The wonderful characters of 'Rizzoli and Isles', 'The Closer' and 'Law and Order:SVU' belong to their respective rights holders, no infringement is intended, but as always, thanks for letting us have our way with them, if only for a moment.
A quick thanks to Angie Harmon and Sasha Alexander, Sedgwick, Mary McDonnell, Mariska Hargitay and Stephanie March for the warmth and depth you bring to the portrayals of our favourite crime fighters.
A New York State of Mind
Natalie's viewpoint
I'd been really curious to meet Alexandra and Olivia; Maura and Jane had told us so much about them, but I really wanted to meet them and now we were having our chance. I'd be lying if I didn't admit I was nervous, they were important to Jane and Maura and that meant a lot to me, that we hit it off, though Ana kept telling me I was being silly and that it'd be fine.
Alex had arrived on Wednesday night for her conference, with Olivia arriving on Thursday night after arranging to get Friday off from the NYPD. We'd arranged to have them over for a get to know you Friday night dinner; Ana had taken the afternoon off to go shopping for ingredients and get a head start on cooking, she was doing another of her culinary wonders, an Asian banquet that had me drooling the moment I'd walked through the door, the aroma's wafting through the place were amazing.
I'd tried to learn to cook like her, I really had, but for all that I could juggle a dozen appointments, briefings, interviews and speeches in my head at any one time seamlessly, I just couldn't wrap my head around the timings and sequences of good food cooking the way Ana could. Over the years lord knows I'd tried, Ana did it as easily as breathing, but it'd proved beyond me.
After a few culinary disasters we'd finally agreed that this was one area where we really couldn't share the load, so I'd pretty much been confined to simple foods, usually one step things like toasted sandwiches, salads and the like, it also meant I did most of the cleaning up afterwards but I thought it was a fair trade.
Fortunately, our agreement meant that we both got to eat really well, Ana's cooking was great and I always enjoyed whatever she made, when she went all out like this afternoon it was always amazing.
After a quick catch-up make out session with Ana in the kitchen, cut short when she tossed me out to get back to cooking, I grabbed a shower before changing into a polo shirt, ballet flats and jeans, racing around the place giving it a quick tidy and making sure we had enough to drink in the fridge, finishing just as the doorbell rang.
Alex Cabot was quite frankly stunning; the pictures I'd seen had her with shoulder length straight hair and didn't do the reality justice. Her hair was longer, flowing blonde layers down to her shoulder blades, the dark blue designer slacks and white cashmere pullover highlighting her slender figure, she was almost as tall and Jane and I, taller than Olivia, which surprised me.
Looking at her, I decided then and there that no matter how good a lawyer she was and she was apparently a very good one, her appearance in the court would be devastating for the defence. I could easily imagine her captivating the jury with her presence and a toss of the hair.
She moved with casual, natural grace and poise, the sort of thing that usually involved the right upbringing or lots of time practicing under the eye of a coach, in Alex's case it was definitely the upbringing I thought, as I gave her a hug and a peck on the cheek.
Olivia was nothing like Alex, where Alex was pale and delicate and slim and almost fey, Olivia was tanned and strong and curvaceous and powerful; I could see a lot of similarities between her and Jane, despite the external differences.
Her hair was back to being shorter than the pictures I'd seen and she moved with the sort of unconscious presence that I'd come to associate with strong, confident people who'd survived the worst life could throw at them, Ana had it from her time in war zones, Jane and Olivia had developed it surviving a life policing the streets, in their own way war zones too.
Where Alex's voice carried the precise diction of a classical education, similar to Maura's, Olivia's carried hints of her New York upbringing, less educated, more grounded. The black jeans and grey loose knit sweater she was wearing suited her well, having a casual, comfortable look.
As I looked back at Alex after giving Olivia a hug I found myself being appraised by a piercing set of blue eyes, Alex was watching me, curiosity visible in her eyes. I realised she'd certainly heard about us and was as curious about us as we were about them. I smiled, the thought made me a little less nervous about the evening as I turned and welcomed Jane and Maura, before leading them into the lounge room where Ana wandered in from the kitchen, with hugs all round.
