Rival Hearts: An Unexpected Duo!

Freen's car was like a robot, driving her without her even thinking. She was just...floating. Like a balloon that's lost its string. She ended up at the graveyard, because, honestly, where else was there to go?

She walked to her brother Ben's grave, the stone looking worn and old. "Hey, Ben," she mumbled, her voice barely a whisper. "Yeah, I know, it's been ages. I hate coming here, you know that. But I was totally lost."

She sighed, kicking at a loose pebble. "Remember Becky? That girl from the academy? The one who drove me crazy? Well, guess what? She's my partner now. Seriously, the universe has a weird sense of humor."

Her face went all serious. "She's still...Becky. Loud, messy, always doing the unexpected. And here's the crazy part, Ben. I think...I think I like her. Like, really like her. Which is totally wrong, because I'm supposed to hate her, right?"

"One minute, I want to yell at her, the next...well, let's just say I don't want to yell. And when I found out she was with someone else? I got jealous. Like, green-eyed monster jealous. I don't even know why!"

Tears started to spill down her cheeks. "It's a mess, Ben. A total, confusing mess. You always knew what to say. You always made sense. I really, really need you right now. I wish you were here to talk to me about this… I could really use you right now. Tell me what to do, please?"

A tear slipped down Freen's cheek, a silent little traitor. Ben would have known exactly what to say right now. He always did. She missed him something fierce. He'd been a cop, too, one of the best in Bangkok, really. But then... then there was that crash. A stupid, awful accident that took him away.

It was back when Freen was just starting out, still finding her feet on the force. They were in it together, learning the ropes. And then, just like that, he was gone. Devastated didn't even cover it. She'd felt like a piece of her had been ripped away.

Ever since, she'd made a promise, to herself and to Ben. She'd be the cop he'd wanted her to be. The best. She owed him that.

She kissed her fingertips, a soft, tender touch, and pressed her hand against the cool, hard stone. "I'll figure it out, Ben," she whispered. "I promise." Then, with a deep breath, she turned and walked away, the graveyard gates closing behind her like a heavy, silent sigh.

Later that night, after a couple of beers, Becky sank into her couch, the den's dim light reflecting her troubled thoughts. She needed to talk to someone, anyone. Reaching for her phone, she dialed Irin, her best friend back in Phuket. Her head was spinning, all thanks to that crazy gym encounter with Freen. And then, Freen's anger about Maria... Becky actually felt guilty.

The truth was, Freen had completely rattled her at the gym. She'd been so close to... well, she'd wanted to take Freen right there on the mat. To feel her, to hear her. Every inch of Freen's body seemed to call to her. And that near-kiss? Was Freen really going to let it happen? The thought alone made her dizzy.

Becky had pulled away at the last second, fear gripping her. Fear of that same intense feeling she'd had years ago, a feeling she wasn't ready to face again. Running to Maria had been a desperate scramble for release, a quick, convenient fix. She hadn't been thinking. It was a mistake, she knew that now.

All this confusion, this mess of feelings, was why she needed Irin. They'd been partners on the Phuket police force, until Becky needed to escape. Escape the memories, escape the constant reminder of Jane.

The phone buzzed, a low, resonant tone that filled the quiet of Becky's apartment. "Armstrong," a voice rumbled through the speaker, familiar and deep. "Surprised you picked up. We've been playing a frustrating game of phone tag for weeks." A light, playful chuckle followed, Irin's signature sound.