Love is the Key

Starsky gives Hutch a very special gift.

Author’s Note: This was inspired by my favorite episode: A Coffin For Starsky and an old first-line challenge: “Stop looking at me like that…”

Originally published in SHareCon 2010 zine.

“Stop looking at me like that, and say what’s on your mind, Starsk!” The intensity of that gaze, not to mention the strange expression on the beautiful features, grated on his nerves. Their most recent case had been very important and Dobey wanted their report yesterday. He had no time for games.

“Good morning to you, too, Hutch,” came the calm response…from the opposite desk.

Hutchinson sighed and rubbed his tired eyes with his knuckles. It wasn’t his partner’s fault. He’d been working since three o’clock this morning. “Sorry, babe,” he said, hoping his friend and partner caught the sincerity in his tone. “What’s up?”

The tiredness in his friend’s voice was clearly not lost on Starsky. Reaching into his jacket pocket, he withdrew a small gift-wrapped box, and held it out to his partner. “Open it.”

Hutchinson ignored the outstretched hand. “Is that an order, Detective Starsky.” A statement not a question.

“If we are to have any kind of future, Detective Hutchinson. Yes.”

A sense of dread tickled Hutch’s gut. “Future of our partnership?” he asked.

“Open it, then we will talk.”

Hutch nodded. Taking the box in hand he carefully untied the bow, then undid the wrapping—all with deliberate slowness. Finally he opened the lid. What he saw puzzled him. Nestled on a bed of purple velvet was a key. The only two things distinguishing it from an ordinary key were that it was blood red and it was shaped in the letters DS. “Okay, I’ll bite. What is this for?”

The response was totally unexpected. The other man leaned forward until their faces were inches apart. “Here me, Kenneth Hutchinson, for I am going to say this only once. Sorry If this pisses you off, but I gotta say it before I get cold feet.. It’s the key to my heart which you have always owned.”

Hutch felt his throat constrict and his heart was beating like a trip hammer. //Calm, down!// his inner voice cautioned. He listened and forced his voice to keep calm. “And what brought about this revelation?”

Starsky gave a little smile. Hutch wondered what his partner saw on his face, if the hope and fear he felt was showing through. “You did,” came the reply.

Words failed Hutch; therefore, all he could do was point at himself—his eyes asked the silent question. “Me?’

The dark-haired man nodded. “Yep! Ninety-nine percent of it is all your fault.”

Hutch frowned. “And how do you figure that?”

“Cheryl Jennings.”

Hutch froze and closed his eyes against the images that name conjured.

Cheryl Jennings was now on the staff of the Chemistry Department at Bay City University after her father’s recent suicide and a very dear friend. Three years ago, however, that same Professor Jennings had hired Victor Bellamy to inject Starsky with a lethal poison. The antidote Jennings had finally surrendered to Hutch. Death had been defeated by minutes.

Why? Jennings was fixated on his son. In his eyes the boy could do no wrong.

When Cheryl had found out about her brother’s habit she had taken him home and locked him in his room. Unfortunately, she had not thought to check for his personal stash. Fearing his father’s reaction, Jerry had decided to exit the scene.

By the time Starsky and Hutch arrived (she had called them not only because they were friends, but they were also discrete), Jerry was dead. Worst yet, it was Jennings who found his son.

“Hutch? You okay?”

Suddenly Hutch had the urge to laugh, and gave into it, as he remembered the happy ending. Starsky had arranged a vacation via Huggy’s travel agency. His mistake—having Huggy call the precinct to confirm it. Dobey had answered then made Huggy repeat it to Hutch. All the while played the convalescent for all it was worth.

“What’s so funny?”

Hutch shook his head. “Just remembering and I accept your pledge. ”

“Great! We need to get goin’.”

“What’s the rush?”

The answer came from the doorway of Dobey’s office. “Starsky! Hutchinson! Did I give you those two weeks to sit around here?”

Hutch mouthed to his partner. “Two weeks?’

Starsky nodded. “Yep! Huggy got us the original vacation at the original price. Our plane leaves in three hours.”

Hutch was out of his seat in an instant. “Well, let’s go! We have to pack and….”

Starsky rubbed his hands together and chuckled. Hutch smiled, this was going to be the best vacation of all for when they returned they would be one heart, one mind, one soul.

“Starsk!”

Starsky quickened his pace. “All right! Keep your pants on!”

//For now!// Hutch’s inner voice added.

THE END