Once they were out in the open and the two other women could be seen fast approaching where they stood, Jane could tell Maura was no longer certain about how to go up to the two eerily familiar strangers with a request for dinner. Jane didn't blame her – she couldn't figure out a way to do it either. Not that she would, but no matter how she figured it the request itself would be too socially awkward even for Maura to attempt. And that, Jane thought to herself with a subtle shake of her head, was saying something.
"Maur – she began, lightly grabbing the woman's elbow and preparing herself to just say forget it...
until it was made clear that the universe had other plans for them.
"Excuse me?" beckoned the tall and poised blonde as she seemed to materialize only a few paces away, the other woman in tow.
"Yes?" Maura answered, as she felt Jane's hand drop from her elbow. The detective put her hands in her pockets, feeling somewhat awkward now that her curiosity was to be confronted head on. Maura on the other hand was smiling at the blonde, as if pleased to be conversing with someone who sounded and looked as though she had been built from the same societal mold as herself.
"I can tell that neither of you are tourists, like us," the blonde said politely but with a charming hint of a laugh in her voice as she inquired, "so could you point us toward the nearest coffee shop? Olivia here" she turned her head momentarily to grin at her companion, "is about to get testy if we don't get caffeine into her system."
"Hey," Olivia laughed good naturedly, smiling at Maura and Jane even as she rolled her eyes playfully, "I resent that!...But it is pretty true."
Spurred into action by the detective's humble shrug, Jane chuckled and moved in for a handshake, "Detective Jane Rizzoli. We can even show you the best, cop-approved brew in town."
Olivia's eyebrows flitted upwards as she shook back with the same amount of firm confidence the lankier woman possessed, "Detective Olivia Benson. I'm sure it won't beat New York's."
"I'll take that as a challenge, then." Jane smirked, dropping her hand and turning to shake the blonde's as well, "Hi, I'm Jane" she repeated with a less territorial smile, almost subconsciously treating her like she used to treat Maura before they had gotten close: gently and with an over-exaggerated ease to her tone, as if her brashness could offend them.
"Alex Cabot," Alex returned easily, then paused as their hands fell to their sides, "Well, ADA Alexandra Cabot, since you've decided to identify yourself to Liv here in as a fellow lady in blue, Detective." Jane grinned in acknowledgement and stepped back, as her girlfriend became suddenly eager to introduce herself properly to the blonde. But not before politely inclining her head towards the New York detective and saying, "It's nice to meet you, Olivia." She then faced Alex and grasped her hand almost daintily – and, here Jane tried to hide her groan, turning her head away and noticing that Olivia was acting uncomfortable as well, because, - did Maura just do a half curtsy?
"It's a pleasure to meet you," the doctor beamed, "I'm Maura Isles, Medical Examiner for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts". Behind her, unbeknownst to anyone but a smirking fellow detective, Jane was mouthing Maura's full title to herself in a way that was part mocking and part complete and total bafflement. What had Maura acting so formal?
Alex inclined her head with a smile as they stepped away from each other in a humble, interested sort of acknowledgement, "I know that surname," she smiled, "I'm sure our mothers have gossiped together in Europe, our father's played croquet together once, or something to that affect."
Maura laughed, nodding along eagerly, "There always seems to be at least one Cabot at any of my mother's east coast art gallerias."
Jane forced her slackened jaw to close completely and sidled over to Olivia, who looked just as perturbed. "If we sneak away for a cuppa joe, do you think they'll notice with all their…hoity toity Euro talk?"
Olivia mock whispered back, "Probably," before saying louder, "Uh, Alex, sweetie?" (Jane's eyebrows flew up at this term of endearment, and stayed that way for quite some time as all the pieces fell together), "I really do want some coffee."
"Right," Alex rolled her eyes and then caught herself, "sorry. Jane, Dr. Isles, would you like to join us for a cup?"
Maura grinned giddily, like it was her plan all along – because it kind of was. "We'd love too, wouldn't we Jane?"
Jane walked over to her girlfriend and looped their arms together somewhat uncharacteristically when she noticed how Alex and Liv had grasped each other's hand with a natural ease.
"Sure thing babe". She accentuated the word babe and made eye contact with Olivia in what Maura presumed was some sort of territorial bragging display. Her and Alexandra Cabot gently searched the other's face, until they met equally sharp eyes and appeared to have a simultaneous weary thought –
Sigh. Female cops.