A/N: chapter two here, and just a heads up, I have absolutely NO idea how one goes about making a live TV production, so bare with me if anything seems totally of track. This story will have three chapters, and it's already written, only awaits my lovely beta reader romanceapologist to go over it.
Hope you enjoy this as much as I enjoyed writing it.
Chapter 2Killian buttoned his chef's jacket in place, shaking out his arms to have the cuffs brush against the inside of his wrists, and pulled out the black beanie he usually wore over his hair while cooking. Looking one final time in the cracked mirror of the small bathroom in the Misthaven Shelter and Community Center, he gave a small smile and opened the door. He turned around as he closed the door but was suddenly pushed hard against the doorframe.
"Oh fuck, I'm so sorry." The voice of Emma Swan rushed out, and when Killian turned to look at the woman who'd intrigued him the previous day, he could see that she clutched a colorful bandana in her hand, her blond hair tumbling over her shoulder. "I was trying to get this fixed on my head." She lifted her hand holding the fabric, "Are you okay?"
"Aye, love, I'm okay, no worries." He smiled when she took a step back as if she realized how close they were still standing. "So, are you ready for the cook-off?"
"Hmm," Emma had tugged the bandana between her lips while she tamed her hair into a low bun at her neck, then she wrapped the brightly colored fabric around her head. "I'm still a bit nervous about the camera but I'll do my very best to win this." She looked up at him with her captivating green eyes. They'd been quite distracting the day prior.
"Ah, lass, you do know who you're up against, right?" He smirked when she frowned at him.
"Let's make a wager!" Emma stated and tugged her hands at her hips. She wore a faded black chef's coat and black loose pants.
"I like the sound of that," he waggled his eyebrows, "what do you have in mind?"
"If I win, you'll be working here at the shelter for a week, a minimum of 20 hours."
"And what happens if I win?"
"I'll be…" She paused as if she wasn't sure what her stakes would be, then her eyes lit up, "I'll be doing the dishes at your restaurant for a week."
Killian smirked, "That's a deal." He offered her his hand and when they touched he felt a pulse of electricity wash through him.
Emma smiled triumphantly, "Get ready to work down in the grub, buddy. I have toilets to clean, and garbage cans to empty and wash out. We're going to have so much fun."
"I wouldn't gloat too soon if I were you. I'm fairly certain that it will be me that gets the most votes in this," Killian smirked. He knew that the guests and users of the shelter would be given a small plate with each of their two lasagnas and then they would vote for the one they liked the best. Red flag or blue flag. No names are attached so as to keep the voting fair.
"You just wait and see, I know the people eating in this place will definitely know which one is mine." She looked him up and down, then mumbled, "So, you're not wearing leather pants in the kitchen?" She tapped her temple, "Smart thinking."
Killian barked out a laugh. This woman was feisty and quick thinking, and she was beautiful too. Had it not been for his brother's intervention last night he'd have continued flirting with her. "That would just be plain stupid if one were to wear leather pants in a hot kitchen." Then, he lowered his gaze and looked at her through his lashes, "But rest assured, I'll be wearing more leather tonight at the charity party."
Emma just rolled her eyes and twirled around on her heel, heading for the kitchen. He followed her, blatantly admiring her backside. The pants might be loose but they did show off a shapely ass. "Stop ogling," Emma said as she pushed the door open to the kitchen.
"Just wondering what you will be wearing tonight?"
"That is none of your concern," Emma walked briskly to the door leading to the dining hall, "We've got food to make."
Killian followed her to the dining hall. His team had already assembled in one corner that would be Graham and Robin's headquarters for their filming. The duo was currently setting up the link to the television network, Graham working furiously on the laptop.
Reluctantly, Killian let Emma saunter over to her mouthy friend, Ruby, he believed her name was and headed to his crew. He had no idea where Liam was but his brother had mumbled something about joining forces with the shelter's own Social Media worker, the white blond-haired beauty he'd spotted Liam speaking to yesterday. He saw Tink reach out to Emma with the small microphone she would be wearing today.
