Author's Note: Thank you to all of our kind reviewers for your continued support. Yes, Alkibiades13 , there was a mistake in the previous chapter which has now been fixed thanks to your sharp eye. I knew that to be so but didn't correct it on my final draft, so thank you for pointing it out. Thank you to Country, KittyKat06, Ljd & Guest as well. Your input is greatly appreciated. Love the reviews! Now on to your chapter :)

After the debacle at the crime scene, Albright had wanted Natalie to cut out of work early so that they could go back to her place and have some alone time. But, due to what all had happened, Natalie told him that she needed to stay and work instead. In reality, she needed time to think and to process the situation at hand. Things definitely felt different in her life, particularly with her and Adrian Monk. But, after years of quiet desiring, followed by firm acceptance that she would only ever be his friend, she felt that this little bit of attention that he was paying her was surely being misread. It simply couldn't be happening. Not after all of this time.

Steven said he understood, and he kissed her goodbye for the evening taking the opportunity to go visit some Navy friends. It was only when she was non-committal to having lunch with him the next day that he became concerned.

"Have I done something wrong?" he asked. "I honestly didn't mean to get Monk upset."

Natalie tried to slough it off. "No, not at all. It's just, things have been very busy this week and we're under a lot of pressure. I don't want to cut out if he still needs me to work on something. But, I'll let you know." She replied.

The next day arrived, and Natalie did manage to take some time off, explaining to Monk that she and Steven were having lunch but she'd be right back. She observed how he suddenly had a shift in mood, seeming quieter than he had all morning. But, he ultimately said he was okay with it and told her he'd see her later.

But was he really okay with it? Why had he gotten so quiet? She really wanted to know.

That shift in mood played in her mind the entire time she was at lunch with her boyfriend. Monk had called her his assistant and said he wasn't jealous of her and Steven, but she couldn't help but notice the subtle shift in his eyes when he said it. It was the same shift that she detected any time he would try to tell her a lie. He could never quite pull it off. So, she had to at least consider the possibility that maybe he was jealous. But why?

"Earth to Natalie." Steven said, reaching across the table and taking her hand.

Natalie snapped back to the present and gave him an embarrassed smile.

"Huh? Oh. What…what were you saying?" she asked.

Steven shook his head. "I was telling you about what Rear Admiral Bertrau had to say about the promotion."

"Okay…"

"You didn't hear a word I said?" he asked.

Natalie shook her head and closed her eyes. "No. I'm sorry, Steven. I didn't. My mind was just…I don't know…somewhere else."

"What place else?" he replied. "I feel like you're with me, but you're not with me. What's goin' on babe?"

She looked down and nervously played with the tablecloth. "Well…It's a mystery I'm working on. Really, more of a puzzle." She said. "Can't really talk about it though."

"You can't talk about it? Since when?" he asked.

"It's confidential. So, please…don't ask." She replied. "Please, go on with your story."

Albright sighed. "Well…as I was saying, Rear Admiral Bertrau was presented with the option of making me a Lieutenant Commander and the Captain told me that it's pretty much a done deal."

"Oh, Steven! That's wonderful." Natalie smiled, but then noticing his demeanor, she tilted her head. "Are you not happy?"

Albright shrugged. "I am happy. Sort of. There's just one catch."

"What's that?" she asked.

"I won't be stationed out of California anymore." He stated.

"No? Where will you be?" she asked.

"They're saying possibly Guantanamo Bay."

"Cuba?" she asked, surprised.

"Yes." He replied. "I would live there on base six months out of the year. And the pay would be good."

"But, isn't that where they send the terrorists to?"

"Gitmo. Yes, that's where unlawful combatants are sent to. Occasionally, we'll get refugees or people from some disaster as well. I would be the medical supervisor over the entire camp."

"But isn't that dangerous?" she asked.

"Honey. I'm in the military. There's always a little danger. But, really no more than anything else. I could be sent any place in the world and face danger. Just the nature of the beast." He replied.

"I see." She said, pausing for a long time. "Do you think you would still come back to see me and Julie?"

Albright paused. Looking up, he took her by the hand. "Well, Natalie. Um, I was thinking…you know instead of me continually flying back and forth to come visit…I was thinking, maybe when I move out there…perhaps you…"

Natalie's cell phone rang which in her mind was just as well. She had a good idea of what he was going to say, and moving out of California and leaving Mr. Monk was definitely not something that was on her agenda. Looking down at the cell phone she shook her head.

