Finall after long break, and I'm very sorry for that, I managed to write a new chapter :) I hope you'd like it Xx

Asking for help doesn't make you a weakling

Craig spotted John Paul outside the station, luckily, standing alone in front of the police car with arms crossed against chest. He didn't flinch or smile as he approached him only measured intently from half closed eyes and shuffled slightly on his feet.

'Can you put your anger toward me aside for a moment?' Craig asked him calmly, although he barely could stay calm. 'We…I have a problem.'

'Ah, someone again step on your nerve?' He asked mockingly.

'Why you always has to...Okay, never mind. I came to tell you, that…' He licked nervously his lips as John Paul watched him still unmoved. 'Look, Darren has been mugged last night…'

'What?' John Paul looked at him shocked, finally showing to him some emotions. 'Why you didn't tell me earlier about this?'

'Because I just found about it?' He said a little sarcastically. 'I need to go to hospital and check how is he, but…there's another problem.' He rubbed the back of his neck.

'What might be more important than your brother lying in hospital?' He asked harshly. For him it was obvious thing to visit your injured sibling. He doesn't has to think about that twice, but Craig…

'Before you start judge me, let me explain myself, okay?'

'Fine.'

'No, don't roll your eyes, John Paul…Look, I got a call from the clinic. There's something wrong with Spike and they asked me to come, but in this situation I can't. I know I could call them that I'm not going to see Spike, because…'

'Take a breath.' John Paul sighed and gently moved a hand up and down his arm. 'You can go to see Darren and in the meantime I'll try to sort out what's happened with Spike, that's what you were going to ask me about, right? I'll join to you later.'

'Really?' He glanced at him unsurely.

'You thought I'd say no? You're my boyfriend.'

'Well, you're angry at your boyfriend, aren't you?' He gave him knowingly look.

'I have a reason to be, haven't I?' Craig didn't answer. 'I'll meet you on the place. Do you have an address of the clinic?'

'Follow me.' He sighed heavily and opened the door of his car before he reached toward clipboard. 'Remember to not let him climb on your head. He's not five anymore.'

'Sure.' John Paul said above the shoulder and just marched out with a folder in his hand, didn't bother to even look at him once again.

'If he doesn't admit and tell how he got his mobile phone back, I'd be force to send him back to home.' Doctor Ferrer said as she was leading John Paul to Spike's room.

'I'm sure we'll solve it without so drastic steps, doctor.'

'If he only tells the truth.'

'There has to be some kind of explanation. Spike knows how important for him is this therapy, so I don't think he'd be able to do something so stupid…Maybe someone gave him the phone?' He suggested, trying to find an explanation for Spike's move. 'I'm sure he's able to explain us what happened.'

'The problem is Mr. McQueen he doesn't want to talk with us. He's only asking us to inform Mr. Dean, that his stepbrother is in hospital, and he doesn't answer for any questions.'

'If you let me talk with him…'

'Only if he calms down.' She said firmly and pushed the door. 'We have a visitor for you, Spike.' John Paul took a deep sigh as he followed the doctor and immediately spotted pale Spike sitting on his bed with two male nurses keeping him for arms.

'John Paul?' He stared at him surprised. 'I thought they'd call…ah, never mind. Do you know what's happened with Darren?'

'Yes, calm down. He only has few bruises and that's all.' He replied calmly and glanced at two nurses. 'Can you take your hands off of him? He's not going to hurt anyone.' He asked sharply, didn't like the way they were dealing with a man.

'He needed to be hold.' The one of the nurses replied unfriendly.

'But now he doesn't need it. Let him go.' He ordered.

'Mr. McQueen, you're not at the station, right now.' Doctor Ferrer reminded him. 'You can't give the orders, here.'

'Fine. So can you order your subordinates to take their hands off, or do I have to make them do it?' He decided to use one of Craig's tricks with hope she'd give him a free hand, instead of kick him out for his arrogance behavior.

'You can go. The pills still working, so there shouldn't be any problem with Mr. Hunter.' She said reluctantly. 'I hope you're going to cooperate with us, Spike. You know that if you don't start talking, we'll have to send you back to home.' She added when nurses reluctantly walked out and left them alone.

