One Night Changes Everything

Two months had passed since that day. Slowly Monk had reverted back to his ‘normal’ self. Both of them had slowly left the events of that one night……way behind. If anything…Monk had become…well- better. Monk had been able to touch Natalie without needing a wipe for quite some time …but after what happened…neither of them noticed how much he had been oblivious to her touch. Without either of them noticing they had bonded in a way that few ever could or ever would.

Natalie had pushed the feelings she had down and now was able to be around Monk without feeling uncomfortable. That still didn’t mean that every now and then she wouldn’t have to squash down the occasional absurd feeling…it was just that after all the time that had gone by, it really was as though it never happened. Yet when a absurd feeling would pop up…she would be reminded that it really did happen. Those days were usually very difficult for her, but she had to act as if nothing was wrong…knowing that Monk had made the ultimate decision for both of them.

But on her rare days off…when she and Julie would do something together…she would think about it. The ‘what if’s ’ ran through her brain all day long on those days. Julie had just assumed that she had been distracted because Mr. Monk had just had something happen to him or something of the sort…but the real reason was that Natalie hadn’t been truly able to leave that night behind.

Sometimes she felt this need…when something bad happens to him, to run her hand through his hair, to kiss his head, caress his back – and sometimes she would, but now…things were very different. Touching him now held a whole different meaning to her.

Standing outside of the crime scene with her denim jacket and coffee in one hand, she watched as Adrian Monk again made everyone marvel at the clue he had just found. She smiled a small smile and took a sip of her coffee. Her hair was in a pony tail and she had on one of her long flowing skirts, she was totally content in just watching him do his thing as she stood by in case he needed anything. Just watching him made her happy, seeing him do what he wanted to do made him happy, and she realized that her happiness stemmed from his.

Out of the corner of her eye she saw an officer staring at her. He was cute…brown hair, brown eyes, tanned…very cute. His buddies were talking to him, but…he wasn’t listening.

New guy! Probably doesn’t know who I am…

Bringing her coffee up again she took another sip, not expecting the man to actually walk up to her.

“Exuse me miss…”

Natalie looked up to find the officer in front of her with a tooth filled smile on his face.

“I’m with Mr. Monk.” Natalie said as she pointed to Monk with her coffee filled hand.

“Yeah I ah….I know…you’re Natalie.” He said nodding his head and then stopping to stare at her as he said her name.

Natalie was a little confused at that, and stared behind him to see the officers that had been talking to the man now standing in front of her – they were chuckling and looking away as she looked over at them.

“Listen…I think you’re very beautiful…and from what everyone tells me…you’re very smart.”

Natalie felt her self blush as she looked away from the man.

The guy smiled wider and extended his hand and softly took hers into his hand.

“My name’s John Night, and I was wondering if you would be as so kind as to go out with me.” He said smiling and staring right into Natalie’s eyes.

Natalie looked over at Monk, and back at John.

“I ah…I’m very flattered John, but…Mr. Monk and I are working right now…”

John’s face dropped and suddenly realized what he had just done. “Oh…oh I’m…I’m sorry……it was totally inappropriate to do this right now…”

Natalie actually smiled at the stumbling of John’s words. He was acting very cute.

“It’s just that……well…I’m new to this area…and you’re such a beautiful woman that I wanted to ask you out before I lost my chance.”

Natalie’s smile was still on her face, but her eyes again looked to find one Adrian Monk as he continued to survey the crime scene. Feeling a pull at her heart she looked back at John and smirked.

“I’m sorry…it’s just that…my boss needs me full time…and I really haven’t had a day off…” Natalie began.

John’s face morphed into one of thought and interrupted her.

“Are you saying – You’d go out with me…if Mr. Monk gave you the day off?”

Natalie opened her mouth wide about to say no, but John actually turned and headed over to Monk faster than she could react.

Natalie felt her heart stop as John walked up to Monk. Panic took over as Natalie watched in horror as John began to talk to Monk.

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“Mr. Monk!”

Monk turned around, away from the captain and towards the man who he assumed had called out his name.

“Yes?” He asked as he squinted as the sun came directly into his eyes.

“Sorry to disturb you sir, but I was wondering if Miss Teeger would be working for you on Friday night?” the officer asked.

Monk looked from the man in front of him to Natalie standing near the car. He couldn’t see the panic in her face from how far away he was.

“Why?” He asked as he looked back at the man.

“I wanted to know sir, if she would be able to have the day off?”

Monk was lost. Did Natalie do something?

“If she needed it off…sure (Monk said nodding his head as a small twitch came).”

The huge smile that split across the man’s face made Monk feel a tightening in the pit of his stomach.

“Thank you sir.” The officer said and began to turn, when Monk’s voice rang out causing John, Randy, and the captain to look at him.

“Wait!”

John turned back immediately.

“Did she do something wrong? I think you’re mistaken if you think she did…” Monk said trying to clarify that Natalie could in no way done………whatever this man thought she had done.

“Oh no sir…I just asked her if she would go on a date with me and she said that as long as you said she could have the day off that she would.” The man said with a nod at the end as he turned back around.

Monk watched the man walk back up to where Natalie stood in mild shock. One word echoing through his mind as he watched the man walk away from him…

“Date?!” Bringing his hand up he messaged his temple…suddenly feeling a migraine coming on.

Randy and the Captain exchanged looks, both thinking different thoughts with the same undertone...Monk…….was not happy.

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Natalie had cold sweats and could do absolutely nothing about John as he came back with a huge smile on his face.

“Done. So I’ll pick you up at 9 on Friday.” With that he walked away and to his buddies – still with a smile on his face – before Natalie could do or say anything.

What just happened??

Looking over and back to Monk, she could she him rubbing his temple – knowing what it meant she closed her eyes and brought up her only free hand and began rubbing her own temple.

Suddenly………she knew what Monk felt like when things went horribly wrong. And it sucked!