One Night Changes Everything

Monk quite didn’t know what to say to Julie so he just turned and continued to reorganize the cans.

“I don’t think your mother...”

“Ohh come on Mr. Monk!!” Julie quickly exclaimed.

Again Monk turned to look at her.

“If she see’s us…” he began again.

“She won’t!!” Julie quickly cut him off.

“We don’t know where she went…”

“La Via Italian restaurant. I know where it is!!” Julie insisted.

Monk just stared at the teenager before him, wondering for a few seconds when she had become so much like her mother.

It was inevitable……he caved!

A few more seconds of those blue eyes on him and one shoulder twitch later Monk began to nod his head.

“Ok…”

Even as he nodded his head he didn’t understand why he wanted to see what was going on with Natalie’s date……as much as he did.

It’s not that he didn’t believe that Natalie could take care of herself………it was something else…….something else entirely………and for the first time in a long time…….he had no clue what it was.

Julie’s smile exploded onto her face and before Monk could react Julie was jumping out of her chair and hugging him desperately.

“Thanks Mr. Monk!! You have no clue how badly I wanted to drive over there and see what’s happening.”

At the words Monk was startled.

“Wait! Wait! Are you saying that you want to drive down there?!” Monk asked. The thought hadn’t popped into his mind.

Julie nodded her head.

“As in you driving and me in the passenger seat….” Monk said motioning with his hands in a circle with a little grimace.

Julie nodded her head not looking at Monk, but digging into her pockets for her car keys.

Monk had been shrinking back at the thought of Julie driving him anywhere when the next question she asked quickly had him changing his mind.

Julie grimaced and looked up. “You don’t think she’s already kissed him……do you?”

Monk looked into Julie’s grimacing face for five seconds before quickly saying “I’ll be in the car.”

Monk began going towards the garage and Julie was on his heels quickly. Soon both were heading towards La Via restaurant.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________


It was odd to her. This feeling she had when she looked into John’s eyes. Whenever he would say something sweet to her and look into her eyes……she could have sworn that it was Monk looking at her with that look in his eyes.

They were currently in the little Italian restaurant and had just ordered from the very handsome waiter that had told them the specials of the night. The whole time she had been on this date she had thought about Monk, yet she was able to maintain conversations with John as if she was solely focused on him.

It wasn’t that John had been anything less than the perfect gentlemen……it was just……this wasn’t place and person she wanted to be at…or with. Admitting to herself that John was what she had been looking for in a man not three months ago seemed somehow incredibly ironic. Now…now she didn’t know what she wanted.

“And I told the guy that he was just out of luck!!” John said laughing.

Natalie of course laughed along with him, not really having followed the whole story. In all honesty she was bored, but shockingly what he said next peeked her interest highly.

“So ahh……you’ve been Adrian Monk’s assistant for a couple of years huh?” John asked with a laughing smile.

Natalie’s head jerked up and she shook her head slightly. “Sorry just……that came out of nowhere.”

“Yeah well…I can see it in your eyes that I’m starting to bore you.(lifting his hand up and dropping it) I figured if we started talking about something that might interest you I won’t ruin this date!” John said with a very kind smile.

Natalie shook her head mumbling “I’m sorry.” Letting out a sigh she closed her eyes and then opened them to find John waiting patiently for her to speak.

“I’m just worrying how Julie is handling him ‘babysitting’ her.”

John laughed with a huge smile on his face. “Isn’t Julie about to turn seventeen?”

“Ah! Don’t remind me!” Natalie said with an actual smile coming out.

“She really doesn’t need a babysitter at that age. I figure Mr. Monk is being baby-sitted by her instead.” John said with a smirk.

Natalie actually took offense from the statement, but reality was - it was probably true. Not that he needed babysitting…but Monk tended to drive people insane with his OCD.

Still she didn’t show that she was offended and just responded with a “Monk can take care of himself.”

What he said next felt like a slap in the face for Natalie.

“Everyone in the precinct says that Monk’s never been the same without his wife. (Huffing) Man…could you imagine losing the love of your life like that?! Murdered and not even the best detective in the force – who happens to be her husband – can solve the murder!” John said with wide eyes as he leaned back in his chair.

Natalie had to actually calm herself before opening her mouth, truly fearing that if she didn’t, she would either yell so loud and get herself thrown out of the restaurant or she would slug John right there and then.

“Mr. Monk is the only one who has been able to find any clues on Trudy’s case. He's closer than anyone has ever gotten. I mean…how would you feel if you were working on your own wife’s murder case?!” Natalie said the last question hotly.

John held up both hands. “Whoa…I’m sorry! I didn’t mean it like that!” John apologized quickly.

Natalie was giving him her patented ticked off stare.

John shrugged his shoulder and spoke softly. "All I meant was...(sighing out) could you imagine losing the love of your life...knowing that she was the only woman that you would ever love or ever want to love?! I mean...everyone at the station tells me that he's still in love with her...and recently thought had was in love again but something happened. Everyone tells me that even when...his love for Trudy is still strong. I don't think he could ever love anyone else...that's...that's all I meant!!"

Natalie felt herself crumble at the question. John was right...Monk...Monk still loved Trudy like she was still alive today. Even though she understood how he felt...she had had to move on. For her sake...for her daughter's sake. Monk couldn't move on...he was tuck in one gear...and he didn't have the ability to shift gears.

"Are you ok? I really didn't mean to upset you?" John said with concern in his tone.

"Yeah (waving her hand)...I'm...I'm ok. just...just realizing what you said is very true." See looked away as she touched the back of her hair and then as soon as she pulled herself together back into John's eyes.

"I'm sorry...I know he's your friend and boss...I didn't mean to make you upset." John said with kindness in his eyes as he leaned over the table and reached for her hand on the table, softly caressing it.

Natalie looked down at their hands together, realizing for the first time that she had been deluding herself for thinking that Adrian Monk would ever change.

Glancing up she looked into John's eyes and realized that she could actually have a relationship with John. John had shocked her in being a caring man...he didn't seem to have any malice in him - like she had suspected.

She didn't see Mitch when she looked at him...but she didn't see Mitch when she had been with Monk either.

But Natalie didn't have time to wonder long on anything as John leaned over slightly and kissed her.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________


Julie and Monk had been sitting in the car across the street from La Via, watching from the car the events taking place in the restaurant. A clear view of John and Natalie sitting at their table since their table was close to the large window.

Julie had been watching for a while as Monk continued to clean her car with his wipes. Julie had rolled her eyes at his criticism of her driving and car. Several times during the drive there he had yelled out to 'watch out for that car', or 'how fast are we going', 'are you sure the brakes are fine'. In the end she had ignored most of what he said, and had gotten their in one piece. She now understood why her mother always drove him and not let her drive him someplace.

Julie was actually grateful to her mother at that moment.

Monk continued to clean her car, wiping meticulously at the dash in pure concentration. But with Julie's gasp, he immediately stopped.

"Oh my God!!" Julie said as she stared at her mother kissing John.

Monk looked up and stared. He watched as Natalie's eyes closed and the way she tilted her head into the kiss. Monk felt something in him twist and burn. Seeing her kiss John made something in him switch on...he felt...anger. He didn't acknowledge why he actually felt angry...but he knew he couldn't sit their and watch anymore.

Turning and staring ahead he blinked several times and said "I think it's time to leave..."

"But Mr. Monk..." Julie began.

"JULIE!...(he turned and stared into her eyes) It's time to go...(saying it calmly and slowly)" He hadn't meant to snap at her...the way she her eyes had opened wide as he yelled at her making her listen and slowly turn and start the car. Both driving back home confused and uncertain as to what the future held for them.