Hey guys. This story is something completely different to what I normally would do, but I couldn't stop writing when I started and I am still going.
So let me know what you think. M, rating for later chapters.
Jane Rizzoli walked into her drama class unnoticed like any other day. She sat down and grabbed out her script and starting going through her lines, hoping that no one else would bug her.
She was halfway through when the teacher, Mrs Harrison, walked in with a smile on her face.
"Can I have your attention please ladies" she called over the top of the girls talking. They all quieted down and payed full attention to their teacher.
"I have some wonderful news. As Sarah is out with tonsillitis, I have finally found our Juliet" she clapped her hands together in front of her in happiness.
"Who is it?" Jodie asked, looking around the room. Mr Harrison motioned for someone to come into the room. A girl with light brown hair, greenish-brown eyes and was of average height and weight walked in, a little unsure of herself.
"I would like you all to meet Maura Isles. Today is her official first day with us. If you can believe she has come all the way from Paris" Mrs Harrison said with enthusiasm.
"Wow Paris. Why would you choose to come to Boston?" Marie asked.
"It's were my parents live most of the year" Maura answered. The girls looked at each other.
"You don't sound French" Emily pointed out.
"That's because I'm not. I went to boarding school. I left here when I was ten and decided to come back home" she answered. She could hear some of the girls snicker.
"Well Maura, as you can see this class is all girls, so when it came to finding a Romeo, it was tough. Anyway this is Romeo, Jane Rizzoli" Mrs Harrison motioned to where Jane was sitting on the floor, script in hand. Maura gave a shy wave.
"Now, I am sure you have seen the movie and as this is a school production we do not expect to rein act certain scenes, but we do need one kiss. Are you ok with that?" Mrs Harrison asked Maura. Maura looked from Jane to the teacher and nodded again.
"Um…ok" she finally said.
"Great. So I will let you two get acquainted and get you a script" she left Maura and Jane alone.
"If you have only been here a day, how did you get the part?" Jane asked.
"I met Mrs Harrison after a meeting with the principle and she immediately asked me to do a small audition. I agreed as I love the story of Romeo and Juliet. Mrs Harrison liked my interpretation, so here I am" she explained in detail. Jane just nodded.
"Right well take a seat and we can go through our lines" Jane said turning the pages of her script.
"Anticipating the kiss already Rizzoli" Catherine called from the other side of the room. Jane easily ignored the comment, but Maura did not.
"What does she mean by that?" she asked Jane. She sighed.
"Mrs Harrison said Sarah has tonsillitis" Jane started. Maura nodded her head.
"Yes, I have had it once myself. Very painful and can takes days to recover from" she answered.
"Right, well that's not entirely true. Once she found out that I was to be her Romeo, she got her parents to call the school to say she was sick and had to pull out of the production" Jane finished.
"Oh" was all Maura could think of to say.
"So can we practice now" Jane said.
"Sure, whenever you're ready" Maura smiled and sat up straighter.
"Aren't you going to look at your script?" Jane pointed to the paper on the floor next to her. Maura shook her head.
"No need to. I have memorised every line of this play"
"Of course you have" Jane said before starting.
By the end of it Jane was in awe. Maura had recited all her lines with perfection.
'This chick is something else' Jane thought as she dropped her script with a sigh.
"Is everything ok?" Maura asked. Jane looked up at her with a smile.
"Fine, I'm just surprised that you actually said every line without a single pause or prompt" she still sounded amazed. Maura blushed slightly.
"Like I said, it is one of my favourites. So when is the production taking place?" Maura asked.
"Oh not for another month and a half. Do you want to go try on your costume?" Jane asked getting up and grabbing her bag.
"Sure" Maura followed.
Jane lead her down the back of the school where a tin shed was situated.
"What is the shed used for?" Maura asked.
"We keep everything form costumes, sets and props in here. Some we reuse so we save money. All the money from the tickets goes back into the drama department for more excursions and any needs for the next production" Jane explained as she unlocked the shed door.
"May I ask a question?" Maura asked formally. Jane looked at her.
"Sure".
"Why did you choose to play Romeo?". Jane smiled.
"Well because no one else wanted to, and because I wanted to win the girl" she said with a little laugh. Maura paused.
"So you really are a lesbian?" she blurted out. Jane stopped and burst out laughing.
"God no. I was being sarcastic" she said through her laughter.
"Oh" Maura looked confused.
"The real reason is because there were no guys in the class and Mrs Harrison wanted to really show what her students had to offer and I didn't want to let her down. I also admire Romeo. Willing to die to be with the one he loves. If only men were really like that" Jane gave another laugh as she went through the rack of clothes and finally stopped.
"Here it is" Jane pulled out an old styled white and blue dress.
"Wow. For a public school, it is quiet lovely" Maura commented.
