Disclaimers and notes and all:
Okay, so I usually never start a story with Author's notes, but I think this time I need to.
After half-working on other 4 Rizzoli & Isles fanfics, it hit me the idea to adapt Imagine Me & You but with Jane and Maura. I liked the idea a lot and while I didn't find any fanfic already on that (if there is, my bad!), I did find a fanvid on youtube - look for it, it's amazing!
Now, if you have never watched Imagine Me & You...go now! No really, it's a beautiful movie, and although it's not required to have watched it to read this fic, I'm afraid I'll rely too much on already knowing the movie, so I'm not entirely sure how this is going to work out. That said, feeback is, as always, really appreciated!
I'm borrowing Ol Parker's amazing script for Imagine Me & You and TNT's/Tess Gerritsen's/Janet Tamaro's Rizzoli and Isles, throwing them in a blender and coming out with this adaptation for no other purposes than indulging my Rizzles addiction.
I've never adapted a story before. I've read works from authors doing it on other stories, so this is my take on adapting Imagine Me & You into Rizzoli & Isles world (without the police stuff! so it works wonders for me!). I hope you like it.
Jane loudly yawned and stretched her arms as she sat down on her spot in the middle of Maura's couch. After ninety minutes sparring on the BPD's gym and quick shower, Jane had arrived to Maura's house for their usual movie night.
Looking at her friend from the counter of the kitchen, Maura finished feeding Bass before joining her in the living room.
"Jane! You are tired are you sure you want to watch the movie?"
Jane looked at Maura with her eyes still puffy and wet from the yawn, wincing at her before vigorously rubbing her face with her fingers.
"No, no. I'm all good. All I need is my beer and I'm good to go. I'll watch anything you want."
"You are going to drift off during the movie..." Maura complained shaking her head. "Anyways, I stumbled upon a movie from that actress you like...the one that played a kickass woman like you but had robots from the future chasing her son."
"Sarah Connor?"
"Yeah her."
"The one from the original movies or the one form TV?"
"There are two? It was a series...I think."
"Yeah... either Linda Hamilton or Lena Headey. Can't go wrong with either of them. Show me the movie you got."
"Uhmm..." Maura's mind was trying to remember the name from the cover of the movie. "No wait, she also appeared in that barbaric movie I don't understand how you can enjoy of those hunky men in Sparta."
Jane nodded and signaled Maura she knew who she was talking about, but being caught halfway drinking her beer she couldn't answer.
"How could you not like 300 Maur? Especially you who shamelessly enjoys ogling men's maximus assicus or whatever you call someone's ass."
Maura smiled amused.
"The men in that movie show impressively well formed muscular development indeed. But the movie was too bloody, violent and male homoerotic too me."
"What?" Jane almost spit her beer. "How can you say that? Wait no, don't tell me. Can we just get on to this movie please?"
"You are too cranky when you need to sleep." Maura replied as she inserted the DVD on her player and returned to the couch sitting next to Jane.
As the initial material played on the screen, Jane reached for the DVD case of the movie and after one look, handed it to Maura, arching a brow. The artwork featured on the left side a groom and a bride locking lips, standing with their backs to the viewer. Next to them, a taller blond guy holding a redhaired girl wth his hand on her back. A regular picture, except for fact that it was impossible not to notice that the bride and the girl were holding hands.
"300 is too homoerotic and this is very very straight, right? What are you having me watch?"
"I said it was male homoerotic. It really doesn't appeal to me, two women on the other hand...", Maura paused just long enough to watch Jane twitch a bit uncomfortably as she hid her smirk. "But this movie is catalogued as romantic comedy, so I don't think there's anything you should worry about."
"Why should I worry...it's not like..."
"Shush, the movie is starting."
Jane pouted annoyed and turned to watch the 55-inch HDTV.
A soft bubbly ambience music opened the movie. A beautiful twenty-something girl with honey curls, wearing a satin top and dark grey pajamas was sitting on her bed with her eyes fixed on the clock as the morning daylight filled the room. As soon as the alarm went off, she turned it then throwing herself back to the bed gripping her pillow.
