I was going to start this 8-chapter story off with Althea's tale, but it just seemed appropriate to start it off with the chapter idea that started it all. Besides, Althea's chapter is funnier because of a line in this chapter, so switching the order of the two turned out to be a smart thing to do.

Also, these chapters don't really go by any time order (i.e. certain days), they all just take place over the entire Holiday season. You can imagine any date you want for them to take place. The song contained in this chapter is "I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas" by Gayla Peevey.

P.S. Rhyming dictionaries are wonderful, wonderful things.

Happy Holidays From the Misfits

Chapter 1: Carly's Christmas Wish

"It's your first Christmas as a dad," Roadblock observed with a smile as Beach Head passed him. "Don't the holidays make you glad?"

Beach Head gave the other man's obvious cheer a baleful look. "That girl is insane. There isn't a surface of our place that isn't decorated with lights or something sparkly. She's going overboard."

"This Christmas together is your first," Roadblock reiterated. "Multiple decorations are hardly the worst."

"So you say. It looks like Liberace, Siegfried, and Roy all got together for a party and puked all over my apartment. It's almost scary!" was the grumbled reply.

At just that moment a large lighted and tinseled team of wire reindeer on wheels passed by the two men, dragging behind them a matching sleigh with an inflatable Homer Simpson in full Santa garb. "You did explain to her some of the traditions of the Pit, didn't you? We wouldn't want her to end up scarred."

"More or less," Beach Head replied as he watched the wire display roll past. "Though seeing the things this base does during the holiday season, it's likely she'll join in and amp them up a bit. I wonder how much longer the reindeer are going to remain their original colors. Knowing her she'll turn them all purple or blue. Or maybe even covered with black lights." The last was said mostly just thinking out loud. He turned back to Roadblock. "I explained a few of the traditions, including General Hawk's dressing up as Santa for the kids."

The bald man smiled. "Have you begun your Christmas shopping for her yet?"

"No. I have no idea what she wants. Why do you have to get people presents?"

"Because, if the kids are telling the truth, she already has all her Christmas shopping done. You and Sgt. Snuffles are getting more than one."

"She got one for Sgt. Snuffles?"

"She did, yes," Roadblock answered with a smile. "You have to get her some now, I guess."

"You're enjoying all this, aren't you? The fact that I don't know what to do."

"Just ask her what she wants, you big baby, it's not that hard."

Once the words were out of Roadblock's mouth, Carly conveniently ran up to them with a huge smile.

"I came to tell you what I want for Christmas," she told them.

"And what is it you want?" Beach Head asked. Truth be told, he was a little apprehensive about whatever it was she'd want.

"I'll tell you. Hit it, Sam," she said and was met with silence. "That's right, we don't have a piano player."

"Carly!" The ranger turned an exasperated look to their friend. "Roadblock! That ain't funny!"

"Please, Carly, do go on," Roadblock said, stifling his laughter.

Carly nodded with a big grin. And when she opened her mouth they understood just why it was she needed a piano player nearby. Her Christmas list was in the form of a song.

"I want a hippopotamus for Christmas, only a hippopotamus will do. Don't want a doll, no dinky Tinker Toy, I want a hippopotamus to play with and enjoy."

"A hippopotamus?" Beach Head questioned, astounded. Out of all the things he'd expected her to list, that wasn't even in the ballpark.

"I want a hippopotamus for Christmas, I don't think Gen'ral Hawk will mind, do you? He won't have to use our dirty chimney flue, just bring him through the front door, that's the easy thing to do!"

"Roadblock! Stop laughing this instant!" Beach Head ordered. "You wouldn't find this so funny if it was one of your kids requesting this!

"I can see me now on Christmas morning, creeping down the stairs. Oh what joy and what surprise, when I open up my eyes, to see a hippo hero standing there."

"Just when I thought everyone couldn't get any more insane," the Ranger was grumbling, his glance switching between the singing girl and the army officer who was laughing so hard he was rolling on the ground.

"I want a hippopotamus for Christmas. Only a hippopotamus will do. No crocodiles, no rhinoceroses, I only like hippopotamuses. And hippopotamuses like me too!"

"Carly? How in the world am I supposed to get a hippo!?"

"Mom says the hippo would eat me up, but then Jaye says a hippo is a vegetarian."

"At least your ditzy mother is right in not wanting you to get one," Beach Head grumbled with a roll of his eyes. "And, if you get one, just where are you going to put it? There's no room in our apartment."

"There's lots of room for him in the Pit's garage. I'd feed him there and wash him there and give him his massage."

"Massage? You'd give it a massage? Darn it, Roadblock! STOP LAUGHING!"

"I can see me now on Christmas morning, creeping down the stairs. Oh what joy and what surprise, when I open up my eyes, to see a hippo hero standing there."

"This can't be my life. It just can't be my life."

"I want a hippopotamus for Christmas, only a hippopotamus will do. No crocodiles or rhinoceroseses. I only like hippopotamuseses. And hippopotamuses like me too!"

"That was very nice," Beach Head said in a placating manor. "I'll tell you what. I'll think about it."

Carly frowned momentarily, but quickly covered it up with a smile. "Thank you."

As she walked away, the two army officers could hear her grumbling. "I bet my chances of getting a hippopotamus would be greater if we had a piano player!"