I just realized that five chapters ago my dates got messed up. So if you're wondering why November 23rd is a Thursday please bare with me I shall correct all errors soon enough.

It's November 23rd 2000 Thanksgiving Day. So I've been thinking of things to be grateful for. Well there's been a few things down the list, my Family and Friend's health. My health, etc etc. Then again who am I kidding, I'm thankful for my cell phone, my computer and well my powers too. Okay so I'm no Angel.

November 23rd 6am.

Sam walks out of her bedroom hearing her mother humming some song while meddling in the kitchen. The aroma of Turkey roasting is filling the air. Sam in her bathrobe with a towel swung on her shoulder walks with her eyes barely open to her bathroom that she shares with Miles. She closes the door and smiles as she uses her powers to turn on the hot and cold water and starts running a bath.

The thing about Holidays is they're always hectic in my family. I usually don't

make it from Thanksgiving all through New Years Day without breaking down and

crying in front of my family for one reason or another. Fact is I'm a Holiday stressor.

Meaning I stress out by trying to make the holiday wonderful and end up emotionally

drained one way or another. The cliff notes version I get obsessed and then start to cry.

But this year it's going to be different I've decided to stay out of the Holiday mess and

start this season out with a relaxing bubble bath.

Sam smiles as she slips into the bubble bath and turns off the water with her foot. She puts the wet towel over he eyes and inhales deeply the fresh flower aroma of the bath oils.

There's a creak at her door and Sam sits up making the towel fall from her face. She looks to the door shocked to see Michael staring at her with a huge grin on his face.

"Michael what the hell are you doing here?"

Michael smiled and tried to look innocent.

"Who me? You're Mom said it was alright if I came up."

Sam tilted her head with shock. She sank into the water when she finally realized she was less than an inch of exposing her chest. Michael grinned at her embarrassment.

"Hey don't worry about anything, my memories' pretty keen on us being together so don't be shy around me."

"What?"

Michael smiled and nodded as he kneeled down and draped his hands on the end of the tub.

"Matter of fact, that's why I'm here I just wanted to ask you something, ya know I had this memory flash."

Sam nodded languidly she wasn't sure whether to scream or laugh.

"Yeah, it's about you and Kivar, now I know he was obsessed with you and all but, you never ya know gave in to the guy did ya?"

Sam looked on in shock as Michael sat there with a huge grin on his face. Suddenly there was a fevered knock on the door. Michael perked up still looking amused.

"Well that's him now, I bet he can tell us what's going on."

Sam shot straight up from the tub she looked around and when she couldn't see anything realized the towel was still covering her eyes.

"Sam!!! I need to pee!!"

Sam growled and flung the towel off her eyes.

"Miles, I need this bath, go use Mom and Dad's bathroom."

The knocking stopped for a second and Miles could be heard yelling at his Mom.

"She won't let me pee Mom!!"

Sam shot up again and sat straight up looking at the door with a vengeance.

"Miles, if you don't go use another bathroom I'm going to make you sorry."

With that there was silence. Shaken up from her dream Sam tried to hum a song to herself to keep awake and let the warm water relax her.

It didn't last long because a soft knock was heard at the door.

"Sam?"

Sam opened one eye at her Mother's voice.

"When you're done in there honey I'm going to need your help basting the other turkey."

Sam nodded and the cocked her head at the door.

"Why do we have two turkeys mom?"

There was no answer.

"MOM!"

Still it was silent. Now Sam couldn't relax frustrated and now chilly Sam waved her hand over the water sending a cloud of steam as she manipulated the water molecules to her up. She turned her head to the tiles trying to count them, hoping her anger would dissipate. When it didn't work she let the water out and threw her robe on. Now Sam needed to find out what her Mother was doing cooking two turkeys. With her pink robe wrapped tightly around her waist Sam made her way downstairs to her kitchen. Her Mother smiled up at her and pointed to a baster as she took out the second turkey. Sam nodded and looked over at her mother with an amused expression.

"Mom are we just eating turkey this thanksgiving?"

Sam's Mom shook her head.

"No, I bought two 35 pound Turkeys special. We're going to start everything else at around eleven giving us a little over an hour before company comes over."

