Authors Note- New chapter! Not my best but, I like the interaction with other people. Let me know if it flows okay. I'm not 100 percent sure! Thanks for the comments!
Chapter 4: Dreaming of You
"Are you insane?"
"Maybe, who cares? What's your point?"
"Beautiful Georgie would-" The computer wiz known to the world as Spinelli, or freak depending on who you ask, was currently reprimanding the very annoyed Maxie Jones. To make the situation all the more intriguing, the two unlikely companions were stationed on the couch in Jason Morgan's pent house.
"Don't. Do not, do not, sit there and lecture me on all the ways Georgie would disapprove of what I am and am not doing." She warned him in that sing-song voice that let people know she was upset, but didn't trust them enough to fully show it. The pinching in the back of her throat was pushed aside as the blonde's usual snark remarks trailed through out her head. Ready for battle. Weapons in hand.
"I was merely going to say that Wise Georgie would be concerned that you were putting yourself in harms way." He quietly amended.
"Georgie's dead. Her opinion doesn't matter anymore." Maxie replied in a flat, almost bored tone. Too shocked to look past the initial message, Spinelli stepped back as if he'd been slapped. Months of living with Jason had, in his mind, prepared him for anything. The rock hard hit man was not one for beating around the bush. Spinelli had become immune to bluntness. Then again, he hadn't planned for Maxie Jones.
"And, you can just keep on looking at me like that. Like I'm a terrible person for saying that. But, it's the truth. She's dead. I'll never get to ask her for advice on a guy or an outfit again. I never listened before anyway. So, why the hell am I going to sit here and think about what she would think or what she would do." She finished.
"While your response is, it's logical and technically true, I find it hard to believe." He commented, braving the storm that could possibly follow.
"Why? You're a computer genius. That's pretty technical."
"While living with Stone Cold, and after befriending Wise Georgie, I've learned that human emotion has the capacity to defy all logic. I for one will always wonder what Wise Georgie thinks." He admitted vulnerably.
"Well, then you're a lot more stupid then people give you credit for." She announced just as Jason Morgan swung open the door and raised and eyebrow at the tail end of Maxie's statement. Raising her own well groomed eyebrow, the vixen with a tarnished reputation challenged the convicted killer. And, anyone who knows Maxie knows who out stared who.
"Stone Cold." Spinelli shrieked, happy that he wasn't alone with the infamous Jones sister. Truth be told, Maxie had always made him nervous. She was in no way someone he could figure out.
"Before you kick me out, I'd like to say that I was dragged here. I know, hard to believe that this squirt didn't give himself a hernia but hey, my heels don't give way for much fight. What can ya, do. Those new curtains?" She finished turning away from Jason and admiring the blue-gray curtains adorning the window.
"What's going on?" Jason said directing his question to Spinelli. He too did not know how to handle Maxie Jones. While many people might compare her to Carly or even Brenda, Jason could surely say that Maxie was 100 percent Maxie. No one else added. The news of her sisters death only made him more uncomfortable. To a normal person he may inquire about how they're doing but...
"Oh, nothing much. Just chit chatting about my dead sister. You know Spinelli, if you wanted to talk about Georgie you really could have called me up or something. It was soooo, unnecessary for you to drag me away from Coop." She interrupted yet again.
"The Mouthy one was up to no good. My senses have been working overtime as of late and there was nothing honest about the once blissful couple's meeting." Spinelli told Jason, almost like a little brother tattling on his older sister.
"Is that true?" Was all Jason could respond with.
"Not that it's any of your business but, Cooper and I were about to have some hot, steamy, grief sex." She blurted out shrugging innocently. "Like you've never done it." She added seeing the look on Jason's face. The older man blushed a bit and rubbed a hand over his face.
"We're ah, not talking about me." He answered.
"Then what pray tell... are we talking about?" She smirked playfully. Maxie had figured out long ago that playing dumb or playing the selfish tramp could easily hide the truth. Sex made most people uncomfortable, there for they stopped asking questions. Stupidity made people comfortable. Again, this stopped the on coming of questions.
"I don't even know. Just, get out of here." He commanded, unable to handle her for too long all at once.
