This story was written by Kawasakifan, from the USA Monk Board. In his own words: "I wrote this little story for fans like you and me to find some kind of comfort for I think we felt the final episode did an injustice to the lives of these two people who many fans believed were destined to be together."
So, if you are a shipper like KF and me, I'm sure you'll enjoy this one shot story splitted in two chapters. And don't be shy, leave your review after reading it!
Have fun!
US
CHAPTER I
Worm out from chasing around town with Monk till late at night a third time this week to find and arrest a serial killer of young women, Natalie walks slowly on the path toward her house. She sees a light shining inside, then unlocks the door and goes inside. The now familiar site of a white naval officer's coat brings a smile to her weary face. Aroused by the thought of a long night of loving companionship, she calls "I'm home" and enters the living room to find Lt. Albright asleep on the couch.
"Hi sleepy head,. Sorry I am so late."
"Hi. What time is it?
"It's after 9."
Albright stretches and yawning, says, "You know, Nat, this is the third time this week you have been out this late."
"Really? I've been too tired to keep track." Natalie sits down beside him and lays her head on his shoulder.
"You working such long hours would be tolerable if that mister of a boss of yours would, at least, pay you overtime. You've certainly earned it!"
Wanting to kiss her, he searches for her mouth, but not in the mood for romance right now she suddenly stands up.
"Please let's don't get into this again, Stevie. There is serial killer out there and another victim was found today. The whole department has been mobilized but so far we haven't a clue." She walks to the kitchen.
After a pause, Steven stands up and follows Natalie, speaking in a soft tone, "Well, I have good news. After tomorrow there won't be any more need to go around looking for a murderer late at night; no more arguing about no overtime pay nor the need to continue to fear for your life: we can get married tomorrow and fly to Japan."
Natalie stops. Slowly she turns back to him and with a shy smile on her face she asks, "Getting married and flying to Japan? Lieutenant Steven Albright, what on earth are you talking about?"
"Nat, let me backtrack." He reaches for her and takes hold of her waist, pulling her closer to him, "About a month ago a notice appeared on the barracks bulletin board that a billet was opening up at the Naval Hospital in Atsugi, Japan, for a three year period and I put in for it" Nat looks suspicioulsy at him, making him change his tone, "but not really expecting I'd get picked. I didn't tell you because I didn't want to get your hopes up, but orders arrived this morning for me and I will fly to Japan tomorrow afternoon."
"That's wonderful news. You've talked about wanting to transfer to Europe or Japan and now its come! How long will you be away?"
Albright lets go of Natalie's waist, steps back and tenderly cups her hands in his. Lowering his head, he says "Three years." He then only raises his eyes to her, keeping the head down, waiting for her reaction.
"What! You mean you'll be away for that long?" Natalie pulls her hands off his.
"No, sweetheart, what this means is that we can finally get married and you can come we with me! I spoke to the base commander and he said if we get married at the base chapel tomorrow he can make arrangements for us to fly together." Steven tries to touch Natalie's face, but again she avoids his touch.
"Us? You're making such an important decisions for us you say, without even consulting me? What about Julie? And what about my job? Mr. Monk. He needs me. If I go, what will he do?"
Stung by Natalie's seeming lack of enthusiasm, dejectedly he says, "I thought you were okay with Julie going away to college a four years but, Nat, what I have a hard time understanding is why you are so concerned about what will happen to Mr. Monk. Didn't you tell me that when you came back to work for him he told he wasn't the same man he was before, that he had changed?"
Natalie sighs deeply, and goes on "Yes, I did, but he still needs someone with him."
"Well doesn't he now have a daughter to help him?"
"Yes, he has, but Molly is too young, she has her own issues, her college life, and she doesn't understand Monk like I do."
Confused and worried by her unexpected reaction to the news, Albright steps back as if wanting to increase the distance between them, "Natalie, darling, what are you really saying? Is it simply that you don't want to go to Japan with me or you don't want marry me?"
Unable to reply because she really doesn't know the answer herself, Natalie looks down at the floor and repeats almost inaudibly, "Mr. Monk needs me here."
After quietly pausing for a moment, trying to comprehend what was happening, Steven says in a deep tone, "Nat, I thought that what we had was wonderful, but hearing you speak like this I really wonder if this have all been real."
He lets out a a long sigh which fills the silence, then walks up to Natalie, "I must go back to the barracks to finish packing. I love you and want to marry you. I will be at the chapel and even if you don't come, my love, I will board at 6 pm tomorrow."
Without a hug or kiss, he turns around, walks to the door and then, after putting on his jacket, he opens it and quietly leaves.
With tears forming in her eyes, overcomed by a great sense of sadness that something which seemed so promising, so wonderful at the beginning was ending this night, she stares at the receding figure of her lover as he walks away.
Natalie turns off the lights, walks to her bedroom, lies down still on her bed, wearing her street clothes, and cries herself to sleep.