Spinelli watched the rise and fall of Maxie's chest, listening to the sweet sound of her breathing. When he had found her earlier tonight his own heart stopped. She was lying prone in the exact position he had found her younger sister Georgie, nearly a year ago. He had rushed to her side, checking for a pulse. He thanked the gods when there was one. Not wanting to wait for an ambulance, he carried her the few blocks to the hospital. Now he sat at her bedside awaiting her blue gaze. He held her hand to his chest, his emotions making him want to burst. Finally he couldn't contain the words he had longed to say for so long. "Maxie," he said softly. "I love you."
Mac Scorpio watched from the doorway. He cleared his throat. "Spinelli. I'd like a word with you."
Spinelli turned in surprise. He didn't want to leave Maxie's side, but he couldn't say no to her father. "The concerned parent is in need of assistance perhaps?"
"You could say that. It's been no secret that I didn't approve of your friendship with my daughter. But I accepted it because she cares about you and she's been happier than I've ever seen her."
Spinelli smiled. "The feeling is mutual."
"However, there's nothing more important than Maxie's safety. Tonight your world touched my family and I can't let that go. It was a wake up call. I won't stand by any longer and allow her association with you."
"But—"
"I know Maxie isn't going to end things, so I'm counting on you to do what's right. Break ties with her and make sure she knows it's over."
Spinelli stared at him in shock. His eyes filled with tears. "I cannot do that."
"Spinelli, I've gotten to know you better over these past couple months. You're a good guy. I don't understand what you're even doing with Jason."
"He's my family. He needs me."
"Somehow I doubt that. But you made your choice and this is where it's brought you. I want you to stay away from Maxie."
Spinelli knew he was right, but that didn't stop the ache in his heart. He took a shaky breath and one last longing look at his Maximista before he lowered his head and walked away.
Mac watched Spinelli for a moment and shook his head sadly. Then he took the seat the young man had just vacated and held his daughter's hand. "You're safe now, sweetheart."
A few moments later Maxie's eyes fluttered open. "Spinelli?" When she saw her dad she grew concerned. "Where's Spinelli? Did they get to him? Is he okay?"
"Honey, calm down. Spinelli's fine."
"Then where is he? I know him, he would be here unless something happened to him."
"He was here. He left a little while ago."
"He left? Why?"
"I asked him to."
"You had no right to do that!"
"You are my daughter, all I have left in this world. I am not going to stand idly by and allow you to associate with mobsters!"
"Spinelli is not a mobster!"
"Well he works for one, so that makes him one too."
"You're wrong. Spinelli is nothing like Jason!"
-
Spinelli walked on and on for what seemed like hours, not caring where he went. Damn the Russians for coming to Port Charles and ruining his life! He knew what he needed to do. If he could eliminate the threat perhaps Mac would relent. He went home and got Jason's gun. Then he headed for the docks.
-
Johnny and Lu Lu were just walking away from the fire ravaged Kelly's when they spotted Spinelli as he snuck down an alley. "What's he up to?" She asked.
"I'll go check it out," Johnny said. "Wait here."
Spinelli ran stealthily toward Karpov's warehouse. It was a place he knew well. He backed himself against the wall and listened. He heard a familiar female voice barking orders in Russian. It was Sasha Donev, formerly known as the Slavic Seductress. She was no longer worthy of that title. She was responsible for Maxie's attack. With a burst of fury Spinelli kicked open the door and pointed his gun at Sasha. "Maximista shall be avenged!" He pulled the trigger, but the gun jammed. He quickly checked the safety and tried cocking it again.
Sasha smirked as Spinelli shook and pounded on the pistol. "Poor little trespasser. Now you will pay for your stupidity." She motioned to her men. "Kill him."
Spinelli froze. He glanced nervously between Sasha and her men. He knew this was the end and he almost welcomed it. What was the point of going on? He was useless.
Just then Johnny burst in and grabbed Spinelli by the arm, pulling him out the door. "Let's get outta here!" They ran as fast as they could. When they rounded the corner and saw Lu Lu, Johnny yelled, "Run!" The three of them didn't slow down until they were safely inside Jason's penthouse. They all stood around gasping for air, not saying a word. Spinelli still had the traitorous weapon in his hand. Johnny grabbed it from him. "What the hell were you thinking?"
"Why did you have a gun?" Lu Lu asked.
"The Jackal was trying to avenge Maximista, but to no avail. He has once again proven himself a lesser man."
"A gun doesn't make you a man," Johnny said.
"Yeah," Lu Lu agreed. "What was that about Maxie?"
