History Main / SecretRelationship

* [[TheMentalist Rigsby and Van Pelt]], since coworkers are not allowed to date.

* As of Season 3 of ''{{Castle}}'' Esposito and Lanie have begun a relationship that they're trying to keep secret due to working together. This is failing epically, as Esposito's partner, Ryan, Castle, and Beckett have clued in.

* Jimmy Palmer and Michelle Lee on ''{{NCIS}}'', though it later turned out to be an OpenSecret amongst Team Gibbs.

This can also be played for drama. Two people might be good friends, while aware that their parents, or the outside world, wouldn't approve of their friendship. In an attempt to prevent that from being discovered, the friends do everything they can to hide it, but sooner or later, hell will break loose. ''RomeoAndJuliet'' may be the most well-known variation of this.

* In the ''[[TortallUniverse Song of the Lioness]]'' quartet, Alanna and Jon start a relationship in the second novel. However, seeing as she's [[SweetPollyOliver disguised as a boy in order to become a knight,]] and he's the heir to the throne, they keep this under wraps.

* Jaime and Cersei Lannister from ''ASongOfIceAndFire''. This is problematic because they share a last name [[YourCheatingHeart not due to marriage]], but due to [[{{Twincest}} blood relation]].

* King Stephen and Queen Anne in ''TheDeathGateCycle''. Theirs was a politically ArrangedMarriage and they hated each other at first; after that changed, they kept up the facade for use in court intrigues. (And [[SlapSlapKiss as a useful excuse for shouting matches]].)

* Curly and Laurey in ''{{Oklahoma}}''. Inevitably, their duet "People Will Say We're In Love" is reprised as "Let People Say We're In Love."

* Winsbury and Janet in ''Webcomic/GunnerkriggCourt'', [[spoiler:at least, until TheReveal is made in Chapter 34]]. In-comic, it's not clear exactly why its a secret; perhaps the fact that Janet is the Headmaster's daughter has something to do with it. Out-of-comic, it's a reference to the folk song "Willie O'Winsbury" (ChildBallad #100). The Willie and Janet from the song keep it a secret because Janet's dad is the King. WordOfGod stated that the couple is hiding the fact that they're also "romantic dorks" [[spoiler:which they ''also'' reveal in the strips immediately following the initial reveal]].

Two characters suddenly wind up in a relationship together, and decide for some reason to keep it a secret from everyone. The reason can be perfectly solid, e.g. one of them is the other's boss, but just as often it can be an ill-defined "I'm not ready for them to know" excuse. They remain awkwardly but successfully concealed for several episodes, speaking in {{Unusual Euphemism}}s, constantly leaving to TalkAboutThatThing and generating many a FawltyTowersPlot -- basically put, behaving in such a manner that requires all other characters to juggle the IdiotBall like crazy.

** The fallout is still ongoing, but it doesn't appear it will have a long-term effect on his career (outside a three-week suspension for the fight with Jata). In fact, [[http://www.housepetscomic.com/2013/11/22/blue-lines-and-red-tape/ his superior, Sergeant Ralph, appeared relieved by the revelation]], and was only disappointed that he wasn't warned beforehand about what Fido was about to do.

--->'''Sergeant Ralph:'''I've had my eye on you for a while. Your suspicious behavior ''worried'' me. I thought you were participating in something underhanded--or worse, ''illegal''. Who you decide to snuggle with after hours is none of the department's business nor concern.

--->'''Sergeant Ralph:''' Who you decide to snuggle with after hours is none of the department's business nor concern.

* Bruno and Corrie in KevinAndKell; in the early years, Corrie rode on Bruno's back disguised as a sheepskin.

* David Hassid and Annie Christopher have this kind of relationship in the Literature/LeftBehind series while they're both working for Nicolae Carpathia in New Babylon, with the additional secret being that they're also Christian believers.

