Hi :) I have another update for you :) As for you linda...Soon you'd find out how Craig and John Paul are gonna meet ;) Well maybe there would be some small romance between Darren and Spike (again!), but I'm not sure about it, yet ;) We'll see.

I hope you'd like a new chapter :)

18 September, 2011

It was an old house surrounded by fields, with a cow farm hidden behind it and small garden on the front. There was nothing else around, except another fields and meadows and the roof of the next home placed at the end of road, about few miles away. It was a total shithole and now he understood why she wanted so badly to leave this place. There was any perspective for her. She could stay at farm helping her parents or start a family with local farmer, which lead…to the same thing. In other words, there was nothing much to do, here.

He glanced at the little creature walking next to him with a sad face and he wondered if it's the only future waiting for her. She seemed to be too smart and bold to be some ordinary farmer's wife. And he had to admit she was a cute one girl and it'd shame if she wastes her life here. But still it wasn't his business, only her grandma.

'Would you visit me sometimes?' She asked with a small voice, her eyes fixed at the porch of her home.

'I'm a busy man.' He replied shortly, didn't even think about visit her. He didn't want her to get use to him, to call him a father, since he still didn't know if he indeed is him or not.

'Maybe on the vacation, then?' She tried once again, this time staring at him with her big, chocolate eyes.

'Why you're so badly want to stay in touch with me?' He asked, irate, didn't understand her stubbornness. 'You even don't know me and I wasn't with you when you born. Why you'd like to talk with someone like me?' He stopped at the track and looked her into eye. 'Shouldn't you hate me?' That's the way kids were usually acting in movies. They were hating their parents that they have abandoned them and even tried to punish them for what they've done…Did she find him to punish him? Would she be able to do it? He stared intently at the small girl, wondering if it's a child of hell from one of this horrors he has watched, but she looked so innocently and nice…No, definitely she wasn't after him. At least not for now.

'I'd like to know that somewhere there I have a dad who cares about me.' She replied quietly and looked down at her shoes. 'I barely remember my mum, so at least I'd like to know one of my parents. All kids in school have parents, so why I have to be different and can't have them?' He didn't expect it. He was deprived of words and whatever response he made in his head, seemed to sound even worse. 'I thought so.' The girl suddenly said and with hurt face kept walking toward the house.

'You thought what?' He called after her, but she didn't stop. He swore under his breath and quickly followed her. 'I ask you a question, Sylvia.' He said, for moment turning into a father, he didn't want to be.

'It doesn't matter.' She shrugged, without looking at him. 'I could guess you wouldn't like me.'

'You didn't give me time to like you!' He snapped. 'You just knocked to my door without warning, and you expect I'd welcome you with spread arms and let you stay with me?'

'At least you could try to talk with me and show some interest!' She yelled back with a shrink voice. 'But you just decided you don't like kids, so regardless of what I do, you won't like me!'

'That's not truth!' He disagreed and rubbed the back of his neck. 'My life isn't suitable for a kid. You'd feel bad and lonely there.'

'I wouldn't!' She disagreed and jumped at the porch. 'I don't want to stay here.'

'I can't do nothing about that. Your grandma is your keeper, I don't have any rights to you. Besides I don't need a kid in home. I'm good on my own.' He snapped and followed her on the old, creaking porch. 'End of discussion. You're staying with your grandma.' He said firmly at the same time as the frontal door opened violently and old woman wrapped with violet plaid walked outside.

'Sylvio Clarke, where the hell have you been?' She yelled for the welcome and caught the girl with her bony hands for the shoulders to shake her. 'All neighbors are searching for you from yesterday night!'

'Oy, stop pulling her like that!' Craig shouted, couldn't believe in what's he see. 'Let her go!' He ordered, making the woman jumped and looked surprised at him.

'And who the hell are you?' She narrowed her eyes.

'I'm Craig Dean and…' Her face tensed, eyes burned with anger.

