I know I promised that I'm going to update firstly Unexpected guests, but well...I again focused more at Home truths and wrote another chapter...But the good news I'm in the half of new chapter of Unexpected guests, so another update from my side should be from that story :)
This chapter is more focused about John Paul's, Darren's and Craig's thoughts about the new inspector joined the department (read, Spike ;P) and well...I know you probably would kill me for the last parts...*she's hiding under the desk* but I have to wrote it, so sorry but you have to handle it...:(
The good news is that since Spike became a legal member of Craig's team, they can finally start the proper work on the case...so expect more details and connections in next chapters ;) In the end I said it's a crime story, didn't I? ;)
And sorry for not too much Craig's and John Paul's scene.
I hope you would like this chapter cause I'm re-reading it from few days and still correcting...I gave up yesterday and decided I would update it today...This chapter is the longest I've ever wrote...so don't complain that is very short ;P
Okay, I'm going to shut up now. Just enjoy and give a me a sign if you like it or not :) Maybe you have some suggestions? ;)
Paula Xx
John Paul appeared on the station as the last from homicide department, already in very bad mood, knowing Craig is going to say him what he thinks about his punctualities and adds a few sarcastic remarks about him just for the good start of the day. He almost saw him in front of his eyes, standing in the door of his office with this bloody smirk on the face, wondering how to ruin his day with two perfectly chosen words.
He can thinks what's he want, but he didn't do it special. If Michaela hasn't poured a milk on his trousers and his mum instead of yelling at his the youngest sister, will take a look at what she has been throwing to the wash machine, he will be on time and didn't have to make a fool of himself when he asked Niall if he can borrow him his jeans. He had a really good laugh of him and mocking him for the all way to his car, calling him; baby brother. He couldn't embarrassed him more in front of whole neighbourhood. He still seeing Sonny's cheeky smile and hearing stupid remarks from Mercedes who suddenly appeared in McQueen's household after another row with Malachy, with a false smile and words how much she missed them...John Paul praying to God to end his suffer and...and decided to phone to Russ to say him he wants his flat back for two days; clean and renewed.
He was thinking about some good excuse for this bloody bastard, when someone crashed with him, almost pushing him on the floor. He felt a hand keeping firmly his arm, when the stranger helped him to steady himself.
'Sorry mate, but I didn't notice you.' The man said with apologize smile, his hazel eyes roaming around his body. 'Are you okay?'
'Yea, I'm fine.' John Paul mumbled in response and moved a little from the man as he still feeling the grip on the arm. 'Really, it's okay.' He added louder this time and with curious glanced at him. The man was almost the same taller as him, slim, with a nice tanned body and charming smile. He couldn't has more than twenty-five years, John Paul thought, observing his young face with a funny spiky hair...He looked nice and definitely was good looking.
'Sometimes I'm so clumsy.' John Paul smiled slightly as the man flashing another charming smile to him.
'It's okay mate. Everybody has bad days.' He shrugged and blushed slightly as he realized that strange man was still eyeing him up, making him feel uncomfortable. 'I don't want to be rude, but interesantes should wait for an officer on duty, on the first floor. No one can walk to homicide department without licence.'
'Like this?' The man asked with an innocent smile as he waved the small plastic card. John Paul looked at him taken-aback, didn't think he's one of them...He wasn't looking like a copper. He has to had a really stupid mine now, cause the man chuckled amused. 'I know I don't look like a coppers working here, but I'm afraid I'm one of them.'
'I didn't notice you earlier.' John Paul said with growing interest. Could he be...?
'Cause I'm a new one.' He chuckled again. 'Probably you heard about new inspector joining your small family, didn't you?'
'And who didn't hear? You're a legend here.' John Paul said with a small smile, looking closer at man. So it's you then...Craig's ex partner...Or maybe someone more than only partner?
'Legend, you saying?' He grinned widely, before he burst in laugh. 'I've never thought about myself like that. It was Bridget idea, wasn't it?'
'You have to ask her.' John Paul replied and looked around. 'You have a chance to do it now. She's standing over there.' He pointed at Bridget standing in the middle of the common room as she was trying to signalized something to people crowding around Charlie's desk.
'Yea, I'll ask her.' The man said with a gently smile. 'By the way, I'm Spike.' He stretched out his hand toward him.
'John Paul.' He shook it.
'Ah, so it's you, Craig's new partner.' Spike flashed his teeth in abroad smile. 'Well, good luck mate. Not too much people had so much strange to handle him.' He winked.
'Yea, thanks for advice.' John Paul said moodily with hate looking at Craig's office.
'It was nice to meet you, John Paul. See you later then.'
'Yea, see ya.' The younger man mumbled and stayed on the place as he was watching Spike's back before moment later all department suddenly running toward the man with a loud; Welcome in home, you old bastard! Bridget arms around his body.
John Paul felt a little jealous. When he joined the homicide there were only Bridget and Charlie whose welcomed him with friendly smiles and good words, when the rest of the department welcomed him with a suspicious glances and silence, quickly passing on the agenda. But Spike...he was threatening by them almost as a hero who came back from the war, wanting him to show them medals and scars which he got after his long military service. He was patting on the back, some hands ruffling his hair when others hugging him incessantly spraying him with hundred questions. John Paul wished one day he would be able to earn such respect as Spike, to feel like one of the member of small family which the all homicide creating.
But in this all chaos there was still missing a one, probably the most important for him, person and John Paul knew Spike has to noticed that too, seeing his disappointed look toward the closed door. There was no sign of Craig.
'Oy, John Paul, give me a hand will ya?' He glanced above the arm at inspector Hill holding in arms three heavy boxes full of documents.
'What the hell is that?' John Paul asked as he took from him two boxes. 'They moved you to new place?'
'Nah, it's your case mate.' He grinned. 'Craig Dean ordered to check all people with criminal records connecting with your dead witnesses.'
'You bloody joking, right?' John Paul growled. 'I won't finish it till next year.'
'Well, you always can ask Spike and Darren for help.' Inspector suggested with a smirk. 'Of course when the welcome party will over.'
