Adrian Monk did not want to go to Natalie's for dinner that night. In fact, the more he thought about it, the more adamantly opposed to it he became. The whole idea of watching Steven Albright placing his hands on his assistant was so revolting to him that he nearly called Molly up to cancel the whole thing; but then, he remembered Leland's words. This was not a sprint. This was an endurance race and it was his to lose. And so, he went. But that didn't mean he had to like it.

With the distastefulness of tagging along with Natalie and her date already setting his mood, things were only made worse when Monk's car slowly pulled up to Molly's apartment and he discovered, to his chagrin, that she was not alone. Kyle Bartholomew was two years Molly's junior, but at twenty-seven years of age had already established himself as a force to be reckoned with in the world of journalism. This wasn't to say that he was ruthless or unscrupulous in any way. He was not. Rather, his keen intellect and disarming manner was of such a variety that he could get the subjects of any interview to open up at times when others would not. He was the type of reporter that the upstart online news agency, The Free Press of New York desired to have. And despite his lukewarm relationship with Adrian, he was also exactly the kind of man that Trudy Ellison Monk's daughter, Molly, needed - and Monk knew it.

Sitting in the car, Adrian watched as the two walked up to the vehicle and Molly opened the door. Kyle reached his arms around her and kissed her goodbye before she got into the car and Monk turned his head. He knew that with the two of them being engaged he was going to have to get used to this man in their lives, but this was Trudy's daughter and he felt a responsibility and duty to pay special interest to how Kyle treated her and in making sure he was doing things right.

Slipping into the front seat, Molly shut the door, unrolling the window so that Kyle could say hello to Adrian and goodbye to her once more.

"Good evening Mr. Monk. It's so very good to see you." He said in an unintentionally patronizing way.

"Is it?" Monk harrumphed, turning his head again and looking towards the front of the car. Molly rolled her eyes then smiled at Kyle, reaching her hand out of the window and grasping his.

"We're going to have to be going, Kyle. Adrian doesn't like it when we're late." She said.

"Alright Molls. You two have a good time." He said, leaning through the window and kissing her again…and again…and again.

Suddenly, the horn blared causing both of them to jump. They snapped their heads towards Monk in annoyance.

Adrian shrugged. "Oops…my hand must have slipped." he said, putting on an all too obvious fake smile.

Molly shook her head. "Yeah, I'm sure that's what happened." She smirked, turning back to Kyle. "I'll call you when I get home tonight."

"Sounds good. I'll be over at Roger's house if you need me."

"Okay, honey bear." She smiled. "Love you!"

"I love you too." He replied.

"No, I said it first." She said.

"Well, I said it last." He grinned.

"Well, I said it better." She laughed and Kyle poked his head in through the window and kissed her again.

Monk raised his hand to his face and cleared his throat and the couple took the hint. However, even though they were parted, they stared at each other as he pulled away and waved until they could see each other no more.

Molly sat back in her seat and sighed. "Ah…love! There ain't nothing like it."

"I suppose." Adrian replied, gruffly, keeping his eyes on the road.

Molly grimaced.

"You know I really wish you'd give him a chance. I want more than anything for you two to have a strong connection and to bond." she said. "Kyle's a good man, and smart too. Just like you."

"I'm sure he is." Monk answered. "I don't think anyone else could have caught your eye."

"Then why don't you like him?" she asked.

Monk was quiet for a moment, wanting to be as honest with her as he could be. "It's not that I don't like him. It's that…well…I don't like the idea of him. I mean it seems like just yesterday you came into my life and now he's going to take you to a whole different kind of life and…well, I don't like it. I was just getting to know you."

"You know me." She replied, keeping in the back of her head that Monk didn't know that this different kind of life was going to be on the opposite coast.

"Yeah…but not like he will – and I'm not talking anything untoward here. It's just you two will be experiencing life together and growing together as adults in ways you can't imagine."

"Like it was with you and Mom?" she asked, immediately drawing Adrian to a happier place.

"Yes. A lot like it was with me and your mother." He smiled. "Trudy knew me as few people ever have and we went through our ups and downs and always came out stronger."

"Like what?" she asked. "Tell me more about how things were with you and Mom. Go back to the beginning."

"What? When we were dating?"

"Yeah. You drove back then too, right?"

"Yes." He replied. "I drove a Buick when we first started dating. Gold Buick Regal. I would pick her up at her dorm, she lived at Berkeley back then, and we'd go have pizza or sometimes to a drive-in-movie-theatre just outside of town."