* David Hassid and Annie Christopher have this kind of relationship in the Literature/LeftBehind series, with the additional secret being that they're also Christian believers.

** The People's Republic of Haven assigned [[PoliticalOfficer political watchdogs]] to scrutinize the captains and admirals of every starship. In one instance, though, the watchdog and the admiral wind up in bed and in love with each other. "Conflict of interest" doesn't ''begin'' to describe it. As in, if they'd been discovered, the ''kindest'' thing that would have happened to both would have been summary execution. The watchdog and admiral in question are [[spoiler:Eloise Pritchart]] and [[spoiler:Javier Giscard]], future [[spoiler:President and Fleet Admiral of the ''Republic'' of Haven]], and theirs is one of the most touching love stories in the whole series.

** The People's Republic of Haven assigned [[PoliticalOfficer political watchdogs]] to scrutinize the captains and admirals of every starship. In one instance, though, the watchdog and the admiral wind up in bed and in love with each other. "Conflict of interest" doesn't ''begin'' to describe it. As in, if they'd been discovered, the ''kindest'' thing that would have happened to both would have been summary execution. The watchdog and admiral in question are [[spoiler:Eloise Pritchart]] and [[spoiler:Javier Giscard]], future [[spoiler:President and Fleet Admiral of the ''Republic'' of Haven]].

** The People's Republic of Haven assigned [[PoliticalOfficer political watchdogs]] to scrutinize the captains and admirals of every starship. In one instance, though, the watchdog and the admiral wind up in bed and in love with each other. "Conflict of interest" doesn't begin to describe it. As in, if they'd been discovered, the ''kindest'' thing that would have happened to both would have been summary execution.
** In addition, [[spoiler: Honor and Hamish Alexander have a secret relationship for a while due to a number of circumstances, namely a) he's already married (though his wife, who's almost completely paralyzed, approves of and even encourages their relationship), b) Hamish is Honor's superior officer and, like virtually all militaries, fraternization between Manticoran officers in the same chain of command is forbidden, and c) Honor's adopted planet, Grayson, is very religious and does not approve of out-of-wedlock sexual relations (they're not on Grayson, but Honor's high status in Grayson society could have been damaged if it were known). The issue is eventually resolved when Honor marries Hamish and his first wife in a polygamous marriage (not that unusual in the Honorverse), taking care of the first and last issues, and by that point Hamish is the civilian head of the military, so the second issue is no longer a problem.]]

'''Chief''': ''(walking past with a piece of cake.)'' [[EverybodyKnewAlready Yes they do.]]

* Possibly due to ValuesDissonance [[hottip:*:Although it's unclear what Konoha and the Hyuga clan think of relationships between first cousins]], one [[KissingCousins Neji/Hinata]] fanfic in {{Naruto}} portrayed their relationship as this, even when Hinata had Neji's child.

** The People's Republic of Haven assigned [[PoliticalOfficer political watchdogs]] to scrutinize the captains and admirals of every starship. In one instance, though, the watchdog and the admiral end up getting into bed with each other. "Conflict of interest" doesn't begin to describe it.

* This happens four times in ''Series/BuffyTheVampireSlayer''.

** Xander and Willow briefly had a fling in the third season (when they were dating Cordelia and Oz, respectively) but it was wrapped up after a few episodes.

* In ''Series/{{Scrubs}}'', Dr.Cox and Kelso have entered into a secret friendship, which has tones of this. Kelso even describes it as "all the thrill of an affair, but without all that exhausting sex." When J.D. finds out, he's furious.

* The "Sherlock" and "HarryPotter" crossover fanfic The Magic of Deduction has John and Sherlock fake breaking up to protect John from Moriarty. Slightly different as the two hardly had any contact with each other over the period of time in which they were "broken up"

* In ''MassEffect3'', [[TagalongReporter Diana]] [[HotScoop Allers]]' romance is this, as she says her career would be jeopardized if her relationship with a source came to light.

