I am so sorry it's been so long since I have posted a new chapter(...life happens, break ups, moving, starting a new life...) but this isn't about me.
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The next morning Monk and Natalie were different people; the fire inside of them was burning the heat of a thousand suns. "I think we should go out to breakfast, you never know we might bump into our man".
"That's a great idea, Natalie". Monk said as he finished brushing his teeth with Natalie by his side brushing her hair. He walked to the bed sat down, and then he put on his shoes. "I'm in the mood for pancakes...I don't know why." Natalie looked back at him and giggled, remembering when he thought he was eight years old. "What?" Monk looked at her with a puzzled look "Why do you always giggle to yourself when I eat pancakes?"
"No reason, come on Adrian lets go." She pulled his arm to the outside world, although she would love to stay in this room all weekend with him.
The couple ate breakfast together Monk gave Natalie some his eggs and she gave him her toast. "Natalie give me that picture Leland gave you" She reached in her bag and handed him the photo of their target. "I knew it, Natalie that's guy" She knew better then to search for him, when the time was right Monk would tell her when it's safe to look. "Ok now, look at the couple at third table to the right of the back door". Natalie took a quick look. While she had her head turned Monk had gotten up and followed the men to the men's room."Oh my goodness Adrian I know..." she turned her head to see Monk walking into the men's room. Natalie wanted to call out to him not to, not know if that man was dangerous.
Monk walked into the men's room and almost came crashing into T.K.'s ex, luckily he had his back to Monk. "...Hey. Yeah we're here..." Monk went into one of the stalls so he can overhear the conversation T.K.'s ex was having on his cell phone. "..Hey what did I tell you nothing is too dangerous for me. I just have to complete this job then I'm set for life. Look I can't talk now I'll call you later. Yeah and don't worry you'll have your cut for letting me bring your sister as cover."
Monk watched as he left the restroom. He decided it was safe then left the men's room, he walked up an empty table. Monk looked around in fear that he was at the wrong table, or worst someone took Natalie. Just then he spotted her sitting across the room at the third table to the right of the back door. Monk rushed to the Natalie but stopped short not to cause too much attention to him. Natalie looked up at Monk "Oh, There you are sweetheart, did you find your cell phone in the room?" "Uh" confusion replaced fear right away, but trusting in Natalie he played along "Yes I did, it was where you said it would be... honey." Inside Natalie smiled at Monks awkwardness he was never good at pretending to be her husband or boyfriend, now she knew why. "Jessie Cuttingham this is my husband Anthony Monk." Monk shook the woman's hand "Nice to meet you"
"Jessie and I went to private school together"
The man at the table looked at the scene in front of him he spoke in a voice that would strike fear in everyone who would dare cross him. "Monk? Like the famous detective in San Francisco?" He looked into Monks eyes. Monk just stared back "I believe you are thinking of my brother, Adrian Monk."
Jessie clueless of the tension spoke up "Oh I'm sorry, Natalie, Anthony, I'd like you to meet my very good friend Raym…"
"Raymond Ortiz" Raymond interrupted. Monk shook his hand "Nice to meet you Raymond Ortiz"
Jessie was about to say something but Raymond interrupted her again.
"So are you in Lake Tahoe for business or pleasure, Mr. Monk"?
Monk continued to look Raymond in the eye not backing down showing no fear "Pleasure. What about you Mr. Ortiz?"
"Same as you, Pleasure"
Natalie took that moment to interject before things got out of hand. "That's great, well we have to go but why don't we all get together for dinner"? Jessie smiled and agreed telling Natalie the time and place they will be at. With that Natalie gave Jessie her cell number and left the restaurant hand in hand with Monk.
Once outside the found a store across the street that had a view of the restaurant Jessie and Raymond were still in. "Natalie, he knows I was lying" Monk could finally show his nervousness as he paces next to Natalie. "Yeah well he's lying too, did you see the look on Jessie's face when he said his name". Monk looked at her "You don't think it's Raymond Ortiz?" Natalie keeping her eyes on the restaurants front door "I'm sure his alias is Raymond it's the Ortiz I'm not too sure about" Monk finally calmed down and joined Natalie at the window "We need more if we are going to get this guy. Hey Natalie I didn't know you went to private school" It was Natalie's turn to rest her eyes she stood up straight and turned to look at Monk with a smile on her face.
"I didn't. I walked up to the table to ask what she ordered to start up a conversion when I notice see was wearing a necklace with her name on it. So I pretended to know her from school." Monk looked at her; she could see how proud he was by the look on his face. "I love you" Monk said with a smile that quickly faded "I'm sorry I shouldn't have said that" he looked back outside. Natalie smiled "It's ok. It's not a secret anymore Adrian, you can express yourself how ever you'd like"
Monk looked over at her with sadness in his eyes "I wish that were true Natalie"
She was about to say something, when Monk shook himself out of his current state of mind "Let's just get this guy so we can go home". He went back to watching out for them in the window.
Natalie felt so bad in her life, for the first time she felt guity for breaking Monk's heart.
I promise to have another chapter out soon.