Despite the fact Natalie presented herself to the world like a woman made of steel, Monk knew there was an ocean of pain waiting to crest inside her. He remembered feeling for Natalie as her mother yelled at her about Mitch. It had been the only time he'd actually thought about hitting a woman.
Monk was so lost in his reverie, he nearly jumped in alarm when Natalie shifted to curl against his thigh. He froze in his spot, eyes wide with wonder and fear. She mumbled something unintelligible in her slumber, curling one hand over the top of his leg before going still once more. Normally when someone touched him in such an...unusual area, he would immediately bolt. But not this time. It was Natalie. He trusted her.
After a while, however, he grew restless, staying still like that. Carefully, so he wouldn't wake her, Monk slowly shifted on the bed. The movement caused her to slide gently to the duvet, thus allowing him his space. But as soon as he moved, he began to miss her touch. From the first day he'd met her, he'd been completely at ease with her affectionate nature. A reassure pat on the back was all it took for him to feel better. Why was that? What was it about her that made him feel--safe? While he was thinking that over, Natalie started making sounds, instantly snapping his attention back to her. Suddenly afraid of her finding him there, Monk decided to leave, but a small yet firm grip stopped him, a set of blue eyes staring at him.
"N-Natalie, I wasn't -- I mean, I didn't -- I just came in here to-"
She smiled. "It's okay, Mr. Monk. I'm not mad at you." And just for good measure, Natalie threw one of her tradmark quips at him. "Hope I didn't drool on you." He twitched one of his shoulders and stood while she swung her legs over to sit up. "Are you okay? You look kinda rattled?" When he didn't reply right away, her face changed into a serious expression. "Oh god, I didn't do anything weird in my sleep, did I?" The thought flitted into his mind of what had happened just mere moments before, then he shook it off and gave her a crooked grin. "You slept peacefully, I promise."
"Good to know. Now, what's on your mind? And don't you dare give me a 'Here's the thing', because I know you and your looks, and right now you're thinking pretty hard."
Sticking his hands in his pockets, Monk started pacing in front of her. "It's just -I'm worried about you." Natalie laughed out loud. "Aww, Mr. Monk, I'm fine, really. My mom makes me nuts, but I assure you, once we get back, I'll be myself again." But that didn't sound true to him, and he kept going, treading dangerous waters, he knew, but he had to do it. "Why do you do that?" Natalie took the flower out of her hair, standing and taking on a defensive posture. "What, Mr. Monk? What is it I do? Enlighten me."
He stopped his pacing to stare her in the eye. "You know what. We're supposed to trust each other, Natalie. Why didn't you tell me your family was rich?" Huffing, she took another step closer to him. "I didn't tell anyone; not just you. Besides, why didn't you tell me about your father?" Monk jerked and stepped back when she mentioned his dad. Natalie regretted what she said for all of ten seconds, then she swallowed the guilt and 'solidered on' as her mother would say.
*God help her. Did she just quote her mother?*
"Look, I'm sorry I didn't tell you, but I just couldn't, okay? I don't want you to treat me differently because I'm a Davenport," and to lighten the mood she added, "I know how much you love your hygene products, Mr. Gurtler 4000." Monk almost grinned, but he was determined to get her to really talk and that meant sidestepping her sarcastic remarks. "Leave my toothbrush out of this." He sounded like a little kid whose toy was just swiped. Natalie had to hold back the giggle that wanted to come out; instead, she schooled her features and held her ground. "I wanted you to know *me* not my namesake. Is that so wrong?" Monk shook his head, "Of course not, Natalie. I just don't understand why you feel like you have to lie to me. I've told you everything about me, about my life, about Trudy. Why can't you do the same for me?" Now Natalie's the one pacing. "Is it because you're ashamed or embarrased? I know there's more to Mitch than what you've told me. What happened between you two and your family?" That stopped her in her tracks. Without looking at him, she plopped down on the bed again, hiding her face with her hands. Monk rubbed his brow in frustration, then he heard muffled sobs and he worried that he might've gone too far. "Natalie? Natalie, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to upset you. P-Please don't cry."
She raised her head, tears glistening on her flushed cheeks, pain clearly etched in her eyes. "Why are you doing this to me? Why can't you just leave it alone?" She asked, her voice strong but sad. His heart clenched in his chest. Kneeling on the carpet --carpet burn be damned -- he took her hands in his. "If I don't, then you'll never heal. I know how it feels, Natalie. You feel like no one will ever understand, but I do. Dr. Kroeger told me once, in order to heal, you have to let yourself feel the pain. I realize I'm hardly an expert on making people feel better, but I'd like to try....for you." She didn't say anything, just stared at their linked hands. "Let yourself feel it, Natalie. It's okay."
"I can't. I'm numb inside," she whispered back, not really directing her words at him, more like voicing her thoughts outloud, but it was a start. He squeezed her fingers. "No, you're not. It's there. Let it out." Still, she continued her study of their hands. "You're...touching...me." That brought a quick smile to his face. "Yes, I am."
"But-"
"No 'but'. I'm fine." He tipped up her chin to move her eyes to be level with his own. "I'm here. You're not alone." Something about the way his eyes glittered in the half-lit room finally cracked her shell, and the flood gates opened. It began as a whimper, then went from a hiss to a full blown sob. Before he could react, Natalie launched herself into his arms. Once the shock wore off, he wrapped his arms around her quivering form. He wasn't sure what exactly he was supposed to do, but for Natalie, he'd do just about anything. He let his instincts guide his hand to stroke gently through her short hair, holding her tightly to his chest.
They stayed like that until Natalie sniffled one last time, leaning up so he could see her face. "Thank you," she whispered. Monk brushed the remaining tears off. "You're always taking care of me, and I know I can be selfish sometimes, but you need TLC yourself. I'm sorry I didn't realize that sooner. I tend to be a little slow on the uptake, you know?" Natalie giggled. "Yeah, I know." She leaned her head down again, then raised it up abruptly, her eyes flashing with mirth. "Did you include any of that L in the TLC? Because, if I'm not mistaken, the L-word is most definitely a part of that phrase." Monk considered it for a moment, smiling a very devilish grin. "Guess you'll have to wait and find out." He chuckled at her shocked expression, rocking on his now aching knees to place a sweet kiss on her forehead. "All better?" Instead of answering him, she leaned forward to kiss him softly on the lips. "Gettin' there." Monk sat stunned. She took his hands, standing them both on their feet. "Out, you. I gotta shower...and unless you've suddenly gotten over your fear of naked women, I suggest you scoot." Throwing a wink over her shoulder, Monk grinned and walked to the door. "That's my girl."