All righty folks...Thanksgiving 2016 is here. How will Aubrey do when meeting Jessica's family for the first time?

Early Thursday morning, Aubrey was startled awake when Jessica's phone loudly played The Pretty Reckless' 'Heaven Knows'. "God, turn that off, please…we didn't go to bed until after 1:00 this morning."

"Whose fault is that?", the redhead slurred as she slapped at her phone until the music stopped.

"Not mine. You're the one who got me all horny again when you couldn't resist me in all my glory.", Aubrey retorted with a smirk.

"I disagree. You're the one who used his wicked tongue and body on me for evil purposes on my kitchen floor, sir." Jessica mumbled sleepily before wrapping her arm around Aubrey and snuggling close. "You're warm."

"Yeah, but you liked it, Woman...and you're welcome.", the agent muttered, enjoying the attention until he saw the time. "Jess! Why are we up now? I thought we weren't getting up until 9:00."

"I thought I would surprise you.", Jessica said with a wicked smile as she began kissing his chest and caressed the agent softly.

Aubrey shuddered as his girlfriend's kisses extended down his torso and abdomen. "What are you planning, young lady?"

"There's a method to my madness, Superman…", Jessica replied before climbing onto her boyfriend. "Like why I set my alarm for an hour earlier."

"Okay, that's works.", Aubrey replied before embracing his girlfriend.

After their pleasant morning interlude, Aubrey left Jessica's warmth with a heavy heart. As she got up to get around, he walked into the kitchen, where their clothes were still in a pile on the floor. Looking through the heap of clothing for his items, he found her torn underwear and smiled with satisfaction.

'I'm still the man.'

Getting dressed where he stood, he ducked back into the bathroom, kissed his girlfriend goodbye while she was in the shower, and drove home.

Arriving at his house a short time later, he fed an annoyed Skinner and checked his mail from the day before. Going upstairs, he got into his shower and luxuriated in it, thinking about last night on Jessica's kitchen floor.

It wasn't the first time he and Jessica had experimented with getting a little kinky. However, the ice cream was new...and they'd definitely have to do that again. Realizing he was getting extremely aroused thinking about it, he reluctantly took care of it himself, realizing that social convention did not approve of one meeting his girlfriend's family with a boner.

Finishing his shower, he took great care shaving and fixing his hair. Jessica had told him the dress code was casual, but it took him almost an hour to finally decide on a white Oxford shirt under a blue sweater and his best jeans. As he got himself ready, he remembered what Jessica had said about her brothers.

First, there was Aaron, whom he'd met this summer, along with his wife Nadia, when they came down to visit Georgetown. His wife was warm and kind, but also a tough cookie, from what he remembered. However, his girlfriend had explained how her family fled to the United States from Romania's Ceaușescu regime in October 1989, two months before the Communist government fell. From what he recalled from his European history class, surviving that would make anyone a tough cookie.

Then there was Stephan, a mechanic and owner of a successful Harley Davidson franchise in Alexandria, who lived in a modest home in Falls Church with his wife Gail, who was a former beauty pageant contestant and his head mechanic. They could afford a home in the seven figure range, but they loved their neighborhood. Much like Hodgins and Dr. B, they didn't feel the need to show off their wealth. My kind of people, he thought. Not given to flaunting their money...

Jack had arrived home from Montreal two weeks ago from an extended buying trip for the family business. Her brother, along with his life partner Greg, ran Saoirse Finn, the family's Rappahannock County winery in Washington, Virginia, a business that had been in her family for generations. His partner of sixteen years was also a businessman who'd struck it rich during the boom before selling out in the right time . Now, he used his time to work on philanthropic causes as well as watching over the satellite tasting room in Maryland.

Charlie was getting picked up for the day by Aaron and joining everyone at their childhood home for dinner. The neuropathologist was in negotiations to join Georgetown University's medical system and their faculty. If successful, he was going to buy that house and property from their father for him and his family, three acres that was connected to the land of their former educational cooperative.

She'd said her siblings were a little protective of her. Hopefully, he'd pass the Big Brother test today. Even though he carried the gun, something told him that her brothers could still make sure he disappeared if their only sister was hurt in any way.

When he got downstairs, he made sure to give Skinner extra food before getting the bag with the Tupperware containers to put leftovers in. When ready, he walked out the door before walking back in a minute later and getting his keys.

"Kind of need those to pick up your girlfriend, Dumbass.", a nervous Aubrey muttered.

