Thank you to everyone for the follows, favorites and all the great feedback! Much appreciated!
Derek had arrived at the police station where the rest of the time was already giving the briefing, He hung in the back and tried to concentrate, but he couldn't help but worry about Penelope. Jessica wasn't exactly the warm fuzzy type. But maybe tough love would be good for Penelope as she had plenty of coddling from the team. Maybe the change would be good.
"Hey Derek. How'd did it go this morning?" JJ asked as the briefing emptied out. The rest team coming up behind her.
"I don't know, I had a hard time getting her to go in, and then a very uncaring employee came out and dismissed me rather quickly. We said goodbye at the curb. I didn't even see the inside of the place to make sure it was ok."
"Maybe she was just trying to be unemotional to get Penelope to go in," Reid offered.
"I know the place has a great reputation and I'm friends with the director. I know they'll treat Penelope very well," Hotch assured Derek putting a comforting hand on the other man's shoulder.
"I guess you're all right. It just broke my heart leaving her alone. I can't imagine how scared she is right now. She's so worried this is permanent and she'll never see again. I tried to reassure her, that she has other options, but there's a real good chance they won't be able to fix this."
Everyone nodded solemnly as Derek spoke aloud everyone's worst fears.
Meanwhile Penelope sat on the bed in what would be her home for the next week or so as Jessica and another much nicer aide named Kelly unpacked her bags.
"He's cute," Kelly had found Penelope's stuffed lion. She admired it then handed it to Penelope. Penelope smiled and stroked the lion's soft mane.
"Thank you, it was a gift from one of my best friends."
Kelly didn't notice Jessica roll her eyes. Jessica had decided when she was called in last night to make arrangements for Penelope's arrival that she hated the woman and would spend the week making her life miserable. She and Kelly finished putting Penelope's stuff away and gave a Penelope a tour of her room with tips on how to get around. Jessica could tell Kelly liked Penelope and that annoyed her even more. After the women left Penelope found herself truly alone for the first time since she lost her sight. Her life had been a whirlwind the past week, the team had made sure she was never alone and now she sat in her room feeling very alone and very scared. She laid down on the bed clutching her lion tight working her way under the covers and crying herself to sleep.
Penelope woke a little disoriented, it took her a moment to recall the events of the day and that she was no longer in her home. She had no idea how long she had been sleeping but she had a feeling it was for a long time, her stomach rumbled and growled angrily and she wondered when lunch was. She managed to make her way to the door, but had no idea what to do. So she just stood there, she didn't hear any activity, in fact she didn't hear anything or anyone at all, and it began to unnerve her. She debated whether to go back into her room or to try and find Jessica or Kelly. Hunger won out and she began to venture slowly from her room. "Where do you think you're going?" Jessica asked coming up behind Penelope causing her to jump. Jessica smiled evilly when she realized she had startled Penelope.
"I was hungry, and I…." Penelope stammered.
"Well you slept through lunch and dinners not for three more hours, so I guess you're out of luck. You also missed all your classes for the day." Jessica's tone snappy.
"I didn't know. I'm sorry."
"Well today is a total loss, so why don't you go back in your room, and when it's time for dinner I'll come get you."
"Isn't there anywhere else I can wait?" Penelope didn't want to spend three hours alone in her room.
"No. I'll come get you when it's time for dinner."
Penelope sighed and made her way back to her room. She had sensed Jessica's dislike for her early on and no matter how much she apologized Jessica still hated her, and she knew it was only going to make her stay harder. Sadly Penelope made her way back to her room to wait out three hours, alone.
Derek slammed down the phone on the desk he was sitting at. "Problem?" Rossi asked, sitting across from him.
"Yeah, they won't let me talk to Penelope. Some BS about letting her get settled in."
"It doesn't sound all that unreasonable to me."
"I know, but I didn't get a good vibe from the place when I dropped her off, and I just want to make sure she is ok."
"I'm sure she's doing fine, they probably have her very busy with classes and activities."
"Yeah, you're probably right." Derek halfheartedly agreed.
Penelope sat on her bed wondering if it was possible for time to go any slower, she had long grown bored with familiarizing herself with her room, she knew exactly where everything was very well. She felt tired even though all she had done was slept most of the day, but she didn't dare lay her head down for fear that if she fell asleep Jessica would conveniently forget to wake her again. She was so past hungry that she no longer felt hungry, but instead felt weak. She pressed her talking clock and felt a twinge of happiness when she realized Jessica would be coming to take her to dinner. She hoped.
Ten minutes past dinner time, Penelope's door flew open followed by a very harsh "Let's Go.", Penelope knew the voice well and she was relieved and nervous all at once; she thought for sure she'd be forgotten, but Jessica's tone made her think that being forgotten might not actually be that bad.
Jessica walked them quickly through the halls, too quickly. Penelope fearing she was going to fall stopped, hoping Jessica would listen if they were standing still. "I know you didn't like having to come in yesterday and early today, and I'm sorry, really I am, I had no idea that would happen."