'Get out of my house!' She yelled and pulled roughly for Sylvia's arm. 'Now! Before I'll call police!' Craig watched her mortified, couldn't say a word. He knew she has right to not like him, but hell, he wouldn't think she'd hate him so much!

'But grandma, his my dad!' The girl squealed and tried to escape, but woman's long, bony fingers were like claws and kept the girl in grip.

'He's not welcome in this house! Get out!' She already pushed the girl inside the house, when Craig caught her by arm.

'Oy, I'm not going anywhere, until you explain me what the fuck is going on here!' He was angry as hell.

'There's nothing to explain.' She snapped, but he didn't let her close the door. 'Just leave us, alone.' She added calmer, staring at him deeply. 'She doesn't need you.'

'If she doesn't need, why she'd ran away from the house to find me?' The woman didn't answer, only shifted on her feet and watched him intently, like she was wondering about something. Sylvia was crying loudly somewhere inside the house, but he couldn't see her. 'I don't go until you say me everything. If it's true I'm Sylvia's father, I deserve to know the truth, right?' Her face softened a bit, but her eyes were still carefully watching him.

'Get in, then.' She sighed heavily and moved aside, so Craig could walk inside the house. 'Would you like to drink a tea?'

24 September, 2011

He barely could keep his eyes open, but he tried his best to stay awake. He pushed his headphones around his neck and laid chin on the arms as he kept watching people having a good night there; dancing or flirting in the middle of club, chattering at their tables and nursing drinks in their hands. He didn't remember when the last time he was having a fun like that. It had to be about three years ago, when David has been still there, he guessed.

'Everything's fine there, Spike?' His boss called behind his back. 'Tired, eh?' He turned around to might look at grinning at him short guy in his forties.

'You bet, I am.' He replied with a smirk and bite down on his lip as he noticed the man's tonight's outfit. A gold, shining shirt emphasizing his too big belly and tight, dark jeans wrapped around his tiny legs. He looked hilarious, but Spike knew better to not laugh at him and comment his choose of clothes. 'You want something from me, boss?'

'Small birds told me you need extra cash for your daughter and you're searching for a new job. Is it true?' He came straight to the matter, just like always.

'I'm searching for something for weekends, boss.' He quickly assured him. 'It won't collide with my work, here.'

'I know it won't. There isn't any club around where they'd pay you so much as me and be so understanding when it comes about your daughter.' He patted his shoulder with a chuckle. 'The thing is, I need someone to lead a party this Saturday at my friend's house and when I heard you're searching for an extra job, I immediately thought about you. You're the best in your job.' He grinned.

'Well, thanks, boss.' He smiled and rubbed his hands together. 'But what kind of music you want me to bring? What kind of party it is?'

'Well…' His boss scratched his short, dark hair before removed some folder from the back of his jeans. 'Here, take a look at it and tell me if you're in for that.' He handed the folder with sheepish smile, baffling Spike for moment. Spike opened it and almost immediately his eyebrows moved up on surprise.

'Oh, okay…So, well…It's that kind of party.' He stuttered and licked his lips. 'Not that I have something against, but that's not what I like.' He admitted quietly.

'I know it's nothing you'd fancy, but I'm in the dead point and since I know a bit about you, I was sure you'd like to accept the offer. At least I hoped you wouldn't mind it.' He said unsurely. 'I don't know anyone else who'd be up for it.'

'Well, I'm not surprised.' Spike scratched his head and gave the folder back. 'Should I…You know?' He motioned at his clothes.

'Yes, it'd be appreciate.' He nodded his head with apologized smile. 'I own you, Spike.'

'Wait a minute with that, boss. I still don't have any clothes and don't have any clue how to take care about that things.' He licked his lips nervously.

'I asked Linda to help you. She'd do that with pleasure.' He smirked and patted his shoulder again. 'Don't worry, everything's would be fine.'

'I bet it'd be.' He rolled his eyes and was going to go back to his work, when he noticed his boss shuffled nervously on his feet and looked like he still wants something from him. 'Is there anything else I should know about?' He asked, feeling the worse.