An hour later, the couple turned into a half mile long paved driveway surrounded by trees on the edge of Bethesda, Maryland. Aubrey admired how the trees encircled the lane before they came to an opening with a large farmhouse. Next to it is a barn that looked like it was modernized into a three car garage.

"That looks pretty cool."

Jessica turned to her boyfriend. "It was Aaron and Stephan's shop final at the cooperative over twenty years ago.

"Really?"

"Yeah. Then it was Jack's science final to install the electric doors to code."

Aubrey chuckled as he put the SUV in PARK. He was amazed at the brain power in her family. "My school never let me do fun shit like that."

Before they could get out, Jessica grabbed his arm. "I'm a little nervous, Superman."

The agent felt himself relax a bit, however he was curious. "You? Why are you nervous? I'm the one who has to get the final seal of approval by your family."

"I…I want you to like them.", Jessica said. "They're a little bit overprotective, but they've always been there for me."

Aubrey smiled. "Jessica, I met Aaron and I liked him a lot. Your dad is really cool with an excellent taste in movies. I'm a little nervous, too, but I can't see myself not liking your family."

The redhead visibly relaxed. "Okay. Ready?"

"Ready. Let's go."

The couple got out of the vehicle and both saw the faces looking out the window as they got to the back door. "Oh my God…", Jessica said embarrassed.

"I don't mind.", Aubrey said as they went in, slightly jealous he never had a family do that with a woman he'd brought home. After entering the house, the agent followed her example by removing his shoes before Jessica opened the door.

"Aunt Jessie!"

Aubrey watched as his girlfriend was jumped by two teenage girls who looked almost alike, with a boy that had to be their older brother close behind them. When she broke free, she took his hand and pulled him closer.

"Aubrey, these are my twin nieces Annabelle and Charlotte. Behind them is their brother Niki, short for Nicolae."

"Nice to meet you all.", Aubrey said, feeling his nervousness dissipate a little.

Jessica then led them into the open kitchen area where they encountered six adults. Taking a breath, she first led Aubrey to a pair of stunning women, The first was about 5'10" with blonde hair and hazel eyes.

"This is my sister-in-law Gail.", the redhead indicated.

Aubrey mentally thought for a second. 'The 2001 Miss Virginia second runner up...now the head mechanic at Stephan's Harley Davidson Alexandria franchise.'

"Glad to finally meet you, Aubrey. Jessie has talked a lot about you."

Aubrey blushed as Jessica nodded to the other woman, and the agent immediately recognized her. She was closer to the redhead's height with black hair and stunning blue green eyes. "You remember Nadia."

"Hello, ladies.", Aubrey said.

"It's very nice to see you again, James.", Nadia replied with a slight Romanian accent.

She then turned to Aaron and the three other men, all between Aubrey's height of six foot and what he estimated to be about six five. As their eyes focused on him, the FBI agent felt like he was being studied as a specimen.

"You know Aaron.", she said before pointing to a red haired man with eyes like Jessica and a tall, muscular man beside him. "This is my brother, Jack and his partner, Greg."

Aubrey held out his hand but Jack pulled him into a hug, giving him a sense of deja vu. "We don't do that handshake shit. We hug in this family."

After he was let go, she pointed to another man, who was the tallest of all of them with brown hair and eyes. "And this is my brother Stephan."

Aubrey got ready before Stephan also gave him a hug. "Kind of scrawny, but you'll do."

"Thanks.", Aubrey said before he felt himself be pushed into a chair at the table.

"Jessie said you like to eat, so we prepared lots of food. But before that, let's talk, shall we?", Jack said. "We brought some of our new ciders. Would you like apple, cherry, or blueberry?"

Aubrey felt like the guys were determining his fate based on his choice. "Cherry?"

"Good choice, Aubrey." Stephan handed the agent a bottle with a smile.

Jessica felt a wave of embarrassment. "Guys…"

"Jessie, don't worry. Aaron vouched for him, but we need to get to know the guy you were brave enough to bring home to us.", Greg said before putting his arm around her and wiping a mock tear from his eyes. "This is a day we thought would never come. Our baby sister is growing up."

"Fuck you, Greg.", the redhead said.

"Leaf…leave…him…alone…boys."

Everyone turned and saw Charles with his cane heading towards Aubrey. When he was close, he smiled as he reached out to shake hands.

"He…hello…James…glad…yip…you…could…come."

