Hello :) I've managed to write another chapter for you. I know some of you might don't like it, cause it's Hannah and Spike centric chapter, but I promise in the next one we'd get more of other characters :) Anyway, I hope you'll like it :)

21 September, 2011

It was another sunny and very warm day and he'd do anything to get back to his dark loft and dug under dark coverlet, but his little missy was inexorable and keep dragging him around the park with her favorite teddy bear in hand. He moved sunglasses at the tip of his head and smiled when she waved her small hand to him from her seat on the bench next to the fountain.

'Daddy, can I walk in water?' She stared at him with pleading, in both hands keeping her toy. 'I promise I won't get sick.' Sometimes she was so cute.

'Only when you take off your new sandals.' He replied and sat down next to his girl to help her with shoes. 'And not for too long.' He added and waved a finger at her. 'I don't want to hear any argues and sniffing when I say you need to get out of the water.'

'Okay, daddy.' She promised and kissed him in the cheek, before with a loud squeal she jumped into cold water, splashing it around herself. He shook his head and reached to his bag for a book, to kill the time. Maybe he wasn't a big fan of books, but right now he didn't has nothing much to do, and he stated it'd be more entertaining than watching people around the park.

'Two rough nights and cheap payment?' He frowned and turned his head as familiar, amused voice caught his ears. 'So, did I guess?' She grinned at him.

'And another rough night tonight.' He replied with a smirk and moved on the side to give a space to his friend. 'How did you know we are, here?'

'I guessed you wouldn't have strength to take Jasmine somewhere else.' She smiled and stroked his arm. 'So, how are you doing, Spike? You have awful bruises under your eyes, if you didn't notice them, yet.'

'Someone needs to pay for bills.' He shrugged and sighed heavily. 'Anyway, I feel fine. Nothing much to say. How about you, Hannah?'

'Nothing new.'

'Well, something has to changed, if you decided to find your dear, old friend after two months of not speaking up to him.' He said mockingly, knowing he'd make her feel guilty, and see this priceless expression on her face he likes.

'Oh, I'm really sorry, Spike. I've just had on my head so many things going on.' She almost moaned and made this puppy face who always makes him chuckle. 'If I'm not all the time in work, I'm spending my free time with John Paul. You know he has hard time right now.'

'He has hard time since I met him, Hannah.' He retorted with a snort, already having enough listening about her other friend and his problems. 'Trust me, Hannah, people around here have more serious problems than him. He's just feeling sorry for himself for the last four years.'

'Don't be so harsh for him.' She scowled. 'He needs to leave the college if he wants to keep the job and his last relationships were completely disaster.'

'Because he doesn't give anything back to another person. It's not only about being with someone, you have to feel something to other person.'

'So, you think he was with guys he didn't love?' She was staring at him the way he committed some big crime.

'Yes.' He said firmly withstanding her stare. 'He doesn't find the right guy, yet.'

'Well, in that one point I agree with you.' She nodded and smiled slightly.

'At least in one.' He rolled his eyes, didn't notice her intensive stare.

'You found John Paul attractive, didn't you?' She suddenly asked with a smirk.

'Yea, he's good looking, funny, nice and smart. I guess he could be an ideal boyfriend.' He shrugged. 'Why you asked?'

'John Paul has a thing to you also, so I thought, you might have enough your single life and would like to try…' He even didn't let her finish.

'No, Hannah. I don't have time for dates and let alone dealing with him!' He protested angrily. 'He's addicted to alcohol!'

'He's not!' Hannah disagreed, irate.

'Did you see him recently without any bottle of alcohol? He's drinking all the time, Hannah. He has a problem to deal with and you should concern at that, not trying to set him a date, because he'd destroy his another relationship.' He snapped.

'Okay, maybe recently he drinks a lot too much, but I'm sure with our help, and especially yours, he'd give up with alcohol. You're a cure for him.' She smiled.

'You want Jasmine to watch John Paul walking drunk around the flat and making a hell of everything?'