"Are we ready to go live?" He leaned against the wall as he assessed the flurry of activity currently taking place in the large open room. He had no idea what would take place beyond the kitchen, but it seemed as if this small shelter had a large group of workers and volunteers that worked hard to make this day a success. This was something he could relate to making your work count and making things better if something failed. It hadn't been easy to work his way up in the culinary world, but his hard work had paid off.
"In five minutes," Robin said, as he looked over his camera, making sure it was ready to film. Graham came over and lifted a small microphone up, and Killian nodded in understanding and let the man help him fix the object to his chef's coat and he stuffed the battery into the back pocket of his pants.
"Brilliant." Killian searched the room, "Where's our elusive reporter?" When he didn't spot a mob of curly red hair he sighed, "Zelena better not be late for this."
"No worries brother." Liam walked over with Elsa close by, "I just saw her outside, she was sweet talking a few of the fairground guests, making sure they would be ready for interviews later on."
Killian nodded in understanding. This wasn't his first live cook-off, but this time he would be sharing the kitchen with a woman who, although he had only barely met her, seemed to be a constant presence at the back of his mind.
Moments later Zelena Green waltzed into the hall and headed straight for where Killian was standing. "Good to see you again, Mr. Jones. This is going to be such a fun day." She looked at the clipboard she'd tucked under her arm, "We're ready to go live in less than three minutes." She looked at Graham and August, "You guys look ready?"
Both men gave a thumbs up and Robin lifted his camera, getting ready to film, while Graham hoisted the long boom mic over his shoulder. Zelena waved for Emma to come to join her and Killian. When Emma stepped over the reporter quickly introduced herself and let Emma know that they would be live in a few minutes. Killian could see the slight panic in Emma's eyes, but she smoothed her hands down her thighs and nodded in understanding.
Killian walked over to stand next to Emma as Zelena stood to the side with a handful of cue cards while Graham and Robin got ready to film. Then Zelena started to speak and welcome the viewers to the live event. When she began walking over to them Killian saw Emma smooth her hands over her bandana and down her faded chef's coat. She looked brilliant but he could see the doubt in her eyes.
Zelena looked into the camera, "Now, let me introduce you to the two chefs that will partake in this cook off." She swept her hand toward Killian, "Killian Jones, who we all know and love for the exquisite food he serves at his Michelin star restaurants," she paused, "and Emma Swan who is famed for her lasagna. Everyone dining here will tell you just how delicious it is." She returned her gaze to the camera, "Now we'll see who will win the vote of the people: the famed chef or the big-hearted social worker, who can make the best lasagna?"
Killian smiled and waved to the camera and saw Emma nervously copy his movements. She glanced at him shortly and sent him a feeble smile.
"Are you guys ready to start cooking?" Zelena walked over to Emma and continued, "How do you feel right now, going up against such a world-famous chef."
"I'm nervous but pretty confident in my abilities to make a tasteful lasagna. I know the people who visit the shelter usually want seconds. We rarely have any leftovers when we have Granny's lasagna on the menu." Emma rattled on and only cleared her throat a few times as she spoke. She seemed to lose some of the tension Killian had seen in her body the more she spoke. She would need to be relaxed and focused while cooking.
Zelena smiled at her words, apparently very happy with what she got out of Emma. Then, the reporter pointed to the kitchen, "I'll let you two start with the cook off."
Emma glanced up at Killian and he nodded his head to the door, "Let's get cooking." She smiled and walked to the doors and stepped into her home turf. Killian had gotten a bit acquainted with the kitchen the previous night when he'd prepped his ingredients for today.
They had divided the long table in two and things were already lined up for them, so it was easy to begin working on the meal.
"Good luck," Killian said and lifted his fist towards her. Luckily, she returned the fist bump and smiled.
"Good luck, you'll need it." She smiled cheekily and Killian heard Graham chuckle behind Robin who clearly had captured the moment with his camera.