'I guess it won't happen too quickly.' He mumbled, rolling his eyes.
'You're coming with us, aren't you?'
'Yes. I need a little entertainment.' He said with slanting smile as his eyes moved toward boxes.
'Good to hear that, mate.' The man grinned and pointed at common room. 'It looks like Spike disappeared somewhere, so we can carry the boxes to our desks, till you're still with us.'
'Shut up, Fred.'
'You should be grateful me and Spike. You aren't going to see Craig for all day.'
'You think he's going to stay in his office to the night?' John Paul frowned his eyebrows.
'Who knows him. It's Craig, he can do everything. And seeing his jack-o-lantern smile today he'll stay in his, if you catch my drift?' He gave him knowingly look and pushed him forward. 'Come on, I barely feeling my hands.'
* * *
'Are you free now?' Bridget popped her head into Darren's office and shot him sweetly smile as he looked at her above his documents.
'It depends from what you want.' He replied amused and pushed himself with his chair from the desk.
'Wanna introduce you your new partner.' She said with a slight smile.
'Let him come in then.' Bridget flashed her teeth toward him before she disappeared behind the door, letting the other man come in. Darren stood up and improved his shirt before with a slight smile he stretched out his hand toward the eyeing him up young man with a charming smile. 'Since what Bridget and Craig said you have to be Spike.'
'In the flesh.' Spike winked to him and squeezed his hand. 'If I knew Craig has such handsome stepbrother I would visited him in his hometown more often.' Darren lifted his eyebrow surprised. Was he flirting with him? Nah, it couldn't be that.
'We didn't leave together.' The older man said shortly, giving him a sign he wasn't going to talk with him about his personal life.
'Shame.' Darren frowned his eyebrows, wondering in what game was he playing with him.
'I'm Darren, but probably you already know it.'
'Yes, I know.' Spike confirmed his assumption. 'Craig said you can give me some files about the case.'
'I have them somewhere.' He scratched his head and looked at metal cabinets. 'Can you wait a moment?'
'Sure. I don't have nothing to do.' Spike shrugged and start pacing around the office with an interest observing photographs standing on the desk and nearest shelf. Although he didn't appreciate Spike's sniffing around his private things, he said nothing, using the opportunity to look closer at his new odd partner.
The all coppers on the station were wearing uniforms or smart, clean clothes but this individual...This individual calling Spike was wearing some old black t-shirt with a white letters saying; I am play boy, making Darren to smirk, hidden under opened up navy blue shirt with a rolled up sleeves to the elbows. On the legs he had dark blue jeans with rolled up trouser-legs, so everybody could notice a pair of dark, muddy sneakers with funny, bright green laces. Clearly very individual person.
'I have them here.' Darren said as he removed from the bottom drawer files and handed them his partner.
'Thanks mate.' Spike winked to him.
'It's nothing to thank about. You would regret that you take this case very quickly.' Darren said with a slight smile and sat in his chair. 'Take a seat, Spike. Sorry but they still don't bring your desk here, so I can offer you only this.'
'That's okay. I'm not going to work too much today.' He confessed with sheepishly smile.
'Oh? What did you do to my stepbrother, that he gave you a free day? You beat him down or what?' He asked amused.
'Used my charm.' Spike replied with cheeky smile and looked down at documents. 'I guess you have a really busy day seeing in what mood is Craig today, so I give you some space and peace.'
'If you aren't busy tomorrow we can start the job properly and visit a few places. Like Luis Brain's shop.' Darren suggested. 'What do you think about it?'
'Sounds like a good plan.' Spike agreed with a small smile. 'See you later then. Have a nice day, Darren.'
'Yea, I'm going to have.' Darren sighed heavily as he looked in despair at growing mountain of paper. 'I'm feeling like I was working in Accounting office.' He grumbled.
'Well, you can't blame Craig. He always likes math.' Darren shot him a dead glare, which effectively silenced him. 'Fine, I'm going.'
'If you want.' Darren mumbled and smiled slightly as funny man walked back from the office. Nice, but strange guy.
* * *
It was very unusual thing for everybody who were working with Craig Dean for the last few years, to find out that the door of his office was already closed, even if it wasn't even seven o'clock. Charlie moved the door handle for few times, making sure they weren't blind and Craig really wasn't still sitting behind his desk.
'Bloody hell, he really left his office today.' Charlie said surprised, making the others giggle. 'Oy, it's very unusual thing, right!? He always left the station as the last.'
'Probably was just hungry and go to buy something to eat.' John Paul suggested, didn't pay too much attention to their revelation. 'It's not a big deal.' He shrugged and whispered something to ginger woman standing next to him in very short red dress.
'If you work with him for such long time as we, it'll.' Bridget said as she entered the common room, holding in hands three coats. 'You saw Darren? I have his coat.' She asked and handed the one cloth to Charlie.
'In bathroom.' John Paul replied and sat on the desk. 'We're going out now?' He asked surprise. 'Usually parties starting on late nights.'
'Well, it's night isn't it?' The ginger woman better knowing as a Megan said with a grin.
'Yea it is, but even kids don't sleep yet.' John Paul noticed amused. 'I think it's too early to go out.'
'Why not? We don't have nothing more to do.' Bridget said and showed Charlie to go away from Craig's office door. 'We already know he's not there.' She said a little irate and looked around. 'There is a chance we can get Spike with yourself?'
'I saw him coming to bathroom five minutes ago. Wanted to ask Darren about something in files.' John Paul said and moment later looked lost at both friends exchanging looks with mysterious smirks.
'I guess it may take him more than five minutes.' Charlie said amused before Bridget spanked him around on the head.
'Don't be stupid. You definitely spending too much time with Craig.' She barked at him and threw Darren's coat on the chair. 'Is Fred coming with us too?'
'Don't know.' Charlie shrugged, his eyes with interest followed Spike coming back from bathroom with wolfish smile. 'Fine, you have your loss.' He grinned as Spike approached John Paul's back and suddenly ruffled his hair, almost causing a heart attack at him. The youngest man jumped terrified on the desk and sent Spike cold look, before he burst in laugh as others when older man flashed him his charming smile, the one which you can't resist.
