As one of the newest additions to the BAU, you craved the validation of being “part of the team,” a part of the close knit family they obviously were. You felt the weight of your insecurities pressing against your chest every time you heard about the teams’ escapades or every word from Emily, who you craved the most validation from, felt like a judgment, reverberating in your mind. You longed for validation, craving a nod of approval from someone you admired fiercely. Emily’s confidence was intoxicating, and you found yourself hanging on her every word, hoping to rise to her standards.

One afternoon, while gathering case files, Emily glanced over, her brow furrowed in thought. “You belong here,” she said, her voice steady and unwavering.*