Rossi looked around his den. Usually reserved for poker nights, he had to get a custom table rental to fit everyone here tonight. He needed a table big enough for sixteen, along with the smaller kid table nearby as well. If you considered eight small, that is. At the kid table was Jack, Henry, Maria, Kai, Ella, Drew, Summer and, thankfully for the rest of the team, Meg to supervise. Around this custom table were Hayden, Joy and Shawn, Tara, Alex and James, Elle and Rick, Derek and Penelope (with the twins sleeping in a crib upstairs), Emily and Mark, Aaron and Robin, Kate and Chris, and JJ and Spencer. Fran and Sandy were having a night out, just the two of them with some of Sandy's friends. And to think, he knew they would be getting two new team – family – members in the next month or two.

My how things had changed. He could remember how it used to mostly just be him in this house. Then Erin had called about Jason leaving and his life got turned up side down, in the best possible way. That he had so many people that he cared for – loved – in this room right now was truly a great gift.

"David, are you alright?"

He turned to Hayden, arguably the newest member of this family (aside from the twins, of course), and smiled. He took her hand in his, lifting it to his lips to kiss it. "I'm fantastic, my love."

Laughter erupted from one end of the table and he turned to see Derek rolling his eyes as Penelope continued to share a story, making Robin, JJ and Elle hysterical. He could remember a time when there was hardly a sound in this house, let alone laughter. For as much as he put forth living a full life before he came out of retirement, it was often lonely. Sure, he did hang out with Ringo and others at events or hosting a poker night, but more times than not, he found himself alone in this big house. He never imagined that when he came out of retirement nearly ten years ago that he'd gain so many people in his life.

He let out a happy sigh and turned again to the group as they ate. Feeling eyes on him, he shifted his gaze to meet Aaron's eyes. The younger man raised an eyebrow at him in question and Rossi simply smiled back. After a few more minutes when he could tell people were mostly done eating, he stood, tapping his fork into his wine glass and getting everyone's attention. "I hope you will humor me as I say a few things."

"We still have a few hours before the midnight toast Rossi," Emily teased.

"Yes, well, I'll let our new Unit Chief and our new Section Chief decide which one is giving that toast," he gestured towards her and Hotch with his glass. The pair exchanged a glance and smile, both enjoying their new titles.

"When Jason and I founded what would become the BAU, I don't think either of us envisioned this." He waved a hand that covered the whole room. "The private jet alone seemed like such a long shot that I never thought about a team of excellent profilers, each with something to contribute, helping catch the bad guys." He managed to censor himself at the end, remembering the little ears present. The group didn't catch Hotch shaking his head at the jet comment, remembering Dave appearing in his office his first day back. "Not to mention a tech kitten," he winked at Garcia, making her smile. The group of said profilers all looked around, grinning at each other. Emily shoulder bumped JJ, the pair next to each other. Morgan winked at Reid, across from each other, making the younger man roll his eyes but smile wider.

"But better than the exceptional close rate of our cases, or for that matter how many cases we can handle every year in comparison to the early days, something so much bigger came from just two young agents determined to find a better way to find the people that didn't want to be found." He paused and looked around the room once more.

"This isn't just a team, it's a family. It's about a group of people, as different as they can be, forging tight bonds through the darkness we fight. So tight that even when one leaves, they are still apart of this family." He raised his glass toward Elle and Alex. "So tight that sometimes they even come back." He smiled at Emily. "So tight that once you join, you're immediately a part of it." Kate and Tara clanked glasses together for that. "So tight that it helps take some of that sadness and turn it into happiness." Hotch lifted his glass at Rossi at that comment. "So tight that love can blossom from it…twice." JJ pulled Reid in for a quick kiss as Morgan did the same to Garcia. "And from that love can come so much more." He waved at the kids' table, getting wide smiles from Meg and Jack in particular.