"Monk?" Steven asked in exasperation.

She shook her head yes then answered. "Hey, Mr. Monk….Yes…I'm still at lunch… Yes, he's still here. No. I'm sure he's fine. What's wrong?...What? Oh. It's in the cabinet next to the stove on the top shelf… No… on the right hand side… No, Mr. Monk, that's the left…right hand side, next to the stove, on the top shelf. Yes, inside the blue casserole dish. Huh? What?...because, it's smaller and it fits in there… Mr. Monk, your kitchen is only so big. It was my way of conserving space…What? Well get more cabinets!...What? Oh, now come on Mr. Monk, I didn't mean anything by that…No! I don't think you're helpless. You do quite well in the kitchen - most of the time. What? Well…yeah. I can. But…But, I'm having lunch with Steven right now. Yes. I know you have to bake it for four hours. What? Well, why don't you chop it…okay!

Alright, Mr. Monk. Now, calm down. Don't get upset. I'll finish what I'm doing and stop by the store on the way over to your place. What? I don't know. I'm halfway through my meal. Maybe ten minutes?

Mr. Monk! I will not get a doggie bag! Why? Because I'm not a dog! Just settle down and I'll be there, alright?

...What? Okay. I'll make it five. Geesh! Alright. Yes, the classic blend, not the Cajun. I've got it. Oh? Okay. And, some water. And…what? Asparagus?!

Mr. Monk, are you basically asking me to do your grocery shopping for you? Well I told you that we should have gone on Tuesday…I know…I know… Alright. I'll be there shortly. Okay. You be safe too. Goodbye."

The entire time that Natalie was talking, Steven looked at her, softly tapping his fork on the table and waiting to gain a spot somewhere in the landscape of Natalie's attention. But, it wasn't to be. The moment she hung up the phone, she was in a rush and talking a mile-a-minute about Monk's request and how she had to hurry out or he would be upset. Albright listened for a while, but soon became impatient with her and interrupted.

"Well, it sounds like he's pretty much got your life planned out as well as his own." He said, picking up his glass of wine and taking a sip then putting it back down.

"He just needs me to do this." She replied.

"He doesn't need you to do anything, Natalie. Adrian Monk is pretty much self-sufficient as it goes. I think he enjoys making sure that you don't have a life outside of him." He replied.

"Steven. It's my job." She responded. "I run his errands for him and generally take care of him. It's what I signed up for."

"But when do you take care of you, Natalie?" he said. "I mean, since I've been in town, it's been next to impossible to get to spend any time with you. I swear, I think the man is a worse manipulator now than he was before."

"What the heck are you talking about? Mr. Monk is not a manipulator. He's one of the kindest, humblest…"

"When is the last time you had a vacation?" Albright interjected. "A real one. Without him calling for some menial task or otherwise interrupting your day? Or even a date without a phone call? A simple lunch? Was that too much to ask? Natalie, I know that you consider this guy your friend, but babe, can't you see that this isn't a job. It's a codependency! And sorry to say, when you let him jack you around like this, you're not helping him. You're enabling him. I mean, it's not like he's ever going to change. He's been self-absorbed for years and probably just takes it for granted that you're always going to be there no matter what. He doesn't appreciate you!"

Natalie looked over at Steven with anger. "That's your opinion. And, your opinion is wrong. I know Mr. Monk and have known him for eleven years. This is a man that would give his life for me and Julie. You have him all wrong. And, I…I really can't discuss this any more with you. I'm already running late." She said, picking her purse up off the floor.

"Fine. Go do what you have to do." Albright said with a shrug. "Can I at least call you tonight?"

Natalie looked over at him. "I don't know. It depends on what else is going on."

"Oh, for Pete's sake!" he said, raising his voice. "Are we dating or are we not?"

"Of course." She replied.

"Then you need to tell him to back off. Unless…of course, you want to be with him over me."

Natalie picked up her things. "Steven. We'll talk later. I've got to go." She said, marching out the door. Albright picked up the rest of his glass of wine, drank it down then slammed the empty glass down on the table.