"Ooh, you had her out at night?" she asked.

"We were of age."

"I know you were. What did you two do? Did you guys make out at the drive-in?" she said, elbowing him gently.

"Young lady!"

"Well…what's wrong with that?"

"You're getting pretty personal." he said looking half amused and half offended.

"I know." She grinned. "But, you guys have such a romantic story. I just love hearing about your life together. Besides, when you mentioned going to a drive in – well, that's what couples in love often do when they go to an outdoor movie like that."

"They do?"

"Yeah." She said, sensing his confusion. "Haven't you ever heard of 'fogging up the windows?'."

Monk's mind pondered what she was saying. Suddenly, his eyes opened wide at the revelation. He became very quiet.

"What's wrong? What are you thinking about?" she asked.

"Um…not important." He said.

"Of course, it's important. You stopped talking. Now tell me what you were thinking about."

Monk grimaced in embarrassment. "Well, I was just thinking about what you just said and…well, that explains a lot."

"What does?"

"The fogged-up windows. I always thought that those people just had their air conditioning turned up too high." he mused. "I complained about it and your mother would giggle when I questioned why they didn't turn on the defroster since they were missing the movie."

Molly laughed.

"In fact…"he continued, seeing that this story was entertaining his step-daughter, "…I prided myself on telling her that she was lucky that I was her boyfriend because I had my air conditioner gauge adjusted twice a year to insure consistency in temperature and therefore she would never have to worry about us being able to watch the movie rather than have to worry about, you know, condensation.'

"Awe, Adrian!"

"Yeah…what a dweeb."

Molly laughed. "Not a dweeb, you are precious!"

"No. I'm a dweeb!" he protested.

She paused. "Okay, maybe a bit of a dweeb or maybe a nerd. But you were Trudy's nerd." She laughed. "And she loved you for it."

"Yes. She did." He smiled softly before throwing up one finger before his lips to quiet her as he turned right on the highway on ramp.

Highway 1 was one area that Monk did not relish driving on, yet it was the quickest way to get to Natalie's. And so, on nights like tonight when they were running slightly late, he would avail himself of the convenience. However, the rule was that if Adrian were in highway traffic, anyone riding along with him was to be completely silent so that he could concentrate. Molly knew this drill and therefore almost held her breath as he merged onto the road. She remained silent until he drove one mile further and got off at the next exit.

"Glad that's over." He sighed, signaling it was safe to talk again.

Molly smiled, being able to relax again. "Ya did good."

Coming up to a red light, her thoughts returned to their dialogue. "Can I ask you something?" she said, searchingly.

"Certainly."

"Have you ever thought that maybe you might try again?" she asked.

"Try what?" he replied.

"Being with someone, you know, dating…remarrying?"

Monk smiled but did not respond.

"They say that if you've loved once and opened up that capacity to love, you have a better shot of loving someone again. I was just wondering if you've considered it…" She noted that he was still smiling.

"What? What are you thinking now?"

"Nothing." He grinned.

"Oh, come on now. Don't leave me hanging like that."

"It's nothing. I'm thinking of nothing."

Molly smiled then twisted her lips to one side. "Okay, what's her name?"

Monk looked evasive. "What? Huh? What's who's name?"

"The name of the woman who's got your attention."

Monk opened his mouth to try to deny it but nothing would come out. "Why…why would you think that?"

"The way you've been dressing. And...you're wearing smell-good."

"Ah now, Molly...come on..."

Molly ignored the evasion. "Do I know her?"

"I refuse to discuss this." Monk replied.

"Is it Natalie?" she asked.

Monk blushed crimson and he nearly lost control of the car.

"What? Nat…Natalie?! Bah! Why would you think I'd be thinking about Natalie? Natalie is my assistant."

"Yes, she is. And that wasn't a denial." Molly mused.

"Can we just change the subject?" he replied.

Molly smirked. "As you wish. Just this one thing…if it is Natalie you're interested in, I wouldn't be intimidated by Steven Albright. He's got nothing on you."

Monk's irritated look morphed into a soft smile. "I think you're just biased."

"I am, but it's not that. I'm a very good judge of men. And, I would say your qualities far supersede the Lieutenant's"

"How so? He's a highly decorated Naval Officer." He replied.

"Yes, and you're a highly decorated law enforcement officer and detective. Who has seen more action?" she asked.

Monk shot her a shocked look and she laughed. "Adrian Monk! Not that kind of action! Good grief! You've been hanging around the precinct too much. I'm talking danger while in the line of duty."