"So even though this team has been through and will continue to change more in the next few months, I know it will be just fine. The faces around the office may change, but the work will still get done. And more importantly, these bonds we have will never break. No matter how far we go, no matter how long we go between talking, we will always be here for each other. Like the saying goes – Family is like branches on a tree, we may grow in different directions yet our roots remain as one."

"To family," Hotch added, lifting his glass. The group smiled and echoed his statement as they all clanked their glasses together. The couples around the table shared a quick kiss before several stood up and collected one of their offspring. Ella bounced out of her chair and reached Morgan before Reid had a chance. Her father shook his head, knowing she was still adjusting to her godfather having children of his own so he let that slide, instead gesturing for Henry to come sit in his lap. JJ cleaned up Drew before scooping him up. Meg carried Summer over to Kate. Jack climbed into Robin's lap. Hayden picked up Kai as Rossi kissed Joy on the cheek. Maria found a spot in Alex's lap, surprising a few at how close the two former agents had become.

Garcia smiled wide at the group, remembering her early days with the team just dreaming that they would be close like this so she'd have a family again. To see all the kids around the table... She cleared her throat. "And here's to the second generation, whom I get the feeling will be even more amazing than the original."

Meg smiled, "Thanks Aunt Penelope."

Ella grinned and nodded even though she wasn't quite sure what they were talking about. "Yes, thanks!"

Morgan smiled as he kissed her cheek. "Well, kiddos, should we go upstairs and watch Uncle Dave play Rock Band? Maybe beat him at it?"

Rossi rolled his eyes as several others laughed. "Why do you make me regret my kind words so quickly?"

Morgan grinned. "Well, someone's gotta tease you since I know Emily 'can't' as the Boss Lady now. Figured I'd make up for lost time while I can." Morgan stood, Ella on his hip, and walked over to and squeezed Rossi's shoulder. "Come on Old Man, let's battle."

Rossi stood up. "Oh its on."

JJ shook her head, hugging Drew close. "Now, now boys, behave."

Reid smirked. "No one said this family was completely functional."

The group was now gathered in the living room, a few of the kids tucked in upstairs, unable to make it to 2017. Just the three oldest were still up, playing some video games. The women were gathered together in one area, the men in another.

"So the visit went well?" Emily asked, taking a sip of her wine. The team hadn't really had a chance to talk with Robin and Hotch much.

Robin nodded, "It did. Phoebe and Jack seemed to get along well and I was able to spend some time with Shawna as well as meet in person with her oncologist about trials." She smiled, pulling out her phone to get a photo to show them. "My dad made Aaron go ice fishing with him."

Garcia was quick to take the phone first. "Look at Frozen Chief Man!" She handed it over to JJ, the rest of the women getting a good chuckle out of that.

JJ smiled, "It's nice seeing him relax some." Robin grinned at that. "How goes the house hunting?"

"We're getting there. We'd ideally like to stay in the area of his place so I know Henry, and eventually Phoebe, would be in the same school system as all of your kids so there's a built in network of friends." She turned to Garcia. "We might need to borrow Derek to help us review some contenders."

"I'm sure he could handle that," Garcia answered.

"So Pen, when are you due back at the BAU?" Elle asked. "Or is staying home with those two gorgeous babies too tempting?"

Garcia smiled, noting the small glare Emily sent her former coworker. "A couple of weeks. I love my angels, but I love my team too and with Derek gone and Boy Wonder leaving…"

JJ sighed. "Please don't remind me."

Blake reached over and squeezed JJ's arm. She had wondered how the younger woman would take not having her husband there. She knew she had joined the team just after they got married and the pair had been through a lot before she joined, but she'd seen how deeply connected they were, both in their personal life as well as in the field. They were good partners, well in sync and counterbalances to each other. This would be a rough transition for her, no doubt. "Emily, have you thought about who's filling the empty spots on the team?"

The brunette nodded. "Some. There's an agent on the Fugitive Task Force that seems to have a natural knack for profiling, Agent Alvez. The other slot…well, I'm reaching out to someone that I worked with during my time with Interpol. He's just be tied up in a long case so I have formally asked yet."

