Worth the Peek (8.03)

(After leaving Natalie's car with the mechanic)

Natalie followed Monk away from the repair shop. He was walking in front and rather quickly, most likely because he wanted to get away from the repair man. Natalie's feet moved with celerity of their own, partly because she needed to keep up with Monk and also because she needed to release the steam from paying extra for car repairs. Natalie indeed was furious with Monk for his immaturity. He had insulted the car repair in the most hurtful way: rendering the repairman's values and life close to worthless. Any reasonable person would have been appalled at Monk's insensitivity. Natalie was glad the repairman had not decked Monk.

Natalie caught up to Monk, and forced him to stop walking. "Mr. Adrian Monk, you need to explain yourself back there. I'm not letting you walk away unless you understand what you did."

Monk looked at Natalie with slight trepidation. She never used his full name unless she was upset. He detected some inkling of her anger back at the repair shop but still could not understand what peeved her. "Natalie, I don't know what is going on. What are you so upset about? I did not do anything to you. I just told the man he has…you know, issues."

"He has issues? What about you, Adrian? I think you are the person with the bigger issues. Don't you see how genuinely hurt he was?"

"No. I don't see at all. I gave him some good advice. Any right person would be happy with such free advice."

"No, you did not give him any advice. You assaulted his dignity, and that is wrong. You called him stupid, period. But the man is a human being, and he like any other deserves to be treated with respect. What you said to him is that you are better than him. Do you really think that's a right thing to do?"

Monk muttered a few words to himself. He was thinking about his words, but yet to be convinced thus far.

Natalie continued, "And seriously now, really put yourself in his shoes. I don't mean that literally. Do you want to be insulted like that? What if someone called you eccentric or retarded? They can point to all your phobias and make the same remarks. How would you feel?"

Monk's face turned more pensive. He looked downwards at his feet as he contemplated Natalie's words. She was making a sound argument, and Monk started feeling some remorse at his harsh words. He was praying that Natalie was not going to force him to return to the repair shop and apologize again.

Seeing Monk got the main message, Natalie sought to change the topic. "Ok, and on top of that, you set me back an additional 500 dollars. It's going on your check."

Monk looked up and started retorting, "Oh, I see how it is. You are still mad at me about what happened at your friends' reunion. I assume you want a raise?"

Natalie scrunched her face in more anger and disbelief, "Do you really think I'm lecturing you because of that? Seriously, Mr. Monk, until you realize I'm doing this for your own good, you're not growing up. What matters most is that you hurt the man's feelings. That is wrong, and something you need to realize on your own. What you did at my friends' reunion and running up my car repair bill are secondary."

Monk was more contrite afterwards. He tried to mutter an apology but found his lips locked. He then did something more radical: he gave Natalie a full hug.

Natalie felt the hug and reacted in surprise. Monk was never the one to hug, and she usually had to be the one to initiate it. But his hug was so welcoming, and through the warmness was a silent message. Monk was accepting what she said, and admitting that he was wrong. It was a hug of friendship and understanding, virtues Adrian Monk often lacked but this time, was willingly giving. Natalie felt her remaining anger dissipating and melted herself in Adrian Monk's arms.

"Don't think you're getting away with this so easily Adrian. But it's a start."

So was Monk's habit of initiating hugs. It was a start.

(At home, when Natalie was attempting to see Monk's belly button)

Natalie's knuckles continued to rattle the bathroom door. Natalie was still standing outside, unrelenting in her approach as she waited for Adrian Monk to open the door. She was hoping that the knocking itself would annoy him out. Monk, on the other side, was trying to withstand the noise and Natalie's enthusiasm. The trip had taken a lot out of him, and he was still trying to relieve his head of the thought of hippies.

"Adrian, please just a quick peek. I just want to be sure." Natalie entreated, even though she was sure that he had a belly button. Natalie, in fact, wanted to see Monk's abdomen naked. Her thoughts were far from naughty, but not innocent either. She was curious about Adrian Monk and often thought about his body in inappropriate ways for a boss-employee relationship. But she knew their relationship was beyond that, and a woman had her curiosity.

"No, Natalie. I'm not coming out." Monk replied inside, as he tried to muffle Natalie's beating on the door. He was curious and flattered about Natalie's interest. Did she honestly believe that he had no belly button? He doubted that, because at least to the best of his knowledge, Natalie had no hippie tendencies, despite kissing a leper once. On the other hand, what if she wanted to see him naked? Monk's face blushed a bit. He was still shy about himself and his body, and rarely allowed anyone to see any part of it, but somehow, Natalie's eagerness did not strike any fear in him. Maybe he was starting to welcome Natalie's interest.

"Ok, Adrian. Let's make a deal. You let me see your belly button, and I'll show you mine."

