Manhattan Project

I still don't own GH or Gossip Girl... I hope you enjoy the latest installment

It was a crazy weekend wasn't it Upper East Siders...especially for our new guys...It seems M entered C's penthouse and hasn't returned out yet...we all know C's reputation and have heard rumors about M so...does the island have a new 'it' couple...well if B or the Jackal have any say then no...and speaking of that Ace of Cyberspace it seems our boy was spotted chatting with V and D late Sunday afternoon before returning to his cozy suite at the Plaza...is he over M or just numbed...

The drama seems to get better and better and the launch isn't until Friday...

You know you love me

Xoxo Gossip Girl

Rolling over in bed Maxie took in her surroundings quickly realizing that this wasn't the suite at the Plaza but some strange room. Looking down at the white terry cloth robe she was clad in and taking in the strong masculine cologne in the air she stiffened up wondering if she got drunk and did the unthinkable. It was one thing to flake and leave Spinelli in tears but it was another to turn around and numb her feelings for her friend by screwing the first guy she met...Chuck she believed his name was. Looking over on the nightstand she noticed a folded up piece of paper on the nightstand. Picking up she unfolded it to see a note.

Maxie-

Don't worry nothing happened well intently between the two of us last night though don't think I didn't want to. However by sleeping with you we would both be giving into our self fulfilling prophesies of screwing up and we couldn't have that. Anyway when you read this I most likely would be gone so well, your cloths are lying in a garment bag in the front closet don't worry about paying me for the cleaning. Also feel free to order breakfast on my tab. In case our paths don't cross again till the launch good luck and save a dance for me.

--C.B.

Maxie smiled thinking that at least he was a gentleman causing her to be less freaked out about being in the strange room and decided to take him up on his offer and called down to room service as she flopped down on his comfy bed.

-

Entering the common area he hoped to see her, to talk about the day before, to apologize for whatever it was he did to make tears well up in her beautiful blue eyes and move on from it. Instead he saw Kate frantically shuffling through files on the small desk in the corner.

"Greetings fashionista, Miss Howard...Kate."

Looking up from her work she smiled at Spinelli.

"Good morning Mr. Spinelli."

"Have you seen Maxie this fine morning?"

"No I haven't but speaking of Maxie how was it last night."

"Last night meaning."

"Sorry not Last night I meant Friday."

Spinelli sighed thinking of the wonderful time they had at the play.

"It was like something out of a dream...then on Saturday I somehow managed to make my way to Federico's loft and he actually told me that I could easily be a model...me the Jackal."

Kate smiled.

"Why do you sell yourself short, you're an attractive young man Mr. Spinelli."

He blushed a bit.

"So I take it you and my assistant is an item now."

"Not exactly...you see we were engaged in a romantic carriage ride yesterday afternoon and after we kissed something turned in her and she ran in tears. I fear that the Jackal may have said or done something to hurt the Maximista and I don't know what."

Kate just nodded knowing that there was more to what he was saying and she began to shuffle papers once more.

"Mr. Spinelli," she said as he looked over, "could you order up some room service I think it's going to be a long morning."

He nodded knowing the fashionista breakfast order by heart and made his way to the phone.

--

After finishing up her breakfast bought on Chuck's tab Maxie debated between two sinarios. Should she shower in Chuck's bathroom and then head to the office in her newly pressed cloths from the previous day or should she change and then head back to the suite before heading to the office. She ultimately decided on a mix of the two as she didn't want to put on her clean cloths while dirty and at the same time didn't want to be an outfit repeater so she hopped into his shower contemplating her next moves wondering if she should be open and honest with her friend and potential boyfriend or act like Chuck Bass didn't happen.

After drying herself off she slipped on her cloths and pulled her hair back into a wet ponytail with a rubber band that was lying in her purse and scribbled down a note telling Chuck thanks before slipping on her shoes and heading out.

As she made her way down the steps she got a text from an unfamiliar number.

GOOD MORNING SUNSHINE—C

Maxie looked at the message and smiled as she texted him back thanking him. She then haled a cab and made her way back to the plaza.

-

Meanwhile back in the suite breakfast had arrived and Kate set aside her work to join Spinelli thanking him once more for ordering the food.

"You seem a bit more flustered then usual," He said to her.

"That would be because I just lost an assistant."

"Lulu."

Kate nodded.

"Apparently she thought while I was away she could work at her own convenience not caring that on top of deadlines we have our big launch on Friday. And now Maxie has gone awal and I don't know what to do, I mean it's too late to hire someone and get them broken in and..."

"The Jackal will do it."

"Excuse me."

"Be your second assistant, well for the time being at least."

Kate looked at him.

"But you don't know the first thing about fashion plus I can not picture you consulting with clients I mean I barely understand you and."

