Agent Stone stood behind the counter of the Mean Bean Coffee Café, eyes distant as he prepared another latte. The café had become his routine, a quiet place away from the chaos that once consumed him. Years had passed since the incident; since he last worked alongside the doctor. He had hoped, of course, but those hopes had faded over time. Now, he served coffee, waiting for something that might never come.

The bell above the door jingled, and a customer walked in. Stone didn’t bother looking up, his voice routine as he greeted them, “Welcome to Mean Bean. What can I get for you today?”

The customer’s voice was low and commanding, just like he remembered, “A steamed Austrian goat milk latte.”

Stone’s hand froze, a chill running down his spine. That order... it was one he’d heard countless times before. He didn’t think, didn’t process—he just spoke, his tone heavier than usual. “Oh... he would always order that...”

He quickly began preparing the latte, a familiar weight on his shoulders. The thought of the doctor lingered in his mind. Could it be? He finished the drink and placed it on the counter without looking up.

“There you go. One Austrian goat milk latte.”

When the customer took a sip, Stone’s eyes flickered up. His heart stopped. The figure before him had the same sharp features, and the same confidence, but something was different. The resemblance was undeniable, yet he wasn’t sure if he should trust his own eyes.

For a long moment, he just stared, unsure if this was some kind of illusion or if it truly was the doctor, back after everything.

"...Doctor?" Stone quietly asked, his voice trembling, the years of waiting and silence thick in the air.