Hi, guys :) I'm sorry I didn't update last week, but I had a small accident and wasn't around the laptop for almost all week :( I hope you're going to like the chapter and like always love to know what you think :)

He never could understand why people so badly love crowding around your door from the dawn, assuming that if they already don't sleep, you have to not, too. There should be some point in the law speaking at what time people can pay a call, or at least reducing penalty for shot down one of your visitor when he stubbornly trying to get to your home at five o'clock.

Everyone has mobile phones now, love. You should to buy one, too. His mother babbling above his head for the last five years, and still he didn't get this strange phenomena to buy a phone without cable waggling behind your legs only to feel like a true member of society. You can be in contact with anyone you want, wherever you are. Oh yes, but why the fuck no one use this function, eh? It's really so hard to phone or send you a message with question, if they can visit you? Whether the world would be beautiful if the people, by some courtesy, inform you before they fall into your head? Was he asking about too much? Why the fuck you buy mobile phone, when you don't use it? Maybe then people wouldn't take him as a cruel swine when he shows in graphic way what he thinks about unexpected visit.

Of course today's case was a little different, but ONLY little. Maybe he wasn't in home, but in work, but still he was enough busy and annoy to not want to see anyone else than other copper at the station. But whether the God exists or not, he was sure that someone or something above doesn't like him.

'To sergeant McQueen!' The old officer announced, and he already knew it means troubles. There was no chance to not recognize the familiar shrink, loud voice. He wanted turned on the heel and ran back to his office and lock himself up there, before he could be catch. But he knew it was too late for escape once the people start moving on the sides like an ice plates as the icebreaker was making his way to him. He took deep breath and plastered on the face force, wide smile as he knew there was no way he's going to avoid this visit. Just today, he thought drily.

'John Paul's not there, Myra.' He said for the welcome and moved back until his back met with the desk, under the pressure of Myra's dark eyes.

'If he's not here, then where?' She asked surprised and although she was shorter than Craig, he was sure she was a head taller than him right now. 'He told me he's going to work.'

'He is in the work, but working in terrain.' He explained with a little too sweet smile, as he noticed her suspicious glance. 'He should be back soon.' He added like it was going to save him for further oppression.

'That's okay, love.' She suddenly smiled widely, baffling him. 'We come to visit Spike, not John Paul.' We? He glanced above her arm and until now noticed sweet Carmel holding in hands something big and wrapped with carrier bag while for her right was standing unfamiliar tall and handsome man with kind smile. He didn't has any clue who he was, but he remembered him from the photograph he saw on John Paul's desk. 'John Paul told us what's happened to him and I feel an urge to see how's he coping I and cooked for him a dinner. I bet he doesn't eat anything since this tragedy.' But he didn't say everything I see.

'I'm sure he's going be very happy as he sees you all.' He said with fake smile, knowing Spike needs more peace now than two babbling women fussing around him while he wants to focus at something. They were need here the same as inspector Burge with her bloody department.

'Where is his office?' Carmel asked excited, looking around with eyes big like plates, looking like a kid who just find herself in Wonderland.

'There.' He pointed at some wooden door, while with growing curious he was observing the man, wondering who the hell he was. Another John Paul's brother? For God's Sake how many kids this woman has? Cause he could be. He has dark, short hair almost like Niall and the same kind expression on the face as Carmel and Myra or John Paul.

'Oh, you probably don't know our good friend.' Myra said with a wide smile as she noticed what caught Craig's attention so badly.

'Friend?' Craig repeated, staring at man suspiciously. What exactly she has in mind telling he's a friend? She was calling him friend too, but he knew from good source she was taking him for John Paul's boyfriend so…It's possible is John Paul's second half? But why he doesn't tell him he's seeing someone?

'I'm Kieron.' He introduced himself and stretched hand out toward him. Craig stared at him blankly, didn't move even for a millimeter.

'Father Kieron.' Myra corrected him and for short moment Craig felt a little embarrassment that he didn't shake Kieron's hand and behaved so irrationally. It shouldn't bother him if John Paul is seeing someone or not, right?

'Inspector Craig Dean.' He replied evasively and smiled slightly, trying to erased the first bad impression.

'Carmel take Kieron and go to Spike, he surely needs a break and in the meantime me and Craig have a tea in his office.' The man stared at her with opened mouth, intensively thinking. Was she just invited herself to HIS office, like she owns it? He didn't even has time to react when she sneaked into his office and, like she knew this place perfectly, found the kettle and two mugs immediately.

When the first shock passed away, he quickly followed her and closed the door behind them before someone could start asking why on Earth John Paul's mother visits Craig. He bet yet this afternoon they'd be the pair number one at the station, if Megan opens her big mouth or Charlie sniffed out Myra in his office. It'd take him too much time to think up a good story about him and John Paul.

'With milk and sugar?' She asked with soft smile and Craig for moment again stared at her stupidly, not quite understood what's going on. It was his office, but she was behaving like she was in her own home, opening his all cabinets without ask and touching his electric kettle.

