Chapter Seventeen: Einstein's Definition of Insanity

Hello! Sorry, this chapter is late. I actually had it all written in time for my planned Saturday update but I had not created the fanart for this chapter. If you want to see that fanart or the fanart for the other chapters please go to AO3 (Archive of Our Own). There is a spoiler for Doctor Who Season 4 Episode 13 in the second paragraph of the section that in the section called The BAU Five Hours Later. It will be in bold so that you can skip it. Anyways, enjoy this chapter!

Location UNKNOWN

3:17 AM

It was a little after a quarter past three that morning when Persephone finally awoke. She'd been asleep for nearly eight hours but without any way to tell how time had passed, she didn't know this. Her head was banging. She supposed that this was what it was like to have a hug over. The advantage to not drinking was the fact you didn't get hungover. When her eyes cleared, and she got over the grogginess from the drug she noticed that she was in a bare and cold room. The only source of light was a single light bulb, but it was just enough to make her try and blink away the soreness it caused to her eye.

Persephone tried to move her hands but found that her arms were pinned to her chair, fastened tightly with leather straps. Her legs too, tied to the metal chair with the same tightness. There was no point in trying to un-do them- it would just waste energy. Instead, Persephone craned her neck to get a better look at the room, searching for some indicator as to where she was. There was a little window that told her that daybreak had not occurred just yet. Other than that, the room seemed like any other basement.

Great. This is just fantastic, isn't it? That was Persephone's first thought. So, they had obliviously weren't right when they assumed that the danger had passed. Damn it! Persephone knew that her father wouldn't just give up like that! How could she have been so stupid?! She was just glad that she hadn't allowed Spen to take her home. If her father has spotted the two of them he wouldn't have hesitated to hurt him too. At least this way, she was the only one in danger.

Suddenly Persephone could the sound of footsteps approaching. Then the door swung open briefly filling the room with extra light before he came in and shut it behind him. Her father descended the staircase and when he got to the bottom of it, he tilted his head and smiled. He was appraising her.

"Oh good! You're awake. I was beginning to wonder if I had been overzealous with the drug," Her father commented as though he was surprised when in reality he'd been watching her from a hidden camera.

Persephone did not say anything. She tried hard not to lay into the fear that was rising inside of her, but it was hard. In fact, it was almost impossible when her father bent down in front of her, his face (a face she should never forget) just a few inches away from hers.

"Did you know that chloroform is very much useless in knocking people out?" Her father informed her in the voice a teacher would use as if this were a chemistry lesson and not a kidnapping.

Her father gave a cold smile. Persephone moved her head to the side, but his hand shot out and grabbed hold of her chin. He forced her to look at him, the grip tight and painful. After a few seconds, he let go.

"It's thanks to the movies that people think that it works well. In reality, it would take minutes to knock someone else with that. Even then they would be out long. Benzothiazepines, however? They're much more effective particularly when you top it up with injections."

Persephone was suddenly aware of sharp throbbing pain in her upper arm. Her father had injected her with Benzothiazepine. It would explain why she had been knocked out so easily and why she felt so drowsy. What did she know about Benzothiazepines? Nothing. God she wished Spen was here- he'd know a hell of a lot more. Then again, if Spen was here it meant he was in danger too. She would just have to rely on her own brain and knowledge. That was when Persephone finally found her voice.

"I see you did your research father."

She had been expecting the blow so it hadn't hurt as much as it could have. Still, it split open her lip and the metallic taste of blood in her mouth was anything but pleasant.

"It's so nice to hear that again after all this time. One would prefer to have it without the attitude, but I suppose beggars can't be choosers."

"Where are we?" Persephone demanded though she didn't expect to get an answer or at least get one that would be helpful.

"Now, now my dear Persephone we'll have plenty of time for all that later. We have a lot of catching up to do. This could have been a hell of a lot easier if you would have been more receptive to my letters." Her father grunted, shaking his head sadly. It made Persephone want to punch him but of course, she couldn't. The leather straps were rubbing her wrists painfully. The metal buckle was beginning to cut into them too.

