Author's Note: Thank you Ljd21690, jrchandlerfan1, guest, Country2776, ineffablebway, KittyKat06 and Alkibiades13 for your kind reviews! We are so happy that you are enjoying our story. We love hearing from our readers. Please, keep it up! It's the vitamin pill that fanfic writers need to continue.

Up until this point in the story, there has been a lot of shipper fluff. Things are about to get real though as we build to what happened in the prologue and beyond. Buckle your safety belt. Some rough sailing ahead.

The bright morning sun broke through the San Francisco sky warming the atmosphere and bringing a stream of light through Natalie Teeger's bedroom window. Listlessly, she arose before the alarm was to sound and walked slowly into her bathroom, looking at her puffy eyes and flushed complexion in the mirror and realizing that she needed to pull herself together.

As she splashed cold water on her reddened face, she chided herself for getting carried away in thinking that her boss, Adrian Monk, might have feelings for her after all this time. It was now clear that it was all but an outpouring of wishful thinking on her behalf for feelings long repressed and not what she had hoped for. Indeed, he had made it clear to everyone in that room that he did not.

Or did he? The way he had behaved over dinner and up on that hill on his cousin's property could not be so easily dismissed. Even the fact that he had confessed to his deepest secret about himself and Trudy had to say something. Surely someone wouldn't tell someone something so intimate that they considered 'just an employee'.

And then, there was his wedding ring. Why was it now that had he suddenly 'decided' to remove it - right at the time where she just knew that they were growing closer? And yet, yesterday he had pushed her away and had her go work with Molly instead of at his side where she normally was, where she felt she belonged. The whole thing left her feeling very anxious and unsure.

The mixed signals were tearing her up inside and it felt like she was being taunted - like her deepest desires were being dangled in front of her just out of reach only to be snatched away at the last. It left her feeling empty and sad. Add to this the fact that none of this was something she could talk about with anyone else, not even Julie, and it became abundantly clear to her that her only recourse was to try to rein herself back in, to rein in her feelings to where they were before and hopefully return their dynamic back to where it was. She was best friends with a remarkable guy and, as far as she knew, that was all she would ever be.

Cleaning herself up, she had almost forgotten that Steven had called the previous night until she checked her cell phone and saw that he had texted to say he would be stopping by at eight with breakfast. She didn't really want to see him, or anyone at this point in time, but the ringing doorbell took any choice in the matter out of her hands. And so, she finished buttoning her blouse and made her way downstairs to let him in.

Opening the door, she put on a smile when she saw him, even though smiling was the last thing she felt like doing. He was making an effort to see her and the least she could do was to try to appreciate it as he stood there in the uniform that he knew she loved. She opened her mouth to say good morning but before the words could be uttered, she found herself wrapped up in his strong arms into a passionate embrace that she wasn't quite prepared for nor did she necessarily reciprocate. Steven noted something was wrong right away.

"Hey…what's the matter? You okay?" he asked, stepping back from the kiss.

Natalie looked embarrassed. "Oh…yeah…I just…well I'm just so happy to see you and didn't expect such a greeting." She stammered.

He kissed her forehead. "I couldn't wait to see you either. I had to come over the minute I got back in town." He held up a food bag and waved it in front of her. "I hope you're hungry. I stopped by Darla's Bistro and picked us up some broken-yoke BLTs for breakfast."

"Oh…well, thank you. That was very nice of you." She replied, not having the heart to tell him that she had no appetite at all. Walking with him towards the kitchen, she reached up into the cupboard and retrieved a couple of glasses. "I won't be able to sit with you very long. I was just getting ready for work."

"I figured you would be, and I won't stay long." He said. "But, I wanted to tell you the good news."

"What's that?" she asked.

"The board has approved measures for my promotion."

"That's…terrific! You must be thrilled." She said, feigning excitement.

"Yes! But that isn't all. They are offering me my choice of one of three positions. One is Guantanamo, the other two are in Tokyo or the Persian Gulf."

