Line Of Fire •L.A•

16. Goodnight, Lu

Felicity watches Luke work with little Matteo pressed against him. It makes her feel warm inside. Him with kids was not something she thought would be so adorable.

As the hours went on, and the work got done, Matteo plays on the floor beside Luke's desk. He was a surprisingly quiet one year old. The agents that wander past can't help but smile, the child being an adorable distraction from their gory work.

The day goes by quicker than Felicity anticipated. They all pile into the elevator, and she holds Matteo close to keep herself from thinking about how claustrophobic she feels.

After, They say their goodbyes leaving Luke and Felicity alone with Matteo.

She places a kiss on the baby's crown before handing him over to his uncle. Luke takes him back gently.

"You don't like elevators do you?" He asks suddenly, giving her a light smile. " You always hold tight on the railing when we ride."

Felicity is taken back at how Luke had noticed. "I don't like small spaces."

He nods and for a few quiet moments they stand in the parking garage, both not wanting to leave but also not wanting to admit it. Finally Felicity gives Matteo one more cheek kiss before stepping away. "Goodbye."

"Goodbye, Flick."

As she steps into her car, Luke calls after her."Hey you should come over Wednesday night, my oldest sister Maya is coming over."

"I don't want to ruin your family time."

"You wouldn't be. See you then." He gives her a goofy smile before buckling Matteo into his car seat.

Felicity gets home and lays down in her bed, staring up at the ceiling. Her mind is on Luke and she can't find a reason why. He spends a lot of his time on helping her, even when she didn't want him too. He gave her his unconditional support.

That night, as sleep threatened to come, she has a revelation she isn't sure she wants. She realizes she really likes Luke Alvez. More than she would like to admit.

It is going to be a long night.

When morning did finally come, she decides she was going to do anything and everything to prevent her feeling for him to come between their friendship. Even if it means making up an excuse to meeting his sister Maya.

But when she enters the bullpen and sees him, her confidence in her decision drops within second. He is asleep at his desk, something she'd never seen him do. She gives Matt questioning eyes and he shrugs." He's been like that since I got here."

JJ sips her coffee." I was the first one here and he came in second. He just said good morning and fell asleep."

Felicity shakes his shoulder gently. He lifts his head after a few seconds of prodding. His eyebags are deep as he looks up at her." Oh, good morning, Flick."

Her chest tightens." Good morning, Lu."

"Long night?" Matt asks, coming over.

He rubs his temple." Yeah, Val didn't come home until late and Matteo wouldn't stop crying."

"Your first taste of parenthood." Matt jokes patting him on the shoulder." I thought Valerie's interview was in the morning?"

"It was." He sighs in exasperation." It fell through so she went all around the city looking for a job and when her quest ended up fruitless she went to the club until around midnight."

"I see, you look like you need a coffee." Matt says leaving to make some.

Without thinking, Felicity steps forward, and smoothes down Luke's bed head. She quickly pulls away in embarrassment. Her face red like a tomato. "Sorry."

He just chuckles." Don't be, I forgot to brush it this morning."

"Who's watching Matteo today?"

"Valerie stayed home today." He says as Matt comes back with his coffee.

During briefing, Luke falls asleep again and not even Emily has the heart to wake him until the end.

The rest of the day is spent with the rest of the team prodding him when he dozes off. He only finishes 1 case report that day and Felicity could tell it frustrates him. When they pack up to leave, he tucks a few files under his arm to do at home.

After everyone leaves, Felicity walks over to his car where he is resting his head against the steering wheel. She opens his driver car door and his head shoots up in surprise. "I was just resting my eyes."

"Come on Luke, get out of the car."

"What?"

"Get out of the car. I'm driving you home."

After a few more minutes of back and forth, he finally relents and climbs into her car. She drives him home and walks into his apartment. Valerie is out again job hunting, this time taking Matteo with her.

Luke gives Roxie some scratches behind the ear before getting to work which Felicity insists on helping with. They work until she notices his eyelids droop." Go to bed."

"I'm fine."

She rolls her eyes. "Luke Alvez, get to bed now. I'll finish up and head home."

He stares at her, his usual puppy dog eyes not working this time around. After a stern look from her, he heads to bed leaving her alone with Roxie. After working on the reports for a little while longer, she packs up for the night. But not before checking up on Luke. He was fast asleep in his bed, the blanket pulled up all the way against his chin.

Without thinking about it, she places a kiss on his forehead." Goodnight, Lu."

She leaves his apartment, knowing that her feelings for Luke were not disappearing anytime soon.