Chapter 14

On the jet, the team studies the house and surrounding area where Krystall lives. It's a residential neighborhood, with lots of traffic located less than a mile from the Strip.

Emily's phone rings. She pulls it out and looks at the caller ID, then answers. "Hey Reid, we can't turn around and pick you up. Are you calling to give us some pointers?"

The team smiles collectively.

"Emily, we have a problem," Reid says succinctly.

She sobers and her eyes immediately go to Dave. "What kind of problem?"

Dave shifts in his seat and leans forward. "What happened?"

She holds a hand up asking him to wait.

"JJ was found unconscious on the floor of the parking garage," he says without preamble. "JJ the dog was with her, but Penelope cannot be located. I've got most of the technical analysts scanning surveillance video from the garage and every camera within 20 miles of here."

"What kind of time frame are we looking at?" Emily questions.

"Twenty-two minutes."

"Shit! They could be anywhere," Emily groans. "We're on our way back."

Matt stands and moves swiftly towards the cockpit.

"See you soon." She hangs up the phone.

"What happened," Dave asks. His voice is low and controlled.

"Penelope is missing," she replies shortly. "JJ was found unconscious in the parking garage, JJ the dog was with her."

Dave sits back in his seat and closes his eyes. A deep sinking feeling sits in his stomach. He feels a hand on his, Tara, he thinks as she was sitting next to him. He should have stayed with her, he thinks, he wasn't an agent anymore. He should be with Penelope.

"We're going to find her, Dave. It's going to be alright," Emily says reassuringly.

He opens his eyes and looks at her. "Are you sure?"

She takes a breath to speak but stops when his cell phone rings. He pulls it out of his pocket, it's Penelope.

"Kitten, are you okay," he asks into the phone.

He's greeted by a familiar laugh. "Hello, David."

"Krystall," he growls. He puts his phone on speaker so the team can hear.

Emily gets on her phone and quietly asks for a trace of Dave and Penelope's phones. Tara also pulls out her own phone, she turns on her voice recorder.

"Now, Davey, you don't sound happy to hear from me," Krystall replies.

"What are you playing at, Krystall?"

"Playing? I'm not playing, David. You know I don't like games."

He laughs humorlessly. "This from the woman who literally played for a living when I first met her."

He feels the jet tilt into a tight turn, they head back to DC. The whine of the engines grow louder. Everyone presses into their seats when the aircraft reaches full speed as it straightens out.

"I guess you do have a point," Krystall concedes. "Okay, let's play a game. Shall we?"

"Krystall, I swear…"

"What David?" She asks cutting him off. "To have and to hold from this day forward?"

"What do you want?" he asks succinctly.

"Ooh! That sends a chill up my spine. I remember when we first met, how you were so strong and sure of yourself," she rambles. "Not so sure anymore, are you? How about this, I'll give you a clue as to where we are, and you have until the stroke of midnight to find us?"

He glances at his wristwatch. It was almost 9pm. Even at full speed it was going to take at least thirty minutes to get back to DC, another fifteen minutes to the BAU, that would leave just over 2 hours to figure out where they were and get to the location before midnight. "That's not a lot of time."

"Wow, you're not giving yourself any credit, dear heart. I was certain you wouldn't need that much time," she coos into the phone. "Maybe I should just kill her now and let it be over with."

"What's the clue?" he asks anxiously.

"Atta boy," she laughs. "Kitten will be so proud of you. You should have made sure she had extra security."

"Yes, I should have," he agrees.

"Do you know what you are," Krystall asks.

"What am I?"

"The luckiest guy in the world," she tells him. "Only this time, your lady love doesn't survive. And there will be no hostage swaps."

She hangs up the phone before he can reply. He tries to call her back. Penelope's phone goes straight to voicemail.

"Any luck?" Emily asks into her phone. Her frown deepens. "Thanks."

"Well?" Tara voices the question.

Emily shakes her head. "They couldn't track the call."

"Dammit!" Luke curses.

"What were the clues?" Tara asks.

"Definitely the last thing she said to me."

Tara plays the conversation back on her phone.

"The luckiest guy in the world. Only this time, your lady love doesn't survive. And there will be no hostage swaps," Krystall's recorded voice repeats.

"Everett Lynch," Dave monotones.

"What would he have to do with this?" Tara asks carefully.

Dave glances at her then looks at Emily. "When we brought down Lynch, we sent extra security to protect our family members."

"Okay, why are you the luckiest guy in the world?" Tara asks.