Jane turned and leaned on Maura, resting her head on her shoulder and continued to watch the movie.
The same girl was now brushing her teeth. Loud bangs on her door had her running to open it, finding two girls behind it who screamed and jumped the moment the blond girl had opened the door.
A new scene showed the outside of what seemed a flower shop, cleverly name "Flowered Up."
"I want something that says 'I'm sorry he's dead, but not that sorry. He was just a dog and you shouldn't have loved him more than me'." A woman was addressing a redhead who was anxiously looking at her watch. "Can you do me a bunch that says that?"
"Ah yeah, that's her!" Jane whispered to Maura.
"Sheesh."
Jane growled lowly but enjoying Maura being so comfortable closed her eyes for a second as the movie continued.
"Rachel, darling, tell your father he can't wear that suit."
"He looks nice. You look nice."
"Thank you, poppet."
"Seen better-dressed crab."
"I have a question."
"Oh, God, would somebody please put a gag on my daughter?"
Jane opened her eyes again, to see the little blond girl, surely the younger sister of the first girl.
"Why is the alphabet in that order?"
"You are going to fall asleep like that Jane..." Maura warned her softly noticing the change in Jane's respiration on how she let the weight of her body fall into her shoulder.
"Shush."
Groggily Jane focused her attention back on the screen.
The redhead was outside the flower shop stuffing a car with all sorts of buckets with flowers. Another blonde was talking to her.
"You're late."
"Pulled. What's the job?"
"Wedding. You always pull."
"One of us has to. Nice couple?"
"Haven't met them. All about the mother."
"Isn't it always? Come out with me afterwards."
Jane snickered. "Surely a helicopter mother like mine. Hey have you considered being a redhead?"
"Do you have a thing for redheads?" Maura teased her smiling while passing an arm around Jane's shoulder so she'd rest more comfortably against her.
"Just wondering, you'd look nice for sure." Jane said rolling enough to watch Maura as she spoke to her.
"You need a love life." Jane heard the blond telling to the redhead.
"I have a 'like life' that suits me fine."
"You need a love life," Jane tapped Mara's thigh.
"I have a like-life that suits me fine," Maura chuckled and without much thought leaned in to kiss Jane's wild hair still a bit wet from Jane's shower.
Without leaving her hand from Maura's thigh, Jane turned her attention back to the movie. It was a bit difficult to keep track of it, between her drowsiness and getting distracted talking to Maura, no wonder she kept shushing her when they watched movies.
The redhead was meeting two handsome tall guys wearing impeccable black tuxedos with silver ties outside a church.
"You're Hector, right? The groom?"
"Yeah, yeah, I am. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Call me Heck."
"Well, I did your flowers."
" Oh, did you? Oh, well, they're fabulous. Aren't they, Coop?"
"Fabulous, yeah. Although, I wouldn't know a nice flower from a poke in the eye."
"But they're fabulous, aren't they, Coop?"
As much as Jane hated to admit, the movie was getting her attention. She was a sucker for violent, crazy ass kicking action packed movies, which Maura accepted watching with her when it was her turn to choose.
The scene between the flower girl, the groom and his best man ended, being followed by the bride, her father and a friend inside a car.
"So, Ned, how long have you guys been married, then?"
"Thirty years."
"Oh."
"If I'd killed her when I first thought about it, I'd be out by now. A free man. I remember all the way to the church I just wanted to shout 'Stop the car! This is a horrible mistake.' But you can't, can you? So, you just sit there, saying nothing, as the wheels keep turning, leading you on to the longest sentence -"
"Stop the car! I forgot to pee."
Jane had to chuckle. "Oh I like him, poor guy. Now this other dude, I don't."
The scene had gone back to the redhead and the tall blond guy who was clearly hitting on the redhead.
"I do work out, yes. Don't have a six pack."
