A/N: First off, I want to apoligize for updating so late. But you wouldn't believe how much has been going on in my life latley. Second, I'm typing this on someone else's computer. They don't have Word Perfect, so there's probably going to be spelling errors. I apoligize. Also, the quality might go down (not in my writing hopefully, but int the appearance of the chapters) in this chapter (and possibly in the others to come), and for that, I also apoligize. Oh! And I want to thank you all for wonderful (and plentiful) reviews! I've hadn't had this many before! I mean, 25? How did that happen?One more note, The part where it says what's written on Trudy's grave stone, I'm just trying to remember what's written on there 'cause I don't have time to investigate. So please, bear with me on that.But anyway, on to the shoutouts!

Amymimi: Yes! I managed to stay in character for a fourth chapter in a roll! I'm on fire!

Concetta: I'm trying not to! Here's the next chapetr for you! Oh, and thanks for all four reviews.

Monker: LOL! You really like the fact Monk asked Natalie out, huh?

WolyGombit Le Diable Blanc: Thanks! I try. Sorry for not updating sooner.

almathea: Thanks for loving it and reviewing!

future cop: Thanks for reviewing first off and thanks for the idea. I was trying to think of a time where Mitch could be mentioned and I hadn't even thought about the date! Thanks!

Illyria639: Yay! Another shipper! Welcome fellow A/N shipper!

Katydidit: You're really gonna let me have it, aren't you? AHHHH! runs and hides behind guy-friend Jason

bringirl: Yep, you're right. Good things come to those who wait. Try telling my dad that, well. . .

Anyway, to chapter five! AWAY!

Chapter Five: A Talk With Trudy

"Wow, Really?"

"I-I honestly don't know," I replied, rubbing my forehead with the back of my hand. "I told her I wanted us to go out to dinner to celebrate our friendship and, surprisingly, she said. . .yes!"

"Let me get this straight: You asked her out?" he asked, shock sounding in his voice.

". . .Well. . ." I sighed a little before countinuing. ". . .Yes. Yes I did."

For four-point-two minutes, all I could hear on the other end was laughter. After Disher got through his "giggle fit", he tried talking again.

"I-is she (giggle) dating anyone else?"

"Well. . .I suppose she is. . .she went out with David Haze's brother last night."

"How's that possible? I thought he was dead. What'd she do, go out with a ghost?"

"She didn't go out with a ghost, Liuetenant." I told sternly. "Appearantly, Blaze has twin, Da-anny."

"Ooh, is someone jelling?" He said teasingly.

I grew even more annoyed than before. "First of all. . .don't. . .ever. . .use that word again. And second. . .I don't. . .think so." I told him. Some how, I felt a twinge of guilt run through me, as if I was lying.

"Tsh, whatever you say, Monk," He said obnoixsuly. "But anyway, since she's dating someone else, it's possiblethat it isn't a date, so you can relax."

I let out a sigh of relief.

"Of course that also means you're going to lose her."

I don't know what happened, but I think the thouhgt of losing Natalie scared me. I think at that moment, I was close to hyperventilating. "Wha-what?" I asked.

"Think about it, Monk," He said. "If she gets married to him, what do you think she's going to do?"

I gave that horrible possiblity some thought. "She'll. . .she'll probably quit and move to Hawaii with him."

"Exactly. So for your sake, we need to 'rip' her from that guy's arms. So to speak."

"I don't know. . ." Now I was regretting the whole conversation. I promised Natalie that I wouldn't interfere with her personal life. And Adrian Monk never breaks his promises.

"Come on Monk!" Disher urged me. "Do you want to lose her to some surfer guy?"

". . .no. . ."

"Then here's the plan: on your date, all you have to do is filrt with her."

"You mean, like showing romantic interest in her?"

"Yeah, yeah!" He said exciditly. "Besides, what's the big deal about that anyway? You do it all the time."

"I-I do?"

"Sure, you know things like staring at her when you think know one's looking, stuff like that."

There was a long pause before Disher said anything else. "Monk, I'd hate to break this to you but. . .I think you're in love with her."

I froze. How was this possible? How could I fall for another woman? How could I fall for my assistant?

"Uh, Disher, I uh, something came up sudennly, so uh, I got to go." I hung up the phone without a goodbye and without waiting for a reply from Disher.

I leaned up against the kitchen wall, whispering "Fogive me, Trudy." A single tear escaped from my eye. I wiped it dry before picking up the phone and dialing Natalie's number.

After a few rings, I was greeted by Natalie's sweet voice. "Hello?"

"Natalie, something's come up and. . .and I need you to drive me to the cemetary. . ."

I walked slowly up to the grave that I've been visiting for eight years. The same stone that read:

"Trudy Anne Monk - Loving wife and daughter"

In my hand, I held two single roses. I knelt down and placed one of the roses gently on the ground in front of the stone.

"Hey, Trudy." I told the grave. "You know I love you right? I always will, but. . ." I sighed for the thousandth time that day. "I think Disher might be right. . .I think I am falling for Natalie. . ." When I said that, there was no twinge of guilt. . .not for lying anway. . .

I dropped down even further on my knees and placed my head against the grave stone. "I'm so sorry Trudy. . . .please forgive me. . ."

Sudenlly, the cold hard grave stone against my forhead was replaced by what felt like a warm lap. I looked up through tear-stained eyes. There, I saw my beloved dead wife staring straight down at me, smiling lovingly. She wiped away my tears as she said sweetly, "Oh my darling," Her voice calmed me like when a toddler finds its comfort blanket.

"Don't cry, and don't feel so guilty. I'm glad that you found someone to love again. If you tell Natalie about how much you love her, my worst nightmare won't come true." She paused a moment, as I placed my head back down on her lap and she stroked my hair. "You won't end up alone."

I stood up, holding Trudy's hands in mine. "I'll tell her tomrrow night, Trudy. I promise." She slid of the stone and gave me a tender kiss on the cheek. "Goodbye, Adrian." She whispered softly. Before I could respond, she dissapeared.

When I slipped slowly back into the car, Natalie gave me a small, but soothing smile. She rubbed my back gently and whispered to me "You okay, Adrian?" I nodded and smiled a little at her voice and her touch. I looked up at her and said, grinning like a chesher cat, "I have something for you," I handed her the single rose, still grinning.

She looked at me quizically, but took the rose and smiled at me. "Thank you Adrian. This is so sweet of you."

After she gently placed the rose between the seats, she started up the car and pulled out of the cemetary.

As the cemetary got further from view, I whispered gently, "Goodbye, Trudy."