Dutch and Stardance

951

What if: The Trap. Butch and Sundance can’t hold a candle to this partnership.

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Chapter One

The aroma of hay and cedar wood lofted through the air. A few kerosene lanterns swayed slightly, bumping against the handcrafted walls of the barn. Their only use now was to house the fuzzy black, eight-legged creatures that had spun silken webs encasing the rusted lanterns like fine wrapping paper. The farmer’s best friend sat in the center of it all. Its rusted crank had not been turned in eons. A reminder of days gone by. When a man could be proud of the fruits of his labor. It spoke of hard work, of rising before the sun and not resting till long after it set. It spoke of blistered, callused hands and the earth’s soil under worn nail beds.

Starsky and Hutch stood at the front entrance of the barn. Their offense was short a few players but it was the only play to be made. Bagley was going to set the tinder dry box they were in on fire. Burning to death was not the way either of them wanted to go. Not to mention having a minor with them had changed all the rules anyway. They had to get Joey out if nothing else. A little diversionary action and hopefully the kid could make it to the woods just beyond the gully. “Ready Champ?” Hutch tried to sound encouraging knowing full well he and his partner had a slim-to-none chance of making it out of this alive.

Starsky looked at Hutch with uncertainty and worry. He knew those cannon’s out there were heavy artillery and they were pinned down in the old hay barn like two mice in the talons of an owl. “Ready when you are partner.” His voice not matching the confident words.

One last look between the two officers took place. The naked blueness of both their eyes briefly searched out the other. In that brief moment thoughts and emotions were exchanged without words. Watch yourself partner, don’t do anything foolish. Hutch’s art gallery blue eyes willed his partner to understand what was behind them.

Starsky gave Hutch a nod and small faltering smile. They were in a bad position and this could get ugly fast. Don’t get dead Hutch his equally tempest blue eyes said in return.

The barn door flew open. Hutch raising his gun and firing to his right. Starsky was right at Hutch’s shoulder squeezing off rounds to the left. They made their stand. What they hoped wouldn’t be their final stand. Hutch couldn’t help but picture Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid as he and Starsky took a firm stance together side by side as partners, buddies and friends. If they had to die; together was the way they always wanted it to be. Standing their ground and going out with courage and glory, not hiding behind bales of hay waiting to become toast. The heavy cannons fired past their heads and spit into the barn behind them causing both blond and dark haired man to plummet to the ground behind the shoddy shelter of the water trough.

Joey had just wanted some fun. She couldn’t bear to sit in that room all day alone again. So she’d stowed away in the fancy red car with the racing stripe. Sides; that curly haired guy was too cute. She was sorry now as she crouched down by the small opening Hutch had torn loose from the barn’s frame. The danger she now found herself in was not what she’d had in mind. She was ready to let her sneakers fly. As the first sounds of gunfire hit her ears she scooted through the hole like a rabbit. Down through the muddy, weed filled gully fast as her sneakers would go till she found herself in the woods. She didn’t stop running remembering the words Starsky had told her. She would bring back reinforcements.

“She make it Starsk?” Hutch’s breathing intense and questioning.

“She’s in the woods.” Starsky’s heart plunged in his chest; they were in trouble. At least the kid made it. He looked to Hutch with brows raised. “What now?” His breathing short and rapid.

“The woods buddy. GO! I’ll cover you.” Hutch clambered up on one knee peering over the old gray trough.

“Told you Hutch. I’m not leaving you.” Starsky glared back in slight anger at the suggestion of breaking up the partnership.

“Starsk, damn it. There’s no time. Go! I’m right behind you.” The snarl in the blond’s voice and the withering eagle glare caused Starsky to cringe and obey his partner’s commands.

He knew that look meant just do it there’s no time to argue. Starsky rose up and readied himself, not liking the play he was about to make but letting Hutch be the quarterback. He made one last turn to the blond lug playing hero. “Right behind me, Blondie. Right behind me, you got that?” Hutch gave a reassuring nod and began to fire his magnum at the farmhouse.

Starsky set his blue Adidas shoes into action. He dug into the ground hard and fast as he made his retreat to the gully and into the woods.