'Maybe you know someone who could work as a waiter, there?' He grinned sheepishly and Spike couldn't help but smirk back. 'I'll pay you twice.'

'I'll try my best to find someone.'

'I knew I can count on you.' He winked at him. 'Anyway, what you think about my clothes?' And there it goes the most hated by him question.

'Err, they're fine. You look good boss.' He assured him with a fake smile.

'Ha! I knew it!' He grinned like Cheshire cat and smoothed his shirt on the belly. 'This night women would fight with each other to get me.'

'I'm sure they'll. Thanks for job, boss.' He said and burst in laugh, when the man only disappeared in the crowd. But it quickly died on his lips as he understood in what position he found himself right now, and he wondered if he really did the right thing accepting the offer. He had a strange feeling it'd bite him back one day.

18 September, 2011

He bite slightly on the homemade biscuit and took a sip of his warm, sweet tea as he patiently wait for their return. He briefly looked around old-fashioned kitchen and moved on his wicker chair to make himself more comfortable. Grandma returned moment later with clean clothes and put them aside on the sideboard, before sat across him and wrapped hands around her own tea. He sighed nervously and began patting his spoon over the table.

'Where's Sylvia?' He asked and threw the spoon aside as he noticed a warning look the woman gave him.

'In her room. It's not that kind of conversation she should take a part in.' She explained and handed him a plate with biscuits. 'Eat, young man. You're thin as these walls.'

'I didn't come here to be stuffed.' He snapped, losing his patience. 'Would you explain me why your grandchild came to my house and said me I'm her father?'

'If I knew it'd end like that, I'd never told her about you.' She muttered and pressed a biscuit into his hand.

'So I'm really her father?' It was insane. 'How the hell is that possible? Why your daughter didn't tell me she's pregnant?'

'It was Evelyn choice. I told her not once she should tell you about your daughter, but she decided she doesn't want your mercy and she can take care about herself and little Sylvia alone. She always was a stubborn one.'

'At least I could help her financially.'

'She would never take any money from you.' She sighed and tucked the hair behind her ear. 'Besides it was her decision and I didn't have rights to interfere.'

'But she told you about me.' He noticed.

'Yes, she did, but it doesn't mean anything.' She shrugged and looked through the window. 'And when she died…it didn't matter.'

'Why you didn't try to contact with me after Evelyn died?' He asked quietly. 'Why you told Sylvia about me, now?'

'She found a picture of you and Evelyn together. She asked who are you and I honestly told her you're her father. Then she started questioning me about you, and I told everything I knew…I didn't have any idea, she'd try to find you. And how the hell she manages to find you in so big town.' She shook her head. 'She'll get a right slap for what she did.'

'From where she got money for the train?'

'She has to saved her pocket money.' She smirked. 'She's a smart one, the best in her class. She has same A.' She said proudly.

'I already noticed it.' He sighed. 'Anyway, what plan you have for her? To which high school you want to send her?' He took another sip of tea and decided to change the subject.

'To any.' She replied surprised with his question. 'I need her here, on the farm. I'm too old to take care about whole house and my other daughter coming over in weekends.'

'You want her to be a cowgirl?' He scowled with pulled out face. 'You have to be kidding me!'

'She likes living here.' She said firmly, fixing eyes at him. 'One day everything will be her.'

'You think this is a life Evelyn wants for her daughter?' He asked her seriously. 'She wanted to escape from this shithole!'

'Well, what else she can do here, eh? You have some proposition for me and her? How you want to help her? Give her money?' She snorted. 'It won't help in anything.' She was right, but he knew he just have to do something.

'I'd think about something.'

'Ha, I'd like to see that.' She snorted, but she didn't has any clue how stubborn can be Craig Dean when he once made a decision.

25 September, 2011

He was sure there was a tornado in his flat when he was asleep. There was no other explanation. He scratched his head and leaned against the doorframe of living room when he heard someone was walking behind the wall. His all clothes were scattered around and empty bottles decorated the modern coffee-table. He began wonder if he had a party last night here, when golden hair appeared in front of his face. He shouted and pulled back, almost landing on the floor.