Aubrey relaxed when he saw Jessica's father. "Thanks, Charlie."

"Yes, thank you, Dad. Happy Thanksgiving.", Jessica hugged her father before looking at her brothers and pointing. "I'm going to help Nadia and Gail get dinner finished. Be nice."

"Don't worry, Jessie.", Stephan said before putting an arm around Aubrey. "We'll be good to your boyfriend."

Charles sat down in a chair at the large decorated table. "I heart…love…a…cig...cider. Give...me...apoi...apple."

Nadia went into the fridge. Pulling out two bottles, she added a straw to one before giving them to Jessica. When the redhead gave the one with the straw to her father, he sipped before making a face. "Wha…light…beer? Where...cider?"

"Yes…light beer. Your doctor said if you drink alcohol it has to be light beer because of lower content of alcohol and cider has sugar. Either drink it or I will and you get none, Tată.", Nadia said with a look of toughness but then a smirk popped out. "Don't fight with me. I'm physician's assistant and I can make you drink O'Douls if I have to."

Charles cracked a smile before turning to Aubrey. "Women…tough…coo…cookies."

Jessica held out the other beer to her boyfriend. "In case you were afraid to drink the cider, here's a beer."

"Thanks, Jess, but this cherry stuff is pretty good.", Aubrey said, stopping Jessica with a hand on her arm as she turned away. "But I'll never turn away a Yuengling."

Jessica handed him the other beer with a smirk. Moving his bottles forward, he clicked with her father. "Tough, but we love them."

"A…amen.", Charlie said before sipping his beer.

Aubrey, waiting until Jessica was distracted, leaned down to speak quietly to the older man. "Stick by me, Charlie, and I'll give you a taste of this later."

"Good...bye...boy.", Charlie said. "Come...James...Affy...Affair...In...Trinidad...on..."

"Be right there, Charlie.", Aubrey said before walking up to Jessica in the kitchen and sharing a kiss with the redhead. As they separated, they were greeted by her brothers giving her kissy faces.

"Shut up, guys!", the redhead said as she gave her brothers the finger.

The siblings laughed as they led Aubrey into the open living room to watch television with their father. Everyone got situated as the movie began. It wasn't ten minutes in when Aubrey happened to look out the window and saw a car pull up. "Looks like you have company."

"Really?", Aaron said as he brought out more beer for everyone. "Greg, who is it?"

The muscular man looked out and saw who was getting out of the car. "You've gotta be shitting me…"

"What, Greg?", Jack said before looking out the window. "Fuck…"

"Who's here?", Jessica said as she stirred the mashed potatoes from the kitchen.

Before she got her answer, the doorbell rang. Greg, being the closest, opened the door and greeted her coolly.. "Hello, Eleanor. Didn't expect to see you today."

Aubrey looked over to see Stephan slam his beer bottle down and Aaron cross his arms. Nearby, he heard Nadia mumble something he presumed was not very nice in Romanian. He noticed Gail and Jessica put all their concentration into their tasks. Looking at Charlie, he saw the man's friendly eyes harden and what looked like a grimace appeared on the non paralyzed side of his face before he sipped more beer. As everyone stood silent, he saw a woman with a sleek, shoulder length pageboy haircut the color of dark oak and eyes of brown walk into the living room.

"Happy Thanksgiving!", Eleanor Gordon said with a happy voice. Not getting a response in turn, her happy mood turned slightly sour. "Do any of you have enough manners to greet your mother correctly?"

Mumbles of 'Hello, Mom' echoed in the room. Immediately, Aubrey got up and headed for the kitchen as Eleanor turned to her ex-husband. "Charlie…been a long time."

"Not…long…enough…", the redheaded man mumbled before turning his attention back to the television.

Eleanor turned to Jack and Greg. "Jack…nice that your friend Greg could join us."

"Thanks, Mom", Jack said before taking his partner's hand. "My lover and I don't get to see you often enough."

The woman's face contorted with anger before her smile returned, and she turned to her elder sons. "Aaron, Stephan…where are your wives?"

"They're in the kitchen with Jessica working on dinner. You could help them you know.", Aaron said.

"I would just be in the way." The older woman turned towards Aubrey, who was now standing next to Jessica while holding her hand. "This must be FBI Special Agent James Aubrey…my daughter's latest…friend."

"You could say that.", Aubrey said, remembering his last conversation with the woman.

