SID August 30 Will Burton Quit

General Hospital's Steve Burton and Kelly Monaco are so not their characters. While Jason and Sam are arguably one of the most romantic duos on daytime, their portrayers are more like siblings who go out of their way to yank each other's chains. "She talks so much on camera that I don't want to hear her voice when I'm off camera," Burton jokes. "She and Ric talk, probably the most of anybody in America". Replies Monaco with a grin: "That's because we're the only ones who can memorize the lines." When SID sat down with the actors to discuss their heart-tugging scenes, we wished we'd brought a box of Kleenex - we laughed so hard, we cried.

Kelly: We've cut out the crying. It was called for (when Jason was dying) but through that process, Sam became a little bit stronger. At the appropriate times, you'll still be seeing the vulnerability but only with certain people.

Kelly: We did all of those Hawaii scenes in one day. Steve and I agree that we like to get it over rather than stretch it and do it in 5 days.

Steve: Here's the thing - we're telling a love story. You don't need to show the sex to tell a love story. We've proved that over and over

Kelly: I'm trying to blackmail him every chance I get to get his shirt off. And it ain't comin' off. (laughs)

Steve: I'm 35 years old. Who really wants to see a 35-year old with his shirt off? I know the medium we're in, and there are plenty of people around here who love to take off their shirts, so let them. We tell a story and it's still good. It's not just about sex. It's about a relationship and their love for each other.

Kelly: She's been talking about having a baby since she lost her baby. In Sam's perspective, the baby is more about wanting a committed life around her than it is about a baby.

Steve: I agree. Or when they don't have anything else to talk about, they bring up the baby. I don't want any kids on the show. I've been a father to every kid that's been born in Port Charles, and that's enough. From Jason's perspective, a lot of his concern is, "Will I be able to keep my kid safe?"

Kelly: Sam needs something besides Jason to focus on, whether it's a baby or a brother or a mother...whatever.

Steve: A baby is the next logical step their relationship. But we're not in a normal world, so that's the problem.

Kelly: Sam realizes that. But she's thinking that there's not a perfect world. There's not a perfect time. They're both sure they want it, but is the timing right?

Kelly: When I lose it, I lose it. It's normally in the evening. That's when I start waking up and everyone else is falling asleep. Something small will set me off. I giggle, and then forget it. Steve's done. And then if Maurice is there, it's a triple threat.

Steve: We were doing a scene and someone (gesturing toward Kelly) said something, but it was, let's just say, not a good line reading. I looked at Maurice. He looked at me. Kelly already started laughing because it was funny.

Kelly: I didn't hear them talking about it. I had already taken it in on my own.

Steve. Then another guy was dying in the scene, and he was groaning. So we had this guy saying a line that wasn't great, and then we heard, "Ooooh"! We were finished. The producer came out and said "If you guys don't stop, we're going to have to move your scene". I said "move it. I can't stop laughing."

Kelly: Maurice had to slap himself in the face a couple of times. That was even funnier than what started the whole thing.

Kelly : FYI

Born: Kelly Marie Monaco on May 23, in Philadelphia, PA

Strike a Pose: Monaco graced the cover of Maxim in September, 2005

Direct Hit: "Steve directs me almost every day" Monaco jokes. "I value his opinion. He is seasoned. I trust him a lot. I think that's what makes this duo better than what it is".

Steve: FYI

Born: Jack Stephen Burton on June 28, in Indianapolis, IN.

Shooting Star: With Burton now producing projects of his own, he said he'd absolutely like Monaco to star in one of the vehicles. "If I hired Kelly, I know I'd get someone who'd deliver."

Steve: I think that's the weirdest thing I've ever heard in my life. I was waiting for, like, "He's funny. He's funny- looking...

Steve: I'll take it. You could have said I have crooked sticks or something. So I'll take that compliment.