'I already sold my flat.'

'That's not my problem. You broke the rules and you need to bear the consequences of your action.'

'I didn't break any rules!' He shouted irate. 'If you listened to me, you wouldn't have to drag John Paul, here. Sorry for that.' He apologized his colleague.

'So you're still claiming it was a nurse who gave you your phone back?' She stared at him skeptically. 'Lies won't save you, Spike.'

'I got it from the nurse.' He repeated once again, didn't understand why she was so sure he's lying. 'He said he had enough my ringtone and asked me to answer it. He said you gave your consent.'

'It's ridiculous.'

'I'm saying the truth!' He was close to tears. 'Please, I don't want to leave the clinic, yet. I'm not ready.'

'You know the rules, Spike. I can't do exception only for you.'

'Why are you so sure he doesn't tell the truth?' John Paul chimed in annoyed. 'I think he's behavior only confirming his innocence.'

'I'm working with ex-druggies not from today, Mr. McQueen, and trust me they can be really convincing if they want something.' She said firmly. 'I know my subordinates and I know, no one would do such a stupid move.'

'I can show you who was it. You can ask him or others patient. I wasn't there alone.' Spike almost begged her, he was all shaking.

'I don't understand the reason why he'd give you a phone. You're not in friendly relationship with any nurses.' She had a point. The truth is he hadn't has any idea why the nurse would do it, and even how to defense himself. It was a word against word, and in that battle he doesn't has any chance to win. Like doctor Ferrer said he's a druggie and no one would believe him. 'You'd stay in your room until I talk with everyone and set up what's happened here. Then I'd make a decision what do with you.' He looked at her surprised.

'Thank you, doctor.' John Paul smiled slightly. 'We both appreciate that.'

'If you want you can stay with Mr. Hunter for now.' She offered when John Paul sat next to his colleague and wrapped his arm around his shoulders.

'That would be nice.' Doctor Ferrer nodded her head slightly and reluctantly left both men alone. 'You're all shaking. Calm down, like I said Darren is safe.'

'Are you sure? The nurse said he's in the coma.'

'He already woke up. Craig is with him, so don't worry. He's gonna be fine.' He assured him and smiled softly. 'Now, tell me how are you doing? Do you like this place?'

'It's okay.' He shrugged. 'We have a lot of things to do around, so I'm not boring.'

'What about therapy sessions?'

'We have them every two days with all group. And once on the week I have private session with doctor Ferrer. Most of the time she's outside the clinic.' He said quietly and looked down at his hands.

'So she doesn't know about some things?' He asked softly. 'You know you always can tell me or Craig everything. If they don't treat you good…'

'They're fine.' He came into his word, irate. 'It's fine, like I said. Good thing I'm not taking drugs anymore and that's what counts for me. Nothing more has any matters to me.' There was something in his words what alarmed John Paul, but he wasn't exactly sure what. But still something wasn't right. 'Look, you don't have to sit with me here. I'm sure it'd take her few hours before she comes back.'

'It's okay. We didn't see each other for ages.' He smiled.

'Okay, so if you want to chat, tell me how things going between you and Craig?' Spike suddenly asked and John Paul almost chocked on his own tongue.

'Sorry?' He tried to play dumb, but other man just gave him indulgent smile and sighed heavily in the sign, he wouldn't buy it.

'Don't play games with me, sweetheart. Only blind would not notice that.' He grinned slightly.

'Well, for now no one knows about me and Craig in work.' He shrugged.

'Are you sure about that?'

'Course…They'd say something, wouldn't they?' But Spike only grinned wider.

'If you think so.'

'Okay…So how long you know about me and Craig?' He crossed his arms against chest.

'Before you even thought about being with him more than only partners in work.' He chuckled slightly. 'What?' He asked as he got surprised look from John Paul. 'I quite know Craig, so you shouldn't be surprised that I knew you're his type.'

'You meant he liked me that way from the same beginning?' What a bloody bastard!

