Finally after sooo long break, I'm back with another chapter :) Sorry guys it took me so much time, but in the end you get a really long chapter ;) I hope you'd like it.

In the common room has never been so quiet like in that moment, when everybody sitting around Superintendent and glancing at each other like they were just expecting that someone will stand up for moment and tell it was only stupid joke and they can back to work...But there was only dead silence hanging in the air and awkward thoughts wandering through their minds; how the hell it could happened?

They were like one, big family. Knowing and trusting each other from years, spending together free times, knowing their families, friends, working almost every day from morning to the late night, and then…Bang! Everything just broken up. People who you think you know perfectly, suddenly become stranger for you, like you just see them for the first time in your life, and you couldn't help but wonder how much you know about them? Were they able to killed with a cold blood innocent boy, because he saw too much? How far it went? It was just one mistake not connected with Brain's case, or it was another victim/message from their mysterious murderer? Was he sitting now in the same room and looking around like them? Who was he? Or maybe she?

'You really think it's one of us? Jesus, it's ridiculous!' Suddenly Charlie broke the silence, getting up from his chair.

'I didn't say nothing like that.' Superintendent said firmly, with cold distance observing his subordinates, crowding around his desk. 'I just introduced you a few facts which we gathered during last week…I know how it looks, but I don't accuse anybody. We just find the missing uniform and trying to set up how that happened, that we found it in Newman's flat.'

'Well, uniform didn't get legs, so someone needed to took it out from the station, sir. In that case it had to be one of us. That's a fact.' Charlie noticed drily, crossing arms against chest.

'I think everybody already know about it, Charlie.' Chief Inspector chimed out, measuring him unfriendly. 'We just trying to set up the facts. I know how bad it looks, but since we don't have any results yet, we don't accuse anybody. We just want to know how Newman got an uniform, and how much he's connected with Luis Brain's case…Maybe we have a killer for which we searching for such a long time.'

'He didn't has any motives to kill Luis Brain, sir.' John Paul quickly said, shuffling on his seat. 'And I don't think he even know who he was.'

'Don't forget about Michael Lúthie. Everything started from his death.' Bridget noticed. 'If we want to solve the case we need to find out why he has been killed.'

'If it start from his death...' Spike suddenly said from his seat, catching everybody attentions. 'Maybe he's only another dead man, victim of something bigger than we think.' He suggested deadpanned, in hands rotating his pen.

'It sounds a little bizarre, don't you think?' Charlie asked colleagues with indulgent smile. 'He was only poor musician, not head of mafia or famous businessman having around enemies waiting for his one mistake, Spike. Stop making silly theories.' A few head nodded in agreement, while the others had stupid smirks on the faces, laughing at Spike. Even Superintendent didn't look confident to his idea, giving him harsh look to shut him up, if he decides to continue his speech.

'We know you were a big star on the station, Spike…' One of the black coppers said with a big grin, turning around to may look at Spike. 'But I think everybody will agree with me, you lost your sense, Spike. I don't want to be rude, but I think you need a break. A really long one, mate.' Spike looked down at his hands as another giggles rang in the room and any Superintendent or Chief Inspector stopped them for doing it. Suddenly he felt humiliated and lonely, like he was sitting between people he never met.

With one eye he looked at Craig, but the man was stubbornly watching the nearest wall, didn't think to stand on by his side, to give him a sign he wasn't so useless as everybody think. He could do it not even as a friend, but as a Spike's boss. In the end they were in the same team, don't they? Why he just let them laugh at him, instead of letting him speak up and explain his point of view? Even Bridget and John Paul didn't say a word, like he wasn't exist for them anymore, and Spike wasn't sure what hurt him more. Craig's ignorance, or their betrayal?

He wanted to stood up and ran away, but Darren's warm hand suddenly laid down on his forearm, stopping him on the place, while with fiery glance and tightened jaw he turned toward black copper.

'But you were rude.' Darren snapped sharply. 'I think you're the one who should take a break, mate.'

'Darren and Adam, stop it right now.' Superintendent's warning voice rang out in the room, as both men measuring themselves coldly, and air became heavy of tension. 'Adam is just worrying about Spike. He didn't look good for the last days, that's why he suggested a few days off for him.' He tried to explain his subordinate, but Darren's fierce glance told him, he didn't buy it.

