Oh Brother, Not Again!

86

Our boys have a visitor. Will the Me and Thee bond be broken? Will they ever get back on track? Only time will tell. Or will one’s injuries interfere with their personal relationship as well as their partnership?

 

Author’s Notes: Thank you to Lapfordlass for being my beta for this story. Warning for medical detail.

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‘Twas a cool summer night and all was quiet. Nothing was stirring, not even a stray cat, when there arose such a clatter, not a HO HO HO, but a string of superlatives that were not for children’s ears. Hutch arose with Magnum in hand to see what the ruckus was about. Always guarding, always protecting, always. The white knight would stand guard over his curly headed partner. Hobbling to the window to assess the situation, he soon realized it was not St. Nick but rather brother Nick and a six pack of beer. His curls so much like his brother’s. They were being illuminated by the street light and were irrefutable evidence of an impending nightmare in the making.

“Oh boy,” Hutch said. He moaned, not so inwardly, as he paused and contemplated his actions. After a few moments he drew a breath, pulling himself away from the wall and opened the door as a hand met his face in a knocking motion. Hutch reached up and deftly caught Nick’s hand before he could knock on his face.

The action brought Nick’s eyes up and he spat out, “Hutchinson, what the fuck are you doing at my brother’s? Don’t you have a home?”

“Shut up, Nick,” came the terse reply, as Hutch pulled the overly inebriated dimwit into the apartment, shutting the door and relieving Nick of his six pack.

“H-Hey, that’s mine,” came the slurred response.

“Nick, just sit down before you fall down and be quiet, because Starsk’s sleeping,” Hutch explained as he hobbled into the kitchen to stow the beers, foregoing his crutches once again.

“Hey Hutchinson, if you’re injured why are you here at my brother’s? Why are you not at home?”

Hutch sighed then said, “Because I’m less hurt and I’m taking care of him.”

“What did you do to him?” slurred Nick. “How come you let him get hurt again?” he said, as he slipped his feet up on the couch and reclined. “I thought you were supposed to protect him.”

Hutch didn’t need Nick to add to his pile of already festering guilt over Starsky’s injuries.

“How bad is he hurt, huh?” Nick asked, while trying to stagger to his feet.

“No you don’t,” Hutch said, as he pushed into Nick’s shoulder, causing him to loose his precarious balance and plop back down on the couch.

“Hutchinson, you are a real prick, ya know that.”

“So I’ve been told. What are you doing here? You’ve been out all of what 6 weeks?”

“Can’t a guy just come see his brother? What is it to you anyway? He’s M-My BROTHER!” It was evident the amount of alcohol he had consumed was catching up to him as he slumped further into the couch with irregular breathing after his latest outburst.

******

Nick was passed out on the couch. Starsky was asleep in his bed. Hutch got some fresh ice and propped his leg up as best he could while settling for some sleep in the chair.

Drifting into restless slumber, Hutch wondered what had prompted this visit so soon after being released. He thought a call to the New York Parole board could remedy that situation, but he couldn’t do that to Starsky or Rachel. He would lay down money that Nick hadn’t notified his parole officer that he was going out of state to see family, simply because Nick Starsky didn’t play by the rules.

A little while later, Hutch was awakened by Nick’s frightful nightmare. He got up to wake him from his bad dream and crouched down to jostle Nick awake. He started shaking Nick‘s arm. Nick, who was still in the throes of his nightmare, swung out surprisingly fast and connected with Hutch’s right eye, while nearly simultaneously kicking out landing a strike on Hutch’s already injured knee. This elicited a muffled yelp as his body registered the blows. It seemed to Hutch that Nick had been trying to protect himself in the nightmare, not truly striking out at him. After rousing Nick and checking on Starsky, who appeared to have slept right through everything, he returned to the chair. He used his crutches to support his leg underneath him as it was now propped up on the coffee table.

******

After getting breakfast prepared, Hutch went in to rouse his partner.  Upon awakening Starsky said, “Damn Blondie, was I really that out of it, that I didn’t notice that someone tried to re-arrange your face yesterday?”

“No buddy, you weren’t. It happened last night, when I was trying to shake your brother out of an alcohol induced nightmare.”

“Wait. What. Nick is HERE?”

“Yep and arrived fully inebriated too.”

“Awe man, I’m sorry Hutch. What’s he doing here? I’m not sure I’m up for another of my brother’s little schemes right now.”

“Yeah, well come on partner. Let’s get you up as breakfast is waiting.” Hutch helped Starsky get to his feet then stayed close by as he ventured into the kitchen, as he was still very wobbly.

Starsky wasn’t seated at the table for more than a couple seconds before he said, “Hutch, I think I’m gonna be sick.”

Hutch was able to pull the waste basket over in front of Starsky just in the nick of time. After Starsky relieved himself of his stomach contents, Hutch got him a glass of water so he could rinse out his mouth.

“I’m sorry Blintz. You went to all this trouble to make breakfast and here I am ruining it.”

“Don’t worry about it. You didn’t ruin breakfast, although I think it might be a little too much for you right now. Maybe you better just stick with toast and water.”

Just at that moment Nick strode in and said, “Hey brother that just leaves more food for me!” He slapped Starsky on the right shoulder, the injured one of course, causing Starsky to inhale sharply and flinch as a wave of pain came over him.

“Dammit Nick, ya know your brother’s injured,” groused Hutch, none too kindly.

