planets   

Standard Disclaimer. All right, hands up anyone who really thinks I own
them. What no takers? Please send comments, questions, compliments, and
otters to sdelcul@mail.com or visit http//:www.members.xoom.com/dueSou.  

Answering a jointly-formed Vermont challenge that *someone* has shamefully
forgotten to post. Bad Shannon, bad. A side challenge involved matching
the people with planets (it works pretty well actually) was attempted. I
didn't leave all of them in, because some of them were really bad. If you
can stick them in, email and I'll see about adding them, with credit.
Okay? Frannie is Venus, Ma is Earth, Thatcher is Mars, and Welsh is
Jupiter. 

* Is a line from the Sentinel (Out of the Past). Planets and Wishes 

Voice over. 

"Hey fellas. As best man, I'm making this tape so you'll have a keepsake."
The camera moved around and settled on Ray Kowalski. "When I first met you
Fraser, I thought you were wacko. You know, the wheel is spinning but the
hamster is dead. But I soon learned that the hamster wasn't dead, just
Canadian. Course when Vecchio came back we didn't hit it off too well
either. I thought you were just this style pig with a nose only slightly
smaller than your ego. I didn't want to give you a chance but Welsh made
us partners and Fraser said we'd like each other. Now usually, if Fraser
says something, it's true*. So I gave you a chance and he was right.
You're a good partner, man. I love you guys. So, from me and Mercury (the
turtle), Good luck and best wishes." 

Change of scenery. 

"Hey bro. I know I don't say it much but I love you. I'm glad that you
were honest with me when the two of you got together and I'm especially
happy to know that my words led you to tell Benton how you felt. If I had
still been caught up in my fantasy, I would have missed my own chance at
happiness with my own Mountie. Thanks guys. I have everything I ever
wished. I hope you're as happy as I am." 

Screen goes dark as someone in red serge walks in front of the camera with
a meaningful expression. 

"Benton, I know you care for my son as deeply as I do. That alone makes
you family. Keep my son safe for me." She smiled effortlessly. "Caro, I'm
so proud to see you happy again. From the moment you were born my only
wish was that you grew up to be as happy as you made me. You have been a
wonderful son. I will miss seeing you every morning. I insist that you and
Benton visit often and-" 

Fade to black as crying begins. 

"Congratulations Fraser. Best wishes and all that. I-" she paused, unsure
of what else to say. "As a wedding present I'm giving you an extra day
off. I would give you the day before or after your, ahem, honeymoon but I
need you here. Vecchio, you've got a good man. For a while I thought maybe
he and I would-" She drifted as the camera recorded. Rewinding quickly,
she finished off with some canned congratulations and after sending
Turnbull to give the camera to Welsh, she sat and thought about Francesca.
Chocolate and women were so much more dependable then men anyway. 

The camera is carried to the station by Turnbull, on the entire time as
Turnbull accidentally presses the red button. 

"You've grown up and become a good detective, Vecchio, with or without the
Mountie. Fraser, uh, thanks for the advice, uh about my father." He
paused. "I wish you guys nothing but the best. I gotta get back to work
now." He opened the door. "Huey, Dewey, get in here." 

Cut in. 

"Hi Benton. I wish I could have been there with you, but I had some things
to deal with after everything that happened. I don't really know you, Ray,
but I know my brother loves you. Hurt him and I'll kick your butt from
here to Saturn. Best wishes you two." 

Splices back to- 

"Uranus! Get it?" Laughter explodes behind them. Ex-detectives Huey and
Dewey hold up champaign glass. "Hey guys. Taking time out from our world
comedy tour to leave you our best wishes and a standing invitation to drop
by any of our comedy clubs." 

Dewey continued. "A toast. To the uh, groom and groom. Bottoms up." 

"To the grooms!" 

Amid much applause and laughter, the battery runs out. 

"It's true. The good ones are always gay or married. And now you're making
it both." Elaine broke into tears then, reduced to eating ice cream right
out of the container. "God I wish I had a life!" She looked wistfully at
the pamphlet on her desk. Neptune cruises. For couples only. "Here. You're
gonna have a better chance of using this then I will." 

View from a prison cell. 

"So. You're marrying the cop. The guy who shot you. Tracked me down and
sent me to prison. Again. You can honeymoon on Pluto for all I care. I
wish I'd never met you." 

Kowalski viewed the last segment, erased it, and put the tape in an
envelope headed for Vermont.