Ch 10: I Only Wanna Dance With You

Third period AP Science is a comfortable place for the young Isles. It was someplace she excelled, and she didn't feel out of place. The comfort of Science was her only saving grace being without Jane. However even in her absence, Maura still thought of her girlfriend. Today the class was learning about species that mate for life. The teachers showed them pictures of wolves, termites, French angelfish, and gibbons. They talked about how gibbons will spend the day grooming each other, and hanging out in the trees. Although certain details like eating ticks off one's mate were less appealing, many things Maura learned about that day reminded her of Jane. How even in the animal kingdom where many creatures aren't evolved enough to build a car or write a sonnet are capable of loving their on and only until their life's end. Maura hoped to have many days of loving Jane ahead of her.

In gym class that day it was pairs of kids systematically hitting a whiffle ball back and forth in a game of racket ball. It was quiet, and all you could hear was the clinking of plastic balls occasionally being interrupted by idle chatter. For Jane and Maura, the silence started to feel too eerie, as they could feel themselves being watched. Since their relationship has been exposed, the two of them have become something of a sceptical. The other kids were often interested in what Jane and Maura were doing or what they might do, rather than what was going on in their own lives. It never seemed to matter before that these girls were always paired together, but now that they were "out" more kids paid particular attention to the young couple. Jane just shrugged it off and thought 'let them look.', but Maura didn't particularly care for the attention. The two of them continued quietly hitting the ball back and forth, painfully aware of all the eyes on them while trying to act natural, and not draw extra attention to themselves.

Maura was heading straight up the stairs towards her mother's study with determination. 'Let me go do this before I change my mind.' she thought. Maura was finally ready to tell her all about Jane and their relationship, and whatever happens, happens. She finally made it to the door and started to speak.

"Mother."

"Yes Darling, what can I do for you?"

Maura's face felt hot, and she was trying to find her words. As many times as she practiced this encounter, her brain suddenly felt empty. She took a deep breath and decided to go for it.

"I - I was wondering if we could talk."

"Of course. Have a seat."

Maura sat across from her mother wringing her hands. She had no idea how this was going to go, but her mother had to know, and Maura had to come clean if nothing else for her own sanity.

"Mom, there's something I have to tell you. Something I should have told you a long time ago."

"Tell me, what is it?"

She shut her eyes tight and let out the breath she was holding.

"Mother, I'm seeing someone."

"Really who?" Constance asked as she sat up to look at her daughter.

"Jane." Maura told her timidly looking up in her direction.

"Jane? The young lady that was over our house for dinner?"

"Yeah."

Maura was no longer looking at her mother, she just stared at her hands waiting for whatever reaction her mother was going to have.

"So this is something more; you really like this girl?"

"I love her."

It was the truth, and that's all Maura knew how to do was tell the truth. Constance sat back in her chair.

"Here I was hoping you would be able to make some friends, and you've managed to find someone you love. Although a little early in your life. I just hope you're being careful, Darling."

Maura was flabbergasted. She couldn't believe this was going so well.

"S-so you're okay with this? You approve?"

"Darling, of course it's okay if your seeing a girl. There are plenty of people your father and I know who are gay. Quite frankly, that sort of prejudice attitude I've seen should be reserved for some toothless hillbilly with nothing more than an eight grade education. As long as you're being treated with respect , that's all that matters."

Maura smiled, sighing with relief

"Thank you, Mother."

Maura was excited and couldn't wait to tell Jane.

The gang is all over Marci's hanging out on the back deck. Jane and Maura are together on the porch swing , and both are happier than they've been in awhile. Maura told Jane all about coming out to her mother, and both were relieved to not be keeping secrets anymore. Marci and Robbie are at the patio table, and everyone is talking about the upcoming Spring Formal. Robbie discusses possible prospects.

"So for the dance, I think I'm between asking Renee of Charlotte."

"Well aren't you the ladies man." Marci laughed. "These girls have met you before, right?"

Robbie chuckled throwing a piece of popcorn from his bag at Marci. The girls loved to tease Robbie now and again, but deep down it was all in good fun, and they really did want to see him find a nice girl.