'Oh, I'm so sorry, John Paul! I didn't mean to startle you!' Hannah. He could guessed.

'How the hell you get in?' He asked surprised and rolled his eyes when she approached him with gently smile and pulled him into a tight hug. It wasn't like he give her a keys from his flat or leave the door open…At least he hoped he didn't leave.

'Jackie gave me her keys.' She grinned and caught him by hand, so she could lead him to the living room. 'I thought you'd need a woman hand to tidy here, and well, I was right.' She looked warily at the bottles. 'You have a party last night?' Good question.

'I thought it's your cleaning up the flat.' He replied puzzled. 'I didn't remember me putting bottles on the coffee-table.'

'It means you drank them all?' She stared at him horrified, one bottle already in her hand. 'John Paul, there's about seven bottles, here...'

'I didn't drink them during one night!' He scowled, although he wasn't entirely sure if he really wasn't able to drink them all alone.

'I've had a surprise for you, but now I'm not so sure if it's a good idea.' She said evasively.

'I'm up for all surprises you made for me.' He smirked. 'I've just left college and need someone to cheer me up. Would you like to drink coffee with me? I'd clean here later.'

'Leave it, I'd do it.' She sighed and kissed him on the cheek. 'Sit down and I'd make coffee for us.'

'So, what kind of surprise you have for me?' He grinned slightly. 'You're taking me for vacation?' He asked amused.

'What's wrong with you guys?' She rolled her eyes. 'Firstly Spike was talking about me buying a house for him and myself, and then you think I'd take you for vacation? You really think I'm so rich?' She smirked.

'I'm sure you earn more money than me and you're still a single, so you don't need so much money as if you live with someone.' He grinned and threw himself on the couch. 'So, what is it?'

'We're going to make a party for you.'

'Whose we?' He cocked his eyebrow and reached for TV remote.

'Spike and me. I thought you'd like to have a little fun with your friends and maybe talk with Spike.' She smiled softly and disappeared in the narrow kitchen. 'You both are lonely.'

'He's not interested in me.' John Paul retorted and sighed as he began jumping from one channel to another one. 'And well, I can't blame him.'

'Nonsense! He finds you attractive, you know?'

'Finding someone attractive it's one thing, and wanting to be with someone it's another thing.' He rolled his eyes and decided to watch some match in TV. 'Does he know you're again playing a cupid around?' He smirked. 'Why don't you try to find someone for yourself, eh?'

'You know, Spike. He'd never find anyone without my help.' Well, he had a different opinion about that. 'He's too shy.'

'Spike is the last person I'd call shy, Hannah.' He chuckled. 'He just doesn't has head for dates. He's too much absorbed with Jasmine.'

'And that bothers me.' She said and popped her head inside. 'What if she dies? I just can't imagine how big blow it'd be for Spike…He'd be completely alone and devasted.' She sighed heavily.

'He'd has us.' John Paul corrected and looked briefly at her concerned face. 'He's not completely alone.'

'But he wouldn't has anyone close to soothe his pain. I can't be all the time around him, and you either.'

'I think he knows where he's standing.' He said carefully and switched off TV, knowing she wouldn't let him watch anything right now. 'But he decided he doesn't want anyone in his life and I think you should respect it.'

'But I want him to be happy. He's my friend.' She sighed and made puppy eyes.

'Maybe he's happy, Hannah. Being with someone, doesn't mean you'd be happy.' He patted the seat beside him. 'Come on, sweetie.'

'I'm just worrying about you two.' She moaned and threw herself on the free seat. 'You deserve a nice guy.'

'Just leave it, woman.' He growled and stroked her arm. 'We both find our men in the right time. You can't make happy anyone who don't want it.'

'I know, but…Okay, forget.' She rolled her eyes and laid head on her shoulder. 'So what would you say for a small party? I'd like you to meet my new friend, Sarah.' She smiled excitedly.

