I have really got to get myself to finish things I start. I started this in December. Look how long it took me to finish this thing! The portion of the Christmas story is taken from the book of Luke, in the King James Version of the Bible. And I have no idea if I was correct about the allergy stuff, cuz I just pulled it of the net.

0200 ZULU

WASHINGTON HOSPITAL CENTER

WASHINGTON, DC

As Harm and Mac approached Clay's room, the same blonde doctor they had met before stopped them.

"Commander Rabb, Colonel McKenzie?"

"Yes?" Harm eyed the doctor.

"I just wanted to tell you, we found out what was wrong with Mr. Webb. We were right about the allergy, but it took a while to find out what it was..He's allergic to peanuts. He then developed Anaphylaxis, which is a serious complication of an allergic reaction." Harm and Mac just looked at him. "Once we figured out what was wrong, we gave him antibiotics. The swelling in his throat should be down soon."

"Thank you doctor," Mac smiled cheerily at him. He smiled back, and started writing on a piece of paper. Harm and Mac slowed as they walked closer to Clay's room. They could hear a soft, soothing voice from inside.

"And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with Mary, his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn." Porter Webb looked up at Harm and Mac as she stopped reading.

"Why hello Commander Rabb. I presume you are Colonel McKenzie?" Porter looked at Mac and dabbed at her eyes with a dainty white handkerchief.

"Hello, Mrs. Webb," Harm almost felt like crying with relief himself. "And yes, ma'am, this is the Colonel." Porter smiled at Harm and Mac, then looked down at her immobile son.

"I was just reading the Christmas story to Clayton. When he was little, he would ask me to read it to him almost every night, starting about a week- and-a-half before Christmas. He loved the Christmas Eve services."

"The doctor said he's doing better?" Mac changed the subject. Porter's face lit up.

"Oh, much better! The doctors are telling me he'll be up and about in a few days."

"That's good news!" Mac smiled happily at Porter. Porter smiled back. A cell-phone buzzed, and Porter jumped and reached into her pocketbook.

"Hello?" Porter's ecstatic, yet motherly smile morphed into a sarcastic grin. Harm started as he saw how much she resembled Clay in that moment. Porter listened to her caller, the grin lingering on her face. "All right, I'll be there as soon as I can." Porter hung up, and turned to face Harm, her face neutral. "A friend of mine needs a ride to her son's house for Christmas. I'm going to take her there." Porter placed the Bible she was reading from on the nightstand, open-faced, and stood up.

"Of course, Mrs. Webb." Harm stood up as well and shook her hand.

"If Clayton wakes up, would you thank him for me? The angel is gorgeous." Porter put her coat on. She smiled at Mac and Harm again. "Thank you for coming over. Clayton never talks about his friends, he's always so involved in work. I'm glad there are people other than myself who care about him." She shook Mac's hand as she walked out the door.

Harm looked at Mac questioningly. Mac shrugged. Harm turned to get Clay's bear out of his bag.

"And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night." Harm looked back up. Mac had started reading from where Porter had left off. Mac shrugged again, and kept reading.

"And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, and good will toward men." Mac closed the Bible and laid it back on the table. She reached into her bag, and pulled out her picture for Webb.

"Do you think he'll be alright by tomorrow?" Mac asked Harm.

"I don't know." Harm placed Webb's bear on the table, in front of the flowers someone had brought. "Probably not, but it would be nice."

Mac frowned at Harm's sense of artistry, and got up. Pushing the flowers and bear to the back of the table, she placed the picture next to the bear. She smiled, and turned it slightly, to face Clay.

Well, I'm ready." Mac stood up. She shouldered her way into her coat, and headed for the door. "Merry Christmas, Clay." She walked into the hall. Harm, instead of following her, turned back to Clay.

"Hey, Webb. Bud and Harriet wanted me to let you know, you're invited to their Christmas party, if you're feeling up to it by then." A movement caught Harm's eye, and he bent closer. Webb's eyelids flickered again, and opened slowly. Harm smiled at him.

"You caught the part about Bud and Harriet's party, right?" Webb gave Harm a big smile (a big smile for Webb), and tilted his head down slightly. He glanced over at his table, and his eyes softened at the bear and photo. He looked back at Harm.

"Thank you." His lips moved, but barely a whisper emitted from his throat. Harm smiled again. .He seemed to be doing that a lot lately.

Clay seemed to be trying to get his attention. He held his hands together, and pantomimed opening a book. He looked questioningly at Harm.

"First your mom, then Mac." Harm told him. Clay opened his mouth slightly. "I'll tell her thanks for you." Clay nodded, and closed his eyes. "Oh! Your mother wanted me to say thanks for her too. She loves the angel." Clay nodded again, and drifted off to sleep. "Merry Christmas, Clay," Harm whispered as he slid out the door.