"Seriously though, I've seen these girls in class, and how they've been looking at me. I sit next to Charlotte Connor in Bio, and I can tell there's a little vibe there." Robbie tells them while noticing Jane and Marci giggle and roll their eyes.

"Ow come on, Man. I really do think I have a shot here."

"Well I think she'd be very happy to have you."

"Thank you, Maura." Robbie said raising his Pepsi can in gratitude. "See someone still has faith in me."

"Please, don't encourage him." Jane told Maura kissing the top of her head while Robbie continued.

"Hey look my game aint that bad. I know a thing or two about how to flirt with a girl."

"Please somebody stop him." Marci pleaded.

"Why don't we move on from discussing Robbie's 'Game', and let Maura tell us what's been going on in the world of AP Science."

Maura giggled shyly while she began to recant her last Science lesson.

"Uhm well, we were learning about species that mate for life, and how a termite king and queen will give birth to an entire colony throughout their lifetime, also how gibbons will spend most of their day hanging out together in the trees, and grooming one another."

"Wow termites, that's...that's romantic, Maura." Jane told her.

"I know they're insects, but I think it's beautiful that they spend their whole life together creating a family. The gibbons are apes, and the apes share approximately 98% of their DNA with humans."

"Yes nothing says romance like eating ticks off the ones you love." Jane joked, and Maura playfully swat her shoulder, and Jane hugged her tight.

"I'm just kidding, Maura. I love my little science nerd." Jane said kissing her girlfriend.

The two were truly in love, and it showed in every look, statement, and action. Both girls loved to be near one another and snuggled into each other. They sat together on the swing, Jane's arm around Maura holding her close, and Maura resting her head on Jane's shoulder with her arm on her girlfriend's knee. It's a close contact they fell into naturally, and it never felt forced nor like it was something they did to make a statement about their relationship. Marci was proud of her two friends, and how happy they were to be together and open about their relationship. As someone who looked wildly different from their peers as she did, Marci knew how important it was to be happy to be who you are, and not apologize for it.

Jane and Maura walked to the park with Frankie and Tommy who were on their bikes. The girls walked hand and hand while Jane's brothers rode ahead of them . The sun was shining, everyone was enjoying their day out, and the boys raced each other to the playground. It wasn't long before they reached their destination, and Frankie and Tommy practically leapt off their bicycles to climb the jungle gym. Jane and Maura sat on a park bench to observe the boys playing among the other kids. Jane held tight to her girlfriend's hand, finding herself actually looking forward to a school dance. Jane had no idea yet what she was going to wear, but she couldn't wait to see how beautiful Maura would surely look. Frankie was on the monkey bars when he saw one of their neighbors Mrs. Sullivan and her son.

"Hey Mrs. Sullivan, hey Vinny."

"Hello there, Frankie." Mrs. Sullivan greeted. Vinny ran off to play with the boys while Mrs. Sullivan sat on a neighboring bench.

"Hey Mrs. Sullivan." Jane called out.

"Hi Jane. " Mrs. Sullivan responded while barely even looking up from her paper.

Jane was immediately puzzled by this. This was the same woman whose house her family would go to for barbecues over the summer, and would volunteer with her own mother at the church bake sale, and now it was like Jane was nothing but a stranger to her. It made Jane wonder what she knew. Her oldest daughter Cynthia did in fact go to school with Jane, and maybe her relationship with a girl had this longtime family friend treating her differently. Maura squeezed her hand and Jane turned to her.

"Everything okay?" Maura asked.

"Hhm, yeah fine."

Mrs. Sullivan glanced over at them with a funny look. It was as if each girl had two heads. Jane couldn't understand what people found so strange about their relationship or what was wrong with it. She was just glad both of their parents approved.

At school the next day, the hallways were adorned with signs and banners for the Spring Formal on the walls. Everyone was talking about who they were going with, and what they were going to wear including Jane and Maura who were at their lockers discussing possibilities for their ensemble.

"So Jane, were you interested in coming dress shopping with me?"

"Sounds good to me. Maybe you could help me figure out what to wear." Jane told her.

"Absolutely." Maura giggled. "Don't worry, you'll look beautiful, I know it."

"Well I know you will anyway."

Maura smiled touching Jane's arm.

