Lessons of Love
Chapter 14 Respect, and Symmetry
Standard disclaimer: I don't own Monk.
Notes: Hey ya'll- Happy Thanksgiving and Happy Thursday and, my fav, Happy Slapsgiving (it's legen...wait for it..dary):D -Apologies for the tardy update and grateful thanks for all the concerned PMs! Oy vey, real life has been crazy, with little time to write. :/ ~But never fear my fellow M&N shippers, though at a snail's pace we're still headed for that wedding! :)
Hmm, so where did we leave off? Last chapter M&N had their bachelor/bachelorette parties, Adrian mistakenly got drunk, got tossed out of Natalie's room for being too frisky, Tiffany Philips paid Adrian an unwelcome visit but was ejected by Leland and Natalie in the nick of time, and lastly, thanks to Natalie, Leland 'volunteered' to stay and watch over the inebriated groom. Whew….
Natalie stood at her window, awake since Orion lit across the inky black sky. She wasn't cold and yet she held her blanket snug around her body, a protection against a hail of unwanted, nagging questions-Why was she just standing here when she should be across the hallway in Adrian's room, and more importantly, why hadn't she let him stay the night? Was he sleeping peacefully or had he been haunted by alcohol-inspired nightmares? Or, worse, had he taken ill and did he need her?
'No, he's fine!' Natalie scolded herself for the umpteenth time, trusting Leland to protect Adrian and call her if needed. Shaking away these recurring worries, Natalie resumed her silent vigil. Her hopes and fears for the day unfurled as the stars faded and daybreak's soft pink glow brightened the landscape. With the darkness gone, Natalie's heart soared. Struck with a sudden giddiness, she wanted to run across the hall to see Adrian, the man who would be her husband in one short day.
Unfortunately, her joy receded as soon as she turned and spied the clutter of bachelorette gifts on the dresser and the room's telephone on the nightstand. She now found herself both anxious to resolve yesterday's thorny misunderstandings (if Adrian even remembered the fiasco of last night), and apprehensive about telling him about the troubling message Peggy had left on her phone. Sighing with resignation, Natalie turned and refocused her attention on the view. Why couldn't anything ever go smoothly?
"Mom, you up?" Julie's muffled voice came through the door connecting their rooms, bringing Natalie from her tangled thoughts.
"Come in, Angel," Natalie invited, her spirits lifting as Julie entered the room. Noticing her daughter was already dressed for the day, she teased, "Hey Early Bird, where's the worm?"
Julie smirked, "Yeah, I know it's early, but some of us went to bed at a decent hour." She plopped onto the foot of the unmade bed, "I'm sooo starving. Want to go for breakfast? Just us girls?"
"Yes, I'd love to!" Natalie unwrapped herself from the blanket and tossed it on the bed. "Let me-"
"MOM!" Julie jumped up, her face pinched tight.
Natalie froze, startled by the interruption. "What's the matter?"
Julie's hand unconsciously drifting to her collarbone and she stammered, "Mom, last night, did you, umm, ahh…did you see Adrian?"
Taken aback, Natalie's mouth fell open. Flustered that Julie might have overheard their late-night tryst, she immediately glanced down at her pajamas and took inventory. Is anything wrong? No, my top and shorts are fine, intact and where they're supposed to be- Of course they are, nothing really happened! Be calm, there's nothing to be embarrassed about.
Natalie distractedly smoothed the bed comforter, curious to know what prompted Julie's question. "Why do you ask?"
"So that's a 'yes'?" Julie fought a smirk, her eyes twinkling.
"Well-" Natalie shrugged and, in an attempt at nonchalance, ran her fingers through her hair, "okay, yes, he came over for a quick hello when he got back from his party, but he didn't stay long." Julie's smirk blossomed into a snickering chuckle and Natalie harrumphed, "What's so funny?"
Julie caught hold of Natalie's arm and tugged her into the bathroom. Reaching behind and snapping on the light, Julie snorted and motioned toward the mirror, "I just wanted to make sure you didn't get that at your bachelorette party."
Squinting and blinking, Natalie's eyes soon adjusted to the blinding fluorescent light. Surveying her reflection, she finally spied the source of Julie's amusement.
Natalie gasped. Oh God, there was something to be embarrassed about after all.