"I don't need luck." He sassed back and smiled cheekily at her, "I'm going to win this." He lifted his eyebrows in challenge.
"You'll be scrubbing toilets and cleaning our stock pot for a week." Emma gave back and started to work on her own lasagna.
Killian laughed and shook his head. This day was going to be fun, this woman was devastatingly beautiful, and he would be lying if he didn't wonder what could happen if they'd been alone in this kitchen, sans the cameras capturing their every move or word. Right now, he regretted agreeing to the live setup, but he hoped that he would be able to catch a moment alone with her while their lasagnas were cooking in the oven. He knew that Zelena would then focus on the activity going on outside.
He walked behind her to retrieve his ingredients from the large walk-in refrigerator and nudged her hip, "Or you will do the dishes in my restaurant, you know I have a lot of guests eating there every night."
When he returned to his desk he could see Zelena walking over and leaning in over the table, "So, do we have a friendly wager going on, or what was that about back there?" She pointed between him and Emma, her eyes eager for some juicy details she could bring to the viewers.
Killian glanced at Emma silently asking if it was okay to share, she shrugged as if she said, "Why not?"
When Zelena heard the details of their little bet she turned to the camera and gave her own exciting version of what was at stake here. Not only the honor of winning but also who would help out who in a week. Killian shut out the blabbering from the reporter and spent the next hour mixing his meat and tomato sauce, then went to prepare the béchamel sauce he knew would be the final nail to his win. Often he would glance at Emma trying to gauge what she might be doing differently than him, but he couldn't really see what would be her secret.
While they worked he did try and engage in small-talk from time to time, asking about the work they did here at the shelter. This seemed to loosen her up even more and she relaxed even more as she prepared her lasagna. He knew that Zelena was happy with their interaction, as he spotted her smiling from her position next to Robin. Sometimes she would speak into her microphone adding a few extra details to what was happening in the kitchen.
It was a bit close-spaced when they both stood at the stove, mixing their large portions of sauce, even if the stove had 8 burners only four really worked, and those four were close to one another. This had them standing very close as they both tried to focus on making their food. He could see her face heat up when he, by accident, brushed his arm against hers. When she bit her lip in concentration, it made him lose his focus. His mind would conjure images of him kissing those lips and he was seconds away from burning his béchamel sauce.
"Bloody hell." He exclaimed and pulled the pot off the stove, sighing in relief when he concluded that the sauce was okay.
"Getting too hot over there?" Emma asked and nudged his back with her elbow as she walked over to the table where large oven pans were lined up, ready to assemble their lasagnas.
"Nothing I can't handle." Killian gave back and carried his sauce to the stainless steel desk, still feeling the imprint of her elbow touching his back.
"I bet," Emma mumbled and focused on getting her lasagna done. The cooked homemade lasagna plates were lined up and were ready to be part of the lasagna.
Killian shook her head and sent Zelena a wry grin. The reporter brimmed with excitement as she'd clearly picked up on the banter going on between them. Then he found his usual focus and began assembling his lasagna.
When they placed each of their three large oven pans into the preheated oven, they could finally sigh in relief. Killian walked over and shook hands with Emma, "Let the best one win."
"Thanks, that would be mine." She squeezed his hand and grinned, lifting her chin in confidence. Zelena began babbling behind them and when she tapped them on the shoulder they both turned to face the camera again.
"So that was some intense and hot cooking going on here, how do you feel now?" She asked and moved her microphone to Killian.
Killian took off his chef's beanie and ran a hand through his hair, "I feel pretty confident that my lasagna will win this."
Emma crossed her arms over her chest and scoffed, and when he looked at her he saw her rolling her eyes. "I will win this buddy." She poked his arm with her finger and grinned when the crew behind Zelena guffawed at Killian's yelp of pain.
"You're a cheeky social worker, did anyone ever tell you that?" Killian grumbled and rubbed his arm, still smiling good-naturedly.
