"Where are we going?" Ramona asked Michael as he tapped his fingers on her knee to a random beat in his head.

"You'll see," he said.

She huffed at him. "You said that a thousand times already. When are you gonna give me a straight answer?"

"When you stop asking," he replied simply. She scowled at him and he grinned and sat back in his seat.

When they got to their destination, Charlie opened the door for them. Michael jumped out and held his hand out for Ramona. She took his hand slowly and stepped out. Her eyes scanned the area and then widened.

"I never thought I'd be back here again," she whispered.

Michael cleared his throat behind her and she turned to see him holding a case for a large tent and a lantern over his shoulder. She bit her lip nervously and he chuckled.

"No worries, dear heart. I checked the forecast for Santa Monica for the next 48 hours. Crystal clear," he beamed. She still hesitated and he nudged her. "Come on, let's live a little. It'll be a good getaway before we have to be stuffed into that hospital room for a few days."

She sighed and slumped her shoulders. "There is no escaping that, is there?" Michael shook his head and took her hand.

"Let's set up camp. The beach is closed for the next few hours, just in case," he smiled.

She grinned back. "Just in case a few fans get in, I think I can handle them."

"Right," he chuckled.

Michael led her to the exact spot where her old tent used to lay, and together, they set up their tent. This one being quite a deal larger than her old one. It was a two bedroom.

"Why a two bedroom?" Ramona asked.

"I don't know. I just enjoyed the size of the entire tent. The master bedroom is enough for us," he winked.

Ramona glanced at Charlie sitting at his post near the SUV, unmoving. "Michael," she asked.

"Yes love?"

"Why don't we invite someone to share the guest room?" Michael looked at her and she pointed to Charlie. "He looks so stiff and on edge. Don't you think he could use a little bit of a vacation too?" she asked him. He raised a brow at her and she gave him the sad puppy dog eyes.

"Ugh," he groaned. "You and that adorable face," he cooed and kissed her lightly. "Hey Charlie, turn off the car and join us down here, buddy!"

Charlie hesitated but did as he was told and slowly made his way down to the beach. "Is there something I can do for you, sir? Miss?"

"Yes, Charlie. You can relax with us. We have an extra room in the tent. Kick back and enjoy some peace," Michael patted him on the back.

"Relax?" he asked dumbfounded.

"Yes," Ramona said as she pushed him down into a lounge chair and pulled his shoes off. She buried his feet in the sand and giggled when he wiggled his toes. "That's it. Relax, kick back and enjoy the beach. You deserve it."

"I'm not intruding…?"

"No way," Michael and Ramona spoke in unison.

"As long as you don't mind any questionable noises coming from our room in the middle of the night," Michael added.

"Michael!" Ramona blushed and elbowed him in the side.

He shrugged. "Just thought I'd warn him."

"It's alright, sir. I've got earplugs." Charlie spoke with such proper language, Michael and Ramona couldn't help but burst into a fit of giggles.

Later on as Charlie nestled down for the night, Michael had taken Ramona for a long walk on the beach. The water was warm and clear and the blue moon was high over the ocean. It was beautiful.

"I'm gonna miss all of this," Ramona whispered. She placed her hand over her scar as they walked and Michael took her hand in his.

"There will be more of this later, I promise you."

Ramona nodded and kept her eyes downcast. Michael found the spot where he had first seen Ramona and sat down, pulling her up between his legs. She lay her head back on his bare chest and breathed in deeply.

"This is the spot where I first saw you, did you know that?" he whispered into her ear.

She closed her eyes. "It's not the first time we saw each other."

"The first time I saw you without pain in your eyes, yes. You have come a long way, my love. And I am so proud of you."

Ramona moved away from him so she could face him. "What's there to be proud of? A girl who knows what is necessary to move on in life and yet her fear is running her life and making her doing things that are way out of control. Making her hurt people she loves so much," she paused and sniffed. "I don't wanna hurt you, Michael…" she choked on a sob and Michael pulled her into his chest. He pulled her fully into his lap and rocked her.

"You can't possibly hurt me unless you leave me, or tell me you don't love me anymore. I am so proud because of everything you've done so far. You've hit a wall, that's it. You just need to climb over it and move on. You care so much about other people and it is absolutely amazing for me to watch you shine the way you do."

"I'm not shining, Michael," she pouted like a child.

"You want to shine?" he asked as he stood to his feet. "Come on then. Let's go shine," he held out his hand to her and she hesitantly took it. They walked toward the water and slowly walked further into the ocean. Once the water came to their hips, Michael turned to her. "Dance with me," he whispered.

She took his hand and took the stance with him. She never tried dancing like this in water before. It was almost like it was in slow motion. Michael began to sing a little song called Blood on the Dance Floor. Ramona loved getting into this song. Her hips began to sway against his and her eyes were drooping. This is what he wanted to see. Ramona losing herself in dance.

They danced furiously through the water and slowly made their way to shore, but the dance continued up onto the dry beach. Sand was being kicked around and water flung from their clothing. Michael smiled as the beads of sweat rippled down both their bodies and yet neither wanted to stop.

They switched the song to In the Closet and the sexiness of Ramona came out. She was all over him and he was shaking with desire. They danced down the coast, rubbing each other in ways that would drive a normal person insane. The dance continued as Michael followed her into their bed, still dancing. She slid backward into the bed and swivled her hips around his. He arched his back over her and connected his hips with hers. Then became a new dance full of love making. Each making their own musical sounds of pleasure. By the time it was over, they were back outside on top of the boulder with a blanket wrapped around them.

"I love you," Ramona panted.

"I love you," Michael panted back. He kissed her softly and fell back. "See? I told you you could shine."

"Only because you make me that way," she shot at him.

"Every dancer has their inspiration," he winked. "Now morning is when we pack up and head to the hospital. And please don't get all…"

"I'm not."

"What?"

Ramona shrugged. "I said I'm not. I have gone far enough in this process to know running will obviously get me nowhere, and I don't wanna battle this stupid pain anymore. I know the surgery means risks, but…"

She got up on her knees and took Michael's hands in her own. "I know that as long as you're with me, I can face any obstacle and come out on top."

Michael smiled brightly and hugged her. "That's my girl."