Something To Dance For

The following morning, Jess was woken up with a morning kiss from Ricky and breakfast in bed.

'Hey baby, did you sleep well?' he asked, handing her the tray and sitting next to her.

She smiled and tucked some hair behind her ear, 'How could I not sleep well? I have the love of my life back.'

Ricky grinned, 'You're freaking adorable when you say things like that. Say it again.'

'What? That I have the love of my life back?'

Ricky smiled softly, 'Yeah.'

Jess sighed happily and began to eat her breakfast as Ricky switched on the TV.

'So, Jess, can I ask you something?'

'Sure,' she said, taking a sip of orange juice.

'Do you still hate Maria for what happened between us?'

Jess nearly choked on her orange juice, 'What? How did you-?'

She paused, 'Carla told you, didn't she?'

He nodded, 'So, do you?'

Jess put the glass down, 'Why do you even care?'

He sighed, 'Because I think we're finally getting somewhere with this crew, and if we can get you and Tina to put your problems with Maria aside, then we can focus more on beating the 718. You know what they're like. If they sense trouble between us, they'll take advantage of that.'

He held her hands in his own, 'And I can't afford to lose you again.'

Jess exhaled, 'I don't hate her... I'm just, not used to her being here. I find it hard to trust people easily, and with her taking over so quickly... I just don't like it.'

Ricky tilted his head to the side, 'So you don't actually have a problem with her?'

Jess shook her head slowly.

Ricky sighed in relief, 'That's okay then,' he said, kissing her cheek, 'Now we just have to convince Tina.'

Jess laughed, 'Good luck.'

He chuckled, 'Thanks. I'm gonna need all the luck I can get.'

'That's right here,' she replied, smiling slightly.

Ricky cocked his head, 'Heh...'

'What? Why are you looking at me like that?' she asked.

'No, it's just... I love how you're picking up our slang. It's like you're starting to become an American. I like it.'

Jess looked down, frowning. Ricky sighed.

'Jess. You're not gonna have to leave, okay? I know it,' he said, as though he'd read her mind.

Jess shook her head, 'I'm sorry. I know it's annoying with me being like this, but...'

Ricky stroked her hair, 'Hey... It's okay. We'll work through this. Together, this time.'

Jess looked up at him and smiled slightly.

Ricky stood up and held out his hand, 'Come on.'

'Where are we going?' she asked, taking his hand and standing up with him.

'I have a surprise for you,' was all he said.

Jess smiled and followed his slight tug as he led her into the kitchen. He led her over to a seat and got her to sit down.

'Close your eyes and wait here,' he said.

Jess closed her eyes slowly, grinning broadly. She heard Ricky rummaging around for a few moments before he walked up to her. He placed a large-ish box in her hands.

'Open your eyes,' he whispered softly in her ear.

Smiling, Jess opened her eyes to see what she was holding. It was a shoebox with the Nike logo on them. She looked up at Ricky.

'Open it,' he said, nodding.

Jess opened the lid slowly. Inside were a brand new pair of hight tops. They were black with an electric blue tick logo, and then written below the tick, in the same colour.

'HD: Jess,' she said, smiling softly.

'Do you like them?' he asked worriedly.

She put the box on the table and stood up to wrap her arms around him.

'I love them,' she said quietly.

He smiled as they pulled apart, 'I got some for everyone, all in their favourite colours, but I figured you should be the first to see them.'

Jess smiled, 'Well, I'm honoured.'

He grinned and looked down at the floor shyly.

She laughed slightly, 'Let's see yours then.'

'You've already seen it,' he said, looking at her suggestively.

'Not that!' she said, pushing him playfully and laughing, 'I meant your high tops!'

He laughed, 'I know! I'm sorry, I couldn't resist.'

He walked to the other side of the kitchen and opened the utility room door to reveal 8 more boxes. He grabbed one from the top and walked back over to Jess to show her them.

His were green with a white design. Jess smiled.

'So, you bought these for everyone? Must've cost a fortune...'

Jess counted the boxes, 'Hang on. Why are there two extra ones?'

He looked back,confused, 'Oh, that. Well, Maria got some other two guys to dance with us, seeing as we have an odd number of guys and girls. Now it's even.'

'Oh really?' she asked, 'What are their names?'

'Sam and Toby,' he said shortly.

Jess raised her eyebrows, 'Well, I hope Maria knows what she's doing.'