Chapter 7:
Toby stared in shock at the limp figure at his feet.
He knew it. He had always said they weren't made for this. They were geniuses, not FBI, or BAU...now they had to be stronger than ever. But how? Happy was the strongest member of the team, and Collins had already broken her. Walter was probably next, knowing Collins; revenge would start and end with the man that had taken Collins away from, 'His Team'.
And Paige...Collins would be lenient with her. She had taken Collins place, and he had already taken her son, Toby was troubled at the thought of Ralph being so close, yet so far from help. They weren't doing anything for him, except sitting here and hoping.
Sylvester was crumbling, silent tears slipped down his cheeks. Everyone had someone to keep them going, fortunately for Sly, he still had Megan waiting for him. The person that kept Toby going was lying at his feet, an unknown medication coursing thru her veins. He just hoped it wasn't addictive, she didn't deserve that.
Nobody did.
Collins smirked at Toby, "You want to know what it was? What I placed in her system...that's the question every Doctor wants to know. Just be consoled knowing that I won't forget your past addictions, and won't hesitate to use them against you. Now, Tobias, you worked on the DIL program for quite some time. Running tests to make sure everything was secure, double checking each operative. But people like you always have a second way in. Gamblers won't hesitate to do what they must. Especially addictive gamblers, isn't that right?"
Collins ripped the gag out of Toby's mouth, hard. Toby pulled in a huge gulp of fresh air. "Past is...past...Collins...let it be."
"For now Tobias...For now."
Collins walked into the back room with a smile on his face. Three of the men walked back with him, leaving 4 scattered around the room. One of them walked over and unchained his wrists. Quickly Toby slid to the ground beside Happy. Gently he felt her wrist. There was a strong pulse, thankfully. Collins had given her something with no intent of killing her.
Quietly he tried to wake her, "Happy...come on girl, open those beautiful browns..."
"Toby it's no use, she's passed out." Walter gritted his teeth as the chains were unlocked, sliding painfully past his broken arm.
Toby sighed and turned to him, "Your arm..."
"Check the others... it's a minor break, just-" Toby cut him off by gently touching his broken elbow. Walter hissed in pain.
The shrink smirked, "A 'minor break', huh? You're not the only genius around here Walter, and you're certainly not a doctor."
Walter groaned in exasperation, "You don't have the medical supplies to fix it, Toby. All of us had blunt trauma to the head, make sure it's not serious."
Toby exhaled, "Alright team, gather round, this is going to be a bumpy road."
He stayed next to Happy, waiting for her to wake up, as Toby checked everyone for concussion. Now, Sylvester was sitting on the other side of Toby, biting his nails in an effort not to panic. Walter had tried several times to look around for an escape, but each try was shot down by Paige's fussing over his arm. Looking for escape was futile, Collins had Ralph, and until they knew where he was, leaving would only endanger the youngest member of the team.
Toby leaned over Happy and murmured quietly, "Have you seen the happy couple in the corner? Well...you're missing the biggest show of EQ you've ever seen."
Paige and Walter sat against the wall. Walter was mumbling science talk, something about the room and how long it might take for Cabe to find them...or even realize they were gone. Paige was listening to every word, but not hearing any. Her mind was on Ralph, and everyone knew it.
"So even if Cabe did find us in the next twelve hours...Paige...listen, Ralph is going to be fine. Collins won't hurt him."
Paige blinked hard, "How...how can you possibly..."
"Because of Ralph's elevated IQ, Collins wouldn't hurt his mind in any way, or impair his ability to work. Ralph's going to be fine, but Collins knows how to get into your head. Just remember, no matter what he says, Ralph is safe. OK...Paige?"
Paige nodded slowly. Walter took his answer and stood up, "Alright. Sly what our Stats?"
"About 32 percent chance of Cabe finding us within the next 48 hours, a 7 percent chance of escaping on our own and...umm..."
Walter nodded and walked away from Paige and Toby, "What else Sly?"
Sylvester quieted, "Walter, I know you don't like this...but there's a less than 30 percent chance that Collins is going to let Paige leave here...alive, I mean. With our mind he wouldn't care but...Paige isn't like us."
Walter shook his head, "No, no those statistics are invalid, do them again..."
"Walter my statistics are never wrong, and I already double checked then."
Silence.
"How much time do I have...Sylvester?" Paige pressed.
Sly sighed, "Taking into account Collins anger and his current mind set...less than 12 hours."
"So...I'm not getting out of here?"
"We didn't say that" Walter protested
"No, you did."
Walter looked into her hazel eyes. No lying to her. Not now, not ever.
"It's...not likely."
Paige nodded, a fierce determination in her words, "Then you have to swear something to me, and I'll know if you're telling a lie because Toby will tell me."
Walter looked up to see the shrink stand behind her, watching his movements. He groaned, "Paige, you don't have to do this, I am getting you out-"
He froze as her hand clapped around his mouth, "Shut up. Just for once Walter, shut up and let me talk. Now you are going to swear to me, that no matter what happens, you're going to keep your head on. Not for me, not for anybody do you do something stupid. No jumping off cliffs, no offering yourself as a hostage..."
Walter mumbled thru her hand, "I seriously doubt I'll need to jump off cliffs...and I'm already a hostage."
"You know what I mean. And above all, no matter what happens, you keep on. Do you understand me O'Brien? Don't stop being you." Slowly she took her hand away. "Swear it."
Walter sighed. Then he looked her in the eyes. He held that gaze. "I promise to keep my head in all situations, but I will not swear to keep going. Not without you."
Paige took a step back in shock. But her answer never came.
The door opened. Five of the huge men stepped out from the doorway, Collins joined them.
Sylvester immediately backed against the wall. Walter took a step in front of Paige. Toby kneeled down, next to Happy. He put a hand on her shoulder.
Collins grinned widely, "I am sorry to ruin the moment...Francis do me a favor and have your friends restrain our guests?"
A man with a skull tattoo on his left hand nodded. One name out of six. Francis nodded to his companions, who in turn walked to each (Conscious) member of Scorpion. Walter didn't like them touching Paige, but he kept his promise. No doing anything stupid, that he understood.
Once in control, Collins smiled, "Now, isn't that better? It's as it always was, me in control, you my followers." He pointed to Walter and Paige, "Francis, grab Curly and Blondie, won't you?"
Francis and another man shoved Walter and Paige forward. As they pushed them, Francis stuck out his foot. Paige tripped and fell hard, causing harsh laughter to break out among their captors. Walter bent down and helped her out, shooting Francis a look that could kill.
Francis jostled them toward the room Collins had gone into a few minutes ago.
Both remembered Sylvester's statistics.
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