A/N: Thanks to all my patient and loyal readers. This chapter has taken absolutely forever to write, not because I was blocked, but rather because nothing I wrote sounded right. It just didn't sound like me. For those of you who know about writing, each Author has their own 'voice'. That's what we call the certain way they write when by reading it, you can tell by the way it's written, who wrote it without having to be told and because all of us write differently than someone else, our 'voices' are always going to be different and distinct. When you've been writing for as long as I have, I can tell instantly when the writing doesn't fit with my normal style of writing. With this chapter I just could not find my voice. I even walked completely away for a few days, but tho much better, it's still off by my standards. To me, this chapter is not as well written as usual and for that I apologize, but I just couldn't keep my readers waiting any longer, so here it is - even if I hate it. Again I am deeply sorry for the wait. Hopefully the next chapter will be better.
The simplicity of J.J.'s solution and the absurdity that a team of profilers didn't think of it first, would almost be comical, if not for it being such an incomprehensible and deplorable situation. Hotch pinched the bridge of his nose in weariness as he took a moment to let everyone, including himself, gather their thoughts before refocusing on the case at hand. He knew that right now his team's thinking was clouded by emotions, along with a healthy dose of guilt and self-loathing thrown in – especially Derek. Lifting his head, he quietly studied him. Taking stock of his closed, but grim expression, along with the rigid body stature, Hotch had all the conformation he needed. Guilt was practically radiating off of Derek in waves and both plainly and painstakingly, eating at him from the inside out. This case was going to be a breaking point for Derek and if he didn't do something right now, Hotch was going to lose him for good. The whole team was reeling, and as the Unit Chief, he needed to pull them back in, starting with Derek. The others would automatically follow his lead.
"Morgan, if you need to be removed from this case, let me know now."
Derek's head snapped up in surprise, unconsciously leaning forward in a silent attempt to refute Hotch's words. "What? No! I'm fine. I..am..fine," He insisted firmly when Hotch's stare didn't relax or falter one iota.
"Then shelve the guilt for another time and get it together, Morgan. I need your head in the game all the way, or not at all. I can't afford for you to be distracted, or for your judgment to be clouded with personal issues and emotions during this case." Hotch knew he sounded cold and harsh, but he also knew Derek. His words would come across as a personal affront and a direct challenge to his abilities, one Derek would pick up like the dropped gauntlet it was, and run with - if only to prove his worth and for no other reason.
"Hotch..." Rossi cautioned quietly, as he lay a staying hand on Emily's arm to silence the explosive outburst he knew was riding on the tip of her tongue. Emily swung her head in his direction and held her tongue, but neither man acknowledged him, too focused on each other to even notice his interruption.
A muscle danced along Derek's jaw in suppressed agitation, ticking twice before he finally leaned back with crossed arms, a barely banked temper blazing out from his defiant stare. "Hotch, I'll admit to this whole thing blindsiding me, but I won't apologize for it, or step away from this case voluntarily. If for whatever reason you think I can't do my job, you're going to have to take my badge and remove me yourself."
"Make no mistake Morgan, if that's what I thought, you'd already be gone," Hotch bluntly assured him.
The bold directness of Hotch's comments would have anyone else bristling with amplified indignation, but with Derek, they had an opposite and settling effect. By allowing Derek the option to step up or bow out, Hotch was essentially telling him that he trusted Derek to make the right decision and would only step in if absolutely necessary. That quiet confidence had the desired effect and snapped Derek back into focus. With a subtle nod of acknowledgment to Hotch, he stood up and took charge once more.
"Alright. Going on the presumption that Penelope was the Unsub's second victim, we've established a firm time line for the abductions as well as victim preference. Based on this information, it would stand to reason that he reached his quota for shipment with the abduction of his last victim, Bethany." He didn't miss the sideways glances, but he didn't care what anyone said. Angel was Penelope, and until there was proof otherwise, that's how Derek was going to refer to her.
"But the raid prevented the shiping from happening. So what, he's holed up somewhere with 13 women waiting? For what exactly? Another way of transport?" Emily questioned.
"His second victim," Reid said and all eyes turned to him.
"What are you talking about Reid? He's got 13 victims and if we go by the age, he's already reached the youngest he can go with this group," Rossi added.
"But he doesn't Rossi, don't you see? If we operate under the premise that Penelope was his second victim, he wouldn't have the 'complete set' for his shipment, with her gone. The question is how did she get away or more to the point, did he let her go? And if he did let her go, is he still seeking someone to replace her, or has he already found someone?" Reid looked right at Morgan when he spoke, letting him know with his choice of names, that he believed and supported him, unconditionally – a fact that did not go unnoticed.
"And if he's found someone, who? Reid's right. This Unsub is way too organized and far too compulsive to let her go without a reason, or if she escaped, for him to not try and find a replacement once he discovered her gone." Hotch leaned back with one arm folded across his chest and tucked into the crook of his other elbow, the other arm raised with his fist pressed loosely against his lips, and his thumb propped under his chin to hold it in place.
"This guy has the means to keep all these women and girls for a year without anyone knowing or anyone else other than Angel getting out," Rossi began, "I don't see how she could have escaped. No, no, he let her go. The question is why."
"Well for starters, she's not 35, she just turned 33." Puzzled stares prompted Derek to explain further. "Penelope told me once, the date was entered into the computer wrong when she started and I'm pretty sure she never got around to correcting it. Never gave it much thought until now. If he found out, it could explain why he'd let her go. He's both compulsive and obsessive enough for that to be a huge deal to him."
"Well that would give us the why, but still doesn't answer everything else. Like how did he get her to not only forget her abduction, but her entire life as she knew it? And not only to forget, but implant a whole other life and memories in its place. That seems way too sophisticated for your average Unsub of this nature. Unless we're operating under a wrongful assumption and she's not who we think she is." Emily ignored the hard look Derek shot her, determined to be the voice of reason. She wanted Angel to be Penelope as much as anyone, but if they were wrong about her, a whole lot more than this case would come crashing down.