a/n Welcome to my new fiction series. I don't own any of the characters on Monk, but Andy Breckman does, so thank you Andy for such great characters. I'll try not to break 'em.

This is a departure for me. This fic will be a series of vignettes between two randomly picked Monk characters. My choices will be from: A. Monk, N. Teeger, L. Stottlemeyer, R. Disher, S. Fleming, J. Teeger, B. Howe, C.Kroger, and T. Monk. (As I get to know Monks new psychiatrist, I will add him to the mix, too.) All the names were put into a hat and drawn randomly. There are no 'do overs' in the drawings, as that would be too easy. My mission, and I have chosen to accept it, is to write an interaction between the two chosen characters. None of the other characters will be allowed to jump in and save the fic, so I'll be flying without a net. These will not be parody (as is my Mr Monk's Ship Hits the Fan series), but the stories may contain comedy, tragedy, horror, love, friendship or just a meeting. These are not meant to be shipper stories, although some may see them that way. And so, as a great man once said: "And away we go!"

The first two names chosen from 'the hat' were Captain Stottlemeyer and Natalie Teeger.

A Moment with Ms Teeger and Captain Stottlemeyer

by Ann Peek

No matter how many of these crime scenes she had been to, she still couldn't get used to seeing the body. It was a shell that once held life, with eyes open and not seeing. Sometimes the scene was hideous, but the bodies never looked any more dead. There was just nothing there anymore. Working with the homicide detectives she saw first hand how cruel people could be to one another. Sometimes they said it was for 'love', or money, or convenience. Some tried to justify what they did, some blamed other people, some just arrogantly deemed that it was their right to take the others life. But they all did it. No matter how remorseful or remorseless, each of them took a life.

She felt nauseated in the pit of her stomach. It had been awhile since the last time she felt this way, and she had half hoped - half feared that she had gotten used to it. This was a particularly bad scene. Either that or the stomach flu that had sent Lieutenant Disher home from work 3 days ago was effecting her. She wasn't sure which at the moment. She didn't really care. She just wanted this case to be done with so she could spend her time thinking about something other than death, and hoped that Mr. Monk's face would light up with that inspired grin.

Captain Stottlemeyer was directing the crime scene. Nothing came in or out without his full knowledge. It was an incredible responsibility. He had to consider both the family of the victim and the life and freedom of the accused in every part of the investigation. Natalie glanced at him as he went over some of the paperwork which was handed to him by a young officer. She noticed his face was getting redder and redder and his breathing heavier, as he tried to keep control over his temper. It didn't work. "What is this?" the Captain's voice boomed, causing everyone, except Monk, to turn to look at them.

The officer's face was as red as the Captains, but it was from embarrassment, not anger. "It's the M.E.'s preliminary findings on..." The young man started.

"Did I ask for the preliminary findings? "

"You asked for..." The young man tried again, but was cut off.

"Why does everyone have to second guess me?" The Captain blurted out. "Give me what I asked for, not what you think I want."

"Yes, sir." The young officer said, meekly, taking the paperwork back from Stottlemeyer, and slinking away. As the Sargent left, Stottlemeyer exhaled a long breath, and ran his palm down his face and turned away to calm himself.

Natalie walked over to him. "Captain, are you all right?"

"I'm fine." He answered as his face took on an expression expression not unlike a human mask.

Natalie knew he wasn't fine. She also knew it was about Karen. She didn't develop psychic powers or become a student of the intricacies of human behaviors. She had actually been something of a confidant to Captain Stottlemeyer through his divorce. As they spoke on the phone or over a cup of coffee at Starbucks, she got the impression that he was hoping that Karen would change her mind, and that they could work things out.

After the divorce, he stopped calling her and stopped talking about it to anyone. When he met Linda Fusco, everyone, especially Natalie had hoped that he would be able to start something wonderful with her, because they had compatible personalities and a lot in common. One thing too many, actually. Murder.

She noticed that the Captain had the same blank look on his face as when he got the divorece papers, and everytime he had dealings with the former Mrs Stottlemeyer or her lawyer. He couldn't bring himself to talk about it, though. He was in charge. He had to be in control on the job, in front of his boys, even in front of his friends.

"You know that if you need someone to talk to, you can call me." she said, taking the time to straighten the Captain's tie and brushed down his rumpled lapels.

As Natalie turned on her heel and walked away, Captain Stottlemeyer ran his hand over his straightened tie, and the beginnings of a smile quirked his lips as he watched Natalie. "Maybe I will."

The End.

So the first one is complete. How do you like it? Please review. I've made it so simple. You can even review (ahem) anonymously. (GASP!!)

If the interest is high enough, I will find a way to let people who submit reviews choose one of two characters or a topic they'd like to see covered in this series. For the time being, though, it's just me, my baseball cap and some scraps of paper with our favorite characters names on them.

So again, review. I get a kick out of it!