Disclaimer: I don't own Monk or her sister characters

Monk saw it when Natalie was approached by an angel. He was very happy for her. She had been given a great gift. She had the opportunity to go back and save one person that had passed. As happy as he was for her he was clearly a little bit sad.

"Mr. Monk," Natalie said gently, "You okay"

"Yeah," he said tears streaming down his eyes, "I'm fine"

"Mr. Monk," she said, "Unlike you I'm not the worlds greatest anything but normally fine doesn't go had and hand with tears streaming down your eyes. I can read you like a book"

"Yeah," Monk said, "Once upon a time a great friend of mine was given an incredible gift and I'm happy for her.

"The end"

"And the one given the gift asked her friend if he happy why is he crying?"

"Well I won't lie," he said, "It would have been nice if I had been the one to get that gift. I mean, I'm happy for you that you get your love back but I wish that I could have Trudy back," he added feeling ashamed that he said it.

"Okay let's back up the tugboat and pull it into the dock," Natalie said.

"I don't think I have a tug boat," he said, "Or a dock"

"That's an expression," Natalie told him patiently, "Anyway I had no intentions of using my gift for myself"

Monk's jaw must have dropped to the floor.

"You didn't," he asked.

"Sit down," she told him

Monk sat down.

"Do I want my gift," Natalie began, "Absolutely. There is no doubt that I want it. The thing is that as much as I WANT it I don't needit. I'm a strong woman and you're not"

I'm glad she realizes I'm not a strong woman, Monk thought to himself being the literal guy that he is.

"I LOVED Mitch. I always have. I always will. The issue isn't about if I love him or not.

"I am not going to take an opportunity to make my best friend's life better and use that on myself. Maybe I will be rewarded for what I plan to do and maybe I won't. I really don't care. You have been my best friend for years and a gift is no good unless it can be shared. This is a gift I freely give."

Tears were streaming again but they were different tears. They were tears of happiness. Finally the nightmare was over. He hugged Natalie and for once he didn't use a wipe. He didn't need one. His life was clean again thanks to his best friend."