A/N – This is my second story and I'm really excited about it! For a short summary, check my profile, and feel free to submit a review if there are any more questions. I hope everyone enjoys my story and I look forward to any and all feedback from my readers!

Chapter One – And So It Began

Johnny Zacchara stood at the edge of the docks looking out at the water. He took a deep breath of the fresh New York air. It felt great to be back in the States. Living in Italy had been nice, but he was happy to be back closer to where he grew up. He was really excited to see his best friend again.

Damien Spinelli was certainly not the most normal person that he grew up with, but he was definitely the funniest. Growing up together in New York City, Johnny and Spinelli were instantly inseparable. Johnny's father didn't like for Johnny to have friends, but he tolerated Spinelli because he "tutored" Johnny in school. Truthfully, Johnny didn't need help, but he wanted to have one friend in life and he chose to lie to his father so Spinelli could be that friend.

Moving to Italy as soon as he graduated high school had devastated Johnny. He missed New York so much and living so close to his father again was awkward. Johnny and Anthony had not exactly gotten along since the death of Johnny's mother. Johnny had been more than pleased when Anthony had decided to move home to Italy and allowed Johnny to stay in New York to finish school. But when high school was over, Johnny was shipped to Italy and forced to be civil with his father.

Now, eight years later, Johnny had returned to New York, but this time to the small town of Port Charles. This was Spinelli's current residence and Johnny was planning on visiting him for the entire summer. From what Johnny could tell of the small town, it was nice and peaceful. Much quieter than any part of New York City. The scenery from the airport to the docks had been nice and the water looked inviting. He heard the shuffling of feet and he turned realizing he was no longer alone. He smiled as Spinelli walked up, oblivious to Johnny's presence.

"Hey, are you lost?" Johnny asked with a smile.

"Not at all. The Jackal was just coming to wait on his former comrade from the years of learning," Spinelli answered without looking up from the laptop in his hands.

"Former? We're not friends anymore?" Johnny questioned with a laugh.

Spinelli finally looked up and his eyes widened. His mouth spread into a grin and he carefully sat his laptop down to give his old friend a hug.

"The Jackal and the Son of the Demented One are most certainly still bonded in the strongest way. He just didn't expect to see the Mob Prince so soon," Spinelli said.

"You know I hate being 'the Mob Prince'. Can't I get a new name? Like the Italian One or Him Who is Funny or something?" Johnny asked.

"The Jackal shall upgrade his comrade's nickname after careful observation of his current actions," Spinelli replied.

"Thanks. So how have you been? I can't believe I haven't seen you in so long. You still look the same," Johnny said speaking quickly.

"The Jackal has been well. He is currently employed and generously rewarded for his services," Spinelli answered.

"Spinelli, you're not...you can't be...like...a...like a gig..." Johnny trailed off unsure of how to phrase the question. "I mean what kind of services are being rewarded here?"

Spinelli looked at Johnny with a puzzled expression. Obviously Johnny hadn't been clear in his question and hoped that meant he was way off base. He couldn't imagine the Spinelli he grew up with becoming some kind of male escort, but maybe things had changed.

"The Jackal is unsure as to the thoughts of the Curious One, but he is employed by a local coffee importer by day who is Stone Cold by night," Spinelli said cryptically.

"I think I'm out of practice with Spinelli Speak. But I know I'm starving. Take me to a place for a good breakfast and you can explain this 'Stone Cold' to me," Johnny said.

Lulu Spencer was so tired of working. In general, but specifically working at Kelly's today. The waitress thing was not working out for her. She hated smiling at all the rude people and she really hated the guy who kept coming in and giving her some kind of wink. At first she thought his eye was twitching and then she found his number written on a napkin under his fifty-cent tip.

She had thrown the number away which apparently was a mistake. The guy, who she found out today had a temper, was not pleased with the lack of a phone call and let her know it this morning. Since then, Lulu had been in a bad mood and it was made even worse when he left promising to return the following morning. Why did the worst-looking, pathological flirts always sit in her section?

Mike yelled at her with an order up and she snapped out of her trance and turned to get the food. She took it to the customers and with a smile took it back because the eggs were, yet again, too runny.

"They sent it back again, Mike. I'm taking my break now. Be back in five minutes," Lulu said.

"Okay," Mike responded, glaring at the difficult customers.

Lulu stepped out into the fresh summer air and took a deep breath. She needed to regroup before the rest of the four hours she had left in her shift. Otherwise, she might go crazy. She looked up and smiled as she saw her brothers walking towards her. They would certainly brighten her day. She ran towards them and gave them both big hugs.

