Caitlin smoothed the lapels of her brilliant white lab coat and stuck her hands into the pockets to hide her twitching fingers. "I hope this take works."

Harry, wearing an equally clean lab coat over a stark black outfit grinned. "You say that like you're the one getting covered in dye."

"But, I do feel bad for you!"

Julian sauntered closer and perched himself on the lab desk they stood in front of while waiting for the set crew to finish cleaning from the last take. "It's a funny scene and I've enjoyed myself immensely."

"Ha. Ha." Caitlin shook her head and only just restrained herself from rolling her eyes. "I get some on me when I help your character up," - she nodded at Harry -"doesn't that count?"

"Counts for nothing."

The amusement in Harry's voice let Caitlin know he was joking; she lightly punched him in the shoulder. "Would it make the scene better if we were both rolling on the floor freaking out?"

"Dear me, I do believe I hear my name being taken in vain." Julian gave the pair an insincere smile and left.

Five minutes later, Tina McGee, the director joined Caitlin and Harry. "I hear you had an excellent idea Ms. Snow." Tina's smile was lethal. "I applaud your desire to immerse yourself in this role - and I've made some changes and marked where I need you to stand when Julian's character runs amuck."

Caitlin let out small gasp; Harry began to smirk and covered it with a well-timed cough.

Looking from one to the other, Tina rubbed her hands together like a B-grade movie villain. "Don't be shy about flailing around on the floor together - this really builds the comedy aspect of the story and heightens the tension." Holding the script changes out so both actors could see, Tina ordered, "Have a gander at your new marks. General exclamations of dismay are all we need, low level wailing and yelling. We'll be ready to shoot in fifteen minutes - don't let me down."

Tina yelled, "Cut! Good job everyone! I do believe this scene is in the can - clean the set and I'll be watching the rushes." She smiled at the whole crew and then pointed at Cisco. "Join me with coffee."

"Coming right up!" Cisco forced a pleasant expression. "One coffee!" He stuck the clipboard he carried under his arm and whirled about, ready to race off the set.

"Get yourself one too," commanded Tina, "I want your opinion on what we just filmed."

A real smile formed on Cisco's face; finally, his director was softening up to him.

Coffee in hand, Tina hunched over the flickering screen. "What do you think?"

Cisco took a long sip to give himself time. "Ah… About what?" He reflexively flinched at his inelegant response.

"About the chemistry between our two actors!" Tina paused the video and pointed at Caitlin straddling a supine Harry. "They're covered in blue dye but can't you imagine their characters getting frisky without an outside character instigating?"

"Um…"

"From a purely movie-making point of view." Tina forwarded the clip to where Julian threw loose papers off several desks and mocked the fallen actors. "Primarily this flick is action slash adventure - and while the romance subplot is small, I believe the better match is Ms. Snow and Mr. Wells. Of course I mean, the characters they play."

"But isn't the end pairing set in stone?"

"When you reach my lofty height you'll realize how much power a director has to affect such things." Tina leaned back in her chair and cradled her drink in both hands. "It comes down to box office numbers, yes? My films are known for the romance subplots - and the financial backers of this flick will pay attention to what they care about most. Money."

Cisco nodded. "Then yeah, Caitlin and Harry look real good together. They're both attractive, any sex scene they do would be scorching hot."

"Please Mr. Ramon, treat our actors with respect. They're more than just eye-candy."

"…"

Tina let out the laughter she'd been holding in this whole time and when it slowly came to a halt, she said, "Don't make it so easy for me to tease you. Life's a joke, not a dick. Don't take it so hard."

On break for lunch, Barry sat with Iris chatting about animals - Barry proudly showing off several pictures of his puppies. "I've promised five of my little darlings to friends and family, that means there's only one left."

"Don't you mean two?" Iris blinked rapidly and gave Barry a concerned look. "Tasha had seven puppies, minus five spoken for, um, that's two left-over."

"Well yeah, but I'm keeping my favourite."

Iris nodded, a wide smile breaking over her face. "The runt? Pokey? That's what you named him, right?"

"You remembered!" Barry scrolled forward on his camera roll and showed off another shot of him cuddling Pokey. "My girlfriend - uh, my ex now actually, took this one."