Monk considered that deal. It wasn't his kind of deal, i.e. the economical kind where the assistant does everything and he does nothing. But it sounded appealing. He wanted the rattling and confinement to stop before things got serious. The bathroom was running out of oxygen, and his mind was drawing up a complaint for false imprisonment. Natalie's offer was a timely way out. But more was on Adrian Monk's mind. Would he actually freak out seeing Natalie's belly button? He had not thought of Natalie or her body as a man would think of a woman, but Monk certainly realized, albeit lately, that Natalie was a girl and an attractive one without doubt. Maybe he could survive seeing her belly button just for a bit.

Natalie was surprised when Monk opened the door and stepped outside. Obviously he had considered and accepted her offer. She was curious as to what led him to decide. "So, Adrian, you finally come out. I was worried you'd suffocate in there."

"I was worried too, but it's not suffocation. You really want to see my belly button? Why?"

Natalie tried to come up with a good explanation, "Well, I just want to make sure you are human. You made me think that you might not have a belly button, and it might be the case. I just want to be sure." She waved her hands in a circle while fishing for a good explanation.

Monk was not so convinced, "Really? I don't think that's why. Of course I have a belly button, if you are just interested in asking. I can get that fact notarized if you really need me to."

Natalie saw that further sidestepping would not work. "Ok, Adrian, I'm just curious in general. I want to see your belly button because I'm curious what your body looks like. It feels right, although it is technically wrong. But it feels right. Although it's wrong, so you can fire me. But I want it to happen and it feels right…"

Monk sensed Natalie was flustered and blabbering. "Natalie, it's ok. I get it. I'm just flattered and you know, it's difficult for me. But yes, I am fine with this. I've actually been thinking about your belly button too. It's not that you might not have one – that theory is totally preposterous – but how it looks. I know you're an attractive woman and would be lying if I do not admit it." Monk took a deep breath and felt that he spent his entire life's bravery reserves.

Natalie looked at Monk in shock. She never knew Adrian Monk was attracted to her, Natalie Teeger. She was not shy about her looks and was quite successful with attracting the eyes of many a single male. But Adrian Monk seemed to be an impossible barrier for anyone bar Trudy.

"But Adrian, are you just saying such because you are flustered? I remember just last year, you were barely considering me a woman, let alone an attractive one."

"That was with Leyla. She made me flustered, and then she came into my house. I certainly wasn't thinking straight. I am now saying you are an attractive woman."

Natalie smiled and nearly jumped in joy. She gave Monk a big hug and a kiss on the cheek. She was happy to see this side of Monk. He seemed so isolated and cocooned even since Trudy's death that he had rarely enjoyed any social relationships, let alone one with a woman. Short flings like Leyla evoked his emotions but for different reasons, they did not work out. She hoped to have one with Monk that would last for a long while, for ever if possible.

Natalie let go of Monk briefly but looked at his eyes. She gave a calm look and mouthed a message of support, letting him know everything would be ok. "Adrian, you know this will change a lot of things for both of us. But I'm willing to give you a chance and go through with it. I know you still have Trudy, but I want to be a part of your life too, hopefully for a long while."

Monk looked at the woman in his arms and saw the love and spirit that she emanated. He gathered his courage, "Yes, Natalie, I want to as well. I know I'm not the typical kind of man you date but hope you give me a chance. You have stuck with me so long, through my phobias and many quirks. I want you to be part of my life, hopefully for ever."

Natalie saw the sincerity in Monk's eyes, coupled with some courage and conviction. For a man with many phobias, including many revolving around women and love, he had taken a big step forward. She promised herself to see to that she would help him fulfill a happy life. Indeed, a happy life for both of them together. Natalie tiptoed upwards and gave Monk their first kiss.

Monk and Natalie released each other. Their first kiss was short and sweet. Natalie offered him a wipe but Monk respectfully declined. He would have to accept Natalie's cooties for this relationship to work, and fortunately for him, he found them less fearsome than anybody else's. Monk realized that he had taken a big step forward, both personally by adding another woman to his life besides Trudy and professionally by starting a relationship with his assistant. But he realized that happiness required hard choices and sacrifices. For Natalie, they are worth it.

Natalie let go of Monk and peered down at his abdomen. "So, stud, how about if we follow through our promises? I've always been curious about what lies underneath." She winked her eyes at Monk and urged him to get on the couch.

Monk proceeded slowly but tried a line of his own, "Certainly, a promise is a promise. I do remind you that you owe me a peek at your belly button. I've been thinking about your body, and knowing me, thinking about it will give me many sleepless nights unless I satisfy my curiosity."

"Really, Adrian, well maybe I should hold off on showing you my whole body. I can then help you resolve your problem with sleepless nights in my special ways." Natalie said the last part with a slightly husky voice and batted eyebrows.

Monk was taken a bit aback by Natalie. He knew she had much more experience with relationships than he did. He still needed to consult Trudy's old book on relationships every week in order to keep updated with how to act around women. But Natalie was a special one: loving, caring yet vivacious. It was going to be a relationship of challenges and opportunities, but something Adrian Monk could finally look forward to.