After what felt like ages, the door to the basement opened again. Tweedledee came in first, and Tweedledum was behind him and they were carrying Penelope. They got to the bottom of the stairs and just dropped her. She hit the ground hard, but made no noise.
Tweedledum sneered and said, "I told you, you would get yours, bitch." Both goons then turned and left the basement.
Will, Henry and Jack stared at Penelope, too scared to move or say anything. She was lying on her left side, with her back to them, facing the stairs. Will picked Henry up and put him in Jack's lap. He got himself onto his hands and knees and, ignoring the pain in his ankles and ribs, crawled over to Penelope.
The chain around his unbroken ankle was just long enough to allow him to reach her. He touched her shoulder and was relieved when she flinched. Positioning himself where the boys wouldn't be able to see her, he rolled her onto her back.
Her face was mottled with bruising and her mouth was covered with duct tape. The part that scared Will the most were her eyes. They stared at the ceiling, unmoving and unfocused. He quickly scanned the rest of her body. Her dress was torn from one shoulder and hung loosely, just long enough to cover her chest. It was soaked with blood, but Will couldn't tell if it was hers without moving clothing, and that was not a good idea right now.
He looked down at her legs and saw blood near her knees, on the inside of her legs. There were handprint-shaped bruises around her ankles and matching ones on her wrists. Will dropped his head and sent a request for guidance toward the heavens.
"Penelope?" he said in a soft voice. "I'm going to take the tape off your mouth. I will try not to hurt you, but it probably will and I'm so sorry." He reached out and gripped one corner of the tape, quick or slow? He decided to do it fast and ripped the tape off in one quick motion.
Penelope jerked and brought her hands up to fight him off. He grabbed her right hand but didn't grab her left as it was clearly broken and he didn't want to cause her anymore pain. He whispered to her, "It's ok, cher, it's ok. You're back with Will and Henry and Jack. We aren't gonna hurt you. Can you look at me?"
Pen's eyes finally focused on him and when she realized it was Will touching her, she put her hands down but still didn't say anything.
"Pen, can you move? Let's sit back down by the wall." She struggled to turn over, but when he went to help her she recoiled from his touch so he pulled his hands back. Will backed away from her and crawled back to the wall and sat down.
"Come on Penelope, you can do it sweetheart." Pen managed to half pull, half crawl over to Will and dropped down beside him. Facing the wall she curled up on his left side with her head resting on his leg, right above the knee. She stared at the wall, not moving, not talking. If she hadn't responded to him earlier, he would have thought she was catatonic.
Jack had moved over into the corner and had Henry turned into his chest so that he couldn't see his fairy godmother's condition. Jack was old enough that he understood what had happened to Penelope and he cried again seeing his normally vivacious aunt being so quiet and still.
"Is the blood hers?" Jack asked, scared to know the answer.
"I don't think so," Will told him. "I can't find anywhere it's coming from. I think she was too close to whoever was sh..hurt."
The door to the basement opened and Bob stuck his head in. "My apologies, my men were supposed to bring the boys up when they brought Miss Penelope back. Boys, I have cartoons and snacks for you, get up and come on."
Reluctantly Jack got up and pulled Henry up; keeping him turned away from Penelope, and went back up the stairs.
After they were gone Will brushed Penelope's hair out of her face. "Pen, the boys are upstairs if you want to talk you can. What happened up there? Who was shot?" Penelope shuddered at his last question and closed her eyes, only to open them again quickly. Will softly stroked her hair and whispered words of comfort in French.
"Will?" came Penelope's voice, very quiet and broken. "Will you sing me something?"
"Any preferences?" When she shook her head slightly, indicating no he said, "This one was one of my favorite songs when J.J. and I met and it has always reminded me of her.
They should've named you cocaine Cause every time I hold you honey Got me writin' all these songs Cause every time I hold you honey Cause every time I hold you honey I'm feelin no pain
Your all in my brain
Drivin' me insane
They should've named you cocaine
I get so high and blow all my money
But I can't complain
Cause I'm feelin' no pain
They should've named you cocaine
Stayin' up all night long
Like a fast movin train
They should've named you cocaine
I get so high and blow all my money
But I can't complain
Cause I'm feelin no pain
They should've named you cocaine
I get so high and blow all my money
But I can't complain
Cause I'm feelin no pain
They should've named you cocaine
They should've named you cocaine
"You're right, that is J.J." Penelope whispered. Will didn't get the chance to ask her about anything as Bob entered the basement. Will wondered for a moment about how he always seemed to have the worst timing.
Without saying anything, Bob walked over to the laptop and camera and turned them on. He pulled out his cell phone and dialed a number.
"Hello Aaron, follow the link and join us again. Things are about to get fun." He hung up and looked over at his captives. "Will I expect you to carry the conversation since our fair Penelope is feeling poorly. Do not worry; it won't be a long conversation. It will actually take just a few minutes to explain the game we are going to play."
The computer beeped, signaling the team's arrival. The way the camera was positioned, they could only see the top of Penelope's head and part of her back where she was curled up on Will's leg. Panicked questions started being thrown at Will. Hotch and J.J. wanted to know where the boys were and Derek wanted to know what was wrong with Penelope.
"Baby girl, look at me. Will, is she ok?" Derek asked him frantically.
Will thought for a moment and gave them the most informative answer he could. "Her physical injuries will heal, even if she doesn't get to a hospital. But no, she is not ok. The boys are fine, they are watching cartoons. "
With that said, Bob stepped in front of them, blocking them both from the team's view. "Penelope will be just fine; she just partied a little too hard." At his malicious grin Derek felt his temper snap.
"You sorry son-of-a-bitch! When I get my hands on you there won't be enough of you left to justify a body bag!"
Rossi and Emily stepped in and grabbed Derek by his arms and tried to pull him back. He kept yelling as they dragged him back. "Just wait asshole, I'm gonna make you regret the day you ever decided to touch the people we care about!" He was still screaming at Bob as he was taken out of the room.
"Well Aaron, it looks like you have your hands full so I will keep this short." Bob turned to Will and Penelope. "We are going to play a little game called 'Who gets it?'. I am going to give Will and Penelope one hour to decide who gets the bullet from my gun. Until then…"
Bob leaned forward and cut the connection. He walked around Penelope's legs until he could see her face. "Penelope, do you understand? You and Will have a lot to discuss. I would not waste any time."
At her nod, he patted her leg, chuckling when she drew it back from his touch. "Have fun you two, I will be back in an hour. Make peace with whatever deity you believe in."
He turned and once again left them alone.