Scratch
by Rain Crow
The case was over, and every animal in the park cheered as the Rescue Rangers piled out of the Ranger Wing. They'd saved the day once again! Chip, Monty, and Zipper chatted happily with the mob, glad to accept the thanks of a grateful community. Dale and Gadget hung back, each gazing at the other. The Autumn wind kicked golden leafs to dance merrily in the air, and fearing such a moment would not come again, Dale stepped forward to pull Gadget into a sweet, passionate kiss.
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Chip looked at Dale, finally understanding, and nodded. "It's okay, Dale," he said, "if that's the way you two feel than I'm happy for you. You've changed a lot. This last case proves that you can be responsible. I'd be glad to be your Best Man."
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He'd come so close to losing her. He had to say it, just so she'd know...
"Gadget," Dale said, holding his friend's hand and looking into her eyes, "I really do love you."
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The candle flickered as a cold finger of wind slipped past the half open window. Dale glanced up at it, then at the empty bunk bed that he usually shared with Chip. He could hear Monty and Zipper arguing about the rules as they played checkers in the main room of headquarters. It was nearly midnight.
One more time he put graphite to paper
Dale and Gadget walked into the park as the sun fell into the sea, happy to have finally faced the truth.
He stopped, leaning back from the writing desk and staring at the stack of papers that lay face down at its edge, the latest of their published cases. It needed only an ending and he could write it however he wanted, so long as it was true.
Dale stared at the last line on the paper, and sighed.
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fin