"Hey, you two. What are you doing here?" Lulu said excitedly.

"The food," they answered in unison, trying to get a rise out of Lulu.

"Jerks," she laughed, rolling her eyes.

"Well, we might have also wanted to see you, Lu," Lucky said. "It's been forever, little sister. What have you been up to?"

"Working and taking a few classes. Other than that hanging out with Spinelli. I need a new project now that the spring session is over and I'm not taking summer classes this year," Lulu said with a thoughtful look.

"I don't like that Spencer look in your eye," Nikolas said laughing. "Exactly what kind of project are you talking about?"

"I don't know. I just don't want to waste another summer on stupid romances. I've seen how that works out. This year, I want to do something fun," she replied.

"Well, no guys is definitely something I can get behind," Lucky added and both Nikolas and Lulu laughed.

"What are you doing out here? Aren't you working?" Nikolas asked.

"Yes. I'm on my break which is pretty much over. Do you guys want to come inside and get waited on by the best waitress in Port Charles?" Lulu questioned.

"Sure," Lucky said as she led them inside.

"Good, let me see if Lea has a table," Lulu said laughing.

"So let me get this straight," Johnny laughed while side-stepping two men walking out of Kelly's. "You work for a mob enforcer?"

"The Jackal's Master is of a kind heart and gentle soul. His title is simply a result of his abilities," Spinelli answered as he led Johnny inside and over to the counter to sit.

"So you're telling me that he is an excellent hit-man, but is really a good guy?" Johnny asked skeptically.

"Precisely," Spinelli said.

Johnny just laughed. Spinelli was either being naive or was still the kind of person who saw the good in everyone. Johnny knew it was the latter and he was glad that Spinelli was like that. It was something Johnny admired because Johnny tended to see the worst in people.

"Well I'm glad you like him. Maybe I'll meet him while I'm here," Johnny said casually.

"Perhaps the Curious One would like to stay in Casa de Stone Cold? The Jackal would be more than willing to fore go his regrettably pink room to accommodate his visitor," Spinelli offered.

"I already got a hotel room, but I appreciate the offer, Spinelli. Plus, it probably wouldn't be a good idea for an outsider to stay in the home of someone involved in the mob," Johnny said.

"Nonsense. The Son of the Demented One is far from an outsider. He is experienced in all things mob related," Spinelli insisted.

"Not really. I've never been involved in the business and I don't want to be. If I had it my way, I wouldn't even live under the same roof as Anthony Zacchara, but I didn't get a choice. I just stay out of his way and I definitely stay out of his business," Johnny responded.

"The Jackal senses a distaste for the ways of the Grasshopper and his Master. Does the Jackal disappoint the Curious One?" Spinelli asked with hurt in his eyes.

"No, of course not Spinelli. I don't know anything about what you and 'Stone Cold' do. I seriously doubt whatever it is can be as bad as the things my father has done. That's where my distaste and disappointment is," Johnny explained.

"The Jackal is greatly relieved at the Curious One's sentiments. He feared that his visitor was unsettled by his chosen profession," Spinelli admitted.

"I'm not. You sound like you really enjoy what you do and that's all that matters to me. As long as you're not killing people," Johnny said with a laugh.

"The Jackal wishes no more harm to his feet, thank you," Spinelli said with a hint of embarrassment.

"What?" Johnny asked confused.

"It's of no great importance," Spinelli answered quickly sticking his face into a menu.

Johnny glanced around nervously at the empty diner. There were dishes stacked on several tables and not a waitress to be found. He was fairly sure when he and Spinelli had come in the place had been crowded. Shaking the cautious feeling, he picked up a menu.

"So, what's good here?" Johnny asked glancing up as a waitress approached.

He vaguely heard Spinelli greet the waitress and then answer his question, but he was entranced. The waitress was stunningly beautiful and Johnny couldn't help but stare. He realized she was speaking in his direction and he shook his head to try to regain some composure.

"Are you okay?" she asked skeptically.

"Fine. Just...thinking about...I'm Johnny. I didn't catch your name," Johnny finally replied.

"Lulu," she answered simply.

Lulu. Johnny was mesmerized. Lulu was suddenly the most beautiful name he had ever heard. He knew he should say something else, but speech was hard for him around this perfect creature. He found his voice and focused on all of the words carefully.

"Wonderful to meet you, Lulu."