Jane managed the introductions as I got everyone drinks, handing Jane a beer in the bottle and Maura a crisp white, Alex had the same and Jane told me to crack open another beer for Olivia. Handing the beer bottle over I got a cheeky grin and a salute, making me smile. Alex looked around.
"What's for dinner, it smells wonderful?" Ana smiled and shrugged, she was a good cook but often felt a bit self-conscious about it.
"Just some Asian, I hope you like it" Olivia made a production of licking her lips.
"Mmm, if it tastes half as good as it smells it'll be amazing" Jane grinned.
"Ana's cooking's the main reason Nat keeps her round" I had to laugh at that, throwing my arm around Ana's shoulder and pulling her close.
"One of them yes, but it's not the primary one" I planted a kiss on her cheek while Maura rolled her eyes at the teasing and smiled at Ana.
"Anastasia, how can I help?" Ana laughed; both Maura and Ana were great cooks, always swapping recipes, much to Jane's and my benefit.
"It's almost ready, but you can help me get ready to dish up" Maura happily followed Ana into the kitchen as we got settled in couches. The next ten minutes were filled with getting to know you small talk, the trip, the conference, what they wanted to do in LA this weekend, before Maura called us to the table, where an entrée of San Choi Bau got us started.
Over the next 30 minutes we happily ate everything that was put in front of us, it was all delicious, Salt and Pepper Calamari, Peking duck served with steamed vegies, Pad Thai with steamed fish fillets, Mongolian Crab with Singapore noodles and finally fried ice cream in tempura batter. Much as I'd hoped, the meal was a fantastic ice breaker; we'd swapped stories about food and travel and places we'd eaten, laughing happily.
By the time it was finished we were all sitting there, pretty much full to bursting as Alex cocked an eye at me.
"Does Ana always cook like this?" I smiled, glancing at Ana where she was sitting at the far end of the table, a happy smile on her face. She loved it when everyone enjoyed her cooking; she'd told me it makes all the effort worthwhile to see people enjoying the results.
"No thank god, otherwise I'd be the size of a house. Do you cook?" She rolled her eyes as Olivia chuckled.
"Not much, though I'm a wiz at finding good places that deliver, Liv's not much of a cook either, so we eat too much take out" Olivia nodded.
"We have to spend lots of time in the gym working off the pounds" I smiled, both of them were in, quite frankly, excellent shape, they both looked good. I'd noticed that they were close, constant little touches and shoulder bumps as they'd sat together, they were another couple that had a connection, it was nice to see.
I looked around the table and smiled.
"Division of labour time, Ana cooked, so I wash up. I know there's a Seahawk - Patriots game on tonight so we'll lose Jane and Ana for the next few hours. Jane tells me you're a football fan Olivia?" She smiled easily.
"Please, call me Liv and yes, Giants all the way" That got eye rolls from both Jane and Ana and a mock-annoyed glare in return from Liv. "What?" They both just shook their heads at her.
"Fine, you might as well join them watching the game, Maura and I will do the dishes, Alex, you can stay here and watch football…" I mock shuddered. "…or you can come and chat while we do the dishes" Alex and Liv both protested, volunteering to help. "Afraid not; one, you're our guests so you get to relax, not clean up. Second, there's not that much room in our kitchen for more than a couple of people"
In the end Alex wandered in to chat to Maura and me as we cleaned up, the others settling down to watch the game. I'd kinda planned it that way so we could talk, though conversation was a little quiet and stilted at first, especially compared to the ease we'd had during dinner. I wasn't sure what was going on, until Maura stepped in.
"Alex, whatever is the matter, you are not your usual self at all tonight" I looked between them, as Alex's eyes flicked to me. That was my cue to leave them in peace.
"I'll be back in a bit, I'll leave you two to chat" Alex looked up at me, uncertainty in her eyes, then shook her head.
"No!" She paused, looking embarrassed. "I'm sorry, please stay" I nodded and leaned back against the bench top, giving her time to speak.
"It's not you, it's me. I'm sorry if I've not been good company tonight" Maura and I both smiled.