"Try it on. It was too big for Sarah" Jane handed Maura the dress.
"Here?" she asked.
"Just put it over the top of what you're wearing" Jane explained. Maura nodded and pulled the dress on. Jane helped her tie the bow at the back before taking a good look at her.
"Wow, that fits you so much better. You were meant to play Juliet" she said with a smile, making Maura blush again.
"So this is my main dress?" Maura asked smoothing it out.
"Yes. The others are at the back and we still need to find you a dress for when you kill yourself" Jane said helping her out of the dress.
"Technically I don't kill myself. I simply take" she was cut off by Jane.
"Technically you kill yourself after I do. You will also need a pair of pearls and to bring your own shoes" Jane informed her.
"That shouldn't be too hard" she smiled.
"Great. Well I got to get going. See you tomorrow" Jane said as they exited the shed. They went their separate ways with a smile on their faces.
When Maura got home her parents were in the kitchen in a deep discussion, so she didn't want to disturb them. She headed for the stairs when her mother called out to her.
"Maura could you come here". Maura stopped and headed for the kitchen.
"How was your day" Lorraine Isles asked.
"It was ok. Not as impressive as Paris, but I will adjust" she said with a smile.
"Well it is only a public school. We could try again with the Catholic school" Lorraine suggested. Maura shook her head.
"This one is fine and I couldn't turn down the opportunity to play Juliet" Maura's face glowed.
"What?" her father asked.
"I have been chosen to play Juliet in the school's production of Romeo and Juliet. I'm sure it won't quiet live up to Franco Zeffirelli's rendition, but it's a start" she explained.
"That's wonderful dear. And whom is to play Romeo" Lorraine asked, taking full interest.
"Well that's where it gets complicated. The drama class has no males, so Romeo is being played by Jane Rizzoli" she waited for their reaction. Her parents looked at each other.
"So, you have to kiss this girl?" George asked.
"Mrs Harrison has only made it in one scene, to make us feel as comfortable as possible". Her parents were silent, which made Maura feel uneasy as she knew too well how they could overreact.
"Well, at least it's a start. Maybe this could be good for you. You're very smart Maura, but you are also very attractive. Maybe acting is the right thing for you" her mother said. Maura just nodded.
"Anything else? I do have homework to attend to" she told them. They both shook their head and she left them.
'You can't help people if you're an actress. I don't study every day to become an actress' she thought to herself as she climbed the stairs to the second story and made her way to her bedroom.
The next day Maura walked into the drama room and saw Jane already there going through her lines again.
"You really are dedicated" she said, making Jane jump a little.
"Well when you have people's eyes on you expecting the best, you kinda have to give them your best" she explained.
"Am I early, or is everyone else late?" Maura asked looking around the empty room.
"Everyone is late. They tend to take their time coming to drama, since Mrs Harrison is so laid back. Did you tell your parents about your role" Jane asked.
"Yes I did and they were quiet pleased. Hey seemed to think it will help me get into acting. You know movies and that sort of thing" Maura said finally taking a seat next to Jane.
"And you don't want to be an actress, with millions of fans across the world and guys trying to get into your pants?" she asked with a little laugh. Maura shook her head.
"No I don't. And no man has ever tried to get into my pants" she defended herself. Jane almost couldn't believe her ears, then again Maura wasn't your usual 17 year old.
"Are you kidding me? Have you even kissed a guy?" she asked. Maura shook her head.
"Boarding school, remember" Maura said.
"Yeah but surely your friends took you out and you met heaps of cute French guys"
"No. Well I didn't really have any friends" she admitted.
"Really? Wow, that's gotta suck" Jane said. Maura shook her head.
"Not really. All that alone time gave me a chance to figure out what I wanted to do and what I want to achieve"
"And what's that?"
"Well I want to be accepted into BCU, they have a great medical program" she started to explain.
"You want to become a doctor?" Jane asked.
"No, a medical examiner" Maura said with a smile. Jane stared at her.
"A medical examiner? Someone who cuts up dead people" she said flatly.
"It's not just that Jane. A medical examiner determines how someone has died. They can tell if it was natural, suicide or murder. A medical examiner is a voice for the dead and that's what I want to achieve. Just because they are dead doesn't mean they shouldn't still be treated with respect" Maura explained. Jane just nodded.
"Right" she said.
"And what is it that you wish to achieve?" she asked. Jane sighed.
"I want to join the Boston pd. Work my ass off to become a homicide detective. Like you said, the dead need a voice and I want to be the one to put away the people who think they can end some one's life" she said with a shrug. Maura nodded.
"Isn't that dangerous" Maura said.
"Yeah, but at least a sign up for it. The people on the street didn't and I would rather it be me than them" Jane explained. Maura was silent. She had never met anyone so dedicated to protected innocent people then Jane.
"I think you would make a great homicide detective" Maura commented. Jane smiled.
