Chapter 11 Eight
Standard Disclaimer: I don't own Monk.
Notes: So it's now Friday- Leland has taken TK away for her birthday, and Adrian has spent almost the whole week in court. Finally Natalie and Adrian have the whole day off together! -'nuff said ;)
So sorry for the delay in posting (that pesky 'real life' stuff again) and many, many thanks for reading!
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Although it had been a long and tiring week, Natalie was in a cheerful mood as she drove to Adrian's apartment. For the past three seemingly endless days, Adrian had been testifying in court. The defense attorney had relentlessly dissected Adrian's every sentence and attacked Adrian's character in an unsuccessful attempt to save his client from being found guilty. Natalie witnessed how these grueling days had taken a toll on Adrian, causing him to be unusually quiet during their dinners together. In Natalie's mind, the only bright spot was that these three dinners at her home counted as 'dates'. She was thrilled that, with each passing day, number ten was all the more closer.
And today would finally be a happy day. Since Adrian was finally done testifying, Natalie was determined to make him forget all about the trial. Last night, before his long walk home, Adrian had hinted at a mysterious surprise he had planned for today. Telling her it would be a casual 'jeans and t-shirt' date, Natalie looked forward to an easy, relaxing day together. But Natalie was also happy because she too had planned her own little surprise.
Two days ago, Natalie had been shocked when she had come to pick Adrian up for court. This had been the first time in over a week she was inside his apartment, since he had started spending all his time at her house. Arriving early, she entered his apartment and walked down the hallway. She immediately noticed something was wrong. Natalie gasped as she touched the bare nails sticking in the wall and loudly called out. "Adrian, what happened to all of Trudy's pictures? There're missing!"
"No, I took some of them down, Natalie." Adrian came out of the bedroom, fastening the buttons of his jacket. He came up behind her and lightly placed his hands on her waist, his breath warm against her neck. "I need to get some photographs of you and Julie. I love you both and want to have your pictures around me. Could we pick some out of your photo albums next week?"
"Of course we can." Inspiration struck Natalie as she pulled his hands snugly around her waist. With a plan forming in her mind, she turned her head and quickly kissed him "But now I have to get you to court."
So as Natalie parked her car in front of Adrian's apartment, she chuckled to herself, anticipating his reaction. He would not have to wait until next week. She carefully removed a large shopping bag from the back seat and headed into his building.
Unlocking his door, she stepped into the vestibule and called out a 'hello'. It was after 10am, so she was surprised not to hear Adrian answer. Hearing a faint thud, she left the bag by the front door and headed into the living room. She found Adrian standing next to his desk, closing a backpack. Wearing jeans and a long sleeve henley shirt, Natalie hesitated as her eyes roamed over his body, admiring how he had kept in shape since turning in his badge. He sensed her presence and turned toward her with a smile forming on his face, bringing Natalie out of her trance.
"Hey Adrian-" Natalie gleefully approached him and pressed her body to his, wrapping one arm around his waist and placing her other hand on the pack "what are you doing?"
"Getting ready for you, of course." He lifted her hand from the pack and kissed it, delighted with being able to spend the whole day with her. "We're going on a field trip today."
"First I have a surprise for you. Stay right here." Natalie went and fetched her bag from the hallway and placed it on Adrian's desk. As she unpacked and handed each picture to him, he listened with reverence as she reminisced over each photo. They then went together through the apartment deciding on suitable homes for each of the framed pictures. Natalie hung several on the wall while Adrian followed behind, straightening them with a level. After that was done, they placed pictures on the mantle and desk, mirroring the position of Trudy's pictures. Once again, things were symmetrical in Adrian's apartment.
The very last picture Natalie had taken from the bag was her favorite and needed no explanation. It was a copy of the picture that graced Natalie's bedside; it was of the three of them, taken several Christmases ago, and was their first 'family portrait'. Adrian took Natalie's hand and, while carrying this photo, led her into his bedroom. Placing it on his nightstand, he thought of their future together and a feeling of serenity overtook him. Adrian embraced Natalie as he thanked her for this gift, closing his eyes with a sigh of contentment. He knew that in only a few days they would not only be spending every day together but, as his sigh unwittingly turned into a quiet growl, every night as well. In spite of the tempting images floating in his mind, Adrian took Natalie by the hand and led her from the bedroom. He retrieved the backpack and asked her for the car keys; they were both ready for today's adventure.