'I 'm not sure if I know what means that way, but I'm pretty sure he had a crush on you from the same beginning, although of course he'd never admit it loud.' He grinned. 'So, yeah, instead of playing this stupid game for months, you could made your first step toward him long time ago.'

'It should improve my mood?' He asked sarcastically. 'You don't have any idea how hard it was for me…'

'I know, Craig isn't a nice guy. But you…' He scratches his neck. 'I think you're able to change him. Maybe a bit, but hell, he's different now. More calm and sympathetic.'

'Don't think so.' He shook his head with a snort. 'He's still pain on the ass.'

'And probably it'd never change, but thanks to you we kind of bury the hatchet.' He smiled softly. 'He'd never visit me here if you don't convince him. He changed a lot for you…or at least he tried.'

'He's shouting at everyone at the station.'

'You know, the problem with Craig is, he has to has everything put into order in his life. And even small scratch on his plan, scared him, cause he feels like he's losing the control over everything.'

'What it has to do with me or with others?' He raised his eyebrow questioningly.

'You did a nice mess in his harmonious, boring life, John Paul.' He chuckled slightly. 'Suddenly he has been forced to share his life with someone else, and after so many years living on his own, he just lost his head. Doesn't know what to do, how to act…He's scared of his feelings and the promotion…I know Craig deserves it, but I think it was too quickly and unexpectedly for him. He again had to changed his plans, become responsible of many things, and has to be in touch with other departments…It's hard job for him, John Paul.'

'I know that all.' He sighed heavily. 'But he could asked me for help.'

'You know, Craig wouldn't do it. He's too proud to admit he isn't able to handle everything alone…Maybe he feels some pressure?' He suggested. 'Okay, now I know it's very stupid and rude question of me and not my business, but did you tell him how proud you're of him?'

'He's not five, Spike. He should knows that things without me saying it.'

'Maybe that's the problem. You're doing the same thing as him. Avoid conversation and saying a simple things to each other...Maybe he'd like to hear something like that from you?' He smiled softly. 'Just give it a try.'

'I'll think about that.' He shrugged, not convinced to Spike's plan.

'Good. Now go to Craig and make sure Darren is okay. Then if you can, inform doctor Ferrer about his current condition, I'd be really grateful.'

'Are you just trying to get rid of me?' He smirked at him.

'Kind of.' He chuckled slightly and closed his eyes slightly when John Paul pulled him into short, friendly hug. 'I'm just worrying about him.'

'Fine. I'll try to find out what's going on there…See you soon, I guess.'

'I'm sure doctor Ferrer let you both know about her decision.' He rolled his eyes and smiled slightly as the man winked to him and closed the door behind himself. 'Whatever it'll be.' He sighed heavily and leaned his back against the cold wall. He didn't has nothing more to do now.

When Craig entered the ward, Darren was already conscious and greeted his brother with a small smile, before it turned into grimace as his face start hurt him like someone stick needles into it. He grabbed the chair standing under the wall and slowly approached the bed. Darren didn't looks so bad as he thought. He had only black eye and a violet bruise on the right, swollen now, cheek and bandage around his forehead where he got a blew.

'How are you feeling, idiot?' Craig asked him softly and gently touched the hand connected with a drip.

'Head is still hurting, but they already gave me pills. The rest is okay.' He tried to smile again, but the pain in cheek was unbearable.

'Yea, I see you're fine.' He snorted sarcastically. 'Do you have broken zygoma?'

'Nothing's broken.' He slurred. 'I only have brain concussion.'

'Do you remember anything?'

'Not quite. I was drank and well, I just fall into some stupid idea.' He mumbled. 'Well, then it didn't sound like a stupid one in my head, but great, but now…Yea it was kind of stupid. I could be killed I guess.' Craig stared at him intensively.

'I already called Jack. He and mum would go inform Hannah and go down to see you.' He informed him, still eyeing him up suspiciously. 'Anyway, if you don't remember what's happened…'

'They tried to stole a car.' He came into his word.

'Okay…But I don't get why you decided to play a superman.' Craig felt Darren was hiding something from him. 'You didn't have anything with you. Even documents.'