"Eh…" he replied, thankful she was keeping it clean. "Me, I guess."

"You. Plus, you're smarter than him, braver than him, nicer than him…"

"Go on…" He joked.

Molly laughed. "Nicer looking than him."

"Oh, now I know you're lying." Monk replied. "The guy is straight out of Gentleman's Quarterly."

"Yeah. Whoop-de-dew. Steven Albright looks like a real player."

"What kind of player?"

"A guy who plays women. Love them and leave them."

"Well, he's been with Natalie for several years now." He replied.

"Yeah, whatever. He's been deployed a lot too so the amount of time they have actually been together only amounts to a few months. "

Monk didn't respond but let her keep talking.

"Physically, he reminds me of a mannequin in a department store."

"That's not nice." He scolded.

"But it's accurate. Or, how about this, one of those underwear models from the Sears catalogue my dad used to have around the house? You know, the kind I would sneak a peek at when I was twelve?"

"Oh, good grief." Monk blushed. "Molly…"

"And he's about as interesting as drywall. Matter of fact…I think that's what we should call him. Drywall!"

Monk chuckled but tried to remain a gentleman as his step-daughter built him up in preparation for going to Natalie's. It was wonderful having her around and he needed someone there to encourage him besides Leland.

By the time they arrived at Natalie's at 7:00 PM sharp, Molly noticed he held his head a little higher than before as he opened the car door for her and began to lead her to the house.

"Just remember," she stated, straightening his lapel. "You are Top Gun, A number one stuff!"

"I'm what?" he said, oblivious to her attempt at an age-appropriate reference.

"I'm just saying, you've got this, Adrian." She responded.

"I've got what?" he asked.

"You've got Natalie if you will pursue her. I think you two would be great together, so go in there and be confident. Mr. Albright will be a thing of the past." She winked. "Guaranteed!"

Monk took a deep breath and walked with Molly up onto Natalie's front porch then rang the doorbell. While he waited, he nervously shifted his stance and looked everywhere but at the front door where he expected her to appear.

After a few seconds, they heard Natalie's voice coming from deeper in the house. "Come in. I'm in the kitchen" she yelled.

Looking at Molly, Monk opened the door and allowed her to enter first, then returned the greeting. "Good evening, Natalie. It's just me. Adrian…Monk with Molly Evans at your door." Despite there being no dirt on his shoes, he was careful to wipe his feet on the carpet just inside the door multiple times before going farther.

Natalie came forward in seconds, wearing a nice pair of jeans and red sweater with an apron that he had bought for her several Christmases before. "Thank goodness it was you, Mr. Monk. I was afraid it might be, I don't know, Harold Krenshaw or something." She said, before offering to take Monk's jacket.

"Why would Harold be here?" he asked in confusion as he willingly handed her his blazer.

"I think she was joking, Adrian." Molly whispered, amused at the change in demeanor Monk had the moment he entered Natalie's home. But this wasn't her only observation. As Natalie folded Monk's jacket over her arm, she could smell that cologne and closed her eyes. She couldn't help but admire how nice he looked that evening in a long-sleeved grey pullover sweater and a well-fitting but not too tight pair of blue jeans. Giving him the once over while he wasn't looking, she blushed deeply when Molly caught her doing it and smirked.

"Was traffic okay coming over?" Natalie asked, nervously, turning her head and motioning for them to come further into the house.

"Um…yes. Pedestrian traffic was at a minimum." Monk said formally.

"Even the highway was pretty clear." Molly added.

"Oh, you took the highway. Great! Well, you all got here just in time. Steven is outside taking the steaks off the grill…I know you like veggie burgers, Molly, so he kept yours separate…and I'm just about to pull some baked beans out of the oven. Why don't you two take a seat?" Natalie said, carrying in a tray with the glasses of ice on it and arranging them around the table.

While Natalie went back into the kitchen, Molly looked at the table where Natalie usually sat and positioned herself across from Adrian so that Monk could see Natalie working in the kitchen. She grinned as he couldn't help himself but watch her every move, even leaning over a little to watch her when she dropped a spoon on the floor and bent over to pick it up.

"Adrian!" she whispered, kicking him under the table.

"Ouch! What?!" he asked, half-embarrassed at getting caught. Molly smiled and raised her eyebrow, but Monk responded. "Well, you started it."

Molly kicked him again when he went back to gawking and he was about to protest when suddenly the back door opened up and they heard Steven enter the room. Molly winked and gave Monk the thumb's up as she saw Adrian's expression change. Then she mouthed Drywall and he had to cover his mouth to hide his smile. Yes, it was good to have Molly around.