"Nonsense Alex, you are always wonderful company" I nodded.
"Yeah, it's great to finally meet you both. Maura and Jane have told us so many good things about you" She nodded.
"Maura has told us a lot about you both as well, you've obviously been good friends since they got arrived" I nodded.
"It's them who've been great friends, we're very lucky to have them here" Alex nodded slowly.
"I know, we love them both, it's just, well, we've been looking forward to seeing them so much and it's been wonderful but…" Her voice dropped, soft and sad. "…well, I really miss them" I nodded as Maura moved to Alex and wrapped her in a hug.
"I miss you too Alex, I miss you both so much, Jane does as well" Alex nodded, not speaking. I stood there, letting them be. Finally Alex looked up.
"It's just that I feel that we're losing you. When you were in Boston we knew we'd see each other every month, we'd spend the week before emailing and on Skype back and forward, working out what we were going to do when we got to Boston or you came up to us. Now you're on the other side of the country and I miss you" I nodded, I know what she meant, Ana and I loved them both, they were our best friends too, same as they were for Alex and Liv.
"I know what you mean Alex, I really do. I love planning stuff with Maura, nights out, shopping, dinner, things we can do together, it's been wonderful having them here. I'm really not looking forward to their secondment ending, it's going to be hard, seeing them go back to Boston in a couple of months" I shrugged. "But at least I'll know that they have wonderful friends waiting for them when they get back"
Alex's eyes dropped and I could see I'd said something wrong, she was struggling.
"What's wrong? Alex, what's wrong?" Maura looked up to me, a sad expression on her face.
"Jane and I told Alex and Olivia earlier this evening that we are going to let Brenda know that we would like to take up her offer to relocate out to LA permanently" 'Oh'. Now I knew what was wrong, why Alex was upset.
I completely understood how Alex was feeling; I hadn't been exaggerating about not looking forward to them leaving. I'd been dreading their departure, afraid I'd be lost without them as a central part of our lives. They were our best friends and we loved them, but Alex and Liv obviously felt the same way, for a moment I could feel my heart break, it must be so hard for them, to lose someone they cared about so much to the far side of the country.
I wondered if she resented Ana and I, if she felt that we had replaced them as Jane and Maura's BFFs, no matter how much I knew it was silly. Both Jane and Maura had been so looking forward to their visit, Maura had been almost giddy the last two days before Alex arrived; they were as much if not more a part of their lives as we were.
"I feel like I've lost them" She stifled a sniff, a strong woman trying not to show how much this had got to her.
"Oh honey" Without thinking I took three steps over and wrapped my arms around Alex, realising as I did that she was thinner than I'd first thought without that presence she wore like a suit of armour. "I had no idea, I'm sorry" She stood stiffly for a second, before relaxing, as I just held her.
"You've not lost them; you have a connection that we don't, that we'll never have. You were there for Maura and she was there for you when you both decided to pursue Liv and Jane. You were there when you both took the step past friendship and into love with them. We could never replace that..." I paused until she looked at me. "…and we wouldn't want to" Alex looked down, her voice soft.
"I'm sorry; you must think me a fool" I shook my head vehemently.
"God no, in other circumstances I'd be the one in your shoes. We'd be visiting Jane and Maura in Boston, meeting you and Liv and I'd be a much worse mess than you. I don't think I'd be as strong as you" She shook her head as I slowly let her go and took a step back.
"I don't feel very strong, not right now" I glanced at Maura for help.
"Alexandra, you have survived so much, the daily stress of your work, the attempt on your life, being forced into witness protection, your time in Africa, they would have overwhelmed most people, but you emerged stronger for it" Alex looked up and shrugged.
"Look at me, I stand in front of jury's and convince them to send people to prison for the rest of their lives. I get yelled at by judges and it's all part of the job, but here I'm carrying on like a schoolgirl" She wiped at her eyes suddenly. "Damn it"
I looked to Maura for a moment, then back at Alex.
"Alex" I waited until she looked up. "Alex, neither of us could possibly think anything less of you. You're strong enough to let others see that you're not ok, that takes real strength, especially in front of a stranger" Maura nodded.
