i have done a little more testing.
in the application_start i created - application("Test") = 0
in session_start i have - application("Test") += 1
in session_end i have - application("Test") += 1

when i run the app using my machine as the local server
i get on page two

label1 = 1 (session("Test")) and
label2 = 1 (application("Test"))
This above is correct; however on the company server on page two i get

label1 = nothing (session("Test")) and
label2 = 3 (application("Test"))
Can anyone tell me why this happening. session_start i assume is firing twice and session_end is firing once.