Natalie stopped what she was doing and gave Steven instructions as to where he should set his platter of grilled meats. Once that was accomplished, Albright removed his barbecue mitts then spotted Monk and Molly sitting quietly in the next room.

"Oh, hey guys." He said. "Hope you all are hungry. I think Nat bought half a cow judging by how much she had me cook."

"Just wanted to make sure everyone had their fill." She replied. "Besides, we can freeze what's left over and have it for lunch."

"So resourceful." He stated, leaning over and putting his hand on Natalie's hip and bringing her in for a quick kiss. Monk clinched his jaw and lowered his head rather than look at the display and Molly reached her hand across the table, again reassuring him that it was okay.

After several minutes, Albright began helping Natalie carry things in from the kitchen and it occurred to Adrian that he too should help. Quickly scooting his chair out, he rushed to the kitchen to be the next in line to help the hostess with her serving. She was leaning over the oven to remove the beans when he took her potholders from out of her hands and announced he would take care of it.

"Oh, you don't have to do that, Mr. Monk." She stated. "You and Molly are my guests."

"No, I insist." He replied, standing up with the bubbling bowl. "You may work for me, but this is not a business dinner. You shouldn't be waiting on me. If anything, I should wait on you."

She looked down and blushed slightly, something that wasn't missed by Steven.

"What can I carry?" Albright quickly offered.

Natalie looked aimlessly around the room while Adrian carried the soupy bean mixture to the dining room, walking slowly lest he spill it.

"I guess you can carry in the salad. Bowl is right over there. And some tongs are in that container." She replied, pointing Steven where to go. He quickly retrieved the items and walked into the dining room, bumping into Monk along the way and causing him to spill hot bean juice on his blue jeans.

Monk yelped then stiffened as he felt the liquid soak into the fabric.

"Oh, sorry man." Albright said as he turned back towards Monk while laying the salad bowl on the table.

Molly jumped up from the table and Natalie spun around to see what was going on while Adrian coped with the pain of the piping hot liquid on his thigh in addition to the heat now penetrating the oven mitts and burning his hands.

"Are you okay? "Molly asked.

"Okay…just got to move…" he said, wincing.

"What happened?" Natalie said at nearly the same time, rushing to his side.

Monk bellowed out. "I'm fine. I'm fine. It just spilled."

"Yeah. I'm afraid Adrian spilled the beans." Steven joked, a comment which felt flat throughout the room.

Seeing what had happened, Natalie rushed back to the kitchen and wetted a dishtowel as Monk finally brought the hot bowl to the table and set it down. As he shook his overheated hands, he had no time to do survey the damage for Natalie was right there with the towel and began dabbing at his pant leg where the liquid spilled, which was unfortunately in a very sensitive area. Monk froze in place then tried to wave her off as the situation was quickly becoming more than his comfort level could stand.

"Almost got it." Natalie said, oblivious to increasing redness in her boss's face as he closed his eyes and held his hands in the air near his ears.

"Uh…Nat…" Steven interjected. "I think Adrian is a grown man. He can clean up his own mess."

Monk was too embarrassed to even react to Steven's jab about it being his mess and it was then that Natalie realized what she was doing and stopped. Adrian looked positively frightened, Steven perturbed and Molly was pursing her lips as Natalie stepped back from the table and lowered the dishcloth to her side.

"I'm sorry." She said self-consciously. "I didn't mean to just jump in here and, well…"

Monk swallowed and tried to pull himself together. He realized that he suddenly felt overheated and it had nothing to do with the beans. "It's okay, Natalie." Monk chortled out, looking softly into her eyes. "I shouldn't have been so clumsy."

Natalie returned the stare and Steven cleared his throat.

"Why don't you grab the pitcher of ice tea, babe. The rest of the food's going to get cold." Steven suggested "Monk, Molly let's take a seat."

With Natalie finally in her seat, the evening seemed to take a decided turn for the better. Monk sat next to Natalie and Steven at the other end of the table and as such the conversation flowed quite well between the boss and his assistant. Of course, some of this was due to Molly who tried to keep Steven occupied by discussing things he did in the Navy and prodding him for information on his upcoming promotion.

After several minutes of this, Steven picked up on the fact that Monk and Natalie were having a little too good of a time and interrupted their conversation by asking about how they were doing on the Yaroslav case.

"Did you guys ever find her killer?" he asked.

Monk began to answer but Molly interrupted him.

"That's something I wanted to show you guys tonight. I think I may have found something." She said, as she reached for some papers she had brought along.

