Here are the responses to the May 18, 2003 Challenge.
One of the guys is having a birthday and one or more throws him a party . It can a surprise or planned, big or small, a theme party or a quiet ride through the countryside.
Since this Saturday, May 24th is EC's birthday (and hence, Vin's) I decided it only fair that he would be my answer to this weeks challenge!
And yes, I am cheating... it's a poem, not a story. But it's 100 words exact! ;D
Happy birthday to a special man.
All my joy goes out to you on your special day.
Perhaps I learned, the months you've been away,
Part of me will, with you, always stay.
You're the song that I silently sing
Bringing life to reveries cold and gray;
In you there's room to canter and run free,
Restoring my lost sense of space and light.
The sun I wish for you is bright,
Happily doing what suns will:
Daring to hold off the cold night.
As loves and dreams your future fill,
Your cares caress and your sorrows shall be still
Universe: Old West
"Well pal, another year together. I know we had some bad times, but they've been good years for the most part. What ever happened we've always had each other. I remember the first time I saw you, bit shaky on your legs, you looked like a Saturday night drunk, that dark hair all wet and messed up, but that didn't last did it? Look at you; you handsome devil you."
Buck stroked the huge grey head in front of him.
"Here you go old friend, happy birthday."
With that he held out a hand full of peppermints to the horse.
The End
Universe: Little Britches
"Hello anyone home, JD? Vin? Chris? Anyone?"
"Bu..."
"Hush up JD."
"Why Vin?"
"So Buck don't hear you... it's a surprise."
"A Surprise?"
"Yeah."
"Don't Buck know it's his birthday?"
"Well sure he do, the party and the presents are a surprise."
"But if we don't tell him, he'll thinked that we forgotted his birthday..."
"No JD wait, you'll spoil..."
Buck! Buck! We didn't forgetted your birthday you're gonna have a surprise party and presents and a cake and all the guys is here and everything!"
"Well thank you little bit. I knew you wouldn't forget me."
"Happy birthday Buck."
The End
Rating: PG
Universe: ATF
Disclaimer: They never were and never will be mine.
"He won't like it, Buck."
"Do you have a death wish, Mr. Wilmington?"
"Chris ain't gonna wear those."
"Buck, I'm not going to fix no broken bones a yours."
"You better ask the Almighty for mercy when Chris sees those."
"What? He'll like 'em. He can take a joke. Can't he?"
"Buck!!!"
"Uh Oh."
"Buck!! Over my dead body... you can just take 'em back where you got 'em."
"Aw, Happy Birthday Old Dog! The ladies will flock to help you out when they see your new briefs with, 'It's Fallen and It Can't Get Up' printed on the front!"
Disclaimer: Still not mine.
He glared at the man responsible. "You're a dead man, Tanner," he hissed at the longhaired man standing hipshot in the doorway. His threat was rewarded with a cocky, lop-sided smile and a challenge in the sky blue eyes.
"Happy birthday, Chris," JD said, bounding up to the leader before noticing the glare directed at Vin and backing away.
"Notice ya didn't even have ta change ta fit the theme," Tanner drawled, trying to suppress a chuckle.
Chris's glare intensified before it once more took in the decorations, finally resting on the cake with it's inscription: Happy Birthday, Cowboy.
"Jesus, Vin," JD said, putting his hand against his racing heart.
"Sorry, JD," he said sheepishly, reholstering his gun. Vin could feel the flush creep over his face and, he was sure down to the tips of his toes, hoping he hadn't ruined everything.
Chancing a quick glance up into the quiet room, it soon became apparent that a lot of effort had gone into the event. Seeing the wide-eyed, shocked stares of many of the people in the room, he felt his blush deepen.
"It's OK, Vin," JD assured. "I shouldn't have made it a surprise birthday party."
"But you planned all the other parties," Casey said, puzzled as to why JD insisted on planning his own party.
"And that's why I'm planning my own," JD explained, dumping another bag of ice in the cooler. "One thing the team does well is revenge."
Casey nodded her head, still unsure of JD's reasoning.
"I'll get it," she called, heading toward the door to answer the doorbell. Opening the door, she froze. No one would believe the sight before her. Suddenly she understood what JD meant about revenge. A smile appeared on her face. 'This will be interesting,' she thought.
