Well, I realized that I never published chapter 5, this is chapter 6. They are both new, so. we'll just leave it at that.

1500 ZULU

WASHINGTON HOSPITAL CENTER

WASHINGTON DC

Clay was sitting up in bed, silently refusing to finish his cup of hospital coffee. A nurse frowned and took it away, as it had been sitting there for almost 20 minutes. Clay sighed in boredom as he alternated from watching one of the monotonous annual Christmas specials to looking out the window. It was snowing again, lightly. Clay sighed once more. He had seen the same shows every Christmas morning for years. He turned the TV off, and glanced out at the snow one more time before looking out the door, hoping desperately that he might get a visitor. Footsteps sounded out in the hall. Big surprise, it was Harm who walked in, newly fallen snow still lingering on his head and shoulders, with not so new (or clean) snow clinging to his shoes.

"Hey Webb," Harm nodded, brushing snow off of himself.

"Hey," Clay nodded back.

"Well, you're sounding a little better since last night."

"Yeah, the doctors are "pleased with my progress", or so they say," Clay grimaced. "They just want to get me out of their hands, I think. I also think they consider me a pain in the butt. I know they do, I was trying to be irritating all morning." He smirked. Harm shook his head.

"Well, have they said anything about you getting discharged yet?" he asked. Clay shrugged.

"They haven't said anything yet," he grumbled a little. Harm hid a smile.

"Well, Bud and Harriet aren't having their party until tomorrow evening anyway," Harm told Clay. Clay scratched his chin thoughtfully. "And they've already planned things to include you, so if you don't come, you'll probably screw up the whole night."

"I see. So, you are threatening me with.?"

"Well, if you can't come because the doctors won't let you out, they will probably end up having the party here. And if you are out of the hospital, they will figure out where you are, and have the party there." Clay sighed.

"Well, I guess I'm stuck without options or outlets." Clay mused. Harm nodded. "Alright, I'll try to be there."

"Great, I'm sure Bud and Harriet will be glad to know that," Harm said.

"Yeah, yeah, yeah. Now beat it, these people have been forcing me to sit here bored, so I'm taking a nap." Clay closed his eyes. Harm sighed, understanding the conversation to be over.

"And Merry Christmas, Harm."

"Merry Christmas." Harm walked out, not noticing that Clay had opened his eyes again and was smiling at him amusedly. Harm headed for his car, and decided to go Christmas shopping again. He still needed to get some things, for Bud and Harriet, and a few others that were going to be at the party.

1600 ZULU

UNION STATION, DC

Harm glanced around at the stores as he walked around. Going shopping was a drag. Not to mention, Webb's gifts had pretty much screwed up anything Harm could have planned to buy. He frowned. What the heck, A.J. wouldn't mind another movie. He began to approach a teen-aged boy. Seeing the boy look at a copy of I Know What You Did Last Summer, Harm changed his mind. He looked around for another young person and started walking again. He nearly tripped over a boy of about 8 or 9.

"I'm sorry," the boy looked up at Harm, frightened. Harm smiled down at him.

"It's ok, I should have been watching where I was going." Harm glanced at a video in the boys hand. "Actually, do you think you can help me?" The boy looked at Harm warily.

"How? 'Cuz I'm not going in your car. I'm not even supposed to talk to strangers." Harm nodded his head.

"I just have to get a movie for a friend of mine. He's 4, and I don't know what kind of movie he might like. What do you think I should get him?" The boy frowned.

"This," he stated matter-of-factly. He pointed at one. Harm picked it up. What on earth is the Wild Thornberrys? Harm smiled anyway.

"Thank you. I bet he'll love this." The boy smiled bashfully, hurried over to a woman with a squirming toddler in her arms, and started waving the video in her face. Harm paid for the video and left, glancing back at the frustrated mother with pity.

Now where? Harm caught a glimpse of something. He hurried into the toy store. Beanie Babies. But there was something. Aha! A teddy bear with the Marine seal on it's chest. Harm gaped at the price tag. $15.00 for a teddy bear that could fit in one hand? Harm shrugged.

"Well, it's Christmas." A cashier heard him and smiled behind her hand. Harm bought the bear, and left quickly. Suddenly he made up his mind.

"Ok, I will get this done by the hour, and I will be happy with what I buy." A few passerby's looked at him strangely, but Harm didn't notice.

1645 ZULU

PARKING LOT

UNION STATION, DC

As Harm had vowed, he was done shopping. The Admiral's bottle of wine was safely stowed between the seats. Bud and Harriet's painting was carefully crammed in the back of the car. Mac's Marine bear and Marine coffee cup were sitting on the dashboard, and Tiner's model ship (the stupid thing cost over 60 dollars.) was sitting on the passenger side seat. Sturgis's submarine model was made by the same company as Tiner's ship (another 60 dollar item.), and sitting on the floor on the passenger's side. Having trouble finding something for Coates, Harm decided to make a gamble. He really hoped she liked movies and Italian food. He had run back to the movie place, bought her a gift card, then went to that great Italian place at the other end of the shops, and bought her a gift certificate. As an afterthought, he got one for Mac too.

Harm sighed. Good thing he had gotten everything gift wrapped at the stores. Now he could get home and relax until the party.