Dave smiles wanly. "It's what I told Krystall before she was kidnapped by Lynch."

"Okay, so obviously, she is copying things that Lynch did," Matt states. "How do we get ahead of her?"

"The hostage swap," Emily says. "You swapped yourself for Krystall in order to protect her – to make certain she survived."

"Yeah," Dave agrees.

"The airport," Matt interjects. "That's where the swap took place."

"What do you think her end game is?" Emily asks.

"What do you think," he asks her back sadly. "We should call the airport, have them evacuate the field. I don't want any innocent people getting hurt."

"Good idea." Emily gets back on her phone to update Reid.

"See you there," Emily says before she hangs up the phone. "Reid is bringing thee SWAT team; he'll meet us there."

It's not long before the jet begins to descend. The team readies themselves with flak jackets and radios.

"Give me your back-up weapons," Dave demands.

"All of them?" Luke asks.

Dave nods.

"What's the plan?" Emily inquires as she hands over her snub-nosed revolver.

Dave takes it and tucks it into the back of his pants. "Krystall isn't stupid, but she isn't smart either. She's going to want me alone and when she gets me, she's going to check for weapons. However, I guarantee you she stops at one."

"She won't look for a back-up gun? Are you sure?" Tara questions.

"She's just as adverse to guns as Penelope is. At least she used to be," he replies with a smirk. He straps Tara's weapon to his right leg and covers it with his jeans. The other two weapons he hides around the interior of the plane.

Dave makes eye contact with each of them. "Listen… I think we all understand that Krystall's end game is to hurt me as much as she can and she's not going to hesitate to hurt anyone else along the way. For whatever reason, she's decided she wants to re-enact the showdown with Everett Lynch and we also know how that ended. Don't take any chances unless you are one hundred percent certain you're going to be okay."

"But Penelope…" Tara starts.

"She's not going to hurt Penelope," he assures her. He feels a heavy self-imposed weight land on his shoulders. "Not without me as a witness."

"Maybe you should stay in the jet," Luke suggests.

"That's a great idea and it is our endgame," Dave tells him and the team at large.

"It is?" Matt asks.

Dave and Emily nod in unison.

"Just like with Lynch, I'll offer myself up for a trade," Dave says. "Once Penelope is safe and Krystall and I are on the jet – we'll have our final tete-a-tete."

"Does Krystall know how you managed to take down Lynch?" Tara questions.

"You mean the hidden gun compartments?" Dave responds.

Tara nods, "Exactly."

"She never heard about them from me," he says. "That's top-secret information. All she knows is that Lynch and I got into a wrestling match, I disarmed him and jumped from the plane."

The plane touches down and taxis down the runway.

"Check every building, plane and vehicle," Dave tells them. "Don't leave any space unchecked."

"Okay, Tara and Matt take the hangars on the left," Emily orders. "Luke – you have the hangars on the right. Dave, check the tower and the small planes in the field. And I will check the cars in the parking lot and the larger planes. When Reid arrives, he can join me, and the SWAT team can spread out in all areas."

Everyone nods and voices their agreement. They head for the exit of the jet.

Emily stops them, "Remember, do not engage and call for back-up if you find her."

The jet sits at a ninety degree angle across the tarmac, blocking other planes from landing or taking off.

Dave's feet hit the tarmac, he stops a moment to look around and get his bearings. He eyes the area where the previous jet had blown to pieces on the runway and remembers how grateful he was that Krystall had not been hurt. 'She won't be so lucky this time if she has hurt Penelope,' Dave thinks.

"Okay," Emily begins, grabbing Dave's attention. "Stay sharp and spread out."

The team fans out from the jet covering as much ground as they can. Dave heads for the tower. In any military conflict, you are taught to take the high ground that way you can see the enemy's movements before they can see you. The tower stands as the tallest building on the field and he hopes that either he finds Krystall there or he spots her on the ground.

Entering the building, Dave swiftly clears the first floor. He climbs the stairs; the second floor is also clear. It is evident that people were here, however, they heeded the message and got out of the way. Slowly, he makes his way to the third floor, the viewing room, the stairs go straight up, into the middle of the room. The viewing room surrounded by glass would be the best three-hundred-and-sixty-degree view.

He takes one step, stops and listens, another step, stops and listens. He repeats this until he reaches a point where he can see into the room and be seen. At this point, he raises his weapon and quickly spins about to see the whole room. It's empty. He clambers up the rest of the stairs, checks the room once again then relaxes as he realizes he is alone.

