I don't own Criminal Minds... :*(

"So, what are you doing for Thanksgiving?" Morgan asked Prentiss as the they walked in for their last day of work before the holiday.

"I'm meeting up with my mom," Prentiss grimaced.

Morgan laughed at her distress.

"And what are you doing?"

"Headin' home to Chicago. Gonna spend some time with my mom and sisters."

"What about you JJ?" Prentiss asked JJ as she sat at her desk.

"Will, Henry and I are all going to my parents' house. They'll throw a fit if they don't see Henry soon."

Hotch hurried in from the elevator, still scrubbing at a stain on his shirt. "Jack had to make a turkey for school, but he forgot to tell me until last night so I made one for him. Unfortunately the paint was still wet when I carried it into the school for him," he explained to the questioning looks of his team.

Morgan couldn't hide his smile at his boss's predicament. JJ pulled a tide to-go stick out of her purse and moved in to try and save the day.

"Thanks," Hotch sighed. "I don't know how I'm going to survive this weekend…"

"Where are you going?" Prentiss asked.

"Haley's family invited Jack and me up." Hotch nervously ran a hand over his mouth.

"I'm sure it will go great," Prentiss smiled encouragingly.

"Unless you're as messy with gravy as you are with paint," Rossi laughed as he walked over. "With my family I don't run the risk. We have an all Italian Thanksgiving. Mmm." Rossi smiled broadly at the thought of the deliciousness.

"Happy Thanksgiving, my darlings!" Garcia cooed as she bustled over with a plate of festive cookies. "Little turkeys for my little turkeys! Now, I want you all to get filled up with turkey, sweet potatoes, and any other type of Thanksgiving goodness over the holiday. Especially you, Reidkins. You need to get more meat on those bones!" Garcia playfully lifted Reid's thin arm and let it fall back.

Reid stammered protests and held his arms, giving a defiant glare to the bustling Garcia.

"Garcia, you're going to meet with your brothers, right?" Morgan asked.

"Yep!" Garcia smiled.

"And what are you doin', kid?"

"Uh, nothing much."

"You're not going home to Las Vegas? Spend some time with your mom?"

"No, ah, she doesn't really celebrate Thanksgiving. Always considered it kind of a pointless holiday."

"Turkey day? Pointless?" Morgan asked in shock.

Reid shrugged and half-smiled.

"Wait, so are you saying that you've never had a Thanksgiving dinner?" JJ asked in shock.

"I had school lunches with turkey and mashed potatoes."

"Oh, no." Morgan shook his head with a mixture of shock and disappointment. "All these years and I've never known that you've been so deprived. What do you normally do?"

"Read," Reid shrugged.

Morgan shook his head, pulling out his phone and dialing as he stood up. "Not this year you're not." He changed his tone as the person on the other line picked up. "Hey, Mom. Listen, I can't come up for dinner. I just got a very important case so I'm going to be busy. Yeah, yeah, I know. It's crazy, for sure," Morgan looked at Reid with raised eyebrows. "Listen, I'll call you later, okay? Love you, too. Bye."

"We don't have a case," Reid said with furrowed brows.

"Oh, I think we definitely do. A case of upmost importance. I think I'm going to have to cancel my appointment with my mom," Prentiss said, unable to hide the happiness in her voice.

"Wait, what?" Reid asked in total confusion.

"I am going to give you a real Thanksgiving dinner. No excuses," Morgan stopped Reid's protest.

"But, your family…"

"I don't mind missing out on my family for a year," Prentiss smiled.

"Actually, I think I might stick around, too. Another year before eating with Haley's parents won't be a bad thing."

"Great! I'll make the turkey," Morgan said.

"Sweet potatoes are mine!" Prentiss called.

"Jack and I can make the mashed potatoes and gravy," Hotch volunteered.

"I'll bring some Ricotta stuffed mushrooms."

"I thought you were going for an Italian Thanksgiving?" Morgan asked Rossi.

"I hate traveling anyway, and we can all meet at my house for more room."

"I can't miss this!" Garcia cried. "I'll just have to move back my brother filled Thanksgiving. They hate family gatherings, anyway. And they don't like my pumpkin pie, but I'm sure you guys will!"

"Sounds like it's going to be really fun," JJ smiled. "But I have to go with the fam."

"Don't stress, Jayje. We totally understand," Garcia assured.

"Hold on, if you guys insist on doing this, I need a job. I can't just let you all cook for me!"

"Okay, what can you make?" Morgan asked.

"Uh…."

"Don't you cook?" Prentiss blinked in surprise.

"I've read cooking books, but I never really got to practice."

"I've heard enough." Morgan held up a hand. "I will teach you how to cook a turkey," he said magnanimously.

This will be a three chapter short story. Intro (above), cooking(next), and dinner(last). Like the appetizer, main course, and dessert of Thanksgiving. :]

Hope you guys like it! Just a bit of fun for the holiday.

Reid and Review

~MyDarkAngel710