"Thanks" Jane smiled. She then noticed that no one still hadn't turned up, not even Mrs Harrison.
"Are we in the right place?" Maura asked finally noticing as well. Jane dug in her bag and found her timetable.
"It says we are here and we haven't been told anything". Jane checked her watch.
"Did you want to just go? We only have twenty minutes left anyway" she suggested. Maura turned white.
"Leave early? I have never left school early. In fact I'm always the last one to leave. If my parents found out I had left school early, they would…actually I don't know what they would do" Maura said, her fear slightly easing. Jane laughed.
"If you're that worried about it we can just stay here" she suggested. Maura nodded. They were silent again, not sure what to talk about. Then their previous conversation popped into Maura's head and the words were out of her mouth before she had time to think.
"So have you had intercourse before?" she asked. Jane stared at her.
"Excuse me?" she exclaimed. Completely taken by Maura's bluntness.
"Sorry, have you had sex before" Maura said, using the preferred term. Jane started to laugh.
"I know what intercourse is. Yes if you must know" she finally answered.
"You brought it up before and we were getting to know each other so I thought" Maura started to explain herself. Jane held up her hands.
"It's ok really. You will find most of the girls in this class have had sex". Maura's eyes widened.
"Wow, so I guess that makes me the freak of the class then" Maura said with no humour in her tone. She then relaxed back on the floor and stared up at the ceiling.
"I thought maybe coming back to Boston I would fit in more. In Paris I was always known as the 'American' even though I spoke perfect French. I guess I don't fit in anywhere" she said, her voice breaking.
"Maura, you're not a freak. You're just…different, but in a good way. So what if you haven't kissed a guy, so what if you haven't had sex. It doesn't mean anything" Jane tried to make her feel better.
"I haven't even had a guy ask me out. Am I that odd?" Maura asked, turning her head to look at Jane, who was still sitting next to her.
"It's not that you're odd, it's the fact that you intimidate then. You're gorgeous and smart, not to mention your family is very well off. Trust me. If you were just an average teenage girl, you would have guys chasing you" Jane smiled. Maura couldn't help the bright smile that crossed her face.
"Thank you Jane" she said.
"For what?".
"For being so nice to me". Jane shrugged.
"You're just like me. Misunderstood" Jane said. Staring into Maura's eyes, Jane had the sudden urge to kiss her. She had felt this urge many times with guys, but never with a girl. Though Maura wasn't just any girl.
'We have to kiss sometime, right?' she told herself. And before she knew it she was above Maura and their lips were touching in the most gentle of ways. Jane finally realised what she was doing and went to pull away, but Maura's arms around her neck kept her in place. This small gesture made Jane intensify the kiss a little more. Maura finally let Jane go.
"I just thought we should practice" Jane explained. Maura smiled.
"It's ok. I…I liked it" Maura said. They fell silent again as the bell sounded. Jane sighed and got up and grabbed her bag. She helped Maura to her feet. She couldn't help it, she kissed her again. Never has she kissed a girl before, but kissing Maura felt so right.
"Sorry" she apologized as she finally turned and headed for the door.
"You don't need to apologize. Really it's ok" Maura tried to reassure her. Jane smiled.
"Ok. Well I really need to get going or I will be late" Jane explained, unable to tear her eyes away from Maura's.
"If you're going to be late I can drop you off" Maura suggested.
"Are you sure? Because that would be a great help" Jane said happily.
"It's no problem at all" Maura lead them towards her car. Jane suddenly stopped.
"Please don't tell me you own the BMW" she said. Maura shrugged.
"Well I don't own it, yet anyway. When I turn 18 my parents are going to change the details" Maura explained unlocking the car. She opened her door and saw Jane still on the side walk.
"Do you need a lift or not?" she called out.
"It's a BMW" Jane repeated. Then finally started towards the car and got in. slowly sinking into the black leather seats.
"Jane, it's a car. It won't hurt you" Maura said with a smile. Jane turned towards Maura.
"This is the most expensive car I have ever been in" she said. Maura just shrugged.
"Then you should see my mother's car" she said as she pulled out into the traffic.
"So where am I dropping you off?" Maura asked.
"Oh, my dad's shop. It's on the corner of Bent and Hill" Jane explained, still in awe of the car.
"I take it you're a car enthusiast" Maura said with a smile.
"No, I just like nice looking cars. And the BMW are real nice cars" Jane explained. Maura laughed.
"So what does your dad do?" Maura asked.
"He's a plumber. Wants my brothers to go into the business when they are older" Jane explained.
"How old are they?"
"Frankie is 15 and Tommy is 13. Both are very annoying. Do you have any brothers or sisters?" Jane asked.
"No, I'm an only child" Maura told her.
"Think yourself lucky" Jane scoffed.