Eleanor looked at her daughter again with a critical eye. "You cut your hair, Jessica."

"Yeah, last summer.", Jessica said while fidgeting with her hair.

"You need to keep it long, young lady.", Eleanor said, shaking her head in a disapproving way. "Men prefer long hair."

Aubrey couldn't keep his mouth shut. "Actually, I think it's very flattering on her."

"We thought you would be with Mike and the girls this year, Mom.", Stephan said, trying to avoid a fight on the holiday.

"I was planning on that, but Mackenzie and Chelsea wanted to make dinner this year and Michael invited his new girlfriend to join them. I'm not particularly fond of her, so I decided that I wanted to spend time with my other children."

"Lucky for us.", Gail muttered sarcastically as she checked on the turkey.

Eleanor heard Gail's comment and walked over to the kitchen. "Gail, darling, I've been meaning to ask you. How long before I hear good news from you and Stephan?"

"Mother…", the mechanic warned.

Aubrey was appalled at what Eleanor had just said. Jessica had told him recently about Stephan and his wife's struggles with starting a family for the last five years, and after two failed IVF attempts, they'd recently applied for an overseas adoption. The woman's remark was obviously meant to be cruel. He saw his girlfriend's brother walk up to his wife and put his arm around her.

"Don't worry, Eleanor...as always you'll be the last to know.", Gail retorted without missing a beat.

"Eleanor, if you are through with your interrogations, what would you like for drink?", Nadia asked in thinly veiled annoyance.

"I would like a glass of wine, thank you. I'm hoping that there is a bottle of the Cabernet that the winery came out with this summer that got rave reviews."

"You're not allowed wine on your medication, Eleanor, remember?", Gail said as she prepared appetizers. "There's Coke, Gatorade, or water."

"Soda, sports drinks, or water?", the woman replied before turning to her other daughter-in-law. "Really, Nadia. You've been in our country for almost thirty years and you still don't know what to offer your guests-"

"My guests are usually satisfied with what is offered in our home.", the Romanian woman answered back. "Once again, we have Coke, Gatorade, or water. Wine will not be offered to you in this house."

"My doctor said—"

"Your doctor doesn't have your best interests, Mom, if he says an occasional drink is acceptable with your medication and your previous history.", Aaron said. "Now, like Nadia said, there's Coke, Gatorade, or water, or I can brew a pot of coffee if you would prefer that."

"Aaron, you are not a psychiatrist-"

"I'm PA, and I say with your history you will have no alcohol in this house.", Nadia said. "If you want wine you will have to go elsewhere."

"Rudeness to guests is not acceptable behavior, Nadia, particularly if the guest is a family member."

"Neither is being overly demanding when you're uninvited...Eleanor...family member or guest", the physician assistant replied sternly.

The older woman stewed for a moment before she answered sweetly. "Coffee would be nice, Aaron. Thank you."

As Jessica's brother went to start a pot of coffee for his mother, Aubrey shook his head at the woman's audacity. Yes, she had Bipolar II Disorder, but that was no excuse for her appalling behavior. As he looked around, he didn't see any looks of surprise from anyone, even the teenagers.

'How sad that everyone is used to this.' Aubrey thought. 'Of course, I have no room to talk.'

As he watched the lawyer stand stiffly at the center island waiting for her coffee, her demeanor reminded him of his father's behavior every holiday until eventually it was just the three of them...Philip Aubrey, his wife Rachael, and their son James….and those were a mixed bag to say the least.

Clearing her throat, Eleanor eyed Aubrey with disdain. "So James, how much does a FBI agent make salary wise? I realize you're in some sort of supervisory position, but I'm curious to know if you'll have enough to support my daughter if she can't find a suitable job with all those fancy college degrees."

"Mom!", Jessica shrieked, completely mortified.

"Jess is talented and smart, so I'm confident that she'll easily find a well paying job when she graduates.", Aubrey said quietly, before finishing his beer. "As for me, I currently make more than enough to take care of both of us if I need to, Eleanor, and I'm provided a government issued SUV to boot."

He held up the empty bottle to Gail, who pointed to the cabinet under the sink. Walking the few steps, he opened it and put the bottle in the recycling bin. "Let's leave at that, shall we? I was taught that it was rude to discuss private matters like a person's salary in public."

He narrowed his eyes at Eleanor, wondering if she'd gotten his point. He kept his satisfaction at her shock to himself, although he did appreciate the furtive thumbs up he got from Aaron and the 'atta boy' looks he got from Jessica's other brothers.

