Maxie and Spinelli stood outside of Robert's hospital room, looking through the window at the sleeping man.

Maxie was worried; Spinelli hadn't spoken since they had arrived at the hospital.

"Spin?" She whispered, squeezing his hand. "You don't have to see him."

"Yes, I do. The Jackal has to know. I must 'man up' and face my father."

"Alright. Do you want me to go in first?"

"No. Together."

"He's waking up. C'mon." Maxie held the door open as Spinelli shuffled in with his crutches.

"Uncle Robert?" She called softly, not want to disturb him too much.

Robert's eyes blinked open. "Maxie? Is that you?"

"Yeah, Uncle Robert. How are you doing?"

"I'd sure like to get out of here. Want to help?"

"Robin would kill me."

Robert looked toward the door, where Spinelli still balanced on his crutches.

"Who's that with you?" He asked, suspecting he knew the answer.

Maxie turned and gestured for Spinelli to come inside. "That's my boyfriend."

"Well, come in young man. I don't bite." Robert decided, for now, to pretend he didn't know the boy's true identity.

"Yes, sir."

"Sit down." Maxie told him. "You take the chair."

"You should sit too, Maximista."

"I'm fine right here." Maxie sat on the edge of the bed after pushing Spinelli into the chair.

"What did you do to your leg, kid?" Robert noticed the cast.

Spinelli was tongue-tied, so Maxie took over.

"He broke his leg. See, there was a shootout down at the docks…"

"A shootout?" Robert interrupted. "What's a kid like you getting involved…?"

"The Jackal was working…" Spinelli defended himself.

"The Jackal?"

"That's what he calls himself. Good grief Uncle Robert, calm down."

"And you're okay with this, Maxie? Getting involved with the mob? What about your baby?"

"Hey, who are you to…how do you know about our baby?" Maxie stood and walked behind Spinelli's chair.

Robert kept quiet.

"Did Robin tell you? Or Patrick?" Realization struck her. "Was my dad here?"

Robert refused to look at her.

"He was, wasn't he? What else did he tell you?" Not getting any reply, she turned to Spinelli. "Let's go."

Robert turned in surprise. "Maxie…Damien, don't go."

Maxie folded her arms in defiance. "So you do know and you were just pretending."

"I just…I don't know what I'm supposed to do."

The door opened to reveal Robin and Patrick.

"Dad, your heart rate went really high. What…" She noticed Maxie and Spinelli. "Oh."

"Hey, Maxie," Patrick called, "how about we go have a talk?"

"What?" She looked from Spinelli to Robert. "Yeah, I'll be back Spin." She kissed his cheek and left with Patrick.

Robin sat down on the bed.

"So," she began, "you know."

"Mac stopped by. Gave me a nice big lecture about responsibility."

"Good."

"I beg your pardon, I…"

"One of these days, you're gonna have to realize that you can't expect the rest of us to take care of your mistakes."

Spinelli was shocked out of silence. "Mistakes?"

"I don't mean you, Spin. I mean depending on other people to take care of you…and me."

"Wait a minute. Mac took very good care of you and…"

"He took excellent care of me."

"…I didn't even know about…"

"My name is Damien." Spinelli said softly.

The door burst open to show Patrick and Maxie.

"There's yelling. Why is there yelling?" Patrick looked pointedly at Robin.

"Are you guys upsetting Spinelli?" Maxie glared at Robert.

"No, Maximista, the Jackal is just…"

Maxie hurried over to him and pulled him out of the chair. "You know what? We're going to visit Jason and then I've got an appointment with Dr. Lee. Maybe we'll come back after."

"Maximista…"

"No, Spin, that's actually a good idea." Robin added. "I'll have a talk with him." They watched as Spinelli followed Maxie out of the room.

As soon as the door shut, Robin turned back to Robert.

"Why are you being so mean?"

"I didn't even get a chance to speak to the boy. You just started yelling."

"Dad, Spinelli's very sensitive."

"A sensitive guy who works for the mob. He's never gonna survive in Port Charles."

"Dad!"

"Mr. Scorpio," Patrick decided it was time to step in, "Spinelli's a really good guy. He really loves Maxie, and sure he works for Jason, but that's not going to last forever. Jackal P.I. is coming eventually."

"There it is again. What is this 'Jackal' business?"

"That's what he calls himself, Dad. He gives everyone nicknames."

"Why?"

"We don't know." Patrick admitted. "He hasn't told us anything about his childhood."

"But you all think it was bad." Robert mused. "And that's why everyone's so angry with me."

"It's not the only reason." Robin muttered.

"Look. Ask him and Maxie to come back. I'll try to do better."

--

Jason Morgan was frustrated.

"Epiphany, why am I still here?" He asked the nurse.

She was matter of fact. "Because you got yourself shot."

"I've been shot before. Never had to stay here so long."

"Would you rather be in jail?"

"I suppose not."

There was a knock on the door and Maxie stuck her head in.

"Hi Epiphany. Jason, Spinelli and I were wondering if we could visit."

"Sure. Come on in."

"I'll leave you three alone."

Maxie got Spinelli settled in the chair and stood behind him.

"How are you, Stone Cold?"

"Well, I'm no fan of hospitals. How about you? How's your leg?"

"Healing nicely."

"So, I heard Robert Scorpio is here."

"We were actually just in his room." Maxie told him.

"And how did that go?"

"Not well." Spinelli sighed. "The Jackal's father and sister got into a…a screaming match. I fear that…"

"Oh, don't worry Spin. Robin and Uncle Robert fight a lot. I think she's still mad at him for…"

"Maxie!"

"What, Jason?"

"Can I speak to Spinelli alone for a minute?"

"Sure." She headed for the door. "But don't ask him to do anything illegal. He's out on bail."

Jason waited for the door to close. "How are you, really?"

"It seems that the Top Cop had already told his brother of the Jackal's existence and…Stone Cold, it did not seem that he even cared."

"Maybe he just needs some time."

"Yes, the Jackal is willing to grant the time he needs, but he is afraid…"

"What are you afraid of, Spinelli?"

"The Jackal fears rejection, of course. What if my Paternal One does not wish to acknowledge my existence?"

Jason thought for a moment. "You know, Spinelli, I know meeting your father is a big deal and I hope, I hope, that he wants to get to know you, but even if he doesn't…Spinelli, you have Maxie, Mac, Robin. Me too. We're…family, at least how I've always understood it."

"Thank you, Stone Cold."

"Good. Now, I need you to do anything that Diane asks to help with the trial. But nothing illegal. Maxie's right, we don't want you in jail, if at all possible."

"Understood. Does the Master need anything?"

"Nah. Epiphany is taking excellent care of me."

"Well, the Maximista has an appointment with the good Dr. Lee, so I should…"

"Sure. Go see your baby."