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Week #1: Edinburgh

After retreating to the other bus after Emma's dressing down, Killian did return half an hour later with Belle in tow, and everything was strictly business after that. They spent most of their 7-hour ride discussing shooting schedules and supply needs. And while Granny and Killian agreed to a shared list of main and somewhat generic ingredients, they refused to let the other know what exactly they were going to cook in each show. This meant that both Emma and Tink had a secret list of items they needed to procure as well. Fun. In prior years when they were on Auntie Em's home turf, Emma had to scrape to get everything. Zelena made a sport of withholding information on vendors and possible contacts, which was why Emma's eyebrows shot up when Tink handed her a neatly compiled list with a smile.

"These are all the people you might have need to contact in Edinburgh - meat, fish, spices, pastry, charcuterie, etc. If there is something missing, please let me know and I'll get you the contact details."

"Just like that?" Her eyes scanned the list and wondering what the catch was.

"Well, yes," Killian said. It was the first he'd addressed her since he returned. He seemed to struggle with looking at her directly for a moment, before he pulled himself together and curved his lips into a small, albeit sincere, smile. "It wouldn't be good form if I take advantage of having home field would it?"

"Em sure made it difficult for me," Granny pointed out from her seat, a scoff on her lips and her eyes darkening at the memory of the constant betrayals.

Killian's eyes searched Emma's for a brief moment before he focused on Granny, his hand reaching to touch Granny's forearm. "Aye, but that is not the way I do things, Mrs. Lucas."

"Please, call me Granny." There was a coy smile gracing her lips and the hint of a salacious tease in her voice that had Emma almost choking with shock. She didn't need Granny falling for a pair of pretty eyes and soft words. She quickly redirected everyone's attention to the task at hand.

"This - this is great," she admitted. "Thank you, Tink."

Tink gave her a beaming smile, the corners of her mouth twitching and her eyes glinting with an air of mischief, something that Emma was starting to recognize as her trademark.

"Thank Killian. Most of these are his most trusted suppliers, and he's already given them advanced warning that they have to provide you with the best or risk losing their deals with him if they don't."

Emma hadn't seen that one coming. She was used to this industry's cut-throat idea that the only way to look good was to stomp on everyone else. For years she had looked out for herself, Granny, and her crews. She never dared to trust anyone who could potentially stab them in the back, never going to bed until she was absolutely sure there wasn't a surprise waiting for them. Killian's stunt was too good to be true - too kindhearted to be real in an industry that would eat you for breakfast if you showed any sign of weakness. And yet, there wasn't a hint of a lie or deceit in their words. Emma could spot a liar miles away and right now, there was nothing but sincerity and camaraderie in Killian's and Tink's words.

Emma swallowed the lump that had come to her throat, fighting back the emotion that was coming to her eyes. "Thank you, Mr. Jones."

He hid his wince quickly, averting his eyes and keeping them downcast. "You're welcome, Swan. It's the least I could do." His tone was soft, his fingers fidgeting with the hem of his dark green t-shirt. "We still have a considerable amount of time left until we get to our destination. Can I offer you another coffee or a snack?" He seemed hesitant, as if he were afraid she'd reject him.

"I wouldn't be opposed to more caffeine," Emma admitted. Killian responded with a bright smile that seemed to fill in the entire bus with warmth before he excused himself to get their beverages.

Emma was so busy watching him leave that she didn't notice the exchange of glances between Granny and Tink.

The scenery continued to pass by the windows as the bus headed north. Emma felt herself dozing off while watching it, the lattes and snacks - chocolate bread and apple and cinnamon rolls - had left her feeling full, warm, and fuzzy, and the slow movement of the bus lulled her into a peaceful sleep. Eventually, someone tugged on her sleeve and Emma woke up startled.

"Emma, darling, we're almost there," Granny whispered soothingly, her eyes studying Emma with tender affection.

"How long was I out?" Emma asked, slightly disoriented as she looked around with a hint of embarrassment.