'No, John Paul would never…Look, Spike. He has a lot things to deal with.'

'Hannah, I'm a single guy working in three places and have dying daughter. Do you really think that in that case I'm going to go for a date with John Paul?' He didn't want to sound so harsh, but he also knew it was the only way to finish this conversation before Hannah would go further with her imagination.

'I'm sorry, Spike.' She sighed heavily and stroked his arm. 'I didn't think about it, but…You deserve to have your own life. To be with someone who would take care about you and love you unconditionally. To have someone except Jasmine.'

'Where did you read about it?' He asked sarcastically. 'In some novel? I know you're romantic soul, but there's no way John Paul would be my prince on a white horse. Just leave it.' He turned toward fountain to see his little girl still jumping in water. 'Jas! Come out, we're leaving now!' He called her.

'Oh, so it means you have enough talking with me?' He could say by one look at her face she felt hurt, although she tried to not show it up.

'It means I'm hungry and we're going to grab something to eat.' He retorted with a smirk. 'Come on, bunny! Give a hug to aunt.'

'Auntie Hannah!' Jasmine squealed and in a bare feet ran at her and wrapped tiny arms around her waist.

'Hello, star!' She grinned and gave her a peck on the cheek. 'How are you feeling?'

'Goo…' She didn't has a chance to finish as her back arched and she began coughing.

'I told you so many times to not run around!' He shouted at her, alarmed.

'She's only coughing, Spike. She's fine, don't panic.' Hannah said calmly as she noticed how pale he become and she was sure, he was ready to call the ambulance. 'Now, see? She's okay, and you need to calm down. You look like a human wrack.' She almost scowled at him, didn't know how to talk with him anymore. She understood Jasmine was very sick, but Spike couldn't react so violently at her each cough or sneeze, otherwise he'd end with a heart attack one day.

'I'm okay, daddy.' Jasmine assured him with worried look.

'Fine, put your shoes on and we're going.' Spike cut off and handed her sandals before he shoved his shaking hands into the pockets of his jeans and waited for his little missus to get ready. 'I know a nice restaurant not far away.'

'Another fast food?' Hannah asked with a slanting mine.

'If you want we can eat the grass.' He offered and didn't wait for her response, walked toward the main street.

'Sometimes you can be such a pain on the ass.' She muttered as she caught him and made sure Jasmine was walking for the other side of man, so she couldn't hear her. 'What's bite you today?'

'Three nights in a row and four hours of sleep each day.' He replied irate and leaded them toward the side street. 'Do you need more?'

'Well, I would never thought I'd tell you that, but I think you need to do something to relax.' She replied evasively and licked her lips.

'Yea, I know you're a workaholic.' He snorted and glanced at her amused. 'Anyway, what you have on your mind?'

'Well, you need to get this anger and sadness out of your system.' He frowned, not quite understood where this conversation was going on.

'You mean I should take Jasmine on the vacation?' He smirked.

'No!' She scowled and bite down on her low lip, before she decided to move to the matter. 'I think you need sex.' Yea, she said it!

'What?' He stared at her speechless. 'Hannah Ashworth what came into you? It's the last thing I thought I'd ever hear from you.' He was grinning like Cheshire cat as she blushed furiously.

'Well, if you're not into any relationships…you can…well, at least you can try to find someone for one stand!' She mumbled, didn't dare to look him into eye. 'It was just idea!'

'Aw…Now, you don't have to be all so embarrassed.' He chuckled, having a great laugh of her.

' Oh, just shut up!' She snapped at him and glanced at Jasmine following them sheepishly and showing her teddy bear the neighborhood. 'And are you sure about the fast food? It's not like Jasmine can eat food like this one.' She reminded him, like he already didn't know about it.

'I know, Sherlock.' He rolled his eyes and turned into corner. 'They've got quite good salads there, haven't they, bunny?' He asked louder the youngest.

'Yes, daddy. We were there already twice.' She nodded her head fiercely and grinned to her aunt watching her with not quite convinced mine.