Tara furrowed her brow. "Who?"

Emily shook her head, "Nah uh, I don't want to jinx that one." She looked over at JJ. "He won't be Reid, but he'll be a good addition I think. If I can convince him to join us."

JJ nodded, "Well, there really is no one like my Spence so I wouldn't expect you to find a copy." She glanced over at the men, noticing them laughing at something Chris was sharing. Reid laughed during the story and then seemed to sense her gaze, meeting it with his own. He smiled at her. "He's one of a kind."

Elle broke the moment, "God, you two have become nauseating. It might actually be good for the productivity of the team for you two to not be working together anymore." JJ shook her head, smiling, as the rest busted out laughing.

Emily clanked her glass with Elle's, remembering her similar joke. "She has a point."

Blake grinned. "Add that to not having to worry about sexual harassment seminars due to Morgan leaving." She looked at Garcia. "Right Coco?"

Garcia nearly coughed on her drink, making JJ laugh – hard. It was her turn to clank her drink into Blake's. "Alex Blake, just what are you implying?" Garcia joked back. "Agent Morgan and I were nothing but professional in the office."

"Okay, even I know that's a lie," Robin teased.

"Me too," Joy added. "My Dad's told me some interesting stories."

Garcia raised an eyebrow. "You know we have some good ones about him too." Kate and Tara both nodded their heads. Blake smirked into her wine glass.

Joy chuckled as Hayden raised an eyebrow this time. "Oh?"

JJ shook her head, "Which we'll save for another night."

Blake smiled again. "Yes, I have a different question for Penelope." It had been bothering her for years. Garcia furrowed a brow. "Just what is a Flarpy Blunderguff?"

The men all turned from their discussion when they saw Emily patting JJ on her back like she had coughed on her drink quite hard. The other women were either laughing or appeared confused. Reid noticed JJ seemed to be pink and he couldn't decide if that was from coughing or if she was just blushing.

"Why do I get the feeling Garcia is to blame for that somehow?" Hotch commented, getting a shove in the arm from Morgan.

"Hey, leave my girl out of this."

Hotch raised an eyebrow. "You're lucky I'm not your boss anymore, Derek."

Reid looked around, "Well after I leave, you're actually only the boss of Rossi."

The oldest one there shook his head, "No one is the boss of me, young man."

"Not even Hayden or Joy?" Hotch smiled into his drink.

Morgan tapped his glass into Hotch's. "He's got you there." Rossi rolled his eyes. "So, Hotch, started wedding planning yet?"

He sighed a little. "Not much. On the one hand, Wisconsin would be easiest for Shawna and her aunts, uncles, and cousins. But, all of Robin's closest friends are here, not to mention all of you so the travel for everyone else…"

Rossi smiled. "Don't suppose you could get the Director to approve use of the jet for that?" Hotch sent him a glare. "Well, if you choose the land of cheese, we'll be there. Don't worry about it." The group nodded in agreement.

"How is it going with the twins, Derek?" James asked.

The profilers in the group noticed the content smile on the older man's face. "It's exhausting but so rewarding."

"You coming back to the bureau?" Chris asked.

"I'm thinking I might come back part time to teach some. Gotta make sure the agents helping the rest of you know what they're doing," he answered. Reid smiled wide at that.

Henry came over, leaning into Reid's side. "What's up, Bud?"

He yawned. "Is it almost midnight?"

The group all blinked, forgetting all about that. Rossi quickly looked at his watch. "In just a few minutes, Kiddo." The men all stood up, gathering the women as Meg and Jack joined them. Hayden helped Rossi pass around filled champagne flutes, except for a few with grape juice for the underage group. "Emily?"

The brunette blinked and then remembered she'd been given the duty for the toast. "Well, I think Dave pretty much said it all. May the light out shine the dark in all of our lives in 2017. Lives that no matter where they go will always be there for one another."

Morgan checked his watch this time. "Ten…nine…"

The group counted down together. "…Three…two…one!"

