I don't own Rizzoli & Isles, but I do enjoy playing with them.

I want to just make reservations and arrangements and lure her away but I worry about her reaction. We need a break, though, some time away from the frozen horror of Boston's winter. We need time to breathe, and just be each other again. At least a month. Possibly longer. I don't know that I can get her to agree, although a frank discussion with the department psychologist will probably get us both suspended for at least that long. That's probably not the best route, either. Part of the problem is that I want to go NOW, not in six weeks when Jane decides it's all right. So deception it is.

I make the arrangements quietly, relying on people who know how to keep secrets. Jane has no idea what is happening. She thinks we are going to a conference in Florida. I am able to keep my secret until we are settled in the villa. Everything is exactly as I requested.

"How long you been plannin' this?" Jane asks in a neutral tone.

"Not long."

"How long are we staying?"

"Two months."

I made her speechless. I am astonished that it is possible. "I'm going to put on my swimsuit," I tell her, and go back to the bedroom.

She follows me. "What the hell, Maura?"

"We need a break."

"Two months is forever."

"You need the first one just to relax. There is no cell phone or landline service here. There's no computer, and no television reception. There are many books, and there are outdoor exercises."

"I'm not exercisin'," Jane answers sullenly, still mad that I was able to do all of this without her having a clue until the private jet stayed airborne long after the three hours it took to reach Miami.

"Swimming, snorkeling, fishing, kayaking, et cetera," I respond while getting my bathing suit, and go into the bathroom.

"I don't believe you did this," Jane fumes.

"I didn't even have to lie," I call happily through the door.

"You didn't tell me anything."

"I didn't have to."

"Everybody's gonna talk."

"They all ready talk. About which specific set of rumors are you concerned?"

"The one where we're lovers."

I adjusted the almost-there bottom on my bikini, a concession to Jane's body issues, and open the door. "Why do you care?"

"Holy fucking shit, Maura!"

I see as much arousal as surprise on Jane's face. "I'm assuming that's a compliment. Meet me on the beach and we'll talk about it." I do my best not to smirk until I pass Jane. It is highly unlikely we will discuss anything that important today. I hear her bellow my name and giggle. Her bathing suit matches mine, except that it is black and mine is red. But she is wearing it when she stomps on the beach. Who knew that was possible to stomp in sand? I should know by now not to underestimate her.

"You look amazing," I tell her, "and there's no one here but us."

"It isn't comfortable," she whines, and shuffles her feet.

"Then take it off."

"What?"

"We're here to relax. Be comfortable."

"I hate when you do this." She drops onto the towel beside mine.

"Do what, exactly?"

"Take over my life like this. It's exactly why everybody thinks we're together."

"Are you really upset about my actions?"

"No," Jane sighed finally. "Just, anybody this whipped is at least getting laid," she muttered.

"That's your choice," I remind her.

"Damn it, Maura, did you have to go there?" She gets up and stomps toward the ocean.

I bite my lip so I don't laugh aloud, and watch her for a few moments before joining her in the surf.

"Go away," she sulks, and splashes water toward me.

I splash her back, and soon everything is forgotten while we play in the warm ocean.

-30-