"Relax," he said bringing his voice to a calmer less hyper more normal tone, "I am a quick study, whatever I can't pick up from you I can pick up from the net, and as for forming a rapport with investors, clients, models I think that my latest alter ego Damian Spinelli editorial assistant will be able to handle it."

Kate smiled thinking that this kid held so many layers. She then looked over to him who was dressed in a pair of jeans and a grey t-shirt.

"Ok but you're going to have to."

He looked down at his cloths.

"Cloths...right."

He left the room and started to change when his cell buzzed.

"Damian Spinelli how can I help you."

"What no Jackal PI anymore." Blair said on the other end of the line causing him to chuckle a bit.

"Not today no, so to what do I owe the pleasure of your call."

"I was wondering if you wouldn't mind joining me and Serena outside Constance during our free period."

"Me join you," he said voice cracking a bit.

"Sure, I mean who wouldn't want a cool older man hanging with them."

"I wish I could but I got plans."

"With Maxie."

"Actually I..." the sound of a bell echoed in the background.

"Sorry I got to go; I'll call you after school then."

"Sure."

Blair hung up and he finished getting dressed. Soon he sashayed back into the other room in a pair of dress pants, a white button up dress shirt and the jacket that Federico gave him.

"So Miss Howard how do I look."

Kate smiled.

"Like the second assistant to the editor and chief of Crimson Magazine."

He gave her a smile that she was sure could break allot of hearts if given the opportunity and headed out of the suite.

--

"Spinelli are you here, we need to talk," Maxie said entering the suite, "Spinelli SPINELLI."

After calling for a good three minutes she figured he was lurking at the local starbucks that was if he was still in the city and not back in Port Charles after her freak-out. She was going to tell him WHY she flaked but since he was MIA she thought it was a sign. Changing into a fresh outfit and fixing her hair she mentally prepared a speech of what to say to Kate upon arriving at the hospital. Thinking that with her luck Kate would have already called Lulu to of come to town to take over as first assistant.

--

Arriving at the hospital he was overwhelmed. Sure he's lurked in the Port Charles office numerous times but this was New York City the hub of the fashion would. A few people approached them and Kate just smiled and introduced 'Damian' as her new assistant. Following behind her clipboard in hand he began to take rigorous notes about last minute launch details when Kate stopped him.

"So, who are you planning to wear on Friday?"

"Well Federico is insisting I wear one of his designs but Blair kind of wants me to showcase something of Eleanor's.'

"Hmmm the editors assistant in an Eleanor Waldorf design that could be good press."

He nodded as Maxie entered the office taking in the scene and the way Spinelli was once again cleaned up.

"What are you doing here?"

Kate looked at the two of them and left them alone and Spinelli slipped into a chair situated by a small desk across the room from where Maxie was sitting.

"Lulu was fired and so I volunteered to take over as second assistant at least until the launch party."

"But why."

He shrugged.

"I don't know, I guess I thought that being an editorial assistant could help me get my foot in the door in the literary world."

"And Jackal PI what about that."

"I never wanted to be a Private Investigator."

"You didn't."

"No, I think a part of me got my license so that I could avenge Georgie's death and break away from the criminal world like she wanted."

"Well I think Georgie would be happy to see you pushing even further out of a dangerous lifestyle."

He grinned melting her.

"You think."

Maxie nodded taking a deep breath it was now or never.

"Spinelli I'm sorry."

"Sorry."

"For yesterday, for flaking, it's just..."

Spinelli looked at her and knew he could finish her thought.

"...Complicated."

Maxie nodded.

"Anyway I ran from you and into someone and well we..."

"Hooked up," Spinelli said with defeat in his voice.

"God know, we talked...allot then he bought me ice-cream which spilled all over my cloths and he insisted me going back to his place so that he could send my cloths to a cleaner..."

"Then you hooked up," he thought to himself.

"Anyway he's a real nice guy and I was wondering if we were still on for the launch cause."

"You want to ask him out."

"Yes, no, I mean I don't LIKE like Chuck Bass or anything."

The name made Spinelli's blood curdle, Chuck Bass, the man who broke the Beautiful Blair's heart with his sleazy tendencies was now pursuing his fair Maximista.

"It's not like we are officially boyfriend and girlfriend or anything so you are not obligated to be my escort."

Though I wish you were on my arm.

"And I've met this Chuck Bass character and he's most unworthy, he's like taking all the bad qualities of Logan and Johnny and magnifying them."

Maxie smiled.

"Oh my god your jealous Spinelli."

"I am not jealous I'm just looking out for you."

"And your such a great friend like that," she said placing an arm around him.

And it scares me wanting to be more.

Kate at that moment peaked her head into office causing her assistants to break from their moment.

"Coming," they said in unison getting back to work.

--

TBC

I kind of made myself a mini timeline finally for this as well as got an idea for a sequel depending on how popular this is...

Much love to KatDVS who keeps helping me out of my plot holes...