A/N: I've just noticed something. In almost every Authers Notes, i say sorry for the long time between the updates, and sometimes promise updates more often. But i've now understood that i shouldn't promise that updates will come more regular ect. Cos i can't promise that. I write when i get ideas. No ideas - no writing. So i'm not gonna say sorry for taking so long time this time (though i want you to understand that i tried to get it finished as soon as possible :P).
The more reviews i get, the better mood i get, and the faster updates you get. Sounds pretty smart, huh? What i want to say is: Don't forget to review:)
Sorry, of course you don't have to, but you will certainly make my day if you do. Now, ENJOY!

Disclaimer: I do not own CSI: Miami. And no, it's not an april joke, since we're still in August.

Madison went to Calleigh and Yelina, who were talking close to the door to the kitchen.

"So this was what you and mom were talking about?" Madison said as she approached them. " 'If they were in time I'd be worried?' "

"Yes it was," Yelina replied.

"You said you'd be worried if we were in time?!" Calleigh asked.

"Yeah, and honestly I would…" Yelina replied, smiling.

"You're right, that was some piece of work that case, and it took us a long time to solve it."

"Horatio told me a little about it, what happened?" Madison asked. "He said it was about a serial killer who killed one family in Miami and then went to New York and killed two families there."

"Yeah, it was a horrible case. Haven't seen another case like it," Calleigh answered, nodding.

"I didn't see much of it with my own eyes, but from what I saw of the evidence and from what I heard they was terrible murders," Yelina said.

Calleigh nodded again. "The killer had no mercy. He killed the parents, the children and even the baby in one of the families."

"But why did he do it? Was there any connection between the murders?" Madison asked.

"He was insane. There was no connection between the victims except the way they were killed. Horrible murders," Calleigh said with a shiver.

"What did he do?" As she asked this, Eric joined them.

Calleigh looked at Yelina, as if she was asking for permission to tell Madison. Yelina looked unsure, it looked like she wanted to say no, that the information wasn't something a teenager should know about.

"Oh, come on! I'm gonna work as a CSI when I get older, I have to know what I'm facing!" Madison said irritated.

"Well…" Calleigh started.

"He cut of their faces…" said Eric, looking disgusted.

"So you mean…" But Madison didn't continue; she wished she hadn't asked. Alexx joined them, but then she noticed their disgusted faces.

"What's going on here? Why do you look like you're gonna throw up that lovely, bubbly champagne?" She asked Calleigh.

"Uh…"

"They told me about the case," Madison answered, starting to recover from the shock.

"You mean the one we solved… Don't tell me you told her about the murders!" She said with horror.

"It was Eric, Yelina and I weren't gonna tell her!" Alexx turned to Eric.

"Well… she's gonna become a CSI… she has to know what she's facing…" he mumbled.

"But seriously Eric! I thought you knew better-"

But Madison interrupted her. "No, Alexx, I begged them to tell me, it isn't their fault."

"I know what you mean, when you have those puppy eyes it's impossible to say no," Alexx said and laughed a little.

After talking with Yelina, Calleigh, Eric and Alexx a little longer, Madison went to talk to the other guests. All of them were mingling with each other, and Madison looked around to see who she could to talk to next. Stephanie, Olivia, Natalia and Stella where now in a deep discussion about the duties and functions of a CSI, and about the education Ray had just started. Last fall, he had started a course that would lead to becoming a CSI, and now that was almost all he could talk about. Madison spotted Mac and Horatio standing a few metres away, and stopped to listen.

"… I don't know if she'll manage, Mac… The evidence and laws says she helped him. And what you believe doesn't matter."

"But we know she was used. She didn't know."

"I know, and I believe her too, but it doesn't matter. She could tell us lies as well as the truth," she heard them say. Deciding that she wasn't in the mood to discuss the case anymore, she went to talk to Danny, Ryan, Molly and her mom. She had heard enough of the case for that evening – probably enough for the next few weeks.

The dinner was one of the funniest and most enjoyable in Madison's life. Never had she been so happy, laughed so much and felt that life couldn't have been better. Her whole family was there, together with Stephanie and the CSI teams. And what made her even happier was that they all seemed to enjoy it as much as she did. She looked around the table, and found Danny and Alexx in a deep conversation a bit further down the table. Calleigh and Eric sat beside them, heads close together, whispering about something. But after a closer look, she noticed they were holding each others hands. Smiling happily, she looked at the people beside Eric; Alexx, Molly and Mac were discussing the differences of teenagers in Miami and New York. After looking around the table, Madison's eyes met Stephanie's. Madison motioned at her to look at Calleigh and Eric,

"Oh, my God!" she mimed. Stephanie rose from her chair and went in to the kitchen, and Madison followed.

"Oh, my God, was it Calleigh he was gonna meet for a cup of coffee?!"

Madison nodded. "It must've been her, who else?! I mean, look at them!" And she was right; the couple were still holding hands when Madison and Stephanie peeked into the dining room through the kitchen door.

"We couldn't have asked for a better birthday, could we?" Stephanie asked.

"No, what else could we ask for?" Madison said as they hugged each other.