'You're going to set her up with someone also?' He smirked and switch TV on again. 'We can watch some romantic comedy.'

'I even don't know if she's meeting with someone or not.' She mumbled and fixed eyes at the screen. 'What movie you have in mind?'

'Sleepless in Seattle.' He grinned.

'Put it on.'

19 September, 2011

'I'd like to do more examinations, if you don't mind.' He smiled warmly to her above his thin glasses before looked down at the card in his hand.

'For what? I thought I already had all examinations I needed for my new contract.' She said puzzled, didn't like the way he was looking at her. 'Did you miss something?' She asked irate.

'No, you've got them all, but I'd like you to do some extra blood test for me.' She didn't like the sound of that.

'Why? Is there something wrong?' She asked alarmed in hands holding tightly her small handbag.

'Well, I saw your blood test and the results disturbed me a bit.'

'I might have anemia if it's what you think about.' She shrugged. 'But recently I needed to lost few pounds and that's the reason.'

'No, it's not about anemia.' He shook his head.

'So why I need to do extra examinations?' She didn't understand. What else it could be wrong with her blood test? She was always very healthy girl.

'You have very bad tests results, Sarah, and my duty is to check why is that. Maybe I'd have to do another tests, I don't know. For now it doesn't look good.' He replied calmly.

'I can't be sick!' She snapped. 'I've never have any problems with my health, you know that!'

'I know, calm down.' He said softly and laid a hand on hers. 'Just, let me do extra tests, okay? I need to be sure everything's fine with you. Maybe you're just a bit tired, but it'd be better if we check it.'

'Fine, but I'm sure it's nothing.' She rolled her eyes and stood up. 'When I have to do this test?'

'Tomorrow morning. The quicker you do it, the better for you.' He stated and handed her small card. 'Give it tomorrow nurse Molly. She'd know what to do.'

'How serious it sounds.' She chuckled, but she quickly stopped as she noticed his serious look.

'It is serious, Sarah. Just do the test and I'll phone to you when I get the result, okay?'

'Okay. You know where to find me.' She smiled slightly and walked away from the office with beating heart. She was sure she isn't sick, but still the way he has been talking to her, alarmed her. Of course it'd be probably nothing, maybe anemia, just like she thought. But on the other hand will he send her for extra tests, if she was completely okay? She removed her mobile phone and with shaking hands search for Craig's number. Maybe conversation with him would calm her down a bit…Or maybe at least she would stop thinking about the all illness she knew and tried to match them to her present condition. In the end it could be nothing, and he was only overreacting…Well, it has to be nothing, right?

24 September, 2011

Most of them were already off to homes when he finished packing his things and made his way out the club, ready to head to his flat and take a short nap, before Jasmine wakes up and he'd need to take care about her. He threw the bag over his shoulder and zipped his jacket to the chin as the cool wind hit him on the face, making him shiver.

'You're ready to home?' Shady asked him with a smirk as he finally closed the metallic door at the back of the club. Usually it was their boss job to close everything up, but tonight he had different plans as one of the regulars women caught his attention and they both made their way to his house before 2 a.m.

'Like always.' He replied with a grin. 'See you on Friday!'

'Just be careful, Spike. You never know who you can meet on your track at this late hour.' He called softly at him and flashed him a cocky smile for goodbye. He always liked Shady. As a kid of immigrants from India he never had an easy life here, but regardless of what he came through off, he still was gushing enthusiastically around with charming smile on his pretty, dark face. Yea, he'd lie if he said he doesn't find him attractive and it wouldn't be hard for him to not go with him for a date if they'd grow closer to each other. But still he was way too young for him and he didn't see why someone like Shady would like to be in relationship with a guy like him who has a sick kid and it's more out the house than in.

'Don't worry, I'd be fine.' He winked at him and turned into corner. He already could see the main street at the end of this narrow alley and he was thankful for that. He was barely seeing anything and his legs were hurting him from the hours of standing. Besides it wasn't too wise to walk around this district alone, at such time. Like Shady said, you never know who you can meet.