"No?" the redhead had to ask.
"No. Twelve pack on this puppy."
"I don't really like men with muscles."
"Thank you, see Maur! Not everyone has to ogle men with muscles."
"Heck, I've got a question."
"What's the question, H?"
"What happens when an unstoppable force meets an immovable object?"
"I haven't got a bastard clue, I'm afraid."
"Doctor Isles probably knows," Jane muttered to herself.
"There you are, you see. Now we can let him get married in peace."
"It never happens. If there's a thing that can't be stopped, it's not possible for there to be something else which can't be moved, and vice versa. They can't both exist. You see, it's a trick question, is the answer."
"Can she sit with me?"
"Hey Maur, she's smartypants as you!"
"I'm glad you're enjoying the movie Jane, especially considering it doesn't involve physical violence, weapons or monsters of gigantic proportions." Maura giggled softly rubbing Jane's arm with one hand.
"I fancy that flower girl."
"Yeah, yeah, I know you do."
"She likes me. Right? I got that ... I got that vibe that she likes me."
"Coop, it's my wedding day. Can we talk about me?"
"Sure, yeah. Did you get the vibe that she likes me?"
As much as Jane was enjoying the movie, her eyelids were starting to feel heavier and heavier. For moments, the screen looked blurry and closing her eyes for a second she kept hearing the movie, somehow recreating the scenes in her mind according to the dialogue of the characters.
Apparently the scene was back again to the bride.
"Right, last one to the altar's a sissy."
"Well, this is it."
"Wish me luck."
"Wish you luck?"
"It's a wedding. Bridesmaids always blow weddings. Wish me luck."
"Good luck."
Jane barely opened her eyes again. She was drifting into inevitable sleep, but somehow still trying to keep her eyes open to watch the movie.
Sitting inside the church, the bride's mother arrived to where the flower girl and the bride's little sister were waiting.
"She's here."
"Okay, you're sorted, I'm gonna set up the reception. Excuse me."
Luce, the flower girl made her way out of the aisle, while the guests stood up, as the Wedding March was played in the background. Led by her father, Rachel slowly walked down the aisle to where Heck, her soon-to-be husband awaited at the altar.
As Luce walked out on the aisle leftmost aisle and Rachel walked in on the center alley, their gazes met. Luce apparently curious to catch a glimpse of the bride and Rachel, for some reason turning her sight to where Luce was. The moment their eyes met was brief but meaningful. There had been some unmistakable connection. Jane smiled recognizing the power between that shared look, having experienced it enough times with none other than Maura.
Jane replayed on her mind one of those lingering looks where she could almost always lose herself in Maura's beautiful and warm hazel eyes.
"All good?"
Casey's familiar voice snapped her out of her thoughts. Turning to look at him, she found him dressed in a custom tailored tuxedo. He looked extremely handsome. Jane looked down for a second, admiring her white pristine wedding dress.
"Always," she replied taking his hand and turning to face the priest.
"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here in the sight of God, and in the face of this congregation—" the priest started to celebrate the mass.
"You look beautiful," Casey whispered to her.
" —to join together this man and this woman in holy matrimony."
After the wedding, the party was the moment for everyone to enjoy. Among the couples dancing, Jane could see her parents, arguing as always.
"Please keep your arms by your side, Vince! It's like dancing with a gibbon!" Angela exclaimed annoyed as her husband danced haphazardly, moving his arms erratically, making it impossible for her to dance with him.
Kate Graham, her bridesmaid walked around ignoring the looks of men showing any mild interest in her. She's obviously looking for men, but thinking too highly of herself, keeps walking past some, muttering "Nothing ... nothing."
Making her way in between the guests dancing and standing by, a beautiful girl with honeyblond curls approached the table where the striking bride with long dark curls was apparently waiting by herself.
"Hi," the blonde greeted the bride.
"Hi." The answer was polite but a little dry.
"We haven't ... we haven't met. I'm Maura."
"Jane."
