Author's Note: Just a quick fun fluffy episode from the jet to keep the story rolling. I hope you enjoy! Thank you for the likes, follows and comments! I adore you guys!


Luke hadn't been sure if the rest of the team would be able to tell that something had changed between him and Penelope - particularly since she was not exactly known for being able to keep secrets.

However - after this weekend he should have known that - while she may struggle with some secrets - hiding her own did not pose the same type of challenge - all part and parcel of the fluffy armour she dons daily.

As for him - well he hoped he was playing it fairly cool - it wasn't like he hadn't been hiding a giant crush on her forever - he just had to keep it up...

So far, he was pretty sure they had escaped any suspicions being raised.

Basically they just kept it business at work - and since their dynamic had always been a bit akward - a bit more akwardness or even just a little lack of it wasn't that noticeable.

It probably also helped that he and the team had been in Miami for a good portion of the week... although that was about to change as they were on the jet heading back to Quantico now.

They hadn't been alone since Luke had left her place to go see Phil and Lou... and now that the Miami case was over and she'd been the hero of the day - along with Prentiss and Rossi, of course - but it had been her ability to hack into the live stream the unsub had setup which had really made the difference - he was finding himself mildly obsessing over the question of whether he would be sleeping in the same bed as Penelope tonight and how they were both going to ask for an extra long weekend off .

Honnestly why hadn't they thought about whether there would be an issue with both of them getting leave at the same time?

Maybe they could both just come up with a couple fake out of town engagements or something...although he hates the idea of lying to the team...and knows it would be worse for Penny.

Fortunately, that woman is a genius - so she probably already has a plan...

...maybe he should text her and find out what the plan is...

...both for the leave thing and the sleeping arrangements tonight thing... although she hasn't texted him anything but work related stuff since he left... although he hasn't texted or called her either...work was just too...too... work-y.

Luke gives up and pulls his phone and trying to decide how to put his questions - he really didn't think:

"ON MY WAY HOME *HEARTEYES* *WINKY FACE* CAN I SLEEP (AND I MEAN SLEEP-SLEEP or SLEEEEEEP-SLEEEEEP - ALTHOUGH IF I'M HONNEST - I'M REALLY HOPING SLEEEEEEP-SLEEEEEP.) - WITH YOU TONIGHT? BUT SERIOUSLY I WILL TAKE ANY CRUMBS OF YOUR TIME / AFFECTION YOU'LL GIVE ME! I'M A PATHETIC LOVESICK PUPPY. PLEEEEEEEEEASE??? PS ANY IDEA HOW WE ARE GOING TO BOTH ASK FOR TIME OFF WITHOUT EVERYONE ASSUMING WE ARE SLEEEEEP-SLEEEEEPING TOGETHER???? TRYING TO STAY COOL AND FAILING! HELP! LOVE YOU!!!! *HEART* *HEART* *HEART* *HEART* *HEART* *HEART* *HEART* *HEART* *HEART* *HEART* *KISSY FACE*

...was really the way to go...

Just as he settles on "Hi *Smiley Face* Almost done your reports? Great work today, Hotshot! *flame emoticon*" and presses send, Luke overhears J.J. say Penelope's name in the front of the plane - and like a moth to a flame - he finds himself standing to join Emily, Rossi, JJ, and Matt in whatever they are talking about.

Apparently, he just can't resist getting a chance to talk about her with his team.

Mentally he rolls his eyes at himself - it was like he was in highschool: Any chance to hear or talk about his crush CAN NOT be missed!

As he sidles up to the gang - he tries to catch up with whatever it is that Prentiss is saying about Pen...

"...trying to get us to take our personal days? Well you try and get her to take a long weekend or the odd day off. Unless we're all on our mandatory leave as a team - that woman is at work. It doesn't help that she actually is the best...and that she knows it...so I sound so hollow when I say we've got it covered."

"Now we.all know that I am not keen on vacations, but all work and no play is not good for anyone, especially our colourful girl. It's been a rough few years for her - I just wish we could do something nice for her - like send her to an all-expense-paid resort or something. But you're right...it's not like you can call Dial-a-Gold-Hearted-Hacker and just arrange a replacement." laughs Rossi.

"Exactly I mean Kevin and Monty can occasionally pinch hit - and there are a.few really talented Techs in cyber crimes - but truthfully few can hold a candle to PG."

Luke couldn't help but smirk up then as he slides into a bench beside JJ..."Is few is a new word for zero now? Can I have one of those?"

Rossi nods and leans forward to pour Alvez a scotch "Truer words, my boy, truer words. Salut. To our Colourful Sunshine Girl."

Luke and Rossi clink glasses. Everyone takes a sip of their drink and slips into their own thoughts.

Then Luke dares to ask as casually as possible:

"But what's the fuss all about? It's not like any of us takes random time off, why are y'all worried about Garcia?"

The team shares smirks of their own - they are profilers after all and it hasn't been lost on them that Luke has a definite soft spot for their Penelope Garcia.

J.J., in particular, can't keep from teasing although she steers clear from pinpointing any potential feelings Alvez may have for her vibrant friend.

"What's wrong Newbie? Worried Prentiss might make you take a day off and you'll miss a chance to chase down a bad guy in the field? Any chance to show off, eh?"

Luke tips his drink at her "Hardy-har-har. I was just making conversation."

Matt, who is admittedly bit tipsier than usual, throws in a quick zinger with his usual deadpan smile.

"Right. And Penelope Garcia wears beige."

Luke glares at him. "Seriously? Dude."

At that the whole team howls - even Luke - although he makes an effort to keep up his affronted look.

It's Prentiss who takes pity on Luke first though.

