Title: We Gather Together

Rating: K

Spoilers: Not so far

Description: Jess wants to celebrate an American Thanksgiving, but the others aren't too excited. Plus, Jess can't cook. What to do...

Disclaimer: I do not own Primeval or the characters

Author's Note: I am American, and I've never been to Britain, so I don't know if you're familiar with American Thanksgiving dishes. The title comes from one of two Thanksgiving songs that I know of.

We Gather Together, Part One

"What are you doing Thursday?"

"Why Jess?" asked Becker.

"Because I want all of us to get together to celebrate," said Jess.

"Celebrate what?" asked Abby.

"an American Thanksgiving."

"Why?" the team asked in unison.

"What a bunch of spoil sports," said Jess. "Think of all the yummy food: turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy, pumpkin pie."

"I've never had pumpkin pie," said Abby. "Have any of you?"

They all shook their heads.

"Making a pie out of a gourd sounds gross actually," said Becker. "And that other stuff, I'm not too interested in, sorry."

Jess stared at them, stomped her feet, then huffed away.

"I think your girlfriend's mad, Becker," said Matt.

"She'll get over it."

Abby and Connor exchanged looks. "How well do you know her, mate?" said Connor, looking at Becker with a skeptical look.

"Jess doesn't 'get over' things quickly or quietly," said Abby.

Becker watched the petite woman shoving things around on her desk.

Then they all heard a frustrated "Ooh!" and stomp of feet.

"Great," said Becker.

Becker had tried to smooth things over with Jess. It wasn't working.

"OK, Jess. If you want an American Thanksgiving, then let's have one."

"You mean it?"

"Sure, why not?"

Jess jumped in his arms. "You're the best." She said, kissing him tenderly.

"So, you know how to make it?"

She smiled up at him, "I have no idea," she said happily. "Should be fun figuring it out," she said.

He shook his head and smiled. "Great," he said, a little less enthusiastically.

A few days later, Jess had a menu made up.

"It's going to be very authentic. I have an online American friend, Jenny, and she sent me her menu. This is what we're having: appetizers: deviled eggs, a relish tray of pickles and olives, carrot sticks and cream cheese stuffed celery."

"Those don't sound too bad," said Connor.

"They have deviled eggs in America?" asked Abby. "Probably stole them from us."

"Next up is the turkey of course, Jenny cooks hers in the oven, basting it with its own juices. Again, nothing weird."

"Are you preparing and cooking the turkey yourself, Jess?" asked Emily.

"Yes, I am," said Jess happily.

"You've never cooked a turkey, have you?" asked Becker.

"My mum does it, but I've watched her loads of times," said Jess. "It'll be fine."

The others all exchanged looks.

"Get the take-away menus ready," said Connor, and the others muttered in agreement.

Jess ignored him. "With that are mashed potatoes, gravy made with the turkey drippings and stuffing. Jenny said not to actually stuff the bird with it. We could get sick."

"Definitely get the take-away menus ready," said Abby.

Jess glared at her, but the others laughed. Then Jess started again, "Jenny serves dinner rolls but said her Grandma lives in the South and she makes cornbread. I might make both."

"Both, Jess?" said Becker. "Maybe you should take it easy since you don't cook alot."

"I'm not making the rolls, Becker. They have pre-made, and you pop them in the oven. I don't know about the corn bread. I'll have to read Jenny's grandma's recipe before deciding. Then there's something called Three Bean Casserole which uses something called 'French's Onions," and I am totally confused about that."

"Good, confusion goes great with digestion," said Matt, smirking.

"Then, of course, is the traditional American Thanksgiving Dessert, American pumpkin pie, with whipped cream. Yum. I can't wait."

She looked up and saw that her happy expression was not reflected in her friends' faces.

"What?" she asked innocently

They all looked at each other.

"Well, Jess," said Connor. "You can't cook, you don't know how half the dishes are supposed to taste, and frankly, we're scared. I'm thinking I might, um, not eat...much. Sorry."

"Connor! How can you say that?" asked Jess. No one said anything. "Do you all feel this way? Becker?"

"I said I'd be there for Thanksgiving dinner, and I will be," he said, kissing her. Jess smiled.

"And he's stocking up on stomach medicine," said Matt.

"You're all horrible!" she said, and she stomped off. Then she came quickly back, got on her tip-toes and kissed Becker quickly. "Except you, sweetie."

Then she stomped off again.

"This is going to be...fun," said Becker hesitantly.

Jess was in the canteen, giving chef Bernie her order. "Chocolate cake, chocolate ice cream, um, two of those yummy brownies, a chocolate chip cookie, no two chocolate chip cookies, a chocolate pudding, and chocolate milk. Please. Thank you."

Bernie stared at her. "I'm not sure I should give you all that Miss Parker. It sounds like chocolate overload."

Jess chuckled. "I'm upset."

"Ah, I see. Well, in that case, alright. Let me get your order," said Bernie. "Can you talk about what's wrong?"

"Oh, it's silly. I wanted to make an American Thanksgiving dinner for my friends, and they aren't very excited. They're teasing me in fact. OK, so I can't cook, and maybe a turkey for someone who's never cooked one would be hard, but they don't have to be so annoying."

Bernie smiled kindly. "It does take a little practice to roast a big bird," he said.

"Have you ever had real American pumpkin pie, Bernie?"

"Yes, actually I have. It's not as custard-like or as thin as we make it here. I believe I have a recipe I got from an American chef friend. Hmm, where did I put that?"

Bernie went to his office to look while Jess stayed at the counter, eating her chocolate feast.

"Here it is," said Bernie. "You know, Miss Parker, that does sound kind of fun. I wish you'd mentioned it earlier. I could have made the whole ARC an American Thanksgiving."

Jess smiled. "You're so adventurous, not like my boring friends. Anyway, I kind of wanted to make it myself."

"Make what?" asked Lt. Vale, strolling into the canteen with sergeants Bilson and Carlson.

"Oh, just another stupid Parker idea."

"I like your ideas," said Bilson.

"Thank you Nicole, but the team isn't so enthusiastic."

"Well, tell us and we can tell you if they're right or wrong," said Vale, smiling charmingly at Jess.

"Miss Parker wanted to cook the main team an American Thanksgiving."

"Why?" asked Vale.

"That's what they said!" cried Jess indignantly.

"America's got some good things, lieutenant," said Carlson, ARC weapons expert, "the Winchester rifle, the Colt Peacemaker—gun of the West, and of course, the Browning Automatic Rifle."

Jess laughed. "What about food?"

"Oh, sure, Miss Parker. The Americans got good food: the hamburger, the hotdog, the classic apple pie, and then there's the beer."

"I can't stand American beer," said Bilson.

"Then please don't tell that to the team," said Jess. "I'm talking about Thanksgiving food: turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie."

"Lets do it!" cried Carlson.

Jess giggled. "I love you Carly," she said, pecking his cheek.

Carlson blushed. "Don't tell the Captain."

They both chuckled.

"You know, Miss Parker, I could help you," said Bernie. "It's early enough to scrap one of my planned main dishes for turkey. The side dishes should be no problem, not even the pie."

"Really?" asked Jess. "You could really serve Thanksgiving dinner in the canteen?"

"Not enough for everyone, but as one of the dinner options, yes, I could. I am the boss, you know, well, in the canteen, at least."

"That would be fab!" said Jess.

"You could even help me," said Bernie.

Jess jumped up and down, and ran around the counter to hug Bernie. "I'm so happy! Thank you. I love you, Bernie."

"Don't tell the Captain," said the sergeants and the lieutenant, in unison.

End of Part One