Criminal Minds One-Shots

the First Case

It was a crisp morning as the BAU team pulled into the small town on the outskirts of Virginia. They were called in to investigate a string of gruesome murders that had unsettled the community. For one agent, though, this case was more than just another day at work.

Y/N Jareau stood with a mixture of excitement and nerves as she stood with her mother, Jennifer “JJ” Jareau, outside the small police station. Today was supposed to be her first real day on a case as a probationary agent with the BAU. Her mother, JJ, had worked for years to build her career in the unit, and now Y/N was following in her footsteps, trying to prove herself.

“You ready for this?” JJ asked, glancing at her daughter with a soft smile.

Y/N nodded, her dark hair falling in a loose wave over her shoulder. "I think so," she said with a slight chuckle. "Just don’t expect me to be perfect. I’m still learning."

JJ chuckled in return. “You’ll do fine. Just remember, confidence is key. And don’t forget to trust your instincts.”

They walked into the building together, where they were quickly briefed by local law enforcement. The team had already been on the case for a few days, and today, Y/N was going to help process her first crime scene. She was trying to stay calm, but the excitement bubbling up inside her was almost too much to contain.

They arrived at the crime scene—a rundown house at the edge of town. The air smelled faintly of damp wood and decay. Y/N’s heart raced as she stepped out of the SUV, noting the stark contrast between her role as a member of the BAU and the typical job she'd thought she’d get after graduating college.

JJ gave her a reassuring nod before heading toward the crime scene with the rest of the team, leaving Y/N to help a local officer with evidence collection. The officer, a tall man with short brown hair and a friendly demeanor, seemed nice enough.

"Hey, I’m Officer Rick Hanson," he said, extending a hand toward Y/N. "I’ll be working with you today."

Y/N took his hand, offering a polite smile. “Y/N Jareau. Nice to meet you, Rick.”

As they worked side by side, Y/N noticed Rick seemed to be paying a bit more attention to her than was necessary for the job. His eyes lingered just a little too long as she inspected the scene. She was used to the occasional glance, but today, she wasn’t in the mood for distractions.

After a few moments, Rick cracked a smile, his voice soft as he said, “You know, I don’t think I’ve seen you around here before. You’re new, right? Looks like you’ve got that BAU vibe."

Y/N chuckled, raising an eyebrow as she tilted her head toward him. “Well, I *am* new. But... sorry, hunny," she teased, grinning wide, "you just aren’t my type."

Rick froze, caught off guard. His face flushed as he quickly stepped back, suddenly self-conscious. “Oh—uh, no, I—didn’t mean to offend you. I just thought—”

Y/N’s eyes softened as she realized she might have misjudged the situation. "Hey, hey, I’m just messing with you," she reassured him with a smile. “You didn’t offend me. I just wasn’t expecting you to hit on me in the middle of a crime scene, that’s all.”

Rick let out a nervous laugh, though he still seemed a bit flustered. "I didn’t mean to make it weird. I’m just trying to be friendly."

Y/N gave him an understanding nod. “I get it. I’m sure I’ve done that before too—said something and instantly regretted it. It’s all good.”

The tension eased, and Y/N got back to work, though Rick kept a respectful distance, now even a bit more cautious in his words and actions. Meanwhile, JJ had noticed the interaction from afar and couldn't help but chuckle to herself. She made a mental note to tease her daughter later.

As they wrapped up the scene, Y/N couldn’t help but reflect on her first day. While she hadn’t exactly expected to make a local officer feel bad, she felt proud of how she’d handled the situation with a quick joke and a calm demeanor. It wasn’t just about solving cases—it was also about how to navigate the human side of things, and she knew that she was learning more than she could have imagined.

Back in the SUV, JJ gave her daughter a sidelong glance. "So... making friends with the locals, huh?"

Y/N rolled her eyes playfully. “It wasn’t like that, mom. He was just a little... overeager. I set him straight.”

JJ laughed. “Just remember, you're here to work, not flirt. You’ll have plenty of time for that later."

Y/N smirked, a sense of accomplishment settling over her. "I think I’ve got this. And hey, if I ever need a backup, at least I know Rick will be around."

JJ raised an eyebrow. "Let’s just stick to catching bad guys, alright?"

Y/N grinned, settling back in her seat, already looking forward to the next part of the case. Today had been a learning experience, and with her mother by her side, there was no doubt in her mind that she'd prove herself as an agent in the BAU—one case at a time.