Peering out the windows, Dave gets his bearings. The jet is on the tarmac to his left, he can watch the hatch and see if anyone comes or goes. He spots a couple of figures running from one building to another: Matt and Tara. He scans the grounds out towards the parking lot, several vehicles turn into the airport entrance: multiple FBI SUV's and the SWAT units.

Dave keys up his mic. "Heads up, SWAT is on site."

"Copy that," Emily replies. "I'll meet up with them in the parking lot. Are you in the tower?"

"Affirmative."

"Any evidence that Krystall is here?"

"Not yet," he sighs.

"Hey guys," Luke breaks in. "I've got a black sedan in the last warehouse, B, 2. That's Boy, two."

"Copy Luke, hold your position," Emily orders. "Matt, Tara head over there to cover."

"We're on our way," Tara announces.

Dave continues to watch the area as the rest of the team converges on the warehouse at the far right of the tarmac. He looks over at the jet and spots movement near the tail. He watches as Krystall forces Penelope up the ramp and into the jet.

Dave rushes down the stairs of the tower and out the front door. He races across the tarmac slowing as he closes in on the jet. Reaching to his radio, he shuts it off. He pulls his weapon again pointing it at the open hatch. Carefully, he ascends the steps and enters the cabin.

The door to the cockpit is closed and appears to be secure. He spins into the doorway to the main cabin, his eyes and gun train on Krystall sitting at the table facing towards him. In her hand, she holds a gun pointed across the table to the corner seat next to the wall. Inwardly, he chuckles at the thought that Penelope sits where he himself had been mere minutes ago.

"You know the drill," Krystall says in greeting. "Drop the gun or I kill her now."

"Or I could just shoot you and be done with it all," Dave replies.

She tilts her head and purses her lips at him. "Well, that sounds unpleasant. And messy. Why don't you just follow my instructions and then we can chat?"

Dave stares at her for a moment. Killing her would be easy, however, he would like to know why she has done all that she has done. He tosses his weapon on the couch and slides into the seat next to Penelope. He looks over at her; eyes wide and slightly trembling. He knows that she is scared. "I'm sorry, Kitten," he tells her softly and tenderly.

She opens her mouth, and a squeak comes out. Her jaw opens and closes a few times. "Is JJ okay?" she finally gets out.

He nods. "She's okay. They're both okay."

She starts to cry. "I did it again, I fricked things up."

"No, you didn't," he leans over and kisses her temple.

"There's a gun between your seat and the wall," he whispers quickly.

"Enough with the lovey-dovey shit," Krystall growls.

Dave sits back in his seat still looking at Penelope. Eyes watery, he can still see her moment of understanding. He looks over at Krystall. "So, what now? What do you want, Krystall?"

"I want you back, Davey," she says in a child-like voice.

Dave sighs internally. 'This isn't right,' he thinks. "Something has changed.'

He laughs without humor. "That's not going to happen. I love Penelope. She and I are together now."

"We are?" Penelope says incredulously.

He looks at her again. "I love you, Kitten. I know I hurt you in the SWAT truck. I didn't want to – I thought I could protect you. It's my fault that you are in this situation. If anyone has fricked things up, it's me."

"Oh David," Penelope cries. "I love you so much."

"Marry me, Kitten?"

"Hey!" Krystall yells. "You're not marrying anyone else. If you won't be with me, then you won't be with anyone."

"Not that old trope," he laughs. He should have made a swap. He should have done something to get Penelope out of harm's way. This isn't going to end in the way he hoped it would. For now, he needs to do what he can to lessen the damage. He shifts to the aisle side of his seat, drawing Krystall's gaze with him.

"If I can't have you, no one can," he mocks.

Krystall frowns. Dave continues to confuse her. Her attention sits on David as she contemplates his words.

Penelope lowers her left hand under the table, she gropes at the space between her seat and the wall until her had touches the butt of the gun. She pulls it out of the hiding spot and holds it on her lap.

"I'm not marrying you again," he scoffs. "I don't love you, Krystall. I don't think I ever did. Being with Penelope has taught me a lot of things. It taught me that I really didn't know what love was until she came along. She is kind and generous and the most beautiful person inside and out that I have ever met. Knowing that she loves me makes my life complete."

"I love you, David," Krystall says forcefully. "I love you and only you."

"Is that why you started seeing Hank Rollins when we were still married?" Dave asks. Slowly, he rises to his feet. Krystall stands as well, her whole being focused on Dave.

