What is Love? - 1. Chapter 1

"Kasey, What's up? Long time no speak." I said struggling to hold my cell phone with my shoulder. I started walking to my car from my afternoon appointment.

"Well, well if it isn't my best friend and fellow birthday boy. What are your plans for tonight?"

"Oh you know, just the usual, a quiet night at the house. I've got a proof of concept project due in a few weeks and I need to hammer down a few details when it comes to the programming. This new client is demanding a lot of features."

"Where is the fun in that? If the proof isn't due for a few more weeks, and you’ve just started, surely you can find the time to spend with your awesome, and most favorite lifelong friend." He asked.

"Oh, when is your sister coming to visit me?"

"Not funny, smartass! I was referring to me."

"Holy shit...!" I exclaimed. "When did you get in town? Last I heard from your mom, she told me you had been giving some serious thought to taking an offer from the CIA and leaving us all for a few years."

"I’ve had to deal with some real heavy stuff lately, so a doctor pulled me out on medical leave and thought if you could stomach it, I'd crash with you for a little while. I only just landed at the airport less than an hour ago."

Well shit, for the first time in memory my best friend almost sounded like he was pleading to come stay with me. Kenneth Clarkson, my big tough FBI agent best friend sounded like he needed me. I thought about it for only a few seconds then replied.

"Of course you can stay with me at the house. I'll apologize now for it being a mess but you know one of the spare bedrooms is always available for ya." I replied. By now I had reached my car and climbed in. "When should I expect you?"

"Well, I hopped in a taxi as soon as I landed and grabbed my bags. I gave the driver your address, so I should be there in another 10 minutes." He said sounding relieved.

"Shit, had I know that you were coming I would have left the office earlier, I just got in my car, I won't be home for another 20 minutes myself."

"It's cool, I don't mind waiting. It will probably cost a little extra to have the driver wait for you to show."

"Well if you remember the code I set for you, you can let yourself into the house. If you forgot just let yourself into the backyard and chill out on the patio furniture. I'm on my way home now."

"Sweet, see you soon man!" He said.

With that I hung up my cell phone and took a few seconds to gather my thoughts. I was going to see my closest friend for the first time in 9 years. I started my car and made for the highway. I couldn't wait to see him! He'd been my best friend for my whole life. Hell our mother’s were best friends and actually had us on the same day. We'd done everything together right up until we turned 21. Then he suddenly decided to drop out of school and start working in Law Enforcement. I stayed in school to finish the Digital Forensics degree we had both been working towards. When he told me, it was a like my whole world shattered, but I supported him 110%.

I made it to the house in just over 25 minutes thanks to some idiot drivers on the highway. I pulled into the garage and climbed out of my Tiguan. I hit the button to close the garage door and stepped into the house. "Ken?" I called out as I stepped into the laundry room. "Are you inside?" Not hearing any reply I walked thru the kitchen to the mudroom which had a door leading to the backyard. I opened and stepped out onto the deck. "Kasey?" I looked around but didn't see anyone. I shrugged my shoulders, thinking that somehow I must have beat him getting home. I started walking back to the door when I felt 2 massive arms close around me and lift me up.

"Boo!" he cried.. I screamed in response.

"Jesus Fucking Christ on a cracker Kasey! What are you trying to do kill me? Come on put me down!" I demanded.

He started to laugh at me but complied and set me back on my feet. I turned around to look at my oldest friend standing in front of me. I was relieved to see that nothing had changed too much in 9 years. Ken grew a couple more inches and topped out just over 6' tall. He had let his dark blonde hair grow a little longer than he had kept it in college. I would have to guess that he had to shave every day now based off the stubble that lined his jawline. His blue eyes still screamed troublemaker. The one big change in him though was how much he had bulked up. Instead of the lean muscled surfer boy I had grown up with was a well muscled man who just looked intimidating. I immediately hugged him which was returned with gusto.

"It's so good to see you Kase. I've missed you!"

"It's damn good to see you too Lexi."

After a few moments we broke the hug and backed away from each other a little bit.

"So how long were you looking to stay with me while you're on leave?" I asked.

"I was hoping you wouldn't be opposed to me spending all of my time here." He replied bashfully. "Well not counting some day trips to see the family. No one else really knows I'm home yet. I wanted to take a few days to get my head on straight first before I surprise everyone."

"Of course you can stay here. You know I'd never turn away my best friend. By the looks of you, I’m going to need to make another trip to the store tomorrow. Of course you realize that our families are going to kill me if they find out I've been harboring you here without telling them.” I grinned at him. “Then again I've gotten into trouble from all of them for less. Come to think of it that typically was thanks to you as well." I chuckled.

Ken broke out with a big smirk on his face. "Yeah, that sounds about right. So are you going to show me around this place or what?"