Chapter 4 Work is Work

Standard disclaimer: I don't own Monk.

Notes: Thanks for reading and reviewing, it inspires me to continue!

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After cleaning most of the kitchen and saying goodbye to Julie, who swore to finish cleaning after she finished her breakfast, Natalie and Adrian headed out toward the car. It had been almost an hour since Randy had called and asked for their assistance at the crime scene, but Natalie was in no hurry. She was annoyed with Randy, the Captain, and, she was slightly embarrassed to admit, with the victim. Today had been her first official date with Adrian and it had been interrupted by a murder. This morning had been simple but perfect, memorable and sweet. And, she realized, incomplete. As they got into the car and closed the doors, Natalie had an inspiration.

"Wait, Adrian. Don't put your seatbelt on yet." She put the key in the ignition but didn't turn the key. Natalie's eyes twinkled in delight as she turned in her seat to face Adrian.

"Why? Did we forget something?" He froze, his hand raised above his shoulder, holding the strap of the seatbelt.

"We sure did." Natalie leaned over and put her hand behind his neck, pulling him in for a kiss.

Before realizing what he was doing, Adrian let go of the seatbelt and allowed Natalie to pull him closer. Gone were thoughts of crime scenes or clean kitchens or the fact that they were sitting in a car in Natalie's driveway. All that was left was Natalie's tempting lips and the complete blissful feeling of euphoria. Leaning further towards Natalie, his arm suddenly slipped off the armrest, jolting him back into reality. He blinked as he leaned back from Natalie and processed what had just happened. His voice turned husky and was barely audible. "Natalie, what are you, I mean, what are we doing? We're supposed to be on our way to a crime scene."

Natalie mischievously smiled. "I know, but it's customary for a couple to kiss after a date. I wanted to make sure we completed our date." She sat back in her seat and reached for her seatbelt, gracing Adrian with a slow wink. "Now we can go to the crime scene."

Disoriented, Adrian stared at Natalie while he tried to organize his thoughts. Instead, images from their night together materialized in his mind. Adrian slyly grinned and couldn't help but laugh when he finally spoke "Natalie, when we're going to work, we need to go to work. Work is work. You're supposed to help me focus, not distract me!" He ran his hand along her cheek and his voice softened "Because you are too distracting."

Natalie met his gaze and became enthralled by his dark eyes. "Well, the same goes for you." She placed her hand on his and reluctantly removed it from her cheek. With a gentle squeeze, she placed his hand on his knee. "I'm sorry I distracted you. We'll just have to agree to keep things all business when we're officially on a job. So fasten your seatbelt and we'll be on our way." She started the car and patiently waited for him to buckle up.

Fastening his belt, Adrian settled into his seat and sighed to Natalie "Okay, we're officially on a job."

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Leland surveyed the dead body, shaking his head with sadness. Although he hated seeing any murder victim, he was particularly upset when the victim had been strangled, as this poor soul had been. Leland was convinced it took a special type of monster to take someone's life in such an up-close and personal manner. "Randy, are you sure Monk and Natalie are on their way?" Scratching his jaw, the Captain turned to look past Randy and scanned the street for Natalie's car. This was possibly one of the oddest disposals of a murder victim and he wanted Monk's opinion.

"Yes sir, I spoke with Natalie almost an hour ago and she said they would be here." Randy checked his watch and shook his head. "So they're about a half hour late. Do you want me to call again? Or can I do anything while we're waiting?"

"Go see if you can find any witnesses in the building across the street. See if anyone saw or heard anything last night. You know the drill, Lt." The Captain acknowledged Randy's nod and turned back to the body. A local criminal lawyer was lying dead across a bus-stop bench. Leland knew the victims' identity because the bus-stop bench had an advertisement for this particular lawyer emblazed right on the back of the bench. What were the odds of having such an immediate positive ID? The lawyer's picture stared at Leland, big as life, so to speak. And, while the lawyer was wearing a three piece suit, his shoes were missing. The Captain was stymied.

Leland circled the body and, unable to figure the 'why' of this case, turned his attention to his upcoming weekend getaway. Like all seasoned cops, Leland had the ability separate the gory details of his job from his personal life. And his personal life was all good. This coming Saturday was TK's birthday and he planned to do something extra special for her. He had reservations at a picturesque B&B up the coast but still needed to pick her present up from a jewelry store down the street. Weeks ago, he had been window shopping with her and she had pointed out a particular necklace, admiring its beauty. Unbeknownst to her, Leland had called the jeweler then next day and placed it on lay-away. Remembering past mistakes from his failed marriages, he was determined to never take TK for granted and to spoil her every chance he got.

"Captain, it's the usual. No one saw anything." Randy returned to Leland's side, sliding his notebook back into his jacket pocket. Turning his attention to the murder victim, he scratched his head. "Pretty weird, isn't it?"

"Yep." The Captain distractedly nodded and continued his mental notes for TK's surprise weekend. He still needed to pick up a birthday card and was trying to remember if there was a card shop next to the jewelry store.

"Captain, when was the last time you talked to Monk?" Randy laced his fingers together and shifted one of his shoulders. Since he was thinking about Monk, Randy unintentionally mimicked one of Adrian's signature moves.

"Been a few days, why? Do you know something? Is he having problems, is that why he's late?" Leland's full attention was now honed in on the young lieutenant. As much as he loved Monk like a brother, a younger, sometimes annoying brother, he wanted next weekend to be perfect. And by perfect, Leland meant uninterrupted by anyone or anything. And especially not by Monk and one of his sometimes goofy problems. Instinctively running his hand over his mustache, Leland made yet another mental note; he needed to remember to trim the 'stache before their little getaway.

"No, everything is fine. At least I think its fine. I drove him to court the other day and he just seemed a little out of it. You know, further out than usual. He did tell me he was fine, but I know he was distracted." Randy knowingly tapped the side of his head. He hesitated momentarily before continuing, conjuring up his memory. "What was weird was that when he said goodbye to me, I actually thought he wanted to hug me." Randy shook his head in confusion.

"He wanted to hug you?" Leland laughed in disbelief.

"I think so! What do you think it means?" Randy asked anxiously.

"Randy, maybe Monk finally realized what a lovable guy you are." Leland raised an eyebrow and delivered his observation in a monotone voice.

"You think? I am lovable, you know." Randy's face lit up in delight.

"Yes, Randy, you truly are. Why don't you ask Monk when he gets here? Wait! I think they just arrived." Leland pointed at the grey sedan that had just parked across the street. As Randy walked towards Natalie and Monk, the Captain's eyes followed Randy and he shook his head in wonder. Randy was such an enigma to him. A great cop but frequently naïve; both simple and complex, he definitely marched to the beat of his own drummer. Leland sighed and waited for Monk to approach the crime scene.