Not So Stupid Pet Rock

Hutch contemplates Starsky’s pet rock.

Related to The Committee. Missing scene between end of the episode and the tag.

Hutch stared at the rock sitting on his dashboard; the stupid pet rock that had probably saved his partner’s life.

“Not looking so stupid now, am I, Hutchinson?”

Did the voice come from within him or from the rock itself? He wasn’t entirely sure.

He cleared his throat and said, “I guess not. I guess it’s a good thing Starsky bought you.”

The rock smiled. Hutch blinked and wiped at his eyes. He must be more tired than he thought.

“So are we friends now?” the rock asked.

“I wouldn’t go that far,” Hutch muttered. “But thanks for helping Starsky out.”

“You’re welcome.”

An arm came through the open window and thrust a milkshake into his face.

“Here ya go, Blintz,” Starsky said. “Drink up. You need some energy for finishing off our report.”

Starsky walked around the car and climbed in the passenger side. He quickly opened the bag containing the fries he’d bought and started eating.

“Who were you talking to?” Starsky asked between mouthfuls.

“Er no-one. Just thinking aloud,” Hutch said, but a tell-tale flush began moving up his neck and over his cheeks.

“Uh huh,” Starsky said. “Came in pretty handy, didn’t it? Having a pet rock, I mean.”

Hutch rearranged himself in his seat before saying, “I guess it was lucky you had a rock in your pocket but, if you hadn’t, you’d have found something to divert Fargo’s attention.”

Hutch could swear he could feel the rock looking at him forlornly.

“You’ve hurt Rocky’s feelings,” Starsky said, looking upset on his pet’s behalf.

Hutch rolled his eyes, but a moment later he patted the rock and said, “Good rock. Thank you for helping my partner out.”

Starsky grinned.

“Come on, eat up, we’d better go get that report written up.” Hutch threw his empty milkshake cup into the back of his car, much to Starsky’s disgust. Hutch didn’t notice. As he turned back, he added, “This case is going to be a big one…unfortunately. It’s going to leave a sour taste in the Department’s mouth.”

Starsky nodded as he finished his fries and then scrunched up the paper bag. “In mine too,” he acknowledged. “Hated pretending we were on different sides.”

Hutch reached out and squeezed his partner’s shoulder. Starsky nodded, then started slurping on his soda.

Just as Hutch was about to start the engine, Starsky said, “We’d better put Rocky somewhere safe, pal?”

For one second, Hutch contemplated throwing the rock out of the open window but then he remembered that if his partner hadn’t bought the silly thing he might well be in hospital right now…or worse. He grabbed the rock and placed it carefully in the glove compartment.

“Hey, Rocky can’t see what’s going on if he’s stuck there in the dark!”

“It’s past his bedtime,” Hutch said.

Starsky looked at him sideways and then started laughing. He was soon joined by Hutch as relief at how things had worked out set in with both of them. They couldn’t wait to get the report done and then go grab a beer together. Together being the important word that they were both thinking but didn’t need to say out loud. They both knew they would have to find a new place to hang out; Nellie’s wouldn’t bring back any happy memories for a while.

“How about that bar on Nelson Street?” Starsky suggested.

Hutch nodded. “Sounds perfect.”