Thanks to everyone who reviewed. I know Johnny's new pairing with Olivia has kinda redeemed him, but well...i started writing this when I hated Johnny completely, lol. So unless I see ppl aren't interested, I'll continue to update.
Spinelli would be lying if he said he wasn't feeling nervous and very uncomfortable. He glanced over his laptop at Maxie for the hundreth time that hour, trying to make it unbvious that he was staring. It was weird to believe that the blonde one was sitting on a couch opposite the one he was on, in the penthouse, it was almost like he was experiencing a flashback to back when her being in the penthouse was a normal occurance, although the space between them would not have existed and she'd likely be sitting closely beside him. He wondered how much she had changed and what she'd been doing during all the months they hadn't spoken. It was a thought that was constantly in his mind. Obviously it was hard to tell how much she had changed, since the circumstances drawing them into sharing the same space were obviously causing her a great deal of anxiety, and by just looking at her, her fashion sense was likely to never change. And her beauty was as always flawless, she was wearing tight blue jeans no doubt designer ones, and a dark green low cut strap top, giving him an easy view to her breasts.
Guiltily He forced his eyes away to where her fingers tapped on her knees anxiously, as she tried to focus on a magazine she was probably pretending to read as she had been staring at the same page for a while now, it was clear she was nervous, she was hunched forward, her shoulders were tense and she was biting on her lower lip. He desperately wished he could comfort her, she looked vulnerable, and no matter what had happened or ever would happen, a part of him would always think of her as his Maximista. Although it was likely a name that would never again surpass his lips.
"Spinelli!" Maxie's voice snapped, bringing him out of his daze. Spinelli's eyes shot up and met hers, and he couldn't help the blush that darkened his face. It was obvious she'd caught him staring at her.
"Uh..wha...what?" he asked awkwardly, his face was still warm.
"I said what do you think is taking Jason so long?" Maxie repeated with an annoyed look "Clearly you weren't listening to me, I guess its a Jason attribute, or maybe just your ignore Maxie skill"
"The Jackal apologizes, he uh, wa-was otherwise uh, occupied" he stuttered, and if Maxie had noticed him staring or cared that he was, or had seen he was blushing, she didn't say so
"I'm sorry Spinelli, I'm stressing out" Maxie sighed as she closed the magazine, and put it on the floor next to her bag "I hate this feeling of being scared that I'm going to be killed..or worse" she said as she straightened once again.
Spinelli furrowed his brow. Although this was a dire situation, he couldn't help feeling a little amused, while he wondered what the blonde one could find worse than death. But he didn't question it, maybe a year ago he would have.
Not giving much thought to his actions, He place his laptop on the coffee table, as he stood, and moved toward her and sat on the arm of the couch next to her, he tentatively placed his hand on her shouder "The Jackal assures the blonde one that she can trust that he shall let no harm befall upon her"
Maxie's head shot towards Spinelli surprised at his touch and nearness. Amazed that even with what was going on between them, he still had the ability to make her feel safe and comforted.
Her eyes once again met his "I trust you" she assured him honestly. They both sat silently looking at eachother, lost in the moment. The tension between them had fallen, and even though there was probably only ever going to be this one perfect moment before the tension would return and Spinelli would go back to hating her, right now felt good.
The door opened suddenly, and Spinelli shot up off the couch as though they were caught doing something illegal. Maxie sighed inwardly. Yep the mood was gone, the tension in the room was back.
"Stone Cold" Spinelli greeted as he spun around to face his mentor, feeling flustered
Realising he'd interrupted something, Jason hesitated a moment, before shutting the door, and throwing his keys on the desk
"Well?" Maxie questioned as she stood and turned to face Jason "Did you sort it out?"
"I'm getting there" he replied simply
Maxie rolled her eyes "Typically unemotional and detached. Can't give me anymore than that can you? I mean its only my life at stake"
"I don't have proper proof to take care of the situation, and I can't go out issuing warnings without it looking suspicious" Jason frowned deeply. He didn't like the situation at all. If he took out Johnny he'd probably inadvertantly start a mob war. They'd left the situation unhandled for way too long. Johnny had people working or him now, and Claudia being married to Sonny and pregnant with his child made the situation even more complicated, he didn't doubt that she would go to great lengths to protect her brother or get revenge on people who she thought were responsible for her brothers death, as well as the people who were connected to the ones responsible. Which would mean Maxie, Sam, Spinelli, Sonny and everyone else he had ties to would then be in danger "I need to find a way to figure out Johnny's next move"
Maxie threw a hand up in aggitation "Oh great, so what am I supposed to do while you are doing all this figuring out?"