"A couple of hours," Granny informed her, her hand still running back and forth across Emma's arm. "I have to say, I haven't seen you sleep so peacefully on a tour bus in years…" she trailed off, studying Emma.

Emma stiffened, her cheeks blushing and her eyes darting to her surroundings. Everyone seemed to be minding their own business. Tink was reading something from her phone and tapping her fingers against the table while Belle sat next to her, scribbling furiously in a notebook. A little further away, Killian was stretched on one of the bunk beds, his head burrowed in a mound of pillows as he focused on a book. The bright, early afternoon sunlight was casting red highlights in his hair and scruff. He looked impossibly handsome, the image of breathtaking domesticity.

Emma's throat went dry and she shook her head, swallowing hard and focusing her eyes on the landscape outside her window. "We have some busy weeks ahead, Granny, and we can't afford to drop the ball on this one. I was just catching some shut-eye before things got hectic."

"Of course you were, dear," Granny said. "I took the chance to review the ingredients list while you were resting. It's all confirmed."

"Good," Emma replied. "Aurora and I will see to it after we've arrived."

/-/

It wasn't long before they arrived in the city and the buses dropped them of where they'd be staying. Tink had opted to secure small but comfortable inns along their route so they could occupy them fully and not worry about disrupting other guests with their sleep patterns and crazy schedules. Not to mention that she negotiated full access to the kitchens, as both Granny and Killian would not just prep there, but would probably insist on catering for their crews.

"Last time we tried one of those posh, boutique hotels. It didn't end well." Tink sighed as she handed out room assignments, schedules, and keys to everyone.

Killian frowned as he grabbed his key and hoisted his duffel bag up his shoulder. "I wasn't that bad."

"Killian, you barged into the kitchen demanding to speak with the main chef and then proceeded to berate him over his cooking skills while demonstrating the proper way to prepare bechamel."

Killian scoffed, and turned his head to find Granny. "You would have done the same, Mrs. Lucas. What that man claimed was haute-cuisine, and the price he charged for that inedible rubbish, was just preposterous."

"I just brandish one of my knives at them and kick them out," she offered with a mischievous smile.

"I like your style, milady," he teased, reaching for her bag and then offering her his arm. "Allow me the honor of escorting you to your lodgings."

Granny smiled as she took his proffered arm. "So many people have lost the sense of simple gentlemanly manners these days. It's nice to see there's still hope."

"I'm always a gentleman," Killian said.

"Seriously?" Emma asked in disbelief, watching them head off towards their rooms. "Is he for real?"

Tink sighed as she handed Emma her key. "Sadly, yes." She then picked her own bag. "You have my mobile number if you have any issues navigating the city or with the suppliers. I hope you and Aurora have fun."

"Thanks. We'll freshen up and head out," Emma said, grabbing her own bag and heading to her room. Another perk of Tink's securing the inns for them - she didn't have to share her room with Aurora on this trip.

She wasn't sure if it was a consequence of all the coffee or not, but Emma found herself too wired to even consider anything more than a quick change of clothes before she was dragging Aurora out the door with the printed list and a map in her hands.

"We have phones with google maps, you know?" Aurora adjusted her oversized sunglasses, an air of classical movie star about her.

"I know, but it's never bad to have a backup." Emma stopped at a window shop and admired some of the scarfs on display. "Look at those, they are pretty."

"You seem awfully cheerful," Aurora noted, smoothing the pleats of her yellow sundress.

Emma shrugged, her finger tracing a pattern on the display window before she pulled out the list Granny had given her. "First stop is on the way to the Castle…"

"Oh, I love castles!" Aurora said cheerfully, her smile widening.

"I know you do. Let's go!"

A few hours later, they had seen a few highlights of the city and tried out some local treats on their way of getting Granny's secret ingredients. Emma and Aurora almost had to drag themselves to the last supplier location, the activities and excitement of the day - not to mention that everything seemed to be uphill - taking a toll on them as they carried their bags.

Aurora scanned their list, double checking the spices Granny needed. "Well, it could have been a lot worse."

