Early in the morning Fili heard the doorbell. He got up still sleepy and opened the door. He saw Kili stand there with a smile and soon he was pushed into the door. Kili was showing dominance for the first time and Fili was really surprised. It wasn't he didn't like changing roles, it was just surprising to see Kili so decisive. They kissed deeply and Fili let Kili do whatever he felt like doing. In his past intercourses Fili was very versatile so it seemed Kili was the same. This time it was Kili who took control and set the pace, he touched Fili anyway he wanted and he was showing first signs of dominance. He was surprised Fili didn't even protest for the role change but Kili was in nature the more top person than bottom. Their previous relation and the work relation made him shy and unsure, but now he didn't care about anything anymore.

When Fili awoke he heard the shower running, so he decided to join his lover. Kili wasn't at all surprised to see him there, and instead of washing they had one more session of pleasure and fun. They kissed gently and washed. Fili loved the sight of Kili roaming his kitchen. The boy went through the cupboards and out of seemingly impossible ingredients made lunch. Fili just watched him and wanted to start a conversation, but Kili was focused so he decided not to disturb him.

"It's not much but enjoy." Kili told him finishing his masterpiece.

"I'll eat almost anything." Fili replied.

"I won't." Kili curtly replied.

"Can I sit next you tonight?" Fili asked with hope in his voice.

"No." Kili replied. "I'll be cooking." He explained slowly trying the food.

"So what are you cooking tonight?" Fili asked eating his lunch.

"I can't tell you. It's a blind taste test, so I can't tell anyone what I'm cooking." Kili said slowly.

"I like your cooking." Fili said commenting on the lunch.

"If you want to get more, you better stop by the restaurant more often." Kili suddenly offered. Kili knew he could not refuse this man anymore, but at least he could make sure it was on his conditions.

"Would you allow that?" Fili asked hesitantly.

"I proposed it." Kili cut the answer short.

"Will I be able to see you regularly?" Fili asked hesitantly.

"Maybe." Kili replied trying to keep his voice still.

"I'd really like that." Fili's blue eyes were looking at Kili deeply and with hope.

"I better get going, go shopping if you want breakfast tomorrow." Kili replied with a smile and left the flat.

Fili looked at the door analyzing the last words Kili said. And he just smiled and went to the supermarket.

xxxxx

That evening was very busy in the restaurant, Sundays were always the most busy. That day Bofur had a surprise visit from an old friend Beorn, his friend brought in a cute tall red haired girl asking if they were still looking for a chef. Tauriel was really shy and apprehensive, clearly amazed by the restaurant and the formality Bofur always showed to newcomers.

"We're having a taste test today, if you have the time I can get you in the kitchen and give you a try." Bofur proposed, and when the girl nodded with hope in her eyes he led her towards the staff room.

Kili glared at the girl coming into the kitchen, but Bofur told him this was just one more chef for the trail and that they had one more private guest for the testing.

"Choose a work station, and cook three dishes in seven portions. You can take your time to prepare we're sending out dishes in over an hour." Kili informed her coldly. He was bit surprised they would have one more person in the kitchen so preparing and making sure the kitchen was serving their normal clients smoothly was going to be a challenge.

"We haven't had a girl in the kitchen since Ms. Janet retired four years ago!" Bombur was delighted to see the girl, and his comment made her blush. "May the best cook win!" He murmured and turned towards his shrimps.

Tauriel slowly got the rhythm of this kitchen, she knew the fat red haired man was the famous chef Bombur, she was very worried he would be stuck up and starry but he was the kindest person in the world she soon realized. There were many people working, clearly taking current orders and serving standard menu dishes. She noticed both the head chef Bombur and the slim young handsome chef prepare dishes probably for the taste test. Two more men were doing exactly the same but slightly to the back of the restaurant. She glanced at the slim young chef thinking about whether he was also her competition, contrary to the other chef's in the restaurant he had no post written on his jacket. Soon she noticed the close relation between the boy and Bombur, so he might have a head start. She was worried, she only worked for six months in a professional kitchen, before she got a job as a private chef. Now she was again jobless thanks to her own stupid heart. She praised Beorn in her head again, he did not hesitate to help her yet once again, he had been her social worker when she was at foster care, and later he helped her to pursue the career of chef. He took her in when she got fired from her last job, when her employee accused her of seducing his precious son.

Kili observed the girl slowly get into the rhythm of working, and when all the dishes were being served she was working much more efficiently than the two men working at the back, and the last two they tested the previous day.

"What happens now?" She asked him hesitantly.

"Now you go and find out what they think about your food." Bofur smiled to the girl, and took her to the private lounge where Beorn was waiting. She was surprised to see so many people in the room, Beorn introduced her to everyone and someone swiftly got her a chair next to him. She felt out of place, but soon both the handsome young chef and Bombur joined them there. And a short man called Bilbo announced that yet again Bombur won.

"However I'm surprised to say my dear son, this time you didn't get second place." He announced looking at the slim boy. "You and the lovely Tauriel tied!" Kili looked at her with shock in his eyes. "So it seems we finally have a chef!" Boern congratulated her, and they were both invited to stay for the private dinner.

"So we're going to be working together?" She asked the young chef hesitantly as they went back into the kitchen to prepare snacks for the employees and guests in the private lounge.

"It seems so. Actually since you're going to be in the kitchen I'll be stopping by and making sure it goes smoothly." Kili told her.

"You're not a chef?" She asked with surprise.

"No, I'm the manager here." He explained curtly with a smile. "Although I do spend lots of time in the kitchen stepping in if a chef's absent. Can you start work as soon as possible?"

"Yes, whenever I'm needed." She told him hesitantly.

"Well it's not that you need to start work immediately, but Bombur is going to be away, it's his last two working weeks now. So it would be best if you stay here under his care and maybe get into the drill and observe him." He explained to her with a smile. He had a feeling he was going to like this girl, at least she didn't try to flirt with him like most women.

"Why is Bombur leaving?" She asked hesitantly.

"He's not. He needs a knee operation and he's going to be away for two or three months." He explained to her.

"So it's just a temporary job?" She asked sadly.

"Nah don't think of it like that, treat it as a trial contract. If you prove to be worth it, I'll make sure you get a permanent contract." Kili told her and saw her smile with relief.

"Hey lovebirds some people are hungry!" Bofur joked at them, but saw two surprised faces. "Oh me and my big mouth! Don't you dare poison my food kid!" He pointed his finger at Kili.

"Can we get the food?" Tauriel noticed two red hair waiters come in.

"So do all the employees stay this late?" She asked unsure what to do next.

"Nah, just family, but since Beorn brought you in, you fit into the category." Bofur told her with a smile.

"Family?" She asked surprised.

"Well this is a very unconventional patchwork family as you soon will realize." Bofur took the girl by the hand and with courtesy he showed her towards the private room again.

She was surprised with the number of people there, but the homey atmosphere, food and jokes made her feel safe for a change. Only one person wasn't friendly to her, a extremely handsome blond man they all called Fili, she could swear he was jealous anytime she spoke to the friendly young chef.

"So what's your name?" She finally managed to ask him.

"Kili." He introduced himself. "At your service!"

"So can I start tomorrow?" She asked hesitantly.

"Yes, that would be fine." He told her.