AN: Thank you to those who reviewed, it has been a rough month, and the nice things you had to say definitely were my good thing. So in this chapter, I try to write something with Monk at a crime scene finding a clue, I have tried several times to do this while writing and basically cut it every time because I suck at thinking of crime scene situations and clues. So sorry in advance.

Chapter 10 – And so it begins

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Tuesday, June 29th, 2010, 9:48 P.M.

I should go home. Natalie said half-heartedly while making no effort to extract herself from Adrian's embrace or his couch.

You should stay. Adrian tightened his grip around Natalie's waist and nuzzled her neck. "Tonight, you should stay, what could be more important than us tonight?"

"Julie is expecting me to come home tonight." Natalie sighed.

"Oh," Adrian felt embarrassed, he hadn't thought about Julie. He hadn't thought about anything other than Natalie all night, Natalie, his girlfriend. Adrian couldn't believe it, this perfect strong, intelligent, beautiful woman was now with him. "I forgot, when do you have to go?"

"I have some time," Natalie's breath hitched as Adrian placed small kisses on her neck. "I wish I could stay here with you," Natalie admitted, "I am afraid that when I leave here, reality will set in. I am so happy we are together, but Adrian you know after tonight we have details to figure out."

"As long as I am with you," Adrian said, "I don't really care about the details."

"That is sweet Adrian," Natalie smiled softly, "but, I don't want to mess this up."

"Me neither."

"I know," Natalie reassured him, "but the details do matter Adrian. Do you want to move quickly or slowly and what does that look like; do we have any idea where we want this to go and is it the same place? The details do matter."

"Ok, well what do you think?"

"This is new, and I don't want to mess it up by going too fast" Natalie admitted quietly, "would it be ok with you if we took this slow?"

"I think that's a good idea." Adrian admitted, "but you might have to help me along the way with what that looks like."

"We will help each other Adrian," Natalie kissed his cheek, "I'm not going to dictate what this will be, we are in this relationship together."

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Thursday, July 1st, 2010, 2:36 P.M.

"We should go out somewhere," Natalie said as she pushed a shopping cart around the grocery store next to Adrian.

"We are out somewhere."

"No, I mean on a date," Natalie explained, "We have been dating for two days, and it would be nice to go on a first date."

"I'm sorry I should have thought of that," Adrian was afraid he had already messed this relationship up.

"It doesn't matter who thinks of it Adrian," Natalie took one of his hands in hers, "what would you think of going out on a real date though?"

"Honestly, and I never thought I would say this again, I would love to go out on a date with you." Adrian smiled down at Natalie, "where would you like to go? What do you want to do."

"I don't care specifically what we do," Natalie said, "I don't need anything elaborate, but something romantic would be nice."

"Ok," Adrian smiled at Natalie, "would you like to go out on a date with me tomorrow?"

Natalie nodded smiling before taking a breath and pushing the cart into the checkout lane. Yesterday they had talked about their new relationship and agreed to take things slow for now, they wanted to take their time adjusting to the change and not rush things. They had also decided that they would keep it secret for a little while. As soon as they got the groceries in the car and got in Adrian leaned over and kissed Natalie.

"Adrian," Natalie asked as she started the car, "I know we said we were going to wait to tell people about us, but what would you think about telling Julie and Molly?"

"I think that sounds great," Adrian smiled over at Natalie, "I actually really wanted to tell Molly yesterday, and I am sure you felt the same way with Julie. Do you want to call them when we get home?"

"No, I think I want to tell them in person," Natalie said, "we are having a family dinner this Saturday, what do you think about telling them then?"

"Sounds good, I wonder what they will think."

"I don't know," Natalie answered truthfully, "I am worried about what Julie will think."

"It will be ok," Adrian reassured her, "she is your daughter, she just wants you to be happy. And you are happy right?"

Natalie glanced over at Adrian and could see the nervous tension in his body, "Yes I am happy," she took one hand off the steering wheel and moved it over, taking his hand in hers giving it a reassuring squeeze. "I am very, very happy."

