Spoilers/Timeline: None/Set in the future
Disclaimer: Nothing has changed overnight - Bones doesn't belong to me. Title [Is It Standing Right Here Holding Your Hand?] from the Sugarland song Love.
"Table for two, please."
I look up and attempt to hide the shock that I'm sure colors my face as I register both of them standing at the podium. Usually one or the other shows up to pick up their take-out: various main dishes, but always an extra order of mee krob. If he was the one who picked it up half the extra order would be gone before he was out the door.
"No take-out tonight?" I grab two menus and move from behind the podium.
"No, tonight we're varying from the established patt-"
"Bones!" He shoots her a look somewhere between annoyance and amusement. She just smiles. And somewhat nervously, I might add. I've never seen her look anything other than calm and collected. Something is definitely going on.
"Well, right this way." I guide them to the main room and a table directly in my sight line. I set the menus on the table and wait for them to catch up. His shoulders have relaxed, his hand at the small of her back, and she's looking over her shoulder at him, smiling.
"Thanks." He stands next to her as she sits, hands stuffed in his pockets as though it's killing him not to pull the chair out for her, then settles in his seat.
"Wendy will be right over. Enjoy your meal." I go back to my post and busy myself with rolling silverware in napkins; it's a slow night.
The next time I look up, their food has arrived and they've settled into comfortable conversation. He's telling some sort of story, thrusting his chop sticks forward for emphasis and a piece of chicken goes flying. She laughs loudly, head tipping back, and he smiles affectionately. The intimacy of it catches me off guard and I force myself to turn away.
"Uh, hi." I look up, startled, at the group of six in front of me. When had they gotten here? "Could we get a table?"
"No problem. Right this way." I lead them to one of our smaller rooms and rush back to see what's happening at their table.
He's scooting forward in his chair, arm outstretched, offering her what appears to be the last of the mee krob. Her eyes open wide in surprise before she accepts it, smiling softly as she swallows. He grins and leans across the table to press his lips to hers.
"Booth!" She shoves him, quickly surveys the room, and leans in again.
They stand, his fingers lacing through hers as they move for the door. Wendy must've dropped the check off when I wasn't looking.
"Night." They call almost in unison as they step out into the warm May air, eyes never leaving one another. I smile, happy for once to be ignored.