"Alex, I respected the strong District Attorney I met, but I love the Alex Cabot I know. You are hurting, I understand that. In a way I wish I had not told you, it has made you sad and that hurts me terribly, that I was responsible for this" She walked over to Alex and put her hands on her shoulders, Maura's voice was low and soft, full of care.
"I wanted to tell you face to face, not via an email or a phone call or on Skype, you deserved to hear it from me personally" Alex nodded slowly, her face full of sadness.
"I know and I know why you left Boston, I'm just being selfish" I shook my head.
"There's nothing selfish about it Alex. I understand that, Maura's told me that you've been like a sister to her" At that Alex's head came up, turning to Maura, surprise written across her face. "It'd be hard to feel that slip further away" Maura nodded.
"It's true Alexandra, I grew up alone; I have been alone for most of my life. It was not until Jane came into my life that I truly understood friendship and love. Meeting you a year ago, well since then you have become so close to me, you're the sister I never had but always wanted" I saw Alex's eyes open wide, tears starting to slip down her cheeks. Maura just stepped up and pulled her into a hug, I could see her eyes were full of tears as well. She spoke, her voice full of tears.
"Now, well I could not contemplate not having you in my life. We may be further apart, but you will always have a place in my heart that is yours alone"
I stood there, watching as they cried onto each other's shoulders, feeling a little embarrassed, it felt like I was intruding into a very private moment. I decided to leave them for a while and turned to sneak out of the kitchen when Maura's voice called to me.
"Natalie, where are you going?" I shrugged, looking back.
"I thought I'd give you some time" She shook her head and took a small step apart from Alex.
"Please don't" She reached out a hand for me. "Please?" When I hesitated she asked again. "Please, Natalie?" I swallowed and walked over to where they stood. Maura took my hand, holding Alex's in the other.
"Natalie, you are right. Alexandra is the sister that I never had. I treasure her, for supporting me when I sought out the one thing I wanted more than anything in the world, for being there for me, for allowing me to be her friend. She is everything I could ever imagine a sister could be" She smiled at Alex, getting a small smile in return, before they fell into hug. I smiled, seeing Maura so happy just made me feel good. Finally they pulled apart and stood there, arms around each other's waists, as she looked at me.
"But now I feel very blessed, because I feel I have not one but two sisters, I was so lucky to find Alex, to have someone so wonderful in my life. Now, here in Los Angeles, l have managed to find someone else as wonderful as her" She pulled me into a one armed hug, as I felt my eyes start stinging. "It is rare to find someone so special in your life, I have been so incredibly fortunate to do it not once, but twice" I swallowed past a huge lump in my throat, as I felt the tears started running.
Without thinking I pulled her tight, before reaching out and wrapping my other arm around Alex, pulling her in close, all three of us standing there hugging and crying our eyes out like idiots. I heard a sound and looked up to see Olivia standing there, but she caught my eye and nodded, backing out, leaving me grateful for her tact.
Finally we stood there for a moment, a combination of shy smiles and mild embarrassment, as we pulled ourselves together. I wiped at my eyes for a moment, before looking at them both.
"Damn, we're all a mess" I could see the tracks of mascara and makeup on both of them. "I pointed to the door leading to our bedroom. "Why don't you both use the bedroom's en-suite to freshen up? You can use anything in the top two drawers of the vanity, there should be no end of wipes, brushes, and make up there" Alex and Maura exchanged a glance before Alex smiled.
"Are we that bad" I smiled gently and nodded.
"How bad's mine" Maura shook her head.
"Not that bad"
"I didn't have much makeup on, I'd had a shower just before you guys arrived, so less to make a mess of" I waved towards the door. "Go on and get cleaned up, I'll play beer wench for the girls while you're busy" Alex raised her eyebrow.
"Are you sure?" I smiled.
"Best way to keep them glued to the game, see you when you get back" They nodded and exited, as I grabbed three fresh beers and wandered out to the lounge room, checking my face in a mirror in the hall. I decided I could pass muster and walked in during an ad break as the girls discussed work, dispensing beers to raucous approval.