"Yes, I know you're sorry, but we have to keep moving or you won't get any dinner. My day is backed up and I'm trying to catch up so I can at least leave on time."
"I am truly sorry, I didn't realize how inconvenienced you were."
"It doesn't matter, let's go." Jessica pulled Penelope's arm and then resumed their break neck pace, much to Penelope's dismay.
Much to her surprise Penelope actually enjoyed dinner. She got there late but the cook made sure she had plenty to eat and she really enjoyed the company and the chance to talk with other residents. Penelope listened to all their stories and even found one woman with very similar circumstances. Penelope was relieved to learn that Jessica was gone for the day when a lovely woman named Grace showed her to a common room, where she could pass time with other residents until she had to go back to her room. For the first time since arriving this morning Penelope felt like maybe this was going to be a positive experience. Aside from Jessica who Penelope decided was mentally unstable, everyone else was extremely nice and very helpful. I can do this, she told herself as she settled into bed.
The team were all having breakfast in the lobby of the hotel they were staying in. Nobody had missed Derek's irritability or that fact that he had contributed next to nothing to the conversation.
"Still worried about our girl?' Rossi asked him. It Derek a moment to realize anyone had even spoken to him.
"Huh?"
"He asked if were still worried about Penelope." Reid repeated.
"Of course I'm worried. We're hours away chasing some maniac and she's all by herself. She should at least have the peace of mind that we're close by, and a phone call away. But we're not close by and they will not let me speak to her!" Derek yelled slamming his fist down on the table, causing other diners to notice.
"I'm sure they will let you talk to her today, and the sooner we solve this case the sooner we can get back to Virginia. So focus," Hotch admonished him. Derek shook his head in compliance and hoped Hotch was right.
Penelope had gotten herself dressed and was determined to get herself to breakfast, she had some idea on where the cafeteria was from yesterday, and was also relying on her nose to guide her as she could smell breakfast. "Good morning, Penelope." Penelope recognized the friendly voice as Kelly.
"Good morning."
"Trying to find breakfast?"
"Am I too late?" Penelope asked nervously, as she really had no idea what her schedule was supposed to be, since Jessica didn't seem to want to do anything but torture her.
"No, you are going to be right on time, and you are headed in the right direction. Impressive."
Penelope couldn't help but smile as these were the first words of encouragement from someone other than a BAU member. She had to admit it felt good, and it didn't hurt that Jessica had been given the day off for coming in Sunday. Penelope hoped Jessica would return in a much better mood. She promised herself that she wouldn't think about her as she spent her day going from classes, activities and meals. Before she knew it, she was getting ready to settle in for the night and then she was told she had a phone call. She knew who it was before they even spoke.
"Hello, handsome."
"How did you know it was me?"
"I have my ways." They both laughed.
"It's so good to hear your voice baby girl."
"Sounds like you miss me."
"More then you know. How are they treating my princess?"
Penelope thought about telling Derek about that nasty shrew Jessica but she knew he would only worry more, and besides she had a really great day today. "Not as good as you do of course, but not too shabby."
"Glad to hear it, I've been worried about you."
"No need to worry my hot stuff, I'm learning to become an independent lady again."
"I'm proud of you baby girl. Everyone here is."
"Tell them all thank you and that I said hi."
"Will do, love ya."
"Love ya too." Penelope smiled as she hung up the phone, Monday was horrible, but Tuesday really was a great day, and to cap it off with speaking to Derek made it all that much better. She hoped Wednesday would be even better.
Half way through Wednesday she realized Jessica hadn't calmed down any on her day off. Thankfully Kelly's help yesterday made her a little more independent today. She spent the day getting to where she needed to go despite Jessica and little did Penelope know that irked Jessica even more.
Jessica had noticed Penelope's success and knew she would be going home sooner. So she would have to work faster, she hadn't been as mean as she wanted to for fear someone else would notice and she would lose her job. Not that it would be such a great loss, as she was beyond burnt out and she had stopped caring about her clients long ago; she didn't even know why Penelope irked her so bad as the woman was actually very apologetic and Jessica knew she was sincere. Too little too late. Jessica went to search out Penelope, who she knew was avoiding her. Jessica tracked Penelope down in her room. She entered without knocking and was annoyed to find the other woman taking a shower. She stood in Penelope's room a few minutes when the lion on Penelope's bed caught her eye. She knew it was special to Penelope; picking it up, she thought about destroying it, but then thought about how nice it would look on her desk instead. She tucked the lion under her arm, and left quickly. Proud of what she'd done.
Penelope emerged from the bathroom ready for bed; she felt around the bed for her lion and couldn't find it. She felt around the bed and on the floor, her heart beginning to race when she couldn't find it. She spent a few more minutes frantically searching for it, before she accepted the fact that it was gone and she had a pretty good idea of who had taken it. She climbed into bed and tried to sleep but her anger that Jessica had taken one of her most prized possessions kept her up most of the night.