'You want hamburger with French fries?' He asked, while Jasmine ran toward the red, metallic door and pointed at the only, huge window coming out on the street. 'We're already on the place.'

'Sure, love. And coke to drink, please.' She said and smiled when Spike opened the door for them.

'Bunny, lead auntie to our table.'

'You were there twice and you already have your own table?' She cocked her eyebrow with a smirk.

'Stop babbling, only take the table if it's free. I'll take care about the meals.' He shook his head and smiled softly as Jasmine tugged for the belt of his jeans. 'Yes, bunny?'

'Daddy, can I have few French fries?' She asked in confident whisper, didn't want to be heard by Hannah. 'I know I can't, but I'd like so much to eat a few.' She made the puppy eyes and there was no way Spike could say no.

'Fine, sweetie. I can share my portion with you, but not too much!' He warned her and almost melted as his little daughter giggled and her face was all bright and happy. He wished she could look like that all the time. 'Now, take care about aunt Hannah, because I think she mistakes the tables.' He smirked and made his way toward the counter where he noticed two employers. The blonde woman with ponytail was energetically cleaning the top, while the guy was sitting behind the counter with a red cap on his head, and was flicking through some magazine. His mind was telling him to go to her and order the meals, since it looked like the other waiter was having the break now, but something in his pose attracted Spike to come over him and chat him up. But before he even got a chance to say something, the man has to sensed his presence, because quickly threw the magazine on the floor and stood up.

'Hi, can I place the order?' Spike asked with a small smile.

'Hello, yea, sure.' He nodded his head and moved his red cap up, so Spike could see his all face perfectly. 'What can I get for you?' He had to be about the same age as him, with pair of warm, dark eyes and neatly trimmed goatee. He looked nice and Spike couldn't help but wander his eyes a bit around his body, while the man reached for his small notepad.

'Two hamburgers with French fries, one Greek salad, and three cokes.'

'Okay, is this everything?' Well, he'd like to chat with him, but he was sure he'd freak him out.

'Yea, it is.' He grabbed for his wallet and swore quietly as few coins slipped off and landed on the floor. 'Sorry.' He muttered and knelled down to collect his money.

'Someone is a bit sloppy, eh?' He didn't like the unnecessary, sarcastic comments and was ready to said something nasty back, but he changed his mind as he looked up. The guy was bending over the counter and watching him with funny gleams in his eyes, while his lips stretched out in a wide, warm smile. He loves his smile.

'A bit.' He admitted with a shyly smile, didn't understand his own reactions. It wasn't him, not at all. 'You'd bring my meals or should I…'

'I'll bring them for you. I'd be your personal waiter today.' He felt like an idiot, grinning back to this guy like some schoolgirl, while he winked to him and strolled away at the back of the room. In that moment he wanted ground to swallow him right now.

18 September, 2011

The little thing was sitting behind the counter and consuming a bowl of his corn flakes, while her legs were swinging over and over, making his head pound every time her heels hit the stool. He kept watching her from the other end of the top, with a phone still pressing to his ear. He didn't know what to do. It just fall onto him so unexpectedly, he didn't has even time to sort everything out in his head.

'You live here alone?' She broke the silence as the first, looking around the apartment with curious.

'Yea, it's my flat.' He nodded reluctantly and put the phone back on the counter, knowing there was no more point in phoning back to Sarah. She wouldn't help him in any way. 'Where do you live, Sylvia?' He asked, deciding it'd the best start.

'In Chester.' She replied shortly and took another bite of flakes with cold milk.

'I guess you don't live there alone.' He said a little sarcastically.

'Of course not. I live with my grandma.'

'What about your mum?' He wondered how much she changed during the last eight years and if she was still the same beautiful girl he knew. No, that he was thinking about trying again with her, but well, it'd be nice to see her once again.

'She's in heaven.' He licked his lips, not sure what to say. Well, to be honest somehow he had a feeling she could be dead, since her daughter decided to arrive on his doormat and kept talking only about her grandma, but still, there was quite a shock for him. She was almost in his age…Such a young woman.

