Hi :) Sorry for such a long break, but recently I didn't have heart for writing and I stucked in the middle. Fortunately, now it's better, so maybe I'd get back on the track again. Hope you'd like a new chapter :)

He can be everywhere and nowhere

Craig left the house just after the early breakfast, telling his mother he needed to deliver documents at the station as he has forgotten to done it earlier and promised he'd be back for a lunch. John Paul wasn't happy about being alone for half of the day with Craig's family, but he understood his need to go to the clinic and set up what's happened to Spike, and he let him do it. He tried his best to not show his jealousy, but he has to failed it as Craig has smiled wryly at him and winked before he has made his way toward the stairs. He knew it was stupid of him to be jealous about Spike as he has never made a step toward Craig, and his head was all over Darren, but he couldn't help it. He was jealous about their friendship, how much Craig was still worrying about him, like he had feelings for him…Like Spike was better than him.

'John Paul, would you like to go with me and Steph down the town?' Frankie woke him up from his thoughts, as she came back to the living room with the basket of clean clothes. 'You'd have a chance to see whole Hollyoaks.'

'Why not.' He shrugged with a slight smile, trying to mask his nervousness.

'Good. Steph only change Cameron's clothes and we'd be ready.' She smiled warmly and walked toward her and Jack's bedroom. He began wonder if it was really wise of him to accept her offer, when the door of the flat opened and Darren came in with tired face.

'Someone doesn't sleep good tonight, huh?' He smiled slyly as the man joined him on the couch and sighed heavily.

'Cameron was crying almost all night.' He mumbled and massaged his eyelids. 'And then dad woke me up asking if I could help him in pub, since one of their barman hadn't show up.'

'That's not that kind of vacation you wished for, eh?' He patted his shoulder sympathetically.

'You bet…Where's Craig?' He suddenly asked as he took a look around the flat. 'He's not with you?'

'Err, he has to go back to flat for something. It looks like he forgot took his favorite shirt or something like that.' He lied, didn't dare to look into his eyes.

'So, you stayed alone with Frankie and Steph?' He grinned, seeming to buy it. 'Well, that's going to be the day of your life as Frankie would like you to meet her all friends.' He chuckled.

'I'm sure I can survive that. My sisters can be worse.' He rolled his eyes with sigh. 'Good thing they don't know I'm on the vacation and how close I am to mum's house.'

'You didn't think about visit them during your vacation? If they're living so close, the chance of meeting them in the shop or some pub it's very high.' Darren stated and that worried John Paul, because he was right. It was very possible he'd meet Mercy in town or bump into Michaela as she was working for the Hollyoaks local press.

'Well, I was considering it.' He replied evasively. 'And I guess you have point.'

'I'm sure your mum would be happy to see you.' He smiled slightly. 'And Carmel… How's her situation looks?'

'She and Christian has moved in to mum's house, since their flat belongs to Calvin. And I think divorce is only matter of time.'

'That's sad.' Darren sighed. 'She seems to love him so much.'

'Yea, she is.' He nodded and for moment they sat in completely silent. 'And what about you, Darren? Do you think you'd be able to love Hannah and be with her?'

'I don't know.' He shrugged. 'I guess time will tell.'

'You really don't have to stay with her only because of the child. You both deserve to be with persons you love…Didn't you consider about trying to be with Spike?' He turned to face him.

'I even don't know if he'd want it.' He replied quietly. 'Besides I don't know, where he is.' Not only you, he thought drily.

'Well, the thing is you were thinking about that…So it means you have feelings for him.' He stated carefully, didn't want to rush things too quickly.

'I don't know.' He replied truthfully.

'I think you know the answer, but you're too afraid to admit it.' John Paul said softly and squeezed his shoulder. 'I think you should give it a try and then decide if it's Hannah you want to spend the rest of your life or maybe someone else…Maybe Spike.'

'I'm thinking about that all the time.'

'And? I don't see nothing changed.' He looked at him heavily. 'If you don't want to do it for yourself, do it for Hannah. If you stay with her without love, you'd hurt her.'

'I'd do the right thing.' Darren said firmly, his muscles tensed.

'That's what I count for.'

'Look, I'm going to make a coffee for myself. Do you want one?' Darren asked and tiredly moved onto his feet.