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After an hour's drive up winding country roads, Adrian was still playfully ignoring Natalie's questions "Natalie, it's not a surprise if I tell you where we're going! Now I'm thinking I might need to blindfold you for the rest of the trip. How would you like that?"
"Hmm, blindfold me? Anytime, my love." Natalie teased as she reached over and traced his jaw line. She then let her hand drift down his neck to his shirt and playfully started to undo his shirt buttons.
Adrian tilted his head away and shifted in his seat, unwilling to take his hands from the steering wheel. "Natalie! I'm trying to concentrate of these treacherous roads, in case you haven't noticed!" As she withdrew her hand, he glimpsed at her and saw the smile fall from her face. He looked in the rear view mirror and pulled off onto the shoulder of the road, pushing the button to activate the hazard lights. Full of regret, out tumbled an apology. "Natalie, I'm sorry I snapped at you. I'm just uptight because I don't want to get lost or, you know, drive us off the mountainside."
Natalie gently laughed "That makes two of us. I'm sorry I was distracting you. Are we okay now?" She placed her hand, palm up, on his knee.
Adrian took her hand and leaned over for several soft kisses. "We're okay." Gradually, he returned his attention to the winding road and pointed to the road sign indicating an upcoming sharp turn. "Now if you could only help me find Davenport Road. It should be coming up on the right side in a few miles."
"Davenport Road, really?" Natalie was incredulous that this was their destination. What were the odds?
"Really, I took it as a good omen when I researched where we're going. "He winked at her as he turned the hazards off, put the car into drive and continued their journey.
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Davenport Road was easily found and Natalie was delighted when they turned up a farm lane and parked in front of what seemed to be a general store. As they exited the car, he retrieved his backpack while she turned to take in the scenery and fresh air. There was a farm house and several barns, each with separate paddocks and large fenced pastures scattered among the rolling hills. In the distant pastures were various colored sheep/ deer-like creatures running about that Natalie couldn't identify. She then noticed a small apple orchard across the parking area and a forested mountain rising gracefully behind the store. Adrian took Natalie's hand, amused by her state of enchantment. He escorted her up across the general store's porch and opened the screen door for her.
'Hello folks, you must be Natalie and Adrian! I'm Sheila Loveless, proprietor of 'Alpaca Adventures'. Come on out back and I'll introduce you to your lunch companion." Sheila shook their hands before grabbing two small wicker baskets from behind the counter. She then led the couple out the back door and over to a paddock. Sheila clucked softly and flashed a smile at Natalie and Adrian. "He'll be here in a second." Natalie was amazed when a large white animal approached the gate, humming loudly and flaring his nostrils. Sheila proceeded with a quick lecture about her animals. "This is Marty and he's actually a llama, not an alpaca. Alpacas are too small to be used as pack animal and they're bred primarily for their fiber. But the llamas are very useful-they guard the smaller animals and are wonderful hiking companions. Marty here is going to carry your lunch up to your camp site for you. Now, I can lead him if you want or I could teach you how to lead and ya'll can go off on your own. What'll it be?"
By now Natalie had been petting the beautiful animal and was totally smitten. "I'll lead him!" she quickly volunteered. Adrian stepped back and shifted his shoulder; this was one activity he didn't need to share with Natalie.
After showing Natalie how the packs draped over his back, Sheila showed Natalie how to lead Marty. She then made Natalie practice under her supervision as she gave Adrian a map and traced the trail they were to take. She gave Adrian a knowing look as she circled their camp site on the map. "It's only a short mile-long hike, but-" Sheila promised "-it's totally secluded and, since there are no other customers today, you two will be completely alone on the mountain." After she was sure of Natalie's ability to handle Marty, she led them to the trail head and sent them on their adventure. "Now you kids have fun, okay?"
As he led Natalie and her new-found friend Marty up the trail while dodging bugs and tree branches, Adrian realized this date idea probably wasn't one of his wisest choices. Leland's suggestion of a picnic at the park would have been much easier, and a lot cleaner. But Adrian had wanted to give Natalie an unforgettable experience. And, seeing how enamored Natalie was with the doe-eyed creature, today would definitely be unforgettable.
