By CherylR

This is for the SA August Themefic for Annie. The request: I'd like you to write stories about what you know. For example, if you have a medical background-write a medical type story; if you're a legal eagle- a case type fic; a teacher-a Blair University story. Or bring the guys to where you live and plonk 'em right down in your home town or country. But, NO Mary Sue's, PLEASE! Oh yeah, extra points for owies and h/c. I don't mind who you whump <weg>.

Okay so that's the request… well… someone gets hurt…. It's something I know 'cause we have one that had similar problems. If you have to have more details before you read the story, tough. Just kidding. Go down to the bottom for more details.

Thanks to Judy for the great beta work.

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Blair came bouncing in to the Major Crime office. He took a quick look around. Not seeing his partner, he approached H's desk. "Hey H, where's Jim?"

H looked up at the bouncier than usual observer. "He got called into court at the last minute. Supposed to be there for the next several hours, at least."

"Cool," Blair exclaimed.

"Huh?" H asked with confusion as the rest of the gang gathered around to find out what was going on in the Sandburg zone today.

"I just bought the most awesome present for Jim and I've been dying to show it off. He's not in the building so now I can," Blair bounced over to the bag that he'd set on the ground next to his backpack."

"But, Blair," Joel stammered, "Jim's birthday isn't for…"

"Yeah, yeah. I know. But, man when you find the perfect gift… you buy it no matter how far out the next birthday is. And, I've found the perfect gift," Blair said proudly as he bounced a bit higher.

"Well, Sandburg," Simon said coming out of his office. "Let's see this gift. And would you calm down. If you bounce any higher we're going to have to replace a few lights."

"Awww, Simon. That's so not funny. I don't know if I should show you," Blair pouted. "Maybe I'll just take Jim's present home and find a really good hiding place for it."

"Sandburg," Banks growled. "Show us the present or else."

Blair smirked. "Nice growl Simon. Do you practice at home too or just in the office?"

Banks took a couple of menacing steps toward his observer.

Blair backed up until he hit the edge of H's desk. He put his free hand up defensively and snickered, "okay, okay. I'll show you. Sheesh, shouldn't that fall under police brutality or something?"

"I'll show you police brutality." Simon wiggled his fingers suggestively.

"No, no… not the tickling. Anything but that…" Blair said as he started to giggle.

"Now that you are properly terrified," Simon smiled, "get on with it and show us the present."

Blair made a big production of digging in the bag at his feet. After a few moments, the guys started getting restless and decided to heckle the younger man.

Blair sent a raspberry their way and pulled out a blue box with a flourish.

"What the heck?" H asked in surprise.

"That's the present?" Joel cocked his head.

"What is it?" Simon demanded.

"Guess," Blair smiled.

"A soccer ball?" Rafe suggested hesitantly.

"Nope," Blair replied.

The guessing went on for a few minutes more until the options started getting a bit risqué. Blair jumped in before it got too out of hand and said with another bounce, "It's an ice cream maker."

At the frowns of confusion he went into more detail. "It's really cool. You can make ice cream anywhere. As long as you have ice and the rest of the ingredients." Blair bounced again. "You can even take it camping. Isn't it great? We can sit around the campfire eating ice cream. Jim'll love it."

"How does it work?" Simon asked skeptically.

"Well, you see… you put the ingredients in this side and close the lid," he turned the ball around inside its box. "Then you put the ice and rock salt in this side. Shake it around for a while or play catch or anything that will keep the ball moving and presto chango, ice cream."

"Anywhere huh?" H asked slyly.

"Yup," Blair replied with a bounce. "Anywhere."

"So what are the ingredients? You wouldn't want to have to take a lot of extra stuff when you're camping," Rafe asked catching on to Henry's game.

"No man, that's what's great about it. All you need is a pint of half and half, some sugar and vanilla. You can add whatever toppings you like as it starts to freeze. I think it'll be really great with fresh fruit." Blair gestured with the present.

"Cool," H smirked, "I'm game to try." He grabbed the box out of Blair's hand and opened it. "Hey Rafe, I think Rhonda keeps half and half in the fridge for her coffee. Go see would you?"

Rafe laughed as he left. "Sure thing H. But, you get to tell her you took it."

H returned the laughter. "No sweat, I'll just replace it before she gets back. Hey, get the sugar while you're there. And see if you can come up with some vanilla."

"Hey H, give me the ball back," Blair requested reaching for the ball. H nonchalantly held it above his head. "Come on, man, it's a present. You're not supposed to use gifts before you give them to people." Blair frowned.

"No problem. Just tell Jim that we had to do a quality control check. Hey Joel, do you still have the sample of the rock salt that salesman was trying to get us to buy for the station?"

Joel smiled. "I think I might. Let me go check."

Rafe returned with his hands full. "I couldn't find any vanilla, but here's some vanilla flavored coffee mate. That should work."

"All right. Gentlemen, let's get this show on the road," H said as he rubbed his hands together. With a quick look at the directions he started calling for items like a doctor in surgery. "Half and half."

"Check," said his partner, and in this case his partner in crime.

"Sugar."

"Check," Rafe said as he handed the next ingredient over to H.

"Vanilla."

"Sort of check," Rafe laughed as he handed over the coffee creamer.

"Lid," H barked.

"Lid," Rafe responded.

"Okay, let's turn this baby over. Ice."

"Ice," Rafe shivered. "Really cold ice."

"Rock salt."

"Here you go. I found that sample," Joel said. "Don't think the sales guy expected us to use it in quite this way though."

"Lid."

Rafe handed H the other lid.

"Okay now for the fun part." H started shaking the ball. After a few times he tossed it toward his partner.