'I know, like I said it was stupid of me.' He sighed, but now Craig was sure he was trying to avoid his look. Guilty. But the question was why he'd be?

'Did you start the fight?' He shot blindly, trying to drag the truth out of him, but one look from Darren and he knew it wasn't that.

'With two guys? Are you kidding me?' He sent him indulgent look.

'Yea, that was stupid question.' He agreed quietly and rubbed the back of his neck. 'Do you want something to drink? I don't see anything here.'

'A cup of water, please.' Craig was already on his feet as something else crossed his mind. Probably it was going to be another mismatch, but it's not like he's going to lose anything mentioning that.

'Ah, that's a funny thing.' He chuckled slightly.

'What is it?' Darren fixed his eyes at him, curious. Just like Craig wanted it.

'You know who first has been informed about your accident?' He didn't show him anything back, wondered what he'd say for that.

'Hannah? She's my fiancés, isn't she, so they should phoned to her.' He replied without uninterested and Craig just knew he was lying to him and hid something.

'I thought the same, but surprisingly it was Spike who was on your list on the first position.' He smirked. 'And guess what? I asked the nurse to show me the list and I saw only Spike and Jack on it…I'm taking you didn't want to upset her since she's pregnant and all stuffs.'

'We're not married, yet, so I thought it's not the right time to put her into the list.' He replied without hesitation, for moment baffling Craig. 'You know there are hard times between us.' Well, he had a point.

'Okay, I understand it. You put Jack, cause he's your father, but I don't get why you put Spike on the list? He's not our family.'

'You always put your partner on the first place on the list, Craig.' He rolled his eyes, annoyed with his interrogation. 'You have John Paul on yours and he has you. You should know it, since it was your idea.'

'Well, yea I'm agree with that, but Spike isn't your partner anymore.' He noted.

'I forgot to change the list, okay? I didn't think about that.' He replied irate. 'Can you go for a water?'

'You had a lot of time to do it. I even asked you to put your new partner on the list about two weeks ago.' He reminded him sharply. 'I thought you already did it.'

'I was going to do it.' He replied evasively, making Craig sighed heavily.

'You idiot…Do you have any idea how Spike was feeling as he got a message you're unconscious lying in hospital and even can't see you?' He asked, irate with his childish behavior. 'Don't tell me bullshits, Darren. You exactly know they're gonna informed him.'

'It wasn't my point.' He mumbled, flustered.

'Then, what was your point?' He asked sharply, looking him in the eye. 'Now, be honest with me. Tell me what you were thinking then?'

'I'm not ready to marry Hannah.'

'Oh, come on, you're together for years, Darren.' He growled irate. 'And please don't tell me you're lying here, because you wanted to delay your wedding? No shit.' He shook his head, when Darren looked down, couldn't stand his stare anymore. 'They could kill you.'

'I know, I was just drunk and thought it's gonna be a good idea…'

'So I'm taking for two months you'd be ready marry Hannah.'

'Look, I don't want to…'

'She's carrying your child, Darren.' He said sharply. 'You're just confused because the whole thing with Spike, and okay, I get it. He can mess with someone's head. But now when he's far away…'

'He didn't mess up with my head.' He disagreed. 'I know what I'm feeling toward him.'

'You like him, and that's okay.' He continued, dauntless. 'You slept together, okay things like that sometimes happen, but do you really want to destroy your long term relationship with Hannah? She loves you. And we both are happy.'

'Happy?' He repeated, shocked. 'Do you really have any idea what's going on in my life?'

'Yes, I know.' He said firmly. 'So cut this crap, relax, and make the right choice.'

'So you think it'd be fair toward Hannah if I stay with her although I don't love her anymore?' He asked shocked. 'The things aren't good between us before even Spike appeared. I can't marry her. I even shouldn't ask her for that.'

'Don't be stupid.' He snapped.

'I love Spike.' He said softly. 'I really do.'

'No, you don't love him. You're just confused, that's all.' He said, deaf for his words.

'From all people I thought you're gonna understand my feelings.' He stared at him disappointed.

