A/N: Yay! Another update! This chapter is a little slow also, but if you like this story you'll stick around. The action is coming! Thanks to all my reviewers of the last chapter, both old and new. I'm glad you liked it :D

I still own nothing...:(

Ch. 6: Mr. Monk Meets the President

After arriving at the White House, and being wanded and patted down by the Secret Service (much to Monk's chagrin), everyone was escorted into a beautiful dining room. Monk and Natalie both let out a slight gasp in astonishment. Everything was perfect. They weren't looking at the type of perfect that happens when one is able to clean his or her house quickly before a guest comes over; they were looking at…Adrian Monk perfect.

The whole table had been precisely laid out, down to the last fork. Everything was symmetrical, well-balanced, and orderly, exactly the way Monk liked it. Everyone was so astonished that they didn't notice a tall man and a teenage girl standing in the corner.

"Adrian Monk!" the man boomed, startling Monk and his group.

Monk immediately recognized President Michael Shafford after seeing him several times on the news, especially in the last few weeks. The President had recently returned from many conferences in Europe and Asia, and the news had covered his journey practically 24-7. "It's an honor to finally meet you!" the President exclaimed, heading toward Monk. However, the President didn't offer Monk his hand. It was obvious that he had done his homework before meeting Monk.

"The pleasure is all mine Mr. President," Monk said with a smile.

"Please, call me Michael. I've heard so much about you and your group here. You must be Captain Stottlemeyer, and Lieutenant Disher?" he asked, offering his hand to the two officers.

The Captain and Randy returned the President's firm handshake, and nodded.

That's when the President noticed Natalie out of the corner of his eye. He turned to her, "And you are?" he asked.

"Natalie, Natalie Teeger. I'm Mr. Monk's assistant, and this is my daughter, Julie."

"Well, it's a pleasure to meet the both of you."

Natalie gave the President a warm smile, after shaking his hand, and he returned it with one of his own. That's when Natalie noticed his bare ring finger, and wondered what happened to his wife.

"And this is my daughter, Danielle," said the President, as a shy, yet stunning teenage girl stepped forward and put out her hand to everyone but Monk. "Well then, shall we be seated?"

As everyone headed toward the table, Monk took a seat next to where Natalie was headed. Before she could get to her seat, the President followed closely behind her and pulled out a chair for her, smiling the whole time. "Oh, thank you Mr. Pres—um—Michael," she said, hesitantly. He nodded at her warmly and took a seat himself. On the other side of the table, Julie and Danielle were seated, already beginning to bond, and chattering away. Stottlemeyer took a seat next to Monk, and Randy sat at the head of the table, opposite of the President.

For Monk, dinner seemed to drag on and on. The food was perfect, it was delicious, symmetrical, and separated. However, he found himself in an awkward social position. It was like everyone had their own partner, and Monk was somewhat excluded. Julie had Danielle, and Randy and the Captain discussed various theories on an arson that had occurred a few weeks before back in San Francisco. Monk remained extremely quiet throughout dinner, occasionally glancing over at Natalie. However, she was paying him no attention. She was too busy chattering away with the President.

All of a sudden, Michael looked at Monk and turned the conversation to him. "Adrian, I need your help. Two of my security guards were murdered in cold blood last week. There was no sign of forced entry, no sign of robbery, and no sign of a struggle. The son of a bitch caught my men off guard and stabbed each of them twice in the heart. I was wondering if maybe you could help find the man who did this."

"Well, that's why we came isn't it?" Monk asked.

"Absolutely, thank you so much Adrian."

"Don't worry," Natalie chimed in, looking directly at the President. "Mr. Monk is the best there is," she continued, turning to Monk and placing a hand on his arm. She looked him directly in the eyes, "he'll find out who did this."

Monk nodded as he gazed into her deep green eyes, almost as if he was in a trance.

After another hour of dining and chatting, everyone was beginning to grow quite tired, and Monk and his group were beginning to feel the late effects of a minor jet lag.

Natalie did her best to stifle a small yawn, but the President noticed right away. "Well Mr. Monk," he said, "it seems as if your group is ready for bed."

"It appears that way," Monk replied.

After some final chatter among the group, Monk and his gang headed back to the hotel.

On the way back, Julie fell asleep on Randy's shoulder, and Natalie fell asleep on Monk's. Monk smiled gently as he looked down at his assistant. Stottlemeyer noticed the look that Monk had given Natalie, and couldn't help but wonder what was going on. Before he could mention it, the driver stopped the limo, and opened the door. "Here we are ladies and gentlemen."

It had been a long day and everyone was exhausted. Monk and Randy both shook their female companions awake, and received an unwelcome reaction; complaining and whining.

Everyone trudged up the stairs and Julie, Randy, and the Captain headed to bed. Monk stayed up with Natalie for a few minutes to talk. They discussed tomorrow's plans, and how they thought dinner went. Of course, Natalie had a wonderful time, where as Monk…not so much.

"Well, I'm beat. I guess I'll see you in the morning Mr. Monk," said Natalie, standing up. She leaned over and gave him a kiss on the cheek, and headed up to her room.

"In the morning," Monk echoed to himself, as he watched her walk up the stairs.

"In the morning..."

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