SPOV
As I tried to catch my breath, I heard Derek yell. When I heard him say the name 'Jen' my Spidey Senses started going haywire. I suddenly thought about a conversation I had with Pen about a week ago. Oh god. Could this have been prevented? I guess my thoughts were showing on my face because Emily and JJ were looking even more concerned.
"What is it, Steph?" JJ asked
"This could have been prevented, why didn't she listen?" I whisper.
"What do you mean?" Emily asks.
Before I can utter a word, Ranger and Derek are at my side.
"What are you talking about, Babe?" I can tell he is confused.
"Pen told me about a week ago that she thought she was being followed."
"Do you remember the conversation, Steph?" Derek asked.
Flashback
It was Monday morning, and I was sitting at my desk waiting for a search to finish, when my cell rang with Pen's ringtone. When I answered I could hear the uncertainty in her voice.
"I think I am being followed, Steph." She says and a tingle runs down my spine.
"Are you sure?" I ask.
"Pretty certain."
"How do you know?" I ask
"I came out of my doctors appointment and a car followed me all the way to work."
"You need to tell Derek, Pen."
"It's no big deal, I don't think that its anything to worry about. Besides, he is away on a case and I won't bother him. All it will do is worry him for nothing. "
"But if you're being followed, it is a big deal, Pen. And I can guarantee that you wouldn't be bothering him with something like that. We both know that he would either be on the next plane back or he would have someone with you until he could get back, you know he would."
"I know he will."
"Pen, if you don't tell him I will."
"Promise me you won't." I sigh, she knows I won't break a promise.
"Pen.."
"Please." Damn it.
"Okay, but if something happens it will tear me apart, Pen."
End flashback
As I come out my thoughts I have tears running down my face. Without a word, Ranger pulls me into his lap and tries to console me.
RPOV
As I hold Steph, my heart is beating double time, Pen knew she was being followed. I can tell everyone in the room has the same thoughts I do. Why didn't Pen say anything? This knowledge is tearing Steph apart. I am starting to worry about her stress levels. I start to whisper to her in Spanish hoping it calms her down like it usually does.
Finally, she calms down. When she looks around we both notice that Derek is gone. Before I can send anyone to find him, Steph pulls away and hurries out of the room.
SPOV
I went into the hall and saw Derek leaning against the wall, looking at the ceiling. I carefully walked up to him. He knew that I was there because he looked at me with a haunted look in his eyes. I instantly feel like I am to blame for all of this. I guess he too could read my thoughts, because he pulled me into a tight hug.
"You're not to blame, Steph. You did what she asked." He whispered in my ear.
"I'm so sorry."
"Don't be. I am just upset that Pen didn't say anything to me. We now know where to look, so I am going to start with the search. Because Pen was able to get that cell phone, there is no doubt in my mind that Jen knows she sent a text."
"Do you think Pen is in danger?" I ask fearing the answer.
"I honestly don't know."
"That scares me." I can feel him shudder.
I don't know how long we stood there, but when he finally pulled back, Ranger was standing there, he looked at us with his blank face.
"You okay, man?" He asks Derek.
"I will be once I find Pen."
"We will find her. We need all the information on that woman so we can start tracking her."
"I will be in a little bit." Derek says. Ranger nods and goes back into the room.
I can tell that Derek is feeling responsible, even though he has no control over what anyone else does.
"Look, I know you feel responsible, but the only person that is at fault is this Jen lady."
"But it's because of me that Pen is in danger right now." Derek yells.
"It may be your past, Derek, but it does not become your fault." I say firmly.
"How can you say that, its true "
"I will tell you what I told Ranger once. Your past has no bearing on what the future holds, if something from your past does come up, then it needs to be handled together. Do not blame yourself."
I can tell I shocked him at my words. I put my hand on his forearm.
"I should have told you no matter what. I feel partly responsible because if I had this would have been prevented." I whisper. I feel his arm tense.
"I don't ever want to hear you blame yourself, do you hear me!" I blanch as he growls at me.
I managed to piss him off.
"Stephanie, I know you feel at least partly to blame, but I don't blame you at all. You were right, this is all on Jen. I promise you I will find her, and she will be arrested. We will bring Pen home safely. You will stay here though, no arguments. Ranger will kill me if you get hurt or something happens to you or your son. I may not have been able to protect Pen this time, but I sure as hell can protect you."
"He is right." I jump at the sound of Tank's voice.
"Ranger will kick all of our asses if you get so much of a paper cut right now. Let's go get all the information on this woman so we can get Pen home." Tank says as he wraps his arm around my shoulders.
Derek, Tank and I finally make our way back to the room. For the first time I feel like we are close to finding Pen.