'What's happened to your mum?' Maybe it wasn't the right thing to ask about right now, but curious took the better of him.

'She died in a car accident when I was a little.' She pushed the empty bowl forward and rested her chin on her hands as she fixed eyes at him. 'Would you let me stay here?'

'I'm taking you back to Chester, to your grandma. I'm sure she's worrying about you and I wouldn't be surprised if she already called cops.' The last thing he needs now.

'But I just came to see you…' Her eyes became watery, but Craig knew he couldn't let her stay here. Even for one night. He didn't want her to get use to him.

'Well, you saw me. Now, it's time to return to home.' He retorted unmoved, and grabbed the empty bowl. 'You want something more to eat?'

'No.' She replied quietly, her head hang up.

'Fine.' He put the bowl to the sink and grabbed for TV remote. 'Okay, move to the living room and watch some cartoons and in the meantime I'd reserve tickets for me and you for the train.' He informed and strolled off for his phone.

'I won't tell you where my grandma lives.' He really doesn't like kids, but he hates with all his heart the one who are trying to challenge you and be wiser than you.

'I have my sources, little girl. I'm sure there isn't too much Clarke in Chester, eh?' He smirked triumphantly as Sylvia watched him with opened mouth. 'If you don't want to cooperate with me, that's fine for me. I've never been a big fan of kids, so you staying quiet it's the best thing which happened to me today.' He snorted.

'You're not happy you have a daughter?' She asked briskly, staring at him offended.

'No, I'm not. I've never asked for that.' He handed her TV remote. 'Go and watch some cartoons. I need to make a call to my boss and ask him for a day off.' His was sure this old pig would got heart attack when he hears he wants a day off. He even didn't remember when the last time he was asking him for something like that. 'I bet my boss would think I'm dying.' He rolled his eyes.

'You aren't too friendly.' She stated, didn't think about going anywhere. 'That's why mum left you?'

'I left her.' He corrected her and again pointed at the couch. 'Now, move on.'

'But I'd like to know you better.' She almost whined; another thing Craig hated.

'You'd have a chance in train, before we got to Chester.' He cut off her all protests. 'Now, do what I said, if you don't want to make me angry.' He sighed with relief as the girl finally listened and threw herself on the couch. 'Good girl.' He muttered with a smirk.

'What did you say?'

'Nothing. Watch TV.' He grabbed his phone and closed himself in the bathroom didn't want to be heard by this little creature. If she's really his biological daughter, he could be sure she'd use anything she'd hear against him. Just like he uses to do, when he needs something.

21 September, 2011

He hoped his mobile phone could ring and end this boring day, but nothing like that happened. Another hours passed away and he was slowly dying behind the counter, from time to time serving clients their meals, and flickering through magazine. Even Marilyn couldn't do nothing to change his mood, and she same looked tired and bored. She kept cleaning the whole place from the morning and has been barely speaking to him. Yea, it was a hell day.

'I'm sorry, but I can't give you a plate, Sir.' He just returned from the kitchen and glanced briefly at Marilyn standing above the table in the corner, with a nice view at the outside.

'I can pay extra if it's a problem.' It was this funny guy who has dropped his pennies around the floor. 'Just a small plate.'

'I'm sorry, I can't.' He smirked as she strolled back to the counter with a roll of her eyes. 'People! They're always making a fuss about everything.' She muttered and sneaked behind him to grab her book.

'He doesn't look like a guy who's making a fuss.' He stated carefully as he took a look at young man chatting cheerfully with his wife and kid.

'That's only the first impression.' She said with another roll of her eyes and sat down on the stool.

'So, what was all about?' He asked with curious and rested his chin on hands.

'He asked for an extra plate.'

'For hamburger or French fries?' He chuckled, amused. Sometimes people can be so funny with their requests.

'For his kid.' She muttered and pointed at the kitchen. 'I guess your order is ready.'

'If it's for kid why you didn't give him this plate?' He frowned, not quite understood the problem. 'He's not gonna smash it on the tiles.'