"Just do normal everyday things, don't change your life, act normal" he advised
"Oh act normal?" she questioned sarcastically "Brilliant, why don't I just go back to my ordinary life and pretend that Johnny is actually not someone who may kill me?!"
Spinelli looked between Maxie and StoneCold. There was no way to compare the two, they were both polar opposites. Maxie was ruled by her emotions, whereas Stone Cold, was very detached from his. But it did not help that Stone Cold wasn't being very reassuring "Stone Cold and the Jackal will ensure your safety" he stepped in, trying to be reassuring, he gave Stone Cold a look, hoping his mentor would pick up on it, and be a little more understanding of Maxie
Jason glanced at Spinelli, before sighing and turning his attention to Maxie again "Just don't do anything stupid, or hang out on street corners alone at night-"
Maxie snorted "Don't hang out on street corners at night?" she questioned in fake distress "Damn, well there goes my social life!"
The Next Day:
"Gucci" Maxie said, as she lent down to speak to Emma who sat in the stroller looking at Maxie in peaceful confusion "Can you say Guch-ie?" the blonde asked, trying to make her voice clearer "Guuuch-ie..."
Robin cleared her throat, as she returned to the table with their coffee's and sat down again "Maxie, what are you doing?"
"Its my responsibility as an aunt to ensure that Emma's life will be filled with joy and happiness, and what are the main elements in life that provide joy and happiness?" she asked "Fashion" she answered before Robin could reply with something sappy "If I leave it to you, in a few years she'll actually be in the situation you are in now, where you're trying to pull off that combo of baggy jeans and that over sized orangy yellow charity shop shirt" she motioned with a disgusted expression to Robins attire "You do know we're in public right?"
Robin looked down at her outfit, feeling a bit self conscious, she pouted "I thought they were nice"
"Oh Robin" Maxie lent over and patted her cousin on the arm "Don't be offended, really I mean no one could pull that off" she assured the brunette, before looking back at Emma again "You know, till this moment I never realised just how important my role will actually be in Emma's life...I will see to it that she is as obsessed with fashion as me" she grinned and her eyes sparkled in excitement as she turned to Robin again "How cool would it be if her fist word was something to do with fashion?" Robin chuckled "Not as cool as if her first words were mamma or dadda"
Maxie rolled her eyes "Clearly You're not seeing the big picture here" she waved a dismissive hand "Those words can be learnt later, I think the first word is really a big deal, and special..." she pondered this for a moment, before turning back to Emma again "Auntie Maxie..Maxie...Maaaaxie..."
Robin couldn't help grinning as she watched Maxie trying desperately to teach Emma her first word. She knew Maxie would be a great mom one day. Maxie's happiness immediately disappeared and she grew tense, when the door opened, and Robin followed the blonde's gaze, to see a scruffy brunette man walk in and head for a table in the corner "You okay?" she asked, placing a hand on Maxie's
Maxie turned back to Robin and forced a smile "Yes"
Robin could see the hurt in Maxie's eyes and her heart ached for Maxie "Seeing Spinelli is still hard for you huh?"