~~~~~LOL~~~~~
Blaring and shrill, the ringing phone ripped Adrian from his dark, dreamless slumber. Semi-awake, head throbbing and body aching, Adrian wanted nothing more than to return to that vast nothingness. He lay still, praying for quiet, but a thunderous voice boomed out and destroyed any hope of sleep. Was that Leland's voice? Adrian forced one eye open, incoherently muttering his displeasure.
The Captain, perched on the back of the couch, grinned and spoke into his cell phone, "Hey listen Nat, it looks like Sleeping Beauty is waking up. I better go. .. Oh not bad, maybe a little green around the gills. I'll try and get him presentable for you. .. Okay kiddo, see you soon." Dropping his phone in his robe pocket, Leland turned and pushed open the drapes. "Morning Monk!"
Cringing from the blinding glare, Adrian was crushed under a barrage of deafening sounds: Leland's rumbling voice and the clatter of the curtain rings across the rod and, louder still, the thud of his heartbeat in his temples, the roaring gulp as he swallowed, the earsplitting scrape of his whiskers on the pillow. Unable to escape the cacophony, Adrian groaned in misery.
"Come on buddy, time to rise and shine." Leland approached the bed and yanked away the blanket.
As the blanket slid from his grasping hands, Adrian growled, "Why are you here?"
"Well, you had a bit too much to drink last night, so, you know, I slept on the couch." The Captain shrugged, almost shyly.
"I drank too much and you slept on the couch?" he blindly repeated. Brow furrowed, it took Adrian a moment to comprehend Leland's words. "Wait, you took care of me- taking off my shoes and tucking me in." Moved by his friend's dedication, Adrian pushed himself up on an elbow and managed a feeble smile, "Thank you Leland."
"Yeah, but I let you drink, so-" The Captain rolled his eyes and shrugged, "anyway, no problem."
Adrian's gaze dropped and he suddenly noticed that instead of pajamas, he was still wearing his tank-top undershirt and dress pants. Tangled, confusing images from last night flooded his mind- the wild bachelor party, his failed seduction of Natalie, the shameful walk back to his own room and then, most disturbingly, Tiffany Phillips' unpleasant visit. Adrian rubbed his brow, dread souring his stomach. He fell back into his pillow, "I messed up, didn't I?"
"I don't know, that's between you and Nat." Leland rubbed the back of his neck, "But don't worry about what happened with Tiffany Philips. Natalie knows she was just trying to cause a rift, to split you guys up and distract you from the case. I'll call the local LEO's and bring them up to speed on our 'friend's' latest antics." The Captain yawned, "But speaking of Natalie, she'll be here in about ten minutes so you need to clean up. Let's go wash your face and brush your teeth."
"Or maybe-" Adrian rolled into a fetal position and hugged his pillow, "you could get your gun."
"Come on Monk, time's a wasting!" Leland cajoled.
Adrian whimpered and closed his eyes. To sleep, perchance to not dream…
Sighing loudly, Leland pressed his knee against the edge of the bed and started to jiggle the mattress, "Get up or get sick, buddy."
Muttering under his breath, Adrian dragged himself to the bathroom. Ever so careful, he silently closed the door and switched on the light. Under the florescent glare, his reflection was unforgiving- dark circles under bleary eyes, wild disheveled hair, and pale skin heavily peppered with whiskers, both black and grey. Grey?Leland was right; Natalie did not need to see him like this.
Adrian turned on the faucet and, noticing the unsteadiness of his hands, knew the shave would have to wait. Washing and drying off, he then went through an entire bottle of mouthwash. After using then throwing away his current toothbrush (because of course he had back-up toothbrushes in his toiletry kit) Adrian tamed his hair and rechecked his reflection. Eh,not great but this was as good as it was going to get.
He soundlessly opened the bathroom door and hesitated, momentarily startled. Leland was gone, Natalie was hastily straightening the bed, and his nightstand now held cups of coffee- no, not coffee, with the telltale string and one inch square of paper dangling from the cups, make that hot tea- bottled water, assorted breakfast items, and a hundred-count bottle of aspirin.
"Hi Sweetie," Natalie whispered, a sympathetic wince on her face as she approached. After a soft kiss hello, she took his arm and led him across the room. Helping him sit on the bed, she stacked some pillows against the headboard and murmured, "Rough night?"
