Disclaimer: I don't own Monk if I did Trudy would still be alive. This is 6 days after the birth of Kara-Lynne


There is sort of an unspoken rule about friendship. When it comes down to it you are always there for your friends. When your friends are going through a tough time you don't make it worse. Captain Leland Stottlemyer knew that. When it came down to his own happiness or the happiness of his friend he picked the happiness of his friend.

"You know," Monk told Stottlemyer, "I know I probably say this a lot of times but I hope you know how much I appreciate your friendship"

"Look," Stottlemyer said looking at much who was trying to make his pant legs even, "first of all they're even enough and in the 2nd place I know you appreciate my friendship. I know what you're talking about and Monk you don't have to thank me. You are my best friend and you're like my brother. The circumstances were such that I went with my instinct"

"I'm a lousy friend," Monk said, "if I was in that situation I don't know that I could have done what you did"

"Monk that doesn't make you a lousy friend," Stottlemyer told him, "it makes you human. How's Kara-Lynne doing?"
"She's great," Monk told him, "she's the perfect baby"

"Mr. Monk," Max said coming up to them, "could I hold Kara-Lynne please with pizza on top"

Monk smiled at the little boy.

"Well she's sleeping now," he said, "but as soon as she wakes up you can definitely hold her"

"Where's Trudy today," Stottlemyer asked

"Hey Max," Monk said, "why don't you go check on Kara-Lynne and see if she's still sleeping. But be really quiet okay?"

As soon as Max left Monk turned to Stottlemyer to answer his question.

"Trudy went to Karen's g r a v e today. She brought some pictures of the baby so that Karen could see them… metaphorically speaking of course"

"And um… how's everything going with... how is she doing"

"She's almost all healed up," Monk said, "of course she still has to take it easy and this that and the other thing but she's honestly recovering beautifully"

"And the 'situation' how's that going?"
"That is already resolved," Monk told him.

Max came in carrying Kara-Lynne

"Support her head Max," Stottlemyer told him with a smile

"She's so cute," Max said smiling back, "was I that cute daddy?
"You were cute to the moon and back," Stottlemyer told his son laughing.

"Daddy why did mommy go away?"

"She went away because the angels needed her," Stottlemyer explained the best that he could

"I miss her"

"I know Maxie," Stottlemyer said, "I miss her too but want to know a secret?"

"Yes-huh I like secrets"

"Part of mommy is right here in Kara-Lynne. Kara-Lynne is here because of mommy."

"Then I love Kara-Lynne more then ever," Max said kissing the top of her head.

Karen would he so proud," Stottlemyer thought to himself