A/N: Hi there. First off, I don't own Graceland and have nothing to do with it, obviously. So I know this is quite short but its really just an introduction, I actually have an idea in mind for a little bit of a series which I'm really nervous about ('cause I have never ever done that before) but I really want to give it a go. Yeah, so the rating is more in reference to later chapters if I work up the nerve to give it a try :L The title is also more about the overall idea, the cost of leading a double life and the sacrifices they have to make to succeed. But I SUCK at titles so sorry it's lame. Anyway, I'll shut up now. Enjoy. X

Chapter 1

Mike and Charlie walked hand in hand along the beach. Charlie rested her head on Mike's shoulder as he buried a kiss in her hair. He had his teal shirt unbuttoned, exposing a grey vest and Charlie had his jacket draped over her shoulders. It was about five in the morning and the sun was just rising. Charlie still felt shivery so she took Mike's hand and moved to wrap his arm around her. She nestled herself closer into his body, enjoying the new found warmth. She leaned up and lightly pressed a kiss under Mike's jaw.

They lived for these moments, when they didn't have to hide who they were and how they felt about one another. As if their job didn't require enough deception, now they also had to lie once they got home. For a while Graceland had been a haven, a sanctuary where nothing had to be kept hidden, all pretences were left outside. But now, for the sake of their relationship, they had to conceal it. They both knew emotional attachments were a terrible idea in this line of work and they knew that their house-mates would never approve but it was so hard to care when they made each other so happy. Once or twice they'd even tried to break up only to get into a stupid fight and end up having great make-up sex.

These morning walks were fairly regular. Charlie would be out at a bar somewhere, hunting a new CI or something. Mike would sneak away to meet her on the way home and they would share an hour just walking, laughing and joking or sometimes just enjoying the easy silence. Actually inventing reasons to be alone together wasn't that hard. Charlie would say she needed Mike to follow her to shady bars for protection and then they would go for dinner or catch a movie instead. The trouble was they were just so busy with real cases, there was hardly ever time to squeeze in fake ones. But they still shared some stolen moments alone. A quick kiss on the beach while the others sat around the fire, holding hands under the dinner table, their morning "work-outs."

They walked along the beach for a while longer just watching the sun rise and drifting in and out of conversation.

"So what do you have going on today?" Mike asked, squeezing Charlie's shoulder, pulling her even closer.

"Ugh, I gotta go collect evidence from that den downtown and then I have to try and track down a witness who checked himself out of rehab."

"And is there time to squeeze a lunch in between?"

"Mike, I'm going to be disguised as a junkie, you're not gonna want to be anywhere near me."

"Aww, that's not true," Mike joked, wrapping both arms around Charlie and kissing her all over her face.

"Ew, get off! God, you're such a slobbery puppy," Charlie winced as he pushed him away, "You know, I'm still not sure if I even like you before noon."

"You sure liked me yesterday morning." Mike gave a sleazy wink and raised his eyebrows suggestively. Charlie stopped walking to stare him down.

"Don't ever do that again," she added flatly. Mike's expression turned pouting at her reprimand. Charlie grinned, "Not so cocky, huh?" Charlie lightly punched Mike's shoulder and started walking again. He paused for a moment before running to catch up. He caught her by the hand and the laughed carelessly as he pulled her in for a kiss.

They continued along the shore and Mike groaned as their house came into view, disappointed their walk was coming to an end.

"Cheer up, babe," Charlie said softly, caressing Mike's cheek, "You guys did great the other day with the Russians, Briggs should go easy on you today, right?" Mike huffed.

"Oh Briggs wont be coming anywhere near me today. He graciously left all the paperwork to me, gentleman that he is." Charlie threw her head back laughing but sympathetically kissed him on the cheek.

"Come on, it cant be that bad." Mike stopped to stare at Charlie defiantly.

"Three million dollars worth of coke, five crates of illegally imported AK47s and the shooting of two major league players," he recapped, "Charlie I've got a forest stacked on my desk."

"Imports? Isn't that Jakes' problem?" Mike continued to stare at her incredulously. (Fear knotted in his stomach as he recalled Jakes' threats when he'd heard about the bust. Jakes didn't have to twist Mike's arm too much before he conceded to handle the paperwork. Actually, one threat to "knock him into next week" was all it took.)

"How come he's never that mean to any of you?" Mike whimpered.

"Well," Charlie sighed, "It's probably because he knows Briggs and Johnny could take him, he thinks Paige is hot and, well... he actually likes me." she teased.

"Oh, thank you, that's really nice," Mike retorted with a sarcastic smile, "I mean, who wouldn't like you, you're just so kind and sympathetic."

"Shut up." Charlie retorted before forcing Mike to do just that by kissing him passionately, letting a hand rest on the nape of his neck as his arms enveloped her.

Mike and Charlie were so caught up in their embrace the whole world seemed to slip away. They didn't notice the sun finally settle high in the sky. They didn't notice Mike's canine friend come to sit obediently by his side, ready for their run and they didn't notice the camera, pointing out of the car window as it snapped several pictures of them before quickly driving away.

A/N: Ooooh, intrigue :P Yeah, short, as I said but I hope you guys like it so far (who doesn't like a lil' fluff, right?) and if you are enjoying it maybe I'll keep going. But my general idea is really vague so any suggestions or comments would be great. X