"How is he?" Natalie asked, running down the hospital wing with Julie to where Stottlemeyer and Monk were standing.

"He's going to be O.K. A few cuts and bruises, two broken ribs and a minor concussion, but the doctors say he'll be on his feet in a few days," Stottlemeyer said sullenly. Natalie let out a sigh of relief, squeezing Julie's hand.

"Can we see him?" Natalie asked. Stottlemeyer nodded slightly, turning away from them, looking depressed. Natalie looked at Monk, who gave her a knowing look.

"Why don't you take Julie to the gift shop first? Maybe you can buy him a nice get well card," Monk said to Natalie, implying they should leave him alone with the captain. Natalie nodded understandingly, glancing over worriedly at Stottlemeyer before she walked away with Julie.

"Uh, Captain?" Monk approached Stottlemeyer, who was looking at the ceiling. "Do you want to go see him?" Stottlemeyer took a moment and then looked at Monk.

"I can't," Stottlemeyer said, conflicted. "I just can't face him. It's my fault he's in this mess."

"No, it's not. If Randy hadn't been there, Julie might have been hurt," Monk said forcefully. Stottlemeyer stared down at his feet. Monk walked away in the direction where Natalie and Julie went. Stottlemeyer took a deep breath and entered the hospital room.

Randy was sitting up in the bed, shirtless, large bandages wrapped around his head and chest.

"Hi," Stottlemeyer muffled awkwardly. Randy looked up.

"Hello Captain," Randy answered, fidgeting a little. Stottlemeyer walked slowly over to him.

"How are you feeling?" he asked sincerely. Randy shook it off.

"I'm fine. Ready to get back to work," Randy said, looking away.

"You give your statement already?" Stottlemeyer grumbled, looking away from Randy as well. Randy nodded, looking down at his hands. Stottlemeyer sat at the edge of Randy's bed.

"You wanna talk about it?" Stottlemeyer asked. Randy shifted in the bed, looking a little uncomfortable.

"No," he stated simply, not looking at the captain. The captain paused, looking at the young man in front of him. He couldn't imagine how scared Randy must have felt and feared how badly the kidnappers treated him.

"Look, Randy," Stottlemeyer said. "I'm sorry for what I said that day at Natalie's house. You have been a…"

"No, Captain. You were right. I'm not a very good police officer," Randy said guiltily.

"No, you are a FINE officer," Stotttlemeyer said firmly.

Randy shook his head. "I can't even manage fighting off a few kidnappers. I'm just too weak."

Stottlemeyer leaned in close and put his hand on Randy's shoulder. "You fought off three perps to protect Julie. That is honorable." Randy looked back, Stottlemeyer staring him straight in the eyes.

"And I'm so lucky to have someone like you to go to work with everyday." Stottlemeyer gulped softly. "I don't know what I would do without you, son."

For the first time, Randy grinned a little. "Thanks Captain," he replied.

"What should we get?" Natalie whispered to Julie, looking through the card section. She spotted Monk walking into the shop, wiping his jacket furiously.

"I hate hospitals. So many germs, I can't take it!" Monk exclaimed, shaking his head violently. Natalie put her hand on his shoulder.

"Calm down, Mr. Monk." Monk took a breath and looked down at Julie, who was stroking her bare neck with her fingers. Monk sighed, knowing what she must have been thinking.

"Julie, I'm sorry we had to take your necklace away," Monk replied.

"Oh, it's no big deal," she said, trying to be convincing. Monk glanced at Natalie, and then back at Julie. He looked to be struggling about something.

"Well, if you want…" Monk looked up at the ceiling, like it was paining him to say these words.

"We could…um…well, we could…"

Julie looked at her mother, confused. "Spit it out, Mr. Monk," Natalie said forcefully.

Monk mustered all the strength he could. "We could go shopping for your new present at the MALL."

THE END

(to readers: Thank you soooo much for your kind reviews. I really appreciate it!)