"So, as soon as we get today's call, we're heading out, right?"

Penelope looked up at Alex, nodding slightly. "That is the plan, Alexandra. It is going to be weird calling you that."

"It's more frou-frou than Alex, Pen. If I'm going to be the girly one, I sort of have to play the part to the hilt." She smoothed her long skirt before patting her curled hair. "Are you sure I look all right?"

Penelope smiled at her. "You look gorgeous, darling." She couldn't help but giggle at the way Alex rolled her eyes, coming over to join her. "Don't roll your eyes. You look delicious. I'm glad I went with that blouse…and that bra."

"You are incorrigible. I am so glad that the team went out on a case yesterday, or I would not hear the end of it from Derek." She shrugged a little, and the older woman gently smacked her on the shoulder.

The phone rang, and all levity fled from the room as they stared at it. "I have to answer." Alex nodded and she picked up, putting it on speaker. "Hello?"

"Talk dirty to me, Penelope."

"Oh, Erin, how are you today?"
There was a long pause before her next words. "I hurt today. He, he did something last night that I've never done."

Penelope groped for Alex's hand, tears quickly falling down her cheeks. "Oh, my sweet Erin, I'm so sorry. When we find you, you are coming home with me, okay? I have to take care of you."

"You are the sweet one, my darling girl. How are things?"

"I have to go out on a case with the team. That's why I'm glad you called early. You called my cellphone, that first night, remember?"

"Yes."

"That's the number I need you to call for the next week. Maybe longer. I'm already getting hinky vibes from this unsub."

"I can do that. Hello, Alex."

"How did you know I was here?"

"Somehow I had the feeling. Take good care of Penelope while you're out on the field. Please."

"I can do that, Erin. I, I hope to see you soon."

"That is my fondest wish, too." In the background, Penelope could hear a door slam open and Erin drew in a sharp breath. "He's here. I love you, Penny."

"Love you, too, precious." The line went dead, and she turned to look up into Alex's face. Her eyes, though tear-filled, were determined and Penelope nodded. "All right, let's get this show on the road. We're staying in Radford, since there are no places to stay in Belspring itself. This could make things a little more difficult."

"Not necessarily. It gives us a buffer zone, a place to escape the scrutiny of small town eyes." Alex rubbed her shoulder gently as she nodded. Standing, she leaned against Alex, resting her head on the woman's shoulder as she struggled to keep her composure. "And I talked to James. He said it is perfectly okay for us to kiss in public if we have to."

This drew out a giggle from Penelope and she nodded, comforted by both the words and the feel of her hand on her back. "That's good to know, Alexandra. Let's head out." Arm in arm, they made their way out of the bullpen and over to the elevators. "We're taking your car, right? Mine is a little conspicuous."

"Actually, we're taking James's car. Curtis never had the opportunity to record that portion of my life, so the likelihood of Gideon recognizing it is slim to none."

"That is why we keep you around, you're the smart one," Penelope gently teased, feeling Alex's arm tighten around her waist. "But seriously, thank you for believing me, and being willing to do this. You might have to shoot him, you know. I still haven't passed the gun qualifications."

Alex nodded as they stepped into the elevator. "I realized that last night. But if he's been raping Erin all this time, I won't hesitate to shoot him. Though I hope to make it a leg shot, so he gets prosecuted for his crimes."

"That does sound nice, Alexandra."

"You sound like Erin when you say my name like that. She used to love to let my full name roll off her tongue."

Penelope cocked her head to one side. "Really? Were you guys that close?"

"At one time, we were. We used to be good friends, and she has always loved elegant things. She said I had one of the most elegant names. I miss her. I don't know why I was so stubborn in refusing her apology." Penelope listened to the way Alex's voice choked up, and she held her closer.

"At least you'll get a second chance, now. She's going to need everyone on her side as she battles her way back from the brink." Alex nodded and hugged Penelope close for several long moments. "All right, I just need to grab my suitcase from the car, and then we can be on our way."

Alex refused to let go of her hand as she made her way over to Esther. She popped the trunk and tugged out a small bag. "Is that all you're taking?"

"Yeah, I have to be the butch one, remember? I have to dress down, and not change for every meal." Alex nodded and shut the trunk for her as she shouldered the bag. "Do you need to pick up anything from home?"

"No, James helped me to load everything before I left for work today. I feel like I am decidedly over-packed."

Penelope shrugged. "You are the high maintenance half of our partnership." By the time they got over to James's car, Penelope began to feel butterflies begin to dance in her stomach. "What if we're too late? What if we can't find her in time? I mean, the only lead I have is a number that leads me to Belspring. Nothing more. How are we going to find them?"

"I know you'll think of something, Pen. You're smart, good at your job. I have faith in you." Alex leaned over and tweaked her nose gently. "I should have had faith in you from the beginning."

She took a deep breath and fastened her belt as Alex started the car up. "Just four hours until we reach our bed and breakfast," she muttered, watching the scenery of the city fade from view.

"We'll stop for lunch along the way. I'll even let you pick out where, dearest."

The sickly sweet way Alex said that made Penelope laugh, a little of her nerves fading as she turned her head to look at the woman. "Thanks, sweetheart," she responded in kind, smiling at Alex. "I think there's an animal safari on the way. At least, I noticed it on the map…"

"You know I don't like animals."

"But I want to feed an elk! Please?" Alex shook her head, and she tried to fight back the small smile of pleasure at her refusal. "Fine, I want to head to the Pink Cadillac Diner, then. It's not too far out of our way."

"Yes, that would be…wait. You did that on purpose."

"Guilty!" she sang out, happy to have something happy to focus on for the moment. She only hoped the silver lining would last.