'Yea, right.' Darren snorted, pretending he didn't hear his superior. 'So, maybe you share with us where have you been when Spike was one of the best investigators here, hmm? Sitting in the school?' Few officers burst into laugh taking it as a good joke, in contrary to Superintendent and Chief Inspector whose dry mines telling, they weren't sharing their sense of humour even a little. 'I think you're so nasty for Spike, cause you're jealous, Adam. Just look at them two!' Darren barked toward others, pointing at two men, as he raised up from the chair.

'Darren, stop it, please.' Spike whispered to him, when Superintendent screamed at them. 'It's okay.' He assured him and pulled for the sleeve of his white shirt with blue strips, but Darren seemed to be stronger, and still standing proudly catching everybody attentions. 'Craig, do something!' He fizzled to the man, who watching with growing interest his stepbrother.

'Like what?' Craig whispered harshly back, searching for John Paul's help, but man only shrugged his arms, petrified.

'You're his boss, moron. Think!' Spike barked and again tried to pulled the man down, but without any results. Darren pushed him back with the most venomous smile Spike ever seen on his face.

'No, it's not okay.' He snapped to him and continuing his speech. 'Spike is a special agent, inspector, and one of us who has been chose to conduct the one of the most severe case we ever had. You think Superintendent will choose him, if he was a human wreck? Cause I don't think so! You're just jealous Adam, because he's one of the best copper we ever had on the station, working in homicide, while you still walking around in cadet's uniform and giving fines for bad parking.' Now the room was filled with loud laugh and Spike couldn't help but smiled ghostly as he noticed how embarrassed the copper was looking now. His all cockiness and self-confident disappeared somewhere, while Darren celebrating his victory.

'It's not a place for such childish behavior!' Superintendent shouted, losing the remains of his patience. 'Stop it right now, before I suspend you both for month!'

'It's your bloody boyfriend, Osbourne, that you protect him so much?' The black copper said with voice full of venom. 'Well, if you like so much talking about his abilities, maybe you share with colleagues how good he's in other things too. It could be very interesting, learn some new things from our guru.' It acted on Darren as a red rug to a bull.

'I think Adam, you forget where are you!' Superintendent snapped, outraged. 'There's no place for such kind of insinuations. There's no gays on the station!' But the men were so lost in their quarrel, they didn't pay attention anymore to their superior.

'Oy, watch your mouth, Franklin, when you talking to my people.' Craig suddenly chimed out, standing from his seat, like he just recalled yourself who exactly he was. 'Spike is my subordinate and I'll do with him what I want. I don't need your fucking advices!' Suddenly everybody from homicide and prevention department, started screaming at each other and standing from their seats. John Paul was observing everything with opened mouth, couldn't believe how two people could waged war between almost thirty people. It was insane! Officers from other departments watching them with horror, looking like they were wondering if it's a good occasion to run away, or should stay on the place.

'Leave it, Darren. Please!' Spike pleaded him, but the man wasn't listening him. 'Adam is an asshole, doesn't worth to get your attention.'

He shook his head when Superintendent and Chief Inspector stood up and started yelling trying to calm the situation, but everything failed down after Adam Franklin's another words.

'What's up, Dean? Are you jealous about this little queer? Don't worry, I bet he can bear you both. In the end Darren is your stepbrother so surely he won't has nothing against to share him with you.'

'Inspector Dean, you shit head! I'm not your mate!' Craig yelled at grinning copper, but before he could said something more, Darren's fist met with copper's face, and warm red blood start running down from his broken nose. If Spike and Bridget didn't catch Darren for arms, Adam surely will get another hit from furious man.

'My nose! You broke my nose!' Adam screamed, hiding face in hands. 'You'll pay for this Osborne. You and this bloody queer!' He screamed again when this time he got fist on the stomach from Craig.

'If you have a problem with my brother, you have it with me too! You understand?' He tried to kick him, but John Paul holding him firmly so much, his feet didn't touch ground anymore.

'Get out, before I'll you suspend you to the end of your life!' Superintendent yelled furiously, while Chief Inspector was calling an ambulance and checking his subordinate's state. 'And don't you dare to come back to homes!'

'You're lucky, Franklin, that Superintendent saved you.' Darren said through the teeth.