"I know and that is why I make a damn good lasagna."
"We'll see," Killian mumbled and he sighed in relief when Zelena seemed keen on moving outside. She said a few final words before she motioned for Graham and Robin to follow her outside.
Once they were alone he turned to Emma as he leaned against the table behind him, "So, you think you'll win this?"
"I know I'm up against the all-famous Killian Jones," she shuffled over and began putting away the ingredients she'd used for her lasagna, "but this time your customers will be people not used to the glitz and glamour of your restaurants." She walked to the walk-in fridge and placed it all neatly on the shelves. Killian pushed away from the desk and copied her actions, and brushed past her when she walked out. He could have imagined it but he swore that he heard her make a small gasp at the contact. He'd been so absorbed in the cooking that he'd not focused on her reactions to his banter and jokes.
"That is true but even homeless guys will have taste buds and will know there's a difference," Killian closed the fridge and turned his focus on her again, "but you're right I don't know what style they prefer." He nodded to the oven, "I did notice that yours was made slightly different than mine."
"We'll see." Emma carried the dirty cookware to the large industrial dishwasher that was located in a back room next to the kitchen.
"Aye." Killian picked up the remaining pots that would need cleaning, "So, who's doing the dishes tonight?"
"You and me buddy." Emma laughed when he looked at her in surprise. Then she pushed him out of the room, her hands splayed over his chest, even with this thick coat he felt the heat from her hands. He looked down in surprise and noticed a mischievous twinkle in her eyes, and when he raised a curious eyebrow she said, "We have a few volunteers who've signed up for dish duty today." She pointed to the doors behind him, "There will be more coming in once the meal is finished."
Killian grinned and placed his hands over hers. It was a surprise that she hadn't moved away, but certainly, a welcomed one. When her eyes widened, he lifted her hands to his lips, "May the best chef win."
Emma blinked a few times then rolled her eyes, "I'm no chef."
"But you want to be, right?"
"How do you know?" She looked down, her fingers curling against his.
"You have a passion for what you do in the kitchen, and I could see that you know what you're doing."
"You haven't tasted my lasagna yet." She chuckled nervously and tried to pull away. When he finally let go of her hands, she stepped back and hid her hands in her pockets.
"Can't wait." He ran a hand through his hair. He was feeling a bit out of his depth here. He wanted to ask her out, he wanted to share a kitchen with her again, kiss her while she cooked whatever meal was on the menu here at the shelter. Breathing out through his nose he rubbed his face before he placed the chef's beanie on his head.
"What's wrong?" She tilted her head and looked at him with worry.
"You're an amazing woman…"
She scoffed and shook her head, "I'm just living my life trying to help people."
"I think you do so much more, from what I understand reading on the shelter's website and social media, you help and change people's lives here. Make them see that life is worth living." He sighed, "That is something worth being proud of."
"Yeah?"
He nodded and reached for her arm, wrapping his fingers around her wrist, "I want to know more about this place." He paused, "I want to know more about you."
"What? Why me?"
"Can we perhaps go out for coffee one day?" He bit the inside of his cheek silently waiting for her to either laugh at his suggestion or hopefully agree.
"Coffee?" She blinked and shook her head. Then her eyes blew wide, "Are you asking me out on a date?"
Killian shrugged, "In a roundabout way I am, aye." He smiled sheepishly. He knew it was a less-than-perfect way of doing this, but damn if he didn't want to get to know her more.
"Wow, little ol' me, going out with a famous chef?" Emma shook her head and held her eyes on him as if she was trying to gauge if he was being honest.
"Is that a yes?" He asked hopefully, scratching behind his ear.
Finally, she nodded and with a small smile she said, "I'd like that."
"Bloody brilliant." Killian lifted her hand to his mouth again, "Thank you."
"Just don't overdo the hand kissing thing." She wrinkled her nose, "It makes me feel as if I'm part of an episode of Bridgerton or something."
