In the DNA lab, Natalia's working on a sample Eric and Speed collected from the crime scene earlier. Chuck Philips, a college basketball star allegedly committed suicide in the team's lockeroom the night his school gave away the championship title in the dying seconds. Alexx's report on time of death, three hours after the game ended, plus press conferences, and clean ups. Constant costly mistakes and inability to hit clutch shots, his growing reputation as a choker is now on a high. Both on court… and literally. "Hm. A college version of Lebron James" she whispered to herself.

"You can say that again" Eric chuckled. Natalia unaware of him even coming into the room, "Geez how long have you been here? Didn't even notice you!"

"Maybe your hearing aid's malfunctioning?"

"That or you just recently attended James Bond Spy School" Eric laughed, "Very funny. So…you got anything?"

"Actually, yes, Speed swabbed some samples on several the portions above the knot and I managed to get some evidence. Ran it against our vic mini Lebron, that was no use results came in negative, so I'm running it through CODIS right now." The two were focused on the computer screen.

Eric switching his focus to Natalia, "What are you smiling at?"

"Oh nothing. Just…can't wait for my CSI level promotion" she said with a big fat grin.

"Okaaay. But you're a little too enthusiastic don't you think?" Eric chuckles.

"Been noticing it the whole day. Don't worry though, it IS also your birthday, we'll give you this one." he teased.

"What do you mean 'we'?"

"Nothing" he smirked.

Finally they hear beeps and shifts their focus back to the computer.

"Robert Ercito"

Eric writes down the man's address. "Okay, thanks Nat." He exits the room and walks across the hall where Calleigh's standing.

"Shoot" she said

"Okay uh, we got Robert Ercito. His DNA was found in some parts of the rope. Though the guy's clean. No criminal history." he quickly changes the subject "So Natalia's a ball of energy huh?"

She giggles "Why do you think, does she know?"

"I don't know let's just hope she doesn't. She just seems different."

"It's your fault." a husky voice enters the conversation.

"And why is that?" Calleigh demanded.

"She's now transforming into another Calleigh. Ever since she moved here her perkiness level's getting higher every year. Haha." he let out a quick chuckle "Calleigh 2.0."

She slaps his arm "Oh shut up, Tim."

The three of them shared a blending laugh and tried to catch a glimpse of Natalia from a distance here and there. They were all just one big family, really. Horatio the dad, Alexx the mom, Frank the…uncle? Then Eric, Calleigh, Natalia, Tim, Walter, Ryan, and Jesse. Dysfunctional but perfect.

"Alright I'm gonna get Wolfe then have this guy in for questioning. I'll see you guys later."

Hours past and the end of today's work came, they all met up like they planned except for Alexx who was skipping the first part of the surprise party to go home to her kids (but will join them later on) and Horatio who was in the café already. They stood by Nat's hummer and waited until she came out. There they see her walking down the steps while looking into her purse to get her keys. Finally she looks up and a group CSIs stood there looking like the coolest gang she's ever seen. Ryan and Walter with arms crossed, Eric with his usual smirk, Calleigh with her comforting stare leaning on the front bumper, and others leaning on the doors.

"Wha—what's this about?" her eyebrows raised to the fullest. "Am..am in trouble or something?"

"Chilaaax, girl, we just wanna go on a little ride wit cha." Walter said.

"Oh" More like "Ohhhh" she thought. She knows where this is getting at. "But how are we supposed to fit?"

"We got it all planned out. The two big dudes right here," Calleigh pointed both her fingers to Frank and Walter.

"Heeyy!" They whined.

"will be in the front seats. Eric, Jesse, and I at the back. And you and the rest at the very back." she continued. You and Eric, huh. Bet you guy'll sit next to each other. Like the team hasn't started noticing she thought again.

I know what you're thinking, there's a lot of them haha. these characters together are actually my dream CSI miami team and sorry if they seem kinda OCC, I wanted to drag them a little away from the usual seriousness for a change. What happens next will be in the next chapter. please review and let me know what you think! :)