'I don't have milk.' He replied blankly feeling like a guest. If It wasn't John Paul's mother he surely would kicks the crap out of everyone who will bossing in his office and shouts enough loud so everyone on whole floor will know there's no way they're going to touch his things. In his whole life only two person was able to do it, because he doesn't has any influence at them. Jake and Spike. Jake, because he was his old grumpy brother who was doing everything to wind him up and make a hell of his life and since he's bigger, stronger and more clever than Craig, he can't stop him from doing it. And Spike…Well he never cared what Craig is gonna think about him and once he became a real lonely wolf, he stopped care about anything and likes pissing off Craig, so whatever Craig's do, he always is on the lost position.

'So we drink a black tea, then.' She twittered with a wide smile and poured the water to two mugs. He didn't know what exactly, but there was something in McQueen's which let him feel vulnerable and…good. He didn't know if it was about the warmness they were imitating, or kindness he felt from almost everybody during the dinner in John Paul's home. Maybe it was because the bond they have with each other? He saw love, care and honest in their family, things which sometimes was so hard to notice in his own. 'So, how's your work, love?' She asked once she handed him a mug and sat down on the chair, in front of his desk. He sat down too, for the first time smiling to her gently, truly. He didn't remember when his mother asked him last time about his work. Whatever he said she usually nods her head and says; yes, love, but she understood nothing and even didn't care to protect she wants. He understood she knows nothing about policy and get used to hear about crimes he's witnessing all the time, but at least she could ask how is he copying, and if everything is fine in work. It's really so hard to show a little affection to the person you love? Maybe that was the reason why Craig knew about it in theory, but in practice he doesn't know how to use his knowledge, too.

'We're trying to solve the case, while in the meantime trying to help Spike.' He replied evasively, didn't want to share with her more information it was needed. She asked it by courtesy, no because she was interested in it and knows what's going on here.

'Oh yes, Spike. John Paul told me about this heartless inspector…Barge, right?'

'It's Burge, Myra.' He corrected, chuckling slightly. 'But I guess Barge will better suits her.'

'Well, we can't be so rude for her. She's only doing her job.' Myra protested, her face lit up a little.

'She accused Spike for killing Randall.' He couldn't hold back so important news, could he? He smiled slightly as Myra covered her opened mouth with hand and was almost hyperventilating.

'If I only get her in my own hands!' Her eyes flashed with anger. 'How she dared to accused such a nice, poor boy for this horrible murder? She didn't know the boy who has been killed was Spike's boyfriend?'

'Maybe she didn't read records to the end.' He shrugged, didn't want to add more oil to the fire. 'Sometimes it's happening.'

'I hope not my John Paul.' She almost looked at him with horror.

'No, your John Paul is fine.' He quickly assured her, gulping nervously. 'He's so good, that superintendent sent him alone to work in the terrain on very serious matter.'

'You're not trying to kidding me, are you Craig?' She wrinkled her eyebrows and stared at him suspiciously.

'No, no, no. I wouldn't do that, Myra. I'm very serious right now.' He replied, eagerly shaking his head.

'So when my long lost son is going to come back, then?'

'Soon, I guess. So… How's the kids? Baby Christian still had ADHD?' Like he could expected she only smiled politely and took a sip of her tea, surely thinking how big loser he is and already knows how much he cares about her daughters kids. 'He's quite energetic kid…'

Carmel popped her head into Darren's office and smiled gently as she noticed Spike sitting behind his desk covered with many photographs, and intensively thinking about something as his eyes were fixed at the picture of some very beautiful woman. She gently knocked on already opened door and grinned as man's head jerked up and his eyebrows raised up with surprise.

'Can I come in?' She asked and when Spike nodded slightly she sneaked in and nodded toward the man standing behind her to follow her. 'I thought you may be hungry so mum's cooked for you a dinner.' She said and showed him her pack before she laid it down on Darren's desk. 'Mum's now with Craig, but she will come around later.'

'Thank you, but you don't have to do that.' He sighed and smiled slightly as he stood up and approached the woman.

'After what met you, we thought eating isn't the first thing crossing your mind.' She said softly and gently wrapped her arms around him. 'I'm so sorry for your loss, Spike. If we can do something for you, we'll be happy to help you.'

'Thank you.' He replied quietly, hardly stopping himself from cry out. She was so sweet for him.

'You probably don't know our friend.' She nodded toward mysterious, handsome man who came with her. 'It's Father Kieron. We thought you may want to talk with him about what happened.'

'I'm not a Christian.' Spike replied and glanced unsurely at him.

'That's not a problem!' She said with a wide smile, before he could speak up. 'Treat him as us. I just thought you might prefer to talk about it with a guy, not with me or mum.' She explained. 'I just go to bathroom and I'll be back for few minutes, so you can chat alone.' She added before they both could argue and suddenly they have been left alone, staring at each other with unsure.

'So…it was your idea, or mama's McQueen?' He asked with a small grin.

'She dragged me out before I even have a chance to know where are we going.' He replied with a half smile. 'She said it's for the good of the parish.'

'I guess she doesn't know I'm atheist.' Kieron chuckled slightly at this. 'So you're going to push me on the good patch, then?'

'And you want it?'

'No…' Spike leered and leaned against the desk.

'So why should I do that?' It surprised him.

'I'm gay.' Kieron's eyebrow cocked as small smile crossed his lips, his eyes staring at him amused. 'Okay, forget about it.' Spike sighed and moved hands through his hair. 'So, Myra's in Craig's office now? But there's no John Paul at the station today.'