[[folder:Web Originals]]

'''Chief''': ''(walking past with a piece of cake.)'' [[TheNotSecret Yes they do.]]

Eventually they will be found out. This is not a variable -- the SecretRelationship is made to be discovered. The only variation is when, how, and whether everyone finds out at once or just one or two people find out at first and have to help keep the secret until everyone else finds out. A common humorous scenario is that [[TheNotSecret everyone knows, but don't care; or think it's funny watching them scramble to hide.]]

* [[ViolentlyProtectiveGirlfriend Reina]] of ''YandereKanojo'' would very much like to keep her relationship with [[TheStoic Manabu]] under wraps, to protect her status as a {{delinquent}}. Manabu himself doesn't really mind one way or the other, but it quickly becomes clear that [[TheNotSecret pretty much everyone knows about it, anyway.]]

** And earlier in the series, J.D. and Elliot ''think'' their relationship is this. [[TheNotSecret It isn't.]]

** Roger falls in love with Cynthia and proposes, but he has to leave England for two years, so he doesn!t want her to consider it binding. She also insists that nobody knows about it. Her family knows, and Mr Gibson feels obliged to tell his father because it's honourable thing to do.

''Spoilers ahoy, readers, so beware.''

-->--''Film/GetSmart 2008'' Film

* Meiko and Shinichi aka Nachan in ''MarmaladeBoy'', because [[TeacherStudentRomance he's her teacher]]. While Yuu finds out early on, the rest of the cast doesn't until they're caught and it becomes a scandal.

* Also the premise of ''Anime/PleaseTeacher'', where Mizuho and Kei are married even though [[TeacherStudentRomance she's his teacher]]. She's also [[HumanAliens an alien]], but that's treated as a much less dangerous secret.

* In JaneAusten's ''Literature/{{Emma}}'', [[spoiler: Frank Churchill and Jane Fairfax]] are into a secret ''engagement'' which they hide extremely well.

* Monica and Chandler milked this for almost an entire season of ''{{Friends}}''. And the other characters found out one... by... one.
** Later, beautifully subverted in a plot where Ross is dating one of his students. They agree to keep it secret, as it's not something Ross would get fired over, but it is "frowned upon." Later, sick of keeping it secret, Ross announces the relationship to his fellow professors, who inform him he will be fired if the administration finds out (it was not just "frowned upon"). Thus, they go back into SecretRelationship mode.

* Subverted in ''Series/BattlestarGalacticaReimagined'' by President Laura Roslin and Admiral Bill Adama. Their close friendship (which has turned into a romantic and sexual relationship) is not really hidden at all, despite the conflict of interest that comes from the fact that they are the heads of the two branches of government in the Fleet (civilian and military). As of the back half of season four, they are living together and fairly affectionate in front of others.
** This happens a lot in ''Series/{{Battlestar Galactica|Reimagined}}''. Examples include:
*** Tyrol and Boomer, probably the first example in the series. He's a chief and she's an officer. Fraternization is frowned upon, so they have to keep their relationship a secret.
*** Billy and Dualla have some kind of a relationship that's not exactly public.
*** Dualla and Apollo have a somewhat secret relationship before they're married.
*** Apollo and Starbuck have a secret relationship after Apollo is married to Dualla and Starbuck is married to Anders.
*** Cally has an affair with [[spoiler: [=HotDog=]]]. We only find out after [[spoiler: we find out that Tyrol is a Cylon and he's not the father of the baby he thought was his]].
*** Baltar's relationship with Number Six prior to New Caprica is a secret.
*** The secret lesbian relationship involving Admiral Cain.
**** Hardly secret. Cain kisses Gina in front of her officers.
*** The relationship between Kat and her former drug dealer.
* In ''{{Scrubs}}'', Dr.Cox and Kelso have entered into a secret friendship, which has tones of this. Kelso even describes it as "all the thrill of an affair, but without all that exhausting sex." When J.D. finds out, he's furious.