Starsky glanced up and looked at Hutch, communicating silently, asking his partner to stand down. Hutch responded silently as well that he would.

A couple of seconds later, Hutch said, “Hey Nick, the plates are in the cabinet to the left of the sink and the silverware is in the drawer below. Get yourself some breakfast.”

Nick complied silently and was soon sitting at the table with Starsky and Hutch. After a few bites of food, Nick looked up and said, “What happened to you guys anyway? How come you didn’t protect my brother, Hutch?”

Nick jabbed at Hutch, but Hutch deftly caught his hand and with an icy glare and said, “Back off, Nick.”

“Nicky, this wasn’t Hutch’s fault. We were chasing a couple robbery suspects when they split. Hutch went after one and I the other. He was injured when his foot went through a rickety platform, twisting his ankle and then the guy kicked him in the knee a couple of times trying to avoid capture. Despite being injured himself, he was still able to get his perp contained and then came for me. My suspect made it back to the warehouse and the waiting slew of kids that were using the location as a base. As I entered, a metal pipe was swung into my shoulder. The contact doubled me over and I was kicked in the head by a couple of the others. As I was blacking out, I heard Hutch and other officers arriving. He was injured and still got to me Nicky. That’s what we do.”

“Yeah, well how come you’re always getting hurt worse, huh?”

“That’s enough, little brother.”

******

Three weeks later, the guys had returned to limited duty for another week. Nick was still at Starsky’s and driving both detectives crazy. They both felt like they were waiting for the other shoe to drop. Starsky said late in the first week back, “Hutch, I don’t know how much more of my brother I can take.” Despite the fact they were family and he did love him, but his schemes, partying and women he was bringing around were getting old fast.

Hutch said, “Why don’t you tell him as much? I mean I know he’s your little brother and you feel you need to protect him. But he does need to grow up at some point.” He gave his partner a soft empathetic look.

“I know, I know,” said Starsky.

******

A week later the desk phone rang. “Hutchinson here. Yeah, yeah.” Hutch glanced at his watch and said, “I’ll be right over,” looking at Starsky and motioning to his chair, implying they weren’t heading out on the streets, just yet.

Starsky sat down in his chair with a dejected look. Could this day get any worse, he thought to himself. First, his car had a flat. Which wouldn’t have been a problem if Nick had gotten the tire repaired when he put the spare on, but hadn’t. Starsky had to call Hutch for him to drive in today. Now they were being chained to the desk for unreasonable amount of time so Starsky thought, as his stomach growled impetuously, making its desires known.

Hutch laughed at Starsky’s protest and said, “I’ve got to head up the DA’s office to work on the Sparks case. It might be awhile.” Hutch had dealt with the case at hand without Starsky as he had been ill with the flu along with half of the squad room. The perp’s father was an attorney over in Sacramento and was causing grief for the arresting officers. As he was leaving the squad room to go upstairs he said, “Oh and Starsk, go ahead and feed that thing you call a stomach as I’m sure the rest of the guys  don’t want to hear it protesting all afternoon.”

Starsky stuck his tongue out at his partner and looked at the files on their desks and sighed loudly. Knowing he was in for a long afternoon, Starsky decided Hutch was right; he needed food or he wouldn’t be able to concentrate.

About 45 minutes after returning from the cafeteria, their desk phone rang. “Starsky here,” came the salutation. The caller wanted Hutch to meet him, not Starsky claiming he didn’t know him. “Alright. Alright,” he relented, “I’ll send him over when he gets back, say about 1:30? Cookies, huh.”

Hutch still wasn’t back and Starsky realized if he didn’t leave now he would miss the meet. So he quickly left a note on Hutch’s desk: Following up with a snitch, partner. I’ll be back shortly. He proceeded to tape the note to the apple and the now warming milk he had picked up for Hutch.

Upon returning, Hutch looked around the bull pen, catching Collins’s eye and asked, “Do you know where Starsky went?”

Collins replied, “He went to meet a man, mumbling something about cookies, I think.”

It clicked. “Oreo,” Hutch said as he grabbed his jacket and headed to the door.

His retreat was stopped cold by the bellow: “STARSKY, in here now!”

Hutch opened the captain’s door and stuck his head in.

Dobey was hastily clearing his desk, stuffing things into the drawers and without looking up and said, “Your partner has been in an accident. We need to get over to Pacific and Hyde.

“What? How?” queried Hutch.

Dobey’s eye flew up to see Hutch standing there and paled instantly.

“Where the hell’s your partner, Hutchinson?”

“I left him in the squad room when I went to meet with the DA on the Spark’s case. Oh God, Starsk. What happened, Captain?”

“I’ll tell you on the way.  It seems a truck blew through and intersection and careened into the LTD. The car and driver, which I presume is Starsky, are pinned under the semi,” Dobey said as they were making way to his sedan.

About two blocks from the crash site, they became gridlocked in traffic, despite the lights and siren. The nagging feeling Hutch got when Starsky needed him was getting very strong, too strong. Hutch decided he needed to get to his partner. He bailed from the car and took off running down the street.

Upon arriving at the crash site, Hutch just about lost his composure. His car was about three fourths of the way wedged under the semi. Most of the roof caved in. Hutch paid no attention to the barriers and the patrolmen trying to hold him back. Hutch jerked free of the hands and spat out hastily, “That is my car and my partner trapped in there!”

