What a magical thing time was. And it certainly cast a spell on Damian Spinelli. It tricked him into thinking that if he were true and patient and steadfast, someday, Maxie Jones would love him back. It seemed to be working. Her hugs grew tighter. He'd gone from "geek boy" to her "essential person". Heck, even her kisses had moved from his cheek to his lips.
It had been a week since Spinelli had seen his Maximista. A long and lonely seven days. He hadn't felt this isolated since Gentle Georgie left this plane of existence. And although he told Stone Cold he didn't want to see her, he never thought in a million years that this would be the one time Maxie would actually listen. Not when he needed her so badly. Not when his whole world was falling apart.
When his thoughts weren't consumed with his Maximista doing God knows what with the Mob Prince, his thoughts were of Stone Cold and Fair Samantha's trip to New York. Would Fair Samantha's contact come through? Would Raynor take the deal? Or would The Jackal spend his remaining days in a five by five cell?
A strong knock pulled Spinelli out of his thoughts. Looking up, a wide smile of joy and relief appeared on the young man's face when a leather clad arm pushed his door open. No, it wasn't Dr. Drake. It was Stone Cold! "Welcome home Stone Cold!", he smiled at his friend and mentor.
Jason couldn't help the small laugh that escaped him at his friend's enthusiastic greeting. He walked into the room carrying a large manila envelope. He sat down in the chair by Spinelli's bed. "How's it going Spinelli?".
Spinelli noticed the envelope in Jason's hand and couldn't help to feel that his future lied inside. "The Jackal's feeling better. Um, what's in the envelope?"
Jason sighed heavily. It was true he had news for his friend. Some of it good, some of it.... well Jason hoped Spinelli would understand. "Sam's contact came through", he said as he passed the envelope to his friend.
Spinelli eagerly took it and opened it. He removed some financial statements. "Are these what I think they are?"
"Yeah. It appears that Raynor has an offshore account in the Cayman's where he's received over $200,000 from his sister Theresa Black", Jason explained.
Spinelli scanned the papers, feeling hopeful that his F.B.I. woes would be over soon. He asked, "So did Raynor rake the deal?" When he didn't hear a resounding yes from his friend, Spinelli looked at Jason and didn't like what he saw. Maybe Raynor didn't take the deal after all.
This was the part Jason was dreading. He sat there thinking for a second, tying to figure out the right words to say. When he did, he said, "I haven't spoken to Raynor yet. I wanted to talk to you first about some things that have to change if he takes the deal."
"Ch-change?" Spinelli repeated, not liking the way that sounded. He put the papers down on the bed beside him and gave Jason his full attention.
Jason caught the confused look in his friend's eyes and dropped his head. "Yeah change. I've talked to Bernie. He's in the process of helping Sam get her P.I. liscence so the two of you can go into business together. He also transferred the deed to Sonny's old penthouse to you. This way if any other fed come sniffing around, it'd look like you're no longer connected to the organization"
So this was it. This was good-bye. Once again time fooled him with smoke and mirrors. Made him believe he had found a home and family with Jason. It could have been worse Spinelli decided. At least he wasn't being fitted for cement shoes. "The Jackal understands if you no longer wish to keep him under your employ, especially after all the heat he brought to your doorstep. I thank you for your tutelage and the pink bedroom you've allowed me to reside in these past two years." He looked down at the fidgeting hands in his lap and tried his hardest not to cry. But a small tear made its way down his cheek. He hoped Stone Cold didn't see it.
Unfortunately Jason did see it. Shaking his head, he stood up. "No. No, Spinelli this is not good-bye". He sat down on the bed next to his friend. Placing a comforting arm on Spinelli's shoulder, Jason continued. "I'm doing this to keep you safe. I'm trying to give you the one thing I wish I had -- an out.". It was true. Jason knew that Spinelli wasn't cut out for this business. It was a business that blackened a man's soul and Jason would never forgive himself if Spinelli's bright light ever dimmed. It was something that Jason often thought about but pushed aside when the latest threat hit because Spinelli's tech support was so handy. But after seeing Spinelli in that holding cell after his arrest, looking so lost and scared, Jason knew he could no long ignore it. So he did what he had to do. What Spinelli wouldn't do. Jason set The Jackal free.
