Disclaimer: No matter how much I wish I did, I don't own Criminal Minds, CBS does. (That's probably a good thing, actually!)

Chapter 9

Wednesday, 9:15 a.m.

It didn't take long for the team to get to the Wallace house. By the time they arrived, they had already donned their blue FBI vests and immediately spilled out of the black government issue SUV's as soon as they hit the driveway.

Looking at the surroundings, it wasn't hard to tell why no one had found Wallace sooner. The house was in severe disrepair and the lawn was nothing but weeds and dead branches. Getting to the front door was a feat in itself and as they approached it they realized it had long ago been boarded up. Heading around to the side of the house, Morgan found a window that had been broken out and yelled to the others that he had found a way in.

As the team entered the dilapidated house, they flicked on their flashlights as most of the windows and doors were either boarded up or were so dirt-covered little light failed to reach inside. Prentiss and Reid immediately headed towards the back of the house, what appeared to be the bedrooms, while JJ and Hotch headed towards the living area at the front of the house. Morgan and Rossi took the kitchen, each agent taking turns yelling out for Garcia praying they would hear a response.

As they searched the kitchen area, Morgan discovered a door that was locked. "Hey Rossi, it looks like this probably leads to the basement but it's got what looks like a new padlock on it. I'm going to shoot the lock off the door, stand back."

As Morgan took aim, Rossi yelled for Hotch and the others to let them know what they had found. Within seconds, the padlock was lying broken on the floor and the team was headed down the stairs into the dark and dank basement, Derek leading the way. His heart beat faster with every step…something was telling him that this was the right place but what would they find? Garcia had failed to answer when they called out, would she even still be alive?

As his flashlight swept over the room below him, Morgan caught a glimpse of something in the far corner. As he neared, he could just make out a tangle of blonde hair and hint of sparkle caught in his flashlight beam shining off the red sequined blouse Garcia had worn out to the Pub on Saturday night.

"I've got her!" he yelled as he ran over and fell down next to her. Brushing her hair aside and feeling her neck for a pulse, he almost cried when he felt the blood pumping through her veins. "Get the medics down here! She's alive but unconscious," he informed the rest of the team who breathed an audible, collective sigh of relief.

As the others took in the scene before them, they began to realize the horror that she must have gone through. "My God, he had her chained to the wall like a dog," Emily said with disgust.

"Yeah, but my Baby Girl, she never gave up," Derek said with pride as he gently took her hands in his. "Look at this, he fingers are completely torn up and bloodied from where she was trying to dig this hook out of the wall. She never stopped fighting." Derek laid her hands back down and gently stroked her matted hair out of her face. As he did, tears started to stream down his face. "I'm so sorry, Baby Girl' he whispered to her, "I should have never let this happen to you. I should have walked you to your door that night. Please, you've got to be all right. I have to have the chance to make this up to you."

"Derek," Hotch reached out and tapped him on the shoulder, hating to interrupt but having to get his attention, "c'mon, the medics are here. Let them in to take care of her, she'll be in good hands."

Nodding his head, Derek slowly stood and just backed away far enough for the medics to get in. Determined not to let her out of his sight, however, he stood over them and watched every move they made as they cut her from the chain and began to check out her injuries.

"How is she?" Derek asked anxiously.

"We won't be able to tell for sure until we get her to the hospital, but she appears ok," the medic informed him. "A little dehydrated, mal-nourished and a few cuts and bruises, but other than that I think she's going to be ok."

"Thank God," Rossi spoke out and voiced the sentiment that all of the team members were feeling at that moment.

As the medics prepared to transport her to the hospital, Derek informed Hotch that he would be riding in the ambulance with his girl. It wasn't a question as much as a declaration but Hotch readily agreed and told him the rest of the team would meet them there.

As the medics rolled the gurney out of the house and into the sunlight of the morning, Penelope stirred as she felt the heat on her face. "Hey Baby Girl," Derek said with a smile as he stopped the medics and leaned over her so she knew he was there.

Penelope returned his smile and with a slight cough and raspiness in her voice replied, "I knew my Noir Hero would show up."

And the rest of my superheroes, they're here too?" she asked as she tried to look around.

"Yes, sweetness, they're all here," Derek let her know as he wiped some of the dirt off her face.

"Then all is well," she said as her eyes closed and she fell back asleep.

TBC….

Probably only another chapter or two, but I do want have her find out about Evan, so a little more to go. Thanks so much for continuing to read and review.