Hello all well. I loved your story

Nicely done!

This is the perfect farewell to Thomas/Hotch I've read. beautiful. The show is not the same without Hotch.l I fell hard for criminal Minds, because of aaron Hotchner very complex personality. I wish you'd written a story about how Hotch and Jack reconnect, but maybe I'll do that, with acknowledgement to you for giving me the idea. It's hard to find good Hotch fics anymore. I've written a couple, but they are becoming fewer all the time. Thanks for this lovely little piece.

SO SAD

Excellent story! Apparently a lot of people feel the same way. Without Hotch there is no Criminal Minds. They are boycotting the show.

I like the way you sent Aaron out. Very well done.

Heartwarming. Thank you. You found a good reason for Hotch to stop. I hope the show writes his character out in a similar, if not the same way. I don't want him or Jack to die, nor do I think it possible that he would ever become a villain. Or stop just because. There is only one reason, in my mind, why he would ever even think of stopping (even if for years, that same reason was what kept him going) and that reason is Jack and his love for him.

I am still in shock and deeply saddened by the news Gibbson was fired. He's my favourite character and I can't imagine Criminal Minds without him. I'll miss him dearly. Still wishing I'd wake up and realise it's a nightmare. I really hope his departure is a blow the show can work with.

Please, we need more Hotch/Dave fan fiction. What is happen is a tragedy. CBS should have give him a chance or at least keep him on season 12 and not give him another contract but fired him like that is unfair. He is the show since Mandy leaves. All this "incident" is strange, Virgil Williams is not so clear and seems very proud of him since CBS fired Thomas ... Hope it was not only a trap to fired Thomas ... for being to much paid for CBS and don't close his mouth when something was wrong.
I hope Thomas GIBSON will be fine and have soon a new job, something who can help him being more with his children and having a happy live.
A lot of fans, of all countries, support him and will boycott criminal minds.
We need Thomas still acting Hotch somewhere... fanfictions only can be this place... please

I think this is a perfect way for Aaron to bow out and obviously Dave would be his first port of call because of their deep and long friendship. I love the concern for Spencer and the need to pass on to his family that he will not be leaving their lives forever, just until he reconnects with his else needs to be said.
I too am sad that Thomas has lost his job and his wonderful character has been lost and I appreciate how you must feel about writing anything Criminal Minds now but give it time, you may well find inspiration again, because hey! this is fabrication and Hotch can still live on in our hearts if not on the show.

Hi brilliant piece and a nice and logical way to explain Hotch's abrupt departure. Specially loved the line ithat its not a Gideon letter and that get in touch with every 1 when he gets back from holiday with Jack and also Dave understanding that it was because Jack had become distant after Aaron was taken away.
What touched me more than the story was your author.s note. I knew Hotch was your inspiration and reading it brought tears to my eyes. I too am so upset by these events. Thomas Gibson being suspended would hav been a more than adequate warning to him. Firing him was extreme and unnecessary.
I hope your mom is well and you got the post card I sent.

Beautifully written and well thought out. While I understand the decision in firing him, I am not sure that I can watch the show anymore. I love the other characters, especially Garcia and Reid, but they are not enough to keep up my interest in the show. Especially after losing Derek. Losing Thomas Gibson from the show is the same as is would be if NCIS lost Mark Harmon. There is no BAU without Hotch.

This is a very good, very tender "letter".

And this may not be good bye for Aaron, they may say he is fired but might just have him back because they ( the leaders of CBS ) have to know they will not have a show without him.

But you still wrote a touching letter and a viable reason for him to leave, which is a good one. Hopefully, this won't be your last CM story. I'm glad we are friends on Facebook so I will still "see you around the courtyard".
Love, Sand n Sable.

I couldn't bring myself to read this until now. I know it's "just a TV show," but this whole situation is just making me so incredibly sad.

I think you did an excellent job of bridging last season's finale with the events that have unfolded over the last few days, and Hotch writing a letter to explain things seems very much in-character. The words you gave him really conveyed what I think would be mixed feelings upon deciding to leave a job and people he loved for the person he loves above all else: Jack. As others have said, I liked the detail you added of Hotch asking Dave to let Reid know this isn't a "Gideon letter."

This was a lovely piece... but now my eyes are watering right along with Dave's! Thank you for this and for all the wonderful CM stories you shared with us.

TT-TT

I totally feel you.

I was utterly shocked when I heard this happened.

What is the truth? We may never know, versions come and go of his dismissal and mud has been thrown in every direction.

But I wish he could know, he could feel from each one of us, his fans, that we will follow him in any other project he wants to begin. This is probably the end for Aaron Hotchner, but it's a new beginning for Thomas Gibson.

Thank you for writing this.