I don't own any of the Monk characters!

Take a Chance
by Zzilly14

Randy and Sharona started to get along better than they used to. Insults and sarcasm were replaced by actual conversation. This change in attitude didn't go unnoticed.

"Hey Monk," the captain said while watching the two of them from a distance. It was the annual station picnic, held at one of the local parks. "What do you think?"

"It's got to be murder. I mean, why would a squirrel kill himself?" asked the defective detective as he stared at the dead animal lying still on the road nearby.

Stottlemeyer glanced at Monk before rolling his eyes. "I'm not talking about the road kill. I'm talking about Sharona and Randy. Look at them. They're not bickering anymore."

Monk moved his eyes towards where Stottlemeyer pointed. Sure enough, the two were actually getting along. "He likes her. And I think she likes him too. See the way they're standing?"

"Good. I'm not the only one who sees it," he answered in relief. "I'm not going crazy."

The curly-haired clean-cut man looked back at the captain. "You will, Captain. You will."

On the other side of park, the conversation was just as amusing.

"And then," Sharona laughed, "he called me a square. It was the craziest thing. Adrian called me a square!"

"That's because he was on drugs," Randy replied.

"Well... yeah. But, it was just... weird."

The lieutenant scratched his head. "Sharona? Can I ask you something?"

"Sure. What is it?"

"Would you like... dinner?"

"When I'm hungry again. Those burgers were very filling." She giggled. "Wait... are you trying to ask me out on a date?"

"Yes. Dinner. Tonight?"

"I'd love to," she beamed.

That evening, the two decided to meet at the park again. Randy told Sharona he wanted to surprise her with where they were going, but in reality the poor guy had no clue what he was going to do.

So he arrived at the park early, pacing around with a phone book in his hands. He wanted to go somewhere nice, but not too expensive. What was he going to do?

As he was looking up restaurants, he felt a hand on his arm. He looked up to see Sharona.

"Randy Rule Number One: 'It's a surprise' means 'I have no idea.'"

He gulped. "That would be correct. Although I wouldn't put it as my number one rule."

"Whatever. Now let's get going, we don't want to be late!"

"But I don't..."

She smirked. "Just start walking and I'll point you in the right direction. Capeesh?"

He nodded as they headed out of the park, wondering what was going to happen next.

TO BE CONTINUED...