'I'm trying, Darren…I know there's still chance for you and Hannah. Just give it a try.'

'No, I…'

'She's carrying your baby. Do you really want to be hate by your own child?' He asked sharply.

'I'm going to help her in raise our kid.' He said firmly. 'It's not like I don't want to be a father.'

'So why are you even thought about leaving Hannah?'

'I can be a good dad for my child, even if I don't be with Hannah anymore. I'd be spending with him or her how much time it'd be need.'

'Who told you such a bullshits?' He shook his head. 'Trust me, the kid is gonna hate you later. Other kids were making laugh of him or her, and pointing by fingers. You'll ruin its childhood.'

'That's not true.'

'It is. Trust me, you're talking with a man who was raised only by his mother…If you leave Hannah right now, you'd regret it later.'

'So, you think I should marry her?'

'Yes, and I make sure you're going to do it.' He said firmly and pointed a finger at him. 'Spike would not bother you anymore. I keep an eye at him. Just focus on your relationship with Hannah. I'm not going to believe that after a few years together, suddenly you stop have any feelings toward her. You're just confused.'

'Mebbe.' He said quietly, his eyes filling with tears.

'I'm sure you'd come back to your senses.' Craig smiled slightly at the same time when the door opened and Hannah, with wet of tears face, ran inside. 'Calm down, Hannah, he's okay.'

'How are you feeling?' She asked as she took Craig's chair and took Darren's hand in her. 'I don't believe someone mugged you.'

'I'm fine.' He mumbled and looked at the wall, when Craig winked at him.

'I leave you alone, lovebirds.' He added and moved slightly so Jack and his mother could join them. 'Look, mum, I'll phone to you later. I have a few things to do.' He said to her as he noticed a glimpse of John Paul's gold hair in the corridor.

'At least tell me in what state he is.' She said in harsh whisper and glanced at Darren's bed.

'Like you see he's fine.' He said. 'He doesn't has anything broken and any internal injuries.'

'Good. So we don't have to change the date of the wedding.' She sighed with relief. 'Suzanne would be really disappointed, if we have to change the plans.'

'I didn't know Darren is marrying her.' Craig couldn't stop himself from little malice.

'It's not funny, Craig.'

'Maybe you just leave the wedding for Darren and Hannah, hmm?' He suggested. 'I'm sure these whole argues between them it's because you sticking your noses to their business.'

'We're only helping them. And Hannah is very thankful of that.' She said firmly.

'Because she's too polite to say you to fuck off.' Craig retorted irate.

'Language, Craig. You're not at the station.' She admonished him.

'Look, I need to go, mum.' He sighed tiredly. 'I'll talk to you with soon. And, please leave Darren on his own. He needs a rest, now.'

'I know. I won't say anything about wedding until he leaves hospital.'

'Good. See you later.' He kissed her slightly on the right cheek and got out from the ward room. He shoved the hands into the pocket of his trousers and reluctantly moved toward his boyfriend, waiting at him with a slight smile.

'How is he?' He asked softly as Craig reached him and nodded at him to follow him down the corridor.

'He got a good blow on the head hearing what stupidities he was saying to me.' He replied reluctantly. 'Do you want to grab a lunch with me? I don't want to come back at the station.'

'So we're not angry at each other anymore?' He asked with a smirk.

'If you're not, I'm not either…How's Spike?'

'He's okay, now. But I'm not sure if they don't kick him out.' He sighed.

'For one call?' Craig glanced at him irate. 'Oh, please.'

'He can't has mobile phone with himself…Spike is claiming he got it from one of the nurses, but doctor Ferrer doesn't believe him.'

'And you believe him?'

'Yes.' He nodded. 'I'll phone to doctor Ferrer tomorrow. She should tell us, if she wants to keep him in the clinic, or send back to home.'

'Okay. Let's not talk about work anymore.'

'Fine.' John Paul said quietly and with worried face glanced at Craig's tired ones. 'I'm already hungry.'

'Why John Paul isn't with us?' Tiger Eye asked above the pile of clothes which she removed from the wardrobe.