A medic was returning from the squad with more supplies. Recognizing him, Hutch called out in a shaky voice around the massive lump forming in his throat “Joe, how is he?”

“He’s alive, but in bad shape. Obviously he has a head injury, therefore he is disoriented and aggressively fighting us.”

Hutch made his way to the battered hunk of steel and his partner. Joe said, “Let him know you are here. Just try to stay out of the way the best you can. I know you two have a tight relationship. It just might help calm him enough to prevent him from doing more damage to himself.” Starsky once again began thrashing about from within the mangled car.

Hutch astutely climbed in the back of the LTD and reached a hand over the back seat and placed it on his buddy’s shoulder, while taking in his partner’s state. Starsky already had a cervical collar on and was strapped to a short back board. His head was wrapped in white gauze with blood soaking through. It was evident his nose was broken. He had many lacerations on this face, neck and chest from broken glass impaling him. He also anticipated a few busted ribs, looking at the broken steering column. Then he saw Starsky’s legs which were encased tightly in metal with a copious amount of blood soaking through the right pant leg.

“Hey partner, I’m here. Starsk, it’s me, Hutch. Try to stay calm. You’ve been in an accident but you’re gonna be okay, just don’t fight it. I’m here buddy and not going anywhere.” He kept up crooning to his partner in that soft velvety voice that he reserved only for Starsky, who at hearing Hutch’s voice calmed some. Hutch teased him about finding other ways of getting rid of his car that didn’t include the demolition derby that took place here.

After a few moments there was a weak slurred, “H-HUHutch?”

“Yeah buddy, I’m right here and not going anywhere.” He squeezed his shoulder a little harder, so his partner could feel his presence. “Just relax, okay?”

“K, I think, I’m gonna be sic—“

Hutch alerted Joe, as Starsky began vomiting. Then he began to seize then his heart stopped.

Joe deftly intubated Starsky while Carol Ann got the defibrillator. They successfully resuscitated him after two cycles.

Joe called out to the firefighters, “We might not be so lucky next time. “Let’s pick up the pace eh, so we can get him extracted.”

Not that the firefighters were working slow at all. Joe was just informing them his patient was getting worse.

Hutch asked, “What happened?”

Joe responded, “Most likely the vomiting increased his intracranial pressure, which was already an issue from the skull fractures.”

It seemed like an eternity to Hutch before Joe interrupted his talking to Starsky and informed him they were ready to extract his partner.

Hutch diligently started to unfold himself from the car, but staying close enough to keep talking to his partner. As Starsky was extricated from the car, bright red blood started pulsing out of the right leg spraying all over Hutch, who instantly and instinctively clamped his hand over the pulsing wound. A medic grabbed the hemolytic dressings and the CAT (Combat Arterial Tourniquet) and swiftly got them applied.

Starsky was losing too much blood and the fluids were not enough. He needed red blood cells, like yesterday.

Joe said to Carol Ann, “If we don’t get him some blood and soon, we’re gonna loose him.”

Hutch said, “Take mine.”

“No, it doesn’t work like that,” said Carol Ann.

“We’re a match,” Hutch quickly countered. “We’ve given to one another in the past. We’re both B-.”

Carol Ann directed Steve to help Joe, while she took Hutch and got him in the squad. A fourth medic relayed a message to the hospital they were preparing for a walking blood bank transfusion as he handed Carol Ann the field blood transfusion kit.

Within moments Hutch was prepped. Starsky was loaded into the squad and the process was initiated. As Dobey was closing the squad doors, he looked at Hutch and said, “I’ll meet ya at the hospital, son.” Hutch nodded, that was all he could emotionally do at the moment.

Soon, Steve was starting another IV in Hutch to replenish his depleted fluid volume. The blood transfusion was helping to stabilize Starsky’s vital signs and they were actually improving, despite his lack of consciousness.

Meanwhile, Hutch continued to talk to Starsky softly, saying they were en route to the hospital where they would get him patched up real quick. Telling his partner that he was giving him his blood and that he shouldn’t waste it by letting it fall out of his body. He went on to say there were better ways to get away from family members who have overstayed their welcome. He pleaded with Starsky to stay with him, saying, “Don’t leave me Starsk, hang on buddy,” repetitively.

Upon arrival to the emergency room, Starsky and Hutch were practically simultaneously removed from the squad. Hutch was placed in a wheelchair and rolled in with Starsky. For obvious reason not separated from his partner, but grateful none the less.

The staff worked relentlessly to stabilize his partner, enough to get him to surgery. They failed to shoo Hutch out of the way after the transfusion had completed. They just worked around him effortlessly.

Eventually Hutch was escorted to the surgical waiting room as he was pretty shaken and a fall risk due to the recent blood depletion. Captain Dobey was already their waiting.

Starsky was briskly taken to the operating room to repair the arterial bleed and reduce the fractured tibia. They also repaired his nicked spleen and performed a craniotomy and finally wired a couple of ribs together. Those were the injuries Hutch relayed to Dobey. About two hours in, Huggy showed up and was stricken to see Hutch sitting in a chair. He looked around for Starsky, not finding him. He hedged that it was Starsky who was the one in the car and thus the more injured of the two. Neither Hutch or Dobey noticed Huggy’s arrival as a patrolman was giving them a rundown of the accident. He indicated all the witnesses stated the driver of the truck, who had fled the scene, was wearing a helmet of all things. Thus clearly indicating that it was no accident.