'We need to stick with rules. Beside for what the hell he needs this plate? He asked for a salad for a kid, so for what that plate?' She scowled.

'I don't know, maybe she prefers to eat from plate? It's not a big deal give him one plate.' He said, suddenly irate with her behavior.

'It is.' She insisted. 'One plate here and another one somewhere else. Two days later and everyone will be asking about everything!' He threw his red cap on the counter and swaggered toward the kitchen. 'Oy, what are you doing?'

'Giving him a plate.' He replied drily as he returned with a small, white plate and walked around the counter. 'You're not doing anything so you can give clients their order.' He added with a smirk.

'I have a break now, and besides they're yours clients, not mine!' Marilyn scowled, but he was already in half way to the table, didn't bother about her sulking. He put a friendly smile on his face, before with grace he handed the plate to surprised man.

'There's a plate you were asking for.' He informed him kindly, feeling pleasant when the small girl squealed on her seat and her father grinned widely to him, before moved few French fries from his plate to the new one.

'Oh, this is the man who I was telling you about. Our private waiter.' He said with a sneaker, staring at him with his warm, hazel eyes. He really has a lovely eyes as for men, so different than his wife, but yet the dark bruises under them were ruining his whole image and made him look older. He couldn't has more years than him. He was sure about that.

'Ah, that's really nice of you.' His wife said with a gently smile. She was a beautiful one, with a storm of blonde locks falling down onto her shoulders, big blue eyes and cute little nose. He has to admit they both were making a very handsome couple and they seemed to match to themselves, although they seemed to be so different from each other.

'If you only need something, call me.' He offered and glanced at cute little girl, probably about the same age as his Crystal, swinging happily her legs and holding tightly her teddy bear. She was gorgeous, and looks like a small copy of his dad.

'Thank you once more. I really didn't want to make problems, but my bunny here.' He pointed at his daughter with a chuckle. 'Requested a French fries.'

'And we dads need to fulfill their wishes.' He winked at him, totally understanding him. He was the same if it comes about his kids. He'd do anything for them.

'Correct.' The man grinned and for short moment he wondered if he was flirting with him. The way he looked at him and smile…Of course it was only his imagination. Married men wouldn't try a thing with another guy in front of their wife and kid. But still…There was something about him, which alarmed him. Well, he didn't mind if the man was a bi or maybe even a gay, until he doesn't start hitting on him. They really could do whatever they want, but far away from him. 'Is there anything else?' His breath hitched in his throat as he realized he was still standing there and stupidly watching the man who stared at him with curious.

'No, I've just lost on my track. Sorry.' He stuttered and with a small smile made his way back to the counter, in the same time as the small bell above the door rang and another clients came in. 'You're fine?' He asked Marilyn as he felt her intensive gaze on his back.

'You had to give him this fucking plate, hadn't you?' She sneered at him and improved the cap on her head.

'Since he didn't ask for a star from the sky.' He replied with a smirk and laid hands on the counter, while new guests focused at choosing the meals.

'Fine, Mr. Clever. Now, it's your turn to take care about new guests.' She nudged him playfully on the ribs. 'Oh, and your Nancy phoned.'

'You answered my phone?' He asked irate, didn't like when strangers were touching his private things.

'No, she called to restaurant, because you didn't answer your phone.' She rolled her eyes. 'So, don't bite my head off.'

'Sorry.' He smiled sheepishly. 'What she wanted, then?'

'She wants you to do shopping before you go back to home. Crystal didn't feel well today, so Nancy didn't go out. Ah, and she sends you a kiss.'

'Well, that's always something.' He muttered and sighed heavily at the same thought about shopping. He hates doing it even more than working here. He bet he'd spend another hour or two in the market standing in queues, before he manages to go home.

'I know it's not my business and you can tell me to sod off, but is your Nancy working somewhere? It's just…It looks like recently she's all the time in home.' Marilyn brought a very touchy subject. The truth was, he was thinking about the same and tried not once to find out why Nancy is still in home, but she always were dismissing him with lame excuses.