"Good," Adrian let out a sigh of relief then took Natalie's hand and moved it back toward the steering wheel, "but Natalie, ten and two."

The next day Adrian surprised Natalie when he took her to the de Young art museum then out to a nice dinner for their first official date. She had not expected him to go all out for their first date but was pleased that he had. He even opened the doors for her without using a wipe afterward. Adrian had been nervous that he wouldn't know what to do, or how to act on a date, Natalie had noticed his nerves instantly and reassured him that it was just them and the only thing he needed to do was to be himself, that was, after all, who she wanted to be with. Their night ended like most nights between them did the two of them cuddled on Adrian's couch talking softly and just enjoying their time together, as it should be.

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Saturday, July 3rd, 2010 5:58 P.M.

"You ready for this?" Natalie asked Adrian as he walked into the kitchen where she was working.

"No...yes...no..." Adrian nervously straightened things that were already in place, "is there another option?"

Natalie suddenly stopped what she was doing and looked up at Adrian, "do you not want to tell them?"

"No, I want them to know," Adrian struggled to find the right words, he twitched slightly and rolled his shoulders, is there another option besides ready or not?"

Natalie walked over to Adrian and ran a hand across his shoulders and then up and down his arm. The tension instantly left Adrian as he surrendered to the warmth of Natalie's touch. "Yeah, I don't know if I'm ready either, I get it, but I still think we should tell them. If we wait too long, they'll be mad that we kept it from them. So how do you want to do this?"

"I was thinking the way we could do this is that you would do it." Adrian looked at Natalie with pleading eyes, "you tell them. You're better at talking with people."

"No, no way." Natalie put her foot down, "if we are telling the girls, we are doing it together." Natalie felt her own anxiety increase as she thought about the fact that any minute her daughter would be here. "So, when do we think we should tell them. As soon as they get in, before dinner, during, after?... what do you think?"

"I think you're nervous," Adrian said, "and I'm supposed to be the nervous one. You are supposed to be the sane, rational one."

"You don't get to call dibs on being nervous all the time," Natalie rolled her eyes, "I get to be nervous about things too. So, tell me what do you think?"

"I think I don't want to fight," Adrian said, instantly sorry for his comment, "I think I'll do this however you want." He pulled her close and kissed her forehead. Then pulled back holding her shoulders and looked her in the eye for a minute as she took a deep breath.

"Sorry," Natalie instantly calmed down, "I've just never had to tell Julie anything like this before. She's known that I've dated, and sometimes it's developed into a bigger relationship. But by the time it did she already knew about them. This happened so quickly; I feel like I'm blindsiding her. What if she's not okay with this?"

"If she's not okay with it we deal with it together," Natalie worries made Adrian instantly want to support her and make her feel better, "it's not like she can or would try to forbid us from being together."

"No," Natalie consented, "but if she's not happy about it, that could definitely put a strain on the relationship."

"Ours?" Adrian asked, "or the two of yours?"

"Both maybe," Natalie considered, "maybe none, but it wouldn't be good happy times. And right now, I am happy. I'm happy with you. I just don't want anything to ruin that happiness."

"It won't," Adrian kissed her forehead again then looked her straight in the eyes, "I promise."

A knock came at the door. "So, when are we telling them?" Natalie hurriedly asked.

"Whenever you want," Adrian said, "If you want to start it just go for it. If you want me to start the conversation just let me know." Adrian went to the kitchen to start getting dinner on the table, while Natalie went to the door to let them in. She opened the door to see Molly's smiling face as they hugged and exchanged pleasantries there was a second knock at the door, and Julie quickly joined them. Natalie ushered the girls in, put away their coats and got them a drink, in the meantime Adrian was setting the table, so it was just right.

They had barely sat down to dinner before Julie asked. "So, what is this dinner about? You guys never schedule these last minute, and you are acting weird. Clearly, something's up. are you guys going to tell us what's going on?"

