Disclaimer: All stories are individuals of themselves and are unrelated to each other.

Latte. Cappuccino. Extra foam. Black. No sugar. Lots of sugar. By the time lunch hour rolls around my head is spinning from all the orders. I've messed up three different drinks, nearly in a row too, and I can feel the eyes of my boss staring down on me like a hawk.

I suck in a sharp breath and make my way back to the counter, smiling as brightly as I can at the next customer before I even see who it is. "What can I get you?"

There's a pause. "Undersee?"

Finally I lift my eyes and my façade cracks. "Gale?" There's a cough from behind me and I silently curse. Damn boss. I haven't seen Gale Hawthorne in years. "I… what can I get you?"

He blinks a few times, obviously just as shocked to see me as I am to see him. "Uh. Vanilla spice latte," Gale answers. "Large. Or well, Grande." I try to hold back my smile. Is he serious? But instead I nod and quickly get to work.

Steamed milk. Rich vanilla. Sugar. Whipped cream. His drink smells so heavenly I'm tempted to take a sip of it before I pass it over the counter. I glance over my shoulder once or twice and find his eyes on me.

Gale got out of our dinky old hometown. I didn't. I'm more surprised to see him back here than he should be to see me working at the local coffee shop. Only now do I realize he's in uniform. Must be on leave, or whatever it is soldiers do. Every time I catch his eye he looks away.

Finally his drink is ready so I grip it in my hand. I try to rush, having forgot the holder that keeps me from burning my hand, while trying to put the lid on at the same time.

"Here you are," I say, handing it over as gently as I can.

But the problem is I never put the lid on all the way. Or the holder to prevent him from burning his hand. So when he drops the coffee and it hits the counter at the perfect angle to spill all over me, I can't say I blame him.

But dammit does it burn.

I let out a squeak of pain before it even really sinks in, trying to remind myself that it's cold outside and a bit of coffee never killed anyone. I hear Gale saying "oh, God," and "shit" and "dammit" over my shoulder as well as a few apologies, but I'm rushing off to the bathroom before I can tell him that's is my fault.

Cold water and lots of paper towels and deep breaths. I stare at myself in the mirror and try to collect myself. I've gotten coffee spilled on me a thousand times before this is no different.

Knowing if I don't get back to work soon my boss will have a conniption I rush from the bathroom, only to find Gale at the door. His eyes are wide as he stares down at me. "I am so sorry," he says instantly.

"Don't be," I respond gently. "I didn't have the holder thing on or the lid all the way I was sort of asking for it."

He frowns and glances at my uniform which is most definitely stained. "Sorry," he groans again, dragging one of his hands through his hair. "Let me make it up to you."

"I have to get back to work, actually," I murmur.

As I go to brush past him he grabs my shoulder, bringing me backwards. "I'm home for the next few weeks," he tells me. "Let me take you to dinner."

Nerves pulse through my veins. "Not out to coffee?" I ask.

Gale chuckles. "No. Not out to coffee."

I nod and smile, dropping my gaze down to the ground. "Okay. Let me get you another latte first." Gale grins, allowing me to return to the counter.

My boss gives me another disapproving glance but I only shrug, gesturing to my soiled apron. This time when I make Gale's drink I make sure to put the holder on first, as well as securing the lid tightly in place. I add my phone number next to his name, and hand over the cup with a smile.

"Thank you for your service," I say brightly.

He smirks. "See you at 8."

A/N: Modern AU request involving spilled coffee? I've never had coffee before in my life so hopefully I did alright?