A few years ago, we did a Virtual Season 4 for Hardcastle and McCormick, and some of our best writers contributed. A few were never posted here, and I'm proud to present one from our fandom's best writer - L.M. Lewis. An internet search should turn up our 4th season if you haven't read those "episodes" yet. Enjoy!

What's in a name? With a new grandchild in the house, some things will change. And some will stay the same.

A chat on the beach this time. About . . . birds?

The judge and McCormick discuss an accommodation, by either definition, in the den on Christmas Eve.

Another vignette on the patio, I'm afraid. Out of the 142 stories I've written in this fandom, I swear at least a dozen are vignettes on the patio!

A scene set after "Hate the Picture, Love the Frame". This is not written by me, Owlcroft, but by a new writer. I will be forwarding her your reviews/comments.

As most of you know, I've been kicking this idea around for many months, but it has suddenly seemed imperative to post it somewhere in public view. It's just a draft; sorry about that. Maybe someday I'll flesh it out into a whole story, but I'm not making any promises!

Sherlock Holmes's love for John Watson has never been in doubt, but his understanding of what friendship means to John is less certain. When Sherlock tries to protect John and in the process abandons everything John loves about him, it nearly destroys their relationship-but it also gives John the chance to show Sherlock just how this friendship thing is done.

This is, I believe, my 11th Christmas story. Most of them have been written as gifts to our fandom and this is no exception. Your friendship and dedication are much appreciated - thank you!

Sherlock Holmes doesn't hold with the supernatural, so why does he take a case brought to him by a client who does? As usual, he sees past the smoke and mirrors to detect deceit, murder, and the twisted motive behind both-but the one thing he doesn't expect is the threat to John's life.

Some might see them as vigilantes, others as heroes. But what Hardcastle and McCormick have always done has been pro bono publico - for the good of the public. Here, we proudly present our wrap-up of a story that began at the end of Virtual Season Four.

Hardcastle and McCormick try to settle back into their routine following the events detailed in "Dead Week", but there's still a murderer on the loose and Mark's still under suspicion of murder. Who stands to benefit from the crimes, or "Cui bono?"

The final instalment of Hardcastle and McCormick Virtual Season Four. Thank you all for reading and if you search for Hardcastle McCormick Virtual Season, you'll find the entire batch of episodes by our fine writers. Enjoy!

The first "episode" of the exciting two-part conclusion to Hardcastle and McCormick Virtual Season Four.

It's up to Hardcastle and McCormick to solve a murder at a baseball stadium. McCormick goes undercover while the judge keeps an eye out for nasty curves. Will they swing and miss? Or knock it out of the park?

Another chat in the den at Christmas, this time about something that we all appreciate.

Sherlock visits Mycroft in hospital and a discussion of language ensues.

John Watson is the man who cares. Sherlock Holmes is the man who doesn't. But he does make one exception. (This story is set in autumn of 2020 and is rated T for mature themes and language.)

A man like Sherlock Holmes is considered a hero by some and a right bastard by others. But he also proves the adage that one can tell at least as much about a man from his detractors as one can from his friends. Here, Sherlock solves two crimes and one mystery, and inadvertently reveals a little about his enemies, a little about his friends, and quite a bit about himself.

Sherlock and John take on a new adventure! This piece will not be up long, so please take the time to read it now. Thanks in advance!

Sherlock and John are both on record as believing the other to be "the best and wisest man" he has ever known. In this story John demonstrates his wisdom by asking something very particular of Sherlock, and Sherlock demonstrates a bit of his own with his answer. Oh, and he solves a murder, too. Set between A Scandal in Belgravia and The Hound of Baskerville.

On holiday in Northumberland, John and Sherlock discover there are more things going on than are listed in the tourist's guide. What exactly is the dog doing in the night-time? How is the cormorant important? And how difficult is it to avoid drowning in a tidal current?

Mycroft Holmes is scrupulous about paying his debts. But how can he thank John Watson without veering into dreaded sentiment? A companion story to "The Highgrove Ritual".

In solving a mystery in the country, Sherlock and John uncover more secrets than they expect, nearly at the cost of their own lives. Druids, a cipher, and archaic treasures add up to madness and death. "How much will you give? It demands a great toll" What will John and Sherlock have to pay to discover the truth of the Highgrove Ritual?

Sherlock is recovering in hospital when he receives a surprise midnight visitor.

Just a piece of fluff for the holidays. Merry Christmas, everybody!

It's nearing Christmas and John has a surprise visitor, one that leads to heartache and loss. Sherlock does what he does best. Set approximately ten months after Mary Morstan Watson's death.

'I know you for real,' John told Sherlock once. In this story, set between the first and second seasons, John comes by some of that hard-won knowledge. With a monster storm taking aim at England and a murderer on the loose, John and Sherlock pursue the killer into the sewers of London. What they find there is more terrifying than any human threat and could cost them their lives.

