Part five:

Spinelli scanned the Ball room. He'd already danced with Lulu, Georgie and Nadine and felt like it was time to switch things up. Finally he spotted a girl across the room. Although her back was turned towards him Spinelli was certain that he wasn't acquainted with her. Summoning up every once of courage he had, Spinelli carved a path through the crowd and made his way to the lady in the Black dress.

Stopping directly behind her, He took a deep breath and tapped her on the shoulder. "May I have the Pleasure of –" The words died on his lips.

"Maxie smirked. "What? Were you going to ask me to dance?" She asked sarcastically.

The gods and goddesses most certainly had a wicked sense of humor. "Well I, Um…" He swallowed hard and extended his hand. "May I have the pleasure of this dance?"

Maxie eyed him for a moment. He had to be kidding right? There was no way that Spinelli would be asking her to dance! But then his hand was still out. Realizing that he was serious she placed her hand in his and they walked wordlessly to the floor. Maxie bit her lip as Spinelli's cold and trembling hand skimmed its way down her back.

The pair slowly began to move to the beat of the music.

This is beyond bizarre Maxie thought. By the startled look on his face when she'd turned around Maxie knew that he hadn't intended to ask her. She'd expected him to turn and walk away, but he hadn't. Why? She peered up at his face. He looked like he was just about to die from mortification. But then why was he dancing with her?

Georgie Stood by the refreshments table and stared longingly at the dancing couples. As usual she was the odd one out. It seemed as though nearly everyone was out on the floor enjoying themselves. Even Spinelli and Maxie— Georgie couldn't believe her eyes! Spinelli and her sister were dancing together!!! Their hands were touching! They didn't exactly have smiles on their faces but they did seem calmer than usual.

Georgie sighed. For some reason she'd expected this night to be magical. Yet so far, the only notable thing which had happed was her date disappearing into thin air. She took a sip of punch and wished that it would be over soon.

"Look Spinelli I get it. You hate me and all but could—"

Spinelli opened his mouth to protest but she cut him off. "No it's okay. In fact I actually encourage it because this way I don't have to feel bad about detesting you. Anyway, hard feelings aside, you're kind of crushing my hand so…"

"Oh my apologies." He said loosening his grip.

They both fell silent once again.

I don't hate you. He wanted so very badly just to say it but he couldn't. Spinell knew that no matter how sincere he sounded Maxie would let herself believe him. In any case she was right things were better off this way.

"So is it fun just watching?" a male voice whispered against her ear.

Georgie jumped and spun around. A smiling masked man stood before her. "Well is it?" he questioned pointedly.

Her cheeks warmed up. "Um, no." Who was this? She thought.

"Okay, then lets go." The man said grabbing her hand and pulling her out on to the dances floor.

"What are you doing?"She shrieked.

"I'm about to dance with the prettiest girl in the room." He answered calmly.

Georgie paused. There was something familiar about his voice. Could it be? Was this Johnny? She shook the thought out of her head. She was just being fanciful. There was no way that a he could have been invited.

The pair fell silent as their bodies began to sway to the music.

"Can I be honest?" the man asked suddenly.

"Yes." Georgie answered nervously.

"You look so much better without runny mascara."

Geogie's heart nearly leapt out of her chest. It was him! "I'm surprised that you're still here. I thought you jumped."

Johnny's grin widened. "Oh I was going to, but then I realized that I didn't know your name, so I put my suicide on hold and set out on a quest to find you."

"You want me to believe that for the last two weeks you've been looking for me?"

"I'm here aren't I?"

"Yes but that could just be a coincidence."

"What you call coincidence, I call fate."

She giggled. "Well I'm Georgie Jones, so now you can die happy."

"I can't be truly happy until I know everything about you, so tell me about yourself Georgie Jones." He loved the sound of her name.

A blush crept into her cheeks. "I'm nineteen. I study at PCU. I have an older sister named Maxie. My dad Mac is the police commissioner.—"

Johnny burst into an uproarious fit of laughter. "Ha! Our story has a Romeo and Juliet twist to it"

"Our story?"

"This very moment is part of our tale Goergie Jones. Years from now we will probably laugh about it." He said plainly.

Georgie wanted to believe him, but she'd been disappointed too many times. Dillon had promised her an eternity of love but their fairy tale romance had ended in shambles.

When their dance ended, Maxie retreated as far away from Spinelli as she could. It was too weird being that close to him. As she made her way to the door someone bumped into her.

"Excuse me" Leyla said

"Oh look its Leyla Mir, General Hospital's resident skank!"

"What the heck are you talking about?"leyla asked indignantly.

"I'm talking about what you did to Robin."

"Patrick and Robin were broken up and—"

"Cut the crap okay. You wanted Patrick and you did everything in your power to sink your claws into him." Maxie said rolling her eyes.

"Oh trust me; Robin didn't need my help ruining that relationship! Any way why is this any of your business?"

Maxie smirked. "I'm her Cousin Maxie Jones and I'm about to put a hoe in line!"

But before her palm could make a stinging impression on leyla's face, Maxie was pulled away. And before her lips could form any words of protest she found herself pressed against a cold wall, with a pair of frigid hands holding her firmly against it.

Her breath quickened. They were out side and it was too dark to see his face. She tried to pull away but his grip was too Strong. As his body inched closer her assailants face finally came into view.

"Spinelli!, What the heck do you think you're doing?!" Maxie Screamed.

One of his hands flew to her mouth. Spinelli frowned; their faces were barely inches apart. He didn't understand why she found it necessary to yell. "Shhh! The Jackal is merely trying to save you from yourself." He said through clenched teeth. "What you were about to do in there was irreprehensible! Nurse Mir doesn't deserve to be harassed by you. It's is not her fault that Doctor Love chose her as his next conquest."

Maxie's eyes were flashing with anger. What that whore did to her cousin was irreprehensible! Who did Spinelli think he was? He had no right to lecture her!! So in one quick movement Maxie sunk her teeth into his palm.

."Ahh!" Spinelli's injured arm fell away from her lips, yet his grip on her didn't loosen.

"Who gave you the right to tell me what to do? Huh Spinelli! Since when did I become any of your business?"

"I'm just trying to help you!" He insisted.

"Well I don't need or want your help!"She paused suddenly and stared into his darkened eyes. A solitary question slipped out of her mouth. "Why?"

Spinelli's eyes darted around as if the answer was written somewhere across the night sky. "I um... It's well because, I…--"But before either of them knew what was happening, Spinelli's cold lips were against Maxie's. The kiss was hasty and ended soon after it had started.

Spinelli's chest heaved up and down; his hand fell to his side. What have I Done?

He didn't want to look at her but he's eye's wouldn't tare away from her ashen face. He tried to discerner her thoughts, yet her face gave nothing away. Everything was blank. No frown, no smile, no tears. Her eyes were dim as if their ever-present flame had been doused by his fervent ardor.

"Maxie?" he whispered hoarsely, expectantly.

She appeared ready to speak, but instead of her lips it was her legs which moved. Within a split second she'd breezed past him and was disappearing further into the night.

"Wait!" he was about to make follow her, but then everything thing went BLACK.