Finding the turn-off for the camp site, Adrian breathed a sigh of relief and turned to Natalie "We're almost there."
Hiking up another path, they finally came to the edge of a hundred foot circular clearing and Adrian spied a hitching post. "And that's the post Sheila said you can tie Marty to, Natalie. I'll go lay out our blanket in the field." After a quick survey of the area, he walked to the exact center of the clearing, opened the backpack and set out the blanket he had brought from home.
Natalie tied up the llama and retrieved their lunch from the 'saddlebags' and approached Adrian, who was already sitting on the blanket. It was a beautiful spot, surrounded by lush vegetation and crowned with the bluest sky. She settled down next to him and broke open the catered lunch. Before they realized it, over two hours had passed and they had long finished eating, having been distracted by their conversation and their setting. Natalie looked at the llama and became worried that he might be thirsty. She rifled thought a basket and found a bowl and their last bottle of water. "He looks parched, doesn't he? I'll be right back."
Adrian lay back on the blanket, hands clasped behind his head, and closed his eyes as Natalie went to tend to her four legged friend. The heat of the sun lulled him into a trance and didn't respond when Natalie called him. Lost in a daydream, Adrian felt all his cares melting away as the quiet sounds of nature hummed around him.
Natalie returned to the blanket and stood over Adrian. "Are you sleeping, sexy man?" She noticed a sly grin creep across his lips but his eyes remained shut. Natalie smiled in return "I guess you're just playing 'possum then? I bet I can wake you up." Natalie stepped over and stood astride Adrian. Slowly lowering herself to her knees, she straddled his hips and ran her hands up his chest. "Hmm, still not awake?" she questioned as she leaned down and kissed next to his ear, aware that he moved under her. She then felt his hands touch her legs and begin to gently caress her thighs but, she noticed, his eyes were still closed. Tempting him with several passionate kisses, she gradually pulled away and was surprised he still didn't meet her gaze. Natalie sat up and slowly untucked his shirt; positive she would now get a reaction from him. She began to muse "You know, Adrian, we're at such a secluded place and it such a beautiful day and I've always wanted…" Her voice trailed off. She watched his face tense as she slid her hands under his shirt and gently massaged his bare stomach and chest.
"Natalie, what do you want?' He opened his eyes and was gazing intently at her, his breath now shallow and halting, his hands now wantonly caressing her thighs.
Natalie met his wantful stare and felt his body shift under her and knew she was nearing dangerous territory. Adrian Monk may not be a fan of nature and surely had never made love outside in the daytime, but he had recently made some amazing changes in his life. And by the look on his face, it was obvious to Natalie that he would surely do anything to please her. And they were alone. And it was secluded.- A warm breeze rustled the tall grass, bringing Natalie out of her reverie. She tugged his shirt down over his belt and lifted herself off of him and settled on her side. He turned his head to follow her gaze, a questioning look on his face. Natalie lightly stroked his face and smiled "I want you, my love, after two more dates."
With a rueful smile, Adrian propped himself up on his elbow and returned his gaze to Natalie. "Not that I want to correct your math, Natalie, but I think we're only on date number seven, not eight."
"No, we're on eight. I gave you extra credit for our night out with the female impersonators." Natalie laughed as she sat up and packed up for their journey down the mountain. When she was finished, she knelt next to Adrian and placed her hand on his arm. "Thank you for today, Adrian. I never imagined a picnic could be so amazing and unforgettable."
With a smile, Adrian stood and offered his hand to help Natalie to her feet and then stowed the blanket in his backpack. They walked together over to the llama and he waited until she had fastened the 'saddlebags'. Before she could unhook the pack animal, Adrian caught her in an embrace and lightly kissed her, "You're amazing and unforgettable, Natalie -and I'm so thankful this was date number eight."
End Notes:FYI~ Yes, there really are companies that offer hiking trips with llamas. And although llamas might have a reputation for spitting (!)~ when raised correctly, like our friend Marty in the story, they are really well-behaved creatures (just like children!).