"What," Natalie looked around as if she was confused, "I don't know what you…I mean, well there is one thing…Adrian has something to tell you." Natalie sputtered and then finally blurted out. Three sets of eyes turn towards a shocked Adrian.

"Well, okay, here's the thing, well it's like this, sometimes as you get to know someone, see here's the thing, things change, sometimes no matter what you do things change." Adrian couldn't seem to complete a thought, never mind a sentence, but it turns out he didn't have to.

"Adrian and I started dating." Natalie suddenly interrupted Adrian's rambling.

Silence. For one full awkward minute, there was nothing but stillness and silence.

"I knew it!" Molly finally broke the silence. "I mean I didn't know you were actually dating now, but I so saw this coming."

"You're dating?" Julie looked bewildered, "how long have you been dating? why didn't you tell me?"

"I'm sorry honey," Natalie turned to her daughter as she tried to explain, "we just started dating this week we just wanted to wait to tell you in person."

"And it's serious?" Julie questioned, "I mean, of course, it is the two of you wouldn't risk it if it weren't serious. Right?"

"Yes." Natalie confirmed, "I mean we are taking it slow, but it's serious."

"Ok...well ok," Julie said trying to wrap her head around the information she had just been given.

"Well I think it's great," Molly chimed in with a big smile. "I am really happy for both of you; I was waiting for this to happen for months."

The dinner that followed started a little awkwardly, but in time it seemed to settle into a regular family dinner. Julie was still apprehensive about the whole situation. This was Mr. Monk who was afraid of everything including milk. He needed her mother to take care of him. Julie wanted her mom to be with someone that could take care of her not the other way around. She sat there thinking in silence as the conversation was dominated by the tables other three occupants. After dinner, Mr. Monk cleared the dishes bringing them to the kitchen and Natalie followed to get dessert. Molly tried to make conversation with Julie, but Julie thoughts were too jumbled to be able to concentrate on what was being said to her.

"You ok?" Molly finally asked her.

"Yeah sorry," Julie dismissed, "I'm just tired I'm gonna go see if they need any help so we can speed this along a little."

Julie got up and walked down the small hallway and turned the corner into the kitchen doorway and stopped dead in her tracks. her mother was standing at the counter facing mostly away from Julie. Mr. Monk was standing behind her arms wrapped around her middle, his body flush against hers and was rocking ever so slightly side to side. She could see that he was whispering something, but it was so quiet she couldn't hear it even from ten feet away. As Julie stood frozen watching the pair, he kissed her shoulder and her temple and whispered something again and her mother smiled slightly. Julie knew she had interrupted an intimate moment, but it wasn't a romantic moment it was a comforting one. Julie's mother was upset and if Julie had to guess it was her reaction that had upset her and Mr. Monk was holding her and making her feel better. Julie silently backed out of the kitchen and went further down the hall to the bathroom instead.

When Julie got back to the dining room, her mother had returned with cake. Adrian, having just finished in the kitchen, joined them a minute later with a pot of coffee. After everyone was served Julie suddenly burst "wait!" she then slowly lifted her mug of coffee and looked at the others until they caught on and did the same. "to the happy new couple. Congratulations." she said as she raised her mug slightly higher then lowered it and took a sip. Molly echoed the congratulations and did the same. Natalie sat there with a beaming smile on her face obviously pleased by her daughters shift in demeanor and Adrian shifted slightly and said thank you. After that, they ate cake and drank their coffees and had a much livelier conversation at dessert than there had been at dinner.

An hour later when they said goodbye at the door, Julie was surprised when Mr. Monk initiated a hug with her. "Thank you," he said softly again.

"No problem. take good care of my mom ok?" she whispered back.

"That's the plan," he said as they pulled apart.

A few minutes later Julie and Molly were back in their cars driving away, and Monk and Natalie were left alone. "So, what's this plan?" Natalie asked.

"What plan?"

"The plan with you and Julie?" Natalie had heard him loud and clear and was not about to let him off the hook.

