AN: Thank you so much for the wonderful reviews!
Diane and Alexis walked into the Crimson Magazine offices the next day.
"Hi Maxie." Alexis greeted the young assistant as she turned to see them.
"Ms. Miller, Ms. Davis, are you here to see Kate?"
"Actually, Miss Jones, we're here to take you to lunch."
"Me?" Maxie was very surprised.
Kate walked out of her office. "Diane, Alexis how good to see you. Did you need to see me?"
"No, Kate." Alexis demurred. "We wanted to take Maxie to lunch."
"Maxie?"
"Yes." Diane grabbed Maxie's hand as Alexis took her purse, and they pulled her toward the elevator. "Someone has to plan your bridal shower."
Kate smiled happily. "Go ahead."
The elevator doors closed.
"Great," Alexis said, "now we have to plan a shower."
Diane shrugged. "I planned it weeks ago. Your invitation is in the mail."
"Wait, if we're not planning Kate's shower…" Maxie began.
"We'll explain at lunch." Alexis replied.
They found a table at the Metro Court restaurant. After ordering, Diane and Alexis turned to Maxie.
"Okay. What is this about?" Maxie asked.
"Well, I spoke to Mr. Spinelli yesterday." Diane began.
An anxious expression appeared on Maxie's face. "Is he okay? No, if he was okay, you wouldn't have lied to Kate. Is he sick?"
"He's fine, Maxie." Alexis assured her. "Maybe I should start with this; Mac came to see me yesterday."
"Why?" Maxie's eyes grew wide. "Did he tell…did you tell Spin…what do you know?"
Alexis grinned. "We know there's going to be a…mini-Jackal?"
"Oh no." Maxie held her head. "Does he know?"
"I didn't tell him." Maxie breathed a sigh of relief. "But Mr. Morgan does know."
"How?"
"I believe he's had a bodyguard on you." Diane replied.
"He has not!" Maxie was shocked.
"You're surprised?" Alexis asked. "And this pasta is delicious, by the way."
"But I would know. Wouldn't I?"
"Not…" Diane's phone rang. "Excuse me." She turned away. "Hello?"
"Look, Maxie…" Alexis began. Her own phone rang, followed by Maxie's.
"Hello?"
"Maxie?"
"Robin? What's up?"
"You need to get to GH?"
"Why? What happened?"
"Just get down here." Robin hung up.
Diane and Alexis snapped their phones shut simultaneously. Maxie stood.
"I have to good."
"I'll give you a ride, Miss Jones." Diane declared.
"To GH?"
"Yes. Alexis, it was nice to see you as friends."
"It was. I'm sure I'll be seeing you across the table soon."
Diane paid and led Maxie out to her car.
"What happened? Why did Robin call me?"
"There was a shootout, down at the docks."
"Spinelli?"
"He and Mr. Morgan were both shot."
Maxie began to cry. "No!"
Diane helped her into the car and hurried to the hospital.
"Was it bad?"
"I don't know. We'll find out soon." Diane grabbed Maxie's hand and squeezed gently. "Stay calm. It's not good for you or the baby."
Maxie gulped and tried to make her heart beat slower.
"And Miss Jones, I know you are the Police Commissioner's daughter, but…"
"Don't let Spinelli talk to the police without you."
"Exactly."
--
Maxie raced into the Emergency Room, followed more slowly by Diane. Maxie saw Epiphany at the desk and hurried to her.
"Where's Spinelli?"
"I beg your pardon?"
"Is he here? Is he okay?"
"Miss Jones…" Epiphany began.
"Maxie?" Robin came around the corner.
"Robin! Where is he? Is he hurt badly?"
"Let's sit down."
"No. That means it's bad."
"It's not bad. I just want you to sit down." Robin led her to the couch.
"Spinelli is going to be fine."
"Going to be?"
"He broke is leg and a bullet grazed his head," Maxie gasped, "but it didn't do any more than a scratch."
"Thank goodness."
Diane sat next to Maxie and patted her knee. "Told you. What about Mr. Morgan?"
"Jason was shot in the upper left chest. Not his heart, but he's in surgery."
"Can I see Spinelli?" Maxie asked her cousin.
"They're setting his leg. But you can see him after they're done."