a/n Really, if I owned them I wouldn't be writing fanfic, would I?

Thanks for the reviews for the last fic. You write reviews-I write fic. It's called symbiosis. Together - we can do it.

The fanfic was inspired on the title of a season 7 episode of Monk. The fic has no basis on the actual episodes.

Thanks to my sparring partner at USA. She's the wind beneath my wings. (Not sure if I should name names here, but you know who you are. )

This fanfic was brought to you by the letters M and N, the Number 7, and the strange thoughts that come from out of the blue that won't leave me alone until I get to typing. I'd also like to thank Snoqualmie Creme Fraiche Gelato and Diet Pepsi, which staved of hunger/thirst while I was in the process of writing.

And so, with much ado about nothing, I present:

Mr. Monk Moves In

by Ann Peek

It really was easier this way. Mr. Monk couldn't stand living next to Kevin Dorfman any more. His nerdy neighbor had recently taken up nude Tai Chi. Mr. Monk just had to move - it was a matter of life or death.

Natalie was okay with it, because she felt that Kevin was developing a crush on her, and she didn't want to have to deal with the looks, the sighs, the pathetic notes, and the cash which came in the mail on a daily basis. But those things happened. Hell, everyone eventually developed a crush on her. She knew she was was cute, and it attracted people to her. Randy, Kevin, even Captain Stottlemeyer had been a little more friendly to her than normal.

She had a feeling that Mr.Monks former assistant may have been barking up her tree when she called about "Adrian" (She had the nerve to call him "Adrian"- what was that about?) repaying her for all of the lamps she'd payed for. Natalie was charming, but insistant, that although she was flattered, she was only interested in one man. Mr. Monk.

Mr. Monk was busy evening out the nicknack's as Leland Stottlemeyer and Randy Disher carried in a sofa. Leland was wearing a tee-shirt and tight jeans, which showed off his middle-aged-dad bod. He took off the baseball cap he was wearing and wiped the sweat from his brow as Randy Disher ripped his shirt open causing buttons to fly across the room. He flung his shirt to Monk, who was trying to pick up the stray buttons, and began to pose and strut in front of Natalie.

"Yeah," Natalie said, a little stunned and embarrased. "Um, when you're finished with that, Randy, you two can pick up my things from the house and bring them here."

"When did this happen?" Leland Stottlemeyer asked as his jaw hit the floor.

"I decided that it would be easier if I just moved in. I mean, with the long, unusual hours I work, and the time we spend enjoying each others company which I'm not officially payed for, I figured that this would be a better arrangement. It would just be more convenient." Natalie answered, a conveniently loving smile on her face.

"What about Julie?" Randy smirked. "I mean, it's a two bedroom house."

"Oh, that's no problem." Natalie answered. "I dropped her off at USC Berkley with a duffel bag and a couple hundred dollars. She'll be fine."

"Is she registered for college?" Stottlemeyer asked.

"She'll be fine." Natalie repeated, her loving smile growing into a toothier, faker smile. "It will be easier this way. This way Mr. Monk and I can sort his socks without having to worry about Julie walking in on us."

"But she's only 16," Randy pointed out in an unusual flash of logic. "She's not old enough to be out on her own."

"Look, her grandparents are out of the country for a few weeks, and there were no camps who were willing to take her on short notice. I tried dance camps, drama camps. I even checked out the "special" camps. None of them could take her. SHE'LL BE FINE!!" A Stepford-like smile flashed across Natalie's pretty face. "Now, let's get started."

Monk mouthed the words 'help me" as he was being led, unwillingly, to the waiting U-Haul.

THE END. Please Review. btw, new and improved 'anonymous reviews' have now been enabled. Give it a whirl.

PS. Keep in eye out for my upcoming endeavor... "Moments". Random character interactions where two characters are drawn from a hat and given the opportunity to interact. Should start posting my first fic next week. (Leland Stottlmeyer and Natalie Teeger, in case you're interested.) I'm of two minds as to Trudy's involvement in the stories, because a Dr. K. and Trudy fic may not work. Let me know: Do you want Trudy. (I think you can email me as opposed to using this as a 'review'. )