"Happy New Year!"

Reid sighed as the team boarded the plane. Not only had this last case been a long one, but they were wrapping it up on his last official day with the BAU. Knowing what time it would be when they landed, he was quick to take one of the two seater tables and snag the laptop they usually reserved for talking with Garcia, or for the past few cases, Kevin.

"What are you doing, Kiddo?" Rossi asked as he slipped into a seat across the aisle.

"We're not going to get in until nearly dinner time so to avoid having to stay late I figured I'd get my report done now," he answered, stretching his hands a little before starting to type away. "The rest of you could do this report on Monday but…"

JJ frowned, taking the seat opposite him for now. "You're not leaving the bureau all together, you could finish it next week Spence."

"She's right," Emily commented, walking by before taking a seat at the bigger table with Tara and Kate.

Reid looked up at the rest and nodded. "I know, I just would rather get it done now." He didn't think he could prolong severing the tie from his work life at the BAU to just being a visitor on that floor, even if he still worked on Base. He met JJ's eyes. "It won't take me too long, I promise." He knew she wanted to savor their remaining moments as coworkers.

She nodded, "Okay. I'll let you work then." She stood and slid into a spot next to Kate.

"I feel like I better get used to this," Rossi commented at the group of women all together.

Tara smiled, knowing his was missing his male counterparts. "I'm sure we'll find some testosterone for you soon, Dave. Right Emily?"

Emily chuckled. "Right." She turned and met Rossi's eyes. "Maybe you can help me work on Alvez?" Rossi nodded, having been the other one that talked with the fugitive hunter besides Emily. "In the meantime, if you're offering scotch, I won't make you drink alone."

Rossi rolled his eyes as he stood up now that they were in the air. "Can I be of service to any of the rest of you?"

"Tea sounds lovely," JJ answered, smiling.

"Me too," Kate added.

"I'm good," Tara finished. Rossi nodded, grumbling even as he walked to the bar area of the plane.

Reid ignored them all, wrapping up his report. It took him just a little longer than he'd expected, but that was because his thoughts kept going to the fact that this was his last report. As excited and nervous as he was about the next stage of his career, and in particular being home more for the kids, he was still closing a monumental chapter of his life. A chapter wasn't the right word…more like opus. It was such a large portion, book, of his life with many smaller chapters or phases built into it. At least he was walking away from it on his own terms, which was more than some could agents could say – BAU or not.

Eventually he saved the file and emailed it to Emily to review. He'd have to print it out and physically sign it when they got to the office, but that wouldn't take too long. Closing the laptop, he stood and stretched a little. Given that they were coming from Montana, they still had about an hour and a half left of the flight. He headed to the bar to make a cup of tea for himself, noticing Emily reviewing his file on her phone as he did. By the time he'd returned, she appeared to be done.

"Looks good, Spencer," she commented. "Now," she pulled out a deck of cards. "Since it's your last flight, want to see if we can finally beat you in a round of poker?" Reid laughed as JJ stood and moved to sit next to him on the bench seat. Rossi moved and took her empty seat. Emily began to shuffle. "Oh wait, I already did that…"

That got her an eye roll. "I maintain that was luck."

"What about when I beat you at Gin?" JJ teased, slipping his one arm around her.

Reid smiled at the memory. "That's because genius Dr. Reid let you win." He met her eyes and she grinned.

"The genius that looked at Hotch's cards when he went to the bathroom?" That got laughs from the rest.

"You know there are some secrets that should stay between a married couple," he answered, getting more laughs.

JJ smirked. "We weren't married then. Weren't even dating, well, other than the one."

"Didn't stop you from clouding my brain function," he countered. JJ sighed softly, pulling him in for a quick kiss. The other women smiled at that comment. "At least I've made progress on getting you to come to Comic Con with me," he added.

Emily coughed on her drink. "What?"

