Authors Note-I know it's been awhile but, I had a little writers block. The show has been mean to our poor Logan lately. But, here you go. I'll try and update this weekend. Enjoy and comment! - Di
Chapter 11: Something To Talk About
Maxie,
I'm taking the cowards way out this time. But, honesty there is no way I can say this to your face. I'm leaving. I don't know if I'll ever be back but, for now Port Charles isn't safe for me. As you know "Mr. Craig" has been pushing me more and more lately. I can't risk getting caught up in another mess. Or getting you caught up for that matter. So, I'm leaving. Maybe I'll find my sister and catch up with her for a while. Focus on family. If there is one thing that being here has taught me, it's that family is everything. You were my family here Maxie. You and Logan. So, take care of each other. I know it seams weird but, I'm giving the two of you my blessing. Not that you ever needed it. Make each other happy. You both deserve it. Anyway, I won't drag this out much longer. I just want to thank you for everything you've done for me. And I do mean everything. You put so much on the line Maxie. I'll never be able to repay you for that. No matter what anyone says to or about you, I know that you are an amazing person. Your loyalty could move mountains. Don't forget that. Don't forget how incredible and WORTH WHILE you are okay? I love you. I really do. Remember the good stuff.
Love always, the boy behind the mask.
"He's gone." Maxie stated plainly after she finished reading the letter. It had been left by Coop and hand delivered by Logan.
"Yeah."
"I- I don't know how to feel." She told her boyfriend honestly. She was upset to hear that Coop was gone. Above everything else he was a really good friend to her. And now? He was gone.
"Feel however you want sweetheart." Logan shrugged in an understanding manor. They were in his room. She was on his bed. It sucked that he had to be the one to deliver the news but, remembering what Coop had said to him...
Logan was about to meet up with his father when Coop had called and requested that they meet at the docks. The former soldier complied to his friend's wishes. This after all, could be the last time he ever saw Coop.
"I can't tell her." Was the first thing that Cooper said upon arrival.
"What?" Logan asked, flabbergasted.
"Maxie. I can't tell her i'm leaving to her face. It'll come out all wrong. You know her man, you know how she is. She'll cry and she'll look at me with those eyes and some how convince me that we can fix it. With another scheme of course. And, I'll go along with it because she's near impossible to refuse." He explained with a pained expression on his face.
"Don't I know it." Logan muttered. Coop smiled softly at this.
"How are you two anyway?" He asked curiously. Logan shrugged with out giving any signs of an answer. Coop knew this response all too well. It was the classic Logan Hayes 'nothing much' attitude. He would act like it was no big deal when really, it was more than a big deal. It was everything.
"Don't do this Logan. Don't play your old games and mess this up. Maxie won't take your crap and you- you won't be able to take it if she dumps you. I know you Logan, just like I know Maxie. The two of you are all bad ass on the outside. But, all you really ever wanted was for someone to understand your messed up selves. And, you found that in each other so... just don't mess it up okay?" He warned. Logan looked away and nodded.
"What do you want me to tell her?" He asked changing the subject. Coop reached in his pocket and pulled out a white envelope with the name 'Maxie' scrawled across the top.
"Just give her this. Tell her I'm sorry I couldn't see her one last time." He handed the letter to Logan.
"Sure man. Just ah- take care of yourself alright?" He said putting the envelope in his coat pocket and placing his hands there as well.
"You too Logan." He said holding out a hand for him to shake. Looking at the outstretched offer Logan contemplated it. Then he took his hands out of his pocket and slapped Coops hand away. Stepping forward he took his friend in a 'many' embrace.
"I'll miss you Coop." He whispered softly.
"He was so good to me." She said closing her eyes. Nodding for his own benefit Logan sat beside her. They were both dressed and ready for the day. He had decided to give her the letter before they went for coffee. The timing seamed right. As right as it would ever be anyway.
"We'll miss him, right?" She questioned looking into Logan's eyes.
"Sure doll, we'll miss him. But, he's okay and we're okay." He said wrapping his arm around her shoulders.
"We're more than okay." She affirmed leaning up and kissing him hard. It was another thirty minutes before the two lovers made their way down to the restaurant in Kelly's.
"Two coffees Mike." Logan called as he and Maxie sauntered down the stairs later that morning. With a short nod, Mike went to work and the pair sat themselves down at the counter. Immediately Maxie took hold of two sugar packets and began to work them through out her fingers nimbly. She was always moving. Always.
