Title: " Mr. Monk and the X"
Author: DragonLady
Summery: What happens when Sharona's abusive ex-husband returns
Spoilers: Small one for "Asylum"
Disclaimer: Monk is the property of USA Network and Mandeville Films.
Rating: R








"You're sure?" Sharona giggled softly. "Yes, I'm sure! Now come on, I'm starving!" Shrugging in defeat, her date stabbed a small portion from his plate and fed her a bite of his spicy dinner. "Not too hot is it?" Sharona shook her head, chewing thoughtfully. Suddenly, she grabbed her water glass. Ted chuckled as she swallowed quickly. "I warned you!" Sharona flicked water in his general direction. "You said it would be hot; you didn't say you frequently have your food marinated in Tabasco sauce!"

As they ate, Sharona plied her date with questions, learning about his position as part owner of a local department store. "I can get you a great deal on gold jewelry." Sharona smiled. "That's very generous. However, my kid and my job don't allow a lot of room for gold and jewels." Ted leaned forward, placing his arms on the cleared table. "Tell me about your job. From what you've told me, I understand there's very little time for privacy." Sharona placed her folded hands on the table. "Actually, it's not so bad… What am I saying, it's terrible! But I love what I do." At Ted's somewhat bemused expression, Sharona started again. "My work is demanding. Most of the time, I love what I do. I find my job exciting, stimulating, and better than anything I've ever done before. My boss, Adrian, is the sweetest guy I know, but he tends to drive me a little nuts sometimes." She shook her head. "He has a lot of blind spots, and not all of them are related to his O.C.D. He has a thing about money. He forgets that some of us need to buy groceries and pay bills." Ted laughed quietly, then leaned back, crossing his arms. "Is he on any sort of medication?" Sharona nodded. "He's taking a tricyclic anti-depressant. It helps a little, but doesn't do as much for him as we were hoping."

"What about Luvox, I heard that was supposed to be good." Sharona shook her head. "They tried that early on, it made him really sick, and he didn't sleep for about three days. Of course, I don't think he sleeps much anyhow…" At this point, the waiter appeared at the table. "Oh, no dessert, thank you."

"Actually miss, you have a phone call. The caller wanted me to express to you that it was urgent." Sharona sighed. "Adrian." Ted smiled. "Why don't you go get that, I'll wait for you here." Nodding gratefully, Sharona followed the waiter to the lounge.

"This is Sharona…"
"Sharona, thank God! I was getting worried, it's after 10!"
"Adrian! I told you, this is a date. Dates can run late, especially if they're going well. Now, was that the only reason you called?"
"Well, yes… but…"
"Then I'm hanging up."
"No, but Sharona, wait!"
"Goodbye Adrian." Sharona let the phone drop back onto its holder. "If he calls back, I'm not here." The waiter nodded stiffly.

Back at the table, Ted stood until she was seated. "Everything ok?" She nodded. "Just fine. Now, how about we get some dessert after all?"




Back at his apartment, Adrian paced back and forth nervously. He'd already re-arranged his desk twice. As well, he'd vacuumed, dusted, and mopped. He'd promised Sharona he wouldn't bother her on her date. But it was so hard! He couldn't stand having her out of reach. Unable to stop himself, he picked up the phone again and dialed. When he made his request, he learned that Sharona was not there. Further inquiry brought no answers. A call to her cell phone was useless, as she had it turned off. Figuring she was probably on her way home, Adrian allowed about 20 minutes for driving time, and another five minutes for goodbyes at the door. When he figured she was likely home, he called her. The phone picked up after the second ring. "Sharona, I'm glad you're home. Look, I'm sorry I called…"

"Sorry bud, Sharona ain't here." Adrian started at the male voice on the other end of the line. "What… who is this?" The voice chuckled deeply. "I'm Sharona's husband. Now just who the hell are you?"





Sharona sipped slowly at her wine. After dinner, Ted had taken her to a popular nightclub. She had been delighted to see it wasn't filled with people. Instead, only a few patrons wandered the club. The music was quiet, allowing descent conversation. Ted told her this was his one of his favorite hangouts. "It's very nice. Most of the clubs I been to, you can't talk below a shout." Sharona glanced at her watch. "Oh wow, I better call my neighbor and let her know I'll be a little late. She's watching Benjy for me." Ted nodded amiably while Sharona pulled out her cell. She smiled while she punched in the number. "Hi Darlene, it's Sharona. Is Benjy there?" Ted sipped his drink slowly. "Hi sweetheart. Yeah, I'm still out. Listen, I'm gonna be a little late tonight. Yes… yes, did you finish your homework? Great. Yes, I'm having a good time. Alright, I love you to, put Mrs. Owens on again will you? Darlene… yeah I am, I'm sorry. Thank you so much, I promise it won't be too late. Ok, great, I'll see you soon." Ted set down his drink while she hung up. "Any problems?"