"Really? Tokyo and the Middle East? That's…that's so far away." She replied.

"It is. But, I figured we could fly back often and see Julie and stuff." He answered.

"We?" she asked.

He smiled. "Yes. I…well, I was hoping that maybe you would go with me. I know you mentioned it before and I've been kinda gun shy after Caroline and everything, but I think I'm maybe ready to take the next step and have us, you know… live together."

Natalie was speechless as this was all coming to her so quickly. She wasn't even sure how she felt about any of it and felt put on the spot for a reaction over such a major choice.

"Live together? Well…I…"

"Don't answer me right now." He stated quickly, sensing her nervousness. "I know this is a big decision. But, your job here is just about over. Monk seems to be doing well enough that I think maybe you can start weaning yourself away from him and move on with your life."

"Move away from Mr. Monk?" she asked.

"Of course." He replied. "He's your boss, and while I know you still consider him a friend, I think it is healthier for both of you that you gain some distance. Natalie, you can't spend your life giving everything to a man who won't spend his life doing the same for you. You've given eleven of your most productive years to this guy, but do you really always want to be the woman who hands a perfectly-capable man his wipes?"

"My job is more than that, Steven."

"I understand that. But, when's the last time he's given you a raise? A promotion?"

"He was talking about changing my role."

"Has he done it?" he asked. "Seriously, Natalie. Monk is not stupid. He can probably see he's losing you and that's scaring him to death. I think he would probably say or do anything to keep you from leaving – but ultimately, you staying is just holding him back and keeping you from experiencing life. So, think about it. You don't have to answer me now. But I'm leaning towards Tokyo and I would very much like it if we could go there together."

After breakfast, Natalie said her goodbye to Steven, making plans to meet up with him later that evening for a grill out in her back yard. Getting into her car, she took her time as she made her way to Monk's apartment. Inside, she felt that what Steven was inferring wasn't true. She knew Adrian Monk, or so she thought, and he wasn't the manipulative and uncaring person that he sometimes appeared to be. In fact, she knew him to be the gentlest-hearted and most honest person she had ever known. That's why she loved him. But her ears hadn't lied. He denied that she was anything more than just a friend – and while they had danced he hadn't actually tried to change that status. So, she was left to ponder. Was there a grain of truth in what Steven was saying? Was Monk's fear of losing her driving him to behavior that would otherwise never happen? She hated to think so, but it would make sense. He couldn't be developing feelings for her after all this time. He was just scared of losing her and doing anything he could think of to keep her from leaving. The situation as a whole wasn't good for either one of them.

He's just a friend. He's just a friend. He's just a friend. She told herself as she pulled up outside of Monk's apartment.

Inside, Adrian wasn't in much better shape than Natalie was when she woke up that morning. He hadn't gotten a lot of sleep, worried about the case and the effect it might have on her. And, he was also concerned about how distant she seemed – not going back with him to run over the information that she and Molly had discovered but choosing to go home instead. Was it something he said? All of this worrying left him feeling quite a bit on edge. They needed to talk things out but he wasn't sure exactly what he would or indeed could say.

As she entered his apartment, Natalie put on a carefree face and greeted him in the normal way. She had picked up the mail and was sorting through his letters, verbally noting the bills that had come in as she did.

"Electric bill, telephone…"

"Natalie…put down the mail." He said, quietly. "We need to talk."

"Talk?" she asked, nonchalantly. "Sure. What do you want to talk about? I'm listening."

"About yesterday…" he began.

"Oooh! Here you go!" she interrupted. "It's an invitation! You never get invitations."

He sighed at her ignoring him. She was definitely upset about something.

"Thank you for reminding me." He grumbled. "But seriously, we need…"

"Don't you want to know who it's from?" she asked with a smile. "Could be really big!"

Her enthusiasm about the matter was enough to throw him off track. As she waved the letter in his face, he reached up and gently pushed her wrist away, "Natalie, please. Take that away. I can already tell you, I'm not interested. They probably want money."

