The Lost Scene- this was cut from the story.

Maxie and Spinelli scene (After Maxie confronts Cooper about the post card- Monday, November 26.)In the story she went to see Logan instead. But this was how it originally was supposed to play out.)

Monday November 26 2007

After washing her face and fixing her make-up in Kelly's bathroom, Maxie put on her coat, belted it closed, grabbed her purse and headed downstairs. Once she was at the bottom she noticed Spinelli sitting at the counter. His eyes locked on her, moved to look up the stairs, and then came back to her again.

Anger darkened his gaze before he refocused on his orange soda.

She walked over and sat on the stool next to him. In a soft teasing voice she said "Hey there, Jackal."

Georgie was working but she was taking an order at a table.

Spinelli said, in this low and ticked off voice, "A lady would inform her latest gentleman caller if she returned to her former paramour."

"I'm no lady."

"Of that The Jackal is well aware."

A smirk curved over Maxie's lips, though her eyes were still laced with sadness. "You and the green eyed monster sure do go lots of rounds over me, don't you?"

He turned and glared at her. "No longer, be assured of that much."

Her eyes kept darting between his angry, jealous filled eyes and his lips.

Maxie leaned close to him, her arm snaked around the back of his head, as her mouth went to his ear "Are you are as turned on as I am right now?" she breathed out, then grabbed his hand and drug him in the kitchen, while Georgie made a sound of protest and then resignation.

Inside the kitchen, Spinelli jerked his hand away from Maxie, as she took off her purse and undid her coat. "Unhand me, Temptress!"

"Shhhhh. The trick to sex in public is being quiet."

"I do not intend to allow you to flit back and forth between myself and The Clean Cut Cadet. If you desire fornication return to whence you just came."

Maxie rolled her eyes. She pushed him against the refrigerator and looked up. "I know you love talking. Its one of your favorite hobbies after that hacking stuff. But right now...I can't talk about Cooper....maybe later, but not now....now you've got to shut up and kiss me before I start crying again."

His face softened. "You did not reconcile with him, did you?"

Her eyes widened with pain. "Do you know what shut up means? I swear to God you and your yapping mouth are about to drive me-"

His finger came up to press against her lips. "Shake your head.....yes or no.....are you still involved with The Clean Cut Cadet?"

She shook her head no.

Spinelli spun Maxie around so that her back hit the fridge. He forced her hands over her head, holding both of them with one of his hands. Her back arched against him. His mouth came down on hers in an open mouthed hungry kiss, as she moaned into his mouth....and she knew, deep down inside, she was right where she needed to be at that second.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Spinelli was hungrily kissing Maxie, in the kitchen at Kelly's, pressed against the fridge, when he jerked his mouth away. Words of protest flew to her lips....if he started his God damn let's talk before we make out stuff again she was gonna scream her pretty little head off.

But he didn't say a word. He picked her up and set her on a low counter. His eyes were heavy with lust when his hands cupped her face. His mouth came down on hers again, setting off a series of low moans in the back of her throat. Her legs parted and he eased closer to her.

Her hands pressed down his chest, came to his belt, and stopped. She gripped it tightly for a moment as their kisses deepened. Then she slowly...oh so slowly...slid one hand down the front of his pants.

Now he was the one moaning in her mouth as she rubbed against him. He broke their kiss, brought his mouth to her ear, and said "Temptress," his voice was deep and filled with breathless hunger "this is an improper venue."

"I would so do you right here," Maxie whispered back "if I didn't know that Georgie would pitch a fit and call the health department on us."

Spinelli took a large step back and turned away from her, trying to get himself under control. Maxie stood up, fixed her own clothes, belted her coat, took a compact out of her purse and fixed her lipstick. Finally Spinelli turned back around, almost breathing normally but looking quite dazed.

She reached out her hand. "Ready?"

He took her hand and she led them out into the diner again. Spotting Georgie, Maxie said "All yours."

With a secret smirk she led Spinelli outside and then stopped. She leaned against him, looking up. "Where do you want to take me?"

"The Metro Court."

She smiled widely.

Inside though she wondered if she was really ready to sleep with him. She talked a good game but it was easier when her heart had not been involved. Now it was torn up over Cooper...and slowly getting rebuilt by Spinelli.

But Maxie's voice betrayed none of that when she asked "Does this mean the Love Clause is over? Finally, you've seen the light! Lets stop at the drug store first."

"I ask you to that establishment for dinner only, Temptress."

Her smile deepened into something real. "I guess I could let you buy me a meal. After how good I am to you its the least you could do for me. I mean would Lulu ever even think about straddling you? That's why I am the far superior blonde around here."

He gently reproached her "Do not speak ill of The Blonde One. I thought you had turned a corner with her and that you accepted her place among us?"

Maxie pouted. "Just say you like me more."

"I like you different."

Her eyes lit up. "I'll take it."

End of Bonus scene

XXXXXXXXXXXXX

Bonus Facts about the time between the last chapter and the epilogue:

Johnny was running the Zacchara family. He decided- against Claudia's advice- to align with the Corinthos/Morgan family. He felt this would make his life and Serena's safer.

Because of this Johnny got close to Spinelli, Jason, Milo and Max. Spinelli became as close to a best friend as Johnny ever had. On New Year's Eve, Johnny got a tattoo that read Serena on his upper arm with a small cross beneath it. Spinelli got the word Vixen on his upper back with a small cross beneath it. The crosses were for Johnny and Spinelli to always remember that they were friends. Because they would both carry the same mark on their body.

That night Maxie had a party for their whole circle. Johnny got down on one knee and asked Serena to be his wife. They decided to have the ceremony the next day. All the friends pitched in to help. The wedding and reception was at the Club Under Kelly's.

For a while Johnny felt his life was perfect- just a few short weeks from New Year's Day, when he married Serena, to Valentine's Day, when violence broke out that caused a new mob war between them and a Chicago outfit. The fight was about shipping routes through the Great Lakes.

Three weeks later, John Zacchara was gunned down in front of General Hospital in a drive by shooting. He managed to jump in front of Spinelli, who was unarmed, and push Spinelli to the ground. Johnny pulled out his own gun. But it was too late because, a moment later, he was sprayed with automatic gunfire. Johnny died instantly, before he could fire any shots.

This is the reason Damian and Maxie Spinelli name their baby John. Along with the fact that they were Johnny's closest friends.

END OF BONUS FEATURES

Thanks for reading such a long saga. All your reviews have made this story a pleasure to post.