Four simple words, that's all it took for my new coworkers to change their demeanor. The group became more rigid, serious. Penelope disappears while Hotch hands out a copy of the same folder to everyone including me. The folders were thick, which was probably a bad sign.

I pulled my chair up to one of the tables just in time for Penelope to come back with a laptop and pull up a seat next to me. "Normally we meet in a private room at a round table but we don't have a way to get you in there…" Penelope whispers in almost a flat tone, before letting her sentence linger in the air for a moment, then proceeds to boot up her laptop.

I wasn't sure if that was a dig at me, like she was annoyed I was disrupting the way everyone operated. The last thing I wanted was to derail everyone from doing their job. I wanted to help, not hinder.

Apparently Penelope could tell what I was thinking because she let out a small horrified gasp, realizing what she just said, then quickly touched my arm in a reassuring manner "Oh my gosh, I meant to say yet, we don't have a way to get you in there yet."

My shoulders relaxed and I nodded in return with a small smile. Good, I could still consider the girl a friend, an ally.

Hotch cleared his throat, pulling all the attention back to himself "Right here in Washington there's been a series of abductions. All young women ranging from 19 to 30 years of age. The rate of these abductions seem to be escalating which is why local law enforcement has asked for our help."

I knew what I was signing up for but something about hearing this stuff out loud did something to a person's stomach. The most human reaction was well why are we just sitting here? These women need help and we're just talking, but I knew there was a process and these people were the best for a reason.

"It looks like there haven't been any victims found yet so that could mean the women are still alive." JJ said while flipping through the pages.

Everyone nodded before Derek, the one who looked like he was carved straight out of onyx stone, added "That could also mean the unsub has other plans with our victims, how were these women taken?"

Hotch folds his hands on the table "That's the only thing we know that's common between each victim." He sighs "They all used a chat room for singles and were kidnapped exactly three days after logging on."

I tried taking in all the information. Hearing the mention of a chat room made my mind start to run with different ways to catch this guy. There were plenty of ways they could track him. Of course if he was remotely smart he probably covered his tracks at least on the surface.

"Since this unsub runs mostly online we're gonna need you and Bevan's expertise on this." Hotch explains, addressing the both of us. Penelope responded with an affirmative yes sir while I gave a small nod. A weight seemed to build on my shoulders. This was heck of a first case.

It was hard not to feel imposter syndrome when you're surrounded by such talents in their field. This group weren't just agents. They made it their job getting inside the mind of these insane criminals and it seemed to have results. I don't know if I could ever be their level, but I was ready to help.

Everyone's eyes were on us but the only one that seemed to make me squirm in my wheelchair a little. Chess Guy, also known as Spencer Reid. Chess Guy just seemed so much more fun in my head. I didn't let myself notice in the moment but when I wasn't thinking about these poor women, I could feel him glance over at me every now and then. Not Penelope, me. He was probably just trying to vet me but still, his glance was the only one that was distracting.

Hotch speaks up again, now addressing Spencer "Reid, I want you to stay here and help the girls. I want you to look through all the message exchanges these women made and see what you can find."

Spencer nodded before sitting up in his seat "We're probably dealing with a serial rapist. Most find their victims online and have no plans on stopping."

If my stomach wasn't in knots before, it sure was now.

Hotch nods in agreement while standing up "Which is why we can't waste time. JJ and David, I want you to track down the family and friends to see what else we can find out about these women. Derek, I want you to help me set up with the local police department."

With everyone's new assignments, each split up except for myself, Penelope, and Spencer.

Penelope was the first one to say something "Well, I have a feeling this is going to be the new dream team." She beams, which makes Spencer and I laugh. It seemed wrong to laugh after a meeting like that but at the same time it felt good to cut the tension.

—-

"So this is the lair." Penelope opened the door to reveal a windowless room covered almost top to bottom with countless amounts of tech and software. It was a tech guru's wet dream. One wall was just dedicated to the software towers running the computers on the desk. There probably wasn't a need for the ceiling lights, the numerous buttons, and screens admitted enough light all together.

I tried to act cool, like I saw things like this everyday, but my jaw betrayed me, hanging open and laying out all my inner thoughts.

Penelope giggled and nodded in agreement as if she read my mind "Yeah that was my reaction the first time too."

She shut the door behind us before giving a little tour. From the computer monitors, to the bulletin wall, everything had a purpose amongst the wires and plugs. Finally Penelope gestured to the chair-less section of the desk next to her seat "And this is your little corner."

Resting on the desk was my own computer monitor, shiny, and new. The corners of my mouth twisted up into a smile and I guided my chair over to get a closer look. This was a nice jump from coding on my laptop. "Wow… The government spares no expense does it?" I joke, still attempting not to look too much like a fan girl. In reality I felt like crying. I was almost in disbelief that I was trusted with my own system. With this software I was going to have so much power to help people. I wasn't powerless in this wheelchair. Inside this screen I could find and save as many people as possible.

Penelope giggled before gesturing to her portion of the desk "I recommend getting cute little creatures to spruce up your side." Her side was littered with all kinds of knickknacks and critters that could be sold at any Dollar Store. If it was considered cute, it was there. Her pens were even topped with those fluff balls.

The sight made me giggle this time before I looked at her "As much as I love your set up, I don't know if it's necessarily me…" My voice trails off as I slightly wince, hoping I didn't suck the wind out of her very perky sails. I didn't consider myself a black cat kind of girl, but I definitely wasn't that perky. I was one of those girls who geeked out over movies, or the latest romance novel everyone was raving over. Yes, even tech girls are into romance. Not exactly unicorn vomit though.

Penelope snickers a little but I could tell there was something haunted in her eyes "Well… Sometimes after looking at these screens long enough," She picks up a little toy that looks like a hybrid of a cat and a unicorn "You need some cute things to look at."

My face fell, realizing what she meant. Even though I only knew this woman for less than a few hours, my heart hurt for her. I knew this job took a toll and no one was immune to it, but on the outside it seemed like Penelope was maybe a rare bird that was too sunshine-like to be burdened by the horrors that come with looking at these screens. I didn't want to push so I just gave a small smile and spoke softly "I-I'll think of something… Maybe displaying some books or something might be fun." The gesture was more for my new friend rather than me, but maybe she was on to something.

That seemed to do the trick because Penelope took a deep breath as if to reboot herself, then let her smile return with a nod. She put the toy back then grabbed an earpiece off the desk "So this is yours, can I put it on for you?"

After giving a nod of consent, Penelope carefully leaned over and moved my brown hair so she could place the piece of tech in my ear. Once it was secure, she steps back to look proudly at her work with her hands on her hips. "Well Newbie, we've just met but I don't think you've ever looked better."

We both start laughing before the door swings open and Spencer steps inside with a folder in his hand.

He looks between Penelope and I before smiling at me softly "I see Penelope has already started to get you suited up."

I giggle slightly and nod.

Penelope makes a slight crooked smirk towards him "I say she already looks like she fits the part."

Maybe all the blue light was starting to get to my head already but I could have sworn this so-called genius blushed in my direction. I didn't do anything to evoke such a reaction. He just looked at me with another smile and his cheeks grew a pink tint.

Penelope glanced between the two of us and smirked again. It looked like ideas were brewing in her head but I couldn't begin to think of what they were. "Should we get to work then?" She asked, almost suggesting.

Spencer and I quickly nodded in agreement, both ignoring the awkward exchange that just went down.