 

Chapter Two

Hutch gave himself the luxury of seeing his partner’s escape. He breathed a sigh of relief. Bagley was after him and he wouldn’t put his partner’s life at stake or the stowaway teen’s. This was his mess all right and he would stand alone. Hutch felt unnerved at the emptiness to his left and the silence of his best friend’s Beretta but it had to be this way. He wouldn’t let Starsky’s crazy delusions of grander of their dying together like Butch and Sundance become reality. Besides, they were bad guys weren’t they? In this story Hutch would see to it at least one of the good guys would win; that being his best friend in the whole world.

Hutch’s explosive shooting frenzy stopped with a click, click of the magnum. That was it, out of ammo. Just as he begun to try to make his way toward the woods a sickening thud hit his right side. Hutch dropped to a crouch and scuttled back and into the barn shutting the door before he was rocked to his knees.

He gripped his side where he felt the blazing pain. The hand he brought back up to his face was almost black. Thick blood coated his fingers. More shots rang out through the hay barn, forcing Hutch to roll and come up lying under the protection of the tractor. Blood spread through the hay and Hutch lay on his side desperately trying to hold the flow of it back.

“We got you now Hutchinson. You’re going to burn to death. The way Ernie died. Alone and trapped Hutchinson.” Bagley’s voice was monotone and matter of fact as it boomed out of the megaphone. Hutch quivered at the remembrance of the charred body of the young boy who was the reason for Bagley’s revenge. He looked at his wound. Burn to death? Yeah, if I don’t bleed to death first he thought.

“Keep going, Starsk. Don’t you dare come back for me,” he whispered, before giving in to the darkness. Its tentacles grasped at him like living vines wrapping around him and pulling him down inside the black wine bottle.

Starsky turned at the sound of more gunplay. Hutch was nowhere in sight. His depth of devotion to his partner hit rock bottom as he turned heels and ran back toward the barn.

Hutch wasn’t out long. He awkwardly rolled out from under the antique tractor and stood leaning against it. He could feel the warmth of his blood oozing between his clamped down fingers. A surge of pain doubled him over and he clutched to steady himself against the rusted old relic with a grunt of pain. An idea stirred in his brilliant blond brain as his blood dripped to the hay covered floor. The tractor; if he could just get the tractor going he might have a chance in hell of getting out of here. Before Hutch could even begin to put his plan into action a blasting breath of hot air roared as if coming out the nostrils of a dragon. Flames licked toward the barn ceiling rolling toward the left and rolling toward the right, engulfing the walls of the barn. The tinderbox barn went up as if it were soaked in gasoline it was so dry. Treacherous orange, purple and blue flames began to consume everything in its path. The dragon’s ferocious appetite left nothing in its wake as the barn quickly succumbed to the beast’s evil inferno.

Hutch desperately clung to his awareness as he stumbled over tiny campfires all along the hay laden wooden floor. Smoke wreathed around the barn filling it to the brim. Hutch’s throat burned. He tried to swallow but couldn’t, choking as he tried sucking in what little air was left. He headed to where he thought the barn door was. Instinct guiding him. He had to get out, had to get air. Stinging tears streaked down his black, ash covered face. He couldn’t even see the smoke any more couldn’t see anything beyond the blinding glare of the fireball. Hutch focused his attention away from the blood that still dripped from his side, away from the stranglehold he felt on his throat, and away from the dizziness that threatened to drag him down to the ground. He snaked out his hand and groped for the handle he knew was there somewhere in the cloud of smoke.

 

Chapter Three

Starsky’s full out gallop stopped on a dime when he saw the gray swirls of smoke puffing out of every splintered slat in the barn. Flames shot out the top of the roof and crackling roaring sounds of some god-awful beast filled the air. His lips formed his partner’s name without a sound escaping them. The heavy boulder of guilt upon his shoulders for leaving Hutch in the first place didn’t keep his feet from running full steam ahead toward the inflamed tinderbox. Starsky pulled up short as the door of the barn flew open and flames poured forth. He could see Hutch on the other side of the firewall squinting and teetering back and forth.

Hutch’s eyes zoomed in to connect with his partner’s, their radar more complicated than that of a bat. Explosive rippling blue eyes shot back and forth through the flame-filled door for one beat of time. Hutch saw the determination in his partner’s eyes. He knew Starsky would walk through fire for him and he was about to prove it. Hutch let loose his rage he wasn’t going to let Starsky go down with him. “Starsky, Starsk don’t, don’t you dare. You stay there, partner. Stay where you are. Starsk, get the hell out of here.” Hutch screamed through the flames and waved his hands in panic at his partner knowing full well it was in vain. He could see through to his partner’s soul. He was coming to get him–do or die.