Hutch paled and swayed as the information registered: it should have been me. Huggy deftly moved in and supported Hutch and he Dobey got him seated in the chair. It was then Huggy saw all the blood on Hutch.

“What the hell happened to you, my blond brother? If you’re out here then it’s safe to say, that Curly is in there.” He pointed to the OR doors.

Hutch nodded meekly.

Dobey proceeded to fill Huggy in on what he knew thus far, concluding that it was a set up, most likely to take out Hutch.

Hutch just looked to Huggy, with eyes about to overflow and said, “Huggy, he died and it was supposed to be me.” Hutch broke down; whether it was from blood loss, shock of seeing his injured friend, or the events he witnessed on scene. Huggy pulled him into a hug and Dobey put his hand on his shoulder and squeezed it.

After couple moments, Hutch pulled away and asked, “Can you look into it, Hug, and let me know, huh?”

“You have to ask? Consider it done, my friend.” Huggy then proceeded to dole out the coffees he had brought with him. A while later, Huggy went to make some calls, one of which was Diane. He asked for her to bring some clothes for Hutch saying the guys had kept a spare change at his place and some substance to fuel them.

The OR waiting room was filling up fast, as fellow officers arrived to offer support and wait on word on their fellow officer. Among them were Simmons, Babcock, Kaplan, Glassman, Marconi, Winters (Mildred) and the Police Commissioner.

******

Somewhere in a dark skanky bar in Bay City sat Nick Starsky, with a smile on his face and a beer in hand. Nick reveled thinking to himself, now with Hutchinson out of the way he and his brother could rebuild their relationship, once and for all. Without the blond interloper getting in his way.

Nick stood finishing the swig of beer before going to comfort his brother about the loss of his partner. When his eye caught the end of the news cast, with a reporter standing outside of Memorial Hospital said this is Jim Britton reporting; “We are still waiting on an official update on the critically injured police officer, David Starsky, who was involved in a horrific traffic accident earlier today.” The screen flashed to a photo of the wreck.

The glass slipped out of his hand and crashed to the floor. Stunned Nick mumbled, “What the hell happened? It was supposed to be Hutchinson.” He asked a nearby patron, “What hospital did they take the police officer to?”

“Memorial,” came the gravely reply.

******

At Memorial, officers came and went. Only Dobey, Simmons, Babcock, and Kaplan stayed waiting with Hutch. Suddenly loud voices could be heard, one with a distinctive New York accent.

“Awe shit, Nick. I forgot all about him.” Simmons started out into the corridor, when Hutch said, “Mark, I got it.” Hutch then proceeded down the hall where a highly agitated Nick Starsky was trying to bully his way down the corridor.

Hutch approached him while he was giving the duty nurse the riot act. Hutch grabbed him by the elbow and said, “Hey Nick—” That was all he got out, before Nick spun with cat like reflexes and landed an intense blow to Hutch’s left jaw, causing him to stumble back and into a candy striper, who was carrying a tray of supplies from a recent procedure. The contents of the tray went skittering across the floor. Nick took this opportunity to strike out again. However Hutch had recovered enough to intercept the second blow and grabbed Nick’s arm and spun him around into the wall and had him cuffed before any of the other officers got to them.

Nick loathed seeing the sight of Hutch standing in front of him and lashed out the only way he had left and hollered, “Hutchinson, why are you standing here, while my brother is in THERE!? You’re a lousy partner. Looks like you failed to protect him again!”

At hearing this, Hutch lost it and surged toward Nick, only to be halted by Simmons pulling him mostly away from the younger Starsky. While Babcock reined in Nick, thus pulling him from Hutch’s grasp mostly.

“Come on Hutch, he isn’t worth it,” said Dobey. When it appeared his detective was not gonna to heed the warning. Dobey commanded, “HUTCHINSON STAND DOWN! That’s an order.”

As the order registered, Hutch relinquished his hold on Nick allowing Simmons and Babcock to separate the two. Then Dobey asked, “Hutch do you want to press charges on Nick for striking an officer and have him escorted down to the precinct?”

After hearing the command and some careful thought, Hutch said, “No Cap, he is my partner’s brother. I couldn’t do that to Starsk.”

“All right then. Babcock take Nicholas Starsky over to the chair and cuff him to it. Simmons, you sit with Hutch and make sure he doesn’t lose his cool.”

“Hey that’s not fair why do I gotta be cuffed?” Nick groused.

Dobey spun around, quicker than any of those present thought possible, bringing his finger up to Nick’s face and said, “Son, you are only still here by the grace of your brother’s partner. If you can remain quietly and respectfully, you may stay. If you can’t then I’ll arrest you myself for assaulting one of my detectives, which I have no doubt will hold. Do you understand?”

Nick nodded meekly and was lead to the nearby chair.

Dobey then turned to Hutch with an icy glare and said, “You will behave.”

“Yes sir,” stated Hutch.

Then Dobey said, “I’m assigning the case to Simmons and Babcock as it appears this was not an accident.” Furthermore, he told Hutchinson that he was posting a guard to watch over him and Starsky.

Hutch began to protest, but it was squashed with the Captain’s look, who added, “No private parties, gentlemen.”

Simultaneously, the three responded, “Yes, sir.”