"Oh that," Adrian walked up to his girlfriend wrapping his arms around her, "it's just my plan for us. Take good care of you, make you happy."

"What about your happiness?" Natalie wondered.

"I'm happy making you happy," Adrian stated and after a pause added, "as long as there are no snakes or spiders or ladders around."

"Well that works out well for both of us," Natalie swayed slightly rocking their bodies back and forth. "I like your plan. I'm glad Julie came around."

"I told you she would," Adrian stated before leaning down and kissing Natalie on the top of her shoulder right above her shirt.

"I know," Natalie sighed, "you were so great tonight, thank you for everything." Natalie turned in his arms then leaned up and kissed Adrian slowly, "What do you say we go put on a movie and kiss on the couch instead of watching it?"

"How about I do the dishes from dessert first?"

Natalie rolled her eyes, some things would never change, "fine, but you have ten minutes that's it."

.

Monday, July 5, 2010, 9:48 A.M.

"Should I tell dr. Bell about us?" Adrian asked as he fiddled with his seatbelt. Natalie had come over a little early this morning to have breakfast before his weekly appointment with his psychiatrist. Adrian had been anxious all morning but waited until right before they got to the office to ask Natalie what he had been thinking all morning.

"What?"

"Well normally I would talk to Dr. Bell about us dating," Adrian explained, "but we said we weren't telling anyone but the girls."

"Oh, um, I hadn't thought about that," Natalie admitted. "It's your appointment with your therapist, Adrian. I'm not going to start telling you what you can and can't talk about with your therapist. Just do whatever feels right."

"I don't want to tell him," Adrian looked at Natalie nervously, "at least not yet, but here's the thing, I can't lie."

"I know you can't lie, that one's definitely a gift and a curse," Natalie agreed, "so just don't bring it up."

"I can't not bring it up, if I know I'm trying to not bring it up, it's the first thing I'm going to bring up. He's going to know I'm lying," Adrian started breathing heavily and could feel his anxiety getting worse.

"Well think of something else to talk about," Natalie knew finding a solution was the fastest way to calm her boyfriend in a situation like this. "I'm sure you have plenty of other things to talk about. Or you could just tell him, if it's easier for you that's fine, it's not like you're sharing the news with the world."

"So, what, I just go in with no plan?" Adrian asked.

"Do you usually have a plan when you go to talk to him?" Natalie countered raising her eyebrows in disbelief.

"Of course, I do."

Natalie took a deep breath and thought for a second before responding. "Well if you need a plan, plan one thing to talk about, and I'm sure you can see where it goes from there."

"I guess it'll have to do." At that moment they pulled into the parking lot Adrian promptly unbuckled his seatbelt using his shirt sleeve to cover his hand, then opened the door the same way and went to get out. He had missed entirely that Natalie had leaned in for a kiss.

"What no kiss?"

"Natalie, I can't kiss you now," Adrian said as if it was obvious, missing the look of hurt on Natalie's face. "I'm trying to think of my one thing to talk about, it's the plan you suggested." Natalie was swiftly turning from hurt to upset before Adrian finished his thought, "kissing you is too distracting."

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Tuesday, July 13, 2010, 8:54 P.M.

"Hello" Adrian answered the phone.

"Hey you," Natalie replied, "I couldn't wait for midnight."

"Good," Adrian smiled, "I was missing you."

"I missed you too," Natalie admitted even though she had just left his place four hours ago, "I am lonely here."

"Where is Julie?"

"She decided to stay over at Erin's tonight because she said it was their last chance before she leaves for college," Natalie explained.

"Come over," Adrian suggested.

"It's late."

"Yes, but if you come over here we would both feel better," Adrian reasoned, "we could be cuddled in bed together in twenty minutes if you left now."

"I will be there in ten," Natalie said before hanging up the phoned.