'Your hair is shining in these lamps as a gold, mate. And this eyes...How such beautiful cherub as you find himself in such unfriendly environment with a big, evil dragon as a partner?' Spike asked him with a childish voice, as he leaned toward him so they won't be hear by others. Bridget of course already sent him a warning look, but older man ignored her with premeditation.
'Just want to be someone more than cherub.' John Paul replied and looked into Spike's eyes. 'What about you?'
'Well, I've never heard about myself more than old bastard, so I'm really flattered.' Spike smiled cheekily and bit down his low lip playfully.
'They should add to the list arrogant.' John Paul said amused and shifted a little to have a better look at the man. As more he was watching him and listening, the more understood what Craig sees in him.
'And what about good-looking?'
'About that you have to ask Craig, am I right?' John Paul asked him with knowingly look, wanting to know if the rumours about them were true and they were lovers in past, or they were just Charlie's stupid jokes. 'I guess you had to be a very good mates years ago.' Spike smiled slightly didn't expect such words from him, and with surprise watching satisfaction smile playing on his lips. Like he already knew the answer. It's going to be a really hard to fool you, am I right?
'Smart boy.' Spike purred to his ear, and suddenly as he has showed up, disappeared in one of many corridors, before the younger man could answer him and notice in which direction he went. John Paul shook his head amused, wondering if the man was some kind of wizard, and straightened up his back as someone's steps rang out from the corridor. He sighed in despair as the mysterious person turned out to be the only one Craig Dean with a gloomy face and eyes trying to kill everybody who dare to speak up to him. Unfortunately for sergeant, his eyes stopped on him.
'Do you feel comfortable there?' John Paul had a very strange feeling he didn't ask, because he was concern about him, and venomous in his voice only confirmed his presumes. He reluctantly stood up as he caught his cold look and crossed his arms against the chest. 'You still here?' Craig asked annoyed.
'Still working here, so it shouldn't surprise you.' John Paul replied coldly. 'You always can lock yourself in your office if you don't want to see me.' He fired up, although he knew how much his reply may cost him today.
'Craig, are you going with us to the pub?' Bridget chimed out as she noticed a tension between two men. John Paul sent her a small smile, thanking God that he has Bridget here. Without her motherly instinct and willingness to fix the whole world, especially Craig, he won't stay here even one day. She was the only one who supporting him all the time and defend him against Craig. If he wasn't gay, he surely will marry her.
'Have different plans.' Craig replied drily, didn't take his eyes from John Paul's ones. John Paul felt as goose bumps running down his spine, Craig's stare was so intensively and full of emotions. His legs almost bounded over him, and he didn't understand why...Why he always had on him such impact?
'A little entertainment won't kill you.' Charlie tried again, but Craig's stare effectively silenced him. John Paul thanked God he turned around, otherwise he may fall down on the floor. What's wrong with me?
'Shouldn't you working, now? I thought I gave you enough work to do to stop you in the office till midnight.' Craig addressed his words to John Paul. 'Looks like I have a very good heart today...But don't count on this tomorrow.' He added cruelly. 'If you have some business to do for next two days, better do it tonight.'
'It's a treat?' John Paul asked him coldly, trying to calm himself although everything in him was shaking with anger and sorrow. What I did to him, that he hates me so much?
'I prefer word, promise.'
'Craig...'
'I'm not talking with you Bridget.' Craig said sharply and focused his all attention at his partner. 'And if I find out you ask Spike for help tomorrow, you already can packing your things. Trust me, his help won't help you to get away from your very pathetic situation, but it only piss me off very much. So better remember my words, if you want to stay here for a little longer, lad.' He said through the teeth.
'Now I know why nobody could handle you.' John Paul said quietly, feeling tears gathering in his eyes. 'Only stone-hearted creature like you, would work with somebody like you.' Craig lifted his right hand with a view to tighten it around John Paul's neck, but Spike's suddenly arrive ruined his plan.
'Well, well, well. The old dragon left his cave and join the crowd.' Spike announced loudly with a cheeky smile, effectively irate his ex-partner.
'You already have everything with you?' Craig asked him drily, leaving the youngest man alone.
'It depends what you have in mind.' Spike replied with innocent look and wrapped his arms around Bridget and Charlie.
'Did you wear something more and have to take it with yourself, or we can just go?' Craig explained, shooting him a dead glare.
'Nah, it's everything what I have with myself.'
'Wait a moment. Are you two going out now?' Bridget asked surprised. 'There's a party for Spike tonight.' She recalled Craig with sharply voice, didn't hide irate. 'He's suppose to be there for few minutes.'
'He'll join you later. No one would miss Megan's dance on the table.' Craig rolled his eyes and nodded toward the door. 'Come on Spike, I don't have all night for this.'
'But it's his party!' Charlie whined, but Craig didn't listen him. He was in his half way, when Charlie decided to change the tactic. 'You can tell once again everybody how you taught Spike a few things under the shower. No one is able to embarrassed this old bastard so much as you.'
'What?' Spike asked shocked, with wide grin observing his ex-partner whose cheeks took on the colour of beetroot now. 'Don't tell me you told them...'
'I have a meeting for one hour so move your fucking ass before I'll kick you on it!' Craig yelled to him and stormed out from the common room, leaving his colleagues in a daze.
'Okay, what's going on?' Bridget asked Spike with suspicious glance, but the man only gave her a peck on the cheek and quickly followed the lower man before he lost a sight of him. 'Do you have also this strange feeling that they hiding something important about this teaching part?'
'They behaved very strange, but...' Megan started unsurely, searching for a support in men.
'I don't care about it now, Bridget. The only thing I want now, it's a pint.' Charlie sighed heavily and patted John Paul on the back. 'All right, mate?'
'Yea. Go for Darren and let's get out of here. I don't want to have an occasion to meet Craig again today.' Bridget sent him a warm smile and wrapped her arm around his waist as she pulled him out from the desk, toward main corridor.
