Hi , thanks for reading

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Dear BAU,

Being a part of the BAU were some of the best years of my life. You're the best family I could ever ask for and the smartest, bravest, most inspirational people I've ever had the good fortune to know. I'll never forget you and will always, always be grateful for the time we had together.

This team has meant the world to me, you've been my rock when it's felt like my world has come crashing down around me and my unwavering support. In everything I do I hope to be like all of you – smile and have faith like Garcia, have intelligence and determination like Reid, be compassionate and unwavering like JJ, stubborn and wise like Rossi and understanding and good like Lewis.

I'm sorry it's come to this but I'd like to look at is as a positive thing – I'll get to be a proper father to Jack, no more missing birthdays and Christmas', the only thing we'll miss instead is yours. I guess it was always one or the other, Hayley wanted me to choose and I chose the job but now I'm choosing my son. I can't lose him; I can't let my job take him away from me too. I love my job and I love you guys but I love my son more and I don't think I'll survive losing him.

I know you'll catch Mr. Scratch. That's one thing I have faith in – the BAU is the best at what they do and I've requested that Prentiss be the new Unit Chief. I know she'll accept and hopefully that'll lessen the sting of my leaving a little. Maybe, when it's safe again me and Jack will return home but my resignation is for good. I think a life outside of the FBI might be good for us, family BBQ's or dinners at Dave's however, I really hope I get another one of those.

Reid, I'm so sorry for leaving without saying goodbye. Trust me, if I could have I would. I don't want to be another in a long list of people who left you. I don't want to be like your father or Gideon. The only comfort I can take is that I know you'll understand why I'm doing this and just how important my son is to me. That in no way makes you any less significant and you are and will always be family to me. Always.

Garcia, keep smiling. You're not losing me, not really. You have memories and pictures and I may not be there physically but we're family, and family are always there for each other. Emily was in London for four years and she's now coming back to be the Unit Chief. This isn't the end; it's the beginning of a new chapter – enjoy it.

Rossi take care of my team. Make sure they're okay and they heal and deal with this. Help them to move on. Also, there's still half a bottle of scotch in the bottom drawer of my desk. It's the good stuff.

Thank you all,

Hotchner

Aaron put down his pen after signing his name and let out a deep breath. It had been a hard letter for him to write no matter how cathartic. He would always miss his BAU family but he also had a son and that son was his priority. He looked over at the little boy asleep on the bed, tired after a day out exploring their new home and then back to the letter he knew he could never send no matter how much he wished he could. Instead, he got up and added it to the growing collection all addressed to members of his team. None of them sent. Once finished, he lay down on the second bed, falling asleep to the soft sounds of his sons breathing.

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Hopefully this was okay.

Thanks