Krystall laughs. It's teary and painful to listen to. "I never loved him. He had something I wanted, that's all. He means nothing to me."

"He's dead, you know," Dave tells her remorselessly.

She blinks once, her face emotionless. "Did you kill him?"

Dave shakes his head. "He killed himself."

"That doesn't surprise me," she murmurs. "He was spineless."

She leans over and peers past Dave's shoulder towards the cockpit. Dave turns his head slightly; footsteps slap the tarmac outside. Krystall focuses back on Dave.

"You would never do that, would you? You'd never kill yourself?" Krystall questions.

"No," Dave answers.

"Even after I take away your lady love?" she presses.

Dave shifts forward, his body tenses for action. "You know this is a no-win situation, right?"

Krystall grins stupidly. "Not for me, this is a win-win. I kill both of you, fly myself back to Mexico and collect all your money. Go me!"

Dave shakes his head. "You're never going to leave this airport alive."

"Who's going to kill me? You?"

"No," Penelope says. "I am."

Penelope lifts her hands from under the table and points a Glock at Krystall, Krystall panics and shoots towards Penelope. The bullet hits the window. Penelope fires back, her bullet hits Krystall in the neck. Blood gushes everywhere as she falls to the floor.

Dave jumps from his seat over to Krystall. He grabs the weapon from her hand and tosses it behind him.

Footsteps pound up the ramp and into the cabin of the jet. The SWAT team steps past Dave. One of the SWAT members takes the Glock from Penelope as another grabs the first aid kit from the wall.

"We need a medic in here," the SWAT team leader says into his radio.

Krystall gasps for breath and reaches for Dave. "David…" she gurgles.

David turns away. He looks over at Penelope still sitting in the seat and staring at the space where Krystall had been. Tears stream down her face as her whole-body trembles.

"Kitten," Dave says softly but loud enough to catch her attention. "Are you okay?"

She looks up at Dave, her face a blank canvas. "Is she… is she dead?" her voice cracks.

Dave stares down at Krystall and watches as the light leaves her eyes and her body goes limp. He turns back to Penelope. "It appears so."

She stares at him for a few seconds, watching him closely. "Are you okay?" she asks, concern lines her face.

The corners of his mouth lift. "I'm better than I have been in a long time. Come on, let's get out of here."

He reaches out for her. She grasps his hand tightly and shuffles out of the seat, keeping her eyes on him. He blocks her view just in case and leads her out of the jet then down the ramp where the team waits.

"Oh thank, God," Emily breathes.

"Are you guys okay?" Reid asks. He pulls Penelope into a hug.

"We're good," Penelope answers as she clings to him. "How's my JJ?"

"She's awake and has a headache," Tara says as she moves in for her own hug with Penelope. The team takes turns hugging both Penelope and Dave.

"What happened up there?" Emily asks. She focuses on Dave. "And why didn't you call us on the radio?"

Dave sighs and hangs his head. "I wanted to be the one to go in there and I knew you would talk me out of it."

"Damn right I would have," Emily retorts. "You're a civilian, Dave. I should have kept you with me, where I could have kept an eye on you."

"That's not an easy thing to do with him," Penelope cuts in. Everyone looks at her. "But I would sure like to try. David, I think I never got to answer your question. Ask me again."

Dave takes both of her hands in his and drops to one knee. "Penelope Garcia, your return into my life has been the best thing to happen to me ever. I can't imagine what I would do if you were no longer here. Will you do me the honor of changing your name to Rossi? Will you marry me?"

She smiles down at him, "Yes."

-Two weeks later –

"Are you sure about this, Kitten?" David asks from the hallway thru the open door of the bedroom.

"One-hundred percent," she replies. She glances at the doorway but doesn't see David. "Where are you?"

"I'm trying not to look at you," he sighs.

She frowns. "Why?" she questions.

"Because it's bad luck," he says slowly as if talking to a child. "It's our wedding day, the groom isn't supposed to see the bride until she appears at the end of the aisle."

It's her turn to sigh. "David Rossi!" She says, annoyance clear in her voice. "How many times have you been married?"

"Four."

"And how many times did you see your bride before the wedding?"

"None."

"Let's break the cycle, my Italian Stallion. Get your ass in here," she orders.

There's a moment before he peeks around the edge of the door frame. "Are you sure?"

She smirks. "I never realized you were superstitious."