"Oww, wow, be careful not to toss it too hard. Someone could get hurt," Rafe said with a wince.

The shaking and passing continued for a while longer until it was finally turned over to Blair. "Oh man," he said with a frown of disgust. "It's leaking. It's not supposed to do that. I guess I'll have to take this one back and get another one."

H laughed. "See Hairboy, I told you we needed to do quality control on it."

"Whatever man… just be careful over here, 'cause now there's a wet spot on the floor." Blair handed the ball over to Simon and went to the break room to get some paper towels.

The guys opened the lid while Blair was gone and could tell that it was indeed turning into ice cream. They started passing the ball around the room again. This time making sure that the ice cream side was up at all times. The guys had to get a bit more creative in their handling and anyone who turned the ball upside down was heckled mercilessly.

Blair came back with a wad of paper towels and a glare for the gang in the bullpen. "Do not break that. I can get it replaced if it just has a broken seal. I don't want to try explaining how it broke in half or any other miscellaneous cracks or dings."

The guys just laughed and H passed the ball to Rafe before he reached over and tried to ruffle Blair's hair.

"Hey man, not the hair." Blair said with his hands on his hips.

Everyone laughed and Joel passed the ball back to Blair. "Check and see how it's turning out."

Several heads tried to peer around Sandburg as he opened the lid. "Give me some room guys," he elbowed H in the ribs and poked Rafe in the stomach. "Come on guys, you're too close." Blair stirred the mixture for a minute then pulled out the spoon. It contained a slightly liquidy but, recognizable bit of ice cream. Sandburg popped it into his mouth before anyone else could ask for a treat and everyone waited for the verdict. "Umm, pretty good. A little more ice and some more shaking and we should be good to go. Wonder if I have any fruit left from lunch?"

"No way," Joel stated as he grabbed the ball. "No fruit or anything healthy is going in here. If anything, we need chocolate or cookies or better yet… chocolate cookies."

Blair held up his hands in surrender. "Okay, okay. Nothing healthy will be added. I always make it a practice to give in to the guys with the guns." He chuckled and then held out his hands for the ball. "Let me wipe it down so it doesn't get any stickier than it already is and I'll give it right back." Blair went over and grabbed the paper towels he'd dropped on Jim's desk. Loud voices in the hall caught his attention.

Before anyone could move, a large escaped prisoner burst through the doors and grabbed the person closest to him, Rafe. He waved the gun around. "Stay back. I'll shoot him if you don’t back off. I want to get out of here and he's my ticket out."

The bad guy pulled Rafe closer to him and slowly started backing toward the door. He didn't notice the slick spot on the floor or Sandburg standing near Jim's desk.

Blair took a nervous breath. Only going to get one chance at this. Better make it good.

As the prisoner slipped on the ice cream, he threw out his arms in a reflexive attempt to save himself. Rafe elbowed him in the ribs and made a grab for the gun. Blair saw his chance and lobbed the ball at the guy hitting him in the back of his knees. This threw the bad guy further off balance and he landed on the floor with a loud thud.

Rafe rolled free with the gun and H and Simon quickly jumped in to restrain and handcuff the prisoner. They handed him back over to his uniform escort and then turned to look at Sandburg.

Blair stood there a bit stunned for a moment and then he tossed some paper towels on the floor. "Oh man, it's ruined. It has a crack. I can see it from here. I can't take it back to the store now. How do I explain what happened? They'll never believe me," Blair moaned in dismay.

Jim stormed into the room. He glanced over his co-workers for injuries and then tuned into his partner. "Chief, you okay?"

"Oh man, this just tops it all off. The perfect end to the day," Blair fumed as he sank down on top of Jim's desk.

Ellison looked around the room trying to figure out what had happened. "I heard some uniforms laughing about the most creative take down they'd ever seen and someone else saying to chalk up another one to the crazy observer in the Major Crime division. What happened?"

"Nothing much Jim," Simon said as he patted Ellison on the back. "Just your partner up to his usual good work. We had a momentary prisoner escape that was foiled by Sandburg's quick thinking, timely throw and your present."

Blair groaned in the background then muttered, "Sure, why don't you go ahead and tell him everything. The first time… the very first time I find him a great present. One he's going to know nothing about until his birthday and now it's all ruined."

Jim turned and looked at Blair. He walked over and placed a comforting hand on his partner's shoulder. "Hey Chief, it's the thought that counts. So…" he grinned, "what did you get me?"

Blair just sighed and pointed. Jim looked at the floor in confusion. He saw the pile of paper towels and a blue hard plastic ball. "You go me a ball?"

"Hey Ellison, it's much better than a ball. It's a defender of freedom everywhere," H said proudly.

"Yeah, this ball saved my life," Rafe said as he scooped up said ball and gave it a quick pat. "Well, the ball and Hairboy of course."

Joel butted in before it got too deep, "and the best thing is… it makes ice cream too."

Rafe presented the ball to Jim and took the lid off. They both looked inside and smiled. "Freedom fighter by day… Ice cream maker by night." Jim turned to Blair and grinned. "Thanks. That has to be one of the best gifts I've ever had."

H grabbed a handful of clean coffee mugs and some spoons. "Quick let's eat the evidence before the ball gets carted off to lock up."

"Lock up?" Blair exclaimed.

"It was used to stop a crime. It has to be entered into evidence lock up," Joel explained gently.

"Oh man…"

The End

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The ball really exists. I bought it at a camping/sporting goods store. We took it on our camping trip so the kids could have ice cream around the fire. It did leak. I didn't have to take down any criminals with my ball so I exchanged it for another one. We are taking it out camping this weekend, so hopefully there will be no leaks this time. J

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