'No, thanks. I just drank one.' He replied shortly and wrinkled his eyebrows as he began watched him suspicious from his seat. He felt something wasn't alright, but he couldn't put a finger in, what exactly. I'd take care about that later, he thought deciding there would be another time to do it.

Just like he has thought the all staff couldn't tell nothing new and interesting about the guy who has taken Spike except that he was tall, dark haired and looked normal. He has hoped doctor Ferrer would have something more to say, but it turned out she hadn't and after few minutes of the small row between them, she kicked him out off her office shouting after him that the next time he'd need to contact with her lawyer before she sees with him again. Resigned, he has decided to use his last resort, before he'd make his way back to Hollyoaks and would be force to tell John Paul that he has lost his all day for nothing. And thankfully he had an occasion to catch his resort, before it'd reach the door of the station.

'Hi, can I ask you for a word?' He called with sheepishly smile, hide behind the bushes.

'Craig?' Charlie frowned as he watched his boss with disbelief. 'What the hell are you doing, here? You're supposed to be on holiday.'

'I know, I just needed to take care about small problem.' He replied reluctantly and moved from the bushes with red cheeks as he noticed people were watching him and making funny faces.

'And you already did?' Charlie came down the steps. 'What's wrong, Craig?'

'I just thought if you could help me in one thing.' He rubbed the back of his neck and looked down at his feet.

'Well, it depends on what is it.' He replied and looked at him worried. 'Something bad happened? You've got another box?'

'What? Oh, no. I just kind of lost something…' He replied reluctantly. 'Or someone?' He smiled nervously, wondering if it was a really good choice to ask Charlie for help.

'You lost your cat?' The man suddenly asked. 'That's why you have to come back!'

'Well, err, yea, kind of.' Charlie looked at him confused. 'That's not mine cat.' He replied quietly, not sure why ground didn't swallow him yet.

'Oh, damn, mate. If it's John Paul's cat you'd be in really troubles.' He patted his shoulder sympathetically. 'You'd get a good ear-bashing.'

'Why do you think I'd babysit John Paul's cat?' He looked at his suspiciously.

'Err, I don't know. Just thought you're good friends so you wouldn't mind to take care about his pet when there would be a need.' Charlie replied with sheepishly smile, cursing himself for his big mouth, while Craig began wonder if his colleague knows something he shouldn't.

'Well, maybe we're, but definitely it's not John Paul's cat. He'd never want to have a cat like this one I lost. He just doesn't like that kind of cats and he's getting irate even when you mention him that.' Before Craig realized he was babbling like a crazy, like if his mate would really care if John Paul likes the bloody imaginary cat or not.

'Oh, right.' Charlie licked his lips and unsurely looked at him, looking like was thinking Craig just completely lost his mind. 'And did you tell the owner of this pet you lost him?'

'The owner is kind of busy, right now. With golden retriever. She's gonna to have babies..I mean, puppies!'

'Yea, I bet it can be very time-consuming.' He nodded his head in understanding, although he didn't get it at all. He'd swear his description was matching to something different he had in mind and recalled about someone's situation, but still Craig was talking about a cat. He guessed he probably was looking too much into things.

'Anyway, the cat it lost. And I don't have any clue where he could go, since he doesn't has anyone to stay with, and I don't want to tell the owner the truth.'

'Well, maybe someone just took him to his house? I wouldn't be so sure no one would take him. If he's a nice looking cat, I'm sure he already has a new owner.'

'Yea, I'm sure there would be a lot of potential owners wanting to take him to their beds.' He replied with a smirk, but he quickly understood his mistake as he noticed Charlie's shocked expression. 'You know, I for example, letting my cat sleep with me. I share a bed with him.' He quickly explained, feeling how cheeks burned him.

'It's okay, mate. I was sharing my bed with my dog, also. Even pets deserve for a little love.' He chuckled, but quickly stopped as he realized in what disturbing way their conversation was going on. 'Sorry. I didn't mean to hit on you that you like your cat, well, you know…'

'Okay, I think that's enough. I get it.' He said annoyed, regretting that he picked this stupid topic up. 'Just tell me what should I do.'

'I think you should hang posters with his picture.'

'Well, maybe you don't get my point, but I don't want the owner of the cat know his lost!' He rolled his eyes irate.

'Okay, take a breath.' Charlie looked at him heavily. 'In that case I think you should ask people around if they didn't see him, or better visit the nearest animal shelter.' He advised.

'Oh.' Craig said disappointed.

'Well, there's always another option.'

