Rita Lance opened another case file, and sighed unconsciously. Of all the boring things she had to do in this job, sorting cold case files ranked as one of her least favorites. She took a sip of hot tea, and continued her task.

Chris Lorenzo heard his partner' s sigh, and looked across their desks. He too wished for a distraction from this onerous task. He got up and stood behind his partner, " Hey, Sammy," he whispered. "Cap' s goin to lunch with Frannie. What do you say we get out of here? Picnic at Ocean Park?

Rita looked up, momentarily confused, " A picnic? Chris, it' s raining," she protested mildly." Besides, what if he catches us? You know he wants this whole mess cleaned up by the end of the week," she indicated the foot-high stack of files on each of their desk

"Come on, he' ll never know," he leaned down and gave her his best puppy-dog look. " Mmm, you smell wonderful today."

"Thanks" she smiled indulgently." But it won' t work. He knows EVERYTHING," Rita hissed. " It' s spooky."

Captain Lipschitz was watching his two detectives from his office door, " Lorenzo, Lance, in my office NOW!"

" Told you so," Rita said under her breath, as she followed her partner into Cap' s office.

"Sit down", Harry gestured towards the chairs." You seem to be having a little trouble with concentrating on the task at hand. Now, I know this is not one of your favorite things. You' d much rather be looking at cold bodies or out busting the bad guys. But this is as much a part of being a Homicide detective as those other things. So, work with me, children. Do something to please your captain, who could make your lives so miserable if he tried," his tone was wheedling.

" Oh-oh," Chris looked at Rita.

"Watch out" Rita warned softly.

"What, WHAT? Did I say anything?" Cap' s voice rose

"Hey, we' re detectives. We know a snow job when we hear one, Cap" Chris smirked.

" What' s the favor?" Rita asked, smiling slightly.

" If you do this one little thing, I' ll give the cold case files to Ryan and St. John," Cap pleaded." The Feds are asking for a couple of detectives for an undercover," he continued.

" No way," Chris shook his head.

" Forget it" Rita agreed.

" Now, just hold it. Hear me out," Harry tried to hold their interest. "It's only for a week, in Vail, Colorado. It' s the height of the ski season. They' re trying to bust a drug ring, and need a husband-and-wife team to go in as buyers. You' ve done this before, you could do it with your eyes closed. It' s beautiful there, and so close to the holidays. Besides, I thought you' d both like the change of scenery," he could see them weaken.

Rita shot Chris a surprised look. Harry had scarcely mentioned their respective breakups with Eric and Jillian, but evidently he had been worried about them just the same.

Chris was defensive "I' m fine right where I am.'

Rita looked troubled, " Maybe we should think about it, Chris. Who requested us for this assignment, Cap?"

"Shelby Kellman," he answered." But she wants you two to work it together, all or nothing. So, if you decline, Chris, then just forget I said anything.

Rita' s defenses flew up at the mention of Shelby' s name. She was less than pleased that one of Chris' ex-lovers had requested them for this assignment. But she had been defensive a lot lately when it came to Chris, and it had little to do with Eric' s leaving.

And posing as a married couple was fraught with its own dangers, considering their past history. Reading cold case files was looking safer all the time.

Chris, on the other hand, looked more interested. He liked Shelby, even though their affair was long over, and he considered her a friend. And, he wouldn' t mind some time alone with Rita. Since Eric and Jillian had left, Chris was increasingly conscious of a deepening bond between him and Rita. Time away from Palm Beach, even if they were working, might be just the thing to evaluate those new feelings.

" Hang on a second," Chris said." Rita, maybe we should talk about this"

" I' ll just bet," Rita said smugly." After all, you' d be working with Shelby again"

" WE' D be working with Shelby" he reminded her.

" All RIGHT," she gave in with little grace." We' ll talk about it. When do you need an answer, Cap?"

Harry smiled, sure that he' d won, " Tell you what, take the rest of the day to talk it over. Shelby will be here tomorrow at 9AM. Be here then"

Chris and Rita sat still, shocked by the offer of a half-day off.

" You' re still sitting, WHY are you still sitting? Go, GO!" Lipschitz bellowed. " And send in Ryan and St. John!"

" We' re going, Jeez!" Rita and Chris said as they hastened out of the office.