"Rough morning," He huskily answered as he twisted and pulled his legs onto the bed. His eyes fell closed when he leaned back against the pillows, his world spinning. He then felt the mattress dip as Natalie settled facing him, her hip against his. Despite his raging headache, his thoughts returned to last night and his heart jumped.
Opening his eyes, gratitude engulfed Adrian when Natalie wordlessly handed him two aspirin and water. Normally he was against taking pills of any kind, but this morning he was a willing convert. He swallowed the painkillers without a thought, unconcerned that the hundred-count bottle was now at ninety-eight.
With soft words of encouragement, Natalie took the water and handed him a cup of tea and triangle of toast. He compliantly took her offerings and soon, thanks more to Natalie's healing presence rather than the aspirin, Adrian slowly regained his will to live.
While he tentatively ate and drank, Natalie filled his ear with idle conversation- inconsequential chatter about her expertise with curing hangovers, her breakfast with Julie, her disturbingly odd fascination with his emerging beard and how he definitely would not be allowed to shave during their honeymoon and lastly, the pinnacle of small talk, the weather.
Adrian was thankful for this short respite from thinking and yet, mindful they had argued, was anxious to apologize. Alas, one thing stood in the way- he did not remember what had actually caused the fight. He knew that to make things right and give a proper heartfelt apology, he had to be a man and admit his ignorance.
Adrian put his drink aside on the nightstand and took Natalie's hand. He cautiously ventured, "Nat, I'm sorry about last night. I know I upset you and I don't ever want to hurt you. But," He laid her hand over his heart and admitted, "I have to confess that last night's a bit of a blur. I don't know what I did wrong."
"I'm not surprised- last night was kind of crazy."
Natalie's fleeting smile was answered by his grim countenance. "Natalie, please tell me."
Silence filled the air. Natalie took a deep breath, sorrow gathering in her eyes. "Okay, here's what happened. When you came to see me after your party you acted different, possessed, kissing me and pawing at me and okay, yes, I admit that this is partially my fault because at first I was enjoying it and didn't stop you but, but then I remembered Julie was next door and I asked you to stop and you didn't. That's why I kneed you, which I'm sorry I did but, and I hate to say this because in my heart I know it's not true, but last night it just seemed like you didn't, I don't know, respect me."
The hazy details leading up to his ejection from Natalie's room suddenly turned painfully clear and Adrian's breathing faltered. Last night, with his lustful demands and impatience, he had somehow forgotten to listen to her, his beloved Natalie. How could he have been so thoughtless?
His eyes shimmered with tears, "I do respect you, Natalie. And I love you with all my being. I promise I'll never behave that way, or say what I said, again."
"I know you won't, sweetie." Natalie chided, "We just need to keep you away from liquor- it's you I want not, ugh, Frankie DePalma."
His heart constricted in his chest. Realizing she misunderstood what spurred his passionate over-eagerness, Adrian knew he had to confess. "Nat no, the drinking didn't turn me into Frankie. Yes I was under the influence and yes, that did lower my inhibitions but, ultimately," his breath hitched, "what I said and how I acted, that was me."
Her eyes narrowing, Natalie frowned, "I don't understand."
Adrian gulped and averted his eyes, determined to completely bare his soul. "Lately, I've been thinking a lot about you, us, you know, together, making love and not-" his voice dropped to a whisper, "not with my, my usual shyness. Last night I acted on those impulses and, ahh, intentionally manhandled you." He winced as he met her gaze, "I'm sorry, I know that's not respectful. I, I'm so sorry."
"Wait, wait, wait - you're saying last night was all you?You were assertive and seductive and, hmm, horny?" Adrian nodded, thoroughly mortified. Natalie turned giddy, "Oh my God, Adrian, this changes everything! This is what I've always wanted; for us to love and trust each other enough to let go and express our wants and needs. So forget what I just said, don't you dare hold back!"
Adrian was dumbfounded by her reaction. "So you're not mad? You don't hate me?"
"No! I could never hate you." She caressed his face and sobered, "But the not stopping immediately when I said stop- that was because you were drunk, right? It'll never happen again?"
"Never again." he rasped, ashamedly aware that liquor had dulled his thinking. Nonetheless, there was no excuse and Adrian knew he had acted disgracefully. His eyes moistened, "I promise."