Starsky never hesitated, his eyes still snared on his partner. He jumped into the water filled trough and soaked himself quickly. Then, without one thought to his own safety he lifted one arm up to shield his eyes from the burning amber flames as he leapt through the fire. Latching on to Hutch’s arm and shielding him the best way he could he dragged his unsteady partner out through the dragon’s mouth. They grappled to the dirt. Hutch wheezed and hacked into the soil, sucking in air as well as earth as he tried to fill his lungs with fresh oxygen. Starsky began to take inventory of his friend’s wounds but before he could a bullet almost took his ear off. Unceremoniously he pulled Hutch’s coughing form up and headed him toward the woods. Tripping over rocks and ditches, Starsky kept his partner on his feet and moving to the cover of the forest. “Hutch, come on partner. We gotta keep going.” Hutch, still trying to find his breath, hardly heard the words as he struggled to keep his legs from buckling. “Buddy, keep going they’re right behind us. I’m sorry partner I know it’s hard.” Starsky gripped Hutch tighter, as he felt the man losing ground.

Starsky twisted and turned through the trees and half dragged his best friend through a small creek. Water soaked through their shoes and pant legs as they splashed across. Pain tore through Hutch’s side. His attempt to hold back the bile creeping up his burnt throat finally failed. He doubled over and landed on his knees before Starsky could hold him up. Hutch gagged as he knelt on the riverbed, the cold water running past felt good on his legs. Starsky scooped up some of it and with his hand wiped at Hutch’s ashen, sweat beaded face. “Hutch, I know you’re hurting pal, but we gotta keep moving.” Starsky felt his stomach churn as he tried to raise the limp, exhausted man to his feet. “Hutch, help me out partner. Need you to back me up here.” Starsky struggled to raise his tall friend from the creek. He was almost a dead weight.

“Starsk, I told you not to come after me. W-why should.. left me. Slow y-you.. d-down..” Hutch stuttered weakly.

Starsky hauled Hutch up roughly without realizing it. He knows I would never leave him and he wouldn’t leave me. “Damn it, Hutch, you know.” Starsky stopped abruptly when he saw the blood that dripped from his partner’s hand that gripped at his side. “Hutch! Hell you’re bleeding.” The blood swirled in the creek and moved with the stream of water over rocks and down around the bend. Starsky held the limp man to him and slowly lifted his hand away from the wound. Starsky cringed as he peered at the hole in his partner’s side. “Blintz you’re hit. Why didn’t you say something buddy?”

Hutch’s head plopped down against Starsky’s shoulder as he whispered in his ear. “Cause my partner was too busy walking through f-fire to listen.” Hutch couldn’t hold on any longer as his body quivered once and his head slid off Starsky’s shoulder.

Starsky managed to grab the tall blond before he made a splash in the creek. He could hear the men closing in on them Hutch was no easy package to carry especially when he was wounded and out cold. Starsky had no choice, it would slow him down but he wouldn’t leave Hutch. He lifted the man up over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes. It wasn’t going to be the best thing to do with a bullet in his side but there was no other way. Starsky trudged through the creek Hutch dangled and bounced lifeless upon his shoulders. “One fine mess you’ve gotten us into Hutchinson.” His frustration mounted as he felt the warm stickiness of his friend’s life ebbing out against his back. “Hutch, you hang on partner. Damn it hold on tight. Gonna get you out of this mess Hutchinson.” Starsky panted and stumbled as he made his way down the small flowing creek.

Hiding Hutch was the only thing he could think to do. His partner was in no shape to be fighting any battles or bobbing around on someone’s shoulders bleeding to death. Starsky looked around frantically there wasn’t much time. He came upon a cluster of grape vines. He could conceal Hutch inside the twisting plant. He would have to face the bad guys alone. First he had to slow down the bleeding or Hutch wouldn’t make it. He already lost too much.

Starsky ripped off a piece of his shirt and balled it up pressing down with a significant amount of force to the wound. With his free hand he unfastened his belt and maneuvered it under Hutch and pulled the strap tight to hold the material in place. As Starsky tightened the belt Hutch stirred with a sharp intake of breath that spoke of nothing but pain. “Star..sk?” Hutch gasped, peering up at his friend with a frown.