As I handed Liv hers she looked up, a question evident in her eyes. I just nodded, before giving her a wink and a smile, she nodded once and smiled, obviously happy to leave things be just at the moment.
Ana took one look at me and raised an eyebrow, she could tell I'd been crying, but at my slight shake of the head she let it be, we could talk later.
I smiled and walked back out to the kitchen, where I waited, hoping we could put things to right. A couple of minutes later Maura and Alex were back, all cleaned up and looking lovely. Alex smiled.
"Nice collection Nat, you have an entire makeup store in there" I shrugged.
"I worked the cosmetic department at the Nordstrom's down the road in Denver during summer holidays. I learnt make up there and then when I worked in television, you have to learn all over again, what works in real life doesn't work on television" I finished pouring fresh wines for all of us as Maura looked at me.
"Oh really, why ever not?' I handed the drinks over with a smile.
"The studio lights wash you out using normal make up, you look like an albino, so you have to cake it on and really overdo it to get any sort of colour in your face. Off camera you look like a clown, its hideous" Alex frowned.
"I had no idea" I shrugged.
"If you have to go on television, insist that you have your makeup done by the same person doing the host or anchor, they always have the best person doing it" I smiled. "Or you could ask me, I'd do it for you" They both chuckled, which was the whole idea.
"C'mon, let's head out to the balcony, the view's nothing great but it's better than the kitchen" I led them down the hall and through our bedroom out onto the balcony.
There was a three-seat swing seat out there where Ana and I would lounge on lazy evenings, just enjoying the view and each other. We'd last used it a couple of nights ago, when she'd shamelessly seduced me out here after dark. I didn't think I'd share that particular story with either of them; they didn't need to know the gory details.
We got settled, with Alex sandwiched between Maura and me, looking out at the night lights of the suburbs of Los Angeles. We were quiet for a while before Alex finally spoke.
"I'm really sorry about earlier, I didn't mean to, well…" Maura interrupted.
"Alex you did nothing wrong" I nodded, looking out at the night for a moment.
"Hey, like I said, I wouldn't handle it as well as you are" Alex sat quietly there for a moment. I looked across at her from the corner of my eye; time to try and lighten the mood.
"Y'know, this is kinda good" Maura and Alex both turned their heads to look at me before Maura spoke.
"What is?"
"if we're your sisters, figuratively speaking, I'm younger than you, which is cool, cause I got used to being the big sister to Lauren, it'd be nice to have a big sister to complain to when Ana's done something dumb that's pissing me off" They laughed for a moment, before Alex spoke.
"You don't have to be a sister for that, we'll listen. God knows Liv occasionally does stupid things that get to me" Maura nodded.
"I love Jane, but there are times she does something foolish that puts her at risk, I get so angry when she does" It was my turn to laugh, as Alex spoke.
"Then we're agreed that we're there to listen when we need a sympathetic ear. I nodded.
"Absolutely" Maura looked at me and nodded as well.
"Of course" We shared a smile, before we sat back and gazed into the darkness, someone started the seat gently swinging; a gentle movement that was soothing.
"Alex, Jane and Maura may be here in LA, rather than Boston, but it's only a five to six hour flight time rather than a three to four hour drive. Just because they're further away doesn't mean you can't see them or they can't see you" She nodded.
"I know, it just feels further away. Stupid I know" I shrugged.
"You make time for what's important" Maura turned to look at Alex.
"Alex, do you remember the afternoon we decided to pursue Jane and Olivia?" Alex nodded.
"Of course"
"Do you recall what you said to me when I was unsure we would be able to arrange a private table at that restaurant for that evening?" Alex's eyes narrowed, she was obviously trying to remember. Finally she shook her head.
"No, not exactly"
"You told me that I was an Isles, you were a Cabot and would we really let anything stand between us and what we really, really wanted" Alex slowly nodded.
"I remember now" Maura smiled.
"This is no different, we really want to remain close to you and I know you wish to as well, therefore I refuse to allow some additional distance to keep us apart" Alex looked back at Maura and nodded decisively.