'Get out!' This time the all homicide walked out, before their superior could fulfill his threat.

'If you said something when Spike asked you, it won't never end like that.' John Paul said harshly, with arms crossed against chest, looking at Craig smoothing his creased shirt. 'Inspector and detective beating down young officer from prevention department. Do you have any idea how it looks?' He continued when Craig answered him with silence, didn't even bother to look at him. 'Shame you didn't do it during some conference, in front of journalists.' He added sarcastically.

'I only protected my stepbrother and friend. You didn't hear how he call Spike?' He asked him with furious, finally turning toward him with tightened fists. 'And this shit talk about him being not in the form. Bollocks!'

'Yes, I heard that. Shame you didn't react when everybody laugh at him, while he tried to say about his conjectures.' He replied coldly. 'Maybe then Darren wouldn't start this silly conversation.'

'Oh really? And who say it?' He cocked his head, slowly approaching him, anger written on his face. 'He's your friend too, but you and Bridget didn't even think to stand on his side, you hypocrite!' Craig yelled at him, knowing he just hit his blind spot. 'You should feel shame not less than me. Only Darren had guts to protect him.' He jabbed him with a finger on the chest, before turned on the heel and start walking back.

'Okay, maybe I should did something, but you weren't better, Craig.' John Paul followed him. 'You're his boss and ex-lover, and your duty was to stand by his side!' He said firmly.

'I don't have any duties toward Spike, John.' He said through the teeth, stopping on the track. 'It's our business in what kind of relation we were involved. It's a past now, and believe me, I own him nothing.' He barked, pushing him on the wall. 'It's him who should pay me for these all fucking years we were wondering where the hell he has been!'

'Sometimes you're so egoist bastard.' John Paul shook his head in disbelief and massaged gently his sore head. 'You always thinking only about yourself.'

'Maybe I am, but at least I don't hide it. You betrayed Spike today the same as me, but in contrary to you I'm able to admit it, accept my choose and live with it.' John Paul opened his mouth to argue, but words failed him as Craig's words hit him. 'Before you decide to judge people and giving reprimands from left to the right, start from yourself.' He added before he walked in to his office, where have been waiting others from department.

John Paul followed him reluctantly, in mind repeating Craig's words. Although he was the biggest jerk he ever met, he needed to admit he was right now. Today he wasn't better even a little than him. He behaved like the last bastard when Spike was waiting for his support.

He should do something, but now it was too late to repair it.

'Big congratulation for you both.' Bridget's sharp voice welcomed them in the door, while she was sitting in front of Craig's desk, looking like she was going to hit somebody in a minute. 'Just wait until Superintendent visit us.'

'Leave it for yourself, Bridget.' Craig snapped to her, sitting down on the free chair, near to the door. 'I'm not in the mood for argue with you.'

'I don't care if you're in the mood or not! It's a serious problem, Craig!' She yelled irate, looking with disbelief at Charlie and Fred crowding around the desk with stone faces. 'You're going to stand there all day?'

'I don't have nothing to say.' Charlie replied defensibly and pointed at Darren and Spike sitting quietly in the one of the corner of room. 'It's Darren's fault. He hit that guy.'

'But you started it.' Darren snapped from his seat and glanced briefly at Spike gently taking care about his bleeding hand. 'If you didn't make a fool of Spike and let him talk, it won't never end like that.'

'Yea, blame everybody!' Charlie cried outraged and turned around to hid his reddened cheeks. 'Maybe Fred or Luis are responsible for it too?'

'Guys take it easy. It's anyone fault.' Spike chimed out, didn't have strength to be a witness of another fight. 'Everyone's nerves gave away because of this situation with found police uniform...'

'If you don't start with your great idea…' Charlie didn't finish because of Darren who immediately attacked him.

'What do you want from Spike! From some time you're acting like you forget he's your friend. I still remember how you were excited when Bridget told you that Spike is coming back. And now…You're making laugh of him and giving him stupid remarks. What bite you, dude?' Darren shook his head, with disgusted looking at his colleague. With the angle of an eye he glanced at Bridget looking like she already was on the edge.

'Nothing! I just don't always agree with him in some points, that's all! It's not a crime, Darren!'