Natalie carried the grocery bags to the second floor and let herself into Monk's apartment with her keys, her mood already filled with frustration by the time she arrived. But all of that changed when she heard something fall on the floor in the kitchen and then heard Adrian scream out an uncharacteristic expletive.

"Mr. Monk, are you okay?" she asked, rushing into the house and setting the bags on the dining room table then running quickly into the kitchen. Upon entering the room she saw Monk holding his arm up in front of him and looking helpless at a mess of scalding hot soup broth that had come crashing to the floor. The steam was still coming off of his tile as well as his sleeve.

"Was trying to move it to the other burner and it slipped!" he said, practically doubled over with pain etched on his face.

"Oh, dear! Let's get you under some cold water." she stated, rushing over to his aid, and pushing him towards the sink where she turned on the water as cold as it could go. Unbuttoning and rolling up his sleeve, she took his arm into her hand and gently prodded him to stick the deep red flesh underneath the running tap. "Oh gosh, I hope that doesn't blister." She stated upon seeing the burn. "Where else did it get you?"

Monk grimaced as the water hit his arm "Stomach and a little on my thigh." He said, stepping back a bit and showing her how the front of his clothing was pretty much saturated.

Shaking her head, she patted his upper arm. "The water isn't going to be enough. Go into your bedroom and change into some loose clothing. I'll make some ice packs."

"But, I…What? What are you going to do?"

"I'm going to put some ice on your burns and see how bad it is."

"I…I don't think so."

"No arguing with me, now go get changed. You're hurt."

"But…"

"Go!" she said, pushing him along as she went to make the ice packs and clean up the mess.

A few minutes later, Monk walked out of his bedroom dressed in a pair of his pajamas buttoned to the top and a white t-shirt poking out underneath. Natalie turned around with the ice bag in her hand and then lowered her hands.

"Loose! I said, loose!" she responded.

"It is loose!" he whined.

"That's not loose!" she replied, "Come here!" She walked over to him and began reaching for his pajama top even as he tried to get away.

"What are you…? What? Natalie! I…I can…" he said, as she backed him into the wall and then blocked his egress.

"You can, but you won't." she replied. "Let me see how bad it is."

Having her in that close of a proximity worked to her advantage because as she started unbuttoning his pajama top, Monk simply didn't know what to do. Removing the top, she took him by his uninjured arm and walked him over to the dining room table. Knowing he was beat, he compliantly did whatever she told him.

"Now, sit down." She ordered, picking up one of the ice bags, which she wrapped in a dishtowel and laying it across his arm. He pulled his arm away but she leaned back down and took him by the hand, guiding the bag back to his arm then reached up and touched his face with her hand.

"It's okay, Mr. Monk. You need to leave that on there. We need to stop the heat from causing more damage. Unless you want me to drive you to the hospital." She replied. He nervously shook his head no, and obeyed.

Standing up, she walked over to the counter and brought over two more ice packs, then got down on her knees in front of him and began tugging on the hem of his t-shirt.

"What are you doing?" he asked, trying to push her hand away.

"I'm trying to see how bad the burn is on your stomach." She replied.

"You're trying to see my belly-button! Don't' give me any of that trying to see the burn stuff…" he suggested, sounding offended. She laughed out loud as she remembered their time with the UFO people.

"Oh, come on now! Mr. Monk! Give me a little credit here!" she replied.

"I am giving you credit, Ms. Teeger." He replied. "For being sneaky!"

"Sneaky? Me?" she laughed, still trying to tug at his shirt. He squirmed.

"Natalie!"

"Mr. Monnnk…." He pushed her hand away.

"Natalieeee…."

"Come on, just let me see…" she said, leaning closer.

"No…I'm okay. It's not that bad." He replied.

"I'll be the judge of that." She stated, pushing his good hand away from her own then leaning in, blocking him with her shoulder. By now her face was about five inches from his own and he could feel her breath on his neck.

"It's just a…it's just..." He replied, struggling to maintain his focus on defending his territory when she was as close as she was.

"Let go of the shirt and let me see, Adrian!" she said, turning her head then looking up into his eyes. Their eyes locked and both hearts sped up as the significance of their positioning did not go unnoticed. Immediately, he released his grip and both sets of eyes traveled to one another's lips and then back again. Almost imperceptibly, Monk raised his eyebrows. Was he asking for permission to kiss her? Natalie swallowed and took a deep breath and was about to say something when the phone rang. Closing her eyes, she backed away and he nearly knocked her over as he stood from the chair, reaching for her with his injured hand to keep her from falling and then withdrawing the hand when the mere touch hurt. He answered the phone.