"You never know until you open it." She chirped. Opening the letter, she smiled. "Ah ha! Just what I thought. This will brighten your mood! It's your invitation to Molly and Kyle's engagement party at the Venetian Gardens Restaurant overlooking the Bay."

Monk closed his eyes. She knew that Molly's engagement would not brighten his mood and was really one of the last things he was interested in doing at the time, so why was she doing this? "See, I told you they'd want money." He retorted.

"Awe, Mr. Monnnnk! This is Molly! You are cordially invited to come and bring a guest if you like. It's on Friday."

"Friday?" he said. "I can't go."

"And why not?"

"Because, I'm defrosting my freezer."

Natalie shook her head. "Your freezer is self-defrosting, so don't hand me that."

"Natalie, we need to talk."

"I know…I know, but we need to settle this first. This is such a big day." She replied.

"Oh yeah. Well, I still can't go. Isn't the Venetian Gardens outdoors?" he asked.

"Yes. Beautiful view of the city skyline and the water." She responded.

"No, thanks." He replied.

"What? What do you mean, no thanks? We went to an outdoor restaurant and you said nothing."

"That was different. You dragged me there." He said, meriting a stern look from her face.

"Mr. Monk, you have to go." She responded. "Molly handed me my invitation yesterday and you know that minister from Leland's wedding, Father Shielding and his assistant, they will be there. You liked him."

"I'll pass." He replied. "I just don't want to go."

"Mr. Monk! You can't pass! You're in the wedding party."

He paused. "No. I can't go. I mean, it's like this. I'll be the only guy there by myself." Then a thought quickly came to his mind. "Unless…" he said hopefully, "unless…you'd like to go with me?"

Natalie paused and caught her breath. There it was again. Was he playing a game with her emotions?

"Actually," she said, without hardly a thought. "I figured I would take Steven. He's back in town."

Upon hearing the name of Natalie's suitor, Monk was crestfallen; but, he knew he could not show exactly how that name made him feel. In fact, he tried to play it as casually as possible so that she would not see his reaction and for once, he did a fairly good job of it.

"So soon?" he asked. "Couldn't he have…I mean wasn't he planning on staying away longer?"

"Yeah. Well, he told me this morning that he wanted to get back to me as soon as possible." She responded, not facing him as she opened another envelope which contained another bill.

"Oh. I see." Monk replied, having a harder time controlling his facial expression and voice. "So…I guess that means that he stayed with you again last night?"

Natalie shook her head, a little annoyed at the question and its inference. "No. He came in this morning. Brought me breakfast…though honestly, I'm not sure why I have to explain myself to you."

"Was just asking." He said, defensively, but relieved that Steven had not spent the night.

"Okay. Now what did you want to talk about?" she asked, turning to face him. His eyes searched her own and looked a little wounded. She considered she had come on a little strong. "I'm sorry, Mr. Monk. Truth is I didn't sleep well last night and am a tad grumpy. Seriously. What did you need?"

Monk looked away. "I was just…" he fumbled. "I was just wanting to talk to you about the things you and Molly found at the auditor's yesterday. That was some nice work. Have you figured out what the connection is with the place on Cornwall and Venezuela and Tahiri?"

"No. Not yet. I thought maybe you and I could do so today." She suggested.

"Actually…" he replied, "Leland and Alicia and I have an appointment to go see someone else."

"I could go with you." she said, eagerly.

"Not this time." He replied without explanation. "I…I need you and Molly to check into the place on Cornwall and see if you can figure out that connection. We can meet up later tonight and compare notes."

Natalie was hurt but didn't show it. "I'm having dinner with Steven tonight. It's a grill out. Maybe we could talk about it there. You know, bring Molly over?"

"I…I'm not sure." Monk replied.

"Mr. Monk, every time I invite you over for dinner with me and Steven you decline. I'm afraid you're giving him the feeling that you don't like him. So, come on…we have to eat. We can discuss whatever we find and have a nice grilled steak as well. My treat."

