MDPD had had one of the most difficult cases ever. It was about a serial killer who had murdered seven 18-years-old girls right on their birthdays. It had been a really hard one, with many suspects and no pieces of evidence left. However, after long nights staying up in order to catch the bastard, they had managed to find him.

So, Ava thought that a small party, where everyone would be able to relax, would be a good idea. There were not only CSIs coming, but they were all friends between them and that was what she wanted: just a friends night. She was all ready; she had the drinks and she had ordered some food, as she never cooked. She was already dressed up. Her style was her usual, simple style: a pair of jeans and a cute top. She smiled as she saw her reflection in the mirror and passed a hand through her blonde hair. The guests were going to be there soon.

One thing was for sure- when Ryan was getting ready for party he won't go alone there. His 'gang' was always eager to follow him wherever he went somewhere.

So this party wasn't the only, though they all probably were invited as well since almost all of them worked the horrible case. Even Jane had some thoughts to share.

Only Sam and Ali weren't working on the case, they were out of city for Ali's rehab session.


So now Ryan was walking up to Ava's door, dressed in dark, skinny jeans and white tee.

He had brought some more goodies- homemade pizza and some cocktails Mich insisted of making.

Ryan knocked on the door...

Ava headed to the door as she heard the knock. She opened the door to reveal none other than Ryan. She had invited him, of course, and his gang as well, like Michelle and Patrick. A wide smile spread on her face as she saw him.
"Hey hey," she greeted cheerfully. "Come in."

Madison checked her watch as she parked the car and walked to Ava's apartment. She had jumped at the chance to relax and party when Ava had suggested it after the case they had worked. The horrendousness of it had turned her into an irritable wreck and she was looking forward to just chilling out. Although she usually dressed up for parties, tonight she was simply wearing some skinny jeans, her favourite boots and a pink top. It was still cute, but she hadn't had enough strength to put together a party outfit. Knocking on Ava's door, vodka bottle in hand, she waited. Tonight was gonna rock, she could tell.

Ava and Ryan had just entered the house and chilled on the couch, when she heard another knock on the door. She got up and opened it. "Well hello, Miss Lewis," she greeted her friend with a wide smile on her face. "Look how pretty you look tonight." Soon enough, she spotted the bottle in her hand and gasped a bit with a grin. "Vodka!" she exclaimed. "You're my hero."

Maddy smiled warmly at her friend. "Good evening, Miss Smith. And you look very pretty tonight too." She laughed at her vodka comment. "Of course. Would I let my Russian genes desert you when we needed it the most?" she joked, giving her the bottle and heading inside after Ava.
"Hey, Ry," she said with a smile to her friend who was lounging on the couch.

Ava chuckled at that, taking the bottle from her. "You're right, we really need it after such a case. I mean, I'm sure I need it," she said, placing the bottle on the benchtop in the kitchen.

Madison nodded seriously. "We all need it, I reckon. God knows how many heads I've bitten off because of this case. I don't even know how I still have any friends left..." she admitted. "So, when is the party starting?"

"Don't worry, you'll always have us," Ava smiled to Maddy, sitting down on a big armchair near the couch. When she asked about when the party was going to start, Ava checked her watch. "Well, the others should be here any minute," she said with a slight shrug. "What do you know, is Albert going to show up, or is he busy with all his serious work?" she grinned.

"Hey hey party queen!" Ryan greeted Maddy.

"I knew that I'll see that drink here. Hope you'll like Michey's made cocktail. They'll join as soon as Jane's dressed in something non-three-piece, and when twins are back from rehab centre. Hope Mich won't start fun before she's here." he said glancing at his phone

Ava's eyes mockingly widened as she gasped slightly. "What?" she asked, looking at Ryan. "Jane is able to wear something that is not a three-piece? Breaking news, people!" she joked, slightly shaking her head.

Ryan laughed "Only if Mich stays alive during all 'undress' procedure. I've heard that bunch going on in the mornings when someone's tried to hide away his 'golden treasures'." he said trying not to think about all the fuss at home. "I guess I just got off easy."

Ava laughed a bit, knowing how crazy Michelle was able to get sometimes. "He dresses well, I can't say anything," she said, raising her hands in defeat. "But I'm sure he'd look good in something more...usual as well."

"Yeah, I used to dress up in suits either." he said shrugging. "But I know Mich's just trying to get him into something that makes it easier and faster to remove." Ryan grinned

Ava laughed a bit, nodding slightly. "Well, that's a good plan. She's smart, really." Then, there was a short moment of silence, before she spoke again. "Do these two...I mean, you now..." she said, talking about Michelle and Patrick.