Celeste and her crew were giving her looks the entire time. It didn't go completely unnoticed by Jane, but she was trying to ignore them. Jane and Maura tried to focus on each other, but Celeste wasn't having it, and felt compelled to say something.

"So which one of you is wearing a suit to the dance?"

"Why don't you mind you're own business!" Jane barked at her.

Celeste sauntered up to Maura with Desiree and Annie close behind having all the confidence in the world, of course being oblivious to how much Jane wanted to knock her out at that moment. She just wanted to say or do whatever she could to make the young couple miserable.

"Hey, so I notice you have nothing to say when you have your big dyke of a girlfriend to talk for you." Celeste mumbled to her while Desiree snickered, and Annie tried to hide her face.

Jane was completely fed up with Celeste, and was ready to give her a piece of her mind, but to everyone's surprise, Maura was prepared to stand up for herself.

"As a matter of fact Celeste, I can speak for myself. It doesn't matter to me who know's anymore, I love Jane Rizzoli, and I don't care what anybody thinks about that. You're probably worse than any of them, Annie..." She said turning towards the girl. "I thought you were my friend, and that you accepted me, but when my relationship was finally out in the open, you were no better than your friends. I am who I am, and I know who I love, and if you can't accept that...than I don't know what to tell you."

The girls walked away dumbfounded. The newfound confidence surprised everyone including Maura. When she turned around to find Jane admiring her girl.

"I'm impressed."

"Well thank you,Jane."

Jane hugged and kissed Maura.

"I knew that girl was in you somewhere."

They left both walking arm and arm to class. Jane was so proud of her and Maura was equally proud of herself for having the confidence to speak her mind.

The dress shop in the mall was full of pink and purple ruffles, some more sleek ensembles, and dresses with tons of glitter and shiny rhinestones. Jane never imagined she'd find herself in one of these places, but here she was picking out a dress for the Spring Formal. She was still in the dressing room with Maura waiting outside, and Jane was reluctant to come out.

"Come on, Jane. Let me see it."

"Uh, I don't know. I think it looks stupid."

"I'll be the judge of that , Ms. Rizzoli, now come on out, and let me see how beautiful you are."

Jane cracks open the door only revealing a wisp of navy blue.

"A little more. Come on now." Maura coaxed.

She finally came out all the way out to reveal her dress. It was a lovely spaghetti strap, handkerchief cut navy blue gown. It's the third dress she tried on which was one she picked out that was closest to her personal style, and one she could afford. Jane came out to show Maura her dress and she was thrilled.

"Oh wow, Jane. It looks so beautiful. I think this is the one."

"You really think so?"

"Of course I do. Look at you." Maura told her facing Jane toward the mirror. She gave a shy smile seeing herself in a dress.

"Am I right or am I right?" Maura told her.

"Not too shabby."

"I told you so."

"Okay, now it's your turn." Jane told Maura.

Maura wanted to surprise Jane with the dress she'd picked out. She made her way into the fitting room where she could make her transformation. Jane was sure Maura could make any dress beautiful as she always did, but what Jane saw next took her breath away. Maura emerged in a strapless, turquoise, floor length gown that had a glitter sheen to it. The color of the dress really brought out Maura's beautiful green eyes, and it left Jane speechless.

"Wow."

"How do I look?"

"Absolutely gorgeous."

"Why thank you, Jane." Maura giggled.

"I can't wait to dance with you in this dress. Even though I have two left feet."

"Well if your dancing is anything like your field hockey skills, I'm not worried."

Jane actually found herself blushing at the compliment. Maura was the only one who could do that to her, and she liked that feeling. For the first time she was excited about a school dance. They were going together and it didn't matter what people thought anymore. It honored Jane to be accompanied by her girlfriend who was so stunningly beautiful.

The car ride was mostly quiet while Angela drove with Jane to pick up Maura for the dance. Of course she was excited about going to the dance with Maura, but this was also the first time she'd see Maura's parents after reveling their relationship. All she could do was stare intermittently at her hands and out the window. In the midst of all her nervousness, it didn't take long for Jane to notice that her mother kept glancing over smiling at her.

"What? Ma stop staring at me."

"Why am I embarrassing you?"