Everything within him wanted to tell her that no. He didn't want to go watch her hanging out with her boyfriend, or her boyfriend hanging all over her. He wanted to say that it hurt too much to watch – but, he resisted. What if she just didn't feel that way about him? Was it fair to interject himself? What if Leland was wrong?

"Okay. I'll go." He said, hardly believing it himself.

"Great! And you're going to Molly's party too! It'll be great. You can sit with us and that way you won't be alone." She replied. "And besides, it will mean the world to Molly." She said softly. "You don't want to disappoint Trudy's daughter, do you?"

With that, Monk knew he was beat. First, she had guilted him into sitting in on her date with his rival and now she had invoked the name of Trudy. How did she do these things? She could get him to do literally anything, it seemed. She knew him so well.

"Alright." He said quietly. "I'll go."

"Yes!" she said, with an awkward hug that both of them turned quickly away from. "She will be so happy."

"But, I'm not staying long!" he added. "Dinner, some sort of engagement gift or something and then I'm going home."

"You've got it!" she replied. "This is going to be great!"

The rest of the morning it was all business. The two went into the station for a few minutes to pick up some papers and then swung by a nearby crime scene at the Captain's request. Far be it from San Francisco to put a hold on its murders while they were working another case.

Walking up on the scene, Stottlemeyer was happy to see them; however, he immediately observed the tension between the two partners. Natalie followed Monk silently, a package of wipes in her hands, while he walked through the crime scene trying to see if there was any clue that the others might be missing. Occasionally, he would stop what he was doing, glance at Natalie and then close his eyes, trying hard to refocus on what he was doing. It was clear he was struggling and soon became very clear to Leland that he would provide no additional insight on the case that day.

"Got anything?" he asked, walking quietly up to his friend. Monk simply shook his head.

Leland and Natalie looked at one another for a moment both recognizing the signs of a distracted Monk and both suspecting for different reasons it had something to do with Monk's relationship with her.

"Thank you for your help today, young lady. I think we're done." Leland said, with a wave of the hand.

"Well, I can stay behind and maybe help with the report." She suggested, looking nervously at the Captain. Why was he dismissing her now? She couldn't tell.

Leland smiled softly then patted her arm. "No, I think we're good. Monk told me you and Molly were making some good headway. Why don't you call her and go see what else you can find. I'll stay back with him."

"Okay." She replied, capturing Adrian's attention with her eyes. "We're still on for tonight, right?"

Monk frowned then nodded.

"Okay boss, I'll see you and Molly there." She responded before walking away.

Leland said nothing to Adrian until they reached the car at which point he didn't stop to look at him and didn't even open the car door but simply asked, "Alright, what happened?"

Monk looked over to the side as he gathered his thoughts. "Nothing. Nothing happened. Nor is it going to."

Leland furrowed his brow and looked over at his friend and was about to push him to not speak in riddles when he recognized the look. It was the look that he saw on his son Jared's face the first time a girl turned him down for a date and the one he saw in the mirror when his wife Karen kicked him out of the house the first time. It was a look of rejection. Monk looked miserable.

"Oh boy, what did she say?" he asked.

Adrian looked towards him, "She didn't say anything. It's her actions."

"Her actions?"

"Ever since we got back from the Chamber's residence and she got back from Molly's she's been acting weird."

"How so?" Leland asked.

"Distant." He said.

"She didn't seem distant right then?" he replied.

"No." Monk said. "But, she pushed me away yesterday and I tried to talk about it today and she was all Mr. Monk this, Mr. Monk that…"

"Okay, Mr. Monk is your name."

"I told her to call me Adrian when...the creature isn't around." he replied.

Stottlemeyer smirked over his friend's jealousy, but let it go."Maybe she's not comfortable with that change just yet. Or maybe, she forgot."

"Forgot?"

"Nevermind. Then what did you do?"

"What do you mean?" Monk asked.