"Normal people would take that as a hint. They don't resort to kidnapping in order to talk to their children. That again you are bat-shit crazy."

Another punch was thrown this time aimed at her stomach. The wind was knocked out her leaving her with that unpleasant aching feeling under forming bruises.

"Language!" Her father admonished "Now, I think you had better get some more sleep. It seems you are a little grumpy. We all know that a tried Persephone is a grumpy Persephone. We have a big day ahead of us. Get some rest."

He stood up and patted Persephone's cheek gently, smiling as she flinched away from him. Then he turned and ascended the stairs. He reached across and flicked the light switch plunging the room into darkness before closing the door with a dull thud. It was obvious what he was doing. He was depriving her of her senses. The lack of light was disorientating and made an already difficult escape practically impossible. The only thing left was to wait and hope it wouldn't be long before her presence was missed. Never had she ever been more thankful for her stridency concerning punctuality.

The BAU…

Five Hours Later…

When Reid got to the BAU and realised that he'd beaten Persephone there he tried not to automatically think the worse. It was only 8:15. They weren't supposed to be in until 8:30. There was still time was Persephone to be early and there could be a hundred reasons why she was later than she usually was. It hadn't occurred to Reid that he was feeling the same worry that Persephone had felt when he was sick just six weeks previous.

The feeling in the pit of his stomach, that something was very wrong indeed was hard to ignore. The fact that Persephone had been receiving letters just before this had happened did nothing to help his nerves. Another glance at the clock: 8:17. Just a few minutes had passed since he had last checked and yet it seemed like hours. It reminded Reid of the time Persephone had proposed a 'theory' for why time seemed to speed up or slow down sometimes. She had said that during that time, the doctor had appeared and taken them on several different adventures. Then they'd had their mind wiped much like Donna had in Journey's End. They'd both laughed at it at the time. Now though, as he thought back to that moment he couldn't help but hope that Persephone was alright. 8:18. Reid would wait until 8:20 and then give her a ring for just two more minutes.

Location UNKNOWN

7:30 AM

Surprisingly enough, being tried into a cold metal chair was not comfortable. Persephone did not share the same skill that cats did. In other words, she could not sleep anywhere and had not managed to get any further shut-eye. The four and a half hours she had spent were long and tedious. Again, she did not know the exact length of time spanning the minute her father left her and now. The small window had let in some natural light a while ago, so she at least knew it was daytime. However, without markings on the floor or the exact angle of the room in relation to the sky, she had no hope of working out the time of day. Not for the first time, she cursed her lack of foresight of wearing a watch. Sure, her father probably would have taken it away from her but at least then she would have had the chance.

The door opened again, and Persephone felt herself wishing for the solitary she hated a few minutes ago. Her father yawned. He rested a tray on the step as he stretched. Persephone wished that she too could stretch out. Her muscles ached with cramp. No doubt that little show was done on purpose.

"My dear Persephone! Did you sleep well?" Her father taunted "I certainly did!"

He picked up the tray again and started heading towards her. On it, Persephone could see a bowl of porridge, a banana, and a glass of milk. She wondered if the tray was meant for her or whether the man would continue the mind games by eating it in front of her.

"You know I didn't," Persephone muttered ruefully.

Her father pouted dramatically.

"Now there's no need to take that attitude. I suppose you're a little hangry this morning. You had better eat your breakfast."

So, the tray was for her. Her father placed the tray on the floor. This was her chance. If her father undid the straps so that she could eat, she would be could use her self-defence – and maybe even the tray as well- to overpower him. But her father didn't undo the staps. Instead, he picked up the bowl and pushed a spoon of porridge towards her mouth like she was a baby in a highchair.

"What?" Her father questioned his condensing tone pissing her off "Did you think I would be as stupid enough to undo your straps?"