Just like Adrian had promised twenty minutes later they were cuddled up together in bed. Even though in many ways they were taking it slow in their relationship, they physically had done nothing more than kiss, they loved sleeping holding each other in the same bed. It was something they hadn't gotten to actually do often because Julie would be leaving for college soon and Natalie didn't want to miss any mother-daughter nights that were left. Since they had started dating, this was only the second time that Natalie got to fall asleep in Adrian's arms. And this night, her last thoughts before drifting off to sleep that was here with Adrian, everything would be ok.

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Wednesday, July 14, 2010, 8:32 A.M.

Captain Leland Stottlemeyer was looking over the crime scene in an office building when something out the window caught his eye. Looking up he saw Natalie and Monk approaching the crime scene from a little down the road, he stopped and blinked not believing what he saw for a second. Captain Stottlemeyer then looked back and assured himself that his eyes were correct, Monk and Natalie's hands were intertwined. He had noticed them holding hands once before, but this seemed different. Before he could give it any more thought his new lieutenant, Mark Dobson walked up and started to tell him about blood found in the other room.

"Hey, Captain, hi Mark, what do we get?" Natalie asked a minute later as she walked into the room Adrian now behind her looking at something in the entryway. Leland knew even if Monk weren't looking at him he would be listening.

"Double homicide, Dianne here," Stottlemeyer gestured to the first victim, "is some sort of financial planner, and in the front is her assistant Jane. We found Dianne's blood on the assistant's desk, so we think that the perp had an appointment or talked their way into the office see her killed her and then back out to the assistant and killed her to make sure there was no witness. And it looks like they took things off the desk, we can't find an appointment book probably wanted to keep their name out of it, we're doing a background check on Dianne right now finding out about friends and family. Anyone that might have a motive, any clients."

"The assistant was the target," Monk said from the front room. "look see this Mark on the carpet over here, and the way the blood drained. She was killed out here near the door and then moved 5 to 10 minutes later. She was killed because she was in the way, the assistant she was the target. Think about it if the perp had made it into the office and killed her there why wouldn't the assistant have tried to call somebody or run away when she heard it. And then why did they move her but not the assistant, they wanted you to think that she was the target they were setting it up. Which means whoever did this has a motive against the assistant that we're going to find. If it weren't an obvious motive, there'd be no reason to cover up who the actual target was. And Dianne was killed quickly, one hit to the head something large and heavy, the assistant was struck several times."

"Maybe because she wasn't taken by surprise," Leland argued, "she tried to fight back."

"No," Monk stated, "there are no defensive marks she would have been unconscious, but they hit her several more times that was a crime of passion, she was the target look to see who has a motive against her I guarantee you'll find them quickly."

"Anything else?" Dobson asked writing everything down as quickly as he could.

"Yes," Adrian replied, "this outer office isn't very big, and since the crime took place near the door if it had been a spur-of-the-moment thing they would have grabbed something near them. There wasn't anything here though, nothing that could have been a convenient bludgeoning tool. I think whatever they hit her with, they brought it with them, which means it was planned out. Oh, and the assistant recently divorced, so I believe it was the ex-husband."

"Okay, Monk, I do not doubt you because well it's you," Leland said, "but how do you know that?"

"You can see a slight indent on her finger," Monk pointed at the assistant's ring finger. "She wore a ring there for several years and took it off within the last few months. And, look at the picture of her and her daughter at graduation. You can see someone's shoulder on the other side of her, it's not cut evenly if you take the time to frame something you take the time to make sure the edges are cut evenly, and if your husband dies, you don't cut them out of your daughter's graduation picture."

"No, she got divorced and didn't want the husband picture still on her desk," Captain Stottlemeyer said when he caught on, "but didn't want to lose the picture of her and her daughter on the graduation."

"Exactly."

"That's great Monk," Leland slapped Monk on the back. "Thank you, I love ex-husbands, they make great suspects. Okay, why don't we get our last looks here, make sure we didn't miss anything. Then we'll go back to the station and look up background information and then probably go visit the ex-husband, we can let forensics finish up here."