He was going to passed by container when he felt someone roughly jerked him back for the hood of his jacket. The next thing he saw it was someone's fist hitting him on the stomach and deep voice above his head. With moan and unbelievable pain he curled to cover his stomach and fall down on the ground as another fist hit landed at the back of his head. He already could taste his blood in mouth and felt like someone tried to tied his hands behind his back. He tried to escape and called for help, but another hands covered his mouth and he felt a kick on his right side. Tears sprung in his eyes and everything's became blur. The next blow made him lose consciousness…

'…You're fine? Hello, mate. I know you hear me, just open your eyes.' His voice was so warm and soft, he'd like to listen to it forever. 'Come on…' He felt gently caress on his cheek and he slowly opened his eyes. 'You're safe, now.' The voice assured him. Spike blinked few times as the vision was still blur and he only could see the whiteness of man's teeth and black stain above two dark stains in the middle of his face.

'Where are they?' He asked quietly and coughed as the man slipped hands under his back and helped him to sit and rest his back at the nearest wall.

'They ran away when they sensed troubles.' He replied with a big grin and with sleeve of his hoodie, he wiped the blood from his lips and chin. 'Are you okay? Maybe I should call ambulance?'

'No, it's fine. I need to go back to home.' He replied and tried to stand, but his legs failed and he again landed down on the ground. 'Damn.'

'It's fine, I'll help you. What's your name?'

'Spike.' He whispered and shivered as three men appeared in front of him and reached for him.

'Okay guys, help me out.' The man panted as he tried to lift him from the ground. 'Here we go!'

'Thanks, but I really can't stay any longer...' He muttered and tried to take a step, but everything was whirling. 'I'm sorry.' He whispered as the man caught him in his arms and helped him to walk.

'Don't be. I'll lead you to home, okay? Where do you live?' He asked softly and put his arm around his shoulder.

'No, I can go there on my own. But thanks for offer.' He smiled and for the first time took a look on his defender as far as darkness allowed him. He was tall and a bit skinny guy, but still he was quiet athletic. Pair of bright, grey eyes staring at him with curious.

'Grey, do you want us to help you with him?' Masculine, deep voice spoke up behind Spike, making him shiver.

'No, I can't handle him on my own. He's not that heavy.' The man chuckled and this time wrapped arm around his waist to steady him. 'There's no way, you'd go there alone.'

'Fine, but we need to go, now.' He said firmly and nodded head in thanks as another tall man handed him his bag.

'Okay, but where is the hurry?' Grey asked as they both finally moved outside the alley.

'Someone is waiting for me.' He replied evasively and grabbed the slim man for his waist as he almost fall down while they crossed the street.

'A girlfriend?' He asked nosily, but Spike didn't answer him, only determined walk forward to be in home the sooner it was possible. 'Is there where you live? You like me to help you on the stairs?' He asked as he noticed the old tenements placed along the street.

'No, you can go, now.' He said, didn't want to share with him his private things. 'I'm fine.' He assured him and let his arm slipped out. 'Thank you once again for help. I don't know how it'd end if you don't come on time.'

'Well, you're lucky we were there.' He winked at him and flashed another charming smile. 'Are you sure you're fine?'

'Yes.' He nodded and with last glance at the man he walked inside the house. He closed the door and leaned against it, so he could still watch the mysterious man through the window on the staircase and still was unseen from the street. Grey was still standing outside and watching the building intently with a small smile on his face. Spike bite down on his lip and for a short moment he wanted to walked out and ask him to come over for cup of tea. It was insane to inviting a stranger man into his own house and he knew that perfectly, but still…he wanted to do it. He already had a hand on the doorknob, when Grey shoved hands into the pockets and disappeared into darkness. 'Damn.' He muttered and with a deep sigh ran a hand through his hair. He didn't know why, but he wished he'd see him again one day.