"No. No. I just get sent reports on banked vacation days and she's winning right now. Although you Alvez are going to give her a run for her money next round of you don't start taking a day or two or y'know six soon."

"Thanks pot."

"The rules are different for bosses." Emily Prentiss uncharacteristically sticks out her tongue at her Agents.

"And for old guys - although whenever I take time off - it seems to turn into a case." chimes in Rossi - his tongue firmly in his cheek.

"It's the no-kid effect." says Matt clinking glasses with J.J. "I never have enough days off."

"Cuz I totally remember all those cases the two of you have missed."

But through the banter Luke's brain is whirring - maybe this could solve the problem of how to get days off...but how to do it casually and without ringing any alarm bells in the brains of his way too astute colleagues...

"Who's side are you on? Will's?" JJ punches Luke playfully in the arm and then raises her eyebrows at Matt "Kristy's?"

"Hey! As Garcia would say - aren't we one big family? Their side is my side."

Everyone howls again.

Now Luke casually takes a sip and then starts up again aiming for an unconcerned tone:

"Actually - it's kind of funny this just came up - a buddy of mine just invited me to spend a last minute long weekend with them in the mountains - said I could bring a friend...but I turned it down them cuz I didn't think I could get the time off - I mean we're up to our eyeballs in cases. But if you guys are so keen on me taking a few days off - I could change my answer."

"Ohhh where?"

"The Canadian Rockies - apparently there's a cute touristy town and some awesome trails and hotsprings...maybe some early season skiing"

"You should go! Seriously. I am saying this as your boss."

"You just don't want to have my name showing up on that report of yours."

"No, Luke you should go! These things don't come up everyday."

J.J. pipes up again directing her comment at Emily but watching Luke: "Ain't that the truth? Now all you need Em, is for someone to present PG with a similar offer..."

Matt laughs "I can't really see Garcia in the mountains - does that woman even know what a hiking boot looks like?"

Now it's J.J.'s turn to mock being affronted "Hey, my gal has all the footwear. I bet the pair she has is not only waterproof but kitted with very classy pink sparkly laces."

Luke sees his chance - so he scoffs:

"Really? I can't see it. I bet Pen...er...lope Garcia would never be caught dead vacationing in the mountains - especially in November..."

Luke knows he almost called her Penny but thinks he covered ok - he takes a big swallow of his drink and almost coughs.

Smooth Alvez - super smooth.

But J.J. is on him now like a cat on a mouse, quirking her eyebrow she pounces:

"You bet do you? How much?"

Emily looks between the two of them and smiles like a maniac "A bet? I want in!"

Matt and Rossi are nodding and twiddling their eyebrows.

"No. No..." splutters Alvez convincingly - or so the great undercover man hopes "...no bets! I am still in the dog house from the last bet we had on Garcia. It was just an expression."

Matt leans forward "Your buddy did say you could invite a friend..."

"Seriously man! I thought we were friends."

Rossi picks up the ball "Oh ho ho - yes indeed! You should invite her. You'd agree to giving them both the time off, right Chief?" Emily nods still grinning like a loony "...then I bet 50 big ones that our intrepid Technical Analyst says YES."

"Only if I can bet 50 too!"

"Really, Rossi? Prentiss? You keen on losing your money? You know I am not her favourite person right?"

"Things haven't been so bad lately..." J.J. puts in slyly.. "Ol' Cool Hands?"

Matt finally backs up Luke: "Nope. Luke's right. Pink hiking boots or no pink hiking boots - 50 bucks says it would be a hard NO. J.J?"

J.J. looks at Luke then says the opposite of what she thinks or maybe just hopes will happen:

"I'm with you, Simmons. 50 bucks it is that...Pen-er-lope Garcia is not going anywhere with this one...should I text Tara and Reid to see if they want in on the action?"

J.J. doesn't wait for an answer - she just starts texting furiously.

Luke now makes a feint to try to back out:

"Whoa whoa whoa - who said A) that I was going to accept the offer - need I repeat that we have cases up to our eyeballs? and B) even if I did agree to go - there is no way I am inviting Garcia to come with. Believe me she has made it very clear that she does not come with!"

Prentiss actually cackles "Oh ho ho! Now who's scared?"

"I am not scared. I just...respect you all too much to take your money."

"If you respect us, you'll put money where your mouth is, Son."

"I've texted Reid and Tara. Reid is betting it will be a YES and Tara a NO. $50 each! This getting interesting!"

"Guys - I am not asking Garcia to go away with me for a weekend!"

"Afraid she'll say yes?"

"No! But - it just doesn't seem appropriate...we're colleagues."

"If Spencer was here he'd point out that Elle and Derek and Penelope and Derek - and me and Derek for that matter have all taken vacations together. Man, I bet that guy was never on Hotch's list! You're just being chicken Alvez."

"Never. Fine. I'll text my buddy now and if the offer is still open - I'll ask Garcia to join me for a long weekend in the very cold and mountain-y Canadian Rockies."

"Is mountain-y even a word, Alvez?"

"Is now. Be prepared to loose Prentiss! I'm taking this as your official permission for me to take a few days off the grid. And for Garcia too - if the world somehow ends and she says yes."

"You've got a deal, send me the paperwork."

Luke stands amid more laughter - he pulls his phone from his back pocket.

"Well it seems I have a buddy to text and your money to win!"

Luke swallows a chuckle as he heads for the back of the plane to text his "Buddy".

...she might be a genius - but noone could say he had never picked up a thing or two from all that time undercover...

..besides...

The cost of losing the bet?

50 Dollars

The price for getting to go away with Penelope without raising eyebrows?

Priceless.

He had some important texting to do.

He really couldn't wait to see Penelope now.