'He has something important to do.' William replied and flickered the old magazine. 'Anyway, he said we can do it on our own and don't need a keeper.'

'Did you already check the bathroom?'

'Who is keeping a gun in the bathroom?' He glanced at her skeptically.

'Mr. Behari?' She asked sarcastically, giving him a long look. 'I'll check the desk, and then move to kids room.'

'That's paranoia. You'd better check the living room.' He prompted.

'If you prefer to dig in the ground in garden, your choice.' She smiled sweetly. 'Boss said it clear, we need to check everything until we find a gun. It has to be somewhere.'

'Or not.' He disagreed and threw magazine on the ground. 'The killer could use their gun and take it with himself.'

'Or they.' She added and raised from the knees. 'Okay, stop talking so much, only start checking other rooms. We only have half of the day and no one else to help.'

'You don't have to tell me that.' He groaned. 'I'm taking a bathroom, then. There isn't too much things to check.'

'Fine.' She was going to open the first drawer from the desk, when her eyes spotted someone standing outside the house. 'William, someone is standing there and watching the house.' She said alarmed. 'Do you have a gun with yourself?' Her hand was already gripping for her own gun.

'Oh, come on, if it's a killer he wouldn't watch the house so openly.' He stated and carefully approached the window to might see the man.

'He shouldn't be here. This place belongs to police.' She snapped.

'No, it's not.' He rolled his eyes. 'You Russian are too much possessive, you know? I know this guy. He was at the station and asking for detective Thomson. It looks like he has some crush on her.' He smirked.

'It doesn't explain what's he doing here.' She said stubbornly. 'We should talk with him.'

'He had to see our car and thought detective Bridget is with us. He decided to say hi to her…There's no reason to shot him down, yet. He doesn't do nothing bad.' He grinned amused.

'So you think he's here for detective Thomson?' She let her hand slipped out of the gun.

'I'm sure of it. Now, when you know he likes women…'

'Well, it shouldn't surprised you, he likes women.' She chuckled slightly, amused.

'Maybe in Russia it looked different, but here…Okay, forget.' He waved his hand. 'Just like I said he likes women, so it should be you talking with him.' He gave her knowingly look.

'You know him better. I even don't know his name.'

'He'd say more to you, than me, Svetlana.' He almost moaned. 'Maybe he remembers something and want to share it with you.'

'Fine, but you're going with me.' She said firmly and removed her badge.

'With your temper, Svetlana, you're able to handle this guy alone.' He grinned. 'We can't lose our time. I'd take care about bathroom, in the meantime.'

'We'll see.' She snapped and marched out toward the spiral stairs.

It was already late night, when Mr. White has been woken up by loud crash somewhere in the middle of his house. He sat down on his bed and confused looked around the dark room. There was no one else except his three cats sleeping peacefully next to him.

'I was dreaming.' He said quietly to himself and was going to lay down, when another crash broke the silence. He once again looked around the room and pulled his feet down on the floor as his eyes didn't catch the familiar shape. He reached out for his walking stick and heavily stood up. 'Sleep, my dears. Nothing's wrong.' He whispered to his cats, which bright eyes shone in the darkness. Slowly he opened the door of bedroom and moved his fingers along the wall. The soft light lightened the dark, small living room as his fingers found the switch.

'Ah, there you are.' He smiled softly as his eyes stopped at the small, black kitty standing above the broken vase. 'How do you get here, boy?' He was going to lift him, when suddenly someone crossed his patch, almost bumping at him. He yelled thrilled along with a young attacker whose brown eyes staring at him with fear and surprised. 'Oh, my…' He panted and laid his hand on the chest as he noticed a sharp knife in kid's hand before it stabbed him painfully. He cried and fall down on the ground, feeling like someone were crushing his chest.

'God.' The attacker said with a small voice.

'Help me, help…' The older man begged him, but kid just ran away, leaving him alone with a small kitty meowing sadly above his owner head.

'Why do you wear that?' John Paul chuckled slightly as he noticed Craig wore his blue cardigan with snowflakes and slipped under the quilt, before he turned to him with his back.