"There you go." Mike said as he set the coffees in front of them. Of course, they were just right. Mike was an expert on what most of the town ordered. And, truth be told, the older man had a soft spot for the couple. He'd watch Maxie go through things that would kill most. He was proud to see that she was still breathing, still causing trouble. And Logan? Strangely enough Mike saw a bit of himself in the Southern native. With his rough around the edges personality, Logan was hard to like sometimes but, impossible to ignore. The business man was indeed one of the few who supported the union of this new couple. In fact he was one of the few that even knew about them.
"Thanks." Logan said before sipping his drink and watching Maxie twirl her own around and around. "Anyone ever tell you it's not polite to play with your food?" He questioned causing her to finally look up.
"Well, I'm not polite." She smirked with a twinkle in her eyes. "And, this isn't food." Was her final point. With that she gulped down a few sips of the warm liquid and scooted her stool closer to his own. Logan moved his hand to her thigh comfortably.
"Why Mr. Hayes, people will talk." Maxie giggled in a foe southern bell accent. Her delicate hand was held up to her chest and an air of playfulness exuded through out her being. She was happy today. And that, made Logan happy. He knew it wouldn't last forever. Hell, with Maxie he'd be lucky to keep smiling long enough to finish his drink. But, she was happy now and that was all he could ask for. Even the news abour Cooper didn't faze her mood. Actually, the idea that he would be out of danger seamed to calm her more so. In fact, she had been quite happy since the previous day when they had become official. Only Logan and Maxie would turn puking on the side of a deserted road into a romantic and memorable moment. Only them.
"Then let's give um' somethin' to talk about." He whispered before leaning in to softly kiss her smiling lips. After a moment he felt her hand gently push him away.
"Cheesyyyy." She sang softly with a grin on her face. He smiled back ridiculously, aware that they must look completely nuts. The two biggest train wrecks in all of Port Charles, maybe even New York were just happily drinking coffee. Completely content.
"Now, you two are just adorable." And, the peace was gone. In walked Lulu Spencer in all of her self loving glory. Her cousin, the absurdly dramatic Carly Corinthos Alcazar Corinthos whatever was right by her side. Two all knowing blondes for the price of one.
"Hey Lulu! Want to join us?" Maxie questioned in an overly friendly tone. Smirking to himself Logan knew that this confrontation actually wouldn't be that bad. Maxie was in a good mood which meant that almost nothing could touch her. She was so above any insult that Lulu would fly at her. And to make matters worst, depending on how you looked at it, Lulu would be so irritated by Maxie flippant attitude that she would most likely flee the diner with in minutes.
"Thank but, I'd rather keep my food down. I guess I shouldn't be surprised to find you two together though right?" She added with a nasty smirk on her lips. Did she really think she would win this?
"It's not worth it Lulu." Carly advised, for once having something intelligent to say. Raising an eye brow Maxie stood up but the calm look on her face remained.
"Aw, don't tell me your all bitter Lesley. It's not like you and Logan were together when I started sleeping with him. This time." Came Maxie crude reply. Logan coughed to hide his and laugh turned away from the scene. It was just too funny to watch. How he had ever saw anything but humor in these petty arguments, he didn't know.
"You are disgusting." She spat. Carly tried to lead her away but, Lulu shook her arm free. Finally the older blonde let out an exasperated sigh and stood back just a bit. She knew that Lulu wasn't going to stop. Not until she was shoved to the ground. Not until she couldn't get back up again. If nothing else, she had inherited the Spencer urge to self inflict pain. In whatever way possible.
"I am shocked," Maxie started before pausing to let her words sink in. "... to here that you think of me that way. I always thought we were great friends Lu." She taunted.
"God! I hate you!" Lulu shrieked throwing up her hands in frustration.
"I know." Maxie smiled.
"Why do you do this? Why?" Lulu lowly questioned. Logan noticed the amused glint disappear from Maxie's eyes. She was done playing now. The fun was over. It would be only minutes before she lay down the harsh truth for Lulu. In front of everyone. The room now consisted of some random strangers, Sam and Nikolas, and strangely enough Tracy Quartermaine.
"Oh, spare me!" Maxie snapped. Gone was her fake, carefree attitude. Now she was just annoyed. Now she wanted to end this. "Do not sit here and act like this fight, this ridiculous fight is my fault. I'm allowed to have coffee with whom ever I want Lulu. I am allowed to be a bitch if I choose to. And, for the record YOU spoke to me first. YOU stuck your nose into MY business. Logan isn't your boyfriend. I never stole him from you. In fact I made sure the two of you were over before I let anything happen between us." She seethed. Lulu stood completely still, not daring to interrupt. "I don't even care if you believe me. I don't. Your opinion means less than nothing to me. You want to call me a whore? You want to call me disgusting? Fine. But, calling me those things doesn't change who YOU are. It doesn't change the fact that you are the most pathetic person I know." She finished, reverting to her calm manor.
