Love

Chapter Two
 

Justin untied his apron, getting ready to clock out when the diner door opened. He looked up, smiling, thinking it was Spike. It wasn't. It was Brian, Michael, Ben, Emmett and Ted.

"Clubbing over already?" he asked.

"Slim pickin's tonight, baby," replied Emmett.

Before Justin could answer, the door's bell dinged again. This time it was Spike. Justin didn't even realize that he had a big, goofy grin on his face. Brian did and he didn't like it. Not one bit.

"Ready?" drawled Spike.

Justin nodded. "Yep. So, what are we gonna do this late? Or, should I say, this early?"

Spike shrugged and winked. "Whatever you wanna do."

Justin blushed. "Well, let's head back to the apartment Daph and I are sharin'. She'll be so excited to see you!"

"After you," said Spike.

Brian and the other guys watched Justin walk out of the diner, Spike behind him. Through the window they could see Spike's motorcycle parked under a streetlight. They watched as Spike got on, Justin seated behind him. Brian gritted his teeth and held in a growl as he saw Justin wrap his arms tightly around Spike's waist right before Spike took off.

"There's something about Spike. I just don't know what," said Ted.

"Yes, Justin needs to be careful," chimed in Ben.

"Who cares about that little twerp?!" exclaimed Michael as he threw his hands in the air. "All he did was take and take from Brian. Got Brian to give him a place to live, money for PIFA. But did he ever give Brian anything? NO! He left him for that fiddler."

All of them, including Brian, rolled their eyes. That rant seemed to be Michael's theme song.

*****

 

Spike pulled his bike to a stop in front of the apartment building that Justin had indicated. A few minutes later, they were walking into the apartment. Daphne was asleep on the couch with a book laying open on her chest.

"She'll want to be woke up," whispered Justin as he started toward Daphne. Lightly grabbing Justin's arm, Spike spoke. "Let me." He walked over to the couch, crouched down, and leaned close to Daphne. "Time to rise and shine, Sweet Thing!" he yelled in her ear.

Daphne's reaction was instantaneous. She quickly sat up and slapped Spike on the back of the head before she realized who it was. After blinking a couple of times, her vision focused. "Oh my God! Spike?!" She launched herself at him in a hug.

After she let him go, she asked, "When'd you get into town?"

"A few hours ago."

"Well, where's Drusilla?" Daphne asked with distaste.

"Dumped her. In Prague. She's too crazy for me."

It's been what? A hundred years? And, you're just realizing that?" asked Justin.

Spike smirked. "What can I say? I'm a slow learner."

It was five in the morning and Brian was still up, and not in the good way. He was laying on his back, in his bed, smoking a cigarette. Blowing out the smoke, he sighed. 'Who the hell is Spike?' That was the question of the day. Justin said they were good friends. But Brian just couldn't picture Justin hanging out with a guy that looked like he could kill you and laugh while he was doing it.

Sitting up in bed, he picked up his phone. He knew just who to call. The best Private Investigator in the business. After three rings, it was picked up.

"Hello?" answered a groggy voice.

"Hey, Tom, it's me. Brian."

"Brian, why the hell are you calling me at five-thirty on a Saturday morning?" Tom asked in a voice that implied it had better be life or death.

"Tom, I need a favor."
 

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