"So do I, we may be further apart but that's no reason not to continue to see each other as often as we can" I smiled, it felt like real progress.
"Besides, it means we get to see you too, plus you get to play tourist in one of the country's biggest tourist cities. From what you said over dinner LA's not really a place either of you have explored" Alex shook her head.
"No, I've been here once before for another conference a few years back, apart from that, no" I smiled.
"Then let the Rizzoli-Isles and Romanov-Dearing tourist agency guide you around the city, I'm sure we can show you the highlights and low dives of the city" Alex smiled happily for a moment.
"That'd be good, the low dives sound interesting too; tell me about this place we're going to tomorrow night?" Maura and I laughed, before Maura started.
"Blush is a women's only nightclub, we have been there several times since we arrived, we enjoy dancing there" I grinned.
"Not to mention it has some interesting memories, it's where we took two of our friends for their first night together" Alex looked from me to Maura and back again.
"Is this the Brenda and Sharon I've heard so much about?" We both laughed before I nodded.
"The same, we were too busy having fun dancing and watching them dance around each other that I forgot to take any photo's, which reminds me, I have to get some shots tomorrow night. It's the club's Little Black Dress night so it should be fun" Alex smiled.
"Maura was very insistent that we pack the same little black dresses we wore that night that we all went out to dinner for the first time" I laughed happily.
"I've heard a lot about that night, I'm looking forward to a repeat performance" Maura and Alex looked at each other and smiled, obviously remembering that night. Finally Maura spoke.
"Blush really is a lot of fun, nice without being too intense" I grinned.
"Nothing like The Intersection, has Maura told you about that one?" Alex nodded.
"I saw the photos"
"We'll take you there the next time you're out; it gives us another opportunity to dress up and party hard" At my words Alex burst out laughing, finally she subsided enough to speak.
"Does that include the after party? Maura told us about your little wager" I felt my cheeks tingle at the memory of that night, making Alex laugh all over again. Maura just lifted an eyebrow at her.
"Of course it does, that is if you're up for it?" Alex's chuckle was warm and easy as she looked from Alex to me and back again before finally nodding.
"I'm in if you're both in" Maura looked to me and I smiled.
"We're in" Maura nodded.
"Then it is agreed" Alex nodded and held out her hand to Maura.
"May the best woman win" They shook on it, before she turned to me and held her hand out. I shook it and smiled.
"Oh we will" That got me a grin and a poke in the ribs, as the last of the tension we'd been carrying dissipated, leaving things a lot more relaxed. We chatted about all sorts of things until we finished our wine, it must have been more than an hour. Finally Maura held up her empty glass and smiled.
"Perhaps we should look in on the others, see what they are up to?" I nodded.
"Yeah, though I'm sure they're wrapped up in the game" Alex smiled and levered herself up off the seat.
"Maybe, but I'm sure we can convince them to watch it on cable later, if we offer them something more interesting to do" I smiled as I stood.
"I like where you're going with this Alex" Maura frowned.
"If the game is a good one, they may take some convincing" Alex just laughed and led us back through the apartment.
"I'm a lawyer, that's what I do" We wandered in to find it was half time.
"How's the game" Jane and Ana both frowned at Alex's question before Liv shrugged.
"Close, the Patriots are ahead" I grinned.
"Then in that case, you won't mind if I help take your mind off it will you Tsarina?" Ana looked up at me as I saw Alex slide onto the lounge and into Liv's lap; kissing her soundly.
"What do you mean" I grinned as I unceremoniously knelt on the lounge, throwing the other knee over her leg and settling in her lap, linking my arms around her neck and leaning in for a kiss.
"You're a smart girl, I'm sure you'll work it out" I felt the smile she was trying to hold in turn up the corners of her mouth under our kiss, as Maura sat down next to Jane and leaned in for a kiss as well. Jane pulled away for a moment, peering suspiciously at Maura.
"What's this?" Maura just smiled, before snuggling in close and kissing Jane, as Alex laughed, looking over from where she was snuggled into Liv's arms.
"Half time entertainment"