A/N: This little snippet has been haunting my hard drive for almost a year. I kept thinking it would end up as part of a larger story, but it seems that my muse just thought that it should be a stand-alone piece. I haven't posted anything in a while, and so I figure it might just be time to send this out into the world.
Disclaimer: I unfortunately do not own Bones. I wish I did. We fanfic writers just want to pay tribute, so please don't sue us.
Watching Her
He loves watching her.
Not in the creepy, voyeuristic way, although he does have some fantasies along those lines…
No, observing her is a ritual that brings him pleasure in many different ways. He's fascinated by her stunning beauty, her measured actions, her vibrant energy.
Her brilliant mind. Her caring heart.
And so he cannot help himself but to stare at her when he is in the same room.
It's easy when they are talking - usually bickering - because it gives him an excuse as good as any to lose himself in the icy blue of her eyes, to memorize the way the light catches in her hair when she absentmindedly sweeps it up into a ponytail, to observe the movement of her lips when she is speaking, to admire her slender hands when she is pointing at something that has caught her attention.
But he enjoys it even more when she's oblivious to it.
She is less guarded when she is lost in concentration, letting a sigh or a soft whisper escape her lips unnoticed. Closing her eyes for a few seconds to sort through possible scenarios in her mind. Tenderly tracing the bones of a victim's skeleton with her fingers.
He considers himself a good judge of character, a people-person, and so he tries to read every one of her gestures, her facial expressions, to gain further insight into her. He realizes that the opportunity to do so means more than just to coincidentally occupy the same space.
Her concentration on her work proves that his presence is accepted, that she is comfortable working with him watching her. That they've shared enough over the last few years that silence is not necessarily awkward between them and that she feels that she doesn't have to explain her every move to him.
That they are partners, in this together. I'm with Bones. All the way. He had once said those words to Cam and now smilingly remembers the shocked reaction they caused.
And he meant it. Still does.
Perhaps more every passing day.
She shifts her weight to the other foot and he realizes that they have been standing on the platform for a while now, her scrutinizing the remains, him scrutinizing her. The lab table provides an eerie glow around her silhouette as he stands watching her from a few paces behind her. He can hear the low hum of the other squints buzzing around the lab and the whirring of their techno toys in the background.
He's not usually good with things like patience and waiting, but watching her has become an acceptable - even enjoyable - way to pass the time.
He knows she will eventually find the clue that she is looking for, the link to one of the suspects, the 'who, what, when, and how' that they will need to crack the case. Then, he can jump into action and get the bad guy. Then they can celebrate another victory with a meal and conversation at the diner.
Perhaps he'll even let her steal some fries from his plate.
Until then, he will simply be content to watch her.
Thanks so much for reading! I would love to hear what you thought of it..?
~Nessy