Chapter 7
"So they stalked her to learn her routines and when the annivesary came, they kidnapped her," Morgan therorized.
"So why would they wait twenty years just to torture Penelope?" JJ asked.
"It's been brewing for a long time," Reid answered.
"Okay, we're almost there," Hotch said, "Rossi and I will go in."
"Would you listen to that?" Gabriel asked, "your precious team is here."
"Help!" Garcia cried in a feeble voice.
"I don't think they can hear you," Gabriel said in a sing-song voice.
He struck the match, ready to set her on fire again. This time, he was gonna go all out."
"Gabriel Garcia, drop the match," Hotch ordered.
The demented siblings grabbed Garcia.
"Let her go," Rossi commanded.
"Let me think about it," Gabriel retorted, "no."
"If this is your way of punishing her, you've done enough," Hotch said, "she's your sister for god's sake!"
"Was," Lucas spat, "now she's just some bitch."
"What happened to your parents wasn't fair," Rossi reasoned, "but that's no reason to take it out on Penelope. Let her go."
"Maybe this time, you'll know how it feels."
Before he could set the fire, Hotch shot him, point blank in the heart.
"What?!" Lucas cried, "you bitch!
Hotch's eyes were dark and dangerous. He took the teams aback.
"Oh, I think you'll find I can," he whispered dangerously low. And just like that, two more gunshots echoed.
Hotch rushed to Garcia and untied her.
"I'm gonna get you out of here," Hotch said, carrying her over his back.
"T-they burned me," Garcia whimpered.
"Shh," Hotch whispered, "you need to save your breath."
"They stabbed me too!"
"I know, and the ambulance is here, sweetheart. We're gonna get you looked at."
"Hotch," Rossi stopped. "you and Morgan need to ride in the ambulance with Penelope. We can handle this."
Morgan and Hotch jumped in the ambulance with Garcia, each holding her hand. They were praying she would recover.
"Family of Penelope Garcia?" the doctor asked.
"That's us," Hotch said, speaking for the team.
"She suvered eletrical burns as well as burns from a fire. She was also stabbed once in the chest. She has marks on her arm from being tied up. We also ran a rape kit.
"And?" Morgan pressed.
The doctor blew out a breath.
"Two DNA samples were found and they were from a relative."
"Son of a bitch!" Morgan exclaimed punching yet another wall.
Hotch lowered his head, sobbing silently. JJ started wailing and Reid was holding her.
"Are you tellig me her brothers did all of this?" the doctor asked incredulously.
The team's expression told the doctor all she needed to know.
"I can't imagine what she's been through," the doctor said, "well, she's awake and you can see her. Only one at a time. I don't want her getting too overwhelmed."
"Hotch," Morgan coaxed.
"Hey, Penelope," Hotch greeted, "how are you feeling?"
He smacked himself on the forehead.
"Never mind, that's a stupid question."
Garcia chuckled and answered, "Like I've just been tortured."
He took her hand.
"Baby, I'm so sorry. I should've protected you."
"No, Aaron," Garcia whispered, squeezing his hand, "you found me. That's all that matters. If anyone's to blame, it's me."
"No, Penelope," Hotch scolded, "don't ever say that. They chose to do what they did.."
"Aaron, they said they burned me so you wouldn't love me anymore."
"That's nonsense," Hotch assured, "I love you. And I will love every part of you."
He traced the scars.
"These are reminders that you survived. You beat them. And your face is still as sweet as ever." He kissed her scarred face.
"But Foyet-"
"They just mentioned him to get our goats, honey. At least we'll have matching scars."
They both laughed.
"And when the time comes, if you want them removed, we can figure something out. But let's not talk about that right now. Let's talk about how Jack wants to see you."
"Really?" Garcia's face brightened.
"Oh yeah. He's been talking about you a lot."
"I bet he can cheer me up," Garcia said.
"Yeah," Hotch smiled, "I think so too."