Rick knelt so that he could look Penny in the eyes. Tears were brimming in his eyes as he tried to think of something he could say. She released her grip so she could wrap her arms around his neck tightly.
His heart felt so heavy and so dark that he just wanted to hold her and whisper in her ear and say that everything was going to be ok and that it wasn't real.
This was a nightmare, but he wanted it to be the kind that you woke up from with the sun shining on your face. The kind that a father could hold his daughter afterwards and comfort until she was safe enough to fall asleep again.
He put his head against hers. His tears fell into her blond hair as he forced his voice to work. "Oh Penny, I'm so sorry." He whispered.
"I know." She said back through a sob.
"Please understand." He begged. "I have no choice. I can't let him kill you. It's not fair to you." He said angrily.
"I do daddy." She choked out. "I know you have no choice." She looked up into his eyes and attempted a brave smile. But it was ruined by a fresh wave of tears that scrunched her face into a mask of sorrow.
She had never been apart from him indefinitely and never with a stranger who was willing to kill her. She wanted him to wrap his coat around her and say it would deflect the cuff's power and race out of the building with her. But she knew that wouldn't work. He was her father and she didn't think she could handle living without him. If it was with Jessica she could be strong. Jessica was the only person she could ever call her mother.
Rick had been the only one for her entire life. She'd heard the retelling of her birth. How it was his quick thinking that saved her life. How the minute he'd held her in his arms he realized that he wanted to be her father.
Now he was being a good and brave father and asking her to be a brave daughter. He wasn't willing to risk her life. Even if he thought he had a chance it would be wrong of him to put her in that danger. She admired this even though it broke her heart. She wanted him to fight for her right now.
He couldn't and she'd have to wait until he could.
Rick was holding her head in his hands. They felt soft and warm against her moist stinging skin. She closed her eyes praying that if she did they could stay like that forever.
Rick began to whisper. "You'll be ok because I won't make a mistake. I'll play his game until I can get you back. You can count on me to keep up my part of the deal. And you can be sure I'll not rest until he's paid if somethin' does happen to you. Ya hear me?" He asked.
She nodded her head. Her eyes were still closed. When she opened them it was her father who closed his eyes. He couldn't bear to see the pain in those two green irises. Never had they seemed so lonely.
"Stay strong. I'll be good and helpful and I won't cause trouble." Penny assured. "I can keep my mouth shut and I won't be disrespectful. I'll be a good house guest like you've taught me."
"And I'll wait for you." She added in a croaked whisper.
Rick kissed her forehead. "I know you'll be jus fine." He said forcing a smile for her. "You and I won't be apart for too long." He hated to do this to Alex, but if he had to sneak into the lab and ransack it for what he needed he would. Because Alex would want him to do whatever it took to protect the girl. Because even though they had had a hand in her creation, they loved her.
"Pray for me." Rick added. "I need you to pray for my safety. Can you do that?"
"Yes Sir." She replied. "As long as you do the same for me."
"I wouldn't dream of anythin' else." He assured.
She leaned her head onto his chest and took a deep breath of him. He felt her breath against his neck and the warm wet tears that fell there. Each one was a call for help. He had a hand on her back rubbing it gently.
He didn't care that his enemy was watching him. So he was soft in the middle. It's what made him human. That's what decided when a man was no longer man. When he forgot how to love.
He ran a hand through her hair and sighed heavily. They wouldn't have much longer. And what he had to say next was so hard to get out of his lips.
He pulled her off of him and took her hands in his. "We haven't got much time left." He said knowingly. "So before they pull us apart I want you to know how much I love you."
Their eyes met and she held his gaze "I love you too." She managed.
"I won't let this be the end for us." Rick assured. "Without you I wouldn't be here today. Thank you for giving me my second chance Penny Barnes." He whispered to her.
She kissed his cheek. "Thank you for being my father. Without you I would be alone." She whispered.
He hugged her tightly. Both were wet from tears and hot from the shuddering sobs that wracked their bodies. Penny grabbed his ear and put her lips up close to it. In a voice that only he could hear she spoke bravely. "I'll find you a weakness." She promised.
Abernathy was looking at them intently. "Alright you two." He said in a tired voice. "Enough is enough."
The office door opened again and Penny grabbed onto Rick tighter. He stood up holding her in his arms whispering something. "Remember this isn't goodbye."
Two men came in. These two weren't wearing NODs and they looked at Rick menacingly. "Put the girl down or we'll make you." One snarled.
Rick pried Penny's hands from around his neck. She gripped his neck with her nails carving several bloody scrapes as he gently tugged on her hands.
"No!" Penny cried. Even the bravest speaches lost their power when the moment of truth came. "Please don't." She begged turning to Abernathy fresh tears dropping onto his floor.
"It's ok Penny." Rick assured.
"Daddy don't leave me alone." Penny pleaded with him. But as he set her on the floor and stepped back he gave her a look of grim determination.
"Don't worry. This will be over soon." He assured. "I'll see you as soon as I can."
The two men began shoving Rick towards the door. "Come on." The one hissed.
"Daddy I love you!" Penny screamed.
"I love you too!" He yelled back. He paused a moment and the brute pistol-whipped the back of his head.
"Don't hurt him!" Penny cried as she watched in horror. Rick stumbled but stayed upright and continued through the doors.
"I'll be back!" He called in a strong voice. This was for Abernathy who nodded grimly.
The doors were slammed shut and Penny ran to them banging on the doors. She did this until her hands were sore and then she fell to the floor crying. Never in her life had she felt so small and helpless and alone. Even in her sorrow she planned to make sure she did what she could to help her father. Because that's what she had to do, if she wanted things to be ok she had to work from her end just as hard as he was.
Rick could hear her crying through the doors. And her pounding only made it worse. He stopped again unafraid of the two. They gave him a few good wallops and dragged him down the stairs. His anger was building up.
He was blind with fury and he couldn't see where they were taking him. At the foot of the stairs they dropped him.
"Christ you're heavy." One snapped. "On your feet now. We ain't carrying you out."
Rick slowly rose to his feet. He could still hear Penny's sobs and it made his shoulders quiver. He walked as quickly as he could, even though he felt like his legs would give out on him any minute now.
When they reached the front door they shoved him out. "Some hero you are." The other said laughing as he landed on his hands and knees.
His fingers ground the dirt. He pounded a fist into the soft earth and gave a yell of rage magnified by his vocal amplifier that bounced off of the mountains and echoed back to him.
He picked himself up and threw his fedora at the green mustang waiting for him. He spat a string of language he'd never used in his life. His eyes wouldn't stop crying as he grabbed his hair in futility. He circled in front of the mansion twice before he started for his car.