Home for Christmas

Starsky gets a surprise after being stranded at the New York airport at Christmas.

Finally, he could only hang his head, his frustrated anger and disappointment leaving him drained. Tears formed and were fought back. He was a grown man for gosh sakes, he wouldn’t give in and have a tantrum like a spoiled child.

But, damn it all to hell, he had worked so hard to be free in time, and now it was all in vain. He was stuck here in this god forsaken, nearly deserted airport with his single bag resting at his feet. Was it his fault the weather gods had turned mean and decreed a major storm just in time to foul traffic and ground all flights?

It wasn’t fair, not after all he’d been through, especially his mother’s sudden heart attack three weeks ago that had brought him rushing home to New York. He quickly gave thanks that she had recovered well, and was now snugly settled in her new home with his Aunt. She would be well-loved and looked after with Aunt Sarah, and wouldn’t lack for company.

Hutch had been so happy when told he was on his way home for Christmas. Great plans were being made for a special holiday, and he knew his special Christmas angel would spoil him rotten. And now look. All he had was the tired, commercial decorations of the airport; dirty, garbage strewn floors; forgotten pieces of luggage and personal stuff all over the place; lone attendants maintaining their posts through it all, and occasionally a security guard or maintenance crew member passing by. Even the flight crews had left.

The only real spark of Christmas was the great white swirling world he could see out of the windows. Couldn’t even see lights anymore. Great, simply great! What the hell was he supposed to do now? He had waited and waited, hoping against hope that somehow he would be able to get out of town. He probably couldn’t even get back to town now. Well, he’d slept in worst places. He looked around for the most comfortable place to settle himself.

Suddenly, the PA system shocked the hell out of him by echoing loudly through the deserted airport, paging him! What the hell?

Picking up his luggage, he followed the beckoning wave of a uniformed airport attendant.

“Mr. Starsky?”

“Yeah, that’s me. What’s up?”

“We have a call for you sir. Would you like to take it here?”

“Sure.” Probably one of his relatives checking up on him.

“Hello.”

“Starsky. Where the hell are you?”

“Hutch. Oh babe, I can’t get home. I’m stuck here. I’m sorry Hutch. I can’t get home.” He was sobbing slightly as he repeated himself. He so wanted the warmth of his partner, and the love in their home. He had missed it so much, and now this special Christmas was ruined and would never return.

“Hutch? Hutch? You still there?” he demanded of the silent phone.

He was startled momentarily when a hand stole around him and removed the phone from his hand, and then joined a second arm in encircling him with strength.

He whirled around, knowing exactly who had ambushed him. “Hutch!”

Bright, sparkling blue eyes, accompanied by an illuminating smile, banished all his doom and gloom.

“Merry Christmas, Partner,” Hutch said as he pulled him into a bone-crushing hug and delivered a gentle kiss to his cheek.

All he could do was hold on for dear life while he revelled in what he most needed in his life.

“What the hell are you doing here? How? When?” he finally babbled. “Why didn’t you tell me? Damn Hutch.” He allowed himself to settle quietly against his strength and drink in his Hutch.

“Come on, let’s sit down.”

When they had settled, Hutch drew him back into his clutches and locked him into his loving embrace.

“You remember Barry was heading east for the holidays?” Hutch asked.

At Starsky’s nod, he continued, “Well, he called me yesterday with the weather report knowing I’d want to know you probably wouldn’t be able to make it out. I couldn’t have that Starsk. I missed you so much and needed you back. So I called around and got the last seat on a midnight flight, and here I am. Must have been the last flight to land, and I’ve been waiting for you to show up ever since. Figured we could have our Christmas right here. Well, not here exactly, but in New York. I’ve got us booked into a special suite at the Radisson.”

“But Hutch, we’re stuck here at the Airport.” Somehow he wasn’t very concerned about that now.

“A little Christmas magic and I worked that out too hotshot. That lovely lady over there,” he followed Hutch’s finger to a rather tired looking redhead at the Hertz Car Rental booth. “She and several other die-hard employees will be retiring to the Radisson too, and have airport transport to get them there—it’s only a mile down the road. And, we’re invited to join them. How’s that?”

He snuggled a bit deeper into his heavenly comfort, and sighed in complete happiness.

“You, Sir Hutch, must be Santa’s best ever Helper. Let’s go.”

Arms around each other, luggage clasped in their free hands, nothing else mattered as they headed out.