Helping himself to a cracker and spinach dip, he turned back to Eleanor and smiled pleasantly. "Nice weather we're having, isn't it?", he added before shoving the cracker in his mouth.

*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*

For the next thirty minutes, in between sampling the wonderful appetizers Gail and Nadia made, Aubrey heard their mother grousing about everything from what dishes were being served down to how the table settings looked. He also saw how Eleanor, who strongly disapproved of Jack's homosexuality, ignored Greg. Aubrey thought her attitude was old fashioned and sad, but it was her loss.

However, each time he wanted to speak up to the rude woman, he remembered growing up with his mother's lessons on being a proper guest, and anyway, each of Eleanor's targets seemed to hold their own against her acidic comments. For now, he would bite his tongue.

Then, Aubrey's favorite time came as Nadia spoke up from the kitchen. "Dinner is ready. Eleanor, you will have to sit with the children. Not enough room for you with the rest of us at the table."

Eleanor acknowledged her daughter-in-law's statement with a cold smile. "I'm sure Agent Aubrey would be more than willing to give up his spot so I could have dinner with my children."

Before Aubrey could speak up, Nadia interrupted him. "No, he's sitting with Jessica. Since you're always big on manners, you will know what happens when you don't call ahead to let people know you're coming. Now sit with children or in living room. Take your pick."

Everyone could see Eleanor's lip curl up in distaste, and they had difficulty holding back snickers at the older woman's dressing down. Undeterred, she gave Nadia a haughty glare. "I think it would be nice to sit with my grandchildren."

'Sorry kids.' Aubrey thought as he saw the teenagers' faces fall.

Taking his cue from Jessica, he helped bring the food to the center island. His mouth was watering as he smelled the turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole and other common Thanksgiving offerings, along with Nadia's traditional Romanian dishes of mici and sarmale. As Jack helped his father with his plate, Aubrey filled his own. As he finished, he calculated how many trips back he would have to make before he'd be able to adequately sample everything, but he soon lost count.

As everyone sat down, Aaron brought his mother another cup of coffee along with a small carafe of cream and Splenda packets. When done, he sat down at the head of the table and made an announcement.

"There's a tradition in this family that everyone says what are thankful for this year. I will begin. Starting in June, Dr. Chen and I will be moving our practice to Alexandria to be part of the Medstar Georgetown University Hospital system." Aaron looked up across the table. "Dad, we're buying your house."

"Here…here…"

Instead of Nadia being next, she indicated that the table go the opposite way. Jack and Greg were grateful for both the successful soft launch of hard ciders from the family company and for same sex marriage becoming the law of the land, although they made a point of shooting down any rumors of an impending wedding. Stephan and Gail were thankful for their shop being successful and announced that they were opening another one in Arlington next summer. Charles was grateful that his children were happy and successful. Niki and the girls talked about the things they had to be grateful for.

Then they got to Eleanor.

"I'm grateful that in spite of the obstacles of my past, including lack of familial support at times through my struggles, my law practice has brought me the success I've always wanted."

The retired neuroscientist gave his ex-wife a withering gaze. "Sh…shut…up…Eleanor."

As Eleanor's mouth gaped open, Charles turned to his daughter. "Jep…Jessie…your turn."

"I'm grateful for the chance to live out my dream as a forensic anthropologist under Dr. Temperance Brennan.", Jessica said before looking at her mother. "It's because of the support of my family that I'm here today."

Taking Aubrey's hand, she continued. "And I'm also grateful…that Aubrey and I found our way back together. He's my best friend and I can't see…my life without him."

The agent was stunned by the emotion behind his girlfriend's words. He didn't want to cry like a baby in front of her brothers, so he took a breath and carefully composed his words. "I'm grateful that I'm in love with my best friend. We got stupid for awhile, but we figured things out. I'm also happy and honored to be spending this day with the family who helped make Jessica the person that she is. Also, because of them, I get to eat this food which looks and smells really, really good."

The room chuckled before Stephan spoke. "Aw, shit. I was going to mess with you about my sister, but I can't after you say that. Protect her, G-Man, or I have to run you over with one of my motorcycles."

Everyone laughed until Aubrey responded. "I will. I have a federally issued semi-automatic pistol and I don't miss."

People hooted and hollered at the table. "Jessie, he can stay.", Jack said.

