Hi.

Some months ago I submitted a Monk/Natalie FF story titled "Trudy's Picture" that unlike most other stories which have happy endings, mine ended on a bittersweet note with Natalie quiting her job and leaving Monk.

The few people who kindly read and provided suggestive comments in unison all thought that I should continue. Inspired by these, the following is one possibility.I title it "A Gentleman."

I acknowledge the characters to be taken from the TY series but the story is original.
There is some profanity (damn).

"A Gentleman"

Weighted down by the emotional shock of not only quitting the best job she had ever had but also of leaving the only man since Mitch that she has known whom she could - and did - love, Natalie, walks slowly down the hallway of Monk's apartment building, whispering softly into her cell phone.

"I know this is sudden but can you come by Mr. Monk's apartment and pick me up? I don't have a car and need a ride.....Are you sure it's no bother?.......Thanks!."

Not wanting anyone to see her, she decides to wait inside then glancing at the wall mirror she blurts out "God, look at me, I'm a mess!" so having a few minutes left before her ride arrives, Natalie hurriedly opens up her purse, takes out her compact then swiftly applies a light coat of make up on her face to hide the tear stains but gives up on doing something about her puffy eyes.

Soon a car pulls up alongside the curb and stops.

Recognizing it, she opens the screen door and rushes down the sidewalk to be greeted when she stops at the curb with a door swinging open.

"Hi, Get in."

"Thanks Randy, it is really nice of you to do this on such short notice."

"No problem, Natalie. It's on my way home and besides, there is no one I would rather have sitting next to me than you anyway!"

Inwardly Randy congradulates himself thinking that he might have scored some points with that line.

He then turns towards Natalie to check that her door is closed then happens to spot traces of tear stains on her face.

"Natalie, have you been crying?"

Still hurting she replies in an uncharacteristically sarcastic tone, "Yeh, how can you tell?"

"What happened?

Hoping that she would say yes, he then asks "Don't tell me that you and Monk had an argument?"

"No. no argument."

"Well something must have happened. Monk doesn't usually make people cry."

Seeing that the cop in him wouldn't let it go and realizing that everyone will know what had happened by tomorrow anyway, she tersely explains

"I quit working for Mr. Monk today."

Masking the joy he felt knowing that his arch rival for her affections was no longer a threat,
he feigns sympathy, saying "I am sorry to hear that. I know how close you two were but frankly, I don't know how you managed to stay with him this long."

"Well, I had reasons but there're gone now. Listen, Randy, Julie is staying overnight with a friend so no one is home. I don' want to go back to an empty house, especially tonight so can I spent the night at your place, if it is OK?"

"Can this be happening?" he asks himself. "Boy those candles really do work don't they!"

"Sure. I have a spare room you can sleep in."

They finally arrive at his apartment and go inside.

"Here, let me take your coat. You can go into the living room and relax. You must be hungry so let me fix something light. What would you like."

Though not really having much of an appetite, in appreciation she replies, "Anything is OK Randy."

"Ok. He hurriedly cooks an omelette, brings it to the table, followed by some wine.

Natalie starts to eat but not being in a a talkative mood she eats in silence letting Randy dominate the conversation which is mostly about himself and his music.

After dinner he goes into the spare room to make the bed, leaving her alone.

As he makes the her bed, he looks at the solitary pillow in the middle then with his hormons taking charge, he cautiously places another pillow beside it, telling himself
"maybe tonight I'll get lucky."

Meanwhile, Natalie, takes out her mirror to check her appearance and seeing that a little touch up is necessary, she reaches for her compact but in the dimly lit room she pulls out instead the package of wipes she keeps for her boss and staring at them, the pain and anquish she had managed to somehow keep under control so far bursts forth and she begin to cry uncontrollably.

Having finished making the bed, Randy heads back to the living room only to hear when he approaches the entrance to the living room the sounds of Natalie crying on the other side of the wall then suddenly, "Damn you Adrain, Damn you!, Why couldn't you, we..." followed by more sounds of her crying.

"The woman of my dreams is in the next room and she says she wants to stay here with me tonight but I can't do this. She is still in love with Monk!"

Clearing his throat a few times then pausing for another moment, he walks into the lving catching Natalie hurriedly rubbing her eyes with a wipe.

"Listen, its getting late and I just remembered that I have the early morning shift tomorrow and so must leave before 5 (of course there is no such shift). You can't get a good night sleeps like this so I'm going to take you home."

Before she has time to refuse, he goes into the kitchen, fetches her coat then motions for her to come with him.

Finally turning into a small street that leads to her house, he sees some lights on and slows down a halt.

"Natalie, didn't you say nobody is home tongiht?"

"Yes,"

"Well your lights are on. It could be a burgler."

"No, Randy, its Julie. I see her standing in the window. She probably is watching for me"

Randy then pulls up into her driveway and stops. Before getting out Natelie kisses him on the cheek "Thanks again. You are always here when I need you," then she opens the car door, gets out and walks up to the house..

Seeing her mom. Julie runs to the door and swings it open.

"Mom. I was so worried! No one answered the phone so I came back. You're crying!

She cuddles her mom tenderly who abruptly turns around, slightly knods her head in gratitude to Randy, then they both go inside and shut the door.

Waiting to make sure they were safely inside, he then mutters to himself "Monk you may be a great detective but you haven't a clue as to how lucky you are, She's the best thing that's happened to you since Trudy and you let her go," then starts the engine and slowly drives away.