'Which is?' His eyes lightened up.

'Buy this guy a new cat, looking the same like the one you lost.' He grinned stupidly. 'What? It's not like there's more options, Craig. And I think the last one would be the best for you.'

'Yea, thanks Charlie. I'd think about that.' Craig smiled slightly and patted his shoulder, before turned around and without more words marched toward his car, wondering what he'd tell John Paul when he gets back to home, to avoid being kill by him.

He remembered that place, but he couldn't put a finger on from where. It was just like he was there, probably has visited someone. But the only thing he was sure of is he hadn't be there alone.

'We're on the place.' The driver announced as he parked the car outside a small house with a red front door surrounded with white fence. 'Come on, we're already late.' He urged him and switch off the engine. He reluctantly get out of the car and let the man lead him toward the door.

'Where are we?' He asked and unsurely looked around the small houses standing along the empty street.

'In your new, temporary house.' He replied with a smirk and vigorously knocked on the door. 'Prepare for a surprise.'

'Sorry?' He barely said it, when they heard hurried steps and moment later the door opened widely.

'What took you so long?' His mouth hang opened as he fixed his eyes at the angry, small woman looking warily at the man and there was no doubt who she was.

Myra.

'I was worrying something bad happened to you two.'

'We needed a small break during the trip, not big deal.' The man rolled his eyes. 'Anyway, he's already here in one piece, isn't he?'

'You were supposed to bring him straight here, when you only get him out of the clinic.' She scowled. 'There was nothing difficult about that, Malachy.'

'You always could do that on your own, if you think it was so easy.' He fired back irate and pointed at his car. 'I'm going to bring his bag.'

'I'm so sorry, love, it was Niall supposed to bring you here, but he has been called back to the hospital and couldn't manage to leave it till today morning.' Myra sighed heavily and looked apologetically at her confused guest who was trying to understand what was going on. 'So Niall asked Malachy to do a favor and take care about you till he drop you here.'

'So, everything was planned?' He stared at her back, shocked. 'But how he knew what was going on the clinic?'

'Love, we're McQueen's. We have everywhere our sources.' She smiled warmly and pulled him into embrace. 'It's good to see you in one piece. I hope Malachy treated you good.' She glanced at him suspiciously.

'Yea, he's fine.' He gave her a small nod and shuddered slightly when suddenly Malachy grew up behind his back and slumped his travel back next to his feet.

'It's everything he has. See you later, mate.' He patted friendly his shoulder and backed off from him. 'I'm heading off to home, Myra. I'm knackered.'

'You wouldn't stay for a dinner?' She called after him, worried. 'I made your favorite pasta, love.'

'The only thing I need right now, it's take a nap. See you later.' He gave them a small wave and quickly jumped into his car.

'All Malachy.' She rolled her eyes and before he could react she reached for his bag and motioned at the door. 'Come in, love. I already prepared a room for you. You'd take John Paul's old bedroom.'

'I even don't know what to say…' He muttered confused and reluctantly walked inside the warm house when Myra put a hand on his back. 'You don't know me, but you let me stay over your house.'

'You're my son's friend, so you're not a stranger.' She disagreed and closed the door behind them. 'Besides Niall would kill me if I told him I wouldn't let you stay, here.'

'I really don't believe in this.' He shook his head with a chuckle. 'Only yesterday I was spending another day in the clinic, and now I'm here, and I even don't know why.'

'John Paul told us you don't have a place to stay as you sold off your old flat and once you're outside I couldn't let you live on the street. In the end the whole chaos in the clinic was mostly caused because of us.' She replied with a soft smile. 'You can stay here how long you'd need it.'

'I even don't have any money, right now.'

'That's why you're staying here, until you don't find a place for yourself and new job, love. We don't want you to come back to your old habits and if we leave you at your own I'm afraid you would do.' She stroked his arm and he felt tears gathering in his eyes.

'Thank you.' He muttered and wrapped arms around her. 'Thank you so much.'

'It's okay, love. There's a lot of people who really cares about you.' She whispered as she reciprocated his hug. 'Only give them a chance to show you that.'

Craig tried to enter the flat as quietly he could with hope there was no one there, but everything failed up when he only closed the door behind himself and passed by the wall. He frozen in the spot as he noticed John Paul standing in the middle of the room with some colored magazine in his right hand. Shit!

'Oh, you're back.' John Paul welcomed him surprised.

