It was late morning, and Natalie was alone in Adrian's hospital room, waiting for his return from the CT scan. She forced her leaden limbs to move as she paced his room. Her body needed rest, but she couldn't sit still. The results of the scan had the power to either reassure her of Adrian's progress or set off a new chain of events—the possibility of some she refused to entertain. She turned to the window again. The early morning quiet was gone. As the sun rose in the clear, blue sky, the city came alive with its usual buzz of traffic, people, and the jingling of cable cars. Somehow, seeing life go on for the nearly one million people of San Francisco made her think hers would as well.
She turned when she heard the door. A group of nurses and aides rolled Adrian back in, unmoving in his deep slumber. They maneuvered the bed in place and reconnected his monitors. Natalie watched for the doctor to enter with a report, but to her disappointment, she would be waiting on that as well. Natalie crossed to her husband. She sighed as she brushed his cheek with her fingertips. She smoothed his blanket and kissed his cheek.
"Natalie?"
She looked up to see T.K. Stottlemeyer just inside the doorway. Her normally stylish friend was disheveled and rumpled, her eyes red-rimmed. Natalie's heart filled with compassion as they crossed the distance between them and met in a tight embrace. The ladies murmured their expressions of joy at seeing one another, then took their seats in the chairs by the bed.
T.K. turned her attention to Adrian's sleeping form. "Any change?"
Natalie shook her head. "They did a CT scan. I'm waiting on the results. How is Leland?"
T.K. turned back to Natalie with a small smile. "Cantankerous. I think the doctor is fed up enough to let him go soon. They're doing one last series of tests, so I snuck out to see you." She patted Natalie's knee. "Have you had a break or anything to eat?"
"Julie brought me some breakfast before she went home, but I'm not leaving until Adrian wakes up."
T.K. nodded. "I figured. I would do the same."
A wry smile tugged at Natalie's lips. "Remember when we had lunch together and talked about how we wouldn't change what our husbands did for a living?"
"Yes. Feels like a lifetime ago … I'm surprised I'm not forcing Leland to retire after this, but I can't. This is who he is. This is the man I married."
Natalie took Adrian's hand and stroked it. "Yeah, I know. There are moments I'm furious at him for jumping into that alley. Then, there are moments I'm so proud."
"I'm sorry Natalie." T.K. dropped her gaze. "I'm sorry he got hurt because of Leland."
Natalie touched T.K.'s arm. "You have nothing to be sorry about. Leland is his best friend. It's not the first time he's risked his life for someone he loves, and it won't be the last. It's one of the things that made me fall in love with him."
"I talked to Dwayne. He said Adrian distracted that guy just long enough for him to get a good shot. Who knows what he would have done to Leland if Adrian hadn't run out there." She dabbed at her eyes. "He saved my husband's life, Natalie. I don't know how to even begin to say thank you."
Natalie released Adrian's hand to wrap her arms around her friend. "No thanks is necessary. Leland would have done the same for him."
Their embrace was interrupted by the opening of the door. Natalie looked up to see Dr. Shriver enter with his nurse. The nurse went about checking Adrian's vitals and monitors while the doctor came to stand in front of the ladies. Natalie tried to read his expression, but couldn't. She grabbed hold of T.K.'s hand and held tight.
"We have the results of the CT scan, Mrs. Monk. The good news is, there is no indication of any internal damage that we were unaware of. As I hoped, the bullet passed through with minimal damage. The lung is also functioning as we expected it would be at this point."
T.K. squeezed Natalie's hand as they both released the breath they were holding.
"Now," the doctor continued. "we have noticed a slight increase in Mr. Monk's temperature. That's not completely uncommon in this situation. His body is fighting hard to heal, but we will have to watch him closely. It could be a sign of underlying infection."
Natalie's eyes widened. "How long before we will know for sure?"
"We should know within the next couple of hours."
Natalie looked at T.K. before asking the next question. "What … what will happen if it doesn't come down?"
Dr. Shriver stroked his goatee. "We will increase antibiotics and try to find the source." He turned to go, but looked back before he left. With an effort to sound compassionate, he added, "It's too early to worry about that, Mrs. Monk. Your husband is fighting hard. He obviously has something to live for."
The doctor and nurse went on to the next patient, leaving Natalie and T.K. with their arms around each other for support.
"I'll stay with you," T.K. said. "I can't leave you alone now."
Natalie, whose gaze hadn't left Adrian, turned to her friend. "No, you need to go back to your husband. He needs you." She took a deep breath. "I'll be fine.
T.K. opened her mouth to speak but closed it. The expression on Natalie's face told her an argument would be pointless. Instead, she hugged her tighter. "I'll call Julie, and you call me if you need anything. I mean anything. Okay?"