"Nope, she just needs me there before one." Sharona started to reach for her glass when Ted took her hand. "Lovely lady, would you do me the honor of a dance?" Blushing, Sharona smiled widely. "I'd love to!"




Eyes watched from across the street as the man and woman chatted in the car. As the man leaned over for a kiss, the watcher's hands curled into fists. Before the woman exited the car, the hidden observer vanished into the night.


Sharona smiled a little dreamily as Ted's car pulled away slowly. Sighing, she walked up to Darlene's house and knocked. "Oh, hello Sharona, won't you come in?" Sharona smiled and shook her head. "I'd like to, but I got an early day tomorrow. I'll just grab my kid and get out of your hair." Darlene laughed at the insinuation that Benjy had been any trouble. "Your son is playing a zombie game with Chad on the computer, I'll go get him." Sharona waited just inside while Benjy was hustled down the stairs. "Hi mom! BYE CHAD!" An answering holler rolled down the stairs. "Thanks again Darlene!"

"It's no problem, I love his company! See you around Benjy!"

"Bye Mrs. Owens!"

Benjy ran ahead of his mom to their door. He waited patiently for her to catch up, then bolted inside as soon as the door was open. "Don't break an furniture!" The phone was ringing as she walked inside. Dropping her bag by the sofa, she picked up the phone on her way to the kitchen. "Hello."

"Sharona!"

"Yes Adrian, I'm home, you can stop worrying about me."

"Sharona, get Benjy, and get out of the house right now!" Sharona placed her hand on her hip. "What, why?"

"A strange man answered the phone when I called earlier, he said he was your husband." Sharona sighed as she grabbed the milk from the fridge. "Adrian, are you sure you called here? Maybe it was a wrong number. Look, it doesn't matter, there's no one here!" Adrian fairly crackled at the other end of the line. "I'm telling you, there was someone in your house, now will you get out of there!" The milk was shoved forcefully back into the fridge. "Adrian, come on! What do you want me to do. Benjy has school tomorrow, I have to get up early to drive you to your appointment, and you want us to load up in the car… and drive where, your place? Cause if we do, Benjy gets your bed!" Adrian's voice faltered a moment. "I'll, uh, I'll… get some clean sheets, just, please…" Sharona sat heavily. "God! Alright, alright. But you're payin' me extra for this."




Within half an hour, Sharona, Benjy, and an overnight bag were sitting in Adrian's living room. Benjy was already nodding his head in weariness. "Hey kid, how bout you get to bed huh?" Benjy looked up at Adrian worriedly. "Are you sure it's alright? I could sleep on the sofa if you want." Adrian smiled, clasping his hands tightly. "Go on." As Benjy started to stand, Adrian rubbed his arms. "Benjy, could you…"

"Yeah, I got my own sheets." Nodding in satisfaction, Adrian didn't hinder the boy further as he went to bed. Sharona had her arms folded as she sat across from Adrian. He leaned forward with his elbows on his knees. "Sharona, I know what I heard. I called your house at 10:47. A man answered. He said he was your husband, and asked who I was. When I told him, he told me to never call back, and then hung up." Sharona sighed. "Adrian… Look, I know you think you called my house, and I don't intend for this to sound mean, but a few months ago you thought you were in your own house getting ready to cook Trudy's favorite dinner." Adrian looked at his hands. "Sharona, I know you don't believe me. But please, just stay here tonight, and don't go home tomorrow until I have a chance to check out the house, please." Sharona groaned under her breath. "Ok, fine, whatever. But you promise me, If you don't find anything, I don't want to hear any more about the mysterious stranger." Adrian, reluctantly, agreed.




Ted Muhller jingled his keys in his hand as he walked the flight of steps to his front door. The taste of wine and Sharona's kiss was still on his lips. He was unlocking the door when an odd thought occurred to him. Why wasn't his motion detector coming on? A sudden movement out of the corner of his eye caused him to turn his head sharply. The keys dropped to the concrete with a clink as the shape dislodged itself from the side of the house and slammed Ted to the ground. A sharp, wet pain in his abdomen made him gasp. Red-rimmed eyes stared into his blue ones as the pain slowly intensified. "W-wha…" A hand covered his mouth as he tried to speak, there was blood on it. "Shhhh, we don't want our friendly neighbors to hear now do we friend?" Ted's energy quickly drained from him, soaking into the ground beneath his back. Another sharp thrust, and his eyes glazed over. The hand moved from his face, leaving behind a red clown's smile. The killer stood slowly, tremors working over his form. Leaving the knife where it was, he melted into the dark.



More coming soon!!