"You did something or said something. Natalie is not prone to distancing herself from you and it has been my experience when a woman pull's away, I've generally done something to cause their withdrawal." Leland said. "So, what did you do?"

"I didn't do anything." He responded.

"You weren't short with her, or didn't ignore her or didn't say something dismissive?" Leland asked.

"No. I didn't do any of that." Adrian replied. "Which is why I think it's him. It has to be him."

"Him, who?" Leland asked. "Albright?"

"Yeah. He's back." Monk lamented.

"Wasn't he supposed to be out of town for a couple of weeks?"

"Yeah. Supposed to be. But now, he's back and I get to turn back into a frog." Monk responded as his shoulders slumped.

Stottlemeyer looked at Monk and rolled his eyes. He was beginning to feel exactly the way he had when he counseled his teen-aged sons.

"Let me get this straight. Yesterday you said you two almost kissed and you both came in here seeming quite happy, and now you're saying that meant nothing?"

"Apparently not."

"Because of Albright?" Leland asked.

"I have no other explanation. He's in and I'm out. They are together. They're dating. She invited me to one of their dates tonight, I guess just to rub it in and…"

"MONK!" Leland shouted.

Adrian jumped. "What?"

"Shut up." Leland replied. "And get in the car!"

"But…"

"Silence!" He reiterated. Monk became silent.

Leland got into the car and leaned over the console, reaching into the glove compartment. Retrieving a yoyo, he shortened its length and then whirled it up and down outside of the car door for several rounds until he gained control of his temper. He reminded himself that this was Monk, not one of his boys, and Monk's reactions to things were sometimes different; but they were no less real to himself. Leland wasn't there so he couldn't judge how factual Monk's assessment was, but he knew his friend was hurting and didn't want to crush him so he would need to be measured in how he responded. He also knew what he knew about how the two felt about one another and what he had observed about Natalie and Albright. Monk had it wrong.

Rolling up the yoyo, he quietly began to speak. "Listen, I'm sorry you got hurt."

"Yeah…well…"

"I talk. You listen." Leland scolded. Adrian bowed his head. "Look, I'm sorry that she seemed receptive to you and now that Albright is back on the scene it appears she has withdrawn. But I'm telling you that you have it wrong." He continued.

Monk looked over at him sadly. "I don't have it wrong. He's going to marry her."

"Monk, you don't know that."

"Yes I do." he moaned. "That's how it always works out for me. No happy ending. Always rejected. Always alone."

"Dammit Monk! Get your head out of your….That woman is in love with you and she's been in love with you for years. She doesn't love Albright. He's just someone to hang out with. She loves you! Open your damn eyes!"

Monk shrugged. "Stop cursing."

"Listen, I know you are hurt and you've gotten the wind knocked out of you and I don't blame you for feeling disappointed. I have no idea what went on between the two of you but I do know whatever it is is fixable and you've got to fix it. You can do this, buddy. You've spent so many years ignoring this treasure and she's loved you for years. She's probably feeling very unsteady and unsure about you herself."

"Why would she feel unsure about me?" he asked.

"Hellooo…." Leland replied. "What were you to her before this? Have you ever shown romantic intentions before this?"

"Well…no…"

"No. You haven't." he replied. "And, I know it's been a really long time since you've done this but trust me, when you're in love you go back and forth all the time. You doubt yourself. You're doing it now. She's probably doing it too.

What she needs is for you to stop being a wuss and fight for her. Show her how you feel. Buddy, this is not a sprint. It's a race that calls for some endurance. But it's yours to lose. Ignore the small impediment of Steven Albright. This story has a happy ending if you will just not give up! Fight, dam- darn it!"

Monk was quiet for a moment. "You really believe she loves me…like that?"

"I know she does. And she doesn't love him." Leland said softly. "Look, you're my best friend and the best detective I've ever known, but, don't take this wrong, you're not the most intuitive guy when it comes to women. So, I'm telling you to just persevere. Work it out. She'll come around. I promise."