"No, Of course not" Maxie tried to brush it off and act casual "Spinelli and I have a mutual understanding where we stay away from eachother because he hates me" she forced a small laugh, which came out sounding bitter
Robin wanted to assure her Spinelli didn't hate her. She still thought maybe one day those two would regain their friendship. Perhaps never a romance, but Spinelli couldn't be angry at Maxie forever. She knew that Spinelli was obviously in love with Maxie or had been, and feelings like that didn't just disappear suddenly "I don't think Spi-" her phone ringing interrupted them, and after answering it and speaking to the person on the other side, she hung up and smiled apologetically "Damn I'm sorry Maxie Patrick wants to meet up and spend family time"
Maxie waved a hand nonchallantly "It's ok, you've got a life, its so much better than when you had no life and used to rush off just to go to work" she remarked casually, as Robin gathered her stuff, and started to push Emma's stroller toward the door of Kelly's "Um, but Robin your husband is hot, and just because you're married doesn't mean he's lost his eyesight, so change first cos you look really bad in that" she advised
Robin rolled her eyes, but couldn't help chuckling "Love you too" she said over her shoulder, as she and Emma exited Kelly's
Not bothering to knock, Maxie pulled open the door, startling Jason and Spinelli who were in the lounge talking, she stepped inside, and waved her mobile at Spinelli "Ok I got like 20 sms's from you the person who stopped sms'ing me months ago, now why am I here?" she demanded as she shut the door behind herself and walked over to them "I haven't been in contact with Johnny and I'm trying to be normal, and being over here isn't exactly normal behavior for me anymore"
Jason who was well used to Maxie bursting in and making herself at home in the past didn't react to her sudden intrusion, he was also not one to waste time or mince words, and spoke simply "I think you staying here for a while will be safer" He couldn't believe he was saying that, but it was true, at the moment Maxie being under his protection would be better, he knew Spinelli would die if anything happened to Maxie, and frankly he thought everyone should be protected from Johnny if he was as dangerous as they suspected
Maxie's eyes widened and she looked at him in utter disbelief "Are you kidding?"
"Just act like you and Spinelli have reconcilled" he said, when Spinelli and Maxie shared a shocked expression "Reconcilliation. These things happen" he informed the youngsters, and before either could object, Jason's mobile started ringing, and he walked out of the lounge for privacy, before answering it
Maxie and Spinelli looked at each other in silent awkwardness for a moment "The Jackal agrees that until the situation with the unworthy mob prince is sorted out it would be in your interest to stay in casa de Stone Cold" he stated in a tight tone, and Maxie shook her head feeling awkward
"I don't like that idea"
Spinelli sat down on the couch and gave her a dark look "Perhaps if the decietful blonde one had not gotten herself involved with the unworthy mob prince we would not find ourselves in this situation" he muttered, and Maxie's eyes widened in surprise that he'd actually bring that up right now, she crossed her arms over her chest and glared at him
"Oh there we go again with name calling" she took a few steps closer to the couch, her voice getting louder as she spoke "And for your information I did not GET with the mo....Johnny!" she exclaimed "One kiss" she held up a finger "ONE KISS...nothing has happened since then, I never slept with him! Not all kisses have to mean something"
Spinelli pulled a face "Unless you lust after one another which you and the unworthy mob prince made apparent"
Maxie rolled her eyes "Ok you know, that lusting lasted like five minutes. If I really wanted Johnny I'd have had him!"
Spinelli felt irked "The Jackal knows-"
"The Jackal knows nothing" Maxie interrupted, she felt frustrated and tired of this argument, her blood was boiling, and threw her hands up in annoyance, not wanting to fight anymore "And I'm done trying to convince you"
"Aha!" Spinelli waved a finger at Maxie "spoken like a true decietful person with something to hide"
Maxie and Spinelli glared at each other frustrated "Ahh! You drive me crazy!" they exclaimed similtaneously
"So are we sorted?" Jason asked as he walked back in again. Assuming that during his two minute absence they would have come to some sort of living arrangement. Maxie and Spinelli immediately turned to him
"There is no way in hell I'm staying here!" Maxie informed him irritably
Spinelli stood and faced Jason, he indicated in the direction Maxie was standing "The blonde one is being unreasonable"
"Well THE JACKAL is being idiotic and annoying" Maxie retorted, as Spinelli turned to face her again, she kept her attention on him as she spoke "I can't stay under the same roof as him"
"Fine" Spinelli started to move toward the door "allow me to escort you to the door!"
Maxie pushed him back down to the couch again "I dont need you to be my escort service!" she exclaimed, and stopped and looked at him for a moment when she realised how that sounded, but not bothering to correct herself, she sighed irritably before turning and yanking open the door
"Bye then!" they yelled similtaneously, before Maxie stepped out and dramatically slammed the door shut behind herself
Jason turned to look at Spinelli who shook his head, and muttered "Unbelievable"
"My thoughts exactly" Jason agreed before walking out of the lounge once again.
Spinelli groaned and burried his head in the cushions, well aware that he was going to go after Maxie and try and convince her to stay with them for her own safety. He was not looking forward to that conversation...
TBC? Please Review...
