For my friend Becka, who wanted to see Bernard Curry's hosting gig on Beauty and The Beast Australia feature in a CS fic!

He should have had a sense of impending doom. If not from the urgency of Liam's summons to the mansion-turned-television studio that was to be his brother's new workplace, then at least from the frantic pacing that greeted him when he pulled into the lot and parking space he had been directed to.

Liam had the air of one on the knife's edge, a man whose very existence was hanging by a thread.

And yet Killian didn't really see it coming.

"Quite the office you have here, big brother," Killian said admiringly. Liam smiled briefly, worry still evident in his eyes as he led Killian to Craft Services and sat him down at an empty table.

"Yes, well, I wanted you to see it. Still a bit hard to believe I'll be hosting my own show," Liam said, "I know it's not the most intellectual of concepts - pairing awkward blokes and attractive women in fairly ridiculous challenges, but it's a step towards what I want." Killian reached across to squeeze his shoulder.

"I'm proud of you, Liam." Liam covered Killian's hand with his own, the tension gone for just a moment as they sat together.

There was a barista-made coffee in Killian's hand and a plateful of sugar-laden pastries in his reach before he realised this meeting was not actually an outpouring of brotherly love.

It was an ambush.

"Enjoying your summer vacation, Killian?" Liam asked, eyes everywhere but on Killian's. "Plenty of time on your hands?"

Killian stared at his older brother, forcing him to meet his gaze and finding only a thin sheen of panic in his eyes. "You know I have my book to work on during my summers, Liam."

"Of course. Of course," Liam said, checking the time none too subtly.

"Am I keeping you from something, mate?" Killian asked, guilt crossing Liam's face before his shoulders drooped and he slumped in his seat. Killian eyed him anxiously. "Liam? What's wrong?"

Liam sighed. "We've had a bit of a hitch in filming," he began, scratching nervously behind his ear. Killian was immediately on alert - his brother's nervous tic was one he had himself and he knew all too well that something was amiss. He raised an eyebrow expectantly. "One of our geeks pulled out at the eleventh hour - and there's no time to vet someone new before filming starts on Tuesday." The shift of his head upwards was slow and deliberate, his eyes meeting Killian's, full of hope and desperation. "Unless you were to know them already, of course."

Killian looked at his brother with disbelief. "Please tell me you are not suggesting what it seems you are suggesting."

Liam said nothing, just continued to look hopefully at Killian. Killian ran a hand through his hair, shaking his head at his brother and his hangdog expression.

"I am hardly a candidate for this piece of television gold, brother. Far too dashing a gentleman to qualify as a 'geek'."

Liam stirred his coffee thoughtfully, before looking up, wry smile on his face.

"Killian, you are a professor of ancient history with a passion for Greek mythology who participates in naval battle re-enactments in his spare time. And is that coat, in fact, tweed? You are more than suitably qualified."

Killian narrowed his eyes at his brother. "I can sail a tall ship, brother. That is nothing if not the epitome of cool. I am not your man."

Shoulders slumping, Liam sighed deeply. "I knew it was asking a lot, Killian. This is such an opportunity after such a long time trying to break in that I wasn't thinking straight. Of course you must work on your book."

It was Killian's turn to sigh. Memories of all the sacrifices made on his behalf, the things he knew Liam had given up to keep them together as boys were never far from the surface. And while his brother would never ask for those debts to be repaid, the need to do so was strong. Strong enough, even, to make potentially rash decisions. Killian straightened in his chair. "I never could stand to disappoint you brother," he said resignedly. "What bloody paperwork to I have to sign to participate in this debacle?"

"You'll do it?" The tremor of emotion in Liam's voice ensured there would be no chance of Killian backing out.

"Against my better judgement."

Liam pulled him into a back-slapping hug, relief palpable in the air. "Thank you, brother," he breathed. "You won't regret this."

"Oh, I rather think I will."

"Has anybody seen Emma?" Liam called to a crowd of crew members.

When a tall man with a headset microphone and his eyes glued to his phone indicated towards the set, Killian had to pick up the pace considerably to keep up with Liam, who was clearly determined to find whoever this Emma was.

As they neared a large open living room, Liam skirted to a halt behind a blonde woman who was deep in conversation with several crew members.

"Emma, he said yes," Liam breathed, clearly out of breath after the effort of finding her, and she turned instantly towards his voice.

Killian sucked in a sudden breath. The woman was stunning and he blinked stupidly for a moment as she looked him up and down unabashedly. Her green eyes met his for just a moment, enough to set a spark of something alight in his gut despite the disconcerting speed with which she looked away. Something that had not flickered for a very long time, not since Milah, and he held his breath in awe.