'But you just hur…'

'Shut the fuck up!' They jumped on their seats and looked speechless at Craig as the man watching them, irate. 'It's done. End of theme.' He said sharply, with hand making a gesture like he was trying to cut off his head. 'And don't even dare to say a word.' He warned his stepbrother as he opened his mouth. 'Enjoy the feeling of Spike working on your hand.' He added rolling his eyes.

'No, it's not done yet, Craig. It won't until Superintendent visit us.' Fred said quietly, moving closer to Charlie like he was afraid that Craig will do to him something nasty for speaking up.

'Since he's not here, enjoy the freedom.' He snapped and nudged with foot John Paul's leg. 'The party in your home still actual?'

'Yea, mum wants to see you all tonight.' He sighed heavily, wandering eyes over stoned faces which telling him, they were far away from the good fun. It's going to be a fun, he thought sarcastically, wondering how to explain his mum lack of enthusiasm at their guests.

'We can't disappoint your mother, can we?' John Paul hoped, they can. 'So Spike, how's our genius hand?'

'If he isn't going to beat anybody soon, it'll be fine.' Spike replied drily, letting his partner to move closer and laid arm on his shoulders in the protect way, while alarmed Darren watching carefully Craig, ready to bark at him if he change mind and start making stupid remarks about Spike.

'I didn't have nothing wrong in mind, Darren.' Craig said with a smirk as he noticed his move and re-read his intentions. 'Don't cuddle to him so much, otherwise I start think I missed something and for once Franklin had a right that there's something more between you, than friendship.' He grinned as Darren suddenly jumped back with horror on his face.

'I don't see nothing wrong in that.' John Paul said, looking at his partner with half closed eyes. 'It's nothing wrong in carrying about other people, Craig. It's quite nice feeling. You should try some day.' He finished with a sly smile, shuffling on his seat to make yourself feel more comfortable.

'Did I hear sarcasm in your voice?' Craig asked him with a smirk, taking a challenge.

'Well, everybody thinks you're pain on the ass, so you shouldn't be surprise.' Bridget stated with a half smile. 'After your little show, don't expect nothing more. All prevention department already hates you and preparing crusade against you.'

'Oh, come on, Bridget, he already get used to it. They hate him since he joined the Force.' Darren grinned and winked to him.

'You know what, Craig?' John Paul started with a smirk as he kept staring at him.

'What?' Craig asked reluctantly, and let his head fall so he could watch the ceiling, so the man couldn't see small smile playing across his lips.

'I'm glad you're my partner. Without you I'll never learn how to get promotion while all departments only want to stick a baseball bat to your ass. You're incredible.'

'You don't have to thank me.' He said, wandering his eyes down at John Paul. 'I know I'm the best.' The younger man shook his head in disbelief, chuckling slightly.

'I wonder how many people wants to kill you in this moment.' Darren snorted, amused. 'The funny thing is, your ego is bigger than you.' Everybody, except offended Craig, laughed quietly, giving him indulgent looks.

'I don't know what's funny in this…'

'Enough that we know.' John Paul winked. 'Maybe you shou…' His smile dropped down as he noticed in the door Superintendent, standing there with a hat holding between his chest and arm, eyes shined with coldness wandering around their faces as few deep furrows appeared on his forehead.

'I see you feeling very well.' Superintendent said drily for the welcome, still standing in the door. 'Looks like beating down your colleague only improved your moods.'

'It's not like that, sir.' John Paul said quickly. 'We just trying to clean the air in the room, sir. You saw earlier to what leading the tension.' Superintendent said no word, cooling the man with his stare.

'If we don't have so important and complicate case now, I would suspend you all for month!' He shouted, losing his patience. 'What Darren and Craig did is shameful and I'm not going to tolerate such behavior on the commissariat! And I'm not going to tolerate ignorance either! Everybody in the room could stopped them, but did nothing, only watching!'

'We didn't have any idea it may end like that, sir.' Bridget said quietly, didn't want to irate him more. 'No one knew.'

'It was simple scrimmage!' He continued his yelling. 'You beat down your younger colleague without any reasons! You behaved like ordinary criminalists!'

'No, sir, there WAS a reason.' Darren said firmly, looking with challenge straight into his superior eyes. 'You know sir, it was. If you didn't let this kid talked to Spike in that tone, we didn't have to protect him and I won't broke Franklin's nose.'