"Oh yes, the city is lovely! Plus the inn is really nice, the bedrooms are great. And I'm sure Granny will treat us more than fairly food-wise," Emma said with an extra spring in her step.

Aurora stopped and grabbed Emma's arm. "Alright, you are too cheerful. I'm worried." Emma could see her eyebrow cocking even through the dark lenses of her sunglasses.

"Maybe it's the Scottish air," she sighed happily, resuming their walk.

"Maybe it's the British touch."

"Aurora!" Emma looked away and grasped to find a quick change of subject. She knew that tone. It wouldn't be the first time Aurora had gotten the idea that Emma was destined to be with someone within the first hour of them meeting said person. Heck, it seemed Aurora was as fast at trying to set Emma up with anyone within a 10-mile radius as she was at julienning carrots.

"Come on, he couldn't take his eyes off of you. Even after being shut down in such a brutal way."

"He had it coming," Emma replied with all the self-righteousness she could muster.

"Well, he seemed to like it. I would never have pegged Killian Jones as being into that sort of thing, but you learn something new every day it seems," Aurora teased and Emma couldn't help the chuckle that escaped her lips.

Their laughter was quickly interrupted when they turned the corner of the street for their next supplier and Aurora stopped, pulling Emma behind her.

"Look, there he is!"

And indeed, there was the man himself coming out of the store with his two cameramen - Emma seemed to remember that the sandy blonde was Robin and the dark brunette was Will - carrying grocery bags. They were laughing and seemed to be joking with one another, if their facial expressions were anything to go by. Emma's eyes focused on Killian, from his stonewashed, loose jeans and sneakers to the simple black fleece he was wearing. His hair was disheveled and he seemed happy. It was mesmerizing. She had seen the flirty side of him before and it had been attractive. To a point - a point she refused to acknowledge even to herself, but it was seeing him like this that had Emma getting absolutely lost in him.

"He certainly is handsome," Aurora mused before spinning around to look at her with wide eyes. "Don't tell Phillip I said that. Emma!?" she asked when she noticed that Emma wasn't paying attention to her.

"Emma shook herself out of her daze. "Huh?"

Aurora shot her a smirk. "Don't worry, your secret is safe with me."

"Aurora…" Emma started but Aurora pointed a finger at her.

"It's not a crime to find him gorgeous, you know." A small smile came to her lips as she waved her hand in the air. "You're single, he's single-"

"He's trouble." Emma emphasized the word with a wave of her own hand, because she knew trouble when she saw it. And Killian Jones was the kind of trouble she didn't like to be in. Not anymore.

They both turned their heads to catch a final glimpse of Killian and his team turning the corner, talking and laughing as if they were old friends.

"That too." Aurora's eyes glinted with that match-making air Emma knew - and feared - so well. "And there is nothing wrong with some trouble here and there."

/-/

She had to hand it to him. The fact that the man cared so deeply about his coffee making ritual - he'd literally set his beloved Jolly Roger in the kitchen of the inn the moment they'd arrived - had been in everyone's benefit. Being presented with a double vanilla latte with a dash of cinnamon first thing in the morning was a gift in its own right. It being handed to her by the man of the hour himself, all soft smiles, disheveled hair and sleepy eyes, was another matter entirely. No one should look that good at five in the morning, but somehow he seemed to do it effortlessly. Emma would have spat some snarky remark at him if she weren't so entranced by the mystical coffee experience she was having. She hadn't realized she'd closed her eyes until the sound of Killian clearing his throat had her quickly opening them to meet his gaze.

"Admit it, it was good," he said with only a hint of innuendo in his voice.

Emma toyed with her mug, her tongue darting out to wet the rim. She relished in the way Killian's eyes widened as she did, but only offered a shrug. "I've had better," she said with a hint of flirtation in her voice and fluttered her eyelashes at him.

He swallowed and seemed dazed for a second before he got a hold of himself. "Liar."

"Wouldn't you like to know?" she teased, her voice dropping to a low murmur.