"Okay," Natalie whispered. It was all she could manage as her throat tightened around her words.
Natalie was left alone once again with Adrian, the buzz and hum of the machines, their serenade. She drank some water and took a couple of deep breaths in an attempt to steady her nerves. When she was sure her knees could support her, she moved to sit on the side of his bed and took his hand in hers. "I'm here, love. I know you were hurt pretty bad, but the doctor says you're fighting hard to heal. You keep on fighting. The doctor is right. You do have a lot to live for, and a lot of people need you." She paused and kissed his hand. "Do you have any idea how loved you are? You had a whole waiting room full of people here for you last night. They refused to go home until they could see you. They've all come to visit, and people are praying. T.K. said you saved Leland's life. Do you hear that? You are not a defective detective and you are not a muss. You are smart and brave and kind. You are the sweetest friend, the best father, and …" She stopped to wipe the tears sliding down her cheeks. "and you are mine." The tears were flowing fast, rolling down her cheeks, dripping off her nose and chin. Her head dropped to the pillow beside her husband's. She had no more fight, no more strength. "Come back to me, Adrian," she whispered in his ear. "I can't live without you."
No longer able to fight her exhaustion, Natalie drifted into a restless sleep, waking when the nurse came to check on Adrian. She tried to get Natalie to move to the chair, but eventually gave up and brought another blanket for her. Time went on for what seemed like an eternity until Natalie felt a tug on her blanket. She moaned, wishing the nurse would leave her alone, but then she felt a warm touch on her cheek. Her tired brain registered the touch as Julie or maybe T.K. until her lips were caressed with the lightest of kisses.
Natalie opened her eyes to find two chocolate brown ones looking at her from mere inches away. She loved those eyes. They spoke volumes when words weren't possible. They could make her heart ache or turn her knees to jelly, and at this moment, they were the most beautiful thing she'd ever seen. She touched Adrian's cheek. Was she dreaming? When he smiled, she cried out in joy and grabbed hold of him, hugging and kissing him, over and over until she collapsed against him. When he groaned, she sat bolt upright.
"Oh, babe. I'm sorry. Did I hurt you?"
He touched his bandages. "I feel like I was hit by a truck."
"Not a truck." She touched his hand. "A bullet."
His brow creased. "Barlowe. We were chasing him … the alley …" His eyes widened. "Leland!" He tried to sit up, but let out a yelp and fell back against the pillow.
"Oh, Adrian. Don't try and move." She put her hand on his shoulder. "Leland had a mild heart attack, but he's okay. You saved him." Natalie found her well-used tissue and dabbed her eyes again.
He rubbed his wound. "I wasn't thinking, Natalie. I was just so scared for him. I didn't know what else to do." He closed his eyes and swallowed. "Water?" he asked when he opened them again.
Natalie hopped off the bed to pull a bottle of Summit Creek out of her overnight bag. She found a cup and poured some in, then raised the head of his bed before helping him drink it.
Adrian leaned back and winced.
"You're in pain," Natalie said. "I'm going to call the doctor."
When she started to rise, he reached for her arm. "Not yet." She hesitated before sitting back down. "You are the best medicine." He closed his eyes, and Natalie held his hand while he rested. When he opened his eyes, he smiled. "I knew you were here, Natalie. I remember now. Before I woke up … I felt you. I don't know how else to describe it, but I knew you were here."
Natalie lifted his hand to her cheek. "I never left."
"I love you," he said.
She was crying again. "I love you, too. So much."
Adrian brushed the tears from her cheeks. "Don't cry."
"I thought I was going to lose you, Adrian."
He blinked back his own tears. "I'm sorry I scared you, sweetheart. I tried to be careful."
When Natalie realized how much her tears were upsetting him, she grabbed a clean tissue and dried her cheeks. Then, she took his hand again. "No. Don't apologize. You got hurt because you were helping Leland, and I am so proud of you."
"You're not upset at me for being foolish?"
"No, Adrian. If you had been truly foolish, I might be mad, but you weren't foolish. You are a loyal, brave friend, and I love you for it."
He closed his eyes and whimpered. "I just wish being brave didn't hurt so much."
"Okay, I'm calling the doctor."
Before Natalie could reach the phone, the door burst open, and Julie's long, brown hair bounced behind her as she ran across the room. "I heard your voices!" She fell against Adrian and wrapped her arms around his neck. "Daddy," she murmured as she kissed his cheek. "I was so worried." She sat on the opposite side of the bed from Natalie. "You can't go anywhere, not yet. You have to see me graduate. You have to give me lots of advice about my career and where to live and all that. You have to walk me down the aisle someday …"
"Woah. I'm not going anywhere, kiddo. It … it's just a little bullet hole." As if it hurt to think about it, he moaned.
