A/N: Okay…so here it is: the last chapter. Thanks again to everyone who has been reading and reviewing. There are several more stories to this series that I am currently working on, so I hope everyone will keep reading and let me know what you all think. Any who…time to say good-bye to Mr. Monk and Co.

Chapter 19

A couple days later Goren stood near the airport gate, supporting Madison on one hip as the group from San Francisco prepared to board their plane. They booked the first flight they could find, all eager to put this whole experience behind them.

Randy was near Goren with his arms crossed, examining the detective and his daughter.

"I was really impressed with your interrogation style," Randy said with an air of authority he really didn't have. "I generally prefer a more direct approach, you know, less reverse psychology."

Goren gave him an amused look, but before he could response Stotelmyer placed a hand on Randy's shoulder.

"Come on, Randy, let's go," Stotelmyer said as he led him away.

Natalie held Julie's hand as she approached Goren, searching for the words to express her gratitude, but abruptly hugged his free side instead.

"Take care," Natalie said and then playfully pinched Madison's knee. "Take good care of your mom and dad."

"I will," Madison smiled. "Will you come and visit again?"

"Maybe…" she said and turned back to Goren. "Tell Alex I'll email her soon."

"Sure…oh…I," Goren fished a piece of paper from his pocket. "Here…these are some therapist…they may be able to help you and Julie…if…if you need it."

Natalie smiled and took the slip from him.

"Bye, Bobby," Julie said.

"Bye, Julie."

Natalie and Julie passed Monk as they turned toward the gate.

"You're a good detective," Monk said.

"So…so are you," Goren said and extended his hand. "It was good working with you."

Monk stared at Goren's hand for a moment and then hesitantly took it in his own.

"You're very lucky," Monk said quietly before turning toward the gate.

"I know."

"Natalie, Natalie," Monk called as he caught up with them. "Wipe."

"Oh come on, Mr. Monk…you spent most of the week in the man's house."

"Natalie," he sighed, holding his hand away from his body.

"They're in the overnight bag with the captain…you can get one once we're on the plane."

"But…"

Goren shifted Madison in his arms and made his way back to the parking lot.

"Daddy?" she asked, resting her cheek on his shoulder.

"Yeah, baby?"

"Can we do the big puzzle when we get home?"

He craned his neck and kissed the girl's cheek.

"Yeah, baby, we can do the big puzzle," he said. "Come, on, let's get home and check on mom."

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Carrie was hunched over the sink, washing a bowl, when Goren and Madison arrived back at the apartment.

"Hey Bobby," Carrie said as she dried her hands.

"Hi," he said setting Madison down.

Madison trotted into the living room where Eames laid half asleep on the sofa.

Carrie leaned over the kitchen island in a low voice said, "Be warned: she's been cranky ever since she woke up this morning."

"Nothings wrong with my hearing, you know," Eames called.

"See," Carrie nodded.

Goren smirked and nodded.

"Thanks for coming by…an-and for the food," Goren said.

"Sure thing," Carrie said gathering her things. "I got to go pick up Nate from pre-school…you know you really should start looking into getting Maddie into a program."

Goren nodded as he eased her toward the door. "We have the brochures you sent us…thanks again."

"Well call if you need anything…" Carrie said. "Bye sis!"

Goren laughed to himself as he closed the door behind her and went to the living room. Madison had seated herself on the floor working on picking out the puzzle she wanted to do.

"I'm not cranky," Eames said. "I'm just sick of only being able to sit in once position."

Goren crouched down in front of her and smoothed her hair off of her forehead.

"I know…"

"And she refused to let me get a bath."

"You sure you're up for that?"

"Would you please just help me?" Eames snapped.

"Okay…okay," Goren said and helped her ease off the sofa.

She paused once on her feet, biting down the pain that flared up her side, and finally started down the hall with Goren close behind.

She easily stepped out of her sweat pants while Goren adjusted the water temperature. When he looked back at her, she was cringing as she tried to pull her arms from one of his old T-shirts.

"Let me," he said placing his hands over hers.

He delicately lifted the shirt from her body and sat on the edge of the tub in front of her. It was the first time he had gotten a clear look at the harsh bruising on her stomach and studied the black and blue rounded imprints.

"You're doing it again," Eames said.

"Habit," he replied, looking up at her eyes.

He reached behind him and shut off the water. He slid her underwear down her legs and helped her lower herself into the steamy water.

Eames sighed at the warm water seeping into her pores and soothing her sore frame.

Goren knelt down, crossing his arms over the edge of the tub. "Better?"

Her eyes had slipped closed and she numbly nodded.

"You don't have to sit with me…go play with Madison. She's been dying to have you all to herself."

"I know…I just—"

"I'm fine, Bobby," she said, opening her eyes to hold his gaze. "Really. Sore and pissed…and I feel like I should have been more prepared—"

"You were ambushed…"

"I know…but still…I didn't have any control over the situation and that really pisses me off…"

"I know it does…"

They quietly watched each other for a moment, enjoying the sight of each other and the quiet around them; a sound they've missed over the last few days.

"Go on…I'll call if any water nymphs come and try to drown me."

Goren smiled and kissed her head before standing and turning toward the door.

"I love you," Eames called.

"I know," he called back, heading toward the living room.

Madison had already cleared the coffee table and was working on spreading out the little cardboard pieces.

"You have to do the border, daddy," Madison said as he sat on the floor beside her.

He pulled her into his lap and they went to work searching for straight edges, piecing them together as they built their picture.