His eyes flickered to her lips. "Perhaps I would." His voice was nothing but a whisper of feigned carelessness, bringing shivers down her spine. "But in the meantime, I believe we have an entire day of cooking and shooting ahead of us." He tilted his head before he moved towards the exit.

She couldn't stop the question that came to her lips. "What's on the menu, hotshot?"

Killian turned around and stepped back toward her, his eyebrows waggling at her as he bent down, his lips almost grazing her ear. "Wouldn't you like to know?" He bit his lip playfully before leaving her side. Her eyes followed the hard lines of his back muscles as he retreated to the exit.

Perhaps I would.

/-/

The next time she saw him he was fully styled and ready for the day's shoot in tight black jeans, a dark grey shirt with a paisley pattern, a black zippered vest and a black leather motorcycle jacket. His hair was artfully disheveled to give the sense that he'd just rolled out of the bed of the nearest supermodel - and in all honesty, Emma couldn't find much of a difference from the hair she'd seen at five that morning - and his eyes were rimmed with black eyeliner. He had rings on both hands and a black, dangling earring on his right lobe.

The man looked positively sinful. Sex on legs. Like he could toss you over his shoulder and carry you to the next available surface, bend you over and -

Emma shook her head in an effort to banish those images from her mind, but it seemed he could read her like an open book.

"What do you think, Swan?" he asked as he made his way towards her, invading her personal space. "Is this dashing enough for you and the viewers, love?" The way he pronounced the last word, and how his tongue darted out to wet his lower lip, should have been illegal. His eyes bored into hers. He looked even more striking with the black eyeliner contrasting against the blue of his irises. "Or should I take it up one more notch or two?" He rolled the words in his mouth as he cocked an eyebrow at her.

Yep, that was probably illegal in a few states. She swallowed and his eyes darted from her eyes to her lips before they were back and fixated on her. "Yeah," she started a little feebly and forced herself to sound more self-assured. She was a professional and she was only assessing how his dashing looks and flirting ways would entice the audience to tune in week after week. "That'll do," she finished in a clipped tone.

His entire demeanor changed instantly, his smile morphing from sinful smirk to a goofy grin, his eyes from a smoldering stare to puppy dog eagerness. "Good!"

He sounded so stupidly proud of himself. It made Emma smile wider and they got lost for a moment, staring at each other before someone near them cleared their throat.

"Killian!" Eric called, giving them an apologetic smile. "They're ready for you."

The smolder and the smirk were back in place when he gave her a final look. "Showtime, Swan."

She watched him turn and walk away from her, dazed by the way the jeans clung to his lower assets before she realized she probably should stop ogling the star of the show and follow him to where the filming was about to take place.

When she made it there, Killian was standing by a shiny black motorcycle complete with sidecar, his smile dashing and carefree as Granny stood next to him. Robin, Will, and Sean were at their places, cameras at the ready. Tink was hovering near Belle, the both of them talking animatedly in hushed tones. That caught Emma's attention. Something about it reminded her of a few instances where Zelena had been sporting the same attitude and Emma had to go the extra mile to figure out what shenanigans she was pulling on them. She'd thought Tink was different. She'd thought she could let her guard down for the first time in ages and trust someone. Tink and Killian, with their nice words and promises of good form, had clearly been playing her for a fool.

How could she'd been so stupid? Emma wanted to kick herself but there wasn't time for that. She'd do that later that evening with five shots of whiskey. Now, now she needed to fix this. She signaled Aurora and Ashley to stand by and they both looked at her confused. It was then that Tink and Belle noticed her staring at them and they both exchanged a quick glance before Tink darted in her direction.

"It's not what you think," Tink started and Emma narrowed her eyes at her.

"Really? Because it pretty much looks like you had Killian entertaining me with his dashing looks and goofy grin act while you went behind my back and concocted something with Belle."

"Actually, I did concoct something with Belle," Tink admitted and Emma wanted to shove her to the side, reach for Granny and remove her n from whatever uncomfortable situation they might have thought up. "But in all fairness, I didn't have Killian distracting you. I had you distracting him," she confessed.