Shushing him, she gently wiped a tear that had found its way onto his cheek, "I know, thank you." After he quieted, they fell into an embrace, professing vows of love and fidelity. Reconciliation complete, Natalie disentangled from his arms, an enigmatic expression gracing her face, "Now that that's settled, we have one more thing to discuss."
"One more thing?" He repeated, the back of his throat burning. Oh God, what else had he done?
Holding his gaze, a mischievous glint sparked in her eyes. Natalie unbuttoned the top button of her blouse, "Normally this wouldn't be a problem, but I am wearing a beautiful wedding gown tomorrow."
As she released the next two buttons, Adrian stared in disbelief, his throbbing headache drowned out by his pounding heart. Struck mute by an unexpected longing, he watched as she pulled the left side of her collar open, exposing the hollow of her collarbone and swell of her breast. Staring at the glorious expanse of flesh, it took a mere moment for him to notice the small red splotch an inch below her collarbone.
His sudden alarm turned to confusion when he noticed the sly smile on her face. Adrian raised his hand and gingerly circled the mark with his fingers, "What is it?"
"You don't know?" She asked with disbelief. Adrian gave a head shake as a reply and Natalie laughed, "Adrian Monk, you gave me a hickey!"
Although he knew it to be completely inappropriate, foolishly immature and even insultingly sexist, Adrian felt a startling rush of joyous pride.For the first time in his life, in the most primitive of ways, he had claimed his woman for all to see.
"Oh my God," he whispered, once again circling the mark. Raising his eyes, he couldn't check himself and burst out laughing.
Natalie huffed dramatically, "It's not funny!" Drawing an imaginary line along her chest below the mark, she chided, "My wedding dress hits me here so this little love bite will be in full view. I already tried regular face makeup to cover it but it was the wrong color and looked awful. I need to go into town to find the right cover-up."
He chuckled as she theatrically refastened her buttons. Smoothing her blouse, Natalie tilted her head and growled, "It's not funny!"
"Okay, sorry." Smirking, his shoulders continued to rise and fall with his silent laughter.
She narrowed her eyes and warned, "You better quit it, Monk."
"Or what, Teeger?" he grinned, unable to harness his giddiness.
Her blue eyes reflecting wicked thoughts, Natalie gave an evil chuckle, "Or this." In a flash she pushed the strap of his undershirt aside and her lips descended upon his exposed skin, an urgent kiss becoming bruising and rough.
"Hey!" He instantly yelped, shocked and appalled. But in the mere second it took for his hands to take hold of her, everything changed. Instead of wanting to escape her attack, wave after wave of heat saturated his every nerve and he willingly surrendered. Oblivious to everything except the press of her body against his, he instinctively curled a hand around the back of her head and buried his face into her hair, mindlessly murmuring her name and disjointed phrases and pleas.
Natalie finally lifted her face, smug, yet feigning innocence, "I'm sorry, did I hear you asking me to stop?"
He shifted his grip and, with his hand now cradling her chin, he brushed his thumb along her bottom lip. He held her gaze, making no attempt to disguise the hunger that simmered in his eyes. "Not you. I was telling myself to stop."
As he loosened his embrace, Natalie slowly sat upright, resisting the temptation to remain in his arms. She gave an imperceptible shiver, "Until tomorrow night."
Adrian rolled his shoulder, wistfully repeating, "Until tomorrow night."
Natalie nodded and, with a sly smile returning to her face, touched the mark at his collarbone. She teased, "Well, at least we're eventoday."
Adrian snorted a laugh, "Ah yes, sweet symmetry. Thank you Natalie."
"Any time." Natalie glanced at the clock and sighed, "Well, I guess I should get going."
"I'll be quick," Adrian offered.
"No, I'm going with Julie. You stay here and get some rest. I want you feeling better for the rehearsal dinner this afternoon. And, don't argue now, but I already arranged to have Benji come stay with you while I'm gone."
"I don't need a babysitter," Adrian grumbled.
"I know, indulge me though." Kissing him gently, she leaned away. And hesitated.
Adrian immediately noticed the shadow darkening her face. He took her hands, preventing her from turning away. "There's something else, isn't there?"
She nodded absentmindedly, her expression unreadable, "I was going to tell you this later, when you felt better. This might upset you but then again, you might think it's good news. I don't know-" she fidgeted, "I almost convinced myself to just say 'no' and not tell you, but I know this an important decision you need to make."