* * *
'You could warn me you asked me for a date.' Spike said amused as the waitress poured a wine to their glasses and lit up the candles on the table.
'If you prefer to talk about the case in some ordinary pub, drowning in litres of ketchup and chips, you could tell me.' Craig almost barked at him, didn't see nothing funny in his comment. He opened the menu and start reading it, completely ignoring the other man, knowing it would irate him soon or later.
'Okay, take it easy. I only joked, okay?' Spike lifted his hands in self-defence. 'But you really had to warn me. I should wore something more elegant, you know?' He said as he pointed at his clothes.
'If you kept to the rules, I wouldn't have to warn you about such obvious thing.' Craig said drily, hardly keeping himself to stay calm. 'I don't know in what clothes they're working in Ibiza, but here you need to wear a clean shirt, formal trousers and shoes which doesn't look like you were digging a hole with them. '
'I'm not a businessman.' Spike said outraged.
'But you have to look like one of them.' Craig said sharply. 'What do you want to eat?' He asked as he threw the menu on the table, already losing the appetite.
'The same as you.' Spike shrugged without interest, didn't bother to even look at menu. 'Are we going to argue all supper?' He asked him with a sigh, didn't has a strength to keep this ridiculous conversation going on. But Craig didn't answer, only persistently stared at the table, his hands smoothing the cloth on it, head didn't budge even for millimetre. Spike based the chin on his right hand and sighed tiredly as he looked through the huge, glassy window straight at the centre of town, from this height looking now like some miniature city. As the more watching the familiar buildings and streets, the more he understood how much he missed his home-town; those little shops on the corners of streets where he has always buying something to eat when he has again has observing a suspect for all night, dark alleys in which he has spent the most of his adult's life, searching for evidences, talking with informants or just throwing up after another drink-night in club.
The air was saturated with a smell of his childhood; sweet and sickening savour of his favourite candies which he always getting from his grandma, smell of freshly cut grass and soil- reminiscent of the hundreds of football matches played with mates, delicately scent of roses every time his mum's tilted above him to kiss him on the forehead before he slept, insipid and metallic taste of blood after another fight or fell down from the tree, and bitter taste of tears as he has understood he was alone in the world, when his eyes wandering around his mum's wooden coffin covered with white lilies.
There were so many memories hiding in dark alleys, so many secrets not telling loud to protect himself from ridicule, so many tears and dreams significant roads and pavements after which he walked on countless times...
Town of his past...His long-lost home.
'You could just pretending you're listening me.' Craig's annoyed voice draw him back on the earth, wakening up from memories.
'Sorry, it's not my day, I guess.' Spike said quietly, didn't take his eyes from the window.
'Are you okay?' He winced a little as he noticed a concern in Craig's voice. He glanced briefly at his ex-partner, feeling at himself his intensively stare.
'Yea, I'm okay.' He lied and frowned his eyebrows like he just sensed the intrigue hiding behind the other man's solicitude. 'Why are you bother about it?' He asked sharply.
'You look sad.' Craig replied and rubbed the back of his neck confused as he thought what he just said. He should stop carrying about him, he promised himself he will. But now...one look at his full of sorrow face and his all promises had no meaning.
'You're still worrying about me?' Spike gave him a small, sad smile before his eyes moved back to the window.
'No. Just want to talk about the case, if you forget that's the reason why I took you here.' Craig replied, his fingers nervously patted on the table. No, he couldn't let himself to show him heart. Emotions were for weakers.
'Fine, but firstly can we change the table, Craig? Is very hot here, I barely can stand the heat.' Spike asked him, giving pleading look.
'No, we can't. It's the best table on whole restaurant with a fantastic view at the town. I've always eating here.' The familiar coldness returned to his voice, making the other man shiver. Why you always has to fight with me? Why at once you can't listen about my feelings and do something for other person? I would die for you, but I don't think you would even care if I do it. Spike shook his head tiredly as Craig rolled up sleeves from his shirt, making a point he wasn't going to move anywhere.
'You didn't even once looked at the window.' He noticed irate. 'There is a radiator, Craig. It's too hot here to sit.'
'We're staying here.' Craig said firmly, deaf for his request. 'If there is so hot for you, take off your shirt.'
'I have a t-shirt underwear. I can't sitting in such exclusive restaurant only in old t-shirt.'
'You already looking like a tramp, Spike, so it won't change anything.' The other man gave him knowingly look and smirked slightly.
'Thanks, Craig. You've always been very charming person.' Spike shot him a dead glare. 'Change the table.'
'Just take off the shirt. Now!' If they didn't catch nobody attention earlier, then now surely they reached it. Spike with satisfaction noticed how Craig's ears became red as he apologizing everybody for his outburst, and pushed himself from the table to removed a shirt as Craig has ordered him. He hanged it on his chair and sat back, feeling at himself his ex-partner's research stare, knowing there was no chance he would miss the letters on his t-shirt. Seeing irate look on his face, he didn't enjoy his little presence and hardly refrain himself from loudly express his opinion. Instead of this he licked lips and observing Spike with a slanting smile, which didn't bode nothing good.
'You're manifesting with this shirt your needing and desires, or you just changed the job?' Another dagger straight into his heart, another stupid smirk on his evil face.
'Why? You wanna join the game?' Spike asked in a low, seductive tone, rubbing out the smirk from his confident face.
'For now we have a three suspects who has motives to killed Michael Luthie.' Craig threw the files toward the man, who stared at him with triumphal grin. 'Wanna share your opinion about them with me?'
'They have records on the station?' Spike asked and looked at the first page with growing interest.
* * *
It was his second pint when DCC Megan Foster climbed on the one of tables and started her famous dance, getting from women indulgent looks and giggles, and for men loudly appreciate shouts and whistles. John Paul shook his head amused and hid in dark corner of room, where the music wasn't so noisy and he wasn't the only sober person in all department. He nodded toward some old inspector whose name he still couldn't remember, and moved toward Bridget, writing a message to someone on her mobile phone.