"Gee, thanks, Jack.", Jessica replied sarcastically before drinking her beer.

"Okay, Nadia has something to be grateful for.", Aaron said almost too happily.

The room became quiet as Nadia spoke, her accent getting thicker with emotion. "I'm thankful to be part of this family. I did not just gain my partner and best friend, but I got five brothers, two sisters, and a wonderful father who helped fill the void left by my departed one many years ago…oh, and I'm pregnant again."

Everyone celebrated with clapping and cheering, but Aubrey caught the quiet anger in Eleanor's eyes before she turned around and started eating. As they got to dessert, after hounding from her nieces, Jessica told the story of how she met up with Aubrey at the Star Wars convention and how he'd defended her honor against Gerald Maxwell, up to when they'd found the jerk again in the parking lot.

"Aubrey took me to dinner while we were still wearing our costumes and then we talked…and here we are."

"That is so romantic, Aunt Jessie.", Annabelle said.

Eleanor had been listening and couldn't hold back anymore. "You pissed off one of the scions to the Maxwell political family?", Eleanor asked. "Good God, Jessica. A man from a wealthy and respectable family shows interest in you and you don't appreciate that? What the hell is wrong with you?"

Jessica's only reaction was to roll her eyes and turn back to her plate. "I don't appreciate people who don't listen to me or who don't have the courtesy to treat me with respect, Mom."

"So because he wore the wrong shirt to some childish meeting, you were ungrateful for the effort he made to fit into your "hobby", and you are bitching about how he was he was less than respectful? Men like Gerald don't grow on trees, Jessica, and you should heed my advice to remember that."

Nadia just merely pointed her finger behind her and the kids reluctantly took their pie into another room. When the coast was clear, Jessica turned to her mother.

"I know they don't, and I'm glad, because he was a misogynistic jackass. Gerald didn't want to date me, Mom. He only wanted one thing and he made it obvious. I deserve better than that..." The redhead turned to Aubrey and took his hand. "...and I've got it. You may enjoy kissing up to rich snobs like that, but as far as I'm concerned, the Gerald Maxwells of the world can sit and spin."

Surrounded by laughter from their family, Eleanor was irritated at her daughter's disrespectful attitude. "Watch your mouth, Jessica Elizabeth I make a effort to be friends with people who will benefit me. I do not...kiss up, so cut the smart ass routine and grow up. Not many men from respectable families would be tolerant of a woman with hobbies like attending silly movie conventions and being into that…science fiction crap. How many times have I told you to be more respectful and appreciative of a man's attention?"

Aubrey had enough of listening to the woman. "So instead of your daughter being happy with a man who respects her and makes a decent living, she should be a kept woman for a slimeball like Gerald Maxwell who will disrespect her left and right because his family has money and is prominent? That's bullshit."

"No, it's typical behavior for my ungrateful daughter.", Eleanor said with hardened dark eyes at the FBI agent. "Jessica continues to blow her chances towards men with good futures and families like the Maxwells. That's why she can't keep a man in her life for more than casual sex. She needs to lower her all mighty standards and be more tolerant of a man's imperfections."

"A little more tolerant of a man's imperfections?", Aubrey replied with a sarcastic smile. "Are you referring to the imperfections of a sexist asshole who called her a cheap whore in public because she had enough self-respect to call him out for what he was? He didn't want a relationship with your daughter, Ms. Gordon. He just wanted a one night stand."

"If my daughter would get off her high horse and quit being an ungrateful, spoiled brat, she wouldn't be hard pressed to find a suitable man instead of the barrel scraping deadbeats she finds herself with."

The attorney's comments struck a nerve with Aubrey, but he pushed it away, noting she didn't disagree with his last statement as it pertained to Gerald Maxwell. Disgusted with the older woman's attitude towards Jessica and her siblings, he stood up and walked over to where the woman was sitting. "Ms. Gordon, are you always a bitch to your children or just when the mood strikes you?"

"Excuse me, young man.", Eleanor said in shock that this man would be so forward with her. "You will apologize immediately!"

Aubrey crossed his arms. "No, no I won't, because you have six children who have made something of themselves, no thanks to you. You have a mental illness, and I'm sorry for that. However, you don't have the right to take your frustrations about your life out on them because you are jealous that they are content with their lives while you are not. All five of your sons have found success and prestige in their careers. On top of that, your only daughter, whom you've been so dismissive of...whom you described to me on the phone several weeks ago and then just now as an ungrateful, flighty, spoiled brat, is an intern at the most prestigious forensic laboratory in the country. She works with the FBI and is also being mentored by an internationally renowned forensic anthropologist. Someday what she learns could put her on the road for that same distinction after Dr. Brennan retires."

