A/N: I'm taking a break from the "I" series to write this idea that I had. It has a mystery in the middle, but I thought it would be fun to have a summation in the beginning (from a different mystery). I'll also either have romance, or just a dash. It depends on where I take the story and what kind of mood I'm in. I just hope my mind isn't too warped; you wouldn't believe how perverted a couple of my guy friends are! And I had to spend two days with them! Anyway, enjoy chapter one: ) Oh, and it might take me awhile to get the 2nd chapter up because I hurt my hand yesterday and I'm busy. And also, see if you can guess what show the café girl is from. Some of you should be able to get it.

Chapter One: Another Case Solved

It was hot. That's what was going through my mind at the time. There I was, a man in a full suit standing on a beach in California on what had to be the hottest day that summer. With everyone else on the beach (except my "friends" that were with me) wearing bathing trunks and bikinis (shudder), I probably looked like a complete fool in my suit.

As soon as the thought came, it left. The case I was about to solve replacing it. The man standing in front of me was obviously a native to the Hawaiian islands. He was tall, tan and slightly muscular. His black hair was short, with two strands of hair hanging down, one on each side of his face in perfect symmetry. His brown eyes were almond shaped and I noticed that his left eye was twitching. He grinned mockingly at me and threw his hands in the air. "This is ridiculous! Why would I kill my own brother?" he shouted at me. As I opened my mouth to deliver my witty, wonderfully planned line, a woman's voice from beside me spoke up. "Simple, your brother was a regular Don Juan. You were jealous,"

"Natalie," I began, trying to get her to stop.

"Green-eyed,"

I rolled my eyes in annoyance. "Natalie, please–"

"Or as my daughter puts it: jelling."

I was confused. Forgetting about the case, I asked her what it meant. "Uh. . . Natalie? What does 'jelling' mean? I've never heard of it."

"It's teen-talk for jealous." she replied back to me, matter-of-factly.

"Oh," I replied. No wonder I've never heard of it before. "Now, are you finished?"

"Why?"

"Because I would like to give the rest of the summation if you don't mind." I told her, giving her the most annoyed look I could muster. "I'm the detective, you're the assistant remember?" I said condescendingly. As soon as those words left my mouth, I knew I was in for it. What ever "it" was.

"Now hold on just a second,"she said standing closer in front of me and crossing her arms across her chest. "I thought this was an equal partnership!" I sighed again and started to explain to her why I said what I said. "Here's the thing. . ." I tried to think of something to tell her. "I-I didn't know what I was saying, I was just. . . you know. . .irritated. I'm sorry." and that was entirely a lie, I was annoyed when I said that. I watched Natalie's face turn soft and she reached out and rubbed my arm. The act didn't seem to make me want to jump in fear anymore. Maybe there was hope for me yet. . .

"I forgive you, Mr. Monk." she told me. She looked into my eyes and smiled at me as I did to her (though my smile was not as broad as hers). There seemed be something strange between us. . .I could feel it. . .what was this?

That's when Captain Stottlemyer's gruff voice yelled at us. "Look, can we please get on with this? You two will have time later for. . .whatever it is you two are doing! Now get this wrapped up so the Lieutenant and I can get on with our jobs!" I felt my face turn fearful. Leland maybe my old friend, but when he gives an order and it's not obeyed. . .well there's no telling what could happen. "Uh, yes sir," I replied. I cleared my throat and prepared myself to put the suspect back on the integration block.

"My assistant is partly right," I told the Hawaiian man. "You were jealous, but not because of your brother's. . .um. . .bachelor life. It was because he was having an affair with your wife." The man's angered face grew darker and he jumped at me. I fell down to the sandy (germy) ground and closed my eyes, waiting for what this man was about to dish out on me. But none came. It was then I felt a thin arm slide under mine. I looked up and saw Natalie looking down at me with sincere concern. "Are you okay?" she asked me. When I had my own two feet on the ground, I nodded while straightening out my suit jacket and brushing myself off.

Just then, the Captain and Disher passed by us with the Hawaiian man in their custody. "So help me, you will pay!" he snarled at me. "And your little girlfriend, too!" for some reason, I slipped my arm around Natalie's shoulders protectively. He continued yelling and cursing as he was hauled off. I let my arm that was around Natalie abruptly fall back to my side. "Well. . .that was a fun day," she said sardonically. "Come one, I feel like a cup of coffee."

We drove in silence until we reached a place called "Coffee by Constance". It wasn't a place really - it was more of a stand on the sidewalk. Natalie parked the car and we got out and walked to the little stand. I couldn't keep quiet of course. What should I have done? Let Natalie get sick by drinking sidewalk coffee? I think not. She kept trying to shush me, but she was not victorious. When we reached the stand, I saw there was a young girl about nineteen manning the "small business". She grinned at Natalie and I with such perkiness, she almost made me sick. "Hi Natalie," she greeted my assistant. "How are you today? And Julie, how is she doing?" Natalie smiled back at the girl and replied. "I'm fine and so is Julie. Thanks for asking, Connie." Connie. . . I thought, a look of curiosity crossing my face. Where have I heard that name before?

I stared at Connie, trying to find the answer to my question. The young girl noticed my behavior and smiled at me. "I don't think I've had the pleasure," she told me. "I'm Connie Kendall. I run this little 'café'. It's only until the end of the summer when I go back up home in a small town in Ohio." she held out her hand for me to shake and I reluctantly took it. Natalie handed me a wipe and Connie's confused look turned to one of understanding. "Oh! You must be Mr. Monk!" she squealed happily. "Natalie's told so much about you!" she picked up a pot of coffee and poured it into a paper cup that had "Coffee by Constance" written on it in black permanent marker. "Here," she said, handing me the cup. "It's on the house." I cringed at the cup in my hand and decided to hurriedly hand over to Natalie. She's the one who wanted coffee in the first place. She shot me a mean look, then turned and faced Connie. "I'm sorry about him," she apologized. "I can dress him up, but I can't take him anywhere." she laughed and Connie joined her.

Then, something caught my eye. Or rather, someone. It was a man - but not just any man, it was the guy whom I had just helped put in jail! "Natalie," I whispered in her ear. "We've got to go now." she sighed the same sigh she had given me on many occasions (and I her). "Why?" she asked. I gently grabbed her shoulders and turned her around. I heard her gasp as she saw the man come closer. "That's why," I told her. "Let's go. . .now."