'What's up Bridget?' He asked her in cheerful tone seeing her unsatisfied mine.
'Spike should be here long time ago.' Bridget said irate. 'I tried to call him, but he switched off his mobile phone. Bastard.'
'Don't you think he may be busy now.' John Paul suggested gently, sipping slowly his pint.
'Don't think so.' She mumbled and threw the phone to her handbag. 'He's probably on his way...At least I hope so.' She sighed and took a sip of her yellow-green cocktail.
'Maybe he just forget about the party and go back to home. Spending with Craig so much time alone, had damaged his brain.' He chuckled and playfully snapped Bridget's straw.
'I know Craig behaving like a real bastard toward you, but normally he's a good guy. With a big heart.' She said with soft smile and covered her glass before the man could snap a straw again.
'It's hard to believe in this.' John Paul snorted.
'If you know him better, you would love him. Trust me.'
'I don't think I would fall in love in such evil bastard.' John Paul snorted, thanking God they were sitting in completely darkness and she couldn't notice his reddened cheeks. Even so stupid insinuation was not in place.
'Well, I didn't have that kind of love in mind.' She said embarrassed, feeling tension in young man's body. 'Sorry. Probably I drank too much tonight and saying stupid things.'
'Yea, you did.' John Paul agreed quietly, nervously moving on his chair.
'You aren't going to dance?' The both almost shouted when Darren's hands appeared on their arms and they saw his grinning face above the heads.
'I'm not dancing.' John Paul replied and moved from his hand while Bridget gave him a nudge on the ribs.
'If it's your way to ask lady for dance, you blow it.' The woman said with unfavourable look and handed him her glass. 'But you can repair your mistake, buying me a drink.' She suggested, her face broke into sweetly smile.
'I bought you one, few minutes ago.' Darren recalled.
'It's not my fault you doing mistakes so often.' John Paul chuckled and patted Darren on the back.
'Well mate, there's no excuses I'm afraid. You have to pay now.' Darren mumbled something under the breath and, to Bridget's joy, removed the wallet from the back pocket of his jeans.
'If I again fell into idea to come to her, slap me.' The older man whispered to laughing John Paul. 'Spike doesn't come yet?' He asked louder, looking around.
'No.' Bridget replied, her good mood suddenly disappeared.
'Maybe he forgot.' He suggested.
'It surely didn't help to improve her mood, only worsen it.' John Paul whispered to him and hid behind his glass.
'It's Craig's fault. As he couldn't talk with him tomorrow. He knew we're preparing a party for Spike, but he didn't say a word to us, they're not going to come!' She yelled irate, waving her hands furiously.
'Maybe he didn't plan it.' Darren said, but quickly understood it was stupid thought. 'Right, Craig always planning every minutes of his boring life.' He rolled his eyes and patted John Paul shoulder, before with shaky steps he walked out toward counter.
'I'll try to phone to him once again.' Bridget sighed heavily and covered the left ear with hand as with hope she was waiting to hear something more than long signal.
* * *
'Ed Brook. Dealer and tiny thief.' Spike said tiredly and laid down the paper. Craig jerked his head from Suzanne Bones files and frowned his eyebrows while he fixed his eyes at other man.
'From what you know this?'
'Few years ago I had an occasion to meet him.' Spike replied with a slight smile, looking straight into Craig's eyes. 'Michael Luthie took drugs, Peter Sullivan, the one who hanged himself in the garden was taking too...what about others? Maybe it's one of the thing which is connecting them.'
'Bunch got three years in suspension for drug's possession. And Brain...he was a gold man, didn't look like someone who would taking those shit.' Craig said firmly and glanced briefly at Ed Brook's photograph. 'He looks healthy.'
'Well, I don't say he wasn't a golden man, but some things you won't sharing with your lovely wife.' Spike said, giving him knowingly look.' Things which been safe between friends.' Craig licked his lips, thinking about man's words.
'Okay, suppose the all band buying drugs from the same dealer, Michael Luthie's dealer.'
'Ed Brook.'
'And what's more? I don't think the dealer want to kill them cause they...oh, I don't know, let say, they don't paid for drugs...Ed Brook doesn't look like a murder, and motives, well it makes me laugh.' Craig snorted and scratched his head.
'What if the dealer knows their murder?' Spike suggested and stolen from Craig's plate bite of his supper.
'Before we'll get him and make him talk, it'll be already a New Year, Spike. It's only waste of our time.' Craig stated. 'Some new ideas?'
'You said Peter Sullivan was accused of causing a fatal accident under the influence of drugs.'
'Yes, but that was many years ago and he was purified from the allegations, because there was no witnesses and evidences he was driving a car.' Craig read from the acts. 'The case was closed.'
'Maybe not for everybody.' Spike said quietly.
'Laura...Hunt.' He read again. 'But there's nothing about her family...You really think Ed Brook would know something?' Craig glanced at him. 'I'm not sure if he would remember them. It was like ten, twelve years ago?'
'Someone so popular like them won't left his memory so quickly.' Spike said firmly with a small smile. Craig chuckled slightly, amused. 'Why are you laughing? Did I say something funny?'
'We were searching for some connections from few days and you just look at the files and after one hour you found it.' Craig shook his head.
'I just help you to sort it out, that's all. You saw it before I did.' Spike shrugged with a grin. 'But still we have nothing and we can't forget about other suspects.' He handed Craig Suzanne's Bones acts. 'What you think about her? For almost one year was travelling with the band.'
'Cause she was Michael Luthie's lover.'
'Well, she could be a lover not only his...' Spike gave him knowingly look.
'If we are looking at this like that, we'll have to check his all lovers. It would take another half year.' Craig said irate. 'She didn't has motives...'
'And what about this last guy? Mayfair, right? The one who survives.'
'What about him?' Craig lifted his eyebrow questioningly.
'Don't you think it's a little strange he wasn't killed yet? What if he's not dead, cause he is...the murderer?' Spike suggested. 'Why you didn't think about that possibilities? Cause it's too simple?'