'Yea, I already did what I had to.' He replied evasively and moved toward the couch. 'So, how was your day?' He asked cheerily, trying to mask his nervousness.

'Quite good. I spent almost half of the day with Steph, your mum and her all friends.' He replied with a smirk. 'Your mum kept talking I'm very nice, young man and she treats me like I'd be her son.'

'Well, that's nice.' Craig stated with a small smile. 'I want mum to like you, but I'm more concerned about you meeting with her all friends.' He rolled his eyes and slumped down on the couch. 'They didn't bore you with twenty questions?'

'No, they thought I'm true gentleman and very handsome young man. Hannah's mother even said I should be her son-in-law instead of Darren.' He replied with a smirk. 'I'm taking she doesn't like him too much.'

'She was never big fan of Darren, but still from three of us he's the best candidate for a husband for her daughter.'

'Not you?' He arched his eyebrow surprised.

'I'm spending too much time in work.' He smirked. 'Funny thing, Darren seems to stay at work not less frequent than me, right now.'

'Well, he has his reasons, hasn't he?' There was something dangerous in the way he said those words. 'And when we're already talking about Darren, would you like to share with me what did you set up today? Do you have any news or asked someone to look around Spike?' Craig gulped nervously, feeling very uneasy under his intensive stare.

'Well, just like I thought no one in the clinic said anything helpful about the guy who took Spike out the clinic.' He replied evasively and rubbed the back of his neck.

'But you didn't stop only at the clinic, am I right? You were away from the home for almost all day.' John Paul noted as he glanced at his wristwatch.

'Yea, I popped around the station…But I didn't ask about the case!' He quickly added noticing his stern face. 'I just asked Charlie for advice in Spike's case. I thought he could tell me how to search for him without making a big fuss about it.'

'Your friend is missing and you're worrying about making a fuss around?' He snapped irate. 'Only yesterday you were going crazy thinking someone could kidnapped him or something bad happened to him and today, what?' He stared at him heavily, didn't understand his motivation. 'What's more important for you? Your friend or Darren's wedding?'

'I talked with Charlie, okay?' He yelled, flustered. 'It's not like I don't care about Spike, because of Darren's upcoming wedding. I'm just trying to do that enough quiet to not let him noticed what's going on around.' He rolled his eyes. 'Give me a credit, okay?'

'Fine. So what did you decide to do next, then?' John Paul asked sharply and crossed arms against his chest as he sat down across Craig's seat. 'Would Charlie try to help us in find Spike? Would he tell others what's happened?'

'Well, I couldn't tell him Spike's missing, because he'd babble everything to Darren. I needed to used a small trick.'

'Craig, it wasn't a hard question.' He said annoyed, having enough of his little games. 'Tell the truth.'

'Charlie suggested we should ask around and maybe hang a posters with his picture.' He muttered, his nails painfully scratched the skin of his neck.

'And that's all?' He arched his eyebrow questioningly. 'Craig…'

'Well, Charlie also suggested we should…err, check the nearest shelters if he isn't in one of them.' He replied almost in whisper, suddenly feeling very small in front of his boyfriend.

'Shelters?' John Paul repeated slowly, giving him a quizzical look.

'Or we could buy another one…cat.' He muttered and felt warm blood on his fingertips.

'Ah, yea, I bet Darren would be very grateful if you give him a hustler. And if he pays extra he might even let him call himself, Spike!' He snapped sarcastically. 'Craig, do you really think it's appropriate to compare your friend to the cat?'

'What else I could tell Charlie, eh?' He barked annoyed. 'That I lost my sister? You know he'd like to fix the searching group.'

'Maybe because that would be the only one good decision?' He glared at him heavily. 'Craig, if we want to find Spike, we'd need help. Do you seriously think you can do that on your own?'

'I just think maybe I was overreacting a bit at first. If there was anything wrong, he wouldn't wrote to me.' He stated and crossed arms against chest.

'Oh please, Craig.'

'I'd just wait for another email from him.'

'Fine, do whatever you want.' He scowled and nudged his leg with his foot.

'So, now you'd be offended at me and would bully me?' Craig raised his eyebrow at him with a slight smirk and caught his foot, before he had a chance to nudge him again, and laid it down at his knee.

'I guess that's my plan.' He retorted with a playful smile and tried to take his foot back, but Craig was keeping it firmly and lightly rubbed its underside with his fingers. John Paul laughed shortly and uncontrollably wriggled on his seat, making Craig grin cheekily. 'Craig, stop it.'

