Luke knew very little about the accident of Penelope's parents. The whole staff knew little about that day. She hardly commented. It was practically a forbidden subject.
Only Morgan knew what had happened to all the details. Morgan could not know she was gone. He had a family and was a civilian. But if things went wrong, they would call him to help.
One file was left under the table of each agent involved in that "game."
"If he wants to play like that then let's play." Said Hotchner. "Let him think we do not know who he is." Or that he really wants to.
"What if he finds out?" Luke asked.
- She dies. - I'm Hotchner.
"I can not allow it." Luke said. - Not before ...
"To tell you how much you love her?" Hotch asked. "I saw the way you were, Luke. When she comes back just say what you feel.
"What if she does not feel the same way?" Luke asked.
"Believe me, Luke. Said Hotch. "She loves you, too." She's closed because that's what she knows. It is a shield against disillusionment, but inside it is all open. She may look sturdy and at first she will despise you, but soon she will come to look at you as a friend.
"I want to be more than a friend," Luke said. "Much, much more than a friend."
"Then tell her." Said Hotch.
- We need to find her sooner. Luke said.
"Where would he take a hostage?" Rossi asked.
"Maybe where he considers the place where it all began. - Answered Hotch.
- His old house in New York? - JJ asked.
"It was demolished two years ago. It turned into a set of private apartments called New Havem. Reid replied.
"Something about your wife and daughter?" Simmons asked.
"She remarried with an endocrinologist full of money. - Answered Lewis. "He adopted the child as his daughter.
"It must have been a shock to find out that the daughter is with someone else." Prentiss spoke.
Luke had his head elsewhere.
- You think he's okay? JJ asked.
- He loves her. Reid said. "And I'm pretty sure she loves him." But they are too dumb to admit.
"He took some time to tell her. Said Simmons. "And you're evaluating the time he's still going to have if she's rescued alive."
"Do you think he'll be all right?" Reid asked. "I mean, we'll be able to find her."
"He'll tell her when she gets back." Said Hotchner.
- I think I found something. Lewis said suddenly. "This guy has a fine collection of hunting rifles.
- He's a former convicted felon. - Rossi said. "You can not carry a stiletto."
"Did you use a fake ID to buy the rifles?" - Simmons asked
"Maybe someone bought it for him?" Luke asked.
"What if someone from the police made it easy for him?" Rossi asked.
- I think we should take a break. Said Hotchner. "Hot coffee and a few hours of sleep."
"I can not sleep thinking about what she's going through." Luke said.
- Me neither. Said Hotch. "But we must sleep." I promise that when we get back, we'll do it.
Luke left alone and sad. The woman he loved was in danger and all Hotch did was send the team home?
He got the car and drove to some coffee. He needed something strong to try to divert focus. He really needed to find his passion. It was not time for feelings.
He stopped in front of Penelope's favorite cafe. He entered. The waitress soon recognized.
- Espresso, right? - She asked.
- Yes it would be great. Luke said as he sat on the counter.
"Is not your friend coming?" The waitress asked. - She always comes here and ...
- She's busy right now. Luke just said it.
- I understand. She said just going to another customer.
- God. Luke put his hands in front of his face, blocking the sight of a man crying.
Agent Alvez. The waitress returned to his side. "Just tell her what you're feeling to her." It may be easier.
- Like you…? - He asked.
"I've been this way for a guy." She answered by placing another cup of coffee in front of Luke. "I know she feels the same way.
"I can not just come and say it. Luke said.
"Yes," she replied. - Yes you can. Rejection is a part. And I doubt she'll reject you.
"How can you be so sure?" Luke asked. At first, she practically ran away from me.
- If you see Penelope Garcia thoroughly you will discover the reason for the fear of her getting involved. The waitress said.
"Everyone tells me to tell you what I feel for her. Luke said. "As if every one knew that I love her."
"Every time you speak of her, your eye gives a slight tremble. Said the girl. "And your eyes shine bright enough to light a dark room at night.
Luke nodded and continued his coffee.
Penelope woke up in a full room and BDSM-style gadgets. What really made her tremble with fear. She had seen pictures of when Morgan's cousin had been rescued from the room in one of the places she'd been trapped. She froze completely. She managed to have a realization that her hands were tied up.
She tried to escape and find a way out of that place.
The man came in with a whip in his hands. He felt her spine freezing and she tried to escape more willingly.
"You really think you're going to escape?" He spoke touching her.
"Why do not you let me go?" She answered with another question.
"I know what you want, girl. He stepped behind her and ran a finger down her back. "And I'll give you what you want."
"I really do not want that." Penelope said.
- When I was in jail most of the magazines were computer and articles like "Do your torture in 12 steps". - He said. "I've learned that a little pain always makes a person let go.
"The quality of the prison magazines is terrible. - She said.
"I actually learned wonderful things from them. - He said.
- Look, Richard. Penelope called him by name. "I'm sorry you spent that time in jail." But they were my parents and you killed them.
"Did I deserve to lose my wife, too?" Richard looked at her in disgust. - And my daughter? She is always raised by another man. Another man taking her to have ice cream.
- I'm so sorry. Penelope replied. "But I did not even put you there."
"But I blame you." Richard took a whip and approached her. "Let's start with the whip."
"Do not you dare touch me. She pulled away as hard as she could.
Richard caught up with her and tied her legs in a strong knot.
- Now. Richard tore the chess shirt she wore. - Can we start with a kitten?
She closed her eyes as she felt the whip again and again in the back.
- No! She cried out before fainting with the pain.
- I'm so sorry. Richard said, taking another whip.
She was practically hanging while she was unconscious.
- The pain is unbearable, right? He whispered in her ear. "That's what I've been in jail for 20 years.
She said nothing. She was somewhere far away, thinking of Luke.
Richard took a picture of Penelope from where she was.
- Smile for a little girl photo. Richard said with an irony.