Worry built in Adrian's heart. "Nat, we make important decisions together. What's going on?"
"It's a long story, so bear with me." After blowing out a breath indicating her exasperation, she began. "Last night, while we were at our parties, Mom left a message on my phone.
"It seems Ambrose was going to throw us a party after we got back from our honeymoon. So when your brother called my parents to invite them, surprise, Mrs. 'I–Know-Best' Peggy Davenport decided that Ambrose needed to come here, for the ceremony and reception. Mom kept insisting, even telling Ambrose that if he was nervous about the trip, he could bring that psychology student, Robin Banks, who's been working with him. Mom and Ambrose had several lengthy phone conversations and, end result, Mom hired a chauffeured coach bus to bring them here tomorrow."
"That's great news!" Adrian relaxed against the headboard, instantly happy, "If he feels up to making the trip, that's, that's earthshattering!" Noticing her grim expression, he frowned, "Why would you say 'no' to Ambrose?" Why did you think that was bad news?"
"No, no, no, I would love to see Ambrose. That's not the bad news." Natalie ruefully continued, "This morning, right before I came to see you, I called Ambrose. I wanted to, you know, verify that Mom hadn't bullied him, that he really felt up to coming… anyway, like I said, I called him this morning and he seemed really apprehensive and really, reallydistracted." Natalie bit her lower lip, "I asked him what was going on and he told me that yesterday, out of the blue, Jack showed up."
"Jack…My father?" Adrian stammered, his headache returning with a vengeance.
Obviously displeased hearing the words 'Jack' and 'father' in the same breath, Natalie grimaced, "Yep, great timing, right? Anyway, Ambrose told him about us and the wedding and Jack is supposedly very pleased. After some hemming and hawing, Ambrose asked me if Jack could accompany -"
Adrian's gaze fell out of focus, his face overcast.
Natalie worriedly asked, "You okay?"
Twitching a shoulder, Adrian swallowed hard, "My fa-, Jack, is coming to our wedding?"
"No!" Gripping his hands, Natalie vehemently insisted, "I mean, only if you, say so. It doesn't matter if Ambrose wants Jack to come- this is our day and we decide who's invited."
Adrian stilled, sinking into his embroiled thoughts. God knows he could simply say 'no' and no one, not even Jack, would blame him. And yet after the initial shock, Adrian admittedly had felt a jolt of, well, excitement. Truth be told, despite Jack's mistreatments and abandonment, and under all the hurt and anger, Adrian had always, secretly, held on to the slimmest of hopes for his father's return.
Additionally, Adrian ashamedly now realized that, while he and Natalie had gone out of their way to include Jonathan in their wedding, they had not given one serious thought on how to include Ambrose. Why hadn't he thought of his own brother? Sure, Jack Junior was still in prison so he definitely couldn't attend, but what about Ambrose?
Adrian felt feverish. He now realized he wanted Ambrose at the wedding and, like it or not, Jack's presence would surely be a huge comfort to his brother. So was Jack's sudden reappearance a gift or a curse?
Her voice torn between sympathy and anger, Natalie interrupted Adrian's conflicted thoughts, "He doesn't have to come, Adrian. Just say the word and I'll make sure Jack isn't within a hundred miles of our wedding."
Meeting her steely gaze, seeing her fierce overprotectiveness, Adrian's heart momentarily gladdened. He chuckled softly, "That's the girl I know and love."
"Damn straight!" Natalie growled. He managed a smile and she tenderly added, "This isn't a decision you, we, need to make this very instant- we have the whole day to mull it over. So how about you try and rest and we'll talk about it when I get back?"
Although the familiar compulsion to get up and clean the room stirred in his gut, Adrian instead nodded in agreement. Natalie pulled the pillow from behind his back and helped him crawl back between the sheets.
Resting on his side, his head sinking into the pillow, Adrian fell into a daze. His mind already a million miles away, he blindly watched Natalie as she bustled around the room- clearing away the remains of breakfast, calling Benji, straightening the couch's 'Leland-mussed' pillows. When she returned to his bedside, Adrian roused from his trance. Defeat etched on his face, he murmured, "Nat, I'm sorry for ruining our wedding."
"Hush now, nothing's ruined," Natalie tenderly chided. With her hand cupping his cheek, she leaned against his shoulder, "Heck, as long as we're together, I wouldn't care if we got married-" she snickered, "by a Voodoo Priestess… on Friday the 13th… at midnight."