******

Two hours later, Dr Franklin emerged from the OR and made his way to Hutch who was sitting with their Captain. However, he also noticed the young man resembling Starsky. Captain Dobey inclined his head for Babcock to bring him over to hear the doctor’s update.

Once everyone was assembled, and Nick was introduced to the physician as Starsky’s younger brother by Hutch, Dr Franklin went into details about all of Starsky’s injuries. The list was overwhelming, the most serious being that, “Despite the repair to his leg and blood saving transfusion in the field, he still might lose his right lower leg.” Dr. Franklin said, “I’m afraid as bad as that seems, the skull fractures are an even bigger problem. Detective Starsky’s intracranial pressure, which had increased on scene causing seizures, occurred two more times while he was in the operating room. Decompression was achieved via burr holes, in three different locations. As a result of trauma, he is still intubated and is also in a coma with limited brain function, which we hope will improve once the swelling in the brain abates…That’s if he makes it and that there is improved brain function. I’m sorry to be so blunt.”

Hutch had lost all color and swayed precariously. Huggy grabbed an arm and so did Simmons. After a few seconds Hutch looked at Dr. Franklin and asked, “C -C -Can I see him?

Nick protested, “He’s my brother, Hutchinson. I should see him first. You are JUST his partner,” Nick lashed out trying to cover his guilt.

Dr. Franklin said, “I don’t care who sees him first, but there will be no turmoil in the room. Dave’s life is in a precarious balance, the stress could kill him.”

Hutch relented, “Go ahead, Nick, go see your brother.”

Ten minutes later Nick was back, he looked horrified. He walked up to Dobey and asked if he was free to go because he needed some air.

Dobey said, “Yes.”

Nick then held up the one hand with the cuff on it. Babcock rose with Hutch’s cuff key and freed Nick.

Once freed Nick stated, “I gotta get out of here,” and practically ran to the exit.

Hutch went into Starsky’s room briefly then let the others into visit. Then he returned and the multi day vigil began and lasted for many of days.

******

Eight days later, Dobey ordered Hutch home to shower and nap; after which he would pick up his exhausted wayward detective and take him home for a wonderful home cooked meal with the rest Dobey family. He promised to then to bring Hutch back to the hospital. The dinner was amazing and Hutch found himself somewhat enjoying the conversation and kids.

******

As they approached Starsky’s ICU room, Hutch noticed that Nick was in with Starsky. Dobey relieved the officer standing guard, stating, “I will watch over the detectives, Officer Mullins. You go and have a nice meal.”

Officer Mullins thanked the Captain profusely before leaving his post. Dobey caught Hutch’s arm before he could enter and said, “There won’t be a need for me to call Officer Mullins off his lunch break, will there?”

“No cap, there won’t.” He pointed to Nick. “He hasn’t been in since the night of the accident. I can’t believe he would just walk out and not come back, all this time.”

Working on some unrecognized instinct, Hutch opened the door stealthily and the murmurings of Nick Starsky left the two newcomers dumbfounded as Nick poured out his guts to his brother:

“Davey come on brother, come back to me. I’m sorry for all this. Come back and we’ll be brothers again, like old times. It was supposed to be Hutchinson, not you brother. He was supposed to be taken out of the way. I just wanted us to be brothers again, not having that interloper there pulling you away from me. I am your flesh and blood not him. Mortz hired some bozo who didn’t pay attention to who was in the car. I’m sorry, brother.”

With Nick‘s bedside confession, Starsky’s vital signs went haywire, his respiratory rate climbed significantly and his heart rate shot up to near 200 beats per minute, then just as quickly he flat lined.

Hutch seethed. “NO, YOU STUPID SON OF A BITCH,” as he yanked Nick away from Starsky. The area became flooded with emergency personnel. Dobey got hold of Nick and spun him around to cuff him, then read him his Miranda rights. The three were forced out into the hall.

It appeared to all that Starsky was not responding to medical intervention. Hutch couldn’t take it. He went back into the room, decisively and hollered out, “Starsky, I’m here partner, come back, don’t leave me, Starsk.”

There was a brief blip on the monitors.

Hutch pressed closer, reaching out and grabbing Starsky’s foot and rubbing it, he said again, “Come on fight this, come on, buddy. Don’t leave me.”

As the medical staff yelled, “Clear,” Hutch relinquished his hold. The defibrillator cycled. Then there was a slow erratic blip then long pause and then another blip.

Hutch again reached out making contact with his partner and said, “Come on Starsk come back to me.” Another couple of erratic blips and Hutch continued, “That’s it, buddy, you can do this. Come on babe come back. Time to wake up, pal. You’re scaring the hell out of me.” Unbeknownst to Hutch, tears were rolling down his face as a sign of love, not weakness.

As the love permeated, Starsky’s monitor began to beep at a regular rhythm. There was a collective sigh in the room; shortly thereafter emergency personnel pulled out. Hutch moved closer to Starsky and he came down and whispered, “Thanks for coming back. Thanks for not leaving me, buddy. I love you!” He bent over and kissed Starsky’s forehead.

Out in the hall, Dr. Franklin approached Captain Dobey shaking his head and said, “Why, if I hadn’t witnessed it with my own eyes, I wouldn’t believe it. Their connection is something else.”

Dobey grunted and said, “I understand. They’ve had entire conversations right in front of me without a word being said. It does take a little getting used to, but I’ve learned to trust in it.”