JJ rolled her eyes, taking her cards that the unit chief had just finished dealing during their banter. "I said maybe to Who Con, Spence. I'm not ready for San Diego."

"You've still got time to decide on Who Con. It's in Baltimore this year in March," he wagged his eyebrows. "Could visit Mom as well."

"I will make certain to have her back from whatever case we're on in time," Emily commented, clanking her glass into Reid's mug.

Kate shook her head, "There's the nerd side to our boss I've heard about."

Rossi rolled his eyes at the whole conversation and cleared his throat. "Are we playing cards or what?"

Reid looked around the bullpen a few hours later. He'd just dropped off his hard copy of his report, taking his time with that so JJ could wrap up something quick before they headed out. He watched as Kate was bent over her desk, working. He could see the light on in Rossi's office. Tara smiled at him as she headed to the break area with her coffee cup. Sighing, he began to pack the last few books into his messenger bag, a few finding their way back into the office the past two weeks. When he reached for the electronic picture frame, he paused to let all the photos past by him…along with the memories associated with them.

A photo of JJ, Henry and himself after Hotch's Triathlon.

His wedding day.

Henry dressed as him for Halloween.

The team celebrating after his homerun.

The snow family – baby included.

Henry with his mom before Ella was born.

Henry holding Ella for the first time.

Henry's first day of school.

Gideon holding Ella.

Henry covered in cake.

A photo of JJ and himself singing karaoke.

His pouting face after his time out that Thanksgiving.

Ella and Henry by the LaMontagne's Christmas Tree.

His mother holding Ella.

Maeve and Bobby's wedding reception.

Dinner with his Dad in Vegas.

JJ's birthday picnic.

Their New York trip, JJ snagging a selfie of the two of them in the library.

A photo of him with Blake during her going away party.

Ella's first birthday – the group shot of everyone there, including Emily and Gideon.

Fort Tardis with Henry.

Henry's birthday.

Him sitting on the floor with Ella and Meg learning sign language.

Maddy playing with Ella during Thanksgiving.

Their family photo at Christmas, before the rest knew about Drew.

Him and Henry in their new glasses.

Sandy holding up her new pillow with her grandkids names on it.

The team with pink and blue cake in front of them.

His Dad at the Children's Museum with the kids.

JJ and him at sunset at Red Rock Canyon.

A photo of him with Hotch during the 'baby shower/name announcement day' – Morgan snagging it when they were by the grill.

Lunch with Elle.

Ella sitting in Alex's lap watching fireworks.

Ella's Mickey Ears.

Hotch holding Andrew for the first time.

The Avengers!

JJ holding Joey for the first time while he looked on.

Andrew staring at his Grandma D for the first time.

Jack and Henry playing with toy light sabers.

Diana sitting on their couch on Christmas Day with Andrew in her lap and Henry and Ella on her other sides. His dad, JJ and himself were all standing behind them.

Morgan and Garcia together on New Years.

JJ and himself on their horses during Valentine's Day.

Mother's Day in Baltimore.

The team celebrating Hotch and Robin's engagement with fireworks.

Ella's first dance recital.

Karaoke with the ladies during the bachelor/bachelorette party.

The Bride and Groom with their wedding party.

Andrew with his first smash cake.

The team celebrating Hotch promotion and Emily's return.

The Football Re-do date.

Morgan and Garcia with the twins.

Paris – the Eiffel Tower shot.

"Spence?"

Reid blinked rapidly, not realizing a few tears had been shed as so many good memories hit him while he had reviewed the photos. Sure, there had been sad, upsetting things that had happened in between all of these events, but overall he wouldn't have changed the past six years for the world. Because, well, that was his whole world.

"I…"

JJ frowned and gently took the frame from his hands, pulling him in for a hug. "Are you 100% certain you want to leave? Sure there would be logistics to work out if you backed out of things but if you—"

Reid moved and kissed her, stopping her mid-sentence. When he pulled back, he cupped her cheek. "I'm certain. I was just reliving all the great moments of my life since we moved from just best friends and got overwhelmed. As much as I'll miss being here with the team, my life outside of these walls is so much more than I could've imagined. Now, I don't have to live for work. Now, I live to be there for our children and for you while contributing to the greater good in a different way."

