talking, with champagne glasses in their hands. After serving all the guests champagne, Horatio poured some in his own glass, and raised it in a silent cheer towards Yelina. Their eyes met, and Yelina smiled back to him, before rejoining the conversation with Calleigh. Madison smiled.

They were all there. Her friends. Her family. All together to celebrate their birthday.