'Ah, yes, Spike.' Superintendent smiled ugly, with mix of hate and disgusted looking at the man hiding in the corner. 'Of course you had to be a reason of fight, don't you? You won't be yourself if you don't sow the seeds of discord again, only to be in the spotlight.' He said sharply with voice devoid of kindness. 'Like always you're ruining everything you touch, I should know that your return will only bring troubles.'

'Sir!' Craig shouted shocked, never before heard so much venomous in man's voice. Everybody were sitting speechless looking from superior cold face to Spike's coagulated one, while he was staring at Superintendent's with open hostility.

'I want to talk with you Spike, alone. Come with me for moment.' He moved on the left to let the younger man passed by him, and gave Darren warning look as he suddenly stood up and looked like he was going to stop Spike from going off. Superintendent closed the door behind themselves and stopped his subordinate on the place, didn't bother if the rest of homicide will see them through the glass in the door or even hear their conversation.

'Let me say it clear.' He started coldly and tilted toward Spike like he was trying to destroy his confidence with the weight of his body, to show him how small he was in his eyes. 'I don't care how good you're. I'm not going to tolerate your person longer than to the end of this case. Then I'll send you back to Ibiza or even further on the first plane it'll be that day. You understand me?'

'If you hate me so much, why you bring me back here, eh? Believe me, working and seeing you again doesn't make me feel happier, either.' Spike said drily and licked his dry lips, before he regained the courage and decided to go with conversation on the different, more dangerous track. 'Anyway you should be happy I didn't sue you.' He smiled seeing Superintendent's puzzled look. 'We both know that what you did was illegal. If you don't have so much good friends on higher stools, you already will be finish after what you did to me.' He smiled even wider as for one sweet moment he noticed a flash of fear passing through Superintendent's eyes. He hit his blind spot, and he felt satisfied.

'Don't play with fire, Spike, cause it may burn you.' He said harshly in a warning tone, although Spike still could see fear and uncertainty in his eyes. 'Believe me, you don't want me to be your enemy, lad…You have too big mouth and that's your problem. You don't know when keep it close, lad. There are some matters about which nobody should talk.'

'I think it's a little too late for silence. I already start talking.' Superintendent was looking now like a big cat preparing itself to jump on his prey to ripped it into small pieces. 'What you think, people would say if they find out that you fired a police officer because of his homosexuality? I almost see headlines in newspapers.' He shot him wide grin, enjoying the fear overwhelming his superior's body. 'I wonder what Commissioner will say about that? Will you lose the job and everything you worked up for those all years? It would be shame, don't you think?'

'Listen me careful son, I'm not afraid of any of your band and blackmail only piss me off, so better stop before it'll end bad for you…I won't tolerate any poof on my commissariat.' He said through the teeth as he regain his self-confidence. 'People like you should be lock on mental institutes. It's sick!' He said with disgusted. 'I shouldn't let you come back here. You bringing only troubles.'

'So why you take me back, eh? I didn't ask for it.'

'It wasn't mine but Chief Inspector decision.' He replied with grimace. 'We need a good copper and since what I know, you're the best from everyone who left the station during the last ten years. Chief Inspector didn't imagine solve the case without your invaluable help.' He snorted. 'Maybe you're sick poof, but for now we need you…You're going to solve this case, aren't you? If you do it, it'll be a very big step in your carrier, Spike. You'll be someone in the big, police world. Working wherever you want.' He frowned his eyebrows as Spike started laughing quietly and licked his lips again.

'Carrier? You already broke my carrier and personal life, so what may change?'

'Don't say a crap. You should thank me, son. You were star in Ibiza, no one got so much as you, so be grateful! You'll be nobody without my small help.'

'Everything only for keep one copper on the station.' He chuckled drily, knowing Superintendent wanted him to stay quiet and that's why he was trying to buy him with ideas about his future, amazing carrier. But this time Spike was too old and wise to buy such a lies. He knew there was no carrier waiting for him, only another years of humiliation. 'Tell me one thing…Is he still worth so much sacrifice from your side after today's row? If today you have to choose again, you'd risk your own carrier again?' He needed to know the answer, needed to know how worth he was.

