Line Of Fire •L.A•

26. For The Record

Felicity finds herself stealing glances at Luke as she pours herself a much needed drink at the minibar. He had had this look in his eyes since Des Plaines that she couldn't put a meaning behind.

"You okay?" Matt's words drag her out of her thoughts as he steps up to the minibar.

She gives him a small smile." As fine as one can be after being taken hostage."

He nods." Yeah. You're right. It was a stupid question." He smiles lightly and a twinkle appears in his eyes." So you and Alvez..."

"We're not together." She says quickly, averting her gaze.

"But you like him." He states.

Felicity doesn't know what to say. He chuckles lightly." Penelope accidentally told me." He looks up from his glass.

Felicity sighs." I kinda figured she'd tell someone. As long as the news never reaches Luke it's okay." She looks over at Luke, who's in the far corner of the plane.

"He likes you, Fel."

She stays quiet, choosing instead to stare down at her glass.

"I can tell." He continues." I remember when I first started falling for Kristy, I was always glancing over at her and I'd follow her around. I was like a puppy." He laughs." Luke has that same puppy love look in his eyes when he looks at you."

"That's a weird way to put it." Is all she manages to say but her heart does a few somersaults. She wasn't aware hearts could do that.

Matt walks closer and pulls Felicity into a hug. " I've known Luke for a long time, Fel. And you for even longer. You two make each other happy." When he pulls away he smiles." Don't wait until it's too late."

His words sit in Felicity's mind that night when she gets home. She can't stop thinking about them and it makes her heart ache. She gets into bed early that night, the same thing repeating over and over in her head.

Why did you have to come into my life?? Stupid Luke Alvez. Stupid Luke Alvez. Stupid stupid-

Suddenly there's knock on the front door. Her eyes shoot to the clock. It's half past 8. She slips out of her bed." I have a week off of work, can't people just leave me alone!" She continues to grumble as she trudges to answer it. When she pulls it open, she wants to slam it again. Luke is standing in the hallway. She mentally scolds herself for repeating his name so many times. Apparently it had spawned him like Bloody Mary.

"Luke, what-"

He holds up 2 pairs of boxing mitts." Thought maybe we could let off some steam together."

She looks at her watch." This late?"

"It's not that late. Come on. It's only a few miles from here." He smiles lightly." I give you permission to pretend I'm Louie?"

She chuckles." I can't pass on that. Although I might hit you too hard." She grabs her coat and follows Luke.

When they enter the small gym, Luke flips on the lights. Felicity looks around at all the expensive equipment. "This place is nice. How are you able to come in after hours?"

"A buddy of mine owns the place."

As they put on their gloves, her eyes land on his busted lip and bruised cheek." Looks like Louie really did you one."

Luke shrugs." Nothing I can't handle."

Luke tells Felicity how it works and they begin a nice back and forth of punching and dodging. Felicity copies his footwork best she can, but it is clear he has done this a lot longer than she has.

When they finally tire out, Felicity collapses on the rink floor. "That was fun. I'm really getting my cardio in today."

He joins her on the floor, his face solemn.

"You okay?" She asks, her eyebrows wrinkling in worry.

His eyes meet hers then immediately he looks away. After a few seconds he stands quickly, pulling off his gloves. "Of course."

"Luke..." Felicity stands and pulls off her own gloves before placing her hand slowly onto his chest. "What's wrong?"

"You mean other than us just being in a hostage situation?"

"I can tell there's something more than that bothering you." She answers, staring at him intently.

He stays quiet for a few moments. Finally he lifts his eyes to meet hers." Tomorrow is the anniversary of my best friend's murder."

Felicity feels a pit form in her stomach." Your best friend's murder?"

"Phil Brooks." Is all he says before going silent for a few minutes. Felicity just holds his hand in hers, giving him time to form words. His eyes are stuck on a spot on the floor.

The boxing is forgotten as he begins to talk, his voice oddly fragile, something she hadn't heard in him before." Phil was always there for me, always. And when it was time for me to do the same, I failed. He died and I couldn't save-" His voice quavers and he falls silent. He runs a quick hand over his face.

Felicity moves closer. She pulls him into a hug. Slowly his arms snake around her waist.

For a moment, all that can be heard is the ticking of the clock on the wall.

When he finally does pull away, Felicity stares up at him with sympathetic eyes. "Are you doing anything for him tomorrow?"

"I haven't been to his grave since his funeral. Something about going to visit it makes it feel to real and I'm a coward but I know I should. I think it's time, I make the trip."

"I could go with you, if you want the company."

He stares up at her, his brown eyes saying so much yet betraying nothing at all.
" Thank you."

A sad smile adorns her face." You're welcome."

"For the record, you're not worthless."

She chuckles caught off guard." Thanks I guess?"

"Sorry, that was sudden. I mean what Louie said earlier. It's not true. You're worth a lot to so many people. Including me. You're my..." he's silent for a second unsure of what words to use. "Best friend."

Friend. Not the word she was hoping for but it was something. "You're my best friend too."