A/N: No copyright infringement intended.


"Josiah, there is one gift with your name on it, start with that. Then after everyone has their first gift we'll select one of the unnamed gifts. Remember everyone, there is a two steal limit on gifts"

Josiah reached into the pile of gifts and extracted the one with his name on it. He turned over the wrapped present. He held the gift for a moment in his hands. He took a moment to say a silent prayer of thanks for the blessings in his life. Then he tore open the wrapping paper. Inside the box were two books and an audio CD. One book was a collection of philosophical quotes. The other book and the audio CD were of, The Art of War, by Sun Tzu.

"It is not too often one can read and listen to a 2600 year-old book and know that it still has relevance and importance today. The Art of War has long been considered not only a military classic, but a classic book in general. Sun Tzu's treatise on various aspects and components of wartime strategy is highly recommended for insight into the Eastern mindset and military planning. It also can apply to business, legal and educational situations as well."

He looked at each of his friends, "You gentlemen would benefit from the ancient words of Sun Tzu. I am honored and inspired to have the hard cover edition for my collection. As criminologist and profiler who studies a criminal's behavior for clues to psychology to aid in capturing them, understanding philosophy can be an invaluable tool."

Vin went over to the stack of gifts. He tentatively picked up his gift and held it reverently in his arms. Vin didn't want to damage the exterior. It was an elaborately wrapped box. Finally he slipped his finger under the edge of the paper and pried it open. The paper got a small tear in it. Vin froze for a second looking at the damaged paper, then with a snap he tore aggressively into the paper as the others laughed at his eagerness to get at the present.

Once he lifted the lid off the box, he displayed a Burris Eliminator 2011 Laser Rifle Scope. Vin sat frozen in awe looking at the laser scope. Without looking up he reverently stroked his fingers along the topline of the scope. With a choked up voice, Vin said "This laser has a range of 800 yards reflective, with 12x magnification, an objective diameter of 42 mm, and eye relief from 76 mm to 88 mm. It is compatible with night vision optics and can be used with a combat assault rifle or a .338 sniper rifle."

Vin had tears in his eyes, "This is more than I could have dreamed of. I can't wait to test this thing out at the rifle range!"

JD picked up the gift with his name on it. It was a small box. It was wrapped in Christmas wrapping paper. JD felt the lightness of the box and the object inside. He grinned and gave the box a slight shake. Nothing rattled around. He shrugged and then tore into the paper covered box. Inside he found a Centron 64 Gigabyte Sport Waterproof USB Flash Drive – black and red colored. For once JD was speechless. He stood staring at the data stick.

"Holy Crap Guys! This is incredible. I can store all my digital documents, pictures, video clips and MP3 files on this thing and still have room for more stuff. This thing must have cost a small fortune. Thank you so much"

Ezra selected his gift off the stack. The box had bright wrapping paper on it and was double wrapped in ribbon. There were masses of curly cue ringlets of ribbon cascading down the sides from the top. Ezra tried to politely untie the ribbon, however after several minutes of struggling with the uncooperative ribbon and with several chuckles from the others at his struggles, he finally conceded defeat and took the offered knife from Vin and severed the ribbon. He pushed the ribbon aside and used the knife to delicately slice the wrapping paper. He handed the knife back and lifted off the lid to the box. Snuggled inside the tissue paper was the SPY-CAM X10 Wireless Video Sender Body Wire.

"This is a truly splendid gift. Ah was looking at this model online. The concealed wireless transmitter transmits, at higher distances to obtain virtually irrefutable evidence. This unit frequently does not violate state and federal statutes prohibiting 'surreptitious' interception. The nature of the body wire, is that the wearer must be a party to the conversation, negates 'bugging' restrictions in many jurisdictions. Ah am honored to have this gift, it will make me feel like Ah am in safe hands when I am undercover"

Buck went to the gift pile and picked up his gift box. It was a plain red box with a gold ribbon wrapped around it, tied into a bow. A tag read *Buck—Caution—Handle with Extreme Care—Do Not Shake* Buck looked around at his buddies, with a grin. He cautiously opened the box. Peering inside cautiously, he was expecting something to leap out at him. When nothing attacked him, he more fully looked inside, pulling back the foam, he revealed 6 Flashbangs nestled inside. He went completely still, then gently touched one of them.

"Geez guys, I am touched, this is a really great gift. Stun grenades, how did ya know? I just used the last of my supplies during the last raid. These non-lethal weapons are also known as flash grenades and are used to incapacitate criminals. Most law enforcement departments frequently use them. I find these to be invaluable during a raid, they temporally neutralize the enemy by disorienting their senses. The flash of light momentarily activates all light sensitive cells in the eye, making vision impossible for approximately five seconds until the eye re-orientates itself, giving us a chance to get the jump on them"

Chris pulled out his gift. He tore into the wrapped box. Inside the tissue paper was a Tactical Leg Gun Holster and a Vehicle Concealment Gun Holster. Chris' face split into a humongous grin. The others crowded in to see what could make the man who usually scrawled his way through a day, with a glare that could curdle milk, get a smile a child would be proud of. He was so touched by the thoughtfulness of the gift. Chris looked around trying to figure out who got him this. He lifted up and showed off the leg holster and the vehicle holster "How did you know? I never said a thing. This leg holster is designed for Automatic guns. It will go great with my new gun. It is easy to use on the left or right side, just move clip and thumb break from one side of the gun holster to the other. It has a drop loop behind the metal clip for my belt to slip through so it can be secured to my thigh. The outer layer of the gun holster is ballistics nylon and has a vinyl vapor barrier and foam padding to help keep moisture off your gun. This gun holster comes with an extra magazine pouch for my spare ammo."

"And the Concealment Gun Holster-Seat Buddy Vehicle Gun Holster, I was looking at one of these in a catalog last month. It has an adjustable thumb break and fastens with a quick release adjustable belt to a bucket seat or bench seat. I love it, thanks guys"

Nathan picked up the gift with his name on it. It was a large heavy box. Nathan removed the wrapped lid. Inside the box he read - Core Triage Wound Care Kit- He tore into the package and looked at its contents with excitement. It contained: Adhesive Strips, Non- Adherent Pads, Non-woven Sponges, Latex Gloves, Elastic Shoulder Immobilizers, Splints, Gauze Pads, Suture Staples and Suture Staples Gun, Non-woven Pads, Medical Tape, Butterfly Closures, Band-Aids, Rolled Gauze, Drapes, Sterile Towels, Needles, Syringes, Instant Ice Packs, Compression Bandages, Wound Debriding Cleansers, Burn Dressings, Gauze Sponges, a Wound Measurement Chart, and IV Infusion Supplies.

Nathan looked around the group of his best friends with misty eyes. "I don't know what to say. This is….unbelievable. I can't…" he was at a loss for words. Suddenly he looked up at everyone, "I know exactly where I'll use all of this stuff, on you guys" he laughed and threw a roll of gauze at Vin who caught it and threw it back at Nathan.

"Now on to the second round of gifts"

December 2011


A/N: Many thanks go out to Rustynail, for numerous invaluable suggestions to make this story more enjoyable