'Don't know...he's still monitoring, so he won't ran away anywhere.' Craig shrugged. 'We'll keep an eye on him while in the meantime we'll take care about Ed Brook and others...Maybe my informant would say me something interesting.'
'You're going to meet with him in some dirty, dark alley?' Spike grinned.
'He's going to come on the station. I'm too old for such trips.' Craig replied and smirked as the other man playfully snapped him on the finger.
'Well maybe you're, but you still looking very good as for your age.' Spike said softly with a small smile, afraid to show him more emotions, still not sure how Craig may react.
'You don't look worse.' Craig said, suddenly feeling uneasy under his gaze. 'You're living in your old apartment?' He asked him quietly while he was playing with his almost empty glass.
'No, I sold it when I moved to Ibiza. I'm living now in my boyfriend's place.' Spike replied, didn't dare to look at him anymore.
'Oh.' Craig tried his best to smile and don't sound sad. But it was hard, when you feel as your heart just burst into pieces in your chest, and your hope just died right now. 'Is he a cooper from Ibiza?'
'Journalist. From England.' Spike replied with a fake grin. 'We met in Ibiza half year ago, accidentally. He was on the vacation...One day on the beach he has been robbed and, I know it's hard to believe, but I was the only copper on the station who was able to take an application so...'
'Why are you telling me this?' Craig asked him softly, stopping Spike from the mumbling.
'I just want you...don't know.' He said quietly and looked down at his plate. 'Sorry, I know it doesn't matter for you if I'm with someone or not...' He stopped while Craig's hand sneaked toward his and gently rubbed his long fingers. Their eyes met for a long moment and Spike understood it still does a matter for him. Craig can tell him every lie he wants, but his eyes telling him there was still a place for him in his heart. And nothing more was the matter now.
His mobile phone rang out in the same time while Craig's hand moved higher. He gave him apologetically look and smiled softly as on the screen lightened up Bridget's name.
'Sorry, but it's Bridget and I have to answer.' Craig didn't say a word only took back his hand and looked nervously around the table. 'She probably wants to know when I'm going to come.'
'Tell her you are going to be there for two, maybe three hours.' Craig suddenly spoke up, confusing him.
'Why so late? We already finished the supper.' He pointed at empty plates.
'I have some information about Michael Luthie's childhood and his problems with law in home. I thought you would want to read it.' Spike glanced at the wristwatch and frowned his eyebrows.
'You know I like sitting in nights and working to the morning if there's a chance for breakthrough in the investigation, but I promised Bridget I would be on the party and...Probably I would disturbing you...'
'I'm alone. Seeing with nobody.' Craig said irate, rolling his eyes.
'I didn't want...'
'Yes, you wanted Spike. I know you a little, you know?' He said amused, getting a stupid grin from him. 'You won't disturbing me.'
'Then I'll call back to Bridget and say her I'll be later.'
'Yea, tell her.' Craig nodded and removed his own mobile phone. 'In the meantime I'll give my people a sign, what we have.'
* * *
Dealer. John Paul was staring at the screen of his mobile phone and trying to process the message, wondering who is hiding behind the unknown number. He wore the jacket and unnoticed slipped out from the pub, to call back to someone who had his phone number.
'Didn't I say clear?' John Paul rolled his eyes as familiar annoying voice rang out from the handset. I should guess it was him.
'You were trying to inform me that you and Spike are buying drugs now, or your message is directly connecting with the case?'
'Directly I want to kick you on the ass.' Come the treat, making John Paul chuckle.
'Since I don't see you here, explain what you have in mind when you sent me this message.' John Paul asked and leaned against the cold wall from where he had an excellent view at the door from the club and neighbourhood.
'Probably Spike found the connection between victims.'
'I hope there's something more than they were from the same band.' John Paul said amused, couldn't help to irate the man a little.
'Give me few minutes and I'll show you in very graphic way what I think about your sense of humour.'
'Ooh, I'm shaking with fear.' He said sarcastically, rolling his eyes. 'What's the connection?'
'And you should.' Craig snapped to the phone. 'We need to find a dealer. His name Ed Brook.'
'Knowing you, you won't to share more details with me, am I right?' John Paul asked annoyed, even if he knew it wasn't necessary, cause the answer could only be one.
'Just find him and take on the station. You have time to tomorrow night.'
'Oh, geez you're so generous.' John Paul said sarcastically, didn't hide his irate. 'At least you can tell me where I can find him?'
'Charlie will know where to search for him...I'm not telling you to find him alone. You can take Bridget with yourself.' John Paul smiled slightly, hearing his suggestion.
'Fine, but still there is small problem...'
'What problem? You just have to find Ed Brook, what's difficult about that?'
'I can't just scraped him from the street. I need to have a warrant, Craig.'
'Superintendent won't give us a warrant. We have only speculations, any evidences.'
'So how can I arrest him?! We need to have something for him.'
'Do I really gotta think for everybody? Jesus, he's a dealer! Having drugs isn't a good excuse for you to arrest him?!'
'I'll call back when we find him.'
'No, you call back to me when you lock him...' John Paul hanged up and switched off his mobile phone, before Craig had a chance to phone to him again and start complaining. He smiled slightly as he noticed Charlie coming out from the pub with some fit bird hugging to his side.
'We have a job to do.' John Paul said as he grabbed him for the arm and turned around to face him.
'What?' Charlie snapped annoyed, wrapping his arm protectively around his lady.
'Telling you something name Ed Brook?'
* * *
Spike slowly entered drowning in darkness Craig's flat, looking around the narrow room to check how much the place has changed in his absence. He grinned as he noticed old, dusty television standing lonely on the cupboard, still surely broken down, seeing a big break on the TV cabinet which made Craig when he and Spike have trying to move him to the bedroom five years ago. He still remembered the pain in his foot when TV slipped out from Craig's clumsy hands, and hollow crack when his three toes have been broken. Now it makes him chuckle, but then he was ready to kill Craig with own hands.