Emma's shock must be visible in her face, because Tink gave her a mischievous grin before dragging Emma by the elbow towards the set. "It's about to start, come watch!"

Right on cue, Belle yelled action and Killian moved into place. He walked towards Granny, all swashbuckling bravado, his hips swaying slowly with each step. He stood next to her, his hand on his belt bringing the attention to where his jeans were accentuating some of his best features. His tongue darted to lick his lips - and that looked as good on camera as it has looked up close - and he gave Granny a once over and bowed.

"So, my dear Mrs. Lucas," he said in that low and smooth voice that had women swooning everywhere. "Would you accompany me for a journey through the ol' land and a little bit of friendly cooking competition?"

Granny giggled - fucking giggled - and Emma knew something was up. She'd never seen the woman giggle or lose her cool with anyone.

"Why not?" She batted her eyelashes at him.

Killian smiled and quickly presented her with a helmet. "Hop in the sidecar. I'll drive."

Granny looked Killian up and down, and Emma saw the exact moment she dropped the act. She took the helmet and tossed it back to him, hitting his chest with little force but all the intent.

"In your dreams, pirate boy," she said in that fierce tone that made network executives tremble. "You hop in the sidecar, this is my ride."

Killian's shocked expression was priceless. The fact that it was sincere and not at all an act added to the perfection of the shot and the moment. Emma knew good television when she saw it and Tink's move had been perfect.

"And CUT!" Belle yelled and they all cheered. "Perfection! Congrats everyone, that is how you start a show."

Tink gave Emma a quick glance and she chuckled. "That was great," she admitted. Tink beamed and she and Belle high fived each other.

"Wait a minute!" Killian had found his voice - and his composure - and was looking from Tink to Belle with an astonished look. "You two planned this? And you didn't tell me?"

"Of course we didn't tell you," Belle admitted. "I needed your reaction to be real. And you're not that good of an actor."

Killian huffed. "How could you? I introduced you to your husband!"

"And we're very thankful for that, aren't we, doll?" Will said as he reached to pat Belle's butt.

Belle took one second to give Will a salacious glance and looked back to Killian. "We are, but this is show business, Killian."

"Come on, Killian. It was simply too good to resist," Tink added.

If Killian had looked hurt at Belle, he was simply irate at Tink. "You! Belle's betrayal, I can understand. Maybe. But you…" he started, pointing his finger at her. "I expect more of you. You're my sister!"

"Sister?" Emma choked. She hadn't seen that one coming.

"In-law," Tink clarified. "Sister-in-law." She gave Emma a small shrug. "Tink Green-Jones, although I don't use the last part much to avoid gossip or his raving, crazy fans thinking I'm married to him." Her eyes turned back to Killian, her mischievous expression back in place. "And yes, I know you also introduced me to my beloved husband, but come on, Killian, even he thinks this was a fantastic idea."

Emma wished they had kept filming because Killian's expression at Tink's words was just about everything she ever wanted to have in a show.

"What in the blazes? Liam knows about this?"

Tink waved him off. "It might have come up in our skype session last night. He thought it was brilliant."

Killian ran his hand through his hair. "Why can't the two of you just have video sex like all normal couples?"

"Killian!" Tink cried, feigning offense. "Besides, who says we didn't?"

"Ugh, bloody hell, I need a shot of rum! Or a new producer." He turned to face Emma, tilting his head and giving her a winning smile. "Swan, how about it? Would you be interested in saving me from my misery? I'd like a producer who has my best interest at heart."

Before Emma had a chance to answer, Granny's voice rang through the air. "You'd have to pry her from my cold, dead hands, boy."

"Sorry, Jones." Emma grinned. "I'm very much taken."

"Yeah, that is quite sad, love."

Emma watched him a moment. There was something in his voice that she couldn't quite pinpoint. Something that made her stomach flutter a little and she tried to quickly shut that feeling down. Before she could really name it, Killian seemed to recover and he took a look around. "Ok. Now that you've all got your laugh at my expense, can we get to the cooking?"