She only agreed because he'd said it would be an early birthday gift for him, but it had worked. He knew the boys had been planning a surprise party for him, but after the last few, he just didn't want to take a chance on what they would do.
"Hey, darlin'," he greeted, as she opened the door.
"Hey, Buck," she replied with a smile. "Would you mind waiting in the living room? I'll only be a moment."
"Anything you want, darlin'," Buck replied, turning into the room in question.
"Surprise!" came the shout as he entered the room.
Vin could see Nathan's smile didn't reach his eyes. Rain hadn't been able to find a flight back for his birthday and it was hitting the medic hard. It was time.
Nodding at Ezra and Chris who had been chatting, he watched Ezra head out.
Raising his voice slightly to be heard, Chris raised his glass and began, "To Nate. All we can say is thanks and Happy Birthday."
All eyes turned to see Ezra hold open the door Chris had indicated for a beautiful woman. "Rain," Nathan whispered with a smile that reached all the way to his eyes.
He tried not to laugh. He really did, but he just couldn't contain it any longer and allowed his laughter to flow. The boys had outdone themselves with this party.
Buck walked up and patted him on the back, "You OK, Ez?" he asked, a smile on his face.
"I assure you Mr. Willmington, I am quite well and highly amused," Ezra replied. "How ever did you come up with this theme for my birthday celebration?"
Buck smiled. "Josiah suggested it, actually," he replied looking around the room in which everyone, male and female, was dressed just like Ezra.
Josiah's laughter flowed over the room, warming the hearts of his six teammates. They had taken him by surprise with this birthday party. He was impressed with the extent his friends had gone to make this special for him.
The party was themed along the lines of the old television show, 'This Is Your Life'. And looking around, Josiah realized he'd had a pretty good life.
"Bet you've had some really interesting birthdays, Josiah," JD said taking a seat next to the teamıs profiler.
"That I have, brother," Josiah replied with a smile. "Did I ever tell you about..."
Universe: Star Trek
All around, people stood laughing, talking, and drinking. Everyone seemed to be having a good time, except the guest of honor. The Vulcan sat stoic at the table along with Captain Larabee.
"Relax, Vin. You don't have to do anything but sit here."
"I have yet to figure out the significance of this day."
"It's your birthday, Tanner."
"My date of birth was many years ago and of no great importance. Certainty not worth a celebration."
"Of course it is."
"Why, Captain?"
"Because this day brought us you."
Tanner cocked an eyebrow and nodded.
"Thank you, Captain."
"Happy Birthday, Vin."
Universe: Old West
Larabee stood at the door of his cabin watching the cloud of dust, his hand poised above his gun. Six horses trotted into the yard and the gunslinger relaxed, his hand dropping away from the pistol.
"What brings you boys out this way?" the blond inquired.
The six dismounted, milling around until someone, probably Josiah, shoved Wilmington forward.
"We... ah, just..." He glanced around, looking for help.
"Ah, hell." Vin muttered and stepped forward. "We figured you weren't coming to town today, so we came to you."
"Happy birthday, cowboy."
Larabee looked at his friends and smiled and waved them in.
Universe: ATF
Buck moved around the room. The boys had arranged a party at the saloon to celebrate his birthday. The big agent was in top form, enjoying himself. Three hours into the party, the door opened and a man wearing a trench coat walked in, approaching Inez at the bar.
She smiled and pointed to the birthday boy. The man nodded and headed toward Wilmington.
"Wilmington?"
"Yeah?" Buck turned to the stranger.
"I have something for you." He yanked open the coat and Buck jumped back.
"Happy Birthday." And the male stripper began to dance as the others hooted and clapped.
Universe: Old West
JD sat watching two cowboys who shot up the saloon. It had taken only minutes for the seven peacekeepers to corral the two and toss them into jail.
The young easterner sighed. He hadn't planned to spend the day watching two drunks. It was his birthday and he had plans with Casey since everyone else was busy.
A noise had him raising. He found himself staring into the barrel of a gun. Within minutes, he was being led down an alley to the stables.
He was shoved through the door, bright light blinded him as his friends yelled, "Happy Birthday."