'She wanted to talk with Craig about something. I didn't bother to ask, knowing how long time it'd take before she'd move to the heart of the matter.' He replied with sheepishly smile.

'So you had a pleasure to talk with famous Craig Dean?' He not quite understood why Spike was grinning at him.

'Not quite. I saw him, but we didn't talk. Myra made sure they move to his office as quickly it was possible…He looks quite nice and polite.' He added, although he wasn't sure what to think about the guy who even hadn't bother to shake his hand.

'Yea, I believe you only saw him.' He chuckled like he said a good joke. 'You're lucky guy, then.'

'Well, John Paul claimed he's very specific guy, but when you get use to him he's not that bad.' He said carefully, wondering about something. 'Although Jackie said he has autism, but I wouldn't be so sure to believe in that.'

'He's like Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. You never know with whom you're speaking at the moment.' He giggled and nodded toward the thermos with coffee. 'You want some?'

'No, thanks...So you're working on something? Don't you think about take few days off?' He nodded at photographs.

'It's helping me.' Spike replied evasively and picked up few pictures with woman. 'Do you see something in common on them?' He asked with hope as he showed them to Kieron.

'At all it's the same woman.' He shrugged, didn't know what exactly Spike was expecting from him.

'I know that.' He sighed irate. 'But what else you see here? I think I missed something. There is something what connecting them together.' He scratched his head and until now Kieron realized the man was uncontrollably shivering.

'You feel okay?' He asked with concern and tried to touch his forehead, but Spike immediately jumped back.

'Yes. It's a cold.' He said and made him to look at the pictures again. 'Help me. What you see here?'

'Why it's so important? It's someone from your family?' He asked curious and pointed at three from six pictures. 'She has the same top, and these two has to be taken in the same place. The trees look the same.' He added with hope it may help him, but Spike only bite down his low lip. 'I guess it's not what you're searching for.'

'No…Well, I don't know. I don't know what I'm searching for.' He sighed and ran hand over his face. 'Maybe I'm tired and seeing things which don't exist or stubbornly searching for evidence to confirm my theory where I know there's nothing.'

'I really think you should take a day off.' Kieron stated and gave him the pictures back. 'If you want you can go to Myra's house. There is always a lot of people so you won't feel alone and have with whom talk. And Niall could give you something for a cold.' He suggested with soft smile. 'You don't want end with pneumonia, don't you?'

'Who has pneumonia?' Kieron rolled his eyes when Carmel suddenly came back and stared at them puzzled in doors, like always chiming in, before she could hear everything.

'No once yet.' He replied and moved a little as she approached him and glanced concerned at Spike. 'He's fine. Just trying to set up the common thing on these all pictures.'

'What thing?' She asked interested and pushed Kieron aside so she could look above Spike's shoulder at photographs.

'We still don't know. That's the problem.'

'Because you're men.' She stated and smiled slightly. 'You don't pay attention to small details.'

'We don't know if it's small detail.' Spike said irate, glancing at her unfriendly. 'Maybe I'm wrong. That's possible.'

'Nah, you have to notice something, but you don't know what exactly alarm you and how important it is…Let me look at them closer and I tell you what caught your attention.' She offered and reached her hand out toward him with sweet smile.

'Fine. You're my last resort…Use your woman's six sense and tell me what me and Kieron don't see.' He mocked her, but she even didn't notice it, busy intensively watching the photographs.

'You noticed it, Spike, so you have to have six sense too.' She stated with a small smile. 'So…maybe you thought about her hairstyle?'

'Definitely not. I'm searching for a prove leading me to the murderer.'

'Oh…So maybe her necklace? She seems to has it on every pictures…Other things is the park where has been taken about three or four pictures. Don't know what more to say.' She shrugged and glanced at him apologetically.

'No…it's…' His eyes fixed at the woman's neck from the picture.

'It has a lovely swan, hasn't it? It's beautiful.'

'You're star, Carmel. It's the missing puzzle I was searching for.' He grinned widely and tapped the necklace a few times with forefinger. 'Say sorry from me for Mrs. McQueen, but I can't stay here any longer. I need to do something in town and buy some medicines so tomorrow I would be ready to get back to work, and then go back to home.' He grinned and quickly shoved the photographs to some blue briefcase and took the carrier-bag with his lunch under his arm.

'Oh, I'm glad I could help you, but I don't think you should go out alone, Spike. John Paul said you have to have protection for 24 hours.' She noted, terrified. 'You can't risk so much.'

'I'll be fine.' He said with a half smile and nodded toward Kieron. 'It was nice to meet you, Kieron. And you too, Carmel. You've made my day.' He grinned and before she could react he kissed her harshly on the lips pushing her almost on the desk, and then he almost ran away with the door, as he tried to be outside how quickly it was possible.

'You're okay?' Kieron asked amused Carmel as the woman sat down on Spike's desk having some problems with balance, with absent eyes and small smile crossed her lips.

'Yes, I am.' She nodded, although she still seemed to be far away with thoughts, her hand gently moved the hairs from her eyes. 'Just feel a little dizzy. I think it's a little too hot here.'

