Chapter 3

Disclaimer: Nope, I still don't own Criminal Minds.

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By 9:30, Morgan had returned from dinner with Rossi and was preparing for Penelope's arrival. Knowing that Penelope wasn't the blood and gore type (and didn't they all see enough of that at work, anyways?) he had picked out two thriller classics, Rear Window and Psycho, for their Halloween movie-thon. He had even gone so far as to stop on the way home and get a copy of Rocky Horror Picture Show, one of Penelope's favorites and a movie he didn't really enjoy, just in case that was what she wanted to watch. As he puttered around the kitchen getting drinks and popcorn ready, he realized he was humming to himself. Why was it that every time he knew his Baby Girl was coming around, his mood instantly lightened and he found himself smiling? It was something he had taken for granted for a long time but tonight, something felt different.

Maybe it was the fact that Penelope was coming over as an unattached woman once again. While he hated to see the pain that she had gone through during her break-up with Kevin, he had to admit to himself that he wasn't all that disappointed it had happened. He was never particularly fond of Kevin and had never felt that the man had given Penelope the attention and romance she deserved. His Baby Girl deserved to be showered in love and to be swept off her feet. Maybe next time around she would find such a man. Maybe….there was something he could do about that after all of these years.

By 10:15, Morgan found himself pacing the floor and looking out the windows. Penelope was a lot of things but late was rarely one of them. When she told you she'd be there, she always was and never late without a really good reason. At 10:23, with still no Penelope on his doorstep, he tried her cell phone with no answer. Now the hairs on the back of his neck really began to tingle. Something wasn't right. At 10:30, after trying Penelope's cell phone twice more and trying her home number, he called JJ's house.

"Hey, Will. Sorry to bother you so late but I was just wondering if Penelope was still with you guys?"

"Penelope? No, Morgan, we brought Henry home about two hours ago and Penelope said she had a few places to visit and then was heading to your place. Hang on, I'll ask JJ if she's heard from her."

After a few unbearable seconds, Will came back on the line and told Derek that JJ hadn't heard from her either. He promised to call if they did and assured Derek that everything was probably okay. Penelope had probably just lost track of time at one of her parties and couldn't hear her cell phone. Derek half-heartedly agreed and hung up.

By 11:00, however, and still no word from Penelope, Derek knew something had to be terribly wrong. She wouldn't just not show up and not call. Derek had a sick feeling in the pit of his stomach and couldn't stand to hang around the house any longer. He had to DO something. Leaving a note where he knew she would find it just in case she showed up, Derek lept in his truck and headed out in search of his best friend.

The streets were full of costumed partiers and all sorts of Halloween tricks and treats were in full swing. There couldn't be worse conditions in which to find someone in. Making things even more difficult, Derek really didn't know much about Penelope's friends outside of work so he really didn't have much of an idea on where to start. Feeling desperate, he decided to start in the neighborhood where he knew Will and JJ had taken Henry trick or treating. He would slowly work his way out in circles from there.

By 12:15 he had all but given up when he turned down a side street about 4 miles from where Penelope had left Will and JJ. Parked down at the end of the street he could just make out Esther, Penelope's car. He was sure it was hers, there definitely wasn't another one like it in the city. Pulling up behind the car he parked and got out. Approaching the vehicle the sick feeling in the pit of his stomach grew and he was afraid of what he might find. He couldn't explain it, he just knew something had happened.

At first glance, all appeared in order. There didn't appear to be any signs of a struggle or anything out of place. Opening the door, he slipped in behind the wheel of Penelope's car. Looking around he caught something out of the corner of his eye on the passenger floorboard. Reaching beneath the seat he grabbed the object and pulled it out. Alarm bells were going off in his head as he recognized the object as the handbag Penelope had left the BAU with earlier that night. Looking inside, he found her cell phone, her wallet with about $60 cash, her driver's license, her house keys, her tablet and all the things she found necessary to have on her at all times. Realizing she would have never left these things behind for any reason, Derek quickly reached for his cell phone. Dialing one of the preset numbers he was surprised to find his own hand shaking as he waiting for the person on the other end to pick up.

"Hotchner"

"Hotch, it's Morgan. We've got a major problem. Penelope's missing and I think she's been taken against her will," Morgan said without any delay as soon as Hotch answered. Morgan quickly explained to his unit chief how the night had unfolded. "I'm on Davis Ave, near the east end. I think you better get everyone together."

"On our way Morgan, don't move until we get there."

Waiting for his team to arrive, Morgan decided he better get out of the car. While he had probably already completely contaminated the scene, he figured there still might be a longshot of finding someone's fingerprints or some other evidence. As he was stepping out, he felt something under his shoe. Bending down he looked around to see what he had stepped on. When he saw the hair band with the kitten ears attached laying on the ground next to the car door, he knew for sure his Baby Girl was in real trouble and that he needed to find her fast. But where the hell do you start looking for someone on a night when nothing and no one are as they seem?

TBC…Please review and let me know what you think!