Sam winced and looked around the kitchen, there was extra mixing bowls and Grandmother's china mixed with their own ready to set the table.

"Mom."

"Hmm?"

"Who's coming over?"

Sam's Mom smiled as she continued to baste the Turkey.

"Well I invited Uncle Jeff and Nancy so they're coming over with Liz. I also invited Amy and Maria. Umm John and his parents are coming over. Of course Rob and June are heading back to Florida with the twins."

Sam nodded and shrugged. She looked as her Mother took a deep breath.

"Then I called the Evans since they're always in on our bridge game every week and Isabel and Max are coming as well."

Sam felt a bit calmer. Her Mother nodded at her daughter.

"Well I just asked Diane if she had Michael's number too I thought it was about time we got to know the young man a bit more."

Sam squeezed the baster too hard sending Turkey juice on the table.

"You invited Michael!!!?"

Sam's Mother nodded rubbing her nose with her shoulder as she grabbed some paper towels to clean up the juice.

"Yeah, your Father agreed plus he's all alone in that apartment and I'd think he would really enjoy a nice family holiday."

Sam rolled her eyes at her Mother and laid down the baster.

"So he sounded very excited about it and offered to cook with us. Naturally any help in the kitchen is needed. So he should be here soon."

Sam looked at the microwave clock it read 7:34.

"When did he say he was coming Mom?"

With that the doorbell rang.

"Oh around 7:30."

Sam nodded as Miles screamed from the family room.

"I got it!"

Sam rushed to the front door too but Miles got there first. Realizing Sam was just in her robe she took to the stairs two at a time while Miles let in Michael.

"Hey Michael come on in."

Michael smiled at Miles and turned to see Sam rushing up the stairs in a pink robe. He smiled as she turned the corner.

"Where's she going?"

Miles shrugged and closed the door.

"Probably to have a hissy, since Mom just told her now who's coming over."

Michael cocked an eyebrow towards the stairs and looked over to the kitchen where Sam's Mom was talking lightly to herself.

"Sam's having a hissy?"

Miles laughed at Michael.

"The girl freaks during Holidays like total wacko."

Michael nodded. He was used to Isabel being weird around the holidays too he thought it was a girl Hybrid thing. He pointed towards the kitchen.

"Ya think I can go in?"

Miles nodded.

"Yeah my Mom told me to send you in when you get here."

Michael shrugged and took one last look upstairs before he made his way into the kitchen.

"Mrs. Simmons?"

Sam's Mom smiled as she nudged the oven closed with her foot and turned around towards Michael.

"Oh Michael good I was hoping it was you."

Michael nodded and looked around the kitchen. Everything was out already except nothing had to be done right away.

"So, do you need help peeling the potatoes?"

Sam's Mom turned toward the three bags of potatoes.

"Well we should get those started and in water huh?"

Michael nodded and unbuttoned his sleeves and rolled them up. Sam's Mom looked in a drawer for a chef's apron and found a 'Kiss the alien chef' one that her husband bought from Amy Deluca.

"Well this is the best I can do."

Michael smiled and nodded as he tied the apron on.

Meanwhile upstairs Sam was pacing the room talking to herself.

"Okay so Michael's downstairs, what does that mean? It means nothing just get dressed and go help your mother you idiot."

Sam nodded to herself and looked through her closets for something suitable to wear.

Downstairs Michael was making a good dent on his first potato bag. Sam's Mom look flustered as she walked about the kitchen. She stopped in front of a huge pile of sweet potatoes grabbed a knife and began peeling them into a big pan next to Michael.

Meanwhile Sam had decided on a pair of jeans and a Coldplay concert T-shirt she threw her hair in a tight high ponytail and descended the stairs to the kitchen. She found Michael in a silly chefs apron and her Mother peeling huge sweet potatoes.

Sam gave a hello smile to Michael and started on the next bag of potatoes. When Sam's Mom went to check on her brother, she used her powers to finish peeling all of her and Michael's potatoes.

"Hey, that's cheating!"

Sam shook her head and smiled. She leaned over and kissed Michael.

"Good morning."

Michael nodded and half smiled.