"But-" She could faintly hear Spinelli sputtering as she did what Jason said and left the pent house. Smiling to herself she realized that, while she didn't succeed in interrogating Cooper, she did get the geek off her back. Deciding to call it a night, the blonde headed out into the cold winter air.
The snow fell in huge, walnut sized chunks as Maxie slid her way to Kelly's. After leaving the Morgan residence, she had decided to grab a cup of coffee and try to pay Mike back for the damages she had caused. Her first thought was that it would be torturous. She hadn't stepped foot into the building since the night of Georgie's death. By all normal standards, the location would probably bring back a wave of emotions that she, quite frankly, could not handle at the moment. And, maybe that was the point. A part of Maxie wanted to revel in the pain she felt. She wanted to feel each and every inch of despair because, when the pain stopped, Georgie might really be gone.
"I can do this." She encouraged herself as the establishment grew more and more near. She could see the new window that was replacing the one she had broken. Looking down at her bandaged hand, she made a mental note that Robin wanted to see her to have the stitches checked that afternoon. Maxie decided that the hospital would be a welcome distraction from her everyday activities. The nervous blonde quickly left Mac a voice mail to let him know where she would be. It was getting late but, if she was at the hospital, her father wouldn't worry. Well, he wouldn't worry too, too much. Besides, her visit with Cooper had been cut short so, she had some extra time on her hands.
"Are you going to go in or just stand there all day?" A voice from behind her asked. Her heart jumped a bit and she forced herself not to scream. The sudden interruption of her thoughts had startled her. But, not for long. She knew that voice. She trusted that voice.
"Dillon." She replied simply. Looking at her understandingly the young Quartermaine slipped his hand through her own in a comforting manor.
"I haven't been here since I heard about Georgie. I don't know if I can do it alone." He told her. Dillon knew Maxie better than most. He knew her well enough to know that she would never, ever ask for help. Admitting weakness was Maxie's biggest fear. And, while the spiky-haired film buff truly did need someone by his side for this moment, he had a sneaking suspicion that his one time friend did just as much if not more.
"Then we'll do it together." Came her sincere reply. And, with that the two broken individuals took their first atempt at begining to move on, together. The door was heavier, Dillon noticed. The lights seamed dimmer. The floor gave way to a louder echo of foot clicks. It was all different. Light headed, short breathed Maxie, could only follow numbly as the younger boy sat them down at the counter.
"Hey you two." Mike greeted with a sad smile. Looking over his shoulder Maxie's eyes landed on the obituary hanging on the wall. An homage to Georgie. To her beautiful sister.
"I wanted to pay you back for the dishes I broke. And, the window obviously." Maxie informed Mike in a matter of fact kind of way. Shaking his head the kind old man replied.
"Don't worry about it sweat heart. I wouldn't dream of taking a dime from you."
"I need to do this." Was all she could say back. The sheer volume of desperation in her voice seamed to stop the entire room. This was not a girl trying to do what was right. This was a girl trying to do something, anything. Her plea sought for a direction. A place to start. Some fraction of a begining.
"Okay. When ever you have the money will be fine." He amended. She forked over a thick envelope and gave him a look that said 'take it or die'. So, the intelligent man took the money, set it aside and pulled out two coffee cups for the pair.
"So, ah, the house must be pretty strange." Dillon began, unable to handle anymore silence.
"Mmmm." She replied sipping her hot drink.
"Have you gone through her um, things yet."
"No, I can barley walk by her room. Our mother spends a lot of time in there though. Doing god knows what. I was planning on waiting a while before I went through her stuff. I know there are things she would have wanted people to have. You especially. You can always do it with me." She offered.
"I'd be... honored." He accepted.
"What about you?" She asked vaguely. He could have easily said 'what?' and prompted her to elaborate. But, it was unnecessary. He knew what she was asking.
"I dream about her. Every night. Sometime during the day when I'm awake even." He answered the best way he knew how. With complete and utter honesty.
"Your lucky. I would give anything to see her face the way it was before..." She trailed off and held her breath. There was no amount of self control that could stop the flood of emotion coming her way. Georgie's dead, lifeless face flashed through her mind over and over. Not allowing herself to breath or feel Dillon's hand on her shoulder. Not allowing herself to hear her own screams ringing in her ears, the scream she let out that terrible night.