"Hello? Oh…hey, Molly…I'm…uh…I'm doing okay."

Natalie smirked as it was clear that Monk was nervous, but in a good sort of way. What had just happened between them was the thing of her dreams but she still told herself to not put a whole lot of stock in it. But, it was fun to consider and even more fun to try to torment him while he talked with Molly on the phone.

"…that's okay, dear. You're coming early? Okay. What time?" he said, as Natalie walked over to him with one of the ice bags and again reached for his shirt. He weaved and ducked as much as he could but when Molly asked what was wrong with his voice he had to stop and talk with her. He closed his eyes and shook his head, then reached out his hand and picked up the hem of his own t-shirt and rolled it up, exposing the skin.

Natalie bent her knees and looked at his stomach. It was pink, but not as bad as his arm, looking not much worse than a slight sunburn. Despite this, she took her good sweet time stepping away from his stomach, enjoying the fact entirely too much that his face was turning redder than his burns, but also noting how much toner he was than she had expected. He'd been working out, the observation of which insured that he was not the only one feeling overheated.

Monk was beginning to sweat and his voice was a little shaky as Natalie continued to gawk and even reached out and touched his skin, albeit briefly.

"Yes, um…Muh..muh…MuhMolly…I…I…I'm j-just fine. Just um…I dropped something and Nat-Nat'lie's helping me wuh…with it." He said, raising his hand up to his forehead and wiping his brow.

Natalie stood, and with her face very close to his, flirtatiously bit her lip and said with a glint in her eye, "Yep. Definitely, human." She winked, then stepped away.

Monk couldn't help himself as he bowed his head and smiled that disarming smile of his. He shook his head. "Sneaky, sneaky…" he said, forgetting for a moment what he was doing. "No, Molly…I…I…wasn't talking about you…I…well…nevermind. I guess I should let you go so you can get done…Yeah. five-thirty is fine. See you then."

As he hung up the phone he stopped for a moment and looked over at Natalie.

"And, just what was that?!" he asked, causing her to grin all the more.

"Just making sure you're okay." she said, trying to sound as casual as possible.

"While I was on the phone? I made an idiot of myself to Molly." he said.

"I think you'll live. Is she coming over?"

"Yes. That's who I was making dinner for tonight. She was supposed to be here at seven, but is coming early. You can come too…" he said hopefully, then lowering his voice. "Unless, of course, you and Albright have other plans."

Natalie was still angry at Steven, so she answered quickly. "No. No plans tonight. As a matter of fact, I told him I might have to work. What's the occasion?"

"Oh, no occasion. She's just been digging into information on her biological father."

"Rickover?" Natalie said, her smile reversing in disgust. Monk nodded so she continued. "I wouldn't want to know anything about him. Such wickedness!"

"I know. I know. I tried to dissuade her, but she won't let it go. I swear, she's not related to me biologically, but sometimes she reminds me of myself in terms of her curiosity and stubbornness." He paused for a moment the picked back up. "Which, of course I didn't just admit.."

Natalie smiled and Monk continued. "She wanted to find out all about his life from when he was a young law student up until his death. I think it worries her that he was what was and she doesn't want there to be something...you know...genetic in all of this. So, she's just trying to piece his life together to figure out what made him the monster he was. She's been digging into what all he was into leading up to the time that he tried to kill me. She says there are questions she has about all that and about Trudy's murder and wants to show me what she's found so far and ask my advice on where to go next."

"Does she think there is more than what we know about what happened to Trudy?"

"Yeah, at least I think so. And truthfully…there have been some things that have always bugged me as well." He replied.

"Such as?" she asked.

"Oh. I don't know…Dale, maybe." He answered.

"The Whale? Do you think he was involved?" she asked.

