A/N: This turned out a little different then I thought it would. It's not as funny as I'd hoped. Plus for some reason all of these are ending up from Jack's POV. Oh, well. Better luck next time.

I do not own these characters.

Something Investigations

It was a beautiful day. The sun was shining, the air warm, a nice breeze coming off the ocean. Jack and Spike sat in beach chairs, legs sprawled out in front of them and a cooler between them. Jack was content to just sit here and soak up the California sun.

"We need a name."

Spike's voice startled Jack out of his almost doze. He squinted behind his aviator shades and turned a curious glance to the man on his right.

"For what?" Jack was confused, that was the first time that he'd spoken since suggesting where they set up, almost 2 hours ago.

"Our detective agency."

Jack stared at him, puzzled. "I thought it already had a name?" Angel Investigations might not have been his first choice, but it sounded alright.

"I don't like having our agency named after Peaches. It's not right." Spike spoke adamantly. "It should have a different, much better name, like Spike Investigations."

Jack just raised his eyebrow and stared. It was a couple moments before Spike looked over to him and sighed. "Yeah, I didn't think you'd go for that one." He turned back toward the water. "But you know that if we don't come up with a name, the Watcher is going to change it to something like The Wyndham-Pryce Agency." He mock shuddered. "I don't think I can work for an agency with such a poncy name."

"Oh no, we wouldn't want that." His sarcasm drew a quick grin before they returned to contemplating the water.

Once again it was Spike who broke the silence. "What about Lazarus?"

"Isn't that from some kind of poem?" Jack asked.

"Yeah, and?" Spike challenged, eyebrow raised in his direction.

Jack considered it. Lazarus Investigations or The Lazarus Agency. He shook his head. "I don't like it."

Spike nodded his acceptance, already searching for another name.

"Steele Investigations." Jack threw out.

Spike chuckled. "You watched that show, right?"

"Yeah." Jack didn't get what was so funny.

"The guy was a fraud. A con artist. The chick did all the real work." Spike explained.

"Oh." Jack stated. "I guess that wouldn't be a very good name."

They fell into silence once more. It was several minutes before Jack spoke up.

"What about Phoenix?" He wondered quietly, more to himself than to Spike. He was, after all, on his…third life? Fourth?

"The mythological fire bird?" Spike's voice brought him to the here and now.

Jack nodded. He turned his face to the warmth of the sun. "Yeah, they burn up in a pillar of fire and are reborn from the ashes. Sound familiar?" He directed the last part at Spike with a grin.

"As a matter of fact…You know, you're on your second life here as well." Spike reminded him.

"Yeah, but whose counting." Jack replied flippantly. Spike just gave him a look, one that reminded him exactly how old Spike was and that Spike knew exactly how old he was.

"Alright." He found himself nodding. "Phoenix Investigations sounds perfect." And it did.

The phone rang several times before a click indicated the activation of the answering machine. A cultured British voice spoke clearly on the recording, "Thank you for calling Phoenix Investigations. We help the hopeless. Please leave your name, number and a description of your problem and we will contact you as soon as possible."

"Umm, hi. I think my house is haunted…"