'Ah, someone has tickles, here.'

'Craig, no…' The rest of his words died in his hysterical laugh as his boyfriend began mercilessly tickled his foot. 'Craig, please!' He yelled. 'Please!'

'As for someone who's trying to be so cocky with me, you're quite submissive.' He chuckled at his boyfriend lying flat on the couch and trying his best to take his foot back, but Craig was unmoved. 'Just look at yourself.'

'I swear, I'm gonna hurt you later.' He laughed and nudged him with his other foot.

'Only if I let you go away...' He said in singing voice and with evil grin grabbed for his another leg. 'I love you, too.' He sent him a kiss, when John Paul moaned frustrated.

'Craig, plea-ase, I'd do anything!' He begged.

'Anything?' He teased and slowly moved his hand from his feet to the knee.

'Yes, anything!'

'Well, then I have something in my mind…' He licked his lips and tilted forward as he let his hand moved further along his leg.

'…You can lay him down in our bedroom, love. In the meantime I'd prepare a dinner for everyone.' Before John Paul knew what was going on, Craig brutally pulled him down on the floor and jumped to his feet as something burned him, ready to greet his mother and sister with a nervous smile. 'Something wrong, love? You look flustered.' Frankie noted as she took a glance at her the youngest child. 'Maybe you have a fever?'

'No, it's just very warm, here.' He quickly replied and blushed even more, didn't care about his annoyed boyfriend still laying on his back on the hard floor. 'I thought you were shopping.'

'And we did.' His mother gave him a funny look. 'Are you sure, you're okay, love? You're acting strange, almost like you have done something bad and don't want me to know about it.' Craig tensed, sweat appeared on his forehead.

'Nah, mum. He always has a guilty face when he's back at home.' Steph stated with a smirk, in arms rocking his small baby.

'What the hell that means?' Craig scowled annoyed when she snickered.

'Craig, keep your voice down. You'd wake up, little Cameron.' His mother almost scowled at him, her eyes staring at him with disapproval. 'Where's John Paul? Susan and Amelia fall in love with him in a minute. He's so charming. I wish you could be like him, Craig. You have a lot to learn from him, love.' Craig gritted his teeth, annoyed.

'I'm here.' John Paul called and slowly raised up from the floor, surprising both women.

'What were you doing on the floor?' Steph asked puzzled, looking at him intently.

'Err, I was searching for my phone. It had to slipped out from my pocket.' He replied and showed them his phone with sheepishly smile, while the other hand massaged his sore small back.

'You could help him Craig, instead of standing there like a pile of salt!' Frankie shook the head at him. 'Come on, maybe at least you'd be more helpful in the kitchen.' She pushed the carrier bags toward her son.

'But we have a few things to discuss.' He protested, pointing at his boyfriend. 'I can't go now.'

'Craig, you're with John Paul all the time, I'm sure you can discuss whatever you need, later.' She stated amused. 'Stephanie need to put to sleep Cameron and Darren and Jake took a walk, so I don't know at what time they'd come back. So, there's only you to help me with the dinner.'

'But, mum, I can't leave John Paul on his own.' He sulked like a small kid.

'He'd stay with Stephanie. Come on, love, I don't have all day for that!' She grabbed his arm and almost began dragged him toward the kitchen.

'And what they'd be doing? Singing lullabies?' He asked with a snort.

'We'd chat and then maybe we would take a walk around Hollyoaks… Maybe on our way back we could check the nearest orphanage? Maybe we could find there our missing friend?' John Paul said with a smirk. 'I guess it's better place than shelter?' Craig showed him a tongue and irate followed his mother.

'Is it another police word for something?' Steph asked confused.

'You can say that.' John Paul chuckled amused and approached her to might look at the boy's little face. 'He's so calm, right now.'

'He always is.' She replied with a small smile and gently ran a finger over his face. 'My poor baby, it's so sleepy. I need to put him to sleep.'

'I'm not surprised he is. After the all night of crying.' He chuckled.

'What?' Steph looked at him surprised. 'Cameron didn't cry tonight. He slept all night as an angel.'

'He did?' John Paul frowned, alarmed.

'Yea. Believe me, if he cried you'd hear him good.' She smiled softly. 'Anyway, why do you think he was?' That was a good question.