Suddenly, regret about doing this was the furthest thing from his mind.

"Emma Swan, meet my little brother Killian," Liam said, breaking the silence as he urged Killian forward. Good manners won the day as Killian held out a hand towards her, a hand she took warily as her eyes met his again. The urge to bring her hand to his lips was unexpected and overwhelming but Killian fought to resist, knowing somehow that such old-fashioned courtesies might not be welcomed by her, despite the tiny hitch in her breath when she took his hand.

For a few breathtaking moments she met his gaze, her expression unreadable as she searched his face, until a loud clattering sound from somewhere in the distance broke the spell and she turned sharply towards Liam, fixing him in her disbelieving stare. "Are you kidding me? You do understand the premise of this show you are about to host?"

"We needed a geek and I found us one," Liam replied indignantly. "I believe I mentioned the naval re-enactments? In costume?" Killian narrowed his eyes at his brother, before turning his gaze to Emma. Clearly agitated, her green eyes flashed as she shook her head at Liam.

"Jones, if you are going to make it in this business, you are going to have to get over this self-deprecating, humble shit. And not apply it to your family either. Have you had a look at this guy?"

Head cocked to the side, Liam grinned at her. "In all his glory, lass. I realise the genetic blessing of good looks was seriously depleted before it reached my brother, but surely you are not suggesting he is too unattractive for the position at hand?"

Their reactions were simultaneous.

"Oy, bugger off, mate!"

"Only if you are, Jones."

Emma took a deep breath in, releasing it slowly as she shook her head at Liam. Killian was almost certain he heard her mutter something about an accent, but before he could say anything else she had turned her attention to the voice on her radio.

"Yep, he's here. I'll send him up." She pointed at Liam, who nodded his understanding. He turned to Killian, clasping his shoulder with a genuine smile on his face.

"Emma will look after you from here, brother. She's a fierce lass and the best producer we have, so you couldn't be in better hands." He made to leave, but looked back over his shoulder one last time. "Thank you, Killian."

Before he could respond, his brother was gone and Emma Swan had grasped his arm, leading him off in the opposite direction. Her fingers on his arm were leaving little pinpricks of heat on his skin, despite being separated by layers of fabric and his heart beat just a little bit faster as he followed. He felt a slight squeeze on his bicep, and she shook her head again, a hiss of breath leaving her lips. She paused, seemingly collecting her thoughts before turning to face him again.

"Well, you should make Ruby's job easier when we get to the makeover episode, if nothing else. Come on."

Killian's eyes widened. "Makeover, love? What do you mean, makeover?"

Emma paused, something that could have been exasperation in her eyes. "Don't worry. Ruby will just enhance all of this -" she gestured up and down his body, "- and make it even hotter."

He couldn't stop the smirk from crossing his face at her choice of words.

"I believe the words 'devilishly handsome' have been bandied about before today, love," he said with a wink, immediately scanning her face for fear he had overstepped. He was surprised at his own reaction, if he were honest. Something about Emma Swan had put him off kilter, bringing long-buried feelings to the surface and sending him straight back to old, familiar response patterns where flirtation was his natural line of defence.

She raised her eyebrows in return, the ghost of a smile playing on her lips. "I'm sure your lectures are full of girls with messages of love written on their eyelids, buddy, but you are going to have to rein in the devilish if you're going to cut it around here."

Surprise must have registered on his face as she continued. "Geek, remember? Nerdy pastimes, awkward around women, that kind of thing. Have you even seen this show?"

He arched one eyebrow and she shook her head. "Of course you haven't," she sighed. "Why would my life be easy? Listen, Killian, you do what I tell you and we'll be fine. I won't take my eyes off you for a minute."

"I would despair if you did." Killian bit down on his lip as soon as the words slipped out, his eyes apologetic but Emma sighed good naturedly.

"You are going to make Regina crazy," she said, a definite implication that said turn of events would not necessarily be a bad thing in her voice. "Come on, time for reality TV 101."

She was off through the mass of cables and equipment and Killian had little choice but to follow.

He had a feeling it would not be the last time.

Sometimes she hated it when she was right, Emma thought from her chair in the control room, eyes glued to one of the many screens that covered every possible angle of the mansion.

She had said he would drive Regina crazy and he absolutely had.

Just not in the way she had imagined.

On screen, Killian Jones sat deep in conversation with his cast mates, his fingers twitching unconsciously on the arm of his leather chair as he listened to each in turn. The tweed coat from the first day remained, his neat hair a bit too long to be fashionable and the glasses Ruby had managed to find for him doing nothing to enhance his blue eyes - and yet that exact shade of blue had popped into her daydreams on more than one occasion in the week since she had met him.