JJ smiled, a tear falling of her own. She pulled him to her and kissed him softly once more. "Okay." She looked at the frame. "Ready?"

He nodded and reached under the desk to unplug it. After wrapping the cord around it, he tucked it in his messenger bag. "Ready."

JJ wrapped her arm around his waist and they started to head to the glass door when she stopped. "Oh shoot, I think I left something in the conference room." She moved to lace her fingers with his and pulled him upstairs. When she opened the door, he was immediately met with loud noise.

"Surprise!"

Reid smiled wide, having not realized that the team that had been in their offices/cubicles moments earlier had all slipped past him. Morgan and Garcia were there too. So was Hotch. "You didn't really think we'd let you leave without saying goodbye, did you?" Emily teased, pulling him in for a hug.

Garcia thrust a glass of champagne into his hand. "Speech!"

Reid furrowed his brow. "Why? Morgan didn't have to give one."

The man in question laughed and squeezed his little brother's shoulder. "I did in private. Plus I had newborns at home. You don't have that kind of excuse."

Reid rolled his eyes, but smiled. He looked around the room at his family. "When I first joined the BAU just over fourteen years ago, I was excited to be doing challenging work that made a difference in people's lives. I was eager to learn more about the human psyche. Even with degrees in the hard sciences, the mysteries about human behavior had always been more intriguing to me. But, I was also terrified about what I'd have to face not only in the field, but with my coworkers too. I didn't have a typical childhood nor many friends. Most of my interactions with people were either awkward or downright unpleasant. That's why I was so surprised when Gideon agreed to take me as his protégé, knowing I'd found someone that valued my intellect."

He paused for a second, meeting Hotch's eyes. "I know the rest of the team was skeptical, to say the least, about how I could help. But, I was grateful that it didn't seem long before I got their – your – respect for what I could contribute, even if I lacked in other areas." Hotch smiled softly and nodded.

Then he turned to Morgan. "The day you and I had our breakthrough with at least tolerating each other more without fear on my side or constant annoyance on yours," Morgan chuckled at that, "was a turning point for me. It was the first time I felt like I could really last at this job for a while."

"Then Gideon got approval for a media liaison." Brown eyes locked onto blue ones. "And I was happy we'd have that help…until you walked in the door."

JJ raised an eyebrow, "Excuse me?"

Reid smiled. "Well, there was the fact that I spilled coffee on myself almost immediately because you were so beautiful that I couldn't help the nerves that ran through me. Then I quickly learned how intelligent and quick on your feet you were as well as kind. It was no wonder that I was already in love with you before we were even friends. And for someone that relied on his intellect for this work only to have his thoughts clouded by his feelings, well…that took some control to suppress and focus." JJ grinned.

He turned to Garcia. "Then Hotch found this amazing hacker that seemed to have more of a moral code than others, setting herself up to get caught. For as unnerved as JJ could make me, I've always found myself at home with you, Penelope, like I'd found a sister." Garcia grinned, tears falling. "Even if I don't understand half of what you're talking about most of the time – and I don't mean the tech speak."

That got a few laughs as Garcia pulled him in for a quick hug, unable to contain herself. "It was from that moment that I realized I hadn't just found a good working environment, but maybe a group of real friends. Friends that I could learn to count on when others left." He paused as the team knew he was talking about those that had lost their lives, Elle and then Gideon. He then turned to Emily. "Others came into our circle, however, each bringing a new, unique skill set to the work but also a different bond as a friend. Be it through other nerdy discussions, different languages," his eyes flickered to Rossi, "Or just tolerating someone being a fan and eventually taking them under their wing." Both Emily and Rossi smiled.

Finally, he turned to Kate and Tara. "One of the things I love the most about this group is even as we change and grow, we seem to find new people to join that don't really feel like they are new. It was just like they had been away for a while and are back, gelling well with the group and becoming a new branch of our family."