"I don't know. Perhaps." He answered, leaning against the island as Natalie took the chicken out of the refrigerator and began rinsing it in the sink. "I know that he seemed to always know a lot, more than he should." he continued, "And, I always got the vibe that he knew more still than he was letting on. I swear if that creep was involved in Trudy's murder…"

Natalie set the chicken down in the roaster and walked over to him, placing her arm soothingly on his back. "Now, Mr. Monk. Do you really think that he's involved? I mean...really? Down deep? And, do you really want to reopen her case?"

Monk looked at the ground and then back at Natalie. "Truthfully. No." he replied. "My gut feel is that Rickover was the guy who had Trudy killed, using Frank Nunn and by extension, Warrick Tennyson to do it. We got the means, motive and even the confession and that was that. Dale may have heard some things through the grapevine, but as to how and why, I don't think he ever knew." he said, walking over to the grocery bag on the table and bringing it into the kitchen. "But, Molly is convinced that there are other things that were hidden about her biological father that have yet to be revealed. And so, I'm going to help her."

He retrieved the spice from the plastic grocery bag that he requested Natalie to bring, but when he tried to open it, it aggravated the burn on his hand and he grimaced in pain.

"Here, let me get that." She stated, taking the jar from him and unwrapping the plastic seal then throwing the wrapper away. His eyes followed her as she walked and then darted away as she turned around and walked back towards the island. She could swear he was blushing again, but she wasn't quite sure why and by now he had turned his head and was strangely looking towards the ceiling. She looked up too.

"What?" she asked. "What do you see?"

"Um…thought…maybe an um…spider….or something. Guess not." He replied, his eyes shifting again in a most revealing way.

She pursed her lips, knowing by his evasiveness that he was not being truthful but decided not to press. "Well, you go sit down over there. You're too hurt to continue to try to cook. I'll put the chicken on for you and maybe we can make some fresh vegetables instead of soup."

"That sounds good." He replied. "And, if you're done. I think I'll go put on some regular clothes again, if you don't mind. Molly might get the wrong impression if she comes here and finds me hanging out with you in my t-shirt and pajama bottoms."

Natalie laughed and rolled her eyes. "Wouldn't want to give her the wrong impression. Hey, why don't you wear that black pullover? You know, the one that you wore to the Captain's son's graduation with the brown blazer? It's loose enough. It won't rub on your skin so bad."

"Black pullover and what? My dress pants?" he asked.

"Sure, the grey ones. That would be fine, or jeans I know you have a couple of pairs. Just anything that will let your skin breath a little. No need to get all buttoned up. You're with family." She replied.

Monk smiled softly, nodded, then turned and went into his bedroom.

While he was out, Natalie got the chicken on and started to straighten up the rest of the kitchen. Picking up the cookbook that he left on the counter, she took it back into the living room and replaced it in his bookshelves, shutting the double glass doors and turning to continue cleanup. She stopped for a moment, however, when she noted a flash of metal next to Trudy's photograph. It was his ring. Reaching out her hand, she picked it up and slid it over her ring finger, admiring its design even as she noted how much larger his fingers were than hers. Removing it, she placed it carefully back on his shelf and then turned to go into the kitchen but stopped again as she spotted a bouquet of red-tipped yellow roses sitting in his leather chair, wrapped up in plastic. Looking towards the bedroom, she figured he had forgotten to put them in water so she quickly gathered them, found a vase in his closet and then began to cut the stems and arrange them neatly in the container - making sure they were cut to his standards, perfectly even. As she was putting the last rose in the vase, Monk exited his room and smiled.

"Oh, you found them." He said, walking over to her and placing his hand ever so lightly on the small of her back. A feeling of electricity ran through her system.

She smiled. "Yes. I figured you'd forgotten to put them in some water. They're very beautiful. Molly's going to love them."

"Thank you." He said, walking over to the refrigerator and pulling out a bottle of water. "But they weren't for Molly." He said as he tried to open the water and was reminded of his burns yet again.

"No?" Natalie said, taking the bottle and opening it for him then looking over at him with confusion as she handed it back.

"They were for you." He said softly, with gentle smile.

"For me?" she asked, surprised. "What? Why for me?"

"To let you know that I appreciate you." He replied. "After I hung up the phone with you, I felt bad about interrupting your lunch time so I ran downstairs to that flower vendor down on Broadway and bought them. Do you really like them?"

She beamed with surprise. "Oh, yes…and it isn't even Secretary's day!" she teased.

