I slightly agonized over trying to get this interaction between Leland and Adrian just right. I hope this does it justice. Thanks for the reviews and your continued interest, everyone!
Leland rolled his eyes as Adrian extended his arm and touched yet another lamp with his pointer finger. He couldn't understand why Adrian was acting this way. The past few weeks, he had been all smiles - which, admittedly, was a bit odd - but, with the rate at which Adrian had been solving cases, Leland certainly hadn't been complaining. Today, however, he had seemingly reverted back to his old self. He was distracted, uptight, and wouldn't stop touching the damn lamps. Leland huffed a sigh of frustration and walked over to Adrian. Grabbing his shoulder roughly, he pulled him to the side, away from the other cops.
"Monk, what the hell is wrong with you?"
Adrian blinked a few times, startled by Leland's confrontation.
"I - I just, uh, I...um -"
He reached out to touch the nearest lamp but Leland swatted his arm away.
"Listen to me, Monk," Leland grumbled, taking a deep breath to calm himself. "Whatever's going on, I need to you fix it, because we don't have all day here."
Adrian inhaled a shaky breath, doing his best to relax.
"Leland, I - I just..." He paused, closing his eyes for a second. He saw Natalie's face in his mind, her encouraging smile giving him a moment of peace. "I can't concentrate because...I need to talk to you," he finished, his voice more steady now.
Leland raised an eyebrow.
"Okay," he replied, trying to be sympathetic. "What's up?"
Adrian glanced around nervously, uncomfortable with the fact that the three other cops present were doing their best to overhear the conversation. Leland realized what was going on and cleared his throat as he turned to face the cops.
"Give us a minute," he ordered, gesturing to the door.
The other cops reluctantly shuffled out of the house, leaving Adrian and Leland alone.
"Okay, Monk, what is it?"
Adrian kept the image of Natalie's face in his mind, doing his very best to stay relaxed.
"Right," he began, taking in a deep breath, "Well, uh...You know how I have been, uh, smiling a lot?"
"Yes," Leland replied slowly, furrowing his brow, unsure of where Adrian was going with this.
"Well, there is a reason," Adrian continued vaguely, hesitant.
"Okay," Leland responded, growing impatient. "Just get on with it, Monk."
"Well, you know Natalie...you know, Teeger?"
"Yes, Monk, I know Natalie," Leland retorted, now becoming quite irritated. "What about her?" He asked, crossing his arms and tapping a foot on the ground, trying to maintain his patience.
"Well, Natalie and I are...together. You know...going steady. In a relationship. A couple. Seeing each other. Courting. Dat-"
"What?!" Leland asked incredulously, interrupting Adrian's rambling. "Get out of here!" He shouted, his eyes lighting up as he gave Adrian's arm a good-natured shove. "You serious, Monk?"
Adrian nodded, feeling slightly better now that he had gotten the words out.
"Well I'll be damned," Leland continued, a broad grin spreading across his face. "When the hell did this happen?"
Adrian quickly recounted the events of the past few weeks, Leland smiling all the while.
"Ha! I knew it!" He declared, beaming with pride. "Was I right or was I right?"
Adrian sighed and nodded, reluctantly letting him have his moment.
"It's about damn time." Leland smiled, patting Adrian firmly on the shoulder.
Adrian smiled, relieved to have gotten past the most difficult part.
"I can't believe it," Leland remarked, shaking his head.
"Honestly, neither can I," Adrian said with a chuckle. "I'm happier than I've been in a very long time."
Leland lowered his voice slightly as tears began to well up in his eyes. "I'm proud of you, man."
"Thanks, Leland," Adrian replied, tears forming in his eyes as well.
"All right," Leland began, clearing his throat. "Can we get back to this crime scene?" He asked, eager to withdraw from the emotional display, though his face was still beaming with pride.
"Yes," Adrian replied, with a nod. "But I have a question for you first."
"Shoot," he replied.
"Would it be possible for Natalie to work with me again, but, you know, as more of an equal rather than as my employee?"
Leland sighed, crossing his arms as he considered the proposition.
"Let me see what I can do, Monk."
"Thank you, Leland. It means a lot to me."
Leland smiled, finding himself touched by Adrian's genuine happiness.
"It's great to see you like this, Monk. Whatever Natalie's doing for you must be working."
Adrian smiled, feeling his face flush as he thought of Natalie's lips against his own. He quickly turned his attention back to the crime scene before Leland could notice he was blushing, unable to get rid of the smile on his face.