No Drunken Matter (4.05)
(Monk after getting drunk, as Natalie dragged him away)
"Mr. Monk, what has gotten into you?" Natalie asked.
Monk walked circuitously with Natalie's arms around him. He barely could place one foot next to another – and this was a man who insisted in walking in perfect parallels! Natalie silently chided herself for leaving Monk alone. Of course he would get drunk, even if he drank a cup of cider spiked with alcohol. It took much effort to steady him and lead him away from Al Nicoletto.
Natalie finally told Monk what she found out. He, nonetheless, wasn't listening. Or she thought he wasn't. It frustrated Natalie as the usually dependable detective was a sot. He was winking as if telling a message, or was he getting confused himself? Natalie could not tell.
Monk then grabbed Natalie's shirt. Natalie quickly slapped his hand away. Her cheeks burned slightly as she realized what Monk had done. It was so unbecoming of Adrian Monk to touch her shirt, at that spot. If it were any other man, she would have hurt him where it hurt the most. But Mr. Monk was an unusual case. Nonetheless, she felt pleased for some reason. For now, her thoughts must turn to Al who was walking up to them…
(Upon entering the car, with Monk asleep)
"Happy Anniversary Adrian," Natalie said quietly.
What a weird vacation: telling Monk that they were partners but later discrediting his theory; everyone conspiring to keep a secret from them; Monk getting drunk while speaking to Al Nicoletto; and the last-minute discovering of Ben Gruber's body in a cask. No wonder some anniversaries were more hectic than weddings. Above all, Natalie realized that she broke her own rule by not believing Monk. She silently resolved not to make the same mistake again.
"I promise to make it up to you. We'll go somewhere else amazing, and I hope, without any crooks posing as artists. Maybe even Paris, the most romantic city in the world," Natalie opined softly but out loud.
Unbeknownst to her, Adrian was conscious enough to hear everything. The weekend was strange for him, during which he missed quality "anniversary" time with Trudy. He also missed spending time relaxing with Natalie, which he had grown accustomed to. They had started spending evenings and occasional weekends together, just talking about each other's lives and wishes. As much as the anniversary trip was about Trudy, Adrian also wanted Natalie to relax. He felt sorry that she hadn't found the time to return to Paris. Maybe they should go there next year, if he could get past his fear of planes, heights, bright lights, new people, new things…
After arriving at his home, Natalie tucked Adrian in bed. He still was hung over and could barely walk, but Natalie finally got him in. His face conveyed a neutral yet somewhat happy expression. Before leaving, she gave him a kiss on the forehead.
She did not return to see that his smile had gotten 1/10 inch wider.
(Monday morning – two days later – after Monk is mostly well)
Natalie came in the door and saw Adrian eating breakfast. "Good morning, boss. How are you feeling today?" Natalie asked.
Adrian turned around and smiled. He silently told her all is well. He motioned for her to sit and poured a cup of coffee. Surprised at this nice gesture, Natalie sat down and waited for what surprise he had, which probably wasn't anything since he hated surprises or he just wanted her to buy and pay for something that neither of them needed.
Adrian left the room and came back with an envelope. He laid it before Natalie, and arranged it in a perfect angle with the table. Natalie waited until he was finished before asking him what it was. Adrian just hinted for her to open it. Slowly, she took out a brochure which surprised her as anything else she had received from anybody.
"You are invited to an all-expenses-paid trip to Paris, including airfare, hotel, and admittance to major attractions including the Louvre and Eiffel Tower. Good for two adults…."
Adrian followed by saying, "I have booked a trip for next early May, from the 1st to the 8th. I think that is the best time for us to go."
"Adrian, how did you know when Mitch and I honeymooned in Paris? I mean, it's you and you seem to know everything. But how did you know?" Natalie asked in wonder.
"Well, several clues. This early May, after you just started working for me, you took a week off for no apparent reason. I was a bit curious – don't blame me, it's a gift and a curse – so the next time I was at your house, I looked at some of your photos. I saw one with you and Mitch in Paris, under the Arc de Triomphe, and in the background I saw many workers rearranging the street layout and taking down and reposting walking instructions, which suggested a parade occurring after another large parade. In France, that time would most likely be between May 1st, Labour Day, and May 8th, V-E Day. The trees and flora also point to May, and not any other month."
"Wow, amazing. You still are the best detective in the world." Natalie continued, "Is this real? Where did you get this?"
"Kevin Dorfman had it. He got it from one of his sponsors when he struck rich two years ago. Do you still want to go? With me?" he added shyly.
Natalie could not believe it. She now knew that Adrian heard everything in the car. While there was much to sort out – telling Julie, making sure it's all right with Dr. Kroger, and even informing Stottlemeyer – but she knew in her heart that the answer would be an unequivocal yes.
