AN: After watching tonight's season finale, I almost feel bad for the direction this story is taking. But not really, I like angst. Besides, in my next story, none of this ever happened. That's the great part of FanFiction! My French is courtesy of Google translate. I typed in what I wanted to say and it gave me what I posted. Unfortunately, I don't have the little marks over the letters so it apparently changes the pronunciation. You don't have to look it up, I explain in the next chapter what it means, so you can let it be a mystery.
Emily had given the heads up and now everyone, including Strauss and Lynch, had moved into the conference room. Kevin had brought Hotch's email up on the big screen and waited for the cue to bring it up.
"I want this recorded so we can play it back if we need to." Hotch told Kevin.
"Yes sir, it's already setup. Try to keep them on video for as long as possible. It will be easier to trace an IP address than a disposable cell." Kevin responded.
"That was already my goal." Hotch said. "Will may try to get a message to us so be on the lookout for that. Everyone ready?" When he saw his team nod he gave Kevin the go ahead.
As the video opened the team saw a room with concrete walls and flooring and nothing else. There was a sharp intake of air from someone in the room when they saw Garcia and Will sitting on the floor, chained to the wall.
"Well, well, well, it is my favorite profilers. Oh and Kevin and Erin, lovely of you to join us. As you can see, everyone is still fine. Boys, come say hi to your parents."
As the boys got up Bob looked into the camera, "Don't ask them any funny questions." He grasped Jack's shoulder and gently pulled him forward.
"Hi, dad"
"Hey Buddy" Hotch said, his face softening into a small smile. "Are you ok?"
"Yea, dad, we're ok as we can be. They are treating us nicely."
Bob leaned over and picked Henry up. "Henry, say hello to your mommy."
Bob pointed to the laptop to show Henry where J.J. was. "Hi, mommy" Henry waved to her enthusiastically. "I miss you mommy. Daddy and I wanna come home but we can't. Are you gonna come get us?"
J.J. smiled at her son, but it didn't reach her eyes. "Of course, baby. Momma will be there as soon as I can. You be a good boy for your daddy and Aunt Pen, ok? Do what you're told and I will see you again very soon." J.J. kissed her fingers and held them up to the camera and Henry copied the movement. He was used to video chatting with her when she was away on cases.
"So very sweet," Bob said as he put Henry back down. "Jack, take Henry and go back upstairs now."
Jack waved to his dad, who waved back and took Henry's hand. Out of range of the camera, one of Bob's minions guided them back up the stairs.
When the boys were out of the room, Bob continued. "By now Kevin has realized that he will not be able to trace this."
The team looked at Kevin and he nodded in confirmation.
"This is what you call Irony. The only person that could probably unravel what my computer guy has done is chained up behind me." He turned to Penelope, "How does it feel to be completely useless Penelope?"
"Oh, honey, I'm never completely useless" the endearment popped out before she could stop it and she blushed slightly. It brought half smiles to some of the team, grateful that she was holding up ok. Bob patted her face and turned back to the camera.
"See, just like I said. I have not even broken her spirit…yet. Now let us get down to business. You have 24 hours to find me. If you have not stopped me by then I will put a bullet in one of my new friends. Do not worry, I will let you watch. I know you guys need to actually see the death after what Emily put you through.
He laughed when Emily's face paled. "Oh, look. I hit another nerve. I am very good at that. You know what else I am good at? Showing people how serious I am. I want all of you to know the pain you caused me." Bob snapped his fingers and the two sidekicks came over and started removing Will's chains.
Will looked at Pen and whispered, "Fermez les yeux, mon ami, vous ne voulez pas voir cette."
Bob looked at Will when they had him standing upright in front of him and asked, "I do not speak French, what did you just say to her?"
Will lied and said, "I told her the assholes are going to show how tough they are and beat me."
Bob sneered at him. "Well you are partly right; we are going to cause you physical pain."
He snapped his fingers again and Goon 1 held Will from behind as Goon 2 landed his first punch to Will's face. Once he started, the punches came in rapid succession. Blood was pouring from Will's nose and a cut on his cheek, but he hadn't made a sound. Goon 1 started alternating between hits to the face and ones to his chest and sides. Bob didn't watch the beating but chose instead to watch the faces of the people helpless to stop it.
"Ah, Ah, Ah, Jennifer open your eyes. You do not want to miss a moment of your husband do you? It may be the last time you ever see him again."
At this point Will could barely stand. Goon 1 let him drop to the floor and he and his friend took turns kicking him. Goon 2 happened to notice Garcia's hand moving rapidly. "Hey Boss?" he said and when Bob turned to him he used his eyes to motion to Garcia's hand. Bob walked over to Penelope and squatted in front of her, blocking the camera's view of her. He reached out and grabbed her left hand that had been moving.
"My sweet, stupid Penelope, were you trying to signal to your friends?" Pen rapidly shook her head no but made no sound. She thought if she opened her mouth she would start wailing for his minions to stop their torture of Will. Bob brought his hand up to wipe the tears off her face, when she pulled away from him he got angry.
"I thought you understood that I do not take insubordination lightly." Bob said very softly, for only Pen's ears. He grasped her first finger and bent it back until it snapped.
Penelope couldn't stop the scream that erupted from her and she spoke rapidly in French, "II a eu des enfants et de les perdre a cause de nous!"
When Bob looked at her with an eyebrow raised she stammered, "I cuss in French, that way I don't accidently teach a child a bad word, or get in trouble at work."
Bob put his hand around her throat and began squeezing. "For some reason I do not believe that is the truth at all. Do not speak French in my presence again. You will speak nothing but English when I am in the room. There will be no tricks. Have I made myself clear?"
Penelope could not bring her hands up, and his hand made it impossible to nod. She settled for blinking rapidly hoping he would understand that to be yes. He smiled and released her into a fit of coughing.
"Well, that is pretty smart Penelope. I hope I will not have to teach you another lesson."
He motioned for his men to stop kicking Will and walked to the camera. He looked directly at the team who were all trying to hold it together and said, "You have 24 hours," and then shut off the camera and laptop.