Stottlemeyer's thoughts during a conversation with Natalie in Mr Monk and the Daredevil.
Disclaimer – I own nothing.
A/N - The actual conversation is straight from the show, hence the italics. I was watching Monk and I got the idea in my head when I was watching him during the scene where he and Natalie are talking in Monk's living room. Written in Stottlemeyer's POV. I apologise if he's OOC.
"I've never actually seen him sleep before"
It had been a long night, and Natalie and I were watching Monk sleep. Well, Natalie was watching the sleeping man on the couch; I was more interested in the blonde on the chair. It wasn't a romantic interest I had in her. I wasn't blind, she was a beautiful woman, but I had the feeling her heart belonged to someone else, even if she didn't realise it herself.
"Sometimes I wonder what he dreams about"
Oh Natalie, don't we all.
"Cleaning supplies"
I cracked a joke. I had to lighten the mood. She could use a laugh, hell, we both could. I know I worry about him, I've worried about him for a long time. But Natalie seemed especially worried right now. I bit back a smile when I heard her laugh, it worked.
"Nah, I think he dreams about a perfect world with no surprises, no emotions. Everything is clean and neat and in groups of 10"
Sure sounds like she thought about what Monk dreams about a lot. I bit back another smile, maybe I was right.
"To anybody else, that would be a nightmare"
At this, I saw Monk smile. Oh, I knew he was awake alright. He'd been pretending to sleep for a whole, and it was partly why I had started this conversation with Natalie in the first place. He was awake, he was listening and he was amused. I'm glad he was amused; he'd 'given up' earlier today. That was why we were here, on suicide watch.
I wasn't the only one who had noticed, "Oh, he's smiling"
"I'm glad he's happy somewhere" I looked at Natalie.
"Probably talking to Trudy" I noticed Monk's smile fall off his face. He loves Trudy, yes. He loves her very much. I wish I could love someone as much as Monk loved Trudy. But watching the smile leave his face, I realised he probably hadn't been dreaming of Trudy quite as often anymore, just as I doubted Natalie had been dreaming of her late husband. I'm not sure about Monk, but Natalie was definitely suppressing some feelings for her boss. I always thought women were more in tune with their feelings, well, that's what Karen always said. Women were supposed to notice things men didn't. Yet, Natalie seemed to be so oblivious to her own feelings here. I looked down.
"Yep"
I smiled again. I couldn't help myself. I glanced at Natalie again; I was no psychiatrist, but perhaps she was repressed her own feelings as a way to be able to deal with them. Monk was definitely neurotic; she dealt with him every day. She also knew how devoted she he was to Trudy. Perhaps it was safer. I sighed and sat down.
"If you want, you can take off, you have a life. I can stick around"
"Julie's with my folks, I can stay"
Of course she would. I'd asked the question even though I knew she wouldn't leave. She'd never leave him. Not while he needs her. I wondered if Monk knew how lucky he was to have her. I suppose he did.
I knew I had to end the conversation, it wouldn't be long before Natalie realised Monk was feigning sleep, and had been for some time. Time to bring us all back to reality.
"I hope he enjoys it while he can, when he wakes up its back to reality. Have you seen this?" I held the paper up to her. "The whole city's gone gaga over Harold Krenshaw".