'Or someone has been kissed with such passion, it pushed you down from the legs.' He chuckled and winked.

'Kieron!' She exclaimed and blushed furiously, before she quickly stood up and without more problems moved toward the door.

'I think it's natural thing when you're kissing by handsome, young lad.' He grinned and quickly evacuated himself before she could hurt him. 'It's not my fault you're falling for a guy in five minutes!'

'I'm not!' She argued. 'If you say something to Niall or John Paul I'm gonna kill you!' She threatened him. 'I'm not going to be a topic number one on family meetings for whole year!' She scowled and quickly followed him to Craig's office.

'You want another mug of tea, love?' Myra asked she again start pacing around cabinets like she was searching for something.

'No, Myra.' He replied, barely stopped himself from some nasty comment and says her to sit down, instead he irate glanced at his wristwatch praying to God, to send him John Paul back in a minute, otherwise he may kills himself or Myra if she again proposed him something from his OWN assortment. 'You're not going to check how's Spike?' He suggested gently with hope she may get what exactly he means by this.

'I think he needs a little time with Carmel and Kieron alone.' No, she won't. ' I'll go to him when they go back, so you won't stay alone. You need a little break, too. And I know how much you love some company.' She stated with a wide smile. 'I don't know how you, but I make for myself another mug.'

'Feel like home.' Craig mumbled and hide face in hands, waiting for a miracle. John Paul where are you? He almost jumped on his chair when someone knocked on the door, his head quickly jerked up. 'Come in.' He called, with hope that someone is going to save him.

'Do I disturb you, Sir?' He never thought that one day he might be so happy to see constable Moore's red shag and his freckled face in the door.

'No, we can talk.' Craig quickly assured him as the young lad glanced knowingly at Myra's who although was pouring the water to her mug, her eyes were fixed with curious at him. 'Excuse me for moment, Myra. It's about the case.'

'Oh, sure, love. I can go out if you need to talk privately.' She suggested and pointed at the door.

'No, Myra. Sit here, me and constable Moore talk outside. If you need something from me, you'll find me behind the door, alright?' He smiled nervously and quickly escaped from the office, closing the door behind himself with relief. If he could, he even locks it up to make sure she won't get out and drag him back for another mug of tea and stories about her grandchildren. He was sure he already knows Max whole life, starting with his achievements from his baby age, by his first steps in the school to date, when he's lying now sick in the bed.

'If you're busy, Sir, I can come later.' Moore quickly said, didn't know if he did good or not.

'No, no.' He protested. 'I need to take a fresh air into lungs and listen about something different than sick kids and her problems with intestines.' He rolled his eyes. 'I hope you have something good for me.'

'I checked inspector Spike's boyfriend statements of bank account and I found something interesting in them.' He replied and smiled slightly, proud of himself.

'What exactly?'

'From at least one year someone was paying every month five hundred pounds into his bank account.' He replied and removed from the pocket some creased bill, which he showed his superior.

'From last year, you saying?' He raised his eyebrow and read the bill. 'I guess he didn't get it from his boss for his hard work.'

'No, the money was transferred from another account.'

'Maybe he made some money on the side, without Spike's knowledge, and wanted to keep them on different account.' He suggested. 'Can we check at what name was the account create?'

'The account has been closed the same day, when Randall has been killed, Sir.'

'Interesting.' He said quietly and licked his lips. 'It could mean his murderer could know about the money, or even give him them…'

'I also asked for personal data person who created the account. And guess, Sir, what they said me?' He was grinning now like excited kid.

'That they had it? Okay, let me guess…It was created at Spike's name?'

'Better, Sir. At Anne Luthie's name.' He grinned even wider. 'That's interesting, isn't it, Sir?'

'More interesting is why those idiots didn't check if Anne Luthie is still with us.' He sighed. 'But it only confirms that Randall was somehow connected with our killer and maybe even know his identity.' He shook his head. 'But why the hell murderer would give him so much money per month? Was he paying him for being quiet or they were doing some dealing and didn't want to be discover after Randall's death? And for the last, why he used Anne Luthie's name? How she is connected with these murders?'

'I bet you find the truth, Sir.' He said honestly and smiled slightly to him.

'Yea, we'll see.' He murmured. 'You're doing a really good job, Moore. Who like who, but I almost see your desk in our department for two years.'

'Oh, thank you, Sir.' He felt touched. He knew that hearing a good words from Craig Dean means more than hear them from superintendent or Deputy Chief Constable, and he couldn't think about better award than this. 'If I can do something more for you…'

'Not now, Moore. But I'll be remember about you when I need something.' He said and even smiled slightly to him. 'You're a good lad. Keep going with your work and you go far.'

'Thank you, Sir.' He bended slightly and stared at man with admiration.

'You can go now. I need to talk with Spike about Anne Luthie.' He said to him, although his eyes were fixed at something above Moore's shoulder, his eyebrows frowned. 'You have enough chatting with Spike?' He asked while Carmel and Kieron joined them.

'No, but Spike has to go somewhere. Do something in town.' Carmel replied, looking very offended at something.

'What?' He snapped, couldn't believe his ears, at the angle of the eye noticed how Moore quickly evacuated himself before Craig could shout at him or change his mind and call him useless dork.