Persephone just glared in response. She moved her mouth away from the spoon and refused to part her lips. She had no way of knowing if the porridge had been laced with something and there was no chance that she was going to risk being unconscious with this guy. Or eat something that could be poisoned,

"If I wanted to poison you or knock you unconscious I wouldn't put in your food. I would just forcefully inject you." Her father pointed out trying a second time to bring the spoon to her mouth. Again, Persephone refused it. The human body could go three weeks without food. Being hydrated was more important.

Her father sighed and ate a few spoonfuls of the porridge himself. He opened his mouth to show that he had swallowed it. That changed matters. If he was willing to eat himself it was less likely to be drugged. Sure. The human body could go three weeks without food, and it would be a few days until she was weak from hunger but if she had any chance of overpowering her father she would have to keep her strength up. In order to do that, she would need to eat.

Her father picked up the spoon the third time.

"Come on. Do I need to make aeroplane noises?" He offered.

Yeah. No. Persephone was not going to let that happen. She wasn't going to let him have the satisfaction of making her embarrassed. So, with all signs pointing to the fact, the food was safe and the stomach aching with hunger, she opened her mouth. Her father smiled, no doubt taking some sick sense of joy in her acceptance. Well, Persephone would have to forget her pride for now.

After her porridge, she went about the same caution with the milk and banana. Once she saw her father test it she ate and drank that too. Even if the reaction was delayed (which now that Persephone thought about it she should have tested for) her father would be affected too. For now, though, she would just have to hope that it wasn't drugged, poisoned or otherwise tampered with.

"What time is it?" She asked once she was done.

"Wouldn't that be telling?"

"Of course, it would. That's why I'm asking."

"It's daylight as you can tell."

Her father's deliberately fugue answer was infuriating. Still. It didn't matter the exact time it was. The fact that it was light, and a weekday was hope enough. Whatever time it was, it wouldn't be long until the workday started and as Persephone was always early, it wouldn't be long before her presence was missed. She worked with a load of profilers whose very job was involved spotting behaviour and changes in said behaviour. So, when she didn't turn up to work without any call to inform them, they would know something was wrong. That combined with the fact that Spen already knew about the threat they'd thought had passed (which was admittedly naïve but that was of little consequence right now) meant that soon a team of FBI agents would be looking for her. She just had to wait be patient and everything would be OK.

The BAU…

8:30 AM…

Reid was officially worried. Ten minutes had passed since he had first rung Persephone. He got no answer. In those ten minutes, he rang her exactly fifteen times with the same response. Of course, he knew that Einstein's definition of insanity was trying the same thing more than once but expecting different results. At the present moment, however, he found he didn't care. Persephone was never late for one thing she was also never unreachable. When you had their job, you had to be prepared to fly off the corner of the country at a moment's notice. It was therefore vital that you could be contacted. Persephone knew this. They all knew it. That was why it was so worrying that her phone was ringing out.

He got up and went to Hotch's office. Reid didn't even bother knocking like he normally would. The lack of knocking was immediately noticed by Hotch. It didn't bother him exactly. If he needed his team to knock due to privacy then he'd wind his blinds down. However, Reid always knocked. If he didn't then the reason that sent the young man to his office was serious.

"Reid? Is everything ok?"

This was reminiscent of the time when Reid was ill, and Persephone had come into his office in a flap. The young genius was clearly worried about something. Hotch had a feeling that this was the beginning of a long day.

"No. I don't think so." Reid replied sighing as he took a seat.

"Oh?" Hotch prompted. It also seemed that Reid wasn't entirely sure of himself. Again, he was reminded of the time Persephone had brought her concerns to him. Those two were like two peas in a pod. He wondered if they knew that they liked each other. Everyone else did.

"It's Persephone," Reid started "I know that she isn't really late. But it's 8:30 and she's not answering her phone and…"

"And this is Persephone who comes to work at least half an hour early and is never unreachable." Hotch finished seeing where this was going So much for a quiet day "You are worried about her."

