Spoilers/Timeline: None/Set any time S2 onward
Disclaimer: Bones does not belong to me, yada, yada, yada. Title from Faith Hill's song The Secret of Life, which includes the lyric "the secret of life is a good cup of coffee".
He comes in and places the usual order: two coffees to go. I move behind the counter simultaneously searching for the new holiday cups and watching as his gaze drifts to the government issued SUV where his partner waits.
Finally, I find the cups (why did Gladys hide them behind extra receipt tape?) and begin filling them. He's still alternately looking at our menu (as if there's been anything added to it in the past forty years) and her, obviously trying not to get caught staring. She's engrossed in whatever she's holding though and he's taking advantage of it, eyes seeming to linger on the curve of her neck. Something in what she's just read puzzles her and she shakes her head; his smile grows even brighter than usual.
"Uh, sir." I hate to interrupt, but a line is starting to form behind him.
"Yeah?" He turns back to me, the corner of his mouth tipping upwards. It's nowhere near as striking as it was a mere second ago.
"You're all set." I point to the cups.
"Thanks." He pays and picks up the coffee. "Have a nice day." He starts for the door and I move to the next customer.
I wonder if she knows. It's hard not to see how he looks at her, but nothing in all the times they've been in here together has made me think she's anything other than completely oblivious.
I close the cash register as he slides back into the vehicle. He hands her her cup and starts adjusting the visor, completely missing the smile – something not even close to her usual expression – she throws in his direction.
I drop Mrs. Folkner's change on the floor as realization hits. Not only does she know; she feels the same way. I smile and stoop to grab the dimes and quarters, my day considerably brightened.