Tenderly he touched the screen when suddenly something black jumped on the television and something red shined in the darkness. Spike walked back, his hand wandered to his chest like he was going to keep his heart on the place. Quiet, shy meow which ranged from that thing plastered a big grin on man's face as he finally recognized to whom the voice belonging.
'You still have this cat?' He asked surprised and carefully picked up the animal only to hide its in his arms and gently rubbed behind ears. In return he got quiet purr.
'Why are you so surprise? He's only five.' Crag replied giving him odd look, and locked the door. 'He was a one black, small ball when I saw him first.'
'I know, I gave you him.' Spike grinned and let the cat walk toward his bowl, loudly demanding his food. 'But still don't know why you called him Chubby.' He added and moved toward small table when Craig passed by him to get his way to the kitchen.
'I wanted to call him clumsy, but God only knows why Mabel thought it's Chubby and start calling him like that. Then I didn't have too much choice, didn't I?' Craig said irate and lit up the light to find the cat's bowl without any complications. He opened the can of cat food and smiled as Chubby started rubbing against his legs with its tail high stuck up to the air.
'She was like what? Two years?' Spike chuckled amused. 'That's a children charm, Craig.'
'That's why I don't have any.' He smiled with gloat as Chubby greedily jumped at the bowl and the food start disappearing from it at an alarming rate. 'You wanna something to drink or eat?' Craig asked.
'Are you just offering me a cat food?'
'I'm offering you sandwiches.' Craig rolled his eyes and went to the kitchen. 'You want or not?'
'Why are you alone?' Spike asked and based chin on his right hand, his eyes following the other man.
'It's not an answer for my question.' Craig said gloomily.
'For my either.' He told softly, his fingers play with a buttons of his shirt. 'You're handsome, smart, funny, brave...'
'Maybe I don't want to be with anyone?' Spike lifted his head slightly only to see Craig leaning nonchalantly against the frame, with chocolate eyes fixed at him, almost enchanting him.
'It's sad excuse.' Spike stated with a sad smile. 'No one wants to be alone.'
'Maybe not everybody has a needing to jump into someone's bed only to not feel alone and forget about the past.' Craig said in a cool tone, slowly approaching him.
'I did what I have to do.' Spike said quietly, didn't dare to look him into eyes.
'And what you have to do, eh?'
'We already had this conversation, didn't we?' Spike said irate and moved back from the table, didn't want to be close to him. 'I told you I don't want to talk about it.'
'Don't you think I have rights to know the truth? You can't pretending there was nothing between us, Spike!' He yelled frustrated, following the man, didn't give him a chance to run away from the conversation.
'Oh, these aren't words which you were using for all the time?' Spike asked him sarcastically, couldn't believe how hypocrite he was. 'Don't make bigger hypocrite of yourself than you are. Show me the files and we can end this painful for us conversation.'
'What was so important in Ibiza?' He didn't give up, looking for answers.
'Craig, please...' He almost begged, face hiding in hands.
'You even don't have guts to look straight into my eyes.' Craig shook his head, looking with disgusted at the man, slowly moving back from him. 'Files on the table. Read it and go to hell.' He added and leaned against the door of the flat. Spike looked briefly at him before he headed toward the table and start searching for documents.
'I don't see them, Craig.' He said after few minutes of searching, slowly losing his patience. 'Are you sure you left them here?'
'Yes. Look closer.' Craig replied with stoical calm. Feeling safe in the position he was now, he let his eyes wandering around Spike's body who was drilling above the table, giving him a very look good at his body, every time his shirt moved higher and the band of his jeans dropped down a little, revealing a piece of smooth skin. At least I have a good show, Craig thought and licked lips before evil grin appeared on his face.
'Still nothing.' He said irate, for the fifth time looking at the same headlines. They were lying only some old newspapers and Craig's what-to-do list. 'I'm starting thinking you...' The words died on his lips as he felt Craig's presence so close to his back and warm hand sneaking under his t-shirt, massaging the tense skin. He terrified turned around until now noticing how close Craig was. He almost could felt his hot breath on his lips, his curious hands burning his skin, his presence overwhelming him completely. He couldn't move. '...Did this special.' He whispered seeing lust in lower man's eyes, feeling how his hands grabbed roughly his arms didn't let him to run away, almost pushing him into the table. Even everything was screaming in his head to stop it and run away before they both could do something which will regret later, he didn't do nothing to stop Craig from pressing his soft lips to his, in long, hungry kiss. To stop him from grabbing him for the shirt and pushed toward another room filled with darkness which Spike has seen not once. He closed his eyes and forgot about all world as his back met with soft mattress and neck covered with fiercely kisses and gently bites. Small moan escaped from his mouth when Craig moved with kisses toward his chest, hands fighting with the belt.
'Craig...' Weak protest came from his mouth, hands kept the man on the place.
'It's all what you can afford?' Craig asked him amused, with teeth nipping Spike's low lip. 'We both know you want this, so stop fighting and start enjoying it.' He whispered and pulled him into another kiss. He smiled when Spike replied for the kiss, with shaking hands started unbuttoning his shirt. He could swear that for one sweet moment he has heard Spike saying; I won't, before he lost himself in him for good.
* * *
John Paul phoned again to Craig but once again instead of him, spoke up his voice mail. He tried to call Spike too, but his phone was again switched off and everything saying he hasn't appeared on his party despite his promises. John Paul decided to not wait for him and came back to home before the midnight, knowing he won't find Ed Brook tonight seeing how Charlie has disappeared with his bird and nobody for department was looking like they're going to work this night.
John Paul sat down on the stone bench in his mum's garden and decided to stay unnoticed before the light in Michaela's room won't be turn off. He again dialled Craig's number to inform him about the progression in searching Ed Brook, when the back door from the house opened widely and his mum went to the garden in pink bathrobe and Michaela's fluffy pink slippers.
'What are you doing here, love?' She asked him with concern and without ask sat next to him. 'Shouldn't you sleeping now?'
'I should ask you about the same.' John Paul said, rolling his eyes. 'I'm not a kid mum. I'm going sleep when I finish my work.'