Somewhere in the fray officer, Mullins had returned. Dobey handed custody of Nick Starsky to him, advising him to get him down to the station where Babcock and Simmons would be able to follow up.

After about 20 minutes Dobey stuck his head into the room and saw Hutch crooning to his partner with tears streaming down his face. Pain and love hung thickly in the air and Dobey thought, If Starsky doesn’t recover, I just might lose both of my boys. Then corrected himself. No, I would definitely lose both. No doubt about it.

Dobey got a message to Simmons and Babcock to wait for his arrival before questioning Nick. Then he placed a call to Huggy and asked him to stop by after he closed and updated him as to the situation.

Huggy replied, “You’ve got it El -Cap-e-tan.”

Dobey had just re-entered Starsky’s room and given an update to Hutch, before heading into Metro to sit in on the interrogation of Nicolas Starsky, when there was a weak and raspy, “H-Hu-Hutch.”

Hutch and Dobey were stunned but Hutch said, “Hey partner, I’m here, buddy.”

“What happened?” Starsky inclined weakly.

“You tried to leave me, but I wouldn’t let you go.”

“I’m glad,” was all Starsky could muster before he drifted off to sleep.

A while later Starsky awakened again this time with more clarity and a desire to know why he was in the hospital. Hutch sighed and told him that he got in the way of a hit that was meant for him. Starsky’s periods of lucidity were brief and every few minutes he would ask another question, until he had the whole story from his partner.

Getting agitated he said, “Awe damn, Nicky.” Then even more alarmed he said, “Ma. Hutch you gotta tell her before news of Nicks arrest gets out. Please buddy,” Starsky pleaded. “I don’t think this is something she should be told alone over the phone. Either.”

“Yeah, I was thinking the same thing,” replied Hutch.

“Look, the way I see it, I’ve got the Captain and Huggy and several others to look out for me while you’re gone, Hutch. Ma’s got nobody,” he said weakly.

Looking at his watch, Hutch said, “I could just  make the 9:25 flight from LaGuardia or the 10 PM from JFK.” He knew this from previous airport drop offs for his friend over the years they’d been partnered.

Huggy said, “I’ll make the calls and get you a flight while you let the Captain know your plans.”

******

The plane landed in LaGuardia at 4:30 a.m. Hutch disembarked with his carry on in hand. He stopped and grabbed a coffee and a banana, then proceeded to the taxis.

It was 5:45 in the morning when the taxi pulled up at the specified brownstone home. There were lights on inside. Hutch paid the driver and exited the cab. Slowly making his way up the steps, he settled on one of the scenarios of how to break the news to Rachel.

With hesitation, he knocked on the door and waited.

Rachel opened the door, smiling, looked at Ken and all the color trained from her face as her hand came to her mouth saying, “No, no, no, no. Ken, please tell me it’s not David. I can’t lose another.”

Hutch made his way into the home and pulled Rachel Starsky to him, wrapping his large arms protectively around the tiny women he so adored. A lady who had shown him unconditional love over the past nine years. Hutch soothed her and said, “No Rachel, David’s alive. He’s still with us, but I came to escort you back to Bay City.”

“Why?” came the response. Then before Hutch could answer her she said, “Oh no, he’s not going to die, is he?”

Then she looked up at Hutch for the first time seeing his gaunt face, sunken dark eyes and rumpled clothing. “Oh forgive me and my poor manners!” She grabbed Hutch’s hand and pulled him to the kitchen. What ever he was going to say and why he had come was of little concern as she observed the bedraggled exhausted man in front of her. Hutch allowed her to pull him into the kitchen and set him down at the table.

Rachel quickly busied herself getting coffee and putting breakfast on the table that she had just finished preparing. Once the meal was served, she sat down and waited. Hutch spoke.

Rachel gasped as a realization sunk in. “One of my sons tried to kill another one of my sons. How awful.”

Hutch reached out a hand and placed it on her forearm and looked up with tears nearly overflowing his eyes. “No. Rachel, the hit was meant for me! Nick was trying to remove me from Starsky’s life. He was under the delusion that they could rebuild their brotherhood. Except Starsky took the call when the hit went down. I’m so sorry Rachel. This is all my fault.”

“Kenneth, don’t you ever say something like that again. I of all people know the importance of a good partner and responsibility of keeping each other safe on the streets. One of you or both of you would not be here today if your relationship wasn’t what it was, and for that, I thank you.”

Hutch nodded.

They ate in a quiet companionship. After clearing the table and putting the remaining breakfast away, Hutch guided Rachel to the living room, where they sat, and he explained in great detail the bedside confession of Nick Starsky to his unconscious brother that was witnessed by both himself and Captain Dobey.

Then Hutch explained the charges that Nick would be facing and their repercussions.  Hutch detailed all of Starsky’s injuries and his recovery status thus far. He stated, “He has managed to keep his leg, but there is still a lot of grey area there. If he is somehow able to avoid amputation, then the question becomes functional ability. Whatever the outcome, we’ll deal with it together.”

“Ken, when will Nick be arraigned?”

Hutch replied, “Not till Monday, but it’s likely to hit the news today. Both Starsk and I didn’t want you to hear about this from newscasters, nor did we want you to travel alone with your current health issues.”

She sighed, then gave Hutch a crooked Starsky smirk and, with flair, said, “I could’ve traveled just fine by myself, but thank you.”