"I did your flowers." Maura replied, somehow explaining what she was doing at her party.
"You did?" Jane's expression softened, replying with a smile. "My flowers are nice."
Moving to the side, Maura tried reaching for the bowl of punch.
"Anyway, I was just gonna get a ... drink."
Jane moved blocking the way, smiling awkwardly.
"I wouldn't."
"What, is there something wrong? I'm here to help."
Maura's sincere tone and frank smile disarmed Jane and Jane was somehow relieved to explain to someone her current dilemma.
"My ring. I was getting some of this punch crap, and …" Jane explained flustered.
"Your wedding ring?" Maura asked amused.
"It fell off. Off, and in there. My wedding ring is in there." Jane pointed to the bowl of considerable proportions, full to the top with red punch, circling the ladle inside the liquid, moving all the fruits inside the punch to no avail.
"And you tried the ladle?" Maura asked pondering the situation, trying to get the optimal solution.
"Nothing."
"And you can't empty the ... no." Maura pouted, still trying to figure out how to help Jane before anyone else noticed she had lost her ring.
"No." Jane replied almost helpless.
"No, it's too big. Uhm ... right." Her eyes shined knowing what she had to do. "Only one thing to do. Cover me." Maura moved fast, swiftly taking Jane by the waist and moving her to the side as she rolled up the sleeves of her shirt.
"What?" Jane asked confused but without putting much resistance to the way Maura had handled her.
"Use the dress, I'm going in."
"You can't just …" Jane replied alarmed. "Oh, yeah, you really can …"
Jane turned around the moment another of her guests walked directly to her. Jane cleared her throat before greeting him.
"Hi."
"They say white's the colour of virgins. If I know Casey, the only thing virgin round here is the olive oil."
Neither him, nor Jane could see Maura rolling her eyes at the last sentence, her arm completely inside the bowl looking for Jane's ring.
"The old jokes really are the best, aren't they?" Jane replied trying to keep him engaged in the conversation and not noticing Maura, doing whatever she was doing behind her.
"I'm Cavanaugh. Casey works underneath me, but not in the biblical sense."
"You're just like he described."
Jane felt Maura taking her hand flexing it against her back, extending her fingers as Maura gracefully slipped the ring back on her finger again. It was timed perfectly as Cavanaugh oved to the side to grab some punch for himself.
"Now, I need booze. I've just made a cracking filly, thought I'd grease the passage, so to speak."
All of a sudden, Maura appeared from behind Jane, flashing a radiant smile.
"Hi," the blond said looking directly to Cavanaugh.
"Hi," he answered looking suspiciously at her, not knowing exactly where she had come from.
"This is Maura. She's a florist." Jane added smiling at her accomplice.
"Name's Cavanaugh. But you can call me anything you'd like." With a smug look on his face he extended his hand towards Maura.
"And I'm sure I will." Maura answered with a composed tone, as she shook his hand, slippery and wet from the punch, earning her an even stranger look from Cavanaugh.
Author's Notes: So by this point you should have already figured out what's going on, and I hope you like it. I've always loved that movie, having seen it countless times...and well Rizzoli & Isles, they are simply my OTP, so no wonder I wanted to try this.
The first part was a little weird, with both dialogues Jane/Maura and the movie's going on, but the rest flows as a regular story.
I took a lot of liberties on the characters. First of all, I didn't quite like Frank Sr. so for this purpose, I think it works best if Korsak is Angela's husband (and they do have chemistry right?).
The other liberties I'm taking... the role of Coop is landing on Tommy. So for this story, Tommy won't be Jane's brother...but he will be hitting on Maura, so it kind of works. Every other character falls mucho into place, except for one, and here's where I hit a wall, and I'd very much appreciate the input (whether you have sene the movie or not)
Rachel/Jane has a little sister H. Do you guys think I should totally replace Frankie for H, that is, forget Jane has a brother and keep H as sister...or totally rewrite everything related to H, into Frankie.