Unable to keep the aghast tone from her voice Iris was a little loud with her reply. "She couldn't accept one little puppy? It's not like you don't have room or the money to take care of a kennel of dogs."

"Carina was never happy with anything less than my full attention." Barry shook his head and took a drink from his soda. "Enough of that, what do you think about our director shifting the romance subplot towards Caitlin and Harry?"

Iris smiled conspiratorially. "Julian was never a good choice anyways, not the way his character's been written and maybe just because of his actual personality."

"I love how you cut to the heart of the matter." Barry laughed and then blushed - he hadn't meant to use the word 'love.' "He's gotten a bit easier to get along with but he's still so full of himself because he's been cast in a blockbuster movie series."

"Yeah, he acts like it was all his effort." Iris slammed her fist down on the table, making their food jump. "Every movie is a culmination of hundreds of workers, not just the actors."

"Whoa, now tell me how you really feel!"

When Barry winked Iris about swallowed her tongue. She'd been nursing a crush on him for some time now, but when he did things like that, she feared she might become obvious. "Heh, I guess I'm a bit worked up." Iris shoved her plate to the center of the table and rested her elbows in its place. "I don't think every movie needs romance, but I'd like this one to pair up most of the characters but leave Julian single and out of luck."

Barry guffawed, tears streaming down his cheeks. After catching his breath he nodded at Iris. "Come up with a list and I'll try to catch Tina's ear."

Caitlin couldn't stop her eyes from caressing the dozens of books her hands itched to hold. Today's big scene was being filmed in a local bookstore and in the downtime, she'd amassed a collection to buy once they were done. Harry, dressed in lab whites was loafing nearby while the shelves Julian had knocked over in the last take were fixed. Catching Harry's eye, Caitlin smiled. "Hey, are you busy after work?"

"Never too busy for a friend."

Huh. Why did a cold spot in her stomach form once Harry called her a friend? Caitlin leaned on the display of self-help books making them fall. "Shit!" She scrambled to catch them, blushing as Harry rushed over to help. "Thanks."

"No problem." Harry smiled. "At least you're only making a few books tumble, unlike Julian who gets to knock over several full shelves."

"Don't jinx me!" Caitlin ordered then softened her tone, "Sorry, I have a phobia about this sort of thing."

"Being clumsy? That's normal." Harry began juggling three of the books he'd picked off the floor. "Nobody's perfect."

Watching him, Caitlin was tempted to cry liar at Harry. The man was incredible with acting and so many other talents - right now demonstrating juggling! "I've never been accused of being perfect, that's for sure. But I don't need… help, exactly. My parents are in town and I wanted to show off to them." She bared her teeth in a grin that didn't really showcase any confidence. "Could you come over for dinner and tell them I'm doing good?"

"But you are." Harry stopped juggling, catching the books and piling them neatly. "Do they not approve of your acting career?"

"Yes and no." Caitlin sighed. "What they really want is for me is to find a nice boy, marry and give them grandbabies."

"Ouch." Harry patted Caitlin's shoulder. "I mean, if you want kids that's not so bad, but if you'd rather just keep pursuing your career…" He sucked air over his teeth. "What is it you want?"

"Happiness. I don't know that I need children - I'm ambivalent to be truthful. It would depend on my partner." Caitlin rubbed her forehead. "In some of my daydreams, I find a guy with kids already and don't have to lose any roles because of pregnancy."

"Is that why you like hanging out with me?" Harry chuckled and winked - showing he was just fooling around. "I've got a kid but too bad I'm so old, eh?"

"Your age isn't a deal breaker. I told you that already." Caitlin narrowed her eyes. "Why don't you listen? But I want to distract my parents a little bit. It'd be nice to have a regular visit that doesn't devolve into when I'm going to give them grandkids."

"Exactly what did you want me to tell them?" Harry frowned, looking pensive. "You want me to pretend to be your significant other and spook them into not pressuring you anymore?"

"…" Caitlin blushed. "Yes! No! I don't know!"

"As your friend, I caution you against lying to your parents."