"Come on, pirate chef, show me what you got," Granny said as she got on the motorcycle.

Killian grinned as he hopped into the sidecar and adjusted the helmet. "You asked for it, Granny."

"Bring it on, Jack Sparrow."

"I love her," Tink whispered to Emma, Belle close enough to hear and echo Tink's words.

"I think it's safe to say that this - this is going to be a huge success," Belle said as Killian and Granny got ready for the next shot.

"You know what?" Emma said with a wide smile. "I think so too."

And for the first time in a long time, Emma found that she meant it.

/-/

The shoot went well - really well. Emma couldn't recall the last time, or if there'd ever been a time, when filming had gone by so effortlessly. Both teams worked together and the energy flowed between them like a well-oiled machine.

Unlike with Em and Granny, where you could feel the tension and their overall need to crush each other, with Killian and Granny it was almost as if a grandmother and grandson were sharing their generational perspectives on screen. There was a reverence from Killian when Granny spoke - a respect for the classics and the value of cooking. And Granny showed genuine interest when Killian demonstrated a fusion dish or a new technique for her, along with an acceptance that some changes were for the good.

Not to mention the way they complemented each other on screen. It was like magic. Their cooking styles and the dishes they prepared - Tuscan steak salad for him and pasta sautéed with veggies for her - matched perfectly. There was this particular tempo going on between them, the back and forth in the kitchen followed by bantering that just clicked.

The episode's final scene included an improvised moment in which Killian put his rings back in place under Granny's scrutiny. She pointed to one and took it in her hands to admire the work. Killian bowed, his hand grabbing Granny's as he put the ring on her finger and lifted her hand to his lips. Granny swatted his shoulder but her eyes had been shining with mischief before she commanded he hand over that flask of his.

It was glorious.

"They're bloody perfect together," Tink sighed once Belle yelled cut.

"They do make quite a team," Emma acknowledged.

"So do we." Tink raised her mug and clinked it against Emma's. "Here's to a fun season."

"I'll drink to that," she smiled as she took another sip of Tink's almond tea.

They wrapped up in no time. Cameras and equipment packed and ready for the next leg of the trip. Boxes with utensils stacked on one corner. Everyone stayed behind to simply hang out, eating the food cooked on the show - it seemed Granny and Killian shared a kinship when it came to producing large quantities of food for their crews, and passing around a few locally-brewed beers. Will and Robin were cracking jokes with Sean. Ashley and Aurora sat with Tink, exchanging beauty tips and bonding over sundresses. Granny was nearby, talking to Belle about her early days in television and the first few female directors she'd seen battling for opportunities in the past. Emma could feel the calm atmosphere in the air, one of genuine bonding and goodwill that made her feel a little less guarded, a little more carefree. She took a deep gulp from the red ale she'd been carrying and took a piece of steak from one of the plates nearby, popping it to her mouth. The flavors invaded her mouth and she almost moaned at how great it tasted.

Fuck, that man could cook.

She could get used to eat something like that every night. She could picture herself coming home to the smell of freshly made food and stealing bites before mealtime. They would taste like comfort, and snuggling in the couch by the fire, and watching a movie as she laid her head on his shoulder.

She shook her head, realizing that for the first time her daydream included a person to come home to, something she hadn't pictured in years. It had been a blurry image, but somehow there was a sense of familiarity there that made Emma's nervous, raising goosebumps on her skin and making her want to scratch that spot below her elbow. She resisted the urge for a few seconds before giving in. Her fingers itched at her skin as she took in her surroundings. The sun was setting and the orange tints in the lighting were bringing more warmth to the atmosphere. She caught Killian watching her intently as he packed his knives. He gave her a tentative smile, reaching to scratch behind his ear.

Emma smiled back. Then she moved to check with Ashley and Aurora on the schedule for the next few days, ignoring how that sense of familiarity came back the moment her eyes connected with his.