'I know he shouldn't go nowhere alone, but he insisted. It looks like he has a really something important to do and didn't want to drag with myself anyone else.' She stated and gave him apologize smile. 'I'm sure nothing is gonna happen to him. He's going to be in place where's many people.' She added, glancing unsurely at Kieron, who only shrugged his arms and decided to not interfere into their matters.

'You should inform me or lock up the door, before he fall into such idea.' He said through the teeth, hardly stopping himself from explode. He really doesn't has nothing against John Paul's family, but today…They were ruining everything what they meet on their track.

'Don't worry, he said it won't take him too much time. He's going to back to home as soon it was possible.' It was like a bucket of cold water.

'Go to my office and stay there with Myra, until I don't come back. I need to make a call to someone very important and then send my people to find Spike before something bad happen, okay?' He said it calmly, although he was close to tear her up into pieces.

'Okay, but it's nothing. He's going be fine. You're a little to protective about him.' She stated, reluctantly approaching the door of his office.

'Yes, maybe I am, but a little bit much protection didn't kill anybody, yet, unless lack of it.' He said firmly and before she could answer him, he quickly moved toward bathroom and removed his mobile phone from the pocket of his jacket. 'Come on, John Paul, answer it.' He said to the mobile phone. But minutes were passing and John Paul was still didn't answer his phone. 'Shit!' He ran away and moved toward main corridor with hope he might meet someone free with a car so he could warn John Paul about approaching problem.

'Oh! Watch out, Spike. You may hurt yourself.' Anne called from her desk when Spike dangerously bended over the furniture and almost fall down on his face as he lost his balance. 'Are you alright?' She asked with concern and stood up to see if he doesn't has any bruises.

'I'm fine. Just feel a little dizzy.' He said with a false smile and laid elbows on the desk so he had better view at woman. 'You have a card from me about what I asked you?'

'Yes, but like I said, superintendent didn't sign it.' She said and handed him a card. 'It was Chief Constable and he was surprised you were asking about it. You can take a day off without his written consent. Enough if Craig knows about your plan.'

'I don't care what he thinks about it.' He stated and hid the card under his coat. 'I have what I want and I have another request to you.' He grinned and winked to her.

'Go on, then.' She sighed. 'You want me to pass Craig another message?'

'I want you to find a home address, Patricia Newborn. And her telephone number if you can. I need to meet with her tomorrow.'

'It's your private request, or it has something to do with a case?' She glanced at him suspiciously.

'Both.' He admitted after a while. 'I think she might helps me to solve the case and maybe explain some things about me.' He smiled slightly. 'And I don't want anyone know about it.'

'Okay, but like I said last time, whatever you're gonna do, be careful, Spike.' She said and stared at him with concern. 'If you don't want ask Craig for help, you can ask John Paul. Sometimes it's good to work together.' She suggested.

'It touches to much me, to work on it with someone strange.' He smiled sadly and winked to her. 'Take care, Anne. And see you, soon, I hope.'

'You too, Spike.' She called after him, but man was already moving toward entrance, on slightly shaking legs.

It didn't take him too much effort to leave the station without catch anyone attention and blend into crowd, so without no one chasing him, he could stopped in the familiar café for something sweet to eat and hot coffee and once again read the note he got from Anne and watched the pictures to make sure he had enough evidences to protect his theory. To find the truth in the labyrinth of lies, where the truth seeming to be hide between reality and his imagination. He knew he was closer than anyone else, and still he was missing only one piece of puzzle and then everything will be on the right places. Only one step and it'll be over.

There was some black car outside the café when he was sitting there, but when he only got outside, it quickly departed heading down the street. He only smiled slightly and put the collar of his coat up, didn't feel terrified even for moment. He knew it was a game, and he needed to be quick before he could turn out from hunter into prey, but it only motivating him and pushing into solve the case even more. The car only gave him a certainty that he's searching for the facts in the right places and until he's among the people, he's safe.

'Cheers.' He said quietly to the departing car and slightly lifted his plastic cup, before he took a sip of his liquid.

John Paul was in Spike's flat for almost two hours now, and still he didn't find nothing interest yet. There were only old photographs of Spike and Randall from Ibiza, bills and postcards, but no letters. He checked almost half of the living room and he was sure if they want to check the other half, he needs someone to help, cause there was no chance he is able to finish it before the end of Spike's shift at the station. Even if Craig stops him to the night.

He was going to check the books on the shelf, when he heard as someone was unlocking the frontal door. He jumped back from the shelf and looked around terrified, didn't know what to do. He was wondering if he should hide somewhere, but his legs failed him and he couldn't move. He scratched his head and made the best smile he could when like he expected Spike appeared in the living room and dropped down his plastic cup as he noticed him in his own flat. Small cry escaped his mouth, before he realized it was his colleague from department, standing in front of him, with the most guilty face he has ever seen.

'What the hell are you doing in my flat?' He asked shocked, when senses came back to him.

'Craig asked me to stay in your flat and made sure no one came here when you're not around.' He replied with sheepishly smile, as Spike stared at him intensively, didn't believe in any his word.

'Should I expect Craig jumping out from the closet when I come to bedroom?' He asked deadpanned.

'He's at the station.' John Paul replied quietly, couldn't look into his eyes.