'Cause I'm cold.' He replied without emotions and dig even more under the material.

'Don't be stupid, it's warm here.' He said amused, didn't understand his strange behavior. 'I'm sleeping only in boxers and t-shirt and I'm already hot.'

'Maybe because you're thicker than me, eh?' He snapped outraged. 'I'm skinny and I'm fucking proud of it.' John Paul bite down on his low lip to not burst into laugh. 'I'm going to sleep in my cardie.'

'Well, you never complained before that you're cold.' He noted and put his book down on the night cabinet. 'Maybe you're sick?' He asked worried.

'I didn't have to complain, cause you weren't angry at me all the time and we kind of cuddle, weren't we?' There was a hint of sorrow in his voice and John Paul felt bad about that fact. He was right, recently most of the time they were arguing or passing by each other like strangers, and he knew it was wrong, but Craig wasn't makings things better for both of them with his outburst and ironical comments. 'Goodnight, John Paul.'

'Come here, Craig.' He whispered and laid down on the bed, before he snuggled into man's back.

'No, you don't have to do it. I'm fine.' He argued and John Paul wanted to slap him on the head for that.

'For once don't argue with me, please.' He said softly to his ear. 'If we only talk more often with each other…'

'We're talking, John Paul.'

'Not enough and even if we talk, mostly about work or we're arguing.' He sighed heavily and wrapped his arms around Craig's skinny body. 'You know, I love you?'

'Course I know.' He mumbled and slightly moved his back so John Paul could held him tighter.

'And do you know, I'm proud of you?' He asked quietly. Craig slowly moved in his arms until he was lying flat on the back, watching him with curious.

'What you mean by that?' He asked suspicious.

'You're doing well as a superintendent, Craig. I know you got your promotion unexpectedly and had a hard time to deal with everything, but I…' Craig was looking him in the eye. 'I think you copped with it pretty well.'

'You really think that?' He asked, trying to not sound flattered with his words, but sparkles in his eyes betrayed him.

'Of course, I do.' He smiled softly and kissed him slightly on the lips. 'And whenever you'd need my help or talk, I want you to know, I'm here for you. Always.'

'I know.' He sighed quietly and for the first time this day, he smiled back to him. 'I love you.'

'Love you, too.' John Paul grinned slightly and moved his hands under Craig's cardie. 'So, can we take it off of you?'

'I think so.' He let his boyfriend slipped the material off his arms and then swing them together, so now he was lying on top of him and cupping his face in hands as he start kissing him passionately. He broke up for moment, as he felt like John Paul chuckled under him. 'What? Did I tickle you?' He grinned amused.

'No, I just thought about…' He laughed quietly. 'Well, let's say sometimes Spike can give a really good advices.'

'What you mean?' He raised his eyebrow questioningly.

'Nothing. It was only small digression.' He grinned.

'Just at the moment?' He gave him a knowingly look.

'Oh, shut up, Craig.' He growled and amused grabbed his lover's head and pulled it down so they could share another passionate kiss.

'Next time you'd be in worse troubles.' The man warned him, before he turned off the water with a mischievous smile. 'If you again say something, you'd get a real lesson.' He added before he headed off the shower room.

'Next time I might not be here any longer.' Spike said quietly after him, still shaking violently after the cold shower, on the tiles. His open lip was hurting him and a bruise under left eye already had all the colors of the rainbow. He wiped the small leak of blood from his chin and heavily stood up on his still shaking feet. His all clothes were soaking wet, but he knew he's not going to get a clean one. Only three nurses had a duty tonight, and two of them were friends of the hated nurse, so there was no chance he'd get anything more than a kick on the ribs. He wrapped his arms around his middle and slightly limping left the shower room, before any of nurses could spot him and punish him for walking around the clinic after curfew. Even if he was there because of them.

'What would you say doctor Ferrer, tomorrow?' His roommate asked quietly as he finally reached his room and just like he was standing, fall down on the bed.

'I'd think up something.' He replied tiredly and curled into ball. It doesn't matter what he's going to say her, the truth is, whatever he says, she'd never believe him.