One Night Changes Everything

Standing by her car she had waited until Monk finished examining the scene from there. Monk had somewhat calmed down and was able to decipher some of the inconsistencies of the crime scene. Every now and then he would glance over at her as his shoulder came up from a twitch. The second their eyes would meet she quickly looked away.

His eyes felt like he could see right through her clothes, realizing that he could probably remember every detail about her body from last night.

At the thought her cheeks turned a very bright red and she looked down on the ground as she held a hand to one cheek and the other supported her arm up.

Having felt the awkwardness earlier skyrocket, she had wanted to leave but knew it would be suspicious if she just left Monk by himself. So there she stood…waiting for the inevitable and praying that no one could tell that every time she looked at him…he mind flashed very unprofessional thoughts.

It wasn’t right that all of a sudden things had changed so drastically, that every time she looked at him……the instinct to touch hit her.

Deep down she knew exactly why, and truly wasn’t able to allow herself to admit it. Natalie knew that what she really felt had to be locked away……that the events of last night hadn’t changed anything for the better……only making more obstacles to overcome. Monk was a good person, no matter anything else people thought of him, he was a good person. Natalie knew he deserved to be respected, even if his wish was to terminate their relationship……she would respect his wish.

How many times has he risked his life to save me? How many people would do that for a friend?!

The thought made her realize that no matter what had happened between them, she would always consider him a friend. Adrian Monk had done more for her than any man ever had, without benefits of any kind.

A smirk formed on her lips.

Well……maybe for the benefit of having someone rearrange utensils with him!!

Looking up she glanced over to where he had been last and found him and the captain walking over to her.

Letting out a sigh she readied herself for what she had been dreading all night long.

Monk had tried the entire time not to look at Natalie, but failed miserably. Every time he figured out a clue, he would glance up, expecting her to be right next to him- making some remark. Finding no one beside him he had looked over to where she stood. Eyes meeting briefly before Natalie quickly looked away. He would look back at the crime scene trying to filter his thoughts. Yet every now and then instead of his mind analyzing the crime scene- it would analyze the events of last night.

I tried to pull away! I tried to stop it!! Why wouldn’t she let me stop it!!

For sure it was the ultimate question that kept repeating in his mind. Most people would believe that he would have been completely disgusted with the act…and for the most part they would be right. But most people forgot something that made Adrian Monk…Adrian Monk.

He was very much…a man! Having the same reactions as every other man, he couldn’t have stopped the reactions his body had had to Natalie. There was no WAY he could have stopped at one point. As disgusting as the act itself was…Monk had been a man that had gone without it since his wife’s death. Not that they consummated their relationship everyday of their marriage……but Trudy had been the only one ever. EVER!!

Most people thought he was nuts to think of his wife’s feelings so long after her death, but time didn’t stop the way HE felt about her. People didn’t get that.

But what happened last night had caused everything that Adrian Monk thought to be truth and how things really were………to be completely wrong.

Monk was never wrong. It confused him.

Again he glanced over and found her blue eyes staring back at him and once again quickly dart away.

Really she didn’t look anything like Trudy, both having a completely different temperament, and yet……he did like Natalie – as in her character and charm. Natalie had put up with more from him than anyone ever had.

Remembering how many times she had tried to leave him though left a bad taste in his mouth. In reality though, he really couldn’t blame her. Feeling, already, that people always left him made him feel like any minute she would decide to leave – just like everyone else.

This thought suddenly came to the front.

She wouldn’t leave me…right? I don’t think I could take her leaving again.

Monk didn’t realize how absurd his thoughts were. First he had thought that he could never see her again after what had happened…but now realized that he couldn’t live without her! He could barely live on his own. Natalie did everything for him. A few days without her and he was lost completely.

This thought made him start to panic again. The events of last night being overridden and pushed aside by his abandonment issues.

Thankfully the captain decided to wrap up everything as he received a call about another homicide that had taken place on the other side of town.

Monk had been staring at Natalie as she stared down at the ground with her arms crossed, and one hand on her face.

He was squinting as he looked at her- the sun was almost right behind her. Her blonde hair shined and her silhouette was outlined in beautiful shades of yellow, orange, and red. It almost looked like she was glowing. A small smile came to his face but an instant later disappeared.

I shouldn’t be looking at her like that…

“Monk I have to get to this other crime scene. I have to go.” The captain said.

Before Monk turned back around the captain was already in his black car and was starting up the car.

Panic! Panic!!

“Wa..Wait……no CAPTAIN!!”

Monk realized way to late that if the captain left……he would have to ride home……with…

He looked over to Natalie and met her eyes, but this time……she didn’t look away. Both swallowed and Monk tilted his neck as the tension in him soared once more.

Slowly he made his way over to Natalie, and stopped right in front of her. Both staring into the other’s eyes…fearing what would happen……and fearing what wouldn’t happen.