Half an hour later the captain stood in his office looking through the information they had found so far. He noticed Monk and Natalie come into the squad room and walk towards his office. They were not holding hands, but he did notice that they walked so closely together that sometimes their arms would brush up against each other. He knew that Monk wouldn't allow this with anyone else and for the second time that day his curiosity was peaked.

"Hey, what took you guys so long?" Leland asked as they walked into his office.

"Sorry," Monk apologized, "it wasn't straight, and I had to..."

"Stop right there, Monk," the captain interrupted, "I get it, I don't need to know what you were straightening out." Natalie caught his eye and mouth the words thank you, clearly, she didn't want to hear about it again either, whatever it was.

"Do we have any news on the victims yet?"

"No, I'm having Dobson run-down information on both of them just to be sure. So far you were right she was married and did just get divorced, but the ex-husband's been kicked out of his old apartment, we're still trying to find where he's currently living. Once we do are you coming with me to talk to him?"

"Of course."

"So, sorry I had to call so early this morning."

"It wasn't early, you know me, I'm up at five most days."

"Well, it was a good thing that you were already at Monk's place Natalie, I didn't know that you started work before nine now."

"Sometimes I do, it depends on the day, and what we have planned." Natalie smoothly answered but Leland didn't miss that Adrian was twitching his shoulders in his peripheral vision, so he continued to question her.

"Oh, what big plans did you guys have today?" the captain made sure to keep his voice casual.

"Organizing the desk drawers, I figured it would take a good eight to twelve hours," Natalie joked.

"Natalie, why on earth would we reorganize the desk drawers?" Adrian exclaimed, "the desk drawers, are perfectly organized. It took me years to come up with that system. It is perfect the way it is. You didn't change the system, did you?"

"No, Adrian, I didn't change the system, sorry I must have misunderstood you when we talked about this yesterday," Natalie responded hoping that Adrian would catch on. But it was too late, and she knew it. Natalie knew she was lying, she knew the captain knew she was lying, it was only Adrian that had yet to catch on. Thankfully, captain, Stottlemeyer took mercy on her when he noticed she looked upset. He knew they were lying, but he still didn't really understand why, but he didn't want to press it and upset her further.

"Well, I'm going to go check on Dobson, see if he's made any headway," Leland said and swiftly walked out of his own office.

"Adrian, what are you doing?" Natalie asked as soon as the captain left.

"What?" Monk asked, "I don't want to reorganize the desk drawers, I don't understand why you're upset."

"Adrian, I was trying to cover for us," Natalie sighed. "Did you want to tell Leland that I was already at your house this morning because I stayed the night at your house last night. He knows something's up, he asked point-blank why I was there early."

"He was just making conversation," Monk said, "killing the breeze."

"It's shooting the breeze," Natalie smiled at his misphrasing, "and he wasn't doing that, he was trying to sound casual, but he was fishing for information. Which means he knows something's up."

"Do you think he knows we're dating?" Adrian wondered.

"I don't know," Natalie answered, "but if he didn't suspect something before he definitely does now."

They solved the case quickly after finding the ex-husband. Adrian had been right, and when they did find him, there was plenty of physical evidence to prove he was the guy. It definitely wasn't a case that tested Monk's skills, but it was nice to have a case wrapped up all in one day. Leland was happiest of all, it would look good for their clear rate.

That night after finishing with paperwork and getting home Leland was happy to greet T.K. at the door. He liked being in a relationship where the best part of his day was seeing her as he got home, he hoped it would stay like that forever. Over dinner as they talked about their day Leland brought up the fact that Natalie had been lying to him earlier.

"Well, that doesn't sound like Natalie," T.K. commented.

"I know," Leland agreed, "I usually think of her as a sincere person, but she and Monk are definitely keeping something from me."

"Well, what did she lie about?" T.K. asked her husband. Leland filled her in about everything that he saw them holding hands, walking close together, and finally the fact that when he asked why she was there a little early for work, she lied about it.