"What's that?" Monk asked.

Molly laid the papers out on the table. "Well, while you, the Captain and Prince were out looking for information on Nadia…"

"Nadia?" Steven asked, moving forward in his chair.

"A woman on a case." Monk replied tersely.

"Okay?" Albright replied, a look of slight offense on his face.

Natalie interjected. "It's just Steven. You can talk to him. "

Monk made a face causing Molly to suppress a smirk while Natalie filled Albright in.

"Nadia is Svetlana Yaroslav's sister. Her husband just died in another murder that happened right before Svetlana." Natalie said.

"You're kidding." Albright replied. "That's a coincidence."

"It is. But get this. It gets better." Molly added. "Turns out they have another sister named Gretchen who had a son named Joey."

"Joey Kazarinski." Natalie added, flatly.

Steven's eyes opened wide. "What?! The guy from the grocery store that poisoned Monk?" he asked.

"Same guy, yes." Natalie confirmed.

"What in the world?!" he exclaimed.

"We're still trying to figure all that out." Molly said. "But here's what I might have run into. Natalie got us access to some bank records for this guy named Tahiri, who of all things also had dealings with my biological father, Ethan Rickover – and it looks like Tahiri was laundering money through a local grocery here in San Francisco that eventually took over the money for all of his charitable work before the money just disappeared."

"Money laundering? Murder?" Steven asked.

"I'm not done." Molly added. "We had Natalie's banker friend look into the grocery and found out that the co-owner is a guy named Sergei Gregori."

Monk sat up. "Gregori? As in Sergei Gregori, Svetlana's landlord?"

Molly smiled, "Yep! Gregori owns several properties in the San Francisco area, the apartment, the grocery, a gym - all of which he obtained by getting loans from..."

"Andreas Steuben's bank?" Monk asked.

"Andreas Steuben's bank." she confirmed.

"Wow! Now that is interesting." Monk exclaimed. "So, we have Nadia, Svetlana, and Gretchen Yaroslav all tied in some way to murders – Nadia's husband, and then Svetlana herself a victim and before that Joey K."

"Joey was attempted murder though, right?" Steven asked.

"No. He murdered the doctor at the birthing center." Natalie replied.

"Oh, yeah." He responded. "That' right."

"And now, we have Joey connected to Ethan Rickover who is connected to this Tahiri guy who's laundering money through the grocery store owner." Molly summarized.

Monk sat back in his seat, mentally trying to put all of the pieces of the puzzle together. He knew it was interconnected, at least at some level – and the girls didn't even know what he knew. He couldn't wait to run things by Leland in the morning.

"Well I'll give you this, Adrian. I sure can see why Nat gets into your line of work. This stuff is fascinating." Steven said.

Natalie smiled as she stood to clear the dishes, responding before Adrian could say a word. "Best job I've ever had. I love being Mr. Monk's assistant."

"Oh, Natalie. You're so much more than just an assistant." Adrian smiled and stood along with her.

Albright pursed his lips but played it cool as he observed the interaction. Raising his eyebrows he stood, gathering his own plate. Monk reached for his plate.

"Leave that stuff alone, Adrian. You're our guest." He said, feigning friendliness and patting Monk on the back. "Say Nat, would you and Molly mind serving us up some of that delicious looking cheesecake that you bought? There's something out back I'd like to show Mr. Monk. We can meet you out there."

"Something out back?" Natalie asked, confused. "Okay. We can do that."

"Adrian, my man. Please. Follow me." Albright said with a stilted smile.

While the ladies worked inside the house, Albright and Monk walked into the back yard towards a small sitting area that Natalie had set up by a shed. 'Curious' would be a good word to describe how Adrian felt about Steven's invitation - but not excited. Whatever it was he wanted, he was sure that it would annoy him to no end and being cognizant of how precarious his relationship was with Natalie at this point he knew he had to keep his anger in check. He was an adult and could handle things as an adult. But this awareness didn't mean that he didn't have his guard up even before the conversation began.

While he took a seat in one of Natalie's comfortable wicker chairs, Albright turned on the propane unit underneath an outdoor fire pit and lit the fire on the cool San Francisco night. He then took a seat opposite him, sitting silently for several seconds just looking out towards the street while Adrian watched. The silence made Monk more uncomfortable than he already was.

"What did you want to show me?" he finally asked, not wanting to make the conversation any longer than it needed to be.

Albright turned to Monk, his face betraying no particular emotion. "Really - just this." He said, extending his arms in a showcase gesture. "This fire pit. This backyard. This whole setting."