"Good morning to you. I hope you don't mind me being here?"

Sam shook her head.

"No, why would I mind?"

Michael shrugged and grabbed the last bag of potatoes.

"Besides it'll be good for my family to get to know you. Speaking of I'm surprised you even came I thought you didn't do parents?"

Michael nodded as he divided the potatoes between the two of them.

"I usually don't but, I don't know it's something about you and even your family it just feels..."

Sam nodded.

"Right?"

Michael smiled and nodded as he began peeling again. Sam looked up as her Mother entered the kitchen smiling at the peeled potatoes.

"Well Michael I see you've realized Sam's secret to peeling potatoes, she still won't tell me."

Sam laughed and nodded.

"Here Mom I'll help you with those sweet ones."

Sam maneuvered her way to her Mom and started to help her, as her Mother got distracted looking at the Turkeys in the oven. Sam used her power to peel the sweet potatoes too. Making Michael nervous. He kept shaking his head trying to stop her but Sam was too amused and used to doing this with her Mother so close. By the time her Mom turned back around there was only two big sweet potatoes left. She shook her head and smiled at Michael.

"See what I mean?"

Michael nodded and finished his bag off as Sam completed her last peel. Sam's Mom looked about the kitchen some more and then started to walk to the dinning room.

"I've got to get the three leafs that are downstairs Sam."

Sam washing her hands with Michael nodded.

"Yeah Mom how about you start boiling these and we'll head downstairs and bring them up."

Sam's Mom sighed and walked back into the kitchen as Sam and Michael left.

"I can't believe you do that in such close proximity of your Mom Sam?"

Sam shrugged as she flipped on the basement light.

"Why not, I'm used to it plus I hate the feeling of peeling any potato."

Sam lead the way down the stairs to the basement as Michael stared at Sam's lips and neck trying to stop from grabbing her and kissing her. When they finally reached the floor he couldn't help himself and swung her around into a kiss.

Sam giggled, as they broke free to breath, as Michael leaned in more. Then Flash Sam could see Michael as s child running through the desert watching Max and Isabel. She could see him right after levitating a table in front of two scared adults. Then she saw him running away from his trailer as Hank chased him. And then she saw Michael's face light up when he first laid eyes on her.

Sam broke from the kiss and looked at Michael who swallowed hard.

"What?"

Sam shook her head and kissed Michael again this time Flash she was Macaria kissing Rath and little flashes of electric lights were sparking around them. The feeling of heat and a rush of electric shock erupted when they were together. As Sam pulled away Michael kept his eyes on Sam. The basement was now lit with those same lights as they dwindled down and dissipated all together.

"You saw that too?"

Sam nodded and turned shyly around towards the corner of the basement where the dinning room table leafs were. Michael followed slowly behind her trying not to talk, it was as if a spell was cast between them and talking would break it. Sam grabbed one of the leafs as Michael grabbed two, they walked slowly up the stairs and leaned the leafs on the wall. Sam beginning to return to the kitchen was stopped by Michael.

"Wait, I mean, is that going to happen all the time when things get...?"

"Intense?"

Michael half nodded and shrugged.

"I don't know."

Michael nodded and smirked at Sam.

"Cause if it does we're going to have to watch ourselves."

Michael moved in closer to Sam just as her Mother walked into the dinning room.

"Good you two found them!"

Sam backed away and nodded walking toward her mother.

"Where are you going?"

Sam stopped and shrugged. Her Mom shook her head.

"No, we're ahead of schedule now, you two take a rest or show Michael around the house do something I'm getting nervous now with nothing to do."

Michael nodded and took off his apron hanging it on a bench in the kitchen. Mrs. Simmons smiled and turned back toward the kitchen with her hands clasped together as Sam blushed in embarrassment.

"I have no idea why she's so intent on this."

Sam shrugged and lead the way into the living room away from everyone.

"Well she probably thinks we're a good idea, I mean me and you."

Michael nodded thinking to himself.

"I mean she said something to the affect when she first met you, well before I told her about Maria."

Michael looked up at Sam opened his mouth but closed it again. Sam nodded.

"It's okay there's no need to talk about it Michael I kinda like to think something's don't need to be said."

