Two Different People

Chap 7 "Just Friends"

Kinsley's POV

Being back home in LA has made me happy, but I do miss my Five-O ohana back in Hawaii. I walked into the firehouse and Buck was the first one to give me a hug. "Hey," I stated.

"That didn't sound too happy," Buck looked at me. "Are you doing okay?"

"I don't know," I sighed. "You know, I haven't seen Eddie since I've been back."

"We can go see him together," Buck replied. "I was planning on going to see him tonight."

"Not tonight," I nodded. "I have something to do."

"What are you doing?" Buck asked. "Do you want company?"

"I'll be fine," I stated. "Tell Dad I'll see him tomorrow."

"Okay," Buck nodded. "Take care of yourself."

"I will," I replied. I walked out of the firehouse and bumped into Eddie. "Eddie."

"Kinsley, I didn't realize you were in town," Eddie stated. "How long are you here for?"

"I've been back for almost two weeks now," I replied. "After the incident involved May, I decided to come back."

"Oh," Eddie nodded. "Do you want to come over for dinner tonight?"

"I can't tonight," I looked at him. "I made these plans last week and I can't cancel. I'm sorry, but we can reschedule." I left and went home. I could smell the food coming from the kitchen. "I can see you best me home." I walked into the kitchen and smiled when I saw Steve. "Are you sure Five-O can survive a couple days without you?"

"Yeah, they got this," Steve smiled. I just nodded. "Are you okay?"

"I miss it," I replied.

"Miss what?"

"Hawaii, Five-O, the workload."

"You wanna come back?"

"You know I can't."

"There's a job waiting for you if you do. I love you, Kins. No matter what happens between us, your job is secured."

"Thanks, Steve," I smiled. "So, what are we having?"

"Shrimp scampi."

"Don't you eat enough shrimp at Kamekona's?"

"I don't think so."

"Okay," I nodded. We finished dinner while we were having our second cup of wine. We moved out conversation to the living room. "I don't want you wasting money coming out here to visit me for a couple days."

"You can always come back."

"If it's to visit, then I'll be wasting money."

"Okay, so how do you want to do this?"

"It was hard enough the past week," I looked at my glass. "Not being able to see you every day or just to FaceTime."

"Because we were always together," Steve replied. "You were by my side at almost every Five-O case."

"I just miss it all, but I need to be here. I don't know if I can do it, Steve," I let out. "I don't want us to end."

"We don't have to break up," Steve looked at me. "We can make this work."

"I never told you, but long distance isn't something that really works for me and I know it doesn't work for you too," I sighed. "I know I shouldn't bring this up, but I'm going to." I looked at him. "I know you were going to propose to Catherine. She left so you never did. You even told her you can't keep waiting for her." Steve was shocked. "Do you really think I'd get with someone without doing some research?"

"I think you're smart to," Steve sighed. "I didn't tell you about Catherine because she's no longer a part of my life."

"Because she left," I nodded. "I left too, but we both know we can't do long distance."

"Why don't you sleep on this?" Steve asked. "Especially with all this alcohol in our system, we're not thinking straight."

"Okay," I sighed. "Are you coming to bed?"

"I will soon," Steve nodded.

"Okay," I replied. "Can you do the dishes?"

"I'll clean up, don't you worry," Steve sighed. "You get to bed and get some sleep."

"I will," I nodded. "I love you."

Steve's POV

"I love you too," I replied. She disappeared into the bedroom. I cleaned and did the dishes. There was a knock on the door. I went and opened the front door. "Eddie."

"Steve," Eddie stated. "Kinsley didn't tell me you were in town."

"We both agreed to keep it quiet," I nodded. "Kinsley's asleep, but I'll let her know you stopped by."

"Thanks," Eddie replied.

"Yeah," I sighed. He walked away and I closed the door. I went to Kinsley's room and got into bed with her. The next morning, I woke up to an empty bed. "Kinsley?" I got up and walked into the living room. She was sitting there watching tv. "Hey."

"Hey," Kinsley sighed.

"I know that sigh," I pointed. "You've made up your mind."

"Yeah, I have," Kinsley nodded. "The win didn't affect me in my judgement." She looked at me and I noticed she had tear stained eyes. "Trust me. I've thought about this since I woke up. We should just be friends. We're too much alike and we're also going to be apart for most of our relationship since we live in two different places. I'm just not ready for Hawaii."

"Okay," I sighed as I grabbed my bag. "Like I said, your job is always secured."

"I know," Kinsley nodded. "That's why, maybe one day, I can move back out there." I looked at her. "But I don't expect you to wait for me."

"I thought you'd understand that," I replied. "Take care." I opened the door. "Eddie stopped by last night. I told him I'd let you know." She looked at me. "He loves you Kinsley. You should go and talk to him today." I closed the door behind me. "I'm coming home, Hawaii."

Eddie's POV

I had just gotten home from dropping Christopher off at school and sat Kinsley sitting on my front porch steps. I got out of my truck. "Kinsley," I walked up to her. "I thought you'd be at home spending time with Steve."

"He's gone," Kinsley replied. "Uhm, we broke up and he went back to Hawaii."

"So, you did end up dating him," I nodded.

"Yeah..."

"Why are you here?"

"I came to say sorry," Kinsley looked at me. "I'm not ready to jump into another relationship because I did love Steve, and still do." She sighed. "But I wanted to ask if we can start over?"

"As friends," I replied. She was a little taken back by my response. "We are two different people, Kinsley. We tried and that didn't work out." She nodded. "I also have Christopher to think about and I can't bring someone into his life who is going to leave."

"Eddie —"

"You have to understand that. Christopher was happy you were around," I sighed. "I'm sorry, Kinsley, but us being friends for now will be fine." She nodded in agreement. "But I love you."

A/N: that's the end. Hope you guys enjoy. New stories soon! Happy Reading! Xoxo ~Alexis