He took a deep breath. "If you had asked me eleven or twelve years ago if I thought I'd willingly leave this job, after that initial group was formed, I probably would have said no. But, I also wouldn't have believed you if you had told me that the woman most often paired with me – first in the police stations and field offices because she didn't need to be out in the field and I was better off not in the field," Hotch and Morgan both chuckled at that. JJ rolled her eyes but smiled. "And then often sent out on interviews with victims' families and friends, likely as Hotch and Gideon's way to improve my social skills, with some success…" This time Garcia giggled. "And then because we just worked well as partners in general. If you had told me that that woman would one day become my Partner in Life…I would've hoped you were right but have never dared to dream it so." He set down his glass, taking JJ's hands in his, meeting her eyes.

"Of all things I'm grateful for from this job – the lives we've saved, the unsubs we've brought to justice, the relationships forged into a family – you, Jennifer Jareau Reid, are easily Number One on the list. That we've managed to go from coworkers to Husband and Wife is something I wake up every day thankful for. As hard as it is to leave this job, I know everyone else here – and whomever joins in the future – will get the unsubs and rescue the victims without me. I know the relationships may change some, but will always be there. And I know that I will always have you, my Partner, by my side. I know that I have found someone that values me for so much more than my intellect; that loves all of me, no matter what life throws our way, just like I do with her. To have that in this life, well, that's all I could ever ask for."

There wasn't a dry face in the room as JJ pulled him in for a deep kiss. "I love you," she murmured against his lips before kissing him again.

"I love you too." They rested their foreheads against each other's, collecting themselves. After a second, they pulled back, wiping their faces off.

Hotch cleared his throat, the group looking at him as he lifted his glass. The others did the same. "To Spencer Reid. A great profiler and agent, an amazing friend, and an even better husband and father."

The group all clanked their glasses together before taking a drink. They spent a few more minutes reminiscing before he was spent, emotionally and physically. After hugging everyone, Reid slipped his arm around JJ's waist and the pair headed out the door. He looked around the bullpen one last time before pushing open the glass doors, embossed with the BAU logo.

JJ squeezed his hand as they waited on the elevator. "Ready Partner?" she asked, smiling up at him as they entered. She pushed the button for the garage.

Reid took in the sight of the office disappearing from view. He knew he'd be back here from time to time just to meet up with the team or JJ, but it would never be his office again.

He smiled at JJ and placed a quick kiss on her lips. "With you by my side, I am ready for anything, Partner."

THE END

A/N: And thus concludes Partners!

Whew, what a ride, am I right? I hope that list of images helped capture just how much time passed during this story (with some of Second Chances thrown in there). Now, as stated previously, this isn't the end of this universe, just that what comes next will be more in the format of You Are my Sunshine (one shots, possibly skipping around in time) - so no day-to-day coverage and very little, if any, case work given how I changed the make up of season 12 already. I will touch on some of this past season and beyond (because I HAVE to write Garcia and Alvez, even with the different context now), but I won't be going over everything.

Poll was tight, but ultimately it looks like the best option is one story for JJ/Reid and the rest will fall as updates under 'Family isn't always Blood.' The JJ/Reid story is still untitled as I haven't even started. I'm taking a bit of a mental and writing break from this universe. Please feel free to send prompts you'd like for either story (don't worry, the Hotch/Robin wedding will be written!) it just may be awhile before anything appears.

If I'm being completely honest, season 12 killed a little of my creative juice for CM, but I'm working on getting it back. I have an idea for an OC/Reid story as well as a new crossover story that I'm hoping to flesh out over the next few months and get out. I feel like I need to get at least one of those out of my system before I work back into this universe. With that in mind, I strongly recommend following my profile to get alerts for any posts so you know when they are up.

Thank you for all the amazing support of this story, particularly those who loyally reviewed. I appreciate you all so much.

~Ann