"No, It's just creepy."

"You just look so beautiful, Janie. I hope you girls have a good time tonight."

"Thanks Ma."

They've finally arrived at Maura's house, and Jane stepped up to the door. She rubbed her hands together, took a deep breath, and knocked on the door. Constance Isles answered the door, and Jane couldn't breathe.

"Jane, please come in."

Jane stepped in the house, and Angela followed.

"You look lovely, dear." Constance told her.

"Thank you, Mrs Isles. Uhm...this is my mother."

The two women shake hands.

"Pleased to meet you. I'm Angela."

"Constance Isles, nice to meet you, too."

Moments later Maura comes downstairs in her dress, and it was like a scene from a movie. She floated down the stairs in her floor length gown with her golden curls tousled over her shoulders. Seeing everyone look at her in adoration made Maura feel special. I was a kind of special she's wanted to feel her whole life, and she so looking forward to this night.

" Oh Honey, you look so beautiful." Angela told her.

"Thank you, Mrs. Rizzoli."

"Please, call me Angela."

"She's right you know. You look absolutely beautiful." Constance told her.

"Thank you, Mom."

Jane came up to Maura and gave her a big bear hug. She was so happy that their parents approved of their relationship, happy to be attending this dance with her, and so happy to have found a smart, sweet and kind hearted girl to love and cherish for many days to come. It felt like a fairytale come true.

"You look amazing." Jane said kissing her cheek.

"So do you."

"Okay, let me get a picture of you two." Angela said holding her camera.

Both girls faced her while Angela snapped a picture. Maura turned to say goodbye to her mother, Constance took both of her daughter's hands, which was a surprise to Maura to see this level of affection.

"Have a good time, Darling."

"Thank you, Mother. I will."

Thus they were off for what would hopefully be a fun and magical evening for both girls at their first dance.

Jane and Maura arrive in a fully decorated gymnasium, proudly walking hand and hand together. Once inside they're met by Marci and Robbie who are hanging out together at a table. Marci immediately hugs the two of them.

"Hey you guys look great."

"Thanks, so do you." Jane told her.

"Nice to see somebody finally got Jane Rizzoli in a dress." Marci said and Maura giggled.

"So Robbie, who's your hot date tonight?" Jane asked.

"Ahh , I decided to go stag. Much better that way anyway."

All the girls laughed and rolled their eyes.

The evening went off without a hitch, everyone hanging out dancing and having fun. Even though it wasn't normally her scene, Jane found herself having a great time, she even got in some dancing. Of course the night was made better sharing it with Maura. Robbie managed to get in a dance with Marci. Jane and Maura laughed the whole time while Robbie would slowly reach for Marci's behind and she would slap his arm. At some point in the evening while the group was sitting at their table, Maura noticed Annie standing next to the wall quietly observing them. She wasn't with her friends, she didn't appear to be with anyone. Even though they had been through a trying time, it made Maura a little sad. She told Jane she'd be just a minute, and went over to talk to her.

"Hey." Annie said first.

"Hi."

"You look great."

"Thanks."

It was awkward , but they managed the simple pleasantries.

"Listen Maura, I don't expect you to forgive me, and I know I probably don't deserve it , but I really am sorry. I should have been strong enough to stand up to my friends."

Maura offered her a grin.

"No worries, I've put it behind me already."

"Good. Are you guys having fun?"

"Yeah, we've had a great time so far."

"Awesome...well I don't want to keep you too much longer, I just wanted to say what I needed to say, and wish you a fun night."

"Thank you, Annie. i really appreciate it."

They both part ways and return to their respective groups. The night continued on with everyone dancing and having fun. Soon the night was winding down, and time for a final slow dance as Jane guided Maura out to the dance floor. As they listened to the song that was playing "I Finally Found Someone" by Bryan Adams and Barbara Streisand, it really captured how these two girls felt about each other, and all the time they've shared together thus far. Their lips met as they melded into one another in the middle of a crowded room for all to see. Whether it be through some guiding force or just pure luck, from the moment they first saw each other on the bus it has been the happiest time in both girls lives. It's proof that no matter how young or old, no matter your background, gender or skin color, when you follow your heart, love is all that matters in the end.