Johnny stood on Federico's patio on the Hampton's staring out at the beach thinking about the little time he had with Lulu that morning at the Crimson office. The way her eyes looked when he first stepped off that elevator, all bright and smiling. And,of course, the way they looked when he left, all broken and sad.
Next to him Maxie stood chatting away with some designer Johnny could care less about. God he could kill her right now. How dare she flirt with him in front of Lulu like that. Maxie must have felt his stare because she looked up at him and gave him an apologetic smile. Johnny just sighed, shook his head and reached into his pocket to retrieve his buzzing cell phone. He looked at the caller I.D. and excused himself from the group.
Walking into Federico's exquisite home, Johnny answered his phone. "Claudia, what's up?"
"John, where the hell are you?", Claudia asked as she paced Sonny Corinth's' living room.
"I'm in the Hampton's doing some P.R. thing with Maxie. Why? What's wrong?". Johnny could tell by her voice something was off.
"The shit's about to hit the fan. Jerry Jax is back!" Claudia whispered into the phone.
This was bad, real bad. Jerry Jax was the other conspirator in that botched hit on Sonny. He was the only one who knew besides Johnny of his sister's part in that hit. And Jerry took great delight in taunting her about it. He even went so far as to hide incriminating DVD's in Sonny's home and made Claudia search for them in some sick twisted scavenger hunt. But Jerry was supposed to be dead. Having been blown up in some cargo ship after he kidnapped Sam McCall.
"What the hell....", Johnny started but stopped and smiled when a couple walked by him and out to the patio. "What do you think he wants?" he finished his question.
"I don't know.", Claudia answered. "Maybe I should go find out --"
"No!", Johnny protested. "I'll be home in a few hours. We'll talk about it then." He ended his call with his sister. He put his phone back in his pocket and made his way back to the party. Time was certainly a precious commodity. And no matter how hard he tried, he could never seem to buy enough.
Lulu stepped off the fourth floor elevator at Mercy Hospital. It was her lunch hour and she thought it might be nice to surprise Spinelli with some food from Kelley's. And after the morning she had, she could use a friend.
When she arrived at Spinelli's door, she pushed it open without knocking. "Oh, excuse me", Lulu said when she saw Nurse Nadine Crowell standing by Spinelli's bed. "I didn't mean to interrupt. I'll just wait here til you're done".
"It's o.k.", the nurse waved Lulu in. "I was just congratulating him on the good news".
"What news?", Lulu asked as she walked into the room.
"Spinelli got his walking papers. He's going home tomorrow." Nadine smiled at her patient.
"That's great Spinelli!" Lulu cheered.
"Indeed.", Spinelli smiled half-halfheartedly Although he was happy to leave the hospital, he wasn't sure where that "home" Nadine spoke of was going to be.
"I was just telling Spinelli how much I'm going to miss him around here", Nadine said. "I mean who am I going to play gin rummy with now", she laughed.
When Spinelli told her they could commiserate together, she didn't take it too seriously. But during the week, Nadine found herself spending her break time with him. Sometimes they played cards. Sometimes they just talked. She found a lot out about The Jackal. They both liked musicals and grew up in the country. It was nice to have someone to talk to again. Not since Leyla died did Nadine have a friend in Port Charles. She truly was going to miss him.
"Well let me go. Epiphany is going to kill me if I don't finish my rounds", the nurse said. She said good-bye to both Lulu and Spinelli and left the room.
"Wow. Rummy?", Lulu teased her friend once they were alone.
Spinelli blushed slightly at Lulu's ribbing. "The Nurturing Nurse has proven to be a good friend to The Jackal these past few days", he pointed out with a goofy grin. "So, what brings the Original Blonde One here today?" Spinelli asked, changing the subject.
"This!", Lulu happily held up the bag from Kelley's. "I thought you could use a break from the hospital food".
"Most gracious thanks, Blonde One. The Jackal has grown tired of the bland chicken and orange jello."
"Well, I got something better than jello", she reached inside the bag. "Tada!" Lulu revealed a bottle of orange soda. Spinelli laughed and took the beverage. He took a healthy sip as she sat down on the bed. Pulling his tray to the bed, she took the remaining items out the bag. "You must be excited to be going home tomorrow?"