Reid nodded. That's when Hotch noticed that he was preoccupied. He was having an internal debate. There was something that he wasn't telling Hotch. That something was connected to Persephone and her lack of presence. Hotch frowned in thought. Why did he feel like he wasn't going to like what Reid was hiding? Why did he think that he was missing something big? And why did he feel that that something was very bad news indeed? Because Hotch's instincts were usually right and he had no idea how right they were.

"Reid. What's going on? You aren't telling me something. What is it?"

Reid weighed up the pros and cons of informing Hotch about Percy's letters. If he was wrong and Percy was fine, then he would have broken her confidence in the worse way. She had made it very clear that she planned on dealing with the situation themselves. It had already taken a lot for her to confide in Reid he didn't want to break that trust. Persephone would never forgive him. If she walked in the BAU doors with a simple explanation for her tardiness and lack of contact then she'd be pissed. Then again, if everything was not ok then Persephone might still be angry at him for telling her secret. But if it saved her maybe she would forgive him. If not… well Reid would never forgive himself if anything happened to her. He could deal with him hating her if it meant she was safe. He would have to take that chance.

"I think she's been kidnapped by her father."

There. Now it was out. He couldn't take it back now. That statement had a lot to unpack for someone that wasn't a seasoned profiler. The confidence in his voice and the fact that Hotch had already concluded that someone had abused Persephone would be enough to tell the Unit Chief all he needed to know. And Reid would have to tell the team everything else too. But if it meant that his Percy was safe that was worth it. Wait. When did he start thinking of Persephone as his? Reid didn't know.

"Reid." The seriousness in Hotch's voice considerably "Gather the team in the conference room and be prepared to explain everything."

When Reid told the team to assemble in the conference room as a 'matter of emergency' they, of course, expected the reason to be a case serious to circumferent JJ and be sent straight to Hotch. In a way, they were right. They did have a case- just not an official one. Persephone's absence was noticed and questioned – she was one of their family. As an answer, Hotch looked to Reid. The team followed his gaze and turned to Reid for the information they requested. Reid took a minute breather and then told them everything Persephone told him. Please forgive me Percy thought Reid as he explained the death of Persephone's siblings and the letters she had been receiving.

The reactions of the team were varied. Garcia had cried. That was to be expected of course. She could never fathom why some parents were bad her own being fantastic. JJ felt regret. Regret for the lack of childhood Persephone had and having two children who were basically your kids cruelly taken. Morgan was angry. Anyone who hurts a child pissed him off. His own trauma and abused he'd suffered was brought back to him. Rossi too felt angry- a wave of protective anger. You couldn't tell by his face. Years of experience allowed him to keep his face mutual. Hotch felt disgusted at Persephone's father. He also felt understanding. With his own experiences with his father, he knew some of Persephone's need to protect her siblings. At least his father had left Jared alone.

"Now that you are caught up, can we work at finding her?" Reid pleaded.

"Of course. We'll get her back!" Morgan reassured.

But that was easier said than done. They had no idea where she was. A quick search for Persephone's phone told them that where her phone was. They found it, smashed. Hotch had commented that it had been where her car had been last night. It wasn't there now. So, the unsub (they didn't know for certain it was her father -yet) had taken her car. Good. That was a start.

Location UNKNOWN- Upstairs.

8:30

Mr Sebastian Ambrose was a man that got what he wanted. When his only daughter (alive) had snubbed him, it had hurt at first. Then he'd seen it as a challenge. His father Clarence Ambrose who had died shortly after he married but before Persephone had been born, taught him that sometimes it was necessary to take what you wanted rather than just wait for it to be given to you. Clarence Ambrose had been a formidable man who had been largely responsible for the man that he was today. Sebastian supposed he had his father to thank for the plan he'd put in action a month ago.

