Chapter 5

Penelope felt like her day was replaying itself, except instead of her bag and coffee now she was juggling a leash, a grocery bag of Roxy's food, her work bag and her keys. "It's a good thing you don't really need that leash" She said to Roxy. The dog looked back up at her panting, and what Garcia interpreted as a smile.

"Okay Rox…Home sweet home." Garcia opened the door and motioned for Roxy to walk inside. Garcia closed the door and watched as Roxy walked around the large room. She walked over to the window and used her nose to push the curtain aside, looking out to the patio. She turned around and after walking back around the couch settled and lay down in front of the couch. Garcia toed off her shoes and joined Roxy, wanting to rest for just a minute before she put away the food and put out Roxy's dinner. She reached over and scratched the dog between her ears.

Roxy sat up at the contact and leaned her head on Garcia's lap. "Aww…you're a sweetheart."

Garcia rested but after a few minutes she got up and went to put away Roxy's meals. She set one portion in the dog bowl she's brought from Luke's and while Roxy was eating went to the bedroom to change into yoga pants and a t shirt. Sergio was lounging on her bed, one eye opened but he refused to get up from his favorite spot. Garcia reach over and stroked the car from head to tail. "Maybe in a little while you'll come and say hi to Roxy, hmmm?"

Garcia walked back to the kitchen. Once Roxy was finished Garcia clipped her leash back on and grabbed one of the tennis balls. She took Roxy to the wooded area behind her apartment building and played catch with Roxy.

They played for about 45 minutes, then went back inside, Roxy panting hard. Garcia made herself a salad and turned on the television to watch while she ate. Garcia's phone rang.

"Garcia."

"Hey…just checking on Roxy,"

"Oh, she's fine…here, let me switch over." Garcia turned on the camera and gave Luke a view of Roxy relaxing on the rug in front of the leather couch. "We just finished playing catch actually."

Luke laughed. "She will play that all day if you let her. Hey Rox…you having fun girl?"

Roxy lifted her head at the sound of her name and Luke's voice.

"She's been perfect," Penelope assured Luke.

"Did Sergio mind getting a new roommate?"

"He'll be fine. Actually, I don't think he has noticed yet. He has already taken ownership of my bed before we arrived."

"Hmm… that's one lucky cat," Luke murmured.

"Sorry, what?"

"Oh, uh I said don't let Roxy copy that. I mean, she'd take up a lot more sace than Sergio."

"True."

"Hey, thanks again. I really appreciate you taking care of her."

"Of course. You didn't arrive in Vegas yet, did you?"

"No…I have a layover here at O'Hare. My flight boards in about 20 more minutes. I just thought I'd call to check on you…and Roxy."

"Well, Roxy and I are fine. Just relaxing."

"Well, I wish I was there with you."

Garcia didn't know quite what to day to that. She decided to try and change the subject. "So will you have some time to hit the casinos?"

Luke smiled. "Doubtful…but if I do, what's your lucky number?"

Garcia quickly answered "18."

"Really?" Luke asked, surprised. Most people stuck with single digits when asked that question.

She shrugged. "Yeah, well…it was a pivotal year for me…but I like to think I made the best out of all the challenges."

Luke nodded. "Yeah…it can be a hard year."

Garcia shook her head. "No…it was more than that. My whole life changed that year…it…it wasn't anything I would have imagined."

Luke watched her…her eyes staring off, remembering. "Penelope. You changed. You came out of everything and made it to the top of your game."

"I never told you everything…what I did. How the FBI found me."

"So, you'll tell me. I'll listen."

"It's…not that easy," she whispered.

"Hey…I said I'll listen. Whenever you're ready."

Penelope nodded.

"I mean it Penelope…I'm always here for you."

"Some day, maybe. But not tonight."

"Okay."

Penelope shook her head slightly, like she was brushing away the sober mood. "Yep…you're right…so if you get a chance, play on number 18 for me, yeah?" she asked brightly.

Luke smiled. "You bet." He looked up. "They're finishing up loading the plane. I should power down. I'll call you tomorrow, okay?"

"Sure. Have a safe flight."

"Good night Penelope."

Luke held the phone in his hand, staring at the black screen.

"She has a nice voice," an elderly woman with short curls sat in the seat next to Luke. She was holding onto a book, but she was watching Luke instead of reading.

"Excuse me? Were you talking to me ma'am?"

The woman nodded. "Forgive me. My daughter tells me I'm turning into a nosy old lady…but at my age, getting old in any way is better than the alternative. I could hear the sound of her voice on your phone."

She smiled. "Oh, I wasn't eavesdropping. I couldn't make out exactly what she was saying…but she had such a pretty sounding voice."

Luke smiled. "I think so too."

"Are you going to Vegas too?"

"Yes ma'am. For business, though."

"I'm meeting some friends there. We try to get together once a year. My daughter thinks we're going just to see Neil Diamond sing." She leaned a little closer and whispered, "Actually we have tickets to see the Magic Mike show."

Luke raised his eyebrows but grinned. "Well, your secret is safe with me." He mimed zipping his lips and winked at the older woman.

"You look like a nice young man. But you should bring your girlfriend next time. Girls like fun trips, you know."

"Yes ma'am…I'll remember that. She would love to visit Vegas, I'm sure."

The older lady patted his arm that was between their seats. "Good ones are hard to find. My Earl has been gone fifteen years this September. But the good memories…those I have forever."

Luke smiled, then looked up at the flight attendant going over the safety procedures. He knew them well, of course, but out of courtesy he tried to look as if he was paying attention. His mind traveled though, imagining himself talking Penelope on vacation to the City of lights. He smiled to himself imagining how her eyes would light up at the sights and sounds.

"The captain has informed me we are taking off next, and we are expecting calm weather between here and Vegas. So please, sit back and relax, and thank you for flying MidWest Air."