November
The month started cool, there had been Mid-term elections throughout America. Not that anyone was too worried, they had their own problems Ducky.
5th
Jimmy wandered slowly into the room, he was tired. He had, had, a long tiring day with Jordan, and that upstart Sarah Knox. Jordan had liked having a woman about.
"Dr Mallard, I believe today in Britain, it is Guy Fawkes Night. Sarah was just saying how her namesake of old, John Knox was a Catholic priest who turned to Protestantism, funny how the word looks like protest, but I suppose they were in a way, against the Catholics. And then how Guy Fawkes brought up a Protestant, and when his mother remarried, a Catholic, took that religion and, how it was that James 1st, although he had been baptized as a Catholic because of his mother's faith, but was brought up under the influence of a reformed Protestant Scotland and therefore a Protestant, although his mother was a Catholic….."
"Aye laddie, Mary Queen of Scots, she was Catholic, but James, the V1, the sixth Jamie, he was only the 1st of England because Lizzie died, and the throne became one." Morag added, "Strange how two men could change religions, and then the course of the world. But sorry tell the good Doctor your story."
"Oh yes, so Guy Fawkes turned Catholic and decided he wanted a Catholic Monarch again, and so he and a few friends decided to blow up the Houses of Parliament. But they were discovered and they were hung, drawn and quartered. Bit like that case we once had, the one with the ring…so now the British people have this party every year. Not sure whether it is a celebration or a commiseration. But they have street parties and fireworks like our Fourth of July or Thanksgiving, but then you know all this because you have been here in America, than I have, as in years, being born," as Jimmy, got all tongue tied.
24th
"So who is cooking the Thanksgiving fare?" Morag asked of the team as they had gathered to visit Ducky.
"If we don't pick someone, she'll make us eat haggis again." Tony whispered to Tim.
"Heard that Anthony," Morag shouted across at the now reddening agent.
"Do you not have Thanksgiving in Scotland?" Tim asked.
"I thank the lord every day for every meal. But no we don't. But we usually have turkey for Christmas."
"So if we volunteer to prepare and help cook, can we not have it for Christmas?" Gibbs questioned.
"Aye, Jethro, I was going to make my speciality….."
"Please not haggis…" Tim whispered.
"No Timothy, my steak and ale pie. Thick crust, and a very hearty gravy, for the cold nights. Now that should put a bit more beef on you. I've seen more meat on a butchers steel." Morag replied looking at Tim, "And anyway we are having Haggis next week."
25th
They gathered in the dining room. Morag had prepared and cooked the turkey. She had found a cookery book, the pages yellowing with age and covered in food bits. She laughed to herself, Abigail would have had a field day in analysing the particles. The bacteria. Well if you cooked things well enough, no food poisoning A well thumbed, well used, recipe book. She had noticed that a there was a bookmark. She had opened and there was a recipe for Donald's, infamous stuffing and in a torn page, covered in sticky finger prints a recipe for cranberry sauce. Morag recognised Abby's writing. Morag set about preparing 19.00 she had instructed the team.
"I will not tolerate a minute later." She said looking into Gibbs face.
"Yes Ma'am." He replied, smiling.
The dinner was good, everyone sat back and sighed or burped in Tony's case.
"I have to ask," Morag questioned, "This Black Friday? Is it an anniversary for some terrorist event?"
"Black Friday?" Gibbs replied, "Abbs you want to explain?"
"Well it is the friday after Thanksgiving and as a lot of people have a long weekend, it is kinda like the start of the Christmas Shopping rush. Some stores like Sears, and Walmart they open at midnight. Going to Sears tonight Gibbs?" as she, smiled at Jethro.
"Nope I'll wait for the sale on Christmas Eve." He replied laughing.
"Ah I see, we have something similar in Scotland but it is the Boxing Day Sales, on the 26th. People actually camp out, overnight for the bargains. But being a thrifty Scot I always get by. More Bourbon Jethro?" as she offered Gibbs the bottle.
27th
The first snows had fallen in Scotland, but in Edinburgh, the Christmas Market had been up and running since Thanksgiving. Morag had watched Edinburgh on the news. She watched as the children skated the snow lightly fell to the ground. She watched as the kids stuck their tongues out and caught the flakes. The German market was doing a roaring trade with the adults sipping on warming mulled wine. Yes it was going to be a long cold winter. She tucked Donald in.
30th
As it was St Andrews day, Morag had arranged her special dinner.
"Not Haggis again." Tony had moaned.
"Aye, Tony, we have to have."
"When did you say we can't eat it?" Tim now questioned.
"The haggis season runs from today 30th St Andrews day until 25th January, Rabbie Burns Day….after that it is the mating season and you cannot kill the little critters." Morag had replied. "My grandfather, he was a gamekeeper on a Sutherland estate. He always said we could have one as a pet, but they were always too well hidden for us children to find…"
"She still believes these things are real?" Ziva whispered to Abby.
"Hey I still believe in Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny and the Tooth Fairy." she replied smiling, "You Gibbs do you believe?"
"Oh yeh, the Yeti, and Bigfoot, and the god that brings me more Jack." Gibbs now replied, stuffing some haggis into his mouth, and washing down with some Scotch.
"I just hope you can hear us Donald." Jordan now whispered.
