A/N: This is a relatively short piece (I think it'll be about 9-10 chapters, so short for most of my stories). It's a bit angsty, but I might (MIGHT) do a little follow-up once the big stuff happens. So please read and review.

DISCLAIMER: I don't own Criminal Minds.


"What is this?" Hotch asked, looking at the file Emily had just handed him. He had to be honest. After everything that had happened in the past four years, part of him wasn't surprised. The emotional rollercoaster that came with being a part of the BAU was more than enough to push anyone. He just hadn't expected it from her.

Emily stood up straight and rolled her shoulders back. She was defiant. She had promised herself she wouldn't get upset, she wouldn't back down, she would stand firm in her decision. And she truly believed it was the right one. Four years was long enough. She'd proven to herself that she could do this job, but she had to do this if she wanted to keep that last shred of self-worth and sanity.

"I'm leaving," she said quietly.

Hotch frowned and shook his head. "I can't approve this," he said, pursing his lips. Emily's jaw dropped. "Can't? You can't approve it? It's not a request sir. I'm leaving the agency," she retorted. Hotch stood and met her eyes. He wasn't backing down either. "Prentiss… just tell me why," he requested.

Emily frowned at the question. Why? Why was she leaving? So many reasons, so many contributing factors, the least of which was the intensity of this job. Too much had happened over the years. Too much heartache. She'd given so much of herself to the team, to their work. And she wasn't sure how much she had left to give. So she was getting out before it was too late.

But the most important reason was something she couldn't tell him. She couldn't tell him that working alongside him, day in and day out, was too much. She couldn't bear the thought of standing by to watch him disintegrate. Gideon's leaving, Strauss' vendetta, the explosion that still effected his hearing, Foyet, Hayley… all of it. Emily had cared about this man for so long and she couldn't stand to think about the day that he would no longer be there. The day that he stopped. So she had to cut and run. It was all she could do to stay alive.

Of course, she couldn't tell him any of this. She couldn't tell him about her fear of losing herself to this job. It demonstrated a vulnerability she refused to show him. And she couldn't tell him about her fear of losing him, of watching him disappear before her very eyes. That in itself held too many implications, too many feelings and emotions that she knew she would never display. Especially to him. So she shook her head and stayed silent.

Hotch wrinkled his brow. He couldn't sign the papers. He couldn't lose Emily. He rolled his eyes inwardly and glanced upwards. Hadn't he lost enough already? He looked back at Emily with pleading eyes. "Emily," he said quietly, begging her with that one word. Her name.

Emily shook her head again. "I'm just… leaving," she said sternly, folding her arms across her chest, "And if you don't sign it, I can go straight to Strauss." She had anticipated this situation and had printed off two copies of her forms. Just in case. And by the look on Hotch's face, she would need the second copy.

Emily had to admit she was secretly relieved with his opposition to her resignation. It showed that, maybe, her feelings were somewhat reciprocated. To put it into a few words, she would definitely say she cared about him… maybe even loved him. But she couldn't go down that road. It was scary and dark and unchartered. She couldn't give that part of herself away, knowing that she might get nothing in return. But this… this fight he was putting up… it made her heart skip a beat.

Until he sighed and leant over his desk, putting pen to paper, and signed. He had given up. Emily was shocked. She had been mentally preparing herself to go to Strauss. But now she wouldn't have to. And while Emily may have hated the idea of more face-to-face time with the evil woman, she would've preferred that to watching Hotch agree to her resignation. He had never been one to give up so easily and the ache that caused in Emily's heart almost made her stumble.

She closed her eyes briefly, willing herself to remain calm. When she opened them, she leant over and took the papers from his hand. "You're no longer an agent of the FBI," he said grimly. Emily wrinkled her brow and nodded. "Thank you, sir," she replied, turning to walk out.

Hotch opened his mouth to call her back and tell her that he would miss her, but he stayed silent, watching as she walked down into the bullpen and sat at her desk. It was only 10am, and Emily had said she would stay until the end of the day. So Hotch figured he still had some time to say goodbye. He sat back in his seat and put his head in his hands.