Arizona (Hawaii Five-0 / Criminal Minds/ FBI International Fanfic)

Chapter 14 (Edited-Longer Chapter)

Agent David Rossi's Residence, Quantico Virginia

Prentiss made her way downstairs so Arizona could take a shower and get dressed. The dark-haired woman made her way downstairs and towards the kitchen where she could hear talking as she entered the room. Arizona noticed Uncle Dave was sitting at the kitchen table across from Hotch and the rest of the BAU agents including a dark-haired man she wasn't familiar with. 

"Morning," Arizona said with a smile as she made her into the room only to be engulfed in a hug by Garcia, Reid, Morgan, and JJ. "If you ever run off like that again I will have to kick your butt, you hear me?" Garcia said more then asked her as she let go of the hug. Arizona nodded, "sorry about running off the way I did. I honestly didn't mean to worry any of you," she replied sincerely and honestly. 

"You could've just called or sent us a message letting us know you weren't dead in a ditch somewhere," Reid said crossing his arms. "I know, and again I'm really sorry. If I decide I need time and space I'll remember to send you postcards," Arizona replied sarcastically as she went into the kitchen to brew coffee. 

The room fell silent for a moment as Arizona got a clean mug from the cabinet. "I heard you're not planning to come back to the BAU," Her uncle Dave asked when she brought her coffee over to the table where everyone was sitting. His words caused Arizona to look at Emily, "Not anytime soon, no. Plus by the looks of things Alvez has been holding things down for me while I've been gone," Arizona replied. "That's completely your right to decide, but may I ask why?" Hotch asked her. "I just don't believe now is the right time for me to come back to the BAU," Arizona replied as she continued to drink her coffee. 

"Ari, are you sure about this? Why don't you take some time to think this over? It's a big decision," Uncle Dave said surprised to hear Arizona wasn't planning to return to the BAU. "Look its been 4 months since I left, and I'm still trying to figure things out. Not to mention the Ferrel case still gets to me more than I care to admit," Arizona replied honestly. The agents fell quiet, "It took me almost a month to eat meat again, 2 months for me to eat other people's cooking and I still can't look at or smell chili without throwing up," she added. 

The agents tried to hide the sadness on their features, "Ari, you know the bureau offers support for agents- I don't need a therapist, I need a break. I can only give and do so much before there's nothing left," Arizona replied. "I can keep you on extended leave while you figure this out," Hotch offered. "I appreciate that, but I think for now it's just better to take a step down from the job. Not forever just for a while," Arizona replied. "Are you planning to stay with the bureau?" Uncle Dave asked. Arizona nodded, "Thinking of going back to the Fly Team?" Prentiss asked. "It's not out of the cards but I don't think they're hiring right now. Which is fine, because like I said I need some time to sort some things out," Arizona replied. 

The room fell quiet again and Arizona's attention fell on the unfamiliar face. "I'm Arizona McGarrett, You must be Agent Alvez," Arizona said holding her hand out to the agent who sent her a look before he shook her hand. "It's nice to finally meet you, I've heard great things about you from everyone," Alvez replied. "Though, you're not quite what I expected," he replied. "What were you expecting?" Prentiss asked him. "I don't know..." Alvez replied, "I brought over some Banana bread, I made it fresh yesterday," Garcia said standing up and walking over to the counter. 

Arizona stood up from the table and made her way over to the plate of fresh banana bread sitting on the counter and took a slice. "If you're not planning to come back to the BAU, what are you gonna do?" JJ asked her. "Well for starters I'm looking into flights for the end of the week," Arizona said causing everyone to pause and stare at her. "But, you just came home," Garcia said trying to hide the sadness in her voice. "Where are you heading?" Uncle Dave asked her. "I should go visit Steve for a bit," Arizona replied earning a nod from her uncle. "Are you planning on coming home after?" he asked causing Arizona to pause. "I've kinda thought of heading back to Europe, stick around there for a while," Arizona replied as she took a bite of the banana bread. "Europe?" Garcia asked surprised as Arizona nodded.