After Spinelli exacted himself from the heinous models clutches he searched high and low for Maxie. He found her talking to the investor again. The man was leering at the Maxinista in a very unwholesome way and it made Spinelli want to hit him. "Excuse beautiful blonde one. Can I talk to you for a minute?"

Maxie looked at him for a minute and then smiled. "Sure." She said. She turned to her associate, "I am sorry Paul. I will be right back."

Maxie and Spinelli walked away. "I snagged two cookies from the food table." Spinelli told her. "I thought maybe you and I could go for a walk."

Maxie rolled her eyes, "This is work for me Spinelli. I can't just run off to share a cookie with you." She snapped. "Find Mandy or whoever she is and ask her."

"Mindy." Spinelli corrected her and wasn't surprised to see Maxie give him an ugly look. Maybe that was not the best time to correct her. "Anyway, I don't want to share the cookies with Mindy. I want to share them with you."

"That's sweet but you're not an actual date. I brought you here because I feel bad about all the times you have helped me lately. This is not a date. Its business meeting with pretty clothes and I don't have time for this- excuse me"

Spinelli felt completely confused as he watched her storm away. Lulu approached him. "May I?" she said motioning to the cookie.

Spinelli handed it to her and they migrated away from the guest toward the door." I guess you heard that?" he asked.

Lulu nodded, "Yeah…want some advice?"

Spinelli groaned, "Maxie is the devil, right?"

"Well, yes, but what I was going to say is I know what happened. Tonight Maxie saw you as more than her goofy partner in crime. When you picked her up I saw her face. She actually realized you were a guy and I would even venture to say she was attracted to you." Lulu told him.

"Then why…?" he started.

"Jealousy." Lulu answered. "She saw you with that fabulous model and felt rejected and jealous. I can't believe I am defending her but I can't say I blame her. If it were me I would feel jealous to." Lulu sighed, "I guess if I was being honest with myself I would say I have been jealous."

"What?" Spinelli said.

"I don't like Maxie. And when I saw you were spending so much time with her and less time with me I got jealous. My problems with Maxie have nothing to do with you. I want to be free to date whomever even if you don't like them and you should be allowed to do the same. I love you and if you love her then I am ok with that. I want you to be happy and if she makes you happy then I wish you the best." Lulu said,

Spinelli sighed. "I don't think you have anything to worry about. She hates me now."

Lulu laughed. "No she doesn't. Let her cool down and talk to her. I think you crazy kids can work this out."

"Thanks." Spinelli said.

"Thank you." Lulu replied. "For the cookie."

Spinelli leaned against the wall and watched Maxie with Paul. He hoped Lulu was right. He hoped this would all work out and that he and Maxie would get a happily ever after.

He waited for almost an hour and then he couldn't wait anymore. Maxie was now surrounded by a group of men. He moved toward her and whispered in her ear. "I know you have a lot of business to conduct but could you spare me a moment?"

Maxie didn't say anything but she stepped away from her entourage. Spinelli took this as a good sign and started talking. "Ok. I am sorry. I know that girl hanging on me hurt your feelings. But I don't care about her or anyone else. Just you. I did all of this for you. The clothes and the limo. Everything for you."

"Why?" Maxie asked turning around sharply.

"What?" Spinelli asked.

"Why did you do all this?" Maxie asked. "It seems like a lot to do for a friend."

"I-uh…"Spinelli stuttered. "I am falling in love with you." The truth just seemed to come out. It surprised him. He waited nervously for her response.

"I can't." she said. "I am sorry."

"What do you mean?" Spinelli asked. It felt as if he couldn't breathe.

"Georgie loved you." She said. "I can't love you. Not to mention every man who has loved me lately has died. So, no, we have to stay friends, ok?" Maxie turned and went back to the group of men. Spinelli stood there unable to process what had just happened. He turned and walked away.

He didn't know where he was going. He just walked out the door and out of the hotel. Spinelli was working on auto-pilot as he head back to Jason's place. He was relived to see no was there when he walked in. He sat down on the couch and loosened his tie. He opened his laptop and check Ian's records. Frustration boiled up inside of him when he saw there was still nothing there. How would they ever find Michael's killer?

Spinelli leaned back and sighed. He hated this. He didn't know where to go from here. Maybe she didn't mean it. Maybe she was scared or something. Maybe she loves him too.

The door opened and Jason came inside. "You're early." He said.

Spinelli nodded. He wanted to say something but he couldn't find the words. Finally he said, "Jason?"

Jason stopped and turned. He was obviously taken aback by Spinelli using his name. "yeah?"

"I-"he started. "It-"he paused and tried to gather his thoughts. "I love her but she doesn't…" he cleared his throat. "She doesn't feel that way."

Jason came around to the couch and sat down. "I am sorry."

The two men sat there for a moment. Finally Jason broke the silence. "Tell me what happened."

Spinelli just poured out the whole story and felt on the verge of tears. Jason didn't say anything at first. "I don't think it has anything to do with you or how she feels. I think it's about baggage and fear. Fear isn't something I really understand. I am not really programmed that way. But, I can tell you as man who has loved Carly in one way or another for over a decade fear can make woman do crazy things. For now let her be. If she wants you she will come to you."

"And if she doesn't.?" Spinelli asked his voice cracking.

"Then you have to accept it." Jason replied.

"I am not sure I can." Spinelli replied.

"Cross that bridge when you get there." Jason told him.

"I am going to bed." Jason said. He stood up and at that moment Spinelli saw something.

"Stone Cold." Spinelli said. "Ian just made a purchase fro plane tickets." Spinelli looked at Jason. "he is running."

"We can't let that happen." He said. "Change clothes and meet me downstairs."

"What are we doing?" Spinelli asked as Jason sprinted for the door.

"Stopping him." Jason replied.

Spinelli ran upstairs and changed into blue jeans and a t-shirt. He gathered up his computer stuff. Before he walked out he took his cell phone out and dialed Maxie's number. "hey." He said to her voicemail. "Sorry I left. I hope the limo gets you home ok. Look, Stone Cold and I are heading out. I don't know where. All know is it could be dangerous. So, I had to call to tell you." Spinelli paused. 'I haven't changed my mind. I love you. And if something goes wrong tonight I need you to know … your wonderful. Wise Georgie loved you so much as did the clean cut cadet. I know you think you are somehow responsible for the deaths of the men you loved but you weren't. They were lucky to have you and so was I…even just as a friend. Take care Beautiful blonde one. Know the Jackal loves you… no matter how wounded you really are. Because I even love the broken parts."

He hung up and stuffed the cell phone into his pocket. He ran out the door to meet Stone Cold.