"Dad? Are you okay?"
"He's in some pain," Natalie said. "I need to get the doctor."
"I'll go," Julie said as she jumped off the bed and ran toward the door. She reached for the handle, but as she did, it opened. Dr. Shriver and his nurse walked in, smiling for the first time since Natalie had met them.
Dr. Shriver stepped to the foot of Adrian's bed. "Well, I heard the excitement in here. We are all very glad to see you awake, Mr. Monk. How are you feeling?"
"I feel like I got shot," Adrian groaned.
"Yes, yes, we will increase your pain medication." The doctor handed the clipboard to the nurse and went about a thorough examination of his patient while Natalie and Julie tried to wait patiently in the chairs beside his bed. The examination complete, he took his clipboard and smiled. "I have good news. Mr. Monk's temperature has returned to normal along with his other vital signs. I think we can move him upstairs to a private room. If he continues to improve at this rate, we should be able to discharge him by tomorrow evening."
Natalie and Julie squealed with joy as they fell into each other's arms. Adrian was moved to a private room on a recovery floor as promised, and he, Natalie, and Julie ate a light dinner together. Julie returned home to care for her siblings, knowing her mother would not leave until Adrian's discharge. With his chest tube removed and his pain medication increased, Adrian rested comfortably with a book Natalie brought from home while she flipped channels on the TV. After a short time, they heard a knock on the door, and T.K. Stottlemeyer poked her head in with Leland close behind.
"We went down to the trauma unit and heard Adrian had been moved," T.K. said as she embraced Natalie. "I knew that was good news."
"Yes, Adrian woke up just before 4:00, and he's doing great."
Adrian put down his book. "As great as someone with a bullet hole in his chest can do."
Natalie sat on the side of his bed and slipped her hand in his. "As should be expected, Adrian has some residual pain, but his CT scan was clear, and he has no infection. If all goes well we should be getting out of here tomorrow night."
T.K. returned to Leland's side and put her arm around his waist. "Leland's doctor decided he'd had enough, so he's letting us go tonight."
"That's great," Natalie said. She looked tentatively at Leland who was staring across the room. "Did he say what the long-term prognosis is? Is Leland in any danger of any more heart trouble?"
"Just what he's been told before. He needs to watch his diet, exercise, less stress, the usual." T.K. touched her husband's cheek. "Right, babe?"
He turned to her. "Huh?"
"You're going to take better care of yourself, right?"
Leland smiled the briefest of smiles before it faded. "Yeah, I will." He stuffed his hands in his pockets and shifted his weight as he turned his attention to Adrian. "I, uh, hope you feel better soon, Monk."
Adrian's brow creased. "Soon would be good."
Leland nodded. "Just no more running out in alleys while bullets are flying."
"I'll try to remember that." Adrian shifted to get more comfortable.
"Well, uh, we should be getting home," Leland said as he turned toward the door. "Doc says I need to rest."
T.K. turned to Natalie and shrugged. "Remember to call me if you need anything."
She followed her husband to the door.
"Leland," Adrian said before his friend opened the door. "It's not your fault."
Leland sighed, then released the door handle. He turned back ever so slowly. Strong emotion was evident in his eyes. He swallowed hard and lowered his gaze. "Look, Monk. I … I never should have been in that alley. I had no business chasing Barlowe around feeling the way I did, but I was too proud to admit it." He raised his head and blinked back tears. "So, you see. It is my fault. If I hadn't been there …" He wiped his hand across his face, unable to continue.
"And what were you going to do?" Adrian asked. "Should you have just stood back and let him go? You were doing your job. You had no way to know your heart would give out when it did. I … I'm just thankful you're still here."
Natalie stepped toward Leland and placed her hand on his arm. "We don't blame you, Leland. Neither of us does, so please don't blame yourself."
Leland patted her hand, then studied his friend in the bed. He stepped away from the ladies to stand at his side. He looked to the ceiling and swallowed, then brought his eyes down to meet Adrian's. "You … you saved my life out there, buddy. I … I just don't know how to say thank you."
Adrian swallowed and blinked back his own tears. He lifted his hand to Leland. "You're my best friend. You would have done the same for me."
Leland leaned over and grasped his hand, holding it close to his chest. "You are a brave man, Adrian Monk, and the best cop I've ever had the privilege to work with. Don't let anyone tell you anything different." He released his hand before grasping his friend's shoulder. "Now, you rest up and get better because I'm going to be calling you the next time I need you."
