Line Of Fire •L.A•

5. Scotch On The Rocks

The case is solved a few days later. The plane ride back, Felicity feels just as tired as she had been the ride there.

Spencer is curled up in a ball on the long seat towards the front. Ever so often she can hear soft snores escape his lips. Tara, JJ, and Matt were all sound asleep as well. Emily was listening to music on her headphones.

Felicity's eyes shift over the team. Her eyes land on Luke's. He looks away quickly. He had been watching her a lot today, she wonders why. Before she can ponder the answer, Rossi sits down across from her. "Hey, kid."

"Hey." At first being called kid made her defensive but it didn't take her long to realize Rossi called everyone thst was younger than him kid or kiddo. She wonders for a moment what he would say if she shot back with old man or grandpa. She imagines it wouldn't be good.

"How you feeling?"

"Tired. You?"

"Same. I think I might get some shut eye. You should too."

She nods. "I will." She knows that is a lie but she isn't going to tell him that.

He smiles." Good. I think I'm going to have a glass of scotch first. You want one?"

She shakes her head and he leaves for the minibar.

"A glass of scotch? He's lying when he says that." Luke says sliding into the seat beside her. "He'll have at least four."

"Wanna make a bet on that?" She asks, wanting to do anything but sleep.

He grins." I'm down."

"I think he's going to have three before he decides he desperately needs sleep."

Luke chuckles and holds out a hand." Okay let's see."

She shakes his hand firmly and they both lean forward to watch Rossi drink. He's halfway done with his first glass. "So what do I get when I win?" She whispers after a few quiet moments.

"How about this. Whoever wins has to get the other the biggest bottle of their favorite drink."

"You're on, Alvez. Get ready to buy me a large jug of apple juice."

Luke gives her an amused look." Really? Of all things you want apple juice?"

"What? It's good!" She laughs before glancing back at Rossi.

Luke directs his attention back on their bet as well. "Glass two!"

"You know I don't get how he can like scotch."

"I told him once it was horrible and he said and I quote..." He holds his head up a little higher to imitate Rossi. "Well Luke, not everyone can have such a defined palate like I do."

Felicity laughs." That sounds like something he's say."

He nods." I told him he was just old. He didn't like that."

She laughs before gasping." There's three! One more Rossi, one more."

After a few minutes of the two agents holding their breathe in anticipation, Rossi empties his glass and puts away the bottle. Felicity cheers a little to loudly making Spencer stir slightly and Rossi look confused a he glances over.

Felicity laughs and places her hands behind her head in satisfaction." I can't wait to enjoy my tall glass of apple juice."

Luke just groans.

Rossi walks over." What are you kiddos talking about?"

"Oh nothing." Felicity answers, a smirk on her face. She winks at Luke before leaning back in her seat.

Luke rolls his eyes but he can't hide his smile as he leans back in his own seat. The last thing he sees before falling asleep is Felicity looking very pleased with herself.

He gets a few hours of shut eye before the plane lands. As he collects his stuff, he glances over at Felicity and she looks like she hadn't slept at all. He wonders how that's possible.

He's quick to say his goodbyes that night before making his way home. He enters his apartment with a yawn. It is half past 11. He lays his bag on the couch.

"Roxie?"

The energetic dog comes running over at the sound of her owners voice. Luke squats with a laugh. "Hola, mi amore. Me extrañaste??"

She pants loudly, pawing at his chest happily as he scratches her ear.

He gives her some more food and water before retiring for the night. Tomorrow would be another day on the job, it is important for him to get at least a few hours of sleep but none comes to him and he isn't sure why. Before long the sun peeks through his blinds. After preparing himself some breakfast and checking on Roxie, he's out the door.

He picks up a jug of apple juice from the nearest grocery store. It gains him some weird looks as he enters the fbi building but he ignores them as he makes his way to the elevator. Before it can close Matt slips in. "Morning, Luke."

"Morning, Matt."

"What's with the juice?"

"It's for Felicity. We made a bet last night and she won."

Matt chuckles." That's your first mistake, Alvez. Never make a bet with Fel. She always wins."

They step out of the elevator and Luke walks over to Felicity's desk. She has her head bent in concentration. He clears his throat. She looks up at him and instantly her face lights up. "My apple juice! Thank you, Alvez."

He laughs as she takes it from him. "De nada, Chase."

"I swear if you make me buy apple juice for dinner at my house Friday night, I'll kick you out." Rossi says sipping his coffee.

She winks."I'll just bring some of my own." She pats the jug." But I'll probably have to buy more cuz this baby will be gone before Friday."

"You remember that time you came onto the plane with apple juice and Jack thought it was alcohol and he was scolding you so you shoved it into his chest and told him to drink it." Matt asks twirling around his chair to face her.

Felicity laughs fondly at the memory." I will never forget the look on his face when he did and it was just apple juice."

"He thought you were insane. I mean who drinks that at like 7 in the morning."

"It was the only thing in my fridge. I was out of literally everything including my usual tea. And I am not about to drink coffee." She shudders at the thought.

"What is your beef with coffee?" Luke asks, leaning against her desk with a chuckle. "I thought as soon as someone overturns 30 it was mandatory that they drink it."

She laughs." Not me. It's the worse thing ever made."

"Careful Penelope might hear you, she lives on the stuff."

"I'll have to be careful then."

Before long they were called in for briefing. Which goes pretty well. Felicity presents more cases than the rest of the team. Luke isn't sure how she got so much done.