“Yeah, Buddy. You’re okay. Just keep quiet now. Try not to move.” Starsky looked over his homemade tourniquet, quite proud the bleeding had slowed finally. He wanted to kick himself when he thought back to dragging his partner through the woods with a bullet in his side and blood pouring out of him like a sieve. He shouldn’t have lost so much blood but Starsky couldn’t have stopped at that moment or they would have been caught for sure.

Hutch must have sensed his partner’s anguish and gripped at his forearm with the strength of a soggy paper plate. Trying to raise himself up off the moist ground. “Gotta get out of here Starsk. C-can’t sit here .. do.. nothing. Not gonn….a let y-you go out like Dutch a-and S..tar..dance part..ner.” Hutch stumbled, slurring his words badly causing Starsky to shut his eyes and cringe. Hutch tried to rise up more to get to his feet but bolting white-hot injections of pain swirled through his gut and he collapsed back to the earth with a thud.

“Whoa there, Partner. You’re not going anywhere. Just stay put, you hear me Hutch? And Blintz, it’s Butch and Sundance.” Starsky knew Hutch was making fun of the two bandits but his humor was on a short fuse. “Hutch, I am going to get us out of this. You got that? We’re not going down like that buddy.” Starsky pulled his gun from its holster. Taking Hutch’s limp, clammy hand he wrapped it around his gun making sure his finger was on the trigger. “Safety’s off Hutch. Only two bullets left. If you have to use them.”

“Stars..k w-what you got g-going on in that thic..k hea..d of y-yours?” Hutch struggled to focus on his lame brain partner who already walked through fire for him and now appeared to be going out on his own to face the firing squad. Hutch let a pain-filled smile cross his face. Thinking how lucky he was to have a friend who thought so much of him. Their friendship was sincere and true not self-serving in any way. Unlike Butch and Sundance they were the good guys and the good guys always won. At least Hutch liked to think that way.

“Going out to get the bad guys, partner. You lay low and keep quiet. Don’t go moving around, understand me Dutch?” Starsky flicked his friend a smart-aleck gaze.

Hutch arched an eyebrow at his dark haired one-man army. “That’s H-hutch dum..my and I w-won’t allo..w it.” Hutch pitched forward trying to sit up as the tangible pain now struck him like a flaming arrow.

“Actually it’s Butch buddy. And we don’t have much of a choice. Sorry partner.” Starsky clasped his friend’s shoulders sympathetically and tried to ease him back down. “Hutch, come on now. Take it easy, for me. Help me out here. Try to keep still and just hold on for me. Can you do that, Buddy?” Starsky’s voice was thick with worry and cold fingers skittered down his back at the pain and blood loss he was witnessing.

Hutch let himself be lowered back down to the ground. He looked around at the twisting vines trying to hold back his pain and the overwhelming sense of fear for his partner going out there without backup. “Alri..ght Stars..” Starsky raised his index finger and waggled it back and forth with a soft chuckle. Hutch let his eyes roam upward at the humor of his best friend. Here he was down for the count and three borderline psychotics were out there and his partner had time for goofing around. “O…kay, okay Stardan..Su..ndance just w-watch yourself.” Hutch choked out.

Starsky squeezed the hand the gun lay in one more time. A gesture of reminding Hutch to use it if he had to. Hutch grabbed Starsky as he began to rise. He gave his partner such a heart felt, soul deep gaze. Starsky thought it would give a broken down, leaking old ship the courage and strength to sail round the world in two seconds flat. With a nod of acknowledgement and determination he told his partner with his own set of bedazzling blue eyes ‘we’re going to get out of this, Hutch, trust me.’

 

Chapter Four

Starsky knew he was out numbered and out gunned. He was more than out gunned; he didn’t even have a gun, with bullets that is. The thought of his partner lying in a bunch of weeds slowly bleeding to death was enough to enrage him. He would get them out of this mess. ‘Nobody messes with my partner.’ His mind’s ramblings were interrupted by footsteps shuffling through the leaves. Starsky started but managed to find a measure of composure. He scampered up a large oak tree. Perching himself out on a large heavy limb.

