Criminal Minds One-Shots

Tick Tock, Prank Shock

It was a crisp Saturday morning when Elle Greenaway stood in her kitchen, the aroma of pancakes wafting through the air. Her three children—Viktor, Minnie, and Emma—were still groggy, sprawled on the living room couch, wrapped in blankets like colorful burritos. Elle loved these moments, the chaos and laughter that filled her home, but today would soon spiral into something unexpected.

As Elle flipped a pancake, she heard the familiar sound of the mail truck rumbling down the street. "Minnie, sweetie, can you go grab the mail?" she called out, hoping to keep the kids entertained.

Minnie, her energetic eight-year-old, bounced off the couch, her pigtails swaying as she sprinted outside. Elle turned her attention back to breakfast, but a few moments later, the cheerful atmosphere shattered when she heard a loud bang and the sound of hurried footsteps.

"Mama! Mama!" Minnie's voice rang through the house, laced with panic. Elle turned just in time to see Minnie burst through the door, clutching a cardboard box that was ticking ominously.

"Put that down! Get away from it!" Elle shouted, her heart racing as she remembered her training at the BAU. She immediately dialed 911, her voice shaking but firm, requesting the bomb squad.

Within minutes, the front yard was filled with police cars and the distant wail of sirens. The bomb squad arrived, decked out in protective gear, while Elle tried to keep her kids calm, her heart pounding in her chest. She could see Viktor trying to comfort Emma, who was clinging to her big brother, tears welling in her eyes.

"Mommy, what's happening?" Emma whimpered.

"It's okay, sweetie. Just a little precaution," Elle assured, though her own stomach twisted with worry.

After what felt like hours, the bomb squad declared the box safe. They carefully opened it, revealing an old-fashioned alarm clock with a note that simply read, "Got ya."

Elle's heart sank as she recognized the handwriting—Jake, the neighborhood bully who had made Minnie and Emma's lives miserable at school. She felt a surge of anger rise within her, knowing how terrified her children must have been.

The BAU team, having arrived quickly after the bomb squad, gathered around, their expressions serious. "This is no joke," Derek Morgan said, a frown etched on his face. "We need to teach him a lesson."

"Do you want to handle this, Elle?" Hotch asked, his tone supportive. "We can take it to the authorities if you want."

Elle nodded, her protective instincts flaring. "Let's scare him. He needs to understand the weight of what he did."

They formulated a plan. With the BAU's help, they arranged for a surprise visit at Jake's house. They dressed in plain clothes but brought enough gear to make it clear they meant business.

As they approached Jake's front door, Elle felt a mix of apprehension and determination. This wasn't just about revenge; it was about making sure her children felt safe. She rang the doorbell, and moments later, Jake's mother opened the door, confusion washing over her face.

"Is Jake home?" Elle asked, her voice steady.

"Yes, but who are you?" she replied, glancing suspiciously at the group behind Elle.

"Just some friends who want to have a word with him," Morgan added, stepping forward, his presence commanding.

Jake appeared, a cocky grin plastered on his face that faltered as he saw the serious expressions of the adults. "What's going on?"

Elle took a step closer, her voice low and calm but laced with authority. "You think sending a ticking box to my daughters is a joke? It's not funny, Jake. It's threatening. You need to understand that there are consequences."

For a moment, silence hung in the air. Jake's bravado wavered as he took in the gravity of the situation. "I— I didn't mean anything by it," he stammered, his bravado cracking under the weight of the adult world he hadn't yet fully grasped.

Elle saw fear flicker in his eyes and realized that perhaps he needed a lesson in empathy rather than just a scare. "You think it's okay to scare little kids? To bully? It's not a joke, Jake. You're better than this. If it happens again, we'll take it to the police."

The boy's expression shifted slightly, his confidence wavering. "It was still only a joke," he shrugged. "Us big kids do it all the time."

"A joke?" Elle's voice rose, fueled by her protective instincts. "You don't understand the danger you put my daughters in. Do you know what could have happened?"

Tyler's smirk faded as he took a step back, realizing this was no ordinary confrontation. "I didn't think—"

"That's the problem, Tyler," Reid interjected, leaning closer. "You didn't think. And what you did could be considered a federal offense. Do you want that on your record?"

Tyler's eyes widened, fear creeping into his expression. "I—I'm sorry!" he stammered.

With that, the BAU team stepped back, leaving Jake to ponder his actions. Elle turned to walk away, feeling a mix of relief and pride. She had stood up for her children, and maybe, just maybe, they had made an impression.

As she headed back home, her heart lightened. "Mommy, are we safe now?" Minnie asked, her big eyes looking up at Elle.

"Yes, sweetheart. You're safe," Elle assured, pulling her into a hug.

As they walked inside, she couldn't help but chuckle at the irony of the morning. A prank gone wrong had led to an important lesson, both for her and for Jake. Maybe next Saturday, they could just focus on pancakes.