Adrian retorted, "What, no cemetery?"
"We'll save that for our tenth anniversary, when we renew our vows." Natalie smartly replied.
Their banter was interrupted by a gentle knock on the door and Benji's muffled voice. Depositing a kiss on his forehead, Natalie went and invited the young man into Adrian's room.
"Hey, future Mrs. M.!" With a backpack slung over his shoulder, Benji buoyantly entered the room and headed for the sitting area. "Good Morning, Mr. M.!"
Murmuring 'morning', Adrian gave a weary hand-wave. He burrowed back under his blanket, his emotions once again untethered and chaotic.
Natalie followed Benji across the room, "I see you're chipper this morning. How're your mom and Randy?"
Plopping into the chair, Benji snorted, "Hung-over big time! I knocked on their door and, wow, they did not sound happy."
Natalie glanced at Adrian, eyes closed, cocooned in his blanket. Sympathy written on her face, she whispered, "Well, let's let them sleep it off. Now listen, not that you boys are going anywhere, but if you need someone here pronto, call Leland and TK. I saw them this morning having breakfast and they said they're going to stay close to the lodge. Actually, TK said they'll be attempting the 'bunny slopes' but, from the Captain's expression, I don't think he'd mind an interruption. But, of course, call me too and let me know what's happening."
"The Captain first, then you, got it," Benji nodded, placing his cell phone on the table. He then pulled his laptop computer from his bag, "Don't worry, Mrs. T. I'll keep an eye on the fiancée while you and Julie do your thing."
Natalie squeezed his shoulder, "You've been a great assistant this week Benji, thank you."
"Well, I learned from the best-" Benji stopped and turned red, "err, well, the second best-"
Natalie tousled his hair, "Don't worry about it kiddo, I know what you mean… Okay, I'll see you later." Benji nodded and, by the time Natalie returned to Adrian's bedside, the young man's fingers were already tapping at his computer's keyboard.
Adrian forced his eyes open when Natalie perched on the edge of the bed. He glanced at Benji, involuntarily scowling at the noise, and then looked up at Natalie, his expression softening, "You leaving?"
"Yep, Julie's waiting." Resting her hand on his chest, she kissed his forehead, "See you in a bit."
"See you…no, wait, I mean-" Adrian slipped his arm from under the blanket and twined his fingers with hers. Although he was painfully aware Benji was in the room (Jeesh, why was the kid's typing so obnoxiously loud?),with his heart so raw and torn,he wanted, no, he needed, a more intimate goodbye from Natalie. "I mean-" his voice turned low and raspy, "I love you Natalie."
A smile lit her face and she leaned down for a light kiss, "I love you too…Now get some rest."
After she left, Adrian closed his eyes but sleep proved elusive. Curiously, instead of agonizing over the Ambrose/Jack situation, he found himself focused on Benji- or specifically, the clicking and clacking of Benji's typing. Eyes slitting open, he glared at the young man and growled, "Do you really need to be so loud?"
Benji looked over, utterly surprised, "I'm being loud?"
"God yes. Tap,tap,tap…it's deafening."
"Okay, um, sorry….But I'm working on a thesis paper for school." Benji's eyes darted from Adrian to his computer to the closed bathroom door. "Well I could go into the bathroom."
His bathroom? Adrian shuddered, "No, don't do that."
Benji sighed, "It's too bad you don't have one of those connected room suites- like Julie and her mom have. I could leave the door open a crack and be with you, but not, you know?"
Adrian's mind was unexpectedly overrun with thoughts of Tiffany Phillips, James Kelly and all the details of Mike Phillips' murder. Throwing off his blanket, Adrian slowly pushed himself upright, his face pallid.
Benji set his computer aside, ready to leap from his chair. "What's wrong, boss? You feelin' sick?"
Despite his throbbing headache, a smile crept across Adrian's face. "Benji, I know how they did it. Call Deputy Alexander!"
~~~~~LOL~~~~~
A/N: Yep, Mr. Monk is supposed to say "Call the Captain!" but, LoL, Deputy Alexander is 'the law' in this neck of the woods! :D
~Yahoo, next chapter Mr. Monk gets to say, "Here's what happened!", and the story takes a much needed change of direction. ;)