Hutch replied, “But I got the better half of my partner right here,” pulling her in for a hug.

They both laughed. Afterwards Hutch made calls to Dobey and to the airlines to get their flights scheduled for the afternoon. Hutch took care in watering the flowers and the vegetables in the garden for Rachel. Upon completion of those tasks he went to lay down to rest as directed by Rachel. Hutch entered Starsky’s old room. He was comforted by the presence of his partner’s childhood memories and memorabilia.

Hutch was pretty distressed after he had spoken to Dobey, as he learned that Starsky was returning to surgery for another debridement on that right lower leg. As he was drifting off to sleep, he said a prayer for for healing for Starsky, but if not at least for him to live. The thought of Starsky dying was just too painful; not fully recovered, they could work with somehow.

******

Simmons and Babcock made easy work of Nick Starsky. Once in custody, it was clear to Nick that he screwed up. The only thing left was to take accountability for his actions (because this time, he could not blame him anyone but himself, not even that wretched blond that was always in his way).

Nick had to lay down his entire plan. He detailed who he contacted in the prison and then the name he was given once he arrived here in Bay City to carry out the plan.

The detective had enough evidence to get a warrant for the arrest of Staley, who just happened to be the nephew of Slater the guy who had ran Hutch off the canyon road several years back. There were also additional charges to be placed on Mortz.

******

The plane touched down at LaGuardia a little after 8 PM. Hutch and Rachel exited the plane and headed towards baggage claim to pick up Rachel‘s bags. Once the bags were retrieved, they headed out to the concourse. As he had been advised, Huggy was there waiting for them.

Huggy greeted them warmly then dramatically placed kisses on Mrs. Starsky’s cheek.

“Oh Mr. Brown, it’s nice to see you. You look well.”

“First of all ma’am, it is Huggy. Mr. Brown was my father. Secondly, I’m hanging in there, but taking care of the dynamic duo here wears a man down from time to time.”

They all laughed and climbed in the caddy.

Once they were clear of the congested airport fairway Hutch asked, “Hug, how is Starsk doing?”

To which Huggy replied, “He made it through the procedure and still has his leg. However he has been terribly confused, agitated and quite surly since the procedure. I don’t think he really remembers why you weren’t at his bedside.”

“That figures,” replied Hutch.

“That figures,” huffed Huggy. “Curly doesn’t know what to do without his blond comfort item at his side.”

They all laughed.

Arriving at the hospital and almost to Starsky’s room, Hutch picked up on the commotion outside his partner’s room. Hutch’s heart skipped a beat until he heard a confused and agitated, “Huuuutch. Hutch! Get off me, ya creeps. Keep your hands off me. H- Hutch.”

Hutch glanced quickly at Huggy who interpreted his message and he directed Mrs. Starsky to the chairs, while Hutch made a beeline into Starsky’s room.

Starsky was thrashing about in the bed, obviously confused and disoriented and being subdued by a few orderlies, who appeared not to be fairing so well.

“Starsk, hey buddy it’s me, I’m here now, just take it easy, babe.” Hutch made his way to his partner’s bedside. He kept up his mantra and placed his hands on his partner’s shoulder. At his touch the fight seemed to ebb away.

A few seconds later there was a weak, “H-HU-Hutch?”

“Yeah buddy, I’m here. You’re in the hospital, just relax, huh.”

“Where were you? I couldn’t find you. I thought they had you too.”

“Hey Gordo, I think those meds just confused you a little. No, I went to get your mom, Starsk.”

“Ma?”

“Can you pull it together? I’ll go get her, she’s out in the hall.”

“Yeah, I wanna see Ma.”

Hutch brought Rachel into the room and explained Starsky’s condition and what each of the medical devices were and their intended use. After a few moments, Rachel became accustomed to the medical supplies and was sitting on Starsky’s bed in deep conversation. Hutch exited quietly giving mother and son some alone time.

Out in the hall, the charge nurse Laura came up behind Hutch and said, “Ken I don’t know how you do it, but you are amazing with him.”

“I’ve just got him trained is all.”

She handed him a cup of coffee. He accepted. They spent the next few minutes catching up. Laura stated she had been gone for about ten days. She had attended a four day conference and then spent the rest of her time visiting family. Hutch explained the accident and why it happened. Laura was appalled with Starsky’s brother’s actions.

******

After nearly three weeks in the hospital, Starsky was ready to go home. Well actually he should have gone to in-patient rehab, but he flat out refused. He said he needed to be home. So the doctors finally relented with a couple of conditions: He was not to be left alone. He had to agree to wear the cranial helmet to protect his head in light of the many skull fractures he’d suffered, anytime he was moving. Absolutely no weight bearing on his right leg, not so much as toe touching, until released to do so. Lastly, a home health nurse to come in three times a week for wound care.

Starsky groused, complaining it was like going from one prison to another. Ultimately he agreed with the physician’s orders, and therefore was waiting for Hutch to pick him up.

As they were leaving, Starsky said, “At least this helmet will hide the atrocious haircut that I’m featuring.”

This elicited a small snort from Hutch. Then he said, “I don’t think they were so worried about your curls as they were your life, partner, and for one I’m glad they saved your life. Even if you do have a weird haircut. It will grow back, buddy.”

The next four or five days were a little rough with the three of them at Starsky’s apartment. Huggy had procured a small twin bed to put in Starsky’s room and Hutch and Rachel alternated nights with Starsky.