Michael nodded.

"But, I mean most girls want to talk about things right?"

Sam laughed lightly to herself and sat down on the couch in the living room.

"I guess some."

"Right, Maria did."

Sam looked away out the window at the sun peaking its way over the clouds. As Sam looked out the window Michael stared at her intently they sat there in silence for a few minutes thinking. When Micheal looked down from her lips and to the nap of her neck he got a tingle and then a FLASH.

He could see himself looking into Macaria's eyes and immense pain along with love was overwhelming his senses. When he looked deep into her dark eyes he saw sorrow and fear. And then the words came out of his mouth, without his knowledge.

"Baby."

Sam looked to Michael as he snapped out of it.

"What?"

Michael shook off the vision and looked at Sam as a tear fell down his cheek.

"Oh, no nothing."

Sam nodded and stood up.

The rest of the morning was spent getting things ready and by the time everyone arrived the layout was splendid. With so many people at one table the conversations were either split or full of laughs and giggles. Michael for the first time in his life finally felt like he had a family. Even if it wasn't his own yet he felt that feeling that he had only before imagined of what it was like to have a family holiday.

Even with the weird looming vision Michael kept a brave face pushed it away and enjoyed himself. Yet Max could see something was wrong with Michael when they left Sam's house he offered to drive Michael home and out his bike in the back. In the car Max stayed quite waiting for Michael to say something.

"Micheal, you've been pretty quite all night."

Michael smiled a genuine smile and then looked lost and far away.

"I had a weird vision today, or memory I don't really know."

Max nodded and killed his engine in front of Michael's apartment.

"Well what do you think it was about?"

Michael looked to Max and then back out the window at the street lights.

"I feel like there's something's about my past with Sam that she's not telling me."

Max nodded and settled in his seat a little.

"Like what?"

"Like maybe, I don't really know Maxwell I just know that she's hiding something from me and maybe from all of us. I mean what John said about Kivar wanting her out of all of us. Like maybe what happened all those years ago could have been like, ..."

Max sat and waited for Michael to finish.

Michael looked up as if realizing he was in mid sentence.

"I don't know Maxwell all I know is something epic happened and she's either not telling me, or maybe not even admitting it to herself."

Max nodded and settled his hands on the steering wheel.

"Maybe there's something aspects of who we were that we don't want to remember."

Michael nodded, "Right you don't want to remember being married to Tess."

Max shook his head.

"I don't know my Mother said she was my bride, not my wife."

Michael stopped and looked at Max.

"Right and she said I was Isabel's betroved."

Max nodded.

"So you two were married."

It was as if a light bulb had went off in both the boy's heads. The entire summer they hadn't realized what the message from the orb meant. Maybe it wasn't about who they were supposed to be with, but who they were with.

Michael got a chill from thinking of Isabel as a wife.

"So I was scamming on Vilandra."

Max shook his head, "No, who you used to be, Rath was."

Things were starting to sink in like why things between him and Sam were so complicated and painful to remember.

Michael got out of the jeep and pulled his bike out of the back.

"Thanks Maxamillion I think that helped."

Max smiled and nodded as he pulled away and left Michael.

Thanksgiving, check out of the way went with no hitch so far. That leaves Christmas, the biggest test of them all and of course New Years Eve and day. Only what a month and a quarter left? I can make that right? I'd like to think this Thanksgiving went off without a hitch mainly because of Michael being there. In my heart of hearts he helped me find my balance. But I think out of everyone there, this Thanksgiving meant the most to him. He truly looked like he was having a great time. It's so funny how my Mother thinks. And after hearing her and Amy Deluca talk I know they're already getting back into their mode of being best friends again. Which can only mean that she must have told her about Michael? It's funny how those two are, I mean my Mother's five years older than Amy but they still act like school girls together. And there was no comment made about John being there and it being the first Thanksgiving since like birth that we weren't together. It's not like I'm wigging out about it, he's not obviously. And Michael's not threatened. But something inside of John isn't right like is off balance. I'm going to attribute it to Sandie being away. Anyways after a long day and night of cleanup I'm hitting the hay.

Sam closes her journal and hides it with her powers as she falls into her bed and the lights dim.