'You know the answer, Spike.' He replied, giving him harsh look. 'Remember that when you solve the case, there won't be a place for you anymore.' He added before he headed toward his office, didn't even bother to look at his subordinate.

You know the answer Spike. He chuckled slightly, blankly watching Superintendent's back. Why he has everything for free when I have to fight for every breath? What is so special in him, he gets what he want it? Why everybody only seeing a loser every time they look into my eyes, while the real loser walking between them and seeming to be threaten like a star? Why they seeing only a broken man with problems in me, while there is something more and good in me? Why they don't giving me a chance to show myself? Sometimes I'm so tired…Sometimes I wish I won't wake up next morning…

'Spike, are you okay?' He jumped slightly as female voice rang behind his back, and he turned around only to face Darren's future wife, Hannah. She was standing there, in front of him, with this nice, warm smile and blue eyes observing him intently with concern. There was something soothing in the way she was looking at him, and Spike wanted to wrap arms around her delicate body and touch her alabaster skin to feel the heat and peace emanating from her body, to be again a child wanting to be comforting by his mum. He needed it now so much. He needed someone who will protect him from the world. 'Something happened?'

'No, I just thinking about some things.' He replied with fake smile, so good in lying that sometimes he believes in his own lies, increasingly blurring boundary between dream and reality. Sometimes he didn't know what was a true and what was the product of his imagination. 'Sometimes people doing such a thing, you know?' For one moment he thought she was going to leave him after they way and tone he used to answer her, and he started to be angry at himself, but she didn't move, only looked closer at him with unreadable face expression.

'I know. But it's not usual to see a young men standing in the middle of corridor on the police station, with face wet of tears.' She said softly and Spike immediately touched his face. He looked surprised on his hand covered with few droplets of tears shining in the dim light, until now realizing he was crying. 'What's happened? Something wrong in work?' She tried once again, soothing his pain with warm smile and blue innocent eyes.

'No…I guess not.' He replied quietly with voice devoid of emotions. 'Don't know.'

'You want talk about it?' He shook his head slightly, didn't even dare to look into her eyes. 'Okay…Darren is in his office? I need to talk with him.'

'No, he's in Craig's office.' Spike replied and moment later jerked his head up as he recalled himself why Darren was there. He grabbed her gently for the arm in the same moment she laid hand on the door handle. She looked at him above her arm with surprise. 'They needed to discuss something very important. It probably will take them a little longer than five minutes.' He smiled slightly and gently pushed her forward, toward main corridor. 'Maybe we grab a coffee? They have a really good one here.' He suggested, hoping she wouldn't mind to go with him until Darren takes care about his hand and cover it with something. He bet Darren wasn't going to tell Hannah the whole true about today's row.

'Oh, I don't know…' She replied, unsurely looking at the door of Craig's Office.

'Oh, come on, Hannah. Darren will join to us when he finishes with Craig.' Spike said firmly. 'Trust me…Besides we can spend a nice afternoon together.' He winked and slightly pointed his head toward corridor. 'Come on, Hannah. If you come with me, I'll tell you why I'm so sad today, okay?'

'Okay.' She finally agreed with soft smile and joined to the man, with growing curious observing him. 'So where's this coffee?'

'First floor, love.' He replied with a grin and leaded her toward elevator. 'With milk and sugar?'

John Paul ran to the kitchen and automatically smacked on the head with a cloth, small white kitty, which was trying to steal a bite of chocolate cake made by his mum. The kitty meowed sadly and quickly evacuated himself from the kitchen, probably going to hide in his basket on the corridor or in Carmel's arms who like always will start whining how bad John Paul is for his 'small boy' and will keeping him in the arms for the rest of evening, trying to convince Calvin to take him to their home. He almost could see Calvin's happy mine, knowing how big fan of cats he is.

'John Paul you again beat your cat.' He rolled his eyes as his mum came to the kitchen with kitty in her arms, already after small talk with Carmel. 'How you can be so cruel for him? We always had dogs in home, but you never beat any of them.' He wore a kitchen glove and removed a roast from the oven, didn't pay any attention to her whining.

'I didn't beat him, mum. I just spanked him on the head.' He corrected, knowing how Carmel introduced the situation to his mum, although she saw nothing. She always likes dramatizing.

