Hey guys! Just wanted to say thanks for the support I've received. Reading reviews really motivates me to write more. Also one thing I wanted to touch on: This story is told from both Hotch's and Rossi's points of view, but it's not a slash fic. In the other Criminal Minds story I wrote, it was just exhausting to keep trying to tell the story and include every team member's thoughts and feelings.

(I might have parts of the story told from Reid or Morgan's POV, but no promises.)

I feel like Hotch opens up more to Rossi because he's older, and he sees him as more of a father figure. He looks up to Rossi, they've worked together before, and Rossi has been in the profiling field for longer than any of them. So yeah, just to be clear: no character pairings in this story.

Alright, sorry. Most of you probably don't read these things anyway haha. Back to the story.

Hotch had done it: he had survived the night. Granted, he'd spent it writing his goodbyes to Jack and the team. But hey, making it this long had to count for something.

He arrived at the BAU a little earlier than usual, but wasn't surprised to see that most of the team was already there. Their social lives were basically nonexistent. He walked past them to his office. He shut the door behind him and sat at his desk. He needed to stay for at least a little while, so as not to arouse suspicion. After half an hour, he decided it had been long enough. He removed the envelopes from his bag and methodically placed them on his desk - one for each member of his team. They deserved an explanation.

The last envelope he held in his hand was for Jack. He sighed as he looked at his son's name scrawled across the front. He prayed that Jack wouldn't hate him for this. Hotch set the final letter down next to the others. It was time. He pulled out his badge and laid it on top of his last goodbyes.

He nonchalantly walked out of his office and made his way towards the door. He felt nervous, hoping that no one would stop and question him. He was careful to maintain a neutral expression, and keep his breathing even. As soon as he made it out of the building, he was able to breathe again. No one had stopped him. He got in his car and drove toward his final destination.

"Has anyone seen Hotch this morning?" Rossi noticed that his friend's office was dark, and the door was shut.

"I saw him walk out about ten minutes ago. I just assumed he had a meeting with Strauss. Why?" Prentiss asked.

Rossi tried to bury the uneasiness he felt. "No reason. I just needed to give him something. I'll see if his door's unlocked." He hoped that Prentiss was right, that Hotch was simply in a meeting or running an errand. He tried the door, and it was open. That was strange - Hotch was almost compulsive about locking things...

No...

All of Rossi's worst fears were confirmed when he saw the envelopes arranged on his fellow agent's desk. One for everyone on the team. In the middle of them all was one labeled "Jack". Hotch's badge was on top of the letters, but something was missing...

Hotch's gun.

This couldn't be happening. Rossi immediately dialed Hotch's number. He all but ran down the stairs and into Garcia's office. He didn't even bother with a greeting. "Garcia, I need you to track Hotch's phone."

She looked startled. "But sir-"

"I know you can do it, you've done it before. Now!" Rossi prayed that Hotch would pick up, but after a couple rings it went straight to voice mail. "Dammit Aaron, pick up..."

"Sir, it looks like it's still in the building."

"What? That can't be right."

"Hey, any idea why the trash bin was ringing?" Morgan poked his head into Garcia's office. He held up Hotch's phone. "What's going on?"

There was no time to explain. "I'll update you when I can." Rossi went to leave, but Morgan blocked the way.

"At least let me come with you, man."

"Morgan, I'm only gonna ask you once. Move. Stay here and don't panic. I'll call when I find him."

"Find him? Is he missing?" Morgan called after him, but Rossi was already gone.

The older agent sprinted to his car and sped out of the parking lot. His head was spinning. How could he have missed this? He was profiler for God's sake!

Focus. Where would he go? Rossi forced himself to concentrate. Where would Aaron go? And then the answer hit him - the place where Hotch had lost everything. The house where all his happy memories had been tainted by evil. The house he had shared with Haley. His home.

Rossi flipped on his lights and raced to the Hotchner residence. Please, God...don't let me be too late...