Hotchniss - Bonds, Deals and Running

Chapter 21

Chapter 21

The day Aaron Hotchner handed in his resignation as Unit Chief started quieter than anyone had expected. It had been two weeks and two days since Emily had come back from London. He sat in his office, his chair creaking beneath him as he signed the papers. His eyes briefly flickered to the stack of files on his desk, the familiar weight of responsibility and leadership. It was a decision he'd been mulling over for months, maybe longer, but it still somehow felt sudden. For a moment, the weight of it nearly suffocated him.

It wasn't a spur-of-the-moment idea but rather the culmination of a long journey, one that had started years ago, back around the traumatic events involving Foyet.

Aaron had first filled out the document of recommendation for the next Unit Chief years ago, around the time he had been recovering from his gunshot wound after Foyet's attack. He had been lying in a hospital bed, questioning his life, his decisions, and his future. And when he had thought about the next person to lead the team, the choice had been Emily Prentiss. Even then, he knew she had the strength, the intelligence, and the composure to take the job. And It hadn't changed, his high professional opinion of her had nothing to do with his feelings, especially back then, but also now. 'There isn't much this woman is unprepared for'.

At that time, Jack had lost his mother, Haley, and Aaron had realized how much his son needed him. The thought of stepping down had seemed almost inevitable then, but the reality was that the job had always kept him tied down.

But he changed. Now, even with the love and trust he had for his team, it was his son's well-being that weighed the most heavily on his heart, especially when Jack was at an impressionable age, in his teens.

He had been considering it long before Emily came back to the BAU, before her return from London. The truth was, the decision to step down had been planted long before their personal relationship had even been a consideration..

But today, it It had become even clearer to him that Emily had proven herself time and time again. Not just as an agent, but as someone who could truly lead the team.

When the announcement came, it was quiet. The whole team were gathered in the bullpen, and
Emily, who had just come in to work, had stepped away from the coffee machine, from where she had been absently watching the usual morning chaos, to go to the room with everyone. She didn't expect it to come today. But there it was: Aaron, standing in front of them, his expression unreadable.

"I've officially submitted my resignation," he said simply, his tone neutral. The words cut through the room like a heavy silence.

Emily froze for a moment, her eyes flickering to his face as if she hadn't heard him correctly. "Wait...what?"

Aaron nodded, his jaw tight. "I'm stepping down as Unit Chief."

The room went silent. Garcia, who had been humming softly to herself as she typed, stopped in her tracks. Derek looked over at Hotch, his brows furrowed in confusion. Rossi, who had been talking with JJ, shot a quick glance at Hotch.

JJ was the first to speak up. "Are you sure about this, Hotch? It seems sudden..." she said, her voice laced with concern.
"Yes, I've given it a lot of thought. I need to finally make some more time for Jack. He is a teenager now..."

JJ nodded, understanding perfectly.

Aaron looked at the team, a faint sadness in his eyes. "I'll always be here for you. For all of you."

"We'll miss you," Rossi said. The morals were low.

"I've recommended Emily to take over my position. I believe she is the right, and maybe the only person, who will be so successful at being the glue of the team and keeping you all together," He stated.