Starsky stared with intent at a dark haired, bearded man. He stopped directly under the tree limb and looked in all four directions. The rifle hung loosely on his shoulder and he wiped at the beads of sweat that had formed on his mustache. Starsky then recognized a buzzing sound right below his feet. Attached to the tree limb was a large beehive. His eyes brightened at his own brilliant plan. He squatted down and gave the hive one swift quick kick that sent it falling on top the head of the radio snatcher. The fuzzy yellow and black striped flying hypodermic needles swarmed with fury. Stinging and diving at the bearded man. He ran back toward the farmhouse screaming in agony as the bees followed hot on his heels.

“Damn.” Starsky snapped his fingers with a flick of his wrist. He was hoping the guy would drop the rifle in his haste. He clambered back down the tree and lurked in the shadows for the other two psychotics.

Does anything on this planet force a heavier weight on ones shoulders than guilt? Hutch tried to lift those heavy shoulder’s up off the ground, up on to his elbows. I can’t let him do this alone. Hell it’s three to one. Gotta even the odds Hutchinson Move! The guilt that cut into his heart hurt more then the bullet that plunged into his side. Hutch pulled at some of the grape ropes crawling out from under his hideout and groped to his disobliging feet. He staggered through the woods stopping at almost every tree to lean against it and catch his breath and his awareness. His left hand clutching his side he looked to his right that held his partner’s gun. Gordo, damn it. Always going off half-cocked. No weapon. Three to one odds. You better be okay buddy. You just better. Hutch pushed off the tree he’d used as a crutch and continued staggering through the woods.

A snap of a twig sent Starsky whirling around reaching by instinct for his holstered gun that was not there.

The tall, skinny, curly-haired blond stood frozen. His beady eyes trained like a viper on Starsky and his trigger finger on his gun. “Don’t move, pig.” The man growled out. “Bagley over here,” he shouted, glancing over his shoulder only briefly enough that Starsky made his move.

Surprise always a good defense. Starsky slammed into the curly haired convict blasting him to the ground as his gun skittered away and promptly found a large foxhole to fall into. The two struggled about on the leaf and moss lined earth. The street brawl took them over rocks and fallen logs as the two skilled-in- battle warriors wrestled for control of the other. The curly blond gave Starsky a few lessons in pain as he pummeled his fist a few times into his eye sockets. Stars flashed white stripes through his brain and Starsky felt the world close around him getting dark. He struggled to stay with it. Hutch, he had to get back to his partner. That thought brought his eyes open again in time to see another fist plunge down against the side of his head. Starsky fumbled around his side desperate for any help. His hand brushed across a large rock. He wrapped his hand firmly around it and with one quick blow to the side of the curly head, his attacker fell to his side, out for the duration. Starsky cuffed the unconscious man’s hands behind a small tree. He wouldn’t be going anywhere.

His worry for his partner sent him back toward the grapevine patch. Crawling into the canopy of green and purple berries Starsky’s mouth fell open to the sight before him. Blood lay in a puddle on the damp dirt floor. Hutch was gone. A thousand horrible notions flew through him like spears as he scrambled back out of the hideaway. “Hutch, Blondie?” Starsky questioned the air and the trees. “Damn you Blintz. Told you not to move.”

“That’s right pig, don’t you move.” A voice bellowed from behind him and he heard the unmistakable cocking of a gun.

Starsky gingerly turned with outstretched hands toward what he knew was waiting for him. Bagley; with a cannon, staring him down as if he were a grizzly who hadn’t eaten since spring. “Look Bagley, killing a cop will get you fried in the chair, you know that.”

“Who’s gonna tell pig? A little bird?” Bagley laughed like the crazed psycho he was.

Starsky’s frustration came down to this simple thought. He was damned if he did and damned if he didn’t. With no weapon and no back up and a trigger-happy big brother out for revenge. His only choice was to stand there and take a bullet or rush the guy and try to gain control of the situation. Starsky wasn’t in the habit of taking anything lying down.

Hutch grimaced, pressing hard on his wound that had started bleeding again. He heard voices and had turned toward what he knew was his partner. He rounded a large grove of pines to see Starsk standing stalk still with outstretched arms. With Bagley laughing and his finger pressing down slowly on the Beretta’s play button. It all happened in one big jumble of events.

