Happy Birthday Cosmosmariner - Batter Up!

[glennagirl.livejournal.com]

Napoleon walked briskly towards the office he shared with his partner.  He expected to find the Russian bent over his typewriter, churning out the report that had been demanded by their superior, Alexander Waverly.  Instead of that scene, he was greeted by the sight of Illya in jeans and tee shirt, his left hand encased in a big fielder's glove, and a baseball in the grip of his big right hand.


"Uh, Illya... are we going on assignment in a sandlot?"
The blond smiled in return, a strange look of something like joy on the normally somber face.
"It is a birthday celebration today, and the young lady like baseball.  So, we shall picnic and have a game of it with her."
Napoleon rubbed his chin with an idle forefinger, the image of the two of them out playing catch was incongruous with his present state of dress.
"I'll need to change clothes.  Where shall we be engaging in this little sporting party?"
The reference was not lost on the Russian, but he dismissed the thought of foxes and hounds.
"Central Park, you know the spot.  And bring something to drink, I expect the competition to be fierce."
Ninety minutes later Napoleon was dressed down to his jeans and a polo shirt; he found himself unable to as casual as Illya. What greeted him at the park was a complete surprise, however.  Somehow, and he would need to hear the story later, Illya had managed to gather two teams of very able bodied men who looked for all the world like professional ball players.  In their midst was a pert young woman whom he instantly recognized.
"cosmosmariner, you look just like a birthday girl. But who are all of these people?"
Cosmos smiled and pointed towards Illya, who was getting a pointer on fastballs from Whitey Ford. Surprised and as excited as a boy at Yankees Stadium might be, Napoleon approached the crowd of men and began introducing himself.  In the process he met players whose names he knew, whose statistics he could quote.
Not the least among them was the great Mickey Mantle, who stood to sing the first round of birthday greetings, something that would be repeated periodically through the afternoon.
"Happy Birthday to you, happy birthday to you.  Happy birthdaycosmosmariner... Happy Birthday To You!"
The chorus of men's voices was thrilling to the ardent fan, and as her cheeks lit up with a flush of pink and her eyes beamed joy, Cosmos went to each one and extended a hand that was immediately turned into a hug.
At the end of the line stood the UNCLE agents, who received no less enthusiasm than the baseball players.
"I hope you had a very happy birthday, Cosmos."
The smile on Illya's face was evidence of his own enjoyment of the day, the grass stains on the knees of his jeans testimony to his hard playing among New York's best.
"Oh, I did indeed.  I don't have words for this experience."
Napoleon kissed her on the cheek, then embraced her lovingly before bidding farewell.  Illya mimicked that and was waving goodbye as he strode away beside his friend.
cosmosmariner sighed, returning to the remaining team in a glow of happiness and baseball glee.