It's the very first time and Sherlock is understandably off-balance. Can John ease him through the experience?

Putting paid to a pest.

The judge and Mark have a little talk in the den. Well, one of them does anyway.

The guys are dreaming of a white Christmas, but might want to think again.

On the menu tonight is an attempted murder at a snooty restaurant. The judge goes out for dinner and Mark finds out what a quenelle is. An episode for virtual season four.

The judge's aunts pay a return visit and, naturally, a murder ensues. Episode number 9 of virtual season four.

A little Christmas treat. Or two.

Well, the title pretty well sums it up, don't you think?

The guys get a visit from some very special people. I always say if you can't poke fun at yourself, who can you poke fun at?

Tonight is the pre-season special that opens the long-awaited fourth season of "Hardcastle and McCormick". Join in the fun and excitement as, twenty-five years later, we get new episodes of our favorite show. And it's about time, too!

Check out the info in this one and please email me if you have any questions at all.

Just an update and explanation.

If a guy has a Zen moment in a den watching a ballgame, does anyone hear him?

A drabble about poker necessities

A contribution to the latest story challenge, using a specific starting sentence/paragraph.

The day after the Halloween party in "Never My Love". Who knows what evil lurks in the azaleas?

A little follow-on for "D-Day" involving a couple of gifts and a brief chat in the truck.

Once the guys get home from the press conference, what happens between them?

Guilt, loneliness, hunger? Or just that odd sensation that something important is missing?

A missing scene from "Ties My Father Sold Me". How does Hardcastle explain the jaunt to Atlantic City to his friends?

A twenty-dollar bet with an unusual pay-off.

It's almost Valentine's Day and the guys are thinking about their special ladies.

Finding himself locked in yet another embrace with Napoleon, Illya comes to a sudden realization. Warning: Explicit un-slash!

A short conversation on the way home from Clarence. How does the judge cope with his childhood friends' betrayal?

An explanation of why Hardcastle turned down the chance to be a Supreme Court Justice.

Remember the first drabble about that episode? Well, here's another one.

How is it that McCormick gets to pilot the 'Vette that one time?

There's a first time for everything.

When the talk gets tough, the tough start decorating.

A drabble about relationship. Warning: this story contains the death of a main character.

Hardcastle and McCormick face the ultimate foe! Who will triumph?

A missing scene involving blood and burgers.

It's all about giving and receiving thanks.

Whatever did happen to Sarah anyway? A follow-on to "Whistler's Pride".

McCormick gets to D.C. just in time to get the judge out of trouble, then they head back to the hotel.

A missing scene from "Flyin' Down to Rio", concerning that envelope with the plane ticket.

Invasion at Gull's Way

Remember how McCormick soaks the judge with a hose to end the episode? Just what takes place next?

In "Do Not Go Gentle", Hardcastle thinks he's dying and the twosome deal with the situation. Then, suddenly, he isn't and they deal with that. Here's a look at what might have followed that last screenshot of the judge as he winds up to rant.

You know who gets the last laugh, right? But there's a little elbow nudge along with the laugh.

We're left with Biff threatening McCormick and that snappy tune playing over an on-screen forecast. What happened after the fade-out?

An answer to the epilogue drabble challenge.

A small difference of opinion on what constitutes comfort.

A little talk about McCormick's experiences in prison.

Another version of McCormick's hospital stay after "If You Could See What I See".

Boys will be boys, but when fists are thrown, someone can get hurt.

A short chat in the den about the important things in life.

It's the Fourth of July; where are the fireworks?

Wrapping up some loose ends after "Goin' Nowhere Fast".

A mere bagatelle, to contribute to the "Man in a Glass House" episode challenge.

A brief answer to the "Rolling Thunder" missing scene challenge.

A three-way cross-over between our guys, Patrick O'Brian's Aubrey and Maturin, and a special guest star. Hardcastle and McCormick go on a voyage, but Mark makes the trip by rail.

An answer to the story challenge involving McCormick's first day home from the hospital following the events in "If You Could See What I See".

Martin Cody breaks out of prison and comes after the guys who sent him up.

Coincidence is an amazing thing. But anything's possible, especially in Southern California.

The judge has to deal with his feelings of guilt after finding McCormick on The Hillside of Death. A companion piece to "Belief".

Why did McCormick go to the party that night? A very belated response to the "If You Could See What I See" missing scene challenge.

What is the truth about who's to blame for that prison sentence?

A scene right after Christmas about that wreath and card delivered to the judge's cell.

So how and when did the judge learn to ride a horse, anyway?

The football game leads to another argument about justice, which has a surprising resolution.

A little talk about the help some young men need and where they find it.

A scene in the kitchen involving childhood memories.

On Boxing Day, it’s traditional to say thanks to those who’ve helped during the year, and to celebrate with friends. This story thanks and celebrates.

It's another round of that same old Christmas cheer.

Sort of a companion piece to "The Christmas Angel". It's another shameless theft from a better writer than I'll ever be!