Hutch registered quickly in his murky brain what was about to take place. He could see the glint of daring foolishness in his best buddy’s eyes. He could see the hammer of the Beretta being pulled back by the big brother on the edge. He knew Starsky wouldn’t sit and stay waiting to catch a bullet. He would burst forth going for the Hail Mary play before he would ever give up.

Two shots rang through the woods. It resounded all around like the cracking of a bullwhip. Starsky’s body jolted back hard in reflex. It took him a minute to realize there were no extra holes in him. Looking up he saw Bagley just as he slumped to the ground a huge bloodstain seeping out his back. Cop instincts took over as he knelt to check for life and remove the gun from Bagley’s hand. He was dead before he hit the dirt. Starsky turned toward the trees to see Hutch leaning against one, gun at his side. He slowly slipped down the bark to end up sitting up against the trunk. Shaking his head to clear his shock, Starsky bolted to his partner. Hutch was bleeding again. Starsky unfastened the belt and removed the soaked material. He ripped more of his shirt for a fresh dressing and pressed it again with force to the bullet hole. Hutch’s face blanched and no amount of deep breathing could help the pain. “Sorry. Geez Hutch, I’m sorry.” Starsky’s nose crinkled and the skin between his brows as well. He hated hurting Hutch more but he had to stop the bleeding.

Short shallow drafts of breath came from the blond as he pressed back against the tree trunk trying to escape his partner’s touch. “I’m okay Gordo. D-don’t.” Hutch sucked in more air hard and deep. “Starsk.” Hutch was no novice to pain, his hands at his sides grasped at the twigs and leaves squeezing them in between his fingers. He knew his partner had to stop the bleeding. He tried to concentrate on something else. “How m-many left huh?” he gritted out between his teeth as Starsky once again wrapped his belt around his midriff and tightened the cinch.

“Well Buddy, you took care of the ring leader. He’s dead. I got one chained to a tree and the other one ran back toward the house. He’s probably out cold by now, had a beehive fall on his head. Not sure if he’s still around or if the bees ate him.” Starsky smirked. “Hutch, I gotta get you out of here. Think if I help you walk you could make it back to the barn?”

Hutch nodded and Starsky hoisted him to his feet.

“Hutch I thought I told you to stay put.” Starsky resigned with a sigh of relief now knowing Hutch was safe by his side and not out in the woods bleeding to death under a tree.

“P-partners buddy, got to stick t-together. Not letting you f-face..a-a-alone. Hutch’s shortness of breath hindered his efforts to get the last two words out.

Starsky looked at the pain-filled face of his friend and with a reverent voice whispered low, “thanks, Partner, thanks.”

Hutch nodded once. “Any time b-bud.” He didn’t get to finish as the loss of blood claimed the light from his eyes. Starsky barely caught him, taken off guard at his partner’s sudden urge to take a nap.

“It’s all right, Partner, all right. Come on now gonna get you out of here.” He lifted the shambling man again in a manner that caused his insides to churn once more. The ground crunched beneath his feet as he swiftly moved through the woods. Hutch moaned a few times but Starsky thought it best not to stop, but to get his friend help as soon as possible. He didn’t like the position Hutch was in over his shoulder but, at least, he didn’t feel the sticky blood ebbing out this time. But it was the only way he could carry the big lug the distance back to the farm.

 

Chapter Five

Starsky cautiously walked through the barnyard. Hutch still out over his shoulder. The barn lay in a mound of burning remnants. Plumes of smoke circled the air. There wasn’t much left. Starsky winced at the thought of his partner’s brush with the fiery beast. He moved past the wreckage toward the house. Out of nowhere the blond, curly haired man charged him with a pitchfork. His marred face and arms covered in red raised welts. “Shooting you is too easy, pig. You’re going to suffer for what you did to me.” He leveled the pointed tines and plunged toward Starsky with heightened fury. Starsky had no time to react. Hutch slid off his shoulder and hit the ground with a horrible thud, landing on his wounded side. Starsky grabbed hold of the handle of the pitchfork and yanked it hard out of the crazed man’s hands. Starsky’s gaze fell to Hutch when he heard his name called out. The psychopath took advantage and pulled out a handgun pointing it directly at Hutch. Starsky turned back seeing the man’s intent. “I’m going to get you where it hurts, pig. Then you’re next.” Starsky gripped the pitchfork, the only weapon in hand at the moment and drove forward with a cat-like move spearing the man in the gut before he could get a shot off at his injured partner. Blood poured form the man’s mouth as he hung on the forked weapon a moment looking shocked into Starsky’s eyes. Starsky pulled the garden tool out with a jerk and watched the psychotic’s stare go blank, dead where he stood.