Monk's eyes shifted and he moved towards her, lifting his hand and brushing some hair away from her face. "Oh, Natalie. You've always been more than a secretary." The intensity of his gaze captivated her. "In fact...you…"

The doorbell rang and Monk closed his eyes. "...should wait right here while I answer the door." He said, completing the sentence in a way that he didn't intend. Natalie's heart was beating a mile a minute as she pondered the moment. A few seconds later, those thoughts were interrupted when she heard the door open and Monk say exuberantly, "Molly!"

Natalie stepped out of the kitchen into the hall and watched as he gave the woman he loved like a daughter a hug and she felt happy for his change. It hadn't been that long when he would stiffen at a hug and here he was volunteering one as if there were no issue at all. "Come on in and join us. I was a real klutz earlier and burned myself, so Natalie's helping me with dinner." he said, leading Molly into his house.

"Oh hi, Natalie." Molly smiled, walking into the kitchen and setting a folder on the island while she removed her purse from her shoulder and set it in a chair. 'Glad to see you're taking care of Adrian!"

"Well, it's a dirty job but someone's gotta do it." She replied, walking up and placing her hand on his shoulder. "He said you've been doing research?"

"Yes. On Ethan Rickover." Molly stated. "The more I learn about my biological father the more I realize I had to have only picked up Ellison blood and not Rickover. What a creep!"

Natalie nodded and Monk motioned for them all to go into the living room where they could be more comfortable. Then, Molly opened her folder and pulled out a newspaper clipping from January 2000 and sat it on the table.

"There he is. My generous father." Molly said, showing Monk and Natalie the article. Featured in it was a photo of Ethan Rickover with an Ibrahim Tahiri of the People's Trust, a public aid organization for the European Union. Rickover stood next to Tahiri holding an oversized check, a toothy smile on his face.

Monk picked up the clipping and began reading out loud.

Appeals Court Judge, Ethan Rickover presents People's Trust CEO Ibrahim Tahiri with a check for $250,000 from the California Law Association made out to Macedonian Light, a relief agency located in Skopje, North Macedonia. Macedonia Light is dedicated to the care and feeding of Albanian refugees and orphans who have come to the land as a result of recent civil war. In addition to being CEO of the Trust, Mr. Tahiri has spoken many times before the Human Rights Council of the United Nations and is one of the E.U.'s key fundraisers for humanitarian efforts. The donation was the result of a ten-month effort by judges and lawyers for the CLA and was done in honor of the late President of the organization, Justice Meriton Cela.

"So, Rickover was involved in humanitarian work?" he asked.

"Sure looks that way. But, what I can't figure out is what's Ethan's connection to Eastern Europe? Rickover is German, not Albanian." Molly said.

Natalie looked at the photo. "Well, he could have just been presenting the check."

"True." Molly continued. "I thought of that. But, after this encounter, I found at least two other occasions through the years where he was giving similar payments to Tahiri, including one payment in 2008, long after the brunt of the civil war had ended."

"That is strange." Monk replied. "But, I see no connection with your mother's murder."

Molly shook her head. "That's correct, at least not directly. However, I got ahold of Ethan's appointment book for the months before his death and he met with this Tahiri character at least six other times that year – the last time about a month before he had you poisoned."

Monk and Natalie looked at one another and then he looked over at Molly, perplexed. "Okay. So…what are you thinking?"

"Don't you think it's strange?" she asked. "Why would this relief agency still be asking for money for the same thing ten years after the civil war?"

Monk thought. "Yes, it's a little odd. But, that doesn't have anything to do with me or Trudy."

"Maybe. Maybe not. But I still want to pursue it. There's something connected to something. I just feel it in my bones. Tahiri died a few weeks before Ethan, under suspicious circumstances. Call it curiosity at this point, but I'd really like to know what he and Ethan were so busy about in 2009. It's just weird."

"And you want Mr. Monk's help in getting you information?" Natalie asked.

"Yes. I'd like you both to help." She replied. "Adrian, I know you don't like me poking around as far as Ethan is concerned and it probably just brings back bad memories – but, he is my biological father and I feel a need to know whatever I can about the man and the monster. I need it for my own closure so that I can move on. Will you help?"

Monk looked at Natalie and then at Molly, taking his hand and placing it on the girl's shoulder. "Of course, I will, Molly. Of course."