A/N: A giant virtual hug from Natalie and Monk to all who reviewed my story. Your criticism and encouragement are much appreciated. I don't own Monk or the song Come Away With Me by Norah Jones.
The cold water poured down over Monk as he continued to rack his brain for a plan. It had been over an hour since his early morning wake up, or more accurately the nightmare that disrupted his sleep for the entire week he'd been back on the force. It wasn't that he'd been awaked at midnight, he always did that; it was the fact that he had been having a nightmare again. He shivered as the water turned into a frigid drizzle that truly awakened him. After his exact ten minutes was up he stepped out of the shower and walked through his apartment to his bedroom.
His routine of getting dressed took him longer than usual as he tried to find his best looking outfit for the day- something that would show Natalie his more romantic side. He restlessly flipped through his closet until he saw a little used charcoal suit jacket and salmon colored shirt. He slipped into his shirt, buttoning in top the top before changing his mind and leaving the top button undone. He found matching pants, socks and shoes and began to pull them on before deciding to go with a change, the only pair of blue jeans he owned, a dark blue pair that complimented the shirt perfectly. He smiled, feeling relaxed and yet nervous for what was still to come.
After completing his morning hygiene routine; twice, to be safe, he turned his brain to the problem at hand. What could he do to show Natalie how he felt about her? Asking Leland was out of the question as he and Trudy were off on a romantic vacation to the beach for Valentine's Day. Randy was out because he was even worse at keeping secrets than Monk was, a trait Adrian still found amazing.
His next best idea was to turn to Natalie, which he obviously couldn't do because she could tell when he was lying or hiding something better than anyone. So who? Dr. Kroger would have helped him; but then again, Dr. Kroger wasn't alive anymore. Dr. Bell might help, but not this early in the morning. He sighed, realizing he was alone in planning the day. What made it worse to think about was being alone on Valentine's Day. Frantically, he began to rack his brain for anything Natalie had said she'd liked. Jazz, and vocal music, he knew she loved that, especially Norah Jones. And all women love flowers, right? Suddenly Monk remembered the Secretary's Day fiasco and decided maybe not flowers. For some reason he couldn't remember what she'd said when talking about gifts after that day. He was too busy being disappointed that she didn't like his gift he hadn't been paying attention to her talking to him.
Monk turned to his radio and decided to see if anyone had advice for someone as helpless and clueless as him who hadn't been on a date in over 12 years. He chuckled as the radio turned on, it was still set to 91.5, an odd number, but he'd put up with it only because Natalie had changed it to that station. The song that was playing was very familiar; a favorite of Natalie's called "Come Away With Me". He smiled as he remembered the time, just about three months ago, when they'd danced to this very song at her friends' wedding.
As the familiar intro faded into the lyrics, Monk began to remember his dance with Natalie.
Come Away With Me in the Night
Come Away With Me and I Will Write You a Song
He recalled his nervous movements after she'd asked him to dance. Being tense, awkward and how she slowly let him relax. He found himself swaying to the music alone, an imaginary partner, as he relived his dance with Natalie.
Come Away With On a Bus
Come Away With Me Where They Can't Tempt Us
With Their Lies
And I Wanna Walk With You
On A Cloudy Day
In Fields Where the Yellow Grass Grows Knee-High
So Won't You Try To Come
Another idea struck him; to go for a walk in one of San Francisco's many parks. This year, he'd be walking with those annoying romantic couples instead of staring at them.
Come Away With Me and we'll kiss
On A Mountaintop
Come Away With Me
And I'll Never Stop Loving You
As the instrumental break filtered through the speakers he found himself thinking about cooking for the two of them, breakfast for two.
And I Want to Wake Up With the Rain
Falling On a Tin Roof
While I'm Safe There In Your Arms
So All I Ask Is For You To
Come Away With Me in the Night
Come Away With Me
As the last chord of the piano faded, Monk began to worry again. A lightbulb went off in his head. 'I should play this song when she arrives. Better yet, all the songs we've danced to.' Monk went from being elated to sad as he realized he had no idea how to get songs onto one CD and, he checked his watch, in less than six hours. He now began to worry about how he would tell her his feelings when the radio blared again.
"That was Norah Jones with Come Away With Me. Now, for all you romantically challenged guys out there we have a special guest tonight: Dr. Stephen Bell! He's a certified psychologist who deals with this all the time. He's here to answer any questions you might have about how to tell that special someone you love them. The call in number is 1-510-LOVE."
Monk was startled; he wondered if this Dr. Bell could be his therapist. Quickly, he grabbed his phone an dialed the number. On the third ring it was picked up.
"Hello caller. You are on 91.5 KCMN with Dr. Stephen Bell. What's your name and what do you need help with tonight?" Monk relaxed at the familiar voice and almost laughed aloud.
"It's Monk. Adrian Monk. I was calling because well, Dr. Bell, I don't know how to tell her that I love her, well that I'm in love with her. I want today to be special, but I have no idea as to what to do." Monk sighed dramatically towards the end of his speech.
"Adrian! What a pleasant surprise. I know Adrian here from my private practice. So what you're saying, Adrian, is that you don't know how to tell Natalie how you feel? You need help planning a romantic surprise for her?"
Adrian swallowed hard and began. "Yeah. I don't know what to do. It's been quite a long time since I've been on a date."
"Well what time will she be over today?"
"She always gets here at precisely 8 am." Adrian replied happily.
"Well, for starters, ask her to come in later, maybe 10? I know this may sound like a surprise to you, but I think she'll know if you start to tell her. Just tell her what she means to you. I think if you try you'll do the right thing. Good luck!"
"Bu-" Adrian was cut off by the dial tone. At least Dr. Bell had helped him be certain of one thing- she'd come in late. He sighed, still confused as to what to do. Slowly, his ideas began to mesh together. He'd make her breakfast, give her flowers and perhaps chocolate. Then he'd ask her to dance, if he got up the courage, that is. Then he'd tell her how he felt, if he could find the courage somehow. He glanced up at the clock and saw it was 2:35, the perfect time to call Natalie and put this in motion. Satisfied she suspected nothing Adrian began to compose a list of things to do.
A/N: So, how was that? Good, bad, ugly? Please review! Next chapter: Natalie heads to Monk's house for a big surprise. Should be up next Sunday.