Hutch would get Starsky up to the bathroom and dressed in the mornings. Then he would place him in his wheelchair. Then either Huggy or himself would come by after lunch and take him to the bathroom then settle him back into bed until the afternoon. Hutch would get him up again for the evening. Rachel did a fabulous job of looking after the guys. Cooking, cleaning, and keeping David company and entertained. She was a blessing to Hutch, despite the fact she could not get Starsky in/out of the wheelchair or on/off the commode.

One afternoon, Starsky was really restless and agitated. He kept looking in his watch. He repeatedly asked his Ma if Hutch had said that he was going to be late when he left for work that morning. He had the feeling his partner was in trouble. There was a knock at the door. It was Huggy,

The first words out of Starsky’s mouth were, “Huggy, where’s Hutch, is he alright?”

“Well, hello to you too, bro.”

“Sorry Hug. How are you?  Do you know where Hutch is?” Starsky inquired impatiently.

“He’s getting things wrapped up. Hutch said he should be here within the hour but that you’d be chomping at the bit to use the facilities. So that’s what I’m here for, my friend. Come on, Curly, let’s get you up and moving.”

About 45 minutes later, Hutch came through the door. Starsky noted the guarded movements and the pallor on his face, “Hutch, you okay?”

“Yeah, I’ll live,” Hutch said and mumbled something about ‘stupid rookies.’ Then he headed into the bathroom, which deliberately ended the discussion.

Starsky glanced to Huggy looking for an explanation. Huggy said, “I don’t know, my friend. He called me from Memorial and said he was gonna be late and asked me to come help you out. He was not too happy that Dobey made him go get checked out.”

Starsky was like a dog with a bone. He wouldn’t let up in till he knew what happened to his partner. “Ya gonna tell me what happened, partner, or are you gonna make me poke and prod till I find where you are injured?”

Hutch knew his partner wouldn’t let up until he knew the whole story so he sat down gingerly on the couch. Then he proceeded to tell Rachel, Huggy, and Starsky what had happened. Hutch sighed and began to tell the events of the afternoon. Eventually he revealed that the rookie naively believed a gang member to be an innocent bystander, hence he was not restrained. “So when his buddy tried to escape, and I was in the middle of subduing him, the not so innocent bystander picked up a chain and swung it into my left side. I told Dobey nothing was broken. I’m just terribly sore and….”

Starsky interrupted “Well I’m gonna have a talk with Martin about how to train his rookies and then me and Stivers are gonna have a little talk about how I feel about my partner getting hurt.”

“It’s okay Starsk, the kid really feels awful. I’m sure he has already received the message after Dobey laid into him.”

Starsky gulped. He and his partner had been at the receiving end of Dobey’s wrath on more than occasion and did not like it. Dobey could be force to be reckoned with when he so desired.

******

It was the morning of Nick’s sentencing. Rachel was a quiet and calm. She had only seen Nick once while he was in custody. That meeting she expressed her sincere disappointment in him and said that it would take a while before she could forgive him for attempting to kill Hutch and seriously injuring his own brother in the process. She also told him that she loved him, but she would no longer visit him.

Nick was sentenced two counts of attempted murder of a peace officer in the first-degree, conspiring to commit murder with intent to kill, felony parole violation, and three others lesser charges. His sentence was life in prison without the possibility of parole and no appeal rights as he had willingly confessed to the crimes. He would serve his life sentence in Attica penitentiary in New York. However he would reside in Victorville penitentiary until the Staley trial was completed.

******

Rachel Starsky returned home after about six weeks. By that time Starsky had the external fixation device and pins removed from his leg and it was now casted. He was using crutches and was considerably more independent. Starsky really hated to see his Ma go, but at the same time was happy she was getting on with her life. He had said that he would bring her out for Christmas since he and Hutch wouldn’t be able come to New York, because they had used so much time already. She had agreed.

******

Starsky had returned to work on limited duty about three days prior to the Staley trial. The trial had gone as expected. It was relatively uneventful, but emotionally draining, especially since this was the first time Starsky had seen his brother since before the accident (attempted murder).

Surprisingly, Starsky held up well, listening to the testimony of Slater and Nicholas Starsky along with Simmons, Babcock, Dobey, and Hutch. In the end, Staley was also convicted of two count attempted murder first degree. Sentencing to follow.

******

A few weeks later, the guys were walking on the beach one evening after a rough case they had just solved.  Starsky had returned to full duty ten days prior to the start of this particular case. Starsky had gone all quiet and had a far away look in his eyes.

Hutch put his hand on his partner’s shoulder and asked, “Gordo, you alright?”

Starsky was silent for a moment, then let out a big sigh. Looking out of the water, he said to his partner, “It’s so beautiful, Hutch. I can’t believe Nicky will never get to experience this beauty again.”

“I know, partner, I’m sorry you are going through this.”

“Hutch, come on this wasn’t your fault. It was Nick and his overwhelming jealousy that’s all,” he said as he shoved Hutch sending him stumbling forward and ultimately tripping over a piece of driftwood, landing him in the cool waters of the fall ocean.

While laughing at his partner for a few seconds, Starsky reached out his hand to assist his partner, before thinking about it. That was his costly mistake. Hutch was nearly standing when he dropped and flung Starsky into to the cool ocean. Laughter and pure joy filled the air. This brotherhood would stand the test of time.

 

End