Luckily, Hotch had apparently worked closely with Penelope to explain the adaptive tech I use to run a pc efficiently. So now I was helping her rummage through my backpack. I have to admit watching her pull out various tangled plugs was an entertaining sight. At first I wanted to apologize for not having my equipment more organized, but Penelope was so proud of herself every time she untangled a new wire. It was like a game to her.

While that fiasco was going on, out of the corner of my eye I noticed Spencer dragging his finger down each page of the case file then turning each page about every 15 seconds. His eyes tracked each word at lightning speed. Honestly it looked like when a kid pretends to read to get it over with. I know I should probably just leave him be, but my curiosity outweighed manners. My eyebrows furrow in his direction "Are you really reading that fast?"

His head snapped up to look at me "Hm?" He looked confused at first but after a second he let out a small laugh under his breath like he was a little embarrassed and nodded softly "Yeah…"

My mouth opened to ask obvious follow up questions, like most notably, how on earth is that even humanly possible? But I was quickly cut off.

Spencer cleared his throat before continuing "Actually our conscious minds can process 16 bits of information per second, while our unconscious mind can process 11 million. So to answer your question, yes I really can read this fast."

There goes my stunned face again and I blinked at the guy for a moment. I wasn't sure if I should be disturbed, or wildly impressed by this guy's smarts, I was mostly in awe. He was like a human computer. I like computers, so we'll probably get along.

My face softened and I giggled softly "Cool."

That same pink tint creeped across Spencer's cheeks as he smiled, then went back to reading the case file.

Did this guy ever get complimented? This was the second time he blushed in my direction and I wasn't sure what I was doing to cause it. Honestly it was kind of… cute in a boyish kind of way.

"Ah ha!" Penelope cheered, making me turn around to see her proudly displaying all my equipment set up.

I smiled and guided my wheelchair up to the desk, making sure everything I would need is plugged in. Although there was probably no need to doubt Penelope, her portion of the desk had three separate monitors she had to run, a few plugs were most likely nothing to her.

Penelope hung my backpack on the back of my wheelchair before taking her seat next to me "Should we take this for a spin?" She grinned.

I smiled back, unable to hide my eagerness to get started. Penelope handed me the small mouse that fits in my hand along with the touchpad keyboard and I signed into my system for the first time.

—-

Snapshots of different message exchanges appear on my screen. It took a little bit of time, but after about an hour, Penelope, Spencer, and I managed to find one common person all the missing women have had contact with. Their username was Hotrod94, if that doesn't scream man who thinks he's a gift from God I don't know what does. The back and forth text exchanges stopped completely within 3 days so the timeline fit. Now us 3 were looking through each conversation for any info we could find that could tell us anything about where these women could be, or who took them.

Each message seemed normal, too normal. It was almost haunting how the person on the other side of the screen could sound so charming. No matter how smart or vigilant these women were, they didn't have a chance.

"These poor girls had no idea what they were walking into…" Penelope sighed under her breath. I could hear the empathy and hopelessness she was feeling for these women on the screen.

I couldn't help but feel it myself. It was one thing to talk about it, but looking into the eyes of each woman now, only made the urgency to find them stronger. During training they tell you don't get emotionally involved, don't let yourself go there. It will cloud your judgment. Sure, most of that is true, but now that I was here, empathy is what was pushing me.

Spencer stuck his head between us to get a better look at the screens. His eyes squinted like he was trying to focus on something. You didn't have to look at him hard to see the hamsters running on a wheel in his head. With that brain of his, those hamsters were probably running a marathon at lightning speed. The poor creatures probably don't know what rest even is.

His face was only a few inches from mine but for some unexplainable reason, he felt closer. It was like my personal bubble doubled in size to fit him inside. My gaze kept flickering in his direction before I realize what I'm doing and my attention goes back to the screen in front of me. That cycle went on about 3 times before Spencer finally spoke.

He used his pen he had been fidgeting with and pointed to one of the sentences sent by the unsub. "He never uses I in a sentence, it's almost like he's trying to distance himself from each woman."

Penelope scoffed, "Well if I had a soul and I was manipulating these women anyway, I'd do the same."

I try not to laugh, but a small snicker slipped through anyways. It was going to be fun sitting next to this sass every day.

I look back at the screen like before, but this time something sticks out. My eyes narrow as I tap a few keys to zoom in on each woman's ear. It can't be, it's probably a reach. "Is it just me, or do all these women have double piercings on their ears? That's probably a coincidence, right?" I ask, trying to keep my voice steady. I didn't want my voice to show I wasn't confident in my findings.

Spencer looks over at my screen before shaking his head "No… that actually makes sense…" His voice trails off like he was still thinking. Then he stood up straight to continue "Actually that could be huge for the profile. There's a fetish called Piquerism. Essentially it's when someone feels aroused by piercing another. Most commonly by stabbing or slashing, but it can occur when the person has a simple ear piercing."

"Ew." Penelope shudders.

I was still reeling from the way Spencer spit out that information like it was common knowledge. He almost seemed proud of himself for having that in his back pocket.

He clearly didn't pick up on the creeped out looks on Penelope and I's face because he continued like nothing happened "Penelope, can you let the team know?"

She shuddered one more time before nodding.

I was too much in my head to pay attention to her calling the team. This was my new reality. Dealing with potential creeps like this was now my usual. I knew it was going to be hard sitting in front of these screens every day and looking at the horrors that dance across them, but now that I was here, I was afraid nightmares were going to find me in my sleep every night. How did these people do it? Maybe I don't have the stomach for this.

I glanced over at the numerous toys on Penelope's side of the desk and the dark cloud that was forming over my head started to break up to let light in. The bright colors drowning out the darkness.

"That was- um… A good catch Beven." Spencer stuttered quietly enough that the call didn't pick up his voice.

I look up to see him smiling softly. Even though those words seemed shaky, they gave me a surge of confidence. Hearing I did something good from someone as smart as him made me want to give myself a pat on the back. My lips curl into a smile.

I already considered Penelope a friend, but it seems like I can add Dr. Spencer Reid to that list. Leading up to today I was so nervous how the team would perceive me, wheelchair and all. I was lucky for most of my life I was surrounded by people who didn't see me as different. My parents, my family, and my friends never made me feel like I was less than.. The professional scene always seemed a little daunting though. I knew what it looked like to any bystander, she can barely lift her arms, how is she supposed to be anything else than the greeter at Walmart? I get it, honestly I would probably say the same thing if I was them. Regardless, I knew I had more in me, and I was grateful everyone here saw what I could do, not what I can't.

"Bevan, can you come with a list of tattoo parlors that also provide piercings in the general area of the abductions?" Hotch's voice catches my attention through the call system "We're gonna split up and find out who frequents the most."

I quickly nodded, giving a "Yes sir." Before he assigns Penelope a cross checking assignment.

My fingers tap away, narrowing down a list of parlors that aren't close to the abduction sights. After a minute, I relay the list to Hotch, followed by him thanking me.

Penelope hangs up before giving me a high 5 "Good work Newbie. Someday you might be as fast as yours truly." She jokes while resting her chin on her hands.

I snicker and shake my head "I appreciate that, but I watch you type and I don't think I could ever get there."

"Hm…" Penelope smirks before turning back to her computer screens "You're smart too, Newbie. I am the best."

Now Spencer and I laugh.