Rita stopped by Cassy' s desk, and pointed towards Harry' s office, " "You and Tom are up next." Cassy rolled her eyes and gave Tom, her ex-husband and current partner, a dirty look, " God, Tom, what did you do now?'

" Nothing,' Tom insisted. " Why is it always me? Jeez, Cass!"He followed her into Cap' s office.

"Come on, Sam," Chris beckoned." Let' s go-I' m hungry."

Rita picked up her briefcase and purse, and made an impatient noise, " I' m coming!"

In the parking garage, they decided to meet at Luigi' s, their favorite Italian restaurant.

Once there, though, the detectives discovered that half the population of Palm Beach had the same idea. Chris proposed that they get their meals to go, and head back to his loft. Rita readily agreed, and 30 minutes later, they were spreading the meal out on Chris's cocktail table. Thunder rumbled outside, and rain beat against the windows. It was chilly, and Rita grabbed the blanket off the back of the couch.

" Cold?" Chris asked, as he put a CD in the stereo.

"Yes," she said shortly." And hungry."

" And cranky," he muttered, moving into the kitchen. On impulse, he grabbed two wineglasses, chose a bottle, and returned to the couch.

" Oh, no," Rita protested." I don' t want any."

" It will warm you up," Chris said, pouring the wine. "C' mon, Rita, we're not on duty."

" Okay," she acquiesced, taking one of the glasses.

They dug into their lunch, eating ravenously. The atmosphere was cozy, almost romantic. Rita felt herself relaxing, in spite of herself. She drew the blanket close around her, and leaned back against the couch cushions.

" Hey, don' t go to sleep on me," Chris teased.

" I' m not," she grinned." I' m just very relaxed. Feel like we' re playing hooky," she confessed.

" Cap did give us the day off, Sammy," Chris casually put an arm around her. "You know what? We should pop in an old movie."

" Maybe later," Rita said softly." The music is nice right now. Besides, we need to discuss the undercover."

I hate it when you' re right," he smiled into her green eyes. "So? Should we do it?"

"Do you have any other pressing plans for the next week or so?" she asked wryly.

" Guess not," he conceded. " Sam, are you gonna have a problem working with Shelby?"

" No, are YOU?" she countered. " I mean, now that Jillian is in Boston, you' ve been kinda at loose ends. Shelby might be very good for you," Rita' s tone was light, but her expression was curiously cool..

" Is that what you think? That I' d take this assignment to be around Shelby?" Chris asked. " Well, let me tell you something, little miss smarty pants. Shelby is married, and quite happily. She' s a friend, that' s all."

Rita was surprised, " Oh, I didn' t know that."

"So why don' t you want to do this? Still waiting for Eric to come back?" Chris could be just as nasty as Rita, given the chance.

Rita stared at him, angry and hurt," You JERK " she said furiously. " He is so out of my life. You know that."

" And Jillian is out of MY life!" he yelled back. He was sorry as soon as he saw the tears in her eyes. He reached out to hug her, but she moved away.

" Don' t touch me" she said shakily.

" What' s happening to us, Rita? We used to talk about everything, now all we do is argue," Chris sounded curiously dejected.

" Maybe losing Eric and Jillian is affecting us more than we thought" Rita regarded him soberly.

" You don' t really believe that, do you? We love each other, we' re best friends," he reached out and took her hand. " The most stable relationship we' ve ever had, remember?"

"Yeah, I remember," Rita played absently with his fingers."Maybe Harry is right" she conceded. " Maybe we DO need a change of scene. A skiing vacation in Vail would be fun, and we' ve played husband and wife before. Easy undercover."

Chris smiled," Yeah, remember the Wellmans?"

Rita looked up sharply.

Well, maybe that was a bad example," he stuttered.

" No, we had a blast" she said." Until we forgot we were just playing a part," her eyes darkened at the memory.

" Is that what you' re worried about?" Chris asked." Well, I promise to act like a perfect gentleman"

"Don' t get too carried away, here, Sam" Rita grinned wryly. "We ARE supposed to be married."

Chris laughed, " So are we okay?"

Rita smiled," I think we' re okay."

They spent the rest of the afternoon curled up on the couch, watching old movies and listening the rain pound on the windows. Partners and best friends, as always.