"What about it?" Monk asked. "I've seen this before."

"Oh, I'm quite sure you have. I've noticed, you and Nat spend an inordinate amount of time together. It's almost inappropriate for a boss and an employee."

Monk tilted his head.

Steven chuckled, nervously. "What I mean is you're together so much it's hard to tell where work ends and life begins - but, that said, back to the yard- have you really seen it – seen it for what it's worth, for its meaning?"

Monk settled back a bit filing the offhand comment about his relationship with Natalie away."Meaning?" he said furrowing his brow.

"Meaning...to many, this is a simple back yard garden. A place to sit down and relax. Unwind. Have a beer." His eyes surveyed the area as if he were looking at the gardens of Versailles. "But really, it represents so much more. This -represents a slice of Americana. The American dream."

Monk looked around and only saw a sitting area with some shrubs and a few lawn decorations. Inside he couldn't help but think that Steven talking nonsensically, but being quite aware of his own penchant for sometimes not being able to enjoy the forest or the trees, he decided to play along. "Perhaps. I guess I could see that." he replied.

As if Adrian had said nothing, Steven continued. "This is what Natalie wanted. She's lived here maybe fifteen years now and always envisioned this kind of setting in her back yard. 'A slice of hometown pride and apple pie' was how she described it to me - what she wanted. And, I provided it for her. I built her this back yard with my own hands and paid for it with my own money. I did so because I knew it would make her happy – just like I always know."

Monk studied Albright's face as he was speaking. Outwardly, he didn't appear threatening but this 'discussion' was clearly aggressive. Remaining silent, he waited for Steven to make his point.

"You see, Adrian, Natalie may enjoy the cops and robbers kind of capers some of the time. It's certainly never boring. But deep down, you know what she wants? She just wants normalcy. She wants a life where she can live comfortably, not to spend her days concerned about finding bodies or seeing evil lurking around every corner. She wants a normal life where she can settle down with no worries, perhaps have more children, and be cared for in ways that she lacks today.

She hasn't had it easy. I know it seems like she's got no cares because she hides it so well, but for so long, it's just been her for it. A single mom scrimping together barely enough to pay her rent and feed her kid. She had that normalcy with Mitch but nothing since."

Monk noted the subtle jab concerning her pay and couldn't help but roll his neck almost imperceptibly as he felt his own anger grow.

"I can give her the kind of life she wants. I make enough money. She won't ever have to work again and I can provide her with that comfortable life that she desires." he said.

"Natalie is not about money." Adrian replied.

"No. You are correct. She's not. Or else, she wouldn't have worked for you." Steven replied, narrowing his eyes. Monk clinched his jaw. Albright's mask was coming off. "But, make no mistake, she gets tired. She gets tired of being taken for granted, for doing things on her own and carrying all of her burdens alone."

Adrian remained silent.

Steven shifted in his seat then leaned forward. "I see how you look at her."

Monk frowned, trying to maintain an even keel as Albright honed in on what he called Monk outside about.

"What...are you talking about?" Monk replied, his voice steady and strong.

"She has served you for years. Doted on you really. I suppose it is natural that you would…develop feelings for her. She's a beautiful woman. So there is no sense in denying it. I know. Adrian. I know."

Monk pursed his lips, his anger beginning to rise even more at the slightly condescending tone that was being used.

"But let me ask you this. Can you give her what she wants? I mean, really give her what she wants - with all of your problems and hang ups? Natalie loves people and yet here you are a man who has no friends. She loves peace. You're sometimes demanding and temperamental and self-absorbed. Natalie needs stability. Can you guarantee that you will remain stable and not have something to send you over the edge again to where she has to care for you the rest of her life? She loves children. Can you give her a child?"

"Steven. I'm not sure why you are saying these things to me but.."

"I'm not finished!" Alright said, forcefully. Monk shut up. "Adrian, Natalie needs someone to provide for her, can you do that with your on and off job in a world where technology is continually challenging the old-school way of doing things?

Stottlemeyer is...what? Fifty-five, fifty-six? Don't you know most men in his profession think of retiring around now? He's eligible. What happens when he's gone? You're like an elephant in a china shop around new tech. You gonna work for Prince? I think not. Do you have money saved up to live on? Will you even be able to make ends meet?"

By now, Adrian's face was becoming red as he fought the urge to join in the fray and ask Albright exactly who he thought he was, but looking up towards the house he saw Natalie and Molly through the window and held himself in check lest he spoil their night.