'That's a good question.' He snorted and prepared a notepad as he noticed new clients would like to place their orders. 'I'd like to know the answer, too.'

'I'm sure everything's fine.' Marilyn said softly and moved aside, deciding to drop down the delicate topic.

'I hope so.' He muttered and plastered a kind smile on his face as a nice couple in their sixties approached him. 'Hello! What can I do for you?'

21 September, 2011

'Ah, he's so hot!' She said in confidential whisper, couldn't take her eyes from the back of waiter. 'Just look at these legs and this…' She made a ball with her hand and giggled like a schoolgirl.

'I really don't recognize you, anymore.' He chuckled amused and took a sip of his coke.

'Oh, come on! I know he caught your eyes, Spike. He's so nice and good looking. I bet he's a great companion.' She made a dreamy eyes.

'Yea, and you know that all by one look at him?' He cocked his eyebrow. 'You know the first expression can be wrong?'

'Not in that case.' She said firmly and put her hamburger aside. 'I looked into his eyes.' She said excited, couldn't help the small grin escaping on her lips.

'Hannah, I really don't think he'd be interested in one of us…' He said carefully, but she wasn't listening to him.

'Give this crap someone else!' She scowled at him, but quickly regretted it as he gave her a long warning look, before pointed at his little daughter watching her with growing curious. 'Yea, sorry. Anyway, didn't you see how he was looking at you? He was staring at you for good two minutes, before said some lame excuse and ran away.' She rolled her eyes.

'It doesn't mean anything. He really could lost a track or something.' He shrugged. 'Besides I'm not looking for a boyfriend.'

'Good. Because I'm not going to give him to you.' She smirked and rubbed her hands together. 'We'll see who'd win him.'

'It's childish.' He stated, annoyed.

'You're afraid of losing.'

'He has a wedding band on his finger.'

'Oh.' She said disappointed and looked at him intensively. 'You're sure it's a wedding one?'

'I'm pretty sure.' He replied firmly and smirked. 'So forget about him and tell me about the plan you made.'

'That's shame he's married, but he's so handsome it shouldn't surprise me he already has someone.' She stated with a quiet sigh. 'But, returning to my case.' She grinned, making the man roll his eyes. 'What?'

'Your changes of mood.' He chuckled and reached for his French fries. 'So, what is it? You're thinking about buying a house and want me to live with you?'

'Well, I have to disappoint you, but I don't earn so much money as you think, my dear.' She smirked at him and took a bite of her already cold hamburger. 'I was thinking about party for John Paul. We need to cheer him up and besides I'd like you to meet my new friend.'

'Making a party for him it isn't a very wise idea to help him finish with alcohol.' He said sarcastically. 'Did you catch what I mean?'

'He needs someone to cheer him up. We won't buy any alcohol.' She didn't see any problem about that. It's not like she has to drink at every party.

'Who are you kidding? Of course there would be an alcohol.' He snorted. 'And to be honest I don't want to take a part in it. I have someone to take care about.'

'I can ask Mary to stay with her for a night.' She quickly offered. 'I want you all to be there. You're my best friend, Spike. I can't imagine party without you.' She whined and made a puppy eyes to him. 'At least you might find a way to help John Paul.'

'I'm not going to ask him for a date, if it's what you suggest.'

'It's enough if you talk with him or find some seizure. I wouldn't try to set you up with him, but I wouldn't mind if one day you'll decide to give him a chance.' She grinned. 'You could be a great couple.'

'Yea, right.' He rolled his eyes and fished for his wallet. 'You know, what? I don't have change for a bus, would you like to go to our nice waiter and ask him if he can change ten pounds?'

'Sure.' She grinned and quickly grabbed the money, before he changed his mind. 'I'll be back for few minutes.'

'You don't have to hurry up.' His smirk was different than usual one, but he decided to not pay any attention to it, only improved her t-shirt and quickly made her way toward the waiter who welcomed her with a warm, killing smile.