'I would never guess that one day I'm going to meet someone who is thinking up more pathetic excuses than Craig Dean.' He chuckled slightly and shook his head. 'So why are you sniffing here? Maybe I can help you.'

'I'm not sniffing, Spike. Craig just wanted to make sure…'

'Yea, yea.' He stopped him, annoyed. 'I know Craig wants many things and you're doing for him every favor he wants like a good dog.' He snorted. 'I like you John Paul and I think you're a decent guy, but it'd be nicer for me if you asked me for whatever you're searching for in my things, than do it behind my back. How I can work with a guy, who isn't honest with me and surely doesn't believe me.' Spike asked harshly, having enough this all circus.

'I'm sorry, Spike. I didn't want you to feel like that. I didn't have in mind…'

'I don't care what you have in mind, John Paul. Just get out from my flat and tell Craig to not shows up here until he wise up.' He said firmly and moved aside so John Paul could go to corridor. 'And if you want to go far in the police world and be someone important and independent from Craig, you need to use your brain, because recently you seemed to lose it. And I really miss the guy who has great ideas and could show Craig a place when he was wrong or saying you to do stupid things for him. Only you lose on it, not him.' John Paul didn't answer only took his rucksack and got out from the flat, ending his nightmare.

Spike saw him from the window as John Paul alone ran for the other side of the pavement and headed toward the nearest bus station, while the familiar black car stopped in front of the building and he recognized Darren getting out from it, along with Charlie. I could guess. He laid Myra's lunch on the nearest table and glanced once more through the window only to certain himself than except his colleague's car, there was another black parked not far away and when he lifted his hand, it quickly gone away, just like it did when he has left the café. He covered the window and wrapped arms around his body as he slowly came into bathroom, lit the light, and stood in front of the broken, dirty mirror hanging above the sink. Confrontation. The truth was hiding somewhere there, but if he wants to find it, he needed to forgot about glassy surface and go through it, to the deepest part of the darkness. To find a missing puzzle. But to reach it he needs to make the last one move. Confrontation. To find himself.

He saw fury in his eyes and he already knew it doesn't bode anything good. He considered to go back to his office and lock himself up with loud McQueen's and for another hour or more listen up to Myra's stories, when John Paul surprisingly quickly approached him and cut off his escape. He tried to play cool with his partner, but when look into angry, crystal blue eyes, he knew he has to think up a really good excuse and there was no way he would avoid a quarrel with him.

'I guess you had a pleasure to chat with Spike.' He said for a start and was sure John Paul hardly stop himself from smash his nose.

'You said you're going to keep him at the station, till I don't finish.' He said through the teeth.

'I tried, but some unexpected things happened and suddenly I lost control at the situation, okay?' He replied evasively. 'I tried to warn you, but you didn't answer your bloody phone!' He barked at him, in case if John Paul wants to blame him about everything and have a pretext to hit him in his blind spot.

'It was switched off.' He snapped. 'I was sniffing in Spike's flat, if you forget.'

'So? You were there alone, so there was no reason to switch it off.' Craig noticed, giving him odd look. 'You're not a commando, and do you at least find the letter?'

'No…'

'See? You're barking at me from beginning, but you also did nothing, only failed our mission.' He stated, like he didn't see murderous glints in man's eyes.

'You can call me whatever you like, but the truth is, you fucked it up as the first.' He pointed finger at him, irate.

'I would take a look at Spike if your bloody family didn't show up and make picnic in my office!' He yelled outraged, feeling like he slowly losing control at the situation.

'What?' John Paul asked puzzled.

'Your mum and Carmel decided to visit Spike, but suddenly it turned out your mother stayed with me and for all the time was telling me about her grandchildren and problems with health. I thought I'm going to lose my mind.'

'Because she made a cup of tea by yourself?' He asked sarcastically and Craig's eyes grow up. 'She's doing it all the time.' He explained, before his eyes turned into ices again and eyebrows frowned. 'Did you just blame my family of didn't take care about the matter? It's the last time when I'm helping you, Craig. I have enough making idiot of myself every time you fuck up something.' He snapped to him and stormed into office, before Craig could answer him.

'Oh, John Paul! You're finally, here!' His mum exclaimed above her mug. 'We thought you're not going back here.'

'Mum, take these all things out from the desks, it's a place for work, not a restaurant.' He snapped to her and threw rucksack on his chair. 'I was telling you all, to not visiting me in my work.' He recalled them.

'We just wanted to check if Spike's okay.' Carmel said weakly as she noticed how mad he was.

'And you have to drag with yourself Kieron? Spike's not a Christian and doesn't need a Last Rites, either.' He asked with disbelief as his eyes stopped finally at the man. 'I'm so sorry, Kieron.'

'I thought he needs to talk with a man about his problems.' Myra explained and crossed arms against chest.

'We're in the department where are almost same men, mum. We can handle with his grief alone, without Kieron's help. He doesn't need to play a scapegoat for you.' He rolled his eyes.

'By courtesy I don't comment.' Kieron stated with half smile.

'He doesn't mind to come here!' Myra said offended. 'I don't know what bite you today, John Paul.'