"Something is going on," Leland said, "but I can't figure out what it is yet."

"And you're supposed to be a detective?" T.K. teased.

"What?"

"I think they're together," T.K. informed her husband.

"What?"

"I think Adrian and Natalie are together," T.K. saw the blank look on Leland's face, "you know romantically, as in dating."

"No."

"Why not?" She questioned him.

"Because it's Monk," Leland thought that explained it all, "it's Monk and Natalie. Monk's still so in love with his wife he still wears his ring. He doesn't see women that way."

"You told me that he did once, that woman who was a suspect."

"Yeah but it wasn't anything substantial, even he denied it. Look I know you've mostly known him as he is now that he's relaxed a little bit more but at his core, he is still neurotic and troubled, and most importantly deeply in love with his wife and unable to even really see any other women."

"Well, Leland think about it, you said they were holding hands, she's suddenly calling him Adrian instead of Mr. Monk, they're lying about spending time together, early in the morning. And finally, he hasn't been wearing his ring for a few weeks."

"What do you mean he isn't wearing his ring?" Leland asked.

"I saw him at the station two weeks ago when I brought you dinner, he was not wearing a ring then."

"How did you notice that?"

"I have been keeping an eye out for anything, I thought there was something between Adrian and Natalie a few months ago, I mean think about it Leland, what friends hold hands."

"There's got to be another explanation for all of this. I know what it looks like, and if it was anyone else… but it's not anyone else it's Monk, and even if it wasn't Monk, it's Natalie in Monk. I know she likes him as a friend, but there is no way she would put up with him in a relationship."

"You never know Leland, I mean I'm friends with her, we talk."

"And has she said anything to you about it."

"No, but the way she talks about Adrian, in general, has changed so much over the last year, Molly noticed it too," T.K. informed him, "think about it. They hang out all the time as friends not just professionally, and things change, people change."

"People change, Monk doesn't," Leland stated. "I mean for God sake Natalie, and I once joked about the fact that we didn't even think he was human."

"Yeah but that was before wasn't it?" T.K. asked, "I mean Leland you know he's changed a lot, it's possible, and I can't see any other explanation that makes sense."

"Well, I still think there has to be another explanation."

Across town Monk and Natalie were settled together on the couch discussing the same incident. Monk was sitting on one end of the sofa with Natalie facing away from him leaning her back against his front as she stretched her legs down the length of the couch. He wrapped his arms around her middle and rested his head on her shoulder.

"Hey Natalie," Adrian started, "can I ask you something?"

"Of course," Natalie turned her head so she could see his face, "ask me anything."

"Do you really think the captain figured out that we are dating?" Adrian wondered.

"I don't know."

"Would it be okay if he did?"

"Yeah, I mean I don't know," Natalie said, "it's not that I don't want him to know, it's just, I guess, not right now. Just not quite yet, we agreed we would wait a while to tell people.

"Are you embarrassed?" Monk finally gave a voice to the worry that had been plaguing him all afternoon.

"Oh no, it's nothing like that," Natalie felt so guilty for making Adrian think that could be a possibility. "It's just, it's been kind of nice, being a secret. It feels special something that's just ours, no one can weigh in, it's just the two of us. I want to tell people, I'm not at all embarrassed to be with you. I want to tell our friends, but part of me will miss that specialness, of it just being us."

"It's okay, I get it," Adrian said. "But I have to tell you, part of me really can't wait to tell people, I am so proud to be with you, and I don't have that many friends, but I want to share it with the ones I do have. Honestly, I'd like to share with people who aren't friends too. Part of me wants to put out an announcement in my alumni newsletter, with a picture of you next to it."

"Adrian!" Natalie exclaimed pretending to be embarrassed, "you would not."

"I don't know," Adrian teased, "I'm quite the lucky man. And there's definitely part of me that wants to brag about being with you."

"You're sweet, you know that," Natalie said softly as she turned her head farther. She pressed her lips to his in a soft lingering kiss, "you really are very sweet."