Adrian smiled. "I will. I don't think Natalie will have it any other way."
"I know she won't," Leland said with a pat on Adrian's shoulder. He turned, but it didn't go unnoticed that he wiped a tear away as he did.
The Stottlemeyers left and evening turned to night. The hospital staff rolled in a second bed for Natalie to sleep on, but it wasn't needed. With only an IV left in place, Adrian beckoned Natalie to share his bed. She climbed in, careful of his wounds. She entwined her fingers with his and laid her head gently on his shoulder. There they stayed, as inseparable in sleep as in life.
As hoped, Adrian was discharged the following night. Julie picked her parents up, glad to take them home. There, Adrian stayed to recover for the following two weeks. If it hadn't been for the pain, fatigue, and the nightmares Adrian battled, he would have deemed that time of recovery one of the best of his life. He spent his days surrounded by his family. Julie, who was on break from her college classes, stayed for the first week. Sophia and Timothy delighted in having their father home, spending hours with him on the couch until they were pulled away so he could rest. Natalie also convinced Adrian to speak with Dr. Bell over Skype, and by the end of the second week, he was doing better in every way. Natalie would say Adrian's successful recovery was due to the excellent medical care he received, but Adrian would always attribute it to the love of his family and friends.
On July 12th, precisely two weeks after the shooting, Adrian and Natalie attended a special memorial service for the fallen police officers, Elliott Ross and Adam Gray, led by the San Francisco police department chaplain. The wooden pews of the old stone church were lined with police officers in their dress uniforms. It was a much-needed service, one that helped the department find closure after a shocking and troubling experience. When the service was over, Adrian and Natalie followed Leland and Dwayne to the front steps of the church where they were met with a bevy of reporters from the city's newspapers and news stations. They raised their microphones toward Leland.
"Captain Stottlemeyer," one of them said. "Is it true that Officers Elliott Ross and Adam Gray were murdered by their fellow officer, Gregory Barlowe?"
Stottlemeyer nodded. "Yes, that's true."
"Has Officer Barlowe been apprehended?" another asked.
"He has, and when he recovers from his injuries, he will face trial."
Another reporter extended his microphone. "Is it true that Detective Adrian Monk was wounded in a shootout with Officer Barlowe?"
Stottlemeyer glanced at Adrian who stood to his right. "Detective Monk was wounded while coming to the aid of a …" He cleared his throat. "when he came to the aid of a fellow officer, but as you can see, he is recovering."
Natalie slipped her hand in the crook of Adrian's arm and smiled up at him.
A brunette woman sporting an angry expression pushed through the crowd and hoisted her microphone in front of the captain. " Captain Stottlemeyer, could you please tell us what is being done to prevent something like this from happening again? After all, if there is a chance that one of your officers could turn on one of his own, what can prevent them from turning on an innocent citizen? How do we know we are safe from the members of the San Francisco Police Department?"
Stottlemeyer paused for a moment, splaying his hands on his hips and looking down. Once he gathered his thoughts, he lifted his head and looked the reporter in the eye. "Ma'am, all of our officers sign an oath to uphold the laws of this land. Those laws exist to keep this city safe. What happened here over the last few months was a tragedy. A fellow officer, one of our own, gave in to the temptation of his flesh. He made a mistake, and we all suffered. I can't promise there won't be other mistakes because we are human, just like you. But, just like you do when you make a mistake, we are picking ourselves up, brushing ourselves off, and learning from it so we can be better and do better in the future.
You ask how you can trust us, how you know you are safe. First of all, I want you to take a look around." He waved his hand at the police officers gathered behind the reporters. "These are men and women who, like you, have a job to do. The difference is, their job is to protect you from the evil we know exists out there. They come to work every day, knowing the dangers they face, so you can live your life free of those dangers. They risk their lives so you don't have to. If you truly want to know what it might be like living without a police department like that of San Francisco, I can recommend some places in the world you might want to visit."
The reporter backed away, her eyes still glaring. A clamor arose as the reporters all talked at once.
Stottlemeyer held up his hands. "No more questions please, but I would like to take a moment to recognize these brave men and women for their hard work and dedication. I am proud to be a member of this police force. They are my heroes."
With that, he turned and nodded to his friends. They descended the stairs amid the applause of the bystanders and passersby who had gathered to observe. Natalie's hand remained in the crook of Adrian's arm as she held her head high. As always, Adrian had served his city with bravery, and with honor. Her fears came to fruition as he was injured in doing so, but she had never been prouder to be at his side. He was a detective, and probably always would be because he was the best, but he was also hers. She loved him for everything he was, and she knew that would never change.