'I bet he even doesn't know where is he going.' He replied drily, shaking his head. 'Mum, I beg you. Don't interfere into Spike's business when he's not asking you about it. He already has enough matters on the head and doesn't need to listen to your and Carmel's babbling. Just give him a rest.'

'That he doesn't say he feels bad, it doesn't mean that he's happy, John Paul. Some people doesn't want to admit they need a help.' She stated, stubbornly protecting her idea. 'His boyfriend has been killed and he came back to live in their old apartment. You really think it's normal?'

'If you don't have enough things to do I can think you up something.' He replied and fizzled with pain when Myra suddenly approached him and smacked in the back of his head.

'Watch your language.' She snapped to him. 'I'm not your colleague.'

'Myra only wants to help.' Kieron said and laid hands on her shoulders. 'Don't be angry at us, it's the last time when we're coming here. I swear.'

'I'm not angry you visited Spike, but we're working on really hard case and we don't have time for teas and chatting with you. If it's nothing important, I don't want you to come here, okay?' He asked them softly and kissed Myra on the cheek. 'I'm sorry, mum. But I had a really bad day…'

'Fine, we talk later, when you come back to home.' She gave up and wore her blue jacket. 'But don't sit here too long.'

'Sure, mum.' He sighed and rolled his eyes as she ruffled his hair. 'But you don't have to do it.' He added and noticed that Craig finally joined them and was standing in the corner of the office, looking like he just did something bad. 'I think we both need to talk, don't we?' Craig only gave him a warning look and smiled charmingly as he start saying goodbye to their guests.

'Spike, you're there?' Darren called as he opened the front door with a spare keys he got from Craig and carefully came in. He heard some noises coming up from the bathroom and he was almost sure he heard Spike's coughing. He dropped the keys on the commode and quickly moved in the direction from where the sounds coming up. The first thing he saw was the half broken mirror, before he noticed some remains of it in the sink and on the floor, along with fresh streaks of blood falling down the tiles. 'Jesus.'

'No Jesus, but Spike.' Came to him amused, weak voice and when he looked down on the one of the corner he noticed knelling down Spike with sweat covering his all body and hands covered with blood running down from few cuts on his wrists.

'What the hell you did?' Darren asked him terrified and jumped toward aid kit with hope he's going to find there something, in contrast to Jake's one which seemed to be only a nice addition to décor.

'I was just going to find the truth…Or whatever it was.' He replied quietly and glanced down at his hands. 'Anyway, it was accident.'

'I bloody hope it was.' Darren snapped and knelled down in front of his as he start unpacking bandages. 'We can't leave you alone even for minute?'

'I say, it was accident.' He repeated irate and let his partner to wrap the bandages around his wrists. 'I didn't try to kill myself.'

'I don't care what you were trying to do here, Spike, but I'm sure you're going to meet with psychologist as soon as possible.' He said firmly and this time glanced at his face. 'You look awful.'

'You're not the only one who said it that to me.' He chuckled and closed his eyes when Darren put hand on his forehead before put lips to his skin to check the temperature, enjoying the closeness and a little affection.

'You're hot.' Darren said concerned and moved hands down Spike's face.

'Ah, thank you, very much. I don't hear that word from very long time.' He grinned and man blushed slightly.

'I meant you have a fever.' He explained and took his hands back. 'You have sore throat or your nose running?'

'No…And you're not a doctor.' Spike rolled his eyes and let Darren to help him stand on the feet and again be watched carefully.

'When the last time you took the drugs?' Darren suddenly asked, when something clicked in his mind.

'Before Randall's…You know.' He replied quietly and licked his lips nervously.

'For an addict it's far long time, isn't it?' He noted and took a deep breath. 'I would never thought that I say that one day, but maybe you should take them? Before you start treatment and give up with this shit.'

'I don't have them. It was Randall who was buying drugs and bringing to home. He doesn't want me to be involved in it.' Spike said and fall down on the bed like log as Darren lead him to the bedroom.

'How kind of him.' Darren snorted and rand hand over his face as his eyes were still fixed at Spike. 'You have problem with balance, hallucination, vomiting, or feeling pain?'

'Some parts…' He admitted evasively, avoiding his stare.

'Are you sure nothing left here?'

'I'm sure…You're going to stay with me tonight? Or you just pay me a visit after my early coming back to home.' He asked amused and shivered. 'Can you closed the window it's cold here.'

'The window is closed, Spike.' He replied quietly and wrapped another blanket around his body. 'Take a sleep, Spike. I need to go out, but I'll be back as soon as possible. Don't worry, Charlie is outside the building and Megan should join him soon.'

'It's okay…But where are you going?'

'I need to speak with Hannah. Lay down and take a sleep. I'll be back in a minute.' He winked to him and quickly left the flat, with more mess in head than he had before he came to Spike's apartment.

'I'm sorry.' John Paul stopped writing and put the pen on the paper, not sure if he heard good.

'What did you say?' He asked and turned around on his chair as he sensed his presence behind his back.

'I said, I'm sorry.' He repeated louder this time and rubbed the back of his neck, once his eyes wandered over all room.

'Oh, so I heard good, then.' John Paul said coldly and fixed his eyes at Craig's face. 'So finally you accepted your mistake?'

'No.' Craig replied bluntly, his eyes immediately stopped at man with not understanding. 'I'm not sorry for that, John Paul. It was the same your fault as mine.'