He laughed as he considered his daughter downstairs. She was meant to be FBI working for the BAU. From what he had heard, the BAU were the crème del a crème, the best of the best, the cream of the crop- whatever you wanted to call it- they were meant to be the best agents the United States had to offer. Oh, his daughter had done so very well for herself. She'd also been one of the youngest agents employed by INTERPOL who were equally as prestigious – that in itself was an achievement. It should have said something about her skills and yet, she had been so easy to capture.

Sebastian wondered how long it would take until the BAU would realise they were missing an agent. It was a weekday so when Persephone didn't turn up to work they should notice. Then again maybe his daughter wasn't important enough for absence to be spotted. That young man he's seen her hang out with. The man was FBI too, but he seemed wimpy. Was he his daughter's boyfriend? They certainly seemed happy together. Sebastian didn't like that. Maybe he would speak to that man after he was finished with Persephone.

The camera had been an ingenious idea on his part. The night vision part allowed him to watch Persephone after he had left her in darkness. She hadn't slept like he'd suggested her to but that didn't matter. He'd found it funny when his daughter had refused to eat the porridge. It seemed she was smarter than he had first given her credit for.

He was bored now. It had been an hour since he last spoke to Persephone. He had done all this to speak to her, so it seemed pretty pointless to not do that. A quick glance at the monitor told him that she hadn't moved much since he'd left her in the basement. Not that he was surprised at that. He'd purposely tried up her so that she didn't move. Once she earned his trust he could loosen them. Until then…

Sebastian Ambrose descended the steps again. His daughter looked up when she heard him open the door. She glared fiercely. God. Persephone looked so much like Elenora when she scowled like that. Elenora had been the love of his life and when she died it was like life wasn't worth living anymore. He was so angry all the time after that. Damn. He felt that anger now as Persephone scowled at him. He was her father she should respect him. In a flash, he had crossed the room. He backhanded her with such force that the chair crashed to the floor. He crouched down and pulled the chair up, straightening it.

"Don't scowl at me like that girl. It's disrespectful. You brought this on yourself." He scolded the previous charisma in his tone gone completely.

"I suppose that boundaries should be explained to you." Persephone glared.

Another slap. Really did this girl never learn? She always had a cheek that he'd worked hard to stamp out. Clearly the years away from him had undone all the work he'd done to educate her had been lost. Not to worry- they had all the time in the world.

"Honestly Persephone you would think that after what had happened to Ignatius and Cassiopeia you'd be more respectful." He threatened.

The effect of his words was explosive. Not literally of course. There wasn't anything she could turn into a bomb. Persephone tried to get up- probably to hit him. If there was a fire in her eyes before there was an inferno now.

"Don't even mention them! You keep their names out of your mouth you bastard. They were the sweetest children in the world- the two most important people in my life. I loved them and you took them from me!" She bellowed venomously. Her voice resonated against the walls, echoing in their ears. Persephone was not going to let him talk about them. He was the last person who should say their name. If she could, she'd have punched him. Hell, if she could she'd shoot him down there.

Persephone expected him to hit her, punch her, to one of a hundred violent acts she came to expect from him. She hadn't expected him to sigh sadly and rest a hand on her shoulder. She swayed in the chair, forcing him the hand to drop. Then his hand shot out and instead of hitting her like she thought, grabbed the side of the chair to stop it from falling.

"Fine. I won't mention them again. I'm sorry."

What? An apology? Well, that was just as unexpected.

"What?" Persephone questioned, confused by his response.

"You didn't expect that," Her father observed "Well let me tell you this Persephone. You're going to be here a while. We're going to spend some quality time together and we're going to get to catch up. In order to do that we're going to get along. You'll see my dear Persephone. We'll get along just fine."

We'll see about that thought Persephone. She didn't need his half-apology. She'd learnt a long time ago that he wasn't the slightest bit sorry for what he did. Her team had to know she was missing by now. For once she felt complete trust. Even if she didn't trust them fully she did trusted Spencer completely. He was coming for her. She was sure. All she had to do was wait.