'You shouldn't spank him on the head either. He's small innocent kitty.' She said stubbornly and let the cat sit down on the blade. 'You have strong hand, John Paul. You never know how much damage you may do to this poor cat. You have to be more careful.' She admonished him and took a cloth from him, so she could wiped off the white cream from the blade.

'He almost ate your cake, mum. I only tried to save him from big suffer, you surely will give him if you find out a big hole in your dessert.' He said with a small smile and chuckled slightly as his mum immediately spanked the cat with cloth and moment later white arrow running out from the kitchen with loud meowing.

'I've never like this cat.' His mum mumbled and removed clean plates from the upper cabinet, above the sink. 'It was necessary to take him to home, love?'

'If you want whining go to Niall. I asked him for an adult cat with brown ear, and what I get? White kitty with black ear and black front, left paw.' He replied irate and poured the roast with dark sauce.

'He was searching for this cat for few days, John Paul. Don't be so harsh for your brother.' She gave him heavy glare, before she looked critically at his pale blue tea-shirt with two brown stains on it, and at barely visible from under shirt brown shorts, and at pair of Michaela's pink slippers on his feet. 'You're going to welcome your guests in these clothes?'

'No, mum, I'm going to change. I have almost half hour for it.' He replied and slipped the spoon covered with sauce to the green plastic bowl which his mum just removed from the cabinet. 'Would you mind if I take the roast to the living room and go to change?' He shot her grin before it turned into grimace as she spanked him on the head.

'John Paul! I wanted to put in a salad!' She yelled irate and moved the plates on the left to make a place for a bowl. 'Now I need to clean it!'

'Oh, come on, it's only one stream of sauce, mum. I can lick it off if it's so big problem for you.' He offered with cheeky smile and suddenly jumped back before the cloth could meet with his head again. For security he moved for another few steps back and then almost crashed with Carmel's body as she came in for the plates and cutlery.

'John Paul you have to be more careful. You could pour a sauce on my new dress!' She said rebukingly and start watching, her one arm, short, very pink dress with many rosy frills on the bottom, looking for any spots.

'You look great, love.' Their mum assured her quickly in hands rotating the material of dress. 'You look like a princess!' John Paul rolled his eyes as Carmel squealed happily and almost started jumping around the kitchen. 'Isn't she, John Paul?' It was one of these questions which may turn out to be very dangerous for him and all men population, if he answers wrong. He hated them, but living in the same home with mum and Michaela, who likes giving him these kind of questions for the breakfast, let him get used to it and learned a few good, neutral answers which may save him from further oppression.

'Indeed, mum.' He gave them fake, wide smile and before mum asked him to say something more about Carmel's bad taste and her parading around the house in a dress which looking like a Barbie cake, he rushed to the hall as the door bell suddenly rang.

'It's Jackie with Tony and kids, John Paul! Open them the door!' His mum shouted after him and he helplessly looked around for something to put down the roast on it till everybody come inside. Another rang later and his mum shout, he pulled the roast closer to his chest and with a hand without kitchen glover on it, finally opened widely the door.

'Hi…' His smile frozen as in front of him there weren't standing Hutchinson's loudly, big family, but quiet Craig Dean with his famous smirk on the face, amused chocolate eyes looking straight into his eyes above his stylish sunglasses, in hands rotating bottle of wine. 'You're early.' He said weakly, feeling like cheeks burning him with a fire as he wondered what Craig may thinks about him now, seeing him standing in the door with a roast in hand in clothes making him look like a housewife. To the whole outfit only was missing his mum's pinafore with big flowers on it. Yes, he was embarrassed and this little bastard knew it perfectly.

'I thought you may need a little help, but I see you're doing great.' He wanted to wiped off this bloody smirk from his face. 'Smells nice.' He grinned as he sniffed the air as a dog.

'If you be a good boy, maybe you'll get a little.' John Paul said with a half smile as Craig handed him the bottle and moved his sunglasses on the top of his head. He could sulked at him, but one thing he needed to admit. He looked fabulous today. In a dark leather jacket, wine-colored shirt and tight dark jeans with golden chain hiding in his left back-pocket, he looked sexy as never before, and John Paul start wondering how the hell he's going to keep his hands to himself. It's going to be a hard night. 'You know when the others will come?'