Next morning, Captain Lipschitz was most pleased that his favorite detective team accepted the assignment, and left them to discuss the particulars with Shelby. Chris and Rita were surprised to see that Shelby was pregnant. They both congratulated her.

" Thanks, my husband and I are thrilled about the baby, but it does sort of curtail my field work. That' s where you two come in. You' re so good at this, and these people definitely do not know you. These are your background bios and the cast of characters." She handed them two thick file folders.

Chris and Rita spent the rest of the morning perusing the contents of the files. They were to be Michael and Lisa Bennett, a wealthy young couple from Canada. Plenty of money and influence, and rumored to be dealing drugs on the side, as a diversion. The afternoon was taken up with choosing a wardrobe, and arranging a flight to Vail.

Rita slept little that night, keyed up about their adventure. She always was restless before any change, and this was no exception. She wondered what the next week would bring.

Chris, too, was anxious and spent the night tossing and turning. Finally, he gave up on sleep, and picked up the phone.

Rita groaned at the sound of the phone, having just gotten to sleep, "Christopher, I' m gonna kill you," she growled into the receiver.

" How did you know it was me?" he asked, laughing.

" You never sleep before an undercover," she sighed.

" Were you asleep?" he asked solicitously.

"Not anymore" she yawned" What time is it?"

Four-thirty," he answered.

It' s a good thing I love you, otherwise you' d be in big trouble," Rita said, her usual caution affected by her sleepy state.

I' m sorry I woke you," Chris was tickled that she told him she loved him. I' ll see you in a couple hours."

"Okay", she agreed, drowsy. " See ya!"

At noon, Chris and Rita were on a 747, winging towards Colorado. They were sitting in first class, dressed to the nines. Chris reached into his coat pocket, and pulled out a small jewelers box. " To make it official," he took her left hand, and slipped a dazzling wedding and engagement set on her finger.

" Wow," she breathed.

Well, you told me you like your diamonds really big,"teasingly, Chris lifted her hand to his lips.

Rita felt a shiver of excitement when he kissed her fingertips. To cover the feeling, she reached for the remaining ring in the box, and slipped it on his left hand, smiling. " NOW we' re officially husband and wife."

The stewardess didn' t hear their conversation, but knew a loving couple when she saw one. She poured two glasses of champagne, and offered it to the Bennetts.

Rita demurred, looking at Chris, " Should we?"

Sure!" he grinned." It IS our anniversary, sweetheart," he passed one glass to her, his blue eyes twinkling.

The stewardess, Maggie, gave them an envious glance, "How long have you two been married?

"Five wonderful years," Rita smiled tenderly at Chris.

" Seems just like yesterday," Chris said softly. " Time flies when you' re with the love of your life."

It was like Maggie wasn' t even there, and she took the hint, "Congratulations! I' ll let you two celebrate in peace.

Chris clinked his glass to Rita' s, " To love and marriage."

Rita smiled, "And to skiing holidays in Vail."

In New York, a meeting was taking place in a five-star hotel, but the motive was less than romantic.

"Well, what did you find out?" the tall brunette was impatient.

" They' re going to Vail to bust a drug ring," the man sitting across the table replied." I still don' t understand why you wanted to know this. I thought he dumped you."

The woman' s eyes were icy," SHE convinced him to stay, he still loves ME! Look, you said you wanted the money. Do you or don' t you?"

The man shifted uneasily in his chair, " After my last screw-up, no publisher will take a chance on me. Yes, damn it, I want the money. But, we have one very large problem-she dumped me, too. She never wants to see me again."

"I' ve thought of that", the woman was disdainful. " She is a sucker for a white knight, someone to save her when her life is in turmoil. You' re gonna be that someone."

"You re not listening to me" the man got up and shook her. He' s WITH her, HE' S posing as her husband. I' ll never get to her as long as he' s around. He' d do anything to protect his precious partner" the man finished bitterly.

"Well, that' s where I come in," she escaped his grasp. "You' re not the only one going to Vail. The happy couple will have a big surprise come tomorrow.

Now, I wonder who' s conspiring against our Chris and Rita? For the answer to these and other questions, stay tuned to Lisa' s site for Part 2 of Friends, Lovers, and Liars

Lorry