"Yes, most definitely.", he answered as he grabbed a cheeseburger off the tray. "I cannot wait to return to the cyber world where the Jackal's skills reign supreme!"
Lulu laughed slightly, knowing he meant his laptop. "So I guess that means you're doing o.k.?" Lulu asked as she took a bite of her cheeseburger.
Uh-huh", he nodded as he munched on his burger. "And you?"
Lulu sighed heavily. "Well things at Crimson are crazy. Kate's driving everybody crazy about this layout and then there's Maxie and Johnny...." she immediately stopped when she saw Spinelli stiffen.
"What about Maximista and The Mob Prince?", Spinelli prompted when Lulu paused.
"It nothing" she said fidgeting on the bed. "Johnny and Maxie had some P.R. thing on the Hampton's today." she dismissed. But the look on Spinelli's face told her that he wasn't buying it. She sighed and looked down at her hands and continued talking. "And when Johnny came to pick up Maxie.....she was....all flirty with him." She looked up to see Spinelli's eyes drop quickly to his lap. Upsetting him was not her intent and she hated being the bearer of bad news.
"I see." he nodded in acceptance. So that's why Maxie hadn't come by. She was obviously enjoying her time with the Mob Prince.
"I'm sorry Spinelli. I didn't mean to upset you" Lulu gently squeezed his hand.
"No, it's quite alright Blonde One. Maximista is free to do what she likes" he said disappointingly. "The real question is are you alright?" He gently patted her hand with his other one.
"Yeah, I'm fine, I guess. It just really sucked seeing them like that", Lulu admitted. "But it's like you said Johnny and me are over and he can do whatever he wants, you know?" Lulu shrugged sadly.
"Yeah. But that doesn't change the fact that, and forgive my boldness here.... Johnny is a fool. You are a beautiful creature who is smart and strong and kind. I have no doubt that he will awake one morning and realize his folly.", he comfortingly spoke.
Spinelli was so sweet. Even with his own heart-break so clearly evident, he managed to put her feelings above his own. "Maxie's a fool too.", Lulu assured him. Then a funny thought occurred to her. "You know, I probably should of picked you all those years ago", she chuckled.
Spinelli smiled remembering the time he, Dillion and Milo competed for Lulu's affections. It was strange how certain he was back then that Lulu was the one. Yet, today, he couldn't picture Lulu as anything other than his good friend. Time was funny like that he guessed. "That would be...odd.", he laughed.
"Yes it would be", Lulu agreed laughing also.
The two friends spent the rest of their lunch talking and laughing, feeling much better than they did that morning.
The day had come to and end. It was a long day too. The three hour drive to and from Long Island had worn her out. But it was great seeing Federico again. They gossiped about all the models and designers at the party. He even showed her some of his sketches for his winter line. So what if Johnny was pissed at her for flirting with him, Maxie still had fun on the Hampton's.
She stood in front of her stove waiting for her water to boil so she could make herself a cup of chamomile tea. Just as she heard the whistle from the teapot, her cell phone rang from the kitchen table. Walking over to it, she noticed Robin's number on the caller I.D. "Hey Robin, what's up?", she asked as she headed back towards the stove.
"I got good news", Robin chimed.
"What?", Maxie asked as she filled her mug.
"Spinelli passed his tests".
Maxie quickly put down the teapot. She bounced on the spot excitedly, knowing what that meant. "So Spinelli's coming home?"
"Yup, Maxie. Patrick told me when he got home from work".
"That's great Robin! Thanks for calling", Maxie beamed.
"No problem. Now let me go. Emma's been fussy lately. She's cutting new teeth.", Robin said.
"Awww. Poor baby. Give her a kiss from Auntie Maxie, will ya?", Maxie pouted playfully.
"Will do. Bye." Robin chuckled.
"Bye.". Maxie ended the call. She took her tea and headed for her bed room.
When she got there, she climbed into her bed. Maxie looked looked at the empty side. The side that Spinelli slept on when he was staying there. Instead of feeling the sad and lonely, she felt giddy. She just knew that that half of the bed wouldn't be empty after tomorrow. Time had the ability to heal all wounds. At least that's what Spinelli told her. Maxie snuggled up to his pillow and closed her eyes, imagining Spinelli's soothing hands wrapped around her. Yes, everything would be better tomorrow. Spinelli was coming home!