"Listen." Steven continued. "You're a top-notch guy and I hate to be this blunt about it all but I have seen the interactions between you two and I know first-hand what it is like to love this woman. I felt it necessary to step in and maybe help you to consider some things that you perhaps had not.

Monk, really thing about it. I am a naval officer with a promising career making around $150,000 a year when my promotion comes through. We will buy a house, have children, and live the kind of life that she has dreamed about if you will stop being so selfish."

Monk shook his head in disbelief. "Selfish?"

"Yes. The head games you play. You know, poor pitiful me. You're a perfectly capable man and yet you play on her sympathy. You confuse her. You give her this feeling that perhaps things might actually work between you two when you and I both know it won't. It's impossible. So, I'm asking you to stop pretending it will and to let her go."

"Let her go? I'm not keeping her." Monk replied, not understanding his meaning.

"But you are. Mr. Monk. My command tells me I have an opportunity to be Lieutenant Commander and maybe even rise to Admiral someday which is a great honor. It looks like I'll be going to Tokyo and I know that Natalie would go with me if she didn't feel such pity for you. So, I am asking you, gentleman to gentleman, to step aside. Don't hold her back. Let her have her dream.

You're better than you used to be but you know you will always in some ways be that same defective detective you've always been. You know it. You can't give her what will make her happy. But I can. Be the good man you are and for once, set Natalie free. I'm asking nicely. But…" he said, his eyes narrowing in such a way that Monk had never seen out of him before, in such a way that made Monk's blood run cold. "If I have to ask again, it won't be so nice."

That was Steven's mistake. Up until that point a lot of what he was saying had a ring of truth in Adrian's mind. Every insecurity about himself was being drawn forth and he hated to admit that Steven was right. When he mentioned Natalie moving to Tokyo, he then had to keep the panic and fear at bay. But, when he made his little threat, the cop in him kicked in and he could suddenly see reality once again. Albright was intimidated by him and totally unsure of his own position with Natalie. This realization caused Adrian not to cower but to regain some confidence. Steven didn't know who he was messing with.

Monk leaned forward, folding his hands in front of his face. Looking Albright dead in the eye he asked, "Are you finished?"

Albright smirked and leaned back in his chair. "Sure, Adrian. Sure. Hit me with your best shot."

Don't tempt me. Monk thought to himself. His voice was low and steady as he responded. "First, Lieutenant Albright, you have zero right to try to direct my life or Natalie's. We make our own decisions and it is up to her to decide what makes her happy – not me, and certainly not you.

Also, I am not afraid of your threats. I have faced worse than you."

"Oh, I don't think you have." Albright smiled.

"Second," Monk said, unbowed, "what my relationship with Natalie is or is not is none of your concern and you have zero say so in it, for her or for me. I am well aware of my deficiencies and know that Natalie deserves so much more - frankly, I have no idea how I became so lucky that she would stay with me this long - but in terms of caring for her, do not underestimate my devotion to her well being and don't you dare try to obfuscate our relationship with your lies."

Albright laughed out loud. "And exactly what is it that I am accused of lying about?"

"Tokyo." Monk responded. "She's not considering going with you to Tokyo, and you know how I know why? First, she would have told me about it. We are that close. Second she would never go running off with her casual boyfriend when her daughter is here at home."

"Oh, you've got that wrong, which frankly surprises me...and disappoints me. For, if you had been half as observant as I gave you credit for you would see we are quite serious. In fact, we're looking at a more…permanent…arrangement." Steven said derisively.

Monk looked into his eyes to try to determine if he was bluffing. He couldn't tell whether yes or no.

"I don't believe you." He stated.

"You'll see." Steven replied.

Immediately, Natalie's voice rang through the air from her back porch. "Hey, you two…Do you guys want wine or coffee to drink with your cheesecake?" she asked

Monk and Steven glared at one another for just a moment and in a snap Adrian observed as the mask that had come off so suddenly was effortlessly slipped back on.

"I'll have a glass of wine, sweetie pie. How about you, Adrian? Would you like some wine?" Steven replied looking relaxed and friendly.

"Oh, Mr. Monk can't drink wine." Natalie answered for him. "Low tolerance for alcohol."

Adrian tried his best to be nonchalant. "Guilty as charged. Water, please Natalie." He replied, looking up at her with a concerned smile.

"Summit Creek coming up." She smiled, it being too dark outside to pick up on his expression. She turning back towards the house and nearly ran into Monk's step-daughter. "Oh! Here comes Molly! Cheesecake coming up."