"Jane, you're the lucky one. You haven't always been by yourself. When you're family goes on vacation you have someone to play with. You have someone to tease your parents with" Maura started.
"Ok Maur, I get your point. You don't seem to be the type of person to tease anyone, let alone your parents" Jane laughed.
"I was just trying to prove my point"
"Well point proven. It's just up here" Jane said pointing to the brown building. Maura pulled up alongside the curb.
"Thanks for the lift" Jane said with a small smile.
"Any time" Maura smiled back. They were silent again, neither not sure what to say.
"So I will see you tomorrow?" Jane asked. Maura nodded.
"Of course Jane, I'm not going to skip school just because you kissed me. The exact opposite in fact" Maura couldn't help herself. Jane laughed.
"Was I that good?" she asked. Maura shrugged.
"It was a good first kiss Jane" she smiled. Jane blushed a little.
"Good. Well I better go" she said and got out of the car. She gave Maura a slight wave before entering the shop. She watched Maura leave and sighed.
"Good day?" her father, Frank asked. She spun around with a great smile.
"Great day. Did I tell you that we have found a Juliet?" Jane said as she put her bag behind the counter.
"No you didn't. Is she any good?" Frank asked.
"She is amazing. She doesn't even need a script" Jane enthused. Her younger brother Frankie came out of the store room.
"Hey, is that the new chick?" he asked moving a box.
"Her name is Maura, and what's it to you?" Jane asked. Frankie shrugged.
"I saw her today. She's hot. French right?" he asked as he started re-stacking a shelf.
"No, she just went to school there. Plus she is way out of your league" Jane shot back.
"Oh yeah and why is that?" he asked.
"Well for one she is smarter than you" Jane started.
"Ok enough you two. Get some work done" Frank intervened before it could go any further.
As the months passed Maura and Jane grew closer. They spent all their spare time together, rehearsing and just getting to know each other. They knew there were rumours about them throughout the school, but they didn't care. They were best friends and that's all there was to it and the fact they were Romeo and Juliet did affect that friendship at all.
"Mum. Dad. I didn't think you could make it" Maura said as she saw her parents waiting for her back stage.
"We wanted to surprise you" George said with a smile.
"You were wonderful darling" Lorraine hugged Maura tight.
"Thank you. I thought it was our best performance" she smiled.
"You were great, though I thought you could have used more emphasis on some of your lines dear" George pointed out.
"I thought it might have been a little over the top. It was only a school production" Maura defended herself.
"Of course" her father said.
"Maur" Jane called as she ran towards her. Maura's face lit up.
"Hey" she greeted Jane with a big hug.
"You were amazing tonight. I actually saw Mrs Harrison crying" Jane told her. Maura let Jane go.
"And I thought you were going to kill Jodie in that fight" they both laughed. Maura remembered her parents standing there.
"Mum, dad you remember Jane" she said.
"Of course. You did very well" Lorraine said with a smile.
"Thank you, but it was all Maura. I'm glad you decided to come" Jane said, her smile never fading.
"We couldn't miss our daughter playing Juliet" Lorraine said with a forced smile.
"Janie" they heard Angela Rizzoli call. Jane sighed.
"Well I better get going. I'll see you tomorrow" Jane said happily. She hugged Maura again and did something that surprised everyone. She quickly kissed Maura then ran off towards her waiting mum. Maura froze and slowly turned to face her parents.
"Maura, is there something you want to tell us?" Lorraine asked in a calm tone. Maura shook her head.
"There is nothing to tell" she said and made her way to the door. Her parents quickly followed.
"Well it sure looked like it" George continued. Maura stopped and turned to them.
"There is nothing going on between us. I guess she got used to kissing me. Do you know how many times we had to rehearse that scene?" Maura was quickly getting agitated.
"Ok, if you say so. Let's get you home" Lorraine said heading for the car.
Jane ran back to her mum who was staring at her.
"Everything ok?" Jane asked as she pulled on her jacket.
"Yeah, I'm just trying to figure out why you just kissed Maura" Angela said.
"No I didn't" Jane shook her head.
"Honey, yes you did" Angela said placing a hand on her shoulder. Jane froze as she remembered what had happened just seconds ago. The realization clear on her face.
"Janie, its ok. You girls are really close, it was bound to happen" Angela tried to reassure her daughter.
"No ma, we are not…not like that. I was just so happy with our performance…it just happened" Jane tried to explain. Her mother wasn't buying it.
"Look, we have had to rehearse that kiss for weeks. It just happened. We are friends, that's it" she said before storming out of the building and to the car where her dad and brothers were waiting.
That night Jane laid awake in bed thinking about her actions. Her mother was right, you just don't kiss your best friend like that if it didn't mean anything.
'Did it mean something?' she asked herself. She sighed and finally closed her eyes. It didn't do her any good, all she could think about was Maura