'Darren and Spike should be here for a minute, if Darren keeps his hands away from Spike.' He replied moodily, his grin turning into grimace. 'They were in very deep conversation when I saw them last time.'

'It's bothering you?' John Paul lifted his eyebrow, with curiosity looking at the man who just passed by him and closed the door behind himself.

'Darren recently started acting strangely around Spike. It's okay he cares about him, but…I don't want Spike to think he's feeling something more to him.' He replied reluctantly and took of his jacket. 'It's very hot 'ere.'

'So you bother about Spike?' He couldn't help but felt a twinge of jealousy in the heart as he thought that Craig still carrying about Spike, even if he doesn't want to admit it.

'I bother about Darren who is in relationship with Hannah. They're getting married soon and he's acting like sick puppy around Spike. I don't like they way they're so close. I know he's still repeating that they're partners and sharing with themselves their problems, but seriously, we're partners too, but not cuddling to each other every time we meet.' I wouldn't mind, John Paul thought with a small smile, his eyes stopped a little longer at Craig's firm ass as the man turned around to hang his jacket on the hanger. He definetely liked what he saw.

'I think they're just good friends, but if there is something more between them two, it's not your business Craig. They both are adults and know what they're doing.'

'I think they don't know...' Craig snorted and unfortunately faced John Paul, so younger man lost the view on his favourite part of Craig's body.

'Craig, seriously, Darren loves Hannah very much, so why he would to engage in an affair with Spike? It's a little bizarre idea, don't you think?'

'He wouldn't do it, I know he wouldn't. But it doesn't mean that Spike knows it.' He replied and smiling charmingly to someone standing behind John Paul's back. 'Good evening, Mrs. McQueen. Nice to meet you. John Paul is talking about you all the time.' John Paul smirked and shook his head as his mum improved her hair and smiled sweetly, already aroused with his charm.

'I hope only good things.' She laughed shortly and discreetly looked at John Paul to gave him a warning look, if he was saying something unplesant about her.

'Of course, Mrs. McQueen, he didn't say even one bad word about you.' He flashed his all teeth in a smile and gently took her hand and kissed it. John Paul would give anything to be now on her place and feel his full, soft lips on his skin. Damn you, mum. You always know when to come and ruin my life. 'Craig Dean, ma'am.'

'Call me Myra.' She offered and giggled like a school girl, couldn't take eyes from the hand where moment earlier were man's lips. Craig Dean already let the spell crowd around their home and John Paul was sure that this night every women in this house will be his…Or at least most of them. 'John Paul take the roast to the living room, love, and cover it with something. I don't let my guests eat cold dinner.'

'It would be easier to leave it in oven.' John Paul said and smirked as his mum gave him a dead glare. He knew she wanted to lead Craig to the living room and talk with him in privacy. Read; overwhelm him with thousand bizzare questions, including those in what he's sleeping and (when mum let 'Cedes join the game) about his sex life too.

'Then take it! I really need to tell you everything?'

'No, mum.' He rolled his eyes and irate walked toward kitchen in mind swearing at her ridiculous behavior.

'Sometimes John Paul is so childish and helpless.' She whined and he wanted to spank her on the head with a frying pan. She and his sisters always knew how embarrassed him.

'Well maybe he is…' Well, you won't be yourself if you missed the occasion to compromised me in front of my mum and piss me off, don't you? 'But still he's one of the most gorgeous man I've ever met.' Oh...

'Oh, you're so nice young man, Craig. A real treasure!' John Paul couldn't help but grinned widely as a crazy. He couldn't believe that Craig Dean just said he was the most gorgeous man he ever met! He thought he is gorgeous and admitted it loud. He was in heaven.

'Oy, Earth to John Paul. What are you doing with this roast?' John Paul looked with dreamy eyes first at Carmel and then at the roast which he holding tightly to his chest, so his shirt was decorated with new stains. He blushed nervously and quickly gave the roast to his surprised sister. 'John Paul?'

'I need to change, Carm. Leave the roast in oven.' He directed and quickly ran upstairs before Carmel could start whining about oil stains on her new dress or give him back the dinner.

'Sometimes I hate you, John Paul!' She shouted close to tears, but he wasn't listening her anymore, only closed the door of his bedroom and opened the wardrobe, ready to make of yourself a deity…Or after another look at clothes, at least tried to do.