Natalie held the door open as Molly carried four plates of fruit-topped cheesecake on a tray waitress-style out onto the porch and down into the yard.

"Remember what I said." Albright said under his breath as Molly arrived. "Thank you, Molly." He took one of the cheesecakes off of the tray and sat it down on a table as Molly turned to Monk who she noticed right away did not look up at her but was staring at Steven with a look of defiance.

"Oh, I forget nothing, Steven." Monk replied in a low hushed tone without so much as flinching. "It's a trait of us elephants you know – that and protecting those we love from any harm." He then turned to Molly and smiled, taking a plate of cheesecake and thanking her for waiting on him.

Molly looked between the two men and noted that the tension between them, but seeing Natalie walk up with their drinks she withheld comment until the others were busy. As Natalie handed Steven a glass of wine, she leaned over to Monk and whispered, "What's going on?"

Adrian looked to the side and downward, merely saying "later" before putting on his best poker face and pretending to enjoy the rest of the evening with Natalie and her beau. After that, he couldn't escape the party quick enough.

As he and Molly were leaving the dinner and walking towards his car, he heard the door to Natalie's house open and shut and her voice calling for him to wait. Monk stopped in his place and Molly whispered to him that she would meet him in the car leaving the two of them alone in Natalie's drive.

"I almost forgot to give this to you." Natalie said, out of breath, handing him a box about the size of that which one would store a hat in.

"What is it?" Monk asked, inquisitively.

"It's Mitch's papers." she said quietly, looking up at him in such a way that he didn't wish to leave. "It's the letters he sent me as well as some correspondence that some of his buddies sent to our house on base during his last deployment. Some of them, Mitch never saw."

Adrian took the box from her and she dropped her eyes. "Thank you." he stated, as she took a step backward and began to turn. He reached out his hand, stopping her from leaving.

"Natalie. Wait." he said quietly, looking up towards the house to see if Albright was watching, then taking a step towards her when he wasn't. Lifting his hand, he placed it under her chin and raised her face to face him. "Thank you, for tonight. I'm glad we came over. The food was good."

"Even if you ended up wearing it?" she asked.

"What's a little bean juice among friends." he said.

Natalie dropped her eyes again. Friends. There it was again. "Well, I'm glad you and Molly could make it, Mr. Monk. I hope you can come by again sometime."

"Wait. What's wrong?" he asked, his eyes trying to look into her own, even as she tried to avert his gaze. "Listen, if I said something or did something to upset you. I'm sorry."

"You didn't say anything wrong to me, Mr. Monk. We're...we're fine."

"No, we're not." Monk said, tilting his head. "Natalie, we've been together long enough that I know when something is wrong. Please...if I have hurt you..."

"No." she smiled. "Adrian. There's nothing wrong. You haven't hurt me." she said even as her thoughts inside told her I've hurt myself for falling in love with you.

"Are you certain?" he asked. "Because, Natalie - you mean all the world to me."

Natalie looked up at his eyes to try to search his meaning.

"Natalie? Are you coming in soon?" Albright called from the porch - looking into the dark for his girlfriend but not seeing her as she and Adrian were just out of sight.

"I need to go." she whispered but Monk grabbed on to her and held her tight to his body, pressing her head to his chest and resting his face against her neck. She nearly melted in his arms as she felt tears whelm in her eyes.

"I know you do, sweet Natalie" he said, his lips brushing against the sensitive skin below her ears. "Just know that if I have hurt you in any way, I am profoundly sorry. You are more dear to me than you could ever know and I never for one minute want to do anything that might cause you pain or upset you. Natalie, I..."

"Natalie...where are you?" Albright yelled again causing Natalie to push back, brushing the tears out of her eyes with hand before smiling and cupping Monk's face in her hand.

"I'm sorry, Adrian. I have to go." she said, smiling softly. "You and I are just fine. Don't worry about us. We're partners and friends and even more than friends. Nothings is going to change that."

"Natalie!" Steven hollered, his voice getting closer.

"I'm coming!" Natalie replied quickly, giving Monk a quick hug and kiss on the cheek before skipping away towards her boyfriend who was now standing at the edge of the sidewalk. She walked in front of Steven and smiled again.

"You two drive safe." she said. "Take the back roads. They're safer."

Adrian nodded, his eyes looking softly at Natalie then traveling up towards Steven whose eyes were very cold. Monk gestured goodbye with his hand and nodded.

"Goodnight, Natalie. Steven." he responded as he walked out to his car then backed out of Natalie's driveway to begin the drive home.