Can you have too many versions of a missing scene from "Ties"? Well, maybe, but here's mine anyway.

What does happen after Mark rides off in the trunk of the cab?

What do the guys do once McCormick's passed the bar? Well, here's my theory. In a way, it's a prequel to my very first story, "Indifference".

McCormick gets his revenge when the judge reneges on an agreement. Oh, the horror, the horror!

A different view of the "You Don't Hear the One that Gets You" aftermath. McCormick has more to deal with than a gunshot wound.

When it comes down to selecting a Thanksgiving menu, it's always best to leave out those little white things.

It's Halloween in Scotland, but the judge and Mark must deal with the mysterious figure in black and an increasingly irritated ghost.

Yes, it's another vacation gone awry and McCormick ends up in the hospital yet again.

A small costume competition between maritime men. A Halloween story in answer to the challenge.

So, what was real? Do you believe in magic?

You don't sell memories; you share them with your friends.

A few petunias, a quick side-step, a seed of suspicion is planted.

It's a two-way street, after all.

McCormick makes a speech, the judge wears a kilt, a ghostly presence is felt. What more could anyone ask? Note: This is a sequel to "Lord Mark".

In which is drawn a connection between a pine cone and a chili cook-off. McCormick gets sick, the judge breaks a sweat, and there's a recipe included.

An accident under the net leads to better communication, with the help of a special recipe.

A short discussion of the obligations of friendship.

Just who does deserve the award in the "lifetime achievement" category?

Remember when the sheik discerned that the judge thinks of McCormick as a son? Well, here's a follow-up to that thought.

Hardcastle's home from the train trip; where's McCormick?

After Bauer drops off the Coyote, how does McCormick feel about his erstwhile friend?

After the race is won, after the noise and smoke have died away, after the ball is over . . .

Back at the estate, Hardcastle wrestles with loss and grief.

Need some fluff? Look no further.

A manor in Scotland, a ghostly presence, a kilt.

Ever wonder what happened to Angie's kids? Well, here you go.

A little backyard baseball with the judge, Mark, and Frank.

At what point did the judge finally understand the cattle prod reference, and what was his reaction?

After seeing Jane Bigelow off at the train station, there's the drive home. And what after that?

How would the judge handle a serious relationship between Mark and Warren?

The judge and McCormick have a short conversation about father figures.

What happens once the dreaded D-Day has departed?

How much is excusable in the name of 'survival?

A brief look at "Love and Freindship"

An insurance scam is foiled by the judge and Mark, but each must deal with injuries suffered in a car crash and the emotions provoked by Mark's peculiar outlook on life.

Sometimes it's just impossible to suppress a joyful noise.

Even looking for a wedding present can present a challenge.

With the bad guys under lock and key, the guys head home, only to meet a startling new concept in their relationship.

It's lunchtime at the station and Frank's hungry.

Mark attracts a fan club and decides to get back into racing. The judge threatens the fan club with a shotgun.

A peeping tom disturbs the neighborhood, but Aggie Wainwright helps the guys nail him.

A relaxing stroll in the country, a nice sunset, a little chat. Oh, and a bad guy rounded up.

Mark has something new to brood over and the judge reminisces.

St. Patrick's Day in Malibu, shortly after the guys return from Clarence.

There are some relationships that just defy logic and rationality.

In the true spirit of Christmas, McCormick tries to express his feelings for the judge.

Christmas Eve at Gull's Way.

McCormick comes to a conclusion and a decision. Hardcastle is amused.

McCormick arranges a date with a special person for the judge's birthday.

A mother's influence on a son is everlasting.

The Lakers are in the playoffs and Mark's in trouble.

The trip to Ireland. Those Irish eyes were doing plenty of smiling, too.

Sun, fun, and guns. Another trip to San Rio Blanco.

Teddy and the aunts. Teddy and Arthur Farnell. Can life hold any more?

The judge overhears Doctor Friedman say McCormick is going to die. The doctor then gives him a prescription to ease him through the aftermath.

Frank camps out for the weekend at Gull's Way and makes a surprising medical discovery.

The aunts, Doctor Brent, and mulberry tea: a recipe for murder?

Sonny and Mark share the past and a present.

Pick a card, any card. Put it back. Watch while I shuffle. Now, is this your card?

Take me out to the ballgame. Take me out with the crowd.

Sonny gets another chance, for pity's sake.

A new case for Judge Hardcastle and Mark picks the right moment.

The judge and Mark help out a guy named Gerald. This involves a cheap wedding ring, a stuffed lizard, and more food than even Mark can eat.

The scales of justice or a board on a rock: what matters is keeping your balance.

Revenge is like balsamic vinegar.

Mark and the Judge get a last glimpse of the Little Dipper.

The judge investigates a case of fraud while Mark eats pizza.

What's in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.

Mark invites the judge to go birdwatching.

Judge Gault gets his comeuppance, in a fashion.