"Maxie!" Dillon spoke as the exhausted wisp of a girl wavered on the stool. She was shaking and sweating. Mike who had noticed the sudden turn of events rushed over with water and a wet cloth. Worried and panicked, Dillon acted fast. With a loud smack, the young man slapped the hyperventilating girl across the face. Shocked by his own actions he stepped back and covered his mouth with a hand. Despite the harsh scene caused, it had worked.
"Oh, god. I'm gonna' be sick." She finally voiced before running to the bathroom. Mike followed as Dillon shook his head in wonder. He was still shaking his head and still just as confused ten minutes later when Maxie returned with Mike guiding her gently.
"Maxie. I am so, so sorry." He started.
"Don't be." She answered simply.
"I think she needs some air. It might just be too soon for her to be back here." Mike told Dillon logically. Exchanging a few 'looks' it was confirmed that Dillon would take care of Maxie and make sure she was alright. As 'alright' as she could be under the circumstances anyway. As he lead her out of the diner, she spoke up in a stronger, more sure voice.
"I need to go to the hospital." She stated.
"Oh! Oh, right. Of course. I should have..." He rambled thinking that she was referring to what had just happened.
"No you idiot. I need to get my stitches checked." She said rolling her eyes and holding up her hand to show him what she meant. With each passing step that took the pair further from Kelly's, Maxie was regaining her sass. At this point Dillon didn't know whether or not to be grateful for that.
"Oh, okay. I'll take you." He said leaving no room for arguments. And, because Maxie was tired. Because she was enjoying Dillon's company a bit. Mostly because Georgie had loved this boy. She didn't argue.
It wasn't until 16 minutes and 43 seconds later that the blonde argued. It had been quite the battle but, Maxie had conquered. Dillon was gone, granted it took a lot of convincing to get the semi- charming college student to hit the road. But, never the less Maxie was now exactly where she wanted to be. On the roof of general hospital, surrounded by the falling snow. Alone. Falling crookedly to the ground, Maxie pulled a flask filled to the brim with vodka from her coat pocket. With her newly bandaged and checked out hand she unscrewed the cap and took a long swig of the mind numbing alcohol. She had tried to play by the rules. She's tried to do things the honorable way. But, she was Maxie Jones.
"Here's to you little sister." Maxie's voice boomed loud and clear even in the chaotic crowd of snow and wind. The silver flask glistened as she tilted it towards the sky. She could almost feel Georgie pinching her arm and scolding her to put the flask down. This only made her hands grip the container more tightly. All the while she was doing her best to squeeze the flask in the same manor her heart, or what was left of it, was being squeezed by the overwhelming void inside of her.
"Drinking by yourself?" A voice asked. And, for the second time that day, Maxie was startled. Though this time the voice was different. Still she would know it anywhere, even trust it.
"Logan. What brings you around these parts. Don't you have a baby killer to go drool over or something." She slurred as her drink of choice began to catch up with her. Shaking the flask slightly she realized for the first time that she didn't plan this little outing well enough. Her comfort was almost gone. Damn.
"I saw you come up here." He answered honestly. Luke was still in the hospital. And, even though he and Lulu were on the rocks, Logan was still playing the dutiful boyfriend and holding her hand in the waiting room. Currently he was taking a 'bathroom' break. But, knowing Maxie, the Spencer clan would probably guess he had the flu. This would not be a quick visit. Yet, he was still inevitably drawn to follow each and every despair ridden step Maxie took up to the roof.
"Care to join me?" She questioned tilting her head to the side. Logan answered her by reaching down and grabbing the almost empty flask. Before she could make a noise of protest he heaved the container over the roof and watched as it flew out of view. He imagined it falling hard and fast toward the ground. Looking at the girl in front of him, he saw the very same thing in her eyes.
Authors Note- Okay, so this is actually my least favorite chapter so far. I just couldn't seam to get the emotions to come across the way I'd imagined. Don't hate me too much for it. I have a great chapter planned for the next one. I wanted to include it in this one but, it wouldn't have worked. It'll be a continuation on the roof stuff with plenty of 'aw' worthy LoMax. So stay tuned and comment please!