"She was attacked by the forces of evil. She now lies unconscious in a hospital bed."
"What? Then what are you doing here? You should be at the hospital with her!"
"Not running around town playing vigilante," Johnny added. "This isn't a video game, Spinelli!"
Spinelli ignored Johnny's comment. "The Jackal was sent away by the concerned commissioner. He fears, and rightfully so, that Maximista's association with me is the reason she was targeted. I must sever all ties with her."
"Maxie's not gonna like that," Lu Lu said.
Johnny turned on the news to see if there was any information on the fire at Kelly's or Maxie's attack. The three stood and stared as news reports came in from all over town about Jason's various businesses being burnt down and his men being killed. A knock at the door made them jump. Johnny looked to see who was outside. "What the hell?"
"Who is it?"
Johnny opened the door and Maxie walked in.
"Maximista! You're okay!" Spinelli's joy overrode his common sense. He ran to her and hugged her. "I was so worried. When I found you in the park tonight I thought… I thought—" He couldn't bring himself to say the words.
"I'm fine now." She held him tighter. "Mac told me he chased you away."
"What are you doing out of the hospital? You should not have left."
"The doctor said it was okay. I just had a bump on the head. My heart is strong. There was no reason to stay."
"I'm sure your concerned parent would be unhappy to know of your whereabouts."
"He has no say in how I live my life, Spinelli."
"But he is right to worry. I, too, worry. I have told you before that it's not safe to be around me. Tonight proved that. I won't risk your life again."
"What are you saying?"
"As much as it pains me, we must end our association. The Jackal has proven himself unworthy. I thought I could make things right, that I could protect you, but I was wrong." He hung his head in shame.
Lu Lu and Johnny watched the scene with fascination.
"I don't understand." Maxie tried to reach out to Spinelli, but he turned away.
Johnny stepped forward. "He took Jason's gun and went after Karpov's organization on his own."
"WHAT? Are you insane? How is getting yourself killed supposed to protect me? That is quite possibly the stupidest thing you've ever done! Stop trying so hard to be like Jason!"
"But I am. And you need to go."
Maxie looked like she had been slapped. "You want me to leave?"
He nodded, unable to look at her.
"I thought you were the one person in my life I could count on. But you're just like all the others." Her eyes filled with tears. "Fine," she said calmly. "I don't need you. I don't need anybody." She opened up her purse and pulled out the art journal he had made for her. "And I don't need your stupid book!" She screamed, throwing it to the floor. He turned around as she ran out the door.
"I'll go after her and make sure she gets home safely," Johnny said.
"Thanks, Johnny," Lu Lu said. She walked over to Spinelli, who was clutching the journal to his chest. "She'll calm down."
"It doesn't matter. The Jackal was fooling himself that she could ever--" His broken voice trailed off and he hid his tear-filled eyes behind his hand. When he felt Lu Lu's arms wrap around him he crumbled and sobbed into her shoulder.
-
Johnny followed Maxie onto the elevator. She hadn't said a word since leaving the apartment. She was scowling, but it was clear she was holding back tears. "Maxie?"
She didn't reply.
"Spinelli nearly got himself killed tonight trying to avenge you. The guy obviously cares about you. He's just trying to protect you the only way he knows how."
"If he cared about me he wouldn't be abandoning me."
-
Spinelli pulled away from Lu Lu and wiped his eyes. "The Jackal apologizes for his momentary lapse in composure. Please help yourself to refreshment in the kitchen." He dropped the journal onto the coffee table. "The Jackal is most weary. Goodnight." He turned and walked upstairs.
"Wha—?" Lu Lu watched him go, her concern clearly etched on her face. She started to follow him, but stopped. He probably needed to be alone. She sat down and flipped through the book he had left behind, the one Maxie had thrown at him before she stormed out. Every page contained something beautiful: poetry, sculpture, paintings, music. What was this? She turned to the front page. "To my fair Maximista on her birthday. You are my inspiration. Always and forever yours, Spinelli." Lu Lu read the words and gasped. "Oh my god. He's in love with her!"
-
Spinelli rifled through a drawer and pulled out a pair of green Christmas socks. He unrolled them and shook one until its hidden contents fell onto the dresser: a small plastic bag filled with dried green leaves and rolling papers. He kept his stash of weed hidden from Jason, knowing he would confiscate it if he ever found it. He only took an occasional puff or two just to calm himself. Tonight he would need much more. He went into the bathroom, shut the door and turned on the vent, before lighting up. Sitting on the floor he took a hit and held it for as long as he could before releasing. He rested his head back against the wall and waited for sweet peace.
---
TBC