There was none of the flirtatious scoundrel she had met in this Killian Jones; if anything he was shy and a bit unsure around the girls on set, but there was something about the way he listened - the soft smile, the earnest questions, the sense of genuine interest in these women that had so little in common with him.

It was breathtaking and the camera was eating him up. And she was finding it hard to keep her eyes off him too.

The man had chemistry with anything that moved, not to mention a few things that didn't, so why was she surprised that Regina had spent the last 7 days in her ear yelling increasingly outlandish ideas to get him front and centre? Their showrunner might be a hardass of the worst kind, but she knew what made people come back for more.

And that was definitely Killian Jones.

"Not gonna lie, Ems, I kinda want to be that chair right now," came a voice in her ear. She turned sharply, startled to be caught so obviously gawping at Killian, and came face to face with her friend Ruby, a knowing smile on her face as she grinned at Emma. Emma felt the heat rise in her face and knew it was pointless to try and disagree.

She just shrugged, turning her head back to the monitors before Ruby's eagle eye caught that little hint of attraction that Emma was finding so hard to conceal. There would be no respite if Ruby got even a whiff that he was having an effect on her.

"And I kinda want him to remember he's supposed to be some nerdy professor," she shot back, sarcasm a cover for all kinds of sins in Emma's experience, "but we can't always get what we want, can we?"

Ruby laughed and wrapped an arm around Emma. "I think Tina there is getting what she wants, though," she said, indicating the petite blonde curled up in the armchair next to Killian, eyes fixed on his face as he smiled and nodded at whatever story she was telling. "And if what Zelena let slip earlier is true, our beloved leader is going to make sure of that."

Emma flicked her eyes to Ruby's, surprised by her own anxiety about just what her co-producer and their showrunner had up their sleeves. Ignoring the knowing smile playing at the corners of her friend's mouth she asked anxiously, "What do you mean? Since when is this a dating show?"

"Since Regina realised it could be? Since that geek walked in here with his tweed coat and his 'fuck me' eyes?" Ruby grinned. "Defensive much, Ems?"

Emma breathed deeply, curbing her natural impulse to snap back, knowing Ruby would just jump to conclusions as a result. While she and Zelena had managed to work side by side as producers for several seasons, she wasn't naive enough to trust the woman wouldn't throw her and all her teams under the proverbial bus given half a chance. Regina had worked hard to make sure both she and Zelena were well aware that the biggest obstacle they each faced in being promoted here was each other. Ratings were results and drama meant ratings and a good producer did what they had to make sure there was drama. And Zelena was certainly a very good producer. Emma was right to be wary, right to protect her contestants.

It had nothing at all to do with the tug of jealousy at the thought of that little pixie cosying up to Killian Jones.

"Killian is mine," she said, ignoring the blatantly raised eyebrow from Ruby, "and so is Anna. You know, his partner? If Regina has some kind of grand plan for him, I should know about it."

"And is that all it is, Emma Swan? Concerned producer?" Ruby's eyes sparkled with amusement as Emma rolled her own. History told her defensive would do her no favours with Ruby - a change of subject was her only course of action.

Or an interruption.

"Who are we concerned about, Emma?"

Liam appeared between them, his eyes scanning the monitors for his brother as he spoke. A soft smile flashed across his face as he watched the scene - Killian out on the balcony now with Anna and Tina, his eyes heavenward as he pointed out something in the evening sky. Tina had manoevered her way in front of him, Emma noticed, all but leaning against him as he spoke.

"Well, he's brought out that old chestnut, has he?" Liam smirked. "I can't believe women still fall for that 'let's look at the stars' trick."

Emma's eyes flashed with anger - or something she was going to tell herself was anger as she wasn't going to acknowledge any other option in that moment - and she turned on Liam.

"Well, I was concerned that Regina might be taking advantage of your brother, but it seems he can take care of himself. Maybe you can remind him again who he is supposed to be here?" She turned to go, ignoring the quizzical look that passed between Liam and Ruby at her heated response.

"Emma, wait a minute, lass," Liam called, and she paused, turning back to him. She crossed her arms across her chest, fighting to keep her eyes off the monitors and on Liam, part of her needing to see how this scene played out while the other really didn't want to know. "I think you might have the wrong idea here."

"Hot flirty professor with nerdy pastimes, uses them to reel in the ladies," she snapped. "Does that about cover it?"

