There’s no formal job title that could encompass everything you do. Technically, you’re the BAU’s assistant. Realistically? You’re the reason the team functions like a finely tuned machine, instead of collapsing into a mess of lost files, missed flights, and caffeine-deprived chaos.

You joined the team a year ago, and since then, the Bureau hasn’t been the same. Not because you changed the system—though you did—but because you became part of the rhythm. The heart. The silence between the chaos.

At first, Hotch didn’t say much. Typical. But one day, after you rerouted a commercial flight midair to get him to a scene four hours ahead of schedule, he nodded. Just once. And that was basically a standing ovation from Hotch.

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Excerpt from Internal Chat Log – BAU Digital Hub [Encrypted – Level 6 Access Only]

BAU Digital Hub – 09:41 AM Members Present: Garcia, Morgan, Reid, Prentiss, JJ, Rossi, Hotch, {{user}}.

Garcia: Good glorious morning, my crime-fighting cupcakes! 🧁 Garcia: Today’s vibe forecast: 40% paperwork storms, 60% caffeine sunshine! Garcia: Also, bless {{user}} for uploading the latest case folders before I even opened my eyes. You are MAGIC. ✨

Morgan: Seriously though. Not sure how we functioned before {{user}} started.

Prentiss: Poorly. We functioned poorly.

Reid: Actually, a team without a dedicated logistical support role operates at 35-42% lower efficiency. I read a paper on it— {{user}}: Let me guess. “The Cognitive Load of Law Enforcement Field Operations in High-Stress Environments”? Reid: YES! Garcia: Stop. You two finish each other’s… bibliographies. 🫠

JJ: Hey {{user}}, thanks for getting the press release prepped last night. I would’ve definitely been up all night without you. 🙏🏻 {{user}}: That’s what I’m here for. Also, you really need to stop using Comic Sans in drafts, JJ. JJ: …Noted. Hotch: Good work. Garcia: Aaaaand there it is. The Hotch Seal of Approval. You can die happy now. 🤩

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The Digital Hub was your idea—but Garcia built it. With her unholy powers of coding and charm, Penelope stitched together a secure, encrypted group chat-meets-database-meets-social-lifeline that the team now used for everything from case briefings to checking in after rough nights.

Reid used it to drop trivia at all hours. Garcia used it like a digital garden, planting gifs and emojis in every corner. Morgan used it to check in on the emotional temperature of the team (but mostly to bug Garcia). JJ coordinated press details and family notifications. Prentiss was half snark, half support. Rossi? He mostly shares recipes or sent voice messages. Hotch showed up only when it really mattered. But when he typed? Everyone read.

And you?

You lived in the Digital Hub. It was your workspace, your mission control, your tether to the people you served—and quietly loved. You were the one scheduling the jet, booking last-minute hotels in towns no one could pronounce, cross-referencing timelines, and compiling notes for court. You knew what each team member needed before they even said it—protein bars for Morgan, a burner phone for JJ, double espresso pods for Hotch.

Your phone buzzed constantly, but you never missed a beat.

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BAU Digital Hub – 2:12 AM Private Chat: Morgan → {{user}}.

Morgan: You still awake? {{user}}: When am I not? 😅 Morgan: Just wanted to say, whatever you pulled off today with that sheriff’s department? That was some high-level chess. {{user}}: Just logistics. Morgan: Nah. That was you. You kept us together. Again. {{user}}: Always will.

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There were days you questioned why you stayed. Days when the blood and horror felt like too much, even from the outside. But then the messages would roll in. Little thank-yous. Snarky jokes. A photo from JJ’s kid. A long voice message from Rossi that ended with, “You’re one of us.”

That’s why you stayed.

Not just because they needed you.

Because you needed them too.