A/N: A giant thank you to those who reviewed and added the story to their favorites list. Here comes the next chapter. Again, I don't own Monk or he and Natalie would be together way back in season six.

Natalie rolled onto her back groaning. It was the third night in a row she couldn't sleep and it was entirely his fault. If he'd not almost gotten killed again while working the pickaxe case she wouldn't be having these dreams again. At least that what she told herself to calm her nerves. The stupid dream always started with him getting shot by Captain Stottlemeyer. His cold, lifeless eyes staring up as his body hit the water, causing a huge splash. Then it would morph into his funeral, a closed casket because she couldn't bear to see his corpse. It was worse now, after they'd bonded then it was when she thought he was dead the after Leland told her what had happened. Luckily, Julie was at college and didn't have to wake up to her screams of terror.

Today was a day that was made worse by virtue of the fact that Mitch hadn't been with her to celebrate in over 16 years. She was having a harder time this year than usual, and not just because she missed Mitch, but because of the feelings she'd been trying to hide for her boss, Adrian Monk. She thought it all started back when he was "dead" and then found her again. That night had been a part of her sleeplessness lately, thinking about how selfless he'd been during that time and how much she actually enjoyed it. The day after that had been a pleasant surprise in itself as well.

[Flashback]

She rolled over onto her back and realized that, for the first time in years she was not alone in her bed. That was the first warning sign. The second, this wasn't her bed. 'How did I get here? And where is here?' Natalie felt her heartbeat rise as she struggled to remember the previous night. She chanced a peek and opened her left eye first and then suddenly opening her right as she recognized the room. 'How did I end up in-in Adrian's bed?' As she twisted around to try and get free of the arm that was trapping her to a man's chest she began to remember. Her arrival on his doorstep ragged and crying and subsequent spending the night at his apartment. The final words they spoke to each other and his honest admission that he didn't know why he was letting her stay, just that he thought he should.
As Natalie looked up to see if Adrian was asleep she realized that the one thought she hadn't had was one of surprise to find herself with Monk lying with her, only that she was in his bed. She smiled to herself and relaxed. Adrian, for once was still sleeping at 8 am. Sighing, Natalie allowed herself to fall back asleep in his arms, content to have someone to protect her, even if that someone was her dysfunctional, obsessive compulsive boss, Adrian Monk.

[End Flashback]

In the end, he'd ended up cooking for the two of them and giving Natalie the day off from being his assistant. That day, they were just two good friends lounging about in an apartment. Natalie sighed, frustrated that the only time she got to talk to him in the past week was one phone call.

Then, as they were recruited back to being the private detective and assistant, the new rookie David Carlson had asked her on a date today. Natalie thought he was good looking in his own way, but she wished now that she hadn't accepted his offer. Today she wanted to spend her time with him. Not that he would notice today was Valentine's Day or even buy her a present. Sometimes she wondered why she even put up with Adrian Monk.

Natalie sighed, giving up on trying to sleep. She turned to face the clock, surprised it read 2:35 and not midnight. But it was still early enough for her to try to come up with some excuse to cancel on David. Knowing Adrian, he'd probably have some "emergency" that she was needed for. Natalie smiled, relaxing because of the fact that her boss had more "emergencies" on the nights when she had dates with men. None of this was lost on Natalie who realized that he still had no idea that he tended to stop her from going out. This had bothered her at first, but now it felt like a comforting pattern for life.

Finally, Natalie decided to try to sleep one last time when the phone began to ring, cutting the silent air like a knife.

She reached for the phone, a smile on her face as she knew who the caller would be. Who else but Monk would call her at 2:35 in the morning.

"Hey Mr. Monk," Natalie greeted, sounding cheerful and awake.

"Hi Natalie, did I wake you up?"

"No, not tonight. I couldn't sleep. What do you need?" she asked, almost laughing at the silly happiness she felt at him calling her this early. He probably wanted her to come in an hour early to work today.

"Really, well, I couldn't sleep either. I was wondering if you wouldn't mind coming into work an hour or two later than usual?" he asked, sounding nervous and almost scared.

Predictable Mr. Monk I can always count on him to ask me to come to work early. Wait, he said later, didn't he? As Natalie tried to puzzle the reason out she found herself agreeing.

"Sure Mr. Monk, I'll see you at 10 then. Good night." She said, silently wishing he would remember today's holiday.

"Oh. That's great Natalie! Thank you so much! Have a happy Valentine's Day!" he replied, sounding much relieved. Before Natalie could wish him the same he'd hung up.

'That wasn't normal. I wonder what he could be up to .I hope it's not anything bad. ' Natalie thought as she turned over in her bed, finding herself better able to sleep after having heard his voice. She was still trying to figure out what he meant when she fell back asleep.

A/N: So, good or bad? Any and all reviews would be greatly appreciated. Hope to have another chapter up by Friday.