Line Of Fire •L.A•

31. Urgent Matters

Luke follows Mr. Cussler down a long hallway before finally arriving in his small office. Luke declines the offer of coffee, and Cussler pours one for himself as they speak." Where'd your partner go?" He asks suddenly.

Luke looks around, for the first time realizing Felicity is gone. "Uh I don't know."

Cussler seems stressed as he pulls out a CB." Excuse me." He steps out of the office leaving Luke alone.

Luke pulls out his own phone and dials Felicity number. She picks up on the second ring." Luke?"

"Felicity where are you?"

"Luke, I need you to listen carefully." She whispers. "You need to get out of the building right now."

The urgency in her voice makes him stand." What? Why?"

Her voice begins to turn to static. The service wasn't great out in the woods. "Cussler-Harmony-get help-Luke-now."

The line goes dead and Luke immediately goes for door. Only to find Cussler standing in the doorway. A small pistol aimed at Luke's heart. "Well this is unfortunate... Agent Alvez."

He motions with his gun." Let's go." When Luke finally moves, Cussler pushes him forward, forcing him to walk down the hallway." Where's your partner?"

"I don't know." Luke answers through gritted teeth.

"Well that's okay. I'll take care of you. Then I'll deal with her."

"Take care of me like you took care of Harmony?" Luke asks, buying time as his eyes wander around for any sign of Felicity.

"Harmony was an innocent accident." He mutters as they continue walking.

"And the others?"

"Shut up and keep walking."

They walk to the far side of the building, where the classrooms are. Cussler uses his CB to call over one of the other leaders.

When he comes, Cussler sends him away again." Jones, Go find the girl." When Jones is gone, he turns to Luke. "Your lady friend shouldn't be to hard to find."

Luke stays silent. Staring up at him with threatening eyes.

Suddenly there'a the sound of a gun cocking. They both look to the door. Felicity stands with her gun raised to Cussler's temple.

He straightens." Agent Chase."

She says nothing as she takes a step forward, making sure to cover the entrance as well.

"You really think you'll be able to shoot your way out of this?"

There's a moment where her face contorts with an expression neither of them can read. Then she answers him." Yes." She aims and shoots Cussler in the calf. A small yelp of pain escapes his lips and he hobbles over in pain.

Felicity quickly unties Luke and they run from the classroom. When they reach the end of the hall, they hide in an empty bathroom. Felicity locks the door. "I sent Mr. Chase off to town, phones aren't working to call the team. We just have to hold out for a few hours till they here."

"It won't take them long to find us." Luke whispers. "What do we do once they do?"

Felicity sighs and walks to the sink. She quickly washes her face with cold water. "I don't know, Lu. I don't know."

"How many bullets do you have left?"

"3."

"Not enough."

"I know." She whispers leaning against the wall for support.

"We need to find a better hiding spot." Luke whispers back.

"Yeah, there's an old boiler room on the second floor. It's got no windows. And the door is steel making it impossible to get into from the outside if locked. If we can get there we'll be safe for a little while. It gives us a better chance at not dying."

Instead of questioning how she knew that, his mind wanders to the end. Better chance at not dying. They could die in the next hour and Luke suddenly felt a sense of urgency. To tell her everything before it might be too late.

But at this very moment, words failed him. Not a single sentence could be formed. And so Luke did what he felt he needed to do. He walked forward and firmly pressed his lips to hers.

For a minute all else stopped. He forgot the crazy madman wanting to kill them and the urgency of staying safe, all he could think about was the rapid heartbeat in his chest and the way she fit so perfectly against him. The world around them spins out of control and finally disappears altogether. The moment Luke had wanted for so long finally came and just as quickly it is gone.

No words are shared after the kiss. Nothing seems like a suitable response. For a moment, they just look at each other. And suddenly in the middle of the chaos, there is a sense of calm. That is until a voice speaks from the intercom above. Luke and Felicity step away from each other as Cussler speaks.

"Chase, Alvez, I have little Amy here. Say hello, my dear."

Amy's little voice is heard next. She can barely form words through her tears." I... I'm s-sorry, Felicity. They...they made me t-tell them."

"Come to my office." Cussler says before it goes silent.

Felicity and Luke make eye contact. Both knowing what needs to be done. Luke sends a silent prayer that whoever Mr. Chase is, hurries.