It was past 3a.m when the guests left. Laughing and talking, the two CSI teams left the house. Sighing, Madison closed the door after them and joined her family in the sofas. She sat down between Horatio and Ray, and sighed again.

"Tired?" Yelina asked, smiling.

"A bit," she said and smiled back. The other chuckled a little. They too were tired.

"So were you happy with your birthday?" Olivia asked.

"Yeah, I couldn't have dreamed of a better one. Thanks all of you, I can't remember when I had so much fun last time," Madison said, Stephanie nodded in agreement.

"You're welcome," Suzie answered.

"It's not every day you turn sixteen," Horatio said.

"True," Madison said, trying to hide a yawn.

"I saw you!" Suzie said. "It's bed time, so we better get home."

"But m-m-Mom!" Madison said and yawned again.

"No, she's right Madison; we all have to go to bed. It's a school-day tomorrow too, you know," Yelina said.

"Oh, alright. But you two don't have to think about that, Horatio is boss so he can decide when he has to get to work, and he's your boss, so you don't have to worry!" Stephanie said.

Horatio laughed. "She doesn't have to be at work until ten am tomorrow, so she can sleep."

"And when will you be at work?" Madison asked, almost knowing what he would answer.

"I'll sleep for a few hours, and then I'll be at work at half past seven."

"Half past seven?!" Olivia asked with a terrified look on her face. Yelina and Horatio laughed when they looked at her face.

"Being boss doesn't mean I can sleep more and don't have to do my work. Rather, I have to work more, and be at work on time to set a good example for my co-workers."

"But you can come late to work tomorrow if you would like to, couldn't you? I mean, it's not like you are late often," Madison said.

"That's right; I don't have to be there that early, I don't start working until half past eight for real. But I want to be there. I'm used to getting just a few hours of sleep, and if I sleep till half past six tomorrow, then I've at least gotten three hours."

"But Horatio, you can't sleep only three hours one night!" Suzie said, concern in her voice.

"I'm used-"

But Yelina interrupted him. "I'll make sure he sleep at least four hours."

Horatio was about to answer but before he could say anything, Suzie rose.

"Madison, Stephanie, c'mon, we have to get home."

"You want a ride?" Ray asked. "I can drive. You shouldn't have to walk!"

Stephanie looked questioningly at Madison who nodded.

"Yes please, that would be very nice of you, Raymond," Suzie said.

Ten minutes later, Madison, Stephanie and Suzie were at home. They went into the kitchen and sat down around the table.

"Didn't you say we were supposed to get to bed?"

"Yeah, I did but if you want to we could sit down and talk a little before you go to bed."

"Yeah, let's do that – I don't feel like going to bed yet!" Stephanie said.

"Did you see Calleigh and Eric at the dinner, mom?" Madison asked.

"No, what?"

"Well, they were holding hands and whispering."

"Oh, that," said Suzie, smiling. "I didn't see that exactly, but Calleigh told me they had been at Starbucks earlier, and they were looking at each other all the time when they didn't think anyone was watching."

"So they're dating now?" Stephanie asked.

"It seems that way," Suzie said nodding.

Stephanie and Madison giggled. The relationship between those was a surprise. There had always been whispers about them, but they had always stayed professional at work. But maybe they had have hidden feelings all along. Or maybe it was a new way in which they both saw each other. Maybe, maybe, maybe…

"And what do you think about Olivia, mom? You haven't met her like this before, have you?"

"No, and I like her. She's nice, and funny. She and Ray have been together for a while, haven't they?"

"Yeah, I think it's something like two and a half months now."

"Oh, that long? I thought it was like a few weeks," Stephanie said.

"No, they seem to like each other a lot. And they fit together. Both of them have a good sense of humour and like to joke. But Ray is a little more serious and focused on school and work."

"Ray really wants to become a CSI, huh?" Stephanie asked.

"Yeah. I'm really impressed by him. It's a very hard work, with many risks and it's not easy to become one in the first point. But after what I've heard him say, he's never hesitated, and he only has a few years left until he's one of them."

"So you think he'll succeed and walk in Horatio's footsteps?" Stephanie asked.

"Think? I know he will."

"What about you Stephanie? What are you planning to work as when you get older?" Suzie asked.

"Oh, that is such a hard question! And everyone keeps asking it! But I've decided to try to become a layer or something like that."

"But that's great!" Suzie said, smiling.

"But hard," Stephanie replied.

"Yeah, it's not something anyone can become. But Steph will succeed," Madison said.

"Yes, she will. It's in your blood. Your mother is a great layer, and so will you be."

"Thanks guys. And Mad, you're still sure you're gonna walk in Horatio's footsteps? Do you really want to become a CSI?"

"Steph, I've said it since I was ten. Yes, I will work as a CSI. I don't care if you are scared of me getting hurt. I will be among friends who know what they are doing and who are pros."

"True…"

A bit later the girls made themselves ready for bed they talked very little. As they settled into bed, Madison said, "Night."

"Sleep tight."

And with that, the sixteen year old girls closed their eyes, and fell asleep.