'Why you won't finish your work in home? It's very cold here.' She said, didn't give up.
'You always can go back to home.'
'Something wrong in work?' She definitely wasn't going to leave him alone.
'Just have a really hard day, mum. But nothing to worry about.' He added as he noticed her full of concern look. 'I'm trying to contact with my partner, but he doesn't pick up the phone.'
'Maybe he's sleeping now?' She suggested. 'You'll phone to him tomorrow.'
'But it's very important.' He sighed tiredly and massaged his temples. 'Anyway, how long 'Cedes is going to stay here?'
'Until she makes up with Malachy.' She replied with a slanting smile. 'If you want you can move to your brother's apartment since you still can't go back to yours.' She suggested with gently smile. 'Niall would be happy. You two always have been very close, but recently you don't see each other too often.' She sighed and tenderly stroked his hair.
'That's because we have very stressful and time-consuming works, mum.' He replied with a small smile. 'And it's your fault, if you weren't still talking how much you want us to finish colleague and become someone more than a seller in the shop, we'll seeing each other more often.'
'It's always very simple to blame about everything your mother.' She shook her head amused and moment later pulled surprised man into tight hug. 'You don't have any idea how proud I am, that I have such intelligent and hard-working sons. If girls will the same as you.' She sighed heavily.
'Michaela is a famous reporter.' He recalled her softly.
'You can thought I'm complaining but I wanted her to be famous in positive way. Not because the scandals with her participation.'
'You can't have everything.' He grinned and jumped back when his mum tried to spank him on the head. 'Go back to home mum. You catch the cold.'
'And what about you?'
'Give me five minutes. I'll try to contact with my partner once again.'
'I'll check for five minutes if you're at home.' She warned him and gently stroked his cheek. 'My baby boy.'
'Goodnight, mum.' He rolled eyes and kissed her on the cheek.
'Goodnight, love.' She reluctantly stood up and walked toward the door, escorted by John Paul's eyes. 'And don't forget to call a lawyer.'
'Tell Jackie I'll call to him tomorrow.' He said quietly, eyes fixed at his shoes.
'It'll be fine, right?'
'Yes mum, don't worry. Everything's going to be fine.' He whispered and gave her a small smile, before she didn't disappear in home. John Paul closed his eyes and hugged knees to his chest, as thoughts about his sister roaming in his head. He loved his family and was grateful he had them...But sometimes they were making so much troubles for him, like they were still kids not adults. Troubles which one day may cost him very much...
* * *
'I should know it was going to end like this.' Spike said quietly, gently smile playing on his lips as he turned on the side to face lying peacefully on the bed Craig. 'You planned this, am I right?' The man chuckled in response and slide the quilt from Spike's arms to may kiss his tattoed skin. 'You're truly bastard, Craig Dean.' He purred and hugged the pillow in his arms.
'I didn't plan this. It's not my fault I missed you.' Craig said and laid on his back, fingers tangled with Spike's.
'I missed you too, but I wasn't going to jump to your bed.'
'So what's are you doing here?' He asked him amused.
'I don't know.' Spike whispered softly. 'Maybe it's a dream?'
'I was sooo good?' Craig grinned to him, small protest came from his mouth when the man hit him on the ribs. 'Well?'
'I...' He smiled triumphal as Craig's mobile phone start ringing. The lower man growled with frustration. 'Your phone.'
'You didn't answer me.'
'And you won't answer too?' Spike nodded at his phone shaking on the cuboard.
'No. It's already a long time after midnight, and the only person who will be able to phone to me at this time, is Pope. And I'm not going to talk with him tonight.'
'What?' Spike yelled surprised and quickly moved himself to the sitting position, eyes trying to pierce through the darkness to find his clothes on the floor. 'Shit, I didn't come for party.' He growled and stood up to wear a boxers.
'They'll understand.' Craig said surely. 'It's nonsense to go there at this time, Spike. Go back to bed.' He patted the empty space and rolled himself on the stomach.
'I can't stay at yours, Craig. Randall is surely waiting for me.'
'So that's his name, eh? Randall...' Craig smirked. 'It's good to see you thinking about your boyfriend all the time.' He said sarcastically, rolling his eyes.
'Don't you dare to judge me, Craig.' Spike barked to him. 'Don't you forget what you were doing with me behind your fiancé back, eh? If you wanna judge someone, firstly start from yourself.'
'Lie to him and stay with me.' Spike turned around to look at him. He frowned his eyebrows, wasn't sure if he heard good.
'Excuse me?'
'Lie and stay with me...Or say the truth.' He suggested with a shrug of his arms. 'I don't care what you want to tell him.'
'And what I would to say to him, eh?!'
'Maybe, that you let your ex-partner screwed yourself.' He grinned.
'Fuck off, Craig.' Spike snorted and pushed his hands back when he tried to removed his boxers. 'No chance for repeat.' He said with sly smile.
'Well, we'll see tomorrow what you say.' He chuckled and jumped back when Spike smiled softly and suddenly tilted toward him, trying to kiss him.
'What the hell are you doing?' Craig snapped, giving him odd look.
'Wanting to kiss you?' Spike replied with a grin. 'I thought...'
'So you thought wrong. We never kissing, Spike, and I'm not going to change it now...Couples kissing, not lovers.' He said sharply.
'What a bullshit!'
'Get use to this.' He snorted and laid on his back, arms under his head. Spike shook his head and looked briefly on the floor.
'Craig, where are my jeans? Surely I don't left them in living room or whatever you call that room.' Craig grinned to him and without words lifted his hand and with forefinger pointed at the ceiling. Spike frowned his eyebrows confused. 'What?'
'Higher.' Craig 's smile widened. Spike's eyes following his finger and finally looked higher, only to notice a pair of jeans hanging lonely on the lamp.
'Craig!' He growled as the man burst in laugh. He quickly climbed on the bed and draw them down before Craig pulled the yelling man down, quickly covering him with a quilt, didn't give him a chance to run away.
'Give me a half an hour.'
