Line Of Fire •L.A•

2. First Day

We can not become what we want by remaining what we are.
-Max Depree

  LUKE ALVEZ isn't sure what made him come between the two agents. On any other day he'd avoid any arguments and make it to the bullpen before Tara took the last of the coffee, but on this particular morning something drew him in. Maybe it was the anxious look on the new agent's face. It made him think of his own first day at the Behavioral Analysis Unit.

  When she said her name, he is glad he'd stepped in. She is the new recruit everyone on the team had been talking about for the last few weeks. Cruz had hand picked her and apparently she was really good at what she does.

"I'm Luke Alvez." He says holding out his hand as they step into the elevator. Being the first to meet the new agent made him feel very accomplished. Maybe now, just maybe, Penelope would stop calling him newbie but Luke knows that that would be highly unlikely.

"It's nice to meet you." She answers as she put a hand on the elevator railing. He notices her slight New York accent as she uses her other hand to shake his.

"You a New Yorker?" He asks, his polite smile spreading into a full grin. He hadn't talked to another New Yorker in what felt like forever.

"Yes, how'd you know?" She asks, looking slightly surprised about him knowing before chuckling softly as a realization dawns on her. "Wait I'm guessing my accent gave it away."

He laughs." Yeah, if I wasn't from New York myself I probably wouldn't have heard but when you grew up there you tend to notice even the slightest accent."

"Which part did you grow up?"

"The Bronx. You?"

" Queens. Lived there for most of my childhood." She answers as the elevator stops. Luke led the way out and to the bullpen. Tara and Matt are standing by the coffee makers.

He steps forward to introduce her to everyone but before he can, Matt immediately surges forward and pulls Felicity into a hug. She chuckles as they part. "It's been too long, Matt."

"What has it been 3, 4 years?" He asks, a broad smile on his face.

"3." Felicity answers confidently." How is Kristy? And the kids?"

"Good, we're expecting our fifth." He answers, pride evident on his face.

Luke isn't sure how Matt manages to juggle a job at the BAU and having a family. He himself could barely keep his dog's energy contained, he couldn't imagine rowdy children.

"Congratulations! That's exciting." Felicity exclaims.

"You'll have to come over someday, I'm sure Kristy would love to see you again. And the kids too."

Her lips widen into a smile. A pretty smile. Luke keeps that thought to himself, knowing that if any of the other members of their team heard it they'd never let it go. A year or so back he'd mentioned one of the agents downstairs was pretty and for the next few months he didn't hear the end of it.

"Oh Fel, this is Tara Lewis and..." Matt trails off with a chuckle, looking at Luke." I'm guessing I don't have to introduce Alvez."

"No we met downstairs." Felicity answers as she shakes Tara's hand. "He helped me out of a mess with agent Johnson."

Tara winces as if the name gives her ptsd.
"What happened with that demon?"

"Let's just say I had a full cup and now it's half empty." Felicity answers with a lighthearted laugh, swirling the leftover liquid in her cup.