Starsky threw the pitchfork aside and slid down by Hutch. Carefully, he turned him onto his back looking at the wound. There was some seepage but not the heavy out pouring there had been before. “Starsk, you dropped m-me. What the hell h-happened?” Hutch coughed heavily looking up at his partner, taking note he was okay. “Sorry Hutch. Easy now Buddy. I had to take care of something. It’s okay now. Easy, boy, easy.” He lifted his friend once more this time cradled like a child in his arms. Moving into the house he lay Hutch gently down on a couch. Covering him with a blanket, he ran to look for a phone. A quick search of the house found no public utilities. Starsky stood in the kitchen a moment wondering where the hell they put his car. “Stars..k y-you there?” The low struggling breaths caused him to fly back down on bended knee next to his partner.

“Here, Buddy, here I am.” Starsky grasped at a hand that flailed in the air weakly.

Hutch gasped at the same time, taking in a long deep gulp of air and arching his back. The sound and the pain that he witnessed flying through his friend unnerved Starsky greatly. He quickly sat on the couch and scooped Hutch up into his arms and held him to his chest. He rubbed up and down the blond’s arms in a frantic attempt to comfort not just Hutch but himself. “Come on, Hutch, just hold on. We got this far, Buddy, don’t go giving up on me now.”

“I-I’m okay Starsk. Not letting g-go partner d-don’t worry.” Bluffing his way out of worrying his friend failed miserably as he cringed in pain again.

Starsky almost completely fell apart when Hutch’s coughing fit caused his eyes to roll up into his head. Only a slit of white showing. His baby blues lost somewhere in his pain as he went lax in Starsky’s arms. Just then Joey flew through the kitchen door slamming it behind her and she slid across the floor into the front room. “Cavalry is coming. Right behind me.” Out of wind she jerked her thumb back out toward the front of the house.

Starsky saw the black and whites pull up. He looked at Joey with respect and admiration “You came through kid. I owe you a pizza dinner for this.” Starsky gave her a winning grin as he thought of how the kid sounded so much like him. He gathered Hutch’s still form and headed out to a police cruiser.

Standing by the hospital window Starsky looked out over the city. On the twelfth floor you could see far into the night. The tiny buildings and lights looking like a child’s model toy. A stirring from the bed brought him to Hutch’s side like a shooting star. Starsky leaned down low over Hutch. One arm on either side of his head and his face hanging right over his partner’s nose. “Hey, hey partner, we made it. Can you hear me Dutch?” Starsky tried to ease his worry with the little joke.

Hutch’s eyes cracked open slightly. Starsky sighed at the sight of the baby blues. Shuddering some at the remembrance of the white, dead-looking eyes of only a few hours ago. Hutch felt the bed shake as his partner trembled. “Y-y-ou okay St-tard-dance?” His breathing was a little more rapid than usual but a small weak smile played across his face.

“We’re both just fine, Partner.” Starsky’s trembling ceased at Hutch’s willingness to joke around. “Good guys won Hutch.” Hutch winked one baby blue before letting both close in a sigh of comfort and rest.

“Starsk, I hate this movie, they die at the end.” Hutch watched his best friend stuff the last handful of popcorn in his mouth.

“It’s a great movie Hutch a real classic. They go out in a blaze of glory together like partners.” Starsky’s gaze kept transfixed to the TV set as Butch and Sundance flew out the door, guns raised, making their final stand.

Hutch moved slowly to get into a more comfortable position, wincing slightly and holding his healing wound. “Besides, Buddy, they were bad guys. They went out like bad guys.”

Starsky pondered this a moment as the credits rolled. “Yeah, well the good guys always win, right Partner?” Starsky gave his friend a lopsided grin. “Hey Hutch, look what’s on now. Godzilla vs Rodan.” Starsky settled down to watch the monster flick. Hutch rolled his eyes and sank down into the couch closing his eyes with a smile on his face. They would always be partners to the end.

The End.