'But if you kept Spike at the station, maybe I could find the letter.' John Paul argued, irate. 'If you don't apologize me for your mistake, then for what?' He asked puzzled, not quite understood his intentions.

'I'm sorry about the part with your family. I shouldn't mix them into it.' He replied. 'But still I know it wasn't only my fault.'

'And you should be sorry. My mom and sister didn't do you nothing wrong.' John Paul said, but his tone warmer a little. 'I checked the phone and yea, I saw the missing calls from you, so I can admit in some part I failed it too.'

'So we're good now, then?' Craig asked, but John Paul didn't confirm or deny, so finally he took it as a good sign and that there is going be okay between them two. 'I thought about give you that for Christmas, but after today argue, I thought I might give you that today.' He added and put on the desk baby blue mug. 'I made coffee for you.' He said seeing his stare.

'What?' John Paul asked puzzled, didn't know how to react. Was he joking?

'It's tradition in our department that we're making presents for each other for Christmas.' He explained, unsurely glancing at John Paul.

'So for Christmas present you decided to make a coffee for me?'

'No!' Craig protested outraged. 'Just...forget about it. I regret that I even said that.'

'That's all you. When something isn't going how you want it, you give up and move back.' John Paul said firmly, pointing him with forefinger. 'I don't get you, Craig. Sometimes you're so nasty bastard to me and behaving like you're infallible, and then in the next moment you're kissing me and you're so nice to me…I don't know...you're nice for me, when you want me to do something for you?' He asked lost.

'No! Course, not. It's just who I am. Sometimes I'm losing my temper and well, I saying too much things loud.' He sighed.

'But I see it different.' John Paul shook his head. 'You don't want talk about your feelings and that's your problem, Craig. If you start communicating with other people, there won't be so many quarrels and understatements in work. We learnt talk for some reason, you know.'

'Maybe not everyone are so open to others like you.' Craig snapped in response, feeling very uneasy with him.

'I know that, but maybe you should try to do something about that, eh? The problems with Spike aren't the results your common past, but your lack of skills in express your emotions and saying loud what you're feeling at the moment. Spike really opened for you and he expected that his best friend do the same for him.' John Paul explained. 'I'm not saying you should change for 100%. It's enough if you start being more nice and understanding for others. I know that you've done very much for Spike, but you did it so quiet no one knows about it, and he even doesn't know how much you care about him. First you're making something good and then say something, only to destroy everything you worked up for so long time. I don't get it.'

'I don't like talking about my feelings and Spike as my friend, should understand me.' He said firmly, although he wasn't sure his words so much, before the conversation with John Paul.

'Yea, you're right. There's nothing to talk about.' He snapped irate and returned to his work, before Craig could share with him more his stupid thoughts.

'Yea, it was a nice to chat with you, too.' Craig replied with a false smile and with sad eyes glanced for the last at John Paul's back, before he stormed out toward main corridor.

'I made you a coffee for Christmas.' John Paul mumbled to himself and rolled his eyes. 'I'll never understand what's sitting in his head.' He picked up the mug and was going to take a sip, when something caught his attention. He turned around in hands the mug and until now noticed black letters on them. For the best partner, the letters said and somehow his heart lapped a little in the chest. He quickly turned around to stop him and say him they should talk, but there was no signs of Craig already. 'Damn it!' He swore and put the mug with a slam on the desk, wondering what to do with this strange guy, and how to make him open up for other people.

'How much can I get for such money?' Ed Brook licked his lips and suspiciously glanced at the man who just removed the cash from his leather jacket and asked him for drugs.

'I'm not that stupid.' Ed replied bluntly and crossed arms against his chest. 'I'm not going to be catch again in your trap. Get lost.'

'It's not a trap. But if you say someone about me buying drugs from you, you're going to be in troubles. I'll hunt you down and won't be so nice, you understand me?' He asked him in harsh whisper and pushed hardly into wall.

'I understand.' He panted and removed something from the pocket. 'I can give you only this.'

'It's clean?' He asked sharply, eyeing him up.

'It's a good stuff, Randall always bought it.' He nodded and when his breath calmed, he smiled slyly and stared amused at the man. 'You're buying it for this druggie gay, aren't you?'

'It's not your fucking business, Ed.' He snapped to him and hid the powder under his jacket. 'I'm paying you for drugs not chatting…And remember. You don't know me.'

'Sure thing, officer.' He grinned. 'But it's quite funny how people change priorities when it comes about the people they carrying about.'

'What you mean?'

'Well, I always thought policeman has to fall very low to buy drugs from drug dealers, but I guess there are some exceptions.' He chuckled slightly when Darren sent him a cold look and without word turned on the heel and got out from the alley how quickly he could. 'I would never guess he's going to find a comfort in someone's arms so quickly!'

Darren showed him middle finger for goodbye and after quick look around, moved toward the street. He didn't know there was someone hide in the car on the corner of the street and was taking pictures of him and Ed Brook, and was following him until he didn't dissapear in the old building where Spike was living.

'I've got ya.' The person said quietly and smiled ugly before it took a picture of Spike's building and the black car where were sitting the coppers from night shift. It was the only line dividing him from his target, and that was really comforting.