"Superman, you talked to my mother on the phone?"

Aubrey realized his big mouth had just revealed something he didn't intend to share. Turning around, he faced his girlfriend with a slightly embarrassed expression. "Yes, she called me at work when you refused to go to Philly for that dinner, wanting me to 'use my influence' with you to talk you into changing your mind. However, I refused, because you have a mind of your own, which is one of the things I love most about you."

"You do?", Jessica asked.

"Yeah, I do."

"Well, isn't that touching?", Eleanor said. "The son of a federal criminal is lecturing me on parenting."

A knot formed in Aubrey's stomach, but he ignored it. Turning back to the woman, he crossed his arms again. "Yes Ma'am, Phillip Aubrey is my father. He stole millions from people simply because he could, and I helped get him arrested when I was thirteen years old. Now he's in federal custody because I helped arrest him a second time. He's why I worked hard to become an FBI agent. Just like my father's actions don't make me a criminal, your less than stellar example of mothering doesn't make your children less than the great people they are."

Eleanor could not believe the audacity of the man standing in front of her. No one talked to her that way...never. She looked to her ex-husband, who continued to sit in his chair at the end of the table. "Charlie, are you going to let this young man talk to me this way?"

The older man looked at his ex-wife. "You…make…your…bed…Ellie. Lie…in…it."

"Well…I never…", the older woman said, obviously irritated, but Aubrey continued.

"As their mother, your children may have to show you a modicum of respect, but I sure as hell don't.", Aubrey said. "My mother always said to me that if you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all. Maybe you should keep that in mind while I go back and enjoy my pumpkin and cherry pie a la mode. My vanilla ice cream is melting."

Eleanor looked around and saw no one jumping to her defense. "I'm your mother. I gave birth to you all. I brought you up the best that I could."

"We know, Mom.", Stephan said. "But Aubrey's right. The ice cream is melting on my pie, too, and I, along with everyone else here, would like to enjoy it without your left handed commentary, please."

"I would never be treated this way by your brother."

"That's because Michael still thinks he needs to cater to you and your demanding nature.", Jack said before taking a bite and continuing with a full mouth. "The rest of us, on the other hand, don't agree."

"Well, I know when I'm not wanted." Eleanor stood up and squared her shoulders before turning to her family. "To think I could have spent the day with Michael. He understands respecting his mother."

"You mean the way he tries to keep the peace while you turn him inside out?", Jack said. "There's a reason he's divorced and the way he is today, Mom and it isn't because of his ex-wife."

"Jackson Daniel Warren, watch your mouth.", Eleanor rebuked. When no one seemed to care, the woman stormed over to the coat rack where her purse and coat were hanging. "Well I…tell the children I said goodbye, please."

"Of course, Mom.", Aaron said with a smile.

"Happy Thanksgiving, Eleanor.", Gail said with a sarcastic smile. "Hope you find a bar with your name on it."

Eleanor's cheeks were flushed with anger. "I don't appreciate your sarcasm, Gail."

"I know, Mom, but I do. That's why I married my best mechanic.", Stephan said before kissing his wife on the cheek.

Eleanor turned her fury towards Aubrey. "Obviously your mother didn't raise you with manners on respecting your elders."

"He...has..res...respir...respect...with...me...Ellie. Raised...well…, Charles retorted.

Jessica put her arm around her boyfriend. "Rachael Aubrey made him the man he is, Mom. I'm proud to love him. Have a nice Thanksgiving."

When everyone went back to their dinner and their conversations like she wasn't in the room, the older woman stormed out of the house in fury. After the door slammed shut, Jessica's brothers crowded around Aubrey.

Greg smacked him on the back and handed him a bottle of Yuengling. "I like you, G-Man. I think I can speak for everyone here when I say you are going to fit into this family just fine."

Jessica watched her boyfriend being surrounded by her brothers before Gail and Nadia smiled at her. "Hang onto him, Jessie. He's good one.", Nadia said.

"He's the best."

Gail took a drink from her beer. "Tell me Jessie about this nickname of his…Superman?"

Jessica giggled. "Well, I was working at the lab when he stopped by…"

Next week: Thanksgiving at the Mighty Hut II