Hi,

Thanks for coming back. Sorry I haven't replied to reviews yet, but it's been a slightly chaotic day.

This is the chapter that inspired the entire story, so I really hope you enjoy it.

Killian flipped the TV on just in time for the pre-game commentary that had begun on BBC One, while he waited for his room-service order to be delivered. He'd had a somewhat lazy day. After saying goodbye to his parents and brother at the airport, he'd decided to take a trip to Oxford Street to do a little shopping. He spent more of the day window-shopping than actually buying anything, but he enjoyed it all the same. A few fans had stopped him along the way, asking for autographs or pictures, but the majority of the day he had been left alone.

One thing he did buy on his journey was a new shirt just in time for the game that evening. The one he'd just turned on TV to watch. Normally, Killian preferred to watch his beloved Republic of Ireland play in his favourite shirt. This time, he couldn't. He'd left it at his apartment in Vancouver when filming wrapped, thinking that he wouldn't need it. He'd totally forgotten the scheduled friendly match between the Republic of Ireland and England that evening. So, instead, he decided to try his luck and purchase a new shirt.

His phone vibrated on the table just as there came a knock at the door. Killian spared a quick glance at it before getting up to answer the door. He showed the woman delivering his meal where to set it up, before he excused himself to the bathroom to change into his new shirt. When he came back, she had gone, and in her place was a case of Guiness, and a large pizza.

Killian sank back into the armchair in front of the TV before pulling the small table a little closer, and reaching for his phone.

Emma had been busy that afternoon dealing with an issue that had arisen through her foundation, so he hadn't heard much from her. The tweet she had sent, which was now lighting up his phone, seemed generic at first, until he unlocked the handset.

Sending the best of luck to our boys tonight. #ComeOnEngland

She had included an image of herself in an England football shirt and Killian couldn't help the response bubbling out of him. He ran back to his bathroom to snap an image in the mirror, once again, before he could talk himself out of it.

PrincessEmma I don't think you'll be winning this one, Your Highness.

He attached the picture of himself to the tweet and then hit send, reaching for his pizza. Emma's reply came through as fast as he expected.

KillianJones1 What do you think you're winning? Best looking in a football shirt? Because there's no way RoI are beating England.

PrincessEmmma Please! Like I'd win that contest. But the match, we definitely will.

KillianJones1 When was the last time you beat us?

Killian had no idea she was so passionate about the sport, and it only made his crush on her grow.

PrincessEmma The past doesn't matter. Those players aren't going to be on the pitch tonight. It's about talent. YOU don't have any!

KillianJones1 Okay, if you're so sure about this, then how about we make things a little more interesting?

That definitely had Killian's attention.

PrincessEmma What did you have in mind?

KillianJones1 A small bet. England win, I choose your forfeit. RoI win, you choose mine?

PrincessEmma I think I'm gonna need to know more specifics before making that bet, Your Highness.

Killian's imagination was running wild. She was a princess, after all. She could have him do anything!

KillianJones1 You're no fun! Ok, Eng win– you make your next public appearance as Hook. Leather, eyeliner, hook, accent – the whole thing?

He could certainly do that. His next public appearance was a convention in the USA. The fans would certainly get a kick out of it. But, what could he ask of her? He knew what he wanted to ask, but he wasn't sure if she would agree. So, he sent her a quick private message.

Are there any limits on this bet?

No public nudity or anything outlandish. But I'm game for anything. What'd you have in mind? :-P

Instead of replying to her private message, he responded to her tweet.

PrincessEmma Okay. But, when the RoI win, you have to let me cash in on that rain check and take you out on a date.

The moment he hit send he was regretting it.

The retweets and likes were pilling up on his account, but the seconds seemed to be ticking by agonisingly slowly. Finally, after what seemed like hours, but in reality was about a minute, he got his reply.

KillianJones1 DEAL! Good luck. You'll need it.

Killian could barely believe his luck! Now he just needed his football team to perform for him.

Killian ate the rest of his pizza in a haze, watching as the number of retweets and likes on his conversation with Emma soared way past any he'd ever had before. He was still a little stunned that he'd typed the words! Damn her for making him feel so comfortable.

You okay with all this?

Her message was unexpectedly sweet after their banter.

Of course. Why wouldn't I be?

She replied by sending him screenshots of at least a dozen different media outlets all over the world who had already picked up the story, proving just how fast social media worked.

Wow. They work fast! Looks like the BBC will be getting plenty of extra viewers out of our bet tonight. :-P

Well, who can blame them? I'd be eagerly watching too with a date with you at stake.

Smooth talker!

Thanks for reading.