"Just being cautious," he admits as he finally steps into the room. "I never thought you would throw caution to the wind, my dear."

She tilts her head and smiles at him, "Where you're concerned, I have no shame."

He smiles back at her. His hands land on her hips as he pulls her closer and kisses her softly. "After all I put you through, I can't believe you still want to be with me."

She wraps her arms around his neck as they gently sway back and forth. "I told you, David. I've loved you for a long time. There is nothing you could do or say that will break that love."

He lowers his head for a moment and closes his eyes. When he looks up at her again fresh tears fall from his eyes. "I don't deserve you. There is nothing though that will take me away from you again. I love you, Penelope."

"I love you too," she smiles as tears well in her eyes. She reaches up to kiss him.

"Uh-uh," JJ scolds from the doorway. "You two can wait until the Priest says to kiss."

Dave and Penelope separate reluctantly.

"Why do I feel like I just got caught by my Mother?" Dave whispers loudly causing Penelope to giggle.

JJ crosses her arms and gives him her best "Mom" look.

Penelope smacks his shoulder lightly. "You're incorrigible," she giggles.

"Are you two done? There are people waiting," she reminds them.

"Fine, fine," Penelope huffs. She links her arm through Dave's. "Come my Silver Fox, let's not keep the masses waiting."

"Whatever you wish, my Queen."

Nothing about their wedding was traditional or usual. The bride wore a flower print dress and streaked her hair with pink. When asked about her choices she laughs and explains that it was how she looked the first time they had met. Dave's eyes sparkle whenever he looks at her, which is almost all of the time. He chose a relaxed look, dark jeans, a crisp white button-down shirt, and a dark blue blazer.

They stood in the middle of JJ and Will's backyard, Father Jimmy presiding and their BAU family, including Brian, creating a circle around them. JJ the dog was the ring bearer and for the first time ever, actually sat on command. Emily and Reid held Emily the cat and BeeGee, while Penelope the cat nestled in Dave's arms.

"Dearly beloved," Father Jimmy began. He looks around at the faces surrounding them. "We gather here together to join together this man and this woman in holy matrimony."

The rest of the ceremony is short and sweet. Vows are given and rings exchanged. In less than ten minutes, they are married.

"And by the power vested in me, I now pronounce you man and wife," Father Jimmy concludes. "You may kiss the bride."

"Okay, this is when you kiss," JJ says succinctly. Penelope and Dave laugh heartily.

Dave leans forward as Penelope tilts her head as they kissed as husband and wife for the first time. Everyone cheers startling BeeGee who instead of running, attempts to hide in Reid's jacket.

The group moves inside to the kitchen and dining area where a cake and drinks wait.

"Congrats," Emily says as she lifts a glass in toast. "I am so happy for the both of you. No one deserves this more than either of you."

"Thank you," Dave replies. He raises his own glass in salute. His other arm protectively surrounds Penelope who now holds the cat.

The rest of the team take turns toasting and roasting the happy couple. Dave and Penelope take it all in stride, laughing and kissing and enjoying the love of each other and their friends.

"Well, my friends," Dave says after about two hours. "This has been amazing. Thank you, Father Jimmy, for being here and presiding over our ceremony."

"You're welcome Davey," Father Jimmy smiles. "You know that I've only wished you happiness all these years and I think you finally found it."

Dave looks down at his bride and smiles. "Yes, I have."

They share a quick kiss before Dave continues. "JJ, Will thank you for hosting us today. We appreciate your hospitality."

Will waves him off. "After all you have done for us? This was the least we could do."

"We love you both," JJ adds.

"And to all of you," Dave says to the room in general. "Thank you for everything. Not just recently, but over the years as well. I missed you, all of you."

"You're making it sound like you are never going to see us again," Emily quips. "You're coming back, right?"

Dave and Penelope stare at each other for a moment before looking at her.

"We've been thinking about it," Penelope says. "Should we buy an RV and live on the road? Or should we come back here and build a new house, our house."

"And?" Spencer asks. "What did you decide?"

"We've really been leaning towards life on the road," Penelope says carefully.

Most of the team manages to hide their disappointment.

"We want you to be happy," Tara says breaking the sadness that hangs in the air.

"Good," Dave says quickly. "Because we'll be back in a month. There's no way we can be happy and not be near all of you. You're our family and we need you."

Another cheer fills the air. This time BeeGee has had enough and he jumps from Reid's arms and heads for the living room. The team surrounds the happy couple in a group hug.

The End