"Let's go Lulu." Carly whispered gently. Lulu let the older woman start to lead her from the establishment. But, not before Maxie could execute her final blow.
"You want to know why Lulu?" She called out. The other blonde turned, against her better judgment, to hear the answer to her previous question. "Because you make it SO easy." She started, looking up and smiling. "Because I AM a bitch." She smirked looking proud of that fact. "Because Logan is MY boyfriend now." She paused a moment longer, enjoying the shocked look on Lulu's face. "And, because...I...can." She finished flawlessly and took a long sip of her drink. With that Lulu hurried out of Kelly's as fast as she possibly could. Before chasing after her Carly stopped in front of Sam and Nikolas. Nikolas looked as if he were debating whether or not to go after his sister. Sam just look amused.
"Keep that banshee away from Lulu." Carly warned pointing a finger at Sam accusingly. In response Sam laughed loudly.
"Don't be such a tattle tale Carly. She's a big girl, or so she keeps telling everyone. She can fight her own battles." Sam shot back. Before Carly could retort, Nikolas decided to defuse what could be yet another girl fight.
"Sam's right. I love Lulu but, it would probably do her some good if people would stop running to her rescue." He logically told Carly. Rolling her eyes and letting out a great huff the former mob wife took off after her cousin. After a moment of uncomfortable silence, the diner was back to it's usual bustling self.
"You just had to draw blood didn't you Jones." Sam called as she approached her good friend. Shrugging innocently Maxie smiled.
"I thought I was being pretty nice. At first." She giggled. Sam shook her head and hugged the younger girl briefly. Maxie was the only girl that Sam had ever known that didn't make her want to rip her hair out. They understood each other. Well, as much as one could ever understand Samantha McCall or Maxie Jones.
"Please, you enjoyed every second of her torment." Logan laughed turning around and facing the group fully.
"Duh." The blonde uttered unashamed. She saw Nikolas look unsure of the response and even a little out of place. After all, this was his sister they were bashing. "Sorry Nikolas. I don't like your sister and I pity you for sharing the same blood but, I'll understand if you want to ream me out and defend her or something." She kindly told him.
"Actually I think I'll just leave it alone. I should be going any how. Thanks for the coffee Sam. I'll call you later this week about the party." He said before hugging his cousin and bidding the others farewell.
"Party? What party?" Maxie asked immediately. The two girl took a seat before beginning the conversation.
"Nikolas and I decided to throw a small party for Alexis. She just won some lawyer award and we wanted to make sure she knew we're all really proud of her." Sam replied.
"That's nice." Maxie commented earnestly.
"Let's just hope it ends better than the last party Prince Cassedine threw." Logan added. There was no offense taken between anyone. They all knew he meant it in the most respectful way.
"Yeah well, it's going to be much, much smaller. We're probably just going to have it here at Kelly's so, I doubt there will be any issues." She explained.
"Sam, this is Port Charles. There have been shootings in the PCPD. No where is safe." Maxie pointed out raising and eyebrow.
"Well be that as it may, we are NOT going to let some sick freak run our lives. We will celebrate my mothers success and we will... party." She smiled happily at her declaration.
"Hear, hear." Logan cheered.
"You two are invited you know. You'll get the formal invite in the mail but, just a heads up." Sam informed them.
"Yay! I love parties. And, I won't even have to worry about the people I hate being there since we basically hate the same people!" Maxie exclaimed as Logan and Sam joined her.
"You are something you know that Jones? You have your hands full with this one kid." She directed the last comment at Logan.
"Oh yeah, I know." He responded.
"Well, take care of her. The hell I let loose on Elizabeth will be nothing compared to what I do to you if you hurt Maxie. You hear me?" She asked sternly.
"Loud and Clear." He gulped at the serious look in her eye.
"Good. Now, I gotta' get to work. I'm already late but, I'll call you later Maxie. And you..." She said to Logan warningly. "Gray's a good color on you." She finished sweetly referring to his shirt before prancing away. Shaking his head Logan could only come to the conclusion that Sam and Maxie were truly the only girls in the world that could handle being friends with one another.
"Talk about a hand full." He muttered to the blonde beside him.
"Yeah, no kidding huh? Good thing your girlfriend is way more laid back." Maxie sarcastically said.
"My girlfriend? Laid back? Where is this girlfriend you speak of?" He jokingly looked around as if searching for someone. She swiftly grabbed his strong jaw and jerked it to face her.
"Right here buddy. And, don't you forget it." She demanded before kissing him soundly. People stopped what they were doing to stare for a moment. This was a couple with passion. A couple with love. This was a couple to talk about.