A/N: I was feeling some holiday spirit and decided to do a little one shot. Could possibly become a collection of one shots.

Home for the Holidays: Thanksgiving

Zach's POV

Happy Black Friday everyone. Or I guess it's technically Thanksgiving, but who would know the difference anymore. Everything about the holiday is just a show. Everyone sits around the table and gives thanks and hours later they are asking for more things to make their life better. At least that is one thing I can thank my mom for. She never tried to lie to me about being a happy family. She didn't try to pull it together for one day a year to be the perfect family and eat a turkey and pie. As far as I'm concerned, Thanksgiving isn't even a holiday.

Of course Gallagher Girl is trying to change all of that for me. That's why I'm wearing a grey sweater and a nice pair of jeans while we are on the way to Gallagher to meet with Rachel and Joe. "Cam, why do we have to get all dressed up to eat takeout with your mom and Joe?"

"I don't know. That is just what we do for Thanksgiving. Of course during school I always spent it with 100 other girls with food from the finest chefs, but this year mom promised it would just be us and our home cooking." She finished with a pat to her mac and cheese covered in foil. I tried not to gag just thinking about Rachel's cooking. I can only hope that Cammie didn't inherit those cooking skills.

"Yeah but why can't we just go in our sweats or something? We just got back from Shanghai two days ago and you know you would much rather be in yoga pants right now."

"Fine. We can change for dessert but we have to be dressed up for dinner."

"Deal. Shake on it." I held my hand out for her to seal the promise. When she did I pulled her to me and planted a kiss on her. She smiled into the kiss and pushed my chest gently.

"I just had to make sure you wouldn't break the deal." Giving her a wink before setting off to the front door. Just as I was about to knock, Cammie opened the door and shouted, "Mom, Joe we're here!" Of course this pulled the attention of all the spies in training that were lingering on the staircase. Immediately the whispers and stares started. I heard a lot of "That's the Chameleon!" and "Wow he's hot" and even a few "Think I have a shot with him?". I forgot what it was like being the only boy at an all girls school.

Cammie seemed to ignore the whispers, except the girl who thought she had a shot. To her she sent a glare while reaching for my hand. When we reached Rachel's office in the Hall of History there was a group of girls peaking around the corner. As Cammie knocked on the door I sent a wink to them and they scurried off giggling. Joe opened the office door with a cloth over his mouth. Black smoke was spiraling into the hallway and it looked like mashed potatoes were splattered all on the walls. I whispered in Cammie's ear, "I told you we would be eating takeout." Cammie looked at me, "We still have my macaroni." She uncovered it and the whole top was burnt to a crisp. "How long did you put it in the oven for Gallagher Girl?" She looked down at her macaroni, "Well we were running out of time before we had to leave and the recipe called for 50 minutes when its on 350 but we only had 30 minutes so I just thought we could turn up the temperature some to cook faster."

Joe laughed at his step daughter's theory but Rachel just looked on confused. "You mean you can't do that?" That left me and Joe laughing until tears formed in our eyes. Like mother like daughter.

Joe was already picking up his phone, "I'm calling for backup."

Rachel looked around her office at the mess she made. "Oh we will clean it up later. Come here kiddos." She pulled us into a hug before anyone could protest. "I'm so glad you're here! Come sit and tell me about the mission." We sat on the couch and Cammie told her all about the past missions give or take a few details. I slipped out after about 30 minutes in search of Joe.

After using a few passageways to avoid the dreamy gazes, I found Joe in the kitchen sneaking some stuffing from the chef. "Is this the backup you called for?" He almost jumped before he turned to me. "It's on its way but I couldn't wait any longer. Don't tell Rachel." I grabbed a fork and stabbed a green bean. We snacked in silence for a moment before Joe decided we needed conversation.

"How's it going? You and Cammie are getting along right?"

"Everything is fine Joe. We usually are mission partners so that makes life easier. Cammie is glad we got to come visit for the holidays." I must have made a sour face when I said the H word.

"Her holiday cheer hasn't rubbed off on you yet?"

"It's the holidays Joe. Especially this one that is supposed to be all about family and that has never been my favorite. You remember how it was."

"I do remember ending the day a lot like this. Your mom was god knows where and I would bring over some leftovers from Matt's parents."

That always was the highlight of my days. No matter where he was, Joe would always attempt to stop by on Thanksgiving to bring cold potatoes and dry turkey. I didn't mind at all. We heard the front door open and Joe squeezed my shoulder as he got up.

"Things have changed Zach. You'll see."

I followed him out just in time to see Abby dazzling all the young spies with her tales. I didn't pay much attention to her as I locked eyes with Townsend. He gave me a warm smile with still just a hint of guilt in his eyes that is always there since that day. I've grown closer to him and still respect him but I was not expecting to see him today. He doesn't exactly celebrate the American holiday and wasn't going to if Abby wasn't there.

"Hey squirt. Where's my gorgeous niece?"

"Her and Rachel are cleaning the mashed potatoes off the walls. Nice seeing you Abby but we weren't expecting you."

"I got an earlier flight and then this guy called saying there was a kitchen disaster and to bring food."

She motioned to Townsend who was carrying a lot of boxes of Chinese takeout. I grabbed a few from him and lead him up to Rachel's office. I was greeted by a yoga pants wearing Cammie.

"I thought we weren't changing until dessert?"

She plopped an M&M in her mouth and shrugged. "Dessert came early."

She shoved an M&M into my mouth and replied, "See now you can change too."

I gave her a kiss on the cheek before changing into comfier sweatpants.

It was finally time for our dinner when I returned. All six adults were crowded around the coffee table squeezed on the couch and a few chairs. Joe and Abby were fighting over who got the chow mein, Cammie was pointing a chop stick at Townsend who was threatening to take the last soy sauce, and Rachel was trying to sneak an extra fortune cookie. I made my move for the last shrimp in the box but my hand was hit with a chopstick from Cammie. "Don't you dare take the shrimp. I already lost the soy sauce and I will not lose the shrimp too!" I threw the shrimp at her, which she stuck her chopstick in.

I looked around at our group eating the takeout and throwing food at each other. It was definitely bizarre but there was laughing. A lot of laughing and smiling. We weren't pretending to be a perfect family like so many others. We were just enjoying each other's company. Dressed in sweats with the love of my life dumping a whole box of rice on my head. I've never had a Thanksgiving like this and I couldn't be more thankful that there will be many more to come.