Liam's face changed, sadness clouding his eyes and Emma immediately regretted her anger. "Once upon a time, all of that would have sounded fairly accurate, actually," Liam said quietly. "Quite the ladies man, my little brother, although he did believe in good form and never took advantage of anyone, mind. But then he met Milah and it all changed."

"Broke his heart?" Ruby asked, putting a hand on Liam's arm in sympathy.

"She died." Liam hung his head. "He loved her so much and she died and my funny, confident little brother went with her. Drank for while, then just retreated into himself. Got hard and angry with the world. So to see him like this," he said, indicating the monitors where Killian and Tina were still studying the stars intently, Anna now nowhere to be seen,"It gives me hope that I might just get him back."

Emma stared at the scene on the screen, memories of mischievous winks and witty banter definitely at odds with the Killian Jones she saw here and the story Liam was telling.

"Well, he was pretty damn flirty with me," she commented. "All eyebrow waggling and smartass comments."

Liam looked thoughtfully at her, his hand running across his face. "Was he now?" he said. "I'll have to ask him about that."

"No, you won't," Emma retorted, before turning on a grinning Ruby. "And neither will you," she added, pointing accusingly as her friend feigned innocence. Emma just shook her head. "I think we needed to finalise the outfits for the costume party, didn't we?"

Ruby chuckled. "Among other things, I suspect. But we'll go with that for now."

"I've got Kris as Batman, Anton's in the Jedi robes and Anna finally decided on Harry Potter for Killian…" she began, but Ruby shook her head.

"Yeah, about that," she interrupted. "Regina is thinking pirate, you know, to go with the ships and all." Liam snorted loudly in approval.

"Twirly moustaches and puffy shirts sound exactly his style," Liam chuckled.

Ruby laughed right back. "You have no idea," she said cryptically, "but Ems had better start working her magic on Anna because Regina is not going to take no for an answer on this."

"Who doesn't love Harry Potter, Emma? I mean, everyone loves him. He's a wizard - what's not to love? And Killian will look great with a scar and those little round glasses." Seizing her moment as Anna took a breath, Emma jumped in before the redhead could start again.

"Trust me, Anna, I'm with you completely. I love Harry and Killian would be fantastic but we are looking at the mix and we need a bit of a bad boy type, you know? Someone charming but a bit of a villain. And let's be honest, none of the other boys could pull it off." Emma leaned in conspiratorially, nudging Anna as she flicked her eyes to the other cast members milling around close by.

Something in the way Anna's mouth twisted thoughtfully as she followed Emma's gaze told her she had all but won the battle...and her trump card would be just enough to push it over the edge.

"How about I tell you what I have planned for you? A little sneak peek."

Without a word, she led Anna to a hanging garment bag and slid the zipper up just enough for the frothy green contents to come spilling out. Anna sighed in delight, reaching out to brush her fingers over the delicate fabric.

"Pirate and the princess," Emma whispered, "It's a classic combo and you are going to look amazing in that dress. It's a great chance to win the challenge for you."

Anna's wide eyes met Emma's before she threw her arms around her in a hug. "I am so lucky to have you looking out for me, Emma. I would never have thought of this and it sounds wonderful. Thank you."

Emma ignored the pang of guilt as she hugged Anna back quickly. "I'm just doing my job," she whispered, wishing that statement wasn't the cop out she knew it was. "It's nearly time to get ready, so I better go and check in on Killian. Ruby will come by soon to help you, okay?"

Still admiring the dress, Anna just nodded as Emma slipped away. Her radio crackled to life and Regina's voice blasted from the speaker.

"Emma! Where the hell are you?"

She took a deep breath before answering. "Go for Emma."

"About damn time. Indiana Jones here is resisting his new look and where are you? Not here. Fix that, would you?" The line went dead. Shaking her head, Emma took a guess at where 'here' was and set off in search of Killian. Anger bubbled within her - anger at Regina and her condescending tone, anger at Killian for making waves but mostly anger at herself for letting him under her skin and knowing full well she wasn't angry he was causing problems.

Nope - it was something far, far more worrying.

Fighting down the image of him, arms around Tina as they surveyed the heavens, she made her way to his room. She could hear Ruby's muffled voice as she pushed open the door.

"Ah, Swan, at last," he said and Emma bit down on her lip to suppress the little jolt of pleasure her name on his lips sent through her body. He had slipped into this habit of calling her by her surname and as much as she wanted to be outraged or even mildly put out by it, she couldn't find it in herself to correct him.

Especially when she realised he was half undressed, his shirt unbuttoned and hanging open by his sides, revealing a muscled torso with a dusting of dark chest hair. A dark-stoned ring hung on a silver chain around his neck and Emma struggled to keep her eyes away from the way his pants hung low on his hips. Forcing her attention back to his face, she was met by an amused smirk and a sudden urge to remove it in whatever way necessary.