"I don't want to lie to them but I'd appreciate them getting off my back." Caitlin slumped forward, rubbed the back of her neck and sighed.

"I can tell them how awesome your acting is."

Standing upright again she gave Harry a look of hope. "So you'll come over for dinner?"

"Yeah." Harry nodded. "I need one favour from you though - buy me a book?"

"Deal." Caitlin grinned and admitted to Harry, "Just one? I'd have promised you all you could carry. You're a terrible negotiator."

Harry pulled up to Caitlin's house and parked behind a bright red convertible with the top down. "You look nervous."

Putting away her brush and checking her reflection one last time in the passenger mirror, Caitlin gave Harry a sour smile. "Because I am. They do this every time, show up early and ambush me before I'm ready."

"C'mon, it can't be that bad." Harry twisted in his seat and reached behind him for the bag of books. "If they're anything like mine they'll be on their best behaviour for a stranger. I know that's why you invited me."

He flashed a cheeky grin and suddenly Caitlin's nerves settled. "Partly." She tried to take the bag from Harry.

Holding it to his chest, Harry chided, "Oh, like I'm going to let you make me look like a lazy jerk to your folks."

"I can carry my own stuff. I'm a grown-up." Caitlin pouted, crossing her arms.

"I can see that and so can -"

"Hello!" Caitlin's parents waved and greeted them loudly.

Her father playfully tapped on the windshield. "Earth to Caity and her friend! What's so absorbing that you're hiding in a car?"

"Move, Thomas - so they can get out of the car." Carla edged her husband back a bit, engulfing her daughter in a big hug once she exited the car and gave the same treatment to Harry.

Thomas followed suit, hugging his daughter and then Harry - without any sense of reserve. "So nice to meet you, Caity's friend!"

"Dad, Mom, this is Harry. Remember I told you about him? He's a great actor and even better friend." Caitlin urged her parents up the driveway, shoving down a sigh as they stopped to look at Harry who was gamely following. "We can sit and talk inside in comfort. I don't think we need to give the neighbours a show."

"We're not bothering anyone, besides, it's such lovely weather…" Carla smiled at her daughter. "But you don't have any chairs set up in the backyard."

"Oh, I can fix that." Harry volunteered, "I saw folding chairs in the garage last time I was here."

"Did you hear that dear, Caity's friend knows where the folding chairs are stored." Carla turned her suddenly sharp eyes onto Harry. "What else can you fix? My arms are aching to hold a grandchild."

"Mother!" Caitlin wanted to sink into the ground and never come back. "I'd appreciate you dropping that subject. Harry's a friend."

"Tch. That's a shame. Thomas, it looks like we'll have to call Larry and if Caity doesn't like him, what's the other one on the list?"

"Ah," Thomas rubbed his chin and spoke after a bit of thinking. "Greg? Gerry? No, it was Geoff."

"Can you please stop embarrassing me?"

"They want to be happy and so do I, but this isn't the way." Harry carefully modulated his voice, wanting to appease Caitlin's parents. "Love needs to be found, not forced."

"Thank you, Harry." Caitlin let out a sigh. "I couldn't have said it better myself."

"The thing is, you never know where you might find this love, eh?" Thomas took hold of Carla's hand and squeezed. "Getting introduced via bystander is one thing, but we're family and we care about you, Caity."

Carla nodded. "Dear, give Larry a chance! He's the son of Meredith and Lowell Prescott from our hometown - I think you went to high school with him, didn't you?"

"I don't want to talk about this right now." Arms crossed, hugging herself, Caitlin couldn't bear to look at Harry. Lord knows what he was thinking witnessing her personal family dysfunction. "I promise to listen later." And in her mind Caitlin added, 'much, much later.'

"Then let's go relax in your back yard!" Thomas' booming voice was hearty. "After a few drinks your mother will calm, eh?"

Fun facts, I chose 'Pokey' as the name of the puppy from the Little Golden book series - 'The Pokey Little Puppy.' The excessive hugging (which I know deviates from canon - but this is an AU, so things get to change LOL) stems from my real life In-laws - my husband's parents are world class huggers. And the rest of his family!

Please feel free to comment on content, style, errors - whatever you want. I'm down with constructive criticism.