"Duly noted." He bowed his head and glanced up at her from under his lashes, "How should I show my appreciation then?" It was a surprise when she stepped closer and slipped her hands over his shoulder.
"If you truly want to get to know me, perhaps more like this." Her hands tugged at the collar of his chef's jacket and she pressed her luscious lips to his surprised mouth. But seconds later his brain caught up with what was going on and his hands found their way to rest on her hips. The kiss was slow yet with a show of some slight pent-up passion. It was a surprise that she seemed to have felt something for him too. But he soon backed her up against the nearest wall and pressed closer to her body, his hand reached up and cupped her face holding her closer.
In the back of his mind, he tried to decipher how this had happened. It was not his usual way of approaching a woman he'd only met the day before. They'd spent a few hours together in a hot and steamy kitchen, and something else must have brewed in the air between them while they'd made their lasagnas.
Suddenly, the door burst open, "Emma…" a female voice gasped and when Killian whirled around to face the intruder he saw that it was Ruby, Emma's friend. He could hear Emma still trying to catch her breath behind him.
"Where's the fire, lass?"
"Oh, I think the fire is in here." Ruby looked between them and pointed her finger while wiggling her eyebrows, "What have you two been up all alone in the kitchen?"
"Making lasagna," Emma said, still slightly out of breath as she walked past Killian, facing her friend.
"Smells good in here by the way." Ruby said with a grin and took a deep sniff then raised her eyebrows, "You'll be dishing up more than lasagna tonight girl, I need details."
"Just leave it, Rubes."
"Nope won't happen, I need details." Then she glanced through the round windows in the swinging doors and proclaimed, "Everyone is almost here, and we've been smelling the delicious food and we're hungry."
"It will be a few more minutes," Killian said and glanced sideways at Emma. Her face was still heated and her lips looked kiss-swollen.
"Oki-Doki, I'll let the big shots know." Ruby turned around to walk out.
"How's the live feed going?" Emma asked.
Ruby paused by the door and waved her hand, "It's going great. That Zelena Green knows her way around a crowd for sure. She's been doing interviews talking with the kids in the new kid's program, and found a few of our old regulars who wanted to share their story." Ruby lined up and smiled while adding, "And the money is rolling in. Mary Margaret is trying to keep up with the donations rolling in, both online and those that have shown up at the fairground outside."
"Wow, that is amazing." Emma said and looked back at Killian with pride written all over her face, "See, we're making money."
"That is bloody brilliant, love." He smirked when her eyes widened at his choice of endearment, but he continued, "I knew it was going to be for a good cause setting this up. I'm honored to have been part of it."
"Be ready to meet your demise, when everyone is going to vote for Emma's lasagne." Ruby howled in laughter as she waved a farewell, "See you soon. No more lighting any fires in the kitchen, it's already too hot to handle." She fanned herself and pushed herself out of the door, walking backward. When the doors swung closed again, Emma groaned.
"I'm so sorry about that, there's no excuse for her fast-talking mouth." She cringed when she finally looked at him.
"Don't worry." Killian walked over and pushed away a lock of hair that had come loose from her bandana, "We did make it a bit hot in here." He winked and gave her a quick chaste kiss before stepping back, knowing that a repeat performance of their first kiss might have to wait until they were alone.
A long beep sounded from the oven and they focused on the more practical side of them being there, namely, serving the two versions of their lasagnas. One with a red flag and one with a blue flag, then the guests would put in the flag from the lasagna they liked the most. Emma called in the volunteers who would help serve up the lasagna. And Killian stood back marveling at the efficiency they rolled out the meal in. This place might be a bit tattered and run down but the heart and soul of what they did here, every day, was inspiring. He made a mental note to pass by Mrs. Blanchard's office before the night was over and make a donation himself. But first, he would keep teasing Emma about his lasagna being the best. It would be fun to rile her up a bit, and he knew that her own sassy comments would fly his way too. The night wasn't over yet and he hoped that it would end with him actually having a date set out for their coffee date. Hopefully very soon.