"Eyes up here, love," he said, eyebrow arched as his smile widened for just a moment before doubt flickered across his face. It was just a split second but enough for Emma to remember Liam's words and wonder if she had seen through some kind of armour for an instant.

God knew he had managed to work his way under hers.

"Regina said you were causing trouble?" she asked, ignoring his blatant flirtation seeming the best course of action. Killian looked indignant, a pout on his handsome face as Ruby poked him in the shoulder.

"See, I told you the boss lady would find out you were misbehaving," she said with a wink. "Now why don't you go put on the costume I have slaved day and night over like a good boy?"

"And as per our agreement, Jones, the boss lady you should be worried about is me, and trust me, I am far more frightening that Regina if you really piss me off."

"I find that very hard to believe, Swan," he countered, "But I will take your word for it. In my defence, however, I was merely ensuring that Anna's wishes were being carried out as I was led to believe this was supposed to be according to her preferences? And she may have hinted to me that we were to be dressed in something quite different."

Emma sensed the small 'aww' moment Ruby was having without actually making eye contact with her friend. Damn him and his considerate nature, she thought, as the irritation she felt started to dissipate. Of course he knew what Anna wanted.

"It surprises you that I was attuned to Anna's desires?" he asked, his face serious, searching Emma's for her answer.

She wanted to say no. Wanted to tell him that she saw something in him, something that drew her to him in a way she hadn't felt for years. That she saw the kind of man he was and she liked what she saw.

But that felt a lot like giving something away.

"It surprises me you keep forgetting your job is to do what I tell you," she sniped, turning away so she didn't have to see the moment he reacted to her harshness.

"I could hardly forget, love," came the reply. "After all, I quite fancy you when you're not yelling at me, so it is in my best interests to give the lady what she wants."

Emma turned sharply back to him, the smug expression back in place as he cocked his head at her. She allowed herself a wry smile. "Well, what the lady wants is a pirate on set in ten, ready to sweep a few fair maidens off their feet. Can you do that?" she asked.

He bowed low, sweeping his arm in an exaggerated gesture before him. "As you wish, milady."

She turned to walk away and didn't look back.

As she closed the door behind her, he sunk onto the bed, head in his hands. Clearly it had been too long, he had forgotten how this delicate back and forth between two people was supposed to work.

All he knew was it was not supposed to feel like this.

"Fuck it all," he exclaimed, running his hands across his face a few times as he tried to prepare himself for the oncoming debacle. Regret hung heavy on his mind - he should never have let the guilt talk him into something so ridiculous…

"While I would usually be all for that kind of plan going forward," came a voice, and he looked up to find an amused Ruby looking down at him, "in this case it's gonna have to wait 'til after the whole costume thing. Although," she added as an afterthought, "the pirate outfit isn't going to hurt your cause."

Killian rolled his eyes at her but she shrugged it off, grin in place as she began placing his wardrobe on his bed. He watched as she laid it all out; loose, dark shirt, a vest of red brocade and black trousers that looked to be made of leather. On the hook behind the door, she hung a garment bag, patting it lovingly before turning and pointing an accusing finger at him.

"No peeking!" she laughed, "That's the piece de resistance right there and only I am playing with that." He nodded his agreement. "If you're a good boy, I'll let you have a sword, too. So maybe start planning the associated lines now?"

Killian looked curiously at her and Ruby stared him down, disbelievingly. "Come on, Jones, no way there aren't hundreds of flirty things you could say about something as phallic as that."

He coughed in surprise at her forthrightness.

"I'm afraid witty banter is not really my strong suit, lass," he countered, but Ruby just snorted in response.

"Actually I quite fancy you when you're not yelling at me," she mimicked in a sing song voice and Killian felt the heat start to rise in his cheeks. If Ruby had seen through him so easily, then surely Emma herself had some inkling that she had an effect that was far from professional on him?

"Relax, Jones, she's too busy pretending she can't see you are hot as hell to notice all this flirting is your half-assed attempt to really get close to her."

There was no point denying her claims.

"Now will you please get dressed?" Ruby asked, thrusting the soft linen shirt at him. He took it, slipping his own shirt off before pulling Ruby's over his head. She looked at him approvingly and he went to secure the small buttons at the neck.

"Nope, leave those," Ruby said with a grin. "I'm a genius, you know. She's not going to be able to keep her eyes off you."

Killian smiled warmly. "I can only hope to make Miss Anna happy."

A most unladylike snort came from Ruby. "Yeah," she said. "I'm so not talking about her."