"Yeah she is. How else she'd pull off all those pranks on us. I mean we're highly trained operatives, but she's barely graduation candidate." said hoping the girl won't find out what he said, otherwise head's gonna roll.

"You mean... they..." he stuttered. "I don't know, things are quite mysterious there." Ryan said wondering what's gonna reveal at this party.

Maddy grinned. "Well, that's a relief. You guys are exactly the ones that I'd hate to lose." When Ava asked her about Albert, Maddy gave a shrug. "I told him about it but dunno if he'll show up. He's working on some important case or something, and besides, I think we're on a break anyway. But if he comes I won't mind."

She giggled. "That fully is breaking news! I actually can't imagine Patrick in something other than his usual three-piece." When Ryan said that about Mich trying to get Jane's clothes off faster, she grinned. Sounded about right...

When Ava asked about Michelle and Patrick, she blushed remembering the first party. Then she leaned in a bit closer, curious. "Honestly, I wouldn't be surprised if they are," she added her two cents. "They're so close, those two."

Ava's eyebrows shot up in surprise when she heard about Maddy and Albert. "On a break?" she asked. She had always had the feeling that the two of them had some kind of perfect relationship. "What happened?"

But then, when Madison mentioned how close Patrick and Michelle were, Ava raised an eyebrow and glanced at her, a small smirk pulling on her lips. She had this impression - right or wrong, she didn't know - that Madison had something for Jane, despite the fact that she was with Albert. But she didn't say anything, just gave a slight nod.

Maddy shrugged. "I guess I still haven't fully gotten over how he over-reacted over that dance with Will. But we just decided to play it by ear. Currently I'm not sure if long-term is what I can handle currently," she admitted. "But then again, knowing me, that could change within the week..."

She noticed Ava's small smirk and raised an eyebrow. "What?" she asked with a slightly wary smile.

When Maddy said that she was probably not ready for a long-term relationship, Ava nodded, passing a hand through her hair. "I know how you feel. I've always felt like that," she said with a shrug.

However, when she asked what had happened, Ava's smirk turned into a small smile as she put on an innocent face. "I don't know what you're talking about," she shrugged.

"Life is too short to not experiment a bit," Maddy said with a wry chuckle. "But I guess when you meet 'The One', you'll know and you'll be ready," she said with a shrug, then curiously looked at Ava. "I thought you and Victor were..." she trailed off.

Maddy raised an eyebrow. "Uh huh, like I totally believe you," she replied. "Spill. Right now. Or do I have to ply you with a whole bottle of vodka first?"

Ava sighed, passing a hand through her hair as Victor was mentioned. She really liked him a lot, but she was still not sure that this was the way he felt as well. Plus, she was not sure if she was ready for a long-term relationship. "Victor and I..." she started. "We went out a few times and...we had sex, but...I don't know exactly what this is..."

She laughed when she heard how curious Maddy was. "No, I don't need vodka for that," she chuckled. "It's just that...I've always had this feeling that you had a thing for Jane, that is all."

Maddy's eyes went to Ryan for a moment, wondering how he was with the girl-talk, then they went back to Ava. She gave a slow nod. "Fair enough... What 'it' is: some much needed fun for you. And a way to break a dry spell," she teased her friend, with a laugh.

When Ava mentioned Jane, Maddy blushed. "Yeah...well, I... Yeah, I think I do," she admitted quietly, looking down.

Ava's eyes widened and her eyebrows shot up in surprise when she heard Maddy. "What?" she asked. "I was not...Just because I was not in a steady relationship, it doesn't mean I was in a dry spell," she said. Actually, she was, but she was not going to admit it that easily.

She raised an eyebrow when she heard that her suspicion was true. "Madison, what are you doing?" she asked, a small smile playing on her lips. "What about Albert?"

Madison raised an eyebrow. "There's no way I beleive that. No offense. But you simply don't strike me as the person who'd be going around with a whole buncha guys just for that purpose. So before he came, you musta been in one..." she stated logically, hoping she wasn't just digging herself into a hole.

She rolled her eyes, giving a slight sigh. "I don't know what